Tag: Books

~ What’s On Your Bookshelf – January 2026 ~

It’s been a while since I contributed to this challenge hosted by Debbie @ Deb’s World, so with the new year just started I am once again joining in.

If you read Debbie’s post and I urge you to do so for some great recommendations, you will realise what a prolific reader she is. I like to think of myself as an avid reader and try to read two or three a month.

I have four to share this month, but I’ll come clean as some are from December also.

I was trying to clean up the virtual bookshelf on my iPad and either delete some old samples or get on with reading them.

So it was with this book, a fairly old one by Lisa Jewell that I hadn’t realised was unread.
“Melville Heights is one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Bristol, England. It’s not the sort of place where people are brutally murdered in their own kitchens. But it is the sort of place where everyone has a secret. And everyone is watching you. Tom Fitzwilliam, the local headmaster is beloved by one and all, including Joey Mullen, his new neighbour. Joey and her new husband have just moved in with her brother and his wife. Her obsession is taking over her life.” – Taken from Goodreads.
I read this in about two days and couldn’t put it down. Another great book from Lisa Jewell.

This author is fairly new to me and this is the second book by Liz Moore I’ve read. It’s hard to believe this book was written in 2016 as it deals with what is now ChatGPT and AI. Starting in 1980 and ending up in 2009 with flashbacks to 1920, 1940 and 1950. The story focuses on David and Ada Sibelius. David is a single father to Ada. He works in a computer science lab and Ada is “home-schooled”. He teaches her what he thinks is necessary. Years later when David is diagnosed with Alzheimers, his secrets come to light. This was a fantastic read, such a beautiful story and kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend.

Michael Connelly is a favourite author of mine and this is his latest offering. Mickey Haller leaves criminal court behind for his first civil lawsuit. Coincidentally this book is also about AI and the moral and ethical dilemmas that go with it. Jack McEvoy is also a key player in this book. I like it when Michael Connolly brings characters together. This is still a gripping court room drama as he goes head to head with the powerful tech companies.

An excellent if harrowing read – not for the faint hearted. The story starts in 1987 with Cora and her small daughter, Maia, walking to register the new baby’s name.
“Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerged. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, believing it will enable him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image – but is there still a chance to break the mould?“ Amazon
Quite stressful to read in parts but I still loved it and gave it 5/5 on Goodreads. Does Bear/Julian/Gordon try to live up to their name or escape from it? I enjoyed reading the different storylines. It is my book choice for book club this month and it will invoke much discussion.

A footnote here about What’s Been on My Screen.

The Night Manager – Series Two.

I’ve only watched two episodes so far. Maybe not as good as the first series and a tad overdramatic. But I will keep on watching, as Olivia Colman is in it.

HiJack – Series Two

One episode in and I’m already confused! But anything with Idris Elba in it I will watch. This series involves an underground train in Berlin. Hoping for clarification in the next episode!

Song, Sung, Blue – Cinema

Not technically on my screen but at the local cinema. I just loved this film. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson deserve oscars, as does the screenplay and music. I had a vague idea before seeing it, I knew it wasn’t about Neil Diamond himself, just the music. A truly wonderful uplifting film.

~ What’s On Your Bookshelf – October ~

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

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📚What’s On Your Bookshelf – April 2024 📚

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.

What’s On Your Bookshelf – January 2024

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.

~ What’s on Your Bookshelf – August 2023 ~

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!

The Running Girls

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 Square of Sevens


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 

Hang The Moon

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.

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~ What’s On Your Bookshelf – July 2023 ~

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” ~ Anna Quindlen

I’m way behind with my bookshelf challenge and so this is a collection of my favourite books over the last few months.

In a Thousand Different Ways
In a Thousand Different Ways

This book gripped me from the first page, beautifully written. About Alice, who knows what people are thinking and feeling just from the colours that surround them. Keeping to herself as she suffers from all these different emotions pouring from them. A 5/5 from me.

The Good Sister - Sally Hepworth
The Good Sister

Twin sisters Fern and Rose have a very close relationship, Rose looks out for Fern all the time. Fern struggles with daily life and lives to a very strict schedule as any disruption can send her into spirals. Lots of twists and turns, a page turner. 4/5

The Bandit Queens - Parini Shroff
The Bandit Queens

I loved this book. A bit of a black comedy in some ways. So many funny one-liners. There is domestic abuse and inter-racial elements so may not suit everyone. It’s all about friendship though and how women band together and start to stand up for themselves. The Bandit Queen herself is a true story but it’s not about her, but about Geeta who takes inspiration from her. 5/5

Billy Summers - Stephen King
Billy Summers

Saving the best till last. Don’t be put off by the author, this is not a horror story. Billy Summers is a gun for hire, but only for truly bad people. It’s about his attempt to give up his life of crime and the people he meets along the way. A love story, but not a romance. About new friendships and old. Quite sad when this book ended. I hope he writes more like this. 5/5

All links take you to Goodreads

This challenge is hosted by Deb, Sue, Jo and Donna. Thanks to these ladies for finding new books for us avid readers.

What’s On Your Bookshelf – April 2023

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’s On Your Bookshelf ~ February 2023

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.

The Making of Us
A Town Called Solace
The Way It is Now

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

My Year in Books – 2022

I came across this challenge the other day first from Mari’s Travels which was linked to Cathy at 746 Books. Answer the following prompts using only books you have read this year (2022). Try not to repeat a book title; here goes;

Photo by Parth Shah on Pexels.com

In high school I was taught Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

People might be surprised by The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks

I will never be The Innocent One – Lisa Ballantyne

My fantasy job is The Secret Keeper of Jaipur – Alka Joshi

At the end of a long day I need Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

I hate being in The Birdcage – Eve Chase

Wish I had Fresh Water for Flowers – Valerie Perrin

My family reunions are like The People on Platform 5 – Clare Pooley

At a party you’d find me with Vince and Joy – Lisa Jewell

I’ve never been to 31 Dream Street – Lisa Jewell

A happy day includes – All the Children are Home – Patry Francis

Motto I live by The Way It is Now – Garry Disher

In my next life, I want to have – A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting – Sophie Irwin

It was great fun doing these and not as easy as it looks. If you feel like joining in, the link is at the start.

Happy Reading for 2023

    What’s on your Bookshelf – December 2022

    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 🎄