Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.
**Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.
And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.
My week was more balanced, and we had a nice mix of hot and cooler weather. I actually read and reviewed three books: one was a NetGalley ARC, and the other two were library books. Yay, me!
This morning I got up early to have some routine bloodwork done…after a 12 hour fast. Sigh. I was more than ready for breakfast afterwards. But I couldn’t eat it all!
I’m enjoying viewing Netflix and Amazon Prime on my newest BluRay player in the bedroom. I finished a series that I saw on TV a while ago, but it was great to be able to binge-watch the whole thing. Life Unexpected reminds me of my years working with foster kids; the premise of this show is an unexpected reunion between two biological parents and their teenage daughter. They face many challenges! Britt Robertson, as the teenager, portrayed all the angst, rebellion, and vulnerability of a real-life kid in this situation.
I also loved immersing myself in more of The Handmaid’s Tale, Season II.
Now…what’s next? Let’s grab some coffee and talk about the week. Yes, I need MORE coffee.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Hello, May! Check Out My April Reading…
Rainy Day Excerpts: “Night Moves”
Coffee Chat: My Reading Mojo Is Back!
Bookish Friday: “The Book Club”
Review: Sisters Like Us (e-book), by Susan Mallery (Library Book)Review: How We Walk Away (e-book), by Katherine Center – NG-5/15Review: The Other Mother (e-book), by Carol Goodman (Library Book)
INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Empty mailbox! I downloaded one library book…and one purchased book.
The Other Mother (e-book), by Carol Goodman
The Perfect Mother (e-book), by Aimee Molloy
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WHAT’S NEXT?
Currently Reading The New Neighbors (e-book), by Simon Lelic
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Then…since all of my May NG ARCs are finished, I plan to read an author review book…and other books on my stacks.
Beach Bliss, by Joanne DeMaio
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So, that was my week. What did yours look like? Earlier in the week, my son and I had some Chili from Marie Callender’s. It was delicious!
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Very nice week.
Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Elizabeth, I was pleased with my week…enjoy your upcoming one!
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Oh I hate the fasting part since I tend to snack a bit at night lol. But looks like a yummy breakfast! And oh my gosh that chili- looks amazing!! Ergh.
The New Neighbors looks great!
I haven’t started Handmaid’s season 2 yet, but soon…
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I hate the fasting, too!
Thanks for stopping by, Greg, I hope you enjoy Handmaid’s Season II.
The New Neighbors is pretty good so far.
That chili was yummy!
Enjoy your week!
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Oh, your weekly updates always make me hungry!! I need some TV time too.
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Ha! Sorry? Thanks for stopping by, Andreea.
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I miss Marie Callander’s…when we lived in Santa Clara that was one of our favorite places! Your books seem to have a motherly theme running through them!
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Thanks, Patty, I noticed that motherly trend.
I always go to Marie’s or Mimi’s for comfort food.
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The Other Mother and The Perfect Mother…I was waiting for the next title to be something along the lines… of Mother *$%##^ , where’s my mind at! It’s late night… All good titles I’m sure. hehehe
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Ha-ha! I love how so many titles trend with words like “mother,” “lies,” “girls,” etc.
Thanks for visiting, Trin, and I hope you have a great week!
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I don’t know if I could go that long without eating…I like my food too much!
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I have a problem with it, too, Emma, which is why I always wait as long as possible before doing the test! LOL
Enjoy your week.
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I love my Netflix and Prime video. We realized we didn’t really watch ‘normal’ tv anymore a while ago because of the two subscriptions so got rid of our cable and I don’t miss it at all!
I really need to watch The Handmaiden’s Tale. I still haven’t seen S1!
Have a good week!
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Thanks for stopping by, Nicc, and I think I need to get rid of cable, too! Even the movie channels can be found elsewhere. But every time I call to do that, they give me discounts…and I stay. Sigh.
I hope you enjoy The Handmaiden’s Tale.
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I’m glad this week felt more balanced for you. Such a lovely, lovely breakfast. It’s my favorite meal of the day.
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I do love breakfasts in restaurants, especially the kind I don’t cook at home (like pancakes).
Enjoy your week, Deb.
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I wish I was on the cover of Beach Bliss! Doesn’t it feel great to have all current ARCs already read? Our weather went from snow on Tuesday to uncomfortably hot sleeping weather on Thursday. One of my Facebook Friends said we had 11 minutes of spring.
Have a wonderful week. 🌞
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Thanks for stopping by, LaLa, and I would love to be on that cover, too! I am seriously in need of beach time. It has been over a year.
I think we had a very short spring, too, which is usual here. Our summers are very long and hot.
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I need to start watching Handmaid season 2. I loved the first season (also the book), but just haven’t been able to really sit down and dedicate myself to it yet.
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I loved and read the book twice, and I’m really enjoying Season II…hope you do, too, Shannon.
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Yes… it’s always unkind that you can’t eat anything before a blood test – there’s always the brekkie afterwards to look forward to, though:). Glad your weather has been kinder – we’ve have a run of lovely warm days, too! Hope the coming week is a good one, Laurel.
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Thanks, Sarah, I am happy about the nice weather…so far, it’s not that hot. Enjoy your week!
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Yum that breakfast looks so good! I need to read/watch The Handmaid’s Tale. Enjoy your week!
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Thanks, Nai…I do love having something to look forward to after bloodwork. LOL
I hope you enjoy The Handmaid’s Tale…and your week.
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You had a good week, and breakfast out after fasting is always welcome. Ha, my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. Have an awesome week!
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Thanks, Kimberly, I always plan breakfast out after bloodwork…Marie’s is right around the corner from my hospital. I don’t think they have a small meal there. Sigh.
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Love your mother themed haul. And the chili looks great – hungry for it now 😉
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Thanks, vvb32; all of my titles every week seem to follow trends, from “lies” to “mother.” LOL
Enjoy your week!
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Your food always looks so delicious! I could go for a big breakfast like that, we’re having it for dinner tonight. Enjoy your new book and your week ahead. 🙂
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Thanks, Jenea, and I’m glad you enjoy the food! I like sharing it…if I didn’t photograph it to share, it would just be gone. LOL
Enjoy your week!
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Two books with mother in the title…a nice reminder for next Sunday! Hope you have another good reading week leading up to Mother’s Day!
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Thanks, Catherine, the titles are definitely timely!
Enjoy your week!
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Good to hear it was a more balanced week, the breakfast does look yummy. Ah time to read two library books in the week, now that’s perfect. Hmmm must be nearly time for me to read the next book in the Demaio beach series.
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Thanks, Kathryn, I am so eager to read Beach Bliss…and getting those library books so regularly makes me feel okay about not buying everything in sight. LOL
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You always have some amazing food and kindle pictures. I have to start doing this I think. I hope you enjoy your books this week!
Mary my #Sunday Roundup #17!
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Thanks, Mary, I do enjoy sharing photos…of food and of my home, too. Have a great week!
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Wait, have they already started Handmaid’s Tale Season 2? Yikes, I need to get on that, pronto. The chili from Marie Calender’s looks scrumptious. I hope all is well with your bloodwork. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Susan, and I hope you enjoy Season II.
The chili was much better than I imagined…not too hot, not too mild, but just right.
There are always parts of the bloodwork that are not what the doctor wants to see…but it could have been worse. LOL
Enjoy your week!
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I love Brit Robertson. Have you watched #Girlboss on Netflix? It stars her and I found it to be pretty funny. I’m trying to decide if I should read The New Neighbors. I’ve heard mixed things.
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Oh, I like her, too, Barb; I really loved her in #Girlboss. She is also in a new series on TV, “For the People.”
The New Neighbors was not a favorite, but it was good enough to keep my interest.
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I used to take a type of medication that required a blood test every month. Skipping meals was definitely not cool with me. I like my food. Have a great week!
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Oh, sorry about those monthly tests, AJ. I will try not to feel so sorry for myself over my once-a-year bloodwork.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.
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Once again, you are winning with those food pictures. *drooling* I really liked Life Unexpected, but it was canceled without giving me closure, as is the case with most shows I watch. It’s why I do not watch much TV any longer.
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Thanks for stopping by, Sam, and I had the same impression about the ending of Life Unexpected when it was on the TV networks…but in the Netflix version, I think they added an epilogue, as the ending did resolve a number of things.
But I hate when TV shows end with no closure.
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Hmmm, I have to check that out.
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Yeah, the fasting is a pain but look at the reward. Yummy! And that chili is making my mouth water. LOL I have a TV in my bedroom but don’t use it. I like to read in bed and the flickering of the screen distracts me. I remember spending Sundays in bed just vegging and watching the telly. Sigh.
My Sunday Post
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Thanks for stopping by, Laura, and I like both reading and watching TV in bed. The first time I had a TV in my bedroom was when my kids were at the age of wanting to hog the TV in the living room, and I didn’t want to fight with them over it…LOL.
So it still feels like a retreat.
I always get breakfast out after having bloodwork. Rewarding myself for an experience I don’t enjoy.
The chili was awesome! Enjoy your week.
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We’ve also had hot and cool temps this week. Every tree and shrub are ready to bloom.
A new DeMaio book – looks like a good summery read.
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Thanks, Mary, so glad you’re enjoying some spring.
I’m excited about the DeMaio book.
Have a great week.
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What a delicious breakfast to enjoy after fasting. I’ve got one coming up. Sat next to a gal on the airplane that was reading a Joanne Demaio book and recommended her. Have a great week of reading.
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Thanks, Nise, how great to find someone reading a Joanne DeMaio book on the plane. I hope you enjoy her.
The breakfast was good, and anticipating it is how I get through the bloodwork. LOL. Enjoy your week.
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That breakfast looks absolutely delicious. Life unexpected sounds good, will check that out soon 🙂
Angelica @ Paperback Princess
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Thanks, Angelica, I did enjoy the breakfast…and also the Life Unexpected series.
Have a great week!
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I’d like to learn more about your years taking foster kids. How did you get involved and how many kids did you foster? Thanks for visiting my blog and for the encouraging word.
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Thanks, Anne, and I didn’t foster the children; I was the social worker placing the kids, training the foster parents, and supervising the placements. Etc., etc. LOL
Enjoy your books and your week!
