Belong by Radha Agrawal is about connecting with people by joining and building communities. The premise is we all feel happier when we are connected to other people. In fact, Radha says “having weak social ties is as harmful to our health as being an alcoholic, and twice as harmful as obesity” – scary. The aim of the book is for you to become “aware of who you are and intentional about what you want Continue Reading …
In Bloom by Kayla Aimee – review
In Bloom is a collection of stories from Kayla’s life from childhood through to motherhood about feelings of insecurities and inadequacies. The stories are grouped into themes such as rejection, fear and boys, and are very vulnerable at times touching on topics that most of us probably hide away inside. Why I wanted to read In Bloom I first came across Kayla through a blogging course and didn’t know anything about her life. But when Continue Reading …
Encouraging children to read
You probably know that I love reading; I love expanding my knowledge and getting lost in a story. I want my children to love reading as well. It will help them at school and I hope inspire their imaginations. Encouraging children to read Here are my suggestions to encourage your children to read. I’m not involved in education so these are based on what well-informed people have recommended to me. Read in front of your children Continue Reading …
How’s the darktea brewing? #3
Not exactly a great start to these monthly reviews by missing two months. I’m still working on getting used to working full time and with a longer commute and unfortunately it is my blogger time that has suffered the most. However, I hope I’m on the cusp of getting back to a more balanced routine. Improving my sleep My only resolution this year is to improve my sleep and last month I got to bed earlier than January Continue Reading …
How is the darktea brewing? #2
Seeing as we’re almost at the end of March it seems a bit late to be reviewing my progress in February. However, I don’t want to give up on these progress posts after just one month. I’ve been quiet this month here and on social media because I started a new job at the end of February which is very exciting after my role was made redundant in October last year, but I’m still getting used Continue Reading …
How is the darktea brewing? #1
This is my new monthly progress post, but as I did progress posts for two years up to 2009 I wanted to call this something different and came up with something a little cheesy. Unlike my previous posts these are going to focus on two areas I’m looking to improve this year, my sleep and reading self improvement books. Improving my sleep My one resolution this year is to improve my sleep as I believe it will Continue Reading …
#blogitforward – food bank and text book donations
#blogitforward is based on the concept of Pay it forward, an idea I first came across through Bookcrossing; through the book Pay it forward* and the activity of Random Acts of Bookcrossing Kindness. Wayfair has picked up on the idea and have been asking bloggers to spread kindness, and to help make a difference they will donate £50 for every blog that participates. Over the past few months I’ve been doing a lot of sorting Continue Reading …
Self improvement books (poll)
When I first started this blog in 2007 it was called Blog to discovery; Revelations along the way to a simpler, happier and more successful life and included reviews of self improvement books I read such as Beat Stress and Fatigue and Making Happy People. I’ve kept aquiring books, but haven’t really been reading them, and when I do it is more of a quick flick through the pages without making any changes (or even Continue Reading …
This is the year I’ve stopped reading
I love reading. In fact I love reading too much and when I start a good book it takes over everything. I skimp on all my other activities so I can fit in more reading time. I’ve kept a log in one place or another of the books I’ve read since 2005 so I know I tend to read between 50 and 60 books a year; put simply that is one book a week. The Continue Reading …
Ask Advice: How to productively use book social media sites
Social media has become part of every day web use for most people, whether it is connecting to friends, playing games or sharing photographs. I believe social media should either be fun or useful, but I’m struggling to use book sites productively. I love books and I love book websites, but it often feels that I’m spending time duplicating activities or not making the most of the sites, for example using forums. My favourite sites Continue Reading …
