The Bookshop Book - Book Review

The Bookshop Book - Book Review

Jen Campbell

Non-Fiction

Synopsis:

Every bookshop has a story.

We’re not talking about rooms that are just full of books. We’re talking about bookshops in barns, disused factories, converted churches and underground car parks. Bookshops on boats, on buses, and in old run-down train stations. Fold-out bookshops, undercover bookshops, this-is-the-best-place-I’ve-ever-been-to-bookshops.

Meet Sarah and her Book Barge sailing across the sea to France; meet Sebastien, in Mongolia, who sells books to herders of the Altai mountains; meet the bookshop in Canada that’s invented the world’s first antiquarian book vending machine.

And that’s just the beginning.

From the oldest bookshop in the world, to the smallest you could imagine, The Bookshop Book examines the history of books, talks to authors about their favourite places, and looks at over three hundred weirdly wonderful bookshops across six continents (sadly, we’ve yet to build a bookshop down in the South Pole). 

The Bookshop Book is a love letter to bookshops all around the world. 

Review:

I took real pleasure in reading this book. Made up of letters, short stories, author interviews and memoirs, this book describes the many hidden bookshops around the world. It was insightful, interesting and I loved each and every page of it. 

My favourite part of this book was hearing the stories from the bookshops owners, their reasons and inspirations behind opening their stores, and the ways they try to make their shops unique and inviting places. They are all amazing people and big advocates of promoting reading in people of all ages. 

Also not only was it great to read about bookshops that I myself love and visit regularly, but this book was a like a treasure map, each page leading to a new an exciting location. Some of these bookshops are local places that I plan to explore at the next opportunity, while others are more far more out the way (France, America… Mongolia, just to name a few) but they have all sparked both the bookworm and travel bug in me. 

Interestingly, this book also brought up the question of paperbacks vs e-books. Many authors and booksellers seem to be of the opinion that despite e-books impacting upon the sales of paperbacks, the independent bookshops will survive. I have to agree because as a book lover myself I adore my hardbacks and paperbacks, I can’t imagine a world in which they don't exist. Nothing can surpass the smell and feel of a real bound book!

Complete with photographs, random facts and insightful stories from best-selling authors, The Bookshop Book is a brilliant read and would make a quirky present for any book lover. Continually Jen Campbell has also written Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops - which I have yet to read, but have heard its  an hilarious and I intend to check out soon.

She is definitely an author to watch out for. Fantastic! 

Courting Magic - Book Review

Courting Magic – Book Review

Stephanie Burgis

MG/YA Historical Fantasy

‘The Kat Series – A novella’

Synopsis:

In Kat Stephenson’s Regency England, magic is even more shocking than a stolen kiss. But now that she’s eighteen, it’s time for a wild and magical Kat to be introduced to high society by her older sisters, whether she likes it or not… and to finally have a romance of her own!

Of course her true love is hopelessly ineligible. But when has Kat ever let society’s opinion stop her from making up her own mind? Once she realises she’s found her perfect match, she’s not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way – even if she does have to solve a magical mystery, match make for an old friend and break a few rules along the way!

Review:

I adored ‘The Kat’ series and was utterly delighted when I found out Stephanie Burgis had written this novella. Set five years after the series ended, it follows the life of a now grown up Kat as she debuts as a society lady … what could possibly go wrong?

Now with the rest of her siblings happily married and producing families of their own, everyone’s attention is focused on one sole task – Introducing a now eighteen year old Kat to society with the hope of finding her a husband! Something that Kat herself is forcibly objectionable too.

Not only is Kat now a fully-fledged guardian – a role that comes with a power and responsibility to protect the world from evil magic – but she is still the stubborn, adventurous, trouble seeking girl who knows there is more to life than dresses and parties. And right now, with a magical thief divesting the upper classes of their jewels and finery, Kat has more to worry about than hapless romance… or so she thinks.

