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…
I have no doubt we all experiencing increased levels of anxiety this week, and are trying to manage the chaos that is coronavirus. Of most importance I hope you, and your loved ones, are well and stay well.
With consummate poor timing, I am sick BUT I am 99.9% sure it’s just a bad cold. Regardless, I’m remaining at home because my constant hacking cough is likely to frighten the masses. This resulted in my husband having to do the family grocery shopping for the first time in over a decade on the weekend. You can imagine how well that went.
Anyhoo the upshot is I’ve struggled to focus this past week, not only on reading but also on putting together coherent reviews in a timely manner. However I’m giving myself permission to be a little slack right now, and you should give yourself some too, especially as the crisis keeps evolving.
One great piece of news though.. my sons basketball boots were returned (anonymously) this week.
Heed medical advice, wash your hands, keep your distance, be well xx
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What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…
Little Wonders by Kate Rorick
Keeper by Jessica Moore
The Banksia Bay Beach Shack by Sandie Docker
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New Posts…
Review: Little Wonders by Kate Rorick
Review: Keeper by Jessica Moore
Review: The Banksia Bay Beach Shack by Sandie Docker
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Currently Reading….
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What I’m Reading This Week…
Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home in Sheerwater, hopeful of making a fresh start in a new town, although Ava can’t help but keep looking over her shoulder. They’re almost at their destination when they witness a shocking accident – a light plane crashing in the field next to the road. Ava stops to help, but when she gets back to the car, she realises that somehow, among the smoke, fire and confusion, her sons have gone missing …
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This is the story of a crime.
This is the story of a miracle.
There are two stories here.
Hannah Mulvey left her island home as a teenager. But her stubborn, defiant mother is dying, and now Hannah has returned to Chesil, taking up a teaching post at the tiny schoolhouse, doing what she can in the long days of this final year.
But though Hannah cannot pinpoint exactly when it begins, something threatens her small community. A girl disappears entirely from class. Odd reports and rumours reach her through her young charges. People mutter on street corners, the church bell tolls through the night and the island’s women gather at strange hours…And then the miracles begin.
A page-turning, thought-provoking portrayal of a remote community caught up in a collective moment of madness, of good intentions turned terribly awry. A blistering examination of truth and power, and how we might tell one from the other.
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Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.
It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper. She is fighting to cover the disturbing reports of violence coming out of Vienna and Berlin when she meets the wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name: a code name.
As LUCIENNE CARLIER she smuggles people and documents across borders under the guise of an oblivious mistress. Soon enough the Gestapo hears of a female operative with a remarkable ability to evade capture, and Nancy earns a new nickname: THE WHITE MOUSE. But this one carries with it a five million franc bounty on her head. Forced to escape France and leave Henri behind for the safety of both of them, Nancy enters training with the Special Operations Executives, who transform her into Hélène. Finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly MADAM ANDRÉ. She soon becomes one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, known for her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and her ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces. But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she–and the people she loves–will become
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Red Dirt Country features the thrilling return of Detective Dave Burrows, now a member of the stock squad in Western Australia.
Recovering from an undercover case in outback Queensland, Dave Burrows finally returns to Perth, to join his pregnant wife, Melinda, and their small daughter, Bec. Things have been off-kilter between Mel and Dave for some time and nothing he says or does seems to make it right. Once Dave starts waking violently in the dark nights, reliving the horrors of the Queensland job, Mel issues an ultimatum.
But Dave’s work, despite its dangers, means everything to him. He’s finally achieved his long-held dream and is now a Detective Senior Constable in the stock squad. And as soon as his shoulder wound is declared fully healed, Dave jumps into an investigation of stock theft in the north of Australia. There’s a standoff between two stations and a history of disappearances and grief to uncover.
It’s also a long way away from his problems with Mel.
With the prospect of going back to Queensland to give evidence as a protected witness, a dangerously ruthless enemy on the loose, and a family to protect, Dave’s first experience on the stock squad is deep in an underbelly of racial divide with family secrets, long-repeated lies, kidnapping and murder
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Thanks for stopping by!
