The Raw Shark Texts

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

This is the 4th or 5th time I’ve read The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall and I loved it just as much as previously.

Eric Sanderson wakes up with no memories. Not of his life, the world, or himself. When he finds a letter to him from himself, he ends up on a journey to find himself and what he’s lost.

I’m not sure where I first picked this book up but I’m so glad I did! I know it was many years ago and that when I first read it, I had never read anything quite like it before. This book is hard to describe but it plays with memory, dreams, language, linguistics, communication and context. This book has a love story, an adventure, a journey, and a shark hunt. Shark Texts uses language and writing to add to the story in a visual way. Raw Shark Texts is a weird book but it’s also weirdly compelling. There’s so much going on but the reader is drawn to the characters and the mystery. I like how the use of word pictures add to the tension of this book, which already has some very tense moments. This book is quite long, for me anyway, but it does ready quite quickly and is a fact paced adventure. It’s really hard to sum up this book, but I would highly recommend this book to those who found some of this review intriguing, readers who love weird books, people who like books about language and writing, and those who like amnesia stories.

I recommended this book to my favorite booktuber in a video. I had my husband read it when we were firdt dating, Currently my BFF is borrowing it to read. What book do you always recommend to people?

This book can be seen in my April Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I really love these simple photographs of weeds and wildflowers.
I would really love to hang our laundry to dry outside, but we have too many birds that visit our yard!
There’s quite a few of these Summer veggie meals that I want to try!!
The Booker Prize long list was announced! There are several books I’m interested in reading. Have you read any of the novels on the long list?
We recently had a huge plant grow in our yard that looked like this Cow Parsley from the first link. Turns out it was a cousin on this plant: Deadly Hemlock!! Extremely poisonous! Needless to say, we left it alone!

Mad Cat Garden | June 2021

Yes, you read that right!! Here is a look at the JUNE garden! June was a big month in the garden and I wanted to make sure to highlight it. There are not a huge amount of pics, but even so, it’ll be good to look back to this month from future years. 2021 has been a strange year for the garden. Everything took a looong time to get started. June was the month that things really started going off.

Our blueberries put out it’s first small fruit in the beginning of June, but we didn’t get any ripe ones until the end of the month. Even then, it was only a few.

The peppers were growing but tomatoes were still very small with no fruit. The raspberries are taking over!! June saw us eating a lot of raspberries!! The lettuces were already bolting but we were able to eat some before they were gone completely. Why do earwigs love to live in the lettuce crevices? This is the first year we grew tomatillos and they were already quite big by June. We got our first really fruit early in July.

We have not mastered lettuce and it always bolts early and we only get to eat some leaves.

The herbs were growing well at this time. We were trying to grow pumpkins but weren’t having any luck.

We did get some squashes started this month, including the birdhouse gourds you see above. Unfortunately after these beautiful and delicate flowers, the gourds all withered on the vine. This year has been not at all what we expected, but we have learned a lot!

Are you growing a garden this year? How did your garden look in June?

July Plant Update

July was a great month for plant observations and we saw some critters too! It’s been hot here, but we have also had some rain, so the garden and flowers are loving it! We got some smoke from the Canada wildfires and the sun was red for a few days. Things like that never take good photos unfortunately.

I love seeing all the different types of cone flowers out now!

Who knows what these mop top flowers are called?

From all the rain, many large mushrooms have appeared.

These were the size of dinner plates.

In the last few years we have seen more Oyster Catchers on our beach.

We have a few neighbor bunnies.

smoke from the wildfires made it’s way to us one early morning.

Did the smoke effect your observations? Who and what did you see around where you live this month?

I’m looking forward to August which can sometimes be an abundant month for plants around here!

July in Review

Well, July didn’t exactly go as planned. July was the month I had intended to get back to blogging, the month I had intended to get back to posting on instagram, the month I had planned to take some small trips, had intended to clean the house. But really July just flew by and not only did I not get this done, I can barely remember what even happened this month.

Sometimes summer months are just like that. I know we traveled a bit in our area, saw Little Free Libraries and a few #watchercats. We got to the beach several times, once even having a full on beach day!

Was your July as busy and hectic as mine?

Will August see a change in the summer madness, or will it be even busier than July?

June Plant Update

I may be wrong, but I feel that everything this year is a bit late, plant wise. When we look at the garden, it’s very evident there. But even the flowers and trees and sky and sea seem late this year. Or perhaps less brilliant. That being said, I’m happy to see blooms when they come and in June there were blooms!

