From the Book Elf

  A Vampire is NOT a Pet  by Lexi Rees My thanks to Lexi for sending me a copy to review and to  Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me on the tour. Synopsis Yasmin REALLY wants a pet. A cat, a dog—she’d even settle for a snake. After all, there’s hardly anything Yasmin is afraid of… unless you count ghosts, zombies, monsters, and maybe custard. But Velma wasn’t the pet Yasmin expected. For starters, there are the fangs. And, well… she’s a vampire. From classroom chaos and dental disasters to a blood bank heist (don’t ask), the world’s worst cow impressions (really don’t ask), and a Halloween party wild enough to wake the dead, Yasmin and Velma are about to have the time of their (after)lives. As the mayhem piles up, Yasmin starts to wonder… could a vampire be the most fang-tastic pet ever? My Thoughts Wow, would we all like to have a vampire as a pet ????????? Well by the time you have read this short story by Lexi you will definitely have decided one way or another. ...

The Colour of Memory  by Christopher Bowden My Thoughts I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Christopher Bowden has a style of writing that I like with just enough detail to give you what you need without overloading you with minutiae. First of all I was drawn in by the title of the book, and the cover, which doesn’t give any clue as to what lies ahead making the turning of the first page a complete mystery.  The pace of the book and the introduction of different characters and settings has been well thought out to keep the reader captivated and is characteristic of Bowden’s writing.   The idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes and the theme of “Windows” for Lucy’s art work is captivating and I have found myself , since I read the book, looking at them in a completely different way. Lucy is a lovely central character who is curious about a coded book she comes across and is eager to learn more about its origins and who wrote it. The differ...

Beneath A Darkening Sky  by Judith Crow Beneath A Darkening Sky by Judith Crow  was published on 13th October by Crowvus. My thanks to Judith for sending me a copy to review and to  Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour. Synopsis Dark retellings of beloved fairy tales. Disturbing visions of the present and dire warnings of the future. Great estates where devastating secrets linger in every shadowed hall. This chilling gothic horror anthology contains it all.  My Thoughts What a dark collection of short stories this little book holds. Each of which will have you looking over your shoulder or checking whether the line of salt is securely in place outside your bedroom door. Some of these stories are very short , ie a couple of pages, but they are equally as captivating as the longer ones and will definitely leave you with a ghostly feeling. Each retelling will draw you into its dark, and at times gruesome, setting straight away making you feel as though you...

A Ticket To Ride  by Sue Wickstead This is the latest book from Sue Wickstead in the "Bus" series. My thanks to Sue for sending me a copy to review and to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me onto the tour. Around the corner and up the hill, Jumping off when the bus stops still. Animals and friends hop on and off the bus as it travels through lands near and far, on special days and everyday afternoons. On this journey, you can meet everything from cats and elephants to one very celebratory bee, telling jokes and adding their opinions. This collection of light-hearted poems and stories is perfect for a cosy afternoon with your own Nanny. My Thoughts This is another lovely addition to the library of Stories and Rhymes that are all bus related by Sue. A Ticket To Ride is a wonderful collection of short stories, rhymes and jokes that will keep any little one entertained for hours whilst they are either read to , or reading it for themselves. Like all the previous...

Around The Table  by Diana Henry Around The Table by Diana Henry was published on 2nd October 2025 by Mitchell Beazley. My thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a copy to review and to  Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour.  'A table is where we eat and talk, where we connect...What and how we eat remains a source of constant fascination to me, as is how particular ingredients spread across the world. I want to make links and trace patterns. Food is about history, geography, our habits, imagination and how we relate to each other.' Diana Henry. My Thoughts This is one of those delightfully informative books that I love having around the house to just stop and dip into every now and then rather than reading it all in one go. Each chapter leaves you with a lovely little nugget of foodie information for you to either simply digest as it is or go away and try for yourself. One new staple food item in my fridge is now strained Greek yoghurt which see...

The Writers Table  by Valerie Stivers The Writers Table by Valerie Stivers was published on 9th October by Frances Lincoln. My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to  Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour. Synopsis A celebration of food and creativity, The Writer’s Table invites you to feast upon the dishes that fuelled great writing. Did you know that Laurie Colwin was known to wash dishes in the bath and that Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton’s favourite drink was an Extra-Dry Martini? In fact, the friends were known to enjoy a three martini lunch. The Writer’s Table brings together 50 favourite recipes from the world’s most beloved authors, offering a glimpse into their kitchen rituals. Each recipe is paired with an introduction to the author and dish, alongside clear instructions and modern ingredients. Some draw from the historical record, others from cookbooks written by the writer, as well as some contemporary recreatio...