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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Books to Read Like Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Legends & Lattes was the book that I never knew I needed, and my introduction to the world of cosy fantasy books.
The novel features Viv, an orc who decides to retire from mercenary work and open a coffee shop. It’s very wholesome and features some minor peril, romance, and lots of delicious baked goods.
Here are some of the other fantastic cosy fantasies that I enjoyed and recommend, plus a few from my TBR. You’re welcome!
Air Up Gen 2 Bottle Review - Is It Worth the Hype?
I’ve heard a lot about the impressive Scentaste technology that uses cutting edge science to create ‘flavour from thin air’. Essentially, these bottles use scent to trick the brain into tasting a variety of flavours in what is actually plain water.
This is the second generation bottle, which comes in a range of colours including two new shades, Red Poppy and Green Sage. There are also two sizes to choose from, either 600ml or 1 litre, depending on your preference. As you can see from the photos, I opted for the Sage Green 600ml version which came with three flavour pods: Red Berry, Lime and Watermelon. It cost me £34.99 for the bottle and three pods together, reduced from £36.99, with free postage.
Emily Henry Books in Order (2024)
Emily Henry is a fantastic and much loved writer who has published a number of romantic comedy books for adults. One of the many great things about her books is that they all stand alone, meaning that you can dip into them wherever you like and not commit to a lengthy series. Having said that, once you’ve read one, I guarantee that you’ll want to read them all!
In this post I’ll go through each of her books in publication order, explaining which I think you should read first.
Hello Kitty Crocs Unboxing
When I saw that Crocs had released a Hello Kitty collaboration I knew that I had to get my hands on them. The range was released in January 2024 as part of Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday celebrations, with the adult sizes retailing at £64.99 in the UK and $69.99 in the US.
Shadow and Bone Season Three Cancelled - Cast and Fan Reactions
Much to the heartbreak of Grishaverse fans around the world, Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series was officially cancelled by Netflix on the 15th of November 2023. Although the scripts were said to have also been written for the show’s spin off series Six of Crows, that show has also been cancelled and will never brought to fruition.
It’s speculated that the shows were cancelled due to falling viewer numbers for Shadow and Bone’s second season, which launched on the 16th of March 2023. Regardless of the reason, this cancellation has brought a sudden end to a much loved book series with a cult following.
Arvia Cabin Tour and Review
I sailed on P&O’s cruise ship Arvia at the beginning of 2024 and had an absolutely amazing time. Although I had initially booked an inside room, I took part in the company’s bidding scheme before sailing and managed to secure a balcony cabin for an additional £395 per person.
Was it worth it? Here are my thoughts on our balcony cabin on P&O’s Arvia (number 11317).
Jellycat Collection Review - Are They Worth the Money?
I started my Jellycat collection in 2023 after being introduced to the soft toys on TikTok, where they are hugely popular. In this post I will introduce you to the brand and walk you through my collection so far, answering the question: are they worth the price tag?
What Are Jellycats?
Jellycats or ‘Jellies’ are soft toys that are made from snuggly fabrics and with unique, often quirky, designs. The company was founded in London in 1999 and prides itself on being a premium toy manufacturer. According to their website, Jellycat toys are ‘softer, subtler and long-lasting’ than other toys, and that’s something that I’d agree with. I’ve owned a lot of soft toys in my life, but the softness of a Jellycat is next level. The quality of their materials also means that they’re safe for children and adults of all ages, including newborns, and can be enjoyed by all.
What Order Should I Read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas? (ACOTAR)
Sarah J Maas is one of the world’s most popular romantasy authors (that’s the combination of romance and fantasy). Her debut novel, Throne of Glass, published in 2012, and over the last 12 years her total of published works has increased to a staggering 23.
It’s clear that Maas has the knack for writing stories with a delectable blend of romance and fantasy that readers can’t get enough of. But with so many books to read, it can be difficult for new readers to know where to start
35 Quotes from Wonka AND Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is one of the UK’s most beloved children’s authors, with around 50 titles to his name and more than 300 million book sales. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, along with Matlida and James are the Giant Peach, is arguably one of Dahl’s most famous and popular books, found in children’s libraries all over the world.
In this article, I summarise 35 of the very best quotes from both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its newest film iteration, Wonka.
The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge - Review
The University Arms Hotel has been high on my bookish to-visit list for a very long time, and for good reason! This literary hotel has a long history, having been in service in a variety of forms since the 1800s. Now owned by Marriott Bonvoy aspart of their Autograph Collection, the property boasts stunning Edwardian interiors and offers a truly luxurious experience in the heart of Cambridge.
I stayed at the hotel for two nights in one of their stunning terrace suites, and also had the chance to dine in their onsite restaurant the Parkers Tavern. The hotel underwent a thorough renovation in 2016, and it’s clear that Marriott invested a significant amount of time and money in the refit. I particularly loved the little details, and loved the signs that were shaped like books.
P&O’s Iona Cruise Ship Review- 10 Things I Loved
Last summer (2022) my partner and I embarked on our first ever cruise with P&O’s Iona. We travelled on a return voyage from Southampton to Norway, and were scheduled to stop in Stavanger, Alesund, Olden and Haegsund over an 8 day schedule.
