Books

Books I Have Read in May 2019

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I have decided that I am going to make a review of the books which I have finished in the month. I have done some book reviews recently however, I have been finished more books than ever. This means that I am unable to single reviews because I would be having them up constantly. Instead I am going to be doing a review of the books which I have finished in the month. Of course, some months I may not have as many books as others it does depends what I am doing. On to the books which I have been reading this month.

Breakfast at Darcy’s- Ali McNamara

Plot- Darcy inherits a small island! Located off the west coast of Ireland, Tara hasn’t been lived on for years, but according to Molly’s will, Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit.

My thoughts- This is a plot which I have never seen in a book. This is a fresh story line for me which I found very refreshing. I feel like I really connect and enjoy Darcy the main character in the book. We also actually meet and build a relationship with the other characters who live on the island. I would have liked there to be a bit more build up to ending. I did not see the twist coming. However it did see a bit rushed, for sure I was not ready to say goodbye to the characters. I would love a follow up book I want to know what the characters are up to.

Lucy in the sky- Paige Toon

Plot- Settling down for a 24-hour flight to Australia, Lucy finds a text message on her phone from a woman claiming to have slept with her boyfriend, James, four times in the past month. She finds herself having doubts and is keeping an eye Nathan. Nathan is a happy-go-lucky surfer boy with no prospects, no place to live, and an almost-girlfriend in tow. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself caught between two distant continents and two very different men.

My Thoughts- Paige Toon is an another who I love I think I have read 4 of her books this year now. I actually managed to finish this book in a couple of days. Lucy is an amazing character however, sometimes I do want to smack her and tell her to pick of one of the men. I feel like we get a good feel for Nathan and James rather than just one of them. I love the stupid jokes between Lucy and Nathan it did make me giggle. For sure this is a page turner I did not want to end. However, I did predict the ending of this book before I finished it. For sure this is one which I would recommend.

Queen Mum- Kate Long

Plot- Ally has everything she ever wanted: a husband, a child, a lovely house in a pretty neighbourhood. Her glamorous, dynamic next-door neighbour, Juno her best friend. But Juno has made a surprising decision; she has signed up for Queen Mum, a reality-TV show. For two weeks, she will live with another family in another town, while her opposite number will be moving in next door to Ally. Juno is excited about the prospect of seeing life from a different perspective. Ally is nervous. She doesn’t like change, and knows from bitter experience how something precious can be lost in a moment.

My Thoughts–  Looking at the cover the book I would not have thought it was going to be like it is. The book is more about Ally than Juno who takes part in wife swap. She is struggling with her own identity and with where her life is. She compared herself to her neighbour and best friend, whom she sees as perfect. This book was not that interesting for me I wouldn’t recommend. The characters to me could have done with a little bit more work. I feel like they needed more building. To be honest I struggled to finish this book I was not bothered what happened to the characters.

Petite Anglaise – Catherine Sanderson

Plot– Living in Paris with her partner, the workaholic Mr Frog, and their adorable toddler, Tadpole.  Catherine decides to alleviate the boredom of her routine by starting a blog under the name of Petite Anglaise. As she lays herself bare about the confines of her stagnant relationship with Mr Frog, about Paris life and about the wonder and pain that comes with being a mother, she finds a new purpose to her day. As Petite Anglaise, Catherine regains her confidence and makes internet friends.

My Thoughts-  A someone who has their own blog this book interested me. This is a non fiction book which I did not realise until I started reading. Catherine came across selfish and very self-absorbed something which I really did not like. Her treatment of Mr Frog and Tadpole really wasn’t great. I couldn’t have cared less if her relationship was failing she could have handled the situation a little bit better. For me it was very unrealistic what actually happened to Catherine as a result of her blog. This was a book I was not bothered if I actually finished or not because I was not gripped. I am glad I found out the ending though however, I will not be running to read another Catherine Sanderson book.

