My self-imposed reading ban continued throughout last week.

I’d told myself I had to get the read-but-not-reviewed list down before I was allowed to read anything. Naturally I rebelled last Monday (yes, on night 1!) and inhaled Favel Parrett’s When the Night Comes  in one sitting. But after that I was sufficiently self-chastened to refrain from any reading. Mostly. 

Naturally I procrastinated for much of the week instead of getting the reviews done but #inothernews I caught up on a lot of recorded television. 🙂

I did post reviews of Nicci Gerrard’s The Twilight Hour  and Parrett’s When the Night Comes  in the blog.

As for the memoir – Seven Letters From Paris  –  I mentioned in last week’s post… I realised part of my apathy over reviewing the outstanding books was because I couldn’t work out how to share my thoughts without being incredibly rude so I just reviewed it in Goodreads (& The Reading Room). I tried to refrain from showing too much disdain for the lead character author while still feeling I needed to explain why I disliked the book so much. (Anyone else relate?!)

I have to confess that – by Friday – I was in a foul mood so allowed myself to read two (short) novellas by author Lisa Unger, kicking off a series (of novellas) about a woman who starts getting psychic visions after the tragic death of her husband and one of her daughters. I reviewed both straight after reading them. I LOVED the first (The Whispers) but was really disappointed in the second (The Burning Girl). There was a 10 year gap in between which really baffled me. I wondered if I’d missed something. Indeed, if Unger was to write a novel skirting the years in between I’d definitely be seeking that one out.

Other blog posts last week included one about ‘b’ costumes for a fancy dress party; and an Aussie book bloggers linkup about how we organise our reading and reviewing*. And finally there was a navel gazing post of sorts about a recurring dream I’m having and wondering what it means.

I’ve decided to definitely participate in NaNoWriMo this year (November novel writing month) so intend to cut back on my reading and other blogging next month and focus on writing. As a result I intend to catch up on some reading in the next week – 10 days and schedule any reviews I need to write in November.

On my list are Wicked Ways  by (sisters) Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush. I’ve read a lot of Jackson’s novels but am unfamiliar with Bush’s. The book is due to be released via Kensington Books on 25 November.

I’m also planning on reading Sweet Damage  by Rebecca James and published by Random House Group (Bantam Dell). I don’t know her work but the blurb suggests fans of Lisa Unger (HELLO?!?) and SJ Watson (again, yes!) will enjoy the novel.

I may squeeze another in if time permits – and Five, a thriller by Ursula Archer is (chronologically) next on my list and out in early December (though I’m itching to read a Lisa Unger I’ve got sitting in NetGalley which isn’t out until next year!).

So, that’s my recap of last week and my planned reading this week.

Am keen to hear what’s on your agenda for the week?
Any of these books appeal?

* Please check this out as I’d love some pointers!

It’s Monday… is a weekly linkup hosted by Sheila from The Book Journey.