What I’m reading in July 2022

I read a lot.

But starting off telling everyone that I’m an avid reader and thinking that makes me sound unique is a bit like telling people on social media that you can’t function without multiple cups of coffee every day… that describes about 90% of the women I know.

So when I say that I like to read I should probably give that to you in numbers…

Last weekend I read 4 books.

It was a quiet weekend. It was raining and I’d just come off the back of 3 weeks of brand shoots and a wedding (I only do weddings occasionally these days… 10 years of 30 plus weddings a year will do that to you). So I didn’t move from the couch all weekend. Much to Mr Scott’s bemusement.

Apparently when I read I ignore the important things he’s trying to tell me.

Anyhoo, I read 92 books last year. Probably about 60% fiction and the rest were various business books. In lockdown I managed 129.

So I thought I’d share some of my favourites from the last 6 months – What I’m reading in July 2022.

Fiction

Black Cake

Really loved this book.

Any book that has the capacity to take you to a new place and leave you feeling bereft when it finishes is always a good one in my opinion. Set in modern day California and then frequently jumping to the past in some sun drenched Caribbean island (with the occasional stop off in post war UK) it kept me guessing until the end.

The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I thought this would be a throwaway book.. you know those ones you read in one sitting and then promptly forget?

But it wasn’t. It was glamourous, funny, at times sad and had a heart felt message throughout of the importance of being yourself (and how lucky we are these days to actually have that possibility).

One good thing

After reading Confessions of a 40 something f*ck up I have been devouring Alexandra Potters books. They’re easy to read, laugh out loud funny and usually have some element of Yorkshire thrown in too (Alexandra is from Yorkshire originally).

They’re a good choice if you just want a nice easy read with a few twists and turns.

Backyard starship (books 1 – 8)

I have the book tastes of a 14 year old boy sometimes and love nothing more than a good sci-fi novel. I also love a bargain, and because I subscribe to KindleUnlimited I’ll often choose books that are free to download just to see if they’re any good.

Well, it was good enough to keep me going to the latest book.

If you like Star Trek and love books set in outer space you’ll love it. Very easy to read and very likeable characters.

Dune

After recently watching the remake of Dune and really loving it, I realised that despite my love of sci-fi and a good dystopian tale, I’d never actually read Dune.

I’m about 1/3 of the way through. Its hard going at times because there is so much invented language. Whether it is unusual names (that all seem to blend together in my tiny mind) or when they’re talking about the history or religion of the characters in the book. But it’s so worth reading – even just to fill in some of the gaps that the film couldn’t possibly have fit in (it’s a huge book).

Business & Non Fiction

Elastic Habits

I’m about 2/3’s through this one and so far it’s been really good.

I struggle with goals – or rather – I set off with a great new habit and then often when it gets too hard (or boring) I just stop.

I’m hoping this book will help me to keep going!

The pants of Perspective

This is one woman’s journey to run the length of New Zealand.

Did it make me want to take up running again (for about 5 minutes) or make me feel completely inadequate that I haven’t got an adventurous bone in body… yes. Did I love it? Absolutely. It reminded me of Cheryl Strayd’s book but without the emotional turmoil.

Chill & Prosper

I’ve just started this one, and I’m enjoying it so far. Having read all of Denise Duffield’s books I’m sure it’s going to be useful.

Skintelligent

I suffer with rosacea and having followed Dr Natalie Sperling for a while I was really pleased to see that she’d brought out a book.

It’s packed full of great advice and debunks a lot of myths in the cosmetic industry. At times its a little bit science heavy but definitely worth a read.

Anyway – thanks for reading (and let me know if you have any great books you’ve ready recently!!)

August is looking to be a busy month but there are still a few dates available if you fancy chatting through a few options and dates!

And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:

1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.

Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots.  Read here

2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.

We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.

3) Join ‘Visibility School’.

Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and a Visibility Toolkit (new for 2021 members) . Read