Welcome to our Monday Memes, in which we showcase books received in the mail and our reading & blogging activities.
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Mari Reads.
What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.
MAILBOX MONDAY:
I sort of got carried away, again, partially because of that whole “preordering” phenomenon. Two books were review books, and the rest of my seven were the result of my greed…LOL
1. The Long Journey Home (memoir), by Margaret Robison (Amazon Vine)
2. The Midwife’s Confession, by Diane Chamberlain
3. 44 Charles Street, by Danielle Steel (came to me by mistake from my book club!).
4. Still Missing, by Beth Gutcheon (author of last week’s Domestic Pleasures).
5. Out of Balance, by Angela Lam Turpin (review book)
Then I received two e-books preordered from Amazon:
6. The Year We Left Home, by Jean Thompson
7. Exposure, by Theresa Fowler
That’s it for this week! Whew, my stacks are growing faster than I can reduce them!
****
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
This past week yielded a lively mix of books, and I enjoyed every one of them.
But first…in case you missed these blog posts:
Guest Post by Wendy Wax – Mothers & Daughters
A Journey Inward — Excerpt from Interior Designs
Books Read and Reviewed-Click Titles for Reviews:
1. Tapestry of Love, by Rosy Thornton
2. Domestic Pleasures, by Beth Gutcheon
3. I’ll Walk Alone, by Mary Higgins Clark
4. Getting to Happy, by Terry McMillan
Still Reading:
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson
What’s Up Next?
1. The Ghost of Greenwich Village, by Lorna Graham (Amazon Vine)
“The Ghost of Greenwich Village is a beautifully written love story. It’s a tribute to people and places, past and present, real and imagined. But it’s also a fascinating peek inside the world of morning news, and a fast-paced adventure of a single girl in New York City (complete with fabulous closet). While reading it, I wanted to bury myself in a really comfy chair and silence the phone so no one could disturb me until I’d devoured the last page.”
— Paulina Porizkova, author of A Model Summer
2. I’m Over All That (memoir), by Shirley MacLaine
An unabashed seeker of truth and unrepentant free spirit, Shirley looks squarely at a world that can irritate, confuse, and provoke her, but that can also delight her with its beauty, humor, and future promise. Reading I’m Over All That will make you feel you have been reunited with an old friend who tells it like it is but never takes herself too seriously.
Shirley MacLaine may be over all that, but this irresistible book ensures that we will never get over her.
3. Lake of Dreams (e-book), by Kim Edwards
When Lucy Jarrett returns to her childhood home in Lake of Dreams, N.Y., she learns that her brother, Blake, who’s gone into the family business, and his girlfriend hope to drain a controversial marsh to construct a high-end property. Meanwhile, Lucy, who remains haunted by her father’s death in a fishing accident years earlier, reconnects with her first boyfriend, Keegan Fall, now a successful glass artist. But when she sees something familiar in the pattern of one of his pieces, and discovers a hidden note in her childhood home, Lucy finally digs into her family’s mysterious past. Unfortunately, the lazy expository handling of information mutes the intrigue, and readers will see the reignited spark between Keegan and Lucy coming for miles. All loose ends eventually come together with formulaic ease to rock the family boat. Edwards is at her best when highlighting the strain between her characters. (Jan.)
So that’s it for this week. I decided to scale down my list, since I tend to have one left over as I begin each new week!
So what are the rest of you planning? I hope you’ll stop by and share some tidbits.
I’ve been hearing a lot about The Midwife’s Confession. Looking forward to your review!
LikeLike
Yes, I have read some other Diane Chamberlain books and loved them; had to have this one too!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
LikeLike
I love Shirley MacLaine – I hope that biography is just as good as some of the films I have watched her in…
You read and reviewed your reading list from last week- go you… I am so behind on reviews it crazy…
Happy reading week hon.
🙂
LikeLike
Oh, yes, I hope so, too. I’ve read a few of her books and love her style. Love her movies, too.
One of her older movies from 1977 (Turning Point) was on AMC; I had to record it! Even though I’ve seen it several times….
Thanks for stopping by, EH.
LikeLike
I’m really looking forward to your reviews of your mailbox books – they look great!
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Mary. I love checking out everyone’s books, too.
LikeLike
What a gorgeous collection. Still Missing is still on my list! I read the Chevy Stevens one but not this one.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mystica…I like the look of them, too. The Still Missing on my list is about a child that goes missing…and the search.
Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Lots of good choices there. I’d have a hard time deciding. Enjoy Laurel.
BTW…Hope you had a nice Mother’s Day.
LikeLike
I know, Diane…it’s always a dilemma when the books arrive. And then I know that some of them can’t be read just yet, because others have priority! Grrrr!
Not to say the others aren’t delightful, too, though. Thanks for stopping by, Diane, and have a good week.
LikeLike
The Midwife’sConfession is good. Enjoy your books.
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to it, RAnn…thanks for stopping by, and have a great week….
LikeLike
I like what you got!
Here is mine
LikeLike
Thanks, Bluestocking…and I’m glad you could stop by. Enjoy your week.
