#Darren Galsworthy

[rathertoofondofbooks]

May has been another quiet month for me. My pain medication change is ongoing at the moment and will be affecting me on and off for the next few weeks. I’m really pleased that it’s happening, even though it’s really hard.

I’ve managed to have a post up on my blog most days in May. I’ve been much more organised in writing posts on my better days and getting them scheduled on here, and for links to be posted on twitter and Facebook so that my blog is still running when I’m not around as much.

On Tuesday I was thrilled to get a notification telling me that my blog had had it’s most ever views in one day. I’m not obsessive about my blog stats but it’s always lovely when these notifications come through that show my blog is still interesting to people and is still growing.

  Here are the 24 books I read this month:

Block 46 by Johana Gustawsson

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young

Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton

The Elephant in the Room by Jon Ronson

The Heroes Welcome by Louisa Young

The Way Back Home by Freya North

The Comfort of Others by Kay Langdale

Fairytale Interrupted by RoseMarie Terenzio

The Zero by Jess Walter

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

Fragile Lives by Stephen Westaby

Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

Becky by Darren Galsworthy

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor by Jason Gurley

Making Space by Sarah Tierney

Letting Go by Alex Hanscombe

Wishbones by Virginia MacGregor

I Know My Name by C.J. Cooke

How We Met by Katy Regan

After Anna by Alex Lake

How to Survive a Plague by David France

  May Blog Posts & Reviews:

May has been a good month on my blog. I’ve been much better at writing posts in advance and scheduling them. I’ve not been around as much due to not being well but I like that my blog still has regular posts, it gives me some sense of achievement. I managed to review eleven books this month, which I’m really pleased about. My aim was to post at least three reviews a week to try and catch up on my reviewing back log (I’m reading faster than I’ve been reviewing) so I’m glad to be on target. I still have some reviews to catch up on but I am closer to being caught up now.

Here are my reviews from May:

Block 46 by Johana Gustawsson (Blog Tour)

Little Deaths by Emma Flint

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr 

The People at Number 9 by Felicity Everett

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Final Girls by Riley Sager

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

Making Space by Sarah Tierney (Blog Tour)

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

  Here are my blog posts from May:

I wrote my regular posts each week, which are my WWW Wednesday posts, my Stacking the Shelves posts, and my Weekly Wrap-Up posts. Then I also wrote and shared the following posts:

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April Wrap-Up post where I shared all my reviews, blog posts, the state of my TBR and my news from April.

Guest post about the evolution of Claymore Stryker by Paul Hardisty for theReconciliation for the Dead blog tour

My 20 Books of Summer TBR post where I finally made my mind up which of my own books I would like to challenge myself to read between June and September.

    The state of my TBR:

When it comes to the state of my TBR the honest truth is that it is in actual fact in a state! I started the year owning 1885 unread books and now have 1954 unread books. I am finding it interesting to track my book buying and reading on a spreadsheet though and it is helping me to focus a bit more than I used to on whether I should buy a book or not.

I’ve now read 114 books this year so far, and 49 of those were books that I owned before 31 December 2016 so I’m really happy with how my Mount TBR challenge on Goodreads is going (I challenged myself to read 100 books from my TBR this year). So, I’m really pleased with the balance between reading new books (20), older TBR books (49) and review books (45).

I’m listening to more audio books than I’ve done in a long time and I’m really enjoying that. I often read a bit and then listen to a bit and then go back to the book, and it works for me that way. My disability is such that I wouldn’t be reading half as much as I am if I could only read print or kindle books so I’m very grateful that audio books are so widely available now.

  All-in-all it’s been a good month of reading. I’ve had to take it easy a lot more during May but I feel like I’ve been really productive with my blog, and I’ve read some amazing books. 🙂

  How was your May? I hope you all had a good month and that you read good books. Did you read many books? What was your favourite book of the month? Please tell me in the comments, I’d love to know. Also, if you have a blog please feel free to leave a link to your month’s wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to read and comment back. 🙂

May Wrap-Up post! May has been another quiet month for me. My pain medication change is ongoing at the moment and will be affecting me on and off for the next few weeks.

