WEEKLY UPDATES: WELCOME, JUNE!

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

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.

 

Another week has flown by!  I read and reviewed four books, two of them NetGalley reviews, and my Read the Books You Buy total is now at 47.

The 90 – 100 degree heat has kept me indoors with the AC….which explains the four books read.

I’ve been watching Season 5 of House of Cards on Netflix, and The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.  Soon there will be another season of Orange Is the New Black.

I’m still watching (and loving) Season 3 of Better Call Saul, on AMC, but there are only three episodes left. Sigh.

I think the skin condition is ALMOST under control.

Finally my new little flat screen TV for the office arrived, and the Geek Squad set it up for me.   I like listening to it as background noise when I’m at my computer.

 

***

What else happened this week?

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  A Week in Transition…

Overcoming the Past:  Excerpting “Embrace the Whirlwind”

Tuesday Sparks:  “Same Beach, Next Year”

Hump Day Sparks:  What a Reading Week!

Goodbye to May!  A Wrap-Up…

From the Interior:  My Thoughts…

Bookish Friday:  “One Good Thing”

Friday Potpourri:  The Mounting TBR Pile…

Review:  How It All Began (e-book), by Penelope LivelyReview:  The Breakdown (e-book), by B. A. Paris (NetGalley – 6/20)Review:  It’s Always the Husband (e-book), by Michele CampbellReview:  Beach House for Rent (e-book), by Mary Alice Monroe

***

INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Two books came in my mailbox!  One for review, the other a purchase.  Then I downloaded (purchased) e-books.

The Beach Inn, by Joanne DeMaio (Author Review Request)

 

***

Good Me, Bad Me, by Ali Land (Purchased)

 

***

Downloads:

Watching the Detectives , Book 5 (e-book), by Julie Mulhern

 

***

White Fur (e-book), by Jardine Libaire

 

***

UP NEXT?  These two…and whatever else my mood dictates….

The Swallow’s Nest, by Emilie Richards (Author Review Request)

 

***

One Good Thing (e-book), by Wendy Wax

 

***

That was my week….what did yours look like?  Last night, I enjoyed one of my favorite soups at the neighborhood Elephant Bar.

 

***

86 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: WELCOME, JUNE!”

  1. fuonlyknew

    Happy to hear your skin is clearing up. And what a week. Good books and a new TV! I’m excited about the new season of Orange. I’m getting ready to binge Bloodlines, and Preacher and both Walking Dead shows start soon.

    My Sunday Post

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, Laura, and things are looking up…but I don’t want to jinx it. LOL.

      I think I liked Season 1 of Bloodline best….I still liked the characters then. They got progressively dark. But those changes do make good story.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply
  2. Greg Hill

    Oh I need to get to the new Mulhern! I usually jump on them right when they come out but this time I have a few books to get through first. Can’t wait!! Looks like you’ve really heated up over there too. We were around 80 today so we’re not that hot yet, but it finally feels like summer.

    The new flat screen looks nice. I need one of those lol.

    I’ve been binging Luther. Quite a show! And the soup looks good- I can always go for good soup and something crusty to dip in it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Greg, and it seemed to take a few tries before I found the TV small enough for this room, but still with the features i wanted.

      I plan to start spending more time in the office, even when I’m not on the computer…LOL.

      I started Luther…and then got sidetracked. I’ll have to check it out further. Enjoy your week.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Kathryn, I’m playing the TV in the background as I type….LOL.

      I’m surprised it took this long for the weather to heat up.

      The Swallows Nest does look very tempting, as does One Good Thing. Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Trish, I loved Breaking Bad….but it got really intense. I’m enjoying watching the evolving “Saul” character.

      The Handmaid’s Tale was a good book I read twice…then I watched a movie based on it in the 1990s with Natasha Richardson. I think this Hulu production is the best yet.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, Deb, and I live in the Central Valley, famous for its long hot summers. Sometimes we can be over 110 degrees for a week or two at a time. Down in LA and along the beaches the weather is more moderate, even cool. I long for those communities! LOL.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

  6. Wow.. That’s some hot weather! Thankfully there’s AC!!
    We just got home from our honeymoon, and hopefully we get to check up on Netflix before we have to work again. I haven’t seen House of Cards, but I really want to see it.
    That looks like some tasty soup.Yum
    Have a great week and happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Di, I was surprised about finishing four again, but there was a lot of downtime, waiting for delivery, at the doctor’s office, etc. And I always take a book to dinner.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, Cindy, and I’m curious about Orphan Black…hope you enjoy House of Cards, although this newest season is a bit “outside the box,” but that can be interesting.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

