My Goings-On in August:
Here are the things that stand out to me this month:
- Vacation! We went to the Ozarks for a family vacation, which was really fun. I have some pictures in this Sunday Post if you’d like to see them.
- Back to school. We drove Jade back to Illinois Tech, and Noah and Danielle started their Junior and Senior years, respectively. How does time keep marching on?
- Writing. I’ve been plugging along with my current draft of my WIP. I need to put my head down and keep writing, so I haven’t been blogging (or reading) much.
- Fitness Update. Some of you might remember that I bought a NordicTrack S22i exercise bike back in February, and I’ve been trying hard to work out four days a week. I’ve also been doing intermittent fasting (I don’t eat after 7 PM or before 9 AM). Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 23 pounds so far. And, even better, I was able to keep up on a fast hike while on vacation in Missouri (in a rainstorm) without huffing and puffing!
Features & Discussions:
August 2021 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway
August 2021 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up & Giveaway
My 2021 Reading Progress:
I only read 5 books in August, putting me at 71 books so far this year. I’m still 5 books ahead of being on track for my Goodreads goal of 100.
I’m still at 9 manuscripts read for the year.
August 2021 Reviews
- Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia | Review
- XOXO by Axie Oh | Review
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune | Review
- Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet by Valentina Camerini | Review
- The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi | Review
August Best of the Bunch:
(Best of the Bunch is hosted over at Cocoon of Books. We link up our favorite reads of the month!)
Since I reviewed so few books in August, I’m only choosing one favorite, The House On the Cerulean Sea. I am so glad I listened to this book!
2021 Goals Progress:
The Discussion Challenge is my one and only goal for 2021.
Progress: 6/21-30 Discussions (Chatty Kathy)
I posted no discussions in August. Or July. Or June? Basically, I’m losing at blogging this year.
How to Create Book Page Art. (And a Peek at Mine!)
The Joys of Verse Novels, Graphic Novels and Other Very Quick Reads. Let’s Discuss!
Balancing Spending on the Blog, Making Money, and All the Moral Dilemmas that Go Along With It
I’ve Been Stalking Your Goodreads.
2020 End of Year Book Survey (& Year in Graphs!)
Unbiased Reviews: Is There Such a Thing?
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts at Midnight
Wrap-Up Round-Up!
Don’t forget to link your August wrap-up posts up to the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up. And enter the giveaway!
Wow! You are doing amazing with your fitness goals. Good for you! That Klune book gets so much love. I am going to have to read it one of these days.
I’m proud that I haven’t given up on getting back into shape.
Way to go! You are killing it on so many goals. Now if the weather cools down, I’ll make more progress plus my hip may be improved enough to add back some of my usual stuff. We will see after I add back the walking.
Congrats on your weight loss! Happy September!
Ooo the Oozarks! And The House in the Cerulean Sea was so sweet!
Sounds like August was a great month for you! I think I need to re-work my own fitness goals to be less of the weight-loss, and more of the “less huffing and puffing” type of goal. It sounds like you’re doing great with both!
I’m glad you liked the audio of Cerulean Sea. It was a favorite of mine too.
That’s great with the bike and increasing your endurance. I hurt my knee last month so I had to switch to using my husband’s exercise bike and I’ve always sucked at equipment like that but I’m getting better and better with it.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
You’ve had a busy month. I can’t believe it is time for the kids to be back in school! Where did the summer go?
Congrats on your weight loss and fitness progress. That definitely takes dedication.
I’ve heard lots of good things about The House in the Cerulean Sea, glad you enjoyed it too.
Have a great September!
Congrats on the weight loss! I lost a bunch of weight too, but I’ve been stress eating everything in sight this summer and putting it back on. I hope you’re having a great September!
Yeah, I’m really trying not to let myself sink back into those old habits – it can definitely be hard!
I’ve heard great things about The House at the Cerulean Sea, very curious about it.
And aren’t kids growing too fast? Mine just five. o_o
I have got to get to exercising! I am thinking of getting maybe a Peloton bike? I don’t know. I just never understood how stationary bikes could help lose weight? Even though so many people do! Went and clicked on the link for your vacation pics since I didn’t have time to read that post earlier when you posted it. I love the Ozarks so much. I wish I had time to go back and have another writing retreat by myself there. Well, time and money! Oh well. Looks like August wasn’t too bad a month for you.
The bike definitely helped me lose weight, along with the intermittent fasting. I had gained a lot from sitting around during lockdowns – and honestly before that as well. I’m getting down there now and trying to get back to a weight I haven’t been in many years.
YAY YOU! That’s absolutely amazing about the exercise bike and how you did on a hike, feel sooooo proud of yourself!!!! I have only allowed myself to watch my favorite show if I’m on my elliptical or bike so that has been a good motivator….plus my mom and good friend are doing the same so we can text each about the show lol. Here’s hoping you haven’t cried while working out, I was a complete mess a few weeks ago over a death on Vampire Diaries and almost fell off the elliptical lol.
I hope to read The house in the Cerulean Sea sooner than later–I have a paperback copy here in my TBR pile. I’ve never visited The Ozarks, but now that my parents moved to MO, maybe we’ll get there too. Great job on your fitness goals! Some days I struggle with mine, but I always feel better getting in my workouts and eating (mostly) healthy.