Good morning, and welcome to another Monday, in which we celebrate our reading, blogging, and life. Mailbox Monday is hosted in August by 5 Minutes for Books; and Book Journey brings us another edition of What Are You Reading?
MONDAY MAILBOX:
Another great week in the mailbox! I received four review books, 1 contest win, and I downloaded 1 book on Sparky.
1. Little Night, by Luanne Rice (from Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews)
An emotionally gripping family drama from beloved New York Times bestseller Luanne Rice
Clare Burke’s life took a devastating turn when she tried to protect her sister, Anne, from an abusive and controlling husband and ended up serving prison time for assault. The verdict largely hinged on Anne’s defense of her spouse—all lies—and the sisters have been estranged ever since. Nearly twenty years later, Clare is living a quiet life in Manhattan as an urban birder and nature blogger, when her niece, Grit, turns up on her doorstep.
The two long for a relationship with each other, but they’ll have to dig deep into their family’s difficult past in order to build one. Together they face the wounds inflicted by Anne and find in their new connection a place of healing. When Clare begins to suspect her sister might be in New York, she and her niece hold out hope for a long-awaited reunion with her.
A riveting story about women and the primal, tangled family ties that bind them together, Little Night marks a milestone for Luanne Rice—the thirtieth novel from the author with a talent for creating stories that are “exciting, emotional, terrific” (The New York Times Book Review).
2. And When She Was Good, by Laura Lippman (Amazon Vine)
Perennial New York Times and nationally bestselling author and acclaimed multiple–prize winner Laura Lippman delivers a brilliant novel about a woman with a secret life who is forced to make desperate choices to save her son and herself.
When Hector Lewis told his daughter that she had a nothing face, it was just another bit of tossed-off cruelty from a man who specialized in harsh words and harsher deeds. But twenty years later, Heloise considers it a blessing to be a person who knows how to avoid attention. In the comfortable suburb where she lives, she’s just a mom, the youngish widow with a forgettable job who somehow never misses a soccer game or a school play. In the state capitol, she’s the redheaded lobbyist with a good cause and a mediocre track record.
But in discreet hotel rooms throughout the area, she’s the woman of your dreams—if you can afford her hourly fee.
For more than a decade, Heloise has believed she is safe. She has created a rigidly compartmentalized life, maintaining no real friendships, trusting few confidantes. Only now her secret life, a life she was forced to build after the legitimate world turned its back on her, is under siege. Her once oblivious accountant is asking loaded questions. Her longtime protector is hinting at new, mysterious dangers. Her employees can’t be trusted. One county over, another so-called suburban madam has been found dead in her car, a suicide. Or is it?
Nothing is as it seems as Heloise faces a midlife crisis with much higher stakes than most will ever know.
And then she learns that her son’s father might be released from prison, which is problematic because he doesn’t know he has a son. The killer and former pimp also doesn’t realize that he’s serving a life sentence because Heloise betrayed him. But he’s clearly beginning to suspect that Heloise has been holding something back all these years.
With no formal education, no real family, and no friends, Heloise has to remake her life—again. Disappearing will be the easy part. She’s done it before and she can do it again. A new name and a new place aren’t hard to come by if you know the right people. The trick will be living long enough to start a new life.
3. Love Anthony, by Lisa Genova (Amazon Vine)
I’m always hearing about how my brain doesn’t work right. . . . But it doesn’t feel broken to me.Olivia Donatelli’s dream of a “normal” life shattered when her son, Anthony, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Understanding the world from his perspective felt bewildering, nearly impossible. He didn’t speak. He hated to be touched. He almost never made eye contact. And just as Olivia was starting to realize that happiness and autism could coexist, Anthony died.
Now she’s alone in a cottage on Nantucket, separated from her husband, desperate to understand the meaning of her son’s short life, when a chance encounter with another woman facing her own loss brings Anthony alive again for Olivia in a most unexpected way.
Beth Ellis’s entire life changed with a simple note: “I’m sleeping with Jimmy.” Fourteen years of marriage. Three beautiful daughters. Yet even before her husband’s affair, she had never felt so alone. Heartbroken, she finds the pieces of the vivacious, creative person she used to be packed away in a box in her attic. For the first time in years, she uncaps her pen, takes a deep breath, and begins to write. The young but exuberant voice that emerges onto the page is a balm to the turmoil within her, a new beginning, and an astonishing bridge back to herself.
In a piercing story about motherhood, autism, and love, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova offers us two unforgettable women on the verge of change and the irrepressible young boy whose unique wisdom helps them both find the courage to move on.
4. Midnight Exposure, by Melinda Leigh (from author)
Point, click, die.
When two hikers disappear, their hometown in Maine blames the blinding storms. But the truth is far more sinister. Unaware of the danger, tabloid photographer Jayne Sullivan follows an anonymous tip to find the most reclusive sculptor in the art world. Instead, she finds sexy handyman Reed Kimball—and a small town full of fatal secrets.
Five years ago, Reed buried his homicide detective career along with his wife. But when a hiker is found dead, the local police chief asks Reed for help. Why was a Celtic coin found under the body? And where is the second hiker? Avoiding the media, Reed doesn’t need a murder, a missing person, or a nosey photographer. Then Jayne is attacked, and her courage is his undoing. Reed must risk everything to protect her and find a cunning killer.
Don’t miss this sexy thriller from the author of International Thriller Award nominee She Can Run.
5. Phoebe and the Ghost of Chagall, by Jill Koenigsdorf (from publisher)
Phoebe is an artist making very little money designing wine labels for a winery in Sonoma. Her house is in foreclosure, she’s divorced, turning forty, and beleaguered on every front. Enter Marc Chagall s ghost, visible only to her, who appears to help her retrieve one of his own paintings that Phoebe s father found during the liberation of France. Meant for Phoebe and her mother, the painting never made it into their hands. In this debut comic novel, Phoebe and Chagall hunt down the painting in the South of France with help from a cast of characters including two sisters who are witches, a San Francisco Art dealer, and a misguided French innkeeper. Their snooping also leads Chagall to a few out of the hundred paintings that went missing during his lifetime. With skill and tension this book pits characters who appreciate art for its beauty against black market art dealers, evil collectors, and the mysterious German pawn hired to deliver the goods.
6. Sharp Objects (e-book), by Gillian Flynn
WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.
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WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Welcome to another great week to share thoughts on reading and blogging. If you stop by the other blogs in our community, you might just find your next favorite read.
Assorted Stuff On the Blogs:
ROW 80 CHECK-IN: NUMEROUS DISTRACTIONS
HUMP DAY POTPOURRI: EXCITING BOOKS, CREATIVE FUN, ETC.
SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES: OBSESSING
THE BEACH COTTAGE: AN EXCERPT FROM EMBRACE THE WHIRLWIND
Reading-Click Titles for Reviews:
1. We Sinners, by Hanna Pylvainen
2. The Other Woman’s House, by Sophie Hanna
3. Wonderful Tonight, by Pattie Boyd
4. The Language of Sisters (e-book), by Amy Hatvany
What’s Up Next? (Click Titles/Covers for More Info)
1. The Meryl Streep Movie Club, by Mia March
2. Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, by Haywood Smith
3. Against My Will, by Benjamin Berkley
4. The Song Remains the Same (e-book), by Allison Winn Scotch
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And that’s my week! What did yours look like? Come on by and share…..
I hear bloggers complain they have too many books on their TBR list. I don’t read as fast as I’d like and am trying speed reading once again.
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I sometimes wonder if the mystical TBR list often referred to is a “wish list” or an actual physical stack of books. When I refer to mine, it’s an actual stack of books in my house, taking up space…lol
I never expect to read all the books on my wish list; I do hope to read the ones I already have.
Thanks for stopping by, Harvee.
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OMG…it seems as though you are fully loaded with great books! There is never a chance to get caught up!
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I know….and yet the stacks go down a little every week. I guess as long as I read as many as I bring in, I’ll stay even…lol
Thanks for stopping by, Patty.
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The Meryl Streep Movie Club sounds like fun and I really want to read Love Anthony. It sounds like it will be a moving story.
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I agree…I’ve been wanting both of these for awhile. Thanks for stopping by, Christina T.
