Kiwillow Reads and Crafts

September has been a really poor reading month for me. I only managed to read one book which was Where the past begins by Amy Tan of which I gave 3.5 stars.  I love Amy's writing but I found it more difficult to read this memoir than her novels which I love. I don't know why I've struggled with reading this month other than I've been watching more TV when I get home from work.  It may be that the nights are drawing in and I just want to get cozy and relax but not to engage my brain too much.  I'm just hoping that this month is a blip in my reading.  I am one book away from hitting my good reads target of 60 books  read in 2019, so it is not as if I am feeling the pressure to hit that target. In terms of my October TBR , I am going to try and read the books I hoped to read in September. I have already started to read Everything Under by Daisy Johnson English Animals by Laura Kay Life after Life by Kate Atkinson I also have Practical Magic by Alic...

To my lovely sister in law Ate Rhea.  Happy Birthday. Love Lesley xxxx

Rather than New Years Resolutions at the start of the year, I like to reflect on things around my birthday which was the start of this week. As this is predominately a book related blog I thought I would share my book goals for the coming twelve months. 1.  Read the Harry Potter series 2.  Read His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman 3.  Read more Daphne Du Maurier 4.  I have hundreds of books on my Kindle so would like to get through a lot of those this year. 5.  Continue with Laurenandthebooks Patreon Bookclub 6.  Continue watching my favourite book tubers.  Especially Simon of Savidge Reads, Lauren of Lauren and the books, Jen Campbell, Jeans Bookish Thoughts, Ariel Bissett and April of Getting Hygge With it. 7.  Start cooking recipes out of the many cookbooks I seem to have accumulated over the years. 8.  Be more active on this blog.  Write reviews, More TBR!s, possible hauls, what's on shelves etc. I think the ...

In memory of all those lives lost and were affected on this terrible day in history 18 years ago today. I will always remember visiting the site of the Twin Towers in 2005.  It was still very much a building site at the time but I felt like I had to be there to honour And pay my respects.

Today is my 45th birthday. I will be spending the day with my lovely husband visiting a kitty cafe for afternoon tea.  Purrfect!!!! Happy Birthday to me xx love Lesley xxxx

In September I am hoping to read the following books: Memories of the Past by Amy Tan English Animals by Laura Kaye Eveything Under by Daisy Johnson Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. (This may go into October TBR) These feel like Autumnal books to me and two of the covers even have foxes on. I am not however putting pressure on myself to complete all four.  I am nearly at my 60 books to read in 2019 on Good reads and I feel I have had a really good reading year so far and am just enjoying reading at my leisure. Wishing you happy reading in September Love Lesley xxx

August has gone by in the blink of an eye.  I cannot believe that we are two thirds through with 2019. I have had a fairly good reading month where I read 10 books.  However, most of these were small children's book. The books read in August were as follows: The Lost Narwhal by Tori McGee - 4 stars ABC: Alphabet Animals at Bedtime by Aaron Adams - 4 stars A Tiger like Me by Michael Engler  - 4 stars Sun, Moon and Stars by Stephanie Turnbull - 3 Stars The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman - 5 stars Rebel Cats! Brave Tales of Feisty Felines by Kimberlie Hamilton -5 stars The Night Watch by Sarah Waters -5 stars A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon - 3 Stars The Cats in the Hat by Dr Suess - 5 stars Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Suess - 5 Stars. Highlights were: I was extremely surprised how much I enjoyed The Book of Dust which is  the first part of a new series Philip Pullman has written concerning Lyra of the Dark Materials series. I will be pickin...

How can it be September already?  This year has just flown by so quickly. I love September.  The Autumn is my favourite time of year.  I love the colours, the fact that it is cooler but still not Winter (I'm not keen on winter if it is icy or snowy, but I like Winter too).  I like the fact you can start wearing warmer, cozier clothes, it's Pumpkin Spice season and it's my Birthday. Wishing you all a lovely September, and start of Autumn.  It's the perfect Hygge season in which I am totally going to embrace. love Lesley xxx