Hey Page Turners,
The last time I posted was when I was doing my yearly wrap up of the books, I read in 2022, and now it is near enough February. I have kind of turned this into a live diary updating you all on what I get up too, what I watch, and I did want to keep this strictly books and journaling but hey this is my internet diary, and I am here for it. I guess I have to go back to last year to update you all on what I have been up too. (One of my goal for this year is to do more journaling posts so it is not just books and updates so will be posting more opinion pieces and reactions to things that are happening in the world. Be sure to check them out.)
The week from 12-16thDecmber was a mix of getting my assignment in- which I did- and my last week of working. I have been working there since September, so it was kind of emotional but so needed because not only did I need a break, but I knew it was right that it was time for me to take some time of and dedicate it to uni work because this full-time work/uni is stressful. Yes it was doable but for my stress levels it was just not healthy. I mean I did want to do it but then everything happens for a reason so I decided not going back to work in Jan would be the right thing for me to do.
Then on the Sunday 18th Argentina won the world cup which is memorable for me because that was the day my sisters’ soon-to-be husband had his mehndi (the Asian version of a PG bachelor party) and my niece had stayed over.
The first week of the holidays so the 19 – 25th was a mix between getting wedding ready, last-minute shopping, to catching up on Netflix, doing my end of year blog posts and of course having the guests around (family/friends etc.) during the run up to the wedding.
My Netflix watched list-
Harry & Meghan- This was a docuseries that documented their early days of meeting each other to their exit from royal life to their life now. After watching the doc I did understand where they were coming from and of course it helps having their narrative and their side of story although it is one sided. It was an interesting analysis into the time where they met, the long-distance relationship, the marriage and the fall out after. The media plays a big part in it and it was interesting when Harry discloses how the Palace press works. I am glad they are in a place where they are living happily together and they are taking control of the narrative. However, I think this is a family matter that is being played out very publicly. Of course this is only one side of the story and I will be reading Harry’s memoir but I just think that although I agree hearing their side of events are imperative, the whole narrative is being manipulated and being used as scapegoats to mask bigger things. The cost-of-living crisis being one. It is just sad because at the end of the day it is a family that is broken. (A longer opinion piece will be posted soon).
A Series of Unfortunate Events- I completed the whole series (yep I am a self-confessed binge watcher) I really loved the series. Series two was probably my favourite but it was just full of nostalgia because of remembering the books I read as a child and all of it coming back to me. I also love that it is the first thing I have watched with my niece so we can discuss it (even though she didn’t read the books first). I also watched Wednesday and then recommended it to her which she is now watching.
Wednesday- Jenna Ortega as Wednesday something that I didn’t know I needed. A spin of show from The Addams Family. Wednesday was amazing, I loved everything the cliques, the fencing, the rowing competition, and of course trying to find out the mystery of what happened to her ancestor as well as finding herself. I loved Enid and I just loved the whole vibe (gothic-ness I want to say) about Wednesday. Pugsley is cute and I am not going to write an essay about why I loved watching Wednesday, but I will say you should go and watch it to see what I am talking about.
The Swimmers- a heart breaking film that is based on true events. It was amazing to watch a journey that millions make every year. It was a real eye opener to the refugee crisis and how it impacts millions of people. The most heart-breaking moment for me was when they were in the boat and seeing all those life jackets made me cry so much. Highly, highly recommend.
All Quiet On The Western Front- a harrowing and haunting portrayal of World War I. I am always interested in educating myself about history and I have really read a lot of World War II fiction and just a handful of World War I books (my favourite- Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks) but this film is amazing at portraying what life was like on the frontline. It follows a boy who glamourises the war and likes the idea of it so when he is at the frontline and witness the harrowing scene he realises that the war is nothing that he thought it would be. It should always be remembered and talked about, and I am glad this has been Oscar nominated because it is well deserved. Done to such a high quality and highly recommended to watch. It is important to continue to educate ourselves about the war.
Break Point- a (basically) behind the scene of tennis players training and playing at Grand Slams, I think there is two parts to it this is the first part and the second part comes out later on in the year. (Writing a solo post about this so look out for it soon)
BBC iPlayer-
Everything I Know About Love- recently read the memoir by Dolly Alderton which I did not enjoy so watched the adaptation which I wasn’t a huge fan of but did prefer over the book (maybe because it was fictionalised and written better).
Between the Covers- S5- love watching what Sara recommends and the celebrity’s BYOB’S (also hoping to read a few rec’s from the show- so hoping to do a post on that soon.)
The week of the 26-31st December was busy my sister’s and the children came over to stay and an Asian wedding household is full of chaos (albeit organised) food, lots of food, guest coming over with presents and last-minute prep, ironing of clothes, shopping for last min accessories. The children being children and driving you crazy. It was the 28th-31st was when everything happened. The 28th ended up with me and my sister in the A&E because she had dislocated her knee (much better know Alhamdullilah) the 29th was my sisters mehndi the 30th was when we just relaxed from the night before and got mehndi done and again last min prep, and the 31st was the wedding. The 2nd to 9th January was recovery and having a meltdown because I needed to submit an assignment but alhamdullilah everything went well and I managed to submit within my goal time frame. These last three weeks was a blur because I also fell ill (as did my mom) and then I was busy sorting everything out and just getting everything organised, reading a whole load of books and of course watching Netflix and staying up to date with the Australian open.
The upcoming weeks I have a few zooms to do of course uni assignments to write up and submit and hopefully more posts on here that are not updates and a ‘what I watched on Netflix’ although I can’t make that promise. I have complied my January reads so if you want you can read that post, link is below and if you wish comment below on what your new year looked like and what have you been watching and reading. As always you can connect with me on any of my social media’s-will link below- and/or you can send me an email.
This has been a waffly post, but I like getting it out of my system so be warned for more to come. Stay safe, keep reading and find happiness in the littlest of things.
With love and Dua’s
Fiz @Every Page She Turns.
Social media- feel free to join the literati- https://www.instagram.com/everychapter_sheturns/
My January wrap up- https://fizwrites.wixsite.com/website/post/the-books-i-read-in-january-2023
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