This week has been an up and down week for me. I had a phone appointment with my neurosurgeon mid-week and I was told that there is no chance at all of me making any recovery from the damage to my spinal cord. It’s very hard to hear, even when you were expecting it. I’m trying to focus on the positives though and am thankful that at the moment my condition is relatively stable – the symptoms fluctuate but my neck is currently stable.
I’m working on pain management at the moment and it’s really hard but I’m determined to make my life as good as I possibly can in the circumstances. The next couple of months are going to be really tough with all the changes to my medication but I believe it’ll be worth it in the long run.
In better news I managed to write and post a review on my blog this week – the first one in weeks – so that felt like an achievement. I’ve got such a backlog of reviews to either write, edit or schedule so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get those posted very soon.
This week I’ve finished reading six books:
The Escape by C. L. Taylor
I’m going to be writing a full review of this book soon but for now I’ll just say that I found it impossible to put down and I loved it!
Forever Yours by Daniel Glauttauer
I really struggled with the first third of this book and was close to giving up on it but because I loved his previous two books I wanted to give it one more chance so I picked it back up during an afternoon when I had plenty of time to read. I read the final part of this in one go and I enjoyed it. It’s not my favourite of his novels but it was a good read and I’m glad I finished it. I would recommend that anyone thinking of reading this that they should maybe try and read it in one go.
Scarlett Says by Scarlett Moffatt
This isn’t my normal type of read but I bought it on a whim in an audible daily deal recently and it seemed a nice, easy kind of book to listen to when I was having a couple of really bad days this week. I think I’m too old to really enjoy this book but it was entertaining enough.
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
This book is beautiful and I adored it. I knew the parts about Helen’s grief for her father would get to me but I didn’t expect to love the parts about her relationship with her hawk so much. I found it fascinating and very much enjoyed reading this book. I think it may well be one I read again in the future. I highly recommend reading this if you haven’t already.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
I’ve had this poetry book on my TBR since it first came out but it hadn’t caught my attention on my shelves since then. I spotted it again this week and I just really wanted to read it right away. The poems are very simply written but they still pack a real punch. I cried a few times whilst reading this collection and I bookmarked quite a few of the poems that I want to go back and read again. I really recommend this poetry collection.
Everything but the Truth by Gillian McAllister
I very much enjoyed this debut domestic noir and recommend pre-ordering it asap. I posted my review on Friday so you can read that here if you’d like to know more about the book and what I thought of it.
This week I’ve blogged five times:
Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up
Wednesday: WWW Wednesday
Thursday: February Wrap-Up
Friday: Review of Everything but the Truth by Gillian McAllister
Saturday: Stacking the Shelves
This is what I’m currently reading:
Willow Walk by SJI Holliday
I recently read Black Wood, the first book in this trilogy, and enjoyed it so much that I knew I wanted to read the next book very soon. I picked this up last night and am already quite a way through it as it’s such an engrossing book. I’m really enjoying this one.
Year of No Clutter by Eve Schaub
I do love a book about de-cluttering so when I spotted this on NetGalley a little while ago I couldn’t resist requesting. I started reading it this week and am weirdly fascinated by it. I’m constantly working on de-cluttering as my natural tendency to keep things but even so I really struggle to understand how you can be happy with a room full of clutter knowing that your cat has peed all over the carpet and that there are dead mice in amongst your stuff. I’m really intrigued to see how this turns out and whether Eve ever managed to deal with her clutter.
The Little Shop of Happy-Ever-After by Jenny Colgan
I’m going through a rough patch at the moment so wanted an easy-listening audio book and this one caught my eye. It’s a gorgeous book about a woman starting up a mobile book shop and I’m very much enjoying it.
One of Us by Asne Seierstad
This book has been left to one side a bit this week as my head just hasn’t been in the right place to read it but I am keen to get back to it as soon as I can.
Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins
This is the audio book that I’m currently listening to with my husband and we’re both enjoying it. I’m not as much of a Phil Collins fan as my husband is but this book is still really interesting – Phil Collins has such great stories to tell and the fact that he narrated his memoir himself just adds to it.
And the Sun Shines Now by Adrian Tempany
This is another book that has been on the back burner a bit this week – I have read some of it but not much as my brain hasn’t been good at concentrating on non-fiction over the last few days. I definitely want to get back to this soon though as I was finding it fascinating.
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
This book has also been neglected again this week as I just can’t manage to hold and read a hardback book. If I don’t manage to make progress with it this week I’m going to put it back on my bookcase to come back to at another time. The writing in this book is beautiful and I don’t want to spoil it for myself because I’m in pain whilst reading. I have loved what I’ve read so far though.
Update on my TBR…
TBR at the start of January 2017: 1885 (see my State of the TBR post)
TBR in last week’s Wrap-Up: 1862
Additions:
Books bought/received for review/gifts: 13 (See the books I added this week in my Stacking the Shelves post)
Subtractions:
Books read this week: 6
Books I’m currently reading: 7
TBR Books culled this week: 0
Total:
TBR now stands at: 1870
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.
How has your week been? What have you been reading? Please share in the comments below. If you write a wrap-up on your blog please feel free to share the link. 🙂
RatherTooFondofBooks 
I’m sorry about your bad news. Very sorry. I’m starting a new book called, “Free Country. A Penniless Adventure Across Britain.” It is supposed to be funny. I like humorous books. God bless.
Thank you so much. I was expecting it but it’s still hard to hear – I’m trying to keep looking forward though and to be grateful for the things I still have and can still do.
I think I have that book on my TBR so I’ll seek it out. I hope you enjoy reading it.
By the way, I looked up Beautiful Affliction, which you mentioned to me yesterday, and immediately bought a copy. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 🙂
All good wishes to you, Hayley. Looking forward to reading many more of your reviews.
Thank you so much 🙂
I am so sorry to hear this news Hayley. Even when we know something, hearing it makes it real and if truly feels like there’s no coming back so it is very difficult. I am sending you all good vibes. I am glad your condition is stable and I hope the pain lets up and gives you some breather. Time to focus on how to make yourself feel the best possible. I’ll be around for the good and the bad days, should you need me 🙂
Your review made me drool on the book, even though with all the ARcs I had forgotten about it, haha! It was brilliant, as usual! I need to start using your spreadsheet and count all the books but I’m too lazy xD
Wishing you a quiet and as painless as possible week! xxxx
Thank you. It was hard to hear but I’m ok, just got to keep going. I appreciate you being there 🙂 xx
Sorry about your news, fingers crossed that going forward things can at least be stabilized. Thank goodness for the escape that books offer. As ever you’ve got a varied selection and put me to shame with what you achieve in a week. If I manage 3 posts I feel I’ve done well! Have a great week xx
Thank you. I’m working on managing my condition as best I can and trying to focus on the positives.
I’m so behind on reviews just now so feel like I’m not achieving much with my blog because I’m not getting those written and posted. I need to get on with it soon.
Thanks, hope you’re having a great week too. xx
So sorry to hear about the long-term diagnosis for your spinal cord, but I do hope you manage to find the combination of painkillers which allow you to be as comfortable as possible. How you manage to stay so positive and full of enthusiasm for all the books, I simply don’t know! Well done, Hayley!
Thank you. I do have my down days but mostly I try and focus on the positives as I can’t change what’s happened. I’m lucky to have such a supportive husband too. My blog, and the lovely people, like you, who I’ve got to know through blogging help me more than I can say too. It helps to have a space where my disability is irrelevant, if that makes sense. x
So sorry to hear of your bad news. Sending gentle hugs xxx
Thank you, I appreciate that xx
Sorry to hear your news Hayley but great attitude 👊🏻😘 I have the H is for Hawk book coming up soon hopefully so really looking forward to reading that.
Thank you 🙂 H is for Hawk is a wonderful read, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Sorry to hear that news, I hope you get your pain management under control soon, and keep up the positive attitude!🙂
Reading 7 books at once, I’m in awe, I can read, maybe 2 or 3 at once, but 7 😳
Thank you. I’ve always had multiple books on the go at once – I like to be in the middle of lots of different books so that I’m always in the mood to read one of them. Seven feels like too many sometimes but I can’t help it 😉
So sorry to hear your news, Hayley. I loved one of your current reads, the Jenny Colgan.
