A challenge hosted by Deb, Jo, Sue and Donna. Look no further for your latest recommendations in reading from these wonderful hosts.
What I’ve been reading this month is a real mix of genres. I’ll start with the latest, which was a book club choice.
“Think before you speak. Read before you think.” Fran Lebowitz
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow which I’m sure many of you have seen, read or heard about. This was a Sunday Times best seller two years ago. I was put off initially by the synopsis, as it’s essentially about gaming. I did read that it’s not all about gaming, which is true. There are a lot of chapters about gaming though!
Sam and Sadie meet when they are children in a hospital. While Sam is in recovery from a tragic accident, Sadie is there because her sister is having treatment for cancer. They bond over their love of games. They lose touch for many years but then come together again due to their love of gaming.
I thought it was more for younger adults, but I eventually come to love the story of their friendship and love for each other. Gabrielle Zevin is a fantastic writer and brings to life the different characters throughout the book. Extremely clever book which stayed with me long after I had finished it. 5/5
“IN THE CASE OF GOOD BOOKS, THE POINT IS NOT TO SEE HOW MANY OF THEM YOU CAN GET THROUGH, BUT RATHER HOW MANY CAN GET THROUGH TO YOU.” -Mortimer J. Adler
I have read Kerryn Mayne’s previous book, Lenny Marks gets away with Murder, so was looking forward to reading the new one.
Most of her life Joy, the mother of twins, Andie and Cassie has been lying to them. To explain why they can’t go to school and have friends, she tells them they are from the future. They have to go back on their 21st birthday. Things don’t go as planned because on the day in question, Joy is found dead in the living room armchair.
A quirky book indeed, as we find out by going back in time, what prompted Joy to tell this outrageous lie. It was a fun read, if you suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride. 4/5
“Reading is an exercise in empathy, an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while”. Malorie Blackman
Clare Chambers is one of my favourite authors and I’ve loved all of her books. This book is based on a true story and is quite shocking in some respects.
The story is set in the 1960’s and Helen is working in a psychiatric hospital as an art therapist. She is also having an affair with a handsome married doctor. She has been quite happy about this for many years, until the hidden man came to stay at the hospital. A 37 year old man, called William Tapping, has been found living in a derelict house who hasn’t been outside in decades. This is a beautiful story told from different viewpoints. We go back in time to learn the background of why William was hidden away. Highly recommend 5/5
My featured image is from the library inside Harewood Castle where we spent a night in May this year.
I keep missing this challenge and it’s one that I really enjoy! I have quite few books to post this month because of this. I like to line up a few books when I’m travelling although when I’ve finished a super good read I find it hard to get stuck into a new book. I sometimes wish that the book could go on and on, such is the way that some authors write, reeling you in until you don’t want to leave the house!
Most have one theme in common and that is historical – dating back to the 18th century up to the 20th century.
All the Colours of the Dark – Chris Whitaker – I’ll start with my absolute favourite – perhaps my Book of the Year. “A missing persons mystery, a serial killer thriller, and an epic love story – with a unique twist on each…” – Goodreads blurb
Set in the town of Monta Clare, Missouri from 1976 to 2001, it is about two children who are outsiders – Patch and Saint. Years later a teenage Patch is abducted and kept for almost a year in total darkness but manages to escape. Saint will stop at nothing to find who did it and Patch will almost ruin the rest of his life looking for the voice in the dark who kept him sane during the time he was locked up.
I just adored this story from start to finish and was left breathless with the descriptions of people and places. I love the way this author gets right to the heart of the people he writes about. I am now planning a trip next year to the destination at the end of this book, the descriptions are just beautiful. (No spoilers – you’ll have to read it and find out!). If you’re looking for a new book read this next. 5/5
On the tiny island of Rokesby, Addie helps her mother run a women’s retreat. Dreaming daily of escape, she consoles herself by swimming in the ocean that surrounds them.
