2018-year of books!

I absolutely love reading, always have since I first mastered the skill at primary school. The only book that’s ever defeated me was White Fang by Jack London. But I put that down to my young age when I attempted to read it and I am determined to read it in full one day. Anyway when I was pregnant with Krish, I remember my mum reminiscing about how many books she managed to get through while nursing me, I expect. I say me as that nursing time is never quite as peaceful second time round or third or fourth in my mum’s case! Well I did manage to read quite a few books while breastfeeding Krish but I also spent an inordinate amount of wasted time on my phone! Internet shopping, FB stalking, playing CandyCrush and exploring Pinterest! I wish I’d been a bit more productive but I don’t think my brain could have coped with much more. If I did pick up a book I usually nodded off pretty quickly. How I miss those cosy milky cuddly naps with Krish. It’s hard to imagine what life was like before smart phones! All those idle thumbs! This time round I started my blog and discovered Instagram so that was never a recipe for successful reading time.

My book shelf looks something like this…

Out of those fifteen books I’ve read three of them and they remain there as they are three of my all time faves. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and less well known but totally up my street as historical novels, the first two books of a trilogy by Paulina Simons The Bronze Horseman and Tatiana and Alexander. I can’t believe I haven’t read the third one yet!! So anyway that leaves 12 books that I really must get round to reading. But on that shelf is also my reading log book. A great present from my aunt….

….so there are many more books listed in here that I would love to read and I also have a majorly long list of Kindle edition books on my Amazon wish list! But these can wait because this year will be all about five books that I received as Christmas presents. Two of them are cookbooks so less about the reading and more about actually using them! Oh shoot, I should really finish my current book first and it’s not going well so far; which is a real shame as I had such high expectations. So….

by Amitav Ghosh

Have read a couple of his books before and loved them but this one (the first in a trilogy no least!) is hard going so far. A lot going on, with different people’s stories running simultaneously and a lot of unfamiliar language. I will persevere though.

2. The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking. Was so pleased to receive this from Raj. Thank goodness for Amazon wish lists!

3. Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher. Having read Happy Mum, Happy Baby this lady was my inspiration to start blogging and get more involved with Instagram to share my new crazy life with twins!

4. The Whole-Brain Child- 12 proven strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind. My very good friend Hilary recommended this book to me having read my blog about Krish and the Threenager Hell. I’m hoping it will help me learn how to deal more calmly and positively with his challenging behaviours. Thanks to my second sister for buying it for me and as a Kindle edition which may increase my changes of reading it!

5. A Modern Way to Cook by Anna Jones. Thanks to my brother and his girlfriend for this one. I really believe that this cookbook will not be destined for the dusty book shelf in the kitchen. A really comprehensive recipe book of vegetarian friendly dishes. What I love are the pages of mix & match options for specific meals, e.g omelette variations.

6. Nosh for Busy Mums and Dads: A Family Cookbook with Everyday Food for Real Families by Joy May. This cook book was a present from my first sister. I love the fact that every recipe has a photo so you know what you’re aiming for and each meal has been costed up so you can plan meal in line with your budget. A great selection of food types and occasions including kids parties. I have a feeling that section might prove helpful one day.

I’m pleased with that selection of books; something lighthearted, something for my mind, something for my soul and something for my tummy! It seems my siblings and Raj all had the same ideas for Christmas but I’m totally glad they did!

So that is my goal for this year! I don’t really make New Years resolutions as such but this year I aim to read more! 2018 promises to be a busy year with a big birthday, a big anniversary and a big wedding but hopefully I’ll make some time for reading! You never know I might even begin to chip away at the piles on that shelf!

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow my blog for emails and first glimpses of future posts.

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