Hello bookish pals and welcome to Thursday on damppebbles. Not only is it Thursday (which is grand!) but it’s also day 17 of #R3COMM3ND3D2022. We are well into this year’s series which is quickly becoming one of the best, most varied years we’ve had since the first #R3COMM3ND3D in 2017. As things stand presently we’ve had 47 books recommended with one book being selected twice, putting The Girl from Guernica by Karen Robards in the lead. But will that be the case after we’ve revealed the three books today’s guest has chosen? Let’s find out…

(By the way, I don’t tend to look ahead at what has been chosen so when I say ‘let’s find out if today’s post will affect the leaderboard’ I really don’t have a clue if it will! It’s a lovely surprise to me too! Just thought I’d mention 😂)

Joining me today is one of my favourite people in the book world. It’s fabulous bookstagramer and all-round lovely person, Zoebeesbooks. When I reconnected with instagram last year a small number of more experienced bookstragrammers offered help and support. Zoebeesbooks was one of those that took me under their wing and helped me get started again and for that, I’ll always be grateful. Zoebeesbooks’ grid is a beautiful thing so if you don’t already follow then you know what to do!

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2022? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers, reviewers 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 2022. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2022 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

Here are the three books Zoebeebooks recommends…

The Photographer by E.S. Blake
This is the best historical fiction book I’ve read, it was fascinating, I was completely enthralled. The characters were brilliant and the whole story was executed brilliantly. A bookstagram friend who has never read Historical fiction bought this book on my review and she loved it and is one of her favourite books. I highly recommend this one.
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of The Photographer

Love and Other Human Errors by Bethany Clift
This is such a clever and charming story with meaning. Beth writes about loneliness and human connection with wit and sympathy and has created fantastic characters. The connections are really touching and it’s a book that made me laugh and cry. Oh and there is a brilliant dog named Alan to seal the deal.
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of Love and Other Human Errors

It Must Be Love by Caroline Khoury
I read this at the start of the year but it is one of the love stories that stands out for me. I was swept away with all the emotions in this Will They, Won’t They story. The characters were so engaging that I didn’t want the story to end. Beautifully written that gave me sliding doors / serendipty vibes and a story that travels round the world and 2 gorgeous men, what more could you ask for?!
Zoebeesbooks’ Review of It Must Be Love

Three gorgeous choices, thank you so much Zoebeesbooks. I’m sure I won’t be the only one adding to my wish list after seeing these beauties!

About Zoebeesbooks:
Disney loving Grandma. I have loved books for as long as I can remember and was definitely influenced by my Grandma who was a big bookworm. I loved going to the library every week with her and now it is a joy to share my love of books with my Granddaughter.

Zoebeesbooks’ Bookstagram and Social Media Links:
| Instagram @zoebeesbooks | Twitter @Zoebeesbooks |

Sadly submissions for #R3COMM3D3D2022 are now closed. Shortly after the last post I will be inviting you to attend the virtual after-show party, which should be fun. We’ll get to gaze upon the marvellous and majestic beauty of 2022’s books and also crown 2022’s winner, if we have one (they’re all winners, right?). Until then stay tuned as we have lots more bookish gorgeousness heading your way throughout November.