Sunday, August 17, 2014

This Week in Reading - August 17


Once again I'm linking up with the amazing Kimba from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer for The Sunday Post where we get to talk about what's going  this week.

What I Got:

NetGalley:

No judging!  It was a bad week and somehow things got a bit out of control!

A Fifty Year Silence by Miranda Richmond Mouillot - I'm really excited about this one.  This is a non-fiction about the author trying to figure out the reasons behind her grandparents separation shortly after World War 2 and continuing through the rest of their lives.

I'll Have What She's Having by Rebecca Harrington - this is kind of like a book I read earlier and really enjoyed (Jennifer, Gwyneth and Me - Review) where a woman spent time trying to live like certain aspects of different celebrities.  This focuses strictly on diets of different celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Kennedy to Madonna.

Goodnight June by Sarah Jio - A woman sorting through her aunt's bookstore after the aunt's death stumbles upon letters from Margaret Wise Brown.  There's suspense, history and books.  Very excited!
The Night Garden by Leslie Van Allen - It has a pretty cover and is about a farm in upstate New York where Olivia Pennywort tends a beautiful garden that brings peace to those who visit it.  When an old friend returns she starts to question is it a sanctuary or a p prison.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by Rita Mae Brown -  
While Nine Lives to Die from Brown's other series didn't work for me I did enjoy her writing style so I thought I'd give her other series a try.

The Poppy Factory by Liz Trenow
Her previous book The Forgotten Seamstress is in my top 10 so far this year so I was excited to get a chance to read this book that has tie ins to World War 1.

The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate -
I enjoyed the previous book (review) in this cozy series about an American who wants to work as a gardener in England and I'm looking forward to trying the next one.  I love that in this book she's restoring a garden to it's 1806 glory.

Ovenly by Erin Patinkin and Agatha Kulaga
A cookbook from New York bakery Ovenly where they specialize in things like Bloody Mary scones.  There's recipes for the best chocolate chip cookies, buttery scones and all kinds of yummy cakes.  Can't wait to try it!

The Christmas Bouquet by Sherryl Woods
I've enjoyed Woods' previous books so I'm looking forward to seeing how her Christmas books are.

Hardcastle's Quartet by Graham Ison
A police procedural set in 1918.  Can't wait to try this one.

Other:




From Blogging for Books I received a hard copy of The Chopped Cookbook from the Food Network.  I really dont' like cookbooks in ebook from so I was thrilled to be able to try this in book form.  I haven't had much of a chance to look at yet though we're having Pretzel Crusted Pork Sliders next week.  Hopefully I'll have a review up in a few weeks.





Currently:

Reading: The Mysterious Affair at Styles from Agatha Christie and Jet Set by William Stadiem.  I just started Jet Set but have been really looking forward to reading it.  It's about the people who made up aviation's "Golden age" of the 50s and 60s when people still got dressed up to fly.

Listening:  The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.  It took me a little time to get used to the narrator's voice but now I'm loving it.  I forgot how good this story was.

Watching:  I'm about to start the 3rd series of Sherlock and am extremely excited about Doctor Who.starting next week.  I've been watching CSI:NY on Netflix while I cook dinner and have been loving watching the beginning of the series again.  I had forgotten how serious they were.  They can't get a cup of coffee without a dramatic pause somewhere in there.  I'm also wanting to watch the movie adaptions of The Haunting of Hill House.  If I remember correctly the older one is good and the newer one with Catherine Zeta Jones is bad but I still want to watch it!

Off the Blog:

School has started for everyone now.  We moved Eleanor into her dorm yesterday.  She got a job in the town her school is in at a bookstore which we're all very excited about.  The Tornado started his 5 day a week program and is loving it.  I've been lucky that he's never been one of those kids who cling to you as you're trying to leave but I was worried about how he'd do going every day.  Paul and Emma are in their 2nd week and so far so good there.  I'm still LOVING the fact that I no longer have to drive or pick them up. 

