Category My Days Out

My Week In Books (w/e 11th September 2022) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Hello and welcome to another weekly update of books I have read over the past week. What a week we have had, a new Prime Minister and a New King.

I am not a huge royalist, but Queen Elizabeth has been Queen for many people’s lives, she is the only Monarch we have had in our lives. I did find, the same as many others, that the news of the late Queen was quite emotional. When she first came to the throne there wasn’t the media coverage there is now. My thoughts go out to the family as their every move, facial expression and their body language are put under the spotlight. In this time of sorrow, they are meeting and thanking people, they are accessible and this must be so hard for them. I do not know how they are managing to keep their emotions under control as they grieve the passing of their beloved matriarch.

The news is constant, no matter where you look there are posts on social media, the internet, in shops, and in conversations as you would expect. In Cornwall, we are inundated with visitors through the summer months, so I decided to take time out and go to a huge beach that I haven’t been to for years. Gwithian is rammed in the summer holidays and now that the children are back to school it is the ideal time to visit. I wanted somewhere open, wild and relaxing and Gwithian Beach is all that. There are families, dogs and surfers but sitting on the beach they are drowned out by the rolling of the waves. It was easy to just shut out the noise and listen to the waves. I soon discovered I had spent 3 hours perfectly relaxed and suitably chilled out.

Here are the books I have read –

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Sunny Skies & Summer Kisses by Eliza J Scott – this is book 7 in the Life on the moors series. I have read a few of them and this latest one is fabulous. Great reading for those who love stories about friendships, families and communities with a good romance woven in. Full review as part of tyhe Blog Tour.

6 Ripley Avenue by Noelle Holten – this is the auhtors first stand alone and it was a cracking read. A mix of crime, mystery and some tense thriller vibes. I adored this one and the full review is part of the Blog Tour in a couple of weeks.

The Secret Life of Fungi by Aliya Whitely – a fabulous foray into the fungal world, told via anecdotes, observations and connections. I do love my science and nature reads and this one is perfect for non-science minded foll like me. Full review later this month.

The Temple House by Rachel Donahue – I had seen mixed reviews about this book and I decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. It is a slower-paced boook that falls mroe towrd the literary fiction style more expressive, lyrical and I did begin this one while sat on the beach. I do think it has a Du Maurier feel to it. I really enjoyed this one and I soon devoured it over two sittings. Full review to follow soon.

There we have it, a four week book week this week! I have spent the last few weeks managing just the three.

I don’t have a many reviews to post over the rrest of this month so I am not going to be around posting much. It is actually a good time for me to step away from social media and my Blog. I will still update and write posts but not as much. I am actually looking forward to this more random schedule for a couple of weeks. It will give me the chance to catch up with some reading for Ocvtober Blog TOurs and for some of the books I want to read from my oiwn TBR.

I wisah everyone a great week ahead

Happy Reading

All the best, Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amaizing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 29th May 2022) #booklove #bookupdates #dayout #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I have had a really good week this past week. The weather has been great and I decided it was time to re-start my National Trust Membership. One of my favourite NT places to visit is Godolphin House and Garden. The house itself isn’t always open, but it is the gardens I go there for. I haven’t been for well over 2 years so it was great to return and see how things had changed. It isn’t one of the larger properties and this is why I love it so much. A great place to stop and unwind. listen to the birds, have a picnic and read a book, which is exactly what I did. A lot of the more formal grass areas have been rewilded and it has made such a difference to the insects I was able to see, many moths and butterflies were flittering and tumbling around. I was also quite engrossed in watching a hole in part of the old stone wall where a blue tit was flitting in and out feeding its chicks. I did try to get photos but it was so fast!

Here are a few pics and then I’ll get onto the books I have read…

NT – Goldolphin House – 28th May 2022

Each of this week’s books was an amazing one to read. Similar and yet very different, secrets, lies and dilemmas. The final book I had been looking at for over a couple of weeks, it is a non-fiction book. All the books are for upcoming blog tours over the next few weeks.

