I feel like I’ve achieved a lot this weekend but I probably haven’t. At the very least, I’ve read a book that I had not expected to even have a copy of by this point and I’ve already written the review for it. You know that getting organised thing that I’ve been banging on about for years? It sort of happened this week. I say this week because it’s painfully clear that it isn’t something I can maintain. Still, if my plan goes well today, I’ll get a bit further ahead with this weeks’ posts and be able to read a bit more this week than usual. Or maybe just get to bed a bit earlier than I have been. It’s been a week of bad nights and I really need to get some hours in. I’m too pale for the bags under my eyes to get any darker than they currently are. People will start assuming I’ve just been getting into fights.

Weekly Blog Posts

• TUESDAY REVIEW – Hustlers (2019)

As soon as I read someone on Twitter saying that J Lo needed to win an Oscar for her performance in Hustlers, I knew I had to check it out. I could not believe that it was true. I’d had no real interest in the film before that because it just didn’t seem like my thing. The cast didn’t excite me and the story could very easily go the way of every other Hollywood stripper based tale. But I was curious. Was Jennifer Lopez as good as everyone was saying? Go check out my review to find out.

• BOOK REVIEW – The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The only reason that I read The Handmaid’s Tale last week was so I could start reading the follow-up. It had been a while since I read Atwood’s original feminist dystopian novel so it only seemed right to reacquaint myself. It was such a great reread that it created even more doubt about the new one. Did we really need it? Could it ever live up? Would the HBO adaptation have a negative effect? There was only one way to find out and this week I finished it. If you’re curious about what life is like in Gilead after all this time, check out my review.

• T.HROWBACK THURSDAY – Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Whenever I think of Jennifer Lopez’s film career there are two films that leap straight to my mind. The first is the God awful Gigli and the second it the romantic-comedy that inexplicably stars Ralph Fiennes. I’ve always remembered this film being dreadful but, in light of the Oscar buzz apparently building around Husterls, I decided to see if I’d misjudged it. If you’re also feeling a bit nostalgic then head over to my review.

• FRIDAY FAVOURITES -Banned Books Week 2019

Week 2 of my new series and it was honouring Banned Books Week. I’ve been posting pictures of Banned Books on my Instagram feed all week so it was only fair that I looked at some of my favourite banned books. The week celebrates our freedom to choose to read whichever book we want to fight against the people trying to remove them. Especially, as most of the reasons are utterly ridiculous. Do you have a favourite? Head over to my post to see if it’s here.

Just Read

• The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

I know it feels like everyone in the world has been reading and reviewing this book but I had to jump on the bandwagon. I was excited for this to be released but, I have to admit, that I was a little worried that it wouldn’t add anything. So, I decided that I had to find out sooner rather than later.

• The Cockroach by Ian McEwan

It was only a few weeks ago that it was announced that Ian McEwan was releasing a new novella. It was a quick and surprise release that was inspired by recent politics. I ordered a copy to arrive on Saturday and I finished it in an hour or so. Find my review on the blog in a few days.

Currently Reading

• The Institute by Stephen King

Am I only reading books that include “The” in the title? It would appear so. But, despite my difficult relationship with Stephen King, I decided that I had to try his new book. On the one hand, the copy I found is lovely and has sprayed edges. On the other, it sounded exactly like Stranger Things. Well, they did copy his books so it’s only fair he copies them too.

• Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson

Not got any further with this for obvious reasons. It’ll be my next read I’m sure. Am I lying? Definitely.

• Supper Club by Lara Williams

I think I’m going to try the audiobook with this one. It might be easier to get through.

• The Sky Is Yours by Chandler Klang Smith

I’ve set this aside for the time being. It feels like it’s going to be a very dense read so I think I’ll leave it for a better time. A time when I’m in the right mood.

Recently Purchased

Just the one book this week I think. Well, what can I do when Ian McEwan makes a shock announcement?

• The Cockroach by Ian McEwan – The writer of Atonement and On Chesil Beach takes on Brexit and Kafka in this novella. When a cockroach wakes up in the body of the Prime Minister, what will happen to the country? What will happen to democracy and basic human decency? There’s only one way to find out.

Recently Watched

• TV:
  • South Park – I’ve looped back around and gone back even further in South Park‘s history. I’m now watching season 8. The very early days aren’t my favourite but there are still some great moments.
• Films
  • Too much reading for films this week.