The Last Anniversary - A Book Review

Anyone who reads my blog will know that I am a huge fan of Australian writer Lianne Moriarty. I read The Husband's Secret last summer and What Alice Forgot not long after and enjoyed both of them, so I was sure I'd enjoy the latest addition.

The Last Anniversary focuses on the character of Sophie Honeywell, a romantically-inclined dreamer wondering whether her boyfriend, Thomas was the one who got away. Now back in her life, Sophie has inherited his aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island - home of the famously unsolved Munro baby mystery. Moving to the island, she begins a life as part of an unconventional family where everyone has a secret and everyone is battling their own problems. From new-mother Grace to unhappy Aunt Margie, Sophie sees herself drawn into a world while still wondering what on earth happened to the Munro baby so many years ago.

As always, I was easily drawn towards the characters and the story was well though-out with enough twists and turns to keep you enthralled. Unsurprisingly for books like this, I also found myself not guessing the ending - leaving a nice twist at the end.  Setting the book on an island in the middle of no-where gave a certain romance to the story, while veering away from the usual chick lit cliche. I found this one difficult not to devour in one sitting, while feeling incredibly attached to the characters by the end! If you've got a spare afternoon, I definitely recommend you give it a read and when you've done that, check out some of her other great books.

Before We Met - A Book Review

I had to admit I had high hopes for Lucie Whitehouse's Before We Met. Hailed as the new 'Gone Girl', (much like every other thriller released in recent years), I was expecting a read jam-packed with twists and turns and characters I couldn't help but be drawn to.

The book starts with the introduction of Hannah, an unemployed and successful young woman who has recently married what seems to be the stereotypical perfect man. Delving back in to their past of how they met and the early stages on their relationship, it is soon realised that her husband is not everything she thought he was, and so the story ensues.

As always, I don't want to say too much as to spoilt the story but what I will say is that this book was entirely predictable. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy it - the characters were well thought-out and it was an easy read for my commute to and from work. Perhaps the comparison to brilliant thrillers such as Gone Girl are what made me expect so much more from this book, but unfortunately I'd guessed how it would end before getting half-way through!

If you're looking for an easy read on a rainy afternoon, definitely give it a go but I wouldn't go rushing out to the book shops for this one.

The Sunday Review

The first day of March today marks the beginning of spring time for me - I'm so glad that my walks to and from work can now be done in daylight! Today also marks seven weeks until the big Disneyworld holiday of a lifetime and I'm getting increasingly excited. Here's what I've been up to this week...

I have been reading...Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse. Hailed as the new 'Gone Girl' (just like every other thriller written in the last few years), I had high hopes for this book. While it was enthralling at the beginning, the ending was a little disappointing and predictable. 

I have been listening to... Florence and the Machine. With her new single 'What Kind of Man' played on the airwaves this week, I've been getting increasingly excited about the new album coming out in the Summer. If the new release is anything to go by, it sounds like its going to take on a bit more of a rocky feel - perfect for festivals!

I have been watching...Cucumber. Seriously, if you haven't caught up with this brilliant Channel 4 drama, get yourself on 4OD and start watching. Based around the gay scene in Manchester, it focuses on a man having a mid-life crisis and the things that go on around him. This week's episode was truly haunting and well worth a watch.

I have been....running. Again. This week I'm a little proud that I managed to run five miles in 50 minutes and I'm hoping to make my way to six miles next week - doubling the amount that I usually do. I'm currently in training for the Cancer Research Pretty Muddy race in July - my Justgiving page is here if you fancy donating a few pennies! 

Wishing you all a wonderfully lazy Sunday. I'll be on the sofa with a pile of magazines and a large coffee.

Winter Reads

While the new year brings great things, the month of January means little more to me than bad weather and a lack of pennies. However, with its dark evenings and a lingering chill in the air, winter is a season that lends itself well to a good book. A self-confessed literature fanatic, I'm often reading a book (or two) and with the welcome gift of a Kindle, I now can't help but purchase great reads on the go. This month, I'll be spending my time curled up with one of these - just wake me up when Spring arrives.

