Did you miss me? I apologise if my absence was akin to missing your morning coffee. Or perhaps you didn’t even notice I was AWOL last week? Either way… like the terminator, I’m back. Again.
What I read
The answer is not much. I’m prone to invent arbitrary rules in my universe. Some are good—no diet coke after 1pm. Some are strange such as no television during the day. But mostly in my own best interests. Similarly I start to get a little testy if my To-Do lists burgeon out of control. Sadly it happens often, but I do attempt to manage them as best I can. Hence the moratorium I place on new reading until my book reviews are (almost) up to date. As a result I went for almost a week without opening a book. Naturally when I did—like being on a diet—having deprived myself I binged and read it all in a night.
It was very good though. There’s a twist part way through that left me gobsmacked and I noted many many readers giving it 4-5 stars in Goodreads agree. (So it’s not just that I’m a bit slow or obtuse.) I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh will be released in late April.
I finally got around to the Tina Seskis book, When We Were Friends, which had been in my to be read (TBR) pile for a few months. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the previous book I’d read by Seskis—One Step Too Far.
And then, some goodies arrived so I plunged straight into Harlan Coben’s latest release… The Stranger. As always Coben delivers and I devoured the book as quickly as possible!
What I wrote
I rather randomly shared a recipe for Vegemite and Cheese hot cross buns given that Easter is looming; and confessed to an increasing hot chip (french fry) addiction. (And yes, I really do focus on the important issues!)
On the bookish front, I posted a review of Goodbye Sweetheart by Australian author Marion Halligan. And I published my reviews of When We Were Friends and The Stranger.
Other stuff
I went to a meeting with some peeps about the idea of a local writers’ festival. I’m quite excited by the notion, although they’re thinking Sept-Oct 2016. Don’t they know I’m all about instant gratification?!
My mother and I also did another house-swap. One of her best friends was visiting my home-town so she stayed in my apartment by the beach for a few days while I stayed at her place and binged-watched some DVDs. I took the opportunity to have a bit of a break from the blog (hence missing last week’s link-up!) And as well as a couple of movies I watched season 1 of The 100.
Next week’s reading
I’m actually in the midst of a book which I’m enjoying. The Pocket Wife, is Susan H Crawford’s debut novel and as yet I have no idea whodunnit. So, yay!
I’m not entirely sure what else I’ll be reading this week, but I’ll let you know how I fared next Monday.
That’s it from me. What’s on your agenda? Any TV shows I should be bingeing on?
I’m again linking up with the lovely Sheila from Book Journey.
March 30, 2015
Hi Deborah. Glad your’re back. I Let You Go looks very intriguing to me – I really like the cover too. I hope you have a good reading and uplifting week this week.
March 30, 2015
Thanks Martha.
Deb
March 30, 2015
I missed you last week! Love your unique voice. I love the arbitrary rules in your universe bit. I occasionally do then let myself off most of them!
March 30, 2015
Mostly my rules only make sense to me! And I guess that’s okay. (Like Dexter the serial killer and his code. But involving less bloodshed!)
March 30, 2015
Yes I noticed you missing last week, checked your blog a couple of times wanting a dose of your humour 😉 Does your absence and binge reading mean you have you’re all caught-up on reviews? Maybe I should try that with cherry ripes haha … ok that was short-lived. I can’t do it 🙂
I’m a Harlan Coben fan but I was really disappointed with Six Years so I put off reading Missing You. Glad to hear he delivers with his new one. I Let You Go sounds great. Have a good week and happy reading 🙂
PS hot chips I’m with you … vegemite and cheese hot cross buns *gag* lol
March 30, 2015
I Let You Go was AMAZING. Well, the first half – three quarters is amazing. The last quarter was a bit meh.
And no, I’m not caught up on my reviews alas. But I swear I’m about to do two now. *crosses fingers*
March 30, 2015
This weeks binge viewing is Friday Night Lights for me. I’m three reviews behind right now but can’t afford to take a break from reading!
PS I also have an addiction to hot chips (with chicken salt and tomato sauce)
March 30, 2015
Oh I used to be a tomato sauce fiend. Many years ago (late 1980s) my flatmate and I used to drive across town in Brisbane to a fish and chip shop because we loved their hot chips so much. AND we’d take our tomato sauce bottle with us and set up on a picnic table at a nearby park. I’ve gone off tomato sauce now, but love them with gravy. Or sour cream and GF Worcester sauce.
March 30, 2015
Cherry Ripes are absolutely gluten-free Deb. They contain wheat glucose syrup which is gluten-free according to Coeliac Australia, glucose syrup is so highly processed all gluten is removed. PS so are Caramello koalas.
March 30, 2015
Oh, I didn’t know. I don’t actually like cherry ripes so it wasn’t one that worried me. And yes, I did know CK were GF although I’m trying to forget that I know. God only knows what caramello easter eggs aren’t!!
March 30, 2015
NASHVILLE WITH ME!!!!!!
March 30, 2015
Oh maybe Carla cos the video store I belong to (in my mother’s hometown) definitely had it! I’ll have a look for it when I’m there this weekend!
March 30, 2015
Sometimes it’s nice to take a break for a week. I do it and find it is good for helping me catch up without guilt. I keep hearing good things about The Pocket wife so I think I need to add that to my list.
March 30, 2015
Yes Emma I finished it tonight and really enjoyed it. I’ll write the review in the next day or two.
Deb
March 30, 2015
Welcome back! I always love Harlan Coben’s books. They are so good. Have a great week!
March 30, 2015
Yes, he’s reliable isn’t he??!
March 30, 2015
I noticed that you didn’t post last week and thought maybe you were having an awesome vacation! I’ve got the Pocket Wife TBR.
As for TV, have you seen Broadchurch, the British version? They’re about 1/2 way through airing season 2 in the states. I also just saw that I can get Wolf Hall on Amazon, so I’m excited. It isn’t scheduled to air in the US for awhile.
Thanks for coming by for a visit.
March 31, 2015
Elizabeth I really enjoyed S1 of Broadchurch (the UK version), but haven’t enjoyed S2 so stopped watching after 4 or 5 episodes. I haven’t heard of Wolf Hall, but will check it out.
Deb
March 31, 2015
Yes, I did miss you, Deborah…and I love the conversational tone of your posts. I like that style, and I think I might have it, too…LOL.
I can’t wait to read the new Tina Seskis, as I enjoyed her book One Step Too Far.
I also loved The Pocket Wife, but your cover is better than the one I had! LOL
Rules are a good thing…but I also love to break rules…another quirk of mine.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and enjoy your week!
March 31, 2015
Awww thanks for the lovely compliment! The cover thing is funny isn’t it? I’m always having to change my ‘edition’ on Goodreads as ours (in Australia) is often different. I do wonder sometimes why they feel compelled to change them.
March 31, 2015
Great books in your post. I’m waiting for a library copy of The Stranger, and want to read The Pocket Wife and I Let You Go as well. Hope you have a great week of reading ahead.
March 31, 2015
Thanks Catherine!
March 31, 2015
I definitely noticed that you were gone last week. A couple of times. And both times I remembered that you were swapping houses so dementia hasn’t got me yet.
March 31, 2015
Oh I don’t know Char, give it time! 😉
March 31, 2015
I love the cover of I Let You Go. Being a Historical Fiction addict I probably won’t get to read it, but you never know! Thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoy your week!
March 31, 2015
You’re very welcome Yvonne.
March 31, 2015
Alright, alright, I’m off to add Pocket Wife to my wish list. Sold!
Readerbuzz.blogspot.com
March 31, 2015
🙂
I finished it last night. It’s a goodie.
March 31, 2015
I am glad you are back like the Terminator haha :). I have strange rules I made up for myself too, I never really even realised I did this until I read this post. But I actually have heaps of kind of weird ones. I never watch TV during the day either.
March 31, 2015
Yes, I think I’ll save daytime television until my retirement. Or.. you know.. never! Of course it makes no sense that I’m allowed a nanna nap, but not TV, but still…
March 31, 2015
It is so cool that you and your mom swap houses. My husband gave up half way through this season of The 100. We are binge watching House of Cards (on Netflix), Looking forward to The Stranger. I am a huge Harlan Coben fan. Have a great week.
March 31, 2015
I gather S2 of The 100 is quite different to S1 (well, the finale suggested it’s going to be anyway). I’ve watched the first two seasons of House of Cards (on DVD). I don’t mind it but don’t love it.
March 31, 2015
The Pocket Wife has been getting some great reviews… and I love the idea of a house swap! Hope you’re having a good week.
March 31, 2015
Yes, my review of The Pocket Wife will go live tomorrow and I definitely enjoyed it.
April 1, 2015
I admire your will power. I always mean to catch up on reviews before I start another book, but the towering pile next to my desk waiting to be reviewed suggests otherwise…
I can’t wait to read your thoughts on The Pocket Wife. I’ve seen some good reviews!
April 1, 2015
I get a bit worried Lindsey. I once left a book until publication date to write its review and had almost finished it before I realised that I was reviewing the wrong book. I read so many that are vaguely similar I’d transposed two plots! I could barely remember the book in question and no longer had access to it, so now I’m a little more paranoid!