Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag '18 - Guest Post By Alexx-Marie

Okay, so this is a tad late with it now being the beginning of July, but that’s only just over half way through the year - I'm going to count that. I have been watching a lot of Booktube versions of this tag, and it just looks like a lot of fun for reflecting back on the last six months of reading. Well to be fair, I haven't had the most successful six months of reading, but I have picked up some really great books. So let's get into it..

1. Best book you've read this year?

For me this has to be The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson. To be fair, any of the three books in this series could answer this question as I read them all back to back; but I feel like the first one was the most memorable. I honestly can not wait for her next book in this world, Dance with Thieves.

2. Best sequel you've read this year?

Again I could use the remnant chronicles for this, but to mix it up I'm going to say Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel, you can see my review for it here.  I have been following this series since the very first book, and it has never once disappointed. This was the final book in the series and I am honestly very sad to see it end, I will stay hopeful for more books in this series.

3. New release you haven't read yet but want to?

Easily Furyborn by Claire Legrand. I saw the fiction faction book club talking about this one a lot a couple of months ago, and bought it almost straight away, just sadly I haven't managed to get round to picking it up. Probably shortly after moving I will be jumping into this one and indulging myself by reading it in one sitting. I honestly cant wait!

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

Okay, this is very much split between two books, and very different books they are. Firstly there is Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, a fairy tale retelling. Well we all know that I love a good fairy tale retelling and this one just looks like its going to be fabulous. Secondly, is Shiang by Conn Iggulden. Darien, the first book in the series was my favourite book of 2017, and I have very high hopes for this sequel.

5. Biggest disappointment?

I've not really had any disappointments yet, nearly every book I have picked up has been exactly how I expected it. The only one I would of liked to of been better would be Order of Darkness by Philippa Gregory. As one of my favourite authors most of her books are easily five star reads, but this one I did struggle with a touch. It wasn't too bad though, and was quick and easy.

6. Biggest surprise?

Normally I cant stand world war fiction, but The Tattooist of Auzchwitz was amazing! I got it as a random birthday gift, and picked it up as it was rather short. It was definitely a surprise, a very happy surprise. This book feels like one of those that everyone needs to read to get an insight into what so many people went through.

7. Favourite new to you or debut author?

Again I have two to answer this, and both were just new to me. The first being Mary E Pearson, with the Remnant Chronicles; I honestly cant wait for the next book, although it's not the same series, it is at least a bit more of the same world. Secondly is Morgan Rhodes, the author of the Falling Kingdoms series. I have read the first two, and have brought all the rest of the books, hoping at some point in the summer to just marathon through all the rest of them.

I have decided to skip the next few questions and just jump to the last two; I'm not really one for fictional crushes or the like. Plus the fact that nearly all books will have me crying over something.

8. Most beautiful book you've bought this year?

There can only be the one answer for this and it has to be Circe by Madeline Miller. Under the dust jacket there is so much foil, its beautiful! Can't wait to actually pick it up and read this beautiful book and show it off.

9. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

There are so many; I'll just list a few...

• Rest Falling Kingdoms series
• Kings Obsession and Haunted Queen by Alison Weir
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• and many more...

How has your reading been for the first half of the year? 

Author Biography

Alexx-marie is a lifestyle and book blogger who writes over at angelwingsandpetticoats.com. While battling chronic illness, and mental health difficulties, Alexx also rescues various pets who feature on her blog. If you love a good book review then you'll love 'Angel Wings And Petticoats!' You can also follow Alexx on Twitter.

*All images by Alexx except for header and images for 4, 5 and 9  which have been sourced via Pexels.

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Life Update

Hello people! Another week has flown by and I'm sat at work typing this catch up post. Really need to get sorted with a laptop so I can blog on a more regular basis from home. It's not that I don't mind staying behind at work, it's lovely and quiet, but it goes so cold!!

My new iPhone SE arrived a couple of weeks ago and although I love the camera on it I have to say it's taken quite a bit of getting use to. The iPhone is just SO different from my old HTC. At first I was a little frustrated with it, the keyboard is tiny and everything about it feels alien but I'm slowly starting to love it.
I sold my old phone to one of those recycling places which I highly recommend if you're in need of some extra cash and also want to do your bit for the environment. It's a win win solution. Although I'm only receiving just shy of forty pounds, it's forty pounds that I didn't have before and will help with the cost of Christmas. Make sure you compare for the best price before you jump in and send your phone though, and some do charge for postage. I opted for Phone Recyclers because there was a downloadable label to cover postage and they offered a really good price compared to other sites.

I put the Christmas tree up at work on Wednesday evening to help me get into the festive spirit because although I'm looking forward to December, I've just not got that 'Christmassy' feeling yet.
What do you all think? It needs more lights but I love the pretty colours!

Jemma from Dorkface finished the header design for the new book blog and you can see it below. I think she's done a fabulous job. The blog itself should be up and running properly in the new year but I'll keep you posted. I'm still on the lookout for people who want to submit book reviews so if you're sat there saying 'I want to take part' then please email me on jamachin07@aol.com. Obviously I can't pay you all as I'm flat out broke and on my DMP but if you're someone who just likes to be part of something and who loves to read, please get in touch. (The one thing I can offer is free advertising in the sidebar for the month your review is published.)

I've been working on my novel recently which is probably another reason why GGD has suffered this last fortnight. But the good thing about writing a book is that I get to do it longhand, curled up at home, glass of wine within reach. I can't really do that at my work computer. Slight confession though, 'Surviving Isabelle' has been put to one side for now and I'm working on something else. It's not that I wasn't enjoying SI but I wanted to attempt to write something more 'fun.'

Just a book recommendation before I dash. When I bought Writing Magazine a few weeks ago they were giving away with it, a copy of Katharine Grubb's 'Write a Novel in Ten Minutes a Day.' The title alone had intrigued me somewhat. I picked it up to read in my lunch break just yesterday and I have to say I'm enjoying it so far.

I'm off now to grab a glass of wine and settle down for the Gilmore Girls revival!

Wishing you all the loveliest of weekends xxx

Book Review: Billy and Me

I'm going to hold my hands up and confess that before I read Giovanna Fletcher's 'Billy and Me' I had been expecting another run of the mill 'predictable' romance. Not that there's anything wrong with that don't get me wrong, but I've read my fair share and therefore have a tendency to get easily bored.
It takes something a little bit out of the ordinary to capture and hold my attention for what is usually about four hundred odd pages. However, because my friend Jody had sung high praises for this debut novel I decided to give it a go.

The blurb goes a little like this -

Sophie May has a secret that has mean't she's given up on all her dreams to instead stay at home with her mum whilst working in the local village tea shop. Then one day, she meets and falls for Billy - a hotshot actor who is about to hit the big time. Miles away from the life she's been used to, their relationship suddenly throws Sophie into the spotlight and into a world that is alien to her. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with dating Billy? And is she ready for her secret to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Let's get the bits that disappointed me out of the way first before I tell you all to go out and buy a copy! Which I am totally going to do btw! ;)

(SPOILER ALERT)

I wouldn't say that the opening paragraph really did it for me. If anything it felt unnecessary, (sorry Giovanna) and I wanted to skip straight to the part where Sophie enters Molly's tea shop. And truth be told, after the build up, I was expecting some huge dark and dirty secret that would tarnish Sophie's reputation for life, not the tragedy that actually unfolds in chapter seventeen.

That said, there was something special about this story that grabbed me and just wouldn't let go. It's so well written that the characters and environments literally spring from the very pages. I couldn't help but feel as though Sophie was an old friend and that I was living in her world. If the tea shop was a real place I'd be straight on a road trip to Kent tomorrow. And as for dear old Molly? She was an absolute delight of a character who I warmed to from the very beginning. You'll no doubt find yourself rooting for Billy and Sophie the entire way through, even though at times you may - as I did - want to give him a boot up the backside and to tell him to shape himself.

This is one to devour when you have some time on your hands because believe me, you'll struggle to put it down!

I don't want to give any more spoilers away because - well that would just spoil it for you wouldn't it? But I will say that any novel that gets such an emotional reaction from me gets a five star rating. So take it from me, go and buy or download a copy today!

And as for me... I'm off to hound Jody for the follow up 'Always with Love.'

Author Giovanna Fletcher

You can buy Billy and Me by visiting any of the links on Giovanna's website:

http://www.giovannasworld.com/booksbyme


Photos my own except Giovanna pic which was taken from Giovanna's website as below -


http://www.giovannasworld.com/about

Books I'm reading this month

It's not often that a book 'queue jumps' my TBR pile but Giovanna Fletcher's 'Billy and Me' has managed to do just that. My friend Jody highly recommended it so I have borrowed her rather well worn copy. Review to follow at a later date.
The story revolves around Sophie who has given up on all her dreams of going to university and travelling the world because of some earth shattering secret. Well, to be fair I don't know that it's actually earth shattering. I haven't reached the point in the book in which she reveals what the secret is yet, but I'm assuming it must be something pretty big for her to give up on all her hopes and aspirations. Instead she lives with her mum in the tiny village where she grew up and where everyone seems to know everybody else's business. Whilst working an average day in her local tea shop, she meets Billy - the latest heart-throb of an actor. After shying away from attention all her life, will Sophie be able to handle the spotlight that comes with dating one of the world's A-listers?
Giovanna writes very lovable characters who you warm to in an instant. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes Sophie next.

The second book that has also queue jumped my TBR pile was gifted to me by my lovely mum for my birthday.
'Sister, Missing' by Sophie McKenzie is the follow up novel to the AMAZING 'Girl, Missing.'
You may remember I mentioned loving 'Girl, Missing' in a recent post? If you haven't read this book then you must! I haven't actually started the sequel yet as I'm going to finish 'Billy and Me' first but it's safe to say that I am super excited to get stuck into this one!

Hope you're all having a fab week! Until next time... xxx





Images from relevant sites below (copyright not my own)

Billy and Me http://www.giovannasworld.com/booksbyme

Sister Missing http://www.sophiemckenziebooks.com/product/sister-missing

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! :)