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The Blurb On The Back:

A financial expert explores the transformational power of the fourth age of humanity.

We are in the midst of a revolution of humanity. The impact of the digital revolution, creating the fourth age of humanity, is that we are all connected one-to-one in real time for the first time in history. Digital Humanoffers a much-needed exploration of how the digital age is affecting human and business relationships and offers guidance that shows how companies of all sizes can adapt to become forward-thinking digital businesses.

Digital Human explores the implications of the digitalisation for humanity, trade, commerce and our future. The mobile network is achieving the goal of eroding boundaries and inclusion of everyone. This digitalisation of our planet is bringing about a major transformation. Everyone on the planet will soon be included in the network and everyone on the planet will get the change to talk, trade and transact with everyone else in real time.

This book offers insight into a number of intriguing topics that stem from the digitalisation of humanity such as how bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are challenging government and control mechanisms and why the Chinese tech giants are more imaginative than their Western counterparts.

Chris Skinner also explores the rise of the most fundamental innovations in emerging markets and examines the challenge to govern a globalised world when we live in nation states. In addition, Skinner includes the first-ever in-depth English-language case study of Ant Financial and Alipay; the mobile wallet that aims to be used by over two billion humans.

Digital Human explains why the fourth revolution of humanity will include everyone, no matter where they live or how they live.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Chris Skinner is a financial markets commentator and former advisor to the White House and the World Bank. In this book he makes some interesting arguments about the future of technology and there’s an interesting case study of Ant Financial and Alipay but he simply down’t want to consider the dangers of the tech he evangelises here, which was a big negative for me - especially when he uses examples from China, where it is part of state control.

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

The Blurb On The Back:

The fourth in Julia Quinn’s bestselling and beloved Bridgerton novels, now a series created by Shondaland for Netflix. Welcome to Colin and Penelope’s story …

Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London …

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for … well, it feels like for ever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret … and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, Colin must decide … is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The fourth in Julia Quinn’s bestselling BRIDGERTON SERIES is an entertaining Georgian romance where most of my interest came in seeing where the story and characters differ from the Netflix series. It utilises the trope of friends to lovers and although some of the writing isn’t technically great (everyone feels the need to use each other’s name all the time), there’s some sharp dialogue and fun lines such that I’d read the rest of the series.

The Blurb On The Back:

Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party.

This morning Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body.

Rachel’s friends throw a traditional Caribbean Nine Night celebration to help guide her soul to the next world. But Wesley, Margot and Josephine don’t have time to mourn Rachel. They are determined to find out what has happened - and what secrets Rachel was keeping …

A brilliantly sharp and funny whodunnit that will keep you guessing till the end, from the queen of twisting murder mysteries.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sharna Jackson’s mystery sequel for readers aged 9+ is an emotionally sophisticated affair that deals with grief, regret and betrayal in a way that the target readership can relate to. The 9 night structure gives the Copseys plenty of scope to dig into the suspects, including Wesley’s mum which lends tension and the mystery itself is more about Rachel herself than her death. All in all it’s a solid read and I’d check out Jackson’s other books.

THE NINE NIGHT MYSTERY was released in the United Kingdom on 6th June 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Lilian Maeve Veronica Savage, international sex kitten, was born on the steps of The Legs of Man public house, Lime Street, Liverpool on a policeman’s overcoat. Her mother, the lady wrestler Hell Cat Savage, had no such luxuries as gas and air. She just bit down on the policeman’s torch and recovered afterwards at the bar with a large pale ale …

Paul O’Grady shot to fame via his brilliant comic creation, the blonde bombshell Lily Savage. In the first two parts of his bestselling and critically acclaimed autobiography, Paul took us through his childhood in Birkenhead to his first, teetering steps on stage. Now, in Still Standing, for the first time, he brings us the no-holds-barred true story of Lily and the rocky road to stardom …

Paul pulls no punches in this tale of bar-room brawls, drunken escapades and liaisons dangereuses. And that’s just backstage at the Panto … Along the way, we stop off at some extremely dodgy pubs and clubs, and meet a collection of exotic characters who made the world a louder, brighter and more hilarious place. From the chaos of the Toxteth riots and the Vauxhall Tavern Raid, to the mystery of who shot Skippy and the great chip-pan fire of Victoria Mansions, Paul emerges shaken but not stirred.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Paul O’Grady was a comedian, actor, TV presenter, chat show host and British national treasure. The third in his autobiographical quartet charts the 1980s as he hones Lily Savage in Northern clubs (dragging Vera with him), overseas and London’s gay clubs and searches for love in all the wrong places. But tragedy isn’t far away as HIV starts to bite and O’Grady suffers more loss closer to home that even his sharp wit struggles to see the humour in.