LikeLike
I’ve heard The Midwife’s Confession is fantastic! I’m reading Exposure right now and it sucked me in right from the start.
LikeLike
Oh, I have been eagerly awaiting both of these, Kathy. I read some Theresa Fowler awhile back…Reunion was one of them. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
LikeLike
I went on a bit of a book buying binge a few weeks ago. Sometimes it just has to be done! I have The Midwife’s Confession on my wish list. I have seen many great reviews for it. My stacks are growing faster than I can read too. Hopefully we will be caught up someday!
LikeLike
I know what you mean, Beth…and being caught up sounds impossible, but getting there will be fun! Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Looks like you have a lot of reading ahead of you! I’ve heard a lot of good things about The Midwife’s Confession. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Me too, Anna…and I’m delighted to have the chance to read such great books. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
LikeLike
The Midwife’s Confession looks good. I had not seen it before today. Thanks for the tip!
Here is my Monday Post. I hope you might have time to stop by for a visit.
Lisa
LikeLike
Oh, I love this author, so I’m eager to begin! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
LikeLike
The Year We Left Home sounds like a great American novel. I can see why you pre-ordered. The Lake of Dreams is one that I’ll read soon, too.
Happy reading this week.
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to both of these, Judith. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I also have Major Pettigrew on my TBR list…I’ll have to stop by later to see what you think about the book!
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Kat. I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying this book about a retired Major, but the descriptions and settings bring the book alive.
LikeLike
The ones you are going to be reading look really good. I am even interested in the Shirley MacLaine one..;-)
LikeLike
Yes, Shirley MacLaine fascinates me, and I’ve loved every one of the books I’ve read by her. Thanks for stopping by, Shannon.
LikeLike
What a great lineup! Will have to look into these more –
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Laura…I’m looking forward to all the books.
LikeLike
Just finished reading The Year We Left Home, hope you enjoy all of your books.
LikeLike
Oh, I hope you liked it, Mary Ann. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I have been trying to win The Midwife’s Confession everywhere, I am just going to have to break down and buy it. lol Although I will wait until my stacks dwindle a bit.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!
LikeLike
Oh, I know what you mean, Lori…me, too. But then I had to buy it. Couldn’t wait!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
LikeLike
I love that I’m not the only one with leftovers at the beginning of the week. Your choices look interesting, haven’t read a Danielle Steele for a very long time is this a new one? My sister has alway loved her writing, for some reason I’m not there.
LikeLike
Yes, this is a new Steel. I haven’t read one of hers in a long while, either, but maybe this one will be good. Most of the ones I’ve read in recent years have felt…formulaic.
Yes, I’m frustrated by my leftovers, because that means I’m over-estimating how many I’ll read. But I guess that’s ok, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Irene.
LikeLike
Quite a haul. Happy Reading
Bunnita @ Worth Reading It?
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Bunnita….I do enjoy showcasing a lot of books. It kind of feels like Christmas.
LikeLike
Looks like you’ve got some great books going! I also tend to have a book left over every week, then I push it to the next week and so on and so on.
LikeLike
Yes, that works, too, doesn’t it, Helen? Rolling them over. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Had a giggle at your ‘greed’ 🙂 Hope you enjoy The Midwife’s Confession as much as I did. I didn’t realise Kim Edwards had a new one out, must check it out. Have a great week and happy reading!
LikeLike
I bought the Kim Edwards without reading any reviews, since I loved The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. Some of the reviews have been not so good, but I’m going to approach it without too many expectations.
Thanks for stopping by, Teddyree. And I’m excited about The Midwife’s Confession. And yes, the “greed” has overwhelmed me lately. I think it’s the preorder function at Amazon, too.
LikeLike
You’ve got a lovely week planned 🙂 I started noticing I wasn’t completing extra books I had planned on either, so I stopped planning for them. Then I can just count it as a bonus week if I get more than one in 😉
LikeLike
I think I should try that approach, Crystal. To have “spare” books on hand, just in case. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
The Midwife’s Confession is a popular book right now. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by my blog. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Sami. I have thoroughly enjoyed several other Diane Chamberlain books, so I’m pretty sure I’ll like this one.
LikeLike
I had a book show up this week that I have not idea where it came from. I am listening to The Lake of Dreams and so far it’s good. Have a great reading week Laurel!
LikeLike
Thanks, Nise…Yes, my book club sends books if we don’t respond, and I thought I had. Oh, well.
Hope you enjoy The Lake of Dreams. Glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
I haven’t read DS in such a long time! Love her! Happy reading, thanks for stopping by my blog!
LikeLike
I haven’t either, Samita…I have a couple of her other ones on my TBR stacks.
Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
So many great books on your list! Enjoy them!
LikeLike
Thanks, Yvonne, I hope to do just that! Glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
You got some good ones. Enjoy your books and thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I plan to enjoy every one, Mari, and thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Enjoy your reading!
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Carol….
LikeLike
Hi Laurel-Rain,
still catching up with everyone from Monday! 🙂
I often end up increasing my wishlist with your something from your list.
The Ghost of Greenwich Village ….this week
carol
LikeLike
Oh, I’m really enjoying this one, Carol. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike