Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday Salon Catch Up Edition


This is my last day of vacation after being off since July 3rd.  I loved me time off, but the weather was not very good....hot and humid, thunderstorms and rain.  Despite that we had some fun. We caught up with friends for lunch, they are friends we only see 3-4 time a year, but when we do, it's always wonderful.  This get-together over lunch was no exception. I also got to see my granddaughter twice (always special), but no beach time as planned as I can't stand being outdoors long when the weather is hot and humid,(never mind rain and thunderstorms:) 

About Books:

I did get to finish (4) books: (2) were kids books that I enjoyed. I also read, After Her; Joyce Maynard (good) and The Woman Upstairs; Claire Messud (also good). No reviews yet --

One book I really was disliking, ended up being a DNF, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail; C. Strayed. I thought I might like this one as my mom died quickly from cancer when i was in my early 30s, much like the author's own mother.  so I though perhaps I might find some similar experiences - that never happened, it was the main character and the choices she made that really bugged me.  I actually was happy this was a library book and i hadn't paid $$ for it. It seems I'm in the minority based on reviews. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you read this one.

New Books by Mail: 


 All were gifts of the publisher (thank you) with the exception of Henri, le Chat Noir.

Enjoy Your Day!
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49 comments:

  1. I have a few of your books. Nice set this week. The Butterfly Sisters is new to me though and it looks like a good Gothic mystery. Enjoy!

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    1. Harvee, Butterfly Sisters was one I wanted to start a few weeks ago, but never did -- you know how that goes, I am sure.

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  2. Interesting - your thoughts on Wild. I haven't read it but have been tempted. Each time I picked the book up at a store I was dissuaded to buy because the print is so small. Maybe I'll read it as an eBook at some point. Sorry your weather wasn't great for the beach. I don't like humidity/heat either and so much rain is disappointing. Your new books look wonderful. Can't wait for a few of the reviews. Have a great week, Diane.

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    1. I am becoming more and more dependent on my Kindle as well, as my reading script just got even stronger and my eyes get so tired at night.

      Hope your week is nice Mary.

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  3. So many great looking titles Diane. A Dangerous Fiction sounds like lots of fun - enjoy.

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    1. Thanks Joanne. I thought it sounded good as well, and was happy to get it. Have a great week.

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    1. Howdy Brian -- only thing better than this pile of books might be a "pile of catnip" right?

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  5. I read Wild and enjoyed it. However, I have read a lot of positive and negative reviews. Have a great week!

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    1. Pat, yes the reviews are mixed. As I mentioned previously, I feel judgmental, but just did not understand a lot of her choices.

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  6. It looks like you've got some good books coming up, I hope they end up as satisfying reads. My Sunday includes going in to work for a bit to weed the 900s in the library :-)

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    1. Hi Helen,

      sometimes weeding when there are not many people around is the best time for that project.

      Hope you and your daughter have been doing well.

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  7. It sounds like you've had a great vacation. It seems like all it's done is rain here this summer.

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    1. Kathy,

      Time away from work with or without formal plans is always fabulous in my book -- yes hot, humid and rain has been the theme here too lately.

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  8. I tried Wild just couldn't relate to her didn't finish.reading night film really good ,next jk rowlings mystery.

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  9. I would LOVE a vacation no matter what the weather! Glad you got to have one!

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    1. Caren,

      Hope you are not a workaholic??? You deserve vacation to recharge.

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  10. Perhaps Wild was a DNF because of your expectations due to your similar experience. Or maybe it just wasn't your kind of book. I hope you enjoy The Widows of Braxton County as much as I did. It'll make you angry at 19th century ill treatment of women, but that's the way it was. While you were trying to enjoy your vacation in heat and humidity, I was trying to mow our yard when it rained nearly every day. Then the Cub Cadet broke down. We fixed it yesterday and I want to get caught up but it's supposed to be super hot this week. Can't win. :)

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    1. More hot weather here as well. I have not been walking much outside for week now:(

      As for WILD, I feel judgmental, however, the crazy decisions this woman made just bugged be. She legally changed her last name to Strayed after cheating on her spouse..OMG and well, I don't want to post too many spoilers here.

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  11. Lots of new authors for me to look for! yes the weather this year as not been very conducive for vacation fun has it?

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    1. Peggy, too hot and humid for many throughout the country it seems. Have a nice week.

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  12. I put a library hold on the new Joyce Maynard book the other day, which I somehow had missed hearing about until then, and I actually bought a copy of The Women Upstairs to read the day it came out and haven't gotten to it yet!

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    1. Laurie, whenever I buy a book, it tends to sit on my shelf unread for a while. The thought process being, well I own it I can read it anytime, but the anytime, may never come if I buy to many at my age...LOL

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  13. Another great list of books Diane. Glad you have had a nice holiday visiting with family and friends, despite the humidity. I find that unbearable also, can't stand to sit out in it. I bought myself one of those special scarves you put in the freezer/or fridge, to tie around the back of your neck. I haven't read all the directions yet but I hope it works as I aim to use it the next time I go out for any length of time.

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  14. Oh, grandbaby time! I bet you just soak that time up. :) And don't feel too badly about Wild. We read it for my book club and I was the only one who liked it. I'm still teased by the others about it. One DNF and the others found Strayed to be whining and irrational with her choices. At least you were able to move on!

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Trish, I guess I should have discussed WILD with your book group...LOL

      Have a nice week.

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  15. You have some lovely books on your stacks. Enjoy!

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  16. Happy Sunday! I have been off work since last Wednesday and return this Tuesday--while my vacation weather has been nice, of course next week is going to be even better! Visiting you today has ended up costing me money--:) I just ordered The Lavender Garden for my Kindle. I just love that instant gratification! :) It looks fascinating.
    Hope this week goes well for you....
    *smiles*

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  17. You got some great books this week, Diane. Hope they help ease your transition from vacation back to the daily grind.

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you know how much I appreciate your comments.

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  18. You and I feel the same about heat and humidity. Blech, no thanks :)

    I had some of the same books come in this week. I'm so excited to read Five Days. I have a great feeling about that book.

    Have a great week!

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  19. Sounds like you had a great vacation even if the weather wasn't the best. Lots of good books to read - Henri, le Chat Noir would be my first pick.

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  20. Great mailbox! I really really want to read The Lavender Garden. Hope you enjoy all your new books.

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  21. Yeah, I've had a few instances recently where I was glad I borrowed the book from the library. You had an amazing haul. I'm looking forward to reading The Lavender Garden. Here’s my POST. Happy reading!

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  22. The more I see The Lavender Garden, the more I want to read it!

    And while I have read some rave reviews of Wild, I have heard people with similar feelings towards you, where they can't quite believe some of the choices she made.

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  23. Ugh. Hot, humid, and rainy. We're getting a week of that plus temps near 100 by Thursday. Other than the weather it sounds like you had a nice time away from the (stressful) routine. And granddaughter time is always a plus!

    We have a few of the same books... Goat Mountain and Five Days at Memorial, plus I have an eGalley of Lavender Garden. I need to read faster to get through all these enticing books. I'm having the same problem with my eyes, they tire so fast in the evening. It's annoying because I like to read before bed and that isn't working out too well anymore.

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  24. The Lavender Garden looks lovely. Enjoy all your new books :)

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  25. All new to me (although I think I have a Lucinda Riley on the shelf). Glad you did some reading, but sorry that the weather was yucky (I dislike humidity intensely, especially when it's very hot).

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  26. So glad you had time off to relax a bit. I agree with you about the weather, hot and humid are never an enjoyable mix. We are going to have a stifling week.

    Wild - I haven't felt the pull to read this one, even though it sounds like a book I might enjoy.

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  27. You will LOVE The Lavender Garden. I received The Tilted World this past week too.

    You have a lot of good books from this week.

    ENJOY them all...they all look terrific.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Mailbox Monday

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  28. Nice new books! I only recognise Goat Mountain, which I will read soon, too. Looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy these books.

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  29. Glad to hear you had such a good vacation. I finished The Woman Upstairs on Saturday... loved it!

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  30. I don't need a fancy vacation to feel as if I am on vacation, all I need are a few good books and right now, I am in rut! Night Film was just too good and now nothing else is good to me.

    Hope your work day goes smoothly. The first day back, especially when it's a Monday can be somewhat painful!

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  31. So many of these sound enticing. I love the title and look of Henri, le Chat Noir.

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  32. I received three of those titles also, enjoy!

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2013/07/mailbox-monday_15.html

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  33. I got back from vacation about a week ago and it's been a tough adjustment! I am jealous you got a copy of Five Days at Memorial -- that one sounds amazing.

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  34. So glad that you had a wonderful vacation with time spent with friends and family! I've been able to really plow through a bunch of NetGalley books this summer and absolutely enjoy my me time. The weather has been terrible here too. Rain, rain, and more rain. Now 100+ heat index for the past 6 days. YUCK! I like low 80's, breeze, and cool evenings!! All of your new books look fantastic.

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  35. Glad to hear you enjoyed your vacation! Have fun with all your new reads. :-)

    My vacation is drawing close to an end too. I didn't read as many books as I hoped. Aside from reviewing picture books from my home province, I've only managed to read two novels and start a nonfiction book. Maybe the road trip back home will prove more productive.

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