NEVER HEARD OF IT

Now, my thoughts about the books I read outside of the bookclub do get talked about and featured on my other book pages and that won't be changing either. And to be very clear, I won't be featuring any of the books I read outside of the book club here on this blog. But there sometimes are books that are popular, hyped and spoken really widely about, that I think would be fun to read together. And I also feel inspired with the types of posts I am making for the book club, to make them for some more well known books as well. So what if we did? What if our general reading for the book club was books we have never heard of but, one month a year we have a "free month" in which the book we read together can be any book we fancy that we've never read, but might also be well known and widely read in the book community?

I think it only works to do this once a year, in a specific month (I'm thinking September?), because reading two books a month is not always possible for me. I obviously read more than that typically but I don't want to promise two sets of content every single month. And I also like the fact that one book a month feels very do-able and accessible for everyone. It feels like a reading pace that works for both slow and fast readers. So I don't want to say we will do two books a month, instead keeping to one book a month and then potentially having the "free read" month to read anything we want.

I mentioned this idea to a friend who is following along with the book club, and I told her a book I had in mind to read that is hyped and well known, so doesn't fall into the typical criteria, but that I would enjoy making content for specifically, if people are interested in this idea. She seemed really excited. The "free read" would still work the same as the other months in the book club, and I would still make all of the regular content, but just for a book we've all probably heard of before. And there is a particular content idea I am working on right now for the first book club book that I also think would work really nice for a "free read" month too.

I had seen when I flicked through the book that it was separated into parts and before hitting the 100 page mark I was just coming up to the end of part one. And to be honest, I wasn't convinced. The book was feeling okay but nothing was really catching my attention about it. And then I read the last part of part one and the tone changed.

I'm not saying that I think this is a masterpiece yet (if it even turns out that way) but what I am saying is, going into part two and hitting the 100 page milestone, I feel like the tone and pace of the book have changed up on me as a reader, and my intrigue for how the book is going to play out has increased a little. I did feel a little bit of shock with where Emma Gannon had taken the plot going into part two of the book and I can only question where it is going to go further on from here too.

So this is the first review discussion post for a book featured on this blog. And I have to say I am a little nervous to be posting this because it also leads us into the first official month of the 'book club' (that's not a book club) and if you'd like to find out the book for July then you can read the book of the month post HERE or you can look at the reading list HERE. But today we are discussing the book for June which was Meet Me At The Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan.

This book first came to my attention on a book shop browse I was having in which I was actually on the hunt for a completely different book. I did speak more about that in the book of the month post. I was instantly drawn in by the bright colours on the cover, and then the blurb did the rest of the talking.

When Janey Carters 30 year old daughter announces she is moving back home, Janey realises it won’t all be smooth sailing or an easy ride. With a combination of pub quizzes, rescue animals and a surprise project, can the mother and daughter duo find their way back closer together?

I was instantly curious. Not only because I myself am about to turn thirty and have recently moved back home, but also I have an unknown draw and love to Scotland. I have no idea where it comes from but the book itself is set upon the backdrop of Scotland so I knew there would be many different factors of this book that could really stand out to me and my interests. As a general rule my starting of this book was pretty slow. I think at the time I was struggling to get into any books I was reading and finding the right one for me at the time was proving difficult, but then I picked this book up. There was just something about it that was calling to me constantly from my bookshelves and I just had to jump in and find out what it could offer me and my reading.

I have a rule for myself and my reading of the average length book that I try to give every book 100 pages to get my attention. This is usually the point of the book that the plot line has started to pick up pace and I'll typically know whether or not I am actually interested in a book. And I did feel that the plot of the book did pick up around this time so I was intrigued to continue on reading. I think I was caught off guard by a particular plot line and mention of a dog within the story, and how significant that would be within the book, which is slightly funny now writing this post because it literally says it on the back of the book. I must have just forgotten about that. Having said that, other parts of the story that are mentioned on the back of the book that I was curious to see how they fit in, felt a little brushed over for me personally. Like I love a quiz, so the idea that I was reading about a group of characters going to pub quizzes was reader gold for me. But to my recollection, it happens once, and then it's brushed over a couple times in character monologue or dialogue so not really as significant as it seems on the back of the book. At least not to me personally. And I guess if you have no interest in those things outside of reading, you probably wouldn't pick up on that point.

