November Bookshelf Update

 

Dear friends. A quick update on my latest book arrivals, plus what I'll be reviewing later this month.

I'm excited to share these new arrivals because it's been a bit of a fallow reading period. NetGalley hasn't been tempting me and I've had to resort to Mr Mutton's books in our shared Amazon library.

I'll share a brief snippet of blurb and when the books will be published. The first 3 all come out in 2027. 

Then we'll take a quick look at the books I have read recently, which will be reviewed later this month.

Party Dress Try-On

 And TuesdayTwirl

Dear friends. It's been a few years since I bought a party or occasion dress. I had a few, mostly black, when I was working. But after my retirement, I got rid of them. I just didn't have the occasions to wear formal dresses. 

But now I'm going on my first cruise, 6 nights visiting France and Belgium. There's a formal night, so I've been searching for the right dress. I hope that if I like the cruise, there will be many more to come. More formal nights. 

You don't have to wear a dress on the formal nights. A smart blouse with trousers is fine. I had a contingency outfit lined up, a gold sequin top and cream trousers. But now I've found my perfect dress, so I can wear both outfits. 

Three Trends with Your Own Clothes

 And TuesdayTwirl

Dear friends. We don't need to give up on trends as we get older.  They can be adapted, even from the catwalk,  and give us a contemporary edge.

It can be simple things like switching to a particular length of dress or skirt; putting away round toed footwear in favour of pointed; pairing certain colours and creating different shapes.

October Books

 

Dear friends. Non-fiction is the star of the show this month with four very different reads. You couldn't find four more unrelated books with the topics of Lady Glenconner's travels, how semiconductors rule the world, how to meditate and relax, and a man's challenge to build and sell an honest coffin.  

Having had more than 6 weeks of holiday where I didn't read very much, plus the fact I didn't find as many titles as usual this year from NetGalley, means my 2026 goal for Goodreads probably won't be reached.  But I've over shot the non-fiction goal quite considerably, so it's not all bad. A full update on my goals in the December review.

So let's get to it.  Books marked with an asterisk are those I bought myself. 

I've Tried these Anti-Ageing Products so You Don't Have To

 And TuesdayTwirl

Dear friends. Ageing is a privilege denied to many. But you've got to admit, it comes with a few indignities for the older woman.

Wiry hairs on the chin, lines around the mouth and crepey skin on the arms. That's just 3 of them. 

Bookshelf Update

 

Dear friends. I'm excited to share my latest book arrivals with you. It's a good situation where I have a bit of a queue developing. 

Here's a quick overview of what I've recently read, plus new arrivals. Books I bought myself are indicated with an asterisk. The rest were provided as advance digital copies by NetGalley and the publishers in return for an honest review. 

Effortless Chic - in Colour

 And TuesdayTwirl

Dear friends. We're constantly being told that French women are "effortlessly chic," clad as they invariably are in jeans, a blazer and a dash of red lipstick. Minimal and pared back, yes. But also - boring! Lacking any individuality. No sense of adventure. 

That's my controversial take. Nobody is going to rush up to you in the street to compliment you on wearing neutrals.   

I like to live my life in colour;  it makes me happy, and also those around me. I quite often get stopped in the street with people commenting on what I'm wearing.

Cathedral Heaven: September in Review

 

Dear friends. The good weather persisted in September, particularly for us in the last week when we enjoyed temperatures of 30 (80 Fahrenheit) in Provence,  France.

September also featured three cathedrals - four, if you count the one where we saw Luminescence,  plus a trip to Plymouth.