It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (November 18): 11/18/19

Hosted by Kathryn of Book Date.

It was a busy week. Lots of errand running. I finally got my newest pair of glasses after nearly two weeks of waiting. It's nice to be able to see books and computer screens clearly again.

10x10 acrylic painting of a Japanese daylily.

I finished the daylily painting. It took five hours from start to finish to paint.

Acrylic painting showing two royal terns on the wet sand at La Jolla Shores

I also completed a quick portrait of two royal terns arguing over something. I worked from a photograph I took about ten years ago at La Jolla Shores. The painting ended up being really fun to do and a lot quicker than most of my recent projects. I completed it in two and a half hours.

"Outside Wakamatsu": Acrylic painting showing a pair of matilija poppies which are growing in the parking lot of a local sushi restaurant. I'm three hours into this project.

I've also started this portrait of a mourning dove sitting in a Japanese plum tree. I'm two hours into the project.

Besides painting, I'm also getting back into the habit of going on photographic walks. I pick a local park or hiking trail and take my camera along to record the journey and scout out possible ideas for future paintings. Last Friday I went to the Japanese Tea Garden which is on the border between Hayward and Castro Valley.

What I read:

• I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
• Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
• Akissi: Tales of Mischief by Marguerite Abouet, Mathieu Sapin (illustrator)
• The Dragon Thief by Zetta Elliott
• Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
• Cat Got Your Crown by Julie Chase (audiobook)
• Gideon Falls, Volume 3: Stations of the Cross by Jeff Lemire, et. al.

What I'm reading:

• BLAME! Master Edition 1 by Tsutomu Nihei, 弐瓶 勉, Melissa Tanaka (Translator)
• Milo's World Book One: The Land Under the Lake by Richard Marazano and Christophe Ferreira
• It Devours! by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor
• Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia

Up Soon:

• The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum
• The Deep by Rivers Solomon
• Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
• Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat

Comments  (18)

Comment #1: Friday, November 15, 2019 at 19:08:23

Sue Jackson

Beautiful paintings!

My husband and I love Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series, set in National Parks, and I am curious to read this stand-alone of hers.

Hope you are enjoying your books this week - and good luck with NaNoWriMo!

Comment #2: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:02:00

Pussreboots

I think you'll enjoy What Rose Forgot. Rose is a lot like Anna Pigeon, just older.

Comment #3: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 00:17:00

Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out

There was an awesome Japanese Garden near my grandparents house which I used to going to when I stayed with them.

Wishing you a great reading week

Comment #4: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:04:00

Pussreboots

Our Japanese garden was originally started by the high school garden club about a hundred years ago. When the high school moved to its current location the city parks department took it over.

Comment #5: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 01:40:46

Cheryl Malandrinos

Your terns on the shore remind me of vacations in NC. A nice thought considering the cold temperatures here.

You've got a great list of books. The Dragon Thief and Now Entering Addamsville seem interesting to me this week. Hope you enjoy all your books.

Comment #6: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:04:00

Pussreboots

With your North Carolina memories, you might like Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn. I'm halfway through Now Entering Addamsville and I'm finding it delightful. If you're interested in The Dragon Thief, you should read Dragons in a Bag first.

Comment #7: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 08:51:55

Laurel-Rain Snow

I love the paintings! Enjoy your books and your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.

Comment #8: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:18:00

Pussreboots

Thank you. I hope to have more paintings to share on Monday.

Comment #9: Monday, November, 18, 2019 at 09:23:03

Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life

Great job with your paintings!

Milo's World looks really good. :)

Comment #10: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:19:00

Pussreboots

Milo's World was okay. The artwork is great.

Comment #11: Monday, November, 18, 2019 at 19:25:39

Yvonne

Great job on the paintings. They are beautiful! Have a great week!

Comment #12: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:21:00

Pussreboots

Thank you. I hope to have updates to share.

Comment #13: Monday, November, 18, 2019 at 20:12:31

Aj @ Read All The Things!

I need new glasses so badly. The lenses on mine are turning yellowish for some reason. I don’t know why, but it’s gross, and I can’t afford new ones right now. The paintings look awesome. I hope you have a great week!

Comment #14: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:22:00

Pussreboots

I think my old ones were starting to discolor too. They're transitional, darkening in sunlight. I think they're starting to stay darkish even in low light. But mostly it was my trouble reading that made me get the new ones. I'm sorry you can't take care of your glasses right now.

Comment #15: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 21:02:52

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

What a great way to find inspiration for your paintings. My daughter-in-law called me today and wants us to get together on Friday and paint. Maybe I will bring some photos of things I might like to try.

Are you missing the Cybils this year? We miss you! I always love seeing the variety of books you read. Enjoy your week. I hope it won’t be quite so busy for you.

Comment #16: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 12:25:00

Pussreboots

I hope you do paint with your daughter in law. Photos really do help with the process. In all honesty, no, I'm not missing the Cybils, which is why I'm taking the year off. It was better for the organization to let a new and enthusiastic person take my spot.

Comment #17: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 15:24:39

Kathy Martin

Great art and a wonderful assortment of books too. I didn't finish Now Entering Addamsville and hope you like it better than I did. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

Comment #18: Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 16:45:00

Pussreboots

I enjoyed Now Entering Addamsville. I'll be posting my review tonight.