WEEKLY UPDATES: A BOOKISH WEEK…

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.

 

Another week, and more good books to enjoy!  I read and reviewed three books, and wrote seven blog posts.  I also did some Netflix viewing (The Trial of the Chicago 7) and rearranged some more items in my entry way.  I am restlessly changing things up regularly.

My coffee grinder has given me some great brew all this week.  I love the scent of it, as well as the taste.

Speaking of the coffee, let’s grab a cup and take a closer look at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpt:  “The Lost for Words Bookshop”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Clicking on Bookmarked Titles…

WWW Post…

Another Neglected Book…

Coffee Chat:  Rediscoveries…

Bookish Friday:  “Invisible Girl”

Friday Potpourri:  Weekend Tidbits…

Review:  Remain Silent, by Susie SteinerReview:  Return to Virgin River, by Robyn CarrReview:  The Lost for Words Bookshop, by Stephanie Butland

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  I did download two e-books:

Sisters, by Daisy Johnson

The Sunday Girl, by Pip Drysdale

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CURRENTLY READING:  Finally, I am reading Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell has a way of combining furiously twisty, utterly gripping plots with wonderfully rich characterization—she has such compassion for her characters, and we feel we know them utterly… A triumph!” —Lucy Foley, New York Times bestselling author

I am eager to follow these twisty plots!

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That was my week.  Good reading, some productive blogging, and some mornings that I enjoyed in my apartment instead of the dining room.  I am sharing the rhubarb/strawberry pie I had a while ago, because we are having it again today!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: PERMISSION TO “GO WITH THE FLOW”

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 actually read and reviewed THREE books this week.  I only wrote five six blog posts (I added another one today!), but that’s how it goes sometimes.  However, I very lazily slept in two days this week, not even going to the dining room until dinner!  I did get up and read, played on the computer, and enjoyed going with the flow.  It reminded me of my days before I moved into this residence. 

Then I realized something.  My life in retirement was supposed to be about doing what I want and when I want to do it.  No alarm clocks or schedules.  So having to get up at the beckoning sound on my phone, get dressed, and go OUT, even if it is just down the hall to the dining room…was starting to feel constrictive.  So I decided to give myself permission to do what I want at least two days a week. 

This morning I turned off the alarm, but decided to get up anyway an hour later.  So here I am, writing this post and actually ready to go to the dining room in 45 minutes.

Let’s grab some coffee…I haven’t had any yet!  And check out my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Confessions on the 7:45”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Adding to the Hoard…

Bookish Wednesday…

A Bookish Delight on the Backlog…

Bookish Friday:  “All the Best Lies”

Sunday Potpourri:  A Quest for Coffee…

Review:  The Library of Lost and Found, by Phaedra PatrickReview:  Confessions on the 7:45, by Lisa UngerReview:  Rage, by Bob Woodward

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox…but I downloaded two e-books:

Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell

Return to Virgin River, by Robyn Carr

***

CURRENTLY READING:  Remain Silent, by Susie Steiner

I have enjoyed previous books in the series, so I bought this one in June.  Time to read it!  So far, so good.

An immigrant’s mysterious death sets off a chilling hunt for the truth in this gripping crime novel from the author of Missing, Presumed, featuring a “delightful protagonist who deserves a place alongside other beloved literary detectives” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

***

That was my week…better than usual, and I credit the more relaxed week with giving myself permission to “go with the flow” a little bit. My lunch reflected that attitude:

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WEEKLY UPDATES: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER WEEK…

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.

It is Week Two of Block Editing, and I am finding my way…slowly.  As for my reading, not so great.  I read two books, and had mixed reactions.  But I did write nine posts:  I tell myself it is extra practice with this difficult editor.

We are allowed to go to the dining room for all of our meals now, and also attend activities.  Distanced and masked.  I don’t participate in many events, as I am not interested in a lot of things.  Not a bingo player, for example.  But there was a Happy Hour event yesterday…so I went to that.  Not very exciting, but then again, what can we expect?

Let’s grab some more coffee and take a closer look at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Life in Pieces”

Book Release Tuesday…

Book Release Day, Continued…

Playing Around with Headers…

Bookish Wednesday…

Another Backlog Book…

Coffee Chat:  Life’s Annoying Moments, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Library of Lost & Found”

Saturday Potpourri: Odds & Ends…

Review:  The Truth About Melody Browne, by Lisa JewellReview:  Life in Pieces, by Dawn O’Porter

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

One print book arrived from Amazon:

Notorious RBG, by Irin Carmon

Downloads:

Confessions on the 7:45, by Lisa Unger

Troubles in Paradise, by Elin Hilderbrand

The Beach Club, by Elin Hilderbrand

***

CURRENTLY READING: After finishing my two books this week, I picked up a couple on my Kindle…and then settled on this one, a backlog book:

The Library of Lost and Found, by Phaedra Patrick

***

That was my week!  How did your week go?  Every day feels like a chore sometimes, but then something happens to brighten things up.  A conversation with another resident, a special menu in the dining room, or a good show on Amazon Prime or Netflix.  Sometimes it is a simple lunch of banana, cottage cheese, and wheat germ with a good cup of coffee.

***

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.

My week has been interesting.  I read and reviewed two books, both of which were great.  I did set aside a third book, but will probably pick it up again later.  I also wrote a lot of blog posts…but then WordPress closed off that back door to the classic editor and now I am forced to use the Block Editor.  I am struggling!

So this post will be shorter than usual.  Let’s take a closer look at the week:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “To Tell You the Truth”

Another Bookish Week…

Coffee Chat:  Binge-Watching, Etc.

September Wrap-Up…

A Book Overlooked…

Bookish Friday:  “The Truth About Melody Browne”

Friday Potpourri:  Tidbits…

Review:  Three Perfect Liars, by Heidi Perks

Review:  To Tell You the Truth, by Gilly Macmillan

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

From Amazon:

Jackie and Maria, by Gill Paul

***

Download:

Life in Pieces, by Dawn O’Porter

***

CURRENTLY READING:

The Truth About Melody Browne, by Lisa Jewell

***

That was my week.  I will stumble along, trying to maneuver with the Block Editor…and occasionally eat pineapple and coconut ice cream.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A LITTLE READING & BLOGGING…

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.

It was a week filled with activities, but very little reading.  I only finished ONE book this week.  How embarrassing, right?  I have been binge-watching The Good Wife, and I am now on Season VI.  There are VII seasons.  My other activities now include daily visits to the dining room, which opens up interactions with other residents.  Walks, exercise classes, etc.

So…good stuff.  Sometimes I can’t even remember what life was like before the lockdown, but with a gradual reopening, I am curious about how it will all unfold.  Now that we can go out and about in the community, I am using some of my handbags that were just decorative before now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I am ready to read more; I feel out of sorts without a book on the go.  I didn’t do as much blogging last week, either.  But let’s take a closer look for the details, as we sip another cup of coffee:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Anxious People”

Hump Day Reading…

Intriguing Book from the Backlog…

Bookish Friday:  “The Book of Two Ways”

Review:  When She Was Good, by Michael Robotham

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  I did download two new e-books, however.

To Tell You the Truth, by Gilly Macmillan

The Book of Two Ways, by Jodi Picoult

***

CURRENTLY READING:

Three Perfect Liars, by Heidi Perks

***

That was my very lackluster week.  What did yours look like?  I did enjoy coffee and pumpkin pie a la mode this week, however.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A DIFFICULT WEEK…

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.

The week was difficult at times, with the wildfires burning close enough that we couldn’t avoid inhaling the smoke.  Staying indoors became a necessity and easier to do.  The predictions suggest that we will be living with these fires for a while, since they are not contained yet.

I did read and review two books, and enjoyed watching shows and movies online.  But the ever-present anxiety about what is happening out there hovered nearby.

Then, to top off the week, the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg added more sadness and anxiety.

I hope that there won’t be a rush to replace her just yet.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Monogamy”

Bookish Wednesday…

Let’s Curl up with a Neglected Book…

Bookish Friday:  “Custody”

Review:  Final Cut, by S.J. WatsonReview:  Monogamy, by Sue Miller

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  I did receive one NetGalley ARC and downloaded three e-books.

ARC:

The Good Sister, by Sally Hepworth- (NetGalley – 4/13/21)

***

Downloads:

Rage, by Bob Woodward

Surfside Sisters, by Nancy Thayer

The Truth About Melody Browne, by Lisa Jewell

***

CURRENTLY READING: When She Was Good, by Michael Robotham

***

That was my week…a little depressing, but with some good moments, too.  The other day, I enjoyed this lunch of cream cheese on Dave’s Bread…and a glass of wine.

***

WEEKLY UPDATES: A GREAT WEEK…

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.

Another week has slipped by, with some great books read!  I also enjoyed more blogging this week, which usually means that I have spent a lot of time on the computer. Some of that time I was glued to my laptop streaming shows.  I am now rewatching The Good Wife, a series I haven’t seen since it was on the networks a while ago.

I have also been online ordering things from Amazon, some practical things for the household and other items to spark some fun during my ongoing lockdown.

Here is a cute bag that reminds me of my more bohemian days:  It will arrive tomorrow.

Let’s take a closer look at my week…after another cup of coffee:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Odds & Ends, Tidbits…

Tuesday Potpourri:  Hoarding More Books…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Three Perfect Liars”

Bookish Delights…

Hump Day Potpourri:  Reflections…

Another Book Hiding Out on My Shelves…

Bookish Friday:  “Unfollow Me”

Review:  Girls of Summer, by Nancy ThayerReview:  Little Disasters, by Sarah VaughanReview:  Unfollow Me, by Charlotte Duckworth

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  But I did download three e-books.

Monogamy, by Sue Miller

 

Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman

Custody, by Nancy Thayer (A reread)

***

CURRENTLY READING: 

Final Cut, by S.J. Watson

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  I am sharing a photo of a pleasant surprise I had for dessert this week:  Pumpkin pie a la mode…and wine!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: AN INTERIOR WORLD…

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.

My week flew by, but I managed to read and review THREE books this time.  And they were all good ones.  I like when that happens.

The week was full with every other day in the dining room, alternating with days in my apartment, playing around with my blogs and my interiors, and watching movies and shows.  I finished all three seasons of Designated Survivor and saw an intense movie from 2016 called Christine, about a thirty-something journalist pushing the envelope and taking a drastic action at the end. 

My new comforter arrived this week, and I am eager to curl up on it.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Heart Bones”

Hello September!

A Bookish Week…

Discovering a Treasure on the Backlog…

Bookish Friday:  “Final Cut”

Review:  Home Before Dark, by Riley SagerReview:  Don’t Look for Me, by Wendy Walker – (NG-9/15/20)Review:  Heart Bones, by Colleen Hoover

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox, but I downloaded two e-books.

Three Perfect Liars, by Heidi Perks

Unfollow Me, by Charlotte Duckworth

***

CURRENTLY READING:

Girls of Summer, by Nancy Thayer

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  One day this week, I enjoyed a quiche dinner with a glass of wine.  Sometimes the kitchen surprises us!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: COUNTING DOWN TO 2021…

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.

 

How is it almost September already?  I am definitely ready for 2020 to be over, since it has been the worst year ever, but slow it down, please!  There are things we need to fix before it is done.  Then we will happily greet 2021!

My reading this week has not been the greatest, but I did enjoy both books I read and reviewed.  No DNFs this week! 

This week took us back to the dining room on alternate days, and we are also now offered, starting next week, a chance to socialize with others who live here!  Masked and socially distanced, of course, but I can deal with that.

A hair stylist has been brought in to offer outdoor hair cutting, with safety precautions in place.  I am reluctant to trust my hair to someone whose work I don’t know…but I will watch what she does to the other brave people who step up.  LOL.

Now…let’s grab some more coffee and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Don’t Look for Me”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Changing Things Up…

Coffee Chat:  Reshaping My Routines…

Bookish Wednesday…

Backlog Books to BriHng Forward…

Bookish Friday:  “Little Disasters”

Saturday Potpourri:  Restless Energy…

Review:  He Started It, by Samantha DowningReview:  The Switch, by Beth O’Leary

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INCOMING BOOKS:

One book arrived in my physical mailbox…and I downloaded two e-books.

Always Young and Restless, by Melody Thomas Scott

The renowned actress behind the character Nikki Newman of The Young and the Restless tells all in this scintillating memoir, divulging the insider details of her dramatic life and sixty-year career.

Downloads:

Heart Bones, by Colleen Hoover

Final Cut, by S.J. Watson

***

CURRENTLY READING:  Home Before Dark, by Riley Sager

In the latest thriller from New York Times bestseller Riley Sager, a woman returns to the house made famous by her father’s bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound—and dangerous—secrets hidden within its walls?

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like? In the absence of any good food photos to show, here are some memories from the past:  corn chowder and a margarita from Mimi’s.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: READING, BLOGGING, & BINGE-WATCHING…

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.

Another week that seemed to go by too fast.  Here we are nearing the end of August, and with fall on the cusp.  I would love the kind of fall we used to enjoy, but those days are not in the cards for us.  Moving along a day at a time is the best we can do.

I only read two books this week.  I had read half of a book that I spent too much time on before DNF-ing it; I went on to read the two books that I enjoyed and reviewed, but I was still reading the second one today.  Spending too much time on a book that I wasn’t loving is something I need to correct.

I did find myself drawn more to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime; I got caught up bingeing a show that I had noticed in the past but had never watched:  Designated Survivor, a political show starring Kiefer Sutherland.  I am almost finished with it, and loving it.

I also watched the Democratic Convention this week…and I felt energized!

Since nobody in the residence has tested “positive” for two weeks, we were allowed to return to the dining room today.  The schedule will be every other day, and we’ll see how long it lasts this time!

Now let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Silent Wife”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Adding to the Hoard…

WWW Wednesdays…

Bookish Friday:  “Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing”

Review:  Paris Never Leaves You, by Ellen FeldmanReview:  Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing, by Allison Winn Scotch

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox…but I downloaded an ARC from NetGalley and three new e-books.

The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah – (NetGalley – Release Date 2/9/21)

From Kristin Hannah, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone, comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

***

New Downloads:

The Switch, by Beth O’Leary

***

Little Disasters, by Sarah Vaughan

***

When She Was Good, by Michael Robotham

***

CURRENTLY READING:  He Started It, by Samantha Downing

***

That was my week.  I spent a lot of time in my apartment, reading, blogging, binge-watching shows…and sipping coffee.  And photographing my surroundings, like my entry way with coffee on the table, on the left, and the long view that shows the cupboard, the table with shelves of unread print books beneath, and my pottery mail receptacle on the table in the front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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