Weekly check-in

Sunday, June 28, 2015 Permalink

I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed on the reading and reviewing front of late. My books have been piling up and it feels like a very busy time on the literary calendar.

What I read

I had a few book-free nights this past week to catch up on my reviewing but still managed to get through three new novels.

I started the week with The Other Side of the World—a novel I really enjoyed but found myself a little perplexed by the ending.

I finally got to The Dying Season which I think I would have enjoyed more if I’d read previous novels in the series or perhaps had a passion for French food and wine. 😉

And finally I read In My House, by debut author Alex Hourston.

What I wrote

I posted my thoughts on Killing Monica, Hush, Little Bird (both read the previous week), new read In My House and Carla Norton’s What Doesn’t Kill Her (read a month or so ago) all on the blog.

I shared my review of The Dying Season on Goodreads. And I wrote my monthly ‘best of June‘ post in the popular Aussie blog, Styling You.

On a non-bookish front, I also wrote about some of the stranger coping skills I resort to in times of need.

What I did

I heard nothing from the emails I sent the previous week, asking about submitting book reviews. I’ve decided I’ll just go ahead and do it… when I pluck up the bravado. I’m also in the midst of doing a piece which I want to pitch to a couple of women’s magazines.

I’m currently spending some time at my mother’s again and am watching season 3 of The Newsroom. (I love love love that series.) We also watched Interstellar, which I thought was supposed to be good. But… well, #meh.

What I’m planning to read

I’ve got A STACK of books on my to-be-read pile which are all coming out in the next week or so. As a result I’m yet to decide what’s next on my reading list…

book blogger reading

You’ll have to check back in next week to see what I got up to.

What’s on your agenda for this week? Reading or otherwise?

Linking up with Kimberley for the Sunday Post and Sheila for ‘It’s Monday!’ 

61 Comments
  • Stormi D Johnson
    June 28, 2015

    We have a love of mystery and suspense in common and it’s piling up my TBR pile…lol. 🙂 I can’t wait to see reviews on those books you have coming up!

    Stormi
    Week in Review

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I was asking other Aussie bookbloggers (on a FB page we have) if everyone else is finding it particularly busy and someone who is closely involved in the industry said that this is a busy time for book sales in Australia in the lead up to Father’s Day in September. (Then Christmas will be upon us, of course!)

  • laurelrainsnow
    June 28, 2015

    I loved The Bones of You…and I read Little Black Lies by a different author and loved it. But this one by Bolton also sounds good.

    I am curious about The Newsroom. Enjoy….and thanks for sharing. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I think I saw other Little Black Lies reviews pop up Laurel.

      The Newsroom is great. I bought the first two series and will probably eventually buy this one – when the price goes down a little. I loved West Wing and this is very similar. (I included a link to my review in the blog!)

    • Elizabeth
      June 28, 2015

      You definitely need to try The Newsroom, Laurel Rain. It’s very smart, as all Aaron Sorkin shows are.

  • danielaark
    June 28, 2015

    I sometimes over “book” myself so I know what you mean. Maybe you just need a break from reading I took a couple of day offs, watch some TV shows I love and had neglected 🙂

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      Oh absolutely. I actually did take a couple of days off this week and caught up on my reviews a bit so feel better about that. I worry about getting too far ahead and not being able to recall the detail in a book (which has happened before!).

      I think I also need to be less anal about reviewing books before they’re released. I’m the only one who puts that pressure on myself!

  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    June 28, 2015

    I just finished Secrets and Lies by Lianne Moriarty. Have you written a review of that? I’d love to read it if you have.

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I actually haven’t read it – do you believe it?! There are actually a stack of great books I haven’t read and my reading pile is so big I don’t ever get to them!!!!

    • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
      June 28, 2015

      I meant Big Little Lies silly me!

      • Debbish
        June 28, 2015

        You must be due for a holiday!!! 😉

  • kimbacaffeinate
    June 28, 2015

    I am currently reading Sabrina Jeffries upcoming novel the Art of Sinning and listening to my favorite southern zombie in White Trash Zombie Apocalypse. Up next will be Queen of Tomorrow and Crashed. You’very got some good ones lined up

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      Oh… The Art of Sinning – can’t wait to hear what that’s about Kimberley!

  • Kathryn
    June 28, 2015

    Loved The Newsroom too, although I didn’t always follow the politics or the fast speaking but still watched all three seasons. I hope Jeff Daniels is good in the movie The Martian later in the year.

