darlingbooksandblogs

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and sometimes against all odds, against all logic, we hope.

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more period dramas where clothing is accurately strange and unsexy to modern audiences and people do Unrelatable things. right now

also make more of them gay

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ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴘᴀꜱꜱᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ

[darlingbooksandblogs]

me, aged 12, reading about a 17 year old character: omg that's so mature.

me, aged 19, reading about a 17 year old character: that's a BABY.

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Illustrations by Nikita Busyak.

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England should rebuild the Crystal Palace

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A slightly redrawn and edited version of the Dream Library stack (version 3 if you’re counting).

Since I first drew this, my first wish has come true with the final Book of Dust novel coming out in a few months! Which would you most want if you could pick one?

Shop

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Nikolay Karamzin, from “A Message to Women”

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ray bradbury

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Caraval - Stephanie Garber

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caraval. The only time I have ever saved enough money to afford a full hardcover set of a series. And that is a decision based only on the first book, which never happens either. Have I read the rest of the series? No, not yet, I am waiting to receive my box set, but I am so so excited to get it.

This was one of those books that made me second-guess every prediction I made, every time I thought something was obviously a trick, it wasn’t. The plot was incredible, and the ending was absolutely beautiful. I loved every character, and admired how strong the writing was that I could hate a character with every fibre of my being.

Since I have aphantasia, the description was a lifesaver, being able to look at fan art that holds so much accuracy since the descriptions of the set, characters, and clothing are so vivid and clear. Also, the fan art was truly some of the most beautiful I have seen within the reading community, The Caraval wiki holds some jaw-dropping artworks, but someone I have to mention is ‘ElvenwoodDesign’ as their works are some of the most beautiful. The Caraval Fandom has to be one of the best I have had a look around, the artists seem to be very supportive of each other which is not seen as much as I would personally like.

Something else I want to touch on is the twist?! What an insane ending! I have to admit I am an absolute sucker for a solid plot twist, and this one was not one I was expecting. Both heartbreaking and warming at the same time, it is so hard to locate the right words to describe how I felt while reading the last few chapters. The only way to describe it is to spoil it, and for those of you who are looking for reccomendations rather than reviews, I do not want to spoil it. So please, do yourself a favour and read it, even if you only read the first book as I cannot speak on the rest of the series yet as even I haven’t read it. As soon as I have the series though I will be here, frantically typing and most likely raving once again at the beauty of Stephanie Garber's work.

- Darling x

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Will You Help Me? - Maggie Hartley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an incredible true story, provided by Foster Carer Maggie Hartley. This book reminded me why I am starting my career in child care and early years education, to help create a safe and caring environment for children to blossom and become their true selves.

Through this book, Hartley told the devastating life story of young Ralph, a child who had already been through so much at such a young age; “abuse, secrets and lies”. It was quite a hard read on the heart at a few points, but I guess that means you’re at least a good person in some aspects if you feel that way during reading, I suppose we all like that validation sometimes.

The writing style was incredibly easy to read and the word choice was simple and to the point, which was a nice break from some of the books I have been reading recently. Despite this, the love and care for the people being read about was still overwhelming, even when there wasn’t a ridiculous amount of overcompensating in word choice. This writing style choice was also a lovely way to tell Ralph's story, the focus was on him, and spreading awareness instead of writing a complicated, exaggerated story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I got it from ‘The Works’ for £3 (I’m pretty certain), and there are more of her true stories there, which I will be returning to buy. I strongly recommend reading this book, especially if you are in childcare.

- Darling x

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I saw a recommendation on here to read ‘Radio Silence’ by Alice Oseman, Libby [the library app] says I’m about 22% through; I’m in love. This isn’t the usual genre I would enjoy; my usual being thrillers, mystery’s, historical fiction or fantasy. It’s so cute though I’m genuinely shocked at how much I’m enjoying it already.

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Whoever suggested the app Libby… THANKYOU!! I just downloaded it and it is amazing!

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The Cruise - Catherine Cooper

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ A glamorous ship, a missing woman, a holiday to die for”

To die for it certainly was. This was an incredible read, most likely my favourite thriller mystery book this year. The characters? Divine. The plot? Devastating. The twist? Whiplash. I did not expect the incredible story I was met with when I found this book.

I had never heard of Catherine Cooper before I stumbled upon this book, and I can safely say it is a comfort re-read for me, especially to get out of a slump. I went on to read two of her other books that were in the same sort of style and genre; The Chalet, and The Chateux (which were also wonderful).

The characters were just delightful, everything I didn’t expect was thrown at me so randomly I could barely take it in, especially with the twist. I think Cooper's writing style really helps with this, as she writes in an every-other-chapter-is-a-different-character way, swapping between two mains. This way of writing really solidified a strong connection with the characters, seeing their view as well as how it appeared to the other person.

The plot was heartbreaking in a way, I can’t explain how without spoiling it, but trust me when I say it tugs on the heartstrings, and well, I ended up rooting for probably not the correct character… everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

If you find this when out and about, looking for your next read, I entice you to bring it home to your personal library. It was the best free book I ever did find (lost property at work over a year ago).

- Darling x