Welcome to The Weekend Post #189! 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.
My Week:
The first full week of 2026 has been somewhat stressful. My husband has been experiencing episodes of lightheadedness, so we’ve spent much of the week going through a series of medical tests. The results from the tests completed so far won’t be available until next week, and we’re still waiting to schedule at least one additional test, along with an appointment with a cardiologist. It’s certainly not the start to 2026 that we were hoping for.
On a more positive note, the weather here has been quite mild, with a mix of rainy and dry days. We’ve been fortunate not to have had any daytime temperatures below freezing so far this winter, and no snow either. While there is still plenty of winter ahead, the long-term forecast is calling for above-normal temperatures, and for that, I am truly thankful.
Recent Additions To My Bookshelf:
From Publishers, Netgalley, & Libro.fm: None
From The Library:
For twenty years, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have captivated America as “America’s Favorite Family,” starring in a hit TV show that mirrors their seemingly perfect lives. But by 1964, both their ratings and real lives are crumbling—Del harbours a dangerous secret, Dinah feels herself going numb, Guy hides the truth about his love life, and Shep’s rock ’n’ roll fame is spiralling out of control. When Del is injured in a mysterious car accident, Dinah hires ambitious young journalist Juliet Dunne to help her write the show’s finale, setting the stage for a clash of generations and ideals about womanhood and family. Witty, heartfelt, and emotionally resonant, Meet the Newmans explores the façades we build and the hidden truths behind even the most picture-perfect lives.
From Audible:
Everyone believed Sue and Curt Hodges had the perfect marriage—high school sweethearts, business partners, and happily married for thirty-five years—until a beautiful, talented new hire, Brandi Morgan, joins their successful insurance company and rumors begin to swirl. The tension comes to a head at Nantucket’s biggest charity gala, where Curt serves as chairman with Brandi as his right hand, and Sue starts to question everything when Curt’s sudden transformation and friends’ concerned comments raise red flags. As doubts ripple through their close-knit circle, Kristen struggles to support her grieving boyfriend Tyler while uncovering a secret that could upend their future, Abby navigates new motherhood as Lisa revels in becoming a grandmother, and Chase and Beth’s house-flipping venture spirals dangerously beyond their control—revealing that even the most seemingly perfect lives can hide unsettling truths.
What I’m Watching:
I’m looking forward to watching People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix this weekend. Based on the Emily Henry novel of the same name (which I loved), it follows Poppy and Alex as they trade their long-standing tradition of platonic trips for a vacation that takes a decidedly romantic turn. Anyone else looking forward to watching this?
On The Blog This Week:
The Odds of You by Kate Dramis Review: Love, Fate, and Finding Your Way
Can’t Wait Wednesday #170: Is This A Cry for Help? by Emily Austin
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson — A Book Review
Celebrity Book Club Picks for January 2026
This Post: The Weekend Post #189
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Pub Day Book Review: Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
Can’t Wait Wednesday #171
Book Review: The Weekend Crashers by Jamie Brenner
Who Wears it Better in January 2026?
The Weekend Post #190
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #189. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Tina
I hope your husband is doing better. Back in December I had to take my husband to the ER for lightheadednss and they kept him for tests. One of the doctors said it’s their least favorite symptom to try and diagnose because it could be so many things. Heart, ear nose or throat issue, blood pressure. He had a MRI and other scans and they found a blocked ventricle in his neck but nothing life threatning.
I tell you this in case you want to ask questions we didn’t think of at the time. Now he’s doubled up the supplemental B12 and appears much better, no dizziness anymore. THAT was another issue a decade ago…lots of tests and turned out it was B12 deficiency. I hope you get answers soon. That is so stressful, the waiting. By the way, an over the counter med for dizziness such as dramamine works. Not medical advice from me, just sharing what they look for. Hope he’s better.
thathappyreader
Thank you Tina. My hubby doesn’t have dizziness – feels lightheaded only. I hope your husband is feeling better now.
