While the temperatures outside keep dropping, at least we have more books to cozy up with! Am I right?
The hubs and I have been doing our bit to read, read, read, so that we can bring you more titles to snuggle up with. Today, we’re sharing our latest 3-each reads, plus if you want more book recommendations be sure to check out the first instalment of books to cozy up to this Autumn.
Browse my bookshelf
Let’s jump into today’s feature, shall we?
Flappy Entertains – Santa Montefiore
I was really excited to read this one, and I know (I know!) Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but it was the cover really drew me in. It’s got everything that screams “let’s escape into a chick-lit fantasy”.
In Flappy Entertains, we follow Flappy Booth-Scott, the queen bee of her little sleepy town. She spends her days running around being a socialite and is the envy of her town. Until, a new couple (with more money and status) moves to town and buys a house even more grand than hers, leaving Flappy threatened about the dismantling of her throne as she fights (ruthlessly) to hold onto her superficial title.
In other words, Flappy Entertains has all the makings of a perfect cozy read, and while I can’t say I loved it, I didn’t hate it either. I’m glad that it was a quick read (you could probably finish it one or two sittings) and the writing is really good, but the plot felt a little pointless. Perhaps that was the point, as author Santa Montefiore mentions in the acknowledgements, that she wrote it during the dreaded lockdown period to try and offer a bit of escapism, which she certainly did.
It’s like a grown up version of Meangirls or Gossip Girl, and Flappy is probably how I would imagine 60+ Blair Waldorf… Overall, fun to read, but quite cheesy. Having said that though, not every book has to wow you and sweep you off your feet – perhaps if you’re looking for a little pick-me-up into the world of grown up Meangirls, or just want to read something that will let you chill, then this may be just up your street.
Even – Andrew Grant
[HUBBY’s REVIEW]
This was my first read of an Andrew Grant novel (that I know of), and boy am I glad that Even, the first book of the David Trevalynn series was on my reading list.
David Trevalynn, a British Naval Intelligence officer finds himself on the wrong end of a murder investigation while in the USA.
Left out in the cold by his own agency, Trevalynn faces up against the FBI and criminal gangs in his efforts to exonerate himself and bring the real killers to justice.
Andrew Grant is the brother of Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series and one of my favourites. If you’re a Reacher enthusiast, you could easily assume that Trevalynn could be Jack Reachers British cousin.
This book will certainly appeal to any fans of the Jack Reacher series.
Fast Ice – Clive Cussler & Graham Brown
[HUBBY’s REVIEW]
The familiar characters from the Clive Cussler’s NUMA Series are in a race to to save the world from radical environmentalist extremists, Yvonne and Ryland Lloyd plot to send the world prematurely into the next ice age, and the only thing standing in their way is the resourceful NUMA.
We join Kurt, Joe, Gamay and Paul as they follow the leads around the world from Germany to South Africa, and ultimately Antarctica.
Graham Brown did a great job of this and it is good to see that the NUMA series lives on despite Clive Cussler’s passing.
Behind Closed Doors – Catherine Alliot
It’s been a while since I delved into one of Catherine Alliot’s books and I had forgotten what a wonderful storyteller she is. In her latest novel, Behind Closed Doors, we get to meet Lucy, who has a lot going on – and I mean a lot! Flawed from years of abuse, she suffers with some really serious issues. In addition, she’s dealing with the abrupt departure of her husband and ageing parents to look after, who in my option are the most “fun” characters.
Not that having to look after ageing parents is a “fun” situation, but their characters and quirks made them really lovable.
While this book has a lot of serious issues going on, you will get to feel sorry for Lucy, but at the same time, probably like her a lot too – she’s very likeable and became somewhat of a friend to me. To the point where I was thinking, “hey Luce, why don’t you do this…”, “No Lucy, don’t be silly!” In other words, I felt like her friend, trying to advise her – which is a great way to feel about a book and a character.
I finished it in a couple of days – which is rare for me (although my reading has drastically accelerated), even though it got off to a slow start for me. In the last couple of chapters though, I’d say half way through the book, I was hooked and loved the way Alliot ended her chapters, in such a way that I could not wait to turn the page and see what happens next.
Liftoff – Eric Berger
[HUBBY’s REVIEW]
I confess to being an unapologetic Elon Musk fanboy, so I jumped at the chance to read Eric Berger’s Liftoff, which chronicles the early days of SpaceX.
This non-fiction, well researched piece follows SpaceX’s journey from concept to successful commercialisation.
Readers get an inside look into Elon and SpaceX’s unrelenting drive to revolutionise the space industry. Eric’s detailed information from insiders bring to light just how much of a go big, or go broke story SpaceX’s early days were.
A must read for anyone who is a fan of space travel, Elon Musk and business.
Glossy – Nina-Sophia Miralles
If you’re into non-fiction that’s told in a beautiful story, then definitely check out Nina-Sophia Miralles debut book, GLOSSY.
It’s the story of the iconic fashion magazine, Vogue, which you’ll be surprised to discover was not a fashion mag at all in its early days, but rather a tabloid for the rich and elite. The wonderfully told pages tell you everything from its early days, to a major investment from Condé Montrose Nast (who by the way, is an inspiration all on his own and I’d love to read more of his story) that turned the magazine into the icon it is today. A legacy that spans over 128.
A great read for fashion and non-fashion enthusiasts that is wonderfully told and that will no doubt leave you inspired.
Told by Nina-Sophia Miralles an award winning writer and founder of the Londnr, you’ll get to experience the rich history of Vogue though factual information that is told in a beautiful book that reads like a fairytale.
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