NetGalley November & Reindeer Readathon 2024 Update

I thought I would touch base and let you know how my NetGalley November is going as it’s been a little hit and miss.

On the one hand (the audiobook hand), I am had a good time with Deja Brew (a cute cosy-fantasy romance audiobook) by Celestine Martin and I am currently devouring the audiobook of Hilary Mantel’s A Memoir of My Former Self, a collection of essays and articles (a genre I am not used to!).

And on the other, I quit two reads (One by One by Freida McFadden and Sleep by CL Taylor), and I nearly quit my current read as I felt the first chapter was so confusing. I think I found my footing with A Palace Near The Wind by Ai Jiang, but I am hoping that, because it’s a novella, I can power through a try another NetGalley proof (After my last DNF, I didn’t want to go near any titles and I didn’t for a good 24 hours before I started A Palace Near The Wind. Now, I have a least 3 or 4 I want to try. On the audiobook front, I have about 2 that am leaning towards and these are odd picks as they are outside my comfort zone (but seeing as next Sunday is the 1st of December, I sense am not going to have enough time to power through them! Oh well…

So, yeah, my NetGalley November is not going as smoothly as I would like, but at least I am doing it and not rushing/forcing self.

On a different note, I have quit Twitter/X. Yes, I have fled the site and deleted my account. It’s sad (as I enjoyed my time on there and using it to make bookish friends in the blogging sphere, but just became so toxic and not a pleasured place to be) but, at the same time, weirdly liberating. (I am looking at using my Instagram more, so heads up on that front. And I am looking into BlueSky – not sure I will join but we shall see…)

Also, heads up for December, but I am going to casually do the Reindeer Readathon. Casually as I am a slow reader and there are books I want to attempted to read over the Christmas period that I don’t think will fit the prompts…

(I filled in the form. I am in Team Candy Cane and I have no idea what am doing for the prompts. Maybe the Book Gods and Goddess have mercy upon my poor bookshelves…)

NetGalley November 2024

I am very behind on my eProof and audiobooks (hell, I am behind on reading and blogging in general!), but I wanted to try and get some of my NetGalley reads under some control. I mean, last year, I lost loads of my proofs on my kindle due to either my Amazon account being deleted or hacked so the whole 80% ratio is never going to happen. 

But I do wanna try and get some control and tackle some of my audiobooks via NetGalley. So, this isn’t a “Here’s what am going to read over the month”, but I wanted to touch base, say hi, chat about my reading plans for the next few weeks and hold myself to account. 

So, what am I going to do? I am going to try and listen to several of my NetGalley audiobooks over the next month or so (I have a vague idea what the next 3 audiobooks I want to tackle/am in the mood for), try and backtrack over some proofs and, over December, try and continue this plan but allowing self to be flexible and have a lot of fun on rereads and relistens (maybe even make a plans of those relistens I wanted to do this year, but kept putting off. Yes, The Diviners by Libba Bray, I do mean you). 

Now, is this going to be easy? No, as I am a mood reader and so, my mood will be affect by outside events (this past week was hard as WTF world?!), but am going to try and continue to have fun and push self to discover new stories and chat about them on my socials/on here (though, be warned, I am going to quit Twitter before the year is out!). 

So, here we go! Let’s try and get a wiggle on NetGalley and look forward to a calm rest of November/December (which I sense won’t happen, but deep breaths). 

Oh, do you guys wanna see my NetGalley audiobooks that are on my phone? 

NetGalley November 2023 - Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night

You think, while I was on holiday to a warm climate, I would read warm, sunny reads. Nope. Of course not. You all have been following this blog and most of my social media outlets for how long now? I wanted for something cold, something Christmas, something murder. 

And I had an itch to read one. So, imagine my surprise after attempting to read the prologue of Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night that I powered through, even though my brain was going “You should save this for Christmas…” and “You didn’t like the previous outings with Sophie Hannah’s take on Poirot. Why would this time be any different?”

