The It’s Monday! What Are You Reading meme is hosted at BookDate
I’m also linking to The Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer
And the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz
Life…
I was able to buy toilet paper and flour off the shelf this week! It’s been six weeks since either were available unless you were able to queue for an hour before the stores opened. I used the flour to make ANZAC Biscuits in honour of ANZAC Day.
Though originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918) ANZAC Day is now a commemoration of all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and the suffering of all those who have served. Due to Covid-19 and social isolation regulations, the usual Dawn services and parades were cancelled, instead we were asked to stand at the top of our driveways with a candle as the service was broadcast over the radio at 6am, which I did while wearing my Grandfather’s medals for his service in WWII.
It’s the last Monday of the month so time to check in with my challenge progress. I’m not where I should be … but hey… still a pandemic 🤷🏻♀️
Nonfiction Reader Challenge: 7/12
Australian Women Writers Challenge: 24/50
Aussie Author Challenge: 11/24
Nerd Reading Challenge: 19/52
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: 13/25
SwordsnStars Challenge: 3/10
What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…
Something To Talk About by Rachael Johns
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Fake Law by The Secret Barrister
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
———————————————
New Posts…
Review: Something To Talk About by Rachael Johns
Review: Fake Law by The Secret Barrister
Review: The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Review: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
———————————————
Currently Reading
Inspired by the true story of a young Jewish girl – Hedy Bercu – who fled to Jersey from Vienna only to find herself trapped on the island during the German occupation.
In June 1940, the horror-struck inhabitants of Jersey watch as the German army unopposed takes possession of their island. Now only a short way from the English coast, the Germans plan their invasion.
Hedy Bercu, a young Jewish girl from Vienna who fled to the isolation and safety of Jersey two years earlier to escape the Nazis, finds herself once more trapped, but this time with no way of escape.
Hiding her racial status, Hedy is employed by the German authorities and secretly embarks on small acts of resistance. But most dangerously of all, she falls in love with German lieutenant Kurt Neumann — a relationship on which her life will soon depend.
A remarkable novel of finding hope and love when all seems at its darkest.
———————————————
What I’m Reading This Week…
Australian and New Zealand crime and thriller writing is booming globally, with antipodean authors regularly featuring on awards and bestseller lists across Europe and North America, and overseas readers and publishers looking more and more to tales from lands Down Under.
Hailing from two sparsely populated nations on the far edge of the former Empire – neighbours that are siblings in spirit, vastly different in landscape – Australian and New Zealand crime writers offer readers a blend of exotic and familiar, seasoned by distinctive senses of place, outlook, and humour, and roots that trace to the earliest days of our genre. Southern Cross Crime is the first comprehensive guide to modern Australian and New Zealand crime writing. From coastal cities to the Outback, leading critic Craig Sisterson showcases key titles frommore than 200 storytellers, plus screen dramas ranging from Mystery Road to Top of the Lake.
Fascinating insights are added through in-depth interviews with some of the prime suspects who paved the way or instigated the global boom, including Jane Harper, Michael Robotham, Paul Cleave, Emma Viskic, Paul Thomas, and Candice Fox.
xxxxxxx
Olivia Wolfe is a journalist who travels the world exposing heinous crimes. She has more enemies that most.
When her anonymous source is murdered, Wolfe must unravel the terrible secret that connects a series of gruesome murders. But powerful people want her stopped.
Betrayed and isolated, Wolfe is hunted by a faceless killer. Can she stay alive long enough to expose the shocking truth?
Four murders. Four countries. One terrible secret.
xxxxxxx
Nell Stevens’ life is a mess.
When her business goes bust and her relationship with it, Nell’s happy ever after in California falls apart and she moves back to London to start over. But a lot has changed since she’s been gone. All her single friends are now married with children, sky-high rents force her to rent a room in a stranger’s house and in a world of perfect instagram lives, she feels like a f*ck up. Even worse, a forty-something f*ck-up.
But when an old work contact lands her a job writing obituaries, Nell meets the fabulous Cricket, an eightsomething widow, who is also adjusting to her new life and they strike up an unlikely friendship. Together they help each other heal their aching hearts, cope with the loss of the lives they had planned, and push each other into new adventures and unexpected joys.
