WWW Wednesday : 11th November 2015

November 11, 2015November 11, 2015 Ali@abookishlife11 Comments

It’s WWW Wednesday time.

The WWW Wednesdays meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

The three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So here’s my W’s for the week.

Currently Reading

I’m still (not very) patiently waiting on the release of Winter so I’ve been putting off starting anything too heavy. To get me in the right frame of mind however I am currently working my way through KM Shea’s King Arthur series. It follows young American girl Britt Arthurs who is pulled into the past by Merlin when the real Arthur runs off with a shepherdess. Merlin gets her to impersonate Arthur (a 15 year old boy) to try to bring the Kingdom together. It’s a fun, easy read like all of KM Shea’s books so I’m finding it quite addictive. At this very moment I’m midway through Embittered which is book 3 of 5. Lancelot has finally arrived and Britt is off in search of a round table.

Recently Finished

I’ve been on holiday from work for the last week so I’ve managed to finish a few books. As well as the first two books in the King Arthur series, Enthroned and Enchanted, I also finished the two books I was midway through last week, The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart and What Might Have Been by Matt Dunn. I was pleasantly surprised by the Beast of Barcroft which is a monster lurking in the woods type of story. It reminded me of the horror stories I used to read in my late teens. You can find my full review here.

Matt Dunn’s What Might Have Been was also quite an engaging story but in a completely different way. I haven’t had a chance to write a review as yet but it’s about a guy trying to win back the girl he thinks he’s in love with. It’s quite unusual to find a good chick lit book written by a man but it definitely gives it a unique slant and it’s a very humorous read.

On the more traditional chick lit side I completely devoured Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll. I had no idea before I started that it was Christmas story so it was a nice surprise. It’s romantic, funny and has a couple of very unexpected twists that set it apart from the usual type of Christmas romance. The highlights for me though were the descriptions of New York in the snow. It’s somewhere I’ve never been and now desperately want to visit. Click here for my full review.

Finally this week I also read Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick. Another slightly creepy tale but of the young adult variety so not too scary. First book by this author and it’s made me hopeful for her series Hush Hush which is currently lurking on my kindle. You can find my review here.

Reading Next

I’m sure you will be totally unsurprised to learn that Winter will be my next read. Can’t wait until it’s out tomorrow. I have it pre-ordered so it should be there waiting for me on my kindle when I get up and I suspect that will be me for the rest of the day.

After that I think I’ll be in need of something completely different and following a trip to the library I have quite a few options available. I managed to get my hands on The Rosie Project, The Shock of the Fall, The Perfect Match and Before I Fall. They are all physical books so I should really try to read them before I go back to work and have to carry them on the train.

Not sure which to go for first so if you’ve read any of them and have a recommendation let me know.

Happy Wednesday all.

Teaser Tuesday – 10th November 2015

November 10, 2015November 9, 2015 Ali@abookishlife8 Comments

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm where you grab your current read, flick to a random page and select two sentences (without spoilers).

TeaserTuesday-ADailyRhythm3 At the moment I’m reading What Might Have Been by Matt Dunn. It’s a girl meets boy, boy leaves girl, girl gets engaged to someone else and boy decides he wants her back type story. Reminds me a bit of a soap opera but for the most part I’m enjoying it.

My Teaser

“The moment he’d seen her, he’d known with an absolute clarity that coming home was the right thing to do, and that Sarah was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Although given how the look on her face had changed so quickly from astonishment to what he hoped wasn’t anger, and the way she was gripping a bottle of Chardonnay rather menacingly by the neck, he wondered whether the rest of his life might not actually last that long.”

~ page 79

Happy reading everyone.

Outside

Inside

Photo Challenge: Ornate

GalleryNovember 9, 2015November 9, 2015 Ali@abookishlife1 Comment

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Ornate.” For this week’s challenge I couldn’t resist reposting some pictures of the library in Birmingham. I’m not entirely convinced I like it from the outside but there is no denying it is definitely ornate and I love the view through the windows.

Book Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 Ali@abookishlife6 Comments

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s probably more of a 3.5 star book but feeling generous so I’ll round up.

I’ve had a few Becca Fitzpatrick books on my TBR pile for a while now but this is the first I’ve read and I have to admit I really enjoyed it. Started it around 9pm last night and didn’t stop till it was finished. Turned into a very late night but it was definitely worth it.

The story is a thriller about two friends Britt and Korbie who get stuck in a snow storm en route to a cabin in the mountains for spring break. Scared to stay in the car they head out on foot in the snow and find a cabin with two slightly older guys in it. Despite having mixed feelings about these strangers the girls have no choice but to trust them and work with them if they’re going to get off the mountain alive. Can they really trust them though particularly when the mysterious Mason seems to be hiding something?
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Book Review: Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll

November 6, 2015November 7, 2015 Ali@abookishlife1 Comment

Meet Me In Manhattan by Claudia Carroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the perfect book if you’re looking for something sweet, romantic and Christmassy.

Despite her holiday themed name, Holly Johnson doesn’t do Christmas. She’d much rather hide at home alone and just wait for the whole thing to be over. This year however things may be different. Her career seems to be heading in the right direction and she’s met someone who could be the man of her dreams. He could also be the distraction she needs to get through the holiday period. The only problem, she hasn’t actually met him in person. They met online and hit it off immediately but live on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

When their few attempts to meet up don’t go to plan Holly suspects there is something not right about her dream man and heads off to New York to confront him. What she gets is a big shock but it also presents her with a one off opportunity to realise her dreams. Will she take it or will the past hold her back?

My Thoughts on the Book

When I first started reading this book I have to admit I wasn’t too sure. I’ve read a few Claudia Carroll books in the past and enjoyed them but as I read the first few chapters of this I was a little concerned as I couldn’t relate to Holly and couldn’t face another story about the perils of internet dating. However I found that as the story progressed it shifted in a direction that I really didn’t expect and it drew me in so much that I couldn’t put it down (and I didn’t).

Despite not being able to understand Holly’s actions and beliefs at the start I did grow to like her over the course of the book. Being single, I can totally relate to the aversion to Christmas. What I found difficult to accept was the lying on her dating profile and seemingly desperate need to meet someone. She lies about everything from her height and age to her hobbies and job and seems to think that is normal and acceptable. I’m afraid I was with her friend and flatmate Joy in not believing you can have a healthy and lasting relationship based on so much deceit. I also thought her obsession with the guy she meets seemed a bit too much and at one point she almost jeopardises her career for him. She accepts everything he tells her even when there are definite warning signs. More incredible is the fact that she’s supposedly a researcher for a radio phone in show.

My opinion of her switched however when she finally realises there could be something wrong. Whatever faults she has she’s someone who takes action and stands up for herself. Travelling to New York alone to confront someone who’s really a stranger takes some guts (or possibly a lack of self preservation). Her joy at seeing New York for the first time is kind of adorable and the descriptions of the places she visits made me so jealous. She ends up having to make some difficult decisions but she follows her heart while still being conscious of the consequences.

The writing and pacing of the story are pretty good although I found some of the devices used to keep you hooked a little frustrating (secrets are dragged on a little too long for me). There were parts where I laughed and I cried but most of the time I just had a really big smile on my face.

My main criticism however and the reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that I found some of the supporting characters a little stereotyped. I also thought the male lead was a little bit too good to be believable. Although I can’t say much on that without giving away the plot.

Overall though I would recommend it to anyone who loves a nice romantic, Christmas story. It’s perfect for a lazy day.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins (Avon) for providing me with an advance copy

Book Review : The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 Ali@abookishlife6 Comments

The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A gripping, sometimes scary and enjoyable read about a creature that lurks in the dark. It’s definitely got me looking over my shoulder and staying away from the woods at night. Loved it.

When I was in my late teens I used to love books by Dean Koontz and James Herbert and while I don’t remember them too well this reminds me a lot of some of my favourite James Herbert stories.

It’s set in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood in Barcroft, Arlington where the residents are up in arms about one particular neighbour Madeleine Roux. Madeleine is the local crazy lady, rescuer of raccoons, feeder of pigeons and the reason why the neighbourhood has become infested with rats and other creatures. The county can’t do anything so the residents are understandably frustrated.

