It’s been a tough week for me this week. While the rest of England seems to be getting more relaxed about lockdown, the high risk people out there are facing an even longer wait for freedom. I’ve finally been added to whatever database I needed to be on and got a message advising me to stay in until June 30th. That’s at least 37 more days being shut up and that’s provided it doesn’t get stretched out again. I miss being able to do things for myself and being able to go places. I know everyone is still limited but to not be able to go anywhere is a lot. I hear people moaning about wanting to go on holiday and I just can’t believe it. There are plenty of people out there in worse situations than me as well. People on their own, in a tiny flat, with no garden or anything. People who don’t have family to help them. We’re all struggling with our mental health right now and this was definitely one of my darker weeks. I just want to see my family in person and not via video chat. Normally that wouldn’t be too much to ask.

Weekly Blog Posts

• BOOKISH POST – Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

I read this little number for a book club that I’ve just joined. My friend and her boyfriend organised it at the start of lockdown but I put off joining it. After all, I struggle to get through the books on my TBR in time for reviews let alone having to read it for a virtual book group. But, I was convinced and this was the first book for my. I’d had it for a while so I was actually glad to get the chance. To find out if it was a good topic for discussion check out my review.

• TUESDAY REVIEW – Aladdin (2019)

I was too afraid to watch the like action remakes of Aladdin and The Lion King last year. I love the animated films too much that I was sure that I’d instantly hate them. I guess I was a little more intrigued by Aladdin because I was excited for Will Smith to play the Genie. So, now I have Disney+ and it’s right there, I decided to take the plunge. Read my review to see if I was right to worry.

• BOOK REVIEW – Ramble Book by Adam Buxton

I’m a big fan of Adam Buxton. I love his podcast, I loved his late-night television show when I was younger, and I loved his radio show on 6 Music. I think he’s just a funny, intelligent, and kind person. So, when it was announced that he was writing a book, I knew I had to buy it. Then, when it was announced that he was releasing the audiobook early due to lockdown, I knew that I had to have that too. So, I got it. It was so wonderful to hear him narrate his own book and in such an Adam Buxton way. Head over to my review to see if it was good lockdown listening.

• TBT REVIEW – Our Souls at Night (2017)

After reading the book for my book club, I decided that I wanted to give the adaptation a go. It was a Netflix original so I was instantly wary but I loved the book so much. It felt like even Netflix couldn’t fuck it up too much. Plus, casting Janes Fonda and Robert Redford is a way to get me to watch anything. Read my review to see if it lived up to the book.

Just Read

• Ramble Book by Adam Buxton

It was touch and go whether I would finish this in time to review it this week but I did. It took a lot of effort and a lot of my workday on Tuesday. Still, it’s not about how you do it but the fact that you did it that counts, right?

• Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin

I’ve been inpsired by my recent Game of Thrones rewatch to get back into the world of Westeros but I’m not quite ready to revisit the whole series. I probably should at some point if I ever want to prepare for the release of the next book (whenever that might be) but it feels like a lot right now. So, I read this yesterday evening. It’s a sweet little book.

Currently Reading

• Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin and Megan McDowell

Okay, I did try and start reading this again after I finished Ramble Book but I couldn’t get into it. I’ve left it too long. I’m going to give this one a rest and start from scratch in a few days/weeks.

Recently Purchased

I don’t think I’ve been naughty this week. I very nearly bought something but I didn’t. You should expect to see it here next week though. I have very little to do besides shopping these days.

Recently Watched

• TV:
  • Game of Thrones – I finally finished. I wasn’t sure that I’d make it through the last 2 seasons but I did. God, the writing in the final series is terrible. So many characters are badly treated. Even Clegane bowl wasn’t as good as we were all hoping for. They contradicted themselves so many times within the space of a few episodes. It’s outrageous.