It’s been another slow reading and writing week for me and that might not change for another week or two as I’ve a range of other commitments. Thankfully my guilt over my lack of online engagement is disappearing… which is good – assuming I don’t lose my motivation or blogging mojo of course!
What I read
I started the week with a bang and read Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger followed by Noah Hawley’s Before the Fall. I enjoyed both and have already reviewed them.
After several nights off, I started Claire North’s The Sudden Appearance of Hope. I’m still only about half-way through and have to admit I really have no idea what I’m reading. I’m worried it’ll be like Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things and be some huge metaphor or something.
Oh and the travel meant I finally finished my Wuthering Heights audiobook. I won’t worry about linking my Goodreads review, rather I’ll just paste it in…
What I wrote
Like I said… it was a slow writing week, though I did get two additional reviews done and submitted to the newspaper I’ve started reviewing for. On the blog there was:
Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger – a novel I enjoyed but continue to struggle with the paranormal / supernatural elements
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley – a great twist on the disaster / whodunnit book by mixing the two and slowing eking out information to keep us guessing.
What I did
I had a couple of days of travel. One for work and another for appointments. And another day I had an early meeting in the nearby town where my mother lives, so I ended up staying with her for a few nights.
I had another review published in the newspaper I’ve started writing for… I’m still psyching myself to start pitching these to some other print or online publications that pay for freelance contributions.
What I plan to do
Well, I’ve got another day of travel for appointments and I’ll be helping out my mother who has some day surgery. It’s no big deal, just something for her eyes, but it means she’ll need someone with her for a few days as she can’t drive. You’ll be relieved to know this leopard hasn’t changed her spots and is not suddenly all considerate and caring. Rather I’m planning to binge-watch some TV on DVD at her place before her local Blockbuster video rental store closes down next month!
On the reading front I REALLY need to bunker down and attempt to catch up. Next on my agenda will be a book I’ve had a little while… Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley and then perhaps Where the Light Falls by Gretchin Shirm.
And that’s about it for my blogging and reading check-in this week.
Have you been doing any reading?
As usual I’m linking up with Deep Fried Fruit’s Lovin’ Life Linky; the Caffeinated Book Reviewer’s Sunday Post; and The Book Date’s ‘It’s Monday’ meme.
June 19, 2016
Hahaha, The Wuthering Heights review. I remember having to read that at school a million years ago. It was almost as bad as Tale of Two Cities (of which I never got past the first page). That longest para in the history of the world completely did me in.
Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky!
June 19, 2016
I know we had to read it for school but wouldn’t be surprised if I just used the CliffsNotes or something cos I hate people forcing me to read stuff. Plus I would have been busy with my Sweet Dreams books or Agatha Christie or similar! 😉
Honestly it’s so wordy it leaves everything by Jane Austen in its dust. The narrator was great but I worried at how few breaths she got to take and how much spittle must have been involved.
June 19, 2016
I’ve never made it through Wuthering Heights despite trying a couple of times. At the moment I’m reading Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It’s not really gripping me to be honest, but she’s a really popular author so I was expecting it to be a page turner. Maybe it’s just me. I’m also reading Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly but I don’t feel very daring as yet. I guess I’m weird lol
Enjoy your binge-watching!
June 19, 2016
I’ve read most of Picoult’s early work and have read that one. I was a big fan at one stage but haven’t read any of her books for a while.
I’m a huge fan of Brene, but haven’t read Daring Greatly. I think that’s something I’d love to listen to!
June 19, 2016
I accumulated plenty of books this week but didn’t read very much, well two books, but I keep taking in way more than I’ll ever get to read from library/netgalley.etc.
Good for you having a full page review in your newspaper! Don’t worry about a constant presence on your blog– we know you’re busy or otherwise occupied and will be here when you want to be 🙂
Have a great week!