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I wanted to jump into your post and eat the food!!
Have a great week.
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Oh, yes, I’ve had the same feeling about food I’ve seen on other blogs. The best thing: the virtual food doesn’t have calories!
Enjoy your week, Laurie, and thanks for stopping by.
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I hope you were finally able to get something to eat after those blood tests. I hope the results come out the way you want them to! I haven’t heard of Life Unexpected. I will have to check it out. Someday I will get to see The Handmaid’s Tale. Loved the book. The Perfect Mother sounds so good! I also really want to read The Other Mother. I hope you enjoy them! Have a great week, Laurel-Rain!
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Thanks for visiting, Wendy, and my test results are never as good these days as they once were, but so far, not too terrible. I always look forward to a nice breakfast afterwards, one I don’t have to cook. LOL
I am loving The Handmaiden’s Tale on Hulu. I read the book twice and also saw a movie based on the book, set in 2001.
Have a great week!
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I noticed you’re upcoming reads both have the word “mother” in the title. 🙂 Looks like you enjoyed all three of your books this past week.
That chili looks delicious!
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Thanks, Laura, the fasting thing feels excruciating at the time, but anticipating and then enjoying the big breakfast…a reward!
I always seem to pick titles with “trending” words, like “mother,” “lies,” “secrets…” LOL
The chili was very good! Enjoy your week.
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You always share such yummy looking food!
Glad you are enjoying your TV binging.
I hope you enjoy your ‘mother’ and neighbor books. 🙂
Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Martha, I do enjoy the food…maybe too much!
I am looking forward to those “mother” books, and I finished The New Neighbor yesterday…it was pretty good.
Enjoy your week.
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I hate fasting and also always go out for a big breakfast after. Good job on reviewing three books.
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Oh, so do I, Candace…and looking forward to the breakfast afterwards gets me through!
Enjoy your week…I hope to love this week’s picks, too.
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I remember really liking Life Unexpected when it was on. I’ll have to go back and see if I actually watched the whole series. I think I did, but sometimes I let series fall off my radar.
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Thanks for visiting, Nicole, and when Life Unexpected was on the TV network, it seemed to end abruptly. On Netflix, there is an epilogue that I think they added…which gave some closure.
Enjoy your week!
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Life Unexpected looks really good! I will have to check it out! My husband loves The Handmaid’s Tale. I was too, but then it started giving me nightmares! It was really well done.
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Thanks for visiting, Erin, and the thing about The Handmaid’s Tale…it all sounds like something that could really happen in our chaotic world. And that gives me nightmares! But I keep watching.
Enjoy your week!
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I hope everything goes well with the bloodwork. I notice a Mother’s Day theme with your incoming books. A friend of mine has been raving over The Handmaid’s Tale.
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and a couple of my numbers didn’t please my doctor…and therefore, I’m not pleased. But they are manageable.
It’s weird about how some themes in books and titles seem to occur simultaneously.
I love watching Handmaid’s Tale, but it also scares me. It sounds eerily close to the realm of possibility in the not so distant future. Sigh.
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I read the two books with Mother titles and found them interesting thrillers. Have a great reading week and a good Mom’s Day coming up.
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Thanks, Harvee, I am looking forward to those books…and to Mother’s Day. Enjoy your week!
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Last Monday was my day for routine blood work. I went out for breakfast too. Yours looks excellent. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, I like the tradition of a breakfast out after that long fast…LOL.
Enjoy your week!
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I love Life Unexpected. I saw it when it originally aired and again on Amazon and Netflix. Fantastic show!
I haven’t started season 2 of Handmaid yet. It’s on my list.
Enjoy your week!
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Thanks, Chrissy, I’m glad I decided to watch Life Unexpected on Netflix…binging a whole show is so much more satisfying than watching weekly episodes.
Loving Handmaid’s Tale! Enjoy your week, too.
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Sounds like you had a nice week. Similar weather here. We are just glad not to have any more snow. I’ve been meaning to read Sisters Like Us, but haven’t gotten to it yet. How nice you got a chance to visit with your son. Hope you have a blessed week.
http://imperfectchristianmom.blogspot.com/2018/05/mailbox-monday-may-7.html
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Thanks, Cheryl, the week was a good one…and the new week is going well, too. Enjoy your reading!
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Looks like good reading and good food. Enjoy!
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann. Enjoy your week.
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You have the best food photos. Sounds like you had a good week. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Heidi, I am enjoying the week so far. Great books!
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My daughter made cupcakes over the weekend. The checker at our grocery store figured out what she was making and she promised to bring him a cupcake. He was so surprised when we delivered the promised cupcake to day. What am I reading?
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How sweet! Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week, Sarah.
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I love these food pictures. They always make me hungry. Those pancakes look fluffy. 🙂 Happy reading
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Thanks for visiting, Serena, and I loved the pancakes. I never make them at home anymore…so it was a treat to enjoy them.
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Both Mothers books sound very good.
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I really liked The Other Mother…and I’m looking forward to The Perfect Mother. Enjoy your week, Mystica, and thanks for stopping by.
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