Monday Musings

My week: It was a pretty boring week here, but we did get to the beach on Friday afternoon and stayed to see the sunset.

Reading: I finished and enjoyed "The Things We Keep" by Sally Hepworth (review), then breezed through "Sleeping Giants" by Sylvain Neuvel, a science fiction novel I've been dying to read since it came out in April. Told entirely in interviews, journal entries and mission reports, it was different than I expected but still pretty good, and I'm anxious for the story (which deals with the discovery of an ancient alien artifact) to continue in the second book.

Then I finished up a galley of "The Hike" by Drew Magary. I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway and started it back in July (it was released at the beginning of August); I ended up setting it aside because I just couldn't get into it. Reviewers said the ending made it all come together so I decided to finish it up -- and it just did not do it for me. I hated the writing and the plot just seemed utterly pointless.

Now I'm reading an advance e-book copy of "Sirius: The Little Dog Who Almost Changed History," set during WWII and featuring a very intelligent fox terrier. It's cute so far, though the choppy writing is a bit off-putting, maybe because it was translated from German?

Since I can't take my iPad to the beach (too much glare), I also started a library book, "The Magicians" by Lev Grossman, on Friday. It's on my must-read-in-2016 list and I'm excited to finally be getting to it years after I first decided to read it. I've only read the first two chapters but so far I'm totally into the story and Grossman's writing. People say it's like Harry Potter for adults, so I'm fully expecting to love it!

Knitting: ARGH! I finally found the motivation to re-start my Earnest cardigan (I ripped out the entire thing about two weeks ago now) and I have just had one problem after another getting it going again. I'm finally back on track, though, and since Jarrod is working 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. shifts again the next two weeks, I expect to get a ton of knitting done. Pictures to come when I actually have some progress to show!

Watching: I started season 2 of "Grantchester," one of my favorite shows! It's part of Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. Based on a book series, it's set in 1950s England and features the very handsome Sidney Chambers, Cambridge graduate and WWII solider turned vicar in the village of Grantchester -- who also happens to assist the police with detective work. I love the setting and the actors, and I was so happy to see it was renewed for a third season. (P.S. Check out my Top Ten Tuesday list tomorrow for a list of my other favorite TV shows!)

Listening to: One of my favorite bands, Glass Animals, has a new album out!

Eating: I whipped up a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread this week. Yum!

Trying: Sherry. UGH! I bought a bottle for a new recipe and couldn't resist testing out a sip. It was revolting and I have no idea what Professor Trelawney is thinking with her propensity for sherry-drinking. Perhaps someone should introduce her to a nice moscato wine... or a shot of tequila?! (That said, the recipe -- kung pao spaghetti from Damn Delicious -- was yummy!)

Looking forward to: Getting my first pumpkin spice latte (or maybe salted caramel mocha) of the season. If I close my eyes and crank up the A/C while sipping it, maybe I can pretend that I'm in the mountains of Colorado instead of perpetual-summer Hawaii.


I'm linking up with Kathryn at Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?