June 19, 2016
Rita I actually got NO books last week. None. Zip. Nada. I went to my post office to check my box Friday and there was nothing there and I was surprised. Disappointed (which makes no sense as my TBR pile is ridiculous), but then a tad relieved!
June 19, 2016
Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books. I LOVE it. Was it the audio or the book you didn’t like? Very impressed with your newspaper review 🙂
June 19, 2016
Perhaps the audio played a role Michelle as it went on and on and on. I did a lot of work travel in April – May and not much since so it sat there unfinished for ages. I can’t imagine listening to a book while at home or doing other stuff. I’d fall asleep (and miss it) or get sidetracked from my task, so – at the moment – I’m still only listening to books in the car.
I should check out what others have said about the particular recording I listened to.
June 19, 2016
Your review looks nice in the paper there! Congrats!! I liked your review of Ink and Bone, sorry the paranormal elements weren’t quite your cup of tea but otherwise it sounds like a good chilling kind of thriller.
It’s kind of a shame about the Blockbusters, in the sense that I kinda liked going to the vid store and browsing titles. I know Netflix and streaming and all that, and I use ’em (understatement) but I miss the old way… lol that that’s the “old” way!!!
June 19, 2016
I think it’s the last video store in my mother’s hometown. I joined originally years ago when I lived away and travelled home to look after her and my father after a knee replacement. It was handy and I haven’t bothered joining a library in my hometown. There are actually two still in existence here (that I know of). I use the Blockbuster at mum’s all of the time and was horrified to see the ‘closing down on 15 July’ signs when I last went.
They’re actually selling a lot of their DVDs cheaply and I need to check out their TV series, but that sort of thing is a HUGE decision for me…. even if the TV series is an old one and they only cost $10 I’m still fussy!
June 19, 2016
I loved Wuthering Heights too – it was a book we had to read for English but I was totally swept away by it. I suspect, I may not feel the same way as an adult but as a 16 y.o. I adored it. Now Austen on the other hand….Pride and Prejudice was a wallbanger for me.
I also adored A Tale of Two Cities. The last line of that book (rather than the first almight sentence) is seared into my heart and I still get emotional when I hear/read them.
June 19, 2016
I watched ABC’s The Book Club recently and someone commented on how differently they viewed Wuthering Heights now compared to when they were younger. I think they found it all so much more romantic then. I disliked everyone and struggled to engage with any of the characters at all.
June 19, 2016
I suspect I’d find Heathcliff an abusive areshole now…..
June 19, 2016
Possibly. I really didn’t get any Mr Darcy broody-but-sexy vibes from him!
June 19, 2016
You’ve been busy woman! Passions and hobbies aren’t meant to be pushed or forced so I’m glad that you’re getting over your feelings about not being as active on your blog or online engagement.
I’ve been on the fence about reading or listening to Wuthering Heights ever since I saw the TV show adaptation with Tom Hardy. The storyline is too dark and twisty when I like stories set in that Era to close to Jane Eyre.
Enjoy your week and happy reading!
June 20, 2016
I’m more of a Jane Austen kinda gal Leona. I don’t mind dark and brooding, but a sociopathic and violent kidnapper stretched my sensibilities a bit too far! 🙂
June 19, 2016
Gosh Deb I haven’t picked up one of the 3 books I have on the go for ages – NAUGHTY ME. I think because non of them are escapism, all a bit tough. Might trawl through some of your posts and find one that isn’t! x
June 19, 2016
Oh yes Em, you need some escapism – something fun and light perhaps!
June 19, 2016
Your comment about Wuthering Heights just made me laugh, Deb! I had to read that for class not long ago, so I had to do so rather quickly, and I enjoyed it. Not sure how it would work as audio though, it’s very slow paced.
