‘Tis the season for cosy comfort food and hearty soups jam-packed with all the veggie goodness. Bring on fragrant curries, regal roasts and wholesome stews. We want a carb fest and we want it now.
There’s no easier way to make the most of the seasonal
superfoods than by packing them into your favourite Autumn recipes. We see you
five a day and we raise you!
Produce always tastes its best when it’s in season.
Produce always tastes its best when it’s in season, so knowing what’s cream of the crop this month will help you decide what to pull up from your veggie patches or add onto your pantry food shop. Luckily, Autumn really delivers the goods when it comes to versatile root veg. This month, you can find:
Carrots (end of season) | Parsnips | Cabbage | Cauliflower | Leeks | Sweetcorn (end of season) | Potatoes | Butternut squash | Rosemary | Thyme | Garlic | Broccoli (end of season) | Artichoke (globe)| Beetroot | Brussels Sprouts | Spring Greens | Celery | Fennel (end of season) | Lettuce | Marrow | Runner Beans | Pumpkin | Rocket (end of season) | Watercress | Swede (until mid-October) | Celeriac | Wild mushrooms (coming into season) | Courgettes (end of season) | Turnip (coming into season) | Chicory | Horseradish | Kale | Spinach | Kohlrabi
There’s a plethora of delicious, easy to make and bake recipes out there to try but here’s a few of our go-to dishes for those wonderfully slow and chilly days:
What could be better than hunkering down on the sofa with a
steaming bowl of roast squash risotto or creamy cauliflower and turmeric soup and
a crunchy French stick for dipping? Sign. Us. Up. It wouldn’t be Autumn without an indulgent pumpkin-based sweet
treat either, would it? Here’s a few scrumptious dessert plates to tickle your
taste buds:
The British countryside comes alive with a palette of russet hues at this time of year and what better way to enjoy it than to discover the breath-taking landscapes on foot.
From clifftop vistas to vibrant National Trust trails, take a look at the most picturesque walks to inspire you this Autumn.
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Enjoy the splendour of the luscious maple-lined woodland on this stunning walk that takes you from Winkworth to Oakhurst. Expect blazing colours, spectacular views of the Surrey landscape and a quaint 16th century cottage as you reach the chocolate box village of Hambledon.
Brownsea Island, Dorset
Soak up the rich reds of Autumn with this mild and peaceful one mile walk through the unspoiled landscape of Brownsea. Enjoy incredible coastal viewpoints across the Daffodil Field and look out for red squirrels and redstarts at the lily pond.
Sheffield Park and Garden, South East
Famous for its flame-coloured displays, Sheffield Park really is a must-see during the Autumn months. Explore dazzling acres of landscaped gardens bordered by historic parkland, woodland and mirror-like lakes. Escape the crowds and head north of Sheffield Park to discover the quiet beauty of Walk Wood – a peaceful area of woodland steeped in history and wildlife.
Richmond Park, London
The quintessential Autumn spot and home to rutting stags and red and white deer, Richmond Park is the largest of London’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London. Expect plenty of colourful foliage and arboreal beauty in abundance.
Regents Park, London
If Richmond Park is a bit too far out for you, why not head to the tree lined pathways of Regents Park instead? Beautiful all through the seasons but perhaps most impressive during Autumn with its technicolour display and carpet of golden leaves, it’s a sight to behold. Amble around the fairy-tale bridges of Queen Mary’s Rose Garden (most fragrant in Summer but beautiful in Autumn nonetheless), stop for a coffee in the café, visit ZSL zoo or take a pew on one of the many benches and just admire the view.
Ashdown Forest, East Sussex
Home to our favourite bear with little brain Winnie The Pooh, Ashdown Forest is a must-do for ramblers, budding photographers and Pooh stick champions alike. It’s easy to see why A.A. Milne was so inspired by its streams, distinctive heathlands and clumps of pine trees. There are countless walking opportunities to be had here, so escape the real world for a while and surround yourself in the magic of the Hundred Acre Wood. There are a series of free walking route leaflets available online or from The Forest Centre.
