Well after all the excitement and bookishness of last weekend, I’ve settled back into a pattern of work (albeit only three days this week), sleep and not a lot else. Managed a nice spot of reading, so it’s not all bad, but definitely not been all that active. One decent-ish, post-coffee walk on Sunday and that was it. Nice to see the birds again though. Plenty of them out and about on the canal and the weather stayed okay too. Bonus!
After much debate with myself, a forlorn look around the piles and piles of unsorted books I have dotted around the house, and a review of my blog planner which shows I am meant to be reading a whole bunch of book-books over the coming months (yes, I hear them cry – finally she remembers us!) I decided to treat myself to a book trolley. Yes. Another piece of furniture to cover in books. Still, it keeps them all to hand and stops me having to keep rummaging through my piles to find the titles I want. I will admit this was inspired largely by my having spent over twenty minutes moving, stacking and re-stacking piles of books to find the one I wanted to read, only to realise that it has been on my office desk all along … Yes – it’s getting that bad.
Top Shelf: The Murder Book by Mark Billingham; 1989 by Val McDermid; The Siege by John Sutherland; Exiles by Jane Harper; Sweet Dreams by Anders Roslund; The Institution by Helen Fields; In Two Minds by Dr Sohom Das; Echoes of the Dead by Alex Grey; Beyond The Tape by Dr Marie Cassidy; The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janie Hallett.
Bottom Shelf: The Divinities, The Trenches and The Heights by Parker Bills; Dark Deeds Down Under Short Story Anthology; Under The March by GR Halliday: The Fix, Memory Man and Thea Mile by David Baldacci; Here Lie the Dead by JD Kirk; The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell; Shiver by Allie Reynolds; The vacancy by Elisabeth Carpenter; The Killer In The Snow by Alex Pine.
I have had a very quiet week book post wise – just as well really. Two books which were part of my Bert’s Books subscription – The Bleeding by Johana Gustawsson and Black Hearts by Doug Johnstone.
Pre-order wise I have put in orders for three new Rachel Amphlett Case Files Short Stories: The Last Days of Tony MacBride (03 Oct), The Moment Before (31 Oct) and All Night Long (21 Nov). Cannot wait for them to drop on my kindle. Speaking of which, today is launch day for Rachel’s Case Files Podcast. You can read all about it and find the relevant links right Here. I also treated myself to The Cleaner by Paul Cleave. Having devoured The Pain Tourist last week, I really want to read the author’s backlist titles and, as this ties into the book I just read, it seemed a perfect place to start.
Three new Netgalley titles this week, but I’m very happy about them all. The Buried by Sharon Bolton (10 Nov), the follow up to The Craftsman. Not going to lie – been waiting a while for this one, it being my longest ever pre-order of over three years now lol. Also picked up The Silent Dead by Marnie Riches (1 Nov) which is for the blog tour and Hunting Time by Jeffery Deaver (24 Nov). Have them on pre-order too but couldn’t resist as I love the series.
Books I have read
I Don’t Talk To Dead Bodies by Dr Rhona Morrison
Prepare to be intrigued, amazed and astonished as you join Dr Rhona Morrison on an often funny, and at times downright bizarre, thought-provoking and eye-opening rollercoaster ride through some of the most curious encounters of her career as a leading forensic psychiatrist.
Delve into the minds of real people, whose actions may shock and stun you, but who’s stories have the power to challenge your assumptions and the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
Travel directly into their living rooms and see behind the closed doors of hospitals, prisons and court rooms. Lift the lid on Dr Morrison’s jaw-dropping experiences with murderers, stalkers and other dangerous offenders as she attempts to make sense of some highly unusual situations. Discover the true stories of the inspiring human beings who are bravely learning to live with major mental illness.
I Don’t Talk To Dead Bodies shines a powerful, emotional and surprisingly moving spotlight on the fascinating life of a forensic psychiatrist and the people she works with. It goes beyond the sensationalist headlines to show you just what happens in a world where mental illness occasionally makes good people do bad things.
The Pain Tourist by Paul Cleave
James Garrett was critically injured when he was shot following his parents’ execution, and no one expected him to waken from a deep, traumatic coma. When he does, nine years later, Detective Inspector Rebecca Kent is tasked with closing the case that her now retired colleague, Theodore Tate, failed to solve all those years ago.
But between that, and hunting for Copy Joe – a murderer on a spree, who’s imitating Christchurch’s most notorious serial killer – she’s going to need Tate’s help … especially when they learn that James has lived out another life in his nine-year coma, and there are things he couldn’t possibly know, including the fact that Copy Joe isn’t the only serial killer in town…
A heartbreaking tragedy.
Charlie left his hometown behind years ago and hasn’t looked back since. These days, with a successful career and a beautiful soon-to-be fiancée, he couldn’t be happier. But when he receives some unexpected news, his life is forever changed.
A life-changing choice.
Suddenly things are falling apart, and now Charlie has to care for his family. How is he supposed to look after a heartbroken little brother and a sullen teenage sister who want nothing to do with him? He’s completely at a loss and knows he can’t do it alone – not without the help of his oldest friend, Pippa.
The chance to start afresh.
As Charlie steps back into his old life, he soon realises it’s only his family who needs fixing, there’s also his relationship with Pippa too. But returning home is a painful reminder of all that he lost and tried so hard to forget. And if Charlie is to fight for what he wants, first he must face up to his own past and decide whether he is ready to let go…
From Amelia Henley, comes a brand-new emotional and uplifting novel about family, love and the hard choices we face to protect the ones we love the most.
Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people?
After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life’s become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they’ve lost. But can sex ever just be sex?
Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy – even if they have permission?
Four books. Are you impressed? Especially as that is technically since Tuesday. I’m happy. Mojo not exactly restored but I’m getting there. Well into another audiobook too thanks to yesterday’s walk so I’ll take it. Busy enough week on the blog – recap below:
#Review – An Honourable Thief – Douglas Skelton
#Case Files Short Crime Stories Podcast Preview – Rachel Amphlett
#Review – Black Hearts – Doug Johnstone
#Review – The Butcher and the Wren -Alaina Urquhart
#Review – Rizzio -Denies Mina
Just the one blog tour this week – Death on the Menu by Emma Davies which is on the blog today. Reviews for the rest of the week.
I’m on a short work week this week, three days again, so hoping to catch up on both reading and reviews. A bit behind on both to be fair. Wish me luck.
Hope you all have a fabulous week, whatever you are up to.
Jen x
Jen Med's Book Reviews 