Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Moved to Wordpress
I'm moving this blog to Wordpress, my new blog can be found here:
https://bookwormjenblog.wordpress.com
Most blogs I follow on on there. It's a work in progress at the moment.
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
Work In Progress
So no book review just yet. I'm reading and enjoying: The Secret Keeper by Ruth Hogan and The Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler and finally getting to grips with a novel I've been meaning to start for a while. I have so many short stories to finish. How do people find the time?
Thursday, 21 September 2017
Seas of Snow by Kerensa Jennings
Synopsis:
Is evil born or made?
Here's My Review:
Monday, 18 September 2017
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES REAL-TIME READ

Today, 18th September, is the start of the A Discovery of Witches real-time read. We start reading the same date that the book starts, continuing right through to the second book: Shadow Of Night and then The Book Of Life.
Sometimes we can go weeks without reading a chapter 😧 But then sometimes you have no willpower and find yourself skipping ahead because the books are so good.
I did this for the first time last year.
The Real-Time Reading Companion features history and facts about the characters and interesting information. The Facebook group is full of discussions as we make notes and hunt for Easter eggs in our favourite trilogy. Deborah Harkness also puts things up on her social media!
What makes this year so different is that the All Souls Con is at the end of the week and the Facebook group has increased due to the news of the TV series. It's going to be an interesting real-time read.
This will be my third read of this series and I have been waiting eagerly, trying not to start reading. Sadly, I'll have to wait until I finish work to start my real-time read.
What's the book about?
"When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer." Description from Deborah Harkness' website
It's a compelling read with amazing characters that you will love. Exquisite writing and a unique fantasy world that you will not want to leave. There's not just witches like Diana but Daemon's and Vampires. There's alchemy and magic. Science and history. Drama and love.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy or love the supernatural this book is for you.
More info here:
https://deborahharkness.com/ready-years-discovery-witches-real-time-reading/
http://www.thetenthknot.net/reading-the-books-in-real-time/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/allsoulstrilogy/
Saturday, 16 September 2017
More books? Can't resist.
I said that I wasn't going to buy anymore books. Why:
- I have a massive TBR list that isn't getting any smaller
- I have two books to read and review and reading two others, one of which will also be reviewed.
But classics don't count do they?
I should've stopped looking but:
I have this problem: when I'm shopping for books my brain switches off, it does, I can't even remember what books I own or need, I don't have the willpower to say: no you don't need anymore books. I can't leave them behind! So I also picked up these...I did not intend to buy this many books,
In my defence:
Classics are not the same as regular books.
They're just not. They are books you collect (and read! you have to read them!) it's not as if I bought contemporary books to add to my TBR, it's not the same I tell you. I'm adding to a collection not just a TBR (oh dear, that's a justification I could make to any book, wish I hadn't thought of that).
I broke my rule again! I can't help it, I need to go to some sort of book addicts support group, however:
Do you collect classics or gorgeous hardbacks? Make me jealous! Have you told yourself you're not going to buy more but did? Are you just as addicted as me? Or maybe you were good and had willpower, how? 😟
Monday, 11 September 2017
The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements

Release Date: 8th February 2018
Genre: HorrorType of books: ebook, from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Description from Netgalley:
The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements is an eerie and compelling seventeenth-century ghost story set on the dark wilds of the Yorkshire moors. For fans of Michelle Paver, Helen Dunmore and Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel, this gothic tale will weave its way into your imagination and chill you to the bone.My Review
Sometimes you get a good feeling when you start reading a book, like a gut instinct, that it's going to be good. 'The Coffin Path' is set on the moors and this atmosphere is the perfect place for a gothic story. The first scene dives straight into action with Mercy helping a ewe who is struggling to give birth. It's the beginning of a chilling story. When she's going home after helping the ewe Mercy feels like she is being followed, later on there is a hint that there has always been a curse at Scarcross Hall.
The beginning drew me in and I was hooked until the viewpoint change to a new character which also changed the tone of the story from the gothic but not for good. The mystery surrounding the new character soon kept me riveted allowing me to put my doubts aside and not stop reading until the surprising conclusion. I really enjoyed this book. It's a gothic ghost story with mystery and drama. The atmosphere and setting is amazing and the characters are people you will care about. It's one of those books where words fail me, how can I capture it in one sentence or paragraph? The one thing that stays with me besides the character of Mercy, is the imagery of the moors.
Friday, 8 September 2017
Mystery Package Arrives
The mystery still isn't solved. Can't remember if I entered a competition and ARC copies usually come from publishers. I definitely didn't order it my proof is the invoice it says " please accept with our compliments". I must have a terrible memory 😞 Maybe I'll figure it out eventually.
I remember seeing this book online somewhere and was interested in it. But heard nothing about recieving it. Oh, dear. Did I enter a competition? I must have. I remember something.....
An email search later. I forgot it's an ARC I requested weeks ago. Oh dear what a terrible memory. I forgot about the website and had no notifications it was coming recently. Completely forgot. Should I be worried about my memory? The email was dated July 23rd though
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
Mystery parcel!
Weird. I don't remember entering any competitions recently.
My boyfriend says that it must be one of those books I keep getting... I used to get advanced reader copies from lovereading but tend to use netgalley these days and get ebooks. So it's not that.
What is it?
It's being redelivered on Friday so I'll have to wait until I finish work Friday and get home (8:40!pm) to see what it is.
What a mystery!
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
Special Books, Favourite Books
I have a lot of favourite books that I reread when I can (Jane Eyre, The Lord of the Rings). But one in particular stands out for me.
I bought The Historian years and years ago when I was visiting one of my favourite places Tenby (in Wales).

I started reading it straight away, we were sitting on a bench and I started reading it, I don't usually do this. And I couldn't stop reading.
Now every time I read The Historian I remember where I was when I first started reading it. And when I visit Tenby I might think about The Historian, it's a riveting read.
Does anyone else have that sort of connection with a book? That you can remember the very first time you read it? Where you were? I don't often get that. I do remember reading books in my teens and how much I loved them, in fact I read The Historian in my teens.
Off on a tangent for a moment: I knew about The Historian a while before I decided to read it, I was put off by the idea that it was a story featuring Dracula (I hate it when they pinch other people's characters) but I loved it! I was put off reading A Discovery of Witches because of negative reviews, but I loved it. I'm rereading it this year and I'm a member of the facebook fan group.
I also this year read books I would never read as I thought that I'd hate them. There's a lesson here somewhere, maybe I'll learn it one day.
Happy Reading!
Monday, 4 September 2017
I've just signed up to do the Ninja Book Swap after much thinking. I have way too many books and have had to stop buying but I couldn't resist. I've signed up for the 'trick or treat' so you have one book you'll love and one you won't, which is another way for to me read out of my comfort zone. I'm so excited about it. I love the idea of buying a book for someone that might make them rethink a genre they don't love!


I'm also looking forward to the special birthday Ninja Book Box I ordered the May box review here but this next one is extra special and I may have to treat myself again. Single box purchases haven't opened yet but I'm tempted to subscribe.
I'm always saying to myself: you have too many books, you shouldn't buy this or that! But now I'm thinking, well why not join the Ninja book swap and get to know other book lovers, I've already signed up for that and bought this jewellery I've been thinking about getting for ages. I worry too much.
Happy reading!
Monday, 28 August 2017
Pocketful Of Crows by Joanne M. Harris

Author: Joanne M.Harris
Type of book: Ebook, free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Description from Netgalley:
And my eyes as black as sloe;
I am as brisk as brisk can be,
And wild as forest doe.
(The Child Ballads, 295)
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
The Travelling Bag by Susan Hill

