I’ve ditched my original intro. It was something inane about time flying and wondering when the fun starts. It hardly seems to matter at the moment, as I continue to (both) obsessively read and / or steadfastly avoid the reports coming out of Paris.
I said on my Debbish FB page I don’t quite know how to feel or what to do. Doing nothing is hard. Many of us are tired of feeling impotent.
And yet… life goes on. For the lucky ones.
What I read
It took me a few nights to get through Karen Rose’s Alone in the Dark. Had I started earlier in the evening I might have gotten through it in one very long session, but at 600 pages I had to put it down and then (because of other commitments) it took me a day or two to get back to it.
I took the plunge and attempted Jostein Gaarder’s The World According to Anna. Unfortunately, though it’s a very short novel I just couldn’t get into it and ditched it after about 50 pages. (Which is almost 1/4 of the way through.) It’s hard to even comment on the writing given that it’s a translation so I’ve not left any review at all in Goodreads.
And finally (and belatedly) I read Buying Thyme by TJ Hamilton. I’ve met TJ a couple of times. A former Sydney police officer, she now lives on the Fraser Coast (where she grew up). Originally self-published, Harlequin’s just re-released the first in this series, centred around an intelligent and pragmatic prostitute, Miranda.
What I wrote
I shared another angsty post about feelings and stuff. This time it was about how I possibly perceive myself negatively because I think I should, rather than because I actually feel that way. If that makes sense. 🙂
In less-angsty news, I shared my thoughts on David Baldacci’s The Guilty and Karen Rose’s Alone in the Dark on the blog.
And in Goodreads I reviewed Kristina Ohlsson’s The Chosen and Stephen King’s The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. I was a little #meh re the King compilation, only really enjoying 1-2 inclusions.
What I watched
A few new shows have hit our screens following their launch in the US. I’m actually really enjoying Blindspot and have ditched Madam Secretary (which was starting to annoy me) which is on at the same time. And if you’re wondering why I don’t avail myself of current technology… I can only record two things at once and I also record Rizzoli & Isles and Major Crimes that night!
I started watching Limitless but am thinking of dumping it cos, well… #meh. It feels a bit all over the place and the lead character just irks me. I did however read some reviews on IMDb suggesting it picks up after episode 5 (or so). We’re a week or two behind the US so I’m undecided as to whether I should give it a bit more time.
I’m hanging in there with Quantico, though it’s starting to annoy me as well. I do think it has potential however so….
I’m also trying to give the Aussie drama, The Beautiful Lie a chance. I like some of the characters but find some of the plot a bit cringe-worthy (and find the supposedly sexy younger male lead kinda creepy!).
What I did
I went to see the 2014 Spanish / Argentinean black comedy Wild Tales at a local theatre. These arthouse / foreign film nights are a great initiative and it’s great to see the local arts council getting a good attendance. They’re now on a hiatus until February 2016, but I must make a point to continue to support them next year. I’m not sure I enjoyed this movie as much as some of the others as it was a little macabre in parts. I wasn’t offended, as much as annoyed by it in bits.
I also tried a new wine bar which has opened just down the road from my apartment. At the moment it’s ridiculously busy, which is a bit problematic given it’s quite small. But it’s offering something a bit new for my relatively sleepy hometown so I hope it does okay in the longer term.
What I plan to read
Well… I actually have no idea. I’ve got a nice little pile of books, a couple of which are already out and have failed to capture my attention. The remainder are being published in 2016 so I’m a little undecided whether to dive into something new or wait to see what arrives this week.
I actually only received a couple of books last week. One via NetGalley (electronically) and one hard copy. In fact the book I received in the mail was a very clever teaser from Simon & Schuster (Australia) for a new book coming out in March 2016.
Perhaps it will leap-frog to the top of my pile… getting bonus points for intrigue.
And that’s about it for me this week. What’s on your weekly agenda?
Linking up with Kimba from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Sunday Post and Kathryn from The Book Date for ‘It’s Monday!’
November 14, 2015
After a few weeks of slogging away over study, my exams have finished and the fun begins – I’m reading for enjoyment (the new John Irving), catching up on episodes of The Beautiful Lie (loving it) and watching some Real Housewives of Anywhere (my brain equivalent of junk food!). I’m also enjoying the weather by getting out for a few long walks – I’ve linked up with some blogging ‘friends’ via Fitbit (isn’t the world weird now?!) and they’ve all been whipping me on the daily steps over the last few weeks – too much time at the desk for me, not enough off my bum! Might need to listen to a few audio books while I walk!
November 14, 2015
I need to take a leaf out of your book (!!!!) Kate and do some walking. Next week… I’m telling myself!
