Book review: The Dublin Railway Murder by Thomas Morris [blog tour]

I've been on a murder mystery kick this year, devouring the likes of Agatha Christie (of course), Richard Osman, Sophie Hannah (who's written new stories featuring Hercule Poirot), and Anthony Horowitz (Magpie Murders, Moonflower Murders). So when I heard about The Dublin Railway Murder, which is a mystery based on a real-life Victorian murder, needless to say I was immediately intrigued. 

Theatre review: Six at the Vaudeville Theatre

"Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived." If you grew up in the UK you probably learned all about the wives of Henry VIII in this way in school. But how much do you truly know about these women, their lives before marrying the king, and what made them unique individuals rather than one of the wives? The musical Six lifts the curtain on these incredible women at last, empowering them by giving each one a chance to sparkle in the spotlight and rewrite their history, so it becomes her story.

Film review: Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen was a sensation when it opened on Broadway in 2016, winning six Tony Awards, including 'Best Musical', 'Best Score' (the cast recording also won a Grammy), and 'Best Leading Actor in a Musical' for its lead Ben Platt, making him the youngest solo winner for this award in Tony history. And Platt has now returned to the role he originated on stage for the film adaptation, which also stars Amy Adams and Julianne Moore. 

Book review: The Prince of the Skies by Antonio Iturbe [blog tour]

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a true example of a literary classic. Even nearly 80 years after publication it resonates with audiences in its original written form and in the countless adaptations that have been created since. For a novella that is often billed as a children's book, it has surprising adult and deep themes, centred around friendship, loss, and loneliness. Themes that run through the author's own life too.

Book review: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

The Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber is one of the most imaginative, exciting, and memorable series I've ever read. And as friends online and offline are all too aware of, it's one of my staple book recommendations from the past 5 years (alongside the incredible Station Eleven), to anyone looking to pick up a new read. I started out loving the series for its magical world-building, but it's the characters that kept me hooked until the finale. One of the most complex, nuanced, and mysterious has always been the mischievous Jacks. And we haven't heard the last of this Prince of Hearts, as he's a pivotal character in the new spin-off, Once Upon a Broken Heart, which is set in the same world as Caraval but can also be read as a stand-alone.   

Book review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club #2) [blog tour]

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is one of those books I cannot stop recommending to people. It's unique, funny, and hugely compelling, and has rightfully so sat at the top of the book charts for many consecutive months. The long-awaited sequel was released just a few weeks ago and sold an astonishing 114,202 copies in the first week alone – a testimony to how much readers love Osman's wonderful writing. I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour once again, as this is a book, and series, so very deservedly of being shouted about again and again. 

  

7 powerful retellings of classic Greek myths that should be on everyone's to-read list

Female characters in Greek mythology are unsung heroes who very rarely get appreciated for their impact on the myths; they're witches to be banished, prizes to be handed out like gold and cattle, and they lead male protagonists astray. It's a narrative that has become tiring and outdated and I'm glad that there are some excellent authors out there that are re-envisioning these ancient tales to put the women centre stage, giving them a chance to be the heroes of their own stories. Today I'm sharing four of my favourite retellings of Greek myths I've read to date – and three that are still on my to-read list. 

Book review: A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz

I have shared my love for Anthony Horowitz' books throughout the years. I grew up reading Alex Rider and Power of Five, and in more recent years I've discovered his adult novels. All of these are hugely gripping, packed with clever stories I can't get enough of. One of my favourite newer series is the Hawthorne and Horowitz mysteries, in which he plants himself at the heart of a whodunnit. And the third instalment, which can be read as a stand-alone too, will be published this week.

Book review: Meet Me In Another Life by Catriona Silvey [blog tour]

Sometimes I'm in the mood for a straight-forward romance, at others I enjoy racking my brains over a good old-fashioned mystery. Meet Me In Another Life is all that and then some; love story, sci-fi, family drama, mystery, all wrapped into one stonkin' good read. 

Book review: Deeper Into the Wood by Ruth Pavey [blog tour]

I've been on a non-fiction kick lately, particularly enjoying reads on the natural world, such as the incredible and insightful Tapestries of Life by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson and the calming descriptions of the English countryside and its inhabitants in the books by John Lewis-Stempel. So when I saw that Deeper Into the Wood by Ruth Pavey was released last month it immediately caught my attention – and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share my review of this wonderful book as part of the blog tour. 

