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Showing posts from January, 2020

Book Blogger Hop; Bibliotherapy

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It's Friday again, which means it's time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week was "What is your opinion of bibliotherapy? Do you think this is a useful way of dealing with psychological issues? If you've used it yourself, or know someone who has, what book(s) would you recommend?". Book Blogger Hop I haven't tried bibliotherapy myself, but I believe it could be useful for some people in dealing with psychological issues. Every patient is different, so not all therapies will have the same effect on everyone and therefore I think it's essential to find the "right one" for the right patient. Bibliotherapy could be one of those. That being said, Norway is slower than a turtle when it comes to new approaches and therapies, but whether it's bibliotherapy, baking/cooking as therapy or other types of therapy, I think there is a need for it.

Omtale; I hodet, i hagen, med hagle av Runar Holiløkk-Tjelta

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I fjor høst fikk jeg tilsendt et leseeksemplar av romanen I hodet, i hagen, med hagle av Runar Holiløkk-Tjelta fra forlaget. Jeg leste den kort tid etter og i dag kommer omtalen. Beskrivelse fra forlaget En feelgood-roman om selvmord, samlivsbrudd, pengeproblemer og farsrolle. Kjetil er en førtiårig firebarnsfar og tøffelhelt. Da han ble pappa prioriterte han bort venner og interesser, for å gå all inn i farsrollen. Nå, en hel del år og fire døtre senere, handler livet utelukkende om familie, jobb og oppussing. Helst vil Kjetil bare få være i fred og selv få velge hva han skal se på på TV. Plutselig vil kona skilles og ting begynner å gå sidelengs. Mine tanker om boka Det er en tidvis dyster roman, men den har allikevel en del humor. Boka belyser forskjellige tema, som for eksempel selvmord, på en fin måte. Forfatteren kan godt skrive flere bøker, med tanke på skrivestilen hans.

Review; The Honourable Assassins by Geoffrey Davison

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Last year I recieved a press copy of the novel The Honourable Assassins by Geoffrey Davison through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads A heart-pounding wartime thriller! Perfect for fans of Len Deighton, John Le Carre, Tom Clancy and Ian Fleming. The time has come to defeat the deadly Nazi regime from within… Berlin, 1944 Kurt von Lister has served with the German army since the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. But the Nazi regime has never sat easily with him. After being wounded on the Eastern Front, Lister is transferred to a staff appointment in Berlin. He is removed from the front-line horrors of war, but his conscience remains troubled. So, when a group of insurgents approach him with a top-secret plot to assassinate the Fuhrer, Lister knows he is ready to lay his life on the line for the cause… But with the German officials already suspicious that a traitor is in their midst, Lister knows that every

Top Ten Tuesday; Book Covers With Flowers

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It's a new Tuesday, which means it's time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . It was a book cover freebie this week, so I decided writing a top ten list of book covers with flowers. My picks are; Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Tropical Fish: Tales from Entebbe by Doreen Baingana All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque Where Song Replaces Silence by Layla Dorine Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein Mischling by Affinity Konar A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner With Gratitude by Marala Scott This is the Journey by Alison Malee WITCHDOCTORPOET by Bola Juju

6 bøker om jøder under andre verdenskrig som bør leses

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I dag er det den internasjonale holocaust dagen, satt på dagen da dødsleiren Auschwitz-Birkenau ble frigjort under andre verdenskrig. I år er det i tillegg 75 år siden det skjedde. I forbindelse med dette, ville jeg lage en liste over bøker om jøder under andre verdenskrig som burde leses. Her er i hvert fall lista; Anne Franks dagbok av Anne Frank Mens gettoen brant av Alina Margolis-Edelman Øverst på nazistenes liste av Arne Vestbø Hitler, min nabo av Edgar Feuchtwanger 26. november - Fire fortellinger fra det norske Holocaust av Mikael Holmberg Den største forbrytelsen av Marte Michelet

Review; Alaskan Catch by Sue Pethick

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the novel Alaskan Catch by Sue Pethick through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads A dream job it's not. But for Emily Prentice, working as a seafood inspector in Ketchikan, Alaska, takes her one step closer to becoming a marine biologist. And it'll give her a first taste of independence from her overprotective mom and the doctor boyfriend she's pushing into Emily's arms. Emily's certainly not looking for romance . . . until a huge dog knocks her down and sends her flying into fish goo. It's love at first sight for Emily and Bear, whose handsome owner, Sam, becomes flummoxed when the fallen worker in the hard hat turns out to be a pretty young woman. Emily and Bear begin a beautiful relationship, with Sam in tow. And before long the attraction between the humans becomes undeniable. But separation and a dangerous undertaking soon leave Emil

Review; This Is the Journey by Alison Malee

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(This post contains an affiliate link.) A while go I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the poetry collection  This Is the Journey by Alison Malee through Netgalley. I've now read it and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads This Is The Journey is a stillness. A clean slate. A step back. An open window. The counterpart to The Day Is Ready For You, This Is The Journey is a collection of poetry and prose to help bridge the space between wanting, waiting, and possibility. My Thoughts on the Book It's a wonderful poetry collection, touching upon multiple topics. As usual, it was some poems I enjoyed more than others, but that's more of a personal preference rather than about quality.

