Personal Highlights from this month:

• This is a carryover from September, but BK and Miss R had their birthdays. They are 52 and 12!!
• Miss R had her choral concert, and the 6th grade performed stellar. They sang “Do-a-Deer” from The Sound of Music and “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King.
• Mr. Z has one more appointment before he is released from the orthodontist.
• My oldest friend (we’ve been friends since 6th grade) is moving from NH to NC. She and her husband have been down this week looking at properties and decided on one in Statesville (45 mins from us). I am so excited!!
• Miss R got her two front teeth broken towards the end of the month. Her friend pushed a circular metal swing at her face while playing blindfolded tag. To say I was upset is an understatement. I also had an issue getting her regular dentist to see her, which was ridiculous. I ended up contacting another dentist to get them fixed.
• We took a drive to check out the college Mr. Z is going to. What a difference between App State and Western Carolina!! We didn’t get a chance to walk around because Homecoming and the Woolly Worm Festival were happening, but he liked what he saw.
• We redid our bathroom floor over the weekend. Next, I am looking to paint. The same goes for the kitchen. I am starting with the cabinets (painting them coffee brown) and moving to the walls (some variation of white).

Reading Highlights from this month:

• I finished The Color Purple series (The Temple of My Familiar and Possessing the Secret of Joy). I enjoyed reading these books and will reread them.
• I enjoyed reading The Light Pirate, even if it saddened me in places. The author did a great job of illustrating the potential impact of climate change on a state like Florida. She also showed how people were resilient and thrived against all odds. I will reread this book.
• Veronique’s Journey was an interesting book, and Veronique was an interesting character. I liked her courage to stand for what she believed in, even if it meant going against what society expected of a woman. I will reread this book.
• I read the first book in Hunted by the Faery Queen series (A Sword of Blood and Roses). This was an excellent retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Except that Snow White was a powerful Traveler witch, the dwarves were Fir Bolg, the Queen was Fae, and her Huntsman fell in love with Snow White. It does have very explicit sex scenes along with some gore and blood. I am waiting for the rest of the series to go on KU.
• I read the Blood Ties series (Mine, Hers, Ours, Owned, Traded, Claimed, Forbidden, Captured, and Consumed). I did like the series, but (and isn’t there always a but) it isn’t for everyone. There is a ton of violence, sex (consensual and non-consensual), forced breeding, language, and gore. So, if you are going to read this series, make sure you a) read the trigger warning list the author has provided and b) read with a very open mind.
• I finished the first book in The Amarna Age series(Queen of Egypt). The series focuses on Cleopatra. I found it fascinating and couldn’t put it down. I will be checking back to see if the rest of the series goes on KU.
• I finished the first book in The Warm Days of Autumn series (Autumn in Sycamore Park). I enjoyed this book and will check whether the rest of the series is available on KU.
• I finished the first book in the Kingsman Online series (Alt Control Enter). Except for the first couple of chapters and the last chapter, the entire book takes place inside a virtual reality video game. There is a twist towards the middle of the book that had me shaking my head. I enjoyed reading this book and will continue with the series.
• I finished the first book in the Called by a Pirate series (Pirate’s Treasure). This was a short, cute book. Perfect for by the pool or beach. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
• I finished the first book in the Rochester Trilogy (Private Property). I liked that it was roughly based on Jane Eyre. But I did find my attention wavering at different points in the book. But, I will read the rest of the series (because I hate leaving series unfinished).
• I finished the first book in the Gothic Love Stories series (Too Wicked to Kiss). I loved every aspect of this book. The mystery (and it was a closed-room mystery, too!) was well written, and I was very surprised by who the killer was. I liked that the author had Gavin take ownership of his actions. She didn’t sugarcoat anything about his parents’ deaths or his involvement.
• I read the Festive Fakes trilogy (The Christmas Deal, The Christmas Leap, The Christmas Veto). I enjoyed this series. I loved the romance and the characters!! I will definitely be rereading this series.
• I read the first two volumes of the Saga series (Saga Vol. 1, Saga Vol. 2). I plan on reading the rest of the series once they go on KU.
• I read The Bird and the Sword Chronicles (The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure). I enjoyed reading these books and can’t wait to see if the author writes any more in the series.

Books I Read:

Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).