The WWW Wednesday meme is 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

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Currently Reading

I started reading From the Shadows by G.R. Halliday on Monday and am already half way through and really enjoying it. It’s about the hunt for a serial killer and is set up in the Highlands of Scotland. It’s been a while since I read a police procedural and this is very well done. It’s a little bit gruesome in places but very atmospheric and quite addictive.

On audio I’m about to start Heroes by Stephen Fry. I have high hopes for this one as Stephen Fry is a brilliant narrator and I love myths and legends.

Recently Finished

There has been lots more hanging around the house over the last week as I had to keep an eye on my cat (he’d been in the wars and hurt his leg) but I have to admit I spent more time watching TV than reading as my concentration was shot to hell. I did however manage to finish two books.

• The Diviners by Libba Bray – It’s taken me about 5 months as I kept losing my library hold but at long last I’ve finished this and do you know I think I kind of loved it. The narrator was absolutely brilliant and while the story was a little slow in places there were some genuinely chilling moments. I’ve already used an audible credit for the next in the series.
•  Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine – I was a little wary of this as the reviews I’d come across while not bad did seem to say it was the weakest in the series so far. It may have been my lowered expectations but I did really enjoy it and read the whole thing in pretty much one go. It’s still not my favourite in the series, there’s nothing stand out about it, but I do love the characters and the story was quite a page turner.

Reading Next

I got my hands on a couple of ARCs during the week that I don’t think I’ll be able to resist for long, The Bride Test in particular is really calling to me as it’s one I’ve been really looking forward to reading. I also want to get into the back list a bit with the first in the Mercy Thompson series, Moon Called.

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

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Currently Reading

Having literally just finished a book as I’m writing this (on Tuesday evening) I’m not entirely positive what I’ll decide to pick up next but I think it’ll probably be From the Shadows by G.R. Halliday. I won an advance copy of this from Readers First and it’s due for publication soon so I should really get to it. I have previously read the first few chapters and based on them it’s definitely one I’m looking forward to.

On audio I’m pretty close to finally finishing The Diviners by Libba Bray which is good as my hold runs out tomorrow. Despite this book taking forever for me to finish it has been a really great listen. The narrator is brilliant and brings the story to life (although I have to admit I have laughed at a couple of bits I probably wasn’t supposed to – usually when she’s singing).

Recently Finished

I seem to have a bit of an insomnia thing going at the moment, so that combined with keeping an eye on a certain furry four legged monster who’s hurt his leg means I’ve had lots of reading time and have managed to finish four books this week.

• I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney – I loved the author’s first book Sometimes I Lie so I think maybe expectations were too high for this one. It is good and I found it really addictive reading but didn’t surprise me.
• Close to the Edge by Toby Faber – really enjoyed this thriller set around the London Underground and as I’m on the blog tour that’s all I’m saying for now.
• The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary – I LOVE THIS BOOK (and yes I am using shouty capitals – it’s that good). I think this is one that’ll lurk at my bedside for a while as it’s the kind of book I can see myself dipping in to when I need cheering up.
• A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare – The Flat Share left me with a bit of a book hangover so this seemed like a good reading palate cleanser. I do love Tessa Dare’s books, they’re just fun.

Reading Next

I’ve been planning on starting this for ages but I think I’m finally going to pick up Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine. I love this series but have been a bit wary about a third book. As The Diviners is going back tomorrow I’m also in need of a new audio so will be listening to Heroes by Stephen Fry as my hold came in.

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

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Currently Reading

I started reading I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney on Monday and seem to be making pretty good progress with it. I was a big fan of the author’s previous novel, Sometimes I Lie, so I had high expectations for this one. I did initially find it a little hard to focus on but I think that’s more down to real life stuff (work, house, animals, lack of sleep etc) than the book but once I got used to the writing I was hooked. As I write this I’m around the 80% mark so I will no doubt be finished it all too soon.

On audio I’m back on The Diviners by Libba Bray as my library hold finally came in. I’m pretty sure I first started listening to this way back in November, and I’m still only around halfway through. Here’s hoping I manage to finish it this time before I lose my hold again (apparently there are 5 people waiting – so if I don’t it’ll be a while before I get it again).

Recently Finished

Yet again I seem to be feeling a little bit slumpy so only one book finished this week, Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao. As the author has decided not to publish due to issues raised over some of the themes I’m not going to review (and I’m definitely not commenting on the controversy) but I will say that I hope she does manage to get her writing out there. Blood Heir is not perfect but I thought the world building and descriptions were wonderful and I really liked the character development. Hopefully there will be some re writes and this will be published (or if not this something else).

