Welcome to another Monday from the Interior, in which we share about the books we received in the mail (or bought), and talk about our bookish week, past and future.
Mailbox Monday is hosted this month by Metroreader; and Sheila’s Book Journey leads us in What Are You Reading?
MAILBOX MONDAY:
This week, I received three books in the mail (two to review, and one unsolicited book); I also downloaded a YA book on Sparky, my Kindle, for my “eclectic reading challenge.”
1. Why We Broke Up (e-book), by Daniel Handler
Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2012: Min, precocious and equally obsessed with classic cinema and good coffee, broke up with Ed, a popular math-loving jock who secretly carries a protractor. Daniel Handler weaves this heartrending story of first love and other powerful firsts as Min reveals, item by item, what’s in the box she’s leaving on Ed’s doorstep. As readers learn why these two unforgettable characters broke up, the significance of these simple love tokens, beautifully illustrated by Maira Kalman, charmingly unfolds. Written with an emotional depth that allows both adult and teen readers to revisit memories of heartbreak and find pieces of themselves in Min–and maybe even Ed, Why We Broke Up will leave you wondering how Handler knows exactly what it’s like to be a teenage girl in love. —JoVon Sotak
2. Dead Witness (e-book), by Joylene Nowell Butler
Valerie McCormick is a wife and mother from small town Canada. While visiting Seattle, she becomes the only witness to the brutal seaside murder of two FBI agents. When she flees to the nearest police station to report the crime, she becomes caught up in a web of international intrigue and danger. Suddenly, she and her family are in the sights of ruthless criminals bent on preventing her from testifying against the murderer. Even with FBI protection, Valerie is not safe. Whisked away from her family and all that is familiar to her, Valerie fights back against the well-intentioned FBI to ultimately take control over her life with every ounce of fury a mother can possess.
3. Unbroken, by Jamie Lisa Forbes (On Blog Tour 4/10 & 11 at Rainy Days and Mondays site).
Ranching is a life of extremes, perhaps even more so on the high plains near Laramie, Wyoming. And no one knows that better than Gwen Swan, who married both her husband Will and his family ranch where she works hard beside the men and struggles to raise her two children. Meg Braeburn, who has broken away from her family’s ranch, expects unrelenting hard work when she takes a job on the place neighboring the Swans’. She and her son face an uncertain future, but she is determined to leave the past behind and make a good life for them. Gwen, who understands the corrosive effects of isolation better than Meg, includes Meg in her family and community and wins Meg’s gratitude and support. But there is little time for reflection on anyone’s part as the wheel of the seasons grinds relentlessly onward bringing disasters and triumphs and a a rough road for all concerned. The prodigal Swan son returns and relationships shift, old resentments resurface and friendships are strained and tested as everyone finds themselves struggling against the elements and each other to continue their way of life. In this remarkable debut novel the author presents us with fully formed characters that ring as clear and true as the picture of ranch life she paints as a background for the universal struggles we all confront.
4. Gone to Ground, by Brandilyn Collins
Amaryllis, Mississippi is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and a legendary ghost in the local cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its people are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it’s named—bright and fragrant. But the Amaryllis flower is poison.
In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within the town. All the victims were women, and all were killed in similar fashion in their own homes. And just two nights ago—a sixth murder.
Clearly a killer lives among the good citizens of Amaryllis. And now three terrified women are sure they know who he is—someone they love. None is aware of the others’ suspicions. And each must make the heartrending choice to bring the killer down. But each woman suspects a different man.
***
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
It’s been one of those weeks. It started out kind of cold and rainy, which was perfect for curling up to read.
Visiting blogs is another pastime for those kinds of days.
Later in the week, however, it was almost spring-like outside, which made me want to go for long, leisurely walks.
I did some reflecting this week, in my Hump Day Potpourri: Midweek Reflections.
Then I hopped over to one of my writer’s blogs to talk about Banishing the Bogeyman at My Forest Journey.
While I was searching out new books on Amazon, I discovered a new work from a favorite author.
Today I felt a little nostalgic, and wrote a little Sunday Potpourri post.
Then I reviewed some books-click titles for reviews:
1. First, Best and Only – Barbara Delinsky
2. The Bungalow, by Sarah Jio
3. Ship of Souls, by Zetta Elliott
4. Creative Spirit, by Scott Nicholson
What’s Up Next? (Click titles or covers to learn more)
1. Started Early, Took My Dog, by Kate Atkinson
2. Whole Latte Life, by Joanne De Maio (On Blog Tour April 4 at Rainy Days and Mondays)
3. Rogue, by Danielle Steel (From my TBR Stacks)
4. Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, by Stacy Juba (on Sparky, my Kindle for awhile)
***
That’s it for this week! I am going to try to take my time and not push myself too much. Last week was rainy and conducive to doing nothing much but reading…judging from the last couple of days, I will get out more. And I need to get to the gym more often!
What are you reading, writing, blogging about? Come on by and share.
Your mailbox looks great. I hope all of your books turn out to be winners.
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Thanks, Melissa…I hope you love yours, too, and I’m glad you could stop by. Have a great week.
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I’ve been curious about Why We Broke Up. I’ll be reading Whole Latte Life soon. Happy reading!
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Yes, I’ve been noticing it around a lot, Mrs. Q. I’m looking forward to Whole Latte Life.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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I’ll have to check out the Brandlyn Collins book.
Here is mine
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Thanks for stopping by, Brooke…hope you enjoy all of your reads!
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A very interesting week ahead for you! enjoy them all.
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I think it will be, Mystica…thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.
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Started Early, Took my Dog has been on my shelf a while waiting to be read, as well as Atkinsons Case Histories.
I look forward to reading your review.
Have a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
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I’m really enjoying it, Shelleyrae…I started that series completely out of order: first, with When Will There Be Good News? Then I read Case Histories, followed by One Good Turn.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week. Glad you “liked” my post.
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Great selection in your mailbox this week. I really like the look of The Bungalow too, I keep nearly ordering it from Amazon 🙂
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Not only does The Bungalow have a gorgeous cover, it’s a real page turner. Hope you enjoy all of your reads, Sophia, and thanks for stopping by.
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Most of these are new to me –enjoy Laurel
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Thanks, Diane…glad you could stop by. Have a great week!
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Why We Broke appeals to me and Unbroken sounds amazing.
HAppy Reading!
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Yes, I’ve been noticing it in a lot of places and decided to check it out. It should do nicely as the YA book in my “eclectic” reading challenge. Thanks for stopping by, Kim.
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I hope your books are all as good as they look!
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Thanks, Kathy…I do think I’m going to enjoy them! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Happy Reading! Thanks for stopping by! The cover for Whole Latte Life is making me drool! LOL
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Oh, I know! I love looking at it, and I think the story sounds good, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa, and enjoy your week.
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Why We Broke Up is getting such good reviews all over the place, I really must read it soon!
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I think so, too, Helen. I’m trying out new genres (to me) this year, and this one sounded perfect for my YA venture…lol
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Dead Witness sounds fantastically sinister! Great reads you’ve got here. Have a great week!
xo,
La Toya (La Toya, Literally.)
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Oh, I’m looking forward to it, LaToya…thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Enjoy your new books and have a great week!
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Thanks, Anna…hope you do, too. Glad you could stop by.
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Awesome Mailbox!! Enjoy!!
Here is my post!
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Thanks, gautami…glad you could visit, and enjoy your week.
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Why We Broke up sounds interesting. I like the whole concept of a box of goodies that have special meaning! I hope it is a good read!
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I agree, Beth….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week!
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A terrific selection of books.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/mailbox-monday_20.html
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I think so, too, Mary Ann. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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I have added Unbroken to my wish list. I always get great reading ideas here.
Have an awesome week!!
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Good to know, Lori…thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Dead Witness sounds really intriguing to me. I think even TBG would like it. Have a good week, Laurel and happy reading!
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I’m really looking forward to it, Kaye. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.
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I’ve got the Atkinson book on my wishlist. Hope you’ll enjoy it. I’m reading Hillary Jordan’s Mudbound, even better than When She Woke.
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I’m really enjoying the Atkinson book….it has lots of intriguing twists that keep me alert.
Loved Mudbound, too! Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by, Judith.
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Thx for stopping by my Monday! I feel like I’m really up to date on your progress this week. 😀 Too fun. Have a great day!!!
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Thanks, Laura…I’m hoping to enjoy a relaxing week with no appts., etc., and lots of time to devote to the reading. Glad you could stop by, and have a good week.
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Not heard of these books but they sound good, hope you enjoy your week of reading 🙂
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So far, I am really enjoying my reading, although I had to take a bit of a break from it yesterday to tend my sick grandson. Lots of TLC, etc.
Thanks for stopping by, Kate, and enjoy your week.
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I love the titles of some of those books. Here’s hoping that the books are as interesting as the titles! today is one of those foggy stay in bed days.:)
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That’s the only good thing about foggy days, right? If you can stay in bed and read.
Enjoy your reading, Mardel, and thanks for visiting.
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Why We Broke Up has been on lots of reading lists. WIll have to check it out. I enjoyed Gone to Ground. Have a great reading week.
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I’m glad to hear you liked Gone to Ground, as it came to me unexpectedly. It does look good, though.
Thanks for stopping by, Nise, and I’m looking forward to Why We Broke Up, too.
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I think they all sound good!
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Thanks, Mary…I think Mondays are my favorite days of the week nowadays…unlike how I felt back in the day! Sharing books, finding new books….
Glad you could stop by, and I plan to enjoy them all. Have a good week.
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I’ve heard good things about Why We Broke Up, I added it to my TBR list recently. Hope you enjoy it!!!
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I hope so, too, Crystal….it just kept popping up everywhere, so, of course I had to check it out. If I can get something on Kindle, I’m there! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week.
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I’m hearing good things about Why We Broke Up. Will have to look for your review. I’m now off to read your review of The Bungalow. Enjoy your reading week and I hope you get to the gym more often like you said.
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I’m glad you could stop by, Laura, and I’ve already seen your visit to The Bungalow. Glad you are looking forward to this one.
Enjoy your week!
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I love the cover of Whole Latte Life-pop on back over for today’s post. I think you will like the photos.
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Thanks for visiting, Esme, and the minute I saw that cover on Whole Latte Life, I couldn’t stop drooling. So delicious!
Enjoy your week!
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I’m so glad to see you received Unbroken already. I hope you enjoy all of your books!
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Oh, I’m happy about it, too, Teddy Rose; I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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