Countdown to 2024 Day 10: Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
10 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Book you Forgot you owned, Countdown to 2024, Day 10, Genevieve Valentine, The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, Under the Tree
Today is day 10 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine. I bought this ages ago, I’m an absolute sucker for fairytale retellings and this is a reimagining of the twelve dancing princesses but set in Manhattan during the 1920s. I love the sound of it and really must make time to squeeze it in.
21 Days Remaining
End of Year Book Tag
Today I thought I’d take part in a book tag that I’ve seen buzzing round the blogosphere lately. The End of Year Book Tag. I’m not sure who created this tag but I saw it over on Read Betwixt Words.
Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Unfortunately yes. During the first half of the year my reading and blogging was pretty dire as a result of family circumstances. I’ve been trying to catch up but I do still have a way to go. However, the most recent read, that I put down – but do intend to pick back up – was Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien de Castell. This is an author that I really enjoy reading so I am definitely going back to this one.
Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett – I may fif this in before the end of the year of if not it will be one of my first reads and I’m hoping it fits this prompt – the cover certainly has an autumnal feel to it.
Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?
Haha, how long do we have. Seriously quite a lot to look forward to so far in terms of reading in 2024. Three that really stand out for me are Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison, The Briar Book of the Dead by AG Slatter and The Gathering by CJ Tudor
What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Voyage of the Damned by Frances White and one of my SPFBO finalists (I’ll post about this in the new year).
Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
Never say never. There’s still just over three weeks left in December so anything could happen. I’m hoping the two books I chose for the prompt above are good but who knows what else I might squeeze in before 2024.
Have you already started making reading plans for 2024?
Yep. But, I’m mostly sticking to the release order for my review books. I should make a start on a few of these this month and as well as the books I’ve already highlighted I’m hoping to get to:
That’s it for this particular tag. Have you read any of the books mentioned or are any of these on your radar?
Countdown to 2024 Day 9: Fairy Lights – something magical
9 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Countdown to 2024, Day 9, Fairy Lights, Once a Monster, Robert Dinsdale, Something Magical
Today is day 9 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Fairy Lights – something magical
Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale. A book that manages to marry the Victorian period with a creature straight out of Greek mythology. Beautifully written and absolutely wonderful. I loved it.
22 Days Remaining
Friday Face Off : Afterland by Lauren Beukes
8 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Afterland, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Lauren Beukes
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). . So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week my book is a book that I haven’t read but from an author I like very much. Afterland by Lauren Beukes. Here are the covers:
My favourite:
I have no idea how this relates to the plot but it just appeals to me.
Which is your favourite?
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers.
Countdown to 2024 Day 8: Baubles – these add some colour, a very colourful and striking cover
8 December 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Baubles, Countdown to 2024, Day 8, Dream of Death city, PJ Nwosu
Today is day 8 of my countdown to 2024. Using a series of prompts each day I will post a book title that I believe fits the prompt. The aim is to highlight as many books as possible that I read from 2023 and shine the spotlight on them once again (although for some prompts I will be looking at future reads). A list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2024.
Today’s prompt: Baubles – these add some colour, a very colourful and striking cover
Dream of Death City by PJ Nwosu certainly does have a striking and colourful cover and in fact the story itself relies heavily on colour too with red, gold and black adorning the pages. A highly immersive and unique read with compelling characters, a unique setting and great writing.
Books and travelling with Lynn 