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.
For a holiday week, I got a lot done. Well, sort of. LOL. I finished my third book of the week this morning, and as I savored the moments with the MC, I realized how much I enjoy that kind of book. I love my thrillers, but I am inspired by novels that I can sink into and connect with the characters.
I am ready for First Books of the Year! I have my book, and I’ve sent off my photo. On Tuesday morning, I will publish the post that reveals all. I love this event! Thanks, Sheila.
Earlier this week, on Christmas morning, I enjoyed brunch with family and friends. Quiche, coffee cake, fruit, and Mimosas…the perfect way to celebrate.
For the rest of the week, I have stayed indoors except for necessary shopping…and curled up with my books.
I did write some blog posts: seven of them. And I enjoyed Netflix, finishing Season 3 of Wanted and allowed myself to be terrified by Bird Box.
As we grab another cup of coffee or beverage, let’s take a closer look.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Sunday Potpourri: Discovering the Spirit of the Holidays…
Tuesday Excerpts: “Sophie Last Seen”
Merry Christmas from My Interiors to Yours…
Coffee Chat: Transitioning to a New Year
Favorite 2018 Books: Let’s Curl up and Read…
Review: The Adults (e-book), by Caroline HulseReview: The Affliction (e-book), by Beth Gutcheon
Review: Emily, Alone (e-book), by Stewart O’Nan
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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Empty mailbox! I did download one new e-book.
Our Little Lies (e-book), by Sue Watson
***
WHAT’S NEXT?
I’m currently reading Sophie Last Seen, a review book by Marlene Adelstein.
And my First Book of the Year will be unveiled on 1/1/19, right here on this blog.
***
That was my week…and with a New Year ahead, I am eager to make changes in my reading, as well as in following my One Word (Connect), which was almost an epic fail this past year. Yes, I maintained my online connections, and tried to stay in touch with family and friends…but I didn’t join a book club as planned, nor did I develop new connections.
What did your week (and year) look like? Here is a delicious brunch I had earlier this week: Pain Perdu with mixed berries, from Mimi’s. And a delicious Mimosa.
***
I don’t know what a Pan Perdue is! This makes me sad!
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Thanks for visiting, Patty, and I only know what it is from the name on the menu. A cheesy mix of fruit and berries, with a French Toast vibe.
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Yum!
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Enjoy your new books. Have a great New year 😊
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Thanks, Megan, enjoy your books and your New Year, too!
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Oh wasn’t Bird Box a trip? I loved it. And glad to hear you had a nice Christmas. I can’t believe it’s over aleady!!
I love thrillers and character- focused books too. And when an author gets both right it’s a great thing haha. 🙂 Our Little Lies looks like my kind of read!
Happy New Year!! Enjoy your First Read!! 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Greg, and I have enjoyed so many books and movies this month. Bird Box had me clutching my face like the “home alone” kid. LOL
The First Book is a favorite event that I love planning for and also looking back upon. I have a page on this blog that celebrates all of my First Books.
Happy New Year!
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Sounds like you had a fun Christmas and a very good week! I loved Emily, Alone… one of my favorite books the year I read it, and Wish You Were Here was almost as good. I’m not familiar with third book, but I will definitely look into it. Have not heard of Pan Perdu before, but it sure looks delicious!
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Thanks, JoAnn, I love a book that draws me into a character, and I also want to check out the other books.
Have a Happy New Year!
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You had me at mimosas! Sounds like a lot of fun.
I’m super curious about Bird Box! It looks really scary, but I love really good horror flicks. Even when (and they usually do) they give me nightmares. Have fun on New Years! 🙂
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Thanks, Rachel, and I made the mistake of watching Bird Box just before bedtime! It didn’t work out well. LOL.
Enjoy, though. Happy New Year.
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Sounds like a very profitable week and you achieved quite a bit. I’ve sort of been in holiday mode. I need to get moving! Looking forward to seeing what your first book will be, I might start mine New Year’s Eve!
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Thanks for stopping by! I have the same thoughts about when to start, Kathryn; I am so eager to get going on this book, and seeing what others are reading. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve…and the New Year!
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Sounds like you had a perfect week with the books and family. I am glad you enjoyed your Christmas. Have a happy New Year!
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Thanks, Gayanthri, I am very pleased with how the holiday has gone so far. Enjoy your New Year!
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Glad you had a lovely Christmas!
I’ve seen a lot about Bird Box but I’m not brave enough to watch it, lol.
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Thanks, Nicci, I can’t watch it a second time, that’s for sure. I am not a fan of horror, but I liked the previews I had seen, so I went for it. I wouldn’t watch it at night, though. LOL. Enjoy your New Year.
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I think mimosas will be my thing for 2019, along with red wine, and a book of course.
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Good for you, Harvee! You will feel very happy as you read. LOL
Thanks for stopping by, and Happy New Year!
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I loved Bird Box. It was scary though. A bit different than the Hallmark Christmas movies I’ve been binging on this week. LOL Hope you have a great week and Happy New Year!
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Thanks for visiting, Yvonne, and oh, yes, Bird Box was scary. I shouldn’t have watched it just before bedtime. LOL
Enjoy your reading, movies, and New Year!
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Happy New Year! First Books of the Year sounds fun. I loved Bird Box, so sad and scary. The brunch looks yummy, enjoy your books 🙂
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Thanks, Nai, I loved Bird Box, too…and brunch was a relaxing way to celebrate. Enjoy your New Year!
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What a lovely week! If I ever end up in your neck of the woods, obviously we will be eating. I love the way so many of us are recharging, planning, relaxing, organizing and of course, reading this week. But also the time with family and friends. Happy New Year! Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thanks for visiting, Anne, and do plan on joining me for food in a favorite restaurant! Enjoy your week and the New Year.
