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Molly Ella's avatar

I can so relate to be too harsh with 5 star ratings! I've also tried to relax this and have found I've been giving out high-ratings more freely, which feels right! Isn't it funny how our ratings can change over time? Love these posts from you Emily :)

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Emily Male's avatar

Thank you Molly 🙏 I feel like the 5 star books i’ve re - rated in this make so much sense, I am not sure why I stopped myself the first time round! But as you say - it feels right to relax a little more!

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Emily Male's avatar

Oh and I hope you will read Of Thorn & Briar - I genuinely thought of you often when reading it - thinking you would enjoy it so much.

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Molly Ella's avatar

Oh exciting! I will add it to my list! :)

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Maria Betts's avatar

I’ve read Untamed by Glennon Doyle 2 or 3 years back - a thought provoking read.

I’ve read Anna and the Beast by Christine Reddall recently because Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia is something affecting a 2 families I know, right now.

A further book that has really stayed with me is If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie.

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Emily Male's avatar

Thank you so much for your recommendations Maria ... They all sound very interesting! Sharon Blackie has written some wonderful books... Women Rose Rooted sounds so good ... Thank you for sharing 🙏😊📚

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Debbie Meredith's avatar

Oooh some great recommendations again Emily 😊 Just when I think "that's enough now", I find some more that I simply must read 😄 Thank goodness for Kindle! 📚

I added Glennon Doyle's book to my tbr list a few weeks ago when I came across the Untamed book club. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but it's high up on my list. Looking forward to that one.

I like the look of Seeking Slow, that one seems right up my street. One for my future purchase list I think.

I'm curious about Paul Lamb's book, it looks like an interesting read.

I'm currently enjoying Emma Gannon's The Success Myth, next up is Rural Hours.

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Emily Male's avatar

Thank you 🙏💕 Oh Debbie ... Rural Hours is waiting patiently on my bookshelf. Id love to hear how you are getting on with it once you start ?

Of Thorn & Briar was a wonderful read, I recommend it so highly!

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Debbie Meredith's avatar

I’m looking forward to reading Rural Hours. I’ll let you know my thoughts when I start.

I think I need to add Of Thorn & Briar to my purchase list. I can never resist a recommendation 📚😂.

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Emily Male's avatar

Yesssss the never ending TBR list 📚🙌💕

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Holly A Brown's avatar

Love this, especially the star scale! I recently fell in love with Barbara Erskine’s novels and for me they have almost all been 5 star (there was one that was 4 star because it was good but the storyline just didn’t resonate with me). I find myself gripped by the pacy plot and always stunned by the twist at the end. Every novel I now read is benchmarked against these and none have compared! Her writing has my heart and I honestly can’t wait to finish my current novel (a solid 3-4 star) to pick up another Barbara Erskine 🙈

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Emily Male's avatar

Thank you so much Holly - it really did help to look and really work out what my star rating was looking like - especially for me with the elusive five star read!

Thank you so much for the recommendation - I have never read a Barbara Erskine book - but sounds like you are having a wonderful time with her books! 📚

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Lara's avatar

I like book shopping at home, Emily!

I read seeking slow a lot of time too and I always find myself wanting to read it especially in January because it somehow clears my mind at the start of the year!

The house on the cerulean see is heartwarming, I enjoyed it too! I have under the whispering door of the same author but I have not read yet. Maybe will be my next pick.

I am always doubtful about Emily Wilde's ect..do you recommend it? I have the first book in my kindle but never read it..

Have a lovely Sunday! ☀️ Here in northern Italy summer has started!

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Emily Male's avatar

Hi Lara 👋 I'm glad to hear you enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea ... I've been wanting to read it for ages, so June is the month!

You know, I really enjoyed the first Emily Wilde book ... It was a really cosy read and very atmospheric. The two lead characters are very likeable too. I've heard the second book is even better than the first so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in ... I only managed about 50 pages in May. I will be sure to let you know!

Oh I bet the Italian sunshine is beautiful ❤️ we have some lovely sunshine today too. But not too hot so just right for me!

Have a lovely Sunday!

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Victoria's avatar

Oooh I also have Paul Lamb’s book on my TBR pile so your review has made me even more excited to get stuck in. Some great recommendations here - I’ve just bought Seeking Slow so can’t wait to mine that for inspiration. 🥰

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Emily Male's avatar

It's such a gorgeous read. I do hope he will write another. It has also made me want to read more nature writing too, which is been slowly getting into but I liked it so much (more than I thought I would) that I keep stumbling into that section in the book shop! One I picked up but resisted buying was 'The year of sitting dangerously' by Simon Barnes ( a year sitting in the same spot in his garden and noticing all the changes and stories throughout the year ) ... I think he also wrote 'Rewild Yourself' 💚

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Emily Male's avatar

It's such a gorgeous read. I do hope he will write another. It has also made me want to read more nature writing too, which is been slowly getting into but I liked it so much (more than I thought I would) that I keep stumbling into that section in the book shop! One I picked up but resisted buying was 'The year of sitting dangerously' by Simon Barnes ( a year sitting in the same spot in his garden and noticing all the changes and stories throughout the year ) ... I think he also wrote 'Rewild Yourself' 💚

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David Barton's avatar

Paul Lamb’s book is third on my to-read pile, so I’m glad you have it five stars! ⭐️

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Emily Male's avatar

I think you will enjoy it so much David 📚 I didn't want to get to the end!

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