It feels like it’s been a while since I did a Wednesday post that wasn’t a book review. But, it’s not because I haven’t finished a book… well not fully. It’s because I’m hoping to get a few interested bloggers to help me out with a project. So, if you fancy writing a little something for here then read on. If not, feel free to go about your business.
Tag Archives: book blogging
Sunday Rundown – That’s What She Read
How has your week been? What have you been reading?
Oh god, what a weekend. Work has been so hectic, I still feel shit, and I’m over it. I’ve also done such a small amount of reading it’s very upsetting. I attempted to do some on my lunch break but I could barely keep my eyes open. I just need a day off. I’m getting to that emotional level of tiredness where I cry over dog videos. It’s not great. So, as soon as I’ve done this, I’m off to bed. I wanted to get a super early night but I, inevitably, got distracted. Need to work on that.
Book Review – Birthday Girl by Haruki Murakami
So, as I’ve been pointing out far too often on my blog and Instagram lately, I’ve been ill for the past few days. I must have caught flu from somebody at work so have been achy, shivery, and pathetic since Friday. I’d hoped that I would spend the time in bed to get ahead with some reading but I’ve basically had no energy. The idea of picking up a book and trying to take it in was more than I could cope with. It meant that I was faced with another Wednesday without a review, which made me feel even more pathetic. But, thankfully, Haruki Murakami came to my rescue. In honour of his 70th birthday this year, Murakami’s short story Birthday Girl was released in its own adorable edition. The story focuses on the 20th birthday of a waitress so, I guess, it’s kind of fortuitous that today my Facebook memory was from 11 years ago: one month before my 20th birthday. I hate this long-term memories just remind me of how horribly pretentious I was. Highlighted by the fact that my status update was an Oscar Wilde quote. I mean, geez. So, god knows what would have happened if this story had happened to 20-year-old Laura. It doesn’t bear thinking about.
Sunday Rundown – That’s What She Read
How has your week been? What have you been reading?
Not to be too melodramatic, today I’m dying. Okay, so I’m basically just recovering from a touch of the flu so have been in bed all weekend. I’ve been shaky, cold, coughing since Thursday. So, I was kind of delighted to be told that work wasn’t going to open today. I know it’s bad but it did mean I could spend the day in bed. I’m still coughing like I’ve got TB but, as you’ve got to find the positives somewhere, I’m hoping it’s making me sound sexier. In other news, on Friday I had the sheer joy of seeing Boyzone during their goodbye tour. We got my older sister tickets for her birthday but, as we were all fans back in the day, my twin and I were loving it just as much as she did. Singing 90s pop songs at the top of my voice wasn’t exactly the best thing to do with my cough but I don’t care. It was an amazing night.
Book Review – The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel by Deborah Ellis
So, I’ve broken my book buying ban with only one fucking day to go in the month. Why did I do it? Because I knew that I wouldn’t finish either of the books I’ve got on the go by the time I had to write this review. So, I popped into my local bookshop to see if I could find a quick read that looked interesting. I found it in the small selection of graphic novels and, after reading the quote on the front, decided I couldn’t not read it. “A story of courage and heroism to inspire young people everywhere.” I mean who could ignore an endorsement like that? Especially when the back cover reveals that Malala Yousafzai was also a fan. The graphic novel version of Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner is actually the adaptation of the 2018 animated film based on the book. So, I have just read the novelisation of a film I haven’t seen that was based on a book I haven’t read. Whatever could go wrong?
Sunday Rundown – That’s What She Read
How has your week been? What have you been reading?
So, last week was the first day of my mini holiday and this week it’s been my first day back. What a difference 7 days can make. I’m tired, annoyed, have a headache… basically it’s just shit. But it pays the bills. And, therefore, allows me to indulge my passion for book. Something that I’ve still not been allowing myself to do. This book buying ban is going better than it ever has before. Maybe I’ll be able to stop myself for most of the year and actually read the books I already own. For some of them, it’s about bloody time too!
Book Review – The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells
These days I have such a focus on reading the ever-increasing number of unread books on my shelf that I so very rarely indulge in rereading old favourites. And, as Oscar Wide put it so wonderfully, “if one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” As book lovers, we should all take time out every so often to read books that have already given us joy. I know people who will never reread books and I get it. If the thrill you take from reading is to find out the end of the story then reading something again is futile. But, I always think that rereading gives you a chance to really appreciate a book. To really take in the intricacies of the writing style. Although, I do tend to struggle when reviewing books I’ve already read. Even if I’ve never reviewed them before. I don’t know why. I guess already knowing that you like a book means it’s difficult not just to gush about it. Plus, I’ve never been that good at it anyway I suppose.
Sunday Rundown – That’s What She Read
How has your week been? What have you been reading?
You catch me on the first day of my mini holiday from work. I can tell you it’s a much-needed break as it’s been a tough few weeks lately. I just need a few days away, get my head sorted, and go back with a different attitude. That attitude being to ignore all of the toxic and stress inducing parts of my job and just do what’s best for me. 2019 is the year we should all start getting rid of the negative things from our lives. Whether that’s people, responsibilities, or bigger things. Also, guilt is a good thing to get rid of. In relation to this blog, the guilt of not reading. I’ve done quite badly this week and, probably, won’t finish my current read for Wednesday. Normally, I’d be rushing out trying to get something finished because I’ve got a busy week. 2019 me? I’m just going to go with the flow. I’ll try to read but if I have to post some nonsense on Wednesday I will. And I won’t give a flying fuck about it… okay I will but some things never change.
Book Review – The Dinner Guest by Gabriela Ybarra
If you’ve read my blog or followed me on Instagram for a little while at this point then you’ll probably know that I have a bit of a long history with the Man Booker nominees. I always get really excited when the longlist is released and desperately get my hands on loads of the books. Not only do I rarely get round to reading them but, inevitably, my favourites never end up on the shortlist. Maybe it’s my fault? Maybe I’m so cursed that any nominated book that I enjoy reading or like the sound of will never win the prize? My last read is one of those books. From the first time I heard about The Dinner Guest I was intrgiued. Telling the story of the author’s grandfather who was murderd before she was born, it sounded like nothing I’d ever read before. So, I bought it almost immediately and promptly left it on my shelves for ages. But, as I’m trying to make my through my unread books this year, I finally picked it up. It’s a pretty short book at only around 140 ages so I expected to have this done in a matter of days but, being me, I only finished it last night. And it’s safe to say I got a little emotional towards the end. But that’s been a fairly common theme this week. Let’s not talk about how many tears I shed watching the Gilette advert…
Sunday Rundown – That’s What She Read
How has your week been? What have you been reading?
It’s been a weird week this week and a long and tiring weekend. I should really be in bed but I got distracted again. Are these rundowns even worth it? I honestly don’t know if anyone enjoys them and they cause me so much sadness on a Sunday night. Maybe there’s a better use of my blogging time? I’ll have a think but, if there’s anyone actually reading this, let me know what you think? It’s always nice to have some actual conversations with people on here. And if it means I’m writing content people want to read then all the better.
