Joyful July Reading {2026}

 

Dear friends.  If you're looking for some holiday reading I've got you covered. There's a gentle and lyrical 5 star read about a shy boy who loses his only friend, a couple of excellent crime thrillers and an  empathetic new read from Amanda Prowse. 

Non-fiction features a delightful book about penguins, and some delicious recipes and facts about adding fibre to our diets. 

All books were provided free as digital advance copies via NetGalley and the publishers, in return for an honest review, except those marked * which I bought myself.

The Age Rebellion by Lyndsey Simpson

 

Dear friends. There's a new narrative around retirement. It's no longer about putting your feet up and going on cruises, with a little babysitting and gardening.

Increasing amounts of research tells us that to stave off dementia we need to continue to exercise our brain as well as maintaining a good level of fitness to take us beyond the golden period of ages 60 to 72.

I've just read a new book, The Age Rebellion by Lydnsey Simpson. She describes the post-working years as our second act. 

Simpson, the Global CEO of 55/Redefined,  says there's no reason why we shouldn't start or own business or switch to an entirely different career as we get older. We may have decades in front of us if we set an arbitrary retirement date. Retirement is no longer the end point. 

Greece, Art, Ballet: June in Review

And #TuesdayTwirl 

Dear friends.  Another busy month which included art exhibitions, our holiday in Greece, the start of my Medieval Exeter study tour, and another heatwave. 

Monday June 1

Weather a bit unsettled after the first heatwave of the summer in May.  Sorted car insurance for my new car. Went to dentist for bone implant. Quite unpleasant. "Real" stitches (as opposed to dissolvable) and antibiotics. Stitches will come out day before we go to Greece. My next appointment,  in Oct, will involve a CT scan to check if enough bone has grown for my tooth implant to go ahead. 

Holiday Outfits

 And #TuesdayTwirl 

Dear friends. We've just returned from another wonderful holiday on the Greek island of Skiathos. I'm sharing some of the outfits I wore.

I thought I'd packed plenty, but while I had a lot of choice for daytime, I didn't have much that was "special" for evenings. Special but not too dressy, as Skiathos is quite a laid back,  relaxed place.