Tag: Reading

Guest Post – Liz Robinson, Expert Reviewer and all round book nut.

· Leave a comment ·

Liz Robinson has been providing expert reviews since 2014.   She is one of the most prolific readers I know and has excellent taste and knows good fiction when she sees it.  I’m therefore delighted to welcome her to Tales Before Bedtime where she’ll be sharing some of her favourite books with guest posts and reviews. You can also follow Liz on Twitter: @LRLizRobinson

I have been writing expert reviews since February 2014. I relish my time spent exploring all genres, and particularly enjoy novels that send my mind into fevered action, scare the bejeezers out of me, or fling me back in time or to unknown places. Books have always played a huge part in my life, they take pride of place on my shelves, and often receive a pat or a hug as I pass. – Liz Robinson

The Year That Changed Everything by Cathy Kelly – reviewed by Liz Robinson

The Year That Changed EverythingUplifting and delightful, The Year That Changed Everything is another gorgeous read from Cathy Kelly. Three women have three milestone birthdays on the same day, they don’t know each other, yet a featherlight connection binds them together. In one day, the day of their birthdays, a bombshell shatters the life Callie knew, Sam’s waters break but she might not be ready for motherhood, while Ginger is forced to reconsider who she wants to be. These women aren’t perfect, they make mistakes, yet they are just so likeable and relatable I would be more than happy to be their friend… to hug, to console, to cheer them on.

I just adore Cathy Kelly’s books, she writes with a lovely warmth and kindness, beautifully engages with women across the years, and doesn’t shy away from reality. I found myself sinking into a delicious story that wrapped itself around me, and even with heart-ache along the way, The Year That Changed Everything is ultimately a captivating, enjoyable, feel-good read.

Published on 22nd February

Published by Orion Books

 

 

 

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Ten

· Leave a comment ·

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I first read this book three years ago now and it’s stayed with me ever since. Haunting and well crafted, this is a pretty special piece of YA fiction. It brought E.Lockhart to my attention and she is now one of my favourite YA authors. Edgy, gripping and at times shocking, this is one YA title that’s too good to miss.

We are the Liars. We are beautiful, privileged and live a life of carefree luxury. We are cracked and broken. It is a story of love and romance. It is a tale of tragedy. Which are lies? Which is truth?

This book actually made me gasp at the end, I just didn’t see it coming. Thoroughly recommended.

We Were Liars was published in 2014 by Hot Key Books

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Nine

· Leave a comment ·

Day Nine

A Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

IMG_20171220_001112Bear is having his first ever Christmas party.

He tells Mouse that there will be no presents. They will sit and eat pickles and maybe Bear will read a long difficult poem.

Surely that will do?

But Mouse thinks Bear is hiding something…

And he’s determined to find out where!

This lovely Christmas tale has a wonderfully nostalgic feel to it. Just beautiful.

A Christmas for Bear was published in November 2017 by Walker Books.

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Eight

· Leave a comment ·

The Magical Ice Palace by Suzanne Smith & Lindsay Taylor

Illustrated by Marnie Maurri

Now this is a wonderful picture book for those who live adventures, wintery fun and doodling.

img_20171219_2324501244307660.jpgDoodle Girl and her friends are having a wonderful ride aboard a Magical snowflake when…

TRUMPETY TOOT!

… they discover a Mammoth Prince wobbling and wobbling on top of a mountain!

Luckily, Doodle Girl is ready with her Magic pencil to help, but can they get to the ICE PALACE in time for the Mammoth’s royal part?

And once you’ve enjoyed the bright, colourful and fun illustrations there is a fabulous poster sized colouring sheet full of wonderful doodles to colour in.IMG_20171219_232307

The Magical Ice Palace was published in October 2017 by Simon and Schuster

IMG_20171219_232350

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Three

· Leave a comment ·

Day Three

Magnificent Birds illustrated by Narisa Togo

Walker Studios is an imprint of Walker Books. They produce the most stunning books that will mark the perfect gift for book lovers. The quality and finish is beautiful and perfectly compliment the talent of the illustrators and authors whose work is captured within. These are books that are a joy to pick up and read.

Magnificent Birds is filled with the most amazing illustrations from Tokyo born Marisa Togo whose lino-cut prints capture the beauty and magnificence of these incredible birds. Perfect for both art and bird lovers alike. Young and old.

