While much of the US is being buried under piles of snow, we here in Australia are battling the fires of hell. Or similar. I suspect all of us (though am not sure what’s happening in Europe, Asia etc) have all available limbs crossed for more moderate climes. Either way, it’s ideal weather for staying inside and doing some reading. While occasionally taking a break to moan about the weather. #obvs
What I read
Interestingly I started the week with two books which were most certainly not my usual fare. And I really enjoyed both. City of Friends is the first book I’ve read by the very popular Joanne Trollope; and I hadn’t heard of Lucy Diamond (aka Sue Mongredien) but happily added her to the list of ‘authors whose work I enjoy’ after The House of New Beginnings.
I then had a few nights off reading before inhaling a new arrival, Adrian McKinty’s Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly.
What I wrote
I reviewed City of Friends and Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner. And I pondered on whether we sometimes see faults in others that we miss in ourselves. And it made me a little paranoid given I often sit in judgement of others FAR more than I should.
I also shared some info on my ‘dancing with the dark’ class on my local blog.
What I did
You’ll be pleased to know I went to BOTH power yoga and ‘dancing in the dark’. I prevaricated on both. Particularly dancing in the dark as I’ve had a bit of an upset stomach – which I’m unsure is hormonal / related to my surgery / just something going around. So my friend and I decided we’d skip this week and try next week. I decided however, that I felt like hanging with my mother (knowing I had weekend commitments and wouldn’t see her then) and just over 30mins before the class started decided I might as well go, so rushed off and I’m very glad I did.
Power yoga was also good and – as I missed my second yoga class on Friday – I’m very glad I went, though I was sore for days after.
I’m publishing this a bit early this week as I’m babysitting my 5yr old godson tonight. It’ll be his first solo sleepover, but he stayed over with his mum last weekend and was fine in his own room and knows the ‘lay of the land’.
What I plan to do
I had a few new arrivals this week and have already added them into my anally chronologically sorted TBR spreadsheet. I have actually read the CJ Carver already (electronically via o/s publisher) and read the Adrian McKinty on its arrival as it’s already out. I think Evil Games is also out, so it’s next on the list.
I have my first work trip this week, which will be about 5-6hrs of driving so hopefully have an audiobook organised for the trip. Which – despite the car’s airconditioning – is bound to be a hot one!
And finally on Thursday I’m going to meet / hear Aussie author Candice Fox at a local event, which I’m really looking forward to. I recently reviewed her fabulous new book Crimson Lake and she’s got a bestseller out with James Patterson at the moment.
And that’s it for this week.
Have you got any good books to read, or interesting plans?
I’m linking up with Kimberly from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Kathryn from The Book Date.
February 11, 2017
I don’t reckon the gates of hell have anything on this summer. It’s 45 AGAIN as I read this. At this rate we’ll be selling the house to pay for the air conditioner #firstworldproblems
February 12, 2017
I had a nice breeze but have had my aircon on as I’ve been babysitting a friend’s little boy and it was easier to just close everything up. Then we went for a quick trip to the beach this morning and I haven’t recovered from the heat of it… plus the ‘in and out’ of the car thing of course!
February 11, 2017
Hope you have fun with your Godson this weekend, and also that you’re stomach is feeling better. You got some great books this week, I hope you enjoy reading them all.
February 12, 2017
It’s Sunday and I seem to be feeling better today Hayley. I just had a few days that I didn’t feel as if I could keep food down etc… It could even be the heat / me not drinking enough water!
February 12, 2017
I guess i live in the moderate, milder clime which I should be more grateful for!! I must read a book by Lucy Diamond I seem to be seeing her around a little these days so if you liked the book that is a good reason for me to have a read of it.
February 12, 2017
I’d not heard of her before and thought this may have been a debut but she’s got a stack of books to her name and I discovered much loved!
February 12, 2017
The weather this week had been all over the place. I just threw things in my suitcase hoping I had the right kind of clothes. I’m glad you enjoyed City of Friends and The House of New Beginnings. So proud you still went to both your classes this week! I hope you have a good trip.
