Saturday, February 18, 2017

Sunday Post: New Books, Winter Dislikes, and Reading and Watching TV

New to My Shelves: My Allen Haskin's The Life We Bury arrived in the mail this past week thanks to my Postal Mail Book Club, in which six of us readers have each selected a book, journal about it, and send it around so everyone in the group gets a chance to read it throughout the year. I'm really excited to read this one--probably early next month. Have any of you read it?



I also recently purchased a copy of The Journey by Francesca Sanna, which I hope to review soon on my blog.



What I Am Reading: I barely read 50 pages this past week. Between lunch time meetings and a potluck and no time in the evenings, unless you count children's books. I have been reading with my daughter every night. I hope to find time sometime soon to dedicate to reading a good chunk of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and I plan to start my TBR list winner for the month early in the week, Read to Death by Terrie Farley Moran.

What I Am Listening To: I still haven't started a new audio book. This week, I promise.

What I Am Watching: I have not been watching too much really. I am all caught up with The Walking Dead. It was a refreshing mid-season premiere in some ways. Good to see most of the gang back together again. I couldn't help but laugh right along with Rick at the end of the episode. 

What's Going On Off the Blog: I am really tired. I moved around a lot of furniture on Friday. I should have waited for my husband. My back isn't thanking me. But I was in the mood to do it and knew it wouldn't get done any time soon if I waited. So it got done, and I feel better, but I still feel like I didn't get as much done as I wanted. And another thing, do any of you other parents find that the toys and art supplies and other little kid-related items never seem to be in the right place? And they double and triple and quadruple when you aren't looking?  Saturday we were out and about all day with soccer and errands. Sunday will be similar.

Around the Blogosphere:

This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Can you read and watch TV or listen to the radio at the same time?
The other day I sat and read a chapter in my book at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant, amidst screaming children and the constant sounds of games going on around me. I sometimes get so engrossed in a book I do not realize someone is talking to me. I can have the television or radio on in the background while I read with no problem. Unless the book I am reading is not holding my attention, then I am easily distracted.  My preference would be to read in complete silence--when I have the house to myself or I find an empty office at work to read during my lunch break. Reality has other ideas. More often than not, I read with some sort of noise in the background--whether it be a television or chatter or what have you. I can read just about anywhere, really. Noise or no noise.

When it comes to actually watching television or listening to the radio while I read, not really. On the rare occasion I am watching a television show with commercials (because I use a DVR or Netflix more often than not for my viewing pleasure), I may read during the commercials (but then I have to be careful not to get too involved in the book that I forget to stop and watch the show when it comes back on). But if I am actively watching a show, I can't read at the same time or vice versa. I really only listen to the radio when I'm driving, and so reading at the same time would not be wise. In fact, it would probably lead to certain death or, at the very least, injury. I can listen to audio books while driving though, which has proven to be very effective as of late when there is nothing on the radio I want to hear.

What about you? Can you watch television or listen to the radio while reading?
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Every Sunday, Kendra Allen of Reads and Treats comes up with a theme for a Sunday list  of 5 things (because making lists are fun!) and asks participants to share.


Today's 5 Things on Sunday theme is Winter Dislikes. This is a bit of a tough one given I live in Southern California and winter is, well, it's not much different than the end of fall and the beginning of spring. The weather is pretty decent, I love rain, and Christmas is my favorite time of year.

1. Cold. I am not a fan of the cold. My nose turns bright red and won't stop running, and I can't get warm no matter what I do. Having to get out of bed when it's cold is the worst, especially since I leave for work before dawn this time of year. No, I am not a cold weather person. Forget about snow. I have never lived anywhere where it snowed in the winter and for good reason.

2. This is a stretch, but I do not like it that it is darker longer than it is daylight. Of course, that changes day by day as spring gets closer, which is something to look forward to but  still. I leave for work in the dark and I get home from work when it's dark. Where is the fun in that?

3. I don't like that I have to wear shoes that aren't sandals when I go out because it's either too cold or wet outside.

4. I don't like February much. Or January even. They both seem to drag on forever and feel like the longest months of the entire year. Seriously. Even when February has only 28 days. I am not sure why that is. It just is. July and August follow at a close third and fourth.

5. I do not like how quickly my car windows fog up in the winter. It is so annoying. I have to remember how to turn on my defroster and pray the window clears before I have to pull over because I suddenly cannot see.

Is there anything about winter you do not like? I would like to know!


