Tag: Books

Book

The Book of Hidden Things

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitri is his debute English novel.

It is a fantasy novel which follows 4 childhood friends as they discover more and more about the town they lived in and themselves. They have a pact where every year they meet at a restaurant in their childhood town and when Art (one of the friends) doesn’t turn up events start to mirror those of 20 years ago. He is the one member who insisted on this pact and when he doesn’t show it is worrying. The 3 friends stay in town and investigate his disappearance.

I really enjoyed this book and I loved the mystery to it. As I read I continued to wonder what was going to happen next which I think is great in a book. Although this is a fantasy book it isn’t really heavy on fantasy element. Towards the end there is more of those elements however there is more of a focus on the characters.

I thought the characters were realistic and well written but at times they are not all likeable. Which I don’t think is a bad thing. In life there are people that you like and those not so much and therefore having this in the book almost makes it more realistic. It looks at the relationship between the character in depth which is something I really enjoyed. They are not perfect and they all have flaws and do things we really hate about them. I also like this about the characters as it adds dimension to the book.

I really like this book and would recommend it to those who not only like fantasy novels but also phycological thriller and mysteries.

Many thanks, Caitlin X
(Ps please comment if you have read this book or are going to)

Travel Books – Lonely Planet

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The amount of travel books available to read is huge however in this post I am going to talk about Lonely Planets releases.

I love to read and browse Lonely Planets travel books and see all the different destinations I would want to go to. I think most of these books give you the best photos and the idealistic travels however it does often provide inspiration for your travels.

There are also many different types of books that Lonely Planet has released such as; specific destinations, types of travel and round ups. These can all provide different information and depending what your after can help you whilst at your destination by giving you tips for your travels.

  On  Lonely Planets website you can get loads of information on destinations however nothing compares to having actual pages to flip through and write notes on or bookmark. I think for travel books it is fun to go through and mark your favourite destinations or activities and write notes next to articles. It allows you to be involved and plan your own journey with all you need in one book that’s right infront of you. It is also ideal when you are travelling to carry one with you as you won’t always have access to the internet ad can still get all the information you require.

Books such as ‘Packing List’ and ‘Travel tips’ are also very helpful. I always find that when I go on holiday I write constant lists of what I need to pack to ensure I don’t forget anything so having a specific book for that is great. To ensure you have all the necessities before you make a trip. Tips to help you travel also helps as sometimes you don’t know everything you need to before you travel (which is fine) however they can often make your trip goes smoother.

Due to the vast amount of different travel books I would highly recommend getting one for your chosen destination. Not only will it give you a bit on insight on what to expect but could give you ideas and hints for travelling there.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Ps please comment if you use travel books at all!)

Twice a week to once

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Not really a blog post but I though that I would let you all know that from now on I will be posting a blog once a week instead of twice.

I have made this decision as I am going to have a busy summer with a time difference to contend with. I also sometimes can struggle to find blog inspiration when I am posting two days apart

I will now be posting on a Friday only.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment how you feel about this change and if you are a blogger what your posting schedule is like)

Song of the Dead, Douglas Lindsay

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

Song of the Dead by Douglas Lindsay is a crime fiction novel that is the first installment of the DI Westphall series. It follows DI Westphall as he investigates a strange case. What happens when a man who died 12 years ago walks into a police station in Estonia? As the case unravels DI Westphall begins to realize the amount of secrets that led to this mysterious case.

The book is set in the Scottish Highlands and features scenes in various places around Scotland and in Estonia. I enjoy reading books that are set in Scotland as I often feel I can relate to them more being Scottish myself.

The idea of someone who was declared dead 12 years prior walks into an Estonian police station with only half his organs seems unbelievable but Douglas Lindsay writes it in such a way that it is completely plausible. The book is structured well with fairly short chapters which I prefer to huge long sections!

I enjoyed this book and I would like to read the next one. I felt the characters were likable and the main Character being realistic. DI Westphall seems to live in the land of the living and the dead but this seems normal for him. He used to work for the Secret Service but due to a fear of flying he decided to leave and work as a DI in Scotland. I ofund this fear to be a good part of the character as often in crime novels the policeman is portrayed to be this intelligent, brave man that is scared of nothing. This help to make him seem more human and real.

The book makes you think about possible connections and outcomes of the case alongside DI Westphall and I believe that this therefore engages you in the book. You want to read on and find out exactly what happened all those years ago. I found the book quite atmospheric even although it is a crime fiction novel.

There is a good balance between the investigation and the characters which I really enjoyed as I could learn more about the case whilst becoming invested in the characters themselves.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy reading crime fiction. It is gripping and immersive and keeps you reading till you have finished the book. I am definatly putting the secong installment on my ‘To Be Read’ list!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment if you have ever read this book or have any other crime fiction recommendations)

Long or short books?

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

When it comes to books the length often is a deal breaker on whether to buy it.

Personally I prefer shorter books so that I can read it in a shorter period of time and have the chance to read another. I feel that when I read a longer one I tend to lose interest at some point.

If I were to read a longer book it would have to have shorter chapters or sections. I find this helps to motivate me to read as I can set myself goals.

Some people however much prefer to read longer books as there can be more depth or subplots. It may take more time to explore a character or storyline. You can also feel more invested in the book if you are reading it for longer.

It is a completely personal thing and you can discuss your opinion in the comments !

Many thanks Caitlin X

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion)

Book Clubs

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Books clubs are often easy to join and can allow you to share your passion for books with like-minded people.

Not only can you share your passion but you can experience reading and discussing books with new people. You can be pushed into reading out of your comfort zone.

One benefit of joining a book club is that it gives your deadlines to meet and ensures that you finish the book instead of moving onto the next. It helps you to stay in time and on track to make sure you are making the most progress possible.

It can also allow you to see new perspective on things. If you ask a group of people about one aspect of a book more likely than not you will get a lot of different answers. People look and interpret information differently and you can explore and deepen your view with the help of others.

You can meet new people and can become apart of a community. You can create relationships that stem from a love of books and you can learn how to have good discussions.

I would highly recommend joining a book group and would love to hear of you are a part of one.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please feel free to comment )

Where I buy my books

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I buy my books from lost of places and each have their own qualities so I thought I would share them.

  • Waterstones – I have to say this is where I buy most of my books. Perfect for getting a brand new book and there’s lots of choice! There is fiction, non fiction, educational books and more!
  • Book Depository – book depository is an international online bookstore with more books that you could ever dream of. There is also a bargain shop to find a book at a great price!
  • ABE books – abebooks is the perfect place to buy used books or books that are no longer in print for a reasonable price. Easy to use and a variety of options from well used to basically new.
  • Charity shop – I think that charity shops are a great place to get a new book. There isn’t often a huge amount of choice but sometimes that’s a good thing. Easier to make a decision! And is well priced majority of the time.
  • Amazon Kindle – I also have a Kindle eReader and buy my books from Amazon’s Kindle store. There are also a whole lot of free books, although they may not be your first choice it’s a great way to explore new genres and styles.

I hope this gives you a new place to buy your books!

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment where you purchase your reading material)

Bookish Christmas Gifts

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 2 Comments

Christmas is just around the corner so u thought I would share a list of possible bookish Christmas gifts.

  1. Comfy pyjamas to snuggle up in front of the fire in to read your favourite book.
  2. A new book bag to keep your treasured novels safe
  3. A candle to give your room some atmosphere whilst reading
  4. A new book or series to enjoy Iver the festive period
  5. A bookish subscription box so the gift keeps coming
  6. A personalised book to put the receiver if the gift into the story.

I hope this helps with any last minute gifts!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS Comment your favourite bookish gifts)

Christmas Films that were based on books

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Many of the most popular christmas films were based upon novels and books and seen as it is nearly Christmas, I thought I would share a list of them for you.

  • The Polar Express – Based off of a book with the same name released in 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg
Image result for the polar express book
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas –  based off of Dr Seuss famous book
Image result for how the grinch stole christmas dr seuss
  • A Christmas Carol – book released in 1843 written by Charles Dickens
Image result for a christmas carol charles dickens
  • Twas the Night Before Christmas – This is based off of a poem by Clement Clarke Moore released in 1823
Image result for twas the night before christmas clement c moore
  • The Nutcracker – Based off of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816
Image result for the nutcracker and the mouse king

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment any other christmas books or films that you like)

‘No Safe House’ by Linwood Barclay

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

No Safe House by Linwood Barclay is a thriller and crime novel that is the sequel to No Time for Goodbye. This picks up 7 years after the previous book and follows the same characters, Terry, Cynthia,Grace and Vince who are dealing with the trauma of what happened all those years ago.

It follows Terry as he tries to keep his family together after that night 7 years ago. Cynthia is dealing with her personal demons and Grace is becoming a rebellious teen, both of which are driving the family apart. Whilst trying to keep the family together they stumble back into the world of Vince, the infamous gangster. When grace foolishly follows her boyfriend into a stranger’s house, Terry’s mission changes from keeping the family together to keeping the family alive.

I really enjoyed this book and felt as though I was kept on the edge of my seat. I think it is a realistic character development from book 1 and that it all related to the previous book. The beginning of the story was more focused on how the family are doing since the events of that nights but we soon are brought into the mysteries and events of current day. I liked how in this book we were given a chance to learn more about the who the characters are now and how that effects the events in the rest of the book and gave us something tangible to link to them.

The story has lots of twists and turns which keep you wondering what is going to happen next. The book is fast paced and exciting which I enjoyed as it made me read quicker as I kept to the pace of the book. More times than not I didn’t want to put the book down and just wanted to know how it all ended. It shows both the psychological and physical effects of the characters and how they are dealing with such a huge amount of emotions. We are also given an insight into how Vince and Jane are doing since the previous book and how they have changed since that night.

I think that considering that there are more than one main character Linwood Barclay balances the amount on information of each character well. I feel as though I know loads about each character and why they are the way they are which I was impressed with considering, in my opinion, there are 5.

Overall, I would recommend this book but I would definitely read the first book, No Time for goodbye, first. I would say that I preferred the story of this book more however it often links to the previous book which without reading could cause confusion.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion of these books or any other recommendations by Linwood Barclay)