Batsford Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Enjoy wild walks through the myriad of Autumn colours and hidden glades at Batsford Arboretum. Lose yourself in 56 acres of wild garden famed for its kaleidoscope of colour and soaring birds of prey. Stop for a cup of tea and a slice of home-baked cake at the Garden Terrace Café.
Buttermere, Lake District
A breathtakingly combination of dramatic fells, rolling hillsides and mirror-like lakes, you’re be hard pressed to find seasonal displays quite like it anywhere else in the UK. The famous pines cloak the north side of the lake and, on a still day, are reflected in the contrasting blue water. Visit in the morning to make the most of its quiet beauty before the rest of the world is awake.
Devil’s Dyke, West Sussex
Just try and stop yourself from bursting into song a la Julie Andrews! Romantic painter John Constable once described the view from up here as the grandest view in the world and if that’s not enough to convince you it’s worth seeing, we don’t know what is. Just five miles from Brighton, the legendary Devil’s Dyke beauty spot boasts stunning vistas over the Sussex countryside whichever walking route you choose to take.
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
Take a scenic windswept stroll around the limestone cliffs and sandy dunes of Barafundle Bay or meander your way among the fading bracken woods at the edge of the famous Bosherston Lily Ponds. Keep a look out for gorgeous otters and water birds.
Belton House, Lincolnshire
Immerse yourself in 1300 acres of all things autumnal. Rustle your way through crunchy leaves, magical misty mornings and the wonderful array of gold and yellow lime trees along the cobbled drive of Belton House. Take a wander past the church gate to enjoy the topiary framing a classic view of the north of the house. In rutting season, listen out for the husky bark of a majestic buck.
Castle Ward, County Down
You might be familiar with the grassy grounds and atmospheric woodland of this castle trail to Audley’s Castle, otherwise known as Robb’s camp in Game of Thrones. Wander through the impressive grounds of this beautiful stately home taking in the spectacular blaze of red and pink ivy, Japanese maples and fungi. If it’s good enough for GOT!
Let us know your favourite walks below, and where you like to find colour during autumn.
Not everyone enjoys a horror film full of guts and gore for a night in on the sofa, which is why we've summoned a list full of flicks to suit everyone. From the comforting and iconic to the eerie and hair-raising, this is the only scary vs cosy watch list you need in your life. Grab a blanket and some popcorn and hunker down!
Cosy films
The Hunger Games
Based on the trilogy of science fiction novels by American author, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteer to take her sister’s place in the annual games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the 12 districts of Panem are chosen to fight to the death. Tense and action-packed for sure, but far from scary.
Labyrinth
Few movies can compare to this 80s dark fantasy world populated by goblins, weird creatures, puppets and the late David Bowie clad in some very tight trousers. If you liked The Muppets, you’ll love this.
Shutter Island
Looking for a mind-boggling, haunting, psychological thriller? Then this is your jam. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island follows U.S. marshal and his new partner Chuck Aule as they investigate the disappearance of a patient at an asylum for the criminally insane. There they discover not everything is as it seems…
Sweeney Todd
Horror fans and musical buffs alike will love this film adaptation of the gruesome tale of Sweeney Todd – the demon barber of fleet street who cuts customers’ throats and has their bodies baked into pies by Mrs Lovett. Happy Halloween!
Hocus Pocus
It’s not Halloween unless The Sanderson Sisters have put a spell on you. A magical cat, a spider-eating Sarah Jessica Parker, catchy tunes… what more could you want?
The Witches
The kid-friendly witch movie based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name – no one does dressing up in an itchy wig and a fake nose quite like Anjelica Huston. No-one.
Twilight
Is it even Halloween without hot vampires and werewolves? The first film in the Twilight Saga focuses on the developing relationship between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, aka R-Patz and K-Stew. With five films in total, you’ll have plenty of romance fantasy action to sink your teeth into.
