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About unpaid books online,

July 11, 2017
Well, this topic has recently come to light. How do you free about sent copies of books online? Are they worth it? How do you get them? I have found out the hard way, via Facebook, how controversial this subject actually can actually get.

I asked an innocent question “how do you get free books and how long does it take you read them. I had over 130 comments ranging from”good luck with your blog, it takes time” to “I think you’re blogging for the wrong reasons” type thing.

I then went out there anyway and just asked for one – YES, it is worth trying.

I have recently joined up on NetGalley and got 9 online e-books in the last month. The idea is that I go on to give full feedback & publish a review about how the book was. This has made me feel honoured as a new blog reviewer that they would allow me the opportunity to do a good service and be trusted to follow out on my review.

On top of that, I saw by chance a new up-and-coming author on Twitter showing her new book and read an excerpt. I was hooked. I found out by browsing her tweets that she was giving away a load of ARCs from USA so I messaged her my address to send me the book (bear in mind I live in the UK) and she said Yes.

I have never felt more humbled that she said yes to me out of anyone, but then again I think it was “first come, first serve” kinda thing. I am so excited to receive this book, read it and then review – it’s crazy. The thing is I still don’t know if I’m going to receive it. I guess I just need to be patient and wait it out.

ISN’T READING, WHAT BOOK BLOGGING IS ALL ABOUT?

My main query is: are “sent” books really acceptable? is it rude to ask? & should you just stick to book sales or the libraries?

What are your opinions? Let me know!
- Would you ask online for a copy?
- how long did it take you to your 1st?
- Have you regretted ask/reading?
- Do you find ask/receiving ARCs offensive?
ALSO – Are e-book better than paper copies?

EDIT: I now have a review policy for authors who wish to send me a copy of their book to read and review. This is at their discretion – I reply with either yes or no – also depending on whether it hit my criteria for a book I would read normally.
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[REVIEW] The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne.

July 4, 2017

Set in World War 2 from a 9-year-old boy’s point of view.

The beginning is just run-of-the-mill descriptions of family, life and friends, set in the early 1940’s. Nothing really happens except moving to new house in first 100 pages. The part where it starts to get interesting is when the boy Bruno moves with his family to what he calls “Out-with” because of his father’s connections to the “Fury” which we know it as Auschwitz and the Fuhrer – IE. Adolf Hitler.

It starts to get eerie & unsettling as an adult reader because we understand a lot more than Bruno. You can tell this book was aimed at children because most of the descriptions are kept to a minimum to stop any upset reading.

The second half sets the scene for the last 100 pages of drama. Although this is a slow read, it picks you up halfway through and you get absorbed into reading the next chapter to see what happens.

You feel like screaming in horror at what his father’s job is although you never quite get told what it is you know it is something dangerous and upsetting to all. Calling him “Fury” doesn’t show how terrible Hitler was in real life and the very brief encounter in the book portrays him in a horrible light.

Throughout the book, you can feel Bruno’s loneliness through the pages and how he longs for a friend like he did before they left his old home at the beginning. One of the meetings between Bruno and Shmuel is very emotional. I don’t want to give it away but there are parallel stories that show the differences between those on one side of “the fence” compared to the other.

The ending was beyond creepy n leaves it up to you to fill the blanks. Anyone with previous knowledge of the subject (Concertation Camps and Nazis) can work it out. I didn’t like the ending because it was too abrupt and you left feeling like there could’ve been more to it.

I would not recommend this book for an adult reader. It was too short & full of emotion but a child would really enjoy the length and the storyline. Luckily this book is actually aimed at children anyway.

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[REVIEW] #ad The Wrong Suspect – Leigh Russell

June 29, 2017

GIFTED*

The third in the series of an investigative reporter.

The characters are interesting to read but it takes the reader a while to feel comfortable hearing about them. Amelia is very odd to read about but you still want to know more. Lucy is both clever and holds your attention but towards the middle, you start to wonder what is the point of your investigation?

Her colleague, Benoit, seems to be the voice of reason throughout & although he is mentioned a lot he is not a main part of the storyline. There are numerous other characters that pop into the book to say hello but not really worth going into, filler descriptions I guess.