Unfortunately our stop at Stavanger was cancelled due to high winds, however, we had missed port coverage as part of our insurance which meant that we were given a small sum each to cover the inconvenience. While I would have loved to visit Stavanger (and had picked out a cool bookish cafe/bar to visit) I didn’t really mind as it meant that our budget trip was even cheaper.
B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Review
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.
Bookshop Review: Barter Books
Tucked away in the northernmost corner of England, Barter Books can be found in Alnwick - a small town in Northumberland. The shop is a complete showstopper with lots of unique features, and is easily one of the best book shops that I’ve ever visited.
Barter Books is housed in Alnwick’s beautiful Victorian train station, which was decommissioned in 1968. Today the space is simply magical.
7 Things to do in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Martinique may be a Caribbean island, but it’s currently considered a French overseas territory. Situated between the islands of Dominica and St Lucia, I stopped here on my Caribbean cruise on P&O’s Arvia and had a fantastic time. I’d even go as far to say that this was my favourite stop!
We docked in Martinique’s capital city, Fort-de-France, which has plenty of things to see and do. Here are 7 places that you need to visit during your trip.
P&O’s Arvia - Cruise Ship Tour and Review
I recently returned from a cruise around the Caribbean on P&O’s newest and largest ship, Arvia. The sister ship to the near identical Iona, which launched in 2020, Arvia set sail in 2022 and can hold a maximum of 5,200 passengers and 1,800 crew. She’s often described at P&O’s sunshine ship, with features including a retractable roof and swim up bar. You’ll often find her sailing around the Caribbean and Mediterranean, where passengers can make the most of what she has to offer, with 18 decks, 30 restaurants and 4 separate pools, Arvia really is incredible.
Should You Buy a Stoov Cushion? My Honest Review
If you’re anything like me and you tend to really feel the cold over the winter months, then you’ll probably have seen lots of ads for Stoov. This company sells a variety of infrared heating products including dog beds, seat cushions and bottles, but I decided to keep things simple and invest in the original Ploov cushion.
As a self proclaimed ‘chilly billy’, I was wondering whether one of these cushions would help to take the edge off the cold and perhaps even reduce my heating use until it gets a bit warmer.
Here is my honest review of Stoov, how it works, and whether it’s worth the price tag.
My New Year’s Resolutions ft Serious Readers
It might be the last week of January, but there’s still plenty of time to reflect on what we want out of 2024.
This year I’ve decided to set some goals so that I can orientate myself towards the things that are meaningful for me. I’m calling them goals rather than the traditional ‘resolutions’, as these are things that I can work towards during the year and adapt if necessary. Resolutions feel very set in stone, and I don’t want that for 2024.
Today’s post has been sponsored by the lovely people at Serious Readers, and I have an amazing discount for you at the bottom of today’s post. If that’s why you’ve clicked on this blog, I totally understand, and feel free to skip down to the bottom of the page for my discount code.
For the rest of you, thank you for sticking with me - here are some of the goals that I’ve set for 2024.
12 Cosy Craft Ideas for Your Serious Readers Light
It’s November. The clocks have gone back, the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. It’s time to retreat into our homes, cosy on down with our books and crafts, and wait out the winter in the comfort of our own homes.
A Serious Light is the perfect accompaniment for anyone who enjoys crafting. Its specialist Daylight Wavelength Technology maximises your ability to see detail and colours, minimising the risk of damage to your eyes that can be caused by standard LED lights. The light is also fully adjustable, which makes it easier to maintain good posture
App Review: TooFar Media
If you’re looking for something new to read, then I have the app for you.
Author Rich Shapero has created an immersive storytelling experience within the TooFar Media app. Combining fiction with a unique blend of art, video, animation and music to bring readers into the story, there really is nothing else quite like it.
Each of the eleven stories is written by Rich, who aims to write novels that ‘dare readers with giant metaphors, magnificent obsessions and potent ideas’. The app feels like a very natural extension of this philosophy. When I opened the app for the first time, I was presented with all eleven of Shapero’s novels. Each is available to download free of charge and is accompanied by art, animation and sound that you will never find in a physical book. Here’s a closer look at three of the stories.
Willoughby Book Club Subscription Review
Book delivery boxes are all the rage nowadays - available in any way imaginable, for big budgets and small, it can be difficult to decide which ones to spend your money on.
Today I want to introduce the wonderful Willoughby Book Club, a book subscription service owned by Marianne Chala that specialises in individually curated book deliveries. The process is simple. When choosing a subscription for yourself or a loved one, take a browse through their menu of personal book subscriptions. Here you can choose from a wide variety of genres, from the broader ‘fiction’ subscription to more specialised crime, non-fiction, young adult, food and drink, wellbeing, natural history, or home and garden subscription. They even have categories for different demographics of readers: whether you’re shopping for a baby, toddler, child, couple or mum and baby, there really is something for everyone. They even have a bespoke subscription available if your reading tastes don’t fit into any these categories.
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.