Happy Friday!đ How was your week? Mine has been fairly uneventful which I love. I had my annual physical with my family dr this week, well technically with her nurse practitioner because my dr is on medical leave. It was one of the best appts Iâve ever had as far as spending time with a medical professional who took the time to thoughtfully answer my questions. I almost didnât ask the questions I had about menopause because I knew the short time schedule she was on, and I expressed that but she said thatâs what sheâs there for and the 10 min allotted time was just not enough for most patients. First, I was shocked- 10 min??? How is a dr supposed to give adequate time and attention to patients in only 10 min? They canât. I know this goes back to insurance etc and itâs got to be so hard on drâs. Second, I was so appreciative and relieved to finally be able to talk to a dr about menopause and not get dismissed or told âwell thatâs just how it isâ - yes I was told this by a dr. Anyway, I had to share that because it was truly a highlight of my week.
On the reading front Iâve been enjoying print and Kindle reading this week (Iâll share what books below) and spending an inordinate amount of time choosing what to read for my morning reading. I love to read nonfiction in the morning and Iâve slacked a bit this summer from that morning reading routine. I know how this happened - I allowed myself to check email and my Substack inbox first. These two things combined are huge time sucks for me because I end up reading other things depending on what I come across. Donât get me wrong, I LOVE my Substack inbox which is chock full of newsletters from people I subscribe to and enjoy reading. The problem is, I end up neglecting my morning journaling and reading, two of the most important things I do to start my day and put my mind in a good place. Anyway, Iâm back on track, journaling, reading, and having coffee in the mornings for about 30 min total before I do anything else or look at any screens etc. Do you have a morning routine? If you do and would be up for sharing it in the comments weâd love to hear about it:)
Question TimeâŠ..The questions I ask in weekly threads are meant to be fun and help us connect, so please know you donât have to answer each question, if you only have the time/desire to answer one, great!
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you read this week)?
What are you watching? - now that the Olympics are over, I need something great to watch!
I am so glad someone took the time to answer menopause questions...there are just...so...many! LOL.
I am fully engrossed in Perris, California. Thank you for such an awesome recommendation. I really have been in a bit of a reading rut for some reason and this one is really sucking me in. I am listening to We Burn Daylight which is also engaging.
I am watching Hacks -- this is on Max. It is a story about an aging comedian and her young assistant. I am really enjoying it.
I am spending the weekend in Breckenridge, CO camping this weekend...this will be the highlight. Hoping to get in plenty of fresh air, shopping :) and reading!
Your weekend sounds wonderful, I hope you enjoy all those things! You are not wrong about what can be unlimited questions about menopause- at least for this week I got my most pressing questions answered. Who knows what may pop up next month haha. I'm thrilled you're into Perris, California!! And that's funny you mentioned Hacks, my husband had it on last night and it caught my eye because of the casino setting.
Aug 16·edited Aug 17Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More
I'm so happy to hear about your NP taking that time with you and actually listening- especially about menopause. There's so little good information- and SO much misinformation, it's maddening. (Like really... it makes me mad!)
I finished two great books this week- Wandering Souls on audio which I think is majorly underrated gem. I learned so much about the experiences of Vietnamese "boat people" following the war. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. I also loved These Impossible Things on paper. I love books about faith and also about young people growing up with feet in two cultures and what it's like to navigate that experience. Great read, and a page turner too!
I'll start Perris, CA today and I can't wait!
The highlight of my week has been finding out yesterday that my presentation partner and I were accepted to present on student anxiety at a national conference for school social workers this summer. It was very competitive and we're really pumped!
LeAnne, congrats on being accepted for the conferenceđđ» What a needed, intricate topic to present on too
Oh my gosh, SOOOO much misinformation regarding menopause and also many dr's just aren't that knowledgeable about it- the NP I saw just so happened to be a menopause specialist and is leaving her job there to go work full time with menopause clients at a wellness office. Needless to say I took her card for the new location even though she will not be taking insurance.
Itâs been such an neglected, but such an important area of health for half of the population! At least youâll know sheâs out there if you need her. And thank you for the congratulations. âșïž
Thanks for talking a bit about Wandering Souls. My mother was a social worker and worked with many Vietnamese refugees from that time. She is having surgery next week and this sounds like a book she would love to listen to during recovery! Then I can borrow it ;)
I'm reading Prime Time Romance by Katie Robb. I love romance with magical realism and enjoyed her debut so I'm hopeful for this. Let's hope my mood cooperates.
The family is watching Big Brother. My husband and I have watched since 2001 and now our kiddos are into it, so its fun to watch as a family. Lots of drama and competition this season.
The highlight of my week will be tomorrow morning when they finally finish our bathroom renovation and clean up the mess!
I am reading (audio) In Every Life by Reya Frey. Itâs really good so far and I have a feeling itâs going to get very emotional. Just started on Kindle, Rip Tide by Colleen McKeegan. We are watching the last season of The Mayor of Kingstown. It is wild!! Like a car wreck you canât look away from lol.
I have a copy of In Every Life, I thought it sounded like something I'd like- let me how it goes for you. I feel like I'd like The Mayor of Kingstown, it's popped up in my recommendations before, and I do like that you said wild and like a car wreck:)
My morning routine is a cup of black tea with creamer (the most important part) and reading a daily Bible devotional. It is a paragraph with a scripture or two. For the summer, I also read a motivational Christian type of book at a slow speed.
This week I finished reading Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin which was a recommendation from "New to You" by Ann Patchett on YouTube. Published in 1982, it still felt current regarding the role of a mother, wife and daughter. I am listening to Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell, and it is so good. The narrator is perfect.
Just finished Dead Mile at 5am (courtesy of baby Maia hehe), I am watching Blackwater and Bad Monkey... and highlights... being able to sleep for 2 hours straight lol
oh the lack of sleep with a newborn, I remember those days so well:) I wish I would've had audiobooks then, I'm glad you're able to get in some good tv and reading time:)
Glad to hear youâre getting some support Renee - I wonder if we shouldvv start a list for good books on Perimenopause and Menopause? I have early onset peri and have loads of books on my TBR.
Currently the only thing Iâm watching is S3 Emily in Paris and loving it.
Iâm reading Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg which is a kind of psychological thriller about a womensâ commune - I spent some time in a womensâ Ayurvedic cult in Hawaii and this book is SPOT ON with that experience!
Feel free to share any menopause book recommendations you have here! I haven't read any books other than bits and pieces of The Galveston diet which is more diet and health focused for menopause. I tried The Menopause Manifesto but I can't remember why I wasn't crazy about it
I'm starting Emily in Paris tonight and I can't wait!!
I just started Same As it Ever Was and want to just hunker down and read all weekend!
We just started the new Laci Peterson documentary on Netflix last night.
My highlight was spending the whole day with my son on Monday. We bought school clothes and ate lunch together. The highlight was he is almost 17 and talked the whole day to me!! Canât get any better than that!
I want to check out that documentary, thanks for sharing, It hasn't popped up in my Netflix recs
You absolutely should cherish that highlight of a day with your son! My boys are grown but when they were teens I swear any time they wanted to spend with me doing anything was a treat. Actually, it still is because they're 24 and 27 and have busy lives but last night we all went to the casino together and it was a great time:)
I just read through the comments and saw that someone was reading Tender is the Night. In my opinion, both Tender is the Night and This Side of Paradise are far superior to Gatsby but we never talk about the.
Earlier this year, I read a book called The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe. It was a re released from maybe 50-60 years ago. One of the blurbs stated that without this book there never would have been Sex in the City or Mad Men.
The book that I finished earlier this week was A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi (translated from the French). I would consider it UPLit...think Fredrik Backman, Claire Pooley, Steven Rowley. Story of 2 sisters growing up and as adults. Although an extremely huggable book, lots of trigger warnings. Check Storygraph or DM me. Think some of them give away major plot points.
I've heard of The Best of Everything! Did you like it? Anything that inspired Sex and the City I want to check out. Also I want to check out those Fitzgerald titles, I haven't heard of This Side of Paradise either. Thanks for the info on A Good Life, I have a copy of it but haven't tried it yet
I am late on my response, but Friday was busy for me. I read Twenty Years Later and it was really good, 4.25 stars for me. I am in the middle of several books including The Great Divide in print and audio, Hello Stranger in print and audio, The Cuban Heiress in print and audio and The Goldie Standard on my kindle. Definitely enjoying tandem reading these days it seems. I am furthest into The Cuban Heiress which is by an author I really enjoy and so far I like it with the combo of historical and mystery.
I just watched Labyrinth for the first time with my daughter and that was a lot of fun for a cool 80s throwback.
No worries , the thread is always open whenever itâs convenient for you to jump on:) I love anything that has 80s throwback. Iâve heard good things about Trent Years Later, glad it worked for you
Finished The Address, Fiona Davis, first thing yesterday (Saturday)âŠand am struggling for a new start. Not watching much at all, waiting for new seasons to start! Hmmm..and a highlight? A couple of graduates stopped by to chat and visit before they headed back to school, and on the last day before our teachers come backâŠgreat way to cap off the summer work season.
That pool party sounds so fun, I haven't watched Jaws in years but I remember watching it as a kid and it was so scary. Scary good though because I loved to read scary books and watch scary movies when I was a kid.
Just finished The IT Girl by Ruth Ware on audiobook, starting The God of the Woods by Liz Moore on audio and reading a print copy of I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. Non-fiction read is We Are Free to Change the World by Lyndsey Stonebridge.
Hi all! I am currently reading Diavola by Jennifer Thorne. I just started it last night and I believe it will be my weekend read! I am also listening to The Stand by Stephen King. This is my first Stephen King novel. I am enjoying his descriptive writing! The characters are so interesting! Iâm planning to watch Emily in Paris this weekend. My highlight this past week was my son visiting from California, we donât see him that often and it was so nice for him to come home to Ohio and spend time with family! :)
Let me know what you think of Diavola! I need to get back to The Stand this weekend, I've been stalled on chapter 9 not because I don't like it (I do, a lot) just because of busyness. Can't wait to watch Emily in Paris tonight
Iâm halfway through Diavola, Iâm enjoying the family drama and the suspenseful occurrences at the Villa, I havenât listened to the stand this weekend, Iâm at chapter 23 :)
SOOO much family drama in Diavola right? Iâve been reading some mysteries and thrillers so havenât gotten as far in The Stand as Iâd like- on Chapter 10- Iâm loving it though, will message you to catch up on your thoughts
I just finished Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult and have started Beartown by Fredrik Backman. Iâve got no TV to recommend. Iâm âin a moodâ lately and have found that nothing on TV is as interesting to me as the books lined up on my TBR list. Tho, my husband just signed us up for BritBox so maybe a British mystery will do the trick?
That's been me with TV too although I'm eagerly anticipating watching Emily in Paris now that it's been released. I've been thinking about Brit Box too, I think it might be fun to watch British mysteries in the fall, I love them in book form
I am in beautiful Germany, spending time with family! My son in law has walked us till we dropped. I would be a much healthier person if I could keep this up back home. The parks here are just lovely. It is just a much more pedestrian friendly environment and the end of summer weather here is absolute perfection. My highlight!!!!
Reading The Friday Afternoon Club A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne. It took a bit to get my library hold copy. I confiscated it and began reading on the flight over. I may have a small fine to pay, but it has been an engaging read. The authorâs father was the late Dominick Dunne and his Aunt, Joan Didion was married to Dominickâs brother, John. I was a fan of Dominickâs writing in Vanity Fair and his books as well. I loved picking the book up on that first morning here when I was discombobulated with jetlag and popped awake in the pitch black, too early morning. Always a cool feeling.
I did bring slim paperback copies of Summer Light by Roxana Robinson & Verity by Colleen Hoover (not my usual, but this one was highly recommended).
Donât get me started on Drs and time spent. We have top of the line medical care in the Houston area. But top of the line sadly no longer means quality time. I had a neurology visit recently and was so ticked when I read the visit summary that did not represent in the least my very limited time with the nurse practitioner. And sadly their office is impossible to communicate with. She confessed to me that she never sees my messages (sent via a patient portal).
I am glad you had a positive experience! We need to be able to open up about menopause!!!!!
The main thing I recall was popping awake out of the blue. And just as Iâd be thinking: why did I wake up?? The hot flash would wash over me. The waking up part was not unlike the jet lag, come to think of it. Your body somehow tends to adjust. Our bodies are really quite amazing.
So glad to hear your trip to Germany is going well! It sounds like a great place to walk. I have a copy of The Friday Afternoon Club because I too really liked Dominick Dunne's writing- I had no idea that Joan Didion was the author's aunt, wow what a writing powerhouse family. Also, I STILL need to read Joan Didion!
Sorry to hear about your neurology visit. I fully expected to have my questions be dismissed but I was pleasantly surprised that she spent the time and was also very knowledgeable. a win win. Those night time hot flashes are the worst, that's the only time I get them too so my sleep is often disrupted. It's gotten better over the last few months though. I wish more people would talk about menopause, it's not like there's not millions of women going through it.
Last night I finished The Wedding People (Alisen Espach). I loved this book from beginnng to end and I almost didn't read it. A woman travels to a ritzy resort in Newport, RI to commit suicide. The entire hotel had been reserved for a wedding party and the bride is really annoyed at the interloper. More annoyed when the bride finds out she plans to do herself in because It would totally ruin the bride's destination wedding week. This book was truly delightful with well-formed characters.
The highlight of my week is the B&N 50% off lots of books. I bought 16. Why do I still believe I will read all my shelves?
I love when an unplanned book becomes a huge hit, glad The Wedding People worked out for you! I'm going to check out the B & N Sale, I always need more nonfiction books:) and hey you're helping support the bookstore, also, it's fun to curate our own shelves to shop even though we may never read all of them:)
I'm at the beginning of The Paper Palace đ and đ§ to Missing White Woman. Last week I read The Knockout Queen which I really liked! And listened to The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise which I enjoyed but probably not as enthused as many others. I'm just going into Season 10 of Veta which I'm waiting on BritBox! Took a break during The Olympics!
So far I'm really enjoying the author's writing but really hoping I can dive in more. Yes, I really enjoy BritBox. So much better than the shows on network TV especially mysteries. Love the locales too! England, Ireland, Scotland and Island. Even Wales. I watch and get caught up on BritBox then stop and go to Acorn for awhile.
I am so glad you mentioned you were checking your emails and Substack first before reading and how they are sucking your book reading away. I have this same problem. I tend to do all my emails and Facebook before I do my book reading and I am trying to figure out how to balance it and stop doing it. Do you have any suggestions Renee or anyone? Anyway, I just got done reading my ARC of Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman and oh Lordy this was so good! I have to review it still for NetGalley but I recommend all her books but only if you are not afraid of flying. This one I would say to check StoryGraph for content warning.
I have been watching old reruns of Beachfront Bargain Hunt on Max. It would be so nice to have a house on the water in Florida (I am in Ohio) that was affordable.
Tomorrow we may go visit some friends who have a pontoon boat and go out on the boat, but the weather is iffy tomorrow. On Sunday I am going out of town for my cousinâs bridal shower. So a busy weekend.
I'm so happy you ended up liking Worst Case Scenario, I think you mentioned reading all 3 of her books? If you have, where does her new one fall in terms of your favorites? As far as stopping checking your emails and Facebook first thing in the morning, I have a few suggestions....remember that it takes about 21 days to form a new habit so here's how I've been creating a new morning routine- I set my journal and book out the night before to where I write and read every morning. When I get up in the morning, I don't look at my phone - this was hard at first but it gets easier, I simply put it off to the side in the kitchen and take my coffee to a cozy chair where I sit and journal and then read. I'll set a timer for 20 min of reading after I journal. This all works for me, it does come down to a bit of will power at first, not allowing yourself to open Facebook or emails until you've done what you enjoy- whether it's reading, or something else. And I tell myself that all of that is there when I'm done. Something else that might help you figure out how you tend to tackle goals and habit formation is taking the free Four Tendencies quiz from Gretchen Rubin - I'll link below- but it's a good way to find out more about how you're motivated.
I really like your suggestions and I think I will try that. Thank you for the link to the quiz. I am going to take it as soon as I finish this comment. As far as TJ Newmanâs books. I liked Drowning the best, then Falling and then Worst Case Scenario. The first two were more plane focused. This one focused more on the nuclear power plant. The plane was only in the very beginning. That might just be me because earlier this year I read Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham, the nonfiction true story of the disaster. I still gave Worst Case Scenario five stars. It is a propulsive thriller for sure and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who loves a propulsive thriller and is not afraid of flying or plane crashes. I am going to take the quiz now!
Happy Friday! I will be finishing Swiped this weekend and also reading Starling House and Persuasion. I have been watching Tulsa King this summer with Sylvester Stallone and itâs really good.
I am reading Prayers For The Dying by Jack Higgins which is in the genre of spy and espionage. I picked this book as it is 6 hours and I have not read this other in a while. I am getting very excited about the release on Tuesday, August 20 ofEnemy of the State by Robert Swartwood. It is book 2 which follows The Killing Room. I tried Big Swiss and just couldnât get into it my highlight of the week was taking my Golden to Bradyâs Run Park and walking trail. Luckily, it was a beautiful day of 77 degrees as it took 1 hour to do a mile as Tucker had to stop every passer by so they could pet and admire him as well as sniff every blade of grass in the park. I am not watching anything but have been picking up publications to read that I have not read in a while. Of interest that you might like is called Bookmarks. The pupation reviews several books in several genres. What makes it different is that after each book in notation it list the reviews were ratings from various publications that reviews books. For example, it will list a title of the book, author and synopsis and then list the New York Times rating, Los Angeles Times rating, the guardian rating, etc. other than that, just enjoying the weather as it is nice to have the windows open again.
I laughed reading about your walk with Tucker- it mirrors my walks with Vinny. He 100% thinks that everyone we pass wants to give him attention and pet him- and many do haha. I get lots of podcast or audiobook time in too because he also sniffs everything. I always equate it to me going to a bookstore, I want to take all the time to browse and discover new things and I don't want anyone rushing me. I think I've heard of Bookmarks but it's not one I read regularly so thanks for sharing it. I hope your eagerly anticipated release is a winner for youđ€đ»
I have a quick question. I know I know nothing is ever quick with me. Lol. I was wondering why I do not receive emails stating that someone commented on my post. I used to get them which made a very handy and easy for me to find the post so that I could read the comment and respond. I get notification that someone liked my post in my inbox by Comcast inbox but I do not get a notification of the comment or reply to my comment. Have I confused you yet? Was wondering how I can get to my post quickly to read the replies. Iâm still working out learning how to use the app as it is the most confusing app I ever encountered in my life. And I keep doing the updates thinking thatâs why it stopped sending me email notices of replies to my comments.
I'm not super tech savvy with Substack and you're right, the app isn't great. It sounds like your notifications for comments might have gotten turned off- if you go to your setting in the app and check notifications, you can make sure replies and mentions are turned on. If you can access your account on a web browser on a computer that's much easier and under settings go to notifications and make sure your email notifications for replies and comments are turned on. Hope this helps
Thank you for getting back to me. I will go and check that now. Itâs strange that it just suddenly stop sending me email notifications for comments but it didnât stop sending me email notifications when someone likes my comment. Iâll let you know how I make out. Thanks again
For my morning nonfiction reading I started The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest and I love it so far, this is a read one passage a day type of book so I'm pairing that with A Philosophy of Walking by Frederic Gros- I'm only in chapter 1 (Walking is not a sport) but the writing SPEAKS to me. These are my print reads and are books I own so I can highlight and make notes. On my Kindle I'm reading The Stand by Stephen King, I'm on chapter 8 but so far it feels like classic King and I'm loving it. For fun I grabbed the print book at the library so I could put a bookmark in and actually see how big this book is- wow it seems to weigh 5 lbs and has 1152 pages đ± I'm also deep into a secret psychological thriller read for my upcoming end of the month Reading Simplified series - at the halfway point I love it and something would really have to go off the rails for it not to be a huge winner
The only thing I'm watching lately is The Bachelorette and I hate to say this but it's so boring. The same old manufactured drama and I truly don't feel any chemistry on the screen between Jen and any of the guys. I may move onto Love is Blind UK
I started The Best Lies by David Ellis on audio this morning while walking. So good.
This is my morning routine. Get out the door before I can change my mind and walk for an hour.
This weekâs walks are at a State Park on the NC coast. We travel in a RV and the change of scenery is doing my heart and mind wonders! Loving seeing the deer first thing in the morning.
Happy Birthday to your daughterđ I've loved several of Liane Moriarty's but haven't tried that one, I'll keep my eye out for your final thoughts on it:)
I am so glad someone took the time to answer menopause questions...there are just...so...many! LOL.
I am fully engrossed in Perris, California. Thank you for such an awesome recommendation. I really have been in a bit of a reading rut for some reason and this one is really sucking me in. I am listening to We Burn Daylight which is also engaging.
I am watching Hacks -- this is on Max. It is a story about an aging comedian and her young assistant. I am really enjoying it.
I am spending the weekend in Breckenridge, CO camping this weekend...this will be the highlight. Hoping to get in plenty of fresh air, shopping :) and reading!
Have a great weekend!
Your weekend sounds wonderful, I hope you enjoy all those things! You are not wrong about what can be unlimited questions about menopause- at least for this week I got my most pressing questions answered. Who knows what may pop up next month haha. I'm thrilled you're into Perris, California!! And that's funny you mentioned Hacks, my husband had it on last night and it caught my eye because of the casino setting.
Colorado sounds dreamy right now. It is so hot in Dallas!
I am reading Tender is the Night. Love reading about the French Riviera! I am also watching Mad Men for the first time.
Who's the author of Tender is the Night? I love the French Riveria as a setting too
Itâs Fitzgerald. The opening scene makes want to dip in the waters right away.
Thank You, I didn't realize he had a book by this name, I bet that setting is great for summer reading
F. Scott FitzgeraldâŠlove this book.
I wish I could watch Mad Men for the first time. Great show
I agree! It's one of my all time favorite series.
iâm on episode 5 right now. so far so good! But I am a little annoyed by everyoneâs cheating đ
Buckle up!
I loved Mad Men!!! Enjoy
I'm so happy to hear about your NP taking that time with you and actually listening- especially about menopause. There's so little good information- and SO much misinformation, it's maddening. (Like really... it makes me mad!)
I finished two great books this week- Wandering Souls on audio which I think is majorly underrated gem. I learned so much about the experiences of Vietnamese "boat people" following the war. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. I also loved These Impossible Things on paper. I love books about faith and also about young people growing up with feet in two cultures and what it's like to navigate that experience. Great read, and a page turner too!
I'll start Perris, CA today and I can't wait!
The highlight of my week has been finding out yesterday that my presentation partner and I were accepted to present on student anxiety at a national conference for school social workers this summer. It was very competitive and we're really pumped!
LeAnne, congrats on being accepted for the conferenceđđ» What a needed, intricate topic to present on too
Oh my gosh, SOOOO much misinformation regarding menopause and also many dr's just aren't that knowledgeable about it- the NP I saw just so happened to be a menopause specialist and is leaving her job there to go work full time with menopause clients at a wellness office. Needless to say I took her card for the new location even though she will not be taking insurance.
Itâs been such an neglected, but such an important area of health for half of the population! At least youâll know sheâs out there if you need her. And thank you for the congratulations. âșïž
Thanks for talking a bit about Wandering Souls. My mother was a social worker and worked with many Vietnamese refugees from that time. She is having surgery next week and this sounds like a book she would love to listen to during recovery! Then I can borrow it ;)
The audio was great! And it's short. I'd love to hear what she thinks. And hope surgery goes well!
Hope your mom's surgery goes well and she has a speedy recovery. That book does sound good, I'm glad LeAnn shared it
Congratulations LeAnne!
Thank you!
I'm reading Prime Time Romance by Katie Robb. I love romance with magical realism and enjoyed her debut so I'm hopeful for this. Let's hope my mood cooperates.
The family is watching Big Brother. My husband and I have watched since 2001 and now our kiddos are into it, so its fun to watch as a family. Lots of drama and competition this season.
The highlight of my week will be tomorrow morning when they finally finish our bathroom renovation and clean up the mess!
Yay to the end of the remodel and getting your bathroom back!!
I am reading (audio) In Every Life by Reya Frey. Itâs really good so far and I have a feeling itâs going to get very emotional. Just started on Kindle, Rip Tide by Colleen McKeegan. We are watching the last season of The Mayor of Kingstown. It is wild!! Like a car wreck you canât look away from lol.
I have a copy of In Every Life, I thought it sounded like something I'd like- let me how it goes for you. I feel like I'd like The Mayor of Kingstown, it's popped up in my recommendations before, and I do like that you said wild and like a car wreck:)
Frey's books are always such emotional rides. Let me know if you love Rip Tide as I sampled it but set it aside for now.
My morning routine is a cup of black tea with creamer (the most important part) and reading a daily Bible devotional. It is a paragraph with a scripture or two. For the summer, I also read a motivational Christian type of book at a slow speed.
This week I finished reading Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin which was a recommendation from "New to You" by Ann Patchett on YouTube. Published in 1982, it still felt current regarding the role of a mother, wife and daughter. I am listening to Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell, and it is so good. The narrator is perfect.
Family Happiness is on my tbr! I'm interested in slow dance and I'm glad you said the audio is so good because that's the format I have:)
Just finished Dead Mile at 5am (courtesy of baby Maia hehe), I am watching Blackwater and Bad Monkey... and highlights... being able to sleep for 2 hours straight lol
oh the lack of sleep with a newborn, I remember those days so well:) I wish I would've had audiobooks then, I'm glad you're able to get in some good tv and reading time:)
Glad to hear youâre getting some support Renee - I wonder if we shouldvv start a list for good books on Perimenopause and Menopause? I have early onset peri and have loads of books on my TBR.
Currently the only thing Iâm watching is S3 Emily in Paris and loving it.