[baileyjanetee]

New Year’s Resolutions - Nine Months In...

This is where things are going to start getting disappointing... Time is running out!

Category One: Health

- Get the BRCA 1 & 2 (Breast Cancer Gene) Test.

Same as last time, not an option for me :(

- Get a health check up - diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure etc.

I did this... And I may talk about it in a later post. But it’s done regardless.

- Either get a mole map, or get the mole on my left shoulder tested/looked at.

- Exercise three days a week.

Okay, so at three months I was 14 instances behind. At six months I was 21 instances behind. Currently I am 18 instances behind. We may still make this one yet. 

- Climb each of the four local peaks (Mount Maunganui, Papamoa Hills, Otanewainuku and Te Puna Quarry).

- Get my ears microsuctioned.

Category Two: Budget and Career

- Spend less on food (takeaways and eating out, not groceries) than in 2017.

This is looking a lot like it’s not going to happen...

- Reach $30K in my main savings account.

As is this... Savings looking seriously depleted after buying a new car, moving house and investing in furniture, and an impending Melbourne trip. So savings worse for wear, but increased assets... Does that count?

- Apply for at least five jobs AND/OR talk to the university/polytech about study recommendations.

As of today, I have applied for... 23 jobs this year! WTF. I have had I think six interviews. I am currently awaiting the outcome of one of these. I have been in the top couple for two of these, and I was the preferred candidate for one of these! Before the role got withdrawn after three months of waiting. I have not yet spoken to the university, but may look in to part time study still down the track. 

Category Three: Passions

- Write better blog posts.

I think I’m gonna nail it...

- Sew five items.

I have done this! To date I have made: Reusable shopping bags (six) A wheat hottie A cardigan A kimono A pair of leggings And currently underway, a Christmas apron, and a pair of culottes. 

- Take a photo everday.

All but five days... Not the best, but not too bad!

- Finish my Gold Coast scrapbook.

- Visit three new destinations.

Sydney done, Tonga done, one to go!

- Start a Google My Map for Europe.

- Read 12 new books.

Done! Actually up to 13!

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham, The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney, The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty, Chapter One by Daniel Flynn, Becky by Darren Galsworthy, and Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon.

- Cook something from a recipe book once a month.

On track: January - Honey Crumbed Pork Chops with Cider Sauce (Kasey and Karena), February - Corn, Carrot and Zucchini Fritters (Woman’s Weekly), March - Bellissimo Baked Chicken (Chelsea Winter), April - Madame Croque (Marie Clare Breakfast), May - Moroccan Lamb and Green Lentil Tagine (Jo Seager), June - Honey Dressing (Gran’s Kitchen), July - Cinnamon Oysters (Ladies A Plate Traditional Home Baking), August - Chicken Paprika (Edmonds), and September - Beef Stirfry (Country Calendar Cookbook).

Category Four: World Issues

- Start using reusable shopping bags.

- Invest in a coffee Keep Cup

- Watch the BBC One Minute World News.

Have not been very good at this lately, but will try and get better. 

- Donate at least $100 to charity.

- Make a will.

Category Five: Relationships

- Visit Dad 12 times.

Yikes. So far we’re at 3.

- Visit Granny and Pop.

This is looking quite unlikely.

- Do a trip/weekend away with Ash.

Done! See here.

- Visit Reagan 12 times.

Currently at nine with one booked in for next week. 

- Have lunch with Mum at work once a fortnight.

And still on track for this one!

Definitely some lost hope there, but I have still achieved some of what was a pretty big list!

[wondersof]

Currently reading this book “The Evil Within” by Darren Galsworthy

I’m so touched. So emotional reading this book from Becky’s dads point of view . I can’t imagine what he felt. I have two daughters of my own and I can’t imagine ever going through something like this.

