Monday, September 07, 2020

This week....

I'm reading....

I want you to take special note of the books I am reading this week, particularly The Tolstoy Estate by Steven Conte. Do you need to pay attention to the fact that it is historical fiction? Not really. Is it because it is historical fiction set in World War II? No because to be fair I read a fair bit of that. Is it that it is set in Russia? Could be. Because it's a new release? Nope. Read a few of them recently. What could it possibly be? Oh, that's what it is.  Its a book by a male author. My reading is dominated by female authors to the point that this is only the fifth book by a male author I have read this year, and I am loving it. I am about halfway through now and assuming it stays at the current level it is on track to be either a 4.5 or a 5/5 grade book.

The other book that I started over the weekend is The Wreck by Meg Keneally and this one is great too. To be honest, it's a struggle to know which one to pick up and finish first. Maybe I should do alternative chapters. Or maybe I need a long weekend so that I can just read them both. Unfortunately that can't happen as I worked late every night last week and over the weekend.

I'm watching...

Over the last couple of weeks I have been watching a British show called The Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul. It follows a group of British celebrities with different types and degrees of faith (including atheist, Muslims, Christians and Jewish) as they complete the Sultan's Trail which runs from Vienna to Istanbul. Along the way they visit various sites with historical and religious significance. It was a very interesting show to watch highlighting what the similarities are between people as well as the differences. When I was looking for a couple of details I realised that there are two previous series so I will be seeing I can find those.

I also recently watched the documentary, The Booksellers, which follows some of the characters from the antique book trade in New York. This was so much fun to find out how these unique characters started out in the trade, and how they re faring in this world where everything is available on the internet

We were super excited to see that there is a follow up series to Back in Time, this time called Further Back in Time. In the first series, which I wrote about here, the Ferrone family lived for a week in each decade starting from the 1950s through to the 2020s, talking about the food that people would have been eating, how family was structured, and particularly the changing role of women. In this series, the family goes further back in time with the episode being set in the 1900s and then will travel forward to the 1940s. We very much enjoy it and we are looking forward to watching the rest of the series. Expect a Weekend Cooking post about this at some point.

Finally, we started watching Warrior Nun on Netflix as it was recommended to us as something to watch if you loved The Umbrella Academy. Whilst I would pick Umbrella Academy every time over Warrior  Nun, we are enjoying it, and I am enjoying seeing the various different locations around Spain!

Life

We have been in strict lockdown now for around five weeks. Originally it was due to finish on September 13, but it has been announced that is being extended by a couple of weeks with a small  tweak here and there, followed by a slow easing of restrictions in stages through to November, depending on the numbers. Right now, I am trying to figure out when I am going to be able to go to the hairdresser because I am very much in danger of finding out exactly what colour my hair actually is!

Our big news this week is that we got a vacuum robot. It didn't take me long to start talking to it as though it is a dog because it feels like it follows me around, and gets under my feet. Originally we thought about naming it Teddie but I woke up on Sunday morning and suddenly realised that was possibly a bit close in name to my youngest nephew, so we are just going to call it Dog. I did have to laugh at my husband. He loves a new toy, so the first time we put it on, it wasn't that much of a surprise to find that he had followed it around the house, rolling around in his office chair!

Don't forget you can now follow my blog on Facebook here.

Six Degrees of Separation

I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date


25 comments:

  1. I love that you named your vacuum "Dog." We tend to name things, too. Our automatic trash can is Audrey (after Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors).

    I haven't been to the hair salon since February, but my hair is long and straight, so I can probably go quite a while longer. However, once winter rolls around, the natural blonde highlights will start to fade and my gray will return. Not a big deal since I'm not going anywhere! :)

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    1. Love that you have named your trash can Audrey!

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  2. LOL Congratulations on discovering a male author! I'm waiting on my delivery of Conte's book, should get here soon:)
    PS How does the robot go on rugs?

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    1. The robot is fine on the rugs and changing from floorboards, carpet and tiles Lisa.

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  3. The Wreck looks really good. I just saw it mentioned on another blog as well. and I'm seriously thinking of trying Umbrella Academy after hearing some raves.

    Good luck with lockdown easing when it happens. So many people are moving around here it feels like it's been ages since we were in lockdown, and so many people seem to be way too comfortable about where we're at- I just hope for the best and stay in as much as am able.

    Take care!

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    1. Try The Umbrella Academy Greg! It's so much fun.

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  4. Your books look good. I have to look into the vacuum robot. Sounds interesting. Have a great week.

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    1. We are happy with that purchase so far Yvonne!

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  5. Aha, I am like you in that I rarely read a male author either! I loved that intro, very engaging. Sorry about Melbourne still being in strict lockdown, it is so tough, we are pretty free where I am except only allowed to be in groups up to 100. In Auckland its stricter and they moan!! All the best - the viewing sounds interesting.

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  6. You are a hoot Marg. Love your opening para. I haven't read many male authors this year either.

    You also made me laugh about the colour of your hair. Go grey, I say!

    Finally, last week we got rid of our vacuum robot. I've decided I like my stick Dyson much better! I'd love to hear how you find it. My neighbour loves hers.

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    1. One day I will write the story of why I started dying my hair!

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  7. I am adding The Tolstoy Estate to my list. I don't read a lot of male authors either, but finding a good one is a treasure. Some of my favorite male writers are Michael Robotham, Jonathan Kellerman, Peter Swanson and Chris Bohjalian. Select group, lol.

    Enjoy your haircut when you get it, lol. I am in the same situation, but we've been on lockdown here for almost six months!

    Have a great week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. I really enjoyed The Tolstoy Estate. So good!

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  8. My reading tends to be dominated by female authors too. I have recently read two by husband and wife teams but can't remember to last book I read which was written solely by a man. Looks like I have one on this week's review pile though. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. It has always been that way for me Kathy!

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  9. I had to laugh at your opening. I'm right there with reading mainly women. This year I think I've read a few more male authors but probably not that many. And, oh goodness my hair is so long. I haven't had a hair cut in almost a year! I've been searching youtube tutorials on how to cut your own hair. haha... You guys stay safe!

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    1. LOL. My husband has been talking about me trimming his hair. I am trying to avoid it as long as possible.

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  10. I found out that my hair has way more gray than I thought! I finally talked my husband into helping me color it. Then I talked him into just holding a comb to keep his clippers straight while he cut my split ends! He was so scared he was going to mess up! But I'm not vain about my hair. It's curly and does what it wants. All I ask is that a stylist not cut too much off because a little trim looks like a big trim with these curls. He did fine!

    All of your shows sound interesting. We're still plugging away at The Umbrella Academy season 2. We're going to start The Boys season 2 tonight. It's good but really violent so I hesitate to recommend it. My husband's been waiting on me to be in the mood to watch it. Today is the day! Enjoy your week!

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    1. I haven't seen real hair colour for 5 years Jen! It's going to be very exciting when we finally can go to the hairdresser!

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  11. I so want a robo vac and a robo lawnmower, I’d definitely name them too!!

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    1. Apparently we are never getting robo lawnmower Heather. That is a step too far!

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  12. We're almost finished I'll Be Gone In The Dark (I've read the book as well) and it's been really good. Need to find something to watch after that.

    I'm sort of the same, I almost celebrate when I read a book by a male author! This year 8% of books I've read are by men atm haha. And that is probably an improvement on some years.

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    1. If you are interested in adding another male author to your list for this year, try The Tolstoy Estate

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  13. I read far more female authors too. I am glad you are enjoying your current reads! The Tolstoy Estate and The Wreck both sound good. I've been curious about Nun Warrior. I still need to see the second season of the Umbrella Academy.

    I really want a robot vacuum too! I would probably talk to mine too. :-)

    My county is still supposed to be closed with the exception of essential businesses and then restaurants can be open for outdoor dining and take out. Gyms (and dance studios) were only recently permitted to resume if outdoor and with strict precautions. Not that many businesses are following the rules. People are so desperate to not only return to normal, but save their businesses from going under financially. I hope the slow re-opening goes well for your area. It's so hard. I wish this was all over.

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