It only seems like yesterday I was writing my last weekly reading check-in… commenting that it only seemed like yesterday I was writing my last weekly reading check-in. Rinse repeat. It reminds me of the Superman movie in which Christopher Reeve flew around the earth quickly in order to reverse time so he could save Lois from the earthquake. I’m pretty sure (the much cuter) Henry Cavill is doing the same. Just in fast-forward. Ahem… anyhoo…
What I read
It was a very slow reading week for me as my evening ‘bath & book’ time had to give way to other stuff, like work and writing so I only got through two and a bit books.
Tony Cavanaugh’s’ Kingdom of the Strong is the fourth in a series but I didn’t struggle at all, having read none of its predecessors. And—more importantly—I adored his lead characters and can’t wait to catch up on others in the series.
I also read Peter Robinson’s No Cure for Love, which was a re-issue of his 1995 book. I enjoyed it and questioned the source of my frustration when I discovered I was reading something ‘old’ when I had a stack of books-soon-to-be-published sitting on my desk.
And finally I ended the week by starting Michael Robotham’s Close Your Eyes. I’m almost finished and undoubtedly will post my review of that in the next week or two.
What I wrote
It felt like I achieved little, but as I’m writing this I realise I was surprisingly productive! (Which is always a good thing!)
All of the posts on my blog were book-related. My mind was preoccupied with other stuff so there was no chance for rumination and no opportunity for me to share (with you) the meaning of life. Etcetera.
I posted my review of Linwood Barclay’s Broken Promise—the first in a new series, which I loved. As I mentioned earlier, I also enjoyed Aussie author Tony Cavanaugh’s Kingdom of the Strong.
And (scraping in) earlier today I posted my review of Mary Kubica’s Pretty Baby.
And finally, I reviewed No Cure for Love in Goodreads.
In my local (FraserCoasting) blog I wrote about a local bookstore which I love. I’m a big fan of bookstores which help create communities and promote a love of reading and Mary Ryan’s Hervey Bay does just that.
It was also time for my monthly post over at popular Aussie blog, Styling You… check out my favourite books of the month, if you get a chance cos it hasn’t garnered much interest this month! (I’ve even included a book about the birds and bees. #metaphorically)
What I did
I worked a bit. There were my usual few hours at my project management gig and then I filled in for three days at the new admin job, did my usual half a day and a day or two of work (transcribing) at home.
It was strange having my days tied up again. I was reminded though how productive you can be when you make an effort. By the end of the week I was getting up early enough to do one hour of blog-related type work before heading in the office and then after work I’d take a short break before heading back to my desk (in lieu or television and reading). I felt a tad stressed part-way through the week but survived it and will undoubtedly be bored again before long.
What I plan to read
My TBR pile is massive and menacing. We had a couple of earthquakes here yesterday (a rarity) and it remained intact. I’m sure it’s possessed by some evil spirit or similar.
Of course I also have 5-6 electronic books waiting on me as well. I really need to go through and sort them by their publication date cos I have NO idea where to start and what my deadlines may be!
You can see them above, but here are my new arrivals for the week.
I’d actually wanted to enter a manuscript development program which closes tomorrow but have run out of time, so I’m grumpy with myself and my lack of organisation. However I’m hoping to get my sh*t together a bit more this week and get on top of things.
Any of these reads interest you?
Are you more productive if you’re busy?
Linking up with Kimberley, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Sunday Post.
PS. I realise it’s ironic I don’t actually earn money for the reading / blogging I do here and yet I treat it like a job. I sometimes need to remember it’s just a passion! 😉
August 2, 2015
Glad yo hear you are enjoying your new jobs 🙂 of you huge pile of books I think my favorite is Maybe in Another Life. I heard it is great! looking forward to your review 🙂
August 2, 2015
Hmmm… I really need to work out what’s been published or when the others are due to be published as I think I’ve got a blog tour or two coming up.
And yes, the jobs are going well, though I’m not needed in the admin one again for a couple of weeks.
August 2, 2015
It’s funny when you say that you think of your reading/blogging as a job- I do the same with the blogging & spend most of the weekend scheduling stuff for the week ahead.
August 2, 2015
In reality (when I’m not working) I spend all day every day at my desk on bloggish stuff and feel guilty when I’m not doing it. God only knows what I do, but still…
August 2, 2015
Nice haul this week. I haven’t read a Grafton novel in a while, but I like her Murder by Letter series. Sounds like you had a nice week, even if time didn’t always go your way.
August 2, 2015
I’ve actually missed the last two Kimberley so can’t decide if I should try to read them first. Have to admit they’re comfort reads for me and I’d love to have enough time to binge-read the entire season back-to-back from scratch!
August 2, 2015
Oh you’ve an Adrian McKinty in your pile, ENVY I’ve just reviewed the first in “The Troubles” series, I loved it even though I thought I’d dislike the topic, what with being in London for the bombings and such. I’m not sure how I’d feel about starting the series part way through, huge back story there. Also you’ve X Kinsey Milhone series. I’m 10 th on the library waiting list for the audiobook, they don’t have the book itself. You may just have a book burglar one night! Well, maybe if I lived closer.
I’m thinking I might start reading books again, I just can’t always get what I want in audio. I stopped reading because of the cost, and I’d read out the library!
Hope you have a quieter week, I don’t know how you achieve so much!
August 2, 2015
Yes, I was just saying I think I’ve missed two letters in the Grafton series, which is a bit of a worry. I don’t think the book’s out til 1 Sept.
August 2, 2015
Sorry, wanted to add, I’m reading “the Invisible Woman” by Helen Walmsley Johnson, a real book I bought from Booktopia, it’s non fiction about older women, only part way through, but enjoying it
August 2, 2015
Keen to hear what you think of it Bec.
August 2, 2015
It’s nice that you were more productive than you realised last week, Deb! I think sometimes, this Sunday post where we reflect on our week is a great thing – as it makes us actually think about what we achieved.
I’m glad your new job is good, and that even if you were a little stressed in the middle of the week, things got back on track quickly.
I haven’t heard of any of your new books, but they look really good. Especially Gun Street Girl.
Have a fantastic and productive week ahead, and happy reading.
August 2, 2015
Very true Lexxie. I’d really only gotten 1-2 posts done all week, but then I remembered I’d done the guest post (which I take more care on) and had to write the interview post (re the local bookstore), so it was nice to see it in black and white (well… on screen!).
Deb
August 2, 2015
Yikes what a large pile of books, I am looking at the Tony Kavanaugh book, I think I need a male Australian author for a book challenge. It’s wonderful when you have a bookstore that really loves and promotes books. Love bookstores! When I go to a new place I always gravitate to them.
August 2, 2015
I didn’t make the most of author events when I lived in Brisbane. There are a couple of good bookstores there (Riverbend bookstore near where I used to live, at Bulimba; and Avid Reader at West End) which have heaps of events. It’s great to get some authors to our little part of the world! Very inspiring.
August 2, 2015
First, love the Superman reference! I often feel that way. I also think the busier you are the more organized you are. 20 years ago I had full and part time jobs and was working on my Master’s degree. My clothes were always washed, my house was clean and I had food and toilet paper. Fast forward to now I am retired and live like a pig!
Hope this week is more productive on the writing front.
August 2, 2015
Yep, I’m the same Elizabeth. I was more frazzled, but more productive fitting in my blogging and writing around a full day of work. Having said that I wouldn’t want to do it long term. Some happy medium would be nice!
August 2, 2015
I love the small local bookstores that have real character. It’s not close to me but my son now lives at Bulimba so I try to call in to Riverbend Books when I visit him. I’ve been to a few of their author events too. That book pile looks a tad daunting, I’m surprised it didn’t topple with the earthquakes lol. Dad’s at Tin Can Bay and he was shocked to feel quite a shake.
Like you I think of book reviewing more or less as a job, well it’s definitely a commitment and maybe I’m a bit obsessive compulsive lol. I just scared myself putting all the netgalley review book dates in schedule and I’m now kicking myself. And print books haven’t even arrived yet … duh. Glad the work is coming in, I’m sure you’ll get more and more organised 😉
August 3, 2015
Thanks Teddyree. I’ve pulled back on NetGalley requests lately because I’ve had so many hardcopies coming in. As you’d know… we receive the publishers’ listings months in advance so I never know what will arrive when (like the 6 books last week!) so I’ve been mostly reading hard copies.
