The Bedtime Book Tag!

Hey guys!

I saw this book tag (originally created by YouTuber, Kellys Book Spill) and I thought I’d give it a go. I love book tags. I love how quickly you can get several recommendations in one video or post. So I hope you guys enjoy this!

1. What book kept you up all night reading?

Most recently I would say the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo kept me up all night. This trilogy consists of Shadow and Bone (#1), Siege and Storm (#2) and Ruin and Rising (#3). This was an amazing YA series and a great fantasy series. For somebody who doesn’t read much fantasy, these books really sucked me in and I read them over the course of one week, and I vividly remember going to work on about 2 hours of sleep after staying up to finish the 3rd one.

These books follow Alina Starkov, a soldier in a Russian-esque world, Ravka. Alina is found to have an extremely rare and strong form of power and is thrown into the world of the Grisha, where she tries to train and hone her power. This series consists of so much action, political intrigue and great characters. It’s so fun!

2. What book made you scared to go to sleep?

I tried really hard to come up with an answer for this one and I couldn’t. I don’t read a ton of scary books and so nothing really comes to mind for this question. What can I say? I’m a wimp!

3. What book almost put you to sleep?

Hmm…a tough one. I normally DNF books if I’m finding them boring or snooze worthy. However, one book which I didn’t end up DNF-ing but didn’t particularly enjoy was The Small Hand by Susan Hill. This is a ghost story about an antiquarian bookseller who feels the sensation of a child holding his hand when he noses about a derelict house. I read this while lounging on a deck chair in Tenerife and if it had been any longer than it was (it was 167 pages) I wouldn’t have bothered finishing it. I found my eyes shutting while I was reading because I just was not compelled by the story, I thought it was a very cliche ghost story, and this isn’t my sort of genre anyway. Not a favourite, but what can you do?

4. What book had you tossing and turning in anticipation of its release?

Circe by Madeline Miller without a doubt. I read The Song of Achilles and quickly became fascinated by Greek mythology and historical retellings, and with Madeline Miller’s writing style. That’s why when I found out that Miller was coming out with a new retelling (the same month that my 4th year dissertation was due…torture) I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. And it will come as no surprise that I absolutely loved it. I’ve written a review if you’re interested, but seriously, it is lush!

5. What book has your dream girlfriend/ boyfriend?

So I don’t really have an answer for this one either! I don’t get book crushes particularly, it was never really something I experienced. I do ship characters though, and I always get so excited when they end up together, or over certain characters bonding. So I thought I’d share two of my favourite characters to ship instead!

I chose Aristotle and Dante from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This book is a stunning story of Aristotle and Dante, two lonely teenage boys who develop a strong bond with each other, helping both of them to overcome barriers and obstacles to their own happiness. I was so invested in these guys and I absolutely adored this book. I have written a review of it previously if you are interested..

6. What book world would be your worst nightmare to live in?

While I’m sorely tempted to say any book that is set in contemporary USA (lol) I have to go for The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham. In this book, after witnessing a meteor shower virtually everybody wakes up blind, and plants known as Triffids (7 foot tall, walking plants with the ability to kill with their poisonous stingers) seize the upper hand.

Any apocalypse/ dystopian style books give me the absolute fear. However, The Day of the Triffids in particular terrified me, as it showed how fragile society is and the anarchic and unruly way that society breaks down when tragedy strikes. This book is such an excellent read though, a true classic of the genre. Read it!

7. What book cover reminds you of nighttime?

This may be taking the question literally, but Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig has a  beautiful cover that captures the night sky. I loved this book so much and I can’t wait to review it. 

It is a commentary on living in our nerve and anxiety inducing world, and is a commentary on mental health. It is so beautiful and for fans of Reasons to Stay Alive it is a must read. I have previously written a review of Reasons to Stay Alive and How to Stop Time by Matt Haig if you’d like to read them! He is a fantastic author.

