June and July wrap up, August TBR

In June I hoped  to read:

• Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan FAIL
• Ruined by Amy Tintera FAIL
• Flawed by Cecilia Ahern READ - Give me a cheer!
• Everland by Wendy Spinale FAIL
• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir FAIL

Oops. Sometimes you can be really ambitious with what you want to read, but in this case I actually read 14 books over the two months, so that wasn't why I couldn't get through the books on my TBR list. I suppose I just wasn't feeling in the mood for them? A lot was going on during these months, and I think I just need more 'oomph' or commitment than I had.

But what did I manage to read? Well...

Flawed by Cecilia Ahern
(4 stars on GoodReads)
"In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything."
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. I've read some of CA's books before, and whilst they weren't bad, I didn't love them. This book caught me up and left me wanting more.

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake 1) by Laurell K Hamilton

(4 stars on GoodReads)

"Readers will learn how Anita Blake started raising the dead-and killing the undead."

The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake 2) by Laurell K Hamilton

 (4 stars on GoodReads)

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake 3) by Laurell K Hamilton

(4 stars on GoodReads)

I enjoyed these three books, but after reading them I decided to stop. I have done some research on this series, and it seems to be the general consensus that they get ridiculous from about this point onwards. As I wasn't feeling hugely addicted, I thought this was a good place to stop.

Reread: Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
(always 5 stars)
"What would happen if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Fuzz" - Diana Gabaldon
I love this series so much! Seriously, read them already!

Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran
(4.5 stars, 5 on GoodReads)
‘I’ve lived through ten iOS upgrades on my Mac – and that’s just something I use to muck about on Twitter. Surely capitalism is due an upgrade or two?’
Oh Caitlin! I loved this book - it made me laugh in some parts, and was very serious in others. Definitely read Moranthology alongside this.

The Last Star by Rick Yancey
 (3.5 stars, 4 stars on GoodReads)
"They’re down here, they’re up there, they’re nowhere. They want the Earth, they want us to have it. They came to wipe us out, they came to save us."
I've got to say, this book was a bit of a let down. It is the final piece of the 5th Wave trilogy - I loved book 1 but 2 and 3 just didn't live up.

The princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace
(5 stars on GoodReads)
"a poetry collection divided into four different parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, & you."
I loved this, and it's a book of poetry. I never read poetry!

A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwabb
(4 stars on GoodReads)
"Kell is one of the last Antari: hopping from Grey London — dirty, boring, lacking magic, and ruled by mad King George — to Red London — where life and magic are revered — to White London — ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne — and back, but never Black London, because travelling to Black London is forbidden."
I really enjoyed this first book (in a series or trilogy? I'm not sure yet) - I love books that are set in London, plus those that have supernatural elements, so it was perfect.

Saga Volume 1
(4 stars on GoodReads)
"Star Wars-style action collides with Game of Thrones-esque drama in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers, as new parents Marko and Alana risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war."
I'm not a graphic novel/ comic expert, and have read hardly any, but I really enjoyed this. Can't get my head around some of the lifeforms though!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
(5 stars on GoodReads)
"Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first."
This is a type of 'spin-off' series from Leigh's Grisha Trilogy. I loved the world of the Grisha series, but not the stories or characters themselves. This book was perfect; set in the same universe, but new characters and a new plotline. 

The Boss by Abigail Barnette (AKA Jennifer Armintrout)
 (4 stars on GoodReads)
Jennifer Armintrout's answer to (and attempt to improve) the Fifty Shades of Grey disaster.

The Girlfriend by Abigail Barnette (AKA Jennifer Armintrout)
(4 Stars on GoodReads)
I really enjoyed these 'new' / 'alternative' versions of Fifty Shades of Grey. From my understanding AB/ JA set out to prove that books along the same lines as FSoG didn't have to be so horrendous, and she succeeded.

Curse of Tenth Grave (Charley Davidson 10) by Darynda Jones
(5 Stars on GoodReads)
"As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? "
I love Charley, what more can I say? I love saracastic, hyperactive, funny protags who have hot supernatural boyfriends and dramatic, interesting plot lines.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
(5 Stars on GoodReads)

"As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

(please see my dedicated post for my opinion on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child)

Here's my haul for both the months...

1 ARC from YALC, 4 books from Subscription boxes, 4 gifts, plus 9 I bought myself

August TBR Pile


To make sure I don't get stuck feeling under pressure to read my TBR books from last month, I've decided I'll take them all off August's TBR. This would be different if I'd been half way through, or on a roll reading them, but as it is, I don't.

My August TBR books are...

• The Court of Mist and Fury (I'm finally feeling inspired to read this!)
• The Jungle Book (we read some of this with our classes at school last term but it was too intense and hard work to finish)
• The Sin Eaters Daughter
• My Lady Jane
• This Savage Song (I now have two copies, both from subscription boxes
• The Magicians (I've started this so need to finish)
• A Gathering of Shadows (started this at YALC, need to finish!)
• Some kindle reads - I'm going away and will definitely be packing my Kindle!

GoodReads Update: 54/100 read

2016 Reading Challenge:

A book and it's prequel - Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (January) Assassin's Blade tbr soon!

A Book Written by a Celebrity - Gangsta Granny by David Walliams (January)

A Graphic Novel - River's of London: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch (January)

A Book Set in Europe - My Sword Hand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick (February)

A Book Set in the Summer - Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour (February)

A Book Based on a Fairytale - The October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire (February)
A Political Memoir - I am Malala (I think this counts!) by Malala Yousafzai (March)
A Book With a Blue Cover - Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (March)
A Book Set on an Island - Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning (March)
A Book Published in 2016 - Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs (March)
An Autobiography - How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran (April)
A Book Under 150 pages - Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell (April)
A Book Finished in the Day - Into the Woods by Kim Harrison (April)
A Book With an Unfamiliar Culture - Ms Marvel by G Willow Wilson (April)
A Book You Haven't Read Since High School - The Crysalids by John Wyndham (April)
A YA Best seller - The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (April)
A Science-Fiction Novel - Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman (May)
A Dystopian Novel - The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancy (May)
A Book Written by a Comedian - Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran (June)
A Book of Poetry - The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace (June)
A Book Set in your Home State - A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwabb (June)
A Romance Set in the Future - Saga Volume 1 (June)
A Book that's guaranteed to bring yoy joy - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (July)
A New York Times Best Seller - Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (July)
A Murder Mystery - The Curse of Tenth Grave by Darynda Jones (July)

2015 challenge continuation...

A Book I was Supposed to Read in School (I read all the books I was supposed to when I was a student in school - I've now read this as a teacher) - Gangsta Granny by David Walliams (January)

A Book Based on a True Story - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (March)

A Book that made me cry - The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (May)

The Christmas Song Book Tag

This tag is originally a booktuber one from youtube, but I have stolen the questions for my blog :) I listened to the songs on the list (the ones I had!) whilst answering them, whilst sitting next to the Christmas tree, so it all felt very festive!

“You’re a mean one Mr Grinch.”

Name a villainous character you couldn’t help but love.

This is the ‘Loki’ character, isn’t it? I can’t think of any book characters! I’m sure there are some! TV wise, I was always a Damon rather than Stefan fan (the Vampire Diaries) but I didn’t like the books…I always liked Rosalie in Twilight but she wasn’t a villain…lets pick *SPOILER* Cal from the Wicca series (Cate Tiernan) and both Richard and Luc from the same authors ‘Balefire’ series.

“All I want for Christmas is you”

Which book do you most want to see under your tree?

This year I’ve bought myself three books that I sent straight home, and I actually wrapped them and put them under the tree. They are: The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare (well, other authors but her ‘Shadowhunter universe’), I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins. Which book would I most like someone else to give me? I need to read Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, and I have about 375 books on my amazon TBR wishlist, so any of them!

“Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”

Name a character who overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves.

Fire, in the book Fire by Kristin Cashore! She is so full of guilt and self-disgust at the start of that book, and she is in fact an amazing character.

“Santa Claus is coming to town”

Which character would be top of the naughty/ nice list.

THERE ARE BOOK SPOILERS IN THIS ANSWER!

Top of the naughty list would be The Darkling from the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo…I don’t really want to say anymore in case you skipped my spoiler warning :P

Top of the good list would be…(I am struggling to pick a ‘good’ person here because I generally love characters who are a bit of both, and I can’t pick Fire again). Lets go for Peter from Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series (begins with Rivers of London). He’s not an angel, but he’s a good guy and an awesome character.

“Frosty the snowman”

Which book just melts your heart?

The first book that comes to mind is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusack, but I don’t think it is the right kind of ‘melt your heart’. The Book Thief gives me all of the emotions, but I’m fairly certain this is meant to be a ‘squishy feelings’ type of book…I’m going to go back an ag range from my norm (think very young YA) and pick the Agent Angel (it used to be called Angels Unlimited) series by Annie Dalton. These books are very cute!

“Feliz Navidad”

Name a book that takes place in a country other than your own.

I’m guessing it has to be this world? Many of my books are set in alternate worlds! I had to trawl through my amazon orders for the last year to check this. Purely because of their being loads of YA authors there, the USA seems to be a place with many books I have read but none stick to mind! I’m going to go with Scotland, and pick Outlander (called Cross Stitch in the UK) by Diana Gabaldon (and The Falconer book by Elizabeth May). I know Scotland is in the UK, but it IS a different country to England J

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”

Which holiday book do you use to spread the Chrismas joy.

Well, I haven’t read many Christmas themed books. My True Love Gave to Me is under the tree, but I haven’t read it. Lets go for Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs! I know the Snowman is more famous, but I have always loved this book J

“Sleigh Ride”

Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with?

Ooooooh the romance questions. Erm, can I choose Jamie from Outlander? If not…there aren’t many guys I’ve fallen for this year. I’ve gone for the awesome ladies instead. Lets throw in Mr Darcy, and Ian from The Host.

“Baby it’s cold outside”

Which book would you sacrifice and burn to keep yourself warm?

Breaking Dawn. I hate that book with enough fiery passion it already keeps me warm. Burning it would be an added bonus.

“Do you hear what I hear?”

What book do you think that everyone should read?

I think that lots of people haven’t read The Host because they are anti-Twilight, but it’s a really great book that I recommend. I also reaaaaaally enjoyed Witchlight by Susan Fletcher, and Stolen by Lucy Christopher. These books deserve more fans!

 

I hope everyone has had a fantastic Christmas Eve, and that tomorrow is amazing :D Enjoy your Christmas!

+ What I have read!

Following from the post I just added about why I have been absent, here is a post actually about books.

Somehow, amongst all of this, I have actually managed to read.

The Grisha Trilogy

As you can see, these are extremely attractive books. Written by Leigh Bardugo, the story is set in a fantasy land where people are either 'normal' or 'Grisha'. The Grisha possess a variation of (often elemental) magical powers, such as control of the wind or appearance, and most are employed by the King as part of an army. This army is led by a mysterious character known as the Darkling. The story follows Alina Starkov, a teenager who is part of the Kingdoms regular army (although, as in most fantasy worlds, the idea of being a teenager doesn't seem to really exist and people seem to be either children or adults). It follows her sudden immersion in the Grisha world, and the dangers that this new world brings.

This book was purchased from amazon.co.uk after I saw it recommended by booktubers who enjoyed it, and I must admit it stuck in my head because the name of the first book (Shadow and Bone) reminded me of 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' by Laini Taylor (which I loved!).
Looking at the covers, and the main characters name, I imagined the setting to be very similar to Russia or North Eastern Europe. In my mind the buildings and fashions took on those seen historically in Russia, and this definitely helped me to picture the setting more clearly. Overall, I enjoyed this series more than I predicted I would, especially whilst waiting for book three to be delivered. I spent a couple of nights trying to predict what was going to happen. In fact, I made a prediction about a particular part of the story only halfway through the second book, which was revealed to be true at the end of book three. I felt very proud of myself.

I would award this series 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it more than expected and was keen to know the end result. I am not giving it 5 out of 5 as I did not feel fully immersed, and didn't get the sense of addiction I often get from favourite series. I would however recommend it to others as it at was exciting to read.

Exquisite Captive

This book, I think was spoken about on another booktube channel. Set on our earth, with flashbacks to 'alternate world', this book is one of the only ones I've encountered that takes on the theme of genies, or 'jinni'. The 'exquisite captive' is a girl who was once part of her worlds Royal family, but following a rebellion was sold to earth as a slave jinni. She is forced to work for her 'master', who has bought her from the 'Dark Caravan' and makes her work by granting his clients wishes. She meets a rebel jinni who needs her help in order to save their home world.

I will be honest, I will not be continuing this series (I assume there are more to come) as I did not really enjoy my read. There were some good ideas, and a lot of potential, however I felt the plot focused too heavily on a love triangle that really did not need to exist, and that the writing was not strong enough to hold my attention. That being said, I wouldn't avoid the author entirely as I do believe she has a brilliant idea in her retelling of the genie theme. Because of all of this, I'm going to give the book 2.5 out of 5 stars. It isn't good enough to be ok, but it wasn't bad enough to deserve a 2.

Gone Girl

Wow, so I finally got hold of Gone Girl. This book was intense. It was also completely different to books I have read for the last few years. It is a definite thriller/ crime ish genre book, and I am definitely a fantasy/ science fiction lover, even though I love TV shows like NCIS. 

I think we all know the vague plot? I can't give too much away, obviously. Man, who may or may not be happily married, discovers his wife has gone missing, and she may or may not be presumed dead. He is a suspect. Did he kill her? Dun dun dun!

As mentioned, an intense read. I couldn't read it fast enough. And I say this literally because...I actually gave up reading the entire thing. I'm such a failure! The first half I read so precisely, just so I could try to spot any clues and to make sure I missed nothing. In the second half, I needed to know what was going to happen. So I skim read. I skipped some pages, and it didn't really hurt the story. I read huge chunks, then skipped random parts in between so I could have it finished. It was a very good plot, very intense, with so many twists and turns...but it just wasn't my style of book. I like books where you can feel passionately about the characters, even if they confuse you and make you feel conflicted. I like to feel a part of the story. In Gone Girl I felt like I was just trying to get to the conclusion. 

Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Half of these stars is purely because of the texts and phone calls I got from my mom after I gave it to her. She felt very strongly about many things, and read it in 3 days. She even had to cancel plans with her boyfriend, because like me she just had to know by the end of that evening. I almost wish I hadn't read the book, and had just seen the film (which I still haven't managed) because it is the type of story I love to watch but can't read.

Finnikin of the Rock

I am very angry as I type this because I haven't actually finished it. I lost it on the tube! I was about 3/4 of the way through! So I am not going to leave a review (yet...I am going to have to buy another copy or find an epub). I just want to express my annoyance. I was enjoying it so far though!

I forgot to mention - comment if you have any recommendations or thoughts based on the books I've read. I'd love to hear about what you thought of them, or if you disagreed completely. Also let me know if there is anything in particular you think would help my blog or my reading :)

Clair x