Reading, Reviews

Where is the awesome Fury lady? – A Dark and Hollow Star

Willow Gosh, Lauren and I have really fallen behind on our reading list, and I'm going to blame a run of sub-optimal book choices this year! We just haven't been as hooked by most choices, and have abandoned about three. The Hollow Star Saga by Ashley Shuttleworth is sort of one of them. Let me… Continue reading Where is the awesome Fury lady? – A Dark and Hollow Star

Reading, Reviews

A Headful of Skye (and a heart full of stardust kitties)

Oh hello there.  It’s been a while, but Willow and I are back on track with our book club, and currently enjoying the Dark and Hollow Star Saga. Full review coming soon… BUT FIRST!  Something pretty exciting happened in January. Willow. Became. A. Published. Author. So I had a very happy start to the year… Continue reading A Headful of Skye (and a heart full of stardust kitties)

Reading, Reviews

Some Grouch Called Ove and Evelyn Mindmelt

As far as book groups go, A Court of Books and Bullshit were very bad last year at 1) writing reviews after reading the book (or not reading the book) and 2) sticking within the time frame that the book must be read. But anyway, our reading "year" begins in spring, so we're not totally… Continue reading Some Grouch Called Ove and Evelyn Mindmelt

Reading, Reviews

Don’t Be Afraid To Admit Book Defeat

Our second choice for A Court of Books and Bullshit 2022 reading list has been looming over us for a long time. We put it off at first only because of life commitments, and then because we picked up other books to get us through the busy season at our separate reading paces. So, finally,… Continue reading Don’t Be Afraid To Admit Book Defeat

Reading, Reviews

Stars Above – stella review

Foreword: We actually read Stars Above by Marissa Meyer in April of 2022 and, despite our immediate debrief together, Willow waited for three months before Lauren wrote her blog review! We can forgive her since she was busy planning her July wedding; congratulations, by the way, it was great. It looks like our reading plan… Continue reading Stars Above – stella review

Reading

Thoughtful Book-nerd Gift

"I WISH I could listen to audiobooks on my very long commute to work," I lament to Lauren the night of her birthday. We're talking about the last book on our reading list - Winter by Marissa Meyer. Since I raved about the audio of Cress in our last review, Lauren got the finale on… Continue reading Thoughtful Book-nerd Gift

Reading, Reviews

Cress is apparently a type of lettuce

Look at the Dutch cover by Tara Spruit! Hi there, it's Willow kicking off today's book review. Not only did this once again send me reeling with glee the entire time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as an audiobook, too. Rebecca Soler ticks every one of my boxes - multiple voices, use of pitch and… Continue reading Cress is apparently a type of lettuce

Reading, Reviews

Cinderella – the cyborg mechanic in New Beijing

Introducing: MY FAVOURITE BOOK SERIES EVER. Willow here, and let me tell you how much I love the Lunar Chronicles: Not only is book one FANTASTIC, but so is the whole series. I mean, maybe I don't love book two, but for a whole series to be epic? That's rare. Re-reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer… Continue reading Cinderella – the cyborg mechanic in New Beijing

Reading, Reviews

The Eve Illusion – not the popcorn flavour you were expecting

So, it’s 3am and I’m lying in bed trying (and failing) to go to sleep. I know, I think, I’ll read The Eve Illusion for a bit. That’ll be a good bedtime story – cute romance with a chance of mild threat.   Fast-forward to 4am and I’m now lying in bed, further away from… Continue reading The Eve Illusion – not the popcorn flavour you were expecting

Reading, Reviews

Eve of Man – DON’T WORRY, LADS, SHE’S HOT

Look at that book cover. Mmm. Delightful. ❤ Tis Willow leading the review today. My mum actually chose this book for Lauren's birthday (hi Mum). I enjoyed this way more than expected. I'm not sure what made me nervous - probably just the premise "beautiful teen girl living in a world of literally only men"… Continue reading Eve of Man – DON’T WORRY, LADS, SHE’S HOT

Reading, Reviews

A Vow so Non-existent and Deadly Boring

Hello, Lauren here. OK. I'm going to try and be nice. You know when you have a wobbly table? Well, I’m sure A Vow so Bold and Deadly would be an excellent book to shove under the shorter leg. Highly useful book, this one, several extremely practical uses for it. Fire kindling, chip wrapping, bog...… Continue reading A Vow so Non-existent and Deadly Boring

Reading

The Goddess In The Machine & The Chapter In Binary

If you're here just because you want the binary chapter translation - skip to the SPOILER WARNING heading! From Lora Beth Johnson's instagram. Lauren here - seasoned member of the month-old Court of Books and Bullshit club, cousin of Willow and book-lover usually lacking the commitment to actually, well, read. Book one on our list… Continue reading The Goddess In The Machine & The Chapter In Binary

Reading

A Court of Books and Bullshit

The thought of someone else choosing books for me to read has always seemed horrifying. I’ve never joined a book club for this reason. There are so many books out there – I will never read all the ones I have chosen for myself, let alone what a group chooses. So, naturally, I’m starting a… Continue reading A Court of Books and Bullshit

The Blog, Writing

Sleep Paralysis: my real nightmare

My face goes slack, I feel my body sinking and locking and I try to shake myself. It happens lightning-quick, this loss of control. [...] HELP! I'm screaming, SHAKE ME! But I can't speak.