Rest In Peace Becky. You touched my heart.

[bijoychetia]

the bone chilling murder of Becky Watts — Victorias life Blog

the bone chilling murder of Becky Watts — Victorias life Blog

BECKY Watts was 16 years old when she was murdered by her step-brother. Since then her family has struggled to cope with her violent death at the hands of a loved one. What happened to Becky Watts? Becky Watts was a 16-year-old student living in Bristol with her dad Darren Galsworthy and his wife Angie in 2015. […]the bone chilling murder of Becky Watts — Victorias life Blog

[ilhamelouisamaria-blog]

Father of murdered teenager Becky Watts reveals his horror Breaking News

Father of murdered teenager Becky Watts reveals his horror Breaking News

Father of murdered teenager Becky Watts reveals his horror Breaking News

The father of murdered teenager Becky Watts has revealed his horror in a new TV documentary at having to identify her dismembered body in the morgue.

Darren Galsworthy said he could still see where his 16-year-old daughter had been decapitated after she was kidnapped in a sexually-motivated plot in Bristol.

Becky’s…

[themurderblog]

Case#12: The Murder Of Becky Watts

Case#12: The Murder Of Becky Watts

Becky Watts was a 16-year-old student living in Bristol, England. At the time of her disappearance she was living with her dad Darren Galsworthy and his wife Angie. Becky was reported missing on Feb, 20. 2015 at around 4 pm by her family who proclaimed that her disappearance was “out of character”. Over the following days preceding Becky’s disappearance a social media campaign called #FindBecky…

[rathertoofondofbooks]

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

A similar meme is run by Lipsyy Lost and Found where bloggers share This Week in Books #TWiB.

What I’m reading now:

Based on a True Story by Delphine de Vigan

I picked this book up at the weekend but when I went to mark it as ‘currently reading’ on Goodreads I noticed a reviewer I trust mention that the book contains huge spoilers for the film The Usual Suspects, which I’d never seen. So I put the book down for a couple of days until I had a chance to watch the film (which I loved and am kicking myself for not having watched it before now). I picked the book up again last night and am really enjoying it.

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

I pre-ordered this book ages ago so it arrived on my kindle on release day but I’ve been keeping it to read when I could sit and read it in big chunks. I’ve read about a third of this now and am really enjoying it, it’s swirling around in my mind during the time when I’m not reading it and that’s always the sign of a compelling book!

Eleanor by Jason Gurley

This is my latest pick from my pre-2017 TBR and I’m enjoying it. It’s not what I thought it was going to be but it’s holding my attention so I’m keeping on with it.

How to Survive a Plague by David France

I’ve not managed to read any more of this book this week but I hope to read a chunk of it over the weekend. I just feel like it’s a book that I need to read when I can really take it all in so I like to wait until the right time to pick it up.

What I recently finished reading:

Making Space by Sarah Tierney

I read this in two sittings earlier this week and I really enjoyed it. I’m on the blog tour for the book tomorrow and will be sharing my review so look out for that.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I loved this book so much, I feel quite bereft at having finished it. I was sent this for review so I’ll be reviewing this book soon but in the meantime I highly recommend you buying a copy of this, you won’t regret it.

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

I found this to be such a gripping read, it has an increasing sense of malices the book goes on and I didn’t want to put it down. I’ve already reviewed this book on my blog so you can read that here if you’d like to.

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

I adored this book, it’s such a beautiful and moving novel. I reviewed this on my blog last week so you can read my review here if you’d like to know more about my thoughts on it.

Becky by Darren Galsworthy

This is such a moving memoir by the father of Becky Watts, the teenager who was murdered by her step-brother a couple of years ago. It’s such an open and honest book, it’s heartbreaking to read.

