Goodreads Challenge 2016

Hi guys! Happy New Year!!!! With a new year comes a new reading goal with the Goodreads Reading Challenge. This year I am hoping to read 100 books . Last year I planned to read 100 books but exceeded that by reading 260 books which took me by surprise!  2015 was a year of reading a lot and listening to a lot of audible books . This year I listened to books more then ever before and I hope to continue that this year too. 

The first book I am reading this year is this book below by Ali Smith called Public Library. I can't wait! Books about books are really something I enjoy a lot. 

I have lots of exciting review books coming your way too for January , and so far it looks like 2016 is going to be an exciting reading year so keep an eye on here to check out what goodies I come across. But above all else I wish you a happy reading year and may you find many gems, go on many adventures and find many new characters to fall in love with. 

Xxxxxx

Edel

Happy New Year

To all my followers on here I wish you a safe and happy New Years Eve and a wonderful 2016 . May it be filled with everything you hoped for and more . Thank you to all those who read and leave such nice comments on my blog and I look forward to posting lots more in the new year. So with a few minutes left of 2015 I say lets make 2016 our best year yet! Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt . Review

This is about a teenager called Morgan who develops agoraphobia after a hugely traumatic expierence in her life. We don't learn straight away what happened to cause this but we see what her daily life is like and the thought process she has around being agoraphobic. When a new family move in next door and the son tries to make friends with Morgan it opens up a while new world for her inside those four walls . Morgan begins to realise she has to face what happened in the past if she is ever going to have a future. This was an informative and believable story of mental illness and the many complex sides to it as well as the stigma and treatment . A great read for anyone interested in inspiring stories about mental health. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.

This book is going to be published in April 2016 and will be available to be purchased from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on their website :

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781447287360/isbn/Underwater-by-Marisa-Reichard.html

Palace Of Treason by Jason Matthews . Review

If you enjoy books about espionage , or are a fan of James Bond then I think you will really like this high stakes thriller where backstabbing and double agents are just the normal every day life for these characters who are trying to gain information to protect their own government by having one of their rival agency people as their mole. The story is based around the CIA and  the Russian Intelligence Service and how each group are trying to gain information . The men and women they have on the ground are risking their lives daily to do this job and you have to wonder who would do this voluntarily ? Apart from being a thriller it makes fascinating reading imaging all these ordinary people doing these incredible type of jobs in real life even though the story itself is fiction . The main characters are Nate and Dominika , Nate works for the CIA and Dominika works for the Russian Intelligence . Both of these characters are high up their career ladders so their security/ access level is high. Danger lurks behind every corner in this book but friendship and love also have their place here too. Gripping reading!

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk .

This book is being published in January 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15379/Palace-of-Treason-by-Jason-Matthews.html

Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard . Review

This is the story of two friends , Caddy and Rosie . They have been best friends since they were children but they go to different schools. When Rosie meets a new friend at her school called Suzanne no one could have foreseen the path of distruction that would follow this beautiful troubled young woman . This new friend joining their little group alters the dynamic and many cracks begin to appear and the story takes us in a direction I was not expecting. Mental Illness, abuse and friendship are all tackled in this story with care , and very realistically . Suzanne is hurting a lot and she has good reason to be ,but my heart went out to this character , I wanted to wrap her in cotton wool and keep her safe from all harm.

I stayed up late into the night to finish this book and I am glad I did. The writing and the way the author makes you feel for these characters is truly inspiring. I loved this book. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk

This book will be published in February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then.

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading4kids website:

 http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781509803538/gd/Beautiful-Broken-Things-by-Sara-Barnard.html

The Reluctant Journal Of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielson. Review

This is a story about a young boy called Henry who has moved to a different place with his father . We don't know straight away why he moved or where his mother is or why Henry is in therapy , but we do know this boy is hurting. Moving into a new area Henry and his father are quickly introduced to their new neighbours , and at school Henry reluctantly makes new friends with some very cool nerdy kids , all these new people will prove beneficial to his new life no matter howuch he fights it. The story is heartbreaking and at many times bittersweet , seeing the results of bullying from a different angle is enlightening and thought provoking. Henry uses his own mechanisms to cope with stressful situations and we see how others cope with mental illness too making it easier to understand this illness that often has a stigma attached to it. I would recommend this to anyone , especially anyone who needs to read about an inspiring character who is stronger then he realises . 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids. 

