Welcome to our Monday Memes, in which we celebrate the books received, as well as those read. We also share out reading plans for the upcoming week.
Mailbox Monday is hosted in February by Library of Clean Reads.
What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.
MAILBOX MONDAY:
My book receipts were all purchases by me, and included four print books and two e-books.
1. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson
In her witty and wise debut novel, newcomer Helen Simonson introduces the unforgettable character of the widower Major Ernest Pettigrew. The Major epitomizes the Englishman with the “stiff upper lip,” who clings to traditional values and has tried (in vain) to pass these along to his yuppie son, Roger. The story centers around Pettigrew’s fight to keep his greedy relatives (including his son) from selling a valuable family heirloom–a pair of hunting rifles that symbolizes much of what he stands for, or at least what he thinks he does…
2. The Girl Who Played With Fire, by Stieg Larsson
Stieg Larsson’s seething heroine, Lisbeth Salander, once again finds herself paired with journalist Mikael Blomkvist on the trail of a sinister criminal enterprise. Only this time, Lisbeth must return to the darkness of her own past (more specifically, an event coldly known as “All the Evil”) if she is to stay one step ahead–and alive. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a break-out-in-a-cold-sweat thriller that crackles with stunning twists and dismisses any talk of a sophomore slump.
3. Drinking: A Love Story, by Caroline Knapp
The roots of alcoholism in the life of a brilliant daughter of an upper-class family are explored in this stylistic, literary memoir of drinking by a Massachusetts journalist.
4. Digging Out, by Anne Richardson (Roiphe)
Published in 1966, Anne Richardson’s first novel explores the tale of a young NY woman’s rebirth after her mother’s death. Coming of age tale set in empty, affluent times.
5. Amsterdam (e-book), by Ian McEwen
When good-time, fortysomething Molly Lane dies of an unspecified degenerative illness, her many friends and numerous lovers are led to think about their own mortality. Vernon Halliday, editor of the upmarket newspaper the Judge, persuades his old friend Clive Linley, a self-indulgent composer of some reputation, to enter into a euthanasia pact with him. Should either of them be stricken with such an illness, the other will bring about his death. From this point onward we are in little doubt as to Amsterdam‘s outcome–it’s only a matter of who will kill whom….
6. My Hollywood (e-book), by Mona Simpson
Simpson’s pragmatic and delightfully observant nanny Lola shines in this story of contemporary child rearing. Critics did find Claire, with her privileged lifestyle and chronic self-doubt, a slightly less compelling character. And, in stark contrast to all other critics, the Philadelphia Inquirer reviewer found the novel disorganized, repetitive, and filled with exasperating characters. While a few readers may not find My Hollywood to their liking, most should find it an entertaining and heartfelt addition to Simpson’s body of work….
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WHAT ARE YOU READING?
This week, I’ve enjoyed some blogging, as well as reading. Here are some of my favorites:
Booking Through Thursday: Something Old & Something New
Saturday Snapshot — Old Photos
A Bit of Me (Me) — A Writer’s Life
Reading Week — Click Titles for Reviews:
1. The Paris Wife, by Paula McLain
2. The Book of Tomorrow, by Cecelia Ahern
3. Hardly Knew Her, by Laura Lippman
STILL READING: Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
What’s Up Next?
1. Facets, by Barbara Delinsky (on my TBR stacks)
Delinsky’s ( Heart of the Night ) new tale demonstrates that even when revenge isn’t sweet, it still makes palatable reading. Writer Hillary Cox has been exceptionally patient and discreet during her 27-year affair with mining and jewelry magnate John St. George, a man who is, as they say, not the “marrying kind.” Thus, when John announces on television that he has become engaged to another woman, Hillary’s thoughts turn to equally public revenge: she decides to write a biographical expose of his personal and business life….
2. Wicked Appetite, by Janet Evanovich
Life in Marblehead has had a pleasant predictability, until Diesel arrives. Rumor has it that a collection of priceless ancient relics representing the Seven Deadly Sins have made their way to Boston’s North Shore. Partnered with pastry chef Lizzie Tucker, Diesel bullies and charms his way through historic Salem to track them down—and his criminal mastermind cousin Gerewulf Grimorie. The black-haired, black-hearted Wulf is on the hunt for the relic representing gluttony. Caught in a race against time, Diesel and Lizzie soon find out that more isn’t always better, as they battle Wulf and the first of the deadly sins….
3. The Weird Sisters (e-book), by Eleanor Brown
You don’t have to have a sister or be a fan of the Bard to love Brown’s bright, literate debut, but it wouldn’t hurt. Sisters Rose (Rosalind; As You Like It), Bean (Bianca; The Taming of the Shrew), and Cordy (Cordelia; King Lear)–the book-loving, Shakespeare-quoting, and wonderfully screwed-up spawn of Bard scholar Dr. James Andreas–end up under one roof again in Barnwell, Ohio, the college town where they were raised, to help their breast cancer–stricken mom. The real reasons they’ve trudged home, however, are far less straightforward: vagabond and youngest sib Cordy is pregnant with nowhere to go; man-eater Bean ran into big trouble in New York for embezzlement, and eldest sister Rose can’t venture beyond the “mental circle with Barnwell at the center of it.” For these pains-in-the-soul, the sisters have to learn to trust love–of themselves, of each other–to find their way home again….
