WEEKLY UPDATES: READING, BLOGGING, & WAITING…

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 great week has sped by, with three books read and reviewed.  One of the books was a NetGalley ARC, my last one to read until September; and another one was a dusty book from my TBR.  A brand new one was a good conclusion to the week.  I only wrote five blog posts this week, however.

We are still locked down, of course, and the alternating days in the dining room are over.  When that will change is anybody’s guess, but since the virus is surging in California, along with some other states, I guess we’re here for as long as it takes.  This week we were all swabbed and await test results.  Hopefully “negative.”

Trying to think of books, movies, and pleasant things…and awaiting goodies from Amazon:  those are my days.  Let’s grab some more coffee and take a closer look at the week.

Meanwhile, check out the pottery bowl that serves as my mail receptacle in the entry way.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “His & Hers”

Tuesday Potpourri:  It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books…

More Engaging Books…

Books from the Backlog:  Another Potential Treasure!

Bookish Friday:  “The End of Her”

Review:  Just Between Us, by Rebecca DrakeReview:  Until I Find You, by Rea Frey – (NG-8/11/20)Review:  His & Hers, by Alice Feeney

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  I did download four e-books.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing, by Allison Winn Scotch

The Silent Wife, by Karin Slaughter

Imperfect Women, by Araminta Hall

Paris Never Leaves You, by Ellen Feldman

***

CURRENTLY READING:

My Pear-Shaped Life, by Carmel Harrington

***

That was my week.  A mix of familiar things, but with a touch of surprising ingredients in my books. What did yours look like?  One night I celebrated with a glass of red wine.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: THE WEEK SPRINTED BY…

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.

Here we are again at week’s end.  How do those days sprint by so quickly?  I did enjoy reading three books, and two of them were nonfiction; those will count for the Nonfiction Reading Challenge.  Officially, I have met my goal, but I have several more from that category that I must read.

This week I watched bits and pieces of shows on Prime, Netflix, and Hulu...and then settled down for Season II of In the Dark. I’m only on Episode 2, though.

Now…let’s grab some coffee and take a closer peek at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Sparks:  Reshuffling the Collections, Etc.

Monday Potpourri:  A Doll Story, Etc.

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Playing Nice”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Book Releases:  It’s Not Hoarding!

A Bookish Week…

Backlog Books…Another One!

Bookish Friday:  “The Safe Place”

Happy Saturday!

Review:  Stranger in the Lake, by Kimberly BelleReview:  Nomadland, by Jessica BruderReview:  Too Much and Never Enough, by Mary L. Trump, Ph.D.

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in my mailbox; I received a giveaway book from Goodreads; and downloaded two e-books.

My Pear-Shaped Life, by Carmel Harrington

Giveaway Win:

Me and Carlos, by Tom Perrotta

***

Downloads:

The Safe Place, by Anna Downes

Too Much and Never Enough, by Mary L. Trump, Ph.D.

***

CURRENTLY READING:  The Girl from Widow Hills, by Megan Miranda

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  Here is my lunch today in my apartment:  turkey, vegetables, and cream of broccoli soup.  I added red wine from my own bottle:

And then a very small piece of apple pie with ice cream.

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COFFEE CHAT: HANGING IN THERE…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

Good morning, Blog World!  Let’s grab some coffee and chat.  What a week so far.  Yesterday, I had meals in the dining room all day!  On alternate days, this plan will continue, with one person at a table, six feet away from the next one…but we can still talk!  That works.  I also liked that I could ask for a special item not on the menu, and I got it!  They were in a good mood yesterday.  LOL

• On a dark note, what a horrendous week out in the world, with racism continuing to rear its head, and those “in charge” making all the wrong moves!
• I am trying to calm myself with books and blogging.  And rearranging things, like these shelves.
  

• Today was my post for Books from the Backlog, which I have been enjoying.  Since I started participating, I’ve rediscovered and read a handful of books I had forgotten about.
• I am currently reading one of the books I found a few weeks ago:  A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker Kline.  So far, so good.
• Also this week, I read and reviewed another backlog book:  After Anna, by Alex Lake.
• On Monday, I read and reviewed The Dilemma, by B.A. Paris, the ARC of a book being released on 6/30/20.
• Last week, I received a book for reread, along with the DVD to watch.  I hope to settle in with the movie this weekend: In Her Shoes is a fun movie that I once owned…and had to replace.

• I am missing my family members…sigh.  Even though we are slowly moving out and about (within the community here), the outside world remains “out there.”  But when I notice the places opening up and moving out, and see that infections are on the rise, I curb my impatience…and settle in with my books and movies.
• Meanwhile, I look at this photo of family members gathered together at Thanksgiving.  The last time we were all together.

***

How are the rest of you handling the world as we know it now?  Staying safe, I hope.  Enjoy your books and your home.  I am, as usual, rearranging things.

***

MONDAY MORNING COFFEE, ETC.

Another week, another morning of coffee and books.  I am already enjoying The Operator, but I have learned, sadly, that a book can start out in a promising way and then turn sour.  This one seems really good so far, though, and looks perfect next to my coffee.

I spent hours yesterday reading Been There, Married That, by Gigi Levangie…and it did start out so well!  I was laughing and eagerly turning pages.  And then, at some point, I found myself in that tricky place where I would read a paragraph or a page and get lost in my thoughts, losing my way in the book and in the story.  That kept happening…and I blamed myself.  I was too distracted, etc.

At 60% into the book, however, I realized that, no, the book was no longer holding my interest.  It wasn’t me, it was the BOOK.  In fact, I was bored!  I faced the truth that it would end up in the DNF pile.

I hate when that happens, especially when I’ve spent hours on a book.

Now some may love this book, and when I finally checked out the reviews, I realized that a few did.  But a handful of others had the same reaction that I had.  Plus, it doesn’t even matter that a few loved it if I hated it and couldn’t wait to put it down.  That’s how it goes sometimes.

All of this leads to my conclusions for the day as I start a new week.  Life is too short, especially in Pandemic times, to waste on books that just aren’t doing it for us.

In fact, my biggest frustration besides books I don’t love…is food delivered to my apartment like room service that is not only cold but disgusting. At times.  Sometimes it’s okay.  They do best with the breakfast foods. 

 

I made a decision to lift the lids of those cartons in which the food is brought…and check them out!  What are they hiding in those containers?  LOL.  Well, last night’s soupy chicken dish, for one thing.  I should have photographed it!

Since we can’t even leave our apartments to shop, I have been exploring online grocery deliveries, but I have hit a glitch on those.  I am afraid to try them, since the delivery person would have to leave the groceries at the front door for a staff person.  Nobody can enter this facility.  Although they do let in the mailman.  Hmm.  And Amazon.  Has anyone tried Amazon’s grocery fresh items?  I have ordered coffee and tea from them.

Option Two:  turn in a list to the staff person at the front desk, who then gives it to the person who actually goes to the stores and picks out the items.  I did that last week, and it worked great.

This could be a system that needs to work for a long time.  The more I read about how many weeks/months we will have to “shelter in place,” I get a little stir crazy.  But one who optimistically says “back to business by Easter” is, frankly, full of it.  This was, after all, the same guy who said it would “all disappear in the sunshine.”

“Good morning. This is the White House. Press (1) for disinformation about coronavirus testing; press (2) for disinformation about masks and ventilators; or press (3) for all other corona disinformation.”

***

How are the rest of you hanging?  A day at a time seems the best plan for me, while also having hopes of finding supplies, groceries, etc.  And optimism about finding books and movies that will keep my thoughts away from the disasters around us.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: NOT YET STIFLED BY THE ISOLATION…

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 Week Two of our Lockdown comes to an end, I realize that I am coping better than I could have imagined.  Being an introvert helps.  Plus finding great things to read and watch, along with my urge to rearrange my space.  All good.  My choices of books this week helped, as well, and I ended up reading three.  Which puts me right on target with my Goodreads Challenge.

I am still loving Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu, and the fact that new episodes show up regularly (Wednesdays).

Last night I found Season III of Ozark, a show that isn’t quite as fascinating now…but I’ll keep watching for a while.

Let’s grab some more coffee (and thankfully, I still have some!), and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Heaven Adjacent”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Inspiration!

Hump Day Reading:  WWW Post

Coffee Chat:  Week Two in Lockdown…

Bookish Friday:  “Follow Me”

Review:  And They Called It Camelot, by Stephanie Marie ThorntonReview:  Wallis in Love, by Andrew MortonReview:  Heaven Adjacent, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  But I did download two purchased e-books.

