The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Living over in Dubai I get these huge pangs to read 'very' english books and I recently found this treasure in a book shop over here. Based in the 1950's this delightfully, charming book tells the story of Flavia De Luce and her quirky family. After finding  the body of a man in the cabbage patch in the graden, the ten year old chemistry whizz goes about solving the mystery with the help of her trusty bicycle - Gladys.
A brilliant and heart warming read, it is the first novel in a series of Flavia De Luce mysteries.

The Promise by Lesley Promise

I have been a fan of Lesley Pearse's book for a long while now, and I count 'Belle' as one of my faviourte books. 'The Promise' is a sequel to 'Belle' and is a gripping and intense read. Based in war stricken London in the nineteen hundreds, it tells the story of Belle's life after her marriage to Jimmy which ends the first book. Torn between her boring domestic life and doing something more worthwhile, she enrolls as a nurse and gets posted to France to tend to the wounded. With her husband fighting on the front line, Belle is reunited with Etienne, the french man who saved her whilst working as a prostitute. What follows is an intense affair, and some heart renching decisions.
I found the sequel just as good, if not better, than 'Belle' although there were many parts that brought a tear to my eye. Lesley Pearse once again writes an unforgettable read.

IT'S HERE!!!!

FINALLY my copy that I had shipped from America has arrived, not only that but it is a first edition! Started reading already and it really is amazing. I have read both her other books and they are the best books I have ever read, and this final book in the triology does not disapoint! Jennifer Donnelly is an amazinf writer and can somehow weave the most amazing plots and create the best characters. All her books are so moving and I can not get enough of them.

The best style book

Style A to Zoe is one of the best style books I have ever read. With lots of glamourous and glossy pictures it also has alot of text with useful tips on how to store things efficently aswell as details of Rachel Zoe's life. It was published a few years ago and I hope she brings another book out now she is more of a global brand. If you love glossy locks, massive handbags and enourmous cocktail rings then you will love this book. It is also worth watching her reality show 'The Rachel Zoe Project' which is quite different to other reality shows and is more about fashion than her life. Fasinating.

Fish Publishing- Writing contest

Fish Short story prize contest is open for entries 2011/2012.

Fish Publishing runs the short story competition each year, the winners of which are published in the annual Fish Anthology. The Anthology is launched during the West Cork Literary Festival, July each year. This year the writing contest is judged by writer David Mitchell who wrote Cloud Atlas, Ghostwritten, Black Swan Green and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. The closing date is 30th of November 2011 and you can enter online for a fee of £20.

“Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.”
 Kathleen Norris

What I'm reading

Ellie by Lesley Pearse

I recently got 3 for 2 books at Waterstones and decided to choose the Lesley Pearse book 'Belle' which was included in the offer. It had a synopsis that I like- historical fiction- and was really quite excellent (I will do a little review of it later) so then I decided I would try another of Lesley Pearse's books- Ellie. Its quite a large book and I'm really enjoying it. The characters are really detailed and concentrate on two young girls 'Ellie' and 'Bonny' in the beginning of the second World War.
I will keep you posted about how it turns out...but definitely worth a read!

Introduction...

I decided to create a blog so I could have my own personal online library, and hopefully I could help people to find new books to enjoy. I currently read around a book or two a week, and feel lost when I am not reading anything. If anyone has any suggestions to books they think I should read please let me know. Sophie x