WEEKLY UPDATES: READING, BLOGGING, & VIEWING…

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!  I’ve been reading from my print volumes, in addition to one e-book, just so I can add physical books to my shelves.  Yes, my library is growing. I have a few more books on three of the shelves, mixed in with photos.  Some of the books I ordered and received this week were ones I had previously owned…and lost in the move.  Sigh.

I read and reviewed three books this week and wrote five blog posts…yes, fewer posts than in previous weeks.  I’m trying to balance things out. 

I’m viewing Season 6 of Grace & Frankie and have seen nine of the thirteen episodes.  Savoring them, since I don’t want the season to be over too soon.

I’ve done some blog changes…headers and some little images to showcase “my thoughts” in my reviews.  Like these:  On the left, for this blog’s reviews; for Serendipity, check out the one on the right; then take a peek at the ones left and right at the bottom…for Curl up and Read and Rainy Days and Mondays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So…now I’m ready to grab more coffee…and then we’ll take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Shelter Mountain”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Bookish Love…

Serendipitous Hump Day…

Coffee Chat:  Adventures in the Interior, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Country Guesthouse”

Review:  Regretting You, by Colleen HooverReview:  The Daughter, by Jane ShemiltReview:  No Place Like Home, by Rebecca Muddiman

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books arrived in my physical mailbox…and two came via email from NetGalley.

NetGalley:

The Night Swim, by Megan Goldin – NG – 8/4/20

The Red Lotus, by Chris Bohjalian – NG-3/17/20

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In My Physical Mailbox: Books I once owned…and bought again

The Good Mother, by Sue Miller

For Love, by Sue Miller

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CURRENTLY READING:

Shelter Mountain, by Robyn Carr

Plus…I will continue reading hardcover/paperback books, including America’s Reluctant Prince, by Steven M. Gillon

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That was my week.  What did yours look like? This week, we had strawberry/rhubarb pie again.  Yum!

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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: A WEEK OF READING, BLOGGING, & ORGANIZING…

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!  During this one, we celebrated First Book of the Year on New Year’s Day, and while I was getting ready for that event, I read another book on New Year’s Eve.  By the end of January 1, I had two books read and reviewed…which when added to the book I read earlier in the week, brought my total to three books.  Nine blog posts, too.

I’ve been finishing up some projects in my apartment…shredding the last bag of stuff.  And then I brought an old chest of drawers from my previous place, since my closet and other set of drawers were overflowing.  It looks a bit battered, in my vintage style of distressed furnishings.  But it serves its purpose, and now I can tuck things away easily.

So…today will bring more errands and tasks to organize some things.  Let’s grab some coffee and take a closer look at the past week.

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Savoring My Favorite Things…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “All the Flowers in Paris”

Goodbye to December and Hello to January 2020…

Curling up with New Year Tasks…

In a New Year, A Look Back…

First Book of the Year:  2020

Coffee Chat:  A New Year for All of Us!

Bookish Friday:  “Normal People”

Curling up with 2019 Books…

Review:  All the Flowers in Paris, by Sarah JioReview:  Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry, by Mary Higgins Clark (First Book)Review:  The Look-Alike, by Erica Spindler (NG – 1/28/20)

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  I did purchase three books: two e-books and one hardcover.

Downloads:

The Playground by Jane Shemilt

Such a Perfect Wife, by Kate White

Hardcover:

Christmas Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella

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CURRENTLY READING:  Normal People, by Sally Rooney

Now that the New Year has begun, I will also be participating in a Nonfiction Reading Challenge, hosted by Shelleyrae at Book’d Out.  Here are a stack of books coming to my reading list soon.

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  After such a great week, I rewarded myself with tonight’s strawberry rhubarb pie.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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 another busy one, with holiday activities, occasional outings, and yes, some reading and blogging.  I read and reviewed three books…and went a little crazy with blog stuff.  I changed some headers, and also wrote nine blog posts!

In the process of blogging, I encountered some difficulty with images, mostly book images, which led to contacting WP support.  Their directions took me to a block editor system, which fixed the images, but the process was cumbersome…and I felt like I had no control over anything.  Luckily, I was able to revert to the classic editor afterwards…and the problems with images didn’t occur on all my posts.  Obviously I need to figure out how to make it work for me.  Sigh.

I’ll think about it tomorrow.  LOL.  I also enjoyed some movies this week, mostly older ones, like Interiors and The Company You Keep.  I was avoiding the Hallmark Christmas movies, and I’m now eager for a return to the mysteries they will show us in January.

