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I know we’re still only in January (how is that happening by the way? Longest month ever I swear) but I’ve read some really amazing books already. 3 out of the 8 I’ve read were ones that I absolutely adored, and I wanted to chat through them with you today.

Small Great Things
I picked this up in a local charity shop, and I had it on my TBR shelf for quite a long time before I got started it. My mum had read it before and said it was really good, so I knew I would enjoy it. This book really did take me on a journey with it. It’s not an easy read. It definitely isn’t light and fluffy. It really is quite powerful, and it’s a book you can’t stop thinking about once it’s ended. Speaking of which, I’m a person who sometimes gets disappointed with the endings of books, but this one was wrapped up so well. I would totally recommend to read it!! I completely loved it.

An American Marriage
I had no preconceptions about this book, in fact I’m not even sure I read the blurb before starting it, but I had seen it on lots of bookstagram accounts and was very heavily influenced, what can I say! I was totally surprised by how much I loved this book, it really made me think and I kept changing my mind on how I wanted it to end. You really do get so wrapped up in the story and invested in this couple, I think it would make an amazing film too.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
This is the most recent book I’ve just finished and I’m still thinking about it. In fact, I can’t stop thinking that I need to buy a physical copy (it was only 99p on kindle) so I can lend it out to my mum and sister, and then keep it forever. I’m so sad it’s finished so I can’t read it anymore. This book completely hooked me and I felt like I was living in the story. In fact, I’d go as far to say I haven’t read a book that was told like this story before. I urge you to read it!

How you know it’s made it to a 5 star status for you:

• You can’t stop thinking about it once it’s ended.
• You also can’t stop talking about it either.
• You daren’t lend it out to anyone incase you never get it back.
• You just want to spend ALL day reading, but at the same time you don’t want to finish it too quickly.

For more book updates, you can follow my bookstagram account here!

Have you read any of these 3 books? I would love to hear what you thought of them if you did.

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Considering that it’s January and lets ignore the fact that I spent the first two weeks REALLY fed up, I feel like I’ve got a good thing going right now. Everything just feels good, so I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing lately incase it might help someone else feel better.

A evening sleep routine

If you’ve read this blog before, you might know that even though I love sleep, I find it really hard to switch off and actually fall to sleep. Over the last few months I’ve been really priortising good habits and I have a specific routine I follow every night. No social media past 10pm ish, a 5 minute meditation with my legs up the wall (google this pose it’s SO beneficial for even a short amount of time), pillow spray, rollerball, and then I read my book for at least 30 minutes. It actually works!

Doing things just for fun

I’ve enrolled myself on a free 30 day photoshop course where I can learn new stuff, and it feels so good to be a student again! I was always one of those people that loved school after all. Doing things for fun like learning more photoshop and painting feels really good and makes me happy, whilst also filling up my creativity cup too.

Movement

I’m on 22 days of yoga every day so far, and I’m trying to up my running from once a week to twice. Exercise just brings out those endorphins doesn’t it? I’m also convinced it makes me sleep better too! I really want to keep both of these things up.

Focusing on the small joys

This is something I always do but when I get a bit fed up, I do struggle. An afternoon cup of tea, a good book, blue skies, having a nap, walking Harvey, all of these things bring me joy.

Journalling

I don’t do this every night, but whenever I feel a bit *ick* I’ve really taken to journalling how I’m feeling and just letting go of those thoughts and emotions feels so good. I always feel more lighter and free afterwards so I’d highly recommend it.

Those are some of the things that are really working for me right now. Do you do any of these?

Photo from my Instagram

READING: I’m about to finish The Flatshare.

WATCHING: We’re halfway through Season 2 of You on Netflix, so creepy but so good. I’m also at the beginning on Season 3 of Workin Moms and I’m really back into it again!

LISTENING TO: I’ve got a few podcasts I need to catch up on but I’m currently listening to Elizabeth Day on Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ which is really great.

EATING: A lot of vegan eats!

LEARNING: More about photoshop. I’m extremely enjoying being a student again and I feel like I’m learning a lot already even though I’ve just started.

USING: Lots of charcoal face masks and rosehip face oil.

DRINKING: Oat milk in tea.

ENJOYING: Running. I’m about to sign myself up for a 10k in summer which is exciting and slightly nerve-wracking.

BUYING: Not that much actually! I’m trying to cut down on un-necessary spending.

DOING: 30 days of yoga with Adriene.

PLANNING: Another London trip later this month.

What are you currently up to?

Photo from my Instagram

It’s been ages since my last Happy things post, and I haven’t actually blogged all week! Last week I was knocked out with a cold situation, and this week I’ve been in London so I haven’t had time to get my laptop out. I truly missed it though, so I thought I’d ease back in today with a standard positive post..

#1 A nephew and me day. My sister went back to work for a day on Tuesday, so me and my mum spent the day with my nephew going on walks, taking him to music class and lots of playing! He is such a joy to be around, and such a special little boy!

#2 Love Island. I’m obsessed already. I know a lot of people aren’t watching it this winter, but you know where I’m going to be at 9pm that’s for sure.

#3 Good books. The last two books I’ve read were so good. For more book chat, head over to my book account on Instagram.

#4 Excited Harvey. Harvey was so happy to see me yesterday he was actually squealing! <3

#5 You on Netflix. We’re a few episodes into Season 2 at the minute. Totally creepy, but so good.

#6 Vegan finds. I’m doing Veganuary this month, so I’ve been finding lots of yummy vegan alternatives! I’ve actually got some Pain au chocolat’s to try which look amazing.

#7 Yoga with Adriene HOME. Speaking of January habits, I’m doing yoga with adriene’s home practice every day this month. I have to say, I think I’m enjoying it the most out of all the years so far.

#8 New pjs. When I have actual matching pjs on, I feel like I have my sh*t together!

#9 My new planner. I got the circle planner for 2020 and yes it was more than I’d usually spend on such things (£30) but it’s got everything in it I need and it’s making me feel super organised.

#10 Clean and tidy house. Now that Christmas is completely gone, the house is feeling more spacious and a lot cleaner and less cluttered too. For me it’s definitely a tidy house equals a tidy mind.

What’s made you happy lately?

Reading has become a huge part of my life this past year- I even have a book Instagram account if you missed it! It’s a pure escape for me, I love that time of the evening where I can dive into bed and know that I’ll be totally zoned into another world for an hour or so. I finished 66 books in 2019 and hopefully I can read as much this year too.

I thought I’d mention a few of my favourite books of 2019, and then some books I have on my TBR for 2020.

FAVOURITE READS OF 2019

• Eve of Man. Kind of a sci-fi/fantasy book, and my favourite read of 2019.
• Crazy Rich Asians series– pure escapism and such a good series that hooks you completely.
• Normal People. So much better than Conversations with Friends and leaves you with a massive book hangover after.
• The Cows. SUCH a good book!
• Where’d You Go Bernadette. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would.
• The Woman I Was Before. Really good book.
• Vox- My second favourite read of 2019. You must read it!
• The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton. Such a wonderful read.
• The Sun is Also A Star- Loved it!
• Looking for Alaska– WHAT A BOOK. MY HEART.
• The Keeper of Lost Things– Love love loved it.
• One Hundred Names– I was obsessed with this book. Wish I could re-read for the first time all over again.
• Before I Go To Sleep- You just have to read this. It’s so good!
• American Royals- As good as I hoped it would be! Deserves the hype in my opinion.

BOOKS I WANT TO READ 

• So Lucky- I loved Dawn’s book (The Cows) so I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
• City of Girls– I think I’m going to save this one for summer because I feel like it will be a fab holiday read!
• The Giver of Stars– Currently reading this one right now.
• The Flatshare– I’ve heard so many good things about this book.
• The Bookish Life of Nina Hill– Got this ready to go on my Kindle!
• An American Marriage– Heard great things about this one and is on my TBR shelf.

Have you read any of these?