The WWW Wednesday meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.
To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
Currently Reading
At long last I finally made a start on The Wych Elm by Tana French on Monday but unfortunately it seems like French’s writing may be a little too vivid as it somehow managed to trigger a panic attack. This is genuinely the first time that has ever happened to me and there’s a strong possibility that it was a number of different factors that contributed but it has made me a little wary of reading on. I’m already finding old anxieties resurfacing so I think I’m going to put it on hold till I feel less wobbly.
I’ve therefore decided on a slightly safer choice of reading with Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones. The Charley Davidson books always make me laugh and I’m determined I’m going to finish all thirteen books in this series before the end of the year. I only started it yesterday morning but have been making great progress (they’re pretty quick reads) and am around a third of the way through.
On audio I’m still listening to Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray. I think I’m maybe 5 hours in so still not even half way through. It is making me laugh a lot though and I’m really enjoying it. Someone really should give the narrator a prize for how unique she makes each character’s voice, she brings the story to life.
Recently Finished
Two books finished again this week, the first of which was Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay. I tend to be a bit hit or miss with Barclay but was drawn in by the premise of a serial killer using elevators to bump people off. Unfortunately while not a bad read, it never really gripped me. I think I was expecting something with a little more pace and action but with multiple pov’s (something I’m not a fan of generally) it all seemed slow and I didn’t really connect to any of the characters. It does pick up towards the end and I loved the way the author showed the impact on New York but not for me I’m afraid.
Next up I decided to read Tess Gerritsen’s The Shape of Night. I’m a long time fan of Gerritsen so had been looking forward to this new standalone for a while and I actually ended up reading the whole thing in a day, I found it very addictive. I do however have some rather mixed thoughts on it and I was kind of surprised how much this felt like one of Gerritsen’s old romantic suspense reads. It’s definitely heavier on the romance than the mystery and the romance is a bit Fifty Shades. This wouldn’t be a bad thing, I kind of liked Fifty Shades, but the relationship feels abusive making it somewhat problematic. Hopefully once I get my thoughts straight I’ll get a review up.
Reading Next
I’m thinking I maybe need to stick to avoid creepy and violent reads for a bit and maybe go for something a little fluffier. I have a couple of Christmas books on my NetGalley shelf so I may dip into them or I may try to press on with Charley Davidson.
Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.
Happy Reading ❤
A Bookish Life 
I don’t read horror or any books likely to be really scary or disturbing. They just don’t appeal to me.
Here’s my WWW: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesdays-30th-october-19/
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I don’t think The Wych Elm is actually that scary or disturbing. Certainly not compared to some of the other books I’ve read and enjoyed. I suspect it just tapped into a feeling that was already lurking. Although the description of the attack on the MC did make for horrifying reading.
Think I’m gonna stick with lighter reads for a bit all the same.
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Ali, I don’t like reading anything too dark, violent or disturbing either. Fluffier reads sounds good to me! Happy reading! 😀
Here’s my WWW post: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesday-30th-october-2019/ 🙂
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This was very much a fluke as I usually quite enjoy dark reads (if you can use ‘enjoy’)
I have maybe been overdosing on them though. Time for fluffy I think.
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I have high expectations for Elevator Pitch, maybe I should try and lower them a bit! Gerritsen’s book was definitely more romance for me x
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Can I recommend that you read A Wedding in December next? I’ve only read Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan. I only gave it 3 stars and I would like to give this author another chance.
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I think I rated Sleepless in Manhattan the same, it’s an easy read but not especially memorable. I preferred Miracle on 5th Avenue or Moonlight over Manhattan although even they are a little predictable.
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I also don’t remember the plot. I had to check my goodreads to remember what start rating I gave it. I’ll give Miracle of 5th Avenue a go.
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I’m sorry to read that The Wych Elm led to you having a panic attack, it’s horrendous when something unexpectedly triggers anxiety like that. I hope that things settle down for you and that you find some books to read that are easier on you. Sending you a hug x
Here’s my post: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesdays-5/
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Thank you. Unfortunately I think French’s writing was too good and the main characters panic was just too familiar. Combine that with a year of lots of change (new house needing work, new manager at work and pet health problems) and it’s probably been brewing for a while. I’m sure once I get a break I’ll be back to normal ❤️
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I look forward to Sarah Morgan’s holiday books every year. I’m saving it for December, though. I’m sorry that book brought on such strong feelings! Definitely not worth continuing!!
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I do love Sarah Morgan’s books so am really looking forward to it. I’ve had panic attacks in the past but this was the first time a book has triggered one. I do still hope to go back to it but maybe when I’m less tired and stressed.
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I’m sorry to hear about the panic attack 😦 Hopefully you can find a way to read the book without such a thing being triggered again, but don’t push yourself either. Can’t imagine any book is worth putting yourself through that.
Have a good week!
http://musewithmeblog.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesday-october-30-2019/
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I’m hoping it was just that particular scene and if I can get past it I’ll be fine. It’s bizarre as one minute I was thinking wow, this is brilliant writing it’s so vivid and the next I was feeling sick and dizzy. French is so good at writing these really intense scenes but it’s maybe best I don’t read them on a packed train.
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I love that you have some holiday books coming up after the fall reads. Happy reading!
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I am long overdue. I usually have all my Christmas reads done by the end of September 😂
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Oww I had my sights set on The Elevator Pitch, I like this author. I hope the next one is more of a hit then for you 😘 Happy reading lovely!
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I suspect it just didn’t work for me as most of the other reviews I’ve seen have been very positive. It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t grip me.
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I’m sorry to hear about the panic attack! Going fluffy and picking up (Christmassy) romance sounds like a good plan though. I’m going to mix up my thrillers with a little dose of romance myself this month as well. Have a wonderful weekend! xx
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