Currently reading all the books. Wannabe Jenny Hanniver,
@Booktrust
friend, book blogger, lover of undunked biscuits and custard. Autistic, nr-axSpA. She/Her
I know for many people, changing a profile picture is no big deal but after many years of being bullied for my appearance it’s a huge deal for me. It’s taken over a week and countless attempts to take a selfie that I can tolerate but I’ve finally done it.
#beingbraver
I chose not to attend my father's funeral today. The thought of spending hours in a car to get there and having to make small talk with people I don’t know to remember a man who was a bully and who ignored his own grandchildren for most of their lives didn’t appeal.
At what age do adult children become capable of emptying the kitchen bin rather than continually pushing down the contents so that the bag becomes stuck?
It’s just under 5 months since we found out Mum had cancer. This morning she died in her sleep, peacefully at home in her own bed - her final wish. We didn’t always get on, but I hope that when my time comes I carry myself with the same dignity and bravery that she did.
Mum's back in hospital. Cancer has spread and all that can be done is relieving her pain. Grateful to the sympathetic nurses who have allowed me in to see her this week. Waiting for adjustments to be made so she can come home. She is the bravest person I’ve ever known.
So, a bit of news. It’s taken me a while to get my head round but I’m now not teaching - have been struggling with my mental and physical health for months and have had to make the difficult decision to put my wellbeing first. 1/2
Delighted to be able to start the week with a
#Giveaway
🥳!
Win a copy of the brilliant
#FaberBookOfBedtimeStories
🥰
To enter:
🎄 Follow me and
@FaberChildrens
🎄 Tag a friend
🎄 Like and RT this post
UK only. Winner chosen at random at 5pm 9th Dec 🥳
Delighted to brighten a cold, dark evening with a
#Giveaway
🥳!
Win a copy of the brilliant The Kingdom of Broken Magic by Christine Aziz 🥰
To enter:
🎄 Follow me
🎄 Tag a friend
🎄 Like and RT this post
UK only. Winner chosen at random at 5pm 24th October 🥳
@EveryWithWords
I’ve written two books, both of which are available on kindle, as a paperback and an audiobook (narrated by me). The first is (mainly) about depression and the second is (mostly) about happiness. Hope you enjoy them if you read (or listen) to them.
Enjoying being a lady of leisure at the moment but hoping something else will come along that will provide me with a fresh challenge without impacting negatively on my health. Until then, I’m going to read ALL the books 2/2
Trying to juggle supporting my terminally ill mother, school and my family overwhelmed me this afternoon and I’m not ashamed to admit I crumbled. So very, very grateful for my friends in school who rescued me and enabled me to carry on.
Closing the
#BackToSchool
blog tour by resharing my post of the brilliant
#FindingWonder
by
@laurenstjohn
and a giveaway!
To win a copy of this brilliant story:
Like/retweet this post and tag in a friend
Follow
@FaberChildrens
and me
Closes 5pm Friday 29th September. UK only 🐎
There have been many times when I would rather have stayed at home than gone to school: because I’ve not slept, because I’ve had a challenging class, because Ofsted are in or because I’ve been unwell. Never before because I’ve been frightened.
🎉 What better way to celebrate the bank holiday than with a giveaway!?
Win
#JaneAustenInvestigates
by
@jgoldingauthor
AND a fabulous matching tote bag 🎉
To enter:
🎉 Follow me
🎉 RT this post
🎉 Reply with a Jane Austen gif
UK only. Winner chosen at random at 6pm 3rd May
When I was ill a few months ago, I struggled to leave the house and couldn't speak to anyone other than family without shaking/crying. This morning I went to an author event in Norwich and this evening to a comedy gig. So grateful to those who have supported my recovery.
@MrBoothY6
I love it when you give out plain paper for any task and tell children to make sure their names are on the back. Cue most of the class turning over the blank paper, writing their names on the 'back' and then turning it back to the still blank 'front'.
What’s nicer than a book and cake? Lots of books and birthday cake! My family know me so well - just need to get the kettle on and choose what to read first! 😊
Lack of confidence is definitely my biggest barrier to drawing but am telling myself that I can’t expect my work to be perfect and as long as I’m enjoying it (and I am) that’s all that matters 😊
#Doodleish
I’ve lost count of how many people have recommended this to me - I think
@rumena_aktar
was the most recent - but I’m finally going in.
#OctoberOctober
🦉
Phoned the bookshop at lunchtime.
Me: Hi, I'd like to order in a graphic novel, please.
Assistant: Just one moment.
