This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
I am still struggling with my energy levels – it feels as though I’m wading through treacle. So it’s been a quiet week, other than a meeting on Friday with Sally and Tim to discuss his upcoming year. He has worked on an impressive number of projects since Lockdown started and it was lovely seeing him. I’m looking forward to teaching him again.
The photos this week are from our 25th Wedding Anniversary visit to the Ashdown Forest, when we got lost. I look that the bright sunshine with wistful yearning. The second half of the week has turned really chilly with a biting northerly blowing and I want the warm weather back!
Last week I read:
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
A murder on the high seas. A detective duo. A demon who may or may not exist.
It’s 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world’s greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent. But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage…
This is a cracking historical murder mystery and I particularly enjoyed the denouement, which was extremely well done. Review to follow.
AUDIOBOOK Lies Sleeping – Book 7 of the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch
Martin Chorley, aka the Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring Chorley to justice.
But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that Chorley, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.
It’s been a while since I read any books in this series – but I loved the fabulous narration by Kobna Holbrook-Smith, who did a stunning job in bringing Peter Grant to life. Review to follow.
Unconquerable Sun – Book 1 of The Sun Chronicles by Kate Elliott
GENDER-SWAPPED ALEXANDER THE GREAT ON AN INTERSTELLAR SCALE
Princess Sun has finally come of age. Growing up in the shadow of her mother, Eirene, has been no easy task. The legendary queen-marshal did what everyone thought impossible: expel the invaders and build Chaonia into a magnificent republic, one to be respected—and feared.
But the cutthroat ambassador corps and conniving noble houses have never ceased to scheme—and they have plans that need Sun to be removed as heir, or better yet, dead. To survive, the princess must rely on her wits and companions: her biggest rival, her secret lover, and a dangerous prisoner of war.
I loved this one! Elliott’s gift for producing compelling characters and intriguing worlds worked really well. There are also a couple of cracking battle scenes, too… Review to follow.
AUDIOBOOK Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine
Harry is in trouble. He’s burned down the family kitchen so now has to spend a week of his summer hols with his uncle Tristram – who’s heading off to stay with a new girlfriend – Morning Glory – on a tiny British island.
Harry doesn’t expect it to be a lot of fun – with just a wacky competition at the end of the week to look forward to. He certainly didn’t expect to discover all the beards. Or the angel on the mountain. Or the helicopters circling overhead all week. And he definitely didn’t think it would be so wet . . .
This is yet another gem from Frank’s Audible backlist – I absolutely loved it and was definitely in the mood for the quirky humour and series of mishaps that follow Harry and Uncle Tristram. Review to follow.
My posts last week:
Castellan the Black and His Wise Draconic Tips on a Mid-Life Crisis
Déjà vu review of The Crossing Places – Book 1 of the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths
Friday Faceoff featuring Just One Damned Thing After Another – Book 1 of the Chronicles of St Mary’s by Jodi Taylor
Cover Love featuring the covers of Phil Williams
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of Dead Man in a Ditch – Book 2 of Fetch Phillips Archives by Luke Arnold
Can’t-Wait-Wednesday featuring The Post-Script Murders – Book 2 of the Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths
Tuesday Treasures – 14
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of Kept From Cages – Book 1 of the Ikiri series by Phil Williams
Two Murder Mystery Mini-reviews: Salt Lane and The Outcast Dead
Sunday Post – 20th September 2020
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week, in no particular order:
Managing Expectations, One Book at a Time https://writerunboxed.com/2020/09/24/managing-expectations-one-book-at-a-time/ While this is aimed at writers, I also think is something that is something that readers should consider. That famous second-book slump might also be partly caused by our feverish anticipation to be transported back to that surprising, new place we’d discovered – only to find the excited expectation leads to disappointment…
Thursday Doors – Castle Archdale Part One https://jeanreinhardt.wordpress.com/2020/09/24/thursday-doors-castle-archdale-part-one/ It’s wonderful to be transported back in time once more, courtesy of Jean’s particular magic – I do love these articles!
Mini Book Tag Week: Opposite Book Tag https://zezeewithbooks.wordpress.com/2020/09/24/mini-book-tag-week-opposite-book-tag/ I haven’t taken part in this one – but it looks such fun…
25 Book Blog Ideas Volume I https://www.randomredheadedramblings.com/2020/09/25-book-blog-post-ideas-volume-1.html?spref=tw There are fabulous suggestions here if you are looking for ways to liven up your content – I’ve taken notes. Thank you, Heather!
Life After Death https://wandaluthman.wordpress.com/2020/09/21/lifef-after-death/ A beautiful, brave article…
Thank you for visiting, reading, liking and/or commenting on my blog – I hope you and yours have a peaceful, healthy week. Take care.
