Lilywhite

It makes me so happy to see people who would put themselves out there to help animals. I'm such a big softy and would think nothing of helping out an animal in need. (That's why I have three cats and have to fight the urge to rescue everything else out there!) I'm so glad that Raju can now experience a happy life. It restores my faith in the human race to see things like this. In a similar vein, I saw a video today of a farmer using a big grabber machine to remove a milk churn stuck on a bears head. Genius!

Having a chilled out day today (well, apart from the housework, but I'm doing that slowly ) after a busy start to the month. O's and I travelled down to London on Thursday night, stopped over with his sister in Essex and then we went to the British Summertime Festival in Hyde Park on Friday. We got to see Motorhead and Black Sabbath, along with Soundgarden, Faith No More and Soulfly. The weather was amazing and we had an awesome time. It was definitely worth the long journey to see Ozzy perform live. Wednesday evening will be Race for Life in Blackpool which I'll be doing this year with Mum and hopefully Freya the dog. Last year was a great evening and to know I'm raising money for charity at the same time is a boost. I have to admit though, I also love dressing up in pink as well I'll try and get pictures on the evening, although mum is well known for dodging the camera.

Thanks Athena. I've read nearly all Lesley Pearse's books. I started reading them years ago when I would find my mums copy lying around. I haven't been disappointed yet. Game of Thrones isn't something I was that interested in reading until I saw the TV show. I've loved watching that and I've been told that the books are definitely worth a read. So far, I have to agree.

George R R Martin Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire book 1) Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty. The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne. Started: 07/05/14 Finished: 26/07/14 Rated: 4/5 Comments: Well, it took me an absolute age to read this, but that is mainly my own fault for continually forgetting to take my Kobo out with me. Having watched the tv series so far, and thoroughly enjoyed it, I thought I would give the books a go too. So far, I have not been disappointed. I've found it much easier to follow the huge number of characters than I did on TV and I've also notices some subtle differences in the way they were portrayed. So, despite the time frame to read it, I've really enjoyed this book and found that having seen it on tv has not detracted from the story at all.

Lesley Pearse Forgive Me Eva Patterson's life is forever altered by the devastating discovery of her mother, Flora, dead in the bath leaving only a note: 'Forgive Me'. Until Flora's suicide, Eva's world had been secure - but overnight everything changes. For when Flora leaves Eva a London artist's studio in her will, she finds her mother had a secret past. In the studio's attic are Flora's paintings and diaries, and Eva learns her mother was a popular artist in the swinging sixties. Eva's hunt for answers uncovers clues to a shocking crime which led Flora to hide her past. But will discovering the truth destroy Eva's belief in everything she holds dear? And will this journey lead her and those she loves into danger? Started: 02/05/14 Finished: 10/06/14 Rated: 3/5 Comments: I wasn't bowled over by this story but at the same time it was still very readable. As I currently have Game of Thrones on the go, this was the perfect counterpart for when I wanted a lighter read. I wasn't too taken with the main character Eva, however, I did enjoy her journey finding out about her mothers past and the characters that she met along the way. Personally I would have enjoyed it more if it had been from Flora's perspective, rather than Eva, as she wasn't really that interesting and her own story paled in comparison.

Karen Rose Watch Your Back UNFORGETTABLE Stevie Mazzetti knew she would never get over the murder of her husband and son. But with their killer behind bars, she was able to move on with her life, if only for her daughter's sake. UNIMAGINABLE Now, eight years later, the Baltimore detective always fights for the victims she meets and when she learns that her ex-partner may have miscarried justice, Stevie's determined to right the wrong, even if it means she is in danger. UNDENIABLE Clay Maynard has always wanted Stevie and when she is targeted by a vicious psychopath, he believes that protecting her may give him the chance to have her in his life forever. Clay will do anything to keep Stevie safe but with a killer on her tail who has everything to lose and a secret to hide, will they stay alive long enough to find happiness? Started: 01/03/14 Finished: 03/05/14 Rated:3/5 Comments: Unfortunately this book felt very much like a filler book or a bridge between stories. We finally find out what happened to Stevies husband and child and are able to put that story to bed but I felt that the book was aimed more at getting two main characters together than the resolution of an old story. Quite disappointed in this one really.

