August Reading

It's been a turbulent month for me, and while I've read a few chapters of the Ariel Gore I'm rereading, I've only read a comic start to finish.

I have listened to a lot of audio books, an indication of how much time in the car I've spent.

I saw an ad for this book on FB, and thought I'd check it out. I ended up listening to all three in the series. They are currently free on Audible for a limited time. It is the memoir of a man with a mother who was a hippy. A full blown hippy. As a mum, I was pretty shocked at the age she let her kids take drugs, at the attitude towards the sexualisation of her kids and the fact she could just dump them to fend for themselves as minors.  While I am guessing these books come as a result of much therapy, I found it frustrating he could forgive her. I was furious on his behalf. Perhaps the fault is in me, not him, and I should say all power to him but I found his mother completely narcissistic and frankly awful. And yet she was never held accountable by any of the children. It was heartbreaking. So if you feel you fail as a parent, like I did by having to go and look after my mum in the middle of my kid's exams, know that there is someone so much worse than you....if you like memoirs, you won't be bored. It's one incredible thing after another. 

This was selected for the online blogger book club, I always like to read the book so that I get more from their podcast when I listen to it. (look here for other titles they've discussed). I had heard of Jerome K. Jerome but never read his work. I thought it was hilarious. I loved the opening hypochondria (and know only too well what diseases you think you have if you jump on Dr Google...HA!). I found it amusing from start to finish. It's short and an easy read. A little touching towards the end, but for the most part, nutty and fun. I thought this was an excellent pick, as I really enjoyed the silliness of it and would never have read it without being prompted. Have a short story of his lined up next....(More Jerome K. Jerome reviewed here, and a link to the movie of Three men in a boat, free on Youtube with Tim Curry and Michael Palin, dramatised by Tom Stoppard)

While looking for the Jerome K. Jerome title, I stumbled across this comic. His name is from the bumbling style of J.K.J and Bloch is from Psycho. I guess because of murder? Anyway, it's sweet - he's like Tintin but less competent and stumbles through solving mysteries with luck rather than great skill. I will read the others on Hoopla, but won't seek them out to buy  - they aren't the greatest comic you ever read but they're a bit of fun. You can read them (not listen) though the hoopla app. Took about 50 minutes so perfect if waiting for a kids activity to finish.

This was in Borrowbox and I thought it looked interesting - it's short, only about 2 hours. It has Australian support group contacts and numbers. It covers not just mourning a death, but natural disasters, suicide and supporting children through death. I thought it was very practical and had some interesting ideas. It's a low investment (timewise and free through your library with access to Borrowbox) so worth checking out.

Two things I learnt:

The shock of bereavement affects the pituitary gland so you physically become immunosuppressed in grief. However, shedding tears of grief actually help as these tears contain healing and sedating properties…

and

Apparently 10 mins of sunshine on your eye lids can stop sadness turning to depression (in grief, not dismissing actual depression risk factors).

Short this month but hopefully back to normal with some actual page turning next time!

Linking with #WOYBS #MyRandomMusings #TuesdayTwirl #MonthlyBooksWorms #Acupofteaandgoodbook

July Reading

I read Hooked because I liked the cover. I enjoyed it - it's quite nasty and funny, but it is a little too long and I felt the ending was a bit soft. I then read Butter as friends had been talking about it, and I realised it was the same author. 

The concept is really interesting, and the ideas, that food is made to show love, but for women, it's restriction and a problem etc. Again nasty people, lonely people but a more interesting imagery thread than Hooked. That said, I think I liked Hooked better - more gritty and laugh out loud humour.

I liked Butter more than my friends did, but again, it's too long. I think both books would benefit with more concise storytelling. But it's a best seller so what do I know?

This is a short story and really lovely - powerful and impactful. I thought it was excellent. Dua Lipa's book club discussion about it with Claire Keegan is here.

This is our book club book. I have to say there's nothing wrong with it, just not for me. Very light and easy to read. Obviously about ageing...and people...It's written by a Australian Doctor who works in the sector and so there's a lot of what good aged care can do to allow elderly people to thrive in a new stage of life that can be so difficult to adjust to. It's sweet. 

