22nd May 2021

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(Page contains Affiliate Links - also guaranteed spoiler-free!)

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• The Institute - Stephen King

It's not too much of an exaggeration to call Stephen King a master of his craft, but The Institute is absolutely gripping. The parents of an ultra-smart kid are murdered and he is kidnapped. He wakes up to find himself in a secret facility in deepest Maine that is filled with unknown horrors. The other inmates are other children with telepathic and telekinetic abilities.

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A former cop from Florida takes a job in a small town in South Carolina. Their paths cross by chance.

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I think one of the things I love about Stephen King the fact that the premise in the vast majority of his stories never feels forced or wrong. Read it! Ignore my waffle!

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• Working for Justice: One Family's Tale of Murder, Betrayal and Healing - Amy B Chesler

Working for Justice is a moving, sometimes angering but ultimately uplifting account of one woman's quest for justice after the murder of her mother in the quiet suburb of Calabasas in Los Angeles.

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I'd say this is probably my favourite non-fiction book of this year, and there is quite a lot of competition.

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• Cold Grave - Craig Robertson

"Cold Grave" was a Bookbub purchase where I went "Ooh, that sound's interesting." that I then was allowed to lurk in my Kindle app desperately waiting to be rediscovered for several months.

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In other words...at some point before I got horrendous reader's block, I was an absolute sucker for a good bit of "Tartan Noir" and this book does not disappoint. Set mainly in Glasgow (I love Glasgow btw) but it's got everything I love, cold cases, forensics, troubled protagonists, the works.

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• Essench.co.uk - CBD Bath Bombs 

My friend @Bordersgirl recommended essench.co.uk and I bought a couple of bath bombs to try them out. They...are...gorgeous and have become part of my regular self-care.

 

I would go as far as saying the Love bath bomb is divine.

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• Boredwalk Tees

Boredwalktshirts.com are a small business based in LA. They provide (IMO) some of the best sarcastic t-shirts for the perpetually disillusioned on the planet. 

 

The owners are incredibly helpful and incredibly accommodating for buyers outside of the US and their weekly e-newsletter is always good for a laugh. :)

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• Just Kids - Patti Smith

Poetic and heartbreaking, this autobiographical account of the love that existed between Patti Smith and Robert Maplethorpe in early 70's New York as they navigated their growing fame and changing relationship is a must-read. Particularly if you're a music and art wonk.

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I rarely cry over books and I sobbed my heart out at the end of this.

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• Radical Acceptance, Radical Compassion and podcast - Tara Brach

Tara appears to be someone who embodies all of the values that are integral to the philosophy that she writes about.  Her books are a game-changer for those seeking to learn how to live authentically and kindly. The RAIN technique is a very useful tool for aiding self-regulation and dealing with difficult situations.

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I highly rate her meditation podcasts as well. It's worth the effort.

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The acronym RAIN is an easy-to-remember tool for practising mindfulness and compassion using the following four steps:

 

Recognize what is going on;

Allow the experience to be there, just as it is;

Investigate with interest and care;

Nurture with self-compassion.

 

You can take your time and explore RAIN as a stand-alone meditation or move through the steps whenever challenging feelings arise.

(Source: https://www.tarabrach.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/RAIN-of-Self-Compassion2.pdf)

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• HRT

I've started HRT.

 

I think it may be made of wizards.

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