Today on A Life in Books I am joined by fellow blogger Noelle Holten whose blog is www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Noelle and I am in my mid-40’s. I am an avid reader and by that I mean I am never without a book! By day I am a Senior Probation Officer and by night I read all things crime!! My fascination for books started at a young age and I truly feel withdrawal symptoms if I am unable to read for a few days hence the name #crimebookjunkie! I am interested in many genres, my faves being Crime thrillers, Grit Lit, psychological thrillers and all things murder. I do enjoy Police Procedurals and legal/action thrillers as well. I tend to keep away from Chick Lit and Erotica…however, if forced at gun point I may give just about anything a read. A dream-come-true opportunity happened and I currently do freelance publicity work for BOOKOUTURE! OMG!!! I am also doing some freelance work with David & Kelly McCaffrey for Britain’s Next Best Seller! OMG again!!!! To say I am excited would be an understatement! Depending how things go in this up coming year (2017) I hope to get Thick As Thieves Publicity & Promo off the ground, too! But with a FT job, freelance and blogging, for the time being….I am busy enough! Plus, I have my other live to look after: a big, scrumptious chocolate labrador named Buster!
1. What was you favourite book from childhood?
I absolutely adored the Narnia series and had a boxset given to me by my dad that I have never forgot about. I also was a huge fan of the Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys series. I loved the idea of a secret world and would often look in wardrobes and cupboards for a hidden door…I might still do that! And I loved solving mysteries so both series of books offered me exactly what I was looking for!
2. What type of books did you read as a teenager?
In my teenage years, I moved to the dark and macabre of horror and true crime stories. I still have a big fascination for both and have a massive true crime collection. Serial Killers fascinate me – always have.
3. When you were at school what was your favourite book you studied?
Oh, great question! For English Lit we studied the works of Edgar Allen Poe and I absolutely loved it! Again, I still do! Books, once under your skin, tend to leave a lasting impression!
4. What is your favourite classic book?
I have two – Rebecca and Jane Eyre. Loved the stories, have seen plays, films both old and modern and have read both these books numerous times. The suspense and tension within the pages – even now, still gets me!
5. What would you consider to be one of the best books you have had over the last 5 years?
You really are not making this easy, are you!? I have read so many and for a variety of reason, they could all be considered the best! Hmmmm…..Ok, I am going to cheat as I think both these books deserve a mention! AJ Waines: No Longer Safe as that book just blew my mind! I still cannot get that story out of my head! And Michael J Malone’s A Suitable Lie as the story is unique, real and something that is not talked about much- but should be!
6. What book to you think you should read but never get round to?
There are far too many of these to mention – in fact, I have 2 bookcases full of books that I should read (and WILL read) plus countless on my kindle – but life and work and other things mean I only have so many hours in the day! But I can never say, “I have nothing to read” – and that is a wonderful feeling!
7. What do you consider to be your favourite book ?
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment – I love this book because it combines two things that I studied in Uni and have a passion for: Crime and Philosophy; the storyline is one that people face (albeit on different levels) on a daily basis. Not necessarily – can you get away with murder and is it ever justified, but the idea that our actions have consequences and are the decisions we make really for the greater good or for our own means…..I do love a moral dilemma!
8. Is there a book that you have started but been unable to finish?
Not yet, though I have come close when given a review request. I am very selective now in what I choose to review for my blog – if I don’t think it is something I will love and can shout out about, I am just not going to read it.
9. If you were stranded on a desert Island which 2 books would you want to have
with you
Paul Grzegorzek’s But For The Grace Of God because it is my #BookSoulMate ❣️ – I have read this book over 8 times (if not more) in various versions and each time, I fall in love again with the story and the characters. Graham Smith’s Snatched From Home – although I think I Know Your Secret is the best in the series so far, I have also read Snatched from Home 6-8 times. I love the characters and the story and the pace of this book. And I absolutely love the cover! #Covergasm
10. Kindle or Book?
I love both! I have a huge collection of paperback and hardbacks. I love feeling the cover of a book – no idea why…I just do! But my kindle is amazing for commutes and travel as I can bring as many books as I want with me without taking up too much space!