Yay and congrats that your exams are finished! I hope you have a nice break. I’m yet to join the Fitbit craze but think I should at least get a pedometer!
November 14, 2015
A Fitbit is really just a fancy pedometer – I have found it oddly motivating (although I do like a gadget). Have worn it every day for 18 months and have been known to do a quick few laps around the house before bed so that I hit the daily 10,000 steps target!
November 14, 2015
I am currently watching Blindspot and I like it as well. I am not really a fan of limitless as like you said the main character irks me as well…lol. I have been recording Quantico but I haven’t watched it yet. 🙂 My favorite new show is Rosewood, not sure if you get that one or not. 🙂
Hope you enjoy what every you decide to read this coming week. 🙂
November 14, 2015
Hi Stormi and no… Rosewood isn’t on free-to-air TV here. I should check if it’s on our pay (cable) TV – which I don’t get!
November 14, 2015
I’m watching all the above, (luckily the can record two tv channels while watching a third) plus Chicago Fire, The Mysteries of Laura and new seasons of half a dozen US shows like Code Black, Blue Bloods, The Vampire Diaries, Supergirl, Arrow, The Flash and Scorpion 🙂
Reading is still migraine inducing so I have to take that slowly but at least I’m not bored!
#Solidarite
November 15, 2015
I’ve ditched Blue Bloods in the last few months – not sure why… I got behind and just never caught up so stopped taping. I also ditched Arrow as I hated the fact that suddenly everyone was a superhero of sorts! I’m still watching Scorpion though, which I enjoy though constantly scream at the TV at its lack of feasibility. 🙂
I don’t have pay TV so yet to see Supergirl etc.
I ‘should’ be able to watch my actual TV while TiVoing two channels, but I’ve never been able to retune it properly since the last digital retune (a year ago). My I did my TiVo but just haven’t managed to do the TV (and I’ve tried everything!!!).
November 15, 2015
Perceiving yourself negatively because you think you should do so is not stupid at all, I can relate 😉 It’s how I used to feel a few years ago ! Blindspot seems intriguing, I’ll look it up. I’m still stunned after the Paris attacks, so no clever comment from me. Enjoy your week-end 🙂
November 15, 2015
Just read your post Izabel. I hope you can all feel safe again soon. xxx
November 15, 2015
I haven’t watched Blindspot since the premiere, argh. I’m behind now. As for how we perceive ourselves, I think there’s something to that. After reading your post, I do think I self perceive through the lens of others. Sometimes how I see myself internally and how I THINK other people see me are very different, and perhaps I judge myself based on how I think they see me. Very thought provoking.
November 15, 2015
Thanks Greg.
I have to admit I’m enjoying Blindspot the most in terms of new shows. I’m not a huge fan of the lead actor (who looks far too much like one of the lead male characters in Quantico! and a tad similar to the lead in Limitless!) but the plot is intriguing.
November 15, 2015
I’m enjoying A Beautiful Lie, but the thing that grates at me is Skeet too. Rodger Corser (yum) vs Skeet…really?
November 15, 2015
I know! I struggle with the show for that reason. I can see what they’re trying to do but I don’t think he pulls off that alluringly sexy vibe. To me he’s a creepy, unattractive, spacey, daft twat. A not-quite himbo. And a slightly better looking version of Neil from The Young Ones!
November 15, 2015
I had a back and forth reading week, as you noticed when you visited my blog (thanks, BTW!). I watched one episode of Limitless and discarded it too…canceled the series record. Yes, that guy is annoying! LOL
I love Rizzoli & Isles and Major Crimes…and I’m not sick of Madame Secretary…yet. Love The Good Wife.
Enjoy your week…I am also bingeing on The West Wing on Netflix.
November 15, 2015
I love West Wing Laurel. Some time I wrote a post about it…. joking that Josh was one of the key reasons!
November 15, 2015
I haven’t watched Blindspot but I want too and I just discovered that Hulu has the first episodes so I’m hoping to give it a try. I have so many shows that I really enjoy that it’s hard to get a new one in sometimes. Having too many things I enjoy is better than not enough I guess? I hope you have a lovely week!
November 15, 2015
Katherine I seem to either have TOO many things on at once, or nothing. It’s a bit mixed at the moment as some shows (which start in Autumn in the US) aren’t back on our screens here yet. We’re getting a few of the new ones because otherwise people will download them etc… but other shows I enjoy (Elementary, Criminal Minds, NCIS LA etc) haven’t returned to our screens yet.
Our worst TV time is December – January (which is our long summer break). Highly rated shows disappear from our screens and we get endless repeats and LOTS of sport (cricket, tennis and golf. All of which I hate!). I must subscribe to Netflix before then or join a local DVD library!
November 15, 2015
I couldn’t even contemplate a 600ish page book reading in one sitting! Seems to be a week of dnf books, I had one too. I have all these Madame Secretary’s on my recorder but I think I will ditch them. Where are all the great TV shows!
November 16, 2015
I really enjoyed Madam Secretary until this season Kathryn but am a bit over the daughter getting in trouble thing and husband being undercover and now some foe from her past is forcing her out of the inner circle…. #toomuch
November 15, 2015
With everything that has happened, it is hard to watch. And it’s not just Paris though if you’d look at the news you’d think it was.
I hope you have a great week.
November 16, 2015
Very true Signourney. And thanks… you too.
November 15, 2015
This is probably bringing the intellectual tone of this blog down but I can’t wait to watch the story about Princess Mary on Channel 10 tonight. Love Princess Mary! Poor Paris 🙁 My heart goes out to all those families.
November 16, 2015
Oh Michelle, I couldn’t go there (watch the show I mean!). I’m yet to hear / read any reviews. I guess I assumed it would make her out to be a bit too perfect etc.
November 15, 2015
Buying Thyme looks interesting and I nee to check out Blind Spot. You are so right, such horrific things are happening around the world and sometimes in our own backyard, it does lend to a feeling of helplessness. We try to donate where we can.
November 16, 2015
Yes… I think all we can do is control our own behaviour, thoughts and feelings and lead by example, encourage others to do the same.
I constantly have the words to a song in my head called…. “Why can’t we all just get along?”
November 15, 2015
Oh that teaser does make me interested! Let us know once you’ve read it if it’s any good. (Not that I need more books on my TBR after my recent discovery, but still)
Have a great week!
November 16, 2015
It’s very clever isn’t it Myrthe? The fact that there are no details on the spine / cover was very interesting. I note it’s appeared in NetGalley now so it may be available (for review) more broadly.
November 15, 2015
I agree, what happened in Paris on Friday was awful, and I spent most of the day yesterday following news feeds and crying. The Parisians are responding beautifully, though, opening up their homes to strangers and staying strong and full of love in the face of ugliness and adversity.
I can’t wait to see what you think of All These Perfect Strangers… I’m sure it’ll manage to leap-frog to the top of your pile Deb 😉
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
November 16, 2015
I was the same Lexxie. It happened Saturday morning our time and I was a mess. I’m a sook at the best of times, let alone after something like that.
November 16, 2015
I like my fitbit. When we saw David Sedaris the other week he said he is obsessed with the fitbit and another kind of activity monitor. It is easy to get obsessed.
Of course we think when have to say we perceive ourselves poorly or we might be accused of self-aggrandizement; women have this problem even more than other humans.
November 16, 2015
That’s very true Steph. I often worry about ever appearing too confident or vain etc… (The latter seems a long-distant memory now, but still…)
November 16, 2015
Yes, unfortunately that’s how they want us to feel: helpless and hopeless. I tried watching blindspot and Madam Secretary, which was also starting to annoy me 🙂
November 16, 2015
Ah yes Daniela. I have to say I feel less hopeless though when I see so many people and countries coming out in support of each other. (And yes I know we don’t acknowledge violence everywhere in the ways we should.) In parts of Australia it was raining heavily on Saturday night but people congregated in the rain to pay tribute to those in Paris and it was very touching.
November 16, 2015
I don’t think that you are alone in feeling helpless. We are living in uncertain times. I haven’t read any Karen Rose but always mean to. One day. I also plan on trying limitless but there are too many other shows I’m hooked on at the moment. One day on this too!
November 16, 2015
It’s always feast or famine on TV for me Emma. TOO many things on I want to watch, or nothing!
November 16, 2015
First time stopping in via The Sunday Post linkup. I agree with your statement about feeling impotent. It is like you can do nothing more than watch in horror. Last night was the first time I have seen my police officer SO get ready for work. He put on each piece of clothing or gear as if it was nothing to him, because by now it is, but it carried so much more weight for me – especially in light of the tragedies in Paris. It seems you’ve had a busy week. I hope you enjoy your upcoming reads!
November 16, 2015
I can imagine people in those kinds of professions feel the responsibility so much more when something like that happens… it must really hit home.
November 16, 2015
I don’t even know what to say about Paris. Shocking. I agree it is hard to know how to react it a productive way. Wine bars have become a thing here recently. One that opened up has been regularly busy (out in the suburbs) so maybe yours will maintain some of that busy!
November 16, 2015
It would be good Jess, but the strange thing about this wine bar is that there’s not a lot of space for ‘drinkers’. On Friday they set all of the tables for diners so I’m not sure what you’d do if you just wanted to get a drink. Perhaps they need some high tables for people to just stand around. We’ll see.
