It’s been a fruitful week, book blogging-wise for me. I also got a fair bit of reading done. No evening commitments meant my nights were pretty much clear to tear through a few books AND I’ve almost caught up on my reviewing.
What I read
I finished Season of Shadow and Light by Australian author Jenn J McLeod before diving into David Baldacci’s Memory Man. Which I loved. He introduces a new lead character and I might have confessed (in my review and on social media) that I have a bit of a crush on Amos Decker—the memory man himself.
As planned I also read We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach. I haven’t put my thoughts down yet, but enjoyed the YA end-of-the-world novel more than I expected. And finally I got stuck into Nicci French’s Friday on my Mind. Longer term readers may recall my lack of love for series protagonist Dr Frieda Klein, but thankfully we see a slightly less-prickly side of her in this (late June) release.
What I wrote
I published my review of Hidden by Emma Kavanagh—a book I’d read a few months ago; along with my reviews of Season of Shadow and Light and Memory Man. In addition I shared my thoughts on a romance novel. Yes, a romance novel!!! And one which I really enjoyed.
In Only We Know, Australian author Victoria Purman drew me under her spell with her gorgeous writing which I found to be accessible and incredibly authentic. There’s a bit of swearing but it just added to the realism. (Plus I swear like a trooper!)
I also wrote about the challenges of making friends as an adult which is something I’ve had to do since moving over two years ago.
New arrivals
Some new books have appeared in the last few weeks in addition to those I’ve already mentioned or reviewed. Click on the cover pic below for more info about the book.
Via Hachette Australia
Via Harlequin MIRA
Via Bloomsbury
Via Simon & Schuster Australia
Via Random House UK (Transworld)
What I’m reading this week
It’s not something I’d usually read, but I think I’m going to tackle Polly Samson’s The Kindness next. And I’m going to TRY to read Hillary Clinton’s Hard Choices. I have started the latter but it’s very dense. And dry. And kinda dull. But I’m aiming to persevere as long as possible.
None of the other books on my ‘to be read’ pile are published until July, so I’m actually hoping for a couple of new arrivals.
Other stuff
A non-reading goal I have this week is to pitch some ideas for freelance articles to potential clients. There’s not much around my small hometown in the way of jobs, so I figure I just have to make my own way and perhaps focus on my oft-talked-about freelancing dream. I intend to (again) approach some local businesses about writing for their sites (online content, newsletters etc) AND pitch to some online sources. Of course I’ve said this before and am yet to do it—so wish me luck.
What’s on your agenda for the week?
I’m again joining Sheila’s “It’s Monday!” and Kimberly’s Sunday Post link-ups.
May 3, 2015
Happy to know you enjoyed Victoria Purman’s book, I have come to really enjoy her writing. Haven’t read Tricia Stringer but want to try her out.
May 3, 2015
I’ll definitely have to seek out some more of Purman’s books given that I liked her writing so much!
May 3, 2015
A great way to share what you’ve received, even if you can’t read them all! Looks to me as if you have a busy week ahead!
May 3, 2015
I’m seriously struggling with Clinton’s Hard Choices. It’s all a bit ‘me me me’ which —given it’s autobiographical—is understandable, but she comes across as very ego centric. I noticed someone comment (in Goodreads) that it seemed she felt world leaders were lucky to be in her company. And it’s definitely about them meeting her, not her meeting them.
May 5, 2015
That is a really interesting observation Deb! I haven’t read the book but I have always had mixed feelings about Hilary.
May 5, 2015
I’m pretty disengaged from US politics so had no strong feelings either way but perhaps I should have started with something less tedious!
May 3, 2015
Just finished “If She Did It’. I liked it. I’m about to read Claiming Noah now. Keep those suggestions coming Deb. I also read How Not to Write a Novel this weekend. It was hilarious and enlightening for all the writers out there 🙂
May 3, 2015
I just left a comment on someone’s blog saying that I’m yet to pick up the novel I started in November last year – for NaNoWriMo. I got the 50,000 words done in November but that’s it. And then I’ve got 30,000 words done on a YA novel from a half a dozen years ago… So perhaps I DON’T need ‘How Not to Write a Novel’. Though presumably there’s some reverse-psychology at play!!!
