This Week in Books 28.11.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next.

Happy Wednesday, Blog Friends! I hope you’re all having a good week so far.

Here’s what I’ve been reading…

 

Then

Next?

Then

Now

Next?

NOW: This morning I started The Keeper of Lost Things  by Ruth Hogan for my work book group tomorrow. I’ve left it a bit late but hoping to get through at least half of it today. Luckily it’s started off well so shouldn’t be too much of a chore! 

THEN: Last night I finished Christmas by Accident by Camron Wright. It wasn’t the best Christmas book I’ve read and it almost lost me on so many occasions (which I’ll explain in my review), but in it the end it was just a bit better than OK.

 I also finished listening to the audio version of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, which I probably enjoyed more than reading the book (many years ago now). But I must say, I still prefer the film. Which I hardly ever say, HONEST!

NEXT: It’s still my intention to try How to Fracture a Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen, but I’ve also downloaded another audiobook (they are perfect for my short journey into work). I’ve gone for Seven days of Us by Francesca Hornak. It’s another Christmassy one…soznotsoz.

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and I’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 21.11.2018 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next.

Happy Wednesday, Blog Friends!

I missed last week for who knows what reason…life? Y’know.  But at least that means I have a good amount of books to share with you today. Hurrah!

As is tradition, the moment Halloween is over I start feeling festive, and I’ve started to pick up some trashy festive romance books. I use the word trashy in the best possible way! I love trash!

Here’s what I’ve been up to…

 

Then

Next?

Then

Now

Then

Then

NOW:  I’ve just started Christmas by Accident by Camron Wright. Literally, just started, so nothing to report yet. 

I also started listening to the audio version of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. I love the book, but it’s not a quick read, so I thought I’d give the audio a go. Enjoying it so far!

THEN: Last night I finished Starry Night by Debbie Macomber. According to Goodreads I’ve now read this book 3 times…really? I thought I’d only read it once, LOL. That does explain the lovely familiar feeling I got whilst reading it. It’s a quick, cute, romance set in Seattle and Alaska in which a journalist goes looking for a reclusive best-selling author. 

Before that, I finished The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell. I loved reading about all the amazing indie bookshops throughout Britain and beyond. I now have a list of about a million places I need to visit though. 

NEXT:  I  might give How to Fracture a Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen a go, although I have some reservations about it. I also need to read our book group book for work which is The Keeper of Lost Things  by Ruth Hogan.  Tough Job, innit! 😉

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and I’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 07.11.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

I got struck down with The Lurgh last week and had to have a day & 1/2 off work. Still feeling a bit ropey but on the mend. On the plus side, I got through quite a few books. Hurrah!

Here’s what I’ve been reading…

Then

Then

Then

NOW:  So I’ve been on a bit of a books about books kick lately as you can see. They are all books that were mentioned in The Diary of a Bookseller, so I reserved them from the library. Obviously, they all came in at the same time.

The one I’m reading right now is The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell. I’m about 60 pages in and already have a list of about 20 bookshops I need to visit before I die. Most of them are in Scotland. What a chore that will be…

THEN: The last one I finished was the culprit: The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. I loved it. It’s a great insight into running a bookshop, the trials and tribulations of working with the often strange general public, and all told with Bythell’s grumpy dark humour. I need to visit Wigtown right now!

The next one that came in was Jen Campbell’s Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops which is a super quick read of short anecdotes (I read it in about 20 mins). It was fun, and I can definitely relate from working in libraries (‘I’m looking for a book I saw the other day, but I can’t remember the title, or who it’s by. But it was green. Do you have it?). 

I need to stop reading these books because I’m becoming more and more obsessed with the idea of opening a bookshop. I have no money to open a bookshop. 

NEXT:  I really need to take a break from bookshop books. Maybe I’ll try Painless again which I didn’t really give a chance to last week. 

 

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and I’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 26.09.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next.

It’s that time of the week again. I’ve had a busy but good week so far; not too bad reading wise either. Here’s what I’ve been up to…

Then

THEN

NOW:  I’ve literally JUST finished  I Do Not Trust You (see below) so I’m technically not reading anything, but will be starting Kill Creek by Scott Thomas later today.

THEN: I Do Not Trust You was great! It’s a YA adventure/action/fantasy about a ridiculously smart archaeology enthusiast who has to team up with a worshipper of the god Horus to save her father and stop the god Set rising again. It’s not as far fetched as it sounds, and the detailed mythology in it really appealed to me. My review will be up soon. 

NEXT: After Kill Creek I actually don’t know but it will be another horror because it’s almost October already (howwwww)!!

