I have not really known what to say about this book for a while now. Books about the holocaust are always powerful, always so very real, and talking about them without simply talking about the holocaust is very, very hard. And this book is no different. The book is heartbreaking and gritty and real, and … Continue reading Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz →

{ Spoiler alert! } So in the course of this review, I put in a spoiler. It is not explicit, but it's there. This is not something I usually do, but what I discuss was a big part of my feelings for this book. So I've had to put it in there. Be warned. Oh … Continue reading Review: Can you keep a secret? →

Title: The Rules of Thinking Author: Richard Templar Genre: Self-Help Rating: 2/5 So I've recently gone on a self-help kick which came about through my research for characters for my books, and this is the most recent book I've picked up as a result. A series of rules (100 to be exact, how fortuitous!) on … Continue reading Review: The Rules of Thinking →

Title: Surrounded by Idiots Author: Thomad Erikson Genre: Self-help / Psychology Rating: 2/5 I picked this book up along with two others on a recent visit to WHSmiths. I am a little bit embarrassed to say I have been on a self improvement and self awareness kick for some time. Further, writing good characters can … Continue reading Review: Surrounded by idiots →

Title: Girls of paper and fire Author: Natasha Ngan Genre: Fantasy Rating: 3/5 Sometimes you just need a fun and immersive fantasy to scrape away the hard callouses of life and wrap you in the comforting embrace of true escapism. Girls of Paper and Fire is one such book. Here Ngan has created a wonderfully … Continue reading Review: Girls of Paper and Fire →

Title: The Spook's Apprentice Author: Joseph Delaney Narrator: Jamie Glover Genre: YA Fantasy Rating: 3/5 So I’m about to move in with my girlfriend, and this means of course one thing: TIDYING! Unfortunately, a lot of tidying means little time to actually sit down with an actual book. In my hour of need, I finally … Continue reading Audiobook Review: The Spook’s Apprentice →

Title: The Daughter Author: Lucy Dawson Narrator: Rachel Atkins Genre: Suspense / Thriller Rating: 3/5 I have decided to get into audiobooks. I've listened to podcasts on and off for the past year now, and feel it is about time that I step up into the world of narrated stories. They'll give me something to … Continue reading Audiobook Review: The Daughter →

Title: The Colour of Magic Author: Terry Pratchett Genre: Fantasy Rating: 3/5 I have heard so much about the world of Pratchett and how wonderful it is, how magical and funny and inclusive and welcoming. But for years I have shied away from it. I think in my younger days I read a passage or … Continue reading Review: The Colour of Magic →

Title: Ayesha at last Author: Uzma Jalaluddin Genre: Romance Rating: 4/5 Every now and then, even the hardiest of souls likes a little light reading, a little romance, a little love. Even a true fantasy lover, noir aficionado or history buff needs some soul soothing magic. Even I need some love and affection on a … Continue reading Review: Ayesha at Last →

Title: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Author: Agatha Christie Genre: Crime Fiction Rating: 4/5 It's odd how there are authors so well thought of that I simply have never read. Odder still, I have never considered them and then dismissed them, I just never considered reading them in the first place. Even odder, Agatha Christie … Continue reading Review: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd →