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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I've read over 100 books so far in 2025 — these are the five I couldn't put down'
I would describe myself as a lifelong reader, but my passion for books really ramped up in 2024, when I went from reading a book a month to devouring several novels a week. As a new mum at the time, I naturally found myself spending a lot more time at home in the evenings, and having exhausted Netflix, I instead turned to my bookshelf for entertainment. Fast-forward 18 months and while I now have a bit more time on my hands, my favourite evening activity is still sitting down and diving into a good book. So far this year, I've read just over 100 books, including short stories, hefty fantasies and eye-opening memoirs, as well as a healthy dose of romance novels. I always tend to have a physical book on the go at the same time as a Kindle read, but a few books have totally stopped me in my tracks, grabbing my attention and refusing to let go until I reached the final page. Here are five such books I simply couldn't put down. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack. 1. Open Wide by Jessica Gross A young woman becomes so obsessed with her boyfriend she literally climbs inside of him. That's the wild premise of Jessica Gross' latest novel, Open Wide. Radio host Olive has always struggled to connect with people, secretly recording her conversations to decipher social cues. But when one day surgeon Theo turns up for a shift at the food pantry where she volunteers, she finally feels understood and accepted. As their relationship develops, so too does Olive's fascination with the gap between Theo's front teeth, which is just wide enough for something—or someone—to slip inside. I enjoy a bit of weird girl fiction, the more unconventional and eccentric the better. But I was absolutely obsessed with this book, and took it with me everywhere I went. It's so unique, and unpacks themes of intimacy, consent and love in such an interesting way. You can pre-order Open Wide, publishing on August 7, here. 2. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman If you'd told me a couple of years ago that one of my favourite book series of all time would end up being a story about a man and his cat fighting monsters in a dungeon while being broadcast to billions of alien planets, I'd have laughed at you. But having now spent many hours reading all seven books in the series, I can confirm it's a winning formula even for non-gamers with cat allergies. What starts as Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut simply fighting to survive in a video game-style environment quickly grows into something much bigger. This series is ongoing, with the eighth instalment expected next year. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, or you can buy it from Waterstones. I would also highly recommend listening to the audiobook for a truly immersive experience! 3. Inherited Fate by Noémi Orvos-Tóth Fiction will always be my preference, but I still make an effort to read at least one non-fiction book a month. I usually like to take my time with these, reading or listening over the course of a few weeks, but Inherited Fate proved to be the exception to my self-imposed rule. Psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth takes you on a journey of self-awareness, explaining how everything from the circumstances of our conception to birth order shapes who we are. She explains how our anxieties and repeated relationship patterns can be traced back to the experiences of our parents, grandparents and even the ancestors we've never met. This is a topic I find fascinating, and I enjoyed the stories Orvos-Tóth shares about her patients and acquaintances. I really only put this book down to voice note friends every time I came across something especially interesting. If you pick up one new non-fiction book this summer, I would recommend this one. You can buy Inherited Fate here. 4. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford Scientist Kesta's husband Tim was the final person to be infected during a zombie pandemic. With the government appearing to have rounded up and eradicated all infected individuals, the quest for a cure is now underway. However, with her undead husband concealed in her spare room, Kesta has more incentive than most. The cover had me sold before I even read the blurb. But, beyond the wild science and zombies, I was taken aback by the emotional depth within; the love story between Kesta and Tim will make you both smile and feel real heartache for them. I couldn't stop reading, anxiously waiting for something to go disastrously wrong. You can buy One Yellow Eye here. 5. The Martian by Andy Weir I am a big fan of science fiction, with Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir becoming a particular favourite in the genre earlier this year. But after receiving The Martian as a gift, I was initially reluctant to read it. As anyone who has seen the film adaptation starring Matt Damon will know, the main character spends a lot of time alone, and I was nervous about reading a book with so little dialogue. For the uninitiated, The Martian follows Mark Watney, an astronaut who finds himself stranded on Mars after a fierce storm, who must use his ingenuity as well as his botanical and engineering knowledge to survive and signal Earth for rescue. I needn't have worried about reading this book, as Mark's narration (via the medium of diary entries) is hugely entertaining, and a good chunk of the book is dedicated to the teams working on Earth to bring Mark home, as well as his fellow astronauts.
The National
4 days ago
- The National
The beautiful East Lothian town where a 'food revolution' is underway
North Berwick, which has been praised for its great number of quality eateries, was named alongside places like Folkestone in Kent and Stockbridge in Edinburgh. It has long been a popular spot for travelling foodies. Now the town, which was recently named a culinary hotspot by National Geographic, has featured in a new list of the best small towns every foodie needs to visit. See why North Berwick is one of the best small towns in the UK for food lovers Discussing the well-known seaside town in Scotland, Olive said there is a "food revolution" taking place in North Berwick. Highlighting what makes the Scottish location so great, the publication praised Steampunk Coffee Roasters and the Bostock Bakery for their wonderful pastries and flat whites. The croissants at the latter are apparently so good that NOMA's René Redzepi sent his pastry chef from Copenhagen to learn from The Bostock's Ross Baxter. Because of its coastal location, the town has plenty of seafood options to enjoy as well, including the famous Lobster Shack. The "seasonal operation" on the harbour gets its catch from the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery between Easter and October. Recommended Reading: The lobster and crab bisque here has been described as "exceptional", while many have commended the spot for its views out to sea. For those looking to enjoy an amazing cuppa after a "blustery and beautiful" walk, they can make their way to a shipping container turned coffee shop called DRIFT. Perched on an outcrop above Canty Bay, the dining spot is popular for its bacon and egg sandwich with herby aioli.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Always Wished for Cuddly Dog—Then Got More Than She Bargained For
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman who had always dreamed of having a "cuddly" dog finally got her wish. Kris, from California, is the proud owner of pit bull cross Olive, who exceeded Kris's expectations of having an attention-seeking dog, as Olive cannot get close enough to her—even lying on her face as she sleeps. Olive's lapdog nature has now gone viral, after Kris shared a video of the reality of life with her ultra-cuddly dog to her TikTok account, @ on July 14. "You know what's funny? Before I got this dog I always said I wanted a cuddly dog," she tells the camera. She explained her previous dog, a cocker spaniel, enjoyed being around them but "wasn't very cuddly," and when it was time to get a new pet, Kris wanted a dog who "wants to cuddle all day." She pictured it being "just super lovely, and we have these cute little cuddly moments." And it's clear she got her wish, as Kris is filming the video while lying in bed—as her dog lies with her full weight on top of her, and her head resting on Kris's face. "And then I got her," she said, moving the camera to show another angle of just how heavily her dog is lying on top of her. She finished the video by looking directly into the camera—with the part of her face not covered by Olive, that is—and letting the image speak for itself. TikTok users were obsessed, watching the video more than 200,000 times and awarding it 42,000 likes. One commenter joked: "She said 'and now I sleep with my face on your face. Aren't you feeling blessed?'" "Look at you, manifesting," another laughed, as another insisted: "You love it really though, don't you?" Kris isn't alone with her "velcro dog," the term given to pets who want to be stuck to their owners at all times, as one commenter shared: "I wake up in the middle of the night and I have a pitbull on top of my head, snoring." But as another summed up the situation: "You've got a heated, weighted blanket." Kris with her extra-cuddly dog, Olive. Kris with her extra-cuddly dog, Olive. TikTok @ Certain breeds are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, and according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this list includes the Labrador retriever, boxer dog, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The Staffordshire bull terrier, a type of pit bull, also makes the list, with the AKC noting it as being extremely affectionate towards family members, including children. Newsweek has reached out to @ via TikTok for comment on this story. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wexford dairy farmer to run four marathons in four days
After previously fundraising for national charities by taking on Dublin and Waterford Marathons, Ferns resident Kenneth was motivated to select a local concern this year after learning about the vital work undertaken by Arklow-based East Coast Samaritans from his mother-in-law Olive, a long-serving volunteer with the charity. The Sliabh Buidhe Rovers Athletic Club member had already been plotting a grand adventure for 2025, and had set his sights on the ultra-challenging Quadrathon, a test of endurance that will see Kenneth run a separate route every day, completing a single 105-mile loop over four days, through hills, mountains and along coastal roads around Inishowen and the Wild Atlantic Way. Diligently preparing for the challenge, Kenneth said he feels an immense sense of pride to be raising funds for a local cause that is so close to his heart, adding that seeing donations come in will give him all the fuel he needs to push through the pain barrier. 'My mother-in-law, Olive, does volunteer work for East Coast Samaritans, answering calls at night, and after speaking to her and learning that they are the only Samaritans branch in the country who have to pay rent, I knew I had to fundraise for them,' Kenneth began. 'I usually raise money for the big, national charities, but when Olive told me about the great work that East Coast Samaritans do, and the fact that it's local, helping local people that are going through a bad time with their mental health, that clinched it for me. 'I suppose, like a lot of other people, you get into running for your mental health. It has helped me so much. So, for me to actually help raise money for a mental health charity, and maybe inspire others to take up running, exercise or getting outdoors for their mental health, that's massive for me. 'I've had a good few donations already, with some from friends and some from people I wouldn't even know, and I'll be giving updates every day during the Quadrathon – hopefully the donations will keep coming in,' he added. 'I know, when I'm up there running in the hills, just thinking about donations coming in and the difference that might make to someone's life will keep me going.' Unlike flat marathon courses, extreme north races require a little more endurance, with runners flocking to Donegal on August 14 encouraged to allow an extra 10pc on their normal marathon time to account for elevation and back-to-back runs. Having recently recovered from a lower back injury that cause bad sciatica, Kenneth has kicked into overdrive to prepare his body for the rigors of the challenge, ascending peaks like Sliabh Buí and seeking out mountainous terrain wherever he can find it as part of his pre-Quadrathon training regime. 'I am always up for a challenge, and I usually do the Dublin Marathon, and I was trying to get a sub-three-hour time, which I was delighted to get in Amsterdam,' Kenneth said. 'I came across the Quadrathon after I was scrolling through Facebook and saw that someone from the Wexford Marathon Club had done four marathons. So, I started researching it, and thought I'd love to do that. 'I applied for it, but then got unlucky when I got injured and had very bad sciatica. I was trying to work and couldn't really train, so I just did a bit of gym instead. I kept working at it, and I started back cycling. 'Now I'm back running, and things are going well. 'I've been doing a good few races just to get up to speed, and a lot of my long runs are hilly, because the marathons I'll be doing in Donegal are not like Waterford or Dublin,' he continued. 'They're up in the hills along the Atlantic Way and you could be climbing for two miles, so you have to prepare the body for that. 'I did the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon last year, which was a challenging one because it's very hilly, but it was good practice. 'You're running four marathons, so you need to be able for that high mileage and basically get the body used to being under pressure and running on tired legs. Even if I was going for a recovery run, I'll find a few hills to go up, just to keep the body under pressure. 'It's nice to have something to work towards, and it's a challenge for me, which I love – so it's a win-win.' You can support Kenneth via
Glasgow Times
15-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
The beautiful Scottish town where a 'food revolution' is underway
North Berwick in East Lothian, which has been praised for its great number of quality eateries, was named alongside places like Folkestone in Kent and Stockbridge in Edinburgh. Located a half-hour train ride from Scotland's capital, it has long been a popular spot for travelling foodies. Now the town, which was recently named a culinary hotspot by National Geographic, has featured in a new list of the best small towns every foodie needs to visit. See why North Berwick is one of the best small towns in the UK for food lovers Discussing the well-known seaside town in Scotland, Olive said there is a "food revolution" taking place in North Berwick. Highlighting what makes the Scottish location so great, the publication praised Steampunk Coffee Roasters and the Bostock Bakery for their wonderful pastries and flat whites. The croissants at the latter are apparently so good that NOMA's René Redzepi sent his pastry chef from Copenhagen to learn from The Bostock's Ross Baxter. Because of its coastal location, the town has plenty of seafood options to enjoy as well, including the famous Lobster Shack. The "seasonal operation" on the harbour gets its catch from the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery between Easter and October. Recommended Reading: The lobster and crab bisque here has been described as "exceptional", while many have commended the spot for its views out to sea. For those looking to enjoy an amazing cuppa after a "blustery and beautiful" walk, they can make their way to a shipping container turned coffee shop called DRIFT. Perched on an outcrop above Canty Bay, the dining spot is popular for its bacon and egg sandwich with herby aioli.
