Time for our weekly chitchat about life, blog etc. etc.
Grab a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or whine whatever you fancy, get comfortable on the couch and let’s have our tête-à-tête.
Ready?
As usual I am linking to The Sunday Post @caffeinatedreviewer
First my private life
I was back to work this week because the best things always end. Barely two days mind you, but already the first day ended with a killer headache and me completely exhausted.
I blame my lovely dog who scratched at my bedroom door at 3 AM! I never could go back to sleep and it was really hard the day after!
Ha I still fondly recall the day when I was younger and could go to a concert of MUSE, get back home at 2 AM and go to work at 5 AM without being completely beat!
If you are still under 30 enjoy all that you can because the older you get the longer you need to feel awake and bubbly after a night out!
It did not help that life at work is crazy with all my colleagues nearly in burn out!
I tell you the weeks to come will be challenging with their boss (me) trying to help them, soothe them and find some magical way to lessen the workload and still accomplish all that has to be done!
It often gets me to think about how crazy life can be and why most firms think that cuting down the workforce while keeping the workload is a good idea….
I am convinced that you can work even better without stressing out the workers to their max. Most individuals want to do a good work and don’t need to be overworked to be efficient! You get more from people with thanks, understanding and respect than with threats or words like “Quick! It’s urgent! I need it like yesterday!” etc etc.
But that’s modern society for you folks!
I just hope that our kids will change all this and get a more reasonable work environment.
Anyway the result was me taking a step back from the blog as I needed sleep and I could not like, comment and post like I hoped!
But in the long run you’ll go longer if you take small hiatuses and just breathe!
It was Black Friday and I broke my book ban! But I swear I was really reasonable as I only bought one book! 9 USD instead or 17 USD so I think this is a real bargain as I wanted to read this book for months now! Because of you as you got me hooked on Honor Among Thieves…
I also convinced my hubby that for Christmas I needed some more bookish candles 😀 And as they take four weeks to be prepared and reach my house it was time to order! By the way what will you ask or would you love getting for Christmas?
On the blog (click on the graphic to read the post)
Well I had a productive week thanks to my holiday and I read four books. I reviewed three of them already!
More than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer. It was my “less favorite” but still really good by that author. My main problem was the female MC.
Andre Undercover is written by an author’s friend Nikki Sex (and no her name is not really Sex but she wanted readers to know what to expect). It is highly erotic, something that I don’t read so often anymore but she writes more than erotic. Her books always come with something more.
Bossman by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward is my favorite this week! I swear Chase Parker is just the perfect boyfriend!
The last book I’ve read but still need to review is A Reaper at the Gate by Sabaa Tahir. Expect a controversial review because I am not part of the adoring crowd while I so loved the first two books!
I had a blast writing a post about books that I’d love to see made into movies! I got the idea from Netflix asking readers what book they’d like to watch as movie!
I only did one meme this week as I was so tired but I loved the Top 5 Tuesday topic as it was about books that left me emotionally crippled! I did not want to bore you out with always the same books and chose some new ones that still had a deep impact.
No I Heart Character this week and I am deeply sorry Dani I just was hurting too much on Thursday! As I always write my posts last minute (I know I know I should schedule and plan and …) it was just impossible.
Now I said that I want to end the year on a bang right?
Well as if I am not busy enough but …I love sharing my “best reads” and I think December being the last month of the year is just perfect for me to have my own “Blogmas” and post dayly about my “best ….of 2018”.
I would be really happy if some of you would like to join me! Even if you can’t post every day or if it’s only on Twitter with a picture of the book and the hashtag #BestBooksof2018 …
See below for the daily topics on the graphics. I will make a separate post tomorrow too.
Oh and I would like to share some blogger love and will try to put some blogs I love under the spotlight. No idea if it will be a weekly event or bi weekly or …it will depend on the workload at work and if I am very tired or not at the end of the day.
In the blogosphere I have two posts to share with you today.
Shruti gives you a great list (I know she just loves lists) of blog post ideas
https://thisislitblog.com/2018/11/21/11-types-of-blog-posts-book-bloggers-should-be-writing/
Marie explains how she rates books and it was really interesing to read! I might imitate one day LOL
Now do tell me all about your week! Anything interesting?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Balance is something we all need. It takes effort to maintain it. It’s too easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of shoulds/coulds. I find regular sleeping hours to be important.
I hope you get balance and time to read. This week was better than last week, less busy. A holiday can be busier or more relaxed depending on what is planned.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Oh yes, I remember the days of going clubbing with friends, getting home in the wee hours, sleeping for 3-4 hours and then jumping up and going to work. How did we do that??!!! Of course I was 21 then and recovered in the blink of an eye. Now at 50… I need two days off after a late night. LOL I’m behind on reading your reviews (not enough hours in the day!) but I’m definitely going to read your reviews of Bossman and More Than We Can Tell. I’ve read both so we need to compare notes. 🙂
You are such a busy lady Sohpie! I don’t know how you do it, and I feel that I am always behind too – BUT you definitely deserved the break! Oh the concert life… I’m still trying to give them a go, and it’s certainly not easy in my 40’s. I’m actually going to see Manchester Orchestra tomorrow night, and I just know that it’s going to kill my week! LOL!
But it will be so worth it Daisy! 😉
Ugh, work stress is the worst. My employer subscribes to the mentality of cutting the workforce but keeping the workload and all of the deadlines, and it’s draining.
That’s impressive that you managed to buy just one book on Black Friday. I behaved myself and didn’t buy any but it was so hard, lol.
Oh Suzanne congratulations for resisting on Black Friday!!!! LOL
hehe I think everyone breaks their book buying ban on black Friday 😉 Completely understandable 😉 haha well I’d definitely get the idea from a name like Nicki Sex. Good luck with blogsmas- look forward to your posts!
Thank you for the absolution LOL
Just this year I started taking naps. I always thought I was wasting time if I took one. Now I enjoy a short nap for refueling. I wake up energized and clear headed. I had five days off work and I’m ready to go back. It’s a very physical job and my older bones don’t like sitting too long. LOL
Well Laura I take naps when I can too LOL
I’ve always needed a lot of sleep. I think if I went to an all-night concert, I wouldn’t get out of bed the next morning. Sorry that work has been stressful, but hopefully Black Friday books make it better. Have a great week!
Thank you so much AJ!
Heh. I can’t even operate in 3 hours and I’m under 30. I blame school, of course. OMG I hate cutting down the workforce and having the same work load – it becomes so much more stressful than it already is (I mean, being in food service is already stressful). And yes, I agree! Stressing workers out is never a good thing, though I understand if the business isn’t well, you have to cut down on people to cut down on costs, etc… honestly it’s an endless cycle.
Pfew I suddenly feel way better Sophia LOL But yes sometimes we do need our rest!
My week has been hectic with Thanksgiving. I am hoping this week I am more productive with getting all my school things out of the way for my finals week. I have a thesis to do and some other things. I have to move it! Have a wonderful week. I too loved the post about what books we need as movies! =)
Mary
Have a productive week Mary but not too stresful!!!!
Oh yes I remember those concert days. We recently saw Def Leppard and my husband had to take the next day off work just to recover! Hopefully you’re able to catch on your sleep. Blogmas seems like a lot of fun, looking forward to seeing your posts. Have a lovely week Sophia.
Sophie! sorry.
Don’t worry Jovita!!! LOL I will still answer you even as Sophia! And is it wrong that I feel better learning about your husband? :D))))
I was giggling about the concerts and going to work the next day. Ahhh, those were the days. My daughter is doing that right now, and I am a little jealous. I remember a lot of people struggling with the heroine in More Than We Can Tell. Emma was never going to be as amazing as Rev for me, but I did like her and Rev together, though I would have liked to have seen them coupled up on page a little more.
You are so right about Emma and Rev Sam!
Yes it used to be easier didn’t it, going out and all that haha? And yes going back to work after a break is always tough. *sigh*
So true about work too. I hear you, modern society is ridiculous in that regard!
Congrats on the book buy BTW. 🙂
Hahaha Thank you Greg! 😉
We really shouldn’t ban ourselves from books on Black Friday so you’re good! LOL.
Hahahah Thank you Jennifer!
I picked up some bookish candles this week too! Do you have any favorite shops?
And I completely agree about the best way to motivate co-workers/employees. The supervisor at my new job treats every task like an emergency that should have been handled yesterday, which means that *nothing* ever feels more important than anything else! I’m learning not to take that attitude too seriously, but it can definitely be stressful at times. Your employees are lucky to have someone who takes a calmer approach 🙂
They are from Bookworm Candles JJ. Just so lovely!!!
Oh, how I know what you mean about once upon a time being able to stay out all night, come home to shower, then go do a full days work. Now? Ha! I roll out of bed and need coffee and a shower before I even think about going to work.
Hope you find the balance back at work with your colleague.
And love the idea of us all posting about our fav blogs, and sharing!
Well you can join me Alexandra LOL
Going back to work after being out for a while is always so stressful! I barely take off but I really need a long week off.
Blogamas sounds like fun! 🙂
Have a great week, Sophie! Happy Reading!
Thank you Michelle! You too!!
That’s the sad part about returning to work; until you find your routine the days are too short!
Hope your puppy lets you sleep tonight 🙂
Thank you Jacquie! She did 😉
Work stress is exhausting! I have noticed in my field, if you screw things up, the higher ups just don’t give you any responsibility. Then those who don’t screw things up get extra dumped on them. Its so wrong and leads to burnout of the good employees and all youre left with are the crummy ones!
Have a great week!
Exactly Samantha! And thank you <3
Your dog sounds like my cat… he also loves banging on the door at the most inappropriate time.
I totally agree with you on the work conditions. We are a bit short staffed at the moment, and the more stressed i am, the less i’m inclined to “do a good job”, simply cuz i just don’t have time for that. :/
Hahaha Norrie I had a cat years ago and she woke me at night too 😉
Great post! I loved all the graphics from Devil Wears Prada, Shopaholic, etc. The idea of blogging daily about best books is a good one. I’ll ponder it. Also…I love thinking about books that NEED to be made into movies. While I’m reading some of them, I have that thought now and then.
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Thank you Laurel an d…ponder LOL
The next week I would go back to work, too, and I am fearing the moment but… Oh well, at least I have a couple of days yet to get used to the idea, even if I know that this two days would fly away!
Also, Blogamas seems a really cool idea! 🙂
Enjoy these last two days Susy!