Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.
**Mailbox Monday is now hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.
With the holiday, the week seemed to fly by. Hot weather kept me indoors, doing more rearranging and purging of the shelves. I emptied another bookshelf in my bedroom. Here’s what it looks like now, with one shelf where once there were two. Now there are a total of three shelves in the room; a couple of months ago, there were five.
I also managed to get some reading and blogging done….
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Serendipitous Tuesdays: Intros/Teasers – “Apron Strings”
Tuesday Potpourri: My Quirky Office, Etc.
I’m Not Blue! I’m Waiting for “Corrupted”
My Bookish (and Not So Bookish) Thoughts: Saying Goodbye!
Serendipitous Fridays: Book Beginnings/Friday 56 – “Crash & Burn”
Review: The Liar (e-book), by Nora Roberts
Review: The Lake Season (e-book), by Hannah McKinnon (NetGalley)
Review: The Hypnotist’s Love Story (e-book), by Liane Moriarty
Review: Daughters-in-Law, by Joanna Trollope
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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Three review books came in my mailbox! Two from Amazon Vine, and one from the publicist.
The Rocks, by Peter Nichols (Vine)
“Irresistibly sunny… Set in the brightly lit Mediterranean amid old olive trees and sexual intrigue, music and wine and beautiful women… Propulsive.” –The New York Times Book Review
“The perfect book for pretending it’s already beach season.” –O, The Oprah Magazine
A romantic page-turner propelled by the sixty-year secret that has shaped two families, four lovers, and one seaside resort community.
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Eight Hundred Grapes, by Laura Dave (Vine)
A breakout novel from an author who “positively shines with wisdom and intelligence” (Jonathan Tropper, This Is Where I leave You). “Laura Dave writes with humor and insight about relationships in all their complexity, whether she’s describing siblings or fiancés or a couple long-married. Eight Hundred Grapes is a captivating story about the power of family, the limitations of love, and what becomes of a life’s work” (J. Courtney Sullivan, Maine).
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A Week at the Lake, by Wendy Wax (Publicist)
Twenty years ago, Emma Michaels, Mackenzie Hayes, and Serena Stockton bonded over their New York City dreams. Then, each summer, they solidified their friendship by spending one week at the lake together, solving their problems over bottles of wine and gallons of ice cream. They kept the tradition for years, until jealousy, lies, and life’s disappointments made them drift apart.
It’s been five years since Emma has seen her friends, an absence designed to keep them from discovering a long-ago betrayal. Now she’s in desperate need of their support. The time has come to reveal her secrets—and hopefully rekindle their connection.
But when a terrible accident keeps Emma from saying her piece, Serena and Mackenzie begin to learn about the past on their own. Now, to heal their friendship and their broken lives, the three women will have to return to the lake that once united them, and discover which relationships are worth holding on to…
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Downloaded (Purchased)
The Seven Sisters (e-book), by Margaret Drabble (Bought for reread)
Candida Wilton–a woman recently betrayed, rejected, divorced, and alienated from her three grown daughters–moves from a beautiful Georgian house in lovely Suffolk to a two-room walk-up flat in a run-down building in central London. Candida is not exactly destitute. So, is the move perversity, she wonders, a survival test, or is she punishing herself? How will she adjust to this shabby, menacing, but curiously appealing city? What can happen, at her age, to change her life? And yet, as she climbs the dingy communal staircase with her suitcases, she feels both nervous and exhilarated.
There is a relationship with a computer to which she now confides her past and her present. And friendships of sorts with other women–widows, divorced, never married, women straddled between generations. And then Candida’s surprise inheritance . . .
A beautifully rendered story, this is Margaret Drabble at her novelistic best.
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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Currently Reading: The Woman Upstairs (e-book), by Claire Messud
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My Sunshine Away (e-book), by M. O. Walsh
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Crash & Burn (e-book), by Lisa Gardner
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The Rocks, by Peter Nichols (Vine)
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That’s what my week looked like…and what’s coming next. What about yours?
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You are really gone full steam ahead with the purging of those book shelves – well done! Here’s to another great reading week.
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Thanks, Cleopatra…have I gone overboard? LOL
I still have a lot of books and shelves….three in the bedroom, three in the living room, three in the office….and books are tucked away in strange places, like my country cupboards.
I should probably stop for a while, though.
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Great books! Happy reading 🙂
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Thanks, Sofia….I finished The Woman Upstairs and started Crash & Burn…can’t wait to get back to it.
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The Rocks looks like a really good one for summer. I think I want to read that one soon.
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Thanks, vvb…hope it is good. Enjoy your week! Glad you could stop by.
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This week did seem to fly by, and it got hot here too (tho not as hot as where you are, probably). The air went on tho. 🙂 Nice pics, your office looks very cozy! And I like how you have books in your rooms- my books are all (mostly) in one room, but I like to be surrounded by books.
The Rocks looks good, I love the sun- drenched setting of that one- I saw that one on another blog last week, so it jumped out at me. And a Week at the Lake sound like a nice summertime read.
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Thanks, Greg, I hope to enjoy The Rocks.
I would love to have one room that contains all of my bookshelves…but none of my rooms fill the bill here…so I surround myself with them in each room.
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I am anticipating the arrival of A Week At The Lake, as I requested it for review. I’ve seen it on several blogs now. I loved My Sunshine Away. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Pat, and I am looking forward to both of those books….I was surprised by A Week at the Lake, as it arrived without my request. I am very happy with it! Enjoy!
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I like the look of a few of your books this week and I can see a couple we have in common. Well done on the bookshelf clean-up. I used to hate to part with any of my books, but as I’m now receiving more hard copies I really need to do a cull as I can’t fit any more shelves into my small apartment.
Deb
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That’s what I faced, and I added so many shelves that I then realized that I kept tripping over them…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Deborah, and enjoy your week!
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Great job on the purging! I definitely need to follow your example. As usual you have so many good looking books listed I don’t know where to start. Lisa Gardner is an author I’ve been wanting to try and the Wendy Wax looks really good as well. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Katherine, and I love both authors; I’m always eager to get the next new one! Enjoy your week!
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Hmm those rooms are getting purged! Lots of books I have read in your posts from last week. Really looking forward to reading the new Wendy Wax book and will enjoy hearing what you have to say about it.
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Thanks, Kathryn, now I need to make a trip to the library, as I have filled one of my empty garage shelves…LOL.
I am excited about the new Wendy Wax. Enjoy your week!
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My sunshine away I am intrigued to read I have had my eye on it for a while. Happy Reading 🙂
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Me, too, Megan, and I hope to enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by…
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Sounds like a lot of great reading, enjoy.
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Thanks, Liza, it has been a great reading month! Enjoy the new week.
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Great new books! The Rocks and the new Wendy Wax book are on my wish list. I need to do a purge to make room for all my new BEA books.
My recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/05/weekly-book-recap-105.html
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Oh, wow, can’t wait to see what you brought back, Catherine! Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.
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I checked out your “Saying Goodbye” post. It is interesting how things can take on significant meaning to us and be hard to let go.
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Thanks, Steph, and it is definitely a regular part of my life now…changing and letting go. Enjoy your week!
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Wendy Wax is always good for a fun summery read.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week, Elizabeth.
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Week at the Lake and Seven Sisters look really good, bingo… on my to-look-for list!
Lol, you keep purging but then keep adding books Laurel, looks like you are drowning in books! Seriously, you have been reading some really great titles recently and writing up good reviews. If I don’t comment as often, I’m here but incredibly more busy lately than ever, sorry.
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Thanks, Rita, and most of my new books are e-books, which can hide nicely in the cloud…or ARCs, which I toss afterwards. Enjoy your week!
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A Week at the Lake looks really good. You are motivating me to get back to clearing out my bookshelves. I sort of left everything undone. LOL
Have a great week!
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My problem now, Yvonne, is knowing when to stop! LOL
But despite the clearing out, I still have plenty of books around me, to give that bookish ambience…so I guess I haven’t gone too far yet.
I loved A Week at the Lake…enjoy your week!
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It looks like you’ve had a successful week! I hope you enjoy all of your new books! I’m so jealous of your Vine status, by the way! 😛
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
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Oh, thanks, Tracy, I do enjoy the benefits of Vine….and I am eager to read all of my new books. Enjoy your week!
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Yay, for spring cleaning. I hope your streak continues. Have a good week!
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews
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Thanks, Terri, I do hope to finally settle down to my new normal with the bookshelves…once I have decided it is time. LOL
Glad you could stop by.
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Ooooo…so many good books, Laurel.
The Woman Upstairs and The Seven Sisters look really good.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
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Yes, I enjoyed them both…The Seven Sisters was one I read before blogging, so when I saw it on Lakeside Musing, a memory bell dinged and I wanted to relive the experience.
Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth, and enjoy your week.
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Your new review books looks wonderful – I want to read all three! The Seven Sisters is beautifully quiet and introspective, not at all al book to race through. And I loved The Woman Upstairs! It was a favorite a couple years ago….can’t wait to hear what you think of the main character. Have a good week 🙂
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Yes, I liked that about the Drabble novel…and when I checked, I saw that I had read it pre-blogging…and found myself in need of a revisit.
