I'm excited to read her newest one, but I do think I'm going to go back and re-read THE MAID first. I read it when it first came out; when we discussed it at book club a couple months ago, I didn't remember a lot of what happened. Curse my aging memory!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

Who knew there were so many Jesus figurines for purchase on Amazon? Not me! LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

Thanks, Lydia! She is improving day by day, although she's still in a lot of pain and needs help doing basic things like washing her hair. It will be a long recovery, but I think she's doing well overall, thank goodness.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

I did have a good Christmas. It was especially fun to watch my 2 month old granddaughter gape at the lights on our tree. She was mesmerized! LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cheryl!

Ha ha. He does. Usually Jesus is depicted as very serious; this one looks happy and approachable. I love it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, AJ!

He finds these gems on Amazon! That's the only place he really shops :)

Isn't the book box cute? It was a little more than I would have regularly spent on such a thing, but I was happy to support Melanie and it was a fun gift to open on Christmas Day.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

Jenni! I'm so happy to hear from you. I've missed you.

I never would have thought to collect Jesus figurines either. My son gave me the first one as a joke, but it made me laugh so hard that he decided to keep the tradition going. This is the fourth year that he's given me a Jesus figurine for Christmas.

My book club isn't reading REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES until later in the year. I'm excited to see what I, and everyone else, thinks of it. I hope we both love it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jenni!

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All these tv and book series about murders happening constantly in quaint little towns and villages just make me laugh. Who would want to live in such violent places? LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rachel!

Same! It looks to be just as good as THE MAID.

My DIL does seem to be feeling better day by day. She's been vertical and moving around (albeit slowly) most of the times I've visited over the last few days, so that's good.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Joanne!

Oh, cool! I hope we both love THE STORM WE MADE. It sounds really intriguing to me.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Haze!

U2 puts on a great show! I've seen them before here in Arizona and my husband has seen them four times now, I think. The Sphere has all kinds of special effects, so it should be QUITE the show. Can't wait.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Bree!

We're big U2 fans around here :) The Vegas show will be incredible. Can't wait.

Everybody seems to love REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES. I'm excited to read it and see what I think!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

Right? He's bought a fair amount of books this year, too, so I guess he can't be too critical! Ha ha.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

I've honestly never really thought about how much military mail must have had to be processed during that time period, who performed that job, and how their effectiveness at it affected those in service. I love books that showcase unique aspects of war that have been overlooked in books.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kathryn!

I hadn't heard of THE STORM WE MADE until I saw it at the bookstore. It sounds so intriguing to me!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rissi!

That's great to hear! I've heard so many good things about REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES. I can't wait to see what I think of it.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rebecca!

My husband LOVED seeing U2 in The Sphere. It was definitely epic for him! I'm worried I'll be a little overstimulated with all the special effects, but I'm willing to take the chance :) LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tammy!

Oooohhh, now you have me very intrigued! I'm interested to see what I think of the book and the liberties you mention.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!

I plan to :) LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jessica!

I've heard nothing but good things about REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES. Even though its premise sounds a little strange, I'm going to give it a chance! So many readers can't be wrong, right??

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jen!

Its premise doesn't really appeal to me, honestly, but so many people have raved about the book that I feel like I need to give it a chance. I hope we both love it!

Thanks for popping in, Cathy!

Ha ha. Right? I'm trying to finish up all my reading for a book awards program I'm helping to judge so I can move on to the books I've been putting on the back burner for way too long!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jenna!

Same! They're so unrealistic. I grew up in a small town and there's never been a murder there. At least not that I know of...

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Stephen!

Agreed! I loved opening it on Christmas Day.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jaime!

It sounds fun, doesn't it? It should be here next week. I'm eager to check it out.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

Everybody seems to be enjoying it and I do love a good mystery, especially if there's some humor to it.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Louise!

I agree! I like to drink hot chocolate while I read in the winter, so the cocoa mix and mug will definitely come in handy. And the bookmark really is super cute.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Vero!

I've always wanted to do a book box, but they always seem overpriced, especially when you don't know EXACTLY what you're getting. I'm not someone who likes a bunch of extra things that I won't use or will just clutter up my house. BUT I wanted to support this author and the box was Christmas-themed, so I went for it. It really was a fun gift to myself :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, RS!

It worked. Yay!

I think so too. I love that it features an all Black battalion and that it deals with a part of WWII that I know nothing about and hadn't even really considered before.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marg!

Right? I can't help myself, even though my bookshelves are already crammed full! Glad I'm not the only one :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Ashley!

I just got YOUR GUIDE TO NOT GETTING MURDERED IN A QUAINT ENGLISH VILLAGE and it looks like such a fun little read! I can't wait.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!