I haven’t completely dropped offline, but my blog has been sadly neglected. Here’s some of the devious things I’ve been up to …
REREAD THE AMELIA PEABODY SERIES
It took six months – but it was six months of reading pleasure. More on this later, but let me tell you it was wonderful. (Also, read it in publishing order not chronological because by George … no, I shall save that little rant for later.)
In short, there isn’t a series I’ve read that surpasses this one.
BOUGHT BOOKS, READ BOOKS, STARED AT BOOKS
The book ban feels like quite a while ago, but I must say that my bookshelves are looking terribly interesting; there are some books that I’ll be soon reading about Georgian Britain and the Victorian era that just look so brilliant, I can’t wait!
(Also I’m currently reading ‘How To Be A Victorian’ by Ruth Goodman and DID YOU KNOW THAT THE VICTORIANS GAVE THEIR BABIES OPIUM???!!! HOLY CHEESE CRACKERS, MY DUDES!)
Also a book about Alexander Dumas?! I’m eying up the Count Of Monte Cristo too.
Still haven’t finished a Dickens. I’ll get there. Eventually. Probably. Yup. ‘fo sure.
FINISHED WRITING A BOOK
Originally given the dignified working title of ‘Unicorn Poop’, these days it is called A Suffragist Abroad and will be coming your way next year. As long as I can get past this editing stage, that is.
Lord willin’, a friend and I will be having a writer’s retreat in a little cottage on the coast in November where A Suffragist Abroad’s edits will be completed. While, I’m there, do I expect to:
- solve a crime
- walk through mist-laden countryside in a nightgown and cloak
- stumble upon an ancient mystery that’s been hidden for centuries
… yes. Yes, I do.
BOUGHT A FISH TANK. ALSO: FISH
This is still quite recent. The tank is called ‘Abbey Road‘ and John, Paul, and George have been recently introduced to it. I’m sure it will go swimmingly. (No. No apologies will be made for this pun. NONE.) But I’m also terrified that I’ll wake up and find them all dead and floating on the top and oh my word what have I done- AGONY!!! BEYOND POWER OF SPEECH!
ETC.
Life doesn’t feel as though it is wildly adventurous, but there is more than enough to keep me busy and I find it hard sometimes to carve out the time for dedicated reading sessions – but that’s okay too. There are books lounging in every corner of my room and all of them are interesting.
(I sometimes feel bewildered by the sheer amount of choice I have – which is admittedly a very privileged position to have.)
I’m trying to learn that it’s alright to not live up to my own expectations (which I never reach and are always far, far too high), it’s alright to plod, it’s alright to take things slow – just … just keep going.
I hope you are doing well – thank you for stopping by!
happy reading 🙂
of words & books 
Swimmingly. 😂😂😂 Also I too find it difficult to attain the level of my own expectations?? Apparently we are just such disappointments to ourselves…but perhaps the fish think more highly of us? November coastly cottage writing retreat sounds heavenlyyyy! And congrats on finishing the draft!
I KNOW it’s a crushing burden to bear!!! The fish OUGHT to think highly of us.
Thank you 🙂
okay, but now I need to know why I must read Amelia Peabody in publishing order and more importantly, WHAT IS THAT ORDER EXACTLY?
Also, I loved reading How to Be a Victorian! Except every time they mentioned babies I felt like clutching my pearls in horror. The opium! the arsenic in the fabric! Honestly, I’m surprised any of them survived to a ripe old age at all.
I AM GOING TO DO A WHOLE BLOG POST ON IT (and maybe rant about it to you via letter)
Oh my gosh?!! You read that too? I. too, was clutching my pearls. I can’t BELIEVE it!!! HOW DID ANYONE MAKE IT THROUGH???!!
YESSS! I am down for the rants both ways!!!
Also, now I’m sliiightly worried about what toxic things we’re using today that people in a hundred years will be shocked about.
SAME!! It really makes you think … and become paranoid.