Top Ten Books of 2018

So 2018 was an intense reading year, especially when I was finishing up my dissertation in the first few months. Those that I didn't review on here, their ratings are up on my Good Reads and can be found here! In total I read 57 books, and have chosen my ten favourites to recommend.  (Illustration by Manuela Gandara) Here goes... 1) Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. This...

Words for Winter (TBR)

The list of books I want to read is always growing, but recently it's become almost intimidating. And although I'm not usually one for planning how and when I read - unless it's holiday packing time, and I have to choose between socks and stories - I took some time to pick out the books I'm most excited for and dedicate the last few months of the year to those.  Here are some thoughts on...

Staying Afloat: Job-Hunt Edition

I recently completed a 3 month internship, I'm now an au-pair, working part-time in a cafe, and searching for a job in the creative industries. Finding a degree-related job while juggling other responsibilities has been one of the hardest challenges I've faced, and it's taken a while to get into a positive headspace about it. I thought I'd share some advice on how to cope with what can be a draining...

Favourite Summer Reads

Hello! Somehow it's mid-September already - I hope you enjoyed the summer months. I'll do a wrap up about what I've been up to soon, but for now I thought I'd share some of the books I've read recently. Let me know what you thought if you've read any of them too. -Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. Winner of the 2018 women's prize for fiction, this novel is different to anything I've read in a while....

So... We're Graduates Now?

So for many of us, newly graduated, we are in the same boat. Some are no doubt seasick, in a world which suddenly demands more decision-making than we could have imagined. I think a lot of us are struggling to adapt, though it's early days, so I thought I'd share what I've found comforting recently whilst job-hunting. Illustration by Manuela Gandara What to watch/read/listen to when...

Change & Fear

Marisa Bates' recent article on The Pool has resonated so strongly with me that I've managed to escape this 3 month blog break! Illustration: Eleanor Shakespeare The article is about fear, and how different our lives could be if we weren't so afraid (Read it here: https://www.the-pool.com/life/life-honestly/2018/27/Marisa-Bate-on-fear-and-a-list-of-things-to-do). 'If I weren't afraid,...

Audiobooks: Wishlist & What I've Loved

Hello! I've not posted in a while, mainly due to lack of motivation and confidence in my writing. But I'm back. I'm currently working on my final two essays at Uni (which I still can't believe) and my new love for audio books has helped me power through studying. I thought I'd share my thoughts and suggestions for anyone else interested.  Credit: SleuthSayers Audible is £7.99 each month,...

Finding Your Voice

"You've got a heart as loud as lions, so why let your voice be tamed?" - Emeli Sande I'm really enjoying writing about writing right now, so here's another spout of rambling for your eyeballs. I remember hearing the phrase "be original" and "find your voice" being drilled into our heads during the first few weeks of University, and instantly feeling unsettled. The whole point, surely, of dedicating...

You Don't Owe Anyone Your Productivity

I've been ill for over a week now, with a broken laptop leaving me without Netflix for longer than I'd have liked and an abandoned to-do list needing my attention. This is what encouraged me to write this post about unapologetically living your life, and adjusting our schedules when necessary. I watched one of Leena Norms' old YouTube videos - this one  (side note: she's incredible),...

Creative Writing Degrees: My Experience

I remember applying for University and there not being much out there about the specific course I had found (Creative and Media Writing). Although I found a lot of advice about English Literature courses (my original preference) which helped, I would love to start making content for people who are in the position I was then to get a sense of what the course involves. These are some of the Creative...

Thanet Food Guide - Part 3 - Margate

Famous for the revived Dreamland, Turner Gallery and quirky vintage shops, Margate is filled with great places to explore and eat. I've given you a mini review of my top picks below. GB Pizza- This place has started to become quite well known, and they are famous for their crispy based pizzas. The decor in this place is great, and I'll definitely design my future home with a similar look! Try...

Thanet Food Guide - Part 2 - Broadstairs

Broadstairs is a lovely little town, with lots of pubs on the seafront to visit. There are fireworks here weekly in summer, along with Folk week, Food Festivals and other events too. This is probably the shortest of the three part food guide, but hopefully it gives you some inspiration.  Wyatt and Jones - This restaurant has receieved Michelin stars and other awards and we usually visit...

Thanet Food Guide - Part 1 - Ramsgate

I've wanted to create a food tour of Thanet for a really long time, so here goes! I've split this into three parts, covering three fairly small towns in East Kent: Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate.  So I lived in Ramsgate for most of my teenage years, and have discovered lots of great places there: Kyoto Sushi & Grill - Recently re-opened, this is a family favourite. Authentic Japanese...

Writing a Dissertation: A Guide By An Anxious Mind

If you're in Second Year and getting goosebumps at the thought of your final project, hopefully this post helps you!  I'm currently writing the second half of my Creative Writing dissertation. It's weirdly split 50/50 between 10,000 and 5,000 words and the final deadline is at the end of April. I achieved a 1st in the first half, which I am really proud of. Obviously, I can't predict the...

What I Read in January

This month has been a real mixed bag, reading wise, as I've been trying to get through my personal 'to-be-read' pile, whole working through books for University assignments. I've ended the month feeling a little burnt out, struggling to focus and really settle into a new story, but I'm happy to have a short break for a while. Writing Poetry and Getting Published - I read this as part of my...

Netflix Recommendations

I'm not sure if January 29th is too late to be wishing you all a happy new year, but I'll do it anyway. I hope this mad world is treating you well. Source: https://www.marthastewart.com/1508995/introducing-31-days-gratitude-our-daily-calligraphy-project I thought I'd share a few of my favourite things to watch on Netflix, as it can be overwhelming trying to choose from the huge selection...