February 2022
How are you all doing? I bought this beautiful bouquet of tulips and after a week they are still just as lovely as the day I brought them home. While not sunflowers (Ukraine's national flower), they do remind me of spring, the season of hopefulness, and yet as mask mandates begin to lift across the country, and the war in Ukraine has begun, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with worry and concern about our health and safety. My heart goes out to the citizens and leaders of Ukraine and I'm looking into ways to support them from afar. I've been reading about World Central Kitchen, which is a humanitarian organization that provides meals to those in times of crisis. With a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, I feel confident that my donation will help make a difference feeding those with immediate needs. Every little bit helps, right?
Another blogger mentioned that she felt that her IG post about books was trivial in light of the situation in Ukraine, but I think most of you would agree that while we are concerned and doing what we can to help, (whether that be donations, prayer or posting pictures of sunflowers on FB to show our support) we need to take care of ourselves, as well. Reading has always provided comfort and distraction during times of trouble, and I am thankful that I have my books to stave off the doomscrolling. February proved to be another good month, in that regard. Eight books in a short month was a bit of a surprise and there were only a couple that were ho-hum, so I'm pleased. My favorite was Hamnet, but The Stars Are Fire and Moira's Crossing were unexpected pleasures.
Books Read (click on the title for my review):
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (5/5)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (4/5) - reread
In a Dark House by Deborah Crombie (4/5)
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (3/5)
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (3/5)
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve (4.5/5)
The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington (4/5)
Moira's Crossing by Christina Shea (4/5)
Movies & TV Series:
Spooks/MI-5 (Season 3) - I'm really enjoying this unpredictable series!
Hope Street - We watched a few episodes and called it quits.
The Power of the Dog - Outstanding performances, but pretty unsettling and dark.
Reacher - So far, another good series.
Line of Duty - Very good. If you like MI-5, this is just as entertaining.
Puzzlemania:
Other News:
February marks my 16th blogiversary, which truly astounds me. I never would have guessed that I'd still be blogging after all these years, but I love sharing my thoughts about books and you all have become such dear friends to me. Thank you for reading and recommending your favorite books.
I get many book suggestions from your blog. The series or movies are written down too so I might get a chance to see Reacher one day, among many others you've mentioned.
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted about a charity to help Ukrainians as I wonder what is a real organization and what is phoney. I have some blankets and wanted to donate other items such as woman's hygiene items. Bet they could use diapers as well.
I'm so pleased to know that my book recs have help you with your own TBR stacks, Tina.
DeleteWe went back to Reacher last night, after a break of a week or so, and I'd already forgotten most of what was going on. ;) It's good, but a little confusing, at least for me.
I hope you can find an organization to take your donations for Ukraine. They're going to need a lot of help, aren't they? It's heartbreaking.
You had a great month for books Les. I've read (5) of your February reads and I agree with you assessment of People of the Book and Leave the World Behind - I wasn't impressed with those. Those puzzles look so fun - does your mom work on them as well or just you? Congrats on 16 years blogging - I'll be 14 years in June and, I'm grateful for the friendships with others like yourself over the years.
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for those innocent people in Ukraine, it's very easy to go to a dark place so I am trying to find just the right books to take me away. Hope you find some more winners in March.
Diane, I really did have a good month, but this past week has been a bit of a slump. I've picked up and started so many books that just haven't appealed to me. At least I'm making room on my shelves.
DeleteYes, my mom and I work on the puzzles, but my husband has no interest. We're working on one right now that may take us the entire month. It's really difficult!
I'm glad you're still blogging after all these years. So many of the bloggers I met early on have given it up, which is kind of sad. I miss a lot of those women. We have made some good friends over the years, haven't we?
I forgot The Gilded Age was coming out. Did you watch Downton Abbey? My husband is excited for Reacher but I may let that be one of his shows. I say that and then I'll end up watching it while I say I'm doing something else! I may check out The Power of the Dog. I really like Benedict Cumberbatch.
ReplyDeleteI do wish we had room to work puzzles. I've tried those roll-up mats for storage while you're working a puzzle and they don't seem to work out that well.
I haven't read any of your books but I added a few to my TBR list after reading your reviews. The Storied Life of AJ Fikry has been on my radar forever. I'll get to it one day.
Jen, I did watch Downton Abbey, but never finished. I think I miss the last few season and keep meaning to go back and watch them. I think that show was better than what I've seen so far of The Gilded Age.
DeleteReacher is pretty good, but we took a break from it and started watching again last night. I was completely confused, having forgotten a lot of the plot over the course of a week.
Cumberbatch is very good in The Power of the Dog, but he's an unlikeable character. I'm glad I watched it, though.
Ah, puzzles in an RV would be tough. There are apps that you could do on your computer/tablet. My mom has done them and said they're fun, too. No problem with missing pieces, either!
I'm surprised that you haven't read Hamnet. Highly recommend it and The Stars Are Fire and Moira's Crossing. The Storied Life of AJ Fikry is also good, but not really worth reading twice.
Congratulations on your 16-year blogging anniversary! It's a big commitment to keep up a blog, but it's satisfying, isn't it? And as you said, we've made so many wonderful friends through our blog, including you! I know I've said it many times, but I appreciate so much your book recommendations. And you got me to finally start listening to audio books—I'm listening to Where The Crawdads Sing and it's an entirely different experience from reading the book. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThese continue to be such challenging times in our world and it's easy to be consumed by all of the terrible news. I also needed to stop doom scrolling, and reading and listening to books brings me peace. I completely agree with you that we need to care for ourselves along with trying to do what we can to ease the suffering of others. Donating to the World Central Kitchen makes me feel like I'm doing at least a little something.
