Before the Leaves Fall by Clare O'Dea

Kindle     Paperback

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

If you've read any of my other more recent book reviews, you'll already have seen that I start the first paragraph of in the same way, by saying that every book I read and review, starts off with the full support of 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.  You'll also know that I'm not shy about removing stars and that trademark and copyright are the usual reason for removing a star from an otherwise 5 star book.  I've rapidly replaced a star twice when there's been a magic little sentence either right at the start or right at the end of the book and I'm more than happy to do it again if that sentence is there.

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing, shall we?

It's a relatively short book at only 169 pages and it sounds like it could be a bit of a sad book too, but I'm hoping it'll give me an insight into what people are going through when they make the choice to have an assisted death.

The first chapter has introduced me to Ruedi and I'm already enjoying it after only one chapter... one question though, do they use francs in Switzerland instead of Euros?  I though it was only the French who used francs before the Euro was introduced!

I'm up to chapter 3 at page 16 and I'm really enjoying it so far.  It'll break my heart before the end though, 'cos I'm already starting to feel heartbroken for some of the characters!

Time for lunch before I start sobbing my heart out uncontrollably now I think.

Back now and I'm intending to read one more chapter before I stop for my physio then I'll spend the rest of the afternoon reading until I head to bed.

Up to chapter 4 and the next chapters seem to sound like an emotional rollercoaster, so I'm gonna stop there and let my lunch go down a bit before I start sobbing.  This is a truly incredible book so far and I've only read 19 pages!

I'm starting to get to know two of the characters through chapter 4 but I'm gonna stop commenting on every chapter otherwise this book will never get read and this review will never end!  Only the bigger points I want to make starting from now.

Up to chapter 21 now and the huge paragraphs of italics is very hard to read and kinda takes some of the pleasure out of what I'm trying to read... still five stars, but only just now.

There have been potential brand name mentions that I'm not sure of, so that and the blocks of italics mean that the first star is heart-breakingly coming off at chapter 21.

Just finished reading and I'm in floods of tears, but it was a perfect ending to a pretty-much perfect book.  One of those "shoulda been 5 stars" books again.

The Three Most Important Lessons You've Never Been Taught by Martin Lewis

Kindle     Paperback

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

All of my more recent book reviews have started in the same way - by saying that every book I read and review starts off with the full classroom of stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be in place by the time I close the book.  They also say that I'm not afraid to remove stars if I feel it necessary, but I always give my reasons within the review, they don't just disappear.  Saying that though, I've replaced a star twice so far because of a magical little sentence at the back that has removed the reason I took it off in the first place.

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing now, shall we?

Apparently this book will take a smidgen over an hour to read, so hopefully I'll be able to get it finished and this review written before today's deliveries arrive.

I totally agree with what he is saying about fashion... all my clothes are bought when I *need* them and they've literally got holes in them.  The closest I've got to following fashion was to get some non-NHS glasses for the first time in my life because I needed them (my prescription had changed) and I could afford it.  It'll be the same on Thursday with my reading glasses - I need them because my prescription has changed significantly and I can afford it right now.  I'll also use both sets of glasses daily so that I can see and hopefully avoid the eye strain the optician explained about with the reading glasses.  They won't be at the height of fashion but they will be more colourful and upbeat and outgoing that I can wear with any of my current clothes so it'll be worth the extra money to me.

Just finished the first lesson and it's made me think.  I used to be a lot worse with impulse buys and got into huuuge financial debt because of it.  I learnt the hard way that cheaper doesn't necessarily mean worse, it can mean that you're getting exactly the same thing but without the brand name.  I recently discovered that buying a famous brand of "Veggie Fingers" were exactly the same as the supermarket own brand "vegetable fingers" just with a heftier price tag and the only reason I got them is because they were a substitute on my groceries delivery and I needed them for that week's meals!

There have been the usual Trademark issues, so the first star is coming off an otherwise 5 star book again.

It's been a useful book and I understand what compound interest is now and how I got into the financial crisis that I did and why it was so hard to break free from it.

Just finished reading the book and it took *a lot* longer than an hour, but it's been so worthwhile.  I'd say to get the paperback version though, as certain parts were unreadable because they were so small on my Kindle.

All in all, a very worthwhile book.

