Tell Us Your Reading Habits: 2024 Survey

Plus #WowOnWednesday

Dear friends. Every year Is This Mutton has a survey to get your views on a particular topic. We've previously covered domestic chores, fashion buying and perceptions of ageism. 

This year I've chosen reading. I'm convinced it's the one hobby most of us have.   You may have noticed that I've been writing more book reviews and spotlights lately.

How to Take Part

As before, I'm using a Google Form for the questions. You don't need to have a Google ID.  Responses are anonymous and no email addresses are being collected.  The questions should take you around 10 minutes.  I'll be reporting back on March 20. 

Am I right in thinking we're all bookworms?  Is reading one of your favourite hobbies?  Maybe you'd like to read more but don't have time. Do tell in the comments. 

TAKE THE SURVEY

My Own Reading Life

I was a slow learner and couldn't read until I was about 8. It was my dad's perseverance at home that made the difference.  The breakthrough came with the Ladybird book The Elves and the Shoemaker.  I still remember it verbatim. Once I could read, I quickly progressed to adult books, particularly after a teacher told 10 year old me that I shouldn't be reading Enid Blyton (I loved the Famous 5 and the St Clare's books).

I got my first Kindle in 2010. A game changer! Previously I'd had to lug 10 books on holiday (necessitating extra baggage allowance). Now I could travel light, and never worry about where my next book was coming from. 

The authors I love, or have loved, include Doris Lessing, Ian McEwan, Thomas Hardy, George Orwell, Bernice Rubens,  Marian Keyes, Barbara Comyns,  Edna O'Brien. 

Nowadays as a book blogger, I get my fix from NetGalley.  I love the insights I've gained into the publishing world. I particularly like to support debut authors, and those with small independent publishers.  

I typically read from 8 - 10pm, and sometimes during the afternoon.  I  always read on train or plane journeys.  I read faster on a Kindle than a book, and don't really enjoy audiobooks because the pace is too slow, even speeded up.

My goal this year is to read 100+ books and to try different genres.  Goodreads tells me I've read 34 books so far, and am 17 books ahead of schedule,  so I may need to revise my target. I've been reading historical fiction which is a new genre to me ( although I did love Jean Plaidy as a teenager). 

I do want to write a book and worry I've left it too late. Yesterday I went to a creative writing workshop in Cambridge,  which was very helpful. I'm interested to know how many of you are aspiring authors, hence the last questions in the survey! 

I share my posts with these fabulous sites. 

It's time for Wow on Wednesday!

Please take a few minutes to read some of the posts from bloggers around the world. A comment makes our day. Scroll down below the link-up for the comments box on Is This Mutton. 

LAST WEEK'S FAVOURITES 

FASHION

Saved by the Bell from Shauna at Lipgloss and Lace 

LIFESTYLE

Weird Weather We're Having by Vronni of Vronni's Style Meanderings

RECIPE FAVOURITE

Swedish Meatballs - For Now or Later - by Jean of Delightful Repast

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Put a Bow On It

 #StyleNotAge challenge

Dear friends. Today we're styling bows in the latest Style Not Age Challenge. This month's prompt was chosen by Emma of Stylesplash.

I have had plenty of blouses with bows in the past, and back in the 80s, a black jumper that had huge satin bows sewn to the sleeves. The purple blouse with bow that I'm wearing here is pre-loved from a vintage shop on Etsy. It actually dates from the 80s. I love how it looks like a waistcoat.

A Year in the Garden: February

 

Dear friends. This is the first in a series of monthly posts where I share what's going on in the garden, my latest tasks, learnings and plans.  I'll be sharing this with #6onSaturday at Garden Ruminations, to give you even more gardening goodness.

Background on how we transformed our small garden in 2012.  

February in London, UK, is still very much winter. And yet. There are many signs of spring. The monster clematis montanas -3 of them - have tiny buds.  The forsythia hedge has even bigger buds. Bulbs are making strong progress. 

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson

 

Dear friends. I'm thrilled to bring you a book today that earned the rare accolade from me of 5 stars. It's my stop on the blog tour for The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson.  

The book is described as "A gripping and heartwarming novel inspired by the true events of the women who joined the resistance in Jersey during the German occupation in WW2."

Mother's Day Outfit Inspiration with Cotton Traders {2024}

 

Dear friends. Mother's Day in the UK is early this year, on March 10.  I always go to Plymouth to see my mum, who's 91, and we usually go out for lunch. 

Readers in the USA and Australia may be scratching their heads over the date. Your Mother's Day is on 12 May. The reason for the UK date being different each year is that our celebration is rooted in the Christian observance of Lent, with Mothering Sunday taking place on the fourth Sunday, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. 

Here's a sneak preview of what I'll be wearing, thanks to my friends at Cotton Traders.

Latest Book Reviews

 

Dear friends. I'm spoiling you this month with the most amazing selection of books.  Highlights include a quirky 13 year old who helps find a murderer; miners leaving their homes in the early morning mist;  a collection of unforgettable short stories, and the return of Aisling, "Ireland's answer to Bridget Jones."  They're all available now. Enjoy! I certainly did. 

Tell Us About: Friends and Friendship

 

Dear friends. Welcome to this month's Tell Us About challenge.  The prompt was chosen by Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper. Penny has become a good friend and we've met up several times. It's a good example of how " finding your tribe" can help you meet new people and make friends.

Today's post is all about forging friendships later in life. 

Technicolor Dream Coats

 & Wow on Wednesday 

Dear friend. At the start of autumn I resolved to up my coat game.  I wanted to banish black and navy from my wardrobe and enjoy wearing bright colors throughout winter.  

Mongrel by Hanako Footman

 

Dear friends. Today's book spotlight is on the extraordinary Mongrel, the debut novel by Hanako Footman. Mongrel tells the stories of three interlinked women, Mel, Yuki and Haruka. Today is my stop on the blog tour. 

This Week in Books

 

Dear friends. Welcome to what's hopefully going to be a regular weekly post looking at books. There's also a sneak peak into what's coming on the blog this week.

The pic at the top shows my main bookcase.  I mostly read books on a Kindle and consequently have got rid of hundreds of actual books in the last few years.  I saved my favourites plus various reference books, and these are the books on our shelves.  I'll zoom in on a couple of interesting collections over the next few weeks.

The Blues in February

 & Wow on Wednesday 

Dear friends. February is such a relief after never-ending January. Normally a short month, the spring bulbs start proliferating and the birds get more chirpy. Spring is not far away.

If you've popped over from Platinum magazine, check out this brief welcome post. 

Welcome to Platinum Readers

 

A warm welcome if you've popped over after seeing me in the March issue of Platinum magazine. I can't link to the article unfortunately (it's not online), but I took part in their Big Debate about what women over 50 should wear.

My Sister's Baby by Louise Guy

 

Dear friends.  I'm happy to share with you today a real page turner, My Sister's Baby by Louise Guy. I literally couldn't put it down.  It's my stop on the blog tour.