I had no idea it was the 1st of May today and as I’m staying at my mother’s I actually woke and spoke to another human being without remembering to say ‘rabbits’ or ‘white rabbits’ or whatever. So there goes my luck and good fortune for the month. #bugger
What I read
I started the week with Lisa Black’s That Darkness – a book I enjoyed but one I will probably just review in Goodreads when I get motivated…
I accidentally started reading Nick Earls’ novella, Gotham partway through That Darkness and couldn’t stop, so finished it and went back to The Darkness.
The novella is one of five to be released this year and I’ve included a blurb about the series in my review.
And then there was David Baldacci’s The Last Mile. I was seriously excited to recieve this book as I LOVED Memory Man so read it the night it arrived.
What I wrote
I posted some book reviews…
The One Who Got Away by Caroline Overington – a book that’s compared to Gone Girl and (in a surprising twist) IS actually similar to Gone Girl
Shtum by Jem Lester – a poignant story of the parents of a profoundly autistic boy
Gotham by Nick Earls – I finished this book with a smile on my tear-stained face. When I tweeted my reaction Earls responded that was exactly what he was aiming for! #bastard
And then I wrote about:
Feeling unpretty – my response to the ‘do you think you’re beautiful’ question
Duckhead – sharing an insult hurled at my beloved 4yr old friend
Getting out of bed in the morning – where I shared my daily struggle without caffeine (via vanilla diet coke!).
And it was time for my monthly book post over at the popular Styling You blog. I’d again love it if you popped over for a read and comment. I get paid for the post so like to think it’s of vague interest. To someone, somewhere….
What I did
After a weekend of frantic cleaning, my house-photos were done (sadly on a terribly overcast day) and my place is now officially on the market. Already it seems my agent isn’t as enthusiastic or proactive as I’d hoped (!!!), so the first open house is next weekend.
I’m currently spending a few days at my mother’s. It’s always nice to get a break from my own company and I’m forcing her to join me in binge-watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (which many US book bloggers have been raving about)!
What I plan to do
I think my next book will be Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman, but I probably should sort through my TBR pile before going any further. I’ve had to rearrange my bookshelves (ditching some books so my TBRs could sit on a shelf awaiting my attention) while my place is on the market.
And that’s about it for this week. I successfully finished my ’30 days of blogging’ challenge yesterday. I’m not sure how often I’ll continue posting but would like to keep up the momentum. Ish.
What’s on your agenda for this week?
I’m again linking up with Kimberly for the Sunday Post, Kathryn for ‘It’s Monday!’ and Leanne for Lovin’ Life Linky.
May 1, 2016
I really like Gone Girl so I’ll be checking out The One Who Got Away 🙂 so happy for you Debbie! yay! your place is on the market! That’s exciting! Enjoy your time with mom 🙂 now off to read your review Shtum 🙂
May 2, 2016
Thanks Daniela. Exciting (and slightly stressful!) times!
May 1, 2016
Hey a Gone Girl reference that’s actually accurate- how about that? 🙂 They exist lol. Good luck with the property and hope you have a nice weekend.
I also find Coke a wonderful way to wake up in the morning so I can relate to you there. 🙂 What would I do with out it? Yeah there’s always coffee and sometimes that’s fine but I don’t always want a hot drink in the morning…
May 2, 2016
Yes… I don’t drink coffee and don’t like hot drinks for some unknown reason, so…. It’s taking me a REALLY long time to get over the lack of diet coke this time around….
May 1, 2016
I haven’t heard of the rabbit thing before! All I know is that me & my family end up black & blue the first of every month from all the pinches and punches and hits and kicks :-p
May 2, 2016
I think the rabbit / white rabbit is a good luck thing Brona. I must check it out… it’s something I grew up with – but rarely remember to do!
May 1, 2016
I’m glad you reminded me it’s the 1st May tomorrow! We still have 2hrs of Saturday left here but I’ll be ready to say my rabbits now 🙂
That Darkness sounds interesting, but maybe not as interesting as I think if you’re only reviewing it on Goodreads – is it worth picking up?