I have been asked on my book socials many a time how often I see myself in books, and this can be more overt sometimes and then other times the ways I see myself in books is not so obvious but feels it to myself. Typically I see myself like anyone would in physical traits: blonde, green eyes, 30 years old etc. and then sometimes I see myself in ways that only I could truly understand. I do annotate my books as I am reading them and there was only one part of this book that made me want to pick it out amongst the rest of the text.

And at the 100 page mark, and a little further beyond, I did feel the book had lots of potential. And I found that pretty much every day I was intrigued to read more and find out more about these characters and the story being told to me. Even if I only managed a few pages a day, I still wanted to know more and more as time went on. The book itself is written in a style that is very easy to follow along with. There is nothing over complex or confusing about the way the author writes, and I think it's a style of writing that will be widely appreciated. But, on the flip side of that I was still struggling to pick up a good reading pace with this book. I was reading but only a few pages at a time and I started to question just how long this book would take me to finish overall.

But the more and more I read, I started to feel like what Colgan was trying to achieve with this piece of work was a rom-com but on paper, and that is exactly the tone I was getting as I approached the second third of the book. And at this point my reading pace picked up and the amount in which I was reading in a day was increasing significantly.

As I am writing this post, I am referring back to my notes that I wrote whilst I was reading the book and I just came across a note that I feel I have to mention but is a little trivial. I take offence (not literally) with the fact that Jenny Colgan, as the author of this book, thinks that Essie wouldn't know who Shania Twain is. Now obviously this really doesn't matter on a wider scale and the extract of the book that this comes from, I assume was just meant to feel like a relatable interaction between a parent and a child. But as someone who turns 30 in September, I can assure you someone of Essie's age would know who Shania Twain is.

I did find my enjoyment of the book was carried throughout my reading experience. However, it did lull slightly towards the end of the book when I felt that Colgan ran with a plot line that felt so unnatural to what I had read the entire way through. But I guess if we go with the idea of this book being a rom-com on paper then I suppose the idea that a thirty year old woman would break into a police investigation to help her new love interest, then I suppose it makes perfect sense really. But it didn't make sense to me who had just read over 200 pages of this book and it felt a little off in ways I'm not sure how to explain.

So here it is. The first OFFICIAL month of the book club (that's not a book club) and my first official book pick for anyone who is interested. I must admit I felt a little pressure when deciding on a book for the first ever choice. And I did go back and forth between a few options. I did take into consideration many factors but instead decided to go with a book I already owned and am intrigued to read (and hopefully others will be intrigued by this too).

The book that I have picked to read for July is Table For One by Emma Gannon.

Willow is having quite the year. One minute she is achieving life's milestones - steady partner, the successful career, the house - the next moment she is questioning where it all went wrong. Willow has never felt more alone. But she is in good company. And it's time for her to rekindle the most important relationship: the one with herself.

I didn't anticipate picking this book for the first book choice of book club because, it falls into the same genre as my read last month. But I figured because the last month was just a filler book for when I first started this blog, and we didn't actually get a full month of posts from that particular choice, I would choose another romance that we can read in real time, at the same time if you wish to do so. (You don't have to, you can read whenever you like and the posts will be here when you are ready for them). And please do not be put off that two books in a row have been from the romance genre. I do plan to read as widely as possible, from a variety of genres. It's just that this book had my attention right now. But let's get into why I chose the book.

I saw this book on one of the tables in Waterstones and was instantly drawn in by the front cover. And I know we shouldn't judge books by their covers but let's face it, we all do. And I think this is a good one. And then to top it off the blurb sounded like something I would enjoy reading, and if done well would be a good read for me right now. I would have read this book no matter what and therefore it would have been on my TBR at some point but at this moment in time, it doesn't seem to be spoken very widely about. It is a pretty recent release, only last year, and that is probably the reasoning why. So I figured whilst it fits the 'criteria' for this blog, let's choose it for the pick of the month.

One thing I am also intrigued by too is the fact this author has written mostly non-fiction. And going purely based off the titles listed in the front page of the book, I am curious as to whether this book is going to be written with a 'hidden message' you'd typically see in a non-fiction work, told through the style of a fictional story with fictional characters.

I did have a look on Goodreads to see how widely this book is being shelved to gauge how popular outside of my own algorithm this book is, and it is currently only being read by less than 1000 people. And I myself had never even heard of it.

My full review for this book will be posted in August.

The book for me was a little slow to begin with but I think that was more of a reflection of me rather than the book itself. I was struggling to get into any reads at the time but I knew I wanted to persevere. Cut forward to now when I have hit the 100 page mark, and the book for me is starting to pick itself up. Something happened in the past few pages that I didn't see coming, and was a little confusing at the exact moment I read it, but it was something that made the book feel like it was about to pick up, and that it would be a good idea to stick with it.

Well... hello! This is my first official post of this new blog (if we aren't counting the introduction essay I wrote or the taster post prior to this) and where better to start than to say what book I am reading at the moment, especially because it qualifies for what I want to feature here on this blog. And that wasn't even intentional.

The plan in future will be to post these types of posts before the month is over, ready for the following month, and then if anyone wants to read the same book, you have plenty of time. I'm not actually sure how often the books will be: every month? or, every other month? I'm not sure. I'm just going to try and see what works and see what I think I can do realistically. (Especially because I am still posting on my other blog). But onto the actual book pick.

I thought for the first month (partly because we are already over halfway through) I would feature the book I am currently reading because it works perfectly for what I am trying to do with this blog. The book is MEET ME AT THE SEASIDE COTTAGES by JENNY COLGAN.

When Janey Carters 30 year old daughter announces she is moving back home, Janey realises it won't all be smooth sailing or an easy ride. With a combination of pub quizzes, rescue animals and a surprise project, can the mother and daughter duo find their way back closer together?

I purchased this book a couple months ago on a random Waterstones trip. I actually was on the look out for a book I was reading as part of Dua Lipas book club and whilst I was perusing the bookshop, I came across this book on one of the tables. Now, funny story... I saw it on a table where you could buy a book and get half off another one. I wasn't sure whether to get it because at the time, I didn't really need a new book (other than the one I was looking for), so I left it on the table and carried on looking around the shop. But before I went to the till, I decided to pick the book up because I couldn't stop thinking about it. But when I went back to get it, it was gone.

I was a little gutted because it had actually really intrigued me after reading the back of the book, but I figured it must have been a rogue copy they had and someone else picked it up. So I decided I was just meant to get the original book I came into the shop for. And when I went to the part of the shop where I would find the original book I was looking for (which was SO LATE IN THE DAY by CLAIRE KEEGAN for those who are curious) the book was on the shelf right next to it! (It no longer had the buy one, get one half price sticker on it) but... I found it... again. And that was when I decided, I just had to read this book.

My full review of this book will be posted in July.

The unique quality (I'm hoping) to this blog is that, I can put even more emphasis on reading random books, and you will discover books you never really hear of on social media. This is not something that is new to me. I am always looking for the next hidden gem, and especially one I have never heard of before. So now I am just emphasising this habit of mine with other people. (It feels like a win win situation for everyone, right?)

Prior to me making this blog I have read a few books that, at the time, I picked up purely because I had never heard of them, but they sounded like something I would enjoy reading. So I thought to start this blog off, I would compile a list of books I read prior to this blog that if this blog existed at the time of me reading them, they would have had their own moment.

The books compiled within the below list are all books I have read within my time of getting back into reading as an adult. I think the earliest of the books I read was in 2017 (that's the year I read it - not the year it was published) and from then I have always been on the hunt for the next unknown book. Now obviously, that is almost ten full years (which is absolute madness) and that does mean that some of the books on the list below, you may now have heard of and possibly read yourselves. If so, let me know what you thought of them, I'd love to know!

But here is the list of books I read prior to this blog, that at the time of me picking them up and reading them, I had never heard or seen anyone online talking about them.

I will try to talk about all of these books without giving spoilers but please be aware that each section talks about the plot of the book.

THE SNOW CHILD by EOWYN IVEY (2012)

Literally my favourite book, and the book that got me back into reading as an adult. It follows a couple, Jack and Mabel, in 1920's Alaska and they have moved away from their families to start over with each other and without the interference of their loved ones. One day they make a child figure in the snow and the next day it's gone! But a random girl appears on their land. Who is she? And where did she come from? I guess the book follows what it means to be isolated and how, when there are only the two of you, that can impact on your relationship, both good and bad. I am always interested to know what people think when they get to the end of this book. Having had time to really process my thoughts over the years I do think I have my own conclusion but, what do you think if you have read it? This book also has one of my favourite and most memorable scenes of any book I've read as an adult.

Genres: Fiction, Historical fiction and Fantasy.

THE TOYMAKERS by ROBERT DINSDALE (2018)

I picked this book up on a book buying trip with a couple of my friends whilst I was at university. We used to go book shopping quite regularly and me and another one of my friends both picked this book up and read it. The story is about a young girl called Cathy and she runs away from home and is looking for a job and a place to live. She stumbles upon the emporium, which sells toys that capture the imaginations of both children and adults too. But the toy shop in which she now lives is not all it seems to be on the surface. There is a quote on the back of the book which I think sums it up very well which is 'If Diagon Alley had a toyshop, it would be the toymakers'... I'm not much of a fantasy reader but the imagery in this book had me feeling like I could see everything the author was describing. I also feel I got on well with this book because one of my favourite films is Night At The Museum and if you have seen and enjoyed that film, you stand a good chance of enjoying this book.

Genres: Fiction, Magical realism and Fantasy.

OUR LIFE IN A DAY by JAMIE FEWERY (2018)

This is possibly one of my most random reads I've ever had. I stumbled upon it on a shelf in The Works on a random day. The book follows the ten year love story of Esme and Tom, and their significant moments, told over the space of 24 hours of the day. And the moments that are picked are probably not the moments that you would expect, from first fights, to failed car journeys and moments that the truth can be uncovered. Once the game starts, there's no going back. I thought the concept of this book was really interesting at the time I read it and the book was very easy to read and get through.

Genres: Fiction, Romance and Contemporary.

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW by TRACEY JARVIS GRAVES (2019)

To my recollection I picked this book up at the same time that I bought the previous book in this list. The main character of Annika likes to be alone, except she doesn't really like to be alone at all. Instead she struggles in social situations and doesn't have the easiest time interacting with people. Except for Jonathan. They haven't seen each other for ten years until now. But after what happened all those years ago she isn't sure he'll want to see her at all. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I read this book. I knew it was teetering on romance and it heavily featured around a relationship of sorts. But the book overall gave me a few surprises and I ended up enjoying it overall.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary romance and Second chance.

THE BOOKSHOP WOMAN by NANAKO HANADA (2018)

Originally I was drawn to this book because I am someone who likes to read Japanese literature and translated books. When I picked this book up I didn't realise that it was more of an autobiographical read. It is exactly what it says on the tin. We get to hear about Hanada's experience when she recommends books to people. Think online dating but for book recommendations and that is exactly what you have. It also explores how books and human connection can go together. I didn't get on that much with the writing of this book but it is a translated piece so, that could potentially be why. I also think because it was more autobiographical, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting going into it.

Genres: Non fiction, Japanese Literature and Memoir.

ALL TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS by SARAH MORGAN (2025)

Two of my favourite things: reading and Christmas. Combined with an author I have never read and a book I had never heard of and you get my favourite thing. I enjoyed this book. It was kind of unrealistic of me to think I could dislike a Christmas themed book anyway. It follows an entire family who are coming together at the family home for Christmas. Parents, their children and their children's partners, and each couple has secrets of their own. And I guess the plot line here is, what secrets will be uncovered over the festive season within the family. And will the chaos and confusion potentially derail their usual family festive holiday. It's not quite cliche Christmas, but it comes pretty close.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary and Romance.

ORDINARY PEOPLE by DIANA EVANS (2018)

I don't remember when or where I picked this book up but somehow it found its way to my bookshelves. I know we shouldn't judge books by their covers, but we can judge by titles. The title of this book is perfect for exactly what you get from the story because it's very ordinary. Its mundane. This is probably the book on this entire list where I actually couldn't tell you anything about my experience reading it because, I don't remember it. The book itself follows two couples who love each other, but do they love each other enough to make things work? I think this book observes and explores love on a deeper level than some of the other romance books on this list.

Genres: Literary fiction, Romance, Contemporary.

SHELF LIFE by LIVIA FRANCHINI (2019)

Not one I would widely recommend, and I think I'd only recommend to a specific reader. Each chapter is set up as part of our main characters shopping list and that aspect was a fun concept but other than that? A little boring to be honest. The only thing Ruth has left of her fiancé is the shopping list he left behind when he broke up with her. Using the shopping list to tell her story, she realises her life has been shaped by the people in it. She needs to find out who she is on her own. Like I said not a favourite, and I would say for a very specific audience but still one for the list.

Genres: Fiction and Contemporary.