Monday Malarkey - A book pile, a cat photo, a week off

I knew this was going to be a big week for arrivals because Huzzybuns went to the UK and I sent him with a list of Persephone Books to purchase if he had time. I was not expecting quite this many arrivals, though!

Recent Arrivals (top to bottom):

• Weirdo Simpatico: Little Stories for Short Attention Spans by Katy Bourne - sent by author
• The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski,
• Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski,
• Maman, What Are We Called Now? by Jacqueline Mesnil-Amar, and
• The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff -  all purchased from Persephone Books (thanks, Huz)
• Alfa Romeo 1300 and Other Miracles by Fabio Bartolomei - Purchased
• The Secret of Raven Point by Jennifer Vanderbes - Purchased 
• All Stories Are Love Stories by Elizabeth Percer,
• Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear, and
• Don't Let My Baby Do Rodeo by Boris Fishman - all from HarperCollins for review

I don't normally accept books directly from authors but I noticed my high school classmate, Katy, had written a book of flash fiction when a member of our graduating class was killed by a drunk driver and I visited a few pages of other classmates on Facebook, a couple weeks ago. I read an excerpt of Weirdo Simpatico and loved it so I planned to buy a copy but Katy offered to send a copy to me. So far, I am finding it a tiny, brilliant gem. I like to let short stories rumble around in my head rather than whip through them quickly, so I'll take my time reading and then I'll probably read it a second and third time because, frankly, I'm already in love with her writing.

Alfa Romeo 1300 and The Secret of Raven Point were both on my Paperback Swap wish list. I've decided to go ahead and try to buy as many of those that I've most eagerly awaited (secondhand, if possible) as I can. I discovered that a few are not only not in print but also priced so high it's no wonder they didn't become available after 8 years of sitting on my wish list. The two I've bought so far were affordable and arrived in like new condition.

Last week's posts:

• January Reads in Review (2016) and How Those Goals are Shaping Up (monthly review)
• Change of pace - Making corner bookmarks (bookish craft attempt)
• Fiona Friday - Building the castle (cat photos)
• What Remains of Me by Alison Gaylin (book review)

Books finished last week:

• What Remains of Me by Alison Gaylin - Just one book, ugh. Insomnia is killing my reading.

Currently reading:

• Cakes and Ale by Somerset Maugham and
• Weirdo Simpatico by Katy Bourne

I have some other books with bookmarks in them but I haven't touched them for at least a week.

In other news:

It's been too cold to paint a second coat on the kitty castle and according to the weather forecast it won't be warm enough till Thursday. So, the castle project is on hold till then. The cats don't seem to care.

Since I've already reviewed my most recent read, I'm going to take a week off from blogging to focus on reading and writing (fiction, not blog posts) and painting and cleaning, blah, blah. Here's an early Fiona Friday pic of Isabel peeking at me through the windows of the castle. I'll be back next Monday. Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

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