8. What book has a nightmarish cliffhanger?

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. This is the second book in the Outlander series, which I am loving reading at the moment. However I did not appreciate racing through -almost- 1000 pages for a GUT RENCHING CLIFFHANGER. If you know you know, guys.

9. What book have you actually dreamed about?

I wouldn’t say I’ve specifically dreamt about a book per say, however I can definitely attest to several Harry Potter characters having  guest starred in my dreams. I think when you’ve read the series as many times as I have they are bound to crop up everywhere. I quite enjoy those dreams, they’re pretty magical.

10. What book monster would you not want to find under your bed?

Harping back to the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, I found the idea of the Volcra really bloody creepy.  To quote the definition from a Grishaverse fandom page,

“Volcra have long, dirty claws, leathery wings, and rows of razor-sharp teeth. They are blind from living in the Fold for so long, but are said to be able to smell human blood from miles away.”

Yikes.

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And that’s the tag! I hope you guys enjoyed this. I am definitely going to do more tags every once in a while. If there’s any you’d like to see me do then feel free to comment!

The Gender Games by Juno Dawson: Book Review.

‘It’s a boy!’ or ‘It’s a girl!’ are the first words almost all of us hear when we enter the world. Before our names, before we have likes and dislikes – before we, or anyone else, has any idea who we are. And two years ago, as Juno Dawson went to tell her mother she was (and actually, always had been) a woman, she started to realise just how wrong we’ve been getting it.

Gender isn’t just screwing over trans people, it’s messing with everyone. From little girls who think they can’t be doctors to teenagers who come to expect street harassment. From exclusionist feminists to ‘alt-right’ young men. From men who can’t cry to the women who think they shouldn’t. As her body gets in line with her mind, Juno tells not only her own story, but the story of everyone who is shaped by society’s expectations of gender – and what we can do about it.

Featuring insights from well-known gender, feminist and trans activists including Rebecca Root, Laura Bates, Gemma Cairney, Anthony Anaxagorou, Hannah Witton, Alaska Thunderfuck and many more, The Gender Games is a frank, witty and powerful manifesto for a world where what’s in your head is more important than what’s between your legs. (Goodreads)

I should start this off by saying that I am a cisgender, straight woman, and that this is the first book (outside of university course) that I have read about gender. Specifically, this is the first own voices book I have read about gender, transitioning, sexuality, transphobia etc. Therefore, I do not have any other books to compare this to and so please bare this in mind during my review.

I honestly could not recommend this to you enough. I really wanted to read this because I’ve seen and read so much about Juno Dawson online (and I think she may be one of the coolest people ever) and I have also been really eager to read more on the subject of gender and about the experiences of transgender people, like Juno. This book is part memoir and part commentary and discussion of popular culture, societal norms and how society views  sexuality, sex, gender, women’s rights, transphobia, intersectional feminism and more. It also does a great job of debunking that within our society that people think can’t be changed, such as definitions of gender and sex and how people can define themselves!

I would recommend this to anyone as a first book to read on these subjects. Juno has such a warm, witty, hilarious and non patronising way of explaining and sharing her story, and this book exudes so much positivity. What I  loved about this book is that Juno reminds us that she is not writing on behalf of ALL transgender people, but she is writing about her own experience and how she fits in to the discourse.

This book was so educational, so funny and so lighthearted, while also addressing  a plethora of different, hard hitting topics. Dawson ranges from discussing her life pre-transition living as a gay man; intersectional feminism and the place of trans women in the feminist movement; body positivity and fat shaming; how we engage with gender vs sex on a daily basis; and her love of the Spice Girls!  I loved how positive this book was, and the way in which Juno discussed these topics gave me hope for the future. This was refreshing as it can be so easy to paint all of society with the same, prejudiced, close minded paintbrush and continue to think that everything is going to shit, when in reality there are people like Juno who are championing for change and making a difference in how we view age old concepts such as gender. Juno tackles these issues head on and is very direct in her writing which I loved.

