Matched by Ally Condie | #magicalreadathon2020

Matched by Ally Condie
Pages: 366
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Rating: 💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love. How many children they have. Where they work. When they die.
But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with a boy who isn't her match, she is determined to make some choices of her own. And that's when her whole world begins to unravel...


Read to complete the prompt: read a book that starts with an 'M'

Okay so as the world is crashing and burning around us, my brain automatically turns to dystopian romances as a way to deal with it all. Trust me, I don't understand it either. 

This book came out a long time ago. I was thinking about this earlier, but it has only just occurred to me that when this book came out my brother wasn't even in nursery yet and now he is almost in his second year high school so...wow. There's late to the party and then there's whatever I am with this book. This might have worked in my favour, because it meant I wasn't still caught up in the dystopia craze of the early 2010's. Nowadays I only read one dystopian series a year, so whenever I do read a new dystopia novel it feels a little more unique, but I can definitely see why people think this novel is just a rehash of some other books (I've included a list of the books it reminded me of at the end of this review).

First of all, the characters in this story all felt so 3D and multi-layered that it was kind of surprising to me. You could definitely see that Ally Condie had spent a portion of time developing each character, giving them hidden complexities that we slowly get shown throughout the novel. In the case of personalities, Condie utilises the phrase 'show not tell' which makes the story more captivating. I have read a couple of reviews since finishing the book and I saw that most people hated the characters (found them annoying, one-dimensional etc...) but I really loved them. If I were to be perfectly honest I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters more than Cassia and Ky, purely because they had a little more depth to them. However, this cast of characters was one of the more well developed ones that I've seen in a 2010 dystopian book and I genuinely loved them all.

Next, the love triangle! A lot of people hate love triangles but honestly I'm not mad about them, and this one was really great. It reminded me a lot of the love triangle in the Infernal Devices series, especially because I wanted Cassia to end up with both of the love interests and if it had gone either way I would have been happy.  It is very clear who she is going to end up with (we don't need three books to figure that out) but there was a sense of competition between the main love interests that still kept the triangle alive. I would like to say if you don't love triangles don't read this book. Although there is the beginnings of a subplot of anarchy and taking down society (!) this book heavily focuses on the relationships shared between Cassia, Ky and Xander.

Admittedly, the writing style was quite basic and the plot did seem to jump around a little, but it honestly didn't bother me at all. Much in the same way that the Selection series is a fun story, this has the 'fluffy writing with a little bit of drama to keep you gripped' structure. The focus was placed on the romance, with action happening around it that hardly affects the main character's desire to end up with the boy she loves, giving it high-stake Bachelor vibes. As result, the descriptions of the place they live and the activities they are partake in is basic, giving you the bare bones of what you need to be able to place yourself in the story. 

If you like character driven stories then this book will be for you. Not a lot happens throughout the book, but we spend so much time learning about Cassia and her world that it kept me hooked. The story was entertaining and despite the fact that many people seem to hate this book (seriously, have a look at the Goodreads page) I had a fun time and am looking forward to carrying on with the series.

Bonus section of books this one reminded me of:

- The Giver
- The Selection
- Wither
- Legend
- Delirium
- Uglies

Books I loved but haven't mentioned since | Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed but Rarely Talk About

Doing this post made me realise that I really don't hype up my favourite books very much after I've read them. The only time I talk about books is when people ask me for recommendations, so it is actually quite rare that I will talk about books I love (which makes me quite sad). I would love to talk about my favs more, so maybe I'll do a post about them in the future. Who knows?

Today I'll share some of the books that I constantly think about but very rarely talk about. They're not necessarily my favourite books, but they are books that have stuck with me over the years.

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Book Depository | Goodreads

This book acts as the definition of hard-hitting contemporary and definitely caused me to fall into a bit of a reading slump afterwards. The story was beautiful and it has some of the best mental health representation that I have ever read.

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Book Depository | Goodreads

I read this with my friend and we both agreed that it is one of the weirdest but best books that we've ever read. It tackles the problems high schoolers face when considering body positivity in a very different way than most YA books do, so it was refreshing to get this new take. Be warned: I think there are 7 different POVs so prepare for that!

Faceless by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Book Depository | Goodreads

This might be one of my favourite books of all time but I very rarely talk about. It's another one about loving yourself and coming to terms with your appearance, but it also focuses on learning about who you are after a tragic event. I read this book 3 years ago and the story has stuck with me.

The Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

Book Depository | Goodreads

I've always gone on record (that sounds very official) saying that Michael Grant is my favourite author of all time but that is usually in relation to the Gone series (which is my favourite series of all time). However, I also love this book by him and it holds a special place in my heart because I got to attend a launch party for it and meet Michael Grant in person.

How to be Happy by Eva Woods

Book Depository | Goodreads

I'll put my hands up and admit that this book is a little cliche, following a woman who has a cancer and a woman who doesn't have any fun in life. Despite the cliches, it was a beautiful story and left me feeling so emotional by the end. I love stories that deal with mortality but also looks at how people can change their own narrative, so this book was perfect for me.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Book Depository | Goodreads

I went into this book not expecting to enjoy it at all, as I'm not really a fan of sci-fi and I'd read Lauren James's other books and not enjoyed them. Surprisingly, I flew through this book (reading it in one day) and it has stuck as one of my favourites of all time. It has even motivated me to read more sci-fi over the last few years (although I think I've only actually read 3-4 more since then)!

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Book Depository | Goodreads

This series might be tied with the Gone series as my favourite series of all time, although that might be linked to the fact that I read the first four books in the Austrian mountains (which was one of the best holidays I've ever had). This book is the first in the series but I think it's my favourite regardless because it sets the tone for the series and drew me in enough to read the other 6 (!) books.

One Day by David Nicholls

Book Depository | Goodreads

Not only is the film a brilliant adaptation of this novel but the story itself is absolutely wonderful. This is one of those cute romances that shocks you no matter how many times you reread it and will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was one of the first adult books I ever read but I don't think I've ever mentioned it, despite my love for the book.

Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index by Julie Israel

Book Depository | Goodreads

Admittedly I only picked up this book because of its beautiful cover but the story itself is also very beautiful. It tackles grief and acceptance in kind of a similar way to Faceless

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

Book Depository | Goodreads

Maybe not the best read for right now but when I read this book I fell in love with the idea of a travelling Shakespeare group that was just trying to get by about a virus had destroyed the planet. In general I've loved all of Mandel's novels

What books have you loved recently? Have you read any of the books on my list?

Let me know in the comments below (and leave a link to your TTT)!

And until next time, keep reading!

Is the book better than the movie? | Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Bought Because...

So fun fact about me as a reader: I don't really get affected by the hype of the bookish community. Sure, I have got into a couple of series because it was all I heard about but for the most part I just pick up books when I feel like it. I'm not saying I don't read hyped books (because trust me, my shelves have a lot of YA dystopian on them), it's just that I usually only pick up books when I feel like it.

However...I do get hugely affected by the movies and TV shows I watch, namely the ones that are adaptations. I could not be interested in a book at all but as soon as I see the movie version it is all I can think about. I'm not one of those people who has to read the book before I watch the movie, but I do like to do both and then compare. Which has led to some questionable purchases and a lot of unread books.

Today I thought I'd share the top 10 books that I have because I liked the movie and  wanted to see if the book was just as good. And, just to shame myself, I'm going to say if I've read it yet... This may reflect badly on me.

1- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday

Book Depository | Goodreads

I watched this film last year and really loved it, so when I saw the book in one of my local charity shops I jumped at the opportunity to buy it and give it a read. That was maybe 7 months ago and I still haven't read it but I promise I'll get to it (some day)! 

2- The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

Book Depository | Goodreads

I think a lot of English children can tell you that this film was part of their childhood, whether it was because they loved it or because so many primary schools put it on for the children to watch when it is raining during lunchtime. Since watching the film I have managed to collect three copies of not only this book but the entire series

3- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Book Depository | Goodreads

When this book was being turned into a film I snatched up a copy of it from my local charity shop so I could read it before watching the film and I can proudly say that I neither read the book nor watched the film. I actually think my brother has stolen this from me so I might have to go get it back from him and read it.

4- Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Abertalli

Book Depository | Goodreads

Another book that I picked up because I wanted to read it before the film came out, but I've actually read this one! I really enjoyed this book, although I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to YA contemporary, but for some reason I never got around to watching the film. Honestly, I don't understand my brain sometimes.

5- The DUFF by Kody Kieplinger

Book Depository | Goodreads

This is the first one on my list where I've experienced both the book and the movie so I can actually comment on both! Personally I enjoyed the movie a lot more than the book but that could be because the book was written by an 18 year old, which always spells trouble. Fortunately I still enjoy the movie so I still have a cheesy movie to watch when I'm ill.

