Greetings you guys! How was your week? Can you believe we are heading into the last week of April? Good grief! Our week flew by, but it wasn’t all that bad. It’s just dreadfully cold here and my Mommy doesn’t like that.
Last week, a few of you asked me about the diamond painting my Mommy so loves to do. There’s nothing much to it, to be honest. If you ask me, I’d say it’s a rather brain-dead exercise. I think that’s exactly what my Mommy likes about it. She doesn’t have to think very hard or concentrate on anything but listening to her audiobook. Just stick those little sparkly dots on the correlating space, listen to your book and wait for the end result. It’s usually worth it!
We had a good reading week as well and got some great books in the mail and by clicking away on Amazon’s free books for World Book Day.
Adding to the Litter
We’ve received a new book for review from Netgalley and our very fist physical book in the mail. Excitement overload! My Mommy will be taking part in a readalong this upcoming week with a few other South African Instagrammers. You are welcome to follow on Instagram, in fact – we’d appreciate it sooooo much.
Who else had fun loading there Kindles with Amazon’s free books for World Book Day on Friday?
Scratching the Blog Pole
We didn’t get to blog until Thursday this week, but then we were on a roll.
- We haven’t done a Throwback Thursday in ages and it was good to join up again and to look back at our review for After You and to see what’s still waiting on the TBR.
- Still going strong with the Book Reviews from the kiddies at school. This week’s one was a very cute review from the sweetest little girl who is in Gr 2. Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare.
- Weekend Book Friends always help to get the weekend sorted.
- Book Review: Arthur and the Argonauts by G.H. Lewis
We have a few posts, including a book tour and a review, coming up this week. And we have a long weekend! So hopefully we’ll get to it all.
On the Couch
Recently Finished
Arthur and the Argonauts took us just about the whole week to finish. English is our second language, so for us to read a book by an author who presumably has his PHD in English Vocabulary, is no easy task. But we did finish it and for that, we deserve to read a whole stack of books at the same time.
Currently Reading
We are still listening to Project Hail Mary and still enjoying it a lot. Can’t believe my Mommy actually likes Rocky, but she does. We were so excited when we received our copy of Never Tell a Lie that we immediately started reading. The readalong only starts tomorrow…. The Maid is one of our Book Club picks and we took a couple of hours to start reading it yesterday. What fun! (reading the book and snuggling on the couch). This morning, Mommy woke up early and Daddy was still sleeping, so she didn’t want to turn on the light to read her book and just started reading Drawn by the Current on her Kindle. We love this story already and will go to bed early tonight to see what happens next.
Currently Watching
How did Jane the Virgin slip us by all this time? Yes, yes – it’s very much like a soap opera – we love it!! This is so funny and entertaining and even Daddy is watching with us.
What’s new in your lives this week? Any exciting new books or TV shows? Oh and what brain-dead exercises do you enjoy doing?
We love all the visits we always get from you and are ever so thankful to our lovely hosts for making this possible. Debbie @ Readerbuzz with The Sunday Salon, Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer with The Sunday Post and Marlene @ Reading Reality with Stacking the Shelves.
I completely missed seeing the free books from Amazon for World Book Day. Happily, the offer is still available, so I just downloaded a few of the ten that were on the list.
You have some wonderful books to read. I am glad to hear how much you are enjoying Project Hail Mary. I thought The Maid was compelling.
Hi Debbie! You had Paris, nothing else matters at all. The fact that you still got the free deals, are just an added bonus!!
xoxoxo
I remember how excited I was when I got my first physical ARC. The problem is, since I have gotten a bit older and my eyesight isn’t quite what it was in my 40’s I prefer reading on my Kindle. Also knowing what do do with the books after was more of a dilemma. All the same, enjoy.
I have Project Hail Mary as an audiobook waiting to be listened to, I hope it lives up to the hype.
Hi there Charlotte!
I think I’ll always remember this book as my first physical ARC and the excitement surrounding it. Luckily it’s such a great read as well! My mother in law also prefers to read on her Kindle due to her eyesight and even I tend to make the font larger on my kindle. I’m still in my 40’s but I’ve been wearing glasses since early Primary School.
I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a good weekend!
I’ve seen Diamond painting kits but never done one. I love things where I can turn off my brain and listen to my book. Right now I’ve been doing lots of dog walking and have been getting tons of audio book listening. Have a wonderful week!
I did a lot of beach walking in the warmer months this year and also listened to a few audio books then. I think you will enjoy Diamond Painting a lot and perhaps even Will will enjoy it. I know a lot of the kids at our school does. It’s fun and relaxing and might be really good for both of you.
Sorry I am so late with all the replies, I hope you had a good week!
