I've Just Finished Reading Pines by Blake Crouch

After desperately trying to hunt it down, I finally found and finished Pines by Blake Crouch.

The first book of the Wayward Pines series came to my attention when I saw FOX had picked it up for a TV adaptation starring Matt Dillon. And it did not disappoint.

The story centres around Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke, who is sent out on a mission to the town of Wayward Pines to find two agents who had previously gone but mysteriously disappeared. Uncomfortable and peculiar circumstances make Agent Burke draw the conclusion that Wayward Pines is no ordinary town, and that he must get out of there ASAP.

The book is well-written and depicts scenarios and settings beautifully without Crouch appearing pompous in his knowledge of the vernacular. An easy read but an intense one at that that has you rooting for the protagonist as if you were him yourself, suffocating and fighting to get out.

While the story didn't go in the direction I thought it would, I was pleased how everything was explained and it piqued my interest as to where the series will go next. I've already started book two.

I highly recommend it if it sounds like it's up your street.

Tel Aviv - The Small Apple

Strolling along the promenade on a Tuesday evening in 30 degree heat was not the time when I expected to hear a loud bang & an air raid siren. But this is all very normal in Tel Aviv according to our carefree host.

So I have just returned home from an 11 day holiday in Tel Aviv, Israel, and I can honestly say it was one of the best, if not THE best, holiday I have ever been on.

Myself and six friends jetted off on June 30th for 11 days which revolved around alcohol, the beach, good weather and of course, some culture.

We were staying in a private 4th floor apartment on Sderot Nordau, five minutes from Hilton Beach (known as the gay beach) and beside as many restaurants, cafés and shops as you would need. We chose Tel Aviv for many factors which included it's vibrant LGBT culture which the city is very proud of. You can walk any direction and within in five minutes, be greeted with a Pride flag.

The view from our apartment

One taxi driver described Tel Aviv as 'The Small Apple' as it's on the go 24 hours a day, and I couldn't have said it better myself. The cosmopolitan city is buzzing with people night & day. The nightlife is one of the best I've experienced. There are bars where you could enjoy a show or an easy drink with your friends without people significantly more drunk than you bothering you. And on the other hand you have parties & clubs that are open until 6am and blare electro-pop hits, or in one particular case Britney tunes, all night long. The people, the atmosphere and the music are all factors which contribute to a brilliant party scene.

View from Old Jaffa looking at Tel Aviv

It wasn't just about the partying though. We went to see some great places such as; Jaffa, Haifa, The Dead Sea and Masada. Within an hour, you can travel from the cosmopolitan and chic Tel Aviv to the towns saturated in history with ease. Such a contrast and such a treat.

Beautiful Haifa

Masada

One thing none of us were expecting to happen, was to be under attack from rockets from Gaza. To say the experience was surreal would be an understatement. The first time it happened panic set in, in my case anyway, but as the days and sirens went on you just got used to it and carried on with your day. We bonded with our neighbours in the stairwell as the siren went off actually.

Walking along the promenade

I would go back in a heartbeat. The high-rise buildings, hot weather, glamorous restaurants and people all add to a wonderful experience with a really great group of friends.

Watching the sunset on our last night