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Travel Throwback Tuesday to my recent visit to Brighton where I got to catch up with @ec.reads at @citybooksbookshop and spend some time book browsing. I was completely awestruck by the huge classics section! 😍📚 As today is the publication date of beloved classic Jane Eyre, I thought I’d mention the #brontereadalong with @theartfulelle @literarianlife and myself again! The book was published on this day in 1847 and its popularity has never waned. I’m so excited to finally read it for the first time! 📚 While I love classic literature, it’s a genre that doesn’t appeal to every reader. The classics seem to have a dull reputation, but they really aren’t! Are you a fan of classic literature? If not, what is it about classic literature that doesn’t appeal to you? 📚 Fun game: can you spot any Brontë classics on these shelves? My favourite book is also among these shelves! Clue: it’s a Brontë book too! 😉

As the middle of the month has arrived, I thought I’d see how everyone is getting along with the #brontereadalong of Jane Eyre hosted by @theartfulelle @literarianlife and myself. Are you enjoying it? I actually haven’t started it myself yet as I plan to read it in another few weeks so it’s fresher in my mind for the readalong discussion at the end of November. I’m so excited to finally read Jane Eyre and get all your thoughts during the discussion. There’s so much love for this book among readers, so I have no doubt that it will be a fascinating discussion! As the readalong is during November too, there is still plenty of time to join us, so please do if you would like to read this beloved classic. 📚 Meanwhile, I have been getting through this pile of books and have read three and a half so far this month. It’s definitely helped having some time off! My working schedule is back to normal from today now, but I still hope to get through all these books this month! I’ve been enjoying quite a few dark reads to get in the mood for Halloween, which is one of my favourite times of the year, and ideally I will end the month with Agatha Christie’s Halloween Party. Do you enjoy spooky books and do you recommend any scary stories? 🎃 #spookishbookish

“Ever since I lost mine in a road accident when I was eight, I have had my eye on other people’s parents.” 🐕 Told in four parts, Black Dogs is a story set in the late 1980s that features Jeremy, who sees the marriage of his in-laws Bernard and June fall apart. As events during their honeymoon in 1946 are revealed, a moment of darkness proves to have devastating consequences that changes their lives forever... 🐕 With the great above opening line, I was looking forward to reading Ian McEwan’s Black Dogs for book club a few months ago, but unfortunately it resulted in a resounding opinion: dull. Yet while we all shared the same feeling that the book was dull, the book proved to be an excellent book club choice. It provided one of our most lengthy discussions, particularly as there are a multitude of metaphors and symbols within the novel. Unfortunately, it was so dull that I don’t remember all that much about it, so I really should have reviewed it sooner! 🐕 I have previously studied an Ian McEwan at university, but I can’t actually remember which one it was! I do remember not enjoying it and I’m sure @thebookboy could tell me which one it was as I believe we may have studied the same one! While I haven’t had much luck with Ian McEwan so far, I would still like to try more of his books. Hopefully I will enjoy the next one I read! 🐕 Are you an Ian McEwan fan? Have you read Black Dogs? 🐕 #grimdragon - Black...black like my soul!

As I was away last weekend, I missed National Bookshop Day on Saturday, so I thought I’d do a belated post for it instead today as I was back working my usual Saturday at @rossiter_books. It was another busy day, so it really is worth celebrating bookshops. The love people show when they shop with us is just so heartwarming. Long live bookshops! 📚 I’m currently reading The Winters, which is a modern version of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. I am enjoying reading it, although it’s difficult to not compare it to the original. I will share my thoughts when I’ve finished it. I also picked up The Rebecca Notebook in the library this week, which details how Du Maurier’s classic novel came to be written, and should be a fascinating read. 📚 What are you reading this weekend and what’s your favourite bookshop?

Film Friday... 🎬 Film Review 🎬 A Star Is Born 🎬 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🎬 With Clint Eastwood previously attached to direct and Beyoncé set to star, A Star Is Born has been stuck in development hell for a number of years. After yet another setback, Bradley Cooper took the helm as director, with Lady Gaga confirmed in the female leading role. 🎬 A Star Is Born is a modern update of its previous incarnations and tells the story of waitress and aspiring singer Ally, whose path crosses with country music star Jackson Maine. As Jackson takes her under his wing, the two fall in love and soon Ally’s star is on the rise. But with Ally’s career flourishing and Jackson’s on the wane, his addictions and jealousy threaten to derail their relationship. Can love save them or will Jackson’s destructive behaviour tear them apart? 🎬 A Star Is Born is an incredible film that is in turns hilarious, shocking and heartbreaking, mainly due to the raw and immersive performances from Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. Cooper is almost unrecognisable as alcoholic Jackson and Lady Gaga is a revelation as rising star Ally. The chemistry between the two is electric and their portrayal of the romance between the unlikely pairing is so convincing and honest. In what are career-defining roles, the authenticity between the pair can be attributed to both stars co-writing much of the soundtrack, with the film clearly a labour of love from all involved. Cooper especially must be commended for his directorial debut and his co-writing of the script, which offers an emotional punch that is sure to leave even the most cynical viewer reeling. 🎬 The film offers a sharp and acute insight into the music industry, a world where women are often moulded to a certain image. As well as being a compelling love story, the film highlights the tragic effects of addiction and mental health and explores whether love can ever be enough to save someone. 🎬 A Star Is Born is sure to sweep the board during film awards season in the months to come and its success will certainly be justified. The film is garnering glowing reviews and, with a fantastic soundtrack, it’s a strong contender for one of my favourite films this year.

“Is Feidir Linn” - “Yes We Can” 🇺🇸🇮🇪 Throwback Thursday to May 2011 when US President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama visited Ireland, which is a moment in history that I will always remember. The Obamas’ visit overlapped with the Queen visiting Ireland too, so it was a very exciting time in the country. The Obamas went to Aras an Uachtaráin (the Irish President’s residence and workplace), where they were welcomed by the now former President Mary McAleese. President Obama planted a tree in the garden there next to the one planted by the Queen. Then he went to Farmeigh House to meet the now former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, who gifted the Obamas with three books on Hawaiian history for their daughters Malia and Sasha and a hurley for President Obama. 🇺🇸🇮🇪 Afterwards, the Obamas visited Moneygall, the little village of President Obama’s ancestors that has just over 300 people living there. 3,000 people turned out to see the Obamas, who did a walk about to shake everyone’s hands, despite the rain! Of course, they also stopped off at the pub for a Guinness! They then went to the site of President Obama’s ancestral home before meeting his eighth cousin Henry, who quickly became known as Henry the VIII! 🇺🇸🇮🇪 The Obamas then returned to Dublin for President Obama’s speech at College Green, with 25,000 people at the event and up to 100,000 people ending up in the area. I watched Obama’s rousing speech live on the news with one of my best friends and it was incredible to watch. His uplifting speech gave such a boost to a nation that was gripped by the recession at the time and it’s a moment that I won’t ever forget. 🇺🇸🇮🇪 As October is Black History Month, I would highly recommend Dreams From My Father to read. Obama is such an eloquent writer and it’s one of my favourite memoirs that ultimately inspires hope. It is the perfect precursor to Michelle’s book Becoming, which is out next month. Michelle is a fantastic role model and the perfect choice for today, which is #internationaldayofthegirl. Thank you to @penguinrhuk for the lovely Michelle biscuit in the mail last week, which gave me the inspiration for this post!

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