Eagle-eyed… or really bored readers will have noted I skipped last week’s linkup and was AWOL for even longer. I’d like to tell you my Easter weekend was so action-packed I didn’t have a moment to spare on frivolities like blogging and social media, but… in reality I just couldn’t be arsed.
However, I’m back, sans bells… but with more enthusiasm than I’ve had for a while.
What I read
I actually only read ONE book in the entire week before Easter. I had several nights off reading and de-prioritised it for a change… binge-watching DVDs and mulling over the meaning of life. Or something. The book in question was Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes.
And then I was kinda back into the swing of things with Inga Simpson’s Where the Trees Were.
I attempted to start Jeffrey Deaver’s The Steel Kiss but got a few pages in and just couldn’t engage. It’s not a DNF – rather I’ll put it aside until I’m in the mood. Instead I took on the mammoth (635 page!) Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama.
And finally I read Harlen Coben’s Fool Me Once, which I’ll be reviewing in coming days.
What I wrote
I posted a few reviews on the blog and in Goodreads:
Primary School Confidential by Mrs Woog – filled with hilarious anecdotes
Far from True by Linwood Barclay – slightly disappointing second book in the series
The Lost Girl by Tania Carver – a little gruesome but full of twists
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes – another slightly disappointing second book
Where The Trees Were by Inga Simpson – beautifully written and very Australian
Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama – friggin’ long
My monthly March wrap-up post was published in Aussie blog Styling You – I’d love it if you popped over for a look as it doesn’t have many comments this month!
And then… in an attempt to get my blogging mojo back, I’ve started a post-every-day challenge of my own for April. I’m making use of a few prompts (and might yet add some book-ish ones) but as this is day three, I’ve written two other posts:
Adulting and other lies we tell
Boaty McBoatface and why I love social media
What I did
I’ve spent a bit of time at my mother’s. Firstly I had to help her move some stuff as she has termites in her study / spare room so we’ve cleared space for the pest control person and some wall replacement! And this weekend I’m just getting away from home as I’m a bit frustrated with my apartment complex at the moment and dealing with some difficult body corporate stuff. There’s been a lot of conflict (not involving me) but I’ve found myself quite stressed by a lot of the email communication taking place nonetheless.
And I binge-watched season one of Vikings and have started on season two. I’m not completely won over, but am hanging in there nonetheless.
What I plan to read
I like to think I’m catching up on my reading and book blogging, but really I’ve syphoned off a stack of books which have already been published – to read when I have more time. Or less books. #whatevs
I’ve got a few books being published in early April so am trying to get to them as a priority.
The Beekeeper’s Secret | Cambodia Noir | Sleep Sister
And that’s about it for this week folks. I’m hoping my blog visiting and blogging is back on track, and I promise to try to stop whining about losing my mojo. And a big thanks to the book bloggers and readers who still visited my blog last fortnight even though I was AWOL!
What’s on your agenda this week?
As usual I’m linking up with Kimberly from The Caffeinated Reviewer for the Sunday Post and Kathryn from BookDate for It’s Monday! I’m also joining Leanne for her Lovin’ Life Sunday Linky and… I’m really trying. (To love life, that is!)
April 3, 2016
Some great books here!! Always need new things to read 🙂
April 3, 2016
I hope you find something here!
April 3, 2016
Ah termites. I thought ants were bad enough! Josephine Moon looks like an author I should try but never have. And apartment living has its drawbacks with body corporate – like having very bad neighbours (which I don’t luckily!)
April 3, 2016
Our onsite manager / caretaker is the main problem – very divisive and causing a lot of problems (on purpose). I’ve gotten to the point I can scarcely stand to be there… which isn’t good.
I haven’t read Josephine Moon before so hope I like it!
April 3, 2016
I’m reading Bill Bryson- oh, I wish I could write travel like he does! Laugh out loud stuff.
April 3, 2016
I’ve heard great things about his work but never read any… you know me and non-fiction!
April 3, 2016
The books your going to be reading this week look really good I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
April 3, 2016
Thanks Stormi!
April 3, 2016
I take little mini reading breaks every once in a while- I have to as some days I just don’t feel like reading! Sorry to hear about termites, hope they get handled soon for her. And Vikings- I watched the first few episodes a while back and wasn’t sold on it. I may revisit one of these days though… seems like a show like that could be so good, maybe I need to give it more time.
Fool Me Once looks like a good thriller. Good luck with your post a day!
April 3, 2016
I enjoyed Fool Me Once Greg, but not as much as some of Coben’s other books.
I suspect people like Vikings as there’s a lot of merciless killing and power plays. A bit like Game of Thrones!