6- The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Book Depository | Goodreads

So this one is kind of weird because I bought the book because of the movie but not because I enjoyed it... Basically I saw the movie everywhere and thought it sounded kind of interesting, but I wasn't super amped to watch. Then...I discovered the book and decided I wanted to read it. 

Have I? No. Am I ashamed of that? No.

(also I really want to read it at the moment but it's at my place in Amsterdam and I've had to go home until all the isolation stuff blows over so I might not be able to read it for months :/ )

7- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

Book Depository | Goodreads

Another one where I've read the book and watched the film but this time I couldn't tell you which one I enjoyed more. I can't even remember which one I experienced first but I enjoyed both of them so much, and I think they've shaped me as a human. One of my favs, would recommend, next!

8-  Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Book Depository | Goodreads

I watched the film as a child and really enjoyed it so when my school library was clearing out their books I snatched it up to read it. However I have not read this book and I recently unhauled it because I don't think I'm ever going to get to it. Maybe I'll read it to my kids in the future, but for now there are other books I want to read, and I'm happy just living with the film version.

9- The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Book Depository | Goodreads

A classic film that is part of so many people's childhoods, I have a gorgeous edition of this book that I'm actually really excited to read the book. Most people know the story of this book but I think it would be interesting to see how different the book is from the film that we know and love.

10- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Book Depository | Goodreads

Yes, I am that basic person who loved this musical so bought the book even though it is over 1000 pages. Not only have I seen the film, I've also watched the BBC TV series, read the manga and listened to the musical version about 100 times. And I am proud to announce that I'm currently about 16 pages into the book so we're getting there! (pray for me)

Which books have you read because of the film? Are any of them on my list?

Let me know in the comments below (and leave a link to your TTT)!

And until next time, keep reading!

Vincent by Barbara Stok | Review

Vincent by Barbara Stok 
Pages: 142
Release Date: 2012
Rating: 💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository
Away from Paris, Van Gogh falls in love with the landscape of the south of France and dreams of setting up an artists' studio for him and his friends to paint together. But attacks of mental illness leave the painter confused and disorientated. When his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin refuses to reside permanently at the Yellow House, Van Gogh's dreams are left in tatters. However, throughout this period of intense emotion and hardship, Vincent's brother Theo stands by him, offering constant support.


Read to complete the Magical Readathon 2020 prompt: read a book under 150 pages

I love Vincent Van Gogh. When I was 5 my mum took me to a museum in London where I saw one of his many Sunflower paintings and I was absolutely mesmerised. Something about his art just caught my attention and now I have become slightly obsessive about his life and all the work that he has produced.

When I saw this book I knew that I had to read it, but I wasn't sure if I was willing to spend €15 on a book I was going to read very fast and probably only once. Luckily, this pandemic kicked off so I had the very valid excuse of avoiding boredom whilst everything around us shuts down. And I'm so glad that I decided to pick it up.

First of all, the story. The story is a mixture of plain picture boxes, conversations Vincent had with people and letters that he sent to Theo (his younger brother) which created a very interesting narrative. This biography tells the reader the story of Vincent from when he moves to France for his health, all the way through his manic breakdown, and ends with him moving back North. Of course there is some artistic license taken, as the conversations Vincent had with people can't be truly known by us these days, but the general story sticks very close to the knowledge we have of Vincent today. The interspersion of his letters to Theo added context to his life, and it was interesting to see how his relationship with his brother shifted as his mental health declined.

The art style of this book is gorgeous. Barbara Stok's art style was an excellent choice for Vincent's life story as she perfectly captured the whimsical nature of his artwork and even used it to portray Vincent's own life. My favourite part of her style was how she displayed Vincent's breakdown, as the panels become more vivid and manic the further he falls.

I don't think you have to be a fan of Vincent's work to enjoy this book. Obviously you'd be more inclined to pick up the novel if you have an interest in him, but this graphic novel is just so beautiful that I think anyone could enjoy it. The artwork is gorgeous, the story is fun and it is short enough that it wouldn't take long to get through. I'm so happy to have added it to my collection and I know for certain that I will be picking it up again in the near future.

