Weekly check-in

Sunday, November 29, 2015 Permalink

I hope my US friends had a great Thanksgiving. I did notice most of the book blogs I visit have been pretty quiet over this past week so I suspect that means everyone’s been celebrating. And shopping. And maybe reading as well?

What I read

I started the week with Jane Ann Krentz’s Secret Sisters. I enjoyed it but was surprised that I found a few parts a little cliched.

secret sisters

After a few nights off I read All These Perfect Strangers by Australian debut author Aoife Clifford. The book will be published in March 2016 so it was great to get an early copy. Simon & Schuster are obviously excited about this book and they most definitely should be.

all these perfect strangers

And finally I read The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna. It won a key fiction prize here and I missed it when it came out in 2014. I love love LOVED it!

the eye of the sheep

What I wrote

I started the week by reminding myself that I need to be careful not to be too glib when I write or speak. I relayed an incident from when my niece was younger and I was in the habit of commenting on the fact I was poor. Because of course, I wasn’t… relatively speaking.

I posted my review of The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North, which was released here last week. I wrote a short review about All These Perfect Strangers in Goodreads and am sure I will re-read it and blog about it when it’s out next year.

I posted my review of Fall by Candice Fox – the third in the award-winning Australian crime / suspense series which I am loving!

And almost belatedly I gushed about The Eye of the Sheep in a review published just today.

I also shared some bookish Christmas gift ideas in my monthly post on Styling You. My international readers might not recognise a lot of my suggestions (over 25 in the end!) as they have a very Aussie flavour. I was touched by a couple of nice comments on the post as I was a bit more ‘me’ than I sometimes am when writing elsewhere.

FEATURE PIC

What I did

My poor mother had a car accident last Sunday. She was unhurt – thankfully – but her car had to be towed away. Someone had driven through a stop sign and hit her car and then kept going. So the police were called. Mum was very lucky she got the number plate and there were witnesses so her insurance claim hasn’t been too problematic. I stayed with her for 5 days however so she could ‘share’ my car until we organised her hire car. She has a lot of commitments and really cannot be car-less and I was glad to help.

It did mean though that I was on my laptop at my mother’s dining table for most of the week and didn’t do as much blog-reading and commenting as usual… so my apologies for that.

What I plan to read

I’m looking forward to a new arrival, Beside Myself, about identical twins and a identity-swap-gone-wrong. It’s not out until January but I’ve mostly caught up and my TBR pile mainly features books to be published in 2016.

beside myself

I’ve also got Lisa Jackson’s After She’s Gone – also about two sisters (and out in late December).

after she's gone

It’s starting to get really hot here in Australia and summer is officially upon us in just days. It’s probably timely to mention that I HATE summer and live in a warm part of the country (Queensland). I’m fortunate that I live on the beach and get a nice breeze but suspect my airconditioner will be well-used over the coming weeks and months!

What have you been up to? Any Christmas parties on your agenda?

As usual I’m linking up with Kimberly for the Sunday Post and Kathryn for “It’s Monday!”

70 Comments
  • Greg
    November 29, 2015

    Sorry to hear about your mom, and glad she wasn’t seriously injured. Driver kept going? Geez…

    A breeze off the water sounds nice, it’s in the 20’s here at the moment, so yeah… but I know what you mean, heat waves aren’t fun. And I don’t miss the AC bill… 🙂

    Liked your post on speaking glibly and poverty, your humorous definition of poverty sounds like my version. Why CAN’T I have everything? LOL. Fun post… and so true. We do have to keep things in perspective sometimes…

    • Debbish
      November 29, 2015

      The police on the scene looked up information about the driver of the other car and he was apparently ‘known’ to them. I gather there was even some comment wondering if he currently had a licence!

      I’m usually pretty frugal with my aircon but I prepaid some money on my electricity account recently (when I did some project management work) in the hope I didn’t stress as much when the bill arrives!

  • Viki
    November 29, 2015

    I love Lisa Jackson books, she is one of my favourite authors. Hope you enjoy this one.

