Well hello to you my reader chums! Being a bookworm is a part of my personality. My love for books has never changed, it's simply evolved and over the past year, I've been trying to focus on reading as much as possible. There's always something new I want to read with so many books in the world!

I'm always up for reading new genres, however, my favourite genres include crime fiction, detective novels, murder mysteries, historical fiction and women's fiction. Recently, I've read some incredible books and wanted to share the books I'm loving at the minute.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I haven't read a Gillian Flynn book since Gone Girl a while back and when I started reading this, I remembered why I loved this author so much and her talent for crafting thriller novels. This novel follows reporter Camille Preaker after she's released from a psych hospital and given a troubling assignment, returning to her small hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another.

Camille hasn't visited her hometown in a long time and hardly spoke to her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows. Visiting her hometown again, she finds herself unravelling a psychological puzzle of her own past and looking further into the people around her. This novel gripped me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down at times, with twists of new characters and various narratives happening all the time. I got an incline of what I thought would happen towards the end and to my surprise, I was correct. This novel was strange and thought-provoking and highlighted many scary issues happening in everyday life to young people.

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

I was recommended this book when I visited Bath in Mrs B's Emporium as I love crime stories, including true crime and this book was just that. This novel follows the disappearance of Zoe Nolan, a nineteen-year-old Manchester University student who went to a party one night in her shared accommodation and was never seen again. Seven years after the disappearance, a writer called Evelyn Mitchell is intrigued by the mystery and begins to investigate.

This book features plenty of interviews with Zoe's friends and family and Mitchell begins piecing together what happens to Zoe. Through investigation, many secrets are revealed of Zoe's life and Evelyn turns to crime writer Joesph Knox to make sense of the case. I loved this book as I could really feel the tragedy on every page and how heart-wrenching the narrative was. The interview style made the book fast-paced and intriguing with every page. I began reading thinking the book would end one way and then it flips with more leads and revealed secrets.

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

My heart broke the entire time I read this book and I read it in two sittings. This novel is set on an isolated farm in the UK where a woman is trapped by her abuser for seven years. It is a very exact novel, following the everyday motions of 'Jane' and the ordeal she goes through with this man and what happens if she doesn't obey him. He films her every move and when she discovers she's pregnant, she begins planning her escape, protecting her and her baby.

It's hard to put into words this book's tragedy as it's based on the facts of trafficking victims and the ordeal they experience every single day. I vouched for her safety and escape through the book, pushing me to read on with hope. It's realistic, heart-breaking and honest, an account I can imagine of someone dealing with the abuse of a kidnapper.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

I love a thriller, especially a missing person's case. This book follows a young mum, Tallulah in 2017 where she heads on a date, leaving her baby with her mother, Kim. When the early hours come around, Kim awaits her return but she never comes home. Kim phones Tallulahs's friends who say the last place she was seen was a party in the Dark Place. Two years later, Sophie moved into the boarding school her boyfriend has a new job and sees a note fixed to a tree, so she begins to investigate.

This book was one of the first I read this year and I loved every minute. With every missing person's novel, I wondered about the direction it would go. This included all themes of wealthy people, dysfunctional relationships and how being a teenager is one of the biggest struggles of them all. I liked the perspective change in this book and how I could understand many people's views of the story. It had one of those endings that got even more shocking as I kept reading.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Not all murder mystery books are heavy and dark, some have a lighter tone and The Maid is just that. Following Molly The Maid who works for the Regency Grand Hotel, sees everything as she cleans rooms every day. Her honest and diligent approach to life makes her a brilliant maid, but she isn't so great at understanding social cues. When a famous guest dies and she finds his body, a police investigation is called and she's stuck in the middle.

I adored this book in many ways because it's incredibly honest, to the point and somewhat like a diary entry as she recalls every day as a maid. The book has a comedic aspect to it at times and features many characters who aren't nice to Molly at all but through her experience and understanding more of what it's like to be an adult, she realises who has her back all along.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Which books have you been reading at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Last year, I read nearly 30 books, and I'm aiming to keep to the goal this year as I loved that I could dive into the world of that many stories. My favourite types of books are crime thrillers, murder mysteries and historical fiction, with the occasional romance or non-fiction thrown in.

