November Wrap Up…

Welcome to my November Wrap Up. I had a better reading month in November, finishing 5 books (1 book off my TBR). I also received 6 ARCs this month.

I have reviews up or coming up for these books so as usual this is just going to be a brief rundown on each book I read.

Without further ado, let’s get into my November Wrap Up:

Time Of My Life by Myf Warhurst: This book was amazing. I didn’t know what to expect going into this book so I was surprised that it was unputdownable. I loved reading about Myf’s childhood and her family just as much as I loved reading about her life in the entertainment industry. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. If you are an Aussie or a music lover then this book is for you.

Forever Home by Graham Norton: This book was fantastic. The story was amazing; with a few unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages, and the writing was utterly beautiful. The way the characters interacted with each other was so raw and emotional. Add to that the beautiful descriptions, and this book was just wonderful all across the board. I am so glad that I read this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on Graham Norton’s next book.

No F*cks Given by Sarah Knight: This book was great. I haven’t read any of Sarah Knight’s other works so this book was a whole new experience for me. I loved the messages in this book and the way in which they were presented was really bold and eye-catching. This is one of those books that you can just turn to any page at random and feel better after reading it. I am glad that I re this book and I know I will be picking it up again many times in the future.

The Wrong Sister by Fiona Palmer: This book was amazing. I am a massive fan of Fiona Palmer so I went into this book with high hopes. Thankfully it not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them. This book had everything I have come to love in a Fiona Palmer novel; amazing and real characters, a compelling storyline, and utterly beautiful writing. I am so glad to have another Fiona Palmer book on my shelf.

Little Whale by Jo Weaver: This is a re-read for me so I am just going to include the link to my review below.

https://wordpress.com/posts/gemsbooknook.wordpress.com?s=little+whale

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That’s it for my November Wrap Up. I hope you all had a great reading month. Let me know what you guys read this month in the comments section.

Until my December Wrap Up…

Happy Reading…

~>GEM<~

No Easy Day by Mark Owen

‘From the streets of Iraq to the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean, and from the mountaintops of Afghanistan to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden’s compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group–commonly known as SEAL Team Six–has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines.

No Easy Day puts readers alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the twenty-four-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives. The blow-by-blow narrative of the assault, beginning with the helicopter crash that could have ended Owen’s life straight through to the radio call confirming Bin Laden’s death, is an essential piece of modern history.

In No Easy Day, Owen also takes readers onto the field of battle in America’s ongoing War on Terror and details the selection and training process for one of the most elite units in the military. Owen’s story draws on his youth in Alaska and describes the SEALs’ quest to challenge themselves at the highest levels of physical and mental endurance. With boots-on-the-ground detail, Owen describes numerous previously unreported missions that illustrate the life and work of a SEAL and the evolution of the team after the events of September 11. In telling the true story of the SEALs whose talents, skills, experiences, and exceptional sacrifices led to one of the greatest victories in the War on Terror, Mark Owen honors the men who risk everything for our country, and he leaves readers with a deep understanding of the warriors who keep America safe.’

This book was amazing.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it. The killing of Osama Bin Laden was such a massive story yet there were so few details about how it actually happened, so I was excited to read a first-hand account of that night. I was also excited just to read about the life and missions of a Navy SEAL.

Reading a first-hand account of the raid of Osama Bin Laden’s compound may have been why I picked up this book, but reading the about the other missions was just interesting. I cannot imagine the feelings and anxiety that come with being sent on such huge missions where people’s lives are in your hands, and even after reading this book, I am still astounded that there are people out there like Mark Owen who have lived these lives.

Mark Owen has done a fantastic job with this book. The Osama Bin Laden raid may have been the most known operation in this book, but reading about his other missions in such wonderful detail while still retaining the emotion and humanity of the situations made for a truly compelling reading experience.

No Easy Day by Mark Owen is the perfect read for anyone interested in Military History.

Uni Update 31!

It’s that time again…

Uni Update!

I have officially finished Uni for the year; Yippee!

Even though I had actually finished Uni before my last Uni Update, I have now gotten my results; I passed, and am able to celebrate the study year being over as well as passing my units.

I am really happy with how this last Trimester turned out; I really enjoyed the topics we covered, and I am now looking forward to hopefully enjoying next year’s units just as much if not more.

Speaking of next year, I have narrowed down my unit choices, and if I don’t find anything I feel is better once the new subjects as released early next year then these choices will become my first Units of 2023; and I am pretty happy with what I have chosen.

Since there is no more Uni this year and I won’t start again until February 2023, this will be my last Uni Update post for a couple of months.

I hope you all tune back in for more Uni Updates in 2023.

Well, that is all from me today. I will catch you all in my next Uni Update.

Until then…

Happy Reading!

~>GEM<~

No F*cks Given by Sarah Knight

‘A beautifully-packaged collection of inspirational quotes with a hilariously explicit twist from Sarah Knight’s beloved, multi-million-copy-selling “No F*cks Given Guides” series.

In The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving A F*ck Sarah liberated you from people and things that don’t make you happy; with Get Your Sh*t Together she provided a tough-love push towards getting organized to achieve your goals; You Do You offers a roadmap to embracing your individuality; Calm the F*ck Down delivers practical solutions for managing ever-more stressful times, and F*ck No! teaches you to set boundaries and stick to them with confidence and flair. 
 
No F*cks Given: Life-Changing Words to Live By gathers the very best of this no-bullsh*t, life-changing advice into one must-have gift book that enlightens and entertains on every page.’

This book was great.

This was the first of Sarah Knight’s books that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have now added her other works to my wish list.

One of the things I loved most about this book was that even though I read it from start to finish, it doesn’t have to be read that way. You can pick it up and turn to any page at a whim. Each and every paging teaches you something and helps you be the best version of yourself so that you can live your best life.

As someone who doesn’t love profanities, I will admit that some of the passages in this book were jarring to read at first but as I got further into the book I became used to it and I understood why it was important to use profanities to get the message across. The entire point of this book is to jar and impact in order to draw the reader’s attention to the message and that is exactly what this book did.

Sarah Knight has done a wonderful job with this book. The passages were clear and concise with bright, bold text used to capture the eye. The messages themselves are interesting as they are things that we all know already but really need to be reminded of on a daily basis.

I am very glad that I decided to pick this book up and I know that I will be re-reading it many times in the future.

No F*cks Given by Sarah Knight is a must-have for all bookshelves.

Thanksgiving Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in the Thanksgiving Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

BREAD

WHAT BOOK IS PURELY FLUFF AND HAS NO REAL PLOT LINE?

Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love by Elsie Chapman

TURKEY

WHAT BOOK MADE YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP?

Talking With Psychopaths and Savages: Beyond Evil by Christopher Berry-Dee

GRAVY

WHAT BOOK MAKES THE WHOLE SERIES WORTH READING?

A Tale of Sorcery… by Chris Colfer

STUFFING

WHAT BOOK IS STUFFED FULL OF ACTION SCENES?

The Purple Pimpernel by Anthony Thorogood

MASHED POTATOES

WHAT BOOK LOOKED GOOD AND THEN WASN’T?

City of Villains by Estelle Laure

CRANBERRIES

WHAT BOOK HAS THE SWEETEST ROMANCE?

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown 

CORN

WHAT’S THE CORNIEST BOOK YOU’VE EVER READ?

How to Write a Love Story by Katy Cannon

GREEN BEANS

WHAT BOOK IS TOO LONG AND NEEDS TO BE SHORTENED?

The Good Germans: Resisting the Nazis, 1933-1945 by Catrine Clay

PUMPKIN PIE

WHAT BOOK DO YOU READ TO GET OUT OF A READING SLUMP?

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K Rowling or A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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Well, that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading… 

~>GEM<~

Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel

‘No journalist has reckoned with the psychology of war as intimately as David Finkel. In The Good Soldiers, Finkel shadowed the men of the US 2-16 Infantry Battalion in Baghdad as they carried out the grueling fifteen-month “surge” that changed them all forever. Now Finkel has followed many of the same men as they’ve returned home and struggled to reintegrate – both into their family lives and into society at large.

