Helllooo! This week was not a fun one at work. Hamster wheels came to mind.  However, some really good things did happen.  On Tuesday was lucky to see Joe Abercrombie do a reading from his new novel (A Little Hatred) – he’s a fascinating author.  There is definitely an element of the performer in him and you can see the Lord Grimdark persona seen on twitter; but he’s an excellent performer effectively acting as four different characters in the readings which were fab; and in the answers to audience questions you can see a very thoughtful author.  I was impressed at how he admitted he could have been better in his early work with getting female characters in his work.  Which he’s now corrected.  Enjoying the book itself so far and review coming soon.  Grimdark was a running theme with me also reading Anna Smith Spark’s amazing House of Sacrifice – reads that challenge the reader can be one of the best I find just to help me think about how I see the world the way I do.  Can definitely see a little wombling on all of this at a later date – it’s a genre easy to do boringly but when it’s right it’s seriously tasty stuff.

By Saturday I needed a change of scene and lovely trip to Chester Zoo was had.  Really fascinating and was scared by how many rarer species are now in conservation there.  Well worth a visit if you are my way of the world.  As part of my ongoing battle with my sugar levels I’m now six weeks into the couch potato to 5k programme and this week managed 20 minutes jogging without a break and that’s a personal best for me!  Definitely feeling the improvement now!

What Have I been Watching?

Strictly Come Dancing is back!!!  Yes. I do love this show and it’s always fun seeing who is clearly enjoying it and who is there for the cheque.  Next up Farscape re-watch I’m so behind!!

What Have I Been Listening To?

Bit quiet this week!

What have I reviewed?

The House of Sacrifice by Anna Smith Spark - The first Happy Endings? Where I look at the remarkable Empires of Dust series.  It’s dark terrifying had me scared; tearful and most of all hugely impressed.  It shows the attraction and also the repellent side of war.  Fascinating and a series lot of people should ry not last because of Smith Spark’s writing style

Shatter City by Scott Westerfeld - I was feeling 50/50 after last week reading Imposters the first book in this series but this book really I felt unsatisfied with.  Too repetitive and I just didn’t feel it working for me.

And non-book related

Book Summoning in 5 Easy Lessons - I did say I was thinking of doing a few other things with the blog and for starters I’m having a bit of fun with the five books you could mention that would get my attention.  I have a fairly wide reading palette but this may be the best way of saying what type of book draws me in.

 Interviewing Edward Cox - I got lucky enough to ask Ed Cox about his work; reading and house buddies.

What am I reading or coming soon?

The Djinn Falls in Love edited by Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin – need to sit down and lose myself int his

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie – I must see how things have gone in the First Law universe

Wonderland edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane – intriguing list of authors take on Lewis Carroll’s universe

The Bone Garden by Heather Kassner- what looks a spooky YA tale – perfect for a dark night read I hope!

Lord of Secrets by Breanna Teintza – interesting looking fantasy

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey – noir, magic and romance? How can I resist

The Swallows by Lisa Luiz – the intro for this is compelling as a thriller

The Silver Wind by Nina Allen – an author I’ve meant for ages to try

And so much more.  Have fun!