I am linking up with Deb at Readerbuzz, Kathryn at Book Date, and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
Hello everyone! Just when we thought winter was ending, we got a fresh layer of snow. Sigh. More than the snow, I am ready for the germs everywhere to disappear for the season! Michigan is still at a high level for flu, and it has been holding steady for two months. We actually had to cancel our skating trip because all but two kids are sick! (and knock on wood they stay well!)
Books:
Last week I read two books!
Everyone is Lying to You is a library book I got in one of those blind date with a book things. I absolutely loved it and could not stop reading it.
The Amberglow Candy Store… not as much. It was very sweet (lol) but it read very young. I actually went and looked to see if it was a middle grade book but it is not. It was not a bad read, but I didn’t love it. I do love this cover though!
This week I am not sure what I am reading. I do have a few I am thinking about.
I am also anxiously awaiting a hold I placed on a book of poetry by Lyndsay Rush, who is showing up for me everywhere the last few days. She was on a vlog I watched, she was quoted in the book Everyone is Lying to You, and then she popped up on another person’s Instagram who I follow. I would buy the book but I like to use the library first, plus Billy and I are trying to do a no spend month. Well, we are buying groceries and necessities but nothing just for fun or because we want it. We have a million birthdays this month and want to stay on budget.
Screens:
In between the Olympics, Billy and I watched The Burbs tv show. We both really loved it! Then Friday night we started watching the Netflix series Death by Lightning, which is fabulous. The cast is amazing – Michael Shannon, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Matthew MacFadyen – so many great actors. It is about James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, and it begins by saying that these two and their lives have been lost to history. That we have forgotten who they are, and their stories. I feel like I am learning so much, and I want to read the book that the series is based on by Candice Millard called Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President. Billy and I have also talked about taking a road trip out to Garfield’s farm in the spring. I love when a show or a book brings history to life, and sparks a new interest. So far I highly recommend it, although we are only two episodes in out of a four part series. Was Chester A. Arthur also so rough and uncouth? I need to know! Just a note: There is swearing in this trailer.
In-Betweens:
Well, I mentioned we had to cancel our skating trip which was a bummer. I know the kids were excited; it stinks that the majority of the families got sick. We do have another outing coming up in a few weeks, to a maple sugar farm. Orchard?
I don’t have too much else to add! I just did my Friday Coffee Catch Up a few days ago and yesterday we spent catching up on things. I did have a nice chat with Lisa and Cat from Cat’s Wire during our crafternoon, which was a nice break in the day. I didn’t end up crafting at all, since I had a sleeping cat on my lap.
I did post a few times last week:
Top Ten Tuesday: Books for the Armchair Traveler
Friday Morning Coffee Catch Up
And, I think that is it from me today! I hope that you all stay safe and healthy!
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 
That’s a lot of flu! I hope all the kids are better soon. We got a dusting of snow this morning, and I’ve got hyacinths peeking through! We’re finishing up The Lincoln Lawyer. I’m finishing Light Over London. I’m finally at a part that has caught my attention. I don’t know why it took so long. I can’t remember what my next book is. We need a zoom just to chat!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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Marsha, I just kept getting text after text! It was crazy! A lot of the kids go to school together so I am assuming that is the origin. Ugh.
I love hyacinths! And a chat would be awesome.
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I’m sorry everyone was sick. I do hope everyone is better soon and you can go for your skating outing.
I’m fascinating with La Vie, but it is not available at any of my libraries, sadly.
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All of my John Lewis-Stempel books have been gifts from Billy. I can’t get them here either. 😦
I am so bummed about it! Maybe next year we will try again!
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We got the cold temps back here, but no snow thankfully. That is not fun to have that many kids sick! The sugar maple farm trip sounds fun, I’ve always wanted to visit something like that. I am debating on the Burbs since I know part of what I loved about the movie was the campy aspect. But we shall see. Hope you guys have a good week and the kids get better so you will all be able to have another field trip. Have a great week!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/02/22/weekly-wrap-up-february-22nd-2026/
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It is crazy. I just kept getting text after text. 😦 Poor kiddos. And some parents too!
