2015 Review

So my reading goal has finally been met with the completion of "365 days of Wonder" a book i read throughout the year. I hit a reading slump around October time, so surprised I completed this really. But again i beat my standard 50, reading the same number of books as in 2014. However I read more pages, which is pretty awesome.

 Books Read: 58

Pages: 20,317

Shortest Book: The Great Fire of London : Samuel Pepys : 55 pages

Longest Book: Tess of the D'Urbervilles : Thomas Hardy : 574pages

Average lenght of books: 350 pages

Average rating of books: 4.0

---

1. My True Love Gave to Me: 12 Festive Favourites - Stephanie Perkins

2. Thirteen - Tom Hoyle

3. Spiders - Tom Hoyle

4. The House We Grew Up In - Lisa Jewell

5. See How Small - Scott Blackwood

6. Body Double - Tess Gerritsen 

7. Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan 

8. Little White Lies - Lesley Lokko

9. A Single Breath - Lucy Clarke

10. The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks

11. Frozen: Stories from Arendelle - Landy Walker Quin

12. The Red Notebook - Antoine Laurain

13. The Maze Runner - James Dashner

14. The Scortch Trials - James Dashner

15. The Death Cure - James Dashner

16. The Kill Order - James Dashner

17. The Great Fire Of London - Samuel Pepys

18. A Girl Called Summer - Lucy Lord

19. Unspeakable - Abbie Rushton 

20. The Dying Place - Luca Vesta

21. Ratburger - David Walliams

22. Penelope - Rebecca Harrington

23. The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

24. The Girl in 6E - A.R. Torre

25. The Third Wife - Lisa Jewell

26. Gravity - Tess Gerritsen

27. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

28. Hidden Treasures - Fern Britton

29. Killing the Dead - Marcus Sedgwick

30. Wild - Cheryl Strayed

31. The Longest Ride - Nicholas Sparks

32. It Started With A Kiss - Miranda Dickinson

33. When I Fall in Love - Miranda Dickinson

34. War Horse - Michael Morpurgo

35. Son of a Witch - Gregrory Maguire

36. Daughter - Jane Shemilt

37. Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

38. Very Good Lives - J.K Rowling

39. The Last Honeytrap - Louise Lee

40. The Dish - Stella Newman

41. Survivor - Tom Hoyle

42. The Life I Left Behind - Collett McBeth

43. Fifty, Is Not A Four Letter Word - Linda Kelsey

44. The Rosie Effect - Graeme Simsion

45. The Three - Sarah Lotz

46. Dancing Shoes - Noel Streatfield

47. A Parcel for Anna Browne - Miranda Dickinson

48. I'll Give You The Sun - Jandy Nelson

49. Mosquitoland - David Arnold

50. Awful Auntie - David Walliams

51. Just A Girl, Standing In Front of a Boy - Lucy-Anne Holmes

52. Still Alice - Lisa Genova

53. Dream a Little Dream - Giovanna Fletcher

54. How to Stuff Up Christmas - Rosie Blake

55. Dream a Little Christmas Dream - Giovanna Fletcher

56. All Wrapped Up - Holly Smale

57. Christmas At the Cupcake Cafe - Jenny Colgan

58. 365 Days of Wonder - R.J Palacio
---

I've highlighted those I truely loved reading, I did love them all (except Penelope, that was just B.A.D) but for me, these stood out more. Most of them aren't new, they aren't even 2015 releases, but I enjoyed them all. I'm terrible at reading new books. I have them, but then pick up some other stuff.

Well 2015 has been great. Lets see what 2016 has to offer!!

365 Days of Wonder

Title: 365 Days of Wonder: Mrs Browne's Book of Precepts
Author: R.J. Palacio
Type: Hardback
Read: 1st January 2015 - 30th December 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 26th August 2014 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

The book wonder is one of my favourite reads ever. It's something that sat with me and will always do so. So I got this book as i loved the original.

This is pages and pages of quotes, by children and some famous ones in there too. I decided to read one a day for the year and the Mrs Browne's precepts when they arrived. Its a lovely book and will sit well with the collection.

'When given the choice of being right or being kind, always choose kind'

Go Get if From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Cover Reveal: Time to Say Goodbye

My first cover reveal is for the debut novel by S.D.Robertson. It's stunning!

It's out 11th February 2016! Pre order NOW! 

#SayGoodbye

A heart-rendering story about the unique bond between a father and his daughter, for fans of JOJO MOYLES and JOHN GREEN.

How do you leave the person you love the most?

Will Curtis's six year old daughter, Ella, knows her father will never leave her. After all, he promised her so when her mother died. And he's going to do everything he can to keep his word.

What Will doesn't know is that the promise he made to his little girl might be harder to keep than he imagined. When he's faced with an impossible decision, Will finds that the most obvious choice might not be the right one. 

But the future is full of unexpected surprises. And father and daughter are about to embark on an unforgettable journey together...   

Pre Order from: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe

Title: Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe (At the Cupcake Cafe #2)
Author: Jenny Colgan
Type: Paperback
Read: 21st December - 28th December 2015
Rating: 3/5
Published: 10th October 2013 by Sphere

Issy Randall, proud owner of the Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn't be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline aren't quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.

