Category: Top Ten Tuesday

Ten Books I Picked Up On A Whim

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Helllllo readers, I think I might have missed Tuesday posts the most whilst I’ve been away. I lave writing list posts and chatting about books so it’s time for me to do that alllll over again. I know that most of us buy books based on the recommendations of others so, it might be a little tough to come up with ten that I’ve picked up on a whim, but I’m going to give it a go.

One of the main ways that I pick up books are kind of to steal them off other people? Which may seem a little odd but when you live in a family of readers, it’s quite normal to lose books for months at a time because someone has picked them up and wandered off with them. This is a book my Dad left on my desk about ten years or so ago and I’ve read it at least  three times since. It’s the complete opposite from my normal type of book but it’s really brilliant,

This was a book I’ve stolen from my mother’s bookshelf when I was desperate for a book to read on a train somewhere (I feel like I’ve been on 38589895 trains recently.) I reviewed this yesterday and it’s not only a really emotional book but it’s also brilliantly written. #spoton.

There will definitely be a theme to this – book stolen from my sister *woo.* Char told me, a couple of months back, the next time I came home, I needed to borrow a Mark Billingham book and I picked the wrong one. This was the one I was supposed to borrow and IT WAS SO GOOD. (saying that I do have a DNF to review from Billingham which is really sad.) But, this was pretty awesome.

T gave me this book to read and I absolutely adored it (see review here.) It was dark, exciting, heady and just a fantastic, fantastic read. If you’re looking for something a little gruesome but beautifully written I would highly recommend.

This book I haven’t read yet – I picked it up when I was last home, looking for something to read, again on a train. I’ve read ‘A Child Called It,’ which was really upsetting and unsettling and I’m interested to see what happens next in the books – how he recovered from the horrific abuse and turned his life around.

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This is a book I picked up because I really enjoyed Complicit by Nikki French. It’s a really good book and although I struggled a little with the characters as a whole it turned out to be just as good as the first book I read by the author. (Not sure how much this counts as a whim but I guess I knew nothing about it when I picked it up? *shrugs*)

I don’t think this is the exact colouring book from Tiger that I have but they don’t seem to have the one I do on the website *weeps.* I have two colouring books, and the main one I have, although it’s gorgeous is a little intense especially when I’m trying to watch Prison documentary’s so I bought a simpler one and I love it. I also use colouring pens to colour in the pages which is a lot quicker too.

Right, this one might be a little odd but I recently pre-ordered the Eat Smart book by Niomi Smart. I wasn’t sure whether to order this but T is a vegetarian who doesn’t like cheese and Niomi I believe lives via at plant based diet. So, yep, I just oddly pre-ordered this and I’m kinda excited for it.

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STARTING TO RUN OUT OF IDEAS. I didn’t exactly read this off a whim but I did read the first book off a whim so I wanted to mention the author really because I haven’t reviewed this book yet! I adored this book by Blake Pierce and I found the first just googling free E-books on Amazon from the crime genre and I HAD TO READ THE SECOND. I’ll let you know my thoughts soon.

Finally a book I bought for T that I know he loved – I bought this purely for the cover alone and it ended being up awesome. I still need to read this but at the moment Tom won’t let me borrow anything until I’ve finished 1Q84. WAAAAAA

So there you go – ten new books to go and pick up! Please link me in the comments to you TTT posts because I LOVE READING THEM, and I need some new suggestions. Ciao.

Top Ten Bookworm Delights

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07b5f-toptentuesday

HEEELLLLLLLLO READERS, it’s Tuesday and I really despise Tuesday’s – not as much as Wednesday’s but near enough. No idea why, they just, kinda, suck. Anyway – it’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday post, inspired by the lovely ladies at The Broke and The Bookish. Today’s topic is Top Ten Bookworm Delights

FInding a new author and devouring everything they’ve written. 

This might be a little bit specific but recently I read a book by Mark Billingham called Buried and it really upset me – like ALOT. Anyway, I spoke to my sister who suggested the author and she said ‘Don’t read Buried,’ Read Blood Line and OMG IT WAS FANTASTIC. Now I’m in the process of reading all his other books and so far pretty goddamn great. #WINNERWINNERCHICKENDINNER

FINdING THE BEST SECOND HAND BOOKSTORE.