Back with the books I'm going to read | April TBR | #Magical Readathon 2020

With all the craziness of everything that is going on I think we all need a little bit more magic in our lives, so its the perfect time to join in with the OWLS magical readathon. This is a Harry Potter themed readathon that is hosted by Book Roast and takes place throughout the month of April (so it technically started yesterday but I'm always late to everything).

This readathon is super fun, and I've participated in it a couple of times before, but there is quite a lot of material to read and watch so I'll leave the links to the announcement video and the main website here. 

I decided to go for the Care of Magical Children career before I realised how many books I'll have to read this month (8 books!) but I figured I'd give it a shot considering I've got so much free time. 

Now onto the prompts!

Arithmancy: read something outside your favourite genre

                  -->  The Husband's Secret by Laine Moriarty

Charms: white cover
               --> Matched by Ally Condie

Defence against the Dark Arts: book set at sea / the coast

               --> Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Herbology: title that starts with an M

                -->  Moranthology by Caitlin Moran 

History of Magic: book featuring witches / wizards

                 --> The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan

Potions: Book under 150 pages

              --> Vincent by Barbara Stok

Transfiguration: book that includes shape-shifting

              --> The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Are you taking part in the OWLs? What career have you picked? And have you read any of the books on my list? Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

Goodreads | Instagram

December TBR

I know this post is a little late, but I've finally managed to figure out which books I want to read for the last month of not only the year, but also the decade. I decided not to put too much pressure on picking the 'right' book for the end of the year and to just read fun books that will make me feel warm inside during possibly the coldest of winter months.

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan
Book Depository丨Goodreads

The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop by Caroline Roberts
Book Depository丨Goodreads

Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews
Book Depository丨Goodreads

The Chocolate Lovers Christmas by Carole Matthews
Book Depository丨Goodreads

Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles by Phillipa Ashley
Book Depository丨Goodreads

I'm also taking part in the Winter Harry Potter Readathon (link here) but you don't get all the prompts at the start of the month (you kind of work through the prompts, it's really cool), so I can only tell you the first book that I've chosen which is:

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Book Depository丨Goodreads

What are you reading this month? Are you reading any Christmassy books?

Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, keep reading!

Favourite Christmas books I've read in my life

Top Ten Tuesday: Holiday Reads

I love reading Christmas books in the build up to Christmas Day, reading four or five every December. For me, Christmas books are what Christmas movies are to most people: a way to get excited about the Christmas season whilst feeling warm and cosy inside. As a result, I have read a huge amount of Christmas books in my life and I have decided to use this prompt to list my favourites (so far).

This list is in no way ordered because I love all of them equally!

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Book Depository # Goodreads

Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber
Book Depository丨Goodreads

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by David Leviathan and Rachel Cohn
Book Depository丨Goodreads

Christmas at the Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
Book Depository丨Goodreads

...And a Happy New Year? by Holly Bourne
Book Depository丨Goodreads

Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens
Book Depository丨Goodreads

My True Love Gave To Me edited by Stephanie Perkins
Book Depository丨Goodreads

And obviously... How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr Seuss
Book Depository 丨Goodreads

Do you read certain books at certain times of the year? Have you read any of these books?
Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

Autumn Book Haul

Wow! I'm back on this blog again, and just in time for blogmas! The festive season is now upon us and I though it would be good to kick it off with a final farewell to the Autumn season aka an extremely long book haul. I've been trying really hard to only buy two books a month, but as you can tell I went a little bit crazy last month and ended up buying 6 books! Whoops!

Anyways, all the books that are in red are ones I've read (see the play on words...) and all the ones in green are ones I still have to read, so you can see how balanced I've tried to keep it. Also, the ones in blue are the ones that my mum gave me (so at least it wasn't my money I was spending).

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G Drews

Someone Gives This Heart A Pen by Sophia Thanker

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

The Shadowhunter Codex by Cassandra Clare

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

The Places I've Cried in Public by Holly Bourne

Songs about a Boy by Chris Russell

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillion

The Lido by Libby Page

Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles by Phillipa Ashley

Hygge and Kisses by Clara Christensen

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

So yeah, I ended up collecting 16 books over 3 months which is honestly more than I thought I was going to end up with. I'm desperately trying to get my TBR under 300 books but at this point it seems to be a losing battle!

How many books did you buy this Autumn? Have you read any of the books on my list?

Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

Extraordinary(ly long) book titles

Top Ten Tuesday: Extraordinary Book Titles

For this weeks Top Ten Tuesday I decided to have a look at the increasing trend in books to have the most ridiculously long title possible, making it very difficult to talk about these books without needing to take a break and catch my breath. As annoying as it is, I do love the long titles that take us away from the YA dystopia trend of using a single word to describe the entire story!

I've ordered the books from shortest title to longest, so watch as they slowly get more and more ridiculous as the list goes on.

The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir

Goodreads | Book Depository

Starting off small with a title that is only 6 six words, I always feel ridiculous when I tell people the title of this book, and often end up shortening it to just Biddy Weir. Compared to the rest of the books on this list, maybe I shouldn't feel so ridiculous!

The Curious Incident of Dog in the Night-Time

Goodreads | Book Depository

Another short, long title that comes in at 9 words (depending how you split night-time), this books is well-loved and can only be said as a full title. How would you split it to make it shorter? Who knows? But I do know it takes up enough time to earn a place on this list.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Goodreads | Book Depository

I read this book over the Summer and though it was absolutely incredible. For a book so short it sure does make up for it with the length of its title, although we still haven't hit double digits yet!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Goodreads | Book Depository

Last one in the single digits, and a beautiful one to end with. The story and writing style is as poetic as the people that inspired the character's names and I always get distracted by the cover when I see it on the shelves in bookshops.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Goodreads | Amazon

Our first book that is in the double digits and what an iconic one! I haven't actually read this book but I do know all about it (which I think is true to most book lovers around the world). Compared to the rest of the books on this list its title is still short, only just making it to 10 words.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Goodreads | Book Depository

Who else remembers when this book came out and all the booktubers were trying to find a way to shorten the title? The entire series has crazy long titles, but this one is the longest (12 words) and the most intriguing, in my opinion. Also, the covers of this series are gorgeous so that makes up for the extraordinarily long title!

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Goodreads | Book Depository

Admittedly not the longest title that Jonas Jonasson has come up with in his time as a writer, it is the most memorable and the book I talk about the most. This is another one that I have troubles shortening because 'The Hundred Year Old Man' just doesn't sound right but I don't want to say the whole title all the time.

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Goodreads | Book Depository

Did anyone know that this was the full title of The Princess Bride? I quite like the full title actually because it adds an extra layer of excitement and adventure to this story. Also, it makes it sound more like a classical Medieval story that has been passed down the generations (which is fitting for a story this timeless).

The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Ruby Oliver series was actually the first set of books I read by E. Lockhart, so I had no idea that she wrote thrillers. Although I love her thriller stories there will always be a special place in my heart for her ridiculously names Ruby Oliver series 

Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds 

Goodreads | Book Depository

o all Captain Underpants books have ridiculous book titles, but this one definitely wins for most ridiculous. Coming it at 25 words it is the longest title I've ever seen, and I didn't even realise when I read it! Luckily most people just to refer to this series as the Captain Underpants books so I don't have to recite this monster every time I talk about it.

And bonus one: the longest title in the world which is 1022 words long!

I honestly didn't believe this when I looked it up, but the title is actually that long (and obviously it is about Harry Potter)!

What is the longest title of a book you've read? Have you read any of the books on this list?

Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

Bookish people I watch when I'm not reading

A couple of years ago I did a Top Ten Tuesday post about my favourite booktubers, and I realised that my list has changed a little since then (mainly I watch a lot more booktubers now then I did then). So I decided to take the opportunity today to share my new list of booktubers you need to watch.

Codie's Book Corner (Codie)

I've only just started watching Codie's videos but I love her Wheel of TBR series! It's such a creative way to try and get through her TBR, and a lot of fun to watch her panic as the big book prompt comes up! She also does weekly reading vlogs so you can see her progress as she works through the TBR.

A Clockwork Reader (Hannah)

She hasn't been uploading as much lately, but the videos that she does upload are the softest things on Youtube and always fill me with a warm feeling. I love that she has started doing her own thing, rather than only focusing on book related videos because it seems to make her happier.

Read by Zoe (Zoe)

I think I can safely say that of all the people on this list, Zoe is my favourite. I watch every single video by her, love everything she puts out and will always watch her videos. She is like a little ray of sunshine coming through your screen and always makes me feel better.

Peruse Project (Regan)

I've only just started watching Regan's videos (literally last week) but I really love her book haul videos that she does, so she deserved a place on this list! She reads a mixture of new releases and older books, so I'm always guaranteed to see a book in her haul that I've heard of!