This was the last christmas book i could find on my shelf. So i decided to read it, upon realising i've had it on there for ages. The thing is, I have read a book by Jenny Colgan before, about Paris and a chocolate shop. So i knew what the author did. I also know this book is second in the Cupcake Cafe series, but the nice thing is, although helpful reading the first, the author actually writes a bit about the characters that will appear, what they did in the prior book, so you can understand it all.

Perhaps because I read it over christmas, I was in two minds about this book. I really wanted to like it. But then parts of me felt in dragged on, and i wanted it to move faster. I did like the story, the whole, shall we move to NYC because my boyfriend has a better job. But then I did think Austin was a numpty at times and really should just talk to Issy. Things get lost in translation and vast ocean doesn't help. My biggest gripe with him was when he sent Issy the cupcakes from NYC. Because every girl who owns a cupcake shop, wants them sent to her. I thought that was insensetive.

There was some lovely characters, Pearl being one and also Harriett. I loved both them for very different reasons. I did like the change of Caroline during the book from being a snooty to someone who actually appreciated what they had.

It was a good story and one to read about during christmas, the whole New York City thing just had me anyways, I love NYC, i love to be there at xmas. So Jenny wins on this.  

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery 

Christmasssss!!

Happy Christmas!!! 

I hope everyone had a lovely day and got to spend it with those they love. I had a really good one. It was spent with my sisters (minus one) and three of the babies. Plus my Nana and aunt and uncle. It was great. I'm very much a person who loves giving, I hate reciving actually. I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they open what they recieve. It's the small things. I never want for anything. Give me a card and I'm a happy girl.

But of course I got some things, I wont' go into them, but I did get lush PJ's and yes, xmas and new jammies are a must. It's like the best thing ever! But one of my favourite presents came from someone I didnt' actually know. I took part in two secret santas this year. One via Maximum Pop Books, which in return for doing, they sent me an arc of The Raging Light, so can't wait to read that. 

The other, was arranged online by Shannon who runs the Adventures of a Teenage Bookworm blog. Basically you sent in your name, details, postal address and a bit about you. And Shannon would pair you with someone. I actually loved this so much, it was exciting trying to find a book for someone who I didnt' know. I just had a wish list or three books they wished to have, or anything. It was alot of fun to make it special for them. But anyways, the person who had me, was just AMAZING! Seriously. The fun thing is, I never knew who it was, until I posted on twitter my goodies and realised, I follow their blog already and their twitter page. What i loved the most about this was how much effort went into their gifts. 

I was truely surprised and appreciated it all very much:

The most wonderful thing about it all was they took the time, seen what I liked and went for it. it was great. So who had me? Well it was Jess who runs the blog Jess Hearts Books Also worked out she's a Hufflepuff like moi! Anyways go check out both the blogs,t hey're awesome. I can't wait for next year. 

Have a good new years folks!

All Wrapped Up

Title: All Wrapped Up (Geek Girl #1.5)
Author: Holly Smale
Type: Hardback
Read: 19th December - 20th December 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 5th November 2015 by Harper Collins Childrens Books

Harriet Manners knows a lot about Christmas.
She knows that every year Santa climbs down 91.8 million chimneys.
She knows that Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was almost definitely a girl.
She knows that the first artificial Christmas trees were made out of goose feathers.
But this Christmas is extra special for Harriet, because four days ago she had her First Ever Kiss.
Now she just needs to work out what's supposed to happen next…

I won this book via Maximum Pop Books on twitter. I've never read anything by Holly Smale before, nor have I picked up any of the Geek Girl books. This is between 1-2. It's a short story.

Hannah Manners, knows everything, she can tell you quirky little quotes but she's clueless when it comes to dating. Especially since she has her first date with Lion Boy. She doesn't know how to act, how to be, what to do or anything. It sets of a tale of cute, teenage adventures. A surpise which Hannah mistakes for the museum that turns out to be a date to the Ice Skating rink.

It's a lovely story, I think it's adorable and probably so true of dates for anyone, let alone teeanagers. It's cute, it will make you smile. I'm glad i got to read this, and it also got me into the christmas spirit. A really good book, that i'm sure will now set me off with picking up the rest of the Geek Girl series. 

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Dream a Little Christmas Dream

Title: Dream a Little Christmas Dream
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Type: Paperback
Read: 18th December - 19th December 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 8th October 2015 by Michael Joseph

Sarah's doing great. Okay, her dreams might still be totally bananas but real life is definitely back on track. She's got a fantastic job, amazing friends and plans to spend all Christmas wrapped up with Brett, her handsome boyfriend.
But after another night of increasingly bizarre dreams, Sarah wakes to find her housemate suddenly announcing she's moving out. And later that day Brett begins to act strangely. He's clearly hiding something - but what?
Soon Sarah can't help but wonder if she's living in a festive nightmare. Will any of her dreams come true for Christmas?

I totally loved the story of Sarah & Brett in 'Dream a Little Dream'. This is a mini christmas exclusive. It's a short story and it lives up to the crazyness that Sarah is, her dreams are still just a little out there.

Here we see Sarah & Brett have their first christmas together. But one of Sarahs dreams seem to be coming true (to her!) and she gets a feeling that Brett is going to dump her. He's acting very strange when Sarah approaches the subject of their future. Because of Sarahs crazy imagination, she's breaking on the inside. Everyones in the christmas spirit and she's trying desperatly to keep up.

