Very interesting and informative. Highlights the key objectives of communism; the nationalisation of property/industry, the establishment  of trade unions for workers, widespread availability of public education and the deconstruction of the concept of patriotism / nationhood. The manifesto defines the role of the proletariat and describes the oppression done on to them by the bourgeoisie...how this practice is decenendant from feudalism wherein the nobility has been replaced by the industrialist. 

Lastly, it states that history is really just the history of class struggles and the endeavours of some to end these struggles...which fair enough, it probably is. 

Thought it was interesting that Marx and Engels thought the communist revolution would start in Germany and that they didn't even mention Russia at any point. 

Mitford's fiction is SO much fun!!! I love the over the top characters, the exaggeration, the gentle piss take of the upper classes, all of it!!! The Radletts are now tied with the Weasleys as my favourite literary family. Imagine a mix of Doc Brown from Back to the Future, Gomez Addams from The Addams Family and Lord Grantham from Downton Abbey...that's basically Uncle Matthew. 

This book was so much fun. The characters were so lovable and the sarcasm was on point 👌 Linda and Fanny are such wonderful characters. Their friendship despite their differences in personality and taste is such a highlight of this book  Loved it!!!

Also, the Radletts!! Such a wonderful colourful eccentric family!! Love them all to pieces :) 

Beautifully written. Just not feeling it right now.

As I have had a mixed experience with Sally Rooney in the past, I was ready to give another one of her books a go. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy Conversations with Friends as much as Normal People. 

As a Trinity student, the setting is the only real positive for me. As with Normal People, I enjoyed the familiar backdrop of Trinity College and Dublin City Centre. It’s always nice to read about places you know, but beyond that, the story didn’t offer much.

One aspect I found particularly frustrating was Rooney’s reliance on tired Irish stereotypes, especially the “alcoholic Irish father.” This trope has been done to death in Irish media, to the point that it feels lazy and reductive. Ireland is so much more than these clichés, yet Rooney falls back on them, which feels harmful and unoriginal. For a writer praised for her authenticity, it’s disappointing to see her perpetuate such narrow depictions of Irish identity.

I feel like this story would have been more timely if it was set in an American school, especially considering the themes of gun violence. However, I thought the choice to explore how the effects of living with the pressure and expectations of the school system (and the elite private school system) can break kids was an interesting one. 

Stephen Simon does a really good job if writing angry teenagers. He handled the topics of bullying, peer pressure and toxic masculinity really well...especially in the moments where we see the boys in the group of "friends" interact. 

Giving this a 4.5 stars because, although each and every song is amazing, we cant complete negate the work of Lenny Kaye and do many others that make the songs the magic they are...so the albums themselves get the five stars  🌟 Really enjoyed the experience of reading Patti's lyrics though.

An absolutely gorgeous selection of love poems. Intense. Passionate. Stunning imagery.

 It could definitely have even been a five stars collection had I read it more slowly with more breaks. So lyrical. Definitely worth a revist later on in the year ❤

My favourite poems from the collection include; 'Tonight I Can Write', 'So that You Will Hear Me', 'I Remember You As You Were', 'We Have Lost Even' and 'Here I Love You.' *chef's kiss*

I love you Bob...but what's this??????

Very digestible. I definitely found some essays more interesting than others but that was more based off of my own music/genre preferences than anything else. A solid read 👍