This book is going to be published in Februray 2016 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then .

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading4kids website:

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781783443666/isbn/The-Reluctant-Journal-of-Henry-K.-Larsen-by-Susin-Nielsen.html

Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins . Review

This story is set in an alternative present day and begins in a luxurious home where we begin to meet the main characters Luz and Ray. They begin a journey in search of water and answers through much changed America. Sand and dry barron areas surround them and there is a real sense of isolation and a feeling of worlds end while reading this. There journey seems hopeless but they come across a toddler called Ig who they take care of and bring with them so the three of them become the most unlikely travel companions . There was a real dream like quality about the story , but it was easy to imagine a world where it could alter so much ,that humanity would have to alter its way of breeding  so the human race could continue and there would be new leaders and life would be forever changed. Definetly an intriguing book for all dystopian book lovers . 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is going to be published in February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website.

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781784292867/isbn/Gold-Fame-Citrus-by-Claire-Vaye-Watkins.html

Missing Presumed by Susie Steiner . Review

This is the story about a woman called Edith Hind who's mysteriously vanishing causes a ripple effect to many people's lives leading the reader to very unexpected places and circumstances. What starts as a seemingly straightforward missing persons case soon has the authorities running around in different places and having to come into the most unlikely of people in relation to Edith. Edith was a far more complex person then any one person knew but her actions effected many. This was a very thought provoking book about how are actions alone can effect the lives

Of others but it is also was bittersweet showing the reader that even the most unlikely of people have the biggest hearts.

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.yk

This book is going to be published February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading Website :

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9780008123284/isbn/Missing-Presumed-by-Susie-Steiner.html

In My Mailbox

Review book Broken Sky by L.A Weatherly in my mailbox today. This sounds really good ! 

How Hard Can Love Be by Holly Bourne . Review

This is the story about a teenager called Amber who is about to spend her summer holidays with her mother in America who she has not seen in two years . Leaving England for the summer is bittersweet leaving her friends but adventure and excitement are what's making her so excited! Amber goes there to help her mother and partner out but she also goes with a lot of mental  baggage that has been lingering around since her mother left her two years ago with her dad , stepmother and annoying stepbrother. The story was a simmering pot ready to explode from the beginning and this is one girl who is was in despite need of parental love and a need to find acceptence with the way her life and past was . I could not put this book down , I wanted to hug Amber so often as her pain practically bled off the page. This makes an unforgettable read!

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids

This book is being published in February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading4kids website:

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781409591221/isbn/How-Hard-Can-Love-be--by-Holly-Bourne.html

Tainted Love by Kimberley Chambers . Review

This is one of those books that I will probably remember all my life. The story is based around one infamous family in the East End of London from the 1980's to the present day. The matriarch of the family is the mother Queenie and she has two notorious sons called Vinny and Michael. These two men rule the East End by whatever means necessary while keeping other criminals down and maintaining their own reputation of respect to those who deserve it  and striking fear into those that get on their wrong side. We see this family grow with children and grandchildren , not to mention the women and many criminal activities they are involved in. This was a remarkable story intricately weaving all the lives of one large family and their troubles together in one amazing saga. I recommend this to fans of all crime stories! Truly unforgettable !

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is due to be published in February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website :

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15377/Tainted-Love-by-Kimberley-Chambers.html

The Stylist by Rosie Nixon . Review

The story is based around a sales assistant called Amber who works in a very exclusive clothing shop in England . Through a huge piece of luck she ends up getting a job helping one of the most sought after stylists in the run up to the awards season in L.A . The madness and chaos of the lives of those that help style the rich and famous celebrities is both hilarious and nerve wrecking but does have hugs perks , so when this new world opens up to Amber as she helps the notorious Mona Armstrong , stylist extradinare , it all becomes an eye opening expierence ,the likes of which is unlikely to forget ! This is a book to read in a one sitting with a large cup of tea. Fun and fabulous !

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Mira.co.uk

Below please find links to this book :

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/184845452X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1450792234&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=the+stylist&dpPl=1&dpID=51wj93TSFTL&ref=plSrch

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26341745-the-stylist

In My Mailbox

Today I received these two awesome books. How striking is this first cover ! 

