Mermaid Moon by Susann Cokal - February Book of the Month

Every so often a book comes along and I'm utterly enchanted and not by the story itself but by the front cover.

Mermaid Moon is the latest novel from award winning author Susann Cokal.

I received a copy in the post (a real surprise) and with no obligation to review it, I simply sat down and enjoyed the tale presented in front of me.

Sanna is a mermaid — but she is only half seavish. 

The night of her birth, a sea-witch cast a spell that made Sanna’s people, including her landish mother, forget how and where she was born. Now Sanna is sixteen and an outsider in the seavish matriarchy, and she is determined to find her mother and learn who she is. She apprentices herself to the witch to learn the magic of making and unmaking, and with a new pair of legs and a quest to complete for her teacher, she follows a clue that leads her ashore on the Thirty-Seven Dark Islands. There, as her fellow mermaids wait in the sea, Sanna stumbles into a wall of white roses thirsty for blood, a hardscrabble people hungry for miracles, and a baroness who will do anything to live forever.

The front cover depicts a majestic mermaid surrounded by blooming white roses covered in what appears to be spatters of blood and a towering castle standing tall in the background.

Intrigue immediately increases.

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone January Book of the Month

As a lover of books I don't tend to separate them into children's or adults books because I think that in reality any book can be read by any person. Whether filled with pictures or thousands of words, a story is written for all to read.

The last book that I read in 2019 came from author Abi Elphinstone - someone who many would see as writing kids literature but I'm here to tell you that they are highly accessible to adults too.

I first came across this author when I was gifted a copy of her debut book, The Dreamsnatcher. Back then I described that story as magical and she has managed to keep the magic alive in each and every one of her novels that have been released since.

Sky Song is a tale that was on my TBR list for quite some time so I was rather pleased when I received it from my husband at Christmas.

In the snowy kingdom of Erkenwald, whales glide between icebergs, wolves hunt on the tundra and polar bears roam the glaciers. But the people of this land aren’t so easy to find. Because Erkenwald is ruled by a cruel Ice Queen and you must stay hidden or risk becoming another of her prisoners.  

Join Eska, a girl who breaks free from a cursed music box, and Flint, a boy whose inventions could change the fate of Erkenwald forever, as they journey together in search of an ancient, almost forgotten, song with the power to force the Ice Queen back.

Pure magic.

A Most Peculiar Toy Factory by Alex Bell December Book of the Month

The minute I received A Most Peculiar Toy Factory, I just knew I was going to fall in love with the story just as much as I hoped my children would too. From the best-selling author of The Polar Bear Explorers' Alex Bell, comes an enchanting tale of toys brought to life.

Something has gone very wrong at Hoggle's Happy Toys. But five years after shutting its doors, the toy factory is opening again, and Tess Pipps has found herself a job there. As she and her siblings start their first day of work, they are about to discover what dark secrets are lurking inside the factory's walls...

Mystery and dark humour aplenty in this tale of toys brought to life from bestselling author Alex Bell.

Hoggle's Toy Factory has been hounded with rumours of creepy goings on, the children in the town of Cherryville often whispered about the awful things that they thought had happened (apparently the toys went mad) when the factory had finally shut its doors five years ago.

Alice's Wonderland Tea Party November Book of the Month

I have always been a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland. It's a tale that has appealed to many generations of adults and children and with that has come many interesting adaptions. I was recently sent a fantastic version from Little Tiger Group, Alice's Wonderland Tea Party by Poppy Bishop. 

Alice wants her tea party to be perfect. Not silly like the Mad Hatter's. No growing or shrinking, or - WAIT a MINUTE! Where has the Cheshire Cat gone? And why is everyone upside down?

This book is beautifully illustrated and begins in the most interactive of ways, with a fold-out invitation to the reader to a rather spectacular Wonderland tea party. Now who wouldn't want to attend this sort of party?

Lock Me In by Kate Simants October Book of the Month

As a blogger, more specifically a book blogger, I realise just how lucky I am. Getting to read many novels before they've even hit the shelves in the shops. Recently I was contacted by the talented author Kate Simants to ask if I'd take the time to have a read of her debut novel. Silly question really as my answer was always going to be yes!

Whatever you do, don’t open the door…

By day, Ellie Power has a normal life. She has a stable home, a loving boyfriend, a future.

But at night, she suffers from a sleep disorder. She becomes angry, unpredictable, violent. Her mother locks her in her bedroom every night, to keep them both safe.

Then one morning, Ellie wakes up, horrified to find the lock on her bedroom door smashed from the inside. She is covered in injuries, unable to remember anything about the night before.

And her boyfriend Matt is nowhere to be found…

What a debut!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I was kindly offered the chance to read the book by the author herself. I was under no obligation to actually write a review for it but how could I not.

It took me less than 4 hours to read (closer to three hours).

Letting Go by Cat Clarke September Book of the Month

I am a huge fan of author Cat Clarke so when I saw that Barrington Stoke would be publishing and releasing a novella from her, I was eager to get my hands on a copy. Letting Go is a moving, thoughtful and utterly touching YA story.

When Agnes made a promise to her girlfriend Ellie, she thought they would be together forever. One year later, Agnes is keeping that promise and it's put her in a situation she never could have predicted; climbing a desolate mountain, in miserable weather, with Ellie and her new boyfriend Steve. When the weather takes a threatening turn and the sky-high tension between the trio hit its peak, Agnes will have to push herself further than she ever thought possible...

Praise for Cat Clarke!

Letting Go is no ordinary YA story.

Science You Can Eat August Book of the Month

If there is one thing I can rely on, it is the fact that my kids love food and I mean LOVE. It isn't often they'll refuse to eat something, always willing to at least try things once but what do they really know about what the foods which they are consuming?

Not a lot (well neither do I) so when I was asked if they'd like to read and review one of DK books latest releases, Science You Can Eat, I immediately said yes.

Join Stefan Gates on an edible adventure and discover what's really happening with our food and why.

Find out what the world's smelliest fruit tastes like, and which incredible food can be used to send secret messages. Then use the power of science to create colour changing potions and make delicious ice cream in an instant.

Heartstream by Tom Pollock July Book of the Month

As a Walker YA blogger I get to read and review some fantastic new releases and I was so happy to receive a copy of Tom Pollock's latest novel Heartstream, so much so that I couldn't help but make it my July book of the month, a decision that my eldest daughter highly agreed with!

I just wanted to see you. Before the end. 

A taut psychological thriller about obsession, fame and betrayal, for fans of Black Mirror. Cat is in love. Always the sensible one, she can't believe that she's actually dating, not to mention dating a star. But the fandom can't know. They would eat her alive. And first at the buffet would definitely be her best friend, Evie. 

Amy uses Heartstream, a social media app that allows others to feel your emotions. She broadcasted every moment of her mother's degenerative illness, and her grief following her death. It's the realest, rawest reality TV imaginable. But on the day of Amy's mother's funeral, Amy finds a strange woman in her kitchen. She's rigged herself and the house with explosives - and she's been waiting to talk to Amy for a long time. 

Who is she? A crazed fan? What does she want? Amy and Cat are about to discover how far true obsession can go. 

This book is cleverly written.

The Butterfly Circus by Francesca Armour-Chelu June Book of the Month

Last month I happened to notice a certain book that was being released, The Butterfly Circus. It's front cover caught my eye and had me instantly wanting to read it and it must have been my lucky day because I was subsequently asked if I would like to review Francesca Armour-Chelu's latest release. I wonder if you can guess what my answer was?

Sisters Tansy and Belle are the stars of the circus, soaring through the air on trapezes like shimmering butterflies ...

Until one night, Tansy falls. Now terrified of heights, all Tansy can do is watch from the ring below while Belle shines above. 

But when Belle mysteriously vanishes and Tansy's shadow miraculously coms to life, Tansy discovers that the courage she needs to rescue her sister may have been inside her all along.

This book is two hundred and twenty one pages of pure joy. Split into twenty chapters, this is a story filled with unbelievable magic; exhilarating adventure and above all else family.

The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner May Book of the Month

I've made no secret of the fact that I struggle with my weight and my perception of myself. This is something I have had problems with since my teens and as much as I like to portray a happy, healthy person to my own children, deep down I know I can't fool myself. I still feel the need to change myself. And how do we all like to make ourselves appear better to others? By going on a diet.

And so the vicious cycle starts.

I recently saw a tweet put out over on Twitter by HQ Stories, who were looking for people to read and review a new book. The title of this book immediately appealed to me, The F*ck It Diet, in my head I was thinking another diet to try, little did I know that this wouldn't be a typical diet, this would be the 'diet' to eliminate all other diets!

Because diet books don't work. In fact, they're really, really bad for us.

So F*ck it!

If you have ever been on a diet, felt bad for not being on a diet, or just felt guilty for eating something you shouldn't ... this book is for you.

Caroline Dooner is not a medical professional, what she is real and realistic in her approaches towards food and eating, something that chronic dieters will know is really hard to achieve because as much as we try, being on a diet makes us entirely irrational.

The Book Dragon by Kell Andrews - April Book of the Month

I am a book fiend so a book that actually has the word book in it's title is guaranteed to catch my eye and that's just what Kell Andrew's latest picture book, The Book Dragon did. And let me tell you straight away, I was right to be drawn to it as my youngest daughter has already fallen in love with the pictures and words held inside.

The town of Lesser Scrump has one rule: no books allowed!

Words can be scrawled on bark or scraped in dust, but never written in pen and ink on paper.

When young Rosehilda wonders why, her grandfather explains that a fearsome dragon snatches away books at night to add to her massive hoard. But Rosehilda decides she isn't afraid of the dragon and vows to challenge the creature that has been terrorizing her village. Will she be able to convince the dragon that books are for reading, not hoarding?

The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James March Book of the Month

Sometimes I count myself extremely lucky to be a book blogger, one of those times was when I was accepted to be a Walker Books YA blogger. Last month I had the utter privilege to get an advanced reading copy of Lauren James' latest novel, The Quiet at the End of the World and honestly I've been impatiently waiting since I finished it to share my thoughts with you all.

Here's a big spoiler - it is REALLY GOOD!

Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a devastating virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking and looking for treasure - until a secret is uncovered that threatens their entire existence.

In the Quiet at the end of the world, Lowrie and Shen must decide what they are willing to sacrifice to save the whole human race ....

Bagel in Love by Natasha Wing - February Book of the Month

Sometimes a book comes along and it manages to put a smile on your face without you even delving into the many exciting pages that it so happens to hold. 

And that's just what my book of the month did for me. Bagel in Love by Natasha Wing is a brilliant example of a picture book that can actually capture the attention of both the young and old.

Poor Bagel! He dreams of entering the Cherry Jubilee dance contest, but no one wants to be his partner!

Can he find a sweet-tart who doesn't think his steps are half baked?

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott - January Book of the Month

Every month I like to choose a book that I've really enjoyed. I don't always read new books, sometimes they are book recommendations from others. This month my choice for book of the month was a new release, a novel that I was lucky enough to be gifted via Netgalley. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott.

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

White Feather by Catherine & David MacPhail November Book of the Month

I've had the privilege this year of reviewing a couple of wonderful books which take inspiration from the world war and now with the Armistice Centenary getting ever closer, I have been given the opportunity to read another poignant tale, White Feather by Catherine & David MacPhail. But this is a WW1 story with a difference.

The First World War is over, but for Tony there is little to celebrate. His brother never returned from no man's land. To make it worse, Charlie died not as a hero but was executed as a coward. Grief-stricken Tony refuses to believe that his brother was a traitor, and he is pushed to the edge in his dark quest to uncover the horrifying truth.

