Best book, movie and TV couples

This topic from Long and Short Reviews was an interesting one. I don't tend to pay a lot of attention to couples in books, films or TV shows. However, when I thought about it, I did remember some which I had always liked, although whether anyone would agree with me is open to question.

The Amber Spyglass - Baruch and Balthamos. A pair of male angels from His Dark Materials who are a perfectly imperfect couple, balancing Baruch's tender nature with Balthamos's sarcasm.

The Conjuring - Ed and Lorraine Warren. Portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, these created a loving relationship that I completely bought into throughout the film as they used their individual skills to hunt ghosts.

Star Trek: Voyager - Seven of Nine and Chakotay. This only cropped up near the end of the series, but it was lovely to watch former Borg Seven of Nine in her first relationship.

And I couldn't finish without mentioning Azure and Liam Wilder from my novel Photograph. Despite their twenty-year age gap these two are perfect for each other in every way.

So who are your favourite book, TV and film couples?

A new hobby I'm trying

This topic from Long and Short Reviews was tricky at first, because none of my goals for 2020 involved trying a new hobby. However, in the last day or two I came up with something I do intend to try.

Cooking.

As a rule, I don't cook - I heat. Nearly everything I eat comes out of a box. I have been known to burn water. However, my local supermarket has stopped selling the stuffed peppers I really liked, so I've been looking online for recipes and have decided to try making some.

Which led to me deciding to try one new recipe a month.

How well this will go is open to question, but I'm planning to stick to things I think I can actually do - there will be no sign-ups for the Great British Bake Off in this house. I am considering buying an ice-cream maker though, if I can convince myself it won't go like the rice cooker and end up sitting in a box under the sink for years.

So what hobbies are you working on?

Books I can't wait to read in 2020

This prompt from Long and Short Reviews was an easy one, as I always have a list of pre-orders on Amazon at any given time, not to mention books I bought with gift cards over Christmas. I have three books in particular that I'll be diving into as soon as possible.

Ghost Hunting for Dummies - Zak Bagans. I know, I know, stop laughing. I got into this sort of paranormal book when I was writing "I Heard Your Voice" and its sequel, so when I saw Zak had a new one out, I couldn't resist.

The Mirror and the Light - Hilary Mantel. I wasn't a huge lover of "Wolf Hall", but I found "Bring Up The Bodies" much more enjoyable, so I'm looking forward to rounding off the trilogy as soon as this comes out.

Miss Austen - Gill Hornby. This one's due on the 23rd, and is all about Cassandra Austen discovering secrets from Jane's hidden letters. I can't wait.

So what are you looking forward to reading?

My goals for 2020

It's a new year, and a time when everyone starts making resolutions and goals which they don't stick to - a major reason why I choose the goals I do, because I've met me and I know I'll never stick to attending a gym or doing Weight Watchers. The goals I've set for this year are, for me, considerably more realistic.

Read one new book and watch one new film a month. This is one I do every year and haven't failed yet - in fact I generally manage many more than this, but I aim at one per month at the very least.

See as many Shakespeare plays as I can. I have tickets to several this year and am keeping my eyes open for more.

Try one new food a month. This is a new one, but should be easy enough to keep. I love trying new foods and have managed two already. I have, however, had to promise my husband not to do this in restaurants, as he hates it when I leave things on my plate.

Write at least two new stories. I've struggled to keep writing goals lately so am determined to finish the two I've been kicking around for the last few months.

So what are your goals for 2020?