WEEKLY UPDATES: AVOIDANCE & DISTRACTIONS

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.

 

Now that fall is finally here, and another week has flown by, I must confess that my reading this week sucked!  I bounced from book to book, and started a few, only to move on to another.  But…I did finish reading and reviewing TWO books, and my total at Read the Books You Buy is at 86.

On Netflix, I watched Season I of Doctor Foster, and enjoyed seeing it again.  On the 25th, the Gilmore Girls, A Year in the Life, is coming…and on one of my TV channels, a marathon of the old Gilmore Girls is going nonstop.

I have it on the TV as a muted backdrop, since I binge-watched the show on Netflix a while ago.  But I love the comforting images of Stars Hollow and the quest for coffee, more coffee!

One thing you will notice this week:  I wrote a LOT of blog posts (instead of reading?).  Would you believe TWELVE? And I went crazy making new blog headers….so, let’s take a look. (And sip some coffee).

 

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  My Great Escape…

Monday Sparks:  Musing About Books…

Let’s Curl up with “Send in the Clowns”

My TBR Stacks:  A Closer Look…

Thankfully Anticipating…

Hump Day Reading:  Current, Past, & Future Choices

Bookish Thursday #37:  Serendipitous Moments

Happy Birthday, Craig:  A Life in Photos…

Bookish Friday:  “Hillbilly Elegy”

Friday Potpourri:  Book Hopping, Etc.

Avoidance & Blog Playing…Book Distractions?

Eureka!  Creating My New Header

Review:  Rosemary:  The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, by Kate Clifford Larsonratings-worms-4-croppedReview:  Send in the Clowns (e-book), by Julie Mulherncropped-again-5

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INCOMING BOOKS:(Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

Nothing in my mailbox!  But…I did download two e-books.

While You Were Sleeping (e-book), by Kathryn Croft

 

 

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In Her Wake (e-book), by Amanda Jennings

 

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

At the moment, I am currently reading two books:

Two If by Sea (e-book), by Jacquelyn Mitchard

 

 

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Hillbilly Elegy (e-book), by J. D. Vance

 

 

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And then, I’m leaning toward these books:

 

Inheriting Edith (e-book), by Zoe Fishman

 

 

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The Murder Game (e-book), by Catherine McKenzie writing as Julie Apple

 

 

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That’s it for this week…what did your week look like?  I’ll leave you with an image of my “comfort food” dinner last night from Marie Callender’s.

 

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94 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: AVOIDANCE & DISTRACTIONS”

  1. The food looks great 🙂 we have a number of books in common.I recently read While you were sleeping and liked it.I hope you do too.Murder Game is the next book on my reading list.I hope to get In Her Wake soon.It has some great reviews.Enjoy all your books and have a great weekend

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  2. I read “Two If By Sea” by Mitchard, because I really respect her as a person and an author. I read her book compiled of newspaper articles years & years ago-“The Rest of Us, Dispatches from the Mother Ship”, then all her fiction. Unfortunately she can be quirky, or at least not go in the expected direction in a plot. This can be great or backfire. In Two If By Sea she takes the “road less traveled” or what we assume the story will be about and turns it on its head. But I still gave it 4/5 a while back. Enjoy it!

    Also, I read your review on the Hidden Kennedy- Rosemary, and my heart goes out to her, definitely not her family who were more concerned with keeping her inappropriate actions & quotes out of the media spotlight. How horrible! If you ever saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the lobotomy scene brings tears to my eyes every time I’ve seen it (3x).

    Enjoy your crisp, cooler week! We have low temps in early morning and evening but rather average in daytime. I’ll take it, though 🙂

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Rita, and I also have a sense of horror when it comes to the antiquated “treatments” for mental health/disability issues.

      I cringed during One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, too, and I have another movie that depicts the same horror: Frances, starring Jessica Lange as the actress Frances Farmer. Her behavior was causing “problems” in Hollywood, so they talked her mother into having the lobotomy done. Somehow, her mother was awarded conservatorship… Another big fear that people have to face when their families are disapproving.

      I was enjoying Two If by Sea…and love this author. But I needed a break, so I went to Send in the Clowns. I think I can return to TIBS today.

      Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Heather, difficult choices are the norm around here, but even if I pick up one book that doesn’t work, I can grab another…and go back to the original when I’m in the mood. That seems to be how it works for me lately.

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  6. Greg Hill

    I really liked Doctor Foster, and will definitely watch a S2. Same with Marcella. I like the BBC detective type shows. Two books isn’t bad, I only did one. and I’m in Send in the Clowns now, which is awesome. Never disappointing. I see on ger FB page that book 5 comes out in May…

    While You Were Sleeping looks really good.

    As usual I love your meal! Ha ha Marie Callender’s looks awesome. Looks like Thanksgiving a little early? 🙂 And a nice glass or red.

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    1. I am very fond of the BBC shows, too…and the Australian ones. Hoping that there will be more seasons for Doctor Foster and Marcella.

