Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 out of a love of lists. In January of 2018 we decided it was time to close our doors. It was then moved to That Artsy Reader Girl here. It came from a love of lists, books and a desire to bring bookish people together.
Now this is an interesting prompt….as an avid reader I’ve always an ever expanding TBR pile. As a blogger I often read certain books at certain times especially if I’m on a blog tour or to review by a certain date.
This has been on my TBR for a short while and before the end of 2023 I purchased a copy from Bert’s books. This will be devoured soon. After loving the first instalment of this series I had read a few pages of this. And then a blog tour took over and this was abandoned. I cannot wait to get back to the gang. A truly gorgeous group of people.
Blurb: Everything You’ll Ever Need (You Can Find Within Yourself) is Charlotte Freeman’s first book and was written from the most vulnerable places of the heart. This book is open and honest, written to resonate with those who need it the most.
Full of messages we all sometimes need, that often come at just the right time, this book is your reminder that everything you’ll ever need, you can find within yourself.
Review: This is a short audiobook with short, sharp and to the point chapters that will inspire and give you a much needed boost.
In the time I’ve had this via the Libby library I have listened to it a number of times. On my last listen I penned some notes so that I could do my review justice. I can definitely see me downloading and listening to this again in the future.
Self love can save you – that sentence alone makes me smile and makes me thoughtful. To say my self esteem is up and down is most definitely an understatement, at the moment I’m in a pretty good place. Charlotte’s words hit home and made me feel seen and heard.
There is a lot of emphasis on worth, capability and how it comes from within. Be unapologetically yourself – this definitely made me smile as that’s a slogan that the legend that is Mary Earps uses, and one I can wholeheartedly get on board with.
Stop overthinking in terms of life and also in convincing yourself that no one will listen to the madness in your head. Wow! Now this definitely made me feel seen. In some aspects I’m getting better in others not so much.
A self-help book that you can get on board with as I said I felt seen on a number of aspects. It’s not preachy and it’s written so you can emphasise and I guess feel seen. Charlottes words resonated with me on a number of things and I’m feeling empowered from listening to this. As I say I’ve listened to these words a few times and I dare say I’ll do so again someday.
Sometimes a few days off is just what you need to reset, refocus and be inspired by life once again.
I have tried to be more organised this week, so let’s take a look at how I faired and whether that transpired here at Hayley Reviews. I must add this post should have been finished and scheduled for yesterday. I had made a start but my break at work wasn’t as long as usual as I had a lot to do yesterday so my apologies. Although do let me know if you would like to see this stay on Saturday’s or whether Sunday works better.
Now before I share the posts of the week I wanted to check in and see if you would like me to keep this purely about the books, or whether you would like my other life updates do let me know.
On Monday I shared my review of The Chalet By Catherine Cooper.
I had meant to post a non fiction review on Friday and this update yesterday, as I say I hadn’t made the final touches on either or scheduled them. So here we are, with that in mind I hope I can have all my posts scheduled for the week with the ones pre done being sorted as and when.
Do let me know if you want me to stick to purely the books or whether you liked my previous ramblings. Until next time…
Blurb: Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody.
White lies
When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song.
Dark humour
But as evidence threatens June’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
Deadly consequences…
What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.
Review: Now where do I begin? I don’t always like reading books that are hyped up. They either go one way or another for me. Although in saying that I was far too intrigued about this one to miss out.
As I could get a copy of this via my library using the Libby app I jumped at the chance to devour this novel. I had heard so much about it and wanted to make my own assumptions. Although in saying that the last novel that had been hyped I tried to listen to and I had to give up. That was my only worry although the intensity of this novel and how quickly the story took a turn left me truly captivated. I was in awe and in shock as to what was transpiring.
This is a fast paced and truly intoxicating read about the world of publishing. Showcasing the good, the bad and the incredibly ugly side of it. I had Psycho vibes where you know Norman is in the wrong but on a small level you want him to overcome it. That’s how I felt listening to June. She is a truly incredible leading lady, that has you with a mixture of emotions. I mean I don’t want to ruin the story but wow she really is a character, and just like with Norman Bates, you know there’s a whole element of dishonesty yet you also are willing to see her get through it.
There’s a number of emotions as a reader and I guess there’s a number of emotions from June. She justifies a lot of her actions but wholeheartedly I don’t feel even she believes some of her reasonings. I’ve seen and heard bits and pieces about the publishing industry and a lot of people say this is a true account, in the parts I know I think it can be.
Yellowface is a page turner that will captivate you and suck you in. My final comment will be simply believe the hype!!. A beautiful read that I wish I could get that first read feel back again.
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 out of a love of lists. In January of 2018 we decided it was time to close our doors. It was then moved to That Artsy Reader Girl here. It came from a love of lists, books and a desire to bring bookish people together.
So let’s start by looking at the bookish goals I set for 2023. You can read that post here.
Where do I start….
Read more classics – now this is something I didn’t really get to last year bar a few Agatha Christie reads.
Read out of my comfort zone.
New Audiobook challenge 50 reads #2024AudiobookChallenge.
