Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Pooh Corner, Hartfield - Full Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the adorable Winnie the Pooh themed cafe in Hartfield, England.
As a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, I’ve long wanted to visit the birthplace of the stories. Residing in Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, A. A. Milne (also known as Alan Alexander Milne) penned the first book here in 1926 for his son Christopher Robin Milne.
The Pooh Corner cafe is located on the edge of Ashdown Forest, just a short journey down the road from A. A. Milne’s home.
Trtl Travel Pillow Review
As someone who is new to long haul flights, I knew I had to up my game when I booked a cruise from Bangkok to Hong Kong.
I’m based in the UK, and with two upcoming flights totalling 12 and 14 hours each, I knew that I had to be prepared.
This is where trtl comes in. Widely considered to be one of the best travel pillows on the market, trtl promises to give you ‘the most comfortable sleep you’ll ever have travelling’. With more than 2 million sales to date and nearly 1000 five star reviews on their website, their product really is tempting.
Nordace Siena Pro Tote Bag Review and Discount Code
If you’ve read my previous review, you’ll know that my Nordace Siena Pro Backpack is my favourite bag to take on a trip.
Not only is it a great size, it also has lots of handy pockets, fits perfectly under an airplane seat and looks cute too. So I’m sure you can imagine how delighted I was when Nordace wrote to me and asked if I’d like to try the Siena backpack’s matching tote bag!
Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel Review
Here’s my full room tour and review of the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
My first ocean cruise with Viking, I found that I loved the Viking Venus and am manifesting another trip onboard one of their ships soon. Interested in seeing what it’s like? Here’s my full Viking Venus ship tour and review.
The Royal Garden Hotel Review, Hong Kong
Here’s my full review of the Royal Garden Hotel in Hong Kong.
Our ship docked in the Ocean Terminal, surrounded by glistening sky scrapers and the promise of a new city to explore.
After spending a night docked in the harbour, we disembarked and checked into the Royal Garden Hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, which we used as a base before travelling to the airport that evening.
Viking Venus Ship Tour and Review
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
Viking Venus Cabin Tour and Review
Here’s a full tour of my Deluxe Veranda Stateroom onboard the Viking Venus.
When embarking on a long trip it’s important to have a clean and comfortable base to rise in each morning and return to each night.
That’s exactly what I had on my recent cruise around Southeast Asia, sailing on the lovely Viking Venus, and residing in stateroom 4035. I have fond memories of my time spent in this cabin - although I have to admit, this is the tidiest I kept it during the whole trip.
The Best Mushroom Growing Kit - Eat Your Words Review
Did you know that you can grow your own oyster mushrooms using some of your favourite books?
Usually found growing outside, oyster mushrooms typically feed on dead and dying trees. As book pages are essentially a type of wood, they make tasty food for growing oyster mushrooms, and provide a great way of reusing any unwanted books.
And yes, you can eat them too!
Interview with Bijal Shah, Author of Bibliotherapy
I speak to counsellor and bibliotherapist Bijal Shah about her fantastic book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading.
Hello Fresh Meal Kit Review
As a novice when it comes to cooking my own food, I’m a big fan of meal delivery kits like Hello Fresh.
I’ve found that they make it much easier to cook new food without any previous understanding or skills (of which I admittedly have little). I’ve had Hello Fresh delivered before so I was excited to receive one of their boxes in return for an honest review.
Stacey Halls Books in Order
A bestselling British writer who grew up in Rossendale, Lancashire, Stacey Halls has four fantastic historical fiction novels to her name.
Her first book, The Familiars, published in 2019 and instantly became a Sunday Times Bestseller, spending 11 weeks on the list.
Here are all of her books in publication order.
Readly Review and Free Trial
Here’s my review of Readly - the app for magazine fans and travellers who like to read on the go.
As an avid reader and freelance writer, I’m a big fan of a glossy magazine. It’s always fun seeing my writing in print, and I’ve found that a good mag can be a great way to learn new things. I particularly like reading travel magazines for inspiration for my future travels!
While I do really love the feel of physical magazines, buying lots of them can get quite expensive. That’s why I like Readly, which provides a way to read lots of different titles for an affordable price.
The Best Daisy Jones and the Six Book Quotes
The hit novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones and the Six is a New York Times bestseller and the first book in TJR’s famous fictional women quartet.
First published in 2019, the book was adapted into a miniseries for Amazon Prime in 2023. Well received by critics and fans alike, the series was accompanied by an album which reached the top 40 of the UK’s Official Album Chart.
18 Iconic Quotes From Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Considered to be one of the literary greats, here are 18 quotes about love, life and heartbreak from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
Her first and only novel, Wuthering Heights was published by Emily Brontë in 1847, shortly before her death in 1848. Emily passed away from tuberculosis at 30 years of age and was buried under the floor of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Haworth, West Yorkshire.
Joanie Clothing Review - Book Lover Collection
When it comes to literary themed clothing, Joanie is one of my go-to brands.
Whether you work as a bookseller, librarian, or just want to show off your love for books, you’ll find something you love in Joanie Clothing’s Book Lovers edit.
To celebrate World Book Day, Joanie have sent me some of their favourite pieces from the collection to try. With options ranging from floaty book print dresses to cosy cardigans, oversized jumpers and soft shirts, I was spoilt for choice, and had so much fun styling them.
13 Chilling Quotes from 1984 by George Orwell
Originally published in 1949, George Orwell was the pen name for Eric Blair. A British writer who wrote 9 books throughout his lifetime, Eric was born in India in 1903, before moving to Henley-on-Thames in England the following year.
Orwell was known for being opposed to all forms of totalitarianism, both on the left and the right of the political spectrum, and his work frequently reflected this.
Well Read Company Bag Review
Here’s my review of the Well Read Company’s stunning book themed bags, with an exclusive discount.
Regular readers will know that I’m a big fan of a book themed bag. I love any way of adding bookish whimsy to an outfit, and when I first saw the Well Read Company bags on Instagram, I knew I had to have one.
Specialising in book themed gifts, Well Read’s signature bags feature covers of well known literary classics. Imagine a large book with a beautiful cover that you can store things in, and on a strap so you can wear it too.
Books to Read About Bookshops
For bibliophiles, there’s no better feeling than reading about the places we love the most - bookshops.
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, these bookshop books allow characters to find themselves, build empires, spark magic and learn about their history. They span not just genres, but transcend languages, and are set in countries and cultures around the globe.
Here are some of the best books about bookshops - including some that I’ve read, and others from my TBR. Enjoy!
Yoshi Bookworm Bag Review
Here’s my review of Yoshi Goods and their range of book themed leather products.
Yoshi Goods are a small, family run business who specialise in creating quality leather products in a range of unique styles. I love how quirky their designs are and, being a book lover, I adore their extensive Bookworm collection.
I’ve been using Yoshi’s products for years and love how their distinctive designs add an element of bookish whimsy to my outfits.
20 Quotes From The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Published in 2017, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo forms one part of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s quartet featuring famous fictional women.
The story follows a 1950s movie star as she unravels the secrets of her past. It’s a fantastic read that was well received by critics and gained huge popularity on TikTok, selling more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
The book is currently being adapted into a movie by Netflix, and is set to be directed by Maggie Betts (who replaces Leslye Headland).
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.