Current WIPs and Reads | September 2022

September 19, 2022September 18, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a mid-month check in on my current reads and WIPs I am dedicating my time to. I already finished a few book, woohoo! But, I picked up a new read this weekend as well. While I am not reading luckily, I am working at a study pace, which makes me happy. As for making I have a few things on my needles, but one I am really focusing on. I hope you enjoy!

My Current Reads

Ghosts of Maine T.M. Gray, I just started reading this over the weekend so I don’t have too much to say. I am enjoying the way the book for a few reasons. The first being the formatting. It is perfect for picking up here and there in between all of my other obligations. The stories I have read so far have been enjoyable and I am excited to read more of these tales, especially since spooky ghost season is coming up soon. I love reading ghost stories this time of the year and the formatting mixed with the tone of these stories has been a perfect mixture for me. I can’t wait to continue reading it.

My Current WIPs

Color work yoke sweater hanging on a ladder next to a dresser with a plant on top.

I am currently working on my Alpenglow sweater. I am just about to separate for the sleeves, so good progress is being made. This is my first time doing color work, so I have been moving along very slowly, but now I am moving along. I am hoping to finish this sweater before the end of the month, but we shall see how much time I actually have to work on it. Things are looking promising though, so I am leaning towards being able to make thus goal.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Current Reads and WIPs

Current WIPs and Reads | May 2022

May 15, 2022May 14, 2022 bookishluna10 Comments

Hello and welcome to a midmonth check-in! I just wanted to take a moment to share what I am currently reading and what I am currently working on craft wise as well. This month has already flown by, I have already finished a few books and projects that you will see in my Monthly Digest post for the month, but I am still reading and working away on other projects and books currently.

My Current Reads

Berserk Deluxe Edition Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura, Jason DeAngelis (Translator), I just started reading this so I am not too far into it , but the illustration style is great! It can be graphic though, so be warned! There is a lot going on so you just keep wanting to turn the pages and get sucked in for sure.

Other than this, I am planning on picking up The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite, who wrote My Sister, the Serial Killer, which I LOVED! So I am really looking forward to reading this because her thriller style is unique. Even if you know what you are picking up, she still manages to surprise you. For me, this is a HUGE plus. Even thrillers that don’t give away huge plot points I feel like I can easily predict since I read so many of them. Braithwaite on the other hand can tell you a ton about what is going to happen, but still takes me on a ride!

My Current WIPs

Body Language Cardigan by Knits N Knots, I am finally working on anther crochet project! I have not done crochet for a while, but I have missed it. I decided on this pattern because it looks nice and cozy, but also lets me practice some seaming since it is made in pieces. I am hoping to finish it before it gets too hot and I wont want to touch it and it will be ready for next fall. I am currently working on the back panel and the largest for this sweater. I feel like once I finish this panel the rest will fly!

Crochet project, showing the start of the back panel

My on the go project has been my Rainbow Vanilla Socks, no pattern followed for this. I am just knitting based off memory of knitting other socks. I am at the heel on both of the socks currently, I like to work both socks and keep them at the same sections so I finish them close together instead of getting with burn out when I have one totally complete sock an one not even started.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Current Reads and WIPs

Current WIPs and Reads

January 16, 2022January 15, 2022 bookishluna7 Comments

Hello and welcome to a little chat where I share what I am currently reading and working on. I am actually happy to say I have been reading this month, I have actually finished 3 books already. I know, I know, where did this reading mojo come from?! I have no idea, but I am running with it.

Current Reads

The first book I am currently reading is The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, I am actually buddy reading this with Jenna! We have not buddy read anything in a while so I am excited about it. You can find her on twitter as @jkimexploring. I am also reading Irish Folktales edited by Henry Glassie on my own. I have always loved folktales so when I found this collection at my local store I picked up up right away.

Current WIPS

Current knitting projects, listed below.

I went from having no WIPs at the start of 2022 to be in the middle of three projects. The first one being a pattern inspired by Tube Socks by Mary Anne and I am using Spun Right Round Classic Sock in the color Sly Fox. The second one is another pair of socks called Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes I am using Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the color Ultramarine Violet. The last one I decided to cast on out of no where is the Musselburgh hat by Ysolda Teague. For this I decided to use up some of my scrap sock yarn, Spun Right Round Classic Sock in Pavement.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Let's Talk · Tags

Let’s Talk | The Currently Reading Tag

June 8, 2020November 3, 2020 bookishluna9 Comments

Let's Talk

Hello and welcome to a very delayed tag post. I am so bad with keeping up with these, I don’t know why. Anyway, I am excited to be doing The Currently Reading Tag and I was tagged by the wonderful Whitney from Whit Reads Lit.

My Current Read

The Questions

How many books do you usually read at once?

I usually read between 1 and 3 books. At one point I remember reading 5 at a time and I don’t recommend it. If we are talking about right now, I have managed to keep it to 1!

How do you decide when to switch between multiple reads?

When I am jumping between multiple books it is usually because one is an audiobook and another is physical. I might also remember I have to return a book to the library and just start it so I don’t miss out on it as well.

Do you ever switch bookmarks partway through a book?

Usually I do this if I loose the bookmark, which I do quite frequently when I am on the go. The past few months of staying home I have managed to only loose 1 bookmark.

Where do you keep the book(s) you’re currently reading?

I tend to keep the books I am currently reading either directly on my bed or on my nightstand. But, I will be honest, they are usually just sitting on my bed because I read before going to sleep.

What time of day do you read the most?

I tend to read a lot during the late morning and early afternoon, but that is if I don’t have any plans. If I have plans during that time I will read at night. I pretty much read when I have time to read.

How long do you typically read in one session?

I usually read for around an hour, but sometimes I will just binge a book and sit there for hours as well. If I pick up a book I make sure I have at least an hour to read.

Do you read hardbacks with the dust jacket off?

Yeah, I always take the dust jackets off when I am reading because I am afraid of ruining them or bending them funny.

What position do you mainly use to read?

I mainly read sitting in my chair or laying down in bed. Since the weather is getting nice I am reading in my hammock more, which has been lovely!

Do you take your current read with you everywhere you go?

Well, since my area is still for the most part locked down I am not really going anywhere other than the supermarket. I am not really bringing anything extra with me to the supermarket.

How often do you update your Goodreads reading progress?

I update my good reads when I start a book, finish a reading season, and finish a book. I am pretty on top of goodreads. Updating my reading else where, well, not so good.

I Tag

Melinda

Evelyn

Destiny

You!

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Wrap Up

Middle Mark | July 2019

July 14, 2019July 13, 2019 bookishluna13 Comments

Middle Mark

I feel like my reading was dragging so much this first half of the month. I had a lot going on and I was pretty stressed out that I didn’t really want to read, which says a lot since that is normal what I do when I want to destress. Anyway, I did manage to read some and I found myself kicking myself for not reading some of them sooner. Also, I am doing better in the stress department so the rest of the month will hopefully will be better reading wise. Here are the books I have read the first half of the month.

The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister’s Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine by Lindsey Fitzharris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This held true to the little blurb on the cover, “Grisly World of Victorian Medicine”. This book goes into great detail into what victorian medicine was, so if medical talk and such bother you, stay away from the book. If you would love to learn more about the progression of science and medicine, please read this.

Lindsay Fitzharris I think does a great job turning this non-fiction topic into a narrative. It read very nicely and flows. I never felt bogged down by fact and stats, even though I learned a ton. The way she broke the novel into chapters also made a lot of sense and were natural breaking points, not that I stopped I read this in one sitting.

I also appreciated that the end notes were organized by not just in order, but labeled by chapter as well. The only thing I wished was that were labeled by a number or letter and not just by the page number since there can be three or more from a single page and I had to flip back and forth from the chapter to the end note to make sure I was looking at the correct source.

Overall, I recommend this book if medicine, history, victorian era and science are something you are interested in, I actually already have this going to a friend of mine.

View all my reviews

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am finally getting to this review, thanks for waiting!

I have to say, this novel is long, but It not one that can be read slowly. If you take your time details will begin to fall away and it may leave you lost and confused. It is helpful while reading to have a list of characters, I know I needed mine.

