WWW Wednesday 17/4/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

A Witch Come True by James Nicol (ebook)

I had thought I was going to have to wait for this as it wasn’t available as an ebook from the library, but I found kobo which had £3 off your first book so got it as a bargain ebook from there! I just couldn’t wait when book 2 ended as it did! I’m only a couple of pages in so far…

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling (audiobook read by Stephen Fry.)

I’m still really enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks. I’m right near the end of this and have just reached that ‘no…no…surely not…but it can’t be…NO’ point (if you’ve read it you’ll know, if you haven’t I don’t want to give it away!) As I mentioned last week, I really haven’t remembered this book at all but as this part approached all the familiar feelings of disbelief and hope against hope from the first read were well and truly back!

The Umbrella Mouse by Anna Fargher, illustrated by Sam Usher

I started this last night after much deliberation over what to read next! I’m only a couple of chapters in but very much enjoying the tone and feel of it so far.

What have you just finished reading?

Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone

Oh, this book! It is incredible. Its gone straight into my favourites from this year, last year, possibly just ever. The sheer imagination in it is wonderful and it seems to take all the best aspects of Abi’s previous books and put them together with a new magic too. I’ll review it in the next week or so, but honestly – you can’t fail to love this book.

The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop, illustrated by Ashley King (ebook) .

I read this in a night (so those of you who know me will know this makes it a very quick read indeed!) and I LOVED it! What a fun, funny and generally fantastic book. Brilliant characters, a bookshop to die for (the imagination that’s gone into the book emporium is phenomenal and I really, really wish it existed in real life!) a snappy, pacey adventure and a rather grumpy but very clever cat – it’s simply fab!

A Witch Alone by James Nicol

I enjoyed this even more than the first book – just as easy and enjoyable a read but with more drama, more dark magic and more secrets and suspense. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out in book 3!

What are you planning on reading next?

It’ll be a while before I finish anything I think, but when I do:

Audio

I’ll be on the last of the Harry Potter books, Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows, soon!

E-book

Murder Most Unladylike is available from the library from early May so depending on how long A Witch Alone takes me, I’ll either go straight onto that or squeeze in Erica’s Elephant, another Sylvia Bishop, in between if I have time.

Physical copy

To be decided on…Peculiar Peggs, A Darkness of Dragons, Scavengers, The Dog Runner, The Girl With Shark’s Teeth…plus I have a couple of YA proofs on the way that I’m actually looking forward to (I know, shocking!)

Have you read any of these?

What are you reading at the moment?

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WWW Wednesday 10/4/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

A Witch Alone by James Nicol

I enjoyed the first book in this series and the first few chapters of this are certainly loving up to expectations. Arianwyn is as likeable as ever and Gimma quite the reverse! It promises just as many fantastic creatures and spirits, both good and bad, more magical mishaps and generally a good, fun read!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m still really enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks. I have to admit, I don’t remember this one at all. I had no recollection of Slughorn and can’t remember a thing that happens! So it’ll be interesting to see whether it starts coming back to me as I read it or whether it’s like reading it for the first time again!

Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone

I don’t have as much time to read physical books but I’m slowly tumbling into the wonderful world of Rumblestar – it’s brilliantly imaginative and Utterly Thankless is Utterly Fantastic! Absolutely loving it!

What have you just finished reading?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

What are you planning on reading next?

It’ll be a while before I finish anything I think, but when I do:

Audio

I’ll be on the last of the Harry Potter books, Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows, soon!

E-book

I’d love to go straight onto the final book in James Nicole’s Apprentice Witch series, A Witch Come True, but sadly its not available yet as an ebook so I’ll have to wait!

Instead, I’m hoping to read Murder Most Unladylike (Amy will be pleased to hear!) but it’s currently on loan, so it’ll either be that or Sylvia Bishop’s Bookshop Girl (as Charlotte reminded me this week that I’d still not read it despite loving The Secret of the Night Train).

Physical copy

To be decided on…

Have you read any of these?

