Those paying close attention, or – you know – with no lives, might have noted I was missing last week. In fact I’ve been basically AWOL for two weeks. But more on my exploits later.
What I read
I started the fortnight as planned with Allison Winn Scotch’s In Twenty Years before having an entire week off reading.
I bounced back with a vengeance however, with All is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker, The Beauty of the End of Debbie Howells in addition to an anthology by Australian women writer’s – Rebellious Daughters.
And finally I’ve just started Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant.
What I wrote
Despite my absence I published a few reviews:
The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter – the latest in the Sara Linton / Will Trent series
All is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker – about a young woman who’s raped and then given drugs to help her forget about the experience
Rebellious Daughters edited by Maria Katsonis & Lee Kofman – a compilation of heartwarming and heartbreaking true tales about families.
There were a couple of other posts:
Me… AWOL – I explained my absence and announced my Out of Orange book winners
Lost for words – something I wrote about a post-surgical experience I’d had the week before.
What I did
I’ve mentioned I spent a few days in hospital and then a week recovering at my mother’s, only returning to my own place in the last few days. It was only minor surgery but it was my first time in hospital and I was perhaps released a little earlier than sensible.
Bizarrely my apartment has sold. It was a bit of a surprise in the end. I’d kinda assumed it wasn’t going to happen so had given up on looking at potential new places, so now I’m again house-shopping. The sale isn’t unconditional for another few weeks so I’m not planning ahead too far at this stage, but if it goes through I’ll be leaving by the end of August.
What I plan to do and read
I collected my mail after more than a week and have a few books to add to my TBR pile. I’ve not requested any electronic books for a month or so now so my online (NetGalley) pile can be counted on one hand. I’ve got about 30 print copies in the pile however, so having to be a bit ruthless about what I read and focussing only on those I’ve requested. (I should note I don’t receive many unsolicited books, but occasionally the bigger publishers I work with will send me something they’re keen to promote.)
I’m back at work this week after a couple of weeks off, so keen to get settled into some routines.
And that it’s on the reading and writing front for me this week fortnight.
What have you been up to?
I’m again linking up with Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit; Kimberly from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; and Kathryn from The Book Date.
July 24, 2016
I’ve been thinking a lot about you over the past couple of weeks, so glad to hear you’re on the mend- albeit slowly. I have to admit, when I read your house sold, the timing seemed very ummmm is karmic the right word?
July 24, 2016
Yes… I’m glad it wasn’t a week or two before and my mum thinks the sale is the last thing I need given everything else, but it seems apt to have a new beginning. ASSUMING it goes ahead.
July 24, 2016
Big few weeks! Funny I felt the same surprised when you said it sold! Hopefully you find something that works and feels right! I hope you are feeling better after your surgery. Even minor surgery is exhausting!
July 24, 2016
Yes Jess, I was in and out yesterday to a few Open Houses and got home and was absolutely knackered. Everything felt sore. I could have just fallen over and it reminded me I’m not back to normal. Mind you, I lay down and woke 2.5hrs later!
July 24, 2016
Good luck with the apartment hunting, hope everything goes the way you want it too. Enjoy all those great reads. 🙂
Stormi
July 24, 2016
Thanks Stormi and lovely to catch up again! I’m actually looking for a house this time around.
July 24, 2016
How crazy your apartment has sold after your realtor contract was over! I hope it all goes through and you find another place you absolutely love that’s right for you. I hope you are feeling better now that you’re home and that you haven’t had any more complications after the one you mentioned and your local doctor has given the clear. I hope you enjoy your new books! I have a ton of ebooks I need to get through.
July 24, 2016
The apartment officially sold just 2 days before the contract with the realtor ended… I got the paperwork through the day before so he was cutting it finely.
And yes, it was good to get the all clear from my local doctor. I see the surgeon in another 3 or so weeks so that will be the final tick-off!
July 24, 2016
OMG, isn’t that how it goes? You go through weeks of showings…you think it’s over. And then, bam! Sold. Good luck with the house search.
When mine was on the market a few years ago, it sold right away…and then fell out of escrow due to the finances falling out with the buyers. When I finally sold it nine months later, I decided to rent. I didn’t want to start another escrow.
