WEEKLY UPDATES…GOOD THINGS!

 

 

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post 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 week was a good one.  I enjoyed reading two books and I’m halfway through a really intense third one.  I started watching Season 3 of Virgin River, and I can tell there will be some binge-watching this weekend.  I viewed another episode of The Good Fight and I wrote seven blog posts.

I had an outing this week that I am excited about.  I signed paperwork to get my new apartment, which is ready now and which I can move into by the 23rd…or sooner.  First I have to be approved, but I don’t anticipate a problem with that.  I am hopeful.

Now that I am eagerly anticipating this move, I am having a hard time sleeping, since I’m writing lists and planning things.  My granddaughter will help with the move, and will start by bringing some boxes to me so I can pack.  But after I’ve been approved, of course.

Now let’s take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Fiancee”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Curling Up with New Books…

WWW Reading…

It is Not Monday, Nor Is It Raining

Another Forgotten Book…

Bookish Friday:  “Kill All Your Darlings”

Another Friday…

Review:  The Stepsisters, by Susan Mallery

Review:  The Fiancee, by Kate White

INCOMING BOOKS:

The Stranger in the Mirror, by Liv Constantine

Kill All Your Darlings, by David Bell

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CURRENTLY READING: Survive the Night, by Riley Sager

One of New York Times Book Review‘s “summer reads guaranteed to make your heart thump and your skin crawl”; An Amazon Best of the Month Pick; Named a must-read summer book by The Washington Post, USA Today, Vulture, BuzzFeed, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, CNN…

I am loving this book.  It is so intense that I can’t seem to put it down.  I probably won’t get a lot of sleep this weekend!

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So…that was my week. I also enjoyed watching some old favorite movies like You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle… and got a new handbag, see below.

What did your week look like?

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A BLISSFUL 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.

 

This morning I woke up early to have breakfast with my granddaughter Fiona.  We had been missing our bonding time lately due to work, etc.  So off we went to Mimi’s for food and beverage, which included a lovely mimosa.  I thought afterwards about how the morning nicely topped off a good week.  While I only read and reviewed two books, I am 2/3 of the way through my third one and will probably finish it before the night is over.  (In fact, I did finish it!  See the review below). Eight blog posts seemed to fly out of my laptop.  So I’m feeling quite upbeat about my week and my books.

I also took a Lyft to my old nail salon and enjoyed a mani…

To finalize the good things in the week, I binge-watched Season I of Virgin River on Netflix.  Loved it!  I realized as I was watching that I have Book Two of the series, Shelter Mountain, so I need to read it soon.

Meanwhile, let’s grab some coffee or tea and check out the details of the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Playground”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Book Buying and Book Reading…

Hump Day & Rainy Day Reading…

Obsessing About My Interiors…

Coffee Chat:  Settling Into the New Year…

Bookish Friday:  “The Vanishing”

Friday Potpourri:  Wrapping Up a Special Week…

Revisiting My One Word…

Review:  Normal People, by Sally RooneyReview:  The Playground, by Jane ShemiltReview:  Such a Perfect Wife, by Kate White

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books arrived in my mailbox, I downloaded two books, and received one Prime freebie:

The Daughter, by Jane Shemilt

What Falls Away, A Memoir, by Mia Farrow (Purchased to replace my previously owned book, lost in the move).

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Downloads:

The Country Guesthouse, by Robyn Carr

The Vanishing (Fogg Lake #1), by Jayne Ann Krentz

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Amazon Prime Freebie:

Last Day, by Luanne Rice

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CURRENTLY READING:

I’m reading from America’s Reluctant Prince:  The Life of John F. Kennedy, Jr., by Steven M. Gillon

Regretting You, by Colleen Hoover

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  On Thursday night, I had soup and a margarita at an old favorite hang-out:  California Pizza Kitchen.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: READING, BLOGGING, & OUTINGS…

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 had another busy and productive week, with a mix of activities, reading, and blogging.  I only read and reviewed two books, but they were both engaging; I wrote five blog posts.

On Thursday night, we had a Country Christmas party in the dining room, with a lovely setting…and delicious food.  There was also music, line dancing, etc.  Most of us just enjoyed watching the dancers…lol.

In the evenings, I savored movies on Netflix and Prime:  Marriage Story, and older productions like The Mirror Has Two Faces.  I also rewatched My Week With Marilyn, starring Michelle Williams.

Today I’m going out for a mani and lunch, via Lyft.  Last week I took myself to lunch and shopping, so I’m finding my way out more often.  Not just doctor’s appointments, like in the past few months.  In fact, those appointments are few and far between these days, thankfully.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Meg and Jo”

From My Interior To Yours…

Obsessions on a Hump Day…

Coffee Chat:  My Life These Days…

Bookish Friday:  “The Look-Alike”

Review:  Marilyn Monroe:  The Private Life of a Public Icon, by Charles CasilloReview:  Tell Me Everything, by Amy Hatvany

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INCOMING BOOKS:

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

The Empty Nest, by Sue Watson

Home Truths, by Tina Seskis

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CURRENTLY READING: (I am reading the paperback version from my stack of print volumes.  After I read each one, I add them to my shelves, which I am slowly filling up!).

Meg & Jo, by Virginia Kantra

 

Here are my fiction stacks, next to my nonfiction hardcover versions of books to read soon.  Of course, the First Book of the Year, not shown in these photos…will be brought out to start reading on New Year’s Eve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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That was my week.  What did yours look like? Below is a slice of Key Lime Pie that I enjoyed on my outing last Saturday.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BOOKS, BLOGS, & MOVIES….ETC.

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.

 

What a great week of books, movies, and some good and bad outings.  Coffee with a friend on Monday; an outing with my daughter on Tuesday to look at apartments I don’t want to move into…yet; a dental appointment on Wednesday; and hair styling on Friday.  Followed by an appointment with ATT to install a new modem.  Yay!

I read and reviewed three books, all of them excellent from favorite authors.  I finished viewing Catastrophe on Amazon Prime; saw On the Basis of Sex, also on Prime; and watched more episodes of The Act on Hulu.  Thursday brought more of The Good Fight, on CBS-All Access.  Despite my spotty Internet throughout the week, I was able to spend good viewing time.

Now I hope to spend more time testing my new modem by viewing streaming shows (so far, so good), and perhaps I’ll start reading another book.

This morning I had bloodwork done at Kaiser…and then “post-fasting” breakfast at Marie Callender’s.  Let’s have some more coffee and look into more details of the week.

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Hello, April: Monthly Wrap-Up

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Perfect Girlfriend”

Hump Day Reading…

Hump Day Musings…

Coffee Chat:  Books, Movies, & Vicarious Travels…

Bookish Friday:  “The Night Visitors”

Rainy Day Musings:  Spotty Weather & Internet…

Review:  Back Stabbers (e-book, No. 8), by Julie MulhernReview:  All the Wrong Places (e-book), by Joy FieldingReview:  Before She Knew Him (e-book), by Peter Swanson

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Covers/Titles Linked to Amazon)

Empty mailbox!

One Purchased Download:

The Editor (e-book), by Steven Rowley

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WHAT’S NEXT?

The Night Visitors (e-book), by Carol Goodman

And then…

Never Tell (e-book), by Lisa Gardner

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That was my week…busy, crazy, and exciting, too.  Here’s a glimpse of today’s breakfast, enjoyed after I completed my routine bloodwork.  Like a little reward, after the 12 hour fasting.

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COFFEE CHAT: MOVING ON FROM THE CHAOS…

Welcome to another Coffee Chat, in which we share bookish and not so bookish thoughts.  Head on over to Bookishly Boisterous to add your link.

 

The past week has been a better one, with the chaos slowly dissipating, even as my bookish moments feel frustrating.  I have picked up a few books, only to set them down.  As DNF books, or perhaps as “maybe later” reads.  I finally settled on a March NetGalley ARC to be released next Tuesday, but I’ve been reading it slowly, as the instructions from the publisher requested not to post reviews until the week before release.  Finally…I posted it today:  Me For You, by Lolly Winston (click for my review).

• I’m also enjoying Becoming, in bits and pieces.
• Movies…yes, I’m finding some Amazon Prime flicks that have been engaging, like Ben Is Back, starring Julia Roberts; and The Hate U Give.
• I’m still loving This Is Us on TV…and I’m happy to learn that at least three more seasons are certain.
• Last week, I enjoyed a hair styling with my daughter, and on the day I was there, the salon was celebrating five years in business…with snacks and mimosas.

• I am loving my weekly styling appointments…my daily routines are so much easier when my hair feels regularly refreshed.
• I also enjoyed a mani on Friday.

• My granddaughter, Fiona, is meeting me for breakfast on Saturday.  I always love our little get-togethers.  Below, she celebrated her birthday with her dog.

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How did your week unfold?  I am definitely relieved to have some of the bad stuff behind me, including the tax appointment. 

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BOOKS, ETC.

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.

 

What a week!  Warmer than last week, but today should show a lowering of those numbers.  My reading sucked.  Yeah, there is no other way to describe it!  I read and reviewed ONE book.  I’m currently reading two books.  What did I do with my time?  Well, I didn’t do much housework…nor did I go out, except I met my daughter for drinks on Monday…and yesterday, went to her salon for a massage from the therapist there, and a hairstyling.  Then we went to The Press Box for a snack and drinks.  No photos of those goodies, but I had a Bloody Mary with soup.  Here’s what she did to my hair:

The massage was wonderful!  Apparently my shoulder was frozen, which explains a lot about the pain and decreased mobility.  Now…I am determined to follow the stretches he has prescribed.

