Apparently it’s 1 December, which is kinda scary cos I’m pretty sure I’ve failed parlously re my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions. Well, I would have if I’d made any.
But more importantly it’s a Monday (not to mention the birthday of a friend’s daughter, so Happy Birthday Jaz!) and time to share my weekly reading.
Last week’s reading
As planned I read Nest, a novel I’d bought after going to a local author event. It was a lovely novel and beautifully written.
In last Monday’s post I said I wasn’t sure what I’d read next but that was easily solved as a few new arrivals popped up in NetGalley. I started with MJ Arlidge’s Pop Goes the Weasel. I’d read his previous (debut) novel Eeny Meeny earlier this year so was keen to read the second in this series.
And in a pretty quiet reading week I bought a second book…. the latest by my beloved JD Robb, Festive in Death. I’ve talked before about how much I enjoy this series. They’re my go-to / ‘comfort’ novels.
Reviewing and blog posting
I posted reviews of Five by Ursula Archer – an Austrian author whose novel focussed around geo-caching – which was new to me. I also posted my review of Nest and coffee and chat session I went to with author Inga Simpson. And I reviewed Festive in Death in Goodreads.
I had a whinge about visiting the dentist and getting somewhat freaked out and I wrote about an author’s voice and whether or not I should be inserting my own in my NaNoWriMo novel.
And finally I pondered on whether the notion of TV on DVD was old school in a world where people stream online stuff.
Other stuff
I have to admit I’ve been a bit down. A school friend (and second cousin of mine) passed away unexpectedly just over a week ago. The idea of someone my age dying (ultimately of heart failure) scared the shit out of me. My mother’s also had some recent heart-related tests (and needs more) and she’s had a close friend in intensive care after a stroke.
On a positive note I’ve stuck with my exercise and although this is only week two I’ve been to a circuit class twice in the past two weeks. Perhaps this will pull me out of my ‘life is f*cked’ funk and I’ll suddenly want to get fitter and healthier. And lose weight.
And on an even more positive note… this!
Yep, I won NaNoWriMo! Which essentially just means I wrote the required 50,000 words in the month of November. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it for a while but the combo of a few things helped:
- Reminding myself a first draft is just about getting words on paper
- Using Scrivener software which allowed me to jump about in my ‘novel’ and write the bits I felt like writing
- Knowing this may never see the light of day but knowing I’d regret it if I didn’t finish. Again!
- Forcing myself to sit down and write ‘something’. Once I start I’m usually fine. And I write quickly, so if I just let words spill out of my fingers I find I’ve easily written 1500 words in an hour.
Next week’s reading
As for my reading next week… I’ve just started The Crooked House by Christobel Kent – a psychological thriller about childhood secrets (which incidentally, seems to be a ridiculously common theme which I adore!).
And then I’m planning to get to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, which is described as Rear Window meets Gone Girl. So the mind boggles!
What’s on your agenda for this week?
Linking up again with Sheila from Book Journey to share my weekly reading.
December 1, 2014
Congratulations on NaNoWriMo! I would love to do it someday but November is always a tortuous month for school. Someday when I’m out of school… 😉
http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2014/11/its-monday-so-close.html
December 1, 2014
I am slowly making my way through the in Death series. Yes sometimes others health scares can put the fear into us. I try to not think about it all!! Well done with the writing, must feel satisfying.
December 1, 2014
Oh yes… I’ve been mildly freaked out with all of the things happening to those around me.
I attended the funeral today though and one of the speakers talked about the fact that it’s okay that someone’s death can make us appreciate life more (or encourage us to make changes etc). They kinda said it gives their death some additional meaning. I appreciated that as I felt less selfish for my friend’s passing reminding me of my own mortality. (And regrets!)
December 1, 2014
Very sorry to hear you’ve been feeling down and for the loss of your school friend. But many congratulations on winning NaNoWriMo – and hugely impressed to hear you can write 1,500 words in an hour – go you!
December 1, 2014
I can actually write more than that Persephone – it’s just complete trash!!!
Deb
December 1, 2014
Congrats on your NaNoWriMo accomplishment, I love Scrivener too 😀
December 1, 2014
Thanks Tracey! I need to buy it now!
December 1, 2014
Go you for your NaNoWriMo success! Scrivener sounds interesting. I must take a look because I want to fiddle with my ‘book’ in the holidays. I just started Stephen King’s Revival. Those last two books you mentioned sound good. I look forward to reading your reviews 🙂
December 1, 2014
Thanks Pinky. I haven’t read any Stephen King for ages but do like his book “On Writing”.
