Reading
This week I finished Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman. This was surprisingly good mainly because it was unexpected. I thought I knew what the book was going to be about…and to some extent I was spot on, but occasionally Furman said something which was not anticipated and brought big smiles to my face. I liked this more than I thought I would! (Vicki, you would enjoy this, I think ❤️)
I also read The Best of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I’ve read most of the Sherlock Holmes Mysteries before but, much like Agatha Christie, rereading a Conan Doyle book is much like putting on a comfy pair of slippers. It’s cosy, familiar and absolutely perfect for relaxing with on a slow weekend. Love love love!
Watching
I’m well into my summer holidays now, and enjoying the last couple of weeks of freedom before homeschool and uni start up again. Gary’s been working incredibly hard as he always does over the summer. Long hours for him mean more hours to fill for me. I have been enjoying some long country walks, seeing friends and doing bits and bobs for my new business venture. Snuck in between all the wonderfulness has been a few new channel finds on YouTube.
I love YouTube because videos are short and I can use them as motivation to do something around the house I don’t want to do. You know the sort of thing…I’ll watch one ten minute video and then I’ll clean the bathroom and then I’ll reward myself with another ten minute video…no? Just me?
My videos of choice this week have been a new channel called ZOE (ZOE is a healthcare science company using data-driven research to tackle the world’s health issues. Their approach combines artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and collaboration with leading scientists around the world.). I first heard about ZOE by watching Physicians Committee who often have Dr Will Bulsiewicz and Tim Spector as guests. Tim Spector is one of the people behind the ZOE program. Their videos are fascinating and filled with good scientific research based recommendations. With over 300 videos, I have a lot to get through, and these aren’t short ten minute ones so I have to split them to get any work around the house done!
Another YouTube channel I enjoy is Her 86m2. I first started watching these videos when I began my foray into gardening. I was so impressed by her ability to grow enormous amounts of fruit and veg on her balcony in Germany. She now lives in a big country house and continues to grow lots. The cinematography is stunning and she’s quite motivating if you are useless at growing stuff (or if you just have to look at a plant for it to wither and die…ahem).
Listening
You all know how much I love my audible account. It has revolutionised my productivity and my reading. This week I finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. This was an odd choice for me as it was about the story of three gaming friends who begin to create their own gaming worlds and eventually their own company.
If it hadn’t been recommended to me, I definitely wouldn’t have given it two looks. But it was and I am so pleased I listened to it. Whilst gaming was its backdrop, in reality it is about human fragility, friendship and surviving life. It probably wouldn’t be a book I’d revisit yet I believe my life is richer for reading it.
I also finished Menopausing by Davina McCall. I enjoyed this. It was interesting and certainly very helpful in recognising certain symptoms which I wouldn’t necessarily have automatically thought of as menopause symptoms (eyesight issues, tiredness, and aching joints to name three). It is a good book, and perhaps it’s even a great book. I do have one issue though. It promotes HRT heavily and unrelentingly. Not necessarily a problem as such, but important to recognise as a bias going into the book.
I have just begun another mammoth book (almost 33 hours long) called A Little Life by Tanya Yanagihara. This is by far the longest book I’ve ever listened to so I’m hoping it’s going to be interesting! I shall let you know next year next week, if I manage to finish it 😉
What have you been reading, watching or listening to this week?
I am a big Sherlock and Agatha Christie fan too! I just picked up a copy of Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie. I have not read this one before so I was really excited to find it.
Oooh, I’ve never even heard of Hallowe’en Party…I shall have to look that one up! Thank you for the recommendations!
I am interested in the garden channel and the menopause book, so thank you for the recommendations! I have recently finished reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, which I enjoyed, and The Vienna Prelude from the Zion Chronicles series by Brock and Bodie Thoene, which wasn’t such a good one for me. I’ve started reading Anne of the Island now, which is much more gentle!
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry sounds right up my street! I shall add it to my wish list! I have never been able to get into the Anne books even though all my family have enjoyed them. Maybe I need to give them another go? In fact, perhaps listening to them might make them more enjoyable…
I enjoyed Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow too and I didn’t think I was going to; but it is definitely one that has stuck with me in it’s unique story twists. I’m currently enjoying The Firekeeper’s Daughter and learning quite a bit about the Ojibwe tribe and their culture/ customs through it.
Oooh, we did a project on the Ojibwa tribe in our homeschool. I shall take a look at that! Thank you for the recommendation!