I know things got kind of quiet around here again but lots has been happening. Of course lots of work but lots of great stuff too.

I’ve talked about the EAST Studio Tour that happens in Austin every Fall and how we never miss it. Every year it gets larger and it’s so wonderful and now there’s a WEST Studio Tour that will take place in the Spring. I thought it was a bit more spread out (required a lot of driving around – yuck) and harder to really feel the whole vibe but hopefully as it gets more established it’ll feel more cohesive. Still a great way to see lots of local art.

Last weekend we went to Fredericksburg for a quick visit and stayed at this wonderful B&B. Our cottage was the yellow one in the middle. We also took our bikes and got to ride around for a bit. I was a bit bummed out though because I found out a scrapbooking place I had visited before with a friend of mine is no longer in business.

And for my recent birthday look what I got. So excited to take pictures again.

So that’s a bit about what’s been going on with me. My posts will probably continue to be a hit or miss because I’ve just signed up to be part of the Austin Craft Riot Summer Show and as my shop has been a bit neglected that means I’ve got to start bookbinding like mad. It will be a bit of a craft riot in my home.

On a reading note, May was not a very good reading month. I only read three books, actually it could be four if I finish one this evening. I am getting close. And, I did have a DNF so not a very good reading month but as always I look forward to the possibilities of a new month.

Let me know if there’s a must-read book this Summer, or at least what will be a must-read for you.

Here’s what I came away with on my recent visit to Half Price Books:

• What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman. I wasn’t sure if I had this book but at only $1 I couldn’t pass it up. If I do have it I can always share it with someone from my mystery book group.
• A Legacy by Sybille Bedford.
• Blood Orange by Drusilla Campbell.
• Prospect Park West by Amy Sohn. I remember this book catching my attention first because I liked it’s cover.
• Faith by Jennifer Haigh. I really enjoyed her book Baker Towers so I hope this one will be an equally good read.

I can’t believe I got all of this bounty for $5. Good stuff. Let me know if you’ve read one of these and what you thought.

I’m making it an early night because I’ve had to take some allergy medicine and I am feeling sleepy. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Thank you guys for the YA mystery suggestions! I met up with my mystery group last night and while we ended up voting on another selection I definitely have the suggestions you gave me on my list and can bring them up at another time.

We had a good discussion on Cup Of Ghosts despite me not being completely prepared. I had to hurry up and skim through the end because I started reading the book a bit too late and I also had family in town last weekend. Speaking of family, my cousin who had been in the hospital for a month came to visit. It was such a wonderful surprise!  So good to see him getting better and of course to celebrate we had to do the obligatory trip to Half Price Books but more on that in another post.

So Cup of Ghosts was not a book club favorite mainly because the chief complaint was that the mystery was not all that mysterious. This was more of a historical novel with some murders and mischief. It was an interesting story but didn’t fulfill my mystery requirements.

Next month we’ll read Fun and Games by Duane Swierczynski which sounds like a very different read for our group. In case you are wondering which YA Mystery book we chose, we went with The Other Side of Dark by Joan Lowery Nixon. Also next month we’ll do our summer book exchange so I’ll have to start working on a pile of books to take for the exchange.

Now, I can get back to my Maisie Dobbs book. More tomorrow.