The only braindead activity I can think of that I do regularly is work. Seriously, it doesn’t use a lot of brainpower. And with so much downtime, I tend to get a lot of reading done at work. It looks like you’ve had a good week.
My husband and I are still dealing with the remnants of COVID and the start of allergy season. Additionally, we are having work done on our house, which made it hard for me to get much sleep last week. Fingers crossed, both are done soon. I need sleep before work!
Hi there Pam!
Braindead work – hmmm… I wouldn’t like that no. But I would have liked more downtime so I can read at work!! There’s benefits to everything in this life.
We are also doing renovations here at our house and it’s still going to continue for at least another month or so. So all my sympathies with the allergies! All that dust!
Thanks for visiting us and do take care of yourself.
I love that diamond painting! I’ve never heard of it before. I may have to grab one this summer. Sounds like a wonderful way to listen to an audiobook. I hope you are loving Project Hail Mary. I’m planning on re-reading that one this summer. So much fun.
I have not seen Jane the Virgin either. But it’s been on my list forever!
I loved loading my kindle with all those books from around the world! I’m hoping to read some of them soon.
I hope you and Elza have a lovely week.
Hi there Heather!
I am so very sorry for the late reply, gosh – it’s weekend again! I hope you get yourself one of the Diamond Painting kits, it’s such fun and excellent for audio books.
Jane the Virgin is very much a TV Novella, but it’s so much fun and witty.
I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a good weekend!
Your diamond painting picture came out very good. I love it. So glad you are enjoying Project Hail Mary! Rocky is the best ❤️❤️❤️ Have a wonderful week!
Hi Tessa!
Oh I have a few completed and framed already. Really just always have so much fun with it.
I had a good week, busy and crazy. But that’s life in general I guess!
I hope you are looking forward to a good weekend Tessa.
I can’t believe it’s the last week of April already! Argh where did the time go?? It was a very busy month but maybe it’s calming a bit now? The diamond dot painting is quite interesting … don’t think I’ve seen that before … but I find it similar to doing a puzzle which helps me zone out & enjoy while listening to an audio. Granted I haven’t done a puzzle in many months but I have many from Christmas awaiting me! I see you have The Puma Years which is a good book! I have read that one and highly recommend it … fascinating. Have a great week.
Hi there Susan!
Ooooh I also love doing puzzles and actually have the most beautiful one of cats and books that I want to do during my next holiday. Diamond Painting is a fun activity and always love the pretty outcomes.
Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed The Puma Years, I hope to get to it soon.
Sorry for the late reply, I hope you will have a good weekend!
I have a couple of those diamond projects. They’re of llamas. I love llamas. I haven’t started either of them yet, but I look forward to doing them. I think they look fun to do.
I hope you have a great week! 🙂
Hi Jenni!
Oh I’ve seen a few of the Lama Diamond Paintings and they are gorgeous! Once you start, you will be hooked. Make sure that you are well stocked with audio books.
Have a good weekend Jenni!
I didn’t see anything that appealed to me on amazon’s international book offer. I wonder why they didn’t appeal, as I usually like to read books that are outside of my own experiences.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi there Mae!
Sometimes weeks pass where I fill receive daily updates and suggestions from Amazon and nothing appeals to me. Same with BookBub. I think that might be a good thing…. Imagine if we want to read all the books that cross our paths!
I have been curious about diamond painting. It looks like a great activity to keep your hands busy while listening to a book. Nice new additions. I hope that you have a fantastic week!
Hi there Carol!
It’s weekend again and I only get to reply to you now. Crazy how time flies!
Yes, Diamond Painting really is a lot of fun and very relaxing. I need a bit of that.
I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a good weekend.
That diamond painting looks amazing!
Any book through the post is exciting! I feel like I have won something every time I get accepted for a Blog Tour and then the book turns up!!
I read The Maid a monthish ago and loved it. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was still good. The main character is so unique.
Have a lovely week.
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
Hi there Emily!
Yes, it does feel as if I’ve won something! Would love to win again.
I am about half way through The Maid and I am enjoying it tremendously! Molly is very enduring.
I liked Project Hail Mary and I think they will make a movie of it. I’ll watch it. Lots of good books in your lineup! It’s hot here too – 86 in southern Georgia right now where we are camping.
Hi there Tina! It’s really getting cold here and I am so not a wintery person at all.
Yes, I’ve also heard that they are making a movie of Project Hail Mary and apparently Ryan Goshling is going to be the lead. That can be a good fit I’d think.
Thanks for visiting us and so sorry for the late reply.
I’m also excited about The Women in the Library! And I always enjoy the World book day freebies! My daughter really enjoys the diamond paintings too.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
I am very excited for The Woman in the Library and will keep an eye out for your review.
