Weekly Update #27

Happy New Year once again and welcome to my 27th Weekly Update and my first of 2021. Now we’re looking back on limbo week just after Christmas and up to the New Year itself. I’m still really enjoying looking back through my week in summary but I’m also interested to hear from you. Yes, you reading this post!.

Following my Christmas Eve run I didn’t get back out until 29th – initially I wasn’t sure how far I would run but I’m my head I said I wanted to run 7 miles not only did I achieve that I once again beat my personal best for 10k shaving off another min or so. 1.08 is now my time.

On New Years Eve I wanted to see how many miles I could get onto my last day of the year. I ran 5 miles taken my December tally to 76km so a little short off the 100km target but respectable for someone who didn’t run prior to June.

Not bad going and faster than I had thought. I had planned to get out today but I wasn’t sure what the weather was saying as snow has been predicted and to add to that my foot has been a little on the sore side so I’ve been stretching and I managed a 1min plank so far today. In some ways I’m upset but I’ve learnt my lesson in regards to listening to my body. Watch this space I can’t wait to see what I can achieve this year.

Treated myself to my most favourite Ted Baker scent Polly in the sale and finally purchased a highlighter not that I have anywhere to go. These beauties arrived today.

I haven’t done much last couple of New Years and this year we had no choice. But I put on a dressy top, leggings and some make up to join the girls on a zoom chat which was a lot of fun.

In hitting my GoodReads target last year I decided to up it a little so I’ve gone from 100 to 120. Seeing as right now I’m at home I should make the most of it. I’ve also set myself a target to aim to read at least 100 pages a day. So far I’m tracking ok and I’ve still managed to do day today stuff. I also would love to listen to more audiobooks – I have one on the go but I’ve mostly been focussed on my physical book.

What’s been on the blog?

On Sunday I took part in Six for Sunday and you can read my post here.

On Monday I shared two posts as I had a review I was eager to post and following watching Paddington 2 I wanted to share my thoughts Paddington 2 thoughts and Sleepless Review.

On Tuesday I was pleased to share my thoughts on Freya Kennedy’s Debut The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn and you can read that here.

On Wednesday I shared my thoughts on the third instalment of Dash & Lily and you can read that here.

On Thursday – the final day of 2020 I shared two posts my books of the year – which I got down to 10 I could’ve carried on you can read that here. And I also shared my thoughts on Milly Johnson’s gorgeous festive book I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday and you can read that Here.

I’m pretty chuffed in November I posted every single day here on the blog and in December I only missed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if I had planned a little better I wouldn’t have missed them.

Yesterday was the first day of 2021 and I started thinking of what I wanted from my reading life this year and you can read that post here.

So that’s how my week went. I would love to know what else you would like to see here. Right back to the book…Happy Saturday.

Six for Sunday – Characters you’d spend New Years With.

I haven’t participated in a Six for Sunday in forever and I thought it was time to change that. Six for Sunday is a weekly meme created by https://alittlebutalot.com each week a prompt is given and then you choose books accordingly.

This weeks prompt is characters you’d spend New Year with….this is definitely one I could make choices for.

Up first I’m going for Minnie & a Quinn a lot of their story revolves around a number of New Years so they seemed like an apt choice.

Minnie & Quinn will stay with me and it’s an extremely hopeful read that I may reread in New Years to come you can read my review again here.

It seems to be a theme with some of my favourite reads of this year happen to be Buddy reads. Up next is Joe & Otty from the gorgeous Our Story.

Miranda takes a lil bit of my heart whenever she brings out a new book, but Joe & Otty were perfectly flawed and this book just got me.

You can read my review on this absolute beauty here.

My next offering was also a Buddy read and a book series I hope to reread ahead of the festive season next year.

Dash & Lily stole my heart both on paper and via Netflix I’m currently reading Mind The Gap, Dash & Lily. Here’s my thoughts on Dash & Lily Book 1 and Book 2 here.

I’m almost done listening to this beauty – my review will be up in the coming week. I seem to have been duoing my answers. From this one I’m choosing Libby and Jess these besties would be great craic especially at New year.

