I’m in the midst of a couple of busy work weeks, so it hasn’t felt like I’ve had time to think about much other than my day job… however, my continued early mornings mean I’m getting 60-90mins of stuff done at my desk at home before going into work – something I’m really enjoying and appreciating.
What I read
I kicked off the week with IQ by Joe Ide – which featured a fabulous lead character- and I’ll be sharing my thoughts about that in coming days. I also read Holding by comedian and talk show host Graham Norton. I wasn’t sure what to expect but enjoyed this a lot.
And finally I binge-read the latest Harry Bosch novel, The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly. That review will be coming this week as well.
And some work travel meant I finally finished an audio book I’d been listening to FOREVER for a while. I’d read The Age of Innocence, at some point in my life, but remembered little of it. It was a loooong audiobook, lasting almost nine (9) hours. But definitely helped kill some monotonous driving time.
What I wrote
I reviewed two books including:
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz – the author known for his work on television; and a novel within a novel
Holding by Graham Norton – the first book of fiction released by the Irish talk show host and commentator
And then…
I shared 10 things I like about me – as part of a weekly challenge set by another Aussie blogger. I wrote about the way in which we deal with / respect our parents and elders and the example it sets for our kids in Cat’s in the Cradle; and finally I did a bit of a recap of the writing festival I went to last weekend: WriteFest 2016.
What I did
I attended my second Italian class. I’m not enamoured I must say, but determined to hang in there for a while given I paid up-front and only have to survive eight lessons (although having said that, car-related issues I’ll mention later, mean I probably won’t make it to this week’s class)!
As I had a bit of a drive before me (for work) last Thursday I skipped the time at my desk and went for an early morning instead which was quite lovely.
And on Friday I hung out at my mother’s (who lives in a nearby town) while my car was getting serviced – only to discover the brakes are shot and it’s gonna cost $900 to get them replaced. My car isn’t drivable in the meantime, so I’ve borrowed my mother’s few a few days as I’ve got some work stuff to do on my day off Monday.
What I plan to do
The whole ‘car getting repaired’ thing will be problematic as I’m waiting for parts and may need to camp out at my mother’s for a couple of days – which is fine, but complicates my work commitments.
This should be my two-day working week, but I’ve got four days of work stuff scheduled. It’s just coincidence that a lot of groups I’m involved with are holding important meetings at the moment. Thankfully two of the meetings are semi-local, but the other will involve another lengthy drive (about 2.5-3hrs each way)… so Thursday will be another long day. And I’ll need a good audiobook.
That all may mean there’s less reading and blogging, but I’ve had some new arrivals this past week to get stuck into, which you’ll have seen if you follow me on Instagram / Facebook. And I’ve actually just started on Sapphire Falls by Aussie author Fleur McDonald which was next on my list.
As for what comes after that (on the reading-writing-blogging front) I’m really not sure. And I have to admit I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at the idea of the week ahead of me. Not by anything individually, but just the hassle (and expense) of my vehicle and a few other things I’d committed to this week before knowing I’d be spending extra time at my day job.
Is anyone else easily overwhelmed? What are your plans for the next week?
As usual I’m linking up with Deep Fried Fruit for the Lovin’ Life Linky; Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Sunday Post; and The Book Date for ‘It’s Monday!’
October 16, 2016
Sorry to hear about the car repairs. Everything is so expensive now with cars! It sounds like you’ve had quite the travel lately! I should pick up audio and start listening when I’m in the car- I’d get a lot more read
Looks like some interesting posts too this week, after this I’m going to go over and check them out. You seem to be very busy- and an Italian class too. I’m not sure how I would do with a foreign language class lol.
I love the beach pic!
October 16, 2016
Ah yes the beach was lovely first thing Greg. And yes, it feels like I’ve had a bit on. I had a bunch of work travel when I first started in my role earlier this year and have a bit on again at the moment. And the week after next I have a medical appointment a couple of hours away. (At least I’m listening to some books!)
October 16, 2016
Car repairs are definitely something to feel overwhelmed about. Knock wood, my car has been plugging along, even though it’s ten years old. Probably because I bought it after retirement, so there haven’t been all those miles of commuting on it. I have taken it on some trips, but mostly it stays close to home. Before retirement, though, my cars always seemed to need something repaired.
Living by the beach must be very lovely…I’m envious!
I have an e-book copy of The Age of Innocence…maybe I won’t hurry to read it.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and enjoy your week. Hope your car gets fixed quickly, but that’s a lot of money to come up with when you’re not expecting it. It’s great that you can borrow a car.
October 16, 2016
Oh yes Laurel, I felt bad about borrowing my mother’s car as she has a busier life than I do, but everything she had on over the weekend and tomorrow morning she goes to with others, so they’ll give her a lift there etc… I would have been quite happy being car-less over the weekend but needed it tomorrow (Monday) for a work meeting I need to get to and do some prep for!
October 16, 2016
That’s awesome that you’ve been getting so much done before work! And what a pretty beach, I can see why you decided to go for a walk! Sorry about the car though :-/ $900 is no small amount. And of course it’s a hassle too. Good luck getting that sorted ASAP and on the week you have ahead of you!
October 16, 2016
Thanks Kristen… I think you’re right. I’m just feeling overwhelmed thinking about a few things that I should get done by Wednesday. Then I’ll just have the work trip and a long long weekend to look forward to!
October 16, 2016
Ugh car issues… have a great week!
October 16, 2016
Yep…. bloody car.
October 16, 2016
Sorry to hear about your car, that really sucks. At least you get to use your mom’s car! Your morning walk looks lovely, and I hope that you get to have another this week! 🙂
October 16, 2016
I might try to do another on Thursday given it’ll be another long day of driving. Nice to stretch my legs early!
October 16, 2016
I would love to learn Italian. I only know naughty words..lol I look forward to your review on IQ by Joe, as it is on my bookshelf 🙂 Yay for those early mornings. I hope the next few weeks aren’t too hard on you 🙂
October 16, 2016
I was just going to review IQ in Goodreads Kimberly but notice it’s getting a bit of traction on Facebook etc and the author’s supporting (someone famous who I can’t remember) on a book tour.
October 16, 2016
The day job gets in the way of things at times. So annoying. Good for you for getting out in the early mornings, something I have yet to master. I did Italian at high school and remember nothing!
October 17, 2016
I’m not sure I’ll remember much after this course Ashleigh! I probably need to practise more at home in between lessons!
October 16, 2016
Love the beach picture! Have a great week 🙂
October 17, 2016
Ah yes, it’s a quiet beach – probably busier between 6-8am with dog-walkers than it is later in the day!
October 16, 2016
No good about the car. You need a car as we all do, but if only they weren’t so costly to repair (and replace of course!). In the final months pre-house sale in 2014 our 2 cars (both around 8 years old) only JUST hung in there and I had some breakdown dramas which I HATED. I so need my car to be ultra dependent. Anyway, we bought ourselves great new cars once we had the cash from the house sale. We figured we would be doing some kms on the open road and needed them. Hub’s is more of workhorse because he also does a bit of building/reno for family and us, and mine is a wonderful comfy one which can (not needed so much now) take grandkids about. These will, we hope last us for another 8 years and by that time, both of in our mid 70s we “may” be ready for one vehicle!! I shall see.
October 17, 2016
Yes…. I was the same when I bought this car Denyse. It was 2yrs old at the time but I bought it in early 2012. It’s been great and – other than gas seemingly leaking from my air conditioner – this has been the first problem. I think I was more frustrated with the way the car place handled the whole thing. They’d had it all day, then rang me late arvo to tell me I couldn’t drive it and would need new brake pads. It was only when I asked the cost they came back to say (the service AND the new brakes) would be $1500. That’s not chicken feed so I was a bit agog at how casually they did it.
October 16, 2016
What a beautiful morning walk!
SSG xxx
October 17, 2016
True. I must do it more often. Sadly today, I was at my desk by 6am….
October 16, 2016
Oh no!! Car repairs for $900? They just never come at a good time, either, do they? I hope at least it will be done quickly, Deb.
You have some nice-looking new additions to your shelves, and I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Sorry the Italian lessons don’t completely wow you, Italian is such a beautiful language, you should just fall in love with being able to say something yourself 🙂
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading!
October 17, 2016
I think the parts arrive on Tuesday Lexxie so it can be done then. I get the feeling the job itself isn’t a big one – just expensive by the time they add lots of bits and pieces into it.
October 16, 2016
I used to get overwhelmed a lot, but I think I’m still in relaxed mode after our little staycation in the school holidays. I’m vowing to not let things get to me as much. It’s not worth it!
October 17, 2016
I need to be the same Di. And I think once I get a couple of things out of the way I will be. I had a handyman coming Monday before I had to go to the work thing and he’s offered to come earlier than planned, so perhaps it will work out!