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Awesome mailbox, I can’t wait to see what you think of Little Night, whether we’re on the same page? I like the sound of Love Anthony and I’ve heard good things in general about Lisa Genova’s writing. Have a wonderful week and happy reading 🙂
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I can’t wait to read Little Night…it looks like my kind of book. As for Genova, I’ve heard such good things about her writing, and even have Left Neglected on Sparky…but haven’t yet read her. That’s about to change! Thanks for stopping by, Teddyree, and enjoy your week.
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I’ve been seeing that Laura Lippman book quite a bit this past week. Hope you enjoy your week!
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So have I, Lydia, and I love the author’s other books; this one sounds really awesome. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Looks like you have some fun books lined up this week! The cover of The Queen Bee of Mimosa Beach feels like the perfect end of summer read and I think The Meryl Streep Movie Club would also be a great entertaining read! Have a great week, happy reading!
Here are my Monday reads: http://www.wordsathome.ca/2012/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-36.html
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I am enjoying the Meryl Streep Movie Club….and can’t wait to read Mimosa Beach, too. I read the author’s Red Hat books and loved them. Thanks for stopping by, Bonnie.
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I just started listening to When She Was Good and so far it is good! Love Anthony is on my want to read list.
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I don’t know if I’ll ever try audio, but those who “listen” seem to enjoy the experience. Thanks for stopping by, Nise, and have a great week!
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I have Love Anthony and since I have an autistic son I really want to read it. So many books, so little time.
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I hope you enjoy Love Anthony….it sounds emotional, but inspirational. Thanks for stopping by, RAnn…have a great week!
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I hope you enjoy the Meryl Streep Movie Club book! I am going to start a real movie club on line and off line in the next few weeks here and hope you will join in 🙂
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That sounds great, Sheila! I love movies…sometimes more than books (bite my tongue!)…lol
I’ll be watching for the details…and I am loving The Meryl Streep Movie Club.
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We must be kindred spirits because all of those books are ones I want to read! 🙂
My favorite read this week was The Wave by Todd Strasser. I also read an Emily Griffin book for the 1st time and loved it. 🙂
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
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I have enjoyed several books by Emily Giffin….glad you liked her, too; and I’ll be checking out your list, Shannonjoe.
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Some amazing ones. I got Love Anthony, keeping it for my birthday in a months time. I LOVE Lisa Genova. Enjoy the week.
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I know I’m going to enjoy all of these books…glad you could stop by, Marce…and saving a book for your birthday sounds extra special.
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The Meryl Streep movie Club looks pretty cute 🙂 Hope you liked it! Have a wonderful week!! The Brunette Librarian’s Blog
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I’m enjoying it, Brunette Librarian…I started it yesterday, but also got distracted by some movies on my DVR. Thanks for visiting.
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I can’t wait to read Genova’s new book. The Song Remains the Same was disappointing for me but I hope you like it better than I did.
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear that about The Song Remains the Same…and thanks for stopping by, Laura. Have a great week.
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Phoebe and the Ghost of Chagall sounds good. I think I’ll add it to my wishlist.
My favorite book this week was Ottoline at Sea by Chris Riddell. Please come see what I’m reading now.
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Thanks, Sarah….glad you could stop by; enjoy your week!
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What a fantastic stack of books you have there! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of that new Lisa Genova, I ADORE her books.
Following you on Twitter 😀
Does your blog have a Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/TheRelentlessReader
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Thanks for following me, Jennifer…I have Facebook pages for the books I have created…and one for all my creations: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laurel-Rain-Snow-Creations/55598593503
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You had a great week in books! I just finished Gone Girl and am interested in reading Sharp Objects too. Hope you enjoy it and all the rest of your new reads.
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Yes, after reading Gone Girl, I knew I had to explore her other work. Thanks for stopping by, Lucy, and enjoy your week.
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You have amazing reads ahead of you – the Lippman and Genova reads particularly. Enjoy.
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I agree, Mystica, and thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week!
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Looks like you have some great reading ahead of you. Happy Reading!
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I think so, too, Jo; thanks for visiting…enjoy!
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Oh I loved Sharp Objects. Hope you do to
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I can’t wait to find out, Jess…thanks for visiting. Enjoy your week!
