*Hello you lovely lot! I thought I'd do a reading update for you as I have had a great few weeks of books and audiobooks recently! Hope you enjoy this slightly long chat about all things bookish :) Let me know what you're reading/listening to right now, I always love recommendations!* *Ali xx* ✨
My husband used to work all over the world for many years. ( that’s how we met, he’s dutch, I’m bristolian) We met in avonmouth. Anyway he once was working in Louisiana. Brought back a Cajun cookbook, yes I have a cook book with recipes to make alligator, snapping turtles. But it also has the most amazing recipes for fish , shrimp and chicken. A wonderful read it is. 😂❤
This year, started on my birthday in February. My daughter and I have been following a small bookstore trail that follows the Hudson River, not including NYC. All along the Hudson Valley. The inspiration came from a bag that was sold at the first bookstore. I have done Yarn walks and crawls. This is sort of like that except it cannot be done in a day or a weekend. The distance between the stores are hours apart with the Hudson River between. So starting from the North on the west side we went to as many stores as time allowed in a day. What fun, some stores are in antique shops, some have bar’s drink a beer while looking for books. Some are strictly new stores some used. Some so select I couldn’t find anything. 21 of 42 stores gone. The bag is being marked off. The small towns are so quaint and cute. Have had some good lunches. Conversation and knitting in the car. I am so lucky to have a daughter who loves doing quirky things with me and SHE DOESN’T READ!
I really enjoyed your book review. I've noted a few titles to read but I have a plethora of books in the wings, too. I'm looking forward to the video of your walk, so I am off to make a cup of tea and back to watch that one!
This was a lovely vlog, Ali. I’ve been a bit absent lately (health issues, not serious), but you reminded me how some vloggers are like old friends in that you can just pick-up where you left-off. You also reminded me about reading. It’s a long story, but for reasons untold after having read copiously my whole life, I haven’t read a thing in four years. Thank you for communicating your joy in reading as it might just encourage me to tentatively test the waters again ❤
I just finished Strange Sally Diamond today! And honestly, I loved the ending. I think that books often try to tie everything up with a pretty bow on top for their ending, and it just ends up feeling so unrealistic to me. I enjoy being able to speculate in what happens after we leave the characters, because their life would go on regardless. The happy ever after has never suited me, and I think it makes even more sense to leave the ending as she did when you've written a thriller, and not a wish fullfilment or feelgood type book! I have actually gone on to add her other books to my tbr because of how hooked I was on this one
Thank you for the recommendations Ali 🙂I read eBooks on my phone when I'm waiting for/on the bus, and on my iPad using the Kindle app. I don't have a lot of space for paper books so its a good option for me.
I can whole heartedly recommend Wolf Hall, I found the audio confusing, everyone’s called blommin’ Thomas but the eyeball was very good and it’s about Henry the Eighth court and what is going on in the background. The Sharpe series is always a fun one if you like Napoleonic war stuff. It’s a good one for in between books. I am working my way through Poldark series, love it. Love the audiobook. Your channel over the last few years has really helped get me back into books. Thank you. ❤
Thankyou for recommending Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance I enjoyed it very much and funny that I’m in Australia and saw it on an Uk RUclips , incredible
Ali you have no idea how much this has made my day. I’ve been ill for about 4 weeks which is a normally and luckily fit person is doing my head in but I chose to go back to work last week which is doing my swede in. Your videos on books have been my night time salvation. Thank you - julie
Hi, I love your book reviews and I love historical fiction, especially if it is based on real events. I just recently finished The Night Ship by Jess Kidd, this introduced me to a part of history I knew nothing about. I also loved Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton, again this was loosely based on real events and I love that I can go and learn more after I finish. This last one also of special interest to me as it is about the silk weavers and I am a dressmaker. Have a super week. ☺
Thank you for a great catch up! I have to admit I read Jane Eyre for the first time this year - and loved it! One of my recent favourites is Remarkably Bright Creatures 🐙 Marcellous is the best character 🐙
I just loved THe Cat who Saved Books. I found it so predictable but also just so much fun to watch it unwind. I think it was just such a different kind of book, and of course, being a slim book, I flew through it. And I've now been on the library app look for the Strange SAlly Diamond, it sounds so good. Thanks for the recommendations.
I read the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue after Gayna recommended it. It wasn’t a book I would have ever picked but it stayed with me and I really loved it.
I really like Maggie O'Farrell's historical fiction - I loved Hamnet, and I'm currently reading The Marriage Portrait which is about Lucrezia de Medici. I gave Strange Sally Diamond five stars - it's totally absorbing. My impression of the ending was that it was so impossible to predict because there were so many ways the story could go. I've bought so many fantastic books for 99p from the Kindly Daily Deal, which has been a life saver for me, as I live outside the UK and don't have easy access to books in English.
Thank you for another lovely book based video! I’ve had some lovely recommendations from you before! I loved The Botanist’s Daughter and I’m sure you will love it! Looking forward to another of your walking vlogs too! Take care x
I have a used a kindle since the first generation and love it. I have taken it on many trips, locally and abroad (I live in Arizona) - this means I always have something to read. As I get older, I have found that I cannot focus well on paperbacks, but I can easily change the font on my kindle and read happily. I keep my bookshelves full of books that make me feel good, but I only read on my Kindle.