Palace of Treason by Jason Matthews

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase . I really like this cover . It reminds me of being a child and running through the fields at home. 

Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans . Review

The story centres around a young boy called Noel who is an orphan and living in  London with his ailing godmother Mattie. When it looks like war is imminent he sent with all the other children out of London to safer places where he meets his foster mother Vee. Vee lives with her dodgy son Donald and her mother so it is quite a change from the life he had with his godmother . Noel quickly learns that the family are more then meets the eye with each of them harbouring their own secrets and he is fitting in and adjusting to them remarkably well ! Set during war time the story does feel authentic to that time in history and the story had many moments of tenderness and humour and Vee makes the most unlikely good mother figure for Noel and there meeting could be the making of both of them! If you like books set around this time in history then I recommend this , but ultimately it is just a very good book to be read and enjoyed by anyone. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Iovereading.co.uk .

This book is going to be published December 2015 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good book stores. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/14371/Crooked-Heart-by-Lissa-Evans.html

What A Way To Go by Julia Forster. Review

The main character of the story is Harper , she is 12 years old and her parents are divorced much to Harper's dislike. The story is set in the 1980's in England . Harper is torn between her two parents Mary and Pete, trying to be everything to everyone when she should just be worrying about herself . Harper loves to read and thinks of herself as a bit of a misfit but as the story is narrated through her eyes we see she is much more then that and she does not give herself enough credit as she is a thoughtful and a very kind child. The story is bittersweet  and thought provoking with a feel good centre plus plenty of quirky characters who are very likeable. I recommend this for anyone who likes an unconventional main character who is not afraid to follow her own path . 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is going to be published in January 2016 and will be available to buy then from Lovereading and all other good bookstores. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website :

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15350/What-a-Way-to-Go-by-Julia-Forster.html

Try Not To Breathe by Holly Seddon . Review

From the opening chapter of this book I could see that I was not going to be able to read just one or two chapters of this book then get to sleep , no this book is worth staying up to finish! The story is about a girl called Amy who vanished years ago and then was found brutally injured . Amy has been in a coma ever since . The story is told from many sides, from those that knew her then , from Amy herself in her hazy moments in this dream like state she is in , and from Alex , a journalist with her own problems who needs this story to keep her own sanity as well as get closure for this girl who now has no one . There is many red herrings in here, I was constantly jumping between three suspects so when I found out who did it I was so I glad I stayed up late to finish it!! If you liked Gone Girl or The Girl On The Train I think you will really like this. 

I received this for review from the lovely folks over at Lovereading.co.uk.

This book is going to be published in January 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15321/Try-Not-to-Breathe-by-Holly-Seddon.html

My Sunday

Today we had a family sitting at a photographers studio so after getting glammed up a little it was home to get some exercise in and then cook dinner and then wrap a few last presents under the tree. 

 I then had to pick out my reading for tonight. I have already started these so I hope to finish them all tonight , so you can look forward to lots of reviews tomorrow . This month has been such a good reading month for me so far! I am hoping the awesome book streak will continue . 

My perfect cozy night in. All I need now is some comfy pj's , my santy socks and I am all set xxxxxxxxx

Wishing you a happy Sunday evening xx 

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox today are these two fabulous books! 

What A Way To Go by Julia Foster 

All The Rage by Courtney Summers

The Jazz Files by Fiona Veitch Smith . Review

This is a story about a young woman called Poppy who is helped by her mischievous and notorious aunt Dot to move to the very cosmopolitan London of the twenties!

Poppy is in need of a job and it's not long until she finds one with the help of her aunt . Poppy begins work for a newspaper and finally starts living the life she had always hoped for . 

There is plenty of information in the story that was relavent to the time and setting  of the story , so if you like your mystery mixed with a little history then this is a great book . I adored it! Poppy is a strong woman doing an unconventional job at a time that it was still frowned upon , she is also surrounded by other strong women who prove to be a good influence on her and I like her "go get em" attitude .  I hope there will be many more books featuring Poppy and the fabulous Dot !

 I received this book for review from the lovely folks at Lovereading.co.uk

This is the first book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series . This second book is going to be published in 2016 and I seriously cannot wait! It's SO good!  It will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below is a link to the first book which I have reviewed above. 

