Hello! So, July was the month that I finally got back into reading so it was a bit of a rocky month and I wasn't able to read as much as I would've hoped, but I am pleased with the progress nonetheless! July was also a difficult month for me with being ill and it's just been a bit stressful, so here's hoping that August will be more productive! In total this month I managed to read 6 books, so I'm going to talk through each of them. Carry on reading... Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices #3) by Cassandra Clare Date Started - No clue, most likely end of May/beginning of June Date Finished - 1/7/2019 Synopsis: What if damnation is the price of true love? Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the disease that is destroying the race of warlocks. Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love. My Thoughts: This was one of the first books I picked up following my reading slump, which I now think was a bit of a mistake, you'll understand why if you've seen the size of this book! It took me quite a long time to get through and I found that I didn't love it quite as much as I had the rest of the series. I found there to be several moments where I was beginning to get bored as it felt like nothing was happening and it was just becoming quiet repetitive. Near the ending, this changed and I loved it. I feel like maybe the reason why I didn't enjoy it as much is because of my reading slump. Nonetheless, I love the Shadowhunter world and am glad and also quite sad to say that I'm nearly caught up! As always, I love Cassandra Clare's writing style and I'm looking forward to seeing future Shadowhunter adventures. Rate - 3.5-4/5 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13541056-queen-of-air-and-darkness?ac=1&from_search=true Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Queen-of-Air-and-Darkness/9781471116704 How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne Date Started - 3/7/2019 Date Finished - 4/7/2019 Synopsis: 'Turning thirty is like playing musical chairs. The music stops, and everyone just marries whoever they happen to be sitting on.' Who the f*ck is Tori Bailey? There's no doubt that Tori is winning the game of life. A straight-talking, bestselling author, she's inspired millions of women around the world with her self-help memoir. And she has the perfect relationship to boot. But Tori Bailey has been living a lie. Her long-term boyfriend won't even talk about marriage, but everyone around her is getting engaged and having babies. And when her best friend Dee - her plus one, the only person who understands the madness - falls in love, suddenly Tori's in terrifying danger of being left behind. When the world tells you to be one thing and turning thirty brings with it a loud ticking clock, it takes courage to walk your own path. It's time for Tori to practice what she's preached, but the question is: is she brave enough? The debut adult novel by bestselling author Holly Bourne is a blisteringly funny, honest and moving exploration of love, friendship and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of your thirties. My Thoughts: I couldn't have asked for anything more from this book. I loved it! It was my first venture into adult contemporary and I wasn't expecting to adore it as much as I did. I will be doing a full review for this book, which will be up soon, so keep your eyes peeled for more of my thoughts. I would definitely recommend How Do You Like Me Now? if you just want an honest, sad but funny contemporary! Rate - 5/5 Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34538386-how-do-you-like-me-now?from_search=true Book Depository - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34538386-how-do-you-like-me-now?from_search=true The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Date Started - 7/7/2019 Date Finished - 9/7/2019 Synopsis: The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. My Thoughts: I was pretty nervous to be starting this one as all I've heard is amazing things and this book is cherished by so many people. However, personally it just wasn't that for me. I thought it was a great book and the story was immersive, but it just didn't wow me. I'd still recommend reading it if you haven't as it is loved by so many people and I'm glad that I read it even if I'm not one of those people. There is so many beautiful moments in this book, and I fell in love with some quotes. I may do a review for this one, so if you'd like to hear more of my thoughts, make sure to comment down below and I'll do so. Rate - 3.5/5 Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47440429-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower?ac=1&from_search=true BookDepository- https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Perks-of-Being-a-Wallflower/9781847394071 Wilde About The Girl (Robin Wilde #2) by Louise Pentland Date Started - 13/7/2019 Date Finished - 16/7/2019 Synopsis: Robin Wilde is acing life. After the year from hell, she's pulled herself up and out of the Emptiness, her love life is ticking along nicely, single motherhood is actually quite fun and she is ready for whatever life throws at her. When a thrilling opportunity