Welcome to The Weekend Post #153! The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I will also be joining Deb at Readerbuzz for the Sunday Salon and Marlene of Reading Reality in her meme Stacking The Shelves.
My Week:
What an absolutely lovely stretch of weather we’ve had here in Vancouver! Aside from a brief overnight rain shower, it’s been nothing but glorious sunshine all week long. The kind of weather that just pulls you outdoors—and I’m all for it.
We had a beautiful Easter celebration last weekend, complete with a big family dinner hosted by my sister. It was one of those gatherings where the food is plentiful, the laughter is easy, and the time together feels extra special.
This weekend, we’ll be gathering again to celebrate a very important milestone: my dad’s 89th birthday. He’s faced some significant health challenges over the past decade, including multiple battles with cancer, but he continues to inspire us all with his resilience and determination. We’re so grateful to be able to mark this occasion with him.
On a different note, I made a decision this week to shift my reading habits and focus on audiobooks for the foreseeable future. I’ve been dedicating more time to daily exercise—often two hours or more—and listening to books while I move just makes sense. It’s a great way to stay on top of my reading while making the most of that time. I’m currently working my way through the last of my print ARCs before fully committing to audio.
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, Edelweiss+ & Libro.fm: None that I have accepted.
From The Library: None. I’ve declined a few I’ve had on hold to try and get through my already long TBR list first.
From Audible: None.
What I’m Watching:
I’m looking forward to watching Another Simple Favor on Prime which begins streaming May 1. This film is the sequel to A Simple Favor and is set on the island of Capri, Italy where friends and family gather for Emily’s lavish wedding to a rich Italian businessman. It has an all-star cast including Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Allison Janney.
On The Blog This Week:
Must-Read Books By Canadian Authors Publishing in Spring 2025
Book Review: Born For This by Caitlin Devlin
Can’t Wait Wednesday #135: Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt
Book Review: Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
Book Review: Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
This Post: The Weekend Post #153
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Eight Debut Novels Publishing in Spring 2025
Book Review: The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
Can’t Wait Wednesday #136
April 2025 Wrap Up
Celebrity Book Club Picks for May 2025
The Weekend Post #154
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #153. How was your week?Â
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
That’s a wonderful birthday milestone for your father! Wonderful that you and your family had a beautiful celebration, Jodie💜 Kudos to you for your focus on audiobooks. I made the switch a few years ago for similar reasons.
thathappyreader
Thanks Jonetta.
Harvee
I’ve tried focusing only on audiobooks but drift back to reading books! Will keep trying!
have a good week
thathappyreader
You too Harvee!
Cindy's Book Corner
Happy birthday to your dad, that is for sure worthy of a celebration! I need to get back into walking now that the weather is getting nicer, I prefer audiobooks as well when I am walking and stuff. I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Cindy!
JamieAdStories
You always seem to get through lots of books. I recently listened to an audiobook about Whoopi Goldberg growing up. I bet you would enjoy The White Lotus TV series.
thathappyreader
I enjoyed the first two seasons of The White Lotus but don’t want to pay to get yet another the streaming service to watch the third season right now ($20 a month).
Vicki
Wishing your dad a wonderful 89th birthday, and many more!
I tried audiobooks years ago not long after they came out but didn’t like them. Then a few years later I tried again and was hooked. Now I rarely read a physical book. I can listen no matter what I’m doing. But, my son and I recently went to Canada and stopped at a bookstore. I saw a signed copy off Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green so I bought it
I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Vicki! I’ve been hooked on audiobooks for years too.
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
Happy birthday to your dad! I, too, know the delight of having my dad around at an advanced age—my dad is 98.
I never used to listen to audiobooks, but I enjoy them now sometimes, especially before bed.
thathappyreader
I remember photos of your Dad on his birthday Deb – that’s amazing. We are both so lucky to have our Dads at this point in our life, aren’t we?
Anne - Books of My Heart
Glad you have those wonderful family events. Our weather has also been mostly sunny. I’m watering because we could use more rain. I’ve made the switch to mostly audio over the past 10 years for some of the same reasons. Be aware that audiobooks can be harder to get and they are available much closer to release date or even after release.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
Over half of my reading over the past decade has been audiobooks. I’m just looking to make most of it in this format Anne.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
For the most part it was cloudy and a little rain for us this past week. Looking like more of the same this coming week. Good luck with your switch to audio! That’s a great challenge. Have a great week!
thathappyreader
Thanks Lisa.
hena
Happy Birthday to your dad. Nice to hear that you had such a lovely Easter.
While I am both reading and listening.. I do find myself going through more audiobooks than physical.
thathappyreader
It sounds like audiobooks are more popular these days!
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
Happy Birthday to your dad, Jodie. I love the spring weather, I just wish ours was more consistent. We were 27 degrees earlier in the week, so I had to turn on the AC, then last night it got so cold, my house was 61 when I got up and I had to put the heat back on. I hope you pick some great audiobooks to listen to while exercising. Have a great week, Jodie.
thathappyreader
We’re in the same position here Carla.
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader
Happy birthday to your dad!
I was sorry to hear the terrible news coming out of Vancouver this morning when I woke up. Hope everyone you know is safe.
I love listening to audiobooks, but I loved reading paper and ebook books too! Such a dilemna. I mainly listen when I drive.
Have a great week.
thathappyreader
Thank you for your kind thoughts Marg. It is absolutely devastating.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
Happy Birthday to your dad!! My mom’s birthday was this weekend!
thathappyreader
Happy Birthday to your Mom Erin!
Her Digital Coffee
I’m glad to hear that you had a wonderful Easter celebration. Wishing your dad a Happy Birthday! What a great milestone and I hope you all had an incredible time. Have a great week Jodie!
thathappyreader
You too Winnie!