Wishing you a Merry Christmas from The Burgeoning Bookshelf - 2023

 A big thank you to all my followers for all your support. I will be back soon with my 2023 challenge update (let's see how I went). Until then have a wonderful Christmas and I hope you find a favourite book, or two, under the Christmas tree.

 

I know, on my last review, I promised that a giveaway would be coming soon and I haven't forgotten. Last week I was struck down by the dreaded Covid and spent a few days in hospital so all my reading and reviewing has been sidelined while I rest and recover. 

Not having read anything for well over a week I started on Jo Dixon's latest offering A Shadow at the Door (which will be released on 3rd January 2024) and I can assure you it's going to be another massive hit for Jo. Jo's debut was The House of Now and Then which I rated 5 stars.

Happy New Year 2023!

 Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2023

May your year be filled with family, friends and five star reads. 

 

In 2022..... My Life in Books

 

 

I love this fun book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and you can see her post HERE

 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2022.

2022 was the year of: The Way it is Now

In 2022 I wanted to be: The Brightest Star

In 2022 I was: The Understudy

In 2022 I gained: A Recipe for Family

In 2022 I lost: The Postcard from Italy

In 2022 I loved: The Last Summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2022 I hated: Keeping Up Appearances

In 2022 I learned: The Raven's Song

In 2022 I was surprised by: Lily Harford's Last Request

In 2022 I went to:The Wattle Seed Inn

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2022 I missed out on: The Reunion

In 2022 my family were: A Family of Strangers

in 2023 I hope for: A Little Spark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

My Life in Books... 2020

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from The Burgeoning Bookshelf - 2022

A big thank you to all my followers for all your support. I will be back soon with my 2022 challenge update (let's see how I went). Until then have a wonderful Christmas and I hope you find a favourite book, or two, under the Christmas tree.

 

Goodreads: Year in Books Meme 2021

 

 

This is my year in books 2021!

 

I read 26,618 pages over 109 books 

________________________________________________________

Longest book                                                     Shortest book

576                                                                     20

pages                                                                  pages

 

                                                    

 

__________________________________________________________

 

Average book length in 2021 was 241 pages 

 

____________________________________________________________

Most popular                                                                          Least popular

321,215                                                                                   0

people also shelved                                                               People also shelved

 

________________________________________________________________

 

My average rating for 2021 was 4.3 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

________________________________________________

 

 My favourite book of 2021 was....  

 

I read 109 books in 2021 of which 49 were 5 star reads.
I have to admit of those 5 star reads 14 were children’s books. I can't really pick a stand out favourite this year, I loved so many.

_______________________________________________

The year in books meme is hosted by Bite Into Books so head over and see her post. Why not join in and post a link to your year in books.   

 

======================================================

 

 I read 67 books by Australian authors and of these 56 were female authors.

I big thanks to everyone who supported my blog, my subscribers, readers, those that left a comment and the wonderful publishers and authors who supply the books for reviews and giveaways.

I'm looking forward to more great books, reviews, giveaways, memes and bookish tags during 2022.  

 

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

 

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from The Burgeoning Bookshelf - 2021

 

Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival - Sat 27 & Sun 28 Nov 2021, Online

 

Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival

 

TAF2021 - CSI: TASMANIA

 

Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival is excited to announce Tasmania's first  international crime and mystery literary festival.

The awe-inspiring line-up of more than 35 writers of crime and mystery includes:

·      David Heska Wanbli Weiden, TAF2021 International Guest of Honour,

·      Ann Cleeves, TAF2021 Mistress of Mystery,

·      Val McDermid, TAF2021 Queen of Crime,

·      Liz Nugent, TAF2021 Prime Suspect,

·      Garry Disher, TAF2021 Australian Guest of Honour,

·      Naomi Hirahara,

·      Abir Mukherjee,

·      Vanda Symon,

                      ·      J.P. Pomare, 

                ·      Anita Heiss.

                             
                             Candice Fox

 

 

"We’re still pinching ourselves in disbelief at the incredible line-up of local, Australian and international best-selling authors who’ve joined us this year," the Festival’s Director, Dr L.J.M. Owen said

With lively panel discussions, author interviews, intimate book clubs and writing masterclasses, TAF2021's 'CSI: TASMANIA' offers something for everyone.

