RAINY DAYS…AND FRIDAYS…

Why am I so obsessed with changing up the headers here?  I have probably done so about three or four times in the past month.

I guess this blog has a special place in my heart.  It began in August 2009…yes, many years ago, and I launched it on the Blogger platform.  I moved it to WordPress in 2013, and I am happy that I did make that change.  By then I had several blogs on that platform.

When I started the blog, I was humming that song by the Carpenters…as I was headed on a Monday to a week’s vacation in Napa, Wine Country.  It didn’t take much for me to morph into thinking about Mondays and reading and how books can always cheer me up.  When it’s raining…or when it’s Monday.

While I was there, I occasionally used a laptop in the resort office, as I didn’t have my own back then.  I checked on the blog and added some thoughts…and images.  The image below features one of my favorites from that vacation:  my lunch served on the Wine Train.

Once I returned home, I had lots of thoughts about Mondays, rainy days, and the Carpenters.  I continued with those themes for a while, eventually settling on the tagline for this blog:  Books Chase Away the Blues.

I don’t know how long before that urge to change the blog header strikes again…I can count on that happening, of course.  But right now I feel content with this one, with the rainy days showing through the windows, a stack of books on the left, and that candle and a book on the right.  My avatar Bitmoji image of me is in the center.  My blog button is also derived from that image.

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Do you have special thoughts about your blog(s)?  How do you spotlight your favorite moments?

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RAINY DAY MUSINGS: SPOTTY WEATHER & INTERNET…

This week has been scattered with rain and sunshine.  On Tuesday night, we had thunder…and I kept my eye on my kitchen skylight.  It has fallen down several times.  But not on Tuesday.

My Internet has been in and out all week, too, along with my TV reception…and I don’t know what is worse.  The rain had nothing to do with those interruptions.  A technician is coming today to check out the modem…and maybe replace it.

The window of time I’ll be waiting:  2:00 p.m. forward.  I have a hair appointment at 12:45, so I hope to be home in time.  They’re supposed to call when they’re on their way.

Usually these windows involve lots of waiting, but watch the technician arrive right on time today!

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I really hate days with appointments.  I feel stressed and anxious.  Let’s hope today goes smoothly.

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson.

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How is your week unfolding?  What are your weekend plans?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BLOGGING, READING, & NETFLIX

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.

Where did the week go?  I went out and about, the weather was in the 90s most days, which was great…and I read and reviewed THREE books.  My Read the Books You Buy total is now 72.

For the most part, I don’t recall much about the week, except that the books I read were good.  On Netflix, I finished The Ranch and started Friends from College.  I’m not sure about that one, since, after two episodes, I don’t like the characters that much.  There doesn’t seem to be any kind of plot, and they all behave like teenagers, even though they are in their forties.  I may have to give it more time…or just stop watching.

I’m writing this on Friday evening so I won’t have to get up early on Saturday.  I am feeling really tired lately and I’d like to sleep in.

Let’s take a look at last week:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  General Quirkiness…and Favorite Things

Tuesday Potpourri:  Ogling New Release Books…

Tuesday Sparks:  “Crime Scene”

Hump Day Potpourri:  My Reading Week….

Coffee Chat:  Books, Netflix, Movies, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “Here & Gone”

Hope:  My One Word That Guides Me….

Review:  The Secrets She Keeps (e-book), by Michael RobothamReview:  The Identicals (e-book), by Elin HilderbrandReview:  Here & Gone (e-book), by Haylen Beck

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

One book came in my mailbox!  I also downloaded four e-books (purchased).

Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell

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Downloads:

A Stranger in the House (e-book), by Shari Lapena

Seeing Red (e-book), by Sandra Brown

Exposed (e-book, A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel), by Lisa Scottoline

Watch Me Disappear (e-book), by Janelle Brown

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WHAT’S NEXT?

As usual, I have a list of possibilities…and I tend to veer off any path that I set up for myself.  But first:

Currently Reading:  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (e-book), by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Maybe these:

Home, by Harlan Coben

The Good Daughter (e-book), by Karin Slaughter

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And that was my week.  What did yours look like?  Here’s tonight’s dinner, from California Pizza Kitchen:  Baked Potato Soup, Strawberry Margarita…and Pippa, my Kindle.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: JURY DUTY, GET-TOGETHERS, & A MOVIE

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.

What a week!  Hot weather is still streaming down, but I’m trying to stay cool.  I went out a few times, always taking my book.  I had lunch with my daughter and grandson on Tuesday…then on Thursday, I had to report to Jury Duty.  That wasn’t fun…we had to wait on uncomfortable chairs in the Assembly Room to find out if we had to serve.  By noon, I was reconciled to being stuck there at least all day…and then, good news!  Half of us were dismissed.  I then happily went to Marie Callender’s to celebrate with a pot pie and wine.  I took a piece of pie home. (Photo of lunch at the bottom of the post).

I did manage to read and review three books this week, and my Read the Books You Buy Challenge now totals 69 books.

This week, I resumed watching The Ranch on Netflix…and I loved the country songs at the beginning of each episode.  Plus, Debra Winger and Sam Elliott always make me smile.

Today I’m having lunch with an old friend who is in town…and then I’m planning to see The Glass Castle.

Sunday, I’m joining my daughter and friends for her birthday brunch:

I’m long past drinking my coffee this morning, so let’s get right to a peek into last week’s reading and blogging.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  What’s in a Name?

Tuesday Potpourri:  Past & Present Moments…

Tuesday Sparks:  “The Lying Game”

A Week in Reading…

Coffee Chat:  Jury Duty, Birthdays, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Identicals”

Friday Potpourri:  Visiting Prague via Photos, Etc.

Review:  Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, by Chris BohjalianReview:  Swimming Lessons (e-book), by Claire FullerReview:  Before We Were Yours (e-book), by Lisa Wingate

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty mailbox!  I did download three e-books (purchased).

The Good Daughter (e-book), by Karin Slaughter

The Locals (e-book), by Jonathan Dee

Come Sundown (e-book), by Nora Roberts

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WHAT’S NEXT?

I have a long list of books that I have labeled “up next.”  I started reading one that will take a while, as I only read it just before I sleep:

America’s Queen, by Sarah Bradford

The Secrets She Keeps (e-book), by Michael Robotham (Currently Reading)

Mean Streak, by Sandra Brown (I started this one, which is also a bedtime read)

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  Here is my celebratory lunch from Thursday:

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MORE TRIPLE DIGITS, NETFLIX, ETC.

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.

Has it been a week already since I last sat here on a Saturday morning, pondering the events of the past seven days?  The week has unfolded one day at a time, featuring triple digits…what else is new?  I did read and review FOUR books:  two were NetGalley review books, and the other two added to my Read the Books You Buy Challenge, now totaling 66 books.

I finished Season I of Ozark…which grew more and more like Breaking Bad as it progressed.  I hope there are more seasons!!

Next weekend, I am setting aside time to see the movie The Glass Castle, based on the book by Jeannette Walls.  Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, and Woody Harrelson star.

On Thursday, I got a manicure and changed up my nail color to dark blue, with minimal sparkles.  I needed to feel like something was changing here.  The photo, below, was snapped in my bedroom showing me “clutching” Pippa, my Kindle.  In the background you can see one set of bookshelves that now live in the room.

The rest of the week was more reading, some blogging, etc.  So let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Correcting an Oversight:  Obsessively….

Tuesday Potpourri:  “Sunday Morning Coming Down”

Monthly Wrap-Up:  Hello August!

My Interior World:  Books, Comfy Setting, & My Nook….

Hump Day Potpourri:  Let’s Engage in Reading…

Hump Day Sparks:  Sharing the Moments…

My Interior World:  Coffee, Books, Dreams, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands”

Friday Potpourri:  The Queens of Tidbits & Obsessions…

Review:  Emma in the Night (e-book), by Wendy Walker (NG – 8/8)Review:  Sunday Morning Coming Down, by Nicci FrenchReview:  The Bookshop on the Corner (e-book), by Jenny ColganReview:  The Other Girl (e-book), by Erica Spindler (NG – 8/22)

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Nothing in my physical mailbox…but an e-mail brought a new NetGalley review book:

The Best Kind of People (e-book), by Zoe Whittall (NetGalley – 9/19)

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Then I downloaded these e-books (purchased):

The Address (e-book), by Fiona Davis

Crime Scene (e-book), by Jonathan Kellerman/Jesse Kellerman

The Truth We Bury (e-book), by Barbara Taylor Sissel

The Identicals (e-book), by Elin Hilderbrand

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WHAT’S NEXT?

I am caught up on NetGalley books until mid-September, so I’ve reached out for some books from my TBR:

Currently Reading:  Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, by Chris Bohjalian

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Then…my list includes these books, but I might veer off course:

Swimming Lessons (e-book), by Claire Fuller

Before We Were Yours (e-book), by Lisa Wingate

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And that’s my week…what did yours look like?  Oh, here’s my late lunch from Thursday: Corn Chowder, Caesar Salad, Strawberry Margarita…and Pippa, my Kindle.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MORE HEAT, LESS READING….

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.

This morning, I woke up and started doing household tasks that I’ve put off all week.  Yes, I had done some things during the week, and I always keep things picked up…but my most hated chores are scrubbing floors!  So that’s what I’ve been doing today.  Done, now!  Just waiting for the bathroom rugs to dry.  I am trying to stay cool, although even with the AC on, floor scrubbing definitely brought up my heat levels.

Reading was good, but not phenomenal.  Three books read and reviewed, and since two of them were review ARCs, my Read the Books You Buy Challenge only went up one, now totaling 64 books.

I finished watching Shetland on Netflix...loved it!  Now I have to find another series!  I have added some to my queue:  Ozark, Friends from College, and Father Brown.  Has anyone seen them?  I’ve enjoyed catching up on my TV shows, like Broadchurch and The Fosters.  A new show I’m watching:  The Bold Type.

So…that’s where some of my reading time went.  And I finally went out to shop a little and had a late lunch one day.  The usual food photo:  soup and a margarita (see at the bottom of this post).

Here’s what morning in my office looks like:

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And now, let’s take a look back….

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Internet Trolls, Etc.:  Out of the Slime…

Tuesday Sparks:  “Heartbreak Hotel”

A Young Girl’s Interior World:  Excerpting “Web of Tyranny”

My Hump Day Reading:  Engaging!

Coffee Chat:  Hot Weather, Bad Mood…

A Baby Boomer’s Coming-of-Age Tale….

Bookish Friday:  “Emma in the Night”

Friday Potpourri:  Staying Cool with Family….

Review:  Mrs. Fletcher (e-book), by Tom Perrotta – (NetGalley – 8/1)Review:  Girl in Snow (e-book), by Danya Kukafta – (NetGalley – 8/1)Bad Housekeeping (e-book), by Maia Chance

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty mailbox!  But I did purchase one newly released e-book.

The Lying Game (e-book), by Ruth Ware

Atmospheric, twisty, and with just the right amount of chill that will keep you wrong-footed—which has now become Ruth Ware’s signature style—The Lying Game is sure to be her next big bestseller. Another unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Can’t wait!

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Still Reading:  Emma in the Night (e-book), by Wendy Walker (NG-8-8)

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Because my next NetGalley review books won’t be released until late August and September, I think I’ll try some of my purchased TBR books, like this one:

Sunday Morning Coming Down, (A Frieda Klein Novel), by Nicci French

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The Bookshop on the Corner (e-book), by Jenny Colgan

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  (Below), my Thursday late afternoon repast:  It is very familiar, isn’t it?  But what can I say…I love that soup and that margarita.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: HOT DAYS & MORE READING…

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 hot week!  I did read four books again this week, bringing my challenge total to 63 books.

There were some outside activities, too, which I tried to restrict to mornings:  coffee at Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, with a friend; and hair styling on Thursday.

Sadly the rash came back…despite the organic dye.  Luckily I had some of the ointment left over from last time, the kind that worked after several trials.  I also refilled the prescription for more…just in case.  After one day of using it, I’m almost in control of it. 

I may have to shave my head!  LOL.  No, I’ll probably just find a solution that involves going natural.  Whatever that may look like these days.