The Blurb On The Back:

Pen in one hand,
On my wrist,
A ticking clock
I’ve got to make this work,
Just need
A little luck …

When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move from East London to East Anglia.

In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggled to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper.

But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers and opportunity he never considered before. Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry - and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s YA novel effectively uses its verse narrative to tell a compelling story of a boy who learns how to tap into his creativity to express himself. However I don’t think that the Malachi storyline had the intended impact and nor did Ronny’s friendship with the extroverted Leigh. That said, the use of language is great and Ronny’s guilt over Maz holds true. I’d definitely check out the author’s other work on the basis of this.

WILD EAST was released in the United Kingdom on 23rd May 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

One night, Jeremiah plants a packet of tiny sunflower seeds and makes a wish …

The next morning, a magical array of vines and leaves has burst through the ceiling of his apartment! When Jeremiah and his brother chase the plant up through the floors of their tower-block home, will they discover something even more magical along the way?

A glorious and uplifting story about the power of nature and community.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lanisha Butterfield and Hoan Giang’s picture book is a luscious celebration of life, nature and community. The colours are vibrant and the illustrations packed with character and a sense of place and I liked the fact that there is also a subtle sense of grief in the background as Theo and Jeremiah are dealing with the death of their father. All in all it’s an entertaining read that shows the importance of neighbourhood and connection.

FLOWER BLOCK was released in the United Kingdom on 6th June 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Come to the circus.
Scream at the monster.

Beaked. Feathered. Monstrous. Avita Fortuna was born to be a star. Her show sells out nightly and every performance incites blood-curdling screams. But when a handsome young artist arrives to create posters of the performers, she’s appalled by his portrayal of her.

Avita is much more than razor-sharp teeth and ruffled feathers - and she’ll risk everything to prove it.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

I feared that Lindsay Eagar’s standalone YA historical novel was going to be bogged down with an obligatory romance element but it’s actually a much more compelling coming of age tale with a melodrama vibe. Avita is a compelling main character whose crush on Tomás makes her chafe against the public perception of her but it’s the family dynamics that held my attention as each member of the family has a reckoning with the brilliant but flawed Arturo.

THE FAMILY FORTUNA was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd May 2024. Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

For years, the king and queen have longed for a child. At last their wish is granted, in the form of a little wooden robot and an enchanted log princess. There’s just one catch: every night, the princess turns back into a log.

When the princess is mistaken for an ordinary log, her brother sets out to save her - and their adventure begins.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Tom Gauld’s picture book is one that’s destined to be a future classic. Charming, intelligent, full of wit, whimsy and warmth there’s plenty of jokes in there for both young and older readers (in my view, probably better for youngsters aged 5+). There’s plenty of potential here for a sequel, which I would definitely want to check out.

The Blurb On The Back:

What is a ‘custard’ wind? - Why is a rainy wedding lucky? - What’s the difference between ‘daggle’ and ‘dibble’ weather? - Does sunshine make us kinder? - Why were weather reports once banned?

The British obsession with the weather is world famous. We talk about it endlessly - five whole months of our lives, to be precise. We use it to start conversations with complete strangers. It affects our moods, shopping habits and even how we vote.

This book is packed with information you’ll want to share about this most important subject - quirky history, surprising facts, fascinating folklore, strange words and intriguing people.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Alex Johnson is a journalist, magazine editor, designer and author. This is a lovely book about the British national obsession - the weather - that mixes folklore, local dialects, psychology, economics and, of course, the weather itself. There are loads of facts and nuggets grouped around different types of weather and, yes, there are 100 words for rain as well. It’s a perfect read to enjoy in your garden on a warm sunny day with a cold drink.

100 WORDS FOR RAIN was released in the United Kingdom on 11th April 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

I heard this crazy story, and I want you to know.

It is the age of internet gossip; of social networks, repackaged ideas and rating everything out of five stars. Mega-famous celebrities respond with fury to critics who publish less-than-raptuous reviews of their work (and then delete their tweets); CEOs talk about reclaiming reclaiming ‘the power of vulnerability’; and in the world of fiction, writers eschew actually making things up in favour of ‘always just talking about themselves’.

In this blistering, addictive and very funny first book of non-fiction, Lauren Oyler - one of the most trenchant, influential and revelatory critics of her generation - takes on the bizarre particularities of our present moment in a series of interconnected essays about literature, the attention economy, gossip, the role of criticism and her own relentless, teeth-grinding anxiety.

Illuminating and thought-provoking by turns drily scathing and disarmingly open, No Judgement excavates the layers of psychology and meaning in how we communicate, tell stories and make critical judgements - to offer dazzling insights into how we live and think today.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lauren Oyler is a novellist, essayist and cultural critic. This collection of 6 interconnected essays about gossip, cultural criticism, vulnerability, ‘auto-fiction’, living in Berlin, and mental illness makes some interesting points at times but too many of the essays left me wondering what the point was while I didn’t see the purported humour and the constant mentions of her Ivy League education made her too try-hard for my tastes.

NO JUDGEMENT: ON BEING CRITICAL was released in the United Kingdom on 7th March 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Birkenhead, 1973. The eighteen-year-old Paul O’Grady get ready for a big Saturday night out on the town. New white t-shirt, freshly ironed heads, looking good. As he bids farewell to his mum, who’s on the phone to his auntie, and wanders off down the street in a cloud of aftershave, he hears the familiar cry” ‘Oh, the devil rights out tonight, Annie. The devil rides out!’

The further adventures of Paul O’Grady - following on from the million-copy-selling At My Mother’s Knee - are, if anything, even more hilarious and outrageous than what has come before. As Paul struggles to get to grips with unexpected fatherhood and bereavement, he searches high and low for a job that lasts and somehow finds himself getting married in the process. Work takes him from an abattoir to a children’s home, from a hospital to a nightclub, and from penthouse to pavement. Along the way, he takes his first Savage steps on stage, tastes the exotic delights of Manila and invades Plans …

To say that The Devil Rides Out is action-packed is an understatement. Its extraordinary cast of characters includes lords and ladies, the legendary Vera, a serial killer, more prostitutes than you can shake a stick at and drag queens of every shape and size. Wickedly funny, often moving, and searingly honest, Paul’s tales of the unexpected will make your jaw drop and your hair stand on end. And you’ll laugh like a drain.

The Devil Rides Out - one hell of a read!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Paul O’Grady was a comedian, actor, TV presenter, chat show host and British national treasure. The second in his autobiographical quartet charts 1973 to 1980 as he deals with his father’s death, becomes a father, bounces between jobs, marries a lesbian, struggles to find a partner, travels internationally and starts to develop Lily Savage within the London drag scene. Told with O’Grady’s biting wit, it’s sad, thoughtful, horrifying and honest.

The Blurb On The Back:

If the fate of the multiverse was in your hands, what would YOU do?

Eleven-year-old Danny is Apprentice Caretaker of a super-secret Interdimensional Lost Property Office. It’s not an easy job, but luckily Danny has best friend Modge and cousin Inaaya to help him out!

But then a very special star is stolen from the vaults. If Danny doesn’t get it back, the whole universe is in danger. Buckle up and get ready for a rocket ride across the cosmos and an adventure like no other!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The second in Lorraine Gregory’s INTERDIMENSIONAL EXPLORERS humorous SF series for readers aged 9+ is an entertaining, fast-paced, action-packed read with lively illustrations by Jo Lindley. I emphasised with Danny’s insecurities as to his friendship with Modge and Inaaya and his worry about losing them as they grow apart. The plot has plenty of twists and turns and there’s a wider series suggestion that someone at Centralus is a secret baddie.

