4 New Additions To My Bookshelf

It's not even been that long since my last book haul but due to lockdown I've been reading way more than usual and I'd pretty much got through everything on my bookshelf and on my kindle. There have definitely been weeks where I've read absolutely nothing and been in some major reading slumps but luckily I seem to be out of that now and some of the books I've read recently have just been brilliant. If you haven't seen, I recently spoke about my love for The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and also Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams so feel free to read those if you want to know more! I had quite a few books in mind that I wanted to get next but I was pretty restrained and ordered myself 4 so I thought I'd share them with you.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

'A deeply moving and unforgettable portrait of an ordinary and yet an extraordinary teenage girl. First published over sixty years ago, Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl has reached millions of young people throughout the world. In July 1942, thirteen-year-old- Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the occupation, went into hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. Over the next two years Anne vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living in such close quarters, and her thoughts, feelings and longings as she grows up. Her diary ends abruptly when, in August 1944, they were all betrayed.'

Just writing the synopsis out made me feel a bit emotional so I'm sure this will be a hard read at times. I do think I might have read Anne Frank's Diary when I was younger but I definitely don't have a copy so I really wanted to grab one for myself to keep. One of the things I really wanted to do on our trip to Amsterdam next week which is having to be re-scheduled, was visit the Anne Frank museum so I thought now was a good time to read the diary before hopefully going some other time. Have you read her diary?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

'Despite their differences, sisters Viann and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight and Viann finds herself isolated so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her. As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength is tested. With life changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Viann and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.'

I've seen a lot about this recently and with each positive review, I've found myself more and more intrigued. I've read quite a few books centered around the second world war so this is a book I'm really keen to get started on. I've seen it mentioned several times how emotional this book is though so I fully expect to cry a lot!

Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney

'Frances is twenty-one years old, cool-headed and observant. A student in Dublin and an aspiring writer, at night she performs spoken word with her best friend Bobbi, who used to be her girlfriend. When they are interviewed and then befriended by Melissa, a well-known journalist who is married to Nick, an actor, they enter a world of beautiful houses, raucous dinner parties and holidays in Provence, beginning a complex menage-a-quatre. But when Frances and Nick get unexpectedly closer, the sharply witty and emotion-averse Frances is forced to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time'

This seemed impossible to get hold of until recently! As I've said quite a few times recently I adored Normal People by Sally Rooney so as soon as I finished the book and the TV series, I wanted to see what her other novel was like and of course it wasn't in stock anywhere or the places it was, were charging ridiculous prices. It was reduced to just £4.50 on Amazon a few weeks ago so I had to get it and I can't wait to get stuck in. I hope I love it as much as Normal People though I have no idea what to expect with this.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

'Everybody knows Daisy Jones and the Six. From the moment Daisy walked barefoot on to the stage at the Whisky, she and the band were a sensation. Their sound defined an era. Their albums were on every turntable. They sold out arenas from coast to coast. This is the story of their incredible rise: the desire, the rivalry - and the music. Then, on 12 July 1979, Daisy Jones and the Six split up. Nobody knew why. Until now...'

I can't wait to get started on this! I never expected to love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo so much and as this seems like a similar premise, I have high hopes. I'm obsessed with the cover too, it's so pretty! Have you read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid?

So that's four new additions to my bookshelf! I'm definitely going to struggle to find room for them but they were all books I'd been tempted by for a while and I now I just need to decide which one to start first.

Have you read any of these books?

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Mini Film Reviews #8 - The Invisible Man, The Gentlemen & More

It's been a long, long time since I last shared some mini film reviews, since January actually! Whilst in lockdown, it's safe to say I've been watching many films and boxsets. George and I are loving having movie nights, usually at the weekend with a pizza and of course a load of snacks because what is a movie night without popcorn and sweets? There are a few more films than usual this time as there were so many I wanted to talk about.

The Invisible Man - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was one of the films that was released online and available to rent around the time we first went into lockdown so luckily we had something new to watch that we'd originally been hoping to see in the cinema. I love anything that's a thriller or a horror and this seemed like a bit of both, something that would have genuinely creepy moments in and also leave you in suspense throughout. This also had elements of science fiction thrown in too. This stars Elisabeth Moss as Cecelia, a woman who is convinced she is been stalked by her abusive ex boyfriend who recently 'apparently' committed suicide. When the police refuse to believe her story, she has to take matters into her own hands. I was really impressed by this and genuinely couldn't work out what was 'real' at times and what wasn't. Really like how different it is to many other horrors that have been released recently.

Ready or Not - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another horror as we watched quite a few during those first weeks of lockdown. Ready or Not is about newlyweds Grace and Alex. Grace couldn't be happier to finally have a proper family of her own but unfortunately she finds out there's a catch. Everyone who marries into the family has to play a game and it just turns out that Grace picked hide and seek. She is sent to hide and believes it really is just a simple game but unfortunately she actually has to try and stay alive from midnight to dawn whilst her in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and various other weapons. I thought this was a really good horror despite quite a few gory moments and there was definitely some humour thrown in too. I thought the ending had quite a good twist even if it was maybe a little silly.

The Hunt - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yep, another horror, though this came across as more of an action movie to me for the majority of it. This starts with twelve strangers waking up in a forest with no idea where they are or how they got there. Turns out there's a group of ruthless elitists who gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport and these twelve are the unlucky ones this year. Quite a few big names were included in the trailer for this so I was very surprised with just how many are killed within about 5 minutes but that definitely kept me intrigued as everything I thought I knew about the movie, changed. The trailer now seems very different to the actual film so it really has the shock factor.

Trolls World Tour - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love love love Trolls. The first film is probably one of my all time faves, I can put it on at any time and I know I'm guaranteed a few hours where I just feel happy, it's just that sort of film. I've looked forward to the sequel since the first film was released so I was just glad the time had finally arrived. Whilst I don't think this was quite as good as the first film, I still REALLY enjoyed it and I can't wait to watch it again. Yeah it's a film primarily aimed at kids but there's something for the whole family I think. It's funny, it has a nice story and the music is great. Please let there be a third film.

Endings, Beginnings - ⭐⭐⭐

Ah I was so looking forward to this as who doesn't love a bit of Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan but it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be. Endings, Beginnings follows Daphne, played by Shailene Woodley as she is going through a bad break up and trying to navigate the single life. Whilst vowing not to get involved with a man anytime soon, she meets both Frank and Jack at a party, best friends too and polar opposites. One is a bad boy that drags her into scenes she doesn't really want to be in but she can't stay away and the other is an intelligent and sensitive man who really cares for her, but is that enough excitement? I did like this and I think the acting was brilliant but the ending just let it down for me.

Birds of Prey - ⭐⭐

I was SO disappointed in this! I absolutely loved Suicide Squad in 2016 and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn was definitely one of the stand outs so I had high hopes for her standalone movie, Birds of Prey. Unfortunately I feel like it was just a bit of a mess. I'm sure they'll be people who love this and I'm really glad if you're one of them but I personally sat there thinking 'what is going on?' the majority of the time. I felt that Harley's break up with the Joker was brushed over pretty quickly, there was no real plot and then several other 'superheroes' come into the movie to form the Birds of Prey but they don't really get together as a gang til towards the end.We didn't really know much about them so I couldn't connect to any of them. Like, one randomly had this power too that had not been mentioned beforehand or after so it was just a bit 'oh okay this is happening now!' It felt thrown in for the sake of it. Can you tell I didn't enjoy this?! I think they could have done so much more with it.

The Gentlemen - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now this was a fantastic film, one of the best I've watched in lockdown. I actually want to watch it again soon as I think each time it would just get better and better. This has an outstanding cast and I was so impressed with every single one of them. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant & Henry Golding, just to name a few. It follows Mickey Pearson, an American expat who has built himself a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When it gets out he's looking to sell off his business, it triggers an array of plots, schemes and blackmail from various characters who want to steal his domain. Just from the synopsis and even the trailer, it wouldn't usually be the sort of film I'd rush to watch but I thought it was fab. Really funny at points and Hugh Grant and Michelle Dockery especially stood out to me.

I think that wraps this post up and I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of the films I've enjoyed (some not so much) over the last few months. Have you seen any of the movies in this post? What did you think to them?

