Reading This Weekend

These are the gorgeous books I hope to finish this weekend . I have started all of these except the first book . I think I have a fun reading weekend ahead of me . Now.... .... where did I put the tea......

Scandinavian Comfort Good by Trine Hahnemann

The State Of Grace by Rachael Lucas

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

A Secret Garden by Katie Fforde

Baby Loss Anniversary

Today was the second anniversary of the loss of Grace . ( I go more into what happened then in my January blog posts in 2015). Today was a funny old day . I woke early and remembered as soon as I was conscious but before I opened my eyes. My dog snoring beside me gave me comfort as I relived in my head that time two years ago when more baby dreams were taken from me. As you may know if you have followed my blog for a while it was my fourth pregnancy , we had heard the heartbeat weeks before and got pictures at each scan of which there was many . Having miscarriages in my past I always got scanned early so seeing the baby and hearing it's little heart was especially special as every milestone is a blessing with my pregnancy history. 

This past Christmas felt lonely ...the little ornaments in the shops with " baby's first Christmas " made me smile but I hurt a little inside too . Looking back over the Christmas photos from two years ago I could see my hopes and fears on my face . I am glad I never knew what was ahead of me and for the small amount of time it was me and my baby both healthy with hearts beating along together as I did by best to keep my little one safe.

Anniversarys are hard . You remember your loss , relive the time they died, mourn empty arms and part of you does die with each baby and you don't get that part of yourself back . It is replaced by something else , a little more cautious ....more wary... and fearful . 

So my hopes for this year are the same as I had when I lost my baby that January . To be kinder on myself  and stop beating myself up for what might have been. 

In My Mailbox

Hi guys it was a thrilling day for review books today . Below are the goodies I received . It's a real mixed bag of YA , fiction and curiosities . Love it! 

A Secret Garden by Katie Fforde

Moonglow by Michael Chabon

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas

The Marvels by Brian Selznick . Review

I was thrilled when this book I had on order came in for me at the library. I have read a few books by the author in the past and loved all of them . Brian Selznick is the only author who is capable of making me get a lump in my throat from illustrations alone. The first half of the book is purely illustrations created by Brian , and they are breathtaking . I spent days ( yes days! ) looking at this awesome book. 

About one third of the book is an actual book with words and it carries on where the pictures stopped . A picture can tell you a lot , and these pictures really do as you are fully up to date with the plot by the time you get to the words. It's a genius way of putting a book together! Those of  you who may have read books by the author in the past will not be disappointed by this incredible book. I can only imagine the amount of work that went into making this beautiful book . 

Below is a link to this book on Goodreads :

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23566909-the-marvels

Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff. Review

This is a story about a man called Jonathan , he is a very likeable man who is taking care of his brothers two dogs for six months . It becomes clear early on that there is  more going on with him then first meets the eye. Jonathan is deeply troubled and it seems like he may not even realise the full extent , but it makes fascinating reading seeing him figure things out . These dogs came into his life at the right time , they provide comfort,  and in a way introduce him to other people. Jonathan is a very caring person who wants what's best for these animals , at one point I wanted to wrap him in cotton wool , he was putting these dogs needs above his own, when he should have been taking equally as much care of himself . It's a very touching book , I had a lump in my throat reading parts of this , it's they type of book that if you read in public you may have to wipe away the odd tear and other times there may be the odd outburst of laughter . This book had it all,  relationships , love , and finding your way in life .  I recommend this to anyone struggling with any of these issues. 

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

This book is going to be published February 2017 and will be available Enron Lovereding and all other good bookstores then . 

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

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/15493/Jonathan-Unleashed-by-Meg-Rosoff.html

The Children Of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston

I received this lovely book from my good friend Ivan for Christmas . I had remembered him mentioning it to me a few times so when I opened up my parcel to find this I was thrilled . As you know I am fond of children's books and YA books , so , if it's good for children it's good enough for me . 

I love a story about kids with grandparents and plenty of adventure , surely what could be more fun! This was no exception . The story is about a boy called Tolly who comes to live with his Great -grandmother called Oldknow at Green Knowe . Green Knowe is an extremely old house that has seen many people live and die here and not all of them have left as Tolly soon finds out . 

This was an exceptional story, Tolly is a curious and brave boy with a good dose of empathy and kindness . He is a likeable character and the parts of the story with his great - grandmother and him are some of my favourites . The setting of the story in a big old rambling house filled with ghosts of the past makes it a very memorable one . I recommend this to adults who are still young at heart or anyone who just enjoys a darn good story. 

Link to this book on Goodreads below:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/377889.The_Children_of_Green_Knowe

All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda . Review

This is the story about two crimes , many years apart that are linked . The story is told from the perspective of Nicolette Farrell , she was still living around the area when the first girl went missing and now another girl has gone missing . There is red herrings in here and for the longest time I was following the wrong herring ( so to speak) . The plot is good , very good! It takes us backwards to the truth ... It gradually becomes clear then what happened . I really enjoyed the mystery but also the sense of menace in the story , the woods out back , the sense of danger of Nic alone in the house  , a possible killer on the hunt . There is a lot to like about this plot . The entire way through the story I kept wondering what Nic was not telling the reader , it felt like she was holding out on me and that her father held a lot of secrets . 

I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Gone Girl for the sense of urgency and mystery. 

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

This book is going to be published February 2017 by Atlantic Books and will be available from Lovereading and all other good book stores then . 

Below please find a link .