April 3, 2016
Even though March was slow for you, it still looks like you had a great month! I love the cover of Hidden Bodies, so I will have to check it out. Good luck with your April posting goal! My Weekly Wrap-Up
April 3, 2016
Not sure if that’s just the Oz cover of Hidden Bodies or not – I can’t remember where the NetGalley version I read was from. I did see a different cover, but like that one far better!
April 3, 2016
Never worry about visiting my blog and feeling guilty my dear. As long as you eventually come back for a visit 🙂 Good luck with the posting every day. I’m doing it too! Gah! Bet I won’t last.
April 3, 2016
I’m a bit worried about how I go when I’m at work this week (as I’m travelling one of those days). I thought about pre-writing some but guess that defeats the point of making myself ‘write’ a blog post every day!
April 3, 2016
Nothing wrong with taking a bit of a break now and then. Hopefully the stuff with your appartment complex will be resolved soon. It’s annoying when others have issues but it comes back to you as well (in whatever way that is).
April 3, 2016
True and I let things get to me far too much so I get anxious about the terse emails and feel a bit pressured by what’s happening. I’ve also found that (at a few meetings) I’m one of the ones having to speak out, even when I’m not impacted.
April 3, 2016
I had an accidental slump the past couple of weeks. I hope you have a good one this week 🙂
April 3, 2016
Thanks Maree – you too!
April 3, 2016
Glad you are getting out of your slump. I have headed over to styling you and commented…hope it helps! Have a good week.
April 3, 2016
Awww… thanks for that Emma. I feel bad that my posts there don’t get many comments.
April 3, 2016
It seems like as book bloggers there’s this pressure that books ALWAYS have to be our priority, but sometimes we just need a break! So if de-prioritizing books sometimes is what you gotta do, go for it. Sorry to hear about the email stress and termite situation, but I’m happy to hear you’re getting out of your slump 🙂 And yikes! A 600+ page book. I haven’t read any that big yet this year. Enjoy your upcoming books!
April 4, 2016
Thanks Kristen and yes… 600+ pages! I put it off as long as I possibly could!
April 3, 2016
I had to take a break from blogging last month because of blah feelings so I get it. Glad you are back! I loved Hidden Bodies and like that cover. Can’t wait to see your thoughts on Fool Me Once. Have a great week!
April 4, 2016
Thanks Grace. Hope you’re feeling better as well!
April 3, 2016
I’m glad your motivation is back, firmer than ever, Deb!
Can I just take a little moment to say how much I loathe group e-mails? I never know if I should feel like what’s being said should be applied to me, or if I’m only included to see what someone thinks someone else should or shouldn’t do… In the school where I work now, they LOVE group e-mails *sighs* Thanks for letting me get that off my chest 😉
Your new books all look fantastic. I think I’d have trouble figuring out which book to get to first.
Good luck to your mom on getting rid of the termites.
Have a fantastic week ahead and happy reading 🙂
April 4, 2016
I’m on our body corporate committee now so have been getting a stack of them. Too many in fact. And some are snarky. Plus people are backstabbing others and it isn’t pretty. Even though they aren’t about me I get stressed about that stuff and mull over it. I really don’t need another thing to lie awake worrying about. I know I need to deal with things differently (I can only control my own reaction – yadda yadda yadda) but…
April 4, 2016
Welcome back, and sometimes, a little break can revive our enthusiasm….
Termites! I had them years ago right after moving into a house that had passed its inspection, and they were there the very day we moved in! Of course, the company had to make things right, but what an ordeal. We had to leave for a couple of days while they tented the whole thing.
Maybe your mum’s isn’t as bad.
I hope you enjoy the week….and thanks for visiting my blog. I’m off to check some of your links.
April 4, 2016
Mum’s termites are clustered into a couple of rooms Laurel so hopefully it’s not too challenging to fix. She’s had the pest control people out to kill the critters but now waiting to make sure they’ve gone before doing anything else.
April 4, 2016
I had considered a couple of your books mentioned above but you weren’t that thrilled with them, and I’m not in the mood for less than engaging books at the moment, as I deal with some personal issues here. I want a great escape or it’s not worth it right now 🙂
I went to your Style page and commented. Perhaps folks were busy with vacation (holiday time) and weren’t around to read it yet.
Hope your mother solves her termite problem. Yikes, that’s bad news.
Have a great week ahead and hope you get your blogging and reading mojo back on track. Sometimes not trying at all beats trying too hard when confronted with a task. Enjoy!
April 4, 2016
Thanks for popping over to Styling You Rita – much appreciated.
And yes, I understand your need to read books that really engage you. I’ve just read two books in two nights (so one a night) but neither was particularly riveting. I guess the fact they drew me in enough to keep going was probably a good thing though.
April 4, 2016
Yay for getting out of your slump! That can be so tough. That’s awful about the drama around your apartment complex. Home should be peaceful! We had really awful neighbors in our last house – they didn’t really bother us but they were always outside and really loud and the kids had zero discipline. I didn’t realize how stressful it was until we moved. I felt this enormous weight lifted off me. I hope things clear up for you soon. Even if it doesn’t involve you anything that makes you not want to be home is bad.
I like the look of the Josephine Moon book and I’m so confused about Hidden Bodies! I’m intrigued by the blurb and concept but am on the fence about actually reading it – especially since I’d have to read You first. Decisions decisions! Have a great week!
April 4, 2016
I’ve actually written a more detailed blog post about my apartment complex issues today Katherine and you’ve hit the nail on the head… it’s no longer feeling like home and not a place I want to be.
I went through something with my previous place – we had some building issues and had to get several lots of builders in to fix it. I was there for 7-8yrs in the end but had scaffolding up for about 18mths of that. As soon as it was done I wanted ‘out’ – which was sad as I was so house-proud when I first moved in there.
April 4, 2016
I’m glad your back Deborah. A little break is definitely good sometimes. 😉
I never read a Harlan Coben novel, but I’ve heard some great things about it. I definitely need to check his books out soon.
Hopefully, your weekend away will make you feel less stressed. Getting away is all you can do at times.
Have a great week 😉
April 4, 2016
This probably wasn’t my favourite Harlan Coben Maureen but I still enjoyed it. (The end frustrated me!) I’ve enjoyed many of his other books though!
April 4, 2016
Sorry to hear that your Mother’s place had issues. That sucks! Also, all the drama at work. I hated living in an apartment so I feel your pain. I am happy to hear you took a break and it was good for you. I need a good binge watching session of…ah, something. Have a great week Debbie!
April 4, 2016
I actually found a couple of new TV shows this past weekend when I visited a video shop Karen… ones that are popular but I haven’t seen – so I might add them to my list when I’m next in a reading slump!
April 4, 2016
So glad you’re back, Deb! Sometimes a break is just what we need. I hope you get away and get some relaxation!
April 4, 2016
Yes… I think allowing myself not to HAVE to blog when I wasn’t feeling the love, was a good thing. I also read A LOT of blogs. I follow hundreds and it’s not uncommon that I spend more time reading blogs than writing my own. I decided I could cut back a bit on that as well. Focus on the Sunday Post linkup and then just my favourites!
April 4, 2016
What an awesome pdate
New Goodreads Follower!
Happy Reading!
My Sunday Catch Up Post! @ Paulette’s Papers
April 4, 2016
Hi Dani and thanks for dropping by. Will check your blog out!
April 4, 2016
Hey! Every once in a while you need to focus on life. This book blogging life can creep in and take over! I hope you have a wonderful week Debbie.
April 4, 2016
True and I think it’s the guilt that makes it worse Lauren! Hope you have a great week as well.
April 4, 2016
Sometimes it is good to take a break, I quite often just can’t be arsed, there is no shame in it!
I am going to check out your Six of Four review, I got it because I love Japan but as usual still to read, I didn’t realise it was that long!!
Vikings is a hit or a miss for me but saying that me and the other half have made it as far as series three.
Have a good week!
April 4, 2016
I don’t read fantasy Heather so am unaccustomed to REALLY long books. I actually put this off for weeks and weeks because of its size.
April 4, 2016
It’s not like you’re getting paid to blog so you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking a break. I hope your Mum’s termite issues get sorted quickly. They’re horrible little varmints and really don’t deserve to live.
April 4, 2016
The termite removal thing is being drawn out Char. She had a guy here who put holes in the (paper-like) walls and put stuff in there. Then he came back two weeks later and did it again. He’s back in a fortnight so hopefully the critters will all be dead and she can get the walls (etc) fixed and painted and we can resurrect the room!
April 4, 2016
Sometime we just need a break. Ooohh Vikings. Yeah, it kind of started out slow, but it gets better with each season. Have a great week.
April 4, 2016
Oh I’m glad to hear that (about Vikings) Christy. I’ve only just started the second season. I figured it can’t be too bad if they’re up to season 5 or so!
April 4, 2016
Oh man, it sounds really frustrating with those body corporate issues! I hope it gets resolved soon. Blogging slumps happen every now and then. I am dying to read Hidden Bodies but I’m waiting for the paperback!
April 4, 2016
I had an electronic copy Jeann, but the date (on NetGalley) was weird. It listed it as published in May (so presumably the paperback) but I knew the hardcover was out so waited for a few months, but then went ahead and read it anyway!
April 4, 2016
I’m always amazed at how you get through so many books!
April 4, 2016
I usually average three Vanessa, but some weeks are better than others. I only read at night (in the bath) and have a night or two off… but am prone to binge-reading an entire book at night sometimes.
April 4, 2016
I hope those nasty pests are gone from your mom’s house! Looking forward to Fool Me Once.
April 4, 2016
I hope so too Nise’. She’ll know in another week or so. I was a bit disappointed by Fool Me Once, so keen to hear what others think!
April 4, 2016
Sometimes we all need some time off! I’ll totally admit to going MIA a time or two! It sounds like you had a good time binging some Netflix though! I definitely need to watch Vikings at some point – it’s one of my husband’s favorite shows! Have a great week 😀
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
April 4, 2016
Definitely give Vikings a go cos a couple of the actors are kinda cute too!!!
And yes, having a break has been good. I’ve kinda kept up, but more just the reviews rather than ‘writing’ per se.
April 4, 2016
Fool Me Once looks so good. I love Harlan Coben’s books. Have a great week!
April 5, 2016
I’ll be posting my review in the next day or two Yvonne!
April 4, 2016
I practised body corporate law for awhile so I can only imagine! Unfortunately it seems like there is often at least one nut job.
April 5, 2016
Oh yes, very true. This is the third complex I’ve lived in (and I’ve been on the committee before) but this is by far the worst! I learned that after being here for less than a month when emails started flying about an upcoming meeting!
April 4, 2016
Vikings is definitely one of my favourite TV series of all time (alongside Spartacus). The Harlan Coben novel caught my eye – looks good.
April 5, 2016
I’m only up to season 2 Myra so looking forward to the rest of the seasons!
April 5, 2016
Glad your back. Somehow I missed you yesterday and apologize. I love your cover for Hidden Bodies. Some day I am going to spend the entire day binge watching…I have never done it..LOL Unless watching two DVR’d episodes of the same show count.
April 5, 2016
damn smartphone. Glad you’re back!
April 5, 2016
I don’t think two episodes count Kiimberly and I have to admit I mostly binge-watch at night. I used to watch DVDs during the day on weekends when I worked full-time but now I tend to only start watching in the evening so tend to be up until 2am or so!
April 5, 2016
My boyfriend loves Vikings! I don’t know if I’ll ever watch it though.
I still need to finish listening to Hidden Bodies!
I hope you have a good week 🙂
April 5, 2016
It is a bit bloodthirsty I must admit. I do have to squint quite a bit!
April 5, 2016
Sorry to hear you are experiencing unpleasantness at your apartments. It is not always easy in that type of environment. I love the cover of The Beekeeper’s Secret. Happy Reading!
I hope this week is good to you and for you.
April 5, 2016
Thanks Martha. The cover of The Beekeeper’s Secret wouldn’t usually appeal, but I enjoyed the book.
April 5, 2016
I love hearing about your week! I’m always very interested in the lives of others. Thanks for sharing Deb! Thanks for linking with the Lovin’ Life Linky too.
April 5, 2016
No worries Leanne!
April 6, 2016
Sometimes you just have to take a break–whether because your busy or just not feeling in a blogging mood. Six Four sounds interesting. Even though it was long, it sounds like it didn’t take you much time to get through it. I haven’t tried a Deaver book, although I’ve heard good things about his work. Maybe someday. Hopefully you’ll like The Steel Kiss when you try it again.
What rotten luck about the termites. Hopefully they are taken care of and your mom won’t have to worry about them anymore. My mother-in-law was just telling me they’ve got termites in their house. I’m not sure if it’s confined to one room or if they are all over. I am sorry for the stress from the apartment complex. I hope it’s resolved soon. Even when not directly involved, stuff like that has a way of affecting us just by being close to it unfortunately.
I hope you have a great rest of the week, Deborah!
April 6, 2016
Thanks…. I’m sure I’ll enjoy Steel Kiss when I do get to it. I suspect my head wasn’t in the right place for it and there just seemed to be too much happening (in the book) that I couldn’t engage!
April 6, 2016
Excellent post! I think that it is so cool you link other posts here! I might try that out too! But in the meantime I will definitely be checking out some of those links!
My post is over at http://creativityandcrazy.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/currently-reading-1-its-monday-what-are.html of you want to see some of my currently readings. You might get some recommendations! It was my first time doing an “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” Post.
All the best,
Rachel
creativityandcrazy.blogspot.com
April 6, 2016
Hi Rachel
I know I don’t subscribe to all of the others participating in the Sunday Post or It’s Monday linkup so it’s great to get a summary of what people have posted and I can check out any of interest.
April 8, 2016
It seems we both took a bit of impromptu break recently. It’s really good to just sit down and do nothing once in a while, it helps me recharge a bit. I really hope everything has calmed down on the stress front for you, and that you’ve been having a much better go of it this week!
April 9, 2016
Thanks Michelle and I think things are slowly improving!