Book review: This Fragile Earth by Susannah Wise [blog tour]

Dystopian novels are one of my favourite kinds of reads, and the cover of This Fragile Earth by Susannah Wise (colour, font, and image) screams Station Eleven (which is my all-time fav). Needless to say I had to start reading the book as soon as I got my hands on a copy, and I'm so glad I did as it was really compelling!

Book review: Tapestries of Life by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson [blog tour]

The natural world is so fascinating but to the average person (myself included), a large part of its mysteries are hidden. The most magical yet tightly run ship happening just beyond my view, impacting everything that surrounds me – and allowing me to live the life I do. The most obscure animals, insects, fungi, and plants are all vital parts of the process, going unnoticed and unrecognised. Until now.

Book review: Glass Coffin by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch [blog tour]

Retellings of fairy tales and myths are all the rage these days, and for good reason as they give readers a chance to see a different side to the often one-dimensional characters from the classic tales we grew up with. I've read some stonkin' reimaginings over the years, including Lost Boy by Christina Henry (telling the origin story of Peter Pan's arch rival Hook) and more recently Greek retelling Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, but I'm always keen to discover more of them. And when I heard about Glass Coffin by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch my interest was immediately peaked. 

Book giveaway: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

A few months ago I was part of the cover reveal for the beautiful The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain. And today it is publication day, woohoo! To celebrate, I'm thrilled to be giving away  a stunning finished hardback copy of the book (not pictured! That is a photo of my 'proof' copy instead, but the cover will be the one you can see on the screen). Read on to find out more about this wonderful novel and how you can enter this giveaway...

Book review: Together by Luke Adam Hawker with words by Marianne Laidlaw [blog tour]

This past year has been difficult for many reasons. Not in the least the loneliness and detachment many have felt by being being away from their friends and families for such a long time. This has been especially tough for elderly people and those living by themselves. Inspired by his grandfather, Luke Adam Hawker has taken this feeling of loneliness and created a heartfelt story through his beautiful drawings of an old man and his dog cut off from the world during a big storm.

Book review: Sistersong by Lucy Holland [blog tour]

I adore a good piece of ancient fantasy, particularly reimaginings of classic myths, legends, fairy tales, and ballads that hero characters often sidelined in the original. Circe by Madeline Miller details the story of a minor character from The Odyssey and is one of my all-time favs. So when I saw Sistersong by Lucy Holland was likened to this incredible book, I was instantly sold. Based on The Two Sisters, an old British murder ballad from the mid-seventeenth century, it answers the question of what happened to the third sister who appears in some versions of the original tale.

Book review: The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander [blog tour]

As a book fairy I love spreading the joy of books and reading. So I when I read about The Littlest Library, in which a woman does just that by setting up a cute little library inside of an old British telephone box, I was instantly sold. And the story within the pages of this book is just as charming as you expect it to be from the description and delightful cover. 

5 Things I’ve Learned From Creating My First Bullet Journal

I love lists, notebooks, arts and crafts, so it was only a matter of time I tried bullet journaling. This diary/planner/creative outlet is a great all-in-one place to keep track of habits, note down important dates, prioritise to-do lists, destress with doodling, and reflect on what's most important in your day-to-day life. I started my first bullet journal at the beginning of 2020 and it's been a real journey this past year. I've learned a lot of important things along the way, from the essential supply kit to discovering how a bullet journal can benefit me rather than feel like a daily chore. I hope my five learnings throughout this process will be helpful for anyone who is either already keeping a bullet journal – or thinking of starting one. 

Book review: Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift

Oh hello. 2020 was a strange one wasn't it? I lost my reading and blogging mojo amongst this tumultuous time, but after a refreshing break from everything I feel energised and motivated to dive back into this wonderful world. After all, it's brought me so much joy in the last 10+ years that this little happy corner of the Internet is exactly what I need as we go into another strange year. Today I'm thrilled to bring you a review of one of the most anticipated books of 2021 – Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift – and rightfully so, what a corker of a read.