Sunday post 39; It's Monday, What are you reading? 26

It's been two or three weeks since I did one of these posts - I decided I needed to have content on my blog in between, rather than just one weekly post. I have ...one short reviews post, so ta-da!!

Anyway. The Sunday Post - a chance for a natter and a catch-up - is hosted by Kimba over here:
http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ and It's Monday! What are you reading? is now hosted by Kathryn over here: http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/

Let's see ... I have two weeks left on this temporary contract, and while I'll be glad to leave this job behind, I do need to find something else. If you could all put good thoughts out to the universe, tip a word to your higher power ... I need all the positive energy I can muster right now.

Other than that, I've been trying to institute a daily 30/30/300 thing - that's read 30 pages; stitch for 30 minutes, and write 300 words. I know I CAN do it, and did manage it last week for a few days, but I'm easily distractable and very lazy. But these are things that I enjoy doing as well, so it makes sense for me to make some kind of effort to make room and time for them.

What else. I've been marathoning Dr Who on Netflix while I've been working. I'm up to Eleven and Clara - neither of which are my favourites to be honest. I don't mind Eleven so much, but I think that, after 10 (DONNA!!!!!) a lot of the storylines became nothing more than nonsense, and it became far too much about Amy Pond and not  enough about saving the universe.

Anyway. I'm grinding on, and after Dr Who I'm either going to go for Torchwood, or start Stranger Things, which I've heard Good Things about.

I ticked Civil War off my reading list because I've finished reading the main arc, and there are just so many off-shoots. So. Many.

Right now I'm reading book 3 of The Dark Tower - The Waste Lands. After that I think I'll either pick up the first Shannara Chronicle book, or Black Wolves, by Kate Elliott.

Coming up this week - hopefully some stitching and writing; applying for jobs and more Dr Who.

How about you?

What's your week like?

What are you reading?

Sunday post 24, It's Monday, what are you reading? 12

 Linking up with Kimba from http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ for the Sunday Post - a chance to catch up and chat about the week that was and the week that's coming - and with Kathryn from http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ to chat about what we're reading.

Let's see ... I met Marg from http://www.theintrepidreader.com/ last Monday for coffee, and it was great to meet a fellow blogger in person, as I don't think there are all that many who live near me. My location is geographically undesirable, as it were. Still, it was great to catch up. :)

What else. Spawn ended up being home for most of the week because in one of those A+ parenting moments, the day after he was home with a sore throat, I sent him off to school - for a sports day. Which took place outside all day in a howling gale. The day after that was a half day for parent-teacher interviews so I just gave up the whole week as a bad deal. Hopefully we'll be back on track this week.

I didn't get a lot of reading done, but I'm chipping away at Perdido Street Station - I'm trying for a chapter a day. So far so good! I'm also reading Scrap Metal by Harper Fox, about two young men who find love on a remote Arran farm. It's actually very good and a nice counter-point to the weightiness of Perdido Street Station.

I still have The Drawing of Three and book two of the Second Sons trilogy on the backburner, and hopefully this week will be a better reading week than last week. Last week was just a massive bust all around, honestly. But that's okay. Some weeks are diamond-encrusted Tiffany tiaras. Some are $2 shop tiaras that give you a weird rash and make your hair fall out. It's all to the good.

Up this week ... I'll finish Scrap Metal, I'm sure. Then I will dive into The Drawing of Three, I will, I will!! I'm chipping away at a 10-year old cross-stitch project, too - Circe, which I've talked about before. So I might get some stitching done, outside of Saturday night at my stitch-and-watch friend's. Now that Downton is done (has everyone seen it? Can I yell about the thing yet?) - we're diving into The Blacklist, which I enjoy but am finding frustrating by equal measure.

Also - and I don't want to say too much because jinx - but I have a job interview on Wednesday. That's all I'll say here, except I had to rush out and buy grown-up shoes and a nice jacket - and ask for good wishes and thoughts, if you have them to spare. :)

I did my Things I Like post, finally; tis here: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/a-list-of-things-i-like.html and hopefully this week I'll kick off my Awesome Ladies project. I miiiiiight also do a post about Dragon Age and how I fell into it, but I'll ponder that one.

What about you?

How's your week?

What are you reading?

Sunday post 20; It's Monday! What are you reading? post 8

Linking up with Kimba at http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ for the Sunday post, and with Kathryn at  http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ for It's Monday! What are you reading?

The Sunday Post is a chance to catch up with what you've been doing, and with what you're going to do for the week, and of course It's Monday! is all about the books. :)

Once again, I tripped and fell off the radar. I'm not sure why, but there we have it.

Spawn went back to school for the new year on February 1, so perhaps that's part of it - settling into the school routine again.

For me, that means getting up a good hour earlier at least than I have been, which is a struggle, given that I am certainly NOT a morning person.

Otherwise, things continue on much the same. I'm still applying for jobs. I have picked up some casual proof-reading, so that's a start. And somehow I've been drafted as a sort of parent help some mornings for spawn's class to help with reading and writing. Which is fine, I don't mind, but I'm just not very good with children in large groups.

I'm trying to re-set parts of my own routine so I'm not passively sitting in front of the computer or the TV for large parts of the weekday. Even if I'm writing or reading, it's better for my brain parts.

What else. I do have blog posts planned for this week, so hopefully this time I'll actually do them.

I'm hoping to write up reviews for the Captive Prince trilogy by C S Pacat, and also Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire. I also went to see Deadpool last week, so am  hoping to write that up as well. I also have two or three other posts in mind, though I might not get them done this week. They're simmering away, though.

As for what I'm reading ... I had a bit of a mini-slump after finishing Rosemary and Rue, so nothing for a few days. However, I'd bought The Martian on iBooks a while back when it was on special, so I'm reading that at the moment. It's very science-y and a bit dense, but I'm getting more into it now.

As for what's coming up; book 2 of The Dark Tower, finally. And then ... I'm not sure after that. I'll have to poke around a bit.

How's your week been?

What are you reading?

Sunday post 18; What are you reading on Monday 6

Linking up with Kimba at http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ for the Sunday Post and with Kathryn at http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Apparently I haven't done one of these posts in about three weeks. Or any post in about three weeks.

That was an unintended break, and hopefully one that won't be repeated. We'll see though, life, etc.

Speaking of, it's trucking along here much as usual. I started applying for jobs after the new year, and will keep doing so while I cross fingers and toes that something will come up soon. As nice at it has been to be at home for the past four months, it's time to venture out into the world again.

I've been baching the past week, J and spawn headed up north to visit J's parents and I stayed home to hold down the fort and feed the cats. They're due back tomorrow, and as nice as the peace and quiet has been, I'm looking forward to them coming home.

My reading year has got off to a bit of an unsteady start, but I have got through four books - The Gunslinger, Lion of Senet, The Distance Between Us and Magekiller #2 - so that's not too bad. Hopefully if my blogging habit is returning after three weeks in the outer limits, I'll do a short reviews post this week.

Also, hopefully, I'm going to do a post on my three favourite non-match 3 games.

As for what I'm reading ... I finished Lion of Senet today, and really enjoyed it. I'm about halfway through Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older, and I think Sierra might be one of my new favourite characters. Possibly ever.

After that ... possibly book two of the Dark Tower series, and a re-read of Captive Prince and Prince's Gambit by C S Pacat before King's Rising is released next month.

How about you? How's your week been? What are you reading?

Sunday Post 17 and What Are You Reading on Monday 5

Happy New Year everyone! Here's hoping 2016 is a good one!

I'm linking up with Kimba at http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ for the Sunday Post and with Kathryn at http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Last week was a pretty quiet one around here. That week between Christmas and New Year is such an odd time, I always think. Like it's been suspended in space, or something. Everything is quiet. Like the big inhale before the exhale of the New Year.

Anyway. I got through my annual LOTR re-watch last night, and made some good progress on my peonies cross-stitch. Now I'll go back to a 10-hour rotation, with three projects on the go. Good times, good times.

I haven't really made concrete resolutions for 2016. Just. Drink more water. Eat more fruit. Be kind. That's really it.

I took spawn to the movies last week, grit my teeth and sat through Alvin 4 or whatever it was. Spawn enjoyed it but it is not a good movie. We have a playdate today, so that should be .... a thing. He'll have fun, anyway.

