Sarah Hargreaves

Writing, Reading and Listening

recent posts

  • The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock (reread #4)

    I read this when it first came out, I think in 2018. It’s written by an author who lives in Bristol, which is where I lived at the time.

    It’s like I can’t remember anything from that period because I don’t remember this book being so funny! It has sadness and grief which is intertwined with moments of incredible wit (mostly when discussing what went on in brothels in 18th century london) but I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.

    SPOILER ALERT:

    I was expecting a happy ending, then I feared a sad one, but then it ended happy which I was pleased about. I felt the main characters deserved a moment of happiness. The flip flopping between happy and sad may be a bit tedious but I liked it.

    As someone who has loved and cared for someone struggling from addiction I also felt there was a touch of relatability in that in a strange way. I hadn’t had that experience 6 years ago so I definitely didn’t pick up on it the first time. More evidence that reading books multiple times at different periods in your life is so beneficial, there’s always more to learn.

    A good, easy read that I would highly recommend.

  • Materialistic or philosophical

    Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

    The greatest gift I ever received was the gift of life and love from my parents.

    Oh look out, there’s a philosophical w*nker about.

    No, the greatest gift I ever received were my wellies. I chose the ones I wanted, they have lasted throughout non stop wear for the last two years and my feet never get wet. Great gift.

  • Patriotic – expressing devotion and vigorous support for one’s country

    Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

    During the world cup, Wimbledon, the Olympics and other sporting events, sure, I’m patriotic.

    I cheer on team GB, England, or the UK side, expressing devotion and support to my country. But I had to Google the dictionary definition of patriotic just to check. The word vigorous was underlined in the definition which I would not describe myself as. I am not a vigorous supporter to the point of violence and I think this emphasis on vigour has possibly been introduced as the word patriotic takes on a more sinister meaning.

    If the question is do you like being a Brit, then yes. I like fish and chips, our sense of humour, walking the dog in the countryside and I believe every problem can be fixed with a cup of tea.

  • Yes, today!

    Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

    I accidentally cut someone up on a roundabout. This isn’t an excuse but I was a bit stressed about something else and didn’t see the car coming. I don’t really enjoy driving and that just made me want to get home even more.

    If I had unlimited amounts of money I’d have a chauffeur.

    If I had a superpower it would be teleportation.

  • The Night Circus (reread #3)

    I remember this taking a while to get into when I read well over 5 years ago.

    But…I remembered it getting better and me being interested in the story. To be honest, I wasn’t really this time round. If it’s not already classified as YA it should be. It was a struggle to not DNF.

    Hey ho, on we go.

  • Never achieved true potential

    If there were a biography about you, what would the title be?

    Does everybody feel like this or is it just me? I’m a teacher and one of my roles is to support students with their plans after school. When I discuss all these exciting things they can be doing I often wish I had done more when I was their age. I feel like I have more to offer this world but no idea how to go about doing it. Incredibly frustrating – any insights anyone?

  • So much more than me

    What were your parents doing at your age?

    Married, had 2 children and owned a hotel.

    I have a house, a job, a boyfriend and a dog.

  • A child’s dream

    Write about your dream home.

    It was a house we lived in briefly when I was younger.

    I loved it. My parents tell me I’m remembering it through rose tinted glasses but I don’t think so. I remember dropping an entire plate of spaghetti bolognese on the floor. It was the best.

  • Share the love

    You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

    Tell my boyfriend, call my dad and hug the dog.

  • It’s not through lack of interest, it’s through lack of time

    Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

    During the pandemic I bought a cheap pottery wheel, a bag of clay, watched 1000 YouTube videos and taught myself how to make pots.

    I have since bought a house, and thus a kiln and a better wheel and I have a pottery studio.

    I love it, I’ve started a very small business, sold pots, made pots for friends, decorated my house with pots.

    Butttt, pottery is fickle and is subject to perfect timing for drying and turning and firing. So finding time in a full time job is hard. I’m not complaining, it is what it is, and if anything I’m grateful I have something creative that I enjoy, even if I have to wait until retirement to do it!