Books and Lala (Kayla)

The Queen of Readathons, Kayla has become my new obsession this year. She vlogs about books that she is reading, readathons that she is competing in and challenges that she has set herself. On top of that she always puts out fun ans unique videos, which leave me in awe of her mental power.

 Books With Emily Fox (Emily)

Emily's videos are different from the other youtubers on this list because she's not afraid to talk about her negative opinions and it is absolutely hilarious. Also she has a snow globe of herself that the camera always focuses on, which has resulted in a love/hate relationship between Emily and her snow globe.

Merphy Napier (Merphy)

Merphy has been doing a series on her channel recently of the best and worst books in certain categories (like series finales or starters) and I've found them really interesting. In all her wrap-ups (as well as these videos) she goes into detail about why she didn't enjoy a certain book, so that you know to avoid it if it doesn't sound like your cup of tea, and it makes her wrap-ups good fun to watch.

Which booktubers are your favourites? Are any of them on this list?
Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

Character traits I love

Top Ten Tuesday: Character Traits I love

This was hard because all I could think of was characters that I love, but not why I love them. After about three hours of brainstorming (and a lot of staring at my bookshelf) I finally managed to compile a list of character traits that seem to be common in all of the characters that I love.

1- Smart characters who aren't afraid to be smart...

I love characters that are smart. I love it even more when these characters don't shy away from their intellect but proudly use it to help progress the plot and assist the other characters. Obviously the main character who fits this category is Hermione from the Harry Potter series, who is an icon for smart people everywhere.

2- and characters who have a thing. 

On top of smart characters, I love characters that have a thing that they are obsessed with. The first character that comes to mind is Gansey from The Raven Cycle. He doesn't necessarily excel at school (he can't understand Latin) but he can recite any amount of information about ley lines and Welsh history, which I loved. 

3- Characters who are proud of their families

Maybe it's because I read a lot of YA books but I always find it to be a nice surprise when characters proudly talk about their families to the people they are with. Anytime a character has a living family it is a miracle, and if the character actively talks to their family I fall in love with them immediately. A good example of this is Starr from THUG, who has a very realistic relationship with her family.

4- Characters who are romantic

 I love characters who are obviously in love with someone else, even if that person  doesn't realise, but it also tortures me because why can't they just be happy and in love together!! I'm currently reading Outlander and Jamie is stealing my heart. Although he's a little rough and tough at times he has the most beautiful things to say about Claire and it makes my heart melt a little.

 5- Characters that are sarcastic

How many people thought of Magnus Bane when I said that? As a British person I thrive off of sarcasm so when a character is well-written as a sarcastic little bean they instantly become my new favourite character.

6- Characters who thrive in isolation

Not really a character trait, but I've recently loved the rise in literature of people who have been social outcasts for most of their life and are now trying to reconnect with society. The first book I read like this was The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir (about three years ago)  and it has stuck with me.

7- Characters who are a good laugh

I think everyone can agree that funny characters who add some sort of comic relief to a story are always welcome. In general people who can make me laugh are my favourite people, so when a book character does it I feel warm inside.

8- Characters who stay positive in a bad world

Admittedly this can go one of two ways: I love them and they become my new favourite character or I can't stand them and they ruin the book for me. When this character is written right I love them with all my heart because they inspire me to keep my head up, even when times are hard.

9- Characters who are vulnerable (especially villains)

I love it when characters show their weak side, be it on purpose or because they thought they were alone. I especially love it when the person being vulnerable is a villain (think Loki) as it shows people that everyone has it in them to show their insecurities.

10- And finally, bookworms!

How could I make this post and not talk about characters that love books?! There are so many characters that fit into this category that I couldn't possibly list them all here, but I love them all. I especially love reading the books that are mentioned to try and figure out why these characters love the books so much!

What character traits do you love? Are any of them on this list?
Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Pages: 435
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon |  Book Depository

As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri's got massive shoes to fill. But Bri soon finds herself at the centre of controversy and portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. And with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it - she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be.

I know you shouldn't compare an author's books, especially two stories that are so important. However, I feel the only way I can truly talk about how many emotions this book made me feel is by relating it to how many emotions THUG made me feel.