I cannot do a post like this without one of my most favourite book boyfriends in Ed. I believe my thoughts on this was written when I was a part of another blog 😦 I am hoping to reread at some point. My love for Ed has been unwavering.

I couldn’t do a post like this without any Paige Toon. There’s so many characters of hers that I’ve loved but Hannah & Sonny stole my heart this year so it has to be them. You can read my thoughts here.

I absolutely love these posts and I’m hoping to do more of these in the coming weeks. I had said I might have posted two posts today but I think I’ll organise the review I had to post tomorrow. Happy Sunday all.

Best Ever You: 52 Week Journal to Your Bravest, Boldest You by Elizabeth Guarino, Kris Fuller and Sally Huss @BestEverYou @SparklesYour @SallyHuss

Following reading and really enjoying Percolate I jumped at the chance to read and review The Best Ever You Journal. You can read my thoughts on Percolate here.

What I really loved about Percolate was how all the ideas were shaped in reality. Looking at acts we all do and take for granted and how small changes daily can make an ever lasting change.

So what’s it about? The creators of the Best Ever You Network and Your Life Sparkles have teamed up to bring you this inspiring 52 week journal. You’ll become your bravest, boldest you as you write about your life, values, habits and more in this year-long journal. You are the coffee in the cup of life. What are you brewing? Create your own best blend. Using our Six Principles, you will take a look at different aspects of your life. Be real with yourself, enjoy the process and keep going on the journey towards becoming your Best Ever You! When you purchase a journal, you are invited to join our exclusive Facebook Group, with free guided weekly assistance direct from Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Kris Fuller.

In Percolate the theme of coffee was paramount and in Best Ever You it’s still a huge part of the journal with what’s brewing being at the forefront of every prompt. Looking at the six principles that make up our feelings – core, art, humanity, sport and spirit.

I will be delving into this further and I will be documenting my progress at a later date….a prompt that stands out for me Is….Would your younger self be proud of who you are now? Yes! Wholeheartedly she would be cheering for me I’ve changed so much in my life in the most recent years and even since lockdown. Once I committed to the Couch to 5k programme it has changed my life, my outcome and my fitness. It gave me routine when I was missing it. Although since returning to work it’s been tricky but I’ve managed it sort of. It’s a work in progress I’m hoping to get out tomorrow although have had an achy leg so we shall see.

I love how this Journal challenges me to think outside of the box and to challenge my comfort zone. Since returning to work I’ve noticed a spring in my step and I’m looking to the future with a happy heart alongside all of the madness that the world has right now. Thank you to Love Books Group for including me once again. I adore self care and I’m getting better at being positive about my life rather than negative so thank you 😊

Mid-Year roundup

Seeing as we are halfway through 2020 I’ve seen so many people taking part in mid year tags and talking of what they have read so far, and how they are fairing against Good Reads challenges.

Thank So it got me thinking about my reading journey in the craziest year of my life. So my target for the year is 100 books which for a book blogger should be easy but life often gets in the way. I’ve generally always got at least one book on the go – sometimes if I’m reading more than one it takes me longer sometimes it makes no difference.

During lockdown to date I’ve read 47 books and I’m currently at 62 out of my 100. So lockdown well and truly has helped my reading mojo. I’ve downloaded and took advantage of the Libby app supporting my library from afar, and I’ve got back into audiobooks. Following my issues with my left ear I had cancelled subscriptions and had mostly stopped listening to audiobooks I’m loving having them back.

Since lockdown….

My Review – this series le sigh.

My Review – I truly loved embracing the world of Paige Toon this was such a gorgeous read.

My Review – Wow Louise Candlish never lets me down.

My Review – This was such a tonic on a sunny day.

My Review

This was my second read of this and I somehow have never written my thoughts on this absolute beauty – I will say I had different thoughts on the second read.

My Review – Such a truly important read for any and every woman.

My Review – Following The Flatshare I was itching for this and I loved it.

My Review – the next instalment of this beauty will be on my Kindle later this week.

I still haven’t reviewed this. David is a family favourite and this was a gorgeous audiobook.

My Review

My Review

Somehow I always gush and then am lost for words. Haven’t written this review.

My Review

My Review Heidi never lets me down. Loved this trip to the beach.

My Review

My Review

My original review – this was a second time read.