February 12, 2017
Thanks for that Charlie. I hope to get to both classes this week as well. I feel like saying I hope to settle into a routine but I really don’t have much that interferes with it…. stuff just feels like it does, but it doesn’t (if that makes sense).
February 12, 2017
So it’s hot huh? We’re actually not that bad here- I mean it’s gloomy but for winter it’s been mild. Which is not to say I don’t want spring! Cause I do… sorry it’s such a scorcher down there! It sounds good to me but I’m sure if I ws there I’d be like why’s it so bleepin hot ??? lol
Police at the station and They Don’t Look Friendly- that’s the kind of title that definitely makes me curious! Right Behind You looks like one I’d like.
February 12, 2017
It’s a great title isn’t it Greg! Long to have to type each time you’re writing about it though! 🙂
There’s a lot of debate here re whether it’s a climate change thing or if ‘we’ (older generations) also had similar temperatures in the 70s, 80s, 90s etc… I think a few records are being set though.
February 12, 2017
I often wonder about the climate change myself… although our president tells us it’s a hoax so I feel so much better now lol.
February 13, 2017
It’s another ‘false fact’ apparently!
February 12, 2017
City of Friends is on my list…and I have Right Behind You, soon to read! Love the look of The House of New Beginnings. Enjoy!
I’m also looking forward to The Mother’s Promise.
Enjoy your five-year-old godson. I was looking at photos of my youngest grandson when he was little like that (he’s now 14!), and I really miss those days. Although teenagers can be fun, too. LOL.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
February 12, 2017
At 5yrs old my godson is very loving and smoochy. I remember my niece was the same – telling me they loved me and wanting hugs…. things def change once they hit teenage years!
February 12, 2017
The heat you’re suffering is my worst nightmare, I think. Have fun with your godson, and have a great week 🙂
February 13, 2017
I know, it’s horrendous Maree. It’s Monday here now and I hoped for rain, but alas there was none!
February 12, 2017
But wait, you didn’t tell us what the dancing in the dark actually turned out to be like! I want to know! Good luck with your godson and have fun at the author event 🙂
February 13, 2017
It was great Kristen and it really was just dancing about (as if out at a club) in the dark to music. There were disco lights and it was pretty dark so it was good fun. It wasn’t airconditioned so hot during our heatwave, but a good experience and I’ll go again this week!
February 12, 2017
Wow – it’s been a pretty extreme summer hasn’t it!? Looking forward to Autumn where it should hopefully cool off a little and be nice and mild.
I went over and read about the dancing class because I was intrigued and I have to say – it sounds like a lot of fun. Pretty much like a night out used to be but sans the alcoholic lubrication!
How did the babysitting go!?
The new arrivals sound great and your spreadsheet sounds a little scary 😉
I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy meeting Candice Fox!!!
February 13, 2017
I did joke about perhaps needing a few drinks to improve my dance moves but I suspect the coordinator is a healthy living type cos she sort of frowned at that comment!!! And yes, it was like being at a club – from what I remember!
The babysitting went well I think. Naturally I fed him lots of treats and then sent him home full of preservatives!
February 12, 2017
What would we do if we couldn’t complain about the weather – I have been muttering for days about the lack of promised snow – I just want one real snowfall this year and I get a flurry – harrumph. I have Evil Games on my book list this week. I have wanted to read it forever but never picked it up. Now I’m so far behind (in the UK anyway) because I don’t want to read the books out of order. Hope it’s as good as I’ve heard.
February 13, 2017
I hadn’t realised it Evil Games was a re-release and the second in a series until I started it…. It looks like the series is up to no. 4 though.
February 12, 2017
power yoga! that’s great! I love yoga! hope you feel better by now and that you enjoyed the sleepover with your godson. This week I’m reading the Cresswell plot, Before I fall and Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened. Happy reading this week Debbie!
February 13, 2017
The only one I recognise there is Before I Fall Dani so I hope you enjoy it! And yes, power yoga was good, though I went to the morning class instead this week as it was hot and I was worried it’d get worse so I figured I’d get my yoga class out of the way early!
