This week has been a bit rubbish if I’m honest. The effects of reducing my pain meds have really kicked in and I just feel horrid a lot of the time. I was meant to be going to a gig in the week with my husband, and we’d had the tickets for ages, but there was no way I was going to manage it. We stayed in and treated ourselves to a takeaway instead, which was lovely but I still wish we could have gone out.
I’ve barely managed to read anything all week – the two books I have finished are the ones I managed to pick up again just yesterday and were books I’ve been reading on and off for a little while now.
I’m going to be starting a new treatment soon, which is more experimental, but I’m going into it with a positive mindset and am hoping that it helps me.
This week I’ve finished reading two books:
First Love by Gwendoline Riley
I found this to be such a compelling read, it really drew me in. Some of the things that happen hit a nerve with me but it’s so well written that even then I didn’t want to stop reading. I love books that make me uncomfortable but still have me under their spell, and this one was definitely one of those. I definitely recommend this.
Hillsborough Untold by Norman Bettison
I didn’t notice who this book was by when it arrived so it was only when I started reading this that I realised. I wouldn’t have picked this up had I have known but once I had the book I was intrigued to know what he had to say. I do think it’s important to hear all sides but in this case, when the police have been held responsible after so many years, it does feel like there’s nothing more to be heard from them that can add anything. Having said that, I do think it’s wrong that officers can take early retirement in order to get out of facing an investigation into their alleged wrong-doing, and that, because the other officers involved did this, Bettison bore more of the criticism in his career. I wouldn’t recommend this.
This week I’ve blogged seven times:
Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up post
Monday: Review of Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Tuesday: Review of The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
Wednesday: WWW Wednesday post
Friday: Review of The Trophy Child by Paula Daly
Saturday: Stacking the Shelves post
This is what I’m currently reading:
Good as Gone by Amy Gentry
I just started this book last night and it’s got me hooked already so I reckon, concentration span permitting, that this may be one of those books that I finish in one sitting!
Deconstructing Dirty Dancing by Stephen Lee Naish
This is a really interesting look at the film Dirty Dancing and what the backdrop to the film was in terms of politics of the time it was made, and the time it was set. It’s a short book so I hope to be able to finish it this week.
The Cows by Dawn O’Porter
This is a brilliant novel, I’m really enjoying it. I actually missed this book when I had a few days of not being well enough to read this week so I’m really looking forward to picking it up again.
Sweet Pea by C.J. Skuse
This is such a great read. I’ll be honest and say that I haven’t managed to read anymore of it this week due to lack of concentration but also due to horrible lack of dexterity in my hands meaning print books aren’t the easiest to read at the moment. I’m so keen to see where this story is going though so hopefully I’ll be able to get back to it this week.
One of Us by Asne Serierstad
I’ve managed to read a bit more of this over the last week and am really hoping that my brain power will be back to full(ish) strength soon so that I can finish this book. It’s such an interesting book but I wish I could have managed to read it in fewer sittings.
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: 1895
Additions:
Books bought/received for review/gifts: 23
Subtractions:
Books read this week: 2
Books I’m currently reading: 5
TBR Books culled this week: 0
Total:
TBR now stands at: 1913
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. I’ll be posting my monthly wrap-up for March on here tomorrow so please look out for that! 🙂
RatherTooFondofBooks 
I pray this new treatment will help you. I’m reading a book by John Calvin called, “On the Christian Life.” It was published in 1845. I wasn’t sure at first if I’d like it and then I hit chapter 3. It is an interesting, well thought out and easy to understand why God allows suffering. I wish I had read it years ago, but perhaps at that time I wasn’t ready. Previously, C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Problem of Pain,” was in my mind, the best on the subject. I think this chapter is just as good or better. It is a subject I’ve studied for many years because I have had trouble loving God.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that. I think I might seek out the CS Lewis book, it sounds interesting and I do like his non-fiction writing. I hope you continue to find the Calvin book interesting.
Sorry to hear you’ve had a really tough week Hayley x
Thank you x
Here’s hoping the new treatment will make life rather better for you, Hayley xx
Thank you so much xx
Fingers crossed for the new treatment Hayley – you need your strength for that tbr pile 😉 Happy Reading xx
Thank you 🙂 Haha yes I need to be fighting fit to work my way through all the books! xx
Oo. Not a brilliant week. Hope you soon feel a bit better as you adjust to the new medication. I loved The Cows so maybe it will be a good distraction for you x
Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting back to The Cows this week, especially after reading your lovely review. x
I hope the new treatment goes well xx
I’ll look forward to your review of Seeetpea and The Cows.
Thank you xx
I am very sorry to hear how much pain you’ve been having, Hayley. I hope your new treatment will help you get relief. I’ll be interested in your view of The Cows when you’ve finished it.
Thank you so much. I’m on the blog tour for The Cows so will definitely be reviewing it soon. It’s a great read, I’ve almost finished it now and have really enjoyed it.
Sorry you’re not feeling well Hayley, hope next week is better!
Thank you x
Sorry you’ve had a back week – hope things improve!
Thank you x
Aah sorry to hear you’ve had a rubbish week -hope things improve very soon for you. can can I just say a TBR pile of 1913! Haha kudos to you x
Thank you. Haha I know, my TBR is out of control at the moment but there are just so many good books… 🙂
Oh, Hayley, I’m so sorry you’ve had a spike in pain. I hope this new therapy shows improvements. Deconstructing Dirty Dancing looks interesting.
Thank you. Deconstructing Dirty Dancing was an ok read but not really what I was expecting it to be. I’m writing my review at the moment so hopefully I’ll get that posted soon.
So sorry it’s been such a grim week – and I do hope that you feel a far better week coming up. And that the experimental treatment helps you. As ever, your range of books is impressive. I’m fascinated by The Cows and look forward to hearing what you make of it. Take care!
Thank you. I’m so behind on replying to comments at the moment but I do always appreciate you commenting on my posts. I’ll be reviewing The Cows on Wednesday for the blog tour. 🙂
No worries, Hayley – I just hope you feel a lot better soon. Looking forward to your review of The Cows.
Hope next week is a better one for you x
Thank you 🙂
Sorry you’ve had a tough week Hayley. Hope the new meds kick in. I can emphasise with this as I’m going through a similar thing.
I’m in awe of you, with a weekly round up and keeping track of your TBR. I must start trying to keep some sort of order.
Really interesting book mentions.
Caryl x
Thank you so much. I’m sorry that you’re going through similar thing – it’s not easy, is it? x
Joining with everyone else and hoping you feel better this week and your new medications work.
Thank you so much x
I’m sorry to hear about your bad week *hugs* I hope the new treatment brings you some relief xxx
Thank you xx
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