


My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Happy Mother’s Day! I hope everyone has a lovely day! The sun is shining here, I have a hot coffee, a little chatty boy with hair in his eyes, and my husband making breakfast. Billy just asked what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day and quite honestly, I am content with this. I would like to get our outdoor furniture out of storage and put in back and build a toad habitat in the backyard though, so maybe we will do that too. And of course, we are going to see our own mothers for mother’s day so that will be nice as well!
What I Have Been Reading:
I have been reading all over the place lately. I was having a hard time finding something I could really get into. I’ve started and not finished so many books these past two weeks! A few I am keeping to finish up, but the rest I am marking DNF. And, I did finish one!




I am halfway through the Moth Keeper, and it is a beautiful book. The illustrations are gorgeous but I have actually never read a graphic novel this long before so it is a new experience, and sort of a strange one for me. I do plan on finishing it but it has been sitting neglected on my nightstand for a while now.
I abandoned The Wild and Free Family. I loved The Call of the Wild and Free by the same author, but this one was not what I was expecting and really not what I was looking for. There was a lot more talk about healing past trauma, etc then I was prepared for and it wasn’t what I wanted from this book. So, I am not finishing it.
Mandy is cute, I just haven’t picked it back up after getting halfway through. When I need something quick to read and light and easy I will grab it again.
Finally, Thornyhold! The book I actually did finish. Mary Stewart is a favorite of mine and I think after reading The White Hare by Jane Johnson I was in the mood for another like it – so Thornyhold it was! I have read it before so it is definitely a comfort read.
Currently Reading:

