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.
It has been a week with more purging and organizing…which always triggers the need for a little rearranging. I moved my pub table over by the big bookshelf again…I can sit there with breakfast and/or my laptop. And on the bottom shelf, you can now see some of my Disney figurines that were hidden by the loveseat that was there before.
My reading and blogging took a slight hit due to these distractions, but of the four books I read and reviewed, three of them were page turners.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
May Was a Winning Month! – Wrap-Up
From the Interior: Intros/Teasers – “My Sunshine Away”
My Blogging Journey: A Tumultuous Ride
What’s up on Wednesday? – My Reading Journey
Bookish Fridays: Sharing Excerpts & Thoughts
Weekend Potpourri: Celebrating…
Review: The Woman Upstairs (e-book), by Claire Messud
Review: Crash & Burn (e-book), by Lisa Gardner
Review: Monday’s Lie (e-book), by Jamie Mason
Review: The Rocks, by Peter Nichols
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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
I received (via download) two review books from NetGalley; and I purchased two downloads.
Things You Won’t Say (e-book), by Sarah Pekkanen (NetGalley)
In this timely and provocative novel, internationally bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen takes us inside a family in crisis and a marriage on the brink after a tragic shooting.
How far would you go to save your family?
Every morning, as her husband Mike straps on his SIG Sauer and pulls on his heavy Magnum boots, Jamie Anderson tenses up. Then comes the call she has always dreaded: There’s been a shooting at police headquarters. Mike isn’t hurt, but his long-time partner is grievously injured. As weeks pass and her husband’s insomnia and disconnectedness mount, Jamie realizes he is an invisible casualty of the attack. Then the phone rings again. Another shooting—but this time Mike has pulled the trigger.
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Pretty Baby (e-book), by Mary Kubica (NetGalley)
A chance encounter sparks an unrelenting web of lies in this stunning new psychological thriller from national bestselling author Mary Kubica
She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can’t get the girl out of her head…
Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family’s objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home.
Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow’s past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she’s willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.
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Purchased Downloads:
In the Unlikely Event (e-book), by Judy Blume
In her highly anticipated new novel, Judy Blume, the New York Times # 1 best-selling author of Summer Sisters and of young adult classics such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, creates a richly textured and moving story of three generations of families, friends and strangers, whose lives are profoundly changed by unexpected events.
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Out of Orange (e-book), by Cleary Wolters
The real-life Alex Vause from the critically acclaimed, top-rated Netflix show Orange Is the New Black tells her story in her own words for the first time—a powerful, surprising memoir about crime and punishment, friendship and marriage, and a life caught in the ruinous drug trade and beyond.
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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Currently Reading: Things You Won’t Say (e-book), by Sarah Pekkanen
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The Cry (e-book), by Helen Fitzgerald
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Crooked Little Lies (e-book), by Barbara Taylor Sissel (NetGalley)
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Eight Hundred Grapes, by Laura Dave (Amazon Vine)
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Wow, what a week! What did yours look like? Come on by and share….
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I love your pub table with all your favorites nearby. A great place for coffee and work. I always enjoy Sarah Pekkanen, so I look forward to your review.
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I think so, too, Elizabeth….and I had only read one previous book by Pekkanen, but I am loving this one!
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I have been hearing about the Judy Bloom book. I may give it a try.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jo; I am excited about it!
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So good to see The Cry on this list (one of the most disturbing books I’ve read) I have the new Mary Kubica to read too!
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Oh, just what I need, another disturbing book…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Cleopatra, and I loved the first Kubica book I read, too.
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A few books of interest there, though I got rejected via NetGalley for Pretty Baby. *sob*
By the way, have I ever told you I often get that Carpenters’ song stuck in my head after visiting your blog? I’m not entirely sure it’s a good thing! 😉
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Oh, so sorry about that….I got rejected for a couple of books I wanted, too; thanks for stopping by, Deborah.
I am glad you think of the Carpenters’ song when you visit…I was thinking of it when I named this blog…LOL.
