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Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Reading, Watching, & Listening

 





Welcome back to my blog!  I hope that this post finds you well.  
We are a little sad about our Horned Frogs, but oh well, there's always next year.


Here is a glance at our dream team.  We are finally taking our tree down today while our eager helper, Millie, will be playing with all of her friends at camp. Chowdah will be assuming his usual post as security detail.  And the Mister will be taking off the ornaments on the branches that are out of reach for me.  That covers about 75% of them.



It took us this long to take down the decorations because we hosted a chili night on Friday night and everything looks so boring when the trimmings are missing.



The Mister outdid himself, and it was a good time had by all.




Now it's time to fill you in on what has been keeping the Mister and me entertained lately.





I loved the author's first book, Dear Edward.  I was very excited to receive an advance copy from NetGalley.  Napolitano hit it out of the ballpark with this engrossing emotional family saga.  It is centered around four closely-knit sisters whose mother was more interested in her garden than her children.  Their father was flawed and yet so endearing.  One sister married William, an emotionally starved man who was practically abandoned as a child. He is the reason that the sisters' circle is broken.  I loved every one of the characters in this novel.  They were so richly drawn that I felt like I could reach out and touch them. It was with sweet sorrow that I finished the last pages of this beautiful, heart-wrenching novel. Although it is only January, I venture to say that this book with be in my top 5 of 2023.  It comes out in March.
  Keep the hankies handy.








When I read the rave reviews of this book, I was skeptical.  I don't always like books that are commercial successes. This is a story about an endearing woman in her 70s who works as a night cleaner in an aquarium.  Tova is so sweet to all the inhabitants and carries on conversations with them. Her most beloved creature is a giant octopus who is nearing the end of his lifespan named Marcellus. When she becomes injured, she trains a young man as her replacement, and they become fast friends.  Only Marcellus knows the key to their connection. 

This novel is not only charming, but it will warm your heart. 

  


This is my first Ethan Joella book, and it won't be my last.  My buddy and Insta book reviewer extraordinaire, heyjudereads is a big fan of Joella's.  Chuck, Kirsten, and Ella are facing life's biggest challenges.  Chuck, who is retired, lost his beloved wife to cancer.   Kirsten's father was murdered at a gas station on his way home.  And lastly, Ella's estranged husband kidnapped their daughter, and no one will help her find the child.  All three characters are carrying grief in their hearts.  Coincidences bring them together, and their stories play out.  



One night, three teenagers get into a car that is involved in a horrible car accident. Two of the teens survive.  This is the story of how people deal differently with grief and loss. And it also is a statement of how a single tragedy can affect so many lives. Although it was sometimes depressing, the characters and circumstances kept me reading.




This was a daily deal on Audible.  It is the story of a small town in Pennsylvania that is the scene of a mass shooting at the community theater.  It is told by a gentleman who saved the day by stopping the shooter but lost his wife in the process.  He was a reluctant local hero.  He mentors the brother of the shooter, and they decide to write a play and perform it at the theater.  This book is well-written, and the narrator did an outstanding job, but it was just so darn sad.  




Now I'm back to the genre of which I feel a lot more comfortable - domestic suspense.  Reading about unhappy rich people with a taste for murder is my jam. The main character in this book is a seasoned Senator's wife who turns out to be much more ambitious than her husband.




I can't imagine that Matthew left anything unsaid in his tell-all memoir.  He lifted the curtain on the devastating effects of alcoholism. But I did enjoy it, and I was glad I read it.



As you well know, we lost Barbara Walters last week.  I read her memoir in 2008, the year of its release.  To date, it was one of the best memoirs that I have ever read. The thing that I remember the most was that she strongly believed in writing notes to people.  Whether it be a thank you, well wishes, sympathy, or pleading for an interview, she chose to write a note.  

This book also is also released in an audible and is not read by the author.







...a heartfelt novel about two offbeat and newly divorced sisters who move in together as adults.




...a masterfully written thriller about deception where we least expect it and the danger of a lie tumbling out of control.

One of my favorite authors!
Released today.



...plunges readers into a world of glamorous, charismatic young British debutantes and then turns that shiny world on its head.

Another favorite author of mine!


Yes!!!






 ...an utterly propulsive story about the search for justice and the fault lines of power and influence in a seemingly idyllic town.





This is the age of vice, where money, pleasure, and power are everything,
and the family ties that bind can also kill.

Sounds right up my alley.








We loved it!





This one is not bad if you don't mind listening to some 30-somethings whining and viewing Jesse Eisenberg's bare derriere.




It took me a while to get into the fifth season, but I am enjoying it.  The Mister loves it.





One of my favorite books - just an okay movie. 





