Weekly Update for January 23, 2022


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Weekly Update at Introverted Reader

Welcome to my weekly update for January 23, 2022!

This has been a low key week. Last weekend was cool and rainy here in Charleston. Back home in Asheville, they did get that 8+” of snow in the forecast so we’re glad we cancelled that trip. As I prep this post on Thursday night, we’re expecting freezing rain on Friday night/Saturday morning. Frozen stuff is rare this far south so we’re not looking forward to that.

My husband has to work all next week and he’s on call next weekend so I’m planning a visit home alone for a few days to celebrate my mom’s birthday (Happy birthday, Mama!).

Slideshow:

Charleston is nicknamed “The Holy City.” That’s either because of the many, many church spires or because of a history of religious tolerance. Whatever the reason, it’s certainly refreshing to see these steeples across the skyline instead of huge, blocky skyscrapers. Here are a few pictures my husband and I have taken on our trips downtown.

  • Citadel Square Church in Charleston, SC
  • St. Philip's Church in Charleston, SC
  • St. Michael's Church in Charleston, SC
  • French Huguenot Church in Charleston, SC
  • St. Matthew's Church in Charleston, SC

All images © 2022 Jennifer G. at Introverted Reader

  1. Citadel Square Church
  2. St. Philip’s Church
  3. St. Michael’s Church
  4. French Huguenot Church
  5. St. Matthew’s Church

Posted:

The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Young Readers Edition) by Jeanne Theoharis, adapted by Brandy Colbert: Book Review

Ten Anticipated Book Releases in Early 2022

The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales, edited by Maria Tatar: Book Review

Read:

I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site. 

I had an unconscious theme this week!

Hello, Star by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Vashti Harrison–5 Stars

Navigate Your Stars by Jesmyn Ward, illustrated by Gina Triplett–4 Stars

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner, read by Ana Clements–3 Stars

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by David Roberts–3.5 Stars

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall, illustrated by Hugo Martínez–4 Stars

My Family and Other Animals (The Corfu Trilogy #1) by Gerald Durrell–2 Stars

Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, written and read by Chelsea Handler–1 Star. This has aged so badly, I’m not going to review it separately or even include the cover here. I know comedians have to walk a fine line between giving offense and being funny, but Ms. Handler crossed the line into racism and other inappropriate comments way too often. I’m honestly disappointed with myself for finishing it. Skip it.

Currently Reading:

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #2) by Ransom Riggs

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf

Up Next:

I downloaded The Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan but I haven’t actually pushed play yet.

What did your week look like?

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?


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44 Comments

  1. I’m not a churchgoer, but I’ve always loved the architecture of churches and cathedrals. Those are some beautiful photos!

    Too bad my husband’s book isn’t out yet. You could have read it with your “star” themed collection. 🙂

  2. I remember really liking Wind in the Willows as a kid, but I never managed to read it aloud to my children and now I’m a little afraid to reread in case it doesn’t live up to my memories.

  3. I wouldn’t blame yourself for finishing a book that aged so poorly… I know that sometimes I’ll keep reading because “it has to get better…” Nice to see you enjoyed Wake! I picked that one up a while ago (I’m planning to read it next month) and have been looking forward to it.

      1. Ah, yeah, there are books I’ve read like that too then. Where the racist (or sexist, or whatever) pieces just add up to be too much by the end, even though they weren’t enough to make me DNF while I was reading.

  4. I hope you enjoy your trip home to see your mom. Any skyline that isn’t full of skyscrapers is a good one in my opinion! Of course churches always seem to have such amazing details, and each denomination has their own style.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!

  5. I hope the freezing rain wasn’t too bad. I’d rather have a foot of snow than that. Great pictures too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

  6. I enjoyed the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series very much. I loved all the old pictures she included. Hope you have a great week.

  7. I really dislike comedians that rely on over the line material, to me its not funny. I prefer someone like Trevor Noah. Those church spires and photos are gorgeous.

  8. I very much enjoyed The Invention of Nature — just loaned it to a friend and he also enjoyed it. Miss Peregrine was very loved by my granddaughters when the first one was new (maybe 8 years ago?) I read the second one also but by that time, they moved on and I don’t think they ever read it. I didn’t like it as well as the first one.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

  9. I didn’t know Charleston was nicknamed “The Holy City”, but some of those steeples look familiar… especially St. Micheals. Sounds like you made the right decision postponing that trip… glad you get to celebrate with your mom! Enjoy your books this week.

  10. I just found your blog and am excited to find a book- loving South Carolinian. I just moved to the state this past summer and our home in September. We had about 2.3 inches of snow this weekend, which i could have done without since we moved from Northern Illinois and have seen enough snow to last a lifetime. Since the snow is just about gone, I guess that’s better than back in Illinois, where it lasts weeks or months.

    1. Welcome to the Carolinas! I’m actually a North Carolinian but my husband is a travel nurse. We’re honorary South Carolinians until April. You must get a kick out of our endless complaints and complete inability to drive on snow!

  11. I am glad you read Wake, I think it’s an interesting read. I had no idea the role women played in slave revolts, especially the idea that slave runners allowed women near ammunition and up on deck since they “weren’t a threat.”

  12. The Invention of Nature is a book I’ve been hoping to read. I’ve just joined the Nature Reading Challenge so I think I’ll add that one to my list for the year. And I’m always on the lookout for new picture books, so I hope to read Hello, Star soon.

    I love all the photos of church spires.

    And the book of annotated fairy tales sounds great.

    1. I always think of you when I read picture books.

      I’m reading The Invention of Nature on my Kindle Paperwhite because I didn’t realize how many illustrations there are. I can’t remember if you have an e-reader, but I recommend this one as a physical book.

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