tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56403056009599018032019-04-12T11:59:26.411-07:00The Basic Book Bitch Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-3942263729674882722019-03-14T05:03:00.001-07:002019-03-14T05:03:24.557-07:00Reading Wrap Up | February <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFgg1gi5yl8/XIo7k0S010I/AAAAAAAADCk/0PPjAuAPNpwQQSsyO2xVfkbReAhNGaLFACLcBGAs/s1600/feb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFgg1gi5yl8/XIo7k0S010I/AAAAAAAADCk/0PPjAuAPNpwQQSsyO2xVfkbReAhNGaLFACLcBGAs/s640/feb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>February was a pretty good month for me reading wise, despite it being a short month. I was in the mood for some romance/contemporary but apparently looking back at what I read this wasn't the case. Anyway, here is what I read:<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlAdXhQZ-Fc/XIpBPeLa5DI/AAAAAAAADCw/2aPiU5b-oLg7vM6MtPb2hbPDjMI6Hq3IACLcBGAs/s1600/aurora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlAdXhQZ-Fc/XIpBPeLa5DI/AAAAAAAADCw/2aPiU5b-oLg7vM6MtPb2hbPDjMI6Hq3IACLcBGAs/s200/aurora.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786075334/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1786075334&amp;linkId=5264d116f2f26a5919a81b54270db144">Aurora Rising</a> by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman<br />Rating: 5/5<br />As a HUGE fan of the Illuminae files I had to pick up the next series by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. This is once again a sci fi adventure about a group of kids who end up being picked last for the team and don't really get on ending up having to save the world.<br />I LOVED this book. I flew through it because it's just such a funny compelling read. It's full of twists and turns and the writing is very clever and witty. These two have crafted the first ever sci fi books I've actually enjoyed. I will be doing a full review of this one!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVMsLz2LxcU/XIpBWn2-j-I/AAAAAAAADC0/ixPbLCRJxA0OW1albhn0SvMjckqNPCQ7QCLcBGAs/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVMsLz2LxcU/XIpBWn2-j-I/AAAAAAAADC0/ixPbLCRJxA0OW1albhn0SvMjckqNPCQ7QCLcBGAs/s200/after.jpg" width="128" /></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1476712840/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476712840&amp;linkId=e7a7ad51ae51d5da96340db5bcf712b2">After I do</a> by Taylor Jenkins Reid<br />Rating 5/5<br />If you saw my<a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2019/03/february-2019-book-haul.html"> February Book Haul</a> you would know I picked up all of TJR books on a whim and after reading After I Do I think it definitely paid off!<br />After I do is about a couple who have been together for ten years and sadl<br />y they just don't feel the same way about each other any more so they decide to take a year off their marriage.<br />This is a lovely read and quite emotional. If you have been in a long term relationship you can definitely relate to certain parts of this story. I really enjoyed this one.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmADhntcq1Y/XIpBbV83qyI/AAAAAAAADC4/YTC8_1VCZMEYO5Cmfes_yHkqIVTpMnkZgCLcBGAs/s1600/truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmADhntcq1Y/XIpBbV83qyI/AAAAAAAADC4/YTC8_1VCZMEYO5Cmfes_yHkqIVTpMnkZgCLcBGAs/s200/truth.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0241346304/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0241346304&amp;linkId=2b53787a217a16df10abb8e4ebac53f1">The Truth About Keeping Secrets</a> by Savannah Brown<br />Rating: 2.5/5<br />Sydney is the main character in this book and her dad has just died. Sydney's dad was the only psychiatrist in a small town and knew everyone's secrets so Sydney is convinced his dads death was no accident.<br />This is pitched as being a murder mystery thriller type but unfortunately I didn't feel any of these elements until the last 1/4 of the book. This is a great study in grief though and well written.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuPTKeKJHOY/XIpBfsmKAgI/AAAAAAAADC8/7MABYuw2KrI7jeKB6DMiUuEld7SexgoTQCLcBGAs/s1600/wicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuPTKeKJHOY/XIpBfsmKAgI/AAAAAAAADC8/7MABYuw2KrI7jeKB6DMiUuEld7SexgoTQCLcBGAs/s200/wicked.jpg" width="133" /></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471407357/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1471407357&amp;linkId=8aed62a93fc3a512ec1cb010cbfefd76">The Wicked King</a> by Holly Black - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07L5S6N4V/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07L5S6N4V&amp;linkId=69c0bb6d3045f5aa1863a6620b4a87af">Audio</a><br />Rating 5/5<br />This is the sequel to The Cruel Prince, a series about a human girl living in the fairy world, but fairies in this world, whilst beautiful are cruel and not too fond of humans.<br />This is a great sequel and really moved the story along. That ending though, oh my god I need the next book now! This is a great series and I have listened to both on audible, the narrator is fab so can definitely recommend.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbZR3RFU0L0/XIpBlXsYLmI/AAAAAAAADDA/Iu9Z2fcNZk8q9sLNhKPc9sNLqNhfChcKgCLcBGAs/s1600/almostlove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbZR3RFU0L0/XIpBlXsYLmI/AAAAAAAADDA/Iu9Z2fcNZk8q9sLNhKPc9sNLqNhfChcKgCLcBGAs/s200/almostlove.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1784298867/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1784298867&amp;linkId=f219009c08a1f900ef6154ccf2c2554d">Almost Love</a> by Louise O'Neill<br />Rating 3/5<br />I've enjoyed everything else I've read by Louise O'Neill and feel like she is great at writing about complex subjects, unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me.<br />Sarah, our main character falls in love with a guy who is a lot older and to be honest treats her like shit. Essentially her life starts to fall about because of her obsession with this guy. Whilst I know that this is something that can happen in real life, there was just something about the story that didn't convince me.<br />The writing is great though and different to your average fiction as it utilises Irish slang.<br /><br />So bit of a mixed month for me. Some big hitters but then some meh books too. For me, 3 stars is not bad by any means. There is nothing wrong with a book being average, I certainly don't regret reading it! What do you think about 3 star books?<br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-53654067665590213242019-03-08T02:52:00.000-08:002019-03-08T02:52:38.595-08:00February 2019 Book Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SekAXdqaV0g/XIJFPBvgUZI/AAAAAAAADCU/o90VxsCL1l8OfXpJxpss5F5U1wF1bsuxwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2524%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books with pink background" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SekAXdqaV0g/XIJFPBvgUZI/AAAAAAAADCU/o90VxsCL1l8OfXpJxpss5F5U1wF1bsuxwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2524%2B%25281%2529.JPG" title="February 2019 book haul" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">February being a short month sure didn't stop me from getting quite a few books! Well, to be fair I only actually bought four of these and the other two were sent to me so a book a week isn't too bad is it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1476712824/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476712824&amp;linkId=e3454d06f9a707efecd8fd93c8f3b4de">Forever Interrupted</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1476712840/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476712840&amp;linkId=8f9dad6a47dd968462675dfafa040397">After I Do</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1476776903/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476776903&amp;linkId=924854c2ee2977285dff66484e09ef31">One True Loves</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1476776881/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476776881&amp;linkId=452504bf13393c1047f0d1b451b80cba">Maybe in Another Life</a> by Taylor Jenkins Reid - So I have never actually read a book by TJR, but I have heard such good things and because of it being Valentines Day I decided that I was in the mood for contemporary romance and decided to buy ALL of her books without trying any. The one book I really wanted, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1501161938/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1501161938&amp;linkId=d5b955e645c0de55bf0b647966ee3f18">The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</a> is out of stock everywhere so I have it preordered for when it goes into print again.<br />This could've been quite a pricey mistake to make, but I've already read After I Do and really enjoyed it so I think the others will be equally as good.<br />Without going into too much detail on all of the individual books, it seems like they are contemporary romances, but they are very realistic. Well sort of. If you have read romance before you will know what I mean when I say these feel more real! Anyway, so far so good and I can't wait to dive into the rest.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509870040/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1509870040&amp;linkId=61bafdebb324d95589957add0c33e955">Opposite of Always</a> by Justin Reynolds - I was sent this by Macmillan Children's so thank you! This is a debut that sounds fantastic. Jack meets Katie at a party and falls in love but tragically, Katie dies, but Katie's death sends Jack back to the moment when they first met and he may have the chance to try and save her. I think I will definitely cry at this!</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473629187/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473629187&amp;linkId=14f103f7ca209c1f7ba06a766358194e">Legendary</a> by Stephanie Garber - Another one I was sent (thank you Hodder &amp; Stoughton). I actually have a full <a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2019/02/book-review-legendary-by-stephanie.html">review here</a>. This is the sequel to Caraval, a magical competition that has a fantastic prize. I seriously love this series and if you are a fan of whimsy and magic I definitely recommend picking it up. Legendary is even better than Caraval! Oh and if you enjoyed The Night Circus and haven't picked this up, do it!&nbsp;</li></ul><br />Did you get any books this month? Or have you read any of these?Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-13170163468928567862019-02-27T05:15:00.001-08:002019-02-27T05:15:37.485-08:00Bookish Cross Stitch - The Geeky Stitching CompanyIf you didn't check out my first post in this series about bookish cross stitch (you should do, <a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2019/01/bookish-cross-stitch-plastic-little.html">here is the link for you!</a>) then just to update you, I like to cross stitch. For me, I find it incredibly relaxing to stick on a good audio book and just stitch away.<br /><br />There are so many cute book related cross stitch patterns out there so I have made it my mission to share some of my favourites with you and to try and get as many people cross stitching as possible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRsZC--pXxc/XHaMojzPU_I/AAAAAAAADB0/UjKHqzn2m0YDLg5pv0waIzd6qb-Cgu62gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Geeky Stitching Company" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRsZC--pXxc/XHaMojzPU_I/AAAAAAAADB0/UjKHqzn2m0YDLg5pv0waIzd6qb-Cgu62gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0498.jpg" title="Don't let the muggles get you down cross stitch" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://thegeekystitchingco.com/">The Geeky Stitching Company</a>&nbsp;has been one of my favourite go to places for a couple of years now. They have really cute kits that can be stitched up in a few hours and contain everything you need. I love purchasing these kits for my friends who have never cross stitched before as it's just such a great introduction into the world of cross stitch.<br /><br />For my blog post today I stitched the Don't Let the Muggles Get You Down kit, which is a quote from Harry Potter. I love this quote and think it looks really cute surrounded by more traditional cross stitch flower designs. There are quite a few&nbsp;<a href="https://thegeekystitchingco.com/product/2-harry-potter-themed-cross-stitch-kit-bundle/">Harry Potter kits</a>&nbsp;on the website too, including an adorable Luna Lovegood one that I definitely need to stitch.<br /><br />New patterns come in all the time and they even offer a monthly subscription box. I was subscribed for a while and all of the patterns were incredibly cute but I often found them piling up because I go through phases of loving to stitch and then not wanting to touch a piece for months. All of the patterns on the site are very cute and kawaii themed with loads of unicorns, food and quotes, seriously I am gushing but The Geeky Stitching Company just makes such lovely kits, I really do recommend them!<br /><br />Oh and if anyone is interested, I listened to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079VVN6D1/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B079VVN6D1&amp;linkId=fdc3b3676ac400b3ddf684d3571883cb">Sadie on Audible</a>&nbsp;whilst stitching. Really enjoyed the book but as it is part podcast I really recommend listening to the audio version. It has a full voice cast and the production is fantastic.<br /><br />Have you ever purchased from Geeky Stitching Company? Do you cross stitch at all? If so would love some pattern recommendations to check out!Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-52496847433789087072019-02-24T02:21:00.001-08:002019-02-24T02:21:33.002-08:00Book Review | Legendary by Stephanie Garber <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw8gzNqOHXU/XHJuvTyAYBI/AAAAAAAADBM/zPi-D1lVxtUnyNnsafskijEyu2plrLklwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Legendary by Stephanie Garber book review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw8gzNqOHXU/XHJuvTyAYBI/AAAAAAAADBM/zPi-D1lVxtUnyNnsafskijEyu2plrLklwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2126.JPG" title="Legendary by Stephanie Garber " width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">My Rating: 10/10&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Published: May 29th 2018</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Pages: 451</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473629187/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473629187&amp;linkId=ef5b06425ebdd46a9847b651f78a23c8" style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36329818-legendary" style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.</span></span></i><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white;" /></i><i><span style="background-color: white;">After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white;" /></i><i><span style="background-color: white;">The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white;" /></i><i><b style="background-color: white;">Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun</b></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Legendary is the second book in the Caraval series, and if you have read my&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2017/02/book-review-caraval-by-stephanie-garber.html">Caraval review</a><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">&nbsp;you will know I gave it 10/10, so I went into Legendary&nbsp;with very high expectations, and luckily this book totally exceeded them and is my favourite in the series so far.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I don't want to go into plot points too much as this is a sequel and I don't want to give away anything from the first book, but in Legendary we focus on the sister Donatella, who is a lot more feisty and fun than her sister, Scarlett&nbsp;who was the main character in the first book. Tella is quite a flawed character and makes many choices that will have you screaming at the book, but there is something about her that has you rooting for her.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The mystery of who Legend is is a lot of fun too. Tella is constantly questioning characters in the book and I love being there and seeing her thought process and trying to figure it out along with her. There is so many twists and turns and with everyone playing the game of Caraval it's hard to know what to believe.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Legendary also goes so much further than the game of Caraval though and really works on the world building with the introduction of fates which feel like a mix of mythical Greek gods and tarot cards, two things I love as well as increasing on the politics mentioned in Caraval and it makes the world feel a lot more fleshed out and real.