Let’s not forget First Book of the Year.  My post will go up on this site on January 1.

Now…let’s grab another cup of coffee or tea, and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

My Personal “Yellow Brick Road”

Monday Potpourri:  Perusing My Upcoming Review Books…

Challenging Myself with Nonfiction – 1-1 to 12/31/20

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Delusions of Grandma”

Hump Day Serendipity:  Merry Christmas!!

Coffee Chat:  A Week of Odds & Ends…

Bookish Friday:  “The Empty Nest”

Curling up with Stacks of Books…

Holidays Can Bring on the Blues…Chasing Them Away…

Review:  Meg & Jo, by Virginia KantraReview:  Delusions of Grandma, by Carrie FisherReview:  The Empty Nest, by Sue Watson

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  I did receive a NetGalley ARC in my inbox, however.  I also downloaded a purchased book.

NetGalley:

The Dilemma, by B.A. Paris – (6/30/20)

 

Download:

Normal People, by Sally Rooney

 

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CURRENTLY READING:

All the Flowers in Paris, by Sarah Jio

 

 

And then I’ll be reading my First Book of the Year, which will be posted here on January 1.

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  Below is my Christmas dinner dessert, which, surprisingly, did not make me sick.  Blueberry Cheesecake.  Yum!

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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: READING, EATING, & ADDING DOLLS…

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 hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving had a great week. I spent some time with out-of-town family today.

This week I have read and reviewed three books!  The most I’ve read lately.  They were all impossible to put down.

So…let’s take a peek back at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Poison Garden”

Hump Day Reading:  Current, Past, & Future…

Review:  The Family Upstairs, by Lisa JewellReview:  The Poison Garden, by A. J. BannerReview:  Touched by the Sun, by Carly Simon

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Two books came in my mailbox!

White Palace, by Glenn Savan

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

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CURRENTLY READING:

Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge, by Sheila Weller

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  I have no dessert treats to share this week, but I did add two little “friends” from my “former” Boyd’s Bears & Dolls collection…to add a little spice to my apartment…I persuaded my daughter to rescue them from the garage.  LOL.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: REGAINING MY ENERGY…

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 passed, and each day brings more strength and energy.  Now I am back to reading, blogging, and binge-watching; I have only read and reviewed two books this week, but I’ve written four blog posts.

On Netflix, I found Unbelievable and The Crown, Season 3.  I watched a movie on Amazon Prime called Where’d You Go, Bernadette.  I remember reading the book in 2012.  I loved the movie, since Cate Blanchett starred as Bernadette.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving, and will be celebrating twice next Saturday;  once with my son Brett and some of his kids, as well as my daughter and one granddaughter. On Saturday night, I’ll be joining my daughter’s in-laws for a feast.

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

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Family Upstairs”

Tuesday Potpourri:  A Book Hoarder’s Dream Day…

Hump Day Reading…

Coffee Chat:  Moving Forward…

Review:  The Family, by Louise JensenReview:  One Little Secret, by Cate Holahan

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox.  I received one pre-ordered e-book:

The Confession Club, by Elizabeth Berg (Mason Book Three)

An uplifting novel about friendship, surprising revelations, and a second chance at love, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv.

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CURRENTLY READING:

The Family Upstairs, by Lisa Jewell

“A haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author

From the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like? Pumpkin pie was served this week, and I’m definitely in the mood.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: SAVORING MY TIME…

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 one of reading (two books), writing seven blog posts, and picking and choosing when to socialize.  Yes, I have relished some alone time, while still occasionally venturing into the dining room.  A nice mix for me.

I never imagined myself in a “group living” situation, so I fought against it, while still doing what was expected:  joining in.  But reluctantly.  Now I know that I can savor my time in the apartment with my books and blogging, while occasionally joining in activities that please me.  Like a few outings.  I still prefer my adventures with family and friends, and I have decided I can do both.

As I approach my surgery Thursday (at long last!), I am trying to stifle the anxieties, which are mostly about the fact that I have to go to the Bay Area to get it done. A long trip and horrific traffic—yes, I know it will be very busy there—but then, in July I had a “rehearsal” for the actual surgery.  Even though it was an unsuccessful one, I know a little more about what to expect.

So now I will take you back to details about my week…and please join me in a cup of Joe.

MY WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Favorite Things…for Curling up, Etc.

Curl up with Nonfiction…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “One Little Secret”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Book Hoarding/Buying and Binge-Watching…

Coffee Chat:  Hiding Away in My Apartment…

Hello to November!

Saturday Potpourri:  Capturing Moments & Starting Over…

Review:  Just After Midnight, by Catherine Ryan HydeReview:  Ladies Who Punch, by Ramin Setoodeh

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INCOMING BOOKS

In my mailbox, I received one book:  nonfiction!  I seem to have a growing stack of that genre.

The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off, by Gloria Steinem

A beautifully illustrated collection of Gloria Steinem’s most inspirational and outrageous quotes, with an introduction and essays by the feminist activist herself…

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Currently Reading:  If You Only Knew, by Kristan Higgins

A funny, frank and bittersweet look at sisters, marriage and moving on, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Heron series…

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That was my week…what did yours look like? I have no delicious desserts to share from this week, but I still enjoy the memory of this apple pie from a few weeks ago.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: REVISITING THE PAST & LOOKING AHEAD…

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.

 

Where did the week go?  Here we are in October, and I can almost smell the turkey roasting in the oven for Thanksgiving!  I certainly hope my surgery is behind me by then.  It is tentatively scheduled for early November, in Oakland.

This week was full of appointments and shopping trips…but I did manage to read and review two books, and I wrote seven blog posts.  Yes, I got a little carried away with looking back in my archives and revisiting some old ones.  My blog makeovers continued, too, including this blog’s header and background.

I’m ready to grab another cup of coffee…join me for a Cup of Joe.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Curling up in Nostalgic Moments…

Snippets from the Past…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Dutch House”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Eagerly Adding to My Shelves…

Coffee Chat:  Searching My Archives…

Goodbye to September…

Bookish Friday:  “The Grammarians”

Review:  The Murder List, by Hank Phillippi RyanReview:  Twenty-One Truths About Love, by Matthew Dicks – (NG-10-15)

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INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in the mailbox…and I downloaded three e-books.

A Game for All the Family, by Sophie Hannah

Downloads:

Takes One to Know One, by Susan Isaacs

The Lying Room, by Nicci French

The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood

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CURRENTLY READING:  I am loving The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood…halfway finished.

I have several other books patiently waiting on my TBR…so my mood will dictate what I read next.

My NetGalley ARCs are all finished until January.  Yay!

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?   Today’s dessert is one I thoroughly enjoyed:  Cheesecake, with a small glass of wine (since it was Wine Wednesday in the residence…LOL).

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WEEKLY UPDATES: ANOTHER WEEK & MORE PLANS…

 

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 the week comes to an ending, I am happily ensconced in my little apartment, pleased with the two books I read and reviewed, and with six blog posts behind me.  I also have a stocked fridge again…and plans for the week ahead.  On Wednesday I have a routine dental appointment scheduled, and my Thursday takes me back to the hospital for another scan.  After speaking to the Oakland doctor last night, we’ve decided on reviewing them and all my other records on 10/2, at which time we’ll talk about a possible surgery ahead…in the Bay Area.  Could I finally put this medical issue in my rear view mirror?

Just for fun, I changed up another of my blogs:  Curl up and Read…

I’m off coffee today, as I had some issues yesterday…but I am eagerly anticipating my favorite caffeinated drink in the days ahead.  Let’s enjoy some virtual coffee and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  “Vegging Out,” Etc.

Monday Potpourri:  Whimsical Moments…

Tuesday Potpourri:  Delightful New Books…

Hump Day Reading in September…

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Nanny”

Coffee Chat:  Looking Back…and Planning Ahead…

Review:  The Favorite Daughter, by Patti Callahan HenryReview:  Seven Letters, by J. P. Monninger – (NG-10/8/19)

INCOMING BOOKS:

One book came in the mailbox!  I also downloaded two e-books.

Ladies Who Punch, by Ramin Setoodeh

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The Stranger Inside, by Lisa Unger

“A darkly thrilling tale of survival and obsession. Lisa Unger never disappoints.” —Riley Sager, bestselling author of Lock Every Door

Even good people are drawn to do evil things…

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Elevator Pitch, by Linwood Barclay

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CURRENTLY READING: 

I am reading (and loving) Without a Doubt, by Marcia Clark…it has been resting comfortably on my Kindle since July 2018.

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That was my week…what did yours look like?  Tonight I’m sharing our surprise dessert from the dining room:  Cherry Pie with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

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