Sunday Post | Reading is Better than Cleaning

Posted April 6, 2024 by Haze in Sunday Post, Weekly Book Memes / 28 Comments

Welcome to the Sunday Post, a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer to share weekly news and updates on what we’ve been up to on our blog, with our books, and book-related happenings. 

Reading is Better than Cleaning

The “Spring Cleaning” has become more of a regular cleaning, which is fine. I’m good with it. I’m accepting it. Regular cleaning is good too.

Honestly, I’ve been spending a lot more time looking around the house, planning it in my head, and procrastinating, than actually cleaning. And consequentially, I haven’t had the peace of mind to read very much last week. Which I guess is good because I haven’t caught up with my book reviews either.

Why do I do this to myself?

I could’ve just read my books and let my house be a mess. Lesson learned. Next time whenever I think of cleaning, I’ll read instead. Remind me again if you ever hear me say I’m planning to clean.

(P.S. I’m not even going to mention that it snowed again.)

All the happy things:

  1. My husband is back home from his trip! Yay, I’ve missed him!
  2. My mother bought me some brand new clothes!
  3. I got some of my old favorite books out of storage and I can’t wait to revisit them again.
  4. I made cookies!
  5. Our next check-in for The Count of Monte Cristo readalong is tomorrow morning (Sunday morning, I’m writing this on Saturday), I’m so excited for the discussion!

The Books

Books I read last week:

  1. Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt – I loved that it was about comedy and comedians, and of course, that it had a fake dating trope. I also love that it featured a deaf character and deaf-specific jokes. I listened on audio and it was just a fun read.
  2. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – This book was one of the nominees for my in-person book club’s April BOTM. It didn’t win, but I was intrigued and it was available on audiobook so I decided to read it anyway. I’m glad I did, it was really good!
  3. The Way Forward by Yung Pueblo – I’ve been reading this on and off a few pages at a time because it makes me stop and think and reflect. I love the sentiments and it really resonates for me. I originally borrowed a library copy but now I feel like I want to buy my own copy so I can write in it and/or make notes.
  4. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal – (DNF) I was really excited for this because I’d heard so many good things about the author and her books, and it was supposed to be a buddy read, but I only got 22% in and I couldn’t keep going because it annoyed me so much. I felt there was a lot of telling instead of showing and the characters just didn’t connect for me. I’m pretty disappointed because I was looking forward to reading the author’s other books as well, but I don’t think I will now.

Books I’m (still) reading:

  1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – I finished reading up to the assigned chapters for the discussion tomorrow. And then it’s all the way to the end after that. The next check-in is supposed to be the last. I’ve read this book many times already, but I’m loving it all over again with this readalong experience!
  2. Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett – Finally getting back to Emily Wilde! I just started and I’m only on Chapter 2, but I’m hoping to spend the whole weekend binging if I can!

Last Week on The Blog

This Week

I’ve got The Count of Monte Cristo on audio, and Emily Wilde on print. Hopefully I can finish them both this week.

How was your week? I hope you had a great week last week, and I hope you have a great one again this week!

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28 responses to “Sunday Post | Reading is Better than Cleaning”

  1. sjhigbee

    I hear what you say about cleaning! Our house (other than the kitchen and bathroom) was frankly filthy after I was ill with long covid for nearly 3 years and bit by bit I’m getting around to it. But it’s baby steps and I’ve still a way to go before I can look around and know that it’s as decluttered, tidy and as clean as I’d like it. But I cannot do much at a time, so I’m learning to pace myself – and if there’s a certain book calling to me, that gets priority:)). Have a great week and enjoy Emily Wilde – I loved it!

    Reply
    • Haze

      You’re right, I have to learn to pace myself too. I think I got too ambitious, but I gotta start small and then stay consistent. Thank you! I’m really looking forward to Emily Wilde!

      Reply
    • Haze

      I can see how it would be difficult with two young children! I don’t think I’ll manage to finish the book this weekend, but I’ll try to get as much read as I can. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Anne - Books of My Heart

    Everything is better than cleaning! I try to do small bits at a time. I must do the laundry, dishes, cooking, kitchen cleanup, shopping, dog feeding, walking. Then I try to add in a small thing each day. This is why I bought a cordless stick vacuum as it is quick & easy to run around for 15 minutes.
    Funny Feelings sounds good!

    Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    Reply
    • Haze

      Yeah, I’m disappointed about it, but the other readers I’m buddy reading it with seem to enjoy it, so maybe it’s just me?

      Reply
    • Haze

      I listen to audiobooks when I do chores around the house too. I think it’s because I was trying to do deep cleaning instead of regular cleaning that it made me overthink and not able to focus.

      Reply
  8. Sara

    I’m also in the middle of Spring Cleaning. It’s a big task, but satisfying when it comes together at the end! I’m sorry to hear about A Tempest For Tea – I’ve heard lots of great things as well but now I’m hesitant to pick it up.

    Happy reading!

    Reply
    • Haze

      The other people I buddy read it with seemed happy with the book. It might be just me. I hope you’ll give it a try if you still want to!

      Reply
  10. Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits

    Cleaning is annoying, but staying on top of it does generally mean it will be easier in the long run. When you can stay on top of it, anyway. I know I’ve been having issues lately, since I injured my shoulder and can’t do as much as normal. Reading is much less physically demanding. 😉

    Reply
    • Haze

      I feel you! My shoulder is still acting up off and on. I want to rest it more but then I definitely also want to stay on top of the cleaning. 😅

      Reply
  11. Jaime

    I’m glad you liked Clap When You Land! The audiobook for Elizabeth’s books are always phenomenal.

    Sorry that you didn’t like Tempest of Tea. I can see how it would annoy someone. I didn’t like her other books, so I would think if you didn’t like Tempest, you wouldn’t enjoy those (but I could be wrong).

    Reply
    • Haze

      I do like Clap When You Land! I’ll look out for Elizabeth’ other books for sure!

      I might give Hafsah’s books another try, hopefully I’ll like them better, but I’m not going out of my way to read them if I have other books I’m more excited about.

      Reply
  12. Literary Feline

    I am right there with you–I had big plans for spring break in terms of spring cleaning, but not much of it got done. I also wanted to catch up on some of my review writing, but that also didn’t happen. Now I’m back at work and need to find a way to carve out the time. I am adding Clap When You Land to my wish list. That’s too bad about A Tempest of Tea. It sounded so promising. I hope you are enjoying Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands. I love that series. I hope you have a great week and enjoy your reading!

    Reply
    • Haze

      Lol, the best laid plans and all that, right? I hope you enjoy Clap When You Land when you read it! I just finished Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands and I loved it!

      Reply
  13. Jinjer

    I just finished a deep clean of my apartment so I feel ya. I don’t think I managed to read a single page last week!

    What kind of cookies did you make?

    Reply

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