at work arises, Robin is more than excited to step up and show everyone, including herself, what she's made of. But her best friend Lacey is increasingly broken-hearted about struggling to conceive, and her daughter Lyla is starting to come out with some horrible attitudes she's learning from someone at school. Is Auntie Kath hiding loneliness under her bubbly, loving veneer? And can Robin definitely trust the people she must depend on in her fab new role? But Robin has her girls. And her girls have got her. Together they can handle any crisis. Can't they? Life is about to throw quite the curve ball at Robin Wilde, and she'll need to make some pretty brave choices if she's going to stop everything she cares about falling apart . . . My Thoughts: I brought this as soon as it was released last year and had kind of neglected picking it up. Recently I've been really wanting to get through my TBR pile, so I thought it'd be the perfect time to give this contemporary a go, especially after loving the last contemporary I'd read. I was apprehensjve about picking this one up cause my memory of the first book was a bit hazy, but I managed to get into it pretty easily and felt like I'd never left the characters. This book focuses on Robin's life and the ups and downs that come with it. It deals with some pretty difficult topics, but then has a mix of happy and fun moments. There's a focus on female empowerment and I love how this series contains such strong female characters. I really enjoyed this instalment in the series and found that I didn't want to get to the end. This is another contemporary that I'd definitely recommend! WARNING: This book deals with issues surrounding pregnancy, with a focus on miscarriage and also a secondary character that has issues becoming pregnant. If you are sensitive to these topics, I'd recommend giving this book a miss. Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36368624-wilde-about-the-girl?ac=1&from_search=true Book Depository - https://www.bookdepository.com/Wilde-About-The-Girl/9781785764622 The Boy In The Striped Pajamas by John Boyne Date Started - 22/7/2019 Date Finished - 23/7/2019 Synopsis: Berlin 1942 When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences. My Thoughts: This book has been on my TBR for the longest time and I thought that as I was taking part in the Reading Rush, that it'd be the perfect time to finally give it a go. After finishing this book, I honestly wasn't clear on my thoughts and still am not. I found it okay and I respect the events the book is based on, but I felt I expected more from the characters. I found it hard to connect with them and I found the story didn't flow as well as I expected. I have to admit that I watched the film before reading it and I think I preferred the movie. I felt there was more emotion and I connected with it more. I'm glad I did finally read it and it's one more off my TBR shelf! Rate - 2.75-3/5 Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39999.The_Boy_in_the_Striped_Pajamas?ac=1&from_search=true BookDepository- https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Boy-in-the-Striped-Pyjamas/9781909531192 Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence Date Started - 25/7/2019 Date Finished - 27/7/2019 Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Marlon has promised his widowed mum that he'll be good, and nothing like his gang-leader brother Andre. It's easy when you keep yourself to yourself, listening to your dead dad's Earth, Wind and Fire albums and watching sci-fi. But everything changes when Marlon's first date with the beautiful Sonya ends in tragedy; he becomes a hunted man and he has no idea why. With his dad dead and his brother helpless, Marlon has little choice but to enter Andre's old world of guns, knives and drug runs in order to uncover the truth and protect those close to him. It's time to fight to be the last man standing. My Thoughts: This is another one that has been sitting on my TBR for too long and so I read it as part of the Reading Rush. I've heard nothing but good things about this book and so I had pretty high expectations before reading it. I was definitely not disappointed! I was hooked right from the start and I felt so invested in the story. It was an emotional read and I was on the verge of tears at times following Marlon as he's thrown into a helpless situation. It deals with gangs, drugs and violence, which is so prevalent in society today. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more by Patrice Lawrence! Rate - 4/5 WARNING: This book deals with death, grief, gangs, drugs and violence, so if you are sensitive to these topics, I'd recommend taking caution when considering reading this. Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25699515-orangeboy?ac=1&from_search=true Book Depository - https://www.bookdepository.com/Orangeboy/9781444927207 So those were my thoughts on all the books I read in July! I will be doing reviews on one or two of these books, but if there's one in particular you'd like to see, then make sure to et me know in the comments!
QOTD: What books did you read in July? Which one was your favourite? Let me know in the comments! BYE!