So far so good Janet.

James Bowen A Street Cat Names Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets When James Bowen found an injured, ginger street cat curled up in the hallway of his sheltered accommodation, he had no idea just how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent tom cat, whom he quickly christened Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. Soon the two were inseparable and their diverse, comic and occasionally dangerous adventures would transform both their lives, slowly healing the scars of each other's troubled pasts. A Street Cat Named Bob is a moving and uplifting story that will touch the heart of anyone who reads it. Started: 16/02/14 Finished: 23/02/14 Rated: 5/5 Comments: Loved this. I'm such a big softie for happy animal stories and I'm so happy that Bob and James found each other. What a delightful tale

That's a shame Lucy but sometimes it can turn out for the better, especially as he didn't like it anyway. I'm sure the perfect job is out there and then your perfect house too.

Liane Moriarty The Husband's Secret Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband's hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death. Curious, she opens it - and time stops. John-Paul's letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others. Cecilia - betrayed, angry and distraught - wants to do the right thing, but right for who? If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband's secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . . Started: 02/02/14 Finished: 01/04/14 Rated: 4/5 Comments: This was quite an intriguing tale and I liked how all the characters started separately to begin with and then their stories intertwined as you continued. Initially I was a little impatient to find out what the letter contained but you don't really have to wait that long to find out, although the book isn't really about what the letter says, it's the impact it has on everyone else. The story is the same, the death of a young girl, well before her time, however, we see this story from several different points of view. The story isn't too heavy and flows very easily, so a recommended holiday read.

For me it's definitely in the skill of the writer. I read very differing books, some can be quite gory and graphic, others give you just enough to get the picture and let your imagination do the rest. I couldn't say for sure that I prefer one over the other as I continue to read both styles. I suppose that a lot of the time, if the author finds it unnecessary to add in that level of detail, it probably doesn't need to be there in the first place and I'm happy to go with that.

I agree with Chrissy here. It's getting involved with dangerous/criminal situations but from the safety of your own armchair. Seeing how criminals tick, getting into their heads and being a vital part of the investigation and finally bringing them to justice. All without actually having to do it as a job. For me, it's the puzzle solving aspect of crime/thrillers that I love. Going through the books, trying to pick out the clues, being side by side with the investigators. And when I've got it right, that warm fuzzy feeling inside as I give myself a pat on the back.

Favourites of mine are Mo Hayder, Tess Gerritsen, Karen Rose and Martina Cole. More recently Cath Staincliffe has also jumped onto this list. As a genre though, I am very open to suggestion and if a story grabs me I'll happily give it a go.

Despite the overwhelming urge to read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (because I can't find it at the moment) I've decided to go with Heroes of the Valley as it came with such a rave recommendation from Michelle and I really need a good book right now. Jonathan Stroud Heroes of the Valley Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun... Halli loves to hear stories from the days when the valley was a wild and dangerous place, besieged by the bloodthirsty Trows. He likes to imagine the night the legendary heroes joined together and fought till dawn to defeat the ancient foe. Now farming has taken over from fighting Trows, and to Halli's bitter disappointment heroics seem a thing of the past. But when a practical joke rekindles an old blood feud, he sees a chance for a daring quest of his own. He is joined by Aud - only daughter of the House of Arne - a girl every bit as reckless and headstrong as he is. Together they will challenge everything they have ever known and discover the truth about the legends, the valley, and themselves. An epic adventure with unexpected twists, sinister enemies and a small but unforgettable hero. Started: 13/01/14 Finished: 09/02/14 Rated: 3/5 Comments:

Welcome back Noll!! (Does a little happy dance) I'm glad to hear things are looking up for you. I'm pretty sure everyone has been in a similar situation at some point, so we can all sympathise. What's going to be your first read then? (and I bet it won't take long to build up that wish list )

Thank you Devi! You too. Thank you Bobblybear. The Stephen King books I've been collecting over the years and most of them I've already read but like to keep hold of. House of Leaves is actually my other half's book but I keep picking it up out of curiosity. Thank you Athena! Same to you too.

