Weekly Recap #156: Week of 5/17 – 5/23
It’s time for another weekly recap post of all things happening on and off the blog. This week I’ll be linking to the Sunday Post, which is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
So, I came down with a major case of the blogger blahs last week. I don’t know if it’s specifically the pandemic/lockdown situations, the frustration of trying to venture out safely for necessities but constantly encountering people who won’t wear masks, or just the overall negative news, but I just wasn’t really feeling it about anything, including the blog, and went into blanket fort mode. The only exception to that being that instead of coloring, I was reading and working on that darn 2,000 piece puzzle that is becoming the bane of my existence, lol. I am making up for lost time on the blogging front today though so apologies in advance if I spam your blog with comments.
Because I read so much last week, I now have tons of reviews I now need to write and still don’t really feel like doing them, so I think this week is going to be one big post of mini reviews. I also have a book I’m trying to read for an upcoming blog tour but so far I’m not enjoying the book at all. The main character is super annoying, I don’t like her family, and I guess it’s supposed to be funny, but it’s just trying too hard to be slapstick funny and everything feels forced. I need to figure out what my options are for the tour because unless something changes drastically, there’s no way I’m going to be able to write an even remotely positive review for it.
On a more positive note, my son’s school year is now officially over so no more online learning to deal with for a while. The school did virtual end-of-year awards ceremonies and then we drove by the school, masked up and went to pick up his honor roll certificate. He’ll be taking mostly honors courses next year and he wants to serve as a math tutor. Him actually wanting to be a tutor surprised me so I’m hoping he’ll be selected for that.
We’re now trying to figure out what to do with him for the summer though since there’s still no hint of when we’ll be able to resume regular soccer practices, summer camps, etc. I want him to practice his trumpet, read, and practice soccer and when I say it, he looks at me like my head has grown three sizes. The struggle is real too because even though it looks like I’ll still be working from home for the foreseeable future, the summer is the start of my busy season so I can’t constantly ride herd on him to make sure he isn’t just on his xBox all day, everyday.
Not too much else is going on honestly. We are looking at DIY projects around the house to work on this summer since it looks like we won’t be traveling. Rebuilding our back deck is high on our list, so I think that project will be the winner, but we also have a ton of painting and other smaller projects on the old to-do list. The joys of having been in the same house for over 20 years. Everything starts to fall apart, lol.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got. I hope everyone out there is staying safe, healthy, and is practicing social distancing. Have a great week!
WHAT I POSTED LAST WEEK
- [17 May] Weekly Recap #155: Week of 5/10 – 5/16
- [18 May] Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin ★★★★
- [19 May] Top Ten Tuesday – Why I Love Reading Contemporary Fiction
- [20 May] Can’t Wait Wednesday – INSTANT KARMA by Marissa Meyer
WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEK
UPCOMING REVIEWS
STACKING THE SHELVES
TOTALLY RANDOM
I totally feel you about the blog tour, that’s one reason I stopped doing them (except for the rare blog tour now and then.) I often didn’t like the book and had to tell the tour host that I couldn’t post my review. So good luck! And I really feel for both kids and parents who won’t be able to plan activities for summer. I don’t really have that problem since my daughter just left and my son is reclusive anyway, but for kids who are really active it’s going to take some creative thinking to keep everyone sane!
I only do them now if I already have the book, but this one just didn’t work out at all. Yeah, planning for summer is so weird right now. I want my son to have fun, but he definitely thinks it’s a free-for-all when I’m busy with work. Hopefully I’ll find a balance that works for both of us.
We must be in sync Suzanne as I also had the blogger blah last week but I read a lot!!! I am curious to know if you loved The Prisoner’s Wife as that one is on my TBR. And I am also making up for not blogging today as I wrote four reviews for nex week plus a tag LOL
I did enjoy The Prisoner’s Wife. I hope you love it too.
