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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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!
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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Lots of people changing how they read. I’ll have to check out your post on that. In the meantime, enjoy your new and old books and watching Gilmore Girls.
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Thanks, Bea, I am definitely looking forward to feeling a little freed up in what I can read.
I love watching Gilmore Girls…I missed the series when it was on TV.
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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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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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Sometimes I do feel UNENGAGED too. Haha!
Here’s mine:
My Week in a Wrapped #3
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Thanks for visiting, Nyze, and I was definitely in a slump and UNENGAGED. Enjoy your week!
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I haven’t had time to go see Gone Girl yet but I can’t wait to do so! I’m so excited to see how it translates on to the screen especially as most people seem to have positive reviews on it. I enjoyed The Carrier, hope you do too.
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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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I can’t wait to read the new Marilynne Robinson book. Hope you read it first!
Here’s my Sunday Salon!
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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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Your review of The Bookseller made me want to run right out and grab a copy! Too bad it’s not released until March. Have a great week 🙂
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Oh, I know! Without Vine, I wouldn’t have it yet…but I hope you love it when you get it. Thanks for visiting, JoAnn.
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I’m changing how I read also and I’m going to focus a lot more on my TBR.So many books waiting for me. Ruin Falls sounds good. Do I need to read Cover of Snow first or are they stand alones?
Here is my Sunday Post – http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/12/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-82-and-the-sunday-post/
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I don’t know about Ruin Falls, and if it is a stand alone, but I haven’t read Cover of Snow. I suspect it will be okay as a stand alone. Thanks for visiting, Laura.
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Both book are stand-alones 🙂
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Thanks, Rita, good to know!
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Most of your featured books are new to me. Congrats on your new book outlook! It gave me lots of food for thought.
My weekly recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/10/weekly-book-recap-85-blogoversary.html
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I’m glad you could relate to my post, Catherine; I am eager to see how I feel after a few weeks of this. Thanks for stopping by.
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Accidents of Marriage looks fantastic and it looks like you got some other really great books as well. Looking forward to seeing how you’re changing up your reading rules. I think I could probably take a look at mine as well! Have a great week!
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Thanks, Katherine, and I am eager to finish out the year with a new reading attitude. More enjoyment, fewer rules!
Glad you could stop by, and I am really looking forward to Accidents of Marriage.
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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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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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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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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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So many good books here! I am looking forward to reading both Accidents of Marriage and Ruin Falls (after I read Cover of Snow of course. LOL!) I hope that you have a great week of reading!
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Thanks, Sam….I am eager to read them all,l too; I haven’t read Cover of Snow yet. Hope that’s going to be okay! Happy reading.
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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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Right on, Yvonne! I don’t know why it has taken me so long to realize that…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post…and the new books I have.
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I’m excited for the unveiling with you! Fun times! 🙂
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
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Thanks, Sarah…glad you could stop by and visit.
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Some interesting reading there! Ruin Falls and The Carrier sound particularly intriguing!
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I am reading The Carrier now, and as always, the author keeps me hopping, trying to sort things out. Thanks for visiting, Deborah.
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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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It has been delightfully restful…and I’m looking forward to a slower paced week. Thanks for visiting, Greg, and enjoy your week.
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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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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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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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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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I have been making plans to change my reading program for a while. I might implement that someday. All of your books are new to me. Happy Reading!
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Thanks for stopping by, Martha, and I hope to finish out the year feeling more satisfied with my reading.
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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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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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I enjoyed Jenny Mitchums first book, This one sounds interesting too. I’ll be watching Gilmore Girls all week!
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I think I will start watching Gilmore Girls during the week, too; I’ll pick a night when not much is on. Thanks for stopping by, Shelleyrae, and I am eager to read Ruin Falls.
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Nice mix of books, Laurel. I hope they’re all “unputdownable” 🙂
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Oh, so do I, Mary…as I discovered this week, with books I couldn’t enjoy, I must have “”unputdownable” books. Thanks for stopping by.
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Love your mailbox photo.
The Carrier and Lila look good to me. Trail Mix looks good too. I still need to read Wild.
You had a great week. Sixty-seven e-books?? Wow!! ENJOY!!
I am going to check out your review of THE HOUSE WE GREW UP IN. It was different but good.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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Yes, and those are only the books I downloaded THIS year! Luckily, I finished last year’s books. Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth…glad you like the little graphic. Enjoy your week!
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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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Oh, definitely, Jackie! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy THWGUI. The Carrier is also intriguing.
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so many good picks. Happy reading
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Thanks, Serena…enjoy your week!
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Great titles. Thanks for the reminder that I want to download Paulita’s new book. And I am interested in Accidents of Marriage.
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I am very eager to start reading each of them…thanks for visiting, jkb.
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Lila sounds good and hope you enjoy. have a wonderful week!
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Thanks, Brandi…I am eager to read Lila…enjoy your week!
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Nice plans for the week. I hope you enjoy the books you chose. I hate to think how many unread books I have on my Kindle. I know there are more than 100 though. Here’s my week. Happy reading!
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I had to count mine, since I was feeling so virtuous about all my purging! LOL
Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and enjoy your week.
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Enjoy! your new reads.
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Thanks, Mary Ann….hope you enjoy yours, too.
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Have a great reading week! I have over 1000 books on my Kindle, I need to purge some I think 🙂
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Oh, wow, I guess I don’t feel too bad, then, Vicki…LOL. It is so easy to download books, however; almost too easy. Thanks for stopping by.
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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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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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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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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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The cover of The Carrier reminds me a bit of the movie Castaway. Remember the box with the picture of the wings on it? That’s why. Enjoy your week!
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Oh, yes, that’s why that logo seems familiar. Thanks for stopping by, Jen.
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I had trouble commenting on your blog yesterday. So, I thought I would try again today. I’ve been busy purging (mostly clothes). It is a good feeling.
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Oh, I am sorry that happened….I wonder why? Anyway, glad it worked today. Purging is a good feeling… maybe I should attack my closets next! Thanks for visiting, Pat.
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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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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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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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That’s a good rule of thumb, Leslie….
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