Today is World Book Day. I mean everyday is Book Day for me haha.
As I work in a Primary School Setting I do love this Day simply for sharing stories and excitement around books.
Plus, it’s good fun to make a costume and dress up. My favourite part is reading to the children throughout the day though.
What could you do this World Book Day?
Get crafty and make a bookmark for you and or the kids.
Just enjoy a bit of quiet reading time with a new book or a favourite of yours…
Read to the kids! This is my favourite part of world book day at work โค๏ธ๐
Try something new? A new type of book, a new genre. I have recently been enjoying the Heartstopper Graphic Novels which is not a book format that I usually read.
Read your favourite book โก
Unfortunately I won’t have time today but, going to a local bookshop and treating yourself to a new book would also be an awesome way to spend it too. Especially if the kids have their book token too!
This year I have reused my Stick Man costume as I put alot of effort into making this last year so I thought I would get one more year out of it!
Whatever you do, I hope you have been able to enjoy a book and share that joy with somebody…theres nothing better โก
I thought I would do a halfway through the year, book update!
Every year I have done a reading challenge of sorts, and this year, instead of monthly or quarterly updates I thought I would do two Six month updates.
So, here is my first reading update of 2021, January – June.
[Disclaimer: I’m not that fast a reader sometimes, it comes in fits and spurts, and I’ve had lots of revision to do, so its not as long a list as I’d like]
January – June 2021
The Winter GardenBy Heidi Swain
The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning By Chris Colfer
Because of YouBy Dawn French
The LidoBy Libby Page
Pushby Ashley Audrain
The Holidayby T.M Logan
A Taste of Homeby Heidi Swain
Only Time Will TellBy Jeffrey Archer
The Sins of the FatherBy Jeffrey Archer
Until Next WeekendBy Rachel Marks
The Dead Fathers ClubBy Matt Haig
Saving the Day By Katie Fforde
The MotiveBy Khurrum Rahman
Best Kept SecretBy Jeffrey Archer
My favourites so far are, of course the Heidi Swain novels ‘The Winter Garden’ & ‘A Taste of Home’ as well as ‘Until Next Weekend’ ‘Push’ & ‘The Holiday’ which I could not put down. I love that feeling.
The suprise was the Harry Clifton series by Jeffrey Archer, the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.
So, here is the first quarter of my Reading Challenge. Three months down. I have to say I didn’t think I would writing this post in ‘Lockdown’ during a global Pandemic, this is just insane.Maybe I’ll get a few more books read whilst this is going on?! Its such a crazy, scary time so its nice to be able to ‘escape’.I thought this picture was very apt.
January/February/March
So, what have I read…
Last Light: The Lucy Harwin series Book 3 by Helen Phifer
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (Halfway, but I’ll leave it on the list as its a biggun’)
The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux
Struck by Lightening: The Carson Phillip’s Journals by Chris Colfer
I’ll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson
Stranger Than Fan Fiction by Chris Colfer
I have really enjoyed all of these books, especially ‘I’ll take New York’. Chris Colfer, who you may know from Glee, is a brilliant writer, his books are so well written, so easy to read and hilarious, which is why I’ve read two of them during this period. Well worth checking out.
I have bought a few new books to get me through the Isolation… my next book is called ‘The Silent Patient’ by Alex Michaelides.
I recommended this to a friend and she has already fisihed it. It even made her gasp with suprise (don’t you just love it when a book does that!?) So, Im looking forward to getting stuck into that.
I’m a bit late with my update this month, we can blame ‘back to school’ fever. It’s a busy time when you work in a school!!
What did I read in August:
All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher
The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
Give me the child by Mel McGrath
&
Two short reads…
The beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson
Full house by Maeve Binchy
I loved Carrie’s book, I wasnt sure to begin with, I dont know why but it took m a while to pick this up off my shelf, one I had though, I couldnt put it down!
It was a very interesting concept and a very different story to one I’ve read befoe. It really made you think about you own emotions and how much control you have over them and they hav over you. I loved the making element to the story, it was very easy reading.
The Unwanted Guest was brilliant, it had a real Agatha Christie feel to it and I was gripped, trying to work out who it could be, what would happen next, how it was all linked. Very good, very well written and definatly a great book for murder mystery fans.