This morning I had breakfast at Marie Callender’s, after getting my prescription…I didn’t photograph it, as the platter was huge.  I didn’t eat it all…but still.  Piggy time?

Now I’m having more coffee in my “reading” cup.  Check out the dwindling book stacks on the shelf nearby…and I like the morning light coming through the blinds.  Now let’s look at last week’s blogging and reading…the blog posts were minimal, but the reading was good.

 

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Potpourri:  “The Secrets She Keeps”

Hump Day Potpourri:  A Week of Reading….

Chatting with Coffee….

Bookish Friday:  “Mrs. Saint & the Defectives”

Looking Back…and Moving Forward….

Review:  My Life to Live, by Agnes NixonReview:  The Marriage Pact (e-book), by Michelle Richmond (NG – 9/25)Review:  The Best of Us (e-book), by Joyce Maynard (NG-9/5)Review:  Every Wild Heart (e-book), by Meg Donohue

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty physical mailbox!  My inbox, however, brought ONE NetGalley Review ARC…as if I need more.

The Blackbird Season (e-book), by Kate Moretti (NG – 9/26)

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Currently Reading:  Mrs. Fletcher (e-book), by Tom Perrotta (NG – 8/1)

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I also need to read some more e-ARCs in the next couple of weeks, like…

Girl in Snow (e-book), by Danya Kukafka (NG – 8/1)

Emma in the Night (e-book), by Wendy Walker (NG – 8/8)

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I would also love to grab one or two books from my TBR (Purchased)…but we shall see.

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That’s my week…what did yours look like?  A couple of nights ago, I read while eating this salad, topped off with my Pomegranate Martini.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MORE HEAT, READING, & SOME PAMPERING….

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.

Luckily the AC kept me cool indoors, where I’ve hidden out from the ongoing triple digits.   As a result, I read and reviewed FOUR more wonderful books this week, bringing my Read the Books You Buy Challenge to 61.

My viewing this week has been sporadic, but I’ve finished the Netflix Season I of Gypsy, and have added a few more to my queue, like the movie Lion, along with Shetland...and Father Brown.  I’ve heard good things.

I continue watching Broadchurch, and started a new show on Freeform called The Bold Type.

I braved the heat and headed to the cool nail salon for some pampering with a mani-pedi..and changed up my nail color from dark purple to red.

So…now as I eat breakfast and sip a cup of coffee in my office, I contemplate my reading and blogging for the week:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Sparks:  “The Child”

Tuesday Potpourri:  A Bonanza of Books…

Hump Day Reading….

Hump Day Sparks:  More Prague Photos, Etc.

Let’s Grab Some Coffee and Chat….

Bookish Friday:  “After Anna”

Friday Potpourri:  Assessing My Book Stacks….

Review:  The Girl, etc., by Samantha GeimerReview:  The Summer House (e-book), by Hannah McKinnonReview:  The Comfort of Others, by Kay LangdaleReview:  The Child (e-book), by Fiona Barton

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

What a book bonanza this week!  One book I purchased arrived in my physical mailbox, and I downloaded three NetGalley review books.  Additionally, I purchased four downloads.

Sunday Morning Coming Down, by Nicci French (in my mailbox!)

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NetGalley Review Books:

The Best of Us (e-book), by Joyce Maynard (Release Date:  9/5)

The Stolen Marriage (e-book), by Diane Chamberlain (Release Date – 10/3)

The Rules of Magic (e-book), by Alice Hoffman – (Release Date – 10/10)

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Purchased Downloads:

The Almost Sisters (e-book), by Joshilyn Jackson

Bring Her Home (e-book), by David Bell

Before We Were Yours (e-book), by Lisa Wingate

The Secrets She Keeps (e-book), by Michael Robotham

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Currently Reading:  The Marriage Pact (e-book), by Michelle Richmond – (NG-7/25)

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Then….these possibilities:

My Life to Live, by Agnes Nixon

Every Wild Heart (e-book), by Meg Donohue

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That was my week….what did yours look like?  Enjoy this treat with me…from a few days ago.  I had Corn Chowder, a Margarita, and started reading The Child:

 

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MORE TRIPLE DIGITS….

