Merry Christmas Everyone - I'm off to Mexico!!

With 10 days to go, until the big day, I would like to take this opportunity to wish every last one of my readers. authors that I love and publishers that kindly let me review their books, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.   

I though am even more excited about tomorrow morning, when I get to fly to Mexico, for two weeks of sun, relaxation, and reading.  

For those of you with good memories, will recall I was in Mexico last Christmas, unfortunately I wasn't able to book the same hotel, as no UK Airline seemed to be flying to that coast this winter, at least not from London  so I'm flying to Cancun and staying in this utterly gorgeous looking hotel in Playa Del Carmen. 

For those of you who love seeing my holiday photos on Facebook and Twitter (when I remember), I'm sure I will be posting some, but realistically my only aims for this holiday are to sleep (in the shade), read, and generally relax and do not much, while being outside all day, plus watching the evening entertainment and seeing how Santa arrives.  Last year he arrived at that hotel by parasail so really am hoping for flying reindeer this year!! 

I do still have one more review going live while I'm away, on Wednesday to please check back for the most aptly named book I could put on a date that is only 7 days til the big day!! 

In Madeira in August I somehow read 36 books in the two weeks, which is a new record for me, and frankly if I ever replicate that I would be utterly shocked, I think I must have been a reading machine!! But you never know.  How many books do you typically read on a holiday?

My review TBR is at around 82 books currently and I would dearly love to make a dent in it.  I'm sure you will agree though that the more choice you have, the harder it is to decide what to read next as you know you want to read them all, but how do you pick. 

Well yet again, I'm going to share with you the Netgalley portion of my review list, and ask for your suggestions of which ones I need to read, which of the 2020 releases you are looking forward to most, and generally arghh... what on earth do I read on the plane tomorrow to set my holiday off on the right reading foot! 

For some completely illogical reason only known to me that I can't really explain other than it seemed like a good idea while I was making the graphics, I decided to split the Netgalley list into graphics grouped by publisher this time around.  

Hopefully with less books per graphic if I come back to this post while I'm away, which I tend to do, to look at the lovely comments and suggestions,  I may spot ones that I forgot I had but then remember desperately wanting to read them.

Or I may just pick all books randomly all holiday alternating between my newly formed kindle collections for 2019 and 2020, while panicking that I'll never read enough of these to ever make a sizeable dent!! 

Ah well enough rambling, as I say however you are spending this holiday period no matter what you are celebrating, or just trying to survive through, I hope it goes incredibly well for you.  Remember to lose yourself into a book and let's hope 2020 is the start of a fabulous new decade! 

And here is the Review TBR - all suggestions and comments on anything in this post would be greatly appreciated. I may not get a chance to reply to everything but I promise I do read them all with a smile. 

And a quick note to the publishers, I do greatly appreciate every opportunity to read these books, please do keep approving me and I will get to these as soon as I can, or when I shut my eyes and stab them open on my kindle at random. 

.

So which publishers do you read the most of? Which of these are books that you think I should drop everything and make sure I read next? Which of these are you curious about and would like to see a review of?

I'm going to Madeira... and a look at my review TBR!

Four months after booking, I'm finally heading off to Funchal in Madeira for a two week holiday.  Having been working ridiculous hours for the last week or two especially I'm in desperate need of this break.

Doesn't this hotel just look gorgeous?   If you are also on holiday in Funchal over the next two weeks, please let me know, would be lovely to meet you! 

For those of you who love seeing my holiday photos on Facebook and Twitter (when I remember), I'm sure I will be posting some, but realistically my only aims for this holiday are to sleep (in the shade), read, and generally relax and do not much, while being outside all day!  

My Review TBR is toppling higher than its ever been, but based on my last few holidays I should be able to make a dent in it... well except for all the books I may spot on Netgalley and request while I'm away. 

Believe it or not for the first holiday ever I'm not taking any paperbacks... but in case of a technology fail, I will have my old kindle with me too - well I'm not taking any chances when it comes to books! 

Given there are so many books on it, and no matter how long you look at it, there will always be books you know you want to read that you just can't see..  I'm about to share with you all the non Christmas books currently on my review stack. 

Obviously I won't be reading them all while I'm away but if there are any that I really should try to read then I would love your feedback.   So often two weeks of free choice renders me incapable of deciding anything, so having your thoughts may give me good ideas!! 

I have one review coming up on Friday 9th August on the Accidental Lies by Dana Mason blog tour - but other than that my regular reviews will be back on 20th August.  See you then!! 

And here hopefully in a form that makes it easier to read than other times I've shared my TBR... and in a more fun way for me to create (hopefully I'll remind myself what I have too)... here is what is on my Netgalley shelf and what I will be picking from while I'm away. 
.

These are all authors that are new to me -
are there any that I 100% need to jump up the queue?

Here are all the crime / thriller / darker reads. 
I tend to read these as palate cleansers, any recommendations?

And last but by no means least all the authors that I absolutely love reading and feel incredibly guilty that I haven't read these books yet. 
What are your picks of these?

Whatever you are reading over the summer, I hope you enjoy it! 

I'm off on holiday again! - This time to Thailand!

I know it seems like only yesterday that I was posting saying I was back from Mexico, but I do have another holiday coming up and I'm off tomorrow. 

Five years ago on my 30th Birthday, I treated myself to a memorable holiday featuring my first time to America, first time on a cruise and I got to swim with dolphins on my birthday.  Given it was the best thing I've ever done for a birthday, I decided that every 5 years, I would treat myself to a new birthday holiday, hopefully somewhere different to my normal trips, or at least involving a first. 

So tomorrow I am flying off to Thailand.  I have never been before, and I'm spending the first week in Khao Lak, and the second in Phuket, in the Patong area, right in the centre.    And for my birthday itself I have an excursion booked to spend a morning feeding and bathing elephants. 

It has been about 14 or 15 years since I last went anywhere in the Far East, so to say I'm excited would be an understatement.  I'm hoping to do some boat trips too and see what else may crop up that may be exciting. 

Absolutely no idea how much reading I'll get done, but knowing me I'll have a kindle in my hand at every possible opportunity.   I won't though when I'm back be able to give you a list like last time of when all the reviews will be up - purely due to estimated lack of time! 

These are the paperbacks that I will be reading hopefully while I'm eating in restaurants in Phuket in the evenings, as I don't want to risk taking my kindle out and about in notorious night life areas! Plus I can always finish them in the mornings poolside. 

Now for the bit I seem to do each time I go away - let's give you all a look at my current review TBR - which is what I'll be using as a base to choose books from. 

If there are any of these that you think I should definitely read, then please let me know, I do keep the suggestions in mind, and often fresh eyes spot books that I may have completely bypassed for no apparent reason. 

So what do you think of these? Which are the must reads for while I'm away? Which would you like to see reviews of possibly between now and whatever my next holiday is?!

I'll be back on 11th March with a review of A Greek Affair by Linn B Halton - which I read on the previous holiday.  Don't forget to come back and look, its a fab book. 

Wohoo!! It's Christmas Holiday Time!!

Feels like absolutely ages ago that I was last mentioning that I am off on holiday.  Well tomorrow I'm heading off on what is probably going to feel like a ridiculously long flight to Mexico, for a fortnight of rest, relaxation, reading and reviewing...

So all the R's and also the Sun, Sea, Swimming etc.. so all the S's too of a top holiday!! 

As long as its warmer than Fuerteventura was last year, and I don't pick up some sort of flu/cold type bug for part of the holiday, I will definitely think its a success.    

I'm staying at this gorgeous looking hotel in Nueva Vallarta, and really intending to make a dent in my review stack that feels like it has been neglected recently.   If you follow me on twitter and facebook I will try to up some photos through wifi, if I can. 

I am taking a few paperbacks away with me, but I manage to pack them before I took a photo, so never mind!! Other than those, I am hoping to make a dent on my various review books since my trusty blue tooth keyboard is proving to be one of the best things I've bought in the past year or so. 

Hopefully once I'm back I will let you know what I read and when the reviews will be up, they are most likely going to be dotted about my blog over the next five months, as I do have some May 2019 releases that may just end up being read while I have the time!! 

So I'm going to share with you the scary things that are my Netgalley shelves, so you can help me decide what to read.  If there are any of these you think I should have already read, really should read, or are curious about yourself, then please let me know. 

Page 1 of my Current Shelf!

Page 2 of my Current Shelf! 

And now onto the books that I've had sitting on my Netgalley and review stack for over 3 months,.. there are more of these than I typically want there to be!!

Page 1 of the Older Shelf

Page 2 of the Older Shelf

If you know I'm missing out on a gem of a read from these books, please do let me know.  I almost never have any ideas how to pick books and may just be selecting randomly from the Netgalley collection on my kindle each time.. or I may look at any suggestions and read them!! 

And authors... if your book is on here, I'm very sorry I haven't read it yet, and I will try to get to it this decade!! 

All that is left for me to say is Have A Very Merry Christmas, and hope 2019 is full of book goodies for you all.   Oh and if you are about on Christmas Eve, I have a review of a rather Christmassy book for you then! If not see you in 2019...unless I post before! 

I'm off on holiday - yes again and a #Giveaway!!

Feels like no time at all since I last wrote that I was off on holiday just before Christmas, but apparently it was almost 6 months, so I think I can have another one.

Tomorrow I am heading off for 10 days of rest, relaxation, reading, sunshine and hopefully good food to Paphos in Cyprus.  I am praying the long ranger forecasts are wrong with their little pics of rain clouds for the next week out there, as I really don't want two holidays in a row blighted by poor weather, after all its almost June, and its the Med, it should be sunny!

Realistically all I want to do on this holiday is laze by the pool and alternate reading and sleeping all day, and then in the evenings hopefully find some entertainment as well as good restaurants (by good I mean ones that do food I like to eat, rather than Michelin Stars!!)

Where I will be staying

As always check out my social media I will try to put pics up from my phone, in addition to taking some with the real camera!

Given my bluetooth keyboard worked so well last time for review writing my intention is to do the same again and read some of my review stack while I'm away - as it is jam packed with auto read / auto buy authors for me, so the books should be great. Will show you the list in a bit!

What's coming up after I'm back?

Well I'm glad someone asked that!

From June 14th until July 15th is my massive Bookish World Cup feature, coinciding with the football world cup.  Delighted to say that as of late last night it is all prepped in advance for the month - and it features each day guest posts from authors talking about some aspect of a qualified country, and/or a review about a book with a link to a country.

Each day a different one of the 32 nations will be featured, and I hope it will be interesting for you all. 

In fact I have reviewed books for just over half the countries, in addition to all the guest posts, so hopefully you will all enjoy it.

And then after that I already have some reviews scheduled and I predict my holiday reviews will appear in August, but will decide that when I'm back.

For those of you wondering about my Rachel Reads Randomly feature - I'm hopeful for its return in middle July but it depends how busy my blog tour organising work is...amazed it has taken me this far into the post to plug Rachel's Random Resources!

And my Review TBR and potential holiday reading choices are

 I am happy to take suggestions on books to read while I'm away - there are far too many great looking books to pick from, and I desperately want to read them all! 

In fact the other day I had so little idea what to read next, I shut my eyes, scrolled back and forth through my Netgalley collection on my kindle, and then randomly pressed the screen and started reading whatever it is that popped up - if I get stuck I may be doing that more often!!

Anyways I will stop rambling now and see you all in mid June, hopefully very relaxed, with a tan and a large number of reviews to copy onto the blog!

And since it is a summer holiday and about to be summer reading season based on that list above, have a summery book giveaway!

Giveaway to win a PB Copy of My Summer of Magic Moments by Caroline Roberts (Open to Europe Only)

*Terms and Conditions –European entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Win a PB Copy of My Summer of Magic Moments by Caroline Roberts (Open to Europe Only)

It's that time of year again..I'm going on holiday and a #giveaway

Tomorrow, fingers crossed I will be getting on a plane to spend a very relaxed fortnight on the island of Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands. Those of you who have been following for a while may be rightly thinking that I spend Christmas there the other year, and you are right - turns out its a destination I can actually afford over Christmas, although I will be in a different hotel in the same resort this time. 

I am looking forward to doing nothing for two weeks, so those of you following on social media wanting the same level of photos that I do while I'm on a cruise, I'm sorry in advance for disappointing. 

My intention is to read and sleep in the sun during the day,  head into town in the evenings, read while eating dinner and then find some entertainment to watch, to prove I can do more than just read! 

My current intention is to not provide a bunch of my normal mini reviews once I'm back this time, purely as I have bought a bluetooth keyboard and need to make a dent in my review stack. 

For the first time since I started the blog, I don't have a couple of weeks of posts nicely scheduled already for when I'm back, as time of writing this I have one review and one for a tour a few weeks later. 

Unfortunately I am finding I just don't have as much time to read, so expect less content from me in the new year once I'm back, as I try to find a new rhythm that works for me.  This is all due to the launch of my new business, that I am thoroughly enjoying - Rachel's Random Resources, and I am putting everything into it to make sure it will be a success. 

So what am I intending to read while away? Well I am reasonably sure  will take this selection of paperbacks

A rather varied selection I feel.  Now I may be cutting down on blogging next year but one thing that will be remaining is my vote post, and for those suffering from withdrawal while I'm away, well you may like this! 

Below you will see my entire review TBR of 2016 and 2017 releases (keeping the 2018 titles hidden!).  What I want to know is which of these books you think I should read while I'm on holiday, which you would most like to see reviews of.

If you leave me a comment - I will be picking those up on emails away, and if I can't make a decision on a next book to read  then I will take a look at the list, although when the reviews will appear  can't say! I believe there are 43 titles on that - although knowing me who knows what I may read! 

And there's more...if you comment as part of the giveaway you will be entered to win one of the 4 Christmas books that I feel like giving away! 

Here's the giveaway and if you have read down this far then I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Book filled New Year. 

Giveaway - 4 Winners will each win one of these books (Open to Europe only)

1st  Name drawn out - A Winter's Tale by Carrie Elks 

2nd Name - The Christmas Promise by Sue Moorcroft 

3rd Name - Orphan in the Snow by Molly Green 

4th Name - Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

Giveaway open to Europe, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 02/01/2018. Winner will be announced on twitter, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win one of 4 different Christmas Books (Open to Europe Only)

Rachel's Random Reads is going on holiday....

.... well at least the person behind the blog is jetting off in the morning. I'm flying into Rome to board the Norwegian Spirit for a 10 Night Greek Island & Med Cruise taking in Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Valletta, Messina & Naples.

Currently my plans involve an excursion in Naples to take in the Amalfi Coast, including an hour of free times in Sorrento, Positano, Ravello and Amalfi, so hopefully will have some gorgeous pictures of that part of Italy.

I don't have any concrete plans for the other ports, although may stay onboard in Athens as I know how hot that city is at this time of year and would rather take advantage of a relatively quiet/empty ship. If anyone has been to any of the other places and has suggestions that don't involve history, religious buildings or ruins, then I'd love to hear them!

As a result of this trip have nothing scheduled for the blog while I'm away, sunning myself and generally pottering about the ports.

Then once I'm physically back in the UK, I will be moving house a few days later. As I mentioned in a post at the start of the month, it means that from tomorrow until probably end of August the amount of content on the blog is drastically reduced.

I do have some blog tours coming up, and I have got some reviews scheduled and dotted about, but need the break to give me a chance to get into new routines in the new place, and also to spare a bit more time to work on an exciting new project for me....all will be revealed hopefully in September!

I'm taking four paperbacks with me on the cruise but often find I run about the ship taking part in many activities, and then doing excursions or exploring ports that I don't have huge amounts of time to read. I hope to have some mini reviews for you as always once I'm back but it may not be possible just due to the above demands on my time.

Anyways, I'll miss all of you that read the blog while I'm away, and hope you will still want to see what my random thoughts on books are when I return!

Short Bank Holiday Break + Chances Fortnight Intro with Giveaway

About a month ago, I received some messages from my sister begging me to go with her to a Gloria Gaynor concert. I asked the date, she said 26th, and I pointed out that I had a busy week that week at work and flying off to Tenerife with 3 days notice wasn't possible. 

The following day Mum was randomly googling and we established that the concert was actually 26th May, not April, so I had a rethink. and ultimately the lure of seeing Gloria Gaynor singing I Will Survive live was too much for me, plus a few days in the sun to make the trip the worth while. 

So basically from Friday to Tuesday I'm off sunning myself in Tenerife, enjoying a concert, and hopefully reading a bit, plus also giving me a chance to catch up with my sister who lives out there. 

As its only a short trip with added distractions I am only taking 3 paperbacks with me, which I have already decided on, plus my kindle. As always I will do some mini reviews once I am back. 

As a result there are no posts on Friday, Saturday and Monday this week. On Sunday I have Fab Firsts interview as usual, and I'm also kicking off the blog tour for The Kazak Contract by Paul Purnell with a character spotlight. 

Which brings me onto Tuesday...and the next fortnight and introducing my 

Chances Fortnight. 2 Weeks of reviews, guest posts and giveaways. 

Each review will be featuring a book from an author I have never read before, hence my taking a chance on a new author. 

Each guest post will be from authors talking about Chances they have taken in their lives, and there is a complete mix of posts from them. 

And I think I counted 21 giveaways running over the fortnight allowing you chance to win books, and potentially take a chance on a new author. 

I don;t know about you but I'm really excited to showcase this all for you, and hope you enjoy everything. 

Giveaway - Win a book in my massive lucky dip of books - Open to Europe

Due to moving house later this summer, I basically need to clear the books on my giveaway shelf, so its less to move to the new place. The best way I can think of is to combine that need with my chances fortnight!

So I'm giving you a chance to win a book a random, from a large quantity of books. I have minimum 10 prizes in this lucky dip,,,but by the time I finish it could be a lot higher. Basically enter for a chance to win a random book, giving you the opportunity to take a chance on a new author for yourself. 

Towards the end of the giveaway I will be tweeting the final number of prizes actually up for grabs, and will make sure to draw enough winners. 

Giveaway is open to Europe only, all options, with the exception of follow on twitter,  are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 13/6/2017. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a book in my massive lucky dip of books - Open to Europe

We're all going on a Winter Sun Holiday! - Back in a fortnight

Well not sure about all of you, but I am definitely heading off on holiday in the morning, for two weeks sun and relaxation in Mexico.

Anyone who has had a conversation with me in past few weeks may have realised just how excited I am to be getting away from it all, and getting some much needed sun on me.

For those that know Mexico, I'm flying into Cancun and will be staying a 5 Star All Inclusive hotel in Playa del Carmen called the Grand Riviera Princess, which is part of the Princess group. If you think you can avoid feeling jealous than have a google of the hotel, as it looks absolutely stunning, and I'll try my hardest to take as many photos as I can!

My plans for the next two weeks involve sunbathing, sleeping in the sun, reading, swimming in some of the 8 pools in the hotel, enjoying my all inclusive package to the fullest, enjoying the evening entertainment, and hopefully hitting up the sun too.

I am not really intending to see much or any of Mexico itself, so sorry if you are hoping I'll come back with great adventures, I just want to chill for two weeks!

But of course before I can on holiday, I yesterday had to make some tricky decisions. It turns out I may have few more paperbacks than I thought I did -

So I had to turn those stacks of books (and I didn't even take a photo of my review paperbacks!) into a more manageable amount to take on holiday with me. After of course asking twitter, which given I didn't have a random vote this week, I thought I'd still ask for a bit of input given my inability to make simple decisions, I finally came up with this stack of paperbacks to go with me. 

In the end I have gone with a selection of books all by authors I have read a lot of before (apart from The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger - which should have been in my Booklympics books but I randomly chose not to read it after buying it specially!). 

Whether I have picked the right books I have no idea but I also have a kindle with me, and I purposely opted out of taking anything that looked emotional (don't want to end up in tear around a pool, that could be awkward), heavy (I have a weight allowance for the flights!) and decided not to risk my thrillers for this, as I have plenty in e-book if I need to scare myself! 

While I am away there are two posts going live including one with a giveaway and preview for my Cute Christmas event starting the weekend that I'm back, so please do check it out. 

I'll be back on social media jet lagged on the 13th December so will see you all then in the run up to Christmas!

And out of pure curiosity, would you have picked the same books, anything different? Very interested as other books could get bumped up my piles to be read eventually if I know what's good!

Blog Holiday - Back in Two Weeks!

You might have seen me mention recently, and I do feel I have managed to fit it into most conversations I've had, that I'm going on holiday! Tomorrow I jet off to Barcelona to get onboard the Norwegian Spirit for a 12 night Grand Mediterranean Cruise. 

I will be cruising to Toulon, where I will be doing a wine tour, Livorno - my current plans involve staying on board and making the most of the quiet ship, Civitavecchia - may just potter about the town, Naples, where I am heading over to Capri for the day, Athens, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Kotor and an overnight in Venice. I generally will potter about most of the ports, as I'm not huge on the big sightseeing things, and definitely don't want to spend my holiday wandering around ancient ruins, and museums, no matter what everyone on the cruise forum I keep looking at is suggesting!

As normal I won't be reading any of my massive stack of specific review books, and with my Booklympics reading starting almost as soon as I get back, there is going to be a delay on just about everyone's reviews at the moment, unless I have you scheduled or I've committed to a blog tour. 

Speaking of blog tours, although I'm not blogging while I'm away, I do have posts on 28th and 29th June, so if you happen to spot then please do share them as I just won't be able to. 

Onto far more interesting things...what books am I going to read while I'm away in that case? 

Well I have a kindle that seems to be overflowing with books, which I will be mainly reading but I am taking some paperbacks just because I do need to read some.

So these are my books 7-12 that I will be reading for the #20BooksofSummer challenge that I am taking part in:

I'm really looking forward to reading these, and given I was only planning on taking 4 paperbacks, I appear to have a pile of 6 that is going into my case!

Hopefully I will write up mini reviews of these plus the other books once I am home. I'm not promising a trip write up as I never manage those, but Facebook friends will be able to see my pics! 

Anyway I'm back properly posting on the blog on 8th July, with Truth or Lie and also a review of Weekend Wives by Christina Hopkinson. I hope to see you all in a couple of weeks... 

and since I'll be missing plenty of sport while I'm away C'mon England in the Euro 2016 championship and also c'mon Andy Murray for Wimbledon!

See you all in a fortnight, and all I need to do now is work out what I want to read first! 

Rachel's Random Reads This Summer - Challenges, Holiday and Booklympics - #20BooksofSummer

I figured I should give you all an update on what is coming up on Rachel's Random Reads this summer. 

First a heads up that the blog and myself will be on holiday from 24th June for 2 weeks, on a 12 night Mediterranean Cruise...I will post more about that nearer the time, and hopefully will do mini reviews of any books read once I am back. 

During August, I am going to be running my Booklympics event featuring authors and books with even a faintly sporting feel to them. If anyone is wanting to take part, please see my Booklympics info page for more details during 5th to 21st August. 

Please note if you are an author that has given me a review book, my waiting times are probably going to be a bit higher than normal this summer, as trying to fit all these things in, and make dents on personal TBRs for a bit. 

The rest of the summer from now until 5th September I am going to be in addition taking part in the 20 Books of Summer Challenge.

The 20 Books of Summer challenge is being hosted by Cathy over at 746 Books. Check out her blog, and join in if you so wish! I have been seeing this on various blogs over the last few days, and initially thought for me that is no challenge... I have no doubt that I will read 20 books in 3 months, given my general reading speeds. 

So I have decided to use the same principal but challenge myself to read 20 paperbacks over the summer, between now and 5th September.  This is in part because the most annoying part of my TBR is the masses of paperbacks I have that I seem to ignore, but continually see in the corner of my eye. 

It would be amazing if I could read some of those, and I know I am better when taking part in challenges, as otherwise I feel guilty for reading a "non review" book. 

I am not planning on stating which 20 books I would like to read over the summer, and a couple of them may even be read while I'm on holiday, and some may be winners of my Rachel Reads Randomly feature, but whatever I read I will take photos, and use the #20BooksofSummer tag on twitter and instagram. 

I do of course need to fit in some reading of review books as otherwise they will start to scare me after the summer, when Christmas will suddenly be a priority...isn't it scary how fast the year goes, I'm seriously worried about Christmas books in June, and I will also be reviewing books for my Booklympics feature as mentioned above. 

Hopefully I will review everything I read for this challenge, but they may not appear on the blog in the order I read them, due to the way I schedule and read!

So what books are even contenders for me to finally read them? And wow its been a while since I last posted pics like these, probably last years Paperback Summer challenge that I was taking part in. 

Anyone that has ever talked to me or seen me on twitter, will know how indecisive I am, so these are pretty much all my current unread paperbacks and hopefully there will be 20 less or more in that box by the end of the summer. 

So are you planning on taking part in this yourself? If so would love to know how you get on, it looks to be a fun challenge. Wish me luck! 

See you in 2016!

A few of you may be aware, but I'm off in the morning to Fuerteventura for Christmas, and for a lovely 2 week holiday in the sun. 

I'm staying in this absolutely gorgeous looking hotel and looking forward to a fortnight of heat, reading by a pool, sleeping and on Boxing Day my sister is popping over to visit me at the hotel for a few days, which will also be good. 

As a result there aren't any more posts going up on Rachel's Random Reads until 4th January, where I already have some great reviews lined up, a good amount of books for next year waiting and ready for me to read, and plans in my mind at least for new themed weeks, and at least one new feature starting back up. And Rachel Reads Randomly will also be back. 

Like with my last holiday, I won't be properly reviewing books I read away, but may do short reviews once I am back (depending on whether I remember enough, or jot down some notes). If I have a book of yours that I have promised to review, then I will get to them hopefully at some point in 2016!

This is the stack of paperbacks I am taking with me as well as my kindle. Hope to get through all of these and a lot more. 

All that is left for me to do now is wish everyone a Happy Holidays and will see you all in the New Year. 

And if anyone feels like giving me a suggestion for a book on my kindle that I should read to get my holiday off to a great start on the plane, I would welcome them. 

Blog Holiday - Back in Two Weeks!

For those of you who have seen me tweeting today you may be aware I'm off on holiday in the morning. 

I am flying to Venice, and then getting on the Norwegian Jade, for a 7 night Eastern Med cruise, stopping in Dubrovnick, Kusadasi, Pireaus and Split, before heading back to Venice. From there I am flying to Sicily for a week in Giardanni Naxos, on the east coast of the island.

During this fortnight, there will be no blog posts from me, and I won't be around on social media that much (if at all.)

Don't worry though, I will be back up to full speed the day after I'm back with a blog tour, and I have plenty of scheduled posts for the upcoming weeks. I am also going to be launching a couple of new recurring features.. so plenty to keep following me and looking out for. 

While I am away I have every intention of relaxing and reading. Will be taking a fully loaded kindle of around 500 books to choose from.. as well as the following small stack of paperbacks.

I won't be reading these lovely books until I'm in Sicily, as I've learnt I usually run around madly on cruise ships, trying to take part in everything so easiest to just carry my kindle, for grabbed moments of reading. 

Anything that I read while I'm away, won't be reviewed (or at least not in any great detail), but I will probably give you a run down and lasting thoughts of each book I do read in the upcoming weeks. 

All that is left for me to say is see you all in 2 weeks...posts will start on the 13th September. 

Oh and if anyone has any ideas on what book I should read in the airport/on the plane to keep me awake first thing in the morning, and to get my holiday off to a great start, please let me know... I'm never great at deciding on my next book.