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.
I’m back! I think. I have written four blog posts this week, and read and reviewed three books. While I still have a ways to go, I can feel the forward movement. The earthquake and aftershocks we experienced in the last two days could be a metaphor for how my life has changed in the past two months. Or just an interesting coincidence. Even though we could feel the tremors in the Central Valley, the 6.4 and 7.1 magnitudes were some distance away.
July is the month my surgery will happen…and while I’m not looking forward to it, I will be glad to put it behind me and start recovering.
Let’s have some coffee and take a peek at my week.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Current, Past, & Upcoming Reads
Bookish Friday: “The Perfect Wife”
Review: A Good Enough Mother, by Bev ThomasReview: The Better Sister, by Alafair Burke
Review: The Friends We Keep, by Jane Green
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INCOMING BOOKS:
Empty mailbox!
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WHAT’S NEXT?
I am ready to tackle my August ARCs, beginning with The Perfect Wife, by J. P. Delaney, which will be released on August 6.
The perfect life. The perfect love. The perfect lie. From the bestselling author of The Girl Before comes a gripping new psychological thriller. . . .
“Dynamic, razor-sharp, and thought-provoking . . . a cutting-edge suspense novel unlike any you’ve read before.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl
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That was my week. What did your week look like? I haven’t photographed any food this week, but here’s a dish I’m longing to try again.
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I thought about you when I heard about the earthquake. Glad the reading and blogging has picked up. I’ve a ways to go yet to get back to my normal, but everything in its time. Looking forward to the Jane Green novel.
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Thanks, Nise, I hope you enjoy the Jane Green book.
The earthquakes were freaky, as always.
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I’m glad you are OK. I think being subject to earthquakes is more scary than our hurricanes here in Florida.
This last week I finished reading “Dear Wife” and “Surfside Sisters” which I enjoyed quite a bit. While I am waiting on some library holds to come in I picked up “New Iberia Blues” which I started reading yesterday. I used to read his stuff all the time now it has been a few years still it should be a good mystery to pass the time with.
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Thanks, Susan, I have Dear Wife…and I am eyeing Surfside Sisters.
Hurricanes sound terrifying to me, but I have never been close to the earthquakes. We feel them, though.
Enjoy your week.
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I wondered about all my CA blogger pals hearing about the 2 earthquakes. Glad all is well. Looking forward to the JP Delaney book in July as well.
Sending positive vibes that your surgery/recovery is a breeze.
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Thanks, Diane, the reading and blogging are helping me focus on positive things….but just the surgery prep freaks me out a little. Things to do to get ready.
I guess it is the anticipation that keeps me on “pins and needles.”
Enjoy your week!
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I hope the earthquakes stay away from you Laurel. Just hearing about how big they are is quite unsettling, with my relatives in Calif. too. I’m glad you are back with your reviews. I didn’t realize you had to have a surgery this month, ugh. I’m sure it’ll go smoothly, I’ll cross my fingers it does too. Enjoy your reads this week.
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Thanks, Susan, my second son lives in LA and was very close to the epicenter of the Northridge Earthquake in 1994…so I worry.
As the days march on, I am dreading the surgery…primarily because there are so many little things to do in the prep stages.
Enjoy your week.
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Sending you good thoughts as you prepare for surgery while avoiding earthquakes! Thank goodness for books, right? I hope your week ahead is as good as last week!
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Thanks, Mary, I am very happy for the distraction of books!
Enjoy your weekend.
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And I bet the perfect wife is not as perfect – there will be a twist I’m sure! Yes heard about the second earthquake, because we are so prone to them here I always shudder when I hear about them anywhere. Fingers crossed for that surgery and then a great recovery.
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Thanks, Kathryn, I am hoping for a successful surgery and recovery…and I also hope for no more earthquakes!
Enjoy your week.
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The earthquakes are something, aren’t they? I hope the earth settles some soon. I hope your surgery later this month goes well and you have a smooth recovery. The Perfect Wife sounds good. I’m hoping my current read picks up soon. It’s slow going so far and I find my attention wandering. I hope you have a great week!
