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.
This week I was determined to dust off some older books from my Kindle, and I did it! Of the four, yes FOUR, books I read and reviewed, three of them were from my backlog. And they were all so good!
Here in the residence, we are now eating in the dining room on alternate days, at scheduled times and applying social distancing. I’m liking the change. I feel a sense of normalcy returning, very slowly, and I am trying to feel hope again.
My movies and shows online continue, with some of them oldies. The comfort viewing has helped me feel peaceful.
My ongoing sprucing up the space has led to more purchases of books and items to make me feel at home. I have added new storage bins and changed the look of my bookshelves, with books and photos arranged in a way that I had them in my previous home.
I am writing this post in the late afternoon, so instead of suggesting we grab some caffeine, let’s reach for a preferred beverage: perhaps even wine?
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Tuesday Excerpts: “A Week at the Shore”
Tuesday Potpourri: Bookish Tuesday
Adding Another Backlog Book to My Device…
Coffee Chat: Hanging in There…
Bookish Friday: “Watch Me Disappear”
Review: The Dilemma, by B.A. Paris – NG-6/30/20Review: After Anna, by Alex LakeReview: A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker KlineReview: Watch Me Disappear, by Janelle Brown
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INCOMING BOOKS:
Empty physical mailbox…but I downloaded SIX e-books
Girls of Summer, by Nancy Thayer
Brave Girl, Quiet Girl, by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Summer Deal, by Jill Shalvis
The Guest List, by Lucy Foley
Remain Silent (A Manon Bradshaw Novel), by Susie Steiner
Finding Mrs. Ford, by Deborah Goodrich Royce
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CURRENTLY READING: The Flatshare, by Beth O’Leary
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That was my week. What did yours look like? Even though we are still on lockdown, I am feeling upbeat. Getting out to the dining room every other day is surprisingly delightful. And if the food is not good, I can ask them to prepare something else! I have no delicious foods to spotlight, but I am thinking back on the last time I got together with my family!
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Glad it was a good week! I feel a little optimism too with the gradual reopenings that are happening- maybe things will get back to normal after all (I was starting to wonder!). Hopefully your resumption there goes well. And 4 books! Nice.
The Guest List looks like something I’d like. I’ve been loving suspenseful reads of late.
Take care and be well this week!
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Yes, Greg, sometimes it feels as if we are hanging by a thread, but if we find good books, movies, and even some wine (lol), we can get through each day.
Enjoy your books…I am really looking forward to The Guest List.
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I’m so happy to read your week has been good and you’ve been able to go into the dining room. That sounds like a nice change of things!
And four books?! That’s awesome.
Stay safe and happy reading.
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I was pleased to move beyond my usual number of books…and even to clear three books off the backlog!
Thanks for visiting, Maureen, and enjoy your week. Stay safe!
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Great you got some TBR’s from your Kindle read, and the new ones downloaded look good material. Looking forward to your thoughts on The Flatshare.
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I am already loving The Flatshare. The alternating narrators give us a glimpse into the various characters, and the chapters are short, too! Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn, and enjoy your week.
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Hey Laurel-Rain, great to hear you’re feeling more upbeat and have a positive week, with eating the dining hall, sprucing up your apartment and enjoying some comforting TV shows and books. I hope the coming week is as good, if not better! 😃
Here’s my Sunday post: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/sunday-reflection-7th-june-2020/ 🙂
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Today is a day in the dining room, so I am up and dressed and feeling as if I have a place to go! It was hard not ever leaving the apartment.
Enjoy your week, Jessica, and thanks for visiting.
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I loved reading the Flatshare. And I am glad you get to eat better food now. Stay safe Laurel!
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Thanks, Gayathri, I am loving The Flatshare so far. Great narrative voices and nice short chapters!
Stay safe, and enjoy your week.
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The Guest List has been catching my eye around the blogosphere lately so I’ll watch for your review. I’m a fan of Jill Shalvis so the new one is on my wish list. Looks like you’ve plenty to entertain you. Have a good week, Laurel!
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I haven’t read much Jill Shalvis yet, but the books of hers that I’ve read were delightful. This new one really grabbed me. Thanks for visiting, Mary, and enjoy your week. Stay safe.
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Even the smallest of renewed social contact feels good to me right now. We had friends come over for a porch chat last week, and that lifted my spirits for days. Later we had an outdoor visit with my dad and yesterday we went to see my son and his family. Being with my son and his family is the first time I’ve been within six feet of anyone (other than my husband) in three months.
You certainly have a lot of promising books now in your e-reader. All of those books look wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you think about them.
Your decorations are making this place seem like home. Lovely!
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Thanks, Deb, I have relished the opportunity to play around with my interiors and my books, all thanks to the isolation.
But now I am ready for one of those porch visits! We aren’t allowed to visit anyone yet, just the social distanced people here in the community.
Stay safe and enjoy!
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Glad it was a good week and that you are now able to enjoy dining among others – that getting back to normal must be such a positive step. And you have had a really good reading week, too! I hope the coming week continues to be as good, Laurel:)
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Thanks, Sarah, and despite the distance between our one-person tables, there is definitely an upbeat feeling among the diners.
I am loving my books and movies, too. Enjoy your week!
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Thank you Laurel – and I’m delighted there is such a good feeling in the dining room! I hope the coming week is another great one.
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I heard The Flatshare is written in a very unusual format, therefore it has been receiving some really mixed reviews. I have been wondering if I should just take the plunge and read it or not.
I hope you continue to be positive and upbeat! Have a great week!
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Thanks, Whitney, I have been fine with the format so far. Alternating narrators, and I gather that there will be notes and e-mails along the way.
Enjoy it if you plunge in!
Stay safe.
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Great job … 4 books read & reviewed in a week — you are on a roll! Glad to hear you are up & about there too. Have you watched the TV series The Morning Show with Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Jennifer Anniston? … we just finished Season 1 and it was a #MeToo doozy. Think it might have been on Apple TV. Not sure what we will pick up next. Enjoy your week and your new reads.
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I was just at your blog, Susan, and now I’m wanting to watch The Morning Show. Is it only on Apple TV? I knew there was a reason I needed that!
Enjoy your week and your books and movies. I found some books on your post that I needed to add to my list!
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Good for you to have read so many books this week Laurel! And yay for slowly going back to normalcy. Have a great week
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I am totally into the slow approach, Sophie. Stay safe!
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Wow some great reads this week! I loved the Guest List and I have Summer Deal coming up on audio.
I hope we are not moving to normal too quickly. We just stay home. But we are out in the yard so it’s fine. Stay safe and well!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
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I am eager to read these books….and slowly go out into the world again. Enjoy your week, Anne.
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Good for you. Four older books from KINDLE backlog. I should do the same but I am being picky about my reading choices right now and not just anything will do just action adventure and mysteries for me right now otherwise I can’t pay attention. It’s been a hard week but there is a lot of cause for hope for the future. Stay well. Stay safe. Please visit my Sunday Salon post. Thank you.
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I do love reading the newer books, but I’m glad I dug into the older ones and found these treasures. Thanks for stopping by, Anne.
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Glad you had a good week. The Summer Deal and Girls of Summer really look good. I’m more than ready for some beach reads.
My Sunday post is here.
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Yes, a beach read can make the summer feel normal! Enjoy, Yvonne.
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Your bookshelf looks so warm and inviting 🙂 I just added The Guest List to my library request list – I think it’ll be a while, but I’ll read it eventually. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Becki, I am loving adding books to my one lonely shelf. LOL. I used to have about ten shelves throughout my townhouse.
I plan to enjoy The Guest List.
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I’m also dusting off older books and reading them! It feels good and I’ve rediscovered some gems. I hope you’re enjoying The Flatshare. It’s good that life at the residence is feeling more normal. 🙂 Enjoy your new books!
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Thanks, Laura, and I’m loving The Flatshare so far!
And enjoying alternating between meals in the apartment and in the dining room. All the tables are spaced out, and I actually prefer it that way now! LOL.
Stay safe.
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Polishing off some backlog books is a great way to feel good. I’m glad you’re able to use the dining room a bit, too. We are entering Phase 2 so outdoor dining is allowed now. That sure helps.
Great books. I’ve seen Thayer’s book at a few blogs lately. I haven’t read one of her books in a while.
Hope you have a great week.
https://imperfectchristianmom.blogspot.com/2020/06/mailbox-monday-june-8.html
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Thanks for visiting, Cheryl, and it is amazing how little changes can make a big difference.
Enjoy your books and your week, and I hope Phase 2 goes well.
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So good to hear you had a good week both with books and being able to eat with others! Love the summer looking books. I am excited that our library is working on opening safely! I am actually getting caught up on books that are in the house. Never thought I would see the day. Have another great week.
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Yes, it is amazing how we see the books around us from a different perspective during times like these. Thanks for visiting, Nise, and enjoy your week. Stay safe.
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Definitely plan on reading The Guest List. Have a good week.
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I can’t wait to read it vvb. Enjoy your books and stay safe.
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We are limping back to normal though there are so many rules still being applied. I like your selection of books and am scouring Netgalley to see whether any of them are available.
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Glad to hear it, Mystica, limping back to normal might be the safest way. Enjoy your books and whatever you find on Netgalley.
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I have “THE GUEST LIST” sitting on my shelf and I’m hoping to get to it soon! I’ve also been reading some older books–with the libraries closed, I have no other option!
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Thanks, Melinda, it is great to find books wherever we can. I was amazed at how many older books were still hanging around when I took a closer look.
Can’t wait to read The Guest List. Stay safe.
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I’m so glad to hear you have had a better week Laurel!
Wishing you a great reading week
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Thanks, Shelleyrae, I am feeling productive, having read some of the books from the backlog. And no more NetGalley books to read until July! Enjoy your books.
Stay safe!
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Yay for reading from your own (virtual) bookshelves. I’m going to be doing more of that myself.
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Thanks, Candace, so glad that we have those books just hanging around, available when we need them. Enjoy yours! Stay safe.
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I am so glad that you are able to get out for meals now! That has to feel so good, and like you said, a slow return to normal. And also, a plus that you can ask for something different if necessary!
It sounds like you have been busy with reorganizing and redoing – that is always so fun. I love the look of your shelves. 🙂
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I agree, Erin, I am feeling grateful for these little changes that can make a difference.
Reorganizing is always a favorite thing of mine, and I don’t mind cleaning up a bit during the process. Enjoy your books and your reorganizing.
Stay safe.
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I’m glad things are getting back to normal for you! I miss restaurants and eating with other people. I hope you have a good week!
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Yes, I think a slow return to normal will be the best way to go. Enjoy your books and your week, AJ.
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I’m glad things are getting closer to normal for you. I’m still in my self-imposed lockdown even though some things including restaurants are reopening around here. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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I think slow is the way to go. Enjoy your books and your week, and thanks for stopping by, Kathy.
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It sounds like a really good week for you. Good job on getting into the TBR stack and I’m glad that you enjoyed them. Remain SIlent looks like a good thriller. Brave Girl, Quiet Gril is one I have been eyeing.
I hope you continue to enjoy the dining room more.
Have a good week!
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Thanks, Martha, I loved how the week went! Enjoy yours.
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So happy to hear you had a great week! It’s a nice feeling to read from your backlog, I agree.
I’m just starting my Monday blog visits and it’s already Tuesday, so I’m behind, as usual. We had some outdoor get-togethers with line-dance friends last week, and it was nice to see real-life people instead of just on the computer screen! I have The Flatshare, The Guest List, and some of the others you mentioned on my TBR.
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Finishing up The Flatshare as we speak. Loved it! How great to have outdoor activities with friends. Thanks for visiting, Laurie.
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I love your cute bookshelf!
The Guest List sounds good, have a great reading week
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Thanks, Emma, I am loving it, too! Enjoy your week.
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Yay for reading backlog books! I’m never going to read mine. At least it feels like that sometimes.
I am glad you are able to eat in the dining room some of the time now. Your bookshelf looks so nice. I really need to go through my books again and see which ones I want to keep and give away. I do that every now and then to keep my shelves from overflowing too much. I especially need to sit down with my daughter and go through all her books. She’s been better about saying yes to giving her stuff away, and so I don’t think it will be as much of a challenge this time around. Of course, I have to be willing to let them go too. And when it comes to books, that’s always hard for me. LOL
I hope you enjoy your new books and your current reads. Take care, Laurel-Rain.
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Thanks, Wendy, I am liking how we’re alternating our days in the dining room. Since we’ve been on lockdown for THREE months now, a return to every day In the dining room would feel like a bit much for us introverts, lol.
I miss all my books and shelves from my previous residence, so I can’t imagine giving any away for a while…or ever.
I used to purge when I had hundreds of books.
Enjoy your collection.
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