WEEKLY UPDATES: HELLO, 2017!

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

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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.

 

Happy New Year!  Did 2016 fly by, or what?  In many ways, I am happy about that fact, as there were some moments so sad and so frustrating that nothing but a New Year on the horizon could give us HOPE, which is my One Word.

Check out my First Book of 2017!  I do love this event.

The week was pretty good…until yesterday, when I got a flat tire!  In the ten years I have had this car, I have never had one.  Thank goodness for Triple A!  After the tire change, I had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen before heading over to get a new tire.  (The rest of them are good…I haven’t had these tires that long!).  But at the tire shop, there was a two-hour wait while they installed the new tire.  I am grateful that I had Pippa, my Kindle, with me!  But after already reading three books this week, I couldn’t find anything that engaged me!  All the newer books I’m holding off on until tomorrow…when I can start reading for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge for 2017.

My Reading Wrap-Up for the Year was an opportunity to spotlight my stats…and showcase my December reading.  Here’s a peek:

167 BOOKS READ IN 2016:

100 of those were purchased books that I read for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge: books I bought between June 2015-December 2016

40 of the books were review books

27 books were a mix of older books that I had purchased…

Let’s take a look at last week…

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monday Sparks:  What Are You Musing About?

Tuesday Potpourri:  “Never Alone”

Top Ten Favorites of 2016!

Coffee Morning:  Pondering the Old, Looking Ahead to the New…

Hump Day Reading:  Let’s Talk About It!

Thursday Potpourri:  Countdown to Year’s End….

2016 Review Books:  Check My Progress!

Looking Back on Cozy Moments:  A Journey

Bookish Friday:  “The Missing”

Review:  The Things We Wish Were True (e-book), by Marybeth Whalen Mayhewratings-worms-4-croppedReview:  Last Night at the Viper Room (e-book), by Gavin Edwardsratings-worms-4-croppedReview:  The Girl Before (e-book), by J. P. Delaney – (NetGalley – 1/24/17)ratings-worms-4-cropped***

INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

One review book came in the mailbox…from Amazon Vine.  And I downloaded a review book from NetGalley.  I am pleased to report that I stuck to my vow not to buy any more books in 2016!  After tomorrow, I can go nuts with that new Amazon gift card!  LOL.

The Orphan’s Tale, by Pam Jenoff (Amazon Vine)

 

 

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It Happens All the Time (e-book), by Amy Hatvany (NetGalley – 3/28/17)

 

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

I am reading my First Book of the Year…check the link above to find its identity…Yes, sneaky here.

There are a few books on my list as well…

The Woman in Cabin 10 (e-book), by Ruth Ware

 

 

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Missing, Presumed (e-book), by Susie Steiner

 

 

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Tonight, I’ll do some reading, watch some movies, (I’ve started watching The Crown on Netflix, and I’m hooked!), and see the ball drop at midnight…while sipping Champagne and eating popcorn.  I think.  What are your plans?

 

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76 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: HELLO, 2017!”

  1. Greg Hill

    Happy New Year! Wow hard to believe we’re in 2017… your plan sounds pretty good! The ball just dropped here (well 30 mins ago give or take) and I’m glad I stayed in this time! Nice to relax. I’ve been Netflix-ing more and have heard good things about The Crown.

    Missing, Presumed looks good and I liked The woman in Cabin 10. Here’s to a great 2017 and sorry to hear about the tire, but Cali Pizza kitchen souns right up my alley!

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    1. Happy New Year, Greg, and it’s hard to imagine the ball dropping so early in some places…many hours ago, my eldest son posted that it had just dropped in Prague.

      I am loving The Crown…I don’t know why I hesitated. I especially love the ins and outs of the family squabbling, while maintaining that royal poise.

      I am looking forward to my books, too…and, of course, my First Book of the Year.

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    1. Thanks, Laura, and it doesn’t get all that cold here (40s, 50s), but it has been raining all day today. I’ve enjoying staying inside most of the day, reading and watching Netflix. Thanks for visiting, and have a great 2017.

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    1. Thanks, JoAnn, and have a wonderful year, too! I know I’ve been fortunate when I don’t have to call AAA that often. I think I’ve called them two or three times in many years.

      Enjoy your First Book and thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Literary Feline

    I am so sorry to hear about your flat tire and the two hour wait. Ugh. I have to take my car in for a recall part this coming Friday and I sure hope it only takes the hour like they say. My mom will still be in town and so we may go out for breakfast while we wait.

    I haven’t been to California Pizza Kitchen in a long time. There’s one in town, but it’s closer to where we used to live than where we are now.

    We brought in the new year with a movie and sparkling apple cider. We also banged our pots and pans outside all at 9 p.m. I was up for midnight anyway, but our celebrating was already done by then. 🙂

    I hope you have a wonderful New Year, Laurel-Rain!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, and Happy New Year to you, too!

      Earlier in the year, I had to do a recall, too, and it took all day…but they took me home in the jitney, and then picked me up…so that wasn’t too bad. What was worse…it took over a year to get to the repair…and in the meanwhile, nobody could sit on my passenger side (airbags).

      When I got text messages of Happy New Year on my iPhone, Phoebe, fireworks went off. That must have been built into the phone. At first I thought the people I got the messages from were sending them…but then they went off when I sent a text message. A nice touch.

      Enjoy 2017!

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  11. The Cue Card

    Wow 167 books! You had a great year. Sorry to hear about the tire, ugh. We’ve watched a few episodes of The Crown and like it too. The pace is a tad slow but it is fascinating. Happy 2017!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Susan, and I just finished Season I of The Crown. I hope there are more seasons. It ended on a sort of cliffhanger.

