It’s been an unusual week for me as I’m getting used to some additional commitments and attempting to develop some new routines. #Spoileralert… I’m failing badly so can really only improve!
What I read
Reading-wise everything was pretty normal. I really only read at night and it’s a bit of an end-of-the-day / pre-evening ritual for me so as planned I started the week with Lisa Jackson’s Never Die Alone before picking up Tania Carver’s Heartbreaker which I very much enjoyed!
I really really enjoyed Linwood Barclay’s upcoming release Broken Promise, which I’ll be blogging about in a day or so and finally I read Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica. I missed her novel The Good Girl, which everyone RAVED about… so didn’t want to miss this one!
What I wrote
Very little. In fact, I only posted twice during the week although I started three other posts I just didn’t get back to. I hope I get my act together a little this coming week.
I reviewed two books in Goodreads, starting with Lisa Jackson’s Never Die Alone which I struggled with because it came part-way through a series and assumed a lot of knowledge. I also reviewed Michael Robotham’s The Night Ferry on Goodreads. It was an accidental re-read which I very much enjoyed.
I ended the week by reviewing Heartbreaker on the blog and my only other post for the week was one in which I contemplated the idea of some inexpensive renovations to my apartment (and shared my penchant for both industrial minimalist and boho chic. Which may, or may not, be mutually exclusive!).
What I did
I started my new part-time job. It’s really just Saturday mornings but I filled in on Monday as well and then did about a day or so from home to transcribe stuff and do some admin duties. The project management work I’m doing also kicked off this week but didn’t involve a lot of hands-on time.
Next week I’m filling in on the part-time job for three days so I’ll need to get my act together time-wise. I can’t believe I once worked full-time, had a long commute, gymmed every lunchtime and still blogged for 5-6 days a week. Having said that writing book review posts take much longer than the brain farts blog posts I shared in my Diet Schmiet blog days. 🙂
What I plan to read
I had a stack of new books arrive last week, including 6-7 new hardcopies.
A heap of the books on my to-be-read pile are being released in August and I have to admit I can’t even decide where to start although (as usual) it will be chronological!
What’s on your agenda – reading or otherwise?
Linking up again for a book blogging check in with Kimberley from the Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Sunday Post.
July 25, 2015
Some good books there. I’m trying to get into a book that I’m reviewing from a new Australian author. I’m having trouble getting stuck into it, but I can see the potential. Hopefully it kicks in soon.
July 26, 2015
Oh yes… I know that feeling… hope it kicks in soon!
July 26, 2015
So much happening! I am sure you will fall into a routine soon!
July 26, 2015
Thanks Jess.
July 26, 2015
I often fantasize about space makeovers, but because I am somewhat limited by being a renter, I satisfy it by moving stuff around and getting new accessories.
When I had my own house, I realized some fantasies by converting a detached garage into a guest house. We enjoyed it for thirteen years before I sold the house and downsized. I am envious of ocean views. I also love warehouse spaces and lofts.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
July 26, 2015
Ah yes if renting you’re really reliant on cosmetic changes… mind you that’s probably all I’ll get to at the moment but I should add the brick wallpaper to my wishlist!
July 26, 2015
You got a lot of interesting books to read this week, I can’t wait to see your reviews. I am also interested in your Broken Promise review as I have it to review. 🙂
Stormi
Week in Review
July 26, 2015
I drafted my Broken Promise review yesterday so it will probably go up tomorrow, just before the launch the following day. I really enjoyed it!
July 26, 2015
Last week I read First One Missing by Tammy Cohen. Did you recommend it? You probably did. You’re where I source most of my reading material. It was brilliant. I couldn’t put it down. This week I’m reading The Good Girl by Mary Kubica. Looks like I’ll be reading Pretty Baby after that eh?
July 26, 2015
Yes, First One Missing was one I read and reviewed. I haven’t read The Good Girl but everyone raved about it. I’ll need to get to it at some stage. I enjoyed Pretty Baby… not quite as predictable as you’d think!
