Books Lately

Happy Show Us Your Books day with Steph & Jana! Got a few good ones to share today.

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
ten strangers invited to an island, one by one they die

Never thought I'd say this about an Agatha Christie book, but yeah, totally could not put this down. Really really loved it. Immediately watched the mini series thing right afterwards, which I probably shouldn't have done because it didn't hold my attention as much as it should have. Anywho. Loved it. Really loved it. Only wish I had read it years ago when my nana was still alive so we could talk about it :) 

The Place on Dalhousie - Melina Marchetta
australian amazingness, family and friends and netball

I bought this book as soon as Erin told me about it, even took it to Australia with me, but I kept putting it off. I don't know why, because I knew I would adore it, and I did. I want to cry with how much I love Melina Marchetta books. I want to live in them. One day I want to re-read all of the ones that are connected because I didn't remember enough about the other books when I was reading this one. I think this one might be my favourite of hers. I felt so at home. Made me want to play netball again (do we think there are any leagues in Kentucky? Probably not).

When We Believed in Mermaids - Barbara O'Neal

woman goes to nz after seeing her supposedly dead sister on the news

This one was a slow start for me but by the end I absolutely loved it and not sure I could tell you why. I really liked the writing and the story, but the characters just wormed their way into my heart and I think they are the main reason I loved this book (and the romantic subplot, let's be honest). I do have a small qualm though, the author is very clearly not from NZ and there were quite a few inaccuracies or... I don't know, generalisations that left me feeling a bit funny. So that bummed me out a bit, but obviously not something that would bother most people. I'm not even kiwi so it shouldn't bother me, and it really doesn't - I still loved it.

The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman

ya fantasy

I really liked this! I really liked the world he created, the characters, the story. I had a super fun time reading it and will definitely continue the series.

Matchmaking for Beginners - Maddie Dawson

matchmaking and falling in love and lots of sparkles

I liked this. I had some slight issues with the whole sparkles and auras and all that jazz, and from a romance reader point of view there was so much wrong with this book - so I wouldn't recommend for true romance readers - but it was fun and light and cute and if you like fun and light and cute, I would recommend. 

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald - Therese Anne Fowler
the wife of f. scott fitzgerald

We aren't forced to read certain books in high school like it seems schools here are, so I knew nothing about her husband before starting this book, never read anything by him. This book made me not want to read anything about these people ever again. Was I supposed to like them?

Love Her or Lose Her - Tessa Bailey
This is the next in the series after the very popular Fix Her Up... I love Tessa Bailey normally but this one super didn't work for me. Partly because of the characters, partly because of the trope (marriage in trouble, blah). I don't think it was all me though, this just wasn't as good as her others and I had trouble seeing what little good there was because of the trope. I should have just skipped it.
Received from Netgalley.

Temporary - Sarina Bowen & Sarah Mayberry
You would think, combining two authors I absolutely hardcore love, that this book would just be an explosion of amazingness that I adored... and I did like it. But not as much as I expected. It was good and I liked it a lot, but I never got a feeling of 'I am reading a Sarina Bowen or Sarah Mayberry book'. It was missing their distinct voices, which is what I love so much about their books... anyway. It was good. Certainly not mad I read it.

Almost Just Friends - Jill Shalvis
My favourite thing about Jill Shalvis that 99% of the time, I get exactly what I am expecting, and how can you not love that? I don't mean story wise, I mean feelings wise. If you've ever read more than one book by her, you know what I mean. This is my favourite of her newest series. Lots of feelings.
Received from Edelweiss.

Jurassic Park and Never Have I Ever - I'm so close to finishing Never and I was really hoping to finish it before today, but... life.

Linking up with Steph & Jana. 

TL;DR - I recommend Dalhousie for sure, Mermaids and the Agatha Christie book.

Read anything decent lately?

January 2020 Recap - What's New With You Link Up

Hello all, time for another what's new with you link up! Thanks again if you join me, I always appreciate it. You don't have to display the button if you don't want to, but don't forget to mention it somewhere in your post and check out some of the other posts! I'll be doing a monthly recap like I do every month.

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January was equal parts awesome and awful. The first half of the month went so well, in fact, that I started telling everyone 2020 was my year because it had clearly started so amazingly. I don't really remember all the things I did or why I felt this way, but it was great. One of the things was I got a promotion at work, woo! Very very exciting stuff. I'm working my butt off, but I love it.

And then, my car got broken into and someone stole my phone and credit cards. I know what you're thinking - why were they in your car, Kristen? Well, I can't run with my wallet and I was running with a friend when it happened, and we never take our phones. Lesson learned, I have a little belt type thing I run with now. It's fine. I was still paying off my phone, but it's fine. They broke the little key hole thing on the car door handle, but again, it's fine. Thankfully they left my green card in my wallet, that sure was swell of them since that's a bitch to replace, not to mention expensive. Oh, did I mention I hadn't backed up my photos in 3 weeks? Because of course. I lost the end of my Australia photos. Don't worry, I've finally learned my lesson and I pay for the extra icloud storage now. I do use google photos but because I have an iPhone, I have to open the app for it to get the photos. I always forget to open the app. But anyway. Lesson learned - back up your shit and don't leave your shit in your car, even if it's hidden, even if your car is locked, even if you're in a nice part of town you go to every single Sunday and have done for like 4 years. 

So. From there it all went downhill. I don't remember what else happened, I've blocked it from my memory. One of the things was unexpected car maintenance (my bank account is still crying), 2 speeding fines from when I was in Australia (I was doing 8kms over the speed limit. EIGHT. THAT IS FIVE MILES, I am not a speed demon) because I forgot how strict they were in Victoria (you don't want to know how much each of the fines are, seriously). Not to mention I had to replace my phone and pay off the one that was stolen. 

