Happy Monday bookish people! As we near the end of 2022 I wanted to make a post about my goals for 2023, this year has been full of difficult moments and a lot of stress. Of course, there’s been lots of good moments too but it has overall been very draining.
I have three main goals for 2023 which are:
To find more time to read for me. By this I mean not reading for my PhD or any work purposes, just because I want to read. I haven’t been doing that much this year but I am hopeful for next year.
To organise everything I am doing in order of priority. This year I have been doing so many different things what with school and braille and guide dogs and starting at Etsy and so on and so on, I’ve been getting very very tired so I am aiming to not put as much pressure on myself, I’ll do all my work etc but if I can’t manage something then I am going to try not to push too hard.
work hard on a children’s picture book idea and find an agent (this has already been started, I sent my work to a few agents but I haven’t heard back yet so fingers crossed)
that’s it for my goals, what are your goals for 2023?
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today. I am bringing you my November Wrap Up today. It was one of those months where I felt like I read a lot but I actually only read a little bit, do you ever have those types of months?
Anyway onto the wrap up!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I did not read this but I do have a reason, it’s literally on the top shelf of my bookcase and I can’t reach it without a step ladder which I also can’t get to at the moment.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – I think we can safely say none of us are surprised I didn’t read this, romance is not my go to genre.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano – I did read this! And I really enjoyed it so look out for my book review coming soon.
The Girl’s I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe – I did not read this.
Emma by Jane Austen – Okay so I started reading this in November and I am currently reading it now, It is also on my December TBR so it is a bit of a crossover into both months.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley – I did not read this.
City of Brass by S A Chakraborty – I did not read this.
Finale by Stephanie Garber – I did not read this either.
Crownbreaker by Sebastien De Castell – I am still currently halfway through this book.
Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson – Another romance of course I didn’t read it.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout – I did not read this
Gallant by V E Schwab – I did not read this either.
So, that was the books on my TBR and I read one of them…oops. But outside my TBR I also read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, I borrowed the audiobook from my library for my trip to Liverpool and that was really enjoyable.
What did you read in November?
That’s it for my wrap-up I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Thursday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good first day of December! I am very excited today to be taking part in the book blog tour for Holly Jackson’s new book, Five Survive. Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for sending me a netgalley version of this book to read and review. I love Holly Jackson’s books, her Good Girl’s Guide To Murder series are some of my favourite mystery novels. For my spot on the tour I am posting a book review and then a playlist of songs that I think would be great to match the atmosphere of the book.
As usual with my book reviews I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one, I will do my best to not include spoilers.
I hope you enjoy my book review!
Five Survive Plot:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The premise of this book was very exciting for me from the start. Six people all with dark secrets trapped in an RV they can’t get out of because of a sniper. I will admit that the beginning was a little slow for my taste, while waiting for the van to breakdown – when you know it is going to happen already it felt like it took a while to get to that point but I get that Jackson was using this time to introduce the characters and the tensions between them already. Once the story really got into the action I was hooked. It was atmospheric and exciting and I could feel my heart beating right alongside the characters. It has a much darker feel in my opinion to the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series but I quite liked that, it was different in a good way. The ending really had me surprised and I think if you read this you will be too (you’ll have to let me know if you were!)
Five Survive Characters:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This part was the most interesting for me to rate here, simply because I couldn’t say I liked any of these characters but I was so intrigued by their motivations and I can tell you I was dying to know what all their secrets were and for me that worked for this story, I didn’t need to like them or trust them that was the point – they didn’t know who they could trust and as readers neither can we.
Five Survive Writing and Dialogue:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
As I have already said I love Holly Jackson’s books and her writing and this book was no different.
Five Survive Overall:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I gave this book four stars overall because I really enjoyed the mystery and surprisingly the dark atmosphere.
Playlist!
For the playlist I would say that this book warrants some dark powerful songs to go with the tone and the plot.
This won’t be in order by the way but here are some of the songs I would put with this book:
Run Boy Run by Woodkid
I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift
I’m A Mess by Avril Lavigne and Yungblud
Darkside by Neoni
My Heart’s Grave by Faouzia
Avalanche by Avril Lavigne
Book Synopsis:
The brand new unmissable crime thriller from Holly Jackson, best-selling, award-winning author of the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy.
Eight hours. Six friends. One sniper . . .
Eighteen year old Red and her friends are on a road trip in an RV, heading to the beach for Spring Break. It’s a long drive but spirits are high. Until the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. There’s no mobile phone reception and nobody around to help. And as the wheels are shot out, one by one, the friends realise that this is no accident. There’s a sniper out there in the dark watching them and he knows exactly who they are. One of the group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for.
A game of cat-and-mouse plays out as the group desperately tries to get help and to work out which member of the group is the target. Buried secrets are forced to light in the cramped, claustrophobic setting of the RV, and tensions within the group will reach deadly levels. Not everyone will survive the night.
Happy Monday bookish people! What’s better on a rainy Monday morning than a good book review about a cosy mystery.
As always in this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. I will do my best to not include any spoilers in the book review. I hope you enjoy it!
The Three Dahlias Plot:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book combines some of the best elements of Golden Age Detective Fiction/ Cosy Crime genres such as the isolated location, who doesn’t love a murder mystery set in an old manor house, a close knit cast of characters, and a bunch of intriguing twists. The Three Dahlias is based on the three actresses who have, and will have, played the character of Dahlia in different shows and films throughout the years. They come together for a Dahlia convention and then actually find themselves having to work together to solve a crime. I really enjoyed this take on the murder mystery, I haven’t read many novels or actually any that come to mind with three main protagonists but it was a nice way to make the reader feel part of the group.
The Three Dahlias Characters:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
As much as I enjoyed each of the three characters individually, I sometimes felt that when they were together in the same scenes they blended into each other and the character development wasn’t as good. However, I still enjoyed the three female main characters being the ones to try and solve the mystery.
The Three Dahlias Writing and Dialogue
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I haven’t got much to say for this category because the writing was good, it allowed me to not think about the writing at all because I was engrossed in the story and that is a sign of a good writing style.
The Three Dahlias Overall
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I gave this book four stars overall because it was an enjoyable twist on the murder mystery genre.
Blurb/Synopsis:
Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of the author who made them famous – only to discover the solution lies in the stories themselves. A contemporary mystery with a Golden Age feel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jessica Fellowes.
In attendance: the VIP fans, staying at Aldermere; the fan club president turned convention organizer; the team behind the newest movie adaptation of Davenport’s books; the Davenport family themselves – and the three actresses famous for portraying Lettice’s 1930s detective, Dahlia Lively.
National treasure Rosalind King, from the original movies. TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, Caro Hooper. And ex-child star Posy Starling, fresh out of the fame wilderness (and rehab) to take on the Dahlia mantle for the new movie.
Each actress has her own interpretation of the character – but this English summer weekend they will have to put aside their differences, as the crimes at Aldermere turns anything but cosy.
When fictional death turns into real bodies, can the three Dahlias find the answers to the murders among the fans, the film crew, the family – or even in Lettice’s books themselves?
That’s it for this book review, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you all had a great October! If you have seen my November TBR that I posted on Friday then you will know that my October was so busy, with my sister getting married, working towards my RDC2 and meeting a potential guide dog match (I will be posting about this on Friday if you are interested in knowing more about it).
So, my reading month in October was much better than it has been recently so that has made the month a lot more enjoyable. And now I am going to share with you which books I managed to read this month. Let me know in the comments if you have read any of these, what you thought of them and what you read in October!
October Wrap-Up!
Beach Read by Emily Henry – I did not read this
Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovelino – I did not read this one
Nothing more to tell by Karen M McManus – I was so excited to read this one but I didn’t manage to get around to it this month
Pages and Co 3 by Anna James – I did read this one and as with the rest of the series, I really enjoyed it.
Finale by Stephanie Garber – I did not read this
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace – another book I was so looking forward to reading but I didn’t get to this month
The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson – I did read this book and loved it
Miss Marple short stories collection – I read this one too
Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – I did not read this either
A Fatal Crossing by Tom Hindle – I did not read this
Your Turn to die by sue wallman – I did not read this one either
European Travels for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss – This book is huge, so I did not read it this month
Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanaugh – I did not read this either
outside of my October TBR I also read The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett which I also really enjoyed.
So, this month I read four books which is a great amount for me at the moment.
That’s it for my October Wrap-Up, I hope you enjoyed reading it!
Happy Friday bookish people! October flew by didn’t it? So much has happened in the past month, and don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about my October Wrap up, that will be coming on Monday instead.
So, of course the biggest thing that happened is that my sister got married! She has just got back from honeymoon and while she was gone I have ben catsitting for her which has been fun.
And in amazing news, I matched with a guide dog! She will be moving in with me next week and then it is ten days of training before she graduates as my official guide dog! Of course I will be updating you all on here about my journey throughout this month.
Anyway, onto my November TBR!
November TBR
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
Emma by Jane Austen
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
City of Brass by S A Chakraborty
Finale by Stephanie Garber
Crownbreaker by Sebastien De Castell
Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout
Gallant by V E Schwab
That’s it for my November TBR, have you read any of these? Let me know!
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. Today I am bringing you my book review for Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price, the first book in a Jane Austen Murder mystery series.
In this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. I will do my best to not give any spoilers.
Pride and Premeditation Plot:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
This book follows Lizzie Bennett, daughter of a prominent lawyer and determined to prove herself as capable as any man she goes on a quest to solve a high profile murder case. I adored this book, it struck the perfect balance between romance, classic retelling and murder mystery, perfect for me anyway. This book is great for any Austen fans or mystery fans.
Pride and Premeditation Characters:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Lizzie Bennett is a headstrong and fiercely independent and intelligent. Matched with this is Mr Darcy, the lawyer from a rival law firm. I have to say his character grew on me, it both had it’s own uniqueness while reflecting the traditional Mr Darcy he was based on.
Pride and Premeditation Writing and Dialogue:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
This is one of the most well written books I have read in 2022. It swept me into the story within the first chapter.
