The Most Natural Thing in the World

'Sealed' by Naomi Booth (Dead Ink, 2017)

I love it when publishers put a shout out for book bloggers on Twitter.  This has led me to some absolutely incredible books, books that I would never have known about otherwise, let alone read.  'Sealed' by Naomi Booth is just one example.

'Sealed'
by Naomi Booth
(Dead Ink, 2017)

When the heavily-pregnant Alice and her laid-back partner, Pete, move out of the city to a remote house in the mountains, they believe it's a fresh start.  Away from urban pollution and the deadly skin-sealing disease it may be causing, they hope that they can put tragedy and worry behind them and prepare a safe home for the new arrival.  But the grass isn't always greener, and not only does their new location provide new dangers, old ones prove hard to escape too...

Sex and the Spelling

'How to be Famous' by Caitlin Moran

As you may have noticed, I've been stuck in a bit of a reading rut lately.  I've started countless books but just couldn't find the energy to finish any of them.  Fortunately, feminist, writer and journalist Caitlin Moran has energy to spare and I picked some up via her latest book, 'How to be Famous'.

'How to be Famous'
by Caitlin Moran
(Ebury Press, 2018)

Set in the mid-1990s and the sequel to 'How to Build a Girl' (which I haven't read), 'How to be Famous' is the next chapter in the life of young music journalist Johanna Morrigan.  Writing as 'Dolly Wilde' for a top magazine means she mingles with many musicians and performers and sees how they're all getting fame wrong.  Even her unrequited love, John Kite, has developed a drinking problem after his album went to number one.  Her new best friend, Suzanne Banks, lead singer of 'next big thing' The Branks, has added an enthusiasm for drugs to her already chaotic life, which in combination threaten the band's future.  Jo remains an observer of the pitfalls of fame until a two-night stand with edgy comedian Jerry Sharp goes badly wrong and she finds herself the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.  Sharp is building his reputation by destroying others.  But can Jo stop him before he destroys hers?