Above, you might notice that I have a new cover for Paige, my Kindle Oasis.  I think it is easier to hold the device…it is lighter!

On Thursday, the Senate Confirmation Hearings took over the TV channels…so I watched.  Frustrating and emotionally challenging.  I yelled at the TV a couple of times.

What lies ahead for us?   Well, in October, my #2 son has a significant birthday…and mine is at the end of the month, and all of mine are significant.  LOL.  But as you know, I celebrate for the whole month. 

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Journeys…

Rainy Day Excerpts:  “I Know You Know”

What Are You Reading This Week?

Coffee Chat:  Books, Movies, & TV Shows…

Bookish Friday:  “We Were Mothers”

Friday Potpourri:  October Birthdays, Etc.

Review:  When Life Gives You Lululemons (e-book), by Lauren Weisberger (A Library Book)

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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

One book came in my physical mailbox!  A review book from Joanne DeMaio.  Then I downloaded a Kindle Prime freebie…and a purchased book.

First Flurries, by Joanne DeMaio (Author Review Request)

Downloads:

In Her Bones (e-book), by Kate Moretti

Freebie:

We Were Mothers (e-book), by Katie Sise

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WHAT’S NEXT?

I’m slowly reading Watching You, by Lisa Jewell, and while I’m loving it, I keep getting distracted.  Hopefully I will sink into the story today and tomorrow:

And I’ve begun reading:

Mr. Flood’s Last Resort (e-book), by Jess Kidd

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  I had this meal with my daughter a while ago…but I’m craving this food again!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: READING, VIEWING, & OUTINGS…

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 was a nice blend of outings, reading, and blogging.  I read and reviewed three books, and they were all so engaging that the pages seemed to fly by.  I did some of my reading with coffee at Barnes & Noble…a relaxing place to hang out.  On Thursday night, my granddaughter Fiona and I had dinner and drinks at The Cheesecake Factory.  Yes, she is now “of age.”

On Amazon Prime Videos, I watched all of Goliath’s Season II.  Captivated!  This weekend, I hope to find more to view there…and on Netflix.

The Summer Mini-Bloggiesta started yesterday…and goes through Sunday.  Here’s what I’ve accomplished so far:  Rainy Days & Mondays – Starting Line.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Family, Reading, & Blogging…

Tuesday Potpourri:  New Books, Review Books, Etc.

Rainy Day Excerpts:  “Bring Her Home”

My Hump Day Reading…

Coffee Chat:  From Dark Thoughts to Lighter Moments…

Bookish Friday:  “Surprise Me”

Review:  Before & Again (e-book), by Barbara Delinsky – (NG-6/26)Review:  Educated (e-book), by Tara Westover – (Library Book)Review:  Bring Her Home (e-book), by David Bell (My TBR Shelves)

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Empty physical mailbox!  I did receive one NetGalley review book; one library book; and three purchased downloads.

Sister of Mine (e-book), by Laurie Petrou – (NG – 8/7)

The Family Gathering (e-book, Sullivan’s Crossing), by Robyn Carr – (Library Book)

 

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Purchased Downloads:

The Perfect Couple (e-book), by Elin Hilderbrand

The Lost for Words Bookshop (e-book), by Stephanie Butland

Heaven Adjacent (e-book), by Catherine Ryan Hyde

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Currently Reading:  Surprise Me (e-book), by Sophie Kinsella (Library Book)

 

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And then…some of my other review books, like Castaway Cottage, by Joanne DeMaio.

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That was my week…a lovely balance of reading, viewing, and outings.  Here’s a glimpse of my drinks and dinner with Fiona.  I had Shepherd’s Pie with my Bloody Orange Margarita.  I brought half of my dinner home in a box for the next day.

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CHATTING WITH COFFEE….

Good morning!  It’s time to grab a cup of coffee and chat about Bookish/Not So Bookish Things.  Head on over to Bookishly Boisterous to link up.

• Last week I had my mani-pedi, and I changed up my trademark “purple” color….to this wicked red…LOL

• Today I had coffee with a friend at Barnes & Noble…

• Dinner with a book at The Elephant Bar…

• Tomorrow I’m finally going to the salon to try to have my hair dyed (with an organic product) without an allergic reaction.
• This week, I’ve enjoyed reading and reviewing three books already; click titles/covers for my reviews:

My Life to Live, by Agnes Nixon; The Marriage Pact, by Michelle Richmond;

and The Best of Us, by Joyce Maynard.

Currently I’m reading Every Wild Heart and Mean Streak.

• I’ve been enjoying Shetland on Netflix…and saw the movie Lion there.  I loved it!  Tonight is Broadchurch again, on BBC.
• It seems that I’ve had to leave the house every day this week for one or more errands, so I’m surprised that I’ve actually finished three of my books.
• After tomorrow, I’m hoping to stay close to home for Friday and the weekend, as the heat is not going away.

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That’s what my life has been like since last week.  Come on by and let’s chat.

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