Read More Books 2018

It’s one of those days, cold, drizzly and dark. A day where it would be easy to just slump under a blanket, the heating on full with a good book and a coffee. So that is what I did..with a little chunk of my day.

I haven’t taken much time for reading over the last year and reading was a big part of my life for a long time. I would breeze through 4-5 books a week before I had the girls. before I had more work to do and extra commitments. There is still time though, if you make it, always time to read a few pages at least. To get lost in a different world. To learn, absorb and understand.

So without it being a resolution, this is what I plan to do. You see I think the problem with resolutions is that people can put so much pressure on them. It is almost like setting yourself up to fail right at the time when you don’t need it. January is a tough month on many, for lots of reasons. Go easy on yourself.

I have lots in mind for 2018 but this little change will I think benefit me, force me into some much needed downtime and dare I say it..help me grow. A phrase I don’t really love but that is what it does, reading opens your mind. It helps you think from someone else’s viewpoint even if just for a few hours and we all need to do that from time to time because everyone in the world is very different. Helping yourself to gain an understanding of others can only be a help right?

Also books can teach you an awful lot about the most random things and make you more creative at the same time. The right books inspire you whilst others just pass the time.

I thought I would attempt the 50 Book Challenge again..BUT a tweet from a friend ( that is you T @mummybarrow ) pointed out that books are to be savoured and enjoyed. Zooming through as many as possible just to hit a target no longer sat right.

So instead I plan this, I plan to have a constant to read pile. A variety of books, all genres both fiction and non fiction. I plan to make time to read them,  try to take at least 30 minutes every day to do so. I find reading such a wonderful escape from the pressures of every day life and we all have pressures.

This is my current to read list:

Tom Hanks – Uncommon Type 

I heard lots of good things about this book and I ama bit of a Tom Hanks fan so I have just begun making my way through it.

The Shadow Of The Wind – Carlos Ruis Zafon 

This is one of my favourite books so I am taking some time to re read it.

The Yellow World – Albert Espinosa

The front cover calls it The Life Changing International Bestseller. I will let you know my thoughts once I am done.

And what I’ve read these last few weeks:

Matt Haig – How To Stop Time

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a really long time and I finished it within a few days. It’s gripping and heart breaking and wonderful all at once. I can’t recommend it enough I really can’t. It is kind of how I felt after reading Time Traveller’s Wife the first time and I’ve just heard it’s being made into a film which I really hope will be a better book to film adaptation than that was.

Miss You- Kate Eberlen

This is a gorgeous book which is just perfect for the soft romantic in me. Kind of like One Day in some aspects, it focuses on the lives of Tess and Gus as their paths almost cross over a period of 16 years.

I’m not entirely sure how relevant my thoughts about books are to this blog but it is after all my space to ramble and so I am going to share them with you. Not every day but perhaps a few lines about each book every few weeks or so.

And I want some of you to join in with me, I am starting a virtual book club which will be mostly based around Twitter. This should commence around mid January so if it’s something you’d like to know more about then go follow me there ( I am @writingforfun )or pop me an email or comment with your details.

For me this is just a little reminder, to take time to do things I love. Not to avoid real life but to take comfort in a brief escaper here and there. Let’s discover new books together and discuss the ones we already love.

I dream one day of having a library room in my home, it doesn’t need to be big. Just a small cosy space, with books from floor to ceiling, a window seat with giant cushions and soft lighting. Bliss.

Tell me what books you are reading, I always need recommendations.