Linking with #AnythingGoes #AcupofteaandaGoodBook #TrafficJamReboot #JulyReading  #SeniorSalonPitstop #SundayPost #TheBookDate #IMWAYR #SundaySalon #StakingtheShelves #MonthlyBookWorms

More June Reading

 

I really tried to get into this, but at Chapter 25 I chucked it in (8 hours in, 10 to go). Just too slow. I did like that the central relationship was a love between siblings - younger adoration of the older, starting as very young kids, then aging. That's quite different from most books that centre around love and marriage. I think she made wonderful asides and comments on life and philosophy, quite ahead of her time.  Even on simple things of human nature like the keenness of Tom to be able to shave to show his manhood. I really loved the bit where Maggie runs off to join  the Gypsies. That whole scene was hilarious, and insightful on youth and naivety. 

I think there is a modernity in the portrayal of women and the narrator's asides. 

However, it just took too long to get there. By the time we hit the hard times and the money problems, I just felt I couldn't push through. I did read the summary and I feel I probably quite when it ramped up, and perhaps if I started at book 2, I would have read the rest. The Bloggers book group discussion on the text is here.

We did this for bookclub. It's good but I found it very heavy going. So it's a good book but it's not a fun read. It is clever so if it wasn't based in reality of millions of people, it would be an engrossing read, however, it's all too real so distressing at times. It's an excellent read, but I would recommend it if you're not already overwhelmed by the state of the world. I would say it's full of hope and quite positive. I learnt a lot - either I didn't know or I just hadn't thought about it. 

 If you do read it, here's a talk by the author. 

This little book was making it's way to the street library so I gave it a read. It's a small picture book, there are 12 in the series and this is the third. It has questions for creative writing and also for drawing at the end. It has fun library facts at the end. My favourite being the longest over due book was out for 288 years - 1668 and returned in 1956!

The story itself I think is to inspire creativity and imagination. It's left for the reader to do the work, or take it further. I think this would be great for teachers, actually. 

I heard about this when my library emailed about a Queer Bookclub they were starting. I was curious what the book would be about.

It's actually more about a bad affair (married man, young women) from the woman's point of view. It starts out fun junk romance book and becomes in the second half more interesting in it's complexity. I enjoyed it and read it quickly (listened to it quickly).

This is a children's book but I will admit I found one of the puzzles too hard! I got it in Hobart for the plane home, thinking I need to do more puzzles as I'm becoming stupider by the day. I thought it was an adult book but it's not. It's a choose your own adventure, solve the puzzles mystery book....Good fun for young and young at heart.

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June Reading

Off to a cracking start this month, inspired by the writers festival. I read Ghost Cities, which is understandably being translated into 26 languages and winner of the Miles Franklin award. I loved this. I thought it was so funny and clever.

It's not going to be for everyone, but it made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I adored it.

After seeing him talk at the Writer's Festival, I had to get straight into the second book in the HappyHead series. Finishes the story, or does it? Lots of twists and plenty to keep you entertained. What I liked most about this series, is even though it's YA, it still gets you emotionally engaged, both in the thriller aspect and the intellectual aspect. Lots of mental health issues covered and for me, it highlighted that hetronormative assumptions we take for granted.

All that aside, it's just a ripping yarn as they say! Josh Silver just published an adult book so very keen to read that.

Was putting books in the street library and thought I'd give it a go for my train book, as it fits in my handbag. It's a book in email. It's dated a lot. It was published in 2000 and I'm having trouble working out how to read some of the characters. One guy, I'm not sure if we're meant to think he's a complete jerk or a cool guy - he's misogenistic and homophobic. Is it a sign of how times have changed? Or was he written to be a tool? A lot of the jokes aren't funny any more, just sort of offensive. Not sure I'm going to finish it...will give it a bit longer tho as apparently the e. book was very popular and perhaps we are meant to think all the people in it are awful and that's the joke?

Also stumbled on this and gave it a quick read before putting it on ebay. It's a little picture book on Automatic Negative Thoughts. It's a guide in a story aimed at Year 4 primary kids on managing anxiety. I thought it was pretty good, giving a clear action management plan.

Working my way though the least popular Agatha Christie's - unlike Destination Unknown that I loved, a fun spy thriller (less thrills but more of an adventure), this spy novel is a little strange. Starts off traditionally and then gets very political - and some of those politics have dated or she seems a little out of touch on the matter, though it does also feel a little more relevant than it should be these days. There is reference to the French student protests, and the revolt in the youth is in part to the older population being apathetic and letting them down. The rise of Nazism has returned. Published in 1970, there is also a lot of reference to the growing nuclear power and the dangers that brings, environmentally and politically.  It was her 80th book, published for her 80th birthday. It is different to any of her other spy novels, and a very different read to her other books.