Now I mentioned at the beginning of my post that this was a World War 1 story that wasn't quite the same as ones you've probably read previously.

True Sisters by Keren David October Book of the Month

In this day and age I do believe that we as people are becoming more and more aware and accepting that families come in all different shapes and sizes, whether that be to do with race, culture, parents, divorce, siblings through fostering, adoption or half related. No one family fits into a particular category anymore. And this is why I felt compelled to pick Keren David's latest novel, True Sisters, as my book of the month.

There's the family you're born into, and then there's the one you make for yourself!

Ruby has had a lot of foster siblings over the years, but none of them have been anything like Clara. After growing up in almost complete isolation, Clara is distraught at being separated from her mother and overwhelmed by life in a world she doesn't understand.

But the more Ruby tries to help Clara fit in, the more she realises she has to face up to some struggles of her own.

True Sisters was a book I originally asked to review as I thought my eldest daughter would really benefit from reading it, but I too felt compelled to read it.

August Book of the Month - The Biographic Series

I'll be the first to admit that we don't read a lot of non-fiction books in our house. Funnily enough this was something that was picked up on in my daughters' reports, they were asked to broaden their horizons when it comes to choosing their next book to read. So when I was asked to review a selection of books from the new Biographic series, this question couldn't have come at a better time at all.

This new book series takes a look at some of the world's greatest thinkers and creatives from around the world but in a way that really grabs even the most reluctant reader's attention. Packed with a huge 50 facts including dates, thoughts, habits and achievements, they make use of infographics and timelines to portray these, little snapshots presented in an entertaining manner whilst remaining utterly informative.

Bone's Gift by Angie Smibert July Book of the Month

My eldest daughter has reached an age where we can really share our love of books, at twelve she's become interested in a lot of novels that I've read before, although she hasn't managed to successfully get me reading the Harry Potter series. However, because she's always been so grown up, I feel I'm able to let her read more diverse books. Her current read is actually the first Game of Thrones novel.

I was recently given the chance to review Angie Smibert's latest story, Bone's Gift, I'd say it is tale aimed more at teenage children but as a lover of genres like YA, after reading the back of the book I became eager to give this book a go after my daughter had made her way through the pages.

In a southern Virginia coal-mining town in 1942, Bone Phillips has just reached the age when most members of her family discover their Gift. Bone has a Gift that disturbs her; she can sense stories when she touches an object that was important to someone. She sees both sad and happy--the death of a deer in an arrowhead, the pain of a beating in a baseball cap, and the sense of joy in a fiddle. There are also stories woven into her dead mama's butter-yellow sweater--stories Bone yearns for and fears. When Bone receives a note that says her mama's Gift is what killed her, Bone tries to uncover the truth. Could Bone's Gift do the same? Here is a beautifully resonant coming-of-age tale about learning to trust the power of your own story.

One Day in December by Josie Silver June Book of the Month

I'm kicking off June with my choice for book of the month. Having spent a lot of this year reading crime and thriller books, this time I've leaned back towards a genre that's always been a favourite of mine, romance. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Josie Silver's latest novel, One Day in December via Netgalley last month. And before I go ahead a review the story, I'll start by saying that I finished it in less than 4 hours!

If you are a fan of authors such as Jojo Moyes and stories such as Ps I Love You then this is definitely a book that you will want to be reading.

Up in the Leaves by Shira Boss May Book of the Month

New York is a city that is on the top of my wish-list to visit and that of course includes walking around Central Park. The latest picture book that I've been sent to review, Up in the Leaves, tells the true story of Bob Redman, a child who got to grow up in New York City.

As a shy boy growing up in New York City, Bob Redman loved nothing more than dashing to Central Park after school and climbing up into the trees. High in the leaves, he felt calm; he had a secret place where he could slip away from the city's rushing crowds.