Riverbend is a lovely bookstore and I went to a few author events there as well. (Also a couple of blogger meet-ups there!)
Deb
August 2, 2015
I tried to make the blog a business that was at least break even. It is as long as I don’t go to conventions and if I measure my costs against book prices. But then I do have to treat it like a job because the best way to get the reads I want to review is be professional about it. It’s a catch 22.
August 3, 2015
I’m the same. I feel an obligation to be professional and organised. I always email the publishers after I review a hardcopy book to let them know the blog post is live. I also try to stick to their requests not to review anything too long before publication date etc…
I do a paid post each month (the wrap-up I mention for Styling You – and it’s great to see a blogger pay guest-posters) but other than that I don’t earn any income from my blogging. I’d like to possibly pitch some reviews to other places but am still working on the courage to do that.
Deb
August 2, 2015
That’s quite the piles of books! I spy Maybe in Another Life – totally one of my favorites this year. I hope you enjoy it!
August 3, 2015
Oh good to hear Grace! I just re-read the blurb and see it’s got a bit of a Sliding Doors theme, so I’m looking forward to it!
August 2, 2015
X by Sue Grafton would be my first choice. Have read all her other books so this one is a must!
August 3, 2015
Oh… I’ve missed a couple and worried it’ll impact on my ability to enjoy this one. It’s not published until 1 Sept here so perhaps I’ll have time to read (V & W) before then…
Although, unless something major happened in those, I know all of the players, so guess it won’t be too much of a problem!
August 2, 2015
It sounds like you really had a fabulous week!!! And OMG, all those beautiful, touchable books!! *pets computer screen*. For all the writing you did, you really did read a lot – and worked! When did you sleep and eat? 😉
Have a great week NEXT week!
August 3, 2015
It’s funny as initially I almost only received eBooks via NetGalley for review and I missed hardcopies. I still prefer hardcopies to their ephemeral friends but… I use Bluefire Reader on my iPad and it allows me to make notes as I go and tag pages so that is kinda handy for reviewing.
August 3, 2015
I love having a productive week and it sounds like you had a busy one! I love your TBR pile! So many pretty books! I’m really wanting to catch back up on the Sue Grafton books. Actually what I want to do is go back to the beginning since it’s probably been close to 20 years since I read A but realistically when is that going to happen? Have a great week!
August 3, 2015
I have to say Katherine, I’ve started having this little fantasy where I go away on holiday somewhere with Grafton’s A-X and read them one after the other. I mentioned to someone else that they’re a comfort read for me and I’ll try and explain why when I write my post, but I’d LOVE to binge re-read them in order (and at my leisure).
August 3, 2015
I can’t wait to get my hands on X…love that series! I also enjoy Cathy Kelly’s books, so that one is on my list.
Enjoy! Thanks for visiting my blog.
August 3, 2015
Laurel this will be my first Cathy Kelly! I’m still trying to broaden my horizons a little and read things outside of my favoured genre… there are only so many serial killers and psychopaths a gal can handle before she starts jumping at shadows! 😉
Am hoping I enjoy it!
August 3, 2015
It’s always a nice surprise to find that you’ve been more productive than you thought! That rarely happens to me. I lost track of the Sue Grafton book ages and ages ago, but I enjoyed the ones that I read. Enjoy your week!
August 3, 2015
Jen I adored the early Grafton books and read them religiously. I also lost track but caught up again… since I’ve been reviewing (a couple of years now) I’ve really only had time to read the books I’ve requested or that I’m sent which is why I’ve missed her last couple! I was excited to this on a publisher’s new release listing.
August 3, 2015
Sounds like you have had a busy week, I am hopeless with getting my TBR piles in order and always end up reading them in totally the wrong order but at least I am reading them, that’s my attitude!
Have a great week!
Heather | Random Redheaded Ramblings
August 3, 2015
Ah yes, getting through them (full stop) is important!!! My pile had been getting to a less-anxiety-producing size until the six arrived last week! Perhaps I should avoid the post office for a week or two! 😉
August 3, 2015
I’m with you on the whole treating blogging as a job. I plan out posts for the week, but constantly have to stand back to remind me this is just for fun whenever I feel overwhelmed. One thing that’s helped me is to set up posts in advanced (i.e. create the posts and put all the info in, and then save as a draft). This has helped me cut down my time in half. Especially with the memes I participate in. I set them up on Sundays, and then work on them throughout the week when I have time. Such a big help!
August 3, 2015
Good idea re setting up the posts early. At the moment I’m kinda posting as I go, but at one point I had a lot of books which weren’t being published for yonks and IF I didn’t review them straight away I struggled to remember the detail when it came time to review them. However I’d find if I put the basics in (as you suggest) and all I had to do was tidy it up and finalise, it helped a lot.
I’ve been ‘cheating’ a bit lately and using the back-cover / book blurb as my summary and it’s helping. I used to always summarise the books myself but this really does save time. I’ve also been thinking about getting the book blogging plugin a lot of people talk about. I think it automatically inserts a heap of info, so am keen to look into that.
August 3, 2015
Sounds like you’ve been busy! Like you, I tend to treat blogging like a job. It was supposed to be a hobby. LOL
Hope you have a great week!
August 3, 2015
Yvonne, it’s amazing how many people can relate to that comment. I think it needs a whole blog post of its own!!!
August 3, 2015
Glad your jobs are going well for you. My favortie out those books would have to be Sue Grafton! I like me a good mystery that is for sure! I treat this like a job myself and I know I’m not getting paid for it but I love doing it!!!
Sunday Post #1″>Sunday Post
August 4, 2015
I love it too Tammy but sometimes when I approach it like a job I make it more stressful than it should be. I must work on reminding myself that I do it for love… (though if I COULD earn money from it that would be nice as well!)
August 3, 2015
lol – I totally agree with the rinse and repeat Superman style. 😀 Hmm … I don’t believe I’m familiar with any of your books. A couple authors are familiar, but none I’ve read. Hope you enjoy them. Have a great week.
August 3, 2015
Most of my books are very firmly in the suspense & thriller genre Christy… except for the ‘how a baby is made’ book of course. Although… 🙂
August 3, 2015
It sounds like you’ve had a productive week with the blog work, and work itself Debbish! That’s a big TBR but no doubt you’ll get through it. I’ve heard great things about Linwood Barclay, will check out your review.
August 4, 2015
He’s great Jeann and this is a good time to get on board with the start of a new series!
August 4, 2015
Wow you have been busy! I laughed at your earthquake comments too funny. I feel like I run around all day trying to do stuff but by the end of the day feel as though I have nothing to show for it.
August 4, 2015
I’m mostly the same Jess, though writing this down made me realise I hadn’t been as disorganised as I felt.
August 4, 2015
Oh look a new Cathy Kelly book, I didn’t know about that one! I love her writing so will keep an eye out for it. And bath and book time sounds fab! I have no bath in my house but bath/book is the first thing I do when I check in to a hotel on holidays!
August 4, 2015
I’ve always loved baths Trish and have lived in places (on a few occasions) that didn’t have them and I was very much the same… I’d make sure there was a bath in hotel room before I committed to it. (The only places I’ve not found baths in hotel rooms are in developing countries or in parts of northern Australia which are particularly hot.)
August 4, 2015
I know how you feel with it being strange to have your days tied up again. Looks like a great haul. 🙂
August 4, 2015
Thanks Signourney!
August 4, 2015
I didn’t know that there was/will be a new Kinsey Millhone book out. That’s definitely going on my ‘to buy’ list.
August 4, 2015
Out on 1 September Char!
August 4, 2015
Looks like you’ve been busy and have a lot to read too. I hope you get some good reading in this week!
August 4, 2015
Thanks Tressa!
August 4, 2015
The “How babies are made” book caught my eye as answering that questions is starting to become an unavoidable reality with my little inquisitors 🙂
August 5, 2015
Oh yes… I can (sadly) imagine!