Echinacea is one of my all time favorites!

Our one and only (blurry) Poppy for the year.

This yard had thrilling and stunning lilies.

And you can’t beat this color combo!

Some climbing shrooms.

And a very small fellow at home.

June was good for wild fruit!

And pretty lovely for sunsets.

I loved seeing this giant!

Overall, June was a good month for plant observations, even if it felt delayed. What were plants doing near you this month? Do you agree that things seem late this year?

Weekly Video Round Up #29 - 7/5 - 7/11

7/8 - 1 More Month of Zero Waste | Plastic Free July | Introduction | Free and Easy Zero Waste

Hi, I’m Mo.
It's July and time to celebrate and participate in Plastic Free July!! Time for another free and easy 1 More Month to Zero Waste. Please make sure to go to plasticfreejuly.org for more info and challenges for PFJ.
In it's simplest form, PFJ is a month out of the year to think about, be mindful of, and give up disposable plastics in your life. This is a month for people all over the globe to come up with alternatives, use reuseables, and avoid disposable plastic. For 1 More Month of Zero Waste, we have tried to be mindful of disposable plastics. We did a trash audit and tried to see what plastics we used and how we could cut down. We learned how to give up plastic bags and bring reusables or make switches to use less plastic. We gave up disposable plastic bottles and learned to carry our reusable water bottle. So what can we give up in July? Let's take a week to see what we want to give up and be thoughtful when we are shopping, eating out, getting take out, and going about our day to day lives. Do you order take out for lunch? Do you use a plastic straw? Do you buy pasta in plastic? Do you drink beverages out of plastic bottles? What swaps can you make this month?

Check out more 1 More Month of Zero Waste here:
January Trash Audit: https://youtu.be/Gs2W6Ngdl0s
Jan check in: https://youtu.be/Eu-k-JlTk8g
February Declutter: https://youtu.be/8RewurP4A-0
Feb check in: https://youtu.be/r1pq9neBavA
March Bag Swap: https://youtu.be/ZEYaYJJf4fw
Mar check in: https://youtu.be/idamcM3iOBI
April Composting: https://youtu.be/VFhAuVj-QJk
May Meatless Mondays: https://youtu.be/bavIJ4IqO58
May check in: https://youtu.be/kz_WqBxc2Uc
June No More Disposable Plastic Bottles: https://youtu.be/cogDPIwYQvM
June check in: https://youtu.be/GZB3wNnCL_w

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin
Please

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7/9 - The Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag | 2021 | Mid Year Reading Check In | Best and Worst Books So Far!

Hi, I’m Mo.
It's time for one of the most beloved booktube tag: The Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag! See what my best and worst books of the year have been so far this year!
This is a classic tag and I waited until July to do it so that I had a full 6 months of reading to pull from! I read so many good books this year so far! I laughed, I cried, I was wishy washy about my favorite characters. Have you read any of these books? Let's discuss in the comments below!

Books in this Video:
The Nickel Boys (2019) Colson Whitehead
Confess Fletch (1976) Gregory MacDonald
The Vanishing Half (2020) Brit Bennet
The Chosen and the Beautiful (2021) Nghi Vo
The Wife Upstairs (2020) Rachel Hawkins
The Woman in Cabin 10 (2014) Ruth Ware
The Murders of Molly Southborne (2017) Tade Thompson
Sula (1973) Toni Morrison
Out of Africa (1937) Isak Dinesen
The Loved One (1948) Evelyn Waugh
The Book Of Tea (1906) Kakuzō Okakura,

Videos Mentioned:
Summer TBR: https://youtu.be/dKxoj5eZ-ZQ
BookTube Spin Spin 3: https://youtu.be/Y3Z2sdpwYgI
Mid Year Book Freak Out 2020: https://youtu.be/kSQhgb2nMjg

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: no cats!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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The Sound of Waves

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima is a Japanese modern classic romance. Not the kind of book I usually read.

A young man on a fishing island had simple goals, be a better fishermen, support his mother and brother, and perhaps find himself a wife. He dreams of a simple and happy life. When a mysterious young woman returns to the island, he wonders how she factors into his plans.