What I enjoyed about this book was that Juno discussed things which members of society do which they may not have realised are gendering and isolating and what we can do to change this. For instance, Juno talks about how she finds it presumptuous and unnecessary to refer to people as “sir” or “madam” etc. in public places and that instead it would be beneficial to use gender neutral language in these instances. This is something I can honestly say I had never considered, however I was fast to implement. As somebody who works in customer services, I often refer to customers as “sir” or “madam”, and it is one small thing that I had overlooked, however once I was aware of it I realised just how necessary it was to change. For that reason I felt like this book not only was enjoyable and informative, but it gave me (albeit maybe small) ways to become active and to grow.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was educational without feeling like I was being educated. It made me snort with laughter at points, made me think about my voice and what I can do with it and gave me insight into issues outside of my personal sphere. Really great read! Go get it!!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Book Review.

Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive – but not how to live. Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life. Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than. . . fine? (Goodreads)

This book was a surprise. I knew it was incredibly hyped up and for that reason I had some reservations (snobby, I know). However, it really is not what you expect it to be, it is better.

*TRIGGER WARNINGS: THIS BOOK MAKES REFERENCE TO ALCOHOLISM, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE, SELF HARM AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.*

I found this book so captivating and fresh. I enjoyed reading from Eleanor’s perspective, as her character was brutally honest at times, socially inept, intelligent and somewhat odd. Due to life experiences and people that are alluded to throughout the story, we develop an understanding as to why Eleanor is the way she is, which caused me as a reader to see her as vulnerable and feel sympathy towards her. In addition, what we learn of her life  establishes her as a somewhat unreliable narrator. As such, this book has a really delicate balance of emotion and dark points, combined with snort worthy humour. Eleanor’s observations of the people in the world around her are interesting. While she is the person who is considered by others to be “weird” and “odd”  etc., she casts a light on other ‘typical’  people, making stark and honest observations of things that people do which she sees right through and calling them out on their bullshit. In Eleanor’s mind there is no reason to pretend or engage in certain trends, and her non conformity and obliviousness allows her a more unique perspective of others.

I also enjoyed the characters of Raymond and Sammy,  who we get to know at the same time that Eleanor does, and who slowly begin to bring Eleanor out of her isolation. What I loved in particular about Raymond, Eleanor’s colleague, is that he is not always the most flawless friend to her. He is fun and friendly and encourages Eleanor to engage in new things and doesn’t give up on her, but he also becomes frustrated by her and is perplexed by her at times. He is unsure how to deal with her in many aspects, and I liked this. It is not always easy to support your friends through troubled times or to be their cheerleaders, but Raymond does his best to do right by Eleanor, and I loved that.

 

Loneliness is an integral theme in this book. I have read in articles that Gail Honeyman really wanted to focus on, not only the idea of loneliness, but loneliness among young people.  Loneliness and the stigma and shame surrounding it is addressed in this novel, from someone who simultaneously is “fine” with her life, while also hurting and knowing it is in part to do with a lack of social interaction. This is a really real issue for many people, and you really feel for Eleanor throughout the story as she navigates this problem. Honeyman did an excellent job of capturing young loneliness, while also showing the positive impacts of social connection and how the right people can both change you for the better and can enrich your life.

This book has some dark themes and some plot twists that I did not expect when I started it. It engages with themes such as alcoholism, abuse, mental illness and more, which can be quite hard to read about. However, these aspects are incredibly touching and I found them especially endearing when they are being touched on from Eleanor’s perspective, as she doesn’t appear to fully understand them herself.  Don’t let the darker aspects of this story put you off though, as the humour and positive plot points balance out and make this easier to read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a surprisingly refreshing, heartwarming and emotive novel and I would recommend it to anyone!

Tips for reading longer books.

I don’t know about you…but I am scared of big books. The gargantuan, intimidating tomes  stare at me judgmentally from the bookshelf, as if to say,

“Amy, what are you waiting for, why haven’t you read us yet?”

And I am too much of a wimp to admit that I avoid them, sticking to the 350-500 page books, which feel safe and within my capability.