In the to be read pile, I have a new source of inspiration - I am loving Vladimir on Netflix (Rachel Weisz is superb - delightfully distasteful) and each episode title is a book written by a woman. I've read all of them, and adored all of them except 3. So I will track those down as it stands to reason, I'l enjoy those too. And they are the Joyce Carol Oates, the Grace Paley and the Flannery O'Conner.

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More May Reading

 A short list of monthly reads....

For Dua Lipa's Service 95 book club, I read this book - except I was actually meant to read So Late in the Day, so after being really confused about the plot for awhile (worring about my brain and how little I seemed to have taken in -ha!) I worked it out and am now in the queue for the correct one. I listened to the interview about Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead as well as I'd just seen the play. It's worth checking if she's covered any books you read as there's a lot of great interviews there.

Back to the story, it's really interesting, and I liked the male protagonist having the attitude he does. I think it makes it really intereresting (but perhaps it's more common in Ireland, or I'm being sexist in my thinking about who has harsher or more conservative opinions. Anyway, it's really just a great short story so worht checking out.

I reread Daddy LongLegs for the podcast book group - I really loved this book as a kid and I've been quite scared to go back as I just felt it aged really badly. And in many ways it has but it was interesting to see that it is an adults book, not a children's book as I thought it was (reading it from about 8 to 14). It was interesting to see that it would have been quite a feminist novel at the time of publication in 1912. Hilariously I learnt Jerusha is a name - I thought it was just made up in SuperStore. Certain aspects however, just made me uncomfortable. Overall, I was glad to revisit and see it with a different lens. So much I missed as a child, and growing up in a very different time. The bookclub podcast is always worth a listen here.

While clearing out some books, I came across my copy of this. I've decided I'm going to start reading plays again - I used to do a lot of that in my teens and 20s. This one I really 'enjoyed' (though that is not the word for it) and I'm going to track down the televion series (film?) that stars Judy Dench. I think it's on a few streaming platforms and SBS. Having read They are All My Family, I was well aware of a lot of the moments covered in the play. The lesson is watching how decisions are made and why. Or why not. War is a mess. The people in leadership are just people, with foibles. The dialogue is sparse but the impact if heavy. I look at the current state of the world and see it happening all over again in the reporting of the news. Saying one thing when we know it's another. Everyone knows.

I was looking on the library site for Cannon, the Stella Award winning graphic novel and this popped up so I thought, why not? It was written in the early 70's and it shows. As a cold war secret agent thing, the plot line is a little like RED and I'm fine with that. However, the women. I am really struggling and don't know if I can get to the end. They are always naked. Sometime naked with boots and guns. But pretty much naked and either being assaulted or having sex as a means of entrapement*. Twice so far a character has said to a naked women "There's no time to put your clothes on" to explain why they are now running through the jungle naked. It is of it's time, and while I'm no prude, the overt sexism stinks. I am still deciding if I get to the end. I'm about 60 pages in. There is often a lot of graphic nudity in comics but this is kind of stupid to the point of offensive. I can't really recommend it but I know there's a cult/historical aspect I'm ignorant of in the comic world.

I LOVED this book. I laughed out loud; I giggled at so many kooky bits. It's part gumshoe style adventure - that person unwittingly stumbles into a mystery, and at times beautifully written, almost poetic, but mainly it's a nutty absurdist romp. It was quite different to what I was expecting. He really was such a talented writer. I did spend a bit of time wondering if you could even get it published today. It's so irreverently absurd.

That is all until next month! What's been your fave book of the month?

*Can I say, I have less of a problem with the women being naked for sex. It's all the other stuff that it just seems creepy or like a 14 year old boy wrote it. It's ridiculous However, I understand the 70s had a lot of comics and even novels that were like this...just not for me these days.

Linking with #ACupofTeaandaGoodbook #MonthlyBookworms #SundayPost #StackingtheShelves #SundaySalon#Bookdateand I think older teens might like the Bradbury, though not written for teens so linking with #IMWAYR 

February reading

 I've really struggled to sit down and read this month. Not entirely sure why. So a very short one!