"It's not just for readers of crime and mystery," Dr Owen said. "Anyone with an interest in books, reading, writing or the publishing industry will find something to suit them."


The two day program, which runs across the last weekend of November, offers in-depth interviews with authors like Ann Cleeves, Garry Disher and Val McDermid, and panel discussions with authors such as Anita Heiss, R.W.R. McDonald, and Sulari Gentill.

"During our online digital weekend we'll share the love of Tasmanian, Australian and international crime and mystery fiction with an audience tuning in from around the world," Dr Owen said.

The panel sessions will explore questions including why the Tasmanian landscape inspires so much brilliant crime and mystery fiction.

"We're also offering 20 Book Clubs and Writing Masterclasses with some of Australia's most loved writers, for instance Candice Fox, Debra Oswald and Meg Keneally," Dr Owen said.

Originally, a second weekend of live panel discussions in Huonville was also planned for November.

"Unfortunately, the recent snap lockdown meant we had to suspend having a live audience in early November. It's an unfortunate loss, as we were on course to make a solid contribution to local economic recovery from two devastating bushfire seasons followed by the pandemic. While sad for everyone involved, the good news is that we've shifted a number of the panels across to feature at the digital weekend at no extra cost to ticket buyers," Dr Owen said.

Pivoting to hold the panel sessions online instead of live was made possible by the festival's existing work to digitally transform.

"Earlier this year, the festival won a 3 year, $120,000 grant, from the Regional Arts Fund to undertake digital transformation of its events," Dr Owen said.

In a state where just 50% of the adult population is functionally literate, the project aims to support the ongoing development of the local literary sector, facilitate external professional development opportunities, and support continuing community engagement in literature.

"The work we'd already undertaken as part of the project meant we could make the shift from in-person to online in a matter of days," Dr Owen said.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

Earlybird Digital Weekend Passes to CSI: TASMANIA are now on sale. Priced at $90, each pass includes 15 author interviews and discussion panels, as well as two free Book Clubs or Writing Mini Masterclasses (subject to availability).

"It's fantastic value and highly accessible. With the expanded program, this means the 15 sessions are costing just $6 each, and will be available on demand until 2022. So if you love crime or mystery fiction, we hope to share this amazing weekend with you.”

https://www.facebook.com/TerrorAustralisFestival

T:  @TerrorAustFest  Please use the hashtag #TerrorAustFest

FB: @TerrorAustralisFestival   Please do not use hashtags on Facebook

I: @terroraustralisfestival  Please use the hashtag #TerrorAustFest

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

 Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021

May your year be filled with family, friends and five star reads.

Goodreads: Year in Books Meme 2020

 

This is my journey in books for 2020!

 

 

 

I read 32,440 pages over 114 books 

________________________________________________________

Longest book

813

pages

 

Shortest Book

28

pages

________________________________________

 

Average book length in 2020 was 284 pages 

 

_____________________________________

 

 

 Most Popular

 3,443,844

 people also shelved                                                                     

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

 

 

Least Popular

0 people

also shelved

 ________________________________________________________________

 

 

My average rating for 2020 was

4.3⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

____________________________________

 

My favourite book of 2020 was

 

  

   _______________________________________________

 

The year in books meme is hosted by Bite Into Books so head over and see her post. Why not join in and post a link to your year in books.   

 

==============================================

I think 2020 was a difficult year for all of us and if I had to think of a bright side it would be that I managed to get extra reading time whilst we were all in lockdown.
I'm looking forward to more great books, reviews, giveaways, memes and bookish tags during 2021.
I big thanks to everyone who supported my blog, my subscribers, readers, those that left a comment and the wonderful publishers and authors who supply the books for reviews and giveaways.

 

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 

     

In 2020.....My Life in Books

 

 

I recently saw this book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and thought it would be fun to join in. 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2020.