This story felt so different from THUG, and yet so similar. I felt like we got to see more of Garden Heights in this book, from the gang life to the drug problems that held the Heights in its grips. I know THUG showed police brutality and the whole black rights movement, but this book felt more gritty... and scary. For some reason I felt more connected to Bri than I did to Starr, maybe because her story was more rooted in family dynamics and trying to overcome other people's perceptions of you (even if it has terrible consequences).

Bri wasn't as instantly likeable as Starr (she was more argumentative for one) and I spent a lot of the book mentally trying to telepathically make her shut up, but you can't help but love her by the end of the book. She stands up for herself when she feels that people are trying to push her into a certain box and doesn't let anyone control her. This is especially evident when she starts to rap more, as she wants to be successful but doesn't want to lose her identity as a rapper. She is especially strong when everyone starts trying to tell her what to rap about, and decides it is best if she decides what goes into her raps, rather than listen to other people. Talking about her raps, they were incredible (you can tell Angie Thomas used to be a rapper), and I honestly think that those raps would have the power to reach out to hundreds of unrepresented people if they were actually released. You could feel the pain behind her lyrics, and I found myself cheering along at some of the burns that she created during her battles.

My favourite part of this book was the fact that Bri didn't want to be used as a symbol of hope. She didn't want people to use her story as a story to inspire her movement; she just wanted people to forget what happened and leave her alone. She wanted her family to have money. She wanted her dad back. It was so different from what Starr went through in THUG and it was nice to see that side of humanity that doesn't want to make a deal out of things (especially if they think it will make things worse for themselves). There are even scenes in the book where Bri argues with people who want her to use her story to promote black rights in her school, and she straight up refuses, which I think is important for people to see.

I also loved that Bri didn't end the story with her ideal happy ending. Much like the ending of any Pixar film, everything went the opposite way from what was expected. But by writing it this way Angie Thomas made the story feel more realistic, because even though Bri didn't get what she wanted she ended up with a happy ending. This story was as much about black rights as it was about Bri's journey to figure out what was right for her

So all in all, a very moving book with plenty of fun moments meshed into the story line. Angie Thomas has once again shown her pure talent as an author, and I can't wait to read more stories from her (no matter how much they break my heart).

September Wrap-up

Autumn is officially here, school has started again and the holiday season is about to begin. If you have seen any of my posts from this month then you will know that Autumn is my favourite time of the year. The weather turns cold and it becomes socially acceptable to sit inside with a warm drink and a book. Also I'm one of those odd people who enjoys the feeling of being cold, when the wind pinch your face and numbs your fingers, because it makes your body feel alive (plus going inside afterwards always feels better). Anyway, onto my month!

What I read:

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black- I'm late to this book, but I'm glad I waited until I was in a fantasy mood, rather than forcing myself through it. I've already reviewed it as well!

Happiness for Beginners by Carole Matthews-I wanted to get a romance kick (especially after reading so many fantasy books) but sadly this book didn't deliver for me. (I've written a review so you can see all of my thoughts).

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon-this book was what I was looking for when I wanted romance, but it gave me so much more. Of course, I had to review it straight away because I loved it so much.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas- Obviously this book was amazing and made you really think about society and the treatment of African-Americans. I can't wait for Angie Thomas to release more books.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne- this book took me so long to get through (especially for how short it is) but I'm glad I pushed through it because it was the best travel book I've read in a while.

Zenith: Phase One by Grant Morrison- my only graphic novel of the month, the concept of this book was so different from any other stories I've read. Think Captain America mixed with Maus.

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera- reading this on the last day of the month was both a great and an awful decision. It hurt my heart to read it and I'm going to try read more Adam Silvera by the end of the year.

What I watched:

Unbelievable- this was incredible and possibly the best thing I've watched all year. I will admit, I stayed up all night watching the entire thing in one night, but it has stuck with me and I'm definitely going to have to watch it again at some point.

Outlander (season 1)- I'm very late to the bandwagon here but I finally get all the hype around this series. I used to watch a lot of Sasha's videos and she was obsessed with this book, and now I've started watching the series I can understand why! One of my first reads of October is going to have to be Outlander, just to see the similarities and differences.

The Good Place (season 4)- it's back! It's a bittersweet moment, because this is going to be the last season of the Good Place, but it is the kind of series that I can watch over and over again so I'll be able to watch the show again once it's over.

What I wrote:

Books I'm reading this Autumn- coming back to Top Ten Tuesday with this post was good fun, although I've already changed my plans at least twice since writing this post!