On the neighbouring island, joined to Rokesby by a bridge at low tide, Sol has sought refuge at a wind-swept prayer house, grieving both his mother’s death and his father’s devastating betrayal. Alone and anxious, he takes comfort in birdwatching, books and the sounds of the sea. – Goodreads
I enjoyed this gentle story about Adele and Sol and their efforts to try and build a relationship despite their awkwardness with each other. The descriptions of the island are so vivid, it feels as though you are there. Adele can’t seem to get past her fear of commitment and made me feel quite sorry for Sol at times. I did prefer All My Mothers – Joanna Glen’s previous book. 4/4
The Signature of All Things – Elizabeth Gilbert – An enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry’s brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father’s money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. – Goodreads
An epic novel from start to finish. I was amazed that this was the same author who wrote Eat Love Pray – my least favourite book to date!
I just could not put this book down and loved both Henry’s and Alma’s stories equally. There is a fair amount of horticultural description, which I have to admit I skipped over, but the adventures of both father and daughter more than made up for it. Prepare yourself for a long ride with this book, it will keep you entertained for days. 5/5
I was very happy to see that Sara Donati has continued to write about the Bonner/Ballentyne/Savard families. I have followed them faithfully from the 1700s until 1800s. Across oceans and the vast plains of America.
This story sees Carrie Ballentyne, a young midwife make a dangerous and treacherous journey from New York to Mexico where she takes up residence at a doctor’s house. The descriptions of the divide between the Mexicans, Spaniards and Americans are interesting to read, the class divide already starting. Mixed marriages were once readily accepted hundreds of years ago only starting to attract criticism and racism when the English/Americans deemed it unacceptable.
This is a stand alone novel and Sara Donati describes the pitfalls of travellers setting out for a new life with much detail. 5/5
The Secret Mandarin – Sara Sheridan – Desperate to shield her from scandal, Mary’s brother-in-law, the ambitious botanist Robert Fortune, forces her to accompany him on a mission to China to steal tea plants for the East India Company. But Robert conceals his secret motives – to spy for the British forces, newly victorious in the recent Opium War. – Goodreads
I enjoy any book by Sara Sheridan and this was no exception. There is always some element of truth in her books in that some of the characters and events are based on facts. I was intrigued to learn that there was in fact an Englishman who secretly entered China dressed as a mandarin. It seems though that it didn’t get a good rating in Goodreads, except for me! 4/5
The Coast Road – Alan Murrin – A book by an unknown author to me, but after I had read the first few pages I was hooked. I liked his style of writing.
Set in 1994 in County Donegal, it tells the story of two women. Izzy Keaveney, a housewife, and Colette Crowley, a poet. Colette has just returned after leaving her husband for a married man in Dublin. They have two sons together. Izzy is married to the local councillor. It is quite gritty and down to earth, it gives the impression of being at least twenty years earlier. The friendship grows between these two women with Izzy facilitating meetings between Colette and one of her three sons. The husband has banned all contact. An interesting read, but not ultimately uplifting. 4/5
On a beautiful summer’s day, at a remote lake in the middle of Dartmoor, three members of the Fowler family take a dinghy out onto the water, leaving mother Sarah at the shore. Less than sixty seconds later, she checks to see where they are. The boat is drifting in the middle of the lake. It’s empty. – Goodreads
After 8 months and still no word and with the police seemingly no closer to finding any clues, Sarah reaches out to David Raker who immediately takes the case. Working once again with Colm Healy the two of them set out to get to the bottom of this mystery. Raker also hears from Melanie Craw, a voice from the past, about a mystery she wants solved.
I’m sucked in straight away with Tim Weaver’s books and with so many twists and turns he keeps you guessing until the last page. 5/5
This challenge is hosted by Deb, Donna, Sue and Jo. Check out their websites for more books to keep you busy this winter – or by the beach/pool if it’s summer for you.
It’s been quite a while since I posted any reviews of books that I’ve read this year. So I have a very diverse selection for this month. The feature photo is my bookclub hosted by me in my garden. I haven’t reviewed this book The Wakes – Dianne Yarwood, because it was barely 3/5 for me.
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”― Ernest Hemingway
Historical Novels
The Weather Woman – Sally Gardner
The Weather Woman – Sally Gardner – Neva Friezland is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes can be won and lost on the turn of a card. Abandoned by her parents at a very young age, she is adopted by a clockmaker and brought up by him and his housekeeper. She is also born with an extraordinary gift. She can predict the weather. Neva wants to use this gift for the good of the people but who would believe her and a woman at that. I loved this book from start to finish, Sally Gardner is such a talented author and I hope to read more from her. 5/5
The Secrets of Blythswood Square – Sara Sheridan. Set in Glasgow, 1846. Charlotte Nicholl discovers that the fortune she has been bequeathed by her father, is tied up in a secret collection of erotic art. Mortified by this secret when she meets Ellory McHale, a talented working-class photographer newly arrived in Glasgow to set up a photographic studio, she realises she can trust her with this secret. They form a friendship and devise a way of disposing of the art and also keeping Charlotte’s good name. This book has some interesting facts dotted around in the story. Women were meant to be seen and not heard and marry at the earliest opportunity. To forge a career such as Ellory is trying to do is most frowned upon. I always enjoy Sara Sheridan’s books and this was no excpetion. 5/5
Mercury Pictures Presents – Anthony Marra. Like many before her, Maria Lagana has come to Hollywood to outrun her past. Born in Rome, where every Sunday her father took her to the cinema instead of church, Maria immigrates with her mother to Los Angeles after a childhood transgression leads to her father’s arrest. She eventually ends up as a producer in a film studio in Los Angeles. This story is just remarkable and it is not only Maria’s story but all the characters she meets during her life.
Anthony Marra is such a talented writer and although it took me a while to read this I learnt so much about the emigres during WWII in the US. He writes about each character with such depth that you feel you are actually with them. I’m not sure how he comes up with such fantastic metaphors but they make such perfect sense. 4/5
“Think before you speak, Read before you think” Fran Lebowitz
Contemporary Fiction
My Name is Maame – Jessica George. This is the story of Maddie Wright, a young Ghanaian woman who has the world on her shoulders. She is a carer for her Dad as her mum flits back and forth to Ghana to run a hostel. There is a brother who rarely checks in. This is a coming of age story and I was routing for Maddie at every turn as she finally begins to live her life. An easy fun read. 4/5
Ghost Girl, Banana – Wiz Wharton. Set between London 1966 and Hong Kong 1997, it is the story of Sook-Yin being sent to London in 1966 to train as a nurse and of her daughter Lily who returns to Hong Kong in 1997 to find out the mystery of her mother’s death. Lily is notified in 1997 that she has inherited a large sum of money but she must go to Hong Kong to learn about her early life. A page turner from start to finish as we learn the background story of what happened to Sook-Yin. 4/5
This is a monthly challenge hosted by Deb, Jo, Donna and Sue.
Since I have a historical books to share this month I decided to feature a painting of 19th century ladies reading forbidden books. The artist was Alexander Mark Rossi painted in 1897. Historical novels are one of my favourite genres and I love putting my feet up and travelling back in time. Even if you were privileged and had money life was still difficult for a woman, especially so if she couldn’t have children or didn’t conspire to what her husband’s idea of a wife should be.
A rollicking royal romp as described by Goodreads and I totally agree. The story of Lady Augusta and Lady Julia, two 42 year old twin sisters living independently in the 18th century. Lady Augusta is the feisty one and prone to getting herself in all sorts of trouble. After helping a friend out to retrieve some letters from a man in Vauxhall Gardens, they decide to start helping other unfortunate women. In the course of their adventures they meet Lord Evan, an outlaw who has escaped his imprisonment in the colonies. I loved this book and am hoping for a sequel. It wasn’t all polite tea parties and music assemblies I found, there were some very gruesome details thrown in. A very well researched book into women’s lives during this period.
I always enjoy this author’s books and this was no exception. I hadn’t intentionally set out to read two books of a similar theme and was surprised to find references to a terrible practice in the 18th and 19th century in both books. This book features Lady Caroline Corsham who sets out to find the murderer of her dear friend Lucia. She later discovers that Lucia was not in fact a “lady” but a high class prostitute. Lady Caroline enlists the help of “thief-taker” Peregrine Child. Both Lady Caroline and Peregrine Child featured in the earlier book Blood and Sugar. There were many characters in this book and I had to concentrate to remember who was who. I whizzed through the pages and look forward to reading her next when it comes out.
A light story featuring many of Jane Austen’s characters. All of whom I had heard of but couldn’t remember in which story. Very clever how the author intertwined their plot lines throughout the book. I had to use a Jane Austen character website, which was very useful! I did think this was more of a YA story, but then again I don’t know many young adults these days reading Jane Austen type stories.
“The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a house party, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst” – Goodreads
The two youngest guests Juliet Tilney and Jonathon (the oldest son of the Darcy’s) set out to discover who the murder is. An easy and enjoyable read.
What’s on Your Bookshelf is a challenge hosted by Deb, Jo, Donna and Sue every month. If you need any recommendations look no further than these wonderful blogs to find your next riveting read.
It’s time for some great book reviews again, from our lovely hosts, Debbie, Donna, Sue and Jo {And Anyways}. As you can see my feature photo is my iPad – my title should be what’s on your iPad this month!
“Do you read reviews before you read the book?”
I am notorious for doing this if I am unsure about a book. I have read so many brilliant reviews from the professional writers and start reading the book, only to find that it really isn’t as good as stated. So I then go to the readers’ reviews to get a better idea, I’ll plod on if the majority say it gets better, but put it on the DNF shelf if not!
This month I’ve got psychological thrillers and a historical saga written by some new authors for me. I missed last month, so there’s a few here!
This is a good one to start with as it takes place the night before Halloween. I enjoyed this thriller of a ride, but you do have to suspend belief as you travel back in time. I’ll definitely be reading more from Gillian McAllister. 4/5
As Jen watches through the window, she sees her funny, seemingly happy teenage son stab a total stranger. Who the victim is she doesn’t know, only that their lives have now irrevocably changed. The morning after expecting to go back to the police station, Jen sees Ben come out of his bedroom! It is the day before. She realises now she may be able to stop the murder from happening.
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The Other Mothers – Katherine Faulkner
Tash, a failed journalist, searches for a playgroup for her son in one of London’s wealthiest suburbs. She hears of a young nanny that has died in mysterious circumstances and thinks this may be the answer to putting her back in print again, if she can find the answers. Another mystery surrounding affluent and wealthy mothers and their kids. As Tash begins to investigate, she realises she’s very close to finding the answer. Mysterious and compelling. 4/5
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The Stranger in the Mirror – Liv Constantine
I’ve read The Last Mrs. Parrish and thought it was riveting, so I saw this one pop up on my kindle and gave it a go. Set in New Jersey and Boston told from Addison and Julian’s points of view, it is the story of a woman who has lost the last few years of her memory. Quite creepy in parts and I couldn’t wait to finish this book. Who is Addison really? Why does she keep having flashbacks of something terrifying? Who can she trust? Another good read. 4/5
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Stay Buried – Kate Webb
Detective Inspector Matt Lockyer is currently working cold cases in Wiltshire, UK. 14 years ago he put away a woman who is still in jail. Out of the blue she contacts him and asks him to visit. He has always felt guilty about this but at the time was 100% sure he had the right person… but what if he was wrong. I loved this book from start to finish and am waiting for the second in the series. So many red herrings, twists and turns. A wonderful debut. 5/5
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The Torrent – Dinuka McKenzie
An Australian crime thriller, set in Northern New South Wales. Heavily pregnant and a week away from maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is exhausted and counting down the days. But a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant with unsettling connections to her own past, means that her final days will be anything but straightforward. Gripping and on the edge of your seat drama. A brilliant debut from Dinuka McKenzie, hopefully a start to another series. Fantastic descriptive writing that had me hooked. 5/5
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Blood & Sugar – Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Set in 1781 in Deptford, London. An unidentified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark. Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero, later finds out that this was his once great friend, Tad. He determines to find out what had happened to Tad. Graphic in places but well worth reading. About the slave trade between Africa, the Caribbean and England. Although slaves were not allowed in England, slave trading was allowed. There were so many characters in this novel that I did have to keep going back. This is probably better read as a book, because of the maps. It was certainly an eye-opener and there were certain elements that were true to fact. A fantastic historical page turner. 5/5
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So many books now have the same titles, it must be hard for authors to think up new titles that are catchy.
I hope you will enjoy one or a few of the novels I have reviewed for this month.
Once again it’s time to review all the fantastic books we’ve been reading. I’ve read too many samples this month, the joy of having an e-reader and Kindle! There have been a fair few that have had great reviews but were not my cup of tea. I can generally tell within the first chapter if I’m going to like a book or not. I’ve probably become more fussy and it’s so tempting seeing all the brightly coloured covers just waiting to be read.
I have been trying to clear some of the many samples I have downloaded and also the free “Kindle Firsts” that I receive every month for .99p. The following are three new authors for me, which is great news!
This book has been on my TBR shelf for ages now, so I thought it was about time I read it. A police procedural thriller set in Galveston, Texas about a twenty year old murder and a recent one, both with the same modus operandi. Is it a copycat or the same person? Detective Laurie Campbell is put in charge of the new case although she remember the old one too. It’s difficult for her in many ways, the suspect is her father-in-law, who served 16 years for the first murder of his wife. She’s fairly certain he didn’t commit the second though, even if the rest of the community think otherwise. If he didn’t commit the second, did he even commit the first? I enjoyed this book and it kept me guessing throughout, so many red herrings! 4/5
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
The above book was released recently and the cover and title intrigued me immediately, even before I knew what it was about. If you enjoy historical fiction then you will love this book. This is a great romp of a ride through the hierarchy of Georgian England . Full of skullduggery and unscrupulous behaviour. A girl called Red brought up by a fortune-telling father until seven years of age where she has lived life on the road. When her father dies she is brought up by a gentleman scholar and thrust into the realms of high society in Bath and London. She is a great success reading the cards of the Lords and Ladies. It’s only when she get older does the nagging question of who her mother was begins to gnaw away at her. I loved this book and will look for more by this author. 5/5
If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling
Another historical book, but this time set in prohibition Virginia about a girl called Sallie Kincaid. Banished at the age of 8 to live with her aunt, Sallie returns to Claiborne county when her step-mother dies. Such a good story reading about Sallie’s life as a bootlegger, first working for her father “the Duke” and then herself. The author writes vividly of life in these small towns and villages, of lawlessness and conflict. This book is full of secrets and lies and throughout Sallie is trying to work out exactly what happened to her mother. 5/5
It seems I have picked up a theme here about young girls looking for answers about their mothers. Both so very different but living life on their own terms.
This is a challenge hosted by Debbie, Jo, Donna and Sue – if you need ideas or recommendations head along to their websites for some great reads.
This challenge is hosted by Deb, Sue, and Jo. They have some great recommendations this month also.
I’ve got some juicy books for this month. All sorts of genres with page turning twists.
I’ll start with my favourite. Honestly the best book I’ve read in a while. Such a sumptuous satisfying read. It was like a three course meal, starter, main and dessert, with words and phrases just tripping off the tongue. Kate Atkinson is wonderful writer.
Set in 1926 in a London still recovering from the Great War. Focusing on the nightlife and clubs of Soho, peers of the realm rub shoulders with starlets, foreign dignitaries with gangsters and girls selling dances for a shilling a time. At the heart of it all is the notorious Nellie Coker and her six children and the Detective determined to bring her empire crashing down. 5/5
Any book featuring Detective Harry Bosch is always a good read for me. This is the fifth novel in which he pairs up with Detective Renee Ballard. I’ve enjoyed all of these books so far and this one was no exception. I like the interaction between the two. I got the feeling that this may be the last in the series, sadly. 5/5
Weyward is Emilia Hart’s debut novel and it didn’t disappoint.
The story of three women from different times. It starts with Kate in 2019, then flits backwards in time to Altha in 1619 and then forward to Violet in 1942. Weyward Cottage is at the centre of it all and where they all end up living. The connection between these women apart from being related is their ability to commune with nature and animals. They are all fleeing dangerous men. I enjoyed reading about how they exacted revenge! Altha was my favourite character. 4/5
I’ve read most of Louise Candlish’s books and I’m always excited to see when she has written a new one. Her characters are not always likeable and they all have something to hide.
Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in a leafy suburb. He likes to keep to himself and is not the most sociable of men. It’s only when Beth announces the opening of a nature trail that has been disused for decades that things start to fall apart for him. Who is he really and what has be been hiding for years?
The books goes backwards and forwards in time, so it’s hard sometimes to keep track of what is going on. I did read it very quickly as I was determined to find out what Alex’s secret was. 4/5
I saw some great reviews for this book so thought I would give it a go. I wasn’t keen on The Seven Sisters books and I only read one of those. I enjoyed this old fashioned “Who Done It”. The characters are so well written and it wasn’t until towards the end that I guessed.
The story is about a prestigious boarding school in deepest Norfolk. A shocking event that may have been a tragic accident or maybe not. High flying Detective Jazmine Hunter from London is brought in to help local police with their enquiries. 5/5
A good fun read and it would have been the beginning of a good series, but sadly she died at the young age of 56, in 2021. I read somewhere that her son found this book unpublished.
This is another author I haven’t read before and I’m glad I’ve now added her to my list of favourite authors. I wasn’t sure when I first started reading it and wasn’t too keen on Tully and Rachel, but they gradually grew on me.
Tully and Rachel aren’t at all happy when they discover that their father, an eminent surgeon, is about to marry again to a woman half his age. On top of that he’s only just divorced from their beloved mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. Heather the woman in question goes out of her way to win over the two sisters.
A book full of hidden dark secrets, old wounds and shocking discoveries. 4/5
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How do you read your books
I read all of the above books over the course of the last two months. I’ve been using my local library’s app called BorrowBox and downloading them onto my e-reader. Some books come through within days of each other with just two weeks to read them, however you can renew for two weeks. It’s been a real money saver I have to say.
How do you find your next book
I’m an avid book review reader and find most of my books from the magazines I read from the Readly app. I pay around A$11 per month and can read all my favourite magazines and newspapers on this. I always head to the book review page first.
I would be interested to see if anybody has read any of the above books and what they think.
What have I been reading this month? Not a lot, so it’s a combined post of January and February! I seem to have lost my BOJO (not Boris Johnson) but my Book Joy, so I’m looking forward to reading all the other posts linking to this challenge. The challenge is hosted by Deb,Jo, Sue and Donna and being considerable readers themselves will always have plenty of options to choose from.
As usual I’ll start with a Lisa Jewell. The Making of Us (clicking on the photo will take you to Goodreads). I enjoyed this book and it was very different from her other books. Lydia, Dean, and Robyn have lives that are poles apart but each of them, independently, has always felt that something was missing. What they don’t know is that a letter is about to arrive that will turn their lives upside down. It is a letter containing a secret—one that will bind them together and show them what love and family and friendship really mean. 4/5
A Town Called Solace – This story starts with a missing teenage girl. Told from three perspectives, Clara the younger sister, Mrs. Orchard the neighbour who is now in hospital and a stranger Liam who moves into Mrs. Orchard’s house. Such a feel good story, sad moments interspersed with happier ones, of people coming together. I will definitely be reading more of Mary Lawson’s books. 5/5
The Way It is Now – Set in Melbourne, featuring a burnt out police officer, Charlie Deravin, who has been trying to find out for many years what happened to his mother who disappeared many years ago. Quite gripping and a few twists and I was surprised how the ending happened so quickly. 4/5
The Innocent One – When I started reading this I didn’t realise it was a sequel of sorts but set ten years after the first book. Sebastian Croll is back and once again being accused of murder and he reaches out for his old lawyer, Daniel Hunter. Daniel helped prove Sebastian’s innocence before, can he do it again? An intriguing read with many twists and turns, had me gripped to the end. 4/5
Someone Else’s Shoes – I absolutely love Jojo Moyes’ books and this one was no exception. I would say it’s about four women, Sam, Nisha, Jasmine and Andrea who don’t all know each other in the beginning but will eventually meet. It’s also a tale of revenge against the gaslighting men in their lives. Who doesn’t like a story about revenge? A fun easy read. 4/5
This is the last post for the WOYB challenge for the year, hosted by Debbie at Deb’s World, Sue, Donna and Jo.
I have a few to bring to the table, you’ve probably guessed that another Lisa Jewell will be there.
The story of two men and two women. A missing man and a man who’s missing his memory. Lily has only been married three weeks when her husband disappears. Alice looks out of her window one cold rainy morning and sees a man on the beach, he is still there at the end of the day. This is another wonderful story by Lisa Jewell, keeping me hooked until the very end. 4/5
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This book intrigued me because of all the wonderful reviews it had. It popped up as a recommendation on my Kindle notifications. It is such a simple story but so beautifully written. A great Christmas read if you are looking for something to get you over the holidays. It’s about a man called Bill Furlong who is married with four daughters. Set in a small Irish town in 1985 (although it seemed like it was 1965!). It also features the Magdalen Laundries once again, such an inhumane and cruel time in history. You will be humbled and eternally grateful for what you have in your life once you read this book. 5/5
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I read this on the recommendation of Debbie and thoroughly enjoyed it. I won’t review it as you can read Debbie’s review and many others. Easy fun read. 4/5
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Another fantastic read by Eve Chase. Set on the Cornish coast and having two time-lines. Half sisters Lauren, Flora, and Kat are summoned to the Cornish house where they spent their childhood summers by their father, two hiding a secret. A few twists along the way but had me gripped until the end. 4/5
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🎄 Until next year everyone, and I hope you receive many wonderful books under the tree 🎄
Another month and another shelf full of books, for some anyway. I have plenty on my “virtual” bookshelf, but this month only managed to read three books. Plenty of samples, maybe for the future. Which brings us to Debbie’s question of what makes a book a good read? For me it would have to be dialogue, because I can picture a clear image, even if the dialogue is in the person’s head. There are so many books around these days and a lot seem to be following the same procedure, especially the psychological thrillers. I also enjoy books with a historical background about minor figures, but who still have a story to tell. Anyway I digress, here goes with my three. You’re probably seeing a pattern here with two more from Lisa Jewell.
This is the story of Leah and Toby, who for years have lived opposite each other but have never actually met. Until one fateful day when a lodger from Toby’s house passes away on the street while Leah is walking by. It is about all the lodgers that have passed through Toby’s house and how Toby and Leah reach out to one another. I really enjoyed the plot of this story, I suppose you know what happens in the end, but I loved getting to know all the different characters in this book. A great feel good story. 4/5
Strangely similar book, about two people finding each other. The story of Vince and Joy through the years, crossing paths but never connecting. I felt this book was overly long, I still enjoyed it because I love the way she writes. It did get better further into the book. She’s my go to author when I can’t find anything to read. 3/5
The story of Avery Chambers who is a therapist and has lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counselling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods.
When Marissa and Matthew Bishop, a seemingly perfect couple, glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.
I loved this book, although I didn’t particularly like any of the characters! It was so intriguing and I didn’t guess right until near the end the twist. I’ve read their previous books and they’ve all been brilliant. 5/5
For a change I am reading an actual book! It’s for our book club and was given to me by one of the ladies whose step-daughter wrote it. No Country for Girls by Emma Styles which I’ll be reviewing for next month. Also at the same time I’ve got John Grisham’s new one The Boys from Biloxi.