I had to do the same TBR shelf arrangement when we sold our house recently hehe. They haven’t yet found a shelf in our new place though.
http://natalieslife.com/2016/04/libraries-gishwhes-and-netgalley-oh-my
May 2, 2016
I was stressing over the TBR pile Natalie. I knew that packing them away would mean I’d lose track of what I was reading so it made sense to pack old ones away and put the new ones on their own shelf. Of course if I was being particularly anal I’d organise them ON the shelf in a chronological order… (And sadly now that idea is in my head I’ll possibly do so!)
May 1, 2016
Happy 1st of May, Debbie! I haven’t heard of the ‘rabbit’ or ‘white rabbit’ thing… here, it’s just labor day, and there will be people walking in processions to protest some changes in the labor laws.
I hope you’re enjoying your stay with your mom – and that your apartment will get sold fairly quickly so you can move on.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
May 2, 2016
It’s actually Labour Day weekend too here Lexxie. I recall it being practically an international thing as (when I first went overseas – to Portugal) I got there on the long weekend.
May 1, 2016
Wait, you’re supposed to say “rabbits” when you wake up on the 1st of May? I’ve never heard this. What happens if you stay up past midnight? Because it’s already 2 in the morning here lol.
That’s awesome that you’re forcing your mom to binge-watch with you, haha. And congrats on completing your 30 days of blogging!
May 2, 2016
I wasn’t sure what she’d think of Kimmy Schmidt as she’s not as much into the quirky as I am… but she seemed to enjoy it. Interestingly the disks were mixed up in the case and I accidentally started it on episode 7 and we both sat there kinda going… #WTF? Made more sense when we started at episode one though! 🙂
May 1, 2016
Dammit now I have the Kimmy Schmidt theme stuck in my head! I just finished season 2 on netflix and enjoyed … most of it. Have a great week 🙂
May 2, 2016
Ohhh.. am keen to see season 2 now, but don’t have Netflix. Season 1 sorta closes the story on a couple of characters so I’m keen to see what direction they go in!
May 1, 2016
How do you accidentally start reading a novella? 😉
And I’ve never heard about saying rabbits on May 1st either.
What is The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt about? I saw an author tweeting about it a few times in the past week.
May 2, 2016
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is about a woman released from an underground (literally) cult after 15yrs and her acclimatisation back into the world. She’s ridiculously peppy and naive, so it’s quite funny.
May 1, 2016
I love the rabbits thing – and like everyone else, I’ve never heard of it, either. As it happens, I just returned from a few days staying over with my mother:). All the very best with the proposed sale – I hope it goes smoothly and have a great reading week. My Weekly Wrap-Up https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/weekly-wrap-up-1st-may/
May 2, 2016
Hmm…. am sure I’m not making the ‘rabbits’ thing up. Will check it out and report back in next week!
May 2, 2016
Oh, I wasn’t trying to imply that it wasn’t a thing – just that I hadn’t heard of it. But I’d be delighted if you can find out more about it, because it sounds great fun.
May 2, 2016
Oh no it’s okay as I’m intrigued now about where it comes from! 🙂
May 2, 2016
The Lisa Black book looks really good. I haven’t read anything by this author but I’ve been wanting to. I love Nora Roberts but haven’t read anything by her in a long time. The Obsession looks really good.
Hope you have a great week.
My Sunday post is here.
May 2, 2016
The Obsession is great Yvonne and it starts really really well.
I enjoyed the Lisa Black but it probably came in the midst of some other stellar suspense novels / thrillers, so suffered a little as a result.
May 2, 2016
Lot of good looking books you have been reading. I hope you enjoy your books this week and happy reading! 🙂
Stormi
Week in Review
May 2, 2016
Thanks Stormi!
May 2, 2016
Okay, I’m going to check out the book that is REALLY like Gone Girl…LOL. (Don’t you hate all the ludicrous comparisons that are incorrect?).
Glad you got your house ready…and I remember feeling that way about my agents, too. They were so into selling my house until I had actually signed with them. Then they were lukewarm. It seemed to take forever! Good luck with yours…mine was on the market and eventually sold during that awful real estate downward turn here in 2006 and 2007.
