The It’s Monday! What Are You Reading meme is hosted at BookDate
I’m also linking to The Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer
And the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz
Life…
My oldest enjoyed her birthday celebrations this past week, and decided to gift herself a tattoo. She’s an adult so it was her choice to make, and It’s reasonably discrete – text on her inner forearm that says:
Always keep fighting* Love yourself first * You are enough
This week I’ll be attending an author event at my local library. I’m looking forward to hearing Victoria Purman talk about The Land Girls which I reviewed last week on the blog.
I was inspired by Kathryn’s midweek post about podcasts to search out some to sample while I cook dinner in the evenings. I’ve tried the book related ones recommended by Kathryn, and discovered another that I am enjoying The Librarian is In. If you have any others to suggest I try, please do.
I’d also like to know what you think about managing memes, please join me here for the discussion.
And I almost forgot, since it’s the last Monday of the month, to check in with my Goodreads Challenge
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What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
Messy, Wonderful Us by Catherine Issac
The Lost Letters of William Woolf by Helen Cullen
Hunting Evil by Chris Carter
A Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird
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New Posts…
Review: The Land Girls by Victoria Purman
Review: Running Against the Tide by Amanda Ortlepp
Review: The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht
Review: The Policewomen’s Bureau by Edward Conlon
Review: Fire Touched {Mercy Thompson #9} by Patricia Briggs
Stuff on Sundays: Managing Memes
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What I’m Reading This Week…
{Click on the cover to add the book to your shelf on Goodreads}
From the author of the international bestseller Our House, a new novel of twisty domestic suspense asks, “Could you hate your neighbor enough to plot to kill him?”
Lowland Way is the suburban dream. The houses are beautiful, the neighbors get along, and the kids play together on weekends.
But when Darren and Jodie move into the house on the corner, they donʼt follow the rules. They blast music at all hours, begin an unsightly renovation, and run a used-car business from their yard. It doesn’t take long for an all-out war to start brewing.
Then, early one Saturday, a horrific death shocks the street. As police search for witnesses, accusations start flying—and everyone has something to hide.
++++++
BERLIN, 1939. The dreams that Amanda Sternberg and her husband, Julius, had for their daughters are shattered when the Nazis descend on Berlin, burning down their beloved family bookshop and sending Julius to a concentration camp. Desperate to save her children, Amanda flees toward the south of France, where the widow of an old friend of her husband’s has agreed to take her in. Along the way, a refugee ship headed for Cuba offers another chance at escape and there, at the dock, Amanda is forced to make an impossible choice that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Once in Haute-Vienne, her brief respite is interrupted by the arrival of Nazi forces, and Amanda finds herself in a labor camp where she must once again make a heroic sacrifice.
NEW YORK, 2015. Eighty-year-old Elise Duval receives a call from a woman bearing messages from a time and country that she forced herself to forget. A French Catholic who arrived in New York after World War II, Elise is shocked to discover that the letters were from her mother, written in German during the war. Despite Elise’s best efforts to stave off her past, seven decades of secrets begin to unravel.
Based on true events, The Daughter’s Tale chronicles one of the most harrowing atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis during the war. Heartbreaking and immersive, it is a beautifully crafted family saga of love, survival, and redemption.
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North London in the twenty-first century: a place where a son will swiftly adopt an old lady and take her home from hospital to impersonate his dear departed mother, rather than lose the council flat.
A time of golden job opportunities, though you might have to dress up as a coffee bean or work as an intern at an undertaker or put up with champagne and posh French dinners while your boss hits on you.
A place rich in language – whether it’s Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Swahili or buxom housing officers talking managementese.
A place where husbands go absent without leave and councillors sacrifice cherry orchards at the altar of new builds.
Marina Lewycka is back in this hilarious, farcical, tender novel of modern issues and manners
++++++
Galway 1993: Young Garda Cormac Reilly is called to a scene he will never forget. Two silent, neglected children – fifteen-year-old Maude and five-year-old Jack – are waiting for him at a crumbling country house. Upstairs, their mother lies dead.
Twenty years later, a body surfaces in the icy black waters of the River Corrib. At first it looks like an open-and-shut case, but then doubt is cast on the investigation’s findings – and the integrity of the police. Cormac is thrown back into the cold case that has haunted him his entire career – what links the two deaths, two decades apart? As he navigates his way through police politics and the ghosts of the past, Detective Reilly uncovers shocking secrets and finds himself questioning who among his colleagues he can trust.
What really did happen in that house where he first met Maude and Jack? The Ruin draws us deep into the dark heart of Ireland and asks who will protect you when the authorities can’t – or won’t.
++++++
Maria Lindsey has secrets to hide. Living on top of a secluded mountain is a good way to hide from the world… until her past begins to track her down. The surprising and intriguing new novel about the astounding secrets we keep from those we love.
‘Maria knew about guilt. It was a stubborn, pervasive and toxic emotion, and incredibly difficult to shake. Especially if really, deep down, you didn’t think you deserved to let it go.’
Maria Lindsey is content. She spends her solitary days tending her bees and creating delicious honey products to fund orphaned children. A former nun, her life at Honeybee Haven has long been shaped by her self-imposed penance for terrible past events. But the arrival of two letters heralds the shattering of Maria’s peaceful existence.
