Half term wash out

Well this half term has sucked tbh as we have all been ill !! How typical the time we get to enjoy having a break from school run and we have been stuck indoors . I have serious cabin fever now and anyone with mental health issues will know this is lethal !! I think im so used to being busy !!

We had plans for Friday and today so have been gutted we had to cancel them .The house is a mess as quite frankly ive not had the energy to even brush my hair.

Both lynx and I are on anibiotics and Estelle has been sick and with a fever .

I do not feel ready for school on Monday esp as that’s it for 7 weeks till they break up for summer .

It seems whenever I get back into my swimming and being busy my body decides to shut down .

I have slept when I can ,read and rested and stalked Jack pack on twitter lol ….OBSESSED .

That’s what not getting out does to your head .But needles to say they are awesome and hot (alfie) .

I have to try and venture out tomorrow lets hope I have some strength .I think when your poorly you start to think you are on the mend then overdo and back to feeling weak .

The kids may not even be better for school .

But now for some positives!!!

Estelle has been selected to go to Thorpe park at end of school year due to good behaviour attendance and hard work at school so im very very proud .Her starting secondary school was huge for me and this is a excellent end to the school year ..so well done babe .

Last week I received a email from penguin books to say I had been selected to go on their list of book reviewers which is very exciting .Without me realising I have got some contacts in the publishing world and able to review fantastic books .

Due to being poorly today we was unable to meet Francesca Simon at bluewater waterstones which we was gutted as lynx is a huge fan .The store itself were amazing as I contacted them and explained about lynxs autism and they said he wouldn’t have to queue  and when we wasn’t there they sent me a message on twitter. They are sending lynx a parcel and wished us all get well and also Orion books are sending him a bookplate .So im overwhelmed by their kindness!

Last weekend me and my sister had a amazing night out where we danced and had lots of fun .Her partner had lynx for me and it felt great to let hair down .

Hope your half term has been good!

We have some fun things planned in the net month to make up for this week lol .Lynxs bday and trip to roald dahl museum and me and Estelle are going to summertime ball !!

 

BOOK REVIEW -WHO ARE YOU BY ELIZABETH FORBES

Alex, a career officer in an elite regiment, returns from Afghanistan a changed man. He has left the army behind and is attempting to forge a civilian career as a security advisor. His wife, Juliet, is delighted. She, Alex and their son, Ben, now live in a well-appointed house in a leafy London suburb.

But all is not well. Juliet’s research on the internet suggests that Alex is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but pride means that he will not seek professional help.

Finding solace in web forums, Juliet is offered the use of a cottage and is urged to remove Ben to a place of safety. After a lot of secretive planning and the financial support of Alex’s mother who had suffered at the hands of her husband, Juliet and Ben escape the tyranny of their home with the hope of starting afresh…

First let me say thanks to cutting edge press for sending me this to review ,its my first book from them and look forward to hopefully reCIeving more in the future .

As I received a review copy the cover was bare which is interesting because it prevents you as a reader to basillie a opinion before reading .You go in with quite a little information which is exciting

This book had me gripped within the first chapter and I think that’s a sure sign you are in for a epic read!!

It is a dark read that at times was chilling to read .The writing makes you feel tense and on edge and ,scared .

I have experienced a abusive relationship so could relate to the storyline and the sense that you are walking on eggshells ,scared to upset Alex .

Although it was very clear early on that alex was the bad guy in this book you could almost have sympathy for him because we had his narrative .

There was a unexpected twist which makes for a good read .

I didn’t put this book down ,reading standing up in chemist and waiting for my bus.

A must read for those who like books that make their skin crawl !

Released on 1st july

 

Letter writing challenge letter number 7

jennyinneverland.wordpress.com number 7 letter is to a tv character .

It took me a while to choose as don’t feel I have watched much tv lately .But what I always watch are my soaps so I have chosen Carol from eastenders.

 

Dear Carol,

So we are currently watching you go through huge changes at the moment . How are you doing ?How does one get up in the morning and face the day knowing what challenges lie ahead ? I have not had much experience and lack awareness of cancer so I feel im scared of the unknown .I am a mum like you and I imagine there were top of your thoughts ? Life doesn’t seem to have been easy on you and there are times ive felt like that .