If you're looking for book recommendations, here are the best books I've read this year. 

The Wrong Sister  by Claire Douglas

This book follows two sisters, Tasha and Alice. Tasha is married to her childhood sweetheart and lives in a suburb with their twins, and she has always felt in the shadow of her older sister. Alice has a different lifestyle, married to a wealthy entrepreneur with a high-flying career. She realised Tasha was struggling with money and losing her identity and offered a life swap for a week, where Tasha and her husband could stay at their holiday home whilst Alice and her husband watched their children. Things go wrong, and Tasha receives a phone call that Alice is in hospital and Alice's husband is dead after a break-in. They think it's a burglary gone wrong until a note lands in the letterbox.

I adored this book for many reasons. I loved learning about the complexities of the sisters' relationship, and how much they care and value each other despite their differences. However, the best part was the incredible number of twists and turns. At one point, I thought I solved the mystery, and then the author added more layers and characters, including the knowledge their younger sister went missing as a baby.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a classic novel following the lives of three ordinary women. Skeeter has returned home from university, and her mother is insistent on her finding a husband. She would usually chat with Constantine, the woman who raised her, but she has disappeared, and nobody will tell her why. Skeeter has the idea to tell the stories of 'The Help' in a novel, and two brave women, Aibileen and Minnie, share their experiences alongside other maids to start a movement and change how everyone views each other. 

I wanted to read this book for a long time, especially as I saw the film many years ago. This novel was a 5/5 read and a book which moved me, inspired by the lives of these women, mistreated and segregated due to the colour of their skin. I loved learning about each character's journey, and the delivery of the tale was pure genius.

The Audacity by Katherine Ryan 

I'm a massive Katherine Ryan fan because I admire her confidence, defiance and bold persona. This book highlighted that energy, sharing her life story, journey and many life lessons that gave her the confidence and freedom to express her honest opinion today. I loved this book because it shared how to have that self-assurance, how we all deserve to love and celebrate ourselves and that not caring too much about what people think is the best way forward to be happy.

The Last Flight by Julia Clark

This novel shares the lives of two women with two completely different lives. Claire Cook seems to have a perfect life, married to a politician and living this fancy lifestyle, but life is not what it seems. Her husband has a temper, and his staff tracks Claire's every move. Claire has spent months planning to vanish, and luckily, at the airport, she meets Eva, and the two of them decide to trade plane tickets. However, when the flight Eva got on crashed, Claire had to assume Eva's identity and the secrets Eva had taken so long to hide.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it shared the vulnerability and rawness of two women in a difficult and hard-to-get-out-of situation and what they had to do to save themselves. It's a challenging read, but that adds to the book's addictive nature and hope that both characters end up okay. This book is fast-paced, with lots of loopholes I didn't expect.

So As Long As You Write: Women on Writing by Kerry Ryan

This book was an uplifting and highlight moment for women as it shares many fiction pieces from different women, explaining honest experiences and life events in short stories or poems. I loved reading the diversity of voices in this book, including the author who compiled all the pieces together, Kerry Ryan. Between the stories, there's also honest and actionable advice for budding writers and those looking to make it in the industry, which I found very helpful.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book of the year so far?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Historical fiction-based books are one of my favourite as I love learning more about history, especially during wartime. I really enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Librarian of Auschwitz, and The Twins of Auschwitz that I couldn't wait to read Cilka's Journey as I've heard so many good things about the novel.

If you're looking for a new read and love learning more history, here is my full book review of Cilka's Journey.

This post contains affiliate links.

Plotline

Cilka's Journey is a fiction based on the heartbreaking true story of Cilka Klein who was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp at only 16 years old. When in the camp, Cilka catches the attention of Commandant Schwarzhuber and forces her separation from the other woman prisoners. From there, she really learns how power means survival and that she has to do anything she can to survive.

