Weekly check-in

Saturday, September 5, 2015 Permalink

I’m struggling to think of any good things to say about this past week as it’s kinda been the week from hell. So let’s just stick to books and reading and move on shall we? 😉 

What I read

I finished Kate London’s Post Mortem which was a great debut novel from the former police officer.

As I suspected, I ditched my anally-prepared chronological reading list for Sue Grafton’s X, which I very much enjoyed, before picking up Nora Roberts’ (JD Robb’s) latest, Devoted in Death.

devoted in death

Before returning to my orderly list with Susan Johnson’s The Landing.

What I wrote

Again it was just book stuff. I seem a bit hamstrung when it comes to talking about more personal things on the blog at the moment.

I kicked off my week with a review of Sophie Hannah’s A Game for All the Family — which started out as riveting but ultimately disappointed. A little.

I shared my thoughts about Deadly Messengers, a book by an Aussie author, Susan May.

I reviewed Post Mortem by Kate London and finally Sue Grafton’s X. I also announced a competition I’m running ONLY FOR AUSSIE RESIDENTS to win a copy of X and Val McDermid’s Splinter the Silence.

What I did

I was sick. In last week’s post I hoped I was getting better. Well, nope. No siree… I got worse. I spent about 20hrs straight in bed on Monday and felt mostly crappy for the remainder of the week. Even now I still have a bit of a cough and headache (though I suspect the former causes the latter!)

Then on Thursday night my mother (who lives in a neighbouring town) was taken to hospital in an ambulance because of chest pains (she’s being treated and monitored by a cardiologist so has an existing condition) and I spent the 30min drive there (at 9.30pm) freaking out BIG TIME. The staff was great and she was there getting checked out until almost 3am. The upshot is her cardiologist is tweaking her medication. So, a long and stressful night. For all concerned.

It kinda reminded me how the best laid plans can get unstuck ridiculously easily. Life’s short. Yadda yadda yadda.

What I’m planning on reading

Early One Morning by Virginia Baily is a novel which is partially set during WWII so wouldn’t normally appeal (given my mehness for historical fiction), however it seems to also be a novel which examines the time and events retrospectively so I’m feeling brave! 😉

early one morning

Next on my list is The Assassins by Gayle Lynds, which I expect I requested though it sounds like a return to my spy and espionage novel-loving past* than my current mystery / suspense / crime fiction bent.

the assassins

And then there’s Cathy Kelly’s Between Sisters. I’ve not read any of Kelly’s books in the past, so figured it was time to expand my horizons. A little.

between sisters

Other stuff

The lovely Evil Overlord, Elizabeth, read an interview I did with Daniela recently and commented on one of the book ideas I mentioned. She of course suggested I get my act into gear and pitch it to a publisher but she suggested in the interim I could publish excerpts on my blog. I kinda like that idea (the second part, not the first of course as it’s a bit too scary!).

As an aside, if you’re at a loose end I’ve previously blogged a bit here about my time in Mozambique (a lifetime ago). Not sure how these would translate into something more novel-like:

We are all one under the skin
That time I was on the radio at 4.30am
We need to talk about…

I’m also thinking of biting the bullet and enrolling in a Magazine and Newspaper Writing course at the Australian Writers’ Centre. I’ve done some similar things in the past so wasn’t sure I ‘needed’ it… but in retrospect it might give me the confidence I need to start pitching ideas to potential sources. Perhaps. As I’m minimally employed at the moment I’d have to reprioritise my finances, but I hope it’ll be worth it.

And… that’s my books and reading related news for another week.

What’s on your agenda? 

Linking up with Kimberley from The Caffeinated Reviewer for the Sunday Post.

* I was once MADLY in love with anything and everything by David Morrell, Robert Ludlum, John LeCarre and Len Deighton.

74 Comments
  • Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
    September 6, 2015

    I’m so glad to hear your mother is okay and hopefully the medicine tweaks work. I can imagine that that drive was incredibly stressful and anything involving hospitals is not fun. I think it’s smart taking away from the chronological list to read something you really want to read. I’ve found that if I’m really strict about sticking to a list than it’s just a matter of time before I end up in a rut. Have a great week and good luck with your writing!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Oh yes Katherine and I think that’s where I’d been for a couple of weeks – in a reading rut. Mixing my reading up and choosing books I really wanted to read helped. And… despite my planned reading for this week I’ve actually started on a book which wasn’t on my list and ISN’T something I received for review, but rather something I’ve wanted to read for ages!!!

