WEEKLY UPDATES: GOOD BOOKS, GOOD BUYS, & HAPPY HOUR!

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.

It is time for another Weekly Update!  How did this week fly by so fast?  Yes, I say that every week.  I did finish reading and reviewing three books, though, and I’m halfway through a fourth one.  Five blog posts seemingly flew out of my fingertips and onto my blogs.  I also created a new blog header for Snow Sparks…and here it is.  I featured a close-up of my two little Madeline Hatter dolls.  Check out two versions:  one of my laptop view, and the other of the “header.”

Creating blog headers is fun for me, but it is also a time-consuming task.  I must have worked on it for a couple of hours, trying out different photos, etc.

So…now, back to other activities.  I’ve started going to Happy Hour on Friday nights in the dining hall…something I avoided for a while.  I’m not sure why.  Oh, yeah, some of the music was not to my taste, but lately, it has improved!  Also, our little treats now include some cocktails.  Last night brought Mudslides.  LOL

My other activities this week included boot shopping, which I featured on my Coffee Chat post.  Check it out.

Now let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look at the week.

 

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Good Girl, Bad Girl”

Coffee Chat:  Books, Dolls, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Heart Goes Last”

Friday Sparks:  Blog Stuff, Books, Etc.

Saturday Sparks:  Spotlighting My Spaces…

Review:  Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl – Amazon Vine ReviewReview:  The Lying Room, by Nicci FrenchReview:  Inside Out, by Demi Moore

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  But I did download one e-book.

One Little Secret, by Cate Holahan

Everyone has a secret. For some, it’s worth dying to protect. For others, it’s worth killing.

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CURRENTLY READING:

Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael Robotham

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That was my week. What did yours look like?  Oh, and here comes one of my favorite desserts from this week.  The pound cake was covered with berries!

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COFFEE CHAT: BOOKS, DOLLS, ETC.

Here we are again, rambling on about our thoughts, our feelings, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous,  to see what others are chatting about.  Let’s grab some coffee and have a chat.

 

Welcome to another Coffee Chat.  I planned to write it at my Rainy Days and Mondays blog.  I do like changing things up, and since I’m pretty much done with rearranging my apartment, the blogs are the next focus for me.  LOL.  But, I ended up back at An Interior Journey!  This week has brought some good books again.  First, I read and reviewed an Amazon Vine book:  Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl. Next I was glued to the pages of The Lying Room, by Nicci French. (Click titles for my reviews).

• Now I am intrigued by Demi Moore’s memoir Inside Out. I ordered the hardcover version for the photos.

• I’ve seen most of her movies, and I even stayed awake for her appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s late show the other night.  I do miss my DVR, though; back in those days, I could record late shows to watch the next day.
• I have a stack of hardcover books awaiting my attention:

• On Monday, I went boot shopping.  Yes, time to set aside the sandals, and the boots I already had…well, the heels were too high!  So here’s what I bought, and they’re actually comfortable.

• Last night, I was trying to shoot photos of the dining room, etc., and nothing was working on my phone.  I was in a state of panic, of course; but then noticed that there was a software update available, so I thought:  why not?  It worked.  But I was nervous, since sometimes those updates mess everything up.
• Last week I mentioned massive PG&E outages…and I’m happy to report that ours stayed on throughout.  I think the outages helped in the areas with wildfires.
• I was also waiting for a doll that I “lost” in the move, but the one that came was just as tiny as the previous one.  But I’m thinking they work well together.

• I still have a collection of dolls in a garage near my daughter’s house.  She has reluctantly agreed to take me there…just to find another old favorite or two.  Then I’ll be done.  LOL.

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That was my week…what did yours look like?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: THE GOOD & THE BAD OF MY WEEK…

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 great week has passed, with three books read and reviewed and six blog posts written.  I also enjoyed a hair styling on Friday.  What I am not enjoying this week are the antics of my laptop, with my cursor leaping crazily from one spot to another, and none of my efforts are paying off.  Sigh.

