Shelf Control #1

Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies.  It is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves.  Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up!

For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out Lisa’s introductory post.

Blurb: Ever since first coming across Shelf Control I’ve been itching to contribute and today I finally am.

Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in making Philip his heir, knowing he will treasure his beautiful Cornish estate. But Philip’s world is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries – and then dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances. 

Before long, the new widow – Philip’s cousin Rachel – arrives in England. Despite himself, Philip is drawn to this beautiful, mysterious woman. But could she have masterminded Ambrose’s death?

I first discovered Daphne Du Maurier via a charity shop in the shape of Rebecca. It was a read that well and truly blew me away….I then devoured Frenchman’s Creek before getting hold of a number of her back catalogue. I found this copy of My Cousin Rachel at work a back in 2016, that’s when I added it to my Goodreads library.

Have you read it?

First chapter first paragraph Tuesday intros

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros @ I’d Rather Be at the Beach. Weekly. Share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book you’re reading or thinking about reading soon.

The morning began as so many do in winter, with lowhanging fog and a smattering of frost. For weeks the sky has been the muted silver of a much-thumbed coin, but today the sun has broken through, laundering my little Cambridgeshire village with light. As I walk the ten or so minutes to the pub, I relish this new brightness which has brought with it so much colour – red berries in a thicket of holly, a battalion of purple pansies in a window box, and perched on the wall outside the church, a blue tit, its head cocked inquisitively to one side. I see David as soon as I cross the threshold of the White Swan. He is easy to spot, with his round bald head and those John Lennon-style glasses, which he wears balanced precariously on the end of his nose.

I only started reading this beauty this morning and I’m hooked on this breathtaking story. So far Genie has been through so many emotions and my heart really does go out to her. Her best mate is called Hayley – which made me smile free-fold, I’m always looking for books with Hayley’s and she’s super fun. Although her eating lemon drizzle cake sure did make my sweet tooth twitch so I may have had some chocolate cake to accompany my reading. This is a buddy read that I’m reading with Catriona although for once I’m ahead I literally cannot get enough. I have extremely sore feet from a cut on the bottom and due to sunburn so I’ve enjoyed chilling with a book today. I’m in the midst of chapter 9 and I know I can get a few more chapters in before we go out this evening…..see there are major pluses to days staying on camp….what an absolute treat of a book. The descriptions of New Zealand sound amazing.

That’s me over and out for today…I have a few reviews to write but right now I need another coffee and to get back to One Winter Morning.

Six for Sunday – Yellow Books

Six for Sunday is a weekly meme created by https://alittlebutalot.com each week a prompt is given and then you choose books accordingly.

This weeks prompt is yellow books…I love a Six for Sunday and as I’m by the seaside it seems like the perfect one to get involved with.

I’m actually listening to a yellow book although haven’t listened to any so far today.

Yellow and seaside inspired although I still haven’t read this one.

This one sounds sooo good and I have it on my kindle but there’s never enough time for all the books. I may just have to bump this one up.

Another Jenny Colgan I’m not sure if I have or haven’t read this one. Something tells me I had it on a beach but I can’t be 100%

Forgive Me Not was such a memorable read that will stay with me forever.

I still haven’t read this one. I was lucky enough to get Vicky to sign it for me, I very nearly brought it away with me but seeing as it’s a signed one I didn’t want it getting ruined.

What do you think of my choices have you read any of them?

Stacking the Shelves – Holiday Edition

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme co hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can add any books that you add to your shelves, whether you’ve bought them been sent them or borrowed them from the library. And then be sure to post your links over on Tynga’s Reviews.

Firstly, I’m so sorry for the lack of updates this week. It’s been a full on week working Monday to Friday ahead of heading to the coast for two weeks. Alongside my news that I will be leaving Cancer Research this September and heading back to The O2. I’ve worked in the building before but this time around I’ll be at the bright lights of Cineworld and I cannot wait for my next chapter and a new challenge.

I’m hoping to finish Rewind today if I can.

I’ve also started listening to an extremely fun audiobook.

I love that Sophia is reading this and I downloaded this based on hearing her read the prologue and it was just as funny on the second listen.

Whilst on my holiday I’m hoping to buddy read this with the fabulous Cat. I love reading alongside her and I still haven’t penned my thoughts on a Miranda Dickinson’s latest I’m hoping to have my review up on publication day.

I’ve heard so many good things about this one. I had been meaning to grab a copy then one was donated into the Cancer Research shop where I work and I was like mine. This will be one of my paperback reads.

Last night I finally opened my brand new Kindle Paperwhite. I got it when it was on offer back in November time but as I was undertaking exams it’s sat awaiting my attention. Finally I decided to unwrap my new toy and wow wow wow! It’s so light and sleek.

I’m also hoping to read….

I’m being extremely ambitious as I won’t only be reading my nieces and nephew won’t let me only read…..although is there anything I must add.

Happy blog birthday to me….

Wow!!!! I was hoping to have got more blogger organised yesterday but having finished a truly gorgeous book that floored me. The Day We Meet Again by the truly outstanding Miranda Dickinson.

Following that gorgeous rollercoaster finish I was left with a book hangover and a massive headache. Seeing as I’m off to the seaside at the weekend I had lots to organise seeing as I’m now working until the off. I will be reviewing this beauty soon I may save my words for publication day.

This blog started as a place where I could talk about my volunteering following being seriously trolled over on www.hayleyslilworld.wordpress.com and following moving to Cancer Research full time I decided to change this to showcase my passion for books. I hadn’t realised when I started this little place of mine on the Internet but it’s made my Monday…..I am in the process of adding some new features to the blog and I have some news that I will share later this week.

I’ve asked before and it didn’t really work but I would like to answer some questions in a post in the future.

Fancy asking me anything?

Since being floored by romance I’m now turning to a thriller

I’ve managed the prologue so far and I’m already intrigued….back to it.

Book Review: The Turn of the Key By Ruth Ware

Blurb: I know you don’t know me but you have to help me. I didn’t kill anyone.

When Rowan stumbles across the advert, it seems like too good an opportunity to miss: a live-in nanny position, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when she arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten by the luxurious ‘smart’ home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare – one that will end with a child dead and her in a cell awaiting trial for murder.

She knows she’s made mistakes. But she’s not guilty – at least not of murder. Which means someone else is…

Review: I’m a massive fan of Ruth Ware she’s definitely an auto buy author and if you only discover her from here. Wow I truly believe you will be reaching wholeheartedly for her back catalogue. For me it all started with In a Dark Dark Wood and I was mesmerised by it. So much so that I wanted to share the story so I gave my copy away, I now have another signed copy and I’m so glad as it really changed my reading habits. Enough about my fangirl back story.

I read the first chapter of The Turn of the Key and instantly wanted more. I knew that I needed this book more than anything. I hit the request button on Netgalley and was checking my emails obsessively, the email never came so just before publication I pre-ordered it when it pinged through just after midnight I tried to read past where I had been but tiredness took hold. If it wasn’t for circumstances I wholeheartedly could have devoured this in one maybe two sittings.

In some ways I’m blessed as extending this read gave me added enjoyment. I ended up finishing it whilst waiting to be seen by the doctor and that last 30% was probably the most intense. Although saying that the levels of intensity were there throughout.

Where do I begin?

There is so much in this novel and even at 70% in I still didn’t know anything connected to Rowan being in prison. At each turn I was left with many unanswered questions and new theories sprang to mind and each and every time I was so far from the truth.

Rowan is an interesting character, I can’t say I liked her, as at times I didn’t but I also sympathised with her at times. Either way she was a compelling leading lady with so much substance and as I got further through the book so much became clear, yet it also wasn’t totally clear.

Maddie and Ellie went through stages of being insanely cute and incredibly creepy. There was something about each of them from the off. Rhiannon was a totally different kettle of fish and was nowhere near as bad as the persona we are given from the off.

I cannot say anymore than that a twisting tale with oh soo much. It’s a story you will want to talk about but you honestly can’t until your mates have read it. I loved the set up of the letters, emails etc. It’s one of those books where you keep saying just a little more and then something happens to change your thought process again and the pages just keep turning. It’s also a very atmospheric book, I’ve been to Scotland but never anywhere like this although I feel like I have been there from how Ruth has explained everything about Heatherbrae House.

Ruth Ware is the Queen of thrilling, a twisting tale with sooo many ifs, buts and OMGs. A heart in mouth read that I will be recommending to any and every thriller lovers out there. This is the compelling read that will keep you awake at night, once you get to the heart of the story you won’t be able to stop.

Once again Ruth Ware has left me breathless and with a massive book hangover. I have a number of thrillers to read and now it’s going to be a hard task in beating this one…..and I loved that there was a very brief Hayley mentioned.

Top Ten Tuesday – Book characters I’d love to be besties with….

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Now this is a prompt that I’m going to have fun with.

I know I only recently finished this but I truly loved these beauties. I would love to be besties with Nessie and Sam oh and Ruby. I think Ruby could tell me a thing or two and she would definitely be a confidence booster.

I often wish Brew was a real place, I’d get my morning coffee and share my trials and tribulations and I might just be on the receiving end of some good luck. Last week a customer gave me a mint choc chip cornetto and it really made me think of this beauty.

In thinking of book besties it really made me think. This book made me long for more? Anna took chances, to make her own happiness. I need to do more of that. This book still gives me all the feels.

Now I’m an auntie to twins (they’re one now) I would love to have a chat with these girlies on multiples and their bond etc etc. These girls were ballsy and made me feel like I need to get out of my comfort zone more.

I simply adored Tiffy and Leon although I would wanna fight for Leon. Everyone needs a Leon.

I fell in love with Ed and I’m so glad there’s two books with him. Book boyfriend 🙂

I’m so glad I still have lots more Jessie and Meg to devour both ladies inspired me in different ways. Watch this space….so much I want to read.

Angela and Jenny are amazing, I’m still behind in this series and I’m loving experiencing everything they’re going through.

Castle Court gets a mention in Holly’s latest and it gave me all the feels once again. Who wouldn’t want to be besties with Sadie and Cat. I would love to be a bit more confident like Cat.

There is loads and loads of besties amongst the gorgeous books I devour. I definitely need to be reading more. Hoping I get answers regarding my ear today and then I hope I feel better. Hoping to get Ruth Wares gorgeous book finished today. I’m also hoping to start my buddy read of Miranda Dickinson’s The Day We Meet Again…

What are your plans and who would you be besties with? Ace prompt I probably could have added loads more.

Stacking the Shelves

As promised once again here’s a second blog post from lil ole me.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme co hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can add any books that you add to your shelves, whether you’ve bought them been sent them or borrowed them from the library. And then be sure to post your links over on Tynga’s Reviews.

Since discovering Stacking the Shelves I’ve tried to add this as often as I can into my posts. It’s also made me realise what I’ve been longing to read.

So these are the Shelves I’m hoping to get through in August. I’m away for two weeks at the end of August so I’m hoping to get a lot of reading done and I cannot wait.

Audio

Buddy read with the fabulous Catriona

I’m hoping to have an impressive reading month so here’s a few that I hope to read. There maybe a few others too depending on my mood and if I manage it. There may also be some short reads.

Is there a book that you think deserves to be on my shelf? This is kind of optimistic as some months I get distracted by other things I’m hoping my time off gives me more reading time.

What did I read in July?

It’s been a while since I’ve done a round up of my reading. As I’ve usually done a bit so so or haven’t done any.

Having finally passed both my theory exams I wanted to try and push my reading again. I love it so I wanted to embrace it more. In doing so it’s really lifted my mood snatching a few pages or a short chapter during my lunch break and listening to audio on my travels to and from work. It’s really been a breathe of fresh air and a mood lifter.

Those who don’t read will never fully understand the joy of being swept away by a good book. So without further ado let’s look at how I done in July.

The second Zoe May book I have loved and this one has made me so reminiscent of my childhood and those boys that invaded my thoughts. Two in particular still do from time to time, which is where Will and Natalie come in. You can read my thoughts Here although I’m not sure if I’ve done this gorgeous treat justice. I still have two of Zoe’s to devour and I’m hoping to read at least one in August.

I read this in four parts and I loved reading it this way. Dipping in and out. If my head hadn’t been full of As Luck Would Have It part three would have been instantly read.

My thoughts on part two and three can be read Here

https://hayleyreviews10.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/book-review-the-cornish-cream-tea-bus-part-three-scones-away-by-cressida-mclaughlin/I wanted to blitz my jobs but I also wanted to be reading – look no further it was time for an audiobook although it wasn’t a one sitting listen it did accompany me through tasks and trains and a plane. I cannot and will not stop gushing over Paige Toon and her truly awesome writing. I loved delving into her YA series I have the physical copies of two and three and I’m hoping to bump them up my TBR list. I think at least book two will accompany me on holiday unless I can try and read it before then. Watch this space….

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson

This gorgeous debut really got under my skin – I loved everything about this novel and it really made me think of how we look at life via social media and how filtered it is.

Living My Best Life

I purchased this as an audible daily deal and had been wanting to listen in forever. George Orwell is a talented author and I’ve been itching to read his classics in forever I think audio is definitely the way to go and Jeremy Northam’s narration was exactly on point, for what I expected. I wasn’t disappointed and I will be reviewing this fully.

This one came through to me after reading the Cornish Cream Tea Bus and I had devoured a few chapters whilst waiting in a queue I was unaware that this was only part one. I look forward to heading back to the Glampers.

The Happy Glampers

So I didn’t do too badly. Those People was also on my list and I finished that just into August and I didn’t read the Lucy Vine novel but I shall be buddy reading that one soon.

There will be a second post from me later today after my Twitter poll had this and Stacking the Shelves so check back later to see my Shelves.

Happy Saturday, I’m already at work and I’ve also already done some reading.

National Book Lovers Day

Happy Book Lovers day….what are you reading? I haven’t had as much reading time as I would like but there have been some gasps and some OMG moments during my snatched moments.

I’m heading back to this now and so far I’m intrigued and there’s been a Hayley mentioned 🙂 Ruth is definitely one of my auto buy authors and she’s had me hooked each time.

Two weeks tomorrow I shall be going on holiday and I’m still trying to work out my books….any must haves.