Showcase Sunday #2

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you showcase your new books which you have received throughout the week, for more information check out Vicky's blog in the link above.

I've had a great week for gathering books this week with a total of 15 books! Firstly and probably the best book I've received this week is The Teashop on the Corner by Millie Johnson, not only because I love Milly's work and eagerly await each book for months but because I have a SIGNED copy!!!

Thank you so much for my amazing friend Jane who organised for me to get a sighed copy from a book signing in Barnsley. As well as the book I was also lucky each to receive this great bag, perfect for book trips to the library and also postcard and bookmark. Just wish I'd been able to go meet her myself, next time I will.

My friend Jane also brought me these books to read

The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

So lucking forward to reading the Carl Hiaasen one I just love his sense of humor and writing style.

I then chose these four to read with my children who are six and ten months 

Puppy's Big Rescue by Igloo books, strangely no author is listed

Snore! by Michael Rosen & Jonathon Langley

Pig's Egg by Katherine Sully

Stop Monkeying Around by Christine Swift

If you can't tell, my son loves anything to do with farms and their animals. Yesterday's review was on Stop Monkeying Around

I then went into The Works and purchased these three for £5.00 

Left Overs by Stella Newman

A Whiff of Scandal by Carole Matthews

A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillion

I then ended my massive book splurge in Whsmith with these 

Take a Look at Me Now by Miranda Dickinson

An Abundance of Katherine's by John Green

Every Woman for Herself by Trisha Ashley

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

I really loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green so decided to read something else by him, Trisha Ashley is just brilliant and the other two I have heard good things about so want to give them a try. I've already started The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson, which do you think I should start next? What books did you add to your collection this week?

Children's Book Review - Stop Monkeying Around by Christine Swift

Source: Purchased from The Works
Published by Cupcake, an imprint of Alligator (2013)
Illustrated by Sarah Wade

This book tells the story of Little Monkey who is just trying to have some fun but instead ends up annoying the other jungle animals.This is a really lovely little story of friendship and playing. My six year old said it was "Way cool" but he does like books which are aimed slightly younger than his age range, so I think it would suit a three or four old better.

I love the brightly coloured illustrations in this book and think Sarah Wade has created some really cute little characters which make the book a pleasure to look through.

I would rate this book 5/5

Book Review - The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Source: Bought from charity shop
Publisher: Black Swan (2000)

The  Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic is one of my favourite books and with the release of the seventh book in the series, Shopaholic to the Stars, coming at the end of September I decided I would re-read the first book and finally pick up the rest over the summer.

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic is the first book in the series and in it we meet Rebecca ‘Becky’ Bloomwood. Becky loves shopping, so much so that it is all she thinks about. It is clear very early on in the book that Becky has no grasp of reality and indeed the amount of financial trouble which she is in, which we know about because there are various letters from banks, credit cards and store cards requesting payment. The story follows Becky as she attempts to either Make More Money or Cut Back to clear her bills, both of which she is hopeless at. As you get further into the story you just how bad at lying she is and how she nearly always gets in to situations which make you cringe, which I think makes for a very funny read.

This is definitely not a book with any moral message or underlying themes it is just a lighthearted and very funny book which should not be taken seriously at all. Becky Bloomwood is a character you will either love or hate, I personally love her and can’t wait to read more books in the series.

I rate this book 5/5 because it made me laugh all the way through.

Weekly Round-Up #2

I have to confess that not much reading has been going on this week. Most of my time has been spent watching television. At the beginning of the week I was watching Andy Murray in Wimbledon and was sad to see him get knocked out. Secondly I've spent most of the weekend watching Le Tour de France which was having its Grand Depart through Yorkshire and came right through my home town. It was lovely to see all the places I know so well celebrating together, I don't think Yorkshire has ever seen so much yellow everywhere!

I'm about halfway through Appetite by Philip Kazan and it is a beautiful read the descriptions he uses are amazing and the story is just starting to get going too, I'm hoping to have this finished by the weekend but at just over 500 pages it is taking some time to get through.

The only new book I received this week was free e-book of The Right Side of Mr Wrong by

 

Jane Linfoot. To get a copy sign up to the #SexMeUprReadathon over on Laura's blog at SheLovesToRead. I've only read a few pages but already I'm hooked. Brando Marshall owns a large estate, his sister Bryony films the estate for a reality tv show, she then suggests he finds a wife to help him out. In comes Shea Summers and the heat begins...

Children's Book Review - Meerket Mail by Emily Gravett

   

Source: Purchased
Published: 2007 Macmillan Children's Books

This is my first children's book review, hopefully I will post one every Saturday. This book has been in our house for three years and is very well loved, it was bought when my son who was three at the time was going through a "Meerkat" stage.

This book tells the story of Sunny the Meerkat who lives in the Kalahari Desert. He decides the desert is too crowded on goes on a journey to visit his various relatives. When he arrives at each place he sends a postcard back home to his mum and dad.

I think this is a lovely book, which is perfect for children ages three to seven. I love the way that separate postcards have been added into the story, similar to The Jolly Postman, however these are fastened in so will not get lost. I'm very impressed that Emily Gravett is also the illustrator of these books as they are lovely and fit the story well.

I can highly recommend this book, especially if you loved The Jolly Postman books.

Rating 5/5

Book Review - Cupcakes at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

This book is chick lit at its best, it has a great heroine, a little romance and some very funny plot twists. The only problem I had with this book is that it ended, I was totally not ready to leave these brilliant characters behind and I’m thrilled to know there are two more books in the series which will be added to my collection very soon.

Cupcakes at Carrington’s is set in a department store called Carrington’s in the seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea and is written from the point of view of Georgie Hart. Georgie has worked for Carrington’s for many years and loves her job as a sales assistant in women’s accessories.  At the start of the book Carrington’s is about to undergo some changes under newly appointed retail consultant Maxine. Georgie is not entirely thrilled by this as she has to compete against her boss James and new guy Tom and also fight her feelings for both men.

I think Georgie is a great main character and I loved the way that things never seem to go quite right for her, making some really funny plot twists which make you cringe for Georgie but in a good way. Alexandra Brown has created a great bunch of characters in this book, each with their own great background story and this makes it impossible to pick a favourite.

I think this is a great book and would make an excellent film. Christmas at Carrington’s is definitely on my Christmas reading list as I can’t wait to find out what happens next. This book deserves 5/5 

Book Review - Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde

I’m ashamed to say this is the first book by Katie Fforde which I have read, cannot believe I missed out for so long. The Recipe for Love was an ideal book for me to read as it combines two of the things I love most reading and cooking.

Zoe Harper has won a place on a televised cookery competition which is the cross between Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off. The completion takes place at Somerby where Zoe begins to make friends with the owners, a heavily pregnant Fenella and her husband Rupert. As the competition continues Zoe’s realises she’s developing a crush on Gideon, one of the judges, which could land her in serious trouble.

Recipe for Love follows Zoe on her journey through the competition as she battles with the other competitors, helping out her new friends and her developing feelings for Gideon. I absolutely loved this book, it moves the story along at exactly the right pace to keep you wanting more and wondering what else is going to happen. The characters are all wonderful, my favourites been Lord and Lady Gainsborough as they were so utterly over the top aristocrats.

This is a perfect summer read and I would recommend it to anyone who just an easy read with great characters and some funny scenes. 

Which book of Katie's do you suggest I read next?

Joanne