The Doll’s House- M.J. Arlidge

Plot– A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing – her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts- This is a book which I read for the book group. I will be the first to admit this would not have been a book which I would have chosen. However, I am wiling to read more M.J. Arlidge books because it had me gripped.  I had not read the others I would not says you have to however, you might actually want to read the ones before this. The Doll’s House is the third book in the series. I found this a book which I could not put down.  The story being told by different perspectives which makes it easier to understand and get to know the characters. I enjoyed the chapters told from the serial killer’s perspective. Usually we do not get to see what the killer is thinking and what their deep dark thoughts are. For sure I would recommend picking this book up I will be reading more of crime stories.

What have you been reading this month? I am always looking for more books to read.

Charlotte xx

 

Book Review- A Spark Of Light by Jodi Picoult

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As you may remember way back in January, I stated I wanted to read more books this year. So far I have managed to read 7 I actually aim to read 24. I think I had read 6 by the middle of February so I for sure have slowed down. Today I am going to share with you a book which I have recently finished. It is a spark of light by Jodi Picoult. It was actually the Book Group book for March however, it has taken me this long to finish it. I told you I have seriously lost my reading mojo.

The Blurb

The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage.

After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming text messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic.

But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester disguised as a patient, who now stands in the cross hairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard.

Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, this is a story that traces its way back to what brought each of these very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day.

My Thoughts 

The beginning of this one was just that, an explosive, heart-stopping moment that immediately grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, for me, the main body of the book slowed considerably and was more about abortion than the hostage situation. I also enjoyed reading the individual stories about the circumstances that brought each person to the clinic that fateful morning. But the story line lacked the momentum to hold my interest throughout the bulk of the book . I really struggled to get to the end. I have a feeling that this could be why it took me so long to get this book completed.

The story is also written with the chapters in reverse order. The most recent events are at the beginning of the book and going back in time. I didn’t care for this format as we learn the story ends in chapter one. This could have been another reason it took me so long to finish the book. I knew the ending I was not that bothered how come it happened. I am unsure if I have ever read a book where we have been told the ending at the start of a book it seemed strange to me.

A few people have suggested that you should  try reading it backwards, starting with the last chapter headed by a time. Then maybe A Spark of Light will actually make a lot better. I have a couple more books by Jodi Picooult and this book does not make me want to reach for them.

It is very unusual for a book to take me 6 weeks to finish. When this is book is only around 350 pages. It would take me around a couple of weeks maximum. I found it to be very against the anti-abortion, pro-life people as well. I feel like these arguments could have been more researched. There was a number of characters in a spark of light who I felt where there so it had more characters. They needed some more development they felt like they had almost been rushed.

Another element which I was not a huge fan of was the characters telling us the same things over and over again. This occurred because the different characters within a spark of light did the different hours in the book. By the end I was unsure if I was bothered.  They had bored me that much repeating the same story.

These are just my thoughts, I know other people have loved this book. Have you read a spark of light if so what where your thoughts on the book?

 

Charlotte xxx

Book Review- One Small Thing

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Reading is something which I have neglected a little bit since I lost my commute. It is something which I really miss there is nothing better than getting lost in a good book I find. For sure it is a goal of mine to get back into it if you have seen my January goals. You will know that I aim to read 2 books this month. To help me get back into reading I joined a book group I thought this may help me get my passion for reading back. For sure it has and of course, it is going to get me reading different genres and things I would not normally pick. Janauarys book was actually One small thing by Erin Watt. So here are my views on this book.

Blurb

Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again.

My thoughts

I should start off saying this is a book which I finished in 3/4 days I could not put it down. I was having for force myself to go to bed I got so engrossed it in wanting to know what was going to happen next. This is very much a Young Adult teen kind of book something which I have not really read much in the past couple of years.

This story is filled with sadness, regret, and a ton of teenage angst and I couldn’t get enough of it. I felt like I really connected to the characters, Lizzie and Chase. This is a tale of forbidden romance between two young teenagers who to the outside world should never have met. My heart hurt for poor Lizzie who was forced to live in the shadow of her dead older sister. Feeling like she could not be the person she was meant to be as a result of this. I admired Chase for owning his mistakes and being the voice of reason that would help lead Lizzie away from her destructive path.