July 26, 2015
Ii’m pretty sure industrial minimalism and boho chic are pretty exclusive, but I like them both also. My house is more traditional/cottage.I am loving the Murderer’s Daughter. It isn’t an Alex Delaware book and the MC is a woman, so it’s something different from him.
July 26, 2015
I’ve felt the Delaware books are getting a bit ‘old’ and sameish Elizabeth, so I’m keen for something different and looking forward to this one.
July 26, 2015
I’m reading an oldie by Nick Earls- Bachelor Kisses. I picked it up in a 2nd hand book shop when we were on the Sunshine Coast earlier this year. It’s written in the days of mixed tapes before cell phones.
July 26, 2015
I’ve actually got that one and I don’t have many Nick Earls books. I bought my niece a YA novel he wrote though and read that – about a boy in the holidays before heading off to Uni. It was quite funny as the boy in question loved the lead singer of Frente. When I heard Nick speak at something he said he’s wondered whether to change the band and ‘crush’ to make it someone more current when re-releasing it.
July 26, 2015
My husband used to have a crush on the lead singer of Frente too- Angie Hart…although he’d deny it… I’m a bit of a Nick fan- Analogue Men was one of the funniest things I read last year.
July 26, 2015
I used to struggle with his stuff because it was based around Brissy and I hated reading anything quite that familiar!
PS. As an aside, I’m sure Angie used to appear on Buffy on stage at The Bronze!
July 26, 2015
I loved your makeover post! my favorite non-bookish so far 🙂
You’ll settle on a routine soon and will feel productive again. I say “feel” because I think you ARE already very productive 🙂 Looking forward to your review of Pretty Baby!
I hope you visit my Sunday Post. I’ll be up in 40 min. I did some blog make over too 🙂
July 26, 2015
Looking forward to your Sunday Post and thanks for the lovely comments re my makeover post. I hope I feel more productive soon as I feel a bit like I’m flapping about and getting nowhere at the moment!
July 26, 2015
I want to read The Murderers Daughter, it looks good. Great makeover post!
July 26, 2015
Yes, I hope to get The Murderer’s Daughter soon (must check the publishing order!!!!).
July 26, 2015
Congrats on the new job! Both Broken Promise and Pretty Baby sound good.
July 26, 2015
Yes… I’m a little behind, but hope to finish my review of Broken Promise tonight. It’s the start of a new series and I’m excited about that.
Deb
July 26, 2015
It will be different fitting in some hours of scheduled work. Less time for reading but hopefully it will all work out for you. Heaps of books to read for you around that. I’ve seen heaps of people reading the Mary Kubica book but it doesn’t look like my type of read – more yours!
July 26, 2015
Definitely mine – insanity and mayhem Kathryn!!! 🙂
July 26, 2015
Hi Deb!
Congratulations on the part-time job! It’s hard enough to get jobs at the minute (I assume it’s the same everywhere) so congrats 😀 I hope your routine smooths out a bit too.
Are you feeling better now? Sorry I feel a bit daft asking because I feel like I’ve missed a post maybe, so sorry if I’m making you repeat yourself *blushes* I remember you were quite unwell last time we chatted. Are things getting better? I wish you all the best anyway 🙂 Happy health and all that! 😀
Have a great week,
Amy x
July 26, 2015
Hi Amy and yes I’m much better now. I had a couple of things all at once… vertigo and diverticulitis. But am fine now… thanks for remembering!
July 26, 2015
That’s a relief 🙂 I’m glad your feeling better 😀 x
July 26, 2015
Thanks. xx
July 26, 2015
I loved Pretty Baby, but I still think you should get your hands on The Good Girl. It was amazing! I am looking forward to reading your reviews for The Murder’s Daughter and The Marriage of Opposites. Happy reading!
July 26, 2015
Thanks Karen and yes… I just need a little break in my reading commitments to read non-new-releases!!!
July 26, 2015
I want to read Pretty Baby – it sounds so good. Loves the makeover post! Enjoy all your new books!
July 27, 2015
Thanks Grace.
July 26, 2015
Jumping into a new routine can be challenging, sometimes it’s not easy but you will get it.
You got a lot of good books this week! I do hope you enjoy them all!
Have a great week, Deb! Happy Reading!
July 27, 2015
Yes… I always expect too much from things (including myself) and it’s only week 1 of the new ‘stuff’ so I’m sure I’ll settle down.
July 27, 2015
Congrats on the new job! Sounds like it is something you will enjoy!
July 27, 2015
Thanks Steph. I hope so.
July 27, 2015
I have heard Pretty Baby is good so hope you enjoy. I really want to read it. And good luck on your work routine – something I always struggle with.
July 27, 2015
Yes Emma same here obviously. I’m hoping I settle into it soon!
July 27, 2015
Great book haul! I’ve been wanting to read The Good Girl but have been wanting to pick up Pretty Baby as well. Both sound fantastic. Sounds like you’ve had a busy week! I desperately need to get on a routine as well. I feel like I’m spinning in circles with not much getting done but I’m hoping that will change when the kids go back to school in a couple of weeks. Have a great week!
July 27, 2015
I’ve felt very much the same Katherine – in terms of spinning in circles!
And I really must get The Good Girl because I enjoyed Pretty Baby and it wasn’t what I thought it would be… (I was worried it was going to be predictable when I first started, but it wasn’t.)
July 27, 2015
You, my dear, are a voracious reader!!!!! I can’t believe all the reading you can do! And I wouldn’t sweat the time management stuff just yet – you need to get a few weeks on routine under your belt before you can even guess what to do when, IMHO 🙂
Have a great week this coming week!!!
July 27, 2015
Oh yes, I hope that’s the case. I’m not a good sleeper and I think that’s been problematic as well as I’ve been overly tired on a couple of days.
July 27, 2015
Yeah, I know a lot of people really like Kubica’s books, but I haven’t read any yet. Yay for the new job! Hope all goes well with it.
July 27, 2015
Thanks Christy.
July 27, 2015
Congratulations on your new job!
July 27, 2015
Thanks muchly… it’s a relief!
July 27, 2015
The Allende book looks fascinating. Enjoy!
July 27, 2015
I have to admit I’ve not read any of her books before, so hope my kinda-prosaic tastes can cope with this one!
July 27, 2015
I’m horrible at developing routines. Good luck with that. I had to laugh when I saw The Amazing True Story of How Babies are Made in your new books stack.
July 27, 2015
You’ve reminded me I must get onto reviewing that. It’s targetted at an older age group than I initially imagined so my ‘test guinea pig’ is way too young!
July 27, 2015
People keep telling me the busier you get the more you fit in?? Not sure I buy that one but I guess I do waste time being ‘productive’ on pinterest and the like lol. I know it takes me a lot longer to do review posts than say Paris in July posts … I also know which ones are more fun. Sigh … I need to get my act together. Good luck with getting organised and enjoy your reads.
July 27, 2015
Thanks Teddyree. I actually think it is true – we’re more productive when we’re busy as we’ve got no choice…
July 27, 2015
Sometimes it is surprising to look back and see what you were able to do during certain times, and realize how far you pushed yourself to keep things going. I hope this week you will be able to find some balance between blogging and working. 🙂
July 28, 2015
Thanks Signourney – mostly it’s pressure I put myself under and of course the thought of my #ToDo list is always worse than the list itself!
July 27, 2015
I recently got a part time job after years of working full time. I was looking for full time, but nothing was available and this part time was all I could get. It turns out I’m working more and more all the time, but I got used to part time and liked it 🙂 I don’t know how I did full time all those years either 🙂
Good luck with the job and enjoy your books. They look like good ones.