Love the bookish chats. And thank you so much for the intro to What Victoria Read! She’s wonderful and I love her book recos. I also got hooked on Shelby as well. She’s hilarious! ❤
Welcome to the Kindle family! I hope you enjoy yours. I so loved 'Remarkably Bright Creatures', glad you did, too. I've put a couple on your reads on my Audible and Kindle, including 'Jane Eyre', which I'm sad to say that I've never read it.
Love your book talk! I also loved both Molly the Maid and Remarkably bright creatures. Historical fiction series recommendation: Maisie Dobb series by Jacqueline Winspear.
I loved Addie Laurie I have a beautiful hardback version bought because I loved it so much! I've added that cookbook to my wishlist, ty x Don't ever apologise for a long chatty book video, my favourite ! X
Lovely book chat! I'm a huge historical fiction fan but my recent finished books were out of my usual genre: go as a river, swan song and funny story were all excellent.
Thanks Ali for recommending The Slimming Foodie. I’ve looked at her website with a lot of recipes that would fit in with my diet, some of which can be cooked in the slow cooker (great!) so I might have a go of the Chicken Tikka Masala.
Welcome to the Dark (Kindle) Side!!! LOL! I love mine. I just finished Thursday Murder Club and really loved it. I'm normally more of a romance reader, but appreciate something different in the cosy mystery genre.
I have read the first two Thursday Murder Club books and loved them - Dan is on them now and really enjoying them as well great books! Lillia is with you on the romance! xx
I have been a Kindle reader for years. I love the written page, but my eyes no longer tolerate small print. I love that it is back lit, I can adjust both the boldness and font size. I can tuck it away and it contains many books. I also love audio books. So bravo for the Kindle. I hope you get lots of joy from it.
Loved the book recs, as always. Have you ever heard of the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik? Since you're in your historical fiction era and it's my favorite series I'm gonna take the opportunity to rec it 😊 It's historical fiction set in the Napoleonic wars but with DRAGONS! The world building is a delight and the characters and friendships are an absolute highlight. The first book is called His Majesty's Dragon and is about an uptight but good-hearted naval captain who finds a dragon egg. I won't say any more but their adventures are so much fun.
I'm really enjoying the Molly the Maid audio books - thanks for the recommendation! I especially love historical mystery audio books. Here are the first books for three series with great authors and narrators: > Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas set in Victorian London > Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson set in turn of the 19th century New York > The Deep End by Julie Mulhern set in 1970s Kansas City
I have been listening to and really enjoying the Six Tudor Queens series thanks to your enthusiasm. For a recommendation , really really liked Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy.
I used to not re-read books, but I started re-reading a few years ago and I love re-visiting places and characters that I loved. Recent historical reads based on true events that I've really enjoyed are The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson set in Jersey during WWII and the occupation following the life of the librarian and her friend who works as a postwoman on the Island. Another one set in WWII based on true events is The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan and it is set around the Bethnal Green library and follows the experience of 3 young women who come together with the community for a book club which is held in the underground station. The Wartime book club is very tense and gripping and the Underground library is a little more lighthearted and both I can thoroughly recommend.
Ken Follet writes amazing historical fiction. They’re pretty long but on audio a breeze to listen to. The Pillars of the Earth was the first of his books I read, set in the 12 th century and about the building of an immense gothic cathedral. It was a great insight into the work of stonemasons and architects of the day.
I love V E Schwab she’s one of my favourite authors. I was going to suggest my recommendation of hers but it’s just all of them. Read everything she’s written 😄
Wonderful video Ali, thoroughly enjoyed all your book reviews and have a few more titles to add to my tbr list 😌 I’ve just finished Blue sisters by Coco Mellors which was outstanding 🥰 my favourite book of the year so far, I am just about to start Cleopatra and Frankenstein now her first book xx
Hi Ali. I love watching your reading updates. I’m currently reading Strange Sally Diamond which I’m loving and have just finished Emily Henry’s new book. I’ve just requested the Addie LaRue book from my local library and will keep an eye out for Remarkably Bright Creatures. I would recommend the Soul of an Octopus if you enjoyed that one! Thanks again ❤
Thank you Ali, i was very excited to see you had uploaded a bookish catch up, my favourite ❤ I love the way you talk about books, with such enthusiasm and we seem to have a similar taste in books. I also read Ralph's party 25 years ago & loved it so can't wait to buy the anniversary copy🎉 I have just finished A Bird in Winter by Louise Doughty, which i very much enjoyed, she usually rights thrillers but its a spy novel and very suspenseful. I am planning to read Strange Sally Diamond although slightly unsure regarding the content warnings ! Thanks again Ali, i have been binging some of your older video's and find them so relaxing xx
You might enjoy the cousins war series by Phillipa Gregory also (a memoir) the bookseller at the end of the world by Ruth shaw. She led an interesting life and adds in stories about all the interesting visitors to her bookshop by her house. I loved it
I loved your podcast on books. I have been reading The Little Shop of Found Things series by Paula Brackston. It is a time travel book, historical fiction set in England. I also read Remarkably Bright Creatures and loved it.
I really enjoy historical fiction and Elizabeth Chadwick's books. The Plantagenets are where my interest lies presently. Perhaps I'll progress to the Tudors one day but I also love re-reading books I know I've enjoyed before and I hear them calling to me before I discover some new ones.