Author: Susan Hill
Type: Short stories horror
Ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review:
It is with great regret that I must write my first negative/critical review for this blog.
Susan Hill may be most well known for ‘The Woman In Black’ a novel which I enjoyed. Her novels are set in the past and are excellent ghosts stories. I enjoyed her other novel ‘The Small Hand’ is was a really good read but I didn’t enjoy her novella ‘Printer Devil’s Court’ for the exact same reason why I didn’t really enjoy ‘The Travelling Bag’. I hoped that this book would be better but in her short fiction although you get the amazing horror writing that you can expect from this author, some chilling scenes that resonate in the mind after you’ve finished the book, the plot and ideas don’t seem fully formed or properly finished just like ‘Printer Devil’s Court’ and and they have disappointed me.
The Travelling Bag is a collection of four stories of horror:
The Travelling Bag is a story of revenge, which at first reminded me of a Sherlock Holmes story. A psychic investigator is telling the story of this “intriguing” case. I enjoyed the way that the story was told but didn’t get the point/plot in the end. It seemed a bit of a yarn although there was a chilling resonance at the conclusion.
The second story is Boy Number Twenty-One, it starts with a fire in an old house, Cloten Hall, and a man thinking back to how much it meant to him and if someone he knew was still there. We are told the story of how he met that person. I did not understand from the beginning what/who the boy was that meant so much to him and at the end of the story I was still uncertain.
Alice Baker is a more modern story of a new member of staff in an office and a weird smell and sense of oddness around her. It was an interesting story but it meanders and ends on an old cliche, I expected more to happen.
The final story in this collection is called Front Room. It starts off a bit ambiguous from the rest of the plot with a couple musing over a sermon they’ve heard in church about helping people less fortunate. They fix up their front room and suddenly a relative is mentioned who they can help. It is a very creepy story, with this evil woman. The horror scenes-towards the end- were not tense probably because they felt rushed and the ending also felt a bit sudden.
Each of these stories I’ve felt that I didn’t quite understand the point. I often read short horror stories and they usually leave me with a feeling of satisfaction at the conclusion, where some horror has been revealed or conquered. But Susan Hill’s stories while chilling they don’t have that satisfying conclusion. With each story I expected more from the beginning which the middle and end did not deliver. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was that didn’t make these stories work for me, whether it was the pacing, or whether they were just overwritten for short stories.
Susan Hill is a good horror writer, these short stories and her novels prove that she can write horror but I I won’t be reading Susan Hill’s short fiction anymore as I really don’t enjoy it, I will stick to the writers I do enjoy.
However, please remember this is all my opinion and you should always try a book for yourself.
And if case you're wondering who I do enjoy/prefer: Helen Laycock, Patsy Collins anthologies from Dark Tales.
Sunday, 20 August 2017
UPDATE
Finding time to read has been tough. I finished 'Summer At Little Beach Street' and reviewed it on here.
I've been trying to decide what book to read next and I ended up choosing these two:
I bought A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy when I was on holiday this year, I read that Hardy met his wife in the area that I was staying (Boscastle) and after reading that I found the book in a secondhand shop right opposite the cottage. I've read a few by Hardy and hadn't heard of this one. I really need to read more classics! If you're a Hardy fan tonight Sunday 20th August they're showing a tv adaption on BBC1 of Far from the Madding Crowd.
I've had A Dance with Dragons for a while, I stopped reading the books to avoid spoilers for the tv show. But it's changed from the books now and they're way ahead, I forgot how amazing George. R.R Martin's writing is and how quickly I get sucked into his books. I forgot what happened in the previous book I shouldn't have waited so long, I wish someone would write a companion guide for the books because there's so much going on you need a guide.
On about companion guides, I've pre-ordered the companion guide to my favourite trilogy (http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/539231/the-all-souls-real-time-reading-companion-by-deborah-harkness/9781101992968/) The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.
They're now in production of the tv series which I'm excited about. I'm also thinking of joining up with the real-time read in September. I love this series.
Have to talk about that on my blog one day. If you love witches and vampires and urban fantasy in general you have to read A Discovery of Witches! The fan page of facebook is filling up now because of the tv series (I'm also a member of the Poldark fan club by the way).
I've finally adding my new page of bookish/literary merchandise so have and look here and tell me what you think and what you love. Maybe I'll have to find a way for people to add their finds too! Thanks for taking the time to read my update, happy reading!
Monday, 14 August 2017
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
Title: Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery
Author: Jenny Colgan
Type of book: Paperback
Library Book
Synopsis from Goods Reads:Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn't be happier. Because Polly is in love: she's in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she's in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she's in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.
And yet there's something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that's floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to Mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend's fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he'd left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.
Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?
My Review
Summer seems to have been short and sweet as usual, blink and you miss it. Hopefully you've enjoyed some of the sunshine. I was reading this book in the rain, it was my summer read. After reading Little Beach Street Bakery earlier in the year as part of a challenge to myself to read outside my comfort zone (more here review of first book) I fell in love with the characters and had to read this book.
It did not disappoint. I may have even enjoyed this more than the first as it was less of romantic-comedy style story and seemed more realistic to me. I enjoyed the realism, how life can knock you down and how even people like our Polly can struggle to get back up again (if you'll excuse the cliche). Just as the first book in this series, it was a teary story and a book that I could not put down.
However it was an uplifting read, maybe it's the setting is amazing or the characters who are like old friends, despite the tough times they go through in this book it's still an uplifting read and I will be looking forward to reading the next one: Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery, I could read books featuring these characters for years!
"Life is Sweet with Jenny Colgan".
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Update and Review of The Rules Of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Finished: The Rules Of Magic by Alice Hoffman, from Netgalley review below.
Currently Reading: Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan (couldn't resist after enjoying the first book, read outside your confort zone!)
The Travelling Bag by Susan Hill, from Netgalley.
Review of The Rules Of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Title: The Rules of MagicAuthor: Alice HoffmanType of books: Ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, 31 July 2017
Review of American Gods
This book grabbed me and drew me in instantly.
When I read the first chapter of this book I couldn't stop reading, I hadn't meant to read the chapter only the first page to see what it was like. I had to buy it and finish it despite all the books on my TBR.
It was the little shocking scenes at the start that grabbed my attention. And the mystery of it all: the fact that you never really know what's going on, made me want to continue reading to figure out what it was all about.
It starts with Shadow leaving prison and then meeting a strange person called Wednesday, it's the start of a journey where you wonder what's going on and what's going to happen.
The things that are happening in this novel are not of our mundane world and I loved that, Shadow meets various gods/characters who each stand out.
The writing is both to the point and atmospheric and exquisite. I love Neil Gaiman's writing style, it's very hard to explain how good a writer's style is unless you've read the book yourself. Also everyone is different and each has a different preference, some prefer fast paced action books. I prefer books like this where the words are as poignant as an intoxicating perfume and the narrative just draws you onward.
It's not often you read a book and stop for a moment to appreciate the information on the page. There are many good quotes in this novel (quotes here) and interesting facts that may or may not be true:
"5,000 years ago the lobes of the brain fused and before that people thought when the right lobe of the brain said anything it was the voice of some god telling them what to do. It's just brains."
American Gods is a unique, original, not possible to be replicated book. Neil Gaiman is one of those genius writers who you cannot emulate and who has a wonderful world view or imagination, a world you are drawn into.
It's is one of those books that I want to reread just to understand the layers, the themes and the foreshadowing. I am going to reread it one day.
Monday, 24 July 2017
Review of: Poldark's Cornwall by Winston Graham
Poldark's Cornwall is a memoir of Winston Graham's love and life of Cornwall. He lived in Perranporth for a time and was inspired to write his Poldark series, which I love. The book is full of historical information and anecdotes of his life as well as information for the Poldark fan (of course) about places that inspired the locations in his books and the characters.
Reading this book you don't just gain the urgent need to discover Cornwall for yourself but you also gain an insight into the mind of this amazing writer. His humour comes across in his opinions: "Superb beaches if you could only ignore the town." I love his honesty, that he holds nothing back in his opinions of places. He says of Tintagel that: "It's no worse or more vulgar than Jerusalem; but to attain any sense of linkage with its mythical or semi-mythical past you have to go out of season and preferably at night when the moon is up and the wounds of cheap building are part healed by shadows."
Although writing a factual book his writing is still as beautiful and scenic as Cornwall itself: "... which in sunshine has an emerald sea and dazzling sands, and much further east Lamorna Cove at the foots of its bracken-and fern-grown valley, the walnut brown cliffs giving depth and quality and iridescence to the sea they guard."
This book is a great memoir of Cornwall, it's obvious how much Winston Graham loved the place, he says that the "scenery of Cornwall that had got into my blood". You can see for yourself how beautiful the 'scenery of Cornwall' is, throughout the book are stunning photographs worthy of setting on canvas and framing.
I dare you to read this book and not want to visit Cornwall, I booked a holiday myself and long story short I am now in love with that glorious place.
This is a must-read for any Poldark fan: it's not a serious history of Cornwall but I'd say more of a memoir with interesting facts and anecdotes. An absorbing read: the work of a great writer!
Sunday, 23 July 2017
New Page
Still not sure if I should keep my writing and book reviews separate but for now I've taken the plunge
Friday, 21 July 2017
Not A Drop To Drink
Complaining aside- I did manage to finish this book.
Review of Not A Drop To Drink by Patsy Collins

