Weekly check-in
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.
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.
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Kathryn@Book Date
May 3, 2015Happy 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.
Debbish
May 3, 2015I’ll definitely have to seek out some more of Purman’s books given that I liked her writing so much!
writenote1
May 3, 2015A 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!
Debbish
May 3, 2015I’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.
Jess
May 5, 2015That is a really interesting observation Deb! I haven’t read the book but I have always had mixed feelings about Hilary.
Debbish
May 5, 2015I’m pretty disengaged from US politics so had no strong feelings either way but perhaps I should have started with something less tedious!
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
May 3, 2015Just 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 🙂
Debbish
May 3, 2015I 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!!!
Red Iza
May 3, 2015Good 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 😉
Debbish
May 3, 2015I’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!
Red Iza
May 3, 2015I’ll start with the older ones, then – and you’re welcome 🙂
Greg
May 3, 2015Glad 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!
Debbish
May 3, 2015Thanks Greg.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
May 3, 2015Too 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.
Debbish
May 3, 2015I 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!
Daphne
May 3, 2015Best 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.
Debbish
May 3, 2015Thanks Daphne. I’m not feeling terribly confident, but I guess I need to try rather than wonder….
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
May 3, 2015I 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!
Debbish
May 4, 2015I think I expected it to be a bit broader and include a bit more about life outside of her work etc…
Cindy
May 3, 2015Victoria Purman sounds like an author that I would enjoy. Best wishes on your Freelance writing. Have a great week.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Yes Cindy, I’m keen to read more of her work now that I’ve found her.
fangswandsfairy
May 4, 2015End 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015I 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!
Elizabeth
May 4, 2015I 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!
Debbish
May 4, 2015I 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….
Rita @ View From My Home
May 4, 2015I 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Or 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!
kimbacaffeinate
May 4, 2015Good 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!
Debbish
May 4, 2015Oh yes, I really enjoyed it! And thanks for the good wishes!
laurelrainsnow
May 4, 2015I 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Thanks Laurel!
Trish @ Between My Lines
May 4, 2015Good 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 🙂
Debbish
May 4, 2015I know Trish… I hate the idea of living with regret, but tend to struggle to put myself out there!
yvonne473
May 4, 2015Good luck on the job situation.
The Nikki French book looks good. Have a great week!
Debbish
May 4, 2015Thanks 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!
Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic
May 4, 2015Good 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Thanks very much Jan.
Laura Thomas
May 4, 2015I’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/
Debbish
May 4, 2015Three 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!)
Char
May 4, 2015I 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Ah 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!
Nise' (Under the Boardwalk)
May 4, 2015Read 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.
Debbish
May 4, 2015Am 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!!!
Liz Nelson
May 4, 2015Deb, I am amazed at how many books you read 🙂 Good on you!
Debbish
May 4, 2015Ha! That’s cos I have no life. Plus I read quickly!
CARLA
May 4, 2015I hope youre smiling a bit more by now.
<3 <3 <3
Debbish
May 5, 2015Not really, but the love ‘note’ from Tornado you received helped…
Teddyree
May 4, 2015Great 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.
Debbish
May 5, 2015I 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!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
May 4, 2015Glad to hear you enjoyed We All Looked Up, it was a really philosophical read. I hope you have a great week ahead!
Debbish
May 5, 2015You’ve reminded me I need to review it Jeann – it was an interesting little microcosm of society, wasn’t it?
shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
May 5, 2015Good 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!
Debbish
May 5, 2015Hmmm… 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!)
Heidi
May 5, 2015Sounds 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.
Debbish
May 5, 2015Heidi I have to admit I’m a little worried the whole thing will be dry…. Will let you know!
readerbuzz
May 5, 2015Hope your freelancing idea works out for you!
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
Debbish
May 5, 2015Thanks Deb.
Vlora
May 6, 2015Your 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! 🙂
Debbish
May 6, 2015Very true Vlora and I tend to expect ‘no’ so it’s not like I’ll be devastated if that’s the result!
Deb