Letterbox Love #13 The Big Unboxing!

Welcome to Letterbox Love, this is a UK meme, hosted by the lovely Lynsey at Narratively Speaking and inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox. This post is a means by which to highlight the books we get in the post and beyond, and especially to bring attention to those books which may be sat on our shelves for a little while yet that we love all the same.

So whilst I was away buying books last week, there was a backlog of exciting looking book post building up at home! Some of the parcels were expected, some unexpected...

Two of these boxes were from the lovely people at avon, a very mysterious silver box containing an it's  a boy photo frame (i had also received a letter containing a photo of a baby boy in the post-very mysterious! 

Then there was another silver box with a beautifully wrapped purple parcel inside...

And in this parcel was a copy of pieces of you by Ella Harper! This book was released on ebook on Thursday and you can look back to see what I thought of this!

I also received two books from the lovely Cara at Harlequin. I got little shop of Hopes and Dreams by Fiona Harper which is released on 3rd October.

I also got this gorgeous book which is also released on 3rd October and which I am assured wil make me cry!

In one of my parcels was my order from The Book Depository which I had been waiting aaaaages for. The Book Tube Athon was sponsored by them and so they had 10% off lots if lovy books recommended by the book tubers. I ordered 3, this gorgeous copy of If I stay by Gayle Forman-just look at that lush inside cover!

I also ordered Me Earl and The Dying Girl which sounds FAB! As well as Memoirs of A Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin because Ariel Bissett always recommends this in her videos!

The I decided to treat myself to some audiobooks for the Bout of Books readathon next week! I got The Beekeepers Daughter by Santa Montefiore, One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond and Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Can't wait to give these a listen!

THEN I found myself at a loose end in Chiswick and wandered into Waterstones... BIG mistake-bought four books! Solitaire by Alice Oseman which is supposed to be amazing! Popular by Maya Van Wagen which I think sounds absolutely fascinating-heard good things another both of these books!

I also got Lobsters by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison and The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting by Holly Bourne. Both of these come highly recommended to me and I might just fave time to pick up one if these next week (hopefully!)

So I THINK that's it for now-it's the summer holidays-not working means I have more time to BUY! Anyways let me know what you got in the comments & what you think I should read first-have a GREAT week!

Bout of Books 11.0 Sign up and TBR

Y

The Bout of Books readathon in here again and this time it has fallen in the holidays-YEY! I didn't read an amazing amount during the last readthon that I did and although it's a pretty busy week for me I'm hoping to do a little better this time, want to know more about the Bout of Books readathon? 

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

I'm hoping to dedicate this week of reading to reading books I really want to read and not just those I need to review. Therefore I've had real fun putting together my TBR for the week. I have been wanting to read the Anna and the French Kiss books by Stephanie Perkins for aaaaaaaaages now and so they are going to be first on my TBR list...

I also really really really want to read The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman and so that is firmly at the Top of my TBR pile! 

I downloaded a few audiobooks recently because I know I've got a lot of driving to do over the next couple of week and so these audiobooks are going on the TBR as well! I have The Beekeepers Daughter by Santa Montefiore. 

Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty and One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond. 

I also have OMG baby by Emma Garcia from the Library

And What A Girl Wants by Lindsey Kelk which has been sitting on my Kindle since I pre-ordered. I am really burning to read these ones. This is even without looking on my YA TBR shelf! 

So that's my TBR options. As I say I hope to get through a couple of the audiobooks because I'm going to be doing a lot of driving but hoping to be able to fit in some reading around my trios as well as properly read for pleasure this week as well as just for the reviews! 

What will you be reading this week? Which of these novels should I start with? Do you think I'll be able to get through all or any of these books?

Review: The Story of Us by Dani Atkins

Emma Marshall can't wait to marry her childhood sweetheart, Richard. But then a tragic accident changes everything, and introduces a stranger, Jack, into her life. Gorgeous and mysterious, Jack is like no-one Emma has met before. But Richard is the man she loves...

Two different men. 

Two different destinies. 

How will Emma end her story?

Review: this is definitely a compelling read-I picked this book up & less than 24 hours later I was done! Like Dani's other novel this story begins with a tragic accident which changes the course of our heroine's life. This unsettled me a bit because I was worried it was basically going to be the same story over again, a story of what if, but thankfully it turned out to be a completely different plot! The storyline itself is still rather tragic and I do feel somewhat wrung out having just finished it! I really liked the structure of it however. In amongst the story, there are chapters entitled The End part one and two and so on. These give you snippets at a time if how the book is going to end, I think this was a really clever way of structuring it. Each time you reach one of these chapters, you changed your mind as to who or what is being talked about as well because of what you've learnt from the main storyline!

