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 one book as a contest win; two review books from Amazon Vine; and downloaded an e-book.
1. The Girl in the Garden, by Kamala Nair (From Quirky Girls Read)
The redemptive journey of a young woman unsure of her engagement, who revisits in memory the events of one scorching childhood summer when her beautiful yet troubled mother spirits her away from her home to an Indian village untouched by time, where she discovers in the jungle behind her ancestral house a spellbinding garden that harbors a terrifying secret.
2. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen (Vine)
In this irresistible memoir, the #1 New York Times bestselling author writes about her life and the lives of women today, looking back and ahead—and celebrating it all—as she considers marriage, girlfriends, our mothers, faith, loss, all that stuff in our closets, and more.
It’s odd when I think of the arc of my life, from child to young woman to aging adult. First I was who I was. Then I didn’t know who I was. Then I invented someone, and became her. Then I began to like what I’d invented. And finally I was what I was again.
It turned out I wasn’t alone in that particular progression.
3. Gossip, by Beth Gutcheon (Vine)
“Did you know that the origin of the word gossip in English is ‘god-sibling’? It’s the talk between people who are godparents to the same child, people who have a legitimate loving interest in the person they talk about. It’s talk that weaves a net of support and connection beneath the people you want to protect.”
Loviah “Lovie” French owns a small, high-end dress shop on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Renowned for her taste and discretion, Lovie is the one to whom certain women turn when they need “just the thing” for major life events—baptisms and balls, weddings and funerals—or when they just want to dish in the dressing room. Among the people who depend on Lovie’s confidence are her two best friends since boarding school: Dinah Wainwright and Avis Metcalf.
Outspoken and brimming with confidence, Dinah made a name for herself as a columnist covering the doings of New York’s wealthiest and most fabulous. Shy, proper Avis, in many ways Dinah’s opposite, rose to prominence in the art world with her quiet manners, hard work, and precise judgment. Despite the deep affection they both feel for Lovie, they have been more or less allergic to each other since a minor incident decades earlier that has been remembered and resented with what will prove to be unimaginable consequences.
These uneasy acquaintances become unwillingly bound to each other when Dinah’s favorite son and Avis’s only daughter fall in love and marry. On the surface, Nick and Grace are the perfect match—a playful, romantic, buoyant, and beautiful pair. But their commitment will be strained by time and change: career setbacks, reckless choices, the birth of a child, jealousies, and rumor. At the center of their orbit is Lovie, who knows everyone’s secrets and manages them as wisely as she can. Which is not wisely enough, as things turn out—a fact that will have a shattering effect on all their lives.
An astute chronicler of everything that makes us human, Beth Gutcheon delivers her most powerful and emotionally devastating novel to date. Gossip is a tale of intimacy and betrayal, trust and fidelity, friendship, competition, and motherhood that explores the myriad ways we use and abuse “information” about others—be it true, false, or imagined—to sustain, and occasionally destroy, one another.
4. Witch Woman (e-book), by Jeanette Baker
In two different centuries, four hundred years apart, the lives of Abigail March and her daughter, Maggie, play out along parallel lines, both women blessed and cursed by a selective birthright and marked with a startling mutation, heterochromia iridium, one brown eye, the other blue.
In 1692 Abigail and three-year-old Maggie, are accused of witchcraft. Most women who found themselves facing the hangman’s noose during this shameful time are innocent. Abigail is not. Summoning her powers, she sends her child through a time portal into twentieth century Salem.
Maggie grows to maturity knowing nothing of her birthright until her foster mother’s death bed confession. Using her clairvoyant abilities and the medium of an ancient spinning wheel, she resurrects her past through a series of troubling dreams.
Meanwhile Abigail locates the time portal and slips through, changing her identity, hoping to find her child and bring her home through the narrowing portal.Unknown to both women are the dangers of the old world’s dark forces, a swiftly narrowing time portal, and a missing child who desperately needs Maggie’s “sight” a sight that continues to blur as her ties to old Salem strengthen.
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And that’s my exciting mailbox. What did you receive?
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Welcome to My Thoughts From the Interior, where I join in with the rest of you to celebrate the reading, blogging, and writing week. As we share our interior world, we may ignite a spark that connects us.
On Tuesday, I mused about spring in Tuesday Potpourri: Signs of Spring; on Wednesday, I hopped over to one of my writing blogs to excerpt from Defining Moments in Retreat from Reality: A Crisis.