    • Debbish
      November 29, 2015

      I’ve actually read it since writing my post Viki and I did enjoy it. It’s a standalone but there were a lot of references to a previous case involving some of the characters so I couldn’t work out if they’d appeared in a previous novel!

  • Jo
    November 29, 2015

    Your Mum was lucky she wasn’t seriously hurt, it would have been a nasty nasty shock though. Reading wise, I’ve just finished the latest Rebus- and enjoyed it as I’ve enjoyed all the others. I’m about a third of the way through something really really chick lit & can’t get into it- it feels too cliched. I don’t know if it is or if I’m projecting that fear of my own coming out soon. Instead I think I’ll re-read an old Desmond Bagley- something very blokey-just to get way out of the genre.

    • Debbish
      November 29, 2015

      Ah yes… I know I mostly stick to my thriller / suspense / crime fiction genre but it is nice to leap out of that every so often, so I know what you mean!

  • Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
    November 29, 2015

    Sounds like you had a good week, Deb!
    All These Perfect Strangers sounds so good! I’ve been reading Australian authors lately for one of my classes, I just finished Breath by Tim Winton last week, and it was so well done.
    Among your new books, After She’s Gone caught my eye. I hope you’ll enjoy the ones you have lined up for next week.
    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.

    • Debbish
      November 29, 2015

      Breath is actually being made into a movie Lexxie (by Simon Baker – who was in The Mentalist). Winton writes beautifully but I sometimes struggle with his books as not a lot happens.

      I’m actually only just getting into more Australian books now as I once avoided them!

  • Stormi D Johnson
    November 30, 2015

    Sorry to hear about your moms car accident but I am glad she came away unhurt. All your reads sound good! 🙂 Happy reading!

    Stormi
    Week in Review

  • laurelrainsnow
    November 30, 2015

    The new Lisa Jackson caught my eye earlier in the week, and I’m eager to get my hands on it. Beside Myself looks very tempting, too, and, of course, I’ve been waiting for Secret Sisters. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it a lot.

    I’m glad your mother wasn’t injured, but car accidents can really throw your life into chaos. She is lucky you are there for her.

    Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Laurel I enjoyed Secret Sisters – it was a familiar and enjoyable read but think I’d expected more though not sure why. It was still a solid 3 stars from me (which is good), just not great! 🙂

  • charliegirlteachergirl
    November 30, 2015

    So sorry to hear about your mother’s accident. It’s never easy or convenient to deal with. My mother was hit last summer by a woman in a car who tried turning in front of her and ended up running down the entire length of my mother’s truck from the front wheel. The truck was totaled and my mother had injuries requiring extended treatment. She retained an attorney and it took over a year for the other insurance company to settle. It can be nasty, so I’m thankful your mother wasn’t injured and doesn’t have to go through that! I have been reading as much as I can between my bouts of sleep. The man told me Saturday I had a fever, and my throat was sore, so I’ve been sleeping quite a bit. I finally finished an audiobook I’ve been listening to for daaaays, and I’m going to finish up Light Fantastique soon as well, so overall it’s been a pretty good week for reading. Happy reads!

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Oh what a horrible experience for your mother. Her insurance company’s been really good so far. While I was there I listened to her end of the conversations with them and they seemed really helpful. Of course because the other driver left the scene and there were witnesses and the police are involved it’s pretty straight forward. And yes, it’s great she wasn’t injured. She was a little shaken and had to ‘force’ herself to drive down that same stretch of the road last week after it had happened, but I’m glad she ‘got back on that horse’ straight away.

  • imavoraciousreader
    November 30, 2015

    I did get a little bit of reading done this week, but I was mostly busy with Thanksgiving and family stuff. 🙂 I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s accident, but glad she’s ok and that she got the plate number. Quick thinking! You’re heading into summer and we’re heading into winter. Both our power bills will be sky high, I suspect. lol

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Mum said she obsessively repeated the registration plate number over in her head until she could write it down. She lives in a pretty smallish town (23,000) and a couple were sitting on their verandah having a drink in front of where it happened. They recognised my mum’s car and kinda knew her so were really lovely and supportive apparently. Someone else was out walking their dog and stayed around to see the police etc (and they were able to tell them the make and colour of the car). She was very lucky indeed.

