Sunday News #36
Feeling
I’m feeling a bit blue this week. I’m still muddling through all the things I need to do; my PTSD therapy’s just taking its toll on my mental health. I know what I’m doing is good for me in the long run, and it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Blogging
This week on the blog:
Reading
I finished reading SOME OF IT WAS REAL by Nan Fischer this week. My review’s posting tomorrow. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but I still loved the story and premise. I also finished listening to the HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE audiobook. I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to post anything about it. Probably not since it’s my sixth time reading it.
I’m back to reading WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens. I’m hoping to finish it early this week. Then, I’ll start FEED by Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) or LOVE ON THE BRAIN by Ali Hazelwood. I’m really excited to read both!
I also started the HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS audiobook on Friday. This book gives me ALL the feels.
I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that life is full of dialectics, or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
Listening
After a particularly hard day with my PTSD therapy this week, I spent some time listening to my instrumental playlist. Instrumental music soothes me like no other music, especially music in the minor key. I really love piano music; though, I love fully orchestrated pieces too. Anyway, I’m sharing one of my favorite songs from my playlist. It’s called “Halston” by Stephan Moccio.
Watching
Corey and I finally saw BULLET TRAIN. It was amazing! We both loved it so much. I want to see it again soon! I loved one of the cameos SOOO much. (If you know me and you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know who I mean. Hint, take a look at my celebrity crushes.) Anyway, the actors were fantastic. I also loved that the director embraced Japan in all its glory. Like others, I thought it was very reminiscent of both volumes of KILL BILL. Corey, a Tarantino aficionado, said it was more like a marriage between Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
We also finished rewatching the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies. I really love the team they’ve put together for the movies. I do hope Jeremy Renner comes back in one or both of the next two films.
I also watched the finale of MASTERCHEF and let’s just say that I couldn’t be any happier!
Loving
I really loved this week’s Let’s Talk Bookish discussion. We were asked to discuss what we’ve learned from blogging, any advice we’d give new bloggers, our favorite and least favorite things about blogging, and anything we would’ve done differently. You can read what I said by clicking the link in the BLOGGING section.
Wanting
I want to watch SEE HOW THEY RUN. It looks like a fun movie with a star-studded cast. Have you seen it or watched the trailer? What do you think?
Needing
I need to become more healthy. I’m just not sure I can put in the effort needed to reach my goals while I’m in PTSD therapy. I’m already grumpy and irritable and I don’t want to push Corey over the edge any more than I already have because of my emotional dysregulation.
I’ll begin in earnest after I finish PTSD therapy. In the meantime, I’ll try to work on doing small things, like drinking more water, regulating my sleep schedule, eating less sugar, and maybe taking short bike rides in the evening. These changes might even help me regulate my emotions more effectively.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
I feel the same way about Harry Potter and the author. I do not agree with the author, but I do love the series. I hope you enjoy Feed or Love on the Brain, whichever you pick up next. I would like to read both.
I hope this week will be a better one for you, Jenni Elyse. Have a good one and happy reading!
Thank you so much! 😀 I’ve been finding more and more individuals that feel the same way about Harry Potter. It makes me happy to know there’s still love for the series.
Realized I left comments all over your blog but not here, which is where I started! I like how you break down your challenges and reading goals – that’s an interesting page to read through. I’ll have to borrow some of those idea!
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-16
Thanks for exploring my blog! 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed some of my pages and posts. Feel fry to borrow any ideas you’d like.
So sorry you are feeling down. Wishing you a better week ahead. I’m a few episodes behind on Master Chef, and I didn’t realize it was over already. Can’t wait to see the end. Here’s my Sunday Post: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2022/09/17/sundaypost-beaches-sunsets-and-pelicans/
Thanks, Bonnie! 😀 I hope you enjoy the last few episodes of MasterChef. If was such a fun season. I’m sad it’s over even though I’m very happy with the results.
I hope you have a nice relaxing week ahead and enjoy your books. I love the HP series, I read it twice. I’ve had Feed on my TBR since forever. I make it a point to drink a lot of water daily, I keep my tumbler full nearby.
Thank you so much! 😀 I’m glad you love HP. It makes my heart happy. I need to get my water bottle out and use it more. Right now, I just fill up a used Smart Warter bottle. It’s easy and it works.
