My Review of "Runaway Girl" by Emily Organ

I came across Emily's writing through a mutual friend on Facebook who shared her status announcing she'd written a book. A few clicks on Amazon later and I had downloaded "The Last Day" to my kindle for 99p - it's a ridiculously cheap way to discover new authors - and this was possibly the best 99p I'd spent in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, powered through it in a few sittings and would highly recommend you add it to your to read pile! (See review at end of this blog).

Since then, Emily has also written "The Outsider" which I have mentioned in blogs and tweets before. "The Outsider " is loosely inspired by the great du Maurier classic "Rebecca". It is a very successful reimagining and modernisation of the dramatic tale and absolutely worth a read!

So I was then extremely excited to be offered the chance to read an advanced copy of her third novel in return for a fair and honest review - although I knew this wouldn't be much of a challenge as I already felt pretty certain I was going to love it!

"Runaway Girl" is set in London, 1352. Following family tragedy, Alice has built a quiet, modest life in a monastery working with the foundling children. Then one of girls there, 14 yr old Constance, disappears suddenly in the night, leaving a murdered body behind her. The Prior insists she has fled with a young man but to Alice there seem too many inconsistencies and she is convinced something more sinister has befallen Constance. At the same time, a dead girl is pulled from the Thames and another is on the run. Are the girls linked? As Alice tries to uncover the truth she puts herself further and further in danger as someone is working desperately hard to make sure she doesn't succeed.

This is quite a departure from her previous novels and I was intrigued with the choice of historical setting but before I had time to really consider it further, I found I was thrown straight into the action in the very opening lines of the prologue. An unknown girl is witness to a murder and trying to escape. The murky world of London and the Thames are brilliantly evoked through smell, touch, sound, taste and sight. Details, such as their clothing, immediately transports the reader to 1352 and everything feels very real and alive.

There is a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter so you can't help but keep turning the pages to try and solve the mystery. The chapters alternate between the three different plot threads creating more tension and adding complexity to the story as they weave in and out of each other, building towards an exciting ending.

The characters are all highly convincing and believable. Emily has a real gift for capturing dialogue and her conversations really add colour to the characters and feel authentic. Alice, the protagonist, is strong, bold, independent and outspoken. She is a widow so has a little more freedom although she is later robbed of her home and financial independence as this is too much of a threat to those in authority. It's really interesting to have such a strong female lead in a time when women had so few rights and were deemed so lowly. Alice is a dynamic presence and adds real vitality to the plot. She fights against convention and all the obstacles she meets. Her voice is so often dismissed as that of an "hysterical woman" it is even harder for her to make people believe in the crimes she knows to have taken place. I loved the detail about the way she plaited her hair, or tied an embroidered belt; it captured the historical era with subtly and conviction. The author has clearly spent a great deal of time researching this novel to ensure it reads so easily and well.

My favourite character was actually one of the relatively small cast members, Millicent, a wise old midwife who nurses with ancient charms and herbs. The imagery which described her home and her livelihood was very effective. Her use of "the old language" gave a fascinating insight about people at this time. She is full of wise words: "Evil will always be among us and take the place of some people's hearts whether they're bandits on the road or the King's own knights."

I don't want to give too much away but Sir Walter is a deeply unpleasant creation who will make your skin crawl! Each character is well crafted. Each voice distinct.

In many ways this novel fits the modern genre of "grip lit" and the "psychological thriller" just set hundreds of years ago. It has secrets, murder, abduction and corruption. It has a strong female protagonist who won't be quietened and shows determination and resilience as she overcomes social barriers. There are duplicitous men, romantic interests and a sense of never quite knowing who to trust.

The last section of the novel is full of pace and dramatic tension. The way the novel finishes by coming back on itself to one of the scenes from the beginning gives a beautifully satisfying and circular ending to the narrative.

Emily's writing is well crafted and beautifully executed. She pays immense attention to detail in order to capture scenes and characters with vitality and strength. I am impressed with how she can produce such different types of stories in each of her novels so effectively. It may be set in the 1350's but is extremely readable and fluent. If you don't usually read historical dramas, I would suggest you make an exception here. I would highly recommend this novel!

"Runaway Girl" is published on March 15th.

If you can't wait until then, try Emily's first novel "The Last Day". This is an entertaining and clever read with a very charming and endearing male protagonist, George. When George was 11 years old he predicted the day he would die. Now, aged 53, that day has arrived....... I rated it 5/5 stars.

Thank you Emily for inviting me to be part of your advanced reading group!
You can follow Emily on Twitter @EmilySOrgan or Facebook at Emily Organ Writer. She also has a blog and website.

For more recommendation, reviews and bookish chat from me, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications from this blog on the right hand side.

My Review of The Shadow Hour

Why have I not come across Kate Riordan before?! How have I missed her books?!

This is an absolutely compelling read. Alternating between the two different settings of 1878 and 1922, the novel follows the stories of Harriet and Grace, grandmother and granddaughter, both governesses, both working for the Pembridge family at Fenix House. Grace is sent to take up the post at Fenix House on the insistence of her grandmother. But why is Harriet so determined that Grace should go there? What secrets hide within the house? What haunts Harriet's past? Riordan takes you on a compelling journey filled with intrigue and atmosphere as Grace searches for the truth about her family's history.

This book is a perfect match for me. An historical drama, dual narratives cleverly woven together, secrets, hidden pasts, revenge, romance, troubled characters and all within the gothic setting of a crumbling country mansion lived in by a broken family.

I was captivated by the lyrical opening: "It's not always as simple as beginnings, middles and ends. Some [stories] are formed like a circle with something terrible and secret at the core and everything else radiating out, like ripples from a raindrop on water." Bewitching.

As you begin the story you are immediately transported back in time. The house is so easy to visualise because of the beautiful, fluid writing style which is so evocative and poetic yet accessible and unfussy. I was carried away with the plot from the absolute beginning; swept up in the mystery, suspicious hints and suggestions of something more untoward. Harriet's "glimmers" of the future imply a sense of magic, yet are so well executed that they don't become overly fanciful but only add to the brooding atmosphere. Both the characters of Harriet and Grace are realistic and convincing. At the beginning there is a sense that Grace is being unfairly manipulated by her grandmother by being pushed into a situation where she is not fully aware of the relationships, history and reasons that it's so important for her to be there. Harriet is a compelling woman; clearly still haunted by her buried past. Both are women are appealing and easy to relate to. Both generate tension and suspense.

Riordan's male characters are equally interesting, particularly Jago, Lady Pembridge's brother. His threatening, malevolent presence creates an unnerving sense of something more predatory and deeply unpleasant. A much murkier past and relationship with his sister is also alluded to. Robert, the master of the house, is a man of conflict whose eyes "seemed as full of sadness as the clouds above them brimmed with rain."

Agnes, the housekeeper, is also a well drawn character. At first she resembles the foreboding Mrs Danvers from "Rebecca" but there is much more to this outwardly brusque woman.

There are echoes of "Jane Eyre" - mysterious houses with people hidden away, harrowing sounds during the night, a young inexperienced governess ... This has been used as a deliberate device -a copy of the book features within the story itself- and it is effective in creating further atmosphere and anticipation.

The writing is exquisite. The description and phrases are stunning and enthralling. I could quote endless passages as examples of just how enchanting I found the writing. For example: "Misery, loneliness and regret seemed to leach out of every badly papered corner, lifting tiles and staining plaster as they bedded in over the years." Mesmerising.

I don't want to spoil the book in any way so I'm not revealing any more about the plot except to say if you want to read a novel with unreliable narrators, lies and revelations then this is the novel for you! If you like period dramas, then this is an excellent exploration of the life of a lowly governess within a troubled family. If you love well written books written by imaginative, talented authors this is definitely for you!