You have a inner strength  that I don’t know I would have in your situation .

Are you able to look forward or are you looking back to your past ?

What are your happiest moments in your life ? What is it that keeps you going ?

Describe to me your love for david and how hard that must of been to let him go .

Sending you a huge hug and cake

Lots of well wishes love from charlene

 

 

BOOK REVIEW KNOUGHTS AND CROSSES BY MALORIE BLACKMAN

Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought – a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go. Until the first steps are taken towards more social equality and a limited number of Noughts are allowed into Cross schools… Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity by Noughts, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum – a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger…

Right  I shall warn you as I write this im poorly and not had enough sleep and  feeling like my heart has been ripped out since reading this .So I feel  may not do this amazing masterpiece justice .

Again this is a series that Estelle had been nagging me to read for ages ,she read it a good 2/3 years ago. So after id hit a slump with books this book was calling me .I read in less than a day and left me feeling emotionally exhausted .

Malories writing is easy and flows ,grabs you within the first page leaving you hooked.

It covers a huge serious issue of race and prejudice in society but with a amazing twist .

This book is a genius and I think everyone whatever age sex or race should read this .

It is brave and a eye opener .

Im gutted I cant rush out and buy the rest of the series as silly me has put these books on my book swap list …. when I start a gripping series I cant wait to read the rest.

This book is a must read and will make you challenge your own thoughts and feelings.

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW .THE WRONG KNICKERS BY BRYONY GORDON

Bryony Gordon survived her adolescence by dreaming about the life she’d have in her twenties: the perfect job; the lovely flat; the amazing boyfriend. The reality was something of a shock. Her Telegraph column was a diary of her daily screw-ups; she lived in a series of squalid shoe boxes; and her most meaningful relationship of the entire decade was with a Marlboro Light.

 

Here in THE WRONG KNICKERS Bryony busts open the glamorized myth of what it means to be a young (perpetually) single girl about London town, and shares the horrible and hilarious truth. The truth about picking up a colleague at the STI clinic; sinking into debt to fund a varied diet of wine, crisps and vodka; and how it feels when your dream man turns out to be a one night stand who hands you someone else’s knickers in the morning.

 

Bryony’s wonderfully ridiculous and ultimately redemptive story is essential reading for everyone whose ‘best years’ weren’t quite what they were expecting…

Thank you to Headline for sending me a preview copy .I read this  a while ago and have been dying to share my review !!

This book is hilarious and had me laughing straight away in the prologue .I knew then this was going to be a very entertaining read .I will say one word …LURPACK !!!!

I’m not familiar with Bryony’s writing which made it even more exciting to discover .

This book shows the real life of a single 20 something living in London ,its very honest and real .

There are moments where you think NO WHAT ARE YOU DOING ??

I have been single for ages and could relate to a lot in this book .

This is a laugh out loud fresh real exciting book with maybe the ending we all are looking for ?

This is being published on 5th June

letter number 6 letter writing challenge

Letter number 6  as listed by jennyinneverland.wordpress.com is to a animal of my choice and I have to say im struggling to think of one !  so this  one will not be very inspiring !!!

To Dog,

How does it feel being a dog ? When you bark are you trying to tell us humans something ? What are your favourite qualiies about humans and your worse?

What makes you happy and sad ?

From Charlene

 

 

May wrap up #Thismonthiread

Im linking up with http://mutteringmummy.wordpress.com/  for this month I read.Its the first time ive done this .

This month I took part in bout of books readathon .

