Welcome to The Weekend Post #129! I’ve changed the name of this weekly post to reflect its new Saturday publication. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I will also be joining Deb at Readerbuzz for the Sunday Salon and Marlene of Reading Reality in her meme Stacking The Shelves.
My Week:
November 11 marks Remembrance Day in Canada, a time to honour and thank those who have served our country. My mother, sister, and I visited the gravesites of my Great-Grandpa and Grandpa, who both served in the World Wars, to pay our respects by placing wreaths and crosses on their graves. I feel deeply grateful that both of them returned home, though my mother didn’t meet her father until she was nearly five because he had to serve and then recover from a war injury before he could return. In Canada, we wear poppies to symbolize our respect for those who served and sacrificed and to show our support for the Armed Forces. Does your country wear poppies?
Following these graveside visits, the three of us spent a lovely day together, enjoying some shopping and lunch at one of our favourite restaurants.
On Monday, we had strong winds that swept most of the leaves from our trees, and the rest of the week was a mix of showers and sun. The annuals are now cleared from the gardens, and we’ve planted spring-flowering bulbs in their place. This year, I decided to try a waxed amaryllis for Christmas—a change from my usual planting. These waxed amaryllises don’t need soil or water, only light and warmth, so I’m curious to see how it grows.
I also spent some time decluttering again this week and hope to make more progress in the upcoming week.
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, Edelweiss+ & Libro.fm:
In Three Days in June, Anne Tyler crafts a poignant and humorous story about Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother of the bride navigating the days surrounding her daughter Debbie’s wedding. After losing her job and dealing with the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband Max, who shows up with a cat and no suit, Gail’s day takes a dramatic turn when Debbie reveals a shocking secret about her fiancé, threatening the wedding and dredging up memories of Gail and Max’s past. With her trademark sensitivity and wit, Tyler explores love, marriage, and family, delivering a novel destined to become a classic.
In this heartfelt and humorous novel, actress Meg Bryan appears to have it all, but her happiness is as artificial as her stage name, Lana Lord. After a breakdown on her thirtieth birthday, she impulsively heads to a small Irish village that she and her late friend Aimee once dreamed of moving to. Upon arrival, Meg discovers she’s somehow slid into an alternate life, one where she never became famous, her best friend Aimee is alive but estranged, and she has a seemingly ordinary life with an adorable dog and a (potentially ex) boyfriend bartender. Determined to reconnect, Meg takes a role in Aimee’s play, finding herself faced with an unexpected choice as she unravels the truths of both her lives.
In this charming holiday tale, Daphne Noelle brings festive cheer to her office building each year with her pop-up bake shop, a gingerbread-themed delight that everyone loves—except Tristan, the serious architect on the top floor, who finds her booth an eyesore. Determined to get her removed, Tristan’s plans are disrupted when he ends up needing Daphne’s help with a tricky family issue. As they spend more time together, Daphne’s infectious joy and kindness begin to melt his icy demeanour, leading him to discover that, with the right person, even Christmas can hold a special magic.
From The Library: None.
What I’m Watching:
Lacey Chabert is a favourite Hallmark actor but this year she has also made a holiday movie for Netflix. “Hot Frosty” is the story of a young widow who two years after her husband’s death has a little Christmas magic come into her life. The reports are this movie is as much emotionally rooted as it is a comedy. It airs November 13. I’m looking forward to watching it.
On The Blog This Week:
Book Review: Take Me Home For Christmas by Miranda Liasson
Monday Matters #117: What I’m Reading, Screen Adaptations and More!
Book Review: Santa’s Secret by Fern Michaels
Can’t Wait Wednesday #114: Come Fly With Me by Camille Di Maio
Book Review: Seabreeze Christmas by Jan Moran
Celebrity Book Club Picks for November 2024
This Post: The Weekend Post #129
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Book Review: We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey
Monday Matters #118
Book Review: The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne
Can’t Wait Wednesday #115
Book Review: Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Who Wears it Better in November 2024?
