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The Fall by Louise Jensen @HQstories #crime #thriller #mystery #NetGalley #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for The Fall by Louise Jensen. This is a wonderful crime, mystery and thriller read that I really enjoyed.

My huge thanks to HQ Stories for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

She promised she wouldn’t tell. They made sure she couldn’t…

At her surprise 40th birthday party, Kate Granger feels like the luckiest woman in the world but just hours later her fifteen-year-old daughter, Caily, is found unconscious underneath a bridge when she should have been at school.

Now, Caily lies comatose in her hospital bed, and the police don’t believe it was an accident. As the investigation progresses, it soon becomes clear that not everyone in the family was where they claimed to be at the time of her fall.

Caily should be safe in hospital but not everyone wants her to wake up. Someone is desperate to protect the truth and it isn’t just Caily’s life that is in danger.

Because some secrets are worth killing for…

MY REVIEW

The synopsis does a fabulous job of hinting at what this book is about. A young girl falls from a bridge, but this is not the only fall that is going to be brought up as the story of the girl and her family and relations is gradually teased out.

I loved what the author mentioned at the end of this book, she wanted to take a normal family and try to tear them apart and see if they could fit back together again! Did she succeed, well I think she definitely did!

Tegan and Caily are the best of friends and cousins. Their parents are twin sisters Beth and Kate. They live close to each other and the grandparents own a farm. The sense of family and the ties that bond is extremely strong. The twin connection is as well as the closeness of the cousins. Using the cost of living crisis as a way to stretch the family to the limits was a great way of testing how strong her character could become in times of crisis and adversity. Adding into the mix, a fall leaving one in a coma, the stresses of investigations and just that general feeling of one thing after another piling up. I do think the author chose a great idea and how she ran with it, or should I say, allowed her characters to run with it, made for very nerve-wracking reading.

It is good to come across a good-length book, this one is 448 pages so it gave me the chance to get to know the characters in more depth. There is a danger that a longer format can be filled with a bit too much padding, but not so in this case. It felt on point all the way through. There are things that made me sit on the edge as I tried to work out all the kinks and twists, I never got close to sussing things out by the way.

The author has taken this family and just piled onto them one thing after another. It really does show their strength but also the cracks are mounting, tempers fray and words are said. Stress, debt, illness and crime are all excellent nerve-jangling dramas for any family to deal with, having them all for one family makes for great reading.

Seeing this strong family begin to wilt and waver was particularly sad, but there was more to come. The ending of the story was a shocker and slowly all the nitty gritty bits and pieces were finally slotted into place. It made for a very sad but right feeling to finish the book.

If you like a fictional story that tests a family to its limits then this is definitely one for you. It has crime, mystery, family secrets and a threat looming over at all times. It just goes to show that you never know what goes on behind closed doors, even when those doors are close family! A fabulous book and full of tension that I would happily recommend.

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

The Medici Murders by David Hewson @david_hewson @RandomTTours @canongatebooks #histfic #murder #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 8 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Medici Murders by David Hewson. This is the first book in the Venetian Mystery series and I am looking forward to reading more of this one. This was a great intro to this author as it is the first of his books I have read.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this murder mystery from the publisher Canongate Books.

When a well-known British TV historian, Marmaduke Godolphin, is found murdered in the canals of Venice during carnival, stabbed by a stiletto blade, the Venetian police are eager to have the case solved and cleared up within a day – murder is bad for tourism!

The police recruit the help of retired archivist, Arnold Clover. Godolphin had hired his services on arriving in Venice to help sort through some historical papers of note. These dusty documents may contain previously unknown information about the assassination of the murderer, Lorenzino de’ Medici, 500 years previously.

How coincidental that Godolphin meets his death in the same place as the Medici murderer, Lorenzino, on a cold, dark, bloody night. Can Arnold use his powers of perception to establish a link and solve the murder of Godolphin?

MY REVIEW

This is a murder mystery that has the feel of a sleuthing-style whodunnit. A mix of a present-day murder that has been mixed with a historical fiction story, some of which is factual.

Duke Marmaduke is a historian who has become a TV celebrity, although his spotlight has waned over the years. Once he was in demand for his TV shows that made history more theatrical than necessarily true. He contacts others for help in discovering some documents that had been lost over time. One of these is Arnold, he has been a diligent archivist and has moved to Italy to retire. Arnold is a person who has always been in the background and the complete opposite of the loud and bullish Duke.