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The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo By Taylor Jenkins Reid Book Review

I thought I had an idea of what my top book of the year might be come the end of 2020. After reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I'm now not so sure. I truly did not want this book to end.

'Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career. Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very clear connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.'

My Review

I was really intrigued in how this was going to be set out and part of the reason I'd put off reading it for so long was because it almost came across as quite old fashioned just from the cover and the synopsis and I wasn't sure if it was going to be something I'd really get stuck into. It's not like anything I've read before but I can say now that it is one of the best books I have ever read, and I have read quite a few books over the last few years.

This story really gets going just after Evelyn requests Monique Grant, a journalist, to write her biography. She wants no one else and is adamant than only Monique must put her words on paper and tell people of the real Evelyn Hugo, not the one everyone knows from the big screen. The story is told from two different timelines and points of view. One from Monique interviewing Evelyn and piecing everything together for the biography and the other timelines from all of the different times throughout Evelyn's life from early childhood to going on to have seven husbands throughout her career. We also find out the true reason for Evelyn requesting Monique and her reasons for why now is the time she has to come clean about everything she's ever wanted to. Each chapter just flows seamlessly into the next and whilst there have been many books recently that have held my attention, this was like no other. I never, ever wanted it to end. I just wanted more. The plot is constantly evolving and changing and it just works like a dream.

Whilst I wasn't completely sure of Evelyn at the beginning, given almost immediately she comes across as quite cold and almost manipulative, I really warmed to her over time. As we uncover more about her early marriages, it becomes clear she was a woman that could never truly live the life she wanted to. She became famous very young, wasn't always surrounded by the best people and for a long time had to hide who she truly was. I felt for her and other characters in the book who were living lives that weren't always as they seemed in fear of what people might think otherwise. It showed that fame isn't always as spectacular and glamorous as you might expect and showed that during the 50's and later years too that if you put a foot out of line, it would be very hard to come back from it.

I'd never read anything from Taylor Jenkins Reid before this, despite hearing lots of praise about her because of this and also Daisy Jones & The Six, something else I'm keen to read now, but I'm so impressed by her writing. The whole book played out like a film in my head. I could imagine every single thing so vividly. I don't think there's a book that I've read before that has had such a way with story telling. It was genuinely like I was in each scene watching it play out, it was crazy at times how believable it all felt. I was lost in the lives of these Hollywood stars.

As I said at the beginning of this review, I wasn't expecting too much from this but it really surprised me when it went down a certain route. Whilst I don't want to spoil anything because I genuinely just want everyone to go and read this for themselves, I think it represented the LGBTQ+ community beautifully, just with such ease. In fact I think Taylor has approached each subject perfectly including race and misogyny too, just to name a few. Whilst the title leads you to believe it's all going to be about Evelyn's 7 husbands, it's so much more than that. When we dig deeper, we find out not all the marriages were as they seemed. Some were out of lust, some out of love and some out of convenience and much of the book was about just pure love for many other people in her life, not just the men.

I was utterly obsessed with Evelyn Hugo and everything about her life. This book will stay with me for a long time and I know I'll be re-reading it one day and loving it just as much as the first time. It's going to be tough picking my favourite books of the year when 2020 ends but I know this will be one of them, maybe even in the #1 spot too.

Have you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?

Book reviews - Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams // Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NG

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My Current City Break Bucket List

I had high hopes for 2020. I'm sure most of us did, but it's fair to say this year hasn't really gone the way anyone expected. When January was dragging along as it always does, I never would have thought that just two months later we'd have our lives put on hold, be in a global pandemic and be forced to stay indoors for the foreseeable. If I'd known, maybe I wouldn't have wished so many days away and would have realised just how special the little things we could do before really were. Luckily there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel now and whilst lockdown has made me appreciate so much more than before, I'll be glad when this is a thing of the past. One of the things I've struggled with the most over the last few months is the fact that pretty much all of the exciting plans we had for Spring & Summer had just gone in an instant. 

