And if you’ve ever wondered about how our lovely cats view the world around us, well, here’s a possibThis turned out to be quite an “Ameowzing” story!
And if you’ve ever wondered about how our lovely cats view the world around us, well, here’s a possible option.
Catlantis by Anna Starobinets is a wonderful little tale. A different take on the mysterious disappearance of Atlantis where cats reigned supreme, as well as a great way to introduce the world of myths to children.
Everyone please meet, Baguette!!! One of the last descendants of Pussiedon ruler of now long lost Catlantis. Our friend here Baguette is your typical cat, he loves watching birds outside of the window, eat, sleep and occasionally writes love letters to the lovely Purriana.
Baguette cannot wait any longer, he has to marry Purriana!!! However to win her heart, he will have to go on a perilous journey in the past to retrieve a lost item, sacred and integral to the future of the entire cat species.
Cat lovers out there, adults and children alike will absolutely love this. The concept of cats functioning as a well-structured society, governed by a high council with rules to abide by and humans to do their bidding…which we do by the way, because they are so fluffy and cute, how could we resist them?!
The tale is also very well illustrated with simple but effective black and white designs complementing the piece perfectly.
A Russian to English translation which was definitely not lost on me.
I am happy to recommend it to all!
Thanking team @PushkinPress for providing me with a copy of this title....more
I have only finished reading “The Dress” a few hours ago and I can say that I have become an instant fan of Kate Kerrigan.
“The Dress” has just made itI have only finished reading “The Dress” a few hours ago and I can say that I have become an instant fan of Kate Kerrigan.
“The Dress” has just made it to my list of 2015 favourite reads (very small list by the way! :)) and I am about to tell you why.
This novel is a tale told throughout two generations of women linked by the most beautiful dress ever made. It will tell you the story of how a garment can make you or break you.
Meet Joy Fitzpatrick New York socialite and Honor Conlon budding designer in the 1950’s. They have forged a friendship over the making of that “One of a kind dress”. However this gorgeous gown gets lost in time. About 60 years later Lily Fitzpatrick designer turned vintage fashion blogger takes on the challenge of making a replica of the dress understanding that it has a story to tell.
I probably will not be able to convey how wonderful this book is through this short review as rambling about it would simply dilute what I would like to share, however here are a few things I felt just jumped out.
The author shared her love of fashion through beautiful story telling. Throughout this book, I felt that I was not only on a journey through time but also travelling to all those places that made each piece of the dress, from the material, exquisite lace and jewellery belonging to Joy in the 1950s to the intimate talisman of love Lily used in our time.
I also really enjoyed how as the reader I was introduced to the 1950’s glitz and glamour with that layer of ugliness behind. This was really well told in Joy and her husband’s Frank Fitzpatrick’s story. He, who was always going to be lost unless he understood that the demons he left behind miles away in Ireland were going to be with him unless he faced them.
This point in time is also the dawn of the feminist movement and Honor and Joy’s tale is a real testament to that period.
However what I felt really came through and what the novel explored throughout is the notion of a woman’s happiness and freedom, what it was back then and what it is now. And the truth is, its essence has remained the same. Freedom to be, freedom to choose and remaining true to oneself. This is a fabulous and moving story and it will stay with me for a while. ...more
Surely, they are some of us out there who have experience it!
The overwhelming feeling born out of a situation so distressing, that you would wish the Surely, they are some of us out there who have experience it!
The overwhelming feeling born out of a situation so distressing, that you would wish the earth to open up and swallow you whole… and you can just simply disappear…
From those of us who have encountered very amusing and embarrassing moments who wish it to happen, to those who unfortunately have been afflicted with pain, a pain so unbearable that they might just literally take that step.
Well, Mary Willcocks did!
Catherine Johnson’s piece is the retelling of Mary Willcocks’s (aka Princess Caraboo) true story. Yes, this lady was real and was exposed as one of the most successful imposters of her time. It is not hard to imagine that her story would have fascinated many and here Catherine gives us the opportunity to take a peek at her life…and maybe make a better one?!
