Currently Reading November 2019

Hallowseveathon 2019

Short October Reading Vlog

DNF's So Far This Year 2019

• An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

I unfortunately not invested in the characters or the story of this book. I didn't the characters relatable or interesting and ultimately found it boring. As a result, didn't want to pick it up.

• Lolita 

This started brilliantly, although the content is difficult and I was fascinated in the inner workings of the mind of a paedophile. Though later on, I did get bored of his ramblings when he was wanting to be closer to his Lolita. 

• A Nursmaids Secret

I did enjoy the characters and what I'd read of the book so far into it. Being such a slow-burning audiobook It peetered out my interest at about 300 pages.

September Wrap Up 2019

Why Mummy Doesn't Give A F*$k | Review

July Wrap Up 2019

The Reading Rush | Vlog 2019

July Reading Vlog 2019

June Wrap 2019

Currently Reading June 2019

What I'm Currently Reading | June 2019

First thing's first, my first read so far is Why Mummy Drink, and I'm loving it. It's funny and shows off just how life is with children in the real world. To be honest, though I'm not surprised to know why mummy drinks.

The second book is Shadowmagic by John Lenahan, which is a middle-grade fantasy story which has Connor a teenager who's dad is on the eccentric side. A dad who teaches him Ancient Greek and Gaelic, and how to fight with a sword. He ends up transported into an unfamiliar land called Tir Na Nog, where Conner makes some new friends, has a teenage crush and embarks on a quest to try and get back home.  I'm currently listening to the podcast on Librivox, which is a free app and service on Android and Apple.

The third book is called The Language Of Kindness by Christie Watson, who tells us all about her training as a mental health nurse. Going from a mental health hospital to the maternity wards to see the miracles and most devasting things of life. It makes you happy, proud, emotional and ugly cry (and by cry I mean you want to sob so much your nose runs).

I highly look forward to reading all three and see what journey they take me on.

Short June Vlog 2019

*Review* Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel

Of course, I loved the story like all of her other books. She knows how to get you invested in the characters and the story that they tell. You will love them, feel terrible and completely understand them.

It's a very character driven book, like her first two. It has brilliant imagery of Brighton Pier. I think because I live in a seaside town I can easily smell the seaweed, taste the vinegar and feel the sand in my feet. Because of this, I found it to be an easy, yet emotional read.

The writing is always brilliant, Ruth quickly hooks you into the book within a few pages, making it a very quick read.

I loved Tilly, her storyline as a child was very sweet and I loved her innocence and complete acceptance of everything around her. Though the questions she has with her childhood curiosity was hysterical.

At first, you will dislike the mother, as all you see is what Tilly sees and understands. Though later on in the book you understand her a little more, without forgetting what she's done you can pity her.

I loved Queenie and her staff, they were eccentric and made the hotel feel homely and safe for Tilly. They gave the story a little extra something that made me love it more.

I gave this 4 stars on Goodreads and highly recommend.

May Wrap Up 2019

May Reading Vlog 2019

Sexcretary By Bella Bondia

18 + Book Review!

The Plot was well paced and I found this short story to be an extremely quick read. The story was great and well thought out and well written. I found it realistic and entertaining.

The dialogue was realistic and made the story easier to read and helped the book be as good as it could be.

I really liked Jen, she seems a nice character with a reasonable head on her shoulders, apart from her desire for a lover she shouldn't have. She was fleshed out and likeable character. I thought she was relatable with her work in regards to wanting to do well and wanting to move on to something more challenging, even though she loves what she does.

I enjoyed her interaction with Axel, her boss. It was realistic and even during the erotica (essentially soft-porn), he seems really nice. His emotions and actions at the end I think are understandable and as a reader can fully understand why he seems in two minds about Jen and what he should do next. Therefore
realistic in his approach.

I gave this 5 stars on Goodreads and can't recommend it enough.

Come Rain Or Shine By Kazuo Ishoguro

*Spoilers Ahead*

The plot at the beginning was promising, starting with Ray reminiscing about university with Emily and later on including Charlie too. This quickly changed though as I was losing interest by 30 pages in and this says a lot as It's only a 70-page short story.

I found the dialogue to be snippy and confusing throughout, especially with Charlie while travelling. I don't think it helped the story improve all that much.

At first, I found Ray interesting and actually really nice, but by the mid-way point, I thought he was a bit thick. Reading it though, I think he regrets not taking his chances on Emily (relationship wise) while they were still at university.

I found Emily to be rude and condescending throughout the story too, telling Ray he was useless despite him telling her he has his shit together. She wasn't having any of his explanations telling her he was ok.

Charlie took full advantage of Rays visit by trying to help him fix his marriage. I dislike that Ray was made to look dysfunctional and like a lesser man than Charlie to make him look a better person, even though Ray was doing just fine, but just wasn't as successful as his so-called friend.

This book is meant to show the complexity of friendship, but I honestly just show a group of somewhat dysfunctional people being mean to someone they call a friend.

Out of a 5* rating system on Goodreads, I can only give this book 1*.

March Wrap Up 2019

• The Chalk Man by C.J Tudor 5*

I loved this, I enjoyed the perspective of Eddie as an adult in the present day and as a child with his gang during the summer of 1986, all while a young lady had been murdered.

• An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena 4*

This one is like a modern-day Agatha Christie, where there are deaths at a hotel. It kept me mesmerized and thoroughly entertained. 

• Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire by J.K Rowling 5*
• A Purge Of Nature by Bella Forrest 5*
• A Birth Of Fire by Bella Forrest 5* 
• A Breed Of Elements by Bella Forrest 4*

February Wrap Up 2019

• Alias Grace - Margret Atwood (4*)

I was intrigued by this and found it fascinating. 

• The Last Hedgehog - Pam Ayres (4*)
• Killing Floor - Lee Child (4*)

I enjoyed this one a lot, it was fast-paced and very enjoyable.

January Wrap Up 2019

• Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (5*)

Of course, I loved this like I always do when I re-read or use the audiobook.

• The Diary Of A Bookseller - Shaun Bythell (4*)

Very interesting read and surprisingly funny.

December Wrap Up 2018

• Christmas With Billy And Me (5*)

This is a super cute one, always love reading this. 

• Saga Volume 9 (5*)

Damn! This was amazing and broke my little heart at the end. I mean how could they leave the ending like that and leave for a year before writing some more? I'm broken and it's not ok.

• A Shade Of Vampire 67 (4 *)

2019 Book tube Goals

• Keep Writing reviews/ video reviews.

I have been getting better at the video ones and want to keep doing that. 

• Read spontaneously 

Read as and when I feel like it, don't pressure myself into reading too much, especially books I'm not liking.

• Borrow more library books. 

Although I have done this several times in 2018, I think I could do more of this and borrow more in 2019.

• Read 25 books

I have easily done this the past 3 years and should find this easy enough to accomplish 

Disapointing books I Read In 2018

• When The Curtain Falls - Carrie Hope Fletcher

This book wasn't as good as her other works. The plot wasn't as good for part of the book. Though one perspective worked better than the other and was written better.

• Carve The Mark - Veronica Roth 

I don't remember much of this book to be honest and have had to look at my review to help me write this. I didn't like it and the only thing I liked was the skyships in the book. 

Christmas Book Haul 2018

• The Chalk Man - C.J Tudor
• The Diary Of A Bookseller - Shaun Bythell
• Saga Volume 9 - Brian K Vaugh 
• An Unwanted Guest - Shari Lapena 
• an Absolutely Remarkable Thing - Hank Green
• Hotbloods (audiobook) - Bella Forrest 
• Alias Grace (audiobook) - Margret Atwood