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BEE’S BOOKCASE

Experiencing new worlds one book at a time

BEE’S BOOKCASE

Quick reviews across all genres. Contemporary fiction and practical self-help are my personal faves.

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The Nickel Boys – A Heart-Wrenching Story of Injustice and Resilience

The Nickel Boys – A Heart-Wrenching Story of Injustice and Resilience

Jan 64 min read

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Monday morning reflections 💭 Have you ever wanted to love a book so much because you feel like you should? That’s how I felt about The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It’s got all the elements I’m interested in, specifically exploring mental health and societal expectations of women, but I really struggled to connect with it on any level. I say this with trepidation as I know how well-loved this story is but you can’t deny how a book makes you feel!

Monday morning reflections 💭 Have you ever wanted to love a book so much because you feel like you should? That’s how I felt about The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It’s got all the elements I’m interested in, specifically exploring mental health and societal expectations of women, but I really struggled to connect with it on any level. I say this with trepidation as I know how well-loved this story is but you can’t deny how a book makes you feel!

CURRENT READ: I’m late to the party with Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – but better late than never! It’s been a busy Christmas so not much reading has happened. Every time I have a small chunk of time to myself then it doesn’t take me long to sink back into the world of Sadie and Sam. The characters are well fleshed out, likeable and ‘flawed’ in some way making them relatable and intriguing. Who would have thought a book ‘about video games’ could have so much heart ❤️

CURRENT READ: I’m late to the party with Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – but better late than never! It’s been a busy Christmas so not much reading has happened. Every time I have a small chunk of time to myself then it doesn’t take me long to sink back into the world of Sadie and Sam. The characters are well fleshed out, likeable and ‘flawed’ in some way making them relatable and intriguing. Who would have thought a book ‘about video games’ could have so much heart ❤️

Ah, what a beautiful, quotable book this is! 💕The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction story about a Cuban American Hollywood starlet who, at the age of 79, decides to pull back the curtain on her personal and professional life and share her story with the world.

At the very heart of it, this is a story about a woman who has spent her life convincing the world that she is one thing, but out of fear of judgment, discrimination and rejection paired with her fervour to become a star, she continuously suppresses her true self.

Ah, what a beautiful, quotable book this is! 💕The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction story about a Cuban American Hollywood starlet who, at the age of 79, decides to pull back the curtain on her personal and professional life and share her story with the world.

At the very heart of it, this is a story about a woman who has spent her life convincing the world that she is one thing, but out of fear of judgment, discrimination and rejection paired with her fervour to become a star, she continuously suppresses her true self.

Happy Monday! Let’s all swing into the week like Carrie Soto 🎾

I have had to force myself to stop reading Taylor Jenkins Reid books to give other authors a look in. I’m just obsessed with her character building skills, specifically for Daisy Jones, June River and Carrie Soto.

The premise: Carrie Soto is a record-breaking retired tennis champion, but when her title is under threat, she decides to come out of retirement and reclaim her record. Not an easy task for a thirty-seven year old, but with right the coaching from her father/tennis instructor, Javier, will she be the comeback queen we’re hoping for, and prove everyone wrong?

This week, I want to 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝑒

She’s unapologetic
She backs herself
She’s a grafter
She’s determined
She’s passionate

💕

Happy Monday! Let’s all swing into the week like Carrie Soto 🎾

I have had to force myself to stop reading Taylor Jenkins Reid books to give other authors a look in. I’m just obsessed with her character building skills, specifically for Daisy Jones, June River and Carrie Soto.

The premise: Carrie Soto is a record-breaking retired tennis champion, but when her title is under threat, she decides to come out of retirement and reclaim her record. Not an easy task for a thirty-seven year old, but with right the coaching from her father/tennis instructor, Javier, will she be the comeback queen we’re hoping for, and prove everyone wrong?

