Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Review: The Old Bookshop Grab Bag by Vendula London
I can’t quite remember when I first stumbled upon Vendula London’s beautiful bags, but I do know that once I set my eyes on their Old Bookshop Grab Bag, I just had to have it. Fast forward to Christmas day; I’m ripping off the wrapping paper and there it is, just as wonderful as I’d hoped. The best bag that I’ve ever owned.
An Interview with Fiona Thomas, Author of Depression in a Digital Age
Fiona grew up in the 80s, a simpler time, perhaps, without Facebook, iPhones and presidents causing wars on Twitter. But by her mid twenties, she was caught up in a spiral of perfectionism, anxiety and depression - no longer able to function and signed off from work. Fiona’s brilliant book, Depression in a Digital Age, details her journey from childhood to university, through to a breakdown during her early career. Turning to the internet for help, the digital world was a huge part of Fiona’s recovery and helped her to rebuild her life and regain her confidence.
Fora Flexible Workspace Review, Brick Lane
Walking through east London and into Fora’s spacious lobby, I quickly knew that this was a place I could feel at home. For context: Fora is a premium flexible workspace with locations across London, and they very kindly invited me to spend the day at their building in Brick Lane. Of course, I was ecstatic, and couldn’t wait to experience what they had to offer.
Where to Get Free Audiobooks
I love Audiobooks. They really are such a great way to consume literature - you can listen to them while walking or doing the washing up, and a great voice actor can really bring a story to life. The only problem is that they can be quite pricy, and many of us can’t afford to pay for a monthly subscription service, myself included.
Bookshops in Edinburgh, Scotland - a Complete Guide
For book lovers, Edinburgh is an absolute dream come true.
Not only is it home to a huge number of bookshops, but the city is widely known to be the place where JK Rowling wrote that Harry Potter book, and is filled to the brim with romantic architecture, topped off with a castle that stands watch over it all. If you’re a book lover then this is a place that you need to be.
Here I’ve compiled a guide to the best bookshops in Edinburgh, to help you make the most of your trip and see as many of them as you can. You won’t regret it!
Bookstagram Post Ideas for the Winter
Winter is a fab time of year. It’s the season of wooly scarves, hot chocolates and spending long Sunday afternoons snuggled in a pile of blankets with a good book. It’s also the perfect time to take some properly cosy bookstagram pictures and turn your feed into a bookworm’s paradise.
The Academy Hotel Review, London
As someone who’s been a Londoner for nearly 3 years, this city has become my playground, workplace and above all, my home. Something that it hasn’t been for me yet is a holiday spot - so I jumped at the chance to stay at one of Bloomsbury’s gorgeous boutique hotels, The Academy, for a night away with my boyfriend Tom.
Why I Love Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Red, White and Royal Blue has very much been one of the books of the summer on bookstagram this year. Not only was it recently nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, but I’ve seen it absolutely everywhere on the internet these past few months; I think it’s safe to say that it’s been incredibly hyped up. So naturally, I was hesitant to read it myself despite being intrigued by the synopsis. Well, I’m here to let you know that Red While and Royal Blue is an absolutely fantastic read, and here’s why.
Sleeping in a Hobbit Hole | A Review of West Stow Pods, Suffolk
I’ve always quite fancied being a hobbit. They have a pretty good life when you consider all of the eating, drinking and general tomfoolery that they engage in, not to mention the cosy, spherical dwellings that they curl up in every night in sleepy Hobbiton. So, imagine the joy that I felt when I discovered I could stay in a real life Hobbit Hole in Suffolk, just mere hours away from my flat in London.
5 Instagrammable Restaurants to Visit in London
One of my favourite things about London, hands down, is the food. There are restaurants and cafes to suit every taste and budget, and I love that many London eateries are now putting just as much thought into their decor as they do their food. While this is all well and good, it does come with a few dangers - cafes that are more style over substance, for example, and horrendously long queues.
Sleeping in a library! | A Stay at Gladstone's Library, Wales
Arriving in the little Welsh village of Hawarden for the first time, my friend Christy and I stumbled upon a grand looking building while looking for our bookish B&B, Gladstone’s Library. I blinked, and looked down at the map on my phone: ‘that is the library!’
Nestled on the border between northern Wales and Cheshire, Hawarden houses the UK’s only residential library, filled with books collected by the former Prime Minister William Gladstone.
The Best Bookshops to Visit in London
For those with books on the brain, London is an absolute gold mine for finding new reads. With every conceivable type of bookshop out there, we’re really spoilt for choice in this city, and I’ve spent the last few years of my life exploring them as often as I can. Here’s a list of what are, in my opinion, the most gloriously beautiful bookshops that you can find in London. Do leave a comment and let me know if you’ve visited any of them!
7 Fiction Books for University Students
I don’t know about you, but I really feel like there’s a complete lack of stories that are set at university. In fact, there seems to be a total lack of books for people who have grown older than the characters in YA, but don’t quite see themselves represented in general fiction. I’d love to see more books for people in their late teens and early twenties, but for now, here are seven great books I’ve read that are set at university. I hope that you love them!
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.