Hello, dear friends. Have you been cooking, baking, or fasting in preparation for Thanksgiving? The Mister has been whipping up a storm in the kitchen all weekend. I wish you you could breathe in the sweet aromas wafting from the kitchen. I think I gained 5 pounds and I haven't even tasted anything yet. Both girls, as well as our new son, will be home with us. The newlyweds will be spending Christmas in Texas with The Adorables.
This is the first time that I have decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving. After all is said and done, I kind of like it. It's nice going into Thanksgiving without a mile-long to-do list. This way, I have more time to shop for myself.
Here's all the news that's fit to print from Emptynesterville.
Kathy, my darling friend, and owner of my favorite bookstore, and her hubby, Andy hosted a delightful dinner party a couple of weeks ago. Annie and Bob also were there.
Do you see those bottles over the window? Andy, Kathy's hubby, collected them from the beach when he was young. Don't they look great there?
Andy went clamming for our dinner that afternoon.
These are the fruits of his labor.
They were soooo good!
Andy at the stove.
The dinner was positively delish!
And the company even better!
Kathy and Andy's home is so warm and charming.
Great food and dear friends!
A week later, Annie and I were off to book club.
This bear sits outside Buttonwood all day, greeting all the customers.
Our guest of honor was Hallie Ephron, the author of our book club pick. She was warm and so entertaining.
Hallie not only talked about the book but also her childhood in Hollywood. Her parents were famous screenwriters who wrote Desk Set, Carousel, and Daddy Long Legs, to name a few.
Amazon
Careful What You Wish For is light and entertaining with a generous splash of humor. A career organizer is married to a guy who can't pass a garage sale without stopping and buying something.
You've heard me talk about my favorite bookstagrammer, bookbimbo. She loved this legal thriller, and I agree. This book is not for everyone, though. It is about a serial killer who finagles his way onto the jury of the man accused of the murder that he committed. It has a few gory scenes, but I just skimmed over them. The story is so clever and downright amusing.
I'll be spending a lot more time with Steve Cavanaugh in the future.
I'll be spending a lot more time with Steve Cavanaugh in the future.
Amazon
Boy and girl fall in love. Boy's father shoots girl's father and ends up in prison. Boy leaves town and comes back several years later. He runs into girl and sparks fly. No pun intended.
Boy and girl fall in love. Boy's father shoots girl's father and ends up in prison. Boy leaves town and comes back several years later. He runs into girl and sparks fly. No pun intended.
Amazon
The Mister and I listened to this beautifully written book in the car. It kind of reminded me of Huck Finn.
The Mister and I listened to this beautifully written book in the car. It kind of reminded me of Huck Finn.
Amazon
If you are a fan of domestic thrillers, this book is for you.
The author serves the twists and turns on a silver platter.
If you are a fan of domestic thrillers, this book is for you.
The author serves the twists and turns on a silver platter.
Amazon
DNF
I know that I will be in the minority when it comes to Lisa Jewell's latest thriller. I listened to it, and that may have been part of the problem. I kept getting confused with the timelines and characters. I made it halfway through and then threw in the towel.
DNF
I know that I will be in the minority when it comes to Lisa Jewell's latest thriller. I listened to it, and that may have been part of the problem. I kept getting confused with the timelines and characters. I made it halfway through and then threw in the towel.
Amazon
I am halfway through this one, and I never want it to end. Jenna Bush chose this pageturner for her book club. Generally, I try to stay away from highly commercialized books. As much as I love Oprah, I did not appreciate many of her book choices. But the premise of this intrigued me, and it has yet to disappoint.
I am halfway through this one, and I never want it to end. Jenna Bush chose this pageturner for her book club. Generally, I try to stay away from highly commercialized books. As much as I love Oprah, I did not appreciate many of her book choices. But the premise of this intrigued me, and it has yet to disappoint.
Do I have Royal fever? You bet I do! I am listening to this fictionalized book focusses around Princess Margaret during her wild days. Btw... the narration on this one is top-notch. A crisp British accent is always music to my ears.
I want to introduce you to Suzanne. She is Julia's Mom, my #1's bestie who lives in her building in NYC. She and her husband hail from Texas and are voracious readers, as well as lots of fun.
Suzanne told me at the Royal Wedding that she has been reading a lot of nonfiction lately, so I asked her to send me her top five best reads for 2019. She was sweet enough to oblige.
