New work laptop has arrived. My personal machine will become my personal machine again instead of personal/developer. Now to figure out what paid software I need to have repurchased with a business license instead of my license.

Finished reading: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley 📚

Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚

This was an amazing time loop story. Loved the span of timelines.

Finished reading: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers 📚

A quick heartfelt read about “what am I for.” Both of the characters are fascinating and lost.

We’ve been looking at dogs to adopt/rescue. We’d like another Saint Bernard, but so many available are some sort of “Saint Bernard mix” that looks to be as much Saint Bernard as a Ferrari F40 is a family car.

Finished reading: The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal 📚

Wow, can’t wait to start the next book in the Lady Astronaut series. Alternative space race, except it’s for human’s survival after a planet killing meteorite hits the earth off the coast of Maryland.

We adulted and got a new mattress today. We’ve had a memory foam mattress for the past 13yrs, and the first 10 it was great. The past 3 have been ok, but the past 2 weeks have been full of back pain. Laying down on the new mattress after setting it up, and it’s “oh, that’s where my back should be.”

Finished reading: Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare 📚

This was an epic fantasy. Excellent world building, intriguing characters. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

Finished reading: Centaur Aisle by Piers Anthony 📚

Another Xanth book in the books. This is a fun fantasy world.

We are in need of upgrading our Outback to something a bit bigger. I’d love to go electric, but I did the math this afternoon, and between the Kia Telluride and EV9, and how much we drive, it’d be between 7-9 years before we broke even on the price difference with gas prices at $3.75/gal.

Finished reading: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 📚

Another wonderful Naomi Novik book. This felt like a Grimm fairytale, but more elaborate and cunning. I didn’t want to put it down.

Finished reading: All Clear by Connie Willis 📚

What a brilliant ending to Blackout. I did not see some of the plot twists and turns coming, especially toward the end. Very enjoyable read.

Cleaned out my wallet, and found this. What was once my favorite local brewery, they had a wonderful brown ale and chocolate stout, but have been taken over by a bank after issues during the pandemic. Now they act like ownership hasn’t changed, and it just feels scummy.

Here are the books I finished reading in 2023. I had a goal of reading 40 books this year, a significant jump from the past several years, and managed 44 finished, with one awful DNF (Babel, by RF Kuang). Looking forward to many more in 2024.

Our 4yr old wanted a “wobbly bridge” for our mini crawler rc trucks. So this afternoon I drew up some plans, and spent a little time out in the garage. Came back inside with a pile of wood, and some string and we built this rope bridge. She loves it.

Finally making progress on flooring on the hallway project. It’s only been just over 2 years since we ripped things out to start this. Looking forward wrapping toss up.

Watched the Super Mario Bros movie tonight. We both really enjoyed it, and it was fun seeing all the different Nintendo stuff throughout the movie.

Ready for some night mountain bike riding! Got the Outbound Lighting trail lights. New bar and helmet lights. Now to get the out on the trail and see how well they illuminate the trail.

Finished reading: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna 📚

A very cozy story of a modern day witch. Fun, and enjoyable read.

Finished reading: All Systems Red by Martha Wells 📚

This went way too fast, really entertaining book, can’t wait to read more of the Murderbot series.

Finished reading: Blackout by Connie Willis 📚

Really interesting time travel story. Started off a bit hectic, but by the halfway point, I didn’t want to put the book down. It has been a while since I’ve read a book that ended with “…to be continued” though. I’ll be picking up the sequel soon.

Finished reading: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 📚

I don’t know how I haven’t read this before now. Interesting story about time travel and peculiar skills. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

Finished reading: Starter Villain by John Scalzi 📚

Holy shit, was this a fantastic and fun read. I’m really enjoying Scalzi’s work.

Finished reading: War for the Oaks by Emma Bull 📚

Fantastic story of Fae and mortal lives intertwining. Exciting music, thrilling events. I didn’t want to put this one down.

Finished reading: The Sinister Mystery of the Mesmerizing Girl by Theodora Goss 📚

Thrilling entry involving the Athena Club. This is book 3 of the series and I’ve enjoyed each of them.