Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Smile

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. For more info please check out Jana’s blog.

Hello everyone!

I hope this blog post finds everyone well. This weeks post is about books that make you smile and I will be honest I have a lot of books that make me smile but I promise I will try to keep it to just ten choices.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I simply love this book and each time I read it I discover something new to smile about. I love Mrs Bennet’s random outburst, Mr Bennet’s comments about his wife, and of course the ridiculous Lydia and Kitty.

2. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

I will be honest I could list all the Discworld novels as books that make me smile but I have chosen this one because I simply love it.

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

This is my favourite Harry Potter book and it is because we meet Bill and Charlie Weasley and get to experience a bit more of the life of the Weasley family. It just makes me smile to read about such a wonderful family.

4. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot

This little book is a little book of magic for me, I absolutely love the poems and just smile from ear to ear when I read it.

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Another book I have read over and over again over the years and can never get enough of. I just adore the love and friendships between the four sisters and seeing how they grow up and Jo March was always my favourite.

6. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Ok, I did say only one discworld novel but I couldn’t help myself. This is the first book with Moist Van Lipwig and it contains Golems who are just brilliant. This is a definite laugh out loud book.

7. Matilda by Roald Dahl

My favourite Roald Dahl book of all time. I love the story of Matilda, a young girl completely different from her family defying all the odds.

8. The Martian by Andy Weir

I read this book after I had seen the film and I must admit I much prefer the book even though I love the film. There are such amazing lines in this book that you can’t help but laugh at.

9. Cat Out Of Hell by Lynne Truss

I bought this book because it intrigued me and I must admit I loved reading it even if it was completely different to what I was expecting.

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

As you can see by the tatty cover this book has been read loads of times. It is my comfort blanket that I read often and it always makes me smile.

So, there is my Top Ten Tuesday. Please drop a comment with your Top Ten Tuesday and I will head over for a visit.

Happy Reading.

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths (Review)

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

About the author

Elly Griffiths was born in London and began her career in publishing, she then turned to writing full time. In 2016 she won the CWA Dagger in the Library for her work. Griffiths lives in Brighton with her family and the cat Gus.

Blurb

Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway.

She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police’s resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Amyas March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried – but only if Ruth will do the digging.

Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.

Is Amyas March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?

Review

Firstly, I will be honest and say that I am a Dr Ruth Galloway addict. I haven’t read all of the books yet but I try and buy a new book as a treat to myself as often as possible. This one is book 12 in the series and was a massive surprise to me because it has moved on quite a bit from book 11. Ruth now has a new job, a new house and is now with a new partner. This was quite a shock for me after where book 11 left Ruth but a nice surprise.

Ruth is her usual self in the book and now she has what appears to be the dream life but as you read it you can’t help but wonder if she is really happy?

Nelson is trying to solve a murder case where the suspect March is already in prison but will not admit to being guilty of the murders. He later agrees to tell Nelson where other bodies are if he talks to Ruth. Ruth agrees which leads to Ruth and Nelson working a case together again.

As the case developed I must admit I did not see the end result coming and it was a massive surprise how it turned out. What didn’t surprise me was what happened at the very end of the book.

One of my favourite characters in the Dr Galloway series is Cathbad and I must admit I would have liked to have seen a bit more of him in the book. I always love a Cathbad ritual of some kind and sadly that was lacking in the book.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons and highly recommend it to all crime and thriller fans.

Purchase Links

Book Depository • Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you)

Friday Poetry: Clive Webster

Happy Friday!

The poem I have chosen today is from a poet I’ve never come across before but I throughly like this poem so thought I would share it.

The Magic of the Mind

I’ve read in books of magic lands

So very far away,

Where genies pop up out of lamps

And magic creatures play.

Where wizards weave their magic spells

And dragons breathe out fire,

Where just one wish gives young and old

Their every heart’s desire.

Those lands, of course, are just in books,

But if you try real hard,

Those magic places come to life

Right in your own back yard.

For sitting quietly in the sun

On a lazy Summer’s day

You can sit and smile and dream you’re there

In those lands so far away.

And as the sunshine warms your mind

You’re in those golden lands,

With wizards, genies, dragons, spells,

And cut-throat pirate bands.

You’re saving damsels in distress,

You’re fighting deadly duels,

You’re banqueting in marbled halls,

You’re decked in priceless jewels.

You’re there, you’re there, no need for books,

So real and oh so clear,

So marvellous and so magical,

To touch and smell and hear,

Just sitting there in golden sun

You leave your cares behind,

And go to magic places

In the Magic of your Mind.

Clive Webster

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday! The weeks seem to be flying by.

This week has been rather quiet but this has meant I’ve done more reading.

Studying

I’ve got back into my Future Learn courses and have finally completed the one I was asked to do before I start the second year of my Masters.

Walking and Exercise

Exercise and walking is still going well although all this rain has been causing problems regarding the walking.

New Recipes

This week I made a lemon mouse which I’ve never attempted before and it proved to be very yummy. Sadly I didn’t make the lemon biscuit that went so well with the moose.

Jigsaw

I have started a new jigsaw today but it isn’t going too well. Yet again I have chosen a jigsaw that doesn’t fit on my jigsaw board so this will now have to be moved to the dining room table.

Well that is my week so far. Very quiet but a good week.

Happy Reading!

Mid Week Quote: Jane Austen

Hello my fellow Book Dragons!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far. This week I have gone for a quote from one of my favourite authors.

“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart”

Jane Austen

WWW Wednesday: 8/07/2020

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?

Happy Wednesday!

Here is the latest update on this weeks reading!

What I am currently reading

I can’t put this down! Think it will be finished today because I’m desperate to see who did it.

What I have recently finished reading

Really enjoyed this book. If you want to read the review click here.

What I will read next

This is definitely next because I just love the series so far.

So that is my WWW, please drop me a comment with a link to your WWW and I will head over to give it a read.

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I’ve Read the Most Books By

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. For more info please check out Jana’s blog.

Hello!

I love the idea of this weeks post as I have many favourite authors.

Here are the authors I’ve read the most books by:-

Sir Terry Pratchett

Sir Terry Pratchett is definitely number one because I have read all of his Discworld series and many other books he has written. I just can’t get enough of his work and hope to be able to read all of his books one day.

Total Read: 62

Philippa Gregory

I have read all of Gregory’s Plantagenet and Tudor books and the Order of Darkness series.

Total Read: 8

J. R. R Tolkien

I used to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy every year and I read anything Tolkien.

Total Read: 10

Jeffrey Archer

I went through a big stage of reading Jeffrey Archer’s books but haven’t read any for a while.

Total Read: 16

Roald Dahl

An absolute childhood favourite and I still read his books now.

Total Read: 10

J. K. Rowling

Another favourite!

Total Read: 9

Dianne Duvall

Another favourite although haven’t read any of her new books.

Total Read: 10

George. R. R. Martin

The most frustrating author I read. When will he finish The Winds of Winter!

Total Read: 7

Anne Rice

My cousin used to lend me The Vampire Lestat books, they were all first editions and I remember looking after them like they were gold dust!

Total Read: 6

Alison Weir

Currently going through a massive Weir phase at the moment so this number will be increasing soon.

Total Read: 6

So there it is, my Top Ten Most Read Authors. As you can see Sir Terry Pratchett wins by miles.

Drop me a comment if you want to chat!

All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle (ARC Review)

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

About the author

Mike Gayle was born and raised in Birmingham. After graduating from Salford University with a degree in Sociology, he moved to London to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a Features Editor and Agony Uncle. He has written for a variety of publications including The Sunday Times, Guardian and Cosmopolitan.

Mike became a full time novelist in 1997 following the publication My Legendary Girlfriend. Since then he has written thirteen novels and his books have been translated into more than thirty languages.

Blurb

Hubert Bird is not alone in being alone.

He just needs to realise it.

In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship and fulfilment.

But Hubert Bird is lying.

The truth is day after day drags by without him seeing a single soul.

Until, that is, he receives some good news – good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on.

Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.

Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .

Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows will he ever get to live the life he’s pretended to have for so long?

Review

I was so excited to start this book and it did not disappoint although I did struggle to get into it to begin with. This book was an emotional rollercoaster that also had some surprises thrown into the mix that had me very surprised.

The character of Hubert Bird is a wonderful one, you just can’t help but love him and also feel dreadfully sorry for him at times. Hubert came to England from Jamaica to find a better life and instead he found low paid work and racism. However, he also found Joyce. Joyce and Hubert loved each other through all the odds and their love remained strong, even when it meant Joyce’s family throwing her out and never allowing her back.

This story finds Hubert who has had one too many knocks in his life and so has chosen to isolate himself from everyone including his best friend Gus. Now Hubert spends his days with Puss the cat and a weekly phone call from his daughter Rose who lives in Australia but Hubert tells Rose he is never home and always out with friends so when she says she is coming home for a visit Hubert has to find friends quick so Rose doesn’t find him out.

In walks my next favourite character Ashleigh and her young daughter Layla. Ashleigh is a young single mother who goes knocking on Hubert’s door and she doesn’t give in till she has made Hubert her friend.

This story is so endearing and very true in so many respects, there are many lonely people in this world and because of the speed everyone lives their lives these people often get forgotten and left behind. This book highlights that things can be done to help these lonely people if people take the time to help.

Gayle’s writing in this book is beautiful and how he moves from the past to present is flawless. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a beautiful story with a wonderfully poignant meaning. I really enjoyed this book but it did take a while to hook me in, although once I was hooked I could not put it down. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC.

Purchase Links

Book Depository • Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you)

Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir (Review)

Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir

About the author

Alison Weir was born in 1951 and is a British writer of history books, and latterly historical novels, mostly in the form of biographies about British Royalty.

Blurb

The young woman who changed the course of history.

Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love.

But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.

Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown – and the crown is what she seeks. At any price.

Review

The life of Anne Boleyn is well known and one that has always had me fascinated. I will be honest I know I shouldn’t like Anne Boleyn because of what happened to poor Katherine of Aragon but I don’t think anyone can pin that all on Anne Boleyn because Henry VIII would have divorced Katherine in the end as he was quite determined to have a son.

The moment I started reading this book I could not put it down and I absolutely loved what Weir did with the story of Anne Boleyn and I ended up seeing Anne in a very different light. Anne Boleyn was a well educated and very refined young woman. Her experiences in the courts of Burgundy and France set her up wonderfully to be a star in the English court and of course the King could not help but notice her.

Anne was the victim of ambition, her family’s ambition and her own. Weir showed Anne determined to keep her virtue intact but wanting the crown more than anything. Anne could see she could help make changes in the church, she could help the people if she was queen. However, things were also against her.

I really felt sorry for Anne in this book, she thought she could make changes but instead things were twisted against her and she had no way of surviving. The other element I enjoyed was how Weir showed Anne’s relationship with her daughter Elizabeth and it was different to what I expected but made a lot of sense.

At the end of this book I will be honest I cried my eyes out and it really left me feeling quite cold at the end. I knew the outcome obviously but how Weir ended the book was astonishing and very haunting, it is something I will not forget.

Weir really triumphed with this book and I will admit it is one of my favourite reads for this year and I can’t wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction fans and give this book a massive 5 out of 5 Dragons.

Purchase Links

Book Depository • Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you)

The Blackened Heart by Alison Weir (E-Short Review)

The Blackened Heart by Alison Weir

About the author

Alison Weir was born in 1951 and is a British writer of history books, and latterly historical novels, mostly in the form of biographies about British Royalty.

Blurb

Margery Otwell, a self-made gentleman’s young daughter, gets her first taste of courtly life when she takes up a position as chamberer to Lady Peche of Lullingstone Castle. Dances, music, feasting – and a seduction – follow, and Margery learns the rules of courtly love the hard way.

Saved from disgrace by the kindly Sir John Peche, Margery finds herself at court waiting on Queen Katherine. Little does Margery know that she is already a pawn in a game of power, irrevocably bound to the fall of the lady she will come to love as her mistress, Queen and friend.

Review

My first thought about this E-Short was what a wonderful connection between the two main books about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, it really helped bring the two books together.

I loved the character of Margery Otwell and really felt for her. She loved, she suffered but she always had hope in heart. Margery was lucky and because of Sir Peche she began serving Queen Katherine and in Queen Katherine she found a true friend who she would defend with her life.

This story really left me thinking and the story stayed with me for many days after reading it. For something so short it really was a moving narrative. Not much is known about Margery Otwell other than she was a lady who served Queen Katherine and Weir created a wonderful story for her which linked the reports about the black mass found on Queen Katherine’s heart at her autopsy. I give this story 4 out of 5 Dragons and I thoroughly wish it had been longer.