January Reading Wrap-Up 2021

January started off as a great reading month but unfortunately anxiety got in the way and sadly I couldn't read much as I'd hoped I would. However, I did finish six books in the month of January, one of which was over 500 pages but overall, I'm not very happy with my reading for the start of the new year. My favourite books of the month include: Master of One, Gentleman Jack and Book Love. 

Master of One by Jaida Jones (544 pages) ★★★

The first book I finished of the new year was the first book over 500 pages that I've read for a while so I was glad to start the year off with reaching a monthly reading goal. In Master Of One, we follow Rags a thief who has been caught by the Queensguard and forced through a series of challenges to find an ancient fae relic...however, the ancient relic turns out to be a fae. 

I loved the fae character, the challenges/action, the magic and world overall as well as the classic fantasy/quest style plot and the interconnecting characters. However, it was darker than I thought it would be and the romance was very minimal and far from prominent (which is how it was advertised). Overall, I did like the book and I'd definitely recommend it if you like YA fantasy. 

Captive Prince by C.S Pacat (241 pages) ★★

Sticking with the darker fantasy theme, I read Captive Prince which is a very highly rated and read book on GoodReads. We follow warrior hero Damen as he is captured and stripped of his identity by his enemy; the story following on from that premise is...disturbing and uncomfortable. There are so many trigger warnings for this book, the most obvious being rape. It personally wasn't for me and I wouldn't recommend it. 

Sketches of Korea: An Illustrated Guide to Korean Culture by Benjamin Joinau (354 pages) ★★★

Moving onto a couple of non-fiction books I read in January, the first is all about Korean culture, from music, housing, food and language to history, traditional dress, temples and much more. I love the layout, illustrations throughout and the easy to follow information. If you are interested in South Korean culture, as I am, then I'd recommend this book as a great basics guide. 

*Gentleman Jack by Angela Steidele (352 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

I have been meaning to read this ebook for years and in January, I finally got round to reading it - I'm glad I did! We follow the life, adventures and many relationships of Anne Lister, who was a regency era landowner, traveller and lesbian. The book details her family, home, financial struggles, her own view of her sexuality, romantic relationships and her many adventures around the UK and the world. 

Before reading this book I knew very little about Anne Lister and now I know just how remarkable she was! Anne Lister seems to have been a very ambitious, confident and intelligent woman who travelled extensively and lived as much as she was able to during the time period. I loved how well researched the book was and equally loved reading about Anne but it was a little bogged down at times (I think it could have been a little shorter or more condensed in places) and there were so many individuals mentioned that it became confusing at times. However, I would highly recommend it as a throughly interesting biography. 

Book Love by Debbie Tung (144 pages) ★★★

Lastly for the month I read a couple of adorable short and sweet comics from Debbie Tung. I read her previous comic in 2017 and liked it so I had to read more. Book Love illustrates book lover problems and habits which is definitely relatable for bookworms, like me. It was exactly what I needed, something sweet and adorable to distract from my anxiety. 

Happily Ever After by Debbie Tung (160 pages) ★★★

I also read her book all about the authors relationship and her marriage which was a very short, sweet and adorable comic book that I found to be quite distracting, entertaining and very sweet. I loved the simple illustrations in all three! I'd recommend all three cute comics I've read from Debbie Tung. 

Have you read any of these books? Did you have any reading goals for the new year? 

* AD - gifted ebook sent to me via netgalley- not paid

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December Reading Wrap-Up 2020

My final reading wrap-up for 2020 is here, it is a little late, oops! December was a very anxiety filled month for so many reasons and I didn't read as much as I wanted to but hopefully 2021 will be a great reading year and will have far less anxiety in it. I read a total of nine books in the month with one being an audiobook. I also finished all of the published books by Mary Roach over the past couple of months and I'd highly recommend all of them. My favourite books from December include: Gulp by Mary Roach and Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.

 

Gulp by Mary Roach (354 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

Gulp is all about eating, the digestive system, nutrition, food scientists, food production, the science of saliva and bizarre food history. As with the other books I've read by the author, it is filled with dry humour, easy to read information, interesting facts and expert opinions on many topics I hadn't ever thought of before. I was aware of some of the information in the book already (such as fletcherism) but much of it was new to me and I think anyone interested in food or biology will find it to be an interesting and thought provoking but rather gross read! 

Sherlock's Night Before Christmas by Julie Petersen (32 pages) ★★★

I don't typically read seasonal or christmassy books but I had to buy this beautifully illustrated book which follows Sherlock, Watson and a mysterious Santa Claus. It was a very quick, easy and enjoyable little book filled with gorgeous festive illustrations. I liked the quaint festive story and I'd recommend it as a simple festive read or as a Christmas stocking filler. 

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (audiobook, 7 hours, abridged) ★★★ (3.5)

I have had Wolf Hall, the award winning historical fiction novel, on my shelves for years but I've been putting it off because of the praise and the size. However, I noticed the abridged audiobook on Scribd and decided to finally give it a go and I'm glad I did as it was a great audiobook. We follow the life, relationships and career of Thomas Cromwell, in a fictional but factually accurate retelling. As with most students in England, I was taught about the Tudor period and Henry VIII extensively so it is a time in history I'm fairly familiar with but I think that if you aren't, you may struggle with all of the individuals involved and their relationships with one another. 

I thought it was a fantastic historical drama told in an interesting and enjoyably way about many historical figures I've read about or had been introduced to during primary and secondary school. From other reviews, it is a bit of a polarising book as some people love it and others were disappointed but I personally enjoyed it and I think that if you are interested, the abridged audiobook is definitely an easier, and quicker way to enjoy it. 

Spook by Mary Roach (311 pages) ★★★

The second book by Mary Roach (and the last of her published work that I had to finish) is the one that I was the least interested in and subsequently it was also my least favourite but I would still highly recommend all six of her books - Stiff was definitely my favourite though! Within Spook (or Six Feet Under as it is also titled), Roach looks at various topics surrounding the afterlife in various cultures and time periods. Spook explores topics including: 'scientific' experiments to find out what happens at the moment of death, explorations into the soul and the supernatural to reincarnation, past lives, human creation, psychic research and more. 

As I've mentioned, it was my least favourite book of hers and that is mainly because I'm not a religious individual and the idea of past lives, the supernatural and an afterlife isn't something I believe in at all. However, I liked her skeptical but open minded approach the topic, the interesting topics covered and debunking some of the typical aspects of the supernatural (such as ghosts, strange feelings and mediums etc) with science. I'd recommend all of Mary Roach's books especially if you have a particular interest in the topic but this one just wasn't for me, unfortunately. 

*Gudetama: Surviving The Holidays by Wook-Jin Clark (48 pages) ★★★

I received this book as an arc from Netgalley and I initially requested it as it looked like an adorable graphic novel that would be perfect for the festive season. I am not very familiar with the Gudetama character but the lazy little egg just looks so adorable and I wanted to find out more about the character. It wasn't really what I expected as it just follows various characters with seasonal problems and Gudetama offers solutions - I wrongly assumed that it would have some kind of plot or a better structure. Overall, I liked the artwork, Gudetama is utterly adorable and it was a cute quick festive read but I'd only recommend it to those who really love the character already. 

Beauty Volume One by Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley (164 pages) ★★★

I wanted a quick read as I felt the start of a reading slump approaching and for me, reading shorter books definitely helps me to stay out of a slump. Beauty is a graphic novel series (the first two volumes are available for free on Kindle Unlimited) about 'beauty' a new sexually transmitted infection that everyone wants as it transforms you physically into a much more attractive version of yourself - blemishes and fat disappear etc. It seemed like such an interesting (if potentially problematic) idea so I read the first two volumes via Kindle Unlimited. 