Practical Magic
For those of us who don’t want to be tormented with axe murderers and evil children, there’s Practical Magic. Charming witchcraft, romance, the Kidman + Bullock power duo and an iconic 90s vibe. Count us in! Plus, it passes the Bechdel Test so ya know #girlpower
Autumnal films
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
If you’re into treats more than tricks, this is a watch for you. Revisit the lovable Peanuts gang as they prepare for a Halloween special.
About Time
Ugly cry faces at the ready, this one will give you all the feels. About Time is a sentimental, heart-warming and beautifully-told tale of family, love and making the most of life together, with or without the power of time travel.
You’ve Got Mail
While the technology in this 90s film might feel a bit old-fashioned, Tom Hanks never goes out of date. Think feel good comedy romance at its best – it’s the kind of film you can enjoy in the background while you’re prepping your popcorn or making a brew.
When Harry Met Sally
The rom-com that revolutionised all rom-coms. Thirty years after its release, When Harry Met Sally is still making waves with its one liners and that dinner scene. It has romance, it has comedy, it has highly quotable dialogue. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.
Sleepless In Seattle
Another Nora Ephron classic. A widowed father (enter Tom Hanks) isn’t looking for love, nor is already-engaged journalist Annie (Meg Ryan) but thanks to a little matchmaking, love finds them, right atop the Empire State Building. SWOON.
Harry Potter
Pick your favourite HP movie or disappear down a Hogwarts rabbit hole and watch a back to back marathon, the choice is yours, dear muggles.
Scary films
It Follows
A horror movie about a curse passed on through sexual intercourse? What a way to kill the mood. Anyone infected will find themselves being followed by a randy malevolent force manifesting itself as a variety of people known to the victims. That’s us sleeping with one eye open, then!
Sinister
From the producer of the Paranormal Activity films, Sinister is a disturbing horror, supernatural thriller and murder mystery rolled into one. If loud bangs in the attic, possessed children and gruesome family massacre scares the living daylights out of you, then you might want to watch this one through your fingers.
Mercy
A retelling of Stephen King’s short story ‘Gramma’, Mercy centres around two young boys (The Walking Dead’s Chandler Riggs and Super 8’s Joel Courtney) as they move into their bedridden grandmother’s house to care for her. There they learn of an evil secret she’s been harbouring for all these years…
The Uninvited
The Uninvited revolves around fragile teenager Anna, who is released from a psychiatric hospital following her mother’s death. But when she returns home, she learns her father has since shacked up with her mother’s nurse, Rachel. Is there more to her mother’s death than she first realised or are the ghostly visions haunting her just a figment of her imagination?
The Conjuring
Who doesn’t love a modest haunted house story, eh? Take a creaky farmhouse, add in some paranormal ghost hunters and a demonic rag doll and Uncle Fester’s your uncle.
The Shining
Elevators filled with blood, the here’s Jonny scene, room 237. So. Many. Scares. Forty years on, it’s still haunting us. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and often dubbed the best horror movie of all time, The Shining tells the story of a writer and recovering alcoholic named Jack who gets a job as a winter caretaker in the Overlook, an isolated Colorado hotel. As he and his wife Wendy and their five-year-old son Danny settle into the hotel, strange things occur. Danny is plagued by psychic premonitions and Jack’s mental health deteriorates rapidly as he discovers the hotel’s dark secrets and spirals into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorising his own family.
The Sixth Sense
‘I see dead people’ – it was the blockbuster masterpiece everyone was talking about and for good reason. Featuring possibly the best child acting performance of all time to that mind-blowing plot twist, it’s a timeless corker with none of the blatant horror tropes a lot of modern day movies rely on.