1.how to lose weight and alienate people by Ollie Quain ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/02/book-review-how-to-lose-weight-and-alienate-people-y-ollie-quain/

2.lessons in laughing out loud by Rowan Coleman

3.Pedigree mum by Fiona Gibson ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/book-review-pedigree-mum-by-fiona-gibson/

4.Collide by Gail McHugh ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/book-review-collide-by-gail-mchugh-2/

5.The best thing that never happened to me by Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/11/book-review-the-best-thing-that-never-happened-to-me-by-laura-tait-and-jimmy-rice/

6.Another night another day by Sarah Rayner ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/book-review-another-night-another-day-by-sarah-rayner/

7.precious thing by Colette Mcbeth ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/book-review-precious-thing-by-colette-mcbeth/

8.Mad about you by sinead moriarity

9.The time of our lives by Jane Costello ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/book-review-the-time-of-our-lives-by-jane-costello/

10.Never google heartbreak by emma Garcia ,review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/book-review-never-google-heartbreak-by-emma-garcia/

11.Dear thing by Julie Cohen ,review https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/book-review-dear-thing-by-julie-cohen/

12.A special delivery by Clare Dowling ,review https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/book-review-a-special-delivery-by-clare-dowling/

13.the no kids club by Tali Rowland review to come

14.Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman ,review https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/book-review-dearest-rose-by-rowan-coleman/

15.who are you by Elizabeth Forbes ,review to come

16.One night in Italy by Lucy Diamond review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/book-review-one-night-in-italy-by-lucy-diamond/

17.Wonder by Rj palicio review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/book-review-wonder-by-r-j-palacio/

18.Dont even think about it by Sarah Mlynowski

19.Noughts and crosses by Malorie Blackman review here https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/book-review-knoughts-and-crosses-by-malorie-blackman/

20. Quarter past two on a Wednesday afternoon by Linda newbery review to come

I have started a few other books which didn’t really work for me and im 60 pages into The saint by Tiffany Reisz

 

BOOK REVIEW WONDER BY R.J PALACIO

‘My name is August. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.’

 

Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things – eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary – inside. But ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids aren’t stared at wherever they go.

 

Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life. Now, for the first time, he’s being sent to a real school – and he’s dreading it. All he wants is to be accepted – but can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath  it all?

 

WONDER is a funny, frank, astonishingly moving debut to read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.

 

This is a book that has been sitting in my tbr pile for quite a while as recommended by Estelle.

This is a gem of  a book and really makes you think

I loved how they did different the   naratives  so it wasn’t just about August.It would have been really great to have read the mums point of view especially  as I have a child with extra needs. Reading the sisters part really struck a chord with me .

Even though this is a sad story its also a story of friendship ,humour and seeing beyond face value .

letter writing challenge letter 5 a historical figure .

So todays letter from jennyinnneverland.wordpress.com is to a  historical figure and there are so many but im going to choose NelsoN Mandela.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Nelson,

I am writing this letter to you with the upmost respect and admiration for you .Your bravery and strength are skills many humanh s could do with learning to gain.

I recently watched Idris Elbas portrayal of you in the film Long walk to freedom in which I cried mainly .

You was in prison for nearly the whole of my age in years ,how does someone manage that and still be smiling ?

What kept you going everyday ? What simple things did you miss the most? How did you deal with the anger and frustration at what had happened to you.

If you could advise countries with on-going disagreements over religion and race what would you say ?

What would you have liked to have done the most all them years you was locked up?

Many of your quotes live on now in  2014 and you will always be a icon .

Yours sincerely Charlene

 

 

Letter writing challenge letter 4 -book charactar

So letter 3 as listed by jennyinneverland.wordpress.com is to a book character and Im going to be honest an say im struggling to think of one!

I went away from writing that line this morning and thought Im going to write  to a character  I recently encountered in Rowan Colemans beautiful book Dearest Rose .  I was so touched my this book which I reviewed last week .

Dear Rose ,

I am so pleased that you had the courage to leave your husband .Not only as a woman but as a woman who did the same in January 2008 with my 2 children so as I was reading about your journey I could relate so much .

It takes so much courage and inner strength to do what we did .

I wont lie there are hard days ahead of you and there is damage done at a deep level by that man . 6 years  on and I still find it hard to let people in and do not know how to receive a compliment .

When you feel scared and unsure be soo proud and look at the sky and the freedom of a happy future you have ahead of you .

Lots of love and best wishes from Charlene  x