4. The Three Weissmanns of Westport, by Cathleen Schine
A geriatric stepfather falls in love with a scheming woman half his age in Schine’s Sense and Sensibility–flecked and compulsively readable follow-up to The New Yorkers. Betty Weissman is 75 when Joseph, her husband of nearly 50 years, announces he’s divorcing her. Soon, Betty moves out of their grand Central Park West apartment and Joseph’s conniving girlfriend, Felicity, moves in. Betty lands in a rundown Westport, Conn., beach cottage, but things quickly get more complicated when Betty’s daughters run into their own problems….
So that’s it for the week! I think I’ll be busy reading these…and hopefully I’ll get some writing done, too. What do you have on tap for the week? Hope you’ll stop by and share….
Oh…except I have added this photo of the new bookshelf I bought yesterday…with a few books on it….
I want to get to the Weird Sisters soon! But I have a whole stash before I get there.
Here is mine
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I know what you mean, bluestocking…I have several on my Kindle (and on my stacks) that I’m eager to read…each in its own time.
Thanks for stopping by.
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The Weird Sisters looks interesting..
I am off to check out the Ahern review –
Happy reading week hon.
🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, EH…I enjoyed my reading this month. I am really excited about The Weird Sisters….
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Amsterdam sounds like an intriguing book. I really love the cover, and the summary seems very appealing. I have The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but I haven’t read it yet, and I don’t own a copy of the other two novels in the trilogy either. Is The Girl Who Played With Fire the second or last novel in the series? Enjoy reading!
Take a look at what I found in my Mailbox last week.
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The Girl Who Played with Fire is second…I only recently read the first one. This one was on sale at B & N, so I thought…why not?
I saw a review of Amsterdam on another blog, and decided to try the e-book.
Thanks for stopping by, Majanka.
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I need to try Stieg Larsson’s books sometime. Drinking: A Love Story sounds interesting!
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Thanks for visiting, Elysium…interestingly enough, I read a memoir by Knapp’s friend Gail Caldwell, who wrote about their friendship…and mentioned Knapp’s book, so when I saw it on the sale table, I grabbed it!
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What great books you received this week. I’ve yet to read the Steig Larrson series, but do have them all. I am anxious to listen to the Weird Sisters (got it from the library). Have a great week Laurel, and enjoy your new books.
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Thanks, Diane…glad you could stop by. Enjoy your reading, too!
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Enjoy your new books! I still haven’t decided whether I want to give the Larsson books a try. Not sure they’re my cup ‘o tea, but everyone seems to rave about them.
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I know what you mean, Anna…I hesitated BECAUSE of the hype…but then I joined the Awesome Authors challenge, in which we read books by authors that others are touting…so that’s why I decided to try it. I got the first one on my Kindle, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The first 50 pages or so were a bit tedious, but after that, I really liked the characters.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks for visiting my Mailbox!
I think we have very similar tastes. I have Three Weismanns of Westport in my TBR pile (probably next week), and I just ordered the Paris Wife from Amazon Vine.
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Don’t you just love the Amazon Vine program? Getting two or three of those books a month is certainly adding to my book overflow, however. But I loved The Paris Wife. Hope you enjoy it, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer (Snapshot).
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Those new books in your mail box, wow! I’d happily read any of those, and gee, I am getting more picky about what I read. Hope you’ll get round to them soon and have a great time reading them.
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Thanks, Judith…I am wondering how I managed to plod along before blogging; finding out about all the books that look so delectable is a special treat. And yes, I am still pretty picky, too.
Glad you could stop by.
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The cover of My Hollywood really intrigues me. I hope you have a great week of reading.
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Thanks, Kathy…I read and loved this author’s other book, Anywhere But Here (which was made into a movie with Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon), so I just had to have it. Ordering it for my Kindle made it seem less threatening to my stacks!
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You have a great haul of books this week! I jumped when I saw the Evanovich title. I am a huge fan of hers. I haven’t read this one yet, but it is on my wish list! Hope you love it!! You can find my mailbox over here if you’d like: http://blog.juliealindsey.com/
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Yes, I’ve had this Evanovich book for awhile…time to actually read it! I’m hoping to love it.
Glad you could stop by, Julie Anne.
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I really want to read Major Pettigrew, and The Weird Sisters is on my list, too. Great post! Thanks for stopping by. Happy reading 🙂
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Lady Q, I had noticed Major Pettigrew here and there, but when I saw it on the sales table at B & N…well, you know what happened.
The Weird Sisters is one I’ve been drooling over for awhile….thanks for visiting.
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You have some good ones there. I hope you enjoy ‘Amsterdam’ better than I did! It has it’s moments.