Recently, T moved to London and it was really sad, but one amazing thing is he discovered a store called Skoob Books (Books backwards if you missed that – like me and T.) Anyway, it’s a fantastic book-store and we’ve found some fantastic books for amazing prices. It’s a store with just EVERY TYPE OF GENRE and it’s great. Although now I want to go every time I go to London. OOPSIE.

Someone Adoring a book you recommended.

Being a BIG READER, I get asked a lot for book recommendations – the thing is we all have different ideas about books and how we feel about them, and so it can be really difficult to recommend something they will love. Making a recommendation and hearing that somebody loves it, is such a special bookish moment.

Always knowing that any important celebration you’ll RECEIVE a book to two (or three.)

I mean, always getting books is pretty great? No?

Finding a new favourite book. 

I get asked a lot about my favourite books and I just don’t have one – I do have five or six though, that are my ‘Top Ten?’ and when I can add one, which is very very rare it makes me very happy. Currently, the newest book to be added was, The End of Your Life Book Club and it was beautiful and fantastic and I just ADORED it.

Knowing you can escape wherever you are.

I know this is maybe a silly one, but I love that fact that I’ve always got something to do, and something to read, and something to talk about. I carry at least one book EVERYWHERE, and I love when a friend is a little late, or the train is a little delayed, or someone cancels (not all the time) but taking a bit of time in the day to just relax and de-stress.

Finding an amazing book that no-one knows about

It doesn’t happen to often but when you find THAT BOOK, and it’s self-published and it’s fantastic and you just get to SHOUT ABOUT IT FROM THE HIGH-HEAVENS. That feeling is just, everything.

Finding a new (more beautiful) cover of a book you already have

This is both the best and most annoying thing EVER. I love finding more covers of books and if they’re more wonderful I do have to buy them but it’s that feeling of – omg this is more wonderful cover of book everrrrr. Actually generally good covers are pretty awesome.

Reading whilst it’s raining outside with snacks and a beverage 

If you’re a reader – you’ll just get this one.

Just reading. Reading is the best.

I just love reading – it’s brilliant, and awesome and just everything. #Reader4EVA.

So there we go, ten top things about being a reader- I wonder whether a topic about bad things about being a reader will be a topic soon. Anyway, do you agree with me? Do you have any additions? Things you disagree with? Let me know and have a great Tuesday!

 

Ten Books That Will Make You Laugh (or at least chuckle)

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07b5f-toptentuesday

Heeeeellllo readers, hope you’re well! It’s time to spread a little bookish cheer on mylittlebookblog so today I’m talking about books that will make you giggle a little. All of these books are ones over the year that have made me smile. made me want to share them with friends and family. So, my readerish friends I’m sharing them with you. Hope you enjoy.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

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If you’ve seen the film and have been tempted to get hold of the book – JUST DO IT. It’s just as funny as the film and it’s a really good, feel-good, slightly downtrodden hilarious book about life and living as a thirty-something woman. Banging.

(^ my life.)

HOW TO BUILD A GIRL BY CAITLIN MORAN

Talk about this all the time. You know how much I love this book, you know how much I adore Caitlin Moran and how fantastic she is. I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON HER NEW BOOK Moranifesto because I know it’s going to be bladdy awesome.

I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK: AND OTHER THOUGHTS ON BEING A WOMAN BOOK BY NORA EPHRON

Maybe no so funny, but one of those read and nod your head to. This book is full of wonderful stories and really thoughtful but funny stories. So special.

I LIE FOR MONEY BY STEVE SPILL

A book I read forever ago but one I feel like I haven’t reallllly spoken about. This is a book that follows the life of magician Steve Spill. The stories are really funny but in my review I struggled with reading huge chunks of the book, it’s not one to read in two days kind of thing but it is a good read.

MURDER, MYSTERY AND DATING MAYHEM BY DENA HAGGERTY

Allll the books I’ve read by this author have been fantastic – they’re not the most intelligent of books but they are SO MUCH FUN, and have so many jokes and quips. If you need something fun to read that isn’t to difficult to read, or too heavy this is definitely for you.

CAMPERVAN KAMA SUTRA BY JOHN PERRIER

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This is a rip-rolling adventure holiday – it is a greaaat book full of fun adventures and the difficulties of having sex in a camper-van. Again, like the Steve Spill it’s a little difficult to read all in one go, but it’s quite good fun.

WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE by MARIA SEMPLE

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This book is hilar, and although it’s got problems it’s definitely a funny read. It follows Bernadette who decides to run off from her family and basically cause chaos. It’s not a funny book but it’s got a lot of puns, some jokes, a lot of outrageous behavior. It’s a big crazy mess.

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE: ROALD DAHL

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THIS BOOK. Everyone’s read it right?

DOES THIS BABY MAKE ME LOOK STRAIGHT? BY DAN BUCATINSKY

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I NEVER see this book reviewed on book review blogs but this is a fantastic book. Full of funny family stories and things said by small children the struggles of parenting and get through day to day life. I listened to this as an audio book and physically laughed out loud in the silent section of library that’s how funny it is. Go and read it – it’s fantastic.

AGE, SEX, LOCATION BY MELISSA PIMENTAL

Finnnnnal book for you today; I always try to get ten but I was struggling a little towards the end;. this book is a dating style book with lots of dating profiles, silly stories and just a lot of dating disasters. Well written with a strong female protagonist and a great read!

So there we go; ten feel-good, kinda funny books. If you have any suggestions for really funny books please leave them below. Hope you enjoyed and see you Thursday!!

Ten Books Every experimental reader should read

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07b5f-toptentuesday

Helllllo readers, bit of an odd title for today’s Top Ten Tuesday post – the idea was ‘Ten Books Every X Should Read (up to you! Examples: every history nerd, memoir lover, ballet lover, feminist, college student, etc etc.)’ but I wanted to do something a little bit different and so I’m basically picking books I think don’t quite fit a genre and have a maybe surreal topic. We’ll see how it goes.

VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE ROOM: TIBOR FISCHER

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The first thing I want to do, is apologise for the pixelated image. It seems like the book has a new cover from when I read the book and the new cover is a little raunchy and little too much to post on my blog. This book follows the life of Oceane who likes to travel but never goes out. She brings the world into her home via satellite, the Internet and passing foreigners. It has dark humour, a lot of surreal characters and a little bit of completely unreserved sex. An odd read but one I kind of enjoyed – for reasons I have no idea why.

STORY OF THE EYE BY GEORGES BATAILLE

One of those books you either read or you don’t and you’re never sure whether it’s something you admit to reading or not. A surreal read and one I’m still not quite sure I understood.

GERALD’S PARTY BY ROBERT COOVER

This book was part of my classics challenge and it’s one I just couldn’t miss out. It has almost a hyper-realistic version of events that are utterly confused by the author continuously moving between scenes and completely confusing the reader. It covers a party with a murder and it’s a really mish-mash event of characters, sex again and just general chaos.

GIRL 20: KINGSLEY AMIS

Another book I can’t quite believe I read – Kingsley Amis has  written a story of infidelity, destructive selfishness, and blatant stupidity and managed to make it hilarious. The basic story centres on a symphony conductor who, in an attempt to reawaken his lust for life, is having an ill-advised affair with a girl one-third of his age. As you might expect, the disasters this creates in his life are quite entertaining. All whilst in a style I can’t quite explain – offish, high-class, but continually abstract, a really engaging read.

BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP: S J WATSON

This booook is just so good! I didn’t want all my suggestions to be classic books so I needed some more contemporary books.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love – all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.

Welcome to Christine’s life.

I mean that blurb? and the writing of the book that constantly moves between her needing to know more and yet struggling to accept that her husband is who he really is. This book really plays with your mind. Spot on.

SEASON TO TASTE, OR HOW TO EAT YOUR HUSBAND by NATALIE YOUNG

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Gah, this book. I thought it was going to be a really sarcastic, tongue in cheek tale but instead it really did kind of tell you how to eat your husband. (Not that you should be that way inclined #toteswrong) I struggled with this book because it wasn’t quite funny but then it wasn’t written in a horrific way – it’s written as if all the events are utterly natural and normal. An odd read but one I think you should definitely try.

GIOVANNI’S ROOM by JAMES BALDWIN

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This book is a tale of longing, love, hope, despair, confusion, deceit and regret, with the book ultimately revolving around the ill-fated love triangle between David, Giovanni and Hella.

The love triangle is a constant pulling and pushing of the three, Giovanni desperate to escape the room with David, David’s want to escape his own sexuality but we see he cannot stop himself from wanting and needing Giovanni whilst Hella is a little oblivious to it all.  A stunningly written tale full of love, plight, tragedy and sexuality – beautiful.

NICE THINGS BY JIMMY NORMAN

This is a book I read quite recently but I definitely think it deserves to be included in this list. The writing style is really interesting – it has quite a blunt style, as though to the point and lacking description but it’s in the first person and told from a persona that is a little awkward and quite easily intimidated. I’ve been through the book again and I think this is the best passage to describe the style.

“Is it too forward to ask you if I could buy you ice cream?” I stammered.

“It’s better than asking me to pay.” 

I liked her laugh. I liked her facial expressions. I wasn’t wild about her sweater, but I had ugly sweaters too.’ 

So I’ve only really included this due to the really blunt but somehow engaging writing style. Definitely one to check out.

AMERICOSIS BY HAYDN WILKS

Nearly at ten books – this book is just surreal. It was odd, crazy, a bit nuts, weird, it didn’t make a huge amount of sense at the time but I want to read more! Who is the Savior and where has he come from? What is wrong with the President is he really conversing with angels (this plot is a bit mad) I liked the action, I liked the intrigue and if I’m honest I think I should have hated this but I didn’t, and I cannot wait to read more damn it.

THE RACE by JACKE WILSON

Finaaaaally we have the utterly brilliant The Race by Jacke Wilson – I really really loved both books I read by Jacke WIlson. This book is ultimately an insight into the supposed ‘glamour’ of politics, and a look at the darker side of the political system, here the book mainly explores the potential of redemption, the struggle to be acknowledged and finally the real price of failure, not only in politics but in the ones you love. Warm and understanding this brilliant characterisation is distinct through the whole book.

So, ten books to read if you’re feeling like straying from the typical books you read. I’ve found it a bit difficult to explain what I mean by experimental but I think I should have called it books that make you stray from your comfort zone? Anyway, hope you’ve enjoyed and as always link your TTT below so I can see your answers! #byeeee.

Ten Bookish People You Should Follow On Twitter

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07b5f-toptentuesday

Heeeelllllooo readers; interesting post today cause we’re talking all about Twitter. Today I am sharing the top ten people I follow on Twitter and constantly read/like/retweet their tweets! Hopefully you find some new people to follow! ENJOY!

Rebecca @beccasbooksUK

Potentially the nicest person on Twitter with the nicest hair? Becca is the super sweet blogger who is just so good for keeping up with new releases, new covers, cover reveals, and all while running her own book blog! If I need a new romance book/chick-lit this is where I go guys.

Kat

Kat @KATUTlN

I love Kat’s feed for bookish links, and images and generally being a super lovely tweeter, but I most like her writing updates. As a wannabe writer I find it fascinating being able to catch up on a writer who tweets regularly and shares tips and hints and all of that with us wannabe’s. Also, adore the photo – super cute.

Jenny in Neverland ✨

Jenny in Neverland  ✨ @jennymarston

One of the people I catch up on twitter all the time, I love Jenny’s feed for just general bookish loveliness, really funny sarcastic tweets and a little bit of formula one mixed in too. She’s a fantastic blogger and one I think is definitely worth a follow.

Hannah Young

Hannah Young @hannahwrote

Hannah and I share a love of super cute bunnies and reading. I love her spelling/grammar related tweets and her general super lovely bookish tweets. Her feed is always full of interesting links and things to read so I love it.

Amy Tunnerz

Amy Tunnerz @funnerz

I actually met Amy at University, and she’s living the London dream currently working in Publishing and OMG her twitter makes me so jealous – a feed full of Harry Potter tweets, Keele bits and bobs and general reading loves this is a beaut feed to follow.

Emma B

Emma B @mabismab

A tweeter that I followed all the way back when I started my blog twitter (which is the only one I really use now.) Emma’s twitter is full of beautiful designs, stunning photography and really lovely tweets. A star to follow on the twittersphere.

Pols80 @Pols80

Not so much bookish, but definitely writer connected, Pols is an utter charm to follow on twitter. Her daily hilarios tweets seriously brighten my day; she’s a fierce feminist who’s not afraid to say how she feels and I love that.

rosie amber

rosie amber @rosieamber1

Rosie’s team of inspiring bloggers, and reviewer and content creators inspire me, every time I log onto the internet. There sheer dedication to the book blogosphere is incredible and their twitter is just brilliant. *Claps Hands.*

Karen E Coles

Karen E Coles @KEColeswriting

I loveeee Karen’s twitter, back in the day when I started blogging I was a little nervous to add author’s on Twitter but Karen’s is one of my favourites. Full of a mix of bookish, author and gardening bits this twitter is AWESOME and muchly loved.

aaaaaannnnnd a non-bookish account, but just one of my best friends and also someone with a pretty awesome twitter account.

ollie

ollie @ojbirch

Ollie’s account is full of wonderfully British, sarcastic, wine related tweets. If you ever need a giggle – Ollie Birch is a babe.