I have previously read works by this author, such as Anna Karenina, and loved it more and more as time passed. I found myself thinking about the characters and empathizing and realizing more and more. I really don’t think that will be the case with War and Peace. While I did enjoy reading this and I do not regret it in the slightest, I just feel like I wont think about this book again. I could very well be wrong.

At times I was bored and kept saying, “alright get on with it already” while other times I was laughing so hard at something or very really engrossed. This book was a bit all over the place in that sense for me, that is why I decided to give it 3 stars.

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Mort by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am kind of mad it took me so long to read a book by Terry Pratchett. The sense of humor, characters, and world are so unique and fun. His take on the character of death is really interesting and I found that even though that this is a story about Death, I laughed a bunch. Mort is a really fun and interesting character as well, it is interesting to think about how a human would react to the situation and choices he was given. It really make you think. I really enjoyed this story and I will be continuing to read the death books within the Discworld series. I don’t really know what else to say because I loved this story and if you enjoy fantasy and a good laugh, I feel like you will really enjoy this.

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The Two Dead Girls by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The feeling of this book is really haunting. Part one has really set the tone of this serial (6 parts). It depicts a pretty horrendous crime so you know what type of people our narrator is dealing with, but I am thankful that he has not shared more than he has needed to. I really am enjoying the narrators voice, it is oddly calm, but I can tell something big is going to be shown to me. I am going to be jumping into part 2 as soon as I can.

View all my reviews

Currently Reading 2

Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy, #1)

I just started reading this book last night since I somehow managed to finish two books yesterday, woohoo! I have not started a new series in sometime so I am in a way excited to be reading this, but also not looking forward to the wait for the next book. So far I am enjoying the world that I have seen so far. Like I said, I started this book pretty late last night so I am not very far in, but so far so good and I don’t see that changing unless something ridiculous happens.

What are you currently reading?

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Wrap Up

Currently Reading | Jan. 2018

January 20, 2018December 2, 2018 bookishluna4 Comments

CurrentlyReading12:17

Hello everyone, I wanted to write a quick blog post talking about some of the books I am currently reading since the month is about halfway through. I always like being nosy to see if people are actually sticking to their TBRs or not. I will admit, I rarely do since I am such a mood reader. But, that is the fun about reading. You can go on any adventure you want to, you don’t have to plan ahead. Anyway, without anymore rambling here is what I am currently reading!

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

18302455

I am currently on page 149 or somewhere very close to that. I have to say I am enjoying this books, but for some reason I am having a hard time actually going to pick it up. When I do pick it up I fly through 50 pages at least. Has this ever happened to you? You enjoy a book, but have a hard time picking it up? I find it so odd that I am having this “issue”. It has never happened to me before.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

18302455

I am currently on page 172. So far I am very much enjoying this story. Donna Tartt’s writing so beautiful, and man does she make characters with some serious flaws. For some reason I am enjoying not totally liking the characters in this book. That doesn’t usually happen, normally if I don’t like the characters personalities I don’t like the book. Donna Tartt has done the impossible and has made me like a book where I don’t like the characters. Additionally, it is great to be reading this with some awesome people.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

18302455

I am currently on page 58, which I read all of that in one sitting. So that means I read nearly a quarter of this book in one sitting. I have really been enjoying it and I find the writing very enjoyable. I think in the start it did take a few pages to get used to it though. Also, I am aware this is book 10 in a series, but not reading the pervious 9 has not really impacted my experience with this book. Bottom line is I am enjoying this book. I plan on finishing this book this weekend.

What are you currently reading?

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Reviews

Review | The Way Back to Florence by Glenn Haybittle

July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 bookishluna1 Comment

Book Review

The Way Back to Florence by Glenn Haybittle

*I received this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

18302455 If someone asked me to describe this book I would say it is poetic, passionate, and fast paced. It went by way to quickly for my liking, I wanted it to never end. In this historical fiction novel you follow the lives of Freddie, Isabella, and Oskar against the backdrop of in Italy during World War II. What I enjoyed the most is that their personalities are distinct, they do not feel generic at all. Isabella is a strong individual, she puts herself in so much danger to help others as well as project art. I went to art school for a few years and for me personally art is culture. It is a way to show how a group or individual feels, but also shows what they see around them. Art is very important. Freddie is a pilot during the war. His does gruesome work and is faced with danger often. During this time he bonds very well with his crew mates and you experience his point of view of the bombing, which I found interesting to read. Oskar, whose story is not really described in the description so I wont say much, but he is also a very distinct character who has a very important non-passive role in this book. I felt that this novel described a lot of the various roles citizens could have taken during the war.

I could easily go on about this, I honestly REALLY enjoyed this. It has all of the elements of a historical fiction that I look for. It takes place during an active time in history, the characters are involved in the events in different ways, and I genuinely connected with these characters. For me a bonus of this book was that it took place outside of Germany, France, and Britain. For me personally I had not read a WWII historical fiction that took place in Italy so it caught my eye even more than a historical fiction normally would. Over all I would say if you enjoy historical fiction, art, WWII related books, and you enjoy reading about characters that feel like real people you need to pick this up. I give this book an easy 5 stars!

Description

In 1937 Freddie (English), Isabella (Italian) and Oskar (a German Jew) become friends at an art school in Florence where they are taught by the dictatorial but magus-like Maestro and his sinister fascist assistant Fosco. When war arrives Freddie returns to England to become the pilot of a Lancaster bomber. Oskar, now a dancer, has moved to Paris where he escapes the 1942 roundup of Jews and arrives in Italy with his young daughter Esme. Isabella remains in Florence where she continues to paint. Until she is called upon by Maestro to forge an old master painting, apparently at the behest of the Führer himself, and as a result is seen as a Nazi collaborator by her neighbours.
The murderous skies over Germany and a war-torn Italy in the grip of Nazi occupation provide the setting for this novel about the love of a separated husband and his wife and the love of a man for his young daughter. Freddie and Oskar both hope to find their way back to Florence. But Florence’s heritage of preserving the identity and continuity of the past has never before been so under threat.

Book Information

Publisher: Cheyne Walk

Publication Date: (This edition) July 06, 2017

List Price: $13.99

ISBN: 9780993286308

Pages: 490 pages

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To Be Read

April TBR: 2017

April 2, 2017April 2, 2017 bookishluna4 Comments

Aprils TBR is going to be a short one, mainly because it is going to be a very busy month and I do not want to overwhelm myself. But, the four books I have picked I am very much looking forward to. In fact, I am going to pick up The Radium Girls as soon as I finish writing this post!

Both The Radium Girl by Kate Moore and A Short History of the Russian Revolution by Groffrey Swain are books I received from Netgalley to review. Both are historical, nonfiction. The Radium Girls follows the stories of various women who painted clock faces with the element radium to make them illuminate before the heath risks were truly know. It explores their stories and the effect their work had on them as the years passed. I have started reading this one already and it is historical, but also personable. It does not take away the humanity of these women with endless facts and figures.

A Short History of the Russian Revolution is something I studied while at school and I continue to be interested in. So, when I saw this on Netgalley I submitted a request right away and was thrilled to get approved.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas and The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle I have gotten myself. Both are books I have very much wanted to get to. I read A Court of Thorns and Roses when it first came out and enjoyed it, but sadly I have not gotten to the second book in the series, I plan to correct that before the next book comes out. Fingers crossed I succeed!

On a more classic note I recently have been on a Sherlock Holmes binge and I am reading all of the stories and short stories in publication order and The Sign of Four is next in line. I have to say I was expecting the writing to be dull and difficult, but it read very modern. I have been devouring the stories.

What are you reading this month?

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To Be Read

March TBR: 2017

March 5, 2017 bookishluna8 Comments

This month I decided to give a TBR a try. While this list only has 4 books on it, one of them is well over 1,000 pages, by definition a tome. So I decided to keep this list short and sweet, listing the books I am most excited to read. If you are interested I have linked all books to their goodread pages. There you will find a summary and some reviews. Happy reading!

It by Stephen King (Horror)

Patient H.M. : A Story of Memory, Madness and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich (Non-fiction)

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven (Young Adult)

The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon (Young Adult)