It’s been another few months and I thought it time to share with you some of the books I have loved and the tv shows and movies that I’ve been watching. I have read at least five times what I’m sharing with you – that’s not at all to brag about my speedy reading abilities but more to show you that these are the ones I have absolutely loved the most.
Reading:
Paper Princess – Erin Watt. This YA novel came as a recommendation on a fellow blogger’s reading roundup and I was instantly intrigued. A rags to riches story of a young girl in a terrible situation who is suddenly rescued by a wealthy man and whisked off to a completely new life. Basically every moody teenager’s dream in a novel. I really enjoyed the story and the drama of Ella discovering her new life, rebelling against what is expected of her and trying to fit in in a whole new world. The ending absolutely threw me for a loop! I have since read the rest of the series about the Royals and loved each book. Erin writes in a way that you feel as if you’re walking alongside the characters in the hallway and the development of the rest of the story was a joy to read.
Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman. Well – she’s not fine really. A beautiful book about a young girl with a traumatic past and how her walls slowly come down. Elinor lives a very plain, structured life until one day she and a work colleague help out an old man on the street. That then eventuates into new friendships, new challenges and her facing her past and you find out that Elinor is an unreliable narrator right until the end. I really enjoyed Gail’s novel – it really made me think a lot about my own childhood and how I let certain things affect me to this day. One of my favourite books from the last few months.
Table for Eight – Tricia Stringer. I love a book written by an Australian author and I love a cruise. Combine the two together and you have this winner from Tricia Stringer about Ketty, a middle-aged seasoned cruised on her final voyage on her favourite ship. Her long-time friend and maître’d Carlos sits her at a table for eight in the main dining room – and what ensues is a tale of family, friendship, betrayal and cruise catastrophe’s. This is a light-hearted and easy to read novel with twists and turns along the way. I read this easily in an afternoon and it was enjoyable and fun – and I really felt like I was on that cruise ship alongside the characters. (Side note – as I typed this tidbit a cruise ship horn sounded through my window as I live relatively close to a port. A creepy coincidence!)
The Simple Wild – K. A. Tucker. I don’t remember the last book that made me cry, but this had me tearing up towards the end. I’ve read a few novels by this author now and this is by far the first. We follow Toronto-based millennial Calla on a trip to the outskirts of Alaska to spend time with her father who’s just been diagnosed with cancer. Officially a girl out of her comfort zone, this story follows Calla’s adventures about family, love and friendship. It is a truly gripping read that will play with your emotions and tug at your heart strings. I absolutely loved this book and have already re-read.
Marriage Vacation – Pauline Turner-Brooks. Fans of the TV show ‘Younger’ (airing on Stan in Australia) will be familiar with the season five storyline of Charles’ (ex)wife Pauline returning after a trip away finding herself and returning with a novel. This is the story – the story behind why she left and what she did. It’s essentially a diary of a middle-aged woman who heads overseas on a whim to find herself after marriage and children. It was really interesting to compare parallels between this book and the Younger ‘universe’ and it was a really easy read that made you think about the complexities behind adult relationships and why you should give back.
Money Diaries – Refinery 29. I’m a huge Money Diaries reader and I love their message surrounding the taboos of the modern woman discussing money. With their anonymous diaries they help give insight into what other modern women do with their money and naturally when they released a book I just had to buy it! With unseen Money Diaries and advice this is a fun and insightful read.
Watching:
The Bold Type – Stan. If you’re a fan of shows such as Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl you’ll love this. The Bold Type is set around three best friends working at a fashion magazine in NYC. What is a show about friendship also encompasses issues such as sexuality, sexual assault and politics. It’s light-hearted and fun with the perfect mix of real issues. They tackle everything creatively and you really end up loving the characters and following their journey.
Friends – Stan. Yes I know – I’m only just getting to watching Friends! I definitely just missed that bandwagon growing up and I’m loving finally beginning to understand all of the references. I think I’m just a little bit obsessed with NYC right now!
Vlogmas – I haven’t had a whole lot of free time to watch TV shows and YouTube videos recently but I have been gravitating towards some of my favourite content creators and their Vlogmas series’ whenever I find the time. I’ve been loving a lot of ‘college’ YouTuber’s such as Danielle Carolan and Paige Secosky recently – I just find it so fascinating watching what happens on the other side of the world!
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