This week has been a bit of rough week. I’ve reduced my pain meds again and it’s left me feeling really unwell at times. This is going to be par for the course on and off for the next couple of months so I just need to get on with it as best as I can.
I did cheer myself up with an online book buying splurge as I still had my birthday book vouchers so that was lovely. I shared what I got in my Stacking the Shelves post yesterday if you’d like to see that.
This week I’ve finished reading five books:
The Cutaway by Christina Kovac
This is such a good read. It’s a crime thriller but the focus is on the newsroom, and how they report a crime, the way they get information, and also how easily a reporter can become obsessed with a case. It’s not a fast-paced, twisty novel so far but it does grip you from the the opening chapter. I highly recommend this one. I’ll be writing my review of this one soon.
Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins
This is the audio book I’ve been listening to with my husband over the last month. I’m not really a Phil Collins fan but I found myself really enjoying this book. The first half was better than the second half for me. I enjoyed hearing about how his career got started, and about the people he worked with etc, and hearing what was going on behind the scenes at Live Aid was very amusing, but I didn’t like the way he was so dismissive of how his treatment of each of his wives affected them. I know we all paint ourselves in our best light but it’s hard to listen to someone have seemingly no awareness of how he made other people feel. Aside from that aspect of the book, Phil Collins shared some great stories that did make us laugh, or caused a few raised eyebrows so I would recommend this to fans of his, but be ready to grit your teeth when he talks about his various relationships with women.
Year of No Clutter by Eve Schaub
I struggled to get into this book but I’m glad I persevered. I found that as the book went on I could identify with a lot of how Eve felt about her clutter, and the reasons why she had let it build up. I’ll be reviewing this on my blog soon.
The Trophy Child by Paula Daly
I’m a big fan of Paula Daly’s novels so was very excited to read this one. It kept me engrossed all the way through but I’m still unsure how to rate it. I read an ARC so I will be reviewing it as soon as I’ve got my thoughts in order.
Little Deaths by Emma Flint
This is also a review book and I’ve had it on my TBR for a little while now but I’m annoyed with myself for being so slow to pick it up as I loved it. It grabbed me from the opening and I’m still thinking about it now, days after I finished reading. I hope to get my review finished and posted on my blog soon.
This week I’ve blogged six times:
Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up
Monday: Review of It’s All Absolutely Fine by Ruby Elliot
Wednesday: WWW Wednesday
Thursday: Review of The Last Act of Hattie Hoffman by Mindy Mejia
Friday: Review of Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Saturday: Stacking the Shelves
This is what I’m currently reading:
Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski
I’ve only read the first few pages of this novel so far but I can tell it’s going to be one that I won’t be able to put down once I pick it up again!
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
This is my current audio book and I’m really enjoying it. It’s such a clever book that really gives you a lot to think about, whilst remaining easy to read and enjoyable.
Now We Are 40 by Tiffanie Darke
This is such a good read. The first few chapters bring back memories of the 90s, with talk of pre-internet/mobile phone, the fashion, the music, the obsession we all had with The Body Shop (I loved Dewberry body spray from there!). Then the book discusses the internet boom and the impact it had on the creative industries, and on women. I’d definitely recommend this to Generation X-ers!
Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
I’m enjoying this book but it’s suffering from me being in the middle of it but not really in the mood to read it. I hope to get back to it in the next few days.
A Portrait of Bowie by Brian Hiatt
This is a lovely book to dip in and out of as it’s a collaborative book featuring people who knew David Bowie, and it has some great photos in it too.
One of Us by Asne Seierstad
I’m still struggling to read serious non-fiction so I haven’t read much of this over the last week. Hopefully, if I feel a bit better this week I’ll be able to read more of it. It’s a great read, it’s just bad timing for me to be reading it right now.
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: 1871
Additions:
Books bought/received for review/gifts: 16
Subtractions:
Books read this week: 5
Books I’m currently reading: 6
TBR Books culled this week: 0
Total:
TBR now stands at: 1882
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 
Hayley, so sorry to hear about the spike in pain. I can’t imagine the struggle this is for you. I hope a solution is found sooner. I also used a bookstore giftcard to buy books this week. I’ve had it for two Christmases!
Thank you. It’s something I have to learn to live with but I’ve got a couple of new treatment options starting soon so I’m hoping they will help.
I look forward to reading your review on Little Deaths, I’ve just read this week myself, and thought it was still (sadly) all too accurate about the judgements we make of ‘bad mothers’.
I’m still trying to get my review together for Little Deaths – I always struggle to review the books I’ve really loved. I agree about the judgement of mothers, it’s shocking that a book set in the sixties could be set in the present day in terms of that.
I’m planning to review it this week too and am getting my thoughts together…
Sending you lots of hugs for the ups and downs due to the medication and everything ❤
I'm so devastated! Amazon told me I had to wait August to get the paperback for The Cutaway, haha, it's gonna be a long wait!!!
