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Month: December 2019

2019: BOOKISH WRAP UP

December 29, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

A wrap up of some of the books I read in 2019!

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i’m beth, a 24 year old writer & candle maker in glasgow. this blog is the home to some (definitely not all) of my writing. i share poetry, short stories, book reviews, fleeting thoughts & updates on my little life. i hope you enjoy it here.

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QOTD: what are you reading right now? I’m reading ‘five feet apart’ and it’s good so far. It’s not blowing me away, and the characterisation seems a little weak, but it’s an easy read so I’m fine with it :) + behind this photo: these are some books that are at the top of my TBR! I organise my books by my urgency to read them (lol) so these have their own place on a special shelf. + summary of my day: I took today off work so I laid in bed til 9:30, then wrote a blog post which I’ll share tomorrow & am now watching tiger King. It’s good to chill some days. I’ve been so busy despite not being able to leave the house (????) + thought of the day: whatever we’re dealing with, it won’t last forever + writing update: still enjoying learning scrivener! If you’re a writer - you neeeeed this software! 😍 + goals: it’s my husbands birthday on Monday!! If you’ve read this far, any ideas of fun things we can do in lockdown? I wanna make it special for him, especially since his gift isn’t arriving to May because of delivery restrictions 😥 + song of the day: bad kind of butterflies by Camila Cabello. It’s actually SUCH A TUNE + + + + + + + + #fivefeetapart #bookster #suchafunage #pursuepretty #calledtobecreative #artstudio #livecreatively #craftsposure #whereiwork #handsandhustle #igreads #bookishlove #bookfeature #booksofig #goodreads #hustlehard #successmindset #smallmomentsofcalm #simplethingsmadebeautiful #cornersofmyworld #beautyofstillmoments #aslowmoment #bookaesthetic #booknerdigans #momentslikethese #mybeigelife #darlingweekend #ilovebooks #writingabook #authorlife

QOTD: what are you doing to protect your mental health at this time? ☀️🍂 it’s not easy to prioritise your mental health when every time you connect with the world via technology, you’re met with a ton of bad news. I like to switch off my phone for a few hours every day to focus on just being home, being safe, and being present. Things like reading, yoga, having a bath, walking the dog are all ways I can stick to a normal routine. Talking to people helps too. And of course, journaling. If you have anything you’re doing that’s helping you, use the hashtag #athometogether or #themindfulmovement to share what you’re doing ⚡️☁️ + + + + + + + + + #coronavirus

☁️ the flatshare :: book review ☁️ + If you haven’t followed my IG stories, you won’t know that I gave this book a whopping 1 star. I’m sad that I didn’t like it because I had heard amazing reviews! But unfortunately... I hated it. + My main issues: 🍂 the characters were all morally compromised. They sexualised each other all the time & I felt they didn’t make ethical decisions a lot. Especially RACHEL - the ‘fantastic friend’. I didn’t like any of the characters - usually when reading, I can find at least one character to latch onto. 🍂 The plot felt forced & so random. There are lots of subplots but they never weaves together, or seemed to fit the overall tone of the book. We have this mega important prison storyline which didn’t seem researched at all. Plus, the storyline of gaslighting and emotional abuse came out of nowhere. Honestly it felt like it was just placed in the narrative to further the plot. 🍂 The writing was just... really bad. The British humour was just... too much. And Leon’s chapter were horribly written. And it just felt like nobody had edited properly. I found SO many mistakes! 🍂 The romance wasn’t cute. This is a romance book, and it just wanted cute. I thought there would be more emphasis on the notes & the unfolding of their relationship but it all happened so fast and then, there wasn’t much focus on their relationship. It was more their own issues which they dealt with by having all these cringey sexual encounters. There wasn’t any substance to this relationship, in my opinion... + Anyway - SORRY to all the people who loved this book. I am truly envious! Have you read this? What did you think? 🍃🌞

