Greetings! And so another week flew by with the blink of an eye. We now only have 8 school days left for the year. That is IF we remain open. On Thursday one of the bigger schools in our area closed for the rest of the year and on Friday another one a bit further down the valley.
Just like that, Covid hit home. Throughout this past year, our little town and community remained relatively uninfected, but over the last couple of days, it became a harsh reality. We even made the national headlines!
My mommy says it was quite surreal at school on Friday with lots of kids being absent again. She says going through the attendance registers, you just heard:
“He’s not here, his Granny’s got Covid.”
“Absent! Her Mommy’s ill.”
“Not here Mam, they all have Covid.”
Thankfully, none has been too serious cases and we do wish all our friends and our community a speedy recovery.
Otherwise, not much to tell! Even through long hours and hectic days, my Mommy manages to get some reading done and she did spend a bit of time on the blog. A welcome escape from reality and a safer option.
She didn’t buy any books this week. Not even on Bookbub. I think she’s mad at Amazon. More about that later.
Scratching the Blog Pole
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is definitely one of my favorites. We had to think of character names you would name your pet after. As if you name your pet after anything but famous characters. Click on the image if you’ve missed our post.
On Wednesday, I did my very first book review! I have highjacked just about the whole blog, except the book reviews. I just can’t get my paw in the door with reviewing. When Falling into Magic fell in my Mommy’s lap for reviewing, I begged, moaned, meowed, clawed, purred – until she allowed me to do the review from my point of view. It might not be purrfect, but I am still quite proud of myself and the author, Elizabeth Pantley was also very impressed with me. Just look at this lovely post from her Facebook page. She said it was the best review ever, and by a cat. If you click on the image, you can read my review. Oh please do!
On Friday we did our first Friday Fives with a bit of Book Blogger Hop on the side. Mommy told you all about her 5 favorite elephant books. See, I warned you it won’t be the last of the elephants.
Although we’ve signed up for The Classics Club a month or so ago already, we haven’t started with any of the books. Luckily the awesome creators of The Classics Club keeps us on our toes and make sure we spin the dice with this challenge. Can’t wait to see where it fall. Must still get the results somewhere today.
On the Couch
Recently finished
Just Falling into Magic. The rest of the week was way to busy.
Currently Reading
The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin is brilliant. My Mommy isn’t very far yet, but she enjoys it so.
The Day I Killed God by Nick Totem is up for review. It’s a sci-fi book and not really my Mommy’s scene. But it does keep the attention and the writing style is quite strong. Let’s see how it goes.
She only managed about 30 minutes on The Night Tiger, this is our current audio book. In two weeks time, there will be lots more time for audio books.
Currently Watching
Along with about 50% of the world’s population, we have started with The Crown Season 4. It’s awesome! Nothing else that’s new this week. Oh wait! We did watch the first episode of the last season of Once Upon a Time. No clue what’s going on there. I thought season 6 was the last one and it ended quite perfectly. So what’s happening now? Do we dare continue or just stick with and they lived long and happily ever after?
Let it Go
Amazon reviews: When did they change it to you have to spend at least $50 per year in order to upload a review? And is my Mommy the only one who reads the fine print or the terms and conditions? She saw the $50 thing mentioned on someone’s Facebook page, but didn’t worry too much. So definitely spends more than $50 on BookBub specials that she always buys from Amazon, or the Kindle Daily Deals. BUT the fine print stipulates that daily deals or any other specials does not count as add-ups to the minimum $50 you have to spend in order to publish a review. Come on!
$50 might not seem like a lot of money, but with our current exchange rates, its’s about R800. A brand new book in the bookshops are expensive and will hit your purse with about R300 – R400. At least then I can hold it, smell it, hug it tight and showcase it on my bookshelf. I just don’t spend that type of money on my Kindle books. So sorry Amazon.
I’ll have to think about how I’m going to do this as I still want to post my reviews on Amazon as well. Poor Elza was heartbroken when we couldn’t upload her review for Falling into Magic on Amazon. Do any of you have any clever ideas?
Hope you are all well and safe! In 3 days time, we can start counting the sleeps to Christmas. Yea! Whose trees are up already? We hope to have ours up next weekend.
Thanks for joining us for our Sunday news. Remember to link up with the following ladies as well and share your news.
Lots of Love,
Elza & Mareli
Share the Meows
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A lot of kids in my nephew's school have to go off due to some of the kids or teachers or family members having Covid, it's so sad.
