Current Netflix Top Picks #10

I told you it wouldn't be long before my next Netflix post! Seriously I'm addicted to so many TV shows at the moment.

The Twilight Saga

God the Twilight films are so cheesy but they take me right back to being a teenager. I'm so happy they've all been added to Netflix now so it means I can binge watch them one after the other when I'm in need of something a bit comforting. I still remember being 14 and seeing the first film with friends, sat on the front row, and squealing every single time Edward was on the screen. I don't quite do that now but I do still have a lot of love for the films. Were you Team Edward or Team Jacob? I was always Team Edward but each time I re-watch the films, I sway more and more towards Bella and Jacob being together!

Good Girls

This is one of those shows I'm now kicking myself over how long it took me to watch! I'd heard such good things about Good Girls but it wasn't until just before the second series got released that we finally decided to give it a go. If you haven't seen it, it's about 3 suburban mums (or moms) who orchestrate a local grocery store heist. All in desperate need of money, they find themselves part of a whole new dangerous world that's not going to be easy to get out of. It stars Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman, Retta and Manny Montana who all just brilliant.

Line Of Duty

Line Of Duty is one of the best British TV shows in my opinion. Series 5 ended not too long ago on BBC and it starred the incredible Stephen Graham this time, but once it finished I went right back to the start on Netflix. If you've watched the latest series too you'll probably understand why but a lot of things were referred too that I'd missed and characters had been dodgy for longer than most of us had realised so I thought it would be interesting to go back and see if anything was obvious in previous series. I loved watching them all back, they're incredibly tense and the show gets some of the best actors. I already can't wait for it to come back.

Dead To Me

A massive yes to this show! I love a dark comedy, and this was just perfect in every way. Jen (played by Christina Applegate) has just lost her husband in a hit-and-run, and at a support group, she meets free spirit Judy (Linda Cardellini). The two women become firm friends very quickly despite being polar opposites but as Jen becomes set on finding her husbands killer, we see that Judy has quite a few secrets of her own. It's just the perfect mix of everything you want in a drama. It's funny but surprisingly hard hitting at times and it really does show the many sides of grief and loss. Season 1 has ended on a right cliffhanger so I'm so excited to see where it goes next!

The Perfection

Where to even start with this film. Just from the trailer alone, I was weirded out but the film itself is on a whole other level. It's an American psychological thriller about a troubled musical prodigy played by Allison Williams who you might recognise from Get Out, who seeks out Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school. Their encounter sends them both down an extremely sinister path which has shocking consequences for everyone. The only word I can think to describe this film is insane. Each time you think it can't get any weirder, it does. It's not a full our horror and I wouldn't say it's scary but it's definitely uncomfortable and it might stay with you for a while afterwards!

Always Be My Maybe

A much happier Netflix original! Ali Wong and Randall Park (who you might recognise from one of the best pranks ever on The Office) play childhood sweethearts who after a falling out, don't speak for 15 years. They unexpectedly reconnect as adults and find the spark is still there, the problem is they are from two different worlds and neither are willing to compromise. I love a rom-com and this was just the perfect one to watch on a Saturday night. It was funny, it was heartwarming, and the whole cast is fantastic.

Have you watched any of the things I've mentioned? Would love to know what you thought to them too!

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Pros Vs Cons Of Living In London*

The capital city of the UK, London, has a centrifugal force, an iconic draw that attracts a wide range of people to its bustling atmosphere and busy streets. And while there is no denying that it might be an exciting prospect for the young professional, there are certainly some growing negatives associated with living in the area, such as its extremely high living costs, that are making the dream of relocating and living in the southern city increasingly unfeasible. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of living in London.

Accessibility

London's vast network of trains and general transport, paired with plentiful job opportunity with many company headquarters residing (at least currently) in the capital, is definitely a positive. The city can feel huge and daunting at first, swallowing you up with its high-rise buildings and congested streets, but deciphering the London underground and its different rail lines lets you get about the city in a quick and inexpensive way. It also serves as a good jump off point to international travel, with links to Heathrow airport and the Eurostar trains for France and Belgium. London's job market similarly mirrors its busy nature. More than 400,000 people work in London everyday and there are thousands of small, medium and large-scale businesses looking for talent. These opportunities, however, may begin to dry up, when considering the living costs and practicality of comfortably living in the city.

