This month's blog post from me is inspired by our book club and the book we read for
September and October: Mr Penumbra's 24 hour book store.  I really liked this book, it was magical in the way only books about books can be.  I also really liked the theme of fellowship and friendship.

I really loved Anna's collage sheet that focused on her favourite quotes from the book and it got me thinking about my favourite.

I thought this one summed up the magic of the book for me:

"There is no immortality that is not built on friendship and work done with care.  All the secrets in the world are hiding in plain sight."

I knew I wanted my page to represent the magic of the book and so I decided to paint a universe with watercolours, as we are led to believe the secrets to the universe are held in the bookstore and in the codes.  I then drew my representation of the symbol used by The Unbroken Spine (this is a great name for a book society!) and added the second part of the quote to it.

I really enjoyed stretching myself for this art journal page - I don't usually make art based on books I've read but I think I'm going to try and do it each month for the book club.

Don't forget to check out Anna's Patreon which includes all of Anna's beautiful collage sheets including these gorgeous pages as well as art tutorials. You can find more of my art here, on my blog, or on Instagram.

Book Review: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Bitten: Number 1 in series (Otherworld)

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Orbit (6 May 2010)
ISBN: 978-1841499185

From the back:

I've been fighting it all night. I'm going to lose ... Nature wins out. It always does.'

Elena Michaels didn't know that her lover Clay was a werewolf until he bit her, changing her life forever. Betrayed and furious, she cannot accept her transformation, and wants nothing to do with her Pack - a charismatic group of fellow werewolves who say they want to help.

When a series of brutal murders threatens the Pack - and Clay - Elena is forced to make an impossible choice. Abandon the only people who truly understand her new nature, or help them to save the lover who ruined her life, and who still wants her back at any cost.

My Review:

My friend gave me this book along with a pile of others she no longer wanted. I have to admit that I put this to the bottom of the pile thinking that I wouldn't be interested in it. I have no idea why, just that I didn't think it would float my boat as it were.

I have never been that fascinated with warewolves, vampires yes, warewolves no. I don't know why either, I guess that haven't been romanticised quite as much as vampires have I suppose. I always think it is wrong to enter into a book with negative thoughts, you know the "I'm not sure if this is my thing but I will give it a try anyway" yet I still do and obviously this is why it was lurking on my shelf for a while. I am making a determined effort to read what I have before I buy any more books and wanting something to read I picked this up. At the time I started reading this, I was daily vlogging and also posted a couple of photos of the book on instagram to be met with comments from many people saying that they loved the book and thoroughly enjoy Kelley Armstrong's work. The more I saw these comments, the more I wanted to press on with the book.

So what did I think. Well I have to say I did thoroughly enjoy it. It wasn't super gripping but enough to make me want to keep on reading to find out what happened, even though I kinda new what the end result was going to be. I liked the take on the warewolves not actually being 'bad guys' and I really liked the relationship development between the pack. I am not a massive feminist but I did really like the concept of the World's only female warewolf. This is something that I had never thought of before but I did like the way that this was woven into the story and that she was just as much needed as the male brothers. I sometimes think that this can be overworked into a plot but I think that the balance of female empowerment in a mans World was just right and added to the story rather than taken away. Other elements of the book that I really enjoyed are Elena's battle with does she let the warwolf side of her take over or does she try and focus more on her human side, can the two sides of her co-exist? There are some nicely woven in issues surrounding identity, denial and self acceptance and again this was very well handled.

I didn't realise that this was the first in a series, the way it is written to me it could quite happily be a stand alone book. I did really enjoy this book and now that I know it is a series I have put the 2nd on my wish list but I am not in a desperate hurry to go and read it. Should I be? Please let me know if you have read it and think that I should prioritise this read.

Book Review - A Season to Remember

A Season to Remember
Author: Sheila O Flanagan
Publisher: Headline Review (27 Oct 2011)
ISBN: 978-0755375172

From the back cover:

An enchanting collection of warm, poignant and Christmas-themed stories from Sunday Times bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan.

In this wonderful collection of interlinked short stories Sheila O'Flanagan brings her own trademark sparkle to Christmas - a time when friends, families and lovers traditionally come together and when every person is hoping their wishes will come true...

My Review:

I like to read a Christmassy, heart warming story in the run up to Christmas, it just helps me to get in the mood. I like to just get all cosy and settle down with the twinkly lights on and read a festive book, I don't normally mind which one.

A Season to Remember appealed to me as it is a collection of stories with a running theme. The theme is that it is set at Christmas (obviously) and that the people involved in the stories are all staying in the Sugar Loaf Lodge.

