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A Field Guide to Reality
Book
'An extraordinary, wise, funny, adventurous and hallucinogenic book that combines fiction with...
Best Man Best Speech: How to be the Best Best Man
Book
The role of being best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but the amount of responsibilities it...
Ghosts was a great listen. I liked the character of Nina - she seems to be a great friend and a good daughter who wants to help both friends and family when she can. This doesn’t always seem to be reciprocated though. Nina is a successful food writer and owns her own home; the only thing missing in her life is someone to share it with. After the break up with her boyfriend, Joe, who she stays best friends with, Nina decides to try a dating app called Linx. She meets Max through the app, who is a handsome, enigmatic accountant. He announces on their first date that they will get married - and that’s where alarm bells started ringing for me, like the old cynic that I am.
Nina’s parents are lovely people, and her dads worsening dementia is heartbreaking. Her Mum is a bit of comic relief at times, changing her first name and joining clubs - but the reasoning behind her actions are understandable. She’s a lot younger than Ninas dad, and watching him forget more and more must be frightening and upsetting for her.
This book had me experiencing ALL the emotions - it’s funny, sad, worrying and infuriating. I laughed aloud whilst listening, had a bit of a cry, and shouted at Nina at one point (it was a Max thing and I was wearing headphones 🤷🏼♀️). The narrator was the exact right choice and it helped that the writing was really engaging too. It’s a really good book - and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Nina’s parents are lovely people, and her dads worsening dementia is heartbreaking. Her Mum is a bit of comic relief at times, changing her first name and joining clubs - but the reasoning behind her actions are understandable. She’s a lot younger than Ninas dad, and watching him forget more and more must be frightening and upsetting for her.
This book had me experiencing ALL the emotions - it’s funny, sad, worrying and infuriating. I laughed aloud whilst listening, had a bit of a cry, and shouted at Nina at one point (it was a Max thing and I was wearing headphones 🤷🏼♀️). The narrator was the exact right choice and it helped that the writing was really engaging too. It’s a really good book - and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World in Books
Oct 14, 2019
Ivy Aberdeen is struggling with feeling invisible in her family—her mom is busy with Ivy’s new twin brothers. Things get worse when a tornado destroys their home, displacing the family. In the aftermath, Ivy—an artist—loses a notebook filled her most precious drawings. When they start showing up in her locker with notes attached, Ivy realizes the note-leaver may be on to what Ivy can barely voice herself: she has crushes and dreams about girls. Can Ivy make herself seen and follow her heart?
"How was Ivy supposed to know how to handle all these feelings... all these feelings at all, if everything she saw and read about and heard was all boy-girl, girl-boy?"
I genuinely don’t know what we did to deserve Ashley Herring Blake, but we are lucky. She’s become one of my favorite authors. This unique middle grade novel (Ivy is 12) is yet another beautifully written book from Blake that tells a story so many kids need to hear.
And Ivy. Oh Ivy. I loved this kid. She goes through so much, and we see her present tough, real feelings. She’s artistic, resilient, and witty. And, oh yeah, she likes girls. It’s just the best sort of representation in the world, you know? I wish this was on the shelves and being read in every middle school.
This book is lovely, real, and tells an invaluable story. It’s so funny and sweet, and I honestly would recommend it for everyone.
"How was Ivy supposed to know how to handle all these feelings... all these feelings at all, if everything she saw and read about and heard was all boy-girl, girl-boy?"
I genuinely don’t know what we did to deserve Ashley Herring Blake, but we are lucky. She’s become one of my favorite authors. This unique middle grade novel (Ivy is 12) is yet another beautifully written book from Blake that tells a story so many kids need to hear.
And Ivy. Oh Ivy. I loved this kid. She goes through so much, and we see her present tough, real feelings. She’s artistic, resilient, and witty. And, oh yeah, she likes girls. It’s just the best sort of representation in the world, you know? I wish this was on the shelves and being read in every middle school.