      Now I have a story which will certainly “date” me: I watched Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation on TV, way back in the day…and no, I’m not as old as she, LOL. But it was surreal to see the characters on the show watching the TV production, which brought back memories of me and other students huddled in a living room of one of the two families that had a TV that year (in our school).

      We also watched President Eisenhower’s inauguration earlier (in the home of the OTHER student who had a TV).

      Enjoy your reading, your week, and your year!

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    1. Thanks, Lola, it was a good year for reading, primarily because I decided to go more with my moods when selecting books, and to stick to a plan and some goals.

      As for my flat tire, I shouldn’t complain, since it’s been years since I’ve had one. And I had Triple A on hand within half an hour.

      Enjoy your year, and thanks for visiting.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer, I seldom get a flat tire…so when I do get one, I am stunned. As if it is an impossible and ludicrous thing…LOL.

      I do tend to name everything: my Kindle (Pippa); my phone (Phoebe); and my laptop (Louisa May).

      Glad you could stop by.

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  15. Oh no a flat tire. Always my dread but as you say Triple or in our case AA can always be called. But quite a long wait there. Yes I realised yesterday, yay I can begin buying again because the challenge begins afresh!!

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    1. Flat tires and general car breakdowns…I used to get them when I was young and driving beat-up cars, but this was my first in many years…something to be grateful for, I suppose. Waiting for Triple A was short, but then at the tire shop, where I got the new one installed, I had hours to sit waiting in a place that had a horrible bathroom…lol.

      Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn, and I’m so excited to be able to buy books again! I had an Amazon gift card to tear through…LOL.

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    1. A flat tire, blissfully, has been a rare thing for many years…so it is unexpected when it happens. Someone deliberately slashed my tire, apparently.

      I hadn’t planned a goal number of books for the year, but try to read 14 or more each month, sometimes failing.

      Thanks for visiting, Laura, and enjoy your New Year.

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  17. katarguelles

    Happy New Year! You did great on your reading for 2016. I’ll probably set the same goal of 90 books for my Goodreads challenge. I know that work will probably get in the way of my reading time again for 2017. Sorry to hear about the flat tire but it is great to have Triple A. We do too and it’s a nice peace of mind knowing you can call them when you need help. Have a great week and new year!

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. Happy New Year to you Laurel-Rain. Yes, 2016 flew by, especially the second half.
    Looks like you had good reads last week. I have been seeing a couple of your new titles, The Orphan’s Train and The Woman in Cabin 10, around the blogs. All of the new books look very good to me. Happy Reading!

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    1. I was pleased to receive it on NetGalley, Melinda, and usually I get the ones I request, but occasionally there is an unexpected “disapproved.” Hard not to take it personally…LOL.

      Enjoy your week and the New Year!

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  22. This looks like a successful year in reading. I am looking forward to reading The Woman in Cabin 10. I have it on hold at the library. There is quite a wait, and am trying to hold steadfast and refrain from purchasing it, as I really do have many other books to read. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. I agree, Kathy, it was uncomfortable (hard chairs!) and cold, too…and with a truly trashy bathroom. Yikes! LOL. So glad I don’t have to go there often!

      Enjoy your reading….and I usually love Amy Hatvany’s books…so I’m feeling positive about it.

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  24. Happy New Year! Looks like you had a great reading year in 2016!
    I preordered The Woman in Cabin 10 and I can’t wait to read it, since I enjoyed the author’s previous book so much. I also want to read Missing Presumed, I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on this one.
    Happy reading and I wish you the best of stories for 2017!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Yes, I downloaded The Woman in Cabin 10 IMMEDIATELY after reading In a Dark, Dark Wood, which I loved.

      Missing, Presumed is one I’ve seen good things about. Looking forward! Thanks for visiting, Kay, and enjoy your reading. Happy New Year!

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  28. Oh no on the flat tire! Thankfully I’ve never had one on my own because I have a feeling I’d panic. Also, definitely good you had Pippa with you. That’s a good reminder to always have my Kindle on me – you never know what’s going to happen! Yay for Woman in Cabin 10! I should be getting the audio version soon as I’ve been on the wait list forever and I can’t wait. Have a great week and happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, and yes, it’s always good to have my Kindle…and, of course, my Triple A card. I had a few flat tires when I was young, as I drove beat-up cars and didn’t replace the tires often enough. Budget constraints, etc.

      Eventually we learn that spending money on the car helps…until it doesn’t! Who knew that someone would slash my tire? Should I be paranoid? LOL.

      I am eager to start reading Woman in Cabin 10…loved the author’s previous book.

      Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks, Anna, and I couldn’t even find my receipt for my tires…it wasn’t in my glove box….but I remembered the name of the shop, and they had the record there. So I knew I had the right shop. But, of course, I hadn’t bought the extra warranty. Sigh.

      But…it was still an annoying wait in a stinky, cold place with hard chairs…LOL.

      Happy New Year!

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    1. Yes, I had done that when I replaced all of my tires…not that long ago. Who could have predicted a tire slasher at work!

      But I will stop dwelling on it…and think of my books. Thanks for visiting, Aleen. Enjoy your year!

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  34. I’ve really enjoyed some of Amy Hatvany’s previous novels; I’ll be interested to see what you think of this one! Also, I feel like I have been on the library waiting list for The Woman in Cabin 10 FOREVER!! I hope it comes around soon! Have a great week!

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  36. We have many similar books! I’m looking forward to blogging more this year, and getting back to my reading habits. I read many less books in 2016 and I need to remedy that. There are really too many books I want to read! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. Yes, getting four new tires is a big undertaking…and it wasn’t that long ago for mine. But sadly, someone decided to slash one of my tires. I guess I should be grateful it was only one!

      I am looking forward to Missing, Presumed…and hope you love The Crown, too. Happy New Year, Nise.

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