Batina Darken

Hello! My name is Kirsten and welcome to my blog Shirk2Chic.  I am a Shirker. I have avoided responsibility my whole life. I am 34 years old, nearly 20 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome) and I have basically done NOTHING about it. I mean that’s not completely true, I’ve tried diets – trendy and otherwise – but nothing really works.  My weight has ballooned to 18st…

What is literature and why do we need to study it again and again…???

What is literature? That may seem like an obvious question, but what counts as literature. Is it classic novels by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy? Is it self-published erotica with werewolves, kinky vampires and hot billionaires? Well, its both. Some may not agree and thats okay, but in theory Literaure is a set of texts. This counts as novels, plays, poetry, even the…

Procrastination was a good thing?

Writing is hard freaking work. So, I decided about 3 years ago I needed professional help and found the Open University had a Batchelor’s degree course in creative writing. So yeah, I procrastinated harder than most people. I joined a six year course because I wanted to put off writing. I wanted an excuse. Its actualy one of the best things I’ve ever done. assignment stress aside, I have learnt…

5 Winter Reads to read in the snow

Winter is one of my favourite times of year. The roaring fires, the hot chocolate, the thick soups and the snow.. We rarely get snow much in my area, but when we do it just makes everything look beautiful, and glittery. I’ve found 5 snow/winter themed books to help you through those cold nights. So grab your blankets, hot chocolate and put on your fairy lights because, baby its cold…

Hi Fanatic Fantasy Fandoms, I read a lot of high fantasy and I review a lot of Fantasy. I like to take my time with these types of novels and really devour these amazing worlds. I had saw a few YouTube videos (below) and knew that this would benefit my reading experience and so I designed my own system. I decided that I needed about 7 different categories. Any more than that and I know I would…

Feb 2021 Bookstagram Challenge- A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

Hello BookLuxs, It is 18 days till the release of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas. If you have been hiding in a box, Sarah J Maas is an amazing Fantasy Author whose written 15 novels each as stunning as the previous. My joint-favourites are the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series & House of Earth and Blood: Crescent City. Each are amazing and fully recommended. On the 16th February my…

🦇Welcome to my House…

Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.BRAM STOKER, DRACULA I am so pleased you are here! If you are reading this- thanks for taking a chance on yet another book blog! There are so many out there, so why-oh-why would you read mine.. well, what I can promise you this: honest Book Reviews, FairyLoot Unboxings, Reading Challenges,…

First of all, I set a theme. This way, when objects, graphics or even a word is spoken it will remind me of my goals. This year my theme is Fairy Tales. My Reading Goals 120 Books for the yearRead each FairyLoot Book during read-alongs. Use the All Fully Booked Planner 2021 to record my reading life First I come up with an amount of books that I would like to read this year. for 2021 I am…

I’m dreaming of a Literary Christmas..

Good Morning and Seasons Greetings,

We are now in the final month of a really challenging year and I cannot wait to get the seasons reading underway. My poor reading life took a real hit this year. Although I have read some great reads, I haven’t been that focused and I have missed the peace and quiet of a good read.

On the Blog this Month...

How to have a Literary Christmas: 25 posts…

Book Review: Office Grump by Nicole Snow

***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***

Pages: 425

Characters: Sabrina Bristol, Magnus Heron

Trope(s): Enemies-to-lovers, Office Romance,

Blurb:

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a fierce and hilarious office romance where two sworn enemies make undeniable lovers. My “interview” with bosshole supreme was anything but normal. He picked the…

Book Blitz: Tour – Review Coming 20th November

Office Grump Nicole Snow Publication date: November 12th 2020 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a fierce and hilarious office romance where two sworn enemies make undeniable lovers.

My “interview” with bosshole supreme was anything but normal. He picked the worst day ever to chase me off my favorite park bench. I retaliated with…

Synopsis:

Grace just wanted to go to the gym, get home and share a takeaway with her cat, Stan. She didn’t expect to get kidnapped by her brother’s cellmate, and expected to find a suitcase full of stolen money. She also didn’t expect to fall for the kidnapper or that he was already in love with her.

Its unedited and raw, but this is a preview from Chapter 1. I am quite proud of this…

Evening Pumpkins,

If you are a fan of Bookstagram ( Book centric Instagram Accounts and posts) then you may see that many users ‘Rainbow’ their book shelves.

Basically, arranging your shelves by colour. I’ve looked at the pictures of many accounts in awe and at many times whispered ‘one day’

One day was Saturday 17th October 2020.

My mum was sick in the next room, my dad asleep,…

Afternoon Pumpkins,

With less than a week left of October, and only 2 months left of the year, I need to seriously up my reading game if I want smash my reading goals this year.

I found a readathon for the November and December called CLEARURSHIT.

HOSTS:

Andee: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

El/Art: Blog | Instagram | Twitter

On Andee’s Blog you can find the full…

Tips for the Best Read-Cation: Lockdown Style

Hello Pumpkins

In case you don’t know what a Readcation is, let me please explain.

3+ days of uninterrupted reading.

So instead of visiting wild exotic places filled with Face Masks and Anti bac gel, you can visit Fantasy lands from the comfort of your own home, wearing no mask, and possibly no bra..

Six Months into this virus and according to the news the riots may start soon,…

I like big books and I cannot lie…

Hi Pumpkins,

Welcome to my blog. Before I give my mission statement for this blog, it may be helpful to know a little about me…

For about 25 years I have loved to read. When I was little my mum would always take me to my local library in Southend every Saturday. I would spend hours sitting on bean bags reading whatever fairy tale or history book I could find.

Fast forward to my teens…