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Portobello Book Blog by Joanne - Books & Literature
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#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Victoria Gemmell #author of YA thriller Young Blood | @VikkiGemmell | #YAfiction #scottishfiction – Portobello Book Blog
Joining me today and answering my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about her latest YA thriller is author Victoria Gemmell. Young Blood was officially launched in August and you'll find details of how to get your copy further down the page. Tell me THREE things about your latest book Young Blood is a story about young people…
#6Degrees of Separation for September 2024: from After Story by Larissa Behrendt to When I First Held You by Anstey Harris – Portobello Book Blog
This month's starting book is After Story by Larissa Behrendt. Once again I haven't read it but it made me think about a book I read for my book group last year, The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde by Eve Chase. Both these books are about a child who has gone missing. Keeping with the word…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Cecilia Peartree, #author of The Great Calamity | @ceciliapeartree – Portobello Book Blog
I'm very pleased to welcome local author Cecelia Peartree to the blog today. She is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about her latest book The Great Calamity which is available now. Buying links further down the page. Tell me THREE things about your latest book It is set in an alternate version of later 19th…
The Echoes of Us by Emma Steele | #bookreview | @EmmaSteele85 @MtLeopardPress @HeadlinePG – Portobello Book Blog
I've been desperate to read The Echoes of Us since I went to the book launch back at the beginning of June! Finally, I have fitted it into my reading list and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Let's find out what the book is about before I share my thoughts. About the Book Robbie and Jenn…
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers | @TessaBickers @HodderBooks | #TheBookSwap #bookreview – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to share my review for The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers today. This is a book I absolutely loved! I'd like to thank the author for sending a copy of the book for review and Alainna at Hodder for the invitation to take part in the book tour. The Book Swap will be…
WWW Wednesday 4th September 2024: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? My Kindle read just now is Frankie by Graham Norton and I'm really enjoying that. I've just borrowed Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid through the Libby app and am about to start that one. I'm also reading The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly by Emma Grae. It's a short children's book…
Top Ten Tuesday 3rd September 2024: Books Involving Food | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Books Involving Food This week's theme (suggested by Cathy @WhatCathyReadNext and Hopewell’s Public Library of Life) is books involving food which aren't cookbooks. I have chosen books with titles including places where you could get fed, mostly cafés. I could easily have had them all with café in the title as many…
That Night in New York by Laura Wilkinson | #publicationday #bookreview | @scorpioscribble @legend_times_ @serendipity_fic – Portobello Book Blog
It's publication day today for Laura Wilkinson's new novel That Night in New York. It's published today in Serendipity Fiction, a digital romantic fiction imprint of Legend Times. I'd like to thank Olivia at Legend for sending me a digital copy for review. This is the story of Steph and Harry who meet on a…
Did I manage to complete my 20 Books Of Summer 2024 Reading Challenge?#20booksofsummer24 – Portobello Book Blog
The 20 Books of Summer Reading challenge is run by Cathy at 746 Books. This year it took place between Saturday 1st June and Sunday 1st September 2024. I decided to take part again in an effort to make me read some of my own books and not be distracted by all the shiny new releases!…
September 2024 to-be-read pile | #amreading #bookrecommendations #tbr – Portobello Book Blog
After a very busy time in August with the Fringe Festival, the Edinburgh book festival, one daughter getting the keys for her first house and the other passing her driving test, I'm hoping that September will be a quieter month with more time to read. Let's have a look at the books I'm hoping to…
How did I get on with the August 2024 to-be-read pile? | #amreading #bookrecommendations #tbr – Portobello Book Blog
Time to have a look at how I got on with my August reading pile. Click the titles to read my reviews. The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan Family Portrait by Victoria Connelly 19 the Musical Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page All About…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Poppet Portraits #author of HEAD – A Ben Lorloch Mystery Thriller – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be joined by a local author today who is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about her book HEAD which features Ben Lorloch. It's available in paperback and for e-readers and you'll find buying links further down the page. Tell me THREE things about your latest book HEAD is about disappointing relationships with…
All About Evie by Matson Taylor | #bookreview #20BooksOfSummer | @matson_taylor_ @ScribnerBooks – Portobello Book Blog
I absolutely loved The Miseducation of Evie Epworth which I chose as one of my favourite reads of 2021. I was so pleased to win a copy of the follow-up, All About Evie, in a giveaway run by Louise of Bookmarks and Stages blog almost a year ago! It's one of these books that's been…
WWW Wednesday 28th August 2024: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I've just started The Echoes of Us by Emma Steele which I've been desperate to read since I went to the launch event back in June. It's only 99p this month in a Kindle deal if you fancy it. I'm very nearly finished the audiobook of There's Been a Little…
Top Ten Tuesday 27th August: Posts I’ve Written That Give You the Best Glimpse of Me | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Posts I’ve Written That Give You the Best Glimpse of Me This is an interesting topic this week. I've trawled back through my blog posts and come up with ten that I think tell you a bit about me! I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's and seeing what they have chosen!…
Edinburgh International Book Festival event: Shared Stories with Jackie Kay and Adjoa Andoh @edbookfest – Portobello Book Blog
Yesterday was the last day of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and I had one more event to attend. This was the Shared Stories event with Jackie Kay and Adjoa Andoh, two women I have a lot of respect for. I have been a fan of Jackie Kay's writing for years and have heard her…
The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page | #bookreview | @SallyPageBooks @HarperCollinsUK – Portobello Book Blog
The Secrets of Flowers is the third novel from Sally Page and having loved both her previous books, I was eager to read this book too. Isn't that cover so pretty? I'm grateful to the published Harper Collins for my digital review copy through Netgalley. The Secrets of Flowers will be published this coming Thursday…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Vicki Rebecca #author of Naked Truth: Diary of a Glamour Model – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to be joined by author Vicki Rebecca today who is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about her memoir Naked Truth: Diary of a Glamour Model. Grab yourself a cuppa and settle down to read as this is a very honest and detailed piece from Vicki. My book is authentic and bold Right at…
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson | #JacksonBrodie #bookreview | @DoubledayBooks @PenguinUKBooks – Portobello Book Blog
I absolutely love Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books so I was really pleased to hear that the detective was having another outing and what a great read it was. Let's find out the full book details. About the Book Welcome to Rook Hall.The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer…
Bucket List by Russell Jones | #bookreview | @RussJonesWrites @polygonbooks – Portobello Book Blog
If you look closely at the skyline on the cover of Bucket List, you might just spot a few familiar Edinburgh landmarks. So when author Russell Jones asked me if I'd like to read a copy of his new novel, I jumped at the chance to read a book set in my home city. Let's…
First Line Friday: 23rd August 2024 – All About Evie by Matson Taylor | #FirstLineFriday @matson_taylor_ @ScribnerBooks – Portobello Book Blog
I absolutely loved The Miseducation of Evie Epworth which I chose for one of my favourite reads of 2021. I was so pleased to win a copy of the follow-up, All About Evie, in a giveaway run by Louise of Bookmarks and Stages blog almost a year ago! It's one of these books that's been…
Coming soon to @EdWomensFicFest: Rebecca Ryan #author of The Philosophy of Love | #bookreview | @writebecswrite @TeamBATC @SimonSchusterUK – Portobello Book Blog
I’m delighted that another author whose books I enjoy will be coming to the Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival at the end of September this year! Rebecca Ryan will be taking part in the Happy Ever Afters panel along with Heidi Swain and Sharon Gosling. This event will be chaired by the fabulous Sara-Jade Virtue from…
WWW Wednesday 21st August 2024: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm reading The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page which is due out on 29th August. I'm really enjoying this story which blends together flowers, history and loss and has a strand about the Titanic woven through the book too. I'm listening to There's Been a Little Incident by Alice…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Barbara Josselsohn #author of The Forgotten Italian Restaurant | @bookouture @BarbaraJoss – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to be joined by author Barbara Josselsohn today who is answering the #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about her latest novel The Forgotten Italian Restaurant. The book is published today by Bookouture so congratulations Barbara. I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating. Over to Barbara to find out more about the book. Tell me…
Top Ten Tuesday 20th August: Relationship Freebie – Daughters | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Relationship Freebie This week's topic is a relationship freebie. I have tweaked it a little and have chosen ten books I have read with daughter (or daughters or daughter-in-law) in the title. There is apparently a National Daughters' Day although it seems it can be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in September,…
Edinburgh International Book Festival events: Tracy Chevalier, Harriet Constable and Kate Atkinson | @edbookfest – Portobello Book Blog
I've been at another couple of fantastic events at the Edinburgh International book festival and am sharing a little about each event with you today. On Monday I was at an event entitled The Floating City with Tracy Chevalier and Harriet Constable, chaired by Lennie Goodings. Tracy Chevalier's 11th novel The Glassmaker and Harriet Constable's…
The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan | #historicalfiction #romanticfiction #bookreview | @KarenSwan1 @PanMacmillan – Portobello Book Blog