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2017 Overview HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! So, we are now in 2018! I feel like 2017 flew past and I honestly can't remember much of it. This post was going to be a year overview as well as a wrap-up of my 2017 goals, but the post turned out to be a lot longer than expected, so I've had to change some things. This post is a month by month run through of what happened this year when it comes to my reading & blogging. A post with what happened with my 2017 goals will be coming soon along with my new goals for 2018 (that I'm pretty excited about). However, first we need to take a look back at 2017, from the start. January 2017
A new year had come along and I was really motivated to get reading and back into blogging again. It was a successful reading month for me as I managed to read 7 books as well as a book which I DNFed, while still in school. I read the last 3 books of the Harry Potter series for the first time and fell in love with the story. I also read and reviewed a Netgalley title, Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen. I was posting roughly once a week on my blog and I was beginning to find my feet in the bookstagram world again. February 2017 The motivation carried through from January and I was able to read another 8 books. I finished the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale and cried at Forever Geek, the last book. I also finished the Demon Road trilogy by Derek Landy and loved that also. I read some amazing books and had quite a few tears. On my blog I posted some reviews, a book haul and talked about some of the diverse releases coming out that month. On bookstagram I posted around 5 times and was really enjoying getting back into it. March 2017 My reading was still going good, but I had limited time as school got busier. I started The Infernal Devices and fell in love with the characters. I couldn't stop thinking about the story and was excited to be so invested in a new series after finishing two in February. I also continued with The Mortal Instruments and took City of Fallen Angels off my TBR. I wasn't very active on my blog as I had less time, but managed to get two more reviews up. I was still going on bookstagram though and got about another 4 posts up. April 2017 April was the month of reading review books as 4 out of 5 of the titles I read had been sent to me for review or that I'd requested. One of the review books I had was Geekerella by Ashley Poston and I loved reading this geeky Cinderella retelling. Before the month finished I also started Clockwork Prince as I couldn't hold off any longer, but unfortunately didn't finish it before May came along. Stuff happened in April and I sort of had an absence from my blog for a bit and didn't post anything. My bookstagram was in a similar position, but I posted twice to explain some of the things that were going on in my life. May 2017 I managed to read 3 books in May. One was a review book, Marco's Seeds by Nathan Smith and the other two were Clockwork Prince and City of Lost Souls both by Cassandra Clare. I was back in the Shadowhunter world and was loving every bit as I got more involved in the story. On my blog appeared some new posts as I went through some new releases, a review or two and also showed you the book haul that had been growing since December. In the month I posted once on Instagram to talk a bit about some of the stuff that had been happening in our world and how I was feeling. Following this I took a bit of a break... June 2017 Ahh, June. The month in which I finished The Infernal Devices and couldn't help but cry as the beloved trilogy came to an end. I read another book that month, The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and quite enjoyed it. Those were the only two books I finished that month as I DNFed yet another book, Dream Machine by Will Davis. My blog was mainly filled with reviews that month as well as the monthly new releases post that I got into doing. I didn't post at all on Instagram. July 2017 July was the best reading month yet! I was still in school as we didn't finish till the last week or so of July, but booktubeathon came at this same time and I decided to take part for the first time. I had so much fun and managed to read more than I ever thought I could in that amount of time. I also tried to participate in the #7in7readathon, but spent more time doing other stuff and didn't quite make it to 7 books, but I was just enjoying being able to read and be back in the community. By the time the month finished, I'd read around 13 books and I couldn't have been happier. There was only one post on the blog in this month and that was a book blitz. My bookstagram absence continued as I just felt no motivation. August 2017 It was summer and I was enjoying the entire month away from school! I went on holiday to Cornwall and spent most of the week reading on the beach in the sun. It was yet another very successful reading month as I completed 14 (or so) books. I read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas after hearing all the hype surrounding it and was blown away. This book is definitely one of my favourites from the year. My blog was probably the most active it had ever been during August and I was spitting out lots of posts. Most of them were book blitzes and cover reveals, but I did also share with you guys quite a few reviews throughout the month. I returned to bookstagram with a new outdoors theme seeing as I had nice weather for once. September 2017 I returned back to school and just like my mood, my reading deteriorated. I