I’m looking forward to that trip as well! I think the kids will like it too.
I need to rewatch the movie so I can get an idea of the campy factor. The show was sort of campy but I don’t know if it is similar. Lol.
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I enjoyed Violet Thistlewaite but like the Julie Leong cozy fantasies more. We don’t do any indoor activities away from home without masks. Thankfully the last time I have flu was April 1996. Never again is too soon. So I hope everyone recovers well. I’m definitely ready for spring and gardening season.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
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Oh that is good to know! I have only read the first Julie Leong, I still need to read the second. I really enjoyed the first one though.
I don’t usually either. I swear, we went one place without a mask this month and got Covid. I couldn’t believe it.
I am so excited to start seeds and a garden again this year. But today it is snowing, again….
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This was my first week since November/December that I worked all three of my scheduled days, although the dad was sick on Monday (I am a nanny) and I could tell the baby was getting sick Friday. She ran a fever all night last night, so I am not going to work tomorrow. I have a mild sore throat, but i am hoping it is a coincidence and I did not pick something else up from them. I still have a cough and congestion from when I was sick. I hope you all manage to stay healthy. Have a great week! Also, the flu risk is still super high here as well, and we have snow again too. I am so ready for spring and warm weather.
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What is up with all this flu in our states? Aww that poor baby! That is awful. I hope they all feel well soon. And hopefully your sore throat is just from the weather or dryness or something. Stay warm!!
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Sorry about the skating trip. I hope you’re able to reschedule!
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Wow that is a lot of flu! I hope the next field trip can go ahead with a healthy classroom. Have a great week Erin!
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My boss would (almost) always pick a Millard book when it was his turn to pick for the regular library book club, and I remember him raving about that book. I’ll have to mention the Netflix series to Mr – we’re always on the hunt for something good to watch together, and that being a shorter one will make it easier as his busy season is about to kick in 🙂
Also: I want to go to a maple sugar farm! 😀
Violet Thistlewaite is also on my TBR, and the Candy Store has been catching my eye on the library website, but maybe I’ll wait until I need a cotton candy read 😉
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We had snow this week, too. Winter is hanging on. Bummer about sickness running rampant in your area. I think it’s all over the place. I had the flu last week and I don’t recommend it! Best to have frustrated plans and miss out! I’ll have to look into Death by Lightening! I love shows that are a little like a history lesson. I wished I would’ve paid more attention to history in school. I’d do better taking that class now! Hope you get to go on your orchard outing. That sounds delightful.
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I’m sorry your skating plans were scuppered, hopefully there will be another opportunity soon.
Wishing you a warmer week!
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This mix of books and screens is real 📚💻 love the cozy vibes! 😊
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My area of the U.S. also got more snow last night–ugh! At least the roads stayed clear this time. My mom and sister loved Destiny of the Republic when they read it for book club! I haven’t read it though. I hope you stay well and don’t get sick!
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I could just jump into that book cover about France, it;s so pretty. Wish we had the Harry Potter flue powder, I’d travel all over!
Hope the skating event can be rescheduled, that’s a bummer it was canceled.
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Ugh – the flu! It’s rampant here, too. We keep getting emails from school about kids being out sick. BOO.
Everyone Is Lying to You is on my to-read list for sure! It sounds so fun!
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Well shoot! I was super excited for that skating party! Sorry so many kids were sick. Fingers crossed for the next outing!
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I’m sorry the skating party had to be cancelled. Hopefully, it can be rescheduled? My husband and I really enjoyed Death by Lightning (although we both thought the title was a bit weird). It was a shame the U.S. lost such a brilliant man. I always think we should elect people who don’t really want to be president. I think they’d be less likely to be self-serving.
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I love the covers of all of those books. I hope everyone gets healthy soon and stays healthy. Have a great weekend! 🙂
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