Thanks, Laurel! I've taken a few breaks here and there, but I'm still surprised that I've been blogging for 16 years. It's also a lot easier to stay on top of the reviews now that I'm retired. I'm so glad you've found some good book recommendations here. And audios! Aren't they great?! I listen to one almost every day either on my walk or drive into town. I remember exactly where I was when I listened to the final chapters of Where the Crawdads Sing - Nehalem State Park in Oregon. I walked for so many miles just so I could keep listening.
DeleteI'm so glad I learned about World Central Kitchen. I have it bookmarked for future donations.
Wow! Happy blogoversary! In June I'll celebrate my fourteenth (I think). You have been blogging for a long time. I'm glad you have stuck with it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes world situations make everything look trivial. Still we have to press on and do what we can find to do to make the world a better place, even if these things are small. Seeing your beautiful tulips lifts my spirits, and that's a good thing.
Thanks, Deb! It seems like another lifetime ago that I began this blog. First as Lesley's Book Nook, then Prairie Horizons, and now Coastal Horizons. :)
DeleteI'm glad you like the picture of the tulips. I bought them at our grocery store and was surprised that they lasted a full week. Fresh flowers bring so much joy and are so affordable.
I loved Hamnet. We're also enjoying Reacher but don't see it often because you-know-who is back to traveling constantly and I wait for him to join me. The Gilded Age is another we're watching. We're enjoying it but it's not on the level of Downton Abbey; it's just missing something. Still, I just like watching it for the occasional good line and the costuming.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bloggiversary! I don't think I realized you started before I did (or I'd forgotten). My 16th will be in June.
Nancy, I'm still thinking about Hamnet. What a great book!
DeleteKind of crazy that we've been blogging for so long, right? As I mentioned to Deb, my blog has gone from Lesley's Book Nook to Prairie Horizons to Coastal Horizons. It's been a lot of fun!
Thanks, Vicki. Crazy to think that I started this blog back in 2006!
ReplyDeleteWordle (and Qwordle) is a lot of fun and good for the brain, as are jigsaw puzzles.
Hope your reading picks up. I was in a bit of a reading slump last week, but have finally settled in with a good mystery. Take care.
Amazing puzzles! I've begun watching COBRA, which is really intense.
ReplyDeleteHelen, you should see the puzzle we're currently working on! We're lucky if we get a half dozen pieces in each day.
DeleteI'll have to check out COBRA. We just finished Reacher and are ready to start the second season of Manhunt.
The Power of the Dog came to our local art theater right before it was on television. Their were maybe 8 people there, and I think everyone of us were as unsettled as possible by the film. My anxiety was through the roof. Nevertheless, I was glad I saw it. It certainly had an impact.
ReplyDeleteJen, Power of the Dog is definitely an intense film!
Delete16 years, good for you! I enjoy your blog much. I started in 2009 so I'm not too far behind. Your puzzles are beautiful as usual. We'd like to donate to Ukraine so thanks for Charity Navigator ... as it's hard to tell which go to directly to the cause. Those poor people trying to leave! We enjoyed a couple seasons of Line of Duty. And I still want to watch The Power of the Dog ... but my husband isn't onboard for this, hmm. You had a lot good quality reads in February! I hope March is as good. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. It's been fun getting to know new reading pals over the years and I'm happy we discovered each other's blogs.
DeleteI'm really impressed with World Central Kitchen. I've started following them on IG and it's quite moving to see how they're providing meals to those fleeing Ukraine.
Wow, congratulations on 16 years! I'm coming up on 14 and amazed it's lasted so long. You read some great books in March... I must read Maggie O'Farrell this year!
ReplyDeleteSo Gilded Age isn't a hit for you? We don't get HBO, so I was disappointed about missing it. So far I haven't heard many rave about it...
Our library has a puzzle exchange and I just traded for your top puzzle... with the missing piece. Fingers crossed the one I got has all 1000!
I'm addicted to Wordle, too. My brother is trying to get my sister and me hooked on Quordle now, but I haven't looked at it yet.
Happy March. Hope it's another good month for you!
Isn't it amazing that we've been blogging all these years, JoAnn? And now that I'm no longer working, it's much easier to keep up.
DeleteI hope to read more by Maggie O'Farrell later this year. She is such a talented writer.
Guilded Age wasn't bad, but after one episode we moved on to something else. My mom and I may go back to it, but my husband isn't at all interested.
Have fun the puzzle. It was quite challenging! As is Quordle! You'll love it. :)
Your February was filled with some good titles. Most things are trivial in light of what is going on in Ukraine but reading and blogging is what keeps me from plunging into a pit of despair. That and the pets over here. But this morning they announced the new booster, of which I can get but does it even address BA 2? If not, what is the point? But I will probably get it even though I am not sure if those vaccines had anything to do with my kidney issues. My son is sick today. He worked one day and is now sick. Don't think COVID but he has a sore throat and is still sleeping at nearly 11:30am.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on this older post, Ti. I know you've been busy and away from the blogosphere a bit, so I appreciate it! I, too, will probably get the second booster, but I may wait until there's another surge. I hope your son feels better soon and that it isn't COVID. When my daughter got it, she said it felt like the worst case of strep, so your son's sore throat might be a symptom of it. :(
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