#keeperofking

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Hello everyone and happy Monday! I’m on a little holiday in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and really enjoying myself. Here’s a book haul! I’ve actually just finished Fairy Tale, Stephen King’s latest novel with the #keeperofking bookclub. I think I was one of the few people that really enjoyed it after a bit of a ropey mid-section. Review to follow! I couldn’t resist the latest McEwan novel. Lessons tells the story of Roland who sometimes rides with the tides of history but more often struggles against it. From the Suez crisis to the Cuban missile crisis, the fall of the Berlin Wall to the current pandemic and climate change, Roland seeks solace through every possible means and his journey raises important questions for us all. I’ve become a bit obsessed with TJ Klune after adoring The House In The Cerulean Sea and Under The Whispering Door so preordering this special edition of Wolfsong was a no-brainer. Ox was twelve years old when his Daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He says that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left. Looks like a heartbreaking read and I can’t wait!! I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of these books or authors. Let’s have a chat in the comments and have a great week everyone! 🤗😘 #bookstagramuk #scottishbookstagrammer #fairytale #stephenking #lessons #ianmcewan #wolfsong #tjklune #ohlookmorebooks #bookhauling #neverstopbuyingbooks #insatiablebookworm #gimmeallthebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/ClOrLt-rHIA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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When you’re trying to take a pic of your #currentlyreading pile from your sickbed and you end up having to take two pics - is THAT too many books? 😂 Here’s what I’m reading this week! I’m still making my way through The Woman In White (although I never want it to end!), Voyager in my journey through the Outlander series, Fairy Tale with the #keeperofking bookclub, The Return Of The Native and Life After Life the latter two of which are my current re-reads. I’m at chapter 4 in my audiobook - Murder - The Biography and still enjoying Light Rains Must Fall, a buddy read until Feb 2023 with Mr B. New reads include: Klara And The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, starting this tonight with #bitcrackbookclub The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - buddy reading with lots of lovely bookstagrammers and I’m adoring it so far. Nearly 200 pages in. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari- This is my current nonfiction read. I got to hear him speak in Foyles many years ago and still haven’t read his book! 🙈 A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Connor - this is a book of short stories and I’m starting it tonight as part of my reading challenge from @keeperofpages for book with an ugly front cover 🫣 No offence meant!! The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi - reading this with bestie @emmasbookishcorner and we’re having our first chat tonight! About a third of the way through. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - another buddy reads with lots of bookstagrammers and my first ever Gaskell! Two thirds of the way through. What are you currently reading? Have you read any of these? Let’s have a chat in the comments! #bookstagram #scottishbookstagrammer #sapiensabriefhistoryofhumankind #yuvalnoahharari #fairytale #stephenking #klaraandthesun #kazuoishiguro #thecountofmontecristo #alexandredumas #thewomaninwhite #wilkiecollins #agoodmanishardtofind #flanneryoconnor #northandsouth #elizabethgaskell #thefirstwoman #jennifernansubugamakumbi #thereturnofthenative #thomashardy #lifeafterlife #kateatkinson #voyager #dianagabaldon #murderthebiography #katemorgan https://www.instagram.com/p/ClCNODSLidM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I read Swan Song with my incredible #keeperofking book club and I’m so glad I made the time for it. Primarily, our group reads Stephen King books but we branched out this summer and decided to read this epic adventure story after hearing comparisons with King’s The Stand. ⁣ ⁣ The America in this novel has been ravaged by the horrors of nuclear war, killing much of the population and afflicting others with a horrifying mutation of their faces. We meet a number of characters who have banded into small groups, including a young girl called Swan who may prove to be the only hope for the future. Meanwhile, an ancient evil is amassing a dangerous group of followers so that it can challenge Swan’s powers and ensure the destruction of the country.⁣ ⁣ Swan Song is an unapologetically chunky book and although at first glance, may seem intimidating, the author uses the space superbly in order to tell such an exciting and gripping dystopian tale. There is real horror and villainy amidst the pages that was so reminiscent of Stephen King that if I had picked up an anonymous copy, I could have sworn that he wrote it. ⁣ ⁣ I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with this story and its host of interesting characters. I’ll definitely be checking out more of Robert McCammon’s work and urge you to pick this up too, especially if you’re a King fan. ⁣ ⁣ Four solid stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 ⁣ #bookstagram #scottishbookstagrammer #swansong #robertmccammon #dystopiannovelsfordystopiantimes #buddyreadsaremyjam #buddyreadsaddict #booksandcandlesmakemehappy #epicdystopianfantasy https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck6nNIFLbwH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Hi everyone! Question - do you think my #currentlyreading pile is getting ridiculous? 😂 hmmm, maybe when I have to use an index finger to stop it collapsing so I could take the picture! 🤣 I have actually reduced the number slightly I promise, it was at 15 - it’s now at 12. Fairy Tale - Stephen King Starting this evening for my #keeperofking bookclub! As a true Constant Reader, I’m super excited for his new release. The New Wilderness - Diane Cook Longlisted for the Booker prize in 2020 I’ve been meaning to get to this. About a third of the way through. Voyager - Diana Gabaldon I’m not reading this very quickly but thoroughly enjoying it. 350 pages in. Life After Life - Kate Atkinson Current re-read. Still loving it! Almost halfway through. Summer Island - Kristin Hannah Current buddy read with my beloved sister @chrissireads We’re making our way through her back catalogue. Too early for thoughts yet though. Tomb Of Sand - Geetanjali Shree Current buddy read with lovely Cath @sandladysbooks I was completely confused for most of Part One of this book but things are starting to make sense 🧐 The Woman In White - Wilkie Collins Buddy reading with lots of other brilliant bookstagram folk. This author is another new obsession for me! Just over halfway through. Return Of The Native - Thomas Hardy Continuing my love affair with Mr Hardy, this is a re-read for me and I’m really enjoying it. Just under halfway. 😍 Build Your House Around My Body - Violet Kupersmith Buddy reading with the amazing @keeperofpages we had a great discussion about the first half of this recently - such a unique read! Now onto the second half! On the Kindle: The Final Girls Support Group - Grady Hendrix Buddy read with the brilliant #bitcrackbookclub and @booky_weirdo I WILL start this tonight!! Light Rains Sometimes Fall - Lev Parikian Reading this with Mr B a chapter a week up until Feb 2023. 👂🏻 Listening to: Murder: The Biography - Kate Morgan Listened to one chapter so far and it’s so interesting! Over to you! What do you think of my crazy reading list? Have you read any of these books? Let’s have a chat in the comments! https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeGQXXrxr5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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You might think that King being one of my favourite writers on the planet might bias me towards reading and reviewing his books - not so! More recently with my #keeperofking book club, I’ve been re-reading some of his work and not feeling too warm towards certain aspects of it - Bag Of Bones, let’s not even go there! 😂 However, I was still super excited for this latest release which I think represents a new turn to his writing, into a more crime-like genre. ⁣ ⁣ Billy Summers is a killer for hire but he’ll only take the job if the hit is a genuinely evil person who has done monstrous things. He’s about to carry out one last job and as he’s a professional, what could go wrong? How about everything?!⁣ ⁣ As I’ve alluded to, this novel really reminded me of King’s Mr Mercedes series, and his Hard Case Crime books Joyland and Later. I found Summers sympathetic as a character and the villains suitably heinous although I think King could have taken it a bit further here - they’re didn’t give me half as many chills as some of his other bad guys i.e. Brady from Mr Mercedes and the eerie Randall Flagg. ⁣ ⁣ This was certainly a story that kept me interested, even if it took a little while to warm up. It only seemed to really find its rhythm when Billy had carried out the hit and then events unfold afterwards which really crank the narrative up a notch. Thankfully, King didn’t do what I was praying he would do with the female lead and she also turned out to be a likeable and believable character in her own right, despite a grim and frightening introduction to Summers. ⁣ ⁣ Billy Summers is classic “crime” King and if you have enjoyed the other books I’ve mentioned, it’s a pretty safe bet you’ll enjoy this too. I’m delighted he’s branched out from the supernatural or paranormal into an area that I think will only bring more fans who may have been wary about trying him before. ⁣ ⁣ Four solid stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNh574g8II/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Hello everyone and happy #stacksaturday today I’m sharing a #planetstack which I saw on @bookish.bex page. From the bottom: 😉😂 SATURN (a beautiful book) my gorgeous edition of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, one I’ve read and