Enjoy binge-watching with your mom. When my eldest son and DIL were here last summer (has it been that long already? sigh), we did a lot of Netflix bingeing. And popcorn eating.
Now I’m off to check out your links…here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
May 2, 2016
I’ve got a 3mth exclusive contract with this agent Laurel, but think I’d take my place off the market for a while if it doesn’t sell.
And this book is very Gone Girl-ish because it’s similarly themed – key character is missing… maybe dead? The main couple had secrets and the family’s involved….
I know so many other books are compared to GG just because they’re domestic noir or suspense novels, which drives me insane.
May 2, 2016
I hear Kimmy Schmidt was pretty funny, but I haven’t watched it yet. I do plan to do a lot of Netflix Binge watching this summer, so hopefully I’ll get to it. Good luck with selling your house! It sounds exciting.
May 2, 2016
Thanks for that. Kimmy Schmidt was quirky but not TOO much of an acquired taste which was good. I’ll be interested to see where they take season 2!
May 2, 2016
30 days of posting is so impressive. I hope it has left you re-motivated not knackered. Hope the open house goes well. Have a good week. Emma
May 2, 2016
I think I’m feeling motivated Emma!
May 2, 2016
Whahaha.. I didn’t even know about that superstition. I guess I’m out of luck and good fortune too then. 😉
Good luck with the open house next weekend.
I’m almost off to go to my last nightshift of the bunch.. Can’t wait for Monday morning!! I know.. I’m a little weird! LOL!
Have a great week and Happy Reading!
May 2, 2016
It’s a long weekend here Maureen – which is very confusing. I have Mondays and Fridays off anyway, but when others are around on my days off, it throws me a little!
May 2, 2016
Your place looks great in the ad…wishing you all good things with the sale…
May 2, 2016
Thanks Jo!
May 2, 2016
I have never heard of the rabbits thing!! When I was teaching it was “a pinch and a punch for the first of the month” from the kids of course! All the best for the sale, pity about the real estate agent, give them some caffeine!!
May 2, 2016
I actually shot the RE Agent an email saying I was a bit disappointed in his lack of enthusiasm. After I’d rushed to get the pics done he basically said he didn’t need the key or anything until the first Open HOuse on 7 May. I’d assumed – once it went online – they’d want to be able to show people if anyone was interested.
My last couple of RE Agents have been hugely enthusiastic – showing their colleagues through so they know what’s on offer (in case they have clients interested) and emailing out those on their lists etc… *Sigh*
May 2, 2016
Well now you have me wanting to read Gotham and curious about the Darkness! What the heck is this white rabbit or rabbits you speak off..I am thinking we need a post about superstitions for Aussies!
May 2, 2016
Gotham is wonderful Kimberly. It’s just a great read. I actually had an email sitting in my inbox about it for a month and I was just behind with everything so hadn’t got to it. I note the email about the second book in the series has arrived today!
May 2, 2016
I hadn’t heard that thing about ‘white rabbits’ in years. Totally forgot that it was a thing. It brought back lots of memories.
May 2, 2016
A lot of my overseas readers are saying they’ve never heard of it which makes me wonder where it came from. Am trying to decide if I can be bothered googling it….
May 2, 2016
Love your weekly check-in posts. I really feel like I get to know you through these posts.
You accidentally read a novella? LOL. You’re funny …
Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky Deb!
May 2, 2016
I know… I flicked open the novella (on my eReader) and looked at the number of pages and then started ‘browsing’ through the first bit and suddenly I was part way through. So HAD to keep going. I never read two books at once so it felt weird but it was short (53 pages on my reader) so I could easily finish and go back to the other book that night.
May 2, 2016
I am going to have to read Gotham! Wishing you success on your open house. It seems that binge watching shows is my new normal! Hope you have a wonderful week.
May 2, 2016
I’ve been a lover of TV on DVDs for a while Nise, so prone to binge-watching. IF my place sells I look forward to getting Netflix!
May 2, 2016
As a procrastinator and lacking in motivation lately, I am proud you finished your 30 days of blogging! I know it wasn’t easy to do with all the decisions you’ve had to make. I started watching The Unbreakable Kimmy, but got sidetracked to other things. I need to go back and finish it. I hope your agent gets on board and your place sells quickly so you can move on to something better for you!