Are you working from home now? ☁️☀️ here are my tips! I’ve been working from home for three years & I love it! When there isn’t a pandemic though, I do like to get out to cafes and bookshops to do some work, but I have lots of experience not doing that so I feel qualified to give some advice! ✨ + x Take an hour to yourself before you start work. I like to go a little walk, make a big breakfast & watch an episode of something. Sometimes I’ll journal too! x Get dressed! Having a shower, washing your face & getting dressed will help you get into the working zone x Choose a good playlist. I love the playlist ‘Lo-fi beats’ on Spotify for working x Tea & coffee. Start your working day with your fave hot drink!#l x Dont work in bed. I know this picture shows me working in bed but it was a weekend, ok? Usually I work at the dining table or in my home office! x Write a to do list! This is the big winner here. It’s so helpful to have a list of things you need to get done that day and tick them off as you go. I find this helps me work quicker and I usually end up working 6 hours rather than 8 or 9, but I still get the same amount done! x Put your phone away. Phone breaks are great, and a good reward, but don’t keep your phone by your work station, unless you use it for work. x set breaks. I like to set breaks after every task rather than times, because it motivates me to work more productively x Work with a friend! If you live w someone else who’s working from home, work together. Otherwise, have a friend you can check in with throughout the day. x Move around. Throughout the day, move around. For a walk, a browse through your shelves, or switch up your working place from the living room to the study! A change of scenery is grand. x Reward yourself. As soon as your work day is over, do something just for you. This is when I go and have a snack or lunch, and watch something on TV. Its my little time & I like to always have that to look forward to. + Good luck! I hope you’re all keeping well ☁️🍂

How are you all doing today? These are weird times so I wanted to check in with you all 💛✨ let me know! For me, I’m doing okay. Still apprehensive for each new day will bring, but today is okay, so I have to be grateful for that. + summary of my day: I did some food shopping for my family, then went back to bed to watch ‘fuller house’. Now I’m trying to learn Scrivener, before having some virtual dates with friends! :) + thought of the day: I love this quote! It’s from @thepracticeco - a movement that I love! 🍂☁️ + reading update: I want to finish ‘the flatshare’ today so that it’s officially out of my life lol. + writing update: I’m getting ready to start editing my novel... that’s why I want to learn scrivener but I’m quite happy using word at the moment. But we’ll see! + song of the day: ‘false god’ by Taylor swift. I just so excited every time it comes on because it’s soOoOOooOoo good. ⚡️ + + + + + + + #bookster #inmybedroom #hyggehome #pursuepretty #calledtobecreative #artstudio #livecreatively #craftsposure #whereiwork #handsandhustle #igreads #bookishlove #bookfeature #booksofig #goodreads #hustlehard #successmindset #smallmomentsofcalm #simplethingsmadebeautiful #cornersofmyworld #beautyofstillmoments #aslowmoment #bookaesthetic #booknerdigans #momentslikethese #mybeigelife #darlingweekend #ilovebooks #writingabook #authorlife

It’s okay. It’s okay if you don’t have words. If you don’t have a clue what’s going on. If you don’t know what to do. It’s okay if you feel alone, cry 10 times a day, miss your friends. It’s okay to grieve, and despair, and lament during this pandemic. Its okay if you’re unproductive. Demotivated. Scared. Shivering. Panicking. It’s okay. You’re not alone. + But I do urge you not to lose hope. I know that can seem like a meaningless thing to say right now, but there is hope. Science is moving at a record speed, governments (some) are taking care of us, we are able to stay connected & this WILL be over. Life will be different forever after this, but the pandemic itself - it will end. We will be able to go back into the sunshine. Back to work. Back to our favourite restaurants. Back to parties, gigs, festivals, gyms, pools. We will get our freedom back. + But right now, stay home. Staying home feels pointless in the current climate, and personally, it makes me feel quite guilty, but it’s saving lives. Sitting on the couch, enjoying Netflix and reading books, is saving 👏🏼 lives 👏🏼. We’re all being enlisted right now to serve our counties in this bizarre dystopian way, and it’s important - so important - to do that.

In the hopes to brighten your spirits, @booksthatmatteruk and I have collaborated to bring you a GIVEAWAY 🎉☁️ + There will be 3 winners and each will receive the March box - some of the contents are pictured here so you know what to expect. You’ll also get feminist stickers & lovely prints as well as an extra notebook! 🥰 + To enter, follow me & @booksthatmatteruk. Like this photo. Comment your favourite female author. Tag 3 friends! Open internationally. Giveaway ends April 2nd, midnight your time! ☁️💐 + Good luck!! 🍂 + + + + + + + #booksthatmatter #feministart #bookster #pursuepretty #calledtobecreative #artstudio #livecreatively #craftsposure #whereiwork #handsandhustle #igreads #bookishlove #bookfeature #booksofig #goodreads #hustlehard #successmindset #smallmomentsofcalm #simplethingsmadebeautiful #cornersofmyworld #beautyofstillmoments #aslowmoment #bookaesthetic #booknerdigans #momentslikethese #mybeigelife #darlingweekend #ilovebooks #writingabook #authorlife

