WEEKLY UPDATES: A NEW NORMAL?

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.

With January half over, I am still feeling the intensity of last year and all that it brought.  In fact, some of it has carried over into this New Year, and I hate that!  But…maybe we can begin to create our New Normal.

I had my first vaccination!  The next one comes in three weeks or so.  Hopefully.  There have been mutterings of shortages.  Why am I not surprised?Meanwhile, I am reading and blogging.  Two books, both great, and seven blog posts.  I also enjoyed some shows and movies, like the pilot of Call Your Mother, on Hulu.

Let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Pretty Little Wife”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Book Love…

Wednesday Reading…

Another Book to “Dust Off”

2021 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

Ignite Your Sparks:  Fueled by Hope…

Bookish Friday: “Rachel to the Rescue”

Review:  The Wrong Family, by Tarryn FisherReview:  The Love Story of Missy Carmichael, by Beth Morrey

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  I did download two e-books…

Rachel to the Rescue, by Elinor Lipman

Blood Orange, by Harriet Tyce

***

CURRENTLY READING:  The Wife Upstairs, by Rachel Hawkins

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  May the next week and onward bring peace and calm.

***

88 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: A NEW NORMAL?”

  1. I hope your first vaccination went well with very minimal side effects. 🙂 My week was pretty good. It was super busy but it was better than the previous week in some ways so I will take it. Hah!

    I hope you are enjoying The Wife Upstairs! It sounds really good from what I have read from the synopsis.

    I hope you have a nice weekend! Happy reading!

    My STS post: https://herbookishdesires.wordpress.com/2021/01/16/stacking-the-shelves-01-16-2021/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Diane

    Laurel, so happy the vaccine didn’t leave you with lasting side effects. Hope you do get the followup as well. I just finished Monogamy, Sue Miller and loved it so much. Happy reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Susan

    So glad you got the vaccine! That’s wonderful. Did you have any reaction to the shot? I’m trying to get it for my parents in SoCal. We have just a few more days before the Inauguration — it’ll be so much better after. Hang on!! Enjoy your reading this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was happy not to have had a reaction…other than a slight headache in the evening that went away with Tylenol. I slept really well, too, Susan; probably because the anxieties are decreasing!

      I can’t wait until the Inauguration is behind us, since we do have crazy people trying to stir things up!

      Enjoy your week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. I’m glad you got the first dose, Laurel. My mom is scheduled to get her first dose on Jan. 26th. I hope she has the same experience as you! And I’m hoping after she has the second dose I’ll be able to visit her in person. Have a good week and enjoy your reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Congrats on the vaccination! And I feel the same- 2021 has turned out to be iffy, with the political stuff hanging over our heads- but we have hope this week. 🙂 Hopefully everything stays calm.

    I love the look of The Wife Upstairs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Greg, I am hoping for calm and peace this week…although I know there will be those who can’t stay peaceful. Sigh. Perhaps there will be enough security this time!

      Enjoy your week, and I am loving The Wife Upstairs.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Mareli Thalwitzer

    Rachel to the rescue seems good! I love the cover. I just got my new glasses last week, so the cover is “familiar”. LOL!

    Glad you had your first vaccinations. Here’s to hoping it’s all worth it.

    Hope your new week is as good as the past one.

    Lots of Love,

    Elza Reads

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Mareli, cute reference to eye charts. I am eager to enjoy the book, and here’s hoping both vaccinations will be just what I need while waiting for others to get their shots. And that everyone starts following the protocols of masks and social distancing while we wait.

      Enjoy your week.

      Like

      Reply

  9. I’ve signed up for the vaccine, too, but it will probably be a while before they get to me, as I’m not in any of the at risk groups. Even if I’m a teacher, they might not put me before others, which is fine. I just hope that they will speed up the vaccinating process here, because it’s really slow. I also hope you’ll get your second shot as soon as possible, Laurel-Rain.
    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Great to hear you have had your first jab and enjoy plenty of great books and shows. I pray that the shortages will be rectified soon and that it won’t delay you getting your second jab. 🙏 As for my week, it was a calmer and happier one, thank you, with some great books. Take care and happy reading! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. So glad you have had the first vaccination, Laurel. That’s great! They are working really hard here – both my in-laws and my mother have had it, as well as my sister who is working in a pharmacy. They have even opened churches and cathedrals to use as vaccination centres…

    In the meantime, I know what you mean about the new normal and I’m crossing my fingers that all remains calm during and after the Inauguration. Hopefully all the nonsense stirred up will then subside!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Here’s hoping for a calm down from the insurrectionists! The worst part…there is some suspicion that it was partially an “inside job,” which is especially unnerving.

      I am hoping for some of the negative things in our lives to disappear, but I know it will take time. Thanks for visiting, Sarah, and good luck on getting the vaccine soon!

      Like

      Reply
  13. Trin Carl

    I haven’t read too many thrillers lately like the ‘Woman Upstairs.’ I’m looking for a real great one to sink my teeth in. ‘Call Your Mother’ sounds greats. I don’t have Hulu but I’ve been thinking of watching this movie on Hulu called ‘Run’ check it out if you have time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. I am glad you were able to get your first vaccination. Hopefully, the second one will go smoothly for you! This year doesn’t seem any different than last year did but hopefully, things will look up some time in the near future. I hope that you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. I’m chalking up these first couple of weeks to 2021 being 2020’s left overs. I’m being optimistic that things will get better. That’s great that you were able to get the vaccine. I’m hoping to get one soon, too. Rachel To The Rescue and Blood Orange book look really good. I hope you have a great week.

    My post is here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Yvonne, I think the leftovers were inevitable, since #45 kept up his antics!

      Enjoy your reading. I am looking forward to my new books, too.

      Have you been watching GH? The nurse taking care of Sonny rings a familiar bell.

      Like

      Reply

  17. Oh great to hear you had your first vaccination. We don’t even have it approved or in the country yet which I suppose makes sense as other countries will be before us, plus rumours we never put out enough money. Who knows! Rumours!!! Fingers crossed for this week politically in the USA. Hope you can read in between!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, yes, let’s hope for a calm and sane week, Kathryn! And I guess not having a lot of cases where you live made vaccine a low priority?

      Hopefully you will have access to it soon, though.

      I’m enjoying The Wife Upstairs. Have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I think that is so Laurel-Rain. We will get the vaccine but with no community cases we will move on – but so happy you have your first one done. Good The Wife Upstairs is holding your interest.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Literary Feline

    I am glad you were able to get your first vaccine. I have an appointment to get mine this week. I admit to being a little worried about getting that second one the way the shortage talk is going–and how scarce appointments are to get. It took a lot of patience and trying again and again before I got mine. I fall under the 1A group because of my job. I hope you are enjoying The Wife Upstairs and also enjoy your new books! Have a great week, Laurel-Rain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Wendy, and I am hoping we all get the second dosage, as it could be a disaster if we can’t!

      I got mine because of living in a senior residential facility, even though it is not a nursing home.

      I am loving The Wife Upstairs. Enjoy your week.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Laura, we’ve been told we’ll get the second dose in about three weeks…and I hope they have enough!

      I decided to download Blood Orange because I loved Tyce’s second book and others recommended it.

      Like

      Reply

  22. So glad you got the first vaccine! My parents have appointments in NY for late February… sure hope they have enough product at that time. Did you have side effects?

    Hope you enjoy the humor in Rachel to the Rescue. I read it last month and enjoyed it, but might not find it as funny in light of recent events. Sigh. Hope the inauguration unfolds without incident… then we’ll all celebrate Wednesday night! Have a good week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting, JoAnn, I may not find it as funny in the aftermath of the insurrection…but I do think I’ll enjoy her take on the presidency.

      I had a slight headache the night of the vaccine, which went away after I took Tylenol. Nothing further that I can notice.

      I also hope we have enough of the vaccine! Trump’s administration did a piss poor job of everything!

      Here’s hoping for a safe and sane Inauguration! Enjoy your week.

      Like

      Reply

  23. It is wonderful to hear that you have received your vaccine. I’m so glad. And I’m also glad to hear that you had no real side effects.

    I love it that you are creating your new normal. That’s good advice for all of us. Reading and blogging are good ways to channel our energies. You have certainly done a lot of that last week. Glad both books read were good.

    Have a lovely week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Deb, and every day I realize how lucky I am to be experiencing all of this as an older person. No job to worry about; kids all grown, etc. However, it is also a sad retirement that doesn’t allow for the usual travel and adventures. Sigh.

      I am feeling grateful most of the time, though, and as an introvert, I can enjoy the life I have created.

      Enjoy your week and your books. Stay safe!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Nise, I think it will be on this week, on TV, but I’m not sure. We don’t have a TV guide here for shows coming up. Sigh. I saw the pilot on Hulu.

