It’s Monday. What am I reading?

Monday, October 6, 2014 Permalink

I’m sure there’s some glitch in the time-space continuum which allow weeks to fly by, while nights (when I lie awake unable to sleep) drag by interminably.

I had a little bit on last week (and am having ongoing internet issues) but still got through four books. There was dinner with an old work colleague and overnight visit from my mum. And then one of my besties came to stay. And although I love reading (more than most stuff) visits from old friends obviously take precedence!

However…

I finished Hide and Seek, The Killer Next Door and To The Edge of Shadows, as planned. I also ended up reading Hello From The Gillespies  by Monica McInenery. It’s not the sort of book I usually read, but one I enjoyed nonetheless. (And probably good to have a break from sociopaths and psychopaths every so often!)

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The not-particularly-positive review of Hide and Seek is up on Goodreads – my main issue with the book being its cast of quite-revolting characters. I also published my review for There Must Be Some Mistake on the blog.

In the past week I’ve attempted to kick off an Aussie book bloggers’ link-up (a Thursday thing) and also wrote about my fave movie (based on a book I also love)… Ordinary People.

In an attempt to demonstrate the depth of my intellect I also wrote about analysed the veracity of centre hair parts, and got all judgy judgy about Amal Alamuddin’s (George Clooney’s new wife’s) short dresses.

On my reading agenda this week… Seven Letters From Paris by Samantha Verant via Random House Australia. One of the publishers talked about this book at the National Book Bloggers’ Forum hosted by RH earlier this year so it’s been on my ‘to-read’ list since then.

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I’ve requested and am hoping to receive approval for The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (via Simon & Schuster). I’m a fan of both and follow Alafair Burke on Facebook etc, where she’s talked a bit about this book.

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I’m also hoping to get Karen Rose’s latest (via Headline), Closer Than You Think – but am not entirely confident my NetGalley request will be approved. I’ve read ‘most’ of Rose’s novels and wish I was able to hear her speak on her upcoming visit to Australia!

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I’ll be sharing my review of Peter Carey’s Amnesia  (due to be published on 14 October) and Hello From The Gillespies  (already out) this coming week. And the Aussie Book Bloggers’ linkup theme for this coming Thursday is about trends in writing. (Are books becoming increasingly derivative?!)

What’s on your weekly reading agenda?
Do any of mine appeal?

2a1As it’s Monday I’m again linking up with Sheila from Book Journey.

39 Comments
  • thebookdate
    October 6, 2014

    You’ve just reminded me how much I loved both the book and the movie of Ordinary People. I should do a reread some time. Great that you had company and books – best of both worlds!

    • thebookdate
      October 6, 2014

      I just need to add you’ve made me go chase up a copy of the DVD too! How did I forget about this book and movie!

      • Debbish
        October 6, 2014

        Such amazing performances. I gather it was a HUGE change of pace for Mary Tyler Moore – better known for comedy etc.

    • Debbish
      October 6, 2014

      Ha! Very true. And it’s a lovely movie. It felt a little dated but not outdated. (If that makes sense!)

  • abookdragon
    October 6, 2014

    MHC’s book and Karen Rose’s book are going on my tbr list!

    I had a teacher who called me Genie Francis instead of Gina because of the show General Hospital.

    • abookdragon
      October 6, 2014

      One is on my wish list, the other is in my shopping cart. The covers over here aren’t as nice.

      • Debbish
        October 6, 2014

        It’s always a bit weird – the change in covers thing! I just reviewed a book twice in Goodreads cos the two different versions didn’t link in any way!

  • yvonne473
    October 6, 2014

    The Karen Rose and Mary Higgins Clark books look good. So does Hello from the Gillespies.

    Have a great week!

  • Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
    October 6, 2014

    My schedule was already full last Thursday but I’ll see if I can link up this week. Glad you enjoyed Hello from the Gillespies , it doesn’t hurt to mix things up 🙂

    Enjoy your selections this week,
    Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out

  • craftybooksheeps
    October 6, 2014

    Thanks for stopping by my blog Deborah! I really love the cover of “Hello from the Gillespies”! Glad you enjoyed it overall and hope you have a great reading week! 🙂

  • Erin @ Quixotic Magpie
    October 6, 2014

    Seven Letters from Paris sounds really good! And I popped over to your center part dilemma. Hmm. Tough call! I look like a weirdo with a center part, but some people do look nice with them. I say, do what makes you feel good. 🙂

    • Debbish
      October 6, 2014

      Yes… I’m going with an in-between (centre and side part) combo at the moment.

  • laurelrainsnow
    October 7, 2014

    Ooh, I am curious about The Cinderella Murders…I have loved MHC for a long time…not familiar with the other author, but it sounds good.

