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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.

The Blurb On The Back:

It’s time for dinner!

Discover delicious foods of every shape with The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This board book, made with the Eric Carle estate, is a colourful introduction to shapes and different types of food for very young readers. It’s solidly put together but I must confess that I did not understand why there is a hole in the middle of each page (I later learned it’s for the Caterpillar to crawl through) and one of the shapes (a squiggly line) isn’t what I would immediately think of as a shape.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR EATS DINNER 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:

Stitch-by-Stitch

A beginner’s guide to needlecraft.

Stitch-by-Stitch focuses on crochet, patchwork, appliqué, embroidery, knitting, and needlepoint. It teaches the basic techniques, then shows you how to turn them into beautiful projects.

From felt flowers to a knitted scarf set, this book will get you designing, creating, and having fun!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Jane Bull is an experienced writer of crafting and activity books for children. This introductory book to embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, knitting and crochet is aimed at readers aged 7+ and is easy to follow with clear photographs and patterns to use. I came away feeling more confident with basic stitches and adult care-givers who are also looking to pick up these skills can do them alongside younger readers.

STITCH-BY-STICH was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd November 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Let the games begin.

Every inhabitant in the Quadrant knows about The Pinnacle, a reality TV contest set on a remote planet with a five million cash prize. For three desperate entrants, winning would mean the world.

Right girl BEX can finally leave her broken family behind.

For politician’s son ZANE, it’s his only opportunity to save his mother.

And it’s outcast RAYA’S last chance at a better life.

But as the competition starts, the contestants are quick to discover that this year’s game has unscripted and DEADLY consequences.

And the only thing they’re truly competing for, is SURVIVAL.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Wendy Cross’s debut YA SF crime novel mixes AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie with SURVIVOR but while the pacing is fast, it cannot make up for very thin characterisation (including of the 3 POV characters), equally thin world building (with Cross heavily dependent on mentioning an aspect of this universe when she needs to explain a twist) and some heavily foreshadowed twists so that as a result the novel just didn’t work for me.

THEN THERE WAS ONE was released in the United Kingdom on 1st February 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

When Jake’s stomach growls, it’s the Voice that answers.

Don’t eat that garbage!
You already ate an apple today!
You didn’t exercise enough!

But listening to the Voice isn’t good for Jake. His mom knows, his grandma knows and the staff at Whispering Pines, where Jake has been sent to heal, all know too. If Jake is going to lead the life he wants - the one he deserves - he must learn to silence the Voice and find his own.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

John Schu’s YA novel told in verse form is an incredibly moving book based on his own experiences of having an eating disorder. I felt desperately sympathetic to the vulnerable Jake whose relationship with his grandmother is clearly very important to him but more could have been made of his relationship with his parents, which is much too lightly sketched and should have been explored given his mum’s anxiety issues seem to feed into Jake’s.

LOUDER THAN HUNGER was released in the United Kingdom on 4th April 2024. Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Arwel is having a fine day.

Yes, there’s a cloud above his head.

Yes, it’s growing.

But he is FINE, really he is …

But the cloud GROWS, LOOMS, and gets in his way, until Arwel has to admit that there’s a Storm-Cat outside - and it’s waiting for him!

After a spectacular storm comes the comforting calm, as Arwel learns that you CAN’T change your weather, but you CAN change what you make of it.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Magenta Fox’s self-illustrated picture book is beautifully drawn. Arwel, his grandmother, Tuft and the Storm-Cat are filled with character and great details that keep you absorbed and looking for more. However, I think that the overarching theme - that it’s okay for you to be overwhelmed by your emotions and best to let them out and acknowledge them - to be a little too sophisticated for the target audience and consequently didn’t work for me.

STORM-CAT 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:

While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition toward virtual interactions, many commercial organisations still struggle to reap the full benefits of virtual sales.

The Virtual Sales Handbook delivers a thorough and insightful analysis of how sales professionals and business executives can make a successful shift toward a virtual customer engagement model. With a hands-on, concrete, and practical approach, the book shows you how to acquire the skillset needed to effectively engage customers virtually for commercial impact.

Step-by-step, readers learn to overcome the key barriers associated with virtual customer interactions, build trust and engagement, prepare for a virtual sales meeting, create compelling virtual presentations, lead the transformation toward a hybrid customer engagement model, and much more.

Perfect for sales reps, commercial managers and executives, The Virtual Sales Handbook will also earn a place in the libraries of anyone on the commercial frontlines seeking a one-stop resource to improve their ability to virtually engage customers and drive current and future revenue streams.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Mante Kvedare and Christian Milner Nymand work at Implement Consulting Group where developing commercial and go-to-market strategies and designing and supporting sales transformation programmes respectively. Written at the end of the pandemic, this useful book anticipates the shift towards hybrid sales and offers techniques and advice for better on-line engagement and while there’s some common sense stuff here, there are also some helpful tips.

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

The Blurb On The Back:

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to find your creative style and build your brand but didn’t know who to ask, full-time artist Aurélia Durand’s got you covered!

Inside, discover Aurélia’s path from art school student to internationally recognised artist, inspired by questions she is regularly asked, Aurélia shares how she did it, the lessons she and her artist friends have learned along the way, and how you an start your creative journey.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Aurélia Durand is an illustrator and artist. She draws on her own career in this book for readers aged 12+ to provide guidance on how to start and sustain a creative career, including looking at how to get inspiration and how to build a brand. Although Durand’s autobiographical sections are too bland and lacking in detail to be useful, she is strong on branding and self-promotion and I liked how she focused on the business part of creativity.

YOU ARE AN ARTIST was released in the United Kingdom on 18th January 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Welcome to Dread Wood High. It’s a scream …

Club Loser are celebrating Colette’s 13th birthday. Pizza, go-karting, escape room … it’s going to be the best night EVER!

But nothing ever quite goes to plan. The supposedly fake zombies are out for blood. Two sinister figures lurk in the shadows. And, worst of all, there are creatures on the loose. And, worst of all, there are creatures on the loose. Vicious, poisonous creatures straight from your nightmares!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 5th in Jennifer Killick’s comedy horror series for readers aged 9+ is another entertaining adventure that mixes out-loud laughs with some genuinely frightening moments. The friendship between the Club Loser members works really well and the budding romance between Angelo and Colette quite sweet. My one criticism is that although the horror elements are seriously chilling, the escape room formula is a little too formulaic and predictable.

DREAD WOOD - FRIGHT BITE was released in the United Kingdom on 18th January 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

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Page Summary

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
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Dinner
Stitch By Stitch by Jane Bull
Then There Was One by Wendy Cross
Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
Storm-Cat by Magenta Fox
The Virtual Sales Handbook by Mante Kvedare and Christian Milner Nymand
You Are An Artist by Aurélia Durand
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I Read, Therefore I Blog

A Book Review Blog Belonging to Caroline Hooton

Recent Entries

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

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Dinner

Stitch By Stitch by Jane Bull

Then There Was One by Wendy Cross

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

Storm-Cat by Magenta Fox

The Virtual Sales Handbook by Mante Kvedare and Christian Milner Nymand

You Are An Artist by Aurélia Durand

(no subject)