I enjoyed ‘Give me the Child’ and it you wanted to find out what was going to happen, however I do think that it went on for a little bit, then right near the end it all of a sudden got very dramatic and then it just ended. It was a bit too much right at the end when it had dragged on a lot before that.
I really enjoyed the short reads, especially the one by Dorothy Koomson, it may have been shorter but it was just as good as her others and it had great twists and turns.
This months books are…
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
‘A compelling emotional drama of love and guilt that grips from the very first moments.’
‘Luke Warren would sleep in the dirt if it meant he could be under the stars.
He lived by the laws of nature. And would surely want to die that way.
But Luke is in a coma and his family mus make an unbearable decision
As tensions and secrets rise to the surface, the tragic accident which brougt them back together against the odds could well tear Luke’s family apart forever.
They know Luke would not want to live like this . But how can they choose to let him die?’
The big little festival by Kellie Hailes
‘Love happens when you least expect it…
Jody is panicking. Its only weeks until her little village in Devon hosts its first ever festival and everything is falling apart.
Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he would be!
Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man she would wlever date? But with tensions risng- along with the bunting and homemade scones- shes about to find out… ‘
As I was on holiday and I’ve started my volunteering for the library Summer reading challenge, I actually ended up reading three books in July.
& for August I am going to try and read more too as I also have some time off, lots of reading time!!
In July I read:
The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown
Every breath by Nicholas Sparks
&
The guilty party by Mel McGrath
The prison doctor was a really interesting read, and tbf as horrendous as you’d imagine.
I have to say that I didmt enjoy this as much as ‘This is going to hurt’ by Adam Lay, which is a similar format but from the perspective of a Junior Doctor.
As always the Nicholas Sparkes book was one that I couldnt put down, a heart warming story, definitely one for all you Sparks fans.
The guilty party was a really interesting read, not only was it a gripping story but it was also quite thought provoking too. Do you really know how you would react in a certain situation? Can we ever know until we are in that position? And how profound are the decisions we make on our own lives and on the lives of others?!?
This months books are…
Give me the child by Mel McGrath
‘Imagine your doorbell rings in the middle of the night.
You open the door to the police
With them is your husbands eleven-year-old love child. A daughter you never knew he had.
Her mother has been found dead in their South London flat.
She has nowhere else to go.
Would you take her in?
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
As the guests arrive at beautiful, remote Mitchells Inn, they’re all looking forward to a relaxing weekend deep in the forest, miles from anywhere. They watch their fellow guests with interest, from a polite distance.
With a violent storm raging, the group finds itself completely cut off from thr outside world. Nobody can get in – or out.
And then the first body is found…
And and horrifying truth comes to light. There is a killer among them – and nowhere to run.
All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher
Cherry has a hidden talent. She can see things other people cant, and she decided a long time ago to use this skill to help others.
As far as the rest of the town is concerned, she’s simply the kind-hearted young women who runs thr local bakery, but in private she uses her gift to add something special to her cakes so that after just one mouthful the townspeople start to feel better about their lives. They dont know why they’re drawn to Cherrys bakery – they just know that they’re safe there and that’s how Cherry likes it.
She can help them in secret and no one will ever need to know the truth behind the gift.
And then Chase turns up and threatens to undo all the good Cherry has done. Because it turns out she’s not the only one who can see what she sees…
I can’t wait to get stuck into these ๐๐ป
As always, any recommendations are welcome ๐๐
The 6th month of the year is here, halfway!! That’s insane.
So, I have reached the halfway point of my reading challenge too and I’m super happy that I’ve made it this far and am managing to keep it up, and still enjoying it too, which is a bonus!
In May I read…
Summer at the Little Duck Pond cafe By Rosie Green โโโโ
Tell me I’m wrong By Adam Croft โโโ
So, what am I going to read this month?
Poppys recipe for life by Heidi Swain
‘Things havenโt always been straightforward in Poppyโs life but her dreams are finally within her reach. She’s moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies. But the unexpected arrival of Poppy’s troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for โฆ‘
I love Heidi Swains books and she is definitely one of my favourite authors.
I love how all her books are stand alone but that the characters from the other stories pop up in them.