I read this quiet Japanese modern classic that was written in the 1950s for the Liguathon on Booktube. Linguathon was a readathon all for translated works. I picked this book bc I had it on my TBR. I know that this book came from my basement box books, but I don’t know where I originally found it. I also didn’t realize that Mishima is a modern classic author of Japan. I was also surprised that this book was at it’s heart a romance. I really enjoyed it and loved that the story was very entwined in nature and the character of the island. Although this is very traditional for Japanese writing but I was still pretty enthralled by the way that it is woven into the story. This romance had love, lust, nudity, adventure, and suspense! I love modern classics but have only read a handful of this type of book from other countries and cultures. I’m excited to read more Mishima and see what his other novels are like. I would highly recommend this book if you like classic romances, modern classics and want to try some from other counties, are looking to break into translated or Japanese writing.

Have you read The Sound of Waves? Can you recommend other romances from countries besides America?

This book can be seen in my April Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

A Murder is Announced

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

A Murder is Announced is the 4th book in the Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie.

When a murder is announced in the local paper, the townspeople all show up of course! When a murder is commited, Miss Marple must help discover the truth behind the incident.

I have been working my way through all the Miss Marple series on audio free online. Unusually for me, I have been reading them in order. I really liked this fourth installment in the series. I have been surprised with each book that the way the stories are structured is different. Some revolve around St Mary Mead, in some Miss Marple is a main character, in some she is almost an after thought. I really liked this installment bc Miss Marple was a prominent character and she is involved in almost the whole novel. There is a lot going on in this book, and Miss Marple is put to her paces to figure out all the aspects of the mystery. I liked that there were more twists and turns than in many golden age mysteries. There was also a pervasive sadness in this mystery which is unusual for Agatha Christie, I think. Overall, I like that this book fit in to the series of book by being totally different than the other books. And of course, being totally the same (small town, closed circle, several murders, etc…). If you enjoy Agatha Christie, I would highly recommend this addition to her universe. I would also recommend this book to mystery fans, people who enjoy mistaken identity mysteries, and anyone reading golden age detective novels.

What is your favorite in the Miss Marple series?

This book is featured in my March Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

Weekly Video Round Up #28 - Two weeks in one! 6/25 - 7/4/2021

6/25 - Mid 2021 Goals Check In + Life and Channel Update | How Are Your Goals Going?

Hi, I’m Mo.
In December of 2020, I made some goals for the New Year. Now that we are half way thru 2021, let's check in and see how I'm doing? I wanted to check in on my goals, partly bc I feel like it's always a good idea to revisit your goals to keep them in your mind, and partly to see how I'm doing!
Spoiler alert, I'm doing pretty well!! What were your goals for 2021, how are you doing? Do you need to amend your goals or add some more? Or drop some?? I also wanted to share a little life and channel update. Life has been a little hectic but it's OK! It happens! I try to make sure I read, spend time with family and friends, make videos and blog. What are you juggling in life and how does that effect your goals?

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: None

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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6/27 - Booktube Spin 3

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here is my reaction to Rick MacDonnell's 2nd BookTube Spin. Spin #2!! Let's find out what we will read for May and June!
The rules are simple! Make a list of 20 books (number them 1-20), post them somewhere public, watch the spin video, and read the book that corresponds to the number chosen!
I really loved the first BookTube Spin. The number that was called for Spin #1 was number 15. I read Dead Wake by Erik Larson. I have a whole vlog video of it here: https://youtu.be/DD3hiNMNHF8
For Spin #2, I kept the same list so I didn't make another list vid.
I did read 3 books (including #15) from that list between then and now. So I will just count around my list.
Did you make a new list or keep your old one?
Find Rick's Spin #2 vid here: https://youtu.be/KeqrH9FFtBM

BookTube Spin 2021 List
(intimidating)
READ The Private Patient (2008) PD James
2 - Big Bang, A Novel (2019) David Bowmen
3 - Be Here Now (1971) Ram Dass
4 - Witches of Eastwick (1984) John Updike
(modern classics)
5 -Our Man in Havana (1962) Graham Greene
6 - The Pearl (1947) John Steinbeck
7 - Starship Troopers (1959) Robert Heinlein
READ - Carry On Jeeves (1925) PG Wodehouse
(mysteries/thrillers)
READ - A Murder is Announced (1950) Agatha Christie
10 - The Maltese Falcon (1929) Dashiell Hammet
11 - Rebecca (1939) Daphne De Maurier
12 - Mad Mouse (2006) Chris Grubenstein
(nonfiction)
13 - Mr Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonders (1995) Lawrence Weschler
14 - Salt (2002) Mark Kurlansky
READ - Dead Wake (2015) Erik Larson
16 - Continuing the Good Life (Maine) (1979) Scott and Helen Nearing
(short stories/collections)
17 - The Salmon of Doubt (2002) Douglas Adams
18 - Flappers and Philosophers (1920) F Scott Fitzgereld
19 - Japanese Fairy Tales (1903) Edited by Philip Smith
20 - The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1961) Ernest Hemingway

