I think I may be bringing up a reader. I’m delighted! M & V have been known to read books but its hard work getting them to really enjoy it. Tara, on the other hand, was so delighted the other day, when I gave her loads of Violet’s hand-me-downs. She flicked through those books for ages and did so well working out words that she really is not expected to read yet. She gets really into a story and throughly enjoys even the Biff, Chip & Kipper books that have a hint of a mystery ending. Yay! I might finally get my book worm.
I went to an author event at one of our local libraries a couple of weeks ago. The poor man was so nervous talking to us but once he got going, we could tell he really knew his stuff. He has written a crime novel and has definitely done his research into what makes a criminal. I’m not sure whether his book will be for me but will be giving it a go over the next few months.
So onto what I’ve been reading:
The Accident – C.J. Taylor – 5 out of 5 stars!
I saw someone give this a 5 star review within an hour of finishing my last book so on impulse downloaded this and loved it. I do enjoy ‘normal family’ fiction. A teenager, Charlotte is left in a coma after being hit by a bus. Everyone else believes that it was a complete accident but Charlotte’s Mum suspects otherwise. The story follows, Sue’s quest to find out what has happened and what her daughter has been up to.
This book is scary stuff – especially as a mother of a teenage girl. You think they tell you everything but do you really know? Its really fast moving and only took me a couple of days to read. I’m definitely putting C.J. Taylor on my future reads list.
Another Night, Another Day – Sarah Rayner – 4 out of 5 stars.
I have read another Sarah Rayner novel and remember really enjoying it. I will be honest and admit, I couldn’t actually remember what it was about until I looked it up, but thats more about my memory than the book, I’m sure.
I took Another Night, Another Day on my really long train journey and was completely engrossed. This book was about 3 people living with mental illness, all caused by different events in their lives. It was really interesting that all 3 people were every day people, showing how mental health can affect anyone. There were elements of the book that occasionally bordered on predictable, but on the whole, really good. I was pleased that it did not go down the traditional romantic route – this would have been too corny. I also liked that the book touched on the effects of family members when someone else is suffering.
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty 4 out of 5 stars
I have no idea why it has taken me so long to get round to reading Liane Moriarty. I’ve seen so many people mention her books. This was a real gripper – Grabbed me as soon as I started. Hugely comical – If you have ever experience a school playground, this is your biggest fear. Yes, it was fairly extreme (there’s a murder and the book follows the investigation into who dunnit). The twist is that you don’t know until fairly near the end who actually was murdered either. The playground mafia are in every school and there’s elements of someone you know, I’m sure in this book. I’m definitely going to be reading another Liane Moriarty soon!
The Prisoner of Heaven – Carlos Ruiz Zafon 4 out of 5 stars
The Shadow of the Wind still remains one of my most favourite reads. I always feel quite grown up when I read Carlos Ruiz Zafon. His writing is brilliant and clever – I need to concentrate. This book took my a while to get into, therefore it gaining 4 stars rather than 5 in my eyes. As soon as I hit page 70 (ish), I really sped up. There are so many twists and turns – Quite a few characters, but not so many that is is impossible to keep up. I’m a sucker for any book set in an book store setting, so this was perfect for me. Again, I’m certainly going to read more of Ruiz Zafon
I’m away quite a lot of this week without WiFi (I know! How will I cope?) – On the plus side, My Kindle is fully charged and raring to go. Here’s my planned reading for the month of April:
- Kill Me Again – Rachel Abbot
- The Lie Tree – Frances Hardinge
- The Wish List – Jane Costello
- Life, Death & Vanilla Slices – Jenny Eclair
- The Separation – Dinah Jefferies
- The Life & Death of Sophie Stark – Anna North
I know I’m being ambitious hoping for 6 this month, with one week already gone – but here goes!
I’m very nosy and love to know what other people are reading and have read. I’d like to invite anyone who has blogged about their reads this month to add their links below. I’m all for following recommendations and would love to feature a read I’ve loved because of one of my readers. If you do decide to join in (and please do!) it would be great if you would link to this post in your review, to let others know about it. Thank You!
Loading InLinkz ...Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – If I’ve inspired you to read any of the above books and you buy them through this site, I earn a teeny amount from Amazon. It doesn’t cost you any more to buy, I promise.
