The Sunday Post

The Sunday Post #21: Catathon Readathon coming up!

| sarasreadingnook

Update:

Hi everyone,
I hope you’re doing well! Today is an exciting day because Olivia, myself, and our co-hosts have announced our 48-hour readathon, “Catathon Readathon”, which will take place on April 20th and 21st. We would love for you to join us if you can! This is the second time that we are hosting this readathon, and we are incredibly excited about it!

We even made activity prompts to accompany it!

If you are interested, please follow us on Instagram, where we will post everything related to the Catathon Readathon. All cards can be downloaded HERE.

Cohosts:
Thank you to our cohosts!
Abigail (and cats: Luna, Ellie, Dolly, Poppy, and Hugo) @abigailscupoftea
Christin (and Pocus the cat) @christin_rene_
Melanie (and Kyra the cat) @thatgirl_blogue

Other life updates:
It has been a busy week, but I am happy to be able to relax this weekend. Today, Olivia and I will be watching some movies at home and enjoying some delicious Greek-style lemon potatoes that were purchased from a local vendor. Although I have not tried this particular variety before, lemon potatoes have always been one of my favourite dishes. So, I was pleasantly surprised by my partner today when he brought a tray of these for us to enjoy!

Olivia Update 🐾

Olivia is still beaming with excitement after a sociable day yesterday that included many pets and treats from a visitor.

Olivia, satisfied, below 🙂

Reading/Watching Update

Currently Reading

Newly Added On My Bookshelf

Recently Watched

This Week on the blog

  • Reviews
  • Top Ten Tuesdays – Cat Book Recommendations (*tentative)
  • The Sunday Post #22

Last Week On The Blog

QOTD: What book are you most looking forward to reading this month?

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The writing of this post was edited and enhanced with the help of Grammarly AI.

The Sunday Post #20

| sarasreadingnook

Update:

Hello everyone! Short updates today.
This week was hectic, but luckily, I finished two books, so I am on track with my reading goal of 52 books this year (though I would like to aim for more if possible!). I’m delighted to be blogging again.

Happy Easter, everyone!

My Easter Foccacia

Olivia Update 🐾

There have been many snoozes this week! Olivia has also been happily eating her soft food, which she increasingly enjoys as she ages. Today has been a great day. She listens to the birds singing outside, who are starting to chirp now that the snow is melting.

Reading/Watching Update

Currently Reading

We are currently listening to Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. And we are likely to start reading some of our ALCs and ARCs this week for review.

New On Our Shelf
Nothing new this week.

Recently Watched

I watched several movies featuring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino this week, including: A Streetcar Named Desire, Mutiny on the Bounty, One Eyed Jacks, Don Juan DeMarco, Insomnia, and my new favourite: Scent of a Woman. I became interested in these two actors’ filmographies after watching The Godfather and falling in love with Marlon Brando’s performance as Vito Corleone. I wasn’t expecting to love Scent of a Woman so much, but Al Pacino was so good! Hooah! It truly was an Oscar-worthy performance. The film reminded me a lot of The Holdovers, one of my favourites, which was nominated for Oscars this year.

Currently Watching

I am enjoying The Regime and can understand the mixed reviews. The show is pretty odd, but I love Kate Winslet’s acting so much that I must keep watching it!

This Week on the blog

Review – What you are looking for is in the library

  • Top Ten Tuesdays
  • The Sunday Post

Last Week On The Blog

Book Review: The New Couple in 5B
Top Ten Tuesdays: Movies I’d Love to See As Books

QOTD: What’s your favourite recent film?

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The writing of this post was edited and enhanced with the help of Grammarly AI.

The Sunday Post #19

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with …

Update:

Hello, everyone!

It looks like life will be calm for the next while, which is excellent news. I am excited to have more time to read and write book reviews because so many books are on my TBR list!

I’ve been into movies lately and watched many Oscar nominees this year. That took up quite a bit of my spare time last month, but I love to do this every year! More on this below.

Olivia Update 🐾

Olivia has been having a great time in her (relatively) new bed this week! She loves spending time with her Dolphin and Banana friends, napping beneath our piano (her favourite spot). She is also enjoying our new soft carpets, which provide a comfortable space for a super senior cat like her!

My partner and I have officially had Olivia for 10 years! We got her when she was 7.5 years young. There have been lots of cuddles and treats to celebrate.

Reading/Watching Update

Currently Reading

I am about to finish reading The New Couple in 5B, and What You Are Looking For Is In The Library. Great Expectations is a book that I am re-reading, and it just so happens to be my favourite book of all time. I am enjoying it!

No new books to add this week!

Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC of The New Couple in 5B. (All opinions are my own).