So happy freaking 2020 guys, hope yours has been better than mine. Ha. 

There were some fun things though, of course, thankfully. Lots of fantastic friend time, several good books, went to the movies, did all sorts of fun things.. Honestly, I was really busy in January, I think I had like one free evening a week, and all of my weekends were busy. I remember at the beginning of the month thinking I'd have lots of time to relax, but that didn't happen. It was all good fun stuff though (except for the aforementioned bad crap I shall no longer speak of) and I only wish I had the photos to share of all the good fun stuff. These are all I have - my cats being their awesome selves. Two book clubs. Joined a volleyball team (we had a great time losing). Went to a onesie party. 

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Link Up Reminder

Hello all! Just a quick reminder to anyone who wants to link up - this Thursday the 6th is the next What's New With You link up if you want to join me! 

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Books Lately

Happy Show Us Your Books day with Steph & Jana! Happy first SUYB of 2020! I thought I read a lot over the holidays but apparently not as I don't have a ton to share today. I did get to a few re-reads at the end of the year, so maybe that's why. But all my books today are good ones, which is awesome.

That's Hazel. She was my reading buddy for a couple weeks.

The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne
follows the life of gay irishman cyril (not a real) avery
This was long and slow, but goodness it was worth it. It was well written, it was beautiful, it was heartbreaking. I laughed and I cried. Not one I'd reread, but one I'd recommend. It's not an instant connection kind of book, but one that grows on you slowly... which isn't for everyone. I took my time and picked it up when I felt like it, which I think helped me enjoy it. I feel like I really know these characters.

Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
young adult
This one is a bit hard to talk about without 'spoiling'. I think it's one you should read without knowing exactly what its about, if you can help it. It was book club's December pick, I really liked it. I don't know that I have much to say about it besides that. It's a very short and quick read, it's sad and heartbreaking, even sadder when you think it could have been written today but it was written in 1999. I wish I'd read this in high school.

Unfu*ck Yourself - Gary John Bishop
self help
I think books like these are so unbelievably subjective so take my review with a grain of salt. I loved it. I don't know if it was just the right book at the right time, the right amount of blunt no nonsense common sense, or because I listened to it and I was super here for his scottish accent. Either way, I really really liked it.

Red at the Bone - Jacqueline Woodson
family, race, sexuality, class, everything.
I don't even know how to explain this book. It's about so much, but so short. It's so emotional, so beautifully written. It's narrated from multiple perspectives, not told in a linear fashion but it flows beautifully. I wish I was better with the words. I recommend.

Headliners - Lucy Parker
This was absolutely everything. I adored it. I love Lucy Parker, the end.
Received from Netgalley.

When We Believed in Mermaids

Linking up with Steph & Jana. 

TL;DR - I recommend.... well, all of them. 

Read anything decent lately?

January 2020 Goals

Hello all! Hope 2020 has been treating everyone well so far. I posted my yearly goals last week but I'm also doing monthly goals. The idea is that I'll do little things each month to work towards the yearly goals. I waited until today to post the monthly goals because I'm kind of counting the first week of 2020 as an epilogue of 2019 - because how can you work on goals when you're on holiday? It's against the rules.

January goals:

1. 10 no spend days. Not consecutive, just 10 days in between now and the end of the month. Absolutely no spending, no exceptions.

2. Journal, gratitude journal + meditate 12 days each. That works out to 3 days a week between now and the end of the month.

3. Get rid of 31 things. Plus, one in and one out for everything I bought at home, but they may not be exact swaps - for example, one teapot in, I don't have a teapot to go out, you know?

4. Read 4 books I already own. 2 ebooks + physical books.

5. Try a new fitness class. Plus, exercise 3 times a week.

6. Make one appointment.

7. Up water + reduce diet coke consumption. Drink 1 bottle of water at home every Saturday and Sunday, plus no soda at work.

8. Connect with my family. Call mum once a week and respond to her messages faster, call brothers once each, talk to other family members on social media.

9. In bed by 11pm each night. Eventually, I want my bed time to be earlier, but that's where I'm starting off until I figure out what time works best.

10. Stick to basic skincare routine. By basic, I mean cleanser, moisturiser + sunscreen. My problem is I have so many products and I love using them but I'm not super consistent because, well, I just have too much. So, start with basic for this month.

Phew, 10 goals, but they are all connected to my yearly goals so I feel good about them. I love a good holiday and of course I love going home, but I am ready to get back to a normal routine, that's for sure.

And for the random photo in today's post, this is my nephew. This is how he sleeps. I can't. I just can't handle it.

Any goals for January?

December 2019 Recap - What's New With You Link Up

Hello all, time for another what's new with you link up! Thanks again if you join me, I always appreciate it. You don't have to display the button if you don't want to, but don't forget to mention it somewhere in your post and check out some of the other posts! I'll be doing a monthly recap like I do every month.

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December was fairly busy but I don't actually have a ton to show for it. I had like 3 work christmas parties, attended a new book club, had dinner with friends, had nights in with friends where we watched some of the Dolly netflix series, book club including ranking this year's books and the book exchange. Also went to see The Santaland Diaries and went to a speakeasy afterwards, so that was fun.

On top of that, books and cats as usual (plus a couple other cats and a dog).

I'm kind of skipping the end of December because I thought I'd do a whole separate recap, even though I really didn't do anything super exciting. Christmas and New Year's Eve were both lovely though.

I think I worked out a couple times, but no photos to show for it. I feel like I wasn't really that busy in December, but I was just so dang tired all the time. I'm looking forward to hopefully relaxing and recharging in January. Not yet, but maybe in a week or so. 

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