What I plan on reading next:

The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig

I was contacted by the publicist for this book to ask if I’d like to read it for the blog tour and I immediately said yes as I’ve read and enjoyed a couple of Amanda’s previous novels. I’m really looking forward to starting this book in the next couple of days.

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

I was sent a copy of this book to review a few weeks ago and am really keen to start reading it soon. I’m aiming to get to it over the weekend.

  What are you reading at the moment? Have you finished any good books recently? Any books you’re looking forward to reading soon? Please feel free to join in with this meme and share your link below, or if you don’t have a blog please share in the comments below.

WWW Wednesday (24 May) What are you reading today? WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading!

[rathertoofondofbooks]

  This week has been a strange week. I was meant to switch my pain meds last weekend but the NHS cyber attack last week has held that up. I’m hoping to be able to get started on this in the couple of days or so though. So, as I said last week, I may be around less in the coming days, so please bear with me if I miss replying to any comments, or sharing posts etc.

I also had an appointment at home with my lovely neuro-physio and we’ve been talking about changing to a less-cumbersome leg brace now that my foot is holding a better position. I will need to wear my old one some of the time but it’s really fab to think that I might be able to change to something more comfortable.

  This week I’ve finished reading six books:

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

This book has taken me longer to read than I thought it would and I’m not sure why because I really loved it. I think it was just a bad time for me to pick it up. It’s a brilliant read though, I recommend it.

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

I adored this book – it’s such a beautiful novel and one that will really stay with me for a long time to come. I reviewed it on my blog yesterday so you can read that here if you’d like to.

Becky by Darren Galsworthy

I saw this on my audio book site this week and decided to listen to it. It was such a moving read. I’m sure many people remember the news when teenager Becky Watts went missing a couple of years ago and it turned out her step-brother had murdered her. Her dad is so open in this book and I really admire his strength and openness.

Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

This book has been on my TBR for ages and if I’m to be honest I have no idea when or why I bought it. I’m trying to read through some of my TBR this year so decided to give this a go. It was actually a good read, but because I’m older then the target audience I don’t think I got as much out of it as others may do.

Fragile Lives by Stephen Westaby

I really enjoyed reading this memoir. Stephen Westaby is an esteemed heart-surgeon in this book he shares some of his most memorable surgeries and patients. I’ll be reviewing this book soon but I highly recommend it.

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

This is yet another book that has been languishing on my TBR. I actually bought this the day it was released and then never got around to reading it. I’m kicking myself about that now though as very much enjoyed this book and now am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is out soon.

  This week I’ve blogged seven times:

Sunday: Weekly Wrap-Up

Monday: Review of The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Tuesday: Review of The Power by Naomi Alderman

Wednesday: WWW Wednesday post

Thursday: Review of Final Girls by Riley Sager

Friday: Review of The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

Saturday: Stacking the Shelves post

This is what I’m currently reading:

Making Space by Sarah Tierney

I’m almost finished reading this book and have really enjoyed reading it. I’m on the blog tour for this book later this week so look out for my review on Thursday (25th May).

Eleanor by Jason Gurley

I spotted this on my TBR this week and decided to make it my next read. I have to be honest and say that sci-fi isn’t really my thing these days so I’m enjoying the parts of this book set in the present reality more than the other parts but it is a really engaging read so I’ll keep going with this.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I’m enjoying this book so much – I’m trying to savour it because I know I’ll feel bereft when I get to the end of Eleanor’s story. It’s such an excellent novel.

How to Survive a Plague by David France

I haven’t read much more of this week but I will be getting back to it as soon as I can. It’s such a powerful book.

  Update on my TBR: 

TBR at the start of January 2017: 1885 (see my State of the TBR post)

TBR in last week’s Wrap-Up: 1932

Additions:

Books bought/received for review/gifts: 9

Subtractions:

  TBR Books culled this week: 0

Total:

TBR now stands at: 1941

Oops! My TBR has increased this week after two weeks of keeping it fairly stable… ah well!

  I’m linking this post up to Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer’s Sunday Blog Share.  It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

  How has your week been? What have you been reading? Please share in the comments below. If you write a wrap-up on your blog please feel free to share the link. 🙂

  Weekly Wrap-Up (21 May) This week has been a strange week. I was meant to switch my pain meds last weekend but the NHS cyber attack last week has held that up.

[rathertoofondofbooks]

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

A similar meme is run by Lipsyy Lost and Found where bloggers share This Week in Books #TWiB.

What I’m reading now:

Becky by Darren Galsworthy

I saw this on my audio book subscription yesterday and decided to make it my next listen. It’s a really sad book by the father of Becky Watts. It’s a very open and honest book, but very emotional to read.

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

This book isn’t what I thought it was going to be but it has me hooked. It’s a really heartfelt, emotional read with some intrigue mixed in so I’m keen to know where this book is going.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This is such a great read. I’m so intrigued by Eleanor and am looking forward to reading more of this book and finding out more about her.

The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

This book is a brilliant read – it’s one of those books that grabs you from the first page and keeps you gripped. I don’t know who to trust and am so keen to find out what’s going on!

How to Survive a Plague by David France

I’m still finding this book a fascinating read. I need to be in the right headspace to read this so it’s taking me a while but it is an excellent book and I recommend it.

  What I recently finished reading:

Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

I’ve had this on my TBR for ages so when I spotted it on my audio subscription yesterday I decided to listen to it. It’s an enjoyable enough book and I’m glad I finally read it.

Fragile Lives by Stephen Westaby

This memoir of one of our top heart surgeon’s was an incredible read. I’m trying to write my review of it now and hope to get that finished and posted soon but I can definitely recommend it.

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

This book has been on my TBR since it was published over a year ago and I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner because I really enjoyed it. At least reading it now means I’m ready for the sequel coming out soon. I’ll definitely be buying that and will read it soon.

The Zero by Jess Walter

I’ve had this book on my TBR for a long time but it finally caught my eye last week so I started reading and found it very hard to put down again. It’s a novel based around the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and it follows a police officer who is working at Ground Zero. He begins to have lapses in memory and is increasingly confused so the novel jumps around a lot and gradually the pieces come together for the reader and it all falls into place. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it.

  What I plan on reading next:

I Know My Name by CJ Cooke

I was sent a copy of this book by the author and have been excited to read it ever since it arrived. I can’t wait any longer to read it so am planning to pick it up this week.

New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

I was pre-approved to read this on NetGalley a couple of weeks ago and have been very much looking forward to it. I really hope I can finally get to read it this week.

  What are you reading at the moment? Have you finished any good books recently? Any books you’re looking forward to reading soon? Please feel free to join in with this meme and share your link below, or if you don’t have a blog please share in the comments below.

  WWW Wednesday (17 May) What are you reading today? WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading!

[baileyjanetee]

2018 Resolutions - How did I do?

Well, the time is come for me to reflect, and see how many of my goals for the year I achieved. Although this has not been an easy year for me, I don’t feel the obstacles I’ve faced should have gotten in the way of many of these goals, so hopefully I haven’t done too badly!

Category One: Health

- Get the BRCA 1 & 2 (Breast Cancer Gene) Test.

Although I didn’t do this, I’m saying it’s done, because after inquiring about it with my doctor, I’ve found that that’s not actually an option for me anyway. 

- Get a health check up - diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure etc.

I have done this one as well. And it was a real eye opener. I recommend everyone get regular check ups on this sort of stuff!

- Either get a mole map, or get the mole on my left shoulder tested/looked at.

I haven’t done this yet sadly. But I will endeavor to do it in 2019. 

- Exercise three days a week.

I made it! Just.

- Climb each of the four local peaks (Mount Maunganui, Papamoa Hills, Otanewainuku and Te Puna Quarry).

