WEEKLY UPDATES: A LITTLE SUNSHINE, A LITTLE RAIN….

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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 hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

A week of ups and downs with the weather…some rain, some shine; and I think I might be adjusting, more or less, to my new meds.

I read and reviewed four books this week, and I’m currently reading two books…yes, two at once!  I go back and forth, although now it is harder to tear myself away from whichever one I’m reading.

Today will be about reading and movie watching.  I did watch The Big Short  last night…and it was interesting.  I didn’t understand much of the dealing, as numbers are not my thing.  But it was fun to see the energy of the characters while they played out their plan…

Now…on to sharing more of my week…

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Bloggiesta Sign-Up Post: It’s Time!

Tuesday Potpourri: Excerpting “If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now”

My Interior World: Celebrating My Blogging Journey

Let’s Chase Away the Blues with “Clouds in My Coffee”

Bookish Thursday #5: A Potpourri of Events

Bookish Friday: Excerpting “Be Frank with Me”

My Interior Journey: A Work-In-Progress

Review:  A Long Time Gone (e-book), by Karen White

Review:  The Next Time You See Me (e-book), by Holly Goddard Jones

Review:  The Girl in the Red Coat (e-book), by Kate Hamer

Review:  Miller’s Valley (e-book), by Anna Quindlen (NetGalley – 4/5)

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Nothing in my physical mailbox!  But I downloaded TWO review books from NetGalley…and purchased one e-book.

Most Wanted (e-book), by Lisa Scottoline – (NetGalley – 4/12)

 

 

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The Children (e-book), by Ann Leary – (NetGalley – 5/26)

 

 

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Be Frank With Me (e-book), by Julia Claiborne Johnson

 

 

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THIS WEEK IN BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Currently Reading:

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, by Debbie Macomber (Vine)

 

 

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Duplicate Keys (e-book), by Jane Smiley

 

 

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Next:

Virgin River (e-book), by Robyn Carr

 

 

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If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now, (e-book), by Claire LaZebnik

 

 

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That’s my week, past and future…what did yours look like?  Let’s grab some coffee, and perhaps a mimosa…and chat.

 

Coffee, Mimosa, & reading - 2

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80 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: A LITTLE SUNSHINE, A LITTLE RAIN….

  1. I read Virgin River awhile ago and loved it. I really have to get back to reading that series.The Big Short is on my list to see at some point.

    Hope you have a great week!

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  2. I will be picking up that Scottoline soon; I always love to read her books when I can. I’ve read and enjoyed several Virgin River books. Reading Robyn Carr is like eating comfort food. You don’t want it all the time, but when you are in the mood, it hits the spot! The Children looks good to me also. Enjoy them all, good choices.

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    1. I hope to love Virgin River, and the little bit that I read, while picking out an excerpt for one of the memes a while ago, turned me into a believer in the comfort.

      Scottoline has such an interesting variety of books, from mysteries to memoirs, that I am always in for a treat with her writing.

      Thanks for stopping by, Rita…enjoy your weekend.

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  3. I’ve been reading two books this week too, which I try not to do but I don’t know, it just happened. 🙂 Hope yours are all good. Iffy weather here as well- sunny earlier in the week, than serious wind, then a little sun again (but cool). Still… better than winter! Duplicate Keys looks good (bring on the suspense!). That food excerpt made me hungry for Chinese!

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    1. Thanks, Greg, and yes, the food made me hungry, too. I realized that I haven’t had strictly Chinese food in a long time. I usually go to an Asian fusion place in the neighborhood mall. Now I am longing for those little boxes of Chinese food!

      Enjoy your week…as so often happens when I read two books, one pulled me ahead, and I finished it earlier today. I’ll be resuming the second one now.

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  4. I like the look of some of your books this week Laurel – might need to check them out. I’ve read Be Frank With Me though and loved it. Hope you do too!

    Meanwhile I’m off to learn more about the bloggiesta from your post!

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly, I hope for the same…Duplicate Keys is intriguing so far. I can’t even imagine, though, having thirty or more people with keys to one’s apartment! Sounds like a disaster in the making…and it probably was.

      I read a little of Virgin River to find an excerpt, and enjoyed it…can’t wait to continue.

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  5. I remember being in a reading hole and looking for ages on Amazon at Virgin River and finally ordering a paperback version – and the rest of the series you might say is history. Just great romance series.
    Four books – great going!

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn, if I had waited until the end of the day yesterday to post this, I would have had five! I finished the Macomber book in the afternoon.

      Eager to read Virgin River, and know that I will probably be drawn into still another series…LOL.

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  6. Oh your books look fantastic! I’m especially intrigued by Duplicate Keys. I love that cover! I want to start Carr’s Virgin River series. I just read the first book in the Thunder Point series and enjoyed it. Be Frank with Me looks fantastic! Actually all your books look fantastic! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Katherine, and now that I’ve finished the Macomber book, I can totally sink into Duplicate Keys today…and then start Virgin River. I guess I should stick to each series within the series…or can one cross over easily? Glad you could stop by.

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  7. We’ve had rain and shine in Sacramento too. It’s rained so much they released water from the Folsom Dam which has everyone worried. I hope their calculations are correct and they don’t release too much water lol.

    I’m always reading more than one book and sometimes it is hard to focus on one when they are both so good. It’s good to hear you found something you are enjoying.

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and in the end, I sped ahead to finish one of the books (the Debbie Macomber) and now plan to sink into ONLY Duplicate Keys.

      That releasing of water from the dam makes me nervous, too. For thirteen years, I lived at the “foot” of a dam here (Friant Dam), and the flood we had in 1997 led to evacuations, etc. My house wasn’t affected, but some lower ones were. I’ll never be convinced that it would have happened without those “water releases.” Oh, well.

      Enjoy your week….and I hope the Folsom Dam stays intact.

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    1. Oh, thanks, Cleo, and I can’t wait to read it either! I loved the author’s book The Good House…and the word on Google still mentions a movie with Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro. I’ve loved a couple of movies with the two of them, and can’t wait to see them in this one. The latest listing on Google was in 2015, mentioning a release date would be announced…soon.

      So…The Children is one I can’t wait to read….release date for the book is in May, though, which means I have to wait a bit longer…or at least wait to post the review. Hmm.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. I’ve never read a Scottoline book but know many readers who are fans. Robyn Carr’s books are my go-to comfort reads. I love her small town settings and characters. Have a good week, Laurel.

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    1. Oh, Mary, I hope you give her books a whirl at some point…she has such a variety of styles, from thrillers to memoirs. Thanks for stopping by, and I am eager to discover the comfort of Robyn Carr’s books.

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  9. We got lucky and had a gorgeous day yesterday, it was almost seventy degrees and sunny. Today, the rain has returned and it is gray and cloudy. What a way to start Spring, NOT. Hoping that we are almost out of all this rain. That Robyn Carr book looks wonderful. I hope you enjoy it.

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  10. Reading two books at a time? Wow.. I don’t know how you do that. I don’t think I would be able to stop reading a book to go to the other one and back again.

    My week was busy and took way to long. I celebrated my Two Year Blogiversary on Thursday and now I have a week vacation. I hope to get a lot of reading done!

    Have a great week and happy reading! 😉

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Maureen…I don’t often read two books at once, but I was feeling restless. I kept apace with both of them for a while, but then one sprinted ahead. LOL.

      Enjoy your week…and now I’m going back to finish the one that didn’t win in the sprint…but not because I’m not enjoying it.

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  11. I’ll be curious to hear what you think of The Children… loved her earlier novel The Good House. Be Frank With Me is my current audiobook and I’m loving the narration and quirkily characters. It must be very good in print, too. Enjoyed your review of Miller’s Valley and will probably start that one next. I know I read Duplicate Keys years ago, but for the life of me can’t remember a thing other than that I liked it. Hope it’s a good week 🙂

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    1. I am eager to read The Children, JoAnn…loved her novel The Good House, soon to be a movie with Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro.

      I kept thinking I might have read Duplicate Keys, but if I did, I also forgot everything…and nothing is striking a chord as I read it now. So I think I simply missed it along the way.

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  12. I also watched The Big Short last night (DVD borrowed from my library). I agree with your assessment–a little too technical but well acted. Both of your current reads look interesting–I didn’t realize Ann Leary has written another book. Happy Spring!

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  13. I’ve been reading two books too, though one won out in the end (the one involving murder and mayhem as always). It’s not that easy for me. Lots of good books on your list this week.

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  14. I enjoy Scotoline’s books. Always good reads. Looks like you got some other good ones too. I read 2 and 3 books at time. Usually because they are on different kindles and some are in print. As I get deeper into them though, I finish one at a time.

    My Sunday Post

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  15. readerbuzz

    I can’t remember the last time before this week when I’ve only been reading on one book! I’ve really enjoyed the singular focus this week, though.

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  16. Duplicate Keys looks so interesting! I have the Debbie Macomber book waiting to be devoured. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on Be Frank with Me. I started it, but I really didn’t like Frank very much and put it down. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it. It was a library book, so I will give it another shot this summer. Enjoy all your books! And have a great week!

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    1. Duplicate Keys was first published in the 80s…and it seems like the story is also set in the 80s, although it wasn’t readily apparent in the beginning.

      The e-book was created in 2010.

      Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne, and I really enjoyed the Macomber book…and am looking forward to Be Frank with Me. Enjoy your week!

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  17. Our weather has been up and down here too! It’s that time of the year when I don’t know how to dress to go outside.

    I have heard so many great things about Be Frank with me! It’s constantly popping up on blogs and bookstores I follow. I hope you enjoy it, as well as your other books. Happy reading!

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  18. I must read something by Robin Carr. She is becoming familiar to me after visiting my favorite blogs. I am also curious about Be Frank With Me. I know what you mean by not wanting to put a book down. It does seem, that many times, the second half of books are more gripping than the first.

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  19. Susan @ The Book Bag

    I would love to share a mimosa with you! 🙂 And seriously, I love every single title on your list this week. Sigh. So many books, so little time! Happy reading!

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  20. Brandie

    Virgin River! That makes me happy to see – I hope you love it! One of my favorite books/series. I’m glad you’re feeling more adjusted to the new meds and hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Brandie, and I hate changing up meds, as there is always a period of adjustment. It wasn’t my idea to change them, but I guess we have to do what the doctor says…sometimes.

      I am eager to get started on Virgin River…I’ve heard so many good things. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Yes, there are various reasons I might read two books…usually if I’m not completely engaged with one of them. Or it might be a way to get to enjoy two books at once. Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne, and enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Nise, I hadn’t read a Macomber book in a while…I think the last one was Last One Home, which has some of the same characters as this book. I hope to love Be Frank With Me, too. Have a great week, and I’m glad about the meds, too, although now and then they still rear their ugliness. LOL.

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  21. That cute doll and the drink – very good composition! Ann Leary’s The Children caught my eye – looks like my kind of read. I hope you get more adjusted with your meds soon. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Myra…the meds are GRADUALLY adjusting to my body…some days are symptom-free. I love arranging dolls, books, and other stuff together…glad you liked it.

      The Children is one I’ve been eagerly awaiting. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Lexxie…and I couldn’t stop reading A Girl’s Guide to Moving On…and finished it! I did enjoy it…and I, too, am starting to feel almost “normal” with the meds, although I’ve had to make some life adjustments, too…but that’s how it goes. Enjoy your week!

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