Good morning, and welcome to another Monday, in which we celebrate our reading, blogging, and life. Mailbox Monday is hosted in October by Mailbox Monday blog; and Book Journey brings us another edition of What Are You Reading?
MAILBOX MONDAY:
This week, I received one review book (Amazon Vine) and two books I purchased.
1. The Things That Matter, by Nate Berkus (Vine)
Does your home tell the story of who you are?
In The Things That Matter, Nate Berkus shares intimate stories from his life, introduces us to people who influenced him and helped him forge his sense of style, and opens up about the remarkable experiences that have left him forever changed, all of which find expression in how he lives today. From his most cherished flea market finds, to his beloved books and photos, to the many extraordinary mementos he’s collected in his travels, every piece defines who he’s become and what endures in his world.
Berkus invites readers into his own home as well as into twelve others, including a sleek steel-and-glass high-rise that soars above Chicago, a rustic cottage in the Hudson Valley, an ultra-chic atelier that maximizes every inch of space, a Greenwich Village townhouse that holds multiple art collections, and a study in meaningful minimalism in Marfa, Texas. The distinctive interiors beautifully displayed in this book offer revealing portraits of their owners’ lives and the inspiring choices that have made them who they are today.
The Things That Matter convincingly lays out Nate Berkus’s philosophy that things do matter. Our homes tell our stories, they reflect the places we’ve been and the people we’ve loved along the way—and there can be no more beautiful design for living than that.
2. Tuesday’s Gone, by Nicci French
Nicci French, the bestselling author of “What to do When Someone Dies and “Losing You”, returns with the second book in the gripping new series that began with Top Ten Bestseller “Blue Monday”. Fans of Peter James’ “Roy Grace” series and Peter Robinson’s “DCI Banks” series will love central character psychotherapist Frieda Klein, who is consulted on a grisly and seemingly unsolvable crime. For Frieda Klein the days get longer, the cases darker…Psychotherapist Frieda Klein thought she was done with the police. But once more DCI Karlsson is knocking at her door. A man’s decomposed body has been found in the flat of Michelle Doyce, a woman trapped in a world of strange mental disorder. The police don’t know who it is, how he got there or what happened – and Michelle can’t tell them. But Karlsson hopes Frieda can get access to the truths buried beneath her confusion. Painstakingly, Frieda uncovers a possible identity for the corpse: Robert Poole, a jack of all trades and master conman. But the deeper Frieda and Karlsson dig into Poole’s past, the more of his victims they encounter – and the more motives they find for murder. Meanwhile, violent ghosts from Frieda’s own past are returning to threaten her. Unable to discover quite who is telling the truth and who is lying, they know they are getting closer to a killer. But whoever murdered Poole is determined to stay free – and anyone that gets too close will meet the same fate. A gritty heroine, a gruesome crime and a terrifying hunt for a psychotic killer, “Tuesday’s Gone” is not to be missed by fans of psychological thrillers. “Nicci French knows just how to play on our worst fears”. (“Daily Mail”). Nicci French is the pseudonym for Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. The couple live in Suffolk and have written twelve other bestselling novels including “Beneath the Skin” and “Blue Monday”, the first thrilling instalment in the Frieda Klein series.
3. Finding Casey, by Jo-Ann Mapson
Glory Vigil, newly married, unexpectedly pregnant at forty-one, is nesting in the home she and her husband, Joseph, have just moved to in Santa Fe, a house that unbeknownst to them is rumored to have a resident ghost. Their adopted daughter, Juniper, is home from college for Thanksgiving and in love for the very first time, quickly learning how a relationship changes everything. But Juniper has a tiny arrow lodged in her heart, a leftover shard from the day eight years earlier when her sister, Casey, disappeared-in a time before she’d ever met Glory and Joseph. When a fieldwork course takes Juniper to a pueblo only a few hours away, she finds herself right back in the past she thought she’d finally buried.A love story, a family story, a story of searching and the bond between sisters, Finding Casey is a testament to human resilience. This completely stand-alone novel, featuring beloved characters from Solomon’s Oak, will charm Mapson’s readers and move her into a larger sphere. (I loved Solomon’s Oak!).
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WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Welcome to our second week in October, and to our weekly event that offers the opportunity to share our reading, blogging, and life experiences, along with a way to connect with the community of book bloggers.
What a whirlwind of activities around the blogs this week! After last weekend and the Bloggiesta makeovers, we were thrust into Banned Books Week.
There were reviews and giveaways all around the blogosphere. My review and giveaway of The Catcher in the Rye is at Rainy Days and Mondays.
Other Blogging:
Monday Potpourri: Musings – Distractions
Tuesday Potpourri: Finding a Balance
Sweet Saturday Samples: Reexamining the Past in Light of the Present
Weekend Potpourri: Lazy Day Activities
I read and reviewed two books: (Click titles for reviews)
1. The Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman
2. Barbra: The Way She Is, by Christopher Andersen
What’s Up Next?(Click Titles/Covers for More Info)
I’m still reading More Than You Know, by Penny Vincenzi
New Ones on the List:
Dangerous Affairs, by Diana Miller (from Amazon Vine)
The Heir, by Barbara Taylor Bradford (From my Old TBR Stacks)
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And that’s my week…a nice slow pace. What are the rest of you reading? Come on by and chat!
The Nate Berkus one looks good.
I also have read SOLOMON’S OAK by Jo-Ann Mapson…..LOVED IT. I am sure this one will be just as good.
ENJOY all the books.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2012/10/mailbox-monday-1082012.html
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It has photos! I love reading design books, especially those with photos. Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth, and have a great week.
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I like Nate Berkus so I wonder if I would like this one or not. Great list of titles to read…hope you have a great week!
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I hope I will, Staci…I leafed through it and I’m loving the photos. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.
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You, my dear friend, have had another busy week! Your book choices are always interesting…your varied blogs amaze me!
Have a wonderful week!
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Yes, even though I only finished two books! But they were each more than 400 pages, and books to savor. Thanks for visiting, Patty.
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I’ve never heard of these.
Here is mine
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Thanks for stopping by, Brooke….I’m looking forward to them.
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Finding Casey sounds interesting – I like stories about sisters. Enjoy all your new reads!
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Thanks, Lucy…I’m excited about it, too. Following characters discovered in previous books feels like rejoining a friend. Glad you could stop by, and have a great week.
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Finding Casey looks good
Wishing you a great reading week!
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Thanks, Shelleyrae…hope you have a good one, too. I like Mapson’s books.
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All of your new books look great! My home could use some help so I probably need the Berkus book. Happy reading!
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I always love looking at design books, and I’ve been noticing this designer. Thanks for stopping by, Kathy. Have a great week!
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I like the look of Nate Berkus book.
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Me too, Mystica…I won’t be able to restrain myself, so I’ll probably be diving into it soon. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Good haul! Finding Casey looks interesting, and so does Tuesday’s Gone. I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
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They are both sequels to previous books I’ve loved….can’t wait to read them! Thanks for visiting, Sophia.
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I love that picture for the memes, those books look..booktastic!! Finding Casey looks really intriguing, even though I do not normally enjoy contemporary reads. Thanks for visiting my Monday post!
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Oh, for me it’s the opposite: I only occasionally dip my toe into historic. Variety is great, isn’t it? I love the books on the chair, too, Marie. Found it on Pinterest. Thanks for visiting.
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I’m really curious about the Nate Berkus book since I enjoy his show. Happy reading!
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I can’t wait to dive in, Anna…thanks for visiting, and have a great week.
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A busy bookish week, those are the best 🙂 I’m curious about the Berkus, I like him. I hope you enjoy it!
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Oh, so do I, Jennifer…thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Just found your blog and now following 🙂
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Thanks, Sara Jayne…hope you have a great week!
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The Things That Matter sounds like an enlightening read!
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I am looking forward to it, Kim…thanks for stopping by.
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I loved The Heir – another great series by BTB.
Hope you have a great week!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
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I have been a fan of BTB ever since I read A Woman of Substance and became hooked on that series. Thanks for visiting, Kristin.
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I cant wait to read Tuesday’s Gone. I loved Blue Monday! Have a great week!!!
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Oh, so did I, Lori…I’m always happy to revisit favorite characters. Thanks for stopping by.
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Finding Casey caught my eye, enjoy!
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I am excited about it, too, Tribute Books Mama. Thanks for visiting.
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Is it strange to say I would want the Nate Berkus book only because I think he’s rather cute. Have a great week!
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No, not strange at all, Ryan….thanks for stopping by! lol
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Hi Laurel Rain,
The new Nikki French, is an automatic addition to my reading list and in fact just last week, I got hold of a reasonably priced copy of the book’s predecessor ‘Blue Monday’ for my father to read, so that will be heading its way back to me very soon.
Thanks for reminding me about ‘Tuesday’s Gone’
Yvonne
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I am happy to finally have it, Yvonne, as I adored Blue Monday, and I can’t wait to see the characters again in Tuesday’s Gone. Hope you do, too. Thanks for stopping by.
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I like Nate, I bet that’s a good book. Tuesday’s Gone was a great follow up to book one, Blue Monday. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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I’m glad to hear that Tuesday’s Gone was a great read…thanks for visiting, Leslie.
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Finding Casey looks like my kind of book. I think I read the BTB book, I’d have to check. Have a great week.
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I read another book in this BTB series; at first I didn’t warm up to the characters like I did with the Harte series, but then they grew on me. Thanks for visiting, Nise.
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I saw Berkus talking about Things That Matter at the BEA Random House Breakfast. It sounded cool. I hope you enjoy your new books and whatever you’re reading at the moment!
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Oh, that would have been fun to attend. Thanks for sharing, Audrey, and for stopping by.
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Newest follower!
Great reads this week. 🙂 Never read any of these pretties…but they look good!
If you’d like to stop by, here’s what I’m reading this week.
xo,
JL
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Thanks, Jenna….I do love seeing new books every week; glad you could stop by.
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Nice line up of books, hope you enjoy them all. Thanks for visiting my blog too.
Have a wonderful week 🙂
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You’re welcome, Teddyree…and I am looking forward to the books, too! Have a great week.
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You’ve got some interesting books. The first one caught my eye because I am decluttering my home and keeping only what really matters to me. The title works!
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Yes, I hope that I can glean some insights from the design book, too, Laura. I am always looking to change things up, if it makes things more comfortable. Thanks for stopping by.
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Finding Casey sounds really good! I hope you have a good week!
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Thanks, Judith…I hope you do, too; glad you could stop by.
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The Nate Berkus book looks and sounds good. I love reading about interior decorating, , but usually through magazines. 🙂
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Yes, I usually choose magazines, too, Wendy; although I have read some great design books by Mary Engelbreit and Barbra Streisand. Thanks for stopping by.
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Wow – busy week! I haven’t read those titles but have enjoyed each of these authors’ work. I loved when Nate Berkus was on Oprah! He’s so talented and I enjoy seeing his projects. I bet it’s an impressive book. Enjoy!
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Yes, I remember his visits to Oprah, too. I think he’s very charming, as well as talented. Looking forward to the book. Thanks for visiting, Susan.
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