They are a lovely read and I always want to read her new ones straight away, anticipating their release for weeks. This book only came out on June 1st so I’m excited to have this to read this month.
&
The house across the street By Lesley Pearse
‘Is there a murder across the street?
Its 1964 and twenty-three year old Katy Speed is fascinated by Gliria and the goings-on at the house over the road.
Who are the mysterious women arriving in a black car most Saturdays?
Then one night, Gloria’s house burns to the ground. In the wreckage, bodies are found.
And Katy’s horror turns to disbelief when her father is arrested and charged with murder.
Determined to prove his innocence Katy sets out to uncover the truth about the mysterious house across the street. But that means uncovering the real murderer and risking her own life…’
My husband chose me this one for my birthday, because, in his words ‘your nosey and you like a good mystery’ ๐๐ค
I have really got into this one so far and I like how it’s set in the 60s, all the other mysteries and thrillers I read are usually set in modern times so it’s really interesting.
Two very different books again for this months challenge!
Happy reading! ๐
Let me know what books you are loving at the moment ๐
I LOVE to read, I would even go as far as to say it is my favourite hobby. So, I thought I would share this hobby with you guys.
So this is basically my guide to a good read. All of these books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! Its one book for each month of the year. As I’ll explain along the way, I have put certain books and months together just to make it a bit more tailored to those months and to myself (It is my guide after all haha)
I hope you guys find this useful and are drawn to a few of these brilliant books, maybe you could pop them onto your Christmas list! You may even know someone who would enjoy one of these, or failing that they would make great stocking fillers,
Lets take a look at the books I’ve chosen…
Bridget Jones Diary By Helen Fielding.
Because we all need a bit of cheering up in January! & Bridget is a very endearing character. January is probably when most people would start writing a new diary, a new year, a new chapter.
Billy & Me By Giovanna Fletcher.
A brilliant and cosy love story, wonderfully written. You will fall in love with the setting, its characters and the story of a young couple in love.
Blood sisters by Jane Corry.
I really enjoyed this book and found the twists really keep you on your toes.
After I’ve gone By Linda Green.
This book is SO gripping. With social media being at the forefront of todays culture this novel really makes you think. (+ its full of Harry Potter references!!)
Is it just me? By Miranda Hart.
May is my birthday month and I received this book for my birthday a few years ago. It is full of laughs. Miranda Hart is my favourite comedian and this hilarious book of anecdotes and stories is just fab! Sure to put a smile on your face. Almost halfway!
The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks.
“Every great love starts with a story.” This book is beautiful, true love personified, it made me cry!! (All the feels!!) and during what is a special month for me and my husband I thought this was a rather apt choice.
โI am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..โ
โ Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
โI love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. โ
โ Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
Lying about last summer by Sue Wallman.
Since July is the start of the summer I thought that this would make a good choice. This one is a teenage read (technically, but don’t let that put you off adults!!) It is super easy to get into and is just a lovely story about overcoming fears and letting go of guilt.
Change of heart By Jodi Picoult.
I was on holiday when I read this, hence the choice of months! and this is by far one of my favourites of all of Jodi Picoults books. It is SO gripping you honestly won’t be able to put it down, 10/10.
Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone By J.K Rowling
Because was I ever going to do a book review without getting a Harry Potter book in there?? (NO, No I was not) This book is so MAGICAL and if your anything like me you’ll be dreaming of boarding that train to Hogwarts on September the 1st.
The Ice cream girls By Dorothy Koomson.
Take yourself back to Summer time with this seaside set novel. Heart breaking but brilliantly written by another one of my favourite authors.
Mince pies and mistletoe at the Christmas market By Heidi Swann.
This is a lovely easy reader with an awesome festive feel to it. If this doesn’t get you into the festive spirit I don’t know what will!!
Tanya’s Christmas By Tanya Burr
This is a fantastic book to get you feeling super festive, but also prepared for all the merriment. Its not a story, its more of a guide to Christmas and Christmas prep. Its full of brilliant crafty ideas, tantalizing recipes that will make your mouth water and make up, gifting and wrapping ideas to get those festive juices flowing, perfect.
These books are all quite different so I’m hoping there’s something in there for all of you guys to get your teeth stuck into,
What’s your favourite book? Favourite Author? Any recommendations?
Roseanne Byford 