What I’ve Been Reading in September 2018
I can’t believe it but I read fourteen books in September 2018. Yeah, I was on holiday for a portion of that time and I did go to the spa, but I still don’t know how I managed fourteen books in thirty days.
Let’s jump in.
What I Read in September 2018
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
The first book I read (or listened to) was a book on decluttering and minimalism. This was really good full of insight and honesty. Cait spent well above her means until she had a ridiculous amount of debt and had to stop. Since I’m trying to save my money and lower my debts it was a really helpful and fun read.
Listful Thinking by Paula Rizzo
I like a list as much as the next person. As someone with anxiety I’m often told to write lists and you’ll see them a lot on my blog with my 101 things to do in 1001 days or London Bucket List post. This book encourages more day-to-day lists, such as shopping lists, to-do lists, present lists, etc. Useful but not mind-boggling.
The Spenders Guide to Debt-Free Living by Anna Newell Jones
Can you tell I was a bit concerned with my finances in September? I really wanted to learn how to manage my finances and to do that I wanted to learn how others managed. I don’t do my finances like Anna Newell Jones does – a bit extreme for me – but I did learn some handy tips about saving.
The F Word by Lily Pebbles
I’m interested in the topic of friendship. I recently wrote an article for the Huffington Post on loneliness and living in the city and this book gives a good overview of female friendships in particular. The variations of friendship we all face – from lifelong friends to toxic friendships – and how we deal with them. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on friendship break-ups and how this is an important topic for us to consider because it will happen to us at some point in our lives.
Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White
I love a declutter. Following on from August’s reading list of cleaning and decluttering books I came across this on BookBeat. A fun and inspiring read to get you to clean and declutter the kitchen, bedroom, and dreadful junk drawer.
Don’t Worry, It’s Get Worse by Alida Nugent
I remember this starting well but honestly, that’s it. I was hoping for a lot from this book and it didn’t deliver, sadly. It was a look into Alida’s personal life but it differed a lot from mine – mostly she lacked some common sense with I found grating. I wouldn’t get into the situations that she got into therefore this book was a bit redundant for me.
Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own by Kate Bolick
An interesting look into being single by choice. I really enjoyed this and felt Kate wrote very well. There’s a particularly poignant chapter when she describes her mother passing away from cancer and the pressures of living up to her mother’s image but ultimately choosing to live up to her own. Thought-provoking and special.
Eat Up: Food, Appetite and Eating What you Want by Ruby Tandoh
I love this book. It’s definitely going to be in my Top 15 reads this year. Never has a book told me I can eat what I want and why. She goes into psychological and scientific detail about why it is okay for me to eat a bar of chocolate when I’m sad or make a massive home-cooked tagine for myself if I fancy it. A lesson for living life as you want. Definitely pick this up.
Oh, the Places you’ll Eff Up: A Parody of your Twenties by Joshua Miller
A funny look at adulting and being in your twenties. If you like a laugh and want to pass some time with a book then grab this funny parody and prepare to nod in agreement.
The Skills: From First Job to Dream Job by Mishal Husain
I don’t know what I expected from this but it didn’t deliver as much as I wanted. I was hoping for something inspirational and motivational but it came across as quite dry. Now, I know a lot about Mishal’s career and industry but not much about how to apply those skills to my own career. A shame, but I think others will love it.
Us by Curtis Wiklund
A lovely collection of drawings Curtis did for his wife every day for a year. Funny, sweet, romantic, and generally quite fun to look at.
Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen
Hilarious and true. I agreed with nearly all the scenarios in this short read. Anyone in their twenties should definitely have a look because I think you’ll be surprised by how many people are in the same situation as you.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
I finally got around to reading/listening to this additional Harry Potter book. I thought Eddie Redmayne actually gave a better rendition of this than he did as Newt Scamander – a bit of a shame really – but a great book full of magical detail.
My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen
Next to Phil Collins’ autobiography this is definitely going down as the most honest. I feel like Lily Allen has been speaking to me for ten hours and I now understand her. She does not hold back on topics of her mental health, physical health, music, dreams, family, loss… I felt for her, I esteemed her and I genuinely enjoyed her company. She is frank and not everything she does is great but she knows that and owns up to it, and that’s why this book is well worth reading.
There we go. Fourteen books in thirty days of September 2018. Intense right? I wonder if October will be the same… Find out next month.
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