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16 August 2010

Monday, Monday!



It's the dreaded Monday, where the only thing that came make this work week not so pathetically miserable are the fabulous ways to completely distract yourself by reading everyone else's blogs!  So what are you reading now and what came in for ya?  The events and hosts are:
  • It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?  Hosted by Book Journey.  It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.
  • Mailbox Monday!  Created by The Printed Page and hosted in August by Chick Loves Lit.   "Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.  If you’re new to Mailbox Monday welcome! Thank you to everyone who stops by Mailbox Monday. Whether you comment or visit I appreciate your taking the time to drop in."
So, here we go -- I am currently reading (and IN LOVE with) The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.  I saw the film with Gillian Anderson years ago and absolutely loved it, and I finally got around to reading the novel.  Starting a classic can always feel a bit intimidating, but this is one to surely start as it's a short book at about 340 pages, and it is absolutely thrilling to get a snapshot into New York society at the turn of the century.  It's filled with drama, gossip, love, betrayal, lies, and complete and total confusion.  Love this book!!

Mailbox Monday-ooh, I have some good ones!  Paperbackswap arrived with some really exciting books I've wanted to read, sent by a new friend in Massachusetts. I received Anita Shreve's Sea Glass, Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair, & Alice Hoffman's Skylight Confessions!  Alayne over at The Crowded Leaf sent me the book that I won in her giveaway, The Palace of Strange Girls.  Read The Crowded Leaf's review here!




Oh, my!  What a good collection of books to start my week off!  I'll also be on business travel this week to Dallas, so I'm sure my suitcase will have a tad more weight to it than usual!


Happy Reading!
Coffee and a Book Chick



23 comments:

  1. I went through an Anita Shreve period years ago, and this was the first. The cover of mine was just beautiful. I remember liking it, but I don't remember much else. Also liked the Jasper Fforde. I need to get back into that series. Enjoy!

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  2. What a nice variety of books. I like Anita Shreve a lot. Sea Glass was good, but my favorite, by her was Strange Fits of Passion. Enjoy them all.

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  3. Love the Jasper Fforde series. I read the most recent one this week. If you haven't read them before you are in for a treat. Since I didn't know the details of plot of Jane Eyre when I read The Eyre Affair it had even more suspense for me!

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  4. Edith Wharton is one of my all time favorites...fell in love with The Buccannears (I believe her last novel) first...House of Mirth is a close second. LOVE these classics! :)

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  5. @ Picky Girl -- I've only read Testimony by Anita Shreve and really enjoyed it. I've meant to pick up The Pilot's Wife forever, but never got a chance to, so I might end up jumping into that after Sea Glass. And I'm excited by the Jasper Fforde series, too!

    @ Bibliophile by the Sea -- I'm definitely going to have to check out Strange Fits of Passion, I'm interested in the title!

    @ Heather -- I haven't read this series yet, so am really excited! I've heard such good things about it!

    @ Peppermint Ph.D. -- Oh, my, I didn't realize how much I would love Edith Wharton! I literally have fallen into the world she's created. I love this glimpse into the "high" society at the turn of the century!

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  6. It's so finny because I have all the books that are in your pile except the Alice Hoffman book, but I have other of her novels to read. talk about having similar taste! Enjoy Edith Wharton. I have yet to read anything by her or see any of the movies. It's on my list for one of these days.

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  7. Nice choice of books. I use to read Anita Shreve all the time. Only recently did I pick up her book Testimony, which I loved. I stopped reading her novels. Love your blog and hope to become a frequent visitor.

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  8. Great books and just in time to take on a trip! Enjoy!

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  9. The House Of Mirth sounds wonderful. Glad you are enjoying it. Have a super week :D

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  10. Oh I remember the House of Mirth being my favorite Wharton way back in the day! I'm sure there was even a paper written on it. But it's been so long, revisiting it sounds like a fab idea!

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  11. I haven't read anything of Edith Wharton's and have been thinking of making her my Sept classic read.
    I think you've just helped make up my mind.

    Have a great reading week.

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  12. Hi New follower from What are you reading? jbdownie5@yahoo.com

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  13. Wow-great books to choose from-hope it's a long flight. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

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  14. I've never read House of Mirth, but I'm going to have to get a copy after that recommendation! :)

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  15. Ah, you've got a nice selection of books there! I haven't been fortunate enough to read any of them but they all sound great. I hope you enjoy : )

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  16. I've only read one book by Edith Wharton and really want to read more by her. Enjoy your book and the other new ones you got!

    If you happen to have some free time in Dallas (and are somewhere in the area) go check out the Half Price Books on Northwest Highway. It's huge! I lived in Dallas forever and that's one of the places I miss most.

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  17. Oh, you have some great books there...from Anita Shreve to Alice Hoffman. Enjoy!!

    Here's my Monday:

    http://curlupandread.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-2/

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  18. I've always wanted to read The House of Mirth but wasn't sure if I could get into it. I'm pretty picky about my classics. I look forward to your review!

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  19. @ Nicole (Linus' Blanket) -- I just wrote up my thoughts on The House of Mirth, and LOVED IT!! I highly recommend!

    @ Carolina Book Stacks -- I love reading Testimony, that was the only book of Shreve's I've read thus far. Can't wait to try another one!

    @ Beth (bookaholicmom) -- You are absolutely right, and I did have options for my trip!

    @ Sheila (Bookjourney) -- The House of Mirth was incredible, and I have just downloaded more Wharton novels onto my iPhone. Weird to be reading something like that on a handheld device, and it'll be my first time, so I'll see how it goes!

    @ Heather -- Do pick it up again!!

    @ Cat -- Let me know what you think when you read it!

    @ Joann - Thanks for stopping by! I'll hop by over to your site!

    @ Peaceful Reader -- Can you believe I love it when the flights are long? Makes my distractions less and all I do is read! :)

    @ Samantha -- I would love to hear your thoughts once you read it!

    @ Bookventures -- I'm really excited to read Fforde, I've never read any!

    @ Iliana -- Sadly, I was on a quick in and out business trip and couldn't swing by the coveted Half Price Books...but I have put it in my Outlook to remind me of for my next visit. Maybe I can plan an extra day? :)

    @ Laurel-Rain Snow -- Thanks for stopping by! I'll hop to your site!

    @ Brenna -- Let me know what you think! I think you'll like The House of Mirth (crossing my fingers...!) :)

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  20. I read Shreve's Sea Glass many years ago, and remember it being very moving. Hope you enjoy it! I still have The Eyre Affair in my TBR pile...

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  21. Not read any from the stack, but have heard wonderful things about Eyre Affair. Have Shades of Grey on my shelf, which I've almost started about eight times! Don't know why I still haven't....

    Still to read an Anita Shreve as well - think I want to start with Testimony though, but am looking forward to your thoughts on Sea Glass.

    Enjoy the reads.

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  22. @ Booklover Book Reviews -- I can't wait to read Sea Glass; and maybe we should read The Eyre Affair at the same time!

    @ anothercookiecrumbles -- Hmm, thinking a fun little read-along for The Eyre Affair might be fun...!

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