I’m making a concerted effort not to open this post with news of the weather here in Australia. So instead I’ll regale you with the fact I’m currently full-to-the-brim with vanilla diet coke and chocolate. Which would be fine, if it wasn’t before 9 o’clock in the morning.
So… now that we’ve gotten the small talk out of the way (which reminds me, who says I’m not good at this frivolous chit chat stuff?!) onto the important things like books, reading and blogging.
What I read
I had a pretty quiet reading week as I had a few nights away and ‘off’. But I managed to finish Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson along with The Girl Before by PJ Delaney and finally I binged on Rush of Blood by Mark Billingham so I didn’t feel quite so pitiful in my reading efforts! Bizarrely however, Rush of Blood appears to be a re-release and I discovered (after checking Goodreads because it seemed familiar) that I’d read it in 2012, but I didn’t remember the detail so decided to keep going.
What I wrote
I shared information on the two challenges I plan on doing in 2017 – my first reading challenges ever!
I also reviewed Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson, which I enjoyed; and Crimson Lake by Candice Fox – a WONDERFUL new book by the Aussie author and I’m sure it will be one of my favourites for the year.
There was also an interview with my mother for her 73rd birthday and even I was struck by her lack of regret and contentedness with life.
What I did
As it was my mother’s birthday I spent a few days with her (I think I’ve mentioned she lives in a nearby town).
I finished binge-watching Continuum – rewatching some of the first three seasons (which I have on DVD) so I could see the final season on Netflix. I should mention I’ve also been watching Midnight Sun, a Swedish show by the makers of The Bridge.
What I plan to do
I want to get into some routines, which is something I’ll be writing about tomorrow. Well, flexible routines I guess is what I’m thinking.
And, as for my reading… according to my schedule (via Trello) I’m behind on Love, Lies and Linguine by Hilary Spiers ; Slow Waltz of Turtles by Katherine Pancol; and Cast Iron by Peter May. And I’ve got City of Friends by Joanne Trollope and House of Lies by Renee McBryde coming out in the next week or so.
What’s on your agenda for the next week?
I’m linking up with Kimberly from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Kathryn from The Book Date.
January 29, 2017
Aaaah routines. I’ll be interested to read yours tomorrow as mine have gone right out the window! I haven’t even exercised regularly since Milford – and you know how weird that is for me!
January 29, 2017
Yes, but I note you mentioned in one of your posts that you’re writing in the mornings so that’s great as well.
A few months ago I was getting up early and didn’t exercise much (at all) but I did sit at my desk for an hour or two before work etc and do some writing (blogging) and really enjoyed that. I felt so productive.
January 29, 2017
too true. I suspect I’m being quite tough on myself.
January 29, 2017
A good ole weekend post isn’t good with out weather talk….lol. 🙂 You got some great books on your reading list there! I hope you enjoy them all! 🙂
January 29, 2017
I’ve been whinging about our heat a lot lately Stormi!
January 29, 2017
Lol I’m guilty a lot of times of doing a “Weather update”- like anyone cares! And I used to drink chocolate Coke- there was a place here that had chocolate and vanilla Coke. Don’t see it around here anymore. Happy birthday to your mom!!
What did you think of continuum? I thought the ending was rushed but they didn’t have a choice I guess with the condensed 4th season.
January 29, 2017
I often talk about our weather in summer cos it’s hot, but probably don’t so as much in winter cos I love the cold and our winter (in my part of Australia) is very mild.
As for Continuum… I’m still kinda processing it I think! So much happened in that last season I often felt as if I wasn’t keeping up!
January 29, 2017
Happy birthday to your mom! No worries about being full of chocolate and vanilla coke – some days just call for it! I have a hard time reading during the day too. I always feel like I’m slacking off on something even when there’s really no reason not to be reading! The Girl Before is on my TBR. I love the concept! Have a great week!
January 29, 2017
I enjoyed The Girl Before…and I am eyeing City of Friends, as I like Joanna Trollope. I am definitely curious about Crimson Lake.
Great interview with your mum; she is lovely. Happy birthday to her.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
January 29, 2017
Cast Iron and the House of Lies look good! WE do tend to talk about the weather…lol. It is always a safe topic.
January 29, 2017
Looking forward to hearing what you thought of The Girl Before. It sounds good!
January 29, 2017
I hope your mum had a brilliant day! Have a great week 🙂
January 29, 2017
I think I actually have to work next week. Hmmmm. The less I work the lazier I get so it’s probably a good thing. Have you done a review on Behind Her Eyes, Deb? If you have can you send me a link on FB? I’m thinking of getting it.
