Happy Sunday! I hope you are all well. We are still in a heat wave and probably will be for the rest of the summer. Scorching heat, for us, usually doesn’t hit until August and September but man, that mild June we had did not prepare us for July!
Since my surgery, audiobooks have been a way for me to get back into reading. I was never a fan of them before. I just couldn’t get into them. Well, now that my Premium Spotify account includes free audiobooks, and many new releases at that, I’ve been totally into them and loving my commute because of them. My attention span is way different post surgery. More focused. Not focusing on constant pain can free you up for all sorts of things!
Right Now:
Student ministry this morning. This summer has been a good mix of games and messages.
This Week:
This Wednesday we have a student movie night and we will be watching Nacho Libre and eating, you guessed it, nachos. I have never seen this movie! It will be fun.
Reading:
I blew through a number of books recently and posted reviews for:
The Return of Ellie Black
You Like It Darker
I started these two:
Clear by Carys Davies
“Clear is the story of a minister dispatched to a remote island to “clear” its last remaining inhabitant–an unforgettable tale of resilience, change, and hope.”
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
“A brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present.”
I was granted a review copy of Murakami’s new one, The City and Its Uncertain Walls. Yay! All is right with the world.
Watching:
Still watching Alice in Borderland. We are almost done with season 2. We also got hooked on an old show, Mike & Molly with Melissa McCarthy. I really like it. It’s cute and easy to watch.
Grateful for:
This new thing I’ve been trying, The Pour Over. It bills itself as a “Christ first, news source.” It’s free. I’ve been giving it a go and I have to say, the news is very unbiased and usually includes a bit of scripture if it pertains to the topic. It’s a way for me to stay on top of what’s going on, without steam coming out the top of my head. These days, news is just hard to listen to. I am on social media for work so sometimes I can’t avoid things but lately, I’ve been scheduling my work posts and just closing the apps when I am done. It’s good for my soul.
Book Chatter 
I’m sorry it’s been so hot for you. I wish we could get a little bit of those temps up here…
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying audiobooks. I’ve always loved them, but I think it takes a few attempts to finally make the process of listening click. I remember I was easily distracted when I first started listening to audios, but now they’re a part of my daily routine. Every so often, I have to repeat the first few minutes of a book to get the characters or setting set in my mind, adjusting to the narrator’s voice or accent. I can listen while I drive or walk, as well as doing household chores. The one time I can’t focus on an audio is while I’m cooking!
I have Same As It Ever Was on my TBR list, so I’ll be curious to hear how you wind up liking it.
Have a good week, Ti!
love The Pour Over!
gives me a different way to look at things
It’s been a hot summer out east here, too, with only brief breaks. The so-called new normal. We’re big fans of Mike & Molly. Billy Gardell’s a Pittsburgh guy and apparently a really kind and generous person from those who’ve met him. We would love them to make a sequel or reboot! Glad you’re enjoying your audiobooks!
You probably know that I’m a big fan of audiobooks. I use them while driving in the car and on my walks and sometimes in the house. I often do a read/listen and go back and forth between print and audio. Just a different way to experience ‘reading’. Hope you have a good week, Ti!
I am so glad that you are able to focus more since the surgery. Your reading is definitely picking up, which must feel good.
My reading pace feels pretty good these days. I did adjust my Goodreads goal though. I mean, who am I kidding? Not reading for four months affected that goal for sure.
We’ve finally broken out of another heat wave, but we’re headed back into on by this Sunday. I am done with 90 and 100+ temps. The humidity is the pits.
I am so glad audiobooks are gelling with you right now, and you have been on a reading frenzy. It’s great to see. 🙂
I am so glad you got the next Murakami! I know you live his work. I can’t wait to hear what you think. I was on a bit of Japanese translation kick with those Cafe books. I’m just starting the audio of House of Cotton.
Have a great weekend.