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.
The week was pretty good, with two books read and reviewed…and six blog posts. I even had some balance. I got out of the house, did some more shopping, and now I’m planning for a family lunch at a neighborhood restaurant later today. Son #2 and his girlfriend have spent the week in Napa…and will pass through our city on the way home. We will gather the local relatives…and enjoy some visiting. Here’s a glimpse of an evening of fun in their past week:
After finishing Season II of Marcella on Netflix (which had a startling conclusion!), I began watching #5 of The Ranch...and finished it. I always ask myself why I’m bothering with the show, as I don’t like the attitudes of the characters, or the way they talk. I guess they are sort of funny…but they are also very crude and definitely not PC. So I’m done with them…for now. LOL.
Now…let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look at my week:
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Rainy Day Excerpts: “Educated”
Tuesday Potpourri: Books, Connections, Etc.
Thursday Potpourri: A Journey of Ups and Downs…
Coffee Chat: Cozy Surroundings & Erratic Reading…
Bookish Friday: “Best Beach Ever”
Review: Nothing Forgotten, by Jessica Levine (Author Review Request)Review: The House Swap (e-book), by Rebecca Fleet
***
INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
My mailbox held one author review book; my inbox contained the links to download two library books; and I gave in and purchased one e-book.
The Season of Silver Linings (A Sweet Lake Novel #3), by Christine Nolfi (For Review)
Library Books:
Surprise Me (e-book), by Sophie Kinsella
Love & Ruin (e-book), by Paula McLain
Purchased Download:
The Ever After (e-book), by Sarah Pekkanen
***
WHAT’S NEXT?
Currently Reading a NetGalley ARC releasing on June 26: Before and Again, by Barbara Delinsky, about a woman in hiding finding the courage to face the world again.
***
I need to start reading my new stack of library books…I got a slew of them at once! Maybe next I’ll pick up Educated, by Tara Westover…
***
That was my week. What did yours look like? Check out this delicious cake…and enjoy your upcoming week.
***
I loved The Ever after as well as the Barbara Delinsky book…what was the occasion for that amazing dress? She matches the room!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Patty, and I recalled that you liked both books.
I don’t know what the occasion was…my son just texted the photos, but I’m guessing some great dinner evening. She looks like a character from a romance novel, doesn’t she?
Today will be the first time I meet her…and maybe I’ll ask about the occasion. LOL
LikeLike
Aww nice pic. 🙂 I hope you enjoy your family lunch! And wasn’t Marcella a trip? I think my jaw hit the floor at that ending. Lol about The Ranch…
Love & Ruin and The Ever After both look nice.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂 Mmm cake…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Greg, and my jaw hit the floor, too, with Marcella. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
I can’t stand the Rooster character on The Ranch. He was supposed to be gone by now, because of his behavior IRL. I think we’ve seen the last of him. Lol.
Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Ah a balanced week! As I read the title of the post I imagined a tightrope walker but ahem I don’t think that’s what you were about to reveal! It was a nice varied week so yay for that especially the relatives visit. I think the Barbara D book sounds like my kind of read. i am booked in at the library for it once it arrives. I think! I did renege on a few reserves and bought them instead but not that one I believe. I want to read Educated too sometime but will wait to see what you say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn, and I like the image of walking the tightrope.
Just got back from the family lunch, and so enjoyed it.
Now I’ll continue reading Before and Again. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that’s a fancy photo. Enjoy your lunch and visit! I’m on a waitlist for Educated, so I’ll be interested to read your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, A.J., they were in Napa in a nice restaurant…enjoy your week!
LikeLike
Educated is on my TBR as well. Have a great week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Maree Jane; I can’t wait to finally read Educated! Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Your daughter-in-law’s dress is gorgeous!
And you sound like you’ve been just busy enough to have things to do – but not too much, so no stress 🙂
Enjoy your new books, and have a fabulous week ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lexxie, I love the dress, too! She looks like she stepped out of a romance novel, doesn’t she?
I’m loving a week that isn’t too stressed, but with enough going on to keep me interested. Enjoy your week, too.
LikeLike
I’m going to have to check out Marcella and The Ranch. Enjoy your time with the family. ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Jenea, and I loved Marcella…The Ranch had some annoying characters, LOL, but for some reason, I kept watching.
We had a great lunch, with lots of conversation. Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
That’s a beautiful picture of your son and his girlfriend 🙂 (what a dress!)
Have a great week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Evelina, I thought it was a gorgeous dress. She has lots of beautiful things, and they seem to have a lot of fun places to go.
Enjoy your week, too.
LikeLike
That sounds like a wonderful week to me. I finally did some reviews for books I’ve read for the last few weeks, and that makes me happy. I’m also celebrating ten years as a blogger with a list of my 100 best reads ever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Deb, and congrats on your first ten years of blogging! Did you ever imagine you would still be loving it? I’m looking forward to that list of your 100 best reads ever. Enjoy the week!
LikeLike
What a beautiful dress she is wearing. Glad you are getting some time to visit. I love when family is near. Have a wonderful week!
Mary my #Sunday Roundup #23!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Mary, and while everyone except my oldest son (he lives in Prague) has settled in California (for now), the state covers a lot of territory…so we don’t see each other as often as we like. In between, there is Skype, FB, and text messages. Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
Always enjoy your food pics!
Sophie Kinsella is one of my fave Authors, I’ve read all her books so will be adding this to my list.
Angelica @ Paperback Princess
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Angelica, and it’s been too long since my last Kinsella. I’m looking forward to it. Enjoy your week, and I’m glad you like the food pics. LOL
LikeLike
Nice week you had! Beautiful pic of your son and his GF too!
I read and enjoyed Educated, but I guess you have to be in the mood before starting that type of book.
I used to watch first season of Marcella, then lost track of it. Did you ever watch Goliath? Season 2 just started– it’s based and filmed in Santa Monica by the pier.
I’m looking forward to reading Before and Again and the Ever After, when I can pick them up. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved Season I of Goliath….and now I’m going to check out Season II! Thanks. I loved the setting and the storyline.
I’m enjoying Before and Again…and had a great lunch with family yesterday. Thanks for visiting, Rita, and have a great week.
LikeLike
Oh my god, that dress is breathtaking. Gosh that is one gorgeous dress. I don’t watch Netflix, so I’m going to be honest and say that I have no idea what you’re talking about (sorry ahaha). I only watch Stranger Things, but do enjoy your show. Have a great week!
http://anneclarence.wixsite.com/thereadinglife/single-post/2018/06/17/This-Week-Recap-29-A-Very-Productive-Week
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anne, so glad you are not unaware of Netflix…LOL. I remember when it first came out, and it was all about requesting DVDs to watch. Then the streaming service hooked me, and now I’m a hopeless addict. LOL. But I haven’t seen Stranger Things.
Thanks for visiting, and have a great week.
LikeLike
Same here with my library stack. Guess those have priority for now 😉 You got me curious about Marcella. I’ll have to give it a go. Happy reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, vvb32, glad you could stop by; I hope you enjoy your books…and Marcella.
LikeLike
Beautiful photo of your son and his girlfriend. I hope. Your celebration today is lovely.
The Ever After should be good. Wonder why the two authors didn’t do another book together?
I enjoyed Before and Again even though I keep calling the title: Before and AFTER. LOL!!
Have a wonderful week, Laurel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Elizabeth, we had a wonderful get-together.
I read and loved a book called Before and After, by Rosellen Brown (and saw the movie), so that title sticks in my mind too.
I’m loving it! Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
What a beautiful picture of your son with his girlfriend. I hope you had fun today. Your desserts always leave me craving them. LOL
I think I only made it through 1 or 2 seasons of The Ranch. I wasn’t thrilled with it either 🙂
Hope you have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Yvonne, I originally watched The Ranch because I like Debra Winger and Sam Elliott, but I’ve never liked Danny Masterson or Ashton Kutcher. LOL. Unfortunately, they appear more often in the show than the others.
We had a great time at lunch, and I was delighted to finally meet Brett’s girlfriend, who takes such gorgeous pictures. Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
What a great picture of son #2 and girlfriend! I absolutely love her dress! The Nolfi book looks really good and she’s an author I keep meaning to read but it keeps not happening. Hopefully soon though! I’m not quite sure what that dessert is in that last photo but I want it! It looks heavenly. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Katherine, and I also loved the picture and her dress!
Nolfi’s Sweet Lake series is one I’m enjoying, so I’m eager to dive into this newest one.
The dessert is a plain cake with ice cream, but it manages to be delicious. Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
What lovely pictures, thank you for sharing! I hope you have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Olivia, the weekend was delightful, and so far I’m loving my books. Enjoy yours, too.
