WEEKLY UPDATES: PONDERING….

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn Weekly Updates

PicMonkey Image-AUGUST FRAMEDST 25 UPDATE

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 week was a mix of odds and ends, with only a few blog posts, but I did read and review three books.  My total for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge is now 55.

My youngest son had a birthday this week.  We texted, and he shared a photo from the beach, featuring his wife and a bonfire.  It took me back to being there at the beginning of the month…and I wanted to be there again!  Especially since our hot weather continues.

 

 

August 24 on the beach

 

I finally finished watching Doc Martin on Netflix…and now I will have to find another show.  Sigh.  Whenever I come to the end of a series, I always hope for more seasons.  But I think that’s not going to happen with this one.

Lately, I’ve been requesting household items from Amazon Vine.  I got a tablecloth earlier in the month, and yesterday, these lovely placemats arrived.

 

 

coffee and mats - august

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Let’s take a look at the rest of the week…

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Reflections on My Summer…

Tuesday Potpourri:  “The Book That Matters Most”

Hump Day Reading:  Past, Present, & Future Reading

Bookish Thursday #27:  Serendipitous Moments

My Interior World:  Books, Dolls, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “The Girls of August”

Review:  The Excellent Lombards (e-book), by Jane Hamilton – * * * *

Review:  Behind Closed Doors (e-book), by B. A. Paris – * * * * *

Review:  The Book That Matters Most (e-book), by Ann Hood –* * * * *

 

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

No books in my mailbox!  

On Saturday, I did receive TWO books in my mailbox.

Earlier in the week, I also received those placemats from Vine (above)…and I downloaded three e-books.

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Girl on the Run, by Daryl Wood Gerber (Author Review Request)

 

 

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Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, by Anne Tyler (Purchased as a reread)

 

 

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Downloads:

 

I Am No One (e-book), by Patrick Flanery

 

 

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A Map of the World (e-book), by Jane Hamilton (Purchased as a reread – an Oprah book club pick a few years ago)

 

 

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The Sister (e-book), by Louise Jensen

 

 

 

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

Currently Reading:  The Girls of August (e-book), by Anne Rivers Siddons  (I bought this one last September…glad I can read it during August!)

 

 

 

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I also want to get around to reading:

 

Leave Me (e-book), by Gayle Forman (NetGalley – 9/6)

 

 

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More books will be chosen from my lovely Pippa…as the mood dictates:

 

 

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Here is my little office nook today, where I am pondering my week…What did your week look like?  Grab some coffee, and let’s chat.

 

 

coffee and office stuff - august 27

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65 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: PONDERING….”

  1. I like the look of Girl on the Run – I’ve not heard of it before. I’ve got the latest Gayle Forman but I’m packing and think it’s already in a box, so that’ll have to wait a week or two.

    The bonfire pic looks stunning – perfect weather and a gorgeous evening.

    PS. I couldn’t get into Doc Martin as I really am not a fan of that actor (as well as the character he plays in it!)

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    1. It took me a while to get into the character, and even though I eventually did, I found both the Doc Martin character and Louisa rather annoying at times. But they were much better than the two policeman characters who came off as idiots. I don’t like when professionals behave in an idiotic way. LOL.

      Despite all of that, for some reason, I was hooked. Who can explain it?

      Thanks for stopping by, Deborah, and I guess if you’re packing, you must have found a place. Enjoy!

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  2. I’ve only seen a few Doc Martin’s including the one where his girlfriend was going to give birth in a pub- I think (it’s been a while). I loe the area where they film it. And happy birthday to your son- nice bonfire pic.

    Girl on the Run looks nice, and I love that cover. Glad to hear Behind Closed Doors was good- I’ve seena few good reviews for it now including yours. Sounds very suspenseful and a bit creepy!

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    1. Oh, yes, Behind Closed Doors robbed me of my sleep for a day and a night…LOL.

      I also love the setting for the Doc Martin series, but despite their best efforts, Doc and Louisa were terrible communicators, making their relationship almost impossible to sustain. It was frustrating watching them in their failure to listen to one another, or to speak up when they should have done.

      I guess I can’t stop trying to “counsel” the characters.

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

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    1. Thanks, and I am amazed at the other items one can get. I even got an office chair, one with arms!

      Usually I go for the books, but then I realize that it’s a good idea to check the household items and even the electronics.

      Thanks for visiting, Jo, and enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Laura, I am feeling the need for cooler weather again…and I was just there! But it wasn’t a long enough getaway.

      I love seeing new reads on other blogs, too…in fact, that’s why my Kindle is bursting! LOL. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Yes, I was there earlier in the month…but, except for the long drive to get there, I’d like to go again.

      Pippa and I love hanging out, so she had to have a name…LOL. I like the look of my new books, too. Thanks for visiting, Trish.

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    1. Thanks, Sherry, I do plan to enjoy these books….can’t wait to resume reading today, although, since it’s the weekend, I like spending time on my DVR and Netflix. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting.

