Definitely worth a blog post.

Vaccination centre: well organised, easy and smooth operation. The lovely volunteers had me in and out in less than 20 minutes.

Are the pubs open yet!?!?!!

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

The second thriller book of the year.

If you like a stereotypical ‘I think it’s him…or no it’s her…or it might be both of them’ crimey thrillery novel. Then this is well worth a read.

Set in an old sanatorium that has recently been developed into a hotel, this novel follows a slightly flawed off duty copper as she attempts to solve the mystery whilst avoiding been killed herself.

Don’t expect this novel to re-write the crime thriller genre. It doesn’t. But it is quite interesting – well worth a read.

Next up: The Overstory

Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes

This book is a little old now: published in 2006. I quite like reading books about running so I thought I’d give it a go.

Clearly the fella is a very good runner. I mean, a very very good runner. The sort of bloke that runs 100 miles for fun. The sort of bloke who runs 25 miles during the advert break in Coronation Street. The sort of bloke who thinks nothing of running three times around the globe while the kettle is boiling.

A very inspirational book. And if I’m honest a bit too inspirational.

The book basically is about him running a few ultramarathons. On one occasion after running 90 miles of a 100 mile race and aching all over, barely able to walk, blisters covering his feet, he says ‘pull yourself together’ and sprints the last ten miles.

On another occasion, 175 miles into a 200 mile race his arms and legs had fallen off and he was virtually dead in a ditch before ‘thinking about his family’ and running the last 25 miles at 6 min/mile pace.

Very inspirational.

Next up: The Sanatorium.

Release by Patrick Ness

I love books by Patrick Ness. The Chaos Walking trilogy is one of my favourite ever series of books. A Monster Calls is just fantastic. So you’d probably expect me to be full of praise for this book.

Well, I am, sort of.

In truth I’m still not actually sure what to think of the book…

When I announced I was reading this book next, one reply stuck in my head…

This is great. Bit tricky but great.

So I was ready for something that was a bit different from your run of the mill YA novel. I know what to expect from Patrick Ness, I get exactly it: beautifully written but slightly strange.

I’ll try to explain in around a 100 words.

This book is essentially two completely different books in one. The main story is fantastic, beautiful, emotional, thought provoking and funny. The exact reason I am a fan of Patrick Ness. But the other story? I think I understand the point of it, I just think the core story was enough. I’m not sure the strange, part fantasy, part supernatural, part magical realism, storyline was needed.

Release is a book about love and relationships, between friends, family or in a romantic sense. It’s also a book about finding yourself and how you want to live your life, no matter who your are, your sexuality, or how you choose to label yourself.

Next up: Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner.