Hello and welcome to my weekly book update of books I have read. Before I start with the books I have a few plant pics. Earlier this year I received a gorgeous gift box from my bosses at the care home I work at. In there was a gorgeous tea rose. Well, on further investigation I discovered it was actually 4 roses in the pot. Me being me thought well ideal I can get 4 roses potted on and here is the one I kept in the kitchen, just in case the ones that went outside didn’t make it (they did by the way 🙂 )
This rose is now bigger than the original four that first arrived!
Even though it is autumn my window sills are full of colour. My impatient cyclamens decided they had enough of waiting and have flowered much earlier than they normally would. The lazy orchid has now decided to join the party and has finally decided to open as well!
I tell you, I would be lost without kitchen window sills 😍😂
So, time for the books I have read this week…
I could have sworn I had read Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh but it turns out I hadn’t so I was delighted to discover this brilliant story. Devious as usual and also very twisted that had me second guessing myself so many times. Yes I know it was a sister that was responsible for the crime, but which one and why, well… Excellent story and so addictive as well. Ideal for crime, thriller, mystery readers who like a psychological edge to their reading.
So from crime I decided to go back in time, to the end of WW1 to be exact with Until We Can Forgive by Rosemary Goodacre. This is the thrid book in the Derwent Chronicles, and yes I suppose you could read as a stand alone but then you would miss out on the bonds that make up the friendships. This doesn’t have the danger and drama as the previous book as it was set during the war, but it does have a different drama of trying to get back to real life, for soldiers returning to civilian life, for dealing with life changing wounds and also the loss that people feel for those that never returned. This is a gorgeous book and one that historical fiction and saga readers will love. Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour.
Oh my goodness this book!!!! I recently read the first book (Choices Shape, Losses Break) in this series and Futures Beckon, Pasts Threaten by Nia Lucas continues the contemporary fiction and edgy story of Lorna. A teen who had so many troubles and is trying to come to terms with a future without two important people in her life. As the previous book is still in my thoughts I was already invested in this character and cared about what happened next. Oh my poor emotions went through the wringer and the author has once again done such an exceptional job with Lorna. This is a contemporary fiction, it does have adult themes and I cannot wait for the next book to come out. I do have it on pre-order.
Well, that is me done for another week. Im off to turn the roast potatoes and get the veg on, it is Sunday Morning as I write this after all. In case your wondering its roast pork this week, with apple & mixed berry crumble 🙂
Have a wonderful week, take care and Happy Reading
Yvonne xx
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
Welcome to my weekly 2 week update. I have had time off work over the past two weeks and I had a few days up in Lincolnshire to visit my parents. I would like to say a huge and massive thank you to everyone who shared the Blog Tour reviews that I posted. When I am off work I always take a break from Social Media, usually I don’t take on Blog Tours when I have a holiday, but this time it went pear shaped!
I had a long journey to Lincolnshire, usually 7 ish hours with at least 2 sometimes three stops for a coffee pit stop this time there a few delays on my journey and it led to just over 8 hours travelling! In fact the delay in the journey started before I had got 5 miles up the road from leaving home… I had to wait for cows to cross the road after being milked!🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮 🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮 yes there was quite a few of them! Oh the joys of living in the countryside never ends 😂 Further on in my journey there were several tailbacks due to traffic and also road works on the motorway oh and hay bales! Yes Hay bales!!!
You would have thought that once I was off the motorway that things would be a little better as there is less traffic… No! It was not meant to be! As I left the motorway I was then caught behind a car transporter that was slower than a snail, OK maybe I exaggerate but it felt like that, but Oh I do digress! For 20 ish miles I followed that blasted thing! But I got there in one piece and so that was good.
My route up the motorway passes by the fabulous Farm shop at Gloucester Services, I always go and drool over their cakes, not literally drool I might add as that would be disgusting. This time however I decided to buy a couple of cakes or 4 to take up and share with Mum and Dad.
Just look at the size of that meringue! I did make a visit on the way home as well, thought I had better get the OH a cake or two OK THREE! Unfortunately they got eaten before I remembered to take a photo 😁 and they were just as yummy!
While away Me and Mum went to the Book Blogger & Author Meet up at the North Stafford Hotel in Stoke. The 2 hour journey there and back was so worth it and we both loved it. For me it was a chance to finally meet some fellow Book Bloggers and also meet some Authors. It also meant I purchased some more books for my kindle when I got home 🙂 It was a small meet up and for me it was ideal as I didn’t feel overwhelmed, even so I still didn’t get to chat to everyone that was there. I loved this event and loved chatting to those I did get to meet, Mum loved it as well and it led to a lot more excited chatter on the drive back home again.
