Ups & Downs, Smiles & Frowns: kindle

, by Sarah Mumx3x

#50books2015

The girl on the train by Paula Hawkins.{Book review}

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, by Sarah

#50books2014

October & November book reviews #50Books2014.

9 comments

, by Sarah

#50books2014

April book reviews #50books2014

"The latest title from the internationally bestselling author and foster carer Cathy Glass.

Beth is a sweet-natured child who appears to have been well looked after. But it isn’t long before Cathy begins to have concerns that the relationship between Beth and her father is not as it should be.
Little Beth, aged 7, has been brought up by her father Derek after her mother left when she was a toddler. When Derek is suddenly admitted to hospital with psychiatric problems Beth is taken into care and arrives at Cathy’s.
Beth and her father clearly love each other very much and Derek spoils his daughter, treating her like a princess, but there is something bothering Cathy, something she can’t quite put her finger on.
Meanwhile Cathy’s husband is working away a lot and coming home less at weekends. Then, suddenly, everything changes. Events take a dramatic turn for both Beth and Cathy and her family; as Cathy strives to pick up the pieces all their lives are changed forever"

I have read just about every book y Cathy Glass. Cathy Glass is a foster parent in UK who has fostered more than 100 children. She is truly very inspirational and the world needs more people like Cathy!

This story goes back to when Cathy's own children were little. She tells the story of how Beth came to be fostered by her and tells Beths story just perfectly. Although it is sad, (not as sad as some of Cathy's other books, it is still sad though) and my heart goes out to little Beth and her father. I really, really want to write so much about this story but it;s newly released and there are a few people reading this post, that have this on there books lists, so I don't want to ruin it for them. It does have a happy ending for Beth. I learned a lot about Cathy and her how her and her husband broke up in this book, which I have often wondered about whilst reading Cathy's previous books.
This book is beautifully written, the story is very well told. FIVE stars from me!

Little drifters by Kathleen Story.

'The harrowing true story of a travelling Irish family bonded by love, broken apart by life, and then betrayed by their carers in a cruel convent in Ireland.
“For those who we lost along the way, I tell this story. For all the children who suffered in this terrible place. For all those I consider my brothers and sisters; the ones who died, the ones who lost their minds, the ones who drown their memories everyday in a bottle of whisky, I tell this for you.
Because in the end we are all brothers and sisters – and if we don’t feel that bond of love between each other, just as human beings, then we are nothing. We are no better than the monsters that ran the convents.”
Based in Ireland in the 1960s and 70s, Kathleen’s story is a story of extreme hardship, suffering and abuse. It is the story of 11 siblings, abandoned by their mother and torn from their father, incarcerated in convents and then driven apart in the cruellest ways imaginable; it is the story of their ruined childhoods and their fight for recompense. But more than that, it is a story of courage, survival and the incredible strength of sibling bonds against overwhelming adversities.
Out of terrible darkness comes a remarkable story. In the tradition of Irish storytelling, Kathleen offers a mesmerising account of her family’s experience.'

Kathleen tells her story of how she was brought up in Ireland during the 1960's & 1970's. It's such a harrowing story, very sad indeed. It is also very inspiring, I hope that makes sense! If you read it, you'll see exactly what I mean! Kathleens story is shocking and very heartbreaking. Kathleen is very brave, she and her siblings had a horrific, abusive childhood. We learn a lot about her brothers and sisters and her parents, too! I learned a lot about the institutions/convents durring that time. Thankfully they were all shut down in the end.

This book is beautifully written and I could not put it down!I wish Kathleen and her family best of luck for the future. I am really glad I read this book, it opened my eyes to A LOT.

FIVE stars from me.

The world according to Bob by James Bowen

'Since Bob has appeared, I've made huge strides in my life. For more than a decade I was a homeless drug addict. I was lost to the world and had forgotten what was important in life. Now I've got myself back on my two feet, but as I put the past behind me, I'm still stepping unsteadily into the future. I still need help in the right direction. Bob is always there to offer guidance and friendship.' James and his street cat Bob have been on a remarkable journey together. In the years since their story ended in the bestselling A STREET CAT NAMED BOB James, with Bob's help, has begun to find his way back to the real world. Almost every day, Bob provides moments of intelligence, bravery and humour, at the same time opening his human friend's eyes to important truths about friendship, loyalty, trust - and the meaning of happiness. In the continuing tale of their life together James shows the many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. As they high five together for their crowds of admirers, James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat'

Last year I read A street cat named Bob. I am a HUGE bob fan, hehe. 'The World According To Bob' is another book about the street cat 'Bob' and his owner 'James'. James was a drug addict who lived on the streets. This book reflects on his life on the streets but it also reflects on his life now. James and the ginger cat 'Bob' are inseperable and I can tell they have an extrmely strong bond by reading this book! He has a flat and sells 'The Big Issue'. He is also now free of drugs & is completely clean. This story tells little tales of bob and what he gets up, how mischievous bob can be but also what a clever cat he is! It's set in London during the mid 00's (recent!). It's a lovely read, wonderfully written and again I couldn't put it down!
Is it wrong that I want to go to London just to meet Bob the street cat?! Lol.
Five stars from me!!

More book reviews coming soon.

This is scheduled post, I'm so busy that I am having to schedule blog posts a lot more often than usual.

2 comments

, by Sarah

#50books2014

March book reviews #50books2014

Hackney child by Hope Daniels & Morag Livingstone

"Hackney Child is about a resourceful child, whose parents are unable to cope. Hope is left to help her brothers survive poverty and the economic collapse of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Her mother is a prostitute whose clients come to the home, and the children are exposed to her profession, knowing it is wrong, but without fully understanding.

Despite the challenges, the compassion Hope shows towards her parents, particularly her alcoholic father shows the nature of the child. Her resourcefulness and determination to survive is shown as she tries to do all she can to support her brothers, by gathering and stealing food, until it all gets too much. Hope became a ward of court and remained in the care system until she was 18 years old.

Hope believes that if she had not been in care she would have repeated the generational pattern of her own and many families: prostitution, drugs, prison; growing up with an inability to positively contribute to society.

Without the support of professionals within and out of the care system she would, as an adult, have become a burden on the taxpayer, rather than the contributing individual she has worked hard to become. Despite popular belief, children in care are damaged before going into the care system, not always because of the care system. However flawed the care system may be, it is often better than home"

My thoughts - This book is based on Hope's childhood and is therefore a true story. Hope reflects on her childhood and how she grew up in very servire poverty. She ended up in care with her two younger brothers. It's an extremely sad story but is beautifully written. It saddens me to think how some children lived (and probably still do). This book really did open my eyes. I personally think Hope is a very brave lady (now a grandmothers) to share her story with the world.

I rate this book five stars.

I am Lubo by Lou Pechi.

"This is a true story of growing up, before, during, and after the Holocaust. It tells about his struggle, not only to survive, but also to keep his true identity throughout those difficult years. This is also an inspirational story that needs to be told. The story narrated through the eyes of a young boy, fascinated by the all the happenings yet unaware of the dangers that surround him. Despite all the fear, humiliation, difficulties of constant movement, changes of identity, separation from his parents, Lubo remains upbeat and positive. The German bombing of Belgrade, and the brutal prosecution of the Jews in Croatia that followed, shatter Lubo's pre-war idyllic life in Zagreb, Croatia. To save their lives Lubo's parents flee to Italy. Not knowing what awaits them, they leave seven year old Lubo with his aunt, married to his Catholic uncle. Two years later, at the age of eight someone informs the Nazis and he is arrested and ready to be sent to the concentration camp in Germany. Through intervention of friends and relatives he is released six hours before the scheduled convoy departure and smuggled to his parents in Italy. The family's relative safety in Treviso, Italy is broken by the German invasion that forces them to flee again to Rome, where the Allies eventually liberate them. After the liberation, Lubo returns to Communist Yugoslavia, emigrates to Israel, and finally arrives to the United States"

My thoughts- This is a different kind of holocaust book. It's write from a childs perspective which makes it a little different to other holocaust books I've read in the past. Lubo also doesn't understand the danger that he's in, during the holocaust.

It's sad in places but not as sad as other books of this nature. It's a very touching book. It's written really well and I really am glad I read this book! I'd give this book 4 stars!

Sarah xXx

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, by Sarah

#50books2014

February book reviews #50Books2014

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, by Sarah

book review

Curlilocks And The Three Pink Pandas {Children's book review}

6 comments

, by Sarah

#50books2014

2014 Book list #50books2014

2 comments

, by Sarah

#50Books2013

Saying Goodbye To Warsaw by Michael Cargill {Book review}

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

October book reviews #50Books2013

Casey Watson - Breaking the Silence.

"The Watsons are astonished when they answer their front door to find their case worker with a small boy on the doorstep. Jenson is just nine years old. He was removed from his home thirty minutes earlier when it was discovered his mother had left him at home while she went on holiday with her boyfriend.