I’m not on Kindle Unlimited so the free deals are always heaps of fun for me!
Glad to hear at least someone also knows about Diamond Painting!
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!
What a nice busy week you had! I used to love Jane the Virgin! Such a fun show. Enjoy your long weekend!
Hi Wendy! It was a busy week and I am very much looking forward to our upcoming long weekend!
I love Jane The Virgin. So funny!!
I never heard of Diamond Painting before, but it looks like fun. I’m going to see if I can find it online. Sounds like you received many good books. Enjoy them and have a great week!
Hi Yvonne!
I think you might actually enjoy the Diamond Painting. Especially because I know you love audio books and this might help for those days you don’t feel like going for a walk.
I did get some great books and can’t wait to read them all!
Have a wonderful week Yvonne and thanks for always stopping by.
I love the look of this diamond painting. I hadn’t heard about it before.
Your new books look great.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Hi Maureen!
I love the Diamond Painting, but maybe I won’t recommend it with little ones around. Those dots tend to want to fly everywhere and they are SMALL!!!
Hope you will have a great week too!
That looks very relaxing. Maybe I’ll take that up lol! And yay for new books coming!
My blogging’s been down a bit as well sigh.
I just started a new show on Amazon Prime- it’s like a weird Western mystery thriller? We’ll see I guess how THAT goes.
Hi Greg! Why not?? Depending on how big your fingers are, those dots are pretty small and the pen is rather on the small side too! But I love doing the DDP, I find it very relaxing.
A Western Mystery Thriller? Ha, that can only be interesting yes!
Have a good week Greg and your blog mojo will return one of these days. I’m sure of it!
It’s called Outer Range and it’s kind of wild so far- on amazon Prime.
Thanj you for the encouragement I think I need it! 🙂
I will let my husband know about it, he is always keen on new shows and the wild west and mystery might even draw my attention!
Yay for book mail! Somehow I missed World Book Day. Have a great week!
Hi Cindy!
If I didn’t see the email notification, I would have missed it too!
I loved Project Hail Mary too! I can’t believe so much math and science kept me intrigued but it did!
I loved the diamond painting description. I haven’t actually heard of it before.
Hi there Bonnie! I can’t believe how much I’m also enjoying it as I am not a math or science and especially not an alien person at all! But it’s brilliant.
So glad to see you at The Sunday Post! Hope to see you again.
Your week sounds good! Enjoy the week ahead, and thanks for sharing. Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
We have a very short week as Wednesday is a public holiday and then we have school holidays on Thursday and Friday. Really looking forward to that!
Never tell a lie sounds fascinating. enjoy your week.
For a local novel (South African) I am quite impressed with Never Tell a Lie yes!
The Diamond painting project sounds and looks fun. I like the idea of finding a new project (easy too) to do while listening to my audio books. I just finished the audio: Unlikely Animals by Annie Harnett and liked it a lot – it’s different but well done.
Hi Diane! What I like most about the Diamond Painting, is it always comes out so nice. Take a look at all the different ones that you can get. The partial prints are also gorgeous. I did two of Gustav Klimt’s paintings as partials and they came out gorgeous!
I’ll take a look at Unlikely Animals, I’m always searching for new audio books!
Thanks for stopping by and have a good week ahead!
I’ve heard of diamond painting, but haven’t tried it myself yet. It sounds like a nice relaxing activity and even better if you can listen to a book while doing it too. I have a few games I like to do when I am low on energy and don’t want to think too much. I hope you’ll have a great week!
Hi there Lola!
I love Diamond Painting and I’ve completed a few of these already. Coloring is my other favorite for audio books. Playing games is not my thing at all, but my husband also finds it very relaxing.
I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
I’m reading the Puma Years and loving it.
Hi Harvee!
Isn’t the cover for the Puma Years just gorgeous!!! The story sounds good as well so I am eager to start reading it.
Thanks for visiting us and have a good week!
You had a busy, and fun, week on and off the blog! Thanks for showing how to do diamond painting. I was clueless. This sounds like something I could do while listening to a podcast or watching tv.
I didn’t know about Amazon’s free book day, oh well. I really do have more books than I have time to read, so maybe it’s all good. Have a good week! (I have a new blog address now)
Hi Mia!
Diamond Painting is a lot of fun and I’ve completed quite a few of them. Take a look on line, there are a lot of places that sell them.
I also have way to many books to read myself, but can’t resist a free book at all…
Oh on the comment on your blog – take a look at Nose graze. That’s my blog host. It really is worth the effort and Ashley pulled all my Blogger reviews over for me as well. The tweaking didn’t take me that long. And my graphics are mostly CANVA!!