The girl who just wanted to be loved by Angela Hart. - Book Review.

"Eight-year-old Keeley looks like the sweetest little girl you could wish to meet, but demons from the past make her behaviour far from angelic. She takes foster carer Angela on a rocky and very demanding emotional ride as she fights daily battles against her deep-rooted psychological problems. Can the love and specialist care Angela and husband Jonathan provide help Keeley triumph against the odds?" 

Angela and her husband have been fostering for a very long time and are very experienced foster carers. They were asked to take in eight year old Keely who had been in the care system for sometime but it just hadn't worked out with her previous foster parents.. Angela and Mike were already fostering two teenage boys at the time Keely came to live with them and became a prt of the family. With the ups and downs and struggles they had with Keely who needed a lot of support because she had been through many tough times. Angela and Mike are amazing people and so inspiring! I really liked this book a lot. If you enjoy fostering memoirs, you'll like this book, too! Similar to Cathy Glass and Angela Watson, Angela and her husband are amazing people and I wish there were more people in this world like them! 

Sarah xXx

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September TBR

On my September TBR list, I've added three books. Which might be a litle ambitious considering September is going to be a busy month but if I want to reach my goal of 50 by the end of the year, I'm going to have to find time to read more. I've currently read 39 books so far this year (Although I'm sure it's 40 but goodreads tells me otherwise). Here are my books to be read in September.

I see you by Claire Mackintosh. I have read 'I let you go' by the same author and I really loved it. It's one of the best books I've read this year so I have high hopes for this book!

I love Diney Costeloe books, I think she's an amazing author who writes war fiction! I've read two of her books before 'The girl with no name' and 'The runaway family'. I can't wait to read this book! With it being 489 pages, it might take me a while to read! I found this book in a charity shop (in bran new condition !!) for £1. What a bargain!

Next up I'd like to read 'Alfie the door step cat' because it keeps popping up on good reads recomendations. I loved 'A street cat named Bob' so I think I'll like this story! And also, I love cats, haha.

What's on your September to be read list?

Sarah xXx

August wrap - What I read in August

Honestly, I feel like August was a slumpy month for me, when it came to reading. Although I did manage three books so it wasn't that bad! I also finished reading one that I started in July. So I guess that's FOUR books finished in August.

Here are the books I've read this month -

I read 'The Book Thief' The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. 
This has been on my TBR list for a long time. I'd already seen the movie which I really liked. The narator of the book is death, which I wasn't really sure about to start with but I ended up truly loving it. I really enjoyed the book a lot. Set during the holocaust in Nazi Germany about a little girl that goes to live with a childless couple who also end up hiding a Jew in there basement! I connected well with the characters and although the book was a fairly long book (552 page !!) I was hooked and found myself reading it quite fast. You can read my full review here. 

The Girl Who Just Wanted To Be Loved by Angel Hart. (full review coming soon)
"Eight-year-old Keeley looks like the sweetest little girl you could wish to meet, but demons from the past make her behaviour far from angelic. She takes foster carer Angela on a rocky and very demanding emotional ride as she fights daily battles against her deep-rooted psychological problems. Can the love and specialist care Angela and husband Jonathan provide help Keeley triumph against the odds?"

A foster care story by Angela Hart. I have read books by this author before and really liked them. Beautifully written and quite fast paced. And whilst parts of this story is upsetting because Keely had been through rather a lot in her short life. She was taken into foster care by Angela and her husband who gave her a home and loved her. Keeley had many problems which Angela and her husband try to help her through. Angela and her hubby are wonderful people who have been fostering children for many, many years. If you like Cathy Glass and Casey Watson books, I'm certain you will like books by Angela Hart, too!

Finding Tiperary Mary by Phillis Whitsell. (full review coming soon)


"The astonishing real story of a daughter’s search for her own past ¨C and the desperate mother who gave her up

‘I lit the candle and prayed for my birth mother, asking God to take care of her. It was as if I had made some kind of connection with her. Even at such a young age, I found it difficult to understand, but I always feared that she was in danger and needed my prayers. It was the only thing at the time that I could do for her. I feared that she might be coming to some harm and that she was not happy, but I was helpless and had nobody to talk to about my feelings. The only thing at that time was to pray that her guardian angel would take care of her and keep her from harm.’

Phyllis Whitsell began the search for her birth mother as a young woman ¨C and although it was many years before she finally met her, their lives had crossed on the journey without their knowledge. When they both eventually sat down together ¨C the circumstances were extraordinary, moving and ultimately life-changing.

This is a daughter’s personal account of the remarkable relationship that grew from abandonment into love, understanding and selfless care." 

Another true life story. Phillis was put into an orphanage when she was just eight months old and cared for by nuns. She was eventually adopted when she was eight years old by a Catholic couple who already had there own children. Phillis tells her story of how hard it was growing up adopted and how her adoption was a secret and not talked about very much. Phillis goes on to become a nurse. Eventually she decided to search for her biological mother. She doesn't know much about her adoption, if her mother had any other children or even where her mother lives now. She does learn that her mother is an alcoholic. Phillis realises her and her mother have actually met before in her adult life but is her mother still alive? Is it too late? 
I really found this story interesting. Phillis is so brave sharing her story and her feelings with the world. I connected well with Phillis and this book is written really well! 

I also finished reading 'The Sisters' and you can read my review of 'The Sisters' here.  

What are you currently reading?

Sarah xXx

 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Book Review.

"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul." 

Genre - Historical fiction 
Pages - 552

I was really excited to read this book, I have wanted to read it for a long time! I had seen the movie (or parts of it!) before and couldn't wait to read the book. It's quite a big book though and needs a lot of focusing! It did take me a while to read but I managed it. Anyway... The book is narrated by death.
I really wasn't sure about the style this book was told in but I did get use to it and ended up really enjoying it. A story based in Nazi Germany during world war two and the holocaust. A woman and a man take in a young girl during this time. They don't have any children of there own so it takes a little bit of adapting for everyone. They also take in a Jewish man during this time who hides out in there basement. He is trying to escape Hitler and being sent to a camp.. Or worse. I connected so well with the characters and the story. This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. Markus Zusak did I fine job with this story and it's beautifully written. I really did enjoy it but it isn't one I could read again! It's really hard to write a review on this book without giving away any spoilers. 
(Please note: There is a fair bit of swearing in this book) 

It is much like the movie, there are parts that are slightly different. I do think the book is slightly better but the film is also VERY good, too! 
I rated this book 4.5 stars. 

Sarah xXx

The Sisters by Claire Douglas - Book Review

"When one sister dies, the other must go to desperate lengths to survive. Haunted by her twin sister's death, Abi is making a fresh start in Bath. But when she meets twins Bea and Ben, she is quickly drawn into their privileged and unsettling circle.

When one sister lies, she must protect her secret at all costs. As Abi tries to keep up with the demands of her fickle friends, strange things start to happen - precious letters go missing and threatening messages are left in her room. Is this the work of the beautiful and capricious Bea? Or is Abi willing to go to any lengths to get attention? When the truth outs, will either sister survive?"

Abi's twin sister dies in an horrific accident which Abi blames herself for. After the accident she moves away from London an back to where her parents live in Bath. She meets Beatrice and Ben who happen to also be twins. Bea not only looks like Abi's dead twin sister (Lucy) but she is like her in so many other ways too. She befriends Bea and ends up living with Bea and Bea's twin brother 'Ben'. Abi and Ben fall in love and end up starting a relationship which Bea is envious and jealous of.  Abi has already had a breakdown and is on antidepressants, she can not forgive herself for Lucy#s death... Abi thinks she see's Lucy around and someone is playing tricks on Abi Who updated her dead sisters Facebook page? And who stole the letters? Could it indeed be Lucy? 

I don't know what I thought about this book. I had a lot going on while I was reading this book and this is one of those books where you really need to concentrate. It's a mystery/thriller. It took me a while to read because I had zero tiem to read. However, I eventually got to 60% through the book and actually couldn't put it down. It has a couple of twists... One really big twist which I DID see coming but it was still good. IT kept me in suspense towards the end of the book - which is always a good thing. I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars. 
Thats one book from my August TBR pile read! 

Have you read any Thrillers or Mystery books lately? 

Sarah xXx

Reading Habbits - Tag.

I've seen this tag a couple of times and thought I'd join in and jump on the band wagon. Here are my answers :) 

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
 I love to read in bed at night time but honestly, I'll read anywhere! I find I read better when the house is quiet and the kids are tucked in bed though.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
I actually printed some book marks from pinterest and have been using those but before that, I'd use whatever was closest to me! I was using an artificial flower for the longest time.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?
I have to ALWAYS finish on an even page, I know that sounds weird but I just can not stop reading if the page is an odd number. Is that weird? I try to finish at the end of a chapter if and when I can.

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
I've never even thought about it, haha. I don't eat usually. I do drink water though.

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
None. I can't multi task when it comes to reading. I like to be focused on the book and story I'm reading. I don't mind having the T.V on in the background though.



6. One book at a time or several at once?
Usually one at a time but I have two on the go at the moment! I'm struggling with 'The Sisters' I don't really know why. Hopefully I'll get into that one soon.

7. Reading at home or everywhere?
Everywhere!! I read on the bus a lot.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
In my head. I don't like reading out loud.

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
Rarely do I skip pages or read ahead. If there's a part in the book that's too graphic, I'll skip that part. I have skipped a head in a couple of books just because I found it boring. This rarely happens though!

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
 I have to keep it new!! I have quite a few books where the spine is broken in but those have been second hand and are well loved. I still love them just as much but if I buy a book brand new, I do try to keep it new :)

11. Do you write in your books?
Nope. I have no need to write in my books. Actually that might be a slight pet peeve. I can't stand writing in books. If I feel the need to make notes, I write in a notepad but I do understand why some people (students!) need to write in books.

So there's my book tag post! I tag anyone who hasn't done this tag and wants to do it :)

Sarah xXx