Iâm reading Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg which is a kind of psychological thriller about a womensâ commune - I spent some time in a womensâ Ayurvedic cult in Hawaii and this book is SPOT ON with that experience!
Feel free to share any menopause book recommendations you have here! I haven't read any books other than bits and pieces of The Galveston diet which is more diet and health focused for menopause. I tried The Menopause Manifesto but I can't remember why I wasn't crazy about it
I'm starting Emily in Paris tonight and I can't wait!!
I just started Same As it Ever Was and want to just hunker down and read all weekend!
We just started the new Laci Peterson documentary on Netflix last night.
My highlight was spending the whole day with my son on Monday. We bought school clothes and ate lunch together. The highlight was he is almost 17 and talked the whole day to me!! Canât get any better than that!
I want to check out that documentary, thanks for sharing, It hasn't popped up in my Netflix recs
You absolutely should cherish that highlight of a day with your son! My boys are grown but when they were teens I swear any time they wanted to spend with me doing anything was a treat. Actually, it still is because they're 24 and 27 and have busy lives but last night we all went to the casino together and it was a great time:)
I just read through the comments and saw that someone was reading Tender is the Night. In my opinion, both Tender is the Night and This Side of Paradise are far superior to Gatsby but we never talk about the.
Earlier this year, I read a book called The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe. It was a re released from maybe 50-60 years ago. One of the blurbs stated that without this book there never would have been Sex in the City or Mad Men.
The book that I finished earlier this week was A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi (translated from the French). I would consider it UPLit...think Fredrik Backman, Claire Pooley, Steven Rowley. Story of 2 sisters growing up and as adults. Although an extremely huggable book, lots of trigger warnings. Check Storygraph or DM me. Think some of them give away major plot points.
I've heard of The Best of Everything! Did you like it? Anything that inspired Sex and the City I want to check out. Also I want to check out those Fitzgerald titles, I haven't heard of This Side of Paradise either. Thanks for the info on A Good Life, I have a copy of it but haven't tried it yet
I am late on my response, but Friday was busy for me. I read Twenty Years Later and it was really good, 4.25 stars for me. I am in the middle of several books including The Great Divide in print and audio, Hello Stranger in print and audio, The Cuban Heiress in print and audio and The Goldie Standard on my kindle. Definitely enjoying tandem reading these days it seems. I am furthest into The Cuban Heiress which is by an author I really enjoy and so far I like it with the combo of historical and mystery.
I just watched Labyrinth for the first time with my daughter and that was a lot of fun for a cool 80s throwback.
No worries , the thread is always open whenever itâs convenient for you to jump on:) I love anything that has 80s throwback. Iâve heard good things about Trent Years Later, glad it worked for you
Finished The Address, Fiona Davis, first thing yesterday (Saturday)âŠand am struggling for a new start. Not watching much at all, waiting for new seasons to start! Hmmm..and a highlight? A couple of graduates stopped by to chat and visit before they headed back to school, and on the last day before our teachers come backâŠgreat way to cap off the summer work season.
I finished reading Groundskeeping by Lee Cole and *loved* it! Iâm starting Gideon The Ninth on audio next.
I have a good friend who also loved Groundskeeping, I think I'll pop that onto my tbr:)
I think it will be a big hit for you!
Reading Democracy by Joan Didion. Going to a Jaws viewing/pool party tonight. Fully in the 1970s these days!
That pool party sounds so fun, I haven't watched Jaws in years but I remember watching it as a kid and it was so scary. Scary good though because I loved to read scary books and watch scary movies when I was a kid.
Just finished The IT Girl by Ruth Ware on audiobook, starting The God of the Woods by Liz Moore on audio and reading a print copy of I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. Non-fiction read is We Are Free to Change the World by Lyndsey Stonebridge.
Any early thoughts on I Am Pilgrim? That book took me by surprise when I read it in 2018
Hi all! I am currently reading Diavola by Jennifer Thorne. I just started it last night and I believe it will be my weekend read! I am also listening to The Stand by Stephen King. This is my first Stephen King novel. I am enjoying his descriptive writing! The characters are so interesting! Iâm planning to watch Emily in Paris this weekend. My highlight this past week was my son visiting from California, we donât see him that often and it was so nice for him to come home to Ohio and spend time with family! :)
Let me know what you think of Diavola! I need to get back to The Stand this weekend, I've been stalled on chapter 9 not because I don't like it (I do, a lot) just because of busyness. Can't wait to watch Emily in Paris tonight
Iâm halfway through Diavola, Iâm enjoying the family drama and the suspenseful occurrences at the Villa, I havenât listened to the stand this weekend, Iâm at chapter 23 :)
SOOO much family drama in Diavola right? Iâve been reading some mysteries and thrillers so havenât gotten as far in The Stand as Iâd like- on Chapter 10- Iâm loving it though, will message you to catch up on your thoughts
I just finished Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult and have started Beartown by Fredrik Backman. Iâve got no TV to recommend. Iâm âin a moodâ lately and have found that nothing on TV is as interesting to me as the books lined up on my TBR list. Tho, my husband just signed us up for BritBox so maybe a British mystery will do the trick?
That's been me with TV too although I'm eagerly anticipating watching Emily in Paris now that it's been released. I've been thinking about Brit Box too, I think it might be fun to watch British mysteries in the fall, I love them in book form
I am in beautiful Germany, spending time with family! My son in law has walked us till we dropped. I would be a much healthier person if I could keep this up back home. The parks here are just lovely. It is just a much more pedestrian friendly environment and the end of summer weather here is absolute perfection. My highlight!!!!
Reading The Friday Afternoon Club A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne. It took a bit to get my library hold copy. I confiscated it and began reading on the flight over. I may have a small fine to pay, but it has been an engaging read. The authorâs father was the late Dominick Dunne and his Aunt, Joan Didion was married to Dominickâs brother, John. I was a fan of Dominickâs writing in Vanity Fair and his books as well. I loved picking the book up on that first morning here when I was discombobulated with jetlag and popped awake in the pitch black, too early morning. Always a cool feeling.
I did bring slim paperback copies of Summer Light by Roxana Robinson & Verity by Colleen Hoover (not my usual, but this one was highly recommended).
Donât get me started on Drs and time spent. We have top of the line medical care in the Houston area. But top of the line sadly no longer means quality time. I had a neurology visit recently and was so ticked when I read the visit summary that did not represent in the least my very limited time with the nurse practitioner. And sadly their office is impossible to communicate with. She confessed to me that she never sees my messages (sent via a patient portal).
I am glad you had a positive experience! We need to be able to open up about menopause!!!!!
The main thing I recall was popping awake out of the blue. And just as Iâd be thinking: why did I wake up?? The hot flash would wash over me. The waking up part was not unlike the jet lag, come to think of it. Your body somehow tends to adjust. Our bodies are really quite amazing.
So glad to hear your trip to Germany is going well! It sounds like a great place to walk. I have a copy of The Friday Afternoon Club because I too really liked Dominick Dunne's writing- I had no idea that Joan Didion was the author's aunt, wow what a writing powerhouse family. Also, I STILL need to read Joan Didion!
Sorry to hear about your neurology visit. I fully expected to have my questions be dismissed but I was pleasantly surprised that she spent the time and was also very knowledgeable. a win win. Those night time hot flashes are the worst, that's the only time I get them too so my sleep is often disrupted. It's gotten better over the last few months though. I wish more people would talk about menopause, it's not like there's not millions of women going through it.
Last night I finished The Wedding People (Alisen Espach). I loved this book from beginnng to end and I almost didn't read it. A woman travels to a ritzy resort in Newport, RI to commit suicide. The entire hotel had been reserved for a wedding party and the bride is really annoyed at the interloper. More annoyed when the bride finds out she plans to do herself in because It would totally ruin the bride's destination wedding week. This book was truly delightful with well-formed characters.
The highlight of my week is the B&N 50% off lots of books. I bought 16. Why do I still believe I will read all my shelves?
I love when an unplanned book becomes a huge hit, glad The Wedding People worked out for you! I'm going to check out the B & N Sale, I always need more nonfiction books:) and hey you're helping support the bookstore, also, it's fun to curate our own shelves to shop even though we may never read all of them:)
I'm at the beginning of The Paper Palace đ and đ§ to Missing White Woman. Last week I read The Knockout Queen which I really liked! And listened to The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise which I enjoyed but probably not as enthused as many others. I'm just going into Season 10 of Veta which I'm waiting on BritBox! Took a break during The Olympics!
I really loved The Paper Palace, it goes to some surprising places. I've been contemplating a Brit Box subscription - do you like it?
So far I'm really enjoying the author's writing but really hoping I can dive in more. Yes, I really enjoy BritBox. So much better than the shows on network TV especially mysteries. Love the locales too! England, Ireland, Scotland and Island. Even Wales. I watch and get caught up on BritBox then stop and go to Acorn for awhile.
Brit box really sounds like something Iâd like!
Great suspense, police procedurals, dramas and yes some comedies. Series and some movies as well as documentaries.
I am so glad you mentioned you were checking your emails and Substack first before reading and how they are sucking your book reading away. I have this same problem. I tend to do all my emails and Facebook before I do my book reading and I am trying to figure out how to balance it and stop doing it. Do you have any suggestions Renee or anyone? Anyway, I just got done reading my ARC of Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman and oh Lordy this was so good! I have to review it still for NetGalley but I recommend all her books but only if you are not afraid of flying. This one I would say to check StoryGraph for content warning.
I have been watching old reruns of Beachfront Bargain Hunt on Max. It would be so nice to have a house on the water in Florida (I am in Ohio) that was affordable.
Tomorrow we may go visit some friends who have a pontoon boat and go out on the boat, but the weather is iffy tomorrow. On Sunday I am going out of town for my cousinâs bridal shower. So a busy weekend.
