Recent Reads Reviewed #17

Toil and Trouble by Tabitha Black - 4/5

This was a sweet, and highly readable children’s book. It has those Harry Potter vibes with it being set around a boarding school for witches although it’s very much aimed at younger girls.

I enjoyed the friendship between the main characters, and their loyalty towards each other and the school. There were a few plot twists which added an extra element of fun. I recommend this book, and might consider others in the series.

Grk and the Hot Dog Trail by Josh Lacey - 5/5

Don’t be deceived by the youthful design on the front cover; Tim and Grks adventure in New York City to find the priceless golden statue was thoroughly gripping. There were some fantastic moments in the book. I also appreciated the witty and fun dialogue. Very well written, and I without a doubt recommend to others.

Any Ideas? Tips and Techniques to Help You Think Creatively by Rob Eastaway - 5/5

I’ve read a few creative thinking books in the past, including the most well-known one Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I wanted to read further into the subject, and this title came up reduced on The Works website so I thought I would give it a go.

I particularly enjoyed learning about where ideas come from and the science behind lateral thinking. Quotes from famous figures were included which I felt were very notable too. It turned out to be quite a special book, and I came away with some insightful thoughts.

Abstracts (Collins Learn To Paint) by Laura Reiter - 3/5

I enjoyed flicking through the stunning art work in this book. I was hoping to get some motivation to do some art work myself, but I found the steps a bit tedious and only got half way through reading them. My main inspiration came from looking at the pictures which was enough to give the book a three star rating.

The Best of Miranda by Miranda Hart - 5/5

This book surpassed my expectations in many ways, and I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m a big fan of the sitcom Miranda, and reading this book felt like reliving the first time I watched the program on TV.

The book includes dialogue from the most popular episodes, and was just as fun to read as watching it on TV. Miranda Hart has annotated the script with her own little comments which was a lovely touch.

Little extras in the book include things like a snakes and ladders style marry Gary board game and Miranda talks us through some of her experiences from making the show. A big must for any of her fans for sure!

The Spooky School (Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam Series) by Tracey Corderoy - 5/5

I was delighted with this book overall. The illustrations complimented this well written collection of short stories. The autumn colour palette which featured in the imagery throughout was a nice touch and the unique stories were perfect for younger readers.

Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper by Debbie Johnson - 4/5

I’ve read one or two of Debbie Johnson books now so I can tell I like her writing. This was a lovely, romantic read, and I felt the connection between Maggie and Marco was written well. Marco in particular was a fun and well-rounded character. Towards the end, the story became a bit predictable, but otherwise a great read.

Have you been inspired to read any of these books?

Do you have any book recommendations for me? :-) Xx

The Snack Diaries | Part Eighteen

Sainsbury's Bedtime Infusion Herbal Tea
(From Sainsbury’s, £1.25 for 20 teabags)
This is one of my favourite herbal teas I’ve tried in a good while. I love the blend of flavours, including camomile, lemon balm, lavender, etc. It’s so calming therefore perfect for bed time. The packaging is absolutely stunning, and on top of that the price is a bargain for what you get.

Morrison's Red Berry Blush Fruit Tea
(From Morrisons, £1.12 for 20 teabags)
As I received this tea as a gift, I was willing to give it a go even though I’m not as keen on berry flavours. The cranberry really comes through making it seasonally appropriate and actually I found myself enjoying this brand. One of my favourite berry teas I’ve tried.

M&S Sweet and Salty Popcorn
(From M&S, price and quantity unknown)
These two snacks were, kindly gifted to us as a family, so we all had a portion each. The popcorn tasted delicious, and just like how you get it at the cinema. I did limit my share, as I have been with other sweet treats but can see this product being popular with anyone who likes sweet and salty popcorn.

M&S Cheese Tasters Crisps
(From M&S, price and quantity unknown) 
These are imitating Wotsits crisps which were a favourite of mine as a child. These weren’t quite as nice as the official Wotsits brand but my brother very much enjoyed finishing them off. The M&S packaging overall is great too.

Would you be interested to try any of these? 

Which supermarket do you get most of your snacks/teas from? :-) Xx

Autumnal Baking: Rhubarb Crumble

Crumbles are perfect for this time of year, and one of my favourites to bake as well as eat. If you want to get into the spirit of baking this autumn, a crumble is a good place to start as there is not a lot of preparation.

I’ve been growing my own rhubarb over the summer for the first time, and decided to use it here. You can add so many types of fruit to a crumble, and it you are trying to more economical there’s nothing stopping you using either bought or canned fruit.

This dish went down well in our family.

Let me know what your favourite crumble filling is!! :-) Xx