Title and Author: Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah

Publisher: HarperCollins

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): uk.bookshop.org

It’s 19th December, and both Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are planning their Christmas together, when a woman bursts in and begs for their help. This turns out to be Inspector Catchpool’s mother and she insists Poirot and Catchpool come to a Norfolk mansion to solve a murder and prevent another. In the safe haven of a hospital, a well liked man was murdered - hit over the head with a heavy vase - and soon, Arnold Laurier will be going to the same hospital (to the private room next to the murder scene) and his wife is convinced he will be murdered too, though she can’t explain why. 

Against both their wishes, Poirot and Catchpool go and, if they want to be home by Christmas, they will need to get their little grey cells working quickly to catch the killer and maybe prevent a second murder. 

NetGalley November 2023 - The Rosewood Hunt

Oh, the joy of going away on a well-needed holiday. Time to catch up on some much needed reading, especially for my NetGalley To Be Read List (see why I choose to do NetGalley November now?). Much needed time to escape the huge issues of real life (one was dropped on my head over 24 hours before I got on a plane. So that was fun!)

One of the things I wanted to do this month was tackle some of my older backlist. Did I do that? NOPE! I went for something a little newer (and I have loads of newer titles to tackle). But seeing as I was on holiday, I wanted to tackle some fun, light, fluffy. And after a few other titles that I picked up, read the first few pages and went “Not in the mood”, this came up and I devoured the first few chapters at breakneck speed. 

Title and Author: The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed

Publisher: Harper360

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): uk.bookshop.org

Lily Rosewood has been living with her grandmother for the past year and, over that time, the two have become close. Lily hopes one day to her grandmother with her fashion business. But when Grams suddenly and unexpectedly dies, Lily is in completely shock. And when, at the will reading with her uncle and cousin, she discovered a her grandmother’s quarter of a billion dollar fortune is missing and all three are banned for the estate, Lily doesn’t understand. 

But Gram loves her little games. So, when Lily receives a letter written in invisible ink, she begins to question why Grams would hid her fortune. And when three random teens come to Lily, all with a letter from Gram, the unlucky four are forced to team up and go on a real life treasure hunt. But treasure hunters are coming for the fortune also, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to get that cash…

NetGalley November 2023 - The Christmas Appeal

My first NetGalley November Read! And I’m putting it up now as I will be away from my iPad next week and the NetGalley proofs I am reading/audiobook are a tad chunky so it will take me some time on them. But I wanted to kick this month off properly by attacking one of my most recent - The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett. 

Actually, this was a Wish Granted on NetGalley. I clicked on this on a whim, not thinking I would have my wish granted. I just liked the sound of it. Hang on, before I go into this, let me give you some details and we can begin. 

Title and Author: The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

Publisher: Viper Books

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): uk.bookshop.org

The Fairway Players of Lower Lockwood are back, getting themselves involved in another murder mystery (haven’t they not learned from Janice Hallett debut, The Appeal?). This time, the cutthroat of amateur dramatics are busy rehearsing for the Christmas panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Expect, not everyone is feeling the good cheer. The fake smiles and catty, pettiness is out in force. The beanstalk might be full of asbestos and, of course, there’s the matter of the dead Santa… 

Lawyers Femi and Charlotte are reading the emails, the WhatsApp, the Police reports to find out the truth.

NetGalley November Maybe Audiobook TBR

I did warn you that I was thinking of doing this: a NetGalley TBR of some of the audiobooks the lovely publishers/authors/PR companies have gifted to me via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review/reaction. 

Now, I have quite a few to power through (too many, if I am going to be complete honest with you all), but there are a few that I would like to attempt to listen to (or just start then rage-quit them. These still count, and I fear I will write a post of my DNFs for your reading pleasure. Sorry in advance). So, while I am in the depths of October, writing this and wondering if I will actually follow through with my reading plans (I am a mood reader, we all know this), let me share a few audiobooks that I have my eye on…

Oh, not sure if this will be of any use to you but I have put some affiliate links in this post for some ease if any titles catch your eye. I’ll put a * next to the links for openness. Now, the titles on my radar this month…

NetGalley November 2023

I decided that I’m going to do this back in the middle of August (same with my All Hallows Reads!), but I’ve decided that it’s time that I get my TBR under control. Mainly my NetGalley TBR (both my eProofs and my audiobooks).

