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Finished reading: Big Sky by Kate Atkinson 📚
Bit meh. A few too many characters to get really attached to anyone or their story.
Read in 2025: Crudo by Olivia Laing 📚
Read in two sittings which was probably best as I didn’t get in with it. Will stick to Laing’s non-fiction.
Finished reading: Mongrel by Hanako Footman 📚
The story of three women getting to know themselves and each other. Surprising. And challenging. And tender.
Finished reading: Union Jack by Val McDermid 📚
Think I’ve gone as far with Lindsey Gordon as I can for now.
Finished reading: The Unfolding by A.M. Homes 📚
As ever from A.M. Homes, an engaging and witty story that pulled me in from the first few pages. I needed this to find some flow to my reading again.
Finished reading: Babel by R. F Kuang 📚
Thoroughly enjoyable. Some good twists along the way. Got a little pedestrian in the final third though which has tempered my enthusiasm a little.
The bookend to my day yesterday, walking home via the Quayside. Spot Venus 🪐
Mad sky this morning on my commute
I’m kinda glad I don’t get annual podcast stats, otherwise you’d know how much time I spend thinking about my fantasy premier league team 😆
Currently reading: Babel by R. F Kuang 📚
I enjoyed the author’s note at the beginning of this, which outlines all her sources for the details of Victorian Oxford and the artistic licences she has taken. The last sentence in particular made me chuckle…
If you find any other inconsistencies, feel free to remind yourself this is a work of fiction.
Finished reading: Report for Murder by V. L. McDermid 📚
Sometimes you just need the comfort of a classic crime procedural and Val McDermid is always a sure bet.
Finished reading: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 📚
It took me two goes, but I did it. Skipped a few chapters in the late 30s/early 40s where the story felt it just got stuck. Enjoyed the rest of it.
Currently reading: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 📚
Encouraged by my friend, I’m picking this up again. She said it’s worth getting through the middle slump, so I skipped a few chapters from where I left off and started again. So far, so good.
Abandoned reading: Daisy Jones & The Six (TV Tie-in Edition) by Taylor Jenkins Reid 📚
Can’t seem to get through a book at the moment. The interview style, and the lack of any connection developing with the characters, didn’t work for me.
After saying our goodbyes to the family today, my eldest nephew sidled up and gave me an extra squeeze. The smallest gesture topped off a wonderful Christmas 🥰
Note to self: A walk at the coast puts everything in perspective
Finished reading: Endpapers by Jennifer Savran Kelly 📚
This came up in my kindle recommendations and it was a hit. Enjoyed the element of mystery and getting to know the main character as they also discovered themself.
Abandoned reading: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 📚
Lost my momentum with this. It was just a bit meh. Won’t discount coming back to finish it at a later date, I just need something else right now.
A question for those who have daily standups or check-ins with their team… what are the most valuable aspects of that activity for you?