Insidious
There’s nothing like a bit of home intrusion and noises in the attic to get those heart palpations going. A gripping story of a family settling into their new home only to find weird things are happening. When their son Dalton falls into a mysterious coma they enlist a medium to help them get to the bottom of it but all is not as it seems…
Saw
A scary movies listicle wouldn’t be complete without featuring this absolute gore fest of torture porn. Probably the least bloodthirsty of the eight-part franchise, the first film introduces Jigsaw, a sadistic serial killer who takes pleasure in torturing sinners and testing their will to live. Horror films don’t get more intense than this.
Our first ever Zoella Book Club read in 2019 was Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Celeste is an American author who won Amazon’s book of the year with her first novel Everything I Never Told You. Suffice to say we were very excited to get stuck into her second novel.
Little Fires Everywhere takes place where Celeste grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. It follows two families in the 90s who are brought together by their children. Have a read of our reviews below and check out our current book club pick here.
Danielle
I found the book hard to get in to, but this might be because it’s the first book I’ve read this year! I kept reading because I was waiting for certain characters to be put in their place but that didn’t really happen which was somewhat frustrating. I thought it was such an interesting look at different angles and why people make the decisions they do and behave the way do, as we don’t always know someone’s motives despite being very close to them. I thought Celeste really captured how tricky parent-child relationships can be and how they can mature over time, it definitely made me think about some of my own relationships and I really enjoy books that I can relate to on that kind of level.
Rating – 3.5/5
Would you read again? – No but I’ll definitely watch the series, I love seeing characters come to life
Would you recommend to a friend? – I think I would make sure they would enjoy it first
Amy
I loved the way Ng explored themes of identity, privilege and motherhood while weaving an absolutely gripping narrative. As someone who is half-Chinese and has the surname McCulloch I found it particularly disconcerting! I can’t wait for the screen adaptation (with Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington).
Rating – 4.5/5
Would you recommend to a friend? Yes
Would you reread? Probably not (too many books for that!)
Meghan
This was the first book I read on my snazzy new kindle so I think that made it a bit more exciting for me if I’m honest, as I didn’t want to put it down (lol). Without spoiling anything, I found the relationships between mother and child interesting and how they change and develop throughout the book, this is pretty integral and I thought Ng wrote these relationships convincingly despite their complications. This book is less about twists and turns and is more of an explorative view of a town, it’s residents and their relationships. I feel like a lot of characters didn’t necessarily get their comeuppance and that that felt unjust as the description of them was so thorough and well thought out that you become attached to how their stories unfold. The ending left me wondering about what what happens yet as its not the conclusive finish I desired. Celeste is obviously a very strong writer and I think fans of her previous writing will enjoy this as it’s in line with her usual style.
Rating – 3/5
Would you read it again? No but I rarely ever reread books
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Zoe
This book wasn’t the page turner I had anticipated after reading so many amazing reviews and it started out quite slow. The authors descriptions of the town, homes, relationships & characters were superb and I adored her writing style, although I do feel that some of my favourite characters weren’t as focused on and I would have loved a bit more depth to those (Moody for example). I usually prefer quite fast-paced, gripping storylines, and although this one felt a bit more subdued, I can still appreciate its real-ness, honesty and themes throughout, and it felt a bit like being a fly on the wall. I particularly liked the emphasis on mother-daughter relationships!
Rating – 3/5
Would you read it again – No, but I do think it lends itself particularly well to a TV style format so excited to see the series
Recommend to a friend – Yes
Carrie
Although not the most exciting pace to begin with, I felt the author captured and drew you in to the feel of the small town neighbourhood through fine details and descriptions in such a way that made you feel like a nosy resident watching the story unfold.
I enjoyed how the author presented the flaws and complexities of real personalities and relationships, and took you through the more detailed backstories of the characters to help in understanding their point of view. I thought this was a particularly interesting way of dealing with the more complex themes in the book and the dilemmas they presented.
4/5
Would you read it again?