What are you reading at the moment?

WWW Wednesday 3/4/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

I mentioned last week how I’d chosen to read the e-book of this (from the library) on my phone so I can read in bed without waking Peapod!

It’s been a perfect choice for these overnight reading and feeding sessions. It’s fairly short (I should finish it in the next couple of nights, if not overnight tonight) and an easy read that maybe won’t be in any of my ‘Top….’ lists but is nevertheless very, very enjoyable.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m still really enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks and this is one of my favourite books in the series. Mostly because it makes me so angry (Dolores Umbridge especially, but Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley, I am also looking at you!) but also because of The Order itself which is filled with some of the best people. (How under-rated is Lupin in the series?!)

Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone

I feel so lucky to have been sent a proof of this, I have been looking forward to it for ages having read her books and, though I’m only a chapter in, it is well and truly living up to expectations! Magical!

I’ve got the proof version, but the real cover (designed by Carrie May and Jenny Richards) was revealed on twitter last week and it’s stunning. I’m a big fan of a map in a book and this has that feel on the cover.

As an Abi Elphinstone aside, I found out this week that she has a picture book coming out in late October too! How flipping exciting!

What have you just finished reading?

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.

I don’t even know where to begin trying to talk about this book! It was fantastic, in both senses of the word. I’ll be reviewing it (as best I can!) this week or next, in the meantime I’ll leave you with the knowledge that it was excellent but with the advisory note to redd it in big chunks if you csn – it’s much easier to follow than if you’re only managing little snippets at a time!

What are you planning on reading next?

I’ll definitely be continuing with Harry Potter on audio. I’ll be starting Half Blood Prince this week.

I’m going to read the next Apprentice Witch book – A Witch Alone – as an overnight ebook too!

It’ll be a while before I finish Rumblestar, so I don’t know what physical book will be next. I have an absolute stack to get through! Scavengers by Darren Simpson and the final installment in Alice Broadway’s Ink Trilogy, Scar, are both hig on the list though.

Having finished Gingerbread, I’d also really like to find time (hahaha, I know!) to read some of the adult fiction titles sat patiently waiting on my shelf too, but I have no idea yet how I’ll manage this!

Have you read any of these?

What are you reading at the moment?

WWW Wednesday 20/3/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this to review as I’m such a fan of her writing and it’s turning out to be as weird and wonderful as I’d expect from her! It took me a while to find my stride with it but I’m loving it now.

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

I’ve done it. I’ve caved. I’m reading an e-book. I’m so disappointed in myself but it means I can read in bed again without waking Peapod! Now I just need to be able to keep my eyes open…

I’ve been meaning to read this series for AGES! Everyone has raved about it and I’m only a couple of chapters in, but I can see why!

What have you just finished reading?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m still really enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks!

It’s funny re-reading them after so long though – I’m still hooked, I still think they have an incredible magic to them (no pun intended) and I still love them…but I am also noticing little things that perhaps I’m less keen on (the whole yule ball and coupling up in this book for example) or simply that I wouldn’t have noticed first time around – there could easily be a Harry Potter drinking game where you take a shot each time someone or something glided somewhere or Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled!

What are you planning on reading next?

I’ll definitely be continuing to binge Harry Potter on audio and have The Order of the Phoenix ready to go. If memory serves this is one of my favourite in the series.

I am SO EXCITED too to have a copy of Abi Elphinstone’s Rumblestar on its way so that will be jumping to the top of the pile!

What are you reading at the moment?

WWW Wednesday 6/3/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

I’m still reading this. It’s dragging a bit and though there’s things I’ve enjoyed about it, I feel it’s gone on too slowly, too samey for too long. Plus, it’s marketed as YA and I don’t feel this is a YA book at all. Maybe it’s just me. I’m too close to the evd and enjoying it enough not to DNF but I’ll be glad to finish it (surely this week?!)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m still really enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks! They’re very expensive to buy so I’ve been using a mixture of free credits on audible, money off play books and, mainly, the library (hooray for libraries!)

What have you just finished reading?

Mary Poppins by PL Travers, read by Olivia Colman (audiobook)

One of my goals this year was to read more classics, especially children’s classics. So when I found I had a week or so to wait for the next Harry Potter audiobook to be available, and knowing this was read by the wonderful Olivia Colman, I decided to read this while I waited.

It wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Having watched the film repeatedly growing up but never read the book, it took maybe the first chapter or 2 to get into it and Olivia’s Michael took a bit of getting used to. But once I had, I really enjoyed it, though Mary Poppins did far too much sniffing for my liking and I’ve never heard the word ‘presently’ used so often!

It had an Alice in Wonderland sort of absurdity and wit to it. My favourite chapter was Mrs Corry with her gingerbread.

The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis

I enjoyed this but perhaps not as much as I expected to. Its an excellent book and this was definitely a case of ‘its not you, its me’! I’ll be reviewing it properly next week.

What are you planning on reading next?

I’ll definitely be continuing to binge Harry Potter on audio.

I am SO EXCITED too to have a copy of Helen Oyeyemi’s Gingerbread. She’s one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to read this. I had been reading a few books at a time but I know I’ll want to devour this so as soon as I get Monsters finished I’m starting this and giving it my full reading time!

Which other children’s classics should I read?

What are you reading at the moment?

WWW Wednesday 20/2/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

I’m still chipping away at Monsters. I have mixed feelings on this one but I definitely want to see it through to the end.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m nearing the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on audiobooks too…which is disastrous as Prisoner of Azkaban isn’t available for another 2 weeks…! As you can tell. I’m still really enjoying these!

What have you just finished reading?

Flights of Fancy – Children’s Laureates

I thought this was a lovely book – perfect for aspiring writers, illustrators, creatives everywhere. I’ll post a full review this week.

Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie

Amy at Golden Books Girl recommended this and I’m so pleased she did as I might not have picked it up otherwise and I loved it. With a remote, rural, historical setting it felt do well rooted and it was such a joy to read – I really liked the writing style. I’ll be reviewing it soon.

What are you planning on reading next?

I’ll definitely be listening to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as soon as its available. In the meantime I might give something else a go but I’m not sure what yet…

I’m just about to start The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis too which I have high hopes for.

Have you read any of the books here?

What are you reading at the moment?

WWW Wednesday 6/2/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling. Read by Stephen Fry.

I’ve been saying for over a year now that I’m going to re-read the Harry Potter books and I still haven’t – there’s just too many new books clamouring to be read in a TBR pile that just keeps growing!

I’ve also kept saying I was going to give audiobooks a try since having Peapod and finding I have a lot less time to pick up a book.

So, this morning I decided to combine the two and try the audio version of Harry Potter And the Philosophers Stone. The fact that it was read by Stephen Fry gave me high hopes and so far I’m really enjoying it – it’s a totally new (to me) way of reading but it was brilliant – feeding a wriggly worm? Still reading! Pushing a sleeping sausage round in the pram? Still reading! Preparing our breakfast with a hungry horace in his highchair? Still reading!

I’m only a couple of chapters in but so far this is getting a massive thumbs up from me!

What have you just finished reading?

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison. Cover design by Melissa Castrillon.

I really enjoyed this it had aspects of lots of different story types I enjoy all rolled into one – magic and fantasy, history and adventure. I had a proof copy of this to read for review, but I’m going to be buying one of the beautiful finished copies – the artwork is fantastic (and as for those purple sprayed edges!) Full review will follow this week or next.

What are you planning on reading next?

As ever, I’m not sure! Either Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie, The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder or Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

As for audiobooks, it’ll either be Chamber of Secrets and I’ll binge HP before reading anything else, or Mary Poppins as that is another book I want to read this year and it’s read by Olivia Colman who I’m a huge fan of.

Have you read any of the books here?

Which book should I choose next?

What are you reading at the moment?