Weekly check-in

Sunday, January 17, 2016 Permalink

It’s been a pretty slow week for me. I think I’m in some weird kind of limbo as I wait to hear about the position I interviewed for last year. I’m not quite as stressed about job-hunting and earning an income; but not able to completely slack off (as if on holidays), until I hear something definite. Either way.

What I read

I read only a few nights this past week, forcing myself to hold off because I was behind in my reviewing.

I kicked off the week with two very different books however, starting with Coffin Road by Scottish born (France-dwelling) Peter May; and then Numbered by Australian sisters, Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter.

numbered

And after a few nights off I’ve ended the week with Nele Neuhaus’s To Catch A Killer.

to catch a killer

What I wrote

Coffin Road by Peter May – a book review
The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood – a book review
Beside Myself by Ann Morgan – a book review
Apparently There’s No Santa – a blog post about a dying kangaroo. Kinda

BesideMyself_Debbish

What I did

Well…. I moaned a lot. Firstly I broke my kitchen tap… while it was on. It’s one of those two-in-one mixer things so that wasn’t a lot of fun as I had to turn my water off until a plumber could come the following afternoon!

Then after buying new lightbulbs to replace a kitchen down-light I discovered the problem is with the transporter, or transponder or something. So I need to get an electrician out to have a look. And then… my microwave oven died. So I felt like this…

adulting

I eventually crawled out of hole and headed to my mum’s for a couple of days. As I’ve joined her up at (her town’s one remaining) video library I finally got around to watching the Amy Schumer movie Trainwreck which I enjoyed far more than expected.

Plans for next week

Most of my TBR books aren’t being published until February or March (or later) so I’m holding off on those. I know there are a couple that have slipped between the cracks over recent months, so I need to follow up on those. (I should mention I don’t accept author requests for reviews unless I know (of) the author, but I’ve occasionally said yes to non-publishing company PR peeps!)

And as I just passed my 7yr anniversary* I want to do some thinking about my blog. I’m contemplating a survey or similar to get feedback from readers. I don’t blog much about stuff other than books nowadays, but those posts seem more popular than my book blog posts. I’ve also steered clear from weight / diet related stuff recently (as I’ve said it all here before) but do miss it. A little.

And that’s my book blogger check in for this week. I hope to finally hear something on the job front by next weekend, but…

What’s on your agenda for the coming week?

I’m again joining Kimberly at The Caffeinated Reviewer for the Sunday Post and Kathryn at The Book Date for ‘It’s Monday!’

* Belated update to note that my first blog post (on 9 January 2009) was in fact a book review of sorts.

66 Comments
  • Stormi D Johnson
    January 17, 2016

    Hope you hear something soon from your interview. To Catch a Killer sounds good. I hope you get to read some great books this week. 🙂

    • Debbish
      January 17, 2016

      I enjoyed To Catch A Killer more than the previous book I’d read by Neuhaus (which I note I only reviewed in Goodreads). Will be reviewing it in the next week or so as it’s published later this month.

  • laurelrainsnow
    January 17, 2016

    Good luck on the position…and I hate when things go wrong that can’t be fixed right away…sigh.

    Enjoy your books…I’m intrigued by Beside Myself. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.

    • Debbish
      January 17, 2016

      I’m lucky I’m not working at the moment so I can be around to get tradesmen to come out during the day, but it’s still a hassle… And expensive. The plumber (new tap) was almost $250! (He’s got to come back to fix a shower thing as well!)

  • danielaark
    January 17, 2016

    Happy 7th blogoversary! wow! 7 years!!! I’m looking forward to what you’ll do with your blog 🙂

  • charliegirlteachergirl
    January 17, 2016

    You are not the only one with water issues! Our high school shut down midday this week due to a water main break, and tonight at the bowling alley the women’s faucet exploded. Is the water trying to tell us something, Deb? lol I hope you hear back about your interview soon. The waiting is sometimes worse than the interview nerves.

    • Debbish
      January 17, 2016

      I bet the students weren’t worried about the water issues at the high school!!! I’m pretty sure water is a sign of something but not sure what. Two of my earlier apartments had water issues as well. Thankfully this one wasn’t as bad as water busting through the ceiling – which is what happened in a previous apartment (apparently the bath wasn’t waterproof or something), but later water managed to get into the second level ceiling which was weird as it was a three level townhouse. I was kinda worried about the fact rain could bypass the top level and somehow make it to the second level. (Am out of that apartment though now, so that’s a relief!)

  • Maureen Beatrice
    January 17, 2016

    Ow men, I hate those weeks when everything gets broken! It’s totally justified to moan a little! LOL!! Being a grown up just sucks at times!!
    I hope to get more reading done this week, since I feel like I’m behind already. Sigh.. But I also have to work a lot so I see how that goes. 7 years?? Wow! Congrats 😀
    I hope you hear from the job front this week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! 😉

  • Myrthe
    January 17, 2016

    Ugh, job search. I’m still on mine. I really should send out some more applications, just in case, but I’m also waiting for a clinic to get back to me (who already told me they would like to have me, but have been taking since November, so…)
    Hope your coming week will be better!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      It’s slow at this time of year isn’t it Myrthe?! I had two interviews late-ish last year which went well. One involved something which might not pan out for some time; but the other they wanted someone to start fairly quickly. I’ve had the referee check and recently completed my security check for the position so now just waiting….

