Tag: book

Book Imagery

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Book imagery can come in the form of many things such as photographs and illustration and depending on the book it changes which one you choose.

Photographs are a great way to share and bring a story to life however I personally believe that these are best for non fiction works. Autobiographies and memoirs often contain photographs to help build the picture and you often get photo books that are focused on the photo and the words just give context. I personally like this about non fiction books especially autobiographies as they give you further insight into the person’s story.

Illustrations are full of options. They can be electronically made, painted or made up from other images however overall I would say that these are ideal for all books. For nonfiction work you can see another way to tell the story and for fiction work it can give you a scene to picture and continue the story through. They can give you a start point for where the story is going without even reading anything.

Imagery is vital in books I believe but that doesn’t necessarily mean a photo or a painting as you create your own individual illustration in your head. This allows you to engage in a story and see how you believe the writer intended for you to see it. If there is no physical image then the descriptions are often subjective to those who are reading the book.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

( PS please comment if you have any favourite imagery or thoughts on book imagery)

New year book resolutions

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Every new year everyone makes a list of all their resolutions such as eat healthy or go to the gym. I have never been someone to make new year resolutions however this year I have decided to make a list of book related ones and I thought I would share !

  1. Continue to read something each day. Whether that’s a sentence,page or chapter.
  2. Read more books from different genres. Explore genres I haven’t really read and give them a chance.
  3. To write more reviews on the books I read.
  4. Try to recommend more books to other people.
  5. Inspire people to read through this blog
  6. Enjoy taking the time to read

I hope these may even inspire some of your resolutions!

May thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment any of your new year resolutions)

THE CHALK MAN by CJ Tudor

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Chalk Man is a thriller novel that follows the life of a young boy and his friends as they use chalk to communicate which links to a series of tragic events. Now older we see how all characters have moved on (or not) from these events and how a letter received featuring a chalk man brings it all back. Will they ever know what really happened all those years ago?

I really enjoyed this book as it was much more focused on being psychological thriller than on the actual crimes committed which I liked. It showed a different dimension to the events and how everything unfolded. It did also feature the crimes and events that happened however it wasn’t focused on a police or investigative point of view and on the people that they effected. There are some slightly gruesome descriptions and scenes however I always feel as though this allows the reader to gauge how bad the event was and to understand what the characters have been through.

I thought that the characters were realistic and thought that the use of two different time periods helped as it showed how he was as a boy and who he is now after growing up and moving on. It also shows the realistic aspect of friendship at a young age, naturally friends drift as they grow older and that didn’t change for these characters despite what they had been through together. They all had been effected in different ways and I feel as though this also added realism.

I also really enjoyed the structure of the book and it helped me to grasp the story line much quicker. The use of two different time periods using separate chapters for ease made it much more simple to follow along. Each chapter was titled by the year the chapter is set in to also diffuse confusing. I did originally think that the story may be lost by readers trying to catch up on what part of the characters lives they are reading however CJ Tudor has written it in a seamless way. I enjoyed they way this was written as well as the structure as I felt as though I was really involved in what was happening and that I was reading a book written by a character rather than the office.

I would recommend this book to anyone as it is a good book if you want to get into psychological thrillers as it is a mix of both mental and physical events. I would also like to read more or this authors books in the future as her writing style is something that engaged me in the story. Considering this is her debut novel!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or have any psychological thriller recommendations)

Book Box Club – December

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Theme: Rule the Stars

In this months box we got a bunch of goodies all related to the above theme. To begin with we got a lovely cinder candle by Elvenwick Candles which is scented with juniper, elderberries, orange and cranberries. Included was also a unashamedly bookish 2019 calendar by book box club alongside red rising pencil. A kady purse illustrated by Rowatree was also including as well as an astronaut bath bomb by Druid and the Witch.

As well as all of this we also received this months featured book which is; The Splintered Silence by Kayla Olsen.

This book is all about Captain Lindley we she navigated through chaos after the previous astronauts on the space station die from a deadly virus. Will she be able to survive this trip and solve the ships deadly secrets ?

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you receive these boxes or similar ones or have ever read the featured book )

Book Perceptions

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I think those who do not read books often view them as hard work. I’m not saying that it isn’t time consuming but so is film and TV. I am under no illusion that reading is for everyone but I feel that books shouldn’t least be understood for what they are.

Detailed- I feel as though books are often much more detailed than films or TV programmes (depending on the genre) which often adds another dimension to a story.

Imagination- I know this is a typical one however it is true. Although you are often given a description of a character it’s up to you to to actually create that image. Some people are better than others at that and that’s ok but it’s personal to the person who is reading . On a screen this has already been done for you which may make you less invested in the characters.

Development- books are a good way to help develop your language and literacy skills. If you are reading new books and coming across new vocabulary then you are learning whilst reading.

Enjoyment– books are fun! They allow you to enter another world that is written but also lets you add your own spin on it by creating the scenes in your head.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment on your perception of reading )

My Ideal Book

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I have certain aspects of a book that I enjoy to read however I don’t think I could create just one. I think that my ideal book would change as I read new genres and authors aswell. However no matter whaoartind characterisation a really vital part of any book.

In my opinion, characterisation can make or break a book. There needs to be well developed characters that are realistic to the story being written. If the characters aren’t believable then neither is the book. The only way that the story can take engaging twists and turns is by having good characters to go alongside that. I also think that realistic reactions to these events are important. I often feel as though, especially in crime books, those who have dealt with tough circumstances or are a victim of something can often just be ok. They can move on with their lives after it. This is something I don’t like. There would be some effect on the character and I commend authors that show that. Good example of this can be found in the light between world’s by Laura Weymouth and ‘no safe house’ by Linwood Barclay.

I also think that an exciting, fast paced story is often good as it keeps you enaged and wanting to read on. However I don’t think this is necessary needed if the book is written well. For example, in ‘call me by your name’ there isn’t really an exciting storyline with the typical twists and turns but it is one of my favorites because of how well it is written. It is almost like poetry.

The ending of a book is very important to get right. I think cliffhangers are good howver I always want the next book to be out so I can find out what happens. Ihave found in the past that when books have a big build up to the final events that they can go either one of two ways; exciting or disappointing. If there is a big build up to a slow or unrealistic ending then it could completely change your view on the book. I found this whilst reading ‘the lost witch’ by Melvin Burgess. To me it had a disappointing ending however I did still enjoy it.

An ideal book is personal to the reader. Those who like romantic books over crime are going to have a different picture of what there ideal book would be and I like that. My ideal book is ever changing but always has core factors;. characterisation and good ending.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your ideal book or what core factors you love in a novel)

TBR – The Chalk Man

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor is a book I previously purchased and I am excited to read it.

The Chalk Man is a thriller that follows ‘Eddie’ as he relives his childhood after receiving a drawing of a chalk stick man. It takes him back 30 years to when a game he was playing went horribly wrong.

This book was originally published in January 2018 and had received many positive reviews. It has plenty of twists and turns and the use of flashbacks to help explain the events of previous years. It has a complex and intriguing storyline however although it has good reviews there is also some bad reviews. It’s rare to not receive any and they mainly said that some parts are a little unrealistic.

Saying this however I am excited to see what my opinion of this book will be and get to create my own views of the story.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or plan to)

‘Would You Rather’ Book Tag

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

1. Rather read only a series or stand-alone books?

I would rather only read series. I find that the characters are often more developed and the stories are more related to those character. I find that characters are one of the most important part of a book. 

 2. Rather read a book whose main character is male or female?

I wouldn’t really mind to be honest but as a female I like strong female leads. 

 3. Rather shop only at Barnes & Noble (or other actual bookstore) or Amazon?

Bookstores. Its much more enjoyable browsing the shelves and flicking through the pages of a book in a bookstore. It has an atmosphere as well as just buying books. 

 4. Rather all books become movies or tv shows?

Also a difficult one, I think that movies often have the budget and ability to explore these books but a TV show is better for a series as it can show a series of events throughout the books in a way that’s not rushed. 

 5. Rather read 5 pages per day or read 5 books per week?

I would rather read 5 pages per day. It would allow me to enjoy the book instead of racing through them. 

 6. Rather be a professional book reviewer or an author?

I would love to be an author however I don’t feel as though they would be very good 🙂 I enjoy reviewing books however. 

 7.  Rather only read the same 20 books over and over or get to read a new book every 6 months?

That’s a difficult one! I would love to reread my favourite books however I think that being able to read a new one is exciting.

 8. Rather be a librarian or own a book store?

I would rather own a bookstore I think. You would have more control over how and what you are selling and choose how to operate your business. 

9. Rather only read your favorite genre or your favorite author?

Favourite genre. I basically do this anyway! It would allow me to be able to read the different styles and structures of various authors.

 10. Rather only read physical books or eBooks?

Physical books. I find it much more enjoyable when I’m able to physically flick through the pages and get that new book scent!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(please comment your ‘Would You Rather’ book tag !)

Book Box Club – November

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Theme: Smugglers and Thieves

This months book box club subscription has the theme of smugglers and Thieves. It contains bookish goodies and a YA novel all related to this theme for those who subscribe to enjoy.

In the box, you received a multitude of goodies. There is a Captain Jack Bookmark from pirates of the Caribbean as well as a themed tea towel. There is a beautiful book bracelet to enjoy and a Neverland themes pin badge.

Also in the box is a print from the included YA book and a flag that relates to the same book.

The featured book this month is: Only the Ocean by Natasha Carthew.

“This book is a story of survival and courage in the midst of darkness. The two girls sat at opposite ends of the boat and Kel dug and stretched the oars into the ocean like her life depended upon it because it did.‘Just so you know,’ said Rose, ‘everything, and I mean everything, is your fault.’Kel Crow lives in a dead-end swamp with her deadbeat family and a damaged heart. But she has a plan to escape. It’s a one-two-three fortune story that goes: stow away on the ship, kidnap the girl, swap the girl to pay for passage to America and a life-saving operation.But the ocean is an untameable force, and wrecks ships and plans alike ...” ( Google books description)

I would highly recommend this subscription box as it allows you to explore new genres and books as well as giving you bookish goodies to enjoy!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on this box and if you have read this book)

Book Organisation

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

When it comes to my bookshelf there is very little order to it ! I have often tried to organise it into chronological, alphabetical or genre based order however it never seems to last. As soon as I finish a book I dump it on the bookshelf and pick up my next read. Saying that however I do like to have my books in size order but only for aesthetics.

Many people find that having an organised bookshelf allows them to see exactly all they books they have read and are easy to find on these shelf’s and I agree however I find that the time spent organising could be spend reading.

However if you do wish to organise your bookshelf there are different ways you could do this;

  1. Separate your paperbacks and hardbacks
  2. In order of when you read them
  3. In alphabetical order
  4. By colour
  5. By genre or subject
  6. Based on how much you liked the book
  7. By author
  8. By height and size
  9. Seperate fiction and nonfiction
  10. Sperate your to be read books

These are all useful and one day my bookshelf will be completely organised !

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have any other tips or want to share how you organise your books)