October 16, 2016
Car stuff always makes me feel really overwelmed. Probably because it’s always so expensive and I need my car for work, so I never have a choice but getting it repaired. And work stuff.. Pretty overwelming too. I totally get you! 😉 I have 6 days of work ahead of me next week.. Blegh.
I hope your week goes well and you still find some time to read!
Happy reading 😉
October 17, 2016
I think that was very much the problem Maureen as they basically forbade me from getting and using the car. Even in terms of getting alternate quotes etc.. I can’t get it out of their garage, so don’t really have any options!
October 16, 2016
Sorry to hear about your car issues! We were in the same boat recently, so I feel your pain. $900?! That’s awful! And right before Christmas. I hope this week goes better for you!
October 17, 2016
Oh yes Julie… right before Christmas AND right after the purchase of my new house! It was most definitely an unplanned-for expense
October 16, 2016
I have tried audio books on long drives but find that I can’t get away with them unless they are non-fiction. I don’t think I could manage an audio book of age of innocence. Reading the book was bad enough….not one of my favourites.
October 17, 2016
Beautiful language Emma but SOOOOOOOO drawn out. Plus I’m not particularly sure the characters were likeable or that I really felt I knew them that well in the end.
I think I’d enjoy non-fiction on drives as well.
October 17, 2016
Urgh! with the car issues. Hope they get sorted soon!
October 17, 2016
Thanks Darren!
October 17, 2016
Hope the Italian class gets better!! Sorry about the car and the repairs. Love you beach picture. That is amazing you can get there and take walks. Have a great week and happy reading!
October 17, 2016
I think I probably expect a bit too much from the Italian classes. They’re really more functional (introductions and the like) so more for those thinking of visiting at some point. Which I guess is fine.
October 17, 2016
Yep. I know all about feeling overwhelmed at the thought of an upcoming week. I try to take a deep breath and make a list for each day as it comes up and not think of the whole week as one big event after another… So sorry about the car issues – that always throws a pall over everything as we are all so reliant on them, these days. Hope this week isn’t as daunting in reality as it appears – take care.
October 17, 2016
I did write a bit of a time schedule for stuff I have on today I must admit. It’s just a combo of having some work stuff to do (which involves some logistics). If I had my own car it’d be okay but my work security pass etc is all in my car in the garage and I have to do stuff without it… while feeling bad my mum doesn’t have her car!
October 17, 2016
Sorry to hear about your car. What a pain! I’m lucky that my husband is pretty handy with fixing most car related issues which helps save money but it still takes a lot of time. Love your walk location! So pretty! Age of Innoncence is one of those that I feel like I should read but haven’t. Glad to hear it worked well in audio. Have a great week!
October 17, 2016
I can totally get overwhelmed. If things don’t go right, sometimes I just want to shut down. Thankfully my hubby is here to keep me (somewhat) sane 🙂 Sorry to hear about your car, it’s crazy the price of repairs these days or actually it’s always been like that, right? Well, I hope this week is better for you ~Aleen
October 17, 2016
I suspect it’s always been like that price-wise on the car front. I’m lucky I’ve mostly escaped those issues in the past. I’m like that when I get overwhelmed…. I just want to shut down and have someone else deal with it all. I have my blog readers to keep me sane and let me vent! 🙂
October 17, 2016
Damn cars! Money pits. But what can ya do? Apparently we can’t live without the bloody things.
I am a walking diary manager right now so “overwhelmed” is an under statement. But yes, feeling a tad “busy”.
I REALLY want to read Graham Norton’s book. I think. I’ll go read your review now. But I do love the Graham Norton show .
October 17, 2016
His voice really comes across in the book Leanne. It’s a pretty light and easy read.
October 17, 2016
I am overwhelmed. It’s just the nature of this year. For the last two weeks I’ve had pleasant weekends where I wasn’t procrastinating on grading because there hasn’t been any! 😀 I am thankful I listened to my ex-fiance and his father and put my Cavalier out of its misery and bought a new car. One good thing he did for me. After growing up breaking down on the side of the road ALL THE TIME, it is now a living terror of mine, and that Cavalier did on more than one occasion.
October 17, 2016
Hopefully the rest of my car is still okay. I call it my mid-life crisis car as I bought it (second hand) for myself on Valentine’s Day in 2012. (I even wrote a blog post about it!)
October 17, 2016
Sometimes big things overwhelm me too, and a $900 ish bill for brakes would for sure, although the alternative is far worse and you didn’t know and they failed, so I guess life is a good option!! Good you liked Graeme Norton’s book, unusual that he would write a fiction book. The Fleur McDonald book looks like a good outback romance! Love that walk on the beach view. You Australians have the best beaches.