Fragments of a Decent Man by Christopher Parent

Kindle Unlimited     Paperback

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Each book I read and review stars off with the full five stars but I'm never afraid to remove them and always give my reason(s) within the review.  The usual reason for me heartbreakingly removing a star from an otherwise five star book is because of copyright or trademark infringement.  There is a magic little sentence that has appeared in two books so far where the lost star is replaced thanks to a magic little sentence either at the start or end of the book and I'd love to see that happen each time I feel I have to remove a star.

At the time of starting to read this book, 11 readers have rated it an average of 4.8 stars so I'm trying to remain hopeful that this'll be a great book, deserving of the full load.

Let's get reading and reviewing shall we?

Apparently, at my reading speed, this book will be finished in 4 hours and 6 minutes, so it could potentially be a late night tonight if I can't stop reading or an early start tomorrow morning.

The first chapter was a bit boring, so I hope that doesn't set the tone for the rest of the book 'cos I've already skipped ahead.  If chapter 2 is no better then the first star is coming off through boredom... I hope this won't be my second DNF in 2 days!

Oh boy.  I didn't even finish reading the first page of chapter two before I skipped to the end of the chapter from the absolute boring dullness of it.  The first star is coming off at page 36 unfortunately.

I hope the third chapter is more interesting but I've already skipped most of the first two chapters, so it's not looking good unfortunately.

Chapter three is about sport which is an incredibly boring subject for me, so I'm skipping ahead for the third time in as many chapters.

Chapter four seems to be about running, which is sport, so I'm officially giving up and declaring this my second DNF in as many days unfortunately.   I'm sure that, for the right audience, this would be a good book, I'm just not enjoying it at all unfortunately.

Maybe that's why this book got such a high rating?  The previous eleven readers quickly gave up reading it too but didn't want to disappoint the author if it got better in later chapters?

It's a 4 star book that I DNF.

Becoming Still: A Tale of Wild Places and Inner Reckoning by SEJ SARAIYA

Kindle Unlimited     Paperback

⭐⭐ out of 5

Have you read any of my other book reviews from the last few years?  If so, you'll know that I always start them off with the full packing of 5 stars and that I'm always hopeful that they will all still be stuck firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.  You'll also know that I don't just knock off stars for no reason, I always give my reason(s) within the review.  The most common reason I make a book 4 stars when it should be a 5 is because of copyright or trademark infringement within the book.  I've replaced a lost star twice so far after a magic little sentence right at the back of the book and I'm more than happy to do it again in future if that sentence is there.

I've got high hopes for this book because at the time of reading it has 1 review which has given it the full 5 stars.  I haven't read the review 'cos I prefer to read each book with an open mind, rather than being influenced by others' opinions before I've even opened my Kindle.

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing, shall we?

Ooh!  The book starts off with an "Author's Note" and what she has written makes me think that there are some controversial/discriminatory pieces within her book.  She has chosen to present the work as it was originally written in 2012 so it'll be interesting to see what she has to say!

Just before the start of the first chapter, there's what looks like a long photo and tiny writing which are both unseeable on my Kindle so I hope that's the only image in this book like that so that I don't have to remove the first star already.

Oh dear, there's the brand name of a car in chapter two, so we've got two wobbly stars already!

I'm glad that this is a relatively short book 'cos so far I've been bored out of my brain!  I'm up to page 9 of 77 and I've yet to read anything that takes my interest... if this is the authors dull work from 2012 then I *seriously* hope she's improved now!!

Up to chapter 4 and it's such a dull, boring book that the first star is officially plopping off with the other two still wobbly.  I'm glad I didn't read the review that's already up first otherwise I would have been even more disappointed that he or she had thought so highly of the book!

I'm giving this book until the end of chapter 4 before I officially give up on it and declare it another DNF.

OK, I've just finished the fourth chapter and it didn't improve so I'm declaring it another DNF unfortunately and I'm taking the two wobbly stars off too because they don't deserve to stay on.

The First Call Was Mine by Kay Blake

Kindle Unlimited     Paperback

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

After reading my first memoir I've been hooked on the genre and wanting to read more.  This book piqued my interest from the description and I can't wait to get started reading it!

Each book I read and review starts off with the full library load of 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be stuck firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.  I'm not shy about removing stars if I feel it necessary, but I always give my reason(s) within the review.  The usual reason is for copyright/Trademark infringement which is a real annoyance of mine.  I've replaced a removed star a couple of times thanks to a magic little sentence right at the end of the book and I'm more than willing to do it again... it just hasn't happened more than those couple of times.

