Threadneedle - Cari Thomas 

Anna has spent her life knowing that magic is wrong and that she must resist it's pull. Asking no questions, just trusting her Aunt and doing as she's told. But eventually, she learns that there is a lot more to the world of magic than she could imagine. It is also even more dangerous than she has ever been told.

I felt so bad for Anna, growing up with such a strict aunt who very rarely shows her any kind of affection at all. I grew more and more horrified at her treatment. They actually have such a complicated relationship as more and more of the past is revealed. Even Selene, who seems to care, doesn't really do much to help her. 

The Binders sounded pretty terrifying to me, more like a cult than a coven of witches. Despite all their power they squabble like kids and none of them seem to like each other. Imagine having magic but not being allowed to use it unless absolutely necessary!

But it's not all doom and gloom. There's a mysteriously hidden magical shop, full of vintage clothes and old photos which let you feel a person's strongest memories. Magical makeup, with foundation that gets rid of spots and mascara that grows you new eyelashes. I could definitely use the anti-blush blusher! There are lots of different magical languages to learn and a magical library with a life of it's own, deep underneath London's British Library.

The book was a little slow-moving at first until it suddenly got VERY interesting. The ending was extremely high energy and action packed, I didn't want to put it down. It was so good but it did leave me wanting more. There are a few things which are not really explained and which I would have liked to understand. I am wondering if there will be a sequel, there is definitely scope for one to continue on the story.

My cocktail for this book is a Red Apple, as they are used by the girls in the book as a message for the group to meet up. Simply pour a shot of apple sourz into a cocktail glass and top with 2 shots of cranberry juice. Make sure everything is chilled in advance.

Monster Doughnuts - Gianna Pollero

Book Summary

Ten-year-old Grace likes doughnuts and cakes as much as the next kid - but they are also her secret weapon. Grace is a monster hunter who owns a bakery - and everyone knows how much monsters LOVE any kind of sweet treat! Just don't tell them about the secret exploding baking powder inside the doughnuts and the cookies ...

Want to rid your bedroom of a pesky Sock-Stealer? Sneak some Monster Exploder into a peanut butter and marmite cookie (their absolute favourite). Town being terrorised by a Snot-nosed Ogre? Defeat them with a killer mille-feuille, of course!

When Grace's Monster Scanning Machine alerts her to the doughnut-loving, people-eating, board-game-playing cyclops Mr Harris, she realises she's about to face her biggest challenge yet ...

Grace is an excellent monster hunter and her sister makes the absolute best ammunition at their bakery, Cake Hunters. 

"The smell of fresh bread, sweet pastries and rich coffee enveloped her, like a big hug, the moment she stepped in."

Luckily, most of the ammunition sounds absolutely delicious, lemon drizzle muffins, jam tarts and of course doughnuts. Though there are also a few not-so-yummy ones, broccoli macarons, peanut butter and marmite cookies. There's just no accounting for a monster's tastes!

Monster sightings are on the rise and Grace has her work cut out for her when she comes across the huge, one-eyed, doughnut loving Mr Harris. He just won't stay exploded! However, when he inadvertently mentions her missing parents, Grace realises he may just be her way of finding out what happened to them. Is it possible for a monster to turn out to be an ally???

I really enjoyed reading about Grace's adventures. She's utterly fearless and a great role model. I am glad that this will be a series. If you find yourself facing a monster in future, just check the handy monster glossary at the end of the book!

Doughnut recipe

If you'd like to have a go at making your own doughnuts at home, here's a recipe guaranteed to help you fight off any monsters you find hiding under the bed.

Monster Sling

I decided to make my own concoction with all the sweet drinks ingredients I could find. There's no baking powder but I think it's sweet enough to explode some of the smaller monsters.*

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour over 1 shot each of vanilla vodka and apple sourz. Drizzle a little gingerbread syrup and give it a still with a bar spoon or other long spoon. Add half shot each of lemon juice and blue curacao. Stir again, then top with lemonade.

*No monsters were harmed in the making of this cocktail. Not even Sully (he's a good monster and can eat as many sweet treats as he likes).

 Incredible Doom - Matthew Bogart, Jesse Holden

Book Summary

Welcome to a new age. The age of the internet.

Allison is drowning under the weight of her manipulative stage magician father. When he brings home the family’s first computer, she escapes into a thrilling new world where she meetings Samir, a like-minded new online friend who has just agreed to run away from home with her.

After moving to a new town and leaving all of his friends behind, Richard receives a mysterious note in his locker with instructions on how to connect to “Evol BBS,” a dial-in bulletin board system, and meets a fierce punk named Tina who comes into his life and shakes his entire worldview loose.

Unlikely alliances, first love, and minor crime sprees abound in this teen graphic novel debut about making connections while your world is falling apart.

The book follows different teens going through a range of life's issues, but they are all linked by the new computers they have at home and how they find a way to connect with strangers through a text messaging system called BBS - Bulletin Board System.

I really felt for all of the characters and what they were going through, bullying at school, manipulative parents, facing discrimination. But there was also a lot of support and connections and even some funny bits. Despite everything, Allison has a lot of humour. It's a very quick read but with a roller coaster of emotions. Sympathy for the characters, rage against the ones hurting them, frustration, laughter, and the ending even made me tear up a little.

I got a bit confused between the characters but I think I just need to pay a bit more attention when reading graphic novels. The temptation is just to whizz through the book but it's worth slowing down to take it all in properly. The emails were a bit hard to read, especially on the black pages. The finished copy will have much higher quality pages but I actually kind of loved that the proof felt like it was printed on paper from those old computers (yes, I really am old enough to have used one and probably still have some of the printouts! 😱 ) I also loved the nostalgia of the huge computers, cassette players and old style telephones.

The story is not really finished by the end of the book, but it still has a very satisfying ending. I really enjoyed reading this and now I need to know when I can get hold of Vol 2!

Commodore 64 Cocktail

I've slightly adapted and renamed a cocktail that reminded me of what was probably my first computer (though the Commodore No1 cocktail probably had a different type of commodore in mind). With ice, shake up 2 shots rum, 1/2 shot lemon juice, 1/4 shot grenadine and a dash of sugar syrup. Strain into a martini glass.

 Things To Do Before The End of The World - Emily Barr

Book Summary

What would you do when you hear the news that humans have done such damage to the earth that there might only be a limited amount of safe air left - a year's worth at most? You'd work through your bucket list, heal rifts, do everything you've never been brave enough to do before? Olivia is struggling to do any of this. What it is she truly wants to do? Who do she wants to be? Then out of the blue comes contact from a long-lost cousin Olivia didn't even know existed. Natasha is everything Olivia wants to be and more. And as the girls meet up for a long, hot last summer, Olivia finds Natasha's ease and self-confidence having an effect on her. But Natasha definitely isn't everything she first appears to be . . .

Ever since Flora Banks, anything by Emily Barr is a must-read for me and this one didn't disappoint. I was so immersed in the book that I almost started to believe it was really happening! At first I thought this might not be the best type of story to read about with the current situation (not mentioning the C word...) but it is written so well and in some ways it is actually quite comforting.

Despite knowing this is a thriller and it's about the end of the world, it lulls you into a false sense of security. I got caught up in Olivia's excitement of all the new places she was visiting and experiences she was having. Then around halfway through the slightly sinister feeling really starts ramping up. I must admit I was surprised at how little the end of the world affected everyone and how smoothly the world kept running. This was kind of explained but not completely satisfactorily, though I kind of liked that it didn't focus on it too much. 

This is exactly the kind of book that is perfect for a buddy read or book club because you'll want to discuss all your theories with someone. It also really makes you think about a lot of things, just like Olivia does. The importance of enjoying life while you can and taking a few risks sometimes. A little friendly warning here, you should prepare yourself for the ending!

As a lot of the action takes place in Paris, I'm drinking a Parisien Mojito. Muddle 12 mint leaves in a glass and add crushed ice (I used ice cubes) to fill half the glass. Give it a stir and then add 2 shots of rum, 1.5 shots of elderflower liqueur and 1 shot of lime juice. Fill to the top with ice, and stir again. Garnish with a sprig of mint.