Becky's Book Reviews

So I've decided to start a new feature in which I spotlight a list of books I've discovered and added to my TBR pile. This list will be feature a series of books that will be both old and new, and will sometimes even be themed. Let's face it - much as we try to keep up with all the publisher catalogues, social media updates and publishers' newsletters, there will always be books that we haven't yet discovered. What’s more is that for me this will also be a great way to remind me of the books I have for review, that which I’ve added to my TBR pile a while back and is a great way of highlighting books I haven’t gotten around to reading just yet. I'm sure many of you can relate to the feeling of not being in control of your to-be-read piles, so feel free to join in and compile your own lists. This week’s focus is on books I’ve added to my to-be-read pile over the last two weeks or so.  In no particular order, here are the top 5 books I’m really excited about.   Nig...

In which I write a post inspired by a conversation I had with a friend on Twitter. Disclaimer: This article originally appeared on Women24.com . 1. Astral projection For when we want to leave wherever we are to find some comfort, and peace and quiet to read. Also, there are some amazing literary places to explore, beautiful libraries from around the world to lose ourselves in and fantastic international book fairs we could go to without having to pay for an expensive flight. Oh and if that doesn’t work, there’s always a portkey. In fact, I reckon we should have both options, don’t you think? Gif image: Charmed.Wikia.com   2. The ability to mute people on command Because no book lover enjoys being interrupted.  No really. We absolutely hate it when you do this.   To us, you’re the annoying ad break during prime time television shows. Nobody likes you and nobody wants you. Being able to silence you will prevent us from committing homicide, which means everyone involved bene...

Ah, the plight(s) of a book lover. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who is guilty of this, but at the moment, there are tons of books sitting in my shelves still waiting to be read. In the past month or so, I’ve made many a verbal agreement about self-imposed book buying bans, but to no avail. I’ve even roped in one of my fabulous book blogging friends, but the lovely Urbanised Geek was just as bad at upholding her end of the bargain as I was (and am). In light of this, I’ve decided the next best thing would be to make a list of 10 books I’m going to read next before I buy any additional books. At this rate, the books that I’ve been buying will never be read, so I’m considering this an intervention of sorts. Without further ado, these are the books I’ll be reading before rewarding myself with new books. *grins* 1. After the Woods by Kim Savage Would you risk your life to save your best friend? Julia did. When a paroled predator attacked Liv in the woods, Julia fought back and got...

I don’t know about you, but I never get tired of reading lists about being a book addict. Not only do they have me enthusiastically nodding along to every single point being made, but they always serve to remind me just how awesome it is to be such an ardent lover of books. In today’s guest post, Tea Addict, a lovely friend of mine, shares her list of ways to tell if you’re a book worm.  I dare you to disagree with all of the points made. 1. You think vouchers to spend at a bookstore are an absolute win.  Family and friends stop asking what you would like for your birthday or Christmas as they already know the answer. 2. Your husband builds you a bookcase.  You couldn’t be more excited if he’d added a new level to your home. 3. When packing for a weekend away, you pack in a book (or two) before clothes. 4. Lending out your precious books almost causes physical pain.  You have devised a series of excuses when someone sees you reading and asks to borrow the book. ...

What would stories be if they had no words to form them? A lovely friend and colleague of mine recently wrote a post about her top 5 favourite words .  I couldn’t help but geek out when I read her article. You see, as a bibliophile and word nerd, it’s simply not possible for me to love books and ignore the prose within them (yes, yes, I can all hear you saying ‘duh’, but bear with me, I do have a point to make). Sure, we all read for the characters and the story and the adventures that liberate us from reality for the duration of the book, but what would those stories be if they had no words to form them? And what would conversations be if we didn’t have them? Words are beauty and cruelty. They can be used to mock, or be used to seduce. They can cajole, lure and manipulate, and they can move you to tears, evoke a sense of wonder and most importantly, breathe life into your imagination. There is power and magic in words. And there is a good reason that the old saying about pen being...

To us bibliophiles, books are the thing that make us happiest. For a few hours, the world we become immersed in, takes us away from the everyday stresses of life. We become the characters in the book. We live the lives they live and we experience the world through their eyes. And then real people intervene. But not only do they interrupt our actual reading , (which in itself is very annoying to readers), they interrupt in ways that can be even more infuriating. It’s time for them to stop. So I did the only thing a kind book lover can do. I made a list of the things you need to stop telling (or asking) us, along with answers to your burning questions. In no particular order, here they are: 1. Why do you read so much?   Because reading fuels the imagination, is the best form of escapism and provides us with the cheapest means of travel. It’s also our way of switching off from the world when our grasp on reality is on the verge of disintegrating altogether. And tell me you don’t...