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing shall we?

Oooh! The introduction pre-chapter 1 sounds like this is gonna be a raw memoir that really hits home in a few places so there are prolly gonna be anger and tears in this review, so maybe make sure that small eyes aren't anywhere near when you read this review and potentially book (if you decide to get it) as there might be a few raw emotions and maybe swearing from me, so be ready for that before you read any further.

I'm on page 2 and it's obviously written by an American due to the emergency phone number used, so I'll try not to get too frustrated by the spellings and different words for the same thing... it's good that I've found out sooner rather than later so that I know not to remove stars for things that are beyond the author's control like the emergency phone number.  It'll be interesting to see what else is different between our countries too.

There have been a couple of brief mentions of a popular doll and a famous entertainment company but that's all it's been so far, so the star is still safe, but the glue is starting to weaken a bit.

The first chapter was so powerful... and long at 17 pages.  That's OK though, I know now and I'm totally hooked.

The second chapter was all over the place, but was 16 pages long and there's just over half an hour until lunchtime starts so I'm gonna try and get chapter 3 read and reviewed before then, but we'll have to wait and see.

Chapter 3 has got me quivering with hope, then fear.  I'm up to page 47 and I'm gonna stop there for an early lunch before I break down in tears and feel too emotional to eat.

I've had a busy few days since I last picked up this book so it'll be interesting to see how easy or otherwise it is to get back into it!

I've just finished chapter 4 and I'm already wondering if this'll be a DNF for heartbreakingly emotional reasons rather than the poor quality of the writing... each word has been carefully chosen to chip away at my heart and it's already breaking me after only 4 chapters.  There are 210 pages left to go and I can already feel the knot in my throat as I try to swallow the tears that I'm desperate not to shed!

Chapter 5 broke my heart again, but thankfully no tears yet... this is a truly incredible book, oozing with pain.

This review is already getting waaaay too long and I've barely started the book, so I'll only comment on noteworthy things now, but I'm expecting there to be multiple floods of tears when I can't swallow the emotional knot in my throat any more!

Chapter 15 was loooooong, but IMHO so worthwhile and necessary.

There have been multiple mentions of Trademarked businesses so, like with other books who have done the same, I'm having to take the first star off, even though I really don't want to.

As predicted, I'm in floods of tears.  The author has been through so much crud and reading her words has made me realise just how easy my life has been.

Thank you for opening my eyes, Kay.

Miss, What Does Incomprehensible Mean? by Fran Hill

Kindle     Paperback

⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start them all off with the same first paragraph that says that each book I read and review starts off with the full classroom of 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they'll all be firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.  You'll also know that I'm not shy about removing stars if I feel it necessary, but I always give my reasons within the review - they don't just vanish.

I've read a few memoirs recently and written a couple of my own but I still feel like a newbie in this area.

I also love children and am qualified to work with them so it'll be interesting to see what this teacher has to say about her time in the classroom!

Time to get my Kindle out of the drawer and the first page opened now I reckon.

OK, so I'm loving the first 10 pages of this book so far and it's a secondary school teacher, so I've got no idea what goes on behind the scenes as my qualification is up to 8 year olds only and the author has used the name of a creamy alcohol drink so the first star is wobbly in fairness to the other books I've read in the past, but I'm really hoping it'll cling on over the next 250 pages... so far so good though!

Up to page 31 now and I'm still loving this book... there have been multiple mentions of the alcohol but the star is already wobbly for that reason, so I've decided not to remove it... yet.  Almost lunchtime but not hungry yet, so will keep reading for a while and see how my appetite feels after another few pages.

Unfortunately there have been mentions of other trademarked items so at page 36 the first star is unfortunately coming off and I'm seriously hoping that'll be the only one 'cos this is a truly fantastic, realistic, sarcastic, comforting read and I'm gonna go and make my lunch now.

Back now to keep reading until bedtime... let's see if it continues to be a great book this afternoon.

Up to page 69 now and stopping reading for the day.  There has been a sprinkling of potentially Trademarked things, but the star has already come off so the four stars are safe for the moment.  I'm really enjoying this book so far.

Sounds like this school's last day before Christmas was about as fun as it could be for the students... I always gave each of my teachers a Christmas gift with strict instructions not to open it until after they'd had their Christmas lunch though... it was only ever a big, family sized bar of chocolate, but it was the thought that counted though, right?  lol

Up to page 108 and I'd like to try and get to half way before I have my lunch, but we'll have to wait and see.

Woohoo!  8 pages over half way and it's only 11.48am so I'm thinking that it'll be a reasonably timed lunch today.  There have been a couple of children that remind me of myself at their age, and one of the reasons is a rarity... or at least it was when I was that child's age!  lol

At page 157 I've got a new respect and admiration for and I'm in so in awe of teachers... I honestly thought they used the same lesson plan every year and didn't take their student's work home with them!  It sounds like they work their fingers to the bone on little sleep and spend around 15-20 hours a day working, including weekends and over the school holidays too!

There have been several chapter headings right at the bottom of my Kindle and the chapter starting on the next page.  I've forgiven it too many times though, so unfortunately I'm taking a second star off.

Less than 100 pages left to read now and this book has been really enjoyable other than the things that should have been picked up before publication.

There are now 71 pages left to read and I'm hoping to make it to 50 before I head to bed tonight.  The author seems to have slowed down the pace of her writing so she's tying up lose ends now.

Exactly 50 pages left to read and review tomorrow and the author is definitely slowing the pace down and tying up the lose ends of her book!

Are the last 50 pages gonna make me cry or will it be a happy ending?  Or both?

Just finished the last page (other than the acknowledgements) and the author handled it perfectly.

I maintain the opinion that it should have been a five star book, if not for the dratted trademark usage and the editing mistakes that should have been caught before publication.

Duckling by Eve Ainsworth

Kindle     Paperback
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Each book I read and review starts off with the full body of 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly stuck in place by the time I close the back cover.  I'm never shy about removing stars if I feel it necessary, but I always give my reasons within the review - they don't just plop off.

Apparently this book is "A gripping, emotional, life-affirming story you'll want to recommend to a friend" and it's a 4.3 star story from 224 reviews, so it's got a lot to live up to!

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing shall we?

The first chapter was good... I'll never remember the four characters that I've already been introduced to though lol

Chapter 2 was good... I'm ever so slowly starting to get to know the main character, her new neighbours and I've kinda been introduced to her boss and dad too.  I'm thinking that there might be an opportunity for friendship and fun with her neighbours, maybe a bit of romantic interest and possibly grief with her dad too, but I hope I'm wrong about that last one.

Chapter 3 has got me slightly worried, but this review is already starting to get a bit long, so, like my other reviews, I'll only comment on the big things now.

There have been a few mentions of a famous international burger bar and now their logo, so in fairness to other books I've read, the first star is coming off on page 73 and I'm really hoping that's the only one.

I'm about a third of the way through the book already, so now, at chapter 7, seems like a good point to go and make my lunch.

The end of chapter 7 was better than I was dreading, but I'm starting to get worried/angry/frustrated at Cassie now!

I'm almost half way now and am I about to find out more about Lucy's dad??

Gonna read one more chapter and hopefully that'll take me to tea-time, then I can spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with my nose in this great book.

Oooh!  I wonder what Lucy's secret is?  Will I find out before bedtime tonight or will it tantalise me until tomorrow??

Back until lunchtime and I hope I find out what Lucy's secret is soon!

Chapter 12 and I still don't know Lucy's secret, but maybe we are closer to finding Cassie??

Up to page 229 and time for lunch methinks.  There's about 160 pages to go and I've got so many questions for the author to answer and I hope it's a happy ending too... and I'm thinking it'll be a tear-jerker judging by the subtitle too, what with it promising to be "A gripping, emotional, life-affirming story".

With about 120 pages to go, the stakes have suddenly ramped up even higher!  How on earth is the author going to tie the lose ends up without rushing through it all?!

Page 272 and things are finally falling into place... my heart is thumping and I'm really hope this won't be a sad ending to a great book.

It's been a busy couple of days since I last picked up this book so it'll be a challenge to see if my memory churns into action when I pick it up again.  I'm really hoping there isn't anything sob-worthy before lunch so that I don't feel too emotional to eat!

The spelling of Lucy's name in that text has got me on edge... will this be bad news?  Has something happened to Cassie?  There's still half an hour before lunch so I'm gonna read one more chapter then make it methinks.

Chapter 21 is making me think we're going international now, but we can't be with less than 70 pages to go, surely?!

Oh.

My.

Goddess.

I've just finished the book and the tears are streaming down my face in stonking huge great waves.

Definitely worth waiting for.