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 hot week has been good for my reading…and Movie/TV watching.  I  read and reviewed four books this week, bringing my total for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge to 58.  Two of my books were NetGalley Review ARCs.

On the binge-watching front, I watched Season 6 of Offspring on Netflix, and all of Season 1 of Gypsy.

My stacks are dwindling…a little.  But I keep buying books, too, although I only downloaded one e-book this week.

Let’s grab some coffee and take a look.  I’m in my office with the TV on…and posting on my blogs.

 

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  A Day at the Movies…and Binge-Watching Later…

Monday Potpourri:  A Surprising Sunday…

Tuesday Sparks:  “Swimming Lessons”

Hump Day Potpourri:  A Week of Reading….

Interior Thoughts on a Thursday….

Bookish Friday:  “The Bookshop on the Corner”

Friday Sparks:  A Family Feature….

Review:  The Bookshop at Water’s End (e-book), by Patti Callahan Henry  (NG)Review:  Love Letters, by Debbie MacomberReview:  The Comfort of Secrets (e-book), by Christine Nolfi – (NG – 7/18)Review:  Another Brooklyn, by Jacqueline Woodson

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

No books in my mailbox!

I downloaded one e-book:

After Anna (e-book), by Alex Lake

 

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Currently Reading:  The Summer House (e-book), by Hannah McKinnon

 

The Child (e-book), by Fiona Barton

 

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And then, maybe one of these….

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That was my week…what did yours look like?  Come on by and let’s chat.  Meanwhile, I want to have something cool….

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A LOT OF READING!

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.

What a week!  It was too hot to go anywhere, so I holed up inside…and when I looked up again, I discovered that I had read and reviewed FIVE books.  My Read the Books You Buy Challenge now totals 56.  One of my reads was an “Old Dusty TBR book” (from 2014), so it didn’t count for this challenge.

I started a new Netflix show called The Doctor Blake Mysteries….and I’m not sure about it yet.  I am loving Season Three of Broadchurch, on BBC-America.  I watched the first two seasons on Netflix a while ago.

Since I’ve been indoors most of the week (not counting supermarket visits!), I need an outing, so I’m planning to see the movie The Hero, with some oldies like Sam Elliott, Katharine Ross (remember her from The Graduate?), and someone more current:  Laura Prepon, from OITNB.

 

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Early this morning, I recorded a movie I always love to watch over and over:  The Company You Keep, with Robert Redford, Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie…and Sam Elliott.  Younger characters that may be familiar to some of you:  Shia LaBeouf and Anna Kendrick.  I also have the book…but haven’t read it yet.

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So…looking forward to the weekend.  Now I’ll grab some more coffee, and share what happened last week…in more detail.  I wrote TEN blog posts. 

 

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monday Potpourri:  Musings…

Tuesday Potpourri:  “New Release” Obsession…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Bookshop at Water’s End”

The TBR Jar:  Dusting Off the Old Unread Books…

Hump Day Reading:  Current, Past, & Future Reading…

Thursday Tidbits….

It’s Time for Coffee…and Bookish/Not So Bookish Thoughts…

Bookish Friday:  “Any Day Now”

Friday Potpourri:  Staying Cool….

Hello, July!  Monthly Wrap-Up….

Review:  The Sunshine Sisters (e-book), by Jane GreenReview:  Watching the Detectives (e-book, #5), by Julie MulhernReview:  Talking as Fast as I Can, by Lauren GrahamReview:  Any Day Now (e-book), by Robyn CarrReview:  What Remains, by Carole Radziwill (TBR from 2014!)***

INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty mailbox!  I did download two purchased e-books…and a freebie from Kindle First.

The Child (e-book), by Fiona Barton

 

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The Bookshop on the Corner (e-book), by Jenny Colgan

 

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Freebie:

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives (e-book), by Julie Lawson Timmer

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Currently Reading:  The Bookshop at Water’s End (e-book), by Patti Callahan Henry – (NG – 7/11)

And then…

The Summer House (e-book), by Hannah McKinnon

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The Comfort of Secrets (e-book, Book 2), by Christine Nolfi (NG – 7/18)

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That was my week…what did yours look like?  And to tempt you further, my favorite dessert from a previous weekend, which I didn’t share…

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