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The Blurb On The Back:

Meet Duggee. He runs the Squirrel Club!

Duggee is telling the Squirrels all about their first days at Squirrel Club. Roly was very quiet, Happy was scared of water and Tag wasn’t so good at listening. But Duggee had an idea!

Join Duggee and the Squirrels in this adorable tale and collect your First Day Badge!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This entertaining picture book has been adapted by Rebecca Gerlings from 5 episodes of the kids’ cartoon HEY DUGGEE! (originally written by James Walsh) sets out how the 5 very different Squirrels handled their first days and how Duggee and the other Squirrels tried to make it easier for them. It’s all very charming and although I’m not familiar with the TV cartoon, I can see why it’s so popular with pre-schoolers.

HEY DUGGEE - FIRST DAY AT SQUIRREL CLUB was released in the United Kingdom on 27th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Sick and tired of school show-offs?

Mean girls ruining your day?

A mysterious illness sweeping your town … ?

Being the world’s only arty ‘sort-of-superhero’ is never boring. I’ve got a lot on my plate: as well as making comics with my best friend, Beeks, and attempting to avoid the MEAN girls, I’m also trying to work out why EVERYONE seems to be getting sick. Maybe some artistic inspiration from Botticelli will help me get to the bottom of the mystery …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Olaf Falafel’s self-illustrated funny novel sequel for readers aged 8+ is a genuinely hilarious affair that combines Trixie’s love of art with her desire to get revenge on those who have wronged her. I particularly enjoyed the mini fact files on artists and how Trixie incorporates them in her pranks while her cynicism is very entertaining. I hadn’t read the first book but will rectify that mistake and I hope there is more in this series.

TRIXIE PICKLE ART AVENGER - TOXIC TAKEDOWN was released in the United Kingdom on 4th May 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Meet Indi.

She’s new to Manchester with approximately zero friends. Unless you count Gary, who, unfortunately, is a gecko.

If Indi’s going to find some real mates - and maybe even a boyfriend - she’s going to have to FAKE IT.

How else is she going to survive her first job in a chippy, which is anything but glam vibes? And how on earth will she attract school crush, Johnny Hotpants, while smelling like a haddock in a hairnet?

Will Indi get her first kiss? Will she accept her mum’s new boyfriend (yuck)? And will she EVER learn that just being yourself is the most important thing of all?

A HILARIOUS new teen diary series about trying to be cool when you just want to eat chicken nuggets and chat to your pet lizard.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lauren Layfield’s debut funny coming-of-age novel for readers aged 11+ has some amusing moments (notably Indi’s imagined conversations with Gary the lizard) but I found Indi to be both a very unsympathetic character and also written in such a way that I didn’t believe in her lack of emotional depth or self-awareness. Indi does grow in the final quarter of the book when she is called out on bad behaviour, but for me it was too little, too late.

INDI RAYE IS TOTALLY FAKING IT was released in the United Kingdom on 31st August 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

In a refugee camp in southern Turkey, Elliot Ackerman sits across the table from Abu Hassar, who fought for Al Qaeda in Iraq and whose connections to the Islamic State are murky. At first, Ackerman pretends to have been a journalist during the Iraq War, but after he establishes a rapport with Abu Hassar, he reveals that in fact he was a Marine. Ackerman then draws the shape of the Euphrates River on a large piece of paper, and his one-time adversary joins him, filling in the map with the names and dates of where they saw fighting during the war. They discover they had shadowed each other for some time, a realisation that brings them to a strange kind of intimacy.

Elliot Ackerman’s extraordinary memoir explores how he came to this refugee camp and what he hoped to find there. Moving between his recent experiences on the ground as a journalist in Syria and his Marine deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, he creates a work of astonishing atmospheric pressure.

At once an intensely personal book about the terrible lure of combat and a brilliant meditation on the meaning of the past two decades of strife for America, the region and the world, Places and Names bids to take its place among our great books about modern war.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Elliot Ackerman is a novelist, journalist and former Marine who received the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valour and Purple Heart during tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a sparsely written, thoughtful meditation on the US wars in the Middle East and his place in them and his meetings with Abu Hassar (an Al Qaeda fighter) are poignant but his reticence to go deep into the conflict make it a little frustrating at times.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

In January 2314, Rowena Savalas - a curator of the vast archive of the twenty-first century’s primitive internet - stumbles upon a story posted in the summer of 2024. She’s quickly drawn into the mystery of the text: is it autobiography, fantasy or fraud? What’s the significance of the recurring number 381?