Us by David Nicholls

A quirky tale of love and hope, Us is an honest and often funny portrayal of a marriage. Following the endearing character of Douglas, it charts the love story between him and his wife - from a romantic weekend in Balham to an inter-railing trip across Europe with their son (in which his wife decides their marriage is over.) 

Before I go to Sleep by SJ Watson

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this is an ideal read. It follows a woman that suffers from a form of amnesia, forgetting all of her memories each time she goes to sleep. Before I go to Sleep was one that I struggled to put down - so make sure you put some time aside. 

The Husband's Secret by Lianne Moriarty

I'm a big fan of Lianne Moriarty's books, and read and reviewed this one back in the summer. With their moral dilemmas, they remind me of old Jodi Picoult books I used to enjoy reading as a teenager and The Husband's Secret is no different. A story of a mysterious letter, links between family members and loyalty to a husband, this is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end. 

The Reader by Bernard Schlink

Every now and then comes a book that makes you look at the world a little differently and The Reader is one of those books. A unique portrayal of the Nazi holocaust, it is an enthralling and sometimes disturbing read about the power of human emotions.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

With comparisons to the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, this charming book is a romantic love story from a unique viewpoint. The Rosie Project is told from the perspective of Don, a genetics professor whose life is dominated by strict routine, following his journey as he looks to embark on a project to find a wife. While it might sound a bit frothy, it is a great read and a modern love story of the best kind. 

Have you read anything worth sharing lately? Let me know.

The Sunday Review

Running, reading, writing, going to the gym, driving lessons - I feel so much more productive when I'm not at work! It has been relaxing having the last week off from work, catching up on my sleep and putting some miles in on the treadmill. I'm back to work tomorrow - let's hope this new-found motivation continues! Here's what I've been up to this week...

I have been reading...Us by David Nicholls. Despite only being a quarter of the way through, I'm already in love with this novel. A huge fan of One Day when it came out, this book captures the same humour - I just hope this one doesn't end with quite as much heartbreak!

I have been listening to...The Saturday's Greatest Hits while running. I'm not even ashamed. 

I have been watching...Black Mirror: White Christmas. I'm well aware that the season of goodwill is long gone, but it is well worth catching up on this brilliant episode of Black Mirror. Written by the genius that is Charlie Brooker, it is mind-bending and heart-wrenching in all the right ways. 

Credit: Digital Spy

I have been using... the Nike + Running App. If you're a keen runner and you haven't used this yet, where have you been? Calculating my every move, from how far I've gone to how fast and how many calories I've burnt, this app is my favourite thing. Plus, you can make everyone jealous/bored with those statistics.

I have been wearing...Marc Jacobs Daisy. I totally forgot how fantastic this perfume smells. Thankfully, I was bought a bottle for Christmas and now I can't stop spraying it. On myself, all of my scarves, my dressing gown...

Wishing you all a lazy Sunday afternoon, until next week...

The Sunday Review

Blogging has taken a bit of a back seat lately. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of visits from far-flung friends, weddings, city breaks and unfortunately pulling a muscle in my back (ouch!). Still, I'm looking back to settling down and enjoying the next few (hopefully quiet) months before Christmas. 

With the arrival of October, I can't wait to make my home all cosy with candles and the smell of home-cooked casserole from the slow-cooker. There is nothing better than the crunch of leaves under your feet, wrapping yourself up in gorgeous knitwear and indulging in long hot baths and hot chocolates on a Sunday evening. Autumn, bring it on!

I have been listening to...U2's Songs of Innocence.

I must be the only person in the world (bar my other half) that actually nearly jumped for joy on the news that U2 had released their album. Best of all, it was free! Although it surely isn't one of their best, it still sounds pretty fantastic, with plenty of infectious tunes. I'm going to be delving into their back catalogue now.