I did manage a couple of posts last week; one reflecting on the past year: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/the-year-that-was.html and one talking about making 2016 the year of the series: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/2016-year-of-series.html

Other than that .... not a lot. As I said, it was a very quiet week.

As for what I'm reading, I'm about halfway through The Gunslinger by Stephen King and should finish sometime this week. After that I'm not sure. I might finally read Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older. We'll see.

How was your week?

What are you reading?

2016 - the year of the series

I'm starting 2016 by taking part in Sheila at http://bookjourney.net/'s First Book of the Year challenge.

My first book of 2016 is going to be The Gunslinger, by Stephen King. I'm determined to finish the series this year. Previously, I think I read up to about book three? Many years ago, though.

And that got me thinking about how I'm absolutely awful at finishing series. Just. Terrible. I'll read book one of something, think "wow, that's great" and then never read book two. It's frustrating. So I declare 2016 to be The Year of the Series.

In addition to The Dark Tower, I'm going to read the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. I read book one last year, and loved it. And once again ... didn't seek out book two. I have the trilogy now, so I have no excuse.

I'm also going to read Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch trilogy. Once again, I've read the first one ... you see the pattern here. I loved Ancillary Justice but need to re-read it, I think.

That's three. There's seven books (eight if you count The Wind Through the Keyhole) in the Dark Tower series; three in the Imperial Radch series, and three in the Farseer series (I'm aware that there's a boatload more in that universe but I'm starting at the very start).

I need two more, and I want them both to be by writers of colour. Hrmmmm ... *googles*

Right. So I'm adding The Inheritance series by N K Jemisin and also the Xenogenesis series by Octavia E. Butler - once again, I read book one of that series last year and never followed up.

Onward?

Onward!!

The year that was

I have to say, 2015 was a bit average for me. Not the worst year I've ever had - 2011 and 2006 vie for that title as those were the years I lost my mother and father, respectively.

This past year, however, we did lose three cats - two to the ravages
of time, and my sweet girl, Morgana, to a car. She was my lap buddy and only two and a half. That hole in my heart is still open. That photo on the right is very typical of her. Every time I sat down, there she was. I miss that quiet weight so very much.

Let's see ... I also rolled the dice on my job and took redundancy. Which, so far, hasn't been a bad thing. I've taken the chance to kick back at home, which I've never really been able to do. But it's getting to the point, now, where I do need to find something fairly soon.

Cross fingers for me? :)

What else. Spawn turned eight in May, and he's a happy, healthy gamer kid. So that's something to be thankful for. Here he is with one of the kittens we adopted last month - Felicia, I think. Inevitably, he's fascinated by them, but he's pretty good with them and of course kittens have little claws and teeth as warnings if things get to be too much.

Speaking of kittens ... they're both black, so getting good pix is nearly impossible, but I do try. That's Felicia and Ivy in the basket. I think Felicia is on the left - her coat is a bit lighter and glossier. They're very typical kittens and so a joy and a burden to have around - lol.
What else have I done this year? I ...... have played a lot of Dragon Age. Especially since I finished work in September. I'm on my third Origins playthrough since last year, and my third Inquisition playthrough since .. well. Since September. I'm trying to limit it at the moment a little bit because I play on PC and I've found that I'm getting pain in my right index finger knuckle, if that makes sense.

I've "traced" it back to the gaming, and much mouse-clicking, so I'm taking a few days off. But look at my Inquisitors; Ellana and Gethriel (I call him Dorkvellan because well, I accidentally made him look like a dork). Anyway, don't get me started on Dragon Age, I'll never stop.

I didn't expect to love a game so much, but good golly gosh, I love it so very, very, very much of a lot.


Anyway. I also made my goodreads goal this year: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2015 and I'm thinking of pushing the boat out and aiming for 80 books in 2016. We'll see.

I also took up baking again, something I haven't done in 20 years or more, with various rates of success. I enjoy the process though, and with it being school holidays, I can drag spawn in to help me with some of it, which he seems to enjoy.

Oh! I also moved! Sort of - lol. From http://justaddbooks.blogspot.co.nz/ to here. It felt like the right time. :)

How was your 2015? Good? Bad? Average? Great? Let me know :)

Sunday Post (16) and It's Monday What Are You Reading (4)

I'm linking up with Kimba's Sunday Post here: http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ and with It's Monday! here: http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/

I hope everyone had a good Christmas, or whatever it is you celebrate at this time of year.

