Just when you thought it was safe to go onto the world wide web, I (re)appear… *cue menacing Jaws-music – ignoring copyright restrictions*
Yes it’s true. I’m back. Here in the flesh. Or not. I mean I’m here, virtually – in pixels or similar. As for where I’ve been, well… more on that later.
It’s been 3-4 weeks since I’ve shared my reading and blogging escapades, so I have read some books – which probably won’t surprise you – but I’ve already reviewed them all, so will skip straight to those.
What I wrote
There have been no ‘personal’ posts since my last Sunday check-in, just book reviews. And unlike time (as August nears its end, when it seems it only just started), my reading and reviewing slowed a little. However, you may want to check out:
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry – in which a woman develops an unhealthy obsession for finding her sister’s killer
The Falls by B Michael Radburn – a thriller set in Australia about a serial killer who’d previously gone undetected
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – which even I loved… despite the lack of psychopathic serial killers, although…. #kidding
You Will Know Me by Megan Abbot – about an elite gymnast and the parents who’ve given up everything for her – and what happens when their dreams are threatened
Sunset Shadows by Bronwyn Parry – an Aussie novel of romantic suspense which gets the balance right for this lover of suspense
Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton – somewhat OTT and could use a good edit, but still fun
The Last Photograph by Emma Chapman – about a photojournalist whose life was changed by the Vietnam War and its implications for his family
Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra – a woman in trouble pretends to be the long-missing daughter of a devoted family, only to wonder what happened to her predecessor
Miss You by Kate Eberlen – an enjoyable read which reminded me of my Maeve Binchy reading period.
I’ve had a few more reviews published in the newspapers as well…. 😉
What I did
Well… what didn’t I do? Other than read and blog, obviously.
In all honesty I can’t claim I’ve been stretched-to-the-limit busy. But I’ve just had stuff on and am very conscious that a key part of blogging is reading and commenting on other blogs and didn’t want to write my own posts with the expectations of readers if I wasn’t going to do much blog reading myself. As a result I’ve missed HUNDREDS of posts in the last 3-4 weeks and I apologise to the blogging community for that.
But, back to my excuses explanation… the sale of my apartment and purchase of my new house goes through this week. There have been a few glitches with my sale, which have almost driven me insane. The buyer lives overseas and things obviously happen differently there. Plus a difficult person here has influenced her and she’s had rather untoward requests – like a discount for example – to move the washing machine into a different room which has no water or electricity (and isn’t even sealed). It makes no sense but it was a final-hour thing and I really had no choice.
However… I’m really excited about my new house as I’ll have my own study and MORE SPACE. Of course I’ll miss my views and location but it will be nice to have this new start.
In the meantime however, I am packing.
On the health front, I’ve recovered well from the surgery I had about six weeks ago but it tired me far more than expected and I’ve struggled a little. However I’m continuing my water aerobics at the gym when work and packing and other stuff permit!
What I plan to do
Once I move (five sleeps, but who’s counting?!) I want to focus a bit more on my writing again. I’m going to attempt to blog daily in September and might participate in NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month in November. The last 4 or so months have been chaotic and occasionally revolting so I’m keen to start afresh.
As for this week… there will be some reading, but I’m also working and have my move scheduled over a two-day period.
I’ve checked my chronologically-sorted TBR list and have a very bad feeling I’ve already packed the latest release by Gayle Forman (Leave Me) I was planning to read next, so will jump forward to The Easy Way Out by Steven Amsterdam and Sophie Hannah’s new Hercule Poirot – Closed Casket.
And that’s it for now. I promise I’m mostly back in the game and I’ll get around and read other blogs and rejoin the land of the social media overusers.
Tell me… what have I missed over the past 3-4 weeks? Any highlights? Or lowlights?
From memory (joking) I’m linking up with Deep Fried Fruit for the Lovin’ Life Linky; the Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Sunday Post; and The Book Date for ‘It’s Monday, what are you reading?’
August 27, 2016
some fab looking books on that list. I’ve been hearing nothing but praise for Bronwyn Parry – shame the library doesn’t have it as an ebook for me to download RIGHT NOW!
August 28, 2016
I’ve read each of her others, but this one was my fave. The balance was spot on.
August 28, 2016
As Jo said, she writes good romantic suspense and I liked that her series’ focus around linked characters!
August 27, 2016
I’m a late entrant to reading Liane Moriarty’s books. I actually finished Big Little Lies (interesting!) and started Three Wishes (her first book but couldn’t get into it)& now Truly Madly Guilty awaits. Can’t want for you to be in your new house! Excited!! Love that you’ll have a study & space around you too! Good luck!!
August 28, 2016
I was the same Denyse and only read Big Little Lies sometime last year (and didn’t enjoy it as much as others). The only other book of hers I’ve read is The Hypnotist’s Love Story which I listened to on audio. I enjoyed it but it was very VERY long.
August 27, 2016
I like your new bio pic 🙂
August 28, 2016
Thanks Kate. It was a very random share on my Debbish Facebook page last week. I don’t actually think it’s very nice (nose too wide, wrinkly skin etc) but a lot of people liked it and I realised some didn’t know I’d gone brunette in February this year, so it’s become my new profile pic!
August 28, 2016
Me too! I love it. I didn’t realise you’d gone brunette either. You look like a completely different woman! You look happy and healthy and so relaxed. And what wrinkles? Love the soft bouncy curls look you’ve got going on. Awesome!
August 28, 2016
The hair’s mostly windblown Amy! I went brunette in Feb but then went a big shorter and a bit shorter… I’m aiming to go really short by summer but hoping to feel a bit fitter and healthier by then!
August 27, 2016
On your the back of your review I’ve been reading Liane Moriarty’s latest, Truly Madly, Guilty. It’s okay but the fact it’s taking me over two weeks to read says a lot. I think her books are a bit formulaic. What do you reckon? I always guess the secret and when it’s revealed I think, meh.
August 28, 2016
I haven’t actually read that one Michelle. I didn’t get a review copy (though am sure I requested one) and haven’t had time to borrow / buy others. I’m one of those people who didn’t LOVE Big Little Lies so I suspect I’d be with you on this one. It doesn’t seem to have gotten the rave reviews some of her other books have gotten.
August 27, 2016
Good luck with the move! Moving is so stressful! I bet it will feel amazing to be in your new place!
August 28, 2016
God I hope so. The caretaker has been slamming the metal gate in front of my unit all weekend – so I think he’s given up any pretense of trying to consider others.
August 27, 2016
Wow, you have really been busy with the reading and reviewing, plus getting ready to move! 🙂 Hope you enjoy those books coming up and that things go smoothly with your move. I need to start focusing more on my writing to and might try Nanowrimo too.
Have a great day,
Stormi
August 28, 2016
Yes, I like the idea of just having time at home to write again Stormi – it doesn’t feel like I’ve had much of it lately!
August 28, 2016
I am impressed that you’re doing anything at all other than madly packing with a sale pending and buying a house! I think I was mush when I was in the middle of buying a house! Your new place sounds great! Especially about having your own study. I’ve just started Closed Casket and am really enjoying it so far. Have a great week!
August 28, 2016
I haven’t read the previous ‘new’ Poirot Katherine and am wondering how they explain Poirot’s return from death… though perhaps it’s set in the midst of his career?
August 28, 2016
That sounds like a bit of a nightmare, getting your house sold with last-minute requests. I would not be able to do anything else beyond packing and moving and dealing with all that. I think moving makes me have anxiety. I hate it so. I hope everything goes through well and your move is as easy as can be. And a study!
August 28, 2016
Oh yes… there’s been lots of anxiety – I’ve been going to bed ridiculously early most nights and yet still lying there at 2am. My previous sales have all gone pretty smoothly (this is the 4th place I’ve bought and 3rd place I’ve sold) so it’s been a challenging. There were a lot of delays to the sale going ‘unconditional’ but then only a couple of weeks in which to pack, book removalists, cleaners, arrange insurance and so forth.
August 28, 2016
Ah great to hear of your continuing story. Moving can have its ups and downs but hopefully will all be worth it and extra space will be nice. I guess you’ve given away a gorgeous view but its only one thing. Sometimes a new start like this can be just the right thing – and no body corporate which has to be a plus. Lots of reading done though, I have Gayle Forman’s book to read too but I suspect you’ll get to it first even if it might be packed! I’ve never read her before so will be interesting. I read the Josephine Moon book you reviewed earlier in the year. Loved it!
August 28, 2016
I’ve only read one of Forman’s but already had to skip it Kathryn and started on The Easy Way Out. From memory my books were one of the first things I unpacked when I moved house 4yrs ago and it’ll probably be the same. Also I’ve labelled my book boxes – including my TBR pile!
August 28, 2016
Glad the real estate stuff will be completed soon. Can’t wait to hear about you settled in your new place…& love the new bio pic.
August 28, 2016
Oh I know… I’m sure there will be problems there to – there’s no town sewerage for eg and I’ll have septic waste, and the phone / broadband reconnection’s already been nightmarish – but I’m really looking forward to the privacy and new start.
August 28, 2016
So great to see you back! Looking forward to hearing more about settling into the new house once all the pain in the arse stuff is over and done with.
August 28, 2016
Oh yes… I cannot wait. Of course I’m going to ProBlogger the week after I move in, so settling down might take a while!
August 28, 2016
I’m glad everything is working out on the selling/ buying front, even with the last minute wrinkles. And a study- yay! Sounds nice. And boo for difficult people! Good luck with packing and the move.
I didn’t read a ton over the last few weeks thanks to the Olympics, although I’ve been getting through about a book a week and that works for me. Hopefully reading will pick up as summer ends. I’ve seen Only Daughter somewhere (another blog somebody’s lol) and it sounds really good. I’m really enjoying psychological thrillers lately. After reading your review I’m definitely going to get that one. I love the idea of faux Bec worming her way into the family, only to find that all is not well. Sounds deliciously creepy.
August 28, 2016
I hope you enjoy it Greg – it’s interesting given that we know faux Bec is fake from the beginning and you wonder if there’s some end game she’s playing or how the whole thing will play out.
The study is really the third bedroom but I only need the one spare (I don’t have that many visitors) – so much better than my current 2 bedroom apartment.
August 28, 2016
Love your new bio pick. The hairstyle is very flattering and stylish. I predict lots of fun moments ahead.
Good luck with all the moving, etc., and don’t you hate those last-minute things buyers want?
After my last move, I swore I would never go through another sale, and I won’t. How to avoid it? I didn’t buy anything! I love having management doing all the repairs, and after nine years here, I am still satisfied with the arrangement.
Enjoy your new place, your books, etc. Several look very tempting. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
August 28, 2016
Ah yes, I thought about renting Laurel, particularly if I didn’t find anything I liked. My worry would be that I’d fritter away the money I’d get in my sale as I’m not terribly responsible with money. I’m okay at paying things off but if I have money…. then… well….
August 28, 2016
I start and ‘fail’ NaNo every year haha. One day…
August 28, 2016
I’ve ‘won’ it once Vanessa. I think I’ve started it on two other occasions but only registered one other time. I suspect registering is the key… plus having some idea of what you’ll write in advance, as that’s what caught me out previously!
August 28, 2016
So happy for you and your new home! I hope the move isn’t too difficult. Some great books I see! Looks like you’ve found time to enjoy some great stories:)
My Sunday Post @ fuonlyknew
August 28, 2016
Ah yes laura, I tried to keep up my reading despite allocating nights to pack etc… I think in reality I binge-read over the last few weeks. I’d read a book a night for 2-3 nights and then not read for the rest of the week while I caught up with reviews etc.
August 28, 2016
Good luck – I hope the move goes well! Have a great week 🙂
August 28, 2016
Thanks Maree. Much appreciated!
August 28, 2016
Oh my gosh about the move, Deb! Why in the world would someone want to move the washer to a different room? I hope it wasn’t too costly for you to make those changes, but it must have been tiring and a little nerve-wrecking! I hope the move goes really well and smoothly, and that you’ll feel much better about things in your new house. I hope you’ll share pictures with us 🙂
We all have times when we don’t have the time or the true want / need to blog as often as usual, I think that’s really normal.