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    1. Thanks, Mary, it is fun to find pretty things on Vine….in addition to the books. I am looking forward to Leave Me…and have a wonderful week. I have some beaches closer to me that I might have to escape to soon. Thanks for visiting.

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    1. The summer seemed to fly by, didn’t it? I can’t believe school is back in session, but then again, August start dates always amaze me, too. (In my day, we went back after Labor Day!).

      Enjoy the books you can grab time for, and thanks for stopping by, Deb.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth, I love the bonfire, too…and I thought I’d read the Anne Tyler book, but I decided that I hadn’t…I had seen a TV movie about it.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting.

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    1. So true! Last summer, I was immersed in Mad Men, watching it with my son and DIL, who were visiting from Berlin…so afterwards, I was nostalgic for the series and for my time with them.

      Thanks for stopping by, Lefty, and I am eager to begin reading Leave Me. I’ve only read a couple of Forman’s books, but enjoyed them.

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    1. Thanks, Pat, I love the placemats, but I am dreading spots and stains that might not come out…lol. I think they will be just for looks, and the sturdy ones will come out for regular meals.

      Yes, loving my reading year, and the slump seems to be over…for now. Thanks for visiting.

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  16. I started with Nook, so was never invited to the Vine program, although I do have sellers email me occasionally for reviews. That is very cool. Happy Birthday to your son. Yeah, I miss the beach and want to go back. Hope this week is delightful in all ways!

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    1. August is full of birthdays for my family… two of my kids and their father have birthdays this month, and so does my DIL.

      I do enjoy the Vine program, and I am an avid Amazon “click to buy” person, too. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting, Kimberly.

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  17. The placemats are really attractive and I love the pic of your daughter-in-law on the beach – it looks a lovely spot. Our children don’t go back to school for another week and a half, yet… I take it Pippa is your Kindle – mine also has a bright pink cover and is called Fluffy:) Have a good week and many thanks for swinging by my blog and your kind, encouraging words.

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      1. No… not even my trusty computer gets a name – just the Kindle:). I’m too attached to the computer as it is! Yes… I’m glad the children start back a little later, too. Have a great week, Laurel:)

        Liked by 1 person

  18. You are doing really well on the read your own books challenge – I’m hoping I’ve increased my percentage this year too. I read Map of the World a few years back and enjoyed it so I endorse that choice (as well as the rest as they all sound like ones I’d happily pick up)

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    1. Thanks, Cleo, after reading The Excellent Lombards, which I enjoyed, but not as much as others of hers, I had to get A Map of the World again. I believe it was my favorite. I also have the movie, with Signourney Weaver and Julianne Moore, among others.

      I am actually surprised at how many books I’m finishing for the challenge, but I keep adding more books. I do think I’m staying slightly ahead of the game, though. LOL.

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    1. I read it years ago, but I am so looking forward to my second read. The book has so many issues that remind me of my old social work career, and how quickly someone can be vilified and misunderstood. Sadly, I don’t know anyone in my “real life” who likes the kind of books I read. Hence the blogging obsession. LOL

      Thanks for stopping by, Anne, and I do love the geese, too. I used to have them all arrayed along the sofa table, but then broke them up into several different spots. Just for a change.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne, I just finished The Girls of August today; a quick read. It is hard to watch Netflix sometimes, although I’ve been bingeing a lot, primarily because TV shows have been finished and new ones haven’t returned.

      I do like a good movie, though, and today watched an interesting one from On Demand. Then I took a nap. Thanks for visiting.

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  22. I’m not sure if my previous comment went through or not. Sorry if this is a double.

    Anyway, I still have to watch the newest episode of Wentworth on Netflix.

    The Girls of August and Girl on the Run both look great. Enjoy them and have a great week!

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  24. I am loving Leave Me, and yes I was so frustrated too with her family at the beginning of the book, today at 5pmish I am at 88%, I’ve just kept reading it is so easy to read and waiting to see what she finally does!!

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    1. I wanted to keep reading last night (loving it, too!), but I had to stop for a while to charge my Kindle…and sleep. I’ll be eager to continue today. Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn, and for hosting, too. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Cheryl, and yes, those reviews for home products are easy-peasy. I even took a photo of my placemats and added them to the review.

      Enjoy your week, and I am loving the book I’m reading now. (Leave Me).

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    1. Oh, so do I, Kathy….It was always my favorite thing to do after checking out the queue and Vine for All. It is encouraging that she did a blog post this weekend, don’t you think? It’s only been a month since the surgery (not quite, even), so hopefully she’ll start feeling more like herself.

      I love Anne Tyler, too, and I thought I’d read Homesick Restaurant, but I realized that it was probably just the TV movie that I saw.

      Enjoy your week!

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    1. For thirteen years, from the mid-nineties to 2007, I lived just above a river, and a short distance from a lake. It was lovely.

      I would prefer being near the beach, though. That hasn’t happened for me yet. Thanks for stopping by, Jeanene.

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  31. Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews

    The Sister looks creepy and I’m officially intrigued! I think I’ve read one book by Anne Tyler but I’m not entirely sure. I’ve never heard of Amazon Vine but I’ll be sure to check it out!

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