Becky's Book Reviews

Today I’m thrilled to have debut YA author Christi J. Whitney guest posting on my blog today. As someone who longs to travel and enjoys reading about different cultures in the world, today’s post is kind of everything to me. I’ve been intrigued by the culture and customs of Gypsies for longer than I can remember. It’s not just the nomadic lifestyle that many of them lead that intrigues me, but I love hearing about their beliefs, their life stories – can you imagine how much stories they have to tell? – and about their music, singing, diversity and folklore, to mention but a few. When Christi introduced her book to me, I just knew I had to invite her to tell us a little more. In fact, before I hand over to Christi, I’d like to invite you to recommend some YA books that explore Gypsy culture. I’ve been looking for some for ages, but can never seem to find any, which is exactly why I’m so excited about Grey, Christi’s debut novel. Any more that I can add to my TBR pile would be super welc...

This is the story of a girl who carried the world on her shoulders. You can purchase a copy from Raru.co.za. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (first published in 2015 by Penguin Random House Books)   If there is one thing I've learnt about reading a Sarah Dessen novel, it’s  that when you’ve turned the last page of the book, you’re always left with the sense that you’ve finally come home from a long and arduous, but oh-so-worth-it kind of journey. Her books are like comfort food for the broken soul; nourishing in its depth, bittersweet in its melancholy moments, but filled with enough heart-warming moments to ensure that you’ll end up feeling as if you’ve had a slice of the best piece of confectionary of your life. Essentially, it’s brain and heart candy for the consummate reader and - Saint Anything - like its predecessors, is no different. In fact, while it still possesses that innate charm, the book goes a goes a little deeper, darker and more introspective than usual. It foc...

So, I’ve got another little treat for you lovelies.  I was debating whether or not to hold back this giveaway until I’ve actually read and reviewed the book (which should be sometime in November, I hope), but thought, hey, why deprive you of an opportunity to win a book sooner? I’d never be that cruel. The awesome folks from Pan Macmillan are offering two lucky readers a chance to win 1 of 2 signed copies of Patrick Ness’s latest novel, The Rest of Us Just Live Here.  All you need to do is leave a comment below and tell me what your favourite contemporary read of 2015 is so far and why, and you’ll stand a chance of winning. Being a follower is not required, but is nonetheless appreciated.  Oh and please feel free to tweet or FB the giveaway! Open to SA readers only (Alas, sorry international lovelies, I’ll have something coming your way soon) Giveaway closes 25 October. In the meantime, here’s some more info about the book. The Rest of Us Just Live Here What if you aren...

It’s been a while since I’ve done a book spotlight feature, so I thought I’d do a quick highlights post of five keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your seat reads that I’m really looking forward to buying and reading. Barring my current reads, I’ve actually been in the mood for a good thriller, especially given the fact that I’ve recently finished  and reviewed What Waits in the Woods , The Retribution of Mara Dyer , the final book in the The Mara Dyer trilogy, and The Girl on the Train – all of which I enjoyed, although the last two far more than the first one. So, in no particular order, here are a few of the YA thrillers that I’m definitely going to a)get my hands on if I haven’t already, and b) read as soon as humanly possible.   The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich About the book: Part-psychological thriller, part-urban legend, this is an unsettling narrative made up of diary entries, interview transcripts, film footage transcripts and medical notes. Twenty-five years ago, Elmbridge Hi...

Today, thanks to HarperTeen and YA author Holly Schindler , I’m excited to be part of the cover reveal for Holly’s forthcoming book, Spark. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fan of books about star-crossed lovers and Spark is a book that, well, has that in spades. Or so it certainly seems to me.  Also, the theatre (we use UK spelling here in SA by the way) as a setting? Oh yes please. Without further ado, behold the gorgeous cover! Be sure to scroll down for more info about the book and more about Holly. About the book: When the right hearts come to the Avery Theater—at the right time—the magic will return. The Avery will come back from the dead. Or so Quin’s great-grandmother predicted many years ago on Verona, Missouri’s most tragic night, when Nick and Emma, two star-crossed teenage lovers, died on the stage. It was the night that the Avery’s marquee lights went out forever. It sounds like urban legend, but one that high school senior Quin is now starting to believ...

This beautifully rendered fantasy novel features a daring heroine, tortured hero and a world cloaked in beauty and deadly secrets. A copy of the book can be purchased via Raru.co.za . Disclaimer: Review first appeared on Women24.com A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas (first published in 2015 by Bloomsbury UK) As an avid lover of all things fairy tales, myth and folklore, A Court of Thorns and Roses proved to be a book that was just up my alley and one that I’d certainly say ticks all the right boxes when it comes to the more traditional books about the fey (ya know, the bloodthirsty, not-so-fluttery kind). Darkly enchanting, sensuous and lush in its settings and descriptions, this book combines elements from two fairy tales as well as a traditional piece of folklore based on an old Scottish ballad, to tell the story of Feyre, a young huntress who finds herself in the fairy borderlands after inadvertently getting herself into trouble. Punished for taking the life of a fairy, F...