Side Note ~ What is it with Winter Reading?

Question: What is it with Winter Reading?

Ok it takes me every effort when I get home from work to not throw on my PJs curl under a blanket and read. I don't know what it is about this season but I cannot stop consuming books at this time of year? It is like books become an extension of my arms!

Right now I should be writing Christmas cards, and wrapping presents. Applying for new jobs and wedding planning but instead I am snuggling with the cat feasting on a new book!

What do you think? 

What is it that makes this season so perfect for reading?

The Book Review ~ Longbourn

Rating: 5+/5

My head was buried in this book from the moment I picked it up! What a novel! Holy Crap! Who is Jo Baker? I want to meet her and kiss her for creating this novel!

The underside of Pride and Prejudice, as a P&P buff this book pulled me out of my comfort zone and made me look at the Bennet's in a completely new light. It made the sisters real. It made them touchable and dare I say... hateable. I really disliked Elizabeth Bennet. But the way Baker writes it does in a way that makes you step back and go... No I bet they were like this! 

Longbourn isn't just about the servants and how they interact with the upstairs but it is also a stand alone novel that tells the story of Sarah as she grows up and realise her place in the world. 

The ability Baker has to integrate Austen within her work is magnificent. 

Just a standing ovation from me! 

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

The Movie Review ~ Spectre

Rating: 5/5

I may be a bit biased as it was partially filmed down the road from us... whilst we were there... we actually heard the gunfire laying in bed at night...! However, you are gonna have to trust me when I say that this is truly a magnificent film and not just because of the amazing cast!

It has the action, the sex, the music, the Bond.... what more can I say. I really don't know what to say other than it is a Bond. And it is a Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig Bond... which makes it that much better! 

I did prefer Skyfall but Spectre with Christoph Waltz was a very close second! 

The Book Review ~ Blood and Beauty

Rating: 5/5

I am going to put myself out there and say that Sarah Dunant is a better historical fiction writer than Hilary Mantel. So shoot me! She is much easier to read, her characters are more believable and her writing pulls you in and doesn't let you go. 

This novel follows the story of the Borgia's. I have read a lot and watched a lot about the Borgia's but I have never been so sympathetic towards them until this book. She really just grabs you by the throat and forces you to look at them in a whole new light. They are first and foremost a family and that is really what Dunant gets across. It is amazing!

Dunant takes the history and makes in tangible. But the characters which are so well known are suddenly given new life by Dunant's words and amazing storytelling ability. 

Just a fantastic read from start to finish.