I’m looking out the window at my garden as I write this and the weather is miserable. The sky is full of grey clouds that threaten to burst at any moment, a chilly breeze is rustling the branches of the trees, the ground is wet, and the colours are muted. I did see a rainbow earlier which I got very excited about but it was gone before I could even take a picture. I know, I’m being a Debbie Downer, but, I can’t help it. On days like this (and let’s be honest, there’s a lot of them), I hate this time of year and am just counting down the days until spring.

The silver lining in all of this is that it is prime time to pick up a book and be transported somewhere a little less dreary. It’s time to grab a big cup of tea (or maybe even a whisky depending on the time of day!) and curl up under a blanket with one of the many books in my TBR pile.

I’m usually a fan of setting lots of goals for the new year. Like doing yoga everyday, hitting my step goals, organising my entire life, and just generally being some high-achieving, unattainable version of myself. I shouldn’t be surprised that the result of all this is me failing miserably and feeling awful about it. This January, I am giving myself permission to slow down and take my time. The daffodils are not out yet so why should I be? I am going to sit here quietly and get lost in another world.

January Reading List