Its been a while since I last wrote about what I was reading, and not an easy while either. But here I am back and writing again. I’m working a little more each day and a little harder. Both girls are now in full time education so I am committing the equivalent of one full time working day each week on the blog, then I have my office job a few full days a week and the rest of the time is spent focused on the girls or cooking. Yes there will be new recipes soon.
I’ve been reading a lot more lately, I’ve had a little more spare time and a need to keep my mind busy and aren’t books just the best things for that? I have moved the comfiest chair in the house to the opposite side of the room as the TV so it encourages me to just curl up and read.
But what have I been reading?
Well a lot, a mixture of new reads and old as well as a few cookbooks thrown in. I can’t be the only person who takes a big Jamie Oliver book into the bath to absorb and get new ideas? Here are just a couple of my more recent reads.
*On a side note I’ve included amazon links for each book, this is for ease and they are not affiliate links.
Notes On A Nervous Planet
Notes on a nervous planet written by Matt Haig has been on my to read list for months, even before it was released and it was a payday gift to myself a few months ago. I really enjoy all of Matt Haig’s books and aside from this book I can especially recommend Reasons To Stay Alive and one of his fictional works, How To Stop Time. Matt has had anxiety and depression for a good chunk of his life and reading his work you can tell that he genuinely understands. He has some excellent insights in his most recent book and also some really relevant and important tips about how to avoid more stress and anxiety in this nervous planet of ours. His words have made me take regular social media breaks and my brain feels better for it. This book made me think a lot, although can I be honest and say I didn’t find it an easy read? Because books which speak to you often aren’t. I took a while to read this instead of my usual breezing through style but I know I’ll read it again and pass it around my loved ones. Read it.
This Is Going To Hurt
This is going to hurt written by Adam Kay is the secret diary of Adam the junior doctor going through his first few years of medicine. It is a truly astounding look into the wonderful world of the NHS. It will make you laugh and cry and nod and shake your head along. It is honest and at times crude in the best of ways. His labour ward stories are perhaps the most interesting and it filled me with the utmost of respect for those doing this incredible, hard and often criticised job. i would urge you to pick up a copy.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
This fictional book written by Gail Honeyman is an amazing read. I found it incredibly incredibly sad at times but it sort of leaves you in awe a little at the wonder of human life and how we all get through it, some seeming to breeze and other stumbling at every fence. The main character is entirely lovable in such a strange way and I have to admit I sort of missed her when I was done. It is beautifully written and you feel like you are almost there watching it, bringing things to life as the best books do.
I’m also reading a lot more with the girls, mostly My Little Pony books but the occasional chunk of the famous Five books or some of the really old Enid Blyton’s such as The Naughtiest Girl In school series.
What have you been reading? Any recommendations for me?
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