Monday 30 July 2018

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Two

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 
Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.
 
And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)
 
 
 
 

 
 

To give them hope she must tell their story.

It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book – she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books – and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.
 
 
 
 
Like my summer reads recommendation last week, there has been a lot of hype about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society over the past few months as the book was adapted for the big screen. As I'm a bit of a history nerd, I was curious about the occupation of Guernsey during the war as this wasn't something I'd read about before, and hearing so many wonderful things about the book really piqued my interest.
 
I have to admit that I didn't think this book and I were going to gel. I love books that are told through letters but I wasn't drawn into Juliet's correspondence. I was really struggling and thinking about giving up (it happens. Not all books and readers get along. It doesn't mean it's a bad book, just not for you) but then suddenly I was gripped and found myself devouring the notes between Juliet, her editor and the members of the literary group, and I was bereft when it ended. I'd gone from wanting to pop the book - unfinished - in the bag destined for the charity shop to hugging it to my chest and wishing there was more.
 
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is full of heart and humour. My copy is going nowhere near the charity shop; it belongs on my shelf.
 

Have you read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? What did you think?

Friday 27 July 2018

A Quick July Catch Up

July has whizzed by in a blur of sun cream, ice lollies and the whir of electric fans as we've struggled in the heatwave. I now think fondly of my jumpers and winter coat and I'm dreaming of the day I can slip them onto my shivering body. Here's what I've been busy with over the past few weeks...



The school summer holidays have arrived and I'm looking forward to the family trips we have planned (but no so much the back-to-school shopping. Urgh) and catching up on some reading while I haven't got a deadline to work towards. I have started Book 10 and have sent the proposal to my editor, so I'm waiting for feedback before I plough on. I will share more when I have news!


 
 
I'm finally reading The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman. I wanted to read it last year, but I made myself wait for the paperback (as I prefer them to bulky hardbacks).
 
This month, I've also read:
 
You Sent Me a Letter by Lucy Dawson
Forgive Me Not by Samantha Tonge &
 
 
 
 
Obviously, part of July was taken up by watching the World Cup but I've also been watching the new series of Unforgotten (which I LOVE) and I've caught up with the first series of The Bletchley Circle, which I somehow missed. I've got the second series to catch up on and then I'm ready for the new series which has just started.
 
Film-wise, we watched The Incredibles (a family favourite) at home before we went to watch the much-anticipated sequel. We all loved The Incredibles 2 and can't wait until it's out on DVD!
 
 
 
 
 
Luna, bullet journaling, reading and the HarperCollins summer party :)
 
 

So, that's how I've spent this sweltering July - let us know what you've been up to and if you have any book recommendations in the comments below!

Monday 23 July 2018

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week One

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 
Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.
 
And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)
 
 
 
 
 


Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive – but not how to live

Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?
 
 
 
 
You've probably heard a lot of people already singing the praises of Eleanor Oliphant - and with good reason. I have to admit I was a little dubious before I dipped into the book, because how could it possibly live up to all the hype? BUT IT DID.
 
Eleanor is a wonderful, quirky character who had me giggling, cringing and reaching for the tissues. 'Oh, Eleanor' often ran through my head while I was reading the book, either because she'd made an amusing faux pas or because she was breaking my heart a little bit more.
 
As Eleanor establishes new friendships and breaks from her usual routines, we start to see glimpses of the life she's endured, the experiences that have shaped her into the woman she has become. While on the surface Eleanor can appear odd and provide a source of amusement for her work colleagues, we discover why she's developed her quirks and outlook on life.
 
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is funny and heartbreaking and easily my favourite read of the year so far.
 

Have you read Eleanor Oliphant? What did you think?

Friday 20 July 2018

The Single Mums' Picnic Club Quiz


If you've read The Single Mums' Picnic Club, you can now take the quiz to test your knowledge. Can you remember the name of Frankie's twins? How about the town where the book is set?


https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/1128536-the-single-mums-picnic-club


Let us know how many you get in the comments below - or why not share your score on social media? Click the links to find me on Twitter and Facebook!





Katie thought she had the perfect family life by the sea – until her husband left her for another woman, abandoning her and their two children! She knows it’s finally time to move on but she’s unsure where to begin…

Frankie is shocked when gorgeous dog-walker Alex asks her on a date! As a single mum with her own business she struggles to put herself first, but maybe she’s ready to follow her heart?

George is used to raising her son on her own – but now he’s at nursery, her life feels empty. So when she meets Katie and Frankie at the beach, she realises that her talent for rustling up delicious picnics could be the perfect distraction!

But of course, life isn’t always a beach and as secrets begin to surface the three women’s lives are about to be turned upside-down…

Friday 13 July 2018

The Single Mums' Picnic Club Playlist



I set up the playlist for The Single Mums' Picnic Club while I was in the very early stages of the book. I knew I wanted my three main characters to be kick-ass women (even if they didn't yet know that's what they were) and I started to gather songs to reflect this; songs about strong women, who ooze confidence and know what they want from life. Katie, Frankie and George may not always feel they are these things, and they certainly have their weaknesses (but then everybody does. Even Supergirl has her issues with Kryptonite) but it's in there somewhere, deep down, waiting to be unleashed.

I hope you enjoy the playlist and it inspires you to be kick-ass too!




You can listen to the playlist here on the blog or click to open in your browser.

https://open.spotify.com/user/jenniferjoycemusic/playlist/7elZHveJAOQLGkGZTsE7Ms?si=a0e_ggxhQESpB1vDpUZCdQ





Katie thought she had the perfect family life by the sea – until her husband left her for another woman, abandoning her and their two children! She knows it’s finally time to move on but she’s unsure where to begin…

Frankie is shocked when gorgeous dog-walker Alex asks her on a date! As a single mum with her own business she struggles to put herself first, but maybe she’s ready to follow her heart?

George is used to raising her son on her own – but now he’s at nursery, her life feels empty. So when she meets Katie and Frankie at the beach, she realises that her talent for rustling up delicious picnics could be the perfect distraction!

But of course, life isn’t always a beach and as secrets begin to surface the three women’s lives are about to be turned upside-down…