I love to read. That much is a given. However, for some reason, I usually really struggle to read books that are more than 500 pages. Other than the latter Harry Potter books, I rarely pick up large books, preferring shorter reads. I wondered for a while if this was just coincidence and that the reason I typically read books around the 350 page mark was purely because their plots captivated me more, and for no other reason. However, I quickly realised that when I find a book I’m interested in with a captivating synopsis that draws me in while browsing the library, bookshops or online, once realising it has a high page count I am immediately put off.

For me, I like to consume as many stories as possible, and I love the accomplishment of finishing a book and starting another one, revelling in the fact it is the second (or…on good weeks, even the third) book I’ve read that week. Because I can power through a shorter book far quicker, I find large books really intimidating. I don’t feel like I have the attention span for them, and the longer I spend with one story, the longer it is before I can read another.

This is a stupid rationale. So I’m changing it.

This year I made a pledge to myself to try and read bigger books, and I’ve actually been succeeding in this.  I thought today I’d share a few of my tips for reading larger books and keeping up motivation and interest in longer stories. I hope you enjoy!

1. Small chunks

I find that if I compartmentalise bigger books and break them down into smaller chunks, the length seems far less intimidating. For instance, I am currently working my way through the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (for those of you who don’t know, these books are THICK), and I managed to read the first book in a week. I found that when I broke the book down and aimed to read maybe a hundred or so pages a day I forgot about the sheer length overall (the first book is 864 pages). I can often read an entire 350 page book in a day if I set my mind to it, so every time I accomplished another 300 or so pages I felt a small victory. I realised that as long as the plot is drawing me in, the length wasn’t so significant, and that if I aimed for between 50-100 pages a day I would be satisfied with my progress.

2. Reading other books at the same time

I normally only read one book at a time. I find it hard to split my focus between two different books, particularly if they are both fiction. I always try and read more than one book at a time but then I always end up picking my favourite of them and powering through it first. However, I find that with bigger books and longer stories it is often nice to take a little break from them and read something in between. In particular, I like to go for something of a vastly different genre. For example, when reading Outlander – which is essentially a historical fiction novel, review coming soon – I simultaneously read Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel and I ended up reading both very easily. Sleeping Giants was a science fiction novel, and because it was something so different from Outlander, I found that whenever I got back to reading each book after having read the other I felt refreshed and motivated. As a result, I read about 1, 200 pages in a week, where I normally would read far less than that.

3. Audiobooks

So this is probably my favourite addition to my reading routine. When I started reading Outlander (I’m using this series as an example because it’s the biggest I’ve read this year), I had some spare Audible credits and I decided to download the audiobook to accompany my reading of the book. Because I had the audiobook, I managed to get in pages when I normally wouldn’t, which meant I finished the book quicker than I ordinarily would. On the week I read Outlander I had my graduation, a day trip planned and a number of other things to do, meaning my reading time was cut. However, because I was chopping and changing between physically reading and listening to my book, I was able to get pages in while I did menial tasks, such as putting my makeup on, cooking, showering, tidying and even while I was falling asleep.  I also found that this stopped me from

getting in a slump, as listening to somebody else read the story to me kept things exciting and interesting. I also find that listening to audiobooks before bed is a lovely way to fall asleep and wind down, particularly when I am too tired to focus on reading. Win win!

4. Take your time

The main thing I have tried to do while reading bigger books is not put pressure on myself to finish them. While there are hundreds of books out there that I want to read and that I would get to quicker if I had been reading a shorter book, I have been trying to focus less on this on more on the stories I am currently reading and adoring. Also, there is something incredibly satisfying about finishing a book that is the size of a small dog. More pages can often mean a better book, too. More room for character development, world building and all the good stuff. I figure that making myself feel rushed to finish a book is counterproductive to the enjoyment, and so I am endeavouring to take my time!

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I hope these tips prove helpful to anyone who – like me – struggles to read larger books. I am hoping that my new motivation to read chunky reads will bring me to some new and amazing reads that I would previously have overlooked

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson: Book Review.

In 2012, Jon Ronson’s online identity was stolen. Jon publicly confronted the imposters, a trio of academics who had created a Jon Ronson Twitter bot obsessed by unlikely food combinations and weird sex. At first, Jon was delighted to find strangers all over the world uniting to support him in his outrage. The wrongdoers were quickly shamed into stopping. But then things got out of hand.

This encounter prompted Jon to explore the phenomenon of public shaming and what he discovered astonished him. As he meets famous shamers and shamees, Jon learns just how quickly public ridicule, often delivered from anonymous or distant sources, can devastate its victim. After our collective fury has raged with the force of a hurricane, we forget about it and move on, and it doesn’t cross our minds to wonder what we’ve done. How big a transgression really justifies someone losing their job? What about the people who become global targets for doing nothing more than making a bad joke on Twitter, do they deserve to have their lives ruined? How is this renaissance of shaming changing the world and what is the true reason behind it? Simultaneously powerful and hilarious in the way only Jon Ronson can be, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed is a deeply honest book about modern life, full of eye-opening truths about the escalating war on human flaws – and our very scary part in it. (Goodreads)

I think this book may be a staple for navigating the modern world.  This is so important in a contemporary world where most of us exist on at least one, if not several, social media platforms. Living in such a public sphere means everyone has the ability to be challenged, scrutinised and ruined by the growing strength of internet shaming. This book delves deep into this idea, discussing numerous examples where internet users took a person’s mistake or indiscretion and blew it up, using it to tarnish their reputations, livelihoods and mental states. It discusses how damning these sorts of shamings are, as in an offline world these things could be dealt with at a far smaller and more private level. The people who Ronson engages with and whose stories he shares show that once this kind of shame is vocalised and is perpetuated there is no turning back.

I loved the comparisons which Ronson drew between modern day internet shaming and the historical, archaic versions of shaming, where people would be publicly whipped or stoned in town squares. He discusses how these shamings almost happened on a somewhat micro level, yet how now people are shamed for often smaller and less *severe* acts, wrongdoings or ill judged social media posts, yet are shamed at such a macro and cut throat level. In addition, this book discusses WHY people are so quick to shame others, and how it may be a form of deflection, which I find incredibly interesting. It is interesting to consider conformity and social influences on the internet, and why people are so enthusiastic and ready to fixate on another person’s wrongdoing. While at times it may be a reaction to something we disagree with, the motivation to shame may be something deeper than that, such as a morbid interest in bringing other people down.

What is interesting about this book is reading about the thoughts and feelings of those who have experienced public shaming, and the personal regret they feel for their indiscretions, as well as the anger at social media for exaggerating and defaming them, often before they had a chance to defend themselves. It really made me stop and think about the times in which I may have engaged in the public shaming of a person, and how to strike a balance between challenging, debating or speaking out against injustices to ignite social change, and downright slamming a person publicly. I think this book is important in making us more aware of the dangers of attacking others on social media and will hopefully encourage far more mindful social media use. However, I think there is definitely a difference between questioning somebody or encouraging accountability and simply attacking a person for the sake of jumping on the bandwagon. This book has encouraged me to think before I engage, to ensure I am doing the former opposed to the latter.

This book is extremely interesting and easy to read for a non fiction. It is relatively short also, so if you are interested in the idea of public shaming or are unsure as to what that is, this book is definitely worth a quick read.

What are your opinions on public shaming on the internet? I’d love to know.

A Sunday afternoon wrap up: what I’m reading and what I’ve read this week.

Happy Sunday!

I thought I’d do little wrap ups from time to time on Sundays, to summarise what I’ve read during the week and what I’ve been up to!

This week has been slightly uneventful in terms of reading. My mum and I were really busy helping my grandma move house, and so every time I had a break where I could’ve read I was far too tired! I have barely updated my Goodreads this week, as I have been doing odd reading here and there, but not much else!