A couple of weeks later Casey is in for a second shock when she is asked to take a second nine-year-old boy, Georgie. Georgie is autistic and has been in a children’s home since he was a toddler. The home is closing and social services need somewhere temporary for him to stay. With her own grown up son, Kieron, having Asperger’s (a mild form of autism), Casey knows this is one child she cannot say no to.

The relationship between Jenson and Georgie is difficult from the outset. Jenson is rebellious and full of attitude and he kicks off at anything, constantly winding Georgie up. Georgie doesn’t cope well with change and is soon in a permanent state of stress. Despite Casey’s best efforts, her innate love for the children is being tested and she begins to question if she can handle Jenson’s cruelty.

But overtime it becomes clear that the boys have formed an unlikely bond. Could this be the solution to all of their troubles?"

(^ from goodreads.com ^ )

This is the sixth book in the series (Not that I read them in order.)
I think this book was my favourite of Casey Watson's books. Another really beautiful story. It is sad, even heartbreaking but has a lovely ending. You can really see how Casey and Mike bring the best out in the children that they foster and this book is no exception. Casey tells the story of Jenson, who was left alone with his older sister (who is 13) while there mother goes on holiday abroad. That's how Jenson and sister ended up in the care system. Casey also fosters another little boy at the same time as fostering Jenson - Georgie. Geogie autistic and his needs are different from Jenson's. Eventually the boys do make friends and get a long really well. I loved this story... five stars from me!

Mummy's little helper by Casey Watson.

The fifth book from bestselling author and specialist foster carer Casey Watson.

"A recent census shows that there are at least 175,000 child carers in the UK, 13,000 of whom care for more than 50 hours a week. Many remain invisible to a system that would otherwise help them. Abigail is one of those children. This is her story.

Ten-year-old Abigail has never known her father. Her mother, Sarah, has multiple sclerosis, and Abigail has been her carer since she was a toddler – shopping, cooking, cleaning and attending to her personal needs. When Sarah is rushed to hospital, suddenly this comes to the attention of the social services, and Abigail has nowhere to go.

Though she doesn’t fit the usual profile of a child that specialist foster carers Casey and Mike Watson would take on, they are happy to step in and look after Abigail. It’s an emergency, after all – and all that’s needed is a loving temporary home, while social services look into how to support the family so that they can be reunited.

But it soon becomes clear that this isn’t going to happen. Sarah’s MS is now at a very advanced stage, and the doctors are certain that there will no longer be periods of remission. Abigail’s emotional state starts to spiral out of control as she struggles to let go of the burden of responsibilities she has carried for so long.

Sarah and Abigail insist that they do not need help, but with no other family to contact, social services are left with no choice but to find long-term care for Abigail, against their wishes. But Casey never gives up on a child in need, and she knows there must be another solution… "

A really good true story about a little girl, who has been looking after her mother from a very young age. Abigail ends up in the care system when her mother becomes poorly (she has MS) and ends up having to stay in hospital for a longer (than expected) period of time. It is sad and heartbreaking but does have a good ending. I couldn't put this book down. Five stars from me :)

Saying Goodbye To Warsaw by Michael Cargill

"Like any girl who is loved by her family, Abigail Nussbaum loves to chase butterflies, enjoys lying on her back looking for shapes in the clouds, and happily teaches young children to make daisy chains.

In the eyes of certain people, however, Abigail has committed a heinous crime. The year is 1940; the place is Poland; Abigail happens to be Jewish.

Along with half a million other Jews, Abigail and her family are evicted from their home and forced to live in the bombed out ruins of Warsaw, the Polish capital.

Although a handful decide to fight back, is the uprising strong enough to save Abigail’s spirit"

This was an amazing book. It is a holocaust book and therefore is quite sad but there are such sweet, happy moments! I loved it! The story is about a little girl (Abigail) and her family. I loved Abigail's imagination and how the small things really make all the difference at such a horrendous time. Abigail has a lovely personality and such sweet innocence. I love how the book concentrates on Abigail. As the story goes on, I really felt how Abigail innocence was disappearing due to all the awful things she witnessed gong on around her. This book is beautifully written, I couldn't put this book down, one of the best books I've read this year. Everyone should read this book!! I read it within 24 hours.Five stars from me.

Sarah xXx

I was given a copy of this book to review. I am so glad I read this book! Thanks Michael for sending me this book!!

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

September book reviews #50books2013

They cage animals at night - Jennings Burch.

"Burch was left at an orphanage and never stayed at any one foster home long enough to make any friends. This is the story of how he grew up and gained the courage to reach out for love."

