Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Release Date: April 4, 2016
Pages: 388
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Everybody thinks they know Libby Strout, but no one looks past her weight.
Everybody thinks they know Jack Masselin, but his confidence hides a secret.
Then Jack meets Libby. And their worlds change.




This book reminded me of The Sun Is Also A Star, although that might be because I read it just before this one. It may also be because Jennifer Niven and Nicola Yoon seem to best friends, so their writing styles may be similar. All the same I loved this book for its own reasons.

Holding up the Universe focuses on two rather unique characters; Libby Strout who is the America's Fattest Teen and Jack Masselin who suffers from face blindness. I felt like both characters were well written and that their entire personality wasn't based off of their defining features. Libby loves to dance and read, Jack loves to invent things, and these are the main features in their stories.

It was also nice to see the confusion and prejudice that comes from these conditions. People ignore Libby because she's fat, and anyone who sees her knows her as "America's Fattest Teen". However Libby is full of so much self-love that it is really uplifting, even if you aren't facing the same hate. It was also nice to see her entire journey from being overweight to losing weight. And the thing is is that she doesn't lose weight by starving herself. She eats healthy food and sees a therapist and exercises and dances and doesn't hide anything from her dad. By showing her journey this way, Jennifer Niven does something many YA writers don't: tell you that your illness doesn't define you. And I found that beautiful.

Jack's face blindness was interesting. I have never read a book with anything like this before, so it was out of my comfort zone for reading. One of my problems with this book came from Jack's face blindness and how it seemed inconsistent at times. Obviously I know nothing about face blindness at all, but I feel like you would be able to tell who a family member is by the way they walk up the stairs. (If you know more than me, please let me know below!). Apart from that Jack was adorable and by far my favourite character of the book.

All in all, I loved this book. It was fun and heart warming, as well as educational. I would recommend this to literally anyone who wants to read it because it is amazing. And if you love Supernatural, you should read this book (you'll find out why...)

Five books from the historical genre I've recently brought

This post was inspired by the TTT topic by the ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish.

Without meaning to I've collected a lot of historical fiction recently. I've always loved history and I love books (obviously) so this genre is sort of perfect for me. Surprisingly I don't have many historical books so over the moth of may I decided to collect a few more historical books. For this post I gave myself the challenge of finding five books from five different eras in history!

The Sirens of Surrentum by Caroline Lawrence

Set in AD 80, this book has the oldest setting on my bookshelf. There aren't many books set this far back in time, but this by far one of my favourite book series. It was the first  book series I read that had over 200 pages so for that reason Romans will always be one of my favourite eras to study.


The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

I've never read a book from the time period this book is set in. This entire series spans from 1416 to 1499, but this book is set in 1430. I know very little about this time period, and even less about the royalty at the time. Hopefully I'll learn a little more when reading this book, whilst having fun reading it.

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl

This book is set in 1896, one of the newest settings on this list. I love Victorian England, it was the first era I learnt about at school. For that reason Victorian books will always have a special place in my heart (and my bookshelf)!


The Shopkeeper's Daughter by Lily Baxter

My favourite era to read about is World War Two. I have no idea why but I just love reading about how everyone comes together to fight the bad guys and win the day. The Shopkeeper's Daughter is set in 1944, right at the end of the war, and sounds right up my street.


Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Everyone knows about this story, either from the book or the film. Set in 1961 it is the newest book on my list, and also the only non-fiction book on my list. I haven't read this book or watched the film, but I'm so excited to read it and feel empowered.


What's your favourite genre? Have you read any of the books on my list? Also leave a link to your TTT the comments and I'll check it out!

And until next time, keep reading!

The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon

The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Pages: 344
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Daniel- the son of Korean shopkeepers- and Natasha- the daughter of illegal Jamaican immigrants- cross paths in New York on an eventful day in their lives. However all their worries vanish when they decide to go on the perfect day trip around New York City.


I loved this book with all my heart. I had been a little wary going into this book because of all the hype that's surrounding it. But I'm glad to say that it deserves that hype because I absolutely adored it.