I never seem to have the time to read novels these days, but I know it will come when I have less children at home. Another Day, Another Night and Big Little Lies both sound really good, and exactly the sort of thing I’d like. I shall get my OH to put them on the Kindle for me and then 1 day they will be waiting.
One day your time will come Jenny! x
I’ve heard good things about Big Little Lies, it’s on my reading list! Great post! X
I highly recommend it – No idea why it took me so long to read it in the first place x
I have added The Accident and Big Little Lies to my Kindle Wishlist, both sound like great reads. I’m currently reading The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark, and have The Girl With No Past and The Girl You Lost both by Kathryn Croft on my April planned reads 🙂 I love a good mystery and thriller
Ooh I’m planning on trying both Mary Higgins Clark and Kathryn Croft very soon. I’m fairly new to thrillers and like them best when they are not predictable (or too scary!). Thanks for the suggestions x
Ohhh I’m going to link up! I have read loads lately! I really want to read ‘The Accident’ and also ‘Big little lies’ is on my to-read list! Great post!! xx
Oh I’m so pleased to find another avid reader! Looking forward to seeing what you have been reading x
I have just put The Accident on my amazon wishlist, as it sounds like my kind of book.
Hope you enjoy it Dannii – I raced through it x
I have not heard of any of these books, but there are a few on here that I want to read I do love your round ups x
Thank you very much – Hope you enjoy the books I’ve introduced you to when you get chance to read them x
I used to love the Biff, Chip and Kipper books when I was a kid! Hopefully you’ll get your bookworm 😀
Am still hoping! We have read her last reading book hundreds of times! I’ve had enough of Floppy the dog!
I am a total book worm!! I have books, kindle, phone app constantly with me! I can’t resist trying new authors and genres too!
Ooh me too! Would love to find out more about the books you always have with you x
Some great reads this month, Big Little Lies is on my to read list x
Hope you enjoy it! I loved it x
I have never hear of those books before but i’d be interested to read The Accident
It was really good! Highly recommended. x
Do you know I haven’t read any of these books – I totally need to check them out though, great bookie round up! x
Thank you very much – I love introducing people to new books and authors x
Lovely titles here. I will check them out x
Hope they are as good for you as they were for me! x
Those books sound great. I really need to get motivated and read more.
I think its not the sort of thing you can force – Your reading bug will come back when its ready! x
I’ve started reading the accident myself! I’m loving it so far
Ooh I’m glad I didn’t tell you what happens then – Let me know what you think when you finish it x
Oh bless him! Who was the author at the press event and what was the name of his book he was promoting x
I’ve linked to his book above – He was such a cutie! x
The Accident and Big Little Lies are on my ‘want to read’ list, both sound amazing x
They are both excellent reads – Hope you enjoy them x
I read quite a lot but surprisingly haven’t heard of any of these! Big little lies sounds like my sort of thing! I love it when a book can completely grip you!
It was a real gripper! Some humour but not slapstick and a real element of intrigue x
Ooh, you found some real winners. Big Little Lies sounds really interesting to me. I love a good mystery.
I think you might enjoy Big Little Lies then – Let me know what you think if you get chance to give it a go x
I’ve made a promise to myself to read a chapter of my book that I started over a year ago, to ease myself back in to reading.
Can you even remember how the book started? I think I might be tempted to start off with a completely fresh book after such a break. Good luck! x
I feel proud if I manage to read one book a month lol… your list is impressive, and you have some great books on there that I need to check out x
I spend a LOT of time poolside and am a quick reader – and also a bit addicted to reading! x
That’s great news that your little one likes to read.
I try and encourage mine as much as possible.
Its a constant battle with the older 2 but little by little we are getting there x
I have been making time to read once again. Great reccomendations
I really need to dedicate more time to reading. I have a Jill Mansell book on the go at the moment, total easy read but I enjoy it xxx
Biff, Chip & Kipper is the best! Hope she continues to love reading 🙂 I think I actually own Big Little Lies but it’s buried somewhere in my bookshelf. Glad to see you gave it 4 stars!
It been months since I last sat down to read any sort of books but I have the perfect opportunity this starting week with my 18+ flight. I will have to check some of these out