This week has been one long flu-fest at our house. I spoke too soon when I said Josiah was pretty much over it; it turns out that what he was getting over was a bad cold and he hadn’t started on the flu yet. Jonathan started in with the fever, cough, and body aches Sunday evening while I was at Mom and Dad’s watching the Oscars. (Side note: Viola Davis and George Clooney were robbed. And I’m sorry, but we invented sound and I love words, so there is no way I’m going to get behind a Best Picture winner with no talking! Rant over.) Josiah got sick Monday morning. Natalie, Kevin, and I – so far – have been fortunate enough to stay healthy. Praying that continues to be the case! The boys are all fever-free now, but it was a long one – six days of fever for Noah, five for the other two!
While the boys laid on the couch, taking Tylenol and sipping chicken soup, Natalie did extra school work. She is working on getting ahead, because at the end of the month she is taking a two-week spring break and heading south to California with her best friend Caity, and Caity’s parents. I, meanwhile, am trying not to freak out at the idea of my daughter being gone for two whole weeks! The longest she’s been gone from home before was five days for sleep-away camp.
In spite of sickness, it’s been a laid-back week. No driving back and forth to classes. I’m not leading music at church tomorrow, so no prep time. I finished the three print books I was working on last week (links will take you to my reviews): The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson, Legend by Marie Lu and The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry. I also posted my review of the audiobook edition of The Last Child by John Hart and the schedule and sign-up post for the March read-along of The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey. Oh, and don’t forget, I have an ARC of Carol Anshaw’s Carry the One up for grabs.
Today will be fairly low-key. Church in the morning, a short meeting after the service, then the rest of the day at home with the family. I should have some time to read one or more of my in-progress books.
In print:
~ The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey
~ Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
~ These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
~ Promises to Keep by Jane Green
On audio:
~ The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler
~ Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult
Time for an update on my reading challenges:
We are two months into The TBR Double Dare, and so far, I have resisted temptation to read anything off-limits. That doesn’t mean I haven’t purchased any books in the past two months, but I haven’t cracked them open yet. 
And it seems to be working – I’ve read 13 books so far this year that were on my shelves at the end of 2011.
Here are the other challenges I’m taking part in:
The 2012 War Through the Generations:
Goal: 4 books
Read: 2 books
Where Are You Reading Challenge:
I’ve read books from six states and five countries so far.
Merely Mystery Reading Challenge:
Goal: 10 books
Read: 6 books
2012 Essay Challenge:
Goal: 30 essays
Read: 13 essays
Graham Greene Challenge:
Goal: 4 books
Read: 0 books
2012 Ireland Challenge:
Goal: 12 books
Read: 2 books
What’s In a Name 5:
Goal: 6 books
Read: 2 books
Books finished in February:
The Most Dangerous Thing
A Duty to the Dead
Digging to America
In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination
Divergent
Pretty
The Last Storyteller
I’ve Got Your Number
The Last Child
The Lantern
Legend
The Memory of Old Jack
Viola Davis was robbed! (I was rooting for Brad Pitt though)
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last post ..Books on TV: Gossip Girl and The Talented Ivy Dickens
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Amy – I thought Brad was really good, too, but that scene in The Descendants – in the hospital room? George killed me – I was a wreck.
Twitter: bermudaonion
says:
I hope everyone stays well at your house! I so agree with you on The Artist – I saw the movie and it is overhyped.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last post ..Author event and giveaway: Eleanor Brown
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathy – I think we are finally over the sickness/bug – everyone is fever free with just a few nagging coughs hanging on. Thank goodness!
Twitter: unfnshdprsn
says:
I haven’t seen The Artist yet, so I can’t say whether I agree with you or not.
However, I can say that I am sorry about everyone being sick. I feel like such a rube for mentioning my stomach bug this past week on Facebook to you when you were dealing with all of that and more in your own house. “Me, me, me: look at me.” I’m sure unfortunately you’re used to it by now.
unfinishedperson´s last post ..More nerd porn
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Bryan – Okay, now you’re making me feel guilty, because I haven’t seen The Artist yet, either. And I probably won’t – so I’ll just have to suppress that guilt. LOL And no worries about talking about being sick – I wasn’t sick, and stomach bugs are horrible. I’d complain, too!
Sorry to hear about the boys being sick. It seems to be that time of the year for it, though. And, to have a bad cold AND then the flu. Sometimes it just does not work out so well… Glad everyone is on the mend now, though.
Congrats on all your progress with your challenges and for reading books off your bookshelves.
Kailana´s last post ..Fair Game: An Alpha & Omega Novel (Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kelly – thanks – I’m really hoping this is the last of the sickness for a while!
Twitter: laurelrainsnow
says:
I agree with you about the Oscars. The Artist just sounds boring to me…and I really hate when they go crazy over one movie!
The Help was my favorite of the movies up for awards…and I’m glad that Octavia Spencer won for Best Supporting Actress. Otherwise, pretty disappointing show.
I see some books on your February list that I loved, like Digging to America and I’ve Got Your Number. I’m curious about The Last Child.
Here’s MY SUNDAY SALON POST
Laurel-Rain Snow´s last post ..AUTHOR’S HOME PAGE
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Laurel-Rain – I really, really wanted The Help to win. But I’m over it. Mostly.
Twitter: Vasilly
says:
I haven’t seen any of the movies that were nominated for Best Picture, so I can’t agree with you just yet.
Yay for a laid-back week. I’m pretty much failing the TBR Dare but now that I dropped a class, maybe I can get back into it. Have a great day.
Vasilly´s last post ..Sunday Salon: Gratitude and a Question about ARCs
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
V – My opinion wasn’t exactly unbiased, as I’d only seen three of the films.
I hope things ease up for you a bit!
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
I just got The Last Child on audio and plan to start it right after I finish the one I’m listening to now (Stay Awake). I am one of the people who really loved The Artist. I agree it was very heavily hyped, but I thought it was precious. It made me feel happy, it was clever, and took huge cojones to produce, considering that everything out there right now is special effect and high action.
Sandy´s last post ..Sunday Salon: The Week Without End
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – I hope you love The Last Child as much as I did – I thought it was excellent. And I don’t know if I can watch The Artist – I think it would be boring. Maybe with enough wine…
I’m sorry you had a rough flu week. Hopefully, everyone is over it, and those who were healthy remain healthy in the weeks to come!
I haven’t seen any of the movies that were up for Best Picture but I do agree that the Best Picture should have sound in it.
I hope you had a restful and productive Sunday!
Michelle´s last post ..The Sunday Salon – March 4th
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Thanks, Michelle – we seem to be past the worst of it!
I hope everyone in your house is feeling healthy in no time. Both Mouse and I are fighting colds right now. I think the end is in sight though. Now it’s Dad’s turn to get it–just in time for Mouse’s birthday. :-S
I need to tally up my challenge reading stats–although I have a feeling I might be disappointed. LOL
Have a great week, Carrie!
Literary Feline´s last post ..Bookish Thoughts: Under the Skin by Michel Faber
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Wendy – I hope you are getting over your cold! And don’t worry about challenges – we’re only two months into the year!
I hope by now all of the sickness is behind you and that it is only a bad memory now.
Kathleen´s last post ..Review: Between a Rock and Hot Place by Tracey Jackson
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathleen – it is a memory now – it was a yucky flu, though!