Sadly, I didn’t quite get this one done. I had the best intentions however, my ankle has been playing up the last ten days so I wasn’t able to make it to Otanewainuku.

- Get my ears microsuctioned.

Done!

Category Two: Budget and Career

- Spend less on food (takeaways and eating out, not groceries) than in 2017.

I did not achieve this. I was over - not hugely so, but still disappointingly so. 

- Reach $30K in my main savings account.

I also did not achieve this. Actually, entirely the opposite. My main savings account, while still ticking along has depleted a lot. However, I have more or less furnished a whole house with that money, as well as bought a new car and had three overseas trips. Which I guess is what I was saving for in the first place. 

- Apply for at least five jobs AND/OR Talk to the university/polytech about study recommendations.

I applied for 28 jobs this year. I was offered one of them. And I still work in the same job I hate. But hey, I applied for more than five. 

Category Three: Passions

- Write better blog posts.

Although I definitely started stronger than I finished, I still think it’s a better picture than previous years. 

- Sew five items.

I did this one too! I am really happy with some of the things I’ve sewn this year, and I think the year total was actually seven projects!

- Take a photo everyday.

I’m calling this one done - I did miss about six or so days, but definitely overall more memories captured. 

- Finish my Gold Coast Scrapbook.

Done!

- Visit three new destinations.

Sydney, Tonga, and Yarra Valley, tick, tick, tick!

- Start a Google My Map for Europe.

Done.

- Read 12 new books.

23 books!

Hunger Games - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham, The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney, The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriarty, Chapter One by Daniel Flynn, Becky by Darren Galsworthy, Cross Stitch by Diane Gabaldon, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams, The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor, The Mothers by Brit Bennett, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, Maze Runner by James Dashner, The Scorch Trials by James Dashner, The Death Cure by James Dashner, Things We Never Said by Nick Alexander, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld.

- Cook something from a recipe book once a month.

Done, twelve different recipes, from twelve different cook books!

Category Four: World Issues

- Start using reusable shopping bags.

Done, using beautiful bags I sewed myself!

- Invest in a coffee Keep Cup.

Tick!

- Watch the BBC One Minute World News.

Although I did do this some of the time, I would say it wouldn’t be more than half of the year, so I’m calling this one a no. 

- Donate at least $100 to charity.

Done.

- Make a will.

A very basic will, but that’s all I need!

Category Five: Relationships

- Visit Dad 12 times.

I got seven times. So not the best effort, but probably better than previous years. I did really try with this one, but you can’t force it sadly. We shall keep on trying!

- Visit Granny and Pop.

I thought this wasn’t gonna happen, but they showed up at our honorary Christmas brunch! Success!

- Do a trip/weekend away with Ash.

Nailed this, with a girls trip to Tonga!

- Visit Reagan 12 times

I do okay with some of my family, fortunately!

- Have lunch with Mum at work once a fortnight.

And I am calling this one achieved as well.

So out of twenty seven goals, I only didn’t achieve six. I must say I am pretty happy with that! Now to focus on 2019 goals...

[baileyjanetee]

The Evil Within - Darren Galsworthy

The latest bookclub book was The Evil Within by Darren Galsworthy which was picked for us by Dee. The book is written by the father of a teenage girl (Becky) who was brutally murdered by her own stepbrother. The book gives readers a unique insight in to Becky’s past right from her birth up until her murder. It also covers the trial and verdicts of the murderer and their accomplices.

Being a big true crime fan, I did enjoy this book. It was a very quick read, and it did keep me engaged. Obviously it was very heartbreaking and difficult to read in places as well. And I do feel you could tell it wasn’t written by a professional author as there was obviously a lot more reflection on the anguish and frustration he was feeling. However, I suppose that did add some authenticity and made the heartstrings tug a little harder.  

I would give this book a 7/10. I did enjoy the read, but I think it would not be so highly rated for someone who doesn’t enjoy true crime.