BLOGMAS DAY 9: September, October & November Wrap-Up! Hey Guys! As many of you would have noticed, over the last month or two I got really quite behind on blogging. I didn't have much time to sit down and properly write a full post other than book blitzes, which I'm pretty sure you all got sick of. One of the posts that I got behind on the most had to be my monthly reading wrap-ups, so today I'm here to catch up (finally!). Just like I didn't have much time to write any posts, I didn't have much time to read either. Basically, I thought the best thing would be to combine the past three month all together and get it out there for you guys, so I can get back on track before the new year. Carry on reading! The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas Date Started - 1/9/2017 Date Finished - 2/9/2017 Synopsis: Sometimes I feel like everyone else was handed a copy of the rules for life and mine got lost. Grace has Asperger's and her own way of looking at the world. She's got a horse and a best friend who understand her, and that's pretty much all she needs. But when Grace kisses Gabe and things start to change at home, the world doesn't make much sense to her any more. Suddenly everything threatens to fall apart, and it's up to Grace to fix it on her own. I saw this book in Waterstones and picked it up on a whim. I knew a bit about it before I picked it up, but hadn't heard much or saw anyone else's ratings or reviews. The main character, Grace, had Asperger's and one of the secondary characters, Gabe, has ADHD. I found the story a bit slow and hard to get into at first, but it picked up towards the second half. It was quite emotional as I neared the end and there was one or two moments where I was on the verge of tears. I'm not able to say how accurate the Asperger's representation is, but it was refreshing to read about a character who has it, as I've never done so before. Overall, it was a good read, but I felt like there was something missing/stopping me from getting fully into it. Rate - 3.5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32187354-the-state-of-grace?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-State-of-Grace/9781509839551 Soulmates by Holly Bourne Date Started - 8/9/2017 Date Finished - 11/9/2017 Synopsis: Every so often, two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other. Soulmates. But while the odds of this happening are about as likely as being struck by lightning, when these people do meet and fall in love…thunderstorms, lightning strikes and lashings of rain are only the beginning of their problems. Enter Poppy, the 17-year-old cynic with a serious addiction to banana milk, and Noah, the heart-throb guitarist; residents of mediocre Middletown, sometime students, and…soulmates. After a chance meeting at a local band night, Poppy and Noah find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. But with a secret international agency preparing to separate them, a trail of destruction rumbling in their wake, (and a looming psychology coursework deadline), they are left with an impossible choice between the end of the world, or a life without love… This book had been on my shelf for about a year and a bit and it was finally time for me to read it. Just like my experiences with Holly's other books, I loved this one. I was completely sucked in from start to finish. I loved this storyline and how tense it got towards the end. There was never a dull moment and I found myself flying through the pages at certain moments. I connected to the characters and really wanted the best for them. I have to admit that I did get quite emotional towards the end and may have a cried a tiny bit (okay, maybe a bit more than tiny) at the end, but so much happens and I just couldn't control myself. I'd really recommend this one as well as Holly's other books. They're just so good! Rate - 5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16099393-soulmates?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Soulmates/9781409557500 Caterpillars Can't Swim by Liane Shaw Date Started - 16/9/2017 Date Finished - 16/9/2017 Synopsis: Ryan finds his freedom in the water, where he is not bound by gravity and his wheelchair. When he rescues his schoolmate, Jack, from the water their lives become connected, whether they like it or not. Ryan keeps Jack's secret about that day in the water, but he knows that Jack needs help. The school is full of rumors about Jack's sexuality, and he has few friends. Almost against his better judgement, Ryan decides to invite Jack on a trip to Comic Con he's planned with his best friend Cody, the captain of the school's swim team. The three boys make an unlikely combination, but they will each have the chance to show whether they are brave enough to go against the stereotypes the world wants to define them by. I requested this a couple of months ago on Netgalley and read it as soon as I got accepted for it. I have a review written and in my drafts, which I will probably upload on one of the Blogmas days coming soon, so stay tuned for that. The main character, Ryan, is disabled and the only kid in a wheelchair at his school. Jack is struggling to be his true self as he tries to understand his sexuality. The two are brought together after an incident and their story and friendship develops from their. It was a really easy story to get into and I found it easy to connect to the characters even though we are different. I was really invested in the storyline and found myself racing through the pages to the end. You'll have to wait for my review to be posted to hear more of my thoughts! Rate - 4/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34949098-caterpillars-can-t-swim?