Sunday, April 19, 2026

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Apr 20



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date

Oh, my goodness. It is Monday again! I am still catching up with last week's comments, so please know I will visit you soon. 

As I look ahead to this week, it is a bag of mixed emotions. My father-in-law passed away six years ago today, on Easter Monday. We lost him in the early days of COVID in a way that made national headlines. 

With the opening of the new Veterans Home in Holyoke expected this fall, it is my hope that the memory of those horrible days can finally be laid to rest. 


Yet we have joy as we plan to visit the Lil' Princess in North Carolina. She will be graduating from college in less than three weeks. We are so proud of her! She has already secured a job and will be moving back to the Northeast. For this, we are thrilled. 



As far as books and reading go, I attended the grand opening for The Wicked Press in South Windsor this weekend. Run by the spouse of one of my home inspectors, this store combines coffee, tea, and books. They already have some great events lined up. 


I finished Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst. Look for my review this week. 


I continued with This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman. I have around three hours left. 


I continued with Scrap: Salvaging a Family by Luann Castle. This is for a June review. 


These are next:

The Ledger by Steven Manchester, which is a companion to his novel, The Menu


Staged by Caitlin Rother, which is the sequel to Hooked


The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller is a NetGalley download


Co-Created: The Cultural Strategy That Redefined Pacsun by Brieane Olson is also a NetGalley download.




Photo credit: Freepik


Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach

Thanks to my visit to The Wicked Press, I picked up these two books:

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill


The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate



Upcoming Events

Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst - Apr 20 (Review)
A Change in Plans: A Sgt. Windflower Mystery by Mike Martin - May 13 (Guest Post)
Scrap: Salvaging a Family by Luanne Castle - May 21 (Review)
The Ledger by Steven Manchester - May (Review)
Fighter Pilot's Daughter by Mary Lawlor - June 10 (Guest Post)
Staged by Cailtin Rother - June (Review)
The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Ghost and the Key by Bill Cusano - July 1 (Review)
The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Widow Murderess by Bill Cusano - July 8 (Review)
The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Sparrow and the Crow by Bill Cusano - July 10 (Review)


Christmas Year Round

The Christmas Year Round blog's latest "Journey through Christmases Past" post takes a glimpse at Christmas traditions, including my family's traditions. You can find it here.


The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

Nothing new.



Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new, but I will post my favorites from Seasons 7 - 9 soon. 

Looking for your thoughts: have these Monday posts gotten too long? Your feedback will not offend me. Thanks!

10 comments:

Yvonne said...

Your books all look good. I have the Steven Manchester book too. I always enjoy his work. Have a great week!

Kathy Martin said...

A new bookstore is always fun! Glad to hear that your daughter is graduating and already has a job. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

Kathryn T said...

It seems that your daughter only went to college a short time ago and now it's graduating time. She must be very pleased. So hard to have lost someone in Covid time. My sister enjoyed the Lisa Wingate book so hope you do too.

Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out said...

Congratulations to your daughter! My son’s graduation ceremony is in two weeks.

Thanks for sharing your week!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

How wonderful that your daughter is graduating and has already found a job! It will be wonderful to have her living close.

Cheryl Malandrinos said...

Thanks, Yvonne. Hope you enjoy Steven's latest. Thanks for the visit.

Cheryl Malandrinos said...

Yes, I haven't been to a grand opening in a while. Thanks for the visit, Kathy.

Cheryl Malandrinos said...

It flew by, Kathryn. She will be glad to be closer to home. Glad to hear your sister enjoyed Lisa Wingate's book. Appreciate the visit.

Cheryl Malandrinos said...

Thanks, Shelleyrae. Congratulations to your son as well. Appreciate you stopping by.

Cheryl Malandrinos said...

Yes, all good stuff, Deb. Can't believe she will be so much closer to home. Appreciate you dropping in.