Getting out of a Reading Rut

Going back to uni last year affected me in a lot of ways. This included being repelled by the thought of writing or reading anything. Honestly, the readings were ridiculous. 3 or 4 each week with some of them being like 50 pages long. It was also double since I was doing two papers so that was fun. Add that on top of doing a 5,000 word essay and you see why I couldn't face doing it for fun.

With uni being over it's taken me a while to get back into blogging and reading. It's like I've got a hangover I just can't get rid of and it sucks. I do get bursts of motivation, like when I see fellow bloggers heading to cool events or creating amazing content. Getting invited to events isn't my main motivation behind blogging but it's just cool to be thought of with other people liking what I do. 

Ok, on to the reading problem.

I've had the same two books by my bed for at least a year maybe. Every time I look at them I just can't get excited. And then I look over to the piles of books I've yet to read and feel guilty for not creating content for the lovely publishers who send me these amazing books. 

So yesterday I made the decision to just quit with those two books and start one that I actually want to read. It's my birthday tomorrow and be damned if I go through another year of my life forcing myself to do things I don't particularly want to do.

The Fates Divide* is the sequel to Carve the Mark* which I read and loved back in 2017. It follows the story of Cyra & Akos who are part of waring groups but are of course in love. They have to battle which that + her tyrant father, aka all the usual stuff. I'm not sure if it's a trilogy situation, I'm sure I'll figure it out once I've read it.

Ashley xx

*Review copies from HarperCollins NZ

Current Reads: July Edition

With semester one of uni having ended it meant I could dedicate my time to more important things - such as reading. However, me being me I didn't bother to check the semester dates and it turns out semester two started this week. I'm a mess over here people, like actually. So before my life becomes more hectic and stressful I better find more time to read. These are the two books which I'm currently making my way through.

Paris Dreaming by Katrina Lawrence*

My fascination with Paris has been well documented on the blog and as such I'm always compelled by books which concern the city of lights & love. The book covers different stages of the author's life in which she was in Paris, from visiting with her parents as a child through to escaping there as an adult. Each chapter is a combination of what she got up to while in Paris with a kind of history lesson of French writers and notable figures. There is a bibliography at the end of the book and I know I'm going to want to read everything that's listed.

Each chapter manages to capture significant points in Lawrence's life, whether it be her career or personal relationships. Through the highs of lows of life, there's always Paris.


The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson*
While Paris Dreaming makes you feel all warm inside this book does the exact opposite. It has an uneasy sense to it, mostly due to a group of men who find it amusing to torment and chase a girl all because of her name. Aside from that, the story has a fantasy element to it which always intrigues me. It's set in Ireland and focuses on two opposing groups, each of which has their own mystical talents. Wren is the central character and has to go 'undercover' in enemy territory in order to locate a map which has the locations of spiritually charged structures. Losing these means losing their heritage and abilities.

I'm really enjoying it so far & find myself whizzing through it which is always a good sign. A good distraction from the tedious readings I have to do for uni.

What books are you reading this month?

Ashley xx

*Review Copy

Review | Waiting for Monsieur Bellivier

For those who are enamoured with Paris and love a bit of mystery, this one's for you. Books which are centred around the magical city or just France in general just automatically draw me in and every time I'm left with a longing to travel there. 

Waiting for Monsieur Belliver* interchanges between two main characters. Mancebo owns a grocery store and follows the same routine every day, not noticing what he is missing. His bubble is burst when he is approached by his neighbour, she suspects her husband is having an affair and wants him to take note of what he does. He takes his assignment seriously and in doing so discovers secrets about his family which shock him. Helena is a journalist and while at a cafe answers the question, Are you Waiting for Monsieur Bellivier? She is tasked with a mundane job for three weeks and eventually starts to question what she is doing and who is Monsieur Bellivier. She starts to get paranoid and encounters a man who has an interesting story.

The story is actually derived from an experience the author, Britta Rostlund had while in Paris. While sitting at a cafe and man approached her and asked 'Are you Waiting for Monsieur Belliver?'. He asked the question again when she replied no and she got the thought that it was a kind of code and what would have happened if she said yes. Mancebo's story is also inspired by real events with Rostlund going to a grocery store and buying a drink. The owner was sitting on a stool in front of the shop and returned to it after she purchased the drink and stared aimlessly over the boulevard. I find these facts very interesting and it's cool how authors can create a story out of briefly encountering another person or a situation. 

