It’s Monday. What am I reading?

Monday, December 1, 2014 Permalink

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.

Pop Goes the Weasel book

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.

JD Robb - Festive in Death

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!

Winner-2014-Web-Banner

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!).

Crooked House book

 

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!

 

Girl on the Train book

 What’s on your agenda for this week?

Linking up again with Sheila from Book Journey to share my weekly reading.

37 Comments
  • eloisej
    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

  • thebookdate
    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.

    • Debbish
      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!)

  • persephonenich
    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!

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2014

      I can actually write more than that Persephone – it’s just complete trash!!!

      Deb

  • Tracey
    December 1, 2014

    Congrats on your NaNoWriMo accomplishment, I love Scrivener too 😀

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2014

      Thanks Tracey! I need to buy it now!

  • Pinky Poinker
    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 🙂

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2014

      Thanks Pinky. I haven’t read any Stephen King for ages but do like his book “On Writing”.

  • Teddyree
    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!

    • Debbish
      December 1, 2014

      I actually read The Crooked House in a sitting last night! I really enjoyed it. (Obviously!)

  • shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
    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

  • Brona
    December 1, 2014

    Well done – 50 000 words that’s super impressive – pats on the back & fairy claps all round 🙂

  • Mystica
    December 1, 2014

    Congratulations on the writing.

  • yvonne473
    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.

  • readerbuzz
    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

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2014

      Absolutely… any words you wouldn’t have normally written is a great thing!

  • lakesidemusing
    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!

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2014

      Yes, I’ve just started The Girl on the Train… it’s not at all what I expected. Very intriguing.

  • laurelrainsnow
    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.

    • Debbish
      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!

  • Kathy Martin
    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!

    • Debbish
      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….

  • Elizabeth (Silver's Reviews)
    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

  • Lindsey
    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!

    • Debbish
      December 2, 2014

      Yes, The Girl on the Train is actually better than I expected it might be!

  • Greg
    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…? 🙂

    • Debbish
      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!)

  • Char
    December 2, 2014

    Well done on getting your 50000 words done. That’s a big achievement!

  • Jess
    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!

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