August was a meh month, like July it was either super-hot or super foggy/stormy. There was no escape from the bad weather and only a couple of “nice” days, but that meant I got more knitting and reading done than I have in a while!
Generally, you can see a massive gazebo just up and to the left of the lifeguard stand in the photo. And you can see all the way to the JFK Library, roughly a mile walking from where I’m standing taking that picture. by time I got to the gazebo the entire bathhouse and lights were gone.
The big bummer was we didn’t go anywhere for the month which was a change up as we usually go somewhere for at least a long weekend for the roommate’s birthday. And we generally rent a boat and just relax, but we were too busy to plan and they’re not great planners 😀
Books and Bookish Things
I read so much this month! Most of it was romance novels (12) and the rest was popular fiction with the exception of one collection of short stories that was disappointing in the end. I read quite a few new-to-me authors this month and it was a lot of fun.
- The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
- An Unexpected Kind of Love – Hayden Stone
- A Case for Christmas (The Lords of Bucknall Club #2) – J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry
- The Lavender Menace – Tom Cardamone (Ed.)
- A Prairie Dog’s Love Song (Clyde’s Corner #1) – Eli Easton
- The Stolen Suitor (Clyde’s Corner #2) – Eli Easton
- One Trick Pony (Clyde’s Corner #3) – Eli Easton
- Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1) – K.J. Charles
- One to Watch – Kate Stayman-London
- It Takes Two to Tumble (Seducing the Sedgwicks #1) – Cat Sebastian
- Game Changer (Game Changers #1) – Rachel Reid
- The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2) – K.J. Charles
- The Midnight Lie (Forgotten Gods #1) – Marie Rutkoski
- The Last Chance Library – Freya Sampson
- Playing Offside (Sporting Secrets #1) – Jax Calder
- Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) – Rachel Reid
- Subtle Blood (The Will Darling Adventures #3) – K.J. Charles
- Obie is Man Enough – Schuyler Bailar
I was much more restrained this month when it came to book acquisitions. I picked up two ARCs (*) and the monthly free book for Amazon Prime members that just so happened to be a modern retelling of Austen, swoon 😀
- Sailor Proof (Shore Leave #1) – Annabeth Albert*
- The Bennet Women – Eden Appiah-Kubi
- Finley Embraces Heart and Home (Love, Austen #4) – Anyta Sunday*
I’ve also downloaded all my articles for the last class, Marketing Social Change, for the graduate certificate I’ve been working toward, Marketing Management and Digital Strategy. Those for the first class were a lot more interesting than I thought they would be, so, I’m definitely looking forward to class more than I was!
What’s Next?
I’m fully expecting my reading to slow down at least for the next month or so with class starting and the weather changing. I always knit more in the fall/winter than I do in the spring summer and am looking forward to a couple of projects I have planned including another blanket (Purl Soho) and I may try to make this market bag (Two of Wands) for a couple of presents. I’m also almost finished with my first sweater. I just have to seam it and add the neck!
I do have books planned out a ways to hit a few ARC dates including: Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson (has been on my shelf for AGES and is making me want to re-read Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit); Con Riley’s His Haven (the end of her His series, which I’ve adored); The Hollow Heart by Marie Rutkoski; Finley Embraces Heart and Home by Anyta Sunday (the fourth installment in her Love, Austen series and based on my favorite Austen novel); and then T.J. Klune’s upcoming release Under the Whispering Door.
What are you reading? Are you ready for Fall? I was until I realized Halloween candy has been out since July and pumpkin spice has already made its appearance at Dunks and Starbucks. But even with corporations jumping the gun, bring on the weather and the leaves changing!
Wow your knitting is amazing, are you able to knit and read at the same time? I was always fascinated by how some could knit and watch television.
You read loads in August, what a pity about the strange foggy weather.
Summer is my peak work period, but this year despite being super busy I dedicated mornings to writing and afternoons to clients, and managed to finish a project I’d been working in for ages, but reading wise not so much.
Late August I managed to read a couple for WIT month and really enjoyed Loop by Mexican author Brenda Lozano, a plotless narrative of the anti-hero, the one who waits, lots of interesting diversions. Now I’m going to read A Town Called Solace by Canadian author Mary Lawson, a more traditional narrative I suspect.
Happy autumnal reading and knitting Geoff.
Thanks! Knitting and reading at the same time would be the dream! I can knit and watch TV, but only because I listen and watch less 😀
Loop sounds like it would do my head in, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I am sorry to hear it has been a pretty meh month due to the weather and not being able to plan some time away. It was the opposite for me as I was super busy taking full advantage of my time off work, although the weather wasn’t great here either. However you have managed to read twice as much as me, so silver linings and all! 😊
Now I am looking forward to the joys of autumn: golden leaves; warming soup and hot chocolate; scarves, boots and woolly tights; and the R.I.P reading event! 🎃 Take care and happy reading and knitting in September.
I LOVE FALL 😀 for all the reasons you said, except maybe the woolly tights, haven’t ever warn any but maybe they’d be super comfy 😀 Happy reading to you too!
Thank you! 😊
That bag looks great, such a shame it’s a crochet pattern – I have tried crochet several times and just don’t get it. I used to watch my grandmother make blankets for every new baby in the family and she would do it while watching tv and never looking at her hands. Even watching what I am doing, I end up with a mess
We’ll see how it goes. I’m not as comfortable with crochet as I am with knitting, but it’s such a pretty bag and great idea that I want to try it! Plus, I’ll have to learn something new which is always fun.
I shall look forward to seeing the photos of the finished items Geoff.