Mid-Year Book Freak out

 

Best book you've read so far: My first book of the year was a five star read - Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross.  It is a beautifully written story that I really enjoyed.   I also enjoyed the newest Nora Roberts' release, The Final Target.  I heard some complaints that there was too much of what I'll call "domestic" plot - time spent talking about the renovation of her new home, wood working, etc, but I liked that part. I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy those "cozy" aspects of reading.  That's one of the reasons, I really enjoyed my reread of the Lost Bride trilogy - lots of talk about cooking and the house in addition to the main plot.

Best sequel you've read so far: Surprisingly to me, I have really enjoyed reading the ACOTAR books by Sarah J. Maas.  Specifically, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ones.  I liked the first one, too, but it's not a sequel.

New release you haven't read yet, but want to: I really enjoyed The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty, so I'm anticipating the second one in the series, Tapestry of Fate.  It's on my bookshelf, but I haven't gotten to it yet,

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: I always enjoy the new releases by Nora Roberts and JD Robb, so I'm looking forward to those.  Also on my New Release list are Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher, A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett, and the Magic and Mystery collection short stories by various authors.

Biggest disappointment: It has to be The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I couldn't wait for that book to be over. There were a couple of rereads I did that were disappointing, only because when I read them the first time, I really enjoyed them, but now, a few decades later, the arrogance of the main male character was overwhelming.  I also have to add Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey to this list. Ugh.  I had hoped to like The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft more than I did; it wasn't terrible, but I'm not sure I'm motivated to continue the series.

Biggest surprise:  I really loved The River has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar. Beautifully written; just loved reading it.  And I've already mentioned how surprised I was to like the ACOTAR series. 

Best audiobook: I very much enjoy audiobooks, and they enable me to read for two hours every work day (during my commute). I haven't listened to one this year that I didn't like. I especially appreciate the audiobooks for Hail Mary and The River has Roots. The River has Roots included original music that enhanced the story. While I did not like the book Greenlights, I did appreciate that Matthew McConaughey read it for the audiobook; having the author read his memoir made it more real to me.

Favorite new author (debut or new to you):  Sarah J. Maas, Shannon Chakraborty, and Beth Brower

Newest fictional crush:  It has to be Rhysand from ACOTAR, although it took me a little while to get there.

Newest favorite character:  I'm enjoying Emma M. Lion and Temeraire from Naomi Novik's dragon books is great (he's the dragon)

Most beautiful book cover/design you've acquired:  Steve bought me a lovely copy of Hail Mary by Andy Weir (another book I really enjoyed).  I don't buy print copies of most of the books I read, but I have noticed that I pick up lovely books.  So far, I purchased The Faraway Inn because of its cover. I've preordered Daggerbound by T Kingfisher and Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst. I like both of those authors, but I bought the print copies because of their book cover and design. I also picked up a copy of The Night we Met because of the cover. 

What books do you need to read by the end of the year: I'll probably try to read A Court of Silver Flames before the new Sarah J. Maas book comes out in October.  I'm dragging my feet a little bit because it's long (768 pages), and I haven't heard the best reviews of it.  I'll work in Tapestry of Fate, Daggerbound, and Sea of Charms.  I'm reading through the Emma M. Lions books, and I just started Bridgerton, so I may read more of those.  I'm doing a reread of the Amelia Peabody books and the In Death books. I'm working my way through David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter books, so I expect some of all of those series will be on my TBR. I'm halfway through Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell books; I'll probably add one of those to my reading in the second half of the year. I'm certain to read Birth of a Witch by Nora Roberts when it comes out in November.  I'm (sometimes) participating in the Goober Book Club, so there may be books from that group that I read (although I've skipped the last three choices).

So far this year, I've read 62 books (65 if we count the July books so far). I hope to at least reach 100.

Thanks to Jaredd Craig from Unsplash for the image. I don't have an original link for the list of questions - they are all over the internet.

June 2026 Reading

 

GinaK Fuse Machine Review

I recently purchased a GinaK Designs Fuse machine. This machine "fuses" foil to toner (or other media). I've given it somewhat of a workout and have some experiences to share.  It works with Decofoil (or GinaK's brand) in the same way that a laminator does. This is not like the Spellbinders Glimmer machine that uses plates, foil, heat, and pressure. It's a different kind of foil and a different process.

I'm very pleased with how it foils on poly-glaze. This card was created using the Delicate Basket poly-glaze image from GinaK with butterscotch foil.  The image is crisp, clear, and complete.  

I'm not as please with using the remaining foil with a poly-glaze sheet. This should foil the opposite image, and it does, but it's not complete.  Maybe I need to use a higher heat setting? 

For this St. Patrick's Day card, I used the Simon Says Stamp Clover Wreath stencil with the fuse foiling gel and Emerald Coast GinaK foil.  It foiled very well, but you have to be very careful to avoid any "overgelling" beyond the stencil because any extra gel will catch the foil, too, and I couldn't find a way to remove it. 

One of the most disturbing issues I've had with the machine is that I've had two carrier sheets get stuck in the machine itself.  Both of these instances have been when I was foiling a sentiment strip.  The first time, the carrier sheet and strip were completely stuck in the machine. I contacted GinaK Design and received a quick response with a solution that worked to remove the carrier sheet. The second time I was able to remove it on my own, but that's two carrier sheets and sentiment strips ruined.  I'm not sure why, and I don't really want to keep trying at the expense of buying even more carrier sheets.

Overall, it's a nice machine that I'll keep using with a few caveats.  I would recommend.

February reading

 

January 2026 Reading summary

 

Creativity Goals

 

I usually set and share reading goals for each year.  I did that this year, but this year I also set some crafting/cardmaking goals for the year.

Last year, my cardmaking and card sending deteriorated to almost nothing. Life happens, and I'm certain that is why. I want to reenergize it this year, so here are my goals:

• Make cards every month - and not only make cards (but that is the basic goal) but also find time to play with card making and art.
• Send out cards as scheduled - It's just January, and I've already fallen down on this goal, but I'm working to recover quickly.
• Make 4 Christmas cards a month. Christmas card making also went very downhill last year. Luckily, I had a cushion of cards already made, so I was able to make about 25-30, add to the cushion, and send out 53 handmade cards. But the margin is completely gone, so I need to not wait until the end of the year.
• Send our guys (two adult sons) a card each per month. I did this in 2023 and 2024, but not last year, and I want to get back to it.

No, this is not my desk.  Nice, though, isn't it?
Thanks so Unsplash

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Blog goals are:

• Post on Sandpiper Creates at least twice a month - so far, so good.
• Post on Sandpiper's Thoughts three times each week - well, working on it.

I do have a couple of journaling goals.  First, I want to bullet journal at least 50% of the days of the month.  I don't skip days - I go back and enter them, but it is hard to catch up.  Secondly, I've started a new reading journal, and I want to use it as planned.  That's the easiest goal of all - I really enjoy and look forward to entering books in the reading journal.

Dried out Copics?

 Do you use Copic markers? Have you ever opened one and found that it was dried out?  I don't mean that it was out of ink. I mean that the nibs are hard with dried ink - both of them - and the pen is unusable.

I've had this happen several times now.  All five markers in the image above are just gone.  I don't know if the caps are faulty or if there were cracks in the marker caps somehow. I always "click" them closed when I am finished using them. Always. 

I've replaced these pens, but that is not an inexpensive endeavor.  Last time I tried buying new nibs and adding ink to the pen but I'm not sure that worked.  I'm going to try to regenerate the YG07 in the picture and then watch it to see what happens.