I did enjoy the art style and it was a very quick and easy graphic novel so it was ideal to stay out of a reading slump. I liked the idea as it is something I haven't come across before and it was darker than I expected too which I like in graphic novels. It was a little gory at times and it definitely won't be for everyone but if it sounds interesting then give it a go - especially if you have a Kindle Unlimited membership or free trial. 

Beauty Volume Two by Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley (128 pages) ★★★

The second volume follows a different storyline and characters compared to the first and this second volume had a much more cohesive and easy to follow story. I liked both volumes to an extent but the second was definitely my favourite of the two. It was also much more gory compared to the first which might be something to consider. Overall, an entertaining graphic novel that I'd recommend for fans of more gory, unusual comics/graphic novels. 

The Marquise of O– by Heinrich von Kleist and Nicholas Jacobs (128 pages) ★★

Next up is an unusual read for me as it is a classic novella originally published in German in 1808; it was republished with a new translation by Pushkin Press, one of my favourite publishers of translated fiction. We follow a young widow and mother as her town is overrun by Russian soldiers and while trying to escape with her children, she is 'rescued', falls unconscious and is then raped by a Russian solider. The new pregnancy causes shock and outrage as she tries to discover who the father is and the effect it will have on her reputation and the status of her family. 

I have so many mixed feeling about this novella as on the one hand, why is she marrying her rapist and how could her family treat her so poorly; however, it was written in a very different time. It was a quick, fast paced read and sheds light on a time period in history when social status was vital, women didn't have many (if any) rights and I'm sure there are many other undertones and nuances that have gone over my head. Overall, I'm not sure I'd recommend it especially due to the nature of the book which may be triggering for some. 

Tokyo Travel Sketchbook: Kawaii Culture, Wabi Sabi Design, Female Samurais and Other Obsessions by Amaia Arrazola, Kymm Coveney - translator (192 pages) ★★★

The final book I finished in 2020 was a travel guide, travel log, sketchbook and Japanese history book all in one. We follow the author and illustrator, Amaia, as she travels to Japan and experiences the culture as well as the art and everyday life. I loved her illustrations throughout as well as all of the interesting bits of information about Japanese life, history and culture. I'd recommend it as an interesting and quick read. 

Have you read any of these books? What were your favourite or least favourite books of 2020? 

* AD - gifted ebook sent to me via netgalley - not paid

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Non-Fiction November Wrap-Up 2020

November was non-fiction November so I wanted to read as many non-fiction books as I could in the month but sadly I only finished two (I've nearly finished my third); although I have been reading many each month throughout 2020 anyway. My favourite books of the month include: A Deal With The Elf King and Packing For Mars. Hopefully December will be a better reading month so I can end the year in a good reading mood. 

Grunt by Mary Roach (288 pages) ★★★

As I adored Bonk (the science of sex) and Stiff (cadaver research) by Mary Roach, I had to read more of her work during non-fiction November. I finished two more of her books in November so I only have two more to read until I've completed her current published work (apart from her articles). Mary Roach has quickly become my favourite non-fiction writer alongside Caitlin Doughty and Holly Tucker. 

Grunt looks into aspects of warfare that are often forgotten, misunderstood or simply aren't given media coverage such as hearing loss of soldiers exposed to gunfire and bomb blasts, life changing injuries and subsequent reconstructive surgeries, the detailed construction of military clothing, diarrhoea..., the dangerous and extremely difficult lives of submariners and much more. 

As with her other books I loved the combination of interviews/interactions with specialist individuals (doctors, military personnel, researchers), statistics and her own experiences and thoughts as well as expert opinions and dark humour. It is difficult to approach uncomfortable or taboo topics with a sense of humour and articulate discussion but Roach does it superbly. While I didn't love this read as much as her others, I still highly recommend it. 

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Serena Blasco and Nancy Springer (54 pages) ★★★

To break up all of the non-fiction I read in the month, I decided to read a short and beautifully illustrated YA graphic novel. We follow the young sister, Enola Holmes, of the famous Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes as her mother abandons her which leads to an adventure, travels and uncovering mysteries. It was a very simple and quick read but I loved the illustration style and I think it would make a beautiful graphic novel gift for older children or young teens this Christmas. It is currently part of Kindle Unlimited so if you have a subscription or free trial then you can read it for free. 

A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova (338 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

A very fast paced and easily consumable YA fantasy read next; I read Air Awakens by the same author last year and enjoyed it - thankfully I liked this latest read just as much. We follow Luella, a young but respected healer in her village, as the elf king arrives and sweeps her away to become the next human queen. What follows is a fast paced tale of angsty romance, magical powers, political disputes and a dilapidated castle. 

My main positives from this read have to be the fantasy world, the very quick pace, the easy writing style, the nature focused magic and I loved the romance between the elf king and Luella - I also loved the ending. However, it was a 'typical' YA fantasy and followed many generic tropes and plot lines. While I did enjoy it, it wasn't anything I haven't come across before in YA fantasy. Although it was entertaining and I would definitely recommend it if you have Kindle Unlimited or if you love YA fantasy. 

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson (96 pages) ★★★

Pushkin Press is one of my favourite publishers, along with Thames and Hudson and Quirk Books, so I had to read one of their beautifully designed childrens classics. We follow the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale of The Snow Queen which tells the story of two young friends and the struggle between good and evil. As with most childrens stories (as well as fairytales and folktales), they have a moral message which was the same within this read. I typically don't love folktales and fairytales as they are quite simplistic and have religious themes but I did enjoy this one to an extent. 

Monstress by Marjorie M Liu (70 pages) ★★★

The one graphic novel I read in November was free on Kindle so naturally I had to give it a go, especially as I've read had things about this series. Maika, a girl with psychic powers as she is captured and brought into a battle between humans and evil forces. Sadly, this was a bit of a flop for me as the story felt a little generic and very slow but I did adore the creepy artwork. 

Silver In The Wood by Emily Tesh (112 pages) ★★★

The penultimate book I finished the November was a novella that is categorised as fantasy, historical and LGBT, all of those are my buzzwords so I was happy to find it on Scribd. However, I think the categories on GoodReads are a bit misleading as it is more magical realism with folktale and fairytale elements with a minor MM romance (which could have been a friendship and the story would have been the same so I question whether it was included just to tick a box). As with The Snow Queen, the folktale elements (the greenman?) weren't appealing to me and the story felt very predictable and slow unfortunately. However, I did love the descriptions of the wood and it was a fairly entertaining read. 

 

Packaging For Mars by Mary Roach (336 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

The second and final book by Mary Roach that I finished in November focuses on the challenges of living in space, bizarre training for space travel, sex and body functions in space, the early space program in the US, food studies or space travel and much more. I highly recommend all of her books but I think my favourite has to be Stiff. 

As with her other books I loved mix of the dark humour, expert opinions, unusual topics and an easy to follow, quick writing style. I didn't know much about any of the topics explored so the information was all new, interesting and sometimes very unusual. I think it would make a great reading for those generally interested in non-fiction as well as space exploration. 

Have you read any of these books? 

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Top 5 Books I've Read During Lockdown

2020 has been an awful year for everyone but the one benefit for me, has been the extra time for reading and the wonderful escapism and relaxation it provides. I reached my 50 book goal a few months ago and I recently reached my updated target of 100 books so I'm very happy with my reading progress for the year; however despite the number of books I've read, I don't have too many stand out favourites unfortunately. 

Hopefully the last few months of 2020 will include a few great books but for today's post I'll be sharing my top five books during the lockdown period (we're still in lockdown in Manchester and have been for most of the year) which ranges between April to September for myself and my fellow Mancunians. If you want to know what I'm reading, make sure you follow me on GoodReads!

