The Diary of Isabella M Smugge - a perfect read, darlings.

Good morning, Bookaholics and a lovely morning it is too. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and it's a perfect day to curl up in the conservatory and read - I have just the book for you in order to help you do that.

It’s not often a book comes along that makes you laugh, cry, and take stock, then do it all again in just a matter of a few breaths. This debut novel by Ruth Leigh did that for me. This is chick lit with passion and a purpose, that purpose being to make you take a look at the way you live your life and the way you portray yourself on social media. It certainly made me take stock of the way I portray my life to others. The book is also pure entertainment from the first page to the last. A skilled writer, Leigh uses every word in the book to draw the reader in and make them keep reading. Using words, she paints a portrait of village life, how it really is, and paints a portrait of characters for who they really are.

So, what is the book about?

We all know her name should be pronounced Smug but of course, Isabella herself pronounces it like the word Bruges. Isabella is a pretentious Instagram influencer whose every living moment is catalogued on social media. Her obsession to have the most followers, likes, and comments, means that everything she does, either alone or with her family, is driven by how it will look on social media. Every moment of their lives is captured on camera and shared with millions. At the beginning of the book, she is newly settled in a Georgian pile in the country, having left her life in London, and, therefore, all her friends, behind. She immediately sets to getting to know the neighbours, but this proves more difficult than she could ever imagine. She soon finds out the villagers are harder to win over than she at first thought. Her life seems picture perfect in a shallow way, but we soon come to realise that there is more depth to Isabella than can be seen on the surface. As her life begins to unravel, she grows and develops and comes to realise the people around her are more than just an opportunity to diarise her life on Instagram. The more you read the more you come to understand and sympathise with her. My emotions were all over the place and I found myself hoping everything would turn out well for our heroine despite her being a grade A snob.

This is also a book which deals with Faith. Becoming friends with the local Vicar's wife opens Isabella up to the possibility that there may be more to life than she believes. It opens her up to the possibility that the church is more than just a place to see and be seen and as a new opportunity to paint her perfect life on Instagram.

The characterisation is truly brilliant, showing every aspect of human nature you can possibly imagine. I loved characters, hated them, and then fell in love with them again. Every one of them was real to me and I would love to have them as friends. Well, most of them anyway. Some I would like to boot out and lock the door, just as Leigh intended. She has a rare insight into the human psyche and this comes across in the characters she writes. 

This book is absolutely fabulous, darlings. It makes you want to break out the champagne and your best crystal goblets whilst realising you should keep both feet very firmly fixed on the ground. It is one of the best books I have read this year and would highly recommend you read it. Now, If you will excuse me, I'm off to share this on social media and see how many likes, shares and followers I get. Oops. Maybe I should go and read the book again. I would urge you to buy a copy, you will not regret it. As I say, pure entertainment from first word to last. 

You can buy signed copies of the book from Ruth Leigh's Website any good bookshop or alternatively you can buy the kindle version from the links below. Please note these are affiliate links and if you choose to use them I will receive a small renumeration. 

You can follow Ruth on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 

    

That's it for another day, Bookaholics. I'm off to find my next read, although that will be after I do some writing. After all, I need to get my own books finished too.  

 

 

The Healing - a book no one should miss reading.

Good morning Bookaholics. I may not have been with you for a few weeks but I was holding off to bring you my review of a newly published book. I am sure you will agree it was worth the wait. 

I am struggling to know where to start to review this book because there is so much I want to say, each part of which deserves to be first. Therefore I will start by saying congratulations to this debut author for a work of fiction which has truly blown me away. I read a lot and yet it is rare that a book moves me so deeply or makes me think so deeply. The Healing has done just that. 

Margetts is a skilled writer with a true gift for words - that is apparent on every page of this, her first, novel. She uses words to good effect to draw the reader in and guide them through the highs and lows of emotions. The premise of the story is that in the year 1231 a nobleman, Philip de Braose is grievously injured and is rescued from certain death by Brother Hywel a Cistercian Monk. We see Philip as he starts to heal from his wounds and yet it is obvious he also requires both emotional and mental healing, not so easily obtained. The readers joins Philip and Hywel as they journey from France back to Wales and the monastery in which Hywel is based. 

The characterisation is outstanding. Margetts draws them to perfection and pulls the readers inside their heads. Philip is a broken man but the author handles this with gentleness and deftness allowing us to see the swings in his mood and yet keeping the character relatable and likeable. As the book progresses she gently teases out different aspects of his character allowing the reader to immerse themselves in his journey to restoration and transformation. Brother Hywel, a gentle and compassionate man, brings peace, not only to Philip but to the reader. The book soothes and comforts as it is read. 

Equally well written is the setting. From the monasteries of France to the inns and monasteries of Wales, I felt like I was in the midst of the events. I could picture everything perfectly right down to the steeds which the men rode. I was right there living the story alongside the characters - saying prayers with the monks and walking with them as they carried out their chores.

This is an obviously Christian, faith driven book and yet this did not overwhelm. It is skilfully weaved throughout and is an integral part of the story. Bible passages are used at the end of each chapter and these support the narrative beautifully. God is at the heart of it, as one would expect, but the story is one of transformation and redemption. It had me soaring to the skies one minute and crying the next. I was not expecting the ending at all. This book plays a beautiful melody with the heartstrings and leaves the reader pondering on its meaning and message long after the book is finished. It will help any reader on their own journey of healing.

Whilst this is a book I could have read in one sitting, I did not do so. Whilst it begged me to keep reading I wanted to slow the pace and take my time to embrace the central message and enjoy the writing. The story came from a place of reflecting Margett's own journey of healing and I wanted to give it the time and space it deserved to be read properly. I am glad I did. 

Would I recommend this book - one hundred percent. I consider it to be one of the greats and it deserves a wide readership. Well done to the author. I hope she writes another book and I will be one of the first to buy it. If you would like to buy a copy you can do so via the links below. 

You can also buy signed copies direct from the author via her website

And of course you can buy copies from your local Christian Bookshops if they are open. You can order it from them if they don't have it on the shelf. 

If you would like to connect with Joy Margetts you can do so on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

   

That's it for another week Bookaholics. Expect more soon. I've another cracking book for you so don't miss out. Until then, keep reading and writing, my Bookaholic friends. 

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair review. At no point was I asked to write a positive review and the review is unbiased and based on my reading and enjoyment of the book. The links above are affiliate links and if you use them I will receive a small renumeration from Amazon.