December 1, 2014
Congrats on the NaNoWriMo accomplishment … great work and high five on the exercise. Sorry to hear about your school friend. It’s common for illnesses and deaths to motivate us into action, appreciate life, not take anything for granted. I know my own heart issues (a virus affected my heart) and scares with melanoma motivated family, friends and bloggers to get themselves checked or start an exercise regime or change their lifestyle … that can only be a good thing 🙂
I like the sound of The Crooked House … nothing like a good psychological thriller. Have a good week and happy reading!
December 1, 2014
I actually read The Crooked House in a sitting last night! I really enjoyed it. (Obviously!)
December 1, 2014
Congrats on you NaNo success! I’m sorry about the loss of your friend, life is short…find a way to be happy no matter what the numbers say!
Have a great reading week,
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
December 1, 2014
Thanks Shelleyrae!
December 1, 2014
Well done – 50 000 words that’s super impressive – pats on the back & fairy claps all round 🙂
December 1, 2014
Awww… thanks!
December 1, 2014
Congratulations on the writing.
December 1, 2014
Thanks very much!
December 1, 2014
Congrats on winning NaNoWriMo! That’s great! Also congrats on the exercising! I know how hard it can be to fit it into our busy schedules. I’ve been trying too.
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. That’s very sad.
I hope you have a great week.
December 1, 2014
Thank you very much! You too!
December 1, 2014
Woo hoo! Congrats on NaNoWriMo! I got in 5,000 words, the most I’ve ever written, so I feel pretty happy, too.
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
December 2, 2014
Absolutely… any words you wouldn’t have normally written is a great thing!
December 1, 2014
Congratulations on NaNoWriMo – that’s great!! Also good for you for sticking to the exercise class… it seems extra hard for me to stick to anything now that our weather has turned cold and wintry.
The Girl on the Train looks good. Have a great week!
December 2, 2014
Yes, I’ve just started The Girl on the Train… it’s not at all what I expected. Very intriguing.
December 2, 2014
Congrats on the NaNoWriMo completion! Having done it myself in 2010, I know how hard it is to write those words everyday. And the novel I started back then made it to publication this year in April…Interior Designs.
So sorry about your loss…hang in there, and stay the course on the exercising!
I love the look of The Crooked House…and The Girl on the Train is on my list. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
December 2, 2014
Oh wow! Congrats on your book being published! And yes The Crooked House and The Girl on the Train are both proving to be winners!
December 2, 2014
I love the In Death series. I can’t wait for the new one to come out in February. I have started buying Kindle copies of the first ones and re-reading but have been side-tracked by too many review books. Come see my week. Happy reading!
December 2, 2014
I’ve read them all but as they’re a comfort-read I started collecting them. I have the first 12 or so (and then the supplier stopped stocking the set I was collecting) and I’ve got the last 6 or 7. I’m missing a chunk of the books in the middle, though I’ve read most of the first 20 or so twice. I’m actually on a tight budget nowadays so not supposed to buy books at all, so….
December 2, 2014
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions either. 🙂
Ooooo…I like the looks of Crooked House. Love the title and the cover. I have seen The Girl on The Train on a few blogs the past few weeks.
ENJOY all your books and this upcoming reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
December 2, 2014
Thanks Elizabeth!
December 2, 2014
Congrats on NaNoWriMo! What an awesome accomplishment!
That description of The Girl on the Train is certainly interesting. I might have to look into that one!
December 2, 2014
Yes, The Girl on the Train is actually better than I expected it might be!
December 2, 2014
Congrats on NaNoWriMo- awesome! And I like the sound of Girl on the Train- just that description alone makes me want to go and get it. 🙂
Oh and by the way- I love Escape from New York. Even though it’s ridiculously silly. I mean, 1997…? 🙂
December 2, 2014
Scary isn’t it, to think that (not that long ago) we were imagining all sorts of stuff about 1997. (And 1984, I guess!)
December 2, 2014
Well done on getting your 50000 words done. That’s a big achievement!
December 2, 2014
Thanks so much Char!
December 2, 2014
Congratulations on NoNoWriMo! That is so cool! Really an impressive start into an impressive novel writing career! That is my prediction.
Sorry to hear about your 2nd cousin. I have been in a funk after hearing about the death of my kids little friend. Really I need to focus on making life as wonderful as possible and truly enjoying it. Easier said then done. I hope you feel better your, circuit class is a good thing for sure!
December 2, 2014
Thanks Jess.