Well, let’s see…
Oh, how this Mary suffered…This Mary suffered so immensely that she just wanted it all to stop. While many would be driven to suicide, this Mary however chose another way. One minute this Mary was here, but the next, this Mary was gone…In the blink of an eye, the decision was made and Lady Caraboo was on. Complete with the whole package! The exotic but rich clothing, the head dress, fashioned into a style that only foreign royals from a distant empire could wear. Throw in a made up language that only you…and a few dubious characters can understand, and a few unknown religious rituals and Voila! You have yourself a real princess.
The lie was so much better than the reality that she successfully manipulated a wealthy family into “saving” her. Although their affection for her was great, they displayed her for all who cared to see, as a precious painting, an expensive piece simply added to their collection for a time.
So, was the lie worth it?
What I really liked about this version of Lady Caraboo, keeping in mind that I know very little of the real one, is that her transformation was necessary for her to survive! There was no intent to deceive just a very strong will to live. It did come with its consequences though, from the disappointment and pain caused to the family who took her in to unscrupulous con artists who jumped on the bandwagon trapping her further into her lie.
Ironically, only the truth could set her free.
I like to think, that in the end Mary simply needed a break, that she needed time to gather her strength and that Lady Caraboo gave her the time she needed until she was ready to resurface again and live the life she was meant to…Well anyway, that’s my version…
What’s yours?
Thanking Corgi Children Publishing for providing me with a copy of this title....more
I have just recently ventured back into the world of children’s books and before you just think, Nah! Children’s books aren’t for me just bear with meI have just recently ventured back into the world of children’s books and before you just think, Nah! Children’s books aren’t for me just bear with me for a moment and let’s put the “children” label aside.
I will not pretend to know what you all look for in a novel. However I will tell you this, my main requirement is that I have to be entertained. If I am not entertained, it is a deal breaker! And I fully enjoyed the ride that was “The Mystery of The Clockwork Sparrow”.
Are you a fan of Mystery or Thrillers? Well, this book has it.
Do you like YA? It has it too. It even has a nice historical setting that will take you away from your reality but for a moment. And all this is even before we get to meet the characters!!!
Now, let me tell you a little bit about Sophie Taylor, the young lady this story is centered around. The words “wrong place, wrong time” pretty much sums it up. It is bad enough she has been made an orphan, but she now has to fend for herself and grow into a “wise beyond her years” young lady if she wants to overcome whatever life is throwing at her.
Sophie unfortunately finds herself right in the middle of a plot to rob a luxurious collection of items currently displayed at “Sinclair’s”, her place of employment. On the verge of losing everything as well as her reputation she now takes on the task, with a few well-chosen allies, of not only clear her name but also to bring the guilty to justice.
Sounds like an adventure to you? That’s because it is. And yet, I feel that although categorised as a children’s read, any adult will have a hard time not to enjoy this story.
It is also very well written and has been researched in-depth. The author has created very rich characters with their complexities and placed them in an Edwardian setting brought to life by very carefully detailed descriptions while remaining true to the to the defining moments of that time, be it opulence, poverty and even impending war.
One of my favourite moments in the book, involves a key, a door and a newspaper. Very good trick I would have never thought about!
I would like to thank the good peeps at Bookouture for providing me a copy of “Don’t Turn Around” via NetGalley. It was probably one of the most intriI would like to thank the good peeps at Bookouture for providing me a copy of “Don’t Turn Around” via NetGalley. It was probably one of the most intriguing paranormal novel I have read in a long time.
I have been looking back at my bookshelves and anything I read in the past remotely close to the paranormal has had a heavy fantasy element to it, but then this is my personal library I am talking about here. So, going away from my usual reads, I have to admit that “Don’t Turn Around” was quite a refreshing tale!