Here are a few other relevant videos:
Rick’s first Booktube Spin video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc4Iz0dvGos
Rick’s first spin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6eYtA0X-2g
My Booktube Spin TBR video: https://youtu.be/UqXne0-dtWE

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: None

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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7/2 - TBR ASMR 10 | BookTube ASMR | Long Natural Nails, Tapping, Rubbing, Scratching, Bird & Nature Sounds

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here is another TBR ASMR! These are some books I might read soon! It features tapping, rubbing, tracing, with long natural nails. There are bird sounds, bird songs and nature sounds.
I chose all hardcovers for this TBR. All these books were featured in my Summer TBR video (https://youtu.be/dKxoj5eZ-ZQ). I really want to read all three of these and they all have summer vibes to me in one way or another. Now that I have a new job, I have to keep my nails shorter, but on weeks that I can grow them out, I try to get some tapping and scratching in!! I really like that all these books have different feeling and sounding covers.

What is your favorite ASMR sound??

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Books in this video: The Vanishing Half (2020) Brit Bennet
Leave the World Behind (2020) Ruman Alam
A Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) Hank Greene

Cats in this video: Martin! Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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7/3 - 1 More Month to Zero Waste | June Check In | No More Disposable Plastic!! | Bring your water bottle

Hi, I’m Mo.
It's time fore our June Check in on our 1 More Month to Zero Waste Challenge! How did you do giving up disposable plastic bottles? Was this challenge easy or hard?
June is a great time to give up on the convenience of disposable plastic bottles. It's a hot month where I live and that give this challenge an extra dimension! I have to make sure that I am carrying a reusable bottle, glass jar or other vessel if I want water when I'm out and about! This is not convenient, but putting aside your own convenience for the betterment of the environment and world is a big part of a Zero Waste lifestyle. Although it can be annoying at first, in the long run it makes me a happier person!! I know that by allowing myself to be slightly inconvenienced, I am a more mindful thoughtful person and lead a happier more fulfilled life.

Check out more 1 More Month of Zero Waste here:
January Trash Audit: https://youtu.be/Gs2W6Ngdl0s
Jan check in: https://youtu.be/Eu-k-JlTk8g
February Declutter: https://youtu.be/8RewurP4A-0
Feb check in: https://youtu.be/r1pq9neBavA
March Bag Swap: https://youtu.be/ZEYaYJJf4fw
Mar check in: https://youtu.be/idamcM3iOBI
April Composting: https://youtu.be/VFhAuVj-QJk
May Meatless Mondays: https://youtu.be/bavIJ4IqO58
May check in: https://youtu.be/kz_WqBxc2Uc
June No More Disposable Plastic Bottles: https://youtu.be/cogDPIwYQvM

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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7/4 - June Vlog Style Reading Wrap Up | June 2021 | 5 books in June | Nonfiction, sci fi and more!

Hi, I’m Mo.
June is over and I read 5 books this month! That is a slow reading month for me but I was not in a slump! I read some nonfiction, sci fi, historical fiction, and more.
My goal is always to read at least a book a week so 4 books per month. I just eeeked over in June! I read a wide range of books, some books by POC authors, some LGBTQIA+ books, and although I didn't love all of them, I've very happy!! Some of the books I read were mentioned in my Summer TBR video (https://youtu.be/dKxoj5eZ-ZQ) and one was in my 20 Books to Read in 2021 video (https://youtu.be/2B-1-xsbn1U). Have you read any of these books?

What was your favorite book you read this month?

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Books in this video:
The Book of Tea (1906) Kakuzō Okakura
Death Comes to Pemberley (2011) PD James
Sula (1973) Toni Morrison
Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl (2014) Carrie Brownstein
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) Hank Green

Channels Mentioned:
Gabriel Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpTfpKWM0tQQ0MG332Q3rPg
MH Books https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWazfmdrqpeqgXe0S0ON8Q

Cats in this video: none! But some birds in the garden!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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The Woman in Cabin 10

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

The Woman in Cabin 10 is the first book I’ve read by thriller favorite Ruth Ware and one of her earlier works.

