It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I finished some books! Yay.
Heat Wave by Richard Castle Dead Ringer by Allen Wyler
I will post both reviews this week.
This week I will be reading Abdication by Juliet Nicolson and probably continuing with Steve Jobs. I had thought about abandoning it but after our book group discussion I think I may give it another try. I may just skip ahead to the parts I want to read about.
Anyway, here's to a great week.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Sunday Salon: The Day after the Readathon

Good Morning Readers! 
Hope you all had a great Readathon! I was sad not to be able to officially participate this time. Maybe I can do some cheering next time. I was able to get a little reading in yesterday but definitely not as much as all those who participated in Dewey's 24 hour Readathon. I started Abdication by Juliet Nicolson and got 52 pages read. I am looking forward to checking out everyone's recaps today to see how everyone did.

Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay

The hubby, little girl and I had a lovely weekend. We went out to Half Moon Bay and visited a pumpkin patch. We came home with some great looking pumpkins and some really great photos. The little girl had so much fun. We went to Bob's Pumpkin Patch on Hwy 1. Besides pumpkins, they also had some farm animals and a hay pyramid for climbing. So much fun.  On Saturday, we had family over and had a nice dinner out. Earlier that day we went on a toddler friendly hike at Huddard Park. Really nice family weekend.
Today, on my agenda, is Book Group. We will be discussing the autobiography, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson over brunch. I am very interested to hear what others thought of this book. I did not manage to get it read in time. Half way through and I decided to stop. 
This week look for my reviews of: Dead Ringer by Allen Wyler Heat Wave by Richard Castle
Current read: Abdication by Juliet Nicolson
On the TBR pile: The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley
The Listeners by Harrison Demchick
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Orange October

These playoff games are TORTURE! My goodness, the Giants really know how to keep us fans on the edge of our seats.

Let's Go Giants!

Anyway, October has been a slow month for me so far. I am still reading 2 of 3 books I was reading when the month started. One may be a dnf. I am having a hard time getting through the Steve Jobs book. I just don't feel the need to read any more about his temper tantrums and bratty ways. I have a toddler.

My other book, Dead Ringer, is good but I have been bad about reading. I have been knitting, watching baseball, taking care of said toddler. My reading time has been on the low side. I am half way through. Just need a few hours to sit and read.

I have been really missing all the fall online bookish activities: RIP, Dewey's Readathon, BBAW, etc. Was hoping to get back into it all this year but a 2yo takes a lot of energy and time. :) next year!

I do have a review for you all- Heat Wave by Richard Castle. Look for that next Thursday. And here are the books on my bedside table to be read next:

Abdication by Juliet Nicholson
The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley
The Listeners by Harrison Demchick

Happy reading!

Book Review: Ninepins by Rosy Thornton

Ninepins by Rosy Thornton 320 pages, paperback Published 2012, Sandstone Press Another great book by Thornton. I have enjoyed every book I have read by the author. Her characters are so well developed - likable and real and so easy to identify with. Ninepins is different than her previous books, a little more serious, a bit of a thriller but with the same heart.
Laura and her 12 year old daughter Beth are on their own living a slightly secluded property with a room to rent. In need of money, Laura rents the pumphouse out to Willow, a 17 year old girl who has been under care and has a social worker. A little worried about her past, Laura is a bit apprehensive about her new renter and the relationship she is building with her young impressionable daughter.
Willow definitely has an affect on their lives, but in ways they didn't expect. 
Source: Book sent by the author for review _________________________________________

Wednesday Knitting

Halloween is approaching so costume making has commenced. 
The little girl and I have decided on a Bee as the costume for this year. Like last year, I have decided to knit the main part of the costume. Once again, it is a functional piece of clothing with some black and yellow stripes to make it look bee-like. I have made her a tunic sweater with Fibonacci striping that will be paired with some yellow leggings, antennae headband and wings that I will either make or purchase. Haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, here is what I got so far. Needs some sleeves, and the last bit of the skirt but I am rather proud of this little sweater. First time coming up with my own idea, pattern. I kinda like it. It's a little hard to see the detail due to the bad lighting. Sorry. Didn't have time during the day to photograph.

Click the button to share your WIPs and/or see what others are working on.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

So, once again, I am reading three books. Three! How do I always manage to do this to myself? Easily as it turns out, actually. One is my book group choice, one is for review and one is just for fun.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Dead Ringer by Allen Wyler

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Can you guess which is which? I bet you can.

Anyway, I have a bit of reading to do to get these finished, so I am off.

Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are you Reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Click on over to share what you read last week and what you are reading this week.

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Book Review: The Stand by Stephen King

The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition by Stephen King Published by Doubleday, 1990 ebook
I finally finished! It was long, but well worth the read. 
So much going on in this book, but just so well written. It is a story of survival, of redemption and humanity. It is the fight between good and evil, both real and imagined. There really is so much to laud in this book- the characters, the pacing, the parallels with the Bible and the story itself.
Now, I assume that most people know what The Stand is about, but for those who are not familiar with it- a quick synopsis. A deadly disease is released into the world, a flu that wipes out quite a large percentage of the population. Those who survive must make the choice of whether to join Mother Abigail or go and join the dark man in the west. A choice between good and evil. A small band of those with Mother Abigail are chosen to make the final Stand against Randall Flagg and save humanity.
Definitely, the best book by King I have read. So happy I was finally able to read it. I was a little hesitant after being disappointed with the tv movie. This was so much better. I feel a remake is in need.   Thanks, Trish for the Standalong!
Source: purchased ebook _________________________________________

Book Review: Lip Service by M.J. Rose

Lip Service by M.J. Rose Paperback, 326 pages Published by Atria Books , 1999
I was expecting another Fifty Shades of Grey with this one but was really pleasantly surprised to have liked this story so much more.  This is more about making a passive woman, who has lost a part of herself, stronger. Yes, there is a bit of explicit sexual situations but they are there for a purpose, not just to fill up space. There is a good story here.
Julia is married to a psychiatrist who treats her more like a patient rather than a wife. He keeps her medicated, tells her what to do and how to act to keep up his appearances. She is stifled from being herself. She gets the opportunity to write a book, for a sex therapist she meets at one of her husband's events, documenting his success with a new therapy-phone sex. She decides to get trained as a "therapist" for research and starts taking phone calls. 
Through these calls, she rediscovers a lost part of herself and realizes what is missing from her marriage-intimacy, love, respect and trust. Not that she gets these from the calls, but the fact that she is doing them, enjoying it and beginning to come out of her shell all without the consent and knowledge of her husband. 
There is also a bit of suspense thrown in.  Enjoy.
Source: Publisher for review
Author's website: www.mjrose.com


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Book Review: The Island House by Posie Graeme-Evans

The Island House by Posie Graeme-Evans Paperback, 464 pages Published June 2012 by Atria Books
Freya Dane goes to a remote Scottish Island, that was owned by her recently deceased father, to hopefully find answers about why he left her and her mother so long ago back in Australia. While there she discovers secrets that her father unearthed and a new place to call home.
The Island House is also the story of the previous inhabitants of the island, those who left their footprint that Freya and her father eventually dig up. Switching from the present day and Freya, we also learn the story of Signy, a native of the area whose family is killed by raiders and who is taken in by an early Christian community of monks and nuns.
This was a gripping tale of archaeological finds, love and sacrifice. You have a tale of discovery mixed with a tale of survival. Both Freya and Signy are strong female characters and its easy to understand their motivations.    I enjoyed both stories but was a little disappointed with the lack of explanation of why Freya and Dan (a new friend) keep having flashes of Signy's life. Was it a ghost, past lives being remembered? I wasn't sure. Besides that, I was really intrigued by the story and what they would find on the island.
Source: Publisher for review Author's Website: http://www.posiegraemeevans.net/web/

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Cleaning Schedule

I was just about to sit down and type up and share the cleaning schedule I came up with for myself when I discovered that I am not the first to do this. I actually got the idea awhile ago from a pin on Pinterest and today saw this post by KnitPurlGurl of her own schedule. So many people trying to get organized and clean. :)
Well, here is mine to add to the masses. Hopefully it will help me be a better housekeeper. I am usually not the best. I am ignoring the number of unpacked boxes that are strewn around the house. Will probably have to add those in one of these days!
Monday: Wash all bedding, towels Tuesday: Dusting, and de-furring of furniture Wednesday: Sweep and mop all floors Thursday: Clean bathroom and kitchen Friday: Anything else that needs to be done Saturday and Sunday: Enjoy relaxing with the family! 
Every day: Laundry as needed Pick up toys and clutter Make beds
I am going to start with that and see how it goes. This Friday I foresee a lot of major cleaning and unpacking. We are having E's 2nd Birthday party on Saturday! There is so much to do before then.
Other cleaning: Windows washed Cobwebs removed from house Ants sprayed outside Front porch and Back patio swept Finish unpacking Boxes broken down and put away Furniture all in place (dining table)  Do you have a cleaning schedule? How does it work for you? _________________________________________