Reading Next

It’s my birthday this coming weekend so as I’ve mostly requested vouchers (no one’s brave enough to buy me actual books) I’m hoping I can go on a spree (as obviously I have nothing to read). I’ve already pre ordered Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence and I’m kind of tempted to grab a copy of Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin. ARC wise I’m thinking my next reads will likely be Wolfunter River by Rachel Caine or Close to the Edge by Toby Faber

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

---

Currently Reading

I started reading Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao on Monday but I’m thinking this probably wasn’t my brightest idea. I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in January but as far as I understand there’s been some controversy over it (which I somehow managed to completely miss) and the author has decided not to publish. As it was a book I was looking forward to I couldn’t resist just reading a little bit and I suspect I’m going to end up reading the whole thing. I don’t however have any plans to review or talk about it much out of respect for the author’s wishes (and because I think it’s getting a major re write) but the writing is great.

Both The Mine by Antti Tuomainen and Armada by Ernest Cline, which I was listening to on audio, are on hold for the moment as I had to return them to the library. I’ll no doubt pick them up again but may be a few weeks till I can get them again.

Recently Finished

It’s been a bit of a mixed bag reading wise this week, with four very different books finished.

•  Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly – 5 stars – I LOVED this book and can’t recommend highly enough. It picks up right at the end of Cinderella and follows one of the “ugly” stepsisters as she gets caught in a contest between Fate and Chance. I loved the writing, I loved the story and I absolutely adored main character Isabelle. I’ll post a review nearer the publication date (expect lots of gushing).
• We’re All Mad Here by Claire Eastham – 4 stars – I’m always a bit wary of books about anxiety (I take the bury it deep and try not to think about it approach to managing mine) but this was really great. Very approachable and so many of the author’s experiences mirrored my own. She’s very realistic about options for managing it and it did make me laugh and feel more positive about things so that’s a win for me.
• Make Me Bad by R.S. Grey – 4 stars – I’m definitely becoming a Grey fan. Some of her early books were a bit hit or miss but I’ve been loving all of her recent work and this was no exception. It’s not my fave, but it’s funny and sweet and there is so much chemistry between the leads it’s difficult to put down.
• Christmas at the Little Cornish Gift Shop by Rachel Griffiths – 2 stars – I have to confess I mostly picked this up to fit a challenge task. It was a really quick read but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me.

Reading Next

My reading’s been a little heavy on the romance and fantasy lately so I’m thinking I need to switch over to a thriller next. I got Wolfhunter River from NetGalley a few weeks ago and have been finding it very hard to resist so I suspect it may be next. Although I do also have Alice Feeney’s new book and The Au Pair lurking on my kindle tempting me.

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

---

Currently Reading

I started Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly on Monday and I am absolutely loving it. It’s kind of a what happened to the “ugly” stepsisters after Ella married the prince story and has a strong feminist theme to it. I have a lot of sympathy for main character Isabelle and her sister Octavia, both are incredibly likeable but just don’t fit what’s expected of them.

I’m also still working my way through The Mine by Antti Tuomainen but progress has been slow (mostly due to wandering off and reading other books). I do like the writing but the story isn’t especially gripping (and I’ve been tired) so it hasn’t been holding my attention.

On audio I’m still listening to Armada by Ernest Cline but I fear I’m only halfway through and about to lose my loan. I’ve been having car trouble over the last week so not much driving (or minimal use of electrical things whilst driving). Looks like I’m either going to have to use an audible credit or wait a few weeks to get it back. I was really enjoying it.

Recently Finished

Only one book finished this week, Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean. I had high hopes for this one but I’m afraid it turned out to be a bit of a let down. It started well and there is a lot to like about it but there were a lot of pacing issues and characters just weren’t fully developed. I suspect it would have worked better if the author had expanded it out into two books or made the whole thing simpler. As it is it feels pretty rushed and there’s no real emotional investment. You can read my full review here.

Reading Next

I’ve been doing pretty well at sticking to my Spring TBR so far (I know it’s only been a week) so I think I’m going to try and keep going with it. I do seem to have been reading quite a bit of fantasy lately so despite being tempted to carry on and read The Queen’s Resistance next I think I should switch to something completely different. I’m kind of leaning towards Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating or Wolfhunter River.

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

---

Currently Reading

I started The Mine by Antti Tuomainen yesterday and am already around 20% in and very much enjoying it. It is still early days and I’m not entirely sure where the story is going to go but I do like Tuomainen’s writing (or maybe it’s his translators).

