What I'm Into :: May 2015

Whew! May was a busy, busy month! I’m sure it was for you, too. May seems to be nearly as hectic as December for most people, what with graduations and showers and weddings and Mother’s Day and end-of-school-year craziness. So much going on!

For us, the big events were Annalyn’s first piano recital (she was incredibly nervous but played her song very well), my mom’s book signing (she wrote a children’s book, if you didn’t know), the end of the school year (much to Annalyn’s sadness, as she loved her teacher so much she was bawling when I picked her up on the last day), my 16th wedding anniversary, and a road trip to visit cousins (do you know how much fun it is to jump on a trampoline with a sprinkler underneath it? Annalyn and her cousins do!).

Oh, and Adrienne finally began walking and also turned into a complete toddler (read: unreasonable and demanding while also maddeningly cute)!

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Beginning today, we’re diving into summer. Not literally, of course. It hasn’t been warm enough to go to the pool yet. (Not that I’m complaining. I’ll take the girls swimming and wear a swimsuit to do it, but I can’t say I’ll like it.)

In an unusual turn of events, I read less than usual in May and saw three movies in the theater. Much as I do enjoy watching movies, I do prefer reading good books. And spending several weeks slogging through dull book after dull book was just so disappointing! (In related news, I’ve added even more books to my To-Read list to prevent this from happening again.)

I do hope you’ll share what you’ve been up to and into this past month. That’s my favorite part of participating in “What I’m Into” each month!

What I'm Reading :: May 2015

What I’m Reading

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani: Let’s just get this out of the way. I read a book by Trigiani several years ago and LOVED it. I’ve been meaning to read more of her books but haven’t – until now. This one is a YA novel, and I’ve decided not to hold it against her. Because it was dreadfully dull. I could barely finish it. I don’t normally review books if I don’t like them, but since many of us discussed the merits (or lack of) finishing books we don’t like, I felt like I owed you an answer to, “WHAT BOOK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”

Of Beast & Beauty by Stacey Jay: I read a post recently about which terms or genres or other descriptors of books, TV shows and movies automatically make us say, “Shut up and take my money.” Fairytale retellings and YA fantasy are typically on my list, so reading this one was a no-brainer. Unfortunately, it was only okay. Not my favorite but still interesting-ish. (I know. Faint praise. I told you it was a rough month for books.)

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge: When I read Hodge’s first book last year, an amazingly creative retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I was blown away. It was one of my favorite books of the year – so obviously I was anxious to get my hands on this second book. In a world of trilogies and series, Hodge’s books are, so far, standalone. And this one is based on Little Red Riding Hood. It was certainly creative and had nearly as many layers to its world and plot as Cruel Beauty. And I liked it nearly – but not quite – as much.

The Nightmare Affair & The Nightmare Dilemma by Mindee Arnett: Boarding school and special powers and family secrets (oh my)! It’s not Harry Potter by a long shot, but this series is cute and I’m looking forward to the final book in the trilogy [of course it’s a trilogy, right?].

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier: Finally! This is the part where I can happily tell you I finally found a book I love! You know how I love time travel, and this is that. And at least thus far, this is what I was hoping The Chronos Files series by Rysa Walker would be (but the second book in that series got crazy complicated and kind of lost my interest). As I told Leigh, who recommended Ruby Red, I really wanted to begin reading the next book in the series instead of write this post!

Also, in case you’re wondering, I do – on occasion – read books written for grown-ups. I have several on my nightstand right now. I’ll tell you about them next month!

What I'm Watching :: May 2015

What I’m Watching

Three movies, IN THE THEATER, in one month?! Who do I think I am?? I don’t know, but I’ve definitely been excited to finally have something good to watch – and grateful to find babysitters so I could go. For months Mark and I had been wanting to spend date night at the movies but there hadn’t been anything playing that we wanted to see. Having so many choices in May made me almost giddy.

Avengers: Age of Ultron – Loved it! Superheroes are good, but funny superheroes with heart are awesome. I don’t read comic books, so I don’t know if the movie is loyal to the canon or however the kids say it. And the whole business about the people who make the movies and promote the movies and merchandise the movies only caring about male consumers? Do not get me started. But in the end, the only thing I care about is that this movie was super fun. I loved it.

Pitch Perfect 2 – When a couple friends from church invited me to go to this movie with them, I almost jumped up and down. I mean, I would have, if I were the type to jump up and down. I don’t get to spend time with friends often, so I was a little out of my mind for this girls night. So worth it – because I laughed so hard, both at the movie and over appetizers later, that I cried. As I told my brother, the movie is hilarious. So wrong. But hilarious.

Aloha – I was so excited to see a trailer for a romantic comedy rated PG-13. Seems like that’s a dying movie breed – and one of my favorites! So of course this is what I planned for Mark’s and my anniversary date. It has Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, and Bill Murray – and Hawaii. It’s about love and family and the military and Hawaii mythology and nuclear weapons. As you might guess from that description, the movie was a bit of a mess with lots of unexplained and unfinished things, but you know what? I really enjoyed it anyway.

As for TV, I have re-watched the complete series of My Boys and started on season one of Chuck. And just last night, Mark and I finished the third season of Sherlock. That fact makes me much sadder than I’d anticipated. How long until season four?!

Lots of new shows begin this week. So . . . stay tuned on that!

What I’m Eating: Unfortunately for tomorrow’s weigh-in, I may have eaten a brownie in a mug. Or two. I’ve made several attempts at new recipes, but nothing worth writing home – or blog posts – about. Maybe next month.

What I’m Listening to: When we traded cars three months ago, the Kia Sorento we settled on came with a three-month trial of satellite radio. For the first month I barely listened to it at all. I didn’t program any stations or anything. But then I programmed just a few stations. And then I listened a little more. And then a little more after that. And then I got totally hooked and am super sad my trial is ending! 80s on 8, people! Well played, satellite radio. Well played.

My Favorite Instagram

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Your Favorite GUOP Posts in May:
When You Realize How Small Baby Steps Are
The Magical Marriage Fixer-Upper

My Favorite GUOP Posts in May:
If I Could Turn Back Time
The Soundtrack of My Marriage

That’s it for me. How was your May? What were you into? I can’t wait to hear!

I’m linking up with Leigh’s What I’m Into.

What should you watch next?

 

Every month, we are bombarded with new TV series and movies—and it can be overwhelming to figure out what to watch! (I know, I know, what a problem to have!) I'm here to help. My monthly Watch Guides list out all the returning series, new series, and new movies, along with premiere dates and where to watch them. Plus, I tell you my personal picks for the month to help you narrow it all down.

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