I think I’m going to have to check out Miss You, since it kind of made you think of Maeve Binchy! I MISS her! <3
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading 🙂
August 28, 2016
I didn’t have to make the changes thankfully Lexxie – I gather she wants to make them (so she wanted a few thousand dollars off). I’ll certainly share pics. It’s beautiful and looks very big – though it isn’t that big. One of my besties said it looked very ‘grown up’.
Miss You’s a bit less saga-ish than Maeve. I almost used Barbara Taylor Bradford as an example but then decided all of her characters were rich and books often multi-generational. This isn’t.
August 28, 2016
Congrats on finally getting that sale to go through! I’m sure you’re glad to be done with that as it sounds stressful. And it sounds like the new place will be great 🙂 Good luck with the actual moving, and that would be great if you could more writing in once you’ve moved!
August 28, 2016
Absolutely Kristen… I hope I can!
August 28, 2016
Yay for the sale and boo for the last minute awkward requests. Hope you love your new home and are very happy there. I plan on buying It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover very, very soon. Enjoy your new books.
August 29, 2016
I haven’t heard of many people who’ve not enjoyed It Ends With Us, Trish… though the content is probably a bit confronting for some. I thought it was well written and handled a difficult subject quite well.
August 28, 2016
Oh wow, so many amazing books, if only my TBR was less crowded but it’s a mess. Everyone is reading It Ends With Us and as usual I’m so scared of reading anything by CoHo especially since the reviews are better than any other books. Enjoy your books and have a great week!
August 29, 2016
This was my first CoHo and I must confess I hadn’t heard of her before November 9 (or 9 November). I recall a few people being a little disappointed with that one however.
And yes… my TBR pile ended up with their own shelf on my bookshelf so I could get them out of sight – of course they’re all packed at the moment!
August 28, 2016
I hope you enjoy your new place. Got some good looking books and I hope you enjoy them too. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental My Sunday Memes
August 29, 2016
Oh yes I very much hope I enjoy my new place…. and I’m sure I will for a while Sherry!
August 28, 2016
Sorry for the hiccups with your sale but yay for a new place!! Packing stinks but again yay for a new place 🙂 Glad you are feeling better from your surgery. I loved Leave Me and hope you do enjoy it when you get to it. Have a great week!
August 29, 2016
Oh, that’s good about Leave Me, Grace!
And yes… this packing business sucks. This is the 4th place I’ve bought but I moved quite a bit when I was renting and then back in my younger days (when I had minimal furniture etc…)
August 28, 2016
I’m very glad to hear that the move is finally… moving. It’s a nightmare, though, when vendors have harebrained schemes at the last minute. This time next week, though, you’ll be Sunday Posting for your new home:)). Glad to hear you’ve made a good recovery from the surgery. Fingers crossed that the ensueing week goes through smoothly. In the meantime – an impressive number of books read and written about – and congratulations on the newspaper reviews:) This is my Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/sunday-post-28th-august/
August 29, 2016
Ha yes… this time next week I’ll be in my news place, but I suspect I won’t have any internet connection. My supplier advises my phone gets connected first and then a few business days later my broadband will get connected. Fortunately I have a pre-paid toggle thingy I can use so hopefully I’ll be online a little!
August 28, 2016
Now that you’ve mentioned it – yea, we’ve missed you!! Oooooh moving…. It is also in my near future. *Big sigh*. I also hear Jaws music here. You’ve read a couple of really nice books. You will know me and The last Photograph is listed on my TBR and I still want to read one of the Sophie Hannah Poirot books! Hope the move will be good and that you get time for reading in between. You can always just hide inside one of the boxes you know….
August 28, 2016
Oh and the link to my Sunday Post: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/the-sunday-post-double-up-to-100.html
August 29, 2016
Thanks!
August 29, 2016
Mareli, I was trying to think of what the Jaws music is called, but could only think of it as ‘Jaws music’. Is that weird?
