Battle royale – Koushun takami  viz media Battle Royale is a high-octane thriller about senseless youth violence, and one of Japan’s bestselling – and most controversial – novels. As part of a ruthless program by the totalitarian government, a group of high school students are taken to a small isolated island with a map, food, and various weapons. Forced to wear special collars that explode when thy break a rule, they must fight each other for three days until only one remains. MY THOUGHTS I started this book back in 2014. At the time life was hectic, I didn’t have much time for readin ..read more

summer at shell cottage – lucy diamond  pan macmillan A seaside holiday at Shell Cottage in Devon has always been the perfect escape for the Tarrant family. Beach fun, barbecues and warm summer evenings with a cocktail or two – who could ask for more? But this year, everything has changed. Following her husband’s recent death, Olivia is struggling to pick up the pieces. Then she makes a shocking discovery that turns her world upside down. As a busy mum and GP, Freya’s used to having her hands full, but a bad day at work has put her career in jeopardy and now she’s really feeling the pre ..read more

#LittleLoves is a linky held over at But Why Mummy Why. I thought it would be fun to join in with this once a week. The idea behind the posts is that they are a weekly chance to remember the little things you’ve loved that join up to make your week. You don’t need to be a parenting blogger to join in, all bloggers are welcome! So, what have we been up to? ReadI finished Battle Royale this week and really didn’t like it. I have a review coming up soon, but I just didn’t enjoy it – it was very disjointed for me. I’ve now sent it to someone that may enjoy it a whole lot more than ..read more

It’s time for Random Reads – a monthly feature held my myself and Maia, of Maia Moore Reads. Each month we will be randomly picking a theme/genre of book. We will then decide on a book from that theme/genre that we would recommend the other reads. We aim to read a recommended book each month, posting a review and discussion post. Feel free to join us and read along with one of us, if you like. You can use the hashtag #RandomReads on Twitter. The genre for July has been chosen and it is to read a: Play FantasyI’ve had to really think about this one – I had one that popped into m ..read more

  So last month I put together a little bucket list for the month. Here’s what I actually managed to achieve: – Join the Gym – Attend a Baby group – Take a nice walk – Go somewhere with the Mr, child-free! – Get a response about my return to work – Increase page views and Twitter followers – Get more organised with blogging – Get some nice photos of us as a family – Read at least 4 books – Cut down food bills and be better at meal planning – Get our spare room organised – Sell some bits on eBay I’m going to set some more goals for July, and carry some of these ones across. Here’s what I ..read more

June Book Haul I’ve acquired quite a few books this month but I have spent less than £15 on the lot! What did I get? The Virago Book of Ghost Stories – Edited by Richard Dalby Thirty four spooky stories by classic storytellers of the twentieth century – many from the 1920s and 30s – chill and excite in this classic collection. All of them demonstrate a subtle power to delight and chill at the same time as they explore those ghostly margins of the supernatural which are part of private experience as well as of popular tradition. Authors include Elizabeth Bowen, Angela Carter, Elizabeth J ..read more

June:  Monthly Roundup I had a good reading month in June, I read five books. My aim was to read four, so I’m really pleased. I am actually currently reading two others as well and may finish one of those before the end of the month. What did I read? Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (2014) Date Finished: 03.06.2015 | ISBN:  978-0007550227 | Pages: 384 Betrayed by his family and left for dead, Prince Yarvi, reluctant heir to a divided kingdom, has vowed to reclaim a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea itself – al ..read more

Today’s post is a little book chat about my latest #RandomRead’s – Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch. Hop on over to Maia’s blog to read her June discussion. *WARNING* This discussion post will contain spoilers. Please DO NOT read any further if you do not want to be spoiled in any way. Be sure to pop back when you have read it though! I loved the characters and relationships within both of the novels this month. Although I don’t have a great deal to say here about each novel, the parts I did take from them speak volumes. JacobJacob is, by far, my favo ..read more

#LittleLoves is a linky held over at But Why Mummy Why. I thought it would be fun to join in with this once a week. The idea behind the posts is that they are a weekly chance to remember the little things you’ve loved that join up to make your week. You don’t need to be a parenting blogger to join in, all bloggers are welcome! So, what have we been up to? ReadI read Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond this week and really enjoyed it. Her books are such light, easy reads – perfect for the Summer! I am now a few chapters in to Honor’s Knight by Rachel Bach, the second in the ..read more

So, how are we getting on? I have to say that I feel so, so lucky that Parker enjoys food as much as he does. So much so that he gets very cross if you don’t give it to him quick enough! We are still trying the mixed weaning approach as it seems to be working well for us. Parker will generally have: Breakfast: Porridge, with a banana afterwards. He is currently loving Ella’s Kitchen Strawberry, Banana and Mango! Lunch: Finger Foods; Toast with Cheese Spread, Organic Carrot/Cheese Puffs, Cucumber, Ella’s Kitchen Puffits & an Organic Fruit Pouch (Parker likes doing this himself!) Dinner: Me ..read more