But when a friendly figure from her past makes an unexpected return, Kat is suddenly plunged into a new world of feelings and emotion. Can she keep her head and do her duty as a guardian, or will she let both the thief and her legacy slip away as she dreams of green, green eyes…

Yet another story of magic and mayhem, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Kat all over again!

As a character she has truly grown. Mastering her temper, she is both smarter and more controlled in her actions, yet remains a feisty tom-boy in her thoughts and head strong attitude. Never afraid to plough straight into danger, she yearns for adventure and brings about delightful chaos wherever she goes. Yet for all her growth, Kat is still blissfully naive when it comes to romance.

And what a sweet romance it was! Bringing back a character from the last book, Stephanie Burgis chose to pair Kat with a soul just as mischievous and troublesome as our heroines (well, almost) and I have to say, I think they suited each other perfectly.

Since I don’t wish to give away spoilers, I will call Kat’s mystery man Mr. X, and with the inferiority of his birth working against them, and step mama’s obvious protests, not to mention Kat’s own obliviousness to his feelings, there were times I felt very sorry for Mr. X indeed. For him love was a difficult road.

Yet what I think grabbed me most about this book was seeing not just Kat, but nearly all the other characters again. I can’t express how much I enjoyed the Kat series and reading this charming little novella brought back all the warmth of being ‘in and among’ Kat’s family again. Hers is a crazy but cosy world and if you haven’t already, I strongly urge that girls –whatever your age – give these books a try.

Sometimes you read books with characters you just don’t want to say goodbye to –this is one of them – and I only hope Stephanie Burgis considers writing a couple more Kat stories in the future.

I would certainly like to read more about Kat’s life as a guardian, find out what her brother Charles is up to, and maybe even dip into the home of Lucy and the Marquess (I adored their somewhat Pride and Prejudice romance). So yes… I admit I am a little addicted to the series.

But no matter what your mood, funny and tomboyish-ly sweet, these books are sure to put a smile on your face. Courting Magic is no exception, 5 stars!



Lucy's Secret Reindeer - Book Review

Lucy’s Secret Reindeer - Book Review

Anne Booth & Sophy Williams

Children

Synopsis:

Dear Lucy,

Thank you so much for asking me if I needed help this christmas. What a kind girl you are! As a matter of fact, I do. My smallest reindeer is not very well, and needs someone to make him better before Christmas Eve. Starlight guides my sleigh through the night sky, so without him, I won’t be able to deliver any presents. Go down to the shed at the bottom of the garden and you will find him.

And Lucy, this is TOP SECRET!

lots of love from Santa

Lucy has a big secret …  Santa’s left her a little reindeer in the garden shed! But starlight is poorly, and Santa won’t be able to deliver any presents if he’s not well in time. Can Lucy make starlight better and save christmas? 

Review:

This was a sweet, seasonal read that would really be enjoyed by younger children - and most likely their parents too! I happen to be neither child nor parent, but I too found this story cute and heartwarming. It’s definitely something I would have wanted to read as a little girl.

Lucy is friendly and kind hearted girl - she love’s animals and is always helping her grandmother out with the wild hedgehogs and foxes she rescues. But what Lucy wants more than anything is a pet of her own, and this year she is sure Santa will bring her a kitten. What Lucy doesn't expect, after she innocently offers to help Santa with his work, is to be trusted with the care of Santa’s smallest reindeer, Starlight.

But Starlight is unwell, and no matter what Lucy tries, he doesn't seem to get any better … Now with Santa counting on her, and with the hours ticking down to Christmas Eve, can Lucy save both Starlight and Christmas before its too late…

This is a lovely christmas story, and a great way to spend a spare hour - and it will definitely put you in the christmas spirit. I found Lucy to be a kind, polite character who always tries to do her best, fulfilling her promise to Santa, she keeps Starlight a secret, even though it means a little sneaking, and a few white lies to her mum.

 The family dynamics also made me smile, and because it was christmas, I liked how everyone contributed to the homely atmosphere by being polite, generous and generally helpful in and around the house. 

Not only does this book give the reader a nice story, but it will help teach children some manners and morals as well. A happy, cheerful read, ‘Lucy’s Secret Reindeer’ was a lovely Christmas book that I think will be enjoyed by young children everywhere. 4 stars!

The Year of the Rat - Book Review

 

The Year of the Rat – Book Review

Clare Furniss

YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

Grappling with grief is hard enough without repeat visits from the deceased. Pearl deals with death, life and family in this haunting, humorous and poignant debut.

The world can tip at any moment… a fact that fifteen year old Pearl is all too aware of when her mum dies after giving birth to her baby sister, Rose.

Rose, who looks exactly like a baby rat, all pink and wrinkled and writhing. This little rat has destroyed everything, even ruined the wonderful relationship Pearl had with her stepfather, the Rat’s biological father.

Mum, though… mum’s dead but she can’t seem to leave. She keeps visiting Pearl, smoking, cursing, guiding…

Told across the year following her mother’s death, Pearl’s story is full of bittersweet humour and heartbreaking honesty about how you deal with grief that cuts you to the bone, as she tries not only to come to terms with losing her mother, but also the fact the her sister – The Rat – is a constant reminder of why her mum is no longer around.

Review:

The year of the Rat is a deeply moving book that will definitely tug at the heart strings. And while I’m not generally a fan of contemporary reads, I had heard that this book was quite the emotional rollercoaster, and despite my reluctance for the genre, my curiosity eventually got the best of me. However while I didn’t exactly fall in love with the story, the book really did pack a huge punch that caused me to shed more than a few tears.

The story follows the life of fifteen year old Pearl. Opening on the day of her mother’s funeral, the reader is immediately informed of the close bond Pearl shared with her mother, and Pearl’s bitterness towards her newborn sister, Rose, aka ‘The Rat’ of whom she blames for her mother’s death.

Spanning the space of a year, the book takes you on Pearl’s journey through each stage of her grief. The denial, the guilt, the misplaced blame and of course, that anger than comes with a sudden loss. Yet what I found most interesting was the sporadic appearances of Pearl’s mother in ghost form. For me it was these beyond the grave conversations that helped make this story special.

As a main character Pearl is really complex. In the beginning her emotions are very raw but as the story is told in first person, it’s easy to relate to her mood swings and understand her perspective.

Yet watching Pearl’s slow acceptance of ‘The Rat’ also kept me turning the pages. While at times, I found Pearl’s actions horrifying, they were undeniably human and my heart would bleed for her with each new wall she would throw up between her and the world. So while by no means a happy story, ‘The Year of the Rat’ is without doubt one of depth and feeling.

What most drove me to keep reading the book though was its blatant honesty towards family life. Every family is special; whether that family is connected by blood, friendship or marriage. And as most parents keep some truths hidden from their children, this book shows how such things can lead to the children misunderstanding and making bad decisions, such was the case with Pearl.

Furthermore this book also explores the darker element of women who don’t initially bond with their children. Yet I also liked how these symptoms echoed in Pearl, especially when she accepts that her feelings of rejection and hate towards ‘the rat’ are abnormal. Nonetheless, she can’t help but blame her mother’s death on her innocent sister.  

As the story goes on, Pearl isolates herself more and more. Losing interest in her old life, she cuts herself off from her friends, skips school and begins to turn to alcohol to deal with her problems. All in all, it is a crazy year of ups and downs for Pearl that have a significant impact on the adult she is turning into. This book, especially for a debut novel, is a truly powerful read.

Overall, a gripping and beautifully written story that captures a young girl’s grief and tragedy. ‘The Year of the Rat’ will take you on a heartfelt journey that will teach you to let go of the past, cope with loss and remind you to keep on living. Truly spectacular! 4 Stars!

A lesson in backing up!

So like many wanna-be writers before me, the cruel and inevitable finally happened. My computer went boom! Or rather my computer overheated and my hard drive was essentially incinerated! 

So what's the damage? Well apart from me feeling like an idiot, and aside from needing a whole new computer,  I've lost my photos, music, movies, various important documents and of course, my writing!

 You're probably all now screaming at me, "why?! Why didn't you back it all up?!" 

And why didn't I take the advice of all those other heartbroken and unfortunate writers before me...? Well the truth is, I did. Yet fate it seems, hates me! And barely a mere three hours later fate saw fit to corrupt my pretty, red, Paperchase brought USB by giving it a virus! Then again, maybe I should have known better than to use the dodgy, computer game infested computers at my school here in China. But either way, it still comes down to majorly bad luck on my part! 

So my advice, back up your back ups! In fact - save stuff to your email (thankfully I had the sense to do that with my current work in progress) because to lose stuff you've had tucked away years and years, well it bites! 

So if you haven't already - go get backing up! You never know where fate will strike next...

Nobody's Princess - Book Review

Nobody’s Princess – Book Review

Esther M. Friesner

YA Historical Fantasy

Nobody’s Princess Book #1

Synopsis:

She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favourite Goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the Gods – or her looks – to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies – such as the self proclaimed “son of Zeus” Theseus – but it also intrigues, charms and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the oracle of Delphi.

Review:

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have to say, Esther M. Friesner is fast becoming one of my favorites. Weaving together a tale of history and fantasy, this book tells the story of a Young Helen of Troy – before she launched the thousand ships that lead to the city’s downfall.

Beginning in her early childhood, the story follows Helen's life through to her adolescent years. Wanting only to be as free as the waves from which Aphrodite rose, she discovers early on that to have freedom, you must have power. And while her growing beauty may win her many a warriors loyalty, it isn’t nearly as fun as becoming a warrior herself…

I must admit that when I first picked up this book, I had no idea that it was a retelling of Helen of Troy’s early years. However I soon cottoned on and was happy to realize I had never heard a story venturing into this aspect of Helen’s life before. Helen was simply “the face who launched 10,000 ships”, and as to who she really was and the life she lived before, no one seemed to care. So thank you so much to Esther M. Friesner for writing this book. It’s truly been a pleasure to read.

I thought this story was exceptionally well written, throwing in just enough history so that the book hinged on fantasy that was borderline plausible. With plenty of cameo appearances from heros such as Jason, Hercules, Atlanta and Apollo’s oracle, the story really brought the ancient world to life.

Helen is a fantastic heroine and centre piece for the story. Confident and a little vain, she works hard for what she wants and learns early on how to manipulate people who see only her beauty. However I like how when she becomes a gangly adolescent she pulls back into herself slightly, allowing her to lose some of that childhood vanity.

I also particularly liked how Helens true friends care nothing for her looks and judge her by her deeds, actions and sheer passion for life.  

The plot moves at a fast pace, usually as Helen always seems to be getting herself into trouble.  And while the Gods and various creatures of legend are mentioned, they always lurk at the back of the story, and I like how even the characters themselves are sceptical as to the reality of such myths.

However the one thing I disliked about this book was that it ended on a cliff hanger, so naturally I have had to go by the sequel Nobody’s Prize which I imagine will be just as enthralling a read. All in all, a fantastic story and hugely recommended. 5stars!  

2014 Travelling Highlights Part 1 – Thailand

Hey guys.

Sorry for being MIA for the last six weeks, but I’ve been doing a spot of travelling! I spent all of June walking, busing and flying around Thailand, which was utterly fantastical – but exhausting! And despite the military coo – which wasn’t at all as scary as English news made it out to be – meaning the papers didn’t show you the soldiers taking selfies, or allowing the tourists to pose for pictures on the army tanks! It was a really great holiday and I want to share with you all some of the more thrilling moments of this trip.

Number 1 – Bann Chang Elephant park in Chiangmai, THAILAD

One of my favourite things was coming here and spending two nights and three days feeding, washing, riding and learning to take care of elephants.

Unlike most elephant parks, this place will take in all elephants, both the good and the bad, the young and the old, as well as both the sweet and ill tempted. They rescue their elephants from all over Thailand, and provide the care and attention needed to ensure the elephants lead happy and care free lives.

While the Mahuts (the elephants caretakers) all carried the required bull hook, they are rarely used and you can see each Mahut has a special relationship with their own elephants. Not to mention the Mahuts were all particularly entertaining and enjoyed trying to speak to you with their broken English.

 However while it was sad seeing elephants that had been previously abused – our guide admitted three of the elephants had even killed their previous owners due to ill treatment – It was rewarding to see the good work being done at Bann Chang and should you go to Thailand, I would recommend this as a number one place to visit.

You can learn a lot about the elephants, the how’s and why’s in which they came to live in the park, the way in which to look after them, the right and wrong ways in which they can be ridden. It truly is an overall amazing experience and I took pleasure in learning each elephant’s personality. Some grab food politely, others are greedy and snatch. Some just want to play while others are not quite so friendly and will give you a good wack with their trunks if you get to close… or squirt you with water.

It really is a must! Please feel free to check out their website HERE!

Number 2 – The Golden Palace in Bangkok

A beautiful place to walk around – although if you visit in the height of summer be sure to take a drink! And be warned before you go in, both legs must be fully covered, a woman must have sleeves of some sort (apparently a shawl is not enough – or you are considered too sexy!) and definitely show no cleavage. It’s also an advantage to wear shoes that are easy to slip off as many of the temples require you remove your footwear!

So while getting through the door is often a challenge for many, once you are in the sights are well worth the effort. The statues, the buildings, everything is a mass of colour and history. And being deceptively large, at a wandering pace it will easily take you at least four hours to walk through. Sun glasses might also be a good thing to back as the Palace is, suffice to say, Dazzling!

Number 3 – Chiangmai Town

I adored Chiangmai! There is so much to do both in and outside the town. I would recommend the bike tours - especially the one to the waterfall - and the spas! If you want to pamper yourself, go ahead. I spent four and half hours being pummelled, stretched, rubbed and lathered with goo that turned my skin baby soft and left my brain like mush! All for £50! It was fantastic!

However my favourite thing was the Sunday Market. Prices are cheap, but even so you can haggle – and the markets sell everything! From bags to electronics, food, leather, silks, you name it, they have it! Be prepared to buy very much, but spend very little!

So if you plan to spend any time in Chiangmai, please, please try and be there on a weekend!

Number 4 – Scuba Diving! In Phuket!

So my friend could scuba dive, I could not. Yet finding my hotel literally around the corner from the local dive shop (Aussie Divers) I soon found myself getting talked into taking my Open Water Diving Course and getting my license. Oh boy was it worth it! Not only was my instructor amazing (despite his jokes and obvious entertainment at our screw ups) but learning with only one other student, and taking your first dive into clear blue waters were we saw (A miniscule) mantra ray, a very large turtle, a ship wreck and more fish than I knew existed… it was truly magical!

So Overall…

(What can I say - I live in China! Pizza is a novelty for me!)

Granted there were many other wonderful things, yet these were the most phenomenal that I experienced in Thailand. But after 5 weeks, surprisingly not as much money as you would think, lots of pizza and some amazing sun sets, I am now back in mainland China. However I just spent three very wonderful days in Singapore (a post on that adventure will soon be following) and I am ultra excited to announce, I have just booked a week in Japan! Which, those of you who know me can attest, it has been my lifelong dream to visit! And there is only two weeks to go!

In regards to book reviews, be sure I’ve got lots of reading done these past few weeks! Hopefully now I am home I can catch up on my sleep and will have some reviews up soon! How’s everyone else’s summer going?

Love and Hugs all

XxX