Pushing aside the misgivings of her family and friends, Tansy Butterfield, on the eve of her marriage, made a serious deal with her adored husband, Dougal. A deal she’d intended to honour. But, seven years on, Tansy is finding her current feelings difficult to ignore. And on top of those not-really-there feelings, Dougal wants to move to Canada!
With captivating characters and an intriguingly tangled mystery, The Beekeeper’s Secret celebrates families in all their joys and complications
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Thanks for stopping by!
Ooh, thanks for the podcast recommendation.
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I love to listen to podcasts too – they keep me going while I’m in the gym. I hadn’t heard of The Librarian Is In so have subscribed to that. I find some podcasts are not to my taste (too hyper excited in tone). Ones I like are Tea or Books and Backlisted
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Thanks for the rec’s!
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I don’t really listen to bookish podcasts, but I devour true crime podcasts!!
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heh I don’t think I’ve listened to any bookish podcasts myself, also enjoy the true crime ones. Lovely reads you got coming up! I’ve added a few to my GR TBR ❤ enjoy!
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I have not heard of any of those books, and every single one sounds great!
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I have Those People to read too. It looks great. I hope you have a great week!
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Reading your post and comments I have noted down the bookish podcasts I want to give a try to! Jealous of your going to hear Victoria Purman, she is going from strength to strength in her writing. I really liked The Beekeeper’s Secret. I have bought her new one to read but haven’t done so yet. I heard her talk about it on a podcast – an Australian one, there are some that I do listen to on a sometimes basis depending on the author. “Stories behind the Stories With Better Reading”. She was interviewed 17th April.
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I think I prefer the more general podcasts with people talking about books and what they’ve been reading/recommend rather than author interviews.
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The books awaiting you look delightful. I especially like the look of The Lebetkin Legacy.
I’ve never gotten into podcasts. I always prefer to read. It seems faster than having someone read to me.
My son got a tattoo when he was seventeen, though you are supposed to be eighteen here for one. He told me it was a temporary tattoo. He’s 34, and he still has it. He greatly regrets it now.
Enjoy your week!
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I wasn’t keen on my daughter having one but she’s 23 so I can’t ground her anymore lol.
I can’t do audiobooks either- I can read 3 or more books in the time that one audiobook takes. Podcasts are a different thing, the ones I prefer are when it’s basically like overhearing a conversation between friends talking about what they have been reading and why the other person might like it.
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So, just yesterday I listened to my first podcast and now I’m in search for more. I’ll definitely search for the one you mentioned!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
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I want to listen to more podcasts too, but I never seem to find any that keep me long term. Nice that you found some good ones! I’d probably enjoy bookish ones though.
Hope you have a great week!!
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You’re doing well on your GRs Challenge! Love Mercy Thomspon! Hope you enjoyed Fire Touched. I wouldn’t mind trying a crime podcast. My sister loves them. Happy reading! 🙂
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I’ve bookmarked a few crime ones to sample too. 🙂
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She had some beautiful sayings tattooed!
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What good books you have in store. The WW2 one in particular sounds riveting.
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Nice selection of books. Have a good week. My weekly updates
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Happy birthday to your eldest! Those are good mottoes to go through life with.
Nice book haul! The Daughter’s Tale and The Beekeeper’s Secret both sound intriguing; I hope you enjoy them.
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LOL, first year of college our daughter got a tattoo. A musical note. Enjoy your new reads!
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I don’t think I have ever listened to a podcast. I should try one or two. I like the looks of the books that are coming up for you. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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Yes… my daughter has a tattoo, which she got some 10 years ago. I think she’s still reasonably happy with it, but as it is in the small of her back, we don’t get to see it very often. I am intrigued with The Lubetkin Legacy and look forward to hearing what you make of it:))
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The Mercy Thompson series is still one I haven’t started even though the reviews are always so good. Perhaps this year.
I hope you have a good week, ShelleyRae and enjoy your reads. x
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Happy birthday to your daughter! It sounds like her tattoo is very nice. 🙂 Are you planning to continue with the Mercy books? I love that series!
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I am, I love them too.
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Im curious of what you thought about Ask Again, Yes. I didn’t love it quite as much as many others. I’m off to check out your memes post!
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My son is celebrating a birthday too.
Author events are so fun. Hope you enjoy your books. The Daughter’s Tale and The Beekeeper’s Secret look good.
Enjoy your week.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-may-27.html
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I enjoy podcasts! I like the thoughtful message your daughter chose for her tattoo. It’s a good reminder for her :). Excellent progress on your Goodreads Challenge! You’re way ahead of schedule. Have a great week Shelly!
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
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Happy Birthday to your daughter! That’s actually a pretty cool tattoo. Very inspiring. I hope you enjoy all of your new reads!
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Wow you are going great on your Goodreads goal! I read The Daughter’s Tale and really enjoyed it!! I hope you have a great week!!
~Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
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I don’t listen to podcasts very often because I prefer to listen to a book. The Ruin sounds like it could be really good. Happy birthday to your daughter.
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The only podcasts I listen to are Game of Owns which is a Game of Thrones podcast and Mugglecast which is a Harry Potter podcast.
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You got some great looking books! Enjoy and have a lovely week!
Here is my Sunday Post
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My kids also want a tattoo! I am not against as it is their body but I just ask that they think about what and where they’ll display it. Happy week!
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Happy Birthday to your daughter. Love her tattoo saying.
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Podcasts aren’t something I’ve ever really considered listening to but they seem to be getting incredibly popular… Maybe I need to investigate!
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