The books you are reading sound interesting. Hope you enjoy them 🙂 x
I've never posted on Amazon but I'm sorry they're making it difficult for you. Are you on GoodReads? There's a setting on your GoodReads profile that allows GoodReads to share your review to partner sites. I don't know exactly which sites those are but they are owned by Amazon now, so maybe your reviews would get pushed through to Amazon? That might be more passive sharing than you would like though. I turned off that setting because I want to know exactly where my reviews are posted.
I'm sorry your community is starting to have a lot of covid cases. It's starting to hit rural areas here in the US pretty hard. They had largely been unaffected up until the past couple of months. The county next to mine back home has suddenly been hit with a lot of cases in two separate outbreaks. It's pretty scary. I hope your numbers go down quickly and you and your family remain healthy.
I didn’t know about the Amazon, I’ve been happily posting reviews when it lets me (it is constantly rejecting me for naughty words) but that’s unfair you should be able to post regardless.
I’m sorry to hear about COVID getting closer to you, it’s still on the go hear too but people are so much happier that there is an injection on the horizon.
Have a good week and stay safe!
I think that's been an Amazon policy for a long time. I would upload reviews to Bookbub instead.
Hi Deana! Great idea. I am definitely going to try that. Will just have to figure out how…
Thanks for the advice and for stopping by. Have a good week.
Sorry about the COVID outbreak. I hope everybody recovers quickly. I’ve never posted an Amazon review, so I’m no help there. It sucks that they make you spend so much. Have a great week!
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Hi AJ! I also hope everybody will recover quickly. Lots and prayers to all of them.
I will still buy my BookBub books from Amazon and the Kindle daily deals. But I guess I won't try reviewing on there again.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week AJ!
I'm sorry to hear about the Covid resurgence. It's so scary how bad it's getting everywhere. And that is heartbreaking just seeing those kind of comments from kids not present. We need reading more than ever!
I had no idea Amazon was doing that!!!
True words Greg. We need reading more than ever. I've always tried to make time as much as possible for reading, but lately I find myself actually moving school work aside to rather read my book! Just crave that escape from reality. It's almost holidays and then I ONLY have to worry about that.
Have a good week Greg, take care!
I'm sorry about the Covid situation in your area. It really is hitting close to home for many people. I love your pet name post. That was fun. Falling Into Magic looks really good. I hope you have a great week!
Hi Yvonne! I loved writing the pet name post. Top Ten Tuesday is usually nothing but fun for me.
Falling into Magic is an easy, comfort and fun read. Do give it a try. Sure you will enjoy it Yvonne.
Have a blessed week!
I smile every time I read one of your posts. So creative!! I think COVID will eventually invade the whole world, it's just a matter of time. I'm in healthcare and we see this lasting a few more years. About Amazon…they banned me from reviewing about two years ago. We buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, we are Prime members but they don't care. Amazon somehow feels that I've violated their terms and conditions (which changed so often I don't know how we are supposed to keep up) and when asked they won't even tell you what you did wrong. I had over 500 reviews, I was a top 500 reviews an then bam! one day it was all gone…
Hope you have a good week!
Hi Laura! It is a huge compliment to us that you so much enjoy visiting. Yea!! Please know that you are welcome anytime and we hope to continue putting a smile on your face.
Amazon has a lot of power and I am truly glad for them as they are a good company. But they will lose the little guy. Or kitten.
Have a good week Laura.
Your news about Amazon is a surprise to me in the US. I spend plenty on Amazon so perhaps that is why I never noticed.
Hi Diana! With our exchange rate, Amazon is just way to expensive to buy just about anything if it's not on special…
Elza and Mareli, I am sorry to hear that the virus has hit your town quite badly this week. I know what you mean about it being surreal, as due to positive cases ours and one other year group are the only ones left at our school! The other five are in self-isolation. Take care, keep safe and happy reading in the coming week. ??
Hi Jessica, one of my co-worker's husband was diagnosed this morning – crazy. But only a few days left and then we are all on a break.
We appreciate your thoughts and concerns. Have a good week and take care of yourself as well!
I would LOVE to have only 8 days left of the schoolyear! I have to work for another month, schools close on December 19th over here 🙂
Hi Esther! I will still continue with online classes until the 15th of December, so not completely on holidays yet!
So I'm still "with you".
Good luck for your week!
I hope you guys are able to stay healthy and safe!
Thanks Jennifer! I hope and pray so too. One of my co-worker's husband was diagnosed this morning. She's being tested this afternoon.
amazon….i'm sorry you couldn't post your review elza. i loved it. it is always so much fun visiting.
sherry @ fundinmental
Hi there Sherry! It's okay, you guys reading my reviews and enjoy visiting us, truly is all we need!
Have a wonderful week.
So sorry your area was hit with Covid…stay safe and well!
I didn't realize about the Amazon reviews and having to spend a certain amount per year. I do spend way more than enough…but that just tells me that I might be buying too much!
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I spend a lot on books locally, so I am not frowning upon you at all! Will see if I can make a plan with the Amazon reviews. Or just skip it in general. Life will still continue as normal.
Take care Laurel-Rain!
I'm not sure what is happening but while we were in Arizona six people we know (but fortunately have not come into contact with) came down with Covid. All have recovered, but geez.
I completely skipped last week's TTT as I was exhausted from the eighteen hour drive home from Arizona. "As if you name your pet after anything but famous characters!" Love.
One of these days I am going to jump into the Book Blogger Hop and Friday Fives.
I would have to say that Elza is the premier cat reviewer I follow. Are you listening, Amazon?
One of my best friends/co-worker's husband was diagnosed this morning. So she's off now as well. Hectic!
Glad you had a nice hike and a good rest. It is soooo necessary.
I've enjoyed The Friday Fives last week and will do it again.
Elza says thank you for your faith in her and she purrs away. But her meows are way to incipit for Amazon to pay any attention.
Have a good week Debs and we'll talk again.
wow, I had no idea that applied to Amazon. I try to avoid Amazon as much as I can. I even did an improv scene this week where I was a woman talking to her sister about whether they approve of Amazon and the sister said, 'we support small businesses' it was memorable.
Amazon is way too expensive with the exchange rate in South Africa. Yes, we rather buy locally.
Thanks for stopping by, hope you will have a good week!
The $50 thing was applied to the US site when Australia got its own Amazon about two or three years ago, so I haven’t posted there since then because, as it is for you, the exchange rate is horrendous.
I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing a 2nd wave, Stay well
Wishing you a great reading week
Wishing you a great reading week
Hi Shelley, good to know I'm not alone in not being happy with Amazon's $50 scheme. We actually still fall under Amazon UK and that exchange rate can be even worse.
We are trying our best to stay safe and healthy. Hopefully it will be enough.
Have a lovely week!
I feel your pain regarding the Amazon reviews! While it's okayish for us as I know we spend many times over on books – it absolutely sucks when they don't take into account the exchange rate! I'm considering writing a politely worded email, requesting that instead, they allow reviews after folks have bought a minimum of six books. Congratulations on the review written from Elza's viewpoint – what a lovely idea! I hope you have a great week and fingers crossed you get to the end of the term:).
Hi there Sarah! That does sound like a very good idea. I do understand that Amazon's point of view most probably is to only get the attention of serious reviewers. Whatever that may be. I just blog for fun and if I review it's only just for fun. No affiliates or anything. I'm really not interested in all that. I buy lots of books, but not necessarily from Amazon. We have local providers as well and an online e-book library is being developed here in SA as we speak. Yea for that!
I actually just feel sorry for authors and indie publishers who desperately want to get their books out there and a few of us silly, nothing but lovers of books reviewers, can't give them all the assistance we want to give them.
Anyway! Let's see how it goes. I also hope that we will be able to finish the school-term. Fingers crossed!
So glad you could stop by Sarah and I do hope you are well.
Lots of love!
I am sorry that COvid is on the surge again. I hope it gets better soon-ish. I can't wait to read the review of Falling into Magic!! Stay safe!
I'm sure we will be okay and with the warmer weather the numbers will hopefully go down again.
Let me know when you've read the review for Falling into Magic! It was soo much doing it.
Hope you will have a good week.
Literary pets, such a good idea ! Mine have celtic names because I'm from a Celtic part of France (one is hovering above my keyboard just now). I've joined the classics club too ! And am waiting for the spin to… well, spin. I've talked, are you purring now ? 😉
Oh yes, purring and kneading away here! Celtic background? Oh you can tell lets of awesome stories, I'm sure of that!
I'm hopping over right now to have a look. I also can't wait for the dice to fall now!
Thanks for visiting us, hope you will have a wonderful week!
My name is pronounced "eeza", almost like the Spanish Isabel if it can help ? The BZH part is because of the Celtic origins (BreiZH, the celtic name of Brittany, but abbreviated) 🙂
Hi IzaBzh. That is fascinating. Thanks so much for getting back to me and explaining it to me.
Will chat again soon.