When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan

Title: When Mr Dog Bites
Author: Brian Conaghan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 16th January 2014
Genre: Young Adult

Summary:
Dylan Mint has Tourette's. His life is a constant battle against Mr Dog - his inner beast that makes him tic, swear and growl. However, Mr Dog may win once and for all as, whilst at the hospital for a routine visit, he overhears a conversation between the doctor and his mum. Something is going to happen in March, and it is not good news as, apparently, he is going to die...

Determined to make the most of his last few months, he makes his own list of 'Things To Do Before I Die.'

Review:
Firstly, I would just like to say that I read this book in less than a day. Even if it was only like three hundred pages; it was such an easy and enjoyable read.

Deranged Marriage by Faith Bleasdale

Title: Deranged Marriage
Author: Faith Bleasdale
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 11th June 2014
Genre: ChickLit, Romance

Summary:
At the age of twenty, Holly Miller made an innocent marriage pact with her childhood best friend, George. However, ten years later; the events of that drunken night comes to haunt her and threatens everything she holds dear.

Review:
I do not really have that much to say about this book, so I will make this quick...

I was really intrigued when I started reading this as the plot was so original. However, the novelty of the idea soon wore off as, in my opinion, far too much happened at the beginning as the spark soon fizzled out in regards to the marriage pact. I was left thinking, "Oh, was that it? But there is still like two hundred pages to go?" This resulted in a long, drawn out plot which, in my opinion, diverged quite a lot from the original starting point.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Title: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Author: Helen Fielding

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Release Date: 10th October 2013

Genre: ChickLit

Summary:

Bridget is back and, unfortunately, single... again. (Where's Mark Darcy gone?!)

However, things are a bit different now as now she must navigate the world of dating whilst trying to juggle being a single mum, her newfound Twitter addiction and the uncharted territory of toy-boys. 

Review:

I was really looking forward to reading latest instalment front the diaries of Bridget Jones as I had grown bored of the repetitiveness of the previous two books in the series (my review of Bridget Jones's Diary can be found here, and my review of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason can be found here).

Shelfie #6

After months of complaining about the mess that my bookshelf was in, and hinting to my mum that I could do with another bookshelf; I finally have two!!

I am not going to lie; it was so much fun organising them. Just so you know, the bottom shelf of the left bookcase is the 'To Read' pile which I am finally starting to work my way through!

But now they look kind of empty... time to go on a book buying spree I think!

The Getaway by Wendy Lewis

Title: The Getaway
Author: Wendy Lewis
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 
Genre: Romance, ChickLit

Summary:
Lexi is thrown in the deep end when she leaves behind her life in London for a sleepy countryside village.

After her estranged father suddenly dies, she inherits the Nobles Hotel and takes on the challenge of becoming its new hotelier.

However, running a hotel and country life can be an eventful business, full of weird and bizarre happenings.

Whilst trying to juggle mysterious guests, clingy ex-boyfriends and rumours of Phantom bagpipers; Lexi soon finds herself smitten with Sam, the local sledger.

Echoes of the Past by Deborah Mailer

Title: Echoes of the Past
Author: Deborah Mailer
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th January 2014
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Summary:
Tom Hunter has been in the police-force all his life, dedicating his life to solving crimes and catching criminals. After a serious heart attack and the death of his wife, he moves to the small, unassuming village of Coppersfield along with his daughter, Jess.

However, when Hunter looks into a series of unsolved disappearances; their haven is soon disturbed by creepy goings-on and supernatural beings.

Review:
When I started reading this book, I thought it was going to be a simple, crime/thriller. Oh no no, how I was wrong... Instead of being a simple crime novel, the plot incorporates ghosts too...

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

Title: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Author: Helen Fielding
Publisher: Picador
Release Date: 18th November 1999
Genre: ChickLit

Summary:
Bridget Jones is back and crazier than ever.

In the second installment of her singleton diary, Bridget finds herself dealing with drug lords, death threats and prison (oo-er..)

And, not forgetting, the gorgeous and dashing Mark Darcy.

Review:
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, is very much the same as its predecessor Bridget Jones's Diary (my review can be found here). It is funny, cheesy and unbelieving engrossing for women everywhere. Not to mention; it is not a patch on the film!

Earthly Powers by David Anderson

Title: Earthly Powers
Author: David Anderson
Release Date: 10th June 2014
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Genre: Thriller

Summary:
In 1945, just before the end of the war, a German U-boat transported a deathly secret away from the ruins of Berlin.

Hidden on Arcadia Island, on the outskirts of British Columbia, it was safely stored away to make sure it did not fall into the wrong hands.

However, many years later it is about to be rediscovered by the islands latest resident, Terri Stark.

But when Lucius Stringer and his eco-group, Earth Power, move onto the island; strange, and deadly, things start ruin Terri’s peaceful haven.

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Title: Bridget Jones's Diary
Author: Helen Fielding
Publisher: Picador
Release Date: 25th October 1996
Genre: ChickLit

Summary:
Bridget Jones is the ultimate singleton. She's forever single, stuck in a dead-end job and slightly overweight.

In her diary she documents her struggles with; men (Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver?!!), her weight and her over-possessive and barmy mother.

Review:
I was really looking forward to reading Bridget Jones's Diary, as I absolutely love the film! (Here I am basing a book on the film... again!)

Sword of Empire: Centurion by Richard Foreman

Title: Sword of Empire: Centurion
Author: Richard Foreman
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th April 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:
It is 174 AD and Gaius Maximus has just returned to Rome, after years fighting in the North, to settle down with the beautiful Aurelia.

However, all is not well in the capital and plans to overthrow the Emperor soon emerge.

Review:
Just so you know, I was asked to review Sword of Empire: Centurion by the author himself as I am doing work experience with his publishing house, Endeavour Press. I have also previously reviewed it's prequel Sword of Empire: Praetorian (my review can be found here).

Like with Sword of Empire: Praetorian I was a bit wary of reading a book from the historical fiction genre; but I actually quite liked it.

My Mad Fat Diary by Rae Earl

Title: My Mad Fat Diary

Author: Rae Earl
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Release Date: 23rd August 2007
Genre: Autobiography

Summary:
In her youth Rae Earl was a fat, boy-obsessed (and slightly insane) 17-year-old from Lincolnshire. Now a writer, broadcaster and radio presenter; this book is the real-life diary she kept during 1989.

Review:
I am not going to lie but it took me ages to find this book. After searching in the 'Fiction' section of about four different Waterstones; I suddenly realised that it was not a work of fiction and was in fact non-fictional! So I go to the 'Autobiography' section and low and behold; there it is.

I felt extremely blonde, but I think my confusion was justified! I mean, the stuff that happens in this book; it is hard to believe that this all actually happened! It is just too funny!