I have to say that I both enjoyed this book and also didn't enjoy it. I know that sounds a bit on the odd side but let me explain. I loved that the way it is written is all snuggly and cosy and makes you want to block out the rest of the world and just get nestled into the book. For me that certainly filled the brief and the objective. That is exactly what I wanted to do and exactly what I got! It was a nice and pleasant read. You didn't have to think too hard about it at all which was just perfect, you could concentrate on just enjoying the story. Thing is I found some of the stories a little disappointing. Some of them were just a bit too short and I was left wanting a bit more. I also got a little fed up in some ways of waiting for the book to 'get going'. I was constantly waiting for the climax. Maybe I shouldn't have thought like that, maybe I should have just taken it as it was and just gone with the flow. I think I have read one too many 'dramatic books' with lots of action that I was just waiting for the crunch point whereas I should have just enjoyed it for the story that it was maybe?

All in all though I did enjoy it for the snuggly read that it was!

Book Review - The Map to Adventure

The Map to Adventure
Author: Rebecca Taylor
ISBN: 978-1502882240
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (20 Oct 2014)

From the back:

When Amelia and Max find a tattered map in an old book in the library, their lives will be changed forever. Embark on an epic fantasy adventure treasure hunt through a land of mystery and suspense filled with fantasy creatures and an adventure quest the two children will never forget. For the two unusual children, Amelia and Max, who hang out in the library when everyone else is playing in the sunshine outside, the adventure and mystery begins when Amelia finds a dusty old book about pirates that just happens to contain a map to some secret, hidden treasure – and it just so happens the trail starts right there in the library. When they find the old bookcase marked with the sign of the Oak Tree, the children’s fantasy comes to life, and they find themselves facing mystery and suspense in the forest of enchantment. With the help of an owl named Oliver and many more fantasy creatures, the pair begin their adventure quest, never once turning aside from the treasure hunt despite the danger that dogs their footsteps.

Through the Forest of Enchantment and the bleak Fire Mountains to the border of a great freshwater lake they trek, and discover an underwater cave that leads them to a bay where mermaids and murderous pirates roam. Now, the adventure and mystery of the treasure map is not the only problem they must overcome, but will their determination be enough? And what about this prophecy the mermaids spoke of, the one concerning Amelia and her title of ‘chosen one’?

A children’s fantasy adventure like no other, ‘The Map to Adventure’ will lead you on a magical journey through the realms of the imagination and leave you wanting more.

My Review:

I was asked if I could review this book and given a copy of it by the author in return for an honest review. I do really enjoy reading children's fiction, mostly the ones that everyone has read like Harry Potter, Inkheart etc and I love them but I haven't read many children's books of late and I have certainly never written a review of them. The review part is where I struggle a little as I don't think you can review a children's book in the same way you can an adult fiction or a young adult but I will certainly try my best so please bear with me.

This is actually quite a short book being only 116 pages long I am not sure as to what age range this book is aimed at which again makes this a little tricky to review. I do think that the shortness of the book has both pros and cons. For me the pro would be that children of a younger age may find this easier to read as the book wouldn't feel quite so daunting. For older children and as was the case for me, I read through this really quickly and was left wanting a lot lot more.

I think this is a lovely story with a great idea, lovely characters and on the whole a fantastic concept. This is Rebecca's first novel at age 23. In part this book does show that this is her first novel but I think that it also shows the foundations of a great writer. As I said the book has a lovely story line to it but I very much felt at times that there should have been more embellishment, more description and Max and Amelia whizzed through each section a little too easily for my liking, I would have liked them to spend a little longer, done more things, explore more, met more people, had more adventures in each part of the World they visited, instead they just seemed to walk through each World to the next. The ending was really interesting and different, not what I expected at all. I don't want to give the ending away as that would spoil it. I liked the ending but I did feel like that the author could have gone into a little more indepth and to me that wasn't the ending, it was the beginning. Maybe there is another book in the works? I don't know but there certainly could be...I want to know more about that treasure they find, more about the circumstances, the who, the what, the why etc. without giving it away, it is not your typical chest of coins type of treasure!

The book has a great grounding and basis it just needs a bit more content for my liking. As I said reviewing a children's book from an adult point of view is tricky, maybe a child would think totally differently. For me it needs a bit more meat on the bones. Rebecca is good at the description she just needs to take it a bit further. I would really like to see her re-work this book. Keep it as it is maybe for a younger audience as it is very easy to read but for older children or children with a higher reading capacity it would be great to see a meatier version of the book. I don't think the story needs to change just more of it as I have said previously.

The only thing I didn't like and I have to be honest here otherwise it is not an honest review, is the font used in the book. I found it annoying and tricky to read and would prefer a more traditional font such as times new roman but again kiddies might not mind and may like it.

So all in all I did genuinely like the story (I just want more of it) and I would buy this for the little people in my life as I am sure they would like it too. I hope Rebecca writes more and I am looking forward to seeing what they are! If you or your children have read this book I would love to know what you thought.

