July book haul

A few months ago I set myself the challenge of not buying any new books until I'd cleared the middle shelf of my bookcase, also known fondly as my very unstructured to be read list. And, well... I broke the ban. I know. A week before my holiday I bought Dawn French's According to Yes, and after that, holiday mode took over and I just haven't been able to stop myself.

I wanted to share with you my haul for this month as there's quite a variety; some physical books, some e-books, and I even caved in and bought some that have been on my wish list for quite a while. There are also a few really random ones that I would never have purposefully gone out to buy so I'm really intrigued to read some of those.

• All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer

• Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

• According to Yes by Dawn French

• Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

• The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

• Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan

• The Complete Collection of Virginia Woolf

• Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

• Second Chance by Jane Green

• The School Run by Sophie King

• It's Raining Men by Milly Johnson

• Creature Comforts by Trisha Ashley

• Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt

• The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

• His Other Life by Beth Thomas

So there we have it! Let me know if you've read any of these, and also let me know if there's any you specifically want me to review.

Thanks for reading! x

Top 10: My childhood favourite reads

Everyone, whether a reader or not, has a favourite book from their childhood. I've always been a reader, and even vaguely remember the first book I read; it had a purple cover and a little sheep, but I can't remember the title unfortunately.

There's something comforting about childhood stories and that reason differs for each person. For me, it's a combination of feeling comforted when reading before drifting off to sleep, and I distinctly remember the feeling of liberation which comes hand in hand with reading a book that sets a youthful imagination on fire.

I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you from different points of my childhood. They're in no particular order... it would be cruel to pick favourites!

1. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

So creative and imaginative - I reread this many, many times

2. Harry Potter (all of them!) by J. K. Rowling

I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter

3. The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

Loved the mischief these kids got themselves into. I wonder why I identified with the fun, mischievous ones... 

4. The Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson

I guess my love of history and research projects began at a young age... and now I have a degree in it. Who'd have thought it?

5. The Twits by Roald Dahl

Again with the mischief! I actually hate this book now, I'm so squeamish and the worms in the beard thing really freaks me out

6. The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse by Beatrix Potter

I loved (and still love) all of Beatrix Potter's stories, but those cheeky little mice in that dollhouse made for such a sweet tale

7. Mr Men and Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves

Which one are you? I'm definitely Little Miss Chatterbox

8. Spot's Magical Christmas by Eric Hill

Just call me the Christmas fairy - I love anything to do with Christmas

9. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

A must read for anyone fascinated by crafting with the English language...but be prepared for a little bit of madness

10. Beside The Sea (Hannah's Hotel) by Mark Burgess

A lesser known tale maybe, but the colourful characters were just so much fun. Oh, and it has my name in it. What child doesn't feel like a celebrity when this happens?

I don't really know if there was a point to this post, but its always a nostalgic talking point for me and I guess I'm just interested to hear what your favourite childhood reads were? Let me know!

Thanks for reading x

Book Review: Witch & Wizard by James Patterson

I recently read a YA book to see what all the fuss was about, seeing as there are so many of you YA reviewers out there. I wanted to see why YA fiction is appealing to so many people who are over the age of 18, and who would not generally be classified as the typical market for this kind of book. I've also heard great things about James Patterson's books and thought he would be a great author to begin with for my foray into YA fiction.

I picked up Witch and Wizard - the first book in the series - as I'd had it sitting on my shelf for years. Personally, I don't think it was for me. I enjoy books which are 'well written', though I understand that for many people this in itself is subjective. In this case, I thought the language was over simplistic and didn't attempt to do anything interesting with sentence structure that might have made the read more compelling. As the novel was plot driven, I expected more to happen; I wanted more action, more adventure, and less 'writing in' to each plot milestone.

On the other hand, it was an easy read, and I appreciate that I'm not used to reading YA fiction. I may have enjoyed reading this when I was much younger, but I don't think that this is a genre I will be exploring much further I'm afraid. Despite the novel's faults, the concept of children saving the world from meanie adults, and a new political system, was rather fun. The innocence of children often exposes the harsh realities of the adult world, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it turned out that this novel was intended to be slightly allegorical - alas, I feel that it is just fantasy.

