Currently Reading

I haven't picked up a book in a little while. There was a period in the last half of 2016 that I was reading one to two books a week, but as usual with my reading habits I stumble onto something not quite as exciting and I fall of the wagon again. So here I am, new year and all, jumping back on.

I've decided to start with something that's got all the promise of being, well, promising. Seeing as I've heard nothing but good things about 'The Girl On The Train' and with the movie now out on DVD it seems like the perfect time to jump on the band wagon a few months too late and pick it up.

When writing this post I haven't even picked it up but I plan on doing so as soon as I've clicked publish and I'm excited about it. If it's as good as everyone says it is, it won't take me long to get through. 

I'll let you know how I get on once I've finished. 

What are you reading at the moment?

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On the other side | A Review

This book has a lot of buzz surrounding it in the online world, mainly because the other had huge following on her YouTube channel. However, I went into this knowing very little about Carrie Fletcher but loving the sound of the book from the blurb alone, and it didn't disappoint. 

The story follows Evie Snow as she tries to make her soul light enough to pass through the door to her heaven. It goes back in time to Evie as a young woman as she learns more about love and life than she thought she could and we witness her as she slowly un-burdens her self of the three secrets that have weighed her down throughout her life. 

The book is a wonderful addition to the magical realism genre. Fletcher's writing is stunning and very well crafted. The characters are beautiful and well developed. I felt a real connection with Evie and although the love story between her and Vincent was really enjoyable and compelling, Evie's attitude to life, her willingness to always see the good in things and people and her general positivity was what really drew into the book.

Carrie's representation of LGBTQ+ characters was really good and refreshing. Often in novels such as this representation of LGBTQ+ can be lacking and not only where there several characters openly gay, bisexual, pansexual but they also weren't folded into any stereotypes which can too often happen.

The book has been criticised as it is not clear what era it is set it but I think that's part of the beauty of it. It's magical realism and it's as much about what the other brings to the reader as what the reader brings to the book themselves. The era is left to the readers to decide. There are elements that contradict each other in terms of era, but it's magical realism so if you can not get too hung up on that fact you'll be fine.

It is a bit sweet and over the top at times and not all of the writing is exceptional but for the most part it's great. If you don't like magical realism this wouldn't be for you because it is very heavy on that element.

Overall this book was really enjoyable and I'd recommend it for anyone who needs a bit of magic and happiness.

Until next time,

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Currently Reading #3

In my last book related post I'd just finished 'Me Before You' and was a bit of a mess about it. Since then I haven't read all that much. When I'm feeling stressed and anxious, which you will know I have been if you've read recent posts, I don't tend to read. I don't tend to do anything creative and I find myself really forcing creativity in an attempt to beat the anxiety. It never works though and I end up getting frustrated with my lack on inspiration and motivation. 

For that reason I decided I'd pick up 'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert. I bought this book during the last few weeks we were in Australia but I couldn't quite get into it. At the time I had a lot of inspiration and motivation and I put the fact I wasn't gelling with the book down to not being in a place where I felt I needed a kick up the bum from someone preaching about creativity at me - because Gilbert's voice does tend to feel a bit preachy. So I figured when I was feeling completely un-inspired, might be the right time to pick it up.

And I was right. At that time it felt like just what I needed. It was easy to dip in and out of when I felt like it and it did do what it said on the tin. Gilbert's voice does grind on me after a while, she is very self absorbed and it feels a bit like she's constantly bragging about people she knows and all the things she's done. But she has got a way of making you feel motivated to do things. 

I've put it down again for the time being. Now I'm back to myself I don't feel it has the same effect but I'll continue to dip in and out of it. I've also got to that point, like I did with Eat Pray Love not long ago, where I can't cope with Gilbert's cheesy, preacher-like tone. I have a massive love-hate relationship with her.

In the meantime I've picked up We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. This book has been everywhere for a while now and people have been raving about it so I've been looking forward to getting to it. I haven't read much of it so far but what I have read I'm really enjoying and intrigued by. It's dark and mysterious and different to anything I've read for a while. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes and what the big reveal (that we all know is coming) is going to be.

What have you been reading lately?

Until next time, 

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Me Before You | Review

I finished me before you on the bus to work this morning and it hasn't quite left my mind yet. I loved it so much, it was by far the best book I've read in a long time. I felt so connected to it and I can tell already that it will be one that will stick with me and I will genuinely miss reading the characters that Jojo Moyes created here. 

When Louisa Clarke looses her job at The Buttered Bun, the only cafe in her small town, she'll do anything to ensure she can continue to help support her family. After a few failed attempts at finding a job she reluctantly goes for a job as a carer. Will Traynor doesn't see the point in life following a motorbike accident that left him paralysed from the torso down meaning he needs constant care and can no longer lead the high flying adventurous life he was used to. He hates not being in control of his life and is ready to end it all. When Louisa discovers this she makes it her mission to change Will's mind and make him see that life is still worth living. As their relationship develops both their lives take a course that neither of them had anticipated. 

It sounds like chick lit right? Girl meets boy, they fall in love, there's some miracle and then a happy ever after. That's where you'd be wrong. This is so much more than that. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me so many emotions and the overarching question of does someone have the right to end their own life was dealt with sensitively but without reservation. 

Jojo Moyes has created wonderful characters in Me Before You. Every character within the book has a valid role to play and they're all perfectly rounded. However, in Louisa and Will, Moyes has created characters that I am sure I will go back to in a few years time. They are both so loveable, even Will with his cynical view and sarcastic, sometimes mean, comments. Louisa is beautifully charming, quirky, bright and funny but without direction. 

The romance that is played up in promotion for this book (and it's movie adaptation) is actually quite minimal in this book. Although there is a love story what really pushes through is the freedom to make your own choices and live your own life and how that can be effected, or not, by who we meet. 

Everything felt so real in this book and it comes down to the normalcy of Moyes' storytelling. There's no lofty language or over fictionalisation of anything. The conversations are normal, the setting is normal and it all works to make the book poignant and moving. It's a reminder that real people are going through what Will is going through and others have the same anxieties and concerns as Louisa. 

When I finished this book all I wanted to do was go back to page one and start again. I wanted to devour Will and Louisa's story again and again. It's a must read, definitely before the movie is released on DVD. 

Until next time,

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#CurrentlyReading #2

Remember when I said I was going to read 20 books before I bought any new ones? Ha! Clearly I don't know myself very well. I've bought a few a couple of books this month and I have been loving reading. I don't feel so bad because I've been racing through books at the moment so none of them have been sitting on my nightstand gathering dust while I get lost in YouTube videos or boxsets. 

In my last #CurrentlyReading post I'd just picked up Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. After finishing it I had very mixed emotions. I enjoyed reading it, I enjoyed the travelling side of it and experience new places and it really made me want to go to all of them - Italy, India and Indonesia. But I found Gilbert to be self absorbed and unaware of her own privileged that allowed her to go off travelling to all these places. I also felt that although she travelled to all these places she didn't dive head first into them and really discover all they have to offer, which personally, really bugged me. I felt like I was constantly waiting for her to show me something of the beaten track. 

When you get away from the self indulgent, annoying side of her monologue the book is enjoyable and fun. The travelling element is really fun, her writing is really good and enjoyable and the ultimate point of 'what do you want?' is really motivational and inspirational. 

I've just picked up 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes. Yep jumping on that bandwagon. The movie has just been in the cinema but I didn't get around to seeing it. I'm a massive book before movie believer so I figured I'd read the book before it comes out on DVD.

I'm really enjoying it so far. It's one of those books that you just lose yourself in and find yourself thinking about even when you're not reading it. The story is beautiful, the characters are beautiful and the writing is beautiful. Unless things take a dramatic turn for the worst I would definitely recommend.

However, in between picking up Me Before You and putting down Eat, Pray, Love, I also read Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. It's about a teenage girl, Maddy, who is allergic to the world, she hasn't left the house in seventeen years. Olly, a teenage boy, moves in next door and everything changes. I loved the premise of this book, there were twists and turns and I couldn't put it down. I read it in the space of two days which is saying something considering I work 9-5 and normally can't be bothered to do anything other than veg once I get in. I'm not going to say too much more because I'm planning on doing a full review before the end of the month, so keep your eyes open for that if you're interested but unsure.