I want to introduce you to Suzanne. She is Julia's Mom, my #1's bestie who lives in her building in NYC. She and her husband hail from Texas and are voracious readers, as well as lots of fun.
Suzanne told me at the Royal Wedding that she has been reading a lot of nonfiction lately, so I asked her to send me her top five best reads for 2019. She was sweet enough to oblige.
Amazon
Thanks, Suzanne.
I hope to see more of you soon.
Here are some books that will be released in December.
Thanks, Suzanne.
I hope to see more of you soon.
Here are some books that will be released in December.
A young woman's new husband has two other wives, and it doesn't bother her in the least because she's crazy about him.
Or maybe she's just plain crazy.
I have enjoyed a lot of Colleen Hoover's books.
The Mother and teenage daughter are engaged in a power struggle.
Hmmm... sounds familiar.
The father is the calming force and mediator.
A tragedy occurs, which causes him not to be around anymore.
I will definitely read this one as long as it doesn't cause me to have PTSD.
This takes place at a boarding school that sounds a lot more exciting than the one I attended.
A hacker gets into a University's computer system and dumps 40,000 emails.
Let the fun begin.
Historical fiction which is written in two timelines.
I met Beatriz at one of the author's luncheon.
She was charming and a dynamic speaker.
Do you enjoy reading a Christmas novel in December?
Here are a few suggestions if you are looking for one.
I downloaded this one.
I love all of his books.
I enjoyed this series about a family who owns an inn on Nantucket so much.
*****
Are you stumped for a gift for the reader in your life?
Amazon
Booklight, anyone?
Amazon
They call this a book seat.
Cute bookmark.
Amazon
If you are stumped for a gift for anyone else on your list, check out my gift guides for your bestie, gadget lover, foodie, and millennial.
*****
Last, but certainly not least, I want to take a minute to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read this silly little blog of mine. You make my day with your sweet emails and comments. I have been so fortunate to meet many of you in person.
I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter.
And remember...
calories don't count on holidays.
If you are looking for more gift inspiration, check out my gift guides for your bestie, your gadget guru, your foodie, your reader, your millennial, and some hostess gift suggestions.
Until next time...
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I have my work cut out for me in the reading department...thanks for the great suggestions. Enjoy the holiday.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to read your blog and get caught up on the latest books even if I don't get any read. I decorated for Christmas already too. Didn't have energy to do an extra holiday so thanksgiving got skipped. I don't miss it at all!
ReplyDeleteI am going to be looking for some of these at the library. I just finished The Other Side of the Coin by Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth's chief dresser. So interesting and many great pictures of the Queen. Cant wait to start the next season of The Crown.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for you and your very informative blog. I am in a book club and we has read several of your suggestions.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful family.
Thank you so much, Happy! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
DeleteThat seafood looks so good! What a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteEducated has been bumped up to my #1 all time favorite book; I just can not recommend it enough and am still floored that it's a true story. I am always on the hunt for a good book so I am pinning several of these suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYour home will be full of love and excitement for Thanksgiving. Same here, with everyone here and the tree is up! Great suggestions for reading and gifts. Not counting calories for Thanksgiving is a good idea! Hugs.......
ReplyDeleteExcellent choices Katie - I always love your suggestions! Happy Christmassy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Katie. I hope you will post some pics of your celebration. I am so envious, neither of my girls could be here today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming by I am always happy to see you...Janey
Btw I have read several of those books. Thanks for listing so many...Should keep me busy.
I agree that Winter Street is one of the best holiday series. And I really enjoyed Educated and Sound of Gravel. Both of them left me thinking about them for weeks after reading. Thanks for all the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteThirteen sounds so interesting! I love a good legal thriller! Also, thank you for all the good Christmas book suggestions! THe Winter Street books are my fave!
ReplyDeleteI just started The Wives, and I think it's gonna be goooood! (Fingers crossed, anyway!)
ReplyDeleteI want to check out Smoke Screen. I've had the marriage book on my shelf for about a year.
ReplyDeleteThe Family Upstairs was not my favorite Lisa Jewell.
i really liked thirteen, i forgot that it was a bit gory at times. i felt like i knew how to murder someone after reading that book lol. i've actually not heard great things about the family upstairs, so i don't think you're alone there.
ReplyDeleteThe Wicked Redhead is on my list soon :) I've wanted to read Educated but haven't gotten to it yet.
ReplyDeleteThirteen seems like a book I'd definitely enjoy
ReplyDelete