March Madness - Wild Reading

Hello everyone! 

How are you all doing and, most importantly, what have you been reading? As my regular readers will know, I set myself quite a few hefty books to read in February and, predictably, it pushed me into a slump. Now we are talking a big slump, not just a reading slump, but a Blog, Twitter and Instagram slump! Mr. Gingersnap always gets quite anxious when I stop reading, he knows how important it is to keep me happy :-) 

He then had the brightest idea ever and suggested that for March Madness I should do a reading safari that we will call Wild Reading! This involves picking books off my shelf at random and reading whatever I feel like reading whenever I feel like it. So far this is working out excellently and I am onto my fourth book of the month already! Which is already more than I achieved last month. 

In the end, I only read half my TBR last month: 

1. The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar - 5 Stars
2. Thief Of Time by Terry Pratchett - 5 Stars 
3. Two On A Tower by Thomas Hardy - 5 Stars
4. Turtles All The Way Down by John Green - 3 Stars 

I won't yet tell you what I have been reading this month, if I do then who will even read my wrap up at the end of the month?!? However, I am open to suggestions, that is the joy of Wild Reading :-) Let's make this a thing and tell me what your impulse reads have been in the comments below! 

xoxo

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A Beginners Guide To H. G. Wells

Hello everyone! 

Today I'm here to talk about the grandfather of classic science fiction - H. G. Wells! This author has long been a favourite of mine, ever since I discovered The War Of The Worlds. Which I'm sure many of you will know from the excellent movie. The problem with this movie is that it can overshadow the books a little so I'm going to give you a beginners guide to reading this amazing author's work. 

Let's start with the most accessible of his novels: The War Of The Worlds and The Time Machine. Both of these novels are fast paced and thrilling. The War Of The Worlds details an alien invasion of planet earth, bringing with it the near destruction of human kind. The Time Machine tells the story of the nuttiest of all professors creating a time machine taking him thousands of years into the future. What he finds there is at first glance utopia, but with a little digging he learns that all paradises come with a dark price. When I read these novels I completely forgot they were written in the 1800's, the language is fluid and easy to read. These are the best place to start for H. G. Wells, once you've read these there is no going back and you'll be begging for more stories! 

The Invisible Man is almost as fast paced as the above, but it is a little slower to get into which could be off-putting as your first read. Once you are used to H. G. Wells' writing style you'll fly through this one. It follows Griffin, a mad scientist who has perfected a formula for making creatures invisible. This sounds amazing in theory, but it leaves Griffin desperate and friendless, slowly descending into murderous madness. He will stop at nothing to find the cure. I love the flow of this narrative, it jumps backwards and forwards in time as Griffin's tale becomes clearer, leaving you desperate for more after each page. 

The next two books aren't really hard to get into, but they do fall on the weirder end of the H. G. Wells scale. The Island Of Doctor Moreau is all about the horrors of vivisection and the ultimate mad scientist. Doctor Moreau lives on a deserted island with only his "creations" for company, creations is a kind word really. They are more like monsters, blended from the corpses of men and animals. This is a cautionary tale of what can happen when you try too hard to control nature.

Penguin's Little Black Classics collection is pure genius and they did not miss their mark with their choice of three short stories. The Sea Raiders tells of man-eating sea creatures raiding a seaside resort, which sounds comical, but when you read it it's terrifying! The Magic Shop and The Land Ironclads are two of his strangest stories and are not for the fans of realism. These two would not be out of place in Wonderland! The Magic Shop walks that fine line between tricks to delight children and sinister illusions made to frighten and horrify adults. The Land Ironclads tells a story of destruction on the battlefield at the hands of unstoppable mechanical fiends. Both these stories are bizarre and twisted, more for those who appreciate surreal literature. 

H. G. Wells is the perfect author to read if you love Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, he perfectly captures all the dangers of scientific advancement whilst weaving tales of terror and suspense. His novels are timeless and I wish more people were still reading these! 

Have I inspired you to read any of these or have you already read them? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Ethan Frome Review

Hello everyone, 

If, like me, you are currently in the south of England you will be experiencing some very stormy weather! Now I think this is an excellent excuse for staying indoors cozied up with a good book. For me, one of those books is Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton so I'm here today with a review for you. 

Ethan Frome is a struggling farmer in a small isolated hill town in America. He has been leading a life full of misfortune, trapped first by sickly parents then by a loveless marriage and he is beginning to wonder why any of it is worth doing at all. This is when his wife's cousin Mattie comes to stay, in name she is there to care for his wife Zenobia, but in reality she is there because she has nowhere else to go. Ethan falls in love with Mattie's vibrant optimism, her yearning for knowledge he can teach and her good humour. He starts to fantasise about what life would be like with Mattie by his side instead of Zenobia. Now, feelings like that don't stay secret for long and Zenobia decides to intervene with disastrous consequences for the whole family. 