Best Books 

Skincare by Caroline Hirons: a fantastic guide to skincare from the queen of skincare ★★★★★

The Memory of Babel by Christelle Dabos: a magical book series with dangerous powers, family deities and mysteries galore ★★★★

The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi: an absorbing (and graphic!) LGBT gritty historical fiction ★★★★

Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach: a macabrely interesting book that everyone needs to read ★★★★★

City of Light, City of Poison by Holly Tucker: a non-fiction read of a salacious and dangerous period of French history that reads like an incredible historical drama ★★★★

Honourable Mentions 

Blood Work by Holly Tucker: a gruesome but interesting look at the history of blood transfusions (aware of graphic animal abuse) ★★★★

The Passenger: Japan: a collection of essays on various aspects of Japanese culture that is interesting, eye opening and heart breaking at times ★★★★

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: a humorous, lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable LGBT contemporary romance ★★★ (3.75)

A Burning Sea by Theodore Brun: an adventure filled series with battles, norse myths and friendship ★★★ (3.75)

Passport Ready by Anne Malambo: an essential guide to travel especially for women travelling alone ★★★★

If I had to recommend only one fiction and one non-fiction book from lockdown I think I would have to choose The Memory of Babel by Christelle Dabos and City of Light by Holly Tucker. I always receive  comments on my monthly wrap-up posts and social media about how many books I read so here are a few tips: 

• Always take a book with you
• Try audiobooks or e-books
• DNF books you aren't enjoying
• Manage your time to include reading
• Try a book subscription (such as BookBeat or Scribd)
• Set a goal of read X books per month 
• Read shorter books, novellas or graphic novels
• Buddy read with a friend or family member 
• Join a book club or GoodReads 

Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading during lockdown? 

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Book Tour: A Burning Sea by Theodore Brun

 
It has been a while since I've wanted to take part in a book tour as I never want to feel pressured to finish a book by a certain date or feel compelled to finish a book I'd rather not as I'm very much a mood reader. However, I was very excited to take part in the book tour with Corvus for a review of the third book in The Wanderer Chronicles by Theodore Brun. I reviewed the previous books in the series back in 2018 (which seems like a lifetime ago) and loved both, giving them a rating of 3.75 each! 

*A Burning Sea by Theodore Brun (475 pages) ★★★ (3.75, yet again!)

I was very kindly sent a hardback copy which has one of the most striking book covers of the series; although I think my favourite cover and story overall has to be the first book. As this is the third book in the series, I wouldn't want to give away any spoilers to those who haven't read the previous two books. However, within the first book, A Mighty Dawn, we follow Hakan, son of the Lord of the Northern Jutes as he is faced with life changing truths and tragedy which forces him to find his own way in the world and change his identity. 

Both the first and second books in the series are filled with adventure, conflict, blood shed, oaths and battles, all of which I adore in fantasy and historical fiction! The third book is no different in the level of conflict and fighting, although we have a new setting to explore of Byzantium which was vivid and atmospheric, especially with the lies, mystery and subterfuge surrounding the characters. I love the character of Erlan as he's the typical humble hero and a character you'll want to root for. I've been following his perilous, adventure filled journey which encounters more of a few near death experiences, injury, heartbreaking loss and a little hope and I finally wanted him to have a happy ending within this third book. 

There are so many aspects of this book that I enjoyed such as a quick and easy writing style, the camaraderie between a number of the characters, the page turning battle scenes and the dark humour throughout. Although I think my favourite aspect of the series as a whole is the classic adventure feel of the books as they are all reminiscent of age old tales of villains, monsters, battle-hardened heroes and a hopefully happily ever after. 

I do have to a mention a few topics which may be uncomfortable for some such as rape and torture within the book. Additionally I did have a couple of issues, hence the rating, such as potentially unnecessary sex scenes and the way some the physical characteristics of some characters are described (also can every writer on the planet stop describing breasts as 'orbs' please) but I would still highly recommend this series if you are looking for a fast paced, adventure filled read with elements of norse mythology and viking culture.

I'm currently reading a short story by Theodore Brun, A Winter's Night, which is free on Amazon. Also, if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription or a free trial then you can read the first two books for free. 

Make sure you follow me on GoodReads for more book ratings and to stay up to date with my current TBR. 

Have you read this series? Do you read any historical fiction or fantasy? 

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July Reading Wrap-Up 2020

July was a month of two halves, the first half of the month consisted of a reading slump but thankfully the second half was full of audiobooks and short reads so it wasn't a completely fail filled reading month. I started a Scribd subscription at the end of the month which was definitely kick started my love of reading again as well as my love for audiobooks. My favourite books of the month include: Skincare by Caroline Hirons and Bloody Work by Holly Tucker. 

The Insecure Girl's Handbook by Olivia Purvis (256 pages) ★★★

I'm always looking on Amazon to see if the kindle books on my ridiculously long wish list have reduced in price and thankfully two books on my wish list were reduced to 99p in the first week of July, including, The Insecure Girl's Handbook by blogger Olivia Purvis. I've been following Olivia on Instagram for a while and I adore her style, photos and humour so I had to pick up this ebook. As the title suggests, the book focuses on insecurity in all its forms and everything that accompanies feelings of insecurity such as negative thoughts or your inner critic, measuring 'success', comparison, body image issues and more. 

I related to so much of this book especially in terms of comparing my achievements (or lack of) to others, thinking that I have to accomplish everything by a certain age and body image issues. I liked her humour and personality throughout the book, it was an easy read, I liked the interviews and I found the tips and quotes interesting as well as comforting in a way as it reminded me that so many of us are struggling with the same issues, thoughts and feelings. I did find it quite repetitive especially with the recaps after every section but I think it is a great book, especially for those who do suffer with insecurity. 

Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder in the Scientific Revolution by Holly Tucker (336 pages) ★★★★

I read City of Light by Holly Tucker a couple of months ago and utterly adored it (it is one of my favourite books of the year so far) as she manages to make a time spanning and relatively complex time period, event and topics feel like an enthralling TV drama so I was very excited to read Blood Work. It focuses on the history of blood transfusions and all of the politics, debate, ethics, professional rivalry, successes and failures along the way. As with City of Light, the book focuses on a number of individuals and a specific event but it also encompasses the wider history and setting too. 

I adore the authors writing as it is so easy to read, page turning (something I didn't think I'd really find in a non-fiction read), interesting and drama filled. Holly Tucker manages to paint such a vivid picture of not only the main individuals and the events that are unfolding but also the setting so it feels at times like a captivating historical fiction read! However...there were so many aspects of the book, especially the first 30% that were so difficult to read as it contained horrifying, despicable animal torture and animal experiments that I found utterly heartbreaking. 

Sadly I didn't find this read as compelling or as interesting as her previous book; however I did find it intriguing and it contained a tonne of facts, historic events and individuals I didn't know about. I would recommend this read if you are interested in the topic but be aware of the heart wrenching information about animal experiment that I found very difficult to read. I'd also highly recommend her other book, City of Light, which is my favourite of the two. 

The Victoria Letters: The Heart and Mind of a Young Queen (The Official Companion to the ITV Series) by Helen Rappaport (327 pages) ★★★

Next up, a bit of an unusual book for me but it was a quick and interesting read that was free on Kindle Unlimited. If you didn't know, I utterly adore history (one of my biggest regrets was being persuaded to study chemistry at college instead of history as I'd wanted) but one of my least favourite time periods to read about is the victorian era because, you know, the awful attitudes towards women, colonialism, horrendous treatment of the poor and children, I could go on. Also I'd read a book that previously included a section on Queen Victoria (Victorians Undone by Kathryn Hughes) which left me with an insight into how unusual she was, such as her strange views on her own children and how controlling and volatile she was; however that was somewhat explained by her upbringing, mother and her isolated childhood as explored in this read. 

However, I'm glad I read this TV show accompaniment as it did include quite a lot of information I wasn't aware of in terms of the other people close to the Victoria such as Melbourne and her Uncle Leopold, among others. I'm glad the book didn't solely focus on Victoria and instead encompassed a wider context with the main individuals that affected her life, reign and UK politics. I'd recommend it if you like the show or the Victoria era in general but it's not something I'll ever re-read. 

