TBR JAR Challenge

January 30, 2015January 18, 2015 NatsCloud1 Comment

Once again as always I am a bit late to the party. I have just discovered the TBR Challenge by the fabulous Katytastic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxx9UYM5x0

So I have set myself some reading bookish challenges and every month starting from Feb I will be pulling one from the jar

So my personal challenges are as follows

1. Read Kate Mortons Secret Keeper

2. Read a prize winning book

3. Read the Book Thief

4. Finish Shadow of the night

5. Read a Classic Novel

6. Read Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon

7. Go to the library pick a Fast back book and read it in one week and take it back

8. Start Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy

9. Read a Debut Novel

10 Read a book made into a film

11. Read a Non Fiction Book

who else is doing this challenge? what are your goal? I would love to hear from you

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Review: The Bay of Secrets by Rosanna Ley.

January 25, 2015 NatsCloudLeave a comment

Blurb

Spain, 1939.

Following the wishes of her parents to keep her safe during the war, a young girl, Julia, enters a convent in Barcelona. Looking for a way to maintain her links to the outside world, she volunteers to help in a maternity clinic. But worrying adoption practices in the clinic force Sister Julia to decide how far she will go to help those placed in her care.

England, 2011.

Six months after her parents’ shocking death, 34-year-old journalist and jazz enthusiast Ruby Rae has finally found the strength to pack away their possessions and sell the family home. But as she does so, she unearths a devastating secret her parents, Vivien and Tom, had kept from her all her life.

Review

This novel is a perfect summer holiday read. It sweeps you up in a voyage of discovery with the 2 stories and I wondered how on earth they were connected. I loved the historical aspects of the novel this must of taken a LOT of work for the author to get right and of course a lot of research.

Leys writing is so descriptive and I just let the story unravel, do not let the 500 odd pages put you off its defiantly worth the time to read this beautiful novel. You will be defiantly enriched. You also need to take the time to appreciate the stunning cover. Its one of those covers you can keep staring at.

4 of 5 stars

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Why I go to the Library

January 20, 2015January 18, 2015 NatsCloud1 Comment

FREE BOOKS I mean HELLO who doesn’t like FREE books??

I am one massive library fan I still get excited if I am visiting the library. I try to go at least once a fortnight. I find it so relaxing wondering through the shelves of books discovering authors I didn’t know existed or a book you have heard so much hype about and its on the shelf and its FREE to borrow. Sometimes I cannot justify buying new releases but I still like to keep up with these books so I use the library reserve system there are a number of sub libraries in the area and 9 times out of 10 you can get he book you want sometimes there is a wait on some newer releases but I think sometimes it is worth the wait.

I started going to the library at a young age which I think encouraged me to read and still enjoy reading as much as I do now.

I think we need to support our local libraries

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5 Star Review A Single Breath by Lucy Clarke

January 19, 2015January 18, 2015 NatsCloudLeave a comment

Blurb

When Eva’s husband Jackson tragically drowns, she longs to meet his estranged family. The journey takes her to Jackson’s brother’s doorstep on a remote Tasmanian island. As strange details about her husband’s past begin to emerge, memories of the man she married start slipping through her fingers like sand, as everything she ever knew and loved about him is thrown into question. Now she’s no longer sure whether it was Jackson she fell in love with – or someone else entirely…

The truth is, it was all a lie . . .

Review

This is my first Lucy Clarke book (I have no idea where I have been either) and can I say I was just totally blown away by this book. Can you believe I only accidentally come across it at the library.

Right from Page one I just wanted to keep going as I learnt something new almost every other page the plot was very well paced with a huge twist which I did work out but this did not stop by enjoyment of this story

I have already been and got Lucy’s first book The Sea Sisters in my TBR pile and trust me I will be doing this soon. What a fantastic discovery Lucy is.

5 of 5 stars

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5 STAR REVIEW The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

January 18, 2015 NatsCloudLeave a comment

Blurb

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Review

For VERY good reason there is huge hype surrounding this book once I picked it up it was very hard for me to put down.

The Story is told from 3 points of view Rachel, Megan and Anna which works perfectly as it gave totally different aspects to the story. The story kept me on my toes throughout and I did not work out the major twist which occurs. Some Characters were not likable but this did not spoil by enjoyment of the book.

A fantastic debut from Paula Hawkins.

5 of 5 stars