And I do have a very big box I could fit inside but sadly I’ll be the one directing the removalists etc… AND they’re doing my uplift early so I can go into work afterwards!
August 28, 2016
I read through some of your comments so I got some answers to my questions 😀 I didn’t know you went brunette in February either and I LOVE IT!!! That picture is gorgeous b/c it’s you!! Stop picking it apart b/c it’s so natural – I love it!!!! It made me smile when I saw it, seriously, because you look so happy!!!
I can’t believe after all the apartment drama you finally found a buyer! WOOT!! And because they want to make a change you should discount it – what the heck?!?!?! Idiot! Well, at least it’s closing soon so I’m crossing my fingers and saying a prayer for ya!!! Hang in there!! New starts are awesome!!! 🙂
August 29, 2016
I took the picture because I was out walking – which I *possibly* only did because I promised myself a scoop of ice cream while out IF I walked! (Although I went on the same walk yesterday and didn’t need the bribery of ice cream to do it.)
And yes… yay for new starts!
August 29, 2016
Nice book haul. I hope the rest of your move goes without a hitch. Welcome back!
August 29, 2016
Thanks… fingers crossed!
August 29, 2016
Ahhh sorry to hear about the drama surrounding your move, but YAY for moving somewhere fresh and new! I hope you love your new home and have happy reading 🙂
– Lefty @ The Left-Handed Book Lover
August 29, 2016
I suspect there are always dramas, but hopefully these last couple of days will go more smoothly.
August 29, 2016
Moving is so stressful, then add in a sale and eep. i cannot believe there were last minute negotiations..usually that happens up front when negotiated sale. Loving your profile pic! Hope things go smoothly this week and with your plans!
August 29, 2016
Thanks Kimberley. I think was frustrated as I’d understood the ‘building inspection report’ had been accepted and it was all fine. She had other concerns about our body corporate but the last minute request re building stuff was from left-field and didn’t make sense to me. My solicitor was really surprised and suggested I negotiate, but I was again in the middle of a day of medical appointments and out of town so just couldn’t bear more toing and froing.
August 29, 2016
Well, that washing machine situation does sound irritating, so hopefully you’ll get it all sorted out. Hope your move is nice, and have a good week! 🙂
August 29, 2016
I suspect she’ll get here and realise she can’t move the washing machine but don’t think she’ll feel guilty for requesting the discount because of it. Of course I only heard that bit second hand so who knows… But yes… usually when you sign the contract the price is then non-negotiable.
There were lots of little building issues in the place I’m buying but I expected that and I’ll just pay for a handyman to come and fix that stuff myself. It seems too pedantic to be asking the seller to ‘get these bolts replaced’ or tightened, or fix this ‘minimally-leaking pipe’.
August 29, 2016
I’m glad that Curious Minds was pleasing to you, I’ll have my review up on my blog soon FYI. Not much has been going on in my neck of the woods. It didn’t even seem like you were gone that long! Enjoy your week!
August 29, 2016
Leona I was worried my Curious Minds review was a bit too negative. I notice Phoef Sutton liked the FB link (so presumably) read it and was worried he might be offended by what I’d said. It was fun – as you’d know – but somewhat unrealistic. I don’t think I’m ever nasty in my reviews but always worry later I was too harsh when I know the author’s had a read of what I’ve written!
August 29, 2016
I’m seriously thinking about attempting NaNoWriMo this year – I’ve never tried my hand at writing a novel, and the thought of writing an entire novel in a single month sounds kind of insane, but also kind of exciting!
August 29, 2016
I’ve got 50,000 words towards something. I like the idea of writing without self-editing because I’m a terrible perfectionist. (Sort of – two extremes… that or apathetic!) So focussing on getting words onto paper is an amazing experience.
August 29, 2016
Don’t feel bad. Moving is extremely time consuming. Good luck with completing everything and getting back into a routine.
August 29, 2016
Thanks so much… now only 2 sleeps before the move… and 4 before I move INTO my new place.
August 29, 2016
Hope you move goes well, packing is a nightmare and also unpacking!!! Have a great week!
August 30, 2016
Oh yes I can recall many a temper tantrum during my packing and unpacking…
August 29, 2016
Best wishes with your move and unpacking, it is never fun! I have a few of your books on my TBR pile which grows by the day! I won a copy of Bronwyn Parry’s Sunset Shadows, so I look forward to reading it soon. A fellow bookworm has given me Under the Harrow. I purchased Only Daughter and The Last Photograph last week. I loved your review of The Last Photograph, it spurred me on to order a copy, I do hope it arrives soon!
Happy reading and good luck with your move
Amanda @ mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
August 30, 2016
I’ve been reading a bit outside of my comfort zone of late Amanda and am constantly surprised how much I’m enjoying the books. I’m sure there’s a lesson for me there!
August 30, 2016
I’m glad you loved It Ends With Us by CoHo. It was such a good book! Have a great book week!
August 30, 2016
Thanks Lauren!
August 30, 2016
I really enjoyed your review for Under the Harrow, I’ll have to put it on my wish list. Have a great week!
August 30, 2016
Good to hear Whitney, I hope you enjoy it. (And thanks!)
August 30, 2016
I’m sorry about the last minute headaches with your sale. I definitely understand the pain of dealing with last minute ridiculousness this week. I hope the rest of it goes through with a hitch and that you get plenty of time to rest.
It Ends With US is on my wishlist. I’m not so patiently waiting for my library to get a copy because the system is being rather stupid right now and not allowing holds of any sort.
I hope you have a great week!
August 30, 2016
Thanks Michelle. ONE MORE SLEEP until I move out… then another two sleeps before I move in. I’m lucky my mother lives in a nearby town and I’ll stay with her while awaiting the move!
August 30, 2016
Congratulations on selling your apartment and buying a house! My husband and I are in the middle of something similar and I know how stressful it can be! Here’s hoping everything goes smoothly from here on out! It looks like you got a lot of great reading done too! I know everyone has been really excited about It Ends With Us. Have a great week! 😀
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
August 30, 2016
Thanks Tracy… I hope your move / sale goes smoothly. I’m really fortunate in that I’ve had my mother around helping me pack etc… When it comes to motivation we’re almost complete opposites so she’s done a heap and ‘forced’ me to focus as well. (Or I’d be panicking now!)
August 30, 2016
Congrats on your move! How exciting! I know it can be frustrating too, but soon you will be all moved and forget all the troubles you are going through right now. I am really happy for you.
I packed a few books I needed when I was moving too, both times so that just makes me an idiot. I can’t wait to see pictures of your new place, ya know, once you get settled. Have a fabulous week!
August 30, 2016
I know… I can’t wait for this move to be a distant memory. Interestingly though I was reading old blog posts and reminded how excited I was about moving into this current place!
August 30, 2016
I loved You Will Know Me, perfect reading for the Olympics, lol. The Falls is on my list. Good luck unpacking!
August 30, 2016
I know!!! I didn’t watch any of the Olympics, but it was impossible to avoid the publicity around Simone Biles… so very timely!
August 31, 2016
There’s always something when you’re buying or selling a house. Hopefully the rest of it goes smoothly and your move goes well. I’m glad you’re recovering from your surgery well, too. Lovely photo, by the way — you look happy and relaxed!
I noticed Closed Casket on your reading list. I’m on the library hold list, but it won’t be out until next Tuesday and the library isn’t getting a lot of copies, so it will be a while before I get to read it. I hope it’s good!
September 1, 2016
I’m looking forward to Closed Casket but had a heap of other books arrive which are being published beforehand…. decisions decisions!
September 2, 2016
Wow! You’ve had a lot going on! Congrats on the new house. Always exciting! You haven’t missed much on my end. I’ve had Real Life things to do and my reading, reviewing and blogging have suffered. But it looks like things may finally be leveling out, right around the time yours looks to be, too. 🙂 I hope the move goes smoothly!
September 3, 2016
All done now – well, still some unpacking to finish and rearranging of course – but it probably hasn’t been as stressful as it could have been!