      As for my meal, I was feeling ready for the turkey (and stuffing, my favorite!), since I never seem to get enough at Thanksgiving. (When you don’t do the cooking, you don’t have the leftovers! lol).

      Enjoy your week, Greg, and thanks for visiting.

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    1. Thanks, Cleo, and I read Catherine’s Fractured last month, about the author of The Murder Game (Julie Apple), so I was thrilled to realize she had created that book, too.

      I am also very eager to start reading my new books. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I’m starting Gilmore Girls and am looking forward to it. I haven’t watched it before but my daughter has been fussing at me to give it a try. She says the relationship between Lorelei and Rory reminds her of hers and mine which I think is a good thing? I’m caught up on Blindspot and am in the mood for something a little less conspiracy laden. I’m catching up on blogs from being out of town (seriously why does it take twice as long to catch up as I was away?) and am looking forward to reading your review of Send in the Clowns. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Katherine, I didn’t know whether or not I’d enjoy Gilmore Girls, but I would watch occasional episodes when it was on TV (the now defunct Soapnet Channel), so finding it on Netflix offered the opportunity to sample it from the beginning. Of course I had to binge-watch the whole thing, once I got into it. It took a few sit-downs.

      I love Lorelei and Rory’s relationship…and the relationship with Lorelei’s mother, who is a bit stiff. Enjoy!

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  10. In Her Wake and The Murder Game appeal!

    I’m looking forward to the Gilmore Girls as well. I’m hoping it’s on here (in Australia) on 25th and we don’t have to wait for YOUR 25th (our 26th!). Although a day won’t kill me!

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    1. Thanks, Deborah, it’s great when we can look forward to an event like this. I’ve loved the Gilmore Girls since I first saw the occasional episode on TV…and then when I finally binge-watched it on Netflix, I became addicted.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting. I am excited about In Her Wake and The Murder Game, too.

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    1. I finished it last night, Hillary, and loved it. It could also have been set in California’s Central Valley! There are little pockets of people here, just like those in the book. Not surprising for me, though, since my father’s side of the family hailed from that part of the world!

      Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Emma, and yes, Cleo gave In Her Wake a very impressive review.

      You’ll notice that, despite the 12 posts, I only read two books. lol. This week might be better; I finished my first book of the week last night.

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

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  14. My goodness – 12 posts! That’s impressive. I do find my reading varies a lot over the year, though. Depending on what else I’m doing and what frame of mind I’m in, my rate can easily halve/double on a weekly basis. Though I don’t ever recall making up for it by writing 12 posts! Have a lovely Thanksgiving week-end:)

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  16. I have Doctor Foster in the queue and am interested in seeing it. My wife will be watching the new Gilmore Girls. I thought about reading Hillbilly Elegy but just can’t bring myself to read anything serious (or otherwise either, really) right now. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

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    1. I finished Hillbilly Elegy last night, and I enjoyed it…although you would have to be in the mood. It was like reading one of the case files from my social work days!

      I loved Doctor Foster…and will definitely be glued to the screen for Gilmore Girls. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the week.

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  17. Hillbilly Elegy is a must read for me. I hope that it is a wonderful read for you, as well as wishing you a lovely time with the rest of your books. I recently read The Murder Game and was quite taken with it. I look forward to seeing what you think of it.

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    1. Thanks, B. B., I do hope to love The Murder Game, since its inspiration came from Fractured, a favorite read this year.

      I also enjoyed Hillbilly Elegy, a deeply engaging and thoughtful read that took me back to my social work days.

      Enjoy your week!

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  18. Sounds like you had more of a blogging week than reading week, but since I almost never finish two books in one week, that still sounds very productive to me!! I liked Hillbilly Elegy a lot and need to get a review up this week. Inheriting Edith has such an unusual premise… will look forward to your thoughts. That dinner looks yummy!! 🙂

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    1. Thanks, JoAnn…I guess I need to also take into consideration that one of the books I read was the nonfiction book about Rosemary Kennedy. Not a light read.

      I finished Hillbilly Elegy last night, and I felt as though I was slogging through California’s Central Valley “hillbilly” enclaves. They seem to be here and there…and everywhere.

      Not surprising, since most Californians have sprung from elsewhere. My own paternal grandparents haled from the South.

      I hope to get to Inheriting Edith sooner rather than later. Love the sound of it, too.

      Enjoy your week, and I want more stuffing on my plate next time!

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  19. You’ve been busy on the blogs and I did enjoy seeing the changes to the headers during the week. The dinner looks so yummy, much better than cooking for yourself. Lots of thriller looking books in your coming list. Hope they keep you anchored!!

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn, and I do tend to eat a few turkey dinners ahead of time, since I won’t have leftovers. Being a guest doesn’t provide those.

      I do feel a little guilty about always being a guest, but then I recall the years of being a single mom, struggling, etc. They owe me! LOL.

      I hope my reading keeps me in a lighter place this week, and thanks for the kind words about my blog changes. Enjoy your week, and I guess Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday for you, but have a good week doing whatever you enjoy.