I enjoyed the story, the identity of Monsieur Belliver was kept secret until the end as well as how Mancebo & Helena's paths would cross. I have this bad habit of reading the last chapter so I had suspicions of who he was. I just get curious but end up being confused cause nothing makes sense. One thing I noticed was how the sentences didn't flow that well (I sound like such an academic), turns out it is actually translated from Swedish. It's still readable but I found myself stopping mid-sentence cause some parts just didn't make sense.  

3.5 stars

Have you read Waiting for Monsieur Belliver? What were your thoughts?

Ashley xx

*Review copy from Hachette NZ

Review | The Boat Runner

Happy April everyone! I hope the long weekend was relaxing and that you hopefully didn't eat chocolate till you were sick (although it is sometimes tempting). My family & I went to Taupo again which is becoming one of my favourite places. I started the weekend with good intentions and brought my uni readings and intended to work on my assignments (one of which is due this week). Didn't do any reading, did work a little bit on one assignment. I just couldn't get into it, I was in holiday mode and not in my usual setting. Now that I'm back home I really need to get to it.

Before I left I'd pretty much finished The Boat Runner* and when I got home tonight (last night as you're reading this) I finished it off. Usually, there's a gap between when I finish a book to when I write about it which isn't really good for me as I tend to forget the plot. Not this time (hopefully).

The story revolves around Jacob Koopman, he is 14 years old when WW2 starts and he lives in a small Dutch town with his parents, brother & uncle. The narrative chronicles how the war impacts on his life; his town, friends, family as well as his own view of what is happening around him. As with any story set during a war, there are events which are tragic, and for Jacob three major ones greatly impact on his life. As a result, he makes a rash decision and enlists in the German army where he uses his experiences from helping his uncle on a fishing boat. He tries to forget/block out everything that's happened to him but the realities of war start to sink in and with the help of his uncle he attempts to leave Europe and head for Canada. 

As much as the story is about the physical journey Jacob takes it's really more about his emotional/mental journey. With the loss of his family/home/himself, he gets lost in the machine that is war and doesn't know who he is anymore. He kind of regains his sense of self at the end, becoming a boat runner and giving safe passage to Jewish refugees.

3 stars

Have you read The Boat Runner? What were your thoughts?

Ashley xx

*Review copy from Harper Collins NZ 

Life Update: Books, Uni & Birthday

Hello again, it's been a while. Last week was my first week back at uni and already I feel like I'm behind. This year is different as I'm studying via distance and one of the main things I've noticed is that there is a quite a lot of reading to do each week. I'm only doing two courses this semester which is half what I did while doing my BA & Honours but it feels the same. I am enjoying it so far, I'm doing a Museum's degree which will hopefully help with getting a job in the sector. This weekend I'm off to Wellington for a contact course where I get to meet other students and do other educational stuff. I'm a bit nervous, this is really my first trip on my own, but also excited for the adventure.

This past Tuesday I got just a little bit older. The number kind of terrifies me, I just try to ignore it till you have to sign up for something and have to put what age bracket you fit into. I hate those. I didn't really do anything, apart from study. Thrilling I know. My family got me a small carry on suitcase which is awesome. It's got wheels so I don't have to carry it around which is great. Now I just want to travel to all the places. I also got chocolate & liquorice which is always appreciated.

Usually every month I write about what books I plan to read for that month. I'm just gonna include it here as with all the readings for uni there isn't room for much else. I'm planning to take The Boat Runner by Devin Murphy* which I wrote about in February's post to Wellington. I'm also currently reading Are You Waiting for Monsieur Bellivier by Britta Rostlund* which is set in Paris and has a bit of mystery to it. After The Boat Runner I'm planning to start The Twelve Mile Straight by Eleanor Henderson* which is set in Georgia, 1930. The themes of race are prevalent in this book with a white sharecropper's daughter giving birth to two children; one light-skinned, the other dark. There's a mystery surrounding it which intrigues me.

So that's my little update. I have a feeling my blog schedule will be all over the place but I've got some exciting posts coming up which I can't wait to share.