And I'm not the only one raving about this new release. It's all over Twitter this week! Dinah Jefferies, author of the also beautifully written and evocative "The Silk Merchant's Daughter" and "The Tea Planter's Wife" said she was "immediately drawn in .... I loved the sense of intrigue and the air of mystery at Fenix House and was itching for answers as the two narratives unfolded." Who needs any further endorsement?!

If I could write, it would be to write like this. If I could think of a plot, it would be this one.

I highly recommend this book and would rate it 5/5 stars.

Kate Riordan has also written "The Girl in the Photograph" (published last January) and her short story, "The Red Letter" was published in January 2016. Can't wait to read them!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication in return for a fair and honest review. It was a real privilege.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications of new blog posts on the right hand side.

Family Friendly Cook Books for the Un-Domestic Goddess!

I am no domestic goddess! I am not very confident or skilled cook and anyone who has eaten out with me knows that "I know what I like and I like what I know"! However, as a mum of three very hungry children (not to mention a husband who always seems to be riffling through the hidden supply of snacks stored in the high level cupboards) I have had become more interested in making meals and snacks. I do find it a real challenge to constantly think of what we can eat day after day that fits in with our after school activities, is reasonably balanced and nutritious and also varied enough so we don't get bored, stuck in a rut or - more likely- "go off" something! But I also don't want to spend all day in the kitchen. As everyone knows that the longer time you spend making something, the less of it the children will eat!
So here are my current favourite cook books. All written with families in mind and with ingredients already on your shopping list. Apologies to my friends who hear me evangelising about these books daily and have probably all received them as presents (and if you haven't, guess what's coming your way soon....!!)
I hope they are new to you and will give you some inspiration!


Fay Ripley has published three cookery books and I can't recommend them highly enough. They are such a reliable go-to for tasty, easy family meals. The ingredients are all common store cupboard foods and the recipes are presented very clearly in short steps - usually no more than 5 stages so incredibly doable. Many of the meals can be prepared quickly or in advance and then reheated. Our favourites are a one pot chicken recipe, a sticky tangy chicken dish, the baked spaghetti carbonara and the quick creamy fish dish. Her banana and chocolate bread is absolutely amazing and I bake this for everyone all the time! I have also used her recipes for dinner parties and weekend entertaining as they are so tasty. These cook books really helped me gain confidence in the kitchen and I found them tame enough to use with the children when they were much younger as well as interesting enough to satisfy an adult palate! Fay often adds tips for adapting the recipes for babies and toddlers and her witty one liners, titles and introductions always make me smile when I'm scanning the pages for our next choice.


I got this for Christmas and literally haven't stopped cooking from it since! We have eaten most of the recipes and they are all winners. Again, they are great for the children and all use straight forward, easy to get hold of ingredients-  in fact there have been several occasions when I've been caught out or had to "rustle" up an extra meal and was able to find everything I needed in my cupboards or fridge so I think that makes it a fantastic book to have to hand. As with Fay, the instructions are short, clear and given in just a few steps. The book is arranged in sections with some ideas for quick weekday teas, weekend meals and grown up entertaining. I have used it for dinner parties and there were clear plates all round.
The absolute best bit about this book is that at the bottom of each page is another short recipe suggesting ways to transform any left overs or ingredients into something else so essentially you have two recipe books for the price of one. Some of these "extras" are really worthy of their own full page - like the chocolate truffles.... yum! Tonight I'm cooking her veg chilli but as suggested at the bottom of the page, we will be having it with tacos rather than rice. My children aren't big fans of rice but really love eating a meal when they can help themselves to different filings and toppings and generally eat more this way. Jo has encouraged me to make my own guacamole, humus and other dips which I had no idea were so simple to put together and these are becoming a key feature with our weekend lunches. They go really well with a tortilla wrap, lightly brushed with olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika, cut up in triangles, baked and then used to fob off the children that they are doritos! (This recipe in is her other book - see below)
The pudding suggestions are inspirational  - her version of a creme brûlée is brilliant, the raspberry cheesecake pots are so easy to make they take literally five minutes and the lifesaver hot chocolate pot cakes are amazing. I have saved several play dates by suddenly being able to cobble together a rather impressive looking treat from very few ingredients in under three minutes! Now if that doesn't make me a smug mum.....


As I said before, I do not want to spend all day in the kitchen and with the children's ridiculous timetable of after school activities we often only have twenty minutes or half an hour in which to cook, eat and get out again. This book is perfect for those days. I was a little scared of using Mary Berry - I mean, she's the queen right? How can I possibly hope to follow one of her recipes?! But who knew - I can!
This is a recent purchase but I am already over dependent on it. The ingredients are all things we use all the time and although the recipes have more stages and sometimes require a little bit more preparation or process, they are all very manageable. We have had some really delicious meals from this book and the pork and leek burgers are requested weekly. The winning thing about this book is that you can prepare every single meal in advance - sometimes up to 48 hours - and then just finish off the final stages when you need to. This makes managing meal times a breeze. It also made a recent Sunday lunch with lots of visitors exceptionally easy to orchestrate - I served cheese soufflé would you believe - all pre made then shoved in the oven, presented with a flourish, a fanfare and an appropriate round of applause and awe. I thank you.
There are some lovely bread, scone and cake recipes. We have had the cheese scone bake a lot as it tarts up a Saturday lunch of soup rather nicely. Recommend!


Ok, a little less child friendly maybe - although you will be surprised at what they might try! The winter bowls and the more stew like dishes have been accepted tentatively and I am hopeful that they will eat more from here in the future. Really I bought it for me though and it has been a lovely book to cook for myself and my husband from. To be honest, I was reluctant to buy it. I've heard a lot fabulous things about it but I think the words "clean food", "Sugar free" and "Quinoa" put me right off.
I apologise now for the next statement.
I am a complete convert. This, the lady who needs at least 5 bourbon biscuits to get upstairs and do bath time! I love quinoa. Butternut squash is my new best friend. I eat granola for breakfast. I have just made the chocolate millionaire squares out of dates and pecans for the fourth time and they are absolutely to die for. Try them. I dare you!
The ingredients are more pricey and I have had some fun searching them out in the supermarket but if you can make the investment (or cheat in places and just use normal butter and cocoa powder, essential range dates etc - it doesn't seem to make much difference to the taste but please don't tell Ella....) it is worth it. The recipes are actually very easy to prepare and often don't involve much cooking or baking so can be put together very quickly. I've found that the sweet treats do actually taste as good as my usual indulgences  - if not better (can't believe I just said that) but the best thing is there is no sugar slump, bloating or low afterwards as the ingredients are more nutritional and more slow releasing in their energy. And you can eat four times more of them as its healthy yes? The children have also enjoyed the sweet recipes and seem happy to eat them instead of the shop bought branded products so I will just polish my halo about that too.
It is good food. Filling, healthy and tasty. I'm glad I bought it.


This is similar to the concept of "Deliciously Ella" but not vegan and not as strict. It is perhaps a more manageable and realistic recipe book for most of us. The food is really tasty and really healthy. I have used it for the whole family successfully. It is currently my favourite book and I am gradually working my way through it! I have the confidence to try more adventurous meals with a wider range of ingredients and my tastebuds are eternally grateful.
As with her "Madhouse" book, Jo includes a smaller recipe at the bottom of each page - it's such a fabulous idea. This makes you use every ingredient and every bit of food so it's really resourceful and means you are not wasting any of the things that might have added to your normal supermarket shopping bill!
It's an accessible, practical and totally useable cookery book full of healthy food which looks and tastes appealing. I'm really enjoying cooking from it.


An old favourite! This is a great book which has been written for families by families. The recipes are all achievable, tasty and appealing to the children. This, and Fay's books, made me realise I could cook one meal for all of us rather than cooking several times a day with separate food for children and adults. The section on slow cooker recipes and stews is absolutely brilliant and I use one of these recipes at least once a week. My children love the cowgirl stew! It's a must have for any family.