The book isn't just written from the two main perspectives but from all the perspectives of all the people Natasha and Daniel interact with. There are also other characters, like fate and hair and eyes, which adds to the world that they are in. It was a little hard to get into to begin with, but as the book progressed it was easier to read and understand. Each of these chapters are well-written and add to the book, but you don't need to read them if you just prefer to read the main character's POV.

I was worried that this would be an intense case of insta-love, which it was a little, but it was actually quite a developed love story. Neither of the characters fall in love with each other immediately, and the whole point of their friendship is that they are trying to fall in love. There is something about the way Nicola Yoon writes that makes this relationship growth not seem ridiculous.  It might be because Natasha and Daniel are polar opposites so they balance each other out, complementing each other in a comfortable way.

This was great to see two very different, unrepresented cultures in this story; the Jamaican immigrants and the traditional Korean. Their ethnicity plays a huge role in the story and becomes a driving point in certain situations. It all felt very well written (although I can't really be the true judge of that!), and I enjoyed learning a little more about their separate cultures.

I loved The Sun Is Also A Star, and am so glad I picked it when I did. I feel like if I left it too long I wouldn't have been so motivated to pick it up, but because of all the hype online I felt compelled to read it. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone because it is just so awesome!

Spiders by Tom Hoyle

Spiders by Tom Hoyle

Release Date: November 1, 2014

Pages: 304
Rating: 💜💜💜💜

Buy it: Amazon | Abe Books
Adam may have survived once, but a cult still has him in its sight. And this time he may not escape with his life...
Abbie's dad is an agent, tasked with exposing cults. He's normally able to keep his distance, But this time he may be in too deep.
Megan was sure they were safe, but now Adam's missing in Scotland with no one but Megan to help.

This book is so disturbing. Seriously. This book has affected me, and not entirely in a good way. It was so messed up, with so many psychological impacts on the reader. Tom Hoyle can write an impressive horror if he wants, and he definitely wanted to in this book.

The main characters are the same as in his last book, Thirteen, with the addition of one new girl, Abbie. I loved that you could see the character development from the first book to the second book; a factor the first book was lacking. It was strange watching such young children be put in such unusual positions, but it added to the story. We see them battle with the fear of breaking rules, and the trust teenagers have in their friends. The friend group that was established in the first book seems to have become a thriving family, with each character bringing their own special something to the table.

Honestly, there isn't much more to say. It was a disturbing, yet enjoyable book with plenty of strong characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a younger thriller to read. The recommended age is 7 years plus but I wouldn't want my younger brother reading this. Therefore I would say that the book would be better for people 10 years and above, depending on reading maturity.

May Book Haul!

This month I managed to collect a surprising amount of books. Living in Belgium but only reading English means I've learned to grab every single opportunity I have to buy more English books. So when a book fair comes to town you know I'm going to be at the front of the queue buying all the books. In total this month I gathered 21 books (I know, I'm awful) but I don't regret anything.

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl

Lily’s life is in mortal peril. Her father is missing and now silver-eyed men stalk her through the shadows. What could they want from her?

With her friends—Robert, the clock maker's son, and Malkin, her mechanical fox—Lily is plunged into a murky and menacing world. Too soon Lily realises that those she holds dear may be the very ones to break her heart.

I'm a sucker for books set in Victorian England, so I just had to pick this up. Also the inside is beautiful, with  drawings and sketches all over the pages.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbour, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding. But change is looming on the horizon. When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Obviously I had to get this book. If you saw my last book haul you'll see I'm a little bit obsessed with Jenny Han at the moment, so I needed to get her new release. I'm so excited to read this, but because I'm so backed up with required reading and things like that I probably won't get to it for a while.

Little Bones by Janette Jenkins

It's 1899. London. A young girl is abandoned by her feckless family and finds lodging and work assisting a doctor. But Jane Stretch is no ordinary girl, and Mr. Swift is no ordinary doctor.

I told you I'm a sucker for Victorian England. And blue books. And pretty covers.

