I've always considered myself an avid reader. As a child I would go through books like wildfire, from one to another, always with one on the go. I loved reading.
I have to say that maybe it was during GCSE's and A-levels and certainly college that reading lapsed into a scarce activity. Studying and juggling everything else just drained so much of my time that books became more of that 'spare time in holidays' treat as opposed to daily feed.
The last few years have seen me make an active effort to make time for reading and I feel so much the better for it. When choosing books I try to pick from a selection of themes I enjoy; the great outdoors and flowers, historical thrillers, crime, other thrillers, funny books and generally ones which are award winning or popular. I can't find anything remotely rewarding about chick-lit or lightweight romantic guff. Lets get gritty or give up now.
Here's my second installment of recommendations. I'll try to provide my rationale for each one to give you an idea but I am not the type of person to write a lengthy review of any read. Some of these date back a while ago, because I haven't been good at keeping a record of books (I've vowed to track better with Goodreads this year) and frankly I forgot about some excellent reads which need a proper shout out.

1. H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald - this was an autobiographical book which felt more like a story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It made me think. And makes me look for Goshawks in woodland.
2. Snow Falling On Cedars by David Gutterson - Heavy, gritty and grisly. I loved the depth of the story and characters. It was cold, cold and made for a proper wintry read. The level of racism within the story made for uncomfortable reading at times but was central to the story. 
3. The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan - A charming read which reminded me of the Trouble With Goats and Sheep (which was good but not amazing) and A Year of Marvelous Ways. It was sweet.
4. Sepulchre by Kate Mosse -I love her writing and characters. I read The Winter Ghosts (very quick read) and Labyrinthe but Sepulchre was my favourite. Historical meets the past not letting go. 
5. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by  Neil Gaiman - This wasn't initially a book I felt comfortable with as it's not fantastical* as in involves dragons but it's more trippy dream like so my little mind struggled with this. However, I keep thinking about this book and how interesting (and scary at times) it was which is clearly a good sign and maybe I'll be a little braver in reading more by this author.
6. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - a classic. I was struck by how annoyed I became about the datedness of the characters' relationships with each other but I loved galloping from page to page, desperate to find out what was happening.
7. The Primrose Path by Rebecca Griffiths  - A page turner. Sadly not flower-ful as the title may suggest but a read I recommended to Mum and she loved it which made me love it a bit more.
8. The Jackson Lamb series by Mick Herron maybe not one book technically but you must read them in order. I've read the first two and they are curious books as the characters which demand your support and backing are all such flawed humans. Yet I'm driven to keep reading. Spying literature at it's best.
9. The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins - Another book I couldn't bear to put down. I raced through this, gripped! Film wasn't as good but they never ever are.
10. The Life of Pi by Yan Martel - I can't believe I didn't include this one before. I'd put it on my top 5 ever, it was brilliant. Heart wrenching, scary yet written in a wonderful way. You must read this one.
11. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - I dithered in whether to include this as it's an enormous book full of turmoil and heart-wrenching sadness. Of course it's a masterpiece, but it's definitely not for everyone. If you like your characters deep and detailed this is one for you.
12. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - Another book I became absorbed in. I enjoyed the unorthodox storyline, it kept me reading to reach the conclusion.
13. Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna - Initially I wasn't going to include this as a good chunk of the storyline was sad but this book was huge and I did find myself immersed in the book. One of those which has lots of food in it and makes me crave Indian cuisine.

I've been meaning to write about my favourite reads for a while. Books are incredibly subjective with every reader looking for something different. Personally I love to be challenged with difficult words and luxurious language. There are a few styles I cannot resist: a thorough immersion in the great outdoors, flowers and a thriller. All three are the ultimate. In light of this here are my highlights which I would give a big thumbs up to:

1. The Fall by Simon Mawer. This was a brilliant read cover to cover. Great story and each chapter kept my attention. Mountain-full.
2. The Hours of the Night by Sue Gee. Oh! Gardens and the stark Welsh countryside. It was a book with such an ugly cover yet an unusual story which I found enthralling.
3. Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor. Total immersion into the countryside in the midst of tragedy. This was a dark read but one I enjoyed. 
4. Eve Green by Susan Fletcher. A debut novel but one that I fell in love with. 
5. The Running Hare  by John Lewis-Stemple. I suppose it counts as non-fiction but this read was so good I didn't want it to end. 
6. The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar. The temptation to read on and on and never put the book down was immense. Such an addictive story even though I found the film terrible. I also read Her Fearful Symmetry which didn't enthrall me but did keep me guessing.
7. Inferno by Dan Brown. The film was a steaming pile of poop but the book was gripping and absolutely terrifying. Stick to the book, it's a thriller.
8. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. A historical thriller of sorts. Shook me up and set me on edge.
9. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I laughed from start to finish. Well written and judged. I love a lighthearted book every now and again. At some point I'll read the sequel.
10. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. All of Hosseini's books are utterly heart wrenching and humbling. Do not miss out on a single one. I think I shed more than a tear for each. A Thousand Splendid Suns was a close second favourite.
11. Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin. Hello flower based thriller!
12. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud. This kept me reading. Aren't we all raging? This struck a chord with me.
13. The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams. A curious tale which I enjoyed and a really interesting insight into moths too.

Ok, so I included more than 12. So what!

Have you read any of these and what did you think?
Maybe I'll write another list when I've racked up some more unmissable books. This is my to read pile...
Take care,
Sophie

If there were ever the ultimate tonic to the dark and gloomy days heading into winter then a good book may be the one. I've been lucky enough to get a copy of Monty Don's new book Down to Earth and it's safe to say I know what my go-to book for the next few months will be. As a convert to the wonders of gardening over last few years I have to say that the more you delve into the whole lifestyle the greater the realisation that it's so much more about life itself than I ever imagined.
Monty Don has the most wonderful way of speaking, which not only serves to convey messages effectively, it also makes me feel reassured and filled with that little bit more confidence to try things out for myself. Both of my grandfathers were keen gardeners and always enjoyed showing me the latest goings on in their respective greenhouses and gardens. Starting to potter around in our own garden as an adult I felt distinctly out of my depth with regard knowing anything which turns into of course I can do this, look I'm doing fine but by gathering gradual experience it only ever reveals how little I know about everything else and how almost embarrassing that really is.

What a lovely book this is; Monty says it's an accumulation of his lifetime of gardening experience, sharing nuggets of prime know-how and thoughts on challenging pre-conceived ideas. It's a book to refer to about so many questions; what to do each month, how to work with what you've got and most of all its a pat on the back to the reader for caring about their little patch of garden. You can pick it up for five minutes and feel calmed.
Maybe it's back to the drawing board for our garden at home. We've been fighting a battle with shade, trees and bushes growing out of hand; having read this I feel enlivened into turning the problem on it's head. Work with what we have got, not against it. Stop trying to tidy away what nature is craving and instead let harmony and balance find itself instead of trying to impose something out of kilter. It's really got me thinking.

You'll have to get your own copy to see you through the darker months, I shan't be lending mine out!
Take care,
Sophie
I was sent this book to feature but all opinions and content are my own

As a flower enthusiast I take up many an opportunity to look round many a garden if given half a chance. There is always some inspiration to take from observing planting designs and discovering new plants as well as the general sense of happiness generated from floral scents and bountiful colour. This year we've been lucky to take in plenty of blooms and I love to snap a few pictures to reflect back on.

Above: this monster dahlia flower was getting on for the size of a dinner plate, it would have been too weighty for most of my vases. The colour was a little too vague for my liking (for reference I believe it was 'cafe au lait).
Below: from my limited knowledge, I hope it's a hollyhock but I particularly liked the look of the newly opening flower looking like a lovely round bowl before fully opening out.

 Above: cosmos, I think ones like this are called doubles because they have double the amount of petals. I seem to favour all cosmos equally.
Below: pompom dahlias, usually my least favourite of them but in this colour they look very pretty



 The burning shades of echinacea are spectacular


 This dahlia confused me with it's flower going straight up (and again, a huge flower). There is always something unexpected to take from looking at a garden.
I was recently sent this gorgeous book called Secret Gardens of East Anglia by Barbara Segall which is exactly up my street. I've been glued to the pages, reading all about local places with the fascinating history of gardens and how they've been developed and grown through the years. The photography is fabulous and really brings the gardens to life, Marcus Harpur has captured the beauty to perfection. The book is full of divine images so as well as being particularly interesting and informative also makes for a feast for the eyes with a quick flick through.
The foreword by Beth Chatto had me nodding along, I love to listen to the wisdom of garden experts and try to learn and apply their advice.
The book is available to pre-order now here (it's out 7th September) so you can get your hands on a copy very soon. This is a wonderful book to own, or perhaps buy as a gift for a garden lover - especially maybe someone who struggles to get out. Explore all 22 gardens from the comfort of an armchair.


I was sent a copy of this book to feature, all opinions are my own. 
Do you love discovering a secret garden as much as I do?
Sophie

It's a lovely book to have a read of while drinking coffee and popping my feet up for ten minutes. My first thought was to flick through and find my local areas to see what was said about them which was interesting but there is so much content of interest that I am going to pop some bookmarks in so that when we fancy a trip out I have a few ideas already lined up.
My interest has been well and truly piqued in visiting some new places in Norfolk, with some lovely walks identified that we're keen to try out. In fact I'm tempted to buy the Slow Travel Suffolk guide too for the days we're tempted to venture beyond the county borders.

It's English Tourism Week at the moment (I'm sure you knew already) and in the spirit of encouraging you to explore my beloved county of Norfolk you can do so for less.
For an exclusive 20% discount on Bradt's Slow Travel Norfolk guidebook, visit  www.bradtguides.com and enter the code STICKS at the checkout. Offer valid until 30th April 2016.

You're welcome!
Sophie

Books are best read in front of a fire, under a blanket.

Sophie