Books, books, BOOKS!

Hi everyone, it’s me!

Is it even possible to do a PhD, or any Postgrad, without some love of reading? If that’s you, let me know, how do you find it?? Because I’m not sure I understand you! (But still love that you’re here of course!!)

A couple of years ago, studying in evenings whilst at Birkbeck, and dealing with the constant sleep regressions of a tiny human, I massively dropped off reading.

Also, I spent so much time reading Tolkien … wading through The Silmarillion, Beren and Lúthien, sure I enjoy the world but goshh they were hard going… I completely lost interest.

So, all in all, not much reading.

But now! Oh we are back! Thank you Ali Hazelwood for bringing me out of a huge reading slump (and for still making me dream of the PhD student life, despite how it sounds).

I was late to a lot of huge books (ACOTAR where have you been all my life!) … and I’m actually glad, because I am devouring entire series’!

I am in my Romantasy era and I’m not ashamed

Romantasy this year has given me life.

PhD in Rest Mode has no aim … I just thought I’d share what I have been reading, and would, as always love to hear from you:

What are you reading?

How do you fit time for you, and your books, into your work-life balance? … Do you even have a work-life balance?? (This is something we will get into on PhD in Motion).

Another thing I am very late to, as I used to be pretty against them, but which have been revolutionary, is Audiobooks!

Audible has been around for as long as I can remember.

But I currently use the 15 hours of audio listening you get with Spotify Premium

Alongside BookBeat, who have different subscription levels depending on how much you listen.

I spend a lot of time on dog walks, commuting to uni or work, nursery pick ups and all sorts. Audiobooks have changed my life.

I have had many arguments with my husband about whether you’ve actually read the book if you listened to it, and I don’t want to have the same argument with you, lovely reader.

Let’s just agree, or agree to disagree.

Book Podcasts

Another reason for my re-obsession with reading, is bookish podcasts.

My current favourite is The Fantasy Fangirls Podcast - they do incredibly deep dives into each chapter of fantasy series and I am here for it! (Thank you Lexi & Nicole if you ever see this!)

So, please, let’s talk books!

I will be posting annual, and from the new year, monthly reading wrap ups.

Feel free to give me a follow and get in touch on Fable - the book-lovers social media!

Until next time!

Lauren