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Friday, March 25, 2016

Friday Linkups: Iris and Ruby














It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice.

This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
How much of your day is devoted to your blog and how much is devoted to reading?

My Answer:
I probably total up a couple of hours of reading a day - most of the reading at night after everyone has gone to bed.  This of course drops considerably if I'm really tired or if it's been a crazy day.  I try to spend about 2 hours blogging part of which is writing reviews and the other part is visiting other blogs. I may spend another hour or so replying to comments but that's generally at night if we're watching TV.

This week's book is a little different from my usual reading.  Normally I avoid books that deal with memory loss like the plague but I just couldn't resist the dual timeline and the Egyptian setting.  I'm about halfway done with Iris and Ruby by Rosie Thomas and I'm not regretting my decision to step  a little bit outside of my comfort zone.  The characters are complex and interesting and Thomas is so wonderfully descriptive without getting lost in it all.  My review is scheduled for Monday and I'm planning on burrowing down tonight and tomorrow and finishing it though I have a feeling I'll be very sad to see the last of these characters.

The Beginning:
I remember.
And even as I say the words aloud in the silent room and hear the whisper dying away in the shadows of the house, I realise that it's not true.

My Thoughts:
I love this beginning!  It's so poignant and gives you such an understanding of the main character.

The 56:
The kitchen was a warm, ordered space which she had planned and laid out in every detail.
Yet she felt superfluous in it.

My Thoughts:
I'm past this point so I know what's going on in this passage.  This very much explains the mindset of the character that it's talking about.  Seriously, I'm in love with Thomas's writing right now!

What do you think?  Keep reading?

19 comments:

  1. Certainly sounds interesting, I like dual timelines and the setting sounds good too. Looks like she's really struggling with memory issues. My reading time varies but if I get an hour or two in that's a good day. Some days I don't get any in and then others I'll read til I finish something.

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  2. I like dual timelines when they are done well and this sounds good. I wish I could spend more time on my blog but reading always wins as there is never enough time in the day!

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  3. You are a much better blogger than me. I can't organize my time well, I guess--LOL. Reading always wins for me too. Your book sounds good.

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  4. I haven't heard to this one and find it intriguing.

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  5. I'll be interested in reading your review of IRIS & RUBY. I like books with characters and memory problems or seem drawn to them. As to blogging vs. reading - well, I spend too much time on the computer writing about or talking about reading and too little time actually doing it. It's part of why I take the breaks from time to time. And I'm about scheduled for one before long - in another month or so - think I'll take a couple of weeks off.

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  6. The cover makes you want to be sitting there with a cuppa of your own. Some days I spend close to 18 hours reading, reviewing, and working on my blog. Add into that FB where I set up a lot of giveaways and features with authors for my blog.

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  7. Hi Katherine,

    I have come across the name of Rosie Thomas during my blogging travels, however I have yet to read any of her books, although I shall be correcting that situation just as soon as possible.

    I can relate to both of your excerpts, especially when she talks out loud to herself in an empty room. I constantly have to check myself, when I realise that I am mumbling aloud to myself, which is only made worse when I realise that hubbie has heard me, when I didn't even know he was in the house!

    Thanks for the great recommendation :)

    I spend far too much time reading and blogging, during the course of the day, just ask hubbie, who seldom gets to have a quiet conversation with me! By the time I have replied to comments, then made reciprocal remarks on every commenters post, an entire evening has past, by the time I get home, prepare dinner and we've eaten!

    Reading tends to be almost excusively reserved for very early in the morning, whilst I eat my breakfast cereal and drink my first strong black coffee of the day.

    An interesting post as always. Happy Easter :)

    Yvonne

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  8. This sounds good to me, Katherine. I'm curious at your thoughts if you review it. I don't mind memory loss and dual timelines if it advances the story.

    I spend about 2 hours every morning with my coffee & morning TV while checking my email, commenting, writing posts. Then about 15 minutes at night, for checking again.

    I read various amounts, but usually at least an hour a day, and can even be 3 hours before bed if I can't stop flipping the pages :) I would prefer to spend more time reading than blogging, but they go hand in hand if I want to manage my blog. I have to write more succinct blog posts to cut back in the future and also not visit so many blogs every day. Good topic!

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  9. Yeah, doesn't sound like my kind of read but I am curious about it at the same time. Glad you are enjoying it. :)

    Stormi

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  10. It doesn't sound like my kind of read but I hope you continue to enjoy it!!

    Danica @ A Redheaded Bookworm
    THE BERLIN BOXING CLUB

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  11. This sounds like a good one. I really like the beginning, thanks for sharing. :-)

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  12. I haven't heard of this one, but I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the writing so much. Happy weekend!

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  13. Dual timelines can be a hit or miss with me. I like it when they are done well. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  14. Sounds like an emotional read. Hope you love it! Happy Easter weekend!

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  15. THis sounds like a really good book. I like the opening line a lot.

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  16. I have the TV on but seem to miss everything since I am concentrating on making sure my blog is perfect;

    Sportochick’s Musings Answer

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  17. I really should be reading at least 2 hours every night, like you, but sometimes I get so busy either creating a post or reading other blogs, I don't manage to do this. Of course, nighttime is the best time for reading. Hubby goes to bed before I do, and then I can REALLY concentrate!

    Thanks for sharing! Hope you're having a GREAT Saturday! Happy Easter!! :)

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  18. My reading time probably averages out to two hours a day during the week. I've never really timed it, to be honest. I blog here and there, mostly on Fridays. I comment during the week if work allows. Shh! Don't tell. Haha

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  19. So nice to be rewarded when you step outside your reading comfort zone.

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