I loved George Eliots’s ADAM BEDE. I am presently rereading her SILAS MARNER which I loved in high school. Since that was 60 years ago, as I was reading it now I was busy wondering why I liked when it was a class must read. Finally Eppie appeared and I saw why I liked it. Of course my wonderful high school teacher helped me love it.
First you might be interested to know Tesco have a range of Alice in Wonderland kitchen stuff reduced in my area!! Might be in yours too? I highly recommend the books 11/22/63 by Stephen king. Best book ever but 800 pages long!! Also recommend Homecoming by Kate Morton. I did not guess the end at all🙈. Love your blogs xx
A historic fiction reading tip: I just listened to the first three unabridged books of the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom. Super well read audiobooks and well written. I can’t wait to start part 4 and I’m not a series reader normally. I really love your book recommendations. Glad to see another book by Nita Prose.
Looking forward to that coastal walk🎉🎉 Have you ever read anything by Hillary Mantel? What about Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet or The Marriage Portrait? 🌷💞
Thank you Ali for your reviews and a good variety of books. I used to read historical novels by Jean Plaidy in my twenties which was a long time ago and I’m thinking maybe I should re-read some of hers 😊
I recommend Elizabeth Chadwick for historical fiction, I feel alison weir's books have the edge on phillipa Gregory as she is a recognised historian who has written nonfiction about the same subject matter while phillipa Gregory tends to take a lot of artistic license
Now that my eyes surgeries are behind me, I’ve started to read again. I’ve finished Nita prouse’s the maid, love molly! I need to get the second Molly book. Started and finished the housemaid by Freda McFadden in two days and just started her second book the housemaid secret. McFadden was suggested by the crazy sock lady, McFadden has about 15 other novels which sound great. Ty for sharing, glad to see you and hello to the family.😊
Loved this video 💛but I love books 😂📚 and yes I love my kindle as well I find I read quicker on my kindle as I can make print a bit bigger and choose the kind of print I like ….. I am turning 61 😮 soon and struggle with certain prints and I find the kindle is just wonderful ….. but I still have books 📚📚 but find I am reading more on kindle 📚💞📚 I loved the cat who saved book ❤a book you should get on your kindle is The library at wagtail ridge by Janet gover ….. a Aussie author but you would love that book a really good story and you can get it on kindle in the UK …… 📚💞📚
I remember reading The Invisible Life of Adie LaRue and being disappointed with the ending :( Lovely to catch up with you, definitely need to look into that cookbook! I am slowly working on my Maggie cardigan with you 🥰🥰
Historical fiction is my favourite genre, try the follow up to Tidelands which carries on the story. My favourite authors are Sharon Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Mel Starr and C.J Sansom but I could list loads more xxxxx
Thanks for such a great video Ali. I will add some of your book recommendations to my very long list. A recipe website I use all the time is recipe tin eats. It has step by step video instructions as well as the written ones. 🙌 no fail recipes for people like me who really don’t enjoy cooking. Cheers Chris 🇦🇺
Her others are wonderful as well. She has such a way with turning a whimsical world on its ear. It's like a dark whimsy in a sense. Even her YA books are done well! "City of Ghosts" trilogy is amazing! Hope you find some others that you enjoy as well 😊
I think you would like Tracy Chevalier. I’ve read her for many years. I’m a prolific reader too. I’m reading her new one called The Glass Maker that for me it is hard to put down. All the ones I’ve read of hers are historical. This one is in Venice and the island near it called Murano. She’s also written The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Love the movie and the painting (one of my favorite painters). Saw it in person when my son took me to Europe some years ago. I am 73 and a widow. My husband died 26 years ago from cancer. Just a little about me. Hope I didn’t over share. Love your podcast too. Both of them. Marcia
MARGARET GEORGE!!! i love historical fiction, especially England's royalty. I would start with Mary Queen of Scots by Margaret George. Absolutely delicious!
Hi Ali, have you read any Kate Mosse? Would recommend. Re. Kindle - I too love my Kindle. I bought the 1st generation when I was undergoing treatment for my cancer, when I was either in hospital or was a frequent outpatient. It made passing the time easy and enjoyable and no bulky books to accommodate. I’ve recently upgraded so I can read in the dead of night without waking my husband up (after he has woken me up with his snoring I might add!)by having to have the light on, I set it to dark background so it doesn’t glow 🙂. I have just reserved The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue on Borrowbox, can’t wait to start it. Thank you.
I only read on a Kindle for some practical reasons and one funny one. 1. Don’t have room for physical books (too much yarn). 2. My poodle doesn’t let me keep the light on after we go to bed. She gets very huffy and annoyed. So reading a physical book is out. 😂 3. Having a very plain kindle with no browsing function, means I can only read and not scroll. I generally get one page read before I fall asleep…
I’m reading The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir Ali, now that I’ve finished The Six Tudor Queens. It’s written in a similar way, if that makes sense, and I’m glad to find out a bit more about Lady Jane Grey. I first read Jane Eyre when I was about ten, my first “real” book! Alcohol doesn’t agree with me anymore because of medication 😢. Lovely vlog Ali, thankyou. Xx
Great vlog Ali made a note of a couple audio books I listen now to books so I can craft garden dog walk suits me well I listened to the botanists daughter loved it & narrator was ok for me though I have had books & the narrator has been hard to listen to that I have abandoned & one of the seven sisters series Lucinda Riley Scottish accent sounded like the crankies 😤😤 why do they continue to mimic when it’s obvious it’s disastrous 😜
I absolutely love Jane Eyre! Whenever I have no books waiting, I reread Jane Eyre. Probably eight or nine times. I have a friend who is a writer and she hates it so I guess you either love the story or hate it. I’m listening to the book about Anne Boleyn at the moment. We’re visiting the UK in September and plan to take the train from London to visit Hever Castle. I enjoyed Catherine of Aragon but I’m not sure I’ll continue once Anne is beheaded. Thanks for the book reviews!
