I'm reading
Melbourne weather is notoriously fickle and we have had some really,really hot days this week with more to come. This week it just so happened that I picked up two books set in the Arctic area of the northern hemisphere, so plenty of snow and ice to cool the brain. The first of those books was The Arctic Cruise by Caroline James. Our characters sailed north to Norway chasing the Northern Lights. It was a fun read. (my review)
Then my thoughts turned to France and pastries when I read The Boulangerie on the Corner by Susan Buchanan. As I stated at the beginning of my review...you had me at boulangerie!
I stepped a bit outside of my normal reading this week and read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. I don't normally read these kinds of psychological thrillers. I picked it up because a friend of mine recently told me that McFadden is her favourite author, and I have noticed how her books are dominated the best sellers lists around the world! Having now read one of her books, I can see why. It was gripping, twisty and turny and definitely made me want to find out what happens next. I have requested the next book from the library but there is a bit of a wait.
Finally, I started Us Against You by Fredrik Backman, which is set in a small town in Sweden. This is the second book in the Beartown trilogy and I'm enjoying it very much. I can't wait to pick it up again today.
I'm watching
I watched the first episode of the Irish show, The Walsh Sisters, which is based on the Marian Keyes books. I wasn't really sure what to make of the first episode. There was lots of drama, but I guess I always think of Marian Keyes as being funny while she tackles heavy issues. I am not sure I got the funny yet. I will keep watching too see if it picks up or not.
Recently, it was announced that the best selling books in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series are being made into a TV series. I thought that it was probably about time that I watched the movie version which was made back in 2018, which is called Cafe Funiculi Funicula. I enjoyed it,, and liked the way that they depicted the person going back in time. It was a bit different to the book, which I guess is to be expected. I liked it, but I am not 100% sure it would have made a lot of sense if I didn't already read the series.
Here's the trailer
Life
It's a long weekend here for Australia Day. It is a bit of contentious holiday. It's not because people aren't proud to be Australian and love our great country, but the date of 26 January is seen as being harmful for indigenous Australians as it represents the day that the British came and took their land and so many of their people in the following years. I would be quite happy to see the date changed to another date that is less painful. It's been changed before and it can be changed again. I am, however, happy to have the additional day off. Work has been pretty stressful so I am grateful for the chance for one extra day to just do not much, especially seeing as we have had some pretty hot days
With the heat comes the threat of fires. Whilst I have never been close to being threatened by a really big fire, I do hate the days that you wake up and all you can smell is the lingering smoke from fires in other parts of the state. It was like that yesterday morning.
Max
Poor Maxxie boy has an eye infection so he looks a bit rough at the moment. It is getting better slowly though. You can also see how bad his blindness is getting. He is, however, still a happy boy. We will see if there is anything that can be done for him this year. With all his other health issues though we are just taking it one condition at a time!
Posts from the last week
Top Ten Tuesday: Goals
Blog Tour: The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn
Blog Tour: The Arctic Circle by Caroline James
Weekend Cooking: The Sweet Life Café by Helen Rolfe
Weekend Cooking: The Boulangerie on the Corner by Susan Buchanan
Sunday Salon: 2025 Year in Review
I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date, Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and the Good Book and a Cup of Tea link up hosted at Boondock Ramblings
The Boulangerie on the Corner sounds like a great read. I'm a huge fan of both France and boulangeries.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you will enjoy a day off, even though the holiday is contentious.
it was a good read. I enjoyed it enough to keep an eye out for more from the author!
DeletePoor Maxxie :(
ReplyDeleteI was curious about The Walsh Sisters, Stan is about the only streaming service we don’t have.
You’ve armchair traveled a lot this last week
Wishing you a happy reading week
I will likely watch more....at some point.
DeleteAwww Maxxie. I hope the eye infection clears up well.
ReplyDeleteStepping out of your comfort zone with reading can be really rewarding! I try to remember to give it a shot every so often. Sounds like it really paid off!
The issues surrounding Australia Day sounds similar to the America’s Columbus Day. Some states have renamed it, Indigenous People’s Day. Looks like you’ve been reading some intriguing books!
ReplyDeleteAnd poor Max! I hope his eye infection clears quickly. He looks like such sweetie.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your excessive heat. I would like a few of those degrees here. We are stuck in a pattern of extreme cold. I have given Beartown a try but couldn't get into it. I'm glad you are enjoying his writing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read Freida McFadden's books. I love psychological thrillers. This sounds like a good one. Poor Maxxie! I hope the infection clears up soon.
ReplyDeleteYou've had some wonderful global book travels this week. Hope things cool off for you at home. I would ship you some of my 17+ inches of snow from yesterday, but I doubt it would make it. Hope Max feels better soon.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2026/01/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-mailbox_26.html
I can see why Australians want to change the date of their national holiday. I hope things cool off for you soon. Have a great week.
ReplyDelete