Prophet Song. We did this for book club. I'd not heard great things about it. I normally don't like Booker Prize winners. This though, what a great book! I really loved it. In terms of writing - it has some really lovely phrasing and ideas. One inconsequential one that stuck with me (probably because it's where we are at) is the mother saying they used to be a family of five but were now 4 and would soon be only 3. I feel that shirnking and the little people lost (to the wonderful adults they've become). 

The book is a mother trying to keep a family together when their country is thrown into war under an authoritaian regieme, let's say. I loved at the start she's still thinking they've got a holiday in Canada booked and the disbelief of what was actually happening. I found it all very realistic.

It's written in the present tense (I think I read somewhere it's written in the tense of doom, and I thought that was perfect). It's urgent and uncomfortable a lot of the time. I thought it was such a brilliant and engrossing read.

It makes you re think your understanding (lack of) of Syria and other countries, of refugees and war when it hits a norm city like in Ukraine. I really enjoyed it intellectually. (I listened to the audio on Borrowbox).

"The world gives to chaos, the ground you walk on flies into the air and the sun shines dark on your head."

I mentioned in this post my questions on White Bread, so am currently listening to this on Audible. It is fascinating. History told by a food historian. Here are some of the things I've learnt:

It was women who stormed Versailles (and the now fabled ‘let them eat cake’ moment was because the women were from the markets and there was no bread to sell). It was the women’s march that forced the French Royalty into house arrest (more or less) in Paris. When lead to the guillotine the women put bread on sticks and waved them at the carriage as it went past. I had always been told it was farmers or ‘the people’…

Modern plant breeding (in part due to the requirements of industrial food processing) has increased the amount of gluten in wheat.

At the turn of last centurywomen's hemlines went up for reasons of hygiene and contagion- it was part of embracing science and medicine (as was the term Home economics, to focus on the science behind running a household, feeding a family and so on).

Sliced bread appeal was because of the symmetry - having each slice exactly the same; white bag bread was made so soft as it’s softness was associated with freshness (bags were not clear plastic but paper, so you couldn’t see but you could feel).

The move from home made bread to store bought was slightly before that (sliced) and in part because it took a lot of time to make bread everyday but also for hygiene. Having bread made without hands touching it, by machines, was viewed as healthier, less risk of contagions (& typhus? That was unproved but rumoured).

Then it became cheaper to buy bread than make it and that meant you could afford other foods, so bread went from being 80% of the diet to 20% (beer is a bread related product in dietary terms apparently).

There is a whole lot of purity and racism attached, the reason the vitamins got added was in part because a lot of the American population had night blindness and scurvy and other diseases from lack of adequate vitamin intake and that was no good for the people being called up for war to be soldiers. And that stuck.

I've still a little to go but it's fascinating, and also got me realising that history is just a story we are told and the details often tell a very different version. The reasons behind the event may be different to what you think it is. 

And yes, I didn't not read a single page this month! Must get back into the routine.

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January Reading

I've been pretty slow on the reading this month, to be honest. Not 100% sure why I've lost my concentration. So as I do when that happens, I dip back into comics. I got two from a street library by a prolific writer I've never read.

I mentioned Aussie, Actually in this post so I won't repeat myself.

By it's Cover - I took this on holidays to read while in Venice. I tried to check that I hadn't read it before, but once I started reading it, I had. It didn't matter as I'd forgotten it all, but it had that familiar feeling as each new fact was revealed. I enjoy the familiarity of the streets and locations as I am in them, both in the book and in real life. 

Under the Net - we did this for book club. I loved it. I thought it was rollicking existential fun. Our book club was split - we either thought it was funny and delightful or they hated it. So I don't know what to tell you. Iris Murdoch writes very cleverly, and there were a number of quotes I noted for discussion. I feel it was a little like Marty Supreme but funnier and charming (with a much more satisfying ending). I really enjoyed this book!

When in Rome - I read this when I was in Rome - it's fun to have the characters touring about some of the sights I was. As a mystery, very much like Agatha Christie. Very hilarious descriptions of drug use and antiquated descriptions of homosexuality (warning it might be offensive - I did find it really weird to read some of it, but the drug talk was equally weird so it just seemed old fashioned and a bit daft but I'm mindful it's not personal to me so I might be being a little clueless - It was published in 1970).

I got these two comics out of the street library, so I was unfamiliar with the writer.

i love this part - This is a short sweet love story, of young people who can't stay together. I will admit I'm probably too old for it and it means a lot more to a teen. LBGT themes.

Spinning is more accessible. A tween/teen moving cities, fitting in, LBGT themes. Again, as an adult, I find it so sad that the world is unnecessarily difficult for these kids. I do think by now it shouldn't be. But again, that is the adult lens reading the book, rather than someone feeling that teenage angst. I liked Spinning, and I think young teens would really like it. It covers broad themes that a lot of teens feel re isolation, fitting in and friendships, bullying and so on. (I've still a little to go so will amend this review if any trigger warnings are needed - the adult reader is a little uneasy)

When I was a kid, my parents were mad for I, Claudius, a BBC series based on the book. They would talk about it with friends at dinner parties and we'd have to be home to watch it on Sunday nights. I decided to listen to it before going to Rome, and it was fun to know all the Emperors and some of the stories that came up in the tours. It is a crazy history, you wouldn't believe half the stuff except the guide is telling you, and a lot of that comes up in the book, except it's recounted in the first person by Claudius. It's funny and entertaining. 

Just started Prophet Song for bookclub. So far so good...but we shall see. I believe it gets hard going.

Linking with #AnythingGoes #WOYBS  #IMWAYR  #MonthlyBookworms #SundayBookends #AGoodBookandaCupofTea 

December Reading

 Been a lot slower getting through the books this month.

We did Booth for bookclub. I felt it was two books, to be honest. I really enjoyed the first book about the father but then I laboured a bit through the second one that leads up to the assassination. I did however really enjoy the aftermath, as I'd not really thought about that. I liked that it was a lot of the women's perspectives, the politcal landscape on a 'people's' level and that there are no 'good' guys in history, it's all so nuanced. Overall I did enjoy it but just found it a little long in the 3/4 mark but it picks up again.

We are all completely beside ourselves  discussed here.

I liked the title of this and was unfamilliar with the actor. I found it very interesting though I didn't watch any of those shows. I found it very sad and there's a bit of unsaid stuff that made me very uneasy. 

It also put into context that case in Western Australia with the 16 year old ballerina who was starved and treated like a small child. I couldn't understand why anyone would do that and why a teenager wouldn't push back but this is all very similar. It's so sad.

But eventually this author gets free of the control. The book is funny at times, very sad at others and for me a little shocking.

Overall very interesting and I think I learnt a bit (greater understanding at least). 

Even if you don't know who she is, or the shows she was on, I don't think that makes any difference to the engagement level of the reader.

A collection of short stories that are just wonderful, as you would expect of Tove Jansson.

Funny, quirky and maybe even a little mean in some. Maybe not exactly mean...an edge. She also catches some human behaviours re friendships - the catching up doesn't eclipse the need to put down new memories or real engagement, the person you admired in school shrinks in adulthood and so on....

I really love her adult books. Slowly working my way through them all.

The Summer Book discussed here.

True Deceiver here

Travelling Light here.

Reading this for the podcast book club. Not a fan of Austen and this was one I hadn't read so I thought I'd give it a go. I found all the book and reading commentary really funny. I found some of the women's commentary on men funny but for the most part, I just find it a lot of banging on about nothing and I keep checking how much longer to go to get to the end. So while I probably enjoyed it more than I have S&S or P&P in the past, I'm not a convert....(I know, I know....)

I loved this. I saw the author talk awhile back and he intrigued me so I gave it a go. More than just a spy novel, there's a lot of focus on spycraft which I found so interesting and also on relationships and how the danger of the work tarnishes everything outside of work, Great holiday read! Will definitely make a long haul flight go fast!

Linking with #AnythingGoes #BookReview #FineWhatever #Bookdate #SundayPost #SundayBookends #MonthlyBookworms #SundaySalon #StackingtheShelves #SeniorSalonPitstop #TalkaboutitTuesday #WWWHimsy

November Reading

Had a surprisingly great month reading....so far!

As I mentioned before I went to his talk and it prompted me to get the book. I really loved his dad and a few comments in the talk made me sad. However, the timeline was a bit messed up so it didn't end as terribly as I thought it did for him, and that made me happy. It is a lot of stories about famous people but there's more to it than that. There's insight and really touching moments, and arrestingly upsetting ones. Griffin Dunne is very open and there's a real connection in the lack of judgement in his family recollections. I recommend this one. 

