Being Buttons

Diversify my book shelf: a short reading list

Diversify my book shelf: a short reading list

Studying English Literature at university exposed me to a huge range of different literary works by different authors and from different time periods. What was the main thing they had in common? Most of the authors were white. However, there were two modules I studied which were deliberately designed to make you read from a more diverse set of authors and consider the westernised attitude we have when it comes to literature, and a lot more besides. My Global Literature module at university was one of my favourites because we had some fantastic lecturers and I was exposed to a whole load of concepts I had never previously considered. Since leaving university I’ve made an active attempt to make sure my reading list is more diverse and that I’m reading books which not only tackle a range of subjects, but are written by different people and set in different locations.

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Having a wedding cancelled due to Covid-19

Having a wedding cancelled due to Covid-19

Cancelling your wedding is something you never imagine you’ll have to do. Cancelling it for a global pandemic would have seemed like a bizarre rom-com meets sci-fi film plot at the time we booked it. But for many couples this year, wedding cancellations have become a reality. For such a significant event I’ve spoken relatively little about it other than to acknowledge that yes, it’s a pretty rubbish situation. This post therefore might appear a little self indulgent but I’m hoping writing a little bit about it all will be cathartic in some respect.

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125 years of the National Trust

125 years of the National Trust

This year marks 125 years since the National Trust was formed. I’m sure there were meant to be a number of exhibitions and celebrations throughout the year which, like many things, have now had to be cancelled, postponed or moved online. I’ve been a member of the National Trust for as long as I can remember and have a great many happy memories from visiting National Trust properties and land as I’ve grown up. Now seems the perfect time to share some of my favourite locations in my own personal celebration of its anniversary.

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A Lock-down Food Diary

A Lock-down Food Diary

Anyone who has spoken to me, or has read one of my previous posts on life in lock-down will have realised that I’ve become slightly obsessed with food over the last month or so. I think about food a lot. I’ve barely finished one meal and I’ve already started planning the rest. Why? Well I do enjoy food and lock-down is as good a time as any to eat well and take time preparing it. Underpinning this there is probably also a slight anxiety about when it will be time to do our next food shop, but I’m choosing to focus on the fact that lock-down has helped me to rediscover my enjoyment for cooking and planning meals which are tasty and varied.

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Lessons Learned in Lock-down

Lessons Learned in Lock-down

A few weeks ago I shared a few thoughts about life in lock-down. At that point I’d been working from home for four weeks and living in lock-down for just under three. Now we are into our sixth week of life in lock-down and it’s all starting to feel a lot more normal and familiar. In my last post I was still reacting to what was happening, whereas now I feel a bit more able to reflect on the current situation. James and I have spent a lot of time on our daily walks discussing if and what the world will learn from this period of time and how it might adapt accordingly. But I think there’s a lot that we can take which starts with us as individuals before we start to think about what big businesses and governments might learn.

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