If you have never been to one of these and you are able, I definitely recommend going to one. It is great to be able to meet face to face rather than across a screen. It is so good to be able to chat to like minded people and talk all things bookish as well as other stuff as well.
Photo’s by Kerry @chataboutbooks.
We all had our own name tags and it was quite amusing that my Mum’s one said “Yvonne’s Mum” as I had forgotten to mention my Mum’s name when I said we were both going! 😉
I suppose I should let you know what books I have read over the past couple of weeks.
I read…
All Summer With You by Beth Good
A heartwarming and really interesting book that is set in Cornwall. A romance that had a few surprises up it’s sleeve. I really enjoyed all things Cornish in this story as the author wove superstition, the Cornish language and also Cornish tales of old into this story.
The Reunion by Guillame Musso
This was quite a complex read, by that I mean that there was quite a lot going on in it and it took a bit more concentration on my part. A story that is intriguing and dark with some very surprising turns of events. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I am looking forward to reading more.
Blackpool’s Angel by Maggie Mason
I love this author and she also writes as Mary Wood. This is a historical fiction that is the first in a planned trilogy and I am so excited about it. THis was read as part of the Blog Tour and my post will be later this week.
Sleep by C.L. Taylor
OMG I love Cally Taylor’s books, though I have not read them all…yet! This latest one is so dark and mysterious and I loved it. Set on a remote Scottish Island gave it the most amazing isolated feel. Suspicions are rife and when the characters all seem to have a secret they want to hide then guilt is everywhere! Brilliant psychological thriller and so addictive.
Darkest Hour by Rachel Churcher
Darkest Hour is the 3rd book in this series. It is based around a post Brexit Britain. It is aimed at Young Adult/Teen Readers and I love it. It has roots that are steeped in corruption, propaganda and has a strong Big Brother vibe to it. A fabulous dystopian thriller and I cannot wait to read the next one and the next one! This is another Blog Tour book and I have not shared the cover as it is not up on Goodreads or Amazon yet!
Reach For A Star by Kathryn Freeman
This is not the first time I have read a book by this author and her latest book is fabulous. It is a romance that I could not put down, I read it in a single evening! I found it had many suprising turns and it kept me on my toes right to the very end. Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour for this book
Notting Hill In The Snow by Jules Wake
This is a wonderful, heartwarming festive fiction read and was ideal for reading while snuggling under a blanket with a big old mugs of coffee close by, I do admit the coffees did go cold because I forgot about it several times as I was so engrossed in the book! Another Blog Tour book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Coming Home to Winter Island by Jo Thomas
I have read a couple of books by this author and she is an author I will automatically read even though I have only read two of her books! This is such an addictive read. Setting is wonderful, characters are fabulous and the story-line is fabulous. This is the last of my Blog Tour books for October!
Christmas at Ladywell by Nicola Slade
This is a novella and was ideal for a quick read, it is a mix of past and present that combines old family traditions and a little mystery. A lovely read and is for an upcoming Blog Tour.
While I was driving to and from Lincolnshire and Cornwall I had my trusted Audible app to keep me company. I downloaded The Chronicles Of Narnia and I am just finishing up listening to it.
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis BBC4 Full Cast Production
I really enjoy audio-books and I do seem to have fits and starts with them, sometimes weeks go by and I am constantly listening to them and then suddenly I go weeks without one on the go. But when I have a long car journey by myself I love to have one playing in the background. I like to choose a story I know and I also like a full cast production. This version is fabulous and absolutely brilliant and it has all of the books – The Magicians Nephew, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle. The beauty of this collection is that as soon as one book finishes then the next automatically starts.
My Next Read is…
Revolution by Piet Hein Wokke
I have not yet started this one, here is the synopsis for it…
Escape to the Middle East in this thrilling tale about Khalid, Abdullah and Jalal – young men who try to shape the kingdom of Beledar.
While the nearest battlefields of WWII are hundreds of miles of away, on the streets of Mayasin, the capital of Beledar, Abdullah struggles to survive. In a remote village, Khalid sets out in search of his father, and must face the brutal laws of the desert.
Jalal, the young king, wants to break through nepotism and corruption, but in a conservative, Islamic country, change doesn’t come easy. That the western world preys on his country’s oil fields, doesn’t make his life any easier either.
In this exciting book, Wokke expertly and poignantly shows the roots of modern conflicts in the Middle East, through the people and ideas that inhabit it.
Well that’s me all done, thanks for stopping by and looking at my post.
Another week has come and gone, time is absolutely flying by and it only seems a couple of days ago when I last wrote up a weekly book update!
This week has been a good week, we managed to rearrange our kitchen after taking out the old fire. It’s amazing how much space this took up! It was also an opportunity to go through the cupboards and get rid of all the crap that we seem to have accumulated.
So to the books I read this week…
I finished reading…
KULT by Stefan Malmstrom
This is a dark crime fiction book. It is atmospheric, insightful and poignant. As the title suggests this is a story that spends some of its time in a cult. The author uses his own experiences from when he was lured into one, and boy you can tell he knows what he is on about. This is a fabulous read and I am so glad I signed up for the blog tour for this book. My review will be at the end of the month.
Next up was…
Coming Home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
Anyone that knows me knows I don’t do Christmas until December, but this was a an author I recognised from other Book Bloggers reviews and I wanted to read one her books.
So even though it is not officially winter, the evenings are feeling a little chilly and this worked really well for me. It is a lovely heartwarming read that I loved. It had various threads weaving through it that gave it such a good depth, there were wonderful characters who had to work through dilemmas. A great read and another Blog Tour book that I will review at the beginning of october, yes you read that right October!
Then I read…
The Demons Beneath by WD Jackson-Smart
This is a creepy crime thriller and the synopsis really intrigued me. It is a really good crime thriller that has a bit of something else… This is a new author for me and after reading this one it will not be the last time, and I have just discovered the 2nd book in the series is available 🙂 Look out for my review in, yep you guessed it October.
Currently Reading…
The Secret Life of Books by Tom Mole
This is a book for a Blog Tour in September, its a book about…well…books or rather how books can transform and evolve. It is about innovations and errors and people defacing books, burning books and books that create. I am really looking forward to this one. It has been a while since I have read a non fiction and this looks good.
Well that’s the Book stuff done… now for the Non Bookish stuff…
It has been another day today (sunday) of cooking again. Its all well and good growing food but then I have to deal with it. Now you know how homegrown and home cooked food is supposed to be healthier? Well not in our house in ‘aint, I was brought up proper and that means puddings, cakes, jams and chutney 😂
So this week saw me finally making a start on the raspberry jam, I have been picking these for weeks and bunging them striaght in the freezer until I had a good stock for a proper jam making session. So 12 jars of my “Almost Seedless Raspberry Jam” was made along with 2 jars of runner bean chutney, some coffee and walnut buns because the eggs needing using up and finally another crumble, this time a plain apple one, I say plain but a good dollop of maple syrup and also some cinnamon adds a nice bit of mmmmmm to it.
Oh my goodness has the weather turned chillier or what. I am still wearing my shorts and refusing to put them away yet! Though wearing them to work when I am on a night shift makes me think twice!!!!
First up is the Non-Bookish stuff…
I had a good week in the garden and kitchen this week. I finally got round to dealing with my beetroot, this resulted in 12 jars of beetroot chutney and 4 jars of pickled beetroot. The chutney was a first make for me and nice and simple – home grown beetroot and onions, some donated cooking apples, ginger, vinegar and sugar! and it tastes great and is tasty in a cheese sandwich 😋😁
I was given enough apples to make a couple of crumbles as well, I still had some of last years blackberries in the freezer so they were added as well…
I think you could say that Tuesday in our house should have been called “Purpleday” and that Wednesday was definitely “FeelingFatday” 😂
Now for the books I read this week…
First up was…
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
WOW! I loved this so much. I was a little dubious about starting this at night after the OH had gone to bed and I was sat reading in a room by myself!
This is tense and just awesome. Not everything is explained as such in regards to all the why’s of the catastrophe that led to people having to wear blindfolds, but taking a step back from the book and thinking about things logically, if there was a phenomenon that led to an end of days event… would anyone know the real truth anyway?
Then I read…
The Death Of Justice by Tony J Forder
This author is a favourite of mine and I always look forward to reading any of his books. This is the 5th in the DI Bliss series and I have to say it his his best book for me to date.
This is a real step up for me by this author with this latest publication. It is emotional, has a complex case and has so much drama and tension to it. It is simply fabulous and it also broke me, tears galore for me for this book.
