Monday 1 February 2021

January Book Round-Up

If a book is marked * I very kindly received it from the publisher via Netgalley or directly. Here's what I've been reading in January:


Recipes and Stories from Cook House by Anna Hedworth - this fantastic book was nestling on my Amazon wishlist. I picked up the kindle version, but you know the drill I now "need" the hardback copy. A beautiful book with insights into founder, Anna leaving her day job and making her dreams come true by running her own restaurant in a pair of shipping containers, we hear about the pitfalls, day-to-day life at Cook House and she also shares some amazing recipes. Highly recommend it!


A Large Measure of Snow - A Tale from Kinloch by Denzil Meyrick - I loved this short read which takes place in Kinloch in December '67. The town is cut off by heavy snow and it's up to the fishermen to bring supplies to the village. First Mate, Hamish has been awarded Young Fisherman of the Year by a popular Glasgow newspaper whose young and eager reporter wants to go along for the ride. The Skipper is unaware and it makes for a tortuous journey - there are some moments which made me laugh out loud too. A great wee read which I thoroughly enjoyed.


The Resident by David Jackson - I saw this book on many best of 2020's lists, read the blurb and decided I must read it! 

Sadistic and violent serial killer, Thomas Brogan is on the run and by chance finds an abandoned and boarded up house at the end of a terrace. He takes his chance to bed down for a night or two and while exploring finds he can get into the houses on the row via the attic...

He spies on them, steals their food, takes showers when they are out, pretends to be one of the residents long dead son, has no empathy and makes them think they are losing their minds. All the residents have secrets and Thomas makes it his mission to toy with them before going in for the kill. What a read, I absolutely loved it - it's fast paced and very, very twisty!



The Yorkshire Forager - A Wild Food Journey by Alysia Vasey - I found this book absolutely fascinating and especially loved reading about the author's earlier years going foraging with her grandfather. Later when she starts her own business supplying fine dining restaurants (and spotting ones we've had the pleasure of eating in and staying at) - this section of the book was very interesting. A must read if you forage or are interested in it.


*The Perfect Liar by Beverley HarveyOh I loved this twisty read! Susanne's son is spending a month with his dad, her ex and his soon to be wife. She's needing some cheer up time. So when her neighbour offers her Tuscan Villa (in return for looking out for her godson) she jumps at the chance asking old school pal, fiery Dale and her timid new gym pal, Evie who is mourning the recent loss of her mum along.

What can go wrong? Well a lot of things quite frankly.... the Villa is luxurious and Harry is drop-dead-gorgeous, young and fit. Things go smoothly for a while - chilling out, sunbathing by the pool, drinks and eating delectable Tuscan food.
Susanne finds herself having a passionate holiday fling with Harry who is far too young for her and she knows it. The others are unhappy with this development and how it's making her more reckless. Why is Harry not phoning home? Who is his friend Star who always seems on the scene? As things start to unravel there's lots of tension between the girls as well as lots and lots of twists and turns - my heart was in my mouth half the time! Absolutely loved it and fingers crossed for book #2 (I want to know what happens next!)


*One Chance - Surviving London's Gangs by Terroll Lewis - I took part in the Blog Tour for this fascinating read. See my review HERE.



The Visitor by Terry Tyler - this is my first Terry Tyler and I'm sure it won't be my last! It's set in the future and there's a pandemic of "Bat Fever" which if you get the virus you die (there's reference to COVID-19 years earlier). The story had me on the edge of my seat and up reading to the wee small hours! It follows a group of friends and their partners, some of whom stay at the cottage that Sarah has been left by her relative which becomes their haven of sorts. It's got something very special in the basement which they decide not to share with the residents of the village.

What follows is a fast paced and sometimes terrifying read. Law and Order are diminished and it's pretty much everyone out for themselves. Things start happening in the village and fingers point at the newcomers. I was totally drawn into the stories and especially loved Jack. Would so recommend, it's a great if scary read.



*A Crooked Tree by Una MannionThe story opens with the children's mother being exasperated by her 12 year old daughter Ellen's bickering. She orders her from the car miles from their rural hillside home. The other siblings, especially the narrator, 15 year old Libby are horrified. Libby is so worried about her sister and can't settle when they arrive back home. When Ellen arrives back home she knows something happened to her.

What follows is a summer of change and coming of age. Their mother's mind is elsewhere, Libby misses her dad and the family unit, her older sister moves out, her only constant, her best friend Sage seems different and she finds out something about the local woman she babysits for which in turn causes repercussions that there's no coming back from...
I absolutely loved the storylines and characters and highly recommend. One of my favourite books this year.


We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - oh my, this is a strange little read which I know I'll never forget. The Blackwood girls, Constance and Mary Katherine live with Uncle Julian in the family home. They are weird and the villagers let them know it. Constance is unable to leave the confines of the garden and tends to the vegetable garden and does all the cooking, while Merricat is the one the villagers taunt when she goes to the store. They believe one of the sisters murdered the entire family with poison. The trio live in relative peace with the cat Jonas until one day their Cousin Charles turns up for a visit. Merricat hates him with a vengeance and will stop at nothing to get him to leave...

What did you read in January? Any books you'd particularly recommend?

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