For next door neighbour Ben McKelvie it’s more or less the last straw. He moved in with his fiancé about a year ago following the death of his father and what was supposed to be a move up in the world turned into a bit of a nightmare. Struggling to cope with his grief and the crazy lady next door his fiancé Rachel leaves him with only his greyhound Bucky for company and some happy pills to keep him from losing it completely.

When a creature attacks and kills his dog one night however it seems that something much scarier has been drawn to the neighbourhood by the vermin. Other pets disappear and then things start to escalate with the death of one of the neighbours in mysterious circumstances. With none of the police believing him about the creature that killed his dog, Ben and zoologist Lindsay Clark begin tracking it but is it really an animal or something far more sinister?

It was only when I was reading this that I realised how much I missed this kind of book. I love a story that is genuinely creepy and somehow feels like it could be true. The story is partially based on events that happened in that area 40 years ago when 23 pets went missing from the area. They did solve that mystery (and it was less horrifying than in this story) but there always seem to be sightings of big cats or other large animals lurking close to civilisation which is something I find quite scary (especially as there is supposedly one near me).

The story itself is really well written and the author does a great job of getting the pacing just right so that the tension builds throughout. Sometimes with stories such as this it can get a bit slow in the middle or become repetitive but that isn’t the case here. It twists and turns and keeps you guessing till almost the very end.

The characters were well defined and likeable. Ben in particular was very easy to relate to especially in his reaction to the events that occur. He starts out pretty depressed and miserable but somehow seems to find some kind of purpose and determination or possibly realises he hasn’t much left to lose as the story progresses. Zoologist Lindsay Clark and Police Officer Cushing add a bit of romantic interest but more importantly represent strong, intelligent and independent women rather than damsels in distress. They are less than impressed with Ben which results in some very amusing dialogue and was another of my favourite parts of this book.

I get the feeling that this is the first in a series and I think it’s definitely one to watch out for.

Overall a fast paced, well written story which if you’re anything like me will give you the odd chill. There is the odd gory death so maybe avoid if you’re squeamish but otherwise I’d definitely recommend.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Hydra so big thanks.

WWW Wednesday : 4th November 2015

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 Ali@abookishlife14 Comments

It’s WWW Wednesday time.

The WWW Wednesdays meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

The three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So here’s my W’s for the week.

Currently Reading

I’m still working my way through The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart as part of my Halloween themed reads. I’ve just passed the halfway point and am really enjoying it so far. There’s a large cat (or possibly something else) lurking in the woods and picking off pets in the neighbourhood. Actually finding it a little bit creepy. Reminds me a bit of some of James Herbert’s older stories such as the Rats. Review should be coming soon.

I’ve also started an audio book which is a rare occurrence for me. The only other audio book I’ve listened to was The Girl on the Train which I wasn’t too keen on. This time I’m listening to What Might Have Been by Matt Dunn. It’s a boy meets girl, boy leaves girl and then changes his mind and decides he wants her back type story. There isn’t a huge amount happening and it’s a bit frustrating but I’m still loving it. It makes a pleasant change to find a relationship book written by a man and I think the audio is improving it. I was sitting giggling in a traffic jam yesterday.

Recently Finished

Only managed to finish one book so far this week and that was Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan. This was another of my Halloween themed reads and I was hoping for a creepy ghost story. Unfortunately that isn’t really what I got as it turned into more of a science manual for ghost catching. It’s well written and has some great characters but just not what I was looking for. You can read my full review here

Reading Next

I’m not so patiently waiting on Winter the next in the Lunar Chronicles to be released so I’m struggling to know what to read next. I think I will try to work my way through some of the ARCs I have received from NetGalley. I just received The Masked City by Genevieve Coleman and have realised it’s the follow up to The Invisible Library which has been on my TBR (and kindle) for a while now. I think it’s probably time I read it. It says it’s for fans of The Eyre Affair so should be a good choice for me as that was one of my favourite series.

I also hope to make a start on Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll (one of my favourite authors) but I probably need to finish What Might Have Been first as I don’t think I can read more than one romance at a time.

There is a strong possibility that I will wander off and read something else so if you have any suggestions or recommendations let me know.

Happy Wednesday all.

Teaser Tuesday – 3rd November

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 Ali@abookishlifeLeave a comment

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm where you grab your current read, flick to a random page and select two sentences (without spoilers).

