Happy Sunday! Deb Nance at Readerbuzz hosts The Sunday Salon, and I’m joining in!
Weekly Reads Round Up: Sunday January 7th, 2024 – Saturday January 13th, 2024
I post reviews on Instagram and Goodreads. What have you read this week?
Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance by Katherine Johnson Martinko (I listened to this using my library’s Hoopla app. I’m still on my quest to find someone writing about screens and kids that isn’t so extreme one way or the other.)
A Swimmer is Dead (Darkwater Lake Mysteries Book 2) by Tannis Laidlaw (I read an ebook copy from the author. Review linked below.)
The Accidental Alchemist (An Accidental Alchemist Mystery Book 1) by Gigi Pandian (I read a print copy I found through the St. Louis Public Library. I am in love. I have found a new series. Five wonderful stars.)
Old Bones and New Ghosts (The Marti Mickkleson Mysteries Book 2) by Kay Charles (I read an ebook copy from the author for an upcoming Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. No spoilers but oh my gosh, this was so much fun. Look for more on the blog on January 25th.)
Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success by Shawn Stevenson (I read a print copy I found through the St. Louis Public Library. This was an interesting read and I’ve got several pages marked with post-its that I want to come back to.)
A Useful Woman (Rosalind Thorne Mysteries Book 1) by Darcie Wilde (I listened to a copy using my library’s Hoopla app. I discovered this series in December 2023 when I was sent a galley of the latest, book 7. I adored it, so I wanted to go back and read the rest. I loved this historical mystery.)
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall (I listened to a copy using my library’s Libby app. This was for an upcoming book club discussion.Really powerful read.)
What I’m Reading & Listening to Now:
Reading: A Spoonful of Murder (Soup Lover’s Mystery Book 1) by Connie Archer
Listening: The Anatomist’s Wife (Lady Darby Mysteries Book 1) by Anna Lee Huber (I cannot get enough of historical mysteries.)
Life:
The first five day week after the holiday break felt pretty long. Thankfully my daughter is feeling better and everyone went to school all five days. I kept busy this week taking kids to appointments, helping my mom and even got a few walks in. The exercise routine is slow to make a comeback after the holidays. I tackled another big organization project–the bathroom cabinets and closet. That was a mess but it’s over and looks pretty.
It is so cold in St. Louis–as it is in many places. Last night we prepared for a belated birthday celebration for my mother-in-law tonight. Chili was on the menu along with a chocolate cherry cake. It was a nice night to be warm at home. Read more about our family chili recipe with my post about Peg Bracken’s I Hate To Cook Book, linked below.
3 Good Things:
One:
I started the meditation challenge with the Ten Percent Happier app. About three years ago I was faithfully meditating every day using this app, and I loved it. Life happened, and much like the exercise mentioned above, I fell out of the habit. When I saw the description of the focus of this year’s challenge, I knew I was in:
“Imperfect Meditation Challenge from Ten Percent Happier. You’re not perfect, and with our new FREE challenge, you don’t have to be. Learn to let go of perfectionism to transform how you relate to meditation—and yourself.”
(I also highly recommend the Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris and his book 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works if you are interested in this subject.)
Two:
My son and I earned our Yellow First belts at our taekwondo test this past week! It was hard but we are proud of ourselves for this accomplishment.
Three:
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season and I absolutely love the neighborhood visitors we have had this week selling cookies. I just can’t say no. And I’m also excited about cookies coming in March.
What I Posted Recently:
Posted on the blog recently:
Book Review: A Swimmer is Dead by Tannis Laidlaw
The I Hate To Cook Book: by Peg Bracken
A review for a book I read earlier was published on Kings River Life News & Reviews. Check it out here:
A review and giveaway of “Spiked Punch” by Lesley A. Diehl
Wishing everyone a happy week filled with good bookish vibes!
sarahcantstopreadingbooks.com 
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