Stacking the Shelves 40

It’s Saturday, it’s a bank holiday weekend and the sun is shining. Can you believe that it’s the last day of April and we are a third of the way through the year???Welcome to the weekend and another Stacking the Shelves post. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is. My library is also how I manage to read a lot of newly released hardbacks as I can order them. Sometimes they can take quite a while to arrive if a title is really popular though.

This week I didn’t even bother to look at what was on the shelves as I had four books that I had reserved arrive since my last visit. That’s quite enough to keep me occupied for this week especially as I haven’t finished everything from last week yet.

This week’s library haul

Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
I’ve just read Nicola Upson’s latest book through Net Galley and realised that I hadn’t read all of the earlier ones in this crime series featuring the classic crime author Josephine Tey. So I ordered this one and I’m going to work my through them as they are fantastic historical crime novels.

Beach Read by Emily Henry
I requested Book Lovers through after seeing so many reviews for it on different blogs and loved it so I thought I would read her earlier novel. Sounds perfect for this gorgeous weather.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields
This one was recommended to me by Yvonne at It’s all about the books so I’m hoping that I enjoy it. Three people are being kept in a flat by the Shadow Man but have no idea why. To escape, they need to uncover a very dark truth. It all sounds very mysterious and I just hope that it isn’t too dark for me.

Hotel Portofino by J P O’Connell
I reserved this simply because I saw it on a list of new acquisitions in the county library and thought it sounded like an interesting read. It’s set in 1926 on the Italian Riviera and the British owner of Hotel Portofino is struggling to cope with the demands of her guests and the political situation.

I’m really looking forward to reading all of these as well as hopefully finishing the ones I haven’t read yet from last week.

What have you added to your bookshelf this week?

Stacking the Shelves 39

It’s Saturday and unbelievably, we only have one week of April left. Welcome to the weekend and another Stacking the Shelves post. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of Marlene.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We spent last weekend building book cases and yesterday we finished them off and then had the fun of filling the empty with books. It was very civilised and we didn’t argue about whose books were going on which shelves 😃I was able to fish out all of my books from their various hiding places and put them all out properly and there is still space. I think it must the first time ever that I have had more space than books. I don’t suppose that will last for long though. We were also quite ruthless in getting rid of books that we didn’t think either of us would reread. The charity book shop had four large bags of books this morning.

I still managed to find time to go to the library though so as usual, this post is all about the library books that I have picked up since my last library post. I’m a huge fan of libraries and really wish that more people used them. They are an incredible public resource of books that is accessible to everyone.

The Maid by Nita Prose
I’ve been waiting to read this book for ages and it finally arrived at the library for me. A maid discovers a dead body in a hotel bedroom and becomes involved in the hunt for the killer. I am definitely looking forward to starting this.

The Book of Sand by Theo Clare
I saw this book in Waterstones on Weds and thought it looked interesting and there it was just sitting on the shelf yesterday. It’s apparently a dual time line book with one set in modern USA and the other in a desert land where people are involved with search for a mysterious object. This might be a brilliant read or maybe not. That’s the beauty of getting a book from the library.

Running out of Road by Cath Staincliffe
A crime novel about a missing school girl, a middle aged recluse and an exploited teenager. I’ve never read anything by this author but the book is set in the Peak District which I know quite well so this one appealed to me.

A Year at the Hotel Gondola by Nicky Pellegrino
A nice light-hearted romantic novel set in Venice to get me even more excited about our long awaited holiday which is now less than 4 weeks away.

Sundays in bed with ……. Anything Could Happen

Sundays in bed with is a meme hosted by Midnight Book Girl but I came across it recently on Jill’s Book Blog. It is simply a chance to share the book that is by your bed at the moment (or that you wish was by your bed). This week, the book is Anything Could Happen by Lucy Diamond.

I love Lucy Diamond’s novels and was excited to see that she had a new book out.

Blurb from the book cover:
A chance encounter in New York City. A great love story on the cusp of beginning. And then he was gone.

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers – and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store…

This is such a lovely book so far. I really like the characters of Lara and Eliza. It’s definitely bringing back memories of living with my teenage daughter and how strong minded and impulsive she could be.

Stacking the Shelves 29

It’s Saturday so welcome to the weekend and another Stacking the Shelves post. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is. My library is also how I manage to read a lot of newly released hardbacks as I can order them. Sometimes they can take quite a while to arrive if a title is really popular though.

Just one reservation this week but look how beautifully colour co-ordinated this week’s haul is❤

This week’s library haul

Anything could happen by Lucy Diamond
I love Lucy Diamond’s novels and really like the sound of this latest release. Eliza has never known her real father so when at the age of 18, she discovers who he is………….anything could happen! This was the single book that I had on order this week.

The Chancellor’s Secret by Susannah Gregory
I haven’t read any of these historical murder mysteries for ages. This is the final book in this series about Matthew Bartholomew, the medieval physician living in Cambridge. Will he marry his true love and have a happy ending

The Night Singer by Joanna Mo
I’ve never heard of the author before but the cover grabbed my attention. I think it’s set in Sweden as it was first published there. The daughter of a convicted murderer is now a police detective and has to investigate the murder of a friend’s son.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I have never read this classic. I know many people read it at school but it was never on my syllabus. After it featured so much in The Reading List, I thought I ought to read it. When I saw it prominently displayed on the shelf yesterday, it seemed as though someone was agreeing with me.

I’m really looking forward to reading all of these as well as ticking off another couple on my NetGalley shelf. I’m gradually working my way along my shelf and have only added one more this week😃

What have you added to your bookshelf this week?

Stacking the Shelves

It’s Saturday and the sun is shining again. I think we’ve have more sunshine so far in February than in the whole of last December. Welcome to the weekend and Stacking the Shelves. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is. My library is also how I manage to read a lot of newly released hardbacks as I can order them. Sometimes they can take quite a while to arrive if a title is really popular though.

This week was a bumper week for my book reservations arriving in the library. All three crime novels are ones that I have requested and then one fantasy novel that is on my TBR!!

This week’s library haul

Something to Hide by Elizabeth George
This is the latest outing for Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers although Lynley is now acting Detective Superintendent so not really Inspector anymore. I love these novels and can’t wait to read this next instalment

Darkness Falls by Robert Bryndza
I only discovered Robert Bryndza last year but really enjoyed his writing style and the character of Kate Marshall, the ex-police detective turned private investigator. This one about a missing journalist sounds intriguing.

A Murder inside by Frances Brody
I have read all of Frances Brody’s previous historical crime novels about Kate Shackleton set in the 1920s but this is the first in a new series. This time, it’s set in 1969 and features Nell Lewis who is the newly appointed governor of a women’s prison. That’s definitely a new scenario so I’ll be interested to see how this new series gets up and running.

The Last Graduate by Naomi Norvik
This has been on my TBR since it came out last September and I was very surprised to see it just sitting on the library shelf yesterday as Leics aren’t brilliant at stocking fantasy books. I loved A Deadly Education even though I hadn’t expected to so I’m looking forward to the sequel.

I’m really looking forward to reading all of these as well as ticking off another couple on my NetGalley shelf.

What have you added to your bookshelf this week?

Stacking the Shelves 27

It’s Saturday and the sun is shining. Welcome to the weekend and Stacking the Shelves. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is. My library is also how I manage to read a lot of newly released hardbacks as I can order them. Sometimes they can take quite a while to arrive if a title is really popular though.

This week’s book haul is very heavily biased towards crime fiction.

This week’s library haul

Eeny Meeny
This is the only book that I ordered in this week’s haul. It’s the first in a crime series featuring DI Helen Grace. The series was recommended by Heather at Bookworm Blogger. It sounds like quite a dark thriller so definitely not a cosy crime book!!

The Coral Bride
I saw this one on the shelf and was intrigued by the cover and the title. It isn’t what I expected though as it’s actually another police procedural. It’s set in Quebec and the blurb recommends it for lovers of Louise Penny. The story sounds interesting and I love finding new crime writers so we’ll see what it’s like.

Murder on the Downs
I think that this definitely qualifies as cosy crime. I do enjoy this series of murder mysteries set in the coastal town of Whitstable. The main characters of Pearl Nolan and DI McGuire are both really likeable. The books also have a really strong sense of place too which I always enjoy.

On a Night like this
I know a lot of people have read this and loved this and I thought it would be a nice contrast to all the murder in the other 3 books.

I’m really looking forward to next week’s library visit as there are several books in transit and they will hopefully arrive by next Saturday. One of them is the new Inspector Lynley book by Elizabeth George which I can’t wait to read.

What have you added to your bookshelf this week?

Stacking the Shelves 26

It’s Saturday and the sun is shining. Welcome to the weekend and Stacking the Shelves. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is. My library is also how I manage to read a lot of newly released hardbacks as I can order them. Sometimes they can take quite a while to arrive if a title is really popular though.

This week’s library haul

Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
This is the only book that I ordered in this week’s haul. It’s the second part of the Raybearer duology. I read Raybearer towards the end of last year and loved it so I’m really looking forward to reading the next part of the story.

Widowland by C J Carey
This one sounds so intrigu ing. It’s an alternative history where Britain and Germany became allies in WWII and Edward VIII is on the throne. The authorities are rewriting books to change people’s views. A group of women who live in area called Widowland appear to be rebelling against this. I am definitely looking forward to reading this.

An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver
I saw this on the shelf and was immediately attracted by the cover. It’s a murder mystery set in 1933 London. Hope that it’s as good as the cover promises.

In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara
This will hopefully be my next non-fiction read. Walking is my main form of exercise so it seemed like a good idea to find out a bit more about the Science.

So far, I have resisted the temptation to request any more books from NetGalley so these four are the only additions to my shelves this week.

What have you added to your bookshelf?

Stacking the Shelves 25

Welcome to my 25th Stacking the Shelves post. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the sit

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is.

This post is a bit late this week due to the fact that we were in London again today. Last night we went to see The Book of Dust at the Bridge Theatre which was brilliant. Baby Lyra made the whole audience go Aaaah!

