When Women Were Dragons: A Novel by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so so SO EMBARRASSED by how long it took me to pick up this book especially since I was drawn in from the second I opened it.
I received a review copy of “When Women Were Dragons” from Jonathan Ball Publishers. Unfortunately, I only got around to reading it now.
I have a really short attention span but this was the first book I tried not to put down (I say “tried” because I am old and eventually had to put it down to sleep…but I was up at 4AM the next morning to continue reading.
“When Women Were Dragons” tells the story of a mass “Dragoning”- an event where women started transforming into dragons. Society dealt with this in a very predictable way- they pretended it never happened.
The main character, Alex tells the story of her childhood and how the Dragoning affected her family and their lives.
What I really loved about this book was that it read like a coming-of-age book mixed with a documentary on how female problems were avoided simply because they were female problems.
This was a really well-written book that I enjoyed immensely. It brought out many intense emotions inside me. I was annoyed, I cried, I wanted to scream (but I didn’t- obedient females don’t do that after all).
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I LOVED THIS WORLDBUILDING! This book needs to be required reading in schools. I have never felt more seen in my life.
Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose
The Maid by Nita Prose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ve wanted to read this book for a while but it was nothing like I imagined.
Molly the Maid is a kind, cheerful lady who is always ready to help those around her. But when she finds a dead body in one of the rooms she’s cleaning, Molly doesn’t realize that she is in danger.
While this book made it clear that Molly is different, it annoyed me that she didn’t realize at first that she would be considered a suspect for murder.
There were a few times I had to put the book down and just scream.
Basically this is a story about a kind-hearted soul who is just too optimistic to realize that there are bad things and bad people in the world. (Kinda felt like I could relate).
This was a really heartwarming read once I got past being mad at Molly. I have never had a mystery novel leaving me feeling all warm and gooey but this one did. I especially enjoyed the little twist at the end. It seemed overdone but by that time I was craving a little drama.
This isn’t the book for you if you’re looking for a hardcore thriller or suspense novel. But if you have a few hours to kill and want to escape into a book, I definitely suggest this one.
I was not expecting to grow attached to Molly but I did.
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Book Review: Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling?
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don’t know how but I keep forgetting how hilarious Mindy Kaling is. I have had this book on my shelf for a really long time and picked it up because I kept stumbling across quotes from it.
I am not usually a big nonfiction fan (especially if the book is written by a celebrity) but this was a really funny and well-written book.
Mindy shares bits and pieces of her life as well as relatable and sage advice. It was like sitting down to chat with a friend.
This was a great read that I strongly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Mindy Kaling. I will definitely be tracking down her other books next.
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On Rage-Applying for All the Jobs
categories: Uncategorized
Ah yes, rage-applying. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the year 20xy (I am not specifying the year because I am very public with my life and you can easily investigate where I worked) and I had an absolutely horrible team leader.
She was incompetent. She was rude. She shouted at the staff and made them cry. But the head of the department had chosen her for the role of team leader (despite her lack of experience) and now she was my problem.
My former manager- the team leader’s direct manager- noticed a change in me and asked me about it. I explained to her what was going on. She was sympathetic…to a point. And then she told me that my team leader was my team leader and my options were either to support her or leave.
I was still relatively young in my career so the first thing I did was cry. I couldn’t believe that it was okay that our team leader was an awful human simply because she had the right connections. EVERYONE could see her making the staff cry and no one cared? She wasn’t even good at her job!
But nonetheless, I knew what I had to do. I had to get out. There was clearly no place for me in this department.
Desperate and full of hurt and anger, I started applying to every job that came my way. And that was when my life changed.
I was called for Marketing roles, Copywriter roles, Recruitment roles and even a really memorable Teaching Administrator role (it was clear that the guy had no intention of hiring me but their campus looked amazing). It was a major confidence boost. Although I wasn’t getting the jobs, I loved that so many amazing companies considered me. It was then that I began to think about what I called “My Exit Plan”.
I had always loved the idea of working in Marketing. Marketing was the only subject that made me feel the same way I felt for writing.
So I decided to try a Marketing short course to see if that spark was still there. It was.
And that was how I found my way into Marketing. Kinda. Well it’s a bit more than that but rage-applying was the first step.
So if you feel like you need to rage-apply for all the jobs. Go for it. You never know where you might end up.
Book Review: Nothing More to Tell by Karen M McManus
Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a review copy of this book from Penguin Books South Africa. “Nothing More to Tell” is the story of aspiring journalist, Brynn. Brynn scores an internship at a true crime show. She is also moving back to her old high school, Saint Ambrose. While she isn’t thrilled to be returning, she uses the opportunity to solve the murder of her favourite teacher, Mr Larkin.
But as Brynn digs deeper into the mystery of Mr Larkin’s death, she starts to realize that everyone around her has secrets of their own.
I love Karen McManus books and this was no different. However this was difficult for me to read simply because my attention span isn’t what it used to be (which bummed me out). The book itself was enjoyable and I couldn’t stop reading. However towards the end the plot got a little twisted and it just seemed like everything was happening for shock value.
I had already figured out what happened to Mr Larkin earlier in the book. I just kept reading for the drama (and oh was there DRAMA!)
