Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up – November 28th

28th Nov 202127th Nov 2021 Louise H12 Comments

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

We visited the second Hucknall Food & Drink Festival on Sunday. The cookies and brownies were consumed before I managed to take any photos but they were absolutely delicious! We also purchased mustard and passion fruit curd, not that we plan on eating them at the same time! It was a gorgeous day, even if the temperatures had plummeted and we had to wrap up well.

Yesterday my daughter visited Staffordshire University’s Stafford campus. We set in a fairly heavy snow shower, there was even snow on the carriageway of the motorway! We made it there unscathed, though there were one or two worrying moments along the way – most notably a fallen tree across our side of the road and a very icy hill to navigate to the bottom of. I’m well aware that to most this is a mere smattering of the white stuff, but it’s such a rare event in the UK we just don’t know how to deal with it.

Books Read Last Week

I indulged in two Holiday reads – and absolutely adored both of them. A huge thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read these – though both are currently 99c on Amazon so I’ve bought them too!

Currently Reading

Although this is another “seasonal” book, it’s a change of pace (and genre) to my last two reads. I’ve heard good things about this so I’m really hoping I enjoy it!

Looking forward to…

…enjoying these two treats from the Food & Drink market.

… a visit to the hairdressers next Saturday followed by another Uni visit – this time to Huddersfield!

… visiting the Christmas Market at Lincoln.

Blogs Visited

Drop by and visit Caffeinated Reviewer who hosts this meme, read a few reviews on All In Good Time, see what is happening on That’s What I’m Talking About and find some new books with Reading Tonic.

On The Blog This Week

Monday – Review of Beyond by Mercedes Lackey ⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – Feeling Grateful with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of The Heiress and the Orc by Finley Fenn⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thursday – Throw-Back Thursday review of Unforgiveable by Isabel Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Special Memories with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – New Releases with Let’s Talk Books

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 135 (133)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 31 (30)
DNF’s – 19 (19)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up – November 21st

21st Nov 202120th Nov 2021 Louise H15 Comments

Life Last Week

This week was just as hectic as the last one, but thankfully it was also fairly stress-free. A huge thank you to you all for your kind words of support last week, the blogging world is so wonderful. The weather continues to be unseasonably mild here in the UK, we still have a few summer flowers in the garden, despite it being well into autumn.

I had my booster jab, I did have some side effects but they were fairly minimal. A half day of shivering and feeling cold to my bones then a half day of feeling very hot and sweaty is much better than a hospital stay, or worse! I managed to develop an abscess on a tooth, the tooth was already dead but the abscess was still painful. Thankfully the dentist saw me the same day and a course of antibiotics seems to have brought the inflammation and swelling under control. I now have a retained root and tooth that need to be removed and that is planned for the 22nd December – liquidised turkey here I come!

On our walk last week we spotted black smoke in the distance, it turned out to be a fire at a unit storing old lorry tyres. It had just started when we first noticed the smoke, by the time we got home it was drifting across quite a stretch of sky and only got worse as the day progressed. There were 70 firefighters at the height of the blaze, with some of the crews came from neighbouring counties.

Books Read Last Week

I didn’t actually finish a book this week, that hasn’t happened since I got my kindle 6 years ago. I did start but abandon two books and am hoping to finish the third “startee” today.

Dark Desires wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t hold my attention, despite being part of a Buddy Read. It was a freebie so no harm no fowl.

The other book was an arc, the author has taken a new direction so I was hoping a familiar face would ease me into an unfamiliar genre. However I just couldn’t get into the book as I didn’t particularly like the main protagonist.

Currently Reading

Having seen lots of positive reviews for this book, and feeling in need of some festive preparation, I requested a copy of the book from Netgalley. The first few chapters were a bit of a struggle because I found Flora to be irritatingly naïve, pathetic and dense. Perseverance looks to be paying off though as I am definitely enjoying the story more now. It’s totally schmaltzy but isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Looking forward to…

…more beautiful autumn walks.

… a food and drink festival in our town this weekend.

… it may still be a few weeks away but I can’t wait to decorate the house for Christmas. (There I’ve said the “C” word!)

Blogs Visited

Tessa Talks Books has some wonderful discussion posts and a couple of great reviews. This book here is definitely going on my TBR. Fifty-Two discusses if, how and why they prioritise reading over other hobbies here whilst Bibliosini and Down The Rabbit Hole both discuss Blogging Breaks here and here.

On The Blog This Week

Tuesday – Author’s Behaving Badly with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Karma’s Return by Elin Peer and Pearl Beacon⭐⭐⭐.5
Thursday – ThrowBack Thursday review of Shoot The Messenger by Pippa DaCosta ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Recording your Reads with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – A Blogging Hiatus with Let’s Talk Books

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 133 (131)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 30 (29)
DNF’s – 19 (17)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up – November 14th

14th Nov 2021 Louise H14 Comments

Life Last Week

Last week was busy and, at times, quite a tough week. Definitely one I am glad to see the back of. In fact this is going to be the briefest of Sunday post’s as it’s already 3pm here in the UK and I’m only just writing this!

Books Read Last Week

Beyond was a welcome return to a series I read in my late teens/early 20’s. That was a loooooooong time ago!

Cari Silverwood’s book was a beta read. Reader beware, this is a very dark romance with quite a few potential triggers.

Currently Reading

For once I have no idea what I will read next. I’m pretty sure I have several arc books I should be reading, but I just feel the need for a bit of free choice!

Looking forward to…

…getting my Covid booster vaccination in a few hours.

…time with family.

…is it too soon to mention the “C” word?

This piece of graffiti made me smile, because clearly this piece of floor is most definitely made from wood!

Blogs Visited

I did visit blogs, and commented on a few. However life and work got in the way of recording some to share with you. So this week I will just say, please visit either two new blogs or leave a comment or two if you don’t normally bother.

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 133 (131)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 30 (29)
DNF’s – 17 (17)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up – November 7th

7th Nov 2021 Louise H14 Comments

Life Last Week

The nights are now drawing in quickly in my corner of England, made even more so by the clocks having gone back an hour last week. Work was it’s usual busy, busy, busy – so much so that I almost forgot to do our online grocery shop!

We’ve been watching lots on the news about the COP 21 conference. The biggest question on lips over here is why the meeting wasn’t held virtually, rather than all the delegates travelling to Glasgow in fossil fuel burning transportation.

Friday (and Saturday and no doubt tonight) saw many people celebrating Bonfire Night (a tradition based on Guy Fawkes and his failed Gunpowder Plot) by holding Firework displays. We haven’t bothered much these last few years, though we did sit and watch fireworks being released by some of our neighbours.

Books Read Last Week

Karna’s Return is by a mother-daughter writing team and explores themes of spirituality alongside a story of personal growth.

Finley Fenn’s book was surprisingly detailed and had excellent world building. It was a much more complex story than one would expect from the title, though it was also packed with adult content too.

Currently Reading

Technically I am beta reading but that isn’t a complete book. I also have this beauty to read – thank you Netgalley and #TitanBooks.

The long-awaited founding of Valdemar comes to life!

Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire’s exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Kordas’s father gathered magicians in the hopes of finding a way to free the people of the Duchy from tyranny.

Kordas has lived his life looking over his shoulder. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics, including blood magic, the powers of the Abyssal Planes, and the binding and “milking” of Elemental creatures. But then one of the Duchy’s mages has a breakthrough and uncovers a way to put the Duchy, and its people, beyond the Emperor’s reach forever.

But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor’s Court. Can his reputation as a country bumpkin and his acting skills buy him and his people the time they need to flee? Or will the Emperor lose patience, strip Valdemar of everything of worth, and send its conscripted people into the front lines of the Imperial wars?

Looking forward to…

…getting my Covid booster vaccination next Sunday.

…making Pumpkin soup with the pumpkin that was bought but not carved!

…starting Christmas shopping.

Blogs Visited

I visited lots of wonderful and informative blogs this week. I can highly recommend The Literary Lion, Tessa Talks Books, Down The Rabbit Hole and Fifty-Two as great places to visit.

On The Blog This Week

Monday – Review of To Kiss A Demon by Stephanie Rowe ⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – Sci-Fi – Yes or No? with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of What Love by Willow Madison⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Thursday – ThrowBack Thursday review of Blue by Elin Peer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Social Media Apps with the Friday Book Blogger Hop

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 131 (129)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 29 (29)
DNF’s – 17 (17)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up – October

31st Oct 202130th Oct 2021 Louise H15 Comments

Life Last Week

We began the week on the south coast, Newhaven to be exact, which is somewhere between Brighton and Eastbourne. It’s a part of the UK we have never explored before but one we have definite plans to return to in warmer weather! (first two photos)

Seaford is a sleepy town just a little further along the coast (next two photos) and a few miles east of that is Beachy Head – Britain’s tallest cliff at 531m above sea level. You can get an idea of that height from the bottom photo – that is a full size lighthouse down there! I had to kneel on the ground to get close enough to take the photo. I did consider laying down to get closer to the edge but there are regular rock falls from this stretch of coastline due to the fact the cliffs are made of chalk, which is constantly eroded by the sea.

Books Read in October

Whilst thi

Currently Reading

Karma is not a b..ch!

As an ancient soul working to enhance human empathy Karma has served for millennia.
When her work turns sloppy and leaves her with a bad reputation, the community of ancient souls makes a demand of her. She must return to earth and clean up the mess she made for seventeen-year-old Emma White.

For Karma it’s a rush to be back in a physical body, and life as a junior in high school shouldn’t be a problem for someone who has guided humans for thousands of years. But much has happened since Karma last walked the earth in Ancient Greece. Facing teachers, bullies, parents, and Emma’s crush, Ty, gets complicated when Karma doesn’t have her usual powers and can’t reveal that she’s a soul of infinite wisdom. And by the way, how does one answer a text message?

Ancient Souls is a breathtaking story that is a must-read for everyone who remembers what it was like to be a teenager. It’s witty, wise, and has a fast pace that will make you turn pages all night long.

Looking forward to…

…our next short break away – even though we haven’t booked anywhere yet!

…Bonfire Night

…an extra hour in bed today as the clocks go back.

Blogs Visited

Monday – Lori at Fifty-Two on how she organises her blogging
Tuesday – Join One Book More and their Last 10 Books Tag
Wednesday – Nastassja at One Thousand And One Books shares what she’s reading
Thursday – Read a book review by Cheri at All In Good Time
Friday – Bex shares her views on what makes a good character over at Bex The Bibliophile

On The Blog This Week

Tuesday – What’s your super power? with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Rescuing Red by Leann Ryans and VT Bonds⭐⭐
Thursday – Teddy’s Boys by E.J. Frost ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Friday – Halloween Themed Reading with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – Character preferences with Let’s Talk Bookish

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 129 (126)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 29 (29)
DNF’s – 17 (16)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up 24th October

24th Oct 2021 Louise H21 Comments

Life Last Week

This has been a week of lazing around, trying to dry laundry on rainy days, getting stuck in traffic jams, seeing the very moving and poignant Knife Angel sculpture and doing a 6 mile walk that left me with a stiff hip but was well worth the pain. The walk takes in some stunning countryside but also takes us over, and back under, the M1 motorway on one of it’s busiest stretches.

Despite having had all that time off, Friday and Saturday were busy days and today we have travelled the 200 miles to Newhaven, East Sussex – hence this post being very late!

Books Read Last Week

Firborn, sadly, was a DNF. I just couldn’t connect to the characters so felt no investment in the story.

The Alpha’s Salvation is a yet-to-be-released debut novel. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the story, which had wonderful characters and real depth written into the relationship.

To Kiss a Demon was PNR rom-com. Fun, flighty and fabulous.

Currently Reading

Rough Surrender, is a re-read for a group Buddy Read. I’d forgotten just how sensual this story is.

Teddy’s Boys is a paranormal RH romance, slightly out of my usual genre choice but by an author I adore.

Looking forward to…

…the next few days exploring Newhaven and the surrounding area.

…trying out some of the beauty products I treated myself to yesterday.

…Bonfire Night on November the 5th.

Blogs Visited

Sunday – Catch up with Lori, from Fifty-Two and her Sunday Post
Monday – It’s a little early but read Tessa’s review of The Post Box At The North Pole here
Tuesday – Koos Reviews takes part in the Fellowship of the Ring Blog Tag
Wednesday – Check out what book One Book More is looking forward to in Can’t Wait Wednesday
Thursday – Read Andge’s review of Dreams Lie Beneath at Down The Rabbit Hole
Friday – Bex at Bex The Bibliophile joins in with Let’s Talk Bookish to discuss Blog Post Back Up Plans

On The Blog This Week

Monday – Review of Berserker by Kitty Thomas ⭐⭐⭐.5
Tuesday – Standalone or Series? with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Warden by Cari Silverwood⭐ ⭐⭐⭐.5
Thursday – Tide of Tricks by Ariana Nash ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Dressing Up with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – What makes me like a character? with Let’s Talk Bookish

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 126 (124)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 29 (29)
DNF’s – 16 (15)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up

17th Oct 2021 Louise H23 Comments

Life Last Week

On Sunday explored the surrounds of Strelley Village, though a slight miscalculation on the map reading saw us having to walk along a fairly busy road, which rather killed the joy of a walk in the countryside! However we soon rejoined the footpath we wanted to be on and got to experience more beautiful views across both Nottingham itself and the surrounding countryside.

Work was still hugely busy at the start of the week and just when things felt like they were calming down I had to re-write the timetable for the 10th or 11th time. I have two weeks off and am determined to get as much relaxation into these next few days as I possibly can!

Books Read Last Week

I actually read three books last week, though one was a novella so I completed it in a couple of hours. Berserker was a fun read and despite the very, very end feeling just a little too rushed, I would definitely recommend this PNR to anybody looking for a quick read that is still entertaining.

I beta read Warden, so reading the completed version was a little strange as I knew what lay ahead. It’s a really steamy mash-up of sci-fi, PNR and omegaverse with a generous portion of humour mixed in. A definite must read if you like those genres.

Finally, and my favourite read of the three, was Tide of Tricks. This most certainly did NOT suffer from second book syndrome, in fact if anything it was even better than book #1(Pretty Twisted Things), which I wouldn’t have though possible but it was.

Currently Reading

A netgalley arc that should have been read weeks ago but life has just kept getting in the way. Hopefully I will get this read over the next day or two.

Looking forward to…

…relaxing!!!

…spending quality time with my family.

…catching up on jobs around the house and garden.

Blogs Visited

Read One Book More’s review of The Colour of Dragons

Check out one of my favourite blogs, Tessa Talks Books, and read her review of Within These Wicked Walls

Lori at Fifty-Two discusses annoying character types on her blog here.

The quirkiness of Nastassja’s review, from One Thousand and One Book, for Once Upon A Broken Heart totally caught my eye – and even though she only gave it 3.5 stars I am intrigued by this book.

Finally is the fabulous review by Reading Tonic for Destroyer of Light means I’m adding another book to my TBR list.

On The Blog This Week

Monday – The Girl Who Belonged To The Sea by Katherine Quinn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – How do you like to read? with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Captured by the Alpha by Liliana Carlisle ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Dracula or Frankenstein? October themed thoughts with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – Tiresome Tropes with Let’s Talk Bookish

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 127 (124)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 30 (29)
DNF’s – 15 (15)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up

10th Oct 2021 Louise H20 Comments

Life Last Week

On Monday we had the dreaded Ofsted (school inspectors) phone call. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in a state of high alert, resulting in utter exhaustion by Wednesday evening. We’re not allowed to discuss the findings until the official report is published, but we were happy with the feedback.

On Friday we took part in Take 10 in the morning and visited a local city farm in the afternoon. Both activities were aimed at improving wellbeing and mental health and were thoroughly enjoyed by our students.

Yesterday involved a trip across country to the Walsall campus of Wolverhampton University with the youngest child, who is hoping to start a Paramedic Science degree next year.

Books Read Last Week

Whilst this is a book I would happily recommend, it is with the proviso that the first half is quite slow paced. This is more than made up for by the amazing ending, full of intrigue, action and peril. I’m hugely looking forward to the next book!

Currently Reading

This is a mash-up of PNR, SFR and Omegaverse, with a dash of humour and a generous helping of heat! I’m hoping to finish this today as I already have a slight backlog of books to read.

Looking forward to…

…Friday when I will finishing work for two weeks!

…going to the south coast the following week.

…getting some much needed DIY/organising jobs done around the house.

On The Blog This Week

Tuesday – Find out more about ME with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Traitors of the Black Crown by Cate Pearce DNF/⭐
Thursday – What Lies by Willow Madison ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Spooky Favourites October themed thoughts with the Friday Book Blogger Hop
Saturday – Fantasy Heroes with Let’s Talk Bookish

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 124 (123)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 29 (29)
DNF’s – 15 (15)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ September Monthly Round Up

3rd Oct 2021 Louise H22 Comments

Life Last Week

It’s been such a busy week I can barely remember much of what happened. My middle child got delivery of his first car, our old neighbours (and their very noisy, dogs) moved out whilst our new neighbours moved in. We didn’t even realise the new ones had arrived since we hadn’t heard them banging, thumping or moving around like our old ones did. Our neighbours could have been much worse than they were, and part of me was worried the new ones would be, thankfully that fear has so far not been realised.

We discovered yesterday that the new neighbours had a dog too but we haven’t heard it howl, whine, yip, bark or growl once.

Last Sunday was absolutely glorious with balmy weather and beautiful blue skies. I harvested the last of the beans and we are just waiting for the sweetcorn to fully ripen. Autumn definitely hit this week though, with enough rain to have Noah chopping wood in preparation.

Our family meal yesterday was everything we hoped it would be and it was wonderful to be all together.

Books Read This Month

This shows just how slow a reading month this was for me, though I did read the equivalent of another book in beta reads. However my focus is on enjoying and savouring books rather than ploughing through at a rate of knots just to tick a box.

Currently Reading

I came so, so close to DNF’ing this one at the half-way mark. The pace, for me, was just far too slow. However it has really picked up in the second half and transformed from a book I could have put aside for weeks to one I don’t want to put down.

The cover is just so beautiful too!

Looking forward to…

…the upcoming October break. We have a two week (or in UK parlance fortnight) break in Nottingham schools. I have a dozen jobs around the house that need doing and we are spending a couple of days on the south coast.

… enjoying a tidy dining room. We cleaned and cleared this to within an inch of it’s life yesterday. I will gloss over the incident with the cat’s offering of a maggoty dead mouse. Not only can you now see we have a dining table, you can also sit at it.

On The Blog This Week

Monday – Review of Stolen Earth by J.T. Nicholas ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – Chatting about Reading Habits with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Thursday – Review of Falling Into Us by Laura Riley ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Stand-alone or series? Find out what we prefer with the Friday Book Blogger Hop

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 123 (122)
Re-reads in 2021 – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 20 (20)
5 Star reads – 29 (29)
DNF’s – 15 (15)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up

26th Sep 202126th Sep 2021 Louise H5 Comments

Life Last Week

Busy…that is the only word to describe the last seven days that have felt like one never ending to-do list. I took on a new role in the alternative provision where I work, in previous years it’s been an important job and I thought I knew what I was taking on. However the school has decided to not only expand but also to move in a new direction, moves that I am very much in favour of but ones that also create a LOT more work. My physical daily to-do list ends up scrawled across the back of my hand because no matter how much I try to be organised I always end up leaving my planner in a different classroom or office to the one I’m currently in. It’s my own fault, I co-wrote the timetable and did all the rooming, so of course I’m the person that wanders like a lost nomad slotting into wherever is available at that moment in time.

The middle child, who is off to University this week started a part-time job on Wednesday. The older-by-a-minute son is still working the strangest of hours and desperate for more than just Sunday off work and the youngest has already started a regimen of revision and past paper questions in preparation for her A-Level exams next summer.

Books Read Last Week

I only managed to read the two books this week, and one of those was only 160 pages. Did I mention how busy work had kept me 😜 ?

Scales and Sensibility was a really fun story. Who doesn’t love a book with a dragon in it?

Currently Reading

I never quite finished the two books I was “currently reading” last week, one just isn’t holding my attention and the other I beta read to death. I will be coming back to that one because I do love it but I’m hosting a Buddy Read and so this is my current read.

Looking forward to…

…a family afternoon next weekend. My sister and parents should all be visiting and having a meal with us. It’s been a while since we were all together last so I’m really looking forward to this.

…hopefully more good weather, at least for the next week or so. I am enjoying the autumn sunshine and lovely blue skies.

On The Blog This Week

Monday – Review of Reaper by A. Zavarelli ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday – Chatting about Book Covers with Tell Me Something Tuesday
Wednesday – Review of Three Trials by Kristy Cunning ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thursday – Brutal Mate by Lee Savino and Tabitha Black ⭐⭐⭐
Friday – Traditional or Indie Published? Discussing our preferences on the Friday Book Blogger Hop

2021 Reading Stats –
Books read in 2021 – 122 (120) 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 – 29 (28)
DNF’s – 15 (14)