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Yes, I did notice that it wasn’t one of your favorites, but since I found it in Kindle, I thought I would risk it. Thanks for stopping by, Zee.
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You’ve got some amazing books in your mailbox! I bought The Weird Sisters recently. I am looking forward to reading it. Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors. I hope you like Amsterdam.
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I do too, Misha…I still haven’t read Atonement, which is on my stacks…saw the movie.
The Weird Sisters has really captured me…hope to love it. Thanks for stopping by.
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I am definately adding The weird sisters to my tbr pile this week. I hope you enjoy the Sieg Larson trilogy- I loved them.
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Yes, I’m very excited about The Weird Sisters, Kim…thanks for stopping by.
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I have mixed feelings about Ian McEwan, in that I loved Atonement, and thought A Child in Time was pretty awful… I also must read the Steig Larsson books! Thanks for visiting my blog too 🙂
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I have read a review of Amsterdam that didn’t sound too favorable…but something about the book appeals to me…we’ll see how it goes.
Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
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I really think I would enjoy reading Weird Sisters. I have seen some good reviews so far of it, it makes me want to read it as one of the few adult reads for me this year. Hope you enjoy it and have a great week!
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Hope you do enjoy it, Jan…thanks for stopping by!
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Major Pettigrew is on my wishlist.
I am reading India Black by Carol Carr
enjoy ur reading week, Laurel-rain
carol
http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-monday-what-r-u-reading_27.html
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India Black sounds intriguing…have a great week, and thanks for stopping by!
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Great books! I have had Major Pettigrew on hold for so long, I just may have to go and purchase the book in order to read it. Glad you hung in there for the Girl book. Each book is a bit like that. Love your new shelf, my daughter will drool over your Disney collection.
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Oh, thanks, Nise…I have Disney memorabilia everywhere…I think my favorites are the carousel on my Baker’s rack and the fairytale images on my mantle.
I got the Pettigrew book on sale…buy two, get one free.
Of course, when I think about it, that’s money that I probably wouldn’t have spent if they weren’t having that sale…LOL
The Girl Who Played with Fire was on that sale rack, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
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I got some more fun reading done last week. Next week will involve a lot of K to 3 books. Come see what I’m reading now.
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Thanks for stopping by, Sarah. I recall the days when “fun” reading was rare! It is so enjoyable at those times.
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here’s mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/mailbox-monday-imperfect-endings.html
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann….
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Thanks for stopping by! You’ve got some great books there! I’ve written a few down on my own wishlist 🙂
Enjoy!
Aislynn
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Thanks, Aislynn, I’m excited about them, too. Have a great week.
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I am finding so many good books … and I’ve already got a big pile to choose from as it is. And now I’ve added few more. Weird Sisters is one I want to get to soon, and I still haven’t read the Millennium Trilogy.
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Thanks for stopping by, Leslie…Yes, I think they’re going to be great reads. Have a good week.
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You are going to have a delightful time reading all of your lovely purchases…I loved The Three Weissman’s of Westport book…totally lovede it!!!
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That’s good to hear, Patty…thanks for stopping by!
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Don’t you love when a book shelf gets filled up right away? We have an Ikea being built here in Denver, which is where I get a lot of my book shelves, and I anticipate being ready for another shelf by the time it’s finished in the fall.
You’ve got a great week lined up, and what a mailbox! Super jealous 🙂
Thanks for popping by my blog!
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Oh, thanks, Crystal…Yes, I’m going to have to rearrange things when I finish some of my hardcovers. There doesn’t look like much room for anything else….Glad you could stop by.
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What a great list! You have a couple there that I have on my wish list. I really liked Wicked Appitite, it was a fast fun read. Hope you enjoy it.
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Oh, I’m glad to hear that, Sharon…thanks for stopping by!
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Wow, great mailbox list – can’t wait for your reviews!
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary…have a great week!
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I really can’t wait to hear what you think of The Weird Sisters! You have a lot of wonderful books this week!
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I’m very eager to get into it, too, Aths…I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile. Thanks for stopping by.
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Some wonderful reading ahead for you.
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Thanks for stopping by, Mystica…have a great week!
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Oh dear..I see too many books in your post that need to be on my wish list. The Weird Sisters and Major Pettigrew are both books I have seen many great reviews for. How are you liking Freedom? I have heard people either love it or hate it. Have a great week!
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It didn’t grab me for awhile, but now I’m enjoying it. I only read a little bit a day, since I’m also reading other books. It’s not a quick read.
Thanks for stopping by, Beth, and I’m really eager to read The Weird Sisters.
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Nice bookshelf! 🙂 It does make a big difference that’s for sure. There are a lot of books on your list I’ve seen taken out of the library a lot. I still need to read the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Have a great week!
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Thanks for stopping by, Sami…I agree that the books are very popular….have a great week. (And I love the new shelf!).
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Fantastic week for you Laurel 🙂
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Thanks, Sheila…glad you could stop by.
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I seriously loved the books you added to your collection this week!!
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Oh, me too, Staci! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend.
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