The Weekend Post #130
That’s a wrap on The Sunday Post #129. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Harvee
Three Days in June sounds like a book I’d love! Nice review! Have a good week.
By the way, we celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11 too.
thathappyreader
Thanks but I haven’t read it yet! 🤣
Tina
Ann Tyler’s book will have to go on my to-read list. I am reading more now aftfer the election so my list is growing. We have Veteran’s day Nov. 11th here as well.
thathappyreader
I hope that we both enjoy it Tina!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
November 11 is Veterans Day in the US and it’s also the birthday of my late father who served for 30 years. It’s so fitting.
I also added The Other Side of Now. Thanks for the heads up about the movie. Enjoy everything, Jodie💜
thathappyreader
That is fitting Jonetta. I’m sorry for your loss.
Olivia
The Other Side of now sounds really intriguing!
thathappyreader
I think so too Olivia!
Jody
You had a busy week, Jodie. That’s nice that you all got together and did lunch too. I love Lacey Chabert, I try to watch all of her Christmas movies, they bring smiles to my heart. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
thathappyreader
You too Jody!
Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
Baking it Merry looks so cute. I hope you enjoy your new books and have a fabulous weekend.
Here’s my STS if you wish to visit – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2024/11/stacking-shelves-november-9-2024.html
thathappyreader
Thank you Katie!
Joy Weese Moll
Hot Frosty looks good. I’m adding that to my list of holiday-themed shows which I might start watching sooner than later.
thathappyreader
I hope that we both enjoy it Joy!
Claudia
Well, I often have this happen, with our library now having books I want to read. The first two you mentioned sounded good. Have a good weekend! What’s left of it.
thathappyreader
Thanks for reading Claudia.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
I really enjoyed Baking it Merry. It is a bit predictable, but it was fun. I am all set to watch Hot Frosty as well. Probably a bit more sizzle than Hallmark. Have a lovely week, Jody.
thathappyreader
I agree about the sizzle factor with the movie being on Netflix Carla. Glad to hear you enjoyed Baking it Merry.
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
We wear poppies here in the UK too. There is a televised parade that takes place in London with all the dignitaries laying wreaths. I will have that on today.
I am interested in how the Amaryllis will grow.
I get excited about Christmas films, but I find it hard to find films without death. I just want to watch something happy and magical 🤣
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/11/09/stacking-the-shelves-84/
thathappyreader
November 11 is what you call a bank holiday here Emily and we have televised wreath laying commemorations too. I don’t watch Christmas films with death either and we have lots of options to find them here.
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
Happy day! A new Anne Tyler book is coming out in February. That is great news.
The Other Side of Now sounds intriguing also.
thathappyreader
I’m excited too Deb!
Anne - Books of My Heart
yes, at least when I was young my Dad was in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and they had poppies on Nov 11. It’s a holiday here tomorrow too. I haven’t seen poppies much lately. Congrats on the decluttering. I think I may be hopeless for some of it. I was raised with my parent’s Depression instincts to save everything I might use or reuse later.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
That’s interesting Anne. I understand about wanting to save everything – it’s only recently I’m starting to let go of things.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
The Other Side of Now is new to me but sounds good! The Samantha Chase one is on my TBR now too. I just saw something about Hot Frosty on the news last night, so I need to watch it when I renew Netflix to watch the latest Cobra Kai episodes. Hope you have a good week!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/11/10/weekly-wrap-up-197-november-10th-2024/
Becki
Sounds like your holiday spirit is ready! I went and requested a few holiday books today so I can try and get to the cozy stuff 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
thathappyreader
Thanks Becki! I hope you enjoy your holiday books!
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
Waxed amaryllis! My dad had these waxed bulb things in his house yesterday. My stepmom had bought them and he didn’t know what they were. I think you just solved the mystery for me!
thathappyreader
That’s great Erin! I’ll post a picture of mine in my next weekend post!
Her Digital Coffee
I’m looking forward to reading your reviews, especially for Baking it Merry! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the day with your mom and sister. Wishing you a wonderful week Jodie!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie! You too!