    I have the movie Ordinary People…and also loved the book, although I don’t have a copy any longer. Must have gone out with the purges over the years.

    Or perhaps I read a library copy. Who knows?

    Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      No worries. Yes, I was also a MHC fan but discovered Alafair Burke more recently and have read everything she’s written.

  • Guy R Vestal
    October 7, 2014

    Haven’t seen the books before, but I became a new Twitter and G+ follower of you today. 🙂

    Guy Vestal @ Counter Culture Critic – My Monday

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Excellent, nice to virtually meet you Guy!

  • Lindsey
    October 7, 2014

    It looks like you are reading some good mysteries lately. Good luck on getting your Netgalley reads!

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Thanks. I’ve found most NetGalley glitches come from location / territory issues. I read a lot of popular crime fiction – released elsewhere before Australia – so usually when I request it I get a ‘no’ because it’s only for US / UK readers etc. (It doesn’t stop me taking it personally though!!!)

  • lakesidemusing
    October 7, 2014

    Seven Letter from Paris and Hello from the Gillespies both look good to me. Haven’t seen Ordinary People in years, but what a great movie! Have a good week 🙂

  • Greg
    October 7, 2014

    I’ve been curious about Hello from the Gillespies, I saw it on another blog with a different cover and it caught my eye. the whole premise of that just seemed interesting, so I’ll check out your review. Not my usual kind of read, but I’m intrigued…

    Hope you have nice week!

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Yes, I’ve already posted my review Greg. I’m usually more of a thriller / crime fiction fan. Was worried it’d be too much of an epic family saga, but it wasn’t.

  • Teddyree
    October 7, 2014

    Seven Letters from Paris jumped out at me, I get to spend 3 wonderful days in Paris in a few weeks time. I quite enjoyed my first Monica McInerney read, The House of Memories so I might give Hello from the Gillespie’s a go … not sure when, lots of catch up to do and not enough hours to do it in.

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Ah yes, know that feeling. I’m still three book reviews behind (and yet I keep starting new books!!!).

      I’m reading Seven Letters at the moment and have to confess I’m a tad underwhelmed. I’m about halfway through so I’ll keep going and review in coming weeks no doubt!

      Deb

  • MarthaE
    October 7, 2014

    Glad you had some nice visiting during the week. I think days and nights fly by pretty much anymore.
    You finished some good reads and I like what you have coming up. I am trying this minute to resist the temptation to go request the new Karen Rose! I may need more will power. Enjoy this week!

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Thanks Martha. I discovered Karen Rose a few years ago and remember going onto her site to map out relationships between books and characters at one point!

      I think I’ve missed her previous book – I made a seachange 2 years ago and my new budget precluded me from buying books – but I love her novels. She’s going to be here in Australia so I’m disappointed I’m not in a capital city to go and see her.

      Deb

  • Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
    October 7, 2014

    I’ve been seeing Hello from the Gillespies all over, so much so that I requested it from NetGalley. I may be one of the few to not have read it yet.

    • Debbish
      October 7, 2014

      Ah yes, that’s exactly why I requested it. You might have seen the review I posted yesterday – I quite enjoyed it!

  • Char
    October 8, 2014

    I used to read heaps of Mary Higgins Clark but haven’t done so in such a long time. I’ll have to look into her again. Can’t even remember why I stopped reading her in the first place. It may have been when I was going through my Mills and Boon phase (oh the shame)

    • Debbish
      October 8, 2014

      I used to read a lot of her books as well. Not sure if she’s written a lot lately… perhaps that’s why? I LOVE Alafair Burke, so looking forward to this.

  • bostonbibliophile1
    October 8, 2014

    A new Peter Carey? Lucky!

    • Debbish
      October 8, 2014

      I’m working on my review. It’s a bit mixed unfortunately!

  • Catherine @ Book Club Librarian
    October 8, 2014

    You’ve featured some great books…I’m curious about Seven Letters from Paris. I spent 3 days in Paris last month and am still basking in all things French.

    • Debbish
      October 8, 2014

      It does include a lot of references to all-things-French. I’m afraid I was a bit underwhelmed though – although I think I’m alone in that as everyone else seems to love this book!

  • Pinky Poinker
    October 13, 2014

    Speaking of trends I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but the last few books I’ve read seem to all be about domestic violence including the Miles Franklin winner. Is this a trend? I’m reading Gone Girl right now. I’m probably the last person in Australia to read it…

    • Debbish
      October 13, 2014

      The husband / wife / children disappearing thing is definitely a trend!

I'd love to hear your thoughts