This week, I want to 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝑒

She’s unapologetic
She backs herself
She’s a grafter
She’s determined
She’s passionate

💕

REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It Starts with Us is Colleen Hoover's 2022 follow up story to bestselling 2016 novel It Ends with Us. After the BookTok/Bookstagram world blew up Hoover's inbox with requests to carry on Atlas and Lilly's story, she willingly obliged. Only this time with less tears and more giddy tingles of happiness.

We start where IEWU finishes: Lily and Atlas have bumped into each other one year later after Lily's divorce. Now they've found each other again, this is their chance to finally be together. But with the father of Lily's daughter still in the picture and a past coming back to haunt Atlas, can they make it work?

Overall, I liked it but it didn't blow my mind and stir up emotions quite like IEWU. I personally think that the end of IEWU was perfect and didn't require a follow-up. I understand how much everyone loved the characters – I did too, and I was sad when it finished – but I prefer endings that aren't tied up TOO neatly. I like a little to be left to the imagination.

For such a short book, there were also parts (mainly Atlas' letters/vows) that dragged or I found myself skim-reading over. It all got rather saccharine.

Both books have a really important underlying message, in IEWU we were shown this message through emotional storytelling. But in ISWU, there were a couple moments when I felt the character's voice disappeared and I'd stumbled on CH's diary musings. I don’t want that to take away from anything though, as this series does shine a light on a truly devastating reality for a lot of people which no one should have to go through. 💛

QOTD: For those of you who have already read it, I'd love to know your thoughts. To sequel or not to sequel?

REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It Starts with Us is Colleen Hoover's 2022 follow up story to bestselling 2016 novel It Ends with Us. After the BookTok/Bookstagram world blew up Hoover's inbox with requests to carry on Atlas and Lilly's story, she willingly obliged. Only this time with less tears and more giddy tingles of happiness.

We start where IEWU finishes: Lily and Atlas have bumped into each other one year later after Lily's divorce. Now they've found each other again, this is their chance to finally be together. But with the father of Lily's daughter still in the picture and a past coming back to haunt Atlas, can they make it work?

Overall, I liked it but it didn't blow my mind and stir up emotions quite like IEWU. I personally think that the end of IEWU was perfect and didn't require a follow-up. I understand how much everyone loved the characters – I did too, and I was sad when it finished – but I prefer endings that aren't tied up TOO neatly. I like a little to be left to the imagination.

For such a short book, there were also parts (mainly Atlas' letters/vows) that dragged or I found myself skim-reading over. It all got rather saccharine.

Both books have a really important underlying message, in IEWU we were shown this message through emotional storytelling. But in ISWU, there were a couple moments when I felt the character's voice disappeared and I'd stumbled on CH's diary musings. I don’t want that to take away from anything though, as this series does shine a light on a truly devastating reality for a lot of people which no one should have to go through. 💛

QOTD: For those of you who have already read it, I'd love to know your thoughts. To sequel or not to sequel?

✋🏽 Five for Friday! The month of goal-setting and planning is here and these five books largely shows what my focus will be on this year:

• Introduce more non-fiction reads 🧠
• After a heavy book, lighten things up with an easy read
• Read more historical fiction. I just want to know “stuff”, y’know?
• I’d like book-to-screen articles to be my speciality. Let the hobby and the day job collide a little more
• Read at least one big book. The size normally puts me off because I’m such a slow reader!

✋🏽 Five for Friday! The month of goal-setting and planning is here and these five books largely shows what my focus will be on this year:

• Introduce more non-fiction reads 🧠
• After a heavy book, lighten things up with an easy read
• Read more historical fiction. I just want to know “stuff”, y’know?
• I’d like book-to-screen articles to be my speciality. Let the hobby and the day job collide a little more
• Read at least one big book. The size normally puts me off because I’m such a slow reader!

Cheers to you, 2022! This year, I wanted to focus on a few of the things that make me happy: reading, drawing and writing were the main things. Trying to understand how I can pull all these elements together to hopefully make it a full time thing one day would be the dream! But for now, I shall keep learning and experimenting. Hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023 full of exciting new things to explore! 🥂📚💛🖤💛

Cheers to you, 2022! This year, I wanted to focus on a few of the things that make me happy: reading, drawing and writing were the main things. Trying to understand how I can pull all these elements together to hopefully make it a full time thing one day would be the dream! But for now, I shall keep learning and experimenting. Hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023 full of exciting new things to explore! 🥂📚💛🖤💛

**REVIEW: The Power of Regret**Most people either wallow in regret or try to live life without them. Daniel Pink believes that we should use our regrets to push us forward in life. Not exactly a revolutionary concept, but he does explain how to break down those common regrets we all have into more manageable chunks. He could have delivered the message in fewer pages, though. This 204-page book is about 100 pages too long, with a fair amount of waffle about why we regret and why they make us better. There’s nothing particularly enlightening about it and I especially didn’t enjoy the deep dive of “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” by Edith Piaf. It’s just a song, it really didn’t require almost an entire chapter on Piaf’s life – especially considering as she didn’t even write the thing.

What I did like is the way Pink categorised regret into four key areas, exploring each one in detail and offering something actionable for you to go away and work on. Those four areas are:

Foundation - prioritising short term needs over long-term ones
Boldness - missed chances
Moral - behaving poorly
Connection - losing touch with loved ones

I enjoy getting a bit introspective at times so reading the book gave me the time to work through my own regrets and consider which category each of them fell into. Sometimes popping a little label on a thought helps to digest/work through them. A useful exercise to do as the year draws to a close and you’re starting to reflect…

I heard about the book via Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast so you could just listen to that if you’re thinking the book might not be for you! Ep 130: The Real Trick to Long Term Motivation: Daniel Pink.

**REVIEW: The Power of Regret**Most people either wallow in regret or try to live life without them. Daniel Pink believes that we should use our regrets to push us forward in life. Not exactly a revolutionary concept, but he does explain how to break down those common regrets we all have into more manageable chunks. He could have delivered the message in fewer pages, though. This 204-page book is about 100 pages too long, with a fair amount of waffle about why we regret and why they make us better. There’s nothing particularly enlightening about it and I especially didn’t enjoy the deep dive of “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” by Edith Piaf. It’s just a song, it really didn’t require almost an entire chapter on Piaf’s life – especially considering as she didn’t even write the thing.

What I did like is the way Pink categorised regret into four key areas, exploring each one in detail and offering something actionable for you to go away and work on. Those four areas are:

Foundation - prioritising short term needs over long-term ones
Boldness - missed chances
Moral - behaving poorly
Connection - losing touch with loved ones

I enjoy getting a bit introspective at times so reading the book gave me the time to work through my own regrets and consider which category each of them fell into. Sometimes popping a little label on a thought helps to digest/work through them. A useful exercise to do as the year draws to a close and you’re starting to reflect…

I heard about the book via Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast so you could just listen to that if you’re thinking the book might not be for you! Ep 130: The Real Trick to Long Term Motivation: Daniel Pink.

⭐⭐⭐

“It may seem that life is difficult at times but it’s really as simple as breathing in and out… Be the person you wish you could be, not the person you feel you are doomed to be. Let yourself run away with your feelings. You were made so that someone could love you. Let them love you.”

This is Dolly Alderton's coming-of-age memoir that explores growing up as a teen in the 00s (who doesn't love reliving MSN messenger?), through to navigating first loves, bad dates, female friendships, wild nights out, the ups and downs of renting and adulting in London, and all the lessons she's learnt so far in life.

Alderton is a year younger than me so I found this book freakishly relatable, so much so that I even understood the minutiae struggle of deciding whether to keep your gel nails over learning to play the guitar 😂

The book is filled with wit and funny anecdotes and it did have me laughing out loud quite a few times. But there's also a sombering side I think a lot of us have experienced, as we come to terms with our past mistakes, the self-sabotage, and the closeted feelings we have as loved ones move on with their lives at different speeds that we struggle to keep up with. In reality, we don't need to "keep up", we just need work out what's right for us, follow our own path and be the person we choose to be – and believe in it.

Jeez, that got a bit deep. Let's move on quickly...

Albeit a great read, and worthy of four stars, I found the structure wasn't for me. It was littered with fictional emails, lists and, inexplicably, a bunch of recipes I will never use. It interrupted the flow and irritated me which is why I knocked it down to 3 stars. Brutal, I know, but I shouldn't ever feel irritated while reading!

Title: Everything I Know About Love
Author: @dollyalderton
Publisher: @penguinukbooks
Pages: 368

⭐⭐⭐

“It may seem that life is difficult at times but it’s really as simple as breathing in and out… Be the person you wish you could be, not the person you feel you are doomed to be. Let yourself run away with your feelings. You were made so that someone could love you. Let them love you.”

This is Dolly Alderton's coming-of-age memoir that explores growing up as a teen in the 00s (who doesn't love reliving MSN messenger?), through to navigating first loves, bad dates, female friendships, wild nights out, the ups and downs of renting and adulting in London, and all the lessons she's learnt so far in life.

Alderton is a year younger than me so I found this book freakishly relatable, so much so that I even understood the minutiae struggle of deciding whether to keep your gel nails over learning to play the guitar 😂

The book is filled with wit and funny anecdotes and it did have me laughing out loud quite a few times. But there's also a sombering side I think a lot of us have experienced, as we come to terms with our past mistakes, the self-sabotage, and the closeted feelings we have as loved ones move on with their lives at different speeds that we struggle to keep up with. In reality, we don't need to "keep up", we just need work out what's right for us, follow our own path and be the person we choose to be – and believe in it.

Jeez, that got a bit deep. Let's move on quickly...

Albeit a great read, and worthy of four stars, I found the structure wasn't for me. It was littered with fictional emails, lists and, inexplicably, a bunch of recipes I will never use. It interrupted the flow and irritated me which is why I knocked it down to 3 stars. Brutal, I know, but I shouldn't ever feel irritated while reading!

Title: Everything I Know About Love
Author: @dollyalderton
Publisher: @penguinukbooks
Pages: 368

Had a little fun creating this #zebrastack 🦓

Had a little fun creating this #zebrastack 🦓

I have a new 'office day' routine, but this is probably only for early birds! I get into central London an hour early and plonk myself down in a coffee shop where I'll read or write. It really helps me slow down and I get to work feeling so chilled, ready to start the day 😊

I have a new 'office day' routine, but this is probably only for early birds! I get into central London an hour early and plonk myself down in a coffee shop where I'll read or write. It really helps me slow down and I get to work feeling so chilled, ready to start the day 😊

A couple weeks ago, I took part in a charity book auction for the Ukraine, hosted by @whatsallyreadnext – and I won! There were so many great books up for grabs, but this particular one is a favourite of mine and came with a personalised message from the author! Simply adore this book and can't wait to read it again. Thank you Sally and @betholearyauthor 💛🖤💛

A couple weeks ago, I took part in a charity book auction for the Ukraine, hosted by @whatsallyreadnext – and I won! There were so many great books up for grabs, but this particular one is a favourite of mine and came with a personalised message from the author! Simply adore this book and can't wait to read it again. Thank you Sally and @betholearyauthor 💛🖤💛

I do love a #charitybook find! I've also noticed that I've gone for very similar themes without even meaning to. Here's 1 of 3 hauls 📚

I do love a #charitybook find! I've also noticed that I've gone for very similar themes without even meaning to. Here's 1 of 3 hauls 📚

There are so many wise and beautiful quotes that I could have pulled from the pages of #thehouseontheceruleansea ...and I probably will. But for now, I'll just pop this right here.

There are so many wise and beautiful quotes that I could have pulled from the pages of #thehouseontheceruleansea ...and I probably will. But for now, I'll just pop this right here.