Soooooo there we go; 10 new people to go and #FF on Twitter! As always link me your lists and if you want to follow me on twitter I’m at @littlebookblog1 😀

 

Ten of my most recent disappointing reads *booo*

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07b5f-toptentuesday

Heeeeelllllo readers, hope you’re well! Today’s post is a little disappointing but I reaaaaly wanted to use today’s post to have a bit of a moan. Today’s post topic was as below, so there was a lot to work around.

10 Of My Most Recent 5 Star Reads (Or Ten Of The Best Books I’ve Read Recently if you don’t 5 star stuff…or you could do 5 of my latest five star reads & five of my most disappointing or 1 star reads)

I have decided, to have a bit of a moan about a number of books that left me feeling a little cold. So without delay – ON TO THE LIST.

Oh, this book –  I can’t believe how disappointing this was. I think it was the reviews I saw, I mean you can see the one’s on the front. It was good but I was expecting it to be funny and laugh out loud and it was actually a cynical type of funny. Not quite what I was expecting. 

Oh this book was JUST SO BAD. Not only did the main character make a royal mess of the crime that was being investigated (the beating of her fiancée’s brother) but she could barely make a sensible decision throughout the entirety of the book – oh my life. See my whole review here. 

This book was SO CONFUSING AND MESSY. It follows the relationship between Jake and Desi who after an evening of unprotected sex (STILL SO ANNOYED AT THIS,) Desi finds not only that she is pregnant but that her and Jake are working in the same workplace (DUH, DUH, DUHHHH.) This sounds interesting but it really fell flat #sadface. 

These are allllll really recent books which makes me really sad. 2K16 hasn’t been my best start im terms of reading unfortunately. This book had great potential which surprised me but unfortunately it just didn’t mesh properly. The characters were good but the plot didn’t make sense at all times and a lot of the decisions made little sense – #notcool. 

I’ve been writing a funny series of reviews of these books; the ‘his indecent lessons,’ and it’s been a lot of fun writing them but if I’m honest the books haven’t been remotely good. The sex scenes are the only thing they really have going for them – the rest is over worked, laboured and ridiculous mush. 

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I actually feel really sad for the writer of this book because the reviews are just, well overwhelmingly negative. I can’t lie it’s a really undeveloped and confusing book and must admit I’m a little surprised the 1*’s don’t trump the 5* but I guess we all like different things and that tends to be a good thing. 

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This is a book from a little while back but it’s always been one that confuses me. It has so many 5* reviews on Goodreads but this book I really, reaaaaally struggled with. Maybe I’m the only one? Let me know. 

You know it’s sometimes fun to trawl through Goodreads and look at bad reviews, have we all done that? No? Oh just me – this one has got some of the wittiest responses. It’s another book that completely confuses me in terms of the number of positive reviews; it was a struggle for me. 

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Another real struggle for me – a thriller book that just didn’t really have the THRILL I needed and instead fell flat. It also had the annoying thing in crime books where I had no idea whether a character was male or female because of constant surnames and at the very end, the killer was someone I couldn’t even remember. Just not worth a read. 

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Finalllly another book from my Kindle list – this book had a really good premise but didn’t quite deliver. It tried to integrate too many plot bits and bobs and it just didn’t  connect everything together – overall a difficult book for me. 

So there we go, ten books I tried to love but just didn’t get. Most of them I actually got to the end of in terms of reading which I think surprised me but either way these are books that did disappoint me. If you’ve read any of these, or have comments on any of these let me know in the comment!

Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven’t Talked About Enough

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07b5f-toptentuesday

Heeeeeellllo readers, hope you’re weeeellll! It’s Tuesday, and that means it’s time for another TOP TEN TUESDAAAAAAY – and that means that I get to talk to you about books that I love that I just don’t gush about enough. I’m going to get straight into it because I want to gush a lot – so LET’S GO.

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

THIS book is just stunning; full of feeling and emotion this book tells the story of Will and his incredible mum Mary Anne who is dying of pancreatic cancer. The two of them start a two person book club, where we learn about the relationship between the mother and son, whilst Marry Anne’s life hangs in the balance. A warm but really upsetting tale that I am so happy to have read; one you should get a hold of and read soon.

The Vault by Karen Long

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Okaaaay, so maybe I’m going to spend the entirety of this blog post telling you about books I’ve mentioned numerous times; whoopsie. When I write reviews I often keep an eye on them and for some reason a lot of the books I have reviewed that get the most views are books I didn’t really like!! This one, however doesn’t get enough love – THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC. If you like thrillers, mixed with horror, but a good one, that makes you think and scares you this is fantastic.

Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman

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I recently bought Netflix; well 6 months or so ago just to watch OITNB actually after I read the book. I loved the book and I know it got a lot of mixed reviews, but I thought it was fantastic and the Netflix series which I think you will all know is brilliant. I wish there more reviews of the book because I think it’s kind of being forgotten that this is a book, and I wish more people would read it cause it’s great.

Phoning Home by Jacob M. Appel

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This book is so so so lovely, I received this and another book from this author and I remember it being one of those books, where I read a line, and it was just so brilliant that I was re-reading sections, over and over. This book was written with so much grown-up humour and an understanding of how to write and engage. This book is beautiful.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

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I read this book suppppper late but I always remember someone I went to school with who mentioned this all the time, and it was on my shelf at home and I think one day I thought just gonna have to get it read – this book is just SUBLIME. It’s a book that I think everyone could enjoy and take something from and use to read something different to what they normally read.

Factotum by Charles Bukowski

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If you haven’t read anything by Bukowski, off to you go now. This one was my favourite, and I think T’s (I will have to check, I know I bought him Pulp? and I think he loved that as well.) His writing is just so blunt and interesting; he writes for him and for no one else and that I just love.

MICROSERFS BY DOUGLAS COUPLAND

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Gah this book is just fantastic; a very recent book for me and one that I thought was full of so much geeky, nerdy, exciting writing that just really pulled me in and that I really enjoyed. I adored this book and the slightly awkward techy style it was written in; stunning book and wonderful writing.

ONCE GONE BY BLAKE PIERCE

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Another book I’ve read really recently but a really brilliant one; this book is so thrilling and exciting. It’s incredible creepy but I adored reading it and can’t wait to get onto the next book. I think sometimes thriller books that are good can be incredibly difficult to find but this one is just fantastic. It does have a couple of bits that are a little bit odd but overall I really enjoyed this.

RHYTHM OF DECEIT (THE NIGHTHAWK SERIES) BY RACHAEL RICHEY

Another FANTASTIC book; I think this is the second in the series but both are fantastic; they have what you would think to be quite a stereotypical storyline but actually I was completely blown away by this. Fantastic characters, a really exciting plot line with brilliant sub-plots I loved reading both of the books in this series so far.

DWELLING BY THOMAS S FLOWERS

FINALLY, if you haven’t read this book yet, you need to. This book is just FANTASTIC. It’s one I think I need to give my Dad maybe because I think he will love this; part thriller, part mystery, part supernatural it has everything you could want. Amazing, just amazing.

So there you go, ten books I think are fantastic and I think you should read! If you’ve read any of these and thought they were good/rubbish/okay please let me know would love to hear your thoughts, but for now, Byeeeee.

Ten Books On My Spring TBR

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toptentuesday2Goooooood morninnnng, hope you’re well readers. It’s Tuesday and it’s getting towards Spring time! *YAAAAAY.* Now, we all love a TBR list and I love nosing through people’s TBR lists and adding to my own. Now, I must admit  my rate of actually reading my TBR lists is about 25% but whenever I’m like – I need something to read I know where to come to find it.

H Is for Hawk Hardcover by Helen Macdonald

This came to my attention when it won The Costa Book of the Year and I kept saying to myself I would get it read but I’m still yet to check this out. Feeling like this Spring is the time to finally sit down and read.

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

I love stories about sisters but I read so few of them – this popped up on my suggested books to read on Amazon and it sounds so intriguing. Two sister go missing and there’s a boy involved (there normally is when there’s trouble around.) but, I’m excited to see how good this really is!

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

Adam Spencer Ross meets Robyn Plummer in his Young Adult OCD Support Group and is desperately drawn to her. She, however has just been released from a residential psychiatric program—the kind for the worst, most difficult-to-cure cases; the kind that Adam and his fellow support group members will do anything to avoid joining. We see as they Adam tries save Robyn – and she if love will blossom. *SOUNDS AMAZING!*

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

Apparently going for a little bit of a YA binge but recently it’s been my book type of choice. This is the story of Mim Malon to decides, after the breakdown of her family to travel with the Dad and Step-mum to Ohio. Mim decides she’s not to happy with that and decides to travel to her real mother. This book follows the journey she makes, the people she meets etc. It just looks reaaaaaly good.

A Doubter’s Almanac: A Novel by Ethan Canin

I spotted this cover on Goodreads I think and thought that cover looooooooks amazing. It follows the life of a mathematical genius, Milo Andret, and the costs his particular and rare talent exacts from him and those who love him. Sounds mesmerising to be honest.

The Ex by Alafair Burke

Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart

^ That sounds incredible doesn’t it?!?!?!!?!?! *scream face.* 

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Needed to include a children’s book didn’t I really. I always think Spring is the best time for children’s books, just so many exciting stories. This follows the life of Peter and Pax who are separated and their adventures on being reunited. (Pictures look gorgeous toooo)

A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Over the course of minutes, they would kill twelve students and a teacher and wound twenty-four others before taking their own lives.
 
For the last sixteen years, Sue Klebold, Dylan’s mother, has lived with the indescribable grief and shame of that day. How could her child, the promising young man she had loved and raised, be responsible for such horror? And how, as his mother, had she not known something was wrong? Were there subtle signs she had missed? What, if anything, could she have done differently?

^ I don’t know really what to say this is going to be one of the most heartbreaking reads I think I will have ever read. I think this will be such a saddening read but one that will hopefully share this important story.

 

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth

This sounds like a stunning book very much a romance maybe like Elizabeth’s Missing in terms of style which I adored. I have been looking for a book like Elizabeth’s Missing and I’m hoping this is it!

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

I STILL HAVEN’T READ THIS – this spring I will. Promise.

So there we go, my SPRING TO BE READ BOOK 2K16! If you’ve read any of these please let me know which to read first, or if they’re brilliant or not so brilliant or tweet me @littlebookblog! 😀

Top Ten Tuesday: Popular books that I just didn’t get.

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Helllllllllllllllllllllo readers, hope you’re well! It’s Tuesday which means it’s time for another TOP TEN TUESDAY post *cheers.* The topic today is around the idea of characters you like but no-one else seems to or vice-versa but I’m sure I covered this subject with characters I love to hate. So, me being me, I’ve tweaked it a little bit and decided to do ‘Popular books that I just didn’t get (to avoid mostly repeating myself.) Some of these may be a little controversial – but we’ll see how it goes!

The time travellers wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Every time I have tried to read this book I’ve failed miserably. There’s something about it that just doesn’t grab me and so I’ve given up on it multiple times now. I SO WANT TO LIKE THIS but so far I just haven’t been able to. #sadface.

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

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This one may come as a surprise – I’ve tried to read this book multiple times and I love, love, LOVE it for the first – 4/5 chapters and then I lose interest. I don’t want to say how many times I’ve read the first chapter – but I’ve given this so many go’s and for some reason it just never works.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Right, now, I’ve finally tried to read this (again) and after a couple of re-reads I’ve still failed! I know I don’t really like fantasy books but I think it’s time to put my Hobbit dreams to bed.

Enduring Love by Ian McEwan

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Right, so I read this book back at secondary school and I just didn’t really get it; it didn’t really appeal, I think mainly because I was kind of forced to read it. However, recently I tried again and still just couldn’t get into it. There’s just something about it that doesn’t work for me.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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Gaaaaah going really controversial now. This is another book I read for A Level English and I may have disliked this even more than Enduring Love I’m sad to say. Something about the writing and the way we had to pick the book apart completely ruined it for me. Maybe one day I’ll go back but I’m not quite ready to yet.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

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I’ve spoken about this before but something about this book just didn’t work for me. I think it might be because it was really hyped up and then I left it too late and it just didn’t appeal as much. I really like a number of other Orwell books but this one is unfortunately my least favourite.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

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Maybe just education enforced reading was bad for me but this one was imposed on me during university and was another terrible struggle. I was supposed to read the entirety of the book at least twice – I think I made it through four chapters. (I didn’t fail the module – just want to point out.)

