Tag: reading challenge

My 2021 TBR List ๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

2021 is here and of course that means a fresh start to the reading for the year.

I still have one more festive book to read, that I was gifted for Christmas, ‘Finding Love at the Christmas Market’ By Jo Thomas.

This is the first book I’ve started in 2021.

I’ve complied a list of my TBR (to be read) books for the coming year… it’s quite a mixture but I like that!! I can’t wait to get stuck in.

  • The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
  • Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
  • Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
  • The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
  • Normal people by Sally Rooney
  • The Holiday by T.M Logan
  • An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
  • Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
  • Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls
  • Girl, Other Women by Bernardine Evaristo
  • Dear NHS by Adam Kay
  • The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer
  • My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
  • The Lido by Libby Page
  • Once Upon a Tyne by Ant & Dec

Which books are on your ‘To be read list’ ??

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My 2020 Reading Challenge: The Fourth and Final Quarter ๐Ÿ“š

So, here it is! The final instalment of my 2020 reading challenge, and the final quarter…

October, November, December

Let’s have a look at what I have read during this quarter…

Books I’ve read:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owen

The Kindness Club at Mapleberry Lane: A Summer Suprise by Helen Rolfe

The Kindness Club at Mapleberry Lane: An Autumn Promise by Helen Rolfe

Coming home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

New beginnings at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

Hopeful hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine

The Midnight Library is one of my favourite books that I have read this year. Its fantastic and I have recommended it to so many people already.

It’s so thought provoking and interesting, but gripping too.

I can’t recommend it enough

Alot of these were a similar type of book this quarter, easy readers. These are some of my favourite types of books, cosy, romantic, lovely and easy to pick up and get through, so I was super pleased to discover the Glendale series in particular.

I didn’t get through as many of my festive reads as I would have liked but I have one more on the cards for January, I recieved it as a gift for Christmas, from my sister.

It’s called ‘Finding Love at the Christmas Market’ by Jo thomas.

I haven’t quite decided how my reading challenge will take shape this year yet… maybe I will continue with the quarterly updates or I may go back to a monthly update, either way, keep your eyes peeled for that!

What’s been your favourite book of 2020?

Until next time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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‘One Left Alive’ & more Book Review ๐Ÿ“š

๐•†๐•Ÿ๐•– ๐•๐•–๐•—๐•ฅ ๐•’๐•๐•š๐•ง๐•– & the Crime/Detective Books Series.

By Helen Phifer

I stumbled across Helen Phifers books whilst browsing on the Kindle app, on my phone.
Now, I totally get the merits of a Kindle but I am defaintly team ‘Physical Book’. However, when I discovered her books I couldn’t resist and they were only available as a Kindle download.
I was hooked immediatly and here I am, three separate, stand alone detective series later and I am still throroughly enjoying her books.


Heres a general review of her books as a whole. The most recent that I have read being ‘One Left Alive’

‘One Left Alive’ is part of her newest series ‘Detective Morgan Brookes Series’.
Her books are Crime and Thriller Novels and its no suprise that they are bestselling.


They are gripping from the get go. The horrific murder/s that gets the ball rolling, in the beginning of the book, will both horrify and intrigue you in equal measure. You will have to find out what has happened and you won’t put the book down until you do.
If, like me, you are a horror fan then Helen’s books will be right up your street. There are always moments of pure, on the edge, ‘oh my god, I don’t want to read on but I must’ moments that will keep you hungrily reading until the end.
(They are not for the squeamish readers amoung us!)


The characters are  so relatable and are ‘normal’ people, and even with the strong police element, they and the storylines, aren’t overly complicated. Its quite fascinating to look into the police process. I love police dramas on TV, such as Line of Duty, and its almost like reading a episode.
And as I said, the investigation is easy to follow, but it always keeps you on your toes and is never predictable.

With regard to the characters, I like how you are following ‘the story’ but also their story too. You are always rooting for them to succeed both professionally and personally.


As soon as I read and finish one I always want more, so thank goodness there are a few in each series. The second book of this series is in preorder already.


I was genuinely gutted when I got to the last book in her ‘Annie Graham’ series. Gutted.

แดส แดแด แด‡ส€แด€สŸสŸ ส€แด€แด›ษชษดษข ๊œฐแดส€ แด›สœแด‡ ๊œฑแด‡ส€ษชแด‡๊œฑ: โญโญโญโญ (4/5)

I hope you liked this review! I am going to try and do a review for each different genre that I read.

I recently reviewed the childrens fantasy series ‘The Land of Stories’ by Chris Colfer, (any Disney lovers young and old will love this series) So, check that review out here.

As always any book recommendations are ALWAYS welcome.