Meanwhile…I’m happy to have had some time on the weekends to catch up on movies and shows that are streaming on Prime and Netflix.  Last Sunday I enjoyed viewing Blonde, a movie based on a book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates.

On Netflix, there are several shows with additional episodes to watch, so I’ll keep busy with those.

Let’s take a closer look at my week…but first, grab some coffee or tea.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Coffee, Books, & Movies…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Lying Room”

Tuesday Potpourri: Additions…and Losses…

Reading:  For Rainy Days, Mondays, & Hump Days…

Coffee Chat:  Ramblings…

Bookish Friday:  “What Happens in Paradise”

Review:  The Testaments, by Margaret AtwoodReview:  The Grammarians, by Cathleen SchineReview:  The Nanny, by Gilly Macmillan

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books came in my mailbox! One, a purchase, and the other, a review book.  I also downloaded two e-books.

The Life of John F. Kennedy:  America’s Reluctant Prince, by Steven M. Gilion

 

Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl (Amazon Vine Review)

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Downloads:

What Happens in Paradise, by Elin Hilderbrand

Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael Robotham

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CURRENTLY READING:

Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl

The Lying Room, by Nicci French

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  This delicious cranberry apple tart came with dinner this week.

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REVIEW: THE GRAMMARIANS, BY CATHLEEN SCHINE

 

The Grammarians are Laurel and Daphne Wolfe, identical, inseparable redheaded twins who share an obsession with words. They speak a secret “twin” tongue of their own as toddlers; as adults making their way in 1980s Manhattan, their verbal infatuation continues, but this love, which has always bound them together, begins instead to push them apart. Daphne, copy editor and grammar columnist, devotes herself to preserving the dignity and elegance of Standard English. Laurel, who gives up teaching kindergarten to write poetry, is drawn, instead, to the polymorphous, chameleon nature of the written and spoken word. Their fraying twinship finally shreds completely when the sisters go to war, absurdly but passionately, over custody of their most prized family heirloom: Merriam Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition.

My Thoughts: The story of Laurel and Daphne, identical twins, shows their lives and its ups and downs, from the extreme closeness of their childhood to the rifts that came in adulthood. The Grammarians was a story about family, about words, about the stories told by the people in a family when they’re trying to make sense of their relationships.

I loved how the big Webster dictionary given to the girls at an early age held pride of place on its own stand and came to represent the important themes of their lives. Almost like another member of their family. In the end, we come to imagine how their lives will unfold and how the rifts will heal, and what will finally bring them together again. 4.5 stars.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: REVISITING THE PAST & LOOKING AHEAD…

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?  Here we are in October, and I can almost smell the turkey roasting in the oven for Thanksgiving!  I certainly hope my surgery is behind me by then.  It is tentatively scheduled for early November, in Oakland.

This week was full of appointments and shopping trips…but I did manage to read and review two books, and I wrote seven blog posts.  Yes, I got a little carried away with looking back in my archives and revisiting some old ones.  My blog makeovers continued, too, including this blog’s header and background.

I’m ready to grab another cup of coffee…join me for a Cup of Joe.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Curling up in Nostalgic Moments…

Snippets from the Past…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Dutch House”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Eagerly Adding to My Shelves…

Coffee Chat:  Searching My Archives…

Goodbye to September…

Bookish Friday:  “The Grammarians”

Review:  The Murder List, by Hank Phillippi RyanReview:  Twenty-One Truths About Love, by Matthew Dicks – (NG-10-15)

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INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in the mailbox…and I downloaded three e-books.

A Game for All the Family, by Sophie Hannah

Downloads:

Takes One to Know One, by Susan Isaacs

The Lying Room, by Nicci French

The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood

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CURRENTLY READING:  I am loving The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood…halfway finished.

I have several other books patiently waiting on my TBR…so my mood will dictate what I read next.

My NetGalley ARCs are all finished until January.  Yay!

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?   Today’s dessert is one I thoroughly enjoyed:  Cheesecake, with a small glass of wine (since it was Wine Wednesday in the residence…LOL).

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REVIEW: “TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE,” BY MATTHEW DICKS

 

 

Daniel Mayrock’s life is at a crossroads. He knows the following to be true:

1. He loves his wife Jill… more than anything.
2. He only regrets quitting his job and opening a bookshop a little (maybe more than a little)
3. Jill is ready to have a baby.
4. The bookshop isn’t doing well. Financial crisis is imminent. Dan doesn’t know how to fix it.
5. Dan hasn’t told Jill about their financial trouble.
6. Then Jill gets pregnant.

This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. But Dan doesn’t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family’s finances:

1. Dan wants to do something special.
2. He’s a man who is tired of feeling ordinary.
3. He’s sick of feeling like a failure.
4. He doesn’t want to live in the shadow of his wife’s deceased first husband.

Dan is also an obsessive list maker; his story unfolds entirely in his lists, which are brimming with Dan’s hilarious sense of humor, unique world-view, and deeply personal thoughts. When read in full, his lists paint a picture of a man struggling to be a man, a man who has reached a point where he’s willing to do anything for the love (and soon-to-be new love) of his life.

 

 

My Thoughts:  While I am also a list maker, I did not connect that well with this book of lists. The narrator’s lists were intriguing, but after reading just a few chapters, I was feeling overwhelmed and a little bored.

I recommend Twenty-One Truths About Love for those who might enjoy this format. Perhaps I would love it at another point in my life, but right now, my own life is about lists and appointments. Need I say more?  3 stars.

***I received my e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

 

WEEKLY UPDATES: A BUSY WEEK…

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.

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What a busy week!  It seemingly flew by, and while I did read and review two books and write five blog posts, I also kept to my scheduled appointments.  Some were doctor/dental appointments, and some were fun (mani-pedi and lunch out with my granddaughter). On the side, I revamped the look of some of my blogs.  Like conducting my personal “bloggiesta,” since there has been no official event in quite a while.  This site has had its makeover, along with several others.

My Amazon packages continue to arrive as I just keep “adding to my carts.”  Soon I will finally have everything I need.  LOL

I’m back on my morning coffee, so let’s grab a cup and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Revamping My Pages…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Murder List”

Tuesday Potpourri:  A Day To Celebrate

Coffee Chat:  A Busy Week…

Bookish Friday:  “The Testaments”

Review:  Without a Doubt, by Marcia ClarkReview:  The Stranger Inside, by Lisa Unger

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books came in my mailbox…and I downloaded one e-book.

Queen Meryl, by Erin Carlson

Inside Out, by Demi Moore

Download:

The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett

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Currently Reading:  The Murder List, by Hank Phillippi Ryan.

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That was my week…what did yours look like?  Check out my delicious dessert from this week:  Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with a Scoop of Ice Cream.

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COFFEE CHAT: A BUSY WEEK…

 

Welcome to another Coffee Chat, in which we share bookish and not so bookish thoughts.  Head on over to Bookishly Boisterous to add your link.

My week has been full of appointments and activities.  Mani-Pedi on Tuesday, dental appointment yesterday, and more medical testing today.  Today’s test is one of those fasting ones, but just a short fast.  Tea or black coffee are allowed.  So, naturally, I am especially hungry today.  LOL.

• On Monday I finished reading Without a Doubt, by Marcia Clark.  (Click title for review).
• Now I’m reading The Stranger Inside, by Lisa Unger.
• Yesterday two hardcover books came from Amazon:  Queen Meryl, by Erin Carlson; and Inside Out:  A Memoir, by Demi Moore.
• On Tuesday, after my mani-pedi, I had lunch with Fiona…she had pizza, and I had soup.  Plus a cocktail.

• I’ve been ordering all kinds of things from Amazon, including tops, books, and household items.  I’ve stuffed my little cubby with some outfits.