Not the best written book I must say BUT it is a sad, true life story about Jennings going from orphange to orphange, from foster home to foster home when his mother gets sick. The first time he went into a foster home he was very scared and confused little boy, he didn't really know where he was or why he was there. He felt very alone. One night an adult opens a cupboard (Jennings refers to as a cage) full of soft toys and that is were he meets "doggie" a cuddly dog who becomes Jenning's only friend. Along the way Jennings does go back to his family but his mother keeps getting sick and he ends up in another orphanage this

happens a few times. He does make friends a long the way. I can't really write too much because I don't want to spoil it for others.

This is a sad story but it's real life, it's inspiring and it is worth giving a read!

Four stars from me.

Will you Love me?: Lucy S story: The heartbreaking true story of my adopted daughter and her desperate search for a loving home by Cathy Glass.

"The eleventh memoir and latest title from the internationally bestselling author and foster carer Cathy Glass. This book tells the true story of Cathy s adopted daughter Lucy.

Lucy was born to a single mother who had been abused and neglected for most of her own childhood. Right from the beginning Lucy s mother couldn t cope, but it wasn t until Lucy reached eight years old that she was finally taken into permanent foster care.

By the time Lucy is brought to live with Cathy she is eleven years old and severely distressed after being moved from one foster home to another. Withdrawn, refusing to eat and three years behind in her schooling, it is thought that the damage Lucy has suffered is irreversible.

But Cathy and her two children bond with Lucy quickly, and break through to Lucy in a way no-one else has been able to, finally showing her the loving home she never believed existed. Cathy and Lucy believe they were always destined to be mother and daughter it just took them a little while to find each other."

Those of you that have read my blog for a while will know that I am HUGE Cathy Glass fan. She is truly an amazing foster carer, a true inspiration and this world needs more people like Cathy. Anyway here's my thought on this book - I LOVED it! Yes, it was sad but do you know what? It has such a happy ending. Cathy tells her story about how she came to adopt Lucy. This book is a little different from Cathy's other books IMO. It really is very good and I recommend you read it! Five stars from me!

Too Hurt To Sat - Casey Watson

"Eight-year-old Spencer takes himself to social services and demands to be taken into care. It’s a desperate act, a cry for help, but his parent’s reaction – good riddance – speaks volumes. Immediately Casey’s hackles are up for this poor child: it seems he either comes to live with the Watsons, or he’ll be sent to a children’s home.

Spencer is the middle child of four siblings. His parents claim all their other kids are ‘normal’ and that Spencer was born ‘vicious and evil’. Casey and her family are disgusted – kids aren’t born evil, they get damaged. Although when vigilante neighbours start to take action and their landlord threatens eviction, Casey is stretched to the limits, trying desperately to hold on to this boy who causes so much pain and destruction.

Casey is determined to try and understand what Spencer is going through and help him find the loving home he is so desperately searching for. But it’s only when Spencer’s mother gets in touch with social services for the first time that gradually everything starts to make sense"

Another really good book by Casey Watson.
This is a true life story about a little boy who ends up in the care system. Casey and her husband Mike foster Spencer. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil it. It is sad yet really funny in places, too! Spencer is certainly a little character who comes across as a lot older than the age of eight.
This book is very well written, I love the way Casey writes! Casey and her husband Mike are very inspirational people indeed. Loved this book and I loved the little follow up chapter at the end. The follow up chapter at the end gives a little update on how Spencer's life turns out once he left The Watson family. Five stars from me.

I think next month I may read something a little different... What is everyone reading at the moment?

Sarah xXx

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

August book reviews #50books2013

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

July Book Reviews #50books2013

Entwined With you - Sylvia Day (crossfire #3)

"From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.

No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.

Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession…"

My thoughts: This is the third book in the Corssfire series. I LOVED it. Ok, maybe not quite as good as the first two books which I reviewed here and it was a little slow in the beginning (at least for me anyway). But still very good. It IS an erotic adult read. In some places I thought it was probably TMI. I really have fallen in love with Gideon and Eva, or rather there relationship. Gideon did annoy me a little... The way he acted with his ex. Over all I'd give this 4.5 stars.

I am looking forward to the next book.. apparently there's another TWO books.

Crying for Help - Casey Watson.

"The second book from Sunday Times best-selling author Casey Watson.

Two weeks after saying farewell to her first foster child, Casey is asked to look after Sophia, a troubled 12-year-old with a sad past. Sophia’s actions are disturbing and provocative and, before long, Casey and her family find themselves in a dark and dangerous situation.

Two years ago Sophia’s mother had a terrible accident. Sophia has been in care ever since.

Right away, Casey feels something isn’t right. Sophia’s a well-developed girl, who looks more like 18 than 12. She only seems to have eyes and ears for men, and treats all women with contempt and disgust. And she has everyone around her jumping through hoops.

