Monday Musings from Colorado #2

Highlight of the week: I went to see a morning showing of "Allegiant" on Thursday and I was the only person in the entire theater. It was amazing! I also got a much-needed haircut and took a painting class with my mom. We go back tomorrow to finish up our aspen pictures. (If you're new here, my husband is in the Air Force and we're in the process of moving from Ohio [back] to Hawaii. I'm staying with my parents in Colorado for a month while he does some training.)

Reading: Last Monday I had just started "I'll See You in Paris" by Michelle Gable, and I ended totally loving it (review). It's a dual narrative set in the English countryside in 1972 and 2001, and it features the real-life (quite enigmatic) Gladys Deacon, 9th Duchess of Marlborough, plus uncovered secrets, wonderful characters and a little romance.

I also read "A Study in Charlotte" by Brittany Cavallaro, the first in a new YA mystery series featuring Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson, the great-great-great-grandchildren of the original sleuths (review). I wasn't completely entranced, but I enjoyed it enough that I'll definitely check out the next installment in the series.

And last night I finished a fabulous advance-read book, "The Atomic Weight of Love" by Elizabeth J. Church (out May 3), which I happily awarded 5 stars. Spanning decades, it's a character-driven novel that starts off when our protagonist, a university student and aspiring orinthologist, falls in a love with a professor who gets called away to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to work on the Manhattan Project. (And that cover -- gorgeous!) Today I'll start "Jane Steele," a gothic "Jane Eyre" retelling.

Buying: I went with my mom to pick up her library holds on Saturday and I just had to take a trip down the library sale shelf. I came away with three new books that I definitely didn't need seeing as they have to accompany me on the plane to Hawaii... but for $1 each, how was I to resist?! (I should also mention that I have three more Dublin Murder Squad books to read before I even get to "The Secret Place," but again, how could I resist?!)



Watching: My parents' cable provider had a free HBO week so I got caught up on season 4 of "Girls." Season 1 was by far the best, but I'm still enjoying the show, about the struggles and joys of being a  twentysomething in New York City. We also watched "Infinitely Polar Bear" (it was alright). And, as noted, I went to see "Allegiant." I enjoyed it, though I had the vague notion that a lot of things were changed from the book (though it's been so long since I read the books I don't remember many details).

Listening to: I've had "Madness" by Lucius on repeat this week!



Eating: Firehouse Subs and Jimmy John's -- yummy sandwich shops we won't have in Hawaii.

Looking forward to: Going with my mom to finish up our paintings. I'm excited to have a piece of Colorado to bring some mountain serenity to our new house in Hawaii. I have zero talent when it comes to drawing and painting, but the teacher is wonderful and makes everything so easy! I'm also looking forward to visiting my best friend in Dallas for a few days. I leave on Sunday!

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Linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?