Time again for my Monday reading check in – linking up with Sheila from Book Journey. You’ll be relieved to know that with my ear infection gone, the week was far more enjoyable and significantly more productive than its predecessors!
What I read
As so often happens, my reading plans went out of the window with the arrival of some new reading fodder. I’d somehow missed the up and coming release of a book by an Australian author, DB Tait. Cold Deception centres around a murder which took place ten years earlier and the fallout when the young woman jailed for the murder is released and returns home.
Gorgeous cover!!!
And I was excited by the arrival of I Was Here. I’ve been coveting the book since reading others’ reviews and requested a copy. I LOVED it and found it nowhere near as upsetting as I expected it to be.
And finally I read another new hard copy arrival, Goodbye Sweetheart by Australian author Marion Halligan… a little like I Was Here in that it’s about the aftermath of someone’s death and the impact on those they’ve left behind.
What I wrote
I blogged about Aussie book Cold Deception and the rather famous YA novel, I Was Here.
I also shared a video clip I’d enjoyed and which had resonated when working through an (Unstoppable) online course I won. Check out Fat is not a feeling.
And finally just yesterday I posed some questions about I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Australia. Typically the questions were mostly logistical, pondering why the celebs hadn’t caught malaria and how they could be in the ‘wilds’ of Africa sans wildlife.
What I did
I made it back to my circuit classes, attending two last week and almost dying both times. I’m not quite sure why they were so hard, but I really struggled. I’m hoping to be able to afford to get to a couple each week and slowly increase my fitness (so I stop feeling like I may collapse or vomit).
I also visited a local dinosaur exhibition as part of a Night At The Museum thingy. I wouldn’t usually go given my lack of kids as I’m not a great appreciator of museums, galleries and similar stuff (so yes, I’m a bad tourist). But, there was a bar and our ticket included a drink! I blogged about it in my local blog (which I’ve revived after almost a year!)
What I plan to read
I eased up on my reading last week as I had four book reviews to do and sadly they’re still requiring my attention. IF I get them down to ‘2’ I’m allowed to start reading again and unsurprisingly I’ll be trying to get to the books I WAS planning to read last week!!!
I’d love to hear how your week’s been or what you’re up to this week.
March 16, 2015
I always look at your reading list with awe. Three books in one week! I think I read 50 pages last week. And I managed 4 last night because my eyes just wouldn’t stay open.
March 16, 2015
Three books is a pretty light-on week for me, although having said that… I struggle more to keep up with the reviews etc. (Also cos I need to summarise ones from the blog for Goodreads, Amazon etc and paste them in another site – from which I access the previews etc.) Not to mention the fact that publishers like you to only upload reviews close to publication dates, so it’s a matter of scheduling them in etc.
PS. I should also add it’s a matter of prioritisation. Reading is one of the things I enjoy most (and sometimes I struggle to identify things I do enjoy doing, so the list is limited) so I allocate that time. (Of course I cannot find the time to exercise, or tidy my apartment, or work on my novel/s, or….) 🙂
Plus I hate the time between 5-7.30pm so that’s when I read.
March 16, 2015
You are always so busy and sociable! I am pleased with myself because I have finished 2 books over the past 2 weeks! Here Comes the Midwife – I loved it, particularly the historical and religious aspects and The Girl who Saved the king of Sweden – I really enjoyed this one too, specially how a group of very diverse people come together and try to get along. Have a great week Deb!
March 16, 2015
Thanks Helena. I’m not usually very sociable. I actually went to dinner last (Sun) night as well and when my friend picked me up I was looking at the setting sun and ocean with awe and told her it was the first time I’d left my apartment all weekend.
Glad you enjoyed your reading! I haven’t read either of those!
Deb
March 16, 2015
Believe it or not, I still haven’t read a Gayle Forman book even though I’ve been meaning to. I hope to try one of her books this year.
March 16, 2015
I was surprised by I Was Here Laura. I expected it may be a bit too sad etc but it wasn’t. It was more about how we grieve than the grieving itself. (If that makes sense!)
Deb
March 16, 2015
I also have a copy of Halligan’s latest. I can’t wait to get into as I adored some of her earlier books that I read many years ago now, but I still recall their emotional impact.
Glad you’re feeling better this week.
March 16, 2015
I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of her but then opened the book and saw the very long list of her previous novels. She certainly writes well.
March 16, 2015
Just read your review of Cold Deception,it sounds rather good, so will add it to my list. Like you I am trying to read a few more authors from my own country, NZ, but generally have to admit it is not a big chunk of my reading.
March 16, 2015
I’m not sure what my antipathy towards Australian writers was really about Kathryn. I’ve always thought it was because I didn’t want to read about happenings in my own backyard. I wanted to escape… so needed to read books set in countries other than here!
Cold Deception was good but there were a few glitches with the editing. I never do this because I think it’s a bit wanky, but because it’s only being released digitally I did actually send (privately) through some typos and grammatical mistakes I saw and noted some other issues. For example – two or three times things were mentioned in passing, but not introduced until later in the book. I think the editing process probably rearranged the book and (understandably) final edits by those familiar with the book failed to pick up some of the glitches.
Deb
March 16, 2015
I have “I Was Here” on my hold list at the library–I’m glad to hear you liked it!
March 16, 2015
Yes Melinda. I wasn’t sure if I would but I did enjoy it!