I fully understood why Lizzie was so angry at her parents she did not want to be like this. However, she did come across as a little bit bratty and rebellious. Her parents may have deserved it though as they did go to some extreme measures to protect her. Truthfully even as a parent I think they did go a little bit OTT.

Maybe I read way too many romance books but I do not think these two even loved each other. I think Lizzie was only wanting to be with Chase because everyone frowned up on it. This was another chance for her to be a rebel so she took it.

Overall Thoughts

I am glad I read this book as it is not one which I think I would have chosen. For sure I can see this been turned into a film at some stage it just has that feel about it. If you want something really easy to read which is going to get you started back reading this is one I would recommend. I love it apart from the ending it seemed to be a little too rushed for me. For sure I would recommend this book. I would rate it 4/5 stars the ending is one of the reasons this book is not a 5. I will be checking out more of Erin Watt’s work in the future.

Have you read one small thing? If so what did you think.

Charlotte xxx

50 Fantastic Ideas for Engaging Dads Review

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We all know the feeling there is so much that we want to do this year with our children. We want to create memories with them which are going to last a life time. This time of year can be tight for money but you still want to have some amazing times. I know this is personally something which me and my family want to do. As you know Joe works away a lot which makes family time even more special . Jess loves spending time doing things with her Dad.

Just before Christmas, I was contacted to see if I would like to review a new book. Full of ideas for Dad’s to do with their children, of course, I said yes because we are always looking for ideas of new things to do with Jess. 50 fantastic ideas for engaging dads is it sounds it is a book which has 50 ideas of what do to with your children. All of the activities which are in the book are very engaging meaning that you have to be hands-on.

There is a range of activities some which we are going to have to wait till the weather becomes warmer. However, there are plenty of the activities that Jess has done already. Even though the book does say for Dad’s we all know Mum’s can do it as well. The reason it is aimed at Dad’s is because they can find it harder to think of ways to engage with their children. When it comes to a fun and educational side of play. There are some activities in the book which I would never have thought about doing. Such as discount shopper allowing your child to go into bargain stores with a budget and allowing them to purchase items. Another one is a door colour challenge find doors which are the colour you say.

The activities tell you what you are going to need don’t worry if you don’t have them all. We have improvised with some elements and still had as much fun. The book also tells you what the children get out of it apart from spending quality time with their parents. One part which I think is the great is the way that it tells you how to develop it to make it even harder. We all know that children can get bored when something becomes too easy for them. It has progressions some of them we are going to be using as Jess is finding some of the activities easy now.

We have been doing the read me a story activity most evenings before bed. This is something which has been part of our routine for a while now and we find it seems to settle Jess before drifting off to sleep. She also will speak about the book in the morning and sometimes for days after. We will let Jess point to things within the book for example where is the frog . This is helping her learn the different animals and also be interactive with the story. For sure, this is something which we can keep up because books is something we have a lot of .

Block tower is another one which we have been enjoying this is something which we can do as a family. We use megablocks which is something that Jess has owned for a while and we have a race to see how can build the highest tower. Then we will ask her to count how many bricks there is again enhancing her learning. This is something I love doing in fun ways where it is possible. Another way we have done this is that you can only use a certain colour to build your tower this incorporates Jess learning her colours. Of course this is also teaching her hand eye cordination fan which is vital for when she starts writing.

The final one which I am going to share with you is the den building. Of course, we have not been able to go outside and do this one yet as it may be a bit too cold and windy. However, we have been using our home to do it we have blankets often around in our house so we have been throwing them over the sofa and footstool. Jess usually demands that I crawl around and she giggles her head off. I think this is one of her favourites from the book because it is one she demands even after nursery. Daddy I am sure will get roped in to play when he is back as well.

I know that we are going to have so much fun doing more of the activities. Another thing which I love about this book is the fact that the ideas in this are not that expensive. A lot of the things which are required you will usually have if you have children. For sure this is a book which is going to get a lot of love in our house. It would be a great present for some who has a toddler as well.

The book is available on Amazon, for £9.99 and can be found here. 

What activities do you like doing which engage with your children?

Charlotte xx

This post contains a PR sample however, all views are my own.

Book Review- The Guest List By Melissa Hill

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The Guest List by Melissa Hill is one which has been on my book shelf for a while. I am unsure why I have not actually read this sooner because it sounds like my cup of tea. The guest list is a book which I knew was going to be an easy read. Sometimes this is the best kind when you just want to relax while you are reading. I read this book because I was not having the greatest time at all.

The Blur

When funny, kind and gorgeous Shane proposes, Cara is over the moon. And can’t wait to share the news of their engagement with all their friends and family.

Excitement, however, quickly turns to apprehension when it seems that everyone has a fixed idea of the perfect wedding and offers to ‘help’ with the planning. With tussles over the ceremony and the size of the guest list, sibling rivalry and insistent in-laws-to-be. Cara can see the vision she has of her big day being ripped to shreds.

So she and Shane determine to make a stand and do things their way. But when they announce their plans for a beach wedding on a beautiful Caribbean island, there is uproar. Threats are made, family secrets are revealed, and things turn decidedly stormy.

Will Cara and Shane manage to overcome all obstacles? Or will their dream wedding turn into a nightmare?

My Thoughts

This was a great read about the planning of a wedding in Ireland. I knew from reading the blurb that it was going to be a easy page turner. For sure I can imagine reading this book on a warm sunny beach instead of commute. 

Cara and Shane receive an invitation to a lavish wedding. By chance chatting to the groom they discover how unhappy he is with all the extravagence and at they are in debt because of it. They decide that when they get married they want a nice quiet wedding with just their closest family and friends. 

However, when they announce their holiday plans, both mothers turn into diva’s. The want to take over and organise one of the biggest weddings Ireland has ever seen. It seems like they have forgotten that the wedding is actually Cara and Shane’s rather than there own.  This is something which I can see readers been able to relate to. I am sure this is a very common issue.

They make their plans despite family opposition and it causes a lot of friction in every camp. There are lots of secrets being kept and astonishing proposals made.  As well as been a romantic book it does show you the family politics and how hard it can be to get everything right. For me it made me determined to do only what is right for us when we get married.

Of course, I was rooting for them to get the perfect wedding that they wanted. But like any book there is so many plot twists and the one at the end I for sure did not see coming. Usually I can see them coming as well so it was nice for a change not to see it.  I am sure if you have read it you would not have seen it coming either.

Overall

This is a book which I would recommend if you are looking for an easy read. For sure this was one of these books I managed to smash though this book as I wanted to know what was going to happen to Cara and Shane. I think I managed to read this within a couple of weeks.  I do have a couple of Melissa Hill books which I really want to read now because this has given me the bug. To read more Melissa Hill books because they are written so well and keep me engaged. 

Have you read the guest list if, so what did you think?

Charlotte xxxx

Book Review- The Women Who Went To Bed For A Year

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.

This is a book which has been on my to be read pile for a long time. I think I actually purchased it not long after the women who went to bed for a year when it came out in 2012. That is how long I have been waiting to get around to reading it. I see to remember that there was a huge hype about the book when it came out. After reading it I am unsure why this was the case.

This is the first book which I have read of Sue Townsend. For sure after reading his book it has not made me want to go and find all of her back catalogue of books and read them. After doing more research after finishing this book apparently, I am not the only one who feels like this.  The women who went to bed for a year is a book which is not Sue Townsends greatest book. Anyway on with the review.

The Blurb

The day her twins leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. For seventeen years she’s wanted to yell at the world, ‘Stop! I want to get off’. Finally, this is her chance. Her husband Brian, an astronomer having an unsatisfactory affair, is upset. Who will cook his dinner? Eva, he complains, is attention seeking. But word of Eva’s defiance spreads. Legions of fans, believing she is protesting, gather in the street. While Alexander the white van man brings tea, toast and sympathy. And from this odd but comforting place Eva begins to see both herself and the world very, very differently.