On the Blog:

This Week:

foodie memoir that is easily going to be in my top 10 for the year
Sarah Morgan's 2nd book in the O'Neil family series
The last of Agatha Christie's non-series books.  Poirot is coming up next and I'm looking forward to it!
Friday Linkups featuring The Mysterious Affair at Styles where the world first met the little Belgian.
One of the most fun cookbooks I've come across in awhile.

Next Week:

A review for Sabrina Jeffries' latest historical romance
The Top Ten books keep telling me to read
Possibly a review on Jet Set
at least one other book review
My usual Friday linkups 
A review of a book on How I Met Your Mother.

I'm also working on my list for The Classics Club.  Any classics I simply must read?  My book for the spin is Great Expectations which was one on my dreading list.  I"m hoping I enjoy it more this time around than I did when I was 14. 

Have a great week and happy reading!

74 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed the Haunting of Hill House when I read it a few years ago. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Going to check out your cookbook posts. I love to cook new things.

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    1. I'm really enjoying it. I've read it but it's been years. I'm thinking about trying the book again as well.

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  2. What a book haul ! And yes, the older The Haunting is the best, by far - I saw it many years ago and wouldn't want to watch it at night without someone's compay I have yet to watch the 3rd series of Sherlock - I lent it before watching it and have a hard time getting it back ! Enjoy your week and your non-car trips ;)

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    1. It got a bit out of control. I'm hoping next week is a little lighter. I think we're watching the older Haunting this weekend and yeah from what I remember it's not a movie to watch alone! Good luck getting your 3rd season back!

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  3. Wow, what a big and nice haul! :) Not my preferred types of books but I do hope you'll enjoy reading them! Have a great week ahead!

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Thanks! It got a bit out of control this week! I'm really looking forward to reading them though.

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  4. I've only read The Poppy Factory and found it such a warm, amazing story. Hope you like it too

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    1. I read The Forgotten Seamstress and loved it so I have high hopes for The Poppy Factory.

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  5. I love Agatha Christie but I haven't really been reading them in any sort of order. I just pick them up based on recommendations or if they are on sale. Love, love, love the cover for The Poppy Factory and the very first book you listed sounds interesting too. I don't read a lot if non fiction but I love the concept of that one.

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    1. Agatha's books don't need to be read in order which is good because to organize that many books you need multiple spreadsheets and a tagging system. I'm picky about my nonfiction and I couldn't resist that one. Hope it's as good as it looks!

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  6. I loved Goodnight June...hope you do, too. I also have my eye on Let Sleeping Dogs Lie...haven't read Rita Mae Brown in TOO long. Enjoy your week...and here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES POST

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    1. I'm really looking forward to Goodnight June! I've seen some great reviews for it (pretty sure yours was one). I'm looking forward to giving Rita Mae Brown another try. I enjoyed her writing in the last one I read but the story itself didn't work for me.

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  7. I am loving that cookbook and need to go get one myself. I love the show chopped.
    The original Hill House was fantastic, the new one not so much, I never read the book for it.
    My kids go back to school in about 2 weeks I am looking forward to it (sort of) it gives me back my Fridays alone but I will miss them :)

    Have a great week & Happy Reading!!!

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    1. I'm definitely enjoying having the house to myself some and being back on a regular schedule though I do miss having everyone around.
      The Chopped Cookbook is so fun! Highly recommend it. Review comes out August 30th.

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  8. I don't think I got any books this week. It is actually a relief since I am finding my TBR pile intimidating. I commented on the top ten books you don't want to read.

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    1. I was doing pretty good on not getting too many books and then something happened and I got bunches. I definitely need a few weeks of nothing!

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  9. Great things going on at your blog. :) I have been wanting to read The Haunting of Hill House and it's on my audio wishlist. Maybe for October I will finally grab it up. :)

    Stormi
    http://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/the-sunday-post-2/

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    1. Thanks! I've been enjoying The Haunting of Hill House. I've read it before but that was years ago and I've really been enjoying the humor a bit more in the audio. I'm thinking about rereading it after I finish the audio.

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  10. I probably should not have read about all your Netgalley titles... I've been so good about avoid them this summer! The Haunting of Hill House is a book I hope to read this fall. And I can't remember if I mentioned to you that I had a hard time getting into Great Expectations years ago and decided to listen as well as read. That made all the difference. It's my favorite Dickens now.

