The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.
First things first: Happy birthday to The Husband! Today is his birthday and I am so thankful to be the one spending another year with him and celebrating him. Happy birthday, precious. You are the real gift this year, and every year.
This past week saw another shift in my work life as I am back to working from home. Post-Thanksgiving saw new positive cases at the office (although I believe most were still working from home) and the decision was made to shift back to WFH. I am fine with the change - there are pros and cons either way - but I guess I'm just disappointed that even now, nine months into this pandemic, people still cannot be counted on to simply do the right thing. For their own safety and for others. It's disheartening.
Along that same line, I reached total news overload this week. I'm so overwhelmed and burned out from reports of election lawsuits and COVID deaths day after day after day. It's too much and I reached my tipping point this week. I've been mostly unplugged the last few days and it's done wonders. I feel less stressed and weighed down by it all. So, I'll be keeping this up for now.
In happier news, I spent several hours yesterday gift wrapping. I *love* to gift wrap. It's one of my favorite activities during the holidays so I was definitely in my happy place. And I decided not to put up the big tree this year and instead went with my little Christmas tree forest. :) These sparkly little trees always bring me joy.
In other happy news this week, I won a giveaway! The lovely Anne at Books of My Heart gifted me an audio book of my choice. I chose Boyfriend Material because it was one of my favorite reads this year and I know it's one I'm going to want to enjoy again and again. So thank you to Anne for the wonderful gift/prize!
No 80's music fix this week. Instead I'm jumping into Christmas mode. So enjoy this one from Kelly Clarkson. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 8
Thursday, December 10
Friday, December 11
WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK
Not a thing. I spent most of the week (trying to) read a book that I ending up DNF'ing.
After 80-90 pages it felt like nothing was happening and I realized that I didn't care.
A sure sign that it's time to DNF. LOL
WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING
Listening to:
The book I DNF'd was coming close to putting me in a reading slump so I needed something to snap me out of that. I tried but couldn't find anything on my shelves (physical shelves or Kindle shelves) that seemed like it would hold my interest. But what did pique my interest was a re-listen of a favorite series. So I started Written in Red and was instantly a happy girl. I love being back in the world of The Others with all my favorite characters and I think I'll probably binge-listen the whole series for the remainder of the year.
PHYSICAL BOOKS:
I hope jumping back into a favorite brings you happiness! Sounds like it was a rough week. I have Written in Blood in my TBR. Sounds like I need to get on it! I’ve seen Layla around quite a bit in the book world now. Thinking I may need to check in to it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Rereading is about the only thing that pulls me out of a slump. That and just taking a break. Written in Red is the start of such a great series!
DeleteI have Written in Red on my Kindle but I've never gotten round to reading it. I'll have to pick it up soon :)
ReplyDeleteNix @ http://scorching-book-reviews.com
It's far from my usual reads but I really love the whole series.
DeleteYour sparkly forest is beautiful! I wish I loved wrapping, but I don't. I do wish I had you here to do my wrapping, though. Happy Birthday to the mister. I hope you two have a nice celebration.
ReplyDeleteI would happily come do all your gift wrapping. :) You'll need to turn up the heat in NJ first, though. LOL
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Husband!
ReplyDeleteI wish we had the option to work from home, I am currently the only person that wears a mask at work.
I love your tree forest and your wrapped gifts are so pretty, I need to start wrapping but the kids are home and I have to wait until they are sleeping to start.
Enjoy all your new books! Have a wonderful week Tanya! Happy Reading!
Wow, that is crazy that your workplace seems so cavalier about the virus, Michelle. :( At least you are doing your best to stay safe.
DeleteI hope you're finding some time to get those gifts wrapped! :)
Oh wow! Your husband's birthday is the same as my mum's! :) Happy birthday to Robert.
ReplyDeleteI've switched off from the world. The news is pretty much banned for now. Some still slips through but I can just about handle that... Working from home has been incredibly soothing for me lately. I miss being in the office and seeing people but I'll be happy when I'm back to a couple a days a week in office. I don't want to go back to 4/5 days... But that's a long way off for us, I think!
I hope you have a good day today for your husband's birthday and a good week, Tanya!
Birthday twins! :)
DeleteYeah, I can't say I really miss the office. I'm happy, content, and safe at home. I have to go in one day this week and that's plenty for me.
Happy birthday to your husband! I totally get getting burned out on the news. I just watch a few minutes a day to get the headlines and that's enough for me!
ReplyDeleteI get CNN alerts on my Apple Watch from CNN... that's about as much news as I can handle these days. LOL
DeleteHappy birthday to your husband Tanya!!! And I think unplugging is sane. It's been a whole week at least since I didn't watch any news on the television. I just listened to them on the radio once a day. And you forest of Christmas tree looks good!
ReplyDeleteDo you want to pack my gifts? It would make you and me happy so, win win ;-)
And I listened to Boyfriend Material I adored it!!!
Now what did you do for having Santa send you a bible and clothes??? LOL
Sure, I'll jet right over and wrap your gifts for you! A Christmas in Europe sounds quite nice. :)
DeleteI'm so glad you loved Boyfriend Material!
If Written In Red is something that gets you out of a funk I will have to look at it for sure! Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI'm not typically an urban fantasy reader, but I do love this series.