  • Emma
    November 30, 2015

    Nightmare on the car crash. Glad your mom is ok. I’ve had a bit of a week myself so need to catch up on my reading as well. Will be checking out your reviews as I do. Have a good week.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Hope next week is a bit calmer for you Emma!

  • Steph, The Old Mother Hen
    November 30, 2015

    I still haven’t read a Lisa Jackson book myself, but I do have a couple of them on my shelf.
    I am so glad to hear that your mother was unharmed in her accident. These sort of things are always very scary.
    All These Perfect Strangers is a must for me to check out.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      All These Perfect Strangers is definitely a book to be added to your list Steph. A page-turner!

  • Char
    November 30, 2015

    Your Mum was lucky that you were so willing and able to lend a hand and the car. Being without one can be a nightmare when you’ve got a busy life.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Indeed, and public transport in her neck of the woods is non-existent. Plus she’s in and out all day – she does a lot of stuff for her church and the church breakfast they run (for the ‘homeless’) – picking up bread leftover at bakeries after they close at 5pm the day before, setting up at the hall. And then there are her usual activities (exercise classes, bible study, other volunteer work) plus she chauffeurs a lot of older women from the church around.

  • Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
    November 30, 2015

    I’m glad your mom is okay! I haven’t gotten any extra reading done, despite the long weekend, but I’ve been trying to download and organize pictures. I make that way more time-consuming than it has to be! Enjoy your week!

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Ah yes I know that feeling Jen. I do a monthly blog post for a popular Aussie blog – Styling You – as I mentioned in the post and usually I include short reviews of 5 books, but this month it was more about sharing ideas for Xmas gifts and it took way longer to find and organise images of books for the post than it usually takes to write the reviews! Of course I’m not very visually creative, so struggle with that stuff anyway!

  • Teddyree
    November 30, 2015

    Oh thank goodness your mum wasn’t hurt, would have been a shock though and no car is a pain in the butt at anytime, let alone such a busy time of the year. Nice you could help her out. I bought Eye of the Sheep last year and *shame face* it’s still unread. Off to read your review next … inspiration to pick it up!!
    We finally got a little rain last night, southside Brisbane after it built hopefully all week and … nothing. The humidity is killing me and if it doesn’t, the AC bill after Christmas will.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      It was stinking hot at my mum’s in Maryborough Teddyree, but here on the Esplanade in Hervey Bay it’s okay. Having said that however, it sometimes gets too windy so I have to close up and put the aircon on. I’m probably also a little more paranoid about the sea / salty air when it’s windy given my computer’s already playing up a bit. (Someone commented when I moved here that my TV, desktop computer etc) would deteriorate quickly in the salty air!

  • Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
    November 30, 2015

    So glad you mom is okay after her accident. Hope she gets a replacement soon. Frustrating in itself. Love Lisa Jackson and look forward to your thoughts.

  • Angelized1st
    November 30, 2015

    Glad to hear your mom was alright. I hope they caught that jerk! I’ve never been to Queensland, but I visited New South Wales in 2010 when I visited Sydney. I would love to go back, and see other places there. Preferably in summer, since I came in winter last time, and froze my butt off. LOL!

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Ah yes… it’s nice and warm in summer but can be too warm. Over 40C summer temperatures are no longer just the thing of nightmares!

      I think the police caught up with the other driver that same day. They were able to look him up there and then and he was known to them.

  • Tracy (@Cornerfolds)
    November 30, 2015

    Oh no!! I’m glad your mom is okay, but I’m sorry about her car!! That Doctor Who coloring book looks so cool!! 😀 Have a great week!

    Here’s my Weekly Recap!

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      It’d be a great gift, wouldn’t it? I know a lot of people (males especially) who aren’t into the mandala type colouring books, but figure Doctor Who, GOT etc would suit them!