๐Ÿ„ท๐Ÿ„ฐ๐Ÿ„ฟ๐Ÿ„ฟ๐Ÿ…ˆ ๐Ÿ…๐Ÿ„ด๐Ÿ„ฐ๐Ÿ„ณ๐Ÿ„ธ๐Ÿ„ฝ๐Ÿ„ถ

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My 2020 Reading Challenge: The Third Quarter ๐Ÿ“š

Here is the penultimate quarter of my reading challenge for 2020.

July, August, September

And in a honesty it hasn’t been a very impressive one. I’ve found myself quite busy and unable to focus, as well as I would like, on my reading, which is a bit annoying.

But, none the less, here we are!

Lets have a look at what I have read during this quarter…

Books I’ve read:

Just Mercy: A story of justice and redemption By Bryan Stevenson

Cuckoos Calling By Robert Galbraith

Roald Dahl‘s Book of Ghost Stories

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparkes

Sorry Not Sorry By Naya Rivera

This quarter was quite a mixed bag.

Just Mercy was more of an ‘educate myself’ book choice and that it has been.

The injustice of the American ‘justice’ system is abhorrent and it’s definatly an eye opener in terms of how easy some people have it and how some people have so much power just because of the race/family/country they are born in.

I have been meaning to read the Robert Galbraith books for a very long time and I just haven’t got round to it.

I am glad that I finally did because I really enjoyed it and I loved the characters especially.

I have read The Notebook several times but it is a Nicholas Sparks fave of mine and I just fancied going back to it. I read it in just over a day and it was great.

I have quite a few books ready and waiting for the final quarter and I want to make it a goodun’.

I’ve got a Christmas book blog post idea too!

Also, you can check out my Insta ‘RoseannesBlog’ as I post regularly on there too.


Until Next Time,
Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My 2020 Reading Challenge: The First Quarter ๐Ÿ“š

Hi Guys!

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.

Any recommendations are always welcome!

Until Next Time,

Stay safe everybody and stay at home!

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My reading challenge 2019: The final chapter ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

As you can see by the title, the final chapter of my 2019 reading challenge is here.

I cant believe its done! I am SO glad I managed to keep it up for the year and it has defonalty encouraged me to keep reading and making time for one of my favourite hobbies.

Here is my December read:

โ€ข The Christmas WishList by Heidi Swain

(It was a busy month!!)

And let’s take a look at all the books I’ve read this year for my challenge:

โ€ขGoodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

โ€ขThe face behind the mask: The Annie Graham series by Helen Phifer

โ€ข The Good Sisters by Helen Phifer

โ€ขEve of Man by Giovanna & Tom Fletcher

โ€ขDark House: The DCI Harwin series Book One) by Helen Phifer.

โ€ขThe face behind the mask: The Annie Graham series (Book 6) by Helen Phifer.

โ€ขDying breath: The DCI Harwin series (Book Two) by Helen Phifer.

โ€ขThe couple next door by Shari Laperna.

โ€ขSummer at the Little Duck Pond cafe By Rosie Green

โ€ขTell me I’m wrong By Adam Croft

โ€ขSpring at the little duck pond cafe (Book one) by Rosie Green

โ€ขFriend Request by Laura Marshall

โ€ขPoppy’s recipe for life by Heidi Swain

โ€ขThe house across the street By Lesley Pearse

โ€ขAll that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

โ€ขThe Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

โ€ขGive me the child by Mel McGrath

โ€ขThe Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown

โ€ขEvery breath by Nicholas Sparks

โ€ขThe guilty party by Mel McGrath

โ€ขThe beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson

โ€ขFull house by Maeve Binchy

โ€ขLone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

โ€ขHarry Potter and the Philosphers Stone (Audio book)

โ€ขThe big little festival by Kellie Hailes

โ€ขThe Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

โ€ขA Christmas gift by Sue Moorcroft

โ€ขT’was the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay

โ€ขA wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

โ€ขThe Christmas Wishlist by Heidi Swain

[I’ve popped some of my faves in bold.]

So, what’s next years challenge??

I am going to continue making sure I enjoy, what is my favourite hobby, reading but I’m going to change the challenge up a bit.

Next year the challenge will be quarterly, I will read as many books as I can in each quarter, updating you every three months with what I’ve read and any I am planning on reading in the next quarter.

Here are some of the books I have collected/seen that I would like to start the year reading…

โ€ข The family upstairs by Lisa Jewell

โ€ข The Secret Seaside E0scape by Heidi Swain

โ€ข Last Christmas by Greg Wise

โ€ข The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

โ€ข The girl in the grave: The Beth Adam series Book 1 by Helen Phifer

โ€ข The girls in the lake: The Beth Adam’s series Book 2 by Helen Phifer

โ€ข The garden of lost and found by Harriet Evans

โ€ข The Little village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

โ€ข Dying breath: The Lucy Harwin series Book 2 by Helen Phifer

โ€ข Last Light: The Lucy Harwin series Book 3 by Helen Phifer

โ€ข Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

โ€ขPs I Love You by Cecilia Ahern

โ€ข Postscript by Cecilia Ahern

โ€ข The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux

Any recommendations are welcome!

