It’s Monday. What am I reading?
It’s that time of the week again… time to link up with Sheila from Book Journey to share my weekly reading.
Last week’s reading
As it happened, my reading plans last week pretty much went out of the window with the arrival of a couple of new books.
I’d recently read Eden, Candice Fox’s new release and follow-up to her popular debut novel Hades. I’d decided I must read Hades so was tres excited to discover it’s being released o/s in late January 2015 so I was able to grab a copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany arrived in hard copy (a rarity for me) via Allen & Unwin and I very quickly read that. It’s a lovely-though-sad book which examines mental illness and (more broadly) societal norms.
As planned, I read a novel written by a fellow Aussie book blogger (and film reviewer) Susan May. Back Again was thoroughly enjoyable and bolstered by the very interesting premise about our ability to change fate. Or not.
I had a couple of nights off due to other commitments, so I’ve only just started Frances Whiting’s Walking on Trampolines.
Reviews and bloggy stuff
I reviewed Candice Fox’s Hades on the blog during the week. I posted my review of Susan May’s Back Again in Goodreads, and I shared a blog post listing my favourite eight (8) novels of 2014. As someone who eschews non-fiction I just stuck to novels and – of course – there’s nothing from the romance / fantasy genres (etc) there. The books I selected were those I loved and those which have stayed with me since.
I also blogged about my reading habits – after being tagged by a friend. And finally I’ve just blogged about (in)appropriate dinner party conversations and the bizarre regularity with which I was plagued by salmonella poisoning when I lived in Africa many years ago.
Other stuff
As I mentioned last week, I went to a fundraising lunch featuring Australian actor and author William McInnes. He’d appeared at the local Mary Ryan’s bookstore the night before and reportedly been hilarious. He didn’t talk a lot about his writing at the lunch but shared some anecdotes about his family and childhood holidays. Which was apt as his latest book is called Holidays.
Holidays is non-fiction so not something I’d read, despite William’s clearly great sense of humour. He suggested we cherish even the worst holidays because they’re the ones we most remember and often become dinner party fodder or BBQ jokes – which is actually very true. I also jotted down a couple of things he said which I found quite interesting. He said holidays are about sharing our lives with people we love and those, he suggested, we’d look back on later – only then realising how important they were to us. And then there was this…
Never be afraid to let the world know you’re alive.
#Inothernews I had a very overdue hair appointment during the week and while there found myself touched by the actions of a local 13yr old girl.
Months before (the mother told me) they’d watched a TV show in which a very young child had donated locks of her hair to a charity which made wigs for cancer patients. Her daughter decided she’d like to do something similar and so – as soon as the school year ended – she bravely sat in the chair at the hairdressers and had inches and inches of her hair cut off.
Her mother was understandably proud and told me that she thinks it’s good that kids (from a young age) start to think about doing stuff for others. I *may* have almost shed a tear or two. In this instance the young girl’s hair was going to a charity called Love Your Locks.
I finished watching the TV mini-series Death Comes to Pemberley. I quite enjoyed it – which was interesting – as I HATED the novel. I’ve read P & P many times and been a devoted fan of the BBC mini-series and I really felt PD James didn’t capture the essence of the characters. However… I think the new TV series got there in the end (and perhaps the book did as well).
What I’m reading this week
At the end of this week my mother and I are heading to Brisbane to my brother’s for the start of Christmas celebrations. My SIL turns 50 on Saturday so she’s shouting a heap of us to the ballet and we’re having drinks after. And then – unless I get my act together beforehand – I’ll be doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in the lead up to the big day which we’re spending with my bro, niece, SIL and her family.
Of course the exciting part of all of that is that I’m having a couple of weeks off work. I only work part-time but I’m still looking forward to the break. (Sadly I’m a contractor so don’t get paid while on hols, but still…)
Anyhoo, I’m not being terribly aspirational in my reading as a result. I will aim to finish Walking on Trampolines, and read Jane Green’s Saving Grace, which I did think I’d start last week. Alas.
I’ll probably also finally get to Lisa Unger’s Crazy Love You which I’ve had for MONTHS. It’s not due for publication for a while yet though, so I’ve kept de-prioritising it. I’m a huge Lisa Unger fan though so looking forward to this novel…. and I’m kinda excited I’ve left it until I’m on holidays to read!
And that’s about it for this week.
What’s on your agenda – bookwise or other?
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Brona
December 15, 2014I will always love William Mcinnes thanks to the Sea Change series & I love his holiday quote – I might try and use that with the boys to get them excited about Christmas with the extended family 🙂
Debbish
December 15, 2014He told some lovely stories about his family holidays – which I assume feature in the book. He talked about family folklore and how precious family holidays were as a kid when his dad had (very rare) time off work.
I liked his comment about appreciating those moments later and realising how important some of those people are / were in your life. My grandparents all died quite young (only one made it to 70) so I look back more fondly now on photographs and those times… which I probably HATED at the time!
Char
December 15, 2014I’ll be interested to read your review on Frances Whiting’s book. I always enjoy her column in the paper so I quite like her style of writing. And I went to high school with her – a year below – so there’s a sentimental, school-tie type attachment.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Brisbane and the ballet. And your holiday.
Debbish
December 15, 2014I love Frances’ column as well, although I don’t get the papers anymore. I initially hadn’t realised this came out last year. I’m halfway through and enjoying it though.
Deb
thebookdate
December 15, 2014William McInnes sounds like he was worth listening to. So perhaps you got it all anyway! Sounds like you had a very fulfilling week blogwise.
Debbish
December 15, 2014Thanks, it was a very book blogging focussed week!
MarthaE
December 15, 2014You have been busy! My daughter’s hair has gotten too long and she is thinking of donating it, except I’m not sure they take processed hair. Hades has a nice cover. Enjoy your books and your week!
Debbish
December 15, 2014Thanks Martha. My niece is a ballet dancer and I was thinking her ballet studio could have had a project where the girls donate chunks of hair at the end of each year before the summer holiday – so it grows back a little before the next year starts… but I suspect many of them continue to dance over the break as well, doing summer schools and the like.
Shannon (@GiraffeDays)
December 15, 2014I’ve been hearing a lot about Candice Fox this year and I’m curious about Hades (didn’t realise it was a series).
I loved William McInnes in SeaChange. I have one of his novels, forget what’s it called just now. It was a bit of a shock to me, coming back to Australia after so long overseas and finding him, well, older. In my head he stayed immortalised as his character. 😉
Debbish
December 15, 2014Yes, Hades was her debut novel and she’s followed it up with Eden. I read them in the wrong order!
William was much greyer than I recall but I gather he colours it when required. (And I think there was mention of another season of the ABC show he’s been doing.)
Michael @ Literary Exploration
December 15, 2014Candice Fox always seems like a popular choice; probably why I haven’t read her
Debbish
December 15, 2014🙂
I refrained for a while… (because of my antipathy toward Aussie authors) but eventually succumbed! I enjoy her novels and hopefully her ability to come up with (and have her characters solve) complex ‘crimes’ will strengthen as she continues to write.
lakesidemusing
December 15, 2014Sounds like an exciting holiday ahead! What a touching story about the girl donating her hair… we have an organization here called Locks of Love that does the same thing.
Outside the Lines sounds very good,and I love the cover, too. Have a great week!
Debbish
December 15, 2014Thanks JoAnn!
Sheila (Book Journey)
December 15, 2014I love that hair program! Good looking reads!
Debbish
December 16, 2014Thanks Sheila.
Erin @ Quixotic Magpie
December 16, 2014How touching about the girl who donated her hair! Enjoy your upcoming holiday and the ballet!
Debbish
December 16, 2014I know. I was very impressed by her and her mum. Apparently she’s pretty athletic and wears her hair up much of the time!
shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
December 16, 2014SLunda like you have great holiday plans! I hope you’ll give some more Aussie crime writers a go now, I suggest P.m. Newton and YA Erskine.
Have a great week!
Debbish
December 16, 2014Oh thanks Shelleyrae!
laurelrainsnow
December 16, 2014Oh, I am so envious that you have the new Lisa Unger…I can’t wait!
I also loved Saving Grace and Walking on Trampolines…hope you do, too! Outside the Lines was another fave, and I do love everything that author writes.
Enjoy your time off…and your reading, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Debbish
December 16, 2014Yes I did enjoy Outside the Lines Laurel – it talked about a lot of important issues!
Emma
December 16, 2014Hades sounds great…one for the list!
Debbish
December 16, 2014Most definitely Emma!
Greg
December 16, 2014I like it sometimes when a new book comes in and supplants whatever I was planning on reading- there’s something to be said for enthusiasm at a new arrival. 🙂
Outside the Lines looks very interesting…
Enjoy Christmas in Brisbane! Man, it’s getting close…
Debbish
December 16, 2014I know… I’ve bought two batches of presents – one for someone I was seeing last week and one other. I REALLY need to get to some shops. (In related news, I HATE shopping!)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
December 16, 2014I love Frances Whiting and bought Walking on Trampolines as soon as it came out but I just haven’t been able to get into it. I’ll try again in the holidays. Good on that little girl for being so altruistic.
Debbish
December 16, 2014I know, great for a 13yr old isn’t it? I was impressed!
Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
December 16, 2014I donated 14 inches of my hair at age 50 in 2011 and then another 10 inches in 2013. I am in the process of growing it out once more for donation in 2015. It is such a great organization. I am looking forward to the Lisa Unger book.
Debbish
December 16, 2014Oh Nise, what a lovely gesture!
And thanks.
Lindsey
December 16, 2014Hooray for vacation time! It’s always fun to see time off and plan what you will read during that time. We are heading to Florida in January and I’ve already picked out the books I want to take. 🙂
Debbish
December 16, 2014Ah yes, holiday reading. I must get mine sorted!!!
pagesandtea
December 16, 2014Sounds like you’ve been really busy.
What a lovely story about the girl donating her hair (and it looks so lovely in the photo).
I read Death Comes to Pemberley too and wasn’t a big fan. I enjoyed the tv series a little more but I think the BBC P&P ruined me for all other adaptations, nothing else can live up to it. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle were so well cast that it always seems strange to see other people as Lizzy and Darcy.
Hope you enjoy your vacation time!
Debbish
December 16, 2014I completely agree re P & P.
And thanks – mostly just looking forward to the break away from… life in general.
Sharon @ Faith Hope Cherrytea
December 17, 2014Great lot of reading and so much going on, you’re probably ready for the hols!
I LOVE the quote – needed to hear that today & remember it for longer 🙂
Have a great time away…
Debbish
December 17, 2014Thanks Sharon and have a great holiday season!
Deb