After the liberation of the camp, Cilka is then charged as a collaborator of the Russians and is sent to a labour and brutal prison camp in Siberia. An innocent and young woman who has been imprisoned once again, Cilka faces terribly familiar challenges and some scarily new ones as she figures out how to survive once more. But, when she meets a man called Aleksandr, she realises that there may be room for love in her heart.

Characters and relationships

Characters make up a story and in this book, it's the people which make it so heartbreaking, powerful, and emotional. Cilka is one of the most incredible people I've ever read about. Her strength, determination, and care for others are genuinely inspiring and even on the hardest of days, she puts others before herself. She experienced so much at a young age and somehow, she had the strength to keep going.

My favourite relationship in the book to read and learn more about is between Cilka and Josie. That's what I define as pure and true friendship. They go into the Siberian camp together, both young and scared women. Cilka takes Josie under her wing as it's Josie's first time in a camp and really cares for her, and the love and care between them grow - and it's so emotional to read.

Her connection with all the other girls in her hut makes my heart break, as really, they only have each other to get through each day and I really felt the devastation and heartbreak through the words in this book, I couldn't even imagine what they went through. Another relationship that I adore is between Cilka and Yelena, the doctor at the hospital. Cilka manages to get a job as a nurse in the hospital and Yelena looks out for Cilka from day one, despite her prisoner status as she sees the strength in her eyes and how she is a golden soul.

The relationship between Cilka and Aleksandr is one of the most hopeful things to read about and something that genuinely pulled at every one of my heartstrings.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It's one of the most heartbreaking, inspiring, and uplifting books I've ever read and tells a tale of the determination, strength, and courage of the young woman Cilka. As every page went on, it got even harder to read as I learnt more about how poorly the people in the camps were treated, in Auschwitz and in the Siberian camp. I cried a few times reading this book as I was honestly disgusted how badly Cilka, her friends, and everyone was treated during this period. I know from reading and learning about the camps, but it never does hit any differently, especially when reading about ordeals women went through in particular.

It's a brilliant read for education, for awareness and to learn more about an inspiring individual. I love how the book literally took us on the journey with Cilka and has the attitude there is always hope, as it's the only thing that gets Cilka through.

Ending

The ending was everything it should have been, full of hope and positivity. It made me smile as I came to the end of Cilka's journey as after all the hardship she went through, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I also love how the author had a couple of sections when the story ended, sharing her process of researching and learning about Cilka's journey before writing it.

If you're looking to buy this book, you can pick up Cilka's Journey here.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Have you read this book before?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Historical fictions are one of my favourite types of books, especially those based during wartime. I really enjoyed reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Librarian of Auschwitz, The Twins of Auschwitz, and Cilka's Journey that when I heard about The Red  Ribbon novel, I had to give it a read.

If you love historical fiction and looking for a heartbreaking yet insightful YA read, then The Red Ribbon is for you.

This post contains affiliate links.

Plotline

The Red Ribbon follows the story of Ella, a fourteen-year-old girl sent to Auschwitz or 'Birchwood' as she calls it. Ella has a passion for dressmaking and loves nothing more than creating her own clothes. When she is sent into the deep end of working in the camp, surrounded by silk, buttons, lace, and ribbons, Ella becomes a dressmaker. However, the dressmaker she dreams of being isn't what is played out in this workshop with no ordinary sewing, and no ordinary clients.

Her dress-making skills are the difference between life and death and Ella soon realises what she has to do to survive. The story is about Ella but also the girls around her: Rose, Marta, and Carla, and how they intertwine into her story of surviving the camp.

Characters and relationships

Reading about Auschwitz is the most horrendous thing even when the book is only loosely based on the actual events that happened, however, it's the characters that really added to the pure emotion and the human element. Ella is only fourteen and the combination of both her innocence and maturity come across in the story with everything she has to entail. I loved the character of Ella, as she is just a typical teen, wanting and dreaming about her future. She is strong, stronger than I could ever imagine being in a situation like that.

My favourite relationship in the book has to be between her and Rose. The pair are completely different: Rose is a dreamer and storyteller whilst Ella is a lot more of a realist, but their differences bring them together and they form the most beautiful bond. It really shows that a true friendship can get you through the hardest times in life, and help you survive. I also loved reading about the bond Ella has with her friends in the sewing room and bunk, and what that friendship means as time goes on.

There were some characters I didn't really like initially, but also a couple that turned against Ella which made my blood boil and also made the book realistic as, the sad thing was, everyone had to look out for themselves in order to survive. I like how the author shared a mixed bag of characters and how their journeys intertwined with each other to end up at Birchwood and also where they end up at the end.

Overall thoughts

Overall, this book is heartbreaking, emotional, insightful and an inspiring read. It's the perfect YA novel to teach younger readers about Auschwitz through a teen's eyes. I couldn't put this book down as I was inspired by each page, reading about Ella's strength and determination to survive the camp and fulfill her dreams of opening a dress shop. Her innocent hopes and ambitions really were everything and brought the whole book together. The symbolism of the title of the book also got me very emotional as that was played out throughout the tale.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone for many different reasons. It's written so carefully and on point and has an intense amount of emotion about it that I cried way too many times. However, it's also a book of education and insight, to help teach us about the horrors that went on put painted in a lighter tone. The Red Ribbon is gripping, moving and a novel I think everyone should have the chance to read. It's paced out in the right kind of timeframe and I really liked how the chapters were named after a colour, and the characters after animals (before Ella knew their names) to emphasise the innocence of the experience in Ella's eyes.

Ending

The ending had me crying for all sorts of reasons but mainly as I didn't think the book would end that way, but I'm glad it did. I won't give the ending away of course but I will say, it had an uplifting, hopeful and happy tone to it - the same hope Ella held onto throughout her whole experience in Birchwood.

If you love the sound of this book, you can pick up The Red Ribbon here.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I recently turned 27 and honestly, it baffles me I'm closer to my thirties than my early twenties, however, I'm loving the woman I've grown into. Every year, I write a birthday post on either experiences or learnings and this year, I wanted to step back and reflect on what I'm grateful for.

Gratitude is one of the most important things for living a positive life and enjoying what life offers. To celebrate my birthday, here is a list of 27 things I'm grateful for.

My family and friends

I have the most adoring family and friends around me and as I've gotten older, these connections have grown even deeper. I'm lucky to have people in my inner circle who are my biggest cheerleaders and my biggest support system. Whether it's wanting to book a fun holiday or go to a coffee shop to have a chat, they're always up for spending the time. As I've grown, I've increasingly improved in opening up to my family and friends, developing our relationships more.

My supportive partner

I've been dreaming of finding true love for a long time, a love where that person supports me, grows with me and wants to be silly with me always. I'm lucky to find that in my partner who from the first moment of meeting me, has been a constant in my life. We love to adventure together and do the little parts of life together which makes my heart so full. I'm grateful for us to grow together and see what our future holds.

Living by the beach

I've lived by the beach my entire life and it's home to me. There's something to peaceful in knowing the sound of the waves is only a few minutes away from my home. I love heading to the beach for strolls, reading and enjoying the sunshine. I've recently moved to another beach town as well and love it just as much. I appreciate how wonderful it is to have the beach on my doorstep.

Working for myself

My biggest goal in life has always been to run my own business and work for myself, and here I am today, making it work. I started full-time freelancing this year and it's progressing exactly how I wanted and can't wait to see what the future holds for my career. 

My travels

Travelling is one of my biggest passions and as you may guess from this blog, I love nothing more than roaming around new cities and countries. I've been privileged enough to travel to 27 countries and many of those I've seen more than once, and I'm excited to see even more countries on my list.

My local freelancing community

When I started freelancing, I was worried about how lonely the experience would be. However, where I live, there's an amazing co-working group which I've joined and regularly attend multiple times a week. It has given me the opportunity to develop great connections with other freelancers, grow my confidence and find 'colleagues'. 

Beach sunsets

I'm obsessed with sunsets, especially on the beach. I think there's something so magical about watching the day come to a close with the calm ambience of the waves. With the beach on my doorstep, I can watch as many sunsets as possible.

My flexible schedule

Working for myself means I've finally been able to experience the flexible schedule I've always wanted. This means I'm able to work based on my productivity levels, slot in hobbies I want to do and socialise on weekdays whenever I like, rather than waiting until the weekend.

The wonder of books

Books have been my biggest passion from a very young age and to this day, reading brings me an incredible amount of joy. I'm obsessed with various books but especially, historical fiction, crime thrillers and feminist literature. 

My writing skills

My obsession with books is what fuelled my passion for writing. I've been wanting to write since I began to read and as I grew so did my writing skills and today, I've written five books and have a career in writing - everything I've dreamt of.

Baking cookies whenever I want

I love to bake, and I love brownies, cookies and cake more than anything. One of the little things as an adult I love is to bake whenever I want to. If I crave cookies or brownies, I can bake them in my own kitchen and it's wonderful.

All types of food

Food is one of the greatest things in life and I adore trying new cuisines and different types of foods. I'm grateful for all the restaurants around me that I can regularly visit.

Relaxing in coffee shops

There is something so peaceful about sitting in a coffee shop and reading a book or having a chat with a pal. In my town, there are many gorgeous coffee shops to enjoy this simple pleasure.

Yoga on the beach

I recently started yoga classes on the beach and love the relaxing element of it, and also appreciate how accessible it is where I live.

Musical theatre

I adore musicals and think I've seen around 15 in total over the years. I could happily see musical theatre shows time and time again - they are beautiful. One of my favourite pleasures is playing musical theatre tunes and singing my heart out.

Nostalgic music

Music is one of the best things about life and hearing someone's thoughts through their songs is a gorgeous experience. There are so many tunes and albums which bring back a nostalgic feeling and I love listening to them on repeat.

My blog

I've had this blog for ten years and to this day, it brings me an immense amount of joy to write and share my thoughts with the internet. 

My Italian heritage 

Being half-Italian is something I'm incredibly proud of and every time I visit Italy, my heart feels so full. I love Italy and how it is a part of my heritage and soul.

Trying to make new recipes

Cooking is another favourite thing as I love how there's so much you can do with food and there are plenty of recipes to try.

Road trips

The joy of a road trip is the best, there's something entertaining about sticking on some tunes or a podcast and admiring the scenery around me.

Plane rides

Soaring through the sky is a phenomenal feeling, knowing you start the day in one location and end it in another. I've been lucky enough to make use of travelling and experiencing many plane rides.

Freedom of living the life of my dreams

It's amazing to be sitting here living what I've dreamt about growing up. I always wanted to work for myself, be in a loving relationship and stay living by the beach - and I'm here doing just that. I love how I have the freedom to do exactly what I want.

My body

I've had a love-hate relationship with my body for years and it has taken me a while to accept it and learn to love it as my body has changed through the years. However, I'm incredibly grateful for the powerful things my body does for me every day and continues to do.

My anxious brain

I used to think anxiety was a hindrance in my life but as I've grown, I've realised what a positive effect it can have and how it has helped me develop and achieve things I never thought I would. Living with anxiety has certainly been a journey over the past decade but I'm grateful for the lessons it has taught me and how it has made me more understanding and empathetic to others.

The power of kindness

Kindness is all around us, from the little things loved ones do to a greeting of a stranger. It's what makes life so magical.

Dungarees

I live in dungarees and they're my favourite item of clothing to wear on whatever occasion. They're comfy, cute and suit me perfectly.

Quality time with loved ones

My loved ones mean the world to me and I wish I could spend every day with them all and enjoy life. But as life does get so busy, I appreciate all the quality time loved ones make for me and the things we do together.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you grateful for?

Thank you for reading <3