Monday, March 09, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. I love this meme, it helps me stay on track ... well, most of the time. Thanks Sheila! 

On the Home Front: 
Good week of reading, not so great on blog work or reviews ... oh well can't win 'em all. Friday is Scandal Day (the bad thing about being caught up is waiting for a new episode each week) and then we have granddaughter for a sleepover. She is growing up soooo fast, can hardly believe it. Hubby and I also caught up on Vikings (freakin' awesome show) and Chicago Fire. I might start Wolf Hall this week, anyone watched it? I think I need another show to get addicted to ... I miss binge-watching. Or I could catch up on book reviews ... hmm.


FitReaders Weekly Check-In: 


 
#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking AboutFitReaders is a great way to stay motivated, accountable and it's more fun having bloggy friends to check in with. If you also have a fitbit and want to add me, let me know :) 

Reasonable week, some days better than others. We had a few days of revolting humidity, I hid in the aircon and walked up and down our stairs and the hallway, boring as batshit but better than nothing.

Fitbit Steps: 
Mon: 8093 steps
Tue:  8028 steps 
Wed: 6075 steps 
Thurs: 12,115 steps ~ walk with Bella
Fri: 6029 steps ~ short walk with Mia 
Sat:  5129 steps ~ play in pool with Mia
Sun: 11,035 steps ~ swim & 40min walk along esplanade with the family. Finished with fish & chips :)

Manly esplanade, Brisbane
 beautiful light, the setting sun hitting the boat masts was just gorgeous

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Giveaway:


ONE WISH by Robyn Carr (Thunder Point #7) ~ US Only. Giveaway ends 15th March. Enter here








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Reviews & Posts: (click on title)

THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY by Susan Mallery (Mischief Bay #1) ~ loved it! Weekend Cooking post (Chicken Pesto Pizza) 

ONE WISH by Robyn Carr (Thunder Point #7) ~ guest review by Karen + giveaway

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Finished last week:

TELL THE TRUTH by Katherine Howell (Ella Marconi #8) ~ great installment, sad it's the last in the Ella Marconi series ... for now. I'm not ready for goodbye!

MIST OF MIDNIGHT by Sandra Bryd (The Daughters of Hampshire #1) ~ book tour review next week. 

THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Cynthia Hand (audiobook) ~ a departure from Cynthia Hand's usual, very moving. 

LEAVING HOME by Jodi Picoult (audiobook) ~ three short pieces on the subject of leaving home. 

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This Week's Reading List: 


TURTLE REEF by Jennifer Scoullar ~ page 45

INSIDE THE O'BRIEN'S by Lisa Genova

THE LAST ANNIVERSARY by Liane Moriarty (audiobook) ~ chapter 6

THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF by Norman Doidge (audiobook) ~ 50% done. Fascinating stuff but I can only listen to so much before my eyes glaze over ;) 


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Reviews Coming:

THE VIOLETS OF MARCH by Sarah Jio ~ this one was a win from Stacy @Stacy's Books quite a few years ago. Love Sarah Jio's writing and enjoyed this little treasure. 

THE TUDOR VENDETTA by C.W. Gortner (The Spymaster Chronicles #3) ~ enjoyed it and surreal to be visiting Westminster, walking London and Southwalk while reading this one. 

THE TAPESTRY by Nancy Bilyeau (Joanna Stafford #3) ~ blog tour review 17th March




33 comments:

  1. Is the picture of the boats a photo or painting? It looks amazing!!!

    On the TV watching front I didn't ever get into Vikings but I've heard good things about it!

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    1. thanks Deb, I took the photo late afternoon, the sun hitting the masts was just gorgeous!

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  2. I was planning to get caught up on reviews this weekend but I just couldn't write. I hope to do better this week because I have a big backlog waiting to be written.

    I'm glad you get to spend more time with your granddaughter! I haven't watched Vikings yet but I am curious about it. I want to watch Wolf Hall when it is on in the States. Not sure when it starts airing. Did you read the book? I love Tudor history but the size of the book was kind of intimidating so maybe the miniseries will be more accessible.

    I want to read Inside the O'Briens too. I've got an ARC for review and will probably read it in a couple of weeks.

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    1. I didn't read Wolf Hall Christina, same reason as you, chunksters scare me off unless I'm familiar with the author or a series. I've heard good things about the series and thought that'd be the way to go since I love the history. Good luck to us both with reviews lol

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  3. I just started The Martian: A Novel yesterday and LOVE LOVE LOVE it ... I think you would TOTALLY LOVE IT!!!!