 

2020 was the year of: The Year That Changed Everything 

In 2020 I wanted to be: The Good Teacher

In 2020 I was: The Wreck

In 2020 I gained: Just One Wish

In 2020 I lost: Six Minutes

In 2020 I loved: Mum & Dad

In 2020 I hated: The Boundary Fence

In 2020 I learned: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight 

In 2020 I was surprised by:  The Night Whistler

In 2020 I went to: The Farm at Peppertree Crossing

In 2020 I missed out on: The Grand Tour

In 2020 my family were: Together by Christmas

in 2021 I hope for: Better Luck Next Time 

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from The Burgeoning Bookshelf - 2020

 

Bookish Blog Hops - A book that Scares You.

For the month of March I will be touring the web with my blogging buddies from The Bookish Blog Hops Facebook group. I know that it is Autumn in Australia but I am linking with bloggers all over the world and wouldn't it be nice if it was Spring now. 

Each day for the month of March we will be asking bloggers a question and show casing their answers on a host blog site.

On to today's question:

 A book that scares you. 

 For this I have chosen My Dark Vanessa, a heartbreaking story of manipulation and child abuse as a school teacher seduces his 15 year old student. This abuse has long term affects on Vanessa. Timely in the #MeToo era, these stories need to be told. It's no longer acceptable to turn a blind eye.

This book scared me with how easy it was for this teacher to have access to his students, single the vulnerable ones out and then play his game of victim blaming. And he did it again and again.
It wasn't an easy read but I'm glad I read it.


Read my full review here

Let's see what books scared our other bloggers: 

Stormi - Bewitched Reader Book Blog - www.bewitchedreader.com 

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover is a book on my TBR that scares me. Not because the book itself is a thriller or horror novel, but instead because I’ve heard it’s a very emotional read. I’ve also heard the book is about a couple’s struggle with infertility, which is something I could potentially suffer with due to a medical condition, so this read may hit very close to home for me when I get to it.

Erica Robyn - Erica Robyn Reads- www.ericarobynreads.com 

Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a novel that I read and loved, but it also terrified me. The storyline was incredible-it was heartbreaking and difficult to read but also hopeful, filled with love, and just plain amazing. This novel is about a woman who is just beginning her descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease. As the story goes on, she struggles more and more. Reading about the character going through this really scared me. I can’t even imagine how difficult seeing someone you actually know go through this is.

Jo Linsdell www.JoLinsdell.com

We Don't Talk About Her by Andersen Prunty was really disturbing. It was like an episode of Criminal Minds but with only bad guys. There are literally no good guys in the whole story, and it leaves you thinking about which of the characters was the most messed up. Stalking, obsession, manipulation, sex with a corpse... this had it all. The really scary thing about it is that despite it being quite an extreme book there are people in this world that do the stuff that happens in the book. 

Leslie Conzatti www.upstreamwriter.blogspot.com

I don’t read a whole lot of horror or scary books--at least, I don’t really make a habit of reading disturbing literature. However, I am a big fan of thrillers, and the author whose sci-fi thrillers I will definitely read is Michael Crichton. I recently read one of his books, Prey--about a swarm of nanobots that gets released into the air over a desert in Nevada, originally intended to be a series of molecular cameras for medical imaging… but then someone gets the idea to weaponize the things, programming them with an artificial intelligence code derived from a predator stalking its prey… which then mutates with the nanobots’ design and they “learn” that living animals are the “prey”... and out in the desert, the highest concentration of living creatures happen to be the human staff in the remote lab… It’s creepy, it’s high-stakes, it’s mysterious and bizarre… and I quickly learned that this was not the book to read just before bed!

Laura Doherty - Tales of a Natural Spoonie - https://talesofanaturalspoonie.com

I hate horror whether it be film or book, in fact I dislike anything that causes a fear response in me. I find the feeling of being afraid really negative and it unsettles me for days on end. So much so that I avoid things that may trigger that response as much as I humanely can. This means I am struggling to think of a book that has given me a proper scare. I did read The Magic Cottage by James Herbert when I was a teenager though and that was pretty freaky.

Alix Maza- The Bookish Alix https://thebookishalix.com 

Thrillers, mysteries and suspense are my go-to genres so it takes a lot to scare me. That being said Rules for Vanishing, The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel freaked me out! Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall is a YA thriller/mystery with supernatural and down right creepy elements! The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is also supernatural and is the type that make you read in broad daylight and sleep with a nightlight. All are FANTASTIC reads!