    I really dislike e-cookbooks, too. Glad you got a print copy of Chopped. Will be curious to hear what you think.

    Also glad everyone has settled into the new school year!

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    1. I think I saw my library has Great Expectations in audio format so I'll have to get that while I'm reading. I really enjoyed Hill House the first time around and the 2nd time is proving even more enjoyable.
      I'm loving the Chopped cookbook! It's definitely one I'll be using quite quite a bit of.

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  11. So much here to look at, it's like opening a gift, so thanks Katherine! I just picked up several titles to look for! I'm so glad you got your hardcover cookbook-- I don't like e-cookbooks either. The Haunting of Hill House is on my Classics Club to-read list. I don't like audiobooks though I really wish I could make myself because it would be time-efficient :(
    I love your eclectic taste in books--The Poppy Factory and A Fifty Year Silence on my wishlist now, Goodnight June still on it. Have a good week enjoying those books.

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    1. Thanks! I had a good time last week even though I'm sure I'll be paying for my NetGalley overload later! I had a hard time figuring out how to use audiobooks because I can't just sit and listen but I can't do anything to involved either. Also, I'm very rarely in the car by myself or for any length of time. So far listening to them while cleaning or doing laundry seems to be working.
      Haunting of Hill House is so much fun. I read it years ago and am enjoying it even more now.
      I'm so excited about Goodnight June! Looking forward to the others as well.

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  12. All your Netgalley picks look like good reads. Your enthusiasm for Christie has got me thinking of picking up some of her stuff- I've read one or two but it's been a while, and this one sounds like a good one. I know what you mean about CSI and those shows- they're fun but yeah, the drama sometimes. :)

    Looks like a great week coming up on your blog.

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    1. I went a little overboard but I couldn't pass up any of them! I hope you do pick up a Christie or two! I think she's got something for everyone. I always think the CSI:Miami was the bad one drama-wise but I had forgotten about early NY. I love Gary Sinise but he could try smiling!

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  13. So many great sounding books. The Poppy Factory and Goodnight June sound wonderful. No judging from me...I tend to go way overboard on NetGalley. I loved CSI-NY.

    Have a great week!

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    1. NetGalley is a very dangerous place! I always get in trouble there. I've been enjoying rewatching CSI-NY. It's a fun show!

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  14. You got some good books this week. I love Poirot the televised series. It's a while since I read Agatha Christie, perhaps I should re-visit.

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    1. The Poirot series is very good. I'm hoping to watch them as I'm reading the books but we'll see how that goes!

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  15. The memoir sounds very intriguing. I wonder why they did separate. I wonder if the author was able to find out.

    And I'm with you: I like my cookbooks in real form, not as e-books.

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    1. I hope she does and I'm definitely looking forward to going along for the ride while she tries. I love books like this that are about just average people. The stories are never average!

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  16. You got a lot of new books this week. It's nice to have one of those weeks in a while, getting new books always makes me happy!
    I prefer cookbooks in hardcopy as well or as printen out recipes from pinterest.

    I hope you have a fun week!

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    1. It definitely makes me happy but getting them read is going to be a challenge! I think I need to have a few weeks of no books!
      I do the same thing you do - either a hard copy or printed out from pinterest. Love Pinterest!

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  17. No judgment here! I got The Christmas Bouquet this week and The Night Garden last week. I'm trying to cut back on ARCs, but I requested too many and ended up with five new books this week - and four or five I'm still waiting on.

    Can't wait to see what you think of Sherlock series 3! I have a theory - check with me when you finish them and I'll point you to the post. ;-)

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    1. I thought you had gotten The Night Garden and I was quite sure you would get The Christmas Bouquet! I have a few requests still pending in addition to all of these. It's bad Lark, really bad!
      Hopefully, I'll get to Sherlock this week and I'll be sure to let you know!