You know you can do a spotlight for a tour if you are not liking the book. Just contact the organizer. I am grateful that, I haven’t hit below 3.5 for a tour book, but you know I don’t normally feature books below 4 stars. Don’t punish yourself for the tour. I was just talking to my friend the other day about summer and the different options the schools are exploring for starting up again in the fall. It has to be really challenging for parents. Work from home is still work. Good luck and I hope you find some good options for him for the summer.
Yeah, that’s what I ended up having to do. I kept hoping the book would get better but it just didn’t.
I was the same way this week. I did Top Ten Tuesday and then the rest of the week I hardly touched blogging lol. It’s definitely the bad news all the time for me, and the uncertainty and frustration of seeing so many people ignoring distancing, not wearing masks. I mean I try to do those things and then people just act like no big deal!
Have a nice long weekend!
Yeah, I don’t get people acting like it’s no big deal when it has already killed nearly 100,000 people in this country. It’s all so frustrating to me.
I love the term ‘blanket fort’ – I hadn’t heard it before, even though I used to make them alll the time when I was a girl:)). And I feel your pain – it’s why I stopped doing blogging tours. It seemed so mean to give a ‘meh’ review if I didn’t feel the love while the banners and publicity spiel were trying to whip up enthusiasm…
I hope the coming week is a kinder one, Suzanne:))
I loved making blanket forts when I was a kid too. I’d hide in them with a flashlight at night so I could read after I was supposed to be sleeping. 🙂
Mini-reviews have saved me lately, LOL! I too have been reading a lot but finding it hard to get motivated to write reviews.
Yeah, I’m not sure why I’m struggling with the reviews but the struggle to focus on them is real. I hope it passes soon. I’ve read several good ones that I really want to share with everyone.
Yeah, I’m having more trouble starting books, even if I really like them once I get going. I’m really moody. I can’t believe people. We are just staying home and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They can open up but we aren’t going. Our neighborhood pool opens today. I’d love to go but we won’t.
It’s really tough with kids at home but parents have to work. At that age, I was reading or sewing all the time. I played softball and also 4-H softball and went swimming. When I was a little older I was a lifeguard at the pool and taught swimming lessons. I did watch tv then but now I don’t really watch tv or play video games. Would he have any interest in gardening or cooking or other sort of science based life skill? At 9 I did all my own cooking and laundry but I was weird and picky. Good luck!
Have a lovely weekend and stay well!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
I really hope my son will develop some interests like these. He’s just so hung up on those video games right now.
I’ve also had a severe lack of motivation lately. I’m hoping it’s just a stress-induced phase and will go away. Congratulations to your son! I hope you’re able to get him to do something productive this summer. Have a good week!
Thanks, you too!
I can relate with the blogging struggle. Best of wishes writing your mini reviews and with working out the home situation. It’s a struggle accommodating family, especially the younger ones.
Thank you. 🙂
I definitely relate to that Totally Random. And sorry it was a blah kind of week but it happens for sure! Sometimes you just need to relax and not worry about the blog, or anything else. I’m glad your son is done with school for the year, and hopefully you’ll find some ways to keep busy this summer!!
-Lauren
Thanks I hope so! 🙂
My Summer of Love and Misfortune looks like a fun one. Enjoy and hope the DIY projects go well.
Thank you!
I think the blogger blahs have been going around, so you’re not alone in that at all! I hope the summer means less stress and more fun for you and your family, even with restrictions.
Thanks, I hope so too. 🙂
Im sure summer will be a challenge for those that normally rely on camps etc Given the times I’d choose whatever works 😉
Wishing you a great reading week
Yeah, I don’t anticipate there being any camps here this summer so we’re going to have to get creative.
I can definitely undersand wanting a break from the online life and computer for a bit when there is so much negativity buzzing around. I am glad that you were able to read and find other ways to enjoy yourself throughout it. Yay for your son being done with school! Hopefully you can think of some ways to fill the time he will have this stay at home summer. And I have been seeing so many positive reviews for The Guest List and it is one I want to read now too ^^