Like i said its a short story and can be read in one sitting. If it doesn't make you all super gooey and excited for the christmas festivities, then what?!!! I love it. It was the perfect christmas story. I would love to read more on this fab couple!

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Waterstones 

How to Stuff up Christmas

Title: How to Stuff Up Christmas
Author: Rosie Blake
Type: Paperback
Read: 10th December - 18th December 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 5th November by Corvus

'Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone...

Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen.

But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat?

A hilarious and heart-warming novel about Christmas, catastrophes and cooking, containing exclusive Christmas recipes, from the talented Rosie Blake.

When news came out that Rosies second book was due christmas and in paperback, I was overly excited. Firstly i adore Rosie, she seems such a lovely person, her twitter page is a must to follow, you'll never fail to smile whilst reading tweets! So yes, i pre-ordered this book the moment I could. It was tourture to wait. I kinda expect books to just come when i order...

So How to Stuff Up Christmas, was released in November. I got it and I wanted to keep it until Christmas. It was going to be my first christmas book to read, and it was, with exactly a week to go till the big day, I stayed up till v.late just so i could finish it, totally worth being late for work the next day.

The book is about Eve, who discovers her fiance Liam, is cheating on her, is the worst possible way, via text, on his phone (lets ignore that part!). Its cruel. So with christmas coming up, Eve can't fast the festivties with her family and sets her mind on doing something alone. I gota give it to Eve, I would never be brave enough to up and go away at christmas on my own. Let alone live on a boat! But she does and its wonderfull.

I love everyone in the book (except Liam and Ro-Ro!) but yeah, Marmite was just the most adorable dog ever and the geese part was just hilarious. I did love Daisy too, she was so innocent and wanted everyone happy so i felt for her towards the end, although i did think it was her all along. The relationship between Eve and Greg, made me smile, it was great to see them grow and stuff. I was sometimes annoyed with Greg for hiding his secret but I can totally understand it. I just think its a typical man thing. They're brave.. la te da!

Ooh and i really really loved Harriet. The big sister, she was ace. Kicked butt. I kinda hope my sisters think i'm like that but yeh they dont'. She was great. I want a big sister like Harriet.

Seriously if you want a book that will make you laugh and feel all kinds of crazy emotions and get you in the mood for christmas, then this book is it. There are also some cracking christmas receipes throughout (i'm going for the mulled wine one!).

Can't wait for Rosies next book!

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Dream A Little Dream

Title: Dream A Little Dream
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Type: Paperback
Read: 22nd November - 9th December 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 18th June by Penguin

Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

But it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.
Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?

 I've never read anything by Giovanna before, so i picked up this book, mainly due to the cover. It's cute and all lovey dovey.
Admittedly I was torn at first, the book started slow and parts of it grated on my nerves, like Sarah and her crazy situation where she was still friends with her ex who is now within the group involving his new girlfriend on whom he cheated on Sarah with. I probably would have just gone mental.

But the story does pick up. Sarah is actually a really lovely, crazy down to earth girl. Her friends are just wonderful (still ignoring the ex though) and together they're just the type of friends you want to have. Sarah did make me laugh a lot as her dreams of 'Brett' got so out there, aliens, space, mad for it la la. It's just OTT.

The relationship between Sarah and Real Brett, was my favourite. I loved the development of the two characters, how they got together gradually, however much they both really wanted it, was adorable. It's something i would totally love. They never said they were together but its how they became and i think that part was what got me the most. It's probably what bumped up my score so much.

Overall this was a great story, there is a mini christmas edition of this book which is a short story about Sarah. I'm tempted to get hold of it just to see what christmas does to them.

Great author, think i'll have to find the other books now.

Go Get It From: Amazon UK  | Book Depository | Waterstones

Book Post: Geek Girl - All Wrapped Up

I won a book.. and geek glasses and a badge. Oh it was signed too.
I've never read the Geek Girl series so thats going on the wishlist but I won this book from Maximum Pop Books last week and it arrived today. How lovely is it. I'm actually thinking i'll read it once i've finished the book I'm on. You know to get into the christmas spirit!!

Still Alice

Title: Still Alice
Author: Lisa Genova
Type: Paperback
Read: 17th November - 21st November 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 26th February 2015 by Simon & Schuster UK

Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty, she's a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a renowned expert in linguistics, with a successful husband and three grown children. When she begins to grow forgetful and disoriented, she dismisses it for as long as she can until a tragic diagnosis changes her life - and her relationship with her family and the world around her - for ever.
Unable to care for herself, Alice struggles to find meaning and purpose as her concept of self gradually slips away. But Alice is a remarkable woman, and her family learn more about her and each other in their quest to hold on to the Alice they know. Her memory hanging by a frayed thread, she is living in the moment, living for each day. But she is still Alice. 

A heartbreaking tale of Alice who not long after turning 50, is diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. We see this from Alice's view, from the trial of coming to terms with it, and to the fear she has of one day realising, that she will loose her memories and everyone around her.

It's a touching story, it's sad and you'll look at this disease in a new light. It does make you think. Alice is a hard working mum of three, she's a doctor at Harvad university, she's known for her work, her mind, her brilliance. It's a scary thought that its all taken away from her.

I really felt for Alice and her three children. I wasn't at all fond of her husband John. I don't think he could cope with it and the choices he made or wanted to make seemed really selfish. He's way because well Alice wont' remember.

I would watch the film for this, just to see how its' on the big screen. However i'm not sure if its based on a true story or not. But its a wonderful, thought provoking book.

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Illumicrate - Unboxed

The latest subscription box is out and this time is turn for us in the UK, who can finally get hold of a book subscription package. Once a quarted Illumicrate will send out book related boxes, this being the first one. I had to sign up for it. So whats's inside...

1. Wolf by Wolf - Ryan Graudin {signed}
2. Wolf Tattoo Bookmark
3. Mockingjay Necklace 
4. Harry Potter Series Poster
5. Books before Looks Pocket Mirror
6. Six of Crows Badge

So was it worth it. You bet it was. I've never read anything by Ryan Graudin before and this is the first in a seires. The book mark is gorgeous and I'm in love with the mirror! Overall, i'm gutted to wait till February for the next one!

If you want more on Illumicrate check out: www.illumicrate.com 

Just A Girl, Standing in Front of A Boy

Title: Just A Girl, Standing In Front of A Boy
Author: Lucy-Anne Holmes
Type: Paperback
Read: 29th October - 8th November 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 30th January 2014 by Sphere

'My love story may not be the sort you read about in books or see in films . . . Love stories have glorious highs and ghastly lows. But when it comes to my own life, I'd have to say, you can keep your fabulous highs and I'll happily steer clear of the terrible lows.'

After a rocky start in life, Jenny Taylor, 27, star receptionist at the local doctors surgery, has things all worked out thanks to a list of ten daily things she must do to keep the blues at bay. But her life is turned upside down when she meets aspiring musician Joe King. And reliable boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum leaves her dad and moves into Jenny's flat determined to 'bond'.

This book screamed to me Notting Hill. It also said, do not read becuase you love Notting Hill so much and this book won't be at all about it or like it in any way, shape or form. It was correct, but I really enjoyed the book.

The story is about Jenny or Fanny as she is known by her friends due to her childhood nickname. Jenny lives in a small town whilst flat sharing with Al, a guy she randomly met whilst at a kebab stall. Jenny's best friend Philippa also lives near them. Together they're the three musketeers, the three amigos, the ones who can always make each other laugh and be there for each other, no matter what. Their friendship is to be really admired, its so close and just great to read about.

Jenny is dating Matt, an over ambitiius, numpty. He doesn't really ever have time for Jenny nor their relationship. He seems to think he knows her and proposes ontop of the London Eye (Jenny is afraid of heights). Whilst planning the wedding with her best friend, Jenny then meets the lovely Joe King (dear books, stop making joke names and expecting me to read them with a straight face). They're electric together, they're meant to be. Oh and Jenny hasn't seen her mum for years due to life before she left home and suddenly mum is on the door step, aparently left her dad. It's all fun and games.

I did enjoy the story, I liked how Jenny and her mum became friends again, how they eventually got over what happened in the past. I loved the friendship between Jenny and Philippa. I loved their little note giving as ways of making people smile. I didnt' like Matt. He was just ugh, wanted to change everything about Jenny just so he could get a promotion or made a partner at work. Such a hypocrit with things too.

Joe was lovely, they're a match made in heaven and i wanted everything to turn out all lovely like Notting Hill in the end. It's a really good story, the writing style was different but it worked.  

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery

Last Book Haul of the Year

This is a mixture of book hauls, I've been very slacking lately and just haven't had time to do anything book related posting really. But I've brought these lovelies since September to now. I've read two of them so far as well.

1. Gorsky - Vesna Goldsworthy
2. The Leopard - Giuseppe Tomasi De Lampedusa
3. Animal Farm - George Orwell
4. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
5. A Parcel For Anna Browne - Miranda Dickinson {Read}
6. How To Stuff Up Christmas - Rosie Blake
7. Mosquitoland - David Arnold {Read}
8. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon
9. The Deep - Nick Cutter
10. Love Letters to the Dead - Ava Dellaira
11. Carry On - Rainbow Rowell
12.  Through the Woods - Emily Carroll

I got Mosquitoland & The Deep via Bookbridgr which I was super pleased about. Mosquitland is really enjoyable and The Deep looks really dark. I was told Gorksy is an updated verision of The Great Gatsby, I picked it up not knowing that until I paid, but the cover was bright red and stood out. So i cant' wait to get around to reading it.

Everyone knows why I brought Carry On. It's one of the most talked about books this year having made is fictional debut in Fangirl.. so the fact we get a whole book about Baz and Simon Snow is just wonderful. I'm really hoping it lives up to expectation. I'm also so overly excited to finally get my hands on Rosies book;  How to Stuff Up Christmas. This one, I have also waited patiently for as well.. so woo I got it delivered the day before release date. And I was invited to the book launch which is happening next week in London, sadly I am flying out to Poland on the day it's to take place, so I'm very gutted I will be missing all the fun.

My final exciting book is the graphic novel 'Through the Woods'. I've never read a graphic novel before, and when I searched on good reads, found there were thousands. But alot fo them seemed like they were part of a series which I didnt' really want. So when i seen this one, i ummed and Ahh'd about it for ages. I took the plunge and it looks good. I've only flicked through it so far, but some of the graphics are scary as... good time to read around all-hallows-eve.

