This week I’ve been trying to keep my mind occupied so have been reading lots of books and have blogged every day. It’s the anniversary of my mum’s death this weekend and I always find January a month that drags me down as a result. I always make a conscious effort to keep myself busy as much as I can. It’s not easy because I still miss her so much but dwelling on pain and sadness doesn’t help.
Yesterday I managed to get out for the first time this year, in fact the first time in a month so that was nice. We spent an hour (unsuccessfully) shopping for a shed and then got a Subway on the way home. These days I value any time I manage to spend out of the house so I really enjoyed it. It was a lovely sunny day, which is always nice.
This week I’ve finished reading six books:
Hold Your Own by Kate Tempest
This is a fairly short poetry collection. I’ve not read much poetry at all over the last couple of years and reading this collection reminded me how much I used to love it. I’m definitely going to try and read some more poetry this year.
Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill
I’ve been dipping in and out of this book for the last week or two and have very much enjoyed it. It’s inspired me to try and keep focused on the books I already own rather than constantly looking to acquire more. It’s also made me consider the books I do own and whether I still want to read them as much as I did when I bought them or whether the moment has passed.
The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr (review ebook)
I really enjoyed this YA book and plan to review it soon, hopefully this week sometime.
Loving the Life Less Lived by Gail Marie Mitchell (review book)
This is a non-fiction book that I was sent for review. I’m on the blog tour for this book tomorrow so please look out for my review then if you’d like to know more.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
I can’t believe this book languished on my TBR in various formats since it was first published almost twenty years ago. It’s been a lesson in not leaving books for so long as from the very first few pages of this book I was hooked and I loved reading it.
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson (review ebook)
This is a review book that I finished reading on Monday and I’ve already reviewed it. You can read my review here if you’d like to. I very much enjoyed this novel though, it really unnerved me and I loved that about it.
This week I’ve blogged seven times:
Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up (15 Jan)
Monday: Review of Lies by TM Logan
Tuesday: Review of Relativity by Antonia Hayes
Wednesday: WWW Wednesday (18 Jan)
Thursday: Review of Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
Friday: Review of While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft
Saturday: Stacking the Shelves (21 Jan)
This is what I’m currently reading:
Rattle by Fiona Cummins (review ebook)
I deliberately kept this book to read over this weekend whilst my husband would be home as from what I’ve heard about it I knew it was likely to really scare me. So far it’s just quite creepy but the tension is beginning to ramp up. I hope to finish this today but it depends how scary it gets and whether I need a break at any point !
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel (review book)
This review book was sent to me as a total surprise and I was very happy to receive it. I’ve only read the first three chapters so far but I’m enjoying it. It’s not always easy for me to read print books (due to my disability) so that sometimes slows down my reading of print books.
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
This book is wonderful. It’s one of those books that I want to read slowly so I can savour it but at the same time I can’t stop thinking about it and want to just sit and read it all in one go.
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (review ebook)
This is another review book and one that I’m completely and utterly adoring. It’s just everything I love in a story.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This book is such a fun read and I’m loving all of the 80s references throughout.
Update on my TBR
TBR at the start of January 2017 (as of my State of the TBR post): 1885
TBR in last week’s Weekly Wrap-Up: 1887
Books added this week: 8 (find out which books I bought in my Stacking the Shelves post)
Books got rid of this week: 10
TBR now stands at: 1880
I realise that I’m not going to be able to resist buying books on occasion so I’m trying to balance any new books coming in with culling a few from my shelves that I know I’m not going to read.
What have you been reading this week? Please feel free to link to your weekly wrap-up post, or if you don’t have a blog please share in the comments below! I love to hear what you’re all reading. 
I’m linking this post up to Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer’s Sunday Blog Share. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
RatherTooFondofBooks 
I’m glad to hear you managed to get out for a small trip. The Roanoke Girls sounds good and it had a beautiful cover!
I’m sorry for your loss Hayley.It must have been a tough week but glad that you had books and blogs to keep you busy.Have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you.
WOW six books well done Hayley and glad you managed a small trip in a difficult week x
Thank you x
SIX BOOKS IN ONE WEEK!! Holy cow! Well done though 🙂
This was a great post! Here is my Sunday Post: https://booksarelove22.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/sunday-post-15-22nd-january-2017/
Thank you. I spent the whole week reading in all of my spare time as I wanted to keep my mind occupied. It helps that I picked some really good reads that kept me engrossed. 🙂
Impressed by your discipline in posting so many times!
I don’t think there is a book on your post today that I haven’t read and enjoyed and don’t think I could read and enjoy. A great collection of reads. Hope your reading is able to distract you and that when you think of your mom your memories are good ones x
Thank you. I am lucky that my memories of my mum are very happy, I just miss her and that doesn’t go away. Books have got me through it though, as always. x
It’s always hard when a difficult anniversary comes around – I think your strategy of trying to keep working is a sound one and probably accounts for your very impressive week of blogging and reading. I’ve heard great things of the Kate Tempest poetry collection and have promised myself to get hold of it:). I’m delighted to hear that you were feeling well enough to venture outside this week. I hope you have a good week without any major health issues, Hayley:)
Thank you. I have to steel myself for January as it’s got a lot of sad memories but as long as I keep myself busy I get through it alright. The Kate Tempest book was very good, I enjoyed some of the poems more than others but it is a great collection.
So I have heard. I must get hold of a copy and thank you, Hayley for bringing it to my attention. As for January’s collection of sad memories, I’d like to be able to offer some sage advice that would help – but I think your remedy is about the best there is. Take care – you are in my thoughts.
It is good to hear that you managed to get out and about for a bit. I’m very pleased. And you got quite a lot of reading done, too, which is even better. I, too, have found a lot of solace in reading; I’m glad you are, too. The loss of someone we love is always so hard; sending you wishes for continued healing and peace.
Thank you, it was nice to get out for a while. Reading is such a solace, I don’t know how I’d cope if I wasn’t a reader. It’s been a few years now since I lost my mum but I still miss her every day, and this time of year just brings it all back. I’m ok though. x
I’m sorry that this weekend is the anniversary of your loss. I will keep you in my prayers with the hope for love and peace in your life ❤
Thank you so much.
Anniversaries are never good times, we had one this week as well. I’m glad you were able to lose yourself in books for a while anyway. Your tbr total is certainly going the right way now as a result. But culling! – I’m having palpitations at the thought so good luck with that. Have a good week this week. 🙂
I’m sorry to read that you had an anniversary this week too, it’s hard isn’t it? Culling books is something I struggle with but needs must – I have literally ran out of space for more books now. Eeek!
Thinking of you – times like this are difficult for many reasons so hope you get these virtual hugs I’m sending xx
Thank you so much x
It does help to get out sometimes, I think. Glad you had a good outing. And sorry to hear about your mom- anniversaries like that are tough. I lost my dad last February and I’m not looking forward tothat rolling around again. 😦
Her Every Fear looks good to me.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad. The first anniversary is the hardest, it does get easier in time. It’s the missing them part that doesn’t go away, but it does stop hurting so much.
It is painful when these anniversaries roll around. We will never forget them, and the reminder of living without them is sometimes painful. Tomorrow marks a dark day of my own. Remember the good memories. I am glad you got out. In truth, I don’t like going out much anymore. Run out, do what I need, and get back home. Happy reading!
I’m sorry that you’ve had a painful week of memories too. It’s really tough to get through these times. Thinking of you. I hope you have some good books to find solace in.
Rattle is really creepy!
Sorry to hear about the anniversary this month and I hope you’re able to have the time pass with some fond memories.
Thank you.
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