Some Bookish Treasures followed at Story Corner; and in a moment of whimsy, I wrote “Snow” Stories.
Yesterday was a mixed bag of chores, errands, and rewards; find out more: It’s Mimosa Time: A Saturday Treat.
I summed up the weekend with Weekend Potpourri – Creative Expressions.
Reviews: (Click Titles)
1. Started Early, Took My Dog, by Kate Atkinson
2. Rogue, by Danielle Steel
3. Whole Latte Life, by Joanne DeMaio (Review will be up 4/4/12 at Rainy Days and Mondays – blog tour).
4. Twenty-Five Years Ago Today (e-book), by Stacy Juba
What’s Up Next? (Click Titles or Photos for More Info)
1. 7th Heaven, by James Patterson
2. Marilyn Monroe, by Barbara Leaming
3. Unbroken, by Jamie Lisa Forbes (Review Book – Blog Tour)
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If I finish all of these, I may start reading Alice in Bed, by Cathleen Schine.
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What are the rest of you reading, blogging, and writing about? Come on by and let’s chat about our week.
You have a lot of interesting looking books on the agenda – I can’t believe I haven’t read any of them yet. Witch Woman looks really interesting.
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I saw Witch Woman at someone’s Teaser Tuesdays…and I thought that it would work for one of the genres in my eclectic challenge.
Thanks for stopping by, Tanya, and enjoy your week.
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Girl in the Garden is one that I want to read big time! Have a great week!
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I think it looks like a good one, Staci…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Oh, enjoy! I’m going to read Whole Lotta Latte soon. Happy reading.
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I LOVED it, Mrs. Q. Can’t post my review yet, but watch for it on April 4.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week.
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I would love to read the Anna Quindinlin memoir! Adding it to my TBR list.
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I’m excited about it too, Kim…she’s an author I really enjoy, and reading a memoir from a favorite author is a treat.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Lots of interest here – looking forward to the Marilyn book as well.
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Thanks for stopping by, Mystica…hope you enjoy your week.
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You got some interesting books, Laurel.
Here is mine
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Thanks, Brooke…I like the mix. Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your week.
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Wow, I think that just about every title on your list is new to me! 🙂 I’ll have to check them out. Gossip looks really interesting and that cover just draws me in! Have a great week and happy reading.
Here is my Monday Post:
http://www.handsandhome.ca/2012/02/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-30.html
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Thanks for stopping by, Bonnie. I’m really looking forward to Gossip, because Beth Gutcheon is a favorite author who hasn’t brought out a new book in awhile. Hope you have a great week.
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Laurel you got good books in the mail and that you are reading – I am Checking them all out!
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Thanks, Sheila…hope you find something that grabs you. Glad you coud stop by, and hope this week is less frantic for you.
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Great choices. I haven’t read any of them. I will have to check them out.
My post HERE
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Hope you enjoyed your visit here, Sara, and have a great week!
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Enjoy your books. My daughter’s Scholastic book order came in. Come see what she and I read.
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Oh, how exciting! Any book order is fun. Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by, Sarah.
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Looks like a fun reading week! Hope you get a lot done!
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Oh, so do I, Abbi….thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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They sound great! 🙂
My Monday Memes post
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I’m looking forward to each of them, Lady Kell, and hope that I mixed them up enough this week!
Have a good one….and thanks for stopping by.
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Gossip sounds good. Adding it to my list. Enjoy 7th Heaven. I really like the Women’s Murder Club Series.
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I like that series, too, Shonda, and I’ve had this one on my stack (in the office) for quite awhile. Time to have some fun!
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Lots of Candles and Plenty of Cake seem like a good one that I’d enjoy. Actuall all of your looks sound great-enjoy.
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I think it will be good, too; love this author. Thanks for stopping by, Diane, and have a great week.
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They all look good, but Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake is really drawing me – I wonder how I missed it on Vine! Enjoy!
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Oh, I know what you mean, Kathy…sometimes I think I’m blind when I’m scrolling through that list. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your reads.
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I’ve heard good things about The Girl in the Garden.
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I was very surprised and excited to win this copy, Anna. It is a lovely book and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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I like the sound of the Girl in the Garden. xx
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Oh, so do I, Wendy. It has such a beautiful cover, too. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Great mailbox list! I’m expecting a copy of GOSSIP soon.
