
Each Sunday I will be rounding up my week and linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberley @Caffeinated Reviewer as well as The Sunday Salon meme hosted by the wonderful Deb @Readerbuzz. Do please pop by their blogs and show them a little love 💗.
Life Last Week
Despite some rather heavy cloud and ominously grey skies, we got to enjoy a warm autumn walk last week, accompanied by a preponderance of speckled woodland butterflies.
Yesterday saw another visit to the salon, earlier than normal but my stylist is away on holiday for a few weeks. I’m not sure I would have coped had my appointment been for AFTER his vacation.
Books Read Last Week


It was an incredibly slow reading week, though it did include some more beta reading, along with giving feedback on a short story.
I finally finished Three Trials, this series is turning out to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to buddy reading the final two books.
I did skim parts of The Brigand Children, I had beta read this a while ago (along with several other people) and whilst some of my feedback was acted on I still had difficulty connecting with the main protagonist.
Currently Reading


This really HAS been retold very much in a fairy tale style, however it does mean that occasionally I find myself rather irritated by the female protagonist. The hero is absolutely perfect though, so whilst this may have been pushed on the back burner, I do intend to finish it.
Judged is one of the books I’ve mentioned beta reading over the past few months. In fact I’ve probably read this three of four times now, but I know I’ve missed some alterations so am reading the final FINAL version.
Looking forward to…
…introducing the students I teach to more cultural celebrations and observances. As part of learning about other cultures and religions we spent some time learning about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I quite enjoyed the apple dipped in honey.
…seeing what other strange contortions my cat will achieve in order to get to “sleep”.
…my middle child being able to drive himself to University because he passed his driving test this week. He was hugely nervous as failing meant a long wait for a retest and a two hour bus journey to lectures! He also got a part time job, so it’s been a very positive week for him.
On The Blog Last Week
Monday – Review of Crow by A. Zavarelli ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – Is it ever too late to comment on a post? with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Dream of Dragons by Aja James ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thursday – Mystic Bonds by C.C. Solomon ⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Images on your Blog with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – Triggers in Books with Let’s Talk Bookish
2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 120 (118) including Phantom & Wraith and Restraining Reeba (x2) beta reads
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (19)
5 Star reads – 28 (28)
DNF’s – 14 (13)
It’s a little sad but also exciting to have them grow up and become more independent.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
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That is so true. I heard a poem last week by an poet documenting his son turning one, it had a line about how you want to see them grow but also never want them to grow up. It really moved me because that is EXACTLY what it is like. As much as I love my offspring as young adults, I do miss those snuggles and always knowing where they are and who they are with. I never realised how much simpler life was when they were young, mainly because they took up all my time so I never had chance to think about it then. 😊
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Looks like a nice walk! I’m ready for the cooler weather for sure. Your books look interesting as well. Hope you have a good week!
Lisa Loves Literature
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I love autumn/fall walks, you see so many changes during this season. Happy reading!
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Love the nature photos and your cat is so cute, reminds me of my cat Jaspurr. She’s always sleeping in some really funny positions.
I hope you have a great week!
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Thank you. cats really are great fun!
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Great photos, and it’s always good news when a child reaches the age of more independence…even though additional worries go along with that, lol.
Enjoy your books and your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
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Your looking forward to about your cat made me laugh. They are such crazy creatures. Have a great week!
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He’s currently managing to manoeuvre my 18 year old daughter of the couch. There wasn’t really a space on there for him but he managed to find one!
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I am looking forward to the start of the fall season. It’s my favorite time of year. I am glad you were able to get in to see your hair stylist before her vacation. I meant to get a haircut this weekend but wasn’t able to. Perhaps next weekend. I love the cover of Three Trials. Yay for your son on his job and getting his driver’s license! I love seeing all the poses my cats find to sleep in too. 🙂 I hope you have a great week!
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Thank you. Cats are such amusing – and occasionally irritating – creatures.
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Those skies are ominous, but beautiful. I wonder what kind of butterflies those are.
So glad to see how much you are enjoying the Three Trials book. You will have fun with this as a readalong.
Congratulations on your son getting his driver’s license and a job in the same week!
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Thank you! I do enjoy reading with others, especially hearing other points of view.
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Your kitty is adorable!
How do you enjoy reading a finished book after beta reading? It’s been years since I’ve beta’ed but I remember I struggled to enjoy the finished book after beta reading – I couldn’t get out of the beta mindset and even if I liked the story, found I couldn’t just read it.
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I have a terrible memory, so often I’ve completely forgotten parts that I read a month or so before and often there are quite a few changes, so the flow of the book feels different. However I have struggled with some books before, so I try to keep notes of how the book made me feel and what I enjoyed as I beta read, so that I can still write an enthusiastic review!
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Kids grow up way too fast,and it’s hard to keep up as a parent….not to mention letting go😉
Judged is such a great story,and i envy you for being bèta for Cari.
Personally, i love being a beta reader and getting bits at a time,seeing the story grow. Having it afterwards as an ARC is a different reading experience,because you get the full story in one go. With all it’s painful and enjoyable moments.💖
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