Because Nell is determined. She’s going to completely turn her life around. This time next year things are going to be very different. First, though, she has a confession.
xxxxxxx
India, 1922: It is rainy season in the lush, remote Satara mountains southeast of Bombay, where the kingdom of Satapur is tucked away. A curse seems to have fallen upon Satapur’s royal family, whose maharaja died of a sudden illness shortly before his teenage son was struck down in a tragic accident. The kingdom is now ruled by an agent of the British Raj on behalf of Satapur’s two maharanis, the dowager queen and the maharaja’s widow.
The royal ladies are in dispute over the education of the young crown prince, and a lawyer’s council is required—but the maharanis live in purdah and do not speak to men. Just one person can help them: Perveen Mistry, India’s only female lawyer. Perveen is determined to bring peace to the royal house and make a sound recommendation for the young prince’s future, but knows she is breaking a rule by traveling alone as a woman into the remote countryside. And she arrives to find that the Satapur palace is full of cold-blooded power plays and ancient vendettas. Too late, she realizes she has walked into a trap. But whose? And how can she protect the royal children from the palace’s deadly curse?
xxxxxxx
———————————————
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the information about ANZAC day. I had not heard of this special day and it is always nice to learn how different countries pay respect, remembrance and homage to their war heroes. I am going to try and make anzac cookies this week, but I need to get more oatmeal. Enjoy your upcoming books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are very tasty.. cook them a little less than recommended if you prefer chewy cookies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I will do that.
LikeLike
Happy day! Toilet paper AND flour. You hit the jackpot.
I ended up ordering flour online. I love to bake so much that I couldn’t bear to be without flour. It was pricey, though. I paid $25 for 10 pounds, and that generally runs about $3 here. Well worth it, though. Your cookies look delicious.
The Viennese Girl sounds like it would be a good read.
Stay safe this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am impressed by all the medals your grandfather earned in WWII!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t tried to buy flour so I don’t know if it’s hard to find here or not. You cookies look wonderful. The service sounds nice – you must be very proud of your grandfather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAY for TP and Flour. We’ve been lucky and were able to order once through Prime and picked up albeit another brand once at the store. Flour hasn’t been an issue…however ketchup was for about a week! LOL We’ve been baking more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went out for some shopping yesterday and felt so normal for the first time in weeks! It was good seeing people too. The only weird thing was seeing so masks and although glad to see people practice safety, it felt very sad seeing it.
You’re doing very good with your reading so far! No one counted a pandemic as this year’s experiences when they set reading goals so any number is a win!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow ANZAC day is amazing! What a way to honor those brave souls. And I love that they found a way to continue it during a pandemic and still keep everyone safe. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ANZAC day is so important and I love that the country honored those who fought with a radio broadcast and individual (yet together) candle ceremonies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved your story about ANZAC day. And happy you got TP and flour. My brother-in-law was complaining about the lack of flour here, but it’s been in the stores when I’ve gone. He doesn’t want to go early, but I told him that if you go early there is more on the shelves. Ha! Hope you and your family have a good week! Take care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you managed to get hold of both! We’ve been okay for TP for about a month – but forget flour! Everyone seems to be baking right now – I recall seeing celebrations regarding ANZAC Day when I was in New Zealand some 20 years ago… The cookies look fabulous. And I’m very impressed that you’ve managed to read 61 books so far – I don’t care where you’re supposed to be, that’s a great achievement:).
LikeLike
Happy ANZAC Day!! Sorry to hear the observances had to be canceled, but it’s nice that you were able to commemorate it anyway. And same here w/ the pandemic… we’ve finally been able to get TP lately (knocks on wood!).
Be safe this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those cookies look sooo good!
61 book so far.. Wow.. Amazing.
Stay safe and happy reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those ANZAC biscuits look yummy, will check out the recipe. That’s great you finally were able to find flour and toilet paper. Here toilet paper was in stock after a few weeks, but the flour only was back in stock this week. I am so happy I have flour again. Sounds like you’re still making good progress on your reading. Have a great week and stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ANZAC cookies look really good. I’m glad you are able to get things again. It’s still hit or miss here but it’s getting better, I think. Enjoy your books and have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear you could finally get your hands on some toilet paper and flour – It is the small victories in times like these! 😅 They also look like some yummy biscuits and don’t be too hard on yourself for being behind your reading goal, as Professor Slughorn said these are mad times we’ve living in! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, congrats on scoring toilet paper and flour! Those are hard to find. I love the medals. I have one that my grandpa got in WWII, but it’s in a glass frame, so I’ve never actually touched it. I hope you have a good week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! toilet paper and flour! I have to order online to get the same gluten-free flour so that hasn’t changed. But we’ve had good luck with deliveries. I don’t think we will go out anytime soon even if the govt opens things up.
Stay safe and be well!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray for being able to (finally) buy the essentials. And how lovely that you wore your grandfather’s medals during the commemoration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice! impressive medals. I was able to finally get active dry yeast. Was needing that for some baking adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read your reviews for the Beth O’Leary and Rachael Johns books and would like to read them at some point. We celebrated Anzac Day in the same way here, in a way it was very moving. We have shortages of things like baking powder and baking soda and I couldn’t get ground ginger either!
LikeLiked by 1 person
61 books..woah..I am happy if I am able to read that many books in an year! Also, those cookies look absolutely delicious 😀
Here’s my IMWAYR post -> https://mybookishbanter.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-3/
Happy Reading!
LikeLike
Your Anzac biscuits look fab! I can almost smell them from here.
I like the sound of The Viennese Girl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful tribute to ANZAC Day and your grandfather. He was very well decorated as a soldier!
And woohoo to TP and flour! Those are so hard to get here too. If I see it I buy it – my husband says I am building a toilet paper empire but I want to have extra in case my mom or mother-in-law need it – or any family or friend really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy ANZAC Day….and happy shopping that yielded some goodies!
I am curious about Confessions of a Forty-Something, even though I passed that milestone long ago…LOL. But inside, I can still relate.
61 is pretty good from my vantage point of only having read 46 books so far! This month I’ve read 12, at this point, which is more than last month.
Enjoy safe isolating…and with good books! Thanks for visiting my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yay for toilet paper and flour! Your cookies look yummy and very nice about celebrating ANZAC day.
You’re doing great with the reading challenges. Enjoy your books this week and be well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing about ANZAC day. I had never heard of it. Congratulations on scoring toilet paper and flour. I’ve managed to find flour, but no toilet paper and paper towels in weeks.
Your 2020 reading goals are impressive. Good luck with them. Confessions of a Forty-something sound great. I need to add that to my wish list.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This has been the first time I am seeing so much about ANZAC. Our Remembrance Day is Nov. 11. Some great reads! Will be checking several out for sure. Have a great week of reading this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We also participate in Remembrance Day on Nov 11th
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful way to remember all those who have served, even if this year’s remembrance was different.
I’ve found toilet paper – but still no paper towels here.
LikeLike
Nice looking assortment of books. I haven’t noticed any shortages in the grocery stores lately – but I haven’t gone looking for toilet paper or cleaning supplies. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s still a nice tribute, even if it wasn’t perfect. I’m really excited to read The Switch. The U.S. release date got pushed back to August, though. Stay safe and happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow, you already red 61 books this year! Basically double of mine. You know your world is no longer the samevwhen you are thrilled at being able to buy TP, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d not heard of ANZAC Day before. Glad they were still able to do the service. It sounds wonderful. People here are easing up on buying paper products but just try getting a hole of any kind of bread!
LikeLike
You must be so proud about your grandfather
We haven’t faced shortages other than some meds. Lucky like that. Everything gets delivered by the supermarkets and vendors are there aplenty for fresh fruit vegetables fish chicken eggs and coconuts. Curfew strictly enforced going on. Violators face hefty fines. Vehicles going into the thousands all kept back by the police so that’s sufficient deterrent I hope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good to hear, stay safe!
LikeLike
Lots of neat books. I wish I had more fun reading time. Enjoy all the books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, now I’m tempted by the idea of ANZAC biscuits… I’ve never tried them! I’ll have to see if the baker in the family feels like trying ’em. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a lovely ceremony to honor ANZAC day. A few of the books you listed sounded good, but I think I’ll need to read the forty-something one. It sounds quite amusing. Thanks for sharing, and stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
TP and flour, sounds like progress! Hope you’ve had a good week so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad there was still a way to commemorate ANZAC day even with the pandemic. I love that you still have your grandfather’s medals from the war too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The medals are very impressive. Thx to your grandfather for his service in WWII. 61 books sounds like a lot to me … at this stage of the year …. so don’t beat up on yourself. It’s still good progress!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes, the TP *smile* We´re kind of back to normal here in Germany when it comes to getting things like that or flour. I don´t know if my grandfather had medals or where they could be if they exist. But what I know is that I always think of the terrible role Germany played in WWII.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the medals!
LikeLike