Short story anthologies are the best thing to read on your lunch break or when you're commuting, they're a great way to enjoy reading if you're short on time. I recommend reading more short stories if you intend to write them.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
Post-holiday blues
I am fortunate really as some can't afford a holiday, although I know there are some who have more than one a year (rich! or not restricting job) I am fortunate to be able to go even if it is only once a year. I remember one year we didn't go away and then we went away in the September the following year. I hated it, being used to always having at least one holiday a year since I was a child-my parents using all their spare money to afford holidays- it's hard going when you don't have one.
So that year I hunted for some books to make me feel like I was on holiday. And for all those who can't afford a holiday books are the perfect escape.

I read this book that year and loved it. It's a memoir of a man who left the UK to start a new life in Andalucia, I still haven't read the other books in the series and I must because I enjoyed this one. I remember that I felt like I was there reading this book and loved the characters.
Here's some other books that might make you feel better or whisk you away:
Fantasy:
Read a book set somewhere else:
So there you go. There's definitely more that's all I could think of on this spur of the moment post. I will get my review finished asap of this book:
I just need to stop brooding and get on with it. (Brooding, hmmm, hope that's the right word there, post-holiday blues). Maybe I might read a book to get over the blues? There is actually a book out there that prescribes books to various ailments, I haven't bought it yet, (I sent an email to have a personal remedy but they never got back to me so I didn't bother 😟 ) but I like the idea. Books can uplift you, make you think, make you feel and make you happy.
And they are the perfect escape from the humdrum of our lives and the problems of society.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Currently reading or a bookworm's dilemma

Sunday, 9 July 2017
Holiday Book Haul!
- The World of Poldark- I love Poldark books and series. Currently reading 'Poldark's Cornwall' which I am so close to finishing and will be reviewing here very soon. (Probably one of the reasons I visited Cornwall too!)
- I found a second hand book shop in Boscastle! Trust me! So excited. Picked up a copy of Thomas Hardy's 'A Pair of Blue Eyes' which conveniently enough was mentioned in Boscastle guides because Hardy met his wife there and the book is based on her. I'm a Hardy fan so this was a good find.
- Same second hand book shop: 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' by Jean M. Auel. I've heard about this and I'm sure someone recommended it too?
Stationary Haul
Poldark Exhibition
Monday, 26 June 2017
Review: Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis
![Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis: The Vampire Chronicles 12 by [Rice, Anne]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511Qp4bdveL.jpg)
Name: Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantic
Author: Anne Rice
Type of book: ebook (recommend physical book as easier to skip to appendixes and it's better)
FREE EBOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR REVIEW FROM NETGALLEY
If you haven't read Prince Lestat then you really need to read that first. This review contains spoilers straight away of Prince Lestat.
My Review:
Moved to Wordpress
Hi! I'm moving this blog to Wordpress, my new blog can be found here: https://bookwormjenblog.wordpress.com Most blogs I follow on o...
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