March 16, 2015
Keep up your hard work in your circuit classes! The dino exhibition sounds cool. 😉 The premise of Cold Deception sounds cool. I received your post in my email inbox and I just stared at the cover for several seconds. Something about that model just draws one in. The premise of the story sounds good (and creepy) too. Happy reading. 🙂
March 17, 2015
I know what you mean about the cover. That woman is gorgeous! Very natural looking and just stunning!
March 16, 2015
I enjoyed If I Stay. Before I started reading it I wasn’t sure I would but was surprised.
I have to check some of the books you mentioned. They seem very interesting.
Have a nice week.
March 17, 2015
Thanks Carla, you too!
March 16, 2015
All in all, a good week for you. Just having your ear infection disappear is a relief, I’m sure.
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
March 17, 2015
It certainly is Deb. It was one of those occasions where I’d almost forgotten what it was like to feel ‘well’.
March 16, 2015
Sounds like a much better week! Glad you survived the return to circuit classes and good luck with the reviews.
March 17, 2015
It was… nice to feel well again! Which also means… no excuses!
March 16, 2015
My reward for doing book reviews was ordering canvases for some of my photos. Maybe I should have been a little tougher and said 1 review per canvas. I did 2 reviews and ordered 6 canvases lol. I’m going to check out Goodbye Sweetheart, I liked I Was Here but I just didn’t feel the emotion where as Cynthia Hand’s new one The Last Time We Say Goodbye (brother’s suicide) was really emotional, loved it!
Good on you getting back to circuit classes, geez it’s tough getting back into it after a break. I found that even with my walking and it’s nowhere near as physical as a circuit class, hated every minute of it too but I’m hoping that will lessen lol
March 17, 2015
I’m actually keen to do more walking Teddyree. I’ve really got no excuse while I’m not working so want to start getting back out there!
March 16, 2015
I’ve read two other Gayle Forman books and enjoyed them, so I’ll likely buy this one at some point too, it sounds very good. I struggle to motivate myself to exercise, other than walking the dog, and I know I need to do more, but I find it tough too. Well done for going! I’m reading Station Eleven at the moment. Have a great week 🙂
March 17, 2015
I’ve heard good things about Station Eleven Lindsay! Keen to hear what you think of it!
Deb
March 17, 2015
I don’t have to give up reading time to write reviews because read in bed and write reviews while watch TV. What I’m struggling with is what to include in a good review. Author info? Synopsis? And I’d like to have titles that were more than the title and the word review. Hope you had a good day!
March 17, 2015
I know what you mean. We’ve had some discussions about this issue on our Aussie book bloggers FB page. ie. Whether to just copy the synopsis from the back cover or rewrite one; whether to include background re the author etc. It’d save time to just copy the synopsis but at the moment I write my own summary about the book. And I mention a bit about the author if it’s relevant. Having said all of that, I don’t see myself as a real book reviewer if that makes sense. I tend to say I’m a book blogger cos I generally insert WAY too much of myself into my reviews. (It’s all about me me me!!!) But I think that’s okay for my audience.
I’ve been looking at a couple of different plug-ins though (for my WordPress blog) which would allow the synopsis, author info, ISBN etc to be automatically populated.
Deb
March 17, 2015
I did enjoy If I Stay, both the book and the movie, and I am eyeing I Was Here….but so many other books got in the way…LOL.
I write books down, or bookmark them on Amazon, and then see more books to add to the list…and it goes on, ad infinitum…LOL.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and enjoy your week. I once belonged to the gym with circuit classes….and did well for a couple of years, and then my attendance started falling off….and I finally dropped out. Wish I hadn’t, since it’s hard to get back into the rhythm. Hang in there!
March 17, 2015
Thanks Laurel. I just noticed a couple of new NetGalley books were approved overnight, so my TBR pile is growing again. Eek!
Deb
March 17, 2015
All of your books look and sound appealing to me. Happy reading and thanks for visiting my blog.
March 17, 2015
No worries Catherine and thanks for dropping by.
March 17, 2015
I do the same thing where I make myself wait to pick up a new book until I catch up on reviews. Good luck!
March 17, 2015
Yes Lindsey – today’s the day I’m promising myself I’ll get at least 2 reviews done. Maybe 3! (Then there’ll only be 2 outstanding!) *Sigh*
March 17, 2015
I haven’t read any of these books but Cold Deception looks like a book I’d like to read.
Have a great week!
March 17, 2015
If you use NetGalley Yvonne, it’s there via Momentum Books.
Deb
March 17, 2015
Oh I really wish I could spend a whole week reading. I’ve got so much on my reading list! And you keep adding to it!
March 18, 2015
Glad I can be of help! 😉
March 18, 2015
Good on you getting back into circuit! That is so awesome! Wine and dinosaurs sounds like a wonderful night out!
March 18, 2015
Sadly I skipped Tuesday this week. I was worried finding it so hard and revolting last week would lead to a lack of enthusiasm (or dread!). It’s just weird I found it so hard. I had a month off after Christmas and it was really only the first class I struggled. I felt I improved on the second class back but it wasn’t the case last week!
March 18, 2015
I am glad you are feeling better and getting out and about. Your reading list is always interesting to me. Cold Deception particularly sounds interesting. I have read Monday’s Lies in one day — very interesting once I got into the thought prose which moves into the mystery. I think it is a book you would enjoy. Have a good week.
March 18, 2015
Thanks Martha, will check it out!
March 18, 2015
IM glad you had such a great week!
March 19, 2015
Thanks Shelleyrae. Sadly this one’s been a bit meh! A bit too much wallowing methinks. (And it’s Thursday and I’m yet to catch up on my reviews and therefore do ANY reading!)