This week has been lovely as my husband has been on holiday from work. I’m not able to be out and about very much but it’s been nice to spend time together. He finally persuaded me to start watching Stranger Things, and I’m so annoyed that I put it off for so long before I’m absolutely loving it.
It’s been a strange last couple of days. I always find it hard to know that people I love are going through grief and sadness when I can’t do anything to really help.
This week I’ve finished reading four books:
Letters to Sarah by Sara Payne
This was a really emotional read but also an interesting one. Sara Payne is a remarkable woman in how she’s channeled her pain into trying to keep other children safe. I was also really inspired by how she’s worked to recover as much as she can after her stroke.
Three Days and a Life by Pierre LeMaitre
This book was brilliant! I literally couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I’m a big fan of Pierre LeMaitre and this book absolutely lived up to all my expectations. I’ll be reviewing this as soon as I can but I highly recommend it.
After I’ve Gone by Linda Green
I was really intrigued by the premise for this book and the way social media was used to show someone their future. There was more to this book than I was expecting and I was really gripped by it. I read a review copy so I will be trying to get my review for this posted soon.
This book grabbed me from the opening chapter and had me so intrigued that I just couldn’t put it down. I’ve already reviewed this one so you can read my thoughts on it here if you’d like to.
This week I’ve blogged four times:
Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up post
Tuesday: Review of Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf
Wednesday: WWW Wednesday post
Thursday: Review of The Other Twin by Lucy V. Hay
This is what I’m currently reading:
Her Deadly Secret by Chris Curran
This is one of those books that really grabs you from the start and makes you wish you’d started it at a time when you could just read all afternoon and finish it in one sitting.
The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnivich
I’d been really keen to read this book before I started it and yet somehow I didn’t know much about it. I’m completely gripped by it – it’s non-fiction but assumptions are made about certain situations in order to fill in blanks so it’s not completely non-fiction. It’s one of those books that really makes you think about things and I’m looking forward to reading more of it.
Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy
I have to be honest and say that I’ve not been drawn to read any more of this novel this week. I’m going to keep it on my currently reading pile for another week and then if it still hasn’t called to me I may just DNF it. I don’t know if the problem is just me as the premise really grabbed me initially.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
I’ve read another few chapters of this and am finding it fascinating. It’s non-fiction but it’s written in a way that really flows so I’d recommend this to anyone, even if you don’t normally read non-fiction.
Update on my TBR:
As you may have noticed I didn’t post a Stacking the Shelves post yesterday and the reason for that is I didn’t buy or receive any new books by the time I normally write and schedule my post! I’m sure you’re all as shocked as I am!!
TBR at the start of January 2017: 1885 (see my State of the TBR post)
TBR in last week’s Wrap-Up: 1999
Additions:
Books bought/received for review/gifts: 0
Subtractions:
Books read this week: 4
TBR Books culled this week: 0
Total:
TBR now stands at: 1996
How’s your week been? I hope it’s been a good week, I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to and what you’ve been reading over the last seven days. If you do a wrap-up post please feel free to share a link below.
RatherTooFondofBooks 
I understand that feeling of helplessness Hayley.
Can’t believe you didn’t add to your TBR this week!
The helplessness of not being able to do anything for loved ones is difficult, I understand that ❤ I am happy you got time with your hubby. xxx
That is one big TBR!! There are so many amazing books out there, and I could spend all day adding to my TBR!
I’m very glad you got to spend time with your husband – it’s nice when you get a chance to do that. I know just what you mean, too, about not being about to help when someone you care about is suffering. That’s so hard, isn’t it? I hope this week goes well for you.
I have a copy of the LeMaitre book too and looking forward to reading it even more now 😀
My daughter has been trying to convince me to watch Stanger Things. Maybe I should give it a try 😊
So many tempting books! I saw Three Days and a Life on another blog, too…I am eager to find out more. Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
No new books?? How did that happen? I think I gained about 4. Oops. Maybe some Kindle ones. My husband is away this coming week but sometimes I get a bit out of sync when he’s away, so who knows whether I’ll read more or less than usual!
It’s a shame about Do Not Become Alarmed – is it just different from what you expected?
And I’m sorry someone close to you is going through difficult times. I’m sure your presence and care is helping them.
It’s always nice to spend time with your other half that’s just you time. I completely understand how you feel about being unable to help loved ones who are grieving or going through something. The Man just got news on Thursday that he’s waiting for more confirmation on, but it will be a grieving situation. It is hard. *hugs*
I’m glad you have had some quality time with your husband – trouble is those holiday periods always zip by far too fast. You’re right – it’s always hard when someone close is grieving… sometimes all we can do is just be there…
I’ve heard so much about The Fact of a Body. I’m worried that I don’t have the constitution to stand it – I hear it’s pretty gnarly!