I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!




The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

55 comments:

  1. I liked The Walking dead although the show moves too slowly for me. I wish they'd get more done, they just did a lot of traveling and talking- but you're right, it is nice to (mostly) have the gang back. I want them to take out Negan! Ha ha

    I'm not much of a January or February fan either!

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    1. Greg - Sometimes I wonder if we have less patience with watching live (or more or less live) television because we know the joys of binge watching. ;-) Seriously though, this past episode of TWD was pretty quiet and slow going. I was just glad no one was killed (except for zombies).

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  2. Ughhh...I hate it when there's toys lying everywhere in the house and you can't find the right place to put them at. It just makes the house a big mess! And thanks for mentioning my discussion topic!


    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. Ronyell - My house is a constant big mess. At least it feels that way most of the time. LOL

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  3. I hope your back is okay after all that furniture moving, but well, it had to be done! I hope you gave your back lots of TLC afterward.

    How nice that you've been reading with Mouse, even though you've been so busy that you haven't had the time to read yourself! I'm sure she's very happy that Mommy is reading with her! :)

    I'm somewhat like you when it comes to reading with background noise. I can read with the TV on, as long as the volume is low, and there's nothing on that I'm interested in watching. But if there is, then I can't concentrate on a book. As for the radio, I only listen to that in the car, when hubby and I are going somewhere.

    When I used to drive to and from work, I would occasionally listen to audiobooks as I drove. I had no problem concentrating on the traffic while I listened.

    There's no way I would be able to focus on a book in the middle of a noisy restaurant. I admire your ability to do that! Lol.

    What a nice meme you're now participating in! And your Winter Dislikes are so funny! The one thing I don't like about winter is that, if we get at least a week of cold days, the backs of my hands get very dry and red. When that happens, I need to use hand lotion every single day, or the skin on my knuckles will split and start bleeding. I kid you not. So, much as I would love to someday see snow, I don't think my hands would be very happy about encountering it! Lol.

    Like you, I hate January and February. I share your preference for the Christmas season, too, so I feel VERY depressed at this time of year, because all the holiday cheer and beautiful decorations are gone....

    Thanks for sharing all of your news, on and off the blog, and your take on the BBH question, as well!! Hope you guys have a very nice Sunday, and a great week ahead!! <3 <3 :) :)

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    1. Maria - My back wasn't too happy after, but it's better now. Thank you for asking. :-)

      I think Mouse just enjoys cuddling with me. Haha. We enjoy reading together.

      A lot for me depends on how engrossed I am in a book. I can easily lose myself in a good book. If I'm not completely taken in by it though, I can be easily distracted.

      Yes! That's another reason to hate the cold. My skin dries out in cold weather too, especially my hands.

      I hope you have a good weekend too, Maria! It'll be a busy one, but hopefully a good one.

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  4. P.S. I heard that some terrible storms hit Southern California yesterday, and was worried about you guys. I couldn't find your email address, so I sent you a message on Goodreads, along with a friend request. Hope you saw that! Anyway, since you've published this post, it's obvious that you're all okay, which is GREAT!! Take care, Wendy!! HUGS!! <3 <3 :) :)

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    1. Maria - The storms were pretty bad, but my area wasn't hit as hard. Mouse and I were home indoors for the worst of it. Thanks for your concern!

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  5. I definitely can't read and listen to TV at the same time. I am either watching TV or reading - not both!

    Sorry to hear you're stiff and sore after moving stuff around, but - as you said - it was good to get it done!

    Am intrigued by The Life We Bury and keen to hear what you think.

    PS. I'm listening to my first audiobook of the year this coming week.

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    1. Deborah - I don't imagine many people (if any) can actually do both at the same time. In the background, yes, but focus on both at the exact same time, no.

      I am glad to have everything in its place finally. Mostly. One less thing to worry about and I think the new arrangement works well. :-)

      I hope you are enjoying your first audiobook of the year! I just started a new one this morning and am really enjoying it so far. It's funny. :-)

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  6. Sorry about your back bothering you, but at least you got something done, even if it wasn't as much as you wanted.

    Like you, I have no problem reading with TV or music or noise in the background unless it's a book that's just not pulling me in very well. But I actually prefer a little bit of background noise over total silence most of the time.

    I also hate the cold! And I also hate having to wear anything but flip flops lol. I mean, ok, I actually love my boots, but I'd still just kinda rather wear flip flops.

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    1. Kristen - That is what I'm focusing on--that I got something done. :-)

      Yes! Me too. If it's a book I am struggling to read or just not completely into, I tend to be easily distracted.

      I love my boots too and always am a little sad when I have to put them away for the spring/summer. Still, I much prefer my sandals. Easy to slip on and off. :-)

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  7. I only watched the first season of the walking dead and don't know why I didn't continue as I love zombies and enjoyed the show. I am not a fan of the cold either. Have a great week.

    Megan @reading away the days

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    1. Megan - I had to binge watch The Walking Dead after the first season, up through the fourth (?) season. I almost miss the days of being able to binge watch the show. It's kind of sad how much I prefer to binge watch these days than watch shows live (or at least recorded on my DVR). I hope you have a great week too!

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  8. The Life We Bury sounds like a great read Wendy. And a Postal Mail Book Club? That sounds like a lot of fun.
    My week has been really busy and I didn’t get the reading time I wanted. (What’s new right?! LOL) But I’m hoping to catch up today. Next week will be even more busier, since I have to work six days.. But I will find some reading time. I’m determined.
    Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. Maureen - I'm really looking forward to reading The Life We Bury too. We're into our third year with the Postal Mail Club, and it's such fun!

      It sounds like we both weren't able to get much reading in this past week. :-( Hopefully this week we'll find more time--although, like you, I'm not sure about that. You with working six days, especially. I hope you have a great week too!

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  9. You made me laugh thinking of you reading at Chuck E Cheese. It's been a long time since I had the 'pleasure' of being in that type of restaurant. If you can read there, you can read anywhere. LOL

    THE LIFE WE BURY is on my shelf and I have heard such good things. I think I won it from Diane and I still haven't read it. I'm going to go get it and put it where I can see it so I'll read it before long. I hate winter because of the cedar pollen here and my allergy to it. Happily, we're about to the end of it. Yay! Have a good week, Wendy!

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    1. Kay - I figured my husband was with Mouse, so it was safe to pop out my book and read. :-)

      The Life We Bury does sound really good. I'm looking forward to reading it. Allergies are the worst. I have year round allergies, but they definitely are worse certain times of year. I hope you have a good week too!

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  10. This week seems to have been a busy one for so many people. I barely managed to get any reading done either! Like you I read to my daughter almost every night but I don't think I can count Bambi or Frozen on my Goodreads count for the year ;)

    While reading I just zone out completely - I can't pretend to listen to someone talking or the radio or anything - I just get totally engrossed.

    I hope you have a good week this week and that we both get more reading done!

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    1. Di - I'm counting the children's books this year, although not how many times I read them--which kind of defeats the purpose, I suppose. LOL I'm sure I will forget to log some. We read so many children's books. I'm sure you can relate. :-) I tend to do that too--just completely zone out when I read. I hope you are able to find more time to read this week as well!

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  11. I'm completely with you in LOATHING January and February. I hate being cold, it blights my spirit and makes me utterly miserable. It's my knees and feet that suffer the most. My mother has suggested I put my feet in a cardboard box while sitting at the computer and I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a good week and hope the back recovers from your furniture moving stint. My Sunday Post -
    https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/sunday-post-19th-february-2017/

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    1. Sarah - I am glad I am not alone when it comes to not liking the cold. I hope the cardboard box idea works. I had never heard of that before. I hope you have a good week too!

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  12. I wouldn't have read much myself this week if I hadn't kind of taking a rain check on my life yesterday and finished the excellent Tumbling Turner Sisters by Juliette Fay. I keep meaning to catch up on The Walking Dead but find myself watching the episodes of the shows I like on Hulu that I know will expire and disappear if I don't keep up!

    My loathing for winter only grows as I get older. When the time changes and it's darker earlier, that's grounds for at least a week (if not more) of a serious depressive attitude. February feels like an eternity. March isn't much better. Sometimes it's nice to have an "excuse" to stay home and read, but even then, I'd rather have an excuse to stay home and read...on my warm, lovely balcony instead of the couch!

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    1. Megan - Sometimes taking a rain check on life is necessary self-care, I think. I am glad you were able to do that and got in some good reading time.

      There are so many shows I am behind on. I don't subscribe to Hulu anymore, but we may get it just so I can see The Handmaid's Tale. I was talking to my husband about it last night, and he didn't seem averse to the idea . . . :-)

      My husband tends to get depressed during the winter months, which makes it hard on all of us. I remember my dad having issues with that too. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who things February goes on forever! March tends to be a stressful month for me--a big month for out of town company over, which always adds to my stress and anxiety level.

