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Minggu, 25 Maret 2018


It is hard to believe it has been a year since I have attended a book publisher event but I can tell you I really have missed being amongst authors, publishers and bloggers so it was wonderful to be invited to The Books and the City Spring Blogger Event hosted by the wonderful SJ at the Simon and Schuster Offices which has had an amazing major revamp.

We were spoilt this year with not one not two but TEN yes 10 authors to talk to us about their new book babies which are released this year.



Each of the authors were asked some questions about their books and then they kindly read an extract of their books which if I wasn't tempted to read before I certainly was after I had heard a little snippet of them.

We heard from Victoria Walters, author of Random Acts of Kindness which is being released in four parts the first of which is currently FREE on Kindle. I have read part 1 and 2, I am so eager to read part 3 to see what happens to the three main characters next.

PART 3 is published 2nd April



Santa Montefiore

I am ashamed to say I have never read a book by Santa before ( I know this is disgraceful! ) Santa read from her upcoming release The Temptation of Gracie and she spoke to us about the settings of her books informing us that she prefers to set her books in the countryside where there is tranquillity and all the glorious smells. I will be trying this book and no doubt I will become hooked and want to work my way all through her back list.

This book is due for release on 12th July 2018



Penny Parkes

I often find it hard to adjust quickly to the real world once I have been absorbed by a book with such idyllic settings and believable characters it seems like Penny has the same difficulty when writing her books especially when browsing the property section of the paper and sees her characters houses for sale! Her latest release in the series is Best Practice and I can not wait to be back with these much loved characters and dishy Doctors!

Best Practice is available NOW!


Paige Toon

Ok surely I am not the only one who feels like she is talking to royalty when in the presence of Paige Toon! I adore this woman's books and I am so comfortable with her writing now I don't even read the synopsis I just jump right in. It was a real treat to hear Paige reading from her upcoming release Five Years From Now and we were also lucky enough to get a copy in our goody bags so I will be starting this as soon as I have finished my current read.

Five Years From Now is due to be published 17th May




Louise Candlish

Our House would not be my typical novel of choice but I have to admit my interest is piqued with this one after the little snippet that Louise read. This will also be my first read by this author so I am looking forward to trying this book.

Our House is due for release on the 5th April




Juliet Ashton

You can always rely on Juliet Ashton to get the room laughing out loud and this is why I absolutely love this woman! I have a copy of her upcoming release The Sunday Lunch Club on my shelves and now I have some more time on my hands I am looking forward to picking this one up as I know this is going to be a great humorous read.

The Sunday Lunch Club is due for release 19th April




Holly Hepburn

I love seeing Holly she really is a little ray of sunshine, she was asked if she was to open her own shop what would it be and she replied it would be making biscuits..... well not making the biscuits because that is hard tedious work but the decorating part I would be happy to do! We do not want to lose her to biscuits though as we love her books and her covers sure do call out to me too. Her 4th part of her Castle Court series is due for release on the 1st May 2018.



Heidi Swain

This is the second time I have met Heidi Swain and listening to her being interviewed and reading from her book you can see how her confidence has grown. Heidi is so thankful that she took the advice from fellow author Mandy Baggot and just started writing. It was thanks to the Digital Original opportunity that Heidi now graces our shelves so it just goes to show that if you put your heart and soul into writing your book there is a platform that can really help to give you that first step.

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square is due for release 31st May




Catherine Isaac

Better know to us as Jane Costello but she felt that her new book You Me Everything should be published under a different name as it has a different feel to it compared to her previous books. I have now read this book and I adored it, it is such a tender read with a depth to the storyline and a delicate issue so I feel that it was the right decision to release it under a different name.
 You Me Everything is due for release 19th April




Anstey Harris

We then heard from a new author Anstey Harris whose book we will not be able to get our little hands on until next year but The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton sounds like it will be a book worth waiting for.




I had such a wonderful evening, I have really missed being surrounded by people who have the same passion for books as me. Keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of months for my reviews of these wonderful books.

Which ones are you looking forward to picking up?

Spring Blogger Event 2018

Kamis, 30 April 2020



THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD
WINNER OF THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG NOVEL AWARD 2018
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPECSAVERS NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2018

A brilliantly original high concept murder mystery from a fantastic new talent: Gosford Park meets Inception, by way of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror

One of Stylist Magazine's 20 Must-Read Books of 2018
One of Harper's Bazaar's 10 Must-Read Books of 2018
One of Marie Claire, Australia's 10 Books You Absolutely Have to Read in 2018

'Somebody's going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won't appear to be a murder and so the murderer won't be caught. Rectify that injustice and I'll show you the way out.'

It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.

But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden - one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party - can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.

The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath...


Product details

  • Hardback | 528 pages
  • 153 x 234 x 48mm | 915g
  • Raven Books
  • London, United Kingdom
  • English
  • 1 x double-spread illustrated floorplan (used as endpapers)
  • 1408889560
  • 9781408889565
  • 26,334


Download The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle : The Sunday Times Bestseller and Winner of the Costa First Novel Award (9781408889565).pdf, available at WEB_TITLE for free.

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The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle : The Sunday Times Bestseller and Winner of the Costa First Novel Award (9781408889565)

Selasa, 13 Juni 2017

She’s moved on…
Felicity Knight loves New York. But when she spots her ex-husband in the city, Fliss is desperate to escape!
He’s moved back…
Vet Set Carlyle is back from California to establish his own practice and settle down. When he learns that his ex Fliss still lives close by, that future is looking a whole lot brighter…
Will a perfect escape bring them back together?
With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see he’s never stopped loving her!

When I need a light romantic and uplifting read I always turn to author Sarah Morgan as her books are the perfect choice and never disappoint. Her latest release Holiday in the Hamptons tells the story of Fliss and Seth and for those avid fans of Sarah Morgans books will likely remember Fliss and her twin sister Harriet from her previous books with the work they done for Urban Genie so I already felt like I knew these characters and I couldn't wait to read their story but don't worry if this is your first book by this author as you don't need to have read the previous trilogy to be able to read this book as Fliss and Harriet were only supporting characters.

After a young whirlwind romance that ended in such devastation Fliss and Seth have been separated for 10 years, they have both built successful careers and have been enjoying life but they both have been unlucky in love but could that be because they still hold a piece of each other's heart? 

This was such an enjoyable read that was fast paced with short sharp chapters making it perfect holiday reading. The storyline was full of romance and the chemistry between Fliss and Seth was obvious from their first meeting. 

I havent read many books that have twins as central characters but that was one of the things that I loved about this book not just the strong bond between the sisters but it also helped to bring humor to the book with Fliss pretending to be her sister which just goes to show however much twins look alike they have completely different personalities and skills.

Although this was a real feel good read there was also a more emotive part to the story surrounding Fliss's childhood and how it has affected her growing up and having this weaved into the storyline was perfect as it gave a little more depth to the slightly predictable storyline.  

This was such a pleasant read, I thoroughly enjoyed Fliss's story and I really hope we are treated to Harriet's story next.



Kindle                                 Paperback

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan

Sabtu, 19 Mei 2018



Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart.

Five years later, they find each other.  Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.
 
For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them.
Will they ever find true happiness?
And will it be together?


I have really struggled to write a review for Five Years From Now by Paige Toon as it is quite simply a remarkably tender read that I absolutely loved, so I want to shout about it from the roof tops but in the same breath I don’t want to give anything away.
The storyline follows Nell and Van from their first meeting at 5 years old after their parents fall in love and move in together. Although it was a frosty start the pair soon become inseparable until years later a terrible event pulls the two apart.
Five years later the pair are reunited and they have a lot of catching up to do and there are heightened feelings added to the mix but again they are forced apart.
Nell and Van end up reuniting every 5 years through life’s ups and downs but will they always be torn apart.
This is my favourite book of the year so far. I can not remember the last book I read where the characters felt so life like to me and the storyline so believable, raw and honest. I have only ever cried at two previous books and that was some time ago but this book touched me you could tell the author had poured such emotion into this storyline.
The book begins on quite a light hearted note with Nell and Van only 5 years old so there is that innocence and cheekiness from the characters and a little humour to especially when deciding on which bunk bed to have I did have a little chuckle at the reasoning behind it!
As the storyline progresses the characters begin to age we watch them blossom into respectful teens and adults but they have a lot of emotions going on that they question and us as a reader question but the author tackles these thoughts in the storyline through other characters. Nell and Van are such loveable and honest characters who care for each other but also care about the thoughts and feelings of those around them too.
The chapters are broken into 5 year intervals and the five years is significant as a question pops up a couple of times about how your life was 5 years ago and how your life will be five years from now and this really got me looking back and forward in my life too so it is a thought provoking read.
I love that it wasn’t a predictable read and this is why I want to be so careful with what I mention about the storyline as this was why it was such an emotive and unexpectant read as I really was going in with no expectations which made every chapter have an impact on me.
This has definitely taken the top spot of Paige Toon’s books and it is the best book I have read so far this year. A sincere, honest and heart breaking romantic read that I wish I could read for the first time all over again. I really couldn’t leave Nell and Van behind and although I tried to read a few other books after I couldn’t settle as I was longing to be back with the pair and so I did just that and went back and read it again for a second time, something I have never done!





Five Years From Now by Paige Toon

Rabu, 12 Juli 2017

When Lottie Foster’s grandmother’s best friend Gwen dies, she leaves Lottie her lovely home, Cuckoo Cottage.

Lottie loves the cottage but Matt, a charming local builder, points out that beneath its charm it is falling apart. Luckily he is always on hand to help with the problems that somehow seem to keep cropping up. But is he just a bit too good to be true? Certainly Will, Lottie’s closest neighbour, seems to think so.

Lottie plans to set up her own business renovating vintage caravans. She hasn’t told anyone about the project she has cooked up with Jemma from The Cherry Tree Café to repurpose Gwen’s old caravan and turn it into a gorgeous tearoom.

But before she can finally enjoy living with her legacy she must uncover who she can trust, and who to avoid. And with two men vying for her attention, will she also find love?



Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage is the latest release by Heidi Swain and sees us returning to the idyllic village of Wynbridge with the introduction of a new main character the lovely Lottie Foster. When Lottie’s grandmothers best friend passed away she left Lottie her home, Cuckoo Cottage, hoping that this would give Lottie the chance to make a real life for herself. As Lottie begins to put down her roots and starts playing with ideas on how to utilise the land which comes with her new home it soon becomes clear not everyone wants to see her settle at Cuckoo Cottage.

I have read all of Heidi’s books and I love that so many of the previous characters are all weaved into this storyline and that we re-visit Skylark Farm and the delightful Cherry Tree Cafe. This book can easily be read as a stand alone but having read the previous books this one just felt like reuniting with friends.

You can expect witty moments from early on in this book and a typical love triangle between Lottie her helpful builder Matt and delightful neighbour, it was a little predictable but never the less a joy to read as we watch events unfold and testosterone flow! The community spirit comes across strongly in this book, no one can keep a secret as everyone knows everyone business and yet they all rally round and help each other.

I don't want to give away any spoilers so I am not going to say too much but I rather hoped we would see the development of Lottie’s idea come to light as Heidi has great descriptive writing and I was eager to watch Lottie develop her vision.

I thought this was a wonderful light read and fans of Heidi Swains previous books will not be disappointed as her character and charm from her previous books are all found in this new release.


Kindle                    Paperback

Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage by Heidi Swain

Rabu, 14 November 2018



Eve Glace - co-owner of the theme park Winterworld - is having a baby and her due date is a perfectly timed 25th December. And she’s decided that she and her husband Jacques should renew their wedding vows with all the pomp that was missing the first time.  But growing problems at Winterworld keep distracting them … 

Annie Pandoro and her husband Joe own a small Christmas cracker factory, are well set up and happy together despite life never blessing them with a much-wanted child.  But when Annie finds that the changes happening to her body aren’t typical of the menopause but pregnancy, her joy is uncontainable. 

Palma Collins has agreed to act as a surrogate, hoping the money will get her out of the gutter in which she finds herself.  But when the couple she is helping split up, is she going to be left carrying a baby she never intended to keep?

Annie, Palma and Eve all meet at the ‘Christmas Pudding Club’, a new directive started by a forward-thinking young doctor to help mums-to-be mingle and share their pregnancy journeys. Will this group help each other to find love, contentment and peace as Christmas approaches?


I love this time of year, cosying up with a hot chocolate and a festive read while it is cold outside! There have been so many beautiful festive covers that have caught my eye this year but The Mother of all Christmases jumped out at me with its snowy setting and traditional log cabins showcasing festive wares and to top it off it is by a favourite author of mine, Milly Johnson.



This book follows the pregnancy of three women Palma, Annie and Eve who form a new firm friendship after attending the Christmas Pudding Club. Although the book centres around the women and through their 9 month journey to motherhood we also get to know a whole host of other characters in this book many of whom you will recognise if you are a Milly Johnson fan and have devoured all her books. I loved being reunited with much loved characters from her previous books but don’t be put off reading this book if you haven’t read any of Milly’s previous books as this book can easily be read as a standalone without feeling like you are missing something. It does take a while to get to grips with all the characters and how they know each other but before long they all become easily identifiable and play a great part in the storyline.

I loved all three of our main characters, Eve who we have met before is still running Winterworld and as well as her pregnancy she also has her vowel renewal looming too which has a fabulous festive twist to it. Annie and her husband Joe run a Cracker business and it was clear that Milly had obviously researched this subject well giving us the details of cracker making and the importance of a good quality snap! It seemed such a friendly wonderful place to work with great characters in Iris and Gill. Most of all I loved Palma, her story is one that will stay with me for a long time yet. Palma was determined to turn her life around and her pregnancy was a somewhat controversial one but as her character develops and we see her journey through her pregnancy and her determination to stand on her own two feet and get a job of her own I soon warmed to her and wanted her to get her happy ever after. I don’t want to give too much away as something that happens in this book broke my heart in two and brought real tears rolling down my face, something that in all the years I have been reading and enjoying Milly’s books she has never done. Milly has such a lightness to her writing that carries you through the pages feeling uplifted and I think this was why when such a sensitive and devastating event occurred it had such an impact.

There was a gentle helping of festivity in this book but not overly done so this book can easily be read any time of the year. You will laugh and cry along with the characters in this book, it was such an addictive read that had me hooked from the first page and it is the first book in a long time that I have devoured in one sitting as I was eager to reach the end to see how everything panned out. However now I have finished I don’t want to leave these characters behind especially Palma. This book in true Milly form gets another big thumbs up from me.

Kindle                       Paperback

The Mother of all Christmases by Milly Johnson

Jumat, 27 November 2020



Finally ... a quick, easy reference to using your Kindle Fire - to the max! Amazon's Kindle Fire is the handiest, best-value digital device available, and is your portal to an infinite universe of education and entertainment. This easy-to-use guide shows you how to get the biggest bang from your Kindle bucks. You'll see how to quickly set up your Kindle, navigate the touchscreen, buy, rent or stream video, and browse the world's largest library of digital books. About the author: Steve Weber has been writing about Amazon.com for a decade. He's the publisher of KindleBuffet.com, a website and newsletter that displays outstanding Kindle books being offered free for a limited time. The site also has bestseller lists of free Kindle books for every Amazon category -- fiction, romance, business, cookbooks -- you name it. KINDLE FIRE OWNER'S MANUAL demystifies the Kindle and explains in plain English how to master the basics. And you'll see much more, including secret tips, tricks and shortcuts you won't find elsewhere. Each section includes clearly written step-by-step instructions, illustrated with screenshots and menus just like you'll see on your own Kindle: -- Changing the settings -- How to charge your Kindle battery and prolong its life -- Enjoy an infinite supply of the best books, music and video from Amazon, iTunes or virtually any other source. -- Using personal documents, including word processing files, PDFs, and spreadsheets. Chuck your laptop and PDA, and do it all with your handy Kindle! -- The easy way to harvest your own content and get it onto your Kindle Fire, including gems you didn't buy at Amazon. -- How to download apps and get the best free programs from Amazon's Android App Store or other sources. -- How to download, organize and read your favorite books, magazines and newspapers on the Kindle Fire. -- How to get current and archived editions of the world's most popular newspapers, magazines and websites streamed to your Kindle-updated constantly, with no fees whatsoever! -- How to use Amazon's "Cloud" service for unlimited free storage of your digital content. -- Purchase or rent movies and TV shows, and how to find a gold mine of free video. -- Find and use popular apps and video games on the Kindle Fire. -- Learn to find the best free content in the world, downloadable to your Kindle. (You might never have to pay for books, movies or music again-ever!) -- Using Amazon Prime to stream movies using your home's Internet service. -- Use your Kindle to send and receive email from Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, and virtually any other service. -- Surf the Web at daredevil speeds using Kindle's built-in Silk Web browser. -- Show off your own photos and videos on your Kindle, no matter which camera you used.


Product details

  • Paperback | 154 pages
  • 216 x 279 x 8mm | 372g
  • [S.l.]
  • English
  • 1936560119
  • 9781936560110
  • 776,859


Download Kindle Fire Owner's Manual : The ultimate Kindle Fire guide to getting started, advanced user tips, and finding unlimited free books, videos and apps on Amazon and beyond (9781936560110).pdf, available at WEB_TITLE for free.

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Kindle Fire Owner's Manual : The ultimate Kindle Fire guide to getting started, advanced user tips, and finding unlimited free books, videos and apps on Amazon and beyond (9781936560110)

Selasa, 30 September 2014

Cambridge Library Collection

Various titles, $37.99 - $75

Cambridge University Press


Reviewed by Russell A. Potter



It's not often that we review multiple titles in a single notice -- but this case is exceptional. There's no other single publisher who offers such a range of classic expedition narratives, and it would seem unfair to single out any one of these many volumes. Chosen in consultation with the Scott Polar Research Institute, they represent the widest array of classic Arctic book currently in print and available from any publisher I know. And, though it's quite true that the majority of them can be read for free online via Google Books or archive.org, there's something about these particular books -- and these particular reprints -- that makes obtaining them as actual, physical books a particular value.

Over past decades, a number of publishers have reprinted books such as these -- classics in their field which have long gone out of print -- and sold them, primarily to the library market. Many of these books were "blowbacks" -- printed from microfilm -- and sometimes left something to be desired, as when large-format books were reprinted in a smaller trim size, resulting in painfully small print. Such troubles also plague online books, which in many cases replicate the errors of careless scanning or filming -- maps photographed folded, bent pages obscuring text, foxing, and missing pages. As someone whose first job out of college was editing microfilm collections for Research Publications (now Primary Source Media), I appreciate that these things do happen -- but when they're not caught, the value of the copy declines significantly.

And this, to my mind, is the best thing about these Cambridge reprints. They're freshly scanned from originals held by Cambridge libraries, and extra care is taken that each page is faithfully reproduced. Equally importantly, they're generally done in the same trim size as the originals, which gives them a welcome readability -- and heft -- which others lack. There's something truly extraordinary, I've discovered, about reading volumes such as Charles Francis Hall's narrative of his second Arctic expedition, with all of the in-line illustrations and text at full size -- it feels just as good as reading the original (and far more convenient, as copies in good shape are scarce, and generally don't circulate outside libraries).

The Press's blog recently featured a variety of books by or relating to Sir John Franklin, some of which, such as Dr. King's, are scarce indeed, and all of which look to be handsomely presented. There are some other titles, too, that this list (inadvertently, I'm sure) missed: the Memoirs of Lieutenant Joseph René Bellot, the Memorial Sketch of the Life of John Irving, and Sir John Richardson's Arctic Searching Expedition, each of which offers a unique primary-source glimpse of the pathos and curiosity which surrounded the search for Franklin. Amercian Arctic figures are not neglected -- Isaac I. Hayes's The Open Polar Sea is available, and Dr. Elisha Kent Kane's Grinnell narratives are soon to be released. It fires the imagination to think of the reference library one could amass at home, without the cost and anxiety of finding original editions.

These volumes, I should note, are not inexpensive -- the prices, in general, are geared to the library market -- but given their quality, are eminently reasonable. Those who are willing to do business with amazon.com will find that most are available there at a discount. According the the publishers, they've found that a surprising proportion of recent sales have been to individuals, and I'm sure that's a trend that will continue. For all the vaunted revolution of electronic books, there are some -- these among them -- which really can't be appreciated if they don't take up some space on a shelf, and in one's hands.

UPDATE: I've since found this link to the complete Polar/Arctic list.

Cambridge Library Collection: Arctic Classics

Senin, 24 Oktober 2016


Matilda Bell is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies. Haunted by regret, she makes a promise that will soon change everything . . .

When spirited former singing star Reenie Silver enters her life, Mattie seizes the opportunity to make amends. Together, Mattie and Reenie embark on an incredible journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the glamorous 1950s and put right a sixty-year wrong.




I have read every one of Miranda Dickinson’s books and I am a big fan as her books never disappoint. I have to admit to being a little nervous about this book as when I read the synopsis it mentioned about uncovering secrets from the 1950’s and as much as I love uncovering secrets, I am not comfortable with the 1950’s as my knowledge of that era is limited but luckily enough the authors beautiful writing style I have come to know and love soon had me immersed in the storyline.

Mattie and Rennie strike an unlikely friendship on a chance meeting when Mattie arrives at the care home where Rennie lives to do a presentation. The pair soon become good friends and begin to open up to each other and form a plan to help each other with Mattie being able to make amends to her grandfather and Reenie being able to apologise to the band members whose careers she damaged.  The pair embark on a journey along with the handsome Gil to find the original band members of The Silver Five and right the wrongs from the past.

At the heart of this storyline is such a strong friendship between Mattie and Reenie and I found this so endearing. Reenie showers Mattie with her stories from the highlights of her life and in turn it helps Mattie to feel more connected to her Grandfather. We don’t get to meet Mattie’s Grandfather as he has just passed away at the start of the book but we get to build a picture of his character through the short sharp diary entries that pop up throughout the book which I thought was a lovely touch and I looked forward to each entry to see what was revealed.

I have read many books about road trips but it is easy to say none of them are quite like this! Reenie brings a light hearted humour to the book with her diva-ish ways, Mattie  is the one to keep their feet on the ground and make sure things run smoothly ( well as smooth as they can be with Reenie!) and Gil provides up with our eye candy and a little sprinkling of romance.

The authors love of music shines through in this book helped with the soundtracks at the beginning of each chapter, she has quite clearly poured her heart and soul into this book and it is one to be proud of.
I did find the beginning of the book a little slow to start which I haven’t found in the authors previous books but this is soon redeemed and I am so pleased I persevered otherwise I would have missed out on this wonderful journey.


If you love books that feature friendships, secrets, forgiveness and a  diva-ish octogenarian then this book will tick all the boxes!


Paperback                   Kindle

Searching for a Silver Lining by Miranda Dickinson

Minggu, 26 April 2020



A Best Book of the Year: Real Simple, Entropy, Mental Floss, Bitch Media, The Paris Reivew, and LitHub.

Time Magazine's Best Memoirs of 2018 - Boston Globe's 25 Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2018 - Buzzfeed's 33 Most Exciting New Books - GQ Best Non Fiction Book of 2018 - Bustle's 28 Most Anticipated Nonfiction Books of 2018 list - Nylon's 50 Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2018 - Electric Literature's 46 Books to Read By Women of Color in 2018

"Porochista Khakpour's powerful memoir, Sick, reads like a mystery and a reckoning with a love song at its core. Humane, searching, and unapologetic, Sick is about the thin lines and vast distances between illness and wellness, healing and suffering, the body and the self. Khakpour takes us all the way in on her struggle toward health with an intelligence and intimacy that moved, informed, and astonished me." -- Cheryl Strayed, New York Times bestselling author of Wild

A powerful, beautifully rendered memoir of chronic illness, misdiagnosis, addiction, and the myth of full recovery.

For as long as author Porochista Khakpour can remember, she has been sick. For most of that time, she didn't know why. Several drug addictions, some major hospitalizations, and over $100,000 later, she finally had a diagnosis: late-stage Lyme disease. Sick is Khakpour's grueling, emotional journey--as a woman, an Iranian-American, a writer, and a lifelong sufferer of undiagnosed health problems--in which she examines her subsequent struggles with mental illness and her addiction to doctor prescribed benzodiazepines, that both aided and eroded her ever-deteriorating physical health. Divided by settings, Khakpour guides the reader through her illness by way of the locations that changed her course--New York, LA, Santa Fe, and a college town in Germany--as she meditates on the physiological and psychological impacts of uncertainty, and the eventual challenge of accepting the diagnosis she had searched for over the course of her adult life. A story of survival, pain, and transformation, Sick candidly examines the colossal impact of illness on one woman's life by not just highlighting the failures of a broken medical system but by also boldly challenging our concept of illness narratives.


Product details

  • Paperback | 272 pages
  • 135 x 206 x 18mm | 181g
  • English
  • 006242873X
  • 9780062428738
  • 472,494


Download Sick : A Memoir (9780062428738).pdf, available at WEB_TITLE for free.

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Sick : A Memoir (9780062428738)

Sabtu, 10 Maret 2012

Having heard about the publications of Inhabit Media a few months ago via an article in Quill & Quire, I eagerly awaited review copies of their new series of children's books based on Inuit tales and legends. When the package finally arrived, I was frankly dazzled by the array of beautifully illustrated books that spilled forth, particularly by Rachel Qitsualik's The Shadows that Rush Past, grippingly illustrated by Emily Fiegenschuh and Larry MacDougall; as a longtime fan of Ms. Qitsualik's "Nunani" column in the Nunatsiaq News, I knew this would be a good one -- but the wealth of other, unexpected treasures was equally impressive.

Here at the Arctic Book Review we don't usually review many children's books, but these -- among the first Inuit-penned books of their kind -- seemed worthy of special mention. I've since read them, and sent several out to others of our reviewers, but wanted to give an overview of the series here, just to alert readers to the wealth of new and significant titles that are now available. And finally, a word of caution: as those who have read either traditional Inuit tales or the imaginative works of Inuit writers -- Larry Milliman's A Kayak Full of Ghosts and Alootook Ipellie's adult collection Arctic Dreams and Nightmares come to mind -- will know, these tales often have dark, or darkly comic twists, different but easily equal to the grimmest of Grimm's tales. If your kids like really scary books -- Stephen Gammell, for instance -- then I am certain they'll love these volumes. And, completely without persuasion or preaching, they will learn a few things about Inuit culture and history that they're unlikely to discover anywhere else.

The Shadows That Run Past is easily the best of the bunch, as I expected -- Ms. Qitsualik is a practiced storyteller, whose voice immediately takes readers into the circle of traditional narrative. Her version of the story of the Amautalik, a fearsome creature with an amaut made of caribou antlers who steals children, is particularly chilling, and is rightly featured on the cover. And yet I must confess that The Legend of the Fog, a terrifying odyssey of a hunter's taken prisoner by giants who refer to him simply as "food," gave me just as good a scare, with Cape Dorest elder Qaunaq Mikkigak's tale perfectly complemented by Joanne Schwartz's masterful full-page illustrations. The other two books, Marion Lewis's Kaugjagjuk and Sakiasi Qaunaq's The Orphan and the Polar Bear are both teaching tales about young boys struggling with the journey to manhood who receive vital help from natural spirits. Qaunaq's book is the more conventional of the two, as in it the young boy receives help from the polar bear spirit and returns to his band as a full-fledged hunter. And yet it is Kaugjagjuk, to my mind, which is the richer tale; here the boy shamed and mistreated by his tribe is taught harsh lessons by the spirit of the Moon; he indeed returns strengthened, but does not take up a place with his band, leaving them behind with a deep sense of shame at how they treated him. It's a strong story, but a good one, and although it might put some parents off, will give young readers a much more forceful understanding of the traditional Inuit worldview.

Inhabit Media, located in Iqaluit, has these and many more books available and in the works. They are finely written, brilliantly illustrated, and well-printed on durable stock to survive the many readings I am sure they will all have in the hands of any young readers lucky enough to get hold of them. We here at the ABR wish them all the best with their publishing endeavors.

Inuit Tales of Terror

Jumat, 30 Juni 2017


I am thrilled to be on the blog tour today for Amber Green Takes Manhattan which is the latest release by Rosie Nixon. Those of you who follow my blog will remember I read the first Amber Green book last year, The Stylist, and absolutely loved it so I was over the moon to find out our beloved Amber was making a return.

Joining me on the blog today is author Rosie Nixon who is kindly going to answer some questions about the new book and about her writing.


Amber Green Takes Manhattan is your sequel to your debut The Stylist which was a fabulous hit last year, tell us a little bit about what we can expect in this book and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes, I’d like to think that the book can definitely be read as a standalone – that was important to me because I know that not everyone will have read The Stylist. It’s set in New York and it sees my central character Amber Green relocate from London for a few months with her boyfriend. It involves fashion shows, photo shoots and a host of escapades as Amber tries to make her name as a stylist in the Big Apple. I found it interesting to bring social media into the second book, Amber is encouraged by her agent to up her social media following and has a baptism of fire on Instagram with a fashion faux pas that goes viral – your worst nightmare! There are lots of funny moments. The book is also about navigating her first serious relationship. After I finished writing The Stylist I couldn’t get Amber out of my head and wanted to know what was going to happen next in her life. It was so much fun to write.

I loved Amber Green from the moment I met her in The Stylist, is she or any of your characters based on people you know and have your friends questioned you as to whether a character is based on them?
Of course, you can’t help but be influenced by situations you’ve been in and people you’ve met when you’re writing a book. I certainly was influenced by a number of experience I’ve had in New York, LA and London. My husband found it quite amusing reading about Amber Green because her relationship is an important part of it and he would say ‘isn’t he a bit like me?’ or ‘that situation sounds a bit familiar?’ and I would say ‘No darling, of course not, it’s complete fiction!’  There are definitely elements of me in Amber, I can’t help that, I very much see the funny side in situations and she’s got a great sense of humour, accidentally ending up in hot water but her heart is in the right place and she’s not a walk-over. I also have a very close friend called Chrissie and we've shared lots of travelling adventures – there’s probably a bit of her in Vicky which I think she’d be quite happy to hear because Amber and Vicky have a really special friendship and lots of fun together.

What was the last book that you read, do you find much time to read?
I have to say I read so much for work in my capacity as Editor-in-chief at HELLO!, I’m constantly reading other magazines, websites, social feeds and newspapers to keep on top of everything that reading a book is a real luxury and something I don’t get to do as often as I’d like. I just finished The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo, and it’s brilliant, I really enjoyed it. It was one of those books that you don’t want to end. I have two very young children so I love reading bedtime stories to them and when I go to bed myself I’m asleep immediately – I try and read half a paragraph and then I’m out!

You are a very busy woman, what tips can you give for writing a novel around a demanding job and where is your favourite place to write?
I think if you want to do something badly enough, when it’s a real passion of yours, you somehow manage to find the time. Writing is something that I love doing, it’s real escapism for me. so even though time is short it’s something that I can’t wait to do. I wrote a lot of Amber Green Takes Manhattan on my maternity leave with my second son and it was quite nice to have an excuse to pop to a coffee shop on my own when somebody was around to look after the baby. I’ve always enjoyed having a busy life and I think it’s important to find that balance. Luckily I write quickly when I’m in the zone and Amber’s voice came very naturally to me. It’s not easy and I don’t claim to be Super Woman, because I have weeks when I feel like it’s all too much and others where everything seems to be working well and I get lots done. It’s all a juggling act.

Do you plan on revisiting Amber Green in future books or do you feel like her journey will come to a natural end in this book?
I don’t like the thought of saying goodbye to Amber just yet. I have got an idea in mind for a third Amber Green book, and I’ve sketched out a rough plot. I can see it being a trilogy and then it will probably be time to say goodbye.

Thank you for taking the time to come and talk to us Rosie.
AMBER GREEN TAKES MANHATTAN IS OUT NOW!



Kindle                            Paperback

Amber Green Takes Manhattan Blog Tour

Senin, 18 Juni 2018


Today it is my stop on the Blog Tour for A Cornish Secret and I will be sharing with you my review for this wonderful book set in the idyllic village of Tremarnock.


I loved Tremarnock and The Cornish Guest House by Emma Burstall I can’t believe I have missed out Tremarnock Summer I will definitely be on the look out for it on my next bookshop visit. I was a little worried to start reading Emma Burstall’s latest release A Cornish Secret having not read book 3 as I was worried that I may have missed something that would then put me off the storyline of this one but I am pleased to say that this book was easy to read and I didn’t feel at any point that I had missed anything.
Esme and her childhood friend Caroline have always kept in contact but with Caroline living in Paris they haven’t seen each other. They decide to embark on a walking holiday but poor Caroline has an accident so Esme tempts Caroline to stay in the idyllic village of Tremarnock so she can look after her. A secret from their past soon can’t be contained any more.
Rosie finds a bottle washed up by the sea with an old note inside from back in the war. With Liz’s help they try to track down the person who wrote the letter but should somethings be left in the past.
This book can easily be read as a standalone but having read two out of the previous three books it was great to see so many of the characters I loved from those books returning especially my favourite little Rosie and Liz. I wanted to shake Robert so hard in this book though, what is he playing at!
I loved how both Esme and Caroline’s story is weaved around the search for Liz and Rosie’s lost Prisoner of War. I was interested in both storylines and found so much uncertainty for all the characters who are facing troubles. I was shocked by my little Rosie’s actions in this book she is normally the apple of my eye in these books and although I can see her actions were sort of justified I still was disappointed by the way she handled things.
Once again the community support is flowing through the pages of this book which is why I love Tremarnock so much.
I do hope we are treated to another book set in Tremarnock so that Robert has a chance to redeem himself again!
Kindle 

A Cornish Secret by Emma Burstall

Selasa, 04 September 2018


Today it is my stop on the blog tour for this absolute corker of a read, You Let Me In.
Those of you who follow my reviews will know what a big fan of Lucy Clarke I am so you can imagine my delight when her latest release landed on my door mat.

I have brought every one of Lucy Clarke’s novel time and time again for friends because they deserved to be read far and wide and I fail to see how any one would not love them as they are always full of suspense. Lucy Clarke’s new release is You Let Me In has a different look to her previous novels, gone are the sea scenes that seem to have been her signature style and in place is a white and grey chilling cover.
Bestselling author Elle returns home from a writing retreat but as soon as she walks in she knows that something isn’t right. She had rented her home out for the first time on air bnb but she had locked her writing room wanting to keep her privacy but on return the room is unlocked.
As the days follow and the deadline for her next book is looming but the words won’t flow, numerous unexplainable and creepy things begin to happen to her as if there is a constant presence in the house.
Wow wow wow! How does Lucy Clarke do this to me every time? Some books you read and they have that warm cosy inviting feeling, well not Lucy’s books her books chill me to the bone and have me so tense, I am talking shoulders permanently up by my ears from start to finish!
This book was so cleverly plotted keeping me guessing and having me suspicious of each and every character me meet, including our main character Elle! When the revelation came I was in complete and utter shock I had not seen this coming.
I don’t usually like to use the typical page turner quote in my reviews but this book has to be an exception as each time I went to put the book down instantly picked it back up again flying through the pages intrigued to see what was going to happen in the house next, I was so relieved when my Saturday night plans fell through so I could continue on this creepy chilling discovery!
This is an absolute corker of a book and to make it even better our main character Elle is an author so it was great to have a little insight into the authors pressures when a deadline is due. What I have always loved about this authors writing is how beautifully she describes everything from the surroundings to the feeling and emotions she just makes everything feel so heightened which puts us on edge even more as she pulls us in ready to take us by complete surprise.
I will be recommending this book to every bookworm I talk to and any of you who have read Luc Clarke’s previous novels will be blown away by this, her best book yet.


If you are eager to get your hands on a copy then you will be thrilled to know that the generous
team at Harper Collins have kindly offered a copy that is up for grabs in a UK Only giveaway.

Good Luck!


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You Let Me In by Lucy Clarke

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