WEEKLY UPDATES: COUNTDOWN TO 2021…

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.

As another week comes to an end, with the New Year ready to greet us, I am enjoying each day as much as I can.  In these challenging times, there is that elusive feeling of “a light at the end of the tunnel.” I am also planning ahead for new reading and blogging, even as I finish up my books for this year.  The First Book of the New Year is waiting on my nightstand.

I have read and reviewed three books this week, one of which finalized my work on the Nonfiction Reading Challenge.

My blog headers are undergoing some changes, including the one here.  I use PicMonkey to create them, and because there is a “New PicMonkey” to deal with, I had to figure out how to work through that process.  I have been practicing all week.  Below, note how 2021 is CRUSHING 2020.

My viewing has included some shows on HBO Max, including The Flight Attendant and Let Them All Talk.

Let’s grab something caffeinated and take a closer look:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Push”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Curling up with My Books…

Hump Day Reading…

Cozying up with a Rediscovered Mystery…

Bookish Friday:  “Dirt”

Friday Potpourri:  Obsessions…

Review:  Clear My Name, by Paula DalyReview:  Rodham, by Curtis SittenfeldReview:  Dirt, by Mary Marantz

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  I did download two e-books.

Behind the Red Door, by Megan Collins

The Last Wife, by Karen Hamilton

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CURRENTLY READING:  I have picked up a book from my backlog, one that is part of a series I enjoy:

Cruel Winter, by Sheila Connolly

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  Here is a piece of Cherry Pie that I enjoyed this week:

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64 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: COUNTDOWN TO 2021…”

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Mary, and I have read it from the beginning and loved finding out about the familiar characters that show up in several of the books. The main character inherits a pub, and the stories are built around that setting.

      Liked by 1 person

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  6. I am looking forward (cautiously) to 2021 as well! Hopefully it will be an improvement. At least the orange man will leave. Or at least leave as much as he ever does- so annoying. anyway, hope you have a fantastic weekand and a happy holiday!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Greg, the departure of the orange man from the WH should be an improvement, although he makes enough noise to linger and leave a stench for a while, lol.

      Have a great holiday, and stay safe and well, enjoying your great books and movies.

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn, I am so glad I rediscovered the Cork County mystery, and I’m already turning the pages rapidly. Have a great week and holiday, and I am very excited about several immediate aspects of January…you-know-who should leave, kicking and screaming, perhaps. LOL.

      Stay safe and well, and enjoy your reading…and quilting.

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. Mareli Thalwitzer

    I also spend hours upon hours on the blog and making new graphics. I’m a bit useless with graphics and don’t get me started on the apps. I can do the bare minimum on Canva and I use Collage Maker on my phone. I’m good with that one and I make most graphics on my phone and then just import it to my laptop…!

    You had some great reads lately!

    Hope you will have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. May your day be filled with love and joy!

    Lots of Love,

    Elza Reads

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Mareli, I am glad that I enjoy making the graphics and changing up the blogs, as it is an easy and free thing to do!

      I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas, too, eating and enjoying your books and movies.

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  10. Trin Carl

    I love the header. I probably asked this before but where do you get the cartoon pictures of ‘yourself.’ I’ll check back on your comments. I’ve been holding off on thrillers lately, having had a lot of drama in my own life. My birth mother had recently passed away. She was a little person as well at 3’6′. Its been difficult.

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    1. Thanks, Gayathri, this year, I found myself with many nonfiction books on my stacks, and since some of them are hefty, I needed a challenge to help me get started and to keep going.

      Good luck, and enjoy! Happy holidays to you, too.

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  13. Maureen Bakker

    Ooww.. Cherry Pie!! Yummy!!
    I’m glad to read you’re staying positive. I have trouble imagining life getting back to normal.
    Have a great week and Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Hi Lorraine,

    I have to start off by feeding my sweet tooth! – I love cherries and that pie looks amazing! – Do I see cream and ice cream on the side, that’s very decadent of you 🙂

    Your new downloads are by new to me authors, however they both sound really good and worth adding to my wish list!

    Only this last week, I have seen another new book cover which uses the split face image, similar to that of ‘The Last Wife’, I just can’t remember what is was called, or where I saw it! It’s funny how cover images have their trends, both in appearance and colourway.

    Enjoy your reading this week and have a peaceful time 🙂

    Yvonne
    Xx

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. The pie had whipped cream and ice cream on the side…BTW, the ice cream is sugar free, which helps assuage the guilt. LOL

      I do notice trends with cover images.

      Thanks for visiting, Yvonne, and have a great week and holiday.

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  21. Your changes to your headers are wonderful. You are always shaking things up a bit and that’s great, I think.

    I’m glad to see how much you enjoyed Rodham. That book has a fascinating premise.

    The Cruel Winter has a 2020 appropriate title. Hopefully, it will not be appropriate as we move into 2021. Yes, let’s see 2021 crush 2020.

    Happy holidays!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Deb, I change my headers a lot, I think. But I love the process of creating new ones.

      Loving The Cruel Winter…and I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far.

      Rodham intrigued me and kept me glued to the pages.

      Enjoy your week and your holidays, and stay safe and well.

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    1. Thanks, Shelleyrae, I loved having the challenge to help me power through the stack of nonfiction I acquired this year and last. I hope to finish all the rest, challenge or not. Perhaps I will join the new challenge.

      Enjoy your week and the holidays.

      Liked by 1 person

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  27. Great 2021 image. It is fun to see your blog changes. Maybe someday I’ll have time to do that. 🙂
    I was glad to pick up Cruel Winter through Audible Plus.
    I am starting to set up 2021 goals and have my First Read ready too. Have to get the picture.
    I hope you enjoy a lovely week and good reading.

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books

    The changes to picmonkey drove me bonkers at first! I started forcing myself to use it (rather reverting to the old/original one) back in September but I’m pleased to say I’m finally comfortable with it. 🙂 Your graphics are looking good.

    I hope you have a good Christmas/holiday time!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Nicci, I was very frustrated with the Picmonkey changes, too, but after consulting with the support team, I found the layout I was comfortable with in the Twitter section, of all things!

      Enjoy your holidays and your graphic making.

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      Reply
  29. Susan

    I’m very intrigued what your first book of the Year will be! I’m sure it will be special. I love the First Book of the Year posts … it’s always wonderful and it gives the sense that we are turning to a clean slate for 2021! Which hopefully we are. I have about 10 days left to pick my First Book of 2021 so I better get cracking. Have a wonderful week & holiday Laurel !

    Liked by 1 person

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