Oh Jill you will love Hever! Make sure to visit the grounds and walk about the lake and the gardens too - they're beautiful! The castle itself is quite small but probably my most favourite in Kent 🏰 If you're lucky you may see Ann Boleyn's actual Book of Hours! They sometimes have it on display x
@@ThisLittleWonderfulLife Didn’t you and Dan visit the grounds this past spring? Your visit and the mention of Alison Weir’s books is why we want to see it!
I love Lisa Jewell and had Ralph's Party on BorrowBox but couldn't get on with it. Maybe I ought to try reading it myself. I've just finished the Midnight Library by Matt Haig and listened to that in under a week. A bit of a record for me. I'm now listening to Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. On the kindle (a life saver for holidays!) I'm reading The Dying Place by Luca Veste a crime thriller. Very different from the audible bools I listen to. I haven't read any historical novels lately so can't recommend any authors.
I read the Dallergut Dream Department Store at the beginning of the year and felt exactly the same as you. I really wanted to love it and I really wanted more from it. It is a a trilogy and not sure when the other two will be translated in English and thinking I will read them in the hope they get better. As for Philippa Gregory I have her The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels on my shelf and yet to read them but I’ve heard they are really good and probably a good follow on from The Six Tudor Queens. Another good follow on which I’ve ordered and waiting for delivery is the Shardlake series. It’s set in Tudor times and is a mystery series. In the first book Matthew Shardlake a lawyer is commissioned by Cromwell to solve a murder. I’ve heard so many good things about the series.
Because of your recommendation I read the series about the Tudor Queens. Their stories truly gave me a range of feelings for them . I enjoyed them enough that I have even watched some documentaries about them. I recently finished; Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford.
Hi Ali, Have you read Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir? I read it about 10ish years ago as a book group read and really enjoyed it [it was my first book by Alison Weir]. I was drawn to the book because we have visited Bradgate Park in Leicestershire many times. The book is about Lady Jane Grey. It's free at the moment if you are an Audible member. And.....I absolutely love my Kindle.
I recently saw Harry Baker live, he was fabulous, if you get a chance to go and see him you will be laughing and crying in equal measure. last week, we bought some schofferhofer to try, see page 38!😂
Ali, Have you read Ken Follett's historical fictions? The Knightsbridge series starts with “Pillars of the Earth” (in order of publication). Very powerful. 👍🌻🥰
Hi, I would recommend The other Boleyn girl by Phillipa Gregory, especially as you recently visited Hever ! I've also read Remarkably Bright Creatures recently, loved it.
*Hello you lovely lot! I thought I'd do a reading update for you as I have had a great few weeks of books and audiobooks recently! Hope you enjoy this slightly long chat about all things bookish :) Let me know what you're reading/listening to right now, I always love recommendations!*
*Ali xx* ✨
There are a number of titles. I started on 5 ! I hadn't realised..... They might stand alone.
My husband used to work all over the world for many years. ( that’s how we met, he’s dutch, I’m bristolian)
We met in avonmouth.
Anyway he once was working in Louisiana.
Brought back a Cajun cookbook, yes I have a cook book with recipes to make alligator, snapping turtles.
But it also has the most amazing recipes for fish , shrimp and chicken.
A wonderful read it is. 😂❤
This year, started on my birthday in February. My daughter and I have been following a small bookstore trail that follows the Hudson River, not including NYC. All along the Hudson Valley. The inspiration came from a bag that was sold at the first bookstore. I have done Yarn walks and crawls. This is sort of like that except it cannot be done in a day or a weekend. The distance between the stores are hours apart with the Hudson River between. So starting from the North on the west side we went to as many stores as time allowed in a day. What fun, some stores are in antique shops, some have bar’s drink a beer while looking for books. Some are strictly new stores some used. Some so select I couldn’t find anything. 21 of 42 stores gone. The bag is being marked off. The small towns are so quaint and cute. Have had some good lunches. Conversation and knitting in the car. I am so lucky to have a daughter who loves doing quirky things with me and SHE DOESN’T READ!
I’m in the Hudson valley. Would love to see a pic of the map! Thinking it could make for many fun day trips 😊
Always love a long chat about books! I’m not really a re reader but I need to start!
I really enjoyed your book review. I've noted a few titles to read but I have a plethora of books in the wings, too. I'm looking forward to the video of your walk, so I am off to make a cup of tea and back to watch that one!
This was a lovely vlog, Ali. I’ve been a bit absent lately (health issues, not serious), but you reminded me how some vloggers are like old friends in that you can just pick-up where you left-off. You also reminded me about reading. It’s a long story, but for reasons untold after having read copiously my whole life, I haven’t read a thing in four years. Thank you for communicating your joy in reading as it might just encourage me to tentatively test the waters again ❤
I just finished Strange Sally Diamond today! And honestly, I loved the ending.