My Thoughts

This is a book which I had to read to the end because I thought it had to get a lot better. However, I am sad to report it never did and this was a disappointment for me.  The women who went to bed for a year actually won a 2012 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comedy. I do not see how this happened because for sure I did not find it a funny book at all.

I found that there was a lot of characters who we were introduced to randomly but then we never heard any more about them. There was a lot that could have been built on because this is one trick which I think the author missed. For example, Poppy, Ho’s and Sandy Lake. The only character I felt like we got to know was Alexander and Eva and I liked Alexander. I actually grew not to like Eva because, because she was so totally unrealistic. She was been selfish expecting people to do everything for her.

I actually found this book to be quiet depressing and not in a good way at all. I understand that Eva want a pure while room to find peace but then to block all the light out seemed very strange to me. There were other elements of the women who went to bed for a year which I found very strange as well. For example, I am unsure why nobody stood up to Eva and told her to grow up and get out of the bed. Instead they were bringing her food and water up in bed when they remembered to.

We never actually find out the real reason why she is in bed at all we are just kind of told it is because she has had enough of the world. He husband even moves out of the house when she tells him to it seems like nobody actually wants to upset Eva.

I wanted to know what happened to her children in the end but we never seem to get an answer. Overall, I would not recommend spending your time reading this book there are a lot of books which are a lot better than this one. I struggled to finish it and only did because I do not like not finishing books.

If you have read the women who went to bed for a year what are your thoughts about this book?

 

Charlotte xx

Give Books to Get Books You Want With Bookmooch

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Ever read a book and then not know what to do with it when you have finished it. You maybe like me and not have a great number of friends who are readers. So swapping and sharing books with them would not really work. I can not keep hold of them because I have close to 200 books on my to be read pile. Giving them to the charity shop would work but it does mean you have to spend money getting new books. It also can be hit and miss if they have books which you fancy reading in stock.  This is where Bookmooch come in.

Bookmooch is a website which allows you to give away old books which you have finished with. While recieving those which you have your eye on to read.  This means no more reading books which you do not want to really read. Those ones which you are only reading because the charity shop had a poor selection and you was unwilling to spend the amount at a bookshop. You may be thinking but if I use bookmooch it means that I get a book off the person who I am sending to and they may not have something I want to read. This is not a problem when you are using bookmoch because you get points for books that you send and you can use them on any book.

For books which you send in the same country as you +1 is received so if you are like me +1 will cost you £2.95 as this is how much second class is usually for books. The same happens if you want to get a book from someone else in the same country  you spend 1 point.

Bookmooch is not limited to the country which you are in at all.  You can mooch from other countries if the user will send to your country. Some people do not like sending abroad which I full understand as postage is more expensive. It is slightly different if you do a international you receive 3 points however, this does mean you can get 3 books from your country. You do not have to spend the points all at once.  I have had my bookmoch account for around 3 years now and have 188 points to spend.  I am saving them until my to be read pile goes down.

With bookmooch you have to accept the mooch which means that the person who has the book may reject. So there is no guarntees you get the book which you want. However, they are thousands of users which means the book is likely to be listed again soon by someone else. I have found that bookmooch moves books fast usually my books are only on there a couple of weeks.  I think the reason behind this is because if you have a book on your wish list and someone add it you do get an email.  You do even get 1/10th of a point for adding books which soon adds up.

Have you used bookmooch?

 

Charlotte xx

 

 

Book Review- Wilde About The Girl

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It is rare for me to have a book on preorder now because of the fact that I have a ton of books which are waiting to be read. However, when I read Louise Pentland’s first book Wilde Like Me I went straight on to Amazon and preordered Wilde about the Girl. I need to know what was going to happen to Robin and Layla luckily because I had waited so long to read the first book I did not have as long wait for the second book only a matter of around 6/8 weeks.  I will admit I have pushed this book to the front of the to be read pile when it came because I was that desperate to know more.

Blurb

After the year from hell, she’s pulled herself up and out of the Emptiness, her love life is ticking along nicely, single motherhood is actually quite fun and she is ready for whatever life throws at her. When a thrilling opportunity at work arises, Robin is more than excited to step up and show everyone, including herself, what she’s made of.