The Stolen Hours is the second book in Karen Swan’s Wild Isle series, which began with The Last Summer. Although it's the second book in the series, it's not strictly a sequel as it's set at the same time as the first book. There are four books planned in this series, each focussing on the life of…
Things you can hear #bookstack #bookchallenge – Portobello Book Blog
It's a while since I've done a book stack so I had a look at my bookshelves for inspiration and came up with books with titles including things you can hear. Some are more tenuous than others I grant you! Here's what I found: The Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp Every Time a…
Close Knit by Jenny Colgan | #audiobook #bookreview | @hodderbooks @hodderfiction – Portobello Book Blog
Close Knit sees Jenny Colgan return to the Scottish island archipelago we visited in The Summer Skies. In that book, Morag was the main character, a pilot who rediscovered her love for flying. In this book, Morag is still one of the main players but we also meet Gertie who is about as opposite from…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions with Glen Dahlgren #author of The Realm of Gods (The Chronicles of Chaos book 3) | @GlenDahlgren – Portobello Book Blog
Joining me today to answer my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions about his latest fantasy novel The Realm of Gods is author Glen Dahlgren. He also explains a bit about the series as a whole. And don't miss your chance to download and read a free short story, The Dice of Chaos. Details further down the page.…
Edinburgh International Book Festival events: Marian Keyes, Rebecca F Kuang, Caroline O’Donoghue, Sentimental Garbage podcast | @edbookfest – Portobello Book Blog
Yesterday evening I attended three brilliants events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and I'm going to give you a brief flavour of them today. First up was the inimitable Marian Keyes, a queen of the romcom world in my opinion. I have loved her books since I first read Rachel's Holiday goodness knows how…
Frank & Red by Matt Coyne | #paperback #bookreview | @MattCoyney @WildfireBks – Portobello Book Blog
It's paperback publication day for Frank & Red by Matt Coyne and I just had to share my review again. As you'll see, I said that I thought I had found a contender for my book of the year and I stand by that. I had an audiobook copy of this, which I mention below,…
Liz Lochhead and Olga Wojtas at the Edinburgh International Book Festival | @edbookfest – Portobello Book Blog
Yesterday I attended two events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in its new home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, just off the Meadows. The building is the former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with the book festival having taken over several rooms for events. There is a Speigeltent in the grounds, a fabulous bookshop tent…
WWW Wednesday 14th August 2024: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm about 60% of the way through Death at the Sign of The Rook, the sixth Jackson Brodie book by Kate Atkinson. I've not had much time to sit and really get stuck into it this week so I'm finding I keep losing track of who all the characters are.…
Coming soon to @EdWomensFicFest: Amita Murray #author of Unladylike Rules of Attraction | #historicalfiction #regencyromance #bookreview | @amitamurray @HarperFiction – Portobello Book Blog
Interest in regency romance has seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to the popularity of the Netflix adaptation of the first three Bridgerton books. Of course for fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and many more, Regency romance has never really gone away! So I was really pleased to see that a Regency…
Book feature: Mike’s Station and news of an open day at Blair Atholl Village Hall | @FoBAstation – Portobello Book Blog
Blair Atholl Station Anyone who knows me will know that one of my favourite places to holiday in Scotland is beautiful Perthshire and that I have a particular fondness for Pitlochry. There's a fabulous second hand bookshop in Pitlochry in the old waiting room of the train station that I always visit when I'm up…
Top Ten Tuesday 13th August 2024: Planes, Trains and Automobiles | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Planes, Trains and Automobiles This week's topic of planes, trains & automobiles or books featuring travel was suggested by Cathy @What Cathy Read Next. I had good fun thinking about what books to choose for this one! Cars The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan Driving Home…
#ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions: The Reincarnation of Marie by Jim Woodman – Portobello Book Blog
I was contacted recently by Henry Woodman who wanted to tell me about a book written by his late father, Jim, which Henry has recently had published. I'm pleased to be able to share the answers Henry has provided to my #ThreeTwoOne quick-fire questions. Tell me THREE things about the book It’s a paranormal romance…
Family Portrait by Victoria Connelly | #bookreview | @VictoriaDarcy – Portobello Book Blog
I'd like to start by thanking the author Victoria Connelly for gifting me a digital copy of her new novel, Family Portrait. It's a cleverly titled book as it's not only a close look at the artistic Bellwood family but an actual portrait of the family plays a significant role. I need to be very…
You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlane | #bookreview #romanticfiction | @harperfiction @fictionpubteam – Portobello Book Blog
I was doubly keen to read this book as Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors and it's a sequel to Who's That Girl? from way back in 2016. I confess I didn't remember all the details of that book but there was enough in You Belong With Me to refresh my memory. I…