Thank goodness for the weekend, huh?
It’s been a tired and discouraged week around here, with work frustrations, interpersonal issues, and of course the result of the election in the US. (It might not be my country, but we have one single world, and it’d be good if we could all take care of it, and of each other.) Personally, I’d really like a dozen new books for comfort…
Books acquired this week
This week I didn’t buy anything new, despite the temptation, though I did have a short trip to the library.
I’ve already read The Secret Life of the Owl, since it was very quick!
Posts from this week
As usual, let’s have a bit of a roundup.
- Ghost story: Haunt Sweet Home, by Sarah Pinsker (4/5 stars)
- Noir: The Hunter, by Richard Stark (1/5 stars)
- Chinese fantasy romance (danmei): Heaven Official’s Blessing, vol 7, by MXTX (4/5 stars)
- Graphic novel: The Sad Ghost Club, by Lize Meddings (2/5 stars)
- Non-fiction: Plants: From Roots to Riches, by Kathy Willis & Carolyn Fry (3/5 stars)
- Horror novella: What Moves The Dead, by T. Kingfisher (4/5 stars)
As a reminder, all my ratings are subjective and personal, about how much I liked the book. So me giving something one star doesn’t mean I think it’s awful, it means it wasn’t for me. Usually my reviews are the best way to dig into why I rated something the way I did!
What I’m reading
I’m having a fair amount of trouble reading at the moment, with being tired and overwhelmed, but I did carve out a little time to read a few books that I’ll be reviewing here at some point.
That’s more than I thought I’d been reading, honestly!
As for this weekend, I’ve finally started on Bitter Waters, by Vivian Shaw; other than that, I’m not sure. I’ll probably focus on reading more of the biography of Agatha Christie by Lucy Worsley.
Hope everyone’s doing alright.
Linking up with Reading Reality’s Stacking the Shelves, Caffeinated Reviewer’s The Sunday Post, and the Sunday Salon over at Readerbuzz, as usual!
I have been devouring books and walking in nature, my attempts to console myself in this dark time. I’ve been reading nonfiction in my attempts to understand and science fiction in my attempts to find humor in the world and picture books—just because.
Do you have room over there for a few lost souls from this land? I’m not sure how much more Make America Great Again I can take.
I wish I was in more of a reading mood, but being so tired and worn out by personal stuff hasn’t helped. But we must find joy where we can to fight this kind of thing.
Sadly, the UK has its own problems — though we did finally kick out the Conservatives, Labour aren’t a lot better, and now we have to keep the Tories out. Especially with their new leader, who is just frighteningly into the culture war stuff.
I should just coopy Deb’s comment because, that’s how I feel. Thanks for highlighting some cool books for me to consider!
It’s a rough time; take care!
I’m having a hard time concentrating too. I end up reading about leaving the country rather than the books I have lined up.
Reading can be hard when we’re sad. Remember to find joy where you can, though!
We are all going through a lot here lately, yes the US but I think of those in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that are really suffering, it’s just horrible. My heart just breaks for them. This world is getting gloomier every day, so I have been reading happier books to make me smile and watching the Hallmark channel. I get very depressed as it is, I need to smile as much as I can and that is what helps me personally. My heart and prayers are with you, Nicky and everyone else that feels a bit gloomy
Much belated answer, due to overwhelm! Yes, there’s awful things happening in so many places, and in this interconnected world we’re more aware of them than ever, which can be both a blessing and a curse.
I wish I had given birth to my daughter in Scotland back in 2013, like I wanted to. I had big plans for this weekend blog-wise, since my daughter is at her father’s house. Instead, I barely have energy to respond to comments. I feel so defeated. I had so many students asking on Wednesday if they would be sent to Mexico. Kids born here, whose parents maybe were not. It kills me.
Oof, I know that feeling (as you can see from how late this response is). It’s awful.
I’ve been struggling to read this week, instead using Facebook reels to dissociate. I think I need to find some real good cheesy books or something to help. I hope you have a great weekend.
Here’s my STS if you wish to visit – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2024/11/stacking-shelves-november-9-2024.html
It has been a bit of a week hasn’t it?! I’ve got a couple of books that need reading by 20 and 22 November so I need to get a bit of a move on!
Have a good rest of the weekend and I hope that you enjoy your current reads.
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/11/09/stacking-the-shelves-84/
Plants, from Roots to Riches sounds like a good nonfiction read. I’m a gardener of sorts so I love all things green. Just bought a long wished for spider plant from the local farmers’ market and love it. Lots of baby spider plants hanging off the parent to replant for new ones.
While I like to think I’ll curl up with books for days when I’m sad and want to be alone, really I just play Bus Jam or Candy Crush 🙁 And the elections were definitely depressing. Glad I planned a few fun things this weekend for myself, cuz I knew either way we wouldn’t make it out stress-free.
I’m also with Deb’s comments. It’s been a week. I have been able to escape into MORE reading than usual.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Mudlarking!!! I just learned about that this past year via another book and it’s something I’d really like to do. I see that Lara Maiklem wrote another mudlarking book before the one you picked up by her, so I have marked Mudlark: In Search of London’s Past Along the River Thames to read first. Two mudlarking books!!! OMG! So excited!
Like everyone else has said, it’s been a hard week. I’ve been trying to involve myself in escapism reading but I agree it’s hard to concentrate. Hopefully this feeling will die down. I hope you are doing well.
Ok, I need to read Mudlarking. I love John Lewis-Stempel!! I love love reading his work. It always makes me feel better.
I’m not from the US either but you’re right, we only have one world and we should all take care of it and each other. It’s sad to see the results but I’m hopeful we’ll get through it better on the other side.