My 40th Birthday!

Today I have a slightly different post for you as it’s my 40th Birthday!

I don’t usually like my Birthday and hideaway, but unlike many people who dread it, I have been looking forward to turning 40. I’ve had a rough couple of years with my beloved Nan dying, Covid causing a mental work schedule, moving house, and some ongoing medical issues. That doesn’t sound too much when I read it back, and there were indeed some exciting times, but it was much more than it sounds!

So, turning forty feels like a big step into a beautiful new world. They say that life begins at 40, and I hope this is the case for me. I feel so much more focused on what I want to achieve, I have some new dreams that I have already started to work on, and I already had a fantastic meal out with family for my Birthday last weekend.

This weekend, I am going for a special meal with my husband and children this evening, followed by a couple of nights away, being spoilt, at one of our favourite hotels, just my husband and I. To say I can’t wait would be an understatement!

On Saturday, I plan to venture to a new bookstore I want to visit in Penarth, Griffin Books; though I doubt I will buy anything, I certainly shouldn’t as I have a massive TBR mountain that keeps growing almost by itself and a fantastic birthday present from everyone.

I don’t need or want anything for my Birthday, and so many people want to buy something special, especially after being so unwell, for my special Birthday. So instead of anything significant or expensive, I have asked everyone I know to give me a book. There are some vague rules…

The instruction

I sent all my family and friends who usually buy me a gift a short message. `For my 40th Birthday, I would like a physical copy of one of your favourite books, with a message inside from you. This can be any book, hardcover, softcover, old, new, adults, children’s, the middle of a series, anything. It must be a book you have read and loved, though. It doesn’t need to be one you think I will read; I do hope to read them all, but as much as anything, it will be a sentimental gift I can keep and cherish forever,’

It has caused a lot of questions on which books would be acceptable. The thing is, they are all perfect. So there are no actual rules as long as I own a copy and can keep it (hopefully legally!!!)

The excitement

Some have bought me some additional gifts, which I am also excited to open, and a couple have sent books from my Amazon Wishlist, but I am most excited by the new book collection.

I can’t wait to share what I get with you all. Watch out for another post shortly on how it went!

My only issue now is to work out where I can fit in a new bookcase (which I need already!), so I can store them all together and admire them until I can read them all.

Have you ever done anything similar to this for a birthday before? I would love to hear your stories if you have any!

Enjoy celebrating my special Birthday on my behalf, go and have a drink for me,
With love
Jody
xoxo