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

The Disasters // M.K England //  December 18th 2018 // HarperCollins // Goodreads

 

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 19.09.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone. I hope you’re all having a good week so far. Mine is going well, I had Monday off work to go to Brighton for the day, which was fun but I got sunburn. 😦 I’m well and truly ready to say goodbye to Summer. Do one, Summer! My vampire complexion can’t take it anymore!

 

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NOW:  I just started  I Do Not Trust You by Burns & Metz. Not much to report yet but I’m hoping it’ll be good. I’m also listening to Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, which is holding my interest but seems unnecessarily long. 8 hours and counting!

THEN: I finished the amazing Circe by Madeline Miller. Ahh so good. I’m really pleased it wasn’t a letdown.

NEXT: Probably Kill Creek by Scott Thomas. This will be my first read for Horror October, my annual blog celebration of horror and Halloween. I won’t be doing as many events as in previous years, but I have some great books lined up to feature throughout the month so watch this space. 

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

How to Fracture a Fairy Tale // Jane Yolen//  November 5th 2018 // Tachyon Publication//  Goodreads

I find modern twists on fairy tales very hit and miss but this one has caught my eye. I’m looking forward to giving it a try. 

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 12.09.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone. I hope you’re all having a good week so far. I’ve struggled for reading time again, but I have some great books to share with you regardless.

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NOW:  I finally started long-anticipated Circe, by Madeline Miller. It’s her follow-up release from the stunning debut that was The Song of Achilles. I’m about a half way through and it’s certainly not disappointing so far. 

THEN: The last book I completely finished was Cinderella Boy by Kristina Meister, which I loved and read in one sitting, but still haven’t reviewed. I will soon! I also gave up on The Raven Boys audio-book. Soz, it was just too much for me!

NEXT: Probably I Do Not Trust You by Burns & Metz. The synopsis didn’t grab me but I adored their last collaboration Sanctuary Bay so I’m hoping it’ll be better than it sounds. 

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

A House of Ghosts // W.C Ryan //  October 4th 2018 // Zaffre //  Goodreads

Is it Autumn yet? When can I start hibernating and reading creepy books in the dark? WHEN!?

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look.

Other posts you may like to check out:

Sanctuary Bay Review

The Song of Achilles Review

This Week in Books 05.09.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone. I skipped last week’s post so I’ve got lots of books to share with you today!

Last week I dipped in and out of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, which was a fascinating and powerful read, but not one that I could read a lot of at a time, so it took me a while to get through. I made up for that at the weekend though by reading a book (Cinderella Boy) in one day because IJUSTCOULDN’TPUTITDOWN. I also continued my journey into audiobook land, with mixed results!

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NOW:  I’ve been listening to The Raven Boys all week, which is a book that’s been on my TBR list for a long time. It started off OK, but I’m not sure if I’ll finish it. The narrator is fine, if not a little over the top sometimes, but every time I listen to it I seem to drift off and not pay attention. I’ll give it one last go when I’m out walking today; seems a shame to stop at the 60% mark.

I’m also reading Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie for my library’s book group tomorrow. I haven’t gotten very far into it yet (oops!). Home Fire won the Women’s Fiction Prize this year and is Longlisted for the Man Booker so I’m interested to see what the group make of it.

THEN: The last book I finished was Cinderella Boy by Kristina Meister, which I loved and read in one sitting! It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely an addictive YA read!

Before that, I finished Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race and the audio-book of Ginny Moon, which were both great. 

NEXT: Definitely Circe, the long awaited second historical novel by Madeline Miller. Gah can’t wait. Hoping to start it later today. Her debut The Song of Achilles blew me away!

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

Archenemies // Marissa Meyer // Renegades #2 // November 6th 2018 // Feiwel & Friends //  Goodreads

The first book was great, so looking forward to this one.

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look.

This Week in Books 22.08.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

I hope you’re all having a good week. Mine has been…quick!

This week, I  finally discovered the joy of audiobooks. It’s been a long time coming, I know. The first time I tried to listen to an audiobook I went for The Knife of Never Letting Go, a book I already loved, and I didn’t like the narrator, which I realise now, makes all the difference. But this week (only around two years since trying TKONLG) I listened to Carrie Fisher narrating her memoir Wishful Drinking, and it was great. So there’s no stopping me now. I can read with my eyes closed…hurrah! If that’s not a superpower I don’t know what is!

Anyway, here’s what I’ve been reading (and listening to) this week…

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NOW: I haven’t technically started Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race yet, but I will have by the time this publishes. I’m also listening to Ginny Moon on my commute. I’m really enjoying it, but it’s getting a bit repetitive!