The day after a traumatic break in to her house, Lo Blacklock heads out on a journalistic sea voyage. Far from quelling her fears, she quickly finds herself with a disturbing new mystery on her hands.

This is the 3rd of 3 contemporary modern day mystery/thriller that I have read so far in 2021. And it was the third one that did not work for me. The use of “modern” language (constant cursing) and unreliable narrator (a woman who has past trauma or illness and therefore is completely discounted), as well as a completely forgettable mystery seem to be the common trends in these books. From what I remember about the premise, this book could have been very interesting. The main character suffers from alcoholism and sometimes doubts her own mind which is an interesting device. The other characters, especially one that should be her advocate and friend, use this to discredit and admonish her and it felt very ableist and offensive. The idea of running from fear into danger was also an interesting idea. But ultimately I can’t even remember the conclusion of the mystery, only a few months later. Ruth Ware is a well loved novelist, but this is one of her earlier works and some say not the best example of her writing. I would be willing to try another of her books, but I don’t hold out much hope for getting on with her books. I have a few more contemporary mysteries/thrillers on my TBR shelf. I am a little shy to try more. I would definitely not recommend The Woman in Cabin 10. Have you read it? Do you agree or disagree?

What is your favorite modern or contemporary modern mystery?

This book is featured in my March Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

The Lake District Murder

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I picked up a used copy of The Lake District Murder by John Bude bc I was interested in the British Library Crime Classics series of books.

When Inspector Meredith is called out to an apparent suicide at a petrol garage, he thinks there is more to the case. As he investigates, he finds a conspiracy bigger than he ever imagined.

This is a golden age mystery written in the 1930s. I’m used to reading pretty exceptional golden age mysteries. The Lake District Murder was by no mean a bad mystery, but I would not say it was exceptional. It was definitely slow and not exciting. I really liked the inspector Meredith character and this is the the first of a series of book staring him. He is humble and creative, but he is also good at what he does. He uses disguises and sometimes plays the “bad cop” when needed. But he also heads home to enjoy lunch with his wife each day and has his son help him with the non dangerous aspects of a case. This mystery differed from many of the other golden age mysteries the I have read bc the plot widens out to have a bigger conspiracy besides just the murder. I liked that the larger plot was more involved. It happened to have to do with petrol and there was a looootttt to do with how petrol is moved, bought, sold, stored, etc… This might have been quite thrilling in the 1930s, but it lacks a little in this day and age. Overall I would recommend this book to those who like slow and steady mysteries, readers looking to read more golden age mysteries or those by lessor known authors, and people who like British life in the 30s.

I will definitely keep my eye out for other books in The Inspector Meredith series and the British Library Crime Classic series. Have you read any books in either of these series?

This book is featured in my March Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

A Week of Books

I have managed to get quite a bit behind on my book reviews, so let’s do something I haven’t done for a little while: A week of books!!

June in Review

What even happened in June? It was cool, warm, hot, rainy, dry. Things grew, things bloomed, things moved slowly, some things moved at a fact pace. We mostly stayed at home or worked.

We saw some #watchercats, took some walks and drives, saw friends and family, worked hard and tried to relax.

The beginning of the season is always a strange time. Work ramps up, but there is a undercurrent of unresolved anticipation as the season is proclaimed to be the end of May but doesn’t really gear up Until the end of June. By that time, you are so deep in it it’s hard to believe there was ever an off season.

How was your June? Are you read for July?

Weekly Video Round Up #27 - 6/14/2021 - 6/20/2021

6/17 - Moody Reader Book Tag | Am I a Mood Reader? | Reading Habit and Quirks | Reading Tag | Booktube