July 28, 2015
I think when time is limited you make the most of it…something I could improve on at the moment…
July 27, 2015
I’ve actually been looking around for something part time too, something where I can still flounce about and be fabulous, but also have a book fund coming in. Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate this week Deb, but I can imagine thoughts keep drifting to that potential makeover. I love boho. I’ve got a bit of boho infused with my Balinese type decor at our house, dark reclaimed timbers, bright artwork. There’s even a bit of a Moroccan influence in there. I LOVE home design, I’m such a junkie when it comes to home reno shows. Now you’ve got ME excited to redecorate, and my house is only almost five years old. 😀
July 28, 2015
I usually get really enthusiastic when I first move and buy heaps of magazines (of course now you can just look online!) and make all of these plans… I do one or two things before losing my motivation.
July 27, 2015
Congrats on the new job, and I hope you enjoy all of your books.
July 28, 2015
Thanks so much.
July 27, 2015
What a great stack of books! And good luck with your new job(s) and developing those routines. I’ll be honest, sticking to a routine is a lot harder when you work from home; I wish you luck (sincerely, not sarcastically.) Have a great week!
July 28, 2015
Thanks… and it’s very true that working from home has its negatives as well as its positives. 🙂
July 28, 2015
Congrats on the new job, Deb! I hope it will be a good one, and that you’ll be with nice colleagues as well as having something hopefully interesting to do while you’re there.
Great new books this week, too, enjoy!
Have a fantastic week and happy reading.
July 28, 2015
Thanks Lexxie… I think it’s good to get out of the house every so often. The hours are a bit uncertain at the moment but I’m sure that will settle down.
July 28, 2015
I’m sure you’ll get it all together. And I love the brain farts line. I have those all the damn time. lol I hope you have a fantastic week!
July 28, 2015
Ah yes… when I had my diet blog I wrote in it daily (or 6 times a week for a LONG time) and so I just wrote whatever came to mind.
July 28, 2015
Hopefully this week is a bit easier than last so far! It’s always hard to get into a new routine, but I am sure it’ll be working out great in no time! Hope you enjoy all the books you plan to read, and have a great week!
July 28, 2015
I think I was dealing with a bit of a backlog of stuff Shannon so hopefully once the next week or so is over I should be on top of things… (Of course then it might all drop off and I’ll be complaining!)
July 28, 2015
Wow I need this blog to remind me to even pick up a book that’s not intended for 3 year olds!
emma
http://www.bemomstrong.com
July 29, 2015
Glad to be of assistance Emma!!! 🙂
July 28, 2015
I’ve been really curious about Kubica’s books – they’ve definitely gotten a lot of buzz. I’ll be interested to see what you think! Hope your new schedule falls into place for you!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
July 29, 2015
Thanks Nicole and I enjoyed Pretty Baby, but still must get hold of The Good Girl.
July 29, 2015
Congrats on the new job! I hope you can get everything squared away and in order, having an out of whack schedule can really suck sometimes.
July 29, 2015
Yes… I’m still struggling but hoping it improves soon!!!
July 30, 2015
Hi Deb 🙂
I’ve nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! Have fun with it 🙂 Here’s the link: http://www.anovelstart.com/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
I figured it’s something a little different lol. It’s my first award so just leave me a note if you don’t want to be linked again. I wasn’t sure if you did them or not but thought what the hell 🙂 why not?
Enjoy x
July 31, 2015
Thanks Amy – will check it out!
Deb
July 31, 2015
Good to hear about the part time work and the project management work. I really need to get back into reading – I’ve let it be the thing that gives in my schedule. I’m sure you’ll sort your new schedule out and reclaim that on-top-of-things feeling you’ve had before. x
July 31, 2015
Thanks Kathy… I hope to get my act together soon!
August 3, 2015
I plan to be very focused this week and not disappear down too many rabbit holes…I have had lots of books on the go post holiday – need to ease up a bit because hours can be lost…keeping it to night reading for a while…going to start Harper Lee’s new/old offering this week x
August 3, 2015
Oh yes, enjoy Go Set A Watchman. Will be keen to hear what you think Monique.