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  18. wow, so many great new books! A Fifty Year Silence sounds great. A Poppy Factory too, but might be too emotional for me. I enjoy a lot Agatha Christie, but tend to devour her quick books in December

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    1. I'm not a big fan of "feels" reads but I liked how she handled The Forgotten Seamstress. Deep enough for the issue but not too painful. Love Agatha! Did you know they used to schedule her books so they came out in December? They used to call it "A Christie for Christmas".

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  19. I really don't miss having to get kids back into a school routine ... and the grownups as well! I do have the two at home in college but it's just a matter of organizing people's schedules so I know who will be in when to eat.

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    1. It's better this year because I don't have to drive anyone! Plus the high school is starting a little later and then the Tornado doesn't have to be at school until 9. I understand about the organizing schedules food wise. I never know if I'm feeding 3 or 25!

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  20. Wow! A nice selection of books you've picked up! Enjoy them!

    Thanx for visiting My Weekly Wrap-Up!
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  21. I won't mention NetGalley if you don't. lol

    As far as classics go, I haven't read nearly enough of them, but my favorite was Jane Eyre. Great Expectations was ok, that I recall anyway. I listened to a lot of them on audio when I delivered the paper (about 10 years ago). I'm probably one of the few people who hated Wuthering Heights. Ah, well. :)

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    1. I did like Jane Eyre though I probably should reread it as an adult. I never attempted Wuthering Heights but I may end up with that on my classics list. Weirdly enough it's one of my husband's favorites!

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  22. Lots of books this week! I hope you enjoy them all.
    Have a great week.
    Sharon @ Sharon's Book Nook!

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  23. I really can't judge - I picked up way more books than you lol ;) Glad everyone heading back to school has gone smoothly thus far - Tornado is doing much better than my stepson did. He cried every day for two weeks when we took him to kindergarten. He's always been clingy, though he's sort of grown out of it now :) Have a great week!

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    1. Yay! I like having people who are worse at getting new books than me! Makes me feel like I'm not a total lost cause. When are we going to read all these books though?
      Yes, so far very lucky with the drop off. The kid in front of us this morning wouldn't get out of the car and when he did he was sobbing. I was so grateful that I have never had to deal with that.

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  24. I remember watching The Haunting with Catherine Zeta Jones when it was first released...and it was bad. I haven't seen it since then but I think the special effects must have aged quite terribly since even then it didn't look good.

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    1. We watched it last night. It's still bad. The special effects are beyond bad though you're right - I don't think they were good when new!

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  25. Katherine the Poppy Factor looks amazing..cannot wait for your review. You snagged some really great books. Ah, adjusting to the school year again..glad it is going well!

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    1. I can't wait to read it! I loved her last book. School is going very well so far and I'm liking having a quiet house for a few hours!

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  26. I can't wait to see your review of The Poppy Factory Katherine, and I just love the cover.
    My It's Monday! Post
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. Isn't it gorgeous! This is my 2nd book by her and they've both had great covers. Really looking forward to getting this one read!

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  27. Wow...lots of great books Katherine!!! I try to stay away from Netgalley otherwise I go request happy - requesting so many books that I just can't get to in a timely fashion. I do already have The Poppy Factor though - couldn't resist that one. I do have my eye on the new Van Allen one - did you read her other one - I think it was called The Wishing Thread? It was really cute.

    My husband is a huge Chopped fan - I should get him that cookbook for Christmas!

    Have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. I have zero self-control when it comes to NetGalley. I stay off for a week or so and then wham! I make 20 requests. Timely fashion isn't even in my vocabulary. I didn't read the first Van Allen but I'm definitely looking forward to giving this one a try.
      The Chopped Cookbook is so fun! I'll have the full review up on August 30th.

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  28. Nice spree at Net Galley. Several books from your new reads caught my eye, particularly The Poppy Factory. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Thanks! I'm excited for all my new books. I loved The Forgotten Seamstress so I'm hoping The Poppy Factory lives up to it.

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  29. Quite a number of intriguing books in that list! Thanks for posting this! The Haunting of Hill House is one of my favorite scary books - listening to it must be quite an experience. Not sure how I managed to get through it in the first place, since I am not usually a fan of scary books. I didn't read the Silence of the Lambs until I got involved in its filming...