My Review

My Review

My Review – this book will stay with me for a long time.

My Review – my first Patricia novel but definitely not my last.

My Review

My Review

My Review – I read this in a day on publication day.

My Review – a fantastic debut.

I loved this but haven’t reviewed as yet.

My Review – an audiobook I borrowed from the library.

My Review – a blog tour I loved

Audio Review I had heard such good stuff about this and I loved it.

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review I loved listening to this but do I buy the hardback or the paperback

My Review – love love loves this. The hype is real.

My Review

My Review

My Review – An ace buddy read. Isabelle always has me lusting for travel.

I loved the Katey Lovell Meet Cutes.

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review – Such a special read and I’m so glad this was my introduction to Santa.

My Review will come soon.

So 47 lockdown reads and 15 prior to that….I’m feeling pretty darn good about that. Woah it’s a long and a late one…can you imagine if I had the other 15.

The TBR Book Tag

I keep seeing this tag pop up. I haven’t been tagged but I wanted to get involved so here I am.

How do you keep track of your TBR?

I use Goodreads and since lockdown I’ve written more notes in a pad as to what I’m reading and dates especially if I’m part of a blog tour and where I’m trying to have my review up for publication day or as close to it as I can. I’ve loved being more organised and getting to read more books as I truly love escaping into another world.

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

I have a variation. Since lockdown I’ve gone back to having a few more audiobooks – most Arcs are now On Netgalley although I have been sent a few plus was given a bunch at an event before lockdown. I’ve purchased a lot of ebooks with the Kindle sales and I’ve been using Libby I must admit I’ve used my library a lot more since lockdown with mostly audiobooks but I have also got an ebook which is diverse and I’m loving it.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

My TBR choices change at the moment I’m reading/listening to a few library books before I dive into the book that I’m on a blog tour for on 29th June. From 1st July I have another buddy read with Catriona we decided to wait until then as our last I managed to read first but we had both taken a lot longer than we anticipated. After reading Hello Again I was eager to read some short stories and that is what I did including the last instalment in the Meet Me at Pebble Beach series.

A book that’s been on your TBR the longest?

There are sooo many but I’m going to say Daphne Du Maurier Jamaica Inn. The worst thing is when I discovered and loved Daphne I bought a whole bunch and I actually have this one sat on my shelf mocking me.

A book that you recently added to your TBR?

Following reading Daisy Jones & The Six the rest of Taylor Jenkins Reid back catalogue has quite quickly been added to my ever expanding TBR.

A book that is on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover?

I am swayed by a gorgeous cover but I don’t think I could say I’ve added one to my TBR based solely on the cover. (Sorry if that’s a cop out)

A book on your TBR that you never plan on actually reading?

This isn’t necessarily that I wouldn’t ever read them. Sometimes over the years I added books based on my reading during that time and later on those type of books never appealed to me again. If that makes sense.

An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for?

This is so easy to answer One By One By Ruth Ware she can literally do no wrong in my book and her last one I flew through and Our Story by the fantastic Miranda Dickinson yet again another go to author of mine.

A book on your TBR that basically everyone has read except you?

There’s a few Me Before You which I’m hoping to listen to via the library. The hate U Give which seeing as I’m literally almost done with On The Come Up seems apt and Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. I have a copy from my time at the charity shop another book mocking me from my shelf.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you?

Literally all of the above oh and actually finishing the I Heart series.

A book on your TBR that you’re just dying to read?

My Darkest Vanessa I purchased a gorgeous edition from Waterstones which seems like months back and I still haven’t started it. I will get a few hardbacks read before work resumes oh and the newest Jodi Picoult another of my go to faves.

I’m not going to go through tagging but I challenge anyone who wants to take part in this fab tag.

Life has been pretty crazy recently and thankfully books, blogging and now running is taking my mind away, and challenging me both mentally and physically and I honestly think that’s been amazing for my sanity.

I’m one chapter left of On The Come Up and I definitely think it’s important for us to broaden our minds with different authors. Not only in race but in genre and in expanding our mindsets. So please feel free to send me over some more recommendations?