The Woman Upstairs was one that took some getting used to…but I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for stopping by, JoAnn, and enjoy your week.
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Seven Sisters sounds good. Hope you enjoy and have a great week.
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I read it a few years ago and loved it; when I saw it on JoAnn’s blog (Lakeside Musing), I had to have it to reread. Thanks for stopping by, Brandileigh.
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As soon as I finish my current book I’ll start the Wendy Wax book. Enjoy all your new books, Laurel, and have a good week.
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Thanks, Mary, I am eager to begin reading it too! Enjoy your week.
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Wow you picked up some good books this week. I’m curious about My Sunshine Away and The Rocks. Probably the Grape story too. I will check in for your reviews. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Susan, and I am hoping they are all as good as they look! Enjoy your week.
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Your book haul looks awesome this week! I’ve heard many great things about The Woman Upstairs, happy reading 🙂
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I did enjoy it, Benish, but it is definitely not for everyone. Some pretty unlikeable characters…but they were all interesting.
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Lots of good books for the summer reading:) I wish I was as organized as you and could let go of my books. LOL They are becoming such a mess on the shelves and I need to organize them. Just not sure how I’ll do it yet.
My Sunday Post – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/05/31/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-111-and-the-sunday-post/
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Oh, Laura, it took YEARS for me to get to this point….LOL. No worries…when the time is right, you’ll be able to do it too,.
Meanwhile, enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.
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I’m dying to get my hands on a copy of A Week at the Lake but it’s not going well lol … might have to wait til it’s released. I’m so impressed with your decluttering/purging, I think you need to pop over and give me some tips lol. Have a great week and enjoy your fab new reads 🙂
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I couldn’t believe that it just appeared in my mailbox! Could wishing have made it happen? LOL Who knows, you could get it any day, Teddyree. Thanks for stopping by….and the decluttering is definitely an ongoing process. Enjoy your week!
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Eight Hundred Grapes sounds good. I’ll have to add this one to my wishlist. I’ve been seeing The Rocks around a lot, too. The cover is so pretty, that alone makes me want to read it; but then the blurb also makes it sound good. I hope you enjoy it! Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kay…Eight Hundred Grapes drew me in for the setting….and the blurb, too. And that gorgeous cover! Hope it lives up to its promise. Enjoy your week!
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All your new books are on my summer wish list. Can’t wait to read The Rocks & Eight Hundred Grapes. Enjoy and have a great week!
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Thanks, Lucy, I hope to begin enjoying them right away! Have a great week!
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A Week at the Lake sounds really good. I’ve read some of Wendy’s work in the past. Hope you enjoy your new books. Not a lot of blogging going on in my world, but I am trying to keep up.
http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2015/06/mailbox-monday-june-1.html
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Thanks, Cheryl, and hope your new week is a good one. I love Wendy Wax’s books…and had never read her before I started blogging. Isn’t blogging great?
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What a great selection of titles – my pick would be the Mediterranean setting of The Rocks – enjoy!
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That setting does look good, doesn’t it, Jo? Thanks for stopping by.
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I borrowed The Rocks from the library on the weekend 🙂 Very envious you managed to empty a bookshelf!
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Thanks, Sam, and it has been an ongoing process, with a total of four empty shelves in my garage! Two from my bedroom and two from the hallway. Enjoy your week, and I hope you love The Rocks.
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I think you’ll like Eight Hundred Grapes. I had been purging my shelves – the goal was 10 books a day – but went out of town and haven’t gotten back to it.
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Your plan is probably more sensible, Kathy; I tend to go a little nuts when I start purging. Good luck! And I’m glad you enjoyed Eight Hundred Grapes. Thanks for stopping by.
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They all look good! I love the cover of The Rocks and A Week At The Lake.
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Me, too, Vicki…have a great week!
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You have a lot of interesting titles to look forward to, enjoy!
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I am looking forward to them, Mary Ann!
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I like how you’ve organized your room, Laurel-Rain! It looks really nice.
Your new books look good, too, especially A Week at the Lake, and hopefully, you’ll enjoy them all.
Have a great week and happy reading.
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Thanks, Lexxie, and I am looking forward to reading the new Wendy Wax book. I also feel more rested in my “cleaned up” room!
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looks like we both got Wendy Wax this week
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I love her books, Serena…thanks for visiting.
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I have The Rocks in audio. Looking for to that one.
I envy your ability to stay organized and keep your books under control.
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Thanks, Leslie, it is a work-in-progress! Hope we love The Rocks.
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