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where our team of writers love to talk all things books, sharing reviews, features, lists, interviews and more.

Getting lost in a book is escapism at it's finest and it's what everyone who contributes here thrives on.

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Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Wing Jones | Katherine Webber | Review

If you're looking for an un-put-down-able book, look no further than Katherine Webber's Wing Jones. It was so good that I read it in one setting, even staying up way past my bedtime to finish it. I'm usually desperate for my bed on an evening and tend not to read before I go to sleep but for a book as good as Wing Jones, I made an exception.



But what is it all about?

Wing Jones is all about a young woman called... you guessed it, Wing Jones. She is not quite where she belongs but when her family is dealt a tragic blow, she discovers a wonderful talent for running that she never knew that she had. On the track, she finds the peace and friendship that she had always longed for but never really known how to find.

Watching Wing's character development was a genuine pleasure. From those first bumbling, awkward teenage crushes to the strength and raw emotion she shows in the face of tragedy, I loved her so very, very much.

The character is the real strength of the novel, to the point that it felt like an honour to read her story. This is also paired with a superb plot, which is both brilliantly realistic and all kinds of creative all at once. There are some really wonderful and strange elements to the narrative that make it feel utterly magical while still being rooted in a recognisable world.

I almost wish that I hadn't read this or could conveniently forget everything about it just so that I can experience how fantastic it is all over again.

Kelly x
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Monday, 26 February 2018

BB Book Club | March's Book Is...

broadcast liam brown book club

I can't believe it's time to announce our third BB book club read already!

I originally had a short story collection in mind for my first book club pick however after January and February's titles both fell under this umbrella I decided to mix things up for March's selection and settled on something a little different; Liam Brown's Broadcast.

Back in November last year Ria and I took a trip to Libreria in Shoreditch and spent a little time browsing the shelves (and sheltering from the rain!) in search of book club inspiration. Drawn in by the promise of “Black Mirror meets Inception in the YouTube age” Ria plucked Broadcast off the shelf and passed it to me, declaring it sounded like 'my kind of book'. Of course, after 5+ years of running a book blog together Ria knows what she's talking about and after taking a quick look at the intriguing blurb (and striking cover design) I decided to buy a copy.

The idea behind MindCast is simple. We insert a small chip into your skull and then every thought, every feeling, every memory is streamed live, twenty-four hours a day. Trust me - within a few months you'll be the most talked about person on the planet.

So what's the book about?

According to the blurb, Broadcast follows vlogger David Callow who is offered the chance to star in a new online show, quickly becoming a huge celebrity and leading him to rethink his decision to share his life with the world. Commenting on social media culture, it sounds like the story is set to get pretty dark as David rebels against MindCast and discovers more about the person or people behind this truly terrifying idea.

Although I wanted to dive in and find out more back when I bought the book I also knew that it was a strong book club contender and at just shy of 200 pages Broadcast fits our theme of 'short stories' perfectly (online listings all seem to say the book has 288 pages but my copy definitely has 195!). The book had been sitting quietly on my bedside table for a few months although I have to confess I pre-read it earlier this month (twice!) in order to plan some related content. Of course, I won't give anything away other than to say I really enjoyed it and I hope you will too!

If you decide to join in with the BB Book Club this month you can let us know your thoughts on the book by completing this Google form by 23rd March. You can also use the hashtag #bookshelfbookclub to share your book photos and thoughts with us.

No matter where in the world you're based, you can pick up a copy of Broadcast over on The Book Depository, or head to your local library.


I hope that you're excited to read our March selection but don't worry if it doesn't sound like your thing - check back next month for Kelly's first book club pick!
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Sunday, 25 February 2018

BB Book Club | February 2018 Roundup | A Tyranny Of Petticoats

This year we decided to launch our very own online book club, with a new book for you to join us in reading every month. Our second pick, selected by Anjali, was A Tyranny Of Petticoats a YA Historical Fiction title featuring fifteen stories from fifteen different authors. Here's our February infographic to tell you a little bit more...

bb book club february 2018 infographic

Reader's comments & favourite quotes:

"Whilst I really enjoy short story collections Historical Fiction isn't a genre I usually read so it was interesting to step out of my comfort zone with this month's book club pick. One of my favourite things about the book was the fact that each story included a short authors note as I enjoyed reading about the inspirations behind the stories." - Erin @ A Natural Detour

"The quiet music swelling in the dark had been one if the most magical things she'd ever witnessed: a crowd of strangers united in one moving voice." - Elizabeth Wein

"Although I was only able to read 3 of the stories, I will go back and read the other ones at a later date, I like the short story style." - Cat

"I suppose even monsters can be afraid of the dark." - Leslye Walton
 

Thank you to everyone who read along with us this month! If you would like to get involved with next month's BB Book Club check back here tomorrow where Erin will be introducing her selection for March - we think you're going to love it! You can also sign up to our mailing list to make sure you don't miss out on any future book club updates.

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Friday, 23 February 2018

Journey Through A History of Magic | Bloomsbury, JK Rowling, British Library | Review

An irresistible romp through the history of magic, from alchemy to unicorns, ancient witchcraft to Harry's Hogwarts – packed with unseen sketches and manuscript pages from J.K. Rowling, magical illustrations from Jim Kay and weird, wonderful and inspiring artefacts that have been magically released from the archives at the British Library...Discover the truth behind making the Philosopher's Stone, create your very own potion and uncover the secret of invisible ink. - Goodreads
Must like A History of Magic, this paperback is a brilliant combination of fun facts about the Harry Potter series and real artefacts from the British Library. A Journey Through a History of Magic is very similar to A History of Magic, but aimed a younger audience. That didn't stop me buying a copy, however, and I thoroughly enjoyed flicking through it.



As well as pieces from the British Library, and pages of illustrations from Jim Kay and Olivia Gill, there are tidbits of information from JK Rowling and her writing process. These are also in the 'adult' version, but in addition to these great aspects there are little activities every so often. They give kids easy to follow instructions to create their own potions, invisible ink, and heaps more. I loved this more interactive approach to the book.



While it is aimed a younger readership, no matter what your age it's a great read, and I definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't already.


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Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Features | Popsugar 2018 Reading Challenge Update #1

beginning of the world in the middle of the night jen campbell books review reading

Another year, another Popsugar Reading Challenge! Similarly to last year I'll be sharing updates here every so often over the next twelve months as I attempt to cross off as many of the 2018 prompts as possible - wish me luck!

Surprisingly I managed to make a good start on the challenge this year, crossing off three prompts within the first week of January, and have done a little more planning when it comes to picking out my reads for the rest of 2018 so I'm feeling pretty optimistic. Today I thought I would share a little bit more about the first six prompts I've completed.

A Book With A Time Of Day In The Title | The Beginning Of The World In The Middle Of The Night, Jen Campbell (2017)

This short story collection was top of my 2018 TBR so I decided to pick up a copy in January. The books contains a really unique selection of tales and as with most collections I enjoyed some more than others. The ones that stood out to me as particularly memorable were Animals, Human Satellites and Aunt Libby's Coffin Hotel.

A Book That's Mentioned In Another Book | Tales Of The Peculiar, Ransom Riggs (2016)

Our January book club pick was this collection of illustrated short stories, a companion to the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. I understand that these tales are mentioned several times through the books although I have to confess I haven't yet read them, but if the stories in this collection are anything to go by that will change soon! Overall I really enjoyed the book and it has given me high hopes for the rest of our 2018 book club reads.

A Book With A LGBTQ+ Protagonist | Far From The Tree, Robin Benway (2017)

Far From The Tree tells the story of three siblings meeting for the first time. After two were adopted by different families and the third grew up in the foster system, the three teens are brought together and the novel follows their journey as they learn more about each other and themselves. I didn't choose to read the book with a challenge prompt in mind (I just really enjoyed the author's previous novel) but I really loved this one and would highly recommend it! Keep an eye out for my full review here on BB next month.

popsugar reading challenge update books 2018

A Past Goodreads Choice Award Winner | Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng (2017)

There were so many titles to choose from for this prompt but the one that was already highest on my TBR list was Little Fires Everywhere; 2017's 'Best Fiction' winner and the book everyone has been talking about for the past few months. From the writing style to the characters, I really loved everything about this one and it certainly lives up to the hype. If you haven't picked up a copy yet it's definitely one to add to your 2018 TBRs!

A Book From A Celebrity Book Club | Marlena, Julie Buntin (2017)  

There are quite a few celebrity book clubs out there to choose from but I've been closely following the selections over at Belletrist, created by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss. There were several Belletrist book club picks on my TBR, but I had already picked up a Kindle copy of Marlena, last May's pick. Narrated by Cat, the book explores her short-lived teenage friendship with Marlena and the affect her death has had on Cat's life. Overall it was an interesting read, but sadly not one of my favourites.

A Book With An Animal In The Title | The Moth, Catherine Burns (2013)

As you can see I've really been enjoying short story collections lately! This collection of fifty true stories transcribed from the organisation's live storytelling events is full of fascinating and unique tales that range from heartwarming to heartbreaking and everything in between. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up, or subscribing to the podcast if you'd prefer to hear the voices behind the stories.

If you're taking part in the Popsugar 2018 Reading Challenge I'd love to hear from you. Let me know which prompts you've crossed off the list and which books you're planning to pick up next!

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Monday, 19 February 2018

Send Us Your Thoughts On Our February Book Club Pick!

a tyranny of petticoats book club
Join fifteen of today’s most talented writers of young adult literature on a thrill ride through history with American girls charting their own course. They are monsters and mediums, bodyguards and barkeeps, screenwriters and schoolteachers, heiresses and hobos. They're making their own way in often-hostile lands, using every weapon in their arsenals, facing down murderers and marriage proposals. And they all have a story to tell. - Goodreads
We really hope you've been enjoying reading our February book club selection and can't wait to hear your thoughts. This is just a little reminder that you only have until this Friday (23rd) to submit your feedback - click here to join in!

Don't forget to use the hashtag #bookshelfbookclub on social media to share your photos of A Tyranny Of Petticoats with us.

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