Hello and welcome to day twenty-four of #R3COMM3ND3D2019! I’m thrilled with how brilliant the recommendations have been so far. I’m also delighted to have welcomed so many fantastic bloggers and authors to share the #R3COMM3ND3D book love. Today is, of course, no exception. My guest today is the brilliant Jackie Law of Never Imitate. Jackie’s blog was one of the first I followed when I was a newbie blogger. If you haven’t discovered Never Imitate yet then you must rectify that immediately! Head on over there now and hit the subscribe button (but make sure you come back here afterwards 😉!).

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2019? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors and book bloggers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2019. To make things interesting I have added a couple of teeny, tiny rules this year which are; 1) the book must have first been published in 2019 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes.

Let’s find out which three books Jackie chose…

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession
A story that I believe will be enjoyed by every reader. A quiet yet penetrating tale about two friends, who some may consider misfits, and the many guises of love and acceptance. There is humour and honesty in the characters depicted, in the dynamics of family and societal expectations. A novel of wry intelligence wrapped around the quiet rhythms of ordinary lives as they are being lived.
Jackie’s Review of Leonard and Hungry Paul

Car Park Life by Gareth E. Rees
Although non fiction this book tells a cracking story and, given the subject matter, is inexplicably funny. It is memoir, psychogeography and a study of what goes on in mostly overlooked spaces. The author is an urban adventurer with an eye for the absurd and a writing style that is highly entertaining.
Jackie’s Review of Car Park Life

Witches Sail in Eggshells by Chloe Turner
A short story collection written in taut and often exquisite prose. The topics explored are pleasingly varied and well developed despite their brevity. Powerful writing that is also a joy to read – this is storytelling at its best.
Jackie’s Review of Witches Sail in Eggshells

Great choices, thank you Jackie. All three of your recommendations are very intriguing.

If Jackie has managed to tempt you, or if you would like to find out more about the books she recommends, please see the following links:

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession
Car Park Life by Gareth E. Rees
Witches Sail in Eggshells by Chloe Turner

About Jackie:
Jackie Law lives in rural Wiltshire, England, where she spends more time than she should reading books and writing reviews for her blog, Never Imitate. She is particularly fond of the small independent presses and was named a Literary Hero by Influx in 2016. She was on the judge’s panel for the Guardian Not the Booker Prize in 2017 and on the reader panel that helped judge The Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses in 2018. As well as writing for her own blog she is a regular contributor on Bookmunch.

A Message From Jackie:
Do please consider buying direct from small publishers as this helps them and their authors continue their sterling work.

Jackie’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Never Imitate | Twitter @followthehens | Facebook | Instagram @neverimitate |

If you’re a book blogger or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/PE483qCyrKEgV5Uq6)