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That is my week so far.  Soon I will call Lyft for a ride to the hospital for testing.  How is your week shaping up?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: ANOTHER WEEK & MORE PLANS…

 

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.

 

As the week comes to an ending, I am happily ensconced in my little apartment, pleased with the two books I read and reviewed, and with six blog posts behind me.  I also have a stocked fridge again…and plans for the week ahead.  On Wednesday I have a routine dental appointment scheduled, and my Thursday takes me back to the hospital for another scan.  After speaking to the Oakland doctor last night, we’ve decided on reviewing them and all my other records on 10/2, at which time we’ll talk about a possible surgery ahead…in the Bay Area.  Could I finally put this medical issue in my rear view mirror?

Just for fun, I changed up another of my blogs:  Curl up and Read…

I’m off coffee today, as I had some issues yesterday…but I am eagerly anticipating my favorite caffeinated drink in the days ahead.  Let’s enjoy some virtual coffee and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  “Vegging Out,” Etc.

Monday Potpourri:  Whimsical Moments…

Tuesday Potpourri:  Delightful New Books…

Hump Day Reading in September…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Nanny”

Coffee Chat:  Looking Back…and Planning Ahead…

Review:  The Favorite Daughter, by Patti Callahan HenryReview:  Seven Letters, by J. P. Monninger – (NG-10/8/19)

INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in the mailbox!  I also downloaded two e-books.

Ladies Who Punch, by Ramin Setoodeh

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The Stranger Inside, by Lisa Unger

“A darkly thrilling tale of survival and obsession. Lisa Unger never disappoints.” —Riley Sager, bestselling author of Lock Every Door

Even good people are drawn to do evil things…

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Elevator Pitch, by Linwood Barclay

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CURRENTLY READING: 

I am reading (and loving) Without a Doubt, by Marcia Clark…it has been resting comfortably on my Kindle since July 2018.

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That was my week…what did yours look like?  Tonight I’m sharing our surprise dessert from the dining room:  Cherry Pie with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

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COFFEE CHAT: LOOKING BACK…AND PLANNING AHEAD…

Welcome to another Coffee Chat, in which we share bookish and not so bookish thoughts.  Head on over to Bookishly Boisterous to add your link.

 

Moving along, reading and blogging more, and planning ahead for the upcoming surgery (hopefully).  I have a telephone consultation on Friday…and an in-person consult on 10/2 with the Bay Area physicians.  Evenings are pleasant, with Amazon Prime videos and the ongoing saga of Mary Tyler Moore.  However, as much as I loved the show back in the day, I am sometimes annoyed with how “too nice” Mary is…and I really can’t stand Ted Baxter.  LOL.  I’m pretty sure I didn’t like him in the 70s, either.  But I do love seeing the settings, the outfits and the hairstyles, and immersing myself in the memories of that time…nostalgia rules!

• So far I’ve read and reviewed two books…and written six blog posts. The  books:  The Favorite Daughter, by Patti Callahan Henry; and Seven Letters, by J. P. Monninger (NG-10/8).  (Click titles for reviews).
• I am currently reading a Marcia Clark book that has been on my Kindle for a while:  Without a Doubt, the story of the O.J. Simpson trial.  In a case that tore America apart, and that continues to haunt us as few events of history have, Marcia Clark emerged as the only true heroine, because she stood for justice, fought the good fight, and fought it well.
• While visiting blogs this morning, I discovered a new Elizabeth Berg book that will be released on 11/19:  The Confession Club is Book 3, following up on the setting and characters of The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles.  Of course I added it to my list.
• I have a  nice little stack of hardcover books (and paperbacks) to read soon.  Check out how great they look on my nightstand:

 

 

 

 

 

 

• This week I spent time changing up a couple of my blogs.  Here is my new header at Potpourri.  I feel whimsical now!

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That was my week…so far.  What did yours look like?

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