Can you relate?
Mind you, I’m not complaining. I love, love, love a book that completely engrosses you… absorbs you into its pages, so that you really DO have to keep turning the pages.
Even when hubby patiently says “righto, light off’ and I reply ‘nearly to the end of the chapter’… but that chapter goes on for another couple of hours.
Or…. I open my book in the airport lounge hoping to fill in some time before my flight boards and within minutes all the noise of travellers rushing past, children crying and loud speaker announcements just ceases to exist.
When I’ve entered a whole different world where it is possible to block out all the external noise around me… that my friends, is a good book!
[affiliate links contained in this post]
Last month I was incredibly busy and even though I had a book picked to share for Book of the Month, I didn’t manage to squeeze it in, so I’ve got two books to share this month.
Now to be completely honest, I haven’t quite finished this first book, but it is actually two books in one and a hefty 600+ pages.
Jenny Colgan is a new to me author, but she has written numerous best selling novels and won many awards and I can see why. She has a fresh and easy banter style about her writing, which feels a little like I’m sitting having a coffee with a friend, as she tells me the story of her life.
The two books contained in this compilation are Little Beach Street Bakery and Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery.
The story follows the life of Polly Waterford as she starts over after a relationship ends. She’s lost everything as a bankrupt and has to move miles away from everyone, to a sleepy little seaside resort in Cornwall, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop. And so Polly takes out her frustrations on her favourite hobby: making bread. With reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes… and people start to hear about it.
And so the story continues with fun characters she meets, the bakery, a new love interest (of course) and summer just around the corner. I love this character, Polly… I want to be her friend and give her a hug and say ‘good on you girlfriend’.
If you are looking for a great summer read, I heartily recommend this book. I know I’ll be seeking more books by Jenny Colgan for sure.
You can check out Jenny Colgan books on:
Amazon – Little Beach Street Bakery: A Novel
Book Depository – Jenny Colgan books
With summer officially started in the northern hemisphere, I thought I’d review another one of Tone Finnanger’s Tilda books, Tilda’s Seaside Ideas.
In Tilda’s Seaside Ideas you’ll find projects for spring and summer décor.
The main theme is maritime, with playful fabric whales, jellyfish, sea urchins and a doll with rubber boots and a sailing jacket.
There is also a chapter about life at the beach, with jewelry, scarves and ice lollies (ice creams).
I adore these dolls with knitted cardigans, although I do have to add, the knitting instructions are a tad hard to understand, but I think anyone who can knit will be able to work it out (or wing it).
The fabrics featured in this book have now been retired, but as each Tilda collection is retired, a new one replaces it. There are always lots of gorgeous fabrics to choose from, so please don’t ever let that put you off buying a lovely Tilda project book.
I’ve made many of the nautical themed projects from this book and loved every one of them.
This and many other Tone Finnanger’s Tilda books are available from:
Book Depository – Tone Finnanger
Amazon – Tilda’s Seaside Ideas
If you have any questions about either of the books I’ve reviewed here, please feel free to ask in the comments.
Drink tea – read books – be happy.
Hugs – Kerryanne
I’d love for you to connect with me at:
Follow on Bloglovin
or if you’d like my posts delivered directly to your Inbox
Subscribe to Shabby Art Boutique by Email
If you’d like a private pass to all things ‘shabbilicious, sign up today for my fortnightly newsletter. it contains personal stories, sneak peeks, recommendations, discounts and freebies.
Sign up for my newsletter HERE and don’t forget to confirm the sign up email.
I love the Tilda books but the instructions leave a lot to be desired. I made one doll and struggled with it and have only her hair left to do. She is adorable. I didn’t like the idea of making several dolls with clothing you can’t change and give a gentle scrub, so I finally managed to enlarge the outfit and put snaps on it. I would like to make more but have so many other projects on my list. The whales look so adorable-they will be added to my list! I look for images of what’s in her books because Amazon only has Look Inside for one of her books. I might buy more if I could see the finished projects at least. Thank you for sharing some images
Oh yes Sandra, those early books were a bit of a disaster with the translation to English, but thankfully they have that sorted now. I think I’m quite used to making Tilda projects now and don’t rely on the instructions so much. They are pretty basic projects and maybe easier not to rely on the instructions [giggle]. I understand what you are saying about wanting to see the projects in the book first. You could type the book name into Google images and you will more than likely get to see most of the projects listed. Also, do you follow the Tilda’s World blog? They share all the projects there, plus some free projects too. Happy crafting 🙂
Sounds like you have really enjoyed your two books.
I love getting engrossed in a book and could quite happily lock myself away from the world just by concentrating on a new story.
Toni xx
I’m really enjoying books and reading again Toni and I’m so pleased I set myself this challenge this year. I used to struggle to find time for reading, but now that I set time aside just for that, I find I can’t put them down – lol. I hope you are having a great weekend sweetie xx
As a very determined reader I read into night whenever have a chance, even when “somebody ” grumbles, lol
I was just reading a review about the beach bakery book over weekend but now can’t remember where exactly. I read so many things I lose track but sounds like book I would love and have trouble putting down.
Have to admit we aren’t early risers, hubs gets up to feed chickens, let them out, then many times comes back to bed. He’ll stay up playing on his computer til all hours while I read away the hours. So in a.m. while he’s snoozing I’m reading and snoozing little bit. Our daughter says we’re only two old farts she knows that stay up late and sleep late. In winter we’re unconscionable, that bed is too cozy, with all the quilts and cat snuggled up between us. Dog sleeps on his bed in our room til he has to go out but wants right back in again. Hey, we’re retired and not going anywhere.
Is the Tilda fabric available here in U.S? I love the adorable old fashioned prints. Hope can find the book on Amazon.
Well dear lady it’s almost midnight here so think better get myself to bed to read.
You so inspire me, would love to make some things in Tilda’s book. Have wonderful rest of week.
Hi there Jane Ellen, I don’t blame you for staying all cosy in bed. I think I would too if I was retired. The Tilda products (other than books) are not sold in the US, but can be purchased online. I gave an Amazon link to the Tilda books here on this post to make it easier for you. For this review I offered links to both Book Depository and Amazon, as everyone has different preferences on where to buy books. Hope you have an amazing week my friend xx
Hi Kerryanne! I LOVE all of Jenny Colgan’s books! She is a brilliant author and I was particularly pleased when she brought these out, as I live in Cornwall! I love all your posts, being a Shabby Chic Person – living in a traditional Cornish cottage – hugs Gilly x
I’m loving her casual and easy to read writing style Gilly and I just know that I’ll be reading many more of her books. It must be fun reading books set in your own little part of the world!!Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Order the book little beach street bakery. Looking forward to getting into it as my summer read!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I am Michelle. It’s fun being able to discover new authors and share them with my blog readers. 🙂
Thank you for the recommendation on the Little Beach Street Bakery – fun to read and a total distraction from everyday life.