Of course there's bigger things to worry about than holidays and everyone's circumstances are different but we're still allowed to be sad about these things. Due to my anxiety, I'm someone who needs things to look forward to. I can get very negative, very quickly so I'm forever planning things for the future, something to aim for and look forward to. This year George and I really wanted to travel a bit more. By that I don't mean go backpacking or anything, I'm not that adventurous but we wanted to tick off some of the places on our city break bucket list. We also wanted to see a number of shows in London (when I am ever not planning a trip to see a musical?) and we also had a few trips to other cities in the UK planned. Whilst all of those things can be re-scheduled, I struggled at first to accept that for time being those things were no longer happening. As the weeks go on and more and more restrictions are eased, we're starting to get back out there again and as I've said in a few posts recently, I'm hopeful we might be able to claw back some of these trips by the end of the year but I'm just taking each week as it comes for now. Talking about travel is something that makes me really happy at the moment and planning for future trips, whenever they might be is something that has really kept me going so today I wanted to share some of the places on my current city break bucket list. 

Amsterdam

The first place I had to mention and the place we should be heading in a matter of weeks is Amsterdam. This is a city we've wanted to visit for years and it was a contender for our honeymoon before we decided on Paris instead. We had planned to go for our anniversary in July and as that date is getting closer and closer, the sadder I'm starting to feel about it being cancelled. I just got so invested in planning this trip but I know we'll get there eventually. I think it would be beautiful in Autumn and I'm kind of pinning my hopes on that at the moment, it helps me get through the day okay, but if that's not possible then hopefully next Spring will be do-able. I want to eat allll the crepes, go to the Anne Frank Museum, visit the markets - just take in the city and see all it has to offer. I just want a few days in a pretty city, away from normal life for a while.

Image by Liam Gant on Pexels

Prague

Whilst there are other cities we'll probably aim to visit beforehand, Prague is definitely on my city break bucket list. Every photo I have ever seen of it just looks stunning, regardless of the time of year. It's known for it's Old Town Square and it's Gothic style churches and buildings so I think it would be a real sightseeing trip. Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock and the Dancing House are just a few of the places I want to see whilst there.

Photo by Jeshoots on Pexels

Budapest 

Budapest has been pretty high on my bucket list for a few years now. A place I'd love to visit in the Summer one year maybe for an extended weekend break. I don't actually know loads about the city but it's one of those places I'd love to just figure out as we go and see what we find. A few places I've seen online though that are a must are - The Hungarian Parliament Building which looks insanely beautiful from the other side of the Danube for the full view, Heroes' Square, Margaret Island and the Danube Promenade.

Photo by Deathless on Pexels

Krakow

The more I think about our possible trip to Krakow at Christmas, the more excited I get. Maybe I've got my head in the clouds thinking that travel will be a possibility in the not too distant future but I've got everything crossed that that's going to be the case. I'm not giving up on 2020 just yet. Krakow has been on my travel bucket list for so many years and I was insanely jealous when George got to visit with work a few years ago. We've always said that we'd go back together one year and I'm really hoping 2020 can still be the year that we get there. I love visiting Christmas markets but so far we've not got abroad for any so I'd love for Krakow to be the first one I get to go to in a different country. It looks magical. I'm also really keen to go on the Auschwitz tour too. I've mentioned in many book reviews that Auschwitz is something I'm always wanting to learn more about and given I've read so many books about it, I feel like it's something I need to see for myself one day. We have so much planned for our trip so let's just hope we get there some time soon.

Rome

I've never been to Italy and it's always somewhere I'm lusting over in the Summer months. I just want to sit in a cute restaurant with a glass of prosecco and a big bowl of pasta taking in the views. Venice is also somewhere I'd love to go one day but I find myself drawn to Rome every time I start looking for a holiday. Maybe it's the amount of times I've watched the Lizzie McGuire movie! Of course the Colosseum is one of the main attractions to visit but I'd also like to see the Pantheon at night, St. Peter's Basilica, the Spanish Steps and obviously I'm going to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain (Is that still allowed? I think it is!).

So, that's the 5 main cities on my current city break bucket list. I could go on for ages, I definitely want to visit places like Barcelona, Stockholm, Vienna and Dublin too. We'd also love to head back to Paris one day too as we loved it so much yet it still feels like there's so much we didn't see.

Where are you hoping to head first when travel is allowed again? Have you visited any of these cities and have any recommendations?

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