Brainfluff 
Sorry to read you’re still struggling a little Sarah, particularly with energy levels. Hope the forthcoming week brings some sunshine and a burst of energy for you.
Lynn 😀
Thank you! As it happens, I’ve woken up this morning feeling better than I’ve felt for weeks, which is SUCH a relief! Thank you for your kind concern – it really helped:)).
I’m excited to read your reviews of Devil and the Dark Water and Unconquerable Sun😁 Love the photos! Hope you get your energy back and have a lovely week😁
Thank you, Tammy. Typical! I announce to the world that I’m a poor sadsack dragging myself through my life and I woke up this morning feel more like my old self than I had since returning from our break…
I’m sorry you’re still struggling with enough energy, Sarah. I hope this next week will be better. Lots of things on your blog post I need to go back and read more about. I think I could spend all day here! I certainly have more books to add to my list…lol.
Thank you, Jan:)). As it happens, I am feeling a lot better, which is a huge relief. My ‘get and go’ had got up and gone! So it’s lovely to get it back:)).
So glad if you find a few books you like the look of – that’s why we blog, to share our finds, isn’t it?? Have a lovely week, Jan!
I could use some extra energy myself. Everything takes ages to get done or even started. Oh well, hopefully that´ll change soon. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. You look happy and that is all that counts. Have a wonderful new week. Happy reading and stay safe.
Thank you, Vi. Fortunately, I’m feeling a lot better today:)). I hope that you, too, have a good week.
I love those forest photos…I can imagine wandering through those trees…and also getting lost.
Enjoy your week, and I hope your energy levels improve. Your books look tempting!
Thank you, Laurel:)). Yes, the path had been taken out by a felled tree and instead of then turning back, we continued along what we thought was the path but turned out to be a deer track that petered out.
This season’s weather vagaries DO play havoc on our energies: one day it’s sunny and pleasant, the following day it’s cold and rainy and adapting to that is hard. Let’s hope that the return of sunshine makes you feel better! 🙂
Thank you, Maddalena! As it happens, this morning I woke up feeling more like me again for the first time in weeks – which is SUCH a relief!
Remind me to visiy Ashdown Forest (and not get lost) next time I’ll be in the UK! Hopefully in a few months because I miss it!
Oh yes… it’s a lovely part of the UK, Sophie:)). I hope you can make the journey!
Oh The Devil and the Dark Water sounds delicious! I look forward to your thoughts!
I hadn’t read his previous book, but was impressed at how thoroughly the mystery part was plotted and the very clever denouement:). I’ll be looking out for The 71/2 Husbands of Evelyn Hardcastle. Have a great week, Kimberly:))
We all have our ups and downs with energy. Enjoy those new reads!
Anne – Books of my Heart Here is my Sunday Post
Thank you, Anne – I’ve quite a stack of cracking books to tuck into in the next couple of weeks:)).
Loved reading about your week even if you did label it as “kind of blah.” Or maybe I’m reading between the lines! LOL
I really appreciated the blogs/posts you recommended. I followed one and, like you, took notes on blogging tips. Thank you friend; you’ve done your good deed for the week.
No, no… you’re spot on Rae – it was definitely a ‘blah’ week. It was all I could do to haul myself out of bed! But thank goodness I’m now feeling a LOT better…
I can sympathise with the lack of energy, SJ – I hope we both feel more energised this coming week! Although you’ve struggled to do a great deal this week, it does look like you did some fun reading to escape into. Take care, have a good week and happy reading. 🙂
Thank you, Jessica:)). Yes, I have been enjoying my reading this week. And finally today, I am feeling better!
That’s great to hear, SJ 😊
I’m sorry about your energy levels but I do love your pics. Thanks for sharing them.
My post is here.
Sorry to hear about your low energy. Hopefully you’re getting plenty of rest and are starting to feel a bit better. Gorgeous pictures! Hope you have a wonderful week.
I want the warm weather back too. I’m not ready for autumn!!
Oh I know! Though today was lovely again. Long may it continue :)). Have a great week SJ!
I’m sorry you still aren’t feeling very well, I hope you are able to shake it off this week.
I like the sound of Devil and the Dark Water, Eating Things on Sticks sounds fun too
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you so much for your kind concern Shelleyrae. Thank goodness I finally felt like me again when I woke up yesterday. And both Devil and Eating Things on Sticks were a delight for quite different reasons.
I’m so sorry to hear you still aren’t feeling the best. I hope that changes very soon. I look forward to reading your review for The Devil and the Dark Water. It sounds so good!
Thank you for your kind concern. I am finally feeling much more like myself instead of this sad old bat who has recently been cluttering up the place. And yes – The D evil and the Dark Water is a cracking read.
Hey, at least you’re healing, and you can give your body the time it needs to recover, AND being under the weather happened after your trip. Sending love and hugs your way! xxxxxxx