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    1. The odd thing about listening to it is that I'm finding more humor in it than I did while reading it. There's a lot of kind of sarcastic delivery that I kind of missed while reading it! If you enjoyed this one than try Daphne du Maurier's The Birds but keep your windows closed and all your lights on.
      Involved with the filming of the Silence of the Lambs? I'm very curious!

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  30. I love CSI period so enjoy re watching CSI NY and enjoy the new books

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    1. Thank you! I'm a CSI fan as well except that I never got into the Miami show. I'm thinking about trying that next though.

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  31. Oh, you got some great books this week. I like the sound of a number of them. The 50 Year Silence sounds really interesting. My Dad told me about my great grandparents who separated and it was so interesting to hear about.

    I hope all the kids are enjoying school--so nice not to have to drive and pick them up. I remember the years we had to do that.

    I have to check out your Christie reviews again. Hope you have a great week.

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    1. Funny you should say that. One of the main reasons I was attracted to the book is that my great grandparents got divorced and I've always wondered about the causes since getting divorced in the early 1900s in Georgia was most definitely not socially acceptable or all that common.
      So far school is going well across the board!

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  32. The Poppy Factory sounds amazing. Have added it to my TBR list. Have a great week.

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    1. I really enjoyed her previous book so I'm really hoping The Poppy Factor lives up to it!

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  33. Definitely no judging from me. I have been good about not browsing through NetGalley too often of late, but that doesn't mean I haven't requested a book or two. :-)

    Have a great week!

    Sarah Jio is an author I really want to give a try one of these days.

    It sounds like Eleanor is settling in well. To work in a bookstore . . . I would love that! I am glad Tornado has adjusted to his school schedule. That must be a relief!

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    1. It's a huge relief! And as much as I like lazy days I'm enjoying being back on routine as well.
      I'm excited about the Sarah Jio book! I hadn't heard much about this author but I'm really looking forward to it!
      We're hoping this job goes well for Eleanor. She was waitressing last year at this place where the management was awful so we're hoping this suits her better. She's excited about free books!

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  34. What a great bunch of books! The two revolving around gardens really appeal to me!

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    1. I'm excited about all of them. If you like cozies than the Wingate is pretty good (or at least her first one is)!

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  35. I enjoyed Great Expectations MUCH more as an adult than as a teenager. Hopefully it goes better for you as well. I don't think Dickens should be read by high schoolers (except maybe his Christmas stories). I cheated and have a bunch of short books on my list, though that hasn't really helped me actually read any of them. I'm working on Time Machine right now (at 120 pages). :)

    Glad everyone is settling into school just fine! Elle starts back full time next week and soon Evie will be going full days a few times a week. I'm looking forward to it but unfortunately she IS the clingy type and I can usually still hear her screaming as I'm getting into my car. This too shall pass....right?

    Can't wait to hear about the foodie memoir!

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    1. It'll pass. Emma was clingy and now she's the child I see the least. She's always busy when different things going on. She's also the child who is most likely going the farthest away for college. I had to institute a no plane rides rule for her!
      I'm really hoping Great Expectations appeals to me more now than it did 20 years ago. Your comment gives me some confidence! I'm working on my list for Classics Club and I'll have to add Time Machine to it! I don't consider sticking to short books cheating! I'm pretty much doing the same thing because I know there's no way I'm reading Chunksters any time soon!

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  36. Ah, yes, sometimes Netgalley can suck you in and next thing you know, overflow of books! They look pretty cool! I think it would be so much fun to work in a bookstore!

    Agatha Christie! I need to read more of her! And hmm. classics, does The Princess Bride count? Because I love that one (:

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    1. The Princess Bride definitely counts! I added it to my list. Thanks for the suggestion. It's one of my favorite movies but I always forget it was a book.

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  37. LOL...you did load up this week but it looks like you grabbed some good ones. I love the cover for The Poppy Factory and I always enjoy Sheryl Wood's books so I'm going to go see if that one is still available. Your a bad influence. I've been doing so good at staying off of Net Galley. LOL...Hope you have a wonderful week!

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    1. Things got a little out of control this week! I'd apologize for being a bad influence but I like bringing people down with me :)

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