Cleo by Helen Brown

As a cat lover I knew I would like this book before I even started it as I love reading about any animals, especially cats.
Having two cats myself I could relate to a lot of Cleo's antics and despite making me cry it was a good read.


It took a little while for me to get used to the style of writing, but I soon got into the story and the characters.  However I did find that the writer seemed to hop between talking about the cat and then suddenly she'd be back on the family again which was quite distracting.  I also would have liked more photos inside the book of lovely little Cleo and the family.


This book has been dubbed the next Marley & Me which I wouldn't agree with, but I do think that anyone who loves cats would enjoy this book.

Title: Cleo
Author: Helen Brown

Trafficked by Sophie Hayes

This book tells Sophie's awful story of being forced into prostitution against her will.  I felt she explained herself really well; I can understand how easy it was for such a thing to happen, how she felt so trapped she couldn't escape and I can really understand how it can happen to anyone.


As well as being a shocking read, this book is also really informative and sheds light on a world normally hidden from public view.


Sadly I didn't feel there was a happy ending to this story, but it was good to read and only took me a few days to get through as I couldn't put it down.


Visit The Sophie Hayes Foundation Website for more information and support on trafficking.

Title: Trafficked
Author: Sophie Hayes

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I felt this book took a little bit to get going, but after a few chapters I began to really enjoy it, and couldn't put it down as I got towards the end.


I love the style of writing used in Millie and Abileen's chapters; you could really hear their voices whilst you read.


It was also very interesting to learn a little about society at the time and the class/race divide.


Definitely worth a read.
Another book-turned-into-a-film to add to my to-watch list!

Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett

This Charming Man

This is the third Marian Keyes book I've read and as much as I love Marian Keyes (really, I do) this one just wasn't as good as the others I've read.  I felt it took a long time to get going, and with 884 pages, it certainly wasn't a quick read.  But I really liked the way each of the characters told their own story in their own style.


As always the amazing Ms Keyes mixes humour with some quite dark topics and so despite the story being slow to start once it kicked in you just had to find out what happened to all the characters and 'This Charming Man'.

Title: This Charming Man
Author: Marian Keyes

My social reading experience

So here's me thinking that reading a book was a very anti-social activity - given that I used to do most of my reading sat in bed - but ever since I've started this blog, and my 2012 Challenge of reading 35 books in a year I've never had so many conversations about reading.  From sharing recommendations of good books, and swapping books, to people asking about my challenge progress. 

I've realised there are people working for the same organisation as myself who have published books, and people who share my love of reading on Twitter.  I've found myself checking my weekly 02 priority offers to see which books are half price that week and then running out to buy them, and spending ages and ages scanning the bookshelves of Charity shops, not to mention that I've found that the local Library sells it's old books for 10p (10p!!).  My bookshelf has literally never been so full.

I love the Goodreads website for checking out book recommendations, keeping track of what I've read, and of course what I've added to my 'to read' list.  Book Crossing is a website with a brilliant idea of encouraging people to leave their used books in public places for someone else to pick up and enjoy, I can't wait to set my first one free and track it's progress through the reading world.  My favourite magazine 'Company' has even started a #ReaditandTweet feature to share recommendations on books written by women.

Apparently there's quite a few of us book worms out there, and I'm enjoying every minute of my social reading experience!

Find me on Twitter (#flutterbybooks), Book Crossing and Goodreads