Special Feature | Eleanor Reads! COVID-19 May Edition

It will come as a surprise to literally no one that Eleanor and I have both done a pretty solid amount of reading since school has been closed. May 21st was the last day of the school year and I officially have a second grader. We will still be working on school material over the summer, but much more leisurely now. I figured we might as well, since all the places we love to visit during the summer have taken the position of remaining closed until further notice - no matter what our idiot governor says or does (he's one of the select "special" ones who decided to never issue a stay-at-home-order. He's terrible.)

Here Eleanor and I are going to share the books we have read together each month. At first I was only going to do this during the school closure, but I think I will continue and make it a monthly thing, looking back at what we read together.

 We've been reading chapter books since before Kindergarten and her attention span as a four year old is something to brag about. Eleanor was born a reader and that makes my heart so, so happy.

          

We read fewer books this month, only because the Descendants chapter books are much longer than our typical ones. But Eleanor is OBSESSED with the Descendants, and the books and movies are fun, so no big deal.

Do the kiddos in your life have an interest in any of these?

Happy Reading,
Eleanor and Sarah

State of the ARC #24

State of the ARC is a monthly feature hosted by Evelina at Avalinah's Books. I am temporarily hosting until she is able to get back into it. So, until then, thanks for joining me here! If you are new to the meme, you can check out the guidelines HERE.

Links go to my review. The majority of the ARCs I receive are through NetGalley. Some have come from publicists, or were offered to me from a publisher who specifically approved me for it on NetGalley; I will always note in the review how I acquired the ARC.

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Reading Now

NetGalley

                   

Publisher Gift

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Did Not Finish

NetGalley

Publisher Gift

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Finished, Review to Come

NetGalley
   

Publisher Gift
 

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Review or Feedback Sent

NetGalley

  
  

Publisher Gift

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When I first started blogging my monthly State of the ARC I felt like I was drowning in ARCs. My main goal was to get my NetGalley feedback ratio above 80% and thanks to this meme, I slowly but surely clawed my way up. At my highest I was at 97%. I am currently at 84% now after this binge.

How have you done with your ARCs in the last couple months without State of the ARC around? Did you keep posting your own, or are you just starting back now?

I am so excited to be helping out, let's talk ARCs!

Happy Reading

Sarah

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#BlackLivesMatter | Say His Name #GeorgeFloyd

I have debated whether or not to post something about the murder of yet another Black man by an officer who should have had his badge taken away long ago, who never should have been an officer in the first place.

My head hurts, and my heart hurts. This man did nothing to deserve to be murdered, to have his life slowly extinguished as he begged for breath, for his mother, and the witnessed pleaded for this murderer to stop.

I can't quite put into words what I am thinking and feeling right now. I have tried many many times. But, I do know this:

If you are more concerned about property damage than an innocent man being murdered by an asshole with a badge in broad daylight on video for the whole world to see, and then when the murderer is FINALLY arrested a couple days later the charge is a laughable 3rd degree because this was NOT an accident, then fuck you.

You are part of the problem.

READ FASTER! Seventh Edition

You can find previous editions of me pouting HERE.

This post is not entirely serious, but maybe a little bit.

Obviously libraries have been closed for quite a while now. This means there has been a huge increase in the ebook holds. I am one of those people requesting now, though in the past this has always been a last resort for me.

There are a few books I have put in hold requests for, and I am STILL without them. I am pouting and I realize this is an insanely ridiculous #FirstWorldProblem to be complaining about, but I have not yet complained once since this whole thing started - mostly because I love being at home with my baby girl all day.

***Our library system is now open for curbside pick-up!***

...And I am happy to say they are not messing around with this COVID-19 bullshit. You call ahead to get an appointment, and you pick your books up within that half hour time frame. When you get to the location you've chosen to have your books sent to, you call and let them know which numbered parking spot you are in, and your name. A librarian brings the books out and sets them next to the parking lot sign. Once the librarian goes inside, you can exit your car to get your books. When you return books, they are left in a bin for three days before anyone touches them to check them back in.

Originally this list was ebooks only, but now that curbside has started, I am including all books I have requests in for.

Books I Am Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting For

1. The Woman in Cabin 10 

Hold Date: April 21st

Starting Position: 24 on 3 copies

Current Position: 10 on 3 copies

I requested this one the same day as #3 because I was told they have a similar feel. Sweet baby Jesus, this is taking as long as Sun Down. Whaaaaaaat the fuuuuuuuck is taking so long???

2. This is How I Lied 

Date Requested: May 2nd

Starting Position:  9 on 1 copy

Current Position: ON MY KINDLE!

In ten days I moved ONE position!! Ugh. A little movement, hooray! Just got the notification a little bit ago, so excited to start it as soon as I finish up my blogging for the day!

3. Foul is Fair 

Date Requested: May 2nd

Starting Position: 1 on 2 copies

Current Position: 1 on 2 copies

I can't be too mad - YET. Libraries have only now started to accept returned books, and even then it is still at those select locations that offer curbside check-out delivery. This one still might take a while. I am definitely riled up now. I need whoever has this to return it NOW.

4. The Whisper Man 

Date Requested: May 19th

Starting Position: 7 on 2 copies

Current Position: 5 on 2 copies

I couldn't decide if it was better to take my chance on the physical copies (where I would be 6 on 10) or the ebook, where I am 7 on 2. Obviously I opted for the ebook route, because who knows how quickly people will go to one of the select locations to return physical books. I decided I am not interested in this one anymore and cancelled the hold.

5. The Nanny 

Date Requested: May 24th

Starting Position: 5 on 6 copies

Current Position: 5 on 6 copies

I loved The Au Pair, so I am hoping this is similar in feel to that? The story lines are quite different, (on the surface at least, who knows what is actually in store for me) but I am hoping to like this one as well.

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Okay, so I realize in the grand scheme of things this is not a huge issue. But I really want these books, never mind the fact that I have a pile from NetGalley and hundreds of unread books on my Kindle and five-shelf bookcase stacked two and three deep.

#ALLTHEBOOKS!

Happy Reading,

Sarah