Hot reads for hot beaches!
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss
Three weeks tomorrow and I’m off to Italy for two weeks of Sun, Sea, Food and Culture and I can’t wait. I was one of the lucky ones that actually managed to get away on holiday during the pandemic so, hopefully it won’t sound ungrateful however, with all the tests and restrictions I didn’t really look forward to the trips I made although, really did enjoy my time away! This time however, it feels right, no tests, very limited restrictions and a new sense of optimism which is why I can’t wait until the 19th!
One of the joys of vacation for me is devouring a small stack of really good books, another thing I’ve not really done for quite some time so, in order not to be disappointed, I’ve done my homework on what’s hot right now, here’s a few reviews from a few different sources;
Anonymous sex edited by Hillary Jordan and Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
Now this is how you write erotica. And it’s delicious to read. The book features 27 tantalising horny tales, all written by different authors, who've unleashed their wild side under the cover of anonymity. There’s a married woman who has a BDSM encounter at a work conference; two boys explore their first stirrings of desire at a sleepover; sex in an AI-driven afterlife; a bisexual woman who cheats on her wife with a baker; and female friends who give in to repressed feelings in a shared hotel room. There will be at least one story that will turn you on.
Walking on Cowrie Shells by Nana Nkweti
A collection of stories that you'll get completely lost in. Okay, picture the scene. A hazy summer evening, you get dressed up in an outfit that you adore, go to your local wine bar, settle yourself and get this gorgeous collection of short stories out of your handbag and order whatever you fancy. These stories are perfect for dipping in and out of as you sit and watch the world go by. Nan’s stories go from LOL funny to heart-breaking sobs, and sometimes both all at once.
Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation by Erika Krouse
One for true crime fans. Tell Me Everything is the story of a landmark sexual assault investigation and the private investigator who helped crack it open. In 2002, Krouse accepts a new contract as a private investigator. The role seems perfect, but she soon realises she has no idea what she’s doing. Then a lawyer assigns her to investigate a sexual assault, a college student who was attacked by football players at a party a year earlier. Krouse knows she should turn the assignment down; her own history with sexual violence makes it all too personal. But she takes the job anyway, inspired by Grayson’s conviction that he could help change things forever – and maybe she could, too.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
A super sweet rom-com is the ideal park or beach companion. And you'll adore main character Kiki Banjo – an expert in relationship-evasion. In fact, she has made it her mission to protect the women of Whitewell University from the dangers of players and heartbreak, supplying advice on her student radio show, Brown Sugar. And then Kiki meets handsome newcomer Malakai Korede, who threatens to tear apart the community of women she's fought so hard to protect. Full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue, you won’t be able to put this one down.
Girlcrush by Florence Given
This is the hotly anticipated debut novel by Florence Given – and it's seriously hot, following a bisexual woman and her steamy coming out journey. Eartha has the ick – with her whole life. Unsatisfied with her job and her BF, she’s secretly crushing on her mate, Rose, who might be the only person who’s noticed that Eartha is bisexual. After a drunken video of her coming out goes viral, a woman named E.V offers Eartha a chance to make her into the next big thing on Wonderland, a social media world where people create their dream selves. But which version of herself will she become?
The Poet by Louisa Reid
You’ve never read anything quite like this before. A powerful and almost uncomfortably raw novel that’s written in verse – although you sort of don’t notice as the poetry sings so beautifully. It’s set in Oxford academia, and is a whirlwind of emotion – you’ll be completely submerged. At uni, Emma fancies her older professor from the moment they lock eyes. She becomes entangled in a toxic relationship, and she starts to lose control. Cruel, charming Tom is idolised by his students – and he knows it. The story flits between past and present as he manipulates and undermines Emma’s every thought and act.
How to Live When You Could Be Dead by Deborah James
I wasn’t sure if I should include this, if you’ve followed my blog you’ll know the story of @bowelbabe! “I'm alive when I should be dead. In another movie, I missed the sliding door and departed this wondrous life long ago. Like so many others, I've had to learn to live not knowing if I have a tomorrow, because, statistically, I shouldn't have. At the age of 35, I was blindsided by incurable bowel cancer – I was given a less than 8% chance of surviving five years. More than five years later, my only option is to live in the now and to value one day at a time.”
Now that Deborah James (AKA @bowelbabe) is sadly receiving end of life care, publication of her book has been brought forward. This moving memoir will make you question your life as if you didn't have a tomorrow and live it in the way you want to today, I know there will be tears as I read this however, having followed Deborah’s journey, I know ultimately, it will be joyous and uplifting!
Wanting You to Want Me: Stories from the Secret World of Strip Clubs
From the secret conversations that happen behind the scenes in changing rooms to the blurred boundaries between dancer and client, authors Bronwen Parker-Rhodes and Emily Dinsdale – who were themselves part of the industry – have collected together stories and intimate photographs from the women working in London strip clubs. There’s no one definitive experience of being a stripper, which is why Wanting You to Want Me presents a range of stories told from different – and sometimes conflicting – perspectives.
Just a couple of ideas as you browse the shelves in the airport book shop, I hope some have whetted your appetite!
What’s on this week?
Head & Eyes – LeLUTKA EvoX AVALON 3.0
Hair – TRUTH / Bunny / Size 1 / FLF Part of this weeks Fifty Linden Friday
Face Skin – DeeTaleZ Skin *Amanda* for LELEVOX /nobrows/ Velour-CHANTI
Nails – Ascendant - Spring Nails Fatpack - Maitreya
AO – BodyLanguage SLC BENTO AO Mate @ this round of Uber
Shape – DeeTaleZ Shape for Lelu EvoX AVALON / Skins "Alexa & Amanda" Cu - Tweaked!
Necklace & Earrings – KUNGLERS - Paloma
Wedding Ring – ~~ Ysoral ~~ .:Luxe Wedding Ring Malie:. (Maitreya)
Dress – Moon Elixir x MUSE - Power Move - Dress Part of this weeks Fifty Linden Friday
Pictures Taken at the eclectically charming Raion No Su