This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
Some of you may have noticed that last week there was no Sunday Post. This is because last Saturday, my sister had a seizure and badly damaged her face – I hadn’t heard from her the previous day and knowing she was unwell with a stomach bug, I went round to check up on her. It was one of the worst moments of my life when she opened the door and I saw the state of her. So it was dial 999 and straight to hospital. Fortunately – miraculously – she managed to avoid major longterm damage, though her tongue is badly bitten and her face is now one big bruise. On being released on Tuesday, she came to stay with us so we had a houseful as the grandchildren were also staying. As you can imagine, I have been somewhat busy – it hasn’t helped that the weather has reverted to April, with fine sunny mornings and then an absolute downpour from lunchtime onwards.
It could have been absolute Hell – but the children behaved brilliantly and my sister has been a wonderful patient, with Himself being utterly supportive. Mona returned to her flat on Friday and the children went home, though we are back to the hospital for a follow-up appointment on Tuesday.
This week I have read:
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice – Book 4 of The Austen Project by Curtis Sittenfeld
This version of the Bennet family and Mr. Darcy is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York 
City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray. Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.
Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend, neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy, reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.
This is a smart, clever retelling of Jane Austen’s classic romantic comedy where the game is to spot the characters from Pride and Prejudice and how Sittenfeld has recast them in her modern version. It was just what I needed – a complete escape from everyday life and I’ll be reviewing it in due course.
My posts last week:
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of The Student Body – An E.J. Pugh Mystery by Susan Rogers Cooper
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of The List by Patricia Forde
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of The Devil’s Cup – Book 17 of the Hawkenlye Mysteries by Alys Clare
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week and a bit, in no particular order:
Natura Insects: Delicate Floral Compositions https://alk3r.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/natura-insects-delicate-floral-compositions/ These beautiful flower pictures of insects caught my eye…
How To Turn a Microsoft Word Document into an Ebook (EPUB) https://janefriedman.com/word-epub/ The major surprise for me is the number of ways to do it
10 Reasons I Will Read a Book http://www.momwithareadingproblem.com/2017/08/ttt-119-ten-reasons-will-read-book/ This enjoyable article outlines Lilian’s favourite genres and why she loves them – and sums up the passion some of us have for books
August for Stargazers http://earthianhivemind.net/2017/08/04/august-for-stargazers/ Another excellent roundup of the highlights in the sky to look out for, should it stop raining for a bit…
In Any Other World https://richardankers.com/2017/08/11/in-any-other-world/ This talented, prolific author is always worth reading – but this poem produced a lump in my throat when I read this…
Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to visit, like and comment on my site and may you have a great week.
Brainfluff 
Reblogged this on Richard M. Ankers – Author and commented:
The wonderful Sarah was very kind to mention one of my poems in her weekly round-up. Thanks, Sarah. 🙂
Richard
You’re welcome – and thank you for the shoutout:)
My pleasure 🙂
I hope your sister is doing better now. It must have given you a terrible fright to see her like that. Lets hope this week is nice and quiet for you with nothing else like that happening. Hope you have a good week with some nice reading!
Thank you so much for your kind words:). Fortunately she is making a good recovery – better than I could have possibly hoped for this time last week, that’s for sure!
Oh, Hon, how catastrophic! I will put your dear sister (and YOU) at the top of my prayer list. I echo the comment above, hoping for a quiet week ahead.
Thank you, Rae:). Fortunately she didn’t sustain any brain damage or fracture her skull – though how she avoided it, I still don’t know. She is also recovering well and coming over tonight for a meal. As for me – I’m very tired…
Such doings can leave one exhausted, for sure.
Oh, how horrible about your sister, and so great that you found her when you did. You are definitely busy with family these days.
I like the sound of Eligible. I have seen the book around, and even read two of her other books: American Wife, which I loved, and Sisterland, not so much. So I’ve been on the fence.
I hope your upcoming week is more relaxed and enjoyable than the previous one. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you, Laurel. Yes… last week was a bit grim – on the plus side I cannot believe how fast her bruising is changing. I’ll be reviewing Eligible this coming week – it was just what I needed.
Oh my goodness! I’m glad your sister will be OK! I would have been scared, too, if I found my sister like that. Good thing you went to check up on her.
Our weather has completely turned, too. It’s sunny today, but much cooler than usual for the middle of August.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
Thank you, Lexxie. This coming week should be a lot quieter as I won’t be having the grandchildren because they are on holiday. Yes – we have had a run of wet, rainy days and cool nights though today is lovely and sunny. At least we don’t have to water the garden!
Oh your poor sister – glad to have you back this week!
Thank you so much, Cleo:). It’s good to be back!
Oh my your poor sister. Well, I can imagine you are quite busy. I hope you find some me time this week.
Thank you, Kimba:) I’m hoping to find some time just to catch up with the mountain of work piling up…
I’m sorry to hear about your sister, but I’m glad to hear she is a little better. I hope you a little calmer week coming up.
Jenea’s Book Obsession’s Sunday’s Post
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Jeanea:) I hope you a happy, peaceful week, too.
Is this the sister who,just moved back near you? It sounds awful what happened but so good if it was that sister that you could be there and help out. I hope she feels better soon.
Yes, it is my sister who recently moved from France. We were only saying yesterday that if she had still been living there with her stone floors and in such an isolated spot where she was often alone for days at a time when her husband was off on trips, there is a high likelihood she wouldn’t have survived…
So, so lucky. You must feel relieved x
I am, Emma – I am…
How fortunate for your sister that you checked in on her. I’m happy she is back home and doing better. All the best with her follow up appointment and I hope you too have a better relaxing week, Sarah.
My Sunday Post
Thank you, Laura. Yes… it should be a much quieter, more relaxing week:)
Oh wow that is scary about your sister! Hope she continues to do better. Have a great week ahead!
Thank you, Grace:). Yes – we’re off to the hospital to get her checked out tomorrow. I hope you, too, have a great week.
Oh my gosh I am so sorry to hear that! Your poor sister- best wishes and prayers your way and hers for a quick recovery. Thank goodness you were there…
I’ll have to go read that Word to ebook article… sounds interesting!
Thank you, Greg:). Fortunately her recovery is amazingly fast – the bruising, though spectacular, is changing every day. And that article is fascinating when you also read the comments because of the variety of ways folks have tackled this issue.
I’m really glad to hear your sister is doing better. And as frightening as the experience must have been, I’m sure you were grateful that you were around to help her.
I’m heading out on a blog hiatus later this week (it’s almost time for NYC!), so I won’t be around much starting Wednesday. But I’ll be thinking of you and your family as your sister continues to recover.
Thank you, Sara:)). Have a wonderful time at NYC and I look forward to hearing of your experiences in due course.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. Glad that she is doing better. I hope you have a wonderful week this filled with great books and everything is great. Happy reading, my friend.
Thank you so muchx. I am ensuring I fill this week with great books:)). And now my sister is recovering, hopefully we can once again share some great times together. I hope you also have a wonderful week!
Oh no sorry to hear about your sister and I can imagine what you must have gone through seeing her like that! 😮 Hope you have a better week ahead!
Thank you Anastasia:). Yes – it really was a horrible shock and it is such a relief that she is now on the mend. I hope that you, too, have a peaceful, successful week.
Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she heals up soon. ❤
Thank you! We are back to the hospital tomorrow for another check-up so I am hoping they will be pleased with her progress.
Oh no – I hope your sister is feeling better – and it’s so lucky that you went to see her. It sounds like you did a top job of looking after her though.
I can’t wait to read Eligibility.
Lynn 😀
She is healing really fast – and today we went back to the hospital and her blood test came back positive. They were very pleased. I just wish her poor tongue wasn’t so painful:(. Eligibility is great fun.
Oh my gosh, that is so sad about your sister 😦 I hope she’s better soon. I’m glad you happened to drop in.
Yes – it was very, very lucky! She is making a good recovery and the hospital appointment went well today:).
Oh, thank goodness 🙂
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Evelina:)
I am so sorry to hear about your sister’s seizure! But I am glad to hear you were there to help her and I hope she’s recovering well. That’s nice the children behaved and your sister was a good patient. I hope you’ll have a great week and that your sister’s check up goes well!
Thank you, Lola:). She is doing very well and the check up was very positive. I’m working hard this first half of the week and hope I’ll be able to relax and have a couple of days off by the week-end.
Oh my! I’m glad your sister wasn’t severely hurt, but the tongue and bruise has to still be painful. Do hope she is okay. Take care!
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Melissa:). Yes – it’s the tongue driving her crazy as it makes eating and drinking terribly painful.
Oh how scary! I’m glad your sister is okay though I imagine a tongue injury is not a lot of fun and that she’s in quite a bit of pain. Children are so funny with their behavior. Sometimes they really seem to know it’s an emergency and exceed all expectations and other times….! I hope you and your sister are both able to get some rest. Have a great week!
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Katherine:). You’re right about the childjren… My y sister was looking dreadful – like something out of a horror movie and at 12 years old, my granddaughter unhesitatingly walked straight up to her, put her arms around her and said ‘I’m so sorry, Aunty.’ Right now, I’m a bit slammed with work, but even so – it’s just SUCH a relief. When I first saw her, I was convinced she was severely injured…
Thank you for this list. I checked out the one about converting an epub file. I’m not that great with computers but I’m up for trying something. I just paid someone on fiverr $5 to convert a book to .mobi. So, if this becomes too difficult, there’s always that!
Yes, there is:). Let me know how it goes and have a great week, Wanda.
I don’t need one yet but when I do, I’ll try them out.
Finally making it back around! I was offline for a couple of weeks and now we’ve got massive power issues this week! I am back on the blogosphere though and catching up.
I’ve seen good and bad things about Eligible and I have it on my TBR. I think I need to just bite the bullet and do it! I love P&P and think a modern retelling would be good for me. 🙂
There is lots to love about this one – but it isn’t flawless. Given the lovely touches of arch humour in some places, I felt it was a shame she couldn’t sustain that in others.
I’m so sorry to read about your sister’s accident, and I feel slightly guilty of bringing it up again by being so late to your post. I hope that by now everything’s fine again!
No problem, Joanna – we are just grateful she survived. Though she is still dealing with some of the after-effects and both of us are currently smitten with the flu which is going nowhere…