I'm so happy you're reading Six Stories! I can't wait to discuss it!
Have a nice week!! xxx
Thank you, I chose to do this with my meds so I’m determined to get there but it’s hard. I’ll get there though.
Oh no! That’s such a shame about The Cutaway but it’s something to look forward to. I think it’s still on NG so it might be worth requesting.
I’m loving Six Stories so far – it’s so different and completely addictive! xx
Such a lot of great reads! I am very sorry you had trouble with your pain again, but hopefully that will get sorted out. In the meantime, you have been doing some fine reading. I keep hearing about The Trophy Child; so many people I know are saying it’s wonderful. It’s already on the wishlist, and I get the sense it’ll be more than worth the read.
Thank you. I really enjoyed The Trophy Child – it was one of those ‘ just one more chapter…’ books that you end up not being able to put down until you’ve finished it. I hope you enjoy it when you get to read it.
Sorry to hear about the pain. You have some great books to read, enjoy!
Thank you so much 🙂
Sorry to hear you are struggling with pain, again, Hayley. You are in my thoughts and I hope you’ll feel a lot better soon. I am so impressed at how much reading you have managed to get done! Hope this coming week is a better one for you. My Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/sunday-post-19th-march-2017/
Thank you so much. I’m starting a new treatment next week so am hoping that it helps me.
Fingers crossed it does the trick.
The pain struggle is a tough one….hang in there, and I hope things improve.
Five books is amazing! I loved The Trophy Child…and enjoyed Little Deaths. I have The Cutaway…and now can’t wait to start reading it.
Thanks for sharing…and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
It is – thank you, I appreciate that. I loved The Cutaway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Good luck with the continued med changes. It’s hard work adjusting to new dosages.
I just chuckled at how Now We Are 40 talks about how we were obsessed with The Body Shop because I still am, I spend a fortune in there! They just discontinued their nail varnish and I had a meltdown because I’ve never bought it anywhere else! 😂
Thank you, I’m really struggling with this med change but just need to keep going.
It’s funny how most women in our age group are or were obsessed with The Body Shop. I used to go in there every weekend as a teenager and I still like their stuff now. Oh no about the nail varnish! I would be gutted if they ever stopped making their hemp range as I adore it, especially the hand protector.
Oh yes the hand protector is amazing! I’ve even got my Husband using it now! 😂
5 books is a lot! Somehow I don’t manage to find the time. I’m either going to fail my Goodreads challenge or… :p
Sorry about your meds
I’m happy this week that I’ve finally been able to start eating. Had a very bad bout of stomach problems, lost god knows how much weight… we hardly appreciate how good it is when we CAN eat and it doesn’t cost us. It really is such a gift.
Also, the Sellout is on my TBR. Curious about your upcoming review 🙂
I’ve got a lot of medical stuff going on at the moment where I have to rest after treatments etc so I have time to read. I’m sorry to hear how unwell you’ve been, it’s horrible when you can’t eat. I hope you continue to be able eat and that you start getting stronger soon.
The Sellout is a really good read, I’d recommend it. 🙂
Oh yeah, I’m reading the Sellout sooner or later 🙂 well, hang on there! I’m glad you have books to keep you company through those tough times.
Thank you 🙂
I’m very happy you got on the train to read Six Stories! You’re in for a treat, you’ll see :-). Can’t wait for your review on that one.
I’m loving Six Stories, it’s so different to anything I’d read recently and is very hard to put down.
I read a great review of Six Stories yesterday so will be interested to hear your thoughts as well – an interesting idea for telling a story,
I’m really enjoying it so far – it’s nice to read something that’s a bit different.
I do hope you find some relief from your chronic pain soon.
I plan to go on a shopping binge soon. I only got one book this week. Look at all of the lovelies you have! I hope you enjoy them:)
My Sunday Post
Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week Hayley. I’m 40 this year, so I feel I should definitely check out Now We Are 40…I have memories just from your description of the book…another Dewberry by The Body shop fan here 🙂 Little Deaths is also on my TBR, sounds like I should make a point to get to it soon.
Thank you. Now We Are 40 is a really good read, I’d recommend it. Yay another fan of Dewberry body spray fan! 🙂 Little Deaths is a brilliant read, it’s one of this books that gets under your skin.
Wow, I think it is safe to say that your week was much more successful than mine haha. I plan on starting Six Stories as well. I hope we both enjoy. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Six Stories is really good – I can’t stop thinking about it when I’m not reading. I hope you enjoy it too. Hope you have a good week ahead 🙂
Apparently I’m right on the cusp between Gen X and the Millenials, though being on the older side of the Millenials I think I identify more with those memories of the ’90s!
I’m 38 so only just a Generation X-er. I think if you remember the 90s then you’ll enjoy this book – it really brought back memories for me.
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