In the story, the protagonist Fairly walks the Horned Road - a quest undertaken by youngsters in her village when they come of age. She is followed by the “breathing man”, a looming presence, dogging her heels every step of the way. Everything she was taught about her world is overturned.

Following Fairly’s quest, Rowena comes to question her own choices, and a predictable life of curation becomes one of exploration, adventure and love. As both women’s stories draw to a close, she realise it doesn’t matter whether the story is true or not: as with the quest itself, it’s the journey that matters.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Aliya Whiteley’s standalone SF novel is a technically clever piece of writing (each section of Fairly’s story is exactly 381 words) but its literary nature is one you either absolutely love or really don’t dig. Sadly, I was in the latter camp as there isn’t enough characterisation of Rowena or Fairly for me to engage with while the coming of age theme is under-developed and Fairly’s story so thin that I couldn’t understand Rowena’s fascination.

THREE EIGHT ONE will be released in the USA on 16th January and in the United Kingdom on 18th January 2024. Thanks to Rebellion Publishing for the review copy of this book.

1. Fake Law: The Truth About Justice In An Age Of Lies by The Secret Barrister.

2. Winterland by Alan Glynn.

3. Speak Out, Leonard! By Jessie James and Tamara Angeón.

4. Ella And The Waves by Britta Teckentrup.

5. Be More Harry by Satu Hämeenaho-Fox.

6. Secrets So Deep by Ginny Myers Sain.

7. Be Confident Be You by Becky Goddard-Hill.

8. Scrublands by Chris Hammer.

9. Cash Is Queen by Davinia Tomlinson.

10. Rainbow Magic: Kat The Jungle Fairy by Daisy Meadows.

11. Beast Quest - Ossiron The Fleshless Killer by Adam Blade.

12. Beast Quest – Styx The Lurking Terror by Adam Blade.

13. Sea Keepers: The Missing Manatee by Coral Ripley.

14. The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Fairy by Bella Swift.

15. I Am Enough by Sheridan Stewart.

16. Blue Badger And The Beautiful Berry by Huw Lewis and Ben Sanders.

17. Reinventing Capitalism In The Age Of Data by Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Thomas Ramge.

18. The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell.

19. Crookhaven - The School For Thieves by J. J. Arcanjo.

20. Rainbow Magic – Hope The Welcome Fairy by Daisy Meadows.

21. Two Places To Call Home by Phil Earle.

22. A Little Book Of The Orchestra – The Clarinet by Mary Auld and Elisa Paganelli.

23. Project Logic – Prove It: How To Think Rationally by Katie Dicker.

24. A Little Book Of The Orchestra – The Violin by Mary Auld and Elisa Paganelli.

25. Beware The Blue Bagoo by Karl Newson and Andrea Stegmaier.

26. The Swifts by Beth Lincoln.

27. Don’t Wake Mum by Eden Wells & Sharon Davey.

28. Wilder by Penny Chrimes.

29. Dread Wood Fear Ground by Jennifer Killick.

30. Dread Wood – Flock Horror by Jennifer Killick.

31. Connected Women by Kate Hodges.

32. Momo Arashima Steals The Sword Of The Wind by Misa Sugiura.

33. The Sad Ghost Club 3 – Find Your Kindred Spirits by Lize Meddings.

34. The Dinosaur That Pooped Easter by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter.

35. The Stickleback Catchers by Lisette Auton.

36. To The Other Side by Erika Meza.

37. Peter’s First Easter by The World of Peter Rabbit.

38. Stand Up by Nikesh Shukla.

39. The Truth Detective: How To Make Sense Of A World That Doesn’t Add Up by Tim Harford.

40. Superpoop Needs A Number Two by Sam Harper and Chris Jevons.

41. The Shattered Lands by Brenna Nation.

42. Jamie by L. D. Lapinski.

43. Wilder Than The Sea by Serena Molloy.

44. Why Do People Fight Wars? by Ali Brownlie and Alex Woolf.

45. The Kids’ Guide - Dealing With Death by Liz Gogerly.

46. The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan.

47. A Dark Inheritance by H. F. Askwith.

48. The Lizzie And Belle Mysteries – Drama And Danger by J. T. Williams.

49. The Kids’ Guide - Anti-Bullying by Louise Spilsbury.

50. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries – Portraits And Poison by J. T. Williams.