January 30, 2017
Hi Michelle I haven’t read Behind Her Eyes but have seen it a few places lately and think it’s my kind of read. I don’t seem to get much from Harper Collins – just the occasional media release.
January 29, 2017
I love the look of City Of Friends. I am addicted to Netflix and need to watch Continuum I am currently ‘re watching Vampire Diaries. Have a great week.
January 30, 2017
I’d seen the first 3 seasons of Continuum Megan and – though it started with a bang it slackened off a bit. I kept watching though as I needed resolution!!!
January 29, 2017
Congratulations with your moms birthday Deborah! And how fun that you had an interview with her.
I’ve been watching The Good Wife on Netflix this last week. I’ve been loving it so far and I saw that there are six seasons so I have more to go! Sigh.. If only there was more time in a week!
Good luck with you reading and have a great week!
January 30, 2017
I watched the first couple of seasons of The Good Wife Maureen and then – for some reason – stopped reading. I think I got tired of the constant battles at her firm or something. Suits was a bit like that for me. Constant power-plays and the like.
January 29, 2017
I’m actually very bad at not having routines at all when it comes to reading. I just read whatever I feel like, and that means that ARCs may be left for later. It doesn’t seem to hurt any, though, as I still get accepted for ARCs.
I wish it would be mentioned on books that they are re-issues. It upsets me if I pay for a book, only to figure out that I’ve already read it.
Good luck with your new schedule and your routine. Reading during the day is really nice 😉
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
January 30, 2017
I initially joined Goodreads in 2012 because I kept re-borrowing the same books from the library so I downloaded the app so I could check. I tend not to check nowadays as I assume anything on NetGalley or from publishers is new.
January 29, 2017
Now you see – I LOVE your weather chat. But then I’m a Brit and we’re OBSESSED with the weather, given that anything other than drizzle always comes as a shock to the system… When you interviewed your mother, was it a formal affair that you taped or recorded in any way? I am haunted by the fact that I always INTENDED to interview my Gran who brought me up – she died at 102. But sadly, she succumbed to dementia before I got around to it. Hope she had a great birthday and have a great week.
January 30, 2017
Nah…. I’d gone to my mother’s for dinner (and the night) as I was cooking for her birthday and I’d asked if I could interview her. I was drinking champagne and had my notebook in front of me and so it wasn’t formal at all.
I do have this (with Mother, instead of Mom) and have a Dad one as well.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Mom-Her-Story-Words/dp/1932319638
January 29, 2017
Routines always sound like such a good idea when other people are doing them. I think it’s lovely your mom is content – it’s a place I hope to grow into. Love the look of your books, especially the Peter May. Have a good week.
January 30, 2017
The only problem I hadn’t realised is the Peter May is part of a series I wasn’t familiar with. His last – which I read – seemed to have been a standalone…
January 30, 2017
I’m bad at routines, period. I know people who can be awake hours before they have to leave for work and they drink their coffee and all manner of other things. I sleep until the last possible moment. I get up, dressed, and out the door. Almost every day sans makeup. I loved your interview with your mom.
January 30, 2017
I WAS like that in the mornings but for the past few months have been able to wake early and do some writing first… but that habit seems to be waning as I’m struggling to get out of bed again which is annoying.
January 30, 2017
Send some of that warm weather our way, especially sunshine! It honestly hasn’t been too bad for winter here this year but I still can’t wait for spring to arrive.
My sister loved The Kind Worth Killing so I am curious about Her Every Fear. I don’t read a lot of suspense but I may have to check out his books. Love, Lies and Linguine looks like a fun book. City of Friends looks fantastic too. I hope you enjoy them.
I need to get more reading done this week too. I have a book I need to reread for book club on Tuesday and another book for review that I am on deadline for. I have spent too much time on Netflix and my phone lately when I should be reading.
Have a great week!
January 30, 2017
I’m been the same with Netflix too Christina. I think I might try to NOT start watching any new shows this week and do a bit more reading!
January 30, 2017
No need for such refreshment here! In my neck of the woods summer passed me by – so far. I read and enjoyed your interview with your Mum, think it might have been this week. Hmm a Joanna Trollope book, I have read her in the past but not for a long time.
January 30, 2017
I keep checking the weather in Christchurch Kathryn, as I have it set on my phone to see what’s happening in my bestie’s part of the world and it’s been so cool all summer. I’m terribly envious.