Hi, I’m Mo.
The Moody Reader Tag was created by Slanted Spines (https://youtu.be/7mhq-AXn3A0) and has some great questions about if you are a mood reader or not! I always like reading tags that help me learn about my reading habits!
What even is a mood reader? I define it as someone who reads what they want when they want. Some people read more to learn something, some people read for school or their own projects (like videos!), some people read a set TBR whether they are feeling it or not. I read what I feel like at that moment. I do sometimes line up the books that I want to read next. But even if I have a book in mind, if I were to start it and not want to read it, I would put it aside.
Here are the Questions:
1. Do you consider yourself a mood reader?
2. Do you set TBR lists and do you stick to them?
3. Do books affect you emotionally? Does the mood of a book rub off on you?
4. When you’re feeling sad, what do you read? (Or do you not read when sad?)
5. Most often, do you use reading to escape, to learn, or to critically reflect?
6. What is a book that made you laugh out loud?
7. What is a book that has made you cry? Or, if you don’t cry, one that really moved you?
8. What is a book that you didn’t even know how you felt about?
9. Are you more likely to read on a sunny day or a cloudy day?
10. Do you usually “set the mood” when you read? Music, lights, smells, etc?
11. Can you leap from book to book or do you need buffer time between them?

Channels mentioned:
Books and Sushi: https://youtu.be/uhc2cl0w_64
Savidge Reads: https://www.youtube.com/user/SavidgeReads/videos
Perpetualpages: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUI-rhwFBRlSlDhiQ9kubg

I tag:
Bob The Bookerer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo9wDCo3u3J5Sky9skhVkXA/videos
MH Books: https://www.youtube.com/user/hill7912A/videos
Mishelle Lexi: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboGrYXHeVXAxTpn7bGJqug/videos

Books in this video:
Skinny Legs and All (1990) Tom Robbins
Death Comes to Pemberley (2011) PD James

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: Flounder was hanging out near by.

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks
Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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6/20 - Cat Decor ASMR | Cat Items | Tapping, scratching, Bird and Outdoor Sounds, Long Natural Nails

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here is a Lo Fi ASMR video of some Cat Items from around the house. Natural big and outdoor sounds, gentle breathing, long natural nails, tapping on plastic, porcelain, and glass. Rubbing, and scratching.
I have so many cat themed decor items at my house! Of course!! I thought it would be fun to show some off and do some lofi ASMR. There is a tiger mask, a vintage cat photo, and a small cat statue. What cat items do you have in your house? What other household items would you like to see with ASMR?

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos two or three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks
Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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Weekly Video Round Up #26

6/12 - 1 More Month of Zero Waste | June 2021 | No More Water Bottles!! | Stop Disposables! | Easy and Free

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here we are in June and it's time for 1 More Month of Zero Waste. This month, let's give up disposable water bottles! Let's get one step closer to going Plastic Free! For 1 More Month of Zero Waste, we participate in easy and free zero waste challenges to change our lives for the better and create less waste!
This month we are giving up disposable water bottles. Learn to bring water with you where you go, use water filters, and be mindful and prepared in your daily life! Bring your reusable water bottle, a jar that you washed, or a cup from your house! By cutting out this expensive disposable we can better our environment and our lives. This is a small step to take but makes a big difference to the world! If you have disposable plastic bottles, please consider donating them to communities in need that might not have clean drinking water. There are disaster areas that need this kind of assistance, but also there are many close to home communities that may not have access to drinking water. With only a little research we can find people in need of plastic water bottles.
Check out more 1 More Month of Zero Waste here:
January Trash Audit: https://youtu.be/Gs2W6Ngdl0s
Jan check in: https://youtu.be/Eu-k-JlTk8g
February Declutter: https://youtu.be/8RewurP4A-0
Feb check in: https://youtu.be/r1pq9neBavA
March Bag Swap: https://youtu.be/ZEYaYJJf4fw
Mar check in: https://youtu.be/idamcM3iOBI
April Composting: https://youtu.be/VFhAuVj-QJk
May Meatless Mondays: https://youtu.be/bavIJ4IqO58
May check in: https://youtu.be/kz_WqBxc2Uc

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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6/13 - 1900 -1950 Readathon Reading Vlog | 5 Books! | Monthly Vlog | Modern Classic | Spring in Asbury Park!