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Thanks, I will be glad to have the surgery behind me…and the earthquakes, too.
Enjoy your week, Wendy; a slow going read can be a challenge.
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Those earthquakes sound scary… glad they weren’t too close to your location! And glad you had a good week! my week was a total reading fail lol.
That does look yummy! I’m a sucker for soup… hmm warm and hearty ha!
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Thanks, Greg, I did love the reading this week; the earthquakes, not so much.
Enjoy your week.
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I’m glad you’re feeling like things are going your way again! Change is always hard!
Somehow I haven’t heard about the earthquakes in California. I’m glad to read you guys are okay!
Have a great week and happy reading!
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Thanks, Maureen, I’m hoping for the earthquakes to end…and for the surgery to be a smooth process.
Enjoy your week.
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Good luck with your upcoming surgery. And that is scary about the earthquake and tremors! The Perfect Wife sounds good, happy reading.
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Thanks, Nai, so many scary events! Reading should be a distraction.
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Glad you know how to cope with your surgery. My birth mom refused surgery five months ago and I bet her recovery is very slow going. I wish there was a way to convince her.
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Thanks, Trin, the only thing that convinced me to go ahead with the surgery is the prospect of another attack of the gall bladder that would require emergency surgery, which would be the worst scenario.
Enjoy your week, and I hope your mom thinks about it all.
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I’ll say you are back! All those blog posts and reviews…wonderful.
I’m glad you didn’t experience any damage from the earthquakes last week. I worried about you.
Have a great week!
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Thanks, Deb, I will never get used to the shaking up of an earthquake, but have been fortunate so far with no damage or injuries.
Loving the books I’m reading. Enjoy your week.
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I hear you, Laurel. If my gall bladder was having problems, I’d want it fixed ASAP. Hope you got a good doctor. I sometimes base my surgery doctors on one’s other people have suggested. Recently I’ve gone with a Dr. Pena, who is known for ankle surgery. People have literally said, “He’s the doctor to go to!” His bed side manner could use a lot of work though, lol.
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Thanks, Trin, I’ve heard good things about my doctor…but I’m still dreading the surgery.
Enjoy your week!
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I am glad that you are “back” Laurel!!! I have also thought of all my US friends located in California! I hope that you are all safe!!!!
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Thanks, Sophie, it is always a relief when the earthquake is not close by…or when the injuries are minimal.
Enjoy your week!
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I lived in California for a while and know how scary it can be when the earth starts moving. Now I live in Florida and dealing with hurricanes. Will keep you in my prayers for a safe surgery and quick healing, My daughter had her gall bladder taken out a few years ago and things went smoothly.
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Thanks, Vicki, I think we would get used to the earthquakes, but they always do have us all talking and comparing notes.
Hurricanes would scare me to death, though.
I have heard many people share their smooth gall bladder surgeries, so I’m hoping.
Enjoy your week.
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I am glad you are okay despite the earthquakes. And I hope your surgery goes well. Have a great week ahead.
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Thanks, Gayathri, I am grateful for the minimal damage from the earthquakes, and hope for a smooth surgery.
Enjoy your week.
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Oh my gosh, can I just say how ABSOLUTELY EXCITED I am for The Perfect Wife? I hope you enjoy it and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
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I’m in Southern California, and we felt the earthquakes really well. It makes me think about all these years they have been talking about the big one. Scary! I’m glad you’ve accomplished a lot of reading and have all of your posts ready for next week, I don’t have anything planned as of yet. I hope everything goes smoothly with your surgery and recovery Laurel 🙂
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Thanks, Lindy, I am also grateful that we haven’t had the BIG one.
Looking forward to a smooth surgery. Enjoy your week.
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I’m glad you weren’t affected by the earthquakes. I’m sure I read there were no deaths which seems quite miraculous given it’s strength.
Just like California it seems, a little trembling barely slows you down 🙂
Have a great reading week
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Thanks, Shelleyrae, I am grateful that there were no deaths. I am hanging in there with my reading and blogging.
Enjoy your week.
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I miss the gentle rolling L.A. quakes and find these Arkansas tornado warnings to be so much more terrifying. I’m glad you didn’t have any damage or injuries in your area.
Wishing you ALL the best for your surgery!!!!
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Thanks, Jinjer, I am hoping for a smooth surgery and recovery, too. Meanwhile, I’m loving my books and Big Little Lies.
Enjoy your week.
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I think of you anytime there are troubles in California, even when I know or suspect you are not directly impacted.
An empty mailbox gives a chance to work on TBRs. 🙂
I’ll be praying for success for your surgery.
Have a good week enjoying your special foods and reading!
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Thanks, Martha, I am loving my books…and hoping for a smooth surgery. Earthquakes do make me nervous.
Enjoy your week!
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I’ve been thinking of all of my CA blogging friends over the past few days…. it must be so scary! Glad you had a good week blogging/reading and feel like that aspect of life is back on track. I’m sure it will be a big relief to get the surgery behind you, too.
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Thanks, JoAnn, I am definitely eager to put the surgery behind me…and I am always happy when the earthquakes are behind us, too.
Enjoy your week!
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My mailbox was empty because I am visiting my son. 🙂 I’ll post any books that arrived next Monday.
GREAT on your progress with reading and the blog. Wishing you well with your surgery. Please keep us updated when you find things out if you care to share.
Going to check out your review of THE BETTER SISTER.
Have a wonderful week, Laurel.
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Thanks, Elizabeth, enjoy your visit with your son…I always love time spent with each of mine, too.
Hoping the surgery will go well….and have a great week.
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Just reading about those earthquakes was scary! I’m glad you weren’t affected by them too much. I know how you feel about the surgery – it’ll be good to have it over and done with.
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Thanks, Kathy, I am eager for the surgery to be in my past…with all having gone well. I can’t help but be a little anxious.
Enjoy your week!
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I’ve never felt such a huge earthquake, only tiny ones, that must have been scary! Glad to hear you’re okay, and managed to get all this reading & reviewing done. A productive week!
The Perfect Wife sounds good. I haven’t read this author yet but the previous two releases interested me too. Hope you enjoy it, happy reading!
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Thanks, Kay, I am enjoying The Perfect Wife.
Enjoy your week.
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So glad the earthquakes didn’t affect you too much. Sounds so scary to this non-Californian. Glad you’re feeling more back to normal and you seem to have a good attitude about the surgery.
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Thanks, Candace, I’m eager to move beyond the surgery.
Enjoy your week.
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I’m reading August ARCs too. I seem to have quite a few. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, my August books will consume me.
Enjoy your week
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I didn’t realize you are in California. We are too far north to have felt the quakes but we heard about them from friends and family. My week of reading
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Thanks, Sarah, we have such a big state, so the earthquakes are a part of our experience.
Enjoy your week.
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Glad you were safe from the earthquakes!! And I can’t wait for soup season to come back around here. I can’t get my husband to eat it in the summer, even though we do have air conditioning (again. lol)
Have a great one!
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Thanks, Erin, and I love soup both in summer and winter.
I’m also happy to have stayed safe from the earthquakes.
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Glad to hear you weren’t affected by the recent earthquakes too much but sorry that your life has been shook up lately! Ours, too, so I can relate – it’s been a rough summer so far.
I reviewed A Good Enough Mother for Shelf Awareness & enjoyed it – will go check out some of your reviews.
Enjoy your books this week – and good luck with your surgery!
Sue
2019 Big Book Summer Challenge
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Thanks, Sue, I am trying to look at the positive aspects of my recent life changes…and am also finding more great books to enjoy.
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Glad you were ok with the earthquake… Scary stuff! I’m wishing you all the luck with your surgery.
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Thanks, Nicci, I’m hoping to finally put my health issues behind me!
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