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

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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
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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!!