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I think I may have to pick up Pretty Baby. It sounds pretty good and I like that cover. Hope you enjoy all your reading.
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Thanks, Barb, and I am excited about Pretty Baby, too; loved the author’s previous book.
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I hope you enjoy all your new books and have a great week. 🙂
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
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Thanks, Krystianna…I plan to do just that!
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Happy weekend! I like your pub table too, looks nice. Looks like a good week, congrats on the Blu- ray player. I don’t have one yet, but need to get one soon LOL. Sorry to hear The Rocks was disappointing, I was intrigued by the cover and the blurb. They can’t all be good!
Have a super weekend and enjoy your reads.
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Yes, I hate being disappointed by a book that looked good….sigh. But you are right, they can’t all be good, or we can’t all like the same books. Thanks for stopping by, Greg.
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I am so curious about Blume’s book, I read her in middle school much to mother’s surprise. Rearranging can be fun, but totally distracting..that is why you need to listen to audiobooks!
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Ha, maybe there will be a way to do audio, then! Thanks, Kimba….and yes, rearranging is distracting.
I have enjoyed every adult book of Blume’s, but haven’t read the ones for younger readers. Thanks for stopping by.
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I love that you love to organize and arrange things about am the same my place never stays the same for very long. Pretty Baby has me intrigued will have to.check out more about it. Have a great week.
Megan @ http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.co.uk
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I am the same with my blogs, Megan…one of the reasons I have so many…LOL. I can attack a different one every day, if I desire. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to love Pretty Baby.
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You definitely had a very busy week, Laurel-Rain! Your pub-table corner looks really cozy, and it’s nice that you can both bring your coffee there, and that there’s room for your lap-top as well.
Pretty Little Baby looks good, but then again, so do your other books. I hope you’ll enjoy them all.
Have a fantastic week ahead and happy reading.
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Thanks, Lexxie, and I hope you have a wonderful week, too. I guess I am restless, and when my eye falls on something that has been the same too long, watch out! LOL
I am excited about all of my books…thanks for stopping by.
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Things You Won’t Say looks like a book I would read, I love Sarah Pekkanen. The Pub Table looks inviting! All of your books look good, enjoy!
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Thanks, Cindy, and I have only read one Pekkanen book so far, but enjoyed it; I’m loving this one.
I do like the Pub Table by the bookshelf….it does feel cozy to me, too. Glad you could stop by.
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Hi Laurel, that little nook is great! it has everything I love: pub tables, stools and books! enjoy it 🙂
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Thanks, Daniela, and I’m happy that I took some of the figurines away from the shelves…I can enjoy the individual pieces more. Glad you could stop by!
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I’ve had The Woman Upstairs sitting in my TBR for some time now. I need to pull it down and give it a read.
First, though, I’m off to see what you thought of it….
Here’s my Sunday Salon.
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Thanks, Deb, and I enjoyed The Woman Upstairs…hope you do, too. Thanks for stopping by!
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Great book week, Laurel. Several of these titles are on my TBR list. One of my BEA highlights last week was meeting Mary Kubica and getting a signed ARC of Pretty Baby.
My recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/06/weekly-book-recap-106.html
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Ooh, I would love to have met Kubica, Catherine…I enjoyed The Good Girl, too. Thanks for stopping by.
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When I get into a purging/organizing kind of mood, it becomes all-consuming. I can’t stop until I’m done, so I totally understand your distraction!
Eight Hundred Grapes has been getting some great reviews and I just heard about Out of Orange this week… both sound great. Have a good week!
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That’s how I am, too, JoAnn….I love books set in wine country, so I am eager to dive in. Thanks for stopping by…
As for Out of Orange, I love the Netflix series…can’t wait for the new season.
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Lots of fantastic books there to read!
Have a great week!
Heather @ Random Redheaded Ramblings
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Thanks, Heather, and I hope your week is better than last….everyone well, etc. Glad you could stop by.
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Well, some weeks we match up nearly perfectly, Laurel 🙂 and I think I have every single book of yours listed above on my wishlist– to hope to get soon– except The Cry, which I hadn’t heard of, and The Orange book, because I haven’t read or watched Orange/Black yet (am I the only one? but my youngest does and enjoys it).
I know you will have a great week with those titles. The Pekannen one looks awesome; Netgalley turned down my request, sigh, but I will still try to pick it up soon, whether buy at the end of the month or get on the list at the library. It just looks so dang good to me and I enjoy her books.
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I have only read one other Pekkanen book, Rita, but I enjoyed it, and I am loving this one so far.
And I am obsessed with Netflix, and Orange is the New Black. New season out next weekend! I just finished Breaking Bad…finally. Starting on House of Cards today, I think.
I hope The Cry is not too sad…a missing child. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week!
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Pretty Baby sounds great, hope you enjoy and have a great weekend.
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I think it does, too, Brandileigh, and I’m eager to start reading it. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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You are a fan of Sleeping Beauty I gather. 🙂 I am as well! Do you prefer her pink dress or blue dress?
Have a great week!
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews
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Oh, I think I love either color, Terri, and I also have a carousel of the various Disney “girls” on my Baker’s Rack. Thanks for stopping by, and have a fun week!
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I just simply don’t know how you do it… despite being busy you still get four reviews up without that exhausting your capability to get the same amount up next week! I have major respect for your reading skills! Thanks for stopping by my weekly overview 🙂 Enjoy your Sunday!
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Well, Juli, I am retired and living the freelance life, which allows me to put all of my focus on books, blogging, and writing. Almost to the point of being a hermit, but I do get out for lunch and movies, etc. I recommend this kind of life! LOL
Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.
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I am intrigued by the cover for The Cry and am adding that one to my TBR list right now! I have Pretty Baby as well and am really looking forward to reading it! I will be watching for your thoughts on it 🙂 Have a great week!
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Thanks, Samantha…and I am eager to read both books…enjoy your week!
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I like your new pub area! We used to have a big doll like that in the corner. It was a little boy though and he was in the stairs and freaked people out at first lol. Seems like you got quite a few books this week too! I hope you enjoy them and have a good week 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Kelsey, and I have a couple of those “faceless” dolls that freak people out…LOL. I started by having one of them in my office at work, and people often thought I had a kid in time out.
I love the pub area, too…I tend to move it around from time to time, but I think this is my favorite spot for it.
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You have some lovely new reads. I am curious about the grapes book, I have seen it around. I am almost most anxious to check out the new Judy Blume, I don’t when the last time I read Judy was, it has been awhile. Have a wonderful week.
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It has been a while since I read Judy Blume, too; it was one of her adult novels, though. Thanks for stopping by, Heidi!
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You got some books with some great covers there! I am hearing some really good things about the new Judy Blume book. HOpe you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by my post earlier!
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Glad you could visit here, too, Buffy…I do love this event, and finding more books to add to my lists.
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Ooooh! I have the Jim Shore BatB piece too! It’s one of my favorites! 😀 I hope you love all of your new books!
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I love it, too, Tracy….there was a store right around the corner that had all these pieces that I love….and it went out of business, sadly. Better for my budget, though…LOL
Definitely going to enjoy my books. Thanks for stopping by.
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I love Orange is the New Black. I never heard of the new book. I’m definitely adding that to my list. Seems like a few of us have distractions this week. Hope you have a great week!
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Thanks, Yvonne, and I am excited about Season III of OITNB. Enjoy your week, too.
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I enjoyed Eight Hundred Grapes. Glad you are reading it too!
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I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Harvee…thanks for stopping by.
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I’m really looking forward to your thoughts on the new Judy Blume book. Have a great week, Laurel.
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary, and I am eager to read it!
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I love your rearranging updates! It motivates me to get to those organizational projects. I read and listened to Crash and Burn last week and enjoyed it. After reading about the background behind Judy’s new book, I can’t wait to get to it. Things You Won’t Say found it’s way to my Kindle too. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Nise, and I am very excited about the Blume book…and loved Things You Won’t Say.
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You said it. What a week. I like all of your new books. And your pub table looks so cute. I’d like one of those.
My Sunday Post – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/06/07/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-112-and-the-sunday-post/
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Thanks! I went a little nuts with the Coca Cola stuff, but I’m still enjoying the pieces even after all these years (around eight years!). Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
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I’ve only read the one Sarah Pekkanen, The Best of Us was just ok for me but I’d give her another go if someone recommended a read. Eight Hundred Grapes and The Cry are on my TBR pile. Have a wonderful week and enjoy those new reads 🙂
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I haven’t read that Pekkanen book; the one I read was The Opposite of Me, which I enjoyed enough to want to take the plunge with this one. And I’m glad, as I enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting, Teddyree.
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It’s always nice to reorganize things, like a holiday at home! Eight Hundred Grapes sounds compelling – enjoy your reading week.
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I think so, too, Jo…and I like rearranging in order to get a new look better than having to buy new stuff and blow the budget…LOL.
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I have heard good things about Eight Hundred Grapes so have it on my possible list and I also want to try the Judy Blume one as well. Enjoy the results of the rearranging and purging!
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Thanks, Kathryn, I hope that I am nearing the end of this current spree…LOL. I am definitely looking forward to my new books, too.
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Mmm! The new Mary Kubica looks good! I didn’t like the first one much but I definitely enjoyed aspects of it, enough to give the author another chance. Enjoy your new books, they look good! 🙂
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Thanks, Kay, and I’m looking forward to Pretty Baby, too. Hope you have a great week!
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I hear Pretty Baby is quite a page-turner! Enjoy all your new books 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Lucy, and I am eager to immerse myself in Pretty Baby.
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Well done with all your cleaning! Enjoy your reads, you’ve earned them!
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Thanks, Sam, and I hope that I can take a break from the clearing out for just a while…LOL. Glad you could stop by.
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I was very excited to receive Things You Won’t Say last week. I have a feeling it’s outstanding!
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I loved it, Kathy….it kept me glued to the pages. Enjoy!
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Pretty Baby sounds so good!
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I think so, too, Vicki…thanks for stopping by!
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Eight Hundred Grapes!! I so hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!
I have Pretty Baby and keep putting it off, although it sounds so good. Can’t wait to see what you think of it. Enjoy your reads this week!
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Thanks, Brandie, and I am still new to NetGalley, so I’m never sure how far ahead of the publication date we are supposed to review them….and then my eagerness to read the book takes over. So far, so good…no reprimands received…LOL.
I think Eight Hundred Grapes sounds like a great summer read. It will remind me, perhaps, of the vacation I took to Napa in 2009.
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I really liked The Cry, and In the Unlikely Event, I hope you do. I have an Arc of Pretty Baby to read though it’s not out for a while here.
Have a great week,
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
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Thanks, Shelleyrae…I am so looking forward to all three of the books you mentioned. Glad you enjoyed The Cry and In the Unlikely Event.
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Neat books! I’ve only heard of the Judy Blume one:P
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Thanks, Kitty, it is exciting to finally have my hands on the Blume book.
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Pretty Baby looks scary.
Eight Hundred Grapes looks good.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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Oh, I agree, Elizabeth….can’t wait to read them! Thanks for stopping by.
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Believe it or not, I have not read Judy Blume yet!
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Oh, I hope you give her books a try, Serena….I have such fond memories of the last one of hers I read.
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I have to get my hands on the new Judy Blume book! Happy reading!
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I am excited to have it, Anna…thanks for stopping by!
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I think I could make any of those my next read and be very content. I just finished Gone Girl yesterday. Not sure what I am starting today yet but I have Girl on the Train on my shelf
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Thanks for stopping by, Run….and I loved both Gone Girl and Girl on the Train.
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Judy Blume seems to be still going strong. More on the 1950s. Enjoy your books this week!
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Thanks, Susan…I have enjoyed several books by Blume, but it has been a while…so glad for this new one!
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