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

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Another book I’ve been tempted to try again but every-time I’ve thought about it I just can’t bring myself to do it. There’s something so dull about this book I just can’t, I just can’t.

The Summer of Secrets by Sarah Jasmon

I’ve picked this one because although it’s not a massively spoken about book it’s one that I thought was okay – but appears that most people thought it was utterly awesome. It was a little bit interesting because it felt like a book that would be perfect for me but it didn’t quite work for me.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

It makes me really sad to add this to the list because so many people adore this book but I still can’t get into it. I’ve struggled so much with this and I still can’t get through it. Slowly I’m thinking it will have to be added to the DNF list!

So there you go, ten books I think are mostly loved around the blogosphere that I just didn’t really get. It might be that I enjoyed reading them but something didn’t quite do it for me. Either way let me know what you think and comment me with all your wonderful lists!

Ten Books To Read If You Are In The Mood For romaaaaaance

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Helllllllo readers, it’s Tuesday the 1st of March! HOW IS IT MARCH ALREADY. Now, before anyone says anything I know that picking a Valentines day post is a bit of a cop out but, I haven’t posted anything relating to Valentines and I kinda wanted to. I spent the weekend with the lovely T. We had breakfast in bed, then went for a wander, ate Mexican food and drank margaritas and finally went to see Deadpool which was wonderful. It ended with me crying my eyes out on the platform so that’s embarrassing. (These are faces when asked about the ridiculous train prices.) So, basically – I’m going to list ten books if you’re in the mood for loveeeee.

 

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

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If you’re yet to read this book I would definitely recommend picking up a copy. It’s a beautiful tale of love, loss and moving on. It’s one of my favourite love stories and I think it’s beautiful. (On another note, it’s one of the only book-film adaptations that I think is as good as the book.)

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

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I haven’t actually read this yet – but it’s been recommended to me by soooooooooooooooooo many readers and I still haven’t quite got it read. I will so I promise – and then we can discuss?

My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson

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I allllllllways talk about my love for The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson but I thought it was time to share with you another of her books that I adore. This is a lovely tale of love, loss and deceit written in the most beautiful style. If you’re yet to read any Koomson then you need to.

One Day by David Nicholls

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First things first, I loved this book and I can’t believe it took me so long to review this! It’s been years since I read this and I might have to go back and re- read again! This is  stunning book full of beautiful moments and a wonderfully written relationship. It’s one of those books where you shouldn’t judge the book by the film – THE FILM IS RUBBISH. Read this instead.

The Dish by Stella Newman

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Before any yells at me – this book has been on my TBR for over 8 months! And I STILL  haven’t read it and yet so many people tweet/message/comment/text me telling me to get it read and review and have I. No, cause I am the worst for reading books on my TBR. This book however is (apparently) fantastic and definitely deserves a spot on my list.

The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

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Recently my wonderful friend Hope suggested I read me before you by this author and seeing the film trailer I 100% need to give the book a read before we go see the film (Hope if you’re reading this – me, you, food, wine, film, minstrels – what d’ya say?) I have seen so much recently about her recent books but this one is stunning and I barely see any reviews on the blogosphere – but it is a beautiful heart-warming tale.

Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise #1) by Simone Elkeles

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So for this next book I wanted to include something a little ‘alternative?’ Okay, just not your sugar sweet romance- this book follows the relationship between Caleb Becker who left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. As she begins to recover and he finds himself out of jail – shunned by society they find comfort in each other ‘dun, dun, dun.’

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

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Do you ever see the film of a book and think – hmm I wonder how the book compared. Was it better? Was it worse? Well this is one where the film is ALMOST as good but the book, still wins. It’s a quirky, hysterical read and one that if you loved the film should find a copy of the book today.

An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel

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Wolf Hall is a brilliant book from Hilary Mantel – but have you read an experiment in love? No? Well this book is an utter gem. Just go read it!

You’re the One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

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Another book that has feels like it’s been on my TBR for forever. It’s got so many wonderful reviews and it’s just a stunning cover. I’ve been recommended it so many times, so maybe you’ll get to it before me aha!

So there we go, ten books if you’re in the mood for some romaaaance. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these and whether you liked them or not!! Happy Valentines!