Thank you for the recommendations! I also read Sister last year and am looking forward to getting my hands on Afterwards! I was very glad to find this one when rooting about in the attic. I will definitely be reading it soon. The Holly Black books I bought a few years ago but then didn't really want to read them. I've found them again so I may give them a go. I'll keep an eye out for what you think. This is only a fraction CB! These are the ones I have remembered to add to my wish list. Thank you Chaliepud! Thank you Julie!

Amanda Jennings Sworn Secret When Anna, Lizzie Thorne's charismatic sister, is killed in a tragic fall from the roof of her school, her family is devastated. One year on and grief still has a hold on them. Kate, Anna’s mother, has retreated from her family and is desperate to find someone to blame for her daughter’s death. Her father, Jon, is doing his best to care for his family but the pressure of holding his marriage together is pushing him to breaking point. Amid her parents' turmoil, Lizzie, Anna’s younger sister, just wants to leave her sister’s ghost in the past and find happiness again. But then a devastating revelation begins to raise questions concerning what really happened the night Anna died. Whilst Kate and Jon grapple with Anna’s emerging secrets, Lizzie dives headlong into a passionate, but forbidden, first love affair. As the family battle to regain their footing they realise it’s the love they have for each other that has the power to finally heal them. Started: 04/01/14 Finished: 12/01/14 Rated: 3.5 Comments: I wasn't blown away by this book but then the more I thought about the story and the characters, the more I appreciated the subtle threads running through it. Each chapter is narrated from the point of view of either Kate, Jon or Lizzie, the parents and sister of Anna, who tragically died aged 15. We are already a year on from Anna's death, but as the chapters progress, we can see the drastic changes that have come about within this family and how Anna's death has altered them all in some way. Every now and then we are given flashbacks and recollections of how they used to be as a family which contrast starkly with the way they interact with each other now as they try and work through their feelings and come through it as a family unit. I wouldn't say this is a book about a teenage girl who is trying to come of age whilst dealing with her grief, nor would I say this is a book about a husband and wife who have lost their daughter in tragic consequences and are trying to rebuild their life. This book is much more than just that but much simpler at the same time. It is the story of a family almost at breaking point, trying to build their family back up again and carry on whilst trying to deal with their own personal emotions. With the upcoming first anniversary of Anna's death, her family discover some startling information about their daughter, which casts doubt upon the circumstances surrounding her death. As they deal with the fallout from these revelations, they must also try to stop their family completely falling apart. I found the pace of the book a bit slow in places but the changing of narrator after each chapter does keep the story fresh and interesting. As the story builds the pace does pick up and I must admit that I read the last few chapters in record time and I wasn't disappointed with the outcome.

A little bit of juggling to be done regarding what I have on my bookshelf and what is still in the attic but I'm almost there.

Previous Book Logs Reading with Kat 2013 (19) Climbing Mount to be Read with Kat 2012 (26) Kat's 2011 Reading (25) What Kat Read Next 2010 (34) Kat's Reading in 2009 (42) Kat's Reading 2008 (44) Kat's Reading 2007 (43) Kat's Reading 2006 (126) Bought, Borrowed or Received in 2014

Wish List / Reminder List Kelley Armstrong ~ Spellbound (Otherworld book 12) Kelley Armstrong ~ Number 13 (Otherworld book 13) Kelley Armstrong ~ Werewolves (Otherworld book 14) Kelley Armstrong ~ Spellcasters (Otherworld book 15) Kelley Armstrong ~ Wild Justice (Nadia Stafford 3) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Calling (Darnkess Rising 2) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Rising (Darkness Rising 3 Kelley Armstrong ~ Tales of the Otherworld (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Angelic (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Counterfeit Magic (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Forbidden (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Chaotic (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Becoming (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Hidden (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Darkest Powers Bonus Pack (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Dead to Me (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Hunting Kat (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Hunter and The Hunted (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Darkest Powers Bonus Pack 2 (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Amytiville Horrible (Novella) Kelley Armstrong ~ Brazen (Novella) Michele Bardsley ~ Wait til your Vampire gets home (4) Michele Bardsley ~ Over my dead body (5) Michele Bardsley ~ Cross Your Heart (7) Michele Bardsley ~ Must Love Lycans (8) Michele Bardsley ~ Only Lycans Need Apply (9) The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble Jayne Slayre ~ Charlotte Bronte & Sherri Browning Erwin The Spaniard's Daughter by Melanie Gifford Charlaine Harris ~ Dead in the Family (book 10) Charlaine Harris ~ Dead Reckoning (book 11) Charlaine Harris ~ Deadlocked (book 12) Charlaine Harris ~ Dead Ever After (book 13) Rosamund Lupton ~ Afterwards Gregory Maguire ~ The Next Queen of Heaven Carole Matthews ~ Wrapped up in You Amy Molloy ~ Wife, Interrupted The Italian Matchmaker by Santa Montefiore Alison Weir ~ The Lady in the Tower Elizabeth H. Winthrop ~ December Cath Staincliffe ~ Looking For Trouble Cath Staincliffe ~ Witness Jodi Picoult ~ Between the Lines Terry Pratchett ~ Dodger

To be read (from the bookshelf) 53 Catherynne M Valente ~ Deathless (review) Trudi Canavan ~ Magicians Apprentice Trudi Canavan ~ The Rogue Trudi Canavan ~ The Ambassadors Mission Philippa Gregory ~ The White Queen (Cousins War Series book 1) Philippa Gregory ~ The Red Queen (Cousins War Series book 2) Philippa Gregory ~ The Lady of the Rivers (Cousins War Series book 3) Charlaine Harris ~ Dead and Gone (book 9) Charlaine Harris ~ Death's Excellent Vacation Gregory Maguire ~ Out of Oz Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (book 4) PD James ~ Death Comes to Pemberley John Verdon ~ Shut Your Eyes Tight Fiona Neill ~ What the Nanny Saw George Bernard Shaw ~ Pygmalian Truman Capote ~ Breakfast At Tiffany's Susan Hill ~ Dolly Christopher Fowler ~ Spanky (RISI) Jostein Gaarder ~ Sophie's World Willy Vlautin ~ Lean on Pete (review) J M Warwick ~ A Season of Eden (possibly Mum's copy?) Stephen Foster ~ Walking Ollie Gail Carriger ~ Soulless Pen Farthing ~ One Dog at a Time Holly Black ~ Tithe Holly Black ~ Ironside Tom Cox ~ Under The Paw: Confessions of a Cat Man Alison Weir ~ The Lady Elizabeth Trudi Canavan ~ The Priestess of the White Trudi Canavan ~ Last of The Wilds Trudi Canavan ~ Voice of The Gods Kelley Armstrong ~ Waking The Witch (Otherworld book 11) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Summoning (Darkest Powers Book 1) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Awakening (Darkest Powers Book 2) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Book 3) Kelley Armstrong ~ Men of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong ~ Tales of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong ~ Made to be Broken (Nadia Stafford Book 2) Kelley Armstrong ~ Exit Strategy (Nadia Stafford Book 1) Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Seduction Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Kiss Michele Bardsley ~ Because Your Vampire Said So! (book 3) Jeanne Kalogridis ~ Burning Times Sue Townsend ~ The Queen & I Jean Plaidy ~ Uneasy Lies The Head (Tudors bk1) Donald McCaig ~ Rhett Butler's People MaryJanice Davidson ~ Dead and Loving It Susan Hill ~ Mrs DeWinter Karen Chance ~ Touch The Dark Freda Warrington ~ A Taste of Blood Wine Torey Hayden ~ Beautiful Child Margaret Atwood ~ The Handmaids Tale Stieg Larsson ~ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Somewhere in the attic (still) Mitch Albom ~ For One More Day Michele Bardsley ~ Come hell or high water (book 6) Christie Dickason ~ The Principessa Tess Gerritsen ~ In Their Footsteps Tess Gerritsen ~ Stolen Seth Grahame-Smith & Jane Austen ~ Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Vicky Halls ~ Cat Counsellor Mandasue Heller ~ The Pact Karen Moline ~ Belladonna Kate Morton ~ The Forgotten Garden Jean Plaidy ~ Castille For Isabella (Isabelle & Ferdinand Trilogy bk1) Terry Pratchett ~ The Light Fantastic Justine Picardie ~ Daphne Eva Stachniak ~ Dancing With Kings Alison Weir ~ Innocent Traitor Keepers/Collections Tess Gerritsen ~ Body Double (signed copy) Christopher Paolini ~ Eragon Christopher Paolini ~ Eldest Christopher Paolini ~ Brisingr Shawn Michaels ~ Heartbreak & Triumph Stephen King ~ Cell (First edition) Stephen King ~ Lisey's Story (First Edition) Stephen King ~ The Dark Tower (VII) (First Edition) Daphne Du Maurier ~ Rebecca Gregory Maguire ~ What The Dickens? Trudi Canavan ~ The Magicians Guild Trudi Canavan ~ The Novice Trudi Canavan ~ The High Lord Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Secret Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Betrayal Stephen King ~ From a Buick 8 Stephen King ~ Misery Stephen King ~ Insomnia Stephen King ~ Carrie Stephen King ~ The Gunslinger (Dark Tower I) Stephen King ~ Geralds Game Stephen King ~ Dreamcatcher Stephen King ~ The Shining Stephen King ~ Christine Stephen King ~ Pet Semetary Stephen King ~ The Bachman Books Stephen King ~ Needful Things Stephen King ~ Everything's Eventual Stephen King ~ Nightmares and Dreamscapes Stephen King ~ Desperation Stephen King ~ The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon Stephen King ~ The Green Mile J.R.R Tolkien ~ The Fellowship Of The Ring J.R.R Tolkien ~ The Two Towers J.R.R Tolkien ~ The Return of the King J.R.R Tolkien ~ The Hobbit J.R.R Tolkien ~ The Silmarillion Gregory Maguire ~ A Lion Amongst Men Gregory Maguire ~ Lost Gregory Maguire ~ Mirror Mirror Terry Pratchett ~ Reaper Man Terry Pratchett ~ Mort Charles Dickens ~ A Christmas Carol Jonathan Stroud ~ Heroes of the Valley (signed) Other books hanging around Mark Z Danielewski ~ House of Leaves Mark Spitz ~ Nobody Likes You (Green Day Bio) Triple H & Shawn Michaels ~ Are You Ready? Phillip Pullman ~ Northern Lights Clive Barker ~ Cabal Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman~ Good Omens

Currently Reading Read so far * 1. Amanda Jennings ~ Sworn Secret (review) * 2. Jonathan Stroud ~ Heroes of the Valley * 3. James Bowen ~ A Street Cat Named Bob * 4. Liane Moriarty ~ The Husband's Secret (Ebook) * 5. Karen Rose ~ Broken Silence (Novella) * 6. Cath Staincliffe ~ Violation (Novella) * 7. Karen Rose ~ Watch Your Back * 8. Lesley Pearse ~ Forgive Me * 9. George RR Martin ~ A Game of Thrones *10. Ransom Riggs ~ Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children *11. Martina Cole ~ Revenge *12. Joe Hill ~ Horns *13. Caitlin Moran ~ How To Be A Woman *14. Terry Pratchett ~ Hogfather *15. Sylvia Plath ~ The Bell Jar

This week we managed to call in at the Manchester Christmas Markets. We spent the afternoon and early evening mooching around and taking in the atmosphere and fabulous food! I bought myself a lovely potted plant with Christmas decorations in and some lovely chocolates Today we went to the Lancashire Market which is held a few times a year. Mum, Dad and Grandma joined us, which was a lovely addition to the day. I got to sample some gorgeous cheeses, including a sheep cheese. I'm not usually that adventurous but I'm glad I gave it a go as it was delicious. All my spends went on cake though!