This is my current 2019 reading list. I finished 50 books in 2018 and my goal in 2019 is to read at least one book a week, and get into more non-fiction. I've already enjoyed some fantastic books this year. My early favourite was Educated by Tara Westover, until I read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - … Continue reading 2019 Reading List
I have a reading goal of 60 books in 2018. This is a running list of the titles I have read to date. Click on the titles below to read my review. My favourite book of the year so far is still Anna Karenina. I’ve rated a lot of 4 and 5 ⭐️ but I think that’s because … Continue reading Reading List 2018
In 2017, I read 49 books... My target was 50. So close! This year, my goal is to read 60 books... As at the end of April I have read 23. So far, so good! How am I going to make sure I beat my target this year? 1. I keep a book database. It's … Continue reading My Reading Goal 2018
I read somewhere recently that teaching a child to love books is more important than teaching a child to read. If they love books, the reading and learning will follow. Starting from birth we can foster a love of reading and give children the best possible start in life. Even newborn babies love to be … Continue reading Best Books for Babies
American Gods is both bizarre and brilliant, and a fun ride of a read. Our likeable protagonist, Shadow, meets crazy characters and wacky moments ensue on a strange journey across the country. However, the ideas of the book run much deeper than just a cross country adventure. It is a story of layered themes and … Continue reading American Gods – Neil Gaiman
Wow. This book is unbelievably good. A masterpiece of a story with beautiful writing and wonderful characters. Count Rostov is one of the best male characters I've had the privilege of reading. He is the very essence of gentleman. “The Count took pride in wearing a well-tailored jacket; but he took greater pride in knowing … Continue reading A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles
A story of two women, two writers, two "time beings" from two different times. "A time being is someone who lives in time, and that means you, and me, and every one of us who is, or was, or ever will be." Sound a bit wacky? That's because it is. But in such a good … Continue reading A Tale for the Time Being – Ruth Ozeki
An excellent and compelling short essay - Russell succinctly sets out the case for working 4 hours a day. The reallocation of resources to avoid overwork for some and starvation for others. Clearly this is a lofty goal in our current society. However if nothing else, we can take away from this the very importance … Continue reading In Praise of Idleness – Bertrand Russell
"If you knew the day you were going to die, how would you choose to live?" An intriguing question piques my interest in this new novel which seems to be everywhere I look. The Immortalists is a story about family, life and death. The choices we make, the hand of fate and a little bit … Continue reading The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin
Make every word tell. The Elements of Style is THE definitive guide to English writing. It was originally published in 1918 by William Strunk, professor of English at Cornell University. After revision and enlargement by his former student E. B. White, it became a highly influential guide to English usage during the late 20th century, … Continue reading The Elements of Style – Strunk & White
Wow. I was horrified and mesmerized by this incredible memoir. What an amazing woman to overcome so many challenges to get herself an education. And achieve such an extraordinary education at that. I came across Educated: A Memoir in the Bill Gates 2018 reading list. It is inspiring and disturbing. You definitely need to read … Continue reading Educated – Tara Westover
Dark humour pervades this unsettling story of prejudice and intimidation. I picked this up because it was the Man Booker Winner in 2018. (Complete list of Booker Winners). Sometimes opinions of these literary winners are divisive and I can see some people not enjoying this. It's disturbing and different. Unique language and style; nothing and no-one … Continue reading Milkman – Anna Burns