I really liked Emma as a heroine. She is sensible and realistic and doesn't seem too scared to go for what she wants and what is right! She does make some slightly dodgy decisions along the way but I was rooting for her. There are a couple if love interests in the story as well and I don't have anything against them but I really loved Emma's friends and the part that they played in the novel-it wouldn't have been the same without them!

As I've said-I really liked the structure of this novel, but found the storyline emotionally draining. It seemed a bit like, whenever something went right for Emna, something else came along & knocked her back dine again. Now I know that this is how life works but I really wanted some good luck for her... The ending as well wasn't what I'd hoped it would be-not giving anything away! Ill admit thati did shed a tear at the end though!

This is definitely a good read, not something to pick up if you're feeling a little emotionally fragile but something for your summer reading pile that's for sure. The characters and story line are strong and it is a definite page turner. There are some beautifully philosophical phrases about love that will definitely stick with you & it will leave you wanting to hold into those around you & seize the day!

Review: Pieces of You by Ella Harper

Lucy. I don’t even know how to start this letter.
Something happened. Something terrible . . .

Lucy was always sure of one thing – her future with husband and soulmate Luke. But after eight long, heartbreaking years trying to have a baby, that future is crumbling before her eyes.
When a terrible accident puts Luke into a coma, Lucy is forced to reassess everything she thought she wanted.

Then a woman arrives with a shocking secret that will force Lucy to make the hardest decision of her life. 

Review: wow this book was a total emotional rollercoater, I feel exhausted having just read it, but in a good way. This book deals with the taboo of infertility and actually a ton of other taboos that affect a lot of people in life. I don't want to give away any spoilers though so I won't go into those too much! The storyline can be really depressing at times as poor Lucy is hit by blow after blow after blow in very quick succession and so I urge you to read this in short bursts or else with someone lovely and friendly around to give you a cuddle! Do NOT read this book too much in public as you will have to be explaining the tears to the people at the next table in the coffee shop... (I had to get extra napkins during the ending!)

I really liked Lucy as a character and even though she is slightly older than me and married I felt I could related to her. She deals so well with everything that is thrown at her, I actually felt proud of her by the end of the book with the way she handled herself and arranged her life in the most careful and organised way. She makes a decision at the end of the book though that I thought was really out of character and kind of went against a lot of the values I thought she had. Luke is an amazing person and I defy anyone not to fall in love with him, he is beautifully described as well so you feel like this gorgeous piece of man is standing right in front of you whilst reading about him. You will definitely find yourself awwing at the little things that he does for Lucy. Unfortunately he also makes a bad decision at some point during the book that will make you want to scream, 'what? No!' 

The other characters in the book also play strong roles and each have their own voices in decimated chapters. Luke's mother Patricia doesn't seem to deal with things as well as Lucy does but really steps up to the mark when Lucy can no longer cope. I admired her for this. Luke's sister Angell also seems to have had a lot thrown at her and more is to come in this novel, I think a spin off novel about her story would be a fabulous idea as she plays a massive part in this novel. Likes brother Ade provides something of a lynchpin in the novel, all will become clear when you read the book and I found myself really warming to him a novel about his story would also be interesting! 

As I have mentioned above, the storyline of the book is a toughie... There is much trauma and a lot of emotions are felt, there are joyful moments, sentimental moments and truly heartbreaking moments but overall it is definitely a worthwhile book to read. The writing is lovely and the descriptions incredibly vivid. I loved the way the story was structured with the different voices and it made for an easy read in that respect. I was a little disappointed with the ending, it was all wrapped up rather swiftly and you are left wondering about various aspects of Luke and Lucy's life and I think perhaps this is why I am so keen for some sort of spin off novel from one of the other characters. I don't think you would enjoy this novel if you were dealing with some sort of fertility issues yourself but I don't think you have to be in the baby making business to appreciate the issues in the novel or identify with the characters within. 

Review: The Way You Look Tonight by Richard Madeley

The thrilling new novel from bestselling Richard Madeley takes us into the glamorous world of the Kennedys and the steamy, sinister Florida Keys

Not until she was 16 did Stella Arnold learn the full truth about her father, how handsome, charming James turned out to be a cold-blooded, psychotic extortionist, racketeer and killer. Knowing now what her father was capable of, she decides to study psychology and the criminal mind, and to further her education in America. In the spring of 1962 she flies to Boston where, being beautiful, bright and fashionably English, she becomes someone of huge fascination and on every invitation list. Then comes an invitation one summer weekend to the home of the Kennedys. Stella quickly becomes part of the inner Kennedy circle as they party through the hot summer nights. Both brothers, JFK and Bobby, make their moves on her but she firmly, charmingly, repels them.

Further south, on the Florida Keys, a killer is on the loose. The case, unsolved, begins to rock America, and with her specialist knowledge of psychopaths, Stella is co-opted by the police investigation and prepares to fly south...

Review: I was totally and utterly surprised by this novel. That doesn't mean that I didn't love it however,in really really enjoyed delving into this new world and was surprised by the writing style. I expected something a little more staid and a little more simplistically, but the writing was beautiful, had a real flow, the prose almost hypnotic! I was a little confused by the storyline to start with. I'll admit that I didn't read the blurb before starting this book and so I had no idea what to expect. From the cover I thought it would be some kind of coming of age story but Infact what I got was a crime, mystery tale set in the past. Now those of you who know my usual reading choices will know that all of these things are usually turn offs for me, but in fact because I didn't know what I was getting myself in for, I found myself sweet up in the storyline set in America during the presidency of JFK, and I literally couldn't put it down. This is one of those books that I stayed up until the small hours finishing. A club which only a handful of excellent reads belong to! 

I have to admit, I found the character of Stella pretty hard to warm to, she seemed experienced and yet was actually quite naive. She hadn't flown before and yet she seemed happy to divulge all to an air hostess who SHOULD have been serving her drinks, not sharing cigarettes with her, and she seems to jump into most things with her eyes closed, something which I found really quite annoying. Her partner on this case was a lot more likeable although he seemed pretty naive too. The psychopaths in this novel seem to be the only ones with a little common sense, although I did have a real soft spot for those Kennedy boys! 

The level of crime and murder/gore in this novel aren't too high and so don't be out off on that front. Because it is psychopaths being dealt with and not mass murdered necessarily, the crimes are more thoughtful than downright bloody and the setting of this book makes up for the occasional gory murder. I love the idea of the Florida keys as a setting and beach parties with the Kennedys sounded really quite fun. This book has a really good mix of interesting storyline, crime, mystery and a little bit of a love story thrown in, a definite classic of a summer read! 

Top Ten Tuesday: books I'm not sure I want to read! 12/8/14

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

I'm slightly loathed to write this one because it will make it seem like I don't want to read these books & I want rid of them, which I don't. Sometimes though there are books which symbolise the end if an era, books you're not in the mood to read right now & books sent to you which you're not sure you'll like but could turn out to be serious gems! I'll do my best...

1. Nearly-weds by Jane Costello, this is the only book I haven't read by this author & if I read it I'll have nothing left, I don't fancy that prospect very much.

2. The Uglies series by Scott Westerfield. I was recommended that series but, as yet, haven't been in the mood to read it!

3. The Shiver series by Maggie Steivater. Same reason as above really...

4. Castle Hill by Samantha Young. This book and it's sequels is another I haven't been in the mood for, I think I need to be in the right frame of mind for something erotic & I just haven't been recently.

5. New York by Edward Rutherford. I loved the premise of this one but now seeing it's extreme thickness sitting on my shelf, I'm not so sure.

6. Riders by Jilly Cooper. Again, loved the sound of this one & downloaded it on audiobook but I just can't seem to get into it & there is still at least a day of listening left!

7. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. I thought, right let's read the booker prize-winning book this year-I can do it! Turns out, I might NOT be able to do it!

8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This covers a lots of the classics sitting on my shelf actually, I really struggle to get into them & yet I know, I KNOW I would like them if I could just make some inroads...

9. Looking for Alaska by John Green. I think I'm going to have to be in a happy mood for this one!

10. The Diamond Ring by Primula Bond. I recently finished a couple if series & was really disappointed by the last book-I don't want that to happen with this one!

So there you have it-a mixture of reasons & I know I will get round to reading these books, some soon, some not to soon but I will, for now though-they remain on my shelves. 

Book Blogger UKYA Award Nominations

Hey Guys! Today I am proud to announce that the Book Blogger UKYA Award Nominations are open! Use the form below to nominate the books and authors that you love! You can nominate up to three books and authors per category - choose wisely! Nominations will stay open until 24th August. (That's two weeks!) Then the shortlist will be sorted and voting will begin on the 1st September. Good luck to all the lovely books and authors!