I’ve lost my way when it comes to films since the pandemic. I just lost the enthusiasm for them during lockdown and never got it back. This is why I’ve not been putting the best effort into getting my reviews out. Part of the problem is that I’m reading more, which is a great change of pace. Another is that I just can’t be bothered. Films are so long these days and I can’t think about sitting down for over 2 hours to watch one. Seven half hour episodes of a TV show on the other hand…
I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m not a big fan of YA. Not only am I way beyond the age where I want to read about non-stop teenage drama but I also find it a bit basic for my tastes. I always just wish the book went further or the author went deeper. I so often get bored by the unoriginality of the plots. I’ve very rarely read a YA novel when I didn’t know how it would end after the first few chapters. However, I’m also not the kind of person that will completely write off a genre. I’m sure there must be a bunch of YA books out there that really speak to me. So, I won’t stop trying. I’ve seen this book around and heard so much praise for it. I had to give it a go.
I know my review of the first book in the Max Einstein series wasn’t exactly glowing but I enjoyed it enough to listen to the next one. Again, it’s a good way to get through all of those work hours when I’m doing repetitive and dull tasks. Anything to make them seem more exciting. So, when this was recommended on my library catalogue, I figured I’d carry on with the series.
Once again I’m having to admit that I didn’t read enough this week. I’ve finished a couple of audiobooks but I’m still struggling to read physical books. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I have to sort it out. This week, I’m planning on getting to bed earlier and reading for at least an hour. Not just to help me read. I’ve been sleeping terribly recently.
Sometimes you pick up a book because it sounds like everything you’ve ever wanted. Sometimes you pick up a book because it’s beautiful. Sometimes it’ll be because the author is someone you’ve loved before. Sometimes it might be a title that draws you in. This time? It was length and availability. In fact, that’s happening quite a lot lately. Whichever short books are available via my library’s online catalogue are probably going to be read. This was a book I could finish in a work day and one that I didn’t imagine would require a lot of concentration. It was perfect.
Number of books read: 7
Number of rereads: 0
Number of physical books: 1
Number of ebooks: 0
Number of audiobooks: 5
Number of ARCS: 0
In previous years, I’ve started off slowly and sped up as I got closer to December. This year, it feels as though the opposite is happening. I’m only getting slower. It doesn’t help that I’ve had a lot of social engagements recently. It’s also due to a lack of motivation. Maybe 2022 had too strong a start and I’m burnt out?
5* reviews: 0
4.5* reviews: 0
4* reviews: 1
I’ve previously read and loved two books by Sarah Moss. Summerwater and The Fell were absolutely phenomenal and I’ve been wanting to check out more of her work. So, it was serendipitous when I stumbled across this audiobook on the library app. The fact that it was short enough to listen to during one work day only made it more appealing. Reader, I borrowed it.
We’re a little late with today’s rundown because I had a rare night out on Saturday. I was a dirty stop-out and didn’t get home until the wee hours. Still, I’m here now and we’re ready to take a look back on the week. I have managed to read something but it’s not been a great one. I really just need to get myself back into reading. I’m too distracted at the moment.
Ian McEwan used to be one of my favourite authors. I would instantly buy any book that he wrote. Over time, it became harder to care. I’d either not read it or just wouldn’t bother buying them. It wasn’t until Nutshell came out that I was bothered by his latest releases. It just sounded so good. So good that I promptly bought a copy and then didn’t read it for years. I tried to read it once but couldn’t get into it. I figured it was just going to be another one of those books that sit on my shelves forever unread. Until I found the audiobook in the library catalogue. Then it became the soundtrack to my work over a couple of days this week. Was it worth the wait?
Hollywood is a strange place when it comes to beauty standards. This isn’t news but every so often a film will come along that pushes me to the brink. Like when I Feel Pretty tried to convince us that Amy Schumer was fat. Or how they keep casting the phenomenally beautiful Kate Winslet in the dowdy role. Not jut Kate Winslet. Hollywood is so obsessed with only casting beautiful people that they often have to stretch reality for the sake of the story. Take Marry Me. One of the major plot points of the film is that Jennifer Lopez marrying the age-appropriate and handsome Owen Wilson is considered a sign of madness.
Yipee ki-yay, motherbooker 