On audio I’m still listening to Armada by Ernest Cline but have to confess I haven’t made as much progress with it as I thought I would. I am in the process of trying to train my feline overlord to use a catflap so I have to keep an ear out for his pathetic attempts to re enter our abode. I also haven’t really been driving so no listening in the car either.

Recently Finished

A bit more of a normal week for me with three books finished.

• Hate Notes – 3 stars – Honestly I only finished this a few days ago and I’m struggling to remember anything that happened in it. It was a quick read so obviously not bad but I don’t think there was anything particularly stand out about it. I do remember not really liking the MC (little bit too ditsy and upbeat for cynical me).
• The Hate U Give – 4 stars –  Yep I finally read it. I was a little wary of all of the hype but it is a really great read. I’m probably not the target audience for it but while there were some references I didn’t get (and probably a few I missed altogether) it is incredibly relateable. Thomas can really write, it’s a powerful and emotional read and while it deals with serious issues it keeps the focus on the characters.
• Lady Smoke – 4 stars – This is the second book in the Ash Princess trilogy and was so much better than I was expecting. I had some issues with the first book (too much violence and abuse) but this feels a little more even. It is still on the predictable side and pacing is a little off but I’m becoming a fan of this series.

Reading Next

I posted a Spring TBR at the weekend so I feel like I should try to stick with it for at least a little while 🙂 I have signed up for a group read/discussion of Empress of All Seasons which is starting on Saturday so I think it’ll probably be up next. I also want to finish off Close to the Edge by Toby Faber, which I’d previously started then put on hold and hopefully get to Two Can Keep a Secret.

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

---

Currently Reading

I just finished a book yesterday so haven’t quite decided what I’m going to pick up next but all of my reads have been pretty serious and/or dark so I think I’m going to go for Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. This popped up on my Amazon recommendations and I spotted it had some good reviews so thought why not.

On audio I’m listening to Armada by Ernest Cline and I am absolutely loving it. Given I wasn’t a huge fan of Ready Player One I didn’t really expect to but for some reason this is working so much better for me. I am loving all of the references to classic sci fi films (Aliens, Star Wars, Star Trek, Flight of the Navigator) many of which are on my all time faves list but mostly I’m loving Will Wheaton’s narration. He just sounds like he’s having so much fun. It’s tempting me to go back and try the audio version of Ready Player One.

Recently Finished

It’s been a bumper reading week for me with twelve books finished this week, although given 6 of those books were 100 page novellas, this sounds more impressive than it is.

• Palm Beach Finland – 4.5 stars – I really, really liked this. The blurb describes it as Baywatch meets Fargo and that (together with the title) kind of sums it up. There’s a lot of dark humor, incompetent criminals, a murder investigation and a little bit of romance. It is laugh out loud funny in places though so maybe don’t read in public.
• The Wicked King – 4 stars – I think my expectations were too high going in to this and for some reason it took me a while to get into it. I still love Jude, she’s such an intriguing character and I love the way Black portrays Faerie but I was less invested this time around. I am still looking forward to book 3 though.
• Good Samaritans – 4 stars – Dark and disturbing with some seriously messed up characters. I struggled a little with the multiple povs and short chapters in the beginning (plus I couldn’t figure out what was going on) but by the mid point I was hooked.

• Do Polar Bears Get Lonely – 2.5 stars – I probably should have read the blurb as I thought this was going to be interesting and funny facts but instead it’s a collection of readers letters with responses previously published in New Scientist magazine. Some of the questions were interesting but I did skim over quite a bit either because I didn’t care or the answers were too complex.
• King Arthur and Her Knights (books 1-7) – 4.5 stars – This was a re read for me. I only meant to read the first book and literally couldn’t stop. I love this take on the King Arthur legend, it’s funny, action packed and has such a brilliant romance. The books are only around a 100 page so it’s all too easy to go on a series binge.
• On the Come Up – 4 stars – I was initially a bit wary of this (as a 40 year old white woman I don’t think I’m the target audience) but it completely hooked me and I ended up finishing the whole thing in a day. Bri drove me a little crazy but I did like her a lot and love how she developed.

Reading Next

I do probably need to take a bit of a reading break to catch up with reviews but as I’m hoping to get through to see Angie Thomas at her Edinburgh event this weekend I think it may finally be time to read The Hate U Give. Up until now I’ve been put off by all of the hype and rave reviews (the more people tell me how brilliant a book is the less I want to read it). I also need to read Two Can Keep a Secret before it’s due back to the library and I should probably try to make a dent in my NetGalley shelf (although there are so many books on it I’m not sure where to start)

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

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Currently Reading

I still seem to be juggling multiple books this week but at long last I do seem to be making some progress with them, well some of them. I’m loaded with the cold (again), and Film4 has been showing Studio Ghibli classics (I have to admit that’s been more appealing than reading) but work has been a little quieter so I’ve been managing to spend a bit more time reading.

