Dog Days Of Summer #5

SUNDAY
Over the weekend, it has been raining packages with new stuff for the house. We found a collection of kitchen knives at my uncle's house so I bought a bamboo knife block to keep them in so we don't stab ourselves as they are super sharp. I got an extendable feather duster which can reach the ceiling to help me in my cleaning and a new set of dusters which were cheap. A set of new sprays to clean glass, sinks and grease, more bug spray, superglue and grout replacer for the kitchen and bathroom tiles, and one of those sealant things for jobs around the house. All very exciting (not) but stuff we needed. I have another food order in just over a week so I'll be looking to get a few more cleaning supplies, kitchen towel and medicine. I'm just about sorted for my supplies but one trip to Aldi is what I really need-and my dad and I are both a bit nervous about supermarket trips.

MONDAY
Amazon packages! It's always a joy to receive them and this one had three big tubs of Nivea face and body lotion-part of stocking up a few extras for winter. That should actually see me through to next summer, which is good. Two books also came that I've been waiting for-one was a hardback copy of an e-book I already owned-ex PM David Cameron's memoirs. The other was a memoir of a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret, which should be interesting.A bit more exciting than the weekend stuff!

TUESDAY
Ugh, two days of feeling like crap due to some continued stomach issues causing the worst constipation ever. 45 minute toilet visits are always a real laugh to brighten your day. I'm dosing myself with liquid from the doctor which of course tastes totally vile and drinking lots of fluid. Why is it that medicines like that taste like camel piss or something???!!! (Night Nurse is another vile remedy-that green ooze that seems to regenerate itself every time you drain the plastic cup of it, and you watch in horror as the level slithers back up the cup so you have to tackle it again!!!) Still, I feel much brighter after a good night's sleep and hopefully I can get back to reading something tonight. I've started two short books and want to finish them.

Today I put up my first Tackling The TBR post for a few months. My total would have reduced more after reading 11 books in ten days but a few Amazon buys found their way on to the list. I'm hoping for a good week as I'm enjoying a few Paddington books and some Enid Blyton, which are all short, but they all count for the challenge. Oh, the Paddington books are by the author Michael Bond, if anyone is looking for them and I'll be reviewing the first few this week I hope.

My dad has been glued to CNN all week, watching the many moods of Donald Trump! He's been somewhat amused and bemused by it all. I see now that Kanye West has decided to run so he can split Biden's vote and let Trump win. Democracy at work huh! I not with interest that Mr Tropical Trump in Brasil has now got the virus. I doubt that was a surprise to anyone! 

Can I also say sorry for any spelling mistakes I haven't corrected. My brain feels like treacle at the moment and my spelling has been worse than usual.

Stay safe everyone and my thoughts as always are with each of you.
Chuckles

Tackling The TBR June 26th-July 7th

In December 2018 I launched Tackling The TBR, a challenge to reduce the ever extending TBR pile and 2019 was pretty successful in that regard. In 2020 I intended to make a big effort to reduce my TBR by buying less, getting stuff read and getting rid of the things that I just don't want to read from my bookshelves and my ereaders Maurice and Myrnin! However the darn Coronavirus Pandemic has put the skids under all my plans and I had to suspend the challenge. I've now decided to bring it back in a bid to kickstart my TBR reduction as nothing else has been working.
 
The TBR total shown is the total number of books I own but have not read yet-wishlist books are NOT in my TBR! Sometimes there will be a difference between the books read and new total-sometimes I read a book not on the TBR so it counts for books read for the week but

BOOKS IN

-Books in refers to bought, downloaded or gifted books being added to the TBR list. 

BOOKS OUT

-Books read refers to books read that were ON the TBR and DNFed is obvious. 

-Deleted from the TBR are books I lost interest in reading, or sequels to DNFed books I no longer want to read and have been removed without starting to read them. These three categories added together are my books 'out'.

I'm posting my progress on the 7th, 14th, 21st and final day of the month as before, even if there is no progress to report and anyone else is welcome to join in. No rules, set up your posts how you want and when you want, just reduce the pile! 

June 26th-July 7th   

TBR Start Total: 1518

BOOKS IN:

New Books In: 5

BOOKS OUT:

Books Read: 11

Books DNF: 0

Others Deleted From TBR: 0

Target Total: 1500

New Total: 1512

A good start to the challenge which has really helped me to get back to reading. A stomach bug these last two days slowed progress but I'll be back reading tonight again, and I was hampered by the arrival of pre-ordered books! My first target is to get to 1500 books, which should happen in the next week or two, then I'll choose another target.

 

Mid Year Freak Out Tag

The Tag Questions (skipping the crush/ship question)

1) Best book you've read so far in 2020
If you take away my Harry Potter re-reads I've only had one five star read this year and it was a fascinating look at the career and political life of former PM John Major. He was funny, explained all his decisions and went behind the scenes of the big events during his time in office from ceasefire in Northern Ireland to upheaval over European treaties, from the first Gulf War to economic crisis. Much better book than I expected.

 
2) Best sequel you've read so far in 2020
I haven't really read many sequels this year other than serial novel segments and none of them set the heather ablaze! The one full length novel sequel that was great was book two of the Countdown To Armageddon series.

 
3) New release you haven't read but want to
Quite a few have come out that I've grabbed and want to get to soon. I can't wait to start on this one when the right mood takes me!

 
4) Most anticipated release for the second half of 2020
I can't wait to get my hands on this book as I really enjoy the author's work. It should have just been released but I need to wait for the price to drop to get a copy so I might not get it this year.

 
5) Biggest disappointment
I like political books and I expected this one to be looking at Theresa May's time in office, poking fun at her and opposition MPs over their mistakes, U turns and so on. But this book never stuck near to the events from the time, instead introducing talking plantpots (the only funny bit in the book), things that never happened and left wing bias that was really cringeworthy and dreadful to read.
 

 
6) Biggest surprise
The major players involved in the MP Jeremy Thorpe murder plot tell their story in this compelling true story. It was full of slapstick stupidity, crazy situations, plots and scandal, people that would be out of place as fiction characters, a shambles of an attempted murder and biased court case and cover up. At the crux of it was a tragic story of a young gay man who was almost murdered for having an affair with a rising star MP who feared for his career in 1970's Britain. And the book was brilliant! 

 
7) Favourite new author
This is tough. I haven't read a lot of great fiction and most was authors I already knew, and a lot of the non fiction were memoirs that may not spawn any follow up books. I tried a few new authors whose first short offering I liked and who may have the potential to become favourites in the future. That is the best I can do!

8) Favourite new character
I have really enjoyed my first reading of the Paddington books (if I read them as a kid, I don't recall it). Funny, charming and such an adorable bear who always finds trouble!

9) Book that made you cry 
I saw the Bradford Fire live on TV when it happened and also saw the police video of it when doing my football steward training and it was truly horrifying. Reading the accounts of those inside the stand was heartbreaking and it brought home how hard it was to get out, how quickly the fire spread. It was a moving book and so well written.

 
10) Book that made you happy
I've read a few with humour this year to cheer myself up but this was the best. I can relate to some of Jenny's struggles with her mental health and I learned that some of my bad habits might be related to my health which cheered me up, and the book was funny and inspiring and a bit tragic all at the same time.

 
11) Most beautiful book you've bought
This book is way outside my comfort zone but looking at how gorgeous the covers for the series are makes me want to love this!

 
12) What books do you need to read by the end of the year
A lot more than I've read so far! I'm mood reading so I'm not choosing any specific books at the moment. I want to get a lot more fiction read in the second half of the year.

The Chuckles section 

1) How is your reading going this year?
Slow, to the level of a complete stop at times! This week has seen me back to reading every night and I really hope this is the way forward at last. Re-starting my Tackling The TBR challenge seems to have given me the boost this week to get going again.

2) Which genres are you reading the most?
I've read a lot of cartoon, children's books, true story humour and non fiction memoirs this year. That's a big difference from the usual. A lot of the books are short which suited my reading mood at the time.

3) Which genres do you want to read more of?
I really want to get back to reading a ton of horror as I miss my horror fix. I've grabbed a pile of books and novellas by horror authors I haven't yet tried so there will be plenty to try when the mood returns.

4) Any genres you can't face right now?
Apocalypse. In the middle of a global pandemic I just can't see myself being entertained reading about death and disaster. It hasn't stopped me grabbing the books for reading at a later date though.

5) How are your reading challenges going?
I've re-started Tackling The TBR which I launched in 2018 and that will help focus me again on reducing the hefty pile. This time I'm starting from a position where pretty much all the books I own are listed on Goodreads, giving a more accurate start total. My Goodreads Challenge should be completed this year-1'm at 84/100 but a lot were short. I hope to adjust my total up once I reach this goal and see how my reading is going.

How is your 2020 progress? If you're interested, please join in!

Around The Blogs With Chuckles

We all enjoy snooping and lurking on other people's blogs right? Why not share those entertaining things you found with other readers and bloggers too! Welcome to Around the Blogs with Chuckles, where I take time out to show you some of my favourite blog posts from the previous seven days and link you up so you can check them out. 

It is vital that we all stick together online at this time. Do what you can to show some love to other blogs, to books and authors and let us all know that you are staying safe and well. Hearing from our friends will make it easier to deal with whatever is coming in the next few months. Stay safe everyone.

This week...

1) Book Review-Saved At The AlabamaFlorida Line by Chris Warner 
Sherry's review.
http://www.fundinmental.com/saved-at-the-alabama-florida-line-chris-warner/#.Xvm8kOd7ncs 

2) Book Review-Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia 
Mogsy's review.
https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/06/28/book-review-mexican-gothic-by-silvia-moreno-garcia/ 

3) Book community accuses author of sexual harassment
Sonora shares the details.
https://sonorawrites.com/2020/06/29/a-statement-regarding-matt-hayward-and-sexual-harassment/ 

4) Upcoming Book Releases
AJ shares her list.
http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com/2020/06/top-ten-tuesday-upcoming-2020-adult.html 

5) Book Review-The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King 
Barb's review.
http://bookertsfarm.blogspot.com/2020/07/retro-horror-vol-3-girl-who-loved-tom.html 

6) Book Review-Girls Of Summer by Nancy Thayer 
Mary's review.
http://scarymarythehamsterlady.blogspot.com/2020/07/review-girls-of-summer-by-nancy-thayer.html 

7) Book Review-Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer 
Lindsi's review.
https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2020/06/letters-to-lost-letters-to-lost-1-by.html 

Chuckles Friday Reading Roundup

Welcome to my Friday Reading Roundup! This feature will show exactly what I've been reading and DNFing through the last week. 

Finally a good week for reading actually happens! Yes I know some are kids books but it all counts at the end of the challenge!

3 star, 3 star, 3 star, 4 star, 4 star, 4 star, 2.5 star, 3.5 star.