Bout of Books 28 sign up and hopes for the week ahead

Today is Monday 11th May and my mindset is in a completely different place to that of yesterday. I’ve already managed to plank and a much better second count which was the boost I needed today. Enough about that on to the books.

Every time this readathon comes round I say I will participate and I have tried a few times but this time around I really don’t have many excuses as let’s face it I’m not working right now. Although today I’ve started an audiobook that I’ve wanted to read for a while but it wasn’t originally on my TBR thoughts for this week. I have a few things I want to get done in my room today and so I can do both reading and sorting I decided I needed an audiobook in my mix.

Thanks to my good friend Catriona aka Fabulous Book Fiend I’ve finally worked out how to use Libby so I can download audiobooks from my library. I couldn’t be happier so today I downloaded and I’m currently on chapter 2 of.

I may have also put a few things on hold and downloaded a Nicholas Sparks audiobook. It’s been a while since I’ve been immersed in a Nick Sparks novel. Sorry I’m rambling again.

So here is what you need to know about Bout of Books…The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 11th and runs through Sunday, May 17th in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are daily challenges, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For Bout of Books 28 information and updates, visit the Bout of Books blog.

I will be blogging daily as well as adding much needed reviews here on Hayley Reviews. There’s some amazing books I hope to get to and I will be posting reviews as much as possible this week too.

Yesterday I started this beauty and I’ve read a little of that this morning before turning to audio.

I absolutely loved Susan Gee’s debut and this is intriguing and unnerving me at the moment.

Myself and Catriona are buddy reading this this week I’m to start that later today.

This beauty is out this week I can’t believe I’ve had it ages and not read it. We are almost at the end of our Paige Toon read a long.

I’m not sure when this week I will start this but it will happen.

I’m hoping I can squeeze some more in but if this is all I manage I will also feel pretty happy.

Paige Toon Read-along Readathon

There are some books coming out this year that I am very excited about but probably one of my most anticipated 2020 releases is Paige Toon’s new novel The Minute I saw You. This one publishes on 14th May in the UK and I just can’t wait.

I was going through some of my top books of the decade at the end of last year and I noticed that I had a couple of Paige Toon novels sitting unread on my shelf so I thought what better way to get to them than host a readalong of all her back list titles in the run up to publication day of The Minute I Saw You? I spoke to my friend Catriona to see if she’d be on board and so we hashed out the details and here we are!

We’re going to be reading a book a week starting on February 1st and if there is a short story or sequel that goes with that book we’ll be reading that in the same week too. Catriona will be vlogging the whole process and we will both be hosting some discussions over on social media too. 

I’ve listed all the books and reading date below. If a short story/sequel has its own ebook version I’ve listed that, otherwise it can be found in the bind up of all the short stories/sequels One Perfect Christmas-so you have options of how you would like to read. 

We would also love to read the Jessie Jefferson novels as well but we know that young adult isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, just like adult fiction isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so we’ll be doing those afterwards, at the end so you can choose to join in or not. 

I’m very excited about this readalong because some of these novels will be a first time read for me and others will be a much welcome re-read. I have some of these on audio, some on ebook and others in paperback form. Others I will be borrowing from my library so you have time to see if your library has them, or time to download or buy from your preferred outlet. I’ll leave links to each book if you still need to track them down. 

Here are the books and dates-any questions, just leave a comment on this post or get in touch with Catriona or I over on social media…

1/2/20 

Lucy in The Sky

8/2/20 

Johnny Be Good

15/2/20 

Baby Be Mine

Johnny’s Girl & extra scene

22/2/20 

Chasing Daisy

Daisy Says Goodbye

29/2/20 

Pictures of Lily

When Lily Met Alice

7/3/20 

One Perfect Summer

One Perfect Christmas

14/3/20

The Longest Holiday

Laura’s Longest Day

21/3/20 

Thirteen Weddings

A Christmas Wedding

28/3/20 

The Sun in Her Eyes

4/4/20 

The One We Fell in Love With

Rose’s Big Night Out

11/4/20 

The Last Piece of My Heart

Bridget’s Beach Proposal

18/4/20 

5 Years From Now

25/4/20 

If You Could Go Anywhere

2/5/20

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson

9/5/20

I knew You Were Trouble

16/5/20

All About The Hype

23/5/20

The Minute I Saw You

Any questions or comments, just leave them below or get in touch with Catriona or I over on social media. And remember this is just a fun readalong and a way to get hyped up for The Minute I Saw You. You don’t have to read all the books, feel free to jump in and out as you wish-happy reading!