DeleteHappy birthday to your husband!! And I too have had it with the news. And even worse, people's horrible commentary towards others regarding the news. People have just become so savage towards others!!
ReplyDeleteI know. It's awful, isn't it? Suddenly having a differing opinion isn't allowed. It makes someone an enemy. I don't get it.
DeleteI am sorry to see it has been a rough week...but Happy Birthday to your man!! We do need more kindness in the world. I have been taking a step back from the news and focusing more on happy things like blogging and books :) Hope you have a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have the right idea, Renee!
DeleteIt drives me nuts that people are so selfish right now. :( At least you'll be safer at home for now. We're going through the same thing here in WA. Add in the news cycle, and yes, it's overwhelming. I'm thankful T. Swift decided to release a new album. Took some of my attention away. Congrats on winning the giveaway and happy birthday to your man!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deanna. Yeah, I have zero issue returning to working from home. The reason is unfortunate but I certainly feel safer at home.
DeleteHappy Birthday to your husband!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're okay working from home, but it is rough to see numbers going up and up and up. It's getting closer to me too - more friends and family are getting it, so it's nerve-wracking and stressful. I'm ready for a vaccine for sure.
Sorry about the DNF - but it happens! Always best to put a book down if it's just not working for you, and re-listening to something you love is a nice palette cleanser if you will.
Love your little tree forest!
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks Lauren! Yeah, the numbers are just staggering. It blows my mind when someone says "I don't even know anyone who's had it" because I can't even count them all on two hands anyway. Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors... so many people.
DeleteMy husband does the gift wrapping in our house, he manages those perfect corners every time!
ReplyDeleteLove the Christmas tree forest
Wishing you a great reading week
Nice that you have someone that takes care of all the gift wrapping! :)
DeleteHappy Birthday to your husband. I hope you guys had a fun day together. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe news can definitely be overwelming! I totally get you. I haven't watched the news all week because I just so done with it.
I'm glad you where able to stay out of your reading slump. ;) Enjoy your new books.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Thanks Maureen. :) We had a good (quiet) day and it made for a nice birthday.
DeleteHappy Birthday to your husband! I deleted Facebook from my phone a couple of months ago and it has done wonders for my mental state. I don't watch the news every day and takes breaks when I need it. It just frustrates me that everyone can't do what needs to be done. I hate wrapping! I always pass that task over to my husband who is good at it. Enjoy your re-read of Written in Red!
ReplyDeleteI go weeks without going to Facebook and then when I do I'm reminded of why I stay away. Ugh. Good for you for just deleting it.
DeleteYes it can be great to take a new break. I can't get myself to do it very much but I try. People are so stupid. Happy birthday to the Husband. I LOVE Written in Red. I bugged my daughter to read it and then bribed her. Then she read it 28 times she loved it so much! Enjoy your audio! I like giving away prizes for the blogaversary.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
"People are so stupid." That about sums it up, Anne! :)
DeleteWell, your daughter has me beat on the Written in Red rereads! I think this is only my 4th reread. LOL
Happy birthday to your husband! And I agree- nine months in and we're where we're at, it's so disheartening. My wife works at a place where they didn't mandate masks even after several people had Covid. It's nuts. And oh my gosh the news- right? I go back and forth between obsessively refreshing the news and getting disgusted and turning it all off. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas trees!
That's so crazy about your wife's workplace. I mean, that's downright negligent. *sigh* My husband had the news on a *lot* yesterday watching the electoral college results and I just barricaded myself in the office. I can't tale any more news right now. Ha!
DeleteHappy belated birthday to your husband (decemberists are the best). I can relate for the unplugging, the year ends on a depressing note - next year can only be better ! I love your Christmas trees forest, sparks and glitter are good for the soul. Enjoy your week :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, the unplugging has done wonders for me. I might just keep it up! :)
DeleteAww happy belated birthday to your husband! And you and Arielle both love Sarina Bowen, it seems like I need to read her books too! And LMAO at the Instagram picture, thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteJen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog
I'd love to see what you thought of a Sarina Bowen book! Maybe me and Arielle together can convince you. LOL
DeleteI can't be online or watch the news anymore. I do it enough to be informed then step away for peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love your tree display!!
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Thanks Karen! The tree forest is my alternative when I don't feel like putting up the big tree. :)
DeleteHappy birthday to the hubs and I love your Christmas forest. I'm so sorry to hear about the close-to-home COVID-19 case.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning that giveaway!
Thanks! Winning a giveaway is a sure-fire way to brighten a day. :)
DeleteThat random had me giggle! I have to unplug from the news too. My husband puts it on when we're cooking dinner and it stresses me out. Cases are exploding here, too. They had to cancel all outpatient tests and elective surgeries at my hospital because we're busting at the seams with Covid patients. Hopefully the surge will die down soon.
ReplyDeleteI love your sparkly tree forest! That would make me smile, too. You love gift wrapping? I need you over at my house, stat! Hope you and the hubby enjoyed his birthday together! :)
Ugh, that's one time that I refuse to have it on or listen to it. No news during dinner. Not exactly conducive to a relaxing meal. Ha!
DeleteI was just reading an article yesterday about the extreme shortage of hospital beds in CA. It's so scary.
I'd happily do all your gift wrapping for you! :)