(To her colleague)There's a lady wanting to order a graphic novel!?
Colleague: Is it Mrs Sydney?
Me: 😂😂😂
@JenniSpangler1
@chrismouldink
Took me 3 hours to pluck up the courage to rough out the pencil shapes and I needed to be a bit more patient before I rubbed out my guidelines but glad I had a bash at today’s
#Doodleish
prompt 😊
Ordered this on a whim after seeing someone say what a great book it is. On page 100, and it is an absolute joy - a hug in a book. Guessing at some point, it’s all going to turn nasty but for now I am savouring the loveliness. 🥰
Hate dressing up almost as much as having my picture taken but am
#BeingBraver
and have come to school for
#RoaldDahlDay
as Mrs Silver from Esio Trot 🐢
Thought it about time I stamped my books with my little library stamp ahead of going back to school. Didn’t realise I’d read quite so many over the holiday!
Y3 child: I’ve got furballs!
Me: I’m sorry!?
Y3 child: I’ve got furballs!
Me: Furballs?
Year 3 child: Yeah, my mum made me put them on 'cause it’s cold!
Me: Oh…..you mean thermals! 😂
After several panic attacks just at the thought of joining in online meetings before Christmas, after a couple of attempts this week I have managed to put the camera on while talking to my class at home. This afternoon, I read them a story.
#Babysteps
After being off sick for most of the summer term, I have made it through the autumn one. Yes, it’s been hard - I’ve had more panic attacks and shed a few tears, but I made it. Not 100% well yet, but so much better than I was and grateful for family/friends who have supported me.
Was a very brave girl at the dentist today and in the absence of a sticker, have decided to pick up a read from my TBR pile as a treat. Have heard lots of good things about this one so I feel certain I deserve it 😊
They say the sun shines on the righteous and it shone today for Mum's funeral. She had the music (Schubert, more Schubert and The Sun has got his Hat on!) and the poem she chose and the people that she cared about the most were there to say goodbye to her. So glad all went well.
Just opened my school emails to find one from a parent of one of our KW Y6s to whom I'd lent Crater Lake by
@JenniferKillick
Said child had read it 'cover to cover' on Monday and they have 'finally cracked it' as both offspring are now bookworms. Has cheered me enormously.
@RealMattLucas
As the person who's always too scared to go on any of the rides, other than those aimed at toddlers, I volunteer to look after everyone else’s coats and bags and stand on the side.
I know a few of you were quite concerned about me last week when I came away from my local indie without any books but you’ll be pleased to see I’ve made up for it today 😊
Huge apologies for not replying to everyone who’s tagged me in on things this week. Mum is now receiving end-of-life care at home and I’ve been with her for the past week. Hoping her suffering will soon be at an end xxx
I’m not generally a squeamish person, but there’s something about
@DrAmirKhanGP
removing toenails on
#Gpsbehindcloseddoors
that makes me hide behind a cushion. Just like I did when the daleks used to appear on
#DrWho
in the 1970s.
Haven’t been at all well recently, and have had to take a couple of months off sick (thank God for the NHS). Return to work meeting went well this morning and I’m hoping that with support from family, colleagues and friends that I will soon be back to my usual self.
It’s taken a lot to overcome my fear of my image being captured, but one of my kids messaged me today to tell me how much she's enjoying the recorded videos of me reading a book to those learning at home.
Day made ☺️
Can’t believe it’s 2 years since I sat down to start my blog! In that time I’ve posted 354 reviews and made lots of wonderful bookish friends here. Looking forward enormously to reading more books, sharing more recommendations and making new friends in the months to come 🥰 xxx
No greater pleasure after a hot and sticky day in school than to come home to book post, especially when it’s the fabulous
#MouseHeart
by
@FleurHitchcock
@NosyCrow
. Very much looking forward to a restful evening with my nose stuck in this!
Attention Eerie-on-Sea fans! I'm thrilled to share
@georgermos
's fantastic cover for
#Mermedusa
by
@ThomasHTaylor
with you! Join Herbie & Vi in their last exciting adventure as the series comes to a heart-stopping climax in September this year. I just can't wait!
@WalkerBooksUK
Today's
#Doodleish
has been a very welcome distraction from the last day of the holiday feeling I’m trying to ignore. Can’t believe how much I’ve already learned after only 2 weeks ☺️ x
A missing dad whose family can’t really remember him and a magical aunt who's a faerie full of tricks and wishes? Yes please!!! Thank you
@AndersenPress
, I can’t wait to get stuck in to this magical adventure,
#TheMagicofEndings
by
@teamavery
Found today's
#Doodleish
prompt to be the hardest one yet. Very happy with some bits and less so with others but it’s all good practice and part of the learning 😊
Oh. My. Goodness.
What a VERY lucky girl I am! Have loved both of
@BooksandChokers
's previous books and am beyond excited to read this! Thank you so very much
@_KnightsOf
@ed_pr
😍😍😍
Well, obviously I couldn’t let a certain book birthday slip past uncelebrated 🎂!
Hoorah for
#Shadowghast
by
@ThomasHTaylor
published today and one I am very much looking forward to sharing in school.
Very rarely have I been so glad it’s Friday, and opening this glorious book post from
@ZillahBethell
has cheered me enormously. Hoping to get stuck in to this over the weekend and lose myself within its pages x
With everything else going on, I’d completely forgotten it’s my Blogiversary today! Four years since I started reviewing books - it’s brought me such pleasure and helped me make some fab friends here. Thank you to everyone who's supported me 🥰 xxx
When I started reviewing books, I really thought no one would be interested in my ramblings. Had already pre-ordered a copy of
#RecordSmashers
by
@J_C_Pearson
when I discovered my name is in the back. Hugely touched and have bought a second copy for home to keep for 'best'. 🥰
Something that never fails to make me anxious is having my picture taken - I have been known to hide from the school photographer, and once walked out of assembly, rather than face the camera. Huge thanks to my friend
@cmchjc22
for taking this yesterday with a certain author.
@WhistleblowingT
I’m primary but said no to a residential last year. The sooner you say no, the sooner staffing can be sorted and the sooner you can breathe a sigh of relief. Not wanting to go is a good enough reason, especially if it impacts on your mental health. Good luck x
I’m calling it now -
#NicBlake
and the Remarkables: the Manifestor Prophecy is going to be one of the books of the year. Full review to follow but get this on your pre-order list now for 4th April.
@angiecthomas
@WalkerBooksUK
@BookEating_Girl
It's the 'school dreams' that get me. Even when I'm asleep my brain is still deciding to think about school and I have woken up several times in the last couple of weeks since breaking up feeling extremely anxious/panicky.
This is the point in the holiday where teachers remember what it’s like to have a holiday and not constantly think about their job through the whole thing.
I think we all know
@BooksandChokers
is an astonishing talent and a national treasure. Have loved all of her books and cannot wait to find out how Ramya's story concludes in
#LikeACurse
.
@_KnightsOf
@ed_pr
🥰
Out 01/02, to coincide with LGBT+ History Month,
#TheFightsThatMakeUs
by
@SarahHaggerHolt
is the must-read story of Jesse who discovers their cousin Lisa's diary and learns the shocking truth of her life and the introduction of Section 28
@Usborne
🏳️🌈
Very rarely do I read a 400 page book in one go, but this is no ordinary book. Can’t believe it took so long to pick it up and not at all sure what to read next.
#TheExplorer
#ReaderTeacher
#Readingforpleasure
Can’t believe my little blog is a year old today! Seems only a couple of weeks ago I wrote my first review but so much has happened over the last twelve months.
Here’s to the all the books and the chat with friends I’ve made here in the next year. 🥂
Will again be walking a marathon on 10th September to raise much-needed funds for
@Booktrust
. Would hugely appreciate your support by retweeting and/or chucking a few quid in my virtual bucket, which can be found here:
Thank you 😘 xxx
A thrilling adventure set in the world of
#WWII
codebreakers, The Bletchley Riddle by
@RutaSepetys
and
@SteveSheinkin
is a brilliant read as siblings Jakob and Lizzie find themselves on very different secret missions. Out 10/10
@RocktheBoatNews
Yes, 2020 has been awful but the one good thing to come out of it for me is that I found the courage to chat to other people here. A year ago I wouldn’t have believed I’d talk to other readers or writers, let alone that some of them would become friends. Roll on 2021 🙂
5 years after moving back home, Big Baby has moved out. Mr S doesn’t seem very impressed for my plans to install a library in her room and has told me we are having a 'spare bedroom'. Given the choice of guests or books, surely it’s a no-brainer as to which to go for?
Goodness me - what a fabulous prize! Enormous thanks to
@uksla
for this wonderful selection of non-fiction titles, which I am very much looking forward to sharing. 😊
Oh my goodness me! Not only did I absolutely adore
#IntoTheFaerieHill
but am shocked and thrilled to discover my name in such illustrious company in the acknowledgements. Thank you so much
@HSNorup
🥰