  14. DeMaio always has the best covers! I haven’t read anything by her yet but her covers make me want to start soon. Sounds like you’ve had a good week! Glad the skin condition is clearing up. I know that must be such a relief. Enjoy your new books – especially Watching the Detective – and have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Katherine, I almost missed the release of Watching the Detectives. I love this series! I also have enjoyed every one of DeMaio’s books, starting with Whole Latte Life, which I had received from her as a review book.

      I am feeling good about the skin condition…and hope it is gone for good.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

  15. Wow – that is seriously hot! I was getting excited as our temp edged into the 70s a couple of days… Though it is much cooler today and going to go on getting chilly through tomorrow. Still – I can’t complain about the weather through May – it has been amazing. I love the cover for The Beach Inn – enjoy your reading and I’m delighted to hear your skin is almost healed. I had a skin test for the Big Dye later this month – and it’s fine. Have a great week, Laurel:).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Good idea to test for the dye…I’ll be doing that now, although my daughter is still in denial, a little bit…not wanting to believe it. I don’t blame her for what happened…I should have requested the skin tests.

      Even though I’ve lived in the Central Valley (and its long hot summer weather) since the 1970s, I still feel stunned when it hits. My eldest son, who grew up here, hadn’t been in these parts since the 1990s…he’s been living in Europe. He visited two summers ago, and he was grumbling fiercely, turning the thermostat down, etc. His wife, on the other hand, loved the heat…she grew up in the Czech Republic.

      Thanks for stopping by, Sarah, and enjoy your week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. It’s always easy to be wise after the event! I very much hope that you continue to recover – such a miserable thing to happen:(.

        I’m not sure whether I could cope with SUCH heat, but I certainly suffer in the English climate. I spent a chunk of my childhood in Zambia in the days before air conditioning. Being too hot is always easier for me to bear than being too cold which plunges me into misery. I dread the winter and snatch at any opportunity to sit in the sun and let it seep into my marrow…

        I hope this is a good week for you and the air conditioning holds up:).

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Thank goodness for the Geek Squad 🙂 We’ve used them a few times. I’m thinking of taking a week or two off blogging this summer and just reading books from my shelf. One will be a DeMaio book – I have a couple on my Kindle and I know she has two new ones this spring/summer. I’m drawn in by the cover of the one you received! Have a good week and I hope the skin condition continues to clear up. Oh, I’d be indoors with that heat as well. We’ve had 80s the past two days, which is kind of welcome after the wet, cool spring we had.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, Mary, and I had never bought a TV in Best Buy until now, but I love those guys! So quick and with unique expertise. They were good at listening and explaining. They tied up my cords, too, for which I am grateful, as they were a mess! LOL.

      Enjoy your books…and I love the sound of the 80 degree weather!

      Like

      Reply

  19. Our weather hasn’t gotten as hot as yours yet, although the forecast tells me it won’t be long now. We’re thinking of getting one of those little above ground pools for the summer just to keep cool.

    How are you finding The Handmaid’s Tale? I really want to see that now that I’ve read the book. I’m looking forward to the new season of Orange is the New Black too.

    Congratulations on the new TV! It looks great. I often have something on when I’m at my computer too–although not right now. I’m in the room without a TV at the moment.

    Your new books all look good, Laurel-Rain! I hope you enjoy them.

    Have a wonderful week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Wendy, and sometimes I feel a little ridiculous for having a TV in three different rooms, especially since I live alone. But so be it, right?

      Above-ground pools are great! My daughter has a built-in pool in the home she rents from my youngest son, and we love the pool parties. But when my kids were little, it was always the above-ground variety.

      I’m loving The Handmaid’s Tale…I am still hoping that our world does not come to this. In the current era, I can see it as a possibility…except for the fact that you-know-who does not seem to be very popular.

      Looking forward to my books! Enjoy your week.