QOTD: what are you guys reading right now? are you enjoying it? 🍂 i’m reading ‘the flatshare’ and if you’ve seen my stories you’ll know i’m not enjoying it lol. it’s just so ridiculous + behind this photo: this book was kindly #gifted to me by @berkleypub it’s a mystery thriller and it looks AMAZING! ‘the secrets lurking in a rundown motel ensnare a young woman, just S they did her aunt 35 years ago.’ the blurb isn’t much more detailed than that but other readers are praising it for its eerieness & amazing atmosphere 🌒 + summary of my day: i spent most of this morning in bed bc despite social distancing, my week has been very busy. i read some, and watched an episode of nashville. i’m only on season 2 and i have been for 5 years lol + thought of the day: take some time to relax. don’t force yourself to be productive. cry if you need. reach out to a friend💛 + song of the day: i’m just recommend the whole ‘i,i’ album by bon iver bc it’s majestic so there

QOTD: do you have a favourite book you like to keep out as part of your home decor? i have a few, including ‘conversations with friends’, ‘you’ and ‘gone girl’ as photographed here ☁️💛 + behind this photo: this is the corner of my home where i keep all my fave books & series that i have / haven’t read! take a swipe through the photos to see the set up :) + summary of my day: i’ve been out and about doing people’s food shops for them. it feels good to help but going to the store is always an absolute adventure right now lol. + reading update: i read some of ‘the flatshare’ yesterday - it’s getting worse somehow hahaha + writing update: i worked on some writing for my job today. i was writing about humidifiers lol - such fun + goals: go for a few walks today since the weather is perfect. then i’m going to hoover and steam my floors 💪🏽🍂 + song of the day: i just rediscovered the band ‘never shout never’ so i listened to some of their stuff and felt 13 again lmao

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QOTD: what are you reading right now? I’m reading ‘five feet apart’ and it’s good so far. It’s not blowing me away, and the characterisation seems a little weak, but it’s an easy read so I’m fine with it :) + behind this photo: these are some books that are at the top of my TBR! I organise my books by my urgency to read them (lol) so these have their own place on a special shelf. + summary of my day: I took today off work so I laid in bed til 9:30, then wrote a blog post which I’ll share tomorrow & am now watching tiger King. It’s good to chill some days. I’ve been so busy despite not being able to leave the house (????) + thought of the day: whatever we’re dealing with, it won’t last forever + writing update: still enjoying learning scrivener! If you’re a writer - you neeeeed this software! 😍 + goals: it’s my husbands birthday on Monday!! If you’ve read this far, any ideas of fun things we can do in lockdown? I wanna make it special for him, especially since his gift isn’t arriving to May because of delivery restrictions 😥 + song of the day: bad kind of butterflies by Camila Cabello. It’s actually SUCH A TUNE + + + + + + + + #fivefeetapart #bookster #suchafunage #pursuepretty #calledtobecreative #artstudio #livecreatively #craftsposure #whereiwork #handsandhustle #igreads #bookishlove #bookfeature #booksofig #goodreads #hustlehard #successmindset #smallmomentsofcalm #simplethingsmadebeautiful #cornersofmyworld #beautyofstillmoments #aslowmoment #bookaesthetic #booknerdigans #momentslikethese #mybeigelife #darlingweekend #ilovebooks #writingabook #authorlife

QOTD: what are you doing to protect your mental health at this time? ☀️🍂 it’s not easy to prioritise your mental health when every time you connect with the world via technology, you’re met with a ton of bad news. I like to switch off my phone for a few hours every day to focus on just being home, being safe, and being present. Things like reading, yoga, having a bath, walking the dog are all ways I can stick to a normal routine. Talking to people helps too. And of course, journaling. If you have anything you’re doing that’s helping you, use the hashtag #athometogether or #themindfulmovement to share what you’re doing ⚡️☁️ + + + + + + + + + #coronavirus

☁️ the flatshare :: book review ☁️ + If you haven’t followed my IG stories, you won’t know that I gave this book a whopping 1 star. I’m sad that I didn’t like it because I had heard amazing reviews! But unfortunately... I hated it. + My main issues: 🍂 the characters were all morally compromised. They sexualised each other all the time & I felt they didn’t make ethical decisions a lot. Especially RACHEL - the ‘fantastic friend’. I didn’t like any of the characters - usually when reading, I can find at least one character to latch onto. 🍂 The plot felt forced & so random. There are lots of subplots but they never weaves together, or seemed to fit the overall tone of the book. We have this mega important prison storyline which didn’t seem researched at all. Plus, the storyline of gaslighting and emotional abuse came out of nowhere. Honestly it felt like it was just placed in the narrative to further the plot. 🍂 The writing was just... really bad. The British humour was just... too much. And Leon’s chapter were horribly written. And it just felt like nobody had edited properly. I found SO many mistakes! 🍂 The romance wasn’t cute. This is a romance book, and it just wanted cute. I thought there would be more emphasis on the notes & the unfolding of their relationship but it all happened so fast and then, there wasn’t much focus on their relationship. It was more their own issues which they dealt with by having all these cringey sexual encounters. There wasn’t any substance to this relationship, in my opinion... + Anyway - SORRY to all the people who loved this book. I am truly envious! Have you read this? What did you think? 🍃🌞