An Enchantment Of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (304 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

Towards the end of the month, I decided to start a free 30 day trial of Scribd which is a book, magazine and audiobook subscription service in which you can read/listen to an unlimited number of books or audiobooks for £9.99 per month. I've heard good things about the service so I started the trial and I'm so glad that I did as they had so many books as well as audiobooks that I was going to buy in August (August is my birthday month so it's an easy excuse to spend!) but now I don't have to. 

The first book I finished via Scribd was a YA fantasy read following Isobel, a master painter, who is in demand as a portrait artists by the fairies. Fairies within this world cannot create anything so they require humans to write and paint for them. Isobel is commissioned by the autumn fairy prince to paint his portrait and what follows is a hunt, an exploration into the darker side of the magical fairy world (where things are the opposite of what they appear to be) and a budding romance between Isobel and the autumn prince. 

This book pulled me out of my reading slump as it was such a quick, very easy and enjoyable read filled with magic, deception, an adorable sulking prince and a sweet romance. I don't ever read books involving fairies but I loved the version of fairies which portrayed them as conniving, devious, dark and disturbing! If you're looking for an easy and magical fantasy read then definitely check it out. 

Skincare by Caroline Hirons (audiobook) ★★★★

The next audiobook was by the queen of skincare, Caroline Hirons. I've been watching her Youtube channel for a year or so and I love her no nonsense, easy to follow and straightforward approach to delivering skincare advice and product recommendations with her sarcastic and almost blunt humour, all of which were present in her audiobook. Caroline narrates the audiobook herself which I loved and I think the book (or audiobook) would be ideal for anyone, whether you are a complete skincare novice, beauty blogger, skincare junkie or if you just want to learn more about the fundamentals of skincare and skincare ingredients. 

She includes easy to follow steps for looking for your skin with specific advice and product recommendations for all skin types and conditions. I knew some of the tips, advice and the more famous products but there were still so many facts and tips that I didn't know such as: don't use eye cream as your last skincare step, wash your pillow cases at least once a week and how much SPF to use - it's so much more than you think. 

Along with a baffling number of comparisons to bras and teaspoons, the audiobook is filled with so much useful information, not just about common skincare myths or generic tips but very specific information such as your post-exercise skincare routine for your skin type and skincare recommendations for those with various health conditions, for example. Also the audiobook has a bonus section at the end with a Q&A with Caroline as well as bloopers which I did chuckle at! I will be buying the physical book as I know I'll want to re-read - highly recommend! 

Monsters You Should Know by Emma San Cartier (112 pages) ★★★

Now a few short reads from Scribd to finish my July reading wrap-up, the first is an adorably illustrated book all about various mythological creatures from around the world. It's a very short but very cute read with the most wonderful illustrations, that would be ideal for older children or young teens. It's an adorable little book that was perfect to flick through while lounging in the sun. 

Make Yourself Cosy by Katie Vaz (128 pages) ★★★

Another very short and sweet read that is filled with beautifully illustrated ideas of self cafe, relaxation, cosy days at home and lazy days. As with the previous book, my favourite aspect has to be the illustrations as well as the occasional recipes. I think it's a lovely little book that would make a sweet gift, especially during the colder months as that's the quintessential cosy time. 

The Make-Up Manual by Lisa Potter Dixon (160 pages) ★★

After reading and loving Skincare by Caroline Hirons, I wanted to read more make-up and skincare books so when I saw this book on Scribd by the famous Benefit Cosmetics makeup artist, I had to read it. Sadly, it contained only general and almost old fashioned makeup tips as well a some contradictory skincare advice that Caroline Hirons advised against! I personally didn't like the layout of the book and none of the information was new to me. The only section I found useful at all was all about brows but other than that it was so disappointing. I think I'd only really recommend this book to teens or those with no knowledge of makeup at all.

Adulthood Is A Myth by Sarah Anderson (112 pages) ★★★

I've read a previous illustrated comic from this author so I thought I'd read another as they are relatable, entertaining and easy - perfect to get out of a reading slump. I liked her previous comic and this one has the same art style (which I love), simple layout and humour. I think they are very relatable and entertaining short comics that most people would enjoy. 

The Terracotta Bridge by Zen Cho (51 pages) ★★★

I've been loving short fantasy and translated novellas this year so I was happy to see this one on Scribd as it's been on my Amazon wish list for a while. We follow Siew Tsin after she has been married off to one of the richest men in hell (yes hell, complete with demons) and she tries to reconcile with his first wife and new artificial wife. I loved the setting, the premise and the inspiration of the Chinese afterlife; although it's such a strange read! I will be picking up more from this author in the future though. 

Other-Wordly by Yee-Lum Mak and Kelsey Garrity-Riley (53 pages) ★★★

As with most of the books I read in July this one is a combination of beautiful illustrations and a low page count, it has definitely helped me get out of my reading slump! Other-Wordly looks at unusual words from various languages and explains the meaning alongside gorgeous illustrations. It would make such a lovely gift or coffee table book!

Galata by Madeline Miller (20 pages) ★★★

Last but not least is a very short story by Madeline Miller, an author I've wanted to read for a while. We follow a sculptor who has created the most perfect woman out of marble and his sculpture has been blessed by the goddess with life. I didn't read anything about this short story beforehand and I am not familiar with the ancient greek myth that it was inspired by so I had no idea what to expect and it was a little shocking, unusual and bizarre, if I'm honest. If you like greek myths then it might be of interest to you. 

Have you read any of these books? What have you read in July? 

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May Reading Wrap-Up 2020

March and April were fairly disappointing reading months but thankfully May was a fantastic reading month in terms of the number of books I read, the range of genres and my ratings. The genres ranged from LGBT romance, fantasy and non-fiction to classics, thriller/mystery and YA. I was able to read 15 books in the month of May which included one book over 500 pages. My favourite books from the month include: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, City of Light, The Guest List, The Life of Leonardo da Vinci and River of Teeth.

There were a few reasons I read so much this month: lockdown, bank holidays, less work than normal, shorter reads/audiobooks and readathons. I took part in two readathons in April including the Medieval-a-Thon and the Asian Readathon. I have tried to take part in a few readathons over the past couple of years but I've never really stuck to the challenges but I completed so many of the challenges for the Medieval-a-Thon which I'm very happy about!

*I Left The House Today by Cassandra Calin (144 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book high on your bookshelf ★★★

The first book I finished in May was a comic from Netgalley all about the author's thoughts, everyday life and the struggles that most of us can relate to as women (and humans in general). I absolutely adored the simple but hilarious illustrations throughout the comic and how relatable it was. The short and easy comic had me snort laughing a few times because it was just so relatable, funny and very entertaining. I would highly recommend it as a quick and funny comic that I think we all need at this time!

The Pale Dreamer by Samantha Shannon (111 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with orange on the cover ★★★

The next book I finished was another super short but equally as enjoyable read from one of my favourite book series - The Bone Season series. I've read the first three books of the series and I was missing the world (I've wanted to re-read the first book for a long time but I don't typically re-read books) so this novella was perfect. We follow Paige, the main character in the series, as she initially joins her gang and tries to prove herself. It was an incredibly quick read but I throughly enjoyed being back in this gritty, vivid world filled with clairvoyants, ghosts, an oppressive government, power play between gangs and more. It is book 0.5 in the series so you can read it before the other books but it's equally as entertaining if you've already read the series too.

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (512 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with green on the cover ★★★★ 

I finally finished a book over 500 pages! One of my monthly reading goals is to read a book over 500 pages but for the past couple of months, I haven't been able to complete that goal. However it was a very easy goal for April because this book was very entertaining, super quick and an easy, enjoyable YA read. We follow Monty, the bisexual son of an earl, as he gets into all kinds of trouble with his best friend, Percy, who he has a secret love for. However, their rakish lifestyle ends in an ultimatum as they are both sent to the continent, along Monty's sister, to learn about European culture before they have to settle down. However, it doesn't go quite to plan as highway men, disgruntled dukes, secrets, alchemists and pirates interrupt their journey which leads to revelations, love and a very entertaining romp across Europe.

