WEEKLY UPDATES: HAPPY SPRING!

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.

Happy Easter, for those who celebrate it.  I am eager for a new week, since some of my favorite restaurants are now open (25%).  My granddaughter and I are planning a lunch.

What has your week brought you?

I have read and reviewed three books; written eight blog posts; and started viewing Emily in Paris on Netflix.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts: “A Million Reasons Why”

Tuesday Potpourri: One Book!

Goodbye to March!

WWW Post…

Another Backlog Book…

Coffee Chat: My Wings Have Been Clipped…

Bookish Friday: “Blood Orange”

Happy Saturday!

Her Dark Lies, by J. T. Ellison

Review:  White Palace, by Glenn Savan

Every Vow You Break, by Peter Swanson

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INCOMING BOOKS:

In my mailbox:

Jackie:  Her Transformation from First Lady to Jackie O, by Paul Brandus

The Beauty of Living Twice, by Sharon Stone

Trust Me, by T. M. Logan

Downloads:

Watch Her Fall, by Erin Kelly

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CURRENTLY READING:  Blind Spot, by Sue Miller

And A Million Reasons Why, by Jessica Strawser

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That was my week. What did yours look like?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MARCH IS SLIDING 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.

 

Another week has skidded by, bringing our third month of 2021 close to its end!  How does that happen?  My reading is still pretty unremarkable, since I just finished my second book today.  I had spent two days on a third book that I finally had to DNF!  I wrote six blog posts, though, and created a few new blog headers.  What does that say about my moods?  LOL.

I just got a new computer desk chair from Amazon, and a technician is coming on Tuesday to assemble it.  Good thing, right?  Now I am trying to rearrange the space so that the big wicker chair I have been using (below) can still fit somewhere!

 

While I am pondering this change, let’s take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Upstairs House”

Tuesday Potpourri:  A Bookish Day…

WWW Reading…

Rediscovering a Treasure…

Bookish Friday:  “Every Vow You Break”

Serendipitous Moments…

Review:  Are We There Yet?, by Kathleen WestReview:  The Upstairs House, by Julia Fine

INCOMING BOOKS:

I received a review book from an author in my mailbox:

When I Last Saw You, by Bette Lee Crosby

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Then I downloaded two e-books:

A Million Reasons Why, by Jessica Strawser

Every Vow You Break, by Peter Swanson

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CURRENTLY READING:  Her Dark Lies, by J. T. Ellison

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That was my week. What did yours look like?  This week, I added another little rag doll to my collection, and I’ve used her in my Serendipity blog header.  The new one is on the right.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: COMING OUT OF 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.

Another week has sped by, and I have read and reviewed THREE books.  A great week overall, as we have now been allowed out of the community for outings with friends and family.  I had coffee and croissants with a friend on Thursday. On Monday, I’ll be able to go out to have lunch (and a margarita) with my daughter.

On Friday night, we had our first entertainment/Happy Hour, which offered a wonderful look back into the past.

My other activities:  more viewing, including old comfort movies like The Bedroom Window and Extremities.

Let’s grab another cup of coffee and take a closer look at the week:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Good Sister”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Yay for Books…

Hump Day Reading…

From the Backlog…

Bookish Friday:  “Are We There Yet?”

Saturday Potpourri:  Obsessions…

Review:  Kamala’s Way, by Dan MorainReview:  The Good Sister, by Sally Hepworth (NG-4/13/21)Review:  Unfaithful, by Natalie Barelli

INCOMING BOOKS:

I received one book in my physical mailbox…and downloaded two e-books.

Cleaving, by Julie Powell

Downloads:

Are We There Yet?, by Kathleen West

The Upstairs House, by Julia Fine

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CURRENTLY READING:

Let Her Lie, by Bryan Reardon

In New York Times bestselling author Bryan Reardon’s captivating thriller, a dejected filmmaker lets his curiosity get the best of him and plunges into a web of depravity and danger from which there might be no escape.

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  This week I added a cute little rag doll to my collection:

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WEEKLY UPDATES: ANTICIPATING SOME LUCK…

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 past week had its ups and downs, as we all remembered the anniversary of our Year Long Lockdown on Thursday, March 11.  Despite the memories of the year, I did enjoy reading and blogging…and finished three books.  I even wrote seven blog posts!

I stayed in my apartment for two days, though, not going out to the dining room or anywhere.  I told myself my hibernation was about spending more time reading and viewing.  And partially that was true.  But I know that thoughts of the year behind us left me down in the doldrums.  But then I switched it up and decided to reflect on the good things.  I am fully vaccinated now, I had a visit with my granddaughter Fiona on Thursday, and we are anticipating some loosening of the restrictions in the weeks ahead.  More and better visits, for one thing.  With St. Patrick’s Day ahead, I am also calling on The Luck of the Irish.  I am not Irish, but some of my relatives are.  LOL.

Today I will be Skyping with my Prague son…and I actually just went to the dining room and had breakfast!  Now I will have another cup of coffee and share my week.  The photo below was taken in my previous residence, back when I had my favorite Disney trinkets and a doll I wish I had here!

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monday Potpourri:  Tidbits…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Perfect Marriage”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Adding To the Shelves…

WWW Reading…

A Rediscovered Book…

Bookish Friday:  “Too Good To Be True”

Coffee Chat:  Celebrating?

Review:  At the Edge of the Haight, by Katherine SeligmanReview:  Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, by Joanne FlukeReview:  Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano

INCOMING BOOKS:

I received one print volume in my mailbox!  And I downloaded one e-book.

The Godmothers, by Monica McInerney

Download:

Her Dark Lies, by J. T. Ellison

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CURRENTLY READING: Kamala’s Way, by Dan Morain, another book for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge.

I also plan to read a NetGalley ARC that will be released on April 13:  The Good Sister, by Sally Hepworth.

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  This week I also found inspiration from some little Bitmoji images, like this one.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MARCH MOMENTS…

 

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 past week brought some days that were better than others, with me hiding out in my apartment and just vegetating a bit with books, movies, etc.  I only read two books, but one of them was for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge, so I count that as a win.  Plus, it was a hardcover book, so I could add it to my print volumes shelf!

The movies I loved on Netflix were Brain on Fire and Otherhood.

I wrote six blog posts this week, plus I enjoyed visiting other blogs as well.

Now I am planning to go to the dining room for dinner, after skipping lunch…but first I’ll have another cup of coffee so we can chat about the details of my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monthly Wrap-Up:  Welcome to March…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Forever Girl”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Treasures…

Hump Day Reading…

Another Forgotten Book…

Bookish Friday:  “Unfaithful”

Review:  Guilt by Association, by Marcia ClarkReview:  This Is Big, by Marisa Meltzer

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty Physical Mailbox…but I did download one NetGalley ARC…and three purchased e-books.  Plus one Prime Freebie!

Dark Roads, by Chevy Stevens – (NG – 8/3/21)

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Downloaded Purchases:

Unfaithful, by Natalie Barelli

Every Last Fear, by Alex Finlay

Too Good To Be True, by Carola Lovering

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FREEBIE:

The Perfect Marriage, by Adam Mitzner

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CURRENTLY READING: At the Edge of the Haight, by Katherine Seligman

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  Tonight I am pondering what to drink with my dinner:

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WEEKLY UPDATES: LET’S ENJOY MARCH!

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.

We have left another week behind us, with a new month just ahead.  How did that happen?  I did read and review three books this week, and one of them will be my first for the 2021 Nonfiction Reading Challenge!

I only wrote five blog posts, however.  I have been bingeing on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime...and I am really loving the HBO Max documentary Allen Vs. Farrow. I also just began viewing  Ginny & Georgia.

So you can see why I have blogged less!

Now I’m sipping another cup of coffee while we take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Let Her Lie”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Feel Good Books…

WWW Reading…

Neglected Book…

Bookish Friday: “Finley Donovan Is Killing It”

Review:  Hadley & Grace, by Suzanne RedfearnReview:  An Ordinary Life, by Amanda ProwseReview:  Consent, by Vanessa Springora

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INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in my mailbox…and I downloaded two NetGalley ARCs!

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, by Joanne Fluke

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NetGalley ARCs:

That Summer, by Jennifer Weiner – Release Date – 5/11/21

The Therapist, by B. A. Paris – Release Date – 7/13/21

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CURRENTLY READING:  Guilt by Association, by Marcia Clark

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  Now let’s all prepare for March St. Patrick’s Day luck…

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BOOKISH MOMENTS…

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, turning the page on another week.  I did read and review three books this week, so that was good.  And I wrote seven blog posts.

I am hoping to enjoy the weekend.  I started watching a Netflix movie, Behind Her Eyes, which is based on a book I enjoyed.  So far, I’m loving it.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Forgive Me”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Filling My Shelves…

Wednesday Reading…

Hump Day Potpourri:  A Valentine’s Day Celebration…

Another Backlog Book…

Coffee Chat:  Sweet Goodies, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Paris Library

Review:  The Push, by Claire McGowanReview:  The Perfect Guests, by Emma RousReview:  Every Waking Hour, by Joanna Schaffhausen

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INCOMING BOOKS:

I received one Author Review Request book in the mailbox…and one NetGalley ARC.  I also downloaded three e-books.

Careful-ish, by Hone y Parker

Overeating. Oversharing. Overindulging. Over it all. Video chats. Not enough distancing. Alcohol. What could go wrong? And what are people doing when they think nobody is watching? Meet six friends who are COVID quarantining in The Greatest City On Earth.

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Thief of Souls, by Brian Klingborg – (NG – 5/4/21)

In Brian Klingborg’s Thief of Souls, the brutal murder of a young woman in a rural village in Northern China sends shockwaves all the way to Beijing—but seemingly only Inspector Lu Fei, living in exile in the small town, is interested in justice for the victim.

Downloads:

Let Her Lie, by Bryan Reardon

The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles

Consent, by Vanessa Springora

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CURRENTLY READING:

Hadley & Grace, by Suzanne Redfearn

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  Here is a peek of my Valentine’s Day dinner:  Stuffed Chicken Breast.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A NEW MONTH, A NEW NORMAL?

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 another month have flown by! I only read and reviewed two books, but I enjoyed them both. I started watching Firefly Lane on Netflix, and I’m finding it addictive.

This week, I received my second vaccine! What a relief. I hope everyone will soon follow along, eventually leading us all to a safer place. Will we soon find a New Normal?

Now I want to grab some coffee and share the details of the week.

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Monthly Wrap-Up

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Every Waking Hour”

Happy Books…and a Mug…

WWW Post…

A Great Rediscovery!

Coffee Chat:  A Happy February So Far…

Bookish Friday:  “The Shadow Box”

Review:  The Book of Two Ways, by Jodi PicoultReview:  The Turn of the Key, by Ruth Ware

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INCOMING BOOKS: 

Empty physical mailbox!  I downloaded three e-books….

Hadley and Grace, by Suzanne Redfearn

The Shadow Box, by Luanne Rice

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano

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CURRENTLY READING:  Pretty Little Wife, by Darby Kane

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  I enjoyed this lemon yogurt cake one night.

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COFFEE CHAT: A HAPPY FEBRUARY SO FAR…

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.

Another month and a new week have slipped by, but I am just so happy to be moving beyond some of the horrific events of early January…and the whole of 2020.

I got my second vaccine shot yesterday, and so far, no side effects of note.  The usual arm soreness.  But exercising my arm works, and I’ve done that for years after my flu shots.

Today is another shopping day with Instacart.  How did my cupboards and fridge empty out so quickly?

• I finally finished reading The Book of Two Ways, which was tedious at times…but interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
• Now I am back to reading one of my print books that I started earlier in the week:  The Turn of the Key, by Ruth Ware.  I think it will hold my interest!
• Yesterday I went upstairs to the hair stylist, who is now back!  For however long that lasts, lol.  I got a trim and a curl.

• On Monday I had a “socially distanced” visit with my daughter and youngest grandson.  They didn’t want their photo taken, so I snapped it quickly.  They each made me swear not to post it on FB…so I didn’t.  Except that the blog post will show up there, lol.  Technically not on FB.

• They brought my Happy Mugs!  Below, see my celebration by drinking out of one of them.

• I love those mugs…they are actually thicker than my regular ones, and keep the coffee hot for a while.  My favorite photo is of how they looked at my previous residence in a favorite cupboard.  My daughter kept the bowls and plates, but the mugs are enough for me.

• I am eager to see what February brings us.  With the second shot behind me, I am starting to feel hopeful.

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What are you eagerly reading/viewing/and anticipating?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: GOOD BOOKS!

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 reading week, with three books read and reviewed, each different from the other. One was a NetGalley ARC for a book to be released on 2/2, so I just got it in under the wire.

As for viewing, I finished The Queen’s Gambit, and now I am scrolling through my queue for my next binge-watch.

Yesterday was a day in the apartment while the maintenance man tried and finally succeeded in fixing my plumbing! Wow! Who knew that those kinds of issues could sideline one for a day!

I am hoping for a better day.  Meanwhile, let’s take a closer look at my week, while sipping some coffee.  Monday, my daughter has promised to bring my favorite mugs (see below)…the ones that she has had in her kitchen for almost two years!  LOL.  See with coffee, and below, lined up on the counter.

 

 

 

 

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “At the Edge of the Haight”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Celebrating Books…

Hump Day Reading…

A Backlog Book to Bring Forward!

Coffee Chat:  Pandemic Fatigue?

Thursday Sparks:  Nostalgic Moments…

Bookish Friday:  “The Perfect Guests”

Treasures from the Past…and Present

Review:  Rachel to the Rescue, by Elinor LipmanReview:  The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah – (NG-2/2)Review:  Single Mother, by Samantha Hayes

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  But I downloaded four e-books.

The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

Forgive Me, by Susan Lewis

The Perfect Guests, by Emma Rous

Every Waking Hour, by Joanna Schaffhausen

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CURRENTLY READING: The Book of Two Ways, by Jodi Picoult

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That was my week!  What did yours look like?  I have been dreaming of chocolate!

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