WEEKLY UPDATES: A SLOW READING WEEK, ETC.

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

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.

 

The week started out slowly…and then ended with three books read and reviewed:  one library book, one book purchased, and another from NetGalley.  The remainder of the week was consumed by errands, an annoying smog certificate glitch, and some great Netflix viewing.   The shows I watched were unexpected:  Greenleaf and Emily Owens, M.D.  I discovered both while scrolling through my queue…and then I binge-watched them until completion.  Now I just have to wait for more seasons for some favorites…or the discovery of some other serendipitous movies or shows.

I also continued watching The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu…and The Good Fight on CBS-All Access.

Let’s grab some coffee (I am in danger of falling asleep!) and take a closer look at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monday Potpourri:  Objects that Trigger Memories…

Rainy Day Excerpts:  “Shadow Dancing”

Captivating Books…

Coffee Chat:  Odd Bits & Pieces…

Another Month Bites the Dust…Monthly Wrap-Up

Bookish Friday:  “Bring Me Back”

Friday Potpourri:  A Sentimental Journey…

Review:  The Gunners (e-book), by Rebecca Kauffman (Library Book)Review:  Bad Stories, by Steve AlmondReview:  Shadow Dancing (e-book, Country Club Murders), by Julie Mulhern – (NG-6/19/18)

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

I received one book in my physical mailbox; one from NetGalley; and one from the library.  I purchased two e-books.

Castaway Cottage, by Joanne DeMaio (Author Review Request)

When the Lights Go Out (e-book), by Mary Kubica (NG – 9/4)

Manhattan Beach (e-book), by Jennifer Egan (Library Book)

Purchased Downloads:

The Death of Mrs. Westaway (e-book), by Ruth Ware

Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties (e-book), by Camille Pagan

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Currently Reading:  Bring Me Back (e-book), by B. A. Paris (NG-6/19/18)

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My moods will lead me to more review books…and a few purchases.

That was my week…what did yours look like?  Here is a delightful little dessert I enjoyed on Tuesday evening, after I had that long and tedious day trying to get my smog certificate!  Something chocolate always does the trick.

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72 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: A SLOW READING WEEK, ETC.”

  1. Patty

    That doesn’t seem like a slow reading week…you still read quite a few books! I think you deserved a treat after that smog test thing you went through!

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  2. I love discovering new shows on Netflix… and then binging them. 🙂 And I’m wondering how Handmaid’s is with season 2- I haven’t started watching it yet.

    When The Lights Go Out looks promising! And I still need to read the new Ware book.

    Have an awesome weekend!

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    1. This afternoon I kept checking out shows on Netflix, watching one episode and moving on. It is hard to find ones I love lately! So when I unexpectedly discovered Greenleaf and Emily Owens, M.D., I was very pleased. LOL

      Season II of Handmaid’s Tale is depressing…I keep hoping things will get better for the handmaids, but I wonder if that will ever happen. Sigh.

      Thanks for visiting, Greg, and have a great week.

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    1. The chocolate was delicious, and because I got a mini-dessert, I didn’t feel that guilty. LOL

      I hated A Visit from the Goon Squad from Egan…Yes, definitely boring. Which one did you hate? I did enjoy Look at Me and Invisible Circus.

      Thanks for visiting, AJ. Have a great week!

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  4. Literary Feline

    I am having trouble settling on a new show to watch on Netflix. I’m not sure why. It sounds like you had a good week overall. That dessert was well earned after your day dealing with the smog certification, I am sure! I hope this next one will be good for you as well! I am looking forward to When the Lights Go Out and Castaway Cottage sounds like it will be good. I hope you enjoy all your new books!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, I am really looking forward to my new review books…and my purchases, as well.

      After stumbling on the Netflix shows I enjoyed last week, I’ve been jumping from show to show today. Sigh. I am looking forward to a new season on a show I enjoyed called Marcella; it’s coming next week.

      I love Grace & Frankie and I’m eager for another season of that show, too. Have you seen that one?

      Enjoy your week.

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  5. I’ve had weeks like that where all the reading happens on the tail end. Great haul. I am hoping to listen to Ware’s book. You’ve been watching some good shows. I spent my Saturday evening adding back Narration ratings to audio reviews since I lost them during the move to a new host. Ugh. Hope this week is amazing!

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    1. Ooh, losing reviews because of blog issues makes me feel so anxious. I do have most of my reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, too, but what a mess. Good luck!

      Thanks for visiting, Kimberly, and have a great week.

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    1. Thanks, Andreea, I am very excited about these books, too…and coffee is nectar from the gods! LOL

      Enjoy your week…and I couldn’t get over how hooked I was on Greenleaf, since I didn’t think it would be my cup of tea.

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  8. Ah a new book by Joanne DeMaio I see, rather nice. Sometimes our reading gets slowed down but then can speed up specially when a book is good it just calls us to read. Hope this week has great viewing and reading.

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn. At the end of Beach Bliss was an excerpt from Castaway Cottage…and it was that old cottage in Beach Bliss that they were getting ready to renovate. I thought I would have to wait a while, but then got the e-mail that I was getting this next book! Happy dance!

      Enjoy your week….

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  10. Jenea

    I would like to start watching The Handmaids Tala soon. It looks really good. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Bring Me Back. Have a great Sunday.

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  12. My girlfriend recommended Greenleaf but for some reason I couldn’t get past episode 2. I may have to try again.
    I saw Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan somewhere, it looks good.
    mmmm chocolate is the magical cure 🙂 Enjoy your week!

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  15. The Cue Card

    Hi Laurel, yeah I think Manhattan Beach is worth checking out — this one has straightforward storytelling unlike her Goon Squad. I also heard the latest Ruth Ware book is quite good. I’ll wait to hear what you think …. before getting it from the library. Have a great week.

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    1. Thanks, Susan, and it’s amazing how one book from a previously favorite author can cause such hesitation. Goon Squad nearly put me off her books. And yes, it won awards. I just didn’t like it very much.

      I loved Ruth Ware’s first two books more than the third one, but I have heard great things about The Death of Mrs. Westaway.

      Enjoy your week!

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  16. Yvonne

    All of your books look so good. I want to read all of them, especially the Joanne DeMaio book. Emily Owens MD sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll check that one out. Your dessert looks so yummy. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne, I hadn’t had any interest in Emily Owens, M.D., but I do love Mamie Gummer, so I thought: give it a try! Hours later, I was still watching and finished it.

      I just started Safe today…and I’m addicted to that one now.

      Definitely check out the DeMaio book.

      Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Nicole, while I wasn’t sure about all that “churchy” stuff, I did love the fact that Oprah had a role in the show…and also in the production. So it was not surprising that I found much to keep me watching. Enjoy!

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  19. Kathy_A

    I’ve been wanting to watch The Handmaid’s Tale, I’ve heard it is really good. I have my eye on Ruth Ware’s book so I hope you enjoy it. I hope you enjoy your next reads and the weather is cool for you. It’s been hot here in Sacramento. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Kathy, it’s hot here, too. Season II of Handmaid’s Tale is darker than the first one, but I still can’t stop watching. I keep hoping for some kind of escape for the handmaidens…Sigh.

      Enjoy your week! I love Ruth Ware’s books.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy, and I hope your errands are uncomplicated. The smog cert for the cars is every two years here, although some cars might need it more often. I’ll know what to do next time before I go to the shop. LOL

      Enjoy your week! I am excited about the Kubica book.

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  24. I love the cover of Bring Me Back. Just looking at it makes me want to know more about it. I’ve read another Ruth Ware book but I wasn’t overly impressed. I hope you enjoy it though. I may give her another chance in the future. Have a great week!

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  26. Wow, you sure squeezed a lot of reading in! I know many reading friends (especially fellow teachers) who say they have more available reading time in the summers. Not me. My five children suddenly want to hike, play ball, go to the park, garden, go swim, etc. LOL Thanks so much for sharing your reads and have a wonderful reading week!

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  32. Susie | Novel Visits

    I loved The Gunners. Hope you do, too. I loved the Good Girl, but haven’t liked the last two Mary Kubica books, so will be curious to hear thoughts on her new book. Have a great week.

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