I hope your mom’s surgery will go very well, and that she’ll get back to driving and everything else quickly. And it sounds like you’ll have a good excuse for bingeing on movies while you’re there 😉
Sorry you’re not so sure about The Sudden Appearance of Hope! I really enjoyed that one.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
June 19, 2016
I’m not NOT enjoying it… I think I’m just worried there’s some deeper meaning I’m missing Lexxie. I’m worried there’ll be no such person as Hope and it’ll be some esoteric reference to the world’s psyche or something! 😉
June 19, 2016
How wonderful about your review being published. best to your mother and hope she recovers quickly. Glad to hear you aren’t fretting over your blog absence. We all have those times. I’m reading Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger and Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine. Thought it would be fun. LOL
My Sunday Post
June 19, 2016
Ha! Interestingly I kept calling Ink and Bone, Ink and Stone when I wrote about it. Plus I wondered why I couldn’t find it on Goodreads!
June 19, 2016
I didn’t know any video stores still existed!
June 19, 2016
We’ve got a Blockbuster and Civic Video here in Hervey Bay and there’s a Blockbuster in Mbro (at the moment, anyway!).
June 19, 2016
You know it’s a bad sign when you can just paste your review in lol. That’s great though that you’re starting to feel less guilty when you can’t blog as much. This is supposed to something you enjoy, not something stressful 🙂 And congrats about another review published!
June 19, 2016
Thanks Kristen. It’s still exciting and I think they only changed one word! 😉
I sent another couple on Friday and am working on an interview piece to send them. It’ll be my first like that so I hope they like it and want to print it. (Will be an interview and book review combo kinda thing!)
June 19, 2016
I kind of want to read the Claire North book now that you said you’re still not sure what you’re reading. Those kinds of books are so interesting! And yesss! I’m happy you’re not feeling as guilty anymore about blogging. It shouldn’t ever make you guilty! 🙂
I hope your mom’s surgery goes well.
Happy reading and take care!
June 19, 2016
I know it’s the ridiculously logical brain of mine playing havoc with me on this book. THe lead character (Hope) is forgettable. As in, no one remembers her or what she looks like. Her family ‘forgot’ her when she was 16. I keep thinking it’s some sort of symbolic thing about losing hope in general, but we’re following her exploits and she is a person. (You can see I don’t read too many fantasy style novels, can’t you?!)
June 19, 2016
Hmmhh, Ink and Bone has a paranormal aspect. Not what I’m expecting from Lisa Unger so thanks for the heads up on that. And LOL at your reaction to Wuthering Heights, although I have to admit I’m quite fond of it. Hope your mum is ok and that you enjoy caching up with some shows.
June 19, 2016
Ah yes… the whole Whispering Hollows series actually does – which isn’t like the previous work I’ve read of Unger. The mystery element is still there and enjoyable but I was a bit surprised when I started the novellas.
June 19, 2016
Ahh.. video rental store. That is one rare thing in the world today. I remembered going to my local store and just spent time browsing on those teen movies when I was younger. :p
So awesome that you get your reviews published in newspapers. Congrats! 🙂
June 20, 2016
Ah yes Sya… there’s one left in my mother’s hometown. I haven’t bothered joining one since my move to a nearby town nearly 4 years ago. Instead I occasionally borrow something when staying with her. I really love watching TV series on DVD but don’t have Netflix at the moment so the DVDs to borrow (rather than buy) are the next best thing!
June 20, 2016
Nooooo! You didn’t love Wuthering Heights? I enjoyed it so much as a teenager! I definitely want to read it again soon, but the copy of the audiobook I tried listening to a couple years ago was awful. Have a great week!
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
June 20, 2016
Perhaps that was the problem for me as well. Not sure I want to dive into the book now though Tracy!
June 20, 2016
“Thankfully my guilt over my lack of online engagement is disappearing… which is good – assuming I don’t lose my motivation or blogging mojo of course!” I still have that guilt but I’m working on abolishing it. And if you lose your blogging mojo, a break may be in order. I have Ink and Bone in my backlog pile of review books;I didn’t realize it had paranormal elements or maybe I did and forgot, but thanks for the heads up.
Take care and have a good week!
