My 'To Be Read' Pile

I am guilty of buying books whenever I enter a bookstore. In fact come to think of it, I usually make a beeline for the book aisle in the supermarkets too! What can I say? I am a book nerd. However it has come to my attention that my 'to be read' pile has grown so vastly that it's taken over my bedroom. I haven't even made a dent in it and I am a little ashamed of myself.

Once upon a time I'd plough through a book in two evenings flat. These days I pick up a book, read a paragraph or two and then put it to one side. I know exactly what the problem is. Well, there's two actually! Firstly, I'm shattered at the moment. And I don't just mean - had a long busy day at work, need to collapse into bed and sleep - kind of tired. Nope. I'm mentally exhausted. This isn't uncommon for me. I find it hard to switch off at the best of times. In fact the only wind down time that works for me of late is watching Grey's Anatomy with my mum. (I love that TV show. Yes I'm borderline obsessed! Anyone else? Jemma I know you're nodding furiously right now! Ha ha!) And the second reason? I simply haven't read a really good book in ages.

It takes something special to grab my attention. Yes I'm a notoriously hard reader to please. My rule of thumb is if I'm not hooked by the end of the first page, then I don't tend to give the book much of a chance. My only exception to that is if it's a novel that has been hyped up by the media in which case I'll persist to see what the fuss is all about. Don't get me wrong, I've read plenty of 'okay' books this year. But I'm after another 'All The Bright Places' or 'Girl On A Train.' The kind of novel that will suck me in and keep me awake well into the early hours.

I'm hoping that now I've had a few days off work, I'll relax a bit and be more inclined to dive into one of the six I've photographed. Let me know if you've read any of these or if you have any recommendations. I'm all ears! Until next time... xxx

P.s... As I'm writing this I've just discovered a new author, Sophie McKenzie. Might be onto a winner... Watch this space! :)

Brand New Favourite Blog Reads

Hello all! Can you believe it's a Sunday again already? (Please ignore the date above. It is in fact the very early hours of Sunday morning even if Blogger still thinks it's Saturday!)
These weeks are whizzing by which means Christmas must be lurking just around the corner! Btw... If you're sat reading this wondering why I've gone all 'centralised' it really wasn't intentional. Blogger, (Yes that old nutshell) was playing up! (Any other bloggers have this problem often??) Anyway I hope it doesn't bug you too much. I'll stop rambling now I promise! :)

As most of you know, I like to keep GGD reasonably positive, it is afterall a place for you and I to escape if even for a short while. As such I don't usually like to feature any negative material. But I have to say something about the goings on in France. It's downright awful. Obviously nothing I say or do will make it any better but my heart nevertheless goes out to all the victims and their families. Sending you all love and prayers.

 

And back onto a positive...

Today I'm sharing just some of my favourite blog reads. There were indeed so many more but 16 is my limit otherwise these posts could and would go on for days. That said, I have saved several posts for a future Christmas special. If you want a post to be considered for this then please send your links to jamachin07@aol.com or comment below. If you would like to instead nominate another blogger then again please just send their link to me for consideration. 

As is the norm, click on the relevant image to be re-directed to each blog post. 

Lastly... Have a fabulous Sunday! I hope it is whatever you need it to be, whether that be relaxed or productive. Enjoy the read lovelies! 

Justine xxx 

   

'Burberry Military Red Nails For Christmas 2015'

by Zoe London

'H&M's New Beauty Range Is All Kinds Of Awesome' 

by Vivianna Does Makeup

'Lets Talk.. Rifle Paper Co'

by Beauty And The Style

'Cosy Evenings'

by Dorkface

'The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer'

by Jasmine Harding Makeup

'They're Real Tinted Primer'

by The Beauty Post

'Holiday Wishlist - Beauty'

by Front Row Beauty

'Review: The Anatomical Shape Of A Heart by Jean Bennett'

by Xpresso Reads

'Love Me Beauty November 2015'

by The Beauty Post

'Annasul Y. 2016 Wedding Dresses'

by World Of Bridal

'How To Nail The Festive Makeup Trends With Chanel'

by InTheFrow

'Christmas At Bicester Village'

by As You Wish UK

'Chic Peek: My November Kohl's Collection'

by Lauren Conrad

'From Day To Night...'

by Makeup By Lucy Wassell

'Benefit's Christmas Gifts'

by Blushing In Life

'5 A/W Beauty Staples'

by Thrifty Vintage Fashion

*All photos taken from relevant blogs. Copyright not my own. If I've used an image that you own copyright on and you would like it removed please just ask
*Header photo edited using basic PhotoCollage

'After You' By Jojo Moyes

 Murphy's Mother: Book Review 

'After You' 

by Jojo Moyes

 

Dear fellow readers

'After You' is the long awaited sequel to 'Me Before You.'

You really must read 'Me Before You' first to be able to identify properly with the characters and understand the emotions behind such a moving story.

'Me Before You' (pictured above) is a thought provoking and very emotional story of how one persons decision affects more than just one family.

Louisa Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. 

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time...

(Click here to read more on 'Me Before You')

The sequel, 'After You' shows how difficult it is to move on and how one decision can affect peoples lives forever.

Lou Clark has lots of questions.

Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places.

Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home.

Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago.

And will she ever get over the love of her life.

What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change...

Then, one night, it does.

But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions?

Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.

Open it and she risks everything.

But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in...