Over time, as more details begin to emerge about Sophia’s past, it becomes clear that her behaviour is a front for an early life filled with pain and suffering. But although Casey feels she is gradually breaking through to Sophia and getting her to open up about things she has never spoken about before, her violence is threatening the safety of the whole family, forcing Casey to question whether she can really handle this lost and damaged girl.Both shocking and inspiring, this true story will shed new light on the extreme and sometimes dangerous nature of foster care" - From GoodReads.com

My thoughts: I don't want to give too much away. Not gonna lie, this story was emotional and sad so be warned if you plan on reading it. Bare in mind it is hard to rate and review a book when it's about a child suffering!
This book is written incredibly well. I really felt like I know Sophia personally, Casey Watson did a very good job putting Sophia's story into words. Casey and her family put up with a lot from Sophia. This book really showed me how this countries system needs improving (when it comes to social services etc) in many ways. Thank goodness for people like Casey and her husband. Very inspiring foster carers. I've said it before and I'll say it again - this world needs more people like Casey and her family!

"Based on the award-winning 10-million-plus-hit blog www.1000awesomethings.com, The Book of Awesome is a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments:

• Popping Bubble Wrap
• Wearing underwear just out of the dryer
• Fixing electronics by smacking them
• Getting called up to the dinner buffet first at a wedding
• Watching The Price Is Right when you're home sick
• Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row
• Waking up and realizing it's Saturday

Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. With a 24/7 news cycle reporting that the polar ice caps are melting, hurricanes are swirling in the seas, wars are heating up around the world, and the job market is in a deep freeze, it's tempting to feel that the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us-sometimes we just need someone to point them out.

The Book of Awesome reminds us that the best things in life are free (yes, your grandma was right). With laugh-out-loud observations from award- winning comedy writer Neil Pasricha, The Book of Awesome is filled with smile-inducing moments on every page that make you feel like a kid looking at the world for the first time. Read it and you'll remember all the things there are to feel good about.

The Book of Awesome reminds us of all the little things that we often overlook but that make us smile. With touching, warm, and funny observations, each entry ends with the big booming feeling you'll get when you read through them: AWESOME!"

(^ From good reads ^)

My thoughts: Not mu usual kind of read. I haven't had a particularly great week and I needed to read something funny! Good reads (for some reason) recommended this book. So.. I read it and I am glad I did. It's just full of things to be grateful for and cheerful about! Things like 'Flipping your pillow to the cold side' AWESOME! And 'Laughing so hard you make no sound at all' AWESOME! I loved the popping bubble wrap and I learned that bubble wrap works as insulation, haha. Some of the AWESOME stories really reminded me of things I find AWESOME, too. After reading this book, it made me realise I need to notice the small things to be HAPPY about! I found this book easy to read, witty and I am glad I read it!

It took me a couple of hours to read (on and off)

I rate this book ****Four**** stars. It is AWESOME!

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

June book reviews #50Books2013

Little Prisoners by Casey Watson.

"Little Prisoners is a harrowing, yet moving memoir about two innocent and frightened 'unfosterable' children who do not know what it means to be loved.

The shock that strikes Casey and her family when Ashton and Olivia arrive is immeasurable. Two frightened little waifs stand before them, hair running wild with head lice, filthy nails and skin covered in scabs. Ashton, aged nine, and Olivia, aged six, are the eldest of five siblings, taken away from their family because they were considered at risk.

Originally a temporary, emergency placement, the weeks turn into months. And gradually the children start to feel like they truly belong to a family and to reveal the horror of what happened to them"

Casey Watson and her husband are foster parents. They foster these two children who are desperate for a n emergency home and Casey and her husband are the only available foster parents at the time. The children were feral, riddled with lice and not in a good state when they first go to Casey and her husband. These two children have really been thru a lot and all kinds of abuse. This book was so, so, sad. To think someone can treat there children the way those children were treated! Well, to be honest, I can't think about it. The story of these children is absolutely shocking and harrowing. The kids are ok in the end though, I am glad I read it. Beautiful written IMO. (I might add, I would love to hear how the children are getting on now)

This book is a real eye opener and I am not gonna lie, it was so hard to read because the story is so harrowing. I have so much respect for Casey and her husband, honestly the world needs more people like them.

I haven't read any of Casey's other books (yet) but I plan on reading them very soon!

Argh, gutted I only read this one book in June! It';s just so hectic towards the end of term, I have no time for anything! And with the kids being ill and other things going on, I've had zero time! I can't believe we are half way thru 2013 already, time flies :-p

Sarah xXx