Tag: bookish

The Water Is Wide and The Canary’s Song by Natalie Banks

The Water Is Wide:

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Sarah is slowly piecing herself back together, after the tragic loss of her husband who drown 14 years earlier.

Thomas was and still is the love of her life, making this the hardest thing she has ever had to do. Just as she starts to get the hang of things and is slowly feeling more comfortable in her skin. Sarah has the shock of a lifetime when she sees a man who is a spitting image of her husband, just having aged 14 years.

Only to learn this man is not her late husband Thomas, but a man named Collin.

Collin is new to the area and Sarah cant help but feel drawn to him. Feelings start to flourish between them and a steamy relationship begins. But Sarah cant help but wonder if her feelings for this man are legitimate, or is it just how much Collin reminds her of Thomas and what she had in the past.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

This read is full of every emotion you could think possible. You watch this immense amount of strength grow within Sarah as she has to put her life back together after losing Thomas. Then jumping to her reflecting any negativity she receives from friends and family who don’t approve of this new relationship with Collin. All while she fights her own thoughts and questions as to how this man can look so much like her husband and is this relationship genuine, or just a form of comfort for her.

An-all-out phenomenal read. This book will not disappoint. It will have you yearning for more.

The Canary’s Song:

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The tragic loss of her son has completely destroyed Juliette. Mourning him is slowly taking over everything she touches. It has caused too much stress on her marriage and now she can see Liam slowly slipping out from her finger tips.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect, and keep her family together, especially for her daughter’s sake. Juliette plans a romantic get away at a secluded cabin in the mountains.

Liam is hesitant to go, in his mind he has already come to a finalized decision that he is leaving Juliette and nothing can change that. But with a heavy heart and for her sake he agrees.

The weekend starts off rocky, but slowly feelings are rekindled. You can feel the warmth of their old spark lingering. When something awful and unexpected happens and the journey for both Juliette and Liam to get home safe and sound to their daughter brings them even closer.

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5 out of 5 stars

I had the privileged of being part of an early readers group for The Canary’s Song. I couldn’t be more honoured.

This book will forever be near and dear to my heart. The connection between Juliette and Liam is so stunning. To see these characters go through such torture with losing their son, shattering their marriage. Yet such a simple gesture being made and everything starts to make sense again. Only for them to be tested again in a life and death situation. Juliette and Liam can only become the strongest, most powerful team.

This read was truly breath-taking. A must read!

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Natalie Banks also has a novel called The Dark Room. A psychological thriller that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

-Nichole

Bookish Merchandise

Bookish merchandise has been around forever.

This book nerd just learnt this in the last couple years…

Clearly I was living under a rock. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my second in 2016, all rollie pollie, sitting and reading a book. That I thought to myself, “there has to be some type of book subscription box, right?” I mean that would be heaven.

Right then I jumped onto the internet and began my search. When I came across Owlcrate and Novel Editions.

Of course I had to subscribe (to both). Which lead me straight into the amazing book community that I am apart of today and will NEVER look back!

This is where I learnt about the copious amounts of bookish merchandise there is. Over and above what I would admire while shopping around my book store of choice, Chapters.

I was receiving so many amazing items in my book boxes. Then I also had this amazing idea thinking I was creative enough to start a Bookstagram account for a hobby while on maternity leave. Where I started meeting all the amazing home based business as well, that pride themselves in their talents to create all sort of bookish items.

I have fallen in love! there is something for every book lover out there. Some of us love our bookish candles, some our bookish pins… others love gorgeous bookmarks or coffees and teas. I myself love…. well…. EVERYTHING!. If only I had millions lying around to buy it all.

Although I would have to say one of my favorite items is bookish jewelry. Not only can I feature it in my Bookstagram photos (… Yes I am OBSESSED with Bookstagram now… it is no longer a hobby. It has become a full-time job in itself…in the best way possible) but I can wear it around showing it off to the whole world. Saying “LOOK AT ME!… Yes that’s right, I am a book NERD!”

One particular shop I am obsessed with is The Glass Arcade on Bookstagram. Sarah has the cutest ETSY shop full of bookish merch. Her pendants are near and dear to my heart. I always receive so many compliments while wearing them or featuring them in my photos. On top of it all Sarah herself is one of the sweetest most genuine people you will ever meet. (I will be sure to link her Instagram page below if you are interested in checking her page out of course!).

So to all my bibliophile friends out there… what are your favorite bookish merch items out there? Please share away with me in comments. Give me more items and companies to obsess over!

Thanks for reading lovelies!

-Nichole

The Glass Arcade: https://www.instagram.com/theglassarcade/

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***Photo from my Bookstagram account. Check it out nichi.i_readpastmybedtime***