A to Z reading challenge and I am almost done with it – just the letter X is pending. Any recs for books with their title starting with X?
If I do not come across an interesting book with a title beginning with X, I might have to use the blank/freebie letter option for it. So either way I will be done with it.
And for the main event: 45 books has been my yearly goal for a long time now and this would be the first time I can remember that I may not be reaching it. I am reading my 39th book currently!
Well, it is the 2020! And I don’t think I have to explain anymore on why I couldn’t reach the goal. Slumps, mental health and unexpected plans took a toll.
So it is your turn. Tell me about your reading goals and how far are you now?
What I read this week
I am at my Hail Mary pass and have been reading super fast (at least for my usual pace).
I read 3 books this week and I am on a spree I suppose.
Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story by Debbie Tung – Thank you, for the recommendation!
A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland
What I watched this week
I watched a Hindi web series called “The scam” which is based on a book about India’s largest financial scam.
I love watching true crime and this 90s scam that had huge repercussions in the Indian stock market and investors. Do watch it if you have interest in finance and shares.
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
Last week, we celebrated the 49th National day of the UAE with a lonnng weekend. Yes we had a 5 day weekend to mark the National day and Commemoration day. And it has been a fabulous holdiay!
With the Covid restrictions, we had a few events cancelled, some at the last minute. But we did have a spectacular show of fireworks and we drove down the beach to get a better view of it.
Of course there were several huge sales and discounts and as expected, the retails and the malls were filled with somewhat socially distancing people.
How has your week been?
What I read this week
I finished reading Anxious People by Fredrik Backman and I loved it, unsurprisingly. And I will be reviewing it very soon.
And I have currently picked up Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon, as a part of 2020 A to Z Reading Challenge for the letter Z.
Any book suggestions for the remaining letters – Q and X?
What I watched this week
I caught up with Undoing from HBO last week. And I was not particularly happy with it. With such powerful cast like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, I expected better.
I also watched Safe, (created by Harlen Coben) on Netflix. Another unsatisfactory crime thriller.
I finally started watching “This is US” as well, but I am gonna go slow. What other award winning shows should I be watching already?
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
After a few mellowed down weeks, I am happy to announce this week has been fairly good. That and the planning for the new year 2021 has made me excited and hopeful.
It might be a little late, but I have finally understood why everyone raves about Notion so much. I am in love!
For the uninitiated, Notion is a tool (app/program ?) that combines the power many apps in one workspace. Basically you can use it to substitute Google Docs, Evernote, to do lists, task manager and many other apps. ⠀
I am already on the planning process for 2021 and that is happening on Notion. Of course, my fingers are crossed, and only if we all survive this wretched 2020!
Aside, should I be posting more Notion and its pros and cons in a separate post?
Let us talk!⠀
What I read this week
I am currently reading Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, and I am definitely liking it.
After a not-so brief slump, I think I am out of it. I read Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee this week. I know I have quite a way to reach my reading target, but I will do my best.
What I watched this week
I learned about O J Simpson’s trial and I went on to watch The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story on Netflix. As someone who is not from the USA and was an too young to remember then, this whole fiasco is new to me and it was shocking to say the least
I almost gave it up in the middle, around episodes 4-5, because I knew he was going to get away with it. And that made so furious and angry about the system and men in general.
Do people still believe that OJ is innocent? If yes, why and how could that be? Can someone explain it to me?
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
So how has your week been? Have you used Notion and if yes, what has been your experience? And if you haven’t let me know how and what app/notebook do you use plan and track your work and to do lists? Let’s talk.
It has been a while since I spoke to you guys here. And I have my mental health and burnout to blame here. It has been a month, almost, since I read a book or watched a show with interest.
I am hoping that phase is done now and I am feeling a bit better this week. And that’s why, I am talking to you here. Here is to a better week ahead!
I really hope your week has been better than mine. And I want to hear all about it.
What I read this week
As I said I have not read anything in a while. And I am behind on my reading challenges as you expect.
I was just flicking the channels and I ended up watching Parenthood on Amazon. I think I chose it mainly because Lauren Graham, of Gilmore Girls, is in it.
But I am not sure if I actually like her in this one at all. For one, her character in Parenthood is so similar to Lorelai, Gilmore Girls and that is annoying me.
Anyway I like the other characters, so I am gonna continue watching it.
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
As I mention recently, this week has been filled with celebrations and traditional food given that we celebrated a nine day (or ten day) long Hindu festival called Navaratri (or Navratri).
Navaratri (means 9 nights) is celebrated all over India, though the mythological story and reasons behind it differs from region to region.
We (from South India) celebrate this festival to pray to the Goddesses (of education/arts, wealth, and power, respectively) and seek their blessings. This is usually celebrated in a grand manner for the women in the family because this is mostly a matriarchal festival.
We arrange dolls (figurines) on tiers for display during the period and invite other women (from the neighborhood and family) for an evening of snacks and devotional music. Usually, these dolls are at least a hundred years because they are passed over generations.
This is our first to time celebrate Navaratri golu (arrangement of dolls) after moving to Dubai. And sadly, that means all our dolls are newly bought. My mom still showcases 100+ year old dolls at my native. Just arranging the dolls here filled me with homesickness and nostalgia.
Of course considering the current COVID situation, we didn’t entertain many guests and kept the socializing part to the minimum. So did my mother and many of my relatives, in India.
What I read this week
I finally completed reading The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner this week. And that brings me with 4 letters remaining on my A to Z reading challenge.
I am currently reading The Quiet Side of Passion by Alexander McCall Smith. And it is crazy that this is my first ever McCall Smith’s book. I will let you know how it goes for me next week.
What I watched this week
Believe it or not, this is the first time I watched the movie One flew over a cuckoo’s nest. I had been holding on to it for long, because of the “book first” motto.
But I gave in finally, because I don’t have the book and I wanted to watched Nurse Ratched on Netflix. I will let you know how it goes next week.
I also watched HBO’s Third Day and I really enjoyed it.
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