As we’re in London I haven’t been able to go the library this week. That means that this post is actually about the books that I got last Saturday. Eagle eyed readers will spot that I’ve already read one of them.

Magpie by Elizabeth Day
I had seen a lot of love for this book on Insta and different blogs so when I saw it on the shelf, I had to pick it up. The twist in the story took me completely by surprise and I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would at the start.

Empire of the Vampires by Jay Kristoff
This was a book that I had requested. It was huge at over 700 pages but was actually quite quick to read. I really enjoyed this story of Gabriel who has spent his life fighting the vampires who have taken over his world. He is now in prison and telling his story to a vampire historian. It’s a dual time line as he switches from recent events to his early life. Definitely one to recommend for any fantasy lovers out there.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett
I have had this on request for so long, I was actually surprised when it finally turned up. Since requesting this, I’ve read her second book which I didn’t really enjoy that much so I will be interested to see what this one is like.

The Witcher – Blood of Elves by Andrzei Sapkowski
The library had what seemed to be the whole set of Witcher novels so it seemed like a good time to revisit these.

So these are the books that I have added to my shelves this week. What have you added to your shelves?

Stacking the Shelves 22

It’s only Friday but it’s Christmas Eve and so Stacking the Shelves is arriving a day early this week.  Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the shelves is all about the books that you have acquired over the past week. These can be any books at all, library books, charity shop books, ebooks and audio books. My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is.

My library haul this week was a brilliant way to begin Christmas. 2 books that I had reserved ages ago and finally arrived at my library and two amazing books that were on my TBR and were just sitting on the shelf smiling at me!

My library haul for this week.

The Man who died Twice by Richard Osman
I have been waiting for this book for ages. Richard Osman’s first book was a runaway best seller and this one is proving to be the same. A group of pensioners in a retirement home solving murder puzzles doesn’t sound that amazing but the first one was well written and had humour as well as interesting characters. I’m reliably informed that this second one is just as good so should be the perfect holiday read.

Matrix by Lauren Groff
I have heard so many amazing things about this book that I had to read it. It’s historical fiction set in 1158, a time when women either married or went to a convent to lead a religious life. Marie is the seventeen year old French half sister of Queen Eleanor of England and is banished to be head of a small priory as she is unsuited to court life. I love historical fiction and the cover says that she leads the ;priory out of poverty into power and riches so this should definitely be an interesting read,

Under the Whispering Door by T J Klune
I couldn’t believe it when I saw this one on the shelf. The library never had copies of The House on the Cerulean Sea and so I didn’t expect to see this one. Another book that I am hoping will be a lovely holiday read.

The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina
I have seen this on Instagram a few times and then Emma mentioned it on her blog yesterday so when I saw it on the shelf, it was an obvious choice. It’s about people dealing with bereavement and is based on a true story so might not be the easiest book to read.

That’s probably my last post for a couple of days as we celebrate Christmas with family. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope that you all find at least one book under your Christmas tree. To those who don’t celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have a happy and healthy end to the year as infections continue to rage all around us.

Stay safe and happy everyone ❤❤

Stacking the Shelves 21

It’s Saturday again. Can you believe that we are only week from Christmas and only two weeks until we’re in 2022???? Realistically, that means this could be my last Stacking Shelves post for 2021.  Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Reading Reality and details are on her blog. The gorgeous graphic is also used courtesy of the site.

Stacking the shelves is all about the books that you have acquired over the past week. These can be any books at all, library books, charity shop books, ebooks and audio books. My STS posts are generally my library books. The library is where I get most of my books and I hope that maybe I can inspire other people to use their local library. Our libraries are constantly under threat of closure but the more people that use them, the less likely that is.

My library haul this week has some great books in including one that I have been looking forward to for ages.

This week’s library haul

Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson
This is the third in Sanderson’s Skyward series. I thought that it would be a trilogy but apparently there will be at least one more. Spensa lives on a planet that is under constant attack by aliens. She overcomes desperate odds to become a pilot and fight to save her planet. In this book, she is again trying to save her world and having to travel to a place that few people have ever been and even less have returned. I love Spensa’s character and am really looking forward to reading this next instalment of her adventures.

The Mitford Vanishing by Sarah Fellowes
I love this historical mystery series which features the Mitford sisters and is always based on real events.

The Dragon Republic by R F Kuang
This is the second book in this fantasy series following on from The Poppy War which I read last month.

Snow Drift by Helene Tursten
The previous three books were all books that I had requested but this was just a random pick off the library shelf. I loved the red and white cover and the blurb appealed. It’s a murder mystery set in Gothenburg, Sweden and features DI Embla Nystrom. It’s the third book in this series so I might need to go and find the earlier two.

Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo
I have heard so many lovely things about this book and can’t wait to read it. Hopefully it will be another lovely festive

A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
My last book this week was another random pick off the shelf. I have loved all the previous books that I have read by Sarah Morgan and expect this one to be just as good.

This week’s stack is a brilliant example of the books I love to read, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Crime, Historical and a couple of romance books for light relief.

What’s on your stack this week?