Do you pick a word for the year at the beginning of the year? I am in a group on Facebook where they do this each year and this year the word I chose is Balance, because I need to ensure that I have better work life balance for starters.
I haven't done one of these posts for a month or so because I have been super crazy busy with work and it really has impacted on my reading time. In the end I only finished two books in December, both of which were audiobooks, and one of them was only really a novella as it only ran for a couple of hours. And that one featured really horrible characters, like really horrible.
I have several books that I have started but haven't finished yet, but the book that I really need to focus on this week is An American in Paris by Siobhan Curran. I really need to find some time to read , which is going to be challenging given that we are currently on holidays!
I did start listening to a new audiobook, the sixth book in the Seven Sisters series. I have had this in my queue for a while, but I avoided it as for a while as it is more than 20 hours. That's actually why I chose the other book whichh was so awful. I am really keen to get this book read before the final book in the series is released which I think is due to be sometime this year
By the way, if you are a historical fiction fan? I am hosting the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge this year so be sure to sign up!
I'm watching
We partied hard on New Year's Eve by watching Soul on Disney. Has anyone else watched it? I thought it was okay but if you did watch it with a kid you would have to do a lot of explaining.
We did watch Death to 2020 on Netflix which we really enjoyed.
I spent all of Boxing Day watching Bridgerton which I enjoyed a lot. It was fun to see all those ballroom scenes coming to life - so over the top and gorgeous. I was a little bit disappointed that they didn't change one of the key scenes which they could have easily done without losing all the drama.
Life
We were supposed to be visting Canberra this week but the borders between Victoria and New South Wales have been closed because of a coronavirus outbreak n Sydney, so instead we are staying in Victoria and going up to the Australian Alps. If it was winter we would need snow gear but given that it is summer we will probably just need our winter jackets!
Our first day was spent following the Silo Art Trail. I have posted before about visiting other silos across the state, This is something that really enjooy doing. We also visited a town where they have an annual street art festival where murals are added to the streetscape. We are thinking about maybe coming back after the festival to see what has been added. Here are a few different images from our arty day. For the next few days it is going to be all about the mountains!
Balance is a great word! I could use that too :)
ReplyDeleteThe Silo Art Trail looks great and what a wonderful way to welcome the new year. Hope you have a great year ahead!
There is a lot of silo art in Australia. I think we have seen most of the ones in Victoria now!
DeleteI like that word. Balance. I think it is something many of us struggle to find in our daily lives. It can be such a juggling act. I hope you are able to find time to read. I have not been doing much reading as of late, but hope to settle in with my book a little later. I hope you enjoy An American in Paris. I love that cover.
ReplyDeleteWe watched Soul on Christmas Day and really enjoyed it. I am sure some of the more grown up themes went over my daughter's head, but she said she liked it. I do think my husband and I enjoyed it more.
I am sorry your original plans had to be cancelled, but I am glad you were at least able to spend time in the Australian Alps. I hope you enjoyed your time in the mountains! I hope we are able to spend time in the mountains this next summer. It would be so nice to get away. A lot depends on the pandemic, of course.
I hope you have a great week, Marg.
I don't think I am alone in needing balance.
DeleteHope you have a great week too!
Balance seems like a great word to start the year with.
ReplyDeleteThe Alps sound great, and I love the pictures- especially that first one.
To me that is a quintessetially Australian river view!
DeleteSeveral of my friends said that Soul is more for adults than for children as well. I'm excited to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI saw more of your pictures on Instagram and they're beautiful! Enjoy your holiday!
Happy new year!
We are definitely enjoying it Jen! It's definitely needed!
DeleteHappy New Year to you too!
Balance is something we all need.
ReplyDeleteMy 2021 word is PERSEVERE.
Persevere is a great word Michele!
DeleteOh, you're on holiday! That's great! (I thought Weekend Cooking was especially quiet this week, but thought it was just because it was New Year's.) I hope you are relaxing as much as possible and having a wonderful time! The pictures are beautiful. I'm curious about the audiobook novella with the awful characters...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely needed a holiday!
DeleteGoing to have to think about a word. I love those silo photos.
ReplyDeleteThe silos are amazing! We love them
DeleteLove your photos. I think I would like to read An American in Paris, will need to add to my Goodreads list.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tina!
DeleteBalance is a great word for the coming year. I love those pictures of silos. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI think balance is probably a word I need every year!
DeleteI haven't seen Soul yet, but my 10 year old watched it and enjoyed it. Earlier in the day, he told me we were going to watch Soul and then did a bait and switch and made me watch Wonder Woman 1984 (which I did not like), so I didn't trust him!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Hah! We haven't watched Wonder Woman yet but I have heard very mixed reviews
DeleteMy husband and 12yo daughter both really liked Soul. I was reading while they watched it, so I didn't really pay much attention. I need to really watch it because it does look interesting.
ReplyDeleteAll that art is lovely! What a fun vacation.
It's been fun so far! Couple more days before we get home!
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