The Autumn Book Tag - I thought I'd kick of the new season with a tag about all things Autumn, and let me tell you, I had a lot of fun looking through my bookshelves for the most Autumny book I could find.

Series Review: Shadowhunters- I have a series on this blog where I review popular series collectively, and  this month was the Shadowhunter series. I've finally caught up with the series (after 4 years of reading them!) and am so excited for the books that are getting released next year!

What I did:

Started university- I am officially a university student now so I have no money and a lot of work. But all jokes aside, I've loved my first month here and I'm really excited for the rest of my course. 

Started writing again - I've been meaning to get back into writing for a long time now and I decided to finally get back into. I'm uploading the chapters onto Wattpad, so if you want to check it out feel free!

Revived my instagram- seems like I spent most of this month starting things but towards the end of the month I started paying more attention to my instagram account (which you can check out for more bookish stuff)

Sang karaoke for the first time- yes, I have gone 18 years without singing karaoke and I finally broke that this month. Obviously I had to sing Bohemian Rhapsody which was an incredibly powerful moment (and I lived off the buzz for days).

What did you do this September? And what are your plans for October? 

Let me know in the comments below!

And until next time, keep reading!

The only maths I will do (aka numbers in titles)

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles with Numbers in Them

Until I saw this topic I hadn't really given a second thought to how many books have numbers in the title, but now it is all I can think of. When I went into the bookshop the other day every single book I looked at seemed to have a number in the title and now I can't escape this trend. 

I wonder why so many books have numbers in the title; is it because people are attracted to numbers or is it because it adds an air of mystery? Who knows. I definitely don't.

Today we are going to be counting as high as possible using book titles. The basic rules are: I can't skip numbers, I can use fractions (like 9 3/4 or 7 1/2) and obviously they have to be real books.

Let's go!

Ready Player One- Ernest Cline

Two Can Keep a Secret- Karen M. McNamus

Life of Pi- Yann Martel

Four- Veronica Roth

The Five People You Meet in Heaven- Mitch Albom

Six of Crows- Leigh Bardugo

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle- Stuart Turton

Fox 8- George Saunders

Ninth House- Leigh Bardugo

Ten Things We Did- Sarah Mlynoski

Station Eleven- Emily St John Mandel

Twelfth Night- William Shakespeare

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4- Sue Townsend

That's as far as I could get to, but if you can think of anymore please comment below! Just remember that you can't skip numbers (sorry, no 1984) but you can use fractions.

And until next time, keep reading!

Happiness for Beginners by Carole Matthews

Happiness for Beginners by Carole Matthews
Pages: 464
Release Date: February 21, 2019 
Rating:💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Molly runs her farm as an alternative school for kids who haven't thrived in mainstream education. It's full on, but she wouldn't have it any other way. So when Shelby Dacre turns up asking to enrol his son Lucas, Molly isn't fazed. But Lucas is distant and soon Molly realises he might be more of a handful than she anticipated. And there's the problem that his dad is distractingly handsome. With all this excitement can she find her happy ending?

This book wasn't my cup of tea. I went into the book expecting a sweet romance about a woman trying to find her way in life and also get her man. And ultimately I did get that out of this book, give or take a few expectations, so really I should be satisfied.

But the writing style! Oh my god this writing style. I want to say that I'm sure it isn't Carole Matthews fault (at least not entirely) but this book was awful. There were spelling mistakes and typos and sentences that made no sense and it. drove. me. mad. I know I am in no place to comment critically on adult books, being a teenager who is in her first year of university, but man alive, the editor for this book sucked. I spent so much time mentally correcting mistakes in the book that I think I actually managed to miss sections of the book

Let's talk about characters. For the most part I liked the characters the appropriate amount; it was obvious who we were meant to dislike, who we were meant to like and who was going to go through some character growth. I did spend a lot of time being annoyed at Molly because she was made too perfect and I really needed her to be a little more selfish to be more likeable. (Weird criticism but just let me have it). All the children she looked after were charmingly broken in their own ways, and her friend (yes singular) was your stereotypical party friend that you find in all books like this.

So why give it three stars? It was a fun read, I enjoyed the story and I think that if the writing style was better I might have given it a higher rating. It's a same that the publishers decided to pull the publication date forward a year because if they'd taken that time to check through the book a little more they would have been able to edit it in a more successful way.