Much Loved Books

The Final Curtain

2019-04-04T09:00:00.000+01:00

I'm sure you've all noticed the lack of posts on the blog lately. Last year started off pretty rubbish and stressful with leaving my job of 11 years and going to a new one completely...which was stressful, made be hate work and felt sick at the thought of going in.

Thankfully I found another new job where I'm still at and loving every moment, the downside is longer working hours and further to travel which leaves me with little time to spend with the bf, so books took a step back.

I got the chance of a lifetime and I'm running for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Charity in the Great North Run, so my training for the half marathon has increased, and books took another step back. It's taking me longer to read a book (I'm barely reading a book a week) and even longer to get the review up.

I've thought this over very hard and for a few months now, and I've made the decision to shut down the blog, whether it's forever or just temporarily I don't know, but at the moment my heart isn't into reading as much as I did. I know I owe reviews out to publishers and authors and I'll get them out as soon as possible.

To keep up to date with what I'm reading you can find me on goodreads, and for general life and training updates my instagram.

Thank you everyone who has stuck with me over the years and to all the publishers who have sent me some pretty amazing books, and invited me to some awesome bookish events, and all the friends I've made through blogging.

Book Review: Only You by Marie Landry

2018-12-30T22:28:00.001+00:00

Title: Only You
Author: Marie Landry
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Sunrise Author Service
Publication Date: 13th November 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
Ivy's new boss is sexy, Scottish…and comes with an expiration date.

When Ivy reluctantly takes a new part-time job, it’s a means to an end. Doing this favor for her pain-in-the-neck roommate means Ivy can have her apartment to herself again much sooner. The last thing she expects is Hugh—the hot Scot who just happens to be her new boss—asking her out on a date. And then another. And another.

Something about Hugh makes Ivy want to let her guard down and open up, which would be perfect if he wasn't possibly returning to Scotland in a matter of weeks. But maybe that doesn’t matter. Maybe Ivy can learn to live in the moment and have a little fun, even if it means setting herself up for heartache later.

ONLY YOU is a standalone contemporary romance about taking chances, unexpected friendships, and holding on to the things—and people—that matter most

My Thoughts
I'm a fan of Marie and have read several of her other books, so when the opportunity came up to read Only You I didn't hesitate.

Ivy lives alone and has a full time job which she enjoys, but now she has her cousin Celia, coming to stay while she gets herself sorted with a job and somewhere to stay. Ivy isn't impressed with the new arrangements, her cousin and family aren't the most likeable people, and Ivy sees this more as a duty than actually wanting it. Pretty soon Ivy gets frustrated with Celia and demands she find herself a job and her own place to stay, as soon as possible. When Celia eventually finds herself a job, Ivy isn't expecting the catch that come with it, and soon finds herself juggling her full time job, as well as her new part time job, as an elf, in Santa's Village.

Ivy was a character who I instantly liked, she is not only likeable but also realistic. Her family life isn't picture perfect, her love life is non-existent, and her job keeps her super busy. With her cousin coming along things don't get much better for her immediately, and I liked seeing the squabbles, the annoying feelings towards Celia, it felt like a normal family with normal family problems.

I enjoyed the progression of Only You, it didn't feel rushed or hurried along to reach a certain point, the development of the characters and the story felt natural. I loved the idea of Santa's village and it sounds like the perfect place to work...especially if it has a little bit of snow, real or not. I liked how friendly the staff where and how they welcomed both Ivy and Celia with open arms.

Only You was a book that didn't take long to read (just a while to get the review written) and like the authors previous books, this is another easy one to fall into. Overall I really enjoyed the plot and the characters, the Christmas themed setting just ties this altogether with a little bow.

Book Review: The Monster Museum [Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #10]

2018-11-26T08:00:00.000+00:00

Title: The Monster Museum
Author: J.L. Bryan
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Mystery
Series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #10
Source: Author
Publication Date: 22nd August 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Tell Me About It
Just outside the small but colorful mountain resort town of Foxboro, Tennessee lies Dr. Weirdman's Mountain Museum of Monsters, Curiosities, and Ancient Mysteries. Once a major tourist attraction, it offers travelers the amusement of touring unusual underground caves and pseudo-scientific exhibits ranging from strange creatures to the supposed artifacts of lost civilizations.

Now the museum is a crumbling relic of an older age, fallen into disrepair. Its longtime owner has died, leaving it in the hands of a younger distant relative who knows nothing of how to run a failing tourist trap of a museum, but who is desperate to make a living and provide for his own children.

The museum has a serious ghost problem, though, and Ellie Jordan is called in from Savannah to help. An unexpected old friend joins Ellie at the last moment so that they can spend a snow-filled Christmas together in the mountains...if the ghosts of the restless dead don't turn the holidays into a horrific tragedy.

My Thoughts
I look forward to the email arriving with a copy of the latest instalment of this series, this one was an unexpected surprise but one that was worth it. I love a good spooky book, and with the Ellie Jordan series you never know what will happen with each new instalment, and The Monster Museum definitly keeps you on your toes.

Ellie is contacted, just before Christmas regarding a haunting in a museum. Ellie is initially delaying this investigation until she realises that children are involved, and against he better judgement of Stacey plans to go it alone to start the initial assessment. But Ellie soon finds herself with the company of Michael and Melissa, who plan to make a Christmas holiday out of it.

I loved the contrasting elements to The Monster Museum, the setting is an idyllic little town, covered with a blanket of snow ready for Christmas, yet the haunting itself is as far away from idyllic as it can get. It's creepy, the setting is possibly the strangest setting so far, and the added twist on things just puts this haunting into the 'no way I'm going there' category.

I liked how Ellie is committed to her work, and how she is determined to make sure these children get a good Christmas. I enjoyed seeing the children together, as well as what they do individually and how it's linked to the haunting. The story behind some of the objects was creepy but fits the setting, real or not. The town itself sounds like a perfect town, but things definitly don't go as perfectly planned as hoped, for both the haunting and the 'Christmas holiday'.
I liked that we get to see the friendship between Michael and Ellie start up again, and seeing them try to make their friendship work again. Seeing more of Melissa was both good, as well as odd, and my ideas brewing away in my head were so far off the mark about why it's so odd. However I did miss Stacey and her dose of comic relief, I'm hoping she comes back to help Ellie after her time away.

The Monster Museum was a book I really enjoyed. I loved the creepy factor, the surprise ghosts, but I also did not see it ending the way it does...and that just leaves me desperate for the next instalment.

Blog Tour: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa [review]

2018-11-19T08:00:00.000+00:00

Title: Shadow of the Fox
Author: Julie Kagawa
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Shadow of the Fox #1
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st November 2018

Tell Me About It
A single wish will spark a new dawn.
Every millennium the missing pieces of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers are hunted, for they hold the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish.

As a temple burns to the ground Yumeko escapes with its greatest treasure - the first piece of the scroll. And when fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai she knows he seeks what she has. Kage is under order to kill those who stand in his way but will he be able to complete his mission? Will this be the dawn that sees the dragon wake?

My Thoughts
From the beginning of Shadow of the Fox we are introduced to some very important characters, one who will make a change both for good and bad. But the main focus of the story are Yumeko, who is also at kitsune, and Tatsumi.
Yumeko has been tasked with the job to take their part of the scroll to another temple, whilst Tatsumi has been tasked with claiming it. Both keeping their secrets this duo begin this journey together, as they travel across the land to complete their own tasks.

Shadow of the Fox is told in alternating points of view between these two characters, as well as a few chapters told from others. We follow this duo as they learn more about each other and the creatures that are ever present, whilst we also get to learn more about what their role means, as well as these mystical creatures and what they do. The journey this duo take isn't an easy path and they often find themselves in the middle of trouble, which often brings a helping hand or an extra body for protection.

Even though I've previously read Julie's books, going into Shadow of the Fox I wasn't sure what to expect but I quickly found myself getting drawn into this new world, and really wanting to know more about the ways of the characters and the different classes. I liked that we get to follow the characters as they journey together, but see both sides to the story, and I really enjoyed learning about the culture that surrounds them. Each new character that we meet has their own story to tell or own reasons for what they do, and I liked that Yumeko made an effort to help as many as she could, even roping an unwilling Tatsumi in too.

Shadow of the Fox was an enjoyable book, and it really builds this world for you, setting everything up so you're ready to dive into the next instalment with a clear idea of who is who and what is happening, but I would have liked to have had a little less info dumping on me a certain points. There are characters I'm still not sure I trust 100%, and characters that I instantly liked, and I'm intrigued to see where this goes from here and if the characters will have a change of heart.

Mini Book Review: Lou Out of Luck [Girl Out of Water #2] by Nat Luurtsema

2018-11-12T08:00:00.000+00:00

Title: Lou Out of Luck
Author: Nat Luurtsema
Author Info: Website|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Young Adult
Series: Girl Out of Water
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: 7th June 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Tell Me About It
Poverty sucks. Dad's timing the family's showers and refusing to turn on the heating. Mum has arranged for Lou to get lifts to school with Drippy Dermot and his eccentric mother in the Van of Doom. And lentils seem to feature in EVERY SINGLE MEAL. Lou is still coming down from her brief moment of TV super-stardom and getting to grips with the fact that - hold the news - SHE HAS A BOYFRIEND, but with both parents out of work, life isn't all plain sailing. Throw in Hannah's obsession with the school prom, Dads strange shed activity and Lav s brief flirtation with a modelling career, and suddenly training a dance troupe to swim underwater seems like a walk in the park

My Thoughts
I first picked up Girl Out of Water several years ago and fell in love straight away so when I found out there was going to be another book I knew I had to read it, and years later I finally got to hold it in my hands.

Lou's parents are getting back together, but things will still be a struggle money wise, with both parents looking for jobs, however the lack of money means that at some point in the future the family may have to move in with their Nan. Lou and her family are doing everything they can to save pennies, cutting down on hot water time, heating, and even food selections.
Lou's friendship with Hannah has its struggles, especially with her going to the dark side, but with Dermot Lou finds herself with new friends, whilst her sister Lav is struggling with her new fame.

Lou Out of Luck was a; book I enjoyed just as much as it predecessor, I love Lou's attitude to life and events that happen to her, either overreacting, overthinking, or just going with the flow. Reading Lou Out of Luck made me realise how much I have missed this world, the little quirks, and also the humour.

Lou Out of Luck was the perfect book to bring back a bit of humour to my life, and de-stress me from work.

Memorable Quotes

That’s actually what she said. She wrote that, looked at it and thought, Yep, happy with that. Good Best Friend work. Na-night!! Probably slept like a baby. Or a log. A baby log. A twig.

Blog Tour: The Wife's secret by Kerry Wilkinson

2018-10-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: The Wife's Secret
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Purchase: amazon|iBooks|Kobo|Googleplay
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 10th October 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Tell Me About It
A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist

Charley Willis was thirteen years old when her parents were killed in their family home and she was found hiding in a cupboard upstairs.

Fifteen years later, Charley is marrying Seth Chambers. It should be the happiest day of their lives, a chance for Charley to put her past behind her, but just hours after the ceremony, she is missing.

No one saw her leave. No one knows where she is.

One thing is for certain…Seth is about to discover he doesn’t really know the woman he just married. And his nightmare is only just beginning.

A totally gripping psychological thriller that will keep you reading until the very last jaw-dropping twist.

My Thoughts
I've been a fan of Kerry's since I read his first YA book, and I've followed him since then, picking up the Jessica Daniels series, as well as his recent stand alones. When the opportunity came to be part of the blog tour for The Wife's Secret I didn't hesitate in signing up, and although this review may me short and vague, trust me it’s for your best interest that YOU discover the secrets that lie within the pages of this book.
The Wife's Secret begins on what should be the happiest day of Seth an Charley's lives, but the disappearance of Charley means Seth is not celebrating their marriage, and is in fact trying to find out what happened and where she went.

I really liked that the story itself isn’t one based in the present, that there is also a lot of back story to Charley and her family, which we get to explore with alternating chapters from present to past, each chapter bringin us slowly closer to the present. There were a lot of things happening to Charley, which affects how she acts and behaves in the present, and as local why she does certain things. I enjoyed getting to see the close friendships she has with her friends and some family members, and how they rally around o help Seth in his time of need.

As I progressed through the book I really got a feel for the characters, and seeing what Charley went through as a child was heartbreaking. Seth knows only the public facts about his new wife, so is just as surprised with some revelations as I was. I loved the twists and turns throughout the book, and how I could never really put my finger on what had happened. Just as I think I might getting close another addition to the story is revealed and what I thought was going to happen turns out wrong.

I love how the author, Kerry Wilkinson, has built up a history for Charley, which makes her feel more real and has you becoming invested in her story and her ending. I enjoyed the trickle of backstory and revelation of family secrets which shows how important the ‘public face’ was for the family but also how damaging it was for her. Her relationship with her sister was a strong base which really helps her through some bad times and I love how her sister, Martha, is willing to stand up against anyone in order to ensure they are safe.

The Wife’s Secret was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and while part of me wanted it to end so I could finally know what was going on, the other part of me wanted to keep reading, to have a never ending story of Charley and Seth.

Author Bio:
Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 bestsellers in the UK, Canada, South Africa and Singapore, as well as top-five books in Australia. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Autumn 2018 TBR

2018-09-18T11:36:00.001+01:00

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010. It's a chance for bloggers to share their top ten books of the chosen topic that week.
That Artsy Reader Girl now hosts on her blog, clicking the image will take you to her post.

Fury by Rachel Vincent
The Wife's Secret by Kerry Wilkinson

The Monster Museum by J.L. Bryan
After the Fire by Will Hill

No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

Mini Book Review: Baby Animal finger Puppet Books

2018-09-17T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Baby Penguin Finger Puppet Book
Genre: Picture Book, Novelty Book
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 7th August 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
Meet Baby Penguin! How does Baby Penguin stay cozy and warm? Where does Baby Penguin play? Follow along as she experiences her world, from playtime to bedtime. The simple, comforting stories in this go-to baby gift series have made it a multimillion seller. Featuring a permanently attached plush finger puppet, each volume offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

My Thoughts
Follow baby penguin through various activities through the day, from waking up in the morning, to how she glides through the waves when swimming, how she keeps warm when she is cold, and how she dives into the water when she is brave. The colours are both and bold, with a few words on each page which are easy for little ones to repeat ‘splash’ ‘peep’ etc. What makes this book even more cuter is the baby penguin finger puppet that you can move around using your finger.

Title: Baby Unicorn Finger Puppet Book
Genre: Picture Book, Novelty Book
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 7th August 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
Meet Baby Unicorn! What does Baby Unicorn find in the enchanted forest? Is she ready to use her healing magic? Follow along as she explores her world and discovers her special powers! The simple, comforting stories in this go-to baby gift series have made it a multimillion seller. Featuring a permanently attached plush finger puppet, each volume offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

My Thoughts
Follow baby unicorn in her day, waking up, having a bath in a waterfall, and galloping through the forest to help others. The colours are also bright and bold in this book with few sentences on each page. Although there are no repeatable words, there is enough in the pages to prompt speaking. Baby unicorn also has a finger puppet which you can move with your finger. I am excited to take this in for my work babies who have recently taken a liking to my little pony books.

Title: Baby Hedgehog Finger Puppet Book
Genre: Picture Book, Novelty Book
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 7th August 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
Meet Baby Hedgehog! Where does Baby Hedgehog live? How does Baby Hedgehog find a tasty treat? Follow along as he experiences his world, from playtime to bedtime. The simple, comforting stories in this go-to baby gift series have made it a multimillion seller. Featuring a permanently attached plush finger puppet, each volume offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

My Thoughts
This book follows baby hedgehog through his day, what he does when he explores, how he squeaks when he’s happy, and where he sleeps at night. The pictures are bright and bold with few sentences on the page. This also has a finger puppet that you can move around, and is the perfect book for Autumn.

All of these books have been a huge hit with my work babies, and we definitly know the stories off by heart.

Literary Book Gifts - A Bookish Gift List

2018-09-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Do you struggle to buy for your bookish friend or close relative, stuck for ideas on what to buy for your other half, well Literary Book Gifts has just the thing for you. With a range of items, from tote bags (to carry the essentials......like books) to T-Shirts proclaiming your love for a certain book, even hoodies to keep you warm as you read your favourite book.

Literary Book Gifts has a variety of sizes and styles to suit everybody.....

This Wizard of Oz tote bag comes in a variety of sizes, it is 100% polyester and comes with boxed corners, black cotton handles, and black lining.
This is perfect for carrying around all the books you need to have with you, as well as for everyday use like sharing your love for Oz whilst out grocery shopping.

