Does anyone else get excited when they see this?

I must admit that normally I don’t but this year I totally did!

I read somewhere that the coronavirus has given us back certain things. Re-connecting with family, not feeling normal day to day pressures, having more empathy and just enjoying stuff like sitting in the garden listening to the birds.

When I got this notification this year I had a feeling of Spring. Like a sense of renewal, does that make sense? It spurred me on to write down some ideas for blog posts, think of some ideas for photos for post headers and actually got me excited about reading, a feeling I’ve been lacking lately!

Yes, its money out my bank account but it just feels totally freeing knowing I have somewhere to express my love of books and also made me more grateful for the book community.

I’ve just realised this is a bit of a ramble….but something I needed to get out!

Anyone else feel like this or am I just a weirdo?!

Top 5 Tuesday is brought to you by Shanah at the Bionic Bookworm, see her original post here.

Top 5 books that made me laugh

Pucked by Helena Hunting

This series is just the funniest series I have ever read in my whole life. If you haven’t read and like a steamy, silly, humorous read then this is the series for you! #RandyBalls4ever

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Play by Kylie Scott

One word.

Mal.

I cannot say anymore.

Read it and laugh out loud people!

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Jay Kristoff

Slightly broke from the rules as it’s not one specific book or series. Lets be honest there is an amount of sad mixed up with the happy but this writers quick, dry wit is added to his characters in each book and it is fabulous.

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Only Work, No Play by Cora Reilly

The 2 main characters in this book had me rolling. It’s a sports romance if you are interested and the author can write like a dream!

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Rock Chick Series by Kristen Ashley

Again, a series. Now the Rock Chicks aren’t just funny. They are tears rolling down your face, rolling on the ground funny! Their actions, their banter, everything = hilarious.

Happy Easter!

I hope you have had a great Easter so far and have read loads of books!

I couldn’t write this without saying something about what is going on in the world….but I want to say what I have learnt in this time…….

I’ve learnt that with all this fear and uncertainty that there is support, there is community spirit and there is hope.

❤ 🐰🐣 ❤

So despite not reading more than 1 book in March, I was still buying! I suffer with a serious case of FOMO so I must have those books…..

A lot of authors had free books due to the coronavirus pandemic (what a lovely gesture) so a couple of mine were free. I also had an Amazon giftcard given to me so I used that too. (I’m saying all this to justify why I went over my 3 book a month pledge!!!)

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

Mathilda Superwitch by Kristen Ashley

Never Never by Colleen Hoover

 

 

Too Late by Colleen Hoover

The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren

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🎧 Audio

Deviate by Jay Kristoff

Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

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What books did you get in March?

 

Top 5 Tuesday is brought to you by Shanah at the Bionic Bookworm, see her original post here.

Theme = Top 5 sanity savers – things I’m enjoying while in isolation!

We are living through unprecedented times and it’s just scary but after many days of worrying, I’ve decided its ok not to be ok.

I cant do the normal things I would do to make me feel better…..so I’ve discovered (some) new things to get me through this lockdown:

Audiobooks 🎧

I just cannot concentrate on a physical book at the moment. I’m hoping this changes really soon but in the meantime I’m relying on audiobooks…..and oh the escape is fabulous. Put my headphones on and get lost into whatever world the characters are inhabiting.

Films 🎬🎦📽

I think I have watched more films in the past 2 weeks then I have in the last year!!! I’ve rewatched all the Avengers films, Harry Potter films and loads more. Plus I signed up for Disney + so my son and I have a date with Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 very soon!

Lego

Yes Lego! My son had so many sets for Christmas so we decided to get building! We have built helicopters, camper vans, cars and we have the Hogwarts Express to start next! Its something that me and my son can together and it really gets your mind working!!!

Cooking 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

I am not someone who bakes however I am someone who loves to eat alllll the sweet things!

For lifeskills for my son we have done basic stuff like how to boil an egg but we also have made a gluten free pizza from scratch, some mermaid cakes and a chocolate cake (which was a disaster!!) I also taught my son how to cook an omelette!

Work 👩‍💼👩‍💼

I know I am the saddest person in the world but omg I get tons more done at home than I do in work! No incessant phone calls, no one interrupting me, no meetings and no chit chat (which I do miss!) If I didnt have to work I think I would go stir crazy!

I hope you are all ok ❤❤

Title: Deviate

Series: Lifelike #2

Author: Jay Kristoff

Lemon Fresh has seen better days.

After the climactic battle in Babel, she finds herself separated from Ezekiel and Cricket in the wastelands. Lemon’s abilities to manipulate electricity mark her as a deviate, and deadly corporate operatives are hunting her to use as a weapon in the war between BioMaas Incorporated and Daedelus Technologies. Instead, Lemon finds herself falling in with a group of fellow deviates—a band of teenagers with astonishing abilities, led by an enigmatic figure known as the Major, who may hold the secrets to Lemon’s past.

Meanwhile, Cricket finds himself in possession of the puritanical Brotherhood, a religious cult set for a head-on collision with the Major and his band. Searching for Lemon, Ezekiel finds a strange ally in an old enemy, and uncovers a plot that may see him reunited with his beloved Ana.

And inside Babel, a remade Eve hatches a plan to bring an end to the world.

First it was Manon Blackbeak and now it’s Lemon Fresh! My love affair with literary characters carries on, I am totally loving Lemon!

If I am totally honest, I didn’t want to know about Eve at all after the last book, it was all about Lemon! I wanted to hug her!

We get it all in this book, all of the key players and all their journeys. It was an eye opener!

This was a fab middle book, the story is unique (well I think it is!), there is action, revelations and I loved the shout out to our past, genius! I am gagging for the next book!

Whilst we are in lockdown I wanted to take some pictures of my book-ish stuff and thought I might make this a regular thing in April.

So a Book and a Candle was born (I have lots of candles!!!)

First I give you my favourite Sarah J Maas book…..

A Court of Mist and Fury!

I’ve got my Night Court candle (yes, I’ve done the test and I am, in fact, a member of the Night Court!!)

Do you like collecting candles to go with your books?

 

Title: Darkdawn

Series: Nevernight Chronicle #3

Author: Jay Kristoff

A ruthless young assassin’s journey for revenge comes to a stunning end in the conclusion of this acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy.

The Republic of Itreya is in chaos. Mia Corvere has assassinated Cardinal Duomo and rumors of Consul Scaeva’s death ripple through the street of Godsgrave like wildfire. But buried beneath those same streets, deep in the ancient city’s bones, lies a secret that will change the Republic forever.

Mia and her brother Jonnen must journey through the depths of the ancient metropolis. Their quest will take them through the Godsgrave underdark, across the Sea of Swords, back to the library of the Quiet Mountain and the poisoned blades of Mia’s old mentors, and at last the fabled Crown of the Moon. There, Mia will at last discover the origins of the darkin, and learn the destiny that lies in store for her and her world. But with the three suns now in descent, and Truedark on the horizon, will she survive?

21 and a half hours.

21 and a half hours of Mia Corvere.

I think that’s the longest book I’ve ever listened to!!!

And I loved it.

Jaw dropping.

Fascinating.

Emotional.

Gawd the emotions.

Again I am in total awe of this authors writing style, just the right amount of everything.

But….

‘She’ was still in it.

It’s no secret I hated and still hate Ashlinn so I was rooting for the lovely T. Omg I love him.

Let me just tell you a bit more about how I despise Ashlinn. I’m the sort of person who doesn’t hate many people but when I do I HATE. There is nothing they can do to redeem themselves and every time she opened her mouth I wanted to slap her with a dead fish.

Omg that felt good!

Anyways…..Holter Graham delivers another fab narration and I thought this was an amazing conclusion to the series. I’m really sad it’s all over.

Welcome to Closing the Chapter! I hope you had a great reading month?

Firstly, sorry for disappearing!

I just felt completely overwhelmed with all that’s going on on regards to COVID19.

My son and I are classed as high risk, my parents are both over 70 and I found myself being in a constant state of not knowing if I was under or over reacting and it just took it’s toll! I’m sure many others felt and are feeling the same way. My heart goes out to you all.

Schools are closed here and my employer has sent us to work from home and I’m tired. Emotionally and physically tired!

My apologies for not posting much, reading your posts and commenting as I normally do. I really want to get back to ‘normal’ life, I need it!

My reading has also suffered this month. I actually don’t know why I’m even posting this as frankly, its pathetic!!!

My only book listened to this month was 21 hours though, so that makes me feel a bit better!

Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

I’ll post my review soon!

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What did you read in March?