Mini Reviews autumnSometimes it’s hard to write reviews for the books I’ve really enjoyed. So, rather than leave them languishing as drafts, I’ve decided to share them as mini reviews instead. Who knows maybe this will become a regular feature?

Take it Back by Kia Abdullah – Library Book

43532531._SY475_“A shocking, twisting courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned.
The Victim: Jodie Wolfe, a physically flawed 16-year-old girl accuses four boys in her class of something unthinkable.
The Defendants: Four handsome teenagers from hard-working immigrant families, all with corroborating stories.
The Saviour: Zara Kaleel, a former lawyer, one of London’s brightest legal minds, takes on this case. She believes her client, even though those closest to her do not.
Together, they enter the most explosive criminal trial of the year, where the only thing that matters is justice for Jodie. But this time justice comes at a devastating cost.“

Wow what a fantastic legal thriller! This was so good that I read it in a day, even taking it to town so I could stop and read whilst having a cappuccino in my one of my favourite coffee shops. I loved Zara the former lawyer turned counsellor and believed Jodie right from the start. I didn’t like the boys but sometimes I did wonder if they were telling the truth. I just discovered there’s another book feature Zara and I can’t to read it! Highly recommend this one of you love legal thrillers!

**********

Dear Reader: the Comfort and Joy of Books by Cathy Rentzenbrink – Own Copy

48562591“From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Act of Love.’Reading has saved my life, again and again, and has held my hand through every difficult time’ For as long as she can remember, Cathy Rentzenbrink has lost and found herself in stories. Growing up she was rarely seen without her nose in a book and read in secret long after lights out. When tragedy struck, books kept her afloat. Eventually they lit the way to a new path, first as a bookseller and then as a writer. No matter what the future holds, reading will always help.Dear Reader is a moving, funny and joyous exploration of how books can change the course of your life, packed with recommendations from one reader to another.“

What an absolutely gorgeous read this was! I’m so glad that Clare @ Years of Reading Selfishly posted her review on publication day so I was able buy the last copy in the shop! I knew as soon as I started reading this that I would love it. It felt like coming home, and filled me with such strong sense of calm reading about the author’s love of books and reading!This is a book I will again and again and again! A perfect comfort read and one I can see being added to numerous Christmas lists over the next few months!

**********

Older and Wider: A Survivor’s guide to the Menopause by Jenny Eclair – Own Copy

51812797._SY475_‘If you’re after an in-depth medical or psychological insight into the menopause, I’m afraid you’ve opened the wrong book – I’m not a doctor . . . However, I am a woman and I do know how it feels to be menopausal, so this book is written from experience and the heart and I hope it makes you laugh and feel better.’ JE
Older and Wider is Jenny Eclair’s hilarious, irreverent and refreshingly honest compendium of the menopause. From C for Carb-loading and G for Getting Your Shit Together to I for Invisibility and V for Vaginas, Jenny’s whistle-stop tour of the menopause in all its glory will make you realise that it really isn’t just you. Jenny will share the surprising lessons she has learnt along the way as well as her hard-won tips on the joy of cardigans, dealing with the empty nest (get a lodger) and keeping the lid on the pressure cooker of your temper (count to twenty, ten is never enough).
As Jenny says, ‘I can’t say that I’ve emerged like a beautiful butterfly from some hideous old menopausal chrysalis and it would be a lie to say that I’ve found the ‘old me’ again. But what I have found is the ‘new me’ – and you know what? I’m completely cool with that.

This was fantastic and one of those books that came along at the right time for me. I’ve been eyeing this one up for ages after reading some fantastic reviews, and I’m so glad that I’ve finally read it as it really lived up to my expectations. It was just like having a chat with an older sister or close friend. Jenny made me laugh out loud so many times that my glasses were steaming up and I had tears rolling down my face. It’s so down to earth and incredibly helpful that I’ll definitely be referring to it again when I’m need of a cheering up! Definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a non medical book about the menopause.