Showing posts with label BtBP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BtBP. Show all posts

Sep 7, 2025

Building the Book Pile #501

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

It was a strange yet busy week last week. Monday was the holiday so we finished running errands and doing chores for the week ahead. Tuesday and Wednesday I was in the office and was overtaken with emails about things for next week (when recruiting season kicks off and companies start coming to talk to students). I had a few meetings but spent most my time slogging through emails. On Thursday I was off, my husband had an appointment midday and I wanted to be there to drive him/ help if he needed anything. Friday I worked from home and again was overtaken by emails and things to do to prep for Monday.

On Saturday we had to go up north a few hours to pick up his car from the dealer (normal service needed to be done and if we went up there is was 'free'). After picking it up we stopped by another dealer to look at cars. We have been talking about going down to a 1-car household for a bit/ getting an EV... after looking we came home and I played with the dogs and took a short nap. We ended up at another dealership... no car was taken home and we haven't made a decision yet. 

On the reading front - things have been slow going. Between waking up multiple times at night for the puppy to potty and early mornings for the same/ her wanting to play - I have been so tired. Any time I sit to try to read I pretty much fall asleep.  I did finally finish Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. It was good and no indication of the book that it took me so long to read it. Review finally coming this week. 

Monday starts my business season, but I am going to try to stay on top of reviews and the blog - if I am MIA for a bit.. no worries this is likely why. I hope that you have had a restful weekend with good books.


Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog


Blog Tour: Review - Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  



The Glowing Life of Leeann Wu by  Mindy Hung - from the publisher for review


Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
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Aug 31, 2025

Building the Book Pile #500

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is having a great long weekend so far!

Monday
Busy season is upon me. I had a presentation to about 1/3 of the 1Y class - it went fine overall. I also was asked to go on a global trip in November for work so I booked my flight... getting excited for that.


Tuesday
Tuesdays are always full of meetings, this one especially so and they took over my day. In the afternoon though I went to a reflective journaling session a friend is running through the term... and it was impactful and nice. so if you want a prompt- what are you working towards?  my initial reaction to this question was panic. 

Wednesday 
slow, sleepy day at work... was welcomed after so much the last to days. I got a lot off my to do list completed. 

Thursday
I had a number of meetings again today and met with student too. I also had to give another presentation, this time for the exchange students. The day was busy but ended nicely with a happy hour with the ERN groups. We met up with some friends and reconnected with others - it was great. 

Friday
WFH today, it will only be Fridays for a bit now. I got a few loads of laundry done in between emails and going through my updated to do list. Ended the day going out to eat, stopping by Home Depot to look at some things, and then to Homegoods to look for a rug (since we pulled carpet out, we need one for the winter months in there). I left with snacks and a new spooky butter dish but no rug. 

Weekend 
We have done lots already and have a pretty packed weekend to come too. Saturday we went to the local big yard sale and then went to an Augtoberfest event our favorite pub was hosting. Today we will head to go see my dad for his birthday BBQ and then we have to drop a car for service next week, plus all the normal week prep stuff - groceries, meal plans, chores, errands etc. 

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog



Early Reader Review: North of Tomboy by Julie Swanson (MG) 

Early Reader Review: 9 Little People by Regina Feldmann (Youth)

Recap: August 2025

Blog Tour: Review - Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  


  
 Nothing new this week 


Have you missed anything lately?
Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
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Aug 24, 2025

Building the Book Pile #499

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

Monday 
...was a lost day, not going to go into it. 

Tuesday
I worked from home. We have a midday dog letter-outer but she was on vacation, so this way I was home for them. I had so much work, it took me until 2 pm to get through emails from the weekend/ Monday and then I had a bunch of event approvals and logistics to go through.  We went out to dinner though and I had a really good burger ... half of which I brought home for lunch the next day.

Wednesday
Back to the office for a day and it was full of meetings..6 of them. I also had to get some communications drafted and my system kept spazzing on me. It was a long day for us both so we ended up getting ice cream before coming home for dinner. So that was a win.

Thursday
WFH day - only a few more of these left before the busy season really picks up. I spent the day working on logistics for events, had a few meetings, and had a meeting for a committee that I volunteer on. Filling the cup with little non-work things. I also played a little Tiny Bookshop on my Switch before the day started. Ran out in the afternoon to take Charlie for a rabies shot update, he loves a car ride and it was good to have time with just him. Since we got the puppy I feel like he is a bit sad. 

Friday
Woke up feeling a bit gross. Not sure if it is allergies or I am getting a cold - could be either with the students back. Work was slower, which was nice, and I got a lot of little things done. 

Weekend 
We have run some errands and done some painting around the house that needed to be done. It was a busy weekend, but productive. I also got a lot of reading done 😀

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog


Blog Tour: Review - The Dragon's Tooth by Benjamin Coward (YA)

Blog Tour: Review - Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  


  
  
A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez - Netgalley
The Best Wild Idea by Lily Parker  - For Blog Tour
Suddenly Mine by Katie Evergreen - For Blog Tour

  

For review consideration:
Clementine Crane Prefers Not To by Kristin Bair
An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder by K. Valentin
A Heart So Haunted by Hollie Nelson 


Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
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Aug 17, 2025

Building the Book Pile #498

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

I recently decided to start bullet journaling again to try to keep myself on track. I have also been trying to have more reflection time to think about highlights since I know I am going to get busy and then stress about too many things soon. Now I have all the notebooks - I have my bullet journal, my reading journal, and my work notebook where I jot things down during meetings/ calls and to remember.  Do you have notebooks? or are you more electronic? I feel like writing things down helps me a lot and typing isn't the same.