I’m so so excited about this do get in touch if you are joining us even to just dip in and out.

Book Cover Challenge is back….

On more than one occasion I have said how much I enjoyed doing this challenge. Back in June I said that I would aim to do at least one a week which turned into just the one last month. It’s a brand new month so let’s see how many I can do this time around.

Last Thursday on my day off I was lucky enough to pop by Goldsboro books and meet the lovely Ruth Ware. Not only is she one of my favourite authors but she also shares a love for Daphne Du Maurier- a lady who I’m lucky to say still has lots of books for me to get lost in. After our chat there were definitely a few novels that need moving up that ever expanding and slightly out of hand TBR pile. Ruth’s latest The Death Of Mrs Westaway which I still haven’t started how I don’t know has been likened to Daphne’s Rebecca so in hearing this I’m even more on edge to devour this beauty.

This was the cover of the copy I read – I devoured this for a book group that I didn’t even get to due to life getting in the way.

I was completely hooked and I wanted to share the love. I needed to share this story so this is the one book of Ruth’s that I don’t own as I wanted someone else to read it. I may have to invest in it for my collection. I’m not sure where the below cover is from but this gives off a real sense of eerie which in a dark, dark wood conveys.

I’m intrigued to see if there are any particular book cover topics you would like me to show. For example: book that made you smile, cry, that holds memories anything. I definitely want to do this more so please get in touch with some ideas for me.

I’m still in the midst of reading something for a blog tour tomorrow fingers crossed I can make it happen.

Bringing back….

The book cover challenge….I have decided I will aim to post at least one a week.

It’s funny I hoped to have had a review ready for you today but after a crazy work day and a fantastic outdoorsy Box-fit class I needed to eat and bath and the evening ran away with me so there wasn’t as much reading done yesterday.

As I tried to sleep my mind drifted and I then ended up drafting this post. Looking back at the six day challenge I did back in November made me smile. My choices said a lot about me and I hope these weekly ones will continue to do so. I’m posting this on Wednesday this week but this will need to change as I hope to have a more regular Wandering Wednesday post.

I’m not sure how I first stumbled across Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. What I do know and wholeheartedly remember is how it truly captivated me from the very start. Instantly making me want to devour all of her back catalogue. At the time I believe I was volunteering with Cancer Research whilst working for O2 in Kensington and through volunteering and eBay I purchased a few of her other titles. Since then I was lucky enough to be sent one of the repackaged copies of Frenchman’s Creek which I also truly adored. She writes in a way that lets you escape and I’m so glad there is still so much for me to discover. Have you read a Daphne novel that I need to inhale almost instantly? Do feel free to let me know.

This is the cover of the copy that I actually read but I swear every time it’s repackaged it looks even more gorgeous. Here are just a few of the other covers…

As I have mentioned on more than one occasion I am now a fully fledged Assistant Manager for Cancer Research UK and my has that been an experience but for a bookworm like me it can also be a blessing and a curse and yesterday I stumbled across one of the repackaged copies of My Cousin Rachel. I toyed with the idea of listening to this before watching the film but when I saw this beauty I knew I had to read the paperback.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest book cover challenge. If there is a particular book feeling or genre you would like me to cover next week? Do leave a comment below.

Until next time….

Book Challenge ends today :(

Today sees the seventh and final book cover of the book cover challenge. But have no fear I’m pretty certain I will bring this back from time to time as I have had so much fun talking about books that have shaped my reading and my experiences. 

It’s been soooo hard to choose my final book so I started scrolling through my GoodReads list and a few jumped out but I’m going to go with this…

This was the first Daphne Du Maurier novel I devoured and I well and truly fell in love. Since then I have read Frenchman’s Creek which I also adored. I have a few more of hers that I purchased after falling in love – I believe Jamaica Inn will be my next read. 

Have you read any Daphne Du Maurier if so any recommendations for me? 

Thank you Kelly for this challenge I have loved it so much 😉