Oscar Nominees (Feature Films) We’ve Watched

I may post more on this since we’ve watched so many! My favourite films were The Society of The Snow and The Holdovers. Overall, I was happy that Oppenheimer won Best Picture. Although pleased with the award winners, I was personally rooting for Lily Gladstone for Best Actress. She performed expertly in Killers of the Flower Moon and showed fantastic dedication to the film. Happily noted, I was overjoyed when Da’Vine Joy Randolph won Best Supporting Actress. She was just amazing in The Holdovers!

This Week on the blog

  • Many reviews to come!
  • I may do TTT and WWW if time permits

Last Week On The Blog

REVIEW | THE FURY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY WRAP-UP

QOTD: do you schedule your blog posts? How do you keep on top of blogging? Let us know!

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The writing of this post was edited and enhanced with the help of Grammarly AI.

The Sunday Post #18

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with …

General Update

Hello, everyone!

I have been gone for quite some time! I encountered some issues with my eyes in mid to late 2023, and being in front of a screen was too challenging. Reading, likewise, was a huge challenge, and I ended up reading 20 books. This is a good number! However, I am used to reading about 50-70 books a year on average.

Fortunately, my eyes are doing quite well now. They are not feeling perfect, but they are in a much better position than they were initially!

I have a few goals going into 2024. With my improved eye health, I would like to read 52 books this year. I would also like to read the Canada Reads Longlist. Note: Canada Reads is held every year by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I try to read as many books as I can! If I am unable to make it through the longlist, I will definitely do my best to make it through the shortlist which comes out later this month. Finally, I want to read more adult fiction this year. My preferences are changing a bit, and I hope to see that reflected this year.

And, of course I would like to be consistent with blogging!

Olivia Update 🐾

Olivia is doing well! She is a super senior cat, being 16.5 years old! And of course she needs more care. I feel so lucky to have her and to read and snuggle with her.

Currently Reading

I want to express my gratitude to the publishers Penguin Young Readers and ECW press for advanced reading copies of Holly Horror and Farhang.

Reuniting With Strangers is on the Canada Reads 2024 Longlist.

This Week on the Blog

Review – Together We Rot (YA horror/thriller)

QOTD: What are some of your reading goals in 2024?

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The Sunday Post #17

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with

General Update

We have been enjoying the weather! Especially for gardening. The catnip is growing, the succulents are propagating, and the herbs are flourishing. We’ve had some alternating days of rain and heat both of which are essential for the garden. We cleaned our AC unit and it’s effective and chills our apartment down quickly.

And I’m very much enjoying reading and blogging again! If it’s your first time here, let me know in the chat below. We review a pretty wide variety of books. And we especially love any books about cats.

Olivia Update

My cat Olivia and I have been enjoying spending time on the catio. We go outside together in the evenings so I can water the plants and read while she lounges under the outdoor table. However, several nights ago our peaceful evening was interrupted when I noticed a wasp near us by the outdoor sofa. I have a fear of wasps that stems from a painful experience in high school when I stumbled onto a wasp nest while hiking with friends. Although I tried my best not to panic, I calmly brought Olivia inside. It wasn’t until we were safely indoors that I could relax and breathe again!

Reading Update

Currently Reading

Looks like I’m in the mood to read fantasy this week!

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to Penguin Random House for providing me with a physical copy of “The Isles of the Gods” for review purposes. Additionally, I would like to thank Libro.FM for granting me early access to the audiobook version of “House of Odysseus”. Finally, I am grateful to both Legend Press and Libro.FM for providing me with review copies of “The London Séance Society”.

Watching Update

Currently Watching

I’ve been absolutely loving Wimbledon this year! So many of my favourite players are still in the tournament, but I’m especially rooting for Jabeur and Rybakina on the women’s side. I’m really excited about the upcoming Berrettini vs Alcaraz match and honestly, I’m rooting for both players! I have a feeling it’s going to be an amazing game.

I’m currently watching and loving Schitt’s Creek for the first time. The writing of the show is incredibly witty and clever – I can’t get enough! The characters are so endearing, and it’s entertaining to see them adapt to their new lives in the town. The acting in the show is outstanding, particularly Dan Levy’s dialogue delivery and facial expressions!

Thank you to the internet for all of the SC memes. They’re just the cherry on top of this hilarious series.

Ew, David!

Last Week On the Blog

Review | None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

WWW Wednesdays

Review | The Good Luck Café by Annie Rains

Next Week on the Blog

  • Review | Together We Rot
  • WWW Wednesdays
  • I may partake in Top Ten Tuesdays and write a review for The Isles of the Gods

QOTD: What book do you recommend we review next?
Let us know!

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The Sunday Post #15

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with

General Update

Hi everyone!

Thank you for coming back to our site! Olivia and I have taken some time away from blogging and social media. This has largely been due to a massive reading slump that came about after a back injury (yes, another one!) that occurred in December. I wasn’t able to do much at all during the month of January as my range of motion was limited. Even reading was painful as I couldn’t find a comfortable position to read. Unfortunately, this caused me to fall behind. Fortunately, I’ve felt better over the last few weeks thanks to physio and feel ready to read again! I’ve even been using the KonMarie method to declutter, organize, and clean my home so that it will be ready for Spring.

Additionally, I’ve been baking up a storm! My parents are bakers and I have learned a lot about the bread making process over the years.

Olivia Update 🐾

Olivia has been doing very well. She’s the best company! She’s been a little suspicious about this new KonMarie method. In particular, the addition of a cat bed for our bedroom, which I thought had the potential to spark joy. While initially hesitant, Olivia has now grown to love it! And she can be seen snoozing on this bed at all times of the day. She might even be there right now.

Reading Update

Currently Reading

Thank you to LibroFM and Random House for review copies of Weyward (e-ARC and ALC) and Brotherless Night (gifted ARC)!

Received this Week

Thank you to @readforeverpub and @annierainsbooks for a gifted copy of The Good Luck Cafe!

Next Week on the Blog

  • Back to regular posts!

QOTD: What Have You Been Up to? Let us know!

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The Sunday Post #14 and More!

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with

Olivia Update 🐾

Olivia is the best company and this week was no exception. Although I was ill earlier in the week with a cold, she cuddled with me and has been incredibly sweet. She would curl up into a ball beside me each day and wouldn’t leave my side.

Olivia likes to go on evening tours in the apartment. I pick her up so she can see everything in the apartment that is eye-level for me (e.g., countertops, bookshelves, windows, etc.). She’s not a climber and is about 14.5 years young, so I like to ensure she doesn’t miss out on the sights!

@sarasreadingnook

What are you reading today? #Kobo @kobo.books @libbyapp #CurrentReads #CurrentlyReading #YAFantasy

♬ Whats this person reading right now – KE knows books!

Watch Olivia with our current read here.

Reading/Watching Update

Reading

The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads

CW = Content Warnings (if available)

Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty. I am still reading and enjoying this short story collection.
CW

A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos with Hildegarde Serie (Translator). I am enjoying this one so far. This book is a buddy read with @officiallyreads!
CW

Recently Read

Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality by Bob Joseph and Cynthia F. Joseph. I thought this was a highly valuable read. I picked it up from the library and couldn’t stop flipping through it. I have requested 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act for further reading.

The next three books are eARCs received from NetGalley and their respective publishers this week. All opinions are my own. Reviews are to come for Hungry Ghost and Cat Family Christmas closer to their release date, but we suggest you keep all three titles on your radar.

Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying. This book is an informative YA/contemporary/graphic novel focusing on mental health, eating disorders, and family relationships and influences. I’m so thankful to NetGalley and First Second Books for this title.
Release Date: April 25th, 2023
Review to come
CW

Cat Family Christmas by Lucy Brownridge and Eunyoung Seo (Illustrations). This children’s book is an engaging advent lift-the-flap book that displays over 140 doors to open. It shows the Cat Family decorating, baking, and preparing the house for the holiday. Thank you to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title.
Release Date: November 8th, 2022

Cat’s Don’t Like Christmas by Andy Wortlock and Nahum Ziersch (Illustrator). Olivia and I loved this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Splash Books for this title.
Click here to see the full review.

DNF

Olivia and I decided to DNF Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert. Although the story was decent, there was content we weren’t comfortable reading, so we decided to pass.
CW

Watching

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5. We just finished episode 7. At this point, I’m ready for The Testaments.
CW

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Catching up on this show next week.
CW

The Watcher. This show is about a family that moves into a stunning house in a new and “safe” community; however, soon after their arrival, they receive a suspicious letter from a stalker who is watching the family. Almost finished, and I have some theories!
CW

The Haunting of Bly Manor. I rewatched this series with Olivia and it was definitely worth the rewatch. There are so many easter eggs to find.
CW

This Week on the Blog

Next Week on the Blog

  • Book reviews
  • Top Ten Tuesday

QOTD: What did you read this week? let us know!

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The Sunday Post #13 & More!

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with

Olivia Update 🐾

Like many of us, Olivia has loved the extra treats associated with the holiday season. We may have given her an extra squeezie or two over the past couple of weeks – she is still enjoying her cat food pizzas! And catnip. There has also been extra playtime with her catnip banana toy.

Now, Olivia has a new habit. When my partner and I sit down, she will jump up on the couch beside us and make a little “peep,” which means she would like us to place a pillow upon our laps. Then, she jumps up and lies on the cushions. Extra comfort!

Life Update

I cut my own hair last week! It took a long time, but I’m pretty happy with the result! You can check out the final result here:

@sarasreadingnook

Cut my own hair today! Hope you’re well!

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Reading/Watching Update

Reading

The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads
The Storygraph | Goodreads

Currently, Olivia and I are reading Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert. We are enjoying it, though it is darker than we thought it might be for a YA Fantasy/Mystery/Horror. There is a page that details harm done to an animal, and we couldn’t read that section. Nonetheless, the story overall has been good, though if there is more of this type of material, we will DNF.
Content Warnings

Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty. This book is a collection of short stories which are also dark and reflective. They take place on an indigenous reservation in Maine. It makes for good night-time reading, and I’m so happy I acquired this title from my library. 
Content Warnings

Jackal by Erin E. Adams. Recently, I finished this audiobook – review to come! It’s a story about missing girls and has commentary on racism, poverty, classism, etc. It was also quite scary at times and was a great debut novel.
Content Warnings

I haven’t requested/received new ARCs this week.

Watching

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5. We just finished episode 6. I enjoyed the last episode and the focus on Esther, Lydia and Serena’s stories, in particular. I’m curious to see what the next episode will be like, and of course, as the series has one season remaining, we are looking forward to watching The Testaments and how it will compare to the book.
Content Warnings

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. I haven’t watched an episode this week, but I’m sure we’ll get back to it next week. I didn’t care for where it ended last. 
Content Warnings

The Watcher. Pretty intriguing so far! This book is about a family that moves into a beautiful house in a new and “safe” community; however, soon after their arrival, they receive a suspicious letter from a stalker who is watching the family. Even more terrifying, it’s based on a true story. I remember watching the relevant Buzzfeed Unsolved episode years ago, so I’m curious to see how it will unfold.
Content Warnings

The Midnight Club. We just finished this one and enjoyed it! Classic Mike Flanagan. This thriller is about a group of terminally ill teens staying at a hospice who regularly meet to tell each other spooky stories. They also make a chilling pact: the first to pass away must provide a sign from the afterlife. It starts off feeling more like horror but has softer stories as well. It was great, and I’m looking forward to Fall of the House of Usher by Mike Flanagan!
Content Warnings

This Week on the Blog

Next Week on the Blog

  • Book Reviews
  • Top Ten Tuesday

QOTD: What have you recently
been watching/reading? Let us know!

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest

The Sunday Post #12 & More!

| sarasreadingnook

Hello, everyone! Today we are linking up with

We are behind on comments – catching up this week!

Olivia Update 🐾

October is Olivia’s favourite time of year. She has a few orange/black/white collars for her, but we reserve her Bat collar for the 1st and 31st of October!

Olivia’s Bat Collar, positioned to demonstrate the bat!

Olivia may need a bit of a bib trim since the collar, when positioned properly, is simply covered by fluff. But! For the majority of the month, she will be wearing her candy corn/pumpkin collar since that one is her purrsonal favourite. Super cozy and fashionable.

Life Update

Physiotherapy has been going well! My back pain is nearly gone and the exercises I’ve been doing have now incorporated some resistance training. It’s been easy for me adhere to doing my exercises daily, I just need to be more consistent with walking so I’ll look for some good audiobooks and podcasts. If you have any recs, let me know!

@sarasreadingnook

Hello October 🎃🍂📙 #booktok #booktober #OctoberVlog #MiniVlog #AutumnBook #ScaryStoriesforYoungFoxes #SecondCup #OctoberDrink

♬ Amas Veritas – Alan Silvestri

Shows We’ve Been Watching:

Rings of Power. Last episode was not my fav, but overall enjoying this series.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5. What an intense last episode! Also, I’m pretty sure I’m due for a reread of the original HMT and The Testaments.

Sandman. I feel pretty meh about this one.

Reading Update

We now have a Kindle and a Kobo!

@sarasreadingnook

Sara meets Kobo. #unboxing #KoboClara2E #NewEReader #BookishUnboxing #Booktok #BookTokker #BooktokCanada #Kobo #KovoUnboxing

♬ original sound – Sara’s Reading Nook – BookTok
@sarasreadingnook

Sara meets Kindle. #kindlepaperwhite11th #Kindle #BookTokVlog #BookTok #BookishDay #CoffeeRun #KindleUnboxing

♬ Hip Hop with impressive piano sound(793766) – Dusty Sky

This week we completed 2 books!

Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse. So cute! This graphic novel was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the concept and am looking forward to reading book two!

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Wow, was this ever an amazing book. Definitely check out my book review and see if it’s a book you’d like to add to your TBR!

This Week on the Blog

Next Week on the Blog

  • Book Reviews
  • September Wrap-Up
  • October TBR Game

QOTD: Do you enjoy
spooky season? Or are you more of
a cozy autumn reader? Or both?

Where to find us: Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph | Pinterest