As I was reading this on my ipad I saw a message come up from the very same author asking me if I had got this, his latest book! Very twilight zone or what!!!! So yes I took a photo and sent that saying… “Yep I am currently reading it” 😮😂
Keep your eye out for my review on tomorrow (tues 10th)
Then I read…
Guest by SJ Bradley
I read this book as part of the upcoming Morecombe & Vice Crime Festival Blog Tour that has been organised by Sarah Hardy at Book On The Bright Side Publications. This Blog Tour teams up 41 Book Bloggers and Authors for daily Blog Posts that see Book Reviews and Question & Answers posts. I am really looking forward to this. It runs from 18th to 27th September. There are some fabulous Authors and also festival organisers involved, so make sure you check out all the Blog Posts.
Guest by S.J. Bradley is a story about Samhain and how he has reached a crossroads in his life. He has to decide what he wants to do when revelations from the past suddenly arrive at the same time. This is a literary fiction story that has been beautifully written and was a lovely read.
Currently Reading… not sure yet, I will probably choose a book later today (Sunday as I write this) 🤔😁
UPDATE – Just read Escape to Giddywell Grange by Kim Nash – a fabulous and heartwarming story that I adored. This is the 2nd book by this author and the 2nd time she has delivered a fabulous read that I devoured in one sitting. Keep an eye out for my review at the end of the month as part of the Blog Tour with Rachel Gilbey.
And…
…
My next read is going to be Kult by Stefan Malmstrom 😊
Well that me done for yet another week. I will catch up with you all next week 🙂
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!
So, as I mentioned in my weekly book wrap up post, I have finally got around to sorting out the photos I took during my during my week off work. Me and He (Alan) stayed at home and had days out, it was easier than arranging for someone to look after the 2 dogs and 3 geese.
The week started with the weather forecast not bring the best of news! A Yellow weather warning for wind and rain, so typical 😂 So a couple of days on decorating and the obligatory and never ending weeding was on the cards! Although I did have a little help with the weeding! I finally finished the painting the front room. Alan used to work with Shire horses years ago when he was a tacker, the fascination of these gentle giants has stayed with him over the years, hence all the Shire Horse ornaments.
The first Wednesday in our village means one thing… OX ROAST! It is a day where I stay home and leave the car parked, if I don’t I wont get parked later as visitors and locals come to the village. The Ox Roast is a fundraiser by our local St. Keverne Band. The Band plays a range of music from the traditional marches to more modern arrangements… I have to say that their medley of Queen songs was great! There are various stalls and as the village has 2 , yes 2 pubs, so not wanting to dehydrate, I did partake of a couple of pints! 😋😁This was the 59th Ox Roast and possibly the last to be held on a Wednesday, next year will see the move to a Saturday.
So a few pics from the day, the setting up in the morning and also of the local church than has a dominating presence across the square.
Yes that might be a random photo of a bag of candy floss and a shopping bag, but did you happen to spot the second hand book stall… yes every year that is my first port of call 😍 I suppose you nosy buggers Book Bloggers and readers want to see what I bought!
As the day went on, the crowds increase and by the end of the evening we were treated to a fabulous AC/DC tribute group who were fantastic! Sorry not the best photo of the that act because the spotlights played havoc with camera on my phone 😕
My next day out was to a local National Trust location, it is one of those places that is off the beaten track and has no facilities, just a car park! It is Poltesco Serpentine Works that has the derelict shells of buildings. It stands at Carleon Cove, a small pebble and rock cove that is a short walk from the car park through a small woodland. It is on the SW Coast path and does not attract the huge number of visitors, so is ideal so sit and listen to the waves and chill! It’s hard to believe that these were taken when we had a Yellow weather warning for 50-60 mph winds and heavy rain! Being on the east side of The Lizard Peninsular does have it’s advantages.
Our next day out was to another National Trust Property, this time to Gendurgan Gardens. A walk down through the gardens to sit on Durgan beach with a hot cuppa watching the world go by, before the trek back up again. While Alan is not a great fan of gardens, he did enjoy this one and enjoyed walking off his Sunday roast 😊
While out and about I did spot a couple of things that made me chuckle. A brilliant card and some coat hooks…
Well, that’s the lot. It has been fun to sort through. A really good week with plenty to do. Unfortunately Monday came round far too quickly and I had a 6 hour training course followed 4 hours later by a night-shift… reality and normality landed with a bump 😂
Thanks for reading my post, I hope you enjoyed it too!
Metal Sculptor based in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, using recycled materials to create sculptures for your garden or indoor decoration. Sculpture's can be viewed & safely collected, delivery may also be available. Contact for details.
Yvonne - Me and My Books 