Blog Tour and Review: Marian Keyes

Hello  book chums!

I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for fantastic Marian Keyes' newest release, The Woman Who Stole My LIfe. I've read The Brightest Star in the sky and have since enjoyed her other reads. 

The book is told from the protagonist's point of view: Stella Sweeney; a woman in her forties who finds herself overcoming steep challenges in her life as best as she can (which is not a graceful tour de force).

The title itself suggests an interesting turn of events. In the book, the reader finds out that Stella's husband, Ryan, deems her as "the woman who stole my life". He is dispirited by the fact that Stella was living the life he wished he had.

Keyes splits the book into past and present timelines, which ties and explores key individuals in Stella's life and how they have been able to come into her life purposefully. We've all wondered about the concept of karma and how everything seems to happen for a reason: Keyes helps to shed light on such matters through Stella's accident in a very touching and unforgettable way. 
Funny, witty, and often bittersweet, we find ourselves drawn to Stella's conflicts, torn between her duty as a mother and finding strength in love.

"Sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you get what you need and sometimes you get what you get."

I enjoyed this book immensely, especially  while on the train in the mornings, and before bed. There are many memorable characters and sections of the book where you find yourself wondering how often we take things in our life for granted. A very sweet read and one that would make a great gift for special women in your life this holiday season. I know I will recommend this book to my book club!

Cheers!

#TheWomanWhoStoleMyLife

Twitter: @MarianKeyes

Author Event: David Nicholls

“This is where it all begins. Everything starts here, today.” 

-David Nicholls, One Day

Lovelies,

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a special event at the HarperCollins Canada Toronto office once again to meet David Nicholls, author of the beloved One Day. His second novel, Us was released late last month (much to my excitement). I could not wait to meet Nicholls in person!

He was as every bit charming, funny, witty, and nice as I hoped he would be. Laurie Grassi was there to speak to him about the book, touching upon everything from the characters, to his writing habits, and funny travel stories along the way.

"I liked the idea that everything in the book is spot on, real places that exists...so you can re-enact this book and, hopefully, have a happier time!"

A couple of really neat moments throughout the Q & A:

Fruit Flies: Nicholls had a babysitter who was working her PH.D in fruit fly studies and on one occasion, had invited him, his partner, and two children to her lab.  As a result, this event got written into the book, specifically during Douglas' courtship with Courtney when he took her to see the fruit flies.

Travel:  There are instances in the book where Douglas takes the train as his primary means of transport. In order to make certain scenes in the book as genuine as possible, Nicholls ended up taking the train from Paris to Amsterdam and from Munich to Verona where it crossed through the Alps. Gosh. I need to add that to my bucket list!
One things for sure: "You can never predict what you might pick up from your research!"

(David Nicholls and I. Was squee-ing on the inside. Clearly, it showed)

Later on, when I asked him about his writing habits, he remarked that he tends to write early in the morning, where his creative juices are at its highest: he would aim to write at least 2000 words a day. Now that's something I need to work on!

 Great time all around. A very lovely bonus that I got my copy personally signed. Many thanks, HarperCollins Canada!

Us is out in bookshops everywhere: it would make a wonderful gift for your bookish loved ones- it's never too early to think about holiday gift-giving!

Weekend Delights

Lovelies,

While the weather outside doesn't quite reflect the important notion that Spring's arrived, I have learned to sit on the optimistic fact that each day we are inching closer to warmer weather. And for that, it lights a small thrill in my heart.

This weekend's delight, there's  a few things I would like to share with you:

Watch: 

I sorely missed watching this film during the Toronto International Film Festival, so when I saw the title pop  at one of the local cinemas, I jumped at the chance.
And what a charming film. I couldn't get enough of the shots of Paris, wonderfully directed and a very touching story underneath it all.

I can't wait to get started on:

Planting some flower seeds.
Digging out my travel journal I bought from an old bookshop awhile ago (I've been saving it for the right time because it's so beautiful) and compiling my things to do for each of the places I'm going this summer (from NYC to the East Coast!).
Heading to my local art supplies shop and get started on some watercolours.
Visiting the aquarium ( I still haven't gone yet despite the hype).
Weekend roadtrips, now that the weather is not as severe.
Experiment with more recipes- this weekend I'll be making Norwegian pancakes with homemade blueberry jam.
Spend more time with Orpheus, my Banjo Ukulele! I've been neglecting him for some time, so it's time to get back into the groove of things.
Compiling my list of summer reads.
Dedicate more time volunteering at my favorite organizations here in the city.

Love: 

In this photo:

Dior Addict Lip Polish in Sheer Pink- love this shade, it's perfect for Spring.
Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride- I swear by this product, and it's such a soft color.
Modern Muse, Eau de Parfum, by Estee Lauder- this is one of the two scents that will be my signature fragrances this season and in the summertime. My other scent is Atelier Cologne's Orange Sanguine, which was given to me as a gift.
Field & Flowers Coco Butter Handcreme- from the Library of Flowers collection (which I absolutely adore), this scent is super lovely (a mixture of apricot, wildflowers and honeyed blossom) as well as being pretty for the handbag. Enough said.
Cambridge Satchel in Orchid- because every girl needs a satchel.
Speaking of Cambridge, I can't wait to read Cambridge by Susanna Kaysen (author of Girl, Interrupted anyone?)
Butterfly Kisses Wall Art from Wisteria.
This Highland Knot Pillow Cover from Serena & Lily is perfect for any setting!
Fountain Pen Print Postcard and Envelope Set from Liberty. Bought this set and I am in love. I love writing letters.
The Eat Cake for Breakfast mug from Kate Spade- no disagreements there!
Tan Royal Typewriter from One King's Lane- I love typewriters and I want to own a decent one in the near future. I want to feel like Hemingway, stabbing away at the keys, conjuring up my next great novel. Le sigh.
Dustin O'Halloran's latest album, Lumiere- absolutely stunning piano compositions- loved him for years!


That's all for now!

Jo

a Nightingale post

Welcome!

Dear Friends,

I used to be an avid blogger awhile back and then decided to take a break. So many things have happened, so many memories have come trickling in these past years:  meeting up with old friends, switched jobs, said goodbye to people I knew and loved, and at the same time, I have opened my arms to new faces, new loves, and a brand new chapter of my life.

What a journey it has been! I can now say that I am a quarter of a century old- hen did that happen...
I have gone to places which have opened my eyes to wonder at unique individuals and moments which have left me overwhelmed with emotion. I let go some of my fears and tried new things and attended events which have broadened my mental horizon,  and as a result, I was able to to check off many things on my list that I make every year for myself.

Yet even now I know there is so much more to do and explore. And oh the places I'll go! This summer, there is talk of travelling abroad to Europe, which is something I have deeply desired for a very long time.

I was happy to have left 2013 behind. I was at a point where I felt guilt, negativity and an emptiness of unaccomplished goals wash through me. By New Year's Eve, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself. Enough was enough. There were things I wanted to do that have been swirling in my head for some time- so I took up my diary, this beautiful leather-bound, oxblood-coloured diary given to me as a gift from a dear friend in Vienna, and wrote out all the things I wished to complete in 2014- if not, my lifetime.

I want to share it with you all in the days to come. Right now, by kick-starting this blog, it means I'm one step closer towards accomplishing the things I need to do for myself.

With this blog, I will separate posts based on the subject matter: anything to do with my love of books, interior design and all other things "scholarly", it will be an owl post, and with all things health and beauty and lifestyle, it will be a nightingale post!

Let's share these moments, these passages together, dear friends- wherever you may be.


All my love, xo

Jo

Owl and the Nightingale