Wrap up: Books 2020 pt2

This is another wrap up to catch up with the rest of the books read in 2020.

America's First Daughter
by Stephanie Dray
Historical, USA | Published: 2016 | Goodreads | my rating: 4 my two-bits: For the most part I liked this story. Some of it new to me as I did not know much about Jefferson's personal life. With Patsy and so many children, I wonder why she never opted for the birth control option she knew of. While the story got tedious at times, it works if you are in the mood for soap opera-like drama of that time period.

The Devil And The Dark Water
by Stuart Turton
Historical, Mystery, Thriller | Published: 2020 | Goodreads | my rating: 4 my two-bits: Enjoyed the old-ish sea-faring vibe.

Long Bright River
by Liz Moore
Mystery, Thriller | Published: 2020 | Goodreads | my rating: 4 my two-bits: It turned out better than expected. I was dreading how it might end which is most likely why it took me so long to finish. Sure had a couple twists. So glad it turned out the the way it did.

~*~ * header image source: reading woman

Yarn Along - June

Yarn Along
hosted by small things
details | June links
On the first Wednesday of each month, knitters, and a few crocheters as well, link up and share what they are knitting along with what they are reading. The link up remains open all month long.

~*~

Knitting:
Yarn: Wool and the Gang - Billie Jean (Indigo Denim and Washed Out Denim)
Needles: 6.5mm / US 10.5

Working on the last piece (sleeve) before putting together a summer cardigan. But, I ran out of yarn this week. Argh!

This is my first go at something knitted other than a scarf. Exciting.

I will post final cardigan here when done.
Reading:

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Not my norm. I am reading three books. A chapter or two per book per day.

Since the start of Shelter in Place in March my reading has been off. Short attention span. Keep getting distracted with the latest news and Covid-19 count. Thus, short reading stints.

~*~
* first spotted at Reviews from the Stacks

Lovely Books and Things - 5.3.20

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

~*~
HAPPY THINGS:

1. Unexpected letter from a faraway friend

2. Maple glazed old-fashioned donut

3. Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park

~*~
Free Little Library:

The Intellectual Devotional:
Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class
by David S. Kidder, Noah D. Oppenheim
-History, Philosophy, Education, Science | Goodreads
Library: audio

My Dark Vanessa
by Kate Elizabeth Russell
-Literary, Thriller | Goodreads
For Review: audio

Cold Backed
A Dream Horse Mystery prologue
by Candace Carrabus
courtesy of publisher for blitz tour -Thanks
-Mystery, Cozy | Goodreads
Virtual Author event: hosted by Green Apple Books
Check out their calendar for future free author events (here)

The Knockout Queen
by Rufi Thorpe
in conversation with Chloe Benjamin
-YA, LGBTQ | Goodreads

Virtual Author event: hosted by Bookshop West Portal
Check out their calendar for future free author events (here)

Rebel Cinderella:
From Rags to Riches to Radical, the Epic Journey of Rose Pastor Stokes
by Adam Hochschild
-Historical | Goodreads

Virtual Author event: hosted by Book Passages
Register and listen to the archive of this or to future Book Passages author talks for free (here)

Apeirogon
by Colum McCann
in conversation with Dave Eggers
-Historical, Israel | Goodreads

AND watched: on Netflix

The Willoughbys (2020)
Director: Kris Pearn, Cory Evans, Rob Lodermeier
Screenplay: Kris Pearn, Mark Stanleigh, Priscilla Parizeau
Based on book by: Lois Lowry
Stars: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara
-Animation, Adventure, Comedy | imdb | my rating: 5
Convinced they'd be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.


CHECK this out...

My French Film Festival
stay-at-home version
available free!
extended to May 25 (here)
SEE my picks (here)
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

*** THANKS to those on the front line during these times ***
Shelter In Place - Day 48, Week 8

Stay healthy! Be safe!

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Lovely Books and Things - 4.26.20

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

~*~
HAPPY THINGS:

1. Sparkles - gold glitter nail polish

2. The Catch and Kill podcast hosted by Ronan Farrow (here) - great supplement to Ronan's book with interviews with people mentioned in the book and a post Weinstein trial episode

3. Eye candy - Balboa theatre getting creative and colorful with their boarded up front doors

~*~
Bought:

Long Bright River
by Liz Moore
-Mystery, Thriller | Goodreads
Virtual Author event: hosted by Green Apple Books

How Much of These Hills Is Gold
by C Pam Zhang
-Historical, Literary, China | Goodreads
Virtual Author event: hosted by SF Public library

Bannerless
by Carrie Vaughn
-Speculative Fiction | Goodreads

AND watched: on Netflix

Tiger King (2020)
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (original title)
tv mini-series
Stars: Carole Baskin, Joe Exotic, Bhagavan Antle
-Documentary, Crime | imdb | my rating: 5
A rivalry between big cat eccentrics takes a dark turn when Joe Exotic, a controversial animal park boss, is caught in a murder-for-hire plot.

LIKE most, I got drawn into this. Left with mixed feelings.

Make your own Tiger King and Cub
by craftyiscoolcrochet (details)

Crip Camp (2020)
Directors: James Lebrecht, Nicole Newnham
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 5
Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.

CAPTIVATING bit of history.


AND watched: SFFILM screening (with Director Q&A) - some of these are not yet available to view, but be on the lookout for these goodies

Pangu (2020)
Director: Shaofu Zhang
-Animation, Short | my rating: 5
Based on the ancient Chinese creation myth, Pangu is a modern tale about parenthood and the differences between generations. Pangu creates a rigid world of angular shapes, but there’s just one problem: his son sees the world as curves.

Grab My Hand: (2020)
A Letter to My Dad
Director: Camrus Johnson
-Animation, Short | my rating: 5
Grab My Hand is a personal story of grief, those we look up to, and how the interactions we may deem insignificant may play a huge part in how we live our lives.This beautiful animated short, is director Camrus Johnson's gift to his grieving father and a message to all to cherish every second you have with loved ones while you still can.

Loch Ness Swim (2020)
Director: Sean Gillane
-Documentary, Short, Swim | my rating: 5
Ultramarathon swimmer Patti Baurnfeind has conquered the English Channel, Cook Strait, and Monterey Bay, finding inspiration for these physically demanding swims through various social causes. As she trains to cross Loch Ness in Scotland, her motivation takes a personal and transformative turn in this inspiring and intimate short documentary from Bay Area filmmaker Sean Gillane.

CHECK this out...

My French Film Festival
stay-at-home version
available free through April 27 (here)
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

*** THANKS to those on the front line during these times ***
Shelter In Place - Day 41, Week 7
Stay healthy! Be safe!

Thanks for stopping by :-)