Probably not but am looking forward to the TV adaptation
Would you recommend –
Yes, I think this is a well written book that many people would enjoy
Maddie
This book was not the page turner I was anticipating. Not a lot happens for the first 50% where you largely just get a lot of back story and character development. I think I was expecting more as a lot of people I know had read it and really enjoyed it. I was waiting for a big twist or crescendo moment which never really came and it was a bit of an underwhelming ending in my opinion. The writing is good though and there are some very interesting and polarising themes in the book which the debater in me really enjoyed.
Rating – 2.5 out of 5
Would you read it again – definitely not but I would watch the series as the characters and storylines are good.
Recommend to a friend – With the right caveats and minimal hype I would.
Lauren
I really enjoyed LFE, at first I thought the premise was confusing but once I got two chapters in I was hooked. It’s very Desperate Housewives meets Bad Moms but without the comedy, the hierarchy of status and following the rules otherwise you’re untrustworthy. It covers a lot of themes that really elicited a response in me – privilege and how those with it believe best to use it, social status, motherhood and the bond between a mum and her child, and how it can cause conflict and an urge to find stability, even at a price. I liked how Ng would share backstories to explain why a character acted a certain way, and then end it with ‘obviously they didn’t share that in the moment, but that’s why they felt that way’, which helps you understand the characters more, even if you choose to not empathise or agree with them. Overall, I think it was all cleverly woven together to reach a volatile yet sad end, which hopefully teaches the characters and the reader a life lesson.
Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? I think I would re-read before the TV adaption comes out, but it’s definitely a one-read pony.
Would you recommend it to a friend? Definitely!
Versatility is underrated, so we’ve each chosen a key garment we can style more than one way for autumn. From desk to drinks in a jazzy blouse or a ‘wear it all weekend’ dress perfect on its own or under a chunky knit, we've got you covered for autumn styling!
Danielle
“Nothing is more necessary in autumn than a trusty cable knit jumper. I’d wear this camel number to work with jeans and loafers and then chuck it over a printed dress with these awesome hiker shoes for weekend activities. Both pairs of shoes brought to my attention by Aalexandra Fullerton’s amazing weekly ‘shoesday’ round-up on her instagram stories!”
Dan’s Picks:
“It’s finally jumper season again so I’m living in cosy knits, this one is a favourite and is perfect over a classic pair of blue jeans, some Chelsea boots and a cosy scarf for staying warm and comfy as the days start to get shorter. To smarten it up a bit I’d switch out the jeans for a skirt and some thick black tights.”
“My go-to piece this season is this structural belted dress. It’s perfect for throwing on with lace up boots by day and elevating with strappy heels, a headband and minimal jewellery for evening.”
“I’m currently loving an autumnal mini dress in this transitional period. They look great with black chunky boots, an oversized cardigan and felt hat by day, and then switch out the cardigan for a leather jacket for a smarter evening look.”
“I got this skirt recently and I love how versatile it is! In the day, I like to throw on a graphic tee and boots, but by night I can dress it up with a fancy top and some heels.”
“I’m loving wearing my black leather trousers again. I wear them with a chunky knit and addidas superstar or stan smith trainers during the day and some black heeled ankle boots, smart white T and blazer if I want to power dress it up a bit.”
The leaves they are a changing and with them so are our wardrobes. Ditching the skimpy summer dresses for pretty much any jumper we can get our paws on. These are some of the Autumn garments we’re lusting over currently:
Is it even Autumn if you haven't Pumpkin Spiced Latte'd the hell out of your home? When the seasons around us change, what we need from our interior spaces evolves as we seek to bring our connection with nature into our homes. As the trees start changing colours, it's a great excuse to do the same to your interiors and bring in some different tones for the new season.
We fight the urge to buy another snuggly throw and fail because we’re only human.
One of the reasons we love this season so much is because of the sense of calm and cosiness it imbues. Everything gets softer, we light candles that smell good enough to eat, we fight the urge to buy another snuggly throw and fail because we’re only human.