What have you been reading recently?

Until next time,


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#CurrentlyReading

It's been a while since I've posted anything reading related and I'm not really sure why. It's not that I haven't been reading although I have probably been reading slower and not as consistently, so that's probably why. 

Anyway, I thought I'd share with you what book I've just put down and what one I've just picked up. For the first time in a while I've found myself reading two non-fiction books back to back. As I'm getting older I definitely find that I'm enjoying reading non-fiction far more than I used to. I think part of that is finding non-fiction books that you enjoy about things that you're interested in. Not every non-fiction read has to be about learning and educating yourself in can just be a bit of fun. 

Back when it was still raining every day, and no not last week, I mean the end of April, I picked up 'Scarlett Says' by Scarlett Moffatt of Gogglebox fame. Gogglebox is one of my favourite TV shows and as well as being bloody hilarious I think Scarlett regularly makes good points so I decided to check out her book for more witty comments and good humour.

I wasn't dissapointed. The book was a refreshing, light hearted take on life and the world. It was filled with Scarlett's trade mark humour, love for fake tan and big hair. But more than that it was witty, to the point and truthful. It wasn't an auto-biography, all though you do learn a lot more about the lovely young lady who spends an hour every Friday sat forward in her chair watching telly with her mum and dad, it was a good hard look at the world from Scarlett's point of view - a view I think many, particularly younger people, would agree with most of the time.

It's not going to be for everyone. It's very chatty and impersonal, set out in chapters that relate to going on a night on the town with Scarlett. The writing style and the blocky divided style of the subjects would annoy some readers but I found it to be great if I just wanted to read a little bit here and there. If you enjoy watching Scarlett on Gogglebox I'd definitely pick it up, if you don't I'd still recommend it if you want a light non-fiction read that's easy to get through and good fun. 

After putting down 'Scarlett Says' I was ready for some more non-fiction. I was flicking through my Bloglovin page and saw a post from World of Wanderlust about her WOW Book Club. It was something I'd seen on my feed before but hadn't taken much notice of. However, I was looking for something new to read so decided to have a look and what was going on over there. 

For June the book club was going to be reading 'Eat, Pray, Love Made Me Do It'. I hadn't even read 'Eat Pray Love' let alone think about the sequel. So that was it I was finally going to get around to reading the book that seems to be a bit like a bible to anyone who writes a travel blog, loves travelling or wants to travel more. 

NO REGRETS. I'm a third of the way through and loving it. I can see why people recommend this book left, right and centre. If you want to travel but aren't sure, have travelled and have stories or memories or just want a bit of a kick up the bum to do something, you should read this book.

The only downside is it's giving me such wanderlust!

Until next time,

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The Marble Collector | Review

Just a quick side note to begin. The photo for the post was obviously taken a little while ago when  I first picked up the book but I really like the picture so decided to use it. So no we haven't still got mince pies around the house in May, although I wish we did. 

Divergent | Review

I picked up Divergent, by Veronica Roth, back in 2014 when the film was about to come out with intention of reading it before the film was released. However, clearly as I'm now reviewing it in 2016, that didn't happen. 

Going into this book I was a little hesitant. It had been compared to the Hunger Games and even Harry Potter by some people and they are big names to live up to. However, this is one of those YA books that seems to have a big fandom around it and that gave me some high expectations. I'll say now this in no way lived up to either the Hunger Games or Harry Potter, but then I didn't really expect it to, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. 

Divergent is set in a dystopian Chicago where people are divided into five factions based on personality traits - 'Abnegation' for the selfless, 'Dauntless' for the brave, 'Candor' for the honest, 'Amity' for the peaceful and 'Erudite' for the intelligent. The story opens with Tris, who is 16 years old and was born into Abnegation. At the beginning of the story Tris is about to undergo a test so help her decide which faction she wants to belong to. Tris decides to become Dauntless. This means she has to undergo the Dauntless initition process which is ruthless, all whilst keeping the fact that she is 'Divergent' a secret. 'Divergent' means Triss had no clear answer for where she belonged after her test, and in Tris' world Divergent is dangerous. 