A little late in the month but here is my March #tbrpile 😊📚

I've already read The Love Hypothesis – it was ChickLit heaven! 💞

A little late in the month but here is my March #tbrpile 😊📚

I've already read The Love Hypothesis – it was ChickLit heaven! 💞

𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝔼

Synopsis

Assyria, in the reign of King Ashurbanipal. For teen Aurya and her brother Sharo, every day is a struggle for survival until one night when their fates become bound to the king. They then find themselves journeying to the near-mythical city of Nineveh. Twenty-six centuries later, British-Iraqi archaeologist Katya joins a dig in Mosul to protect the ancient ruins of Nineveh. When they discover an astonishingly rare carving, ISL storm Mosul – holding Katya hostage. Iraq’s rich history and tortuous present mix together in this story which is ultimately about love, fear, bravery and how artistic beauty and cruelty and coexist.

Review

All Our Broken Idols was an interesting read which gave me a small snippet into the history of Iraq and Mesopotamia. It was clearly well-researched but the pacing felt a bit off-beat for me in the first half, mainly because of the dual timeline. Whenever something exciting would begin to build, you’d be ripped away and thrown into a less enthralling scene, thousands of years apart. This happened a few times and I did find myself having to push through to get back into the flow.

What ultimately pulled me in was the relationship between Aurya, Sharo and the lion. It was intense, protective, terrifying, complicated, and the best part of the novel for me. Once I powered through the first half, I became more invested in all the characters and began to understand how their stories were woven together. How Katya’s situation was beyond imaginable, and how she had to relinquish precious parts of history – parts or Aurya and Sharo’s life – in order to survive the evils of the present world.

In a quick snapshot summary of All Our Broken Idols by Paul Cooper: I liked it, didn't love it. Could have benefited with more emotive language and stronger links between the two narrative strands.

Author: Paul Cooper
Publisher: Bloombury
Pages: 350
Rating: 3.5/5

𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝔼

Synopsis

Assyria, in the reign of King Ashurbanipal. For teen Aurya and her brother Sharo, every day is a struggle for survival until one night when their fates become bound to the king. They then find themselves journeying to the near-mythical city of Nineveh. Twenty-six centuries later, British-Iraqi archaeologist Katya joins a dig in Mosul to protect the ancient ruins of Nineveh. When they discover an astonishingly rare carving, ISL storm Mosul – holding Katya hostage. Iraq’s rich history and tortuous present mix together in this story which is ultimately about love, fear, bravery and how artistic beauty and cruelty and coexist.

Review

All Our Broken Idols was an interesting read which gave me a small snippet into the history of Iraq and Mesopotamia. It was clearly well-researched but the pacing felt a bit off-beat for me in the first half, mainly because of the dual timeline. Whenever something exciting would begin to build, you’d be ripped away and thrown into a less enthralling scene, thousands of years apart. This happened a few times and I did find myself having to push through to get back into the flow.

What ultimately pulled me in was the relationship between Aurya, Sharo and the lion. It was intense, protective, terrifying, complicated, and the best part of the novel for me. Once I powered through the first half, I became more invested in all the characters and began to understand how their stories were woven together. How Katya’s situation was beyond imaginable, and how she had to relinquish precious parts of history – parts or Aurya and Sharo’s life – in order to survive the evils of the present world.

In a quick snapshot summary of All Our Broken Idols by Paul Cooper: I liked it, didn't love it. Could have benefited with more emotive language and stronger links between the two narrative strands.

Author: Paul Cooper
Publisher: Bloombury
Pages: 350
Rating: 3.5/5

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY! ♀️

Here's a flat lay of all the female writers I'm yet to discover and enjoy (minus Sally Rooney and Madeline Miller). These women, and my childhood favourites – Berlie Doherty, JK Rowling, Frances Hodgson Burnett and the Brontë Sisters – are the writers in my mind that encourage me to put pen to paper.

This year's theme is #breakthebias – working to create a world that is equal, diverse, stereotype-free, inclusive and accessible. I wanted to share some female inventors (across different racial backgrounds) who have contributed to our society but aren't as widely shouted about like your Marie Curies and Rosalind Franklins.