We had a quiet one - just the three of us at home. I cooked chicken and spawn played with ALL THE TOYS. It was a good day. On Boxing Day we went to my brother and sister-in-law's for a family get-together, which was great, as we all found - after mum died - that the glue that pulled us into family things had dissolved.

So now we try to make a bit of an effort. It was a beautiful day, which is rare at the moment, and a good time was had by all.

I got what I wanted for Christmas - books, jewellery, chocolates - and so did J, so we did all right. And, as I said, spawn got ALL THE TOYS and had a great day.

Let's see. I  finally finished Uprooted last week, which I loved, and which I reviewed here:
http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/review-uprooted-by-naomi-novik.html and I alos did a shorts review post for We Were Liars and Umbrella Academy #0, both of which I  liked a lot.

I got Stephen King's new short story collection, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams for Christmas, and I've dipped into that bit, and I also got Star Wars: Aftermath by Chuck Wendig which I'll dive into sometime soon, given that I'm still riding the high from The Force Awakens and absolutely plan on going to it again.

As for this week... New Year's will be quiet, but that's no bad thing. It's nearly time for the annual Lord of the Rings rewatch/new project to begin. I'll start on Tuesday and watch one part of each movie per night. I have, however, already started on the cross-stitch, it's so pretty I couldn't resist:

I absolutely love peonies, and the colours in the pattern are amazing.

I'm still working on my Grey Wardens chart, but have to concede that I need to unpick that "V" and move it over a bit. The word is "vigilance" and I don't think I've left myself quite enough room. Other than that, I'm really pleased with how it's turning out.

As for what's next book-wise ... I'm still reading The Gaugin Connection, and picking at The Martian, which was $5 on iBooks.

I'm joining in with Sheila at http://bookjourney.net/ for her first book of the year challenge: http://bookjourney.net/2015/12/05/dont-forget-to-sign-up-for-first-book-of-the-year/

I'm determined to read all of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King in 2016 - I've read the first three books but I'm going to start over on January 1 with The Gunslinger. Should be fun!

Other than that, I'm not sure what I'm going to read next. I should start going through all of the books I've bought since September, perhaps. Hrm.

How's your week been/going? What are you reading?

Surely it's still Sunday somewhere (15) and What are you reading on Monday? (3)

I'm a bit late this week, with the Sunday post, anyway.

The Sunday Post is a chance to talk about the week that was, and the week that may be. It's hosted by Kimba, here: http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is all about the books, all about the books, no ... something. Anyway. You can go here for that one: http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/

The reason today's post is late is because I SAW STAR WARS TODAY. AND IT WAS AWESOME. I loved it so. much. Like. SO VERY MUCH. So I was out and about when I'd normally be doing this and then apparently I had some urgent gaming I just had to do *ahem*.

ANYWAY. I actually blogged last week, and wrote reviews.

Wonders will never cease. I reviewed Witches Abroad: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/witches-abroad-review.html and also Think of England and Dragon Age: Magekiller: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/two-short-reviews.html

Hopefully this week I'll write up a Star Wars review. It will not be spoiler free because it's likely I won't be able to restrain myself.

What else. I picked away a bit more at my Dragon Age cross stitch; I'll try and take a photo of it for next week. At the moment, of course, I can only stitch when the kittens are sleeping - lol.

I also chose my yearly New Project for starting over the end of 2015/start of 2016 as I embark on my yearly re-watch of The Lord of the Rings. Generally speaking, I start on about December 28 and watch half a movie a night. I love them to pieces but I have to be realistic about ... time.

I've chosen an absolutely gorgeous peony pattern, and started it at my friend's on Saturday night, for our weekly stitch and watch, the last for the year as her family descends for the festivities. Once again, I'll try and take a pic of it for next week.

Also ta daaaa!! I made my goodreads reading goal for the year! https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/1882319 I've never done that before!

Let's see ... last week I finished Think of England by K J Charles, and Dragon Age; Magekiller by Greg Rucka ... oh! And also We Were Liars, by E Lockhart, which I really enjoyed. Hopefully I'll get a review up this week.

I also read the first book of Umbrella Academy, by Gerard Way, which was free on the Dark Horse app. It's very interesting and I enjoyed it a lot.

Right now I'm reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik, and absolutely loving it. Just. Loving it. I also took a pass at The Martian by Andy Weir, but I'm not sure how far I'm going to dig into that because I really want to finish Uprooted. It's the kind of fantasy that I love - awesome, well-rounded kick-ass girls, friendships, magic and it's just. Cosy.

So. How was your week? How's your week coming up? What are you reading?

Monday again? (also Sunday) What are you reading #2; Sunday post #14

I'm linking up with the Sunday Post hosted here: http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ and also It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted here: http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/

Let's see ... what's been happening lately ...

It was spawn's last day of school for the year on Thursday, so he's settling in for the long summer break. (I'm using the word "summer" in its loosest possible term, the weather outside is actually pretty bad [which is my favourite kind of weather]).

So I need to try and think of some things to do with him, while I'm still at home.

We went to see Santa on Friday, so that's done for the year. All of my shopping is done (thank you online shopping!) so I can tick that off the list.

I just need to make a list of what I want for the boys to choose from - lol.

The kittens are growing apace. It's nearly impossible to get decent photos of them, but I'll try for next week's post. We have trouble telling them apart, but I discovered that Felicia has a tiny white patch at the base of her belly, so that will help.

Casper's leg has been re-stitched, and the vet is pleased with his progress. So one more visit next week to get the stitches out, and he should be fine after that.

For myself, I haven't really been doing very much at all, but for now, that's all right. If I'm still sitting here in a month's time saying the same thing, then that will be problematic. But for now, it's nice.

I did a little stitching last week; some reading, and I've been obsessively playing two games - Dragon Age; Inquisition (of course) and on the iPad, Monument Valley: http://www.monumentvalleygame.com/ which I just absolutely love.

It's not a particularly long game, but there's something very relaxing about playing it, and I highly recommend it.

As for what I'm reading .... I finished Witches Abroad by Mr Sir Terry Pratchett on Saturday, and loved it. Laughed out loud a few times. So there will be a review of that some time this week.

Right now I'm reading A Private Gentleman by Heidi Cullinan. It's an M/M Victorian romance novel about Wes, the second son of a Marquis who is the despair of his family. He's shy, suffers terrible social anxiety, and stammers badly. He meets Michael, a whore who has a history with Wes's father. The two Fall in Love and Overcome Obstacles.

I'm enjoying it quite a bit, I have to say. I've read a couple of Heidi Cullinan's books before, and enjoy her style.

I also have The Gaugin Connection by Estelle Ryan on the go, and STILL The Sunne in Splendour.

Up next is Uprooted by Naomi Novik, then I think I might tackle Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older, and possibly Sorceror to the Crown by Zen Cho.

What's going on with you? What are you reading?

It's Monday ... and also Sunday somewhere

I'm linking up with two posts for this ... post.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn here: http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ (fellow Kiwi! :D :D) and also the Sunday Post,  hosted by Kimba, here: http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/

I'm still trying to recalibrate my blogging. As you can see by the lack of content, it's not going especially well. But. As in all things, I persist. I persist till the dragon is defeated. Or I die trying. Anyway. The most important thing that has happened lately, is this:

Yes. Yes that is a picture of kittens. Two kittens. Ivy and Felicia. I think Ivy is on the left, though sometimes it's a bit hard to tell. Ever since I lost my sweet Morgana, I've been wanting to get a kitten. Not to replace her, because that's impossible, but to fill the void somewhat. So we went to the pet store a couple of weeks ago, and lo and behold, they had these two. They're littermates and because I'm a big softie, I couldn't leave one of them behind.

The older cats are very, very dubious about this. VERY dubious. 

The kittens are ... well. They're kittens. If they're not playing or pooping, they're sleeping, as you can see. And, luckily, I'm a good shape for sleeping on, being somewhat soft and squishy. Also, two kittens is better than television, they're so fun to watch.

In other cat news, one of our older statecats - Casper - has had some health issues. Well. We've had a black cat hanging about who keeps getting into dustups with one of ours, and I think Casper - despite being 14 and entitled to a quiet life - got involved in one of them. So we had one abscess treated. Fairly easy.

Then, a couple of Fridays ago, he came inside with the BIGGEST lump on his leg. Like. BIG. So I rang the emergency vet, because of course it was Friday night, and J took him out. 

He needed surgery. The vet described the abscess that had formed - and magically appeared out of nowhere, although I was aware he had been favouring that leg a bit - as horrific. He told J he'd never seen one so bad. There was necrotised tissue under it, and also necrotised bone, but only a little bit. Luckily? So he's got a big shaved patch, and stitches and he's been on antibiotics. He might still lose the leg because of the necrotised bone, but we're not sure. 

He's due to go back to the vet tomorrow to have his stitches out, so we'll find out then.

Anyway. As for what I'm reading ... I've drifted back to my slow and ongoing read through all the Discworld novels. I'm up to Witches Abroad, which is proving to be hysterical. Next up I think will be Uprooted by Naomi Novik, which I've been meaning to read for a while.

Most recently I finished The Girl on the Train, which I really enjoyed and I'm hoping to get back into a blogging rhythm, so I'm aiming to review that this week.

I also read Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) and watched the movie. Loved the book, thought the movie was ... okay. I also finally watched Mockingjay Part 1 which was also okay. Hopefully I'll be doing reviews of those as well.

So. How's your week looking? 

What are you reading?

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

Now hosted here http://bookdate.blogspot.co.nz/ :)

It’s been … a while since I did one of these posts. Or, looking at my blog, any post. Whoops.

Anyway. At the moment, I’m reading Northern Lights, book one of His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. It’s a re-read for me, and it’s just as emotionally trying as the first time around. I do love it, though.

I’ve also still got The Sunne in Splendour on the go, though it has been a while since I picked it up, but I have good Intentions.

I picked up a book on iBooks that had an interesting premise and is the first in a series: The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan. It’s a mystery series featuring an insurance investigator who is also a body language expert. Promising start, anyway.

Up next, hopefully, is The Girl on the Train, because it’s due back at the library on Saturday, and possibly Witches Abroad, by Mr Sir Terry Pratchett.

So. What are you reading?

Sunday post - 12

The Sunday Post is a chance to catch up - with other bloggers' weeks, and to catch other bloggers up on your own week before and also ahead. Hosted here: http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/

I actually managed to blog last week. I'm still mildly shocked but I did it! I did a post of short book reviews here: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/short-reviews.html and a review of the movie Crimson Peak, which is here: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/crimson-peak-review.html

I also finished another book - The Rules by Stacey Kade, which is the first book in her Project Paper Dolls series. I enjoyed it well enough, and there should be a review coming this week (fingers crossed).

I'm halfway through, now, Welcome to Night Vale, the novel based on the podcast. I love the podcast and the book is shaping up to be my 2015 equal-favourite along with Station Eleven. I think listening to the podcast definitely helps with reading the book of Night Vale because it is steeped in weirdness. Also, Cecil Baldwin - the voice of Night Vale - has recorded the audiobook, if audiobooks are your thing.

What else. Last week was pretty quiet around here these parts. I stayed home a lot and watched a fair bit of TV and finished my first Dragon Age: Inquisition playthrough. It was nice, but it's starting to be time to put on my big girl socks and like ... look for work.

Anyway. I did buy books last week, because somehow I keep forgetting that I'm not buying books at the moment. They were the three for $15 sort out of the remainder bin, but. Still. No more books. (Including ebooks. For some reason in my head, ebooks aren't included in the ban. But yes. Yes they are.)

I had a makeover at the local Revlon counter on Friday because I'd bought some makeup there before and accidentally said yes instead of no to the makeover thing, but it was fine. The woman was lovely and it was actually kind of relaxing. I also went up to my old office to say goodbye to a former workmate who is also moving on - to a new job in his case.

I went to my friend's on Saturday night for our weekly stitch and watch, and made a bit of progress on my Grey Wardens pattern. I hadn't picked it up for a few days and it was nice to get back into it.

Anyway.

First on the to-do list for this week, is to study the road code and go and get my learner's licence, and then driving lessons. It's very easy for me to be complacent and stare into the void for far too long because it's cosy and I think the void is actually a nice place, but - no offence void - it's not exactly productive.

So, hopefully, by the end of this week I will be in possession of a learner's permit, and also  have booked some driving lessons.

I'm also going to venture back into baking this week, and I'm going to give the chocolate chippie biscuits another go, and hopefully make a lemon loaf, as we accidentally have too many lemons at the moment.

I'm also also nano-ing this year, hopefully I can actually write something instead of just signing up and forgetting like I usually do.

What are you up to this week?

Sunday post 7

The Sunday Post is a chance to catch up - on what's been happening in the blogosphere, as well as updating others on your own life and times.

Hosted here by http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ if you want to play along at home. :)

Well. This is it. I had my last day on Friday and now I'm ... redundant? unemployed? Without work? Well, yes. All of those things.

My last week actually went pretty quickly, and I spent Friday doing basically no work at all. We had cheese and snacks and related paraphernalia, awkward speeches were made (mine was the MOST awkward) and then, in the grand tradition of journalists everywhere, we all decamped to the pub.

I don't drink, but it was nice to be able to say goodbye to the people I worked with in  a relatively informal session.

As for what's next? I don't know, and the question, "what are you going to do???" when people find out makes me nervous, because I DON'T know, and I get defensive and start babbling and making excuses.

Bah.

This is what I am going to do.

I am going to meet with the job search consultant - I have five sessions left.
I am going to hunt down the woman who was supposed to forward my benefit request form for my superannuation funds A MONTH AGO and politely request that she do so (luckily, those funds are separate from my redundancy payout, and I should get my redundancy payout this week, hopefully).
I am going to power through Salem, Empire and whatever else I have on my hard drive.
I am finally going to finish stitching Circe:  (I actually have more done than this,but this is the most recent photo that I have)
I am going to set up a stack of books, and work my through, including a mini-pile for RIP X, which is being hosted by the lovely ladies of The Estella Society this year: http://www.estellasociety.com/?p=1484
I am - finally - going to get my driver's licence and learn to drive a bloody car.
I am going to go to the movies more, while I have the chance.
I am going to provide cats with a warm and large place to rest.
I am going to figure out Dragon Age: Inquisition
And last - but by no means least - I'm going to hang out with spawn.

And of course, somewhere in there, hopefully, find another job.

Oh! And nano! I'm planning on doing nano this year: http://nanowrimo.org/ which I say every year, but unless something shows up before then, I'll have no excuse at all.

On the blog this week coming up, hopefully, are reviews of Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay, and also Scream - I watched it on Friday night for my weekly movie hit, in honour of the passing of Wes Craven.

I'm reading The Sunne in Splendour (still), Our Endless Numbered Days, and I picked up The Rest of Us Just Live Here, by Patrick Ness. Hopefully I'll have reviews of the latter two this week sometime.

I STILL haven't read or watched Watchmen and the graphic novel will be due back at the library soon, so I need suggestions for this Friday night's movie fare.

How's everyone doing?

What's your favourite scary movie?

Sunday post 4

Hosted by Kimberley here at http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ the Sunday Post is a chance to reflect on the week that was, talk about what we've been blogging about, and also a chance to plan the week ahead.

I actually managed to sort of get my act together this past week, and I've posted two reviews.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making here:
http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/the-girl-who-circumnavigated-fairyland.html

And I'll Give You the Sun, here: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/the-girl-who-circumnavigated-fairyland.html

I have to say, for anyone unfamiliar with my ... style, I'm not the most insightful reviewer ever. I'm enthusiastic about the books I'm enthusiastic about, and I will get my rant on about the books I don't like. Beyond that ... Well, if I can make you smile or laugh, then job done :D

(I'm also lazy. But let's not get into that.)

Let's see, what else ...

I have a little less than three weeks to go at work, and I'm sure my last day will be emotional or something, but right now - having made the big grown-up decision - I'm ready to move on, and every week day is just that much more irritating right now.

I'm trying to get through My Cousin Rachel by Tuesday - a 300 page book that's taken me something like a month to read, between losing Morgana, getting sick, and picking up books that are decidedly NOT My Cousin Rachel, but I'm nearly halfway through now and I'm optimistic I'll have a post up in time for the book tour.