Therapy is SUCH hard work. I’m starting to come to the end of my current course for agoraphobia, and it’s been amazing, but exhausting work. I hope the coming week is a little easier for you
I’m about half-way through Mira Grant’s Chimera, and Feed is next on my list for when I’ve read it. I can’t wait!
Thanks, Cassie! 😀 That’s so awesome! I’m so happy for you! It IS exhausting and you should be proud of your progress!
I’ll have to check out CHIMERA. I’ve heard of it, of course, and I think it’s on my massive TBR. I’ve heard such great things about Seanan McGuire so I might go straight into a new book by her after I read FEED.
I still love Harry Potter. I haven’t seen much TV but I did manage to watch Persuasion on Netflix.
I hope that you enjoy getting healthy whenever you start ☺️
Have a good week ahead.
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/18/sunday-post-49/
Thanks, Emily! 😀 I want to see Persuasion. I thought my friends and I were going to have a watch party but we haven’t yet. I’ll have to follow up with them on it.
I’m glad you still love Harry Potter! It makes my heart happy.
I’ve been meaning to go back and reread the HP books, but don’t seem to have time. Maybe I should try the audiobooks. I have Feed on my shelf for awhile, need to read it! Hope you have a good week and yeah, I get what you say about needing to get healthy, but it’s not easy!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2022/09/18/weekly-wrap-up-85-september-18th-2022/
Thanks, Lisa! 😀 The HP audiobooks have been a life saver. Plus, Jim Dale does a fantastic job narrating the stories. If you’ve never listened to them, I definitely recommend them!
So sorry you’re feeling down. It’s often difficult to separate the long-term benefits from the short-term pain. I hope you can get regulated and will feel more upbeat. Reading helps! Glad to see that you are continuing with that. xoxo
Thank you so much, Margaret! 😀 I really appreciate the words of encouragement. 💜
Oh, Jenni, I hope you feel better soon. It must be such a struggle for you. I’m glad you enjoyed Some of it Was Real, I enjoyed that story so much. I’ll have to check out Bullet Train. I took one with my two kids when we lived in Japan, and it was a lot of fun, but I’m sure the movie won’t be fun. LOL.
Thank you so much, Wendy! 😀 I really appreciate it! 💜 I think it’s so awesome that you lived in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go and ride the shinkansen. I hope you enjoy Bullet Train is you do watch it.
I have recommitted (once again!) to start taking better care of myself. I got my hair cut yesterday, I am getting it colored tomorrow, and I am also planning to start walking/exercising again, and eating better. Now that my hair looks better I want my body too as well, LOL! I was off sugar for a LONG time and it really helped me with my emotions (sugar makes me grumpy) but then I slipped and have it probably once or twice a week, I want to be off it again! I hope you have a good week.
Thanks, Cindy! 😀 That’s so awesome that you’ve done that. And, yay for new hair! I need to get my colored again. I’m waiting until it grows out a bit, though. Getting off sugar, especially completely, is so hard. It’s so addictive and it’s in everything. I commend you for abstaining!
Sometimes the hardest things in your life turn out to be the best when you have completed them. Worthwhile things take some time and effort.
Very true, Anne. 💜 Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Sending you lots of support. I haven’t read that particular Mira grant but I did love her killer mermaid books. Drawing a blank on the name. I like paino music too. there was a guy a while back- John Boswell?- his stuff was good. PRetty chill.
My daughters saw Bullet Train and LOVED it. And then I saw on someone’s blog this week that it was a book and there’s a sequel. Which I’m thinking of acquiring. 🙂
Thanks, Greg! 😀 I’ll have to check out her killer mermaid series. That sounds awesome, lol. Thanks for letting me know about John Boswell. I’m always on the lookout for other pianists.
The movie does end in a way that they could make the sequel. I figured it was a graphic novel or book of some sort. I’ll have to check it out too. I think it’d be fun. I’m glad your daughters enjoyed the movie too! 😀
I can’t even imagine what you’ve been going through with the PTSD therapy. Hang in there and I wish you the best always. Many virtual hugs to you.
Thanks, Yvonne! 😀
Hope you have a better week this week! I agree with you that you can not like what an author does but still love a series they wrote, I still read Harry Potter too!
Have a great week!
Stormi
Thank you so much, Stormi! 😀 It makes my heart happy that you still read HP.
The book version for Bullet Train was also good. Hop you have a good week.
Thanks! 😀 That’s good to know. I’ll have to check it out then.