Want to keep cool in the park during a hot summers day, then this Alice's Adventures in Wonderland tank top is perfect for this. This is a slim fit, which runs slightly small, and is made of 60% soft cotton; 40% Polyester.
This also comes in a variety of sizes and colours.

This 20,000 Leagues under the Sea T-Shirt is perfect for the man in your life, or perfect if you want a bit less fit in your T-Shirts (like myself) or to relax at home in literary style.
This comes in a variety of sizes and colours. This is a classic fit T-Shirt which runs slightly large. It's suitable for men and is also unisex, and is made with 100% cotton.

With lots to choose from you will be spoilt for choice, and may even have to buy several items in different colours and styles.

If any of these items take your fancy, then pop on over to Literary Book Gifts and see what else they ave to offer. While you're there take advantage of my discount code

MUCHLOVEDBOOKS20

which gives 20% off anything in the store, no minimum spend, and does not expire.

*I have not received anything in exchange for making this post*

The Sunday Post

2018-09-09T11:02:00.001+01:00

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, to recap the past week on my blog, showcase books and things I have received.

NEW ARRIVALS THIS WEEK

Golden Hour by Chantel Guertin purchased by myself
You Only Live Once by Jess Vallance purchased by ymself

Dead Heat (Audiobook) by Patricia Briggs purchased by myself
Silence Fallen (Audiobook) by Patricia Briggs purchased by myself
Burn Bright (Audio Book) by Patricia Briggs purchased by myself

What exciting things did YOU receive this week?

Blog Tour: Drone Racer by Andy Briggs [Q & A and giveaway]

2018-09-07T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Drone Racer
Author: Andy Briggs
Author Info: Website|Twitter|Instagram|Facebook
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 6th September 2018

Tell Me About It
An action-packed novel that brings drone racing to life!

Carson and his friends love racing drones, and they can't believe their luck when they stumble across a discarded one at a junkyard. But this new find is full of surprises.

When they power the drone up, it starts talking! And it's fast. Really fast. They could win big prizes in the racing leagues. Trouble is, someone wants their incredible drone back, and they'll stop at nothing to get it.

How can three kids protect their new friend?

I'm am a huge fan of the Inventory series by Andy Briggs, so when the chance came up to host him for his new book, Drone Racer, I jumped at the chance. I am excited to share with you today some questions and answers. as well as a giveaway for 3 people to win a copy of Drone Racer for yourselves.

You’ve written scripts for Hollywood films – would you like to see a Drone Racer film?

Ha, ha, ha, ha….!! Of course! The truth is that DRONE RACER is really a secret love letter to the 80s films that continue to inspire me. Those great movies that started in suburbia and took characters on completely unexpected rides: ET, Goonies, Explorers, Batteries Not Included, My Science Project, Weird Science, Close Encounters, Flight of the Navigator… growing up, they were stories I wish happened to me.
Writing this as a book was escapism for me. It would be wonderful to see it on the big screen…

Who would play Carson?

Because he’s twelve, it would have to be somebody new. In the same way they cast an unknown Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter. But one of my dream casting rolls would be Rachel McAdams in the role of the villain…

How is writing a book different from writing a film?

There are far fewer words in a screenplay! Maybe around 23,000 versus 35,000+ in a middle grade novel, 50,000 or more in YA and 80,000 plus in an adult novel.
But words are the easy part, structure is the more difficult aspect. A majority of people complain that the book is better than the film, but that is such an unfair comparison. With books you have numerous pages to work through a scene – in a film that may be condensed into a quarter of a page. Without dull voice-overs, you can’t get into a character’s inner-monologue in a film, while in a books thoughts and feelings can be played out across dozens of pages. In a movie, you have a budget that determines what you can and cannot show. In a book, words cost nothing. And no matter how great an actor or special effect – they’re no match to what you can imagine.
However, those are exactly the reasons I enjoy writing both. Screenwriter is a more surgical form of storytelling, whereas with books you can enjoy the ballet of words. I get depressed when I read other authors saying how awful films are… and then they go and write the exact plot of an old movie which they happen not to have seen and are lauded as originals. There is a snobbery between the two disciplines that I find baffling. Of course, that works the other way around too!

Is this the last we will hear of Carson and his friends, or do you have another Drone Racer book up your sleeve?

I was super-excited to be able to write DRONE RACER as a stand-alone novel. Everything I have written so far have been series, with inevitable cliffhangers and plots spread across books. Writing a self-contained story was a joy and I want to do more!
That said, I still think Vanta and Carson have a few more air miles left in them…

If after reading Drone Racer, kids who want to get into drones, where should they go?

There are local drone racing clubs across the country that have their own safe courses, competitions, and it’s always nice to mix with likeminded people.

There is the British FPV Racing Association: http://bfpvra.org

The International Drone Racing League: https://thedroneracingleague.com

One of the most useful resources is this website with its map of all your local clubs and leagues! https://www.fpvuk.org/local-clubs/

Get out there! Get racing… oh, and reading too…

@abriggswriter
www.andybriggs.co.uk

Giveaway Time

To be in with a chance to win a copy of drone Racer, just pop your name and email into the form below or follow this link. A random number generator will be used to select the winner. This giveaway is for UK residents only, and please ensure you follow my giveaway policy which can be found here.
The giveaway will run for two weeks, and will end at midnight on 16th September.

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Monthly Wrap Up - August

2018-08-31T21:15:00.000+01:00

Monthly Wrap Up is a way for me to look back on what I've read, and what I'm looking forward to. It also combines The Reading Queue and Honourable Mentions.
The idea behind this post comes from Lost in Lit

BOOKS READ

BOOKISH BINGO

I'm taking part in another bookish bingo and I'm going to try my best to get a few squares crossed off.

REAL LIFE

Today post is a smaller one, with not as many sections as usual mainly for the reasons below/
It's taken me a lot longer to get back into posting on here than I initially planned. At first it was a new job and longer hours, but then I think I just lost my mojo a bit and reading took me a lot longer to do than usual. I'm back to listening to audiobooks again, some re-listens of the Mercedes Thompson world, and I'm hoping to tackle a few books in series that I need to finish.
Running is back up again, and although at the time of writing this, I'm not back up to my 10k without stopping yet, I'm getting there, and we have a lot of races planned towards the end of the year.

Book review: The Piraroo [Tales from Puffington Hill #1] by Marko Kitti

2018-08-30T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: The Piraroo
Author: Marko Kitti
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Tales from Puffington Hill, #1
Source: Author
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: 18th July 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
Dear Reader,

I’m afraid you’re soon going to meet a tarantula the size of a kitten. You’re also going to bump into a whopper of a seagull who is the British Champion in Poop Bombing. Not to mention an extraordinary, furry creature whose ancestor once belonged to a notorious pirate captain.

You’re also going to meet a ten-year-old boy called Max, the owner of the tarantula, whose life is about to turn upside down in this nail-biting adventure that includes petnappers and disgusting healthy smoothies!

So I am warning you, Dear Reader: Should you decide to read about Max and his animal friends, your life will never be the same again.

Yours sincerely,
MK

My Thoughts
I've really enjoyed spending time in Puffington Hill with Jesper, and Delbert, so when I was offered the chance to review The Piraroo I jumped at the chance. I'd previously stalked the author and had already seen some of the art work for this book, all I needed was to get my hands on the words that go with the art.

The Piraroo is set in Puffington Hill, but the protagonist of this story is 10 year old Max who lives with his family and also has a pet spider. We get to see how special this spider is with Max's morning routine, but one morning Max wakes up to discover his beloved pet spider, Gurdimus, is dead, and then stolen by Evil Gull.

Max is understandably heartbroken, but his Father takes him to his pet shop to find another pet, where they learn about Gurdimus, that he is a Matupiri Pinktoe Tarantula, a bird hunting spider, and may not be dead, but bored. Unsure if Gurdimus will come back they end up taking home Alfie, a piraroo who sensed Max's sadness and wanted to cheer him up. Alfie comes with his own backstory, one that involves pirates, and treasure.

Things aren't easy from here however, and soon pet-nappers arrive to try and steal Alfie for themselves. Max must do all he can to keep Alfie safe and finds himself with some surprising allies in his task.

The Piraroo was a quick read with some fab artwork. The story itself had some surprising twists, along with some heartwarming moments, as well as sibling rivalry that I can truly relate to. I enjoyed reading the story and seeing how it all ends, especially with the appearance of a few familiar faces.

Memorable Quotes

So my advice is, whenever things are looking exceptionally good, you should expect something exceptionally bad to happen.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Based in School

2018-08-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

Today's topic is based around school, either books that take place at school/boarding school/during study abroad, books you read in school, textbooks you liked/didn’t like, non-fiction books you loved or want to read, etc. So for my choice I've picked books that have a connection to school, either throughout the whole of the book or part of the book. From my selection I can't really pick my top ten, so all the books are equal favourites.

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent
Making It by Jamie Scallion

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Geek Girl by Holly Smale
One by LeighAnn Kopans

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Transparent by Natalie Whipple

What books would you pick for your Top Ten, leave a comment/link below

Audiobook Mini Review: The Girl with the Ghost Machine by Lauren DeStefano

2018-08-27T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: The Girl with the Ghost Machine
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy,
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication Date: 6th June 2017
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
What if a machine could bring back the ones we love? From New York Times bestseller Lauren DeStefano comes a captivating middle grade of loss, love and hope.

In this beautiful and poignant novel, acclaimed author Lauren DeStefano tells a story love and loss, and what it means to say goodbye.

When Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine, she didn't expect it to bring her mother back from the dead. But by locking himself in the basement to toil away at his hopes, Monsieur Beaumont has become obsessed with the contraption and neglected the living, and Emmaline is tired of feeling forgotten.

Nothing good has come from building the ghost machine, and Emmaline decides that the only way to bring her father back will be to make the ghost machine work…or destroy it forever.

My Thoughts
When I first heard about The Girl with the Ghost Machine I knew it was one I had to read. We all have people who we have lost and would give anything to see again, so this book was a definite 'what if' for me.

Emmaline lives with her Father, who builds this machine in order to see his wife, Emmaline's Mother again, but it just doesn't seem to work. Emmaline tells her friends about the machine, and they come to see what is going on with it, and if they should destroy it. They somehow end up fixing the machine, but not all is as it seems. The Ghost Machine works just fine if you feed it an item belonging to the person who you want to see again, but it also requires a sacrifice. Would you willingly feed this machine an item of clothing knowing what it needed?

The Girl with the Ghost Machine was a quick audiobook to listen to, I loved the story line and the friendships within the pages of this book, and the narrator really brings them to life. I loved the detail that went into the book, how we are told the backstory but then pick up the story and go from there. The friendships, the nosy neighbours, just made this book even more real. I really liked the idea of a machine bringing a loved one back one last time for you to see them, this was one thing about the book that I really liked, the possibility of 'what if'. However, towards the end of the book tissues are required and how Emmaline deals with this event in regards to the Ghost Machine was hard but sensible.

Final Verdict
The Girl with the Ghost Machine was a book I really enjoyed. I liked that we get to see Emmaline's story from start to finish and how her life progresses and the decisions she makes.

The Sunday Post

2018-08-26T16:33:00.006+01:00

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, to recap the past week on my blog, showcase books and things I have received.

NEW ARRIVALS THIS WEEK

Drone Racer by Andy Briggs for review from publisher
The Monster Museum by J.L. Bryan for review from author
Fury by Rachel Vincent for review from Netgalley

Baby Penguin: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books for review from publisher
Baby Unicorn: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books for review from publisher
Baby Hedgehog: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books for review from publisher

What exciting things did YOU receive this week?

Blog Tour: The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker by Kerry Wilkinson [review]

2018-07-31T07:30:00.000+01:00

Title: The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 26th July 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Tell Me About It
‘I will never forget the night I drowned…’
A village with something to hide.

Seventeen-year-old Eleanor Parker wakes up cold and alone in the river that twists through her quiet village. She has no memory of how she got there. But she does know that another girl was drowned in the same river the summer before, held under the water by an unknown killer…

A community torn apart.

Eleanor is a normal, every day teenager. She argues with her mum, spends her days with her best friend, and is looking forward to a carefree summer of sunshine and music. Who would want to hurt her?

A shocking secret.

Determined to unlock the mystery of what really happened to her, Eleanor can't escape the feeling that something awful links her to the previous summer's murder. But will she find out the truth before it’s too late?

My Thoughts
When Eleanor wakes up in a ditch at the side of the road she has no idea how she got there, or what happened to leave her in such a state. She somehow makes her way home, but soon realises that things aren’t OK, because Eleanor is dead.

Having already read and loved plenty of Kerry Wilkinson’s books I knew not to expect the expected, and especially after reading the synopsis for The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy mystery to solve.

One thing that really stands out in the pages of The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker is how it’s not a typical ‘coming back from the dead’ story. Yes Eleanor died, but she has come back to solve her death, but not as the typical ghost. She can still function as a human (mostly) but as the days go on she comes to the realisation that not is all as it seems. When Eleanor first wakes up she has no idea what happened, but as the days progress bits and pieces start to come back and she tries to connect them all and solve her murder.

I liked getting to see the process Eleanor goes through to figure it all out, from making lists, and talking to people to try and jog her memory...which doesn’t always bring back memories she is looking for. Eleanor has no idea who to trust, especially when she remembers things she shouldn’t have done, and wonders if that was the trigger that lead to her death.

I loved every single page of this book, from the characters, the plot, and the twists and turns that I was taken on to reach the final chapter. I enjoyed the journey that we take with Eleanor to solve her murder, and I never knew who was responsible for it all.

The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker can’t really be placed into one genre, its a hybrid of several, all rolled into one to make an interesting read. The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker is a must read for mystery lovers, and paranormal lovers.

Memorable Quotes

I suppose being dead doesn’t stop someone from being a complete bitch.

Never trust a person who eats a gingerbread man arm-first.

Purchase Links

Amazon - iBookstore - Kobo - Googleplay

About the author

Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 bestsellers in the UK, Canada, South Africa and Singapore, as well as top-five books in Australia. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Upcoming US releases:
Behind Closed Doors (Jessica Daniel 7): Out now
Two Sisters (standalone): Out now
The Girl Who Came Back (standalone): Out now
Crossing The Line (Jessica Daniel 8): Out now
Scarred For Life (Jessica Daniel 9): Out now
One Cloudy Night (standalone): 2018
The Death And Life Of Eleanor Parker (standalone): July 2018
For Richer, For Poorer (Jessica Daniel 10): Out now
Nothing But Trouble (Jessica Daniel 11): August 2018

Recent and upcoming UK releases:
Eye For An Eye (Jessica Daniel): Out now
Last Night (standalone): Out now
The Death And Life Of Eleanor Parker (standalone): July 2018
To Have And To Hold (standalone): October 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday: Storm Cursed

2018-07-04T21:23:00.002+01:00

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

This Wednesday I can't wait for...

Title: Storm Cursed
Author: Patricia Briggs
Publisher: Ace
Expected Publication Date: 5th March 2019

Synopsis from goodreads
In this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves…

My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter.

And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn’t stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word.

We will die to keep it.

Why I'm Waiting on Wednesday for this book
I'm a big fan of the series so when I saw the cover reveal via twitter I fell in love with it straight away. I love how determined Mercy looks and I can't wait to see what storm is on the way. I NEED this book

What are YOU waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Red, White, & Blue Covers

2018-07-03T08:00:00.000+01:00

I'm taking liberties with this weeks theme, and since I can't find books that I like with all the colours on, I've picked books with two of the colours on them that I like. These book covers also aren't in any particular order of favourite.

Maybe Now by Colleen Hoover
I Have Lost My way by Gayle Forman

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

The problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

All wrapped Up by Holly Smale
Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

When We Collided by Emery Lord
Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent

Recent Reads

2018-06-25T23:29:00.001+01:00

Recent Reads is a way for me to round up books that I have read recently that are either too small to really give a detailed review of them, or are books read for fun with no review notes taken.
To find out more about each book, click on the book title to be taken to Goodreads

Little Dragon by Deborah Cueno
This was a short book, and one I have read a while ago. I loved the simplicity of the pictures and how eye catching it is. The story itself is about Little Dragon and his new baby, how his parents tell him about the dragon, and Little Dragons feelings towards this new arrival. I think this would be a great book as an introduction to new arrivals as well as discussions about feelings the child may have towards new arrivals.

50 Wacky Things Pets Do: Weird & Amazing Things Pets Do by Walter Foster Creative Team
This was another quick read, with wacky things about every animal you can have as a pet, from hamsters, cats, and dogs. the pictures were cute and bold, clearly illustrating the wacky thing as well as writing about it too.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
This was a mixed book for me. I had previously listened to the audio a while ago, but had forgotten how it all ended so I snagged a copy from NetGalley. The beginning of the book as how I remembered it, but the ending not so much. I liked the idea behind the story I just felt like it didn't really get too far, and just as things are about to get interesting the book ends. To me this felt more like a prequel with bonus chapters letting us look into the book, rather than a first book in the series. I just didn't feel like the characters and the story was fully set up before it ended. I'm still debating whether to continue with this series or not.

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
After reading Night Owls I knew I had to read this book. I love the worlds that Jenn creates and how easy it is to fall in love with the characters. With Alex, Approximately I knew where it was going pretty early on, but I loved going along for the ride and seeing how it would all be revealed.

Bailey was a character who I loved, not only for her personality but also her dress style and how she doesn't follow the fashions. Porter took a while for me to like, his initial attitude did not help things at all. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it didn't take long for me to reach the end. I can't wait to pick up the next book to read.

Confess by Colleen Hoover
Confess was a book I've had hanging around for a while waiting to be read, and a break form work was the prefect chance. I had heard a lot of things about this book before going into it, so I had some small idea of what it was about. I loved the paintings and the confessions for them and how they are connected. There were a lot of twists and surprises throughout the pages that I did not expect, but I love how it was dealt with once it was revealed. The final chapter was definitly not what I expected but liked how it had all come full circle.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
This was a book I had put off reading for a while. Going into this I had some idea about what it was about and was worried about how it would be told. The subject matter is portrayed in a sensitive way, and shows how the past has affected the protagonist Lily and how it paves the way for her future. I liked the flashback to her friendship and how it helped her back then as well as in the present. Lily is someone who is strong and resilient and isn't afraid to do what is best for the future no matter what that leaves her with.

Salvaged by Jay Crownover
I've had Salvaged sitting waiting to be read for a while. Reading this made me realise how much I have missed my Marked Men and Saints of Denver. I love getting to catch up with Poppy and see how she is doing, as well as Wheeler and his tentative friendship with her. Wheeler is someone who is strong for Poppy, willing to drop everything for her, and protect her as much as he can. Poppy has grown since her initial introduction in the series, and seeing how she is gaining confidence and forming friendships really makes me smile.
I really enjoyed seeing this couple interacting with each other and being there for the other person, and I really hope we get to see an end point at some time in the future.

Book Review: Save the Date by Morgan Matson

2018-06-21T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Save the Date
Author: Morgan Matson
Author Info: Website|Twitter|Instagram
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Publication Date: 14th June 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Tell Me About It
Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realise that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.

My Thoughts
I'm a big fan of Morgan Matson so as soon as I heard about Save the Date I knew I had to add it to my 'must read' list. When the book arrived it didn't take me long to open the pages and dive in. One thing I love about Morgan's books is how there is always a connection between them, either set in the same location, characters visiting the same shops, and even cameos from characters from other books.

The Grant family is preparing for Linnie's Wedding, the whole family is getting together for this occasion and plans have been set in motion for a while, until they find out their wedding planner has messed up everything. But to add to the craziness a TV show is coming to interview the family over their last comic strip, a strange dog has been left at the house, estranged family members are making an appearance, the tux goes missing...the list is endless. With the help of Will, the new wedding planner, Charlie is trying her best to spend time with the family, and get everything fixed and in place for the big day.

If you think of what can go wrong before a wedding, it happens. You read the chapters and see the solutions, but have no idea of what the next hurdle is going to be and I liked not knowing what to expect next. I love how Charlie tries her best to keep everything in place and running for her sister, as well as keeping the family civilised. The Grant family is one that felt real from the start of the book. Things aren't picture perfect and things do go wrong. There are relatives that they don't get along with, or relatives that don't speak to each other, as well as estranged family members.

Save the Date was exactly what I expected from Morgan Matson, I loved every page of this book and could not wait to see how it all ended. I loved how nothing ever ran smoothly, it made the family and the events seem realistic. It honestly didn’t take me long to read this book, no matter how much I wanted to make Save the Date last, it’s just not possible with Morgan’s books.

Final verdict
Save the Date is a must read for everyone, fans of her books will love her latest book. I’m already wanting another book of hers to read.

The Sunday Post

2018-06-17T08:00:00.000+01:00

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, to recap the past week on my blog, showcase books and things I have received.

NEW ARRIVALS

It's been a while since I've posted on the blog, it took a lot longer to get back to a routine than I thought it would. So I thought I'd start back with a Sunday Post and share some recent books I've received.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson for review from publisher
The Queens of Fennbirn by Kendare Blake for review from publisher
The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker for review from publisher
Open Road Summer by Emery Lord for review from Netgalley

What exciting things did YOU receive this week?

Book Review: Shadow Hunt [Disrupted Magic #3] by Melissa F. Olsen

2018-05-14T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Shadow Hunt
Author: Melissa F. Olsen
Author Info: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Disrupted Magic #3
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: 47 North
Publication Date: 13th February 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
For years now, Scarlett Bernard has counted on two things: her ability to nullify magic, and Shadow, the bargest who guards Scarlett with her life. But after a sudden revelation turns Scarlett’s world upside down, she panics and leaves town without warning, leaving Shadow with her partner, Jesse. In the chaos that follows, the bargest is stolen—and Jesse nearly dies from a brutal psychic assault.

It seems that an old enemy has returned for revenge…and the attack on Shadow was only the beginning. As Scarlett races home to find the bargest and rescue her friends, she is dragged deeper into a terrifying legend that has somehow found its way to present-day Los Angeles.