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I love mimosas! A holiday favorite here. My week has been good. I didn’t get much reading done nor did I get much blogging done. But, I did relax and caught up with my soap opera. I have been watching since I was 13 soooo. I will keep watching till they cancel it. But till then I will enjoy it. I hope you have a great New Year!
Mary
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Ooh, I love soap operas, too, and watch all four of them, since they canceled some of my other favorites. Sigh. Which oldie do you watch? I love Y & R and GH…and Days of Our Lives. I get frustrated with B & B. LOL
And, of course, I love mimosas, Mary.
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Brunch is probably one of my favorite meals, because I can usually indulge in all my favorites – the best of both worlds. Sounds like you had a great week, and I’m with you, I love it when fate brings me and that perfect book together. Can’t wait to see what your first book of the year is. Happy new year!
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Thanks, Sam, I love brunch, too. Especially with mimosas. Enjoy your week and the New Year. I can’t wait to see your First Book, either…and I’m eager to share mine!
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Oooh you say Pain Perdu like here! When we went to the US for the first time we had to grasp it was your French Toasts! Now about characters …. if I can’t connect with them I won’t give more than 3 stars … Happy Sunday and already a Happy New Year Laurel!
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Oh, Sophie, connecting with characters is vital to enjoying a book. Have a Happy New Year!
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Enjoy your new books !
Happy new year !
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Thanks, Fantasy Books Addict, I am loving my books so far. Happy New Year!
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The Pan Perdu sounds and looks yummy! You did get a lot done this week. I was the opposite. Lolled around reading and watching holiday movies. The Bird Box was scary good. And I have Wanted in my Netflix QUE now.
My Sunday Post
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Thanks for stopping by, Laura, I did love watching Netflix, too, and it took most of my week to read the three books. Luckily, they were good ones.
Happy New Year!
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You had a good week! I’m looking forward to your first book of the year. I’m thinking of making changes to my reading in the new year too. I hope I succeed.
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Thanks, Laura, I’m eager to see all the First Books. This year, I hope to read more of my older books.
Happy New Year!
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I posted my First Reads today. Not sure why I thought to post it early. I guess I was thinking I wanted to link it to Sunday post.
Looks like you had some enjoyable reading and your Pan Perdu looks delicious.
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Martha, I am eager to post my First Book; I think I’ll do it tomorrow night.
Enjoy!
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I hope you enjoy your new book and have a fabulous new year.
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Thanks, Katie, I am loving my books so far.
Happy New Year!
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It’s great getting a lot done. Makes one feel productive. I’m finishing up on some overdue stuff.
I’ve been wanting to read Our Little Lies. Hope it’s good.
Wishing you a happy new year filled with blessings.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2018/12/its-monday-what-are-your-reading-dec-31.html
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Thanks, Cheryl, here’s hoping we all have a productive and happy New Year. I am eager to start a “new page.” Enjoy your First Book of the Year, whatever it is.
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That sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas! Enjoy your new book and have a Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Kathy, I am excited about the First Book event…and have the post ready to go. I am not brave enough to schedule my posts. I just save the draft and then post when it’s time.
Enjoy your New Year and all of your books and family moments.
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I’ve tried out a few pages of my first book of the new year and I think I’ll enjoy it. I hope you have a wonderful new year! See what I read this month at Girl Who Reads
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Thanks for stopping by, Donna, and let’s hope we all love our first books…and all the ones afterwards. Happy New Year!
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What a lovely Christmas! Hope your new year is wonderful.
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Thanks, Candace, it was wonderful. Family moments and good food, followed by time at home reading and watching movies.
Happy New Year.
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Great week!!
Love the title on OUR LITTLE LIES.
I am looking forward to the first book of the year too…I love how Shelia presents it. FAB job.
Happy New Year, and Happy 2019 Reading!!
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Thanks, Elizabeth, the First Book event is a favorite of mine. Soon we will all be visiting everyone’s First Books.
Enjoy the New Year.
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I love French Toast (pain perdu), if it is nice and crisp, but I prefer mine served with maple syrup and bananas, rather than mixed fruit. Mmmm! just talking about it is making me feel hungry!
I do enjoy my thrillers, so ‘Our Little Lies’ and ‘Sophie Last Seen’ sound good to me and are both winging their way to my TBR list.
I had planned major changes to my blogging / reading schedules in 2019, but it doesn’t look as though that is going to happen now, so I just have to play things by ear and introduce new things as and when I can.
I wish you a very Happy and Healthy 2019 🙂
Yvonne xx
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Thanks, Yvonne, here’s hoping for wonderful books in the weeks ahead. Happy New Year!
I love French Toast in various forms.
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Our weather encouraged me to stay in and do lots of reading this past week. Now, I need to get out and exercise again. One advantage was that I finished all my January review books. Come see my week here. Happy reading and happy New Year!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy; reading is the best thing to do when it’s cold.
Happy New Year!
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I do actually know what my first book for 2019 will be only because it’s an interlibrary loan that is due on the third. My last update for the year
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Thanks for visiting, Sarah, and enjoy your First Book. Happy New Year.
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It sounds like you had a lovely holiday and time reading! And I want to watch Bird Box as well, it looks awesome.
I am the worst at making new connections! I have been thinking about reaching out to some of the other parents at my son’s school, to make some friendships with people who have similar challenges (although I hate that word, my son’s CP is not necessarily a challenge, just a hurdle? Is that any better? ) Anyway, happy new year and good luck this year with your word! 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Erin; making connections online is easy for me, but the in-person ones can be difficult. It was easy to form those connections when I was in college, or as a suburban mother when the kids were little. Now I am living in a condo as a retired person, so connecting will take more effort.
Reaching out to other parents might work for you. Good luck!
Enjoy the New Year!
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