May 2, 2016
Yes, the 30 days of blogging was a challenge (literally and metaphorically!) but I did enjoy it so I now need to keep going rather than just not feel the urge and skip too many days!
May 2, 2016
I forgot that custom of saying, Rabbits. So that’s where I’ve been going wrong for the last forty years. I reckon you’ll sell that place quick smart. Three words…location, location, location. I didn’t like Kimmy Schmidt but my husband did and many other people.
May 3, 2016
Kimmy and her pals took some getting used to but I ended up enjoying it. I found the trial at the end of season one a bit over the top, but…. I’ve heard mixed things about s2!
May 2, 2016
I was supposed to say rabbits or white rabbits yesterday! Well why did no one ever tell me, I have been doing 1 May wrong all my life! Well done on completing 30 days, I don’t think I could ever achieve that! That Darkness looks interesting. And I love how you accidentally started reading a book, LOL 😀
May 3, 2016
I did some googling re the rabbits thing Trish and wonder if perhaps it’s an English thing. I saw reference to war etc… so must search properly so I know in future!
May 2, 2016
Good grief. I’ve never said “rabbits” or “white rabbits” on the first of May. We here in America have not been properly educated! Oh dear!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/05/in-which-i-finish-perfect-book-for.html
May 3, 2016
I think the rabbits might be an English thing Deb. I’m planning to research and report in next week!
May 2, 2016
Glad you got your pictures of your place done and its up on the market – Good luck!! Hope you enjoy Kimmy Schmidt. I loved it. Have a great week!
May 3, 2016
I did enjoy s1 of Kimmy Grace. I know s2 has just finished but think I’ll have a bit of a wait. (Unless I sell, in which case I plan to get Netflix!)
May 2, 2016
Oh my, I love The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! I haven’t had a chance to watch season two yet. But its on my list! have a good week Deb!
May 3, 2016
Thanks Lauren! I’ve heard mixed things about s2 but a lot of positives. I was worried some of the main characters might disappear but it sounds like Jacqueline (et al) will be back!
May 3, 2016
Good luck on the house, next weekend it begins, I’m sure you are excited and have anxiety. I actually do not like when books have similar ‘to’, I wasn’t a fan of Gone Girl so that never helps me choosing a book usually.
May 3, 2016
I actually didn’t like Gone Girl as much as others (that I’d read before) either Marce. But having said that I was a year or two late in reading GG.
May 3, 2016
May came way too quickly! I have so much to do this month and around zero energy to do it. I hope everything goes well with your house and that your agent perks up a bit!
May 3, 2016
Me too Michelle. I’ve had really proactive Real Estate Agents in the past so this came as a bit of a surprise. Maybe it’s a big town vs small town thing. (As I lived in the city previously!)
May 3, 2016
Our labour day isn’t until September! But we do have the Victoria Day long weekend (or “bank holiday”, if that’s your thing) this month to look forward too….Good luck on selling your place, I always find moving so stressful, so best of luck to you!! 🙂
May 3, 2016
I think our Queensland Labour Day was moved to October when our government changed a few years ago (and so one year we got two holidays – bonus!!!) but was moved back this year. Very confusing. I don’t work on Mondays or Fridays so holiday-driven long weekends hold little excitement for me I’m afraid.
May 3, 2016
Love Kimmy Schmidt – Titus and Lillian are hilarious!
May 3, 2016
I know… I’d seen lots of Kimmy Schmidt gifs and memes around and now of course they make sense!
May 4, 2016
I had to take a breath after reading your busy post. 🙂 I am unfamiliar with Kimmy Schmidt. The majority of our TV watching is NCIS, Hallmark movies or action movies.
That Gothic Novella sounds interesting – I’ve seen it at a couple of blogs.
Now you have me interested in the new Baldacci Series. I’ll keep it in mind – maybe for Audible credits. I am on such a sci fil craze though I have to make myself choose other titles… but only if I really want to. LOL
Hope your open house goes well.
Have a good week; Happy Reading.
May 4, 2016
Thanks Martha!
On the TV front, I only watch NCIS LA… love Deeks and Callan.