I'm so happy you ended up liking Worst Case Scenario, I think you mentioned reading all 3 of her books? If you have, where does her new one fall in terms of your favorites? As far as stopping checking your emails and Facebook first thing in the morning, I have a few suggestions....remember that it takes about 21 days to form a new habit so here's how I've been creating a new morning routine- I set my journal and book out the night before to where I write and read every morning. When I get up in the morning, I don't look at my phone - this was hard at first but it gets easier, I simply put it off to the side in the kitchen and take my coffee to a cozy chair where I sit and journal and then read. I'll set a timer for 20 min of reading after I journal. This all works for me, it does come down to a bit of will power at first, not allowing yourself to open Facebook or emails until you've done what you enjoy- whether it's reading, or something else. And I tell myself that all of that is there when I'm done. Something else that might help you figure out how you tend to tackle goals and habit formation is taking the free Four Tendencies quiz from Gretchen Rubin - I'll link below- but it's a good way to find out more about how you're motivated.
https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/launch-of-the-four-tendencies-quiz/
I really like your suggestions and I think I will try that. Thank you for the link to the quiz. I am going to take it as soon as I finish this comment. As far as TJ Newmanâs books. I liked Drowning the best, then Falling and then Worst Case Scenario. The first two were more plane focused. This one focused more on the nuclear power plant. The plane was only in the very beginning. That might just be me because earlier this year I read Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham, the nonfiction true story of the disaster. I still gave Worst Case Scenario five stars. It is a propulsive thriller for sure and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who loves a propulsive thriller and is not afraid of flying or plane crashes. I am going to take the quiz now!
Happy Friday! I will be finishing Swiped this weekend and also reading Starling House and Persuasion. I have been watching Tulsa King this summer with Sylvester Stallone and itâs really good.
I am reading Prayers For The Dying by Jack Higgins which is in the genre of spy and espionage. I picked this book as it is 6 hours and I have not read this other in a while. I am getting very excited about the release on Tuesday, August 20 ofEnemy of the State by Robert Swartwood. It is book 2 which follows The Killing Room. I tried Big Swiss and just couldnât get into it my highlight of the week was taking my Golden to Bradyâs Run Park and walking trail. Luckily, it was a beautiful day of 77 degrees as it took 1 hour to do a mile as Tucker had to stop every passer by so they could pet and admire him as well as sniff every blade of grass in the park. I am not watching anything but have been picking up publications to read that I have not read in a while. Of interest that you might like is called Bookmarks. The pupation reviews several books in several genres. What makes it different is that after each book in notation it list the reviews were ratings from various publications that reviews books. For example, it will list a title of the book, author and synopsis and then list the New York Times rating, Los Angeles Times rating, the guardian rating, etc. other than that, just enjoying the weather as it is nice to have the windows open again.
I laughed reading about your walk with Tucker- it mirrors my walks with Vinny. He 100% thinks that everyone we pass wants to give him attention and pet him- and many do haha. I get lots of podcast or audiobook time in too because he also sniffs everything. I always equate it to me going to a bookstore, I want to take all the time to browse and discover new things and I don't want anyone rushing me. I think I've heard of Bookmarks but it's not one I read regularly so thanks for sharing it. I hope your eagerly anticipated release is a winner for youđ€đ»
I have a quick question. I know I know nothing is ever quick with me. Lol. I was wondering why I do not receive emails stating that someone commented on my post. I used to get them which made a very handy and easy for me to find the post so that I could read the comment and respond. I get notification that someone liked my post in my inbox by Comcast inbox but I do not get a notification of the comment or reply to my comment. Have I confused you yet? Was wondering how I can get to my post quickly to read the replies. Iâm still working out learning how to use the app as it is the most confusing app I ever encountered in my life. And I keep doing the updates thinking thatâs why it stopped sending me email notices of replies to my comments.
I'm not super tech savvy with Substack and you're right, the app isn't great. It sounds like your notifications for comments might have gotten turned off- if you go to your setting in the app and check notifications, you can make sure replies and mentions are turned on. If you can access your account on a web browser on a computer that's much easier and under settings go to notifications and make sure your email notifications for replies and comments are turned on. Hope this helps
Thank you for getting back to me. I will go and check that now. Itâs strange that it just suddenly stop sending me email notifications for comments but it didnât stop sending me email notifications when someone likes my comment. Iâll let you know how I make out. Thanks again
I just barely started it last night before bed. Iâll let you know. The cover was so pretty.
For my morning nonfiction reading I started The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest and I love it so far, this is a read one passage a day type of book so I'm pairing that with A Philosophy of Walking by Frederic Gros- I'm only in chapter 1 (Walking is not a sport) but the writing SPEAKS to me. These are my print reads and are books I own so I can highlight and make notes. On my Kindle I'm reading The Stand by Stephen King, I'm on chapter 8 but so far it feels like classic King and I'm loving it. For fun I grabbed the print book at the library so I could put a bookmark in and actually see how big this book is- wow it seems to weigh 5 lbs and has 1152 pages đ± I'm also deep into a secret psychological thriller read for my upcoming end of the month Reading Simplified series - at the halfway point I love it and something would really have to go off the rails for it not to be a huge winner
The only thing I'm watching lately is The Bachelorette and I hate to say this but it's so boring. The same old manufactured drama and I truly don't feel any chemistry on the screen between Jen and any of the guys. I may move onto Love is Blind UK
My thoughts exactly about the bachelorette this season. Whereâs the chemistry? Very boring.
I started The Best Lies by David Ellis on audio this morning while walking. So good.
This is my morning routine. Get out the door before I can change my mind and walk for an hour.
This weekâs walks are at a State Park on the NC coast. We travel in a RV and the change of scenery is doing my heart and mind wonders! Loving seeing the deer first thing in the morning.
Happy Birthday to your daughterđ I've loved several of Liane Moriarty's but haven't tried that one, I'll keep my eye out for your final thoughts on it:)
Ohhh Cruel Intentions is such a great summer watch.