51. Beano Dennis & Gnasher – Little Menace’s Great Escape by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling.

52. Mr Men Little Miss The New King by Roger Hargreaves.

53. Myriad by Joshua David Bellin.

54. Mr Men Little Miss Sharing by Roger Hargreaves.

55. Mr Men Little Miss Be Yourself by Roger Hargreaves.

56. Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam and Nabila Adani.

57. Captain Looroll by Matt Carr.

58. Throwback by Maurene Goo.

59. Rudy And The Secret Sleepskater by Paul Westmoreland.

60. The Artist by Ed Vere.

61. Rainbow Magic – Sara The Party Games Fairy by Daisy Meadows.

62. Ten Minutes To Bed Little Library by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton.

63. Breasts: An Owner’s Guide by Philippa Kaye.

64. Flames Of Mira by Clay Harmon.

65. God Save Texas: A Journey Into The Future Of America by Lawrence Wright.

66. Simply Artificial Intelligence.

67. Horrible Histories – The Worst In The World by Terry Deary.

68. I Am You Are by Ashley Harris Whaley.

69. Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland.

70. How To Be A Boy And Do It Your Own Way by Dr Ranj.

71. The Rule Of Three by Sam Ripley.

72. Murder On A School Night by Kate Weston.

73. The Starlight Stables Gang by Esme Higgs and Jo Cotterill.

74. Standing By The Wall by Mick Herron.

75. The Inner Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.

76. The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu.

77. Castle Rock Mystery Crew by Vicky McClure and Kim Curran.

78. The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo.

79. Lads: A Guide To Respect And Consent by Alan Bissett.

80. A Fatal Crossing by Tom Hindle.

81. The First Move by Jenny Ireland.

82. Rebel Fire by Ann Sei Lin.

83. The Secret Hours by Mick Herron.

84. The Murder Game by Tom Hindle.

85. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman.

86. Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan.

87. The Leadership House by Patrick Flesner.

88. The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal.

89. The Art Of Being A Brilliant Teenager by Dr Andy Cope and Amy Bradley.

90. Where Are You Really From? by Adam Rutherford and E. L. Norry.

91. The Launch Party by Lauren Forry.

92. Reporter: A Memoir by Seymour Hersh.

93. Lily Grim And The City Of Undone by Andy Ruffell.

94. Diary Of A Pint-Sized Farmer by Sally Urwin.

95. Clarity Jones And The Magical Detective Agency by Chris Smith.

96. Unequal Planet by Anna Claybourne.

97. The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos and Melita Tirado.

98. I Love The Seasons – Summer by Lizzie Scott and Stephanie Fizer Coleman.

99. Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam.

100. My Name Is Sunshine Simpson by G. M. Linton.

101. In The Ends by Alex Wheatle.

If you fancy buying any of these books based on my reviews, then you can do so through Amazon UK, Waterstone's, or Bookshop.org UK. Please note that I earn commission on any purchases made via these links.

The Blurb On The Back:

Welcome to Crongton where your loyalties and wits will be tested …

Jonah’s the fastest sprinter in the ends. But that won’t help his dad find a new job, or stop his parents arguing over how to pay their never-ending bills.

Getting kidnapped by Manjaro, the most notorious warlord in South Crong, wasn’t the obvious solution to all his problems. But Manjaro likes games. And his latest one comes with a map and the promise of a big bag of cash at the end. Cash Jonah’s family could really use …

Jonah and his friends are up for the quest, but will the map lead them to treasure, or into more trouble instead?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 5th in Alex Wheatle’s YA CRONGTON SEQUENCE is a pacy affair whose portrayal of life on a council estate gives a feel of community and the ambition of its adolescents without downplaying the issues with living there. Wheatle’s got a great ear for dialogue (although I fear that it may date it more quickly than it deserves) and the rapport between Jonah and his friends rings very true such that I need to read the other books in this series.

IN THE ENDS was released in the United Kingdom on 17th August 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Meet … Sunshine Simpson

Sunshine’s larger-than-life Grandad is always telling her to get out and find her own adventures, but unfortunately BAD LUCK has a habit of coming her way.

Her new friend Evie is fast becoming a FRENEMY, her home haircut is a DISASTER, and the school showcase is so STRESSFUL! Everything seems to be going wrong! Especially with Granddad getting older every week.