Awful Auntie

Title: Awful Auntie
Author: David Walliams
Type: Hardback
Read: 25th October - 27th October 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 24th September 2014 by Harper Collins Childrens Books

From larger than life, tiddlywinks obsessed Awful Aunt Alberta to her pet owl, Wagner – this is an adventure with a difference. Aunt Alberta is on a mission to cheat the young Lady Stella Saxby out of her inheritance – Saxby Hall. But with mischievous and irrepressible Soot, the cockney ghost of a chimney sweep, alongside her Stella is determined to fight back... And sometimes a special friend, however different, is all you need to win through.

The only book of David Walliams I've read to date is Ratburger and that left me feeling blah. This book though, is brillant. I loved it from start to finish. It's a kids book, yes. But even us adults enjoy the simple things. It's a nice easy read.

Lady Stella has lost her parents and now her Awful aunt Alberta is to look after her. Alberta only wants the deeds to Saxby Hall, the deeds that belong to Stella. There is plenty of mischief and mayhem throughout the book where Stella and her trusted ghost friend are to save themselves and the house from the evil aunt.

It's a cracking book. I must add, that the hardback edition is great, if you have a sneak under the dust jacket the main cover is goregous. It really is wonderful.

Go Get It From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones 

Mosquitoland

Title: Mosquitoland
Author: David Arnold
Type: Paperback
Read: 10th October - 23rd October 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 10th September 2015 by Headline

When her parents unexpectedly divorce, Mim Malone is dragged from her beloved home in Ohio to the 'wastelands' of Mississippi, where she lives in a haze of medication with her dad and new (almost certainly evil) stepmom. But when Mim learns her real mother is ill back home, she escapes her new life and embarks on a rescue mission aboard a Greyhound bus, meeting an assortment of quirky characters along the way. And when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.

I recieved a copy via bookbridgr for review. At first i was very torn with this. I had high hopes and during the first part, I was slightly let down. However give this book a chance. It does get better.

Mim lives with her dad and his partner. They moved away from Ohio and from Mim's mum without any reason, well to Mim. So when she hears them talking about her mum in the principles office at school one day, she skips school and heads on a journey back home.

I felt really sorry for Mim at times, she was young and felt like she had a lot to prove. Throughout the book, Mim is writing to somone called Izzy which at first I thought was her aunt, but we find out later it's her sister, not yet born. We have to remember Mim is still young and therefore shouldnt' really be travelling across the US at all on her own. She meets a bunch of interesting characters and some not so.

My favourites were Walt, Arlene and Beck. They all make huge impacts to Mim and the things she does. I did fall in love towards the end of the book. Mim and Walts relationship was just amazing, I was all smiley happy for them, they were great. And Beck, he was great. He was this nice guy, who helped out, was there and listened.

It needs to be read. It's written in leters, notes, pictures and its seems like a journal of Mim.  

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones

I'll Give You The Sun

Title: I'll Give You The Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Type: Paperback
Read: 27th September to 4th October 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 2nd April 2015 by Walker Books

Jude and her twin Noah were incredibly close - until a tragedy drove them apart, and now they are barely speaking. Then Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy as well as a captivating new mentor, both of whom may just need her as much as she needs them. What the twins don't realize is that each of them has only half the story and if they can just find their way back to one another, they have a chance to remake their world.

I brought this book because its bright yellow, the edge of the pages are bright yellow and at the time i was buying lots of books with pretty colourful pages. I tried reading this a while back and wasn't liking it so i left it. Picking it up again recently, I'm still torn.

The story is told is chapters by twins Noah and Jude. Noah whilst he is around 13/14 years old and Jude a few years later whilst she is sixteen years old. They're great characters but sometimes I just felt the book was too arty.

The twins know each other inside out, they're synced. They have telepathic powers and they trade parts of the world. Noah holding most of it so far. But when tragedy strikes, they fall apart. No longer speaking, they can't stand the sight of each other. Their lives are a mess. Not how they planned it. But why and how did it all happen and what can bring them back together.

I didn't really connect with either character greatly but I did enjoy reading and learning more about Jude than Noah. I was torn so much about why he was so angery and why he became someone totally different over night. The twin are great at art so this book covers a lot of that. The pages are even a mishmash of black arty things. Even some black pages throughtout the book. I perhaps liked the quirkyness of it.

I think this book is mostly aimed at teens. Possibly why when reading it, I was so bent on giving this a three. But the ending. That ending was just magical, it worked and i loved it so much. It's why it got bumped up to a four. But i wished i had that throughout the book.

Go Get It From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones

A Parcel for Anna Browne

Title: A Parcel for Anna Browne
Author: Miranda Dickinson
Type: Paperback
Read: 21st September - 26th September 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 24th September by Pan Macmillan

Anna Browne is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. Her day job as a receptionist in bustling London isn't exactly her dream, yet she has everything she wants. But someone thinks Anna Browne deserves more . . .
When a parcel addressed to Anna Browne arrives, she has no idea who has sent it. Inside she finds a beautiful gift - one that is designed to be seen. And so begins a series of incredible deliveries, each one bringing Anna further out of the shadows and encouraging her to become the woman she was destined to be. As Anna grows in confidence, others begin to notice her - and her life starts to change.

But who is sending the mysterious gifts, and why?

Where do i start with this book. Okay, first the cover. Its stunning. I love love love it. So pretty, sparkly and love-y! Secondly I'm fast fast becoming a big fan of Miranda. Seriously, i love her books. Also helps she's a local girl and yes, love her writing.