Sorry folks, you can't say I didn't try! Maybe I was reading the wrong book. Let me know in the comments if you have any YA recommendations for me.

Thanks for reading x

TBR list: #tometopple readathon

I've never taken part in a readathon before as I always seem to miss the beginning of them, but this time, it's happening. Whilst perusing my Twitter feed today I saw lots of people hash tagging #tometopple - so naturally I was intrigued by this. After some investigation, I discovered that this has been set up by Samantha from Thoughts On Tomes (you should totally check out her blog, FYI).

As those of you who read regularly are probably aware, this is the year I've really been able to get back into reading again after finishing my degree. But, whilst I've been working my way towards my goodreads challenge target of reading a measly 15 books this year (I know I know, it's very low!), I've been ignoring the bigger books on my TBR list as I'm simply intimidated by the sheer size of them. I'm hoping that by taking part in this readathon, I'll be able to knock at least one of these on the head. Bring it!

The readathon will take place from 5 June until 19 June and challenges us to read a 500+ page book. So in the meantime, I've put together a TBR list. I think it's a bit ambitious for me to read more than one, but as I'm trying to be more of a glass-half-full kinda gal, I've picked three.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

745 pages

Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkein

1244 pages

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery

768 pages

I really can't choose which to read first, so if you've read any let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear if you're getting involved in #tometopple too. As always, I will review whichever I read, and all will be read... eventually!

Thanks for reading x

Review: Dubliners by James Joyce

Yes, that's right. I'm finally biting the bullet and dipping my toe into the world of James Joyce. I've been warned many a time not to bother reading the likes of Ulysses and A Portrait of the artist as a young man... but I like a challenge. And, chances are, if someone tells me not to do something, I'm probably going to go ahead and do it anyway, especially when it comes to reading! I decided that Dubliners, which has been sat on my shelf since it was a possible A level text, would be a great introduction to Joyce given that it's fairly slim, with only 250 pages to get through.

I began reading this when I had a couple of hours spare on a train and managed to get through 50 pages. I despise starting a new book on public transport because my attention span can be incredibly poor in busy environments, but I gave it a go. As suspected, I didn't get into it, failed to grasp the point of the text, and was confused as to why - four chapters in - I hadn't crossed the same character twice. It wasn't until I got home and picked it up again a couple of days later that I realised it was a collection of short stories... which makes so much more sense!

As someone who never reads short stories (apart from Tales of Beadle the Bard, of course) I found the structure of the collection quite difficult to get my head around. I found that the stories never felt finished, and that I never knew the ending, or fully understood the messaging. After a bit of investigation, I discovered that this was Joyce's intention. The protagonists of the collection are a range of adults and children who stand on the edge of middle-class society. The short stories were intended for the inhabitants of Ireland in the early 1900s to see themselves, and the problems of the lives they were living. An observational piece, Dubliners creates a cynical, and quite negative, snapshot of Dublin just after the turn of the century, depicting the mundane routine and the desire to escape it.

The stories themselves are beautifully written. The wording is simple but effective, and flows in a way that encourages the reader to feel at one with the ordinary characters featuring throughout. Joyce's narrative style remains detached, as though he was simply sat on a bench describing what he was seeing in Dublin, but not passing judgement himself.

Once I understood the context of Dubliners, I was able to appreciate the value of the collection not just as a selection of short stories, but as a potential historical source. Overall, I think it's a really perceptive piece of fiction that creates an image of life in early twentieth century Ireland. However, I will hold my hands up and admit that I didn't read the last short story as I was a little bored by this point, but I'd read enough of the collection to appreciate it's purpose.

I think I'd like to try some more short stories, so if you've any to recommend, do let me know!

Thanks for reading x

Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

My friend was moving to a new flat and was clearing out a load of books to take to a charity shop. I was thrilled when she gave me first pick and I chose two to add to my ever growing 'to read' list - no surprises there! Wild was a book she wasn't getting rid of but, to quote her directly, it's 'just one of those books you need in your life,' so I borrowed it without further questions. I didn't intend to read it straight away, but sometimes these things just happen....

