Books 17 – 24

So life has been pretty manic for me of late! The final stages of planning a wedding abroad and organising everything for starting teacher training in September has left not much time for blogging! I have still been trying to read as much as I can (although I am behind my timescale) reviews and writing have taken a back seat. In order to catch up I have combined the last 8 books into one post with just a short write up about each.

Book 17 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (J K Rowling)

This is a re-read as I have read the series many times. I try and read the series each year just to keep the magic alive, and I just never get bored of this wizardry world. They are the ultimate source of comfort for me and within a sentence I am transported back to my happy magical place.

In this second instalment we are introduced to some of my favourite characters – Dobby, Gilderoy Lockhart and of course Moaning Myrtle. This had always been my favourite novel of the series until the final book was released and just blew me away.

 

 

Book 18 – The One (John Marrs)

Imagine if finding the one was as simple as taking a mouth swab. In this psychological thriller – its as simple as that – a DNA test that can determine your soulmate.

The story follows 5 individuals and their journeys meeting ‘the one’. But each story has an unthinkable twist.

This book is completely gripping and I devoured it in a matter of days. The chapters are short and filled with thrilling content which made me want to skip ahead to finish that characters story, but then I would be completely enthralled by the next character. It really does get you thinking and sparks serious conversation between those who have read it.

 

Book 19 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (J K Rowling)

Third year at Hogwarts for Harry, Ron and Hermione and we are introduced to possibly one of the best characters in the entire series – Sirius Black. Misunderstood at the start of the book we are first scared of Sirius along with the terrifying Dementors.

The escape of Sirius sparks talks of Harry’s father and he learns more about his parents and their time at Hogwarts and just before their death.

In this book we also see a different side to Hermione and the beginnings of the Ron love story.

One of my favourite parts of the book is when Hermione reveals how she has been getting to all the extra classes with the TimeTurner and then uses this amazing piece of magical equipment to save Sirius and the lovable Buckbeak. She is my ultimate heroine.

Book 20 – The Goddess Revolution (Melissa Wells)      

Food and body freedom for life? Sounds amazing right! I like many others have always struggled with body image and feeling insecure. Whilst I would say I have a pretty healthy relationship with food and don’t suffer with a guilt complex, I still have a very strained relationship with my body.

This book gives a completely refreshing perspective on how to be happy in your own skin and be at peace with your body. Self love is a strange concept for me. I feel like my peers and the media have normalised a hatred of ones body and that it is essential to strive to be skinnier, curvier, toned, taller, or smaller in order to be happy.

Mel’s book is a guide and handbook on how to change this perspective and be truly happy as you are. By accepting and practising self love we can treat our body with the respect it deserves and then naturally crave all that is good and truly nourishing. I think this book is something that everyone needs to read and I can see myself re-reading this many times. Like many other Brides I felt obsessive with loosing lbs before the big day and reading this enabled me to take a step back, reconnect with myself and ease the pressure I was feeling. I cannot wait to introduce this to more of my friends and family and spread the goddess word!         

 

Book 21 – The Reader on the 6.27 (Jean-Paul Didierlaurent)

A charming and quirky read. Its a short book but full of delight with heartwarming characters.

Guylain lives on the edge of existence, working in a job he hates, he has but one pleasure in life. On his daily commute aboard the 6.27 train Guylain reads aloud to his fellow passengers.

He discovers a diary and reads this aloud. With each entry he falls in love with the writer, a woman who feels as lost as he does and he embarks on a journey to locate her.             

This book is definitely one for bibliophiles like myself!

 

Book 22 – Brilliant Primary School Teacher (Kevin Harcombe)

In a bid to feel somewhat prepared for September – whilst also planning a wedding – I felt it time to do some reading.

This was a fantastic introductory book. It was full of amazing frank and honest advice as well as a guide to who’s who within a Primary School.

The book provides real scenarios and stories which provide great information well worth stealing! I would recommend this to anyone in my position about to start their teacher training year. It helped me to feel at ease and more confident/excited about September. I’m sure there will be many more teaching books within the blog after September!

