The Week That Was...

Final Reading of 2011

I am finally getting around to listing the rest of my reading from 2011 - the books that I finished but just didn't get around to reviewing before the year ended.

Gillespie and I - Jane Harris - My first Jane Harris read and I absolutely loved it - a great suspenseful story

The Observations - Jane Harris - After loving Gillespie and I I was quick to pick up Harris's first book but I have to say, I didn't love it quite as much

The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Eugenides - Well worth the wait! An introspective book in many ways but I loved the characters musings and stories

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? - Jeanette Winterson - A funny and moving memoir brilliantly written - highly recommended

Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami - I tend to have a love/hate relationship with Murakami's books and this one was no different - loved some parts and others just frustrated the hell out of me!

The Witches - Roald Dahl - A fun re-read to end the year

Getting My Mojo Back...

The first month of 2012 is already nearing its end - I'm not really sure how that happened!! Unfortunately I am still struggling to get my reading and blogging groove back - and I hate that feeling!
I decided that a clear "To Do List" might be the way to go - I've always responded well to structure and organisation in the past... So here it goes, my Blogging To Do List

1. Add the rest of my 2011 reads to the side bar (I may have to forgo reviews for these in the interests of moving on...)
2. Do a quick review post of my favourite 2011 reads
3. Start reviewing my 2012 reads - there is only 1 so far but hopefully that number will grow
4. Make time to read my favourite blogs and make comments
5. Get back into my "Week That Was" posts
6. Complete my "Unravelling The Year Ahead" worksheet courtesy of Susannah
7. Clean up my TBR pile - this is an ongoing work in progress!

I would be more than happy to hear from any of you about other rituals/tasks etc... you have engaged in as the year new has come around to get into your reading and blogging year.

The Month That Has Been....

I was not really planning on having over a months break from blogging but work and illness and the hectic silly season all combined to keep me away from the blogging world. I'm feeling very out of the loop! I have a stack of books left over from my 2011 reading that might not make it to review stage and the obsessive compulsive part of my personality is not coping well with that! So, to ease my way back in I thought I would simply post some photos that reflect my past month - I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone and seeing what everyone is reading in the new year.

The Week That Was...

Advent with Austen

Yvann over at Reading, Fuelled by Tea and others have had a brilliant idea of reading and celebrating Jane Austen during Advent. I think any time is a perfect time to celebrate Austen and her work so I am definitely in for this one! This year celebrates a very specific Austen event - the 200th anniversary of the publication  of Sense and Sensibility and so, even though I have to admit it is not one of my favourite of Austen's books, I will be starting my Advent with this. Hopefully this re-reading will bring a new appreciation for Sense and Sensibility...

The Week That Was...

I am running a little behind with my weekly photo post this week. My boy and I just got back from a lovely long weekend in sunny Brisbane and it is taking me a while to get back into reality I think...