What I Read In December 2019

What I Read In December 2019

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December was a funny old month, I thought I hadn’t read anything and then all of a sudden I browse my Goodreads and realise I’ve actually done pretty well in a super busy month.

So here’s what I read in December!

The Perfect Dress – Louisa Leaman

This was a sweet but intriguing read. I haven’t read a book about weddings for a long time but as I’m starting to try and find my own it seemed fitting that I would read this novel and I’m so glad I did. Romance, history, intrigue I absolutely adored this book! A solid 4.5 stars from me

I was sent this by the publisher in exchange for an honest review which is coming soon!

Tunnel of Bones – Victoria Schwab

The second in the Cassidy Blake series and another that I had to keep reading at every spare moment I had thanks to my Secret Santa (thanks Izzy!). Even more creepy than the first and made me just want to read more, the 3rd novel in the series comes out this year and I am SO here for it!

Break The Fall – Jennifer Iacopelli

You guys are going to want to read this when it’s released because it’s bloody incredible. This is focused on an abuse scandal in the USA gymnastics team (similar to what we have unfortunately seen recently). A stunning debut with incredible chronic pain representation. 5 star read without a doubt.

Love Her Wild – Atticus

I’ve been intrigued by this collection of poetry for a while, partly because it’s a hardback poetry collection and partly because it has beautiful images. It’s very short and some wouldn’t consider it poetry but I thought it was beautiful. 4 stars from me.

Journey to The Rise of Skywalker: Allegiance – Ethan Sacks

This was ok, but that was about it for me. I understand they couldn’t give much away before the films release but I just didn’t care much for it so it only got a 3 star rating from me.

The Truth About Magic – Atticus

The third collection of Atticus’s work, although I thought it was the second. I wouldn’t say this was hugely different to the first but I still found it very enjoyable and a great book to dip into. 4 stars.

Drawing Europe Together – Various

I got this from my friend Charissa for Christmas and it was a lovely, although slightly sad read. Beautiful illustrations and wonderful ideas. 4 stars.

This is How You Lose the Time War – Amal El – Mohtar & Max Gladstone

I’m going to put it out there that most of the time while reading this I had no idea what was going on through a lot of the book but I adored it. Beautifully written and full of a strange kind of love but so, so wonderful. If you don’t mind me confused while appreciating great writing then I’d definitely read this one. 4 stars from me.

Did you get much reading done in December? Let me know what your favourites were!

My Top 10 Books of 2019!

My Top 10 Books of 2019!

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It’s that time of year where I have to look at all the books I read this year and whittle it down to my favourites – something I both love and hate.

Ok so, there might be some stretches here like two books counting as one if they’re in the same series…totally works! Anyway in no particular order here are my 10 favourites of the year.

Daisy Jones & The Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid

So, I found a new favourite author this year Taylor Jenkins Reid! Daisy Jones was absolutely fantastic and felt so real I just wanted to fall into the world and listen to the music mentioned.

She’s an incredible writer and I look forward to reading more of her earlier work this year and anything new that she releases! Review here.

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

This book. THIS BOOK. I loved it, most of the world loved it and for a real good reason. This is what the world needed it’s funny, it’s sexy and it’s got real heart to it. I want to read it again and again and again. Review here.

Also Casey McQuiston has another book coming out in 2020 and I am SO here for it, although currently I haven’t been able to preorder it yet.

Over The Top – Jonathan Van Ness

My favourite non-fiction book of the year and I highly recommend the audiobook because hearing Jonathan talk about his life is complete and utter perfection.

I was really surprised by how in depth Jonathan went and I can’t wait to watch even more Queer Eye in the new year because it makes me so happy.

City of Ghosts and Tunnel of Bones – Victoria Schwab

This is one where I *might* have snuck in two and I’m not even sorry. My new favourite series by the one and only Victoria Schwab who is not only absolutely lovely but an incredible author and new favourite.

This series may be called middle grade but it’s creepy as hell and I absolutely loved it. Number three comes out in 2020 so yep I’m getting it. Also I got number two from my secret santa!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another Taylor Jenkins Reid book and it was amazing, plus I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner. This one was another that I listened to and I could not stop, when I was working, when I was chilling in the evening I had to hear the end.

An incredible read, such an amazing book. Review here.

Break The Fall – Jennifer Iacopelli

So this hasn’t come out yet but I was lucky enough to get a proof copy and this book is going to blow up in 2020. It’s absolutely an incredible novel rooted in the team USA gymnastics scandal and abuse that occured.

More so, this was absolutely incredible in terms of how it described living with chronic pain after and accident, I reached out to Jennifer to congratulate her on such an accurate representation and she’s also a lovely person!

