WEEKLY UPDATES: LET’S MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS…

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.

 

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…

Enjoying My Book Treasures…

Coffee Chat:  Transitioning to a New Year

Bookish Friday:  “Sadie”

Favorite 2018 Books:  Let’s Curl up and Read…

Review:  The Adults (e-book), by Caroline HulseReview:  The Affliction (e-book), by Beth GutcheonReview:  Emily, Alone (e-book), by Stewart O’Nan

***

INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty mailbox!  I did download one new e-book.

Our Little Lies (e-book), by Sue Watson

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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.

***

62 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: LET’S MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS…”

  3. 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!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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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  4. 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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  5. Rachel @Waves of Fiction

    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! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. 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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    1. 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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  9. Pingback: #AMonthofFaves 2018: My Favorite Books Read This Year – Still an unfinished person…

  11. Yvonne

    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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  13. 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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  14. StackingMy BookShelves

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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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  15. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Beware Of The Reader

    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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  20. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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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  27. 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

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. Kathy Martin

    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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  30. Pingback: My First Book of the Year 2019 – Still an unfinished person…

  31. 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! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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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