IMG_20171203_185056From the bird-of-paradise that performs it’s extravagant courtship dance, to the godwit that makes the longest flight without stopping, discover incredible birds from all over the world. Explore the long-living, the rare and the spectacular, and celebrate the truly magnificent birds of our planet in this gloriously illustrated gift edition.

 

Magnificent Birds was published on the 2nd of November by Walker Studio.

Discover more about Narisa Togo here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.

Christmas 2017 – Book advent – Day Two

· Leave a comment ·

Day two and it’s the rather wonderful…

Penguin Problems by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith

Poor Penguin is having a bad day. The sea is too salty, his beak is cold, he looks silly when he waddles and he wishes he could fly. But when he starts to look at things from a different point of view he soon realises things aren’t so bad after all.

Super illustrations by Lane Smith (author and illustrator of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner There is a Tribe of Kids) accompany the thought provoking text by Jory John and capture the problems we all go through from time to time.

Penguin Problems was published on the 1st of November by Walker Books.

Discover more about Jory John here.

Discover more about Lane Smith here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.

Christmas Advent – Books, Books, Books

· Leave a comment ·

December is finally with us again and with it advent begins. I always feel slightly nostalgic at this time of year. I remember the advent calenders I used to have as a child, festive pictures of Father Christmas and Christmas trees covered in glitter. Behind each door would be a small picture: maybe a star, maybe a beautifully wrapped pile of presents, a sprig of holly or even a Christmas pudding. I loved those calenders. They didn’t contain chocolate in those days but they were still exciting and magical. Well this year I thought I’d make my own virtual calender to share with you and this one will of course contain books!

Day one brings us a little something to get us in the Christmas spirit!

Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares

This beautiful picture book brings us the story of Red and Lulu, happy together in their tree until one day they are unexpectedly separated. We follow Red on his quest to find Lulu. Tired and hungry he begins to wonder if he’ll ever find Lulu again. Then he hears a familiar tune. Will it lead him back to Lulu and home? With stunning illustrations, this gentle story will be wonderful to share over the festive season and beyond.

IMG_20171201_211256

IMG_20171201_211331.         dsc_0122601757033.jpg

Red & Blue was published on the 5th of October by Walker Books.

Discover more about author and illustrator Matt Tavares here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.

The Last Days of Leda Grey by Essie Fox

· 1 Comment ·

I originally reviewed this title back when I worked for the original Lovereading. Both the website and myself have moved on but her writing still excites me. I’ve been a fan of Essie’s since first reading the wonderful Elijah’s Mermaid in 2013. Her writing is haunting and incredibly atmospheric and I’ve loved each one of her memorable novels. Essie also writes an absolutely fascinating blog as The Virtual Victorian. I’m so excited to hear that Essie has a new novel coming in 2023. The Fascination will be published by the rather wonderful Orenda Books in June 2023. I thoroughly recommend checking her out if you haven’t already discovered her. All her books are available and you can find out more by visiting her website: https://essiefox.com

Read on for my original review for The Last Days of Leda Grey.

Ed Peters, a young Fleet Street journalist, lives a hedonistic 1970’s lifestyle of which he’s grown weary. Whilst the country is in the grip of a stifling heatwave, Ed returns to his mother’s hometown of Brightland in an effort to make his peace with both her and his past. However, an encounter in a junk shop leaves him bewitched by the story of the young silent movie actress, Leda Grey. As he sets out to meet the reclusive actress both life and sanity are at risk as he enters Leda’s world and the secrets hidden away for over 60 years in her decaying cliff-top house.

The oppressiveness of the heatwave together with the trickery and magic of the silent films is incredibly atmospheric throughout the book; causing us to question what is real and what is a mirage, blurring fact and fiction. Essie’s writing is beautiful and sensuous, capturing the very essence of time, place and character perfectly. Even days after finishing this story I can still see Leda Grey sweeping through the house, both in her young innocence and later as the weary, tormented ghost of the girl she used to be. Yet there is more to this faded movie star than meets the eye. What secrets surround her and what horrors haunt both woman and house? Ed is soon drawn into her story and the curse that surrounds her. Haunting, sad and beautifully written, this is yet another stunning novel from the wonderful Essie Fox.