How Much To…? Matt Shaw – A Review. [SPOILERS].

WOW, okay, this is not going to be a proper review because to be quite honest I don’t think I could write a review on this book.

I picked this book free from the Kindle store as I thought it would be a crime kinda theme, the How Much To…? I thought that was someone hiring a hit person etc. NOPE. It was more traumatising than that!

HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD!!

The book centres around people who are seemingly desperate for money, and they’re basically asked how much money it would take to get them to perform certain tasks, but with a twist.

The tasks themselves range from downright weird to things you would see on a Saw film (in fact I’m pretty sure one of them was a watered down version of a Saw trap…) and are enough to make anyone feel ill just thinking about them!

There was at least one point during this story that I physically retched and other points that I felt so revulsed that someone had come up with this that I had to put the book down and walk away, it was too much for me to stomach.

Part of me wants to give this book 5 stars for just being so fucked up but another part of me wants to give it 1 star because it’s so disgusting… I have really mixed feelings about it…

If you do happen to read it, let me know what you thought!

Em xxx

 

Apartment 16, Adam Nevill – A Review. [SPOILERS]

Hello everyone what is up and welcome back to my blog! Welcome to my new followers, I hope you enjoy what you see…

Today, as you can see from the title I’ll be reviewing Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill. This was a book that came free on my Kindle library, I was really keen to read this as it branded itself as being paranormal and spine tinglingly scary.

My rating – 3 out 5. 

I actually finished reading this book and just went “what the hell have I just read” it was bizarre. Parts of it really creeped me out, and I did feel scared, however, the rest of the book was just strange.

There were aspects (I can’t say too much without giving anything away) that weren’t fully explained, or expanded upon properly and that left me feeling a bit empty. Other parts seemed to be started and then never finished, lost at a point in the book never to be written about again… It didn’t really feel as though it concluded for me and that disappointed me.

Have you read Apartment 16? Let me know what you thought in the comments below! Em xx

Top 10 Tuesday – First 10 books I ever reviewed📚

Hi guys, I’m back at it with a Top Ten Tuesday for y’all to read through! I’m just doing some old TTT from That Artsy Reader Girl’s blog whilst I get back into the swing of regular updates. I’ll catch up soon!

Today’s TTT is the first ten books I ever reviewed… I didn’t use Goodreads until recently (as in like 2 or 3 months ago) so literally every review is on my blog. I’ll list them in date order and pop links if you fancy a read of them when you’re done here.

1. 21st May 2018 – Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
2. 7th June 2018 – Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
3. 2nd October 2018 – The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
4. 2nd December 2018 – The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
5. 8th December 2018 – The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
6. 30th January 2018 – The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
7. 3rd February 2019 – Inferno by Dan Brown
8. 11th February 2019 – Misery by Stephen King
9. 25th February 2019 – The Woman in the Window by A J Finn
10. 2nd March 2019 – Mirror Mirror by Anthony Strong 

And there are my first ten reviews here on What Em’s Reading! Some of these were actually my favourite books to review which I’ll be sharing soon.

Till next time, Em x

Murder at the Fitzwilliam, Jim Eldridge – A Review [SPOILERS]

Hello everyone, how are we all doing?! I literally talk to you guys like you’re my pals, I am so sorry. ANYWAY, back to the task at hand… Reviewing (what I read of) Murder at the Fitzwilliam… Yes, this is a DNFR situation.

2 out of 5 stars. 

“1894. Daniel Wilson made his name investigating the case of Jack the Ripper…” I picked this book up based purely on the first line of the blurb and I was hugely disappointed in it. I felt that Murder at the Fitzwilliam never really got going…

The first few chapters were good, the mystery was set very well, a body found shut inside an empty sarcophagus, no sign of forced entry to the museum, it had all the makings of a good mystery. And then it fell flat, it seemed to go round in circles, have no clear ending or goal.

I’ll put it back on the shelf, mark my place and maybe try again in a few months. But for the moment, I’m giving it 2 out of 5 stars. I tried so hard to enjoy it but struggled.

Have you read Murder at the Fitzwilliam? Let me know if you have and what you thought of it! Em xx

Thinner, Stephen King – A Review. [SPOILERS]

Aloha! I’m back again with another review, my first read of July! And as the title says it’s Stephen King’s Thinner. 

4.5 stars out of 5.

One of the best books by Stephen King that I’ve ever read, Thinner was absolutely brilliant. After facing a charge of vehicular manslaughter Billy Halleck is touched outside court by a gypsy, who whispers just one word… Thinner.