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    1. Julie I'm excited about The Martian, I picked it up on audible but I have some audio library books I have to finish first. Glad you loved it a whole lot!!

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  4. You are so good with your TV. As I said before I bought DVD of Scandal series 1 after you raved about it, and still sitting unopened. I have heaps of Grey's Anatomy to watch and I think I recorded something else to see if I like it. Haven't heard of Wolf Hall or Vikings. That's not remarkable, I am a little TV illiterate!

    You had a great reading week, and walking is great too in spite of the humidity.

    Hope your coming week is a good one.

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    1. I got caught up on quite a few tv series while my hands have been painful and limiting my computer work. Thanks to your reminder last night I got caught up on Grey's Anatomy while Monday commenting. Series 11 is another tear jerker.
      I'm always after new historical series to watch, hence Vikings and Wolf Hall ... Wolf Hall is based on Hilary Mantel's book (tudor period) which I never read because the size was completely daunting lol

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    2. PS hurry up and watch Scandal ;)

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  5. I'm doing a lot of binge watching lately. After finishing Dawson's Creek I watched Roswell (the first season was alright but the others were lame), now I'm watching The Secret Circle (almost finished) and season 5 of Lost Girl, then Ill have to find something else :)

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    1. Scandal! Scandal! haha

      hmm might check out The Secret Circle

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  6. Luv the photo! and just the idea of walking the esplanade does me good :)

    Have to get on my Mist of Midnight review as well - but then new grandson arrived today so attention kind of not on writing a review :)

    Enjoy that sleepover ;)

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    1. was so pleased to hear of your grandson's arrival, grandchildren are special bundles of joy, enjoy treasuring every moment :)

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  7. I'll be interested to read what you think of the Liane Moriarty book. So far, I've read "BIg Little Lies" and am in the middle of "Three Wishes" and have enjoyed her so far.

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    1. Liane Moriarty is one of my favourite Australian authors. I enjoyed Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot but my favourite is still The Husband's Secret.

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    2. PS Melinda, sorry I'm unable to comment on your blog, google plus is being a bully and you don't seem to have any other comment options :(

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  8. Another Moriarty - playing catch up here !

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    1. Waving ... busy time for you, all the best with your move!

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  9. What a beautiful photo! I just joined #FitReaders this week! I'm so excited about my Fitbit. Enjoy your books this week!

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    1. yay another fitbit buddy, thanks for the friend. Happy stepping and reading Brandie :)

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  10. Bet you enjoyed that grandbaby sleepover. I am doing awful with my exercise. Hoping this week will be a better one in that regard.

    I read INSIDE THE O'BRIEN'S. Such an absorbing book. I love Lisa Genova's writing.

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    1. I loved Still Alice so I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed Inside the O'Briens. Hope you have a better week of exercise ... one step at a time :)

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  11. I like your line-up of books for this week. Happy reading!

    My recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/03/weekly-book-recap-101.html

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  12. I had a very sedentary week last week. I only hit 6000 steps one day. I'll have to try harder this week. You read a nice variety of books too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  13. I enjoyed The Last Anniversary...which isn't surprising, since I love this author. And I definitely want to read Inside the O'Briens. Enjoy your week, that sleepover with Mia, and whatever shows you decide will be your next addiction.

    Here we had How to Get Away with Murder, which just ended its season...and I was definitely addicted.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  14. ElizabethMarch 10, 2015 at 12:35 AM
    I thought your photo was a painting like Deb! I try to keep up with my TV, and since I retired this year it's been no problem, except when I have Netflix issues. I'm on the lookout for Wolf Hall here in the US. I watched Secrets and Lies on Netflix. They re-made it for US audience, with Ryan Phillppe starring. We've only had 2 episodes so far, but it's just as good as the original. Thanks for taking time to visit my post.

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  15. I'm looking forward to Inside the O'Briens, I'll watch for your review. I have The Girls of Mischief Bay, looks perfect for a beach read this summer.

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  16. A sleepover! How fun. We have not had Cole over yet, but have slept over at his house. My hubby and I are binge watching House of Cards. Have a great week.

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  17. That picture is stunning! The sleepover sounds fun. My husband watches Vikings and agrees with your opinion of it! You've gotten some great reading done this week and your reading list looks great. I'm looking forward to your review on the Sarah Jio book. I loved Goodnight June and have almost picked that one up at the library about a dozen times.

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  18. Jason keeps trying to get me to bing watch shows but I don't have time. Except for Outlander that starts again nect month. If I watched Scandal I know I'd be hooked - it's my type of show!

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  19. I'm not just saying it because your my friend....but your photos are STUNNING Teddyree...honestly xx

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