The wait is over: The Silkworm (Robert Galbraith)

Today has been an amazing day! I've finally got my hands on the new JK Rowling (aka Robert Galbraith) novel: The Silkworm. I can't wait to read it either, especially as I loved The Cuckoo's Calling so much.

This will be my second ever reading of a crime novel as I tend to stick to either fantasy or horror, however I'm really getting my teeth into it. Before I can start reading this book I've got to finish the one I'm currently reading: Bear Grylls: Facing The Frozen Ocean which is equally as entertaining! 

So alas, my Cormoran Strike novel will just have to wait for now, sitting neatly on my black cat bookshelf no doubt! Keep reading my blog to get first access to my review of The Silkworm. Also I would love to know your opinion of the book if you've read it, so please leave a comment below. 

Mud, Sweat and Tears (Bear Grylls)

Many of you may know of Bear Grylls from his successful TV series Man vs. Wild, however there is more to Bear than meets the eye. Brought up on the Isle of Wight, he shares his early childhood experiences of attending the prestigious Eton College before having a short stint at university.

He soon realises his ambition to join the Special Forces and undergoes the gruelling SAS Selection course in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. This, for me is one of the most interesting parts of the book. Maybe because I'm a male and I fall into the stereotype of liking everything to do with guns and weapons that I enjoy this part. But alas we will never know!

Anyway, as I was saying, Bear goes through SAS selection battling extreme conditions that many could not fathom to complete, which only raises my admiration for the man. He then goes on to describe his successful bid to become the youngest Brit to ever climb the summit of Mount Everest before describing his latest endeavours in his successful TV series.



Weather you like Bear Grylls or not, you've got to admire the man. He's down-to-earth, honest and hardworking and his writing ability is second to none despite his ACDC (yes like the rock band) results at A-Level. I recommend this book to all armchair explorers alike. It's no wonder that it was a No. 1 bestseller!

The Cuckoo's Calling (Robert Galbraith)

In July earlier this year the world's media was shocked by revelations that J.K Rowling had written her debut crime novel "The Cuckoo's Calling" under the pseudonym of one Robert Galbraith. It was later announced that the author's guise was an opportunity for Rowling to receive feedback on her work without the bias of the press and the pressure her fans.


When I received my copy of "The Cuckoo's Calling" through the post, I must admit that if it were not for my knowledge of the author's true identity, I may have never even ordered the book. Nevertheless I devoured the first 50 pages of the novel and found myself being dragged deeper and deeper into the plot, a credit to Rowling's incredible character-building ability and found myself for the first time in my life enjoying a crime novel.

The detective Strike is instantly likeable and a wealth of backstory is used to build a multi-layered puzzle that is yearning to be placed together. From the offset, Lula Landry's death is explored before reliving her life through the eyes of her family and friends to answer the one all-important question: was her death suicide or murder?

Together, Strike and his Temporary Solutions secretary Robin are united in their employment and later friendship to answer the many questions that were left unanswered by the police and relatives. I recommend this book to any reader who is new to crime fiction as I was prior to reading "The Cuckoo's Calling" as J.K Rowling will take you on a mysterious literary journey that you will want to devour until the very last page has turned.

Up With The Larks (Tessa Hainsworth)

When I first saw this book sitting on the shelf in the travel section, I must be honest, I picked it up because of it's strikingly beautiful cover art. I have just finished it and am pleased to say that the writing complimented the artwork exceptionally!

The story of someone wanting to escape the big smoke and find themselves in Cornwall has always been a dream of mine, and thankfully Tessa Hainsworth has captured my dreams and written them in her fantastic memoir: Up With The Larks.

I reccommend this book to anyone who has a love of Cornwall, the sea, or just classic storytelling at it's finest.

Booky Wook 2 (Russell Brand)

The Sun's: Shagger Of The Year has returned with another number one best selling autobiography that will undoubtedly prove just as succesful as his debut publication.

Russell Brand's sexual adventures are no less intruiging in this sequel than they were in My Booky Wook published in 2007.  In fact, Brand enhances his writing technique, in confidence and in storytelling; proving this second autobiographical account to be his greatest yet. Russell pulls out all the stops in this second autobiography, making it a truly exemplary read. I guarantee that it will have you laughing from start to finish.