I have been watching...Doctor Who. 

Ok, I know this is one of the most popular television programmes on the planet but I'm still a bit in love with it. Last week's episode was fantastic and Peter Capaldi has definitely captured my attention. 

I have been reading...Daughter.

I've seen a fair few people reading this book on my commute to work.Although I'm still reading it, I can't help but wonder where its going. The premise is of a woman struggling with the aftermath of the disapperance of her teenage daughter - so far, so cliche. Unfortunately, it isn't really living up to expectation at the moment but I'll let you know. 

I have been lusting after...Cosy knitwear.

With chillier nights on the horizon, there is nothing better than a bit of virtual shopping for autumn fashion. Big cable-knit jumpers, chunky cardigans and leather boots are my favourite things.

What Alice Forgot- A Book Review

Since reading The Husband's Secret, I've been caught up in the hype regarding Lianne Moriarty. I wasn't expecting anything too spectacular from What Alice Forgot - simply because I hadn't heard anything about it. The premise was like something out of a forgettable chick lit novel. Woman falls down and bangs her head in the gym and somehow manages to erase her memory of the last ten years of her life? So far, so predictable.

In some ways, the novel was quite predictable. While I'm a sucker for a good old-fashioned love story, as I? was reading it I could definitely work out the way it was heading, which made it very different from her previous book. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy it, though. The parallel between Alice's young, carefree life in her twenties and the stresses and strains of being in her late thirties was well executed, and there were some great characters that made it a worthwhile read.

A great page-turner that kept me captivated from beginning to end, this is a brilliant love story about the realistic expectations of marriage and how memories shape who we are. Definitely worth a read.

The Sunday Review

This week has been a bit of a quiet one but well needed! I'm settling into my job nicely and looking forward to three weeks time when my best friend Rachel comes to stay. She lives in Singapore and sometimes the distance feels like a crazy amount - I can't wait to see her and chat to her like old times, although I'm not sure we'll be entering Student Union nightclubs or drinking whole bottles of vodka. Then again, you never know!

Here's what I've been up to this week.

I have been listening to...Giant in my Heart by Kiesza. Since Hideaway came out, I've been a little bit obsessed with Kiesza. There is definitely no-one in the music business like her at the minute, and there is something so unashamedly cool about her. This track is her latest offering and although it hasn't yet been released, I'm already in love with its infectious sound. Check out the video for dancing drag queens and crop tops a plenty!

I have been watching...Utopia. Wow, this television drama is fantastic. After becoming interested in the first series, I wasn't expecting anything too spectacular but the second series has surpassed itself. Perhaps not one to watch with the kids or the grandparents for its shocking violence, it is crammed full with black humour and wit and I cannot stop watching it. I love the comic book feel, the brilliant cinematography and the terrifying notion of a dystopian future. Where is Jessica Hide?

I have been reading...What Alice Forgot. After reading The Husband's Secret, I had to read this one as well. A real page-turner, this is well worth a read. Reviews will be up soon!

I have been buying... Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan BB Perfector. What a mouthful! These beauty products are getting ridiculous with their extravagantly long names. Anyway, in the light of the summer season and the amazing weather we are having, I decided I'd top up my tan with this little beauty. I'm hoping it'll give me a nicely bronzed glow on my face without having to resort to faux tan that makes me look like streaky bacon. I'm yet to try it but I'm sure reviews will be up as soon as I have.

I have been lusting after...More floral dresses.  So, New Look have just bought out more summer offerings and I want to head in store to purchase everything they've got. Floral wrap dresses, gladiator sandals and stylish-but-comfy printed joggers are all going on the list. Someone lend me their credit card?

Happy Sunday everyone!