THEN: I’ve just finished Ink and Bone, which was great. Not I-need-to-read-the-next-book-right-now great, but still a fun, solid read. As previously mentioned, I also listened to Wishful Drinking. It’s a short read (or listen), and gives an incite into growing-up in Hollywood, addiction, and depression, and all told with the self-deprecating humour and wit of the legend that was Carrie Fisher. 

NEXT: Probably Cinderella Boy as my review is well overdue on Netgalley, soz! Also, it sounds great, so I doubt it’ll exactly be a chore!

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy // Mackenzi Lee // The Montague Siblings #2 // October 2018 // Katherine Tegen Books //Goodreads

Can’t.Wait.Want.Now!

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look. 

This Week in Books 15.08.18 #TWIB

 

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

I’m backkkk! 🙂 Welcome to my new look blog. Hope you’re all having a good summer so far. Here’s what I’ve been reading this week…

THEN

THEN

THEN

NOW: I’ve just started Ink & Bone which is the first book in The Great Libraries series. I’ve been meaning to read it since it came out (in 2015!!). I used to love Caine’s Morganville Vampires series so I’m interested to see how her style has developed. 

THEN: The last book I finished was My Name is Leon. I met Kit de Waal at this year’s Quick Reads launch and she was amazing. She only properly started reading books when she was 19. How amazing is that! She does a lot of work for underprivileged kids, go check her out. My Name is Leon was a great read about a young boy trying to make sense of the world  when he’s taken away from his mentally ill mother,  put into foster care and is separated from his baby brother.

NEXT: Probably Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race. I’ve been told by two people now that I MUST read it. And so I shall…

This meme was originally started by Breaking the Spine. It’s where we choose one upcoming release that we just can’t wait for!

The Wicked King // Holly Black // The Cruel Prince #2 // Jan 8 2019 // Little Brown //Goodreads

What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments below, or why not join in and publish a TWIB post of your own. Leave the link to your post and i’ll come take a look. 

This Week in Books 02.05.18 #TWIB

Welcome to This Week in Books, where we share what we’ve been up to in bookland this week and look ahead to next!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone. Hope you’re all having a good week so far. Here’s what I’ve been up to…

Now

Clean Break ~ Tammy Cohen

I picked this up as a lunch-time read and I’m enjoying it so far. I was really sad the hear that the funding for Quick Reads has been withdrawn, they are a great way to entice reluctant adult readers. It’s a huge shame.

 

Marriage is complicated, especially for Kate.

Her husband Jack has a temper on him, and has been an absent father for years.

Kate knows it’s time for a divorce.

The trouble is, Jack refuses. And now that he has found out Kate has met another man, his jealous rages escalate.

Can Kate rid herself of her jealous husband before it’s too late?

Then

 

Mother of Eden ~ Chris Beckett

This was a great sequel to Dark Eden. It an imaginative, and scary version of a future ‘after earth’. Highly recommended!

“We speak of a mother’s love, but we forget her power.”

Civilization has come to the alien, sunless planet its inhabitants call Eden.

Just a few generations ago, the planet’s five hundred inhabitants huddled together in the light and warmth of the Forest’s lantern trees, afraid to venture out into the cold darkness around them.

Now, humanity has spread across Eden, and two kingdoms have emerged. Both are sustained by violence and dominated by men – and both claim to be the favored children of Gela, the woman who came to Eden long ago on a boat that could cross the stars, and became the mother of them all.
When young Starlight Brooking meets a handsome and powerful man from across Worldpool, she believes he will offer an outlet for her ambition and energy. But she has no inkling that she will become a stand-in for Gela herself, and wear Gela’s fabled ring on her own finger—or that in this role, powerful and powerless all at once, she will try to change the course of Eden’s history.

 

Next…?

 

Definitely Final Draft by Riley Redgate.

I probably would have started this by the time this post publishes. I hope so, anyway. It sounds great!

The only sort of risk 18-year-old Laila Piedra enjoys is the peril she writes for the characters in her stories: epic sci-fi worlds full of quests, forbidden love, and robots. Her creative writing teacher has always told her she has a special talent. But three months before her graduation, he’s suddenly replaced—by Nadiya Nazarenko, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist who is sadistically critical and perpetually unimpressed.
 
At first, Nazarenko’s eccentric assignments seem absurd. But before long, Laila grows obsessed with gaining the woman’s approval. Soon Laila is pushing herself far from her comfort zone, discovering the psychedelic highs and perilous lows of nightlife, temporary flings, and instability. Dr. Nazarenko has led Laila to believe that she must choose between perfection and sanity—but rejecting her all-powerful mentor may be the only way for Laila to thrive.

 

 

What have you been reading this week? Leave a comment/link and I’ll do my best to take a look.