Welcome to another week of bookish fun. Join in with those who celebrate Mailbox Monday, hosted in March by Chaotic Compendiums;and What Are You Reading?, hosted by Book Journey.
MAILBOX MONDAY:
I received NO books in my mailbox, but downloaded a preordered purchase to Sparky; and received a review book via download, too.
1. Heart Like Mine (e-book), by Amy Hatvany (Purchased)
Thirty-six-year-old Grace McAllister never longed for children. But when she meets Victor Hansen, a handsome, charismatic divorced restaurateur who is father to Max and Ava, Grace decides that, for the right man, she could learn to be an excellent part-time stepmom. After all, the kids live with their mother, Kelli. How hard could it be?
At thirteen, Ava Hansen is mature beyond her years. Since her parents’ divorce, she has been taking care of her emotionally unstable mother and her little brother—she pays the bills, does the laundry, and never complains because she loves her mama more than anyone. And while her father’s new girlfriend is nice enough, Ava still holds out hope that her parents will get back together and that they’ll be a family again. But only days after Victor and Grace get engaged, Kelli dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances—and soon, Grace and Ava discover that there was much more to Kelli’s life than either ever knew.
Narrated by Grace and Ava in the present with flashbacks into Kelli’s troubled past, Heart Like Mine is a poignant, hopeful portrait of womanhood, love, and the challenges and joys of family life.
2. The Banks of Certain Rivers (e-book), by Jon Harrison (Review book)
Neil Kazenzakis is barely holding his life together: ever since an accident left his wife profoundly disabled, he’s been doing his best as a single dad and popular high school teacher. He’s also been dealing with Lauren Downey, his sort-of girlfriend of the past two years who’s pushing for a commitment—and for Neil to finally tell his son Christopher about their secret relationship.
Neil’s carefully balanced world begins to fall apart when some questionable footage of him is anonymously posted to YouTube…just as Chris learns about Lauren in the worst possible way. Doubting his own recollection of the events in the online video as he’s threatened with the loss of his job and the ability to care for his wife, Neil must find a way to prove the truth to his family, his community, and himself as he struggles to regain the splintered trust of his son.
Heartbreaking, poignant, and written with devastating humor and warmth, The Banks of Certain Rivers is a shattering story of memory, loss, and just how far a man will go to show the people closest to him the meaning of love.
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WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Welcome to another bookish week. For those of you who participated in Bloggiesta this weekend, how did the party work out for you?
I had a lot of fun making over my blog Curl up and Read. I tend to work on my blogs pretty regularly, but during this event, I go all out. And I love visiting the other blogs, discovering new things to add to my list after seeing what they’re doing.
There are mini-challenges, and one of mine was Getting to Know You, in which I featured blogger Alexis, from Reflections of a Bookaholic.
Even with all this going on, I managed to put together a Checkpoint for my Mt. TBR Challenge, and realized that I am almost halfway to my goal for the year.
And here is my Bloggiesta Finish Line post.
Earlier in the week on the blogs:
I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and wrote: A Guilty Pleasures Nod to St. Paddy’s Day
My Hump Day Potpourri post: Taking Inventory
Saturday Potpourri: Blogging Activities & Reading
Sweet Saturday Sample: Juvenile Probation (An Excerpt from Defining Moments, a WIP)
My Reading Week: (Click Titles for Reviews)
I was distracted early in the week, as Noah was sick and staying with me; I was worried. Then he got better, and everything picked up, moving along nicely. But I abandoned one of the books on my list for the week and added a couple of different ones. An unpredictable reading list.
1. The Sixes, by Kate White
2. Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs), by Jacqueline Winspear (Sequel Challenge)
3. 3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club), by James Patterson (Sequel Challenge, Women’s Murder Club Challenge)
4. Ctrl Z (e-book), by Danika Stone (Review Book)
What’s Up Next? (Click titles/covers for more info)
1. 2nd Chance, by James Patterson (Another one for the Sequel/Women’s Murder Club Challenges)
2. The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult
3. The Night Swimmer (e-book), by Matt Bondurant (Mt. TBR Challenge)
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That’s what last week and my upcoming one look like. I hope you’ll come on by and chat.