This book was full of action. It did feel a bit like Triss was constantly training, constantly fighting and literally didn't stop. However, it was exciting and fast paced which made it easy to get through. If you like action packed, full on stories you will love this. The Dauntless training is hardcore and the first two thirds of the book follows Triss and her friends fighting their way through the training and coping with the thought of being kicked out of Dauntless and becoming factionless i.e. homeless. 

Baring that in mind, there was a lot of violence that seemed a little pointless and unnecessary. The real story really starts about two thirds of the way in and that's when I found it got really exciting. Things began to unravel and make sense as a reader. I can imagine how the next two books would be a lot more enjoyable to read as the world is already developed and explained. 

The characters in this were really well crafted and developed. All the characters bought something else to the story and all had a different story to tell. The only downfall of the characters was that they were typical YA characters. Tris is the bland, boring girl that no one thinks will be able to cope with the initiation but ends up being bad ass and coming out on top. There's nothing wrong with that, but how many times can YA authors use that cookie cutter for a female protagonist? As well as that Tris' love interest was very obvious. Good looking, alpha male who just happens to have a huge crush on the quiet child-like looking Tris but can't show her that soft side of him in front of others because 'it's best' for her. It's very typical YA. 

A couple of down sides of the book where that I never felt there was any real explanation or development of the factions aside from the ones Tris was involved in. However, they might become more involved and explained later in the series. As well as that the villainous characters were quite over the top and therefore quite unrealistic. 

Overall the book was fairly good and enjoyable. I can see how it's been compared to the Hunger Games but apart from the faction element there is nothing Harry Potter-esque about this book. I'd been interested to see where the series goes next and that's always a good thing. 

What did you think of Divergent if you've read it? Let me know what you're reading at the moment in the comments.

Until next time, 

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Cheat Week

I haven't posted a TBR jar post in a little while and that would be because I received a book from Love Reading. 

Notes from a Big Country | Review

I first picked up this book about 3 years ago and I just couldn't get into it. I found it difficult to read more than 20 pages at a time and it was taking me a lifetime to get through it. That bugged me so I put it down. However, I really wanted to read it. I've read a couple of Bryson's other books, not his travel writing mind you, and loved them so I was determined to try this again. My TBR jar seemed like the perfect opportunity to force myself into picking it up again.

The TBR Jar #3

This whole TBR jar thing has definitely got me back in the swing of reading again. I've read four books in just over two months which, when you consider, I read that in about six months last year isn't bad going. 

I finished 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth on Monday and after finishing it on the bus on the way home my first thought when I walked through the door was getting to my next TBR star. I enjoyed Divergent. It was what I was expecting but still had some surprises. It was very obviously a YA book and you couldn't get away from the fact that some of the twists were quite obvious. However, there were parts that I didn't like. But I'll save that for a full review another time.

My third star from my TBR jar is.... drum roll please

The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern.

I love Ahern's novels. They're books I turn to when I'm lost for what to read, in a reading slump or looking for something comfortable and homely. They're proper old school chick lit. But in the best way and I love the feeling of reading her books.

I started reading this on the plane home but just couldn't get into reading it. So I'm glad to be trying again now when I'm back into the swing of reading. I'm interested by this one because it sounds different to the other books I've read of hers. So far, and by that I mean the first three chapters, the book doesn't seem to be about a romantic interest. I'm looking forward to delving in and seeing what it's all about. Especially with the sun coming out because Ahern's books are prefect spring and summer reading. 

Let me know what you're reading at the moment.

Until next time, 

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The TBR jar #2

I got to the end of 'Notes from a Big Country' by Bill Bryson on Wednesday, and it's fair to say it took me a lot longer to read than I had anticipated.

The book was an enjoyable and despite it taking me way longer than I thought it would, it was a fun easy read. At times it felt a little dull and monotonous and I found I couldn't read it for more than about 30 minutes at a time which is probably why it took so long to read. 

It's probably something that should be read every now and again rather than all in one go like I did. However, it is a really good book for reading on public transport and before bed as the chapters, or columns, are short and sweet so you don't have to read too much before feeling as if you've completed a chapter.