It is when those called, meet up that Duke reveals, well partly reveals his next project. He has been given documents that could shine a new light on an old murder. It is one that could have some interesting outcomes. When Duke is found dead in the canal, it shows similarities to the old murder, so who wants him dead? Arnold is asked to talk with a Captain who leads the investigation, it is this account that tells the story.

I liked this story and it is one that had me intrigued. I did find it a little slow at times but on the whole, it is an interesting story. It is one that had loads of twists and the author has set the stage with some very interesting characters. There are connections and these are told as there is a relevance to when the gathered group were at University. Duke was head of this group known as the Guilded Circle, Arnold was not part of this so it gives him an ideal perspective, an outsider that is looking in. I liked this a lot as it gave Arnold a spectator’s view as such and when he relates the information to the Captain he does so in a more neutral.

This is a mix of historical fact and the author does say at the end of the book that there is also his fictional slant on the mystery. It makes for an interesting and also quite addictive story. As I said I did find it slow, but as I got more used to the characters and their roles I found it gained pace.

This is one that fans of murder mystery genres would enjoy, it has a sleuthing vibe to it and while it does have a police presence it is not a police procedural. I must also mention the food that is consumed by the characters, there is quite a bit, but it does sound very mouthwatering and very Venetian.

A wonderfully twisted story that had me guessing and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Hewson is a former journalist with The Times, Sunday Times and Independent. He is the author of more than twenty-five novels, including his Rome-based Nic Costa series which has been published in fifteen languages, and his Amsterdam-based series featuring detective Pieter Vos. He has also written three acclaimed adaptations of the Danish TV series, The Killing. He lives near Canterbury in Kent. @david_hewson | davidhewson.com

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The Little Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page @AriaFiction #NetGalley #contemporaryfiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of The Little Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page. This was a lovely story and it was great to read something lighter after my few weeks of reading crime.

My huge thanks to Aria Fiction for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Publication Date – 13th April 2023

When Emily loses her job, house and boyfriend all within a matter of days, she’s determined to turn a negative into a positive and follow her dream of running a small cafe in the gorgeous Yorkshire village of Rosegarth.

But she quickly finds she’s bitten off more than she can chew when the ‘popular’ cafe she takes over turns out to secretly be a failing business. Emily desperately needs a way to turn things around, and help comes from the unlikeliest of places when she meets local board game-obsessed GP Ludek. But when a major chain coffee shop opens on the high street, Emily is forced to question if she’ll ever be able to compete.

Has she risked everything on something destined to fail? Or can a playful twist, a homely welcome, and a sprinkle of love make Emily’s cafe the destination she’s always dreamed of?

MY REVIEW

This was a really lovely story to read. Having lost her job, her house and her fiance she decides that it is finally time to follow her dream. When her mum was alive it was a dream they both shared, to own and run their own cafe. Taking the plunge, she spots a small cafe, it has potential.

Following Emily, as she negotiates a new business and the tables in her new cafe was wonderful. She soon has her rose-tinted glasses removed as she discovers that the business isn’t all the books made it out to be. She does have customers, well some days she may have as many as 2! Gradually with the help of the local GP, she manages to find her niche, something that makes her cafe memorable. As you have probably guessed from the title, that niche is board games. I never realised there were so many different games until I read this book.

With the help of a handful of people, the cafe starts to blossom, but just as she starts to feel a little more confident, once again the rug is pulled from under her feet.

With mentions of sumptuous food and delightful sounding colour and decor schemes for the cafe, the author has created a cafe that sounds wonderful. Adding in a colourful array of characters and various troubling scenarios to bring a woman’s dream to reality was an interesting one to follow.

There is a really lovely will they/ won’t they romance thread in this book, it was a nice one to follow and I was never sure how this was going to pan out.

A lovely story and one that if you are a fan of contemporary fiction and romance stories, I do think that you will enjoy this one. I would happily recommend this story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Page lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband Hermi and his very – no, make that extremely – large collection of board games. Her debut novel, The Little Board Game Cafe will be published on 13th April 2022. Jennifer writes light-hearted, cosy romantic fiction which was initially inspired by her own dating adventures. Before she met Hermi, she was single for 13 years and had pretty much given up on meeting The One.

When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games; since she met Hermi, she’s become even more obsessed with them than he is! She also loves cooking (though she’d never claim to be any good at it!), caravan holidays and walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

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

Hidden by Shalini Boland @bookouture #NetGalley #youngadult #fantasy #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review for Hidden by Shalini Boland. This is the first book in the Vampires of Marchwood series, it has been re-released by Bookouture under their fantasy and sci-fi division called Second Sky. This was a great book and laid the foundations well for the next two stories. I will be sharing my reviews of those over the next week or so.

My huge thanks to Bookouture for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

A paranormal romance that spans the centuries from modern England to 19th century Paris and ancient Cappadocia.

Madison Greene is in foster care until one day she inherits a fortune, she inherits a house, she inherits a cellar full of danger.

Alexandre Chevalier lives in 19th century Paris. On an archaeological expedition, he discovers a lost underground city where his life changes forever.

Their lives entwine, but this is only the beginning…

MY REVIEW

Imagine being in foster care with your younger brother when you get a visitor to say you have inherited some property. That property turns out to be a mansion and there is plenty in the way of funds to allow you to live a life you really have only ever imagined. Turns out there is a catch, the property is home to a family of vampires.

When Maddie and her brother move into this huge house she starts to investigate, I mean you wouldn’t you? She finds herself in a cellar where there she discovers clothing, papers, paintings and other items from the previous owners and there are also some beautiful statues.

Following a duel timeline, I discovered how the residents in the cellar came to be there. An expedition that went fatally wrong and discovered a truth that no one thought possible. Filling in the past and present details, the author weaves a wonderful story, while it is aimed at young adults I really enjoyed this one as well. There are some wonderful moments where stereotyping vampires comes into conversations.

The story isn’t just one of a young woman who gets a house and meets vampires, there is something far more than that to this story. It is the beginning of a series and so this book lays the foundations for what will follow. It gives the reader a chance to begin to connect to the main characters and this is done in a slow way, not too many at once but all the time keeping the story flowing.

This is a mystery and horror as well as a fantasy and romance story. I do think young adult readers are going to really enjoy this one. It is imaginative and also edgy. It is one to keep an eye out for and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shalini Boland – writes psychological thrillers and dark adventures, and I live in Dorset, England with my husband, two children and our dog. I only write reviews for books I enjoy!

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

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz @juliabartz @RandomThingsTours @OneworldNews @PointBlankCrime #crime #thriller #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz. This is a wonderful book and it will make you think twice about going on a retreat!

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of the book from Magpie Publishers.

There was no radio. No phone. No connection to the outside world. We were completely on our own.

Alex, a struggling young writer, is delighted to join four other hopefuls at a month-long writing retreat with Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror.

At the remote Blackbriar estate, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s longed-for dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die. Trapped, terrified, yet still desperately writing, it’s clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to survive.

It seemed so perfect, but turned out to be every writer’s worst nightmare…

MY REVIEW

This is a very dark read. A writing retreat run by Roza, a renowned author sounds great and it is in her own mansion. The mansion is isolated and becomes more inaccessible as the winter weather develops. The mansion also has a story of its own!

There are five female budding authors at this retreat along with a small staff and of course the author. The idea is that this retreat will give these five women a chance to work on a story, get tips and advice as they go and hopefully come away with a publishing deal.

As I mentioned this is dark, and the history of the mansion gradually emerges in one of the stories. The main focus is on Alex, she knows one of the other women and they have a history that isn’t as friendly or as close as it was. The other women are all unknown, but five women don’t really pair off as there is always going to be an odd one out.

As the author brings her characters out and explains the reasons for the retreat and also shows Roza’s character to be more unexpected than you first realise.

This is a tense thriller that is also full of mystery and intrigue. With the story of the property, of Roza and the other women there is also another story that gradually emerges. It is a busy story but one that is at all times controlled, I do think the author has done a brilliant job with keeping all the threads clear, and each of the characters has their own part, although not always that obvious at the beginning.

I really enjoyed this one and at times it really had me on edge, this does have a twisted mystery element to it as well as being a thriller. A great read for me with this author and it is one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and practicing therapist. Her sister, Andrea Bartz is a New York Times bestselling writer (most recently with We Were Never Here.) She is the author of the popular Psychology Today blog ‘My Pleasure: The New Science of Sex, Dating, and Self-Care’ and previously ran the Brooklyn literary blog BookStalker. Her fiction has been published in the South Dakota Review, FictionDaily and InDigest Magazine and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The Writing Retreat is Julia’s first novel.

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The Last by Hannah Jameson #dystopian #apocalyptic #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Last by Hannah Jameson. I have seen this book around and then was lucky enough to find a copy in our local community book swap.

THE WORLD HAS ENDED IN NUCLEAR WAR.

You and nineteen other survivors hole up in an isolated Swiss hotel.

You wait, you survive.

Then you find the body.

One of your number has blood on their hands.

The race is on to find the killer…

BEFORE THE KILLER FINDS YOU.

MY REVIEW

I enjoy dystopian or near-future novels, and The Last cover definitely caught my eye. A hotel in Switzerland is the setting, news of nuclear bombs exploding over certain parts of the US, and Europe and the decision about what to do next is the main premise for this story.

Oh, I also forgot to mention that a body is discovered under suspicious circumstances!

While this book is set in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion the focus of the story is on those who decided to remain at the hotel rather than risk the unknown. News reports, social media, internet are all gone, all people have to go on is the last things that were sent as bombs landed. Not knowing all the facts make sit very hard to work out what to do next.

With the discovery of the body though, the story focuses on one man’s decision to try and discover who was responsible for the death while at the same time keeping a journal of what is happening over the course of the following days. This gives the air of a locked-room mystery as the hotel and the suspects, or guests as they should be referred to, are isolated.

The author has done a wonderful job of giving a sense of isolation and also coming to terms with the fact that the world they once knew has gone. There are mentions of things being organised such as food, hunting parties, and basic stuff like that, but this is mentioned in the form of the journal notes.

This is a story that has many twists and I did enjoy the style of the book and the mystery element to it. Yes, it is dystopian but actually more mystery with a good suspense vibe to it. If you are a fan of murder mystery stories in isolated settings that do have a thriller sense to them rather than a cosy mystery then this is one that you may like. I enjoyed it and I would happily recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hanna Jameson’s fourth novel, part murder mystery and part post-apocalyptic thriller – THE LAST – is out early 2019, with Viking UK and Simon & Schuster – Atria Books US. The Last is the story of an American academic searching for the truth about a girl who has been murdered in his Swiss hotel in the aftermath of a nuclear war that has destroyed most of the Western world.

Jameson had written the first draft of her debut, award-nominated novel – SOMETHING YOU ARE – at just seventeen. Something You Are and two further novels in the series – GIRL SEVEN and ROAD KILL – are available now in the UK, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands.

She lives in London currently, and is working on screenwriting projects. She likes whiskey, history, and emotionally taxing TV shows.

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

Gone by Ruby Speechley @rubyspeechley @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Gone by Ruby Speechley.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this brilliant book from the publisher Boldwood Books.

Gone
My son is missing, and everyone is lying to me.
Last night my son, Shay, sneaked out of the house and didn’t come home. He promised not to go to the illegal party in the woods. But someone’s been attacked and Shay has gone missing. The police want to know if he saw what happened. I’m worried he could be involved.


After all the trouble he’s been in lately, mixing with the wrong crowd, coming home beaten up and scared, I thought we’d put it all behind us. The trouble is, Shay resents me moving my new boyfriend into the family home. I found all sorts on his laptop, including a half-written email warning me not to trust David. What does he know that I don’t?
I’m beginning to fear for his safety. What is David hiding from me? Who have I let into our lives?
I don’t know who I can trust. Will I ever see my son alive again?


Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

This is a fast-paced domestic thriller as a mother tries to find out where her son is. Things don’t look good for Shay, he had been grounded but had attended a party in the woods. He hasn’t come home and a girl has been attacked.

From the outset of the story, I was aware that the dynamics in this family are a little strained. Rachel is separated from her husband and the father of her two sons Shay and Josh. She has been in a relationship with David, and Shay seems to be struggling because his mum has moved on.

It makes sense for this teen to attend the party, his previous behaviour sort of gives him that rebellious streak. However, Rachel cannot believe her son would be responsible for hurting anyone, but as he isn’t around to ask and she can’t get hold of him it makes it difficult. It is then that another parent realises her son has disappeared as well that the tension gets incredibly serious.

