The Year in Books - November

Sadly these past few months I have had to stop participating in 'The Year in Books' organised by Laura at  Circle of Pine Trees, due to time restrictions. Yet I feel now would be a good time to join again, especially as cosy winter evenings are perfect for snuggling up with a good book.  My reading list recently has been quite varied as always.  A favourite in the past few months has been 'Where She Went' by Gayle Forman, the follow up to the amazing young adult novel 'If I Stay'.  This was one of those books I did not want to end but hungrily read on as I needed to know what happened.  Forman is definitely an author I will be reading again very soon and encourage anybody to try, even if like me you are not a young adult.  

So what will I be reading in November?  After a recent trip to the library I returned armed with books I have been wanting to read for a while.  First up is the tale of an adventure up the west coast of America.  'Wild - A Journey from Lost to Found' by Cheryl Strayed has been dramatised as a movie recently but as always I have chosen to read the book first.  Having loved books like 'Eat, Pray, Love' I am sure 'Wild' will be spiritually uplifting for me as the reader as I join her on her incredible journey.  Next up this month is an autobiographical journey with a lady I have admired for many years, Jo Whiley.  Over the years Jo has had a big influence over my musical choices and I just love her style and friendly yet incredibly cool way of dj-ing, so am looking forward to reading 'My World in Motion'.

Maybe two books are ambitious but I think it's about time I got back to reading reguarly again and know both of these books will keep me enthralled.  What will you be reading this month? Perhaps join in with The Year in Books? Find out more on Laura's blog here.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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The Year In Books - January

Last year I vowed to read more and eagerly took part in Laura at Circle of Pine Trees project, The Year in Books.  This seemed like a wonderful way to make sure I read regularly again, but also connected with other bibliophiles, sharing our love of reading and discovering even more books to read. Without the pressure of a book club, all reading the same book, each of us chose our own books, writing each month about these and then sharing these via Laura's linky.  So now I am thinking ahead to this year and will again be taking part in The Year in Books and I know that Laura has plans to expand on last years success, by adding monthly twitter chats and maybe even a month where we can read the same book if we want to join in.  

Obviously the next eleven weeks for me will be filled with dissertation research and writing, but I still plan to read fiction, every night before I go to sleep.  I am currently two thirds through 'How To Fall in Love' by one of my favourites, Cecelia Ahern.  This is a truly wonderful page turner, with intrinsic detail to the underlying story aswell as what is written on the page.  Learning to live and love life again the characters are believable and I truly hope that they find happiness in the final chapters.

Thankfully Santa has added to my increasing reading pile, with Cecelia Ahern's latest 'The Year I Met You', the much anticipated 'Us' by David Nicholls and then Markus Zusak's 'The Book Thief'.  Now I know I am a little late to the party with the last one, but I am really looking forward to reading this.  As for 'Us' I am a little apprehensive as 'One Day' is  one of my favourite books of the past decade, so I shall cross my fingers and hope it doesn't disppoint.  Another addition to our bookshelves here this Christmas was a beautiful Folio edition of my all time favourite book, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.  The joys of being married to a vintage and antique bookseller!  

So what will I read next? I think it will be 'Us'. How about you, what is next on your reading list? For more inspiration, or to join in the fun, visit Circle of Pine Trees to find out more about The Year in Books.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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The Year in Books : December

I know it has been a while since I wrote a post for The Year in Books but I have still been reading, although mostly journal articles for assignments and my dissertation.  However unless you have an interest in paediatric oncology, prostate cancer or health literacy I am sure none of these will be of interest! But thankfully I still find a few minutes each night to read before I go to sleep.  Over the past few weeks I have loved If I Stay by Gayle Forman and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.  Both have recently been released on the big screen but I am always cautious when great books are made into films, so I haven't rushed to the cinema just yet.  

This month I have opted for something a bit more light hearted, in the shape of my old heroine Bridget Jones.  A little late to the party in reading the latest diary, Mad About The Boy, from this character, but I have already spent the last few nights reading into the small hours. Clearly I am not disappointed with Helen Fieldings latest offering, already rooting for Bridget to make it through the abyss of single parenting and getting back on her feet after the loss of her great love, Mr Darcy.  

My Christmas list is always full of books and with a bookseller husband there is always something to read in our house.  Perhaps if you are stuck for what to read next pop over to The Year in Books link up on Circle of Pines for plenty of inspiration and reviews.  Also if you are looking for some vintage Ladybird, Enid Blyton or Penguin books for stocking fillers this Christmas then pop over to Letters & Luggage on Etsy.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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The Year in Books - July

With the promise of long, lazy summer days looming I have been stock piling books from the library.  There are several that I really want to read, having read reviews from other bloggers taking part in The Year in Books and also from reviews in Red.  Infact there are so many books I want to read at the moment that I wish there was such a job as professional book reader! 

June was a bit of a miss for me regarding my book choice.  I managed about the first third but to be perfectly honest I wasn't enjoying it.  It was well written but didn't really capture my imagination.  So having promised myself that if I'm not enjoying a book after the first quarter to waste no more time on it.  Long gone are the days when I had to read books for my English A level or the English Literature part of my first degree.  Life is too short to be wasted on books I am not enjoying, especially when there are so many books I really want to read.  Therefore I have spent much of June catching up on favourite magazines (Red, The Simple Things and Country Living) and have almost finished Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff as recommended by Lucy, my thirteen year old daughter.  I have to admit Meg Rosoff is fast becoming one of my favourite authors this year.  Even though her work is aimed at young adults and my greying hair and fine lines suggest I no longer fit this category, I am enthralled by her stories.  I adore the way she writes and have yet to find one of her books that I don't devour with great zest.

Already part way into July I have a little pile of books aligned, ready and waiting for my attention.  Dear Life by Alice Munro, Five Days by Douglas Kennedy and Life After Life by Kate Atkinson are on my list this month and I still have Gone Girl waiting in the wings.  However I am not sure I will get through all of these this month but I am hoping for plenty of reading time.  So now I am just hoping for the sunshine to return so I can lay out in the garden and enjoy many happy hours with a book.

What are you reading this month?  Recommendations are always appreciated and be sure to see what everyone else is reading for The Year in Books project.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
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The Year in Books - February

Well January flew by in haze of wet and windy days.  At last February has arrived and with the second day of sunshine and blue skies here in Suffolk I can almost smell spring.  Inspired by the idea from Laura of Circle of Pines to read a book a month, I have ended most of my evenings throughout January reading Bonkers by Jennifer Saunders.  This was an adventure through the comedienes life and a thoroughly enjoyable one too.  Although Jennifers writing seemed a little erratic at times but what more would you expect from a comic genius.  In the early days writing down their sketches were not part of their work, but as soon as French & Saunders worked for auntie beeb suddenly pen and paper were required.  It is clear that Jennifers head is bursting with ideas that occasionally pour out, I imagine in the same way she has shared her life in Bonkers.  

So time to chose another book.  This months choice is a recommendation from Lucy, my eldest daughter.  I had picked this book up from the library for her having read alot about it before Christmas as it was released as a film.  Being keen to share books with my children I am really excited as Lucy gets older that we can share books, having already encouraged her to read The Help, To Kill a Mockingbird and some of Cecelia Aherns books. So for Februarys book I will be reading How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.  

For more reading inspiration pop over to Lauras blog to see what the rest of the group are reading this month and what we read last month.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
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