      Enjoy your week, and I’m loving The Wife Upstairs.

      Like

      Reply

  27. That’s great that you got the vaccination and fingers crossed that the second one will be available and will also have minimum side effects. I cannot wait till we can get ours. In our area it’s just health care workers, people over 65 or people living in assisted living type communities. But that’s a start! I hope you have a great week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. I’ve been intrigued by THE WIFE UPSTAIRS, but I have yet to add it to my TBR. I’m a huge Jane Eyre fan, so I’m always a little apprehensive about re-tellings. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. Hi Lorraine,

    We aren’t due our vaccinations yet, as our age tier has not been called forward, and as hubbie has an underlying health condition, he is likely to get his before me anyway! All of our second round of jabs have now been pushed back to 12 weeks, which is a bit of a pain, but it is what it is!

    A lot of people have had good things to say about ‘The Wife Upstairs’, so I put that on my list a couple of weeks ago and I also want to read ‘Blood Orange’, as I read the second Harriet Tyce book ‘The Lies You Told’ and thoroughly enjoyed that.

    My! How apt the book ‘Rachel To The Rescue’ is right now. The irony of Rachel’s situation from a British perspective couldn’t be better, so I might just have to give this one a try. Also we both just managed to get our long overdue routine eye-tests done, so the cover art is particularly appropriate too, even though having someone working that close to me right now, was a pretty scary experience!

    Thanks for sharing and Stay Safe until that second jab! 🙂

    Yvonne Xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Yvonne, I also loved the second Tyce book, which led to buying Blood Orange.

      I loved The Wife Upstairs…and now I am reading The Push, which has an unusual writing style. I am finally catching on to it. LOL.

      Stay safe and hope good things come with the vaccine.

      Enjoy your books.

      Like

      Reply

  33. I’m glad to hear you got your first vaccination! Hopefully things will calm down in the coming weeks.

    I added The Wife Upstairs to my audio shelf this week, I’m hoping to start it soon! Hope you are enjoying it and your other books. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. Kathy Martin

    I’m glad to hear that vaccinations are happening. I too have heard of possible shortages. I’ll be hearing from my heathcare organization when my turn comes up. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. Yeah, I wish 2020 had stayed out of 2021, but I guess we all knew just because it was a new year that all of the problems would be solved. But sounds like a good reading week, I have to read The Wife Upstairs, and I can’t wait! Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Good news about few community transmissions! I wish we had better news on that front, and the vaccines are slowly rolling out. I have had my first shot and hope for the second one soon. But who knows?

      Enjoy your week, Marg!

      Like

      Reply

  37. I forgot about Rachel to the Rescue again, so now I’ve put a hold on it through the library. It’s hard to believe it’s mid-January already, but in some ways it feels like it should be mid-March by now, too! It’s hard not to feel sorry for ourselves with more trip cancellations and planned celebrations curtailed or canceled, but my husband keeps reminding me there’s light at the end of the tunnel and I just don’t see it yet. (I’m shortsighted and can only see my glass, half-full, of course!) Enjoy your reading and blogging this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Laurie, I hope we both enjoy Rachel to the Rescue. As for dealing with our long and frustrating nightmare: a day at a time helps me move along toward that elusive light at the end of the tunnel! We are Pandemic Addicts, and A Day at a Time works for all kinds of addictions! LOL

      Enjoy each day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books

    Yay on the vaccine! That’s great news. Fingers crossed your second dose is timely and not delayed.
    Hope this week brings you more good reading and watching! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. I’m glad you got your vaccine and hope your life can start getting back to normal. My husband got his second vaccine last week (healthcare worker). The first one gave him a little headache but mostly he was very fatigued that day and the next. We kept hearing that the second vaccine tends to cause more side effects. His arm was a bit more sore the second time around but he wasn’t quite so tired. It’s gone much better than we feared.

    Enjoy your week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  40. Congrats on getting your vaccination! I can’t wait to get mine, I am waiting to hear back from my doctor. Watching shows and reading books seems to be the thing to do in these times, so I totally agree with you. I’m also working on using all my yarn stash, which has slowly grown over the years. I hope you have a great week and enjoy all your shows and books ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  41. ejmam

    I am looking forward to getting vaccinated, but I have no idea when I’ll be able to get one. I hope they get your second dose in a speedy manner. And that my mom gets hers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Please leave your thoughts. Comments, not awards, feed my soul. Thanks!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.