Thank you. I finished the Jenny Colgan this week and I adored it, it’s such a gorgeous story, isn’t it? It was the perfect pick-me-up book. 🙂
I am so sorry to hear your news, Hayley. And I admire you very much for resolving to make the very best life you can. I hope you’re able to keep your pain at bay, and stay comfortable. And you do have some terrific books there.
Thank you so much. x
I am very sorry about the bad news and admire your attitude towards this.
I wish you all the best.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that.
I’m sorry that the diagnosis isn’t good:(. Hopefully they will be able to get the pain management under control in due course – it’s grim living with chronic pain… Once more, I’m fascinated to see what you’re reading this week – and as for your TBR list – congratulations on getting it smaller – it’s more than I’m doing right now. My Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/sunday-post-5th-march-2017/
Thank you. My TBR is up and down like a yoyo at the moment – I manage to get a few books off it and then somehow seem to acquire more. The books keep my mind occupied though, which is always a good thing.
Oh well… good for you – my TBR just goes on steadily going up:). Hope you are feeling a bit better now, Hayley!
I don’t think I will ever get my TBR lower in real terms – I love books too much but I need to try as our house is bursting at the seams between my books and my husbands record collection. Thank you, I’m doing ok. x
Glad to hear you’re coping:). Yes… we desperately need to declutter, too. We are BOTH book hoarders and the house isn’t all that big…
Hi Hayley… So sorry about your diagnosis. On the “upside” – it is lovely to read your blog and see your reviews. What a pleasure to read them. H is for Hawk has been on my TBR list for some time. Thanks for reminding me again.
Good luck for your upcoming week and here’s a link to my latest post: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/the-sunday-post-headlines-and-failure_5.html
Thank you, that’s really kind of you to say. H is for Hawk is such a wonderful read, I highly recommend it. I’ve been slow to catch up on comments this week but I’ll go read your post now. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about the news from your neurosurgeon, my Mum has irreparable damage to her lower spine and having spent my whole life helping her and seeing the pain she goes through I can only imagine how you feel right now. Sending you lots of love and best wishes.
Thank you so much. I knew that this was the likely outcome but it was hard to hear. Just got to pick myself up and carry on. At least I know now and can plan better for the future. I’m really sorry to hear about your mum, it’s hard to see a loved one in pain and so disabled. Sending hugs to you too xx
What awful news lovely Hayley. I’m sending you all the most positive thoughts I can. Much love, Linda x
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. x
I’m sorry about your news Hayley, sending you positive thoughts from the US. You’re reading is amazing!
Thank you, I really appreciate it. x
So sorry about your pain…and the prognosis, but your attitude is wonderful. Finding joy in life, no matter our circumstances, is definitely a challenge.
You read an amazing number of books. The Escape caught my eye.
As for the no-clutter book, I get nervous, as those books tend to recommend getting rid of everything! LOL.
Maybe not. While I don’t think my house is cluttered, I do have some figurines mixed in with my books…which I have purged down to a manageable number. My daughter calls my house “cluttered,” but I’ve noticed hers is heading in that same direction. Collections, baby!
Thanks for sharing…and enjoy your week. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Thank you so much. I’m a big believer in making the most of things as much as possible, and that helps me through.
The Escape was so good, I definitely recommend that one.
I used to call my mum’s house cluttered but I find I have the same habits. I try really hard to be more ruthless but it’s hard when you’re sentimental at heart.
Hayley, I’m sorry to hear your news. I have permanent spinal damage, and some days I just want to sleep on my inversion table all day. I hope you are able to get your pain meds at the right balance for your needs.
Thank you. I’m sorry to hear that you have permanent spinal damage too, it’s hard, isn’t it?
Oh Haley, I’m sorry for your news. Many of us suffer along with you. I hope you find the right fit to manage your pain.
My Sunday Post
The Escape and Everything But the Truth looks really good. Glad you are having such good luck with your reads.
Both of those books were really enjoyable, I’d recommend them. Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
Even when you expect the worst, it’s something entirely different to hear it from someone else. 😦
I do love it when people narrate their own memoirs – it’s almost like sitting down with a famous person and having a heart-to-heart chat!
Yes, it is – it wasn’t easy to hear from my neurosurgeon but I’ve just got to pick myself up and keep going now.
I feel the same when people narrate their own memoirs, it makes it feel so much more personal and intimate – like they’re telling you, and only you, their stories.
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