I like to read all kinds of things. In the past couple of years I’ve tried cosy fantasy, sci-fi, graphic novels, and even romance. I’ve found some books I’ve loved among my experiments. But I think the thing that I enjoy most is when a book subverts my expectations. A literary fiction that has READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS I READ BECAUSE OF THE HYPE
The prompt for this week was “Books I Read/Avoided Because of the Hype” and I was planning to cover both. But first it was much harder to think of ones I’ve avoided as they aren’t in my list of read books nor my TBR, and second, there were quite enough books I read because READ MORE
LINK-UP | IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?
You’re not going to believe this (or maybe you will if you’re also a parent/caregiver to children) but my kid has been sick AGAIN this week. Now, to be fair, school just started, and that’s always it’s own hellishly unique petri dish situation mixing all the various viruses each kid managed to come into READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | I’LL SHOW MYSELF OUT – JESSI KLEIN
I love this new genre of books written by mothers – often middle-aged ones – that tell the nitty gritty truth of what it’s actually like to make, birth, and raise tiny humans in today’s world. Spoiler alert: not easy. In this collection of essays, Jessi Klein explodes the cult of silence that has surrounded READ MORE
BOOK BLOGGER HOP | SUMMER TO AUTUMN TRANSITIONAL READING
This week’s prompt: With the changing of seasons from summer to fall in September, do you have a favorite book that reflects the essence of this transitional period or one that you enjoy reading when the temperature cools down? This is an interesting prompt, because – though I know I’ve definitely read books READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | MY SENSE OF HUMOUR
Oh, well that’s easy. British. Dark. Dry. Irreverent. Sarcastic. Often involves swearing. Usually considered offensive. Any questions? That really is all I need to say on the matter. Any other dark humour people out there? Do you find the sort of thing you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing at work to be the most READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS ON MY AUTUMN TBR
Well, as usual I’ve absolutely no idea. I might read the books I just borrowed from my library, or I might return them in a few days without even trying them. I might read one of the books I’ve had on my TBR for ages, or I might find something new when I’m browsing READ MORE
LINK-UP | IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Well, it’s been a busy few weeks! School started again, both my family members finally recovered fully from their bout with COVID (and I seem to have managed to quarantine my way around it), we’ve had a lot of appointments and errands to do, and I’ve been spending a lot of my time driving READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | BOMB SHELTER – MARY LAURA PHILPOTT
In Bomb Shelter Mary Laura Philpott introduces herself while lying upside down on her living room floor, rendered immobile at the age of forty-four by two herniated discs. While she’s down there, she ruminates on memories of her family, Christmases past, the house they share, and thinks about how she ended up there. But quickly READ MORE
BOOK BLOGGER HOP | BOOK EVENTS & AWARDS
This week’s prompt: September is a busy month for literary events and book awards. Are there any award-winning books or authors you’re eager to read, or any forthcoming book events you intend to go to or cover on your blog? My relationship with book prizes has been on and off. I find that READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | BOOKS THAT SHOULD HAVE ENDED A DIFFERENT WAY
I don’t like doing this, because I love books, I respect the effort an author puts into it, I even like books that don’t have perfect endings or have bits I don’t think worked as well as they could have. So I’m only including two, and I’m doing it under protest. They’re not bad READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | CHARACTERS AUTHORS SURPRISINGLY REDEEMED
I have had a hard time with this one. I’m sure I’ve read plenty of books with redemption as a theme, I’m sure there are lots of characters I started off disliking and ended up forgiving – or even supporting. But I can’t think of many right now. I’ve got a short list today: READ MORE
BOOK BLOGGER HOP | SCHOOL READING REC
This week’s prompt: It’s back-to-school time. What book would you recommend to students, whether it’s an educational read or an enjoyable diversion from textbooks? There are so many books I’d recommend – both educational books and lovely diversions. One I read earlier this year that I really enjoyed was Bookworm by Lucy Mangan. READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | BOOKS WITH FANTASTIC ENDINGS
There are so, so many books I feel this way about. Some of them have happy endings, some of them have tragic endings, some of them have inspiring ones. But so many books have left me feeling completely satisfied when I turned the last page. Here are a few that really stand out to READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS THAT PROVIDE AN ESCAPE
There’s a special type of book that immerses you so completely that you feel as if you can escape from your own world, your worries, your responsibilities and just lose yourself in it for a while. These are often my favourite kinds of books. Here are a few that have been this for me, READ MORE
LINK-UP | IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Well, it has not been much of a reading week for me this week, I have to admit. In fact, I can’t even remember if I read a single page. My kid is better now, but her dad is still feeling very yucky – COVID has been a different type of illness in that READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | THE MESSY LIVES OF BOOK PEOPLE – PHAEDRA PATRICK
When we meet Liv, she is in a situation many of us have faced in our lives. Her life is spent on jobs that are necessary but not enjoyable – her work life is spent cleaning offices and homes for people who see through her and don’t notice or care much about the work she’s READ MORE
BOOK BLOGGER HOP | LIBRARIES
This week’s prompt: September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. What role have libraries played in your reading journey? Do you have any recommendations for books or fond recollections involving libraries? I adore libraries. Some of my most comforting memories as a kid were spending time in my local library where my mother (and READ MORE