I think that books often try to tie everything up with a pretty bow on top for their ending, and it just ends up feeling so unrealistic to me. I enjoy being able to speculate in what happens after we leave the characters, because their life would go on regardless. The happy ever after has never suited me, and I think it makes even more sense to leave the ending as she did when you've written a thriller, and not a wish fullfilment or feelgood type book! I have actually gone on to add her other books to my tbr because of how hooked I was on this one
I love John boyne’s books. The history of loneliness and next of kin are my favourites ❤️
Hello Ali
Thanks for sharing your book update 📖
Have a great day!😊💐
Thank you for the recommendations Ali 🙂I read eBooks on my phone when I'm waiting for/on the bus, and on my iPad using the Kindle app. I don't have a lot of space for paper books so its a good option for me.
Yay .. an Ali vlog waiting for me when I woke up. Great to see a video from and i can’t get enough bookish content 📚😊
Major props for carrying on with the vlogging whilst being watched! I could never film whilst G or Charlie were in the room! 😂
I can whole heartedly recommend Wolf Hall, I found the audio confusing, everyone’s called blommin’ Thomas but the eyeball was very good and it’s about Henry the Eighth court and what is going on in the background.
The Sharpe series is always a fun one if you like Napoleonic war stuff. It’s a good one for in between books.
I am working my way through Poldark series, love it. Love the audiobook.
Your channel over the last few years has really helped get me back into books. Thank you. ❤
Thankyou for recommending Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance
I enjoyed it very much and funny that I’m in Australia and saw it on an Uk RUclips , incredible
Ali you have no idea how much this has made my day. I’ve been ill for about 4 weeks which is a normally and luckily fit person is doing my head in but I chose to go back to work last week which is doing my swede in. Your videos on books have been my night time salvation. Thank you - julie
Hi, I love your book reviews and I love historical fiction, especially if it is based on real events. I just recently finished The Night Ship by Jess Kidd, this introduced me to a part of history I knew nothing about. I also loved Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton, again this was loosely based on real events and I love that I can go and learn more after I finish. This last one also of special interest to me as it is about the silk weavers and I am a dressmaker. Have a super week. ☺
Thank you for a great catch up! I have to admit I read Jane Eyre for the first time this year - and loved it! One of my recent favourites is Remarkably Bright Creatures 🐙 Marcellous is the best character 🐙
I just loved THe Cat who Saved Books. I found it so predictable but also just so much fun to watch it unwind. I think it was just such a different kind of book, and of course, being a slim book, I flew through it.
And I've now been on the library app look for the Strange SAlly Diamond, it sounds so good. Thanks for the recommendations.
Loved loved loved this book! One of my all time favorites 🥰😁
I read the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue after Gayna recommended it. It wasn’t a book I would have ever picked but it stayed with me and I really loved it.
I really like Maggie O'Farrell's historical fiction - I loved Hamnet, and I'm currently reading The Marriage Portrait which is about Lucrezia de Medici. I gave Strange Sally Diamond five stars - it's totally absorbing. My impression of the ending was that it was so impossible to predict because there were so many ways the story could go. I've bought so many fantastic books for 99p from the Kindly Daily Deal, which has been a life saver for me, as I live outside the UK and don't have easy access to books in English.
Thank you for another lovely book based video! I’ve had some lovely recommendations from you before! I loved The Botanist’s Daughter and I’m sure you will love it! Looking forward to another of your walking vlogs too! Take care x
I have a used a kindle since the first generation and love it. I have taken it on many trips, locally and abroad (I live in Arizona) - this means I always have something to read. As I get older, I have found that I cannot focus well on paperbacks, but I can easily change the font on my kindle and read happily. I keep my bookshelves full of books that make me feel good, but I only read on my Kindle.
Love the bookish chats. And thank you so much for the intro to What Victoria Read! She’s wonderful and I love her book recos. I also got hooked on Shelby as well. She’s hilarious! ❤
Welcome to the Kindle family! I hope you enjoy yours. I so loved 'Remarkably Bright Creatures', glad you did, too. I've put a couple on your reads on my Audible and Kindle, including 'Jane Eyre', which I'm sad to say that I've never read it.
Love, love, love this vlog. Thank you Ali. ❤
Love your book talk! I also loved both Molly the Maid and Remarkably bright creatures. Historical fiction series recommendation: Maisie Dobb series by Jacqueline Winspear.
I like Susanna Kearsley for historical fiction. The Splendor Falls and The Rose Garden are two of my favorites.
Loved loved loved this book! One of my all time favorites 🥰😁. Addie LaRue
My favorite writer is Tracy Chevalier. Hope you will like her books too! 🥰 Thank you for all your videos! Loving to seeing them all! 🤗
My house wouldn’t feel like my home without my shelves of books around me, my comfort blanket 😂
I loved Addie Laurie I have a beautiful hardback version bought because I loved it so much! I've added that cookbook to my wishlist, ty x
Don't ever apologise for a long chatty book video, my favourite ! X
I recommend Petra Durst-Benning. She has 2 trilogies and 2 two part sagas. Excellent.
Translated from German.