Hi, I’m Mo.
In May I participated in the 1900-1950 Readathon created by Books and Thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCu0QEvzt0k&t=200s). I read 5 books, some modern classics, some nonfiction, and showed you what Spring in Asbury Park!
I was sooo happy to do this readathon and loved pretty much all the books I read! I read 3 nonfiction, a dystopian, a memoir, a philosophy book, a book of poems, a literary fiction, and they were all so good. I read one book for every decade from 1900-1950. I am so glad that books and things created this challenge! I hope that she leads this readathon again next year!
Here are the prompts:
1. Read a book published 1900–1950 from the country you’re from
2. Read a book published 1900–1950 from a different country
3. Read a genre classic, published 1900–1950 (such as classic crime, classic sci-fi, classic fantasy, historical fiction, etc)
4. Read something published 1900–1950 that isn’t a novel (such as non-fiction, plays, poetry, short stories, etc) 5. Read a work of literature published 1900–1950 set during or exploring WWI or WWII
Bonus challenge: Read a book from every decade of the period (1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s)

Books in this video:
The Loved One (1948) Evelyn Waugh
Out Of Africa (1937) Karin Blixen aka Isak Dinesen
World War One British Poets (1997) Various and Compiled by Candace Ward
Passing (1929) Nella Larson
The Book of Tea (1906) Kakuzō Okakura (couldn't find accurate translation info... Does anyone know?)

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: You can hear them rattling around in a few clips.

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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The Wife Upstairs

One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins has been making the rounds of BookTube since it came out in 2020.

Jane is escaping her past and trying to keep her head above water. She takes work in an affluent neighborhood, in part bc thats where the money is, but also bc she wants to imagine herself living there as well. When she does becomes engrained in the community she gets more than she bargained for.

I had seen this book on BookTube and it seemed like a fun little thriller. This was also one of the first really current book I got out of a LFL (Little Free Library). I had seen very modern books in them before, but this is the one I was interested in enough to pick up. Other than the idea that this was a thriller, I really didn’t know what to expect from this book. I found out that this was loosely a Jane Eyre retelling or at least loosely based on that classic. I have never read that book and am not really interested in that classic. Perhaps if I had read it, I might have enjoyed this book more? This book is the first in a short stint of contemporary mysteries set in modern day that I recently read but did not work for me. I find that the modern language (especially the over use of cursing) was jarring and off putting. I thought the plot was lacking nuance and I was not connected to any of the characters. The mystery and thriller aspect was neither all that mysterious or thrilling. This was one of the several books that I read that had duel narration and I find that that is not a writing device that I like. This book had an unreliable narrator, but I found that it capitalized on that idea that if a woman struggles with trauma, illness, or neurotic tendencies, she must be crazy and not taken seriously. I was very disappointed with the way that stress and trauma is dealt with and how the stress of a young woman is discounted as mental illness, and unreliability, untrustworthiness, and she is considered therefore a bad person, not only by the characters, but by the author to the readers. There were a few interesting ideas in this book, like notes being passed though books, kleptomania, and past traumas that are out of our control informing our adult lives. But over all they weren’t handled particularly well and were not enough to keep this book from being a shallow and empty read. I cannot recommend this book.

Have you read a book you would NOT suggest people read lately?

This book is featured in my March Wrap Up.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I love these bright pictures of Sante Fe.
There are definitely some books on this summer reading list I am interested in.
Some info on trees to plant in small yards. We have a few good trees in our yards, but you can always have more!
This article is a little odd, some questionable dates and names and far too many phrases that are american euphemisms for other things. But it certainly makes me want to eat a Caesar Salad.
To complete a good summer meal, I want to try some of these cocktails to make in large batches!

Mad Cat Garden | May 2021

May was the month that the star of our garden shined the brightest. We got this orange thyme when we made our first front yard bed and it’s been going strong ever since! We love it for it’s bushy nature and bright clean scent. We don’t cook with it, but just let it do it’s thing every year. But when it flowers is always a special moment.

This year we planted a fancy milkweed, tomatoes, tomatillos, and some pumpkins around the orange thyme. Another perennial that is planted in this bed is coming up as well. I’m not sure what plant it is, but it has purple flowers when it blooms and the bees love it.

We planted a mini pumpkin bed this year, but the pumpkins aren’t doing well. We had hoped to have a pumpkin patch in the front yard, but I think we will have to try again next year.

The bed on the other side, we planted some herbs including curry! It smells amazing! We put a pepper in there, but we stilll have ots of room for other plants.

Our other front bed has mint coming up all over! The rosemary from last year lived and is thriving, we planted a bunch of other herbs and flowers there, but only a few have come up so far.

What was your May garden doing? Ours is definitely a little stunted from the weird weather. When writing this (in early June), we’ve also had a lot of rain and some plants seem a bit drowned. We will see what the summer months bring!