Not a bad thriller with a whiplash-worthy twist.




My favorite egotistical designer is always entertaining.




I love these two!!




In this show, the egos are almost as big as the homes!



My favorite medical show is coming to an end, and I'm going to miss him it.




Just watched the first episode, and it's better than ever!
I may even watch it a second time!





Linking up with:









Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

32 comments:

  1. Your chili night looks amazing. I need to copy that idea soon.
    Those pups are adorable too.

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  2. I was very disappointed with “The Storied Life of AJ Fikrey.” We were excited to see the local Cape Cod sights (and I recognized most) but felt the movie was rushed. It didn’t go into the characters deep enough. I’m debating whether or not to read the book. On a completely different subject, we weren’t sorry to see TCU lose last night.

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    Replies
    1. Please read the book. I loved it! I did not like the movie at all.

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    2. I loved the book too. I also enjoyed Young Jane Young. I was not enthralled with her blockbuster hit Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow. I know that I am in the minority for that one.

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  3. I can't wait to dive into All Creatures Great and Small. Thanks for all the reading recommendations. I have A Quiet Life already on my list, but will now check out his previous book A Little Hope too.

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  4. I’m looking forward to reading Remarkably Bright Creatures. Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for your comment.

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  5. I loved All Creatures Great and Small episode 1. Both sweet and funny. (Sign in being difficult vicki@lifeinmyemptynest)

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  6. We just watched the first episode of this season's All Creatures Great and Small as well. I'm looking forward to the following ones! -Jenn

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  7. As a former UGA student, GO DAWGS!!!!
    Thank you for a delightful blog post!
    Candace

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    Replies
    1. Congrats on your big win, Candace!!! Thanks as always for your kind words.

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  8. I watched All Creatures Great and Small last night. I love everything about the show. The music, the graphics and especially those sweater vests. Tonight, I will watch Miss Scarlett and The Duke. The sexual tension between these two continues to increase. Hmm CGK

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    Replies
    1. I love everything - especially those sweater vests!! I do enjoy Miss Scarlett and the Duke too. I haven't watched the first season yet.

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  9. Glassblower of Murano…Marina Fiorato

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    Replies
    1. The Mister loves Murano and downloaded it. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  10. Finishing up The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. This book was a Jeopardy question last night. 😂

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    Replies
    1. I will have to look that one up. Thank you for the suggestion.

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  11. You saved my favorite for last. I can't wait to watch All Creatures Great and Small. So sweet and simple - what I need now! Happy 2023!

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  12. Oh I just LOVED Dear Edward so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Hello, Beautiful. There are a lot of books that I'll be adding to my list!

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    Replies
    1. I didnt think that she could top Dear Edward, but in my humble opinion she knocked it out of the park.

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  13. What a great question! I smell a possible blog post. In short I don't remember the middle-of-the-road reads too much. That's why I love Amazon - it remembers a lot better than I do! I may not remember the specifics of a book, or even if I read it or listened to it, but I can remember how the really good ones made me feel. Thanks for your thoughtful question!

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  14. Have to save this for future reads. I read The Widow and enjoyed it, that's my genre too but every now and again I enjoy historical fiction.
    Thanks for all the recs!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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  15. New Amsterdam got a little too preachy. I loved the show but then not so much. I’m sad it will be gone

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    Replies
    1. I get what you're saying - especially the beginning of the season. Thanks for the comment and enjoy your week.

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  16. I always enjoy your book recommendations and have read some of your favorites. I'm watching most of what you guys are. I would add that 1923 is great. It's on Paramount+ and has a few commercials. But Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren are always entertaining.
    Karen B.

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    Replies
    1. I hear only good things about it. It is on our list. Have a great week Karen.

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  17. Oh, I need to get to All Creatures! Thanks for the reminder of the new season. I've tried to watch Yellowstone three times and can't get past the second episode. What is wrong with me? I will have to try again. Everyone - EVERYONE loves it. Thanks for all the book reviews! Love & hugs!

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  18. Katie~These book recommendations look fab- thank you! Author Marie Benedict- always enjoy her books. Your posts always make me smile!
    Happy New Year dear friend!

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  19. Annie G here, I can't wait to read Hello Beautiful. Dear Edward was and still is one of my very favorite books. I will also miss New Amsterdam.
    As always, the Mister created the platinum standard for chili night. YUM!

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  20. Happy New Year, Katie! Love your book wraps and also your telly recommendaitons. And that food looks fabulous!

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  21. Memoir is my favorite genre. I'm going to check out Barbara Walter's! I really want to watch The Fablemans. Thanks for the list! So many books. Not enough time!
    Sharon
    https://www.nowchooselife.net/

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