Beautiful

I was asked to read the 20th anniversary edition by Lovereading.

I have to confess never to have read this beautiful book, this has a new an interesting introduction by the author who is overwhelmed with the success of novel, film and interest in a painting- people instantly refer to this as the girl with a pearl earring but possibly will never know the painter.

Having read the Miniaturist by Jessie Burton I wanted to read this novel and how wonderful to receive the 20th anniversary copy.

it is beautiful that the author takes such a famous paining by Vermeer and brings it to life with a wonderful story set in the 1600s.

The story is a girl who works as a maid in the Vermeer house. There is an air of mystery with Vermeer himself, jealousy his wife is jealous of the maids beauty and the maid who is mesmerised by the paintings.

Vermeer's patron to order the maid to sit for one of his paintings. She is mesmerised even with the mixing of the paints and being able to assist to being around art material she has never seen before. Slowly she feels affection for Vermeer and he too for her.

Sadly the wife comes upon the painting and even more racked with jealously orders the maid out of the household to marry a butchers son - back to what was right for that time- one wonders if this had happened today would Vermeer have left his jealous wife or was this the artist falling in love with art and the painting? leave the reader to their thoughts.

The maid is a likable and beautiful character the author brings to life this time in history.

I will now watch the film, as glad to have read the book first, the painting well I will need to travel to the Hague to see it.

Recommended and congratulations to the author for 20 years.

Marty the fab

I was asked to review for Librarything

What a beautiful book - message is for kids to use their time more profitably and learn.

Beautifully illustrated with Australian animals and a cute story- Marty is unable to sleep so he is entertaining with his friends. Good for kids to know about what happens at night too.

although fun and entertaining there is the scary part that kolas are becoming less due to habitat - but kids need to be aware of that - needed some night scenes - this is draft so hopefully the author will take this on board.

Lovely story and kids will love Marty and friends,

Bizarre but loved it

I was asked to review by Lovereading Ambassadors. This is the third tale in the Whitborough novels.

Total madness and a feel of Harry potter, but for adults this time. Huge cast, a map, street index and comedy I have never come across in a "horror" story before. Set in Yorkshire which I love having lived in West Yorkshire some 20 years ago. So know where the author is coming from.

Weird but good characters and well written this author has a great imagination.

This is such a romp and oh my goodness this is the third- I urge readers to read all three of these novels and the seaside thrown in as well for good measure.

Bizarre but strangely I enjoyed this - hope there is a chance of book 4. I am certainly seeking this author out.

three different people and an interesting historical tale

As a Lovereading Ambassador I was asked to read and review this.

This book present the a fictional view of  Thomas De Quincey, who wrote the first book about drug addiction. Based on his time in London where he is found living on the streets- a middle class person and spend time with whore Anne and partaking in drugs. the time is around the beginning of the 19th centaury. The author creates from historical research how London would have been at that time, what the person would see, smell and experience. The third main character is called Tuan, a captured slave living in London and  he is eventually freed by his owner. it is interesting and shocking how society was at that time.

This is such a great historical novel, well researched with three stories intertwined, written with thought and a little comical at times too. the reader is pulled in by the author to this story.

Surprisingly I had never hear of Thomas De Quincey yet coming from Edinburgh had no idea he is buried in St Cuthbert's church yard at the West end of Princes Street. I will make a point of visiting his grave the next time I fly up for a visit. So how he ended up in Edinburgh well that is probably another story.