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  21. Pingback: SUNDAY POTPOURRI: FIGHTING THE DISTRACTION BEAST | POTPOURRI

  23. Literary Feline

    I need to settle in and read some tonight.I haven’t gotten much reading done this weekend, admittedly. Between my trying to spend a little time online and spending time with my family, it’s fallen by the wayside. I’m finally ahead blogging schedule wise and so can relax a little. It’s a nice feeling.

    I really need to check out The Murder Game, having read Fractured. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, Laurel-Rain. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, I hope to love The Murder Game, and I’m tempted to skip ahead of my planned reading. I keep trying to read Two If by Sea, but I’m just not engaging…sigh.

      I might put it aside again, and start something else. That seems to be the way I roll lately. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.

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    1. I loved the series, too, and it is now a marathon showing on one of my channels, probably until the Netflix revival appears.

      I love the relationship between the mother and daughter. So sweet! And I like how they love their coffee.

      Thanks for visiting, Mary, and enjoy your week.

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  25. Mmm. Your comfort food looks delicious! And yay for new blog headers!

    I’m sorry, your week wasn’t so great for books, but look at all those blog posts! Wow!

    I really, really want to rewatch Gilmore Girls. Coffee and books – I love it! So I’ve got about 4 days left to watch 7 seasons if I want to catch the special in time…. 😂 I might just take things as they come.

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Maybe you could just watch the last season….Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by, and I am so looking forward to the Gilmore Girls again.

      The comfort food was definitely delicious, Di, but I’m looking forward to the homemade versions on Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Cheryl, and I like the Hallmark shows, too, although I try to DVR just the ones that have favorite actors. I wasn’t sure about Gilmore Girls, but once I started watching, I really enjoyed the rhythm of their communication and their mother/daughter relationship. Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Candace, and I’m enjoying Inheriting Edith. I love that the story is told through alternate voices, so Edith’s perspective is shown, too. Especially since she is supposedly suffering from Alzheimer’s.

      Enjoy your week!

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  29. I didn’t read a word last week while I was at the beach with my mom and my sister. I’m not sure I’ll get much read this week either because it will be so busy. I hope you love your new books – they both look like page turners.

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    1. I’m really enjoying Inheriting Edith…I still can’t quite engage with Two If by Sea, although I’m halfway finished. I am not sure what it is. Just when I think I’m getting into it, there is more “horse” stuff thrown at me. I’m not a fan of horse performances, and didn’t realize this book had so much of that in it. LOL.

      Thanks for visiting, Lola, and have a great week.

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  34. I don’t know what is going on with everyone, but the running theme around the blogosphere is that everyone is in a reading slump , and no one is doing well with their books. I am having the same problem, but I am pushing and pushing because I desperately want to meet my reading goal. Hopefully, this week will be better? Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  35. sarahsbookshelvesblog

    I hope you enjoyed Hillbilly Elegy.. I did. And the Kennedy book sounds interesting too…I’ve read a ton about them, yet not much about Rosemary. Sounds like that’s the Kennedys wanted it.

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  38. Kathy Martin

    The food looks great. Your new books are all new to me. I wrote and scheduled a bunch of posts this past week. I have Waiting on Wednesdays done until the beginning of March. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks, Susan, and I’m going with my daughter and her husband to his parents’ house. We did that last year, too, but they weren’t married then. This should be interesting.

      I hope to binge-watch Gilmore Girls revival on Friday. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Nise, I am glad I could find something to interest me, since the books weren’t doing it. So far, I’m enjoying the books this week…except I still can’t get into Two If by Sea! There are too many sections about horse training….and I’m bored whenever those parts come up. LOL.

      Enjoy your week!

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  41. That sure looks like a nice turkey dinner. 🙂 Great job on reading 86 books you bought. I just keep adding to my TBR and hope I will get to read 100 before the end of the year.
    Glad you got to some books that you enjoyed.
    Cute blog header. Happy Reading this week!

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  42. Yummy, your dinner pics look so good! It sounds like your have had a successful week with the work on your blog, it must feel good.
    I have been a little like you this week with swapping and changing books. I only finished two – which is a slow week for me!
    Two of your books look great and appeal to me – In Her Wake & While You Were Sleeping.
    Enjoy the Gilmore Girls, not long now!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

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  44. I’ve been marathoning the Gilmore Girls these past weeks in preparation for the revival. I can’t count how many times I’ve watched this show, but it had been a few years and watching it again made me even more excited for the new episodes!

    You always have very intriguing mailboxes and reading; While You Were Sleeping sounds creepy and mysterious!

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    1. I binge-watched Gilmore Girls not that long ago, but from the marathon, I’ve selected to DVR the final two episodes to refresh my memory. Looking forward to the revival!

      I am also excited about While You Were Sleeping. Thanks for stopping by, Kay, and enjoy your week.

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  45. Pingback: Books That Caught Our Eye | Mailbox Monday

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