Hi All – happy Sunday, hope you are having a good week and weekend. Mine involved a lot of travel again this week for work – three days on trains back-to-back which was more tiring than it might sound as the starts were very early. The plus side is that, whilst I work on the train on the mornings, I read on the way home so I got my Tuesday intro, Small Great Things finished and started on my next book, Dark Water by Robert Bryndza which I was lucky enough to get a review copy of (link to goodreads).
We also went to the pictures this week to see The Girl on the Train. I was a late comer to this book but really enjoyed it and, whilst I don’t normally go to see films of books I like, felt I had to go see the film. I’m now in mixed minds about whether that was a good idea. It wasn’t a bad film at but it wasn’t great and I think I might have expected too much. The fact that it was set in a different country didn’t help as it completely changed the vision I had in my head. Then there were bits of the story missing that I felt would have helped it make more sense or just more compelling. I now feel the need to re-read the book though to remind myself of how good I thought it was (you can read my review here).
In between all this, I managed to write two reviews. One was for Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, the last of the Miss Peregrine trilogy. I have really enjoyed this series of young adult books which include a series of vintage photographs that really helped the characters come alive. It was a fitting end to the trilogy with all the ends tied up. The other was for Fractured by Catherine McKenzie which is in the running to be my favourite book of the year. It was well written and cleverly done, slowly revealing a story of neighbourhood conflict with a tragic result.
I also wrote about what stories scare me and signed up for a Halloween read-a-thon, which starts tomorrow and I’m looking forward to. First up or the read-a-thon is a ghost story, The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill…
For the last twenty years Sir James Monmouth has journeyed all over the globe in the footsteps of his hero, the great pioneering traveller Conrad Vane. In an effort to learn more about Vane’s early life–and his own–Sir James sets off for the remote Kittiscar Hall on a cold and rainy winter night. But he soon begins to feel as though something is warning him away at every turn; there are the intense feelings of being watched and the strange apparitions of a sad little boy. And as he learns more about his hero’s past, he discovers that they are only the beginning, for Kittiscar Hall is hiding terrible secret that will bind their lives together in ways he could never have imagined.
I love a good ghost story and this sounds perfect. And that’s about it for me. What about you? What have you been up to and reading?
Emma
This week, I’m linking in with Kimba at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and her Sunday Post and with (a little early) Katherine at Book Date for It’s Monday, What Are you Reading? Head over to see what other bloggers have read, written about or just added to their shelves.
One Readers Thoughts 
Sorry to hear The Girl on the Train wasn’t great. I’ve been wondering since I’m very eager to see it… I wanted to see if this weekend but don’t think I’m going to make it, so I’ll have to wait a few more days. I’m trying not to set my expectations too high…
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It was a shame and I love Emily Blunt so I was excited- maybe too excited. Don’t let me put you off though as everyone has different tastes.
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Ohhh, where was TGOTT set? America?
Want to see it, but it hasn’t been released her yet.
Can’t wait to read Fractured!
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Yes, set in America – a suburb outside New York. I don’t understand why other than maybe it was such an American heavy cast?
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But Emily Blunt is English 😅
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The scariest stories I ever read are for kindergarteners. Not a scary-story person.
Thanks for sharing Girl with us. I’ll pass, thank you. Life is too short for disappointing movies. I’d rather spend that time rereading the book.
https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-week-in-which-my-mailbox-is-full-and.html
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I love the look of Dark Water! I don’t get why GOTT wasn’t set in London and why it was set in America. Not sure I’ll bother going to see it – will wait until it comes out on DVD / TV.
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If it’s as good as the first two books it should be great and have to say so far, so good. I don’t get why they changed the location either. I don’t think it brought anything to the film.
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The Mist in the Mirror sounds really good! Hope you enjoy your read-a-thon! Happy reading!
Stormi
Week in Review
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I missed out on the Miss Peregrine book when it was first released and am hoping to catch up with it in due course – it sounds great. Fractured is another fascinating premise. I’ve heard mixed reports about the Girl on a Train and I’m not tempted. As for The Mist on the Hill – Susan Hill is the mistress of creepy… Have a spine-tingling read, Emma:)
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Some great looking books and I’ll take a copy of Dark Waters, please. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental My Sunday Memes
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I am loving dark waters. And for once I am up to date on the series!