And that folks is where it all starts… I loved how we slowly saw Billy Halleck who was an overweight American man and someone who didn’t believe in anything he couldn’t see became someone who hunted gypsies trying to get the curse placed on him reversed.

As always, King’s storytelling was impeccable. The book focused really on a handful of key characters, who were elaborately written into the storyline. And some of the twists in the book, WELL, I won’t spoil it too much but oh my dayzzz, I actually shouted out loud.

I gave it 4.5 because I slightly guessed the ending, but I’m putting that down to a lucky guess rather than it being left wide open for said ending. Either way, Thinner by Stephen King was brilliant.

Have you read Thinner? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments below! Em xx

First Line Friday – The Girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King📚

Guess who’s back, back again with ANOTHER First Line Friday post – as always hosted by Hoarding books – check out their blog when you’ve finished reading my post❤️

Today we’re reading the first line from The girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.

“The world has its teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted. Trisha McFarland discovered this when she was nine years old”

Reading that has gotten me so excited to read this book! I might have to bump it up my TBR list…

Taking part in First Line Friday? Let me know in the comments below!

Em xx

Top 10 Tuesday – Childhood Faves📚

Hello, fellow bookworms! I’m back with another Top Ten Tuesday for y’all, TTT is hosted by That Arsty Reader Girl, go check out her page and the TTT tag as you’ll be able to see posts from others who have taken part (after you’ve read my post!)

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is Childhood favourites. And here we gooooo.

1. The Witches – Roald Dahl. I absolutely loved this book when I was younger, I used to think it was quite sinister for a children’s book but one of my faves still. This is actually my most read book from my Roald Dahl collection on my shelf, some of the pages are falling out 😦
2. Say Cheese and Die – R.L.Stine. Oh my days, I can’t be the only person who read Goosebumps books as a child? This was (and still is) literally my favourite Goosebumps book EVER. It definitely paved the way for my obsession with all things creepy later in life. I’m currently (as an adult) reading the Horrorland collection and I can’t WAIT to get to the Say Cheese and Die Screaming book.
3. Harry Potter (all 7) – J.K.Rowling. Did you really think I’d do this list and not mention Harry Potter? Literally, the book that MADE my childhood what it is today. When I was younger I’d just pick up Harry Potter and engross myself in the world of magic and to this day I’ve never read a book series that has made such a big impact on my life.
4. Twilight – Stephenie Meyer. I did try and shy away from this being one of my favourite childhood books, but I decided to be honest and confess that I have a copy of Twilight that is literally falling apart because I read it that much :))) Literally still watch these films every time they are on and am considering getting my books out the loft to read.
5. The BFG – Roald Dahl. This is my other top favourite Roald Dahl book, it just has such a heart warming ending where they all meet the Queen and yes, it makes me v happy. Plus some of the phrases Roald Dahl made up, amazing!

Well, there’s my top five childhood reads, I decided not to bore you all with 10 as they all have a story behind them! Did any of my Top Five Childhood Reads make your list?

Em xx

First Line Friday – Rose Madder by Stephen King📚

Hello and welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m posting a line from Rose Madder by Stephen King. 

“She sits in the corner, trying to draw air out of a room which seemed to have plenty just a few minutes ago and now seems to have none”

I have to say this has gotten my interest but there are other books I’d like to read before this one. Keep an eye on my page for my review, I’ll be linking back to this post so you can see what I said about the first line!

What are you reading? Taking part in First Line Friday? Let me know in the comments below. 

Em xx

First Line Friday – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn📚

I’m baaaaack! With another First Line Friday for you all❤️ Hosted by Hoarding Books.

Our first line today comes from Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, a book which I will admit I watched the film of first.

“When I think of my wife I always think of her head. The shape of it to begin with.”

An intriguing first line, you have to admit… Unfortunately, the surprise of the book was taken away by the fact I’d watched the film but I still really enjoyed this book.

Let me know if you’re taking part in First Line Friday so I can check out your post!

Em xx

 

First Line Friday – Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King📚

Aloha my lovely followers! Today on First Line Friday (hosted by Hoarding Books) we’re going to be sharing the first line from Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King! 

“What did you ask, Andy Bissette?”

I’m yet to read this book and just going off the description I can tell I’m going to really enjoy it!

Have you read Dolores Claiborne? Or are you just taking part in First Line Friday? Let me know in the comments!

Em xx