September in Books

The Witchstone Ghosts - Emily Randall-Jones

Autumn Albert can see the dead – much to her annoyance. But when her dad dies in mysterious circumstances, he’s the one ghost who doesn’t appear.

A curious instruction in his will sends Autumn to Imber, the storm-soaked island of his childhood: a place marked by tight-lipped locals, strange stacks of witchstones – and even fewer ghosts.

Soon Autumn is ensnared in a dark and twisty mystery, which must be unravelled before the sea rises up and history is doomed to repeat itself ...

Lovely book!

Read for the Shelf Reflection's Reading Challenge.
Prompt 27: A book with supernatural elements.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Hike - Lucy Clarke

Leaving behind their everyday lives, four friends hike out into the beautiful Norwegian wild – nothing between them and the mountain peak but forest, sea and sharp blue sky.

But there’s a darker side to the wilderness. A woman went missing here one year ago, scarring the mountain with suspicion and unanswered questions.

Now, the friends are hiking into the heart of the mystery. And waiting on the trail is someone who’d do anything to keep their secrets buried – and to stop the group walking away alive . . .

I've loved Lucy Clarke's books since I read The Sea Sisters a few years ago. This is a good read, the characters are believable, yet something was lacking for me... maybe it is because I'm not into hiking... I can't imagine being forced to go on a hike like most of the characters in this book.

Read for the Shelf Reflection's Reading Challenge.
Prompt 31: A book by an author you've read before.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Last Paradise - Antonio Garrido

Jack Beilis once lived the American dream: custom suits, new cars, and the best clubs. But by 1931, he has sunk so low he cannot feed himself or his ailing father. Now he barely has time to wipe the blood from his hands before he finds himself on a ship from New York to Moscow, running from a crime he never intended.

Desperate for an escape route, Jack wants to believe stories of a worker’s paradise in the Soviet Union. Maybe the distance between Ellis Island and Red Square will let him leave poverty—and his pursuers—far behind. Jack accepts an opportunity at the Gorky Ford Factory and embarks on a new life.

What he finds, though, is a surveillance society, empty store shelves, and a dangerous network of black markets. There seems to be no way out, until Jack meets Dr. Natasha Lobanova. Could this Russian beauty be his deliverance? When Natasha’s own dark history surfaces, Jack’s fate is threatened. With betrayals and secrets everywhere, Jack struggles to trust anyone or anything—even his own heart.

I struggled with this book, I had read Garrido's The Corpse Reader, which I absolutely adored, so I was expecting something similar. This book is a difficult read, and I didn't care for the protagonist.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

How to be Champion - Sarah Millican

Part autobiography, part self help, part confession, part celebration of being a common-or-garden woman, part collection of synonyms for nunny, Sarah Millican's debut book delves into her super normal life with daft stories, funny tales and proper advice on how to get past life's blips - like being good at school but not good at friends, the excitement of IBS and how to blossom post divorce.

If you've ever worn glasses at the age of six, worn an off-the-shoulder gown with no confidence, been contacted by an old school bully, lived in your childhood bedroom in your thirties, been gloriously dumped in a Frankie and Benny's, cried so much you felt great, been for a romantic walk with a dog, worn leggings two days in a row even though they smelt of wee from a distance, then this is YOUR BOOK. If you haven't done those things but wish you had, THIS IS YOUR BOOK. If you just want to laugh on a train/sofa/toilet or under your desk at work, THIS IS YOUR BOOK.

Sarah Millican is my favourite stand up comedian, she's incredibly funny, uses colourful language (as I do too) and doesm't shy away from embarassing stories either. This book reads like one of her stand up shows - the language, however, is a lot less sweary. I reallly enjoyed this book, it made me giggle and onoccassion made me a little teary. Thanks Sarah! Or as she might say, thanks flower!

Read for the Shelf Reflection's Reading Challenge.
Prompt 15: A memoir by a celebrity.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mrs Van Gogh - Caroline Cauchi

In 1890, Vincent Van Gogh dies penniless, unknown, a man tortured by his own mind.

Eleven years later his work is exhibited in Paris and his unparalleled talent finally recognised. The tireless efforts of one woman gave the world one of its greatest creative minds.

But twenty-eight year old Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent’s sister-in-law and the keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, has, until now, been written out of history. This beautiful, moving novel finally gives this extraordinary woman a voice…

I enjoyed this book, though I think I would probably enjoyed it more if I hadn't just read The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar, which in my opinion is the superior novel.

Read for the Shelf Reflection's Reading Challenge.
Prompt 20: A book that takes place somewhere you've been.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Secret Life of Sunflowers - Marta Molnar

When Hollywood auctioneer Emsley Wilson finds her famous grandmother's diary while cleaning out her New York brownstone, the pages are full of surprises. The first surprise is, the diary isn't her grandmother's. It belongs to Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law.

Johanna inherited Vincent van Gogh's paintings. They were all she had, and they weren't worth anything. She was a 28 year old widow with a baby in the 1800s, without any means of supporting herself, living in Paris where she barely spoke the language. Yet she managed to introduce Vincent's legacy to the world.

The inspiration couldn't come at a better time for Emsley. With her business failing, an unexpected love turning up in her life, and family secrets unraveling, can she find answers in the past?

Wow, what a fabulous read! I found this book when going through the Kindle deals. I'm so glad I found it. Molnar brings Vincent van Gogh and his family to life!

Read for the Shelf Reflection's Reading Challenge.
Prompt 22: A book by an author with alliterated initials.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

52 Book Club Challenge 2023