I’d like to start off this review by giving a huge thank you to the publisher for allowing me to have the opportunity to review an eBook copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Jack Monroe and have all of her other books, so I’m incredibly happy and thankful for this opportunity.
So far, I have made two of the dishes featured in this book. I love how simple Jack’s recipes are, and it’s a huge bonus that they are good for you and don’t cost huge amounts. As a single parent I like to be able to feed my children well, and for a low cost. – which often doesn’t happen with other cookbooks.
We have currently made Cheese and Oregano Rusks and Orange and Blueberry Oat Bars from the book, and are really looking forwards to trying the Five-a-Day Couscous and the Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding.
Another fantastic family, budget and health friendly read from Jack!
I was recently nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by Ashley at Red Haired Ash Reads The Mystery Blogger Award is a tag created by Okoto Enigma to find and promote bloggers who “haven’t been discovered yet.”
The Rules
Put the award logo/image on your blog.
List the rules.
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.
Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.
You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.
Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
Answer the questions by the person who nominated you.
Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).
Share a link to your best post(s).
Three Things About Me
I have two children aged 11 and 8.
I am currently doing a degree in Primary Education and work in a primary school. – hence why I read a lot of children’s books.
I’m learning how to sew properly. – I want to make all of my own clothes.
Ashley’s Questions For Me
Is there a movie that you think is better than the book? – Oh Yes! Girl Interrupted by Susanna Kasen
What is your favorite thing to drink while reading? – Either herbal tea or cherry flavoured Pepsi Max
Do you create set TBRs or are you a mood reader? – Absolutely a mood reader, I’ve tried planning before and always ended up in reading slumps because I’m not in the mood for that type of book.
What is your favorite trope/theme in books? – I love F/F romance storylines and books about witches. – combine both and I’m such a happy camper
What is one thing that you hate when reading? – People talking to me! Round of applause to the co-worker that went to talk to me the other day, but then stopped and said “Never mind, I can see you are reading.” I also hate noise, I have ADHD so need quiet and no distractions when I read.
I’m nominating the following bloggers for the Mystery Blogger Award:
Like many others, lock down has got me picking up my sewing machine again. I have decided now I want most of my wardrobe handmade by me, by the end of the year, so I’m taking it fairly seriously. I follow a lot of sewing channels on YouTube and have done for a few years now, so the brand Tilly and The Buttons isn’t new to me, in fact I’d been wanting to get this book for about a year now.
Love At First Stitch – Tilly Walnes, published by Quadrille in 2014
Because it’s been a while since I’ve done any sewing, I picked this book up to ease myself in as even the hardest patterns in the book are very suitable for beginner level. For those completely new to the workings of a sewing machine there is even a chapter on setting it up and threading it.
The book starts with a very simple pattern of making scarf and then moves on to pyjama bottoms, skirts and dresses. The patterns for all these are tucked in a slot at the back of the book and are in sizes 6-20.
Starting easy with the Brigitte ScarfMoving on to the Margot Pyjamas
Sewing books can be really expensive, but this one is so worth the money. I bought my copy from the Tilly and The Buttons website because it was out of stock on Amazon, and I’m so glad I did because Tilly has signed it too.
My first make from this book is going to be the Delphine Skirt from chapter three.
I can’t wait to get started!
I’ll leave the link to Tilly and The Buttons here as I think they are amazing!
Most of the world is stuck indoors at the moment, and in the words of Ms Lovett from Sweeney Todd “Times is ard”.
I’m going to assume that you all at least have a computer or smart device, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this. This first one is free, pretty much all libraries now have online services. If you aren’t already a member of your local library I recommend signing up online as that’s all you need to do to start borrowing free books. (Your online library service should state which app they use.) Most libraries have really increased the number of books they have available online since lockdown started and they had to close their doors.
For this next one I’m going to recommend the Kindle and Kobo apps. Both book services have a lot of freebies and £1 and under bargains. With Kindle you can sign up to get a daily e-mail from Amazon on their selected daily and monthly book deals. It’s also worth signing up to e-mails/newsletters from authors you like as they will often share when their books are on sale/they have a giveaway, or if you are really lucky – some send free books just for you signing up to get their updates! It’s also worth following them on social media for updates on things like this too.
Depending on how you read, it might also be cheaper for you to sign up to a service such as Kindle Unlimited. – They did have an offer 2 months for 99p. – not sure if this is still running though.
Below I’m going to post some links to some Bewitching Reads approved books that are currently under £1 on Amazon.
Electrigirl – (all three books are currently under £1 Each)
I’d like to start this post with a huge thank you to Dellybird over at dellybird.co.uk
I’ve decided for this tag to just tag everyone that is reading it, I hope you are all staying safe and coping as well as you can during lockdown, It’s such a hard time for everyone right now. As someone that works in education, I am certainly feeling the stress and anxiety about my job, with worrying about how my pupils are doing on a daily basis. I am missing my crazy normal life! I’ve recently had covid-19 myself, thankfully I have recovered, I hope you are all keeping as safe as you can.
Bingo Love is a fantastic female/female romance graphic novel. It was one of my top reads for 2019 and the bonus content in the jackpot edition is worth the purchase. – This book will leave you feeling VERY emotional.
2. Snacking – A book that is a ‘guilty pleasure’ read
The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot is a series I have re-read so many times since the age of 13. Lilly has always been my favourite character I just love her so much, she reminds me so much of my teenage self!
3. Netflix – a series you want to start
Okay, I am aware this next one is cheating. I’m not really a book adaptation person so I really struggled. I do however love The Perks of Being a Wallflower – and it is on Netflix at the moment.
I’m not a big fan of Emma Watson outside of Harry Potter, but I do really like her in this movie.
4. Deep Clean – a book that has been on your TBR for ages.
I Don’t really think there is a reason for this. I just haven’t been in the mood yet. I’ve had the book over a year.
5. Animal Crossing – A book you recently bought because of the hype
Last year I remember seeing so many posts and BookTube videos, about how good this book was and it sounded great! Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to like it, I just couldn’t!
6. Productivity – A book you learned from, or had an impact on you.
Pulp is another book that gave me all the feels. I read it at a time when I was getting used to being openly a lesbian and starting my life over again. It also opened my eyes to being gay in the 1950’s and introduced me to lesbian Pulp fiction. – Which I can tell you, is pretty damn magical.
7. FaceTime – A book you were gifted
A couple of years ago, my grandparents gave me the 70th anniversary edition of The Hobbit.
8. Self-care – What is one thing you have done recently to look after yourself.
Putting mine and my children’s mental health first when it comes to lockdown. Both are on home school. Yes we are working, but we a doing it to the beat of our own drum, and also are filling our days with board games and Disney movies.
Bonus! – an upcoming release you are looking forwards to
Jaqueline Wilson writing a book about coming out? YES PLEASE! – Out Aug 2020
As I said at the top, I tag everyone that is reading this post.
It’s 1:07am and I can’t sleep, I’ve been quite distracted this evening. I’ll be honest, I’ve been pretty terrible at reading since lockdown started. There is just something about being pushed out of my daily routine that has pushed me into doing sod all. Things have been picking up the last week or so though, I think I’m now starting adjust.
I currently have three books on the go at the moment Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley. It’s taken me a few chapters to get in to, but it has me hooked now. I need some romance. – PULP was one of my favourite reads in 2019, it introduced me to lesbian pulp fiction, and now I’m never looking back.
I’m also currently reading Gears For Queers, which is a review book. I went in blind simply just because it’s LGBTQ+ but I’m really enjoying it.
The third book is right up my street because the protagonist is a geek. The books is The Frame-up and I’m listening to it on audible while I’m doing housework and what have you. Not enjoying it as much as I thought I would, but that’s just because there seems to be a heterosexual relationship brewing, and I often struggle with those now. It’s not the book’s fault.
As a way of signing off, I’m going to pimp my jacket out. I’m upcycling a charity shop jacket and people are giving me words/quotes for me to stitch on the back. They can be absolutely bonkers! – as long as it isn’t too offensive! Ha! If you would like to contribute ping me on Twitter or comment here.
I am very much aware I am late to the party with this one.
Last night I finally read Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. It was one of those books that I’d had my eye on for a while but kept getting pushed back for whatever reason. Now everyone around the world is finding themselves in lockdown and with some extra time, I thought it would be the perfect time. – Plus that fact that it’s only 99p on kindle currently, helped.
Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they’ve never met … until one day when they’re made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance.
Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised.
– Description taken from Amazon
I’m new to Alice Oseman. Although I had heard her name before, I wouldn’t have been able to put any books to it. I loved the build up of Charlie and Nick’s friendship, and then watching it blossom into something else. I also love how normal sexuality is in this book. Just as it should be. I love how there is no “big shock” when someone slips into a conversation that they are gay. It’s normalised and doesn’t faze anyone. I devoured this book from cover to cover VERY quickly, and I absolutely cannot wait to read Volume 2.
Sticks & Stones Dianne Beck Published by: Acorn Publishing Publication date: March 18th 2020 Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
When fifteen-year-old Emily Greene wakes up to police banging on her door, she is shocked to see her mother arrested on drug charges.
Uprooted and in disbelief, Emily moves to a new town to stay with her grandmother, known as Crazy Carol for her outspoken faith and quirky behaviors. As if the arrest isn’t enough, kids at her new school immediately begin to stereotype and judge her based on the news they’ve heard about her mom.
Emily is sure her mother’s fiancé is to blame for the crime. He has conveniently disappeared since the day of the arrest. She’s determined to find him, and prove he’s at fault. But something awful happens, shaking her world yet again.
After this string of tragedies, Emily starts to question God, but is gently and consistently reminded by her grandmother, through stories she tells of all the sticks, leaves, and stones she collects, that God is her good and faithful parent.
Emily must learn that the words others say about her don’t matter, that her mom’s mistakes don’t define her, and she is always deeply loved by her heavenly father. If only she can learn to forgive herself.
Dianne Beck has spent the majority of her career teaching students ranging from Kindergarten through adult. No matter what age, her biggest goal is to encourage her students to be their own unique selves, to have confidence in who they are, and to follow their passions.
Dianne’s debut young adult novel, Sticks and Stones, was inspired by her years of teaching, where she saw so many students struggle with varying issues, and also experienced how an understanding ear and relevant literature could make a significant impact on their lives. She hopes young people as well as adults can find faith and strength, like her main character Emily does, even when things seem to be falling apart.
Dianne is motivated daily by her faith in God, her husband, and her four adult children. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, sipping coffee, browsing a bookstore, or pursuing a part-time faith and fitness ministry at www,ofcommonground.com.