Now she will have to recruit every possible ally for a battle that will test her null ability to the limit. Scarlett has been in over her head before, but now she risks losing everything—and she’s never had more to lose.

My Thoughts
When I saw a new book by Melissa F. Olsen was out I knew I had to catch up on the series. I enjoyed reading the start of this series a few years ago but couldn't really remember what had happened, so i reread them, then jumped straight into the spin off series Boundary Magic. Having the whole series fresh in my head really helped me in following the story for Shadow Hunt, especially with the mentions of characters from Boundary Magic.

Shadow Hunt begins with possibly the biggest surprise, it as definitly one I didn't see coming, which results in a drive for Scarlett to Colorado to see Lex, and ask a lot of questions. But whilst she is there Shadow is taken, and Scarlett will stop at nothing to find her.

I have found myself getting more invested in this series as it goes on, I love Scarlett as a character, she isn't afraid to dive into things without knowing the outcome (although she is a little more reserved in Shadow Hunt) and she isn't afraid to seek out the answers to her questions. I like that Scarlett still has her friends around her who will support and help her as much as possible, even going as far as to look after Shadow and fight to protect her.

There were moments in Shadow Hunt that I feared for the worst, for Shadow, for Jesse, and even for Scarlett. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming within the pages of this book, and I liked the different routes that were taken to answer these problems as they arose. The end of Shadow Hunt definitly leaves you wanting more, and I am really interested in seeing where this series can go from here.

Final Verdict
Shadow Hunt has to be my most surprising book out of the series so far. Things that arise I really did not see coming and I am super interested in finding out where this leaves Scarlett now.

Double Review: The Sneetches & Scrambled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss

2018-05-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Scrambled Eggs Super
Author: Dr Seuss
Author Info: Website
Genre: Children's, Picture Book
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's
Publication Date: 8th March 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
When it comes to scrambling eggs, Peter T. Hooper needs something super special for his super-dee-dooper dish! And only the most interesting and exciting eggs from around the world will do…

Peter T. Hooper needs an extraordinary list of eggs for his special omlette…The list of ingredients includes eggs of the Stroodel, whose sort of a stork but with fur like a poodle, and of the moth-watching Sneth – a bird who’s so big she scares people to death!
Follow him on his zany journey in this Dr. Seuss classic.

My Thoughts
HarperCollins Children's Books are re-branding and republishing some Dr. Seuss books. Not only are they much brighter but also colour coordinated for reading levels.

Blue Back Books for parents to share with young children, Green Back Books for budding readers to tackle on their own, and Yellow Back Books for older, more fluent readers to enjoy.

Considering how popular Dr. Seuss is, Scrambled Egg Super! was my first ever Dr. Seuss book, so I had no idea what to expect when I opened the pages. The moment I began reading I was hooked.

Peter T Hooper sets out to find in order to use only the best eggs for his scrambled eggs. He travels to find eggs from the Tizzle-Topped Grouse, and the Twiddler Owls, searching in trees, through the country, and up hills. He enlists the help of friends who can travel across waters and to far off places to get these eggs.

I loved how the writing rhymed and flowed throughout the pages of Scrambled Egg Super!. The images are bright and eye catching, and certainly match with the names of some of the birds. This was a short read at 65 pages, but means it's perfect for younger readers.

Title: The Sneetches and Other Stories
Author: Dr Seuss
Author Info: Website
Genre: Children's, Picture Book
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's
Publication Date: 8th March 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Tell Me About It
THE SNEETCHES
"Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches / Had bellies with stars. / The Plain-Belly Sneetches / Had none upon thars." This collection of four of Dr. Seuss's most winning stories begins with that unforgettable tale of the unfortunate Sneetches, bamboozled by one Sylvester McMonkey McBean ("the Fix-it-up Chappie"), who teaches them that pointless prejudice can be costly.

THE ZAX
Following the Sneetches, a South-Going Zax and a North-Going Zax seem determined to butt heads on the prairie of Prax.

TOO MANY DAVES
Then there's the tongue-twisting story of Mrs. McCave--you know, the one who had 23 sons and named them all Dave. (She realizes that she'd be far less confused had she given them different names, like Marvin O'Gravel Balloon Face or Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate.)

WHAT WAS I SCARED OF?
A slightly spooky adventure involving a pair of haunted trousers--"What was I scared of?"--closes out the collection. Sneetches and Other Stories is Seuss at his best, with distinctively wacky illustrations and ingeniously weird prose.

My Thoughts
The Sneetches and Other Stories is a book that has a few stories within the pages, some are just a page or two long whilst others are several pages long. My review won't be featuring the whole set of stories, just the main story, The Sneetches.

The Sneetches are creatures, some have stars while some have none. The Star-Belly Sneetches think they are the best Sneetches of all, ignoring the plain belly Sneetches and excluding them in all of their games. That is until Sylvester McMonkey McBean comes along and offers the Plain-Belly Sneetches an opportunity, for $3 each they can have stars on their bellies too.

The Star-Belly Sneetches now have their own offer, for $10 each they can have their stars removed, especially since stars are no longer in fashion, and they can still be the best Sneetches around. The Sneetches go backwards and forwards, gaining stars and then getting them removed.

Again I loved the flow of the story as well as the bright images, and the moral that comes with this story.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books With My Favourite Colours On the Cover

2018-05-08T21:39:00.000+01:00

Today's topic is books with my favourite colour on it, just to make things awkward I have two favourite colours, blue and purple. So today I am doing half blue and half purple.

What Light by Jay Asher
Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Kisses on a Paper Airplane by Sarah Vance-Tompkins

Endlessly by Kiersten White
Unhinged by A.G. Howard

The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable
Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau