WEEKLY UPDATES: CHANGING THE WAY I READ

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Good morning!  Today’s post will link up to Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post,  and Book Journey, for  Weekly Updates.

**Mailbox Monday is now hosted at the home site:  Mailbox Monday.

Good morning, Bloggers!  Grab some coffee (or a mimosa), and let’s talk about our weeks.

 

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What a week!  I spent last Sunday afternoon at the movies, seeing Gone Girl, with my eyes riveted to the screen.  Powerful and intoxicating.  Over the next several days of this week, I spent time purging and organizing STUFF.  I have written some blog posts about the experience and some of my discoveries.  Meanwhile, I was suffering from a reading disorder that I can only describe as UNENGAGED.  None of the older books I was planning to read kept my attention, and I spent way too long trying to read them.  Hence, my overall reading week suffered.  But as a result, I came to some decisions….read about them in my Abandoning the Old Rules post.

Later today (or tomorrow), I hope to finally see the unveiling of what my daughter has been doing to the house she moved into…the one my son and his wife just vacated.  Fun times!

So here goes with my LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Sparks:  Intros/Teasers – “The Bookseller”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Dealing with the Stuff of My Life

Taking a Risk:  Waiting on “Those Girls”

My Bookish (and Not So Bookish) Thoughts:  Sorting & Eliminating

Creative Friday:  Book Beginnings/Friday 56 – “The Carrier”

New Beginnings:  An Excerpt from “Interior Designs”

Weekend Potpourri:  Abandoning the Old Rules

Saturday Sparks:  Starring Grandkids & Great-Grandkids

My Newly Configured Interior World

Review:  The House We Grew Up In (e-book), by Lisa Jewell

Review:  The Bookseller, by Cynthia Swanson

 

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Covers/Titles Linked to Amazon)

 

 

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TWO review books came in my mailbox…and I received one review book from the author via download.  Then I purchased one downloaded book.

 

Ruin Falls, by Jenny Milchman (Amazon Vine)

 

 

 

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In a suspenseful follow-up to her critically acclaimed Cover of Snow, Jenny Milchman ratchets up the tension with this edge-of-your-seat story of a mother determined to find her missing children.

 

 

Further Out Than You Thought, by Michaela Carter (Amazon Vine)

 

 

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Combining the eloquence and raw sensuality of Jeanette Winterson with the romantic, renegade spirit of Patti Smith, Further Out Than You Thought is a taut and erotically charged literary debut, set against the chaos of the 1992 L.A. riots, about three people searching for identity and meaning from award-winning poet and indie bookshop co-founder Michaela Carter.

 

Trail Mix (e-book), by Paulita Kincer (From the Author)

 

 

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In the tradition of Wild by Cheryl Strayed, comes a novel of two suburban women who decide to hike the Appalachian Trail, escaping their lives as moms and wives in search of nature, adventure, and the ultimate diet plan.

 

 

Lila (e-book), by Marilynne Robinson (Purchased)

 

 

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Marilynne Robinson, one of the greatest novelists of our time, returns to the town of Gilead in an unforgettable story of a girlhood lived on the fringes of society in fear, awe, and wonder.
Lila, homeless and alone after years of roaming the countryside, steps inside a small-town Iowa church—the only available shelter from the rain—and ignites a romance and a debate that will reshape her life. She becomes the wife of a minister, John Ames, and begins a new existence while trying to make sense of the life that preceded her newfound security.

 

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

 

The Carrier, by Sophie Hannah (Amazon Vine)

 

 

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When Gaby’s plane is delayed, she’s forced to share a hotel room with a stranger: Lauren, who is terrified of her. But why is she scared of Gaby in particular? Lauren won’t explain. Instead, she blurts out something about an innocent man going to prison for murder. Gaby soon suspects that Lauren’s presence on her flight isn’t a coincidence, because the murder victim is Francine Breary, the wife of the only man Gaby has ever truly loved.

 

 

Accidents of Marriage (e-book), by Randy Susan Meyers

 

 

 

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Maddy is a social worker trying to balance her career and three children. Years ago, she fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now he’s lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies. She vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids—which works to keep a fragile peace—until the rainy day when they’re together in the car and Ben’s volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the hospital fighting for her life.

 

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I am looking forward to a week of savoring my two books…and if I find the time, I have SIXTY-SEVEN other e-books resting on Sparky.  All purchased this year!

 

 

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And for more activities this weekend, I plan to watch more Gilmore Girls on Netflix.

What does your weekend look like?  What are you planning next week?

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74 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: CHANGING THE WAY I READ

  1. Ruin Falls looks really good. I am on a reading binge at the moment and riding the high. I want to see Gone Girl, I heard the ending is different from the book so I am very curious. Have fun at your daughter’s today 🙂

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kimba…and I am looking forward to Ruin Falls too. As for Gone Girl, it has been two years since I read the book, and the movie’s ending was very intriguing. Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. I am really loving The Carrier so far; as for Gone Girl, I was pleased that the author was involved in the production and screenplay. That usually bodes well for the film. Thanks for stopping by, Trish, and enjoy your week.

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    1. I could be reading it sooner rather than later, since I have abandoned some of my reading practices…LOL. If you happen to go to the review page for Lila, there are some strange conversations going on around one reviewer who only ever gives one star for every review he writes. I suspect he isn’t reading the books…and is a protester of some kind.

      Thanks for visiting, Deb.

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  2. I know exactly what you mean about Reading Challenges and the dreaded TBR Stack. I have a whole bookcase full of books that are for me, not for review. My problem is not that they don’t engage me though, time to read is my issue. My challenge “Just For Fun” thankfully pushes me to read 1 of these books JUST FOR FUN each month and makes me take a break from the books I have for review. At 12 books a year I will never read them all and really need to do a book purge but I start to go through them and realize I still want to read them if I ever get the chance.

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    1. Yes, as long as they still call to you, hang onto them! It is hard to manage it all, but I have now decided that it’s okay to read newer books, too.

      Thanks for stopping by, Lori, and enjoy your week.

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  3. We are in sync this week! I feel the same way, out with the old, in with the new books and keep it fun! I am watching Gilmore Girls, though sporadically, since new tv season started. I am reading my third Randy Susan Meyers and recommend her to anyone with similar reading taste to mine. I really enjoyed Ruin Falls (actually both books by Milchman) and I am putting Trail Mix on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing so many goodies, and enjoy this week with those great books.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Rita, and I am so excited about finally being able to read Accidents of Marriage. Then I will go ahead with her others, as I am sure I’m going to love it.

      I am glad I got Ruin Falls as a review book, which means I will be reading it soon. (Yes, in spite of my new rules, I still must read review books right away. But lately I am only choosing review books that appeal to me).

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  4. I loved your Abandoning the Old Rules post and ITA! Why stick with books you don’t want to read? This isn’t supposed to be a chore, it’s supposed to be fun.

    Your books for this week all look good.

    Have a great week!

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  5. Good for you on changing it up, why make yourself read something you’re not into? I hope you enjoy your new reading approach… I don’t think I would like the TBR pressure so I can understand what you’re doing.

    Hope your weekend has been a good one!

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  6. Wasn’t Gone Girl amazing? I loved it. Sorry you had a tough book week- hope you find something that strikes your fancy soon. Further Out Than You Thought looks good and Lila has gotten excellent reviews. I watched a little Gilmore Girls on Netflix today too. Such an addicting show! Have a great week 🙂

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    1. I am definitely addicted to Gilmore Girls…I have been watching it on ABC Family during the daytime, but I have never seen all the seasons. Only sporadic episodes. So I’m grateful for Netflix.

      And I loved Gone Girl…so glad it was so good…I may have to see it again! Thanks for stopping by, Lucy.

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  7. So glad you liked Gone Girl like I did. It’s dark but an entertaining ride. We will have to confer on the next adaptation “Before I Go to Sleep.” In books, I’m curious if you have read Marilynne Robinson’s other novels before “Lila.” I wasn’t sure if they should be read in order. Thanks much for visiting my site earlier today. Cheers.

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    1. I have read a couple of Robinson’s other books: Home and Housekeeping. I also saw the movie, Housekeeping, with Christine Lahti. I think they can be stand alones…I didn’t read Gilead, and I think that was probably the first one set in the town.

      I thought Before I Go to Sleep was coming out sooner, so I got worried, but then Googled it. Soon it’s coming. Can’t wait! I enjoy Nicole Kidman.

      Thanks for visiting, Susan.

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  8. I don’t want to think about how many books I have on my ereaders (yes, I have two different formats thanks to a delightful mix up!). I saw Gone Girl over the weekend too – brilliant movie.
    Hope the house reveal is good!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sam, and yes…those e-readers have a way of “hiding” our books!

      I want to see Gone Girl again…loved every minute of it!

      Enjoyed the visit to my daughter’s….loved the colors she painted the rooms and the new carpets. She still has more to do in furnishing it…I gave her a dining room table yesterday.

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  9. jmcguin7

    Added The House We Grew Up In. Also read your post on decluttering. Having had to deal with clearing my parents’ house I am bound and determined no one will have to go through all my junk.

    Also added The Carrier.

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  10. Teddyree

    Ooh I’m hoping we’re lucky enough to watch Gone Girl on the flight to UK (might be expecting a bit much lol)
    Hope you love Accidents of Marriage as much as I did. Must put Cover of Snow on my TBR list. Have a great week and happy reading 🙂

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    1. I hope you love Gone Girl…when you see it. I never have high expectations for movies made from books…but I absolutely loved this one. And I am expecting to love Accidents of Marriage. Thanks for visiting, Teddyree.

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  11. I was having trouble reading for a while there recently as well. I seem to be back on track after a few days break cleaning out all the junk from our house. Glad that you enjoyed Gone Girl, I will have to see that as I don’t think I’m going to get time to read the book any time soon. Have a great week Laurel and thanks for stopping by my blog.

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    1. Sometimes it just takes a break, as you said…or a totally different kind of activity. My purging helped…not only as a distraction, but as a new way of looking at how I read. Thanks for stopping by, Sharon, and I hope you love Gone Girl.

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  12. I saw Gone Girl last weekend when it opened here. I rarely go to the movies but some of my bookclub wanted to go so we went as a group.

    I agree about not reading books that don’t engage you. My problem is I do stop reading, but just move them to a different shelf thinking that I might want to try again another time – and you what, it never happens! Time for the donation box in the garage for me too.

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    1. Glad you got to see Gone Girl…and that you’ve made some decisions about your unread books, too. It is hard to decide to donate some books….but it gets easier, I think. Thanks for visiting, Leslie.

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      1. It is difficult – but I’ve finally come up with a way to rationalize it. If the unread and currently unwanted book is one that I can easily obtain again if I decide I want to read it, I’ll part with it. If it’s something obscure, it stays on the shelf.

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