Lovely book chat! I'm a huge historical fiction fan but my recent finished books were out of my usual genre: go as a river, swan song and funny story were all excellent.
I allso loved Addie Larue, you just reminded me of how much I loved it 🥰 x
Thanks Ali for recommending The Slimming Foodie. I’ve looked at her website with a lot of recipes that would fit in with my diet, some of which can be cooked in the slow cooker (great!) so I might have a go of the Chicken Tikka Masala.
Welcome to the Dark (Kindle) Side!!! LOL! I love mine. I just finished Thursday Murder Club and really loved it. I'm normally more of a romance reader, but appreciate something different in the cosy mystery genre.
I have read the first two Thursday Murder Club books and loved them - Dan is on them now and really enjoying them as well great books! Lillia is with you on the romance! xx
I have been a Kindle reader for years. I love the written page, but my eyes no longer tolerate small print. I love that it is back lit, I can adjust both the boldness and font size. I can tuck it away and it contains many books. I also love audio books. So bravo for the Kindle. I hope you get lots of joy from it.
Loved the book recs, as always. Have you ever heard of the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik? Since you're in your historical fiction era and it's my favorite series I'm gonna take the opportunity to rec it 😊 It's historical fiction set in the Napoleonic wars but with DRAGONS! The world building is a delight and the characters and friendships are an absolute highlight. The first book is called His Majesty's Dragon and is about an uptight but good-hearted naval captain who finds a dragon egg. I won't say any more but their adventures are so much fun.
Just made chocolate zucchini cupcakes which peanut butter icing. The vegetable makes it healthy right?
I love my Kindle, I've had one for years. I wouldn't be without it but also read hardcover books as well.
I too loved The Rose Garden, by Susanna Kearsley. All her books are really good.
I'm really enjoying the Molly the Maid audio books - thanks for the recommendation! I especially love historical mystery audio books. Here are the first books for three series with great authors and narrators:
> Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas set in Victorian London
> Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson set in turn of the 19th century New York
> The Deep End by Julie Mulhern set in 1970s Kansas City
I have been listening to and really enjoying the Six Tudor Queens series thanks to your enthusiasm.
For a recommendation , really really liked Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy.
Thank you for your reviews . Some great picks .
I love my Kindle!
I used to not re-read books, but I started re-reading a few years ago and I love re-visiting places and characters that I loved. Recent historical reads based on true events that I've really enjoyed are The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson set in Jersey during WWII and the occupation following the life of the librarian and her friend who works as a postwoman on the Island. Another one set in WWII based on true events is The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan and it is set around the Bethnal Green library and follows the experience of 3 young women who come together with the community for a book club which is held in the underground station. The Wartime book club is very tense and gripping and the Underground library is a little more lighthearted and both I can thoroughly recommend.
Thank you for ordering bookmarks, I really appreciate your support ☺️💛
I love that you two support one another. You’re both such calming souls on this platform.
Ken Follet writes amazing historical fiction. They’re pretty long but on audio a breeze to listen to. The Pillars of the Earth was the first of his books I read, set in the 12 th century and about the building of an immense gothic cathedral. It was a great insight into the work of stonemasons and architects of the day.
Kristen Hannah for historical fiction,although many are emotional…… so worth it 😊 x
I love V E Schwab she’s one of my favourite authors. I was going to suggest my recommendation of hers but it’s just all of them. Read everything she’s written 😄
Wonderful video Ali, thoroughly enjoyed all your book reviews and have a few more titles to add to my tbr list 😌 I’ve just finished Blue sisters by Coco Mellors which was outstanding 🥰 my favourite book of the year so far, I am just about to start Cleopatra and Frankenstein now her first book xx
I like Margaret Elphinstone and Sally Magnusson for historical fiction also Stacey Halls, Sarah Perry. Also Diane Setterfield 😊
Hi Ali. I love watching your reading updates. I’m currently reading Strange Sally Diamond which I’m loving and have just finished Emily Henry’s new book. I’ve just requested the Addie LaRue book from my local library and will keep an eye out for Remarkably Bright Creatures. I would recommend the Soul of an Octopus if you enjoyed that one! Thanks again ❤
Thank you Ali, i was very excited to see you had uploaded a bookish catch up, my favourite ❤
I love the way you talk about books, with such enthusiasm and we seem to have a similar taste in books.
I also read Ralph's party 25 years ago & loved it so can't wait to buy the anniversary copy🎉
I have just finished A Bird in Winter by Louise Doughty, which i very much enjoyed, she usually rights thrillers but its a spy novel and very suspenseful.
I am planning to read Strange Sally Diamond although slightly unsure regarding the content warnings !
Thanks again Ali, i have been binging some of your older video's and find them so relaxing xx
You might enjoy the cousins war series by Phillipa Gregory also (a memoir) the bookseller at the end of the world by Ruth shaw. She led an interesting life and adds in stories about all the interesting visitors to her bookshop by her house. I loved it
I loved your podcast on books. I have been reading The Little Shop of Found Things series by Paula Brackston. It is a time travel book, historical fiction set in England. I also read Remarkably Bright Creatures and loved it.
I really enjoy historical fiction and Elizabeth Chadwick's books. The Plantagenets are where my interest lies presently. Perhaps I'll progress to the Tudors one day but I also love re-reading books I know I've enjoyed before and I hear them calling to me before I discover some new ones.
