What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey: review.

I think this is a really good book to read in these times of uncertainty. It is divided into eight parts: Resilience, Connection, Gratitude, Possibility, Awe, Clarity and Power. In each part, Oprah gives insights on how to enjoy the present moment, overcome difficulties and live a better life.

Many people may argue that from her position as a powerful woman it's quite easy to give advice, however, she didn't get there overnight and she certainly had to overcome many obstacles.

I found the book full of hope and simple but useful pieces of advice. My favourite quotes are:

When you choose to see the world as a classroom, you understand that all experiences are here to teach you something about yourself.

As women we've been programmed to sacrifice everything in the name of what is good and right for everyone else. Then if there's an inch left over, maybe we can have a piece of that. We need to reprogram ourselves.

She also mentions several times in her novel the importance of gratitude and the need to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who is in need of some encouraging words because Oprah's words will certainly make you feel at least a little bit better.

New Gundam in Yokohama

Fans of robots and lovers of the city of Yokohama will soon enjoy a huge 18 metres tall moving Gundam in Yamashita Pier. The grand opening has been rescheduled for October 2020.

A Midsummer's Equation by Keigo Higashino: opinion.

This is so far my favourite book by Keigo Higashino. Perhaps because of the location, a coastal town with wonderful views, or because of the characters a curious preteen and his family. The role Detective Galileo played seemed to be more compassionate than in other books as well.
The mystery in this novel is slowly unravelled and the reader will find it as intriguing and complex as in Higashino's previous novels.
It is all in all a very nice summer read.

The Invincible Summer of Junniper Jones by Daven McQueen: review.

What a wonderful book! Memorable, heart-breaking and enlightening. I think it's one of the best books I have ever read. A novel that should be mandatory in every school all over the world because racism, unfortunately, is universal. Although it is set almost seventy years ago, some of the situations depicted in the book are still common in many places and the way some people think hasn't changed much.
This is a story about friendship, love, hate and what it means to have a different skin colour in a narrow-minded society.
Juniper Jones a cheerful girl who thinks root beer floats are the best drinks known to man makes friends with the new boy in town who believes that he can't walk down the street without feeling like every single person wants to point a gun hat his head and pull the trigger because of the colour of his skin. Together they spend an invincible summer, probably the best and worst summer of their lives.

I recommend this book to people who have never suffered racism, people who think that it no longer happens or that it will never happen to them because it is a real eye-opener and when you read about the  monsters in white you will feel they are coming for you too no matter what colour you are.

Soil Humidity Sensor for Brown Thumbs

After having drowned several plants, I finally came across a very useful tool for brown thumbs like me: a soil humidity sensor.
You just have to stick it in the soil and read the information on the meter, you will immediately know whether you the plant needs watering or not.
I've tried it with several plants including my new lavender one and it really works. I hope this helps me to keep them alive longer.