WEEKLY UPDATES: A GOOD READING WEEK

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

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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 you have probably noticed, I have brought the Weekly Updates over here to Curl up and Read.  I like to keep things in a state of flux.  LOL.

The week flew by, as usual.  One minute, it felt like Monday…and then, suddenly, it was Friday.  I did read and review four books this week, and have now read and reviewed 26 books for my Read the Books You Buy Challenge.

I spent some time bingeing on Netflix, with the new series The Ranch.  So far, it’s fun.  I also added a new show to my queue:  American Odyssey.

Midweek, I took a break for lunch with a friend at The Cheesecake Factory…delicious!  But it was a late lunch, so I didn’t feel much like having dinner later.  But that’s okay, too.

 

 

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(The cheesecake in the photo above was from The Elephant Bar, the week before.  I forgot to photograph mine from this week….but they looked the same).

Let’s revisit the rest of my week…

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Dreaming…Excerpt from “Web of Tyranny”

Sunday Potpourri: A Day of Lazing About

Ignite Your Book Love: Musings

Serendipitous Tuesdays: “Friction”

Curl up and Wait For “It Ends with Us”

Interior Thoughts: Exploring the Past…and Reveling in the Present

Bookish Fridays:  “Dream of the Blue Room”

Review:  Most Wanted (e-book), by Lisa Scottoline (NetGalley – 4/12)

Review:  The Nest (e-book), by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

Review:  Domestic Secrets (e-book), by Rosalind Noonan

Review:  The Price of Salt (e-book, Carol), by Patricia Highsmith

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Two books came in my mailbox from Amazon Vine…and I downloaded three purchased books…plus, I got an Amazon Prime freebie.

Mother Knows Best, by Karen MacInerney (Amazon Vine)

 

 

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June, by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore (Amazon Vine)

 

 

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Blood Defense (e-book), by Marcia Clark (From Amazon Prime)

 

 

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First Frost (e-book), by Sarah Addison Allen (Purchased)

 

 

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Lies & Other Acts of Love (e-book), by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Purchased)

 

 

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River Road (e-book), by Carol Goodman (Purchased)

 

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

As usual, I have a few books on my stack that I plan to read…but in what order, or when, well, let’s just say that I’m trying for the whimsical.

North of Here (e-book), by Laurel Saville

 

 

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Dream of the Blue Room (e-book), by Michelle Richmond

 

 

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A Fatal Grace (e-book, Book 2), by Louise Penny

 

 

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That’s my week….what did yours look like?  I hope you’ll stop by and leave your links to your posts.

 

Coffee, Mimosa, & reading - 2

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105 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: A GOOD READING WEEK”

    1. I have been wanting First Frost for a long time, but knew I had to read Garden Spells first. I loved the characters, so I’m eager to revisit them. I also love the look of Lies and Other Acts of Love. Thanks for stopping by, Hayley. Enjoy your week!

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  2. I wish we had a Cheesecake Factory here. I wouldn’t feel like eating dinner after a meal there either! It always drives my husband crazy when I go out somewhere big for lunch because I have zero interest in cooking dinner and I’m the primary cook! Love the books you got. I read The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen last summer and absolutely loved it. I’ve been meaning to read Garden Spells ever since and I need to get on it so a full year doesn’t go by. First Frost will be next. Have a great week!

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    1. Yes, the downside of eating a late lunch.

      I also loved The Peach Keeper and Lost Lake. So glad I finally got around to Garden Spells, so I can now read First Frost. Thanks for stopping by, Katherine…time flies so fast. When I look at the dates on my various purchases, I find it hard to believe that so many books have been waiting so long.

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  3. This week didn’t go by as fast for me, but the weekend is here! 🙂 Netflix is always a good choice lol and Cheesecake looks fun… have never been but they have ’em in Chicago (a few hours away).

    The author of June jumped out at me, I remember the name because I was going to red Bittersweet… I never did. Hmm… bummer. North of Here has a nice cover too with the egg shells. Hope your reads are good and have another fantastic week!

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    1. I did finally read Bittersweet…I also got that one from Vine. So I am excited about June.

      I, too, love the look of North of Here, and enjoyed a memoir by this author.

      I spent the afternoon watching Lie to Me and American Odyssey on Netflix; the latter is so good, I had a hard time stopping.