Rating: 4 Stars 

Positives: Excellent writing and characterisation, very thought-provoking 

Negatives: Depressing as hell

For lovers of: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy 

I gave this book 4 stars simply because of how much it made me think. Normally a story has a clear villain and some people would argue Zenobia is that person, but I disagree. All the characters are at fault really. Zenobia is the un-loving hypochondriac wife who is nonetheless jealous of her husband showing attention to another woman and does her best to thwart his happiness. Ethan is the husband who despises his wife, neglects her and lusts after her younger and more attractive cousin. Mattie is at  fault for encouraging Ethan, knowing full well he is married and that leaving his wife would render her destitute. All I see in this book is desperation. I pitied all of the characters and their hopeless state. At one point I had growing respect for Ethan when he resolved to not leave his wife and do "the right thing", but then he attempts suicide with Mattie and ruins it all. Yes I understand their reasoning, but him alive with Mattie or dead with her leaves Zenobia in the same position. There is a very misplaced sense of romance to their actions, which I appreciate, but do not like! 

The writing of this story is very compelling and I will definitely pick up more Edith Wharton. I have heard her described as one of the true American realists and I think it is essential to read her work as a comparison to Thomas Hardy's very British realism. Ethan doesn't have the amiableness of the iconic Tess or Hester, but he is nonetheless a very believable character. 

I am hoping to move onto a more up-lifting book next, most likely some more Jane Austen. I think more than one book like this in a row would be bad for my morale! Mansfield Park feels like a suitable joyful novel :-) 

Have you read this book or other works by Edith Wharton? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Bedknobs and Broomsticks Review

Hello everyone, 

There is nothing nicer after a long day at work than settling down with a good book. For the last couple of years I have been trying to deepen my knowledge of children's classics. I find them so relaxing and soothing after a stressful day, is that silly? I did read quite a few when I was a child, but there are some I missed and some I want to re-read. One of the ones I missed was Bedknobs and Broomsticks by Mary Norton. 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is an amalgamation of two shorter stories: The Magic Bedknob and Bonfires and Broomsticks. The stories start with Carey, Charles and Paul going to stay with their aunt in the countryside. Whilst there Paul discovers a witch and starts to watch her flying her broomstick every night through his window. One night she falls off! Paul, worried about her, alerts his older siblings and they set out to help her. This sparks a lovely friendship between the witch, Miss Price, and the children. In return for their silence she gives them a magic bedknob which allows them to travel anywhere in the present and into the past. However, all magic comes with a price and some hilarious and hair-raising adventures follow...

Rating - 5 stars! 

Positives: Charming characters, funny and whimsical plot 

Negatives: I wish there was a never ending supply of these stories to read

For lovers of: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome, Children of the New Forest by Captain Marryat and The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

I loved these stories and sped through them in one afternoon. At times they had me on the edge of my seat and I have since found myself wondering how Miss Price is getting on with her new life in the past! Only a truly good book can make you miss the characters after you have finished reading it. The narrative is simple, as it is aimed at younger children around 5-10 years old. However, the plot line is fast paced, with twists and turns only conceivable in children's literature. I think this is a perfect book for adults and children alike, and reading it aloud must be loads of fun :-) 

If you were wondering, this edition is from Orion Books. They have three titles so far in this collection: Ballet shoes, The Borrowers and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. This book is particularly special to me as it was a present from Mr. Gingersnap to match Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, which was the first book her ever bought me. 

Did you read this book as a child or older? Did you love it and do you have any similar recommendations? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Christmas Reading List

Hello everyone! 

With Christmas just around the corner, I am very much looking forward to a few days off to enjoy the festivities. During the holiday period I like nothing more than cooking for my family, spending quality time with them and getting down to some good books.  

For all of us Goodreads fanatics the approach of Christmas often means the winding up of reading challenges and, for some, frantic turning of pages to reach a target. I don't like to set too high a target for myself, it puts the pressure on too much and I end up in a reading slump! This year I finished my goal in good time so am quite merrily ticking along reading whatever I feel like :-) That being said, I love thinking up reading lists for myself, so here is my rather ambitious Christmas tbr: 

- The Adventures of Tom Bombadil by J. R. R. Tolkien

- Farmer Giles of Ham by J. R. R. Tolkien

- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

- The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss

I am already into The Swiss Family Robinson and Mansfield Park and very much enjoying them both. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion Mansfield Park may creep into my top books of the year! 

What have you got planned to read over the festive period? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Broken Moon by Sarah Beth Moore - Review

Hello everyone, 

I am back again today with a spoiler free review of Broken Moon by Sarah Beth Moore. Sarah approached me about her upcoming book, asking for an honest review in exchange for the ARC (advanced reader copy) of the book, but don't you guys worry, my gratitude to the author has in no way influenced my opinions on the story :-)

Broken Moon follows Naiya and her adopted brothers Pip and Enoch as they run from the guards and officials ruling their spectacularly corrupt city. Naiya has always treated the law as more of a guideline than a rule, making her living in the family business of scavenging old tech for sale to the highest bidder. Her family are her number one priority and she loves them more than anything else, which makes the suicide of her sister a most devastating blow. Just before her suicide, Amy gives Naiya a cryptic message to not trust the lies she has been told. This leaves Naiya with nothing but questions. Questions she does not have time to answer as she flees her home. Leaving the city undetected seems an impossible task and should not be delayed, but Naiya needs to answer the questions about her past, family and future. 

Rating - 4 stars! 

Positives: Good racial diversity, excellent world-building and believable characters 

Negatives: No tugging on the heart strings. Sarah I want you to make me cry next time! 

For lovers of: City Of Ember by Jeanne Du Prau, Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book is a fantastic blend of YA fantasy, sci-fi and dystopia, Sarah manages to seamlessly blend these three genres to create a riveting first instalment in what I'm sure will be a killer series! The idea of a tiered, industrialised city was very interesting and the description was spot on for making you feel like you were there, without tipping over into overly descriptive. I could hear the hustle and bustle, smell the grime and taste the scent of pollution as I was reading. 

It's not just the setting which felt real, the characters were highly relatable. In so many YA fantasy books the romance takes centre stage, eclipsing the whole quest story-line. I don't know about you, but someone trying to murder me would feel like a more pressing point than "ooh my crush just smiled at me, what could it possibly mean?!". Yes Naiya has a love interest, what YA protagonist doesn't, but this is background information. Her feelings are something she reflects on occasionally, never letting it over-ride her survival instinct. This felt more realistic, as did her reactions to all situations surrounding her family, rivals and strangers. However, I do think there is room for the romance to progress in the next book and I am excited about where it will lead, especially given how dreamy Enoch is! 

When it came to the narrative pace I was pleasantly surprised. Sarah never faltered in keeping the story flowing, effortlessly guiding the reader from location to location and easily introducing new characters. My one slightly negative comment is the character of Chen. I feel like she was introduced well, but without a huge purpose in the story. I would have liked to learn more about her and am hoping to do so in the next books. 

Well that's it for today, I hope you enjoyed this review and make sure to stay tuned for another post coming on Tuesday! :-) 

xoxo

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My Latest TV Obsession - Married At First Sight

Hello everyone! 

I'm sure most of you will sympathise with the problem of developing obsessions with TV shows... I love discovering new programmes, especially those with a unique element to them. I love a good romantic scene as much as the next person, but often they have an unreal feel to them. My latest favourite is as real as it gets! 

Married At First Sight, Channel 4's latest masterpiece, aired episode 1 of its second season last night and I absolutely adored it. The title may startle you a little and have you saying "no way, that's an exaggeration", but in actual fact it is how these couples get married. Tired and jaded by the world and what feels like a never ending quest for love, thousands of people signed up for this revolutionary social experiment. Putting their faith and their hearts in the hands of science. 

Everyone signing up goes through extensive physical, psychological and background testing. The process takes several weeks and isn't guaranteed to find them a match. The reason for being that the team want to pair up the most compatible people they can, they don't just want success for the experiment, they also want to provide happiness to the lucky chosen few. 

Once a match has been found, if they still wish to participate, they can consider themselves engaged and start planning their upcoming nuptials :-) How exciting!! However, they won't meet their other half until the bride floats down the aisle. That might sound daunting to some, but to me it sounds thrilling. The anticipation must be incomparable!  

Last night we saw Clark and Melissa matched and married, Clark's delight at finding Melissa so pretty, engaging and lovely was heart warming and I can't wait for next week's episode to see more couples and the progress of these two! 

The program itself is wonderfully put together, with lovely scenes with the families, picking the wedding outfits and preparing for the moment their lives will change forever, and hopefully for the better. The music in particular tugs at the heartstrings, it is so effortlessly romantic without a hint of cheesiness. It is the perfect blend of modern and classic, it actually made me tear up a little :-) 

Will you be watching? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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The Rook by Daniel O'Malley - Review

Hello everyone! 