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Much like Caraval, the writing of Legendary is beautiful and whimsical which really helps with the magical feel of the story. The descriptions in Legendary are just so lovely it really makes you feel as if you are there and I wish I could actually experience&nbsp;these things for myself.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">To say I loved Legendary is an understatement. It's just a beautiful magical mystery adventure that I devoured and I really can't wait to see how the story wraps up in Finale which is out this year. If you haven't read Caraval or Legendary yet, seriously, pick them up today!&nbsp;</span></span></span>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-26825027238771926132019-02-18T12:07:00.001-08:002019-02-18T12:07:33.023-08:00Reading Wrap Up | January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfggWjtUAOo/XGqzEqZeHcI/AAAAAAAAC_8/2pEMYWt4J5AmzgAlMwSxzBR8oD2NoB6zgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfggWjtUAOo/XGqzEqZeHcI/AAAAAAAAC_8/2pEMYWt4J5AmzgAlMwSxzBR8oD2NoB6zgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We only have 10 days of February left but I have just this moment decided I want to do a wrap up of what I read in January. I'm thinking I will start doing these monthly because I don't always review what I read so this may be a good quick insight into what I read in a month. Let me know if you enjoy it and now on to the books!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWbwEZdDEz0/XGq9fXTXKjI/AAAAAAAADAI/SvXGXCpgJ3U7uXGGTDrcDwR_dWD8nIsUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B1.35.49%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWbwEZdDEz0/XGq9fXTXKjI/AAAAAAAADAI/SvXGXCpgJ3U7uXGGTDrcDwR_dWD8nIsUwCLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B1.35.49%2BPM.png" title="circe by Madeline Miller" width="132" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1408890089/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1408890089&amp;linkId=2c9d43a54468bb87083fde2a3d2e1d16">Circe </a>by Madeline Miller (<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07B3R92SP/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07B3R92SP&amp;linkId=8252c32ca9168059c8282688b86569d6">audiobook</a>)<br />4/5<br />My first read of 2019 was a good one! This is all about Greek mythology and follows Circe, the daughter of the titan Helios and her lifetime, from being an odd child who was seen as ugly among gods, to being banished to an island where she discovers she can do withcraft. <br />I really enjoyed this book. Circe is such a strong female character and her (fictional) life was so interesting to follow and was very accurate to Greek mythology. Circe is also beautifully written and I can definitely recommend the audio version too as the narrator was fantastic.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1250105714/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1250105714&amp;linkId=23053bb240c4d1fab76d80216c290407">Sadie</a> by Courtney Summers (<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079VVN6D1/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B079VVN6D1&amp;linkId=6d9345ddb386d298943556d3a0a1683a">audiobook</a>)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5/5</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDeFplywwA0/XGq-hLU2zGI/AAAAAAAADAU/6gO0GegbHVQ_vZmy3i097j4myX8lZ-IywCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.42%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="301" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDeFplywwA0/XGq-hLU2zGI/AAAAAAAADAU/6gO0GegbHVQ_vZmy3i097j4myX8lZ-IywCLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.42%2BPM.png" title="sadie by courtney summers" width="128" /></a>Sadie is another one I listened to the audio version of and I definitely think it's the best way to read Sadie as it's just such a fantastic example of how well audiobooks can work, I think if I had read the physical copy my score would've been a 4/5.<br />The story is told partly as a regular story following Sadie and partly in the format of a podcast that is investigating Sadie's dissapearance, think of the podcast being like Serial. The audiobook version has a full voice cast and it really brings the book to life, it's so clever. <br />As mentioned, Sadie has gone missing. She is on the hunt for her little sisters killer. It is every bit as dark and tragic as it sounds and has some very disturbing topics covered, but it's a compelling story and very cleverly crafted.&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrBMgUHtWzo/XGq-phbthPI/AAAAAAAADAY/HGOCHn3GbaQflqOfDy3f3nfEv0UmRsU1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="310" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrBMgUHtWzo/XGq-phbthPI/AAAAAAAADAY/HGOCHn3GbaQflqOfDy3f3nfEv0UmRsU1gCLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.57%2BPM.png" title="rich people problems by kevin kwan" width="131" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0385542321/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0385542321&amp;linkId=c592f9666c63c535337a605d07e1e577">Rich People Problems</a> by Kevin Kwan<br />4/5<br />This is the third book in the Crazy Rich Asians series. I recently saw the film so I thought I had to finally get round to reading the third (and I think final) book in the series.<br />Like the previous books this is incredibly fun and addictive read and the descriptions of how expensive and over the top things were still had my jaw dropping which I thought I would be used to by now! <br />Su Yi, who is like Asian royalty is on her death bed and so all of the characters from previous books, and quite a few new ones fly out to Singapore as a last ditch attempt to get in her will and fight over who will receive Tyersall Park, one of the biggest and grandest estates there is.<br /><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQFzbSWeDYg/XGq-w6ukBLI/AAAAAAAADAg/4cYI_rXbYag3I53nJ-pqVTMJ1natxfQ9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.16.23%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQFzbSWeDYg/XGq-w6ukBLI/AAAAAAAADAg/4cYI_rXbYag3I53nJ-pqVTMJ1natxfQ9wCLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.16.23%2BPM.png" title="strange weather in tokyo by hiromi kawakami" width="130" /></a>S<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846275105/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1846275105&amp;linkId=2754bb3ae199d69f868865da4a77cf03">trange Weather in Tokyo</a> by Hiromi Kawakami<br />4/5<br />At just 176 pages this was a very short and sweet read. Tsukiko is drinking alone at her local bar when she bumps into one of her old school teachers. After meeting once the pair keep running into each other and this is all about how their relationship develops. <br />Strange Weather in Tokyo is a very gentle read, there are no huge epic scenes but that doesn't detract from the fact that it is totally lovely but it did make me cry. Thinking back, it was quite a beautiful story.&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ex8DYjPPIc/XGq_DPsC6TI/AAAAAAAADAs/rmRxdVyyxZcVrUI7VsyqZh4qY4GMVY6kQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.16.41%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ex8DYjPPIc/XGq_DPsC6TI/AAAAAAAADAs/rmRxdVyyxZcVrUI7VsyqZh4qY4GMVY6kQCLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.16.41%2BPM.png" title="the binding by bridget collins" width="138" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008272115/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0008272115&amp;linkId=faa297736033b0adc567b57da19298c3">The Binding</a> by Bridget Collins <br />4/5 <br />The blurb of the binding talks about how Emmett Farmer is going to be a book binders apprentice, so as you can imagine as a fan of books automatically I was like, YES. The Binding is so much more than this though and the process of binding is actually to remove someones memories and place them in a book which would ensure they don't remember it ever again, but this is a profession that is feared by the poor and abused by the rich.<br />I really enjoyed The Binding. I went in expecting one thing and got something completely different which I really enjoyed, the only part which is questionable to me was the ending as it seemed quite out of character for Emmett.&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Binding is a great mix of historical fiction, magical realism, mystery and just a pinch of romance. Very enjoyable.<br /><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfmAB0nWXGA/XGq_Ja5JYGI/AAAAAAAADAw/EZ7T8RGNLew2r_zfGG6S6FWXm18GO68IACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.26%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="January reading wrap up" border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="263" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfmAB0nWXGA/XGq_Ja5JYGI/AAAAAAAADAw/EZ7T8RGNLew2r_zfGG6S6FWXm18GO68IACLcBGAs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-18%2Bat%2B2.15.26%2BPM.png" title="the nursery by bill thompson" width="134" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KW8C6B4/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07KW8C6B4&amp;linkId=415e4d5d1724a4f981ddc99e4e5be514">The Nursery</a> by Bill Thompson<br />2/5 <br />The last book I read this month was one I was really excited for but sadly ended up falling really flat for me.<br />I love a good ghost story and in The Nursery there is a room that has been a locked room that has sat empty for 50 years with a key that can't be found, until the new owners of the house move in and start to poke around, sounds incredible right? <br />Unfortunately I thought this book was poorly written and there were a lot of conveniences in this book that helped wrap everything up neatly. The saving grace is that there a couple of very spine tingly moments that happen, but besides those this is a messy and not too frighting book.<br /><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm actually surprisingly pleased with how much I managed to read in January, definitely a good start to the year which is great because I know February will not be anywhere near as good. Have you read any of these books? Or do any of them peak your interest?&nbsp;</div><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-58100123477047862562019-02-12T09:54:00.000-08:002019-02-12T09:54:32.239-08:00Short Story Collections for Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cvY-EcuQSU/XGL4hWSXxJI/AAAAAAAAC_U/TIlxb1ryBk8_UIA05WAJtq70QC7mUSoZACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="proud, meet cute, slasher girls and monster boys" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cvY-EcuQSU/XGL4hWSXxJI/AAAAAAAAC_U/TIlxb1ryBk8_UIA05WAJtq70QC7mUSoZACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1499.jpg" title="short story collections for valentines day" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Valentine's day is fast approaching us and although it's not something I personally celebrate, I love any reason to do a themed blog post, so here we are with my suggestions of short story collections for Valentine's Day! I've tried not to make this a typical love themed selection though and hoping to cover the bases for everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The collection for the romantic type - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1328759873/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1328759873&amp;linkId=9b3944d5c489bab9f429b5626b183a3f">Meet Cute</a></h3><div>If you haven't heard of a meet cute before, it's essentially where two people are destined to meet and fall in love pretty much instantly. It's soppy, sweet, sometimes a bit sickly but also totally adorable. Meet Cute is full of short stories of this nature by some incredible well known authors like Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton and Julie Murphy.</div><div>My personal favourite in this collection was Print Shop, a story set in an old fashioned print shop where everything is still done by hand (romantic setting right there) as the main character is trying to deal with a disgruntled customer on social media. This is a f/f love interest too and honestly, I wish I could've had more of this story.</div><div>Did I mention this book is super inclusive too? Yep, not just your typical male / female romances here, although it includes them too! This collection is so good for when you want to feel the love.</div><div><br /></div><h3>The collection for everyone - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1788950607/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1788950607&amp;linkId=622ff92d1d71988555398ea0bff6504b">Proud</a></h3><div>I have been waxing lyrical about Proud since receiving it, but for those of you who haven't heard about it yet, it is a collection of short stories, poems and illustrations about LGBTQ+ characters by fantastic LGBTQ+ authors. There is also a very touching foreword by Juno Dawson who compiled this collection which very nearly had me in tears!</div><div>So how does this fit in to my valentines post if it's not all about love? Well, love comes in many different forms, not just in a romantic relationship and this book is full of that message, from loving your friends, to the super important message of loving yourself, it's all very heartwarming.</div><div>And there is a story about penguins too, seriously, who can resist penguins!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><h3>The anti-valentines one - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0803741731/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0803741731&amp;linkId=e9139068f3cd69d45b85462c64008201">Slasher Girls &amp; Monster Boys</a></h3><div>Not into reading about romance? That's cool. What is the opposite of romance? Horror. OK that might be bit of a reach, but honestly I love horror and I will write about it whenever I can and this collection has some of my absolute fave authors in it, including Leigh Bardugo, Jay Kristoff and Marie Lu!</div><div>As this is a YA selection it's not super full on so great for those new to the genre, but some tales are definitely more chilling than others and ranges from more realistic thrillers that will leave you checking your bedroom windows, to horror with creatures that go bump in the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>So quite a short wrap up of short stories, but Valentine's day is only one day! I have no idea what I am trying to say anymore other than I thoroughly love all of these collections and you should read them regardless or not of if it's Valentine's day. Do you have any short story collections you would recommend? And hope you all have a lovely Valentine's day!</div><div><br /></div><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-47591023004253260682019-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-06T00:00:03.061-08:00Book Review | Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTMSYn3bawU/XFm9VblGgxI/AAAAAAAAC-0/BEZwWcedo0YtZi2L6ZH0eshW9m_ws0HJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard Review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTMSYn3bawU/XFm9VblGgxI/AAAAAAAAC-0/BEZwWcedo0YtZi2L6ZH0eshW9m_ws0HJwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1261.JPG" title="Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard Review" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">My Rating: 9/10&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Published: February 7th 2019</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Pages: 384</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509852883/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1509852883&amp;linkId=f79bab1106f471d78f3c4c02df58dfef" style="margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39354084-fierce-fragile-hearts" style="margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Two years after a downward spiral took her as low as you can possibly go, Suzanne is starting again. Again. She's back in Brighton, the only place she felt she belonged, back with her best friends Caddy and Rosie. But they're about to leave for university. When your friends have been your light in the darkness, what happens when you're the one left behind?</span></i></div><br /> <i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Fierce Fragile Hearts is the stunning companion novel to Sara Barnard's YA bestseller Beautiful Broken Things. It is about leaving the past behind, the friends who form your future, and learning to find love, in all its forms.</span></span></i><br /><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been a bit </span>sceptical<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;recently when it has come to YA contemporary's as I have found them to be quite hard to relate to, so I was weary of Fierce Fragile Hearts, but I absolutely loved it and it was emotional on so many levels . I even had to stop reading this whilst on the train to avoid crying on my way to work.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FFH is a companion novel to Beautiful Broken Things, it follows Suzanne who was a friend in the first book a few years on. FFH is a great book within it's own rights, and you don't have to have read BBT in order to understand the story at all, although I am grateful I have because the character </span>progression<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;is so well done.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sara Barnard writes teenage voices so well, they are completely realistic and as someone who didn't go to university, I found Suzanne quite relatable with the feelings she has in this book towards her friends and how the friendships change as they grow older and </span>experience<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;different things.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Suzanne is someone who has been in and of care, this is her first time being on her own and we get to see the ups and downs of someone not just dealing with being on their own for the first time but also the road to recovery and how it is often quite bumpy.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall I loved this book, in particular the ending. As I've mentioned I went through all the emotions reading this and I just love that this isn't a dramatic fantasy story, it feels more like a slice of life and is incredibly realistic. This was a joy to read and quite different from anything I have read recently. Definitely recommend.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></i>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-62971817254746097512019-02-01T04:50:00.000-08:002019-02-01T04:50:04.287-08:00January 2019 Book HaulOh wow we are in 2019, didn't that come round quick! My haul this month is actually pretty small, this is largely due to the fact that I have really been trying to cut down on my book buying this year, but also due to the fact that I was away in Taiwan for the last two weeks of the month so didn't really have a chance to buy any book.... Here is what I picked up in January:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g89Nzpaq8Dc/XFQevhJPuVI/AAAAAAAAC-U/tzNQYeTDntY4UY6-rXHrMbjWoYiFxZonQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-01%2Bat%2B10.23.33%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="book haul" border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1195" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g89Nzpaq8Dc/XFQevhJPuVI/AAAAAAAAC-U/tzNQYeTDntY4UY6-rXHrMbjWoYiFxZonQCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-01%2Bat%2B10.23.33%2BAM.png" title="january 2019 book haul" width="640" /></a></div><br /><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/141972925X/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=141972925X&amp;linkId=b2c6c8bb7bf0d94b7a8a64adc73ceec2">Bygone Badass Broads, 52 Forgotten Women Who Changed the World </a>- It's no secret I am a fan of these types of feminist books so when I received this as a Christmas gift from my best friend I was super excited. This is a gorgeous book of illustrations and descriptions of women in history who have had a vital role in pioneering the way forward for other women but are lesser known today. It's fantastic and definitely one I am picking up for my younger cousins to read too.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1788950607/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1788950607&amp;linkId=a681d990487979a601873b7f78a88045">Proud</a> - This is a book that I am so fricking excited about and I seriously hope everyone picks up. It's a collection of short stories, poems and illustrations that have an LBTQ+ theme and are all by LGBTQ+ authors. Proud was compiled by Juno Dawson who is a fantastic author and this is such a wonderful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178211548X/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=178211548X&amp;linkId=6f0cf81a634cee08d03312128810c5bc">The Outrun by Amy Liptrot</a> - I received this book in the January Reading in Heels subscription box. The Outrun is actually is a memoir as Amy is trying to overcome addiction after she moves back to Orkney after living a heady lifestyle in London. This has stellar reviews and looks like it will be quite an emotional read.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0062327194/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0062327194&amp;linkId=a4ac07b6dc946508b83a046d52f84b1f">Dumplin'</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0062418386/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0062418386&amp;linkId=301d4a2e4b47d9c4d1f1f120c55d3f23">Puddin' </a>by Julie Murphy - Like many people who use twitter, I watched Dumplin on Netflix and absolutely fell in love. It's just such a charming feel good film so of course I had to pick up the book straight away, and getting the sequel was pretty much a no brainer.</li></ul><div>That is it for this month. Have you watched Dumplin' yet? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? It seems like Netflix is really killing it with the book to film adaptations at the moment.&nbsp;</div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-38187876909429574972019-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-27T00:00:07.495-08:00Book Review | The Familiars by Stacey Halls <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mkLdDzUvXY/XEl20XnX_BI/AAAAAAAAC94/rrzhCKFFcr0hxGSekb7p00GDrcWEjoH4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-01-24%2Bat%2B8.22.34%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Familiars by Stacey Hall book review historical fiction" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1446" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mkLdDzUvXY/XEl20XnX_BI/AAAAAAAAC94/rrzhCKFFcr0hxGSekb7p00GDrcWEjoH4ACLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-01-24%2Bat%2B8.22.34%2BAM.png" title="The Familiars by Stacey Hall book review" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">My Rating: 8/10&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Published: February 7th 2019</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Pages: 352</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1785766112/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1785766112&amp;linkId=3aee1308e73fedaa969f5137f80acf92" style="color: #777777; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39835415-the-familiars" style="color: #777777; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a>&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Rich and compelling, set against the frenzy of the real Pendle Hill Witch Trials, this novel explores the rights of 17th-century women and raises the question: Was witch-hunting really women-hunting? Fleetwood Shuttleworth, Alice Grey and the other characters are actual historical figures. King James I was obsessed with asserting power over the lawless countryside (even woodland creatures, or “familiars,” were suspected of dark magic) by capturing “witches”—in reality mostly poor and illiterate women.</span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">The Familiars is a historical fiction novel, which from the title is not what I was expecting. For those of you who are unaware of what a familiar is, to put it simply, it's a witches companion that takes the shape of an animal, like Salem in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. This made me think that The Familiars was going to be a lot more fantastical but what we get instead is a very true to the time story which is incredibly addicting to read.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Fleetwood is a great character, she is considered strange by those around her as she is not your typical lady. She takes parts in hunts, rolls around on the floor with her dog and does not seem to be all that interested in being the lady of the manor, which she is... She is pretty well fleshed out with a good back story too and despite only being seventeen has already been through so much in her life.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">The other main player in this book is Alice, the lady Fleetwood takes on as a midwife. Alice is poor and has been accused of witchcraft. This is the part for me which shows just what a good historic fiction this is because at the time of the witch hunts it was mainly poor women that were targeted. We see how Fleetwood and Alice's friendship develops over time and follow their stories both past and present.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Overall I really enjoyed this book and sped through it. I think the only thing I would've liked to have seen more of is familiars themselves, whilst they are a nice recurring theme in the book, considering the title of the book is The Familiars I would've thought they would be more prominent in the book and as I mentioned at the start I also thought this would have more of a fantastical magical element. Although The Familiars is very different to what I was expecting, I really enjoyed it and raced through it. For anyone who is a fan of witches and the time period I definitely recommend checking this out, or for anyone who appreciates a good story with a strong female main character definitely&nbsp;pick this up.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;merriweather&quot; , &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-58730216013064726402019-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-12T00:00:06.233-08:00Bookish Cross Stitch - Plastic Little Covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWkEBikFzsE/XDSl1-FOgOI/AAAAAAAAC80/LNtLW8lj9Oglaae2bKP2M2hS3l6SsXnjACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitch book mark plastic little covers" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWkEBikFzsE/XDSl1-FOgOI/AAAAAAAAC80/LNtLW8lj9Oglaae2bKP2M2hS3l6SsXnjACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0268.jpg" title="cross stitch book mark plastic little covers" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of cross stitch, one of my favourite hobbies at the weekend is to listen to a good <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07B3R92SP/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07B3R92SP&amp;linkId=09d028ebcf2ed6d606efcc79d5e1d82e">audio book</a> and do some cross stitch, it's so relaxing I really recommend it! Cross stitch is actually really easy to pick up and always makes for cute gifts so I've decided to do a small series on different cross stitch designers who offer kits or patterns that have bookish themed products starting with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/plasticlittlecovers">Plastic Little Covers</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've actually stitched quite a few of Plastic Little Covers patterns, but the products I wanted to feature today are her bookmark kits. As you can see I've made a couple already and actually gifted the kits a few times to friends.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma6uaXK_hkU/XDSmRlE34JI/AAAAAAAAC88/LdtV8jSobtgaEhnps1bJVU7jgAw4My3NgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitch book mark plastic little covers" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma6uaXK_hkU/XDSmRlE34JI/AAAAAAAAC88/LdtV8jSobtgaEhnps1bJVU7jgAw4My3NgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0004.jpg" title="cross stitch book mark plastic little covers" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everything you need to stitch a bookmark is included in the including the fabric, needle, all threads, backing fabric, finishing thread and the pattern with instructions on how to cross stitch for beinners plus how to finish off the bookmark. There are quite a few different designs to choose from as well and I love them all. Overall I think this took me around three hours whilst listening to <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07B3R92SP/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07B3R92SP&amp;linkId=09d028ebcf2ed6d606efcc79d5e1d82e">Circe</a> and I really loved stitching it.&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides the cross stitch kits, as I mentioned Plastic Little Covers has some amazing bookish themed patterns that come in PDF format. These are a little bit more complicated as they are larger in size and require you to buy the threads and cross stitch fabric (aida) yourself, but if you are already a stitcher I definitely recommend these patterns as I've had great fun stitching them, plus they look cute AF once done. Here are a couple of my favourite:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQG4JMARsjQ/XDSpvQXWO6I/AAAAAAAAC9c/3-5k1L74Fpc8Bp3bZ34-vb-h7D3u8sOvACLcBGAs/s1600/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitch pattern plastic little covers" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQG4JMARsjQ/XDSpvQXWO6I/AAAAAAAAC9c/3-5k1L74Fpc8Bp3bZ34-vb-h7D3u8sOvACLcBGAs/s640/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.jpg" title="cross stitch pattern plastic little covers" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bookmark kits range in price from&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">£</span>6.50 to&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">£</span>8 and the PDF patterns start at just 2.40, all available from her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/plasticlittlecovers">Etsy store</a>! What do you think, would you stitch one of these? Any cross stitchers here already? I also totally love listening to audi dramas and if you are looking for some good ones to check out I have just the blog post for you:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/search/label/I%20heart%20audio%20dramas">I Heart Audio Dramas</a> &nbsp;What a great little plug that was!</div><br /><br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-63994062515968418442019-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:002019-01-09T00:01:54.088-08:00Book Review | My Name is Anna by Lizzy Barber<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkZAxucNI4U/XCTAQEr_LxI/AAAAAAAAC6s/T_P20OhsEtwnMAB_ZkBKZCcscoH7sPu7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My Name is Anna by Lizzy Barber book review " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkZAxucNI4U/XCTAQEr_LxI/AAAAAAAAC6s/T_P20OhsEtwnMAB_ZkBKZCcscoH7sPu7gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0016.jpg" title="My Name is Anna by Lizzy Barber" width="640" /></a></div><i><b><br /></b></i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">My Rating: 9/10&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Published: 10th January 2019&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Pages: 182&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Genre: Young Adult, Thriller,</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07CN8RM2L/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07CN8RM2L&amp;linkId=e321a6b23f949e8b334515229b165e11" style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.2px; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">&nbsp;|&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39667685-my-name-is-anna" style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.2px; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px;"><i><b>Two women – desperate to unlock the truth.</b><br /><b>How far will they go to lay the past to rest?</b></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;"><i><b>ANNA</b>&nbsp;has been taught that virtue is the path to God. But on her eighteenth birthday she defies her Mamma’s rules and visits Florida’s biggest theme park.<br />She has never been allowed to go – so why, when she arrives, does everything seem so&nbsp;familiar? And is there a connection to the mysterious letter she receives on the same day?<br /><b>ROSIE</b>&nbsp;has grown up in the shadow of the missing sister she barely remembers, her family fractured by years of searching without leads.Now, on the fifteenth anniversary of her sister’s disappearance, the media circus resumes in full flow, and Rosie vows to uncover the truth.<br />But will she find the answer before it tears her family apart?</i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;">Before starting this review I will be straight up honest and say that this book features a lot of things I find fascinating, such as conspiracy theories, theme parks, missing people and more so it really had my attention from the start which pretty much guaranteed I was going to enjoy it, and I did.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;">This story is a thriller and is told from the perspective of Anna, the girl who has had a strict upbringing in Florida, and Rosie, a girl who lives in London whose older sister went missing when she was just a baby, 15 years ago.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;">Going into the book I felt like a relatively big part of the plot was given away by the blurb, and whilst this is the case there is actually so much more to the story than the discovery that *<b>Spoiler-ish* </b>Anna and Rosie are sisters. There are plenty more twists and turns that take part and having it told through two points of view really helps keep the suspense up as it skips from one sister to the other, often at a point where you are dying to read on about what the current sister is getting up to. The two sisters also have such clear differences even in the writing style used which makes it very easy to follow the two stories that are developing.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;">Another really strong point of this book is the side characters. They are all so well written and fleshed out that they are very believable. There are often times in the story when I questioned, why is this character doing this, I don't understand, but then as more of the back story develops or some of the plot unfolds it all makes sense and explains a lot about why some of the characters behave the way they do.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: -4px; padding: 0px;">Overall I found this a really interesting and well written story with so much more to it than meets the eye. It was a total page turner and I did not want to put it down. I definitely recommend this if you are after a good thriller, what a great book to kick start the year with!&nbsp;</div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-38543415935399509282019-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-06T00:00:03.758-08:00Book Review | Whiteout by Gabriel Dylan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhjJuPoKOpw/XCS_OUJd2DI/AAAAAAAAC6g/ZIxnLmluUqcbpSl2-mSU_FMp3HebrG6KgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Whiteout by Gabriel Dylan book review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhjJuPoKOpw/XCS_OUJd2DI/AAAAAAAAC6g/ZIxnLmluUqcbpSl2-mSU_FMp3HebrG6KgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0010.jpg" title="Whiteout by Gabriel Dylan" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">My Rating: 8/10&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Published: January 10th 2019</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Pages: 416</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Genre: Horror</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1788950720/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1788950720&amp;linkId=50d357a05ed2f27dc9f4a7fd256b4f17" style="color: #777777; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42084552-whiteout?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" style="color: #777777; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a>&nbsp;</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">For Charlie, a school ski trip is the perfect escape from his unhappy home life. Until a storm blows in and the resort town is cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped on the mountain, the students wait for the blizzards to pass, along with mysterious ski guide Hanna.&nbsp;</span></i><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /></i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But as night falls and the town’s long buried secrets begin to surface, the storm is the least of their problems….</span></i></span><br /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">‘She sat us all down and told us a story. About things that lived in the woods. Things that only came out at night.’</span></span></i><br /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">My love of horror books is no secret, and the books published under the Redeye umbrella have not let me down in the past, so when I saw their latest addition, Whiteout I was very excited to pick it up and delve straight in. It did not disappoint!&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've never actually been skiing before, and living in London the whole city has a meltdown when we see the slightest bit of snow so a remote mountain resort in my eyes makes the perfect setting for a horror book. With no way to communicate&nbsp;with the outside world due to signal lines being down, and no way to escape this creates the perfect recipe for something bad to happen.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Whiteout is incredibly faced paced and each chapter is told from a different point of view. The book mainly follows Charlie, but it often follows his other classmates. Quite often they get split up so you will get to the end of a chapter with one lot of characters and be dying to find out what happens next, only for the story to follow the other set of characters, great for building suspence and for a slightly different way of telling the story.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is an action packed survival horror book that you will definitely speed through. I particularly loved the way that it ended but don't worry, I won't spoil that for you!&nbsp;</span></span>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-19358457551327757522019-01-03T03:49:00.003-08:002019-01-03T03:49:53.419-08:00December 2018 Book HaulDecember was a good month for me and books. I was actually doing really well in not buying anything, but then Christmas happened and so I received some books but I also gave some as gifts to friends but they looked so great I just had to pick up a copy for myself too, as you do....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc1QcQrJztQ/XC0JyWgYkYI/AAAAAAAAC8g/m8EvWcyIKcsmQGOQWDOh25VPytEha4VqQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc1QcQrJztQ/XC0JyWgYkYI/AAAAAAAAC8g/m8EvWcyIKcsmQGOQWDOh25VPytEha4VqQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786697327/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1786697327&amp;linkId=2d129486ae6ab4dd0ebbce575e364bb7">Stories We Tell Ourselves</a> by Sarah Françoise - This was part of the <a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2018/12/reading-in-heels-december-unboxing.html">December Reading in Heels subscription box</a>. It's a slice of life style book about a family with many problems (affairs to be a recurring theme) as they return home to the French Alps for Christmas.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1406379840/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1406379840&amp;linkId=5d0250376aa9f6d13e85ea2dfb0c2742">Nothing But the Truth</a> by Dick Lehr - I received this from Walker YA (thank you!!!) Set in Boston, a thirteen year old African American girl is shot. An arrest was quickly made. The person arrested is Trell's father. She was only a baby when he was arrested but twelve years later she is trying to get him out of prison and prove his innocence. It sounds like a really powerful book and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1785761323/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1785761323&amp;linkId=7f3b46a40de5bd792fa234e93ae9153f">Spellslinger</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471406695/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1471406695&amp;linkId=349d4dfd201fead73d205703d0c5fc81">Shadowblack</a> by Sebastien de Castell - These two were Christmas gifts from my husband, I was quite impressed that he picked them out by himself as I had seen Sebastien do a reading of his fourth book in September and thought it was fab. Anyway, the Spellslinger series I've heard is like magic meets the Wild West and it sounds like a really fun series. Oh and there is a sarcastic creature called a squirrel cat. Fab.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846275105/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1846275105&amp;linkId=6d971e3aa75ca697896046c43f424e2d">Strange Weather in Tokyo</a> by Hiromi Kawakami - Another gift from my husband, and another fantastic choice as this is one I have been eyeing up for ages. Tsukiko is in her late thirties when she meets a former teacher of hers in a bar. They keep meeting again and again and this follows their relationship as it develops. I've heard from lots of friends it's a very sweet read.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0857524194/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0857524194&amp;linkId=5c42a5230ff1d4a76df0fd7aeed24462">The Traveling Cat Chronicles</a> by Hiro Arikawa - Of course this has been on my wish list for a while, I mean it has a cat in the title! Yet another gift from my husband, this is about the relationship between a Japanese business man and a street cat. Described as heartwarming and feel good, I can't wait to read this when I am feeling a bit blue.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1407189158/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1407189158&amp;linkId=4909987c706490f4637ec09a179aa62f">Predators Gold</a> by Philip Reeve - This is the last of the books that my husband got me for Christmas. Predators Gold is actually the second in the Mortal Engines quartet, so of course I've ordered <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005EM8O5W/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005EM8O5W&amp;linkId=6176a216f1514d78f5ea4b902ed0e258">Mortal Engines</a> so I can read that first. It's set in a post- apocalyptic future and features flying cities so it sounds pretty epic.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1594749779/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1594749779&amp;linkId=291a1bd094e937e314ddda28f2919b59">Basic Witches, How to Summon Success, Banish Drama and Raise Hell With Your Coven</a> - To say I was influenced by The chilling Adventures of Sabrina this year is an understatement, and my goal of 2019 is to become a basic witch bitch. This book is full of super cute and fun illustrations. If you are looking for serious magic this isn't going to be for you, but it is a great self help style book with a witchy theme and I love it.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1454929073/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1454929073&amp;linkId=b99d9ccc5570d5353b8530f4dfab64ce">Kawaii Tarot</a> - Sticking to the supernatural theme, I decided to pick up the Kawaii Tarot kit which includes the cutest tarot deck ever, and a book explaining how to read the cards. I have always thought of myself as slightly physic, so tarot peaked my interest. The book included in this kit is pretty basic so I think I will have to pick up another one to help me understand tarot better, but the deck is kawaii AF and a good starting point.</li></ul><div>Phew that was a pretty huge haul! I think my husband did a fantastic job of picking out a variety of books I would like, he is a good sausage sometimes! Are any of these on your list or interest you? Also is anyone else into Tarot and can recommend some good resources?&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-6621056598115876692018-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-31T00:00:00.815-08:00My top 5 reads of 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4SI4mUFiio/XCij-raTx-I/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3c9XhIqtmoAGGxlXNp6Rbl4YfIqtCYcPACLcBGAs/s1600/topbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4SI4mUFiio/XCij-raTx-I/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3c9XhIqtmoAGGxlXNp6Rbl4YfIqtCYcPACLcBGAs/s640/topbooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />2018 was an OK reading year for me. I set my Goodreads challenge to 52 with the intention of reading a book a week, I thought it would be easy because in 2017 I read 67 books, although I did make my goal this year with 57 books it just felt like more of a struggle and at times I was reading shorter books just for the sake of it. Despite feeling a bit meh about some books, I also managed to read some proper crackers, so here are my top 5 reads of 2018.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUt8ztR1cBc/XCim1NH1HcI/AAAAAAAAC7k/HtLcRPLqfgMvgTSSGQpHjrCb_v8VuAKhQCLcBGAs/s1600/ove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A man called ove by fredrik backman" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUt8ztR1cBc/XCim1NH1HcI/AAAAAAAAC7k/HtLcRPLqfgMvgTSSGQpHjrCb_v8VuAKhQCLcBGAs/s200/ove.jpg" title="A man called ove by fredrik backman" width="130" /></a>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1444775812/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1444775812&amp;linkId=544e01808ba7aee98eb85d819c7d6d0c">A Man Called Ove</a> by Fredrik Backman<br />This is the best book I have read this year and I love it so so so much. The main character, Ove, is a grumpy old man living in Sweden who thinks he is surrounded by idiots. He is forced into early retirement from the job he has had for most of his life which has left him feeling very uncertain about his routine. Things start to change with the arrival of a new family across the street who think that his standoffishness is funny and charming.<br />Honestly I felt every emotion when reading this book. It is hilarious, heartwarming, charming and sad. I cried happy and sad tears at this book and I just think it is absolutely wonderful.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVcZzgFW988/XCinK57zNwI/AAAAAAAAC7s/uABPpc1yNjggQE5zK_JStcBysyczmtfTwCLcBGAs/s1600/thisisgoingtohurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="This is going to hurt by adam kay" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVcZzgFW988/XCinK57zNwI/AAAAAAAAC7s/uABPpc1yNjggQE5zK_JStcBysyczmtfTwCLcBGAs/s200/thisisgoingtohurt.jpg" title="This is going to hurt by adam kay" width="130" /></a>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509858636/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1509858636&amp;linkId=992f1484559d32419e66645da7210140">This is Going to Hurt, Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor</a> by Adam Kay<br />I pretty much never read non fiction, so for me to read one and for it to skyrocket into my favourites list must mean it's pretty special.<br />As the title suggests, Adam Kay was a junior doctor and this is just full of anecdotes from his time working through the ranks in a hospital. Adam Kay specialised as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and as you can imagine he has plenty of funny stories to tell about his time doing the rounds, I actually laughed out loud so many times reading this my husband who is not a reader at all wanted to pick this up.<br />Underneath the humour though is a very sad message about the state of the NHS and how overworked our junior doctors really are. This is a compelling read and I have a full review here:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2018/09/book-review-this-is-going-to-hurt.html">This is Going to Hurt book review </a><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHss8eUht6Q/XCinPrpvmKI/AAAAAAAAC7w/Se9lfG-d7JgzKkapt6pVPZLykkhqVOA5wCLcBGAs/s1600/Scythe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scythe by neal shusterman " border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHss8eUht6Q/XCinPrpvmKI/AAAAAAAAC7w/Se9lfG-d7JgzKkapt6pVPZLykkhqVOA5wCLcBGAs/s200/Scythe.jpg" title="scythe by neal shusterman " width="131" /></a>3. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1406379247/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1406379247&amp;linkId=1021b5d89ecab695c199f8b0c4e8c527">Scythe</a> by Neal Shusterman<br />Imagine a future where there is no sickness, no one dies from old age because you can be re aged and death just isn't a thing because re-animation exists. It sounds pretty good right? Well in Scythe this is what has happened, and as a result of this something needs to happen in order for the population to be controlled in order to avoid all of the worlds resources being depleted. Scythe's are the answer to this issue. They are a group of people who reap the lives of people in order to keep the population under control, so as you can imagine they aren't too popular.<br />Citra and Rowan are very different teenagers, but both end up having to compete against each other as Scythe apprentices, even though neither of them wants to be a scythe, but there is more to the Scythedom than meets the eye.<br />The plot of this book is just fantastic. It's fast paced and very clever, but most of all it's quite thought provoking because it feels as if this could be something we are heading to in the future. I also read the sequel Thunderhead this year too which is equally brilliant.<br /><br />4. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0349142920/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0349142920&amp;linkId=85e87c9442706777bcea04473f096906">Little Fires Everywhere</a> by Celeste Ng<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP93dnIUc1A/XCinW6zWWkI/AAAAAAAAC70/-7ecKxYXAsAUnx8PF8y7XEdRSdd09sFegCLcBGAs/s1600/little.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="little fires everywhere by celeste ng" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP93dnIUc1A/XCinW6zWWkI/AAAAAAAAC70/-7ecKxYXAsAUnx8PF8y7XEdRSdd09sFegCLcBGAs/s200/little.jpg" title="little fires everywhere by celeste ng" width="131" /></a>2018 is the year that I started to read more 'literary fiction' and Little Fires Everywhere has received so many rave reviews I decided to read it for myself, it did not disappoint.<br />Shaker Heights is a quiet, upper class suburb of Cleveland, where even things like the colour of your house has to be approved by <br />the Shaker Heights committee. Elena Richardson is a very typical Shaker Heights mum with a seemingly perfect family, that is until Mia Warren turns up.<br />Mia is an artist who travels around with her daughter Pearl and have never stayed in one place for too long. Mia rents the small flat from Elena and instead of paying rent ends up cleaning for the family.<br />Elena's friends have adopted a Chinese-American baby but after a certain chain of events Mia and Elena end up with very opposing opinions of what the outcome should be.<br />This is a fantastic look at how people in neighborhoods can end up entwined even if they don't have any direct links and a great look at family lives and people. It's a delicious slow burner and totally addictive.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bQyiPToE48/XCinbs5wpXI/AAAAAAAAC78/8IT1vWFbWHYRBPOL-hf8Ms6QV8c329XUwCLcBGAs/s1600/legendary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="legendary by stephanie garber" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bQyiPToE48/XCinbs5wpXI/AAAAAAAAC78/8IT1vWFbWHYRBPOL-hf8Ms6QV8c329XUwCLcBGAs/s200/legendary.jpg" title="legendary by stephanie garber" width="130" /></a>5. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473629187/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473629187&amp;linkId=4e8cdeffc7c12061b2806ceb459b8869">Legendar</a>y by Stephanie Garber<br />Legendary is the sequel to Caraval, which is also brilliant. It's always hard to talk about a sequel without revealing any spoilers for the first one, but I will try.<br />In Caraval we followed sister Scarlett as she participates in Caraval (pretty much a magical carnvial) created by the master Legend (lets say head magician). Legendary focuses on Scarlett's sister Donatella. Tella has made some dodgy deals with dangerous people, and to hold up her part of the bargain she has to try and find out Legend's true identity, something that no one has managed to uncover.<br />I actually preferred Legendary to Caraval. Tella is a more adventurous and exciting character but also quite flawed which makes her interesting to read about. The plot is developed from the first book really well and I love the magical carnival that reappears in this book too.<br /><br />It was quite hard to narrow this list down to just five books. The first three were no brainers but after that it was definitely a close call as there have been some heavyweight contenders this year. What were your favourtie reads of 2018?Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-86434237953376530442018-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-28T00:00:12.638-08:00Book Review | The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ08hxYEzMk/XCUGMrhmr6I/AAAAAAAAC64/-gaAdBCUizM8VdLer7E0bvzW0iEDlvMWQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ08hxYEzMk/XCUGMrhmr6I/AAAAAAAAC64/-gaAdBCUizM8VdLer7E0bvzW0iEDlvMWQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">My Rating: 6/10&nbsp;</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Published: 28th September 2017</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Pages: 310&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Genre: Non-fiction, memoir</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1781258635/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1781258635&amp;linkId=b4d26623f58220c2f59ae8f2c7e36665" style="margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35512560-the-diary-of-a-bookseller?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" style="margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out 0s;">Goodreads</a></span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="freeText16408627516578341730" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Shaun Bythell owns The Bookshop, Wigtown - Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop. It contains 100,000 books, spread over a mile of shelving, with twisting corridors and roaring fires, and all set in a beautiful, rural town by the edge of the sea. A book-lover's paradise? Well, almost ... In these wry and hilarious diaries, Shaun provides an inside look at the trials and tribulations of life in the book trade, from struggles with eccentric customers to wrangles with his own staff, who include the ski-suit-wearing, bin-foraging Nicky. He takes us with him on buying trips to old estates and auction houses, recommends books (both lost classics and new discoveries), introduces us to the thrill of the unexpected find, and evokes the rhythms and charms of small-town life, always with a sharp and sympathetic eye.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">&nbsp;</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Going into the Diary of a Bookseller I had high hopes and thought it would be full of hilarious anecdotes about working in a bookshop and be in the same vein as This is Going to Hurt which is one of my favourite books. Sadly, this was not the case.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was interesting to see the inner workings of a second hand book store, such as going to peoples houses to value their book collection, how rare books are valued and even the impact Amazon has has on the high store book shop. I think everyone is aware that being able to buy online at often a cheaper price has definitely impacted the high street, but The Diary of a Bookseller details how bookstores themselves often have to rely on Amazon for their own online sales of second hand books which is such a double edged sword.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sadly for me the content I wanted was not the main focus of the book like I thought it would be. There are a few funny customer stories here and there but not enough to hold my interest at all times. Lots of the pages are filled with details of when Shaun goes salmon fishing, or biking or boating, not things that care about or what compelled me to pick up this book in the first place.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another slight niggle I had with this book is that at the start of each diary entry there is a books found number and a books sold online number. It isn't explained anywhere in the book what the books found number is about and I actually had to google it, turns out I'm not the only one who had this question too. For those of you interested, it means the number of books located in the store that they had managed to sell online as they can't always find what they have listed in the store.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;">Overall I don't think this is a bad book at all and I did end up finishing it, it's just not what I was expecting and so I ended up feeling disappointed&nbsp;and a little bored by the content. I've seen some great reviews for this so don't let my review put you off if it sounds interesting, but for me this was a very average read.&nbsp;</span></span></div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-46846038019585905052018-12-26T05:37:00.001-08:002018-12-26T05:37:15.173-08:00Reading in Heels December UnboxingSo December's <a href="https://readinginheels.com/">Reading in Heels</a> box is my fave by far. I absolutely love everything in the box and it feels super luxurious. For those of you who haven't seen my <a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/search/label/reading%20in%20heels">previous posts on Reading in Heels</a>, it's a monthly subscription box that contains a book and a few lifestyle bits. It is letterbox friendly and is only 12.80 including postage which I think is a great price for a nice monthly treat. Here is what was in the box this month:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iaO-8YzTEzI/XCN74ql6_OI/AAAAAAAAC6M/F56dBwU63nsNEWaVFw3VKZ-kMaEhZpGSwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iaO-8YzTEzI/XCN74ql6_OI/AAAAAAAAC6M/F56dBwU63nsNEWaVFw3VKZ-kMaEhZpGSwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786697327/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1786697327&amp;linkId=0acd1f071704d8e8f904231da011d78d">Stories We Tell Ourselves</a> by Sarah Françoise - This book is set during Christmas so I'm quite excited to read it over the festive period as I've not got any Christmas books lined up this year. The story is about a couple who are struggling with their marriage and is reaching an all time low when the husband Frank starts writing letters to his long lost German ex-girlfriend. Sounds pretty tense for a Christmas story but the couple are trying to put their best foot forward as their adult kids are coming home for Christmas. I have really been enjoying reading family based fiction this year and this definitely sounds interesting.&nbsp;</li><li>'Be in love with your life. Every minute of it.' Notepad - A cute notepad featuring a quote from author Jack Kerouac. I actually really enjoy notepads like this that are glued along the top, I keep notepads like this next to my work PC as they are super handy for jotting down quick work notes or to do lists that I can throw away at the end of the day.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0791J71V7/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B0791J71V7&amp;linkId=ab85640659cdfbbb4388d35ae042bf22">Vitamasques Diamond Gold Sheet Mask</a> - Who doesn't love a good sheet mask? Seriously I love pampering myself and relaxing when reading. Apparently this mask uses triple-layer technology to boost product absorption and this should leave me with plumped up and brightened skin. Perfect.</li><li><a href="https://cocochocolatier.com/">Coco Chocolatier Isle of Skye Sea Salt Milk Chocolate</a> - This might be my favourite item in the box. I LOVE sea salt in chocolate, but it's hard to find sea salt chocolate that isn't dark chocolate. I have really high hopes for this chocolate bar and I'm pretty sure this will be the start of a new chocolate addiction.</li><li><a href="https://www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk/">St Eval Scented Tea Light</a> - Wow this little tea light packs a serious punch when it comes to scent. It's made from a blend of spices, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, and to me it smells just like a chai latte. It's lovely.</li></ul><div>I think you can now see why this is my favourite box I've receive, it's just got the perfect contents for an indulgent night in by yourself and I can't wait to use them.&nbsp;</div><br /><div><br /></div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-61003406033310284072018-12-22T03:51:00.000-08:002018-12-22T03:51:18.151-08:00My Plans for the Christmas Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So today is the first official day of my Christmas break! I say Christmas break, but really the only days I have off are Christmas day and boxing day, our office is closed though which means working from the sofa, woooo! Because I will be at home so much and things will be a bit easier than normal I have set myself some things I would like to do over the break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usdEk2ohDGw/XB4dh181bsI/AAAAAAAAC6A/L2lwBwdV8Q83x9ZfIUH7qacQCp2qZ7zBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the last namsara bullet journal" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usdEk2ohDGw/XB4dh181bsI/AAAAAAAAC6A/L2lwBwdV8Q83x9ZfIUH7qacQCp2qZ7zBQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9844.JPG" title="christmas break plans" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Read a hardback book / fantasy</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think anyone who knows me knows that I hate hardback books. I read a lot on my commute to work and hardbacks are heavy and take up a lot of space in my bag, plus they hurt when they fall on your face more that a paperback does. They do look beautiful on the bookcase though. Because I don't have this commute at the moment I think it's a great time to finally tackle the hardbacks that have been sat on my shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also not been reading that much fantasy this year, I think that is in part due to me trying to achieve my goodreads reading goal as fantasy tends to be a bit longer I've been opting for shorter contemporaries instead to rack up the books read number. I've now completed my goal so I'm ready to sink my teeth into some chunky fantasy, starting with <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473218144/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473218144&amp;linkId=880a14dc98eef11f31965e271218bc34">The Last Namsara</a> by Kristen Ciccarelli which I have heard people rave about.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Set up a 2019 bullet journal</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scatty is definitely a word that describes my personal life. At work I am a total boss, but for everything else I am bit of a mess so I'm hoping that by starting a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N63VX52/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01N63VX52&amp;linkId=c61841ba9cb47bd83f8b2812c01f4040">bullet journal</a> I can get my shit together. Not only am I planning to use it to schedule my personal life but I also want to use it for helping me with blog posts, brainstorming, scheduling etc. 2019 is the year my blog takes over the world. Mwahahaha.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Learn photoshop</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another thing that I am hoping will help with improving my blog in 2019 is learning how to use photoshop. I've worked hard this year on trying to make my blog look how I want it to, and for me I think it's very pleasing to the eye but my photos are something I definitely want to improve upon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Read some books that will help in my professional career</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For those of you who don't know, I am an events marketing manager for the European region at the company I work at. I'm quite confident in what I do but I'm a big believer of never being complacent and always trying to keep learning and experimenting. I picked up <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1787631125/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1787631125&amp;linkId=5455fcf2819365588c38741b7e75790e">How to Own the Room</a> last month and think it is the perfect sort of read for what I am after.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Complete a book on New Years day</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The past couple of years I have sat and read a book on New Years day. They are only short books, 200 or so pages but it helps me feel like I've got a kick start on the year when it comes to reading. For 2019 I'm thinking of reading <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846276039/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1846276039&amp;linkId=15bb028e994c305b7917447ea4bb2635">The Vegetarian by Han Kang</a>, I've had it on my shelf for a while and it's only 188 pages so the perfect size, my friend Amy at <a href="https://obvitslifestyle.com/">Obv It's Lifestyle</a>&nbsp;has recommended it to me so many times too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe I am being a bit too ambitious in trying to fit this all into 10 days but we shall see. Of course I will also be eating a lot of cheese and drinking prosecco too! Do you have any things you want to achieve over the break or are you just looking to relax? Relaxing is definitely a good choice after a hectic work year.</div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-47377511608816087832018-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-19T00:00:10.830-08:00Most Anticipated 2019 Book Releases <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nh6OH-G1KB4/XBlWaPR1B4I/AAAAAAAAC4o/bGUanxdzysY2ZODw-EWIReTtpp6Q2zw_QCLcBGAs/s1600/bookrelease2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nh6OH-G1KB4/XBlWaPR1B4I/AAAAAAAAC4o/bGUanxdzysY2ZODw-EWIReTtpp6Q2zw_QCLcBGAs/s640/bookrelease2019.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="640" /></a></div><br />2018 was pretty good for book releases but 2019 already looks like it's going to be a fantastic year for releases. There are already so many I am looking forward to with a great mix of sequels, first of series and standalones, seriously I am hyped. Here is my list of most anticipated 2019 releases, well ones that I know of so far!