'A Rural Affair', Catherine Alliott

Poppy travels along a series of emotions through this book, and as the reader you are able to sympathise with her. I read this within two days, and it only took me that long as i had 3 children to juggle as well! It is a gripping story that can't be put down as you are waiting to find out what is in store for Poppy next. I have been lucky enough to read one of Alliott's previous novels; 'A Married Man' and again would recommend both these books to readers who enjoy light hearted, entertaining books that take you a million miles away, whilst staying believable.

Amazon
Waterstones

'The Greatest Love Story of All Time', by Lucy Robinson

This is the story that gripped me right from the beginning. I felt as though i was living the story with Fran, and Robinson kept me in suspense right until the end with her last minute revelation in the finale. Her characters are believable to today's society, and it was heartening to know that they have flaws just like the rest of us. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good chic lit, and as a debut novel I wait in anticipation for her following novels, of which I'm sure there will be many.

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Waterstones

'Citizen Sailors', by Glyn Prysor

I did a specialist topic on the Second World War whilst at school for my A-Levels, so was really excited to receive this book in the post. Living in Portsmouth also added to the enjoyment of reading these accounts as local areas were regularly mentioned as were ships that family members had served on. Prysor   has included many first hand accounts from sailors of the Royal Navy, that give an insight into some of the less well-known battles as well as the more familiar. Some of these testimonies are raw and gritty, and Prysor does not try to shy away from this fact, and I feel this has given me a more real view of what it was like to serve for the Royal Navy during these years. I have since passed this book on to other family members who are enjoying it as much as I did, definitely one to recommend.

The book can be found at the following websites:

Amazon
Waterstones

'Deadly Animals' by Gordon Grice

Grice has a wealth of personal knowledge when it comes to deadly and dangerous animals, and this is portrayed through his confident and informative writing which allows us to learn perhaps a new side to some familiar and not so familiar creatures. The passion for these animals is clear throughout the book, and rather than feel fear after completing it, i rather feel much more able to deal with any situations i may find myself in! I really enjoyed the chapter on bears, being a personal favourite of mine, and was very surprised to learn the sloth is the most likely to attack humans! Written with easy to read chapters, this is one not to put down, and would be great for younger readers too.
Bring on the warmer weather and some exciting expeditions into the wild to find these creatures!!

You can find this book to buy at the following links:
Waterstones
Amazon

"The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty


When I began this novel I wasn't aware that I would be unable to put it down until all pages had been devoured! Moriarty transports you with ease back to the early 1900s where life for women is very different from today, using language and descriptions that really make you feel as though you are travelling alongside the characters themselves.
As the story progresses we learn more about the background of our lead character and heroine Cora, and in turn learn about the culture of America at this time and the difficulties women faced as the world around them altered at a rapid pace. As she accompanies a young woman to New York who wishes to persue a summer of dance lessons, she herself has alteria movtives for taking on this role which not only helps to explain her past but to also alter her future.
This a beautiful book, written extremely well, and one I am definitely recommending for everyone to read.

For ease of readers I have included the links to the following websites.

Amazon

Waterstones

Absence!

Due to the IMMENSE pressures of teacher training, I have been absent from this blog, which has been a real shame as I really enjoyed reading and writing reviews of new books. So, with my qualification done, I am now back ready to take on as many books as humanly possible!! Watch this space!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars by Gervase Phinn

This is the perfect "cheer me up" book, especially if you work with or have a love of those things children say!
Once again Phinn has produced a witty book compiled of short tales about children and all the hilarious comments they come out with. Whilst working as a school inspector, Phinn collected anecdotes and tales told to him by children and teachers, and has brought them together into another terrific success!

Out in the beginning of November, this book will definitely bring laughter and smiles to anybody's Christmas Day, for both young and old alike.

Due to the short stories and quick poems, it is a book that you can dip in and out of and return to over and over again. As a trainee teacher it had tears rolling down my cheeks, and will be recommended to everyone in the staffroom as well as my fellow students to prepare us for those 'innocent' comments we will all come across!