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Caterpillars-Cant-Swim-Liane-Shaw/9781772600537 Soundless by Richelle Mead Date Started - 17?/9/2017 Date Finished - 30/9/2017 Synopsis: In a village without sound… For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. Many go hungry. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation. One girl hears a call to action… Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon. She sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever… And unlocks a power that will save her people. I brought this book quite soon after it was released and it's just been sat on my shelf unread ever since. I was hesitant about reading it as since its release, I have heard quite mixed things. I thought the storyline was good and that it had a lot of potential, but I feel it was a bit hard to get into and it was pretty slow moving up until the end. I thought the second half or so was a lot better and the story was finally getting started and going somewhere. I was more invested towards the end and I thought the ending was good. Overall, I was slightly disappointed, but glad to have finally read it and to have gotten it off my TBR shelf. Rate - 2.5 - 3/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24751478-soundless?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Soundless/9780141364865 Hetty Feather (#1) by Jacqueline Wilson Date Started - 1?/10/2017 Date Finished - 3/10/2017 Synopsis: London, 1876 and Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned children - but Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school. Life in the countryside is hard but with her 'brothers' Jem and Gideon, she helps in the fields and plays imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus and Hetty is mesmerised by the show, especially Madame Adeline and her performing horses. But Hetty's happiness is threatened once more when she is returned to the Foundling Hospital. The new life of awful uniforms and terrible food is a struggle for her. But now she has the chance to find her real mother. Could she really be the wonderful Madame Adeline? Or will Hetty find the truth is even more surprising? Jacqueline Wilson will surprise and delight old fans and new with this utterly original take on a historical novel. Set in Victorian times and featuring a brand new feisty heroine, Hetty Feather, this is a Tracy Beaker-esque tale that will thrill young readers. Warm, moving, funny and totally fascinating, it's the perfect gift for girls of eight and older. When I was younger I used to read a lot of Jacqueline Wilson's books and I remember I used to get her magazine as well. Her books were one of the main things that got me into reading and one of my favourites was her Hetty Feather series. I read all the books basically as soon as they were released. When she released Little Stars, I asked for it for my birthday. I knew I needed to read it as soon as possible, but I felt like I couldn't remember enough of the series to start it. So I decided that I would re-read the series straight away so I could finally get through Little Stars. However, that re-read never happened and I just kept putting it off so I could read new books. October came about and I was really in the mood to start my re-read before the end of the year. I started Hetty Feather and all the memories came back. I loved it this time just as much as when I read it when I was younger. I was trying to savour it as much as I could, but I flew straight through it. The one thing that I love about this series is how easy the books are to get into. Ever since finishing this pone, I've wanted to continue, so I hopefully I get round to that soon. I'm really excited to finish my re-read and get stuck into Little Stars and Hetty Feather's Christmas. Rate - 4.5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6435965-hetty-feather?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Hetty-Feather/9780440868354 Sapphire Battersea (#2) by Jacqueline Wilson Date Started - 6?/10/2017 Date Finished - 8?/10/2017 Synopsis: A fascinating, funny and moving Victorian novel featuring Hetty Feather. Hetty Feather was just a baby when her mother left her at the Foundling Hospital. Hetty longed to find her real mum -- and finally her wish was granted. But just as they have found each other, they are separated again, as Hetty leaves the home to become a maid of all work to Mr Buchanan. Set in London in the 1870s, this sequel to Hetty Feather is a wonderfully evocative and original historical novel, perfect for girls of eight and older. After finishing Hetty Feather, I just needed more of this series, so I picked up Sapphire Battersea. The storyline to this one was even more developed and I was somehow even more invested in it. It has an emotional ending and I may have got a bit teary just like the first time I read it. Overall, I loved this one more than Hetty Feather and it's just made me even more excited to carry on and see how the series develops. Rate - 5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10751324-sapphire-battersea BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Sapphire-Battersea/9780440869276 Caspar Lee by Caspar Lee & Emily Riordan Lee Date Started - ?/11/2017 Date Finished - ?/11/2017 Synopsis: This is a book about me. Unfortunately, I didn't write it - my mum did. WTF! Let me tell you now that 98% of it is total lies. Actually, I'm pretty sure this book is illegal. So if you've bought it, you've basically supported a criminal. How does that feel? I think she's getting me back for my first day in this world when I mayyy have tried to kill her. She won't not be able to mention that . . . You might also find out about my first day at school, why my head is so massive, how I've always been a hit with the ladies and other things like that. You know, important stuff. Anyway, I found the book at the printer and you'll see I've corrected some of her most outrageous lies. So, you know, enjoy. Just remember only the bits that make me look good are true . . . I brought this last year in the new year sales at Waterstones because it was half price. I love Caspar and have been subscribed to his YouTube Channels for a few years now. I finally picked it up in November as I thought it'd be quite a quick read and another good book to check off my TBR. I loved hearing more about his childhood and his upbringing and I especially loved that it was mainly from his mum's, Emily's, perspective. I liked Caspar's little notes throughout and there were some funny little moments, but you also got to see the real side to his life and that everything isn't always perfect. I'm glad I read this book as I feel it has opened my eyes to just how normal he is and how everyone has their own problems that they might not always talk about. Rate - 4/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29450745-caspar-lee?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Caspar-Lee/9780718184094 The Girl In The Glass Box by Andi Adams Date Started - 10?/11/2017 Date Finished - 20?/11/2017 Synopsis: A witch. An apple. A mirror. That’s all most people think of when they recall the story of Snow White. But the truth is rarely so simple. What if the Queen wasn’t born evil and the princess wasn’t always so pure of heart? Is it possible that these two women could have ended up in one another’s place? The Girl in the Glass Box tells the story of Agrippine and Genevieve, two women who are not all that different, but who quickly learn through a series of choices, encounters, and devastating losses that the course of their fates can change in an instant. Through the influences of the people they love and lose, both are redefined as their stories head for a different sort of happily-ever-after. I requested this for review, so I will have a full review up soon when I can get round to writing it. The thing that attracted me to this title was the Snow White retelling bit with a twist. I absolutely loved it! I don't think I've read too many fairy tale retellings before, but I really want to read more after this one. The storyline was so developed and so easy to get into. As the reader you really get a feel for the characters and I felt like I could connect well to them. I was really invested in the story and once or twice it took me a moment to register that it was only a story. I just wish it could've been longer and that maybe the ending would've been slowed down a bit as I felt some things happened too soon and that some character reactions weren't voiced and as clear as I'd hoped. Overall, I'd really recommend this if you're looking for a fairy tale retelling with a twist! Stay tuned for my review, which will hopefully be up by the end of Blogmas... Rate - 5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30368932-the-girl-in-the-glass-box?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Girl-in-the-Glass-Box-Andi-Adams/9781945495014 I also started reading Truly, Madly Awkward by Beth Garrod and I'm hoping to finish it this month. That was my September -> November Wrap-Up and I hope you guys enjoyed it. Hopefully I'll get more reading time in the coming months and be able to stau on track with my monthly wrap-ups. As always, if you've read any of the books above, let me know your thoughts on. Also, make sure to leave any good fairy tale retellings below and I'll make sure to check them out soon. BYE!
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AuthorHello and welcome to Books With Beth! I'm Beth and on this blog I share a mix of all my bookish thoughts through reviews, book tours and hauls. Have fun! Categories
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