25,000 views giveaway

When I started Little Northern Soul I'll admit, I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. I loved the idea of having my little space on the internet to talk about books, writing and authors, but I had no idea if anyone would read it. During the spring the blog started picking up momentum and I was pleased to see people were reading my posts and connecting with my reviews. 

One of the biggest surprises, in the nicest possible way, has been how genuine and lovely fellow book bloggers, authors and publishers are. I still have to pinch myself when one of my favourite authors said they read, and liked, a review. Eek! Most authors I've interacted with genuinely care about bloggers, appreciate reviews and are happy to chat. It's brilliant. I'm loving being involved in this new community and it makes what could be deemed as a 'hobby' so much more. 

At the weekend I hit a pretty memorable number of readers - my blog had 25,000 views! I'm not sure how that compares to others and, frankly, I don't really want to. For me, that is a huge number and made me so happy!  A huge thank you to readers old, new, regular or one-off for visiting Little Northern Soul! 

As a thank you, I'm running a giveaway to celebrate. I'm giving away a copy of Appleby Farm by Cathy Bramley (a truly gorgeous story with an equally gorgeous cover), I'll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson (the first book I ever reviewed) and some stationary. To enter, just use the rafflecopter below. 

Good luck! 

L x  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura's Library Loans #1

Hi everyone and welcome to a new feature! I decided to start 'Laura's Library Loans', which will show you any books I've borrowed from the library, and give a short, mini-review of each. 

I've just joined the Leeds library and I forgot just how special it was to be part of. I get so overwhelmed each time I go with the amazing books on offer... all for free! Granted, it does get to me when I have to give them back, especially if it's a book I've really enjoyed, but it means I can indulge in all kinds of different books and authors with less of the guilt.

This month I picked up The Year I Met You by Cecilia Ahern and Bad Sisters by Rebecca Chance. My mini-reviews of these books are below.

The Year I Met You, Cecilia Ahern

My rating: 4/5

This story explores the unusual relationship between 2 very different people. The main character and narrator of the story is Jasmine, a workaholic who is forced to take 'gardening leave' for a year, meaning she is essentially paid to stay at home. Now for me, this sounds like the dream scenario, but not for her. She feels like a prisoner and aches to be back at work. While at home, she finds herself becoming more fixated on her neigbour, Matt, an alcoholic radio presenter with a whole host of issues. She's not impressed by his sexist, rude and offensive radio programme for personal reasons, which filters into her home life. Throughout the story you see the two start to speak, converse and slightly connect. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and as usual Cecilia Ahern has a real knack for detail, character feelings and emotions, and creating an intriguing storyline. I don't think this was my favourite Cecilia Ahern book, but it is really enjoyable and I'm so glad I've finally read it.

Bad Sisters, Rebecca Chance

My rating: 5/5

After reading Mile High I fell for Rebecca Chance's brilliant writing style. I'm not usually a big fan of 'bonk-busters', but these are written in a non-cringey way. Bad sisters centres around 3 sisters who have grown apart following a traumatic and difficult childhood. All the girls are relatively successful and famous, and it explores their careers, relationships and their family dynamic. I particularly enjoyed watching their relationship develop and unfold. My favourite character was Deeley, the youngest sister who returns from LA and is shocked her other sisters aren't welcoming her with open arms. She is young and naive but has a warm heart, and I liked seeing her story unfold. Although I was a little surprised by the ending (I don't want to give too much away but it didn't quite unfold how I thought it would) I was absolutely immersed by this story and loved reading it.

So there you have it, my latest library reads. Keep an eye out for this feature again soon! Also, let me know in the comments below what books you've been renting lately and if you have any recommendations! :)
L xxx

June round-up

Hi all! I'm back from a week-long blogging break and thought I'd start my sharing my (slightly late) June round-up with you all! 

Books I've won:

Thanks to Shaun at Book Addict Shaun, I won 3 paperbacks of my choice. There were some fab options but in the end I chose: Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond, The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas and The Life I Left Behind by Collete McBeth

I also won an e-book copy of  30 first dates by Stacey Wiedower

Books I've received: 

The Dandelion Years by Erica James 

A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman

In Their Shoes - Fairytales and Folktales

Books I've read this month: 

The Dish, Stella Newman

Summer at Shell Cottage, Lucy Diamond *

Return to Bluebell Hill, Rebecca Pugh

The Life I Left Behind, Collete McBeth*

The Oyster Catcher, Jo Thomas *

First One Missing, Tammy Cohen

Dream A Little Dream, Giovanna Fletcher  *

As June kick-started Paperback Summer, I read a lot more paperbacks than e-books this month. The titles with a star next to them are paperbacks and I'll be doing a big Paperback Summer post at the end of August.  

Book of the month
As usual, this month was filled with fantastic reads. A special shout-out goes to Rebecca Pugh, her debut novel Return to Bluebell Hill was bloody brilliant! 

As usual though I had to pick a book of the month and this month that is..... 



Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond! 
You can read my review here

What have you guys been reading this month? Let me know in the comments below :)