Around the 60% mark something very dramatic happens and after the event disappears it seems to go away and the character doesn’t seem to react the same. It’s as if the drama element was increased to keep the reader’s attention, which it does but you are left feeling confused.

There is once again a dramatic twist which I don’t want to spoil but it is extremely unrealistic but builds up the tension, it also gives away the main character’s story and enemies before the end so I didn’t know what was left to find out.

The character that you think is rational and the voice of reason lose their mind in the last few chapters, to the point that you wonder whether she has ever been sane or it was just an act. This heightens the drama and suspense of the last few chapters.

The story is summed up and finished in a good way and you don’t feel like you have missed anything or that it needs more to it. This is the 3rd Lucy Hall book in the series. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to people who like cheap thrills.

I wouldn’t read another in this series and suggest to others may be reading the 1st book to get an insight into the main character. It is a thrilling read but came across quite quick to read, which I am not sure if the author was intending on doing.

DISCLAIMER:I got this ebook from the author and publisher for an honest review.

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Finally part of the LIBRARY

June 24, 2017

Right, this is about teamwork.

I guess you might have noticed I am writing some of my blog posts in advance. I am about to today go on my first training session to do with the new IT system our local libraries are all using from next week. I have also been shown how to open up the library, how cool!

Basically, this is just me checking in saying how I am feeling about the place I work. Yes it’s working for free but I don’t care, it’s my workplace.

Now, I’m starting to see myself get more responsibilities & trust from my co-workers and that’s great. Since the last week or so I’ve finally started to feel like maybe I should stay a while & treat it like a real job!

For those of you who read my previous post. the book sale was a great success and it gave me chance to get my head around the till and serving customers more. I also myself picked up two books. It instigated me into thinking that I might start looking through charity shops for bargain buys!

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[REVIEW] Deal Breaker – Harlan Coben

June 15, 2017

A fast-paced amateur detective novel.

This book is based in America, surrounding a sports agent and part-time detective Myron Bolitar. A girl has gone missing over a year ago and her current partner at the time is signed to Myron’s agency. He rings and says he has information regarding the girl (Kathy)’s disappearance and so Myron sets up an investigation.

This book is just under 400 pages long and is a decently paced book that keeps the attention for long periods of time. There is enough suspense that makes you wonder what is going on and gets you to read more. The main parts of the story that draws you in aren’t until around the 250-page mark which means it is quite dull for some parts but when the suspense kicks in, you get a surprise in the chapters.

Th characters in this book are run of the mill detective novel type but they make you want to read more about them. Which is just as well because this book is part of a few books that have the same characters (Myron Bolitar series).

The tone of the book is light humoured and mentions casual sarcasm from the main character’s thoughts quite often. This breaks up the sometimes mundane police procedure throughout, although it is not as detailed as it could be

I liked the ending and it did wrap all the events but left you feeling like you wanted to hear more about the main characters. I was satisfied and will possibly when I have extra time on my hands read further books in the series by Harlan Coben.

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[REVIEW] #ad Born Bad – Marnie Riches.

June 1, 2017

GIFTED*

As I am drawing close; finishing this book, I have grown attached to the characters and storyline. I don’t want to ruin it for people but there are some OMG moments throughout.

The book is based in Manchester and it is about the underbelly and “gangsters” of the city. Many reviewers have said it is gritty. I don’t think it is that dramatic if you take into account the actual storyline.

Although at the beginning I was just asking for someone to take this book off my hands, by the middle I decided it is a slow burner and take a while to acclimatise yourself to the people in the book and the lifestyle, as it is not natural to most. As it draws to a close on the last 100 pages I feel myself saying that I now do not want it to end.

There is violence throughout, use of illegal weapons, swearing and general things which most would turn their nose up at but if you enjoy that type of reading this book is perfect. I have read elsewhere that if you a fan of either “Martina Cole” or “Kimberly Chambers” you will enjoy this book. I am coming as a new reader so I can’t judge but I am after finishing, looking into books by these authors too.

This book is the first part of an unfinished series, that has not been published yet. I believe I will go on to read the rest of the books, soon after they are released.

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