Airside by James Swallow – crime, suspense and thriller based in an airport. An addictive and mysterious story and one that puts the main protagonist in a dilemma. Definitely recommended.

The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler – is a brilliant book, brutal and shocking at times but completely addictive. A one-sitting read.

Chemical Cocktail by Fiona Erskine – a brilliant and addictive mystery story, secrets, time is of the element and fast-paced. Loved it.

The Gin Sisters’ Promise by Faith Hogan – I love this author’s books and this one is a gorgeous read. Family secrets, anger, but with the hope to maybe start again. Definitely recommended.

Faces We Love – Shanghai by Derek Muhs & Marisa Tarin – is a gorgeous book of portrait photos taken in the city of Shanghai, amazing to look through and each one tells its own story. Definitely recommended.

There we have it, another week done and dusted and also another month has gone by.

Have a fabulous week ahead,

Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books #Booknews #Bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to another week of bookish updates of what I have read over the past week. Last Sunday was Easter, me and him went out for a walk in our local area, I had already got my weekly book round-up post scheduled so I didn’t add the photos then… well if I’m being honest I forgot about adding them until midweek when I finally remembered to download them off my camera.

So here are a few snaps…

  • The Manacles & Manacle Bell – visible at low water and site of many wrecks
  • Across to Falmouth Bay
  • The perfect reading nook!

So what did I read this week… I was quite surprised by how many books I had read this week, 6 books no less, how did that happen?..

I was delighted to read Adam Croft‘s latest book Betrayal. This is the 2nd book in the Sam Barker series and does work well as a stand-alone, I know this because I haven’ read the first. Now I do like the character of Sam and I did get glimpses into him being a decent bloke, though vulnerable. This is a thriller that does have a slant towards the political and environmental, and for me it worked well as it is more thriller. Keep an eye out for my review this week.

A non-fiction book next, this is Our House Is On Fire by Malena and Beata Ernman, Svante and Greta Thunberg and is the story of a family told from the perspective of the mother Malena. I did dither about wanting to read this one, but my curiosity got the better of me when I requested it. This is an eye-opener of a story of a family that has its own problems, and how they overcome them. It was written prior to Greta’s school strike and was released just after it. There is obvious mentions of climate change, but the first half of the book is quite heartbreaking. It is the second half that goes into the ecological side and the family’s involvement, it wasn’t too preachy and it was a book I really enjoyed.

I read Missing by A.D. Hay as part of the upcoming Blog Tour, a cosy mystery as such that is very quick paced. It is a novella and so is ideal for a one-sitting read. The main protagonist is James Laronde, an editor of a local newspaper who takes on a story writing role and ends up looking into murder, kidnapping and lies. A good quick read.

After reading a few darker book I was looking for something lighter and read The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove by Kellie Hailes. This was a gorgeous read and just what I needed. A property developer is wanting to redevelop the slightly run down shops and dwindling Herring Cove. Not everyone wants to sell up and they have their own reasons for that, but why should said property developer decide to help with some odd-jobs in the local book shop when his aim is to knock it down… A lovely heartwarming rom-com that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This mystery cover is for The Cornish Connection by Amanda James. I have read an ARC of this book and yes I have seen the cover, but as it is not listed on Goodreads or Amazon I am only sharing the barest of details. Mandy is self publishing this cosy mystery book and it is a fabulous read, I loved the atmospherics of it as well as the main story and the characters were great. Keep an eye out for my review in the beginning of May when it is released… well I did say barest of details lol!

This is the second time I have read a book by Trevor Williams and Dreaming of Italy is a wonderful story. Dreaming of Italy is the name of a movie and it is the job of Emma to scout out the perfect shoot locations for the film. She is aided by various people, one of which gets her pulse race. She is a workaholic, even though she says she’s not, and hasn’t really bothered with relationships in the past. A gorgeous setting that has been so well described and made me want to visit all the areas mentioned. Keep an eye peeled for the Blog Tour in May.

AUDIO-BOOKS…I finished listening to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling and really enjoyed it, Stephen Fry was a brilliant narrator. I am currently listening to…

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift and narrated by David Hyde Price. This is a book I have read a couple of times and I am enjoying listening to it, it does have a slower feel to it and I do remember the book feeling this way as well, but still enjoyable listening as I follow Gulliver.

Well that’s me done for another week, and all that is left is for me to wish you all the best and Happy Reading.

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 9th Feb) #BookUpdates #BookNews #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 10 Comments

Welcome once again to the books I have read this week. I had the week off work so managed to get out and about for a couple of days. I finally visited the Tate St. Ives Gallery and it is a brilliant place to visit. Also had a day out in Falmouth with the OH and had a pleasant lunch sat by the marina, and then a day pootling about in the garden. Three gorgeously sunny days that I made the mode of before the winds of Storm Ciara decided to put in a appearance! The randomness of February weather is crazy 🙂

So let me show you the books I read this week…

Dreaming Of Verona by TA Williams

This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it, so much so that I have just bought a couple more and have just signed up for another Blog Tour. Dreaming of Verona was a brilliant read as I was immersed in life, food and life in Italy for Suzie as she accompanies Lady Alexander Tedbury on a month long holiday.

The book was an amazing read as I discovered that my first impressions about both the ladies was wrong, I love it when this happens. It is a romance that had me hanging on every word. I highly recommend this book.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Hamnet. Maggie O’Farrell is another author who I have never read before. I was taken back to the time of William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s. This was a wonderful story that I fell in love with. Maggie explains how she came to write this book and it was a good way to introduce what followed. It has some wonderful descriptions and a story line that was addictive.It is a book I would definitely recommend.

Coffee, Tea or Me by Rich Amooi

I first came across this author when I took part in a Blog Tour for It’s All About A Cowboy with Rachel’s Random Resources, since then I have done another Tour for It’s Not PMS, It’s You. I also bought a couple of his earlier books and Coffee, Tea or Me is one of them. Rich Amooi is an author that I find delivers a light hearted rom-com that is ideal for just pure escapism. Coffee, Tea or Me was a brilliant read it in a couple of hours, it left me with a lovely “Aaahhh” feeling and a smirk on my face. I would recommend Rich’s books based on the 3 I have now read, and there are plenty more for me to catch up with.

Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds – Living the dream in rural Ireland

by Nick Albert

This was a brilliant book that I totally fell in love with as I followed Nick and his wife Lesley have big decisions to make when Nick receives news about his health. Nick’s job causes him a huge amount of stress and this gradually leads his Doctor to warn him that he needs to completely change his lifestyle or else. The story tells of how Nick and Lesley met, the major aspects of their life and then how they got to Ireland and what they encounter. This is a fabulous book that is such an easy book to disappear into. Wonderfully written and one I would definitely recommend.

What I am going to read next…

City of Secrets by Misha Herwin

I had a very pleasant chat with Misha during October’s Book Blogger Meet-Up last year. When I got home I decided to have a look at her books and bought this one, The City of Secrets. Here is what it is all about…

Letty Parker lives by her wits. Estranged from her family, she sells pies on the streets of Bristol. But this is a Bristol full of dark secrets, peopled by gangs, monsters, dragons and gargoyles – and by creatures older than time. When her friend and stepsister disappear, when members of Jeb’s gang vanish, Letty is plunged headlong into a conspiracy where homeless children are being spirited away to a place where a terrible fate awaits them. These are the poor and the lost children of the streets whom no one seems to care about – except for Letty. But what if a rich child went missing? Would the authorities then act? Together, Letty and Jeb hatch a plan… 

Misha had also mentioned that she had a new book coming out later this month called Belvedere Crescent, keep an eye out for my review as she very kindly sent me an ARC.

Well, that is me done for the week and I am going to leave with a few photos from Tate, St. Ives and also Falmouth…

  • Tate
  • Looking Out
  • Barbara Hepworth Sculpture
  • Blowin’ a hooley
  • St. Ives in the Harbour
  • Falmouth Marina
  • Alan and a sausage roll crumb picker-upper!
  • “Look at me, I’m balancing!”

I wish you all a good week ahead.

Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

My Week In Books(w/e 01 sept) #MeAndMyBooks #BookNews

yvonnembee 12 Comments

Hello and welcome back to my weekly round up of books that I have read, and other random non-bookishness.

I want to know… How The Hell Can It Be September Already!!!!!

Autumn is making itself felt and the trees are changing colour and are starting to shed their leaves. Mornings are darker and the evenings have a definite chill in to them.

I am getting close to the finishing line for #20booksofsummer Reading Challenge, I wonder if I will make it? 🤔

Right to the books and then I have some pics of our Sunday walk 😊

First up is…

Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter

This is the first book I have read by this author, and also the first in the Grant County series. this is an author I had heard a lot about and I do own several of her books – just one of those finding the time things yet again.

Anyhow, this is a cracking read and it could just as easily be called blindsided as this is what the author did to me as I read the book and not just on one occasion either!

If you like you crime to be bloody and gruesome and completely addictive reading then this is one you really should read. There is a really wonderful cast of characters who are mostly full of southern charm, I say mostly because obviously there is a killer out there! A fabulous start for a new for me author and a chance to start another wonderful sounding series. Check back for my full review. This is the 17th book I read for the #20booksofsummer reading challenge.

Letters to my Daughters by Emma Hannigan

This is such a wonderful read and it is also the 2nd book I have read by this author. The title is perfect for the book as I soon realised as I got caught up in it. The daughters are Bea, Jeannie and Rose, the parents are Jim and Martha. The story is about the family and how they dealing with being grown up and making decisions. Yes we all have to do the adulting stuff and I know it’s not easy, but for this family there are some extra dynamics that mean things are not quite plain sailing.

This is a wonderful contemporary fiction that has a wonderful cast. It was a story that once again captured from the first few pages. A slower, quieter read that is full of drama and a fair amount of the dramatic as well. It is the 18th book in my reading challenge.

A Boy His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

This is a book I decided to swap into my reading challenge and WOW! I’m so glad I did. This is a fabulous dystopian story and a little unusual in the writing style. It is told by Griz, he has never met enough people to play a game of football. He lives with his family and dogs happily until his dog is stolen.

This is such a fabulous read and one that I am savouring, the author has asked that no spoilers be given out and I get that. The author has created a story that I adored and I as I have only recently finished reading it I am still processing to sort out a review.

Currently Reading….

Well I haven’t quite decided yet if I am being honest. It will be one that will be the final book on the reading challenge and I should have it read in time. I am writing this post up on Sunday afternoon by the way 😉

UPDATE… I have just started Bird Box by Josh Malerman 😬 and now wondering if it was a good idea as I am sat here by myself reading 😨

Right then non-bookishness…

We are very lucky that we live very close to the coast, I am able to get glimpses of the sea from the house but one of my favourite views is a few small fields away. We ermmm…. well OK… I decided the We were going to have a Sunday afternoon stroll and give the dogs a run, it was breezy and sunny, so perfect weather.

Here are a few photo’s…

The dogs are Buster and Billy and are cousins. Buster (brown & white) has a ritual of HAVING to visit the water troughs on the walk back home. Unfortunately he does have quite stumpy little legs and he is not as young as he used to be, but by gum he is determined…

Attempt #1

Attempt #2

Attempt #3

… finally got there 😁 see the water coming out on the right hand side of the trough 😂

Then he decided to go and find the next water trough, this is in the next field on our way home and luckily for old stumpy legs, it’s lower to the ground 😂😂

That’s one happy chappy!

Well, that’s me done for another week. Hope you all have a good one and call back next week to see if I did manage to read the 20th and final book in the reading challenge in time!

Happy Reading Folks

Yvonne xx