I’m aware this is a bit of a “so what” title, but it has been so long, too long since I last started and finished a whole book I feel like it should be documented!

Before I had Mabel I read every day, several times a day in fact. Since Mabel I can count on one hand the amount of books I have read.  Although I’m trying to think of those titles, I only have vague memories a book or two may have been read in the last 3 and a half years.

There are many reasons for my failure to get back into reading, not just Mabel, but lets me honest she is the main reason, by the time it comes around to my bedtime I just want to fall into bed and shut my eyes and pray for a whole night’s sleep and a not so early start. Reading just doesn’t come into it, my eyes are too heavy, and yes I maybe a little guilty of a bit of late night Instagram scrolling.

Late last year when Mabel was back at pre-school I did attempt to pick up a book again, but that was soon scuppered when a certain little lady stood on my Kindle and broke it. Oh how I loved my Kindle, so many books you never went without. I remember on honeymoon getting through about 10 novels and all without them taking up valuable space in the suitcase. It was also easier to do a bit of sneaky reading with her around, normally while she is watching the same cartoons for the 100th time and I’m glued to the sofa with her. A Kindle is a little bit more inconspicuous than a paperback.

It was only when I was wandering aimlessly around the supermarket one morning that I found myself in the book aisle. I had seen the novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” on Amazon and had mentally added it to my “I’ll read it one day” list.

Before I knew it and could talk myself out of it I had added it to my trolley. I thought about the book on my nightstand that had been gathering dust for the last 3 months and promised myself this book wouldn’t have the same fate, although secretly thinking it probably would.

However once home, with the shopping packed away and lunch made for Mabel, I got myself a cup of tea and decided to open it up. I was drawn in straight away. Naturally with Mabel being around I didn’t get much read but I was certain I wanted to read more.

It was so nice to find myself lost in a book again, I forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I found I was taking myself off to bed a little earlier just so I could read a chapter or two. Normally I want to sew until my eyes can’t stay open and that is another reason why there has not been much reading going on, so it was nice to have a change.

The book itself definitely had an intrigue to it, I wanted to know why this character was the way she was. Eleanor likes a routine, wears the same outfit to work every day and eats the same for lunch and dinner, she has no friends and there are hints from very early on that something must have happened to her as a child. I found myself really drawn to her strange ways and the way she speaks to people. I can’t help but wonder if this is down to her upbringing or if she may be on the Autistic spectrum.

I don’t want to give too much away in case I spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet and would like too. I am glad this book was the one to break my reading drought and I want to make more of an effort to take time out to read more. It’s just a case of finding books that can keep me interested and wanting to stay awake that little bit later of a night!

I used to be a big fan of crime novels, but they don’t seem to have the same appeal anymore, and I am not really a fan of “chick-lit” boy meets girl type stories. So modern fiction is my preference, although I seem to be quite hard to please!

What are you reading at the moment? Can you recommend anything to me?