Enjoy all the book Recommends!!
I've just started Strange Sally Diamond. I'm enjoying it too. The invisible life of Addie LaRue is on my shelf. Might have to read that next.
I loved George Eliots’s ADAM BEDE. I am presently rereading her SILAS MARNER which I loved in high school. Since that was 60 years ago, as I was reading it now I was busy wondering why I liked when it was a class must read. Finally Eppie appeared and I saw why I liked it. Of course my wonderful high school teacher helped me love it.
First you might be interested to know Tesco have a range of Alice in Wonderland kitchen stuff reduced in my area!! Might be in yours too? I highly recommend the books 11/22/63 by Stephen king. Best book ever but 800 pages long!! Also recommend Homecoming by Kate Morton. I did not guess the end at all🙈. Love your blogs xx
I remember being hooked by Sally Diamond but now can’t remember the end?! 😂
A historic fiction reading tip: I just listened to the first three unabridged books of the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom. Super well read audiobooks and well written. I can’t wait to start part 4 and I’m not a series reader normally. I really love your book recommendations. Glad to see another book by Nita Prose.
I loved Addie LaRue, I read it when it came out. 🙂 A book I would recommend is Divine Rivals. I gave it 5 stars and is my most annotated book. 📚
Looking forward to that coastal walk🎉🎉 Have you ever read anything by Hillary Mantel? What about Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet or The Marriage Portrait?
🌷💞
Thank you Ali for your reviews and a good variety of books. I used to read historical novels by Jean Plaidy in my twenties which was a long time ago and I’m thinking maybe I should re-read some of hers 😊
I recommend Elizabeth Chadwick for historical fiction, I feel alison weir's books have the edge on phillipa Gregory as she is a recognised historian who has written nonfiction about the same subject matter while phillipa Gregory tends to take a lot of artistic license
I've just finished listening to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue on Audible. What an amazing book, totally gripping and very atmospheric.
Now that my eyes surgeries are behind me, I’ve started to read again. I’ve finished Nita prouse’s the maid, love molly! I need to get the second Molly book. Started and finished the housemaid by Freda McFadden in two days and just started her second book the housemaid secret. McFadden was suggested by the crazy sock lady, McFadden has about 15 other novels which sound great. Ty for sharing, glad to see you and hello to the family.😊
Loved this video 💛but I love books 😂📚 and yes I love my kindle as well I find I read quicker on my kindle as I can make print a bit bigger and choose the kind of print I like ….. I am turning 61 😮 soon and struggle with certain prints and I find the kindle is just wonderful ….. but I still have books 📚📚 but find I am reading more on kindle 📚💞📚 I loved the cat who saved book ❤a book you should get on your kindle is The library at wagtail ridge by Janet gover ….. a Aussie author but you would love that book a really good story and you can get it on kindle in the UK …… 📚💞📚
I remember reading The Invisible Life of Adie LaRue and being disappointed with the ending :(
Lovely to catch up with you, definitely need to look into that cookbook! I am slowly working on my Maggie cardigan with you 🥰🥰
Historical fiction is my favourite genre, try the follow up to Tidelands which carries on the story. My favourite authors are Sharon Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Mel Starr and C.J Sansom but I could list loads more xxxxx
Thanks for such a great video Ali. I will add some of your book recommendations to my very long list. A recipe website I use all the time is recipe tin eats. It has step by step video instructions as well as the written ones. 🙌 no fail recipes for people like me who really don’t enjoy cooking. Cheers Chris 🇦🇺
I love my Kindle. I have a Paperwhite without all the bells and whistles.
I loved Addie LaRue so much I’ve been too scared to pick up another V.E.Schwab, in case it’s not as good! 😂🤦🏻♀️
Her others are wonderful as well. She has such a way with turning a whimsical world on its ear. It's like a dark whimsy in a sense. Even her YA books are done well! "City of Ghosts" trilogy is amazing! Hope you find some others that you enjoy as well 😊
I don't know if Jennifer Chiaverini 's books are available in the U.K. ,but she is my favorite historical fiction author.
I think you would like Tracy Chevalier. I’ve read her for many years. I’m a prolific reader too. I’m reading her new one called The Glass Maker that for me it is hard to put down. All the ones I’ve read of hers are historical. This one is in Venice and the island near it called Murano. She’s also written The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Love the movie and the painting (one of my favorite painters). Saw it in person when my son took me to Europe some years ago. I am 73 and a widow. My husband died 26 years ago from cancer. Just a little about me. Hope I didn’t over share. Love your podcast too. Both of them. Marcia
MARGARET GEORGE!!! i love historical fiction, especially England's royalty.
I would start with Mary Queen of Scots by Margaret George. Absolutely delicious!
I have re-read some books usually when its a series of books.
Hi Ali, have you read any Kate Mosse? Would recommend. Re. Kindle - I too love my Kindle. I bought the 1st generation when I was undergoing treatment for my cancer, when I was either in hospital or was a frequent outpatient. It made passing the time easy and enjoyable and no bulky books to accommodate. I’ve recently upgraded so I can read in the dead of night without waking my husband up (after he has woken me up with his snoring I might add!)by having to have the light on, I set it to dark background so it doesn’t glow 🙂. I have just reserved The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue on Borrowbox, can’t wait to start it. Thank you.
I only read on a Kindle for some practical reasons and one funny one. 1. Don’t have room for physical books (too much yarn). 2. My poodle doesn’t let me keep the light on after we go to bed. She gets very huffy and annoyed. So reading a physical book is out. 😂 3. Having a very plain kindle with no browsing function, means I can only read and not scroll. I generally get one page read before I fall asleep…
Aw the huffy poodle! 😅 I am loving my kindle for similar reasons (minus the poodle!) xx
Dan stop huffing when Ali reads we need this book chat 😂
📚📖 Love & Hugs Suze 💗🤗 xxx
C. J. Sansom is wonderful.
I read books with my eyes and listen to books with my ears, too. I have reading books and listening books, but I don't call them both reading. 😉
I’m reading The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir Ali, now that I’ve finished The Six Tudor Queens. It’s written in a similar way, if that makes sense, and I’m glad to find out a bit more about Lady Jane Grey. I first read Jane Eyre when I was about ten, my first “real” book! Alcohol doesn’t agree with me anymore because of medication 😢. Lovely vlog Ali, thankyou. Xx
White Queen by Philippa Gregory is a good read. And the Tudor court series she wrote . 😊
Great vlog Ali made a note of a couple audio books I listen now to books so I can craft garden dog walk suits me well
I listened to the botanists daughter loved it & narrator was ok for me though I have had books & the narrator has been hard to listen to that I have abandoned & one of the seven sisters series Lucinda Riley Scottish accent sounded like the crankies 😤😤 why do they continue to mimic when it’s obvious it’s disastrous 😜
I absolutely love Jane Eyre! Whenever I have no books waiting, I reread Jane Eyre. Probably eight or nine times. I have a friend who is a writer and she hates it so I guess you either love the story or hate it.
I’m listening to the book about Anne Boleyn at the moment. We’re visiting the UK in September and plan to take the train from London to visit Hever Castle. I enjoyed Catherine of Aragon but I’m not sure I’ll continue once Anne is beheaded.
Thanks for the book reviews!
Oh Jill you will love Hever! Make sure to visit the grounds and walk about the lake and the gardens too - they're beautiful! The castle itself is quite small but probably my most favourite in Kent 🏰 If you're lucky you may see Ann Boleyn's actual Book of Hours! They sometimes have it on display x
@@ThisLittleWonderfulLife Didn’t you and Dan visit the grounds this past spring? Your visit and the mention of Alison Weir’s books is why we want to see it!
@@jillbeck6531we did! On my birthday 😊
I love Lisa Jewell and had Ralph's Party on BorrowBox but couldn't get on with it. Maybe I ought to try reading it myself. I've just finished the Midnight Library by Matt Haig and listened to that in under a week. A bit of a record for me. I'm now listening to Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. On the kindle (a life saver for holidays!) I'm reading The Dying Place by Luca Veste a crime thriller. Very different from the audible bools I listen to. I haven't read any historical novels lately so can't recommend any authors.
I read the Dallergut Dream Department Store at the beginning of the year and felt exactly the same as you. I really wanted to love it and I really wanted more from it. It is a a trilogy and not sure when the other two will be translated in English and thinking I will read them in the hope they get better.
As for Philippa Gregory I have her The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels on my shelf and yet to read them but I’ve heard they are really good and probably a good follow on from The Six Tudor Queens.
Another good follow on which I’ve ordered and waiting for delivery is the Shardlake series. It’s set in Tudor times and is a mystery series. In the first book Matthew Shardlake a lawyer is commissioned by Cromwell to solve a murder. I’ve heard so many good things about the series.
Have you tried Stacey Halls books, I’ve loved all of them. She has 4 out x
Because of your recommendation I read the series about the Tudor Queens. Their stories truly gave me a range of feelings for them . I enjoyed them enough that I have even watched some documentaries about them.
I recently finished; Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford.
I was the same, hunting out more information about the Tudor queens, I learned so much! xx
❤❤great chat,,,,🎉🎉
Lots of recommendations,,,,
I have finished 3 mysterys from freda McFadden,,,,enjoyed them all,,,,
Elaine ❤️🏠
Hi Ali, Have you read Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir? I read it about 10ish years ago as a book group read and really enjoyed it [it was my first book by Alison Weir]. I was drawn to the book because we have visited Bradgate Park in Leicestershire many times. The book is about Lady Jane Grey. It's free at the moment if you are an Audible member. And.....I absolutely love my Kindle.
I recently saw Harry Baker live, he was fabulous, if you get a chance to go and see him you will be laughing and crying in equal measure. last week, we bought some schofferhofer to try, see page 38!😂
Oh I am jealous! I was too slow for tickets for his recent Margate show. Just read Schöfferhofer Life, p38, and now I want some too! 🍻
Ali what was the beefaroni like ? it sounds delicious
Ali, Have you read Ken Follett's historical fictions? The Knightsbridge series starts with “Pillars of the Earth” (in order of publication). Very powerful. 👍🌻🥰
Totally agree.😎
Hi, I would recommend The other Boleyn girl by Phillipa Gregory, especially as you recently visited Hever ! I've also read Remarkably Bright Creatures recently, loved it.
Oh yes! I've seen that one in bookshops etc. Must see if it's available to listen to, definitely right up my street! Thanks xx
The Other Bolyn Girl is my one of my favorites. Have you read any of Ken Follets series?