February 12, 2017
I would give a great deal for just a SLICE of your heat… It’s become much colder here, but also overcast. We had flurries of snow that didn’t settle here yesterday, thank goodness. But it feels bitter due to the teasing easterly and dampness and I’m so TIRED of the cold and low light levels:(. The Dancing in the Dark sounds awesome, though I’m sorry about your upset stomach – you’re right it could have been the flurry of activity and not staying quite hydrated enough. Best of luck with your 5 yr old godson’s sleepover – it’s a lovely age. Have a great week and I hope the trip isn’t too hot and sweaty! My Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/sunday-post-12th-february-2017/
February 13, 2017
Ah yes, the 5yr old is a delight – constantly telling me he loves me and wanting a hug and a kiss. Very cute age. I know it won’t last and he’ll be a surly teenager before we know it. Or hopefully not. Hopefully he retains his sweetness!
February 12, 2017
I hope you have fun with your godson tonight and that you have a great week ahead of you. Yoga sounds painful, I’ve never tried it. And I really hope temperatures cool down for you. Europe has had a bad January but is thawing a bit lately, so hopefully we’re over being encased in ice.
February 13, 2017
I mostly enjoy yoga though suspect my classes aren’t really hard ones. I remember doing it many MANY years ago (like 2 decades) and it involving headstands and backbends and stuff and my class now doesn’t. (Though power yoga did involve an attempt at a handstand!)
February 12, 2017
I prefer heat over snow any day. I was born in the wrong country. You’ve got some really great books this week. I really want to read The Mother’s Promise by Sally Hepworth. Have a safe trip for work and I hope you get to listen to a good audiobook.
February 13, 2017
Ah yes, perhaps we should swap countries Laura. I think I’d prefer the cold, but having said that I’ve not experienced ongoing snow…. just a smattering on one visit to New Zealand a long time ago!
February 13, 2017
City of Friends looks good! I have never read Trollope – that looks like a great one to start with.
I love the Dancing in the Dark class idea – how fun! It also makes me think of the Bruce Springsteen song! Have a great week.
February 13, 2017
I know…. it took me all of my willpower not to make a Courtney Cox / Bruce Springsteen joke (which I mention at the end of the post). I figured a lot of people may not remember the clip!
February 13, 2017
Looks like a great week with books and also getting to your classes! I have got to get to the gym, but I’m kind of waiting till the New Years resolution people quit and it clears out a bit. 🙂
Check out my Sunday Post
February 13, 2017
Oh yes, my yoga class has been the same. Very busy – but I know it won’t last and people will drop off!
February 13, 2017
Sorry for the heat! However, I think I might have preferred visiting AU in the summer, because winter was cold as hell. Your exercise regimen seemed to be going strong, and that’s wonderful. Have a safe trip!
February 13, 2017
It’s only cold here in the southern part of the country in winter and only some parts get snow.
And yes, I ‘hope’ my exercise is picking up a bit – it certainly needs a bit of work!
February 13, 2017
That weather sounds crazy, our weather here is all over the place, snow one minute and unseasonably warm the next. Have a safe trip and enjoy whatever you listen too!
February 13, 2017
It’s the same in Sydney and Melbourne here Heather… really hot then cool / chilly. Not happening here sadly but I’d love some rain or cold weather! So far I haven’t managed to organise an audiobook so I’m getting a little worried as I’m running out of time!
February 13, 2017
You got some great looking books to read! Can’t wait to see what you think of them!
Stormi
Week in Review
February 13, 2017
Yes, I’m onto my second in the pile already Stormi!
February 13, 2017
Sorry you are suffering through hot, hot weather. I have Adrian McKinty on my TBR list. His works look/sound good.
You got some good books. Happy Reading!
February 13, 2017
Yes, I only started on the McKinty’s a few books into the Sean Duffy series but I really enjoy them!
February 13, 2017
I hope you are surviving over there in the east, those hot temps have really been awful. I too would be staying inside and reading lots of good books. I love your haul this week, I’m looking forward to a new Sara Foster and a new Sally Hepworth. I enjoyed your review of City of Friends, I’ve yet to read anything by Joanna Trollope, I might start now on your recommendation.
Have a great week, stay cool!