  • Lauren Becker
    November 30, 2015

    That’s good your mom is doing well and that the insurance is working with her. How scary though! I have a Christmas party in a week actually – my sister and I are co-hosting. I don’t know of anyone else having anything though. Ah well…

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Oh how exciting that you’re planning a Christmas party. I hope it’s not too stressful for you, but with your sister as a co-host it should lighten the load.

  • Laura @ 125Pages
    November 30, 2015

    All These Perfect Strangers looks great! Glad your mom is okay, but how scary. Have a great week. My Weekly Wrap-Up

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Ah yes, All These Perfect Strangers was a great read. I was a bit picky about the ending but I so often am! 🙂

  • MarthaE
    November 30, 2015

    I am glad that your mother is okay and getting through the insurance claim okay. Sounds like you had a really busy week. Our Christmas parties start tomorrow night with ladies group at church.
    I hope you have a good week – life and reading. 🙂

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Thanks Martha and I hope you enjoy your Christmas parties.

  • Kathryn
    November 30, 2015

    Love that you are so enthusiastic about Eye of the Sheep, made me want to find it and read it, maybe as its been published awhile might find it in a library. Yes warming up, we were 25 today, which I know is mild for you but I felt the heat but going to be raining tomorrow.
    Your poor Mum, not a very nice thing to happen.
    I spy a Julie Goodwin book in there, I am not much of a cook, but I loved her on Masterchef, so practical.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Ah yes, I selected the Julie Goodwin book cos of the whole home-made takeaway concept. And she seems very down to earth!

  • samstillreading
    November 30, 2015

    Wow, sounds like a busy week! I hope everyone is better 🙂
    My Christmas parties start in a big way next week…going to get crazy busy.

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      Ugh! Enjoy… I hope it isn’t too frantic for you!

  • Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
    November 30, 2015

    Oh the accident with your mom sounds scary!!! So glad she was ok. All These Perfect Strangers looks good. I need to check out your bookish gift post. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      November 30, 2015

      All These Perfect Strangers was great Grace!

  • lakesidemusing
    November 30, 2015

    Sorry to hear about the accident, but very glad your mum wasn’t hurt. So nice of you to share your car! I look forward to hearing more about The Eye of the Sheep… love the cover. Have a good week 🙂

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      It’s a beautiful cover isn’t it? I’m not sure if it’s the only version that’s been out here. I must check.

  • signourney
    November 30, 2015

    Glad to hear your mom is okay. That’s scary though. Ugh at that they kept going too.

  • Erin @ Quixotic Magpie
    November 30, 2015

    Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s accident, but glad to hear that she is ok! How scary!

    The holidays are starting early for us, with the first of the parties on Wednesday. It will be my son’s first, but I am not sure he will be too excited about it quite yet. Lol.

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      Am sure all of the adults will enjoy the 1st bday party more than the birthday boy. Isn’t it always the joke that they enjoy playing with the paper and boxes the presents come in (more than the presents) at that age?

  • brandileigh2003
    December 1, 2015

    Secret Sisters sound good, hope that you enjoy!

  • Silver's Reviews
    December 1, 2015

    Interesting comment that parts were a bit cliched in the Secret Sisters.

    I “think” I have it on my shelf. 🙂

    Love the cover on The Eye Of The Sheep.

    You had a great week, Deborah.

    ENJOY this week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      I’d seen Secret Sisters around on quite a few blogs (in TBR piles) before I requested it Elizabeth so you very well may have it. It’s out here (in Australia) in a week or so.

  • Lola
    December 1, 2015

    I noticed that too, quite some blogs where quieter than normal. The Eye of the Sheep looks good and I like the cover. I am glad to hear your mom didn’t got hurt, that must’ve been scary to lose her car in an accident. That’s so nice you stayed with her so she could use your car. It’s always a bit weird to hear you talking about summer, while it’s getting winter here. I am not too fond of either summer or winter, I prefer spring or autumn. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      I agree re the seasons thing Lola. Lots of US and European book bloggers are sharing pics of books with Christmas or winter themes, and yet our temperatures were well into the mid 30C before summer even arrived!