Dr Shirley Jackson – her contribution to science enabled inventions such as the portable fax, caller ID and caller waiting.

Ann Tsukamoto – her work on stem cell isolation has dramatically improved the advancement of medical research into cancer.

Alice H Parker - our toasty warm houses are thanks to her. She created the first efficient heating furnace with gas as the fuel source. Before, only coal and wood had been used...hello central heating!

And my favourite, Hedy Lamarr, who was a stunning Hollywood actress who tinkered in her spare time. She invented the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum that contributed to the efforts in WW2 as well as being used today in radio, TV and wireless communication.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY! ♀️

Here's a flat lay of all the female writers I'm yet to discover and enjoy (minus Sally Rooney and Madeline Miller). These women, and my childhood favourites – Berlie Doherty, JK Rowling, Frances Hodgson Burnett and the Brontë Sisters – are the writers in my mind that encourage me to put pen to paper.

This year's theme is #breakthebias – working to create a world that is equal, diverse, stereotype-free, inclusive and accessible. I wanted to share some female inventors (across different racial backgrounds) who have contributed to our society but aren't as widely shouted about like your Marie Curies and Rosalind Franklins.

Dr Shirley Jackson – her contribution to science enabled inventions such as the portable fax, caller ID and caller waiting.

Ann Tsukamoto – her work on stem cell isolation has dramatically improved the advancement of medical research into cancer.

Alice H Parker - our toasty warm houses are thanks to her. She created the first efficient heating furnace with gas as the fuel source. Before, only coal and wood had been used...hello central heating!

And my favourite, Hedy Lamarr, who was a stunning Hollywood actress who tinkered in her spare time. She invented the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum that contributed to the efforts in WW2 as well as being used today in radio, TV and wireless communication.

Standard #bookshopping – went in for one, came out with three 😅 #sundayfunday

Standard #bookshopping – went in for one, came out with three 😅 #sundayfunday

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY! 📚

And the best way to celebrate the occasion? Well, what do you think? 😉

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY! 📚

And the best way to celebrate the occasion? Well, what do you think? 😉

No story is about the ending...unless the ending is dreadful then it's 100% all I'm focussing on 😂

No story is about the ending...unless the ending is dreadful then it's 100% all I'm focussing on 😂

Starting a new book on a Sunday feels like the perfect way to end the week and kick-off the new one #currentlyreading

Starting a new book on a Sunday feels like the perfect way to end the week and kick-off the new one #currentlyreading

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕖𝕕.

I'm reading All Our Broken Idols by Paul Cooper at the moment, but it's been a bit of a slog. Nothing to do with the quality of the book, and everything to do with a hectic brain and not being able to focus.
·
Getting back on track with life and so my reading pace has followed suit! Anyone felt like this before? I'd be interested to know how you battle through reading slumps!

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕖𝕕.

I'm reading All Our Broken Idols by Paul Cooper at the moment, but it's been a bit of a slog. Nothing to do with the quality of the book, and everything to do with a hectic brain and not being able to focus.
·
Getting back on track with life and so my reading pace has followed suit! Anyone felt like this before? I'd be interested to know how you battle through reading slumps!

Have you got a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Scroll to take a look 👉🏽

This book, written by Dr Carol Dweck, explores how our abilities, talents and 'smarts' can either be hindered or nutured through these two types of mindset.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. If you've ever been in a meeting with someone who has spent 10 minutes overexplaining something that could be done in 1 minute, then you'll understand where I'm about to go here.

The book is broken down into several sections: business, sports, relationships, our parents/carers/teachers. Within each chapter, Dweck offers streams of anecdotes to demonstrate how we can fall into each of these mindsets – some of which didn't add anything significant, and a lot that was too repetitive. Personally, I would have preferred a condensed version with more experiments, links to how our neurology can be impacted and sone clearer actions on how to achieve a growth mindset.