Living Costs

Living comfortably in London is a difficult task. Compared to Liverpool, for example, rent prices are 184% higher, and the average house price in London is £872,007, compared to a much lower £172,867 rough figure, again around Liverpool. As a result of these worrying statistics, many burgeoning young businesses and startups are looking in other directions to move their talent, and many are 'north-shoring': shifting up north to a more affordable and subsequently appealing area. This has degraded the strength that London has as a cultural hive and has moved some of that energy into more viable cities. Property investment companies such as RW Invest are looking closely at these factors and planning accordingly, offering off-plan opportunities in these emerging markets. Liverpool, victorious in the recent Champions League final, and one of the northern destinations growing in popularity (with its Baltic triangle technology sector), seems to have a promising future ahead. City mayor Joe Anderson said that their success on the football front was worth £150 million to the city in brand value.

Tourism

London's tourism is a clear winner, and stands out above pretty much any other city in the county, attracting over 25 million visitors a year that spend approximately £15 million. Alongside the stalwart landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Eye, London also maintains a constant heatmap with exciting temporary events and attractions. One current limited event that local London film fanatics have access to is the Stanley Kubrick exhibition at the London Design Museum. Running until September and proving difficult to visit for those that haven't booked in advance (due to its popularity). The collection has 700 items to look over, and delves into the director's love of London and how it inspired him. 'Bond in motion' by Covent Garden is another must-see for film fans that London has access to. With over 100 vehicles from the famous 007 franchise, the exhibition in the London Film Museum is something that you simply can't find anywhere else. While this may also be true of other cities in the UK, an example being Liverpool which hosts an exclusive Beatles museum and tour that is impossible to experience anywhere else, it is difficult to deny that the capital city has a draw unlike any other. 

Weighing up these components makes it difficult to answer the question of whether London is somewhere you should try and work in and be part of, or just somewhere that you visit when you can to see the sights.

*This post is in collaboration with RW Invest

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The Mid Year Book Tag 2019

My blog and my Instagram are both quite book heavy at the moment but I'm having another one of those months where literally any opportunity I can, I'll pick up a book. Last Summer I took part in the Mid Year Book Tag so now we're halfway through 2019 already (how?!) I thought I would take part again. I've read a lot of books so far this, well a lot for me anyway, so I'm excited to see what books have replaced last years!

1. Best book you've read so far in 2019?

It has to be The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. It was the first book I picked up this year and I mentioned in my review that it was going to take a lot to beat it, and so far nothing has. It's a tough read at times but overall a beautiful love story that I'd recommend to anyone.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2019?

Baby Be Mine by Paige Toon which is the follow up to Johnny Be Good. I've said a lot that Paige Toon is one of my favourite authors and these books were just yet another enticing read that had me hooked straight away. I loved getting the chance to read more about Johnny and Meg's relationship in Baby Be Mine and seeing where life took them next.

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to?

I have quite a few actually that I'm waiting to get my hands on including The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary, Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane and Happiness For Beginners by Carole Matthews.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

I've seen a lot about The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney recently and I'm so intrigued! It's definitely one I want to pick up in a few months time. Also the latest from David Lagercrantz, The Girl Who Lived Twice is one I'd like to read at some point.

5. Biggest disappointment?

I always feel bad saying which books I didn't like but this year there has surprisingly been a few! Obsession by Amanda Robson had such a great premise I thought but ended up being unbearable to read at times. The Surrogate by Louise Jensen was kind of ruined by the ending in my opinion too.

6. Biggest surprise?

With Or Without You by Carole Matthews. I expected to like it, anything with a bit of romance is right up my street but I adored it! It's a very close second The Tattooist Of Auschwitz when it comes to my favourite books of the year. I also really enjoyed The Guilty Wife by Elle Croft. I'm not sure why but I went into it thinking it would be just okay but honestly, I couldn't recommend it enough. The ending is a shocker.

7. Favourite new author?

I've absolutely loved reading some of Jane Fallon's books this year. After reading Tell Me A Secret, I just knew she was going to be another author like Paige Toon where I just have to try and get through all of her books. I've read 4 now so I'm working my way through!

8. New fictional crush?

Ooh it's got to be Olly from Everything Everything. I adored the film and the book was such a lovely read, I was rooting for both characters so much!

9. Favourite new character?

Probably Meg from Johnny Be Good, I loved her. She was just a normal girl who you could relate to yet she was complicated and frustrating at the same time if that makes sense. Just someone I found I could really root for. I did also really like Cherry from All That She Can See though.

10. A book that has made you cry?

I don't think any book has made me cry so far this year. I think the closest I'd have got would be with Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. Another book that did make me really feel, though not cry, was I Know My Name by C.J Cooke. That ending had me messed up for days.

11. A book that made you happy?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society made me beam throughout. I just adored it.

12. Favourite review you've written?

I've actually not written as many reviews as I thought I would this year, I've been posting mini ones on Insta stories if you want to follow me over on Instagram, but I think one of my favourites is probably The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh. It wasn't a book that I instantly fell in love with but by the end I was so glad I read it.

13. Most beautiful book you've bought?

Sticking with the same book, I think The Man Who Didn't Call has such a beautiful cover. It's simple but stands out and I don't think it's one I'll part with just yet! I do also love the cover of Tell Me A Secret Though.

14. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Before I buy anymore, there are a few waiting for me including You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane, Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson and The Humans by Matt Haig.

Which book has impressed you the most so far this year? Let me know what you've been reading!

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Do Not Disturb By Claire Douglas Book Review

Last year one of my favourite books of 2018 ended up being The Sisters by Claire Douglas. It was one that totally took me by surprise so when I spotted Do Not Disturb for an amazing price recently, I had to buy it. If you're ever after new books at a reasonable price by the way, I tend to get most of mine from this shop World Of Books on Ebay, all in great condition and they arrive so quickly! Anyway, want to know if Do Not Disturb impressed me just as much as The Sisters?

'Could your dream home be your worst nightmare? After what happened in London, Kirsty needs a fresh start with her family. And running a guesthouse in the Welsh mountains sounds idyllic. But then their first guest arrives. Selena is the last person Kirsty wants to see. It's 17 years since she tore everything apart. Why has she chosen now to walk back into Kirsty's life? Is Selena running from something too? Or is there an even darker reason for her visit? Because Kirsty knows that once you invite trouble into your home, it can be murder getting rid of it...'

My review

This was another one of those books that genuinely as soon as I started it, I couldn't stop. I love it when from the first page of a book you are totally consumed by it and I truly did struggle to put this down each occasion. It was one of those books that you're just waiting to pick up again! There's no hanging about either with this, within the first few pages, a death happens and we then get to uncover everything that happened in the lead up to it which I liked. You know something big has been revealed, but you get to try and piece everything together as you go.

Claire is just brilliant at creating tension yet her writing feels effortless, it all just flows perfectly and the story is so engaging. She managed to make pretty much every character suspicious so it's definitely a book that keeps you guessing which I always like in a thriller. Whilst I didn't necessarily love Kirsty, the main protagonist, I absolutely hated Selena, and I could understand why several characters might have something against her. Also with the story being set in a guesthouse, it would have been easy for it to have felt too complicated, but at no point did that happen. I liked that there was so much intrigue around everyone because it meant when the murderer of a certain character is revealed, it was a real shocker.

This is a book though that isn't just about what you're lead to believe, it explores quite a few different topics including mental health, whilst the main story is unfolding. We hear a little about Kirsty's husband, Adrian's battle with depression which I think is a very real subject which can often be difficult to approach in the appropriate way, and then there's all of the drama and believability of family arguments and lies between one another, things that are very much real life. It really felt like there was a few different stories going on at once that could all have been developed more, but it wasn't too much if that makes sense.

This might only be the second book I've read of Claire's but I can easily see her becoming a new favourite of mine. I find thrillers can be so hit and miss sometimes but this is another book that has come along unexpectedly and impressed me more than many others this year. I just can't help but love how quickly her books grip you and keep you enthralled right until the very end. Even if the ending is a little bit of a cliff hanger! I found with the end of The Sisters, there was a bit of a 'hang on, there could be more' feeling to it, and that's exactly what happened with Do Not Disturb too. It definitely wasn't clear cut and leaves you with a few questions, but I do like that it leaves it open for maybe another book at some point in the future.

If you're after a page turner, Do Not Disturb is well and truly that. I'll be recommending this to anyone who will listen! I'd love to know if you've read this too and what your thoughts are on it if so. And let me know if there are any other books you've read of Claire's, I'm off to hunt more down now!

Book reviews - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer // Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon

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