Now, I did this last year (I forgot I did), but for those of you not sure what NetGalley is, NetGalley is a website where publishers can “aimed at the distribution of digital … proofs of books [and audiobooks], some of which have not yet been released” to booksellers, librarians, reviewers, educators and bloggers to help promote the title. So, it’s free? No, because in exchange for this, you must leave a review and promote the title.

Now, earlier this year, something strange happened my kindle/Amazon account (was it hacked? Did they delete it by accident? Who knows?!) but most of my eProofs from NetGalley that were on my kindle were wiped so I had to start again from scratch. And with NetGalley’s ideal feedback percentage for users being 80% (and mine is at 51% at time of writing), I needed to get self back on track with reading/review. I have been a bit on-the-outs of blogging/review of late so I want to push self into blogging again. 

I have some titles in mind I want to read/audio this month. I want them to be slightly different from last month’s “spooky” reading, but you know me, I love a good creepy thriller/fantasy. Plus, I don’t exactly stick to my reading plans as I am very much a mood reader. But, like I said, I do have a few titles I would like to attempt to read this month/by the end of the year. 

So, shall I tease some titles that I would like to try/attempt to read this month…? (Oh, if any titles catch your eye, I have put some affiliate links in this post for some ease. I have put a * next to the links in question. Hope these help!)

NetGalley November - Murder Most Royal

Ok, so my NetGalley November wasn't exactly as good as I would have liked, but I am trying to be a bit better in going "I'm not in the mood for this. Ok, will come back to that later and find something that I want to read and savour". And this was a surprise one as was going to save this for next month, in the run up for Christmas (plus, I did want to read a title that fit under indie publisher but ha-ho). 

Title and Author: Murder Most Royal by S.J. Bennett

Publisher: Zaffre

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof and Audiobook gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop.org

December 2016. The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Sandingham for their Christmas break, only to be told that a severed hand has been found, washed up on a beach near the estate. 

The Queen, who has a knack for solving crimes, vows not to get involved. It's Christmas and both she and Philip have terrible colds. But when she recognised the signet ring as old family friend, Edward St Cyr, the Queen realises that she might have to get involved after all. Plus, when she heard that a local woman has been a terrible victim of a hit and run, and a local man drowned while open water swimming, the Queen can't help but feel that these are all connected in some way...

Restless Truth UK Blog Tour

AHOY AHOY, LAND LOVERS! Here we are on my stop on the UK Blog tour, celebrating the release of A Restless Truth by Freya Marske! And it's a review-based tour so let's get going! 

Title and Author: A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

Publisher: Tor

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher and PR company via physical and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop.org

In the second book in the Last Binding trilogy, Maud Blythe finds herself on the RMS Lyric, returning to England from New York. Her reason for going is because of her brother, Robin, and the cause to protect magic in the British Isles. It should be an easy trip back. 

Expect when she discovers a dead body, a bad-mouthed parrot, missing silver and jewels. She, also, meets the beautiful stranger, Violet Debenham - a magician, an actress, a scandal, a siren - all the things Maud should fear and yet, desires. As the two grow closer, they have only six days to untangle a conspiracy and solve a murder, all of which started generations ago...

#SmallPressBigStories - Ravencave & Marcus Sedgwick

This is going to be awkward to write as I got approved for this via NetGalley and started reading the same day the news broke that Marcus Sedgwick died suddenly and unexpectedly. So, of course, reading this had a very different feel. It was the same when I read Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett so soon after his death. There was something poignant about the story and it hit much close to home because of the suddenness of Sedgwick's death. 

I was, also, in two minds own if I wanted to talk about this book so soon. I'n not sure what the publisher's plans are now for this title. But, in the end, I decided that I wanted to talk about Ravencave because it's a beautiful swansong to Marcus's writing so please forgive me for making this so short. 

Title and Author: Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop.org

On a family holiday to Yorkshire due to his dad trying to trace his family roots, James is slowly watching his family fall apart. His parents bicker and his teenage brother ignores him, James sees a ghost of girl, asking him to follow her. Afraid, he runs away, but when she appears again, James decides to follow her... 

I honestly don't know where to start with this. There's a gentle gothicness to this story and, at the same time, it was poignant look at family and loss. It was just a joy to read. 

I've only ever read one of Marcus's previous titles - Midwinterblood - and I've always said I would come back to his body of work. But sadly I've never had, though I am planning to with two or three titles in mind... But before I go, I want to raise a toast to Marcus: thank you for the stories. 

NetGalley November - Jumping Jenny

As this is going to be a mix of NetGalley November and me reading books from smaller, indie publishers, this month's reading is going to be a mixed back. So, what a good place to start with a crime story from the British Library Crime Classic (yes, the British Library has publishing arm and the Crime Classic collection publishes a crime story from the Golden Age of Crime that hasn't been in print for years. They are forgotten stories). 

Title and Author: Jumping Jenny by Anthony Berkeley

Publisher: British Library

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop.org

First published in 1933, we are invited to a fancy dress party where everyone is dressed up as famous murderers and their victims. One person attending the party is famous author and detective, Roger Sharingham who is delighted at the level of detail the hosts have thrown at the party. The host constructed a gallows that have three dolls hanging from them - two jumping Jacks and one jumping Jenny. And the party would be fun - if it wasn't for the host's sister-in-law who must be in the centre of attention and being a horrid person. 

So when she is found hanging in the gallows instead of jumping Jenny, it looks like she committed suicide. But when Roger realises that it can't be, he decides to meddle with the scene, fearing that this key detail will implicate his friend...

NetGalley November 2022

Hey Upper East Siders! Gossip Girl here. Did you miss me? Well, I sure missed you…

I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, hi! I’m back! Did you miss me?

Did we all have a lovely spooky October? I am not much of a horror fan, so I dove into crime and stories with a slight edge to them. Same with TV and films – I’m not a horror fan, but I do like a good twisted thriller (and fun, goofy spookiness as well)!

But now, we are in the month of November, and I need to get some of my reading under control. Mainly my NetGalley proofs.

Now, I know I have chatted to you about what NetGalley is, but let me refresh your memory. NetGalley is a website where publishers can “aimed at the distribution of digital … proofs of books, some of which have not yet been released” to booksellers, librarians, reviewers, educators and bloggers to help promote the title. So, it’s free? No, because in exchange for this, you must leave a review and promote the title.

I’m happy to read on my kindle. In fact, this seems to be the year I have read more stories on my kindle than physical. But the problem with my eReader is that I can constantly surprised to discovered titles on there (that I have either bought or have requested/been approved to read). It’s either a lovely surprise or a “What on earth was I thinking?” kinda surprise.

And earlier last month, I got approved for several titles in one evening. No biggie, I thought. Until I saw the number on titles approved on my NetGalley shelf. This includes audiobooks. It was a large number, and it made me panic! So, I wanted to focus on reading a few and getting some titles that I am excited about (and some that I have forgotten about) read. This, also, means me being brutal – if I start a title and I don’t like within the first few chapters, that book is gone and I will not write a review for it (though of course, I will chat about it on Goodreads and maybe plan something on here…)

Also, I want to focus on some smaller, independent publishers and the stories they are publishing this month as well (aka not the big 5/6 publishers - Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins, Bonnier, Hachette Book Group and PanMacmillan). Now, this is going to be more tricky as you have to go hunting for indie publishers without going into self-publishing, but I think I have a few titles up my sleeve that I wanna try out! 

Plus, the awesome Matt from Runalong The Shelves (@runalongwomble on Twitter) is do an gentle month long blog tour to support indie publishers and stories. And I am in involved in the tail end of the month, but as this is gentle, might only be one of two posts [I have read one that will go live later this week that is published in the UK by the British Library publishing arm, which is class as indie so HAHA!). If you follow the hashtag #SmallPressBigStories, you can keep up to date with all the happenings...

Anyway, am going to try and get my reading under control. Or attempt to. I mean, this is going to go so badly. We all know it, but let’s pretend for a moment, shall we?

NetGalley Blog Tour - The Cousins

BLOG TOUR TIME! And yes, it’s a review-type post. I know, I normally stay away from these kinda tours in case I read the book and hate its guts, but when this title popped up, I couldn’t resist trying this author. I mean, you guys LOVE Karen M. McManus thrillers, especially One of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep A Secret. So, of course, I was curious and suffering a little FOMO. But The Cousins catch my eye and demanded my attention. And who am I to refuse a book’s siren call?

