⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary

Twenty six year old Rory and her much loved little dog Buster, rarely leave their third floor apartment. During the day, she works for her aunt’s private investigation business, and
she spends her nights gazing at the stars from her rooftop. She also notices the homeless men across the road and imagines the lives they had that led them to be homeless.

Rory is a recluse, who is happy to stay in her apartment shut away from the world. Her world turns upside down after one of the homeless men is murdered, and the police and neighbours start knocking on her door. Her safe haven now feels like a prison, and she feels like she is being watched.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, particularly Rory, with all her complications. I felt the story started slowly, and after the first few chapters, I almost decided not to finish it. However, I kept going and I’m pleased that I did. It was very much a psychological thriller, but not at all scary, and I loved it.

For me, it was more about getting into the head of Rory, and understanding the way her thoughts worked. There was danger, and many twists and turns and by the time I got to know Rory, I couldn’t put it down, and read it in one night of little sleep.

Other than the crime that is occurring, this is very much the story of a young woman who is trying to control her thoughts and urges and her wish to live a normal life.

This book was perfect for the 52 Week Book Challenge prompt of A Locked Room Mystery

Published in 2023 by Harper Collins, 320 pages, paperback

Star Rating 

Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.

⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.

⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.

The books mentioned in this post is of my own choice and has not been sent to me to review. My opinions are my own and I receive no renumeration at all for them.

Have you read this book? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I promise to always reply to comments made below.

To keep up with the latest book reviews, please pop your email into the box in the side bar. This will ensure you are notified of all updates.

Find me here: Facebook and Instagram and Goodreads

© 2024 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com

This year, I am once again participating in the 52 Book Club Challenge. The Challenge is to read one book each week, to a particular prompt. The thing I most enjoy about this challenge, apart from reading the books, is matching books to the prompts. It’s a fun thing to do, and I often end up choosing a book that I may not have otherwise read. That is always a positive. Quite often the prompts have me scratching my head for a while. and that’s when the challenge kicks in. I do enjoy the hunt for a book to fit a particular prompt.

52 Week Challenge Books

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction, Mystery, and a little Fantasy

#Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

Other Books Read in February

The Sun Sister by Lucinda Riley
Seven Sisters Series #6
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Woman of Courage – Historical Fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley with Harry Whittaker
Seven Sisters #8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Star Rating 

Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.

⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again

⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all

💫 Half Star

The books mentioned in this post are of my own choice and have not been sent to me to review. My opinions are my own and I receive no renumeration at all for them.

Have you read any of these books? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I promise to always reply to comments made below.

To keep up with the latest book reviews, please pop your email into the box in the side bar. This will ensure you are notified of all updates.

Find me here: Facebook and Instagram and Goodreads

This post is linked to the monthly #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge linkup hosted by bloggers Deb, Sue, Donna, and Jo. 

Also linking this post to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share

© 2024 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com

I set my Goodreads Challenge Goal at 100 books, and surprised myself by reading 124 books. This is my final total for the year.

52 Week Reading Challenge

In 2023, I completed this challenge for the second year and am looking forward to it again in 2024. The challenge is to read one book each week responding to a prompt that is given.

Genres

My favourite genre has always been historical fiction. This year when choosing a book to read I have tried to expand the genres that I choose. Even so, I was surprised to see how many historical fiction books I did read. Following is the break up of genres read in 2023.

Historical Fiction: 48

Mystery:12

Crime: 25

Contemporary/Romance: 10

Memoir: 8

Non-Fiction: 8

Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-fi: 8

Christmas: 4

Female authors: 91

Australian authors: 72

Audio books: 47

Favourite series: Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ books: 14

Find me here: Facebook and Instagram and Goodreads

© 2023 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com

52week book challenge

This year, I have been participating in the 52 Week Book Challenge. The Challenge is to read one book each week, to a particular prompt. The thing I most enjoy about this challenge, apart from reading the books, is matching books to the prompts. Its a fun thing to do, and I often end up choosing a book that I may not have otherwise read. That is always a positive. Quite often the prompts have me scratching my head for a while. I do enjoy the hunt for a book to fit a prompt. Reviews for these books will be appearing shortly

Prompt 1: Book with a Subtitle
Don’t Look Away: A Memoir of Identity and Acceptance by Danielle Laidley

Prompt 3: Title starts with the letter ‘G’
The Guest by Emma Cline

Prompt 7: A city or country in the title
A town called Solace by Mary Lawson

Prompt 23: An Alliterative Title
Back To Bangka: Searching for the truth of a wartime massacre

Prompt 26: Has An Epilogue
Angels Cry Sometimes by Josephine Cox

Star Rating

Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.

⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.

⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.

This post is linked to the monthly #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge linkup hosted by bloggers Deb, Sue, Donna, and Jo.

© 2023 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com

Pawprints On Our Heart
How a Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever
by
Kerk Murray

Summary

This book with it’s very cute cover, popped up as a suggestion of a book that I might like on my Kindle, recently. That cute doggie face, along with the fact that the book was less than 200 pages had me hooked. I had been looking for a book to read for the prompt of “less than 200 pages” for the 52 week book challenge and, being a dog lover, Pawprints was the perfect choice.

“In his debut memoir, Kerk Murray shares his coming-of-age journey, paying tribute to the animals that touch our lives and the compassion that drives us forward. It’s a story of love, loss, and the courage to start anew. Through poignant and evocative writing, he recalls the defining moments with the animals of his past and present, and the hope that lies beyond the pain. His story is a reminder of the possibilities living within us all.
Pawprints On Our Hearts is heartfelt and inspiring memoir that will strike a chord with animal lovers and stay with you long after the final page.” – Goodreads

Published 2023. 138 pages.

My Thoughts

This book is definitely not a lightweight book about dogs. It is about so much more. Pawprints On Our Hearts is a deeply personal, honest and emotional memoir, outlining difficulties in the author’s life, and the bullying that he suffered. Through all the negatives, the dogs in his life were always there for him, and were a very important part of his childhood and beyond. There are also many laughs to be had in this story of friendship and love.

I would recommend Pawprints On Your Heart as a beautiful, sweet and very uplifting book.

A favourite passage from the book:
“Lexi became more than just a dog to me that summer. She was my confidant, a lantern in the darkness, an angel undercover. Whenever I think of her today, I realize just how fortunate I was to have her as a friend – to have known Lexi was to have known love.”

Due to the impact in his life, the author was inspired to found Lexi’s Legacy Foundation, an animal welfare nonprofit organization, which has provided care to over 500 abused animals and raised over $100,000 in donations and services for animal rescue organizations across the world.  All proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated toward the nonprofit’s mission of ending animal suffering.

Link to the author’s foundation: Pawprints on our Hearts Rescue

Star Rating 

Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.

⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.

⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.

The books mentioned in this post are of my own choice and have not been sent to me to review. My opinions are my own and I receive no renumeration at all for them.

Have you read Pawprints On Our Hearts? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I promise to always reply to comments made below.

To keep up with the latest book reviews, please pop your email into the box in the side bar. This will ensure you are notified of all updates.

Find me here: Facebook and Instagram and Goodreads

© 2023 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com

Orphan’s Island
Amherst Island Series #1
by
Kate Hewitt

Summary

In 1904, after the death of her mother, Ellen Copley and her father leave Scotland, hoping for a better life in America. After a few weeks Ellen’s father disappears, leaving her with relatives who she has only just met.

Eventually, Ellen is invited to stay with another branch of her family, also unknown to her, on Amherst isalnd, off the coast of Canada. Finally, Ellen is loved and accepted,and lives a life of joy. Her future starts to look much brighter, as she becomes a much loved member of the huge and boisterous family of her aunt.

Published April 2009. 395 pages

My Thoughts

I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and this book didn’t disappoint at all. Ellen, was a very strong female character, even though her start in life was very rocky. The characters living on the island who became part of Ellen’s new family and inner circle were mostly fun to get to know. Even the characters who originally appeared mean and nasty, were shown to have a softer side, with reasons for their hardness towards Ellen.

This was a light read, that felt very cozy to curl up with on a wet weekend and read cover to cover in a short period.

I enjoyed Orphan’s Island enough to look forward to reading all six books in the Amherst Island series.

Star Rating 

Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.

⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.

⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.

The books mentioned in this post are of my own choice and have not been sent to me to review. My opinions are my own and I receive no renumeration at all for them.

Have you read this book? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I promise to always reply to comments made in the section below.

To keep up with the latest book reviews, please pop your email into the box in the side bar. This will ensure you are notified of all updates.

Find me here: Facebook and Instagram and Goodreads

© 2023 Copyright. all rights reserved: bestbookishblog.com