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15363/The-Jazz-Files-by-Fiona-Veitch-Smith.html

How Not To Disappear by Clare Furniss. Review

This is the remarkable story about a 16 year old girl called Hattie and a relative she knew nothing about called Gloria. One day Hattie answers the phone to a woman saying she is a friend of Gloria's and that Gloria is not well and could do with some visitors. Hattie is the only one in her family intrigued by this woman so off she goes to meet her only to be very surprised ! Gloria is not your typical elderly lady, she is a bit of a rebel who is fond of drinking too much and not one to mince her words! Through a revelation by Hattie , these two find they have more in common then either thought possible and this forms a bond between them which leads them on a road trip and answers to many questions about the past and future . I highly recommend this amazing book. Truly wonderful! 

I received this book from the lovely people over at lovereading4kids.co.uk

This book is being published in January 2016 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book:

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/

In My Mailbox

The Expatriates by Janice Y.K . Lee review book. Great cover!

Coffin Road by Peter May . Review

The story is based around three people mainly and begins on the Isle of Harris with a man coming round from being unconscious . He does not know who he is or anything about his life ,but we quickly learn that others do know him and what he has been doing on the island. Then we meet a young woman called Karen who is in search of answers about her dead father , she has a lot of questions and they are leading her on unexpected journeys. Then there is the detective George Gunn who is investigating a suspicious death on the island , his inquiries are leading him to the unconscious man ( Neal) and Neal cannot say with certainty that he knows what is going on at all as he just can't remember , so he does not know who he can trust or why he is in this position . This was a gripper ! It's such a good mystery that you really do have to keep going to piece it all together and get the satisfaction at the end of finally understanding it all. I really enjoyed this!

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is going to be published January 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. Below please find a link to this book on their website. 

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781784293123/isbn/Coffin-Road-by-Peter-May.html/noredirect

The Woman Who Ran by Sam Baker . Review

The story begins by a fire then fast forward to present day and a woman who moves to a small village and becomes of great interest to her nosy neighbours. Single and without children she is a curiosity here who has made herself a bit of a recluse living in a big house . Knowing she is alone it is not long before the village tries to set her up with someone . The more she hides the more interesting she becomes to those living near by but Helen is hiding . Hiding from memories and something even worse that she can't even remember , she can't trust anyone until she can figure out for herself what happened and try and patch all her memories together.

I received this book for review from the lovey people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published in February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and  all good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the lovereading website. 

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9780008139902/isbn/The-Woman-Who-Ran-by-Sam-Baker.html

Never Evers by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison . Review

This is the story about a school ski trip to France where a reluctant Mouse is going and an eager Jack can't wait. The story is told from these two characters perspectives and it is fun seeing the same story through each ones eyes. Among the classmates are the cool kids , the fun kids ( that is completely mouse's group) and the guys who are looking for love . One in particular is Jack , Jack looks like a well known celebrity so the cool girls have their eyes and claws aimed in his direction but he only has eyes for one particular girl. This was a fun read about school trips, love and adventure away from home. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk.

This book is being published in January 2016 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then.

Below please find a link to this book on their website. 

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781910002360/isbn/Never-Evers-by-Tom-Ellen-Lucy-Ivison.html/noredirect

In My Makeup Bag

Orla Kiely

The eyeshadows I am loving by Benefit and Essence. Love these pretty colours .

Vichy Dermablend and Garnier BB cream

Mini's of my favourite products I keep in my small makeup bag, Benefit Pote Fessional, That Gal,High Beam, Estée Lauder Night Repair, Vichy Aqualia Thermal.

Avon, Clinique, Seventeen, Maybeline etc for the eye lashes and brows and face

This was my first go with Benefit lipstick and Clinique chubby sticks as well as Essence lipsticks. The purple chubby stick comes up clear on lips and is moisturising, the pink had a lot of pigment! Either are great to carry on a bag but I would carry a mirror if using the pink . I love the shade of the Benefit lipstick , the packaging is what drew my eye at first ! I adore it! Simply pretty and feminine ! The essence lipstick is a lovely pink neutral that would suit most skin tones especially those fairer Irish skin tones . The Catrice lip gloss is both glossy and creamy without being sticky or smelling weird which is a huge bonus! 

And the trusty hair clip to tie all my hair out of my face while I am applying my make up. 