  • Lyn (aka) The Travelling Lindfields
    December 1, 2015

    I have only just discovered your blog but I intend to become a regular visitor. I love books and am always on the lookout for something good to read but I hate going out at night so I never wanted to join a book club. A book blog is just perfect – why didn’t I know these things existed before!

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      Ah yes… it’s good to be able to have conversations about books Lyn. I find it difficult as I often read books before they’re released so can’t talk TOO much about them though have had twitter conversations and the like with other book bloggers.

      Goodreads is another good place for conversations about books. I don’t use it enough – I used to use it only to track my reading (as I kept borrowing the same books from the library by accident) but since I’ve been reviewing I usually add a summary in there. I also like reading others’ thoughts but usually wait until I’ve written my own review so my opinion’s not tainted by others. (Which has happened a few times… I’ve enjoyed a book and then seen that others hated it and I’ve wondered if I’m ‘wrong’!)

  • Yvonne
    December 1, 2015

    I’m sorry about your mother’s accident but I’m glad she’s physically okay.

    Your books look so good. Secret Sisters looks really good and I have it on my list to read too.

    Hope you have a great week!

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      I’ll be publishing my review in the next day or so Yvonne.

  • kimbacaffeinate
    December 1, 2015

    Sorry to hear about your Mom. Yes, I usually flip over Krentz and agree parts were cliche but I enjoyed it nonetheless 🙂 Have a great week

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2015

      I hadn’t read any of Krentz’s work for a while Kimberly so that may have been the problem as well….

  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    December 1, 2015

    Aoife is the perfect name for an author. I bet I’d love that book too. This is the best book blog I’ve ever come across you know. You’re so consistent and plain talking Deb. Seriously, you should be paid a full time wage to do this. You are definitely my go to. Glad to hear your mother can still get insurance after the hit and run. Claiming insurance can be a nightmare.

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2015

      From your lips to god’s ears… or whatever that saying is. (About the getting paid for this!) Unlikely to happen sadly but your kind words were very welcome when I read them yesterday and was feeling low and wallowy!

  • samoak
    December 1, 2015

    I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Jane Ann Krentz book. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by her before. I might need to check out one of her books. I don’t have much Christmas plans this year. Just a work party and couple of family gatherings. I still need to finish my up holiday shopping for everyone. What about you?

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2015

      I don’t have many gifts to buy… my mother and a friend’s little boy and that’s about it. I’ll give my 19yr old niece money as our tastes are very different!

      And apparently my mother has bought herself a jasmine talc and moisturiser set for $15 that I’m to ‘buy’ her, so…. that leaves the 4yr old!

      PS. I’ll undoubtedly buy my mother something else though as she needs a surprise to unwrap.

  • Stefanie
    December 2, 2015

    Oh, how scary for you and your mum. I’m glad she’s okay and only the car maintained substantial damage. I think I have Krentz’s book on my TBR. I used to read her back in the day and wasn’t as enamored of her writing so it’s been quite some time now since I’ve read her modern work. The sheep book intrigues me. We are hosting Christmas as usual but this time everyone will have have to travel down the Bay Area to our new home. We are excited. The tree is already up since Sunday as the husband whipped it out and set up the lights while I fluffed up the branches to make it look full. Our kids had fun hanging the keepsake ornaments. We love it.

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2015

      My dad passed away 4yrs ago Stefanie so it’s just my mum now and I guess I do worry more about her as she ages – which is only natural. She’s only 71 but had a few health scares in the last year or so (visits to hospital in ambulances etc) which tends to freak me out a little.

      My dad had a heart transplant and later dementia so mum had to take over a lot of stuff a decade or so before he passed away… she’d been the one doing all of the driving, managing all of the finances and making decisions and arrangements so she’s very independent and capable, which is good.

  • Red Iza
    December 3, 2015

    I’m glad your mom was unhurt and that you were there to help her afterward. It must have been a shock for her – and a fright for you ! I hope your week goes smoothly 😉

    • Debbish
      December 3, 2015

      Thanks Izabel. So far so good. Mostly! 🙂

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