managed to read 4 books even though there was so much going on in the month. I read another Netgalley title, Caterpillars Can't Swim by Liane Shaw, which featured Gay representation and the main character was a person who is disabled. It was nice to read something from a different perspective and to see this representation in YA. I also read another Holly Bourne book, this time Soulmates, and cried yet again! I loved the story and it really got me back interested in reading. After promising to be back, I disappeared from bookstagram once again. October 2017 I had a short break from school in October for half term, but even with that bit of extra time, I only managed to complete 3 books. One was off my TBR, Caspar Lee by Emily Riordan Lee and Caspar Lee. The other two were Hetty Feather and Sapphire Battersea as I started my long awaited reread of this series by Jacqueline Wilson. The only posts appearing on my blog throughout the month were book blitzes and cover reveals as that seemed like the only type of post I had time to do. Also with me not reading as much, I didn't really have any reviews to write. Still no new posts on Instagram. November 2017 In November I had some review books that I really needed to get to. That didn't really happen, but I managed to check one off my list, The Girl In The Glass Box by Andi Adams. I loved reading this YA Snow White retelling and helped get me out of a reading slump that was beginning. As I still had limited time, book blitzes were still the only type of post going up, but at the end of the month I was determined to get back to blogging properly so I made the snap decision to do Blogmas on the run up to Christmas. I posted my announcement on the 30th, not leaving myself much time to prepare. December 2017 In December I only managed to read one book and that was Truly Madly Awkward by Beth Garrod. This is the sequel to Super Awkward that I believe was released last year (?) and that I really loved. I enjoyed Truly Madly Awkward but it took me a couple of month to finish it due to the lack of time. December was the month I took back control of my blog and I managed to complete my goal and post every day of December leading up to Christmas. The posts included hauls, wrap-ups, TBR posts and tags. There was a couple of book blitzes as well. It came to the end of the year without another post on my Instagram/Bookstagram. I went into the New Year motivated and excited to make changes. That is a month by month run through of the year in terms of my reading, blogging and social media. It's been a weird year, some things bad and some things good. I hope you guys didn't find that post too boring as I actually had some fun writing it. It all came off the top of my head as I didn't plan to write this and I just sat down and started typing, so I apologise if it's a bit jumbled. I'll be back soon! How was your year - good or bad? Let me know below. BYE! 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! August Wrap-Up (Part 2)! Hey Guys, So, if you haven't read Part 1 of my August Wrap-Up, you might want to check that out first. Part 1 - http://sprinkleofbooks.weebly.com/blog/august-wrap-up-part-1 Basically, August was a pretty good reading month and I was writing my wrap-up, I realised that it was going to end up being a pretty long post. Due to this, I've decided to split it into two parts. Anyway, without further ado, here is the rest of my August Wrap-Up! The World's Worst Children 2 by David Walliams Date Started - 15/8/2017 Date Finished - 15/8/2017 Synopsis: The brilliant follow-up to David Walliams’ bestseller The World’s Worst Children! Ten more stories about a brand new gang of hilariously horrible kids from everyone’s favourite children’s author, illustrated in glorious full colour by Tony Ross. If you thought you had read about the World’s Worst Children already, you’re in for a rather nasty shock. The beastly boys and gruesome girls in this book are even ruder, even more disgusting and WORSE than you could ever imagine! This gorgeous collection of ten stories from the master himself, David Walliams, will make you snort with laughter and thank your lucky stars that you don’t know anyone like Gruesome Griselda or Fussy Frankie in real life. It also features a special appearance from fan-favourite Raj! Gloriously illustrated in full colour throughout by artistic genius Tony Ross, The World’s Worst Children 2 is a side-splitting companion to David’s blockbuster hit, The World’s Worst Children, perfect for fans aged 9 and up. After reading the first book, I knew I wanted to dive straight into the sequel. I was quite tired though, so decided to wait till the following day to begin it, so I could enjoy it fully. I ended up feeling the same about this as I did with the first one, so there's not much to say. Once again, brilliant storytelling and the illustrations (by Tony Ross) were just as brilliant as before. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book. Rate -5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35394276-the-world-s-worst-children---2 BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Worlds-Worst-Children-2-David-Walliams-Tony-Ross/9780008259624?ref=pd_detail_1_sims_b_p2p_1 It's Not Me It's You by Stephanie Kate Strohm Date Started - 15/8/2017 Date Finished - 18/8/2017 Synopsis: One high school girl's comedic examination of her dating past as told by the friends, family, and boys who were involved! Avery Dennis is a high school senior and one of the most popular girls in her class. But a majorly public breakup with the guy she's been dating causes some disastrous waves. It is right before prom and Avery no longer has the perfect date. She runs the prom committee, how could she not show up with somebody? Post-breakup, Avery gets to thinking about all of the guys that she has ever dated. How come none of those relationships ever worked out? Could it be her fault? Avery decides to investigate. In history class she's learning about this method of record-keeping called "oral history" and she has a report due. So Avery decides to go directly to the source. Avery tracks down all of the guys she's ever dated, and uses that information, along with thoughts from her friends, family, and teachers, to compile a total account of her dating history. Avery discovers some surprises about herself and the guys she's spent time with -- just in time for prom night! I have a full spoiler-free review up for this, which I will link down below when it's up. This was my third read for #7in7readathon, however it took up more time than I hoped. I ended up not having as much time to read, so I ended up having to read it over 3 days instead of 1. It's written as Avery's oral history report and I loved the idea of Avery basing it off of her dating history and interviewing all her ex-boyfriends. It was a cute, funny read and I really liked all of Avery's little extra Editor's Notes throughout. Overall, I enjoyed it and can't wait for the sequel/companion. Rate - 4/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28113227-it-s-not-me-it-s-you?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/It-s-Not-Me--It-s-You/9781407172491 Full Spoiler-Free Review - We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Date Started - 18/8/2017 Date Finished - 19/8/2017 Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth. We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE. This was my 4th #7in7readathon read. I was contemplating writing a full-review for this, but I'm not sure. If you guys want a review, make sure to let me know below and I'll do one. I didn't really know much about this before I went into it as the synopsis on the back is pretty vague and also I made sure not to look much further into it. The writing style had to be my favourite bit. I absolutely loved the writing and found myself scribbling down my favourite quotes into my book journal. I also loved the plot and the twists that came along the way. I definitely wasn't prepared for the surprise near the end and I have to admit that I was very close to tears. I have to admit that I did get a bit confused of which kids belonged to who, so I was thankful for the family tree that was included at the beginning. Overall, I really loved We Were Liars and will definitely give some of E. Lockhart's other books a try as well as Genuine Fraud when it's released. Rate - 5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16143347-we-were-liars?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/We-Were-Liars/9781471403989 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Date Started - 20/8/2017 Date Finished - 21/8/2017 Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. If you guys would like me to do a full review, let me know below and I'll do so. This book is probably going to be in y top books of 2017. Just calling it now. Over the past few month, since it's release, I've seen this book everywhere. I've had it on my shelf for a while, but I've been trying to wait till I was in the right mood, so I could take my time and enjoy it. See, that was the plan. I was supposed to take my time with it. However, I was sat down the following day after starting it, staring at the back of the back wishing for more. I was completely sucked into the story and didn't realise how quickly I was flying through it. It focuses on some really important topics, that some people tend to skip over or pretend aren't happening and I'm really happy that Angie decided to write a book and speak out about them. It features police brutality and racism, but also much more. The writing was brilliant and I found it easy to get into. The characters all had something about them and they felt so real. I loved seeing how some of Starr's family interacted with each other and how important family and community was to this story. Overall, this book has really opened my eyes and I'm grateful for that. I'm really looking forward to the movie being released and to see this story shown to more people. Rate - 5!!/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Hate-U-Give/9781406372151 Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon Date Started - 22/8/2017 Date Finished - 22/8/2017 Synopsis: My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. I decided I would finally give this a go, after having it on my shelf unread for a few months. The main reason I wanted to read it now is that the movie has come out into cinemas this month in the UK. I wanted to go see it, but I decided to read it first. I have to admit I didn't really like or dislike this book. I found it to be alright, but nothing really that special. I found the first half to be pretty slow, but after that I flew through and finished it within a few hours. I have heard things about this book being problematic, so I'm going to have a look back through and have a look again. Overall, it was okay, but I think I might've preferred the movie. I think I will try The Sun Is Also A Star because I've heard some quite good things about it and might end up enjoying it a bit more. Rate - 2.5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18692431-everything-everything?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Everything-Everything-Nicol-Yoon/9780552574235?ref=grid-view&qid=1504461174710&sr=1-1 Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson and Robin Wasserman Date Started - 23/8/2017 Date Finished - 27/8/2017 Synopsis: Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it. So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be. But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D. Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices. Well, now that I've finish TMI and TID, this was my next taste of the Shadowhunter Academy. Just like with any collection of short stories, I loved some and didn't really enjoy others. The ones in this sort of follow on from each other though and I enjoyed that. I was really looking forward to getting to this, but I think I might not have been in the right mood as I did struggle to get into it and I felt like I was having to push myself to carry on reading it. I tried to leave it and only read it when I wanted to, so I could avoid another reading slump. With the last few stories, I was actually wanting to carry on reading and I'm glad that I didn't push myself too hard to carry on. Also, I'm not sure if it's just me, but I struggled to see Simon as the right age in a few of the first stories. I kept feeling like he was younger than what he was. Overall, I enjoyed some stories and didn't with others. I am looking forward to starting The Dark Artifices series though and to see where it'll take me. Rate - 3.5/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28954137-tales-from-the-shadowhunter-academy?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Tales-from-the-Shadowhunter-Academy/9781406373585 Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green Date Started - 25/8/2017 Date Finished - 25/8/2017 Synopsis: Like most kids, Katie was a picky eater. She'd sit at the table in silent protest, hide uneaten toast in her bedroom, listen to parental threats that she'd have to eat it for breakfast. But in any life a set of circumstance can collide, and normal behavior might soon shade into something sinister, something deadly. Lighter Than My Shadow is a hand-drawn story of struggle and recovery, a trip into the black heart of a taboo illness, an exposure of those who are so weak as to prey on the vulnerable, and an inspiration to anybody who believes in the human power to endure towards happiness. I received a copy through Netgalley and I have written a full review, which I'll link below when it's up. This is basically a graphic novel memoir of the author's, Katie Green, struggle with eating disorders (including Anorexia), being sexually assaulted, and depression as well as more. I'm glad Katie has come out and written a graphic novel about these subjects because they are so often hidden away. It is quite along graphic novel (500 + pages). It was a bit slow and I struggled to get into it at first. Overall, it was okay, but I struggled to get through it. If you want to hear more of my thought, make sure to read my review. Review - 3/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17456953-lighter-than-my-shadow?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Lighter-Than-My-Shadow/9780224090988 Full Spoiler-Free Review - Noah Can't Even by Simon James Green Date Started - 29/8/2017 Date Finished - 31/8/2017 Synopsis: Poor Noah Grimes! His father disappeared years ago, his mother's Beyonce tribute act is an unacceptable embarrassment, and his beloved gran is no longer herself. He only has one friend, Harry, and school is...Well, it's pure HELL. Why can't Noah be normal, like everyone else at school? Maybe if he struck up a romantic relationship with someone - maybe Sophie, who is perfect and lovely - he'd be seen in a different light? But Noah's plans are derailed when Harry kisses him at a party. That's when things go from bad to utter chaos. I met Simon at the Manchester YA Cringe Panel and I was really excited to read Noah Can't Even after I heard him talk about it. It's one of those awkward contemporaries where nothing seems to go right for the main character. In this case, that was Noah. There was also more to this then just being a YA contemporary with an awkward protagonist, it's also a coming of age story as Noah has to decide what he's feeling and he also has quite a few family problems. This book covers it all. I found it super easy to get into and I was able to read it pretty quick. If I'd had more time to read it I probably would've finished it quicker. I began to really feel for Noah and I was rooting for him all along. The ending was a good one and I liked how things ended though I know there'll be more trouble in the sequel. Overall, I enjoyed it and am now quite looking forward to the sequel being released. Rate - 4/5 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33961524-noah-can-t-even?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Noah-Can-t-Even/9781407179940 Anyway, this is the end of my August wrap-up! I'm sorry for the long posts. I actually meant to keep it quite short and sweet, but then I just couldn't stop typing.
If you've read any of the books I've mentioned, let me know your thoughts below as well as how August was for you. I'm glad I managed to have a good reading month in August as September won't probably be as I go back to school and I'll be trying to get back into a routine. I'm going to try and carry on posting as regularly as I can because I've been doing quite well recently, though a lot of the posts have been book blitzes. I do have some more reviews coming soon though to mix things up a bit. Thanks for reading! BYE x |
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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