TeaserTuesday-ADailyRhythm3 This is my first Teaser Tuesday but I’m a big fan of book quotes so this seems perfect for me. I’m continuing my current Halloween themed reads with The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart.

My Teaser

“No lights were on except for the perpetual Halloween glow of the front porch lantern. No one pays attention to the scary things after Halloween, he thought out of the blue.”

~ location 1001 (sorry no page numbers)

Happy reading everyone. Don’t have nightmares 🙂

Book Review: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan

November 1, 2015November 1, 2015 Ali@abookishlife1 Comment

Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Having overdosed on YA dystopian and chick lit over the last few weeks I felt the need for something completely different. I thought as it was Halloween I would go for a nice creepy tale and what could be more creepy than a ghost catcher investigating a haunted house. Apparently a lot of things. This is possibly one of the least scary ghost stories I’ve come across.

It does start quite well, Ellie Jordan (ghost trapper at Eckhart Investigators) and new recruit Stacey are called to investigate a potential haunting in an old mansion in Savannah. New owners Dale, Anna and their daughter Lexa have experienced some strange occurrences in the middle of the night. A locked door which opens on it’s own, creaking on the stairs and a female presence who seems fixated on Lexa.

Anna and Lexa are understandably a bit worried but Dale is in denial and thinks it’s all a lot of nonsense. However as things escalate the house becomes increasingly dangerous for the family and the ghost hunters.

I thought this book was well written. The start is quite creepy as we hear of the scary lady who glares at the little girl, a very disturbing shower incident and the mysterious opening door.

Ellie is a very likeable character. She takes her job seriously, is very professional and knows when to bite her tongue. She also has a sharp wit, a good sense of humour and is pretty ballsy. Stacey is also likeable but in a different way. She’s enthusiastic, bouncy and generally quite excited to be hunting ghosts (at least until she meets one). The relationship between them is probably one of the highlights of the book.

Where it went wrong for me though was that as soon as they began investigating it lost the scare factor. The focus moved to the science of finding and catching ghosts, all of which was explained in detail. After that I just didn’t find it creepy anymore.

It didn’t help that things with the ghost accelerated too quickly. There was no tension building. Ellie turned up and within a few pages saw and followed the ghost before having a chat with it. I would have preferred more build up, creepy noises, not being able to see anything or things suddenly jumping out. Thermal and night vision goggles are obviously great for spotting ghosts but kind of waste the story.

I also felt that the story became a bit too predictable and you knew exactly where it was going.

Possibly the next books in the series will be better but I’m just not sure it’s my kind of ghost story. I’m off to find something scarier.

Overall an ok read but lacking the scare factor.

WWW Wednesday : 28th October 2015

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 Ali@abookishlife7 Comments

It’s WWW Wednesday time.

The WWW Wednesdays meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

WWW Wednesday The three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So here’s my W’s for the week.

Currently Reading

I was feeling the need for something a bit spooky so based on a recommendation I started reading Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan this morning. It’s a haunted house story so I’m hoping for lots of creepy goings on. I’ve only read a couple of chapters so no ghosts as yet but I’m liking the writing style. Slightly worryingly it’s the first in a series so there is a fair possibility I’ll end up reading the lot.

Recently Finished

Over the last week I’ve managed to finish a couple of books. The first was The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood. For the most part I really enjoyed it. It definitely made me laugh a lot. I have a feeling though that it’s one of those books that is more or less instantly forgettable.

For once I also read one of the books I had planned as my next read, Blonde Eskimo, and posted my review here yesterday. As I predicted it was probably not the right book for me. I don’t know if it’s just one YA fantasy too many or if it was just meant for readers a lot younger than me but didn’t really enjoy it too much.

Reading Next

I’m planning to continue my spooky themed reading over the Halloween weekend and have just received The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Shweigart via NetGalley. Have never read anything by this author but I like the cover and quite fancy a creature feature. I am a little worried as it tells you the beast eats the main character’s dog but I plan to skim that bit.

I’m also still trying to convince myself to read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s been lurking on my kindle for a while but I keep putting it off based on the mixed reviews it seems to get. If I don’t go for that I may switch back to Love, Death and Tea or try a classic such as Dracula or Frankenstein. Not sure yet.

Does anyone have any recommendations or ideas for Halloween reads?