Review to come soon!

Postscript – Cecelia Ahern

So I love, love, loved P.S I Love You both the book and the film for different reasons so of course I was going to read the second novel and wow, just wow. It took my straight back and made me cry like a baby.

Full review here.

A Winter’s Promise – Christelle Dabos

This book and the start of a new series to me is entirely my friend Maddie’s fault and I love her for it although the wait is going to drive me mad. This novel is translated from french and it’s a fantasy novel I absolutely love.

Travelling through mirrors, an arranged marriage, mystery, death, magic and courts. Love, love, LOVE.

Heartstopper Volumes 1 & 2

Another two books that are being stuck in together but, of course, Heartstopper was going to be in here! Alice Oseman is not only a brilliant writer but also a great artist. Both of these books make me so, so happy and I’m sure they will make you happy too.

Review here and here.

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A Girl Called Shameless – Laura Steven

The follow up to one of my favourite YA novels, The Exact Opposite of Okay and Laura Steven killed it again with a hilarious and excellent continuation, I really hope that we get more about Izzy and her life!

What were your favourites in 2019? Let me know below!

Welcome to the 20s!

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Happy New Year! Well that’s it we’re into the 20s!

Going into a new decade makes me feel excited and nervous. Of course a lot usually changes in a decade but this one seems more grown up…it’s the decade that I’ll hit my 30s. I’m going to get married, I plan to hopefully be a Mum and move to a house at some point. Although, I’m not making any solid plans or promises.

That said, I’m taking it day by day, month by month, year by year. I have things I would like to do/ to happen in this decade but I don’t want to put a huge amount of pressure on myself if that makes sense? I’m going to hit 30 and that’s making me freak out a tiny bit because there’s this big idea of everything you should have done.

Anyway, I digress. I’m looking forward to this year, to seeing what happens and trying my hardest!

So, in 2020 I’m aiming to

  • Work on my fitness but also love my body in the process
  • Actually start on my bloody book
  • Be kinder to myself in regards to my mental health
  • Save, save, save for our honeymoon
  • Work hard on my freelance career and projects I enjoy

What are you looking forward to in 2020? Let me know below!

My Hopes For 2020

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We’ve done it. It’s the last day of 2019 and we’re about to go into a new decade. The 2010s were full of growing and change, I left school, I left college, got my degree, started my career. The 2020s are also going to be full of change, I’ll be getting married in 2021, this will be the decade I hopefully have children, maybe put a deposit down on a house. It’s a lot.

So, what do I hope for the first year of this new decade? I just want a steady year. Is that mad? I don’t need massive changes and fireworks – 2019 had that for me. I would love to be able to get on with my current plans, pay off the wedding and count down – work on some projects that are interesting. See friends and family and that, to put it simply, is enough for me.

I know that 2021 is going to be incredible and fast paced and brilliant but for 2020? A chilled year would suit me just fine.

What do you hope for in 2020?

Everything I Read in 2019

Everything I Read In 2019!

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Well, what a reading year it’s been! I smashed my goal of 100 books (although at times I wondered if I would!). I’ve read some absolutely incredible books, found some new favourite authors and had my heart broken by words more than once this year.

So, here’s all the books I read in 2019…

January

Becoming – Michelle Obama

You Are A Badass At Making Money – Jen Sincero

Everything I Never Told You – Celest Ng

Unnatural Vol 1, – Mirka Andolfo

Saga Vol 8 – Brian K Vaughan

Notes To Self – Emilie Pine

Born Lippy: How To Do Female – Jo Brand

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – Hank Green

Pop Star Jihadi – Nick Tyrone

February

Soho – Richard Scott

Hard Pushed: A Midwife’s Story – Leah Hazard

Some Girls Survive On Sourcery Alone – Thiahera Nurse

Royals (Prince Charming) – Rachel Hawkins

Snotgirl Volume 2 – Bryan Lee O’Malley

What Would The Spice Girls Do? – Lauren Bravo

Standing Female Nude – Carol Ann Duffy

Heartstopper Volume 1 – Alice Oseman

Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women – Sarah Bargiela

Far From The Tree – Robin Benway

If My Body Could Speak – Blythe Baird

A Story About Cancer With a Happy Ending – India Desjardins

Saga Volume 9 – Brian K Vaughan

March

You Do You – Sarah Knight

The Burning – Laura Bates

Eye Level: Poems – Jenny Xie

Five Feet Apart – Rachael Lippincott , Mikki Daughtry (Contributor), Tobias Iaconis (Contributor)

Ctrl, Alt, Delete: How I Grew Up Online – Emma Gannon

Mind On Fire: A Memoir of Madness and Recover – Arnold Thomas Fanning

My Solo Exchange Diary Vol 2 – Kabi Nagata

Voices of Powerful Women – Zoë Sallis

Internment – Samira Ahmed

That’s Not What Happened – Kody Keplinger

April

Your Heart Is The Sea – Nikita Gill

Daisy Jones & The Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Mermaid’s Voice Returns In This One – Amanda Lovelace

I Found My Tribe – Ruth Fitzmaurice

Evidence Of The Affair – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Blossoms in Autumn – Zidrou

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

A Girl Called Shameless – Laura Steven

May

Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust – Hédi Fried

The Cut Out Girl – Bart van Es

White Rose – Kip Wilson

Love Looks Pretty On You – Lang Leav

How Not To Lose It: Mental Health – Ana Williamson

The Paper and Hearts Society – Lucie Powrie

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row – by Anthony Ray Hinton (Introduction), Lara Love Hardin

June

Saved as Draft by N.D. Chan

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K Rowling

This Is The Journey by Alison Malee

Everything’s Trash But It’s Ok by Phoebe Robinson

The Hormone Diaries – The Bloody Truth About Our Periods – Hannah Witton

Red, White and Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

The Hidden Power of F*cking Up – The Try Guys

July

Heartstopper Volume 2 – Alice Oseman

[Dis] Connected edited – Michelle Halket

Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come – Jessica Pan

Look Closer – Stewart Lewis

 The Power – Naomi Alderman

Calm the F**k Down – Sarah Knight

Misfit – Charli Howard

There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé – Morgan Parker

Vicious – V.E. Schwab

August

Eat, Drink, Run – How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad by Bryony Gordon

The Disconnect – Keren David

Birthday – Meredith Russo

The Truth About Alice is – Jennifer Mathieu

American Royals – Katherine McGee 

The Stolen Ones – Vanessa Curtis

Can Everyone Please Calm Down? A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality – Mae Martin 

Aphrodite Made Me Do It – Trista Mateer

The Good Immigrant edited – Nikesh Shukla

The Flat Share – Beth O’Leary

September

Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed – Jack The Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

The Other Mother – Jen Brister

Sex, Power, Money – Sara Pascoe

Archie 1941 – Mark Wade

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Artwork – Emily Carroll

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me – Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

October

Postscript by Cecelia Ahern

It’s Not Ok To Feel Blue And Other Lies by Scarlett Curtis

Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield

The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson

Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness

Freedom by Jaycee Dugard

Truth To Power by Jess Phillips

 Twas The Night Shift Before Christmas by Adam Kay

Heartstream by Tom Pollock

Dear Girls – Ali Wong

November

Full Disclosure – Camryn Garrett

Our Super Canadian Adventure – Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins

A Winter’s Promise – Christelle Dabos

City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab

They Called Us Enemy – George Takei

No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference – Greta Thunberg

December

The Perfect Dress – Louisa Leaman

Tunnel of Bones – Victoria Schwab

Break The Fall – Jennifer Iacopelli

Love Her Wild – Atticus

Journey to The Rise of Skywalker: Allegiance – Ethan Sacks

The Truth About Magic – Atticus

Which books did you read in 2019 and what are you hoping to read in 2020? Let me know in the comments below!

Please note: A number of these book I was gifted or sent for review. This does not impact the rating or review they have been given.

Blogmas 2019 Merry Christmas

Blogmas 2019: Merry Christmas

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I have no idea if anyone will be reading blogs on Christmas day. For some of my regular readers the day will be super busy with family and friends. I also know people who won’t be celebrating for a variety of reasons.

For those who are I wish you a very Merry Christmas. For those who don’t I’ll be back with another blog tomorrow!

Lots of love,

Chloe

Hogwarts In The Snow At The Harry Potter Studio Tour!

Blogmas 2019: Hogwarts In The Snow At The Harry Potter Studio Tour!

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It’s Christmas Eve and a time to chill out, so tonight I wanted to share with you some of the pictures from my visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford this month. Warning, you might get some serious magical envy from this little glimpse!

Had to catch my train first of course! Here I am about to run through to Platform 9 and 3/4! And yes this is all over my social media at the moment…you’re welcome.

You can go on the train guys. YOU CAN GO ON THE TRAIN! It was pretty awesome, obviously a little busy but what can you do.

You can also pop into the Dursley’s and see where Harry attempted to get his letter (tip Harry, it’s on the floor).

Hopping on the Knight Bus!

After a Butterbeer ice cream as well, it might have been freezing cold but it was yummy af.