Ashley xx

                                                                                                                                            *Review Copy

Review | Since We Fell & Six Tudor Queens: Anne Boleyn

In a few short days, I will once again have the title of student. I'm both excited/nervous. The coursework for the first week is up and I've started reading up. I know, I know. I'm trying to keep on top of it, although I try that every year but eventually end up falling behind. Hopefully, I'll still manage to have time/be motivated to keep reading non-academic stuff.

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane*

I wasn't expecting to read this as fast as I did. It's an intriguing mystery in we, and main character Rachel, question whether or not we truly know a person. The story kind of has two parts to it. The first follows Rachel figuring out who her mother really was after her death as well as the identity of her father. This leads her to meet Brian. They reconnect years later after Rachel has a breakdown on TV and become married. After her breakdown Rachel becomes a recluse, getting the occasional panic attacks until something shocks her. Was her husband Brian truly who she thought he was. I was very invested in the story, I just kept wanting to read and find out what was going on. I liked the revelation at the end, it was kind of unique so it didn't feel liked I've read it before.

4 stars

Six Tudor Queens: Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir*

This is the second book in the series. I've read the first on Katherine of Aragon and I just love how they're from the female perspective, something that was very rare for that time. The story is told in the first person perspective of Anne Boleyn. Weir obviously would have taken creative license with her thoughts and feelings but includes all the historical dates & events. I really loved how the story of Anne & her relationship with Henry is written. It makes a lot of sense & doesn't portray Anne as deceiving from the outset. She caught the attention of the King & and was essentially a pawn of her fathers in order to get status. In the end she makes the ultimate sacrifice for her family. Wealth & status over love and in the end it, unfortunately, doesn't end well for her.

4 stars

What books have you read recently?

Ashley xx

*Review Copy

Mental Health & Social Media

Some things unexpectedly just come to you, the best being ideas for blog posts. Am I right.

Mental Health & Social Media. This isn't a new thing. There have been plenty of posts & articles about this destructive relationship. For me it has been up and down and not so long ago I sort of did a cull. I went through my Twitter & Instagram and unfollowed the accounts that were just clogging up my feed. I deleted Snapchat altogether; I barely used it and it was just another thing I was wasting my time on. Facebook is something I'm still on the fence with. On one hand, I'm sick of seeing all the crap on there while on the other I have my blog page as well as being a part of blogging groups which is really helpful.

The problem with social media is that most of the time (especially on Instagram) it's everybody's highlights. So while you are having a bad day it makes it 10x worse to see other people showing how great their lives are.

With this blog, social media is kind of necessity. You gotta get out there and promote what you're creating in order to get readers. Brands, as well as PR companies, are also interested in it. Especially the numbers side of it. The bigger your audience is the more likely it is you'll get approached or they'll be more receptive to you. This aspect for me also messes with my head and just makes me feel low.

I have a quite a small amount of numbers on social media. Around 500 on Twitter, 360 on Instagram and 80 on Facebook. I find Facebook the hardest as with the other two you can use hashtags while if you want to attract likes you have to pay to advertise which sucks. I've been blogging for just over four years and it is something I really work hard on and at times it can get a bit depressing to see low numbers. It's also hard when you approach brands/PR companies and they tell you to come back to them when your following is bigger. It's definitely a 'goal', something to strive for but at times can get me down.

Things that make this worse is when other bloggers buy their followers or copy other bloggers work and get recognised by brands/PRs. It's heartbreaking to work hard at something only to get passed over by someone who is essentially cheating. This is what inspired me to write this post as I saw on Twitter that a blogger was buying followers as well as another blogger blatantly passing off another's post as their work. It's infuriating. At school/university, this would have most likely resulted in expulsion, a serious consequence. Why is it then that this has no real consequence. Thankfully there are tools to see if someone is buying followers. You can search someone's username on Social Blade and if you see numbers going up in big chunks, it's suspicious.

At the end of the day, I just have to remind myself that social media is not that vitally important. The world doesn't end if I lose followers. For me I know I have to take breaks from it in order to keep my sanity. I'll leave my phone in my room, go off and read a book, watch TV. Going out also helps especially if you don't have data on your phone. Especially for a walk, walks are good.

So yeah, that's my little spiel.

Ashley xx

Books to Read in February

January lasted for what seems like forever but yet it still feels like February came too soon. Before I know it my birthday will come rushing through and I'm just not ready for it. I try to ignore my age, I don't really feel connected to it and when I do it just gets me down. A good way to distract myself is with books and these are the ones I'm getting into this month.

The Boat Runner by Devin Murphy*

The story is set during WW2 and follows Jacob Koopman who was living enjoyable with his brother in their small Dutch town. His life is thrown into chaos when the war breaks out and we follow Jacob through the dangers of war. I've always been interested in historical/period stories and there is also some intrigue with Jacob being confronted with a moral dilemma. It will be interesting to see what it is and how he deals with it.

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane*
I already started reading this and I was intrigued since the first page. The story follows Rachel who hits rock bottom. Her husband is there for her but his mysterious behaviour forces her to look for the truth about him. That's the blurb on the back but so far the story is more centred on Rachel and the relationship with her mother, and importantly the secrets she kept from Rachel. Secrets are great, they make me want to keep reading so I'm looking forward to getting through it.

What books are you planning to read this month?

Ashley xx

* Review Copies

January Favourites

I'm not the only one who felt like January lasted ages. My perception of time is pretty much all out of wack so I mostly have no idea what day it is. I got some cool things for Xmas as well as some Boxing day deals which I have been enjoying using the past month. These were the things I managed to come up with.

iPhone 6

My iPod bit the dust a while ago and I've been wanting to get another. However, Santa thought an iPhone would be better so I've been adjusting to it. At first I was hesitant but then I was excited to finally get the apps I couldn't download on Android. I now mostly take Instagram pictures on it as well as using the photo editing apps.

Laptop

My laptop had some issues so I'd been looking at getting another for a while. I got another HP from The Warehouse Stationery where it was on special and it's going great so far. I don't know how but all my bookmarks were transferred to this one so I didn't need to go through and redo everything. Another cool thing is that I can send photos from the laptop to my phone (with an app) so I don't have to connect it to a USB. Oh, and it's much faster too which is a plus.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman*

I might as well review it now. The story is very unique, it's not one which I've read over and over again which is amazing. The story follows Eleanor who sticks the same schedule; same outfit, meals etc. She believes her life is fine until an event disrupts her path and she discovers other joys to life such as friendship. We see her adjust to this new thing in her life and as you get through the book we learn what made her want to live her life like this. Eleanor is a unique character which I loved and there was also a bit at the end which surprised me which I very much enjoyed.

5 stars

That's all I can think of at the moment. I blame the heat, I just can't function properly. Bring on Autumn.

Ashley xx

*Review Copy

Review | But Then I Came Back, These Dividing Walls & Dividing Eden

These books are all ones I finished last year so here's hoping I manage to remember the plots. I didn't really have the drive to read over the Christmas/New Year holidays so I've got a lot of catching up to do. I didn't reach my Goodreads goal so this year I'm going to attempt it (I also made the goal lower so hopefully that helps).

But Then I Came Back by Estelle Laure*

I hadn't read the previous book but they're kind of stand-alone stories so it didn't really matter that much. The story follows Eden who has an accident and wakes up from a coma after a month. She had her life all planned out and after the accident found it hard to go back to her old life and her plans didn't fit anymore. She becomes lost in her new reality and it's even harder with her family & friends expecting her to be the same. She finds comfort in Joe, whose friend Jasmine is in a coma and who Eden has a connection too. She & Joe share an understanding that helps her feel less alone.

I enjoyed the story, the connection between Eden & Jasmine was interesting as was the Eden herself. Trying to go back to her former self but just getting lost.

3 stars

These Dividing Walls by Fran Cooper*

I love any books to do with France/Paris so I was really looking forward to this one. The plot is centred around an apartment building and intertwines the stories of the people that live there. They've each got their own separate storylines alongside the main theme of the Paris of today, dealing with the aftermath of terror attacks. I love the concept of showing the separate lives of the people contained in one building, isolated until the realities of the outside world come through.

The residents are a wide variety of people whose stories are heartbreaking but also endearing.

3.5 stars

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau*

This is another fantasy novel which I'm always a fan of. The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Eden where twins Carys & Andreus are forced to compete against each other for the crown after their older brother and father are killed. The murders are suspicious and Carys especially is determined to find out the truth. The twins have always been close but the trial as well as those invested in who gets the crown drive a wedge between the two of them.