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I love the fast dialogue (same with West Wing) but had never heard of the Tea Party etc…

  • Greg
    June 28, 2015

    You have an interesting assortment of books. I’ve been plowing through books lately, but I know what you mean about reviews. It’s easy to get behind. I’ll have to check out your reviews and get caught up. 🙂

    I haven’t watched much this, I’m sorta between shows right now. Hmm. Hope you have a good reading week.

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      Oh yes, it’s very easy to get behind! Have a great week Greg!

  • Red Iza
    June 28, 2015

    Oh yes, being behind on reviewing, I know that. I decided recently that except for ARCs, I would write a post including a few books reviewed with just a few lines instead of a whole review so I would get rid of them quicker – I can remember if I liked them or not but not the details ! Enjoy your tempting new books and have a great week, take care 🙂

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I’ve actually been using the back cover blurbs instead of writing my own plot summary on a few occasions of late – same reason, it saves some time so I really only need to include my thoughts.

      Hope you have a great week as well.

  • Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
    June 28, 2015

    Sometimes, having non-bookish evenings is good too, right? It’s too bad you’re feeling a little overwhelmed these days, though. I hope you’ll find your groove again quickly.

    You have some very nice-looking books featured this week! I haven’t read any of them, but I’m going to check them out to see if I’ll add some to my own TBR 😉

    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      Thanks Lexxie. And yes, a few non-reading nights can be a good thing sometimes! I adore it so much I miss it if I skip more than a couple of nights but hate the idea of it ever getting to be a chore.

  • Trish @ Between My Lines
    June 28, 2015

    I’m feeling like I’ve a little bit too much on my plate at the moment too and it does get overwhelming. But I figure by reducing the amount of books I take on for the next few weeks will sort that out. Hopefully.
    I rarely have a non reading night, I’d miss it too much! Some evenings I don’t read very much though, just a chapter or two.
    Hope some of the reviews get accepted!

    • Megan @ reading away the days
      June 28, 2015

      I am feeling the pressure this week trying to get all the books I need reviewed read but it’s just not happening. Hopefully this week is better. Have a great week 🙂

      • Debbish
        June 28, 2015

        I’m the same Megan but just trying to remind myself that I can only read one book at a time….

    • Debbish
      June 28, 2015

      I have this reading-in-the-bathtub ritual Trish, so if I don’t read I’ll usually grab a magazine or my iPad and do some blog commenting etc instead.

  • fangswandsfairy(alt)
    June 28, 2015

    I can always read more than I write. I am about ten books behind on reviews but am working on Mid July posts now.

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh, I hate it when I get too far behind because I don’t take notes when I read (unless I’m reading an ebook and I’ll bookmark notes) so I stress if I can’t remember the detail. I’ll usually be able to recall the plot but often can’t remember a lot about the writing for eg.

  • Heather Duff (@hross42)
    June 28, 2015

    I am doing my posts etc this afternoon so I can have a lovely book free evening!

    I did fancy Interstellar but have yet to see a good review!

    Have a great week.

    Heather @ Random Redheaded Ramblings

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      I think I confused Interstellar with (a space-themed movie) which was nominated for Awards this year or last. I must actually check it out. I think the problem with Interstellar is that they didn’t get anywhere near space until an hour in!

  • My ParaHangover
    June 28, 2015

    Oh, girl… I can sort of feel a bit of your anxiety about getting those review books done all the way over here in Detroit! I say do what you can and relax in that bathtub 🙂 Nothing wrong with putting reviews up the week after the book is out, and that might end up only being a book or two. It’s great to have a ton to read!!!

    Yeah, I can be obnoxiously positive… a lot! Have a great upcoming week and thanks for stopping by last week!!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      I love that not-so-obnoxious positivity! I do worry that I get overly focussed on the reviewing element and don’t enjoy the book as much as I should. It’s something I need to NOT lose sight off as I’ve always LOVED that moment you open a book to the first page and start reading. I need to continue to appreciate that! #thanks

  • Elizabeth
    June 28, 2015

    The next 2 weeks will be a little off for me. Independence Day is next weekend, meaning people will be taking either the week before or after off from work or both if they can afford it. There will be lots of barbecues and pool parties to attend. I am hoping for an invitation to my sister’s lake house, weather permitting.

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh, a lake house sounds lovely. (And very American.) The change will probably be nice and it sounds like a festive time of year!

  • Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
    June 29, 2015

    The Newsroom! I LOVE that series. I was so sad that it was cancelled. Hope you enjoy season 3!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Thanks. Am half-way through. (Am my mum’s so can’t ‘hog’ the TV etc as she has usual shows to watch!) I love that it kept its high quality over all three seasons. Such fabulous dialogue. (Just like West Wing!)

  • Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
    June 29, 2015

    I can definitely relate to the overwhelmed feeling. For a little while I felt like I was drowning in books but that’s gotten a little better since I slowed down on NetGalley. I have this plan of getting caught up and getting everything read but it hasn’t actually happened yet. You’ve got some great suspense going! I’ve been in a suspense kind of mood lately so I’ll have to check them out. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      I’ve slowed down on NetGalley but I’d previously requested a heap of books due out in late June and July. In April and May I kept saying that I had STACKS of time before any of my NetGalley books were published, so I kept deferring them. Until now….

  • readerbuzz
    June 29, 2015

    I vote for Little Black Lies since I’ve heard a lot about it around the blogosphere.

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2015/06/sunday-salon-my-week-in-books.html

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh, good to hear Deb. Someone mentioned another book by the same name though! (It would be weird if two books of the same name were coming out at the same time!) 😉

  • Mallory @ The Local Muse
    June 29, 2015

    The Bones of You has a great cover! I love the color scheme. Good luck with your writing projects!
    Thanks for stopping by the The Local Muse

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      It is a gorgeous cover isn’t it?! I’m looking forward to starting it today (I had last night off for some Newsroom watching!).

  • Jo
    June 29, 2015

    Yeah, I’m a Newsroom fan too. What’s on my bedside table for reading? I’m partway through JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy.

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Keen to hear what you think of it Jo. I’ve never read it, but must confess I’ve never read any of the Harry Potter series. I tried the first but….

  • Char
    June 29, 2015

    Because I’m tapering I had the luxury of lots of non-running hours this weekend that I filled with reading. I finished an entire book in two days – unheard of for me since I’ve had kids. It was wonderfully decadent.

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Sounds lovely Char. It’s nice to prioritise some time for reading sometimes.

  • Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
    June 29, 2015

    I got overwhelmed with review books several years ago and made the decision to stop accepting any books for review. I’ve relaxed that rule a bit since then but I still only read a handful of review books a year. It’s much less stressful for me that way!

    Go ahead and submit your reviews. You can do it! Good luck!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh, thanks for the support Jen. I figure I’m already writing about them so writing something extra / different shouldn’t be too overwhelming!

  • yvonne473
    June 29, 2015

    Oh I do know what you mean about being overwhelmed with reviews. I feel like I get several requests everyday and they are all stacking up.

    Killing Monica has my interest. Sounds like it could be a good one.

    Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      I’ve been saying no to a few authors directly lately as I just haven’t had time but realise I’m probably doing my blog readers a disservice by only reviewing those I’m getting through publishing companies!

  • Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
    June 29, 2015

    I have not read any of your upcoming reads so I will be of no help to you. Don’t pressure yourself! I am reading Memory Man and am loving Amos Deker!

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh, I admitted to being a bit in love with Amos Decker in my review of Memory Man. Can’t wait to read more in that series!

  • shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
    June 29, 2015

    Its so easy to fall behind, I’m horribly so at the ,omens thanks to illness and now school holidays have started the situation Bont improve much in the near future!
    Have a great week,
    Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2015

      Oh yes, you poor thing! I hope you fit some reading in.

  • Jess
    June 29, 2015

    I love the newsroom! I amso sad it was canceled!

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2015

      Same. But at least they got to wrap it up.

  • bluekaren
    June 29, 2015

    I hope you enjoy Little Black Lies, I loved that story. Word and reading for me this week. I am excited to only have one review scheduled and it is for a book I cannot wait to read. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2015

      Oh nice… I hope you have a nice week!

  • A Voracious Reader
    June 30, 2015

    I’ve also been feeling overwhelmed and decided to just take a step back and relax. Does it help? Not really. LOL Have a wonderful week!

  • amyh90
    July 1, 2015

    Hi Deb,
    Don’t get disheartened about not hearing from the newspapers about your articles just yet – they might just be having a busy week! To be honest it wouldn’t surprise me at all after everything that’s happened in Tunisia. I hope you hear back from them soon 🙂
    All the best,
    Amy x

    • Debbish
      July 1, 2015

      Thanks for the encouragement Amy! Much appreciated!

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