It’s Monday. What am I reading?
It’s Monday yet again… so I’m sharing this week in reading and linking up with Sheila from Book Journey (who’s actually here in Australia. Somewhere.)
Read last week
As planned I read Australian romantic suspense author Bronwyn Parry’s new release, Storm Clouds (link to the review below).
I also read How to Build a Friend, which I didn’t find entirely satisfying (though I still gave it 3 stars in Goodreads).
And I skipped over The Rosie Project & Effect by Graeme Simsion, because Hush by Karen Robards arrived in my post box!
On the blog
I confessed to skipping the first exercise class I was due to attend and wondered if I’d lost my exercise mojo. Ummm… oops.
As everyone else was selecting their ‘word of the year’ I asked if I was the only person (well, blogger) in the universe not to do so?
I shared my review of Storm Clouds – a book I enjoyed with a good balance between the romance and suspense genres.
And finally I posted my review of Karen Robards’ Hush – a book I read in a sitting, but my post does include a little rant about oft-mentioned erections and sex scenes. 😉
Other stuff
Despite skipping my first exercise class for the year I contacted the trainer and booked myself in for a personal-training assessment appointment, which I followed up with my first circuit class of the year.
I’ve also had the opportunity to catch up with two separate friends (and families) from my pre-seachange life who’ve been visiting on holidays – which has been nice.
And finally I’ve just finished season 1 of Orphan Black. I have season 2 so expect it will be done and dusted by next Monday’s post.
Reading this week
I’m planning on reading Kate Riordan’s The Girl in the Photograph which is described as haunting and atmospheric.
I’m also aiming to read The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect this week before we return them to their rightful owner.
And that’s about it. I hope to get to a new book by SJ Watson, but as usual I’m forcing myself to read in order of publication date – as opposed to eagerness! 😉
What’s on your reading / life agenda this week?
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Pinky Poinker
January 11, 2015Good on you for that circuit class. I too am back on the treadmill. I read Helen Fielding’s and Marian Keyes’ latest books and loved them. I love their British/Irish wit. I read the Rosie Project and got a bit sick of it towards the end. My sister and mother however, LOVED it.
Debbish
January 11, 2015I hear good things about The Rosie Project. The Rosie Effect doesn’t seem quite as popular, but I guess it’s hard to measure up if expectations are high!
laurelrainsnow
January 11, 2015I hope you enjoy The Rosie Project…while I liked The Rosie Effect, too, it wasn’t as good as the first book, IMO.
I love the look of The Girl in the Photograph. And Hush looks tempting, too. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Debbish
January 11, 2015No worries. Hush was enjoyable and I’m looking forward to Girl in the Photograph!
thebookdate
January 11, 2015Okay so if you can post early – I can comment early!! The best quote over on the other post that I like is “you’ve got to want it more than you’re afraid of it”. So true. Anyway I think my word this year is going to be “savour”, mostly to remind me to stop and taste and enjoy everything.
I have put Storm Clouds on my TBR, like the sound of it. I love Suzanne Brockmann! Well I should say I love her writing! I am listening to the audio of The Rosie Effect, it isn’t as good as the first one, but still okay. The audio for both is excellent.
Debbish
January 11, 2015Same re Suzanne Brockmann. I follow her on FB and I was just thinking how much I like her mix of characters. Not only does she casually include gay characters but one of the love interests was (from memory) a curvy woman who was a bit self-conscious about it. And of course she’s another who links characters from one book to the next / others in some way!
Michael @ Literary Exploration
January 12, 2015The Girl in the Photograph looks like an interesting book, I’d be curious to see what you think
Debbish
January 12, 2015I’m enjoying it so far Michael – not sure why I’m surprised other than the fact it’s historical fiction (not something I usually read). It’s set in two timeframes and I assumed one would be ‘now’ but it isn’t… but like I said, I’m enjoying it!
Greg
January 12, 2015Exercise? Oh yeah, that thing… I need to get back on the program. New year and all that… 🙂 I have not been reading a lot, but hopefully I’ll like my current read. Rosie Project I’ve heard good about (as so many have)… have to say I am curious about it.
Debbish
January 12, 2015Yes, I really must get to it. I’ve been a bit #meh about it but not sure why!!!
Deb
Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
January 12, 2015I attend a pool class 3x a week and we often discuss whether it is okay to bring wine for floating after class in the warm, warm water. LOL Definitely will be reading Hush. And no, you are not the only one not to pick a word for the year.
Debbish
January 12, 2015Oh, I like that idea – a wine (and whine perhaps!!!) at the end of the class!
Char
January 12, 2015I’d say that your exercise mojo was just temporarily misplaced. Well done on finding it.
Debbish
January 12, 2015Thanks Char. I really struggled in that first class back though. It’s made me a bit reticent about attending this week’s but I think I should be okay to get there. Plus I have my first actual PT session!
thenovellife1
January 12, 2015sounds like you had a busy week of reading! the cover of the kate riordan looks really good! hope you enjoy your week!
Debbish
January 12, 2015Thanks Stacy!
Maree
January 12, 2015Oooh The Girl in the Photograph looks interesting. Happy reading!
Debbish
January 12, 2015Thanks Maree.
CARLA
January 12, 2015Ive been so so so SLOW with my reading (damn unpacking!) so Im living vicariously 🙂
Debbish
January 12, 2015Nothing worse than unpacking Carla. (Well, other than packing!)
readerbuzz
January 12, 2015There is probably one other person who didn’t select a word for the year. Lol.