<br /><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZgWWCHVwmA/XBlg-jLtlJI/AAAAAAAAC5A/tu-6xusTwzQN_FnLeTpSHkKU4o_4sK-awCLcBGAs/s1600/theiwckedking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The wicked king by holly black" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZgWWCHVwmA/XBlg-jLtlJI/AAAAAAAAC5A/tu-6xusTwzQN_FnLeTpSHkKU4o_4sK-awCLcBGAs/s200/theiwckedking.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="133" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471407357/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1471407357&amp;linkId=f1c58e6097bab60836afa96bc4d17559">The Wicked King</a> by Holly Black</div>Release Date: January 8th<br />I read The Cruel Prince at the start of 2018 and loved it, so of course I am really excited for The Wicked King which is the sequel. I don't want to talk too much about what happened in The Cruel Prince because I don't want to spoil it for anyone <br />who hasn't read it, but it is about sisters who are half human, half faerie. Their mum is murdered when they are seven by their real father (who is a faerie) and they are dragged to the faerie world where they are trying to fit in, but faeries are cruel creatures who don't particularly like humans.<br />The Cruel Prince was so full of drama and action, I seriously enjoyed it and really hope The Wicked King is just as good. The Cruel Prince left on such a cliffhanger so I'm very much looking forward to seeing what happens next!<br /><br /><div class="" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1510104453/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1510104453&amp;linkId=0a1863fdf09f337e29e44dda41faf650">King of Scars</a> by Leigh Bardugo</div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOE1E-2-9-8/XBlX8U801FI/AAAAAAAAC44/TuXR117vTMMBgGGL_HoC4WInND7gVn9wwCEwYBhgL/s1600/kos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="King of scars by leigh bardugo" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOE1E-2-9-8/XBlX8U801FI/AAAAAAAAC44/TuXR117vTMMBgGGL_HoC4WInND7gVn9wwCEwYBhgL/s200/kos.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="132" /></a>Release Date: January 29th&nbsp;</div>This is the first in a new duology by Leigh Bardugo. Leigh Bardugo is one of my absoulte favourite authors and this book follows King Nikolai, who appeared in the Grisha trilogy, as he tried to restore his kingdom to it's former glory whilst under the constant threat from their enemies. Nikolai is a super fun and charismatic character and I can't wait to read from his point of view. Plus this book has magic, got to love any book with magic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1KaSVpXdMY/XBlhTM06eNI/AAAAAAAAC5I/W9fAKbe6UaE9k7N9DEi9AGYjsX3wvguDACLcBGAs/s1600/thefamiliars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the familiars by stacey hall" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="301" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1KaSVpXdMY/XBlhTM06eNI/AAAAAAAAC5I/W9fAKbe6UaE9k7N9DEi9AGYjsX3wvguDACLcBGAs/s200/thefamiliars.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="126" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1785766112/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1785766112&amp;linkId=4cc89e7d14c8b99fba8fda5db9a89ead">The Familiars</a> by Stacey Hall<br />Release Date: February 7th<br />The title of this book is what first caught my attention as I had just finished binge watching The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix so I'm very into that whole witch/familiar scene at the moment, a<br />fter reading the blurb of The Familiars though I knew it would be one to look forward to.<br />Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 and has already had three miscarriages. As the Mistress of Gawthorpe Hall she is expected to have a heir so when she finds out she is pregnant for a fourth time she decides to try everything in order to make sure she can deliver a healthy baby.<br />One day she crosses paths with a poor woman called Alice who is a midwife. Alice promises she can deliver a healthy baby but accusations of witchcraft are rife at this time, and as Alice is a women who uses many herbal remedies, well.....<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fy6DZd6WLjY/XBlhYc6NgiI/AAAAAAAAC5M/sD_ahlO5kzwD9TySN15kCQA1OUKyB7_fgCLcBGAs/s1600/belles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="the everlasting rose by dhonielle clayton" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fy6DZd6WLjY/XBlhYc6NgiI/AAAAAAAAC5M/sD_ahlO5kzwD9TySN15kCQA1OUKyB7_fgCLcBGAs/s200/belles.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="131" /></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473223997/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473223997&amp;linkId=230e174e9d3c6489b1f6677b34d30449">The Everlasting Rose</a> by Dhonielle Clayton<br />Release Date: March 5th<br />Another second in the series, The Everlasting Rose is the sequel to The Belles which I also read this year and loved.<br />Orleans is a city where the people are born grey, but can be made beautiful with the help of Belles. This series follows Camellia who is Belle as she is seperated from her sisters and put to her place of work. However in the first book we find out that there is definitely something dodgy happening behind the scenes and Camellia ends up finding out that a lot of secrets have been kept from her.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE_4C5aP6r4/XBlhdxllsSI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/MwlK9Eb-Y-4NjawNWeQMtb_M9ZTDSusKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Queenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="queenie by candice carty williams" border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="255" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE_4C5aP6r4/XBlhdxllsSI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/MwlK9Eb-Y-4NjawNWeQMtb_M9ZTDSusKwCLcBGAs/s200/Queenie.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="123" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1409180050/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1409180050&amp;linkId=a1ed3db87c6cc55c6ea145b3905262e8">Queenie</a> by Candice Carty-Williams<br />Release Date: March 19th<br />Honestly I can't wait to get my hands on this book and think it will definitely be a cult hit in 2019. Queenie is a 25 year old Jamaican British women who lives in London and works for a national newspaper. She struggles with trying to balance her two cultures and feels like she doesn't fit in with either which leads to some questionable choices.<br />This sounds like such a fantastic and fresh book that I can imagine will be so relatable for many people. Seriously looking forward to this!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mxbBze38FU/XBljO5ehG6I/AAAAAAAAC5k/WNM_S1X7uQYYNHbVOtM3lf0rCuEZWvW-gCLcBGAs/s1600/musicandmalice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mxbBze38FU/XBljO5ehG6I/AAAAAAAAC5k/WNM_S1X7uQYYNHbVOtM3lf0rCuEZWvW-gCLcBGAs/s200/musicandmalice.jpg" title="music and malice in hurricane town by alex bell" width="130" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847159605/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1847159605&amp;linkId=02ad5d7ec57b12ac10fa9d01c51f3286">Music and Malice in Hurricane Town</a> by Alex Bell<br />Release Date: April 4th<br />Alex Bell is the genius behind the terrifying Frozen Charlotte book, which made it on to my Top Horror Books list so of course I as a huge horror fan I'm excited for her next release.<br />Jude Lomax is a trumpet player on the streets of Baton Noir. She is invited to play at the funeral of the famous cajou queen but as she passes through the gates of the cemetery she is possessed by the spirit of Ivory the cajou queen, and she won't rest until she finds the person responsible for her murder.<br />This book has some of my fave elements, possession, vampires, jazz music and is heavily influenced by New Orleans. It sounds darkly delicious.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61scVgOxSRo/XBljUovSnpI/AAAAAAAAC5o/p35pXlMvEtU6R4Zta9Tw-0PPMx6fTm6UgCLcBGAs/s1600/aurorarising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aurora Rising by amie kaufman and Jay Kristoff" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61scVgOxSRo/XBljUovSnpI/AAAAAAAAC5o/p35pXlMvEtU6R4Zta9Tw-0PPMx6fTm6UgCLcBGAs/s200/aurorarising.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="131" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786075334/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1786075334&amp;linkId=db8a477c4d55e6bb46da9d4e418a731b">Aurora Rising</a> by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman<br />Release Date: May 7th<br />I'm not the biggest sci-fi fan but everyone raved out the Illuminae files so being the sheep I am I read all three books, and I am so glad I did because they are so unique and fant<br />astic. The fact that Jay and Amie have paired up again to bring out a new science fiction series has me so excited.<br />Aurora Rising is set in 2380 and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned to their first missions. Tyler Jones was the star pupil and was looking forward to having a great squad, but he gets teamed up with the worst of the bunch. It sounds like the perfect remedy for a space adventure with the dry and clever humour of Jay and Amie. Perfect.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473666767/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473666767&amp;linkId=065da395c9e239ac285bdf6396b737ff">Finale</a> by Stephanie Garber<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XOhYelX3g8/XBljYXHZRoI/AAAAAAAAC5s/JvM4eKpliSgV9zs3ufEuhBIGL7v_QG0MgCLcBGAs/s1600/finale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="finale by Stephanie Garber" border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="325" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XOhYelX3g8/XBljYXHZRoI/AAAAAAAAC5s/JvM4eKpliSgV9zs3ufEuhBIGL7v_QG0MgCLcBGAs/s200/finale.jpg" title="Most anticipated 2019 book releases" width="130" /></a>Release Date: May 30th<br />Finale is the final book in the Caraval trilogy, another series that is incredible. Caraval is a travelling circus fair type thing where all the players compete in a magical game to win run by the legendary Legend. The game is full of magic and mystery and the prize is always fantastic.<br />There is a lot more to the plot than just Caraval though and this follows sisters Donatella and Scarlett as they are competing in their own competition against The Fates. This may sound complicated but honestly if you have read the books it really isn't. I do love me a good circus book!&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br />Honestly just writing this list has got me fired up. Now I am having the same debate I always have with myself, get the paperback version because the covers are gorgeous, or do the smart thing and buy them on Kindle because I know I have no space..... Anyway these are just a few of the fantastic titles coming out next year, there are so many more. Which titles are you excited for?Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-72582617794225542852018-12-16T02:47:00.002-08:002018-12-16T02:47:39.363-08:00Guest Post | Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miqCzzbO-g4/XBYstYcoMfI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/Qhqlin5QvQ8JUbGbnEato8n_N5MvZb0LwCLcBGAs/s1600/Hidden%2BColours%2BBanner2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser blog tour" border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1100" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miqCzzbO-g4/XBYstYcoMfI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/Qhqlin5QvQ8JUbGbnEato8n_N5MvZb0LwCLcBGAs/s640/Hidden%2BColours%2BBanner2.png" title="Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I got an email asking if I wanted to take part in the Hidden Colours blog tour, I saw the words circus and had to jump at the chance. Honestly I really love a book with a circus setting, The Night Circus completely romanticised circus's for me, that and I used to do aerial hoop and silks meant I feel an affinity for all things circus. I just need to share with you the blurb for this book because it sounds so blooming marvelous:<br /><br /><i>Each evening, nestled in Berlin’s Treptower Park, the immigrant circus comes to life.&nbsp;</i><br /><i>When Yusuf fled Syria, he lost everything. Now the circus, with its middle-eastern flair, is the only home he knows. When the lights go on, the refugees dazzle their audience, but off-stage tensions flare.&nbsp;</i><br /><i>Ellie is passionate about the circus and drawn to its broken people. Even so, if she wants to keep her job at the newspaper, she must head up a campaign against it.&nbsp;</i><br /><i>One night, in the midst of a show, two young circus boys come to blows. With the circus at risk of closure, Ellie must convince her readers that we can have compassion for those we fear, or Yusuf will be forced to uproot again.</i><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cbGfjdRwKTw/XBYs0aGus5I/AAAAAAAAC4U/i-4BjgryMa8-LSBq1JHhLJjWn6TBM9A3ACLcBGAs/s1600/HiddenColours_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cbGfjdRwKTw/XBYs0aGus5I/AAAAAAAAC4U/i-4BjgryMa8-LSBq1JHhLJjWn6TBM9A3ACLcBGAs/s400/HiddenColours_Cover.jpg" title="Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser" width="266" /></a>It sounds great right? Anyway today is my turn on the blog tour and I have a special post written by Nillu Nasser, fab five things about circus stories! Here is her post:<br /><br />The first glimpse of inspiration for this novel struck me close to two years ago. It was a fleeting image in my mind: a man leaping from a trapeze in a dimly lit, shabby circus.<br /><br />Now, I’m torn by my feelings about circuses, but that image was persistent. I just couldn’t shake it. The man I saw was both sad and strong. At the time, I was thinking about refugees a lot, and that’s how the seed for Hidden Colours started to grow.<br /><br />The story–now making its way into the world–is about Yusuf Alam, a Syrian acrobat, Ellie Richter, a German journalist, and an imaginary immigrant circus in Berlin. A circus–filled with outsiders, dreams and danger– is the perfect metaphor for Yusuf and Ellie’s story.<br /><br /><b>1. ‘From the moment the circus materialised, it transformed the landscape. Once in full flow, the emerald grasses vibrated with the rhythm of the house band. The winds carried peculiar scents far afield.’&nbsp;</b><br />The sensory details were one of my favourite elements of writing this story. Circus stories overflow with gorgeous details. The colours are bold and striking. Performances appeal to all the senses: sound, touch, smell, sight and taste. Think popping popcorn, velvet curtains, the smell of candyfloss and sweat, the sound of the ringmaster’s bellowing or the house band. Except in Hidden Colours, I had even more fun because I drew inspiration from the Middle-East and emphasized the exotic and the strange. I wanted my circus to be other-worldly even though it is set in the real world.<br /><br /><b>2. ‘There followed a giant man, more nimble than he looked, leading a troupe of goats in a merry dance, and the goats danced in pairs, courting each other, and seemed to waltz and tango, such was their magic.’&nbsp;</b><br />For me, circus stories are a celebration of daring and creativity, with their own special blend of magic. This isn’t the magic of Harry Potter or Middle Earth. It’s the magic of confusion and oddities. Setting Hidden Colours in a circus allowed me to blur the realm of reality. Once the show begins, I wanted readers to question what is possible, to wonder whether they were witnessing magic or skill. Circus life is about sleights of hand and raw daring. Performers risk their lives to thrill the audience and each gasp or applause is testament to hours of practice and reams of courage.<br /><br /><b>3. ‘The performers forged new ties, because without each other, they had nobody. The circus had become a lifeboat, as if they were still making the treacherous journey across the globe away from disease, war and uncertainty. As if the twinkling lights of the tent amounted to the North Star.’</b><br />Circuses are a community, a family. The bonds that are forged at the immigrant circus were a treat to write. In Hidden Colours, the performers come together as a set of broken people, who have lost their homes and are in an alien country, but together they are stronger. They are a net for each other. Like any community, there are black sheep amongst them, but there is a real camaraderie that emerges in the genre of circus stories.<br />Circus performers must trust each other, or they risk cracks appearing during dangerous feats in the circus ring.<br /><br /><b>4. ‘Zul the Clown bumbled into the ring, feigning flatulence to the hilarity of the children, his polka-dotted flat cap turning on his head of its own accord.’&nbsp;</b><br />The clowns deserve a homage of their own.<br />Before writing <i>Hidden Colours</i>, clowns used to scare me: big red noses, white-painted faces, windsail trousers and giant shoes. I watched It when I was far too young, and that trauma still floats up from my subconscious today. I find myself checking drains for Pennywise if I’m coming home late at night. Likewise, Heath Ledger’s awe-inspiring Joker in The Dark Knight is not a man you’d like to run into, even in daylight. They are not good-humoured buffoons performing slapstick and tricks; they are maniacs.<br />Then I began researching and I discovered the humanitarian aspect of clowning. There was also the story of the real-life Clown of Aleppo, which stayed with me. He became a clown in Aleppo when it was besieged by fighting, to bring a smile to children there. He refused to leave the city and was killed by a strike at the age of twenty-four. In Hidden Colours, I imagine he escaped Syria and his story continues. Zul is probably my favourite character in the book.<br />Clowns are compassionate and clever. They are artists, outliers and risk-takers. They aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. They remind us not to take ourselves seriously, to pick ourselves up when something goes wrong. The more I researched, the more I was struck by their empathy. Maybe one day Zul will get his own novel and it’ll go some way towards counter-balancing It!<br /><br /><b>5. ‘Stars made from delicate silver fabric lined the upper parts of the tent. Strings of fairy-lights had been strung through the rafters. They twinkled in the dark, blazing just for this brief hour or two when the circus came to life.’&nbsp;</b><br />The best thing about circus stories? It’s that nothing is out of place. Enter a circus tent and there is freedom. Anything can happen. It’s why I fell in love with Erin Morgernstern’s <i>The Night Circus</i> long ago and with <i>The Greatest Showman</i> last year, and why it was pure joy writing about this setting. The unusual is normal at the circus. There are no boundaries, only pure imagination and courage, commitment to the art form and to the acceptance of strangeness without judgement. There’s beauty in that. <br /><br />===<br /><br />After reading this I'm even more excited for the book! If you are interested in checking out Hidden Colours, it is already out and available on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1622537831/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1622537831&amp;linkId=1260e367f3d495d26311c9b5ab7bdce1">Amazon.</a>&nbsp;Once again thank you to Nillu Nasser for this special post!Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-5659653406202410222018-12-10T04:54:00.000-08:002018-12-18T13:10:11.622-08:00Music and Malice in Hurricane Town by Alex Bell | Cover Reveal <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Xv-Jdz68s/XA1tmEhzesI/AAAAAAAAC30/uJZYmdIHCAI9jf0L-DPK2KwO1dVYWZ_LgCLcBGAs/s1600/musicandmalice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Xv-Jdz68s/XA1tmEhzesI/AAAAAAAAC30/uJZYmdIHCAI9jf0L-DPK2KwO1dVYWZ_LgCLcBGAs/s640/musicandmalice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Today's</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;">&nbsp;blog post is one that I am SUPER excited for. I have been invited to help with the cover reveal of Alex Bell's new book, Music and Malice in Hurricane Town. Alex Bell is the author of Frozen Charlotte, a book that was featured in Zoella's book club in 2016 and one of my personal favourite horror books. Here is the blurb for Music and Malice in Hurricane Town:</span></span></span><br /><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><i><span data-offset-key="bffr9-0-0">Jude Lomax scrapes a living playing the trumpet on the neon streets of Baton Noir. Then she is invited to play at the funeral of the infamous cajou queen, Ivory Monette. Passing through the cemetery gates, Jude finds herself possessed by the murdered queen’s spirit. And Ivory won’t rest until she’s found the person responsible for her death.</span><span data-offset-key="an2go-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span><span data-offset-key="3m4r7-0-0">If Jude wants to be rid of the vengeful spirit, she must take a journey deep into the dangerous underbelly of the city, from the swampy depths of the Black Bayou to the velvet opulence of the vampires’ secret jazz clubs. But as Jude untangles Ivory’s web of secrets, she is confronted with a few dark truths from her own past…</span></i></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">It sounds pretty awesome right! Anyway, enough talking about the book, here is the beautiful cover which has been designed by </span><a href="https://twitter.com/purelimejuice" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pip Johnson.</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CPyYfwP6Izo/XA1otoFVzYI/AAAAAAAAC3o/mHiN6sANebYOBGazo13NsKZ681HIyAsowCLcBGAs/s1600/musicandmalice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Music and Malice in Hurricane Town by Alex Bell cover" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CPyYfwP6Izo/XA1otoFVzYI/AAAAAAAAC3o/mHiN6sANebYOBGazo13NsKZ681HIyAsowCLcBGAs/s640/musicandmalice.jpg" title="Music and Malice in Hurricane Town by Alex Bell cover" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pretty awesome right? And now for some exclusive content written by Alex Bell herself, a letter from the main character or Music and Malice in Hurricane Town, Jude Lomax.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello, </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re reading this, then I guess you’re interested in finding out more about Baton Noir and what happened here on Cajou Night. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You probably think that the city is a corrupt, sinful, rotten, dangerous, depraved sort of a place. You’ve read about how the witches, and vampires, and conjurers live like royalty, whilst we ordinary folk barely scrape by on scraps. You know that the cajou queen rules with an iron fist, and that the ancient magic of the spirit realm has soaked into every cobbled street and drips like blood from each wrought-iron balcony. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, hell, you’re right. The city is all of those terrible things. I’ve lived here my whole life so I won’t deny it. But if you could only understand that – beneath the rot – Baton Noir is so much more than that.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s the jazz music spilling from every honkytonk and juke box in the Hurricane Quarter, and it’s the fireflies glowing in the warm bayou, and the steaming bowls of the best damn gumbo in the whole damn world. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t care what anyone says; there’s beauty in Baton Noir’s weathered buildings, and neon lights, and gator-filled swamps. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know you think that cajou is wicked, but perhaps it doesn’t have to be. Perhaps it can be something better. So I invite you to come to Baton Noir and find out for yourself – times are changing here. And this party is only just getting started. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.28; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regards, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d908f93b-7fff-7e74-c7b3-75b805fae5c2"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jude Lomax. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Music and Malice in Hurricane Town is set to release on the 4th of April 2019, I can't wait to get my hands on it! It is available for pre-order from Amazon and you can find out more from <a href="http://www.alex-bell.co.uk/">www.alex-bell.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.littletiger.co.uk/imprint/stripes-publishing">Little Tiger</a>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-32651963860498017372018-12-06T07:57:00.000-08:002018-12-06T07:57:23.728-08:00Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RS_HU9JLBB0/XAlF7Vp5f1I/AAAAAAAAC28/6bCeb6UFeHAZxZD-akuEfIFUd5wYwWopwCLcBGAs/s1600/Blogmas-Bookish-Naughty-or-Nice-Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jenniely blogmas bookish naughty or nice tag" border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1446" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RS_HU9JLBB0/XAlF7Vp5f1I/AAAAAAAAC28/6bCeb6UFeHAZxZD-akuEfIFUd5wYwWopwCLcBGAs/s640/Blogmas-Bookish-Naughty-or-Nice-Tag.jpg" title="Jenniely blogmas bookish naughty or nice tag" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The wonderful Jennie over at&nbsp;<a href="https://jenniely.com/">Jenniely</a>&nbsp;tagged me in her Bookish Naughty or Nice tag, so what with it being December and all I thought I had to take part! Here we go:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit;">Received an ARC and not reviewed it<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it is a physcial ARC I have reviewed them all, but I definitely still have some galleys on Netgalley to review, but galleys and ARCs are different in my mind. Well that's my story anyway....</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit;">Have less than 60% feedback rating on Netgalley</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit;"><br /></span></b>84%. Oh yea!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Rated a book on goodreads and promised a full review was to come on your blog (and never did)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope! I only really use Goodreads for tracking and rating what I've read, I never really post on there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Folded down the page of a book&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">100% guilty of this. I'm definitely a dog ear kind of reader. I sometimes go through phases of thinking oh I will buy pretty bookmarks and use them, but I never do....</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Accidentally</b><span style="font-style: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;spilled on a book</b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope, which is totally surprising&nbsp;because we all know I like a glass of wine with my books!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">DNF a book this year&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started on Hunting Prince Dracula at the start of the year. I really enjoyed Stalking Jack the Ripper so thought this would be as good but sadly I couldn't get on with it!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Bought a book purely because it was pretty with no intention of reading it&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh come on, who hasn't done this?! As a book collector too I have a few editions of Harry Potter for display. No shame.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Read whilst you were meant to be doing something else (like homework)&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">For sure.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Skim read a book</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope, although sometimes I will skim read a paragraph if it's super tense, it's like my brain is trying to reach the next part quicker.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Completely missed your Goodreads goal</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have hit my goodreads goal for the year. I like to aim for one book a week but I don't think I will be setting a goal next year, I've just found it definitely affects what I chose to read as I try and cram in shorter books to reach my goal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Borrowed a book and not returned it</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friends are pretty awesome and we kind of work on the assumption that if we give each other a book to read, we don't expect it back.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Broke a book buying ban&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ahahah yes. Just look at my many hauls from this year as proof of my failures.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Started a review, left it for ages then forgot what the book was about&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="✔" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/2714.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes for sure! Writing reviews is hard then I tell myself I need a day to digest what I've read and then a day turns into a month and so on and so forth.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Wrote in a book you were reading</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, I'm not a monster! Just kidding about the monster part. But no, writing in books is not for me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Finished a book and not added it to your Goodreads</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it's not on goodreads does it even exist? But yea, as I mentioned I get a bit obsessed with that reading challenge goal so always log.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Borrowed a book and not returned it to a friend</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Similar answer to above. If it was a special book I would definitely give it back though!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Dodged someone asking if they can borrow a book</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Broke the spine of someone else’s book</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, they either turn up with the spine broken or I know I don't need to return it. But ouch to those who have the spines broken on books.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Took the jacket off a book to protect it and ended up making it more damaged</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope! So weirdly I didn't know people removed the jacket to proect books. I am a terrible reader though and will use the front or back flap to mark my place in the book.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Sat on a book&nbsp;</span><b>accidentally</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">No thank goodness because that sounds painful!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Final Score: 6/10 I am such a goody goody!</b></span></h3><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks again for tagging me <a href="https://jenniely.com/">Jennie,</a> this was super fun to do! And now time for my tags, I choose you:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>Ash -&nbsp;<a href="https://ashleighbekkah.wordpress.com/">For the Love of Books</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Nicola -&nbsp;<a href="https://fantasticbookdragon.wordpress.com/">Fantastic Book Dragon</a></li><li>Jen -&nbsp;<a href="https://shitbookreviews.com/about/">Shit Book Reviews</a></li><li>Amy -&nbsp;<a href="https://obvitslifestyle.com/">Obvs It's Lifestyle</a></li><li>Steph -&nbsp;<a href="https://alittlebutalot.com/">A Little But a Lot</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul></blockquote>Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-75711592115391581382018-12-03T09:31:00.002-08:002018-12-03T09:31:54.942-08:00Guest Post - The Lilith Gene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOwDIX2D46Y/XAVjqDRWIlI/AAAAAAAAC18/wLNlpRpDeqEhckChljjhvaGtOR-0DLmOwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BLilith%2BGene%2BBanner2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1100" height="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOwDIX2D46Y/XAVjqDRWIlI/AAAAAAAAC18/wLNlpRpDeqEhckChljjhvaGtOR-0DLmOwCLcBGAs/s640/The%2BLilith%2BGene%2BBanner2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the first ever blog tour I have ever participated in so I'm more than a bit excited! The book in question is The Lilith Gene by M Cassol and my stop on the tour will be a guest post. Before we get to that though, here is a bit more information on the book:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-556f91f7-7fff-514f-e000-d8e2968e83a5"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Vesna, a Serbian PhD student in Art History living in Tuscany, is a master rock climber. The only thing she can't get a grip on is her love life. Beset by terrifying panic attacks that strike every time she allows herself to be intimate with another woman, she strives to avoid the so-called mermaids in her life. Olga is a widened-eye nurse trainee in Sarajevo. It’s 1912 and Olga is all too keen to document her life and the world changing around her in her diaries. Olga's passion for nursing is only rivalled by her love for her anguished boyfriend Gav. The arrival of the obscure Patient J.D. 347 at the hospital is about to change everything for Olga. Everything will change for Vesna too, when she meets the compelling art restorer Rafaella Guaritore. Rafaella holds the key to Vesna's research into influential women painters of the Renaissance and the metaphorical Lilith Gene that all the rebellious ladies in art are believed to share. Will Rafaella hold the key to solving Vesna's mysterious recurring dreams and find the root of all her anxiety? Or is the answer to Vesna's problems hidden in Olga's diaries?</i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sounds pretty good right! Now for the guest post I have been provided five fabulous pieces of artwork that are featured in the book:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3451ec0-7fff-61ba-0d55-160b8df572b8"></span></div><ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: -18pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFm7lLFVpI/XAVlIU5vypI/AAAAAAAAC2I/--mag_GbknYAvCgd6M6gOAQWMkg_avHRACLcBGAs/s1600/judith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFm7lLFVpI/XAVlIU5vypI/AAAAAAAAC2I/--mag_GbknYAvCgd6M6gOAQWMkg_avHRACLcBGAs/s320/judith.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Judith Slaying Holofernes - painting by the Italian early Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi - it’s the panting that bring our main characters, Vesna and Rafaella together. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJApkQnDwbQ/XAVlZLgdTII/AAAAAAAAC2Q/vpefYsr0DVQI6e3zmNJwqvGFYsdabJ00ACLcBGAs/s1600/%2527David%2527_by_Michelangelo_JBU0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJApkQnDwbQ/XAVlZLgdTII/AAAAAAAAC2Q/vpefYsr0DVQI6e3zmNJwqvGFYsdabJ00ACLcBGAs/s320/%2527David%2527_by_Michelangelo_JBU0001.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelangelo’s David - Vesna’s favourite sculpture, which she loves talking about. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z-8XS4uqC4/XAVlxSQu2ZI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Rj8euhj9XuMCdY3QAt5LjvUBCQBD4DdQQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wing_2_Elizabeth_Artemisia_Schurman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z-8XS4uqC4/XAVlxSQu2ZI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Rj8euhj9XuMCdY3QAt5LjvUBCQBD4DdQQCLcBGAs/s320/Wing_2_Elizabeth_Artemisia_Schurman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dinner Party is an installation artwork by feminist artist Judy Chicago on permanent exhibition in the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nj5Jpw4k8AU/XAVl5wQzw-I/AAAAAAAAC2c/N7qAq9AxoOkJXHWyBUha0mAWdZvj8XccwCLcBGAs/s1600/Rom%252C_Bocca_della_Verit%25C3%25A0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nj5Jpw4k8AU/XAVl5wQzw-I/AAAAAAAAC2c/N7qAq9AxoOkJXHWyBUha0mAWdZvj8XccwCLcBGAs/s320/Rom%252C_Bocca_della_Verit%25C3%25A0.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mouth of Truth (Italian: Bocca della Verità )is a marble mask in Rome, Italy, made famous by Audrey Hepburn’s movie “Roman Holiday”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvvw9oI2DOA/XAVmMXy7FFI/AAAAAAAAC2o/ffTG9SYIOXcH2ITCJKgSTcmPis19zgv7gCLcBGAs/s1600/expensive_sculpture_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvvw9oI2DOA/XAVmMXy7FFI/AAAAAAAAC2o/ffTG9SYIOXcH2ITCJKgSTcmPis19zgv7gCLcBGAs/s1600/expensive_sculpture_02.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The “fake Giacometti” That Rafaella mentions in the book, was a famous forgery done by Robert Driessen, that after being convicted for fraud, now is a well know artist that paints “Original Giacometti Reproductions"</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The art work is definitely interesting and there are quite a few of these pieces I've not come across before so I now feel a bit more prepared for going into the book. If I have piqued your interest for The Lilith Gene you can check it out on:</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42273896-the-lilith-gene">Goodreads</a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lileth-Gene-M-Cassol-ebook/dp/B07J247JML">Amazon</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />And finally, thank you to Faye Rogers for including me on this tour and check out the other fantastic bloggers taking part:<br /><span><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday 2</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">nd</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-04fa5324-7fff-379c-7aa4-6c2f24e97210"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Celticlady’s Reviews</span></a></div></span><span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monday 3</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">rd</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Basic Book Bitch</span></a></div></span><span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesday 4</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Donna’s Book Blog</span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wednesday 5</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://daydreamersthoughts.co.uk/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Daydreamer’s Thoughts</span></a></div></span><span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday 6</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bluestripedsquare.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blue Striped Square</span></a></div></span></span><span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday 7</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> December</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://bigbooklittlebook.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Big Book Little Book</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-37682628416443139422018-12-01T03:49:00.000-08:002018-12-01T03:49:54.193-08:00November Book HaulAs you can see by the picture below, I was actually really well behaved this month (well by my standards) and technically only bought three books, the other was from a subscription box. I fell down the rabbit hole of bullet journal videos on YouTube HARD in November so decided to pick up a couple of books to help me set up my own journal. Anyway, here are the book that I picked up!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TL2hvcoLUI0/XAJqwSNs1eI/AAAAAAAAC1w/_zeMbJSCaEElJVO61hlCOsJVCsQHiBrTgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lettering and modern calligraphy diary of a book seller bullet journal november 2018 book haul" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TL2hvcoLUI0/XAJqwSNs1eI/AAAAAAAAC1w/_zeMbJSCaEElJVO61hlCOsJVCsQHiBrTgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9143.jpg" title="November book haul" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1781258635/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1781258635&amp;linkId=522f3b113c04e8d14ceaa2fcfc27f4da">The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell</a> - I was in Foyles towards the end of the month and was sulking a bit about how no books have really stood out to me in store, and then I saw this book. The cover is what originally attracted my attention, it's really cute, but then I saw it was about a bookseller. I actually love books about book stores and this one is non-fiction. Shaun Bythell worked in Scotland's biggest second-hand bookshop and this is his accounts of the quirky customers and shenanigans he had to deal with. It's meant to be very funny and I can't wait to crack on with it as I'm hoping it's similar to This is Going To Hurt, Diary of a Junior Doctor (<a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2018/09/book-review-this-is-going-to-hurt.html">review here</a>) just with books.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782273476/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1782273476&amp;linkId=48ac0ebfef206249af73026d27e7c882">States of Passion by Nihad Sirees</a> - This is the book I received in November's Reading in Heels box. It's translated from Arabic and all about family secrets. It sounds very interesting and I love a translated text! Check out my <a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2018/11/reading-in-heels-november-unboxing.html">Reading in Heels unboxing</a> post to find out more!&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008261377/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0008261377&amp;linkId=2f5bb26ebaa8428abde6f7e1585e88e7">The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll </a>- As I mentioned I became obsessed with bullet journals this month, despite not having one started yet.... Ryder Carroll is actually the creator of the bullet journal method so I thought it would be useful to pick up his book to do a bit of research on how to best use bullet journals to maximise productivity.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1948652285/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=burncook-21&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1948652285&amp;linkId=c9557ff608c366539fc7a8e3bfb0c787">A Beginners Guide to Lettering and Modern Calligraphy</a> - Another bullet journal influenced purchase. If you have ever watched bullet journal videos on YouTube or searched them on pinterest you would've seen all the gorgeous and creative spreads. Well obviously I want to be able to make my journal super pretty too so I picked up this book. It has three different fonts in it with explanations behind them all and plenty of practise space. It also breaks down how to combine different fonts for different effects. It's pretty light on content, but it was only £6 on Amazon and there are lots of space to practise and fonts to copy so I think it's pretty good for the price.</li></ul><div>So that is November! Is anyone else into bullet journals? I would love to hear your tips and tricks or any channels / blogs you would recommend, I've been bingeing AmandaRachLee!</div><br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-38293640640912190552018-11-27T00:00:00.000-08:002018-11-27T00:00:12.995-08:00Tips on How to Read More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I often get told by people that I read a lot and what is my secret. My response is often that I didn't have the internet for four months and that certainly lead me to reading more. Whilst I say this semi as a joke because I read a lot regardless, it really did help! That aside, here are my top tips for how to read more without having to be without the internet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAhhwhF2t6Q/W_wOtktS9aI/AAAAAAAAC1M/XRR7XG8AA1clP7Y-MFEc-472joxb3UVDACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tips on how to read more" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAhhwhF2t6Q/W_wOtktS9aI/AAAAAAAAC1M/XRR7XG8AA1clP7Y-MFEc-472joxb3UVDACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8947.jpg" title="Tips on how to read more" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><b>Schedule in your reading time</b> - I'm one of these people who if I don't have an activity scheduled I will just sit around scrolling on Twitter whilst watching Netflix all day. By scheduling in my reading time I know I have a set time dedicated to reading which gives me the motivation to sit down and read. I also really recommend scheduling in your reading time before bed, it really will help you sleep better, unless you decide to read a horror book...</li><li><b>Set a timer </b>- This ties in with scheduling in my reading time but I often like to set a timer when I'm reading and dedicate that time solely to reading, nothing else. Sometimes my mind will wander and then I panic and think hours have gone by when it's only been minutes.... By setting myself a dedicated time frame I know that I am only going to focus on this one task for however long. For me, 20 - 30 minutes is a good time. It may not sound like a lot, but if you are not reading at all, 20 minutes of dedicated reading adds up quickly. I also often find myself totally hooked on my book after 10 minutes of reading and will go on to read past the timer, it's just that initial effort of picking up the books!&nbsp;</li><li><b>Put your phone in a different room </b>- Who here is guilty of constantly checking social media and being distracted by it when trying to do tasks? I know I definitely am! When I'm reading I like to have my phone away from me to avoid temptation. I Know that I have set a timer, that latest twitter mention will still be there in 20 minutes when the timer is up and it can wait.</li><li><b>If you don't like the book you are reading, put it down </b>- This seems like it would be pretty obvious, but I know I have definitely tried to struggle on with a book even when I'm not enjoying it because I hate being beaten by a book. It's not good though, if you are not enjoying the book then you won't want to pick it up and it will just put you off reading.</li><li><b>Read what you want, it's still reading </b>- Don't read a book for the sake of it. Sure the classics are great and everyone may be talking about Game of Thrones but if it's not for you, then it's not for you. If you enjoy reading a steamy novel, a graphic novel or books that aren't aimed at your age group, it doesn't really matter as long as you enjoy it. Reading is still reading no matter what the book is!&nbsp;</li></ul><div>These are all pretty basic tips to be honest but I hope they are helpful to some people. I am definitely not an expert in this topic, and there are people who read a lot more than me, but I love to encourage people to read more so I have more people to chat about books to!&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5640305600959901803.post-22866199133766069352018-11-24T09:52:00.003-08:002018-11-24T09:52:40.281-08:00Reading in Heels November Unboxing Last month I received my first Reading in Heels subscription box, you can read about it&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thebasicbookbitch.co.uk/2018/10/blogoween-october-reading-in-heels.html">here</a>, and I enjoyed it so much I've decided to keep going with it. For those who haven't heard of Reading in Heels it's a monthly subscription box where you get a book as well as some relaxing/lifestyle things to go along with it all for the bargain price of £12.50!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stNpwlstIxA/W_mK59uuj1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/XmwLJWVESRQwBvnfbGCgSaS4gilS5e-YgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reading in heels november unboxing" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stNpwlstIxA/W_mK59uuj1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/XmwLJWVESRQwBvnfbGCgSaS4gilS5e-YgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8867.JPG" title="reading in heels november unboxing" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is what was in this months box:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>States of Passion by Nihad Sirees - This was the book included for November and it sounds pretty juicy. First off, it was translated from Arabic which piqued my interest straight away as this year I'm attempting to read more translated texts. Set in Syria, a businessman ends up stranded in the countryside during a storm so seeks refuge in an old mansion which is occupied by an elderly gentleman and his servant. The businessman soon ends up finding out the families story, and like a lot of families there are plenty of secrets to uncover!</li><li>Korres Bergamont &amp; Jasmine Body Milk - Jasmine is the national flower of Syria so this actually ties in really nicely with the book. I'm a huge Korres fan, their shower gels are some of my particular favourites so I can't wait to try this moisturiser.</li><li>Nemi Chai Tea - I didn't know this but <a href="http://www.nemiteas.com/">Nemi Teas</a> is a London based company who aim to create positive change by employing refugees to help them boost their language skills and confidence which is pretty incredible! Chai is one of the few types of tea I actually enjoy and this smells delicious.&nbsp;</li><li>Honeyrose Bakery Brownie - This brownie is gluten free and looks pretty yummy. The perfect size for me to not feel too guilty about eating!</li><li>Postcards - As you can probably see these all have literary quotes on them. Whilst they are very aesthetically pleasing, the quotes/books they are from don't have too much in common with the images which is a bit confusing for me. To be perfectly honest I probably won't end up using these, but the colours are nice.&nbsp;</li></ul><div>Overall I really enjoyed this months box. I'm a lot more interested in November's book than I was Octobers, and I love the theming that has gone on to tie everything together this month. If you are interested in subscribing yourself check out&nbsp;<a href="https://readinginheels.com/">Reading in Heels</a></div><br /><br />Kelseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356454511375774289noreply@blogger.com9
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