Cindy
Oh no, I hope the doctors are able to provide answers AND solutions to your husband’s issues. Have a great weekend!
thathappyreader
Thanks Cindy.
Trish
I love Pamela Kelley. Definite feel good reads!
I just watched People We Meet on Vacation today with a friend and we both greatly enjoyed it. It was sweet and funny at times.
thathappyreader
I love her books too Trish. I loved People We Meet on Vacation too!
Harvee
I started to watch People We Meet on Vacation but thought it was too young for little old me. I don’t think I ever was so vibrant as those 20 year olds in the movie. Enjoy it !
Harvee https://harvee44.blogspot.com
thathappyreader
Oh too bad Harvee. My 85 year old Mom and I both enjoyed it!
ER LeVar
So sorry to hear about your husband! Definitely not the way you’d want to start the new year. Hopefully you guys get some answers soon
thathappyreader
Thank you ER. I appreciate it.
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
I was planning on watching The People We Meet on Vacation today because I was expecting my husband to go back to work but he has another week off so I’ll probably have to wait til next week.
I hope your husbands results are benign and the issue easily resolved.
Wishing you a good week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Shelleyrae.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Oh I know about that light headedness. I’ve had that issue. Have never really determined if it is blood pressure, diabetes related, but I know sometimes when it gets really bad it is for sure BPPV because when someone finally showed me the Epley maneuver correctly, that worked so well. I hope they can figure out what is going on for your husband because I know that is not a fun thing to deal with. I need to try reading another Emily Henry book, but maybe I’ll try watching the movie. Hope you have a good week!
thathappyreader
Thanks Lisa. He doesn’t have vertigo or dizzyness. Lightheadedness where he feels like he’s going to faint. Only when standing in one place.
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
Sorry about your husband’s medical issues. Sending prayers it’s nothing serious. That Emily Henry book is the only one I haven’t read!!! Definitely plan on watching the series after I read it.
Have a great week, Jodieđź’ś
thathappyreader
Thank you Jonetta. I hope you love the movie as much as I did.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m so glad you are having easy weather. Ours hasn’t been too bad but this week is going to be colder and today is very windy. 2026 has been a disaster here. Our federal government is embarrassing, criminal, stupid and cruel. I hope your husband finds some easy solutions.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
Thank you Anne.
Sarah
I hope the tests to get to the bottom of your husband’s lightheadedness all come back reassuringly mundane and that it’s a relatively minor fix. But I’m aware the waiting time is miserable. Glad that at least you aren’t also battling ice and snow. We’ve had a series of frosty night and cold days, though no snow thank goodness. Very much wishing your week to be a good one, Jodie:).x
thathappyreader
Thank you so much Sarah.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
I hope that everything goes well with the appointments and your husband starts to feel better soon.
thathappyreader
Thank you Erin.
Anne@HeadFullofBooks
The Newmans sound like the Nelsons (Ozzie and Harriet). Is the book based on their story?
Happy Sunday.
thathappyreader
I’m not sure Anne. I’m a little young for remembering the Ozzie and Harriet (I can’t believe I can say that I’m too young for anything!)
Yvonne @ It's All About Books
I’m sorry to hear about your husband; I hope they are able to discover what causes it soon.
thathappyreader
Thank you Yvonne.
hena
Hope your husband feels better and the tests all come back clean. I too would like to watch People We Meet on Vacation. I read the book so long ago I don’t even fully remember the details anymore.
thathappyreader
Thanks Hena. You’re going to love People We Meet on Vacation.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I hope your husband feels better soon, and you’re able to get answers from the doctor. Enjoy your new books!
thathappyreader
Thank you AJ.
Her Digital Coffee
I’m sorry to hear about what your husband is going through. I hope those tests will be able to determine what the cause is, so that he can find relief soon. I hope you have a great week Jodie!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
I’m so sorry to hear that your husband is having health issues, Jodie. Hopefully the doctors will figure it out and put a plan in place for him. It’s nice that the weather is nicer than you expected.
thathappyreader
Thanks Carla.