But her best friend Lacey is increasingly broken-hearted about struggling to conceive, and her daughter Lyla is starting to come out with some horrible attitudes she’s learning from someone at school. Is Auntie Kath hiding loneliness under her bubbly, loving veneer? And can Robin definitely trust the people she must depend on in her fab new role?

But Robin has her girls. And her girls have got her. Together they can handle any crisis. Can’t they?

Life is about to throw quite the curve ball at Robin Wilde, and she’ll need to make some pretty brave choices if she’s going to stop everything she cares about falling apart . . .

My Thoughts

One thing which I find complete different about the Wilde about series of books is that there is a lot of strong dominate women who feature heavily in the book. There is a few male characters but they do not dominate the book at all and the women all seem to have each others backs and seem to be very determined to even make the best of a bad situation. There are a number of bad situations which occur through out Wilde Like A Girl , some of them if you are a little bit like me may have you on the verge of tears.

Within this book there is important issues raised within the book which a number of stories which I have read have failed to speak about. The first is loneliness this is something which I think the majority of adults can suffer from at one time of their life. It it for sure is something which needs to be taken more serious as it can be a huge problem and we all needs to spot the signs so is Auntie Kath lonely in this book or not. There is also elements of infertility which again is an issue to many people this teamed with the miscarriage which could be triggering to some readers are all issues which as a result of been included in this book may get spoken about more in day to day life.

I think to be honest I enjoyed the second book more than the original one, there is still the ups and downs because nothing can be smooth sailing for poor Robin. In this book I for sure felt like I connected more to Robin and her family and they almost came like best friends to me. For sure, I will admit I was disappointing when I finished the book I am hoping there is going to be a third book because I know for one I am not ready to say good bye to Robin, her family and friends.

Overall

If this is not a book which you have read what are you waiting for it had a number of laugh out loud moments, tears and all kinds of other emotions. It is a book which I managed to polish off in just under a week so this shows to me how much I was invested in the book. I had to know what was going to happen next, if you are going on holiday or want a cosy book to read while the weather is changing get your hands on wilde about the girl you will not be disappointed.

Have you read wilde about the girl if so what did you think?

 

Charlotte x

 

 

Book Review- Faithful By Alice Hoffman

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It is rare that I get to go and purchase a book in a book store at the moment due to the fact I have so many to be read on my pile at home. However, a few weeks ago I found that I had finished the book which I was reading and time which I could be reading in. So I decided that I was going to read Faithful by Alice Hoffman, this book is something different to which I would normally read to be honest but this is something which I did enjoy.

The Blurb

Growing up on Long Island, Shelby Richmond is an ordinary girl until one night an extraordinary tragedy changes her fate. Her best friend’s future is destroyed in an accident, while Shelby walks away with the burden of guilt.

What happens when a life is turned inside out? When love is something so distant it may as well be a star in the sky? Faithful is the story of a survivor, filled with emotion–from dark suffering to true happiness–a moving portrait of a young woman finding her way in the modern world. A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future. In New York City she finds a circle of lost and found souls–including an angel who’s been watching over her ever since that fateful icy night.

Here is a character you will fall in love with, so believable and real and endearing, that she captures both the ache of loneliness and the joy of finding yourself at last. For anyone who’s ever been a hurt teenager, for every mother of a daughter who has lost her way, Faithful is a roadmap.

My Thoughts

Wow . . . talk about a punch to the gut! This is not something which I thought was going to happen. This story is an emotional journey, from the first few pages to the final few words, it was kind of draining, but so thrilling. Sometimes a sad and poignant read just hits the spot. And much like life, there is tough times and better times.

It’s so easy for anyone sitting on the outside of a situation to pass judgment and say what they would do differently in your life. This is what happened to Shelby’s life. After a horrific accident leaves her best friend in a comma (this is a little bit of an odd situation) surely they would have not let her  be in a coma for this long. Shelby is able to walk away virtually unharmed, Shelby has tremendous guilt. Guilt that makes her jump into a pool of extreme self-destruction and not come up for air – for quite some time.