The Sea Glass Cottage, by RaeAnne Thayne

Follow Me, by Kathleen Barber

***

CURRENTLY READING:

Been There, Married That, by Gigi Levangie

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And, since I’m following my whims lately, I think I’ll also pick up a book on my nightstand:   The Operator, by Gretchen Berg

***

That was my week.  I feel very grateful to have all the books I could possibly read…now I just need other things that I can only get in the shops. Someday!  Stay indoors and stay safe!  Here is an apple tart I enjoyed a few weeks ago.

***

OBSESSING ABOUT MY INTERIORS…

Now that I have moved to a much smaller space, I am searching my photo files to resurrect some old favorites…things left behind.  Like Disney characters; old books (behind the doll are the first three Nancy Drew books); and the little doll center stage that suits my quirky needs.

Then I love spotlighting some Disney characters with my Kindle.

Like my love of my favorite objects, I enjoy changing up the blogs.  Like this one, for starters.

So…I have a new look on this blog…again.  Some familiar images, and then the one in the middle makes me smile.  A reading woman surrounded by books!

My restless spirit thrives on seeking out these images, and changing things up in my surroundings.  A little obsessive?  Probably, but who cares?  LOL

I am also buying up hardcover and paperback books to grow my bookshelf.  It will never have as many books as I once had, but if I fill it up, I can call it a library…sort of.

Here is today’s progress, with recent additions.  I also have two stacks of unread books that will show up here soon. I am prepared to cut down on the photos shown to allow room for more books.

 

Now…I am off to read more books for my Nonfiction Challenge…and an e-book thriller.

***

What obsessive (or simply routine) tasks are keeping you busy today?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: FULL MAILBOXES & THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS…

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 felt very productive, and I’m still feeling energized by it.  I ended up reading and reviewing three books—almost back to normal!  As an extra burst of energy hit me, I wrote six blog posts. 

On Amazon Prime, I watched the movie Judy, and I did like Renee Zellweger’s performance.

My token Christmas decorations—a door wreath and a miniature tree—do make my little space feel festive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So now let’s have some more coffee or tea…and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Reflecting on My Bookworm’s Journey…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Big Lies in a Small Town”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Books, Christmas Decorations, Etc.

Rainy Days and Hump Day Reading…

Coffee Chat:  It’s Feeling a Lot Like Christmas…

Bookish Friday:  “Regretting You”

Review:  The Confession Club, by Elizabeth BergReview:  The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off!, by Gloria SteinemReview:  Big Lies in a Small Town, by Diane Chamberlain -NG – 1/14/20

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INCOMING BOOKS:

My mailbox was overflowing with packages this week…and my inbox had two NetGalley ARCs!  Then I downloaded one purchase.

Meg and Jo, by Virginia Kantra

Girls Like Us, by Sheila Weller

No Place Like Home, by Rebecca Muddiman

NetGalley ARCs:

You Are Not Alone, by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen – (NG-3/3/20)

The New Girl, by Harriet Walker -(NG -5/19/20)

Download:

Regretting You, by Colleen Hoover

***

UP NEXT:  Soon I will start reading my First Book of the Year…to be announced on 12/31…but in the meantime, I’m curled up with some of my hardcover books so that I can work on filling up my bookshelves.  Today:

Marilyn Monroe:  The Private Life of a Public Icon, by Charles Casillo

***

That was my week.  On Wednesday,  I went out to lunch with a friend and had turkey dinner and sparkling mimosas…and then, surprisingly, I had this dessert in the residence dining room.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A GREAT BIRTHDAY 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.

A birthday week can be such fun.  Amazon packages arriving almost daily; birthday cards showing up; and I am enjoying birthday lunches.  I’m feeling spoiled!

I’ve only read and reviewed two books but I have written seven blog posts.  I’m halfway finished with my third book.

Prime movies and new DVDs have kept me busy in the evenings.

In two more weeks, I go to Oakland for my surgery.  The anxiety is descending, and I’m trying not to think about it.  I’ve realized that the anticipation of an event is often the worst part, so I must remind myself that I can do this!

Let’s take a closer look at my week…and if you like, grab a cup of virtual coffee.

***

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Sparks:  Family Connections in the Past…

Sunday Photos Spark Memories…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “If You Only Knew”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Another Day of Book Buying…

Curling up on a Hump Day…

Coffee Chat:  Birthday Bounty, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Poison Garden”

Review:  Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael RobothamReview:  Queen Meryl, by Erin Carlson

INCOMING BOOKS:

Four books came in my mailbox!  Then I downloaded one e-book.

The Book of Gutsy Women, by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton

The Family, by Louise Jensen

All the Flowers in Paris, by Sarah Jio

Touched by the Sun, by Carly Simon

***

Downloaded:

The Poison Garden, by A. J. Banner

***

Currently Reading:  Just After Midnight, by Catherine Ryan Hyde; a book that has been on my Kindle since December 2018.

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  I had some cake and ice cream after one of my dinners this week.

***

 

 

WEEKLY UPDATES: GOOD BOOKS, GOOD BUYS, & HAPPY HOUR!

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 time for another Weekly Update!  How did this week fly by so fast?  Yes, I say that every week.  I did finish reading and reviewing three books, though, and I’m halfway through a fourth one.  Five blog posts seemingly flew out of my fingertips and onto my blogs.  I also created a new blog header for Snow Sparks…and here it is.  I featured a close-up of my two little Madeline Hatter dolls.  Check out two versions:  one of my laptop view, and the other of the “header.”

Creating blog headers is fun for me, but it is also a time-consuming task.  I must have worked on it for a couple of hours, trying out different photos, etc.

So…now, back to other activities.  I’ve started going to Happy Hour on Friday nights in the dining hall…something I avoided for a while.  I’m not sure why.  Oh, yeah, some of the music was not to my taste, but lately, it has improved!  Also, our little treats now include some cocktails.  Last night brought Mudslides.  LOL

My other activities this week included boot shopping, which I featured on my Coffee Chat post.  Check it out.

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

 

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Good Girl, Bad Girl”

Coffee Chat:  Books, Dolls, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Heart Goes Last”

Friday Sparks:  Blog Stuff, Books, Etc.

Saturday Sparks:  Spotlighting My Spaces…

Review:  Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl – Amazon Vine ReviewReview:  The Lying Room, by Nicci FrenchReview:  Inside Out, by Demi Moore

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  But I did download one e-book.

One Little Secret, by Cate Holahan

Everyone has a secret. For some, it’s worth dying to protect. For others, it’s worth killing.

***

CURRENTLY READING:

Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael Robotham

***

That was my week. What did yours look like?  Oh, and here comes one of my favorite desserts from this week.  The pound cake was covered with berries!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: THE GOOD & THE BAD OF MY 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 great week has passed, with three books read and reviewed and six blog posts written.  I also enjoyed a hair styling on Friday.  What I am not enjoying this week are the antics of my laptop, with my cursor leaping crazily from one spot to another, and none of my efforts are paying off.  Sigh.

Meanwhile…I’m happy to have had some time on the weekends to catch up on movies and shows that are streaming on Prime and Netflix.  Last Sunday I enjoyed viewing Blonde, a movie based on a book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates.

On Netflix, there are several shows with additional episodes to watch, so I’ll keep busy with those.

Let’s take a closer look at my week…but first, grab some coffee or tea.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Coffee, Books, & Movies…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Lying Room”

Tuesday Potpourri: Additions…and Losses…

Reading:  For Rainy Days, Mondays, & Hump Days…

Coffee Chat:  Ramblings…

Bookish Friday:  “What Happens in Paradise”

Review:  The Testaments, by Margaret AtwoodReview:  The Grammarians, by Cathleen SchineReview:  The Nanny, by Gilly Macmillan

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books came in my mailbox! One, a purchase, and the other, a review book.  I also downloaded two e-books.

The Life of John F. Kennedy:  America’s Reluctant Prince, by Steven M. Gilion

 

Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl (Amazon Vine Review)

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Downloads:

What Happens in Paradise, by Elin Hilderbrand

Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael Robotham

***

CURRENTLY READING:

Lifelines, by Heidi Diehl

The Lying Room, by Nicci French

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  This delicious cranberry apple tart came with dinner this week.

***