With Aarti's More Diverse Universe challenge coming up: http://www.aartichapati.com/2015/08/sign-up-post-diversiverse-is-coming.html and with recent world events, I've been musing in my own quiet, non-intellectual way about how I can better educate myself.

One way, of course, as always, is reading. I think my reading does tend to skew/default to white writers, something I'm sort-of conscious of but then it sinks below the surface again.

So, with Aarti's challenge on the horizon, and with this post that popped up on tumblr: http://catagator.tumblr.com/post/126007994444/committing-to-diversity-when-youre-white-a I'm going to ... try and diversify my reading. Because it's important.

That post suggests setting a challenge for yourself, and so I'm going for every third book I read will be by a non-white writer.  I haven't chosen a book for A More Diverse Universe yet but between now and then, I'm hoping to expand my horizon.

So, after My Cousin Rachel, I'm diving into Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay.

Also, today, I burned my arm on my lamp. Riiiiight where it rests against things.

How was your week? What's coming up?

A bookish list

I came across this on http://heidenkind.blogspot.co.nz/ and thought it looked like fun. Make off with it if you feel like also answering the questions :-)

1. Favorite childhood book?

Ohhhh ... that's a hard one. Absolute top favourite above all others? Honestly I think I have to say A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, based on the number of times I trod the well-worn path to borrow it from the library.
2. What are you reading right now?

STATION ELEVEN. Ahem. I mean. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. It's a re-read for me - I read it in January but good gosh, I do love it. Also Lady Knight on iBooks, by L J Baker.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

Nothing at the moment, though I'm considering reserving Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

4. Bad book habit?

Never, ever, ever, lend me books.  I'm the worst at returning them. 

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

	In wilderness : a novel Thomas, Diane C. (Diane Coulter)  32363286	0	24/07/15
		The companions Salvatore, R. A., 1959-  32348037	0	24/07/15
		Ring fire : the Fleabag trilogy Webb, Beth, 1952-  32245161	0	24/07/15
		Mary Poppins : the complete collection Travers, P. L. (Pamela Lyndon), 1899-1996.  32353678	0	24/07/15
		How to be a pirate Cowell, Cressida.  32280112	0	24/07/15
		The doom box Farshtey, Greg.  32318998	0	24/07/15
		Transformers : the novel Wilkens, S. G.  32257419	0	24/07/15
		The girl who circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making Valente, Catherynne M., 1979-  32309676	0	24/07/15
		The tale of Despereaux DiCamillo, Kate.  32144879	0	24/07/15
		Nefertiti : the book of the dead Drake, Nick, 1961-  32324728	0	14/08/15
		Royal assassin Hobb, Robin.  32299317	0	14/08/15
		The Grand Hotel Kenemore, Scott.  32356095	0	14/08/15
		The price of blood Bracewell, Patricia, 1950-  32362135

6. Do you have an e-reader?

Not as such. I use iBooks on my iPad though, and I like that a lot.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

I usually have about 2 or 3 on the go at the same time. One for lunchtime reading at work, one for weekends and sometimes a stray that just falls into my hands.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

Yes, I think so. My to-read list has certainly expanded.

9. Least favorite book you read this year?

Shatter Me by Tahereh .Mafi

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

STATION ELEVEN


11. How often do you read outside of your comfort zone?

Not often but I like to think I have a reasonably broad comfort zone? Hard to say.

12. What is your reading comfort zone?

Fiction, mostly. Fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, literary fiction, historical fiction, some crime fiction but I'm picky about what crime fiction I read. I'll read interesting biographies or autobiographies, if I'm interested in the person.

13. Can you read on the bus?

Yes. On short bus journeys, anyway.

14. Favorite place to read?

Bed first, and couch second.

15. What is your policy on book lending?

I lend books if I'm not worried about getting them back, or if I know I can trust the person to be responsible with my books.

16. Do you dog-ear your books?

Nope.

17. Do you write notes on the margins of your books?

No, it never occurs to me.

18. Do you break/crack the spines?

Yes, especially if the binding has made it difficult to hold the book open enough.

19. What is your favorite language to read?

English.

20. What makes you love a book?

Great characters.