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That makes me sad about the movie. I really enjoyed the book! Glad to hear you enjoyed the Miss Peregrine’s series. I’m hoping to start it soon. I’d like to read it before seeing the movie. Hope you have a great week and enjoy your new reads 😀
My Sunday Post
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Don’t just take my word for it…other people are loving it. I just think I was so enjoying the book I wanted it to be as thrilling. Or maybe the fact I knew the story meant I couldn’t get drawn in enough, I will be going to see miss Peregrine, especially as it’s directed by Tim Burton
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I actually loved the movie, The Girl on the Train. Funny how that happens, right?
I read Small Great Things this week and enjoyed it, and I’m currently reading (and loving) Fractured.
Dark Water looks like one I might enjoy. Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
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The Mist in the Mirror sounds seriously creepy! Adding to my TBR! I generally have mixed feelings about books turned into movies. Sometimes if they try to stick to closely to the story they leave chunks out that would make the most sense but it’s also so annoying if they get too far away from the book. It’s definitely a challenge to change a book into something that makes sense in movie form but still feel like the book. Glad you enjoyed the book though. I need to give it another try. I tried it awhile ago but it didn’t stick but I think that was more to do with my mood than the book itself. Have a great week!
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I agree and it’s why I rarely go see films of books I like. I think this film followed so quickly on my having read the book I just got it in my head I had to go. I am looking for to the Susan Hill book. She seriously creeps me out with her ghost stories.
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Dark Water looks really good. I thought about going to see Girl on a Train since the hubby didn’t read the book. I hope your week is fantastic Emma!
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It was. Now just need to get round to writing the review! Hope you enjoy the girl on the train. I think it is easier if you haven’t read the book.
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I can’t wait to see The Girl on the Train, it looks good. I didn’t really get into the book, but I think I just wasn’t in the right head space at that time. I am planning to read Fractured this week, so YAH that you enjoyed it. Have a great week!
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I think for me having read the book and enjoyed it so much was a hindrance- I hope you enjoy and also fractured. I thought it was a really good book. Have a good week.
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Have you read the first 2 in the series for Dark Water? Sooooo good, I am about to read the 2nd in the series. If you enjoy it, definitely go back and start from 1. I decided not to read Girl on the Train and you not enjoying the movie has helped me with decision, I won’t bother with either. I want to see the movie Peculiar Children though.
Enjoy reading on the train rides. I love hearing about what you have read. I was unsure of Fractured but possibly one of your favourites, adding it to my list.
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Sounds like you had a very productive week. I still need to read The Girl on the Train. I’ve been curious about it but haven’t added it to my stack yet. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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It was. I put off the girl on the train for ages but was very glad I picked it up,when I did. A good story.
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Sounds like a busy but on the whole very good week. Interesting that you loved Fractured so much, I have read one book by her and enjoyed it.
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It was a good week. I just found I couldn’t put Fractured down. Such an interesting story.
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I’ve actually heard a couple of people saying they weren’t impressed with the film adaptation of The Girl on the Train. I haven’t seen the film myself yet, but the trailer did grab me, however I get the impression it may be one of those ones where the trailer has all the best bits, y’know. I also don’t like when they change the location in adaptations either, it throws me – I felt that way about the adaptation of P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.
I love Susan Hill’s ghost stories – I just finished her newest collection. I recall quite liking the title you’re currently reading. Enjoy – happy reading!
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I love good ghost stories. I will check her newest out too. I have read some reviews since seeing the film (I avoided them before hand) and they are mixed – films of books are always hard for me to watch.
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I also read Small Great Things, I finished it at the weekend, my review is going up tomorrow. I love the look of Dark Water.
I am a big fan of the book Girl on the Train. I am yet to see the movie as I can’t get past it being set in the US. I was told by a friend Emily Blunt does play Rachel really well.
Enjoy your books this week. Thank you for stopping by my blog earlier.
Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews
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