I’m still reading Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, the third book in the Outlander series. While I am enjoying it, I think I need a bit of break from this series to read other things, as these are VERY long books. I’m loving the story though and I obviously can’t say a lot (I don’t do spoilers), but I definitely want to review Outlander for you guys at some point!

Pages read: 55

Currently on page: 375 of 1072

 

 

I also am reading History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera, a contemporary novel following Griffin, whose ex boyfriend and best friend has died in an accident. The novel flips between Griffin and Theo’s relationship in the beginning, and the present day where he has attended Theo’s funeral and meets Jackson, who was dating Theo when he died. I’m really enjoying this so far and I have already cried a few times. It is subtly beautiful and a really great piece of YA fiction, with some great LGBTQ representation and positive family relationships.

Pages read: 73

Currently on page: 73 of 320

Lastly, due to my complete lack of enthusiasm and energy this week I decided to pick up something comforting and fun, so I decided to start Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling for the gazillionth time. There is no question as to whether I’m enjoying this or not, it is my favourite series of all time and – as I read books 1-3 at the start of the year – I decided to pick up where I left off.

Pages read: 45

Currently on page: 45 of 734

 

As such, my total page count for the week is 173 pages, which I am pretty pleased with. I’m hoping next week to spend a bit more time reading and relaxing as I don’t have much plans, other than seeing Matt Haig at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Friday, which I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT. Maybe next week’s check in will see me having finished one of these books, or maybe even two!

Circe by Madeline Miller: Book Review.

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.

When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe’s place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.

There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe’s independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.  (Goodreads)

After reading and adoring The Song of Achilles last year, I was so incredibly excited for Circe to come out. I waited in anticipation and had to stop myself from starting it in the weeks before my dissertation deadline. I was disciplined, saving it for the week after I had handed in my final piece of coursework, and then I devoured it. It was worth the wait.

Madeline Miller is a naturally gifted storyteller. The way in which she recounts Greek myth is truly captivating, and for somebody who has a very limited knowledge of Greek mythology, I did not feel at all disadvantaged when reading this novel. It managed to explain and remind me who different Gods or characters were (I knew the names of many Gods but not their vocations) without making it an obvious Greek myth lesson. Instead, information was abundant but subtle. I’d recommend this to anybody, regardless of whether you have heard of Circe previously, or are at all familiar with Greek mythologies.

The writing in this novel is beautiful, atmospheric and incredibly moreish. The descriptions of setting, from the lands of the Gods and her father, Helios’ home, to the island to which she is exiled are so delightful to imagine. I found myself simultaneously wanting to eat the story up, while also wanting to read slowly and immerse myself, enjoying every word.

The plot of this novel is surprisingly full of different facets. Circe has many an interesting visitor to her island of exile and embarks on adventures of her own. These aspects incorporate some of the more famous Greek stories (including characters such as Odysseus, Prometheus, Jason and more), which will thrill any Greek mythology buff. I loved experiencing these famous characters and tales from the perspective of Circe, a small part of their larger stories.

I loved this story and the portrayal of the Gods. I’ve always loved the Greek idea of multiple deities, and the way in which they are portrayed as being selfish and harsh and focused primarily on their pleasures.  While there are a number of interesting characters and Greek God guest stars, Circe is by far the most interesting. She is not necessarily a perfect character, possessing the flaws and impulse and erratic emotion which characterises Greek Gods. She does seemingly horrid things and at times makes silly mistakes. However, in ways this makes her far more of a realistic heroine to root for, and gives her an interesting, ‘mortal like’ quality. She experiences fantastic character development, after lifetimes of being treated and seen as nothing, being overlooked by those she hoped would love her, and some fairly brutal treatment she flourishes in exile, revelling in her own power and company, finding her strengths and developing. I love the idea that after experiencing so much pining and sadness at the hands of those who overlooked her she becomes all that she will ever need, depending far less on others. She exudes girl power and independence.

