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What I Read in April

What I've Read This Month


Clap, Clap!Clap, Clap! by Madalena Matoso
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Non-Fiction, 2016. Fab activity based counting book with super cool illustrations!




At The Beach: First WordsAt The Beach: First Words by Katja Spitzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Non-Fiction, 2016. The cool illustrations and bright colour palette really makes learning fun! My daughter loved pointing to the pictures as we read through the new vocabulary. The binding and paper are great quality, and the small size made us think of a Ladybird first vocab book made over for the modern day.



The JourneyThe Journey by Francesca Sanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fiction, 2015. This is an incredibly powerful book, sensitively providing a way to open discussion about conflict and migration with children. The artwork is gorgeous, and the binding and paper quality is excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone.

You can see my full write up of this book here - http://www.babiafi.co.uk/2016/04/revi...


Murders of the Black Museum: The Dark Secrets Behind a Hundred Years of the Most Notorious Crimes in BritainMurders of the Black Museum: The Dark Secrets Behind a Hundred Years of the Most Notorious Crimes in Britain by Gordon Honeycombe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Non-Fiction, 1995. An interesting read with lots of short overviews of major crimes, including some of the most famous in the UK. It is quite dated now however, and some of the assumptions and social commentary is really quite jarring.


The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy The Shocking Inside StoryThe Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy The Shocking Inside Story by Ann Rule
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I've ever read about Bundy - I generally read UK cases - but I'm glad I made the leap. I liked the informal style of Rule's writing, and the contrast with what was going on in her own life with what was happening in Bundy's - a man she considered a friend and colleague. I read the most recent version so it's also interesting to see how Rule's feelings about Bundy hardened over time and with distance, something of a testament to the hold Bundy had over women!


People Who Eat Darkness: The Fate of Lucie BlackmanPeople Who Eat Darkness: The Fate of Lucie Blackman by Richard Lloyd Parry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I could give this ten stars, I would! It's part true crime, part mystery, part intensive cultural study - and brilliantly written. I felt like I learned so much, not just about Japan's hostess tradition, or Lucie Blackman, but how complex we all are. Everyone's interpretation and memories of a person will be different, no matter how apparently 'normal' their life is.

View all my reviews



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Comments

  1. Coombe Mill - Fiona30 April 2016 at 23:47

    that last one sounds like a real winner and I'd love the beach one for some of our farm learning activities #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:18

      The beach one is really sweet - the colour palette makes you feel really summery just looking at it!

      Delete
  2. Unknown1 May 2016 at 10:25

    Some interesting books here. I love The Journey and the People Who Eat Darkness sounds fascinating :) Thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you return next week:)

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  3. Crummy Mummy1 May 2016 at 10:36

    There's lots of book related posts on #KCACOLS this week! I'm currently reading a Jojo Moyes but making very slow progress! #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:22

      I know the feeling, I've been on the same book for over a week now. x

      Delete
  4. Island Living 3651 May 2016 at 11:39

    Oh my I don't think I could read that Ted Bundy book. Was it really scary? #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:48

      It wasn't scary as such, but I definitely came away with the feeling that Bundy was just evil.

      Delete
  5. DisgruntledAuthor1 May 2016 at 13:46

    I haven't read a crime book for ages - have you read the Margaret Atwood one? It's a fictionalisation but its really good! Can't remember name now...#KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:34

      Ooh, no, I haven't - I'll have to check it out! I'm always on the lookout for good crime books. x

      Delete
  6. Madeline1 May 2016 at 15:26

    I've not really read any crime books, I'm more of a lighthearted chick-lit kind of girl! But I am going to check out 'clap clap', it sounds like fun for my daughter! x #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown1 May 2016 at 15:43

    ohhh re Ann Rule. I haven't read any of hers but I listen to a lot of podcasts about true crime and I'd love the read more about Bundy. Ann Rule is supposed to be really good. #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:50

      I really enjoyed her writing - she wasn't as 'cold' as a lot of crime writers, and I think it added to the book.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous1 May 2016 at 16:56

    You've been busy in April!! I like the sound of the Lucie Blackman one. #KCACOLS x

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:20

      It's really good, one of the best books I've read in ages.

      Delete
  9. Unknown1 May 2016 at 23:14

    I like the sound of 'The journey.' I'm a sensitive soul so real life crime is too much for me. I do love some crime fiction...Tess Gerritson Crime Thrillers. The RIzzoli and Isles books are awesome (as is the TV series). Thanks for sharing! #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:52

      I haven't read any of the Isles books; I don't read much fiction these days, but I do go through phases where I'll read a whole lot together. x

      Delete
  10. myrealfairy.com2 May 2016 at 08:00

    People who eat darkness is the one for me I think. I'm amazed when I see your reading list. You get so much in and always so varied. Thanks for sharing and also for the comment on my book review also:) x

    mainy - myrealfairy

    #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell2 May 2016 at 14:45

      Thank you! :D I didn't manage to read as much this time around, but fingers crossed for next month! x

      Delete
  11. thisiswhereitisat2 May 2016 at 11:55

    Ooo a great list and some things I havent heard that I shall look further now to read. Thanks for sharing X #kcacols

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  12. Unknown2 May 2016 at 19:57

    Wow I am impressed that you manage to get through so much..The beach book has beautiful looking colours and pictures which my son will love I will definitely be having a look. We love seeing new suggestions #KCACOLS

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell3 May 2016 at 20:30

      There are a few in that series too, and they all look fab. x

      Delete
  13. Unknown3 May 2016 at 22:42

    I'm intrigued by 'People who eat darkness'. But it will have to join my reading wish list! ;) #kcacols

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    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell4 May 2016 at 19:09

      Oh, man, I know the feeling - every time I read a book review I'm like, that sounds good. Oh, wait, I have about 300 books in front of it... :)

      Delete
  14. Audrey5 May 2016 at 19:14

    Did you notice, all 4 of us posted about books this week? I love seeing your list to find things to add to my Goodreads list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell6 May 2016 at 14:42

      Great minds think alike! ;) Aw, thank you - I've not read as much lately. Well, I have, but it's been trashy magazines...

      Delete
  15. one frazzled mum6 May 2016 at 20:40

    Interesting books I am intrigued by the Ted Bundy book it sounds like a good read I haven't even managed one book this month #kcacols

    ReplyDelete
  16. TheSpeedBump6 May 2016 at 21:21

    You have great taste in books! Will definitely have to check these out. #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete

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