One of my favourite things about this read, along with the mysteries, secrets and shenanigans, was the dry, sarcastic and sometimes self deprecating humour from Monty - I loved his character. I also loved the relationship between Monty and Percy as well as how feisty Felicity, Monty's sister, was. I was surprised at how quickly I was able to fly through this book along with how vivid, action packed and also heartfelt it was. It brings up more difficult topics such as abuse, physical violence, homosexuality being a criminal offence, racism and injustice which made it a more heartfelt read than I thought it would be but it is also filled with entertaining sarky humour and loving friendships too. Overall, it was such an action packed, fast paced read featuring LGBT characters and I highly recommend it, especially if you're looking for a quick and easy escapist book.

A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee (128 pages)
 Medieval-a-thon - romance ★★★

After reading and loving The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, I had to carry on with the series and read the next book which was a novella following on directly from the ending of the first book so naturally I can't go into the plot but I will say that we follow the relationship between Monty and Percy. Their relationship was one of my favourite aspects of the first book and I loved both characters  in this read. It was a super short, quick, easy and entertaining read; however it was frustrating at times and it was much more expensive than I thought it should be considering how short the book was.

Pines by Blake Crouch (audiobook) Medieval-a-thon - a book you have high expectations of ★★★

Within the month of May I discovered that there are quite a few books on Kindle Unlimited that have free narration included - I can't be the only one who didn't know that audiobooks were available on Kindle Unlimited. The first I listened to was Pines by Blake Crouch which is a well loved mystery thriller series with horror and sci-fi elements. I've heard amazing things so it was a book that I had high expectations for but sadly it didn't quite meet my expectations.

We follow Ethan, a secret service agent, as he tries to find out what has happened after he is involved in a car accident in the small town of Wayward Pines. He slowly remembers more about himself and why he is in Wayward Pines (to find two of his colleagues who have gone missing) but he uncovers more questions and mysteries within this secretive small town community.

The premise is very different to what I would typically read but it was definitely an interesting and intriguing read from the beginning which made me want to keep listening to uncover the mysteries. The narration was easy to follow, if a little robotic, and it made me want to listen to more audiobooks as I used to listen to so many with my BookBeat subscription. However, while it was an intriguing and easy listen, I found the actions of the characters, especially Ethan, very odd and unrealistic which kept taking me out of the story. I also really disliked the main character and found his behaviour very unusual and annoying. Overall, I did like the mystery and it was an incredibly easy audiobook to follow (great if you listen to audiobooks as you do other things, as I do) but it left me very disappointed/annoyed and I won't be carrying on with the rest of the series which is unfortunate as I had high expectations for this read/audiobook.

City of Light, City of Poison by Holly Tucker (241 pages)  Medieval-a-thon - a book beginning with the letter 'C' ★★★★

Moving onto one of my favourite non-fiction books of the month, all about a period of French history I hadn't been aware of before, named 'the affair of poisons' which is as scandalous, murderous and intriguing as it sounds! I've wanted this book for years, the paperback version is utterly gorgeous and I'd so glad that I purchased it as I loved this gruesome, darkly interesting and macabre but captivating  book that read more like a noir drama than a non-fiction read.

We follow numerous individuals throughout the period between 1677 to 1682 from King Louis XIV, his ministers and his many mistresses to abortionists, poisoners, con-men, police officers, aristocrats and criminals. The documents were almost destroyed in a fire and Louis XIV at the time wanted the documents destroyed so we almost didn't know about this time period but thankfully the police chief kept his personal notes on the events, individuals involved, their crimes, torture and sentences so we have a fantastic record of that time period. It tells the story of the first police chief of Paris and his successes, reforms and struggles as well as a web of poisoners, criminals and mistresses that sought more influence, power and wealth, through whatever means necessary.

There were so many aspects of this book I loved from the gorgeous cover, short chapters and macabrely interesting topics to the vivid individuals, thoroughly researched information, easy writing style and the tone of the book which was much more of a drama focused, story-like read instead of a dry non-fiction book. If you can read about topics such as abortion, torture, murder and crime, to name a few, then I cannot recommend this read enough about a period of French history that Louis XIV would rather have been forgotten.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (381 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a scary book ★★★ (3.5)

I have been in the mood for mystery reads and some Agatha Christie style books recently so I had to buy The Guest List which has been compared to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - I adored the TV show adaptation. Within The Guest List we are taken to a remote Irish island for a wedding as friends and family meet for the first time in years. We follow the perspectives of numerous people at the wedding from the bride, the wedding planner, family members and guests over the period of a couple of days. We get in insight into each individual including information about their past, their relationships and issues they are currently dealing with such as problematic relationships, self harm, abuse, bullying, body issues and revenge.

We flip between the various individuals as well as the day before and the day of the wedding so the timeline tells us what will happen after the wedding but we don't know which individual has been murdered. The mystery around trying to decipher which guest is the murderer and which is the victim was very intriguing as there were many suspects. The mystery element as well as the remote, isolated setting were my favourite aspects of the book and made me want to keep reading. I also adored the tone as it was very tension filled (due to the fraught relationships) and very eerie/creepy (thanks to the vivid and atmospheric setting). I think that if you are looking for a very quick, easy and page turning mystery thriller then look no further.

Britannia by Peter Milligan (158 pages)
Medieval-a-thon - a book under 300 pages ★★★

I only read one graphic novel in the month and it focuses on a period in history that I love to read about - the roman occupation and invasion of Britain. We follow a roman soldier, Antonius Axia, as he is posted to the far reaches of the Roman Empire to Britain where he faces grief, monsters and strange gods. I loved the cover and initial few pages but the art style then changed dramatically and I didn't love it - although it is very detailed. I liked the time period, the pagan/druid gods and the general storyline but sadly I didn't love it on the whole. I would recommend checking it out, only if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (288 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with your favourite colour on the spine ★★★

I adore fantasy and one of my all time favourite fantasy authors is Terry Pratchett and his discworld series! I've read around seven of the books in the series already but I thought I'd read the first in May. The discworld series is split into mini series so you don't need to read the first book and it is generally advised to not start with The Colour of Magic as it isn't the best book in the series. Unfortunately I definitely agree as it was my least favourite book from Terry Pratchett although it has dragons so there is one positive.

We follow the very beginning of the discworld as the world, gods and general principals are explained which made it feel like a very different book to the others in the series. Also, another difference is the breaks in the book which doesn't happen with any of the others I've read. While I liked the general story and being back in the topsy turvy discworld, it felt off and I couldn't get lost in it as I normally would with his books. I definitely wouldn't start with this book if you are interested in the series (start with Mort instead) and I don't think I'd recommend it sadly, unless you want to read every single book in the discworld series as I plan to.

100 Nasty Women of History by Hannah Jewell (402 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a tall hardcover ★★★

Another non-fiction read is all about incredible women from various countries and time periods, some of which are very familiar and others I had never heard of before. Firstly, let's take a moment to appreciate the utterly gorgeous cover. The book dedicates between two - five pages to various women from ancient history to the modern era and for numerous accomplishments such as poetry, bravery, intelligence, artistic abilities and so on. I have such mixed feelings about this book as I did love the cover, the layout and how books like this highlight women who should be household names (especially those that helped during the first and second world wars) and sadly aren't.

However, I've read a few books like this already and this one is my least favourite. I think I would only really recommend it to an older teenage audience as the writing style is very...forcibly humorous, for want of a better explanation. It isn't for children due to the language used but it is too flippant, jovial and juvenile for adults, in my opinion. I really wish this book had a more adult tone and sense of humour as I think it could have been fantastic but sadly it wasn't what I wanted or expected, in terms of how the information was written and the tone. I think I'll donate this book to my local high school or library.