As you know, I am on a Ryu Murakami roll. I have read three others so far.   I'm about to order another....he's so clever and writes a different book each time. This one is much softer than the others, and while still terrible people. But suddenly at page 110, there's one single line and I thought "Oh, there it is." Ha! It was like he lulled you into thinking it was a different kind of book. I enjoyed it but it's not as mind blowing as In the Miso Soup or Piercing, not playing with the reader as much, except for that one line. It is, however, much less horrific than the others as well. 

I got this from the street library. I didn't know her or her artist father (though when I googled, I did recognise some of the works). It's very sad and at times difficult. Trigger warning on child abuse and sexual assault. It clearly shows the problems that caused for her, not in a sensational way. Very matter of fact. It is her normal. The book is working through that, while also catching Sydney in the 80s. I thought it was a good book, though I wouldn't describe it as "enjoyable", very interesting and engaging, yes. And I read it in a weekend.

This was also in the street library. I'll admit I didn't know of 8 Passengers though I do vaguely recall the story on the news. It's really interesting to see the slippery slope both SM can have, and also cult style influence. Also how hard getting away from that is for a young person and getting help for children left in it.

I really didn't understand the Dad. I found that bizarre but I guess that's how that all works, The mind gets distorted. I found it really interesting and very engaging.

This was picked at random while I was looking for a Shakespeare. It was on Borrowbox (I think) from the library. I loved this. It's junk crime reminiscent of Horowitz and Hawthorne vibe. Funny, bumbling(ish) and lessons in Mindfulness. New Age Murder, so to speak. Delightful. I was showing a friend and noticed the Netflix N. Yes, there is a German series of it. Can not wait to watch it. Thoroughly recommend!

This is really just a short story (a long one, maybe a novella, I guess). I loved it. I loved the series but I think I would have loved it even if I hadn't watched it. I will definitely track down more of her works. It's delightfully fun. I have noticed while grabbing the pic there is also a full cast audio version. I might even get that to listen to. 

What a fitting memoir for Stan Lee! A comic about comics (and his life). It's written in his voice, with many asides to the reader - I could hear him talking. I'm a long time fan so it was really charming - even writing this I'm smiling. He was extraordinarily talented and generous to fans and readers. I didn't know he had a gay soldier character (hero) way back in the early 70s. It was interesting to learn how the 'propaganda' aspect started. I didn't know he worked along side Charles Addams and Dr Seuss (in his Theodor Geisel days) or that his wife wrote a best selling book. They were married for 69 years. It covers the origins of many of the characters we love.

He does touch on the rift with Kirby and Ditko but overall it's a charming celebration of an incredible talent and drive to create a Marvel(lous) universe. Excelsior!

I do read plays, but for Shakespeare I tend to only go and see the tragedies. I will occasionally see the comedies (like at the Pop Up Globe) or Sport By Jove's brilliant Taming of the Shrew but I feel the tragedies just have better stories, better characters and the comedies are a bit stupid (aged badly). I chose to listen to it, and went with Sir Rex Harrison's lovely voice. I have seen it (and I often mix it up with All's well that ends well) so I know the plot. I did laugh a few times but give me Richard III or Macbeth any day. I am waiting on a modern reading to come into the library and will give it a second go.

As for reading plays, I love to read plays and always have. As a kid, I read the complete works of J. M Barrie and read The Will and Dear Brutus over and over - making me cry every single time. I've reviewed Grace Petrie's  and Samuel Brewer's scripts recently in my monthly reviews. I used to love reading the plays of Tennessee Williams as you felt the heat off the page - the humidity, I guess. Interestingly when I saw Sweet Bird of Youth for the first time (with Lauren Bacall no less!) my first thought when the curtain opened was 'that wall paper is wrong' - I was genuinely surprised at how much I'd visualised when I read it. I love reading plays (and comics) because they cut to the chase. They furnish a whole world in an hour or two without filler. No ambling, because they can't. So if this Shakespeare isn't to your fancy, don't let it put you off reading plays. You just haven't found the one that speaks to you. 
  

I saw this in the street library and I was so excited, as I love this couple and follow them on Instagram. But it was just a series of interviews with older couples so I put it back once I realised. The cover does make me smile.

Linking with #WOYBS #IMWAYR #SundayPost #TalkaboutitTuesday #SundaySalon

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#SundayBookends  #TforTuesday (Just for the first pic)