      I’d never had much of a problem finding and getting jobs before my seachange, but I’m in an area with a particularly high unemployment rate and there aren’t a lot of opportunities. It’s been the first time since Uni (25yrs ago or so) that I’ve been ‘unemployed’.

  • Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
    January 17, 2016

    Adulting is hard! I wasn’t as happy with Trainwreck as I wanted to be. I thought it was funny but could have been shorter. Congrats on 7years!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      I’d not seen Amy Schumer in anything Grace and didn’t see the allure but can appreciate her a bit after seeing the movie. I thought it would be more slapstick-like so impressed it was a bit more intelligent than I’d expected.

  • kimberlyfaye
    January 17, 2016

    Adulting sucks. It’s totally overrated! Remind me again why we have to do it? Seven years! Dang. Congratulations! I’m coming up on three and still (mostly) enjoying it, so I think I’ll keep going. I do need to make some changes this year though. I guess that’s all part of the process, huh? Good luck with the job hunt and I hope you have a great week!

    That’s a Wrap Weekly!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Thanks Kimberly. My blog(s) have gone through a few variations now and it’s probably time to take stock again. It’s 2yrs since I merged Debbish with my diet blog and I’m torn a little re whether I should be just doing book reviews or not. Sigh.

  • Teddyree
    January 17, 2016

    Weeks like that suck! At least that’s your three things lol. Got my fingers crossed for you on that interview … good things come to those who wait?? Beside Myself looks good, off to check out your review. Happy reading 🙂

  • Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
    January 18, 2016

    Uggh sometimes it feels like everything in my house is broken. I can so sympathize.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Ah yes, it seems it’s all or nothing isn’t it?!

  • Greg
    January 18, 2016

    Congrats on 7 years!! And good luck with the job… I didn’t read as much last week either, sometimes it’s fun to take a break. I took a few days off, then started one and read it all the way through. So feast or famine I guess…

    Hope it’s a good week.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      I’m a bit the same Greg. I get into the habit of binge-reading, so read a book in a sitting for a couple of days, then need to take a break while I get the reviews done!

  • Laura @ trips down imagination road
    January 18, 2016

    The cover of To Catch A Killer is really striking, definitely want to check that out now! Hope you enjoy your reading!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      It is a great cover isn’t it Laura! I’m just finalising that review now – will go live in a week or so.

  • Emma
    January 18, 2016

    House nightmares…I think they are the worse kind! Hope you have a better week – and hear about the job! Emma

  • Angelized1st
    January 18, 2016

    Good luck with the job! Hopefully you’ll hear something soon, and this week will be better for you.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      I have my fingers (and everything else) crossed as well. I think I’m mostly worried that I’m ‘assuming’ I’ve got it and if there’s something I’ve learned in the past… it’s that whole ASS – U – ME thing!

  • Literary Feline
    January 18, 2016

    I hope you hear something about the job soon. Waiting can be so hard. :-S I need to catch up on my reviews too. Luckily I am not terribly behind, but just enough to make me antsy. I don’t think I’ll actually get any writing done today though. I do want to get in some reading though if I can. I am sorry about all the household trouble you’ve been having. It always seems as if everything goes out at once. 🙁

    Happy 7 year anniversary! It’s always surprising (at least to me) when I realize just how long I’ve been blogging. I hope you have a great week!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      I never get too far behind in the reviewing either. My biggest problem is that I read a lot of similar books so I forget the detail and if I’m reading print copies I don’t make notes so can’t remember much about the writing etc if I leave it too long.

  • Char
    January 18, 2016

    I think you’re done with your share of household mishaps for 2016. I’m pretty sure you only have to survive three of them so you’ll be good to go for the next 348 days.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Oh god I can only hope so Char… but doubt it! Of course they could all have been worse, but I just need to get them all sorted.

  • Heather Duff (@hross42)
    January 18, 2016

    Bah, I hate adulting too, have been putting off sorting out insurance and the buying of a new mattress!

    I have not seen any of Amy Schumer’s stuff though I see her everywhere, I will have to check out Trainwreck as it looks quite good.

    Have a good (non breakage) week!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Ha! Thanks Heather. I need a new mattress as well (it’s been on my to-buy list for a couple of years) but that will have to wait until I start earning money again.

      I know what you mean about Amy Schumer. I was a bit #meh as the media seemed keen to make her the next big thing. I liked her in Trainwreck and hadn’t realised she’d written the screen play as well.

  • Pinky Poinker
    January 18, 2016

    Good luck on the job front, Deb! It sounds as though your unit was hit by some sort of targeted solar flare! Goodness me! I’d be sick of adulting too if that all happened to me let alone all at once.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Ha! I’m ignoring the fact that my lounge room vertical venetian blinds are broken and don’t close, one of my toilet flushes doesn’t work, my spa no longer fucntions and my oven doesn’t work on one of the settings. They’ve all needed attention for over a year but I haven’t had the energy (or cash) to deal with them!!!

  • Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
    January 18, 2016

    It is so frustrating when things start going on the fritz all at once. I hope you hear about the interview. To Catch A Killer sounds like my kind of book. Happy Bloggiversary.

  • readerbuzz
    January 18, 2016

    You have certainly had a week of troubles with your house!

    Congrats on your seven year anniversary with your blog. A survey sounds nice.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      A few bloggers here in Oz have done them recently. I’m not sure it will be very scientifically sound, but still…

  • Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight
    January 18, 2016

    Wow, congrats on seven years blogging! I admire your ability to still think of post ideas lol.

    Sorry about all the house issues :-/ If it makes you feel any better, this morning the crazy wind got under my bedroom window and bent the corner outward away from the frame. Still not as bad as your many problems, but misery loves company, right? 😛

    Good luck getting the job (I suppose you probably needed the luck more when you interviewed, but still)!

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      I’m slowly ticking off the jobs I had to do as a result of the crappy luck Kristen – kitchen taps are fixed and today I bought a shiny new (RED!!!!) microwave… so I just need to organise an electrician (and have asked a friend for some contact info), so I’m slowly getting there.

      And thanks for the luck with the job. It’s been a few weeks since I heard anything so I might contact them this week!

  • Tracy (@Cornerfolds)
    January 18, 2016

    Wow! It sounds like you had quite a trying week! I hope next week goes much better for you!

    Here’s my Weekly Recap!

  • Grace MyBookSnack
    January 18, 2016

    Happy Blogiversary! I hope you hear something soon on the job. May you have more time to read and have a better week this week. 🙂

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Thanks Grace – 7 years seems like a long time in blogging – particularly when it feels my blog hasn’t grown much!

  • Theresa (The Truth About Books)
    January 18, 2016

    To Catch a Killer sounds like a good book. Hope you hear from the Job that your interested in.

    Theresa (The Truth About Books)
    Here is my Monday read

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      It was good, thanks Theresa and thank for the good wishes re the job!

  • Kathryn
    January 18, 2016

    7 years that’s a lot! I’d just blog as and how you want. Your blog! Funny how things seem to run in twos and threes when they go wrong. And worse when living alone I think. No one to share the pain! Or help in the solution. Hope things are all working soon.

    • Debbish
      January 18, 2016

      Yes… I almost called my uncle the evening the tap broke as I wasn’t sure how to turn the water off and where etc… Thankfully the plumber talked me through it – mostly via text! I sent him pics and asked questions and he responded!

  • Stefanie
    January 19, 2016

    Seven years of blogging is quite an accomplishment. Congrats!

  • Lola
    January 19, 2016

    That time period between an application and hearing back is always a bit weird. I went through a long period of job hunting before I started Lola’s Blog Tours and I always slacked of on the job hunting after a promising interview and then got disapointed when I didn’t got the job. I hope you get this job!
    Numbered looks god, i hope you enjoyed it. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      January 19, 2016

      I’ve been very much the same since I had a couple of positive interviews late last year Lola! The last few months have been a roller-coaster on the job front.

  • Yvonne
    January 19, 2016

    Good luck on the job situation. I hate that waiting period.

    Your books look good. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      January 19, 2016

      Oh yes, some great books lately Yvonne!

  • Jess
    January 19, 2016

    Oh I totally relate to your tired of adulting thoughts!

    • Debbish
      January 19, 2016

      Yep… over it… in a bit way! I just want someone else to take control of it all. (Which is weird given I’m such a control freak!) #adulting

  • Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
    January 19, 2016

    I hope you hear good news from your interview and your repairs are done quickly and not-too-expensively! Enjoy your week!

    • Debbish
      January 19, 2016

      Thankfully Jen I’ve now gotten most of the work done so I’m ticking things off that #adulting list!

  • Melinda
    January 19, 2016

    I’m tired of adulting, too! Doesn’t it seem like all those household catastrophes happen at once?

    • Debbish
      January 19, 2016

      I know! After the plumbing and electrical issue a friend joked on Facebook that bad things come in threes and something else would happen. And then my microwave oven died, so I blamed him!

  • Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
    January 21, 2016

    I hope you’ll get a positive response about your interview, Deb! I completely understand that the waiting is hard, it’s so much easier to just know 🙂
    You’ve been blogging a long time! And i think our blogs change and evolve over time – just like we do 🙂
    Have a fantastic week and happy reading.

    • Debbish
      January 21, 2016

      Thanks Lexxie. Think I will have to chase up the government agency re the interview. I submitted my security check info several weeks ago now (and know for a fact it won’t be a problem!).

  • Silver's Reviews
    January 21, 2016

    I hope you hear good news about your interview.

    I hope your reading week is good so far.

    Coffin Road sounds quite interesting.

    ENJOY the rest of your week.

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

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