On the upside, I have recognised some areas of my life that could do with a bit of fine tuning. Now, I did have a significant 'life shake' at the time of reading this book, so I'm not sure which has really caused my shift in perspective, but I know that having those two words "fixed" and "growth" in my head has made me more conscious of how I'm approaching my goals and challenging my thoughts.

If you're interested in the theory, I would recommend just watching the TED Talk. The link is in my bio 👆🏽.

A few key takeaways for me:
· We should watch how we encourage children to learn
· Be mindful of praise and how debilitating it can be
· I've sometimes fallen into the the 'quit while you're ahead so you can't fail' category
· The workplace should encourage the process of learning and recognise staff for new skills that have been developed
· It really is all about the journey, not the destination 🧀😉

Have you got a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Scroll to take a look 👉🏽

This book, written by Dr Carol Dweck, explores how our abilities, talents and 'smarts' can either be hindered or nutured through these two types of mindset.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. If you've ever been in a meeting with someone who has spent 10 minutes overexplaining something that could be done in 1 minute, then you'll understand where I'm about to go here.

The book is broken down into several sections: business, sports, relationships, our parents/carers/teachers. Within each chapter, Dweck offers streams of anecdotes to demonstrate how we can fall into each of these mindsets – some of which didn't add anything significant, and a lot that was too repetitive. Personally, I would have preferred a condensed version with more experiments, links to how our neurology can be impacted and sone clearer actions on how to achieve a growth mindset.

On the upside, I have recognised some areas of my life that could do with a bit of fine tuning. Now, I did have a significant 'life shake' at the time of reading this book, so I'm not sure which has really caused my shift in perspective, but I know that having those two words "fixed" and "growth" in my head has made me more conscious of how I'm approaching my goals and challenging my thoughts.

If you're interested in the theory, I would recommend just watching the TED Talk. The link is in my bio 👆🏽.

A few key takeaways for me:
· We should watch how we encourage children to learn
· Be mindful of praise and how debilitating it can be
· I've sometimes fallen into the the 'quit while you're ahead so you can't fail' category
· The workplace should encourage the process of learning and recognise staff for new skills that have been developed
· It really is all about the journey, not the destination 🧀😉

I've turned into a huge fan of @betholearyauthor 's books. They're easy reads that make you laugh, cry and hope.
·
I've only read The Flatshare and The Road Trip (reviews to follow) but plan to read The Switch at some point too.
·
This is the second time I've selected books for the author rather than the title. Do you ever commit to an author – outside of a series – purely because you've enjoyed their style so much?

I've turned into a huge fan of @betholearyauthor 's books. They're easy reads that make you laugh, cry and hope.
·
I've only read The Flatshare and The Road Trip (reviews to follow) but plan to read The Switch at some point too.
·
This is the second time I've selected books for the author rather than the title. Do you ever commit to an author – outside of a series – purely because you've enjoyed their style so much?

Happy National Book Lovers Day! 📚💛

I had no idea this was a thing until just now. Fortunately, I had a picture ready to go of me looking particularly loved up with some books!

My QOTD has to be: what was the book that got you into reading?

For me, I was obsessed with Goosebumps, Roald Dahl (Matilda was my favourite) and a story I'd made up with my dad at bedtime about a giant snail who sailed the ocean 🐌🌊

Happy National Book Lovers Day! 📚💛

I had no idea this was a thing until just now. Fortunately, I had a picture ready to go of me looking particularly loved up with some books!

My QOTD has to be: what was the book that got you into reading?

For me, I was obsessed with Goosebumps, Roald Dahl (Matilda was my favourite) and a story I'd made up with my dad at bedtime about a giant snail who sailed the ocean 🐌🌊

Where will you be travelling today? 📚✈️🌍

I'm experiencing mental health issues in 1950s America with Sylvia Plath right now. Nice, light Sunday read 😂

Where will you be travelling today? 📚✈️🌍

I'm experiencing mental health issues in 1950s America with Sylvia Plath right now. Nice, light Sunday read 😂

BOOK REVIEW*** To anyone who loves Greek mythology or a heart-wrenching romance, this is definitely one for you. Madeline Miller spins the story of Achilles – the powerful demi-god warrior who fought in the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan War – as a love story, told from the perspective of Patroclus, his childhood friend.

