Books To Read in 2021

When I look back on 2020 it's a bit of a struggle to find positives but one of the best things to come out of 2020 was I rediscovered my love of reading- I say rediscovered but in reality it never really left- I just stopped 'allowing' myself time to read. It got pushed to the back of my mind whilst the worries and anxieties of adult life took centre stage. I have always read to my daughter, from the moment she was born, in the hospital I didn't have any books so I read her a catalogue! I've instilled my love of books into my daughter but I'd somehow managed to stop giving myself that same 'treat'. Now I've started reading again I don't want to stop. Here are a few of the books that have made it on to my 'to be read' list for 2021. If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I favour dystopian fiction and thrillers but there's some historical fiction mixed in too and some classics as well. I also want to re-read my favourite ever book 1984. I usually revisit it ever few years but this year I think it will be all the more poignant. 

Living Arrows | Snow F*cks Given!

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran. 

I genuinely don't believe there is a better picture to sum up childhood than this one! Complete abandonment of all social protocols and just throwing herself into the snow. I love how this picture captures a child's freedom, impulsivity and utter joy. I think we could all do with giving into to our childhood desires at the minute, letting go, or at least loosening the expectations we place on ourselves.

Books I Read In 2020

Reading has always been a passion of mine. Since a very young age I was reading independently and disappearing into worlds of fantasy and wonder. Books were an escape from my sometimes scary, often confusing reality. As I got older I began to read less, not because I didn't want to, it was more that as I got older, life got fuller and things such as 'self care' and reading for pleasure took a back seat. One positive of the Coronavirus pandemic is that it allowed me to prioritise myself a little bit more and perhaps I needed to escape reality again. I've spent the last six months reading a few chapters before going to sleep and it has been so beneficial. When I read I sleep better, feel more relaxed and have something to get excited about. Nothing beats going to bed on 'new book day'. The joy of perusing my virtual collection and choosing a new adventure is so exciting. My enthusiasm also leads me to talk more. Seems silly but I find talking about books to be therapeutic. If i'm struggling with my mood you can ask me what i'm reading and i'll instantly come alive. It's been a real pleasure rediscovering my love of reading and I wanted to share with you the books I've discovered throughout 2020.

Living Arrows | Ice Ice Baby!

  

'You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran. 

New year, new lockdown! We're one of the lucky ones, Iris is in Early Years and still able to attend her pre-school, though for how long is anyone's guess! Thankfully her setting is very small, just one room with a handful of children so I don't feel too concerned for her safety. There are daily temperature checks, new rules regarding things going in and out of the building and as much outdoor play as possible which suits Iris just fine as she's always outside whatever the weather!

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease And Living Gluten Free

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. It is not to be confused with a gluten intolerance or a fad diet. People with coeliac disease have an immune response when they ingest gluten. Continued exposure to gluten causes damage to the villi in the intestine. The villi are finger like structures that usually stand upright and help the body to absorb vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. In those with untreated coeliac disease the villi become flattened and can no longer perform their function.

Living Arrows | Smile and Wave.

 

'You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran. 

Parenting through this pandemic has been harder than I ever imagined. I'll admit that I've been jealous of those without children. I've thought about how if we didn't have Iris we would barely have left the house, how we'd have curled up and binge watching tv in peace. How much writing I could have done, how much more creative I could have been, how much tidier the house would have stayed. I feel so guilty for having such thoughts but I know I’m not alone. Being a parent is hard. We need play dates, soft plays and library sing-a-longs. Coffee dates, visiting relatives and sleepovers at Grandma’s are the fabric of our everyday life. It’s what keeps us sane. They say ‘it takes a village’ and they aren’t wrong. We’ve survived 10 long months without that village and that is something to be proud of.