      Thanks for visiting, Greg, and I would be very sad if there was no Cheesecake Factory here…LOL. We don’t have a lot going on in this city, but we do have some good restaurants. Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Thanks, Laura, I loved the characters in Garden Spells, so First Frost is one I’m eager to read…and I love The Ranch. Also discovered and enjoyed American Odyssey on Netflix.

      Enjoy your week!

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  5. I like the look of River Road!

    I tried to find your post earlier today and tried Serendipity and Rainy Days – and hadn’t checked the others!

    That cheesecake looks amazing!

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    1. Sorry about the mix-up on the blogs, Deborah…in trying to change things up, I guess it can be a challenge for readers. The updates will be here for a while.

      I love the look of River Road, too, and thanks so much for persisting and finding me today! Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly, and yes, sorry about the tag game!

      I was reminded of Marcia Clark’s books when I saw the OJ miniseries…and then, out of the blue, I got her book from Amazon Prime. I love Prime!

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by. And for hosting!

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  8. I definitely get what you’re saying. Time really flew by this week. I hate when that happens, makes me feel all weird.
    I saw ‘The Ranch’ on my Netflix screen.. haven’t seen it yet though but it sounds interesting.

    Have a great week and happy reading 😉

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    1. Thanks, Maureen, and every day when I woke up, I couldn’t believe we were another day closer to the weekend. I didn’t watch The Ranch yesterday after all, as I got caught up in American Odyssey…will probably watch today. It’s raining again! Enjoy your week.

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  9. 26 books! Laurel that’s great 🙂 he Cheesecake Factory is one of my favorites place to meet friends for lunch. Love their salad and of course the cheesecakes. The one in your picture looks sinfully good 🙂 Love the header image! Did you change the background too? is it SO PRETTY 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Daniela, I changed the header and background during Bloggiesta. I love makeovers anyway, and any excuse to do them.

      I don’t go to The Cheesecake Factory as often as I’d like…it involves a crosstown freeway, and mad parking. But…worth it.

      Enjoy your week…and I am pleased at how this one went.

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  11. Hi, trying to visit those I don’t normally get around tot and I really like your blog. You seem to read some genres I love. 🙂 I know what you mean when it was Monday one moment and then the weekend the next! i had a busy week too.

    You got a lot of great looking books to read I hope you enjoy them all. 🙂

    Stormi
    Week In Review

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    1. Thanks, Stormi, I so love getting new books, even though I know the ongoing challenge of getting to them all in a reasonable amount of time will continue….I’m glad you like this blog…it’s one of my first WP sites (after An Interior Journey and Potpourri!).

      Enjoy your week!

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  14. Too many good books here to comment on 🙂 I’ve either read or want to read every single one! Except the Highsmith one, which I didn’t have on my radar, but was intrigued by the movie commercials. I hope to read The Most Wanted soon and I enjoyed Domestic Secrets but found it a bit like Peyton Place, lol. I also read Dream of the Blue Room and A Fatal Grace so enjoy them.

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    1. Thanks, Rita, and I don’t know why I hadn’t read Dream of the Blue Room sooner…but I’m really enjoying it now. Maybe that’s the way it should be…right?

      I actually enjoyed Peyton Place, so there must be a part of me that loves lewd tabloid-style reading…LOL.

      I loved the first book in the Gamache series (The Crossing Places), so I’m eager to read more.

      Enjoy your week!

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  15. fuonlyknew

    So many lovely new books for you! I see a couple I might have to grab. Yikes! Drooling over the cheesecake. One of favorites but off my radar. Got to get ready for a bathing suit. LOL

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Thanks, Grace, and I am glad you enjoyed Lies and Other Acts of Love…now I want more cheesecake…and I wish they would deliver some here, as it’s raining again and I don’t want to leave my house! LOL.

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  19. novelinkchristy

    Oh my gosh, that cheesecake looks SO GOOD!! I haven’t read any of the books that you got this week but I hope you enjoy them all 😀

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    1. Thanks, Kathy, glad you like the blog….and I’m eager to read First Frost, too, knowing that it contains some Garden Spells characters.

      One thing I have discovered about The Cheesecake Factory: they do have a page in the menu of smaller portions…but even those are too large. Enjoy your week!

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  29. Christy LoveOfBooks

    I watched a couple episodes of The Ranch and it’s pretty funny. Gotta love Sam Elliot. IOhhhh I love the Cheesecake Factory. Yum! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Christy, there is something very appealing about Sam Elliott…I saw him in a fairly recent movie (last year?) with Blythe Danner (I’ll See You In My Dreams).