Have a great week!
“Play”
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
Debbish
January 13, 2015Thanks Deb! You too!
yvonne473
January 12, 2015The Karen Robards book looks really good. Have a great week!
Debbish
January 13, 2015I was worried my comment about skimming over the sex scenes would make people think I didn’t like it or turn people off but (on FB etc) most people have said… “Yeah I do that too!”
Deb
Teddyree
January 12, 2015I enjoyed your review of Storm Clouds, haven’t read anything by Bronwyn Parry yet but I’ve been meaning to and doing the Aussie Author challenges the last few years I’ve really expanded my Australian author library. YAY you on your circuit class … just thinking about it makes me want to throw up lol but pool and champagne now that’s another story 🙂
Debbish
January 13, 2015I enjoyed Parry’s novel and I’m going to be interviewing her and keen to ask some questions about the whole romance / suspense thing. My #mehness about romance interests me and she’s doing a PhD on romance in writing (or something more specific!) and so I wonder if others feel the same as me… As I said though, I think she had a good balance in the novel. Of course I review Karen Robards’ novel (Hush) and it was strongly skewed in favour of the romance side of things, yet I still enjoyed that…
Erin @ Quixotic Magpie
January 13, 2015The Girl in the Photograph looks really good! I love books like that.
I also did not pick a word of the year. I actually had not heard of it until just now. I will have to think about it. 🙂
Debbish
January 13, 2015I used to have a diet blog Erin (Diet Schmiet) and followed a lot of (US) health and fitness, wellness and self-acceptance type blogs and the WOTY thing was really big among that crowd a few years ago. It’s reached our shores here in Oz now! (Usually takes a while…) 😉
Catherine @ Book Club Librarian
January 13, 2015The Girl in the Photograph sounds intriguing. I can relate to the exercise thing…I need to get back to the gym…I haven’t been there since October.
Debbish
January 13, 2015I only restarted at the gym a month or so before Christmas Catherine and just felt myself improving a little, when I had the break. I’ve been back twice now (just got home from session two) and hope I start to find it a little easier each week!
(PS. I’ve put on about 25kg since my seachange 2 years ago so REALLY need to do something about my weight / fitness!)
Leeswammes
January 13, 2015Very good of you to get back to exercising! I’m not doing anything like that at the moment, but used to enjoy the circuit training (without an instructor – it was a permanent circuit in a corner of the gym).
Have a good week! The Rosie Project is good fun!
Debbish
January 13, 2015Thanks! I’m a circuit training fan as well, though need some impetus to get there – like a class / start time etc.
Deb
Melinda
January 13, 2015“The Girl in the Photograph” sounds interesting. I haven’t read anything by Kate Riordan and this might be a good place to start.
Debbish
January 13, 2015Yes, I’m really enjoying it so far!
Deb
Silver's Reviews
January 13, 2015Looks like a wonderful week for you.
I chose a word last week, but now forget what I picked. LOL!!
The Girl in the Photograph looks good to me.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
Debbish
January 13, 2015Oh Elizabeth… your word must have been memorable!
And yes, so far so good re The Girl in the Photograph!
Deb
Susan Whelan
January 13, 2015I really need to start some sort of exercise plan this year. I’m sure I’ll be saying the same thing at the beginning of next year. :-/
I loved the The Rosie Project and enjoyed The Rosie Effect. It’s worth going to hear Graeme Simsion talk about the books if you get the chance. I’ve attended author events at local libraries after the release of both books and he was quite fascinating to listen to.
Debbish
January 13, 2015We don’t get too many authors up my way Susan (Fraser Coast in Queensland) though our local Mary Ryan’s store has brought a few in the last few months. It was something I didn’t appreciate enough when I lived in Brisbane!
Deb
Lindsey
January 13, 2015Good for you for getting back into an exercise routine! I should really get started with that…as soon as my legs recover from walking a million miles a day at Disney World! 🙂
I will be interested to hear what you think about The Rosie Effect and the new SJ Watson book.
Debbish
January 13, 2015I’m excited about the SJ Watson book, but it’s not out until Feb or later, so I’m not allowed to read it until I get through other stuff! *sob*
The walking around Disney World would have been great – incidental exercise ‘n’ all that!
Tash
January 13, 2015Debbie , you need to make some time for The Rosie Project. I adored that book . the author one of those rare male authors who can write a funny book about love.
Debbish
January 13, 2015Ah yes, it’s next on my list. I promise! 🙂
Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
January 13, 2015The Girl in the Photograph sounds really good. Enjoy your week!
Debbish
January 13, 2015Thanks Jen. I hope to finish the book in a day or two. I’m only about a third through it so hope it sustains my interest!
MarthaE
January 13, 2015I didn’t know we were supposed to pick a word for the new year… I picked up ’embrace’ during my treatments last year and I’m sticking with it! Storm Clouds sounds good from your review. I like Robards but haven’t read her in a few years. I have a few of her books on my shelves. I hope you enjoy your exercise plan.
Jess
January 15, 2015That gym you do your sessions in actually looks really nice! Good on you. I have to find your Hush review, sounds hilarious.
On a random note for some reason I am stuck logged in on my wordpress account as jessicadub instead of jess@thefitspirit. Didn’t want you to think I had stopped reading because I am technologically impaired. 🙂
Debbish
January 16, 2015Hi Jess and yes the gym is unusual. It’s actually a yoga studio and the partner of the instructor has set up his personal training business there. It’s opposite the beach and doesn’t feel very gym-like, which I like!
Deb