There are so many words I could use to describe Wild - raw, emotional, honest, fierce and beautiful being but a few - though for the most part, the best way I can describe it is as a journey. Not just a literal journey, though on face value it really is the journey of Cheryl Strayed hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. It's a journey on so many other levels; as the cover of this copy states, it's 'A journey from lost to found,' a journey of self discovery, and an emotional journey for the reader from cover to cover.

Cheryl Strayed describes her turbulent start to life; with an abusive father and a caring mother, Strayed and her siblings fled with their mother to begin a new life with barely any money, but a great bond and lot's of love and determination. Despite this, she appreciated her mother and step-dad's efforts to keep their little family together, and even began to study a literature degree. It seemed as though life was just picking up for Strayed when her mother fell ill and died, leaving her degree incomplete. She then lost her way with life, divorced her supportive husband and ended up falling into a self-destructive lifestyle. Her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail was a way out of this, and Wild passionately describes her journey to finding herself.

Strayed is undoubtedly a talented writer and an intelligent woman, and her memoirs unashamedly betray her passion for writing. Throughout the memoir, she reads novels  - both revisiting old favourites and those new to her - and they have a lot of time dedicated to their descriptions, demonstrating how much they give her in terms of comfort and freedom throughout her lonely voyage of self-realisation. At first, I thought this was going to be a little dull - I mean, how exciting can it be reading about someone walking on a trail?! But, I love books about books, and books about writing, so I think that despite the fact I didn't  identify with her journey and struggles, I did connect with her passions, which is why I ended up enjoying reading this as much as I did.

If you're looking for simple, truthful story that is told straight from the heart, I think I've found the one for you. My friend was right; everyone needs this book in their life, no matter what your background because it has so many layers, I'm certain it will speak to each reader on some level.

Thanks for reading x

Review: Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley

Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley

Trisha Ashley is an author I've never heard of before, but if you enjoy the likes of Sophie Kinsella, you're bound to get along just fine. If you're looking for an easy read, with a simple plot that doesn't require any painful thinking, then this could be what you're after.

Chocolate Wishes tells of a group of three companions who are all single, and have all been friends since they were very young as a result of their deranged mother's close friendship. The protagonist, named Chloe, is a confectioner who raises her gothic younger brother when her mother supposedly dies. They live with their grandfather, a warlock, and believes he is a great magician. Chloe is bitten by her past on more than one occasion in her search for love after she moves to the village of Sticklepond; but is she successful on her quest for romance?

The plot moves a little slow for my liking, and didn't really engage my curiosity. Undoubtedly, it's a nice, easy read that allows you to really get to know the characters almost as friends. From taking a drink with them at the local coffee house to searching the lonely hearts ads, Ashley has really given thought to the backgrounds of the characters, which results in them being very real and personable. 

If you're looking for a comforting novel to cosy up with on a rainy afternoon, you won't go far wrong with this one. Though not challenging in either thought or structure, it does everything you need a chick lit novel to do.

Do you enjoy reading a chick lit to a classic? Or is it sometimes nice to have a balance?

Thanks for reading x

The 'Lost in a book' tag

I first saw this post on Aisling's Beauty Bytes and decided that it would be a great one to get myself back into blogging with. I love posting a tag from time to time - even if it is one I've decided to take part in without being tagged in! Hope you find it interesting.

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
No. I just like to feel really comfy and chilled out when I read, so as long as I can do that I'll read anywhere. Of course, reading in bed is what most of us bookworms would deem a perfect reading haven, but anywhere where I can get cosy in my comfiest clothes and lose myself for a few hours will do. One day, it's my dream to create a reading nook in my home - my Pinterest account even has a board dedicated to this! A girl can dream.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

Ideally a bookmark. There's just something about laying a proper bookmark between the pages of a beloved novel which just makes the reading experience complete. However, I would absolutely use a random piece of paper if it meant that I could save the corners of the pages from being folded over. That's just not ok!

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop at a chapter?