INTERDIMENSIONAL EXPLORERS - ALIEN APOCALYPSE was released in the United Kingdom on 14th March 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

On a frozen sea, where the snow falls fast,
And the whirlwinds rage and storm,
A rockhopper egg, in a stony nest,
Was lying safe and warm.

Dad watched and waited, waited, watched.
The night grew inky black.
Then he fell into a sleep so deep,
He didn’t hear the … CRACK!

Daddy Penguin finds himself adrift in an unfamiliar world, and he must get back to his egg!

From train to helicopter, hot-air balloon to limousine, Penguin hitches lifts with kindly folk - but will he be home in time?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Anna Kemp and Alice Courtley’s warm and charming picture book, told in rhyming verse, is an epic and sweet tale of how kind other people can be and all the different types of transport there are. I very much enjoyed Courtley’s colourful illustrations, which have lots of lovely little details (my favourite being the headphone on a flamingo helicopter pilot and the teddy bear that Daddy Penguin carries with him).

PENGUIN’S EGG was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd May 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Discover …

100 inspiring and extraordinary jobs

Why not become a cat behaviourist?

Or a rollercoaster engineer?

How about a coral reef gardener?

Find out what’s involved in these incredible careers and meet the real people who followed their dreams and are doing these jobs today.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Katherine Mengardon is an education expert on neurodiversity, play and creativity and the author of several non-fiction books. This useful book for readers aged 9+ suggests 100 jobs grouped around whether they are interested in: animals, art, maths, the environment, music, gadgets, performance, sports, fashion and writing. I enjoyed the interviews with some people who do these jobs but would have liked more information on education requirements.

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS was released in the United Kingdom on 28th March 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

An ambitious oral history charting the epic highs and crashing lows of the UK’s most creative and hedonistic period: the nineties, told in the words of its architects.

Remember when …

Blue and Oasis battled to be Top of the Pops?

You raved the night away in a baggy T-shirt and dungarees?

Football was coming home?

New Labour won a landslide victory and things could only get better?

We really, really, really wanted to be Baby, Scary, Posh, Ginger or Sporty?

You rushed home from the pub to watch TFI Friday?

‘Girls and Boys’ embraced Girl Power and Lad Culture?

The Young British Artists were household names?

Whichever aspect of the nineties you feel nostalgic for, there is something in this book for you?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Daniel Rachel is a musician turned critically acclaimed author. On balance this account of the 1990s ‘Cool Britannia’ phenomenon is worth a read as Rachel has secured interviews with some key figures (including Tony Blair, Noel Gallagher, Jarvis Cocker, Tracey Emin and Melanie Chisholm) if only to get their view on what happened and what it meant but there are notable omissions (e.g. Justine Frischmann) and nothing on Black British contributions.

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

The Blurb On The Back:

When Harold Humdinger turns Cap’n Turbot’s Lighthouse into a space rocket, he doesn’t realise the captain is trapped inside!

Join the Mighty Pups as they use their superpowers to hep with a Charged Up rescue!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This board book for younger readers is a bit of a disappointment as both the story and the language comes across as too sophisticated for the board book form while the illustrations are computer generated and somewhat soulless. If you have a young Paw Patrol fan then they will enjoy seeing the pups using their powers, but otherwise I don’t think it’s worth their time

PAW PATROL - MIGHTY PUPS was released in the United Kingdom on 25th April 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Inspiring poems to connect with nature

This collection of 50 poems will spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Daniel Thompson is a poet, storyteller, filmmaker and musician. This collection of 50 poems for readers aged 7+ (beautifully illustrated by Julia Murray) themed around nature all show Thomson’s enthusiasm for the subject, with several poems working well. However the majority use rhymes that are overly strained and threw out the rhythm and I thought it was a shame that other forms of poetry weren’t used to show young readers the variety of forms.

OUTSIDE IN: NATURE POEMS was released in the United Kingdom on 11th April 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

All hail the Girl King

Sisters Lu and Min have always understood their places as princesses of the Empire. Lu knows she is destined to become the dynasty’s first female ruler, while Min is resigned to a life in her shadow. Then their father declares their male cousinSet the heir instead - a betrayal that sends the sisters down two very different paths.

Determined to reclaim her birthright, Lu goes on the run. She’ll need an army to win back the throne.