June 20, 2016
Thanks Bea. So far I’ve still got my mojo but it’s more a matter of finding the headspace as there’s a bit of other stuff going on… But I suspect that’s normal!
June 20, 2016
I really like the structure of your post. Thanks for sharing #LovinLifeLinky
June 20, 2016
Thanks…. I participate in a book blogging link-up each Sunday where we share our reading and new book arrivals. I add in the non-bookish stuff for a bit of extra flavour and excitement! 😉
June 20, 2016
That’s amazing you got another review published! Congratulations!
About the audiobook: I’ve tried listening to classics on audiobook before. It’s terrible. Worst for me is that I just completely lose track of the story, because of the way the sentences were formed. I just need a bit more time with classics. I’ve not read Wuthering Heights though, but I own a copy, so I’m not sure whether I should bother reading it at all…
June 20, 2016
Perhaps you could start and see how you go Myrthe. And you’re right about the sentence structure. I felt quite exasperated at times at the long-winded way sentences were formed. I guess it might look poetic on the page but coming out of someone’s mouth required an eye roll or 10,000.
June 20, 2016
How exciting to get another review published. I think I’d be in serious happy dance move! That’s too bad about Wuthering Heights. It’s one of those books I somehow missed in high school and feel like I should go back and read it but haven’t because I have a feeling I’ll have the same opinion of it. Hope all goes well with your mom and enjoy your binge watching!
June 20, 2016
I chose Wuthering Heights to listen to on audiobook cos I couldn’t remember a lot of it AND because it was cheap. I kinda regret that decision now! 😉
June 20, 2016
Congrats on your published review! Enjoy your week and the books you choose to read. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Deborah.
June 20, 2016
No worries Laurel.
June 20, 2016
I used to love Withering Heights- I think it’s a love it or hate it book. Not sure I could be doing with the audio version though! What am I reading? Dead Men Don’t Order Flake, by Sue Williams
June 20, 2016
Hmmmm… love the title but haven’t heard of that one Jo.
June 20, 2016
That review of Wuthering Heights is priceless! Well done on your review in print, that is so exciting!
June 20, 2016
Thanks Heather.
June 20, 2016
Oh rubbish! You’re there for your mother when she needs you – of course you’re considerate and caring.
June 20, 2016
Not sure it comes naturally Char… I tend to think of myself of selfish and self-absorbed though do worry excessively about others’ feelings from time to time!
June 20, 2016
I am glad you are feeling less guilty about not being able to be online. I hope Claire North’s book comes together for you soon. Sounds like you felt the same way I did about Wuthering Heights. At least we can say we read it? That’s something I suppose. 🙂 That’s so cool to see your review in print! I need to spend more time reading this week too. I am not as far into my current book as I’d like. My plans to read this weekend just didn’t happen. I hope you have a great week!
June 20, 2016
I did finish Claire North’s book and guess I kept waiting for some great reveal that explained Hope’s condition or something but it didn’t come. It took me a lot longer to read than most books!
June 20, 2016
That will be fun! I love binge watching T.V. shows and a bunch of movies at once. I also really want to read more this week, so I hope that you get to read some good books! 🙂
June 20, 2016
I’m thinking of trying to find something new to watch though I’m yet to watch the final of a show called Falling Skies which I’ve avoided for a while.
June 20, 2016
Congrats on your newspaper review! Of course you’re caring – you’re hanging out with her! That’s very caring.
June 20, 2016
Am fairly sure we all do stuff for our parents or families without a second thought. I know my mother would do anything for me, and hopefully she knows I’d do the same for her.
June 20, 2016
I read Wuthering Heights for required reading in high school, and I had similar thoughts. What was the point of it all anyway? LOL That’s great that you’ve got a review published. I’d love to branch out like that, but I don’t know where I’d find the time?
June 20, 2016
I’m struggling a little time-wise at the moment Megan though only work part-time so I’m lucky.