      Like

      Reply

  20. Watching the Detectives and White Fur are both high on my wish list… very different types of books, but I’m already a fan of Mulhern’s series and have seen reviewers praise the writing in White Fur. Glad you got the new television set up. Don’t know what I’d do without Geek Squad. I’ve been inside a lot this week, too, but it’s rain and cold here, lol!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, JoAnn, the rain and cold sound good…LOL. But I remember complaining when we got that kind of weather…I guess it’s a safe thing to moan about, the weather.

      I am looking forward to both books…and loved the Mulhern series.

      Very happy with the Geek Squad! First time I’ve used them, but relieved that they are available for all kinds of technological issues.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

  21. Love your new setup. I started White Fur Friday night and couldn’t get in to it. I found the style odd for some reason but admit I didn’t get far and my judgement may have been margarita-clouded. I might give it another go but haven’t decided.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. The Cue Card

    Wow your new flat screen TV looks nice, it must be in HD eh? So clear. I’m flying to Palm Springs on Thurs so I’m thinking it’ll likely be 100 easy. ha. Stay indoors! Enjoy your House of Cards; I’m still hoping the current Administration … will fall soon like a deck of Cards, LOL. have a good week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, Susan, and yes, it is HD….and I already have versions of this one in my living room and bedroom, but hated the boxy little one that had been in the office. Today I enjoyed watching in here…and think it will be a very useful addition to the “TV family.”

      I am so hoping that our current Administration topples and falls…sooner rather than later. Before he can do any frightening damage.

      Enjoy your week!

      Like

      Reply

  23. I love Better Call Saul and I just finished Breaking Bad on Netflix. Both are great shows. I’m looking forward to Orange is the New Black and Bloodline. I’ll have to try House of Cards too. Your books look great. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. I WISH the heat would crank up a little here in Montreal. Still not warm enough for me. I think I was born in the wrong country. Looks like you had a great reading week. I’m seeing White Fur everywhere but I’m still clueless as to what it’s about. I will have to look into it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Cleo, I am definitely excited to nest all week long, and I’m looking forward to all the books. I’ll probably come out of my cave for small amounts of time, but always accompanied by a book. Enjoy your week, too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. You have a busy time ahead! Thanks for stopping by, Sarah. AC is the only way I hang in there during the summers here, but some places, not so hot, don’t require it, of course. Enjoy the week.

      Like

      Reply

  29. I’ve been watching the new House of Cards season too, I’m about halfway through and it’s been good so far. This show always surprises me.
    Good Me, Bad Me is new to me, but it sounds right up my alley. Have a great reading week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Kay, I have been ogling Good Me, Bad Me since if first showed up on some blogs. Eager to start reading it.

      I like the way House of Cards does bring out some current issues through the storylines. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting.

      Like

      Reply

  32. That soup looks amazing!! I love the cover for The Beach Inn, by Joanne DeMaio I feel like it is a perfect beach window! That is great that you got 4 books read last week the heat I can see keeping me inside too!! I hope you have a great week! Happy Reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Candace, I kept walking away from stores and clerks who tried to say they didn’t make smaller TVs anymore. I knew that had to be wrong! LOL.

      Glad I found it. Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Elizabeth, I feel very relaxed now that my rooms are settled, with the new TV in place, and my skin condition healed…Knock wood!

      I am excited about The Beach Inn. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting.

      Like

      Reply

  35. Our weather is still up and down. We get a few warm days, and then rain and cool weather, at least I don’t have to water all my plants outside with the showers. The hot weather will be here soon and I am looking forward to it. Hope you have a fantastic week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  37. Kathy Martin

    That reminds me that I need to shop for a flat screen TV for my living room. It has been on my brother’s to-do list since October but it isn’t done yet. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  41. A new TV would make my husband happy..he loves new tvs, even if we don’t need one. Glad the skin condition is clearing up for you…That must be a relief.

    I really liked the Wendy Wax book. It’s a good summer fun read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Serena, and I do love having a TV in each of the rooms….except the bathroom, of course, although if I had a big house, I would probably have one there, too. LOL

      Can’t wait to read the Wendy Wax book.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Nise, and I am very happy that my skin is clear now…knock wood! Until I know what will happen next time I visit the salon, I will be nervous. There will be some skin testing, of course.

      I love the Wendy Wax series. Hope you enjoy it, too, and maybe the hot weather won’t hit triple digits just yet.

      Like

      Reply

  43. Pingback: Books That Caught Our Eye | Mailbox Monday

Please leave your thoughts. Comments, not awards, feed my soul. Thanks!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.