Book Review - Still Me by JoJo Moyes

Rumour has it, that 2019 only starts in February lol, so Happy 2019 to you all.

I've read a good few books over the last few months and one I enjoyed the most was Still Me, it's the 3rd part to Me before You and if you haven't heard of or read that one yet I suggest you read it soon. 

Also don't, I repeat Do Not watch the movie before reading the book, although Emilia Clarke has done absolute justice to the character Louisa Clark, it all makes so much more sense after reading the book.

The story begins at US customs, where Louisa bores the agent so much with her chattiness that he eventually lets her go because, well, her babbling is just too much for him and immediately we are reminded of the Louisa we met in the first book, awkward, talkative and well you will either love or hate her no inbetweeners.

She's on her way to meet Nathan, he's hooked her up with a fab new job as an "assistant" to New York's elite... Now if you remember anything about Lou, she doesn't really seem like the elite type and this juxtaposition of her character, the city and her new client makes for an interesting read.

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Without giving too much away, there's a few surprises in her family too which she has to adjust to.

In the 2nd book she met Sam and he seemed like a perfect fit for her, but their relationship takes a few unexpected turns in this one and it really becomes a big question mark in this book.

There's a few new characters here as well and for the most part their stories are also very interesting which is something I like about these books it doesn't revolve around Lou and her life.

There's undoubtedly many lessons in this book but reading it around this time of year the one that resonated most with me was to find the answers to "what makes me happy and what do I want to do with my life".

A little introspection never hurt anyone and I'd suggest this one to you especially if you find yourself asking these questions.

Book Review Just Between us by Rebecca Drake

You know in life you get some friends that are willing to sacrifice everything for you. Well that's exactly what Allison, Julie and Sarah were to Heather.

Although they hardly used the term besties but they would describe themselves as that if need be.

Their kids went to the same school, they lunched together and in each other they found the sisterhood that every woman yearns for.

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So what would they do if one of them finds herself in the most unbearable circumstances. They support her, they sacrifice and they hide the body... well not very well because it does get found.

First they have to get through the discovery, then the funeral and then the interrogation but can they? Is their sisterhood strong enough, Is there a weak link in their chain and will their friendship ever be the same?

A definite page turner, which will quickly have you switching up your favourite character as the story unfolds. Everything isn't as it seems and that's the best part about this novel.

Because I’m Appy

I love my phone, there I said it and it’s true. I really like the convenience of having everything in one place. I have a Huawei P10 light, the screen is quite big, the phone itself has a great design and isn’t too bulky. As awesome as my phone might be, it's really only as good as the Apps on it.

There are thousands of apps out there for Android devices. I seem to use the ones below on the regular. I have shared them with many family and friends and most agree that these apps are the Bee’s Knees

Photogrid

For me the best all in one photo editing app, you can create collages, posters, scrapbooks and so much more. It also comes with ultra-cool photo props and filters that are updated for different seasons. 2017 Christmas edition had me on a roll. Kids love these filters, also its meme generator is genius. It’s a really quick way to personalize pics especially for special occasions.

Google keep

Shopping lists, notes, images all in one place and its free. This is my top pick for making quick lists with check boxes that are easy to edit and save. Ps the colour coding and labels help too and you can access these online.

UB reader

I have read too many books on this app. It opens files in multiple formats including epub and pdf. There aren't too many ads on the free version and I love how you can switch up the screen design and fonts. It also allows you to create your very own digital library and I know many will say you can’t beat the feel of a “real” book and I agree but I love the convenience and affordability of ebooks. There are some sites that offer great, free ebooks but only in epub format so that’s when this app comes in really handy.

Pinterest.com

Their app is one of the most user friendly apps around. Makes searching, pinning and sharing a breeze I heart it so much. Especially like how you can upload pics from your phone to create pins of your own. Also how you can share boards with your peeps so you all pin together. This app is great for party planning, fashion inspo, DIYs’, travel info and well pretty much pretty imagery of everything.

Speechnotes

Now this app is amazingly, it takes your voice notes and converts it to text. I actually use it for blogging and it's super helpful for studying as well. You can save and share your notes. Yes you have to edit the notes a bit but its much quicker than typing all of it out. You could also use it to makes lists, quick notes or memos. Options are really endless.

What are your favourite Apps that you'd be lost without, share them with me below...

Book Review - A House without windows by Nadia Hashimi

What do you do when you're literally caught red handed with your husband's still warm body not far away?
Now add to this the fact that you are an Afghan woman and your words are only half as valuable as a man's. Who cares if your husband was a darkness that blackened your home that left your kids trembling in fear and you with more battle scars than a soldier in war.

No, you killed your husband and now you must pay.... Well unless your ex pat fresh from the US lawyer can find a way for true justice to prevail.

Follow Zeba, caught for killing her husband, her mother Gulnaz said to be a sorceress of note, but even her jadu can't save her daughter and Yusuf the lawyer given the daunting task of defending her.

You also get to visit Chil Mathab the woman's prison she is sent to, where there are many like her
sentenced for crimes such as reporting their rapes, running away from arranged marriages to men old enough to be their grandfathers or someone just saying they are a criminal. Their stories and cries fill the halls of the prison. Can Zeba survive here, she keeps replaying that day over in a head. Will she be sent to the gallows or will she spend her eternity behind these walls? 

This book had me hooked from beginning to end. I was reminded of the freedoms I sometimes take for granted and how there are still many women in the world like Zeba who don't have those basic rights.