LikeLike
What a lovely pic of your son and his girlfriend – her dress is to die for! I hope you have a lovely family get-together:). I like the look of Before and Again – I hope you have a great week, Laurel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah, I really have loved meeting my son’s GF and seeing the woman from the photos he has been sending us. She is as delightful as her pictures. LOL.
Enjoy your week, and I’m really loving Before and Again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurel – I’m delighted your son’s girlfriend is just a lovely as she looks. I am VERY tempted by Before and Again:).
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely looking couple. Her dress is absolutely beautiful! I do hope you enjoyed the visiting.
I like the look of The Season of Silver Linings.
Happy Reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Martha, and we had a lovely day visiting.
I am also looking forward to The Season of Silver Linings. I am enjoying the series.
LikeLike
Looks like you’ve been busy. Love the dress she is wearing in that photo.
I haven’t read anything by Paula McLain in a while. I must be overdue. Hope you have a blessed week.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2018/06/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-june-18.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cheryl, I love that dress, too!
Paula McLain’s books have always drawn me in, and I’ve been wanting to read about Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn.
Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
Sounds like a rather nice week. Hope yall have a great visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anna, the visit was a lot of fun. The occasions are too infrequent, but that’s what happens when you don’t live in the same city. Sigh.
Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
That yellow dress is striking! What a lovely couple and picture!
I also got Surprise Me from the library this week! I’m listening to it on audiobook and I’m not really far into it, but I usually really enjoy Sophie Kinsella. Hope you do too. Have a great week and happy reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Kay, and while I’m loving how quickly the library books are showing up, I am starting to panic a little. LOL. I hope I can read them all before I have to return them. I have five right now.
Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
Love the pic – gorgeous dress she’s wearing. I’m curious about the Pekkanen book so will watch for your thoughts on it. Have a nice week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mary, I love the look of the Pekkanen book, too….and that gorgeous dress! I’ve seen several photos of her in lovely outfits, but in person, I was happy that she was down-to-earth. LOL
Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That photo of your son and his girlfriend is gorgeous!!
I need to get the new Pekkanen book too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kathy, I am glad that my son regularly sends photos, and that they “dress up” for them. Now that we’ve met her, we will hopefully see the two of them regularly.
Enjoy your week, and I am excited about the Pekkanen book.
LikeLike
You have a couple of books coming up that I really enjoyed: Love & Ruin and Educated were both wonderful. (In very different ways, of course!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susie, I am looking forward to them both!
Have a great week.
LikeLike
I like that pic of your son and his girlfriend. They look so happy! I’ve been binge-watching SUITS which is so unlike me as I’m not much of a TV viewer but lately it’s been good to escape into a witty series. I also love all of your book covers this week. Looks like you have some great reading in store for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laura, I love the pics my son sends me of the two of them. And finally we all met her…and had a lovely day together.
I am anticipating all of my new books, too. Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Wow on the photo of your son and his girlfriend. It’s beautiful!
I’ll have to add Marcella to my list. I gave up on the Ranch early on.
You listed a few books I have my eye on. Hope they’re great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Candace, and I love the photo, too. My son and his GF are very photogenic, IMO.
I loved Marcella, and Season II had a startling ending…so there has to be another season, right?
The Ranch has so many annoying characters, and then there are the issues that should be addressed. I am done, now, especially since the furor over Danny Masterson and the rape allegations…and he was still in the cast for the fifth season. That was not supposed to happen! I saw a bit of furor about that online.
LikeLike
I love the cover of Surprise Me! Enjoy your week!
https://shoshireads.weebly.com/home/its-monday-what-are-you-reading3003261
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Shoshi, I am looking forward to Surprise Me. Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
I am a sucker for just about anything Sophie Kinsella writes! Looks like a great reading week 🙂 And oh my gosh her dress is gorgeous!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Megan, I’m eager to read the Kinsella book.
I love the dress, too! I think it’s amazing that the dress matched the waiting area of the restaurant where they had dinner.
Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Nice week! I hope you gathering of relatives goes well. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and we had a lovely gathering. Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
I enjoyed Surprise Me. I hope you do too. My weekly updates
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Sarah; I like the look of Surprise Me. Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
oooo that dessert!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was so good!
LikeLike
Your pictures!! 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laurie…
LikeLike
A very handsome couple. I am late visiting the Monday meme as work just got in the way. I do so like your mailbox as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Mystica; visitors are welcome at any time! Enjoy your week.
LikeLike