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You have a great selection this week! A couple Ive read and a couple I want to read!
Have a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d out
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You, too, Shelleyrae…and thanks for stopping by!
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I added Sharp Objects to my shelves too after reading (and loving!) Gone Girl. Enjoy your new books!
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Once I love an author’s book, I have to explore the others. Thanks for visiting, Kay, and enjoy your week!
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Great books this week. The new Lisa Genova book looks amazing…I will definitely be keeping my eye out for that one.
Have a great week!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
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Thanks, Kristin T….I am excited about all these books, too. Have a good one!
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Nice mailbox!! I can’t wait to read the new Laura Lippman book after reading the rave reviews it is getting. Have a great week.
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I can’t wait, either, Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by.
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I’m very excited about Love Anthony! i hope you love it!
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Me, too, Kathy….I’m glad I got it as a review book, since that means I’ll be reading it soon. Thanks for stopping by.
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You probably already know this, but Lisa Genova writes SUCH great books! I haven’t read this new one yet, and I’m very jealous that you have it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed her previous books.
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I have Left Neglected….and definitely want Still Alice, too. I have no excuse for not reading them sooner, but since Love Anthony is a review book, I’ll be diving in next week, probably. Thanks for visiting, Judith.
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I’m currently reading gone Girl by Gillian Flynn so I will defintely be looking forward to Sharp Objects, thanks for the recommendation!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jackie…I can’t wait to read Sharp Objects. Hope you enjoy Gone Girl.
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I am reading And When She Was Good this week – so far I like it a lot. You have some good books coming up. I liked The Song Remains the Same – looking forward to what you thought of it.
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I’m glad you liked Song…I’ve heard mixed reactions to it. Thanks for stopping by, Kristi.
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I have read a few of the books in your post and the ones I haven’t I want to read soon, 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week!!!
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Thanks, Lori…I do look forward to them all. Glad you could stop by.
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Nice week. I want to start listening to And When She Was Good, it sounds like a winner.
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I think it will be, too, Leslie…I haven’t been disappointed by a Lippman book yet. Thanks for visiting.
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Great list of books. You are definitely going to be busy reading this week! If only there were more hours in a day and sleep wasn’t required 🙂 I hope you enjoy your week!
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate
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I tell myself that every night, Rebecca! No matter how tired I am, I hate putting the book down. Thanks for stopping by.
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A great list of books for you this week, enjoy!
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/mailbox-monday_27.html
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Thanks, Tribute Books Mama…I’m enjoying them! Glad you could stop by.
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Well, I think you did well this week! 🙂
I like the cover art for When She was Good. Clever. (And, of course, it would be red hair!)
Thanks for linking up at 5 Minutes for Books!
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Oh, I love it, too, Carrie…and thanks for stopping by.
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Be sure you share your thoughts on Meryl Streep. Great book title.
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Oh, I will…I am loving it! As the characters watch each movie, I feel as though I’m seeing it again. I am stacking up my movies to enjoy them after I finish the book.
Thanks for visiting, Deb.
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These all look so good. ENJOY!!
I Love Laura Lippman.
Stopping by from the Linky List on the Mailbox Monday Post.
Stop by my blog if you like to look around and also sign up for my mystery giveaway.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
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I can’t wait to read the Lippman book…but because I just received it, I probably won’t get to it for a week or two. Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth, and enjoy your reads.
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So many wonderful books! I want to read them all! I hope you enjoy them. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Yvonne…I am relaxing with my reading so far this week; savoring it. I need a calmer pace! Glad you could stop by.
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And When She Was Good sounds like something I’m in the mood for right now. I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed Still Alice, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of Lisa Genova as well. Enjoy your week!
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I haven’t yet read Still Alice (or even Left Neglected, which I have); but I hope to get to them soon. Thanks for visiting, Jen…enjoy your week.
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I wish you could see what you just did to my wish list! What a great mailbox! I did receive Love Anthony and am looking forward to reading it. Have a good reading week!
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So am I, Beth…and I have the same problem with my wish list after visiting blogs!! Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy.
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I reviewed LITTLE NIGHT not long ago. I had mixed feelings about the characters. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts!
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I hope to be reading it next week, Diana….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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