Since being pregnant my pace of life has slowed right down, I've been needing to rest more, especially in the early days. Spend more time with my feet up and going to bed early has meant that I've rediscovered my Kindle and with it, my love of reading
I've always been an avid reader. As a child I spent most of my time in my bedroom with a book and even when seen around the house, I would usually have a book in my hand. I can thank my mum for this - although she wasn't a huge reader herself she enrolled me in the local library pretty much from birth and used to take me there for story time and to borrow books for us to read together at home. As I got a bit older I would borrow seven books per week and read them all before returning the next Saturday, hungry for more. I have strong memories of being on family holidays - reading a book, long car journeys - reading a book, eating lunch - reading a book, being dragged round the shops on a Saturday - reading a book ... you get the picture
Since I met Matt I've probably read less than I ever have because I'm kept so busy. His pace of life was something of a revelation to me and it took me a while to learn to keep up, meaning that reading fell by the wayside. Plus, last year I had a run of really bad books - you know when you start a book and don't make it to the end? I was starting to think I'd lost my passion for reading - not a good omen for a budding novelist - but it turns out they were just bad books!
Anyway, here are a few of the books I've really enjoyed recently and which have rekindled (geddit?) my love of reading
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I read this after seeing people raving it about it on Twitter and it didn't disappoint. Extremely clever and gripping, I loved it from start to finish
I read this after seeing people raving it about it on Twitter and it didn't disappoint. Extremely clever and gripping, I loved it from start to finish
Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes
After reading Elizabeths debut, Into The Darkest Corner and being so impressed by it that I was moved to write my first (and only) Amazon review, I'd been looking forward to the release of this novel for a long time. This author makes crime novels accessible and appealing because of her interesting and engaging characters and has opened up a whole new genre to me
After reading Elizabeths debut, Into The Darkest Corner and being so impressed by it that I was moved to write my first (and only) Amazon review, I'd been looking forward to the release of this novel for a long time. This author makes crime novels accessible and appealing because of her interesting and engaging characters and has opened up a whole new genre to me
Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'Porter
A long awaited debut - I love Dawn O'Porters documentaries and her writing style is exactly as I expected - engaging and funny but with a real message in the background
A long awaited debut - I love Dawn O'Porters documentaries and her writing style is exactly as I expected - engaging and funny but with a real message in the background
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
If you loved The Time Travellers Wife you might love this too. Even more unusual and intriguing, I loved every character in this book
If you loved The Time Travellers Wife you might love this too. Even more unusual and intriguing, I loved every character in this book
Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
A slightly more fluffy novel as you would expect but surprisingly addictive. A perfect summer read
What have you been reading recently? Have you any recommendations for me?
A slightly more fluffy novel as you would expect but surprisingly addictive. A perfect summer read
What have you been reading recently? Have you any recommendations for me?
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn - just as good as Gone Girl! xxx
ReplyDeleteOoh ... next on my list xx
DeleteI really want to read Gone Girl, it is book of the week this week at WHSmith at half price(random fact for you), so tempted to pick it up as I've heard nothing but great things about it.
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
You should, it's a great read :) xx
DeleteI've been hearing such great things about Gone Girl -- I'll definitely need to read it next. I'm almost done with The Birth House by Amy McKay. It's beautifully written and I definitely recommend it!
ReplyDeleteI think I read this a while ago ... is it a bit spooky? xx
DeleteI love reading too, I had to read human remains for a book club (which then told me they had no room for me to join!) and it really upset me, it's not my kind of genre and I found it really disturbing and morbid, still trying to shake it off. Perhaps, I'm too sensitive.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, it is a bit disturbing but I kind of liked that. Maybe I'm a bit sick?? xx
DeleteI finished Me Before You by JoJo Moyes last night. Was a beautiful story, meaningful and the first time ever that a book has made my cry. Not in a morbid way though:) xx
ReplyDeleteI read this last year and agree, it's a good book and really sad but kind of happy at the same time! xx
DeleteI couldn't get into Gone Girls but will give it another go. Everyone else raves about it! I'm currently reading Wicked Girls and it's fantastic! Reminds me of Luther!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Wicked Girls, I'll look it up! xx
DeleteI agree with Rachel, Me Before You... Made me laugh and cry, I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSame here, laughing and crying :) Mark of a good book. Not one I'd read over and over though xx
DeleteI really want to read Gone Girl but I've got so many books waiting to be read! I loved Her Fearful Symmetry too, such a great read! x x
ReplyDeleteWow, I have serious kindle cover ENVY! Where is it from? What a beaut. I totally loved Gone Girl, to the point me and my bestfriend read it at the same time and were sending each other texts daily saying "cant you BELIEVE this?!!", I haven't been s swept up by a book in ages.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Kiss Me First? A similar gripping read if you need more to rack up on your kindle!
Loved Her Fearful Symmetry! I didn't relate to the characters anywhere near as much, and the ending kind of annoyed me- the big revelation didn't really affect anything?!- but generally a brilliant book.
ReplyDeleteAs for recommendations... have you read Never Let Me Go? I'm sure you have, but if not DO, because it's brilliant. Suite Francaise is AMAZING as well, if you haven't read that- it's always my top book to recommend!
Next on my list are Summer in February (Jonathan Smith), and Sweet Tooth (Ian McEwan)- I'll let you know how I get on!! xx
I really want to read Gone Girl, but because it has been so hyped I am worried it will disappoint :/ I have just picked up Kate Morton's latest which is The Secret Keeper and whilst getting that I also got for £1 (special offer in WHSmith), Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver. I've not read any of her work before but after picking this up I saw it on a number of suggested summer reading articles so I'm hoping it's as good as they say!
ReplyDelete