There are a lot of secrets in this book, none of which are revealed. It's safe to say I'm really looking forward to the sequel where hopefully there will be some answers.

4 stars

Have you read any of these books?

Ashley xx

*Review copes from Hachette NZ & Harper Collins NZ

Best Books of 2017

I've seen a couple of these posts floating around and since I more or less keep Goodreads updated I have a good record of all the books I've read throughout the year. Five seems the universal good number so I went with that. There's a good mixture of books; a couple of fantasy, some historical fiction as well as a little dash of something French.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor*

For lovers of the fantasy genre, this is all you could ask for. The reader is first introduced to Lazlo, an orphaned librarian who has always dreamed of traveling to the mysterious city of Weep. An opportunity arises and he travels there to help the people of the city. As well as Lazlo we meet Sarai, part of the problem that needs solving. Through Sarai's gift, the two build a relationship and Lazlo shows her a world outside her prison. The writing is very descriptive and you build a picture of Weep in your mind.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth*

I actually did a video review of this book so this is the first time I'm writing about it. This is also set in a fictional world and follows the characters Cyra & Akos who are from different races of people living on the same planet. In this universe is a powerful force called the 'current' which gives people abilities. Cyra's abilities cause her and others pain and it is taken advantage of by her tyrant brother. Like with Strange the Dreamer the two develop a relationship and try to escape the situation they live in.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel*

I had no preconception before I started the book which was a good thing as everything was unexpected. The story follows Lane and goes between the time periods of when she was 15 and eleven years later and is set around her grandparent's house. Two mysteries are woven into the story; what happened to Lane's cousin Allegra as well as the mystery surrounding the women of the Roanoke family. They either run away or die. The mystery is complex & intriguing and kept me guessing to the very end.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn*
I'm pretty sure this is inspired by a true story, during WW1 women were enlisted as spies and managed to gain intel from the Germans and then relay back to the British. The story is told from Eve's point of view, she is a timid secretary who is scouted by the army due to her language skills in French & German. She reports to Lilli who is the 'queen of spies' and who Eve greatly admires. The book goes between Eve's story in WW1 to Charlie's in WW2 who enlists the help of Eve to find her cousin. As the story progresses both Charlie and the reader learn what Eve went through. I greatly enjoyed reading about the side of the war which isn't widely known, especially on brave women outwitting men.

The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George*
Anything to do with France automatically gets me excited and I absolutely enjoyed this gem of a story. Marianne is 60 years old when she decides to end her life in Paris after being in an unhappy marriage for many years. Fate intervenes and she is saved and comes across a beautifully painted tile which compels her to travel to a small town in Brittany. Marianne starts over and rediscovers how joyful life is. We also meet some of the locals whose lives are also changed by this stranger. It's a lovely story and shows that you can change the course of your life at any stage.

What were your favourite books of 2017?

Ashley xx

*Review copies from Hachette NZ & Harper Collins NZ 

Books to Read in December

Is it just me or does it seem like it suddenly went from cold to hot even before summer 'officially' started? Summer is great and all but whenever I'm outside I only last about 5 minutes before passing out from the heat. I'm not cut out for it. I'd rather be inside with a book while a fan is blasting cold air at me, which is probably what I'll be doing all summer. 

I'm currently still getting through the books I mentioned last month but these are the next two off the reading pile. 

Six Tudor Queens: Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir*

This is the second book in the series, following the life of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn. I read the first book on Katherine of Aragon last year and absolutely loved it. The books are a historical non-fiction/narrative fiction hybrid of sorts with the people, dates etc being true but the story is shown from the female perspective. In this case, Anne Boleyn. There's next to no works or documents written by women at that time so the narrative employs the use of creative licence. None the less, it will still be an interesting read and one I'm looking forward to. 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman*

This novel follows the character of Eleanor Oliphant who leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal & buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. She is happy, nothing is missing from her life. Except, sometimes, everything. When one act of kindness shatters the walls Eleanor has built around herself she must learn how to navigate the world. I really like the premise of this book, I kind of relate to Eleanor in a way as I always tend to stick to a routine and rarely stray from it. It's safe but at the same time boring & lonely. The central theme is about change which is a word that both excites & frightens me.

What books are you planning to read this month?

Ashley xx

*Review copies from Hachette NZ & Harper Collins NZ

Review | Godblind & Strange the Dreamer

As a fantasy genre lover, I was very pleased with these fantasy epics. At times it got a bit overwhelming and eventually, I ended up favouring one over the other. They were both also more of the weightier books I've read in a while so I'm grateful I made it to the other side (soz for sounding dramatic).

Godblind by Anna Stephens*

The narrative is set in a world of neighbouring waring kingdoms, Mireces & Rilpor. The Mireces worship the Red Gods, the Dark Lady and her horde dealt in death, blood & fire. Rilpor, on the other hand, worships the Gods of Light with the Dancer being the main deity. When the king of Rilpor's health declines the kingdom is in danger, to fall to Mireces and the Red Gods. 

The story rotates around the perspective of ten characters, it's kind of like a TV show were we the viewer sees what is happening in multiple locations on each side. Aside from the 'gods', the story is similar to wars that have happened throughout history. For me, it sounded familiar to the War of the Roses. While no side was particularly evil, the Tudors did paint the Yorks badly in order to support their claim to the throne. One part that I enjoyed most was the interactions between the high priestess of each side. They were snarky towards one another but respected each other's position with the Blessed One (Red Gods) being especially curious about the Gods of Light.

The book finished in the middle of the battle so I'm presuming there will be a sequel. I hope so, I want to see the outcome of the conflict.

3.5 stars

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor*

Compared to Godblind this book was much more fantastical and lighter in terms of the story. The narrative is mostly split between two characters. Lazlo, an orphan librarian who gets the chance to travel to the place he's dreamed of his whole life, & Sarai who is one of five godspawn who are hiding their existence from the people who tried to kill them. The structure in which the godspawn live in is causing the people below trouble which is how Lazlo becomes part of the team brought in to solve it. 

While the book uncovers the mysteries of Weep, (the place Lazlo has dreamed about) the main aspect of the book is Lazlo & Sarai's relationship. Lazlo is a dreamer who lives in fairy tales and from him, Sarai discovers another side to the world that isn't filled with hate and fear.

Like with Godblind the book finishes before the story so I'm looking forward to the next part.

4 stars

Have you read any of these books?

Ashley xx

*Review copies from Harper Collins NZ & Hachette NZ. Opinions are my own

Books to Read in November

I know it's typical to curl up with a book when it's cold but as it's heading into the warmer months when all you want to be is outside reading is turned into a more conscious decision. I often have times of the day blocked off in my head that's for making some headway in the works currently beside my bed. It's kind of like a job if only I was paid.

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau*

Following October's fantasy heavy books it's only right to follow up with another fantasy novel, right? I started this soon after finishing Godblind* and the stories have similar themes. Both are concerned with a monarchy and who will be the one to inherit it. In Eden twins, Carys & Andreus were never destined to rule until their older brother and father are killed. The line of succession is no longer clear and the twins have to take part in a Trial of Succession. The twins are really close so it will be interesting to see how their relationship is tested throughout the book.

But Then I Came Back by Estelle Laure*

This is the sequel to This Raging Light which I haven't read but I think they're kind of like stand-alone type books. This story follows Eden who finds her life plan in tatters after waking up from a coma. For her family & friends nothing has really changed but for Eden, everything has which is understandable considering. She also gains this strange relationship with a fellow coma patient who she somehow met while unconscious. I am part way through so far and am finding the story interesting.

These Dividing Walls by Fran Cooper*

But Then I Came Back* isn't that long so I think I'll be able to start this later on in the month. These Dividing Walls focuses on an apartment style building in Paris and follows the lives of the people that live there. A woman with silver-blonde hair opens her bookshop downstairs, an old man feeds the sparrows on his windowsill & new arrival Edward takes his place in an attic room to wait out his grief. As a daily daydreamer of Paris, I am very much looking forward to this book and the mental images it will conjure up.

What are you planning to read this month?

Ashley xx

* Review copies from HarperCollins NZ & Hachette NZ

October Favourites

This gets repeated at the start of every month but the fact that it's the second to last month of the year doesn't feel real. I don't really have a feel for what time of the year it is really, just that it's nowhere near the end. As usual, my favourites are a bit random so sit back and enjoy.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor*

The size of this book did intimidate me at first but once I started getting into it I almost could'nt put it down. The story is told from the perspective of two characters mostly. Lazlo, an orphan librarian who grabs the chance to travel to a place he's been fascinated with his whole life & Sarai, godspawn, who as well as her friends have been hiding most of their lives. The story has a fantastical element to it which is elevated with the heavy descriptive language. I'll do a review later on sometime in the near future.

Estée & Aslan's Santorini vlogs

Estée & Aslan went on a little trip to Greece and OMG Santorini is one of the most beautiful places ever. I'm obsessed and I need to go there. The whole place is Instagramable. Estée vlogged the first day of the trip on her channel while Aslan did a video of the second day. These have to be the best vlogs I've watched in a while.

Recycled Movie Costumes on Tumblr

I discovered this account/blog during one of my mindless wanders through Tumblr. Recycled Movie Costumes just basically shows dresses, accessories etc that have been reused for different TV shows or movies. I don't know, I just find it interesting seeing costumes pop up in multiple shows.

Paolo Sebastian Spring/Summer 2018

As you all know anything Disney related I absolutely love. So of course when I saw that Paolo Sebastian had created Disney inspired gowns I fell in love instantly. They're all so gorgeous & whimsical, I would be the happiest person on earth if I ever got a dress like those. 

What are your October Favourites?

Ashley xx

*Review copy from Hachette NZ

Review | The Alice Network & The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu

I had two very different experiences with these books. With one I couldn't put it down and was completely enthralled in the story while the other made me go at a slower pace in order to completely take on board the info. I should note that one's fiction and the other non-fiction, it seems I'm still hung up on my habits from uni to make sure I get all the points.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn*

The story goes between events during WW1 and just after WW2. In 1915 Eve is recruited to work as a spy and is sent to Nazi-occupied France. There she joins 'The Alice Network', led by Lilli who is the 'queen of spies'. The women receive intel which then gets relayed back to their superiors in the hopes of ending the war. In 1947, Charlie takes a detour and heads to England to enlist the help of Eve to find her cousin. While dealing with her own 'little problem' Charlie pushes it aside in order to discover what happened to Rose and along the way learns what Eve went through during the war.

I absolutely enjoyed this book and like I mentioned earlier couldn't put it down. I also love how it's a story about women, putting themselves in dangerous situations like Eve or being determined to get to the truth like Charlie. These two ladies come from two different backgrounds but are able to work together.

5 stars

The Book Smuggler of Timbuktu by Charlie English*

This took me quite a while to get through, it's quite heavy with information and I just found it hard to keep track. The book is split in two; it tells the events during 2012 when al-Qaeda-linked jihadists invade Timbuktu and reek havoc on the city. In order to keep its history safe a team of librarians and archivists join together to smuggle thousands of ancient manuscripts into safety. The book also goes back into the history of Timbuktu with the stories of the adventurers whose goal it was to reach the mythical city and record it. Very few survived the journey.

The myth and the history of Timbuktu was interesting to learn as well as the story of manuscript smuggling. Naturally, I got a bit angry with how the jihadists went around destroying sacred monuments which were important to the people.

3 stars

Have you read any of these books?

Ashley xx

*Review copies from Harper Collins NZ

Books to Read in October

This past couple of days have been quite gloomy and I don't know about you it just makes me want to curl up in bed with my books. Lately, I've just had this desire to read and I'm not complaining. It means that I'll quickly get to these books which I'm looking forward to a great deal.

Godblind by Anna Stephens*

First off the cover of this book is stunning and only makes me excited about the story within. Set in the fantasy genre the story tells of a time when the Red Gods once ruled the land with the Dark Lady dealing in death, blood and fire. That time has long since passed and the neighbouring kingdoms of Mireces & Rilpor hold an uneasy truce. After the death of his wife, the King of Rilpor is plagued by grief leaving his kingdom vulnerable to the Mireces army. I love any story that has a mythology with it so I'm excited to start this soon.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor*

Once again the cover is gorgeous, I love the combination of the blue and gold. This again is another fantasy genre with dreams being the one who chooses the dreamer. Lazlo Strange always feared his dream chose poorly, he's been obsessed with the mythic city of Weep since he was young. The Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors turn up and Lazlo seizes his chance to discover why Weep was cut off from the read of the world. The story sounds really similar to the myth of Atlantis, a hidden mythical city, which really appeals to me. I'm just about to start it so I'm looking forward to seeing Lazlo's journey.

The Anxiety Toolkit by Alice Boyes**

I was recommended by my doctor to read up about anxiety. With me the more familiar I am with something the less it stresses me out so it makes sense. I actually got two books on anxiety and this is the first one I'm currently reading. The book covers what anxiety is (your brain sending fight or flight signals in response to anything) and also gives tools and experiments to do in order to help manage it. I haven't read that much yet but it's interesting to learn about some coping tools.

What are you planning to read this month?

Ashley xx

*Review copies

**Affiliate Link

Ashley Ruth's 4th Birthday + NZ Giveaway!

It's been four years since I randomly decided to create a blog. I'm amazed that I stuck with it. At the start, I was toying with the idea of stopping but at the start of 2014 decided to give it a proper go and here we are. Over the years there's been a number of changes; topics, designs, names but at the end of the day, it's still the same creative outlet for me.

To celebrate I'm running my very first giveaway!! I'm both nervous & excited. To celebrate 4 years there are 4 items + a little something special. 

First thing is Little Black Book by Otegha Uwagba which is small but big in terms of useful information. It is the modern career guide that every creative woman needs and is full of useful tips & information.

Next is a Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 Palette. The shades aren't exactly correct in the pictures, you can see it better here. It's got a good mix of matte, pearl & shimmer shades and it's neutral palette which I thought most people would like.

The other two things can be worn together. A NYX lip liner in Nude Pink & a Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 107. 107 is my go-to nude lipstick so I thought I would include one in the giveaway.

I'm also going to add in something else which I'm really quite excited about. Make sure you enter all the options below :D The giveaway is open for a week and I'll announce the winner on my Facebook page.

This is New Zealand giveaway only, as it's my first one and I'm a bit nervous about it.

Good luck! xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review | The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George

As a lover of anything French to say I was excited to start this book was an understatement. This is the first book of Nina George's that I've read, The Little Paris Bookshop is one that is on the very top of my book list. 

The Little Breton Bistro* follows the journey of Marianne. She has been in an unhappy marriage for most of her life and on a trip to Paris from Germany, she makes the decision to end her life. She is saved from drowning and after finding a beautifully painted tile at the hospital she escapes to a small port town in Brittany. While there she meets an array of locals and discovers the part of herself that has been hiding for most of her life. The small town brings Marianne back to life and she, in turn, has an effect on the locals including Yann, the painter.

I only think I can really say about this book is amour, amour, amour. It's a beautiful story about discovering your true self and changing your life no matter what age. The place where Marianne was going to end her life ended up being where she discovered just how full and beautiful it can be. There's also some humour as well which is always a delight.

4.5 stars

Have you read The Little Breton Bistro?

P.S. There's a special and exciting post going up on Saturday :D

Ashley xx

*Review copy from Hachette NZ

Review | The Cows by Dawn O'Porter

The Cows* follow three women who start off unknown to each other but are eventually linked by an unfortunate incident. The story deals with current day issues such as the internet and social media which is now a major aspect of peoples everyday lives. It greatly affects the lives of the three women. Cam, a blogger who writes candidly about her life, is often told online that her stances on issues are wrong. Tara, who was caught on film masturbating, has now become viral online. And Stella who is struggling with the death of her twin sister and with the possibility of her also getting cancer torments herself in going on her sister's Facebook page.

Along with the internet and social media, the book also looks at people, particularly women, and how we judge them for having a different type of life that is not seen as 'normal'. Cam, who chooses not to have children, is critique both online and by her family while Tara, a single mother, feels judged by the other Mums at her daughter's school. This critique is multiplied with Tara's identity being discovered after the video goes viral and seemingly the whole world knows she got pregnant after a one-night stand. This theme really ties into the title 'The Cows' with the women not being part of the herd and conforming to a stereotype.

I've never read any of Dawn O'Porter's other work but was excited for this book after hearing about it when she was interviewed for Ctrl Alt Delete. I enjoyed the story but found some parts a little over exaggerated as well as cheesy. The story is one the reader can relate to but is hyper-realistic in the situations the characters encounter. One thing I did love was the shock twist at the end. I always like when a book surprises me and I was not expecting it.

3 stars

Have you read The Cows? What did you think of it?

Ashley xx

* Review copy from Harper Collins NZ