The Life of Leonardo da Vinci by Giorgio Vasari (119 pages)  Medieval-a-thon - a pristine book ★★★★

I've been in a book buying mood throughout lockdown so I have treated myself to quite a few cheap e-books and non-fiction reads, one of the latter is this utterly gorgeous clothbound non-fiction read all about Leonardo da Vinci. The book is split into sections, from an introduction to Vasari and his work to Leonardo's life and the original translated biography of Leonardo by Vasari in 1550 and 1568. All of the non-fiction reads I've purchased or been kindly sent from Thames and Hudson have always impressed me with the attention to detail and quality and this one is no different. It's a beautifully published read with a clothbound cover and gorgeous illustrations. I am aware of various aspects of Leonardo da Vinci life as I watch far too many documentaries (who am I kidding, there's no such thing) but I wasn't aware of the author Vasari or his work. I loved reading not only more about Leonardo and Vasari but reading a translated biography from the 16th century about the famous artist too. I would love to see Thames and Hudson publish more biographies in this style based on Vasari's Lives of the Artists.

The Ghosts Of The Citadel by Jen Williams (83 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with a dragon on the cover ★★★

One of the books I found to be the most difficult when it came to choosing the books I needed for the readathon was 'a book with a dragon on the cover'. I adore fantasy but I don't own any with a dragon on the cover, apart from The Goblet of Fire but I didn't want to re-read an over 500 page book this month so I opted for a novella. In The Ghosts of the Citadel we follow sellswords Wydrin and Sebastian as well as Lord Frith as they enter the ruined citadel in search of treasure but they find more than they bargained for...namely a dragon. I liked the setting, the typical fantasy creatures and the generic quest-style mini adventure but I just didn't click with it unfortunately so I won't be continuing on with the series.

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (114 pages) Medieval-a-thon - start or finish a duology ★★★ (3.5)

One of the final books I finished in May was a very unusual but much loved novella all about a plan constructed by the US government to introduce hippos into the country as a source of meat but things go very wrong from there...who'd have guessed. We follow Winslow Remington Houndstooth as he gathers a group of dangerous individuals for a perilous job, to release a hoard of feral hippos. I adored the Louisiana setting of the book, the gritty almost Wild West feel and the utterly bizarre inclusion of hippos and their owners. It is an unusual read as well as being very short but it is very entertaining, I loved all of the frankly rather strange characters, the adventure/betrayal and the vaguely LGBT relationships.

The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee (18 pages) Asian Readathon ★★★

Moving onto the second readathon I started in May, the Asian Readathon, which involves reading books written or set in Asian countries - I've been reading Japanese fiction and non-fiction recently so it wasn't difficult but I didn't read nearly as much as I'd hoped. The first book was a very short and sad story by the American Korean author Min Jin Lee. We follow a Korean family who are desperate for a son, even though they have three daughters and we see a glimpse into their struggles economically when one daughter makes a terrifyingly sad decision. The story was very quick and so upsetting, especially the last page! 

Burning Roses by S.L Huang (160 pages) Asian Readathon ★★★

The second book I finished for the Asian readathon was another tor.com novella - I've read a few of them over the past couple of months and enjoyed them overall. We follow two middle aged women, Rosa and Hou Yi, as they join forces to stop the sunbirds from destroying the countryside. It is a quick and interesting read with two unusual characters and an age (middle aged women) that I haven't read from the perspective of before. I liked the overall story and the fairytale/folktale elements from red riding hood and goldilocks but I found myself losing interest vey quickly unfortunately.

Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading recently? 

*gifted

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Spring TBR + New Bookcase

With the lockdown in the UK being extended for at least another three weeks, I find it brings a mix of anxiety (thanks to far less work than I would normally have at this time of the year) and the excitement around having extra time to devote to something new, whether it is DIY jobs around the house, sorting out freelance admin or trying to meet some of the reading goals I've had in mind for a while.

The anxiety and bizarre nature of our current global situation has allowed me to find comfort in reading again as for the past few months and at the end of 2019, I found myself in a reading slump most of the time but now I'm excited to read again. I don't know if it's because I have more time so there is less pressure to read or if the glorious weather is helping my mood but whatever the reason, I'm loving reading again and it has been helping my anxiety immensely!

*Shamus Bookcase from Wayfair (£56.99)

Within today's post I wanted to share some of the books that are on my current TBR (to be read) list as well as my new bookcase from Wayfair which I adore! I was very kindly sent this minimal ladder-style bookcase by Hashtag Home on Wayfair and I couldn't be happier with it, in terms of how easy it was to put together, the minimal design, how well it fits into an awkward narrow space in my bedroom and how it has allowed me to organise my books, especially my TBR books, into a better order.

I've wanted a ladder-style bookcase like this for at least a year but I haven't found one that has the narrow size I'd need as well as the colour, number of shelves and price point I was looking for but I found everything I wanted in this bookcase. It was very quick and easy to put together and I think it is an ideal storage or display solution for those narrow awkward places in the home around other furniture. I'm currently using it for books but it would be great for plants in the kitchen, pamper products in the bathroom or decor in the living room.

If you've been following my Instagram (@ofbeautyand) then you'll have seen my bookcases and how I organise my books already as they were the main background of my blog and social media photos up until recently but I have wanted to switch up my book organisation a little. I personally organise the books on my main bookcases in our home office by colour but I wanted to separate the books I'm most interested in reading from my main collection.

I've added all of the physical books that I'd love to prioritise and read over the spring and summer months to my new bookcase and it has definitely added to my excitement to get to these books, including a range of famous fantasy, non-fiction and classics. My physical TBR isn't too overwhelming but adding in my ebooks and arcs from publishers and it gets a little out of hand so it's great to have a bookcase dedicated to books I'm excited about so they don't get forgotten about on my main bookcases.

Here are just a few of the books I'd love to read in my spring months:

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (classic)
• 100 Nasty Women of History by Hannah Jewell (non-fiction)
• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (fantasy)
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (classic) 
• The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (sci-fi)
• Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (fantasy)

I have many more books on my current TBR and it is only going to expand especially as there are quite a few new releases coming out in the next few months that I'm interested in. If you are a book blogger then definitely check out Netgalley as you may be able to receive free books before they are published to review.

Have you been reading more during lockdown? Are you following my on GoodReads? What do you think of my new bookcase? 

*gifted

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March Reading Wrap-Up 2020

March was a bit of a strange reading month as for the first half of the month I was in a reading slump and the second half involved a lockdown and almost no work so there was plenty of time for reading. I managed to read 11 books in March but annoyingly I failed on my monthly goal of reading one book over 500 pages. However, my favourite books from the month include: The Black Hawks and The Oldest House In London.

*The Empress Of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (112 pages) ★★★

I've discovered a few interesting novellas recently and the first was an arc from Netgalley - I love the Tor.com novellas! I mentioned in last months wrap-up that I was a little obsessed with South East Asia, especially Japan, China and South Korea and that has carried on into March. I've read a few books that are either set in South East Asia or inspired by those countries including this novella by Nghi Vo.

We follow the life of an empress, through the stories of one of her now elderly handmaidens. The novella confused me a little initially as the story is being told to a traveller who is non-binary (which I wasn't expecting) and the magical realism/fantasy elements were also a little confusing as I thought it was a historical fiction - that's my fault for not fully reading reviews beforehand. After the initial confusion, it was an interesting mix of an Asian period drama or historical fiction with fantasy elements and female friendships. I didn't connect or love it as I hoped I would but I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.

The Black Hawks by David Wragg (429 pages) ★★★★

Next up is a debut fantasy read with comparisons to Nicholas Eames and Scott Lynch, the latter is one of my favourite fantasy authors so naturally I had to buy it. We follow Chel, knight and step-nephew to a lord, as he escapes an attack on the kingdom and is now in service to the young and bratty Prince Tarfel. Chel and Prince Tarfel find themselves kidnapped by a rag-tag group of meranceies and fighters, The Black Hawks, and what follows is a thoroughly enjoyable read with banter, camaraderie, fighting, politics and much more.

My initial thoughts were positive and I loved how quick and easy to book was but I didn't love it until The Black Hawks became involved as the banter, dialogue and interactions between them were perfect and reminded me of the dark humour and friendships in The Lies of Locke Lamora and Kings of The Wyld. I also loved the action, fight scenes and the characters of Chel and Lemon, in particular. Overall, I absolutely loved this read and my only negative was the start was a little slow and it became a bit drawn out in a couple of sections throughout the book but I highly recommend it and I can't wait for the next in the series.

The Oldest House In London by Fiona Rule (288 pages) ★★★

We all know by now that I adore niche history books and this one is no exception! I've read a fair few books around various aspects of the history of London, from crime and the beginnings of the police force to medical history, Bethlem and the Thames so there were many facts and stories throughout the book that weren't new to me but it still contained fascinating information not only about the specific house and the surrounding area but the people who owned the house and their lives as well as English history in general.

It was a quick, easy to follow and enjoyable read about so many aspects of British history and how it relates to the house and its surroundings, from the history of the buildings, the plague and riots to religious persecution, the demolition of historic buildings and the future of the oldest house in London. If you're looking for a niche and interesting non-fiction read, check out this book, especially as it is currently free on Kindle Unlimited.

*The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho (176 pages) ★★★

The second Tor.com novella I read in March was The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water that is also an Asian fantasy read - it seems to be a genre I am a little obsessed with now. We follow Guet Imm, as she joins a group of thieves to protect a sacred object but she gets more than she bargained for! I haven't read anything by this author before but I've heard great things and I think this novella was a good, quick and easy introduction to her writing. I loved the premise of the story and the camaraderie between the bandits as well as the action scenes and exploration of gender and gender roles but it wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped it would be sadly.

*The Gold Eater (Undertaker #1) by Xavier Dorison (66 pages) ★★★

Throughout late 2019 and early 2020, I read quite a few manga and graphic novels but I only managed to read one recently. We follow Jonas Crow, an undertaker, as he is asked to transport the body of a recently deceased man who made his millions in mining but shortly before his death he swallowed all of his gold which leads to fights, a race to reach the body and unrest in the mining town. I loved the Wild West setting, the art style and how unusual the premise is but as with a couple of the other short reads I finished in March, it just wasn't as great or memorable as I wanted it to be.

Sweetest Thing by Natasha West (235 pages) ★★★

My typical reading genres include fantasy, non-fiction and mysteries but I thought I'd give this contemporary female/female romance a go in March as it was free on Kindle Unlimited. We follow Robyn and Jodie as they are both selected to take part in a baking tv show. What follows is rivalry, relationship issues, a hate to love 'romance' and Bake Off-like judges. It was definitely a very cheesy, corny read but it was a good escape and a very quick/easy read. Although I don't think I'll be reading many more contemporary romance reads any time soon, it's just not a genre I really enjoy.

Pure by Andrew Miller (346 pages) ★★★

March has been a bit of a strange month for everyone and for me, one of the best forms of escapism and something that also massively helps with my anxiety and constantly worrying mind is reading. The end of March was basically a readathon for me as I tried to read as much as I could, including this title which has been on my bookshelves for so long! Set around the time of the French Revolution, we follow a young and ambitious engineer as he is set the daunting task of demolishing a church within the heart of Paris. What the engineer finds, along with the bones of long dead Parisians, are new found (if eccentric) friends, superstition, love and a noxious scent that lingers over the graveyard.

I loved the time period, the setting of Paris, the eerie premise of the book and the very visceral and vivid characters. You can probably deduce from the premise that it is quite a bleak book focusing on more than a few macabre topics but thankfully it did have a few rays of hope throughout it; although probably not the most appropriate or uplifting read for our current global pandemic...I didn't like the book as much as I'd hoped but it was a quick read and I will be looking out for more books from this author in the future.

Horrorstor Grady Hendrix (240 pages) ★★★

In the month of February, I read my first book by Grady Hendrix and fell in love, sadly not fully with the story itself, but with the raw and gritty writing style as well as the macabre and dark topics so I had to read another of his books. Horrorstor is unlike any other book I've read as it is a contemporary horror novel set in a version of Ikea...yes, Ikea. The cover looks like an Ikea catalog and within the book there are various product pages and descriptions of the store as you imagine an Ikea store to be structured.

The bizarre nature of the book doesn't stop there, as you'll find zombie like creatures, fear, claustrophobia, bugs, trapped spirits and more. At times it was a little slow but other moments were filled with shock and almost a sense of claustrophobia that was more than a little unsettling! While I didn't love the main character or the ending on the whole, I did completely love the Ikea-like setting and the entirely bizarre and horror filled nature of the book. I will be reading more from Grady Hendrix soon.

Air Awakens by Elise Kova (342 pages) ★★★ (3.5)

I haven't been fully loving most of the books I read in March, apart from The Black Hawks, so I went back to my faithful fantasy reads with another Kindle Unlimited book. In Air Awakens we follow library apprentice Vhalla as she unknowingly saves the life of the crown prince and unlocks her rare and feared magical abilities as a sorcerer. I adore books that feature magic of any kind and particularly when the main character learns that they have magical abilities (cough, Harry Potter, cough) so I already knew I'd like the read from the premise.

There were so many things I loved about this book from the very quick and easy writing style, the page turning pace, the magic and the relationship between Vhalla and the prince. It was a very enjoyable, fast paced fantasy read that was a fantastic escape. My only negative was the predictable story line and the common YA fantasy tropes. However, I loved the book overall and it was one of my favourite books of the month but I'm not sure if I'll carry on with the series. Although that being said, I will read more from this author especially as most of her books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

The Queen Of Spades by Alexander Pushkin (47 pages) ★★★

For the first time in months I finished a classic book, even if it was an incredibly short read! A couple of years ago Penguin released their Penguin Little Black Classics series and I bought a few but never got round to reading them. One of the 'little black classics' was this novella by the famous Russian author Alexander Pushkin. We follow a young officer as he learns about a secret that could lead him to wealth and riches but it comes at a cost. I've only read a couple of Russian classics, including War and Peace, and they tend to have fairly strong moral messages within them and this read is the same. It focuses on greed, obsession, treachery and the folly of gambling. It was an extremely quick but surprisingly easy to follow read that I'd definitely recommend.

Halloween Tales Volume One by Olivier Boiscommun (53 pages) ★★

The final book I read in March was a very quick halloween themed comic book that initially intrigued me as the cover looks amazing and it looked a little reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's famous The Halloween Tree (which I adored). Sadly, despite being a super quick, easy read and having a very unusual art style, it wasn't what I expected or wanted, if I'm honest. It contained themes of grief, loss and struggling to cope, if that's something you're trying to avoid. I would recommend checking out the appealing but bizarre art style, only if you have Kindle Unlimited as it is currently free if you have a trial or subscription.

Have you read any of these books? Are you, like me, reading much more during lockdown?

*gifted

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Reading Tips

I'm often asked on my monthly reading wrap-up posts, how I read so much so I thought I'd dedicate today's post to my reading tips, especially as some of you may have new year goals to read more books. Before January 2017, I barely read anything other than assigned reading for university and journal articles but in January 2017, I set a goal for the first time ever to read a set number of books in that year. I set the goal at 30 but more than doubled my goal at the end of the year and I haven't looked back since!

I read for escapism and because it helps my anxiety so much and I think that's one of the reasons I manage to read so much each month - because it helps my mental health. Reading has become an enjoyable past time that has replaced watching TV or movies (for the most part) now and I would rather read a book than mindlessly watch TV or scroll through my phone.

Take Books On The Go 

My first tip is to always have a book with you, whether it's a physical book, audiobook via a subscription service such as BookBeat or as a Ebook on your phone, iPad or kindle. I don't leave the house without taking a book with me as I tend to read whenever I have a spare moment, whether I'm waiting in the car, reading as a passenger or if I'm waiting for an appointment. I would much rather spend my time reading than scrolling through my phone, if I can.

DNF Books 

This is a relatively new tip I've started to do and it's to stop reading books I'm not enjoying. Before the end of last year, I would force myself to read books I'm not really enjoying because I don't like giving up on a book, especially if I've paid for it but I don't want to spend my time reading a book I don't like when I could be reading another book I might enjoy much more which in turns means I'll probably read it quicker - making time for more books afterwards.

Audiobooks & Ebooks

Back in 2018, I was very kindly gifted an audiobook subscription from Bookbeat and I fell in love with audiobooks. Before then I hadn't ever listened to an audiobook but they are fantastic options for those who commute to work, at the gym, for long journeys or as you complete household chores. I always see comments on my blog or generally on social media about individuals not having enough time to read and if that's the case then give audiobooks a go as you can listen to them as you do other tasks.

I also find that when I read ebooks, I tend to go through them quicker than physical books. I think that's because it's easier to read ebooks in bed and on the go as they are all on one device. I use my iPad mini to read via the Kindle app and I cannot recommend it enough as you can have so many books in one place. Also if you don't know what genre of books you like, get a trial of Kindle Unlimited as then you can try as many ebooks in their library as you want.

Time Management 

Lastly, this point also relates to those comments about not having enough time to read and as with most things, it all comes down to time management. I personally cut down on the amount of TV I watch so that I could use that time to read. I also don't spend nearly as much time scrolling through my phone because reading is always another option. I think that if you want to read a certain number of books in 2020 or if there are a few specific titles you want to read, then figure out how you can manage your time differently to make room for reading such as less time on your phone or watching TV.

Are you following me on GoodReads? Do you have any reading tips? 

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Book Review: PayBack by R.C Bridgestock

 
Today's post is a belated book review as part of the blog tour for the newly released Payback by R.C Bridgestock. I haven't taken part in a book blog tour for a while as I've been in such an awful reading slump for the past three or so months but thankfully my reading is far better already in 2020! Follow me on GoodReads to find out what I'm currently reading and ratings for all of the books I've read since January 2017.

*Payback by R.C Bridgestock (323 pages) ★★★

The author duo of R.C Bridgestock have a wealth of police experience between them and have a selection of books already related within the crime, mystery and thriller genres. I have such an eclectic taste in books so I'm always reading from wide range of genres, particularly fantasy and non-fiction but I haven't read a mystery, crime or thriller focused book for a while! The last mystery thriller that I loved is probably a tie between Wychwood by George Mann and Lethal White by J.K Rowling.

Payback is the first in a new series (the DI Charley Mann series) that was released recently by The Dome Press (I reviewed two of their books previously and enjoyed both - reviews here). Within Payback we follow Charley Mann, who has travelled back to her home region of Yorkshire, as the areas first young female DI as a brutal murder is discovered which makes the new DI question everything.

I loved the premise and the setting as well as the main character. It seems very rare, in my somewhat limited experience, to come across a crime/police centred read that has a young woman as the focus. I thought her character was very believable, realistic and impactful. I liked how detailed and informative the investigative aspects of the book were which you'd think I'd expect from a book written by two individuals with years of experience in the police force...

I haven't read a crime or investigation focused read for what seems like forever so it was a refreshing and compelling change from my unusual non-fiction and fantasy reads. It did take me a while to get into the book and the proof copy has teeny tiny text (which always pits me off a book) but it was definitely an interesting read and has made me want to look into more police, crime and mystery focused books - when I finally get my TBR down to a more manageable size! If you like detective and investigative reads then definitely pick up this newly released read!

Have you read this book? What are you currently reading? 

*Gifted

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December Reading Wrap-up 2019

October was an awful reading month, November wasn't fantastic either and unfortunately the same pattern happened within December. I was only able to read six books in the month and most of them were short non-fiction reads or manga. My favourite books of the month include: Warriors, Witches, Women by Kate Hodges and Death Note.

*Warriors, Witches, Women by Kate Hodges (224 pages) ★★★★ (pub date: 4th Feb)

I'm always on the look out for niche and unusual non-fiction reads so when I saw this one all about various women (in the form of deities, goddesses and mythological creatures) I had to request it to review. Firstly, I love the illustrations throughout as well as the cover - it's a beautifully composed book. I like how the book is structured in terms of the categories, how each individual or creature has its own illustration and the easy to follow information. I think it's a fantastic and interesting non-fiction book about a range of unusual goddesses and mythological creatures from around the world.

History of Japan: A brief history of Japan - the Land of the Rising Sun by Eric Collins (104 pages) ★★★

Another non-fiction read was this short book all about the history of Japan in a very brief format. It was free on Kindle Unlimited so if you have a free trial or subscription then it's worth checking out. I didn't know much about the history of Japan so this book was very interesting and I think it's probably a great starting point for further reading. It was a very quick and easy read but I did find it a little repetitive in terms of certain words and phrases the author kept repeating. I think it needed editing and proofreading but overall, it was a good basic starting point and it was free with Kindle Unlimited.

Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata and Tetsuichiro Miyaki (392 pages) ★★★

Japanese culture and history has been something I've found to be fascinating over the past couple of months so I want to delve into the world of manga and the one that caught my eye instantly was Death Note. We follow Light Yagami, an excellent student, as he finds the death note which is a notebook dropped by Ryuk (one of the shinigami of death - gods of death). He discovers that he can see Ryuk and if he writes someones name in the death note, they will die. What follows is part murder investigation and part philosophising on the name of good vs evil, criminality, morality and consequences.

This is the first manga I've ever read and I loved it, from the illustrations and glimpses into Japanese culture to the dark plot and the reading experience. I also love the edition I have which is the 'black edition'. The only reasons I rated it three starts was because I didn't understand the actions of some of he characters and it felt a little cheesy at times but I do want to carry on with the series.

Japanese Mythology by Matt Clayton (88 pages) ★★★

Yet another short history book about Japan and this one is from the free series on Kindle Unlimited called Captivating Myths/Captivating History. It's another interesting, short and quick read all about the origins of Japanese myths, creation stories, gods and goddesses, one of which I was familiar with. As I said with the History Of Japan read, I think these books are good, very basic introductions to a subject but if you have some knowledge then it might be too basic. I'd recommend this series, from what I've read, if you can read it for free.

The Woods Volume Five by James Tyrion (112 pages) ★★★

I said I wouldn't continue with this series within my previous reading wrap-up but I was in another reading slump in December and wanted something quick and easy to read. At this point, all of this series has fused into one within my memory as they all carry on from one another. The thing I enjoy about this series is the art style as it's unique, colourful and a sci-fi that I don't hate! If you have Kindle Unlimited then you can read the first five for free which I would recommend.

Attack On Titan Volume One by Hajime Isayama and Sheldon Drzka (193 pages) ★★★

The final manga I read in December was such a popular title and it has to be one of the most unusual as we follow a dystopian world in which humans have retreated to a fortress as they try to survive attacks from the titans - they are gigantic human-like creatures that eat people...The art style is a little creepy and at times a little difficult to follow but it was an interesting read overall. This manga was definitely unique and I liked the story but I think it was a little too weird for me and I won't be continuing on with the series. Although it is a very highly rated manga on GoodReads so I think I'm in the minority of not fully enjoying this manga.

Have you read any of these books? What did you read in the month of December? 

*Gifted

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