I had the best reading year I’ve had since 2015 in terms of amount read (I finished 80 books, which is a fair amount for me). But I also read a lot of books I really enjoyed. Some were re-reads, others were random picks from my ancient TBR shelves and digital shelves, others were READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER – PHAEDRA PATRICK
This book was a big surprise to me. It turned out to be exactly what I wished The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Aged 81 would be. Also what I hoped The Unlikely Pilgrimmage of Harold Fry would feel like. It’s a simple story at the outset – it’s the story of Arthur READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | MOST RECENT ADDITIONS TO MY BOOKSHELVES
My picks for this week are going to be audiobooks – mostly because that’s the only books I’ve bought in the last few months! And, for the first time I think EVER, I didn’t get a single book for Christmas this year! I know, I’m shocked too. So here are my recent audio additions: READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | HEARTSTOPPER VOLUMES 1 & 2 – ALICE OSEMAN
Like many of you, I picked up the first book in the Heartstopper series, read it straight through in one sitting, and immediately picked up volume 2. So the two are inextricably linked in my mind, and I can’t remember which held what part of the story to review them separately. (I READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS I’D LIKE TO FIND UNDER MY TREE
As any book lover knows, there’s really nothing better than finding book-shaped packages under the tree on Christmas morning*. I remember when I was a kid, I loved opening my presents, and I was thrilled by the clothes and jewelry and art supplies and other random thoughtful gifts – but the books would READ MORE
BOOK REVIEW | THE MYTH OF NORMAL – GABOR MATÉ AND DANIEL MATÉ
It took me a while to read this book, and it’s not because it was long (I mean, it’s not short, but it’s also not that long). It was because it is so impactful. This book looks at both physical and mental illnesses, the root causes of both, and the connections between the two. READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | MY FAVOURITE CRAFTY HOBBIES
This week’s prompt is a fun one! I have a lot of crafty things I enjoy – some I haven’t had time to do for a while, but they’re still ones I have great memories of. Here are a few: Knitting. I’m not a pro, I mostly make scarves, hats and blankets (mainly flat READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS ON MY WINTER TBR
Well, this should be easy as long as no one checks up on my progress. I have a list of books I want to read next sitting on my bedside table right now, but I also know the chances of me reading them in the near future are very slim! But, as of today, READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | CRYING IN H MART – MICHELLE ZAUNER
You’ve probably seen this book around. I think it’s one of the (if not the) most talked about memoirs of the past year. It’s the story of a mother and a daughter – a mother who has been an indomitable presence in her daughter’s life since she was born, and who has never been READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | BEST FICTIONAL SIBLINGS
Oh man, this is an interesting one. I have to say I haven’t payed super close attention to siblings in books, so I don’t have a strong thought on this one. So I’m going to list some of the ones that occur to me as I’m thinking it through, in no particular order. Cassandra READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS THAT SURPRISED ME
This week’s prompt was a freebie, so I thought I’d share some books that surprised me. Either because they had great plot twists or character reveals, or because they didn’t go where I expected, or because I ended up having a totally different reaction to them than I expected to have. READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | RAZORBLADE TEARS – S.A. COSBY
I’ve seen this book around a lot, and was intrigued by the premise. This is the story of two fathers. One white, one Black. Each has lost a son to violence, and they are connected by their sons, who were married to one another. Both fathers did not react well to their sons’ homosexuality READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | MY MORNING/EVENING ROUTINE
This post topic made me laugh. I mean, I get it. There are people out there who get up early, do yoga or go for a run or make a proper cooked breakfast or journal before starting their days. That’s never been me. There are people who have leisurely baths and warm milk and READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | COSY READS
This is completely my jam. I love books that make me feel hopeful, heartwarmed, connected to characters and, well….. cosy. Any book I can curl up, lose myself in and feel like the book I’m reading is wrapping me up in a soft blanket is going to be a hit with me. I’ve read READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB – WILL SCHWALBE
I feel like this book has been kicking around on the periphery of my reading since it first came out about a decade ago. I’ve always been a bit interested in it, but also a bit nervous about the “end of your life” part. It popped up in my library catalogue though, and I READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | OVERUSED CHARACTER STEREOTYPES
Well, there’s always the lazy answer to this: All of them. I like characters who have layers, who buck easy categorization, who have unexpected personality traits or interests or skills. That always excites me. I hate all the “-ic” and “-ist” stereotypes in particular. Homophobic, racist, sexist, ableist – all of these make my READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | THANKFUL FREEBIE
Today I’m going to share some books that I’m thankful for – books that picked me up when I was down, books that made me feel seen, books that taught me something I didn’t know or shared an important perspective on life. These books all meant something special to me, and I recommend all READ MORE
LINK-UP | IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?
I haven’t read much this week. It’s been one of those weeks where real life pretty much eclipsed everything else. We’ve been house hunting for a while and finally found one we like. We spent the week frantically putting together an offer, amending it, and waiting for news. Now we’re frantically putting together all READ MORE