Overall, I loved this book and I simply can’t recommend it to you enough. I think it may well be my favourite of the year, and may be one of my new favourites of all time. I would seriously recommend it. Beautiful, elegant, poignant, accessible for Greek novices (like myself), and a literary treat.

Shall we get reacquainted?

So I haven’t posted in about a year, and in that time a lot of things have happened that have changed who I am somewhat. So I thought it might be useful to post a little update/get to know me post.

The last time I posted was just before I embarked on my fourth and final year as an undergraduate student. I was so excited to get going and start my dissertation (I adore research and writing so I found this significantly less of a chore than I expected to). However, I did find the year quite rough. I was extremely nervous and stressy throughout a lot of it and spent so much time doubting myself and my abilities. I lost faith in my ability to write a good essay, understand simple concepts and I was worrying myself into oblivion.

Despite all that, I came out the other side as a graduate. More specifically, I graduated with a first class Bachelor of Arts with honours in Applied Social Sciences from Robert Gordon University. Not only that, but I am a month away from embarking on a Masters degree in Applied Psychology at the same university, with the hopes of one day becoming a fully fledged psychologist. Big stuff!

On top of graduating, I also became an aunty! My beautiful niece, Lyana, was born on the 14th of December 2017 and since then I have learnt a lot; namely that I am not as terrible with children as I once assumed, I am good at reading kids books (I do voices), and that getting pureed cauliflower into a baby’s mouth is a challenge very few succeed at.  I love being an aunty, especially to the most beautiful little girl imaginable.

Since graduating, I have had a lot of time to think and to devote time to the things I love, meaning I have started to write again. I have recently dipped my toe back into fiction, trying to write my own story as a passion project for myself. I can’t say I’m much good at it, however it gives me a way to exercise my imagination, as well as something to stick my teeth into. I’m loving it.

Lastly – and probably most importantly in regards to this blog – I have been reading way more books than I have done the last few years. This is due to many reasons (which I’m going to discuss in a blog post in the coming weeks), but I am finally reading at a pace somewhat similar to pre university Amy’s standards. Since finishing my undergrad in May I have been slowly building up my reading stamina and I am so proud of my progress and I am ultimately thrilled to be back to myself.

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I hope this post wasn’t too boring/self indulgent, and that I may be able to get to know those of you who have read this. I am so excited to be back blogging!

I’m trying again.

I think I’ve fallen into this pattern so many times. For years I have tried to successfully maintain a book blog, having moved from different websites and starting new blogs from scratch because I was (quite frankly) embarrassed about how frequently life would get on top of me and I would just stop publishing posts…only to later resurface apologising for my absence.

I’m kind of doing that again.

I absolutely adore talking about books, sharing what I’ve been reading and shouting about my passion for literature, which is why I started this blog in the first place. However, I think one of the major problems that I have continued to have – which ultimately have caused me to feel dispassionate about posting – is that when/if I have slower reading weeks or months I don’t know what to post about.  While reading is my primary hobby I am not an overly fast reader, and sometimes life gets in the way meaning I read little or not at all. This can be a problem when I am aiming to create bookish posts and can make me nervous to keep re-trying the whole blogging thing.

After having considered why I keep on dipping in and out of blogging, I have decided that maybe I need to have a somewhat relaxed approach to it as, after all, it is for my enjoyment. Therefore, I have decided that – while my posts will be primarily bookish – I will write about whatever may take my fancy when the time arises. That way, I can incorporate other passions that I have and other things that I may want to discuss (such as personal life events, lifestyle, current events, social commentary, music, movies etc.) in and around my book content, so that even if I have reading slumps or busy spells I will (hopefully) always want to write SOMETHING.

I hope that some of the followers that I accrued last year when I had my blogging mojo are still around, as I loved talking to you and engaging in discussion. If you are, I hope you can forgive me for being a bit of a blogging fail. I am going to try again, with the hopes that I can share what I love with like minded people and enjoy myself all the while.