But how beautiful is this piece from the Yule Ball? This was definitely my favourite part of the tour – so, so beautiful and detailed.

Or maybe it was seeing Hogwarts – but I didn’t cry this time!

Blogmas 2019: 20 Songs I Could Not Stop Listening To In 2019

Blogmas 2019: 20 Songs I Could Not Stop Listening To In 2019

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Music makes the world go around. I really believe that and it’s one of my favourite things in the world, so I decided to scroll through my phone to see what I’ve been listening to a lot this year. Here’s some of my favourites!

Thank U, Next (whole album) – Ariana Grande

Truth Hurts – Lizzo

In The Middle – Dodie

Secret For The Mad – Dodie

Wasabi – Little Mix (actually the whole of the LM5 album has been on repeat)

Good As Hell – Lizzo ft Ariana Grande

Feeling Myself – Nicki Minaj feat. Beyonce

Voldemort – With Confidence

Lover (the whole album) – Taylor Swift

I Like Boys – Todrick Hall

I Don’t Care – Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber

Old Town Road – Lil Nas and Billy Ray Cyrus

Bad Guy – Billie Eilish

You Should See Me In A Crown – Billie Eilish

Nightmare – Halsey

Sorry – Beyoncé

Six Inch Heels – Beyoncé

Monopoly – Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét

Dead Girl Walking – performed by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Catch You – Dashboard Confessional

Please Me – Cardi B and Bruno Mars

A lot of kick ass women, a lot of great songs. Next year I want to get back to some good old pop punk too! Can you recommend me any albums? Let me know below. 👇

Book Review: Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas – Adam Kay

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“With twenty-five tales of intriguing, shocking and incredible Christmas incidents, the British public will finally appreciate the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by the unsung heroes of the NHS.”

As we head back to the hospital wards with Kay we’re thrown back into the chaos and you will laugh so much in a short span of pages. I’ll be honest I wanted more! I absolutely loved this and it was a perfect follow up to This Is Going To Hurt.

I will warn you, and so does Kay, that there is one point in the book that describes a medical procedure that is hard to read. There is a description of a termination which is not pleasant but I did read it and I’m please I did especially in regards to the circumstances that lead to it. This is clearly marked and you can skip it if you wish. It is so important even if it is a tough read.

Aside from that, the rest of the book does have a lot of laughs, a lot of face palming at the stupidity of people and also a whole lot of heart – just was we found in the first book. Once again, Kay has produced a perfect mix of education, humour, kindness and moments that have you wondering just how some people are functioning human beings.

If anything, this is a stark reminder of the work the NHS does, the reason that we need to try our hardest to protect and to only use the right services. Your GP doesn’t need to know about your cold. You can use online services! You only need to call an ambulance in an incredibly serious situation! I know the majority of my readers know this but the point still stands we need to try to help the NHS and those who work in it in any way that we can.

Is it any wonder that I gave this 5 stars? Adam Kay is a fantastic writer and I can’t wait to see what he does next. While this was short it was a perfect read in the run up to Christmas when we are all so busy. I’ve also been recommending it to EVERYONE. Go and pick it up, maybe with some Christmas money? 😉

Blogmas 2019: My Top 5 Posts Of 2019

Blogmas 2019: My Top 5 Posts Of 2019

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I always try and look back to see what you guys have enjoyed reading on my blog to give me some ideas about what to write about and make sure I can get you to come back (your likes, comments and views mean the world to me!).

So, I decided to look back and see what I’ve written this year that you guys have enjoyed! I know this year I’ve been connecting with more of the Spoonie community and it shows! So, let’s get cracking.

What It’s Like To Use A Walking Stick In Your 20s

I was a little emotional about this being my top post I’ve written this year because I was nervous about it. I didn’t intend on having a walking stick in my 20s – I don’t think anyone does! I have to thank you guys with my whole, whole heart thank you so much for reading this.

You can read it here.

Life Update – I’m Getting Married!

I’m not surprised at all this is one of my top posts. I’m super excited and can’t wait to keep updating you all with wedding plans, the day itself and if anything changes during married life…

You can read it here.

Book Review: Louis and Louise – Julie Cohen

The only book review to make it into my top 5! Wells deserved though it was a great book.

You can read it here.

Real Talk: How I Felt After Getting Engaged

Getting engaged was the best part of this year, BUT, it was also super overwhelming so I decided to get honest about it.

You can read it here.

10 Things Not To Say To A Chronically Ill Person – And What To Say Instead

A little bit of information goes a long way – especially when it’s got helpful tips or tricks. The spoonie community really enjoyed this one.

You can read it here.

Thanks so much guys! Which ones were your favourites?