January 30, 2017
Must be beautiful there. I can get into that breakfast too. LOL And I’m liking every one of your books!
My Sunday Post
January 30, 2017
Yes… thankfully it isn’t the everyday breakfast (well, the vanilla diet coke is, but the chocolate isn’t!)!
January 30, 2017
Hi Deb
I don’t know what happened to our discussion thread – but I can’t find it here… I was going to say what a great idea it was having one of those journals to talk to your mum and dad with and thank you for the link. Have a great week!
January 30, 2017
I ‘think’ the conversation thread is still there. I think there are also grandparent books etc like the parent ones. I left my dad’s a little too late and although his dementia mainly affected his short term memory, his long term memories were a bit murky. It asks questions about when they learned to drive; what they did when young; who were their best friends; what was their first job; favourite games as a kid; things they remember about their parents etc…
January 30, 2017
Quite often I’ve been reading and find out that I’ve already read the book. Her Every Fear is going on my TBR list.
January 30, 2017
I used to do it all of the them before I downloaded the Goodreads App Nise’. Back before 2012 I’d borrow books from the library only to find I’d already read them.
January 30, 2017
Now that you mentioned the weather you’ve reminded me how cold I currently am since the weather is being all crazy here and I have no central heating! Happy birthday to your mother though! Glad you got to spend some time with her for her birthday 🙂
January 30, 2017
I saw that about the weather on your post. And yes, nice to have some time with mum. She’d had a busy day – a breakfast she helps organise for the needy, bible study and some sort of church service, then lunch for her birthday. Then a massage (my present to her) and then home to a million missed telephone calls. (And me to cook her dinner!)
January 30, 2017
Happy Birthday to your mother!! I hope she had a good day!
Is it weird that one of my fears is forgetting what I’ve read? I never think about it until someone mentions finding out they’ve read something before. Of all the weird fears my mind latches on it, it’s by far the most useless, lol!
I hope you have an awesome week and that you enjoy your new reads!
January 30, 2017
I think I mentioned in another comment that I joined Goodreads in 2012 or so because I noted I was borrowing the same library books again and again or would get to the library and forget the name of a new author I’d discovered. My iPhone was pretty recent and I downloaded the Goodreads App so I could tick off stuff I was reading. Or remind myself of what I’d just read.
January 30, 2017
Happy Belated Birthday to your mother! 73! Hip Hip Hurray! I hope you have a lovely week and I don’t mind when you mention the weather in Aus… it helps get us freezing Canadians live vicariously through you lot that are warm lol.
January 30, 2017
Ha yes true… I’m sitting in airconditioning so I can’t complain too much!
January 30, 2017
But parents used to live in a different part of the same city, but they’ve since moved to an island about 3 hours away – I miss being able to drop in whenever for some home cooking!
January 31, 2017
Oh yes… I lived away from my home town for a long time before returning 4yrs ago. My dad had passed away the year before so if I do have a regret on that front it was probably that I didn’t think about moving up a bit earlier! Mum and I are in nearby towns which is good as we tend to catch up weekly.
January 30, 2017
I’ve watched the first episode of Continuum, and I wasn’t sure whether or not to continue, I think I’ll give it another shot! Great post 🙂 Hope you’re having a good week!
January 31, 2017
I enjoyed the first two seasons of Continuum Olivia but then it got a bit weird and annoying. The 4th season was only 6 episodes though, so at least they got to offer a sense of ‘closure’.
January 30, 2017
9 O’clock – pssshhh. That’s not too early!?
The Girl Before keeps cropping up this week for me – I hope you enjoyed it!
I’m actually looking up Trello now that you’ve mentioned it – I wouldn’t mind finding a better system for scheduling myself although my current ‘system’ (such as it is) isn’t completely failing…
I hope you have a great week and I look forward to your posts!
January 31, 2017
Trello is free Di and really simple to use. I wrote about it at one point if you’re interested…
https://www.debbish.com/books-literature/trello/
January 31, 2017
I understand about reading during the day at home! It’s a guilty pleasure for me too, that I’m trying to look at differently. Also, I didn’t know about new Peter Swanson OR Joanna Trollope books! So glad I stopped by!
January 31, 2017
Ah yes… new books from both! I don’t think I’ve read Joanna Trollope before – not really my sort of thing.
January 31, 2017
Why did you not allow yourself to read during the day? Very interesting.
February 1, 2017
It’s a weird arbitrary rule I have Deb. I’ve started a post about it…. (but am confused as well!).