Hi girls,
how are we all doing? It’s such a surreal world we live in right now but it’s important to stay positive the best we can and not let this situation completely consume our lives and thoughts.
I’ve been working from home since Monday and put myself in isolation this week after my boyfriend had a slight temperature on Tuesday and I’ve had a bit of a cold and cough. We don’t know whether either of us have or have had coronavirus but I am taking it seriously to ensure I’m doing my bit to not pass it onto anyone else.
My family are all in Norfolk but I made the decision to stay in London because by the time I could have potentially gone back to the countryside I was nervous that I had caught it already and didn’t know it yet. What with grandparents to worry about and my parents, my Mum in particular could be at risk, I didn’t need to make the situation worse by going back and infecting them. For now, there are only 3 cases in Norfolk that have been announced and for my own peace of mind, if I can help it, I’d like to keep it that low. But it’s weird not knowing when I’m next going to see my whole family again. They say this is going to last for 12 weeks which brings us to June, that’s upsetting to think I won’t see them until then but it is what it is and at least they are safe and well for now.
I’m sure lots of you are in the same boat as me, possibly even worse, what with families abroad that you can’t go and see. But we’re all in this together girls and for now, we’re all each other’s families ❤️
I am making a real conscious effort to call my granny and grandma up twice a week, both live on their own, to keep them company. I’ll be FaceTiming my family tomorrow on Mother’s Day and I’m video calling friends that I haven’t spoken to in ages with a glass of wine in hand, pretending we’re out for Friday night cocktails.
We’ll get through this together, we’ve just got to ride the storm.
A shout out to all NHS workers and anybody who’s job requires them to continue working through the middle of this nightmare. My heart really goes out to them and anybody else who has lost their job recently and or owns a business that is struggling to survive as result of this pandemic.
Anyway, enough about Coronavirus, I’m sure we’ve heard more than enough of what’s going on recently without me rambling on much more.
So this week I thought I’d share my latest books that I’ve read recently. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m such a book worm and for me escaping into a book and into another world is like meditation. Everything I am worrying about just falls away and nothing else exists apart from the characters and the world I’m reading. For a time like this, that’s even more important.
I know reading isn’t for everyone but if you’ve got lots of time on your hands suddenly then honestly give it a go. It might give you a break from binge watching Netflix (not necessarily a bad thing, I’m currently binging Love is Blind, anyone else?) and it might set your mind at ease, even for just 30 minutes.
So starting with…
Those People by Louise Candlish
OMG what a book. I think I devoured this one in about 2 days. Louise Candlish is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I even had the pleasure of meeting her a month ago when I went to a book signing (yes I am THAT much of a book nerd haha 🤓).
Louise is the bestselling author of Our House which came out 2 years ago and was one of the best books I’d read that year.
It’s set in modern day and focuses on a neighbourhood in London on a particular residential street full of families. It’s all about neighbours and very quickly it all spirals out of control in a very realistic way that could easily happen to anyone. It’s super dramatic with plenty of cliffhangers that makes you begging for more when each chapter ends. When I eventually came up for air having finished the book, it makes you reevaluate your life and puts all the little dramas and arguments we have with strangers, neighbours, flatmates etc into perspective.
Anybody who is a fan of My Sister The Serial Killer and any other psychological thriller novels will love this pulse quickening nightmare.
Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks
Another real life modern day psychological thriller. This one I also consumed in days. It starts off setting the scene and it’s quite sweet and romantic at first but before you know it everything starts to unravel and your nose gets closer and closer to the pages as you’re so consumed with what you’re reading. Another classic of a psychological dramatic story line that you won’t forget in a hurry. Definitely a must read.
Critical Incidents by Lucie Whitehouse
This is more of a crime novel than the previous two but again a completely gripping storyline that you won’t be able to put down. I don’t need to say much more, it’s simply brilliant.
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
This one isn’t as much of a thriller but was a complete joy to read. It’s not a difficult read, more like one of those holiday books you read in the Summer. But what is brilliant is the character Queenie. I completely fell in love with her like she was my best friend and had to keep reading to find out what happens to her next. I felt like I knew her and resonated with her on so many levels. It’s set in South London, specifically Brixton and follows the life of a 25 year old (same age as me for one!) as she tries to deal with the ups and downs of life, in particular her job, her relationships, her health, her family and her friends. It warmed my heart reading it and every day I couldn’t wait to get home and find out what Queenie has been up to.
I’d definitely recommend this book, especially as we’re all cooped up inside, we could all do with a bit of Queenie and her dramas to gossip about.
Then finally, I’ve just started reading this MONSTER of a book called The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Mum gave it to me for Christmas, probably because she liked the design on the front cover 😂
I haven’t quite figured out what it’s all about but it’s a fantasy novel and so far about a secret underworld library packed with adventures and mystery. I can’t get more escapism than this mysterious story which is just perfect. I’ll let you know how it goes when I finish it, with nothing else to do, I’m sure I’ll whiz through it.
So let’s try and keep our minds healthy by taking time out to read and escape into a different world.
Treat yourself to a couple of new books that you can buy online. Or even better, ring up your local bookstore and see if they’ll do deliveries. We need to support our local businesses now more than ever.
My boyfriend and I actually called up our local bookstore, Daunt Books, this week to order a couple books and they kindly hand delivered them outside our front door for us, so sweet! Thank you Daunt Books!
Ps, I am so glad we’ve been quarantined when Ru Paul’s Drag Race is on, the weekly episode arriving on Netflix is all I look forward to now! If you haven’t watched it yet then now is the time to start, it’s everything ❤️
So stay safe out there girls and lots of love to you and all your loved ones xxxx
It’s A Girl Thing 