It’s Monday again. Funny how that happens every seven days or so… but it means it’s time to share my week in books.
I had a bit on last week so hadn’t set the bar terribly high. Which (in retrospect) was a good thing as I love being an over-achiever!
Read
As planned I read Five by Austrian writer Ursula Archer which I really enjoyed. I’m not sure why I didn’t expect to, but I sometimes struggle with translations and relatability. (Which I realise is a ‘me-thing’ and not the fault of the author!) I also received and read Five Fires (a novella) by Laura Lippman. I’ve read a heap of her novels and was surprised to see this pop up on NetGalley. In fact I was so excited and intrigued I read it straight away. And I’ve already reviewed it on Goodreads and Amazon.
Reading
I also received three real books last week, the first of which I’ve started as it’s already out. Christos Tsiolkas’s Merciless Gods is a collection of short stories. I’ve only read a couple but am enjoying it more than his much-lauded novel, The Slap (which everyone but me seemed to enjoy!).
Posted
On the blog last week I wrote a slightly tongue-in-cheek post about being in a foul mood and hating everything and everyone! I shared some pics of my place for my Wordless Wednesday post. And I reviewed The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, which is an entertaining new read.
Did
I am sad to say I had a bad week when it came to my NaNoWriMo writing as I didn’t write for FOUR entire days last week. I rallied on Sunday however and am now at almost 23,000 words – just under my goal at the halfway point.
I also went away for a couple of days for an early celebration of my SIL’s birthday and had my first Christmas gathering. (On that note, is it just me or is it WAY too early to be celebrating Christmas?!)
To Read
As well as finishing Merciless Gods, I plan to get to one of my other new arrivals, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler – which is also already out.
And via NetGalley I’ve just received Case Closed by Jan Burke, which is out in a couple of days. (As an aside, back when I visited the library I would spend ages on the Bs… Baldacci, Barclay, Brockmann, Brookner, (Sandra) Brown and Burke x 3.)
Hopefully I’ll get to something else AND catch up on my NaNoWriMo writing. I reached 30k words on a YA novel I started years ago so I’d like to at least get further than that this time around!
What’s on your reading (or life) agenda for the next week?
Linking with Sheila from The Book Journey as usual.
November 16, 2014
As I tweeted recently, I have $18 to spend on Amazon Kindle… Reading and perusing!
November 16, 2014
Oh exciting…. I have SO many things I want to buy!
November 16, 2014
I’m Reading Merciless Gods this week too 🙂
November 17, 2014
Have only just started but so far so good!
November 17, 2014
I haven’t read anything by Laura Lippman yet, and I have a feeling I need to.
November 17, 2014
Yes, I enjoy a lot of her crime fiction Irene.
November 17, 2014
Christos Tsiolkas is an autobuy author for me, but I still haven’t got around to reading Merciless Gods, too busy with German Lit Month and Non-Fic Nov. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is brilliant, I hope you enjoy it
November 17, 2014
Thanks. Looking forward to it.
PS. I hated The Slap. Think it was mostly cos I hated so many of the characters and it frustrated me beyond belief. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch the TV miniseries!
November 17, 2014
Oh no that isn’t an excuse. I can understand why people don’t like The Slap but ‘unlikeable characters’ are very important. Especially with a story like that.
November 17, 2014
I can’t remember much about it now but do recall I got REALLY frustrated while reading. I have to admit I sometimes struggle with books with NO likeable characters.
November 17, 2014
I think its way too early to be having to celebrate Christmas! Sorry about your bad days, but most of us get ’em from time to time. I have not read anything by Laura Lippman and just read your review for the novella, sounds like it had punch!
November 17, 2014
It did, it had a fabulous ending!
November 17, 2014
I have wanted to read Laura Lippman’s books for the longest time. This one sounds good. Hope you have a great week!
November 17, 2014
Thanks Yvonne!
November 17, 2014
I’m intrigued by Five Fires after reading your GR thoughts… and glad to hear NaNo is going well. It didn’t go so well for me this week… maybe I can rebound. And I know what you mean about Christmas- I’m starting early this year but may sick of it by mid- December!
November 17, 2014
I’m fortunate in that I don’t have a lot of Christmas commitments but I’m one of those ‘bah humbug’ people! And yes, Five Fires was an interesting read. A little confusing in the beginning but then kinda perplexing (re character’s actions) and then a big surprise. (Well, for me anyway!)
PS. Hope you bounce back re NaNo this week. (Am hoping the same!)
November 17, 2014
I work in an Indy bookshop…and lots of folks, including myself did not finish (or even start) The Slap – you are not alone! I don’t mind stories with unpleasant characters, but something has to grab me early on if I’m to continue & invest my time and energy.
But I have been wondering about his short stories…
November 17, 2014
I’ve actually only just started so it will be interesting to see if they’re more alluring!
November 17, 2014
I’m a fan of Laura Lippman, but didn’t know she had a new book. Glad you enjoyed it!
November 18, 2014
Yes, it was listed as a short story, but more of a novella I think.
November 17, 2014
I have read a few books by Jan Burke but haven’t read her lately. I’ll be eager to see what you think of her new one. Here is my week. Happy reading!
November 18, 2014
Thanks Kathy!
November 18, 2014
I am going to check out Five Fires…I enjoy Laura Lippman’s books…and I have the Karen Joy Fowler book on my list. Thanks for visiting my blog, and enjoy your week.
November 18, 2014
Thanks Laurel.
November 18, 2014
I’m with you on The Slap. I was pretty underwhelmed by that one.
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves has been getting such great reviews. I hope you love it!
November 18, 2014
Thanks Lindsey, me too.
And I’m glad it wasn’t just me who didn’t feel the love when it came to The Slap.