(Click here to read more on 'After You')

I must admit I was a little hesitant about reading this book as 'Me Before You' is a very hard act to follow, however I really wanted to know what happened to Louisa after Will.

This novel is full of twists and turns and certainly delivers a few shocks along the way. I just didn't want to put the book down. I loved reading about Louisa's journey and how learning to live again also helped her to start loving again.

It was great to read about the Clark family and in this book their presence brings a lot of laughter and some of the stories made me laugh out loud ( I'm not going to spoil it but the permanent marker plot was hilarious).

The chemistry Jojo portays between Lou and Sam is funny, poignant and just perfect.

The relationship between Louisa and Lily is yet another triumph as they have a great deal in common. They are both lost lonely souls with a reluctance to build relationships as they are in fear of getting hurt again. I know at first I didn't like Lily as I was very protective over Louisa and I'm sure others will feel the same, but Jojo really brings depth to Lily's character and you'll soon realise she has a good heart.

This is a very different read to 'Me Before You' and I absolutely loved it and was left wanting more.

Jojo Moyes you did it again and I'll be waiting to read what happens next...

Until next time

MM xxx

*If you would like Murphy's Mother to read and review your book or if you have any requests, please in the first instance email 'MM' at jamachin07@aol.com 



'Me Before You' blurb taken from: http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/me-before-you/ 
'After You' blurb taken from: http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/after-you/
Photo of 'After You': Murphy's Mothers own
Photo of 'Me Before You' taken from: www.amazon.co.uk

My weekend so far...

 

£1.99 on Amazon. Click here to buy. Click here for reviews.

Another recommended read!

'Emma is a newly-wed looking forward to some blissful years with her new husband, Mike, but everyone else expects her to have children. Emma is a teacher and so, in everyone's mind, she MUST want children.

However, Emma has never wanted children and has to convince her husband, her family and her friends that she's not cut out for motherhood.

Instead, Emma wishes to pursue her teaching career and help children with Special Educational Needs, but her plans are thwarted and she has to make a decision which will affect her and her husband forever.'

Kathryn can be contacted via her Twitter page. Click here to be redirected.

My weekend so far...

Have any of you ever kept a diary? I used to fill one in daily. I think I would have been about ten or eleven when I first began documenting every waking moment. By the time I had reached my late teens it just sort of stopped. These days I prefer to share my thoughts etc with you guys. For whatever reason it makes me feel much better than a diary ever did.

Today was an exhausting day emotionally. We went to see my grandad. (My sister and I with her boys.) It was much harder than I had imagined it would be. The house seemed so empty without my nanna pottering about and there were a lot of tears shed. On a positive note however, our visit seemed to perk up my grandad so I guess we just have to keep taking it one day at a time.

Completely changing the subject, I've managed to get a lot of work done on my novel. It is as I've probably said before, an altogether cathartic process for me. And I'd just like to say a huge thankyou to all who have emailed me, especially Lucy! I certainly couldn't get this story right without your help. Roll on the day when it's finished so I can finally share it with you all!

I'm settling down for the evening with a muchly needed glass of wine now but I hope you've all had a pleasant weekend so far! Have any of you got any exciting plans for tomorrow? (I'm personally looking forward to my weekly fix of 'Sunday Blog Share.')

Catch you all soon... 

Justine xxx

P.s... Next weeks post is finally beauty related. This is after all supposed to be a blog about books, life, fashion AND beauty! :)

The Good Life



Murphy

 

 

  The Good Life

It's been a little while since we had a blog post from the fabulous 'Murphy's Mother' so I am delighted to share her brand spanking new book review with you all this evening. 
And off we go...


Dear Fellow Readers 

I think you all know by now my all time favourite author is Tess Gerritsen and I can't wait to review her up coming novel 'Playing with Fire.' 
Due for release in November, it's a step away from the Rizzoli and Isles series but I just know it will be amazing. 

Today I'm reviewing another firm favourite... Author Martina Cole and her latest book The Good Life.

If you're not aware of Martina she is a No 1 bestselling author of crime fiction. Several of her novels have been adapted for television including The Take and The Runaway. Martina has also had Two Women and The Graft adapted for the stage.

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NEVER FREE 

Photo taken from www.martinacole.co.uk

Cain Moran wanted Jenny Riley more than he had ever wanted anyone or anything before in his life. But loving Jenny Riley was the easy part... It was telling his wife he wanted a divorce that was going to be the killer...

Jenny is not just any girl. She cares nothing for Cain’s hard-man reputation – she just wants to be with him but Cain is not a free man. And he’s about to find out that when his wife Caroline said '’til death us do part', she meant it. 

When Cain is sentenced to life in prison it seems that Caroline might have got her wish. All Cain and Jenny know is that if their love can survive such separation, then one day they will have a chance at the Good Life together again. But there are greater trials ahead than either can foresee. They’re about to learn the hardest lesson of all...

The Good Life is a compelling read from start to finish and I couldn't put it down.

Cain Moran was The Face people feared but his love for Jenny couldn't be denied...
This novel had all the trademarks of another great Eastend crime story and although you know the outcome quite early on in the book it's still a gripping read. Martina seems to know intimately about the world in which she writes and this is no exception. This is a powerful piece of family drama taken to extremes.

Martina's next novel 'Get Even' is released in October.

Until next time... 

Murphy's Mother

Xxx

Click here to check out more books from Martina Cole.

New post from GGD tomorrow... xxx