Alluvia...what a great new author

Title: Alluvia
Author: J H Lewis
ISBN: 9781530691418
Rating: 8/10
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Adult

"I head downstairs to pour a huge glass of wine. The kitchen is dark, illuminated only when I open the fridge. I listen to the soft ticking from the huge wall clock. It's a nice house, 'for a student'. I published a few short stories, wrote for a few national magazines to fund my way through university. Again. (Technically I am a fully educated and certified journalist, twice already and I may as well make use of my knowledge!) So I bought this townhouse, guilt free. I've done my time! Brand new cute estate, yes here I am disguised within roads littered with similar houses, seemingly normal. Then it occurs to me I have always seen my 'situation' as an advantage. Even at four years old when my memories developed, the awareness of different lives started to unfold. I discovered I was different. By eleven I knew I was. Three lives. All lived simultaneously and independently...I was alone in my experience. Until now. Now there was Mark, and for the first time my lives and their unpredictability are a burden."

Dream a Little Dream...can I fall asleep more often please?

Title: Dream a Little Dream

Author: Giovanna Fletcher

ISBN: 978-1-405-91916-6

Rating: 7/10

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Adult, Love

"Even though Real Brett was right in telling me not to act without thinking in the heat of the moment. I'm ashamed that I slid back into the role of Jonathan's doting PA so quickly. That I was there making him coffee, replying to his emails and booking his car in for an MOT the very afternoon that he trampled all over my loyalty.

Do I really have no self-respect? No dignity?

Do I really place my own fulfilment so low down on my scale of priorities? After all, it's not the first time I've put someone's needs and happiness before my own. I did the same with Dan all those years ago.

Perhaps I'm someone that people take for a pushover.

A total mug.

Poor Phoebe...poor Molly

Title: The Wrong Girl
Author: Laura Wilson
ISBN: 978-1-4450-5108-6
Rating: 6/10
Genre: Thriller, Murder, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Following my first audiobook which I took out from the local library, I wanted another. I selected this audiobook because I was interested in the thriller aspect. I wanted to know if 10-year-old Molly was, in fact, the missing Phoebe Piper who had disappeared 7 years previously at the age of 3.

The Cradle Snatcher...My First Audio book

Title: The Cradle Snatcher
Author: Tess Stimson
ISBN: 978-0330458528
Rating: 7/10
Genre: Romantic, Women's Fiction, Fiction, Comedy
*WARNING SPOILERS*

This was the first audiobook I have read. I have always wanted to start listening to audiobooks but I have always looked online for one to listen to. However, the books I have looked at online have always been expensive and I've not wanted to log in and create a new account for yet another website.

I Let You Go...What a great recommendation

Title: I Let You Go

Author: Clare Mackintosh

ISBN: 978-0-7515-5415-1

Rating: 9/10

Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Murder, Crime

*WARNING* SPOILERS

"The car comes from nowhere. The squeal of wet brakes, the thud of a five-year-old boy hitting the windscreen and the spin of his body before it slams on to the road. Running after him, in front of the still-moving car. Slipping and falling heavily on to outstretched hands, the impact taking her breath away.

It's over in a heartbeat.
She crouches beside him, searching frantically for a pulse. Water her breath form a solitary white cloud in the air. Sees the dark shadow form beneath his head and hears her own wail as though it comes from someone else. She looks up at the blurred windscreen, its wipers sending arcs of water into the darkening night, and she screams at the unseen driver to help her."

Seven Stories...Still my favourite place

Last Friday I used my final official day of the summer holidays to go and visit Seven Stories in Newcastle. This is somewhere I have visited on a number of occasions and absolutely love it!

Seven Stories is located in the Ouseburn Valley area Newcastle. There is a petting farm next door, a riding school over the road and a selection of independent art galleries in the surrounding area. Seven Stories is the National Centre for Children's Books in the United Kingdom. I feel very lucky to have such an amazing and inspiring place on my doorstep. A number of people had never heard of Seven Stories and didn't know what it was. It is a sanctuary of seven floors dedicated to the great and wonderful authors which have produced some spectacular work.

Finally...a new book shop has arrived!

Evening all.

I have the utmost happiness to announce that after over 10 years, Yarm, my lovely little picturesque town which I live in, has its very own bookshop! The Waterstones bookshop opened on Saturday. It is located at the North end of Yarm High Street where the HSBC bank used to be. It is lovely!

Bridget Jones's Diary...it's like reading every 20/30 something's life story

Title: Bridget Jones's Diary
Author: Helen Fielding
ISBN: 978-1447288930
Rating: 6/10
Genre: Fiction, Chic Flick, Comedy, Romance, Life (is that a genre?)

"It was only 11:30. Maybe I should do something, like, well, er...mending? Inner poise. The phone rang. It was Tom.
'Are you alright?'
'Yes. I feel great. Why?'
'You just seemed, well, flat tonight. Everyone said you weren't your usual self.'
'No, I was fine. Did you see how thin I am?' Silence.
'Tom?'
'I think you looked better before, hon.'

Harry Potter has come home! But where's Hagrid?

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two
Author: J, K, Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
ISBN: 978-0-7515-6535-5
Rating: 8/10
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Drama, Adventure

**WARNING - SPOILERS**

"Ginny:
              He's getting there, it just might take him a bit of time - and you a bit of time too.
      Harry smiles. She looks back at Albus. He does too.
              You know, after I'd opened the Chamber of Secrets - after Voldemort had bewitched me with that terrible diary and I'd almost destroyed everything -

The Dragon of the Month Club...What next?

Title: The Dragon of the Month Club
Author: Iain Reading
ISBN: 9781505633665
Rating: 7/10
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Teen

"The sudden transition into the brilliant light was painful, and it took a lot of squinting and gradual eye opening before they were able to get a proper look at the world around them.
They were on a long sandy beach at the barrier between the trees and the water that stretched off into infinity in both directions from where they were standing. Something about it reminded Ayana of the beaches her father used to take them to on Vancouver Island during summer vacation. The scene was a neverending wall of green trees, golden sand and blue ocean beyond.

Hello the summer holidays!

Hello!!

I can only apologise once again for the length of time it has taken me to post another blog. I have had so much going on! I finished work just over 2 weeks ago. What an amazing experience that was working with a group of children for 8 months and the great staff. It was a great shame to have to leave in July, but I am sure I will be in regular contact with everyone and I will see everyone soon.

The Book Thief...Wow!

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
ISBN: 978-0-5527-7389-8
Rating: 9.5/10
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Historic, Fascism

"What's that little saukerl up to this time? All that running out there.' Liesel would move to the window, 'At least he hasn't painted himself black again.' 'Well that's something isn't it?' 'Four gold medals,' he said to Liesel one afternoon, when she did laps with him at Hubert Oval. 'Like Jesse Owens back in thirty-six.' 'You're not still obsessed with him, are you?' Rudy's feet rhymed with his breathing. 'Not really, but it would be nice, wouldn't it? It would show all those b******s who said I was crazy. They'd see that I wasn't so stupid after all.' 'But can you really win all four events?' 'They slowed to a stop at the end of the track, and Rudy placed his hands on his hips. 'I have to."

Dead Man's Cove...You must stay away from Dead Man's Cove

Title: Dead Man's Cove
Author: Lauren St John
ISBN: 978-1-4440-0148-8
Rating: 8/10
Genre: Fiction, Children, Thriller, Teen


"If she had any sense, she'd toss the bottle into the nearest litter bin, hurry along to school and forget she ever saw it. But what if? That's what the voice in her head was saying. What if the writer was someone in real danger? Someone who needed her help? What if she was their only lifeline and she ignored them and walked away?
Laura opened her school bag and took out a pen. Beneath the questions, 'CAN I TRUST YOU?', she wrote in bright red capitals:
YES."

Dead Man's Cove and Poppy Loves Book Club

The last time I wrote to you all, I was just starting Dead Man's Cove by Lauren St John. I am now approximately half way through the book, check out my progress at Goodreads .

What are you currently reading?

In the last post I wrote, I specifically said I would be reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I am reading this book and I am happy to announce I am currently at page...27! Woo, I've got far. book before your kids.

However, I have had to, yet again, read a book for work. As you are aware I work in a school as a primary school teacher. I am an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) and as anyone will understand you need to read the book before you start teaching from it.

Spellbound...Twists and turns throughout

Title: Spellbound
Author: Laurie Elisabeth Ashcroft
ASIN: B012J0 KAAS
ISBN: 978-0-9933604-0-4
Rating: 7/10
Genre: Fiction, Crime

"I have to admit, Cloaky took the whole tunnel thing better than I'd have expected him to. Instead of bursting into loud, hysterical, mildly-psychotic tears at the revelation that his 'Mistress' wasn't quite as witchy as she'd have him believe, he'd just stood at the edge of the cavern in almost a daze, frowning down at the entrance to the tunnel and putting so much effort into working out what it meant that he didn't even seem to notice me and Angie tying his hands together with the red, felt belt from my coat, which, by the way, made getting him back through the tunnel very easy and fun. It also made it nicely possible for me to accidently let go of him as I was helping him to climb down the rungs towards Angie, since obviously he could only use them as stairs rather than the ladder-type thing that they actually were. But that was OK. I mean, he broke the fal with his nose, so it all worked out really well."

Stephen King, Jill Mansell, Agatha Christie, Harper Lee and half term!

I have very nearly completed my first half term as a full time employed teacher of my very own class of delights. 25 children who I am responsible for and who I enjoy working with every day. I spent my first half term catching up on appointments and meeting up with old friends.

It was great! We talked about past memories, we went out together and created new memories and I even met up with a friend I haven't seen in nearly 2 years as he's been spending his time jet setting around the world! I also bought a range of books! Of course I did! I am still reading Spellbound by Laurie Elisabeth Ashcroft, which I am still really enjoying, but I did buy a range of new and exciting books.

The first half term is nearly finished...new books to be read!

I can officially say I have nearly survived my first half term as a qualified teacher with my very own class. I have been in charge of 25 children who their parents have entrusted me with their education. They have all completed their work, I have developed great relationships with these children and I haven't shed a single tear...yet! Which for those who know me, know this is a huge achievement to not cry at the slightest thing!

Back to work tomorrow! If only I could read books as a profession

Evening all and Happy New year!!!! I thought I would place a post about what I have been up to over the Christmas break. As a number of you are aware I am a primary school teacher, so, fortunately, I have been off work since 19th December.