June 20, 2016
Congratulations on your published review! That is so awesome! I hope you get other newspapers and publications on board.
June 20, 2016
THanks Charlie!
June 20, 2016
I loved your Goodreads review for Wuthering Heights, that’s funny AND true. Its really cool that you got your review published, congrats. It must feel so good to see it right there in your hands. That’s awesome!
June 21, 2016
They appear on some websites as well as the newspaper chain owns a number of regional newspapers so I’ve noticed it goes onto their websites some of the time.
June 20, 2016
Yay for getting another review published!! That is so awesome. I can’t wait to read Before the Fall. Have a great week!!
June 21, 2016
Thanks Grace!
June 20, 2016
I loved Wuthering Heights. I picked up a copy of Before the Fall.at BEA, but grabbed the audio to listen. I am glad you enjoyed it! Hope your week is wonderful Debbie!
June 21, 2016
Thanks Kimberly and I hope you enjoy Before the Fall!
June 20, 2016
I loved my Blockbuster store. Yes, there are more options when you stream, but you lose something, too.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/06/i-am-now-expert-on-books-set-in-new.html
June 21, 2016
I currently pay for some crappy cable stations (part of our body corporate / strata fees) so refuse to get Netflix while I’m already paying for something Deb, but if I move I’m definitely getting it!
June 21, 2016
LOL at the Wuthering Heights review. Just another book that I hate that others love. Glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
Congrats on the newspaper review! *fingers crossed* that you’ll get more of those.
June 21, 2016
Oh phew… I feel the same – relief it’s not just me who really doesn’t get the allure.
June 21, 2016
Sounds like you had a busy week. Listening to ‘Wuthering Heights’ on audio sounds like a huge accomplishment.. I totally agree about losing those hours of your life though.. That book wasn’t for me.
How great is it to see your own reviews in a newspaper? Amazing!!
I’m doing the Sunday Post a little late this week since my internet was down.. hope to catch up tonight.
Good luck with your mums surgery and watching those DVDs. 😉
June 21, 2016
Hope your internet is back up and reliable Maureen. There’s nothing more frustrating!
June 21, 2016
Laughing at your Wuthering Heights review, I have never gone back to it since high school years! I do hope you get into more newspapers, your reviews are so well done – congrats on the one above.Enjoy the DVD binging.
June 21, 2016
Oh dear. I love Wuthering Heights.
https://coffeeandcatsblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-june-20th/
June 21, 2016
Tee hee… it’s been suggested that the audio might have been partially to blame for my meh-ness Loreen, so perhaps I’ll have a look at the book (again) one day!
June 21, 2016
I read and liked Wuthering Heights, I do have it on audio, but have not listened yet. I should check out the narrator to see if I would ever listen. Submit! You write wonderful reviews. Hope your mom’s surgery goes well and she heals quickly. I have After the Fall on audio and look forward to listening. Have a great week.
June 21, 2016
Oh yes, try to audio Nise’ as it would be interesting to compare the two and know if the audio itself was partially my problem.
Thanks for your kind words about my reviews! xxx
June 21, 2016
I like what you had to say about Before the Fall. It’s on my never-ending list. Happy Reading!
June 21, 2016
Ah yes… that never-ending list… *sigh*
June 22, 2016
Wuthering Heights is a love it or leave it book…I personally love it, but I really love the whole gothic despair thing it had going on. I hated pretty much everyone in that book, heh.
For some reason I’ve never thought about trying to find a publication that pays for freelance reviewers. I’ve tried to get my city to put book reviews in their magazine each month, but they haven’t…
June 22, 2016
I approached this publication after I’d noticed they included book reviews in their Weekend lift-out Michelle. They mostly used their own journalists but I submitted a couple and they were happy with them so asked me to keep them coming. I do want to try to pitch some to paying sources as well, so need to work on that.
June 25, 2016
Sounds like a busy week. And I still think it’s nice of you to take care of your Mum even if you have ulterior motives!