I tend to stop reading anywhere to be honest. If it's a really compelling book, I might plough on until I reach the end of a chapter, but I'd rather stop reading in the middle of a chapter if I'm finding it a chore to read and start afresh next time.

Do you eat or drink whilst reading?

I don't really eat whilst reading, but it's rare that you'll find me without a cup of tea!

E-reader or real book?

Until a few years ago, I would undoubtedly have argued that real books would be the only way to get my attention. But then I bought a Kindle and fell in love with e-readers. I still prefer to have my favourite novels and a lot of the classics in real book form, but anything I'm not bothered about keeping hold of, or displaying on my bookshelf, I'm ok with reading electronically. A lot of books are actually cheaper to buy this way, and I've now become so used to using my e-reader that I find it a chore to prop open a real book with two hands nowadays! Oh, the struggles.

Music or TV while reading?

Most of the time I prefer it to be quiet - the less distractions, the better to concentrate.

One book at a time or several at once?

I'd love to say I only read one book at a time - and most of the time that's true. But sometimes there's just the need to be reading several at once, isn't there? For example, if you get bored of one book and need a break from it, or if you're reading a huge fantasy book (I'm looking at YOU, Game of Thrones!) and fancy reading an autobiography. Sometimes it just has to be done.

Reading at home or everywhere?

Everywhere!

Reading aloud or silently in your head?

I used to pretend to one of my sixth form tutors that I had a perpetual sore throat so I didn't have to read out loud. I think that should give you my answer.

Fiction or non-fiction?

Fiction - unless it's an autobiography, and then I just can't help myself but be nosy.

Do you read ahead or skip pages?

I try not to most of the time...

Break the spine or keep a book like new?

Break the spine! It's a sign of a well loved book, after all.

Do you write in your books? 

Not any more. I tried to as I was told by many people that it would help me whilst at uni, but I just couldn't escape the thought that I was defacing a piece of art, and a copy of someone's work.

Your favourite book?

I was dreading having to answer this question as there are so many! I love Jane Eyre. I think it was one of the first classic novels I read, and I've now reread this many a time. It encapsulates everything I love about literature in one novel. It probably won't surprise you to hear that I love everything Daphne Du Maurier as well. I'm a bit of a traditionalist at heart, but I also have a lot of time for the likes of Harry Potter! 

So there we are! I don't want to tag anyone in this as I think it's a nice one to discover for yourself, but do let me know if you decide to do this as I'd love to have a read. 

Thanks for reading x

Book Review: A French Girl in New York

You're probably very sick of me saying 'Now I've finished uni I can do fun things again!' but I really do feel like I'm rediscovering all the little things I enjoy, like reading. Like I've said before, I'm powering through some books I've wanted to read for ages, so here is another in a long line of book reviews coming your way...

I like to download free books on my Kindle now and again, and this was one I downloaded a while ago. It looked like a fun, girly book, an easy but enjoyable read. I thought it would be just like many other free chick flicks I have previously downloaded from Amazon, but how wrong I was about this one!

It begins with the story of an orphan who is taken in by friends of her parents after their death. Maud has a talent for music and gets discovered by a New York record label owner which soon finds the plot unravelling at a fairly speedy pace.

I found I was reading this book everywhere; on the train, in Starbucks, before bed... I just couldn't put it down! It was very refreshing to read a free novel that wasn't just about a glitzy PR girl who falls in love with a restaurant owner who happens to own 3 villas abroad and an Aston Martin... you get the picture. What makes this book so different is it's original plot, with a not entirely predictable twist at the end, making it a real, heart warming success story. 

Once I had finished reading this, I did a little research on the author. I like to know a little about the author as a) I'm nosy, b) I find it interesting to see what may have inspired the book (the literature student within me just can't help myself), and c) to find out what else they have written. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Anna Adams, author of A French Girl in New York, is currently a law student as well as continuing to write and travel! How amazing is that?! 

I'm also extremely happy that Anna has written several other books in the 'French Girl' series which I can't wait to get my hands on and read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wishes to embark on a heartfelt journey with a set of loveable, well described characters.

Let me know if you have read this, or if you pick it up in the future!

Thanks for reading x