Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
16 Quotes About Love and Life from Normal People by Sally Rooney
First published in 2018, Normal People was Sally Rooney’s debut novel. Its popularity established her an exceptional contemporary writer, captivating audiences with its problematic protagonists, Marianne and Connell.
As endearing as they are frustrating, the story follows the pair as they navigate early adulthood in a way that many readers find relatable. It was even adapted into a television series with Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones in 2020.
Here are 15 quotes from Normal People, focusing on two themes: love and life.
Witness For the Prosecution Review - London County Hall
As a big fan of live theatre, I was very excited to receive an invite to watch my very first Agatha Christie play: Witness for the Prosecution.
Originally published as a short story named Traitor's Hands, Witness for the Prosecution was later adapted into a play by Christie herself. The County Hall based show is now running into its seventh year, having received high praise from critics and theatregoers alike.
Beth O’Leary Books in Order
I’ve been obsessed with Beth’s books ever since she published The Flatshare in 2019. Her books are funny, intelligently written and romantic, and she continues to be one of my favourite contemporary romance authors.
Here are all of Beth O’Leary’s books in order, starting with her first. Enjoy!
The Twits Afternoon Tea at London County Hall - Review
I’m always on the lookout for new literary themed activities, so when I heard that Marriott were hosting a Roald Dahl themed afternoon tea, I knew that I had to give it a try.
Based on Roald Dahl’s book The Twits, this afternoon tea takes place in Marriott’s London County Hall hotel, which is right next to the London Eye and London’s South Bank.
Inside Den Lille Bokbutikken - Bookshop Review
Translated as The Little Bookshop, I stumbled upon Den Lille Bokbutikken while stopping in Haugesund during a Norwegian Fjords cruise.
Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine - Review
When I first saw the Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine, I couldn’t believe that something of this size could make decent coffee.
As my partner and I love to travel and are always on the go, I knew that I needed to try it for myself.
Lex Croucher Books in Order
Writing books for both young people and adults, Lex is a New York Times bestseller with six books to their name. I’m a big fan and I’m looking forward to their new adult book which publishes in fall 2025!
Here are all of Lex’s books in order, organised by age category.
Laurie Gilmore Books in Order
Named after the much loved protagonist of the TV show Gilmore Girls, Laurie Gilmore’s fall themed debut, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was a huge hit on TikTok. And for good reason - it’s cute, comforting and atmospheric, with two sequels alone scheduled to publish in 2024.
Here are each of Laurie Gilmore’s books in order. Enjoy!
Llandudno’s Alice in Wonderland Statues
Although Lewis Carroll famously resided in Oxford, he was also connected to the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno.
It is here that Alice Pleasance Liddell - the real life inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, spent her summers in the family’s holiday home. It’s rumoured that Carroll spent some time here too, allegedly basing his story on their adventures.
Astley Book Farm - Bookshop Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the largest second hand bookshop in the midlands.
I recently found myself on a trip to Birmingham and discovered Astley Book Farm on our route. Located in the county of Warwickshire, Astley has just 200 residents, meaning that it’s a village with more books than people!
What to Pack for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
In 2023 I set off for my first ever cruise onboard P&O’s Iona. I honestly had no idea what to expect from the holiday, but I was very keen to explore Norway and curious about how it would feel to travel on a cruise ship.
I ended up having an absolutely fantastic time and the trip ignited a love of cruising for myself and my partner. Having said that, as this was our first ever cruise, we had no idea what to take with us (and didn’t research very well either!)
The Midnight Library Book Quotes
One of my all time favourite books, Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library was released in 2020 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. Not only did it spend 40 weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller list, but it was also voted Best Fiction Book 2020 in the Goodreads Choice Awards.
How to Visit Dylan Thomas’ Boat House in Wales
Here’s everything you need to know about Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse in Laugharne, Wales.
Dylan Thomas was a Welsh author and poet, who was born in Swansea in 1914. Despite living a relatively short life and passing away in 1953, Dylan was a prolific writer who published 90 poems in his lifetime.
Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal
Southampton is a great place to start any cruise holiday, with plenty of amenities and a range of hotels to suit all budgets.
In this blog post I have selected the very best hotels in Southampton, broken down by price. While doing so, I only chose hotels that were within a 15 minute taxi ride from the cruise terminal - with so many to choose from, you really don’t have to stay further away.
One main point of advice is to ensure that you book your hotel room early, as Southampton is a busy city and this will ensure that you get the best price possible.
Things to Do in Haugesund From a Cruise Ship
The Norwegian Fjords is a gorgeous destination for a cruise holiday, served by a variety of cruise lines including P&O, Celebrity and Princess. Haugesund is just one of many possible cruise stops, located in the North Sea, in between Stavanger and Bergen.
The port here is large and able to accommodate a wide range of ships, including P&O’s Iona and Arvia, which are the largest British cruise ships to date.
How Fast Does a Cruise Ship Go? And Other Cruise Ship Facts
I answer some of the internet’s burning questions about cruising and present fourteen fun facts.
How fast do cruise ships travel, and how long do they take to build? Read on to find out the answers to these and more.
What to Do in Ålesund From a Cruise Ship
Known to be one of Norway’s most beautiful fjord cities, Ålesund is a picturesque location that begs to be explored.
The city centre is just a 10 minute stroll from the cruise port, meaning there’s no need for most people to take a taxi or shuttle. For those who would prefer not to walk, the City Sightseeing Train is available at the cruise terminal and offers 70 minute tours around the city. These are easy to book when you arrive and depart every 20 minutes when a cruise ship is in port.
What to Do in Olden From a Cruise Ship
Home to less than 1000 people, Olden is a beautiful village located at the end of Nordfjord. Disembarking the cruise ship here felt like stepping into a perfect picture postcard, which is exactly what I imagined when I planned my trip to Norway!
Bear in mind that you won’t find many shops or other amenities here, and public transport is very limited, so make sure you set out with a good pair of walking shoes and dressed for the weather. Whether you’re looking to book an exciting excursion or explore on a budget, there’s plenty of things to do in stunning Olden.
Ali Hazelwood Books in Order
One of my very favourite romance authors, Ali Hazelwood specialises in cutesy romances with a nerdy twist.
Here are all of her books in chronological order, including her three novellas. Enjoy!
The House Witch Book Series in Order
Described as a humorous romantic fantasy, this cosy series by Delemhach is perfect for fans of Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. At 7 books to date, it’s also ideal for anyone who wants to get stuck into a lengthy and addictive series.
Here are each of the books in the order they should be read.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.