MONDAY FROM THE INTERIOR: MAILBOX MONDAY & WHAT ARE YOU READING? — FEB. 20

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.

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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)

 

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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.