Well … the end of the year is creeping ever closer. Mixed feelings about that. On one hand, it means I am one step closer to our (now) traditional Christmas Day Curry, one the other … well. These years are all bleeding into one right now, aren’t they. Memories made, just not always of the kind we want to celebrate. A bit like this week. All work and no play makes Jen a very, very, tired gal. And it did feel like all work. Although I was only in four weeks, I worked just three hours shy of a full week anyway and come booster jab day Saturday, I was feeling it. Still am. Roll on Friday. Another day off and an afternoon tea to look forward to. Can’t wait. Plus we’ll be hitting the Illuminated Arboretum trail at the National Memorial Arboretum over the weekend. Always a lovely relaxing walk.
Not much to report this week to be honest. I’ve just been too bogged down with work. Managed to get some reading in but even that was hit and miss. Thank god for weekends. A few purchases, mostly on audible – I Spy by Claire Kendall and The Arctic Curry Club by Dani Redd (also on Kindle). One new Netgalley title – Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. Couldn’t resist it lol. Oh and I recieved an advance copy of Rachel Amphlett’s upcoming Case Files short story, Man Cave, for having supported her recent kickstarter campaign. And that’s it. No book post. No other buys (other than a Christmas gift) and nothing else borrowed. Pretty poor week by my standards.
Bookvent is well under way, the first twelve – well technically now 13 – titles revealed. Thirteen more to go (best get those posts prepared!) And I really need a day of just reviewing as now have 11 reviews to write again. As hard as reading has become, reviewing is worse. Not the books fault. All me. I’m just broken. No words left. Meh.
Books I have read
Bitter Flowers by Gunnar Staalesen
Fresh from rehab, Norwegian PI Varg Veum faces his most complex investigation yet, when a man is found drowned, a young woman disappears, and the case of a missing child is revived. The classic Nordic Noir series continues…
PI Varg Veum has returned to duty following a stint in rehab, but his new composure and resolution are soon threatened when a challenging assignment arrives on his desk.
A man is found dead in an elite swimming pool and a young woman has gone missing. Most chillingly, Varg Veum is asked to investigate the ‘Camilla Case’: an eight-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of a little girl, who was never found.
As the threads of these apparently unrelated crimes come together, against the backdrop of a series of shocking environmental crimes, Varg Veum faces the most challenging, traumatic investigation of his career.
When Michael arrives at work early one winter’s day, he discovers that he’s not the only one who’s had a busy morning…
A Dirty Business forms part of the Case Files series of short crime stories from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett.
The Arctic Curry Club by Dani Redd
Soon after upending her life to accompany her boyfriend Ryan to the Arctic, Maya realises it’s not all Northern Lights and husky sleigh rides. Instead, she’s facing sub-zero temperatures, 24-hour darkness, crippling anxiety – and a distant boyfriend as a result.
In her loneliest moment, Maya opens her late mother’s recipe book and cooks Indian food for the first time. Through this, her confidence unexpectedly grows – she makes friends, secures a job as a chef, and life in the Arctic no longer freezes her with fear.
But there’s a cost: the aromatic cuisine rekindles memories of her enigmatic mother and her childhood in Bangalore. Can Maya face the past and forge a future for herself in this new town? After all, there’s now high demand for a Curry Club in the Arctic, and just one person with the know-how to run it…
A tender and uplifting story about family, community, and finding where you truly belong – guaranteed to warm your heart despite the icy setting!
The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C.S. Robertson
Death is not the end. For Grace McGill, it’s only the beginning.
When people die alone and undiscovered, it’s her job to clean up what’s left behind – whether it’s clutter, bodily remains or dark secrets.
When an old man lies undetected in his flat for months, it seems an unremarkable life and an unnoticed death. But Grace knows that everyone has a story and that all deaths mean something more.
A STAND-OUT NOVEL WITH A UNIQUE NARRATIVE VOICE AND AN UNGUESSABLE MYSTERY, YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO REMEMBER GRACE McGILL.
And that was it. Considering the week I’ve had, the fact I managed to read three full length books is somewhat of a miracle. Full week on the blog (largely thanks to Mandie this month) – recap below
#Review – Fall – West Camel
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Six – Future Perfect – Felicia Yap
#Review – Snowblind – Ragnar Jonasson
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Seven – The Last House On Needless Street – Catriona Ward
#Review – Nightblind – Ragnar Jonasson
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Eight – Watch Her Fall – Erin Kelly
#Review – The Couple On Maple Drive – Sam Carrington
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Nine – When I Was Ten – Fiona Cummins
#Review – Murder At The Castle – Lisa Cutts
#TheBookvent Calendar Day Ten – Hyde – Craig Russell
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Eleven – Twisted Lies – Angela Marsons
#The Bookvent Calendar Day Twelve – The Assistant – Kjell Ola Dahl
There we have it. My week in review. Nothing too impressive, nothing too interesting. Story of my life these days it seems. The week ahead is all reviews and all Mandie. no blog tours and nothing from me but the next week of my #bookvent countdown. I know right? A week off!!!
I hope you have a wonderful week. I am looking forward to a few laughs and plenty of cake this weekend and lots more excellent reads over the week (assuming I can stay awake!). See you next week.
Jen x
Jen Med's Book Reviews 