  • Elizabeth the Evil Overlord
    September 6, 2015

    Yes! Look into a course and maybe hit up your mom for the dinero, as I always do. Or…do a Kickstarter to pay for it and advertise it on the blog and twitter. If everyone who reads gave $10 it would probably pay for it, right? And we’d be supporting the arts as benefactors of a future paid author!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Oh I’m not sure about the Kickstarter thing Elizabeth. I know someone who recently advertised for benefactors who’d exclusively receive a piece of writing each week or fortnight etc…

      But I think (am sure?!) I’m going to do the course as I hope it would ultimately pay for itself if I get paid for any freelancing pitches I start doing!

  • Red Iza
    September 6, 2015

    I must be tired, I read “I’m running for Aussie president !” Elizabeth is right, go ahead and launch yourself, directly with an editor or just using us as guinea pigs – I bet we’ll love it 🙂

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Sadly we don’t have a president Izabel, though I could run for president if we did! 😉 #ornot

      I’m kinda pro-republic but we’re currently part of the English monarchy!

      • Red Iza
        September 6, 2015

        I know, lol, that was a late-night comment, my eyes were crossing 😉

  • Char
    September 6, 2015

    Yeah, you did have a crappy week. I’m glad your Mum’s okay and it sounds like you’re on the improve. Let’s hope that this week is much better.

  • laurelrainsnow
    September 6, 2015

    Whew, you have definitely had your challenges this week! Glad you and your mom are both feeling better…and when life throws a curve or two, it’s great to be able to read whatever strikes your fancy.

    I’m glad you enjoyed X…and I am eager to get my hands on the new Cathy Kelly. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    I think excerpting from your writing on your blog is a wonderful idea. Have fun with it.

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      I know Cathy Kelly has a lot of fans so hope I can join them!

  • Greg
    September 6, 2015

    Sorry to hear about your mom! Hope all is well and she is feeling much better soon. Hope you feel better too…

    Liked your review of X, I had no idea there was an alphabet seris. 🙂 I like that it’s simpler crimes, that would be fun without being too heavy. And that cover of Deadly Messengers- like that one.

    Have a fabulous week!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Oh yes… the alphabet series has been going for a while Greg. In fact I checked Grafton’s site and A was published in 1983!

  • Kathryn
    September 6, 2015

    Oh yes, that was a week from hell. Hope you shake the bugs completely and your Mum and her medication settles down. I can’t imagine being the only one when a parent gets ill. We are ten and at least seven of us live nearby so we share the panic.
    Will be interested to see how you go with Early One Morning, it was a bit out of my normal league for reading but I think I appreciated it. More literary than I go for.

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Oh no… that doesn’t bode well for me… re Early One Morning! Though I do occasionally surprise myself!

  • Christy
    September 6, 2015

    Oh man, that IS super scary! Hope she’s feeling better. You too. Your books look good.Hope you enjoy them, and hopefully next week is MUCH better.

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Yes Christy I certainly have my fingers crossed!

  • lattenightsreviews
    September 6, 2015

    I love Nora Roberts! She’s truly amazing! I hope you are feeling better! And your mom too. I know how bad chest pains can be so I hope her recovery is fast. Hopefully this upcoming week is better 🙂

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Thanks so much and yes I’m a huge fan of Roberts’ JD Robb series!

  • Trish @ Between My Lines
    September 6, 2015

    I read your older blog post about being on the radio and it made me laugh. I think we all hate our own voice, when I ring my parents and get the voicemail that I recorded for them, I always think who is that 10 year old?! I sound ridiculously young and timid but it was only recorded last year! :O
    Hope you are feeling better this week and that was a scary episode with your mum, I’m glad it wasn’t serious in the end. Fingers crossed this week is hassle free and sickness free!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      Thanks Trish, I hope you have a good one too!

  • Maree
    September 6, 2015

    I’m glad your mum was okay and that you’re feeling better. That’s not a great week. Hope this one coming up is better 🙂

  • Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
    September 6, 2015

    I’m glad your mom is doing better, and that her doctor is tweaking her medication! That must have been a horrible drive to the hospital. I hope you’ll feel better, to, Deb, have you been to the doctor?
    Your new books look great, the cover of One Morning makes me want to pick it up.
    Have a fantastic week ahead, and happy reading.

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      I didn’t end up going to the doctor Lexxie as I wasn’t really sure if there was anything to be done for my cold / flu. Our media’s been reporting it a lot as much of our State has been hit by it (and apparently my region is one of the worst).

  • Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
    September 6, 2015

    I am glad your mom is doing better -and hope you are feeling better as well. Early One Morning sounds good – but I do lie historical fiction. Hope you have a better week!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      It’s up next Grace so I’ll let you know how it goes!

  • signourney
    September 6, 2015

    Glad to hear your mom is okay. I hope you are feeling better as well. I hope the upcoming week will be a lot better. <3

  • fangswandsfairy(alt)
    September 6, 2015

    You don’t have to NEED the instruction to take the course; you just have to want to. I find painting classes help me get my behind into the studio more even though I have taken similar painting classes before. As the shoe people say: Just Do It!

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      I signed up today so am all ready to go!

  • Jess
    September 6, 2015

    So glad your mum is okay! I hope this week is upwards for you. I can’t even imagine that drive to hospital scary! Last week was a shocker for me too must be something in the air.

    • Debbish
      September 6, 2015

      The change of seasons or something Jess!

  • Rita @ My Home of Books
    September 7, 2015

    Glad you are doing better and your mother’s scare was just that, and nothing more serious at this time.
    I can’t stick to a regimented reading list, but if you can, more power to you 🙂 Of course this week threw you off course and you mixed it up, but it’s all good.
    I hope you decide soon what writing courses you’ll take and come up with a grand plan for the future. Elizabeth has some good thoughts (as always, ha).
    Good books, I’m scribbling down the titles. Not sure about X though, since I haven’t read the series and it’s so long ( let’s see… a, b, c..yep long) and I missed so much back story. Have a wonderful week!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Yes Rita, I think I’d suggest starting the alphabet series from the beginning… not because you wouldn’t catch / keep up (as that wouldn’t be a problem) but because there’s a lot of history that’s worth knowing.

  • viki
    September 7, 2015

    Oh wow you had a long week. I love Cathy Kelly’s book. Hope you enjoy it!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Oh… looking forward to it then Viki!

  • imavoraciousreader
    September 7, 2015

    I totally agree with the best laid plans deal. Glad to hear everything is working out. I hope this week is much better! {{{posivibes}}}

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Thank you very much. I’m feeling better, so hopefully that’s a good start and it’ll all fall into place!

  • Paige
    September 7, 2015

    I’m sorry you’ve been feeling sick and the scare with your mom sounds scary too. Here’s hoping to a better week ahead! That cover for Early One Morning is attractive…I hope you end up liking it! 🙂

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Me too Paige. It’s next on the list!

  • Emma
    September 7, 2015

    Sounds like things have been crazy. Hope both you and your mom feel better soon. Not sure if it would be any good but I did a free futurelearn course on writing fiction. I found the online community really supportive. They had similar for journalism. Might be something similar our there that takes your interest?

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Emma I bit the bullet yesterday and enrolled in the Magazine and Newspaper Writing Course. It officially starts today so soon (eek!) I’ll log on and get the lay of the land! It goes for five weeks but is pretty much self-paced I think.

  • Heather Duff (@hross42)
    September 7, 2015

    I hope you Mum is feeling better, what a scare. I hope you are feeling better too, what a week for you.

    The course sounds like a great idea, very exciting!

    I am so looking forward to Devoted in Death, I have been keeping it by my bed for that moment when I need a little Eve and Rourke!

    Hope you have a better week!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Oh yes it was nice to dip into the world of 2060 last week – very comforting Heather!

  • katarguelles
    September 7, 2015

    You had a busy week. I hope you and your mom are feeling better. The Assassins sounds really good. I haven’t read a spy book in a long time and I hope you enjoy it. I hope this week is better for you!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      As I said I was once a HUGE spy and espionage novel reader… could NOT get enough of them and I still have a stack of Ludlums and Morrells (few LeCarres and Deightons) in my bookshelf. I’ve not enjoyed the more recent David Morrells and have to admit I’ve not bothered with the new Bourne series of Ludlums either, so perhaps this will reignite my love of that genre!

  • Stormi D Johnson
    September 7, 2015

    Hope your feeling better! The Assassins looks really good. 🙂 Enjoy your books!

    Stormi
    Week in Review

  • Yvonne
    September 7, 2015

    I hope you and your mother are feeling better.

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Thanks Yvonne. I definitely am and know my mother was getting her new medication today, so fingers crossed!

  • Teddyree
    September 7, 2015

    Ugh what an awful week Deb, hope you’ve kicked the bug and your mum is doing better … would have been scary. adjusting heart meds is a pain in the butt and can make you feel like shite so I hope it’s sorted quick smart. Sending good thoughts. On a brighter note, the course sounds like a fab idea … do you know how much people enjoy your posts and your sense of humour? I’m guessing anything that gives you the confidence to pitch with umm confidence will be a good thing. Here’s to a better week 🙂

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Thanks Teddyree, I’m just doing my sign-up (intro) stuff for the course at the moment! Exciting and scary!

  • fuonlyknew
    September 7, 2015

    That is a terrible week and I hope you and your mother are feeling better soon. I hope your next week is a better one:)

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Thanks so much… I have everything crossed!

  • Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
    September 7, 2015

    I’m glad your mom was okay and you’re feeling better! The writing course sounds like a good confidence-booster if you can swing it. Good luck!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Thanks Jen. I’m in – enrolled and paid yesterday and getting started today!

  • Michelle @ In Libris Veritas
    September 7, 2015

    I’m sorry your week has been stressful. I’m glad to hear that your mom is okay though, and I hope you’re feeling better! The writing course could definitely help out with your confidence. They say we learn something new everyday so perhaps you’ll pick up a few more skills and tidbits to help make your writing even better!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      True Michelle – at least I’ll know I’m doing what I should be and not being unprofessional (etc) in my pitches to magazines / newspapers etc.

  • Pinky Poinker
    September 7, 2015

    I’m glad your Mum did the sensible thing and went to the hospital and very pleased to hear she’s okay. I recently did a creative writing thing with the AWC and it was pretty good. When I restock my finances I might go on to the next level. It’s quite expensive really I thought. I think they could chop a couple of hundred dollars off it to be honest.

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Everything I’ve done through the Qld Writers’ Centre was much more reasonably priced (than AWC). I did a year-long course for the same price as this 5wk one!

  • My ParaHangover
    September 7, 2015

    I am so sorry you were sick and your mom was dealing with her heart! I’d be freaking out, too! I really hope you’re feeling better this week!!!!!!!!! Summer is on it’s way so you’ve got to feel better soon, right?!?!?!?!?!

    I love that you ditched your reading list and you’re trying new authors – remember, DNF it if you don’t love it! Don’t waste your precious time!

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Hee hee… funnily enough I’m not a fan of summer (our Australian summers anyway!).

      And yes, it’s been nice to mix up my reading a little!

  • shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
    September 7, 2015

    We have more than just books in common this week Deb. I read X, got hit with the sniffles on Wednesday (though it was fairly short-lived) and my mother also had a bit of health scare (a nasty fall), though she didn’t tell me til after she’d been cleared of serious injury.
    I’m glad your mother and you are both better x

    • Debbish
      September 7, 2015

      Oh… and not all nice coincidences either Shelleyrae. We’ll have to improve on that next week! 🙂

  • MarthaE
    September 8, 2015

    I do hope you and your mother are feeling better quickly . I feel for you. I had a summer bug – bad cough – that hung around for four weeks until it turned into a sinus infection – ugh.
    I am only on book 14 of the In Death Series. I enjoy them on audio.
    I keep a list of my review titles and a TBR challenge list (which I am behind on). I don’t think I could stick to a chronological list beyond that organization.
    I read a Gayle Lynds title quite some time ago and really liked it. I should try another by her.
    Happy Reading!

    • Debbish
      September 8, 2015

      I’ve started Lynds’ book Martha and am enjoying it so far!

  • Lola
    September 8, 2015

    I am sorry to hear this was a week from hell for you, I hope next week will be better! I really should start that JD Robb series eventually, I heard so many good things about it. But the series is so long already, whcih makes it daunting to start.

    • Debbish
      September 8, 2015

      I’m feeling better already Lola – thankfully!

  • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
    September 9, 2015

    Deb, I’m sorry you had a week from hell. I’m glad to see from some of the comment replies that you are feeling better, and I hope your mom is doing better as well. It can be frightening when your parent is ill or hospitalized, especially when it’s sudden.

    I hope you’ll do whatever it takes to build up your confidence about your writing and about pitching your ideas. Go for it!

    • Debbish
      September 9, 2015

      Thanks so much. I’ve enrolled in the course and looking forward to diving into it!

  • brandileigh2003
    September 9, 2015

    Early One Morning sounds good, hope that you enjoy and have a great week.

I'd love to hear your thoughts