So far I am pretty immersed in this one! It is a bit rambly and I am not sure if I like the writing style, but I am enjoying the overall story and the descriptions that remind me of my own youth in the 90s. Lol. Plus, true crime and podcasts!
Posted the Last Two Weeks:
The Spring of Cary Grant: Holiday
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Mother Nature Lovers
Book Review: Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
Tuesday Morning Coffee Catch Up
Watching/Listening:
We haven’t watched too much this week. Billy was busy late every single night this week which was not fun for either of us so we didn’t have a whole lot of television time. Brokenwood is back on, and we love that so we are definitely watching that. When we need something fun and camp, we have been watching Murdoch Mysteries. We also watch at least one episode of Newhart a night, and it cracks me up because Wyatt loves watching it with us too. Lol. And then of course, we watched Holiday with Cary Grant.
I have been listening to more audiobooks lately! I have been picking them up to listen to from Libby, Hoopla, and Scribd. A few weeks ago I mentioned I was listening to Braiding Sweetgrass and I highly recommend listening to it then reading it. I don’t have one I am listening to right now but I plan on looking today for a new one to listen to. Sometimes I like to read and listen to the same book, if it is available. I can read when I am able to read, and then listen while I do chores around the house or before bed quietly, resting my eyes and body.
And that is about it from around here! I hope all is well in your world!
I read all of Mary Stewart’s books that my small town library carried when I was in high school. I think I’ve only re-read one as an adult and it wasn’t as magical for me as I remembered, but I probably shouldn’t let that stop me from trying another.
My book group read Braiding Sweetgrass together. I was one of the ones who read the audiobook and really liked that experience.
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I loved them when I was younger too! I don’t reread them all now, but I do have some special favorites that I keep going back to.
I loved hearing Robin Wall Kimmerer reading her book! It was such a good audiobook experience.
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The Wild and Free Family came in for me from the library and I browsed it, but it felt as if it was aimed toward younger families. I am a bit relieved to see that you DNFed it, too.
I hope you enjoy the Rebecca Makkai book.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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Yeah it was just not what I had wanted or hoped for. 😦 I was so inspired by her other book but this one fell flat for me.
Thanks! I hope you had a great Mother’s Day as well!
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Your books look so lovely! Your day sounds great, too. Enjoy your family time and pamper yourself a bit.
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Thanks Laurel-Rain! I hope that you had a great Mother’s Day as well!
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I love Mary Stewart books too and go back to them every now and then. Thornyhold I’ve not heard about but will keep an eye out for it. Have a good day.
https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com
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I love her writing! I don’t reread them all but I do have favorites that I go back to all the time. Thornyhold is one of them. 🙂
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I was having that issue with books too for a while. I’m reading one you might like actually. Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower. It has a magical garden, murder, and a good looking Scottish investigator. What more could you want? *wink*
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I would probably love that one!!! I read a series by Amanda Flower about a Living History museum and I really enjoyed it. I will have to check this one out too.
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Ooh! I haven’t seen that one yet.
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I like Mary Stewart but haven’t read one of her books in ages. Staying home and relaxing with your family sounds like a good thing, that’s what I like!
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Yes, it was so nice to just have a slow day at home!
I usually go back and reread one or two of her books every year. Nine Coaches Waiting is probably my favorite!
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I’m planning on getting seeds in today. We’ll see how we do! You, on the other hand, are a power machine!
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Uck no not this year. I am so behind on my garden, and I killed my seedlings! We are off to a rough start with gardening this year over here. Lol.
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I am glad I’m not the only who has DNF books. I used to feel compelled to read every book I started. Now, not so much. Not sure what’s changed. Also I am enjoying more non-fiction when fiction used to be my go to. Shrug. Life is weird.
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I did too, and then I realized I was miserable when I tried to finish a book I wasn’t reading, so I starting ditching them if I didn’t like it.
I go between non-fiction and fiction, just depends on my mood at the time. 🙂
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It’s been years and years since I’ve read Mary Stewart but I remember just loving her Arthurian series. I’m trying to be better about DNFing when a book isn’t holding my interest but I’ve been lucky so far this year and enjoyed most of what I’m reading! Happy Mothers Day and thanks for the visit.
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
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Those are the only books by her I haven’t read! I keep telling myself I need to read them because I am sure I would love them!
That is great when you get on a reading streak of good books!
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I’ve never read any Mary Stewart books…too long! Since COVID lockdowns, I’ve become quite good at not finishing books I don’t like.
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Thornyhold is a short one! But yes, some are long! I can’t do super long books anymore. Lol.
I don’t see the point in finishing a book I don’t like! Good to know I am in good company!
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Happy Mother’s Day Erin. I also have hopes to get the patio furniture set up today or this week.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
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Thanks Anne! We didn’t get to the furniture but hopefully this week sometime. 🙂 And Happy Mother’s Day to you as well!
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A toad habitat sounds awesome. Thornuhold sounds idyllic I’ll have to take a closer look for that.
I’m between shows and haven’t watched much either. Ever since the Mandalorian ended…
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I’m hoping some toads move in! Lol.
Sometimes it is hard to settle on one, especially if you watched one you really loved and it ended.
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Happy Mother’s Day! 🌼🌼🌼
I would love to see in-progress photos of the toad habitat. 😍
Have a wonderful new week. ☀
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Thanks La La!! Happy Mother’s Day to you as well!
We started the toad habitat! It looks a bit rough right now but I hope this weekend I can finish it up nicely.
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Happy Mother’s Day! Several of the books I have read lately have been a “miss” for me as well. I am enjoying the one I am reading, and need to finish it before tomorrow, sigh. I Hope you have a great week!
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Happy Mother’s Day to you as well! Ugh, that is so frustrating when this happens with books. I am glad you are enjoying your book!
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Happy Mother’s Day! It sounds like a wonderful day you have planned. I’ve enjoyed several Mary Stewart books, but don’t think I’ve read Thornyhold… still on the list. I Have Some Questions for you is pretty absorbing. When you get closer to the end, there is a point where it will be impossible to stop reading!
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Thank you! Happy Mother’s Day to you as well!
I am so engrossed in I Have Some Questions for you! I want to know what happened!
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I think I’ve read a few Mary Stewart, but was before Goodreads so I have no idea which ones. I’ll have to pick her up again. Love audiobooks! It’s what I do when I’m doing chores, cooking, or out on walks. Really helps chores and exercise feel like a treat.
Hope you enjoy I Have Some Questions For You as much as I did! A thought provoking mystery! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! 🙂
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Yes! I was a big podcast listener for a long time (still am) but have been listening to books for the past month or two instead and I am loving it.
Ooo it is so good so far!!
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I am currently reading The White Hare…I think you might have recommended it. I need to figure out my next read, though. I tend to power through books and need to just give up when a book doesn’t call to me. We started watching The Diplomat with Kerri Russell. It’s actually pretty good.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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I did!!! I hope you love it as much as I did!
I will have to look that show up!
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I enjoyed I Have Some Questions For You, but you are right, it does feel rambly in places.
You’ll have to share a picture of your toad habitat!
Wishing you a great reading week.
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I have become super absorbed in the Makkai book! It is so good – although still rambly. Lol.
The toad hole is looking a little sad right now! This weekend I am going to add plants and it will look better. Hopefully. Lol.
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Sounds like a lovely way to spend the day. I just started listening to audio books this year and it has enable to really up my reading game.
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Yes! I totally agree!
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Sounds like a lovely Mother’s Day! I really enjoyed Thornyhold last time I read it and it is one I’d like to reread. I liked Mandy but the parent in me just wasn’t comfortable with all the lying she did to adults that seemed supportive (though it’s been awhile since I read it so maybe that wasn’t the case!). Have a wonderful week!
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Thanks Katherine! It was a great day! Thornyhold is one of my faves by Stewart. That and Nine Coaches Waiting.
I can see what you are saying about Mandy. She also has a secret with that gardener and that just sends kind of a wrong message to kids.
Have a great week!
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