I have an affiliate relationship with Bookshop.org and Malaprop's Bookstore 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. Read more on my affiliate page.
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!
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 books) so I’ll be looking for something new pretty quickly. We’ll see what strikes me when the time comes.
What did your week look like?
Kathryn at Book Date hosts It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer hosts Sunday Post.
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.
26 Comments
We’ve been binge-watching the TV show “Grimm” lately, which is set in Portland, Oregon. What beautiful photos you got! I listened to “Full Throttle” on audio. Love Joe Hill’s books!
We watched Grimm when it was on network TV and loved it! My husband is dying to go on our own tour of Grimm filming sites. We might do it one day. And yes, Joe Hill is awesome!
I’ve never been to Oregon. It certainly looks lovely. I haven’t been to a restaurant since early March or done takeout either. I miss restaurants but am not eager to go out in public yet. You have an interesting and eclectic assortment of books listed. I like all the variety. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m definitely not ready to dine inside yet, but outdoor dining was something we felt okay about. I know (and respect) that everyone isn’t ready for it yet though!
I must check out the Joe Hill book, I’m slowly working my way through his books (and his dads!).
Your photos look beautiful, what a stunning area.
Have a good week.
I enjoy both of them as well, but I actually like Joe Hill’s work a little more than Stephen King’s. I feel like I can keep up with Hill but King just writes so fast! 🙂
That is some stunning countryside. We are lucky enough to live on the edge of a town and can get out into some lovely woodland, but nothing quite that scenic! Enjoy your reading week.
My husband and I decided to travel with his job so that we can see more countryside like this! We’re having a great time!
I love the Flavia books on audio. And I also loved the Elizabeth Peters books on audio. I miss OR (I lived in Eugene when I got my master’s degree (many years ago). Thanks for the photos.
We haven’t spent any time in Eugene yet, but hopefully we’ll get there some day. I’ve listened to all of the Flavia books and can’t imagine actually reading them. I’ve listened to most of the Peabody books but I think this one was only available as an ebook at the library. I still heard the narrator’s voice in my head as I read! Enjoy your week!
What a beautiful place! I need to get back to the Flavia de Luce books, and lucky you to be reading the Elizabeth Peters books!
Flavia books are always a fun read!
What a lovely environment, though I just read a nonfiction book about all the hikers who go missing in such areas so it’s a little frightening too.
Wishing you a great reading week
I know women who are comfortable hiking alone but I’m definitely not one of them! Safety in numbers, even if it’s just my husband and me! There are too many women especially who disappear when they’re out hiking or even jogging alone!
What gorgeous photos, so good to get out and be “normal” for. awhile. I only hold Oregon in my imagination but it is always a place I think of as beautiful.
I thought Oregon would be beautiful but I’ve been surprised by exactly *how* beautiful it is. It feels like there’s a picture to be taken around every corner!
Wow, your photos are beautiful! I want to go there. I miss restaurants, but I’m not brave enough to eat at one yet. Have a great week!
I didn’t really intend to eat at a restaurant yet but Bend is known for good beer and my husband was dying to go to a brewery while we were there. We did a drive-by evaluation, decided everything looked safe enough, and gave it a try! I don’t think it’s something we’ll be doing regularly yet though.
We’ve visited Oregon. It is such a picturesque state. I hope you find the perfect book to read this week!
We had visited Washington 10-15 years ago and thought it was beautiful. We ended up in Oregon for a few months with my husband’s job and we find it to be gorgeous too! This is our first visit here.
I love Oregon, and it was great seeing the beautiful photos. I like the idea of sitting outside and eating safely. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. Enjoy your week.
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! Oregon truly is a beautiful state!
Those photos are beautiful! Sounds like you had a great time. I hope you have a great week. Stay safe!
My Sunday Post is here.
Oregon is a beautiful state! I’m from North Carolina (also beautiful) but currently located in Oregon for a few months with my husband’s job. There are so many gorgeous places to see!
Wow looks beautiful there! Oregon sounds absolutely amazing. I love that waterfall pic! And we’ve done the same- we ate at an outdoor place over the 4th of July weekend- same thing with masks and distanced tables- and it was weird!
I do want to try an Elizabeth PEters book at some point.
It is so very weird but at the same time nice to have a few minutes resembling normal-ish life! Elizabeth Peters books are fun reads. I hope you enjoy if you ever get to them!