The Night Rainbow by Claire King

During one hot summer, five-year-old Pea and her sister Margot play alone in the meadow behind their house, in Southern France. Her mother is too sad to take care of them; she left her happiness in the hospital, along with the baby. Pea's father has died in an accident and Maman, burdened by her double grief, has retreated to a place where Pea cannot reach her - although she tries desperately to do so.

Then Pea meets Claude, a man who loves the meadow as she does and who always has time to play. Pea believes that she and Margot have found a friend, and maybe even a new papa. But why do the villagers view Claude with suspicion? And what secret is he keeping in his strange, empty house?

This book sounds creepy and exciting and I love it!

One of us by Jeannie Waudby

When K narrowly survives a bomb attack, she agrees to go undercover to spy on the Brotherhood, the radical young group held responsible, and whom she’s determined to bring to justice. But whilst living among them, soon even enemies become real people. And when she falls in love, K discovers that some things are not black and white ...
What's right – and who's wrong? Someone's always to blame.

I've been really into researching cults recently (I know, strange hobby), and this book sounds like it has a freaky cult in it. I've loved other books I've read about cults, so maybe this one will be just as good...

The Bloodline Cipher by Stephen Cole

Jonah and the rest of the elite team of teenage thieves have been sent on a mission by Coldhardt to retrieve an ancient grimoire. He believes it to be a magical book of the law of the dead. But when they go in to get it, they discover another team of thieves has beaten them to it.

Okay, confession. This is the third book in the Thieves Like Us trilogy. I've owned the first book for two years, but have never started reading. I don't even own the second book. But I guess it's good to be prepared... Right?

Plague by Michael Grant 

It's been eight months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.

Despite the simmering unrest left behind by so many battles, power struggles, and angry divides, there is a momentary calm in Perdido Beach.

But enemies in the FAYZ don't just fade away and a highly contagious, fatal illness spreads at an alarming rate. Sinister, predatory insects terrorise Perdido Beach. And Sam, Astrid, Diana, and Caine are plagued by a growing doubt that they'll escape - or even survive - life in the FAYZ. With so much turmoil surrounding them, what desperate choices will they make when it comes to saving themselves and those they love?

I love the gone series, and am desperately trying to collect all the books. So voila!

Knightley and Sons by Rohan Gavin

The once highly in-demand detective Alan Knightley has just woken up after an unexplained incident kept him asleep for four years. While he was out cold, his son, Darkus, took it upon himself to read of all his dad's old cases, and he's learned a lot about the art of detection. It's a good thing too—because suddenly the duo find themselves caught up in a crazy conspiracy that involves a group of villainous masterminds (who keep appearing and then vanishing).

There seems to be a black and red theme in this book haul, which I didn't mean to happen. I was attracted to this book because it had the same feeling as Confessions of a Murder Suspect which I loved.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Honestly, if  you're a book lover you already know all about the Mortal Instruments series. I actually already have a set of these books, but I when I found the books with the pretty spines I had to buy them (especially as they weren't full price!)



The Plantagenet and Tudor series by Philippa Gregory

Jacquetta, daughter of the Count of Luxembourg and kinswoman to half the royalty of Europe, was married to the great Englishman John, Duke of Bedford, uncle to Henry VI. Widowed at the age of 19, she took the extraordinary risk of marrying a gentleman of her household for love, and then carved out a new life for herself.

The synopsis is for The Lady of Rivers, the first book in the series, although I'm not sure if it matters what order you read it in. I brought books 1,2 and 4 this month when I went on a bit of a historical fiction frenzy.

Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angel’s work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Year’s Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand.    

Although it's quite some time until Christmas comes around you need to have a couple of cosy books on your bookshelf for when you are missing the holiday season. This book sounds like the perfect cosy book for a rainy day!

Fire Spell by Laura Amy Schlitz

Clara disappears on her birthday. Exceptionally wealthy and exceptionally lonely, she requested that a puppeteer and his two orphan helpers stage a spellbinding show for her in the vast empty house. But then the curtains close and darkness falls...