October 17, 2016
I finished the Fleur McDonald last night and interestingly there was little or no romance. I suspect it was billed romantic suspense but – though I might have skimmed sections involving rural life and cows and sheep – I had no need at all to skim sex scenes!
October 17, 2016
Good luck Deb with the car. I’ve just lent my son my car today while he’s gets fixed & they’ve just told him it will now be 2 days. Luckily I work from home and happy to help but probably should have gone to the supermarket yesterday – oh well he will have to pick up the shopping now 🙂
October 17, 2016
It’s always the most inconvenient time isn’t it?!
October 17, 2016
I hate car repairs. They should make cars that repair themselves, I think. Such a huge expenditure of funds,which could be used for a worthier purpose such as buying books.
October 17, 2016
Oh absolutely Deb!
October 17, 2016
I feel your pain with the car. I just spent $465 to have mine serviced and was informed I will need 4 new tyres very soon. Have a great week. I’m doing a lot of walking too but mine’s in the deep dark rainforest not the beach.
October 17, 2016
That happened to me last service Michelle and I got the 4 tyres soon after (elsewhere though as I shopped around). Glad you’re enjoying your rainforest walks… I’m too snake phobic for that.
October 17, 2016
There’s nothing like a change in routine and nice walk to put things in perspective and unwind. Sorry about the cost of those repairs. It seems anything to do with a car is way up there now. Now that the weather will begin to cool down and the humidity is less, I plan to resume my walks. I’m really curious about IQ. Been seeing it make the rounds recently.
My Sunday Post
October 17, 2016
Yes, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved the characters in IQ!
October 17, 2016
Yup definitely. After a couple of weeks of computer woes, I’ve finally set up my new PC pretty much and am (hopefully!) looking forward to a fairly straightforward week, workwise!
October 17, 2016
I’m a little worried my desktop is on its last legs. I think it’s about to celebrate its 6th birthday, so….
October 17, 2016
I get a overwhelmed if something I haven’t planned for occurs…I usually play it off, but the bigger the wrench the more I panic. I’m really looking forward to a normal week, and going out for a walk sounds really nice! I hope you manage to get your car problems fixed and have a wonderful week!
October 17, 2016
Yes, the timing re the car sucked because of some work commitments Michelle and that was the main thing stressing me out!
October 17, 2016
No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed, that is such a shame about your car repairs. It is such a nuisance, especially as here in Australia we really do rely on our cars, even worse as you need it for work too – plus the $$$ :-(.
I have been enjoying your beach walk pics on Instagram – keep them coming. It is great you can get ahead of things with the early starts.
On the book front, I am jealous! I’m a big fan of Fleur McDonald (another great West Aussie author) do enjoy her latest, I’m keen to hear your thoughts. I will be rushing out to buy this one when it hits the shops!
I saw Graham Norton’s new book Holding in the shops today but couldn’t decide if it was worth forking out $16. I may wait for awhile.
Have a nice week Deb, take care.
Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews
October 18, 2016
I really enjoyed Fleur’s book. I think it may be the first of hers I’ve read!
October 18, 2016
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about car repairs and that you aren’t really enjoying your Italian lessons. It sounded so good! Well done on finishing that audio book though!
Hope your week turns out better than you expect !
October 18, 2016
I must make sure I’ve got an audio book ready for this week Di!
October 18, 2016
Sounds like you’re making productive use of your time, especially in the mornings. Although not so good news when it comes to the car. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. Not only the repairs but the cost too. 🙁 I hope your week goes smoothly despite everything. Sounds like you have an extra busy week ahead of you!
October 19, 2016
I’ve never read anything by Michael Connelly (just not a genre I’m drawn to) but my sister is a big fan and is constantly hounding me to try his books. Hope you enjoyed The Wrong Side of Goodbye (the fact that you binged it tells me you probably did!). I’ve never read anything by Wharton but I did see the movie adaption of The Agre of Innocence many years ago. Even that was incredibly slow so I can’t imagine how slow the book was. (Yawn!)
October 19, 2016
Yes… re The Age of Innocence – I’d seen the movie and read the book (I think) many years ago but hadn’t remembered it being quite so drawn out.
October 19, 2016
It looks like you got some good reading in! Gorgeous pictures as always, too! I’m jealous that you can take walks on the beach whenever you want! Have a great week 😀
Tracy @ Cornerfolds
October 19, 2016
The worst thing is that I don’t take them as much as I should Tracy – though I have had a busier few weeks…