February 13, 2017
Yes I’m not sure why I stayed away from Trollope Amanda – perhaps I confused the name with the subject matter or something and thought her stuff was more salacious?! Not sure…
February 13, 2017
I feel like Georgia is trying it’s hardest to get around to being Australia…in the dead of winter we were at 21 degrees average for several weeks, which was really nice…but as we edge into spring I have a feeling it’s going to be a really rough summer here. Hopefully you guys get a break in the heat or at the very least get some nice breezes going to help cool off.
I hope you have a good time with your godson and enjoy the week ahead!
February 13, 2017
Ugh! Hope it cools down a bit for you Michelle so you get winter BEFORE spring and summer come your way. And I must mention that I live on top of a hill (near the beach) so get quite nice breezes so am luckier than many.
February 13, 2017
As always, interesting picks. I’ll have to check out the Trollope. Enjoy!
February 14, 2017
Thanks!
February 13, 2017
Man, I’m here in New England in the States and we got hammered with another foot of snow last night. My weather systems and your weather system need to meet up and come to a compromise! … But, in the meanwhile… enjoy your new books! 🙂
February 14, 2017
I know they’re two extremes Rhea!
February 14, 2017
I admire your resolve to do power yoga. I’ve tried to do beginners yoga a few times (No classes, home videos) and although it’s rather relaxing, I still feel like my postures are not correct.
We are expected to be rained on tomorrow, the forecast calls for it 100% ! Don’t know how I feel about that yet. LOL ~Aleen
February 14, 2017
I think it’s good to have an instructor around until you’re sure you’ve got postures etc right. I recently wrote about proprioception (though in terms of knowing ourselves) but I had a good pilates instructor who made sure I knew what muscles I was moving and had poses right. Same in some of my early gym classes and I think that helps.
February 14, 2017
Are we all having weather woes or what? Too hot, too cold, too snowy, not cold enough. Gah! I’ve only read (rather, tried to read) one by Joanna Trollope and it became one of my very rare DNFs. I was bored senseless. I don’t know if it was her writing style or I just chanced upon a particularly slow one but I moved on and never looked back. Ah, another fan of spreadsheets for books. My sister. LOL Combining books and lists just does my heart good. Hope you have a wonderful time at the author event this week!
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
February 14, 2017
Ah yes…. I use a basic project management tool though called Trello – which allows me to move books into different piles and sort them by publication date! 🙂
February 14, 2017
Hope the sleepover was loads of fun! I’ve got the Candace Fox and JP book (on audio) and am looking forward to listening. Have a good time at the author event, look forward to your report on it. I’ve seen the Lucy Diamond book on a few blogs and it has me intrigued as to how the cover relates to the book.
February 14, 2017
Ahhh yes… the book’s set in Brighton so that’s probably the beach-theme coming into play!
February 14, 2017
I hope you see cooler weather soon, Debbie. Our weather is very pleasant today. I imagine we will get more rain before the week is out. I imagine that is very true, that we sit in judgement of others more than ourselves. Although, I also know I am very critical of myself. So, I think it may be a tie. Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly is a telling title. I hope you enjoyed the book! I also hope you enjoyed your sleepover with your 5 year old godson! If he’s anything like my daughter–I’m sure he kept you busy! I hope you have a great week!
February 14, 2017
He did keep me busy but he was great. No problems going to bed and stayed in his bed okay. He was up a bit earlier than usual but it’s light here early so that wasn’t a surprise.
I went on a work trip today and there was some rain inland. I hoped for some here, but alas it doesn’t look like we got any!
February 14, 2017
I can’t imagine that kind of heat! I have a family friend who moved from England to New Zealand as an adult, and then moved to Canberra on a job contract. Her stories of water shortages and heat just boggled our minds!
February 14, 2017
And Canberra has a dry heat not humid heat. WHen I lived in Canberra I laughed at the people complaining about summer as I thought it was lovely compared to the humidity nearer to the coast! And we’re starting to get a lot of messages again about saving water and the fact the farmers are starting to struggle. Apparently it’s (my area’s) driest Jan / Feb in 10 years
February 14, 2017
All those books look so good. Enjoy!
February 14, 2017
They do, don’t they Yvonne. I’m looking forward to them!