May 3, 2015
Good vibrations sent your way for your free-lance articles 🙂 I’ve never read Nicci French novels yet but I’ve heard so much about their writing skills that I should try. One of my friends absolutely adores Philip Kerr. Well, enjoy your books and fingers crossed 😉
May 3, 2015
I’ve not read Philip Kerr before so not sure what to expect. I liked a lot of early Nicci French novels but haven’t like their current series as much I’m afraid, though I liked this latest more than others. I think one of their earlier ones in the series was a DNF for me. I’d borrowed it from the library and couldn’t be bothered continuing with it…
And thanks for the good vibrations!
May 3, 2015
I’ll start with the older ones, then – and you’re welcome 🙂
May 3, 2015
Glad it was a good week! I liked your post on friendship- can relat to that (as many introverts probably can)
Hope your week ahead is a good one!
May 3, 2015
Thanks Greg.
May 3, 2015
Too bad Clinton’s autobiography is kind of dull and very dry, Deborah. I have always found her to be quite interesting, but I’m not a fan of biographies at all… they definitely do tend to be too ego-centric for my liking.
The Lady from Zagreb looks very interesting, and I think I’ll add that one to my own, very long list of books to read.
Have a wonderful week ahead, happy reading.
May 3, 2015
I was once more interested in foreign affairs so thought her writing about her experiences as Secretary of State might be entertaining…. but not so far!
May 3, 2015
Best of luck to you on your freelance writing goal. I would love to write articles myself for some extra cash. I hope all goes well with that! Have a great week.
May 3, 2015
Thanks Daphne. I’m not feeling terribly confident, but I guess I need to try rather than wonder….
May 3, 2015
I love when I have an easy week where I can really just read and catch up on reviews. I really would like to get to the Hillary Clinton book at some point. I will be interested to see what you think. Have a wonderful week!
May 4, 2015
I think I expected it to be a bit broader and include a bit more about life outside of her work etc…
May 3, 2015
Victoria Purman sounds like an author that I would enjoy. Best wishes on your Freelance writing. Have a great week.
May 4, 2015
Yes Cindy, I’m keen to read more of her work now that I’ve found her.
May 4, 2015
End of the world novels depress me! Maybe if you listened to Hilary’s book it would be easier. But, I can see where it would be dry.
May 4, 2015
I have to admit I was at a book blogging thing about a year ago and listening to all of these people talk about dystopian fiction and had to ask what it was…. We All Looked Up doesn’t fit into that genre but I rarely want to read about an impending apocalypse. There’s already too much crappy stuff to plague my obsessive mind!
May 4, 2015
I am “off” Nicci French these days, also, but The Lady from Zagreb seems interesting, if only for the title. When do we ever see Croatia in a book? I wonder if it’s the setting?
Here’s my post, and I also have a giveaway right now.
Have a good week!
May 4, 2015
I enjoyed early Nicci French stuff more than their latest most definitely. I actually thought they were going to kill Frieda off for a while in this novel and was quite hopeful….
May 4, 2015
I enjoy finding different titles over here at your blog 🙂 I think I would like to see if I can obtain some of your Australian authors over here– doesn’t always happen in U.S. I would like to read Heart of the Country! I also read and enjoyed Memory Man greatly– yep, I like Amos too, reminded me of Milo Sturgis from Jonathan Kellerman’s long-running series.
May 4, 2015
Or even a cross between Milo and Alex given his amazing mind! Funnily enough I struggle to visualise him even though we have the description of his height and weight etc. That seemed kinda irrelevant in my crush!
May 4, 2015
Good luck on the job front. The publisher is sending me an audio of Memory Man and I am excited, so many bloggers I follow are loving it! Have a wonderful week!
May 4, 2015
Oh yes, I really enjoyed it! And thanks for the good wishes!
May 4, 2015
I have added Friday on My Mind to my wishlist….but sadly, I can’t even pre-order it here…not available yet. That was the case with the other books in the series, too, so I guess I’ll keep an eye out.
Thanks for sharing your lovely books, and enjoy! And thanks for visiting my blog.
May 4, 2015
Thanks Laurel!
May 4, 2015
Good luck with the writing pitches, I hope one of them works out. And well done for being brave enough to set the ball rollling, if you don’t try you’ll never know. I really want to read David Baldacci’s new book soon as I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Have a great week 🙂
May 4, 2015
I know Trish… I hate the idea of living with regret, but tend to struggle to put myself out there!
May 4, 2015
Good luck on the job situation.
The Nikki French book looks good. Have a great week!
May 4, 2015
Thanks Yvonne. The area in which I live has a very high jobless rate. There’s really nothing similar to what I used to do, but that’s okay as I moved with the plan to improve my work/life balance etc. My old life was really all about work, paying off my mortgage etc. I’m debt-free in my new life and mostly stress-free but the financial side of things is of course the flip-side to that!
May 4, 2015
Good luck with your freelancing plans, Deborah. Good for you taking action. It sounds like you read some good books this week. I hope this next week is great, too.
May 4, 2015
Thanks very much Jan.
May 4, 2015
I’m crossing my fingers for your free lance writing:)
That’s a lot of books there. Most are new to me and I love that about these memes. I’m always finding new authors to follow:)
My Sunday Post – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/05/03/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-107-and-the-sunday-post/
May 4, 2015
Three books a week seem to be my norm. I’ll occasionally read something in one sitting but I need to take a night off here and there to catch up on my reviewing. And then there’s usually something on which distracts me. (And I tend to only read at night, even when I’m not working or only working part-time!)
May 4, 2015
I had a scary moment last week. I thought I’d lost my love of reading. I was going to bed and only getting through a couple of pages (half-heartedly, mind you) then falling asleep. I’ve loved reading ever since I could and it would be like losing an old friend in a horrific car crash to lose my love. After a lot of soul searching I decided that it might be the book I’m reading rather than the reading itself. Ditched the book and started another from an author who I love and it’s all good again. Disaster averted.
May 4, 2015
Ah yes… I used to persist with books no matter what. Until several years ago I found myself not wanting to pick up a book (at night in the bath after work). I realised it was the book itself and decided to ditch it. It was one of the first times I’d ‘allowed’ myself to ‘give up’ and it was a good lesson. I’ll usually give something 100 or so pages but… life’s too short and there are too many other (addictive) books out there!
May 4, 2015
Read your review of Memory Man and can’t wait to get to it. Wishing you success on the free-lance writing. Little Black Lies has me intrigued. Have a great week.
May 4, 2015
Am keen to read Little Black Lies as well. Will try to resist until closer to publication date though. Damn! Cos I’m all about instant gratification!!!
May 4, 2015
Deb, I am amazed at how many books you read 🙂 Good on you!
May 4, 2015
Ha! That’s cos I have no life. Plus I read quickly!
May 4, 2015
I hope youre smiling a bit more by now.
<3 <3 <3
May 5, 2015
Not really, but the love ‘note’ from Tornado you received helped…
May 4, 2015
Great week for you. I read Thursday’s Children and wondered if Frieda had a heart lol. Seriously good luck pitching get to it girl!! Let me know when you’re next in Brissie, would love to catch up.
May 5, 2015
I know. I want to pitch something to our local paper but am at a complete loss…
As for Thursday’s Children – I completely agree; and Brissie – most definitely!
May 4, 2015
Glad to hear you enjoyed We All Looked Up, it was a really philosophical read. I hope you have a great week ahead!
May 5, 2015
You’ve reminded me I need to review it Jeann – it was an interesting little microcosm of society, wasn’t it?
May 5, 2015
Good luck with getting some work. I would like to read Friday on my Mind but I have to read Thursday’s Child first.
Have a great week!
May 5, 2015
Hmmm… I think I’d give Thursday’s Child a miss if I was you. I don’t think it’ll impact on the next novel. (It featured Frieda’s former boyfriend who I couldn’t even remember her having!)
May 5, 2015
Sounds like you are you having a good week. I am curious to hear you thought on the Hillary Clinton book, I am sure it will be interesting once you get past the dry parts.
May 5, 2015
Heidi I have to admit I’m a little worried the whole thing will be dry…. Will let you know!
May 5, 2015
Hope your freelancing idea works out for you!
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
May 5, 2015
Thanks Deb.
May 6, 2015
Your webiste header is hilarious. 😀 I’ve heard only good things about We All Looked Up – I think I’m going to try it! 🙂 Good luck with finding work and approaching businesses – I’m sure it’s scary, but they can’t say more than no, and hopefully you’ll find something great! 🙂
May 6, 2015
Very true Vlora and I tend to expect ‘no’ so it’s not like I’ll be devastated if that’s the result!
Deb