Friday 1 May 2020

A Book Haul To See Me Through Lockdown

I don't know about anybody else but I'm definitely finding I'm reading loads more whilst in lockdown. It's such a strange situation having no choice but to stay at home so apart from the odd walk with Bear, I've really needed to try and fill my time to try and keep some sort of sanity. As you might be able to tell by the amount of recipes I've been sharing, I've been cooking loads and spending time trying out new bakes but I've also been stuck with my head in a book at various points each day meaning I've been getting through a lot! I luckily have quite a few that I've been kindly sent via NetGalley for me to read, I have one or two that were birthday gifts and I recently stocked up on a few others that I'd been after for a while so there's plenty to keep me going for the next few weeks and however much longer lockdown goes on for so I thought I'd share a little haul as it's been a while since the last one.
stack of books on desk in front of musical programmes

Normal People by Sally Rooney

'Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation - awkward but electrifying - something life-changing begins. Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can't.'

Okay, first up is Normal People and I have to admit I have already read this since I started writing this post. I just couldn't resist! I'm planning on sharing a review of this within the next few weeks as I have so much I want to say about it. I just had a feeling it was going to be my sort of book and then when I saw the trailer for the TV adaptation which started on BBC iPlayer on Sunday, I just couldn't wait any longer to get stuck in. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this if you've read it too!
Normal People by Sally Rooney book held up in front of desk

Lost by Leona Deakin*

'How can you solve a crime if you can't remember the clues? There is an explosion at a military ball. The casualties are rushed to hospital in eight ambulances, but only seven vehicles arrive. Captain Harry Peterson is missing. His girlfriend calls upon her old friend Dr Augusta Bloom, who rushes to support the investigation. But no one can work out what connects the bomb and the disappearance. When Harry is eventually discovered three days later, they hope he holds the answers to their questions. But he can't remember a single thing.'

I read and reviewed Leona Deakin's debut Novel, Gone last year and I remember so clearly being hooked by it, from the very beginning. It's a book that stands out for me from 2019 so I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest book in the series. It's something completely different to everything else in this post as it goes down the crime route so I just can't wait to get started on it.
Lost by Leona Deakin book cover

Half A World Away by Mike Gayle

'Strangers living worlds apart. Strangers with nothing in common. But it wasn't always that way... Kerry Hayes is a single mum, living on a tough south London estate. She provides for her son by cleaning houses she could never afford. Taken into care as a child, Kerry cannot forget her past. Noah Martineau is a successful barrister with a beautiful wife, daughter and home in fashionable Primrose Hill. Adopted as a young child, Noah never looks back. When Kerry contacts Noah, the sibling she lost on the day they were torn apart as children, she sets in motion a chain of events that will change both of their lives forever.'

I actually hadn't heard of this book until I was browsing WHSmith and saw it was on offer for just over £3. I've found books have really increased in price on Amazon and Ebay over the last few weeks so I was really surprised by how decent everything was priced at WHSmith as I don't usually shop there. There was just something about this that sucked me in and I just have a feeling I'm going to love it. Once I read the synopsis I had to get it, you know when you just get a feeling like 'this is a book I need to read'? Since buying it I've seen a few people mention how emotional it is so I'm fully prepared to have a big cry whilst reading this.
Half A World Away by Mike Gayle book held up in front of desk

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

'In a remote hunting lodge, deep in the Scottish wilderness, old friends gather for New Year. The beautiful one. The golden couple. The volatile one. The new parents. The quiet one. The city boy. The outsider. The victim. Not an accident - a murder among friends.'

I've been meaning to read this for absolutely ages! It's a book I've only heard good things about so I'm really excited to get started on it. There seems to have been quite a few books with a similar theme of a group of friends staying together in Scotland and there been some sort of murder or incident while they are there which is a bit strange but I'm sure each is different in their own way. I'm always after more thrillers so this has been a welcome addition to my bookshelf. I'm surprised I've been able to hold off reading it for so long already actually.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley held up in front of bookshelf

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

'We can't choose the strangers we meet. Usually we can avoid the people who make us nervous, make us afraid. Until we find ourselves in a situation we can't escape. Trapped. As the guests arrive at beautiful, remote Mitchell's Inn, they're all looking forward to a relaxing weekend deep in the forest, miles from anywhere. They watch their fellow guests with interest, from a polite distance. With a violent storm raging, the group finds itself completely cut off from the outside world. Nobody can get in - or out. And then the first body is found... and the horrifying truth comes to light. There's a killer among them - and nowhere to run.'

I've read one book by Shari Lapena and that was The Couple Next Door which I really enjoyed so when I spotted this for just over £2, I grabbed it. It's a book I've seen various times and thought about getting it so it seemed like the perfect time. I'm such a big fan of thrillers so I'm really intrigued to see where this is going to go.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena on desk

The Chocolate Lovers' Diet by Carole Matthews

'Survival tips for times of stress: 1. Take deep breaths 2. Count to ten 3. Eat chocolate. Lucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems - Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling but she's finding that hard to believe, and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that these girls are going to need a lot of chocolate.'

I've really enjoyed reading books by Carole Matthews over the last few months. She's one of those authors who very rarely lets me down and in all of the books I've read from her, I think there has only been one that slightly disappointed me. I love a bit of romance and all of Carole's books seem to centre around that in some way so I'm slowly trying to work my way through all of them. I recently read The Chocolate Lovers' Club and I really enjoyed that so when I spotted there was a follow up, I grabbed it. There are actually two more books in the series aswell so I'll be getting those once I've finished this too.
The Chocolate Lovers Diet by Carole Matthews held up in front of bookshelf
So that's a few books I have waiting to be read over the next few weeks and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into them. I also have Little Whispers by K.L. Slater* and The Waffle House On The Pier by Tilly Tennant* waiting on Netgalley too so it's safe to say I have many books to keep me occupied.

I'd love to know if you've read any of the books I've mentioned? What have you been reading lately?

*Books marked * were sent for review

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13 comments

Rebecca said...

I'm a keyworker, so I don't have as much time to read as I'd like. I've been reading during any spare minute I get lately, and I've got some lovely books lined up from NetGalley.

I haven't read any of the books you've featured, but I have read a few other Carole Matthews books and I love her!

Heather Nixon said...

I haven't bought any physical books recently but I've been buying a lot of ebooks x

Sophie said...

I think I've only read 3 or 4 books since the start of lockdown and prior to that I was reading about 3 a week. I can't focus on anything for long enough at the minute! I'm glad you've been filling your time with something you love and it's a great distraction x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

Sue said...

I haven't read any of these books and I'm jotting some of them down to check out. LOST is first on the list! Thanks.

Eikomania said...

Nice post ! I love read ! Thanks to share your books.

xoxo

Anha
https://www.eikomania.com

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I love a good book haul. Enjoy your reading! :)

Tiffany Timms said...

Aww thank you so much for everything you're doing! I really recommend Carole Matthews for a light-hearted read. The chocolate lovers club was a great book so I'm excited for the sequel! x

Tiffany Timms said...

Me too, I've got so many waiting on my kindle x

Tiffany Timms said...

I totally get you. I find I have times where I'm spending hours reading and then I'll go days with no motivation to pick up a book! My moods are all over the place xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Yay I hope you enjoy! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I'm so glad! I love a good thriller so I'm always looking for new ones to pick up xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thanks Bexa! I loved the TV version of Normal People and can't wait to re-watch some day. I do think the fact I read the book just days before helped though! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you :)

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