The snacks were good, but sadly the book not so much .... This was the first Tempe Brennan novel I've read in ages (I used to love them) and it was just really disappointing. The ending was epically unsatisfactory - it felt rushed, like Reichs got fed up writing. 😕

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this novel since I finished it ... It's the sequel to 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'. This is a more 'adult' novel than its predecessor - really quite gut wrenching and conflicting. Definitely worth a read!

Nothing like an Elsie Silver after a couple of depressing books! Mira and Stefan's story is one of the best in all her series ... Maybe my second favourite!? Nothing beats Cade and Willa ❤️ iykyk

Both of these were meh! 'The Guest' was so miserable, it actually made my mood drop! I appreciated the episodic nature of the narrative and I liked what the author was doing and fully appreciate the way it was structured - it was very clever, but dear me... How depressing!!! 'Phantsma' has been taught me that dark romances (like this) are not my thing... it's like a supernatural Squid Game/Hunger Game with spice.

Both of these were great! 'Queen Takes Rose' is the final 'Wicked Villains' novel and it's a super ending. I have been thinking about 'Such a Fun Age' since I finished it... It really challenged me... I'd highly recommend it!

This is the first novel I have read by this author and I loved it! It made me cackle, but was also so heartbreaking. It was so human and relatable, whilst also being absurd and ridiculous. I will definitely be reading more by Fredrik Backman.

Amazing! Not a traditional crime drama ... A thriller, saga, twisted road of heartbreak... I'm not even exaggerating 💔 Broke my heart repeatedly and then pieced it back together... Only to shatter it again!!! I definitely recommend it!

Just finished both of these - 'A Court of Mist and Fury' was a reread. Both were excellent... Highly recommend ✨

Loved this latest 'Dark Olympus' instalment - the politics, intrigue and the eventual ending were fantastic... I think the ending, which subtly flashes forward in time, gives the reader plenty to think about, without any spoilers.

Gorgeous, beautiful, haunting, enchanting, sensitive .... all the beautiful adjectives you can think of....loved every second of this! Honestly, it was just perfect 🩵💚

For me, this wasn't as amazing as the 'Hunger Games' trilogy or 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'. However, I did really enjoy it - it was heartbreaking to read Haymitch's story and discover everything he suffered. This is definitely one of my all time fave series.

This was super! I really enjoyed the split narrative and the way it explored the ripples of consequence in a friendship group when a couple get married. It covers delicate issues sensitively and honestly, which makes it heart breaking, but also real and fresh.

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did because I'm really not into vampires. However, this is like a cross between ACOTAR and Hunger Games and I really quite enjoyed it... Enough to immediately buy the next one in the series!

Low pick! It kept me interested and I read it quite quickly as I was definitely intrigued by it.... However, so many plot holes; a super unsatisfactory ending that felt rushed and although it was well written it felt like it was written by someone who had researched Norway really well rather than someone who really knew...it read a bit like travel guide in places....but maybe that was deliberate as the narrator doesn't know the country well 🤷

This was excellent, I cannot recommend it highly enough... It's tense and shocking and super relevant!

Picked this up in the library because I'm a bit of a 'cat lady' and it was so good! I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially, if like me, you're in your 40s and anyone has ever referred to you as a 'crazy cat lady'. This book vindicates us- crazy cat ladies are actually the best type of people ❤️😻

Nothing like an Elsie Silver to lift my mood. Violet's story was as good as I wanted it to be ... Quite reminiscent of Beau and Bailey's story... Which I also loved 😍

Honestly, going to the library is bringing me such joy! This is another library book that I've finished and it was really good. I've been super tired and grumpy as last couple of days and going to the library today just really perked me up ❤️

I finished this library book last night and it was really good ... A real gem of a book. It's very me - a good gothic drama with a twist that I didn't see coming 👍

I have had such a slow start to my reading in 2025. I've been in such a slump. What has really helped is going back to the library - I'd forgotten how much I love the library! It's really sparked my interest and I'm trying new genres and new novels. This book was a recommendation by a friend and it's fantastic... It will make your skin crawl but it is utterly brilliant ⭐

Here's to good books in 2025 💗

I set myself a challenge of 45 books this year. I have really slowed in the last month or two... I feel like I'm slipping into a reading slump. I'm thinking I should maybe stick with 45 books for 2025!? I need some really good reads to get me back on track! My faves this year have been books by Richard Osman and Elsie Silver. Happy New Year everyone 💖🎉

Ending the year on a bit of a mediocre note. 'The Winter Ghosts' was atmospheric and 'How my Neighbour Stole Christmas' was funny. However, neither really captured my attention... I think I'm falling into a reading slump ... I need something strong to start the New Year.

Storm Darragh is headed our way in N Ireland and it's v blustery tonight, so I definitely curling up with my current read - 'The Winter Ghosts' by Kate Mosse. Stay warm folks ❤️🧣🧤⛄🎄🧑‍🎄

Both of these were ok ... I think I need something seasonal and festive now .... Happy 1st of December 🧑‍🎄🎄⛄🎁✨🧣🧤

Let the Christmas reading begin ❤️💚🎄

Happy reading this Halloween 🎃🎇🧡

Nothing like an Elsie Silver to curl up with on a dark autumn day .... Love her characters and their stories. Hot and spicy, but oh so sweet ❤️🌶️

This is such an important read! For someone who doesn't know enough about conservation, it is a tough read, in that I had to keep going back over parts to understand what I was reading . .. but it is worth it. The illustrated edition is so beautiful and Angela Harding's prints are gorgeous 🥰 it is really good to share with children.

Happy Friday! Cats and books ... My favourite things 🩷 I'm currently reading 'Wilding' by Isabella Tree.

This is very much in the same vein as Harold Fry ... A physical, mental and emotional journey that reveals heartbreak and ultimately hope. It is short but intimate, with a stream of consciousness type of narrative. Definitely recommend this one ❣️

Happy Autumn reading! I'm currently reading 'Travelling in a Strange Land' by David Park .... If I could ever get peace to read 🙄🥮🍁🧡

A slow burn that is worth persevering with because it is both heartbreaking and beautiful. It is based on real events - a part of history that I knew nothing about- the kidnap of over 400 people from Iceland by barbery pirates. The FMC was a real woman, with a real story that has been fictionalised, but there are so many historical facts, that this is a powerful story ❣️

This was fantastic - made laugh, made me cry and kept me guessing... I think this series are my favourite books of 2024 ✨❣️

This definitely didn't live up to the hype. It was twisty and the unreliable narrator (not a spoiler, it's pretty transparent) was interesting, but it was really just ok!

Happy Saturday ❤️ I'm revisiting a childhood favourite - Midnight Blue by Pauline Fisk at the mo. I can almost smell my old bedroom when I'm reading it 💖

New book, new nails, new mug 📗☕💅

I love this series, but this book just wasn't the best for me .... Can't love them all .... But still love Katee Robert 😍

I picked this up at a charity shop, on a whim, because I liked the cover and it is one of the best things I have read this summer! A twisty family drama that is gorgeously written. Highly recommend 🌟

The best thing about this was the front cover - inspo for my nails! This was my first Colleen Hoover and it was ok .... I do think she dealt with the issue of domestic abuse really well... She definitely got the nuances and subtleties of such a difficult subject.

This book is told from a dog's perspective... Sometimes they know better than we do! 🥰

Everyone needs to read this! I love books that educate me and this one has a powerful message - one that made me grateful and sad .... And one that made me hold my babies more closely.

I got this in a charity for £1 awhile ago. I bought it because my mum raved about it, but I don't get the fuss... It was just ok! A good wee murder mystery, but nothing special 🤷

Phew ... I've finished the 'Throne of Glass' series! It's definitely not ACOTAR, for me, but I do get why people love it so much. I found the sheer amount of battle scenes a bit too much, too intense .... I kept having to set it down to take a break. I like the softer character moments in between the pain and brutality ... Maybe that's why I like ACOTAR more ...that and Rhysand is Henry Cavill in my head 😘

Morning, I hope everyone is having a lovely summer (it hasn't stopped raining in NI). However, I'm reading lots of good books and getting lots of snuggles from my kids and kittens. I hope you are too... wherever you are 💕

Another brilliant Thursday Murder Club installment 👍❤️🦊

Super book, really beautifully written - made me smile and cry! Perfect for 10-12 years. I think I will do it with my Year 8 class in September 👍🥰

Everybody needs to read this book! It is inspiring, informative and beautifully written. The best thing I've read this year 💚💚💚

Apparently cowboy daddies are my thing 😜 I love Theo as much as I love Cade ❤️‍🔥😍🤤🤠

I found this hard going, but I'm glad I got through it, as in typical SJM fashion, the last 200ish pages were good and some revelations were made that will be needed for the overarching story!