Until next time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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Blogmas 2019 Day Two: My reading challenge, the December edition ๐Ÿ“š

We’ve made it to the final month of my reading challenge! I’m honestly surprised I managed to keep this up all year but also very pleased.

I will do a little round up in Jan of everything that I have read this year and perhaps introduce a new challenge for 2020.

Firstly, I will share with you what I read in November…

  • A Christmas gift by Sue Moorcroft
  • T’was the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay
  • A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

I thoroughly enjoyed all of these books and they have definitely got me into the festive spirit

So, without further ado, for the last time in 2019, here are my reading picks for this month…

The Christmas Wishlist by Heidi Swain

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces heโ€™s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattieโ€™s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .
Upon Hattieโ€™s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, itโ€™ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattieโ€™s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridgeโ€™s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.
As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heartโ€™s desire lies much closer to home?

The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories by Katie Fforde

THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING: Romy is all set to join her boyfriend and his family in France for Christmas, though truth be told she isnโ€™t looking forward to it very much. And then she meets Felix โ€“ and her plans for the big day suddenly become a lot more interesting.

CANDLELIGHT AT CHRISTMAS: It was meant to be the perfect Christmas โ€“ surrounded by friends and family in their beautiful home in the country. But then the lights go out, and Fenella knows she will have to work very hard to keep everyone happy โ€ฆ

THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY: Itโ€™s Christmas Eve in Crinan, and a young man is on his own with only his nephew and niece for company. Then Ella arrives. Dressed as a fairy, she is determined to wave her wand and give them all the best Christmas ever.
And many more!

23 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS ๐ŸŽ„

See you tomorrow for Blogmas Day 3!

Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne ๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿป

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My reading challenge: November โ›„๐Ÿ“š

The penultimate installment of my reading challenge is here!

This year has gone seriously quickly.

I’m quite looking forward to reflecting on all the books I’ve read this year though.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what I read last month and what I’ll be reading this month…

What did I read last month:

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

&

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

I enjoyed both of these. The big little festival was a very easy read and I really enjoyed its cosy vibes. The husbands secret took a little bit to get into it and you had to really focus on each character to keep track. When the characters started to link together it was a bit easier to follow and towards the end the chapters were a much more manageable length which I liked, and this made it quite gripping as the story really got going.

This months books:

A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft.

One Christmas can change everything…

‘Georgina loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Gerorgines struggled to make ends meet.

To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school, and when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistants Georgines grateful for the help. But rheres something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?

Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of her friends new and old make this a Christmas to remember after all? ‘

T’was the night shift before Christmas by Adam Kay

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work. In this perfect present for anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital, Adam Kay delves back into his diaries for a hilarious, horrifying and sometimes heartbreaking peek behind the blue curtain.

T’was the nightshift before Christmas is a love letter to all those who spend their festive season on the front line, removing babies and baubles from the various places they get stuck, at the most wonderful time of the year.’

&

A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

‘The White family are gathering for Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the brides parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughters marriage is a milestone are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own, they are on the brink of divorce. The last thing they need is to be trapped together on an irresistibly romantic Winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is worries that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake so she is determined to save her sister from herself, if only the irritatingly good looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her Fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell tell she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one family Christmas none of them will ever forget.’

I am so ready for cosy Christmassy, festive, reads ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ“š

This is definatly one of my favourite times of the year to grab a book.

I’m glad I’ve got mine ahead of time as it can get so busy at this time of year and these kinds of books are great for grabbing a few moments of calm in all the Christmas chaos.

Until next time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My reading challenge: October ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚

We are fully into Autumn now and this is definatly the perfect season for snuggling up, all cosy, with a good book.

What did I read in September…

If you have followed my blog previously, you will know that my reading challenge consists of reading at least two books each month.

Unfortunately, due to an Eye Op in September I wasn’t able to read as much as I would have liked.

However, I did listen to an Audio book instead, in order to complete my two book quota!

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

&

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone (Audio book)

I enjoyed this Jodi Picoult book, I havnt read one of hers in a while, although I would say it isnt one of my faves compared to some of her others.

I wasnt 100% sure how it was going to end unil I read it which was good for keeping you going and it was a subject matter that made you think.

Harry potter of course was a winner in my eyes and is an absolute classic. That was my first time listening to the audio book in full and it really helped curb the boredom when I was recovering from my op.

This month I will be reading…

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

(See previous post for synopsis – September reading challenge) this is the other book that I was supposed to read last month.

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

‘Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband’s hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death.

Curious, she opens it – and time stops.

John-Paul’s letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others.

Cecilia wants to do the right thing, but right for who?

If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband’s secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . .’

As always recommendations are welcome!

Until next time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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My Reading Challenge: September ๐Ÿ“š

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… ‘

Until next time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

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