An eventful week. I do so like the Maisie Dobbs books but have not been able to get very much.
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This was my first one in the series, and it’s the fourth one she wrote. I should start at the beginning! Thanks for visiting, Mystica, and enjoy your week.
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I have the latest Hatvany book too. I’m going to go check out your review of Ctrl Z.
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I can’t wait to dive into Heart Like Mine. I have quite a few e-books now that are pining away….thanks for stopping by, Laura, and enjoy your week.
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Interesting choices this week…very interesting!
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A-ha! Yes, I think so, too. Thanks for visiting, Patty…and have a great week.
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You had a good reading week. I’m 3/4 through with J.P’s Storyteller. The reviews have been fairly positive, but I am not thrilled with it. Hope u like it more.
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I’m sorry to hear that, Diane (about The Storyteller). I hate it when I’m disappointed, so I hope I’m not. Thanks for visiting…and enjoy your week.
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I’m looking forward to Heart Like Mine. Hope you enjoy it!
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Oh, me too, Mary….it’ll be a couple of weeks before I can get into it, but who knows? After last week, when I shifted my list around, anything is possible. Have a great week!
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Glad Noah is feeling better. I look forward to A Heart Like Mine too! Have a great week.
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Thanks, Nise….I worry when he gets a fever, as it has spiked pretty high at times.
Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your reading!
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Heart Like Mine sounds really good!
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I think I’m going to love it, Sheila. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’m a little hesitant to read The Storyteller since I found Lone Wolf so disappointing. Congrats on getting so much done with the Blogiesta!
Have a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
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Oh, yes, I had almost forgotten about that one…not one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by, Shelleyrae. Guess I’ll find out soon enough! lol
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So many books! And I need to check out the Bloggiesta thing – sometimes I feel like my blog is boring because I keep the same way all the time…
I’ve added you to my G+ circles, so I can keep up with everything you’re doing 🙂
Here’s my It’s Monday post.
Have a wonderful week.
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Thanks for stopping by, Lexxie, and for following me on Google +. I sometimes forget to enter anything over at that site. Enjoy your week! And changing up the blog is something I do for fun, but not everyone enjoys that…lol.
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Glad Noah is feeling better! Can’t wait to see what you think of The Storyteller. I enjoyed Heart Like Mine, hope you do too. Happy reading 🙂
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So far, Hatvany has not disappointed me. The themes in this one sound right up my alley. And yes, what a relief when Noah’s fever finally went down. Thanks for stopping by, Teddyree.
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All I did was get books in my mailbox this week! No completed books. No completed reviews. Well, maybe next week.
Here’s my It’s Monday! Hope you’ll stop by!
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You have a busy life…some of us just have reading, blogging, etc. lol
Thanks for stopping by, Deb, and enjoy your week.
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Heart Like Mine sounds interesting. Have a great day, Laurel!
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Thanks, Fran…and I’ve enjoyed several books by the author of Heart Like Mine, so I’m sure I’m going to love it! Glad you could stop by, and have a great week.
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Looks like you have a busy week planned. I really should give Patterson a try again. I started a couple of his books, couldn’t get into them, and gave up on him as an author. I think I might be missing something because he has so many devoted fans. Come see what I read at Inside of a Dog. Have a great reading week!
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I don’t read most of his books, they seem so formulaic, IMO. But I like Alex Cross and the Women’s Murder Club.
Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and enjoy your week.
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I love the Women’s Murder Club – I hope you are enjoying them. I can’t wait for the next one to come out this Spring – 12th of Never.
Hope you have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
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Ooh, how exciting…a new one. I am way behind, but hope to add a few more with this challenge. Thanks for stopping by, Kristin….enjoy!
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I would like to start the Maisie Dobbs series if I ever clear my stacks out a bit. They sound like great reads. It looks like you have some great books lined up as well. Have a great week!
Happy Reading,
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate
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I like that it fit into one of my challenges, too, but I wish I had read the books in order! But now I can go back to the beginning.