“I think I lost my soul.” 

She lands in New York, with a guy from high school, but she’s just going through the motions. She knows deep down, she doesn’t love him the way she should and it’s impossible to escape the niggling feeling that she’s destined for so much more. But does she deserve it? Everyone needs to figure things out at their own pace though and that’s exactly what lent this story credibility. Shelby made a ton of mistakes and pushed people away; until she couldn’t ignore what was right in front of her face. It was little things, coming together at just the right moments, that gave her the strength to find her way to the surface and let go. To forgive herself. Well, and a combination of tough love, angsty teenagers, stolen dogs (if you’re an animal lover, you’re in for a treat), anonymous postcards and a diet of chinese food, sans the fortune cookies.

“What is behind you is gone, what is in front of you awaits.” 

My favorite part of the entire story was the postcards, of course. All with different messages urging her to do things like – say something, do something, be something, feel something, want something, save something, believe something, love something. Those little cards gave this heartbreaking story a touch of mystery. I was anxious to figure out who was behind the words. I would be lying if I said the love story junkie within me wasn’t completely smitten. I kind of thought things were headed in a different direction, but it just goes to show that things come along where or when you least expect them to. And might be even better than what you initially hoped for.

“Love is a mystery. It’s like an alien abduction. You think you’re on earth, and there you are among the stars.” 

Final Thoughts

This for sure is one of those books which I would recommend this is one which I would not have picked but for sure this is one which I have enjoy reading. I think I did actually manage to read this in a few days which is a sign which that it is one which I could not put down because at the moment time to read is something which I have been neglecting.

Have you read this book if so what did you think?

 

Charlotte xx

Book Review- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

Recently a book I have heard a lot about is Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine.  This is one which I have seen in a number of people’s favourites. I saw it in my friend Hayley’s June favourites.  When Joe wanted to order a book off amazon which I noticed was in the 2 books for £7 offer. I knew it was fate and I had to purchase this book. For sure I do not regret purchasing this book at all.  I actually managed to complete this book in about 6 hours for sure it was a page-turner.

Blurb

Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive – but not how to live

She leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself.

Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – whilst searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?

Thoughts

Well as  I stated this is a book which I really could not put down.  This did mean that I read it pretty quickly. It had me gripped I needed to know what happened to Eleanor this was not a typical book which I would read. Usually, I read a lot of romance kind of stories however, this is a book to some element which I could actually relate to. Since this, I have passed this on to my mum who took it on holiday. I seem to remember she said she finished it in a few days. She said that she enjoyed it but it even though it was very strange but she was glad she had read it. I know this is not something which she would have typically read either.  Usually, she is more of a Danielle Steel reader when she is on her holidays.

The main character of the story is Eleanor who is a 30-year-old who has been working the same job since finishing university. She also speaks to Mummy on the phone once a week and drinks two liters of vodka every weekend.  We soon realize that she is awkward when it comes to social encounters. She has a reliance on alcohol because this is the way in which she buries her feelings and past grievances. This book for sure highlights the fact that there are people who are struggling with loneliness, alcoholism, and depression. This is something which a number of books fail to mention.

Eleanor has never been loved we find out that she has received third-degree burns as a child which has resulted in a scar on her face. Since the age of 10 years old she has been in the foster care system.  Society has kept her fed, clothed and educated but she has never fully loved.  Even the relationship which she has with her mum is hurtful and abusive.

This makes you think about the relationships in your life, it shows you the highs, the bad and the medium. This story really makes you realize how valuable one friend can be. Eleanor had been stuck in ways she didn’t even have the eyes to see how abusive her mum has been to her . This means that she has not been able to do anything about it.

For sure this is a book which I would recommend people reading this summer. I could not put it down and it is rare for me to actually be able to finish a book on the same day as I start reading it.  Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine is scheduled to come out as a film I can not wait to see how this book gets portrayed as a film. I am unsure when the film is due to come out but for sure this is going to be something I will go and see at the cinema.

 

Have you read this book? If so what did you think?

 

Charlotte xxx