Title And Author: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
Publisher: Penguin
Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/write-up for blog tour (hosted by The Write Reads)
Length: 336 Pages

The Story family are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on the East Coast island, rich, beautiful, closely knit. Till one day, the four children all suddenly get disowned by their mother with a letter containing five words: You know what you did.

Years pass and when cousins Aubrey, Milly and Jonah Story receive mysterious innovations to spend the summer at the their grandmother, they feel like they have no choice but to go, in the vain hope of healing the diverted family. But when they get to the island, they get the strong impression that their grandmother didn’t invite them… 

The teens are determined to figure out what happened to rip their family apart and the truth behind those five words. But every Story has a secret…

NetGalley November - Don't Look

The last NetGalley November review. Yes, I know this is December but I finished this Sunday/Monday so I can’t include it as part of my Reindeer Readathon or my December TBR (which seems to be turning a bit of a Murdery Christmas… [and I planned to read fantasy and sci-fi like heck. Oh well…]. And yes, it’s a crime-y read… kinda… so yeah, this December on the Pewter Wolf might be more stabby than I was hoping for…

Title And Author: Don’t Look by Alexandra Ivy

Publisher: Kensington Books

Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction

Length: 402 Pages

So, main reason I requested this on NetGalley was the cover. The cover is striking, right? But does it live up to the premise. 

Kir Jansen returns to his hometown of Pike, Wisconsin, to bury his father, the former sheriff of the town. After the funeral, things happen out of his control: Kir bumps into the town’s vet, Dr Lynne Gale and there’s something between them. The vicar gives Kir a letter from his father, listing initials and Kir is wondering if it’s linked to his father’s frantic and drunk delusions that a serial killer is taunting him, waiting to strike at the women of Pike…

Then women begin to get murdered. Discovered naked barring a red ribbon wrapped round their neck, their throats slashed and each victim looks like they have been tortured. 

Kir realises (to his horror and shame) that his father was telling the truth and he’s worried that Lynne might be the last victim in this serial killer’s list. As the two try to figure out who the killer is, the two grow closer…

NetGalley November - Snowbound At The Manor

I can already hear you going “OMG! Andrew, are you feeling well? You’re reading a straight-up romance novel. And not only that, it’s a Mills And Boon!”. And yes, it is. I have several that I requested from NetGalley (a mix of Mills and Boon Modern, Medical & True Love) as well as a bunch of other romances (both straight and gay), but after 2020 being what it has been, I think we all needed something fun, silly and us just knowing things are going to end happily (so, yeah, you are going to see a lot of romance stories over the next few weeks. Sorry/not sorry in advance)

Title And Author: Snowbound At The Manor by Ellie Darkins
Publisher: Mills and Boon
Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/write-up
Length: 192 Pages
Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop UK

Jess doesn’t do Christmas. So, her escape before spending an awkward and tense Christmas with her parents is to spend a long weekend with her influencer friend in a Yorkshire Dales stately home. But heavy snowstorms have other plans. Jess turns up to the manor with roads behind her getting blocked by snow, her friend Lara is stuck in an airport and can’t get to the UK and, just when she thinks things can’t get worse, the power goes out and she discovers a man - the owner, Rufus - lying almost unconscious on the front doorstep with hypothermia… Looks like they’re going to be spending Christmas together… Let the snow fall and the sparks fly…

NetGalley November - The Missing Diamonds

I kept putting this book off. I know, I know. But, originally, my plan was to take part in this year’s Believathon, a readathon that focuses on middle grade books. But, my NetGalley TBR was getting out of hand so I decided to skip it and put this (and the sequel, which I also have) on the back burner. Then, my library’s audiobook app had this and I hit request so fast! Which is strange as BorrowBox has this on audiobook but not Audible. Go figure. 

Title And Author: Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds by Annabelle Sami & Illustrated by Daniela Sosa

Publisher: Stripes Publishing

Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook & Audiobook

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/write-up and audiobooked borrowed from local library via BorrowBox

Length: 256 Pages or 4 Hours 21 Minutes

At her cousin, Sam’s, Mehndi party, Zaiba gets her first mystery: who is the mystery VIP staying at the same hotel. With the help of her best friend, Poppy, and her little brother, Ali, Zaiba puts her sleuthing skills to the test. But when the celebrity’s dog goes missing, along with its priceless diamond collar, it’s up to the trio to save the day. But are they up to the task?