Sunshine needs to find her voice, but can she break through the clouds to stand tall, stand proud and show the world she can SHINE?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

G. M. Linton’s debut novel for readers aged 9+ (illustrated by Fuuji Takashi and Emily Bornoff and the first in a series) is a sensitively written book about learning who you are and what’s important to you while also dealing with the difficult topic of illness, death and grief. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on Sunshine’s Jamaican heritage and her and her family’s pride in their identity and I look forward to reading more of her adventures.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Storm has never liked to stand out from the crowd. But ever since she started Year 7, her life has been full of people telling her she needs to speak up, make friends and be more like her popular big brother.

Then Storm breaks a school record, and finds herself the new star of the athletics team. But as she’s thrust into the spotlight, her home life and friendships start spiralling out of control, and it’s time for Quiet Storm to show that she has something to say.

A tender, empowering novel about family, friendship and finding confidence in who you are.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Kimberly Whittam’s debut novel for readers aged 10+ is a well observed novel about shyness, anxiety and standing up for yourself. I think that anyone who is quiet or introverted will find it very easy to relate to Storm and her worries and the way Whittam draws the relationships between Storm, Zarrish and Melissa and Storm and her brother is very believable. All in all this is a very strong debut and I look forward to reading Whittam’s next book

QUIET STORM was released in the United Kingdom on 8th June 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

I Love The Seasons - Summer

What do you love about summer? Do you enjoy the long days and playing outside? Perhaps you like summer foods like ice creams?

In this series explore the many different things to love about the seasons and find to how they affect plants and animals. With beautiful illustrations and simple text, the books give younger readers a great introduction to what happens during the seasons.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lizzie Scott is a writer and editor of non-fiction books for children who particularly loves plants, animals and the environment. Stephanie Fizer Coleman is an experienced children’s book illustrator who loves illustrating birds. This is a beautifully put-together book (part of a series) for readers aged 5+ that explores different aspects of summer and invites readers to think about what summer means to them and what they like about it.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Everyone has pronouns.
We need them to communicate!
Some pronouns you use every day, others may be less familiar.

So what do you do when you meet someone new? It’s simple, just ask: “What are your pronouns?”

Let’s celebrate our different identities and help make the world a more welcoming place for everyone.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Chris Ayala-Kronos is an experienced children’s book editor and writer. Melita Tirado is a experienced illustrator. This is a well-intentioned but ultimately mis-firing picture book that’s aimed at introducing young readers to the use of pronouns but while Tirado’s illustrations are vibrant and diverse, the text itself is trying to do too much and risks confusing with a giant information dump at the end that has no context or explanation.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Unequal Planet

If everyone on Earth was equal, we would all have the same standards of living, opportunities, wealth, health and other factors that make our lives different. But this isn’t the case, the world is not an equal place and many people experience great inequality in their lives.

UNEQUAL PLANET looks at the reasons behind global inequality - from where people are born, to their income, to the impacts of climate change, and suggests some positive, practical solutions to this complex and challenging issue. It also explores what we can all do to help make the world a more equal and better place.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Anna Claybourne is an experienced writer of non-fiction for children. This is a solidly written book for readers aged 9+ that’s part of a series about issues related to the planet and explains what inequality is and how it can come about. Claybourne breaks down complicated ideas in an unpatronising way, but while it generally gets the balance right there are times when it’s a little over-simplified and too broad.

UNEQUAL PLANET was released in the United Kingdom on 10th August 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

”Never eliminate the impossible.”

When Mutt gets a job as an apprentice at the leading detective agency in the realm of Rillia, he’s not expecting to work with ex-princesses, snow gnoblins, and the most notorious assassin of the White Hand Clan.

And he’s definitely not expecting to be thrown in the deep end on the agency’s toughest and most dangerous job yet - the Mysterious Case of the Vanishing Jester …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Chris Smith’s humorous fantasy mystery for readers aged 9+ nods to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett and features warm, comic-style illustrations by Kenneth Anderson. Although the culprit is easy to guess, the wry, knowing narrative voice and the way Smith weaves the various plot lines and incorporates backstory and information through segments entitled a Traveller’s Guide to Rillia is very entertaining so I would definitely read a sequel to this.

CLARITY JONES AND THE MAGICAL DETECTIVE AGENCY was released in the United Kingdom on 25th May 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Sally Urwin and her husband Steve own High House Farm in Northumberland, which they share with two kids, Mavis the sheepdog, one very fat pony and many, many sheep.