I am so happy to hear that your son’s boots were returned. A change of heart? A guilty conscience? In any case, I am glad this happened. One bright point.
I’m not worrying too much about following a proscribed set of rules for reading this week. In fact, I’m not worrying about following a proscribed set of rules for anything. Except staying away from people.
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I hope you feel better soon! We’re staying home just to be safe and had groceries delivered yesterday. A friend of mine works at Target and she said a lot of people are coming in shopping for clothes and other non-essential items.
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Thanks. The supermarkets have Temporarily cancelled delivery services here because they don’t have the infrastructure to meet demand.
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Shelleyrae, I am so sorry to hear you have been poorly – I hope you will soon make a full recovery, even if it is just to save your husband from the grocery shop! 😅 You look like you have some great books to read, so stay safe, look after yourself and happy reading!
Here’s my Sunday Post: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpress.com/2020/03/22/sunday-reflection-22nd-march-2020/ 🙂
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I am so sorry that you are feeling poorly and I hope it’s a cold. But yay for your son’s boots being returned – I don’t suppose that it was an honest mistake? But whatever the impulse, I’m delighted. I hope you continue to be kind to yourself as you are still feeling rough. Take care, and have a peaceful week:)
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Not a mistake, but we got them back so I’m not pursuing it. 🙂 Thanks for your well wishes
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I’m so sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well. I hope you are doing better now. Take care and stay safe!
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Oh yes, I can imagine how your hubs grocery shopping went *lol* Same here. Well, why don´t you get tested? I heard, because of Tom Hanks infection, that tests in Australia are free? Or am I getting something wrong here? Stay well and have despite all a good new week.
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It is free but They are still prioritising testing here and I don’t meet the requirements.
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Sorry you are sick! Yes, people will give you the stink eye if you cough in public. I had to tell several coworkers “Its just allergies!” and they still treated me like a Leper. And I work in a Catholic school whose patron saint is St. Francis, who served the Lepers. Sheesh!
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I hoep your cold will end soon Shelley! And yay for your son’s shoes. We have to take the good where we can right?
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I can only imagine the conversation when husband came back from the supermarket with all the wrong brands/products!
Hope you’re feeling better…..
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I hope you get over your cold shortly and that is all it is. I think yes, we all are having some trouble with focus. We just gave up on doing much this week but it was spring break. I hope for a bit more productivity and routine now with my daughter back to online classes. I did try some new recipes with stuff on hand which was very successful.
Have a healthy week and enjoy some good reads!
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I’ve been giving myself a LOT of slack this week. Most days I was just exhausted and couldn’t do anything after work. This weekend has helped me recoup and I will hopefully be better prepared this week but yes, this is very challenging times for sure. You take care of yourself too! Hope the cold/cough leaves your system soon.
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Code Name Helene sounds good! I hope you feel better, you’re smart to stay home.
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Get well soon. Cut yourself some slack, and enjoy your reading. I think I”ll send some virtual hugs: guaranteed virus-free
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Yeah, in today’s environment I bet the cough would freak people out. I hope you feel better soon! My husband actually does most of our grocery shopping so he’s a pro. Probably better than me, lol! Take care and stay safe. 🙂
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” You can imagine how well that went.” lol. Sorry I couldn’t resist- that made me laugh. 🙂 Seriously though- I hope you are feeling better soon! It is scary, I think, with all the bad news, and when anything happens or doesn’t feel right we’re all gonna wonder- is it coronavirus? I hope, of course, that yours is just a cold or whatever and nothing more serious!
Also glad you’re sons’ boots were returned. Sometimes good things happen.
Be well this week!
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The Origin of Me is on my wishlist. My weekly update
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The Salt Madonna and Code Name Helene look good to me.
I can’t imagine how your husband would have coped with the shopping given all the shortages and craziness.
Hope you feel better soon.
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Your selection of books should keep you nicely distracted. Now, lots of tea and whatever else works for your cold…and feel better!
Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
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Many of us are struggling to concentrate it seems. Stay safe and healthy! I hope you can stop by:
https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2020/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-32320.html
Colletta
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I’m laughing at your poor husband being forced to do the grocery shopping all by his lonesome. 🙂
Hope you feel better very soon!!
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My allergies have been kicking my butt lately. so I sound sick but I am not.
My husband does shopping for me once in a while but not good at getting what we really need. He adds stuff in we don’t need lol
Take care and Stay Safe!
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I’m sorry you are ill but sure relieved to know it’s not the virus. Take care and enjoy those awesome books.
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I hope you’re feeling better quickly! I hope you and your family remain safe and healthy. At least there’s lots of family time, since none of us can go anywhere else! Have a great week.
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Be well! When Gage and I were both sick at the beginning of the panic a few weeks ago I had to send Jason to the grocery. All things considered he did pretty well, but I did draw him a store map and wrote in where all the things I wanted could be found, lol.
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Good to hear you are allowing yourself some slack. Keep that up. Yes it is anxious times. We go into full lockdown Weds midnight and I just hope everyone helps by doing it. It is difficult to even imagine what it will be like. I live alone and am pretty used to spending days without saying hello but in saying that family are around and friends. So new times and no doubt some Facebook and video connections. Take care. I have Code Hélène
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No I don’t have Code Name Hélène but I do have it in my sights. Nancy Wake is a rather Down Under heroine really.
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Interesting books! Glad the boots turned up (I love good news stories!). Hope you’re on the mend soon 🙂
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It must be awful to be sick right now … on top of everything. Lay low & rest up. I’ve heard about the Code Helene book …. so I’m hoping that’s good.
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Sorry to hear you are sick. And good for you that you’re staying inside. I hope you feel better soon.
Happy reading!
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Oh, I am so sorry to hear you are feeling sick. I pray you are back in tip-top shape soon.
I try not to send my husband to the grocery store. Even with a list he buys the wrong things … just not his thing.
Looks like you have some great books to keep you occupied. Staying home is my plan, too.
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2020/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-mar-23.html
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I’ve been giving myself permission to slack as well. It’s just too hard to concentrate with all that is going on in the world right now. I did finally finish reading a book yesterday though and I see it’s on your list, Code Name Helaine. I loved it so I hope it will be a wonderful read for you as well.
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I hope you feel better soon! My littles were sick the week before school closures, like he went back the Friday before they shut everything down, so they’re just now getting over that. It trickled down to his sisters, then my husband, and I couldn’t find disinfecting wipes anywhere, which was stressful. People hoarding is what’s making my anxiety worse. We shouldn’t be worrying about not having enough of something while trying to socially distance ourselves and flatten the curve.
I’ve been slacking on things too, and while it’s stressful, it’s necessary. For my sanity, since all the kids are home all the time. 😉
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
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Hope you feel better soon!
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Glad your son’s boots made their way home!
The comment about your husband doing the shopping made me laugh! I remember the last time my husband did the shopping and it was an experience, lol.
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Hope you are much better this week. Happy reading.
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I’m pretty late with my visits this week, so I hope you are on the mend and feeling better by now! I’m impressed that you managed any reviews while sick! I agree, we need to give ourselves a break right now 🙂
Hope you are enjoying your books this week, too –
Sue
Book By Book
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I hope you are feeling much better! My mom is finally starting to feel better after bad cold. The cough has been lingering. She wasn’t able to come down as planned, but it is what it is. She has a strong support network where she is and her friends have stepped in and made sure she’s had what she’s needed.
I am glad your son’s boots were returned. Sounds like someone had a change of heart.
I’m still having to work outside the home, but this next week I’ll at least be working from home two days out of the week, and the rest in the office. I haven’t been reading much. My anxiety levels are through the roof, and I haven’t been motivated to do much of anything other than work and sleep. And eat somewhere in there. Such a stressful time.
I hope you and your family are well and staying safe!
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I hope you’re doing better this week. My hubs just got over his bad cold too – but like you he stayed in – and a big part of it was not wanting to be out coughing at a time like this.
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