Book Tag Saturday; The "Behind the Blogger" Book Tag

I came across the "Behind the Blogger" book tag which was originally made by  Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx . I thought it looked like a cool tag to do, so I decided to play along. The Rules Thank the person who nominated you Answer all the questions down below Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx Nominate 5+ bloggers you’d like to know more about, to do this tag The Questions 1. Why did you start blogging & why have you kept blogging? Part of the reason I started book blogging was to keep track of my reading and have an outlet. I have kept blogging as it is fun and it allows me to connect with like-minded people. In addition, when I've done it since July 2012, I find it hard to quit. 2. What is your favorite type of blog post to write? How can I choose only one type? Some of my favourites types are tags and weekly features (such as Top Ten Tuesday). 3. What are your top 3 favorite blog posts? Top Ten Tuesday; Rainy Day Reads

Review; Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Restaurant critic Derek Schumaker, notorious for his bitter reviews, is about to visit Daisy's Tea Garden, and Daisy and Aunt Iris are simmering with anxiety. A bad word from the culinary curmudgeon could really hurt their business, but Daisy tries to stay confident. After all, how can he resist her cucumber sandwiches with pimento spread -- not to mention the cheesy cauliflower soup and strawberry walnut salad? Schumaker takes a to-go order when the afternoon tea service is done, which Daisy hopes is a good sign. But when he perishes from a seizure, it looks like his food was dosed with something deadly. Considering a threat that recently appeared on his blog -- and whispers of scandal in his past -- Daisy has quite an assortment of

Review; Cherry Scones & Broken Bones (A Very Cherry Mystery #2) by Darci Hannah

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Cherry Scones & Broken Bones (A Very Cherry Mystery #2) by Darci Hannah through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads At the Cherry Orchard Inn, "Cherry scones to die for" turns out to be all too true Tainted by a recent murder, the Cherry Orchard Inn is struggling to attract guests--until celebrated portrait painter Silvia Lumiere books a room for the summer. Whitney Bloom, the inn's new manager, can't believe her good luck. Between her scrumptious cherry scones and the painter's remarkable talent, the inn swiftly becomes the center of the Cherry Cove art scene. However, all is not the bowl of cherries it appears. There's a rotten core in the portrait painter that only Whitney and her friends can see. And just as Whitney's baking skills and patience are pushed to their limits, another death occu

Review; Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young

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Last year I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Life has always been sweet on Georgia's Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . . For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother's passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama's presence. But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man's been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcu

Review; The Occupation by Deborah Swift

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Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to recieve a press copy of The Occupation by Deborah Swift through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads A page-turning historical saga that will pull at your heartstrings! For fans of Freda Lightfoot, Pam Jenoff, Sebastian Faulks and Kate Atkinson. One woman’s secret war against the Nazis. One man’s war against himself… 1940, Jersey When Nazi forces occupy Jersey in the English Channel Islands, Céline Huber, who is married to a German, must decide where her loyalty lies. Love for her island, and fear for her Jewish friend Rachel, soon propel her into a dangerous double life. Meanwhile, Céline’s husband Fred is conscripted into the Wehrmacht in occupied France. Horrified by Nazi acts of atrocity and torture, he soon becomes a double agent for the French Resistance. But when things go wrong, and his Nazi masters discover his true allegiance, he finds he has the w

Review; Antiques Ravin' by Barbara Allan

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Last year I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC of Antiques Ravin' by Barbara Allan through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads The votes are in! Eccentric seventy-something Vivian Borne--elected county sheriff, to everyone's amazement but her own--springs into action. In her new role, the community playhouse diva appoints daughter Brandy reluctant deputy and makes their spunky shih tzu Sushi a K-9 unit of one. Soon the amateur-sleuths-turned-pro have a challenging case to solve as a series of creepy crimes plague an ill-fated Edgar Allan Poe festival, where a fiend is misguidedly dispensing Poe-etic justice. Small-town Antiqua, known for its quaint main street of antique shops, has set out to celebrate the gothic poet with food, fun, and rare memorabilia, only to have the Master of the Macabre's twisted tales come to deadly life. A purloined tome, a black cat, a musty mausoleum, and my

Review; Murder by the Sea (A By the Sea Mystery #3) by Kathleen Bridge

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Murder by the Sea (A By the Sea Mystery #3) by Kathleen Bridge through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads When a murderer crashes a masquerade ball, it's up to Liz to unmask the killer . . . It's been quite a year for novelist Liz Holt. She's overcome a lot and is finally feeling at peace with her new life at her family's hotel, the Indialantic by the Sea, on the beautiful barrier island of Melbourne Beach, Florida. She's exactly where she needs to be to ring in the New Year at the Florida Writes Literary Masquerade Ball. But when her ex-boyfriend surprises her at the ball, she can't disguise her anger, and the two engage in a very public argument. Naturally, after her ex is found dead on the hotel grounds, shot through the heart, Liz tops the suspect list. With the help of family and friends, she ne

Book Tag Saturday; Books and Cookies Tag

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I first came across the Books and Cookies Tag at  Paper Fury  and it was originally made by  Sorry, I am Booked . As it looked like a fun tag to do, I decided to play along. The rules; Pick a book that corresponds to the cookie’s ‘theme’ Have fun! Tag 1-3 people Now, over to the questions. Chocolate Chip: A Classic Book That You Love or Really Enjoyed (interpret classic how you want, it can be a classic written 100 years ago or 20 years ago) Dracula by Bram Stoker. I guess those who know me well enough isn't too surprised by the answer. Thin Mints: A Fandom That You Really Want to ‘Join’ AND/OR a Hyped-Up Book You Want To Read (your source(s) of a book being hyped can be from anywhere) In my case it would be ACOTAR, as I still haven't read it yet. Shortbread: An Author You Can’t Get Enough Of James Holland Samoas/ Caramel DeLites: An Emotional Rollercoaster (this cookie was hard … so any book that made you feel more than one emotion, str

Review; Strangled Eggs and Ham (Country Store Mysteries #6) by Maddie Day

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Last year I recieved an ARC of the cosy mystery novel Strangled Eggs and Ham (Country Store Mysteries #6) by Maddie Day through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Robbie Jordan’s rustic country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry customers—and murder! While Robbie scrambles through breakfast orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate developer Fiona Closs plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the

Review; Buried in the Stacks (The Haunted Library Mysteries #3) by Allison Brook

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Buried in the Stacks (The Haunted Library Mysteries #3) by Allison Brook through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Librarian Carrie Singleton is building a haven, but one of her neighbors is misbehavin'. Can resident spirit Evelyn help Carrie catch the culprit who made her a ghost? In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities. As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her—and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library'

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge; Books I Can't Wait to Read in 2020

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It's Wednesday again and time for a new Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge, courtesy of  Long and Short Reviews . The theme of the week was books I can't wait to read in 2020. Although I've blogged about similar topics recently, there's a bunch of books I would love to read this year. Here is a few of them; The Body in the Snow by Nick Louth Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand by Bob Schron The Occupation by Deborah Swift A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon

Top Five Tuesday; Top Five Books I Need To Read This Year

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It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Five Tuesday post, courtesy of  Bionic Book Worm . The theme of the week was top five books I need to read this year. As I recently stopped by the library to borrow a few books, I figured out I could list those as a few of them fit into my World Literature Project. King of Kings by Wilbur Smith At the Bottom of the River by Jamaica Kincaid Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza The Accusation by Bandi Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa

Review; The Vine Witch (Vine Witch #1) by Luanne G. Smith

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the fantasy novel The Vine Witch (Vine Witch #1) by Luanne G. Smith through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France. For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger. Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, a

Review; Magic Diary by Pat LaMarche

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A while ago I recieved an ARC of the YA novel Magic Diary by Pat LaMarche through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't posted my review until now. Description from Goodreads Magic Diary is funny, frightening, and fantastic. The unique structure of this novel delivers sensitive insight into the life and death struggles of a critically ill child and her family. When a charming 14-year-old former cancer patient relapses, she pours her heart into the journal her high school English teacher gives her. Encouraged to share her thoughts with the diary, Genevieve is promised magical results. Her teacher pledges “If you write what you’re thinking, time will pass more quickly.” Knowing how slowly time can pass in the hospital, Genevieve does as she is told. Like most 21st century cancer patients, Genevieve has to face her fears while she struggles to get better. Genevieve worries how her illness effects those she loves. She strives to relate what she learns in schoo

Book Tag; My Life in Books Tag

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I came across the My Life in Books Tag over at  Feed The Crime  blog and I decided to play along as it looked like a fun tag. Find a book for each of your initials: K: Kartography by Kamila Shamsie F: Faceless by Amma Darko J: Jennifer Government by Max Barry Count your age along your bookshelf: what book is it? The Help by Kathryn Stockett Pick a book set in your city/country I Will Miss You Tomorrow by Heine Bakkeid, a Norwegian author. Pick a book that represents a destination you want to travel I would love to travel to India, so I could mention The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama. Pick a book that’s your favourite colour I love both red and black, so I think this edition of Animal Farm by George Orwell would be suitable. Which book do you have the fondest memories of? Probably HP & The Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling, as I recieved it as a Christmas gift way before the hype in Norway.