All in all I am giving this one 5 stars because it’s been a while since I pushed through my TikTok attention span for a book.
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Book Review: Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee
Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love this series so much so obviously I had to get my hands on this book.
However what I didn’t take into consideration was the fact that friends to lovers isn’t a trope I usually enjoy.
Nonetheless this was a sweet read and as always, I loved seeing characters from previous books.
“Booked on a Feeling” follows ambitious lawyer Lizzy and her best friend Jack.
Jack and Lizzy have been friends since they were kids. What Lizzy doesn’t know is that Jack has always had a crush on her. When severe burnout leads to Lizzy running away to Jack’s hometown, Lizzy starts to see Jack in a completely new light and she starts to develop feelings for him as well.
This was a really cute small town romance that I enjoyed- just not as much as I enjoyed the other books in this series
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2023 Life Update: You Can’t Spell Iron Without I
categories: Uncategorized
Was it only 5 months ago that I did one of these posts and mentioned how burnt out I was? (Yes, yes it was). Well quick recap for the new year.
Eventually I got a new job that was better aligned to my long-term career goals (boy does that sentence sound stuffy. Nothing in my entire life prepared me for having to explain my new role as a content writer. Which is why I still haven’t explained it to many people. I just pretend like nothing has happened. If you know me personally and you’ve read this post, please keep it to yourself).
Anyway, I was two days into my new job when I realized that I might be part of the problem. I had trouble taking breaks and disconnecting from work. I had automatically assumed that with a new job I would have better balance. And I did. I just didn’t know how to handle it. The role was remote so why shouldn’t I be available 24/7?
About two weeks into the new job, I realized I didn’t feel too good. I was still tired all the time, my chest hurt and I had trouble breathing. I passed this off as anxiety. Eventually my dad caught a cold and by then I thought maybe I had covid.
Fast forward to 27th December-aka the public holiday our President so kindly granted us- and I had a weird pins and needle sensation in my feet that wouldn’t go away. I didn’t know how to describe it but I knew it felt wrong. Desperate for help, I begged my parents to take me to the emergency room. I say “begged” because I could tell my mother didn’t think this was a big enough issue (I mean 3 ear infections in one year and I get why she didn’t believe me but it still hurt).
We went to the ER and two hours later I had my answer. I was anemic. I cannot explain to you the level of disappointment I had (and still have) in my body.
It’s been two weeks and I finally feel a little more normal. My GP says my iron levels are not low enough for me to be suffering with light-headedness, fatigue and tingly feet. However today is my first normal day in a long while and I have been consuming tons of iron (far more than I should have).
All this is to say I am not so sure what burnout is anymore. The first time I thought I was burnt out, I had covid. The second time, I’m thinking was the anemia.
How am I actually going to know when burnout really hits?
categories: Uncategorized
Is finding a new job on your list for 2023? We’ve got your job prep sorted.
Make sure the internet has no dirt on you by following these 5 Things to Check Before Starting Your Job Hunt. Remember to clean up your social media profiles.
Once that’s done, get ready to kick ass with an awesome cover letter. Remember, these need to be tailored to each job or industry.
Be prepared for anything by following these 7 Things You MUST Do Before an Interview.
Show your interest in the role by ensuring you ask atleast two of these questions.
Need more help? Let me know below. I am one of those weird people who absolutely love interview prep (or am I the only person who loves interview prep?)
Book Review- The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas
The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The American Roommate Experiment was everything I needed in a romance novel.
Elena Armas returns with another fake dating trope. But this one has a twist!
When the ceiling of her apartment collapses, Rosie Graham decides to move into her best friend, Lina’s apartment. Rosie has quit her job to focus on her writing career but she is struggling with writer’s block.
Overwhelmed, Rosie moves into Lina’s place without letting her know. However, Lina has already offered her apartment to her gorgeous cousin, Lucas.
Rosie has had a crush on Lucas for a while. Her crush is so bad that she regularly stalks his Instagram page.
When Lucas learns of Rosie’s housing issues, he offers to share the apartment with her. And when he learns about her writer’s block, he offers to take her out on fake dates to help kickstart her romance writing spark.
Naturally things get complicated because there are feelings on both ends.
Cliche? Yes. But this was a wonderfully cute read that I really enjoyed
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Book Review: Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was in the middle of another book when BookTok suggested this to me.
I instantly had to go get myself a copy.
Abbie is a happy-go-lucky blonde who loves everything pink. Her boyfriend Richard is a douche who dumps her because she doesn’t fit his image.
However, during the course of their relationship, Abbie changed everything about herself in order to come off as more serious.
While plotting her revenge, Abbie comes across Richard’s boss, Damien, on a dating app.
Inspiration strikes and she decides she is going to start a relationship with Damien. The sole goal of this is for Damien to invite Abbie to the fancy office Christmas party that Richard never wanted to take her to.
Naturally once Abbie meets Damien, sparks fly and there are soon genuine feelings between them.
This book brought me so much joy because it was like a spicy version of “Legally Blonde”.
If you enjoyed “Legally Blonde” or if you like contemporary romance, you will definitely enjoy this book
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