I did enjoy this story, it was an interesting one because this style usually has more of a police procedural approach or presence. The author has focused more on Rachel and how she is dealing with her son missing, another son who is worried, a partner who doesn’t seem to be aware of the bond of a parent with their child and then she still has to deal with her ex.

With quite a lot going on I am making this sound as if it is going to be a confusing read, but it really isn’t. The flow of the story from Rachel’s perspective keeps the concerns and actions in a proper sense of order.

What I thought was going to happen didn’t, that threw me and the route the author did take was a brilliant move. Things are hinted at but nothing is really definitive. Suspicions, theories and the what if’s are running riot as you would expect, but there are certain things that are cleverly held back.

I really enjoyed this one and if you like a domestic thriller then I do think this is one you should keep your eye out for. I would happily recommend this book and I am going to have a look at other books by this author as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruby Speechley is a bestselling psychological thriller writer, whose titles include Someone Else’s Baby. Previously published by Hera, she has been a journalist and worked in PR and lives in Cheshire.


Social Media Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Bookbub

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The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore #thriller #mystery @HQDigitalUK #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore. I had a very nice email from HQ Digital asking me if I would like to read this one. A brilliantly twisty read and one that I really enjoyed. I would also like to wish the author a HappyPublication Day tomorrow 🙂

I release myself from the shackles of the outside world and embrace the wilderness within.

As Bella drops her son off at university, she’s devastated. It’s been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It’ll be her chance to reconnect and recharge.

At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and the lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones.

The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella’s life years ago arrives, threatening everything she’s worked hard for and will do anything to protect. Suddenly, a terrified Bella is trapped in the wild, knowing someone wants her dead…

MY REVIEW

I am a fan of thrillers and this one caught my eye when I saw it, being set in a Swedish wood, cut off from anyone else it gives the chance of a locked room mystery-style thriller. The room is not a room but an isolated setting, with guests who are strangers and not altogether likeable.

Bella is a single mum, her son has just gone to uni and her sister has arranged a break for her at a wilderness retreat. Having a life focused on her son, she has effectively cut herself off. It is while she is at the retreat that she discovers that she has lived her life so far through her son so she wants to try to cope without him. It is tough for her as she cannot get in touch with him, and while she thinks there are those that may show her some support, Bella isn’t actually making a great impression.

The author has taken the character of Bella and given her so much to deal with and you can start to see cracks appear as more and more stress and emotion are piled on. I did mention some of the other characters not being likeable, in fact, there is the odd one or two that did wind me up as much as they did Bella. The author uses paranoia to good effect, and at times it did feel a little too repetitive, while it does work for the story it did make it feel like Bella was a bit too many and whiny. To counteract this though there are some good twists and what I thought were red herrings, but not quite though!

I did enjoy this and I found myself quickly addicted to the story I definitely needed to know how things would eventually come to a conclusion. When it did, it was unexpected and also rather quick.

This is more of a mystery thriller and the mystery section of the book was great. If you like a remote setting with strangers in a setting that leaves the imagination to run wild then I do think you will like this one. Not quite as creepy as I thought it might be and still a very enjoyable read that I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Moore is a novelist, freelance writer and children’s author (writing as Jenny Moore) from Devon. Her short fiction has been widely published on both sides of the Atlantic and she was the first ever UK writer to win the Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

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

Rock Art for Beginners by F. Sehnaz Bac #artandcraft #crafts #nonfiction @NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Rock Art for Beginners by F. Sehnaz Bac. This is a gorgeous book but only 96 pages and as you can see from the cover it is definitely bright. It was what I spotted when I was browsing on NetGalley 🙂

Transform ordinary stones into works of art with easy and inspirational step-by-step instructions.

Filled with creative exercises, art prompts, templates, and step-by-step projects, Rock Art for Beginners—adapted from the best-selling The Little Book of Rock Painting—encourages interactivity for immediate results, while teaching you the fundamentals in an engaging and fun way.

This beginner’s guide shows you how to gather and prepare your rocks to create masterpieces that are truly one with nature. Written and illustrated by three talented rock-painting artists, the book features a range of contemporary designs to experiment with, from patterns and animals to mandalas and dots. The instructions are easy to follow and invite creativity and originality.

Grab your colours, head outside, and start painting beautiful works of art on stones!

