I do like autumn. This month has been mild, mostly dry and my health is finally in a good enough place to cycle the dog off on Sundays for long walks again. I’d missed our adventures.

October was socially pretty full – we went to the Great Western Brick Show, saw the Dandy Warhols and celebrated Tim’s birthday. I went to the first night of Neneh Cherry’s book tour and a folk concert of spooky music. Plus our usual film nights and pub quizzes.

I read some great books this month but the highlight was definitely Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang. I don’t know why it took me so long to read any of her books. I’m tempted to jump straight into Babel next.

Continue reading “October 2024 reading round-up”

Stupid Covid is stupid. We had a rainy start to the month, attending multiple birthday barbecues in the rain. Then the sun came out and a few days later I caught Covid and had to spend the last 10 days of the month confined to home, feeling too ill to read anything more challenging than YA.

But if I cast my mind back a few weeks to the start of the month there were some highlights. I went to Bristol Pride with a bunch of friends (and the dog). The parade was huge this year (apparently 20,000 marched) and we were near the back, missing a lot of the spectacle but thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere. It was a beautiful, uplifting experience. But as we walked home and left the safety of the Pride crowds, there were some hateful comments directed our way. Even this open-hearted, forward-thinking city has its haters, sadly.

And of course we had a general election that resulted in a Labour government and 4 Green Party MPs. It does feel like I can breathe clearer and hope for a better future again. But the current Labour leaders aren’t perfect. They have a long way to go to improve the status of trans people, refugees and disabled people, and I’m still worried for the NHS. But it does look like they will improve the UK’s environment and carbon emissions.

Continue reading “July 2024 reading round-up”

Well that was quite the about turn from wet lingering winter to sudden summer. In the first half of May I powered through books, for lack of much else to do. Then finally the sun came out and we managed a few long(ish) bike rides. I am quite far behind previous years in my cycling practice for annoying health reasons but I’m pleased to find I can keep pootling along, albeit much slower than Tim.

I watched the TV adaptation of One Day, which was great and just like the book it made me cry. And we’ve started season 3 of Bridgerton, which is fun as ever. And I’m excited to see that a TV adaptation of Queenie is coming soon.

Continue reading “May 2024 reading round-up”

April wasn’t very eventful, which might be for the best. I fell asleep in most films we watched and rain postponed a lot of plans. But we did get a couple of sunny weekends that felt something like spring. The books were a mixed bag. I think I might need more upbeat reads on my TBR.

If you’re reading this on 1 May, happy International Workers Day! Else, happy whatever day it is.

Continue reading “April 2024 reading round-up”

Happy Easter Monday, folks! As is traditional I have spent my weekend mostly reading. I also did some library reorganising for added bookish activity. It’s been a good long weekend.

March has been…wet. I’m starting to miss taking the dog on long, fun expeditions – much as I like the four parks near our house. I really hope we get a few dry days soon. On the plus side our front garden is full of daffodils, tulips and pansies.

Continue reading “March 2024 reading round-up”

We started the month on holiday in Paris, then spent the rest of it hiding from the miserable rain and wind back home in Bristol. On the plus side I’ve read some excellent books and watched most of a fun new K-drama series called Marry My Husband.

Happy St David’s Day and here’s to spring coming soon.

Continue reading “February 2024 reading round-up”

July has been a strange month. There was a lot of rain. Some very good things happened in our lives and some really bad stuff too.

Bristol Pride was incredible, I am so happy to have marched in the parade with Tim and a lot of our friends. The bi flag painted on my eyelids might have been a bit subtle for most people to catch but the two metre inclusive Pride flag I wore as a cape was not. Apparently 25,000 people joined the march, plus a few dogs – including Beckett. Who did very well considering she’s not a big fan of crowds or noise. But she’s also not a fan of being left home alone for four hours. I think we made the right choice.

I read quite a lot this month (though three of the books were tiny). Without question my favourite read was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, which is awesome and I shall now recommend to absolutely everyone.

Continue reading “July 2023 reading round-up”