It's been a while hasn't it? I'm really sorry about that, time management has gone out the window a little, but I'm back now and will be making a Herculean effort to keep you guys in the loop! To kick things off again let's do a quick book review :-) 

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley has been on my tbr for so long! My best friend bought it for me over a year ago after having sped through it, then my Mam read it and loved it, yet it still stayed on my tbr pile. I just wasn't massively intrigued by the cover or the story. Silly right? Especially when it does have all the makings of a fantastic story! 

Set in London, this story follows Myfanwy Thomas, or rather the woman inhabiting her body, as she navigates an incredibly complicated life. Being in charge of the admin for magical MI5, the elusive Checquey, is hard enough, without the mysterious gloved strangers trying to assassinate her at every turn and no memory of her previous life to guide her. Myfanwy must rapidly overcome her amnesia or adapt and flawlessly impersonate herself if she has any hope of survival. However, these are all small concerns! Myfanwy isn't the only one at risk, the whole world is under threat. There is a traitor in the Checquey and it's up to Myfanwy to stop them. 

This world is filled with magic and intrigue, it's complicated low level fantasy at its best! When I first picked up this book I found it quite hard to get into, it took me committing to the first 300 pages before I fully invested in the story. I think I had built up a mental block to it really, once I was into it properly I couldn't put it down! The pace of the story feels a little slow at first and it is quite convoluted, meaning it does require a lot of attention to follow, but I promise it is worth it! Towards the end I started to appreciate the slower beginning, it gave me time to comprehend the story and the world it is set in. 

I would recommend this book if you are a lover of Harry Potter or the Cassandra Clare books. Fantasy stories in our world are so accessible if you're a newbie to this genre :-) I would give this 3.5 stars! 

Have you read this? Let me know what you thought in the comments below and keep your eyes peeled for the sequel Stiletto, I know I will :-) 

xoxo

Sample Sunday - Lush

Hello everyone! 

It's Sunday again so it's time to look at some samples! Lush is such a well loved shop throughout the entire world and the vast majority of beauty bloggers have written about them at some point. However, they are constantly updating their products to keep it fresh so it's worth popping in every now and again to check for new things :-) 

Having sensitive skin means that I like to try things out first as a sample before I buy them. The shop assistants are more than happy to provide samples where possible, especially for skin care. With the onset of winter I want to up my skin care game and really go all out for moisture. To achieve this I have turned to Lush, trying out two products this time. 

The first is the much acclaimed Dream Cream body lotion. This product is aimed at dryer skin or people suffering from mild eczema. I get a bit of hay fever related dry skin on the backs of my arms and I want to get rid of it and feel confident getting my arms out while I still can! The Dream Cream actually feels like cool silk when I rub it in, soaking in almost immediately and leaving my skin feeling soft and calmed for hours. It smells subtle and like most normal body lotions, being primarily made up of cocoa butter. It also has hints of rose oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil and oat milk to help your skin feel soothed, yet invigorated. Since using this my skin has calmed down a lot and I am definitely planning on buying a full size tub. This is a real winner for me! 

The second sample is the Aqua Marina fresh cleanser. This cleanser is not a makeup remover, it's aimed at people cleansing in the morning, after a makeup free day or for when you do a double cleanse after taking off your makeup. This product feels quite luxurious and I am very much enjoying trying it out. I was slightly concerned that the seaweed would feel rough on my sensitive skin, but it is actually quite soothing. It smells a little odd, but it isn't unpleasant. I think it smells quite beach-like with the Irish moss seaweed, aloe vera and calamine powder. I could imagine Ariel and her mermaid sisters using this! It's soft on the skin and very rich, so I think I would make this an occasional product rather than an everyday cleanser. Maybe for every 2-3 day use for a deeper cleanse. 

Have you tried these products? Let me know what you think in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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The Sky Is Everywhere - Review

Hello everyone!

As you may already know I love to read anything I can get my hands on, but recently I have been reading a string of heavy books. Now I like a challenge, but there is nothing like a hard to get into book to plunge you deep into a reading slump. In an effort to re-ingite my passion for reading, I picked up The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson as a cover buy. Little did I know it's not an easy read, however, this did not stop me tearing through it. 

The cover of this book drew me in, how could it not? It's stunning! I was expecting a fluffy YA (young adult) book to plough through quickly. Actually, this story is very deep and was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. The story follows Lennie as she comes to grips with the sudden loss of her older sister Bailey. We watch her struggle against tidal waves of grief, bringing out a new self destructive streak. Slowly she begins to look up, seeing the world around her afresh and what she sees is Joe Fontaine. As Lennie learns to live with a broken heart and how falling in love can be so healing, she also learns to look around her and see that others are grieving too, that they need her help and support. 

This book was hard to read because of how realistically it deals with loss. I wish I had read this book a long time ago, I wish it had been around long before it was written. When I was 16, I lost my grandmother and it left me devastated. Like Lennie, I was a total mess. If I had been able to read this book then it would have helped me understand my inner turmoil, control the emotions raging through me. More importantly, it would have taught me to be less selfish. I think this book would have helped me a lot and I hope it helps others now. I would recommend this to any young person dealing with loss or anybody close to them looking for understanding. A definite 4.5 stars for this one.

Have you read this book? Let me know what you thought in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Sample Sunday - Scents

Hello everyone! 

Now I don't know about you, but I love samples! They are such a great way to try out a product to decide whether you like it or not. I have been squirrelling away samples for months now in order to create a mini-series in which I trial them for you :-)

To kick things off let's talk about scents. I seem to get given the same scents all the time, which is great if I like them, but not so great if I want to try loads to review! The two that I have been given many of are Miu Miu and Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle. 

The Miu Miu scent is very fresh and woody, it's almost a unisex scent really. It has notes of akigalawood to give it the freshness, with the more subtle lily of the valley to give a light, floral tone. The fragrance is actually Miu Miu's first foray into the perfume world and I think it is a fantastic first. It makes me quite excited to see what the brand will bring out next. This scent is quite grown-up and would suit any woman of any age. It could be an everyday scent, but could also easily be used as a more elegant evening scent. It really is quite versatile! 

Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle is hardly a new scent, but is very much loved all over the world. A few years ago it was my signature scent, so I am very fond of it. It's a much younger scent than the traditional No. 5. To give it that more youthful feel quite a few floral notes have been added. The more powerful tones to avail the senses are jasmine and rose, with a kick of orange. The after tones of patchouli and vetiver are more subtle, but play a big part in reigning back the scent to keep it delicate and feminine. Although it is distinctly floral, it still manages to keep a freshness which is essential for its youthful vibe. This scent was inspired by Gabrielle Chanel and although aimed at a younger market, I feel it could be worn by anyone! 

Fragrance is something that I get quite excited about and I can't wait for Chanel's latest fragrance to appear on shelves. They have launched a new edition of Chanel No.5 in the form of Chanel No.5 L'eau! This is aimed to be a younger version of the signature Chanel perfume to make it more accessible to a younger market, almost a little sister scent for the original fragrance. 

What is your favourite fragrance? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Liquid Lipstick Loving

Hello everyone! 

It's been a little while since I did a beauty product review and there is a very simple explanation. In the summer I don't wear a lot of makeup, I prefer that more natural glowing look given by the sun itself. However, now that autumn is rapidly approaching expect beauty reviews, looks and how to's galore :-) 

I am always super picky when it comes to my lipsticks, so I have been waiting to find a really good high street liquid lipstick before I try it and then inevitably splurge on a high end product! Maybelline have very recently released a set of 6-8 (depending on which country you are in) matte liquid lipsticks. These are the Vivid Matte Liquids by ColorSensational, the official lipsticks of New York Fashion Week! 

Left to right: 45 Possessed Plum and 05 Nude Flush

I decided to go for two autumnal colours from the range, as I'm not quite feeling the bold red lips yet and the muted nudes are definitely more of a summer thing for me. I chose 45 Possessed Plum and 05 Nude Flush (yeah, I know I said I didn't want a nude, but this one is more pink). I actually found them very different, so I'm going to write about them individually. 

Nude Flush is actually not a true nude, it is very definitely a pink. I love the duskiness of this shade, given to it by the matte finish. It makes me think of late bloom roses. The texture is very creamy, and almost feels like a satin on the lips. It feels quite cooling as it dries, which sounds weird, but is actually quite nice! I found that Nude Flush took quite a while to dry onto the lips and doesn't have the best staying power. However, the lovely colour and the fabulous matte finish more than make up for it. 

Possessed Plum is just as creamy as Nude Flush, but dries in half the time. I'm not sure if that's the same for all the products, or if I have one weird one? The finish is lovely, not as dark as in the bottle, but it is quite buildable. You can apply it lightly for a light plum tone or build the colour for a deep berry look. I really love the matte finish, matte berry tones are so on trend for this autumn and I have been wearing this most days since I bought it. The colour fades slowly over a couple of hours if you are eating and drinking, but it does fade evenly so you can avoid that dreaded line around your lips you sometimes get with other lip products! 

Concerning the other colours, there is a range from a vivid orange, red, berries and different nudes and browns. They are all lovely colours and there really is something for everyone. If you want to try out the liquid lipstick formula without breaking the bank, check these out :-) They are £6.99 each! 

Have you tried these? Let me know your favourite liquid lipstick in the comments below! Also please show me some love, this is my 100th post and I can't quite believe it has got this far! Thank you for your continued support and kind comments :-)

xoxo

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August Reading Wrap Up

Hello everyone! 

Sorry in advance, but this will be a long post. What can I say? I read a lot of books this month! In spite of the sunnier weather and fewer opportunities to get cosy I always seem to read more in the summer months. Although this August seems to have been a much busier book month. To keep things short I will link to previous reviews of some of the books :-) 

Nights At The Circus by Angela Carter: 2.5 Stars 

I seriously struggled with this book, yes it is a classic and kind of a big deal, but I really found it heavy going. It had all the makings of a great story: love, intrigue, magic and the circus. However, I found the excessively crude language and long descriptive passages a bit wearing. I started to get really in to the story of Fevvers, the glittering star of the entertainment world, as she mystified her audiences as to whether she is woman or swan, but then the story started getting very twisted and non-sensical. I believe it was an attempt at surrealism, but it didn't really work for me. I think other surrealist authors have spoiled me with their amazing narrative. 

After You by Jojo Moyes: 4.5 Stars 

I loved this book, although I was very nervous to pick it up. After the explosion that was Me Before You, I was scared to have my heart broken all over again. After You follows beloved Lou Clark in the aftermath of Will's death. She is struggling again in her job and personal life, when out of nowhere a young girl claiming to be Will's illegitimate daughter canons into her life. Lou now has to pick up the pieces and learn to be strong for those who need her most. This story was almost a redemption for the heart breaking first novel, it was light and funny, bordering on the farcical at times! However, this simply added to the charm of the story and showed that light can be found in the most unexpected of places. 

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George: 4.5 Stars 

This wonderful book is one which I have recently reviewed, so you can check that out here! I found this story charming, heart wrenching and faith restoring all in one. I have not read a book which touched me in the same way for many years! Jean Perdu goes on a quest for love lost, finding friendship, truths and true happiness along the way. He is the realest protagonist I have ever read, his journey down the rivers of France from Paris to Provence was awe-inspiring and at times had me in stitches :-) 

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins: 3.5 Stars 

This much read and discussed thriller has also recently been reviewed so have a little mosey over if you are interested, here. Rachel, Anna and Megan lead very different lives, crossing paths and mingling, they become tangled up in a murderous story. Rachel, still reeling from Anna "stealing" her husband watches from afar on her daily train. When Megan, Anna's neighbour, disappears Rachel is drawn inexorably onto a twisted and dangerous path. I enjoyed this reading experience, the narrative is original and engaging, but I did guess the ending very early on! 

After Alice by Gregory Maguire: 4 Stars 

From the author of Wicked comes a fabulous retelling of Alice In Wonderland. After Alice addresses what happened on the fateful day of Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. Nobody ever wonders if she was missed by the people she left behind! Her friend Ada witnesses her tumble and decides on a whim to follow her and bring her back, but Ada is different to Alice. This makes her experience of Wonderland vastly different to Alice's! This story flits between Ada's escapades below ground and those of the family left at home, frantically searching for Alice and her young friend. This story was witty and fun, it followed the same narrative style as the original story, making it quite a natural companion story. I would say this is a must read for any Alice fan! 

Red Queen by Christina Henry: 4 Stars 

In keeping with the Alice In Wonderland retellings, Red Queen is the sequel to Alice, which I read at the end of last month. I was very excited about this sequel and almost read the pair back to back. Red Queen follows Alice and Hatcher as they escape the city in search of his daughter Jenny. Little do they know they have passed from frying pan to fire. Outside of the magicians from the city's grasp they have wandered into the White Queen's territory. When Hatcher is taken, Alice must use all her ingenuity and all the help she can get in her quest to free her lover. Christina Henry has put a spell on me with these stories, they are my absolute favourite retellings. Deliciously dark and full of wonder, I would recommend this to any fantasy lover. 

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett: 4.5 Stars 

As a lighter read I decided to peruse Terry Pratchett's newly released illustrated edition of Small Gods. I adored this story the first time I read it and found it surprisingly improved for being a graphic novel! Small Gods tells the tale of Brutha, the new prophet to the Great God Om, in a world where the idea of religion has overtaken even the religious principles and beliefs themselves! This story is clever and thought-provoking, whilst somehow remaining light and hilarious. 

The Sunrise by Victoria Hislop: 3 Stars 

The Sunrise is the glittering jewel of Cyprus' hotel industry, tourists from all over the world flock to revel in its opulence. This story follows the lives of three families connected to the Sunrise in vastly different ways throughout the civil war of Cyprus, between the greek and turkish Cypriots, the fall of Famagusta and the devastation of the country. It is almost a historical fiction, it is very hard hitting and made me feel so sad. I think we should all read harder books some times, just to remind ourselves of what can happen when we forget the mistakes of the past. 

Down And Out In Paris And London by George Orwell: 3 Stars 

George Orwell writes of poverty and the lives of the miserable across Paris and London in this meditative work. I found this to be an enjoyable read and at times quite funny. I liked how it gave such a real account of what life can be like in a major city if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself without work or money. This is a speedy read, there is no excuse not to pick it up one afternoon and read it! 

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett: 4 Stars 

We all know wizards are born of the eighth son of a eighth son, well what happens when a wizard has an eighth son? A sourcerer is born, made to wreak havoc and devastation across the whole of the Disc! Never fear, Rincewind and his trusty luggage return in this Discworld novel to attempt primarily to avoid danger and maybe save the world in the process. This was yet again a witty and original book, I always love a good Discworld novel and this is one of my favourites so far! I particularly loved Pratchett's take on the harems, this time with women employed to tell stories to their master, Sheherazade style! 

A Year Of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman: 3.5 Stars 

This tale is so life affirming! I loved it, Marvellous is such an inspirational character. Well into her nineties she is still carrying on her life as normal, waiting for the "something" Paper Jack told her of in a dream. The "something" appears in the form of Drake, a man wounded emotionally by war and the loss of the woman he loves. He needs to heal and Marvellous is the just the woman to show him how. This heartwarming tale teaches you to live and love simply, it breeds happiness and contentment. 

What have you been reading this month? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Jojo Moyes - Breaking Hearts All Over The World

Hello everyone! 

Have you ever read a book so touching it breaks your heart so completely that you can't bear to reread the book? Well I have, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes broke my heart a few years ago when it first came out. Recently I have been collaborating with Catherine over at Badass Vampire Blog to create some book reviews for you guys. We decided to recommend a book to each other and then write a review!

I don't have a physical copy of Me Before You, but I will be writing a review of After You soon so stay tuned :-) 

Me Before You follows Lou Clark as she flounders through life, eventually taking a job as a carer for Will Traynor. After his motorcycle accident, he is left paralysed and hating life. When Lou enters his life she brings a ray of sunshine and they slowly, but surely, fall in love. However, sometimes you have to love someone enough to let them go. Lou is in turmoil, fighting to save the man she loves from himself. Her conscience and her heart need to battle it out before she can decide what is the right thing to do.

Love has many facets and this book shows them all. Sometimes you may not love for a long time, but you still love deeply. This story shows all who read it how important love is and how it can change your life and your choices. I loved every page of this book and it still has me in its thrall. Enchanting and heartbreaking all at once, I think everyone should read this book. 

Catherine recommended this book to me because of how thoroughly beautiful she found the reading experience to be. Now, she says she isn't really a fan of romance novels so wasn't expecting to love this book, she thought it would just be a general good read. However, it melted her self proclaimed cold heart with it's stunning narrative. It changed her view of the world, and romance novels for that matter. She found that it made her think more deeply about life and her dreams, it is an inspiring read! If Catherine had to describe it in one word she would say: Wonderful :-) 

Have you read this? Let me know what you thought in the comments below :-) Be sure to check out Catherine's post here where she'll be talking about City of Bones by Cassandra Clare! 

xoxo

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The Little Paris Bookshop

Hello everyone, 

Have you ever started reading a book with a firm expectation of the storyline only to discover you are reading an entirely different book? Or have you ever been so saddened and yet uplifted by a book that you have cried for whole sections at a time? I have, when I read The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. 

The synopsis of this book paints the story as something light hearted and fun, a typical romantic comedy, which is why my Mam suggested I read it even though she hadn't yet read it herself. In actuality this book is warm and funny yet tinged with a very real sadness. 

The Little Paris Bookshop follows a rather eccentric bookwork with the memorable name of Jean Perdu. Jean Perdu has in fact lost himself, he lost his soul to a woman and his grief at her departure two decades ago. Since then he has been healing all he meets by prescribing books from his book barge The Literary Apothecary. Jean ardently believes all ailments of the heart and soul can be cured with the right book if only the mind is open to healing. His floating shop is found on the idyllic banks of the Seine in Paris, well loved and well known he seems to lead a charmed life. He isn't fooling anyone. His neighbours, friends and family can all see him struggling, but it takes the entry of the enigmatic Catherine for him to start to confront his past. Taking a young writer with him and picking up several strays along the way he sets sail across France, seeking the South and solace for his grief. 

George's writing style is incredibly powerful and compelling. I was spellbound by this book from page one and fell in love with Jean Perdu and all his flawed humanity. This book is about loves lost and found, the forging of friendships and fate foretold in the stars. Jean's grief is so real and relatable that entire sections of the book moved me to tears, he is such a real and human protagonist. I would recommend this book to any lovers of stories, to all the people who value books as old friends this story will stay with you for a long time. 

Have you read this book? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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July Reading Wrap Up

Hello everyone,

Last month wasn't too busy on the reading front really, I didn't have much time to read a lot! I think I read more books at the beginning of the month than anything else. Some of the books I have already done a full review for, so I'll link those in as I go along :-) 

Sorry about the poor lighting and photo quality, a grey day makes photo taking tricky! 

City of Bones and City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare: 4 Stars 

These are the first two books in the Mortal Instruments series. I watched the movie, then I watched the TV show "Shadowhunters" and I was completely hooked. I could not get enough of these characters, so naturally I dived straight into the books. They follow Clary Fray as she very dramatically follows her destiny. She starts out like any other girl really, she's arty, close to her Mom and loves nothing more than listening to music with her best friend Simon. Sounds like any other teen romance right? Wrong! All of sudden she's in a club called Pandemonium trying to fight off a demon nobody else can see. She is plunged into a world of shadows, magic, demons and darkness. Her angel blood can't be suppressed and her need to learn more about it is impossible to resist. Her new friend Jace is equally difficult to resist, strong with sparking blue eyes and white blond hair, his strength is what draws her in, but something darker lies underneath. I loved these books and am currently waiting to read the next ones! Although if I'm honest I'm now reading them only for Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane...

Jingo by Terry Pratchett: 4.5 Stars 

Terry Pratchett is actually my favourite author, so I have read many of his books. This was one of the few that I hadn't yet got around to. It's part of the City Watch mini-series within the Discworld series and is so funny I was laughing loudly on the train. Laughing alone in a public place is quite embarrassing, but is worth it for a truly good book. I love all the characters in this book, they feel like old friends at this point. Carrot is frustratingly chivalrous, but lovable for his overwhelming sense of right and wrong. Sam Vimes is overworked and stressed, but such a true to his roots policeman. The job, his personal mania, comes before all else and this makes him such a relatable personality. I love the easy humour of Nobby Nobbs and Fred Colon, their double act never fails to make me laugh. Then there is Angua the werewolf and Cheery the very feminine dwarf. The puns are endless in this book! As usual they are fighting crimes and magic in the most unusual ways, crossing continents and even cross-dressing in their quest for justice. This is a must read for any fantasy fan! 

Alice by Christina Henry: 5 Stars 

I think this is my favourite read of July. This dark re-telling of Alice in Wonderland sees Alice locked away in a mental institution, with only a mad axe-murderer named Hatcher for company. She has just about accepted her life as a prisoner when a mysterious fire allows herself and Hatcher to escape. Thus beginning their bloody journey across the Old City, searching for a way to imprison the dangerous dark magician known as the Jabberwocky. Their journey will take them deep into the heart of the Old City, where an old "friend" of Alice eagerly awaits her. The Rabbit...

This book made me shiver with fear and dark delight, it was such a wonderfully novel take on a timeless story. If you are into thrillers or dark fantasy then this must be read! I'll be putting up a full review of this one and the sequel Red Queen next week so keep your eyes peeled :-) 

South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami: 3.5 Stars 

I won't batter on about this one too much as I already did a full review which you can check out here. This story is a journey through Hajime's life as he pines for his first love. When he finds her again more than 20 years later he needs to decide what he wants out of life. His wife is loving, pretty and kind. His first love is mysterious, beautiful and has a darkness about her which sucks at his soul. I love books like this with a moral dilemma, it's the age old tale of following your heart and learning about what you want versus what you really need. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling: 5 Stars 

This is another one that I have already reviewed. I feel like there was such a huge hype around this book that it made me worry that I would overestimate it. Thankfully, I was wrong to be worried. This story was just as fantastic as any other J.K. book. The fact that it was a script made it different, but in a really good way. It flowed beautifully and spun the wizarding world into being in exactly the way I had hoped. Anybody who hasn't read this yet needs to get on and read it! Click the little link to have a read of my first impressions and a little spoiler free review :-) 

What have you guys read this month? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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