Blog of the Week: Besotted with Books

So summer is nearly upon us, which means putting your feet up (if you're a student like me) for a few months and hopefully flying off to somewhere hot and exotic for a bit of sightseeing and travelling. Or if you'd rather, sun, sex and Sambuca if you're into that.

But if you're more cultured, like myself, then you'll waste no time checking out the local tourist spots and rich heritage on your holiday, as well as cramming any spare time with a good read.

Which is why this weeks Blog of the Week is fantastic. You see, I'm one of those people that just grabs any old book on offer from Waterstones (usually when they're on 3 for 2) which looks interesting. A quick read of the blurb, a scan of the front cover and I'm done. Well, so long as it fits nicely into the action/ adventure/ crime category.

Besotted by Books however has helped me expand my own personal library. Featuring a mix of reviews, news and opinion on all things books, the blog has a refreshing yet comprehensive line up of books.

Appealing to the Adult/ YA age groups, the blog is run by Natalie Frampton, a fond friend of mine and former colleague, who juggles her busy family life and work on top of running the blog.

Natalie is often my number one source for all things books, and I am forever bumping into her in Waterstones (I would put money on the fact that she is the Alton branch's number one customer!) Her knowledge in her field is evident, just ask some of her 240 odd followers on her blog!

What I like most about her blog is that she combines different online elements to form a really unique, professional blog. Her YouTube videos are fantastic, and she really interacts well with her followers. She is an avid user of Twitter too, so has all the bases covered.

A recent review of hers led me to buying 'A Night to Remember', the book based on the tales of passengers on the Titanic. Struggling to choose which Titanic novel to pick, I read the review and asked Natalie herself for her advise. Eventually, after three nights of little sleep, I had finished the book and was over-the-moon with a new addition to add to my book shelf. The book was fantastic, and no doubt I, like many others who follow her blog, owe Natalie a big thank you.

You can find her blog here: Besotted with Books
You can also follow Natalie on Twitter: @NatFrampton

Picture Courtesy of Besotted with Books

Previous 'Blog of the Week' posts:

- Midomi

- Tasha on TV

- This is Alton

- Mode de la Mode
- Catastrophic Findings

Review of the Week: 'Ordinary Thunderstorms' by William Boyd

So, I thought I would launch a new feature. Yes, another one! Review of the Week will be a small feature, changing each week, on various items which include; books, films, albums and places. The jourknow wishes to provide his opinion, and he will do so. Enjoy!

Ordinary Thunderstorms

‘A compelling fugitive chase through the dark side of modern-day London’ - Evening Standard

I could not say it better myself. To say I had a few sleepless nights due to the eagerness of turning the next page, completing the next chapter is short off the mark. From the first word, I was drawn into the setting and the narrative like flowers bursting into spring. It had everything I ever wished for: compelling characters, a strong storyline of action, adventure, crime and at some points, sexual fantasy all set in the quirky yet somehow familiar suburbs of London town.

Boyd, a familiar writer with accolades from the Costa Book Award, to Richard and Judy Bestseller for the prestigious‘Restless’ has done wonders for a story I was at first hesitant to read. A stubborn traditionalist when it comes to books, I normally‘judge by the cover’ or choose familiar titles and authors, so what chose me to pick this one? Ok, the cover did hold a certain mystery that appealed to me, and the James Bond familiarities (The main protagonist, Adam Kindred - being a modern day 007, perhaps?) made me feel comfortable as I purchased the read from Waterstones.

The plot, as it thickens, leads you too a wild goose chase at the best of times, between Adam Kindred - an American geologist/scientist/professor who is wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. Hmm - sounds a bit cliché and common to some book genres, however this uncovers a certain London that we take for granted. A realistic narrative (I know it is fiction - but how do we know it does not happen?) that leads to murder, prostitution, crime and more murder. The tone of the book is not menacing however, which is more to my liking. And what with the ever-changing events from one character to the next (The protagonist, A Police-woman, Chief Executive of a pharmaceutical company, his brother, a charming prostitute by the name of ‘MHouse’ and even a villainous assassin all share the limelight), this book makes for an engaging read from start to finish. It is realistic, it is identifiable with setting and time, and it is able to create a genre of reading that is familiar, but at the same time exciting to flick through!

Ok, there may be a few comparisons to your classic spy novels. Moreover, a slight undertone of a sexual nature does create an uncomfortable feeling for the reader (read it - and you will understand what I mean) - but this book has to be loved. With a twist at the end, it does take a while to get going due to the back and forth between assassin and escapee, yet what concludes is a cleverly written tale of a modern London in the depths of crime and corruption, each page becoming irresistible and you read on into the twilight hours.

4/5 Stars. Kieran Watkins
Warning: Lack of sleep may occur as a side effect of reading!

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia