Blogger Bookclub - What Alice Forgot By Liane Moriarty

Alice is twenty-nine. She adores sleep, chocolate, and her ramshackle new house. She's newly engaged to the wonderful Nick and is pregnant with her first baby.

There's just one problem. All of that was ten years ago . . .

Do you ever wonder where you will be in 10years time? What if you were made to relive the last 10 years of your life, but you don't remember any of it? That's what happens when Alice hits her head at the gym, she wakes up thinking she is 29. The story follows Alice as she struggles to remember what has happened during those last 10 years, why she is divorcing her husband, how she is meant to look after her children (none of which she remembers) and discovers who she is now.

I liked the concept of the story but I feel there is too much going on around the story and not enough of the actual story. It jumps between Alice's story, Elisabeth's (Alice's Sisters) diary about her struggles with trying to have children and Frannie's (Alice's Granny) blog - it felt like these parts were put in to fill up the story.

It's not a book I would normally have reached for, I enjoyed it but it took ages to get into and when I finished a chapter, it didn't make me want to read the next chapter in a hurry - I had a few days off this book and it didn't bother me so I know it's not one that I would rush to recommend.

You can read what Leanne & Lorna thought of the book by heading over to their blogs.

Let me know if you read this!

Sarah xx

Blogger Bookclub - The Book of You by Claire Kendal

Another month and another book. This month's book was The Book of You by Claire Kendal. I'm not normally a thriller book fan, I wouldn't choose the book off the shelf unless someone recommends one to me so I was a little concerned I wouldn't enjoy the book.

The story follows Clarissa who becomes the focus of her colleague's, Rafe, affections. The book flits between 1st and 3rd person, some of the chapters focus on Clarissa and what Rafe is putting her through as she builds evidence to take to the police, while others are the story around her as she sits on the jury in a horrible trial, learning from this the sorts of evidence she needs before her story will be taken seriously.

Once I got my head around the change in person I really got stuck in and couldn't put it down, the more erratic Rafe's behaviour became, the more I could feel myself getting angry and frustrated, I  really grew to hate that character. 

I really enjoyed The Book of You when I didn't expect to! 

Check out the other girls in the book club to see what they thought!

Lorna - Leanne - Lizzie - Alyssia - Chloe

Blogger Bookclub - Techbitch by Lucy Skyes & Jo Piazza

I feel like I haven't actually sat down and read a whole book in forever, so when the opportunity came along to join a book club, I grabbed it with both hands!

This month’s book was the interestingly named Techbitch by Lucy Skyes & Jo Piazza.

Techbitch (Noun) someone who is a complete bitch in the technological world – Techbitch follows Imogen Tate, Glossy Magazine’s Editor, as she returns to work only to discover that her old assistant, Eve, has moved in and is transforming the magazine into an online version. As Imogen struggles to get to grips with the technology of her new world she has only one choice, to adapt or become extinct.

For my first book, it was so nice to sit down with some good old 'Chick-Lit', an easy read that I could just lose myself in. I felt that I could fully relate to having a person in my life who changes the goal posts, takes a lot of the credit for work I have completed and is just so incredibly two-faced! I grew to hate Eve's character and adore Imogen and I wanted to keep reading to find out how Eve would reach her demise!

Would I class it as a book that is well written? No, but then you don't pick up Heat magazine and expect it to be high-brow literature. If you're looking for something light and fluffy then this is a book for you.

Check out the other lovely ladies in the book club to find out their thoughts:

Lorna - Leanne - Lizzie - Alyssia - Chloe

Next month's book is  'The Book of You’by Claire Kendal.

Let me know what you think

xx

#BigBlogmasproject2014 Day 5 - The December Reading List

I don't often get to sit down and just pick up a book - school work takes up a lot of my time and then fitting in reading blogs, blogging myself and making time for myself, the pile of books that I have is slowly growing. With that in mind, I'm forcing myself to switch off a bit earlier - getting myself settled in bed and reading through the pile. This month I've picked 5 books which I've had for a while and can't wait to read.

A mix of different genres of books - I'm most looking forward to getting into the Jojo Moyes book as she is one of my favourite authors and anything Christmassy is a winner so the Chrissie Manby book will be enjoyed with a hot chocolate at some point.

Now, time to go a curl up again - what recommendations have you got for me for next month? xx

Summer Bucket List '14 - Reading Challenge

On Friday I managed to sit down and finally write up my Bucket List for the summer, one of the key ones I really wanted to do is to get the chance to sit and read. With teaching, blogging and reading blogs, I don't often get the chance to sit and read so I'm taking the opportunity over the summer to read through some of the books which have been ignored on my book shelf as well as having a bit of a clear out of some old books.

I picked 6 books, one for each week of the summer. I know one week has already passed but I've managed to get one book read before the end of last week so I stay on track. Belinda Jones is one of my favourite Chick Lit author, perfect for the summer and Divas Las Vegas has been on the shelf for a while. As well as that, I've also picked the Love Academy to as it’s a true chick lit. Next is a summer romp-com book from Tilly Bagshaw, The Inheritance, a good dose of escapism. Sophie Kinsella Wedding Night is one that I've had on the shelf for weeks and I need to read it. I picked up You're The One that I want by Giovanna Fletcher on a whim. I liked the blurb and am curious to see what she's like as a writer. Finally, no collection would be complete without a Cecelia Ahern in the mix and How to Fall in Love is no exception.

I can't wait to get through this stack of books, it’s been so nice to sit in the sun and read through all the books.  

What books do I need to add to my list? Do you want to see book reviews as a regular thing on here? Xx

August Favourites '13

Another month down, head back to school on Monday, 6 weeks always feels forever but flys so fast, luckily I have lots prepared so it will be a bit easier when we get back! 

Ahywhoo, as September starts I've picked my favourites for August. In August I worked out lots, did lots of work for school and went on holiday and all the bits I've picked are bits which really stood out, especially on holiday.

- Benefit Hoola Bronzer - Love this, topping up the tan, contouring, bronzing, there's nothing I don't like about this, apart from the fact I've hit pan.

- Rimmel Scandal Eyes Retro Glam mascara - In the evenings this is what I reached for, great to give really full lashes and it didn't flake in the evening heat!

- Maybelline Great Lash - This is the waterproof version and its perfect for the bottom lashes as the brush is really dinky.

- Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner - Bought this in Spain and it was amazing! Left my hair soft and reduced the appearance of split ends, I will be trying more from this range.

- Dove Summer Glow - Used on holiday to help top up a bit more to bring out the colour, I'm still using it to keep everything even, especially on my legs.

- Nintendo DS - In the drawer with the travel plugs, much neglected but I've re-kindled my love for it, have spent
 way too many hours playing games on it!

- Books - I packed these two for holiday and loved just having time to read a book, switching off from blogs.

- Tangle Teezer - Its love, could not have been on holiday without it, even my niece who squeals if you walk near with a brush let me style her hair every night! 

Overall a good month, what favourites have you had this month? xx

Insta-Review - Revenge Wears Prada

Finally, a chance to sit down & read! Feel like blogging stops me picking up an actual book sometimes, but when I saw this was released, I had to grab it.

As a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada,  Revenge Wears Prada joins Andy 10years later, following a 2yr period of her life where the 'Devil' steps back in unexpectedly, being back bad memories, old fears and tearing her life apart again.

I have so far loved all of the books written by Louise Weisberger, this being no exception.

Without the same fashion & beauty input as the original, it still kept me reading with lots of different surprises thrown in throughout. It's hard to imagine the characters without referring to the film - but it fills in the gaps nicely.

Do I want this made into a film...not really, it works much better on paper but a great read for a sunny day!

What do you think? Have you read this or any others yet? Xx

26 Before 26 Books - Jojo Moyes - The Girl You Left Behind

Blogging and reading blogs really makes me neglect my books, so I'm determined to read more as it helps me relax and sleep better, plus I set that as part of my 26 before 26 to read two books a month and review them. So here's my first review:

I picked this up after reading Jojo Moyes previous book ' Me before You' which I loved so I had high hopes.

The Girl You Left Behind is split into two parts, the first in 1917 France during the war and the second in modern day London. It follows how the lives of two women living 100years apart twist and turn and become tangled together. It explores the lengths people go to for love, as well as getting a second chance at love.

What I really liked was how un-stereotypical this is of the usual chick-lit I would pick up. Both women in the story are fighting for something that they love and will do anything to hold onto it, no matter what cost.

This was a nice, easy read that I could happily have read in a weekend if I had the time, and one that I would come back to again - if you fancy reading then I would recommend it, as well as checking out Moyes' previous book as well.

Now to settle down with my next book. Have you read any of Jojo Moyes's books? What did you think? Any book recommendations for me? Xx



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The No Name Book Club

Evening lovelies, a second post from me tonight, that's because I want to start a book club!!

Last night got talking to a few people on twitter about starting one as we enjoy reading or want to read a bit more for fun.

So to keep it easy, we will pick a book, read it and then discuss on a post, whether that be me writing a post or someone else writing the post and posting it as guest post then its all cool.

This weeks I've picked two books which I will get read this week are:

 

Me Before you by Jojo Moyes and War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.


I've picked these books as they contrast with each other, but both are written by exceptional authors and so should be interesting reads.


If people want to change the book choice then please let me know, or if you want to put a book forward then please please comment and let me know! 


If you fancy joining us then let me know in the comments below, so far the book club with No Name consists of:


@KnickersanNails (me!)
@Miss_Jenx
@robynwinrow
@pretastyleblog 
@sarahseesall


let me know if your joining in by commenting below, and if you can come up with a name for the group then woohoo!!!


xx

Summer Reading - Chick Lit

I love books, I love reading books, I love buying books, I love just looking at all the books I have collected over the years sitting on my bookshelf. I get my love of books and reading from my mum who has more books then our local library, she really needs another book shelf!

I used to have a lot more time for reading, but heading into my first year of full time work I soon discovered that I no longer could spend hours reading, as a consequence the pile of books to read has grown as I've bought more and more.

So I decided, now that I have a bit of time on my hands that I would try to get through the books and then write a bit of a review.

So here are my books for the summer;

Tilly Bagshawe -Fame
Tilly Bagshawe - Flawless
Belinda Jones - Out of the Blue
Carmen Reid - Celebrity Shopper
Tilly Bagshawe - Do Not Disturb
Belinda Jones - The Love Academy
Tasmina Perry - Guilty Pleasures.




These books are all traditional chick lit books, with similar stories of love, lust and everything in between which make then great reads. Each time I finish a book I will aim to write a review and let you know what I think! I already have one read to review and nearly another one finished!


I'd love to hear your recommendations for books that you have read, I'm always looking for more!