Morning all and happy Sunday. I hope you are having a good weekend. Ours can be summed up in one word – clean. I have been travelling so much for work recently (though not last week, which was a lovely change) that by the time the weekend rolled around I had no desire to do any work on the house. This week, probably because I hadn’t been travelling, I had the cleaning itch and if there is a word for spring cleaning in autumn, that’s what we did yesterday. All day. Now my house is spotless, bulbs have been replaced, pictures hung…I feel very happy and very satisfied. Now I plan on doing nothing today, the perfect Sunday!
Being home meant I also got to work on my blog and posted every day – something that happens rarely. This included a big change for me, something I’d wanted to do for a while, which was change my blog name. I am Once Upon a Littlefield no more but One Reader’s Thoughts instead. I wrote about why I made the change here and have to say that, it’s only been a week but I’m happy with my choice. I also wrote two reviews…
The Exit by Helen Fitzgerald was something I had had on loan from the library for nearly two months and had to read before the fines started rolling in. I was also looking forward to it because I had really enjoyed Fitzgerald’s The Cry, which I’d read a few years ago now. And, whilst I did enjoy The Exit, I was also disappointed and frustrated by it, mainly because of one scene which pulled me out of the story and after which I couldn’t find my way back in.
Stalker on the Fens by Joy Ellis was the fifth in a series staring a female detective (Nikki Galena) who I am really starting to like. It’s only the second in the series I’ve read though and whilst the last one could definitely be read as a standalone I did feel I missing something in this one because characters from the past made an appearance and I didn’t understand their significance. However, I still really enjoyed the book because it was well written and the characters are well drawn.
Stalker on the Fens was my last book of October, and I did a monthly round-up last week too. It was a good month for me, with three books I loved and which are all still rattling around my head and being used for comparisons with what I’ve been reading, which includes…
Hag-seed I had as my Tuesday Intro this week so you can read more by clicking here. I really enjoyed it but it did take up a lot of brain cells. Afterwards, I wanted something that didn’t require so much attention and The Redemption of Galen Pike was a good choice as it’s a collection of short stories (some very short) that I could pick up and put down. I’ll be writing a review this week but you can read more on GoodReads by clicking here.
I finished Galen Pike last night so now I have to decide what to read. I have the new Mel Sherratt, The Girl Next Door, which people have been raving about and came out in the last couple of weeks but also picked up a couple of James Sallis books, one of my favourite authors and these are calling to me.
What about you? What’s on your reading list this week? I hope it’s a good one whatever you pick.
Emma
This week, I’m linking in with Kimba at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and her Sunday Post and with (a little early) Katherine at Book Date for It’s Monday, What Are you Reading? Head over to see what other bloggers have read, written about or just added to their shelves.
One Readers Thoughts 
I like the new name, and the new look too! Very nice! And sometimes a day spent just doing nothing is the best thing. Hope you enjoy it and the week ahead. Stalker on the Fens looks like a good thriller.
http://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/
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Thank you. I feel refreshed in a blog sense!
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I so need to do a spring cleaning. Doing nothing on SUndaysis the best. Enjoy!! Have a great week!!
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It’s the last deep clean till Xmas I think! I have enjoyed my lazy day 😄
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Yes – I meant to say earlier, Emma, I really love the new look:). Good for you with the spring/autumn clean – I need to get down to doing this place before the weather closes in, but right now there never seems to be time! I need a clone… I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Hag-Seed. I’m reading The Silver Tide by Jen Williams, right now. Have a great reading and blogging week. This is my Sunday Post https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/sunday-post-6th-november-2016/
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Thank you. I don’t think it’s spoilers to say I really enjoyed hag-seed so the review will be positive if not as detailed as I think the book is probably due. It was very detailed and thought out.
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I’m looking forward to reading your review on this one – and I’m going to be getting hold of it very soon.
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I hope you enjoyed the review and get to pick up a copy.
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I do like your new look, it is throwing me off a bit till I get use to it…lol. I love the name! I just requested Crime on the Fens for audio review because I have seen your reviews of the ones you have read and so I am excited to get that when it comes out. Hope you enjoy whatever book you decide on this week! 🙂
Have a great week!
Stormi
Week in Review
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It is throwing me too if that helps. I hope you enjoy Crime on the Fens. One I still need to read. Have a good week 😄
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The new name through me initially (though I was in the wrong place!), but I love it … and the new look, too! Congratulations! I finished The Emperor’s Children at the beginning of the week and now my reading is nonfiction all month.
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I still can’t get the hang of writing the name myself but I am also happy I made the change. It was needed! I need to get into read non-fiction again. I used to read more and I do miss it.
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I love the cover for Stalker On The Fens and the title. Looks like a good fit for me. I did some fall cleaning too. Now I’m going to do what you are, relax and enjoy the beautiful day:)
My Sunday Post
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I am curious about Stalker on the Fens….and I have The Exit, hoping to read it soon.
Your new look is great and fresh…but I also loved the old look. lol. I, too, like changing things up, so I get that.
Now you are motivating me to do some major cleaning…but not today. Sunday is kickback day.
Thanks for sharing, and here are
MY WEEKLY UPDATES
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I like calling it kickback day. I’m going to steal that and use it if you don’t mind. I do think a change was due. Now I just need to crack on with the other changes I want to do.
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Love the new look Emma, and hey if you still have energy my house needs a good scrub! LOL Enjoy your clean house and read a good book today.
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I’ll be over in the morning with the windex 😄
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I do like the new name and spruced up blog and it sounds as if that has spilled over to your house – it’s lovely when everything is clean and tiny 😊 Even better you have a couple of great sounding boos to read
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Thank you. I do feel like today started well as my house wasn’t chaotic. Now to just maintain it!
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My place was very overdue for a clean – and still is – but I managed to do some vacuuming this morning so that’s a start!
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Vacuuming is so cathartic. Cleaning the bathroom not so much 😄
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I’ve been thinking of renaming my blog too. This name was the result of spur of the moment thinking, Now that I’ve been doing this for years, it might be time for something new. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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It’s one of those things. You pick something that seems to fit then it doesn’t and you feel stuck with it. Or I did anyway. I am so glad I made the change (for now at least!)
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Getting some cleaning done is very satisfying when complete. So now I am off to see why you changed up the name of your blog.
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It really is. A very late spring cleaning. Now I’ve just got to keep the house clean!
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Sometimes changing up your blog can be just the refreshing shift you need to reinvigorate you, and to make blogging fresh and exciting again!
And…if you want to do some more cleaning, you’re always welcome to come to my place, I’ve got some dust bunnies that I think have started multiplying on their own…! 😉
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That’s exactly how I feel! Unfortunately I am back at work this week but can send a duster?
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Love the new name Emma and I’m so jealous of your clean house. I always put off doing it, as so many other things seem more important to me. Obviously I do the basics, but I badly need to do a deep clean like what you’ve just done. Fancy a working holiday?! 😀
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Thank you. I may have to start a cleaning company – I think I would be popular?
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I did a deep clean before my son’s wedding in Sept. and so far it is still holding up. A lot of work, but so nice when it is done. I like you new name and look.
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It is so nice. That’s good maintaining. I would love to keep it up until Christmas at least.
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It feels amazing after a good deep clean with all the odd jobs getting completed! I’m hoping to get one of those done around here before the festive season begins!
I hope you have a great week and enjoy all your current reads 🙂
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It was a good feeling. Now it’s just maintaining it…I am not naturally the worlds tidiest person.
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