MY REVIEW

This is a wonderfully colourful e-book that I read. It gives some wonderful pictures of rock and there are some fabulous ideas.

I do like rock art and I am sometimes stuck for ideas. This book has definitely opened my eyes, especially with some of the more intricate designs. The mandalas are stunning, but I am not sure if my hand and eye coordination are quite ready for those ones at the moment.

The book is laid out well, with an introduction that explains the basics, the processes, equipment and some basic techniques. There are some wonderful ideas for basic patterns such as animals, and natural art such as feathers and leaves. If you like a more colourful animal design then this is a good book, there are also more simple mono patterns and designs. While this may not be a large book there are loads of ideas. From basic to incredibly intricate.

This is a book that gives a wonderful glimpse into what can be achieved with patience, a steady hand and imagination. I can see the designs being great ideas for many other crafting projects as well. I would happily recommend this book, it is a lovely one to look through and pick up tips, ideas and designs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Artist F. Sehnaz Bac is celebrated for her radiantly colourful and charming painted stones, which she sells on Etsy as I Sassi Dell’Adriatico (The Adriatic Stones). Sehnaz has more than 450,000 Facebook followers. She lives in Alba Adriatica, Italy, a small town on the Adriatic Sea.

Her Facebook site is well worth looking at and there are some amazing ideas on there.

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

Crazy Busy: keeping sane in a stressful world by Thijs Launspach #selfhelp #timemanagement #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Crazy Busy by Thijs Launspach. I am not a big fan of self-help books but occasionally I do pick them up, it is good to stop and remind myself to clear my head once in a while.

Abolish stress. Rediscover joy. Replenish your energy.

In Crazy Busy acclaimed psychologist Thijs Launspach examines why we often work ourselves to the bone and what we can do to prevent this. He explains how to cope with stress and create more peace and calm in your life. He draws on the latest scientific knowledge, the methods used by experts and the stories told by those who have learned the hard way what stress can do to both body and mind. All to provide you with the answer to the question: how can you free yourself from a life of stress?

A full diary and no time to think; the feeling that you are always playing catch-up and never quite hitting the mark: our lives today are almost invariably crazy busy. Being busy is one of the hallmarks of the modern era. But the pressure is taking its toll on us.

The number of burnouts has risen dramatically over the past ten years. In fact, it has now reached epidemic proportions: approximately one in seven of all workers suffers badly from stress or has been forced to take a break from work because of stress-related complaints. And even if you don’t reach the actual burnout stage, stress can still make your life a lot less enjoyable.

Why are our lives so hectic? Have we all become workaholics? Why are we so susceptible to FOMO (the Fear Of Missing Out)? And most importantly, what can you do to cope with the stress in your life and prevent burnout?

  • Do you find yourself rushing to get things finished more than once a week?
  • Do others often offer you well-intentioned advice on ‘how to slow things down a little’.
  • Do you ever suspect that the stress you feel prevents you from being as happy as you would like to be?
  • Are you more addicted to your smartphone than you would care to admit? Is it the first thing you reach for when you wake up in the morning?
  • Do you often find yourself longing to stop and take a break from it all?

If your answer to one or more of these questions is ‘Yes’, then this is the book for you.

MY REVIEW

With lifestyles getting busier it is often overlooked how much our heads work overtime. Often forgetting to take a break from screens, TVs tablets and other electrical gadgets. Taking time to turn off and focus on ourselves is something that is essential to our well-being and helps our mental health.

This book is laid out nicely and in a non-preachy way. I like how the author gives alternatives to everyday situations. I think many of us have found ourselves scrolling through the channels looking for something to watch only to find ourselves watching an old favourite. How much time is wasted trying to find something to watch when we are inundated with so many choices?

Using this book to point out the obvious is great, sometimes we are not aware of the obvious and so using a book is oftentimes a great way of stopping and taking notice.

While reading through sections of this I found myself nodding in agreement with some of the situations that the author points out. It comes back to recognising patterns and being aware of the obvious.

I like this book and it is one that can be dipped in and out of or read cover to cover. Insightful and helpful and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thijs Launspach (1988) is a psychologist and author. He teaches at The School of Life Amsterdam, is a trainer and keynote speaker on stress and burnout and writes a weekly column for a national newspaper in the Netherlands.

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