loved! JUPITER (a long book) Swan Song by Robert McCammon. I’ve heard a lot about this book and I’ll be reading it with the #keeperofking crew this year! VENUS (a book for summer) City Of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert - the cover has a group of women sunbathing 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 MARS (a red book) Tsarina by Ellen Apsten. This was one of my favourite books from last year. Check out my review which I posted recently on the grid. SUN (a yellow book or with the word Sun in the title) Bitter Sun by Beth Lewis, a wonderful book that I also loved 😍 NEPTUNE (a book for Winter) Winter by Ali Smith. Literally I couldn’t have done any better with this and I’m hoping to start it in the next week ❄️ URANUS (a book that hooked you from the start) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, such a powerful story and one I hope to re-read soon! EARTH (a book by someone of your country) Things We Say In The Dark by Kirsty Logan. Can’t wait to get to this, she’s a Scot 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 like myself and I know @victoria_catherine_shaw loves this. (She has very good taste! 🤣) MOON (a book with a moon on the cover or in the title) Moonstone by Sjon. I’m embarrassed I haven’t read this yet. I’ve heard so many good things! MERCURY (a short book) Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata - this is well overdue a place on my TBR too! 🙈 PLUTO (a book made into a movie) To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 🥰 Well loved book on my favourites shelf that I will continue to re-read and enjoy! If like me you thought that was fun, consider yourself tagged! And let’s get all chatty in the comments if you fancy talking about any of these books or authors. Have a lovely weekend everyone! 🤗😘 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZC25OdLcOF/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The author name Nick Cutter (a pseudonym used by Craig Davidson) is one I’ve heard great things about, specifically in the horror genre. I’ve been meaning to try his books for a while and have noted that The Troop has been blurbed by Stephen King as “scaring the hell out of him,” and that “it’s old-school horror at its very best.” That’s high praise indeed and certainly got my attention.⁣ ⁣ Spending some time with The Troop in a remote area of the English countryside on my holiday from work was either a really genius idea or a foolish one. This was a tense, chilling and exciting tale that gave me the shivers and kept me manically turning the pages. It follows a Scout master who takes a small troop of his boys on an annual pilgrimage to the Canadian wilderness to learn survival tactics. This year, those tactics are going to come in handy.⁣ ⁣ The island they are on is surrounded by water and the only way off is by boat. Then a visitor arrives in the dead of night - crazed with hunger. Following this, the island becomes a place of grave danger, filled with a bioengineered nightmare that infects its hosts indiscriminately, quickly and with deadly consequences. It is not long before there is a fight between the elements, the infected and one another. ⁣ ⁣ This book can easily be described as Lord Of The Flies meets Dawn Of The Dead. The terror is unrelenting and if you’re in any way squeamish or faint-hearted, this is NOT the book for you. However, if you’re in the mood for something fast-paced, terrifying, unputdownable and plot driven, step right forward and allow yourself to get lost in this incredible story. ⁣ ⁣ Thank you so much to my #keeperofking book group who recommended Nick Cutter as a must read author. I was bowled over by the story he has created and I can’t wait to read more from him. This is a writer where I really think you can believe the hype. ⁣ ⁣ Five brilliant stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHWI4TAgl4/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Hello everyone and happy Friday to you all! I’ve had an amazing day today as I’ve had the day off from work and it’s been so lovely. Time to celebrate with a book haul 😉 I’ve added two more VMC Designer Collection books with absolutely stunning covers. Good Behaviour follows the forces of sex, money jealousy and love which are locked out by the rituals of good behaviour. Sounds intriguing! 🤔 Meanwhile, A Game Of Hide And Seek follows characters who are caught out by their own desires and decisions and they demand our attention. Finally, I have Full Dark, No Stars by the master that is Stephen King. Now I do already have this collection in hardback but this edition has an extra story in that I’m reading with my #keeperofking bookclub this month so of course I couldn’t resist! I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books or authors. Let’s have a chat in the comments! Have a lovely weekend everyone 🤗😘 #bookstagram #bookheaven #bookhaul #bookhoarder #paperbackhaul #goodbehaviour #mollykeane #fulldarknostars #stephenking #agameofhideandseek #elizabethtaylor #beautifulbooks #vmcdesignercollection #beautifulhardbacks https://www.instagram.com/p/CUN2qyaAHlo/?utm_medium=tumblr