 

 

Book 23 – Spandex and the City (Jenny T. Colgan) 

Holly Phillips is unlucky in love. Whilst on a girls night she meets a handsome guy in a bar but just as she says hi there is an armed robbery. Holly gets into an argument with the main guy in the heist and is taken hostage. Only to be saved by ‘Ultimate Man’ the city’s very own vigilante hero (think Batman).

Holly learns Ultimate man’s true identity and subsequently becomes his only ‘friend’ and eventually falls for him. But the villains weren’t finished! They have a plan to take down the internet and a mayhem unfolds.

This book started light and seemed like the perfect holiday read in the sun, however it lost its way and also my interest. I had to force myself to finish it and it felt like a hard task toward the end. I felt the characters were lost and became extremely unbelievable. The twist was obvious and not executed well. A story with so much potential but just missed the mark in my eyes.

 

Book 24 – The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance (Kirsty Greenwood)

Jessica Beam is a fun loving party girl who really knows how to have a good time. However her life is a bit of a mess, no clean clothes and forgetting to turn up for work doesn’t create the best impression.

A series of unfortunate events leave her down on her luck. Homeless and friendless she turns to her one living relative for help, her Grandmother who she has never met. Unbeknown to Jess, Matilda Beam is also in need of help. Living in debt and with no source of income she is attempting to get her 1950’s Good Women guides published again, but times have changed and there is no market for this vintage way of behaving.

A plan is hatched for Jessica and Matilda to work together, taming Jessica’s millennial ways by giving her a 1950’s personality and image makeover in order to catch one of London’s most eligible bachelors.

I loved this book! Such an easy read and absolutely perfect for being on holiday. The characters were so heartwarming and the book flowed incredibly well I finished it in one day. I will most definitely be checking out more of Kirsty Greenwood’s novels.

 

 

Books 14, 15 & 16 ‘The Four Streets Trilogy’ (Nadine Dorries)

Book 1 ‘The Four Streets’

Liverpool during the 1950’s was seen as a prosperous place for new and exciting beginnings to those from Ireland. In a tight-knit Irish Catholic community of four streets we follow the lives of two families and their neighbours. The men work on the docks whilst the women stay at home and look after their ever-growing families.

The book starts with tragedy in the second chapter as we lose the most beautiful and kind-hearted member of the community through childbirth. However, Bernadette’s spirit never truly leaves, and she is especially needed both for her daughter Nellie and her best friend Maura.

Book 13 – How To Be a Woman (Caitlin Moran)

Until reading this book I did not know much about Caitlin Moran. Moran is a journalist, author and strident feminist and shes absolutely amazing! After reading this book I immediately binge-watched everything on youtube I could possibly find and became and immediate fan.

‘How to be a Woman’ is a sort of memoir discussing the many issues facing young girls and women and our journeys of self discovery. Moran is a brilliant writer – I couldn’t help myself from laughing out loud or fiercely nodding along with many statements.

The book starts with her 13th birthday and the many wishes, or changes she wants to make. I think every girl can relate with this when remembering their own times of puberty. We are then taken on a journey as Moran grows up into a woman. From first periods, pubes, weight, weddings, babies and even abortions – no subject is taboo. The book is refreshing and brutally honest in a way that I wish all women would be.

Moran urges women to be ‘strident feminists’ and I would like to second her. The whole chapter on feminism and many of the other comments or musings were just on point for me. She said everything that I think on a daily basis and I would recommend every single female to read this book!

One of my favourite chapters is ‘I Get Married’. As a very soon to be bride this chapter was such a sense of comfort to me. I’m not very naturally bridal due to a childhood of divorce and have been a rather chilled out bride, which has seemed to bother or unnerve many women I speak to. Reading this chapter made me feel less alone in the current wedding world I live in right now.

Book 12 – The Danish Girl (David Ebershoff)

I have been meaning to read this novel sometime having been such a fan of the film. For me this film was so emotional and inspiring, I was left completely heartbroken in the cinema. Therefore my anticipation and excitement for this book was extremely great.

The story is loosely inspired by the true story of Lili Elbe and her wife, Gerda. Lili was one of the first identifiable recipients of sex reassignment surgery. The book started well and I was eager to see how the  story developed. However I was bitterly disappointed. The novel felt as though Ebershoff is trying too hard to create his acclaimed masterpiece to be studied as a future modern classic.

It is extremely obvious through Ebershoff’s writing that he is a lecturer for creative writing. Each paragraph contained either a simile or a metaphor – which became repetitive and tiresome to read. Another aspect I found difficult  to read was the irrelevant and tedious back story included regarding Gerda and her upbringing in the USA. It discredited her character and quite frankly bored me. This was especially frustrating as in the film it was the character of Gerda who had moved me in such a profound way. I found myself skim-reading many of these chapters, wishing the novel to be over.

As I mentioned, the film was exceptionally moving and so beautiful so my expectations for the book were high. I felt that this was such a shame as the story is so important and meaningful and deserved to be celebrated so especially with the current attention the trans-gender community is receiving in the media.

Week 9 Book 11 – Swimming Home (Mary-Rose Maccoll)

Louisa Quick is a career focused Surgeon who has fought extensively for women’s rights and worked past many prejudices to build the success of her East London clinic.

Her brother Harry, also a doctor, suddenly looses his life and here is where our story begins. Having already lost his wife previously, Louisa’s niece Catherine is now an orphan and is living on an island off Australia where she has been raised. She is uprooted from the island and forced to live under Louisa’s care where she is to partake in the education her aunt deems suitable.

However Catherine isn’t like Louisa. She has been raised by islanders and is used to feeling free and doing her favourite thing, swimming, as and when she pleases. This creates an interesting clash between aunt and niece and especially so when Catherine’s swimming gets her into trouble at school. There seems no resolution where both can be happy – until Mr Black arrives on the scene, with an attractive proposition.

Black is known in the British media as the ‘crazy American’ who is publicising his enthusiasm for travelling by aeroplane. He has big ideas, and two of which include Louisa and Catherine moving to America to follow both their passions. Medicine and swimming.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and as the events in America pan out there are a few shocking and unexpected twists, which I shall not reveal but certainly kept me enthralled. Maccoll’s writing is beautiful and she uses lots of sensual imagery which take you right there, from the island Catherine grew up in to the hustle and bustle of New York City.

The book is set in 1925 – I particularly adore this era. It was refreshing to read about strong-minded and forward thinking women, with a strong reference to the women’s right movement. It was especially interesting to read about the organic beginnings of women’s competitive swimming and the scrutiny from the press they endured. It seemed to be that the initial interests were based around the amount of flesh on show, something that surprisingly enough wasn’t discussed about their male counterparts. An issue that I feel is still present in women’s sport today.

 

Week 8 Book 10 – Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (J.K.Rowling)

Whenever I am feeling ill, or down I always seek comfort by stepping into the world of Hogwarts and magic in the Harry Potter series. The books have played such an integral part in my childhood – I feel as though I grew up with Harry Ron and Hermione and in times of trouble they have always provided me with hope.

Hermione is a character whom I immediately related to, I’ve always been a book lover so we had something in common straight away. She also likes to work hard in school and is a bit of a know-it-all, which can be one of my worst traits. Her fierce determination towards schoolwork enabled me to indulge in being a geek, and feel it was ok. That being the most popular  doesn’t matter and that it’s perfectly fine to prefer to read than shop!

This book sets the scene for the whole series and is a great introduction. Its our first glimpse into J K Rowling’s magical world and although it is the least detailed of all the books I quite like this and how we learn more and more as the series goes on.

I remember first reading this book on holiday when I was 10 years old. It was the summer in between year 5 and year 6, 1999. It completely consumed me and I remember not wanting to do anything but read this book, there was one day on the holiday when it poured with rain and I felt full relief that I could read my book in peace inside.

From that point onwards I was completely hooked and an instant Potterhead.

I would have to say that my favourite aspect of the first book is the beginnings of the friendship between Ron, Harry, Hermione and of course the reader.

Becoming a Better Consumer

Sustainable and ethical fashion and beauty has been something that I have been interested in for a very long time. For the past 3 years I have been making a conscious effort to only purchase skin care, make up and beauty products that are cruelty free as much as I possibly can. Ethical and sustainable fashion is a new interest of mine and something that I have wanted to learn more about for the past 6 months. In the past I have had very unhealthy shopping habits, from paying crazy amounts for the latest designer gear to grabbing the cheapest possible disposable fashion of the moment. Neither have ever satisfied me or felt comfortable.

I would describe my current style as a mix between bohemian 70’s inspired patterns with classical, timeless pieces. Therefore making a switch to having a sustainable and ethical wardrobe should be relatively easy. Now I’m not planning on throwing my whole wardrobe of clothes away and starting from scratch – that would be completely bonkers and in no way ethical. I have decided that going forward every fashion or beauty purchase I make should be well thought out, researched and as ethical as possible.

The first thing I have done to help me is organised and sorted through my wardrobes and clothes, this has helped me to see exactly all the clothes I have – rediscover some pieces not warn in a while and what I need, if I actually need anything!

 

I have also had a tidy out of my makeup and skin care, again this has provided me with some clarity of what I have and what is close to running out or even out of date!!

I’ve had some serious problems in the past with my skin care and cosmetic spending. Since school I have had many issues with my confidence regarding my skin and I’m constantly looking for a quick fix product that will get rid of every single black head (my problem area – big pores) and when it doesn’t I just toss it aside and look for the next product. I am ashamed to think about how much I have wasted on skincare over the years. After taking a pay cut last September in order to get some school experience to fulfil my dream career, I no longer had the extra expense to fork out for all this skincare. So I decided to use everything I have up, and I’m slowly getting there!

So now I’m all organised and I’ve done my research I have decided upon some ground rule of which to apply when I am making a new purchase.

Fashion

Firstly I need to ensure there is a genuine gap in my collection before I make any more purchases. Quite often if I have an event or night out planned my initial thoughts are ‘I need a new outfit’, but do I really need a new outfit? Is there anything in my wardrobe I haven’t worn in a while that will suffice? I can guarantee the answer will be yes! I quite often panic that people will recognise my outfit from a previous night out, but I just need to adjust my attitude not to care or view this as a chance to explain and promote sustainable and ethical fashion 🙂

Ok so say there is a gap, I can’t mend or adapt anything and I do need to make a clothing purchase, my first port of call will be to buy vintage or second-hand as I believe this to be the most sustainable way. I’m extremely fortunate that firstly there is brilliant vintage shop a few doors up from my home, and Manchester (where I currently work) is a well-known vintage clothing hub. Buying vintage is a completely new thing to me but I’m very excited to start this journey.

Now I know that some items I will not want to buy vintage and I will want to buy new in order to ensure they last and fit correctly. For these items I will do my research (mainly online) and source out the best ethical brand possible for the piece that I require that fits in my budget.

Unfortunately, saving for a wedding, new kitchen and being a student again next year means my budget is lower than I would like! So for some items, such as tights, I cannot afford or justify the price of the ethical brands. In cases like this I shall again do my research and support companies and high street shops that either produce locally in Britain , have ethical morals and a ‘give back’ attitude supporting charities or are sold in local boutiques. I’m a huge supporter of shopping local.

If I fail to find companies, brands or boutiques that fit into either of these categories then I will ensure that I invest in statement pieces of the highest quality I can afford to ensure that I get maximum wear out of the item.

Beauty

The rules for skin care and make-up should be a lot easier. Firstly all products must be cruelty free, that is a must!! For skincare and make-up I would like to ensure that the products are as organic and natural as possible, this is something I need to research further. There are also many companies such as the body shop who promote fair trade, again this is something I need to explore.

I have also been investigating the process behind homemade beauty products and when I have spent some time learning all there is to know about natural beauty I do aim to have a dabble in this, providing it suits my skin type.

I am going to blog about each of my purchases to ensure that I share my journey with those who may possibly want to start their own – wish me luck 🙂

B xxx

Week 7 Book 9 – The Feud (Kimberly Chambers)

The Michell Clan are fiercely respected East End family who are not to be messed with. Harry is the father and head of the family, with his three sons Eddie Paulie and Ronny following suit in the family business.

The Mitchell’s have a long running feud with traveller family – the O’Hara’s this is explained in the first chapter and immediately the pace and scene is set. Chamber’s draws the reader in from this moment with an extremely exciting and captivating start.

The book begins in the seventies and focuses on Eddie, Harry’s youngest son. We  begin with a love story centred around Eddie and a young Jessica. Eddie is a wonderful character – everything an East End gangster ought to be – loyal, fearless, and completely ruthless. He is utterly besotted with Jessica and does not hesitate to marry her as soon as she falls pregnant with twins.

The story then moves into the eighties – first when the twins are young children and then again when they are 15. Both twins happen to fall in love with the wrong people and as this develops the events turn sour and there is a particularly shocking and upsetting ending.

‘The Feud’ is centred primarily around the Mitchell’s and Jessica’s family with the O’Hara’s briefly introduced at the beginning, middle and then taking centre stage at the end. I anticipate that the second and third books in the trilogy will feature the O’Hara’s more prominently.

Chambers’ writing style is gripping and extremely effortless to read, I devoured this book within 2 days. I’m a huge fan of East End gangster novels and this has been one of my favourites. I particularly loved Eddie’s character and his relationship with Jessica, their love story was a huge part of why I couldn’t put the book down. I am very much exited to see what happens in the next two books.

Week 6 Book 8 – Northern Lights (Philip Pullman)

This novel is beautifully written, the story is completely captivating and the wonderful world of Daemons brilliantly addictive.

Lyra Belacqua and her daemon Pantalaimon are the central characters. Lyra is a young orphan girl who resides at Jordan College in Oxford University with the dusty old scholars. Her world is turned upside down by an exciting series of events which begins with a visit from her Uncle Asriel, who is planning an expedition to the Northern Lights. His goal is to find and explain the source of ‘Dust’.

Soon after this we are introduced to the charismatic and intriguing Mrs Coulter. She decides it is time for Lyra to be taught proper etiquettes and trains her as a sort of assistant. However at a lavish party Lyra sees a different side to her would-be-mentor. Children are going missing, including Lyra’s best friend Roger. It turns out that the seemingly wonderful Mrs Coulter is orchestrating this for the purpose of research. Research about ‘Dust’.

Lyra makes her escape. From this point we are taken on a wonderfully exciting, although at times scary, adventure in an attempt to free these children and find out the truth about ‘Dust’. Along the way we are introduced to some extraordinary mythical creatures such as bears, witches and of course we learn all there is to know about the remarkable science behind Daemons.

I had tried to read this book as an 11 year old on the belief that it would enrapture me in the same way that the Harry Potter series did. Unfortunately I found the book to be quite a difficult read at that age. I’ve been meaning to re-read this as an adult for some time and I am so glad I have. I am very much excited to read the next two books in the trilogy.

Week 5 Book 7 – Shopaholic to the Rescue (Sophie Kinsella)

The last installment of the Shopaholic series (Shopaholic to the Stars) left us with a massive cliffhanger making the anticipation of this book ever so great. However, I was left quite bitter as it is highly unusual for the Shopaholic books to end in such a way.

For me Becky Bloomwood makes an amazing read. She is one of my absolute favourite characters and incredibly funny. I have had many a laugh out loud moment reading this series and each time I do so in public there will be a twenty or thirty-something female who catches my eye, sees the book and totally understands. Throughout the Shopaholic series Becky has got into some pretty crazy situations with her elaborate ideas and vivacious personality.

This book is the 8th volume of Becky’s fantastically hilarious life. Let me set the scene…

In the 7th book Luke, Becky’s wonderful husband, has taken his PR company to LA. During this time Becky’s best friend Suze and her family come to stay, they are later also joined by Becky’s father Graham. Graham has an old score to settle and some wrongs to right from his past times travelling around the US. He sets off on a quest to do this taking Tarquin (Suze’s husband) with him.

So the whole of Becky’s gang set off after them, this includes Becky, her mum, a neighbour, Suze, Luke and a sworn enemy of Becky’s. They embark on an epic adventure around Las Vegas to solve the mystery of exactly what Becky’s Dad is up to.

There were many elements of the book I enjoyed especially the mystery of what had actually happened with Becky’s Dad. The humour I adore about Becky was still very much evident and this book definitely made up for the disappointment I felt with the cliffhanger ending in the last.