Hello and welcome to Tuesday on damppebbles. It is, of course, lovely to see you. Whether this is the first time you’ve found damppebbles or whether you’re a regular visitor, it’s good to have you along for some bookish chat today. It’s day 35 of #R3COMM3ND3D2021 and we’re well into the swing of this year’s feature. So far we’ve had some cracking books recommended, and the good news is – there’s still more to come! So stay tuned to see if your favourite 2021 publication gets a mention.

Last week I spoke about my recent return to instagram/bookstagram and how a number of well established bookstagrammers welcomed me into their community and gave me help and advice. Today I am delighted to welcome another fantastic bookstagrammer who has supported me no end since my return. It’s the fabulous Zoebeesbooks. Make sure you check out Zoebeesbooks’ feed as it’s gorgeous and you won’t regret it.

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2021? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers 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 2021. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2021 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

Here are the three books Zoebeesbooks recommends…

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
This is my favourite book of the year. The minute I met Albert, I just felt so much love for him, the most adorable character I have come across in a book. I smiled and laughed all the way through with tears along the way. I think since the pandemic, times have been tough for people one way or another so this was such a delight to read as it was the biggest heart warmer I’ve read. When I finished I felt I was saying goodbye to a friend.
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

No Honour by Awais Khan
This is one of the most powerful books I have read and is phenomenal. About honour crimes, the first chapter is so hard hitting and tragic you want to look away but you can’t. I don’t think I could give the justice this book it deserves but I do think it is so worthy of a lot of accolades for the sublime writing and moving story of a plight that affects women and men (but predominantly women) in society.
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of No Honour

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
I’m picking this as it is such an incredible thriller, I couldn’t put it down, it wasn’t predictable and just had something unique to other thrillers I have read.
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of The Last Thing to Burn

Thanks so much, three terrific choices. This is the second time we’ve seen The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain, the third time we’ve seen No Honour by Awais Khan and the fourth time we’ve seen The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean which puts it in joint first place with The Last House on Needless Street. Things are really hotting up in the race to be top #R3COMM3ND3D book of 2021!

= 1st The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
= 1st The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
2nd No Honour by Awais Khan
= 3rd This is How We Are Human by Louise Beech
= 3rd The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
= 3rd When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler

About Zoebeesbooks:
I am married with 2 grown up children and 1 granddaughter and have always loved reading from a young age. I have very fond memories of going to the library every week with my grandma who was my biggest influencer at the time with books and it’s lovely to be able to share a love of books with my own granddaughter. I fell into book Twitter / Bookstagram by mistake, I was recovering from Covid from February and I entered a couple of giveaways) then saw all these book people and I was gobsmacked at how big and supportive the book community is. My accounts have just built from there. I used to just read thrillers but I love so many genres now and I have discovered so many authors that are new to me and might never have discovered if it wasn’t for the book community.

Zoebeesbooks’ Bookstagram and Social Media Links:
| Zoebeesbooks | Twitter @Zoebeesbooks | linktr.ee |

Sadly submissions for #R3COMM3D3D2021 are now closed (posts will be running until mid-December so we’re not quite done yet). Shortly after the last post I will be inviting you all to attend the virtual after-show party, which should be a giggle, where we can cast our eyes over the marvellous and majestic beauty of 2021’s books. We will also crown 2021’s winner (or joint winners, if that’s the case ). So I expect it to be a jolly good ol’ knees up! Until then stay tuned as we have lots more bookish loveliness heading your way ❤