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Oh, how exciting, Mary. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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You have some interesting titles coming up. I hope you enjoy them. I am especially curious about the Marilyn book. Watching Smash has re-kindled my interest in her. My Monday Report is here. Happy reading!
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I realized that, over time, I’ve acquired several Marilyn books. She was such an iconic part of my younger days, and I still remember what I was doing the night she died.
I’m looking forward to this one, too. Thanks for visiting my blog, Kathy, and have a great week.
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Wow, the cover of Unbroken is intriguing. Alice in Bed looks like a good one as well. Enjoy.
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Oh, I agree, Nise. Sometimes I wish there were several extra hours in the day! Sleeping feels like an interruption…lol
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Ohh! Lots of good reading there it looks like! Unbroken looks good! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy Reading to you!
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I am excited about it, Melissa. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Wonderful Mailbox! Enjoy your new books!
Here is my post!
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Thanks, gautami…I do enjoy a nice mix of books in my week. Glad you could stop by, and have a good one.
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Looks like you had a great week and have another good one coming up! I still haven’t read any James Patterson
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I love the Women’s Murder Club series that Patterson writes…and the Alex Cross ones. But I haven’t read a Patterson in awhile.
Thanks for stopping by, Helen, and enjoy your week.
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Nice variety. I need to catch up on all my Patterson too! Have a great week!
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Yes, that’s my wish…to catch up on all my favorites. Thanks for stopping by, Lori, and enjoy your week.
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You too, see you next Monday!!
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The cover of Girl in the Garden intrigues me. Hope you enjoy it.
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I like it too, Gerry. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Heard of some of these, enjoy! all of them.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/mailbox-monday_27.html
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Oh, I plan to do just that, Mary Ann. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Laurel-Rain,
These are all new authors and titles to me, but they all sound like great reads.
I am particularly interested in ‘Witch Woman’, that’s a definite.
The other possibility is ‘Gossip’, although I can’t really make up my mind about that one.
At the moment I am reading one from my own TBR pile … an Edwardian murder/mystery ‘The Lost Luggage Porter’ by Andrew Martin.
Enjoy the rest of your week, Yvonne
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Yes, I think Witch Woman and Gossip will keep me interested. Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne. Enjoy your reads.
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That Gossip summary was very interesting.
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I think so, too, RAnn….this author writes stories that are layered and deal with issues. I have enjoyed her books for years. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Most of these books are new to me – fun to see these new titles. I hope you have a great week!
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I’m counting on it, Judith. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Great books this week. I love James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series and am eagerly awaiting the release of the 11th book due out later this spring.
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog.
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Oh, I’ll be watching for that new one, Kristin T. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your reads.
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I’ve read a couple of books by Anna Quindlin which I have enjoyed. From your list of upcoming reads Alice in bed sounds great
Wishing you a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
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I’m a fan of Quindlen’s books and have enjoyed them all. I’m really looking forward to this one, Shelleyrae. And yes, I like the look of Alice in Bed, too. Thanks for stopping by and for “liking” this post. Have a great week.
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The Girl in the Garden is on my TBR. I hope you enjoy all of your books!
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I’m looking forward to it, Teddy R. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy all of your reads.
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Nice line up of books, I’m a bit of a James Patterson fan!
Looking forward to your review of Whole Latte Life. Have a great week and happy reading 🙂
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I just stayed up late finishing 7th Heaven…and now I’m thinking I need to read the other Patterson book on my stacks and soon!
Suspenseful.
Thanks for stopping by, Teddyree, and I hope you enjoy your week.
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I hope you’ll like the Quindlen book. I think she is a terrific writer.
Thank you for stopping by at my blog. Have a nice week.
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I’m really looking forward to it. I enjoy memoirs from favorite authors. Thanks for stopping by, Sabrina, and enjoy your week.
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I adore the cover for Witch Woman! Hope it’s a good one 🙂 The Marilyn Monroe book also looks good!
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I love it, too, Crystal…and I’m really enjoying the Marilyn book that is providing details I haven’t read about before.
Thanks for stopping by…and have a good week.
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The Anna Quinlin book looks good, I love memoirs!
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I think I’m going to love it, Jill. Thanks for stopping by.
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Great list and range of books. I love Marilyn Munroe.
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I’m enjoying the Marilyn book, which delves into a lot of stuff I hadn’t read before. Thanks for stopping by, Karen.
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