The Husband's Secret- A Book Review

I first picked out this book because the lovely people at Amazon kept recommending it to me via Kindle. It sounded intriguing enough, but I waited until it was on offer until I actually went ahead and bought it. This one was a rare example of a book that hooks you from the start. Beautifully written and wonderfully observant, the start of the book introduces the three main female characters - perfectionist Cecelia, anxious Tess and heart-broken Rachel. While it sounds like a bad case of chick lit, it has so much more substance. 

The book begins with Cecelia finding a mysterious letter in the house while her husband is away. She thinks she knows him inside out, so she is surprised to find a dusty envelope in the attic with the words: 'For my wife- to be opened in the event of my death.' When she casually mentions it, her husband's reaction makes it clear that the last thing he wants her to do is to open that envelope - but why? Meanwhile, Tess is still reeling from her husband's affair and Rachel is still haunted by the death of her daughter from years ago. Although starting out as very individual stories, the women's lives intersect as the central story carefully unravels. 

I won't say too much because I don't want to ruin this brilliant story as well as the twists and turns that accompany it. What I will say is that you should be prepared to give up some of your time for this book as it really is something you won't be able to put down. 

The Sunday Review

I seem to be so busy right now without a moment to spare. Last Friday I managed to grab a quiet Friday evening with one of my best friends - plenty of pampering, films, magazines, pink cupcakes and delicious home-made Green Tea Mojitos. I've spent this weekend scouring the shops for presents for my Mum's 60th birthday as well as booking three amazing holidays. We'll be off to Rome for five days in September, followed by a long weekend in Bruges come Christmas and most importantly, two weeks in Disneyworld next April. Yes, that's right. I'm going to meet Mickey Mouse in the Sunshine State! Excited doesn't quite cover it.

My week in instagram. 

(L-R: A beautiful commute to work, Lucy's cupcakes, Revlon's lip crayons, Green tea Mojitos, Rapunzel & Sleeping Beauty on my desk at work...)

I have been listening to...Kings of Leon's Mechanical Bull. 

When this album came out in September of last year, I heard nothing but poor reviews. Despite my love of the band, I was a bit put off and didn't bother purchasing. Fast forward nearly a year and I've found myself humming along to a lot of the released singles. I love listening to this at work - its the perfect combination of meaningful slow numbers and up-beat rock tunes to keep me motivated through the afternoon.

I have been watching...New Girl. I'm pretty pleased that the new series of New Girl is finally being aired. I did miss my weekly Tuesday Zooey Deschanel fix!

I have been reading...The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. In short, this book was brilliant. I loved the intricacy of the individual stories, the development of characters and the wonderful twists and turns. A must-read for anyone who loves a thriller. 

I have been lusting after...Fearne Cotton's beautiful wedding dress. 

I know Fearne is a bit of a Marmite character, but I've always been a big fan of her sense of style. How beautiful does she look in this wonderful Pucci dress? 

That's all for this week. I'll be in my duvet trying to avoid Wimbledon on telly! Enjoy! 

The Shock of the Fall- Book Review

"I have an illness, a disease with the shape and sound of a snake. Whenever I learn something new, it learns it too … My illness knows everything I know. This was a difficult thing to get my head around."- The Shock of the Fall

The debut novel from Nathan Filer, the first drafts of the book were written while simultaneously completing a course in creative writing. Fortunately for him, the hard work paid off in the form of a 2013 Costa Award for best first novel. I'd wanted to read this book for a while, mainly due the subject matter of mental illness. While there are many books written about schizophrenia, this one is told from the character's perspective. 

The story itself is refreshing - from the perspective of 19 year old Matt, the book reads as a stream-of-conciousness as he attempts to make sense of his world through writing. Delving into his own life story, the book begins with the death of his brother, Simon and follows his descent into mental illness. Unfortunately, I read the book on my kindle, but I am told that in the printed version, there are many doodles and scribbles as well as different fonts to show a glimpse of Matt's character. 

The characterisation was one of my favourite things- the people that edge in and out of Matt's life are very real, and have their own flaws to content with as well as his. He is particularly occupied with his mother's behaviour after the death of his brother - dosing herself up on anti-depressants with a constant state of anxiety while his father remains passive. This provides a great insight into the starting point that sparked Matt's illness and his reactions from then on. 

Contrary to its bleak subject matter, there are moments of humour. The family members in particular are very well thought-out as characters and the book is enriched with mundane conversations and subtle humour that leaves you thinking: 'my family are just like that!' 

A great book with a sensitive subject matter, it offers an exciting and gripping read as well as an inspirational tale of the resilience of one man. A must-read for anyone interested in mental illness.

The Fault in Our Stars: Book Review

"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together again unless all living humans read the book."

-John Green

As you well know, I'm a sucker for a good book. The Fault in Our Stars was recommended to me by many but remained on my Kindle 'to-read' list for a good while before I got around to reading it. 

The premise of the story is a gloomy one. Hazel, a self-titled unextraordinary individual meets an attractive stranger at a support group intended for teenagers struggling with cancer. The attractive stranger is seventeen year old Augustus Waters, in remission from cancer and assisting his friend Isaac in coming to terms with eye cancer. He buys cigarettes but doesn't smoke them, purely for the metaphorical value. Their spontaneous meeting results in them both agreeing to read each other's favourite novels and so a love story ensues. So far, so cheesy?

Whilst it sounds like a slushy teen romance novel, the book is more substantial than that. The characters of Hazel and Augustus are so well developed and multidimensional that you cannot help but become drawn into their story. In addition, the subject matter is handled well and with good humour. Rather than venturing into the realms of misery literature, it gives a real perspective on what it means to be someone who is battling cancer. What I loved most about the novel was it's ability to be romantic without romanticising their situation. Very real and sometimes graphic, it shows that the romance lies in Augustus and Hazel's relationship with one another rather than the tragedy of circumstance. 

I don't want to say too much about the book as I don't want to give too much away. It is definitely one to read all at once, perhaps in an afternoon, as it was sometimes difficult to put down. Give it a read and you'll see exactly what I mean.

The Sunday Review

Another beautifully sunny weekend. This one has been really relaxed- some blogging, Household DIY, a bit of running and making my way through a stack of magazines. I had my last day at work on Friday and was given a huge bunch of flowers that are now brightening up my living room. I start my new role tomorrow and I am nervously excited.

I have been listening to...Coldplay's Ghost Stories. I've been a big fan of Coldplay since I can remember. One of the best gigs I have ever been to was seeing them on their Mylo Xylto tour in 2012. I'm really liking the mix of trademark old-style Coldplay tracks on this album with the more upbeat dance tracks.

I have been watching...Orange is The New Black. I have been meaning to start watching this series for ages but hadn't got around to it yet. The release of series two was a good a reason as any to start binge-watching series one. A quarter way through the first season, we are already hooked.

I have been reading...The Fault in Our Stars. This book was recommended to me a long time ago and I've just finished reading it. Funny, witty and beautifully written, you won't be able to put it down. Review coming soon.

I have been buying...This cute little jewellery holder for my wall. This nifty little holder is a brilliant way to display my statement necklaces so that they don't get all tangled up and lost in the depths of my wardrobe. It was surprisingly cheap, too. Check out Sass & Belle for similar styles.

A Long Way Down- Book review

I'm a big Aaron Paul fan. After being coerced into watching every single episode of Breaking Bad in a two month window, I became about as obsessed with the show as Walt did with producing crystal meth. Coupled with the addiction was a real liking for lovable rogue Jesse Pinkman, and so my love affair with Aaron Paul began. So when I heard that he was to be cast in a new film adapted from a Nick Hornby novel, I was excited. He plays a troubled musician contemplating suicide who meets four strangers as they prepare to hurl themselves from the roof of a skyscraper. So far, so happy. With a great cast comprising Pierce Brosnan and Toni Collette, the tale is a bleakly comedic take on what it means to truly live.

Whilst I haven't made the time to go and see the film in the cinema, I did think it was a novel that might be right up my street. Told from the different perspectives of it's central characters, it explores the reasons why each individual might contemplate suicide and explores their relationships with one another. The characters themselves couldn't be more different- a disgraced TV presenter, angst-ridden teenager, middle-aged carer and failed musician. Bought together on a rooftop, the story begins.

Some characters were better than others. I found myself having sympathy for Maureen, a middle-aged carer for her disabled child. She seemed to be the only person who was a victim of circumstance rather than her own stupidity. As a character, Jess was quite grating. She was very one-dimensional- immature, spoilt and reckless with no responsibility for her own actions. Despite her troubled past, something that features heavily in the book, I found myself not warming to her at all.

The plot itself starts off well and there are some good attempts at dark comedy throughout. Sadly, the ending was quite predictable and a bit disappointing. Whilst it was a great read, it certainly wasn't the life-affirming book I'd imagined. Worth reading for the characterisation and witty writing but don't expect anything too spectacular.

The Sunday Review

Another bank holiday for us all! I'm a little excited this week as it is my birthday on Friday and I'm planning a huge Primark haul as well as bowling, watching the new X Men film and eating my own body-weight in pizza.

I have been listening to... Kiesza. I'm a little obsessed with Hideaway and now cannot wait until I can hear more of her album. If you haven't seen the video, check it out- it features Kiesza and her dancer friends in New York and is filmed entirely in one take. 

I have been reading...A Long Way Down. I've just finished the classic by Nick Hornby (you can read my review here) and I'm finally getting around to reading The Fault in Our Stars. I've heard so many good things about this book and after delving into the first chapter, I'm already hooked. 

I have been watching...The Great Gatsby. I feel like I've been waiting for years to finally watch the Baz Lurhmann version and last weekend, I finally settled down to watch it. It was much better than I anticipated. I really like the book and the film was very true to this, depicting the hedonistic jazz age in all it's glory. Leonardo Di Caprio was brilliant as the mysterious Gatsby whilst Tobey Macguire stole the show for me as Nick Carraway. Definitely a must-see.

I have been eating...Sweet potato. I'm a little bit sweet potato obsessed at the moment. Such a healthy and nutritious thing to add to your meals, I love having them baked in the oven or cut into potato chips and sprinkled with oil. Yum.

The Sunday Review

I have been listening to…Foxes. I’ve been loving the infectious pop tunes from this Southampton-born lady. Her debut ‘Youth’ was a great dance track played frequently on the radio and her newest single ‘Let it go for the night’ is an equally catchy follow-up. Plus, I love her fashion blogger ensembles and dip-dyed hair.

I have been reading…The Rosie Project. This book is currently a bestseller, and I can see why. Told from the point of view of an intelligent young scientist with autism, it is a romance novel with a quirky twist. I’ll say no more, except that you could grab yourself a copy.

I have been watching...Friends. I’m sure I must be the only person in the world that has never seen each episode of Friends. Recently I’ve been stocking up on episodes from Comedy Central and although they were out of sync, I was enjoying making my way through them. However, this valentines day I was lucky enough to receive the entire box set. I’m loving the rubbish jokes and nineties fashion.

I have been eating…Cashew nut butter and apple. I have been trying to eat cleaner lately in the hope that it might boost my energy levels as well as losing a few extra pounds. Although this concoction isn’t going to help me drop a dress size anytime soon, it is undeniably delicious. I totally blame my friend Lu for getting me addicted.

I have been thinking...of more way I can coax myself into running. I’m currently marking up a few miles on the treadmill in a week but this is not nearly enough. I cannot wait for the sun to come out so I can start pounding the pavements again.

If anyone has any motivational tips, let me know!