You might notice that I have not included blush or powder here, I u have been using Rimmel powder and bronzer for a while and I think they are amazing considering how much they cost, I have tried other brands and they are right up there with some of the best brands  when it comes to quality . The blush I use tends to be Dandelion by Benefit. I love this blush. It is my favourite. I have it in a set which makes it hard to transport it can't be removed so I really need to get myself an individual blush box again.  

The Butcher's Hook by Janet Ellis

This is the story about a young privileged young woman called Anne . Anne's family have suffered many losses as her mother has many children who have died. Her father is a bit of a tyrant and hard to like but he definetly reins as head of the household , and is to be feared . Anne seems like such a likeable character at first if not a little flawed but it becomesapparent as the story goes on that there is more to this young woman then meets the eye , especially when she sets her heart on a special man . This book really surprised me! I had no idea it was going to go in the direction that it went at the end. So good! 

I received this book for review from the lovely folks over at Lovereading.co.uk. 

This book is being published February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on their website:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781473625143/isbn/The-Butcher-s-Hook-by-Janet-Ellis.html

Reading This Weekend , Wonka, Audible, Retro Sweetshops

Hello lovelies ! I am typing this on a wet grey day on the west coast of Ireland , but you know what , that is the perfect weather for reading ! 

The Butchers Hook by Janet Ellis. I have already started this book and I am really enjoying it . I am not sure if this is the final cover or not but either way I love it , it's one of those books with a texture you want to touch . The colours are really eye catching and the images really stand out. 

What a title! Coffin Road by Peter May. I have started this book too. I am already hooked and jumping from each book to the next and back again. So many good books coming out at the end of this year and next year!

Never Evers byTom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

. I love this wintery themed cover, this sounds like it will be a fun read ! 

How Not To Dissapear by Clare Furniss

This book title intrigues me! I can't wait to start it. 

Lastly I have been listening to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K Rowling. I love that the series is now available on Audible !!!!!! I could not wait to download books 2 and 3 as soon as I found out! The rest of the series are going on my wish list !!! Stephen Fry is a wonderful narrator and I am so glad it is so easy to get the audiobooks now as I struggled a little with buying on Pottermore . Well done J.K Rowling on making it easier for us to get your audible books . It was a great decision! You are awesome!!!! Xxxx 

Lastly and book related I came across an old fashioned sweet shop so I had to get this!

Wonka Bar!!!!!! I did not have a golden ticket but it's still chocolate so you can't really lose!

Well guys that's what I am reading this week .. What are your reading plans this weekend? 

In My Mailbox

Review Books

The Butcher's Hook by Janet Ellis

How Not To Disappear by Clare Furness

Never Evers by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

How Hard Can Love Be by Holly Bourne 

Our Song by Dani Atkins . Review

This is the story about two women who both find themselves in the intensive care unit of the hospital on the same night , both sitting in the relatives room there, both terrified ,and both knowing and disliking each other .

Each woman's partner is in a life threatening situation and an intense situation like that brings out all manner of emotions from the woodwork and for  these two enemies it's a boiling pot. The book begins in present day and then flashes back and forth to each of the characters lives , and how they met , giving us a a better idea of what each of them is actually like and how they are linked , and what their individual  stories really was . A touching and tearjerker story that is told beautifully. Read with tissues!

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at lovereading.co.uk. 

This book is being published in January and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link this book on the website:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781471142246/isbn/Our-Song-by-Dani-Atkins.html/noredirect

Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris

Domestic abuse can be a difficult situation to understand but I think the author did an excellent job of showing how a normal woman can get fooled and pulled into a relationship with a domestic abuser. When these two characters , Grace and Jack first get together everything is wonderful, romantic and a dream come true. There are tiny glimpses of unusual behaviour before the wedding from Jack but nothing that you could say with certainty was wrong , just a feeling ,but it becomes clear very quickly that instincts should be listened to and quickly but it is not always easy when it is not just you in danger. Grace is such a smart strong character trying to retain her own self while this monster tries to break her and he wants to keep on hurting her , and not just her,  in every despicable way possible.

It has been a long time since I have hated a character as much as Jack , there are no words strong enough to cover how much I despise him or how important hope is. 

I received this book from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk.

This book is being published February 2016 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to the website.  

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/