Monday check-in

Monday, March 2, 2015 Permalink

It’s Monday so time again to link up with Sheila from Book Journey for my weekly reading check in; as well as an opportunity to share other exciting happenings in my world.

Umm….. *Insert awkward pause here.* The end.

Joking. Kinda. I have to admit I fell into a bit of a slump after finishing up work just over a week ago. In retrospect I should have decided to take a break for a week; instead I achieved little and felt guilty as a result. And wallowed even more. Rinse repeat. The week ended on a high however as I was practically bed-ridden with an ear infection.

Books I read

I  started the week by reading Claiming Noah,  a debut novel from Australian author Amanda Ortlepp; followed by If She Did It  by Jessica Treadway. The latter really hooked me in and I read it in a sitting. The ‘she’ referred to in the book’s title is the narrator’s / main character’s daughter.

If She Did It cover

I ended the week by reading Disclaimer  by Renee Knight which has been sitting on my NetGalley shelf for months. In fact, it’d expired in my reader but fortunately I’d downloaded it to Kindle as well! It’s an interesting read about a woman who finds a book outlining a part of her life she’s kept from everyone. It’s due to be released in April, so I’ll publish my thoughts in coming weeks.

Disclaimer by Renee Knight

What I wrote

I shared my review of Ortlepp’s Claiming Noah  which is about the very sensitive subject of fertility and embryo donation and adoption. It’s fiction however and centred around two couples and a missing child.

claiming-noah-9781925030600_hr

I also posted my review of Sandra Brown’s re-release Breath of a Scandal  in Goodreads, even earning myself a promotional retweet from the queen herself. Or, you know… someone who looks after her social media account!

Because I was struggling a little with motivation and worried about my lack of non-book-related writing I put together one of those ‘fill in the answers’ posts, taking stock.

And finally just yesterday, in a foggy blur, I shared a tongue-in-cheek post taking the piss mickey out of myself called Diary of a whimpy adult with an ear infection.

Other stuff

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock—or skim-read the rest of this post—you may not know I’ve been suffering from an ear infection for the past 4-5 days. Reading’s been impossible as has…. well, just existing.

I was plagued by ear infections in the mid-late 90s and early 2000s when I flew a lot, but haven’t had one in ages. This one appeared from almost nowhere and has either been incredibly painful or I’d forgotten how bad they could get. Opening my mouth and eating have been problems. Naturally I came to my mother’s so I had someone to whinge to. The wretched thing is hanging around WAY longer than expected but I’m sure it’ll disappear any day now.

In more pleasant news, here in Oz we’re finally seeing the return of many of our fave TV shows this week, along with some newies. I’m trying to work out how I’ll balance Castle, Criminal Minds and The Mentalist with How To Get Away With Murder and Empire… but figure if I can survive the great-and-powerful-ear-infection-of-2015 I can survive too-many-TV-viewing-options! #firstworldproblems

Reading this week

My to-be-read (TBR) shelf includes a few books being published in April. I think I’ll start with Lisa Genova’s Inside the O’Brien’s,  in which Genova turns her considerable talents to the topic of Huntington’s Disease.

Inside the O'Briens

And then I’m keen to read Nora Roberts’ The Liar. I don’t read a lot of Roberts’ work which often lean more towards the romance side of romantic suspense, but I generally enjoy those I do read (and of course I’m a JD Robb addict!).

The Liar by Nora roberts

I like to think there’ll be more, but at the moment I’m still grappling with an exploding head and earache, so I’ll need to wait until that’s gone before I further ponder the upcoming week.

What’s on your agenda for this week?

28 Comments
  • Elizabeth
    March 2, 2015

    I like the Nora Roberts stand alone books. They’re much meatier than her trilogies or romances. Are enjoying Empire? I love it!

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      I’m the same Elizabeth. I remember reading part of a Roberts Trilogy about witches on an island (or something) years ago and it didn’t do a lot for me. I ‘think’ this one is a stand alone book but must confess I’m not entirely sure.

      I haven’t seen Empire yet. I was unwell so in bed when it aired Sunday night. I’m hoping to watch it in coming days though!

  • thebookdate
    March 2, 2015

    I always love reading your post on Monday, and chuckle at your thoughts, what are you writing? Hope that earache improves, I assume you are on antibiotics for it. Ouch, no fun. I am looking forward to NR The Liar when it is published and hopefully I’ll be able to listen to it on audio.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Hey Kathryn and yes I was on antibiotics but after seeing the doctor and being referred to a Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon I discovered my ear had swelled so much the infection was trapped inside. The surgeon’s done something so now it should finally improve!!!

  • MarthaE
    March 2, 2015

    So sorry you have been suffering all week. I do hope it will get better soon. I haven’t read Nora Roberts in a while but I keep enjoying the In Death series and I have a long way to go. 🙂
    I hope you get to enjoy your reading this week.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Thanks Martha. I know I’ve mentioned (quite a few times) I enjoy the In Death series as well. They’re my comfort read. I can’t believe she’s just clocked up no. 40. I saw something on the FB page the other day about the next one due out later in the year!!!

      Deb

  • Greg
    March 2, 2015

    It’s been a weird week. On the plus side, it’s March now. 🙂 Both books you read look interesting, and thought provoking too.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      I cannot believe it’s March Greg. How on earth did that happen I ask myself?!

      Deb

  • Teddyree
    March 2, 2015

    Sounds like a few of us are in need of cocktails or something … (well better option than my dad’s sympathetic words … if you’re a horse we’d have shot you lol) Seriously though, hope that ear infection takes a hike and you can get back to living!
    Just read your excellent review of Claiming Noah, now I’m even more bummed that my copy didn’t arrive, might have to email and see if they have another copy to send. I’ve also been down the IVF road.
    I did however get Inside the O’Brien’s, when I was nursing the father of one of my friends was diagnosed with Huntingtons and sadly testing was not a good news outcome … Is that a new Nora Roberts??

    PS thanks for the laugh … your writing seriously tickles my warped sense of humour, either that or I need to lay off the pain meds 😀

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Yes Teddyree that’s a new Nora Roberts…. Out in April.

      Thanks for the comments re Claiming Noah. Definitely get a copy if you can! If you have hassles let me know and I can send you mine. 🙂

      Deb

  • CARLA
    March 2, 2015

    it is TIME FOR ME TO FIND A NEW BOOK (finished mine last night…didnt love this one) so I come here immediately 🙂

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Good to hear Carla… though sadly I do tend to stick to genres I like. No romance or sci fi/ dystopian fantasy stuff….

  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    March 2, 2015

    I know what Carla means Deb. You rock with your book reviews. You have a taste similar to me but not exactly the same. It’s hard to find a book reviewer who marries up with your own personal choices.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Absolutely. I read a lot of Monday posts by other book bloggers and bookmark (!!!!) any who seem to read similar books. Most have broader tastes however!

  • Brona
    March 2, 2015

    Wow for someone in a slump and unwell, you managed to get a lot of reading/blogging stuff done still!!

    I used to get bad ear infections when I was teaching, so I sympathise completely. Rest and fell better soon 🙂

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Ah yes, the writing about wallowing posts served me well last week – but did keep the blog writing ticking over. I just haven’t really been in the mood to write ‘other’ stuff of late. Not sure what that’s about!

      And thanks!
      Deb

  • Topazshell
    March 2, 2015

    Didn’t know about The Liar by Nora Roberts. I’m reading Still Alice. That’s by Lisa Genova. I hope to read the review of the book you’re reading by Genova.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Thanks! Hope you enjoy Still Alice. I read it a very long time ago. My mother recently saw the movie and wasn’t sure how she would go as my father suffered dementia. She thought it might be too (too) sad, but she said she wasn’t – which was good.

      Deb

  • Char
    March 3, 2015

    I’m hoping that your Facebook update is all good news re your ear today. It’s been a really nasty bout.

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Yes. Started as your typical exterior ear infection (which are painful) but then my infection got trapped as my ear (and cartilage swelled up). There was no ‘hole’ in my ear – which I knew as I could feel it. Anyway – that all made it a bit worse and extended the problem for longer. But… post surgeon visit it’s already feeling less painful!

  • Melinda
    March 3, 2015

    “If She Did” sounds fascinating…I’m going to have to look that one up!

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Yes…. and you’ve reminded me I must get the review done!

  • laurelrainsnow
    March 3, 2015

    So many tempting books here! If She Did It is going on my list…and I also want to read Inside the O’Briens. The Liar is another one, and you are right, we do like a lot of the same books. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.

  • Jen G. (The Introverted Reader)
    March 3, 2015

    I got ear infections well into my teens but I haven’t had one since. *knocking frantically on wood* I hope it stays that way. I hope yours clears up soon! We’ve been stuck trying to choose between watching Shield and Face Off on Tuesdays at 9. It was all perfect last year and then Shield had to move its time. We just catch one of them later On Demand on cable but our cable company is only reliable in that it’s probably going to give us access to every episode except the ones we miss. Oh well. Enjoy your week!

    • Debbish
      March 3, 2015

      Isn’t it always the way, that everything is on at once?! I mean I know networks do it so their best shows out-rate those of other networks but still….

      Deb

  • Jess
    March 4, 2015

    I hope your ear clears up soon, ear infections are the worst. I seem to be prone to them.

    We have been having what I call spewmagheddon, the kids are all taking turns being sick, just as I think we are finally done it starts again. Haha.

    Claimimg Noah sounds really interesting!

    • Debbish
      March 5, 2015

      Oh no – hope the girls are all on the improve. My ear isn’t painful now but still blocked which is rather disconcerting as you’d know.

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