Anywho.... this week

Monday 
Students are back on campus! We had our Welcome to school orientation session with the dean and everyone was so excited. This is the start of a 2-wk orientation. I always feel inspired after hearing the dean welcome them. The new student energy is so fun. I also went to Verizon and got a new phone. 

Tuesday
The Career Services orientation with the students was all day - so we had 4 sessions ALLLL day and met all 300+ students. Lots of talking and presenting, but it was a fun day. 

Wednesday
Another longer work day with meetings and things but the new student vibe was still strong and we had a bunch of students pop in to say hi. I had a migraine all day but instead of the big lights- we had a desk-lamp day and the vibe was chill and amazing. We need more floor lamps though to make it a tiny bit brighter. 

Thursday
WFH day, so much to do though. Between house stuff and meetings it was a busy day. Then we had  to go to get a new microwave because ours finally decided to die. I sadly can't live without a microwave... but we had dinner out and that was nice.

Friday
I started work early because later in the morning I had to go to a funeral. It wasn't anyone that I was close to but I was there to help my friend with he kids while she was there. We hung out in the playroom. 

Weekend 
We are just relaxing and running errands. We have been to the gym and cleaned up a bit from the week, otherwise we are watching movies and reading. Hope you are having a cozy weekend and hope you had a great week!!

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Leaving the Station by Jake Maia Arlow

Early Reader Review: The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren



Books Received Recently...  

Have you missed anything lately?
Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
Labels:

Aug 10, 2025

Building the Book Pile #497

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

This week, I finished a review book, picked up For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn and am about half way through it.  So on the reading front - things are looking good.

On Monday, I gave a presentation to the incoming class about what campus recruiting will entail, it is a general overview and a good chance to meet the class of ~300 in smaller groups. This Tuesday we meet the entire class as a whole team to give our session. Not for work, but work adjacent, I gave a presentation about hiring assessments to a group of career transitioning adults. It was a blast, and I think I was helpful.  I came home to some salmon my husband made and it was so yummy.

On Tuesday, I had some meetings and the workday felt so long, but it was a productive day. I got a lot of things done for the upcoming weeks and recruiting season. At home, I played with the dogs for a bit and we all watched tv. I did more reading before bed.

On Wednesday, I had a day full of meetings, and ended the day at the local pub for pizza and a drink. Thursday was a work from home day so I did some home chores in between meetings and emails. There is always so much laundry. Friday I took the day off, it is the last day before the whole class arrives and I wanted a breather before the chaos. It was pretty relaxed I read a bit, played with the dogs, and then downloaded Tiny BookShop on Switch... so cute. The end of the day was chaotic but we made it to the weekend...

Saturday errands were ran, we sold a car that has been on our garage as a project for a while, and just relaxed a bit. And we will see what today brings, it is supposed to be hot we might need to find water/ a swimming hole. 

I hope you had a great week!!

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog

It will be a light week:

July ReCap



Books Received Recently...  

Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
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Aug 3, 2025

Building the Book Pile #496

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

I have missed a few weeks - apologies, but we have been tired and just adulting our way along. 

Emma continues to try my patience. She is adorable and cuddly but likes to destroy things. Most recently, she pulled all the tissues out of a tissue box (she got up on the table to get) and shredded them all over the room... and decided she wanted to see what was under the carpet in the office (we left her gated in the living room and she was upset about that and tore the seam between the rooms). Luckily, we were going to rip up this carpet anyway so now we will just move that up in the timeline, and it looks like we might have some nice hardwoods there...but 🥱🙄😑

Our roof has been looking rough since we bought the house, and we finally had someone come out for a look/ quote. He said we likely only have a few more years still we need the new one. Good to know now before it is an issue. 

We have had some time for fun though - my work team all got together last week for our 'offsite' teambuilding. We went to the college museum and got a tour and then had a potluck at the bosses place. It is always fun to see everyone and have a no-work day while the weather is nicer. The students will start to arrive soon and we will start to get even more busy now.

Andy and I also went to the Adult Night at the local science museum. We built and raced cork boats, played with bubbles, I held a hissing cockroach, made paper airplanes/ whirlies, looked for the queen in the beehive and had some yummy tacos. It was a blast and we didn't expect to be there for the full 2.5 hours but we were. 

I have still been reading and popping reviews up, hopefully you have seen them ..and acquiring more books along the way (not that I need them). 

Hope you have a great week!


Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog

Blog Tour: Suddenly Tempted by Katie Evergreen (Adult) 

Recent Reads: Wild Side (Rose Hill #3) by Elise Silver (Adult) 

Recent Reads: How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  

Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
Labels:

Jul 13, 2025

Building the Book Pile #495

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

 Happy Sunday!

Back home and while I love the summer, we don't have central AC ...so it is too hot. 🥵🥵 I am constantly tired and wiped out from it, so finding the motivation to do anything has been hard. 

We had a nice few days away, exploring a new place, and I got a stamp at another National Park. We saw a beach but didn't really have a beach day - that is ok though. 

Saturday we worked on some projects - work stuff, home stuff, and some crafty things that have been in my to-do pile. We also popped into Tractor Supply to get Emma a new harness. She grew out of her little strawberry one 😢. She is probably full grown now, but we got her DNA back. She is Boston Terrier (we knew), Miniature American Shepard, and Australian Shepard. She has been herding the chickens so this tracks and she loooooves to run. Here she is in the hole she dug under the picnic table. 




Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog


Recent Reads: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (Adult, Spicy)

Blog Blitz: How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  

 
 

For Review:
Fateless by Julie Kagawa - from the publisher review review.

Leaving the Station by Jake Maia Arlow - from the publisher review review.


From Amazon First Reads:
While the Dark Remains by Joanna Ruth Meyer

The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie


Have you missed anything lately?
Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reviews by No comments:
Labels:
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