So on Wednesday I picked out the next TBR star from my TBR jar and the book I'll be reading next is Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I realise I am very late to the party on this one as the final book is due to be released as a movie this year. I picked this book up ages ago with the intention of reading it before the film was released, but clearly never got around to that. I am concerned that I'm not going to enjoy it as much as I thought I might as I think maybe it's a book suffering from over-hype. However I'm excited to try it and see what it's about as somehow or another I've managed to avoid all spoilers and have no idea what the premise even is for this one. 

Until next time, 

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Our Endless Numbered Days | Review

★★★★

In recent months I had heard a lot of good things about this book. It had appeared in a lot of my favourite BookTuber's hauls and also seemed to be sticking in the top seller list. So when I saw it in Sainsbury's during my weekly grocery shop for £3.99 I could hardly walk past it. 

It's always a concern, that with a book like this, that has been doing the BookTube rounds and hanging around in the best seller list, that maybe it's a case of over-hype. However, in this case it definitely wasn't over hype. 'Our Endless Numbered Day's is a beautifully written, enchanting book that is hard to put down and hard to believe it's over - not because there are unanswered questions but because you don't want it to be over.

We first meet our main character, Penny, 1985 when she has returned to London from Die Huitte where she has been living with her father for 9 years. However, the story really starts in 1976 when her father takes her away from her comfortable home in London out to the middle of no where, Europe, to live in Die Huitte, where he tells her that the rest of the world, including her  beloved mother Ute, is dead. 

The story goes back and forth between Penny's time Die Huitte with her father and returning to London with her Mother. The twist and excitement isn't in the fact that she does indeed return home, of course because this would mean the excitement is over, but in how and why she gets to return home and her learning to deal with the fact that her father is a liar and why he decided to take her away.

Claire Fuller's writing is beautiful. It's so descriptive that everything is so vivid and easy to picture. The forest and the mountains and Die Huitte are all described within an inch of their life, which, if you don't like pages and pages of description, you won't like. It may sound boring but Fuller's writing makes it engaging and easy to read and not once did I feel like I was going to nod off.

Her characters are also beautifully written and described. Each is it's own and they are well rounded and I had very few questions about each character and what their role was within the story and what they added. The twists and the plot go in an unexpected direction towards the end and suddenly everything you've read before you realise has added up to this and suddenly you realise all the way through Fuller has been dropping little hints without shoving it in your face. 

The slightly annoying part is the big reveal of the major plot twist, two pages before the end. It's very soap-opera esque and takes away a bit from all the beautiful, well crafted prose that went before it. Obviously the book is still wonderful and one little flaw is not going to make it an awful book but it is something that was a little annoying. 

This book wouldn't be for everyone. For me I wanted to carry on reading to confirm suspicions and follow Penny's story to the end, it wasn't easy to put it down especially during the last 1/4 of the book. However, for some people the middle section, that is mainly set in the forest and is very heavy on description with little plot movement, would be dull and boring and hard to get through. All though I love this kind of story telling I can see that others wouldn't. 

As well as this, although the plot reveal is a shocker it's also unexplored after that. For me the actual reveal was confirmation of what I already suspected, however the implications of that were never explored. Which for me was fine, but for others may be irritating. As well as this some may find the plot twist, as well as other themes and points of narrative disturbing, which may put some off the book.

Overall, for me the book was brilliantly crafted and a great read to kick of my reading year. 

Have you read 'Our Endless Numbered Days' what did you think? If you haven't read it go pick it up and let me know what you think.

Until next time,

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The TBR Jar

I reached the last page of 'Our Endless Numbered Days', it took me a moment to register it all. I don't like rushing away from the end of a book and I don't like rushing straight into another. I like to sit and think about it, mull over it, gather some thoughts about it, probably wait until at least the next day to pick up the next one. 

However, I finished this one and, on no account of how good or bad the book was, I couldn't wait to pick my first star out of my TBR jar.

I made my TBR jar right at the beginning of January after deciding to have a go a TBR 20. A challenge to read 20 books you already own before buying anymore. The first star equals the first book of my TBR challenge, so, so far I'm doing well.

The next book I'll be reading is Bill Bryson's 'Notes from a Big Country.' The only book I've read of his before is Mother Tongue which I read for my English Language A Level. I've heard a lot about his travel writing though and have been meaning to dip my toe in the water for a while , so this was a good way to push myself into it. 

'Our Endless Numbered Days' was my first book of the year and I really enjoyed it, but a review will be up shortly so you can read all y thoughts then.

Until next time,

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TBR20

This blog has always had quite a heavy feature of books. I love reading and always have, however, with having been travelling for two years reading feel on the back burner a bit and although I read a few books I didn't read as many as I wanted to. It also means I've got a lot of books on my shelves and kindle that have gone un-read for a long period of time.

This year I'm trying something, a bit of a project. And we all know how much I love a project. 

It's called TBR 20 and to make it even more of a project I made some paper stars too.

So what's the concept? Read 20 books you already own before purchasing, coming into the possession of, borrowing any more books. So basically no new books until you've read what you've got. 

Sounds simple and it is simple. The idea is that you motivate yourself by knowing you can buy a book after you've put down number 20 so you race through all 20 books to get to the book shop ASAP. The difficult part is having the will power not to pick up a book on your lunch break because you left the book you've been reading at home. 

I decided to make it even more of a project and a bit more fun that will possibly help me see the project through. If you fancy making some paper stars for this project or another one check out The Readables tutorial. They're really easy and good fun. 

So why not try TBR 20 yourself and let me know how it goes?

Until next time,

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Reads & Reading | 2

This past month or so has been a really weird reading month for me. It's not really been what I'd call a slump because I've been reading and been enjoying reading but it's just been slow and I haven't got through as many books as I would have liked. I've also branched into the world of audio books which you will know if you read my 'Currently' blog post a couple of weeks ago. 

However I thought I'd still do a little post about what I've read over the last few weeks, so here it is. 

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Rachel Joyce

★★★★

I really enjoyed this book. It light hearted, fun and a bit emotional at time but it was such an easy read to get through. Harold Fry is a retired man who receives a letter from an old friend one day telling him she is dying. When taking his reply to the letter box a chance encounter with a young girl makes him decide to walk the letter there himself. The book is heart warming and and lovely. With themes of loss, love and moving on from the past it's a good read for curling up  on the couch with in Autumn.

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

★★★

A novel about a mysterious circus and how it came to be and the mystery that involves, this is a good book for Halloween. It's not scary but it's mysterious and dark in places but also beautiful. It wasn't as good as I'd anticipated based on all the hype I'd heard hence only 3 stars but it was still enjoyable. It was really beautifully written and the premise was good I just felt that maybe it went on a little long and there was part towards the end that I felt was a but lack lustre and obvious.

Currently Reading

A Game of Thrones, George R R Martin

I'm not really reading this but listening to it on Audio book but I'm really enjoying it that way. I've read it before, as well as the second one but didn't get any further and recently wanted to get back into them but found I'd forgotten a lot of what had happened. They're such big books and I really didn't have the energy to read them both again so I purchased them on Audible and Jack and I have been listening to them on long drives. Definitely recommend.

The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

I'm really loving this book. It's huge so it's taking it's time but it's really good and despite it's size not hard to read and not intimidating. I've found myself lost in it several times. I'm hoping to get through it this week though, so fingers crossed. It's another book I'd highly recommend though and especially, if you're in the UK, through autumn.

Well that's been my reading month. A little on the low side but I don't feel to down about it like I have done before.

What have you been reading this month? Let me know in the comments or tweet me. 

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Reads and Reading #1

Did you know that it's easier to make something habit if you do it in the same place and at the same time every time you do it? I've been employing this piece of information in my life in several ways recently, one of which has been in my reading habits. And also my sheet changing habits. This may sound odd but if you've been keeping up with me here at LPL recently you'll know what I'm talking about.

Sundays have taken on a whole new greatness for me over the past couple of weeks, I know Sundays are great just by being Sunday's. However, with my new sheets and new book regime Sundays are better than they've ever been. If you're a bit confused check out my Sunday sheets blog post.

So far I've been sticking to this new regime and the last three books I've started have all been started on a Sunday evening. I've been making an extra effort to get my current book read by Sunday evening simply for the pleasure of starting a new books in fresh, crisp bed sheets. So I suppose I should get on with some micro reviews of what I've been reading recently.


To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee 
★★★★★

Talk about jumping on a bandwagon ey? With the release of Harper Lee's new novel 'Go Set a Watchman' I had to pick up 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has for some reason I hadn't done so before. In case you've been living under a rock, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a work of great American literature that explores innocence, kindness, cruelty through the eyes of two children watching their father defend a black man accused of raping a white woman in the deep south in the 1930's. It's should be on everyone's to read before I die list. I loved it more than I thought it would. It's one of those classics that doesn't feel hard to read or heavy. It was beautiful, humourous and obviously a great piece of literature.

Boy, Roald Dahl
★★★★

I saw this book on the bookshelves here at the farm and couldn't resist. I loved Roald Dahl as a child and always knew he had, had an interesting life so couldn't wait to delve into his memoirs. This first memoir of Dahl's is clearly aimed at children with the same sick, dark humour and sense of fun and excitement. The book is a collection on anecdotes of memories from his younger years that are hilarious and terrifying but a definite must read for any fans of Dahl's writing.

Going Solo, Roald Dahl
★★★★★

So after reading boy I couldn't not carry on with more Roald Dahl. Unlike 'Boy' this one is aimed more to the adult audience. The humour is less frequent but the stories of Dahl's time spent in Africa and also fighting in WW2 in the RAF are fascinating and un-put-downable. Again if you're a fan of Roald Dahl's other work you should pick up both these memories soon. They definitely give you an idea as to where he might have got the wacky ideas for his outlandish children's books.

Currently Reading

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Rachel Joyce
I picked this up on Sunday obviously and I've struggled to put it down. This is such a fun and easy read and was just what I was wanting. After a classic and two non fiction books I was looking for some light fiction with a good story and this is perfect for that. Joyce's writing is beautiful and she captures Harold and Maureen and all the other characters so well, it's enchanting. This is the story of a retired gentleman, Harold,  who receives a letter from a Queenie Hennesy he used to know that informs him she's dying. On the way to post his reply letter, an conversation sparks the idea that he will walk the letter to Queenie and leave his bitter wife Maureen behind at home. I'll let you know my thoughts on this one soon but I'm loving it so far.


So that's it, my first reads and reading post. What are you reading at the moment? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me. Also don't forget to follow me on Goodreads to keep up with what I'm reading.

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Sunday is sheets day

Happy Sunday everyone! 

My Sunday is nearly over now. I've just tucked into a beautiful steak followed by a nice, healthy apple, pear and peach crumble made by yours truly. So based on that alone I think it's fair to say that I've had a pretty good Sunday.

But it goes a lot further than that. I've been exposed to the idea of washing our bed sheets on a Sunday rather than mid-week and I am completely taken by it. I got the idea from Holly of the podcast Bookish Blether which I highly recommend to any book lovers out there looking for more excuses to be bookish. 

So from now on, Sunday is the day when our sheets get washed. Is there anything better than getting into bed when the sheets are fresh and pulled tight and cosy? I think not. And on a Sunday when Monday morning is literally around the corner it makes everything a bit better.

However this isn't where the idea ends and it only gets better. Better how? I hear you cry.

Well it gets better with books, so if you're not into books and reading perhaps it doesn't get better so you just stick with the sheets. However, if you're into books and reading then read on. 

Clean sheets plus a new book is the ultimate goal here. So from here on out I aim to read a book a week and finish by Sunday so I can get into bed on a Sunday with fresh sheets and a fresh book. I'm excited by this prospect however, I'm not going to put loads of pressure on myself to finish a book every week as that can ruin the reading experience however I will aim to start new books on a Sunday as the idea of getting into a nice, clean warm bed with a new book to get lost in is a concept I just can't pass up on.

Well I hope you all have a fabulous Sunday, I'm off to get into my bed with 'Catcher in the Rye'. If you're Sunday's just starting maybe pop those sheets in the wash and decide what you might pick up to read this evening.

Don't forget to let me know what you're reading and if you've got any recommendations for me.

Until next time, 

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