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Welcome to my weekly update for July 26, 2020! I'm writing this ahead of time as my husband's 50th birthday is (was, as you're reading this) on July 25! It's hard to believe that we've been together almost two decades. He was a whipper-snapper of 31 when we met. What a life we've led in that time! I wouldn't change anything. If you missed it last week, I created an Instagram account for my blog. I've added a few posts that I think turned out pretty well. Give me a follow if you're so inclined! Posted: Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich--3.5 Stars The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston--4 Stars Read: Small Favor by Jim Butcher Currently Reading: Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, read by Khristine Hvam Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen Hiking Oregon's History: The Stories behind Historic Places You Can Walk to See by Michael L. Sullivan--I had to return this book before finishing it but I placed a hold on it so that I can continue it when it's available again. Watching: Since a lot of us are spending more time watching TV and movies during the pandemic, I decided to add this section. I've found some great suggestions on other blogs! The Alienist: Angel of Darkness just premiered on TNT in the US last Sunday. My husband and I binged the first season of this show last month and I am usually not a binger. This series is based on the books of the same name, which I love. It's set in New York in the late 1800s when forensic science and forensic psychology were just becoming a thing. This show is very dark, with murdered…

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful week! My birthday was yesterday but we just spent a quiet day at home. My husband made my favorite French toast for breakfast. We ordered my favorite pizza in Portland (and possibly anywhere) for dinner and then we finished off with a mini pecan praline cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and a glass of my favorite "champagne." My taste buds were happy! Traveling in our RV means that have about 300 sq ft (28 sq m) of living space, so gifts have to be small and/or utilitarian. These are the gifts that might be of interest to my fellow readers. One of my best friends mailed a couple of books to me. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory and The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel. I've enjoyed the other books I've read by Ms. Gregory and the other book looks really good! I'm also excited to hold some real books in my hands! In a sign of the times, my husband bought me this cute face mask featuring Belle. I just love it! Bookish Birthday Gifts In other news, I created an Instagram account for my blog, @introverted.reader. I've only got a couple of posts up so far because I'm trying to figure out what a bookish Instagram account looks like when you primarily read on a Kindle Paperwhite (see space limitations noted above). I did share some literary displays and a beautiful library from our visit to the Pittock Mansion in Portland, OR on Thursday (face masks firmly on and social distancing strictly controlled by employees, of course). Check it out and give me a follow if you're so inclined! Posted: Geekerella by Ashley Poston--5 Stars Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins--4 Stars My Six in Six 2020 post for the yearly…

This week my husband and I drove from Portland, Oregon down to Bend to do some hiking. That part of the state is beautiful! The climate there is "high desert" but we drove into the lush Cascade mountains within about 45 minutes. So much variety! Smith Rock State Park Koosah Falls, about 1 hour 15 minutes away from Smith Rock When we finished our hikes, we got brave and ate outside at a brewery (we've only gotten food to go since March). It felt reasonably safe but weird. Tables were appropriately distanced, servers wore masks, and we wore our masks when we weren't eating. It was nice to have a normal-ish moment in these crazy times! Posted: Full Throttle by Joe Hill Book Review--4 Stars Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins Book Review--5 Stars--I realized that I never posted this review on my blog when I was posting my review for The Ballad of Songbirds of Snakes, the prequel to the series. Now my reviews for the whole series are on here! Read: The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley, read by Jayne Entwistle The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters Currently Reading: Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan, read by Kieran Culkin Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen Hiking Oregon's History: The Stories behind Historic Places You Can Walk to See by Michael L. Sullivan--I had to return this book before finishing it but I placed a hold on it so that I can continue it when it's available again. Up Next: I'm really not much of a planner. I'll probably inhale Eleven on Top (as I always do with Stephanie Plum…