Reading is one of our favourite past times, we love to snuggle up on the sofa and get lost into a new adventure, we even take them out with us if we are out and about for the day!
I was a major reader when I was kid, I couls of easily read 3 books at time and dive in to more if needed and I am extremly grateful to say, that my daughter is the same way, took some persuading though not going to lie, but when she found what she loved, she couldn't stop.
Over the Christmas period, I was working and Leanora was at my mums home and my mother still has pretty much every single book that I read as a kid. Leanora found these books and I've not seen her face light up so much to read another.
The 90's kid in me was not a fan of WWE, so I decided to leave that to my brother, instead I preferred to head off out to the library and there it was, a shiny green book 'Stay out of the basement' by RL Stine! Yup, you guessed it, the Goosebumps collection.
I was hooked without hesitation and I wanted more, they were spooky, they were different but above all the kids always triumphed over evil and I loved the thrill it gave, with every page and word I just screamed for more. I eventually worked my way through the whole 50+ collection in no time and I generally forgot about the books until the movie came out, I then had a kid who is now aged 7 going on 27, she falls in love with a collection that I cherished so dear to my heart, and to see her turning the pages I turned as kid, smiling as I smiled and yearning for more.
She has read a few of mine, but I've just ordered a few spanking news one for her and for your kids, wanting to read something exciting fun a tad scary I say go for it with these fun loving books.
Have you or your children read any of the Gossebumps collections, if not what do they love reading?
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Lindsey
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Looking for a new book to ready this week?! I am sharing my new favourite book with you.
What can I say, I recently went to our local bookstore to purchase some new books for Leanora and I and I stumbled upon The Family Upstairs. As you may know I am a thriller / crime junkie and after reading the synopsis about this I thought it would be a good read! Boy was I wrong it is a freakingly good AMAZING read, I have not devoured a book like this in so long, it was I have been yearning for to give me the book of life again.
The Family Upstairs I simply tore this apart over a weekend, granted it would of been a day if I did not have to get a little shut eye, but I simply could not put this down over the weekend.
The author Lisa Jewell, I hands down thank you for writing this book and bringing it to life.
The Family Upstairs, where do I start, from beginning to end it has you gripped, set in the rich borough of Chelsea, just off Cheyene Walk, a high society family's world spins out of control, gone are the beautiful dresses, the parties ,the members club and the money to boot and incomes music, a sordid unnatural cult way of living! The kids ugh!! Where do I start... Some go missing, have some died, who is this woman with two kids in tow and a dog, living in the Cote d'Azur, what does she have to bring to this story, who is her ex, is she running from something or to someone and the baby, who is this baby?
The main character Libby, how has she come to inherit this £7 million pound mansion, how come its left to her, why did her siblings not come and claim it on their 25th Birthday????
I mean the intrigue alone, I know I am simply going to have to read this book again to quench my thirst, some many little nuggets to uncover, I just needed to know and I have to say from beginning to end it really did not disappoint.
If you want to know more about the parents, the mystery kids, the baby, a herb garden curated for life and death, then this book is for you and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Well guys what can I say, I love the book so much I just recently purchased Lisa's Jewell, The Invisible Girl and I've only started reading a few pages and I am hooked, I am sure I will smash my through this book and once I do I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Have you read any Lisa Jewells books, I can see she has written numerous and a new one has just come out these past few days I believe to be called The Nigh She Disappeared! If so let me know which or if you have any great books you have recently read I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
With my Nancy Drew hat firmly on, I’m ready for a thrilling murder mystery. Whilst last year I read some amazing books, towards the end of last year it was hard! I didn’t know what I was looking for, but what I knew was, was that I was searching and yearning for something new, something adventurous, something that would keep me gripped, focused and yearning for more and these three dark and immensely readable books have been just what I have yearned for.
I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, is a true chilling account of mass horror which happened in West Coast America from the 1970’s - 1980’s at the hands of the Golden State Killer.
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This book is a haunting read, no matter how chilling I simply could not put it down, I needed to know more, I needed there to be justice. Michelle McNamara’s obsession of concluding this unsolved murder mystery takes you on a vivid journey, so well written you picture yourself right there and then and puts you bang in the middle of its surroundings.
A fictional crime story one that I could not wait to digest. For me knowing if a book is worth its wait in gold, is by reading the first sentence if it’s got me gripped I know I am on to a winner. The Talking of Annie Thorne, I honestly did not know what to expect and what I found out you could not make it up I mean the twists and turns were amazing and kept me guessing and gripped in a dark, compelling, terrifyingly unsettling way leaving me hungry for more.
Joe’s angelic little sister Annie goes missing for 48 hours, but on her return she came back different, a little strange and completely off. What happened to her in that time, she wouldn’t say she wouldn’t talk, then something happened!
Years later Joe returns back to his hometown with revenge and desperation in mind! Not wanting to give too much away and completely spoil it for you, if you haven’t read The Talking of Annie Thorne and looking for something to read that give you the feeling of foreboding when you do not know what to expect then this is your book.
This is my latest read, I was on the hunt for a book to take with me to Paris for the New Year and Blood Orange caught my eye, it’s an addictive read so much so I got through it in 2 days.
Alison, she has the perfect setup, husband, kid an amazing career and has been given her first major murder case to defend but something doesn’t add up in all of this story, neither in Alison’s too!
Did you enjoy this review? Have you read any of these, if so let me know your thoughts on these books in the comments below.
Lindsey
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Hey guys, this weekend we bagged ourselves some great new books to read, as you know I don’t go anywhere without a book in my bag and whilst most nights I try to Leanora, she kinda enjoys reading aloud on her own, especially when we are tucked up in bed. I’m a big advocate of getting kids to read more and step away from the iPad and other electronics, if you can’t get out to your nearest book store and pressed for time, you can get some great free ebooks to download too.
Leanora and I’s favourite book, A Patch Of Black, by Rachel Rooney and Deborah Allwright, is one of the best children’s books I’ve read in a long time, the illustration is not only beautiful and vibrant the story is wonderful too. If you have kids who do not necessarily like the dark or do not want to go to sleep, this is a story about encouraging your child not to be scared as a new adventure awaits them, this makes for the perfect bedtime book!
Chéri, a beautiful book about devouring of the flesh written Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, this books is as sensuous and passionate as her real life. A book that devoured in a mere two days, it’s about an ageing courtesan who meets a handsome playboy half her age who she is forced to give up, but the flesh wants what it wants.
Which little girl does not love unicorns, this book Ten Minutes To Bed Little Unicorn, another perfect bedtime reading, the little unicorn is reluctant to go to bed and wants to stay awake and explore, sound familiar? Well, little unicorn stresses she is not tired and gallops off it into the magical forest causing a little trouble along the way where, she meets a troll a dragon and other mythical creatures before realising she has gone too far and forgotten to get home, a little upset she makes a wish and rainbow appears helping her to guide her way back.
Deliciously Ella, Every Day may not be her latest, but it’s certainly a tasty recipe, lifestyle book. I’m finding that the older I get, my body inside is changing, of late I’ve been feeling a little bloated which is uncomfortable, to say the least, so I’m looking to change my diet and lifestyle and Ella’s book is packed with meals for every day, and perfect for the spring season. As she herself has dietary requirements to help her manage day to day, I’ve found that these recipes too help my digestive system,especially with her juices packed with ingredients such as ginger or turmeric which is great for the gut plus they packed with loads of fresh fruit and veg, plus for those looking to eat a little less meat but still want to get the fuller meatier taste sensation her dinner dishes fuelled with beans and other pulses I cannot recommend enough.
Let me know what you think of these books have you and your children read any of these? Let me know in your comments below.
London Mumma
Reading is my favourite pass time, if I’m not Netflixing or listening to a podcast, guaranteed you’ll find me cosied up with a book either at home on the sofa, coffee shop or when commuting to work. Reading is a great way to calm and free the mind.
Tangerine, by Christine Mangan
This month, I am reading this beautiful book, a debut by Christine Mangan about two university friends with a toxic relationship, set in the 1950s this book about two friends with two different views of the mysterious horrific accidents that led to them going separate ways only to reunite in Morocco where one is finding it hard to adjust to the new settings with her ruthless husband and finding her estranged school chum at her door, questioning why she is here and an unfamiliar feeling of ultimate control and tension brew between these two former friends. Love single white female, then Tangerine is a compelling read.
Seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
If wanting to sink your teeth into a murder mystery, that turns in to a Groundhog Day of mayhem than Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, is the book you need, an interesting read filled with time loops of twists and turns which feels like a game of Cluedo and the only way to find out who is the murderer, is to die and find yourself in some else’s body.
A quite thrilling game mystery of reading this month, I wonder what I have in store for next!!!
What are you reading this month, have you read any of these? Did you know that you can get and win free books from Gratisfaction.
London Mumma
Last year I got back into reading this year in 2019 I am going to be growing my reading list bigger than ever.
Last year was all about fiction, this year my reading habit will change as I have changed, I'll be reading and sharing more interesting books such as biographies, self-help and I may go against the grain and share a romance, but it will have to be a damn good one!
I decided to m ease myself into it this year and I’ve started with two greats, a biography from a political great and strong woman and a new book by a famous actor, totally unplanned books being from two people that I truly admire but I am glad I started with these.
A woman like no other, a first in the history America’s First Lady of colour, a sassy and smart funny woman that is Michelle Obama. There has been so much excitement around this book Becoming and it is evident why a beautiful and inspiring first hand look into her life and the trials and tribulations of growing up in America and becoming one of the most powerful and admired woman all over the world.
Tom Hanks, an amazing actor and who knew a brilliant writer Uncommon Type: Some Stories is a collection of amazing stories that I’d be more than happy to read again and again, I just wish I had him on speed dial to read these stories to me. In the book, there are 17 well-written stories perfect for a commute to work or even a light night time read each story I devoured they are moving, humorous and utterly engaging and making you yearn for more, from Mr Hanks.
What books have you started reading this year? Have you read Michelle Obama or Tom Hanks book, what did you think?
For other great books to read head to my Bloglovin page here.
Lindsey xx
With pumpkin spice lattes adorning coffee shops, leaves are turning into golden hues, the air a bit crisper you know that you have arrived in the Autumnal months, with that comes cosy cashmere knits, blankets and of course delightful new reads.
This month I've got two new favourites that I suggest curling up on the sofa to read.
Bad Blood, A really well written eloquent book, that I simply could not put down. Filled with murder, memory loss, twists and turns, Bad Blood will keep you guessing all the way through to the end, a great page-turner about a dying man seeking answers from a psychologist, wanting to remember and know answers about a bloody night where he woke to find a murdered woman in his hotel room, how did he get there, who is this woman......
Circe, a mythological story of a lesser god Circe, who is banished to a remote Island which she may never leave, as ordered by Zeus and her father, the God, Helios. Circe was not born with any powerful powers like her father or beauty like her mother, she was a strange outcast, destined for not much until she finds a mortal to love, to keep and claim as her own. This love makes Circe realise that she has a witching power, does it work in her favour!
Did you read these, how did you get on, what did you think?
London Mumma
My friends, I have just found and read the most amazing this books this August! I'm talking mind blowing good and I encourage you to snap these beauties up, from gruesome family murders to those craving the handmaid's tale, these books will keep you guessing to thinking of the future and what if.....
I like to spend time in bookstores, ever since I was a kid, armed with my first ever library card and wanting to venture outside of teen valley high or goosebumps I'm always looking for something thrilling, engaging and fearsome! A writer be it there first novel to something educational and keeps your mind ticking of the endless possibilities is what I look for and before the end of the first sentence that's how they should make you feel and these three books, this August certainly had me feeling that way.
Dark Places, what can I say, but this for me is my book of the month, thrown straight into the scene from the very first page it had my heart beating my head guessing from start to finish. Libby Day witnessed what no child of 7, scrap that anyone should witness and have to live through, the slaughter of your family! Her sadistic brother prosecuted for the murder of his struggling mother and two other young sisters was sentenced to life, Libby had no doubt in her mind it was anyone else, until the donations of people were about to dry up, never had a job, friends, felt as though she had no real purpose, that's until a group of loyal supporters, fanatics judged her and challenged her to find out who the real murderer was of the Kinnakee family slaughter.
Guys, I got to confess, I've not watched The Handmaids Tale, well a few episodes of season 1! I know your thinking WTF What has she been doing with her life, well I don't know, but after reading VOX I'm gonna be downloading it this weekend and binge-watching, sorry Gossip Girl, xoxo! But enough of that this book is insane, insane because if this ever took place, I'm kicking butt! But enough of that, I get way too into it, but that's good, that's what a book should make you do and feel, am I right and VOX does not disappoint. Women forced to be silenced by men, men who want to take over the world and in order to do so, they give Dr Mcellan her voice back for a limited of time to serve a purpose in destruction, if she gives in, goes on the run with her lover leaving her husband if 21 years, her boys her only daughter, what becomes of her, her little girl armed with only 100 words per day, the outcome of destruction is for her daughter to have no words. VOX a tale of women's survival in America in slaved by men, armed with a limited amount of words each day, go over that and receive a shock, a story about a woman's survival for her and her daughter an amazing first novel from Christina Dalcher.
So I never read books twice, don't see the point, but guys my heart is beating and I want to read Dark Places again, but I won't, this time I'll be watching the movie, which I never knew was out until I wrote this. Has anyone seen it starring Charlize Theron, is it any good?
Will these books be on your reading list this August? Let me know what you are reading!
There are times when we wake up for no apparent reason just in a bad mood or a little sad, totally unexplainable! Whilst tomorrow is a new day and you know you will feel better then, what's important is how you are feeling and coping today, the day that you are in a funk.
Whilst it sucks being in this oh-my-gosh-the-world-is-coming-to-an-end space space that I would never wish upon anyone, but, if you are, these are some useful tips to ease that pain and lift your mood.
Work Out
Work it out guys! Nothing more invigorating and great for the mind, body and spirit than a little intense work out. Be it in a bad mood because of a relationship, the kids getting on your tits, workload is manic or your going through a sticky situation, instead of bottling up those negative feelings, punch, stretch or HIIT it out at the gym or sign up to a class, not a fan of classes on your own grab some of the girl gang and have fun with it.
Meditate
To rid that doom and gloom, I like to find a quiet place for 10-15 minutes, 5 minutes if I am strapped for time and at work and really need to clear my head, I head to the bathroom to get my thoughts together, close my eyes and woosa it out when I am in a stressful situation and need a clear mind. Nothing wrong with taking a moment for yourself to get things in order.
Read
Nothing better than reading to broaden the mind and to get lost in a good book to lift the spirits. Any time I need a distraction from my own negative thoughts and bad mood, I pick up a worthy book to help digest and refresh my mind, be it a self-help, to help get to grips with my emotions or a selection of reads that I buy each month.
How do you cope with a bad mood? Would love to hear your comments below!
London Mumma
Can anyone tell I love books? No then we're you have you been and catch up on my favourite monthly book reads.
This is month my line up is small, I revisited a book that I was reading when I was first pregnant and did not complete as I missed placed it, thanks to pregnancy brain, but recently snapped back up and within 24 hours I tucking back into to The Goldfinch thanks to Amazon Prime's super fast delivery along with Mumboss, from the lovely Vicki Psarias who is the blogger behind Honest Mum.
After posting my July Summer reads over on the Honest Mum group on Facebook last month, Vicki recommended that I read her book and I am so glad that she did. Being a working mother of 1 and a cat, Milo, balancing work life can be a little tricky more so that I am a single parent and now that my daughter is about to start school this September life is going to get a little bit busier, but after reading the Mumboss I felt more empowered than I have in a long time, proving that hard work, focus and a lot of planning you can do it, single parent or not! Just because you've had a kid or two, does not mean you have to just succumb to that, you are someone before and after and with a lot of hard work you can turn your dreams know matter how big or small in to a reality, Mumboss is packed with loads of great advice, for those looking to get or already in the digital world and a book that I certainly recommend reading.
The Goldfinch, where do I start with this mammoth book, a tale of love, loss, crime you name it, this book has it all. It starts with Theo as a man in Amsterdam and few pages in, throws you to a young Theo going to a museum with his mother before her tragic death, he leaves the wreckage with a painting a talisman if you like, and I have to say the painting does really exist in real life. A story about a young boy growing up and trying to find his identity as a man with loss. This book deservedly won many prizes including the Pulitzer and it will be a winner on your must read this month.
What are you reading this month? Let us know in the comments below!
I'm back and kicking off July with summer great summer reads. I can not believe we are more than halfway through the year it's completely flown by and I am glad to say this year has been the big read and the last few weeks I've been perusing every bookshop, new and old for July summer reads.
The Lido, this summers uplifting read based in my hometown of South West London. Meet Rosemary and Kate an unlikely pair that friendship blossoms and community spirit grow to support and save the local Lido from a property developers clutches to knock it down and build posh apartment building over it.
You. A brilliant and terrifyingly good read, one that I was compelled to keep grasped firmly in my hands and read in a matter of days. This is a must read especially for those social media buffs, which sees Joe totally abusing social media to stalk and set up a series of events so the Beck falls into his arms! I totally recommend snapping up You before it comes to Netflix.
An authentic family read I do try to stay clear of these family dramas, I always get a little too ceremonial, I blame the fact the since becoming a parent a whole new emotion embodies me, but I was hooked by the first page! Whistle In The Dark is about a 15-year-old girl who goes missing for a few days, returns back intact but does not want to share where or who she has been with. The family then move to London where they see Jen's character start to change.
What books have you picked up recently? Let me know in the comments below what you will be reading this summer.
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London Mumma
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