40 in 2018: September

Last belated blog of my summer reading! Enjoy!

Books I read in August

A Classic:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Still reading! I'm only 40% of the way through! Come on girl!!

Bookish Mamas Book Club:
(Not read) Together by Julie Cohen

I was disappointed not to find this book in the library or charity shop as I'd missed being part of the July Book Club discussion, but as I am not allowing myself to buy any new books in 2018 I had to pass. I'm hoping to find it and read it, even though the discussion has already happened.

Unfinished business:
I didn't get round to any this month!

Library Lucky Dip
Together by Julie Cohen
I didn't get to reading this month's lucky dip as I couldn't find it in the library or charity shops, so I will get to it next month.

Others:
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Hmm, I've avoided this book for a while as the title just put me off! I enjoy Francine Rivers books but this one just sounded weird, and in some ways it ways. The story is based around a historical tradition of one man taking on the sins of people when they die so they are forgiven. This man has to live up in the mountains and not see people. One young girl feels sorry for him and starts a mission to find out more about him. On her journey she discovers that only God can take away sins and she starts a movement within her people to share God with them. It was a good read, but it ended suddenly and didn't feel finished.

The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley
I am a big fan of Lucinda Riley's 'The Seven Sisters' series and picked this book up in a charity shop hoping for more of the same. But in my opinion this isn't as good! The story is based around the main character of Helena and the skeletons in her cupboard, but is told from two perspectives: her own and that of her 13 year old son. I enjoyed the warmth and culture of Cyprus, and it was an enjoyable read, but not in the same league as The Seven Sisters!

**Book of the Month**

Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
Sometimes you just need a cosy read: a book that feels like a warm blanket and a hot drink! These were on offer (first one was free) on Kindle and I have loved them. Each book deals with a meaty topic (bereavement, dementia, etc.) but in a gentle and easy way, set in the beautiful but bleak Dorset coast. I really wish the Comfort Food Cafe existed as I'd love to go there!
The first book introduces us to Laura (a new widow) and her two children who head to the Comfort Food Cafe for a summer with a difference. The locals welcome her, and she and her children start to heal.

Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson
Dee Henderson's books are a favourite of mine as I enjoy crime thrillers, but don't like them to be too gruesome! This book is about two main characters; Ann, a cop, and Paul, an FBI cop, who come together to solve a cold case, and at the same time fall in love. Some parts are very predictable, but there are also some big twists that I didn't see coming. One gripe I have with the book (and others) is that Ann is a perfect, idealised version of Henderson herself!

Books I hope to read in September

A Classic:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Bookish Mama Book Club:

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Unfinished Business:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

(on Kindle App on phone!)

Library Luckydip:

Tin Man by Sarah Winman

Others:

The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley

Date with Malice by Julie Chapman

Total list of books read in 2018

* Book of the month*

7 in August

71. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson
70. Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
69. Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
68. Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson
*67. Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson*
66. The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley
65. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

14 books in July

64. The Magician's Nephew by C.S.Lewis (Audiobook)
63. Unspoken by Dee Henderson
62. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
*61. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)*
60. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

59. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

58. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

57. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

56. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

55. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

54. Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts

53. BFG by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

52. Twits by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

51. Ratburger by David Walliams

50. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

7 books in June

49. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
48. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

47. Cure by Robin Cook

46. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

*45. Liverpool Girls by Lyn Andrews*

44. Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody

43. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

432. Close to Home by Cara Hunter

7 books in May

41. The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

40. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

39. The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

38. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

*37. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah*

36. Taken by Dee Henderson (Audiobook)

35. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

8 books in April

34. Gypsy Princess by Violet Cannon

33. The Lake House by Kate Morton

32. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

31. The Potluck Club: Takes The Cake by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

30. The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

29. The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

*28. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley*

27. The Wrong Side Of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

8 books in March

26. Win, Lose or Die by John Gardner

25. Underwater Adventure by Willard Price

24. How To Stop Time by Matt Haig

23. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

22. Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn

*21. Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford*

20. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

19. Remember by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

7 books in February

*18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien*

17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent

16. The Whistler by John Grisham

15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry

14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

11 books in January

*11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood*

10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn

9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn

8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

7. The Power by Naomi Alderman (Unfinished)

6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason

5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason

4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn

3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn

2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton

1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves

40 in 2018: August

Over the summer holidays I have struggled to have laptop time to write up this blog, but I haven't stopped reading! I hope you enjoy this month's reviews!

Books I read in July

A Classic:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I'm still reading this! Need to crack on with it. I have it on my Kindle and I'm not sure it's helping... I do prefer a hard book, but as it was free on Kindle then it qualified as part of my 'no new books' challenge.

Bookish Mamas Book Club:
(Not read) The Children Of Blood And Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 
The book this month really didn't appeal as it's a Young Adult Fantasy, but the aim of joining a book club was to challenge myself and widen my reading list. However, I haven't managed to find it in a charity shop, so in line with my aim not to buy any new books this year for myself I haven't managed to read it.

Unfinished business:
Ratburger by David Walliams
One of the highlights of my week is going into school and supporting children with their reading. Many of those I read with find it difficult and need practice and lots of encouragement. One book which I have frequently heard snippets of is Ratburger by David Walliams, so I decided it was time to actually read this book from beginning to end! David Walliams is being hailed as the next Roald Dahl and I can kind of understand why, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the Dahl books I have read. The story follows the character of Zoe as she struggles with a depressed dad, a gross step-mum, a rat friend, a school bully (with issues of her own) and a ice-cream man with a darker side job. I can see why it's a favourite with older primary school children and I'm sure we will be seeing them in our house in the coming years!

Library Lucky Dip
Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts
This book had me very confused in the beginning! I had no idea if it was fantasy or not, and that made it a difficult read. But once I found out that it definitely was fantasy (from reviews on Goodreads) it was a much easier read. But it wasn't great: six people with special powers (seer, witch, werewolf, mermaid, immortal and time traveller) who are fighting the baddy! An interesting lucky dip book but I won't be reading any more by this author.

Others:
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Back in April I read The Pearl Sister, which is the fourth book in The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley, and it encouraged me to re-read the first three books again. I first read this book back in 2016 when a friend recommended it to me and lent me her copy; I was immediately hooked. It has been great re-reading it knowing what happens in the next three books and some elements of the story made a little more sense and connections were made. This first book focuses on the story of Maia, the eldest of the sisters, who discovers the links to her birth family in Brazil and their relationship with the maker of the 38m Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. It is an exciting story which jumps between Maia's own story and the story of Izabela Bonifacio 80 years earlier. I would definitely recommend this book.

Twits by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
Yet another audiobook! We had lots of long journeys this month as we went on holiday to Dorset. I love having audiobooks in the car and this one didn't disappoint. One of my favourite quotes comes from this book:

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

BFG by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
The BFG is a great book and another one that we enjoyed on a long journey. I love the friendship that forms between two characters who are both oddities in their own world.

**Book of the Month** The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)
The Magician's Nephew - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - The Horse and His Boy - Prince Caspian - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - The Silver Chair - The Last Battle
The seven books in this series have been favourites of mine ever since I first read them as a child and I have enjoyed introducing them to our children. The stories follow the country of Narnia from its creation in the first book, through various challenges and adventures, to its demise in the last book. I think every child has a desire to enter a magical world where they can talk with animals and win battles over evil. My absolute favourite of this series is The Horse and His Boy so it takes Book of the Month!

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
Francine Rivers is known for her christian romances and this was her new release. I enjoyed it at the time, but interestingly it's not stuck in my mind as well as some of her previous books. The 'romance' between Roman Velasco and Grace Moore stumbles along, and I have struggled with some of the religious aspects of the book too.I think I will have to re-read this and see what I think second time round.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
It felt so disrespectful to be reading about suffering in The Netherlands during WWII whilst on our summer holiday, but it was the book I had taken with me so I persevered. This was a real mix of challenging and inspiring; Connie Ten Boom lived through one of the toughest times, yet her and her sister Betsy's faith in God was unshaken. This is definitely a must read for all Christians.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson
I enjoy reading Henderson's books as I like mysteries. This one was an easy read, though the plot was kind of strange!

Books I hope to read in August

Like last month's blog I am writing this in September and so don't remember what I planned to read in August!

Total list of books read in 2018

* Book of the month*

13 books in July

63. Unspoken by Dee Henderson
62. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
*61. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)*
60. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

59. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

58. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

57. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

56. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

55. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Audiobook)

54. Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts

53. BFG by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

52. Twits by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

51. Ratburger by David Walliams

50. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

7 books in June

49. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
48. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

47. Cure by Robin Cook

46. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

*45. Liverpool Girls by Lyn Andrews*

44. Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody

43. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

432. Close to Home by Cara Hunter

7 books in May

41. The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

40. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

39. The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

38. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

*37. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah*

36. Taken by Dee Henderson (Audiobook)

35. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

8 books in April

34. Gypsy Princess by Violet Cannon

33. The Lake House by Kate Morton

32. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

31. The Potluck Club: Takes The Cake by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

30. The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

29. The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

*28. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley*

27. The Wrong Side Of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

8 books in March

26. Win, Lose or Die by John Gardner

25. Underwater Adventure by Willard Price

24. How To Stop Time by Matt Haig

23. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

22. Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn

*21. Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford*

20. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

19. Remember by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

7 books in February

*18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien*

17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent

16. The Whistler by John Grisham

15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry

14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

11 books in January

*11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood*

10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn

9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn

8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

7. The Power by Naomi Alderman (Unfinished)

6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason

5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason

4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn

3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn

2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton

1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves

40 in 2018: July

Did you see that last month (May) I made it to 41 books?!?! How exciting! So, that challenge from my 40before40 list is now complete, but I am going to keep logging and blogging, and see if I can make it to 100 by the end of the year.

Books I read in June

A Classic:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Unfinished!

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Vol. 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien
Unfinished!

Bookish Mamas Book Club:
Close to Home by Cara Hunter
I took this book on camp and finished it in a couple of days! Loved it! Crime Thrillers is one of my favourite genres of books and this one didn't disappoint. I have to admit that it doesn't compare to Colin Dexter's Morse books or a good old Agatha Christie thriller, but it is a fast-paced, twisty turning story and I didn't predict the outcome of the disappearance of 8 year old Daisy.

Unfinished business:
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
Unfinished!

Others:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)
What can I say about this quirky crazy children's book? Our children love it and enjoy discussing what they would like to eat, or chatting about the various consequences to the bad children's behaviour. My favourite bit in the whole book is the poem about Mike Teevee - here's a short section for you to enjoy (and here's a link to the whole thing!):

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, 

Go throw your TV set away, 

And in its place you can install 

A lovely bookshelf on the wall. 

Then fill the shelves with lots of books, 

Ignoring all the dirty looks, 

The screams and yells, the bites and kicks, 

And children hitting you with sticks- 

Fear not, because we promise you 

That, in about a week or two 

Of having nothing else to do, 

They'll now begin to feel the need 

Of having something to read.

Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody

I really can't decide if I liked this book... I finished it but not sure I'd read it again, or read anything by the same author. The plot was very slow moving and there were loads of details about the Indian culture and colonial times, which at times were interesting and at other times were just too much. And just as a niggly little thing, the front cover was a 1920s style image of a woman and a train, which didn't have anything to do with the story (though she did go on the train once!).

**Book of the month**
Liverpool Sisters by Lyn Andrews

This book was a lucky dip one from the library, so I had no idea what I was choosing. It was a good read and an insight into life for two sisters in the early 1900s and the 1918 Representation of the People Act when women first got the right to vote. I used to hate history at school, but I am loving learning about history through fictional books.

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

What a weird book!! This was a very surreal sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and we didn't really enjoy it.

Cure by Robin Cook

I have read quite a few books by Robin Cook and have always enjoyed them even though the medical nature of the books sometime go well above my head. This book, however, went so far above my head that it was in the clouds. I persevered because I enjoyed the back story of the pathlogists, but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone except medical professionals.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

What a lovely book! I think this is my favourite Roald Dahl book ever. 

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)

On the school run (once I have dropped the children off) I have been listening to this book on my phone. I find it easier to listen to books I know pretty well as I can't flick back to check details. I enjoy this book and love the twists and turns leading to the final denouement.

Books I hope to read in July

(I'm so behind in this blog that I can't remember what I hoped to read in July, so won't put it in this month.)

Total list of books read in 2018

* Book of the month*

7 books in June

49. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (Audiobook)
48. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

47. Cure by Robin Cook

46. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

*45. Liverpool Sisters by Lyn Andrews*

44. Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody

43. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

42. Close to Home by Cara Hunter

7 books in May

41. The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

40. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Audiobook)

39. The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

38. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

*37. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah*

36. Taken by Dee Henderson (Audiobook)

35. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

8 books in April

34. Gypsy Princess by Violet Cannon

33. The Lake House by Kate Morton

32. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

31. The Potluck Club: Takes The Cake by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

30. The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

29. The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

*28. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley*

27. The Wrong Side Of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

8 books in March

26. Win, Lose or Die by John Gardner

25. Underwater Adventure by Willard Price

24. How To Stop Time by Matt Haig

23. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

22. Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn

*21. Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford*

20. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

19. Remember by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

7 books in February

*18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Vol 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien*

17. Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent

16. The Whistler by John Grisham

15. Grand Depart by Susan Perry

14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

13. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

12. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury, with Gary Smalley

11 books in January

*11. Walking the Nile by Levison Wood*

10. Valley of the Shadow (Cornish Mystery 3) by Carola Dunn

9. The Black Ship (Daisy Dalrymple 18) by Carola Dunn

8. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

7. The Power by Naomi Alderman

6. Without Warning (Elite Guardians 2) by Lynette Eason

5. Always Watching (Elite Guardians 1) by Lynette Eason

4. The Bloody Tower (Daisy Dalrymple 16) by Carola Dunn

3. Requiem for a Mezzo (Daisy Dalrymple 3) by Carola Dunn

2. Death of a Policeman (Hamish Macbeth) by M.C.Beaton

1. Black Raven (Shetland Book 1) by Ann Cleeves