This paranormal thriller will take you on quite a roller coaster ride and by the end of it, you will definitely want to pick up the sequel which is probably still a while away from publication.
D.C Jennifer Knight has a special gift that enables her to have one foot in the world of the living and one foot in the world of the dead. This gift provides her with great insight and could potentially help her solve cases. Unfortunately, she is fighting it since it has brought her more problems than it is worth and has contributed to her being seen as a loony in the eyes of her peers. But, then comes along that one case where she may have to call on that gift that she is desperately trying to repress. The body count is increasing rapidly so she will have to make a decision especially if she is to protect her loved ones.
Now, let’s meet Frank.
Well, Frank is a complicated story and in Frank’s story lies the mystery. One clue I will give however is that you will love him at first and then... hate him.
There are a lot of things that I enjoyed in this book such as the story line written for Frank’s parents which I found widely entertaining. What surprised me the most however, is the fluidity in the author’s writing and her ability to make the path from reality to the paranormal side seamless. Although drenched in a darkness, this book has a little for everyone. It was nice to find a little humor and also a little eye candy for the ladies in Ethan, who comes in Jennifer's life with a big question mark. Is he friend or foe?
At times, a few things made my stomach turn, but their presence in the story was completely justified and necessary, their absence would have diluted the essence of the novel. So, for those out there with a weaker stomach...You'll be just fine.
I am really looking forward to reading the next installment where I hope to see D.C Knight developing and honing her gift. I am also very curious to see how some newly made relationships will evolve.
I am wholeheartedly recommending this novel to anyone seeking a thriller with a paranormal twist. There is no fairies in this one!! :) ...more
I can probably summarise this novel with this little phrase: “Her version, his version, the truth…and the unknown consequences of what they did not seI can probably summarise this novel with this little phrase: “Her version, his version, the truth…and the unknown consequences of what they did not see”. But enough with the cryptic and let me tell you what I thought about it.
This book and I actually got into a hell of a fight! As in, I was fighting sleep to keep reading and the book won. It was so gripping that I could not put it down.
“Disclaimer” is the recount of one story, Catherine Ravenscroft’s, and she would like it to remain buried. Unfortunately, widower Stephen Brigstocke has decided otherwise by writing a novel about Catherine called “The Perfect Stranger” in order to expose her for what she really is… a predator, and he would know having admitted to be one himself. Catherine has now no other choice but to do everything possible to make the story disappear.
As I do not want to reveal any of the plot details and trust me when I say that one clue would be a dead giveaway, I will share what I personally went through when reading the story.
Although I found Stephen’s side of the story pretty convincing, I did find myself routing for Catherine. As her world fell apart around her, I felt sorry for her not knowing whether her fate was well deserved or not.
In that sense, I felt that Renée Knight had skilfully created very complex characters, inviting us to somehow grow to like human beings that could potentially be despicable. Added to that was a very clever plot with plenty of twists and turns along the way, which eventually got flipped on its head right at the end, making you question everything you just read.
Is it a happy ending? I will let you find out. I will however add that for a debut novel, it definitely sits on a shelf up there with the greats!!
Thanking @TransworldBooks for providing me with a copy of this title for review ...more
would like to thank the good peeps at Transworld Books” for providing me with a copy of this fabulous novel and Deborah Install for writing it!
The fi would like to thank the good peeps at Transworld Books” for providing me with a copy of this fabulous novel and Deborah Install for writing it!
The first thing I would like to say about this book is that, it is very difficult to categorize it, which when you think of it is great. Why? This novel is so unique, that it is in a category of its own.
The second thing I would like to say about this book is that there is a lot of truth in the little phrase “Simple is Best”, and those 3 words perfectly describe what this book is all about.
And because “Jamais deux sans trois” (=Things come in threes)
The third thing I would like to say about this book is that, sometimes it is not just about the story, but rather how the story is told, and Deborah Install is definitely a very skilled story teller.
You will undoubtedly fall in love with Tang, this little robot with the heart of a child, who literally gatecrashes Ben Chambers’s life at a time when although he did not know it, he needed. Ben leads a pretty comfortable life unfortunately resulting from the loss of his parents, a loss he still has not gotten over and probably never will. This grief which is then mixed with a failed career and a failed marriage becomes the catalyst of an adventure that our two now inseparable friends embark on. It is now Ben and Tang against the world…or I should rather say against “Time”.
I found this novel deeply moving, looking as an outsider into the life of another being on a very human journey. Seeing the budding relationship developing between two characters that are so different but yet so alike will definitely resonate with you.
On a more serious note however, this novel raises that one question (amongst other things…) about a future we will probably face sooner than we think. The question about, what we as human beings are capable of doing with our ever growing thirst for use of technology. Will we be able to give it the respect that it is due and know when to not cross that line?
I would like to say a big thank you to Transworld Books for approving me to read and review this piece and also to Laura Madeleine for writing it. ThiI would like to say a big thank you to Transworld Books for approving me to read and review this piece and also to Laura Madeleine for writing it. This was an absolute joy of a read.
I will admit to being slightly biased on this one as it did get some brownie points (sorry “macaroons” does not quite fit here) for being about patisseries and for being set in Paris. But not to worry, this only played a minor part in the rating.
Let me first say that this piece is absolutely flawless, not one false note. It is one of the best romance/historical fiction works I have come across.
“The Confectioner’s Tale” is a story about love, not only in the traditional sense of the term between a man and a woman, but it is also the love of a granddaughter for her grandfather and the love of a Chef patissier for his craft and the woman of his life.
This tale will take you to a Paris that is now unknown to most of us, in the 1910s in the Belle Epoque era. You will also journey to a Cambridge in the late 80s, to a time not so far in the past, where the use of coins into a pay phone was necessary to make a phone call and where digital communication was not a common use. Amongst all those places and through the writing, you will somehow be able to sample the fragrances and have a taste of all the flavours scattered throughout.
Within this flavoured décor there is however this young lady Petra, student of words, a passion she shares with her now deceased grandfather who she adored and looked up to. Petra will be taken on a journey to the past to a very different time where she will be on a mission to preserve the integrity of a grandfather and by doing so having to decide to maybe sacrifice the only path to a future that until now made sense.
There are so many things about this novel that I loved that I would need to go through quite a long list to name them all. What stays with me however is how rich and full this tale is, and it is rich in so many ways. It is true of the passionate and very human characters created as well as for the very detailed and impeccably described Parisian landscapes of that time.
What is most important however, is that I was told a beautiful tale by a story teller who herself loves her craft. ...more
I would like say a big thank you to Kim Nash at Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this piece via NetGalley and Angela MarsonI would like say a big thank you to Kim Nash at Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this piece via NetGalley and Angela Marsons for writing it.
It has been less than 24 hours since I sadly turned the last page on this fantastic novel and I am still recovering from what I can only describe as aftershock. I will admit right away that I was not prepared for how good a read “Silent Scream” was and it is probably the best gift an author could give to his or her readers.
For the first time I wish I was a talented writer so that I could convey my thoughts and feelings about this book with the right words. Until then, I will still have a good go at it.
So yes, I got a little cocky while reading and thought I had it all figured out. I was absolutely adamant I knew “whodunit”. Telling you now, how wrong I was could not be more of an understatement:).
The author has expertly managed to weave a rather complex plot but told a flawless story, so much so that the most scientific and technical of descriptions was read effortlessly.
At the risk of sounding cliché, this page turner will keep you on edge and there will be some moments where its rawness will want to make you “not look” but you won’t be able to help yourself. And in the mix of this elaborate story you will have the opportunity to meet a great character in Kim Stone, the detective charged with solving the case, very cold and detached woman at first glance but also a very complex person that will slowly let you get to know her.
Although a crime novel with an inevitable seriousness attached to it, Angela Marsons included a few well-chosen one liners that had me in stiches. My favourite being:
“Yeah but your love life amongst the world of goblins doesn’t count. I need advice from a woman who goes out with men. Like, real ones.”
I would like to give a big thank you Atom Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this great novel out on 7th May 2015.
I tend to do a lot of tI would like to give a big thank you Atom Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this great novel out on 7th May 2015.
I tend to do a lot of things backwards, so instead of going for the first novel Keren David wrote, I decided to remain true to myself and discover her by reading her 6th publication. This novel is also my next stop on my journey to read more UKYA this year, and believe me, it did not disappoint.
As the title indicates, this book is not a love story but rather the tale of three young adults trying to find themselves by adjusting to new circumstances in a big city.
Let’s meet Kitty first, witty and beautiful young lady who leaves London for Amsterdam to follow her mother. It is a move away from everything and everyone she knows motivated by a career opportunity it seems…Of Course, Kitty is not convinced, however she is determined to make it work to make her mother happy.
Theo will be the next one making the same trip, a punishment from his parents, he feels is totally unjustified and a complete disproportionate reaction to a situation only he can understand.
Ethan by contrast, who is also from the UK, already lives in Amsterdam and is biding his time, waiting to reach his eighteenth birthday so that he can be free of the parent he feels he does not need. Our three protagonists will take that journey of self-discovery that most young people of their age embark on finding rather unexpected turns along the way.
I personally have not been to Amsterdam and if any of you picked up on any of my comments during my read, it is very apparent:). Out of all the things that this city has to offer, I am still baffled by the “multi storey bike park”!!!
However, what I enjoyed the most in this novel is the ability of the author to immerse the reader through her writing, in a culture and setting perfect to approach matters such as love, death, religion and even homosexuality. Matters that are seen through the eyes of growing young adults that are sensitive and are a big deal.
This first read of the Keren David bibliography has certainly made me curious about her other works and I will definitely pick a few of her novels.
I treated myself to this book around Christmas time last year and it took me until just a few weeks ago to read it.
What was I thinking?!!! It should hI treated myself to this book around Christmas time last year and it took me until just a few weeks ago to read it.
What was I thinking?!!! It should have been at the top of my TBR pile and for several reasons:
First of all, it is a damn good read, but more importantly, this read is an opportunity to be taught, to learn and grow.
So, let me ask you this question. How much do you know about Transgenders?
Maybe just like me, you know very little and your knowledge is limited to what you see in the media? I would admit that unless a transitioning/or gone through the change celebrity decides to use his or her voice to raise awareness of what it feels like to live in the wrong body all your life; I don’t pay it any particular attention. And that is a real shame.
Before reading “The Art of Being Normal”, I had not considered the young adult perspective and yes it is very obvious that the transgender adult was a teen at some point, someone’s child, someone’s sibling or someone’s friend, someone’s girlfriend or boyfriend. And yet, if you are not growing up as David is in this book, how can you relate?
Well, the answer is, you can and you don’t have to be a transgender yourself to get it, you just have to be human.
David who is one of the main protagonists in this novel, is a teenage boy who goes to school, has friends, loves his parents and sister (although he wishes he were her) and he also hates math. But then, one day David befriends this mysterious boy called Leo, who just like him has this huge secret weighing him down. Fortunately, this budding friendship will help pave the way for both David and Leo to be brave enough to go through life changing events eventually leading to acceptance, love and happiness.
I have many favourite moments in this book, The Prom being one of them.
I also love how the author developed characters that are on the surface your typical teenager but with the added layer of complexity that comes with growing up feeling different (…as if being a teenager was not bad enough already).
However if there is anything to take from this beautifully told story is that there are a lot of Leos and Davids out there who could do with our love, understanding and compassion so, share it forward…
If you are in any doubt as to what your next read should be, I strongly recommend you make "The Art of Being Normal" your next pick. It's a real little gem and you won't be disappointed. ...more
Virginie (chouettblog)
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