It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Hubby is away with work at the moment - and this measn more late night and early morning reading :)

This morning I finished The Unmumsy Mum by Sarah Turner. She has a blog with a huge following - who knew?

The Unmumsy Mum writes candidly about motherhood like it really is: the messy, maddening, hilarious reality, how there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach and how it is sometimes absolutely fine to not know what you are doing. The lessons she's learnt while grappling with two small boys – from birth to teething, 3am night feeds to toddler tantrums, soft play to toilet training – will have you roaring with laughter and taking great comfort in the fact that it's definitely not just you...

I wish there had been a book like this about when  my boys were small - they are now 19 and 15 - instead of just books by Gina Ford and the like.

This book made me properly laugh out loud in places.

It brought back many memories - thankfully long in the past.

That's not to say that teenagers don't present their own issues but I am very glad the baby/toddler phase is done and dusted.

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Life Swap by Carol Wyer

This book wasn't what I thought at all.

It starts off fairly normally with both Polly and Simon unhappy with their lots and wishing things could change.

Then it all gets a bit daft - with demons, grown men dressed up as animals and full of twists and turns.

Made me laugh out loud - what more could you ask for.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I will be reading more by this author.

High Tide by Veronica Henry

I really enjoyed this latest offering from Veronica Henry. Set in Cornwall in a small fishing village it follows various inhabitants as they come to terms with loss and how they overcome the difficult times.

Kate returns from the US and her stressful job after the death of her mother - thinking she will arrange the funeral and clear the house and then return to her old life. But it doesn't turn out that way. Sam who has moved to Penfleet after the death of his wife with his children - who embark on some matchmaking. Vanessa is facing life without her husband - but doesn't expect to end up with a toy boy.

It is a feel good story which I devoured in a couple of days and left me wanting more. I certainly think Veronica could write a sequel - please.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I seem to be battling the return dates on my library books at the moment. Problem is I have a fantastic library with a wonderful selection of books and plenty of new stock. Reservation fees have now been scrapped which is an added bonus - and a temptation!  

I have almost finished High Tide by Veronica Henry. I have thoroughly enjoyed this Cornish tale by the seaside. Some great characters with the hint of romance. A perfect read for my day off.

Pennfleet might be a small town, but there's never a dull moment in its narrow winding streets ...

Kate has only planned a flying visit to clear out the family home after the death of her mother. When she finds an anonymous letter, she is drawn back into her own past.

Single dad Sam is juggling his deli and two lively teenagers, so romance is the last thing on his mind. Then Cupid fires an unexpected arrow - but what will his children think?

Nathan Fisher is happy with his lot, running picnic cruises up and down the river, but kissing the widow of the richest man in Pennfleet has disastrous consequences.

Vanessa knows what she has done is unseemly for a widow, but it's the most fun she's had for years. Must she always be on her best behaviour?

I don't often read non fiction - but I do admire Paula Radcliffe. I have been injured for the past 10 weeks or so and unable to run without pain in my hip. Several physio appointments later I am just starting to run again - but it is baby steps. Trying not to think about my first half marathon on October. Hoping Paula can guide me on this route in From Fun Runs to Marathons and Everything in Between.

Everyone knows running is good for you. But whether it's once around the block once a week, more serious preparation for a charity 10-kilometre race or half-marathon, or dedicated training over a period of months for a full marathon, it helps if you know what it is you're trying to achieve, and how to get there. 

As one of our best-known, most successful and gifted runners, Paula Radcliffe is perfectly placed to write this essential companion guide. Aimed at both novices and experienced athletes, HOW TO RUN tells you everything you need to know about preparation, diet, equipment, training and technique. A new mother herself, there's also a section on exercising while pregnant, as well as myriad tips and insights from her huge experience of running all distances in all weathers. 

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I haven't read a Diane Chamberlain book in a long time.

I'm not sure why.

But I really shouldn't have left it so long.

I am currently reading Pretending to Dance. I had read the short prequel The Dance Begins on my Kindle and that sparked my interest in this author again.

It's the summer of 1990 and fourteen-year-old Molly Arnette lives with her extended family on one hundred acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The summer seems idyllic at first. The mountains are Molly's playground and she's well loved by her father, a therapist famous for books he's written about a method called 'Pretend Therapy'; her adoptive mother, who has raised Molly as her own; and Amalia, her birth mother who also lives on the family land. The adults in Molly's life have created a safe and secure world for her to grow up in. But Molly's security begins to crumble as she becomes aware of a plan taking shape in her extended family - a plan she can't stop and that threatens to turn her idyllic summer into a nightmare.

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

I haven't played along in quite a while.

On Sunday we drove South to visit Balmoral Castle - where the Queen spends her Summer holidays. We have lived up here over 15 years and have never visited despite it being almost on our doorstep.

The views on the drive down over The Lecht were stunning. Lost count of the number of times we had to pull over to get out to admire the view, take photos and spot the Black Grouse.

 I think the best part for Andy was driving his car down that road - although I think he was slightly jealous of all the motorbikes out in the sunshine (but alas that is no more for him!)

Pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Too many books out of the library and too many of them due back soon. Soon I am reading them in the order they need to be returned instead of the order I would like to read them in.

I am reading the second installment in the new Cathy Bramley series The Plumberry School of Comfort Food - Cooking Up A Storm. Enjoying meeting the characters again in this amusing gentle tale.

Despite the drama of the opening day, Verity and the rest of the team are determined to tighten up their apron strings and make a success of the cookery school – even their previously hot-tempered chef is showing his soft side and getting stuck in. 

The charming village of Plumberry is working its magic on Verity too, and as Verity's plans for a major event at the cookery school come together, the whole community starts to get involved... 

But as friendships bubble and a sprinkling of romance is added to the mix, will Verity get her fingers burnt just when things were looking peachy? 

One of my go to authors used to be Chris Manby but I haven't read one of hers in a long while. I think A Proper Family Adventure is part of a series - but I haven't read any of the others! The series involves the same extended family so I will go back and read the others at some point.

Could you spend two weeks at sea with your family?
Thanks to an unexpected windfall, the Bensons are treating themselves to a luxury cruise. With stop-offs in Barcelona, Rome and Marseilles, plus constant entertainment onboard, it's a dream come true . . . Or is it? Last time Chelsea Benson went on holiday with this lot she nearly went crazy.
Her mum and sister are convinced Chelsea's boyfriend Adam will propose on the ship. Chelsea's sure he won't, but she can't help feeling butterflies as they set sail. Is Adam going to pop the question, or will the only thing to pop be Chelsea's ego?
Onboard dramas, family upheavals, memories and sunshine . . . Fall in love with the Benson family, and treat yourself to a five-star family cruise, all without leaving your sofa.

Please pop over to The Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.