It‘s become a bit of a tradition, my wonderful sister IL is mad on books , for Christmas and birthdays to make things fun Iv been wrapping up a date with a book basket. Each month she gets a new date and a sweet treat inside 😊 , I love the challenge of finding books she hasn‘t read already 😂, changed it up a bit this Christmas with some ‘open me anytime‘ you fancy a certain date 😂 funny , romantic .This time Iv photographed the unwrapped books!

I very rarely bail on a book but I just couldn‘t carry on reading this.Picked this up having no clue what it was really about- the vaccine argument/debate between two very good friends.If I had of known I wouldn‘t have bought it,very nearly didn‘t read but it‘s reviewed as a balanced argument on both sides but clearly sways more to one with the author announcing she vaccinated both her sons. Appreciate what she was trying to do. Such a hard topic!

I had heard so much about the ACATAR series , finally decided to give it a go.
Towards the end I couldn‘t put this down, it‘s got everything, a bit beauty and the beast sort of story but beauty (feyre) is beautifully brutal, she is a survivor!
Personally not a fan of the human/fae beast intercourse😅,FF⏩🫣 but can appreciate their relationship development&love story 🥰

Book 1 was thrilling beautiful,but deadly&clearly only just getting started!

Fell in love with this hardback copy, so pretty😍
This started well,young pregnant girl flees home&ends up being welcomed by a cult community, where she is able to raise her daughter,but not the way she would have planned with community rules.Enjoyed the first part of this & then was completely surprised when there was a bit of time travel popped in 2 thirds of the way in.Maybe I would of liked it more if I had of expected this 😅

Blimey 😳😳 🦷 🦷 that ending!
Super twisted and dark!

In need of a lighthearted one now 😂

The doggies love a page turner just as much as I do! more chance for cuddles in the day 🐶 ❤️

I preferred this to Blood Orange , that ending!
Dark and addictive

#newbook #pageturner
Devouring this on my break!

Definitely lives up to the title , anything with satanic themes really does make me squirm 🫣 . Love Gillian Flynn‘s twisty writing but was quite traumatic!
Also Found the film on Netflix (leaving soon!) and although Charlize Theron is a great actress, not what I had picture for Libby day

The Sankofa bird symbol is a powerful visual representation of the concept.The bird's head turned back towards the past while its feet face forward signifies the importance of looking back to the past for guidance & knowledge while still moving towards the future.The egg represents the knowledge and wisdom of the past that can be used to build a better future.

Beautiful story 💜 Anna finds her father‘s student journal in her mother‘s belongings…

Absolutely loving this cover 🥰
The colours , the feel, the shiny tones , the stacked bookshop art work , the inside cover art work 😍😍 , the little yellow bookmark ribbon 🙌
It‘s even drawn in my youngest daughter who insisted I read it with her . So currently our bedtime reading 📚 🛌
Makes me happy just looking at it 😁 , Hadn‘t realised at the time but it‘s two books in one . How can you not pre judge 😂

#coverlove #coverappreciation

“It all looked so strange…Now,normally one would be enough for a street.Here, how ever,the majority of the stores were bookshops.While your eyes might have been drawn at first to the bigger ones,what really stood out were the small used book shops.Seeing them all in a row together had its own subtle impact”

Any book that goes into detail about bookshops&inside bookshops I‘m here for😍
Had to Google if it was a real place and it is! I want to go!

It was a bit of slow burn to start with but once into it I loved it , loved Yomi‘s backstory, there is a little interview on the end of the audio book and she is a journalist herself, it was the time of the ‘me too‘ movement ,lots of anonymous lists were coming out and how powerful yet damaging social media can be. Yomi portrayed the different points of view so well and really gets you thinking! Are the outcomes of an anonymous list true justice?

I cheated!!
I hadn‘t finished reading the book , I started it years ago so I knew a few big details, just didn‘t finish it for some reason.
The film is Brilliant , grab the girls & go , you will belly laugh and cry.
Loved it!! ❤️ especially as all the old crew were there 🥳
Apparently it made over 11 million at the box office at the weekend alone and has blown captain America out of the water 😄.Got to love Bridget 💕
Enjoy!!! 🥂

Had this one on hold at the library for a fair few weeks , when it was delivered I had forgotten it was ‘that octopus book‘ , the cover for the audio book has nothing resembling an octopus 😂
Cute, slow paced , warm and fuzzy . I really enjoyed it , although wanted more Marcellus 🐙. It‘s made me want to go and watch the octopus documentary on Netflix! So will add that to my list 😊
Adored Tova and the T-shirt situation 😂

⭐️ ⭐️ Although I couldn‘t warm to any of the characters definitely a Great building of tension, unexpected outcomes and I had to keep reading.
Sadly I felt the ending was far too rushed when you got the crux of everything.

https://davidvbarron.com/2011/10/31/the-gypsy-pt7-his-books/

After reading gypsy boy a previous boyfriend of the author (who is mentioned more in the second book apparently) wrote an interesting blog about both books, including a statement from the authors family accusing lies and fabrication 🤔

A glimpse into the Romany Gyspy world, strict traditions, illegal activities , colourful language! and as a child knowing no different. I really wasn‘t prepared for the level of abuse this poor boy suffered. Born into a well know fighting family & expected to follow in his father‘s footsteps and not bring shame upon the Walsh name.
Heartbreaking , A difficult read at times 🙏

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Unexpectedly got caught up in this boys of tommen series. Serious topics of DV & neglect, characters you fall in love with, loved the lynches situation at the end BUT If I‘m honest this book dragged a little and quite a few cringe moments 😣but that might be my age 😅, that being said I will probably at some point read the others and get other characters stories

You have a title waiting for you!

Audible keeps letting me know it‘s waiting , desperately trying to finish the current read to dive back in 😅 …… not much longer!

Unexpectedly addictive!
Hadn‘t heard anything about this,just saw it had high reviews on Amazon. The first few chapters I immediately thought this was for a younger audience, Literally couldn‘t put it down 😅&what a cliff hanger , you can‘t not start the next book! Very clever Chloe Walsh.
Cute but complicated high school relationship with some very serious topics of DV,neglect,traumatising bullying and bulldozer hormones with added Irish banter.

❤️ Loved it , again the spicy bits aren‘t for me (great thing about audible you can FF a little 😂) and frustrating with violets hypocritical reactions to Xaden secret keeping BUT could not put this down, especially after the interrogation room!! Brilliant!

Have my Preorder in for Onyx Storm

“ We are the weapons , and this place is the stone they use to sharpen us!”

Basgiath War College , definitely not for the faint hearted.

Recently learned they are turning this into a tv series!

Wow! Just finished this and desperate to start the next!
Definite Hunger games/game of thrones vibes with a sprinkling of Harry Potter, the whole riders school and Rebels children being forced to become riders 👍 . Loved the dragon bonding, riders personal sigil& challenges.
Call me vanilla but wasn‘t keen on the detailed sex,personally was the only let down,a bit of passion fine but TMI at times 😅
Diving into iron flame&joining the rebellion 🤩

#whereareyouMonday

I‘m in North Essex , the town in the book is actually named Flinstead-on-Sea but it‘s based on the small Essex coastal town Frinton-on-sea to avoid any upset and to have more freedom with the setting. Kara apparently wanted a setting of a smaller town to explore how quickly rumours can spread and the impact it has on a community.

Where are you all today? @Arvena @Yuki_Onna

It‘s times like these I wish I was in a book club! At first I really struggled, the main character is vile, I found it uncomfortable to read, wondered what the writer was trying to do but it‘s such a clever book, so much to unpack! gave an insight and appreciation to the publishing industry which I had never thought of. Highlighting the toxicity of social media. Its apparent Jealousy , judgemental awful human traits I struggle reading about 😅

A bit of fun , bridesmaids / hangover vibes , mums head to Ibiza for a long over due hen party. Written by sophie McCartney a comedian so there are a fair few laughs .
Something I do notice since abstaining from alcohol myself is how alcohol centred everything is 😅 seems to be the answer to everything! After a stressful day at work , any type of worry 🤷‍♀️ … looking past all that and the profanity and drugs a quick easy read

Thoroughly enjoyed this audio book, I had been hearing so much about Bridgerton so succumbed to Netflix series,becoming hooked after the first few episodes & not able to watch I started the audio book. It‘s very different , not as many characters or as much going on but it was fab, I‘m a sucker for an intense love story 🥰

I‘m a little late to the bridgerton party, period drama‘s aren‘t usually my go to but with all the hype decided to start watching on Netflix a few days ago. Well…… what can I say …. I‘m Hooked!! An absolute sucker for intense love story, weddings and those beautiful dresses 😍 .It never occurred to me to read the book first but desperate to know what happens next & limited sit down tv time I downloaded the audio book! So I have both on the go 😂

..As he gained this terrible sense of his own sin he felt that he could no longer sit in front of god, he had to kneel..It was a near impossible sight of a Triad boss on his knees; In Chinese culture it is the most servile of positions&a gang leader lowered himself to no one!

Once you are a Triad ,your a Triad for life,even Hong Kong law courts accept that triad membership was binding forever.”I give up my right to those who want to follow Jesus”

The perfect marriage… or the perfect Lie!

Jack Angel, spotted Grace in the park and knew he had finally found ‘THE ONE‘ he had to have her, He is The perfect gentleman, Beautiful to look at and a career defending women suffering from domestic violence and he never loses. Grace can‘t believe her luck , but looks can be deceiving, a wolf in sheep‘s clothing, just like the devil masquerade‘s as an angel of light everything changes after the vows 👹

My birthday book 🎂 finished Today , will be passing this one on. Bridget Jones vibes , loved Nell the main character, funny , refreshing and perfectly predictable in the right places 💕 . Put a big smile on my face . Just what you need at the end of the day when life is a bit hectic 😁

Reminds me Bridget Jones 4 out next February 🙌 🥂

Loving this book sooo much ,I had a little help from Google as I couldn‘t visualise the walled city,the city of darkness & once the most densely populated place on earth.33,000 people in the space of a football pitch🤯,the conditions were unfathomable&riddled with crime.
14yr old girls in prostitution
“Respectable people thought of the girls as the scum of the earth;but it was only by ✨The Grace of God✨ that I had been born in a different place”

Slow to get started but became a page turner ,
Laura returns from maternity leave to find Mia her temp is here to stay. A deadly fire in the office building leads to a body being pulled from the wreckage.
The police want to talk to three women:
Janie, the devoted wife of the CEO.
Mia, the agency's fresh new talent.
And Laura, a loyal employee of many years.
All with a deadly secret

This has been on the shelf for a while & was an unexpected 5⭐️, loved it 🙌 got me out of my reading slump!
Claudia has run away to a small town with her family in the hopes of a safe new life, it flicks from Claudia to a criminal youth- you are left wondering who this youth is but all becomes apparent. I couldn‘t put it down - really highlights how beautiful and healing forgiveness can be&how important it is not to judge, needed tissues! 🥹

Hi lovelies
Sorry I have been AWOL , @Mrs_B thank you for sending bedlam on. @veritysalter I am so so sorry for the late send off of crippled . It will be on its way to you.
Things have been super crazy ☹️ and Iv been really behind I‘m so sorry.
I hope you are all well ❤️

Thank you @Mrs_B been meaning to get on here for over a week now . This really made my day and couldn‘t wait to plant my flower paper 🤩 🌸 thank you ❤️

I imagine this one will be an emotional read

Beth shows that women really can have it all. Ruby lives life by her own rules. And then there‘s Lauren, living the dream. But is anyone‘s life as perfect as it looks? Beth hasn‘t had sex in a year. Ruby feels like she‘s failing. Lauren‘s happiness is fake news. And it just takes one shocking event to make the truth come tumbling out…

Funny , easy listen , tad rude 😅 , women managing their inner demons , girl power,

My daughter & I were enjoying this book so much we orderd LS other novel holes before we had finished.

I thought this was a new novel but later found out it was written in 1987, a great year 🎂 🥳 😁😂

A lovely thought provoking Story about a school bully & his school councillor,how when treated like a monster& seen as a monster , it‘s easy to start seeing a monster too & even starting to act like one.

Kindness really does go a long way ❤️

“ I have no intention of walking for them . I will turn it down if they offer it. They can f**k right off. This whole thing can f**k off. For something all about beauty, it‘s so bloody ugly”

Really starting to get into this one now .

Have no idea where half of March has disappeared too but on track to get this posted in time 😅

#lmpbc #dogsoflitsy

🤯 wow what an incredible read , beautifully written, emotional and inspirational for its time. I completely fell in love with Jane , her strength, determination and resilience after everything she endured. I loved the narration ‘dear reader‘ it made it very personal.
I‘m a total sucker for a bit of romance and couldn‘t help but smile with the love they share , just how love should be, not materialistic or shallow . loved it! 🥰
#thatsclassic

My daughter and I loved reading this at bedtime , very relevant and brings up discussions about homelessness and the importance of kindness and not judging others.

Lots of facts at the back of the book about how many homeless people we have on the streets right now and what is deemed homeless and the different types of homelessness, sad and hard hitting but delivered sensitively for children

“I will attire my Jane in satin and lace, and she shall have roses in her hair and I will cover the head I love best with a priceless veil. ' 'And then you won't know me, sir, and I shall not be your Jane Eyre any longer, but an ape in a harlequin's jacket, -a jay in borrowed plumes.

Just when I thought I couldn‘t love Jane any more . I am loving this read 🥰 , why have a I waited so long to read this classic.
#thatsclassic

Wasn‘t what I was expecting (crime thriller like gone girl) but very intriguing from the start but would have loved to have delved a little bit more into the mother.
Girl A (Lex) is survivor from the house of horrors story everyone has heard about . Now Grown up and dealing with her past trauma it flicks back to past memories.
The twist caught me by surprise 😢

Bloody brilliant!
The full cast audiobook was fab , delivered in the style of an interview with each band mate of how the rock band came to be along with all their troubles along the way , the expected , sex , drugs, rock and roll.
Loved the characters passion for their music and song writing I found myself wishing I could hear their music! 🎶
I could just see this being a television documentary.

Best audiobook of 2021 by far 🤩🤩

Edmunds turn to enter Narnia where we meet the white witch for the first time.

“ I say, Lu! I‘m sorry I didn‘t believe you. I see now you were right all along. Do come out. Make it Pax”

Was there any one else who had to Google what pax meant 😅

Just in case It‘s Latin word meaning peace 🥰

#narniareadalong

What a great chapter breaking Harry out & visiting The Burrow for the first time

This really bought back memories of Chamber of secrets video game I used to play many moon ago. Just like the book you have to clear the Weasleys garden of gnomes&Chuck the over the fence 😁 great fun!

“ ..and looked out of the tiny window. In the field far below he could see a gang of gnomes sneaking, one by one, back through the Weasleys‘ hedge‘ 😂😂

#potteraday

#two4tuesday on a Wednesday 😅 Thank you for the tag @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

I often read short stories with my daughter, just read The firework makers daughter &hope to read Phillip pullmans I was a rat 🐀 at some point.

Only read alongs, my sister in law and I are hoping to Read the passage together soon. My dad bought us both a copy&keeps asking have we read it yet. It‘s HUGE!! We will tackle it together a chapter a day
Have a great day

Feb was definitely a better month than write off January!

Eating better 🥰
Reading lots
Finally managed to kick refined sugar&caffeine 🙌 it‘s been over 2 weeks now since Iv had a tea or coffee. It was NOT easy ,after day 2 of no sugar or caffeine I was on serious detox, vomiting , mega headache,heart racing. It was a full on drug withdrawal, I am super sensitive😅

This month exercise! Yoga & cardio
Reflexology back on track
Meditation
#bfc21

Chapter 1 - The Worst Birthday

“ I‘ll be in my room, making no noise and pretending I‘m not there ,‘ said Harry dully.

Just when you think you can‘t hate the Dursley‘s anymore!! Poor Harry 😞

Artwork Hogwartshorror on deviantart

#potteraday

“This must be a simply enormous wardrobe!” Thought Lucy , going still further in and pushing the soft folds of coats aside to make room for her. Then she noticed something was crunching under her feet.

And so it begins 🤩 🦁

Having never read the books I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it jumps straight into the story . Not sure why but I was expecting long chapters 😄

#narniareadalong