Book Review - The Help - Kathryn Stockley

I have never really belived it when people say that they purposely put down a book so they didn't finish it too soon - hell, if you are enjoying something make the most of it! However, for the first time a book had that effect on me. As soon as I started this book it felt like one I would enjoy - The writing is warm and the characters rich and interesting.
There are 3 main characters, Aibeleen, Minny and Miss Skeeter - My favourite was Minny who seemed to have a massive personality. There was everything in this book, lots of humour, mystery, a sense of dread (I was really nervous about the way the little girl Mae Mobley was treated).
This book did take a while to read but never felt a chore and I have really missed it since it was gone.
It felt very original and a story that could not be turned into a format read.
Would love to read another by Kathryn Stockley - she has a writing gift I wish I had!

Personalised Toy Sack - Product Review

I just love gingham and worship anything personalised for me or my girls - particularly as Violet struggles so much to find items with her name on them - Beware! Mums and Dads - having an 'unusual' name is not always good!

When I was asked to review an item from The Last Detail, I knew straightaway what I would choose. What parent doesn't crave for new ways of tidying the endless toys away?

When the bag arrived I was delighted with its size and the quality - the lettering is really secure and the stitching so neat! This makes an ideal addition to any little (or big) girl's bedroom!

I did have a slight concern though (Non-paranoid parents might not feel the same) - I worried about little V slipping the strings around her neck and strangling herself - I have no hooped cords on blinds around the house for that reason!

To change this I have snipped the cord and added ends to the cord so they don't slip through - easy peasy!

The Last Detail site is gorgeous - well worth a mooch - bet you don't come away with an empty basket!

I love this sack - Thank you!

Motherhood leads to these 9!

When this week's subject for Tara Cain's Gallery was announced as Motherhood - I knew straightaway which pic I wanted to use. These 9 crazy guys are not all mine - they are the grandchildren of my Mother-in-law ranging in age from 2 to 16. My Mother-in-law is a gentle kind and caring lady who adores her children, (and luckily for me her children's spouses too!) but I have never seen anyone so in love as she is with her grandchildren!

This picture symbolises what motherhood can result in - the bond that these cousins have is fabulous - you don't mess with the Costello cousins!

We get together fairly often - most Saturdays down at Grandmas in fact and the kids have a whale of a time. This picture was taken at my Mother-in-laws 70th birthday celebration last October - you knew in the restaurant when we had all arrived!

Julie,- thanks for being a great Mother and providing me with my wonderful husband and my lovely children (2nd and 3rd from the bottom). I hope when I grow up I become half as good a mother! x

Book Review - Della Says 'OMG' by Keris Stainton

Ages since I did a book review but rest assured lots of reading has been done around here!

I have also been lucky enough to attend 2 book launches and meet the authors - both of which were sooo lovely!

The first event was hosted by the fabulous Keris Stainton who I have got to know through Twitter and was to celebrate the launch of her debut novel Della Says 'OMG!'
This was billed as a Young Adult book but as with a lot of YA novels can be enjoyed by all ages. (I don't think I fit into the YA category anymore sadly!)

The story is of Della, a teenager who discovers her diary has gone missing and later finds sections of it popping up in embarrassing places. This book has it all intrigue (who took the diary?), romance (expertly written), humour (real laugh out loud moments!) and even a bit of food thrown in just for me!

I can highly recommend this book - a perfect beach read (which is where I read mine and so now my lovely signed copy is covered in sand!)

Coming next - another book review Caroline Smailes, Like Bees to Honey

The Gallery - Friendship

I have had a couple of week's off The Gallery but new immediately when I saw this week's prompt that I wanted to take part. My friends are really important to me and I am so lucky that I have so many wonderful friends. We are spread quite far and wide (luckily I have some on my doorstep too!) and each time I spend time (both physically and on-line-ally)with my friends I feel all warm and fuzzy and know how lucky I am.

My girls seem to be like me and love spending time with others - there are few things more lovely than watching your kids making new friends and building relationships.

My picture this week was taken at one of the 4 parties my 7yo attended after her recent First Holy Communion - This was the class party and my word did they have fun?! It was lovely to see all the children mixing and just having enormous fun- a memory I'm sure they will always have. I remember my First Holy Communion party, do you?

The first picture shows the little ladies chatting (my little girl is the one with the yellow dress and the drink in her hand - just like her mother!!) I love how happy she is suurounded by her friends.

I especially love the sencond picture which was just moments later when the scene descended into mayhem with boys doing what they do best - having fun and climbing!

Book Review - Mister Teacher - Jack Sheffield

The last book review I did followed on from an author event I recently attended. Me being me decided that I had to order not 1 but 2 of the author's books and I have just finished the second.

The first book in the series was a hit and I expected more of the same from the second - and I got it. These are easy to read books but not necessarily speedy reads. Again there were elements of the books that had me laughing out loud (I cannot bring myself to say 'LOL' Ugh!)

By now the Headteacher is well settled into life in Ragley Village (A fictional village but the stories are based loosely on the author's real life as a Headteacher)
Most of the old characters appear along with some new ones - The lady who runs the Newsagent is brill!

There is an off and on love saga with Beth and some rivlary between her and her sister, Laura. I know it sounds like a contradiction but the love interest is what I kept reading for but also the bit that irritated me somewhat. I won't spoil the story but there is a cracking cliffhanger at the end (and yes, I will be reading the 3rd book) but I find myself wanting to say to Jack to bin Beth off - she's messing you about. I bet he won't listen!

All in all, another great read!

What's next? 2 more author events and reviews of Della Says: OMG by the delightful Keris Stainton and Like Bees to Honey by the lovely Caroline Smailes

Since I wrote this post I have received an e-mail from Jack Shefield himself (squeal!). He thanked me for the review and said I had the measure of the Jack, Beth and Laura scenario and to watch this space - who knows perhaps he might listen to the voice of reason?! I am now even more determined to get book 3 and see how the story continues! Oh well another book to add to the TBR pile(s)

The Return and the books in my life

A massive gap between blogging I know, but I am back (AGAIN!) Real life really does seem to get in the way of this blogging lark but thats the way I'd always have it be. Lots of exciting things have happened in Casa Costello over the last month (to be blogged at a later date!)

As a result, reading and potential book reviews have really suffered so the book reviews for April are I'm afraid pitiful!

Zoe Heller - The Believers

A none finisher I'm sad to say ... I tried, I really did but just couldn't get to grips with this book. I couldn't even get any sort of story out of it but maybe that would have come together at the end. I felt I was just reading about a family set in current times that I just couldn't get to know and ultimately care for. Just words.

Teacher Teacher - Jack Sheffield

Every now and again, we attend author events at our local library and this was the last one. Jack Sheffield's stories are based on diaries detailing his life and work as a Headteacher in the wonderful North of Yorkshire. The school in question is set in the fictional place of Ragley and the characters are loosely based on people everyone of us must know. The front cover says that if you like Gervase Phinn, you will love these books. I have read Gervase Phinn and enjoyed them but feel Jack's books are better. There seems to be more about him as a human rather than just the job - and you find yourself wanting to know how things turn out. I have heard critisisms of this style of book that the anecdotes feel a little forced and how can things turn out so well - I like to look through that and think of it as clever writing. There are really humurous points in this first book (I think he is currently writing his 5th in the series) - Anyone who doesn't laugh aloud at 'Tonso Lighthouse' is a misery! I am half way through the second book in the series, Mister Teacher and enjoying that too. Hurrah!

Next book reviews = More Jack Sheffield and a concerted effort to reduce that TBR pile!