      Yay for The Cheesecake Factory. Enjoy your week….

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  32. Oh! I’ve only read one book by Sarah Addison Allen but I LOVED it. I really need to read more of her beautiful words, and I’ve always thought that cover is striking.
    Happy reading week to you! 🙂

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  34. Last week did go by really fast and I have a feeling this week will as well.

    I loved First Frost though I thought Garden Spells was better. I really enjoy her writing style. I will have to check out the other books on your list. Dream of the Blue Room sounds pretty good.

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    1. Thanks, Christina T…I don’t want this week to fly by…so many things to do! I am almost finished with Dream of the Blue Room…and it’s…dreamy. Lots of “mind travels” into the past. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Stacy Renee….and I didn’t get to The Ranch this weekend…I was too caught up in the intense thriller American Odyssey. Hope to return to The Ranch soon! Enjoy your week.

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  36. It sounds like you’ve had a great reading week – and doing so good on the task of reading the books you’ve bought. All your incoming books for the week look interesting. I’ve had my eye on First Frost for a while now. I hope this new week is just as successful!

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  37. Brandie

    The fact that you live close to a Cheesecake Factory to eat at often makes me really jealous!! I love that place – I got to eat there a few weeks ago and it was amazing. The lemon raspberry cheesecake is to die for!
    I’m excited to read Lies and other Acts of Love – I hope it’s good!
    Enjoy your week!

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    1. Yes, it is pretty amazing…even though it’s not in my neighborhood, but a freeway drive away, it is still a good thing. Probably better that I have to stop and think before going….LOL.

      Thanks for stopping by, Brandie, and I can’t wait to read Lies and Other Acts of Love. Enjoy your week!

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  43. Ahh… I love the graphics on this site. You got some great book this week. I love Sarah Addison Allen, and I am currently devouring River Road, so good. It is a page turner.

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  45. I love the Cheesecake Factory! I don’t eat there often, but there was a time when my husband and I went there just about every other week (before kiddo). I’ve tried just about all their cheesecakes (although maybe I shouldn’t admit to that). Someone else was recently telling me about The Ranch. I’ll have to check it out.

    I couldn’t resist the Marcia Clark book through the Amazon First program either. 🙂 I have June to read for an upcoming book tour and Mother Knows Best is on my to read pile. Hopefully we like them all. 🙂

    I hope you have a great week, Laurel-Rain!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, I hope we like them all, too…and there are many aspects to the Amazon Prime program that I really enjoy. It’s almost time to renew, and I definitely will.

      I don’t go to The Cheesecake Factory as often as I once did, although lately, I’ve gone a couple of times.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting!

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  46. I love your blog layout/graphics! 😀 Also, cheesecake hehe. We’ve recently moved across the country and are near a Cheesecake Factory for the first time ever and ohhhh I go there way too often lol!

    Great book haul, I haven’t heard of most of them so I’m going to check them out now…because my TBR shelf could totally do with a few more on there 😉 Happy reading!

    http://natalieslife.com/2016/04/the-library-project-favourite-childhood-book

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    1. Thanks, Natalie, I’m glad you enjoy it here…I love creating and redesigning my blog looks; part of the fun of blogging. LOL.

      Enjoy your week and the books you add to those shelves…we all have way too many books there, don’t we?

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  47. Hi there, Laurel. I should join the Read the Books You Buy challenge – I have bookshelves and bookshelves of books I bought that I haven’t read yet! I did set myself the challenge of reading 40 (or so books) that I already own before I turn 50. Let’s see if I make some headway with that one.

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    1. Good luck, Myra….I always buy way more books than I can read in a reasonable amount of time, so curbing that impulse is probably the first step to controlling the TBR. And reading review copies of books I would otherwise buy…instead of weird review books from unknown authors that I don’t even like, once I get them. Enjoy your week.

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  50. The Cue Card

    How scrumptious going to the Cheese Cake Factory! Where is your martini?! I just signed up for Amazon prime so now how do I get the freebie? hmm. I will have to investigate. You got a lot of good books for the week. Enjoy!

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    1. They send me e-mails to announce when the picks are ready. You can also go to your Prime account on Amazon, and they show a few things there. Good luck and enjoy, Susan.

      I forgot to take a photo of my martini this time!

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