Now I’m loving having managers to repair things…lol.
Enjoy whatever you decide to do. Great books, too, and Lie with Me looks tempting. I got Leave Me last week.
Thanks for stopping by!
July 24, 2016
It is strange isn’t it Laurel. I put my previous apartment on the market and in the three months it sat there I had one nibble. A year later I put it on (when moving here) and it sold in days!
If I don’t find something I like I’ll rent cos I don’t want to rush into anything… but I have seen a place I like.
July 24, 2016
I hope you’re recuperating well after your surgery. I find that any surgery is stressful, although mine have all been major ones. Hope your house search goes well. I’ve just written a post on moving house, haha! 🙂
July 24, 2016
I was lucky I wasn’t in hospital for long and the rehab isn’t too arduous! And I’ll most definitely check out your moving house post. I downsized a lot when I moved here so I’m hoping this move won’t be as bad as the previous ones!
July 24, 2016
Like others have said- it never fails when you’re trying to sell it, nothing, then boom it happens. Congrats on the sale (if it goes through). Glad all is well with you and your surgery went well.
Good luck with whittling down that print TBR!
July 24, 2016
I know Greg… there were a couple of titles I was hoping to receive in the mail which were absent, so I’m telling myself it’s a good thing as it gives me time to catch up!
July 24, 2016
Great to see you back in action Deborah. And glad to read you’re on the mend.
Congrats on selling the house. That’s some exciting news. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. 😉
Love your new book haul.. I can’t wait to read ‘Leave Me’ by Gayle Forman. I love her books.
Good luck with the house- shopping and have a great week!
July 24, 2016
Thanks Maureen. I’ve only read the one other novel (I Was Here) by Forman so looking forward to this one!
July 24, 2016
Congrats on finally selling the apartment! And of course good luck on finding a new one 🙂 Sorry you had to have surgery though and spend time in the hospital. Do feel better soon!
I too haven’t requested anything on Netgalley for a while. I have been getting some eARCs from publisher newsletters and authors, but it kinda feels weird not having anything pending, no book requests for me to be all anxious about, haha.
Have a great week!
July 24, 2016
I was feeling a bit stressed while I was recuperating at my mother’s Kristen as I took some books with me but until the last couple of days I just didn’t want to read at all. And it’s horrible feeling like you’re letting people down!
July 24, 2016
I hope you recover well from your surgery. Lots of reading will help! 🙂
Ditto about not requesting anything from NetGalley for a while. I’m a bit behind with my reading and really need to catch up. But one of your paperbacks (Lie With Me) is a book I keep looking at getting but then forgetting about it. I’ll be interested to see what you think of it.
http://natalieslife.com/2016/07/june-book-haul
July 24, 2016
Interestingly I LOVE Sabine Durrant – esp Under Your Skin – but I’m struggling with this as I don’t like the narrator / protagonist. I’m fairly sure we’re not supposed to, but I’m probably 1/3 through and it’s the sort of book I’d usually read in a sitting.
July 24, 2016
I’ve been so sick, I missed that you were in the hospital. I do hope you are feeling ok. Wahoo on selling the apartment..and the hunt begins..lol Hopefully you will find the perfect place for you 🙂
July 24, 2016
I’m slowly feeling better Kimberly – I keep forgetting that surgery does take something out of you! I’m glad you’re over your lurgy as well. And yes, the hunt begins…
July 24, 2016
Fingers crossed the sale goes through. You did well for this time of year! Happy house hunting.
July 24, 2016
My agent scraped in by just days Michelle – as our contract was to be up this past Wednesday. This person had been looking at it for a little while though – and there were suddenly a few other interested parties… I suspect winter down south reminds everyone how appealing our weather is.
July 24, 2016
Glad the surgery went well and that you’re on the mend. That’s crazy about the apartment. Hope you find a new place soon.
July 24, 2016
Thanks Christy!
July 24, 2016
Oh that is a surprise, that your house got sold. I hope you are able to find a new home you like by the end of August.