This book is beautifully written with poetic descriptions of love and war, "I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world". I was definitely swept up by this story. My only downfall was that I didn't have much solid reading time to commit to, so the constant breaks meant I was a little disconnected. But that's totally on me, not this amazing book.

The best part for me was witnessing the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus grow, and their bond deepen from young boys to grown men. Their loyalty and love for one another is as natural to them as breathing, but the little bubble of joy they live in soon comes to an end when Achilles is summoned to go to war and live out a fate he cannot escape.

Author: @madeline.e.miller
Publisher: @bloomsburypublishing
Pages: 416
Rating: 4.5/5

BOOK REVIEW*** To anyone who loves Greek mythology or a heart-wrenching romance, this is definitely one for you. Madeline Miller spins the story of Achilles – the powerful demi-god warrior who fought in the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan War – as a love story, told from the perspective of Patroclus, his childhood friend.

This book is beautifully written with poetic descriptions of love and war, "I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world". I was definitely swept up by this story. My only downfall was that I didn't have much solid reading time to commit to, so the constant breaks meant I was a little disconnected. But that's totally on me, not this amazing book.

The best part for me was witnessing the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus grow, and their bond deepen from young boys to grown men. Their loyalty and love for one another is as natural to them as breathing, but the little bubble of joy they live in soon comes to an end when Achilles is summoned to go to war and live out a fate he cannot escape.

Author: @madeline.e.miller
Publisher: @bloomsburypublishing
Pages: 416
Rating: 4.5/5

Now for some cake 🍰

After a manic day, I'm really looking forward to snuggling up with my current read, The Road Trip, while scoffing some cake! That's what our days should be filled with!

Now for some cake 🍰

After a manic day, I'm really looking forward to snuggling up with my current read, The Road Trip, while scoffing some cake! That's what our days should be filled with!

I've been hiding under a pile of books, work and courses recently so I've not posted on here for a while! The more time went by, the harder I found it to post. I think I just lost my groove 😢. So this is my comeback post! And I have a few books I've read/picked up that I'm looking forward to sharing with you. 💛💛

Hope you all have a lovely week ahead! Happy Monday 🥳

I've been hiding under a pile of books, work and courses recently so I've not posted on here for a while! The more time went by, the harder I found it to post. I think I just lost my groove 😢. So this is my comeback post! And I have a few books I've read/picked up that I'm looking forward to sharing with you. 💛💛

Hope you all have a lovely week ahead! Happy Monday 🥳

Here's a #bumblebeestack just 𝘣𝘦𝘦cause 🐝

Books featured:
· We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves (TBR)
· Circe (TBR)
· Never Let Me Go (4.5⭐)
· A Thousand Splendid Suns (5⭐)
· The Night Circus (TBR)
· The Midnight Library (4⭐)
· David Copperfield (TBR)
· Walking in the Rain (3⭐)
· The White Tiger (TBR)
· The Casual Vacancy (didn't finish)

[Credit for the wings goes to @bookclubforme – thanks for the idea! It's super cute 🥰]

Here's a #bumblebeestack just 𝘣𝘦𝘦cause 🐝

Books featured:
· We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves (TBR)
· Circe (TBR)
· Never Let Me Go (4.5⭐)
· A Thousand Splendid Suns (5⭐)
· The Night Circus (TBR)
· The Midnight Library (4⭐)
· David Copperfield (TBR)
· Walking in the Rain (3⭐)
· The White Tiger (TBR)
· The Casual Vacancy (didn't finish)

[Credit for the wings goes to @bookclubforme – thanks for the idea! It's super cute 🥰]

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@buzzybeebookclub

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