Magic · Non-Fiction

Beyond The Wand – Tom Felton ★★★★★

Blurb; They called for a break, and Gambon magicked up a cigarette from out of his beard. He and I were often to be found outside the stage door, having ‘a breath of fresh air’, as we referred to it. There would be painters and plasterers and chippies and sparks, and among them all would be me and Dumbledore having a crafty cigarette.

From Borrower to wizard, Tom Felton’s adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame saw him catapulted into the limelight aged just twelve when he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Speaking with candour and his own trademark humour, Tom shares his experience of growing up on screen and as part of the wizarding world for the very first time. He tells all about his big break, what filming was really like and the lasting friendships he made during ten years as part of the franchise, as well as the highs and lows of fame and the reality of navigating adult life after filming finished.

Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.

My Review; Calling all potterheads this one is for you. But don’t worry it’s not all just about the Potter world but a large part of it is. There is a foreword by Emma Watson. Tom has included a lot of photos in the book too. It’s a fast read with a lot of behind the scenes stories and stories of Tom growing up before he found fame. What hit me the most is a few chapters at the end where Tom was very open, honest and raw about what he had to go through and I applaud him for that. It takes guts to write a book and make people laugh, tear up, learn new things behind the scenes and see the potter world in a whole new light whilst being honest about the whole thing. A must buy. A must read. Highly recommend. A well deserved five stars.

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chick-lit · Non-Fiction

Tired & Tested: The Wild Ride into Parenthood – Sophie McCartney ★★★★

Blurb; What happens when you realise adult life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?



When you’ve grown up thinking your twenties are all about working hard, playing hard and definitely trying to not get pregnant, life comes at you fast when you go from hump to bump…


Comedian, mum and vlogger, Sophie McCartney, shares her journey through the hurty-thirties – when you thought you’d have a high-flying career, three holidays a year and a designer handbag, but have ended up with two kids, a deep fear of what lies at the bottom of the ball-pit in soft play, and a post-breastfeeding gap in your cleavage the size of a Christmas ham.


With laugh out loud humour and honesty, Sophie shows how whether you’ve had a day full of whining or a night full of wine, there’s joy to be had in the perfectly imperfect lives we lead.

My Review; This was brilliant. I follow this lady on Facebook & Instagram and I didn’t know she was bringing a book out. I actually saw this book in the library while I was going to register my 3rd child so it must have been a sign. It’s a book that any mother/parent/woman can relate to, at least 90% relate to and if you say you can’t relate you’re lying. It was hilarious and laugh out loud funny in parts. This book made me realise while reading it at 3am feeding my own baby that I was seen, heard and not quite so alone. It’s raw, honest and she has not censored any of the journey into parenthood or having older children. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.

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Bestsellers · Medical · Non-Fiction

Undoctored – Adam Kay ★★★★

Blurb; Adam Kay’s secret diary from his time as a junior doctor This is Going to Hurt was the publishing phenomenon of the century. It has been read by millions, translated into 37 languages, and adapted into a major BBC television series. But that was only part of the story.

Now, Adam Kay returns and will once again have you in stitches in his painfully funny and startlingly powerful follow-up, Undoctored: The Story of a Medic Who Ran Out of Patients. In his most honest and incisive book yet, he reflects on what’s happened since hanging up his scrubs and examines a life inextricably bound up with medicine. Battered and bruised from his time on the NHS frontline, Kay looks back, moves forwards and opens up some old wounds.

Hilarious and heartbreaking, horrifying and humbling, Undoctored is the astonishing portrait of a life by one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers.

My Review; I have loved all of Adams previous books so ofcourse I had to read this, he is so honest, blunt and truthful in what he says and writes. This is a huge insight into Adams personal life and Employment life. Some very funny stories within and some alarming health scare ones. It’s also evident Adam isn’t a fan of going to hospitals himself even as a previous DR. I enjoyed every page. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.

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