This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
When sheโs not knitting, running around backstage at a local drama production or chatting away about books over wine with her bookclub, Frances is reading and reviewing delicious new novels on her book blog Reviewed by Fran. Today, weโre having a peek at her TBR pile (while trying not to steal her Dib Dab). Over to you, Fran.

Once I had agreed to show you all around my bedroom, panic set in. I donโt have children so I canโt blame mess on them, and I donโt think I can blame my husband for everything so here it goes, my bedside table…
Where do I start? We moved into our new house last September. After living in fully-furnished accommodations previously, we didnโt have much furniture to call our own. An eventful trip to Ikea soon changed that with the purchase of wardrobes that are far too big for the bedroom and matching bedside tables. I am very proud to say that I assembled the flat-pack bedside tables all by myself. I even used a hammer, which Iโm sure delighted our new neighbours.
What is on my bedside table (now I have really studied it for your visit) really does say a lot about me. The magazines are my attempt at being girly โ I do love to get my hands on Glamour magazine once a month. Bedside that, youโll see my Book Bloggerโs Notebook. I have started scheduling and writing everything to do with my blog down in this little jotter. My blog has suddenly become crazy โ there are lots of things going on and, as I have a problem with saying no to fantastic opportunities when it comes to my blog, I was struggling to keep track. The calendar you see propped up was my husbandโs way of giving me a kitten for Christmas.The books currently on my bedside table are a mixture of titles I have loved so far this year and some that are yet to be read. Iโm usually to be found reading chick lit, but thanks to the book blogging world, my eyes have been opened to other genres.
Iโm currently reading The Whitehall Mandarin by Edward Wilson (Arcadia). I cannot wait to write my review for this one! The books that I have already read are Summer at the Lake by Erica James and Gifted and Talented by Wendy Holden. The other two novels you see in the pile, which are yet to be read, are The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon and The Fan by Danny Rhodes.
Thereโs my Kindle, too โ I honestly donโt know how many books I have on there! It is tucked away in its Cath Kidston case. Iโm slightly obsessed with anything Cath Kidston. I have so many CK bags, purses and mugs amongst other things, all of which were presents from my lovely family and friends. Iโm also in love with the Soap and Glory products thanks to an amazing friend who bought me some of the companyโs beautiful potions last year after a short stay in hospital. I especially love the smell of the Hand Food hand cream, which is always to be found on my nightstand. I wear contact lenses during the day, so my glasses are always on my bedside table as my vision is so bad I canโt see anything without them.
The spare change is a mystery; I never have any change in my purse, so I now know where it all is. The TV remote is always on my side of the bed as my husband refuses to have it on his. The ear plugs are also husband related. Iโm sure you can guess why I need those. Ahem. I also have a bottle of Olbas Oil on hand at the moment as I have woman flu and canโt breathe!
Finally, thereโs a Dib Dab. Iโm not a chocolate person, so I suppose the Dib Dab is my version of chocolate for those times in need of something sweet, especially when youโre tucked up in bed with a good book.
The only negative about my bedside table is that itโs not big enough. I always need more room for books!
Thanks, Frances!
If youโd like to share your bedside table with Novelicious readers, drop kerry@writingtipsoasis.com a line for some guidelines.