November 16, 2015
I feel the same about Limitless – good idea not done that well. Quantico’s okay at the moment but I have the feeling that it could head south. And I’m a little behind with Blindspot. I’ve actually been watching a lot of Dexter and enjoying it. I think it’s the quirkiness. And have just finished the second season of Ray Donovan which Iven likes. I think I watch too much TV.
November 16, 2015
I’ve never watched Ray Donovan (not sure I’ve even heard of it)? I liked Dexter. A couple of seasons were a bit hit and miss but it ended at the right time I think.
November 16, 2015
Paris was just shocking, reading the reports in the papers was so sad, those poor people.
I am struggling with tv shows at the minute, I’m trying however Wayward Pines and I am actually really enjoying it!
Have a good week!
November 16, 2015
I watched Wayward Pines on DVD Heather and was really surprised / unhappy at the ending… so be warned. (I gather it’s different to the books as well, which I haven’t read.)
November 16, 2015
I have to say I gave up on Quantico. And I was so big on it at first. Oh well, room for more shows now I guess! Have a great week!
November 16, 2015
Ahhhh…. I’m not sure Quantico & I will have a long-term relationship either Grace. I’m not a fan of the lead actress – she’s beautiful but I’m struggling with her acting. It’s very ‘How To Get Away With Murder’-like in its delivery (before and after) but isn’t really holding my attention. Of course it would be interesting if she really was the bomber!
November 16, 2015
I am giving Quantico a couple of more shows to decide if it stays or goes. Limitless got a little better, but it is also on the chopping block for me. I kept the news channels off since I was watching my grandson, just didn’t want to expose him to it all. Hope this week is better all around!
November 16, 2015
Oh yes I can imagine you’d want to protect your grandson from the details coming out of Paris.
I have to admit I keep waiting for Limitless to get the axe from the network anyway. I don’t think Bradley Cooper’s limited involvement can save it.
November 16, 2015
We were away over the weekend but still heard of the tragedy in Paris.
I might have to take a look at Blindspot, although my DH really doesn’t like tattoos. We watched the first couple of installments of Supergirl and all I can say is I am glad to be on the computer so I don’t just sit and watch that. Too many of the series end up in drama so we prefer to watch things like NCIS and Hallmark movies. 🙂
Here’s hoping you have a good week!
November 16, 2015
Supergirl hasn’t made it here yet (I don’t think) but I’m not sure I’ll even tune in for that one.
I am actually not a fan of tattoos either (particularly lots of them) – of course these are a bit different… having been tattooed on her body as clues. So far Blindspot’s the best of the new bunch of shows for me!
November 16, 2015
Yeah I know what you mean. I deleted part of my original update for my SP after that happened. I’ve thought about watching Blindside, but I might wait until I can binge it. Hope this is a better week.
November 16, 2015
Hee hee… I’m a big binge-watcher as well. Otherwise I’ve forgotten the nuances. I like a TV show called Person of INterest, but it sometimes gets a bit complex so I keep the episodes on my DVR in case I need to go back and have a refresher from one week to the next!
November 16, 2015
Oh, it’s too bad that the new Jostein Gaarder title did not resonate with you at all – I agree that there is indeed something lost in all translated works. My husband and I are huge TV series freaks so I am glad to see some of your recommended titles here (apart from book titles). 🙂
November 17, 2015
It’s interesting that lots of people who love reading also love TV… wonder why that is?! And I find it interesting that I love TV far more than movies. I don’t have a big DVD collection but it’s 3.5 shelves of TV series and 0.5 shelf of movies!
November 16, 2015
I’m really enjoying Blindspot too … Quantico & Continuum are on my watch list but I haven’t started yet. Don’t think I’ll bother with Limitless, too many other series like Scandal and The Blacklist I’d rather keep up with. Last week none of my reads held my attention and now I’d love to just stick my head in the sand and binge watch TV series … helpful I know since I’m woefully behind with reviews lol.
I am curious about All These Perfect Strangers but … nope! no requests, not unless you rave about it 😉
November 17, 2015
I think the final series of Continuum has recently shown in the US so it should be out on DVD soon. I’ll have to revisit s3 first I think as I can’t exactly remember where it was at. I’m not sure the show lived up to the potential it showed in s1.
I never got into Scandal or Blacklist but keep hearing good things about both.
November 17, 2015
I haven’t watched Blindspot yet, but heard it was worth giving it a shot. Not sure if it is my type of show.
November 17, 2015
Completely understand Kimberly. I enjoy detective type shows and this is a little different to the norm.
November 17, 2015
What a great week for you.
ENJOY this week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
November 17, 2015
Thanks Elizabeth. You too!