It’s been a quiet week on the reading front for me with only two and a half books read. I did have a couple of nights off for various commitments, but it means I’m finally (almost) on top of the reviews I had to do!
As planned I read (and reviewed) Sweet Damage. I really enjoyed Rebecca James’ second novel. It was released in Australia last year but is only being released o/s in the next month or so. It really reeled me in and I read it in a sitting.
As I mostly receive books I request from NetGalley I was seriously excited to receive two REAL books (I prefer the tangible things, if you hadn’t guessed).
Michael Connelly’s The Burning Room arrived compliments of The Reading Room and Allen and Unwin. I’ve read quite a few Connelly novels but only a handful of those featuring Harry Bosch. I really enjoyed this – though it was fairly hefty and took me three nights to get through! My review’s already on the blog.
I also received – and have just started – David Baldacci’s The Escape. I’m a Baldacci fan (though didn’t enjoy the Camel Club series). This novel again features military investigator John Puller and arrived compliments of Pan Macmillan. It’s due for release in late November.
On the blog in the past week, as well as the review of Sweet Damage and The Burning Room I wrote about famous doppelgangers (#asyoudo) and finally shared a post about my weight and where I’m at in that ‘space’. I used to have a diet blog (Diet Schmiet) which was absorbed into Debbish earlier this year. It was (probably still is) a huge focus in my life, but I’m trying to make it less-so.
NaNoWriMo has started as has my ‘novel’ writing. I actually only work three days a week so have set myself daily limits for the month in the hope I reach 50,000 words. I’m aiming to do a wrap-up post at the end of each week to share my progress. Possibly.
On the agenda this week I’m just aiming to finish Baldacci’s The Escape. Last week I’d planned to read Five by Ursula Archer so if I’m not tired of words in the evening I’ll be reading that as well.
What are your reading / writing / other plans this week?
I’m linking up with Book Journey’s Sheila again today.
November 3, 2014
I love Michael Connelly!
November 3, 2014
Yes, I’m not a regular Bosch reader but love that I can pick up one of the series and not be confused! 🙂
November 3, 2014
I haven’t read David Baldacci yet, but his books do look good. I hope you have a great week!
November 3, 2014
Thanks Yvonne.
November 3, 2014
Good luck with NaNoWriMo, you will have a busy month
November 3, 2014
Yes, I’m lucky I only work part-time though spend A LOT of time at my desk doing blog-related stuff (reading and writing) when at home. In fact I wrote more blog posts on the weekend than usual – thanks to procrastination on the NaNoWriMo front!
Deb
November 3, 2014
If blog posts count, I would have a full book already 😛
November 3, 2014
Ha yes, same! I thought that on the weekend. I did reach my targets but actually wrote about 2400 words in blog posts as well!
November 3, 2014
I really like the idea of using this meme to take stock of the past week and reading plans for the coming week. I’m really hoping that taking part will help me to not only work my way through my reading pile, but also write up reviews for the books I read in a more timely fashion. I can live in hope. 🙂
I enjoyed your review of Sweet Damage. I read Rebecca’s first novel, Beautiful Malice, and have a copy of Sweet Damage, but it hasn’t quite reached the top of my TBR pile yet.
November 3, 2014
Hi Susan… I hadn’t realised Sweet Damage wasn’t ‘new’ when I requested it on NetGalley. Discovered later that it’s being released o/s but thought I should still review it and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I must get hold of Beautiful Malice.
On the meme, I try to check out as many of the other blogs as possible and scan through what people are reading (via a weekly summary). I’m a tad fussy so it’s been good to take me out of my comfort zone and read things others have enjoyed.
Deb
November 3, 2014
All three books look good! seems like its been a slow week for everyone that I’ve seen so far
Here is my Monday
November 3, 2014
Maybe it’s that time of the year…. I’d like to say we’re all starting to get busy, but perhaps we’re all getting tired!
Deb
November 3, 2014
Hmm. Sweet Damage sounds good. I clicked on your review not knowing anything about it, and it looks like a good one. May have to look into that one… good luck with NaNo also.
November 3, 2014
Yes Greg, I read a lot of thrillers / crime fiction / mysteries and it really offered something a bit different!
And re NaNo, thanks!
Deb
November 3, 2014
I enjoyed both Sweet Damage and thought Beautiful Malice was even better. I’m looking forward to reading her most recent one, Cooper Bartholomew Is Dead.
November 3, 2014
Oh yes, I need to get hold of more of Rebecca’s work! I’m slowly finding myself reading more and more Australian authors which is a good thing!
November 3, 2014
Sounds like a profitable week of reading and reviewing. All the best with what you plan to write in November.
November 3, 2014
Thanks. I got 7000 words into my novel on day 3 and started another. Not sure which one I’ll progress with!
Deb
November 3, 2014
Five looks like my type of read, definitely going to have to check that one out. Have a great reading week.
My It’s Monday! Post
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
November 3, 2014
Thanks Kimberly.
Deb
November 3, 2014
Ahh yes real books they are special
November 3, 2014
Indeed! Still my favourite.
November 3, 2014
A busy reading AND writing week ahead for you!
Good luck with the 50 000 🙂
November 3, 2014
Thanks so much!
November 3, 2014
Wow! Five sounds really interesting!
November 4, 2014
Yes, I’ve had to keep reprioritising it cos of other new arrivals (being published earlier!) but pretty sure it’s next on the agenda.
November 4, 2014
Thanks for bring Five to my attention–I’m always on the lookout for new thrillers. Good luck with NaNoWriMo.
November 4, 2014
No worries, am about to start it myself!
November 4, 2014
My DH and I enjoy listening to Baldacci books on CD. Must look for Escape!
November 4, 2014
I’m not sure of the exact release date but am about to write the review so will need to check that out!
Deb
November 4, 2014
It has been a long time since I read anything by Connelly or Baldacci…when I do, I usually enjoy them…glad you did.
Five looks like a book I’d enjoy…thanks for sharing and have a great week; and thanks for visiting my blog.
November 4, 2014
You’re welcome Laurel and thanks.
November 5, 2014
I’m with you. I love the idea of NetGalley but there’s nothing like receiving an actual book in the mail. I do ok with ebooks but there’s nothing like a real book in your hands 😀
November 5, 2014
Plus I can put it on my shelf and look at it. (Not that I spend all day gazing at my books, but still….)
November 5, 2014
Good luck with NaNo Debbie. Enjoy your two thrillers 🙂
November 5, 2014
Thanks!
December 23, 2014
I really enjoyed THE CUCKOO’S CALLING by Robert Galbraith and ORDINARY PEOPLE by William Kent Krueger
December 23, 2014
Great to hear Sharon!