Book Review - On Her Own Two Feet

On Her Own Two Feet
Author: Pam Evans
ISBN: 978-0755394333
Publisher: Headline (23 Oct 2014)

From the back:

Bringing the Keep Fit movement vividly to life in 1940s' London, Pam Evans' family saga will inspire and enthral anyone who has ever dared to dream of a better life. In the middle of a party to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, Mollie Fisher's good-for-nothing husband walks out on his wife and baby girl. Luckily, Mollie has a loving family to turn to for help. Mollie's mother, Marge, is delighted to look after baby Esme while Mollie goes out to work. Meanwhile, her nan, Nora, encourages Mollie to join a local keep fit class, which opens her eyes to a whole new world. Determined to better herself, Mollie qualifies as a fitness instructor and starts to run her own classes for the local community, where she befriends a group of women she would never have known existed. But with the outbreak of the Second World War and the ever-present danger of losing her loved ones in the London bombings, it takes courage for Mollie to stand on her own two feet...

My review:

This isn't the type of book that I would normally pick up. If you follow any of my reviews that I am predominantly a vampire / witch type of book reader so anything with a pastel cover would typically not interest me at all! I saw this book on the bookbridgr website and decided to read the synopsis. I made a little pact with myself earlier this year to try different books that I would normally pass by and this is one of those books that I am glad that I didn't.

This book was beautifully written but then that is not really a surprise as Pam Evans is an established published author.  It was a quick and easy read but a pleasurable anddelightful read. I often feel that there is a gap in my education where the war years are concerned as I always find out something new when I read a book based at this time. Obviously I am aware that fiction is mixed with fact but it gave me a real sense of what living in 1940s London must have been like for the women trying to work and raise a family.

I found the keep fit side really very interesting. I had no idea how or when keep fit classes started so that was really fun to read.

You really are plunged into Mollie's world and her family life. You can't help but feel instantly warmed to her and her entire family and it really is beautiful the way they all pull together even in the hardest times to help each other out. From the moment I started reading I was really routing for Mollie and I so wanted everything to turn out well for her. Of course it does because she is not the sort of person to sit around feeling sorry for herself, instead she appreciates everything that is around her, picks herself up and just gets on with life the best way that she possibly can. It shows us that no matter what has or is going on around you, it is how you deal with that situation that determines what sort of person you are. You can either be a victim or a survivor and Mollie chose the later!

There was a very slight continuity error almost at the end of the book which didn't really hinder the reading pleasure.

Again, not a book that I would normally pick up but I feel the better for having read it. A delightful, easy read and dare I say it a fairy tale with Mollie really getting the happy ever after that she deserves.

Book Review - Endgame

Endgame, The Calling
Author: James Frey & Nils Johnson-Shelton

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (7 Oct 2014)
ISBN: 978-0062332585

From the back

Endgame is real. Endgame is now. Endgame has begun. Twelve ancient cultures were chosen millennia ago to represent humanity in Endgame, a global game that will decide the fate of humankind. Endgame has always been apossibility, but never a reality… until now.

Twelve meteorites have just struck Earth, eachmeteorite containing a message for a Player who has been trained for this moment. At stake for the Players: saving their bloodline, as well as the fate of the world. And only one can win.

Endgame is real. Endgame is now. Endgame has begun.

Google Niantic is building a mobile location-based augmented reality videogame inextricably tied to the books and mythology, a major prize will be tied to a puzzle in each book, and Twentieth Century Fox has bought the movie rights.

Read the Books. Find the Clues. Solve the Puzzle. Who will Win?

There has been quite a widespread PR campaign surrounding this book and you can watchthe trailers for the series below...


My Review

I came across Endgame on 'Bloggers Required' which is a website where companies reach out for bloggers to review certain items, most of it is usually irrelevent to what I blog about but then I saw this book. When I read the synopsis I thought it sound absolutely amazing and applied to be a reviewer and as you can tell I was very lucky to be sent an arc copy for review.

When it came and I opened the packaging I was a little overwhelmed by the size of it...it was a big gold brick, nevertheless I was excited to start. It was cold and wet out so I made a cuppa, grabbed a blanket and settled down for the long haul read.

Unfortunately in my honest opinion, the book did not hold up to my expectations. In fact I actully got rather fed up with the book not far in! I did perserveer though and my opinions did change a bit the further I got into it. I love Children's books and YA novels as much as I do adult literature but this didn't seem to fit in any category for me.

The sentences and chapters were very short and I got easily bored with the stop. start. manner in which it was written, I like a bit more tooth and grit to a book which the one or two page chapters didn't give me. They weren't even chapters per se but each 'chapter' was focussed on a different player and so it jumped about a bit. Because of this it took me quite a while to connect with any of the characters although I did connect to one character, Sarah the most and I have very mixed feelings with regards to the others. In part you can't help to feel sorry for the other players.

Things do pick up towards the end though so you really do have to perservere past the quick changeyness of the beginning and there are some surprises along the way. The book is definitely left with a sense of wanting to read the next purely to find out what happened although I am likely to have forgotten about it by the time the next book comes out and I probably won't read the second.

Will the puzzle get solved? I don't know in all honesty, can people be bothered to put the time and energy in these days? Maybe for the prize money they can, my only concern is that you will have people trapsing all over the place and some very disappointed teens who may have spent a lot of money trying to track it down. I can only guess at this of course because my review copy did not have the real clues in which is just as well as they looked really hard!

I am so mixed about this book. The only thing I can say is that this is possibly down to own personal taste, I can't say that I reccommend it so you will just have to try it for yourself if you are at all intrigued!

Book Review: The Crimson Ribbon

The Crimson Ribbon
Author: Katherine Clements

Publisher: Headline Review (27 Mar 2014)
ISBN: 978-1472204196

From the back cover:

Based on the real figure of the fascinating Elizabeth Poole, The Crimson Ribbon is the mesmerising story of two women's obsession, superstition and hope.


May Day 1646. The Civil War is raging and what should be a rare moment of blessing for the town of Ely takes a brutal turn. Ruth Flowers is left with little choice but to flee the household of Oliver Cromwell, the only home she has ever known. On the road to London, Ruth sparks an uneasy alliance with a soldier, the battle-scarred and troubled Joseph. But when she reaches the city, it's in the Poole household that she finds refuge.


Lizzie Poole, beautiful and charismatic, enthrals the vulnerable Ruth, who binds herself inextricably to Lizzie's world. But in these troubled times, Ruth is haunted by fears of her past catching up with her. And as Lizzie's radical ideas escalate, Ruth finds herself carried to the heart of the country's conflict, to the trial of a king.

My Review:

Well where to start on this review...firstly I am actually really fascinated by Oliver Cromwell because my local area is steeped in history, he was born not far from where I live and there is still a museum in that town. Of course living in Cambridgeshire and Oliver Cromwell living in Ely, we can't all help but be a little bit interested in this intriguing man and the time that he lived in for of course the antics and politics of Oliver Cromwell helped to shape the England that we live in now. Being a bit of an Oliver Cromwell enthusiasts I was slightly skeptical on reading this book as I thought it might not live up to the expectations that I had. I was of course, wrong!

The book is largely based on the events of the time although some of the characters and events are fictitious but you don't actually know which is what until you have finished the book and you find at the end a segment that tells us all about who the real Elizabeth Poole was, as the author describes:

"The real Elizabeth Poole is a shadowy figure; like many women of th early modern era the details of her life must be pieced together using fragments in the historical record."

I found this book to be really gripping and I really warmed to many of the characters. The character of Ruth is shy and demur, always wanting to please those around her and do what is best or what is right. This type of character is quite difficult to pull off without making them seem pathetic and in my opinion the author managed to pull this off well with me really routing for Ruth and just wanting to see her safe.

At the beginning of the book we see poor Ruth loosing her mother, who was wrongly accused of witchcraft and because of this, Ruth herself had to flee Ely and Oliver Cromwell's house in order to save her own life. We follow Ruth on her journey to London to live with the Poole's and what her life then becomes. Ruth is the lead character in the book with Elizabeth coming a close second for it is the acts of Elizabeth that shape Ruth's life and the events that happen to Ruth.  Ruth is incredibly loyal and throws her heart and soul into everything she does and in return she just wants to be loved and protected.

I don't want to say too much more about the actual plot as I think that might ruin it for you if you wanted to read it. It really was an amazing novel, the author manages to weave true historical events intertwined with fiction so that you really do not know which is what. Everything is just so convincing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and reccommend it to anyone who like historical fiction or someone who just fancies a gripping and interesting book to read.

The Book Lovers Tag

Way back in May I recorded 'The Book Lovers Tag' with the intention of setting it live and doing a blog post on it at the same time. For one thing or another this never happened and the got lost but I just found it today so I thought why not post it anyway as you might like it! I haven't written much about it as the video says it all and the info about the last book I bought etc is different now still I thought why not show you all anyway as it seems a shame to let it go completely to waste!

It is just for fun and if you fancy doing this tag too either in video or blog post form, the questions are below for you and I would love to read your responses so let me know if you do do it:

QUESTIONS:
1) Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
2) Where do you usually read?
3) Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once?
4) What is your favourite genre?
5) What genre will you not read? 
6) Do you have a favourite book?
7) What is your least favourite book?
8) What is the biggest book you've ever read?
9) What was the last book you bought?
10) Which do you prefer: Library books or buying books? 
11) What are you reading now?

Book Review - Celestra Series

Ethereal (Celestra Series Book 1)

Author: Addison Moore

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (3 Jun 2014)

ISBN-13: 978-1499741544

From the back: 

Sixteen year-old, Skyla Messenger is a dead girl walking. When her newly remarried mother moves the family to Paragon Island, to a house that is rumored to be haunted, Skyla finds refuge in Logan Oliver, a boy who shares her unique ability to read minds. Skyla discovers Logan holds the answers to the questions she's been looking for, but his reluctance to give her the knowledge she desires leaves her believing Logan has a few secrets of his own. Skyla's bloodlines may just be connected to the most powerful angelic beings that roam the earth, and the more she knows, the more danger she seems to be in. Suddenly an entire faction of earthbound angels want her dead, but Skyla is nowhere near done living-and she's not going down without a fight. It's on.

My Review:

I read the the first five books in the Celestra series all on my kindle although I have reference only the first book above with the paperback credentials. It is no secret and I am not at all ashamed to admit that I do rather enjoy a YA novel, mostly I like them as they are fairly fast paced and a rather quick and easy read and I don't mean that in a negative or derogatory way whatsoever. The first half of this series certainly held up to that expectation which is what I was looking for in a read at that particular time. There are technically eight books in the series but book seven is actually split over two books and then if you are still hungering for more there are three others books written from the perspective of one of the leading male characters in the book as opposed to the main series which follow Skyla.

I had a love-hate relationship with each and everyone of these books until I got to the fifth one where I thought I just didn't have the enthusiasm to carry on with it, I was getting a little tired of the patheticness of some of the characters and I just wanted it to come to an end.

I had never read anything about angels or nephillim before so this was a whole new genre for me but I now want to know more! These books I felt just touched on it so I want to know more about those characters, what I will say is my idea of earth angels has totally changed, I thought all angels were good, not these guys!

These books are very similar to the Twilight series, somewhat fanfiction like so if you enjoyed that series you may well enjoy this too. I did a video review of this book before writing this blog post and I thought that I would have much more to say after I had time to think about it for a while but it turns out that I don't actually so most of what I want to say I articulate much better verbally. As I said I had a love-hate relationship with this book and the same feelings are there when I come to write this, I just can't work out where I stand. I do know this, 20^th Century Fox has optioned film rights to the Celestra Series with the intent of turning it into a TV series and I think that this would translate perfectly. In my opinion this would probably a great show as it lends itself perfectly to it. When it comes out and if it does in the UK I don't know but ceertainly one to keep an eye out on!

Book Review - Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie

Gutenberg's Apprentice: A Novel

Author: Alix Christie

Available now to read on Kindle or in Paperback from March 2015

From the Back:

In the middle of the 15th century, scribe Peter Schoeffer is dismayed to be instructed by his father to give up his beloved profession of illuminating texts in Paris. Instead he is to travel to Mainz in Germany to be apprenticed to Johann Gutenberg, an entrepreneur who has invented a new process for producing books - the printing press. Working in conditions of extreme secrecy, the men employed by Gutenberg daily face new challenges both artistic and physical as they strive to create the new books to the standard required by their master. In a time of huge turmoil in Europe and around the world, Gutenberg is relentless in pursuing his dream and wooing the powerful religious leaders whose support is critical. Peter's resistance to the project slowly dissolves as he sees that, with the guidance of a scribe such as himself, the new Bibles could be as beautiful in their way as the old. Today we can see that beauty in some of our museums, but few know the astonishing tale of ambition, ruthlessness and triumph that lies behind it. 

My Review:

Oh my goodness, a book about books, to me that is just perfect as there is nothing more heartwarming to me than reading a book about books. My past favourite books like that to give you an example are  Inkheart by Cornelia Funke or The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard. So when I saw this book I was over the moon and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I was very kindly sent this book to review via Bookbridgr, as you know I am very honest with my reviews and the fact that I got sent this for review does not alter my opinion in any way, shape or form!

OK so I was really excited to read this book, made even more so by the press releases that came with it, I mean they just looked fantastic and really wet my appetite forthis book. So I made myself a nice cup of tea and settled down for what I thought would be an engrossing read, I think I even said to Mr B "please do not disturb". As it was I found the book really dry and hard to get into, I tried on several occassions but it just wasn't doing it for me and for that reason the book took me a lot longer than I thought it was going to read.

I like historical fiction so I was not purturbed by that, what I didn't like was the dyness of it. I admit that we needed (probably) a lot of the political and historical information in order to set the scene and for us to realise what an immense under taking a project like this was at that time, however this could have been delivered in a more palatable way, not in a way that made methink back to the dull history lessons from my school days. There were a lot of historical facts and my brain just switches off to that sort of writing style.

I also felt that some of the character development and interaction was lacking and I feel that this may be due to the historical information that tended to be the focus.

The naration also changed from different perspectives which at times was a little hard to keep track of but interesting nonetheless.

Please don't let me review discourage you, as we all know we are all different and if a book heavily laden with historical facts doesn't phase you then you may well thoroughly enjoy this book.

NB: There is no video review to accompany this review as I just didn't feel like I could add anything extra. Any of the links in this post are not affiliate links. This review is my own personal opionion of the book as an honest review.

So many books, so little time!

I have got a problem. A fairly serious problem and it is this. I am addicted to looking at books on Amazon and adding them to my wish list. There I admitted it!

I don't know why but I love it, I find myself on Amazon from time to time looking at one thing or another and those little marketing rascals keep giving me reccommendations based on books I have purchased. Of course I can't resist just having a little peek at that book which then leads me on to the next one and so forth. I basically find myself reading book synopsis like I would blog posts. I read book synopsis' and it is like reading little mini stories. I swear that I spend more time reading thosethan I do actual books!

It all started one day when I wanted to buy a new book and was trawlling round trying to find one but nothing really struck my fancy. Then another time I came accross a book that I really liked the sound of but was not in the market to buy so I decided to save it for later and that is how it evolved. Every time I come accross a book that I would like to read I add it in there so I know I always have something that I can go too.

I was on Amazon today looking for an ISBN and started adding books to my list again but then I thought this is getting into one great big jumbled mess so I decided to sort my books into their own list seperate to all of the other things that I have on my main wish list like art supplis and stationery. When I saw them all in one great big list, all together I realised that there were quite a lot. 70 to be precise! Right so sometimes I read a book a week sometimes less so on average I suppose I probably read around 25 books a year so at that rate I have enough for around three years. Of course that does not take into consideration books that I pick up from charity shops or am given as gifts etc so realistically we are probably talking four years, then of course I will no doubt add more and so it goes on. I could end up with a lifetime supply of books to be read in my wish list, crazyness. Or is it? Well it is not harming anyone, it is a painless little addiction, it is not as though I beat myself up because I can't read them all in one go, it is not like a massive to do list to get stressed over, it is just for fun.

I love purusing the net for just about anything and I came across this mug and I think it is so me and just the quote that fits how I am feeling...I need it I really do!

In fact it comes in cushions and bags etc too but you know me I love my tea and I usually drink tea whilst reading so it fits! This is available from Risa Rodil on Society6.

It is true though really isn't it that there are just so many wonderful books out there far many than you could ever read in your lifetime, that is without re-reading your favourites. In fact I don't tend to do that much anymore as there are so many new ones that I want to read. The fun for me though is finding new books, I find it exciting but you know me, I love to journal and other things too so I stagger what I spend my free time doing and that is fine with me because I always know that there are books waiting for me when I am ready,

So what was the very last book that I added to my wish list...

So the last book that I added was The strange and beautiful sorrows of Ava Lavender based on the book review that I watched from My life as a tea cup, who incidentally has wonderful reviews on her youtube channel. It sounded fantastic so on to the list it went.

If you would like to look at my list so you can see the types of books I like / want to read you are most welcome. Just click here. I want to share the addiction of finding new books to read, I mean if you find some good ones, why keep them to yourself is what I say. Please do bear in mind if you do look at my list, I have recently moved it all into its own seperate book list so you won't be able to see them in date order that I originally added them, they will all show as today.

How about you? Do you share a similar addiction for finding books? Please tell me it is not just me, oh and as always if you have any reccommendations I would love to know.

Book Haul - September 2014

I have been reading loads lately and I needed to replinish my dwindling stash so I have accquired more books!

I thought I would share my book haul with you all in case you were interested in what I will be reading in the upcoming weeks / months or if you are looking for some new book ideas. I love watching book hauls, that is how I get reccommendations for books to read myself.

That little lot should keep me going for a while :D

Book Review - The Salem Witch Society

The Salem Witch Society by Shields. K.N. ( 2013 ) Paperback

 From the back cover:

Salem, New England, many dark nights ago.

It is a time of spells and shadows, of black magic and blood.

And the most famous witch hunt in history is about to begin...

Years later, a young woman is found savagely murdered, a pitchfork thrust through her neck, her body arranged in the shape of a star: the death pose of a witch. Someone - or something - is reviving the terror of the notorious Salem Witch hunts. And only one man - a brilliant, eccentric detective with a dazzling mind and a fascination with witchcraft - can keep the evils of the past at bay.

Rich in history, mystery, and witchcraft, The Salem Witch Society is a twisting, terrifying thriller - a dark fairy tale for readers who loved A Discovery of Witches and The Interpretation of Murder.



I love books about witches and about Salem, I find them fascinating I really do and I started this book with such excitement that I have to say I was a little bit disappointed and I really struggled to regain my enthusiasm, although I did tell my self to just keep on reading because the book may change and you might come to love it. My reason for this feeling of disappointed is not something that should neccessarily go against this book. I went into it thinking it was going to be full of witchcraft-ness but it wasn't, which is sad for me but for other people they may think this is a good thing.

The book starts out quite gory so if you don't like gory details the this one is not for you. There are some other gory aspects in the book but nothing particularly scary it is just that the author is quite graphic when it comes to detailing the murder scenes.

To be very honest I liken the whole book to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, as firstly the book starts out with a crime scene which is laid out with clues to unravel much the same way as Robert Langdon does in the Da Vinci Code. We then see the detectives in the rest of the book trying to solve the case and decipher the following murders. I am not really into crime / murder mystery books as a genre so I can only liken it to another book that I have read. the Da Vinci code, but if you like said book then you like like this book for sure.

I found the book a little heavy going at times and there were a lot of historical facts which for me also made it a little dry. I struggled to get my head around some of it at times, whilst very well written, I did find the volume of characters / suspects a little hard to follow, it doesn't help when I do most of my reading before bed I know.

It was an interesting read I will say that, it is not that I didn't like the book it is just that I started with misconceived ideas about what the book was about and I just don't like crime solving books that much. Go for it though if you do or if you fancy something a little bit different to your usual witch type book.

Let me know if you read this. I would love to know your thoughts.

Book Review - Tiger Lily

Well it has been a while since I read the read the story of or watched the film Peter Pan which was a good thing because whilst it is a famously well known story, the nitty gritty details I had forgotten. That is a good thing, believe me as I was able to go into this book very open without any formulated ideas about what this should be like. What was it like?

Well it took me a while to really get into it, it was a bit of a slow start and whilst I enjoyed it and was wanting to read it I wasn't hooked like I gotta read this in one day hooked, it actually took me about a week and a half maybe two weeks to read. It did speed up though, the more I read and the more I got into the book, the characters and the plot the more I wanted to read and so I sped up.

I perhaps should have started by saying that this is a reworking or a retelling of Peter Pan but with a difference. Tiger Lily is narrated and told by Tinker Bell and is the story of what happened in Neverland before there was ever a Wendy.

This book will make you think in a totally different way about all the characters, each and everyone of them in a good way but also in a way that might make you wonder if you still like them so be warned that if you hold Peter Pan very dear to your heart you might not want to read this book as it will change the way you know it.

The book is tragic and beautiful and enchanting and all manner of things in between. It is beautiful yet sad. Peter and Tiger Lily are two very different people from very different backgrounds, two lost souls who find comfort in each other and want to be together but they can't or at least they shouldn't. They try and they do love each other but is it true love? Is it just a case of finding comfort in each other when they are so lonely? I am not quite sure if I have figured that one out for myself or not yet!

One thing I do know for sure is that I have fallen in love with Tinker Bell. She is so lovely and we learn alot more about her character from her telling of this story too.

I would definitely reccommend this read but not if as I said you couldn't bear to see Neverland in a different way!

Book Review - Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

I literally have one word for this book. Phenomenal.

OK book review done, bye!

Only kidding but seriously this book is still with me now. You know when you read a book and it kind of becomes part of you in a haunting way, it stays with you and you keep thinking about it and find it difficult to move on to the next one as your mind is still wrapped up in this one. Well this is that book.

This was actually quite a hard book to review other than simply saying wow, because it really was a wowzer kind of book! It was unbelievably gripping, I just had to find out what had happened and piece all of the bits together. I read this book in two days, nothing else mattered I just had to read it and get to the end, I really did.

Unfortunately the synopsis on Amazon and the new book cover is now alot more comprehensive than the copy that I bought which I think is a bit of a pity as I went into the story without knowing quite so much but I share it with you here as it is widely found on the internet:

A gripping, suspenseful debut that will haunt you long after you have turned the final page…

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night.

The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years.

Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind.

With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past.

But does she really want to know the truth?

For me the plot was a little predictable, well the main story line, the reason she went missing was and I think it will be for most people but what really gripped me was the way in which the story was told. There is an underlying plot too which I really did not suspect and the reason Angie has other people with her. That is all I am going to say as I really don't want to spoil it for anyone.

The most interesting thing in the book for me was learning about DID (Dissociative identity disorder) which I found quite fascinating. I really like a book that makes me think more. Obviously this is a work of fiction but also a very frighteningly true possibilities which makes it both interesting and scary at the same time.

Book Review - Wood Angel by Erin Bow

I have to 100% admit that this was one of those occassions where I judged  a book by its cover. I couldn't help it really because the cover artwork is just so beautiful and it totally appealed to my inner love for fairies in the garden. The story however was actually nothing about fairies! That wouldn't have been a disappointment to me at all had the story been a little better.

OK maybe that is quite a harsh thing to say. It wasn't bad as such. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy (mostly) the read. It was gripping enough in as much as I really wanted to find out what happened so that kept me reading until the end but I just don't know what it is. To me the synopsis sounded more exciting than the book actually was. Here is the book synopsis:

Plain Kate lives in a time afraid of magic. She has a gift for carving 'lucky' wooden-charms. Known as Witch-Blade, her unusual gift attracts dangerous attention in a place where witches are burned. When her village falls on bad times, suspicion falls on Kate. Scared for her life, she seeks the help of a mysterious stranger. In exchange for her shadow, the stranger will assist her, but Kate becomes part of a terrifying plan, darker than she ever dreamed.

Now the synopsis for me sounded pretty good, I have to admit I also love books about witches and I also love books that are slightly dark or macarbe so this sounded to me like it was going to tick most of my boxes. I thought this was going to be more Salem witch trial like but it wasn't.

I found Kate to be a little pathetic and I just couldn't gel with the book which is odd when the book was gripping enough to find out what happened, very odd!

The synopsis sounded fantastic but all in all my overall impression of this book was a bit 'meh'. Oh well on to the next book!

The Man Who Rained - Book Review

I read The Girl With the Glass Feet by Ali Shaw a few years ago now and ever since I have wanted to read The Man Who Rained. It is one of those books that has been on my wishlist for a while now and then recently I got to purchasing it and reading it. I am so glad that I did I can tell you!

The Girl with the Glass Feet and The Man Who Rained are both similar and different. They are both a new take on the concept of fairy tale, in fact they are fairy tales for adults but with a slight macarbe feel to them. They are darker than the average fairy tale, so I would say they are more grey than black if you know what I mean. Dark enough to be mysterious and intriguing but not too dark to be scary and frightening. I know really hard to convey, you will just have to read it to know the true extent of what I mean!

This book can only be described as Enchanting. Yes that is it enchanting. OK folks that is my review. No only kidding. Yes it was very enchanting, and dare I say seductive as well. Not in a "bowm chicka wow wow" kind of way but in a way that it wants to draw you in. I can only described his writing as more poetic as the way he describes each detail seduces you, it draws you further in to the story. I have to say that I was so caught up on the enchantment of the way the book was written than the actual story line which was OK. I don't have all that much to say on the story itself. The story itself was fairly good, a little predicatable but that didn't distract me. I think this is one of those books that I will need to read again to fully appreciate the story.

It is all fairy tale but the way the author describes the chatacters it could be the bloked living opposite!

I do reccommend this book, it was an enjoyable read :)

Have you read this book? If you have let me know what you think I would love to know!

Book Review - The Vampire of Highgate by Asa Bailey

I have a book review to share with you today, a book that I have thoroughly enjoyed despite any misconceptions I had before I started reading it!

Why did I have some concerns? Well, as you probably know if you have followed my YouTube channel or Blog for a while now  you will know that I was given a load of vampire books from my friend and whilst I enjoyed most of them I was getting a little fed up of them and was thinking them to be rather samey, you know, girl meets vampire, wants to be vampire etc etc. I saw this book at the Works on a 2 for offer and as there weren't any other books that I wanted I decided to purchase this one in the offer. The book sat on my shelf for a while on my TBR pile and one day I had finished my book and just decided to pick this one up without giving it much thought at all, I didn't re-read the back cover, I just picked it up and read.

I seriously finished this book in about three days. I mean it did help that the weather was glorious and I spent a good chunk of time just sitting in the garden with the fluffies reading but even so, I would have finished it fairly quickly as I was so engrossed!

What I really liked about this book is that it is largely based around a legend that really does exist. It mentions it in the book that the author wrote this book based on a story he was told one night from a London cab driver, but part of me was like 'yeah right you are just saying that as it makes a good intro'. So like the inquisitive person that I am I went off on a little interest search of my own and well, there is a plethora of information out there! Wikipedia started me off and then I was off on a search for more information, I found it absolutely fascinating and for that experience my views of the book were greatly enhanced. As for the story, it was fast paced, and a quick and easy and enjoyable read one that I would thoroughly reccommend. Oh and there was none of the girls meets vampire, wants to be a vampire stuff! lol! Not that there is anything wrong with that, just that I need a bit of a break from it!

Book Review - The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

It has been a while since I have done a book review on a Monday. At the begining of the year I was reading about a book a week, I was going great guns and then I had a bit of a reading slump. Actually I don't want to call it too much of a reading slump as such just that the weather turned so lovely and I was spending more time out and about than huddle up keeping warm with a book! I love to read and I love to journal and I also love to do other crafty things. You can only do so much of an evening though can't you!

Anyway, I am back with a review of The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I found the whole conveying messages with flowers thing so very interesting indeed. I found it a very inspiring book and this made its way through to the recent journal pages I have created too. Here is an example of a really quick watercolour and ink journal page that I did whilst sitting in the garden the day after I finished the book...

I do recommend this book but hear more about what I think of it in the video below...

Book Review - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

A friend and I thought it might be fun to team up and choose a book each month and review it. Kind of like a mini book club. Neither of us are in a club and both of us love books and would like a chance to discuss books. The concept is that each month we both read the same book. One month I choose and the next month she chooses and so on. I am 33 and she is 50. I live in England and she lives in Australia. So it is really interesting to hear how two people think about the same book.

So for March we read and reviewed: The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.

Have you read this book? I would love to know what you thought of it too!