I just started Palm Beach Finland on Monday but am already about a third of the way through and loving it. It’s a little bit dark but really funny and with some slightly out there characters. I also just started The Wicked King by Holly Black on Sunday and despite only reading it in the house (it’s a big hardback) I’m pretty close to finishing it. I love how morally grey it all is and the way Black portrays Faerie but have to admit I think I preferred Cruel Prince. It’s possibly just the way I’m feeling at the moment though.

Very little progress on Becoming as I’ve kind of pushed it to the back burner. I don’t really read non fiction and almost never read autobiographies or memoirs so I’ve just been finding it hard to get into. I’ve also been struggling with The Dying Game which I’m listening to on audio. I’m finding it difficult to follow what’s going on so may need to switch to the book at some point. I did like the sound of it but it’s just confusing me at the moment.

Recently Finished

Two books finished again this week, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and One Summer in Paris, both of which were pretty good but very different stories. My views on The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett were a little bit mixed but this was mostly due to feeling misled by the blurb. I was expecting it to be a thriller around the disappearance of Lizzie Lovett but while there is a bit of mystery about her disappearance the story focuses on main character Hawthorn whose theory on what happened and actions were so out there I spent most of my time worrying about her mental health. The writing is good and it was definitely unique but possibly a little too bizarre unique.

One Summer in Paris seems to be a continuation of Sarah Morgan’s move from romances to more contemporary fiction and focuses mostly on family relationships and friendship. I do kind of miss the hot and steamy romance thing but I did enjoy this. It was great to have two very different povs, a middle aged mother whose marriage has just broken down and a teenager escaping a difficult home life, and I loved the friendship that formed between them. I always find Morgan’s writing makes me emotional (and this was no exception) and I loved the Paris setting.

Reading Next

I’ve got a few days planned off work next week so I’m hoping I’ll finally be free of the lurgy and able to get some proper reading done. I have a couple of bookish events fast approaching, I’m going to the Orenda roadshow on Monday and seeing Angie Thomas a week on Saturday, so I’m hoping to squeeze in some books by those authors. I also still have a stack of library books I need to read before they’re due back

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤

The WWW Wednesday 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.

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

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

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Currently Reading

I seem to be juggling two thrillers at the moment which is never a good idea, even if they’re both great reads. I struggle to read more than one book at a time (unless one is an audio) and it’s particularly bad when they’re similar genres. The first,  Twisted by Steve Cavanagh is one I was very happy to receive from the publisher via NetGalley. I’ve been hearing lots of great things about Cavanagh and have been wanting to read something by him for a while and so far this is living up to expectations. It’s definitely twisted and I have no idea where the story is going to go.

The second book I’m reading at the moment is Close to the Edge by Toby Faber. This is an early copy I received from the publisher’s publicist so I’m afraid I couldn’t track down a cover. I’m reading the pdf version on my phone which isn’t the easiest (I keep losing my place) but liking it a lot. I don’t think it’ll take me long to finish it.

Recently Finished

It’s been another week of pretty light reading for me as I’ve been trying to read my way out of a slump. Despite going right off Tessa Dare last week with A Night to Surrender the first book I finished was actually another of hers, A Week to be Wicked, and I absolutely loved it. It’s so light, funny and quirky it had me laughing out loud and unable to stop reading. If you like historical romances I highly recommend.

Next book finished was another romance but this time of the YA contemporary variety. I’d previously watched the film of  To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before but despite the book being on my kindle for years this was the first chance I’d gotten to read it. I suspect I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t seen the film but it was an easy enough read and Lara Jean and Peter do make for a very cute couple (fake or not)

Final book this week was In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire which I listened to on audio. I love her writing but I’m afraid this was one of the weaker ones in the Wayward Children series for me. It could just have been my mood but I never felt particularly invested in any of the characters and I really wanted a bit more of the humour the previous book had.

Reading Next

I seem to have a heck of a lot of library books on loan at the moment and quite a few reservations I’m expecting to come in in the next couple of weeks so I feel like I should maybe switch to them. Up next I think will be the Binding, Palm Beach Finland and probably Circle of Shadows (don’t you just love those covers).

Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.

Happy Reading ❤