It's Sunday/Monday: Check-In Time

Linking up with Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer and It's Monday! What are You Reading? now hosted by Kathryn @Book Date. 

Well the first week of 2016 didn't quite go as planned, our home server crashed and died and we changed our internet & wifi arrangement and ended up being without for a few days so apologies for being MIA and not visiting. I must admit I enjoyed the unplanned, unplugged time but this week things are back on track #fingerscrossed

Not much reading over the last 10 days, lots of computer time transferring files etc and we've lived in the pool. 

Yesterday we had a 'gourmet' picnic in the park and played badminton, so much fun! 

After Christmas I watched the Downton Abbey Christmas special. Sad to say goodbye to one of my favourite series but what a wonderful send-off.  

And amongst all the series I can't wait for the return of, Vikings tops the list. How exciting does the new season look :)

#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. FitReaders 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 :)  

I love this group ... support and encouragement no matter what level of activity you're at. Felicia and Jen's stories made me feel comfortable joining 2 years ago, a virus affected my heart and after 6 months of no exercise, I was cleared to begin walking again. It's been a long, slow road to getting heart healthy (literally) but I'm so glad it was with bookblogwalkers/FitReaders. Heartfelt thanks girls HA  :)

This year I'm going to try and do the 5k each month. January was tough but I did it :) 

Fitbit Steps:

Mon: 10,448 steps ~ walk & swimming

Tue: 6489 steps ~ swimming

Wed: 15,522 steps ~ Did January 5k walk with Bella

Thurs: 12,048 steps ~ walk with Bella

Fri: 8034 steps ~ swimming

Sat: 8499 steps ~ play in park & badminton

Sun: 8650 steps ~ swimming and walk with Bella

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Reviews & Posts: (click on title) 

unplugged

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Finished last week: 

IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE by Cathy Lamb  ~ loved it, what a great way to start 2016.  It will be on my favourite list at the end of the year! Thanks Kathryn :)

THE EYE OF THE SHEEP by Sofie Laguna ~ strangely beautiful and it broke my heart

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This Week's Reading List:

JUST SAY YES by Alyssa Goodnight ~ I'm going to read it this week!!! 

MISSING PIECES by Heather Gudenkauf

THE PATTERSON GIRLS by Rachael Johns (audiobook) ~ chapter 20 and enjoying it

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Reviews Coming: 

THE THINGS WE KEEP by Sally Hepworth ~ heartbreaking & heartwarming

LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY by Jenny Colgan (audiobook) ~ fun. Looking forward to the next one. 

Happy New Year & First Book of 2016

2016 ... new year, new challenges, new experiences ...  bring it on. Here's to another wonderful year of friendship, shared book love and TBR mountains with indigestion!

and now to First Book of 2016 hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.  Thanks Sheila, wouldn't miss this, it's a fun way to kick off the year. Head over to Book Journey to check out everyone's choices. 

My pick is IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE by Cathy Lamb  ...  

I've been meaning to read a Cathy Lamb for *cough* ... years. Kathryn from Book Date has loved many of Cathy Lamb's books and I love Kathryn's reviews, we have quite similar reading tastes so first cab off the rank is a Kathryn-inspired choice :)

I hope everyone loves their 1st book of the year choice ... happy reading :)

Best of 2015 ~ Top 10 Favourite Reads

In 2015 I:

made wonderful memories with my granddaughter, she is such a joy and I've loved sharing some of those special moments with you.

had fun times with family

shared my love of reading with Mia

celebrated my youngest son turning 21, my eldest 24 and Mia 1

pursued my love of photography

read 90 books (86 fiction and 4 non-fiction)

completed 3/5 reading challenges 

epically failed at updating challenges 

swam with the turtles at Lady Elliot Island & saw turtle hatchlings

started a vegetable plot in our local community garden

cooked some great and not so great recipes from Pinterest 

battled peripheral neuropathy in my hands

embraced "clean-eating" (mostly)

bought a Thermomix, to make cooking with my dodgy hands a little safer and easier

got heart healthy walking with FitReaders and my Fitbit for another 12 months ... pats self on back :)

read even more Australian fiction (5 Australian authors** on my favourite reads list)

Loved participating in:

• It's Monday! What Are You Reading? passed from Sheila @ Book Journey to Kathryn @ Book Date
• FitReaders  Thanks to Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog & Jen @ That's What I'm Talking About and the whole FitReaders gang for the support, encouragement, motivation, occasional kick, and fun. Can't wait for what's in store in 2016
• Weekend Cooking thanks to Beth @ Beth Fish Reads

TOP 10 FAVOURITE READS IN 2015

So many amazing books, it's hard to narrow it down but here's my best ... the reads that have left a lasting impression for one reason or another.  Click on the title if you want to see my full review. Bring on another wonderful year of reading!

THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah ~ one of the best books I've read ... the kind of best that lands a novel on my books-to-be-buried-with list. I left a piece of my heart on the pages of The Nightingale.

COME FULL CIRCLE by Sherryl Caulfield (Iceberg Trilogy #3)** ~ breathtaking ... my heart is happy! 

BLACK-EYED SUSANS by Julia Heaberlin ~ intelligent, edgy and tight. The best kind of pyschological thriller ... the suspense nearly killed me. 

BURNT PAPER SKY by Gilly Macmillan ~ Tight, pacy and smart and OMG the tension, it kept me guessing. A heart-in-mouth read ... start to finish. 

THE LAKE HOUSE by Kate Morton** ~ love, loyalty, loss and long-held secrets. I lost myself in another time and place.

THE PARIS KEY by Juliet Blackwell ~ a story about secrets, family, friends and discovering one's true self ... in Paris. It's warm and touching and delightful. A just-because favourite this year.

THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert ~ a foodie's dream story; warm, funny, sweet, delicious, sad and I adored every mouth-watering, lip-smacking minute of it. 

INSIDE THE O'BRIENS by Lisa Genova ~ education and awareness gently wrapped in humour and heart.  

NORTHERN HEAT by Helene Young** ~ an addictive mix of nail-biting tension and characters to emotionally invest in. Totally worth the sleep deprivation.

THE THINGS WE KEEP by Sally Hepworth ~ heartbreaking and heartwarming (review January)

I'd feel bad not mentioning these wonderful reads ... 

TOP 5 AUDIOBOOKS IN 2015

MENAGERIE by Rachel Vincent ~ Menagerie is dark and brutal and superbly imagined, the complex world building blew my mind and ripped at my heart. Gabra Zackman nails the narration, pacing, distinct voices and personalities for an array of characters. I loved this one! 

THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir ~ The Martian was A-MAZING. Narrator R.C. Bray, deserves a high five, a medal, a raise ... absolutely brilliant narration. It's tense, emotional, snerk funny and a surprise favourite read this year. 

OUTBACK MIDWIFE by Beth McRae** ~ Beth's memoir is an entertaining read with humorous and heartbreaking anecdotes and with 40 years experience as a midwife, it's like getting the history of midwifery in Australia without the dry history lesson. Caroline Lee's narration is compelling.

THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Cynthia Hand ~ The strength of The Last Time We Say Goodbye is in its down-to-earth simplicity, it's the raw, simple, messy truth that is grief. Julia Whelan is one of my favourite narrators, she has the uncanny ability of becoming a character. 

THE WINTER CROWN by Elizabeth Chadwick (Eleanor of Aquitaine #2) ~ Katie Scarfe's narration is brilliant. Her tone, inflection, emotion; I could listen to her all day. In this and The Summer Queen, she is Aliénor ... one female historical figure I never tire of reading about. 19 hours ... who knew? 

and you can't go wrong with these 

MIA'S FAVOURITE

BE BRAVE, PINK PIGLET by Phil Cummings ~ Mia's favourite ... 'nuf said :)

Happy Birthday to my amazing Dad who turns 73 today. Love you Dad xx 

Last Sunday/Monday of the Year: Check-In Time

Linking up with Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer and It's Monday! What are You Reading? now hosted by Kathryn @Book Date. 

We had a wonderful Christmas with all the family, Mia was a joy. Feeling very blessed that our Christmas was filled with so much family time, love and laughter. We were all very spoilt, ate way too much, strawberry daiquiris were a hit, an evening swim hit the spot, raucous fun in the pool on Boxing Day and a family get-together on Sunday before my sister and family leave to teach in Indonesia for 12 months.  

And my granddaughter is the cutest dancing elf I've ever seen lol

I adore the the angel wing I received for Christmas ... "There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are you will always be in my heart."

I'm also looking forward to Sheila's First book of the Year 2016. Tough choice but I've finally decided ... yay! Head over to Book Journey to sign up. 

#FitReaders Weekly Check-In

 

#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. FitReaders 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 :)  

Managed to make my target this week. I participated in the FitReaders Christmas Walk ... thanks to Felicia & Jen for the encouragement. Bella was not so impressed lol

Fitbit Steps:

Mon: 7056 steps 

Tue: 9234 steps ~ walk with Bella

Wed: 9460 steps ~ walk with Bella

Thurs: 13,781 steps ~ last minute shopping

Fri: 10,052 steps ~ FitReaders Christmas walk with Bella & Mike

Sat: 5042 steps ~ Boxing Day pool war ;) swimming

Sun: 7162 steps ~ swimming

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Reviews & Posts: (click on title) 

TWAS THE MONDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS: CHECK-IN TIME

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Finished last week: 

nothing lol

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This Week's Reading List:

same as last week + 1st Book of the Year

THE EYE OF THE SHEEP by Sofie Laguna ~ I bought this one almost a year ago and there it sat #mybad. 

JUST SAY YES by Alyssa Goodnight ~ picked up this one after Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer sang its praises. 

THE PATTERSON GIRLS by Rachael Johns (audiobook)

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Reviews Coming: 

ALONG THE INFINITE SEA by Beatriz Williams ~ From the halfway mark I couldn't put it down.  

THE THINGS WE KEEP by Sally Hepworth ~ heartbreaking & heartwarming

LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY by Jenny Colgan (audiobook) ~ fun. Looking forward to the next one. 

THE INFORMATIONIST by Taylor Stevens (Vanessa Michael Munroe #1) ~ (audiobook) 

THE INNOCENT by Taylor Stevens (Vanessa Michael Munroe #2) ~ audiobook. Great installment