In the ironically titled Thank You for Your Service, Finkel writes with tremendous compassion not just about the soldiers but about their wives and children. Where do soldiers belong after their homecoming? Is it reasonable, or even possible, to expect them to rejoin their communities as if nothing has happened? And in moments of hardship, who can soldiers turn to if they feel alienated by the world they once lived in? These are the questions Finkel faces as he revisits the brave but shaken men of the 2-16.

More than a work of journalism, Thank You for Your Service is an act of understanding — shocking but always riveting, unflinching but deeply humane, it takes us inside the heads of those who must live the rest of their lives with the realities of war.’

This book was great.

After reading The Good Soldiers, I knew I had to read this book. Going into it after The Good Soldiers meant that I had very high expectations, and I am happy to say that it did just live up to my expectations, it well and truly surpassed them.

This may be the only book I have ever read that follows soldiers after they return home from combat and it was utterly eye-opening. We hear about the struggles that many returned service men and women face but to read about it as it’s happening rather than just as a news headline was really moving and impactful.

David Finkel has done a fantastic job with this book. It was emotional yet still grounded in facts and while it may have followed one particular group of veterans, the implications for all returning service people and what they have to deal with were front and center throughout.

This is one of those books that makes you question what you know and what we as a society can do to make veterans’ lives better.

Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel is a must-read for everyone.

Christmas Prep!

Welcome to another Sunday Session.

As it is less than 50 days until Christmas, I have decided that today’s post will be about my Christmas prep.

Before jumping into my prep I should state that I hate shopping in general and I hate being rushed and overwhelmed. Because of these things I love to be organized and have everything planned so that I can have a smooth run up to Christmas.

I am happy with how my Christmas Prep is currently going; I am now hoping that I can keep the good vibes going.

I already know where I need to go for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year; as well as what times, and who else will be in attendance, so I am very happy about that.

As for gifts and the dreaded shopping, I am already making gains in that department too. I have already started my Christmas shopping, and I wrap as I go, and I have orders in place for a few more gifts. Once those arrive I will have completed my Christmas shopping for all bar two of my gift recipients.

I have also got in early and written all of my Christmas cards for this year.

With only two people left to shop for; not including myself, I am feeling good about my Christmas Prep this year.

I have also made a Christmas movie playlist and a Christmas book TBR so that I can watch as many cheesy Christmas movies and read as many Christmas books as humanly possible.

Hopefully, all my prep pays off and I can have a happy and calm Christmas with the people that mean the most to me.

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That’s it from me today. I will catch you all next week for another Sunday Session.

Happy Reading.

~>GEM<~

The Good Soldiers by David Finkel

‘It was the last-chance moment of the war. In January 2007, President George W. Bush announced a new strategy for Iraq. He called it the surge. “Many listening tonight will ask why this effort will succeed when previous operations to secure Baghdad did not. Well, here are the differences,” he told a skeptical nation. Among those listening were the young, optimistic army infantry soldiers of the 2-16, the battalion nicknamed the Rangers. About to head to a vicious area of Baghdad, they decided the difference would be them.

Fifteen months later, the soldiers returned home forever changed. Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter David Finkel was with them in Bagdad, and almost every grueling step of the way.

What was the true story of the surge? And was it really a success? Those are the questions he grapples with in his remarkable report from the front lines. Combining the action of Mark Bowden’s Black Hawk Down with the literary brio of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, The Good Soldiers is an unforgettable work of reportage. And in telling the story of these good soldiers, the heroes and the ruined, David Finkel has also produced an eternal tale—not just of the Iraq War, but of all wars, for all time.’

This book was great.

I have read more than a few books from the Military History genre, but other than a few Autobiographies I haven’t read many books about the War on Terror. With limited experience reading about this particular War I dint have any wants or expectations when I went into this book.

Now that I have read this book I am very interested to read more about the War on Terror and reading more from David Finkel. As soon as you start reading this book you can tell that David Finkel is a journalist. His ability to transport the reader to different places and different battles is truly remarkable and the way in which he coveys each situation is both terrifying and thrilling.