NetGalley November - The Survivors

I’m in two minds on whether to post this now or wait till January 2021. Because this title is already out now and not. Confused? Well, the eBook version and Audiobook is out now yet the hardback is out in January 2021. So, in theory, I should put this up in the New Year. And yet, when have I ever done the sensible thing? Plus, as soon as I was approved to read this, I dived head-first into it as I LOVED The Lost Man (Jane Harper’s third novel and my first) so I wanna talk about! 

Info dump time? I think it is! 

Title And Author: The Survivors by Jane Harper

Publisher: Little, Brown

Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook and Audiobook

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review/write-up, and audiobook was borrowed from local library via BorrowBox

Length: 384 Pages or 11 Hours 57 Minutes

Kieran Elliott’s life changed one horrible day when a mistake lead to devastating consequences that affected his family and his small coastal town even now, years later. When Kieran returns with his girlfriend and their new born, Kieran sees his parents struggling. Struggling with his father’s dementia, his mother’s grief and the loss of Kieran’s older brother, Finn. 

When a body of a tourist is found on the beach the following morning, a murder investigation begins and long held secrets being to come to the surface. Secrets that go back to that fateful day that has haunted Kieran…

NetGalley November - The Beast and The Bethany

I warned you guys that this NetGalley November attempt of mine this month is going to be a little erratic. But I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. I had planned to write-up my thoughts of The Survivors by Jane Harper or Karen M. McManus The Cousins before I attack this. But then, the UK Prime Minister announced a 4 week Lockdown on Halloween (aka Lockdown: The Revenge) due to a newspaper leak, and then with the US Election building up, my brain couldn’t handle these thrillers. So, on the first of November, I decided I needed something short, fast and fun! 

And this caught my eye! So… Hang on, info and affiliate link time! 

Title And Author: The Beast and The Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips (Illustrations by Isabelle Follath)
Publisher: Egmont
Physical, eBook or Audiobook: eBook and Audiobook
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof gifted by publisher by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and audiobook borrowed from local library via BorrowBox
Length: 256 Pages or 4 Hours 33 Minutes

Ebenezer Tweezer is not a nice man. He is a youthful yet spoilt 511 year old, and he has a beast living his attic. Ebenezer feeds the beast and the beast gives - well, vomits - out beautiful gifts for him. 

And yet, the beast is greedy. And he’s growing bored of eating rare animals, dusty statues and and singing parrots. The beast wants to try a new meal. One not tried before… for the beast wants a child…

NetGalley November: Let's Do It

My first NetGalley November write-up and it’s something a little left-field for me - a biography -, but when I saw this on NetGalley a fortnight ago, I knew I had to request from the publisher and hope that they would be kind and allow me to listen to it for review. Once I was approved (thank you UK publisher of Trapeze), I started almost immediately!

There is a slight problem with doing reviews or write-ups about biographies and autobiographies, and that is how to rate them. When you rate a book, you got with the writing and the story. But with a biography or an autobiography, people sometimes look at how you rate it or review it and say you’re attacking the subject of the autobiography or biography, and that’s not the case.

Most people, I found, only read a biography or autobiography if they know already that they are going to like the subject and it’s only if something really big happens that changes the person’s mind. So, going into this biography of the late great comedian of Victoria Wood, I knew I was going to like it. I mean, I grew up watching dinnerladies and watching repeats of As Seen on TV, Acorn Antiques and Housewife, 49. I remember dragging my mum to see Acorn Antiques: The Musical up in London so I knew, going into this, that I was going to find this fascinating and insightful

Oh, hang on. I need to do the info block and affiliate links before I go on. Hang on!

Title And Author: Let’s Do It: The Authorised Biography of Victoria Wood by Jasper Rees
Publisher: Trapeze
Physical, eBook or Audiobook: Audiobook
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/write-up.
Length: 592 Pages or 20 Hours 56 Minutes