Five Audiobooks I've Loved Recently

Greetings from the depths of parenting a newborn!

My number one recommendation for gifts for new parents: wireless headphones and an audiobook subscription. Whether it’s long overnight feeds, a ‘cuddle sleeper’ who wants to be on you at all times, or taking the chance to leave the house for a walk with the pram, audiobooks can save your sanity. They’re certainly saving mine at the moment.

My instruments of choice - Apple Airpods and a my local library app, occasionally supplemented by Audible when I’m particularly desperate for a particular book.

If you’ve not tried audiobooks before, I definitely recommend checking out what’s on offer from your local library first. Most libraries use one of several apps to provide ebooks and audiobooks, straight to their patron’s phones. My library uses Overdrive/Libby, and previously I’ve also had access to BorrowBox. They have a really great range of audiobooks available, depending on your library. I can usually find something interesting to borrow, and I always have a few popular recent releases on hold.

Here are five audiobooks I’ve listened to recently and really enjoyed.

Becoming by Michelle Obama (narrated by Michelle Obama)

I listened to this a while ago, actually, but it has stuck with me. So many encouraging moments, and so many moments where all I could do was nod and agree. A fascinating insight into Michelle’s life, and her thoughts on balancing parenthood and career, this is a great read for any parent (and everyone else, honestly). The audiobook is read by the author, which works absolutely perfectly.

Force of Nature by Jane Harper (narrated by Steve Shanahan)

I have really enjoyed all of Jane Harper’s books (I have The Survivors on hold at my library - can’t waaaait). I’ve listened to both Force of Nature and The Dry as audiobooks, and Steve does a brilliant job of the narration. Jane Harper’s books are a wonderful combination of intriguing characters and plot, and rich landscape. I found the balance really great to listen to - evocative description woven with a plot that moves fast enough that you don’t get bored!

Carpentaria by Alexis Wright (narrated by Isaac Drandich)

At 19hrs 15min, this audiobook definitely gives you bang for your buck! The story is meandering, so I don’t necessarily recommend it for late night reading, but the lyrical writing style works perfectly for a rich, soothing audiobook experience. Isaac Drandich’s earthy narration fits so well with the feel of this book, and he also does an amazing job of capturing the unique voices of each of the characters.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (narrated by Emilia Fox)

This is the audio version that my library has, I’m sure there are many others. Emilia Fox played Georgiana in the ‘95 Pride & Prejudice mini series, which is clearly the best adaptation, so I’m going to go ahead and assume this is also the best audio version. Even if you’ve read Pride & Prejudice before, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Emilia brings Collin’s speeches to horrifying life in a way that I’ve never experienced before!

“A” is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (narrated by Mary Peiffer)

I’ve been on a mystery kick recently, and have particularly enjoyed working my way through the Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton. Mary Peiffer does a brilliant job of the narration of these books, perfectly capturing Kinsey’s voice and the… noir drawl (I don’t know how to describe it, I’m sure there’s a proper term) of this style of detective fiction. My library has quite a few of the series available as audiobooks, although sadly not all of them.

I hope these recommendations are useful! What audiobooks have you loved recently? I’d love to know what I should listen to next - please DM me on Instagram or Facebook and let me know!

Review - Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

A guest post from @lostinstacks

I adored the opening of this book, the pondering of the naughtiness of Australian children, the impact of the sun and the subtle acknowledgement of our sad history.

Despite being quite aware of the problems, it is still contextually jarring, particularly in discussion of race and gender. But Judy is full of gumption and grit, and I love her father’s dismay at how to handle her!

As a side note, the editing of this story - the fact the whole picnic story was removed for so long - astounds me.

A Sunkissed, nostalgic look at childhood in colonial Australia, the quotidian life of the seven is just beautiful! Stylistically it’s a lovely, lyrical read, with children’s poetry at the opening of chapters and an omniscient narrator chatting to you as a companion or co-conspirator.

Reading a bit like an Aussie Little Women (parallels between Judy and Jo could be made?), Seven Little Australians is at times a celebration of childhood or the Aussie free spirit and independence. It touches on darker elements of colonial life, like the harshness of the landscape and the treatment of the indigenous people, but ultimately these aren’t developed. That being said, I did find myself tearing up (ok, sobbing uncontrollably and gasping in horror) at the end. All is not well, as you’d initially think.

I think Turner really tried to push the barriers with this little classic, and the more I research and the more distance I have, the more I appreciate the efforts she made, to include Aboriginal legends, to make strong female characters, to create a children’s story that while having “once upon a time,” was not an easy neat narrative.

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Seven Little Australians featured in the August 2020 Classic parcel. If this review has piqued your interest, head on over to the shop to see if there are any parcels left over for sale!

7 Best Lockdown Tips from the NovelTea Community

Well, 2020 has certainly introduced us to some new words and phrases! I’ll bet 6 months ago you never really thought much about what a lockdown would entail, or how to social distance… But here we are, all locked down and socially distant and wondering what on earth this year has for us next.

If you are running out of ideas (and patience!) as to how to look after yourself and those around you during lockdown, then this blog is perfect for you. I recently surveyed our gorgeously zen followers on Instagram and found out their best lockdown tips - they shared some brilliant ideas and I’ve collected some of the best here for you. 

Books and Tea

Ok, this one was sort of a given. Everyone in our little NovelTea community can certainly appreciate the joy and serenity provided by always having a good book and some fresh tea on hand.

Tea and reading are wonderful ways to slow down and connect with yourself mindfully, and are also low-cost ways to indulge yourself and treat yourself to some me-time. We may have already been aware of their magical powers before Corona, but these lovely things have become even more essential now. You can simply never have too many books or cups of tea.

This is also a wonderful time to discover new blends of tea as well, such as chamomile and mint, or raspberry and thyme. And of course, if you want to mix it up a bit, you could swap your cup of tea for a delicious freshly brewed coffee, or a lovely glass of vino!

Walking and Gentle Exercise

Even on the dreariest winter’s day, a short walk outside in the crisp fresh air can do wonders for your soul. Breathe in the clear air and blow out in puffs like a happy dragon. Take in the feeling of cool against your cheeks while your body is rugged up in your favourite woolies.

Fresh air and gentle exercise, especially if you can manage to get a little vitamin D in there as well, are excellent for your mental health, physical wellbeing and to clear and refocus your mind. Fresh air also works brilliantly if you pair it with your book and cup of tea - just take these outdoors on a nice day and sit in the sun in your yard.

Mindfulness

The biggest things we need right now are self-care and time to focus just on us. This is a difficult time for everyone in the community, but it is an especially hard time to remember to go easy on ourselves. 

Be forgiving if you don’t get done what you think you should each day. It is more important than ever to be gentle and kind to yourself and your needs. 

Adding a regular time into your day for mindfulness is a brilliant way to look after yourself. There are plenty of apps you can try if you like to be guided in your mindfulness, such as Smiling Mind, Calm, or HeadSpace. 

But you can be mindful easily without apps, just by focusing on a sensory anchor, such as your breath or something you can see, hear or touch. For a few minutes, just be in this moment - still your mind, relax your thoughts, and if your mind wanders (which all minds do), just gently bring your thoughts back to the anchor.

You can have a cup of tea mindfully, eat dinner mindfully, walk mindfully, and do household chores such as doing the dishes mindfully.

Creative outlets 

It’s time to get creative. This is not a time to try to perfect your skills or create stunning pieces to sell or send to a local gallery. This kind of art is about the journey, not the final destination.

Basically, it doesn’t matter what you create, it is how much peace and joy you get from the act of being creative itself. Paint, draw, colour, sew, knit, take photos, decorate cakes, write, whatever you like.

This is just for you, so don’t put pressure on yourself to create masterpieces - just enjoy it while you’re having fun.

Get your groove on

So, the chores didn’t go away just because the world went into lockdown. If anything, there seems to be more housework, dishes and dirty clothes because everyone is stuck in your house all day every day. You can’t avoid housework, but you can grab it with both hands and throw your whole body’s energy behind it!

Write yourself a list of all the tasks you need to get done, then pop on some tunes to wiggle and sing too, while you are tackling that housework and tedious tasks like a rockstar’s boss! 

Once this is done, see tip number 1 - you’ve earned it.

Smash your To-Do list

This is a strange time, certainly, and it’s natural to feel strange. You are captive in your home, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t get anything done. In fact, this is THE BEST time to get things done!

Write yourself a list of goals, big and small. Think of courses you wanted to take, languages you wanted to learn, people you haven’t called in years, hobbies you wanted to take up, home maintenance that you’ve been putting off, corners of your home that have needed decluttering…

Make a list and then start smashing those goals. There are no more excuses - the time is NOW!

Connect with those you love

Lockdown can be difficult on relationships - we are either getting too little or too much of the people in our lives. You might be desperately missing the ones you need, like your besties, or your Mum, or you are overwhelmed by the needs of the people trapped in the house with you, and are just craving some peace and quiet and space.

Maintain your sanity by connecting with everyone that you are missing as best you can. Use video chats to catch up with family or friends with activities such as board games, trivia, or wine and cheese nights. 

With the people in your home, schedule time to turn the screens off, and try to quieten your mind while having fun as a family. Again board games are great, as are puzzles and trying out new recipes together. Or go for a walk as a family and make a scavenger hunt of it, or head out after dinner and have a night walk.

Final Tips for Lockdown

Self-care isn’t selfish - this is the big thing you need to remember. We don’t know how long these restrictions may last, so you can look after yourself and your family just by taking each day as a time. 

Spend time alone when you need it, and reach out to others when you need to as well. Don’t feel guilty for your choices in how to manage this time and stay well - what works for you may be different from the next person. Just get done what you can, be gentle with yourself, be patient with others, and make everything as light and as fun as possible.

And if all else fails, you can always turn to books and tea!

Need a new book to read? New tea to try? Why not head over to the NovelTea Book Club Shop to see what parcels are available?

Review - Beowulf

A guest blog by @classiclyinclined

How do you plan to be buried? In a coffin? Cremated? How about burned on a massive funeral pyre, then buried with a pile of treasure in a barrow overlooking the sea? That is the way that fallen heroes were honoured in Anglo-Saxon legends.

Beowulf is a mythical and stirring saga which has been the inspiration for countless generations and authors including the beloved litterateur of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien. Not only is it the oldest surviving and most significant poem in the English language. Approximately 1000 years old! Its original pages are preserved on display in The British Library. 

So what is it about? Everything that you could possibly want in a pulse-pounding epic. Originally passed on through the mouth of bards, the tale begins in a mead hall of Heorot a place of feasting and ballads. The people of the hall (the Danes) make such a clamor that the sound infuriates a demon who begins to slaughter and terrorize them. Many years of suffering ensue until one day a mighty warrior, and the book's namesake, Beowulf hears of their plight and sails overseas to lend them aid. Over the years he grows in influence and renown until he eventually encounters a dragon who stands watch over a hoard of treasure, does that sound familiar? I see you Tolkien.

A must read not only for the historical significance but for inspiration and adventure, you won't want to put it down!

"Great then was the hope of the grey-locked Hrothgar, warrior, giver of rings. Great was the trust of the Shield of the Danes, shepherd of the people, attending to Beowulf's determined resolve."

Don’t forget to head over to the Past Parcels section of the NovelTea shop to see if we have any of these parcels left in stock!