Buddy read – I didn’t get as many buddy reads in, in 2023 so I hope to change that this year.
Review every book I read – I did a lot more last year but not every book. I’m already one book behind but I hope to change that.
Regularly blogging – I’ve been truly inspired by a friend to get more organised and more consistent. So watch this space.
Read more Non-Fiction – This was on last years list and I managed to read x
Netgalley – In order to get more organised I also need to get on top of my Netgalley reading. Not just requesting every book I like, but reading and actually reviewing for the publishers. Doing more of this will open many more doors for me in terms of my blogging life.
Donate books I have doubles of and those I won’t reread. Last year after my operation one of my first trips out was a walk to the Blackheath book library. I donated a bag of books that I wouldn’t read again or that I had doubles of. I ended up picking up the first novel in the Thursday Murder Club a book I loved. I have the second on my TBR and I will be getting onto that shortly.
Beat the back log – I have so many books in my room that are calling for me to read them. I am hoping to add at least one from the ever expanding pile onto each months TBR.
So that’s my 10 as you can see there are a few that have been carried over onto this year.
In 2023 I read 57/53 books and this year I’ve upped my GoodReads target to 75. I believe I listened to 32 audiobooks and my aim for this year is 50. I’ve already listened to two audiobooks and finished 3 books. I’m in the middle of two books one being a collection of short stories and I’m to decide on what my next audiobook will be….
Blurb: Christmas has arrived in Cumbria, and wedding bells are ringing.
But an ice-cold killer is waiting in the fells…
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, DI James Walker receives a phone call that puts paid to his Christmas break. During the wedding of the year at a lakeside hotel, the bride’s sister has vanished.
When Rachel left the wedding breakfast before her speech, newly-wed Libby was furious. But as the night went on with no sign of her maid-of-honour, Libby started to realise something was very, very wrong…
Before the wedding night is out, the lake is being searched for a body.
Something old, something new. One guest is a killer. The question is: who?
Review: Following listening to The Killer In The Snow I almost instantly downloaded The Winter Killer. DI James Walker is back and this time his wife Annie is back with a baby girl. Christmas swings by without a murder, this time it’s New Years Eve when DI James Walker takes a call that will mean he won’t see in the New Year peacefully with his wife and daughter. His colleague Abbott is away at a wedding and when she calls he knows it’s not good news. This was an interesting story as we had a policewoman and her paramedic husband amongst the wedding party, throw in a family with secrets and a sister who has overdone it on the sauce to say the least. This is clearly a recipe for disaster but seeing how the story unfolded was the beauty.
As I said in the previous review this could be a TV Thriller. There was so much going on and so many secrets and red herrings. I guess weddings really do bring out the best and worst of people. In hindsight I should have seen it coming but I honestly didn’t and that was the beauty of it. Every single time I thought I knew who was responsible and why I was proved wrong and stumped. I almost inhaled this tale. The characters were complex with so many intricate details and additional secrets that kept me on my toes and eager for more.
DI James Walker and his team are a likeable bunch and it was another treat seeing where the story took them. I was in two minds about downloading and listening to the fourth instalment before the year was out. That wasn’t to be so hopefully by Christmas I’ll have two more DI James Walker novels to inhale.
Was it just me or did November fly by super quickly. So I didn’t do a November TBR as following the headaches I was advised to get new lenses in one eye. So during that time I only listened to audiobooks. Thankfully the new lenses have helped and the only time since I’ve had headaches was when I got a cold. Which I seemed to have picked up twice within a quick succession.
So let’s see what November looked like…
For some reason I did not share an actual review but I loved listening to this one. My Review This one was full of angst and sexiness yet I didn’t give it my full review. Once I finish the series I will definitely review This Girl. Watch this space.
Let’s move onto December now I had a few colds which gave me massive headaches so it was a bit of an in and out month to say the least. Alongside work, Christmas events and football too. December was a fully audiobook month – it was easier although there is a book I’m still to finish that is a great kindle read so watch this space for that in my January list.
The review for this is coming so watch this space. What I will say is BELIEVE the HYPE. This book I can’t stop thinking about. You can read my thoughts here.My Review This is another one that’s almost sorted so watch this space.This is a short audiobook but it was so empowering I listened to it a handful of times. So much so I’ve re borrowed it to listen once more before I share my thoughts.
I’ve already finished three books for January….so let’s see how many I can do this month. I’ve already read 2 audiobooks towards the #2024AudiobookChallenge.
So let’s start with taking a look at the list in the original post. You can read that here.
Read more books – A totally obvious choice and I did that in spades. In 2022 I read 25 books and in 2023 I finished on 57, I had imagined to have read a few more but nearer the end of the year I was rundown and headaches and being busy meant I didn’t finish the few I thought I would.
Review every single book I read – Now this didn’t happen but I did review more than I didn’t so that’s a massive plus and a decent stepping stone.
GoodReads target 53 – I finished on 57 so this made me happy and I’ve increased 2024 target to 75.
Read more classics – well this was a fail. But I did start an Agatha Christie subscription and I’ve read a few of them this year.
Beat the back log – I may have read a few but this didn’t really happen. (Do I need to make a post with a bunch I hope to include each month)
Donate books I won’t reread or doubles – At the beginning of last year following my ear operation, when I got out on a walk for the first time I dropped off a bunch of books to the Blackheath book box.
Buddy Read –Now this is where it gets tricky I’m sure we did but not as on point as previously. We had hoped to start the year reading the new Paige Toon but I haven’t got it on Netgalley 😭
Read more Non Fiction – I want to say there were at least 5. I have added a few more to my TBR and still need to review a short one that I listened to, that was extremely empowering.
Outside of comfort zone – ummm I think I attempted this but it will definitely go back on this years goals.
Listen to more Audiobooks – of my 57 books I listened to 32 audiobooks so this definitely was a winner.
Blurb: The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.
In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.
Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.
Review: From when this was first announced it was definitely something I wanted to read. Although, in saying that I knew it would be a novel that took over my emotions. It took me a while in deciding whether I would read or listen. I decided I would listen to it via my library, there was undoubtedly a short wait but it became available when I was off work so at the best time…I devoured her words in a few days. In each chapter I became more and more saddened how an entire family could treat a superstar in the way they did.
Britney was a child star and I still remember when I first purchased her first single Baby One More Time…she was a breath of fresh air and a welcome change. I’ve always loved a boyband but she had sass and cuteness. I hadn’t been that bothered by American stars until Britney. Being a superstar everyone knew somewhat of her struggles but in listening to her story it’s heartbreaking to think she struggled for so long, long before the conservatorship.
It’s also hard to hear the reasonings behind the shaving of her head – the ultimate cry for help. Her mum and sister should feel ashamed profiting from her downward spiral. When in all honesty Britney wanted to be a mum. It’s also sad to hear how much her Las Vegas shows made her sad. She had so many ideas that would have been amazing if only she was allowed to create her own shows rather than simply continuing the same show – which bored her and she stated was unfair on her fans.
Some of what she suffered as a child she shouldn’t have. I mean from her words she fully understands that a lot of her childhood wasn’t normal, yet she’s still a kindhearted person that wanted to live her life her way.
I’m not a mother but I cannot understand how someone who is supposed to be family – someone who loves you unconditionally could keep her apart from her children and as an adult to not be able to spend her own money. Let’s face it she earned it.
A memoir that will leave you feeling differently about the world of celebrity and what you think you know. Considering everything she went through Britney is still a kindhearted soul and as much as she may post some bizarre things from time to time. I fully understand why – she’s now living her life on her terms. I’ve always been Team Britney but even more so following listening to this.
A year has passed since DI James Walker cracked his biggest case yet, and he’s hoping for peace and quiet this festive season.
But across the fells, a local farmer returns home on Christmas Eve to find footsteps in the fresh snow that lead down to his unused basement – and no footsteps leading away. Days later, his body is found, alongside those of his wife and daughter.
Without a neighbour for miles, there are no witnesses and little evidence. And the crime scene has strange echoes of another terrible murder committed at the farmhouse, 20 years earlier….
James knows that to catch this killer, he needs to solve a case that has long since gone cold….
Review: Back in 2020 I read the first book by Alex Pine – The Christmas Killer. You can read that review here. As I stated in this review I’ve got into cop based Thrillers. I’ve listened to these two and also this year Nadine Matheson’s The Jigsaw Man. I’m yet to read the second in that series. So this is my second instalment of DI James Walker and once again it did not disappoint.
As this story started we are given a lot of information on the town and the people in it. Then we are subjected to the deaths and the intrigue as the events echo a similar tragedy in that same farm 20 years previously.
So not only does DI James Walker have a current case to crack he’s left with various questions from the old case. There are so many questions and so many suspects. As we are drip fed information I found myself doubting different people throughout leaving so much unspoken that kept me eagerly listening. I found myself listening to huge chunks at a time with many of the chapters making me say just one more to get a little more information. This tale took so many turns from mediums, to ex boyfriends and family secrets.
Alongside all of the mystery and intrigue we also have James’s wife Annie who is heavily pregnant in this instalment. Who is worried for herself, her husband and her unborn child due to different events that also add to the suspense in this novel. In listening to this story it honestly felt like a TV show and I lapped up every single aspect. Granted if I lived in Kirkby Abbey I would move as just like Eastenders there seems to be a death at Christmas.
The farm is so interesting with so many things not adding up and making you question anyone and everyone involved. The scenario that won out was heartbreaking in places as grief really does make people act differently in so many ways.
I’ve seen so many scathing reviews for this author but I truly loved both stories and I’ve just downloaded the third in the series. Which means my next audiobook maybe the continuation rather than the other festive treat I was going to listen to.
I also have to add a mention for Sid Sager’s narration, with thrillers I don’t always gel with the narrator but his narration was faultless as I say I’ve just downloaded book three The Winter Killer which I shall start later when I go out on my travels. There were a number of characters and his voice made it clear when another voice was talking and for that I am grateful and pleased. It made it effortless to listen to and really did add to my enjoyment of this novel. Can I squeeze in books three and four before the end of the festive season, now that is a question.
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