Sunday, March 12, 2017

Fortnightly Update #30: Renewing the Minion Army


Well, this time I've actually read some books, which is always a good thing to have in a Fortnightly Update, especially when you happen to run a book blog. I think I've been a bit stymied by my lack of medical progress and the fact that they still are a bit puzzled about me. As I've told some of my non- University of Utah doctors- I hope my problems can be resolved non-surgically. However, it's looking more and more like there won't be much resolution as much as a stop in progression if they find out what's wrong- the syrinx, or something else entirely.

Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

None!

the-invisible-pile Additions:

Many!


The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1) by Brian Staveley
I think I read the first few chapters of this way back when it came out. I hope it's as good as it's average Goodreads rating touts it to be.



Fool's Assassin (The Fitz and The Fool Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb
I won't read this for a while, as I'd like to read through all the other trilogies Robin Hobb has published first. I currently have Fool's Errand on my nightstand, though that doesn't mean much as I've kind of had it there for quite some time. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a nightstand book hoarder.


Violet (V #6) by Jane Feather
I'm a sucker for romances where the heroine is non-traditional, even if the story borders on fantasy. The heroine of this one is supposed to be a bandit.


Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory
This memoir interests me because of my own history- when I got sick at 14, most doctors looked at my mom suspiciously due to the possibility of my case being one of Munchausen by Proxy. Of course, since I was actually sick, most of the male doctors immediately honed in thereafter on my own mental health illnesses being the cause, but it later turned out to be a sensitivity to certain foods, some of which I still haven't precisely discovered yet. Anyway, I find medical memoirs interesting, especially when the person receiving treatment (in Julie's case, unneeded treatment) is younger.



A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi
Even though I haven't really enrolled in any challenges this year, I still love to Travel the World in Books, and this book is set in Afghanistan.

Currently Reading:


I put this book aside for a while because I wasn't in a satire mood, but I've restarted it. Something about Douglas Adams's writing just makes me grin.

Finished These Books:

Because I love the rejected cover on the right
Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews (Links to my review)
This was a reread for me, as the next two in the series are coming out in just a few months (White Hot is expected May 30th, and Wildfire ironically during wildfire season- July 25th). While not as much my thing as the Edge series or better yet, the Kate Daniels series, the Hidden Legacy series has a lot of what I love about Ilona Andrews' books- excellent characters and fun worldbuilding.



The more I read traditionally published romance, the less hope I have for any of them to be all that original. I should just stick to indie romance, because at least the authors I've found there do something(s) different.


Windhaven by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle (Links to my review)
I read the first half of this in one sitting, and paced myself with the rest. Luckily, this turned out to be an excellent read for me, which was just what I needed after Never Kiss a Rake.

In My Life: (Renewing the Minion Army)

Most of my seeds. Ed Hume Seeds are the best.
On March 7th, I started most of my seeds, along with an old packet of Swan River Daisy seeds I had from last year (for whatever reason, the store didn't have them this year). Yesterday I finished filling up my other Jiffy Seed Starter Kit with soil and planted the rest. Today I noticed the ol' Swan River Daisies were already popping up, despite the seeds being on the older end of things, so I guess most of my old seeds are still good. I was surprised how well I managed to do everything, considering my balance and walking are way off, but it did take me longer than usual to get everything together. I think the hardest part will be watering them all when they're finally planted outside- we have built in sprinklers, but they don't cover the porch area, and some of the pots I put out need watered daily.

Some of my minion army results from last year
The appointment for my CT myelogram is less than two weeks away, and I'm a bit nervous because I have to stop all blood-thinning pain relievers five days prior. Ibuprofen has helped me through many a rough day, so I'm not excited at all about that. I'm not sure how well I'll keep up with the blog during that time so I've been trying to keep up with posts and comments as much as I can right now.

Is there anything you're looking forward to this spring?

10 comments:

  1. So many plants!! The Lobellas, Alyssums, and Linarias are my favorites; they're so pretty :) It also looks like you've had a pretty productive 2 weeks - congratulations! I can't imagine how hard those days without pain killers will be but I know you can get through it, if it means answers. I'll be thinking of you! Just take some time for yourself and lie in bed :) (and maybe read a book or two!)

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

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    1. Thanks- I love those too! Those flowers are the ones I never have trouble with as far as growing them from seeds goes. I think the better weather patterns (less snow and rain) help with my pain, which makes it easier to get things done. Hopefully we'll only have scattered showers for the next few weeks so I don't miss the ibuprofen when I have to go off of it. And yes- I definitely plan on reading a book or two!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Laura! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  2. Loved your thorough update!

    First, I'm sorry about you being sick :( Hope they are able to handle things non-surgically for you too. Being sick is miserable

    Second, great haul of books! I Love the Burn for Me book and have been salivating for the next ones to come out.

    I need to read more George RR Martin. I read the first Game of Thrones and Fevre Dream - Fevre Dream is excellent and highly recommended.

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    1. Well, I'm going to try this reply again, since my first one vanished. O_o
      Thorough updates make it easier for people to comment. ;)
      Thanks- I may have answers as soon as this Friday as far as the surgery or not question goes.
      I didn't buy many books in February, but I think I more than made up for it in March. I'm so excited to read the next books in the Hidden Legacy series too- Ilona Andrews sure knows how to craft an interesting world.

      I loved Fevre Dream! I'm slowly but steadily making my way through GRRM's books.
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Erin!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  3. I think I've read all the Fitz books by Robin Hobb except for the latest trilogy, and I'm debating whether to jump into those (mainly because it's been years and I'm not sure how much I remember). I've always been kinda curious about Windhaven too...

    Good luck with your medical appt and hope all goes well!

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    1. I think you'd be good to go on the latest trilogy- a book blogger I knew actually started with those accidentally, and she managed to grasp most of it. Windhaven is really neat- I almost wish it were longer, though.
      Thanks for stopping by and wishing me well, Greg!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  4. Glad to see you back Litha! I hope they are able to make some progress with your medical issues soon. As for the plants, I really miss gardening! I hope your plants grow well this year! I love Black Eyed Susans, I never knew there was a type that grows on vines, they look wonderful. :)

    Also man, that Burn For Me cover is awful. The rejected one is a million times better, what were they thinking!?

    The new additions list looks great too, hopefully one of them will cure the reading slump. A House Without Windows looks really good, I'll have to add that one to my list.

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    1. Thanks! The Black Eyed Susan vine is actually from Africa and I don't think it's related to the actual flower (which reminds me more of a vinca flower), but I love black eyed Susans too.

      Yeah, I was so mad when the authors showed the rejected cover on their website because compared with the "new" one it's awesome. However, apparently the marketers get their say, not the readers. :/

      I've been reading a lot this week and hopefully that won't change.
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Jamie!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  5. I always look forward to starting my containers in the spring, but I hope I actually do it this year. Ha ha. I am all set because the potting soil is still in bags along side my pots on the enclosed back porch. I bought the first two Dirk Gentlys in an ebook bundle, so I hope to get to those at some point this year. I know you got your scan. I hope they think of something that can help you. Sending good energies. :)

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    1. You can do it! It's so rewarding to see things grow from tiny seedlings to big flowers and/or delicious tomatoes. Dirk Gently was the perfect character for me to read about during my "meh" moods of late- I guess satire agrees with me.
      Tomorrow I get my *hopefully* final tests (nerve conduction and EMG) as well as my follow up appointment, so I appreciate the good vibes!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, La La!
      ~Litha Nelle

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