The Outback Expat

My Christmas Reading List – Blogmas Day 16

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I don’t read anywhere near as much as I used to or I would like to do.

For the Goodreads Reading Challenge this year I set myself the challenge of reading 30 books this year but as I write this I have completed only 13, although I have really enjoyed the books that I have completed.

I was listening to books at the gym during my cardio sessions for a little while but at the moment am not really enjoying doing that so I am missing out on finishing the audio books that I have bought.

I will set my goal to 30 books for the Goodreads Reading Challenge next year and maybe I will manage to hit my goal.

I am mid way through books on Kindle, Audible and even an actual physical book so I have plenty to be getting along with if / when I get a chance to sit down and bury my head in a book during the festive period.

I have put a couple of books on my Birthday / Christmas Wish List so I might even get a book to get my teeth into on Christmas Day.

My Kindle Book to Finish is Who We Were Before by Leah Mercer

My Audible Book to Finish is The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty

My “real” Book to Finish is My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I hope to be able to report back that I have completed at least one of them over Christmas.

Things I have Loved this Month – March 2018

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As we reach the end of March here is my monthly recap of the things I have loved this month.

MOVIES
March was another fabulous month for movies although not as many as usual.

Red Sparrow – I think that Jennifer Lawrence can really do no wrong, although I haven’t seen Mother which I am aware had some tough reviews. When I saw the trailers for Red sparrow I thought the movie looked fantastic, a thriller with a great storyline and then I read that the film was in fact the opposite. I really wanted to see the movie and luckily our friend Naomi did too so we went along to give it a shot. We both walked out and said how great we thought the movie was, it was tough to watch at times because she is a Russian spy who gets into some nasty situations but there was definitely a storyline and it worked. I would say that if your not sure whether to watch the movie but like a thriller, then you should give the movie a go.

Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle – this is an older movie and when it was released I thought it looked funny but as I really liked the original I was reluctant to go and see it. It turned out I had a Groupon voucher for the Tivoli Drive in which expired on 17th March and that deadline was fast approaching so me and Naomi went along. Firstly we loved the drive in experience, we got a great spot, the food was good and reasonably priced and there was a market on where we spent a few dollars. Secondly this movie was very good. It was completely different to the original storyline but had lots of elements which worked nicely. The characters were very funny and it would definitely work for a variety of audiences.

TELEVISION
I’ve been bouncing between shows this last month on Netflix and not watching to many shows on regular television so there hasn’t been a series I have “loved” per se. Netflix leaves you a bit spoilt for choice so you can jump around and watch whatever suits your mood.

American Horror Story Roanoake – I finished this series this month and well I’m still not 100% sure what happened! It’s definitely one of those series where you do have to pay attention to every little detail. Half way through the series you think its finished and then it ramps back up in a completely different direction.

BOOKS
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – I finished La Belle Savage this month which was great and I can’t wait for the next book. I then began listening to this one on Audible. To be honest the narrators voice is a bit grating on me but the storyline is good and keeps you engaged so I am trying not to focus on the voice. I’m not too far into the story yet but it is engaging and drawing me in to find out what happened to the Woman in the Window who now suffers from agoraphobia and what will happen to her or one of her neighbours because you know something is definitely coming.

Things I have loved this month – February 2018

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January flew by this year, just for a change!

Here is my month recap of the things I have loved during February 2018.

MOVIES

I, Tonya – The month started strong with this movie which is about Tonya Harding a former Olympic Figure Skater whose career was ruined when her ex husband was involved in a plot to have her biggest competitor assaulted. From what I read about Tonya beforehand it seemed like she brought everything on herself a bit but the story told from hers and her ex husband’s perspective gave you a whole other perspective and actually made you realise that whilst what happened was terrible, she also had a tough upbringing and and didn’t really have much of a chance at life and what she did have was taken away from her because of other people.

Finding Your Feet – I won some movie tickets on Facebook to go and see this movie and was really excited because the movie looked lovely but I also never win anything! Naomi and I went to watch the movie and it was even better than I expected. The cast were so good and the story line had you laughing and a little but also made you feel the emotions of the story. I would recommend this movie if you enjoy a romantic comedy.

Black Panther – everyone I know who saw this movie said how great it was so, a group of us headed there on a rainy Saturday afternoon and settled in for what was a brilliant movie. The plot kept you on the edge of your seat, the actors were wonderful and it was truly cinematic. I loved this movie which really is groundbreaking.

TELEVISION

Grace and Frankie – I finished watching season 4 this month and it was fantastic. I would say that it may even be the best season with lots of funny moments as well as moments that get you a bit choked up. I am excited for the next season even though we will have to wait another year.

American Horror Story Roanoke – I am still trying to watch this show! It’s one where I find I need to watch an episode and then watch something completely different. The storyline is very different from previous series but features the same line up of fab cast. It switches gears completely in the second half of the series and you really have to focus but it does seem worth it.

Suits – I have loved this series since the start, but I do always love a legal drama. I haven’t found that any of the series lost their spark. You wonder how on earth they will take the story line with each twist and turn but they make it work. I am really wondering how they will manage Megan Markle’s departure and the continuation of the series but I believe it will be great.

BOOKS

La Belle Savage: The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman. I have been listening to the book on Audible at the gym and I have been really enjoying the story. I read the His Dark Materials series a few years ago on the recommendation of a friend and this book is a great addition to the series which starts 10 years before that series. The story has been interesting and makes you want to find out more about Malcolm the main character and the various things which he discovers along the way.

Winter Reading List

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Whilst it’s summer in a lot of places around the world right now, it is winter in Australia, although in Darwin it feels like a hotter than normal UK summer which is kind of confusing!

As I’m on a break from university for the next four weeks these are the books on my winter reading list that I want to dive into:

1) Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French – I have mentioned before that I have been reading this series about Freida Klein and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.

2) Paper Towns – I’m looking forward to seeing the movie when it is released and because it’s a book I always prefer to read the book first although I then risk being disappointed with the film as is often the case when I watch a film for a book I have read!

3) Labor Day – Joyce Maynard – I always enjoy a story full of intrigue and suspense and from the synopsis it looks like this will be full of it.

4) The Girl You Left Behind – Jojo Moyes – this book looks like its going to be really interesting with the cross over with the past and present. I’m looking forward to it.

5) The Selection – Kiera Cass – This book has been on my Kindle app for ages now and i’m not sure why I haven’t got round to reading it yet so now seems like a good opportunity to read it finally.

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