Pride and Premeditation Overall:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Overall I gave this five stars because I cannot tell you in words how much I loved this book. Now excuse me I have to go buy Sense and Second Degree Murder, the next book in the series.
Blurb/Synopsis:
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman who desires a law career must be in want of a case. So when sixteen year old Lizzie Bennet hears about a scandalous society murder, she sees an opportunity to prove herself as a solicitor by solving the case and ensuring justice is served.
Except the man accused of the crime already has a lawyer on his side: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious Pemberley Associates law firm. Lizzie is determined to solve the murder before Darcy can so that she can show the world that a woman can be just as good as a man. (The fact that Darcy is an infuriating snob doesn’t help.) But there’s still a killer on the loose, and as the case gets more complicated, Lizzie and Darcy may have to start working together to avoid becoming the next victims themselves.
That’s it for this book review, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Happy Monday bookish people! I read very little in the past few months but a book I did enjoy was By the Book by Amanda Sellett and I am excited today to be bringing you my book review for it.
As usual, in this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. I will do my best to not include any spoilers.
By The Book Plot:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book follows Mary, a classic literature loving girl who feels rather ordinary compared to the rest of her very intelligent family. What I loved most about this book was the clever weaving of literary analogies and quotes throughout the story. As with a lot of the romance genre novels I’ve read, a lot of the conflict is brought about by miscommunication which isn’t my favourite thing to read.
By The Book Characters:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I loved Mary’s brain – the way she references books and their characters and uses that to inspire her friendships group. She is imaginative and I found her attitude and personality relatable on some level.
By The Book Writing and Dialogue:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I enjoyed the style of this novel, its writing was very easy to get lost in it.
By The Book Overall:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Overall, I gave this book four stars because I surprised myself by enjoying it. Of course a romance I would like involves books!
Blurb/Synopsis:
As a devotee of classic novels, Mary Porter-Malcolm knows all about Mistakes That Have Been Made, especially by impressionable young women. So when a girl at her new high school nearly succumbs to the wiles of a notorious cad, Mary starts compiling the Scoundrel Survival Guide, a rundown of literary types to be avoided at all costs.
Unfortunately, Mary is better at dishing out advice than taking it—and the number one bad boy on her list is terribly debonair. As her best intentions go up in flames, Mary discovers life doesn’t follow the same rules as fiction. If she wants a happy ending IRL, she’ll have to write it herself.
That’s it for this book review, I hope you enjoyed it! let me know if you have read this book and what you thought of it.
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. Today I am bringing you my book review of the Ex Hex by Erin Sterling. I hope you all enjoy it.
In this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. I will do my best to avoid any spoilers.
The Ex Hex Plot:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book was a fun, witchy contemporary read to split up my reading of murder mysteries and fantasy. This book follows Vivi who, while going through a bad breakup, accidentally curses her ex and then when he comes back to town things start happening. The book did start to take on quite a serious tone towards the end which didn’t really fit the rest of the book in my opinion but most of the plot I did enjoy.
The Ex Hex Characters:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I loved Vivi as a main character, she is witty and sarcastic and a very strong female character, I didn’t always agree with her choices and in her place I definitely wouldn’t have done some of the things she did but I still enjoyed reading her story.
The Ex Hex writing and dialogue:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
There’s not a lot for me to say here, only that the pace and tone kept up with the plot very well and the writing was clear.
The Ex Hex overall:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I gave this book four stars overall because it was a fun palette cleanser in the middle of a readathon.
Blurb/Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.
Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.
That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.
Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.
That’s it for this book review, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. I am bringing you my book review of The Howling Hag Mystery – a hint of my opinion before we get into the book review, I am currently trying to sell my copy of this book as I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
As usual in this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. I will try to keep this review as spoiler free as possible.
The Howling Hag Mystery Plot:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
First of all, how great is this title? The Howling Hag mystery, some lovely alliteration and imagery. The title didn’t match the plot in my opinion. I ma being generous and giving the plot 3 stars because (this is a few months after reading) while I am writing this review I can barely remember what happened in this book. I was sold on the synopsis, a cat helping solve mysteries, and for me this wasn’t what was happening in the book.
The Howling Hag Mystery Characters:
⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Again, I know there was a cat and I think there was a girl and a boy as the main characters but I can’t remember, it was all very forgettable for me. I am not trying to be harsh but I do think it is important to share my opinion on this book even though I didn’t enjoy it to be a fair reviewer, and I leave it a while after reading before reviewing so that I can say whether it was a forgettable read or not and for me, this one was.
The Howling Hag mystery Writing and Dialogue:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The writing in this book was pretty good. It is a book aimed at 8-12 I believe but the writing wasn’t too young and as an adult reading it I didn’t feel it was too young for me to be reading it.
The Howling Hag Mystery Overall:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Overall I gave this book three stars because it wasn’t my cup of tea, a younger reader might love it but it definitely wasn’t a new favourite for me.
Blurb/Synopsis:
Raven Charming knows the rules of using magic in the real world. So she is horrified to uncover the worst kind of trickery in her village. Luckily, help is at hand – a sharp-talking black cat called Nightshade with a talent for solving magical mysteries…
That’s it for this book review, I hope you all enjoyed it!
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