This week my middle of the night read was The Secrets of Saffron Hall by Clare Marchant. I love a good dual timeline book, especially one where there is an old building filled with secrets, so this book ticks all my boxes. What I had forgotten between the time when I requested this book and when I started reading it was that this is a novel that is set in Tudor times. Back in the day I used to read a lot of Tudor books until I got to the point where I was all Tudored out and it has become much rarer for me to choose to read a book set in this era. This isn't set in the court of Henry VIII but rather in a wealthy Catholic merchant's home, so I assume we are going to be learning more about the dissolution of the monasteries. So far I am enjoying it. I will confess that ones of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because of the cover!
I finished my last audiobook, so I thought that I would listen to the new audio short story that has been released by Dervla McTiernan. It is called The Roommate, and it features a very young garda Cormac Reilly as he investigates a young woman's murder. There is another of these short audio stories available on Audible called The Sisters which I read a while ago now. It's a good way to get a taste of Dervla McTiernan's writing and to put yourself back in Cormac Reilly's world for just a couple of hours.
I guess I need to line up my next audiobook given that this one is only just over 2 hours long.
I mentioned last week that we had started watching a South African series called Trackers. Originally we were just going to watch each new episode weekly as they were released,but we were looking for something else and found the whole series on yet another streaming service. We therefore watched the whole series, and I have to say it was really good. The first episode was a bit slow while they introduced all the characters but after that the series moved at a good pace. The end of the series is definitely set up for a second season, which I guess is par for course these days. I would definitely watch a second series though. I had read one of the books that this series is loosely based on but I would like to read more.
After finishing that we were looking for another series to watch, and we ended up on deciding to start watching series 2 of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and ended up watching three episodes. We did particularly enjoy watching the first two episodes which were partially set in Paris. Felt a bit like an extension to Paris In July.
The bad news this week was that we have had to cancel our trip to Uluru in mid September. We booked this weekend away months ago because it is a place that neither of us have ever been to before and it is on our must do list. We will rebook when we can but for now we don't really have any idea of when we are going to be able to leave our state again as a lot of the state borders are closed to Victorians right now. Luckily the hotel was super quick in refunding. I still have to contact the airline as I think they will only offer vouchers but we will see what happens.
Despite not being able to leave home due to being in Lockdown2.0 we did still have a good weekend. I attended a number of Melbourne Writers Festival sessions and I have a few more to attend this week. I also tried something new this week. I made macarons. I've never done that before so it was a bit nerve wracking, but overall I am happy with how they turned out, even if they do look a little bit like minions!
The other thing that happened this week is that I reached my Goodreads Reading Challenge total! This has surprised me because I haven't reached this number of books for years. I have now revised my target to 75, which is still a long way from my reading hey day of around 250 books in a year, but you know what, I am happy with that. My life is a lot more balanced than it previously was.
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Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Colour in the Title
Bookish Quotes: Real Art
Weekend Cooking: P is for Pizza
Review: Tiny White Lies
Sunday Salon: MWF Digital Week 1
How disappointing to have to cancel your trip. I'm hoping we can still go one a short little RV camping trip next month, but we'll have to see how the COVID numbers are, as well as how my husband's broken arm is healing. Those macaroons look yummy. I probably couldn't eat just one or two! Congrats on your Goodreads challenge. I've only read 34/75, but there's still lots of time before the end of the year!
ReplyDeleteStill loads of time Les!
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading The Secrets of Saffron Hall, since most dual-period books are set in later times.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on reaching your challenge goal. After failing my Goodreads challenge in the last couple of years, I aimed lower and am now a bit ahead.
That's the same for me Sarah! Haven't met the target for a couple of years!
DeleteYes the cover of the book is absolutely amazing and the actual book sounds like a good read too. Tempting!
ReplyDeleteIt's good so far Kathryn.
DeleteI think trips for me will have to be put off till mid next year as all the places I want to visit are in heavy pandemic mode (India and Australia). Sad.
ReplyDeleteWe don't think we will be travelling until late next year at the earliest Mystica. Having to rethink my big birthday trip I think
DeleteWhat a shame you had to cancel your trip, we were due to fly to America next month and I thought I would have a flight with British Airways to get my money back but they refunded it rather than gave me vouchers without me having to contact them. Hopefully you’ll get to go next year.
ReplyDeleteAre you still allowed to walk up Uluru? I haven’t been to Australia since 1999, my in-laws live in Brisbane and we are considerably overdue a return visit.
Have a lovely week.
Hi Heather
DeleteThey stopped people from being able to climb Uluru last year. I wouldn't have climbed it anyway.
That's a shame about your trip, but we just can't be too safe these days. I can see why you chose that book - the cover IS beautiful. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's our second cancelled trip this year Louise. Good job we didn't end up booking the third one yet!
DeleteYou've had to cancel some exciting trips this year. Grrrr. I like dual-time books too, so I'll add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteI think I have given up on booking trips for this year BFR. But we are talking about a couple for next year, which might be way too optimistic.
DeleteI think I’m close to ‘dual-timelined’ out to be honest.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on hitting your goodreads goal, I’m wayyy behind.
Wishing you a great reading week
I am still good for now I think Shelleyrae, but I do try and only pick interesting stories because there are just so many of them out there.
DeleteI do agree that Saffron Hall has a great cover. Your macarons look great. They don't look easy to create so you did a great job. Congrats on achieving your Goodreads goal!
ReplyDeleteThey were fun to make Laura!
DeleteI an sorry you had to cancel your trip. We had to cancel ours,too, so I know how disappointing that is. At least we have books, right?
ReplyDeleteThe cover of The Secrets of Saffron Hall is so pretty. I hope you enjoy it.
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2020/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-aug-10.html
We'll always have books Cheryl!
DeleteI'm sorry you had to cancel your trip. Hopefully, you'll be able to reschedule soon. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking unlikely right now Kathy, but you can be assured when we can, we will.
DeleteI really enjoy dual timeline books too. I am glad you are enjoying The Secrets of Saffron Hall. It does sound good!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry your trip had to be cancelled. I hope you will be able to go after all someday.
Congratulations on reaching your Goodreads goal!
I hope you have a great week, Marg. Take care.
Some day we will! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh I'm sorry to hear you had to cancel on Uluru. That is a place I definitely want to visit someday, have always been fascinated by it. I hope you get to reschedule the trip soon.
ReplyDeleteTake care and be well this week. :)
I've wanted to go for years Greg! We will get there one day.
DeleteWhat a bummer you had to cancel your trip. I understand the disappointment. Hope you can visit soon. I would have picked up the Clare Marchant book for the cover too. So pretty. And, look at your macarons. They look great and I bet they were yummy!
ReplyDeletei love your minion macarons! so cute. i am way behind on my goodreads challenge. i stopped reading when covid started and haven't caught up. my goal was 180 books this year! and i was right on target ...
ReplyDelete