Sprucing up our homes ready for Autumn is a ritual we have come to embrace wholeheartedly, whether that means incorporating a richer colour palette with amber hues and earthy brown tones, gold accents or adding texture and warmth with a rug and other soft furnishings.
Let the season of hygge commence!
You don’t need to totally reinvent your home to make it feel fresh. Subtle changes such as the introduction of new colours can make all the difference to the mood of your living space.
Discover the homeware we’re updating our humble abodes with this Autumn and let the season of hygge commence!
The author of this Zoella Book Club read needs no introduction! Michelle Obama’s Becoming was one of the most hotly anticipated books of the year, so we had to add it to our reading list.
The memoir of the former first lady starts at her roots and describes how she found her voice, her role as a mother and of course her time in the white house. Find our reviews below and take a look out our latest Zoella Book Club pick here.
Zoe
Not knowing much about Michelle Obama or the Obama’s in general, it was really insightful learning so much about their background and how they came to be POTUS and FLOTUS and the dynamic of them as a couple. Michelle writes beautifully (kind of hoping she will move into fiction as I can imagine her being so descriptive and her storytelling comes so naturally to her). I’m not hugely into/don’t know too much about American politics so there were definitely points during the book where I felt I had to push myself a little more but overall found it to be really interesting. Michelle is an incredible woman, with a humble background, oodles of knowledge, intelligence and great morals. I finished the book feeling inspired and empowered!
Rating – 3.5/5 Would you read it again? No Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Maddie
I absolutely loved this book. I had no idea about Michelle’s life and career before reading this book but wow, what a formidable woman she is. She talks a lot about how “good” people don’t really fit in in politics and that she’s never really wanted to be involved in it. Through her desire to help the less fortunate, children and especially young girls around the world she managed to make politics work for her and did a lot of good during her time as First Lady. I found it all so fascinating, we don’t get taught an awful lot about US politics in the UK so it was so interesting to learn about the journey they went on and their experiences in the White House. They certainly left an important stamp on history and we can only hope that they continue to inspire more good people to enter politics.
Rating – 5/5 Would you read it again? Yes Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Carrie
I’ve always found Michelle Obama to be a true inspiration and so getting an insight into her life and mind was fascinating. It’s an in-depth memoir covering so many important topics, the life experiences that shaped who she is, and an insightful look into the real person behind the well known First Lady. It’s personal, political and powerful and I think would appeal to a wide range of readers for this reason.
Rating – 4.5/5 Would you read it again? Yes Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Lauren
I’d heard a lot of good things about this book (the hype was real!) and was excited to dive in. It definitely takes more of a career/politics angle, and I was hoping for more about her early life and relationship with Barack outside of the presidency, but her writing is SPECTACULAR and really gave me more of a rounded knowledge of her time as First Lady and the impact it’s had on her and her family’s life.
Rating – 4/5 Would you read it again? No Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Amy
I absolutely ADORED Becoming by Michelle Obama. Right from the get go, I was drawn in to her life story of growing up in South Side Chicago. I was hugely impressed by how she managed to maintain her own identity and strong sense of self even in the White House – and I think I learned a lot from her courage and tenacity. It also offered a fascinating window into life behind the scenes of the Presidency. Thoroughly recommend – and can’t wait to see what Michelle does next. She is an inspiration.
Rating – 5/5
Would absolutely recommend
Would read specific passages again
Danielle
Michelle Obama is an absolutely wonderful writer and her story is fascinating! I always assumed being the wife of a politician would be somewhat gruelling, but the schedule seems never-ending and after entering the Whitehouse your private life disintegrates, which is something so few of us will ever go through. If you have any interest in the Obamas or American politics, in general, this is such a must-read!
Rating – 4.5/5 Would you read it again? No Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
This summer we read Where the Crawdads Sing for the Zoella Book Club. The author; Delia Owens is an American zoologist and has mostly written memoirs in the past. Where the Crawdads Sing was Delia’s debut novel and topped the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 for 20 non-consecutive weeks.
The book follows two timelines that intertwine, one describing the life of Kya in the marshes of North Carolina from 1951-1969, the second follows a murder investigation of local celebrity Chase Andrews. Find our reviews below and our latest Zoella Book Club pick here.
Meghan
I found this quite slow to start – I won’t lie BUT I’m so glad I persevered! I try to not give up on books because sometimes the slow builders are the best ones. It’s incredibly descriptive which is why I think initially I struggled to get into it. I’m very guilty for skipping descriptive paragraphs but once I got myself into the story line I made sure to play close attention. Owens is an incredibly talented writer and she paints such a vivid picture of North Carolina. I REALLY loved the ending, this is honestly such a powerful story and I would whole heartedly recommend. I will say that I don’t think this is a book to read on the commute as I felt I did need to concentrate. I read this one on the sofa, with a cuppa and made sure to set time aside for it.
Rating – 4.5 / 5
Would read again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Yes
Carrie
I listened to this as an audiobook and loved it, although the plot itself is relatively slow to begin with, the setting and descriptions are enough to get lost in from the start. It’s easy to imagine yourself in a hazy hot summer in the marshes through the vivid and emotive language throughout, making it a great summer read to feel yourself transported to somewhere else. I thought it was interesting to follow such a young main character especially in how she navigates situations and challenges, which made it quite an emotional read at times. I loved how the two strings of the plot slowly joined together and with just enough mystery while keeping the story honest and raw. Overall, a really enjoyable read.
Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? – Yes
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Yes
Zoe
This book has so many amazing reviews so my expectation was high (not always a good thing) and oh my, it did not disappoint. It’s a book that focuses largely on loneliness, fear and love with a sprinkling of utter determination and serious courage. I immediately fell in love with Kya as a character and Delia’s incredible descriptions of the marsh in which she lives and the creatures that she lives amongst really bought the vision of the book to life. She also includes some beautiful poetry which i thoroughly enjoyed reading throughout. Probably one of the most descriptive books i’ve read in a long time which I think, along with the storyline is why I enjoyed it so much. It’s quite an emotional rollercoaster and pulls on your heart strings in places but also has the added drama of the murder mystery thrown in too. (you know I love me a murder). I also really loved the end, i closed the book and felt so content (almost wanted to open it back at page one and start again).
Rating – 4.8/5
I would read it again
Yes I would!
Danielle
I listened to this one and it was great, the accents were fun and brought the characters to life. I loved hearing the story through Kya’s eyes and envisioned the mysterious marshes in North Carolina from fantastic descriptions. Owens expertly compares behaviours of the people in town to that of the creatures in Kya’s habitat, so not only did the story provide a brilliant murder mystery but also this sort of environmental study. I didn’t know much about Delia Owens before reading but discovered when looking her up that she is a wildlife scientist, which of course made so much sense! Really hoping she’s working on another book for me to sink my teeth in to.
Rating – 4/5
Would read again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Yes I already have!
Lauren
The plot and story-telling was very interesting but however this wasn’t for me. I tried to get into it but couldn’t get fully invested in the back and forth. The ending was quite a twist which I liked, and I really enjoyed Kya’s character development from forgotten marsh girl to a pretty savvy woman. Could easily see this being made for the big screen.
Rating – 3/5
Would read again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Maybe, depending on the friend!
Our second Zoella Book Club read this year was The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stu Turton. Stu is an English journalist, and this was his debut novel and it won him the first novel award at the 2018 Cost Book Awards.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle merges the glamour and intrigue of classic murder mystery tropes with a Groundhog Day-esque narrative that leaves you guessing right until the end.
We adored the twists and turns laid out by Stu, have a look at our reviews below and find our latest book club pick here.
Maddie
This was a real mind game of a book and I absolutely loved it. You’re thrown about the murder mystery in a way where you can never fully predict what’s coming or who to believe. There are some really unpredictable plot twists and the way the author has pieced it all together is truly impressive. It’s not a traditional “who done it” and you have to embrace the purgatory stage that’s been created but as a fan of fantasy genres I didn’t mind that at all. I’d love to see this made into a TV show.
Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again – possibly
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Definitely
Amy
I first read Seven Deaths back in December – and I think it benefits from a second read! This book is so different to anything I’ve read before. The first time through, I found it difficult to follow and a bit confusing – I was frequently frustrated and wasn’t sure how much I was enjoying it! But I couldn’t stop – and I’m glad I didn’t, because it was fascinating to see how the author navigated such an interesting and complex plot. And the second time through, I was able to pick up on lots of little things I missed the first time. A good sign is that when I finished, all I wanted to do was thrust the book in people’s hands so that they would discuss it with me! Since I love recommending books, if you loved the murder mystery element of this book, try The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, or if you loved the speculative fiction angle then try The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North.
Rating – 3.5/5
Would you read it again? – Yes – to find more clues!
Would you recommend it to a friend? -Yes
Carrie
This isn’t the type of book I’d usually pick up but I really enjoyed it. It’s a murder mystery with a weird twist, wonderfully confusing and complicated and a wild ride throughout. I found the increasing complexity made me desperate to get to the end, but kept having to refocus to pay attention to all the plot details and not miss something important rather than rushing through. I wasn’t really expecting such a fantasy element to it but loved how it bridged that with a classic Agatha Christie mystery style novel.
Rating- 4/5
Would you read it again? – Possibly, though I think it’s one of those to go in with no ideas on what is going to happen.
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Yes
Danielle
I absolutely loved this book! I don’t usually pick up “who done it” genres but I love to watch them, however, this book was so much more than that. Constant twists and turns and explosions made it a very fun read and I’m sure if I read it again I’ll pick up on lots of things I missed before. I was completely blown away by the ending and now I need to know more. It’s hard to find the words not to spoil it though. Stu Turton is a genius for so expertly unravelling this story, I can’t even comprehend how tricky it would have been to plot out. Highly recommend, give this a read, and to the powers that be, PLEASE make it into a mini-series or movie!
Rating – 4.7/5
Would read again!
Definitely would recommend to a friend!
Zoe
I didn’t have any expectations before reading this book and hadn’t read any reviews so went in completely blind (which I do think sometimes is the best way). VERY quickly, I was OBSESSED. I read it religiously every evening and any other chance I got, which is quite rare for me. The genre is totally up my street as it’s a murder mystery set in an old mansion where the day is played out 8 different times through 8 different characters to get to the bottom of it. I loved the complexity of Stu’s characters (you really do need to pay attention though as they switch and change throughout the book), the INSANE plot that plays out so perfectly that you’re almost annoyed at yourself that you can’t read quick enough to get to the end. I think this book is pure genius, thanks Stuart Turton!
Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? – Yes! I’d love to read it again and see if there were any little nuggets I missed. It would make an incredible tv series!
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Definitely!
Lauren
I read this in a day, and it was VERY intense – felt like I’d lived 8 lives myself! There’s a lot of story which is great to get sucked into the world of, but found there were some parts that were too wordy and not necessary to the plot which I found myself skipping through. I think the story is clever, doesn’t let you get close to the answers too early on, and whilst I think there could’ve been more to the ending, it was a very different take on a classic genre. Please make this into a movie or TV series ASAP!
Rating – 3.5/5
Would you read it again? – Maybe
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Yes!
Meghan
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! I read it in about 3 days and thought it was absolutely brilliant. It’s one of those page turners that as I got off the tube, I was still reading going up the escalators and debating whether or not I could get away with walking down the street kindle in hand. It’s fast paced, exciting and keeps you guessing throughout. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Stuart Turton!
Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? – I’m going to reread it knowing what I know and see what I missed as I can be guilty of skip reading sometimes which I think you could be punished for with a book like this.
Would you recommend it to a friend? – Absolutely – already have!