BLOGS / WEBSITES
A lot of these authors also publish on line which is great if you want to find recipes from their other books or need to check ingredients when you're out and about or on holiday. The BBC Good Food website is fab and you can search via ingredients too. So if you ever have a glut of courgettes in the bottom of the fridge, use it to find out what meal you can cook to use to them up. Preferably one which requires blending or fine chopping so no one sniffs out the green vegetable content!

Thanks to Juliette Hewitson for sharing an obsession for cookery books with me and always recommending the latest releases as well as helping me fill in the gaps on my culinary shelf!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on twitter @katherinesunde3 or sign up to the email link on the right to receive updates.

Emma Donoghue's Room - A fantastic Book, An Amazing Film

This is one of the most memorable books I have ever read and although I finished it in 2010, I can still remember it in so much detail as it affected me so deeply. I have was so struck with Donoghue's ability to write about such a sinister situation in a way which wasn't voyeuristic or gratuitous but sensitive, poignant and very moving. She uses her novel as an opportunity to reflect on more than just the crime which gives the book depth and credibility as a writer.

It takes real skill to captivate an audience, particularly with this sort of topic, and Donoghue certainly has this skill. I read this book in one sitting - at times reading so fast that my eyes were taking in the words quicker than my brain could process them. I was totally mesmerised. It is compulsive reading.

Most of my friends have read this book (and all rated it 5 stars  - unheard of for us all to agree so unanimously!) but there are a few who are put off by the premise  - I don't think it's a spoiler to say what that premise is anymore - of a boy and his mother being held captive in a shed. However, I would argue that this is only half of what the novel is about. What makes this book stand out from any other psychological thriller or crime novel is that a lot of the story is an exploration of life after "Room"; a life in which Joy, the mother, thinks everything will be resolved and happy so desperate is she to escape. In fact, it is almost as hell-like as life in the Room. Donoghue's thorough consideration and meticulous detail of all that Jack and his mum have to adapt to and cope with is fascinating. It raises so many thought provoking questions and discussions. It is handled with sensitivity and exceptionally well written. The portrayal of the parents and their limitations, struggles and emotions are so well captured that their plight is almost as moving and distressing as Joy and Jack's.

Joy is inspirational. She is so young and been locked away for so much of her own life and yet shows so much patience, resilience and practical understanding of how to build a life and protect her son from the horrific reality of their existence. The imaginative way in which she has explained the world to Jack is so admirable, as is her ability to entertain him for hours and hours and hours with nothing.

Jack is equally engaging. As the five year old narrator, he is able to lift the tension and atmosphere a little and provide a some distance from the more sinister details. Donoghue has created a clever voice and an innovative way to show how limited his life experience is and the social and educational effects of only being exposed to one other person and such a restricted living space.

This book is full of tension, drama, emotion and wonderful observations about life. If somehow you haven't read it yet then I would highly recommend you get hold of a copy soon!


I must admit I did have reservations about going to see this at the cinema. When you have enjoyed a book so much there is always the risk that it won't live up to your expectations. I was unsure how the text would adapt to the screen and if it would work on the same number of levels. The book has been such a runaway success and so much hype surrounded the film I was curious how it would handle itself. To be honest, part of me wondered if I really wanted to spend a Sunday evening watching a harrowing film which deals with abuse and depression!

I am so glad that I have seen it.

If you only see one film this year, make it this one. If you only discover one actress this year, make it Brie Larson.

It is a powerful, mesmerising and completely overwhelming film. It captures the characters well and they are as convincing on screen as on paper. The acting is outstanding from each member of the cast. It captures the atmosphere, tension, emotion and poignancy of the book. The most dramatic scenes are handled with sensitivity and have as much dramatic impact as when reading. I was as gripped as I had been six years ago when I read it for the first time and once again it stimulated all sorts of questions, thoughts and reflections leaving me desperate to talk about it all over again.

As did the book, this film will stay with me. It may not be the easiest thing to watch this year but I think it will be the best.

OTHER NOVELS BY EMMA DONOGHUE I RECOMMEND

"Slammerkin"
A slammerkin is a loose gown and this story is all about a loose woman with a desire to touch lovely fabrics. It is set in 17th Century London and is highly evocative of the era with brilliant historical detail and another engaging, well crafted female character.
"The Sealed Letter"
This is a courtroom drama about adultery, rape and a mysterious letter. It is based on a real divorce case from 1864. It is a riveting read which again evokes a convincing portrayal of the historical era in which it is set. It is very readable and there are several good twists.

OTHER FILM ADAPTATIONS OF GOOD BOOKS CURRENTLY SHOWING IN THE CINEMA
"Brooklyn"
"Carol"
"The Danish Girl"
"The Dressmaker"

....and if you missed them, I thought these adaptations were very true to their originals and really enjoyable  - "The Help" and "Sarah's Key"

Jojo Moyes "Me Before You" comes to our screens in the summer which will surely be another blockbusting hit - I'm hoping to read it before I see it!

for more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me onTwitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up to email notifications through the tab on the right hand side

My Review of "The Silk Merchant's Daughter" by Dinah Jeffries

I only discovered Dinah Jeffries a few months ago when "The Tea Planter's Wife" was part of the Richard & Judy Book Club selection. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, era and relationships portrayed in the novel and it was a refreshing change from my usual picks. While having a mutual appreciation / rave about it over coffee a friend told me about "The Separation" which I immediately went and took out of the library on my way home! (Life of a bibliomaniac!) It's always exciting to discover a new author..... but so disappointing when you catch up with all their novels in too short a space of time! So I was even more delighted when I realised that Jefferies was obviously not one to disappoint her fans and had been busy writing her third book which is published on the 25th February.

With an equally appealing cover as her previous titles, Jefferies once more sets her book in Asia. This time it's 1952 French Indochina and eighteen year old Nicole, our protagonist, is living as a French colonial in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. The story follows Nicole over the next few years as she learns about overcoming obstacles in love, politics, family and the cost of making choices; all set against the turbulent backdrop of the threatening conflict between the nationalist Vietminh and the governing French as they fight each other for control in civil unrest which would later become the Vietnam War.

This is a story of a search for belonging and identity. It is a story of a girl not only caught between political conflict, but between lovers, between her family and between her heritage. It is a story about a girl who is constantly pulled in two different directions; who doesn't really fit into either world but attempts to belong to both. Nicole learns to negotiate her way through this conflict, revealing an inner strength and instinct for survival which she never knew she had.

Nicole is half French and half Vietnamese. She takes after her mother with her Vietnamese looks. Her sister, Sylvie, is more French looking and her father's more favoured daughter, gaining control of his successful business while Nicole is passed over and offered a derelict Silk shop in the Vietnamese quarter of town. Nicole works hard to build a good business, inspired by the costumes and accessories she sees around her and nurturing a real appreciation of the fabrics she sells. The description of the silk- the colours, patterns, textures and designs are beautifully recorded. She makes friends with O'Lan who becomes like a sister to her. But still, she harbours a bitter grudge against her own sister.

When she meets American Trader Mark she dreamily believes he is the perfect man for her - but is he to be Sylvie's too? And what exactly is his involvement with her father and his secret entanglement with the cruel torture and murder of Vietnamese rebels? She turns her affections to Tran, a Vietnamese insurgent, but choosing him takes her away from the safety and security of her family and home as she becomes deeply caught up in the world of militant rebels fighting to end the oppressive French rule. Her traumatic experiences test her strength and resilience to the extreme.

Nicole is a young girl whole ultimately wants to please her family, belong and be loved. She is an ordinary teenager caught up in a challenging and troubled era meaning she experiences corruption and complex politics that will affect her and her life choices.

I thought this book was really a coming of age story as we see Nicole learn to accept who she is and define her identity. There are some very emotional passages about sisterhood and sibling rivalry as both Sylvie and Nicole have to recognise their behaviour towards each other and take responsibility for the hurt they have caused each other. They fall in and out of trust with each other. The pattern of lies and deception is dramatic and means that yet again, Nicole is never sure who to trust and whose story to believe. Sylvie's behaviour towards Nicole as the novel reaches its dramatic climax are particularly well evoked, and the final reflection of their relationship is particularly powerful.

Nicole is also caught between her feelings for Mark and Tran as they are also inconsistent and not always truthful about their feelings or involvement with the events unravelling around them. I found myself deeply sympathetic towards Nicole and her naivety during her time with Tran. This is a portrait of someone learning about love and heartbreak. I also liked that I was never fully certain of Mark's motives and his mysterious disappearances add yet another layer of drama and tension.

This novel is much more of a love story than Jefferies previous titles. I think the romantic element of the story is the most central theme. The novel is about love between couples, fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters and sisters. It is a great exploration of one girl coming to terms with all these things.

Jefferies fascination with two worlds is apparent even in the last few words of the novel: "that was the end. Or was it the start?" I was intrigued by the ending and all it revealed about Sylvie - is this the start of Jefferies next novel? Oh I do hope so!

This book has a staggering 4.36/5 stars on Goodreads and I would recommend it as an enjoyable read with some excellent description of the setting and era. I would also highly recommend "The Tea Planter's Wife" and "The Separation" if you have not yet discovered them!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for this fair and honest review.

Travels with a Bibliomaniac

This week we were on holiday in York. Our hotel looked out across the Minster. These titles sprung to mind:


This is a short historical novel set in medieval England about a Dean who decides to build a spire on his cathedral. It is a dark novel about obsession and folly. Golding always delivers an engaging read.


I read "The Barsetshire Chronicles" a long time ago but they immediately sprung to mind as novels about clergy. Don't be put off by the fact it's Victorian literature, Trollope is actually quite accessible and relevant. His writing is at times witty and his characters are engaging. They might take a bit of commitment but it is worth it - particularly if you fancy an escape from the modern world for a while!


Well you can't stay at a hotel without thinking about novels which use them as the perfect setting for stories - so many people, so many possibilities! And this has to be the most chilling of them all! Maybe not the best read to "relax" with while in a hotel, although the constant noise of the street outside our York base meant that there wasn't really any comparison to Overlook Hotel. Similarly, you could try "Psycho" if you fancy something equally unnerving to while away your evening with!


Something a little less terrifying! Always a great comforting read and I can still never remember the outcome however many times I read them! Christie is a very talented crime writer and her books are always a good tonic on holiday.


A story set in York! A legal drama about a mother defending her own son who stands accused of murder. The reviews on Goodreads are very positive and make this book sound like a solid choice for a good crime story set in a courtroom with a fast pace and well drawn characters.


Another story set in York which embraces its rich history. It is set in the early 1900s and claims to have "a large cast and wonderfully intriguing subplots, set at a moment of great social change." It sounds like an easy read full of interesting historical detail and atmosphere.

This was a great discovery for the children! We had a fab visit to the York Museum which really impressed us and they had a whole range of York-based quiz books and colouring books which we stocked up on. However this was the real winner and had been read cover to cover in no time at all and then quoted all the way through lunch!

You can't visit York and not mention the Vikings! My nine year old son enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone else who likes this historical period. "It's not about warriors," he adds, "just peasants." So unlike his mother's choices, he is not indulging in things that will keep him up in the dark hours.....

The York Literature Festival takes place from the 10-23 March and will feature talks by Val McDermind and Wendy Cope, literary walks, creative writing workshops and a Jane Austen talk. It seems that York's literary scene is very much alive and we did manage to find a few second hand book shops to browse and the compulsory stop off at Waterstones to see what the York branch recommended to the local audience. It's a beautiful city and we found so much to explore and do together as a family.

Where were you this week and what books has it inspired? You may discover a new author or rediscover an old favourite! Happy holiday reading!

for more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3

What's made my "To Read" list this week?

Or perhaps I should call this blog, "What hasn't made my to read list?"......I seem to have got a bit download happy with my Kindle, although I am proud to say I don't think I've spent over £2 on any of the titles so it's not really that bad as addictions go! Thank you Twitter for all the exciting recommendations and heads up about the bargain offers - you've really come up with some great titles this week!


It's most appropriate to start with this book as it certainly seems to have gone "viral"! The reviews have been thick and fast and full of phrases like "thought provoking", "thrilling", "fast paced" and "contemporary". It tells the story Su who fails to return home after a holiday in Magaluf where she was celebrating the end of her A Levels with her sister Leah. Footage of Su in compromising situation has been leaked all over the internet and viewed by thousands of people including her own family. "Every person's worst nightmare" writes one reviewer and another claims it is a "definitive novel for today". It certainly sounds relevant and important. I read Fiona Neill's "The Good Girl" this summer which sounds similar and it was a compulsive read. Worth adding to your to read list!


Another brand new thriller which has had fingers tweeting is this story about a wife and uncovering what she really knew about the crimes her husband is accused of committing. It is hailed as the next "Gone Girl" and promoted as an exceptional psychological thriller. The reviews are a little mixed as the market is quite heavily saturated with novels claiming to be the next "Girl on a Train" but it sounds very readable and potentially full of unexpected twists and revelations. The TV rights have been sold already and I think I read that there are hopes for film adaptation too.


As it has been half term, I must include this Young Adult book which is also featuring as the Bedtime Book Club read on web based magazine The Pool. Tasha was dead for 13 minutes but she doesn't know how she ended up in the water. Reviews are full of compliments for Pinborough's well crafted writing style and ability to successfully capture teenage voices. It sounds gripping and a real page turner. I am definitely looking forward to reading this one!

While on the subject of Young Adult fiction I did find myself in Waterstones' Children's dept yesterday (I was with my own children but obviously they were more interested in the fish tank which left me happily browsing and inevitably spending too much money on books I won't let them touch until I have finished with them!) I couldn't resist buying Katherine Woodfine's latest mystery "The Jewelled Moth" and Robin Stevens "Murder most Unladylike". I recommended them in a previous post but to be honest, it was the beautiful shiny covers that got me this time!!


I read a great article on The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) about the next "Gone Girl" and ten thrillers to look out for in 2016. It reviewed the latest publications which have all had TV rights sold already, companies are so confident of their success. "The Crow Girl" sounds like the next "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; set in Stockholm and spanning a massive 758 pages. "Dark Matter" is written by the man behind the quirky but intriguing Sky series "Wayward Pines" and the film promises to be like "Inception." It's not out until August but I think it will be worth the wait! They also listed five psychological thrillers with "Girl" in the title which are jumping on the current bandwagon of "Gone Girl" but will undoubtedly make compulsive reading! Titles which stood out to me were "All the Missing Girls" by Megan Miranda and "The Girls" by Emma Cline.


I reviewed "The Hidden Legacy" by G J Minett recently (go on, add it to your to read list if it's not already there!) and this week he recommended this book. A recommendation from a good thriller writer must be one of the best kind of recommendations you can get so I have boldly pre-ordered this book which is due out on 25th Feb. It's a debut novel for fans of "Before I go to Sleep" about Sarah who lies in a coma, unable to communicate or remember anything about how she got there she has to piece together what happened by listening to the voices around her. It is described as a stunning thriller with a "devilish twist" and the premise sounds intriguing and ambitious! Roll on Feb 25th!


After all these thrillers I am going to need a change of scene and this sounds perfect! This quietly announced itself on my timeline and is out in March. A collection of short stories which explore Israeli culture and heritage. Reviewers claim the stories are compassionate and compelling. Nearly every reviewer commented on the beautiful use of language and I think this is what made me jot this book down. It will be very different from anything else on my shelf and that alone makes it worth reading.

Finally I read "You" by Caroline Kepnes this week. My, what a book! Have a look at my blog post for a detailed review but I must say this is one of the most haunting and original novels I have encountered for a long time. It is not an easy read and there is some explicit language and content to prepare yourself for but the narrator is one of the most chilling characters I have met since John Fowles' "The Collector". Prepare to lose sleep after reading this!

Happy reading!
For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3