A Good Read

I first joined Goodreads years ago but never really understood what use it was to me then. Recently I've started using it regularly and, as an avid reader and book geek, it's proving to be pretty good. You can read real honest reviews, get recommendations for new books based on what you like, and see what your friends are reading (great for me as I'm pretty nosy when it comes to books!). Just to point out before I go on, this post is in no way sponsored by the site, I just wanted to share how much I've been enjoying it lately! (Although if anyone wants to pay me, preferably in books, I'd be more than happy!)

One of the things I like most about it is that it lets me keep a really easy record of what I've read and what I'd like to read. I'm terrible at remembering what I've read, and therefore authors I would like to read more from. I've often found myself wandering around the library thinking 'what was that really good book...?' hoping inspiration will spring from the shelves and I'll recall what I read only a few months ago. So, for someone like me with a rather poor memory this helps to catalogue what I've read, and also allows me to add books to a 'to read' shelf if I come across something I find interesting and can look up at a later date.

Another thing I really like about the site is the giveaways. Now, I love a good competition and books are one of my favourite things to win. I've been lucky lately with quite a few new ones arriving in the post, so when I discovered I could increase my chances of getting my hands on more free books I was rather excited (yes, maybe I do need to get out more...). I've only been entering them for a few weeks and have already won a book called This Is The Life by Alex Shearer which I look forward to reading and reviewing on the site! If you win giveaways you are encouraged to review it, which I think is only fair to those that give away the books. It also means you are more likely to win more!

I've had a look through my Goodreads shelves to remind me and this is what I've been enjoying recently...

The Virgins - Pamela ErensI won this book from Waterstones. Again, you are encouraged to write a review - mine can be found here.
I got another book from Waterstones through the post today - Two Turtle Doves: A Memoir of Making Things by designed Alex Monroe. It's not something I would usually read so I'll be interested to see how I find it!

The Rosie Project - Graeme SimsionI picked this book up when I had a voucher to get a book from The Richard and Judy book club for free (yes that's right, more free books!) I didn't really look at it before I got it but I'm so glad I chose it! It is honestly one of the funniest and most touching books I have read for ages. It's been compared to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and I could definitely see the similarities. I would thoroughly recommend it. 

Gone Girl - Gillian FlynnI rather missed the boat with this one when it seemed everyone was reading it. The fact that it was so popular made me slightly dubious about it as I wondered if it would live up to all the hype. I managed to pick up a copy of it for £1 so thought it was worth a try. The fact that the main quote on the front cover was from The Daily Mail didn't do anything to quell my doubts, it isn't the usual place I go for my book recommendations, but I have to say it didn't disappoint. Some of it was very far fetched and unbelievable, but I kind of think that's the point of fiction. It was a really engrossing thriller and I look forward to seeing what they do with the film.

The Shock of the Fall - Nathan Filer

This is what I'm currently reading, recommended to me by my mum and winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2013. I'm about a third of the way through and it is definitely one of those books that you just keep reading and reading without even noticing time passing. It's a really interesting look at mental health and I can't wait to see how it develops. My favourite line so far is about comparing mental illness to physical disease and saying the difference is that 'my illness knows everything I know' and learns with him. I think this is a brilliant description.
I've been reading this on my mum's e-reader in an attempt to try them out and see if my reservations about them are true. I have to say I'm not particularly liking the experience so far - I miss the feel of a book so I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy one anytime soon!

If you'd like to add me on Goodreads you can find me here