Alone in a volatile court, Min’s hidden power awakens - a forbidden, deadly magic that could secure Set’s reign … or allow Min to claim the throne herself.

The battle for the Empire has begun.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Mimi Yu’s debut YA fantasy (the first in a duology) draws on Asian history and mythology to create an interesting world with various factions, each with their own objectives and methods. However while I enjoyed the aesthetics, the story itself of sibling rivalry and power hungry antagonists is all a bit underbaked with Min in particular being underdeveloped despite being a viewpoint character and the inevitable YA love triangle left me bored.

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

The Blurb On The Back:

In this first volume of his multi-million-selling autobiography, Paul O’Grady tells the story of his early life in Birkenhead that started him on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a brilliantly evoked, hilarious and often moving tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors.

At My Mother’s Knee features an unforgettable cast of rogues, rascals, lovers, fighters, saints and sinners - and one iconic bus conductress. It’s a book which really does have something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all’s said and done, there’s a bit of savage in all of us …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Paul O’Grady was a comedian, actor, TV presenter, chat show host and British national treasure. Warm, hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking this is the first in his autobiography quartet, charting his life in Birkenhead from birth to his late teens and his relationship with his working class, Catholic parents and aunts. This 2018 reprint featured a new introduction by O’Grady where he says he’s softened some of the depictions of his family.

The Blurb On The Back:

Dive into Puplantis!

Get ready to dive into a deep-sea rescue with the AQUA PUPS!

When Mayor Humdinger steals from the magical underwater city of Puplantis, it’s up to the PAW Patrol and their Mer-pup friend Coral to save the day.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This picture book (adapted by Matt Huntley from the episode ‘Aqua Pups Save A Merdinger’ by Jeffrey Duteil) has a lot of action but is very much for hardcore Paw Patrol fans as it assumes you know who the characters are and what the set-up is. There were times when I was confused as to who was who and the action is also a little confusing at times but if your young reader is a fan of the cartoon then it should pose them no problems.

PAW PATROL - DIVE INTO PUPLANTIS was released in the United Kingdom on 4th January 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

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January 2026

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Page Summary

Digital Human: The Fourth Revolution Of Humanity Includes Everyone by Chris Skinner
Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
The Nine Night Mystery by Sharna Jackson
Still Standing: The Savage Years by Paul O’Grady
Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang
The Family Fortuna by Lindsay Eagar
The Little Wooden Robot And The Log Princess by Tom Gauld
100 Words For Rain by Alex Johnson
No Judgement: On Being Critical by Lauren Oyler
The Devil Rides Out by Paul O’Grady
Interdimensional Explorers – Alien Apocalypse by Lorraine Gregory
Penguin’s Egg by Anna Kemp and Alice Courtley
Follow Your Dreams by Katherine Mengardon
Don’t Look Back In Anger by Daniel Rachel
Paw Patrol – Mighty Pups
Outside In Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson
The Girl King by Mimi Yu
At My Mother’s Knee And Other Low Joints by Paul O’Grady
Paw Patrol – Dive Into Puplantis by Matt Huntley

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I Read, Therefore I Blog

A Book Review Blog Belonging to Caroline Hooton

Recent Entries

Digital Human: The Fourth Revolution Of Humanity Includes Everyone by Chris Skinner

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

The Nine Night Mystery by Sharna Jackson

Still Standing: The Savage Years by Paul O’Grady

Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang

The Family Fortuna by Lindsay Eagar

The Little Wooden Robot And The Log Princess by Tom Gauld

100 Words For Rain by Alex Johnson

No Judgement: On Being Critical by Lauren Oyler

The Devil Rides Out by Paul O’Grady

Interdimensional Explorers – Alien Apocalypse by Lorraine Gregory

Penguin’s Egg by Anna Kemp and Alice Courtley

Follow Your Dreams by Katherine Mengardon

Don’t Look Back In Anger by Daniel Rachel

Paw Patrol – Mighty Pups

Outside In Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson

The Girl King by Mimi Yu

At My Mother’s Knee And Other Low Joints by Paul O’Grady

Paw Patrol – Dive Into Puplantis by Matt Huntley