#hannahwitton

Before I get into the main blog post, I would just like to update my previous plan of posting two blog posts a week, as I obviously have not been keeping to that. From now on, the aim is at least one blog post a month. Hopefully, there will be more than that as I get back into the swing of it but that is my new goal for the new year.

I have three books that I simply can not wait for this year. They are not in any particular order other than this first one which I have been waiting for, for years!

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern 

Morgenstern has not published any novels since her 2011 debut The Night Circus which has captivated millions with its dark, mysterious fantasy world of a circus that only opens at dusk and disappears without warning. If you haven’t read The Night Circus I urge you to go buy a copy right now! The Starless Sea is another stand-alone, adult novel that will weave fantasy and romance and remind us all of the important of stories. Erin Morgenstern has herself called it “a book about stories. Stories and choices and change and also time and fate and video games. It took quite a while to get it all to fit in a single book, even down to the bees.” The Starless Sea will be published November 5th by Vintage Publishing. 

In the Time We Lost by Carrie Hope Fletcher

I did not have the most positive reaction to Fletcher’s last novel When the Curtain Falls as I expressed in a blog post but she remains one of my favourite writers. So when she announced a new novel to be published in October of this year I was extremely excited! The new novel with be following in the same vein as her previous three as it will be a stand-alone, adult book that falls into the category of magical realism. This time, however, the book will be set in the fictional town of Ondingside during a freak July snowstorm that brings the town to a complete standstill. I’m very much looking forward to exploring this new side to Fletcher as a writer since she will not have the familiar features of London or Brighton to ground the novel. In the Time We Lost will be published October 17th by Little, Brown Book Group.

The Hormone Diaries by Hannah Witton

I’m branching out from my strict fiction diet with this non-fiction book all about periods from the YouTuber and sex-positive author Hannah Witton who published another informative book all about sex called Doing It! in 2017. This time the subject matter is ‘the bloody truth about our periods’ as she looks at how hormones affect all women, cis and trans, and what they do to our bodies while on and off our period. This is the self-help book everyone, regardless of gender, should read to better understand, support and advise themselves and the people in their lives. The Hormone Diaries will be published June 13th by Hachette Children’s Group. 

If you’ve ever had or thought about sex then ‘Doing it’ by Hannah Witton is a book that you ought to have on your shelves. It encourages a conversation that we should all already be having. Sex isn’t something to be kept hush, hush and that’s why this book is a must-read for everyone no matter what your relationship status is. 

Hannah Witton is a sex-positive blogger that promotes the idea that knowledge is important. She believes education on the subject is a vital part of life and you can see that passion woven throughout the book. Witton even shares her own personal experiences and doesn't skimp out on the intimate details! 

The book covers a huge variety of topics. Things like sexuality, consent, contraceptives, break-ups, porn and lots more are discussed responsibly maturely. Witton insists that sex education isn’t a one trip pony but more of a long-term commitment. We’re all going to be learning and discovering things about ourselves until the day we die. To help with the learning process Witton brought in additional perspectives which broadened the viewpoints available to readers and that helped the book further relatable to a wider audience. As a straight woman, Witton hasn’t experienced everything under the sun and so brought in individuals that were more experienced and can confidently share their story on those topic areas. 

Not only is this book informative and educational but it’s also a lot of fun. Having it be so relatable is one of the books greatest selling points.  Funny personal anecdotes help the reader feel more comfortable and Witton, like many of us, has made mistakes in the past; which she encourages each of us to learn from. Past relationships or first awkward conversations about STI’s are all perfectly normal and healthy. 

Body positivity is a common theme throughout the book. Our bodies are temples and above all else, we should treat them with the respect they deserve. There’s a section in the book that helps readers identify what an unhealthy relationship looks like so they can get out of the situation and get help. Whilst STI’s may affect our physical health if we have unprotected sex toxic relationships can ruin our mental health. This book is fantastic because it provides readers with lots of different ways to access the support that they might need.