Welcome to The Weekend Post #135! 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:
It’s been quite a week for weather here! We experienced an atmospheric river, accompanied by winds so strong that over half the city lost power simultaneously. We were lucky to only lose power for about five seconds, but even that brief outage caused us to be without internet and TV for more than 24 hours. And what’s in store this week? More heavy rain and strong winds, especially on Monday and Tuesday. Enough with the storms already!
On a brighter note, I’m feeling very thankful this week. My brother, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder, is finally experiencing some relief after an injection on Tuesday. I’m also deeply grateful that my dad’s monthly bloodwork shows improvement in his cancer battle. This time last year was so different—my brother was in hospital, and my dad was facing a new cancer diagnosis while recovering from major surgery for another cancer. I’ll cherish this Christmas all the more because of it.
Speaking of Christmas, it’s coming fast! I plan to finish my baking later today and wrap gifts tomorrow. Tonight, we’re having a pre-Christmas family dinner at a local restaurant, which I’m really looking forward to. I hope you’re feeling ready—or almost ready—for the holiday. And don’t forget to take a little time for yourself to do something you love, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, Edelweiss+ & Libro.fm:
None. I have 4 outstanding requests.
From The Library:
Workaholic Francesca has built a successful career but struggles to connect with her teenage daughter, Allegra, whose arrest for drug possession forces Francesca to agree to her mother Sophia’s plan for a summer trip to Italy to trace their family roots. Allegra resents the idea of spending time with her mother and vows to resist, but an unexpected connection with a young man on the path to priesthood begins to teach her about healing, love, and acceptance. Meanwhile, Sophia hopes the journey through Rome, Assisi, and Tuscany will remind her fractured family of the unbreakable bonds between them before it’s too late. I’ve had this book on my TBR list for some time after reading a later book in this series “The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti”. This is book one in the Meet Me in Italy series.
What I’m Watching:
We watched The Carry-On last night on Netflix and really enjoyed it. It’s a thriller about a young TSA agent who is being blackmailed to let a dangerous package through on Christmas Eve. It’s rated Rated PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images, some language and suggestive references so it might not be for everyone. It stars Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman.
On The Blog This Week:
Book Review: Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer
Can’t Wait Wednesday #119: Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
Book Review: Snow Going Back by Emma Tallon
Can’t Miss Book Releases for January 2025!
This Post: The Weekend Post #135
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
My Favourite Audiobooks of 2024!
2025 Library Love Challenge
2025 Audiobook Challenge
Merry Christmas!
2025 Beat The Backlist Challenge
My Favourite Books of 2024
The Weekend Post #136
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #135. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful holiday week ahead!
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I hope you enjoy your early holiday get-together!
And I’m very happy that your dad and brother are doing better this year! Merry Christmas!
thathappyreader
Thank you so much Deb!
Lux G.
What a week of weather adventures! Glad to hear you and your family are safe. Your brother and dad’s improvements are such wonderful news. Enjoy your pre-Christmas family dinner and all the holiday preparations. Our Italian Summer sounds like a heartwarming read. Thanks for the recommendation!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
Glad your family is doing well, Jodie💜 I’m watching season 6 of Virgin River!
thathappyreader
Thank you! I hope you’re enjoying it Jonetta!
Joy Weese Moll
That’s a lot of drama in the weather! I’m glad that your family is seeing some health improvements. I still have one gift to wrap — and plenty of time because the family gathering is on the 28th.
thathappyreader
Thank you Joy.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
Wow, I didn’t realize you had such wild weather this week. Glad you are all safe. Such good news about your dad and brother. Prayers answered. Enjoy your family dinner. I got all my wrapping and baking done and only have one more cookie tin to deliver. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Jodie.
thathappyreader
Thank you. You too Carla.
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
Goodness, I hope the weather is much calmer this week. It’s just hot here, and getting hotter.
I’m glad to learn your father and brother are doing better this Christmas, my father’s cancer is also now in remission but it was my mother who finally got a steroid shot in her knee to relieve her osteoarthritis just last week!
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas
thathappyreader
Thank you Shelleyrae!
Tina
Glad to hear your brother and father are doing better. Health issues can be so stressful.
The weather was crazy this past week!
thathappyreader
It was Tina! And this week is not much better!
Olivia
So glad your brother and dad are on the upswing! We watched Carry On too, and also enjoyed it. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
thathappyreader
Thanks Olivia.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I’m so glad your dad and brother are doing better. What a wonderful holiday gift. We had some really windy days here, but nothing as bad as you, we did have some very cold days! It is showing we might have the thunderstorms and rain Wednesday and Thursday night? Or maybe Thursday and Friday? No white Christmas for us. I’ve been wanting to see The Carry On. I’ll have to go watch it at my mom’s house one night since I don’t have Netflix. Have a wonderful Christmas!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/12/22/weekly-wrap-up-203-december-22nd-2024/
thathappyreader
You too Lisa! Enjoy the movie!
Jody
I am happy to hear about Dad and brother, Jodie. Thank the good Lord. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas together.
thathappyreader
Thank you Jody!
Carla
I hope the weather eases up for you soon. Enjoy your Christmas celebrations!
thathappyreader
Thank you Carla.
Becki
Hope the storms are done for your area! Sounds like you’ve got some good reads and stuff to watch for the holiday week. Enjoy!
thathappyreader
Thanks Becki!
Cindy's Book Corner
I agree, this year while hard, still seems to be better than last Christmas. My mom was also battling cancer and started her radiation in January. Thankfully, the radiation took care of it, but we had another cancer scare with her in November. Her biopsy so no cancer, her doctor said it could still be there but not the part they biopsied (why he said that, I don’t know, now we are waiting until her next scan in Feb!). I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!
thathappyreader
Family illness can be very stressful for sure Cindy. I hope you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas.
JoAnn @ Gulfside Musing
Glad to hear your family members are doing so much better this year… hope you all have a merry Christmas!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I hope the weather is not too challenging and everyone feels well. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
Thank you Anne!
Her Digital Coffee
That is great news about your brother and father! I also enjoyed Carry On, it was action packed. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
thathappyreader
You too Winnie!
Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
Our Italian Summer looks good. I hope you have a great week.
Here’s my STS if you wish to visit at this late date – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2024/12/stacking-shelves-21-december-2024.html