Are you working from home now? ☁️☀️ here are my tips! I’ve been working from home for three years & I love it! When there isn’t a pandemic though, I do like to get out to cafes and bookshops to do some work, but I have lots of experience not doing that so I feel qualified to give some advice! ✨ + x Take an hour to yourself before you start work. I like to go a little walk, make a big breakfast & watch an episode of something. Sometimes I’ll journal too! x Get dressed! Having a shower, washing your face & getting dressed will help you get into the working zone x Choose a good playlist. I love the playlist ‘Lo-fi beats’ on Spotify for working x Tea & coffee. Start your working day with your fave hot drink!#l x Dont work in bed. I know this picture shows me working in bed but it was a weekend, ok? Usually I work at the dining table or in my home office! x Write a to do list! This is the big winner here. It’s so helpful to have a list of things you need to get done that day and tick them off as you go. I find this helps me work quicker and I usually end up working 6 hours rather than 8 or 9, but I still get the same amount done! x Put your phone away. Phone breaks are great, and a good reward, but don’t keep your phone by your work station, unless you use it for work. x set breaks. I like to set breaks after every task rather than times, because it motivates me to work more productively x Work with a friend! If you live w someone else who’s working from home, work together. Otherwise, have a friend you can check in with throughout the day. x Move around. Throughout the day, move around. For a walk, a browse through your shelves, or switch up your working place from the living room to the study! A change of scenery is grand. x Reward yourself. As soon as your work day is over, do something just for you. This is when I go and have a snack or lunch, and watch something on TV. Its my little time & I like to always have that to look forward to. + Good luck! I hope you’re all keeping well ☁️🍂

How are you all doing today? These are weird times so I wanted to check in with you all 💛✨ let me know! For me, I’m doing okay. Still apprehensive for each new day will bring, but today is okay, so I have to be grateful for that. + summary of my day: I did some food shopping for my family, then went back to bed to watch ‘fuller house’. Now I’m trying to learn Scrivener, before having some virtual dates with friends! :) + thought of the day: I love this quote! It’s from @thepracticeco - a movement that I love! 🍂☁️ + reading update: I want to finish ‘the flatshare’ today so that it’s officially out of my life lol. + writing update: I’m getting ready to start editing my novel... that’s why I want to learn scrivener but I’m quite happy using word at the moment. But we’ll see! + song of the day: ‘false god’ by Taylor swift. I just so excited every time it comes on because it’s soOoOOooOoo good. ⚡️ + + + + + + + #bookster #inmybedroom #hyggehome #pursuepretty #calledtobecreative #artstudio #livecreatively #craftsposure #whereiwork #handsandhustle #igreads #bookishlove #bookfeature #booksofig #goodreads #hustlehard #successmindset #smallmomentsofcalm #simplethingsmadebeautiful #cornersofmyworld #beautyofstillmoments #aslowmoment #bookaesthetic #booknerdigans #momentslikethese #mybeigelife #darlingweekend #ilovebooks #writingabook #authorlife

It’s okay. It’s okay if you don’t have words. If you don’t have a clue what’s going on. If you don’t know what to do. It’s okay if you feel alone, cry 10 times a day, miss your friends. It’s okay to grieve, and despair, and lament during this pandemic. Its okay if you’re unproductive. Demotivated. Scared. Shivering. Panicking. It’s okay. You’re not alone. + But I do urge you not to lose hope. I know that can seem like a meaningless thing to say right now, but there is hope. Science is moving at a record speed, governments (some) are taking care of us, we are able to stay connected & this WILL be over. Life will be different forever after this, but the pandemic itself - it will end. We will be able to go back into the sunshine. Back to work. Back to our favourite restaurants. Back to parties, gigs, festivals, gyms, pools. We will get our freedom back. + But right now, stay home. Staying home feels pointless in the current climate, and personally, it makes me feel quite guilty, but it’s saving lives. Sitting on the couch, enjoying Netflix and reading books, is saving 👏🏼 lives 👏🏼. We’re all being enlisted right now to serve our counties in this bizarre dystopian way, and it’s important - so important - to do that.

Categories

book reviews
canada
i write
misc
months
music reviews
poetry
short stories
travel
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December 2019
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

« Oct Jan »

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