Weekly Video Round Up #25 - 5/31 - 6/6/21

6/2 - May Meatless Mondays Check In | One More Month of Zero Waste | Free and Easy Zero Waste | Eat Local

Hi, I’m Mo.
It's time for our May One More Month of Zero Waste check in! How are your Meatless (fishless, cheeseless, etc...) Mondays going? Free and easy zero waste challenge.
One More Month of Zero Waste is an easy way to become more zero waste one more month at a time These are feee and easy monthly challenges to try and hopefully continue when the month is over. For May we gave up meat, or fish, or cheese, or something in our usual diet that has an environmental impact on the world, for one day each week. Maybe you gave it up for more than one day?
A good additional challenge for this month and to continue in the future is to see where the meat (or fish or dairy, or eggs...) you eat comes from. Visit a local farm, visit a harbor, meat some chickens! Does knowing where you get your food change what you eat? Or how you look at what you eat? How did you do on your Meatless Mondays? Was it hard or easy? What did you learn?
Past Videos:
January Trash Audit: https://youtu.be/Gs2W6Ngdl0s
Jan check in: https://youtu.be/Eu-k-JlTk8g
February Declutter: https://youtu.be/8RewurP4A-0
Feb check in: https://youtu.be/r1pq9neBavA
March Bag Swap: https://youtu.be/ZEYaYJJf4fw
Mar check in: https://youtu.be/idamcM3iOBI
April Composting: https://youtu.be/VFhAuVj-QJk

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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6/5 - May Vlog Style Reading Wrap Up | May 2021 | 8 Books | Nonfiction | Mysteries | Modern Classics

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here is my Vlog Style Reading Wrap Up for May 2021! I read 8 books, some mysteries, some modern classics, some nonfiction. I participated in a few readathons!
I started the month finishing up my Liguathon (Created by Noelle7Pages: https://www.youtube.com/user/ceiyr ) reading for that readathon.
You can check out my Linguathon Readathon Vlog here: https://youtu.be/ogjVnNTdVaw
Then I dove right into reading for the 1900-1950 Readathon (Created by Books and Things: https://www.youtube.com/user/thesilverscribe ). A vlog for that readathon is coming soon!
I also read my BookTube Spin Spin 2 (Created by Rick MacDonell: https://www.youtube.com/user/SuperMacDonnell ) book this month!
Here are my BookTube Spin Videos:
BookTube Spin Spin 2: https://youtu.be/61NvhY9V2hA
BookTube Spin Spin 1 Vlog :https://youtu.be/DD3hiNMNHF8
BookTube Spin Spin 1: https://youtu.be/UqXne0-dtWE

I read several mysteries, some books in series, a modern classic, a satire, and some nonfiction! What did you read this month?
I did ramble quite a bit in this video. I might try to time my vlog style reviews in the future. Do you like the long wrap ups? Or would you like to see them shorter?

Please check out my Summer TBR Video for a sneak peak at what I might be reading in June and July. https://youtu.be/dKxoj5eZ-ZQ

Books in this video:
The Baron in the Trees (1957) Italo Calvino and Translated By Archibald Colquhoun
Confess Fletch (1976) Gregory MacDonald
The Loved One (1948) Evelyn Waugh
Death is Now My Neighbor (1996) Colin Dexter
Out Of Africa (1937) Karin Blixen aka Isak Dinesen
World War One British Poets (1997) Various and Compiled by Candace Ward
The Private Patient (2008) PD James
Passing (1929) Nella Larson

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Cats in this video: None. Where are they???

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks

Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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6/6 - TBR ASMR #9 | Lo Fi BookTube ASMR | Tapping, rubbing, page turning, gentle breathing, dark and moody

Hi, I’m Mo.
Here is another Li Fi TBR ASMR! BookTube asmr with tapping, page turning, rubbing, gentle breathing. It was a dark and moody day! I'm really enjoying these lo fi asmr looks at white I might read in the month to come. I highly suggest wearing headphones for the most tingles for this vid! rubbing, page turning and soft tapping! What are your favorite ASMR sounds?

Books in this video: Death Comes to Pemberley (2011) PD James

Thanks for joining me today! I post videos three times a week. I post about creative simple living: books, cats, zero waste, bullet journaling, beach life, and more!

Original music by audionightlight. https://soundcloud.com/anlight/tracks
Blog: http://www.madcatquilts.com/blog
Instagram: http://instagram.com/madcat1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120401161-ana-mo-shoshin

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