And some hospitals do have the horrible tendency on releasing you a little earlier. Glad to hear you could recover at your mom’s house though. That helps. I hope you are feeling a lot better now. <3
July 24, 2016
Thanks Annemieke! I’m feeling much better now and yes, I think I was out a bit too early.
July 24, 2016
That’s great news to have a buyer for your unit – congratulations! I’m sure you’ll find a new home you love. Pleased to hear you’re on the road to recovery from your operation, never a nice experience, but at least you had your Mum to support and care for you. I’m envious and impressed at the amount of reading you get done! 🙂
July 24, 2016
I tend to call myself a book blogger as well, so I feel obligated to read as much as I can review! Even though it’s not paid! (ALthough I hope it will be one day!)
July 24, 2016
I’m glad that your surgery went well, and YAY! I’m glad that your apartment sold! I hope that everything goes well and that you love your new apartment. 🙂
July 24, 2016
I’m actually having a second look at something tomorrow but it’s a house and not an apartment. I don’t want to rush into anything though!
July 24, 2016
Lot’s going on for your Deb! Hope all the changes bring you some joy and I’m pleased to hear you are recovering well. Xx
July 25, 2016
I know… a few too many things happening at once really Sandra!
July 24, 2016
What a surprise to have your place sell! Fingers crossed that you find something astonishingly wonderful.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/07/mo-willems-goes-to-paris.html
July 25, 2016
Thanks Deb!
July 24, 2016
Glad to hear you’re on the mend – though I would counsel you continue to take it easy for longer than you think you need to, as healing really zaps your energy levels. It makes entire sense when you think about it, but maybe you can wrangle some friends to come and help you pack… Hope the move goes through okay and in the meantime, have a great reading week. https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/07/24/sunday-post-24th-july/
July 25, 2016
It’s surprising how tired I feel – physically I mean. I’ve been unfit and unhealthy for a while, so I’m used to that… but since surgery I feel my shoulders flagging after doing stuff and bone-tired… if that makes sense.
July 24, 2016
I’m still intrigued by The Beauty of the End. Glad that all went well in hospital and I hope you will have a speedy recovery. I’ve also skipped last week, but here’s my Sunday Post for today: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/the-sunday-post-24-july-2016.html
July 25, 2016
Ah yed Mareli, you’ve reminded me I need to finish that review in the next few days! I enjoyed the book a lot.
July 25, 2016
Most importantly, don’t stress the “small stuff”! Recovery from surgery and taking care of yourself comes first. Work and home-shopping second, everything else takes a back seat. I hope you are feeling much, much better now and also that this sale goes through for you. I think it’s serendipity– you are meant to have a new start in life in every aspect of it, so enjoy!
July 25, 2016
Very very true Rita. I’m trying to remind myself of that… all of these opportunities before me etc etc 😉
July 25, 2016
Glad to hear you’re feeling better after the early release. I’ve never had any surgery that required a hospital stay but it doesn’t sound very fun. You got some great reading done and that’s nuts about your apartment! Good luck house shopping! And take it easy on yourself so that you really recover. Have a great week!
July 25, 2016
This was my first stay in hospital since birth Katherine (48yrs ago!). I’ve had heaps of tests and some day surgery but never had to overnight before. It was okay though and most of the nurses were wonderful, I guess I just felt my departure was a bit rushed in the end (as they needed my bed!) – although it was a private hospital!
July 25, 2016
It always seems that something you wanted to happen didn’t and then at a not so good time, it does. Hope it’s not too stressful and you find the new home you want:) Take it easy and allow yourself time to mend. We’ll still be here:)
My Sunday Post
July 25, 2016
Thanks Laura! x
July 25, 2016
I’m still stuck on All Is Not Forgotten and I haven’t even read the book! Your review was so detailed and intriguing that I felt like I went through the story with you. As much I don’t want to I might find myself reading this book :/. I’m glad your surgery went well, and I hope your house hunting turns up something great. Enjoy your week!!
July 25, 2016
Oh that’s a nice thing to say Leona. I sometimes wonder if my reviews are a bit pointless. I either: provide too much info on the story (in addition to the blurb); or struggle to find the words I need to aptly describe my thoughts towards the book.
July 25, 2016
I hope you are recovering well. That is brilliant about your apartment, it just takes that one person but it is a nightmare when that one person takes ages. I hope you get a nice new abode with plenty of bookshelf space!
Have a lovely week!
July 25, 2016
Bizarrely Heather I looked at a place with a huge HUGE library but it just didn’t feel right. It had potential but I didn’t get any vibes from it at all.
July 25, 2016
Great to have you back and (hopefully) recovering well.
Your apartment sold!! WOOT!
Let the house hunting begin …
thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky!
July 25, 2016
No worries and thanks Leanne!
July 25, 2016
Best of luck with the hunt for a new place! And well done for surviving the horror that is getting the place ready for home opens..
Have a great week!
SSG xxx
July 25, 2016
Ugh! Yes… you should see my place now – stuff is scattered everywhere. (Well, mostly piles of books due for review!)
July 25, 2016
Glad to hear you are feeling well and I wish you luck with the house hunting. It’s nice to step away from blogging every once in a while and just enjoy life. I have been spending a lot of time outside, working in the yard and just enjoying the weather.
sherry @ fundinmental My Sunday Memes
July 25, 2016
Oh yes Sherry I hope the weather hasn’t been too warm for you. We haven’t had enough of a winter here in my part of Australia yet, but I think it’s about to get cold again!
July 25, 2016
I hope you’re feeling much better! Surgery is always rough no matter how minor it is. Enjoy all your new books! I also got a copy of Beauty of End recently but I haven’t read it yet. Have a great week!
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
July 25, 2016
I enjoyed Beauty of the End Tracy and really must finish the review!!! I have about 3 half-started reviews so am not allowed to read anything more until I’ve done them!
July 25, 2016
Glad you’re back, even it it wasn’t from a poolside vacation.
July 25, 2016
Ha! Yes… would have been lovely though, wouldn’t it?!
July 25, 2016
Congrats on the apartment sale, Deb! I hope it will pan through, and that you’ll find a fantastic new place to live 🙂
Have a wonderful week and happy reading.
July 25, 2016
Thanks Lexxie. xx
July 26, 2016
I haven’t been around much lately either, although probably for a more fun reason. I hope your surgery went well. Congratulations on the sell of your apartment! I am glad you are able to read more now. I hope to be able to as well. Although maybe not tonight. I hope you have a wonderful week! I will be conducting a training tomorrow–although I’m still waiting to hear back from the person organizing it. Half of me hopes it’s cancelled, but I probably won’t be so lucky (I hate public speaking of any kind).
July 26, 2016
I hope your training went well Wendy – I’m sure it did and it’s great you are doing things which require you to step out of your comfort zone a little!
July 26, 2016
Congratulations on selling the flat but don’t envy you the house hunting. I am interested in the Debbie Howells book as I found The Bones of You a page turner but I really disliked the main character. Not sure I can put myself through that again.
July 26, 2016
This latest Howells features a flawed lead character but… it’s more that he’s wallowing a little than anything else. He’s a good person and likeable.
July 26, 2016
Oh wow glad I called it to get an update – you are always so interesting! Glad the minor surgery is now over and you are home. And Sold!! Oh my goodness. Exciting times.
July 26, 2016
Eek! You’ve reminded me I didn’t link up yesterday. The day ended up being super busy. I was exhausted when I got home from some chores – it reminded me that I am still recovering from surgery etc…
July 26, 2016
Surgery is no fun. I hope you start feeling better and get a chance to read all those books!
July 27, 2016
Thanks so much… I am feeling better but a bit behind in my reviews, so delaying reading this week!
July 27, 2016
Good luck on your recovery and your house hunt. Your Stack of Books looks like a good lot. Enjoy!
July 27, 2016
Thanks, I got a few books after that as well…. so need to do some re-sorting!
July 27, 2016
Congrats on the sale of your place – real estate can be such a stressful experience!! That book stack looks so inviting, enjoy!
July 28, 2016
Thanks Jane!
July 30, 2016
I hope you’re feeling okay. I have The Beauty of The End to review and I’m also offering it as a giveaway today.
July 30, 2016
Oh, it’s an interesting read Yvonne!