Welcome to another week of bookish fun. Join in with those who celebrate Mailbox Monday, hosted in January by Lori’s Reading Corner; and What Are You Reading?, hosted by Book Journey.
MAILBOX MONDAY:
My actual mailbox had only one book in it: a contest win from My Reader’s Block. I also received a review book download for Sparky; and I purchased an e-book to feed Sparky, as well.
Here’s my list!
1. Messenger of Truth, by Jacqueline Winspear (from My Reader’s Block)
Sue Feder/Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery Award Nominee
London, 1931. On the night before the opening of his new and much-anticipated exhibition at a famed Mayfair gallery, Nicholas Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police declare it an accident, but the dead man’s twin sister, Georgina, isn’t convinced. When the authorities refuse to conduct further investigations, Georgina takes matters into her own hands, seeking out a fellow graduate from Girton College: Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator.The case soon takes Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, as well as the sinister underbelly of the city’s art world. She again uncovers the dark legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself in difficult times. But to solve the mystery of the artist’s death, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death come out of the shadows to silence her.Jacqueline Winspear delivers another vivid, thrilling, and utterly unique episode in the life of Maisie Dobbs.
“Nicole Benson is a self-made woman. She put herself through school, sacrificing marriage and children for her career. In the summer of 1997, at the age of 35, she finally graduated with a Ph.D. from NYU, but her life is thrust into chaos when her father, the only person she’s ever leaned on emotionally, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. After fifteen years in New York City, Nicole leaves everything and everyone she knows to teach for a year in Bradford, Pennsylvania to be close to her father in nearby Buffalo. Now, trapped in tiny Bradford, she has never felt more alone in her life. . . until she meets Tom Ryan.At 44, Tom represents what Nicole longs to be: settled, secure, and clear about his purpose and direction in life. Emotionally scarred, he and his wife of 23 years survived the death of their daughter to leukemia. Tom and Nicole’s story begins as a journey of self-discovery for both of them but turns to bittersweet tragedy when their friendship becomes love. Nicole risks offering what she has never given before, her heart; and Tom has never felt happier or more conflicted when he falls in love for the second time in his life. Their lives become intertwined and changed forever when they both must face the most difficult decision of their lives.”
In 1982, Sue Grafton introduced us to Kinsey Millhone. Thirty years later, Kinsey is an established international icon and Sue, a number-one bestselling author. To mark this anniversary year, Sue has given us stories that reveal Kinsey’s origins and Sue’s past.“I’ve come to believe that Grafton is not only the most talented woman writing crime fiction today but also that, regardless of gender, her Millhone books are among the five or six best series any American has ever written.”—Patrick Anderson, The Washington PostKinsey and Me has two parts: The nine Kinsey stories (1986-93), each a gem of detection; and the And Me stories, written in the decade after Grafton’s mother died. Together, they show just how much of Kinsey is a distillation of her creator’s past even as they reveal a child who, free of parental interventions, read everything and roamed everywhere. But the dark side of such freedom was that very parental distance.The same unique voice and witty insights readers fell in love with in A Is for Alibi permeate the Kinsey stories. Those in the And Me section trace a remarkable voyage, from anger to understanding, from pain to forgiveness. They take us into a troubled family, dysfunctional as most families are, each in their own way, but Grafton’s telling is sensitive, delicate, and ultimately, loving. Enriching the way we see Kinsey and know Sue, these stories are deeply affecting.
Curl up and Read has an even more drastic new look. I tried to retain some of what I loved about the old look, like the three columns. There aren’t that many three-column themes available, and some don’t work for me. But check it out!
In the past week, I’ve been spending time with family, including my youngest grandson, who turned ten last weekend, and one of my granddaughters.
What else is happening on the blogs?
As something that says New Year to me, I did a post about Recharging My Batteries: Or What Gets My Juices Flowing.
Then I hopped over to Snow Sparks, for another post about “recharging”: Friday Sparks: What Ignites Your Day?
My Saturday Sample excerpted from Interior Designs, with Unexpected Connections.
Just now, I posted Creative Updates: Easing Into It.
Read and Reviewed-Click Titles for Reviews:
I have that Maisie Dobbs book, too…and that is a good tactic…listing less…reading more!
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Yes, that plan came to me just last week…and it worked! We’ll see what happens this week. Thanks for visiting, Patty, and I’ve been wanting to read a Maisie Dobbs book…
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Good luck on accomplishing your reading goals this week. I always list more than I can finish and just roll them over to the next week. Who knows? I might find some unexpected reading time or a book might really demand my full attention. Come see what I read last week here. Happy reading!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and enjoy your reading week!
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LOL I should try that trick!
Have a great reading week!
Shelleyrae@Book’d Out
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Yes, sometimes we have to trick ourselves, Shelleyrae…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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The Maisie Dobbs book is the one that caught my eye. I’ve read just two in the series and like them very much specially the descriptiveness of London surroundings.
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This will be my first one in the series, Mystica. I have been seeing these books and wanting to give them a try, so imagine my surprise to win one!
Thanks for visiting.
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LOL hope that trick works again! The Eighth Wonder sounds like an emotional read, I look forward to your thoughts. Happy reading 🙂
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Ha-ha…Yes, I hope so, too. And I think The Eighth Wonder sounds good, too, Teddyree…I am always unsure about new authors, but have found some favorites by exploring them. Glad you could stop by.
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PS love both the blog makeovers but Curled Up especially!
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Yes, I played around with that one for awhile before finally coming up with the right colors. I do love blog makeovers…lol. Glad you liked them, Teddyree.
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My mom will be VERY excited to learn there’s a new Maisie Dobbs book coming out! Enjoy your new books!
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I am excited to finally get to read one, Kathy! I’ve been seeing them everywhere. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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I’ve been reading less, but quality has been my focus lately, and a goal for 2013. Hope you are reading some good books too!
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I am trying to do that, Marie…I am determined not to accept as many review books so that I can focus on the books I purchased. Thanks for stopping by.
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Messenger of Truth looks good. So does The Eighth Wonder.
ENJOY..thanks for stopping by my blog.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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Glad you came by here, Elizabeth….I am looking forward to this week! Hope you enjoy yours….
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I’m curious about The Eighth Wonder. It sounds good!
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I think I’m going to enjoy it, Mary…thanks for visiting!
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It sounds like you had a wonderful week of books and family! (The two most important things right?)
Here’s to another!!
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Oh, I agree, Jennifer…totally! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Nice books. Love your mailbox!
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Thanks, Harvee…glad you could stop by!
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Messenger Of truth sounds good, enjoy! your reading week.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2013/01/mailbox-monday_14.html
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I think so, too, Tribute Books Mama. Thanks for visiting.
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Congrats on getting through four books last week! Enjoy this week’s selections. The Carrie Diaries is a fun, fast read.
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I heard there was a movie coming out, so I knew I should hurry and read this one! Thanks for visiting, Tam.
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Looked at all your blogs and they are looking good!! Enjoyed reading your latest posts as well.
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Thanks, Jackie…glad you could stop by! Enjoy your week.
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I hope you enjoy the Maisie Dobbs, I recently read the first book in the series and quite enjoyed it 🙂
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I am looking forward to it, Crystal. Thanks for visiting.
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My dad dies in 1988 of cancer. The 8th Wonder sounds like one I need to read.
Have a great week!
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Oh, it sounds like one a lot of us should read, Lori. Thanks for stopping by….
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Your blogs look great! Thanks for stopping by my site! Enjoy your new books!
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Thanks, Pat…glad you could stop by, and that you could take a peek at my blog changes. Enjoy your week!
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The Carrie Diaries looks interesting. I’ve never read the SATC book, just watched and loved the TV show. Sometimes the book can be a let down when the TV version is so firmly attached in your brain!
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I know what you mean, Sophia…I find that sometimes, even if I’ve read the book first, the movie is more fun for me. I like the visual images. Thanks for stopping by.
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Richard Russo is always fabulous! Glad you enjoyed it!
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This is my first foray into Russo’s work, and so far, I’m enjoying the book. Thanks for visiting, Deb.
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The Maisie Dobbs book looks good. I’ve only read one in that series, and I really need to make time for the rest. Have a great week!
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This will be my first time reading the Maisie Dobbs series. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for stopping by, Anna.
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Messenger of Truth sounds really good. Have a great week!
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I am excited about it, too, Yvonne…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Love the cover on The Eight Wonder. Also, I’m hoping you enjoy the Richard Russo book as much as I did.
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I am enjoying it, Diane…I know that I really wanted it when I bought it and don’t know why it took me so long to read, but I’m definitely pleased with it. Thanks for visiting.
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I’m such a sucker for great covers and I’m loving the ones that made their way into your mailbox!! I need to come back and read your reviews from last week!
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I hope you do, Staci….and I love a good cover, too. The sad thing about reading on Sparky is not being able to see the cover as I read! Thanks for visiting, and have a great week.
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I’ve seen the Jacqueline Winspear books in catalouges and they’ve looked interesting. I read That Old Cape Magic. Interesting. I like Russo, but each time I’ve read one of his books there has been a point where I’ve almost stopped reading. I got through this one without wanting to do that, so perhaps that’s a step in the right direction.
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Oh, that’s good to know, Fran…So far, I’ve wanted to keep reading! Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.
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The Eighth Wonder looks really good. Great mailbox.
2 Kids and Tired Books MM
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Thanks, Holly….I’m glad you could stop by, and enjoy your reading.
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I have Kinsey and Me in audio. I’m a fan of the series but haven’t read one of them in a few years.
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I think I’ve read them all; it’s possible I missed some of the earlier ones. I can’t wait for the next alphabet book (W); but Kinsey & Me will be a nice “filler.” Thanks for stopping by, Leslie.
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I hope you enjoyed your reads this week.
Thanks for stopping by my It’s Monday! Post 🙂
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
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Oh, I have thoroughly enjoyed them…thanks for visiting,j Kimberly…and have a great weekend.
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I’m still back on the second one in the Maisie Dobbs series. Slow starter, that’s me. And I never list what I intend to read when I post. Might feel too much like an obligation and I already have enough of those! 🙂
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I don’t know why I started posting what I was going to read, but it helps keep me on track. Thanks for visiting, Kristen…and enjoy your weekend.
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