The Fives

I've done this meme before but I decided to change it up a little this time.

Five Things In My Purse (other than my wallet)
1. a phone charger
2. A Sharpie
3. Mentos
4. Gum
5. Half a pack of Red Vines

Five Things I Always Have In My Fridge
1. Eggs
2. Butter
3. Chocolate
4. BBQ sauce
5. Pickles

My Five Favorite Foods
1. Sushi
2. Cheeseburgers
3. Fries
4. Popcorn
5. Steak

Five Things I Usually Buy At Costco

1. Milk
2. Turkey breast
3. Skinny Pop
4. Sweet Potatoes
5. Shrimp

Five Things I Usually Buy At Trader Joe's
1. Dried Mandarin Orange slices (so delicious)
2. Coconut Oil
3. Ghee
4. Cauliflower
5. Applewood smoked Bacon

Feel free to steal this if you need a blog post ideas!

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

This week is better. I'm actually reading more. I'm just going to have to find a balance between reading and playing. I wish I had more time for both. Ah, well. Here's what I got this week:

Odin's Ravens

The second in the Blackwell Pages series. I'm looking forward to it.

The Wild Rose

The last in the Tea Rose trilogy. 

What did you get this week? Share below!

Teaser Tuesday- Silk is For Seduction by Loretta Chase

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Seduction was a game Clevedon very much enjoyed. He relished the pursuit as much –and lately, more–than the conquest."
pg 28 Loretta Chase's Silk Is For Seduction

What To Eat This Week

Oops. Today isn't Sunday. I didn't have time to post yesterday because it was unexpected movie day. A friend called us for lunch which turned into lunch and a movie (Captain America 2 for the second time). While we were settling in for Captain America, another friend called us. They had extra tickets for the new X:Men movie later that night. So we left one movie, had a quick dinner, and headed to another movie theatre for X:Men. Very fun but unexpected so nothing got done yesterday other than fun.

Last week's meal plan went ok. Tai's back to playing volleyball two times a week so I foresee more takeout for me and dad. Sometimes those volleyball evenings can be quick.

Breakfasts: Tai's taking cereal still. I'm taking PB&J's, yogurt, and some fruit.

Lunches: Pasta e Fagioli and leftovers.

Dinners:

Monday: Baked Salmon and kale salad

Tuesday: Take out

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff and roasted brussel sprouts.

Thursday: Take out

Friday: Dinner out with friends

Saturday: Chicken tenders with sweet potato fries

Sunday: Bacon Juicy lucys with sweet potato fries

What's on your menu this week?

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

After a successful readathon, I thought my reading mojo had returned. Sadly it did not. I'm choosing to play Hearthstone and not read every night. I keep hoping I'll get over my Hearthstone addiction but sadly not yet. I haven't finished a book since the last Library loot. I'm still picking up new books but I'm choosing to play my game rather than read. Hopefully I'll make more time to do both. 

Anyhoo, here's what I picked up this week.

The Here and Now

I've been a fan of Brashares' other books so I wanted to try her latest.

Somerset

I read Roses a few years ago. When I saw Somerset on the shelf, I jumped at the chance to read more by Meacham.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky!

What To Eat This Week

We did not follow our meal plan most of last week. It was too hot to cook and I got home so late 3 nights out of the week. At least I didn't have to buy a lot of groceries this week since we still have so much food leftover. Oy!

Breakfasts: Cereal for Tai and yogurt and granola for me.

Lunches: Spaghetti and BBQ chicken.

Dinners:

Monday: Sweet Bacon Chicken Wraps and Harvest Cheddar Soup

Tuesday: Crock pot Pulled Pork and kale salad

Wednesday: Pizza Soup and salad

Thursday: Take out

Friday: Italian Salad with pepperoni

Saturday: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sunday: Steak and artichokes

What's on your menu this week?

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

The School of Good and Evil

I admit the anime-ish cover on this one got me. 

Constance

I received notification that the library added a Rosie Thomas book to its collection. Since I had requested they buy it ages ago, it was automatically added to my hold queue. I think I own this one already but I'll probably read it faster if I have to take it back to the library.

Everlasting Enchantment

I've been enjoying the Relics of Merlin series and this is the final book in the series. 

What did you get this week? Add your link below!

Teaser Tuesday- The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"She tugged on India's sleeve, leading her past a waiting room full of patients, through a narrow hallway to the back of the building and Dr. Gifford's office. She managed to get her hat and duster off along the way and hustle her into a white jacket."
pg 45 The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

What To Eat This Week

Last week went by with minimal changes. This week will be tough. I'm going to be in a training for work 2 days. Since it's over a hour away from home, I'm going to make easier meals this week. Plus it's supposed to be in the upper 70's. Who wants to slave away in a hot kitchen?

Breakfasts: We are both taking this low carb double chocolate chip power bread. I'll add yogurt and fruit to mine.

Lunches: Egg salad sandwiches, ginger beef, and Sweet Bacon wrapped chicken.

Dinners:

Monday: Stuffed Italian turkey meatballs over spaghetti

Tuesday: Dad's on his own. Tai's going to volleyball and I've got a work meeting late (sigh).

Wednesday: Tacos with guacamole

Thursday: Bacon cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries

Friday: Stuffed Peppers with a salad

Saturday: Crockpot Pulled Pork with roasted green beans

Sunday: Dinner with friends

What's on your menu this week?

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

The Good Luck of Right Now

I've been enjoying Quick's books. Hoping this another good one.

The Painted Girls

I spotted this one the library shelf. I remember I had wanted to read it when it came out last year. 

Rebel Belle

I've been looking forward to this one. 

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.

Teaser Tuesday: Enchanting The Beast by Kathryne Kennedy

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"The carriage hit a pothole and a streak of white hair fell over his forehead, making him appear younger. Phil wondered how old he was anyway, the dismissed the thought."
pg 12 Enchanting The Beast by Kathryne Kennedy

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Ever since reading My Life Next Door last year, I've been anxiously waiting for What I Thought Was True to be released. While it was no My Life Next Door, What I Thought Was True was wonderful in its own way.

It's the summer before her senior year and Gwen's on the verge of getting off of Seashell Island. While she loves Seashell, Gwen knows that she won't get far in life living there. Her parents are eking out a living, barely. And Gwen knows that's what her life could become. Gwen's not perfect. She's slept with a few guys and has a reputation among the swim team. Leaving Seashell would mean leaving that life behind too. Except Cassidy, her mistake last Spring, seems to be following her around. Can Gwen ignore him and continue with her plan to leave Seashell and her reputation behind?

I liked Gwen. She wants to fall in love but settles for boys that just want in her pants. She wants to get out of Seashell so she works hard, saves her money, and applies for college. Her best friend, Viv, is dating Gwen's cousin, Nico. Viv and Nico are headed for the altar, a constant reminder that Gwen is perpetually single. And then there's Cass. Her biggest mistake. He's working as a lawn boy on Seashell and seems to find Gwen where ever she is. I didn't feel Cass was as fleshed out as he could have been. I wanted more about him. Also I liked that Fitzpatrick had gay characters too. They didn't get a lot of page time but I appreciated the diversity in that aspect.

I look forward what Fitzpatrick has in store. What I Thought Was True was a great contemporary YA romance.  Definitely belongs in your beach bag this summer. Others who shared their thoughts about What I Thought Was True: Cook Scrap Craft, The Hiding Spot, Books and Swoons, and Pub Writes.

What To Eat This Week

Last week's meal plan didn't go as scheduled. Our favorite Vietnamese place closed so we went there a couple of times to enjoying their food and say good bye. The owners are retiring which is great for them but will miss their restaurant.

Let's see what the plan is for this week!

Breakfasts: Tai is still enjoying his cereal. I'll be taking yogurt, cinnamon streusel coffeecake, and bananas.

Lunches: Spicy Chicken tortilla soup as well as spaghetti.

Dinners:

Monday: Cinco de Mayo! Pork carnitas tacos with guacamole

Tuesday: Peanut Butter Marinated Chicken Thighs with coconut rice and sautéed green beans

Wednesday: Baked salmon with a kale salad and Brazilian cheese bread

Thursday: Bacon Juicy Lucys with sweet potato fries

Friday: Individual pizzas with salad

What's on your menu this week?

April Reading Tally

Locke & Key vol 6 by Joe Hill

Wild Desire by Lori Brighton

The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger

Infinite by Jodi Meadows

Of Dice and Men by David M. Ewalt

A Study In Silk by Emma Jane Holloway

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Glacial Period by Nicolas De Crecy

The Girl Who Owned A City by OT Nelson

Set To Sea by Drew Weing

Last Day in Vietnam by Will Eisner

The Great American Dust Bowl by Dan Brown

Made for Each Other by Paul D Storrie

The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass

Phoenix Overture by Jodi Meadows
A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard
The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen

Seventeen books. Another great month. I'm ahead (right now) on my Goodreads Reading Challenge. Thank you read-a-thon! Plus I made it to 50 books! One-third down and two-thirds to go!

Stats:

Romance Reading Challenge This month: 1 (Wild Desire) YTD: 6

Historical Reading Challenge  This month: 0 ( none this month) YTD: 4

What's In A Name Challenge This month: 0 (none this month) YTD: 3

Yearly Total: 50

Mini Reviews-More Graphic Novels

For me these mini reviews are prefect for graphic novels. Expect to see them once or twice a month.

I Love Him To Pieces

I Love Him To Pieces is the first in the My Boyfriend Is A Monster series. Dicey and Jack are paired up as "parents" of an egg for their Health Ed class. Jack is the brainy type (hehe) and Dicey is a jock. They are opposites and don't have any reason to interact with each other outside of this project. But they become friends and then they realize they really like each other. I thought this one was cute. Plus there were some pop culture references that made me crack up. I'm going to check out the next in the series.

The Great American Dust Bowl

I think this is the first non-fiction graphic novel I've read. I knew close to nothing about the Dust Bowl when I read this book and I learned a lot. Brown does an excellent job of making the Dust Bowl real and educational. 

Set To Sea

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this is short graphic novel. The main character is a poet but one day gets recruited onto a ship. He's not familiar with the ways of the ship but slowly comes to enjoy his fate. I loved the art and the way the story progressed.

Last day in Vietnam
Really six short stories about things Eisner witnessed in Vietnam and Korea while he was writing for P.S. Magazine. Very well told stories about soldiers and war.