This book is lovely, real, and tells an invaluable story. It’s so funny and sweet, and I honestly would recommend it for everyone.
A really enjoyable coming of age story, Snowflake by Louise Nealon is about Debbie White, and how she navigates life away from her home. When Debbie gets a place at Trinity College, Dublin, it’s decided that she’ll commute every day by train from her farm in the country. This sets her apart from the beginning: most people seem to stay in Dublin. But Debbie struggles with how to behave around other students, and if not for Xanthe, who takes Debbie under her wing, I don’t think she would have made any friends at all.
Debbie’s home life is unconventional. Her mother is obsessed with dreams, and believes that she knows what people’s dreams are - that she can see right into them. She has periods of extreme moods, and Debbie has to look after her during these episodes.
And then there’s Debbie’s Uncle Billy. He runs the farm and lives in a caravan. I rather liked his no-nonsense approach to life, but he’s just as vulnerable as his sister and niece.
It isn’t all doom and gloom though. Debbie is funny, quirky and a highly likeable person - the book had moments that really made me laugh. It was these moments of light and dark that really made the book work for me. Louise Nealon is going to be a name to watch for in the future. I loved this. You should all go and read this now!
Many thanks to Manila Press for the copy provided to me through NetGalley.
Debbie’s home life is unconventional. Her mother is obsessed with dreams, and believes that she knows what people’s dreams are - that she can see right into them. She has periods of extreme moods, and Debbie has to look after her during these episodes.
And then there’s Debbie’s Uncle Billy. He runs the farm and lives in a caravan. I rather liked his no-nonsense approach to life, but he’s just as vulnerable as his sister and niece.
It isn’t all doom and gloom though. Debbie is funny, quirky and a highly likeable person - the book had moments that really made me laugh. It was these moments of light and dark that really made the book work for me. Louise Nealon is going to be a name to watch for in the future. I loved this. You should all go and read this now!
Many thanks to Manila Press for the copy provided to me through NetGalley.
Merissa (13919 KP) rated Bring Me A Dream (Reveler #5) in Books
May 8, 2021 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.
The tagline on this book is "The madman and the nightmare..." and I really can't say better than that. Erin Kellison has managed to make an unlikeable villain into a funny, psycho hero! Vincent knows he is going insane and is enough to admit it. His perfect partner is a nightmare, none other than Didier Lambert's daughter, Mirren.
The story arc that is through all of the books continues in this installment. Didier Lambert is still the evil of the piece but who is the new player that we are hearing about, The Sandman. We learn more about him as we go through with Vince and Mirren. She has grown up hearing about him and believes in him. Vince thinks he is made up and is just the 'boogeyman'. As they journey into the Reve they will found out one way or another. They have allies and friends along the way but will they be able to keep them?
This novella is action-packed, well paced and full of suspense all the way through. This is part of a series so it must be read in order for any of it to make sense but I can highly recommend the whole thing! Once you start, you will want to carry on. Each of the characters we have met before make an appearance, as well as new ones to keep you on your toes. Highly enjoyable and the pages whizz by.
December 22, 2014
The tagline on this book is "The madman and the nightmare..." and I really can't say better than that. Erin Kellison has managed to make an unlikeable villain into a funny, psycho hero! Vincent knows he is going insane and is enough to admit it. His perfect partner is a nightmare, none other than Didier Lambert's daughter, Mirren.
The story arc that is through all of the books continues in this installment. Didier Lambert is still the evil of the piece but who is the new player that we are hearing about, The Sandman. We learn more about him as we go through with Vince and Mirren. She has grown up hearing about him and believes in him. Vince thinks he is made up and is just the 'boogeyman'. As they journey into the Reve they will found out one way or another. They have allies and friends along the way but will they be able to keep them?
This novella is action-packed, well paced and full of suspense all the way through. This is part of a series so it must be read in order for any of it to make sense but I can highly recommend the whole thing! Once you start, you will want to carry on. Each of the characters we have met before make an appearance, as well as new ones to keep you on your toes. Highly enjoyable and the pages whizz by.
December 22, 2014
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Secret Bridesmaid in Books
Jan 21, 2022
Sometimes you just need a feel good, light read and that is exactly what this is. I read this book in one sitting and I hardly realised that I’d been sat reading for hours until I had finally finished it. I would definitely give it a 4.5 stars overall.
We follow Sophie Breeze, a professional bridesmaid which is like a wedding planner but doesn’t take over and instead makes sure the bride is completely involved with all of the decisions but has a supportive bridesmaid to lean on. Sophie set this up as a business after her and her ex-boyfriend broke up after 8 years together, completely surprising Sophie.
Sophie is extremely likeable, and I found that I had so much in common with her - she is my age, has different things in common with me and looks at life the same way. Which made it a delight to read. She was also very down to earth and very funny, meaning that sometimes I actually properly laughed at some of the situations that she was in (running down the street in a Chewbacca outfit was my personal favourite!) and I think that’s what made it so enjoyable.
I find Katy Birchall’s writing very similar to Beth O’Leary’s, so if you’re a fan of her I would definitely give this book a try! I can’t believe that this is her first adult novel, it’s not obvious at all from the writing. I will be on the lookout for her future work.
We follow Sophie Breeze, a professional bridesmaid which is like a wedding planner but doesn’t take over and instead makes sure the bride is completely involved with all of the decisions but has a supportive bridesmaid to lean on. Sophie set this up as a business after her and her ex-boyfriend broke up after 8 years together, completely surprising Sophie.
Sophie is extremely likeable, and I found that I had so much in common with her - she is my age, has different things in common with me and looks at life the same way. Which made it a delight to read. She was also very down to earth and very funny, meaning that sometimes I actually properly laughed at some of the situations that she was in (running down the street in a Chewbacca outfit was my personal favourite!) and I think that’s what made it so enjoyable.
I find Katy Birchall’s writing very similar to Beth O’Leary’s, so if you’re a fan of her I would definitely give this book a try! I can’t believe that this is her first adult novel, it’s not obvious at all from the writing. I will be on the lookout for her future work.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2520 KP) rated Kill or Bee Killed in Books
Jun 5, 2024
Bailey Must Bee Careful
It’s time for the annual Bee Festival in Humble Hills, Colorado. Since Bailey’s Granny Bee is in charge, that means that Bailey will be busy with the week-long festival helping make sure that it runs smoothly. One of the events is a local-restaurant cooking contest, and morning show host Rex Rafferty is coming to town, with a film crew, to host the event. However, Rex is a horrible man, and it isn’t long before Bailey and her best friend, Evie, who is a contestant, are doing all they can to avoid him. Before the contest is over, he’s been murdered. The crew he brought with him seem like obvious suspects, but the evidence seems to point to the event’s contestants. Can Bailey free her friend?
The book starts out a bit slowly, but with a very funny scene. It isn’t long before the plot kicks in and we are meeting the victim and prime suspects. I enjoyed following Bailey as she looked for the killer. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer all of my questions and kept me turning pages. Over the course of the book, we get laughs from characters and other slapstick situations. A few of the characters still don’t get enough page time to develop, but I enjoyed seeing the series regulars again and watching their relationships grow. The suspects are good, but a couple could have used a little more page time. Overall, this is a fun second entry in what is quickly becoming a sweet series.
The book starts out a bit slowly, but with a very funny scene. It isn’t long before the plot kicks in and we are meeting the victim and prime suspects. I enjoyed following Bailey as she looked for the killer. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer all of my questions and kept me turning pages. Over the course of the book, we get laughs from characters and other slapstick situations. A few of the characters still don’t get enough page time to develop, but I enjoyed seeing the series regulars again and watching their relationships grow. The suspects are good, but a couple could have used a little more page time. Overall, this is a fun second entry in what is quickly becoming a sweet series.
ClareR (6118 KP) rated Thank You For the Days in Books
Sep 10, 2025
Thank You For the Days is a thoroughly lovely read. Luke Milvaine, a man in his 30’s, seems to have lost his direction in life. He lives in the basement of his stepfathers house with his step-siblings living upstairs with their father. His mum died some years before and his dad is absent (he’s travelling around the world on business, and seems to have little time for Luke).
Luke inherits a cockapoo from an old school friend after he dies, he’s constantly yearning after the illusive Yasmine (who he refers to as ‘The One’) after a whirlwind holiday romance, and his job is really not what he wants to be doing.
To add challenge to his life, Luke decides to set himself a different challenge everyday for a year, and celebrates a different ‘Day’ every day. Some of them seem quite good, whilst others are FAR from good (shower with a friend, anyone? National Gimp day?).
I enjoyed seeing Luke grow throughout this book, and the way his relationship developed with his work colleague, Holly and his long-suffering stepdad. His bosses (a father and daughter who constantly bicker) were very funny, and some of the days he sets himself are certainly very challenging!
This book is a good reminder that we should make the most of the time that we have, and the people that we have in our lives.
Many thanks for the review copy that I received from the author (far too long ago, and I do apologise!), and this is an honest review!
Luke inherits a cockapoo from an old school friend after he dies, he’s constantly yearning after the illusive Yasmine (who he refers to as ‘The One’) after a whirlwind holiday romance, and his job is really not what he wants to be doing.
To add challenge to his life, Luke decides to set himself a different challenge everyday for a year, and celebrates a different ‘Day’ every day. Some of them seem quite good, whilst others are FAR from good (shower with a friend, anyone? National Gimp day?).
I enjoyed seeing Luke grow throughout this book, and the way his relationship developed with his work colleague, Holly and his long-suffering stepdad. His bosses (a father and daughter who constantly bicker) were very funny, and some of the days he sets himself are certainly very challenging!
This book is a good reminder that we should make the most of the time that we have, and the people that we have in our lives.
Many thanks for the review copy that I received from the author (far too long ago, and I do apologise!), and this is an honest review!
Merissa (13919 KP) rated A Heart of Gold and Glass (Secret Fairy Tales #1) in Books
Mar 13, 2026
A HEART OF GOLD AND GLASS is the start of a fantastic new series called Secret Fairy Tales, and we begin with a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.
In a kingdom where magic is an everyday occurrence, some magic is more highbrow than others. Hugo can create anything with glass, which is wonderful, but not so highly placed. His mother is desperate for him to marry well, so tells people he can spin straw into gold. This gets him locked up, where a strange man saves him. Prince Everand is the heir to the throne, and fed up with his mother's matchmaking. Together, these two have adventures, find love, stop a war, and reunite families. All in a day's work.
I loved these two. Hugo is humble without being too self-deprecating. Ev is charming and funny, especially when he is head over heels for Hugo. I thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes with Hugo's brothers, and I even liked his mother. She reminded me of Mrs Bennett.
I thought this was a brilliant start to the series. It is sweet and sexy, with great world-building, and plenty of characters I want to see more of. It is Dorian's turn next, and I can't wait. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 13, 2026
In a kingdom where magic is an everyday occurrence, some magic is more highbrow than others. Hugo can create anything with glass, which is wonderful, but not so highly placed. His mother is desperate for him to marry well, so tells people he can spin straw into gold. This gets him locked up, where a strange man saves him. Prince Everand is the heir to the throne, and fed up with his mother's matchmaking. Together, these two have adventures, find love, stop a war, and reunite families. All in a day's work.
I loved these two. Hugo is humble without being too self-deprecating. Ev is charming and funny, especially when he is head over heels for Hugo. I thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes with Hugo's brothers, and I even liked his mother. She reminded me of Mrs Bennett.
I thought this was a brilliant start to the series. It is sweet and sexy, with great world-building, and plenty of characters I want to see more of. It is Dorian's turn next, and I can't wait. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 13, 2026