Book Review - Landline

   

                                      

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My  Thoughts...

What would you do, if you had a magic phone that was linked to the past?

With only a few days left before Christmas, Georgie Mccool was suppose to of gone on vacation with her family. However, being a workaholic, with a serious deadline looming in under seven days. Georgie decides not to go, leaving husband Neal and their two daughters to go alone.

Not surprisingly no one is happy about this, especially Neal. Therefore as the days begin to merge, and Georgie has trouble contacting her husband. She convinces herself that her marriage is in danger. Well, everyone else thinks so, so it must be true. Que. the magic phone that Georgie finds in her old childhood room, that she uses to contact her husband Neal, from the past.

This was my first Rainbow Rowell read and I loved it! It was a bit weird reading a story based around Christmas now. However, I got past it and enjoyed the tale. I loved Georgie. She's not your typical book heroine. Tall, skinny and flawless. She reminded me, of me. I have the same coloured hair and I wear glasses, to write and read. Also Georgie is portrayed as a real woman, with curves and stretch marks, which her husband loves. She was my favourite character. I also loved Noomi, who thinks she's a cat and her pug obsessed mum.

I can't think of anything bad to say about this book. The cover is gorgeous, the layout superb. The characters are likeable and detailed. Rainbow has done a fantastic job of getting you hooked, from start to finish.

I loved every minute of this book, one of my favourite reads this year. If you haven't read it, why are you here? Go and read it. Now! 😋

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Book Review - The Taxidermist's Daughter

        

                                      

The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My Thoughts...

Sussex, 1912. Constantia 'Connie' Gifford lives with her father in an old house out, in the marshes of Fishbourne. Once a well known Taxidermist, with his own museum of stuffed birds, which used to grace every parlour, are now out of fashion. Leaving Gifford a bitter old man. However, that was not the only reason why Gifford and his daughter shut up shop and moved to a quiet village on the coast. 

This was a dark and mysterious murder mystery. With each chapter focusing on certain aspects of each character, as we learn about the secret that Gifford has kept from his daughter. Kate's description and detail of each character was amazing and I could picture, quite clearly how each one looked and portrayed themselves. I loved the way Kate made you feel sorry for Gifford and how she made Connie an independent woman, taking charge of the family home, when her father disappears. 

The map at the beginning of the book is a nice touch and adds to the atmosphere of the story. Even though, I enjoyed the story. I did find it slow going in some places and I had to force myself to read, so I could get to the good bits and even then, it kept you on your toes. I particularly liked the gruesome parts, which made you check your shoulder every now and again. Kate Mosse made you feel part of the story.

Nevertheless, the story was excellent and intriguing. Gothic and ghostly. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy murder mysteries. Personally, this book wasn't for me.

I give this 3 out of 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟   

Book Review - The Crimson Ribbon by Katherine Clements

The Crimson Ribbon by Katherine Clements

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Thoughts...

Well done Katherine Clements.

This book captivated me from the moment I turned the first page.
Set in mid-seventeenth century England, where the persecution of witches were rife and the horrors of the civil war plagued the country.
Ruth Flowers is forced to flee her household of Oliver Cromwell in Ely and flee to London. On the road she meets a former, troublesome soldier. However, when she reaches the city, it's the Poole household which changes her life forever.

I throughly enjoyed reading this book, couldn't put it down and even took it to work with me. The author has a way with words that brings you into the story, making you a part of its world.
At times you can kind of predict of what will happen along the way, only because of what history dictates and what we have learned. Though there are surprising corners in which you turn.

I fell in love with Ruth Flowers, as you join her on her journey and watch her grow and change. It was fascinating to see how she deals with constant issues and problems. Though at times, she annoyed me and I wanted to slap her around the face. Never the less, she was my favourite character and I wanted the best for her.

I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone, young and old. It is an insight into how the world was back in 1646 and how little peoples minds truly were.


I give this book a five stars

Foyles: Witching Hour Literacy Event

I've been so busy of late, with reading and working in my 'real' job that I just didn't have time to blog. However, on Monday 8th Septemember I was lucky enough to attend Foyles, Witching Hour literary Event in London. With authours: Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy), Karen Maitland (The Vanishing Witch) and Katherine Clement (The Crimson Ribbon)

It wasn't what I was expecting. Then, again I didn't know what to expect. The event was held at Foyles book store in Charing cross road on the 6th floor (massive shop! with a cafe on the 5th floor) at 7pm. 

Now, I'm a huge fan of Deborah Harkness and her All Souls Trilogy and I'm also a memeber of the Facebook group AST discussion. So there were a good group of us attending. 

On arrival we were given a free glass of Prosecco before choosing where to sit. It wasn't as busy as I thought it might be. Maybe 50 people, mostly made up of women. The atmospehere was tense with excitment before the three writers appeared on stage. 

Cathy Rentzenbrink opened up the event and introduced the authors to the room.

The event lasted for one hour with a ten minute question time. The authors discussed their latest books and topics such as; How women were portraited and treated in the Medeival time period - 19th centuary, discussion on a few famous past witches and how magic and science are similar.

It was an interesting and pleasent event and afterwards we could buy their books and have them signed, takes pictures and what not. 

Took my own copy of Deborah Harkness Book Of Life (The final book in the All Souls Trilogy)