I'm on a big deadline so I think the next two weeks I might pull back a bit from the blog. (Like, two posts instead of three!). I'm also a little worried about the rising number of Covid-19 cases....I'll probably be bunking down with work. Between this project for work and not wanting to get sick, I'm just going to be a bit MIA. 

Today I'm going to show my Book Drop subscription for May 2020. The Book Drop is a subscription from Bethany Books. There's usually a paperback book, maybe a bookmark and a card talking about the book. Also included is a brochure talking about new releases. Every once in awhile there's a letter from the author or something like that. 

May's book looks super cute (haven't read it as of yet). It wouldn't be something I picked out but I like the cover and I think it has an interesting premise. Granted...the books I pick out tend to be....murder-mysteries. So, that's not an really a significant statement from me. 

I think I'm just allergic to America. Well, maybe my state. Like, some type of thing is setting off my migraines more than normal. Besides the pandemic. Maybe it's just the pandemic. 

But I'm going to blame the stupid flowers and weather in my state because I'm in a mood. 

Whatever. I'm running on a lot of coffee. I slept like the dead last night after taking a triptan (a pain pill meant for migraines) and I feel like I got hit by a truck. That's not hyperbole --I was t-boned by a massive truck that ran a red light a few years ago and I feel about the same. I finished my work and I've uploaded some photos and so that's where I am in life. Drugged and behind. You know, the norm. 

For some reason I thought I had talked about Ayoade's book, but it's because I mentioned it in a Fri-Yay post. Obviously when I realised my error, I decided to make the post. We should all have Ayoade in our life. 

I have these four books on my kindle tablet. It's a four book series that follows a family, The Morgans, as they solve four different crimes. It's pure romantic suspense, with each of the four members of the Morgan family getting their own book and their own romance. I found these to be solid mysteries, solid romances and my ratings ranges from 3* to 4*. Sometimes I found the men to be extra grumpy and I didn't like the lady lead (which kinda makes a hard start). Burton's female leads tend to be harder as characters and her male leads tend to be closer to the "alpha" stereotype. There's nothing wrong with this of course, it's just not my favorite so I do struggle with that. My favorite book of the four was I'll Never Let You Go, which did have a mystery but was done differently than the other three. 

These were written between 2014-2016. I love a good romantic suspense (heavy on the mystery more than romance) book where there's a capture of a serial killer or deranged killer. The themes in these book deal with possibly wrong convictions, stalking, abuse, and forensics to solve old cases. I understand there are some real bad apples (or, in some cases, departments) that are wrecking the ideal of policing in real life. I haven't really resolved my favorite trope with real life as of yet. It's a worthy discussion though. 

I'm getting ready to start the "Last Seen" podcast, from WBUR (Boston's NPR station I believe). This is a podcast (one of two that I have) about the largest art theft in the United States' History, the theft from the Isabella Gardner Museum. To give a quick rundown, one night upon the museum's closure, thieves broke in, tied up the security guards, and, stole a huge amount of art. Some of the art was priceless whilst others were...not as priceless but still valuable. Thirteen pieces were stolen, including a Vermeer, Rembrandts, Manet and Flinck. There's a strong connection to the Boston Mafia (which, don't quote me on this, seemed to be squabbling between the Irish and Italian factions). Irish mobster (Irish = Irish American) Whitey Bulger is often linked to the crime. 

Bulger was terrifying to me when I learned about him. He helped break up the Italian mafia (to gain control himself) and also placed a mole in the FBI. Let that sink in. An Irish mobster infiltrated the FBI. He escaped after several murders and went on the run. He was finally caught a few years ago (and has since died in jail I believe). A very scary guy. 

I do think Lavish might be one of my older boxes now that PopSugar has stopped. Lavish Bath Box is great if you like bubble baths, indie bath makers, or anything of that nature. I've had it for years now and I've never had a bad box. I've also discovered a few bath bomb makers that I supplement my bath bomb supply with. 

The price is about $39.00 (USD) but there are different options (month to month, three and six months, etc). I have the month to month, which is is the $39 one. There's usually six items each month-a bubble bar, a bath bomb and then the rest of the items are different variations. Sometimes more bath bombs, body wash, bath salt, candles, bath oils, body oils, and hair spray. The scents differ for each item (usually connected to the monthly theme but sometimes not) so I've gotten some scents that I absolutely love and some that I didn't like as much. I would say that it's helped my nose differ some scents (if they're strong enough). 

March's theme is "Oh Honey" and was Honey themed. They had a previous box that had a similar theme and I really liked that box so I'm glad we have another similar theme. It smelled SO good. SO, SO, SO good. 

I finally managed to get all my TBR all in one area. They're in one of those tall bookcases that was left over from university days (via Target/Walmart) and then...stacked in front on the floor. I'm not too sure how many there are left because I didn't count them but maybe around 400-500. 

Which is a lot. Not going to make any qualms about that. It's not even counting my e-books. I'm quite determined to make a dent this year though. I read over 200 last year so I think it's doable. I realize these numbers are insane though. 

I'm actually reading a different Anne Stuart (a historical) but I'm going to talk about her second book in the fire series today. Isn't that a nice cover? I really like it. 

We made it to the weekend!! Yay! This week was rough. Well, I mean, for workload wise. I've also slept like the dead. I can't decided if I like my new pillows but I seem to be falling asleep as soon as my head hits them so maybe they're magic. They're much firmer than what I'd normally pick in the store...but then again...I was picking cheap pillows that barely lasted. 

Honestly, I've had a pretty chill, non-podcast week. I haven't started any new podcasts as of yet, although I have one on the Gardner Art Heist that I am super excited about. I've turned some lighter classical music on at night to read to, mostly Edvard Greig. I usually listen to jazz when I cook (or blues on the odd occasion) but I've been in a full on classical mood. It's chilled me out for creating schedules for work. You've probably heard of Greig and not realised it as he composed, In The Hall of the Mountain King. While nice it's not one of the ones I tend to pick. 

I've got to configure my news settings. I was looking at different stocks so my news aggro decided I was desperate for news on Disney parks re-openings (I am not). One piece of news was that they're getting to redesign splash mountain. Apparently the theme was "Song of the South" which was news to me. I've never seen that particular Disney movie (and I'd assume they'd prefer no one see it but I digress). The new theme will be The Princess and the Frog theme (with Tiana). I welcome this for a variety of reasons, getting rid of the tie-in to the movie is fine but like...Disney World needs some updating big time. I actually thought it looked really tired last time I went (I go every year more or less). None of the new movies are really represented in the park, which is a shame. 

It looks like it's been in the works for awhile so hopefully the rest of the park gets a refresh. I'm not going to pay out the ass for a run-down park Disney. 

I'm actually more concerned that they're reopening (Disney World is). It'll be a cold day in hell that I'd go to Disney during a pandemic but apparently some people are desperate. I'm not that obsessed with the mouse. 

Anyways, since I'm not going to Disney anytime soon, lets talk about PopSugar. They announced that they're no longer going to do the boxes. This is bad news because I really enjoyed them (although good news...no more tassels). I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I might try a different lifestyle box or I might just decrease my subscription. My issue with many subscription boxes is that sometimes the items included are really not worth the value claimed. We shall see.