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Welcome to my weekly update for August 2, 2026!
This has mostly been another quiet weekend since my husband was on call for emergencies at the hospital again on Saturday. He was off last Monday but it was such a rainy and dreary day that we didn’t do anything.
My sister is flying in for a visit next Friday so yay for that! I probably won’t be around on the blog at all that week though.
Slight Shift of Blog Focus:
I find that my interest for writing exclusively about books is waning. Don’t get me wrong–I still love reading and discussing my thoughts about books. I enjoy writing my (semi)Weekly Update and visiting all of you. I’ll keep checking in here when I can. But I’d like to spread my wings a little bit further.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to write two non-bookish posts. I’ve been thinking about what that looks like and I’m ready to give it a go. I know what I’d like to write about: posts dedicated to our travels; links to articles and other tidbits that I find interesting; and chatty opinion pieces, whether linking to established discussion link-ups or just rambling about my own thoughts. And of course, I’ve already started writing monthly TV/movie reviews. I may like all of these ideas or none of them. We’ll see!
New paths are a little scary and exciting, even in my own minuscule corner of the internet! All this is to ask you to please bear with me as I work to keep my interest engaged. Thank you in advance!
Posted:
Nothing.
Read:
A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys–3.5 Stars–Everything I love about this author’s books is present–sense of place, life-like characters, hidden history–but the actual plot was just too murky for me. Be aware this is marketed for adults, though I, as a non-parent, feel it would be okay for older teens.
Currently Reading:
Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco
An Unpardonable Crime by Andrew Taylor, read by Simon Vance
The Border: A Journey Around Russia by Erika Fatland, translated by Kari Dickson
What did your week look like?
Hosts:
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz hosts The Sunday Salon and Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer hosts Sunday Post. Kathryn at Book Date hosts It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
26 Comments
Well, you know I’ll love hearing about your travels! I keep meaning to get back to my RV travel posts, and may start in on the Vancouver Island trip in the coming weeks. I also have our Teton trip to post about, too. Those were both a few years ago… Eeek!
Have a wonderful time hanging out with your sister!
Oh, Footnotes in Gaza is good. Joe Sacco does such a great job with his graphic “novels.” I like reading about your travels so go for it!
I’m sure whatever you decide to write will make for interesting reading!
You’re tackling some serious nonfiction these days, it looks like. I’ve preordered some political nonfiction books that are coming out this fall to support some of my favorite independent media people — Brian Tyler Cohen, David Pakman, and the Meidas Touch brothers. But I tend to start nonfiction books and not finish them, so we’ll see!
I hadn’t even looked at my nonfiction together to realize that I’m kind of reading about two different current wars. What must my mind be percolating to choose them without me being consciously aware of it? 😀 Good luck with your picks!
Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt. I have 45 minutes left. Sad, depressing, and while it is beautifully written, it’s SAD and DEPRESSING.
I suspect that it might be sad and depressing 😀 I hope your next book lifts your spirits!
I’d love to hear about your travels on Sunday or anything else you’d like to post about. Good luck with your attempts to stretch your blogging!
Thank you!
Love this direction for you! I share about food at least once a week plus about our travels! If it helps keeps you engaged goes for it!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Hope you enjoy your visit. We all need a change from time to time. Looking forward to reading more from you.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2026/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-mailbox.html
Thanks!
Glad that your sister is coming to visit. It’s always great to explore new ideas for your blog. I do it all the time on my blogs!
Into the Unknown: https://intotheunknown61.wordpress.com/2026/08/01/%f0%9f%8c%9ffavorite-posts-from-the-other-side-3/
Thanks for the encouragement!
Yes! I’ve been adding all sorts of interesting (to me) things to my blog lately, and it’s a great resource as well, years later I sometimes look up something I’ve cooked or planted. Just reserved A Fortune of Sand, it sounds intriguing.
That is a great point about your blog being a great personal resource! I hope you like A Fortune in Sand when you read it.
I hope you have fun with your sister and your new ideas.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Thank you!
I’d love to read about your travels! I think incorporating new avenues into your blog will give you more motivation to keep writing! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Footnotes in Gaza.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to sharing more about our travels
Yay!! Enjoy your time with your sister!!!
Thank you!
I abandoned the “just books” a long time ago. I can usually find some way to connect it all back to books, but it’s okay when I don’t bother.
Sounds like you’ve found what works for you!
I completely understand. I’ve found myself doing the same thing. My blog started as just books, but lately I’ve been enjoying adding recipes, cooking, book club ideas, and other lifestyle posts alongside my reviews. It’s been a fun way to keep things fresh while still sharing my love of reading. I hope your new direction is just as rewarding! Happy Reading!
Thank you!