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  13. I loved The Life We Bury and think you will too!

    I dislike the cold weather and the short daylight hours as well. I also dislike the dreary landscape in the winter - give me the flowers and greenery of the spring and summer!

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    1. Kathy - I'm glad to hear it! I am really looking forward to reading The Life We Bury. It'll likely be my next read.

      It's been pretty green here since we've gotten so much rain. It's usually summer that is so dreary for me with all the brown and the heat. I'll be wishing it was cold again when the heat comes, although right now I could do without it!

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  14. I am totally with you on not being able to read and watch tv. I too can read in total chaos, as long as its not chaos I care about! So, noise doesn't bother me or distract me. Often I have the TV on in the background for noise to keep my dogs from barking at everything under the sun, but its nothing I'm interested in so I can ignore it easily.
    I too hate the go to work in the dark come home in the dark thing about winter. But, I love the cold. Seriously. I'm a freak like that.

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    1. Samantha - Keeping the TV on to keep the dogs from barking is a good idea. I wish I had thought of that when my dog was alive. Leaving and coming home in the dark, I always feel as if I lost the entire day, which of course I didn't, but it feels that way.

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  15. I hope that your back is OK. One needs to be careful when moving furniture.

    I tend to like it quiet when reading. I cannot imagine reading with a television or radio on. On the other hand, I can occasionally become so engrossed when that no distraction effects me.

    I thought that the Handmaid's Tale was such a good and important book. I eagerly await your thoughts on it.

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    1. Brian - My back is feeling much better, thank you. I probably should have waited a little long after my initial back injury before attempting to move stuff around, but I am not always logical that way. :-)

      I was able to finish The Handmaid's Tale Monday--and then I dreamed about it that night. It was quite a book. I really liked it.

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  16. I always move my own furniture around, and then my grown kids, who don't live nearby, scold me. Where were they? LOL. Actually, I am impatient and want to do things on my time table.

    I do try to push the furniture and not lift it. I haven't moved anything really heavy in a long while.

    When my kids were small, I had that same issue with their stuff. I tried to keep everything in their rooms, but that doesn't work for small children. Good luck!

    I don't like the extreme heat of the Central Valley...but I'm not a fan of really cold weather, either. I'm hard to please, right?

    Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - My husband gave me a good talking to when he came home for moving the furniture without him. LOL I'm like you and I get impatient and want it done when I'm ready.

      I am not a fan of the extreme heat in the summer either. So, I am right there with you!

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  17. Chuck E Cheese is so loud..lol We were glad when our kids past that age. Once I start a book I can slip in and hear nothing..much to my family's annoyance. I stopped trying to move my own things, when the kids became old enough. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Kim - It is very loud! I don't know how anyone can think in there sometimes. Somehow I was able to read--even if not more than a couple chapters. LOL I hope you have a great week too.

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  18. When I am in to it, I completley zone out everything else. The ex-fiance's mother was so angry at me once when we had a bad weather day and I wrote all day long. I was "choosing to ignore her." I get so engrossed that I don't know there is a world outside of me and it. (Also, glad I dodged that box of bullets!) I hope your back starts feeling better. Sometimes it takes a long time to work on small projects and there doesn't seem to be much to show for it.

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    1. Charlie - Me too! I get so lost in what I'm reading. I think I've upset family members too. It's so easy to get caught up in the story. Sometimes I think I'll never have a clean house again. If it's not one thing, it's another. LOL

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  19. The Life We Bury sounds interesting. I'd read a few good reviews about it and needless to say, I'm curious. I can't wait to hear what you'll think of it, Wendy.

    Speaking of cold weather, as you know we have none of the four seasons here (well except summer) so I don't mind having a cold weather at times. I think autumn is the best; it's cold yet doesn't have the threat of a snowstorm.

    Hope you've a great week ahead, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - I think it sounds interesting too! I can't wait to read it. Hopefully soon. :-)

      The seasons here are pretty mild too (and like where you are, except summer). My cold weather would be warm to many people who live where it snows I think! Haha.

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  20. I've heard a lot of good things about The Life We Bury. I hope to read it someday with my book group. I hope you enjoy it!

    Are you going to watch The Handmaid's Tale when it premieres this spring? I think I tried reading the book several years ago but didn't finish. I'll have to pick it up again sometime.

    I hate everything about winter and February is usually my least favorite month of the year but this February hasn't been that bad so far. We've had 60 degree weather for the past couple of days and I think this week is supposed to be nice too.

    I sometimes listen to music when I read and I've even had the TV on as background noise but only when a book is absorbing. It's usually because I need something to drown out my neighbors on the weekends.

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Christina - I hope you enjoy The Life We Bury when you read it! I am looking forward to it.

      I probably won't watch The Handmaid's Tale when it comes out since I don't get Hulu. Maybe if it comes out on Blu-Ray. I do want to see it though.

      I am glad your February hasn't been too bad! We got a little sunshine today, but mostly overcast. I love the rain though, so I don't mind. I just don't like the wind and chill that often comes with it this time of year.

      Loud neighbors can be such a pain. I hope you have a great week too!

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  21. Hmmm...it depends on what I'm reading as to whether or not I can watch TV or listen to a radio. Very often I have the TV on in the background, but it's just that---in the background 'cause I do a lot of reading while online, pretty much ALL nonfiction or conversation. The radio is usually just in the car so I'm not reading. If I'm reading a book, I prefer neither on or if I'm in a public place that has random noises that aren't too loud, close or distracting :)
    :Donna (WriterSideUp)

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    1. Donna - I sometimes blog while watching television, but even then I'm distracted by one or the other and neither gets my full focus. I've always been able to read with the TV on in the background, although, as I said, how distracted I am depends on how involved I am in what I am reading.

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  22. I loved Allen Eskens (3) books so far - they are all good but, this was a favorite. I can still remember Chuckie Cheese when when my kids were little - so noisy but fun for kids.

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    1. Diane - I am glad you like Allen Eskens' books. This will be my first by him. I can't wait to read it. Mouse loves Chuck E. Cheese. It's not quite the same as I remember it as a kid--it's more open and not as dark. Television screens instead of animated dancing characters. Everything is out in the open. Probably much safer this way, but a part of me misses some of the old features the franchise used to have.

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  23. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on Margaret Atwood's novel.

    I've also been hearing quite a lot about The Life We Bury, most of it very good.

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    1. Tracy - Hopefully I can put my thoughts about the book into a coherent post. :-)

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  24. I read The Life We Bury and enjoyed it very much! I need to read more by this author, and I hope you get to it soon. I also read and liked Atwood's Handmaid's Tale, but that was back in college, lol, but it did make an impact on me.

    I need quiet to read effectively, and someone talking on a phone near me, out in public really gets to me! I dislike those who chat--loudly-- on their cell in the doctor's waiting room! I like to use that time to read because I get anxious there, and those "really important people" who feel the need to share their calls punctuated with loud laughs or whatever bug me no end. Ugh! I can read with tv on low in the room but I can't pay attention to it and read at the same time.

    Have a great week! I think it's the gloomy gray days of this winter that have you bummed and tired. I am too.

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    1. Rita - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Life We Bury. That means I'll probably like it too. :-) I can see why The Handmaid's Tale would make an impression on you. I finished it yesterday--and dreamed about the book all night. A mix of that and my daughter's lego party train set (except it was life size and I was riding around on the train). It was weird; what can I say?

      I'm amazed at what people will say on their phones in front of a room full of strangers. If I have to call someone or answer my phone in public, I can't help but talk so softly, no one can hear me. LOL

      I hope you have a great week too!

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  25. Let's see... Winter... I don't like driving in snowstorms, badly plowed roads, other cars driving in poor conditions, cold temperatures, and shovelling snow. Oh, and power outages during the winter. And how dark and dreary it gets when all the snow has melted. And the shorter days. Winter may be getting to me... lol

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    1. Kelly - I am so glad I don't have to deal with all those aspects of winter you dislike! I imagine I would hate them too.

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  26. I enjoyed The Life We Bury, my book club's selection.

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  27. Heehee about your winter dislikes. Maybe we could trade homes next year :) Although this year we've had fantastic weather and I think tomorrow will be almost 70! In February! In Cleveland! Now if I can only get my kid well enough to send to school...

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    1. Stacy - Haha! I don't think I would survive in Cleveland in the winter. :-) I hope your son is feeling better soon!

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  28. Omg! I so agree about February and January! They are both terrible months!!! At least they have been this year for me. Ugh! Here's to hoping March is better for you!!! <3

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