So this book arrived two weeks early (thank you waterstones) and i couldn't wait to get started. The book is about Anna Browne. A normal looking receptionist who works for the Messanger. A national newspaper. Theres nothing outstanding about Anna, she loves her job and those around her. So when she recieves a parcel to work, she's amazed and excited by such a gift. The parcel, is marked for Anna but with no details of the sender. Que a lot of fun.

The first gift is a gorgeous scarf and by wearing it Anna becomes noticed. She's also given the task of shadowing the utterly gorgeous Ben. A journalist who Anna has adored from afar.

Soon the parcels keep coming, Anna becomes the talk of the building. And the gifts keep getting more and more wonderful. They're truely magical.

Of course with the good, must come bad. Soon Anna's story is worldwide news. She's caught between her work and personal life. Her mother makes an appearance and her best friend gets his wires crossed. But throughout all this, we still have no idea who the mystery sender is. The book does give you two leads.. and it seemed pretty obvious who it was. But i love books that make you back track and rethink everything. Miranda is very good at this. What i think is going to happen, never seems to. Its tourture.

I was up till gone midnight last night reading this and when i found out the sender. I was like what, but it all made sense, really it did.

I loved this book, I loved the magical-ness of it, i loved the mystery. It's super cute but gets you thinking. It's funny and sad.

Plus if you follow Miranda on twitter, you will know that there is currently a treasure hunt on in three of the largest cities in the UK. Find pictures of the gifts Anna recieves... and you too may get a surprise! Very exciting.  

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones

Dancing Shoes

Title: Dancing Shoes (Shoes #9)
Author: Noel Streatfeild
Type: Paperback
Read: 14th September - 17th September 2015
Rating: 3/5
Published: 1995 by Hodder & Stoughton

When their mother dies, leaving them orphaned, Rachel and Hilary are sent to live with their aunt, who runs a troupe of dancing girls - Mrs Wintle's Little Wonders. Hilary, a talented dancer, settles there immediately and loves the chance to dance everyday.
Rachel finds it more difficult to fit in. She's also got another worry on her mind. Her mother's dying wish was for Hilary to attend the Royal Ballet School. But Hilary seems to have other ideas!

I got this book free so i won't moan, but I really didn't enjoy the story as much a I had hoped. I know its a childrens book and a very popular series, but this one no. I heard of these books, via the movie 'You've Got Mail' and i loved that film. But i think perhaps the first book Ballet shoes is the most popular.

This book is simple to read, although I thought it wasn't very clear either. It was very stop, start. The story is about Rachel and Hilary who are left orphans after their mother dying. They are not biological sisters with Hilary being adopted when Rachels' father was an actor in Hollywood. However when news comes to their aunt that they are to live with her, she wants to send Hilary away as at those times, if yuo wasn't family, you wasn't really one to have.

But thankfully after finding out Hilary can dance and to avoid having her properly trained Mrs Wintle decides to take both girls to live with her and her daughter, Dulcie, who is a talented dancer. She's special and no-one can or will beat her.

Dulcie is a brat, there is no other word for it. She's nasty, perfect and everyone has to know about it. I don't think its her fault really. Mummy has made her child into this person and therefore she knows nothing elese. We have two very strong characters in Hilary and Dulcie and Rachel is the meek one.

But the book is of learning lessons, which I was glad of. I'm just annoyed at how fickle Mrs Wintle really was. If anyone beat her daughter, got a part, became more popular, then she didn't wnat to know. But i did love uncle Tom. He always had time for all three girls, and knew exactly how to get Rachel to be herself. I felt sorry for Rachel,she wanted to bring her mothers wish to life but had to realise things weren't meant to be. I think she had such a mature way of looking at life, and for a child she shouldn't have had to.

It's a nice story, one you can fly through. I'll probably read or pass this on to my neices when they're old enough to read. It's very much for little girls. I do want to read some of the others in the shoes series, they look interesting.

Go Get It From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones 

The Three

Title: The Three (The Three #1)
Author: Sarah Lotz
Type: Paperback
Read: 5th September -  13th September 2015
Rating: 5/5
Published: 26th February 2015 by Hodder Paperback

Black Thursday. The day that will never be forgotten. The day that four passenger planes crash, at almost exactly the same moment, at four different points around the globe. There are only four survivors. Three are children, who emerge from teh wreckage seemingly unhurt. But they are not unchanged. And the fourth is Pamela May Donald, who lives just long enough to record a voice message on her phone. A message that will change the world.
The message is a warning.

I've avoided reading this book for so long. Partly because I read reviews and they were so mixed, I wasn't sure I picked a good book. Rule number one. Never read reviews to decide if you like a book. Even the good ones. Avoid them all.

Turns out I kinda loved this book. A lot.

Black Thursday. It's a day that changed the world. Four plane crashes, hundreds dead. Yet how can four people survive? Three children. One adult, who manages to leave a message for her pastor before she too dies. It's one that sends the world a little more crazier than it already is.

It's not writen in your typical story manner, its written almost as snippets of time. Interviews, articals, recordings, IM chats. It's told from loads of peoples views.

I thought I wouldn't enjoy how it was wrote as so many it seemed didn't like it. But i thought it was well thought out. It really worked with this book. We got to see the inital crashes, then the reality of what has happened, through to finding three of the children alive. From there, it details how their respective families cope with looking after children again, some who never has had them, whilst others who didn't think it would happen again. Yet underneath it all, is the dark side, the crazies, people saying that these children are aliens. The end of the world is near.

It's actually an addictive book. It's one you can fly through, because its so good, and you want to know more, need to know if these children are normal. Jess, the survivor of the UK plane, creaped me out the most. She was scary, sneaky and yet normal all mixed into one. She managed to send her uncle mad. I liked Bobby, he seemed sweet, he gave life back to his grandad. Hiro was inbetween the two. Okay, as he never really spoke and creapy at times.

Rumors of a fourth child that might have survived circled and although in the book we knwo thats true, no-one ever really finds him. Which obviously leads on to the follow up book 'Four'.

The only slight disappointment was the ending, i'm a little unsure of that, but then again, reading it, i'm not sure if the whole lot was a dream. It got me thinking, scared to fly, but thinking nonetheless. I'm glad i decided to read it.

Go Get It From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones

Blog Tour: Colette McBeth - The Life I Left Behind

I'm really excited to have the chance to be on the blog tour for 'The Life I left Behind' by Colette Mcbeth. I  read this book recently and could not put it down. It's certainly one of my favourites this year. Today, Colette tells us how she managed to get published.

-------

How did I get published?
The short answer is that I wrote a book.
The longer one goes something like this; I wanted to be an author from the age of seven and it took me almost thirty years to become one. When people said it was difficult to write a book, and practically impossible to get published, I listened. I worried, (and not without reason) that I didn't know how to write a novel. Where would I start? How would I spin it out? How would I end? Once university was over, I had the idea for a novel and put it to one side. I needed to earn money and then I wanted a career. Before I knew it, I had children, a fat mortgage and a full time job. I had no time whatsoever. And what if I wrote the damn thing, entirely in my own sweat, only to realise that not even my mother - a woman who still had my GCSE art framed on her wall - could bring herself to read it? So I didn't write. I read voraciously, marvelled at brilliance of other novels, thought that maybe one day... but I didn't write.

My luck changed when I changed. I decided to stop boring myself (and others) with my unrealised ambition and just do it. I got a place on the Faber Academy Writing a novel course. I wanted guidance and discipline. I reasoned that after forking out thousands of pounds - paid for on credit card - I HAD to write. I had a great tutor who helped me see what was and wasn't working and why. But perhaps the biggest thing the course did for me was deconstruct the process. It became less terrifying. I wasn't so dwarfed by the scale of the task. I took each day at a time and concentrated on writing a little as often as I could.

I wrote the book and my fears were realised. It was rubbish. Even on a wet afternoon in Newcastle my mother would have struggled with it. But happily, I realised that I could polish rubbish. I could take it apart and put it back together again and again, making it better each time. You can't do that with an empty page. At the end of my creative writing course I read an extract of my 'novel' to a roomful of agents. A handful asked to see more. I said no, because it still wasn't good enough. But I thanked them and kept in touch. Six months later, I finally sent it out. I got an agent, worked on the book all summer, lived it, breathed it, almost went mand with it. In early October it was sent out to the world. A week later I had a book deal.

How did you get published?
You can ask any author the same question and the long answer will always be different, but the sort one, I can say with 100pc certainty, will always be the same. I got published because I wrote a book.

-------

Former BBC correspondent Colette McBeth is the author of Precious Thing, and this year's The Life I Left Behind, as well as a member of Killer Women.

-------

 
'I'm the only one who knows the secrets her friends have hidden,
the mistakes the police have made. 
I'm the only one who can warn her she's still in danger.
I know exactly who attacked her.

He's the same man who killed me.'






More about Colette: @ColetteMcBeth | www.colettemcbeth.com
Find my review here..

Make sure you follow the rest of the tour to find out more!

The Rosie Effect

Title: The Rosie Effect (Don Tillman #2)
Author: Graeme Simsion
Type: Hardback
Read: 28th August - 1st September 2015
Rating: 4/5
Published: 30th December 2014 by Penguin

Join everyone's favourite unconventional couple Don Tillman and Rosie in the next chapter of their love story
With the Wife Project complete, Don settles happily into a new job and married life in New York. But it's not long before certain events are taken out of his control and it's time to embark on a new project . . .

As Don tries to get to grips with the requirements of starting a family, his unusual research style soon gets him into trouble. To make matters more difficult, Don has invited his closest friend to stay with them, but Gene is not exactly a prime example of marital happiness, and as his life with Rosie continues to be unpredictable Don needs to remember that emotional support is just as important as his practical expertise . . 

I read 'The Rosie Project' last year and I absolutely loved it. I've had the sequal on my TBR pile for ages. In this book, the Rosie Effect, we see our unconventional couple Rosie and Don, embark on a new life. Firstly they upped and left Oz for the USA, and now Rosie is pregnant. Don never planned parenthood so soon after marriage and his world once again is turned a little crazy.

The characters development in this book at times seemed very dramatic. I often found Rosie a little hard to like, which was a shame. She was trying to juggle pregnancy, a thesis and trying to figure out her thoughts towards Don and fatherhood. Then we have Don, who's life is dominated, slightly less so now, by routine and he just doesn't know what to think/ feel about becoming a dad. It's not in his mind to feel anything but he can do something. He can research and this is where all the trouble begins.

One character I did not like even at the end was Lydia. I think from meeting her so early on in the book and then her apperance throughout annoyed me. She was just so ignorant. So blantely rude to Don and it really worked me up. I know its just a book, but she was wrong, so very wrong. And it made me think that stuff she said, still goes on today.

Don does get himself into a bit of trouble and thanks to his few friends, Dave, George and Gene, he probably gets in to much worse. Listening to any of them wasn't wise. But I still loved Don, I still wanted everything to work out for him and i wanted Rosie to see sense.

Perfection doesnt' exist and i think Rosie missed her reasoning behind her choices. She knew by getting married to Don, he wasn't perfect and had a structured way of life. Yet that was the thing that her mind was telling her was wrong.

But as a book, it's probably not everyones cup of tea, some may even think why was a sequal even wrote. But i think it showed the next stages of Don's life and his ability to adapt to these, and feel emotions, even small ones, graudally. I love the progress he made.

Overall an excellent follow up. Although it would behard to beat the first!  

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones

August Book Haul

I'm actually surprised i've got this many books this month. I wasnt' expecting to get many after the craziness of July. But a few things happened. I went to Ireland, so therefore I had to buy more books. Three infact. Plus whist shopping in an independant book store {Dubray Books}, i got the Harper Lee bag with the books in, so i'm in love with it. Was a nightmare trying to get back in a case without getting it crushed. Then for my birthday as I recieved some money last month, i treated myself to the Rebel Editions of the Hunger Games series. I'm actually really excited to read these. The bright covers are just amazing.

Then, as per previous posts, I won three books via instagram and these arrived too. Waterstones sent out 'Surviour two weeks early or so and I read that whilst being delayed travelling to Ireland. Again, I love the brightness of this cover and so glad it matches the two previous books by Tom Hoyle.

1. Survivor - Tom Hoyle
2. You, Me & Other People - Fionnuala Kearney
3. The Sisters - Claire Douglas
4. Paperweight - Meg Haston
5. The Old Curiosity Shop - Charles Dickens
6. The Wings of the Dove - Henry James
7. The Life I Left Behind - Colette McBeth
8. The Hunger Games (Hunger Games #1) - Suzanne Collins
9. Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) - Suzanne Collins
10. Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) - Suzanne Collins
11. How To Build A Girl - Caitlin Moran
12. A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin
13. The Rain (The Rain #1) - Virgina Bergin
14. The Ice Cream Girls - Dorothy Koomson
15. A Little Princess - Frances Hogdson Burnett
16. A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams  

 I have some amazing books this month of which two are currently read (a first for me!) But i promise, my book buying is going to be slow coming up to christmas. I've a handful on pre-order so as long as i tempt myself away from bookstores, pre-orders are all i should aquire! 

Fifty is not a Four Letter Word

Title: Fifty is not a Four Letter Word
Author: Linda Kelsey
Type: Paperback
Read: 22nd August - 27th August
Rating: 4/5
Published: 1st July 2007 by Hodder & Stoughton

Life begins at 50.. Well, it certainly does for Hope, though not at all as she had planned. She reluctantly hits her half-century on New Year's Day and within weeks her career, her marriage and her self-esteme are in free-fall. But Hope has guts - and a sense of humor. By the end of her annus horribilis, she has aquired a taste for designer underware, climbing mountains - and the memory of one perfect night in Paris. A funny, wise and touching look at all the issues closest to our hearts. The novel grown-up girls have been waiting for.

Meet Hope, she's due to turn 50 on new years day and doesnt' like it one bit. 50 means she's a half a century, she's getting old and everything is changing, she can deal with that, slightly, if she ignores it. But at least she has her family, her devoted husband Jack, her typically moody eighteen year old son Olly and a successful job as editor of a magazine. Turning 50, she can ignore because everything around her is fine.

So what happens, when it's not? Suddenly turning 50 is the worse thing in the world, Hopes family falls apart and she's made redundant from her job in favour of someone younger and more fresher. Hope has no idea what to do. Not being in control is something Hope doesnt' know how to deal with. She's used to being busy, planning, and doing. Not sitting and waiting. Then her mother falls ill, her best friend falls out with her, can anything else go wrong?

This book is probably aimed more at those who are of the mature age, however as someone in their thirties i throughly enjoyed it. It had me laughing in places and cringing in others. I was with Hope all the way through the good times and the bad and the just plain crazy times.

I loved the change we see of Hope, from being compelety in control of her life and possibly everyones around her, to suddenly having no-one rely on her was a huge step. The fact Hope after mourning her loss decided to try things that weren't of her normal activites, made me smile, from going to Paris on her own, to the encounter there with the lovely but sleazy Dan, to trecking across moutians, Hope gave it her all.

It's not to say Hope was perfect or a warming character at first, no, she was a pain in the bottom. Everyone was expected to tend to her at times, she had to be the centre of attention and her rift with her mother wound me up. But it's typical life. It's what everyone goes through at times. And i think for Hope especially she had to learn the hard way to really truely appreicate what she had and who she had around her.

The ending was nice, although a little not what i was expecting. I think the author left it up to us to decide what we think happens between Hope and Jack in the end. But i think she's better off on her own now.

Overall a wonderful book. I'd recommend everyone to read but possibly the mature ones will understand it more.

Go get it from: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones