My Five Best Books from 2015

2015, you saucy little bugger. You came, you saw, you conquered. 

When I wasn't drinking Prosecco, eating pizza, gallivanting off to Vegas to do a lot of boozing, gambling and little things like get hitched and buying a house, I was curled up on the sofa doing one of my favourite things in the world: reading. 

As you probably know, I gorge on books. I read insatiably. 'I am simply a ‘book drunkard.’ Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them,' said L.M. Montgomery, a person who knows where a good book can take you. 

Thus, I made my way through a great many books in the year that was 2015. And here are 

five books from that if you haven't read already, you need to in 2016... 

1) The one that you won't be able to stop telling your friends/mum/fellow commuters/colleagues/anyone that will listen about…

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett 

There was a lot of hype ahead of the release of The Versions of Us and it really didn't disappoint. I love books that have a Sliding Doors theme - where one split second could change everything - and this had that ingredient. It was hailed as the new One Day but in my humble opinion it was much better. 

It's just really clever and beautifully written. In fact, writing this is making me want to re-read!

2) The one that you will LOL a lot at...

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk 

It's no secret I am a HUGE Lindsey Kelk fan and Always the Bridesmaid is her Best. Book. Yet. Very, very funny. 

3) The one that will make you cry...

We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman 

Get a box of tissues and dive in. Immediately. It's really special. 

4) The one that will leave you shouting: OMG! That. Did. Not. Just. Happen…

The Day we Disappeared by Lucy Robinson

Not many plots keep you guessing until the last five pages. This one does. One surprise after another. You won't want to put it down.Oh and it gets 'Very Pretty Cover' award too. Always a bonus. 

5) The one that you won't be able to help but love… 

The World According to Danny Dyer: Life Lessons from the East End 

Oh you may scoff at this final entry but don't mock it until you've given it a go. I read this right at the end of last year as it was a Christmas gift and it really cheered up that awful lull post Xmas pre-New Year. 

Danny Dyer is just brilliant and as you read you can almost here him talking to you like an audio book! 

Every chapter had me laughing out loud. I mean, who doesn't want to hear DD's views on politics and current affairs?! 

What were your 2015 faves?

12 books of Christmas - #1 I heart Christmas by Lindsey Kelk

The aim of December is to recommend 12 books to you that are fabulous to read at this time of year and will without of doubt get you in the festive mood. 

Ready for book recommendation number one? 

I heart Christmas by Lindsey Kelk.

It's not a secret that I am a big fan of Lindsey Kelk's I heart series. If you haven't read any, you should. They're bloody funny. 

Anyway, I was v excited to hear that Lindsey was writing I heart Christmas so the moment it landed in my hands I read it in one afternoon - and it didn't disappoint. 

Angela's back and can’t wait for Christmas in New York - her first as a wife. But before she can get involved in the seasonal cheer, she has a new job to deal with, a house move and her UK best friend, who is having marriage problems, turning up on her doorstep. To complicate things further, her US best friend wants to have a baby sans father and her parents invited themselves over for Christmas. Things aren’t going to be easy…. 

This book is hilarious from start to finish and made me desperate to see New York during wintertime! Go forth and read with a mince pie and a hot chocolate. Mine's with extra cream…. 

About a Girl by Lindsey Kelk

I love books where you come away feeling a little inspired. I  read Lindsey Kelk's first book I heart New York when I was in a job I was starting to hate. I wondered if I could just flee to New York like main character did and build a new exciting life there. I didn't but I did book an amazing five-day trip there and buy my precious Marc Jacobs handbag. 

I heart Paris made me want to sit and drink champagne and eat macaroons all day and I heart Vegas helped me make the decision that I absolutely will be spending my 30th birthday there. 

I love Lindsey's writing style. It's fun and the main girl in the story is always a strong character who your an relate too. 

In her latest offering, About a Girl, we meet Tess who has just lost a job when she actually thinks she is about to get a promotion. As a workaholic, Tess is devastated. 

She is jobless, her photographer flatmate, Vanessa, is a crazy bully and she's in love with her best friend - but he doesn't feel the same. The future looks bleak. 

The Tess answers Vanessa's mobile and takes a message about a photography assignment in Hawaii. On a whim, she decided to get away from it all and pose as super bitchy Vanessa. She used to be an amateur photographer - so what's the worst that could happen….? 

If you're heading off on your jollies soon (like I am on Tuesday - whoop!) this is the perfect book to read by the pool.