Thanks for visiting, Rebecca, and have a great week.
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Oh, I bet Heart Like Mine is really good!
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I’m very excited about it, Kathy….thanks for stopping by.
As I look over my preorders, I see that I have five new ones coming in April….did I go over the top? lol
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It was a Natalie weekend so I didn’t participate in Bloggiesta this time. She is here with her dad every other weekend and spending time with her passes way too quickly. I have Heart Like Mine patiently waiting, hoping next week I can get it started.
Happy Reading!
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I remember when my grandkids used to visit more often (before they were teenagers! lol). You have to cherish your time with them, which I can tell that you do.
Thanks for stopping by…enjoy your week.
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I have trouble predicting what I’m going to read next, even if it’s only a few days from now, especially when something unpredictable happens… like a sick grandchild. Glad Noah is better, I bet that’s a relief.
One these days I’m going to pick up one of Women’s Murder Club mysteries and find out if I like the series.
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I had only read the first one before I started this challenge (oh, and the seventh!). But I loved the TV series…wish they hadn’t cancelled it!
Usually I stay on course with my reading list, but there are weeks that don’t work out that way. I’m glad Noah is better, too. When he’s sick, he is still very easy; doesn’t make a lot of demands. He’s able to amuse himself. But I still worry….
I hope you enjoy the series if you start reading it, Leslie. Thanks for stopping by.
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Heart Like has caught my eye, enjoy!
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2013/03/mailbox-monday_25.html
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I think I’m going to love it, Tribute Books Mama. Thanks for stopping by.
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The Storyteller sounds sooo good! Love her books. Hope you have a great week,
Natalie
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I do, too, Natalie…thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your week.
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Seems like you have great reads ahead of you, I hope you’ll enjoy them! Happy reading!
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I hope so, too, Aleksandra…and thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week.
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Lots of goodies! I’ll have to check them out.
Glad Noah is feeling better!
Here’s My Post
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Me, too, Vicki….it’s hard when the little ones are sick. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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lots of good reading here.
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Thanks, Serena…glad you could stop by.
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Heart Like Mine sounds really good. I need to read more Maisie Dobbs, too. I’ve only read one, #8 I think, but I really need to go back and start from the beginning. Have a great week!
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I think so, too, Anna…thanks for stopping by…and I need to start at the beginning of Maisie Dobbs. Enjoy your week.
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I love the Maisie Dobbs books. It does help to start at the beginning and work through with those.
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I read the fourth one….now that I think about it, I have no idea if there are more after the one I read. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for visiting, Bev, and enjoy your week.
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You were BUSY!!!!! You did a great job getting so much accomplished!!! Looking forward to your reading your reviews this week 😀
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I think I ran out of gas…I’ve only sporadically read so far this week…lol.
But I think it will all pick up, once I get my mojo back.
Thanks for stopping by, Staci, and have a great week.
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I’m excited to see what you think about The Storyteller. I had it from the library but never got around to it, so I’m gonna try again soon. 🙂
Have a lovely reading week 🙂 What are you reading this week @ the Brunette Librarian’s Blog
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I’m a little nervous about it, wanting to love it; yet I’ve seen some not-so-positive reactions…sigh.
I hope it’s not like Lone Wolf, which was not my favorite.
Thanks for visiting, Brunette Librarian.
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I’m looking forward to your review of The Storyteller. Looks like a great book. Hope you have a great week!
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I hope I enjoy it…I’ve seen that some bloggers are not loving it. But then again, I often enjoy books that nobody else does! lol
Thanks for visiting, Yvonne, and have a great week.
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I need to pick up another Maisie Dobbs soon, I loved the first one! Hope you’re enjoying it!
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Thanks, Crystal…I did enjoy it and now I want to read more. Glad you could stop by.
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Well, as I go though these lists I feel like I read too slowly… I’m lucky if I finish one book a week. I’m interested to see your review on The Storyteller.
http://littlesqueed.blogspot.com/2013/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_25.html
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The important thing is to enjoy our reading, little bearries….thanks for stopping by!
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