When I read anything about combat and war I am always moved by how young the soldiers are; previously I have always been able to say to myself ‘it was a different time’, or ‘people were more grown up back then’, but reading this book and seeing interviews with people my age in situations that I cannot even imagine was at times really overwhelming.

This is one of those books that is hard to describe as there are so many moving pieces and so many different people who experienced the same war but in different ways. It is seeing how various moments affect various individuals that really highlights the lasting damage that war has on human beings.

David Finkel has done a wonderful job with this book. It was raw and honest; he didn’t shy away from showing the true ugliness of situations while capturing some of the utterly personal stories and experiences of those who served in Iraq. This is one of those books that stays with you long after the final page.

The Good Soldiers by David Finkel is a must-read for everyone.

Hogwarts Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in the Hogwarts Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

AM I A PUREBLOOD, HALF-BLOOD, OR MUGGLE BORN?

Muggle Born.

WHICH WAND CHOSE ME?

Elm Wood, 10 inches, Hard and Flexible, with Unicorn Hair Core.

DID I TAKE AN OWL, CAT, RAT, OR TOAD WITH ME?

I love Owls so this is a no-brainer for me.

WHERE DID THE SORTING HAT PUT ME?

Gryffindor.

WHAT HOUSE DID I WANT TO BE IN?

I wouldn’t have minded being in Ravenclaw.

WHAT LESSONS ARE MY FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE?

Favourite:

A History Of Magic.

Least favourite:

Muggle Studies.

THE FORM MY PATRONUS TAKES:

Thestral.

WHAT DOES A BOGGART LOOK LIKE FOR ME?

A Spider.

DO I PARTAKE IN ANY MAGICAL HOBBIES OR SCHOOL SPORTS?

Maybe school paper or Book Club.

WHERE WOULD I FIND MYSELF HANGING OUT IN MY FREE TIME?

If it’s warm I will be outside under a tree reading. If it’s cold I will be perched as close to a fire as I can get.

WHAT WOULD I MOST LIKELY GET DETENTION FOR?

Talking In Class.

WHAT CAREER DO I WANT AFTER LEAVING HOGWARTS?

I want to be a writer.

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Well, that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading… 

~>GEM<~

Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally

‘In the shadow of Auschwitz, a flamboyant German industrialist grew into a living legend to the Jews of Cracow. He was a womanizer, a heavy drinker, and a bon viveur, but to them, he became a saviour. This is the extraordinary true story of how German war profiteer and factory director Oskar Schindler when confronted with the horror of the extermination camps, gambled his life and fortune to protect and rescue 1,300 Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland from the gas chambers.

Oskar Schindler came to save more Jews from the gas chambers than any other single person during World War II. Transformed by the war into a man with a mission, a compassionate angel of mercy. Working with the actual testimony of Schindler’s Jews, Schindler’s Ark depicts the courage and shrewdness of an unlikely savior, a man who is a flawed mixture of hedonism and decency and who, in the presence of unutterable evil, transcends the limits of his own humanity.’

This book is extraordinary.

This is one of those books that everyone tells you must read and after reading it I can understand why. Given how much this book is spoken about and that I have seen the movie Schindler’s List I went into this book knowing it was going to be a difficult, emotional read, but I was still surprised by just how much this book affected me.

As someone who has read a lot about the Holocaust I knew the situations and the suffering that was taking place in this book but what I hadn’t expected was how many people were saved and what they and others did in order to survive such horrific times. When you see the number 1,300 it is difficult to imagine how anyone could live and function knowing how many people’s lives were in your hands.

One of the things I loved most about this book was how you got to see and understand the risks that the Jewish people were taking in order to save themselves and each other. While what Oskar Schindler did was extraordinary, he wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for the bravery and determination to survive the Jewish people he was able to help had within themselves.

Thomas Keneally did a fantastic job with this book. He didn’t shy away from the horrors of the Holocaust, nor did he overlook funny conversations and lovely moments that happened throughout all of the suffering. This is easily one of the most emotional books that I have read but Thomas Keneally’s ability to show both the best and worst that humanity is capable of is something that really stood out for me through all the tears I shed.

I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book.

Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally is an absolute must-read for everyone.