From lambing to harvest, in driving snow and on hot summer days, Sally reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, eccentric animals and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like on the other side of the fence.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sally Urwin is a 4’ 10” former corporate marketer who became a farmer’s wife when she married Steve a sheep farmer based in Northumberland) and started writing a blog recounting her experiences. This entertaining book that reinforces how difficult farming is both physically and emotionally (made worse by the perilous economics within the industry) is based on some of Urwin’s blog entries and tracks a year of living on the farm.

The Blurb On The Back:

Lily Grim’s life is a mystery.

She’s lived with her guardian, Gabriel, in the city of Undone for as long as she can remember. It’s a dark and dangerous place, especially if you’re an Other like they are.

When the cruel Master of the city suddenly captures Gabriel, Lily has to escape. She’s hidden by an Other boy called Dekka, who knows that Lily is in grave danger. The Master seems to want her dead - but why?

Can Lily unravel the mystery of who she is?

And can the new friends rescue Gabriel before it’s too late?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Andy Ruffell’s debut fantasy novel for readers aged 9+ sensitively addresses the serious theme about how fear and hatred are used to turn people against each other. However the plot is predictable, the villain is under-developed with non-sensical motives, Lily’s super powers develop too quickly and feel unearned and Ruffell bottles a character death in a way that feels cheap. It’s not a bad book, but I wouldn’t rush to read a sequel.

LILY GRIM AND THE CITY OF UNDONE was released in the United Kingdom on 11th May 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author and prominent investigative journalist of our time, a heartfelt, hugely revealing memoir of a career breaking some of the most significant stories of the last half-century.

Seymour Hersh’s fearless reporting has earned him fame, front-page bylines in virtually every major newspaper in the English-speaking world, honours galore, and no small amount of controversy. In this memoir he describes what drove him and how, even when working for some of the US’s most prestigious publications, he worked as an independent outsider. Here, he tels the stories behind his own groundbreaking stories as he chases leads, cultivates sources, and grapples with the weight of what he uncovers, daring to challenge official narratives handed down from the powers that be. In telling these stories, Hersh divulges previously unreported information about some of his biggest scoops, including the My Lai massacre and the horror of Abu Grahib. This is essential reading on the power of the printed word at a time when good journalism is under fire as never before.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Seymour Hersh is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his work uncovering the My Lai massacre, the Watergate scandal and the Abu Ghraib war crimes. This memoir focuses on his career and how he broke his biggest stories but offers nothing personal, no analysis of changes in the profession or the ways anonymous sources can be used and misused. I think the book suffers for that, leaving it an okay factual read rather than an insightful one.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Hotel Artemis

Ten lucky people have won a place at the most exclusive launch event of the century: the grand opening of the Hotel Artemis, the first hotel on the moon. It’s an invitation to die for. As their transport departs for its return to Earth and the doors seal shut behind them, the guests take the next leap for mankind.

However, they soon discover that all is not as it seems. The champagne may be flowing, but there is no one to pour it. Room service is available, but there is no one to deliver it. Besides the ten of them, they are completely alone.

When one of the guests is found murdered, fear spreads through the group. But that death is only the beginning. Being three days’ journey from home and with no way to contact the outside, can any of the guests survive their stay?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lauren Forry’s standalone crime novel is one of those books where the journey is sufficiently fun and entertaining that it isn’t until you get to the end that you realise how thin the characters are and that there are plot holes. This is not to damn it with faint praise, Forry’s writing genuinely carried me along and there were enough red herrings to keep me turning the pages so despite the issues, I still look forward to reading her next book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Who do you think you are?

Have you ever thought about who you might be related to?

What if we told you that you were related to EXTRAORDINARY EMPERORS, GREAT KINGS and MAGNIFICENT QUEENS? Well, your majesty, you are. In fact, everyone is. And geneticist Adam Rutherford is here to tell you how.

Discover everything you need to know about human history, from EVOLUTION to the FIRST LIFE ON EARTH, from DINOSAURS to YOU. Along the way, you’ll find out just how far us humans have migrated, how we’re all related to a SUPER CHEESY MAN and why, despite us having different skin colours, living in different places or speaking different languages, we all come from the same place.

This is the epic story of where we come from, what race really is and why we’re all, ultimately, one human family.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Adam Rutherford is a geneticist, science writer and broadcaster. E. L. Norry is an experienced writer of fiction and non-fiction for children. This is a very readable guide to genetics for readers aged 9+that explains evolution, genes, race and tying it in with racism and racist myths. Adam Ming’s illustrations work perfectly with the text and I think the authors strike the right tone, getting over facts but with humour that keeps you engaged.

WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM? was released in the United Kingdom on 28th September 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Living your best life.

Dear reader. This blurb is different. Instead of going on and on (and on) about how amazing the book is, it’s a reminder of how amazing you are. But growing up can be a bit brutal so you sometimes forget!

Being your best self.

The simple truth is this: the very best version of you can deal with life’s challenges, setbacks, twists and turns. In a world where there’s a lot of talk about “living your best life” ad being your “best self”, The Art Of Being A Brilliant Teenager shows you how.

- Tap into your resilience, positivity and confidence
- Learn how to get out of your own way
- Create great habits that will last a lifetime
- Un-learn bad habits
- Calm your mind, reduce your anxiety, STEP UP
- Create a positive ripple effect

Welcome aboard. Expect the unexpected! Bring an open mind and a sense of humour. Oh, and maybe a pen.

ONE LIFE: OWN IT!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Dr Andy Cope is a professional trainer, teacher and author with a passion for motivation and positive psychology. Amy Bradley is an experienced illustrator of children’s and YA books. Brimming with positive messages, this is a useful guide for pre-teen readers on how to make the most of their teenage years and really encourages them to interact and make the most out of it (which the design of the book and illustrations facilitates).

THE ART OF BEING A BRILLIANT TEENAGER was released in the United Kingdom on 5th October 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Tesla Crane, a brilliant inventor, and an heiress, is on her honeymoon on an interplanetary space liner, cruising between the Moon and Mars. She’s travelling incognito and is revealing in her anonymity. Then someone is murdered and the festering chowderheads who run security have the audacity to arrest her spouse.

Armed with banter, martinis and her small service dog, Tesla is determined to solve the crime so that the newlyweds can get back to canoodling and keep the real killer from striking again.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Mary Robinette Kowal’s SF mystery is a delightful homage to Dashiell Hammet’s THE THIN MAN, featuring a great central couple and making astute observations about fame, privilege and wealth. Although the mystery is a little thin, the side characters (especially Fantine who I adored) and their interactions carry you along and I admired how Kowal looks at what it is to live with chronic pain and loved the way everyone falls in love with Gimlet.

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January 2026

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Page Summary

Hey Duggee – First Day At Squirrel Club adapted by Rebecca Gerlings
Trixie Pickle Art Avenger – Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel
Indi Raye Is Totally Faking It by Lauren Layfield
Places And Names: Dispatches Of War by Elliot Ackerman
Three Eight One by Aliya Whiteley
Master List Of Books 2023
In The Ends by Alex Wheatle
My Name Is Sunshine Simpson by G. M. Linton
Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam
I Love The Seasons – Summer by Lizzie Scott and Stephanie Fizer Coleman
The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos and Melita Tirado
Unequal Planet by Anna Claybourne
Clarity Jones And The Magical Detective Agency by Chris Smith
Diary Of A Pint-Sized Farmer by Sally Urwin
Lily Grim And The City Of Undone by Andy Ruffell
Reporter: A Memoir by Seymour Hersh
The Launch Party by Lauren Forry
Where Are You Really From? by Adam Rutherford and E. L. Norry
The Art Of Being A Brilliant Teenager by Dr Andy Cope and Amy Bradley
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal

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I Read, Therefore I Blog

A Book Review Blog Belonging to Caroline Hooton

Recent Entries

Hey Duggee – First Day At Squirrel Club adapted by Rebecca Gerlings

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger – Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel

Indi Raye Is Totally Faking It by Lauren Layfield

Places And Names: Dispatches Of War by Elliot Ackerman

Three Eight One by Aliya Whiteley

Master List Of Books 2023

In The Ends by Alex Wheatle

My Name Is Sunshine Simpson by G. M. Linton

Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam

I Love The Seasons – Summer by Lizzie Scott and Stephanie Fizer Coleman

The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos and Melita Tirado

Unequal Planet by Anna Claybourne

Clarity Jones And The Magical Detective Agency by Chris Smith

Diary Of A Pint-Sized Farmer by Sally Urwin

Lily Grim And The City Of Undone by Andy Ruffell

Reporter: A Memoir by Seymour Hersh

The Launch Party by Lauren Forry

Where Are You Really From? by Adam Rutherford and E. L. Norry

The Art Of Being A Brilliant Teenager by Dr Andy Cope and Amy Bradley

The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal