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Currently | Halloween, Hamilton and an Extra Hour of Sleep

currently november 1

Briefly | After a weekend traveling and a weekend that was busy, I’m so happy for a weekend entirely at home. The boyfriend and I got caught up on errands yesterday, so I think today will be all about cooking, chores and football. I slept in today, but thanks to Daylight Savings Time I still have a long morning to get things done.

Reading | This week I finished China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan, the sequel to his debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians. I didn’t like it nearly as much, but I’m still curious to see how what’s supposed to be a trilogy eventually plays out. Now, it’s time for nonfiction! Yesterday I started Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell, and I’m thinking about picking up Speed Kings by Andy Bull.

Watching | I don’t really like scary movies, but wanted to get in the Halloween spirit this weekend, so the boyfriend and I watched a couple of Halloween-adjacent movies: The Poisoner’s Handbook (a PBS documentary about the birth of forensic toxicology, based on a book!), and Clue. I forgot how great that movie is.

Listening | I finally started listening to the soundtrack for Hamilton (a Broadway musical based on the life of Alexander Hamilton). And yes, it’s amazing. And yes, that’s why I started reading Lafayette in the Somewhat United States.

Blogging | This week I shared stories from the final leg of our adventure in Europe and outlined my possible reading pile for Nonfiction November.

Promoting | Three interesting articles this week: The Rules of Donut Club from The MMQB, The Strange Case of Anna Stubblefield from the New York Times Magazine (, and The Day that Changed WDBJ from CNN Money.

Hating | I totally fell off the planet with my One Little Word for this year. I just never seemed to find a way to bring it into my day-to-day experience. But, I still love the idea and want to try again next year.

Loving | As the weather cools down, Hannah becomes more inclined to cuddle with me. She’s not a very loving cat (with me), so this makes me happy.

Loving II | We actually got some Trick or Treaters last night! It was a small number, maybe 20 total, but still super fun.

Anticipating | Nonfiction November! The first weekly topic and link up will be here tomorrow, then we’re off to my other co-hosts for the rest of the month. I’m pretty excited we got this up and running again this year.

Happy Sunday, everyone! What are you reading today?

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • BermudaOnion (Kathy) November 1, 2015, 10:16 am

    I slept in this morning as well but it will still take me a week or so to adjust to the time change. I wish they’d pick one time and stick with it all year.

  • Julie @ JulzReads November 1, 2015, 10:44 am

    Clue is one of my all time favorites…

    I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, my Nonfiction November intro is already up!

  • Care November 1, 2015, 1:32 pm

    I’m reading my first book for NonficNov: Warriors Don’t Cry. Happy November!!

  • Andi November 1, 2015, 1:35 pm

    I’m totally craving non-fiction lately, so I’m very glad you four are hosting this again. I’m already feeling motivated! Enjoy a restful weekend!

  • Teresa November 1, 2015, 1:46 pm

    Thanks for sharing the WDBJ article. The shooting was in my hometown, and I used to live near the WDBJ studio. I’ve read several articles on what happened, and I’ve seen Alison’s dad speak, but that was the most detailed account of the actual events that day. It’s such a tragic story, and it’s hard to fathom having to experience it and report on it at the same time.

    • Kim November 8, 2015, 12:59 pm

      That’s part of what was fascinating to me… how do you deal with a major personal tragedy while also still continuing to do your job? It’s such tragic story.

  • Bryan G. Robinson November 1, 2015, 2:05 pm

    Ugh. One Little Word. Thanks/no thanks 😉 for reminding me. Won’t even say it was.

    You’re the second blogger that has mentioned Hamilton today and my wife and I only discovered yesterday. I’m not even sure how it came up, but I streamed it through Google Play Music and we both loved, and are loving, it. Just wow.

    Reading today? Nothing, but I had a good month in reading for October and toward the end of the month, with Thankfully Reading Weekend, it should be another good reading month.

    • Kim November 8, 2015, 1:02 pm

      The lyrics in all of the Hamilton songs are just incredible, it’s so textured and fun to listen to.

  • Athira November 1, 2015, 2:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing that WDBJ article. Smith Mountain Lake is just a few minutes from my home so it was terrifying that morning when we heard of that news. And then that live video! So terrifying.

  • Kay November 1, 2015, 3:51 pm

    I’ve debated doing the Nonfiction November, but I think I’ll skip this year. I may listen to a couple of non-fic books. That’s my usual way of doing any reading of non-fic. It’s not my preferred type of book – sorry. LOL

    I’m committed to the Potter Binge and I think that may be enough after doing R.I.P. for the first time. Good luck to all of you though and I look forward to getting lots of ideas from the Nonfiction November posts many will share.

  • Anne November 1, 2015, 6:55 pm

    I did, in fact, do 15in31 (which I first read about on this blog), I finished the Read Harder challenge this month, I have four more books to reach 100 for the year, and I have one more book (Phineas Finn) to read to finish another personal challenge I set for myself. which means that in a few weeks I will be without any reading challenges for the last 6 weeks or so of the year. I have decided to just let myself read. No challenges, no judgments, just see what I enoy and enjoy what I see.

  • Sarah's Book Shelves November 1, 2015, 8:16 pm

    I’m looking forward to NN! And – I love sports nonfiction and tried Speed Kings a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting into it and ended up putting it down. But, I know Amanda at Gun in Act One had a better experience, so I hope it works out for you!

  • Jenny @ Reading the End November 2, 2015, 8:42 pm

    HAMILTON HAMILTON HAMILTON. I am so excited every time someone new begins to appreciate the glory that is Hamilton. Isn’t it the best? Doesn’t it make you newly fond of early American history? Lin-Manuel Miranda is such a dear, too.