This was definitely a cover buy. If the cover was anything else I wouldn't have picked up this. However I did then read the synopsis, and I was intrigued. It sounds like an interesting premise, and although it sounds like a middle-grad it doesn't have the usual feel of a middle-grad.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people's minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

I know, I'm super late on this band wagon. I have wanted to read this book for ages, but whenever I have a chance to read it there is always a new shiny book. When I saw this book for cheap I decided to pick it up so I have to read it.

The Sirens of Surrentum by Caroline Lawrence 

It's June A.D. 80. Everyone is thinking about love at the lavish Villa Limona, where friends Flavia, Jonathan, Lupus, and Nubia have come to visit for the summer. But their host suspects that there's a poisoner among the house guests, and the friends are asked to investigate. Faced with many distractions, including the arrival of Flavia's betrothed, can they set a trap to catch the culprit?

Who else remembers this book series from their childhood? This was probably the first major book series that I read, spending hours and hours reading all 17 books. Being a sentimental person I decided to start collecting the series...

The Charioteer of Delphi by Caroline Lawrence 

September AD 80. Flavia and her friends go to Rome to celebrate the Festival of Jupiter at Senator Cornix's town house. They befriend the young charioteer Scopas and quickly find themselves embroiled in a campaign to sabotage one of the rival racing factions.

I also bought this book to add to my growing collection. The only problem is this one is hardback and my other ones are paperback.

The Shopkeeper's Daughter by Lily Baxter

June 1944. Eighteen-year-old Ginnie Travis works in her father's furniture shop in the suburbs of East London when the continued bombing raids and her sister Shirley's untimely pregnancy force the two girls to go and stay with their aunt in Shropshire. With the family left almost penniless and Shirley and her child to provide for, Ginnie is responsible for them all. And when the shop comes under threat, she is even more determined to make it succeed and build a life for herself and her family.

A World War Two story that will be both uplifting and harrowing? Yes please!

If you've read any of these books please let me know your opinions in the comments! Also I'd love to know which books you are interested in from this list.

And until next time, keep reading!

Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy

Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy
Release Date: January 1, 2006
Pages: 222
Rating: 💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository
Scarlett spells trouble! 
It's not her fault that she always attracts the wrong kind of attention at school, but no one seems to understand that. And Mum's had enough. Sent off to stay with Dad, the message is behave or else! Can Scarlett mend her ways or will she die of boredom? Perhaps gorgeous and mysterious local boy Kian can supply some answers...

I read this book for the 24 hour reading challenge because of how short and simple it is. However don't let the fact that this book is a middle-grad fool you. This book is more complex than it lets on.

The main character, Scarlett, is a rebellious girl who is the result of an ugly divorce. She obviously hasn't dealt with her emotions successfully, so usually explodes when she gets angry. Cathy Cassidy shows this character type in a successful manner and I felt like Scarlett was really realistic. I also liked that the character development was immediate, and that Scarlett wasn't perfect at the end. She was still the same child as the start of the book and didn't seem to have lost any of her old personality.

The writing in this book was beautiful; you could really tell that Cathy Cassidy loves Ireland. The descriptions of the lakes and the mountains was so beautiful and poetic. After reading this book I had an extreme case of wanderlust and have been dreaming of travelling the world since then.

This book is a beautiful coming of age story which can teach anyone an lesson. It will also give you a case of wanderlust and dreams of travelling the world on a black horse...

June TBR!

Another month rolls around and my TBR has gone through the roof since last month. I'll have more spare time because finals are almost over (only six this month) and then I'm on summer holiday until September.

This month I'm taking part in three reading challenges; the Harry Potter Readathon, Emmie's B-day Readathon and the Emojiathon. I've managed to connect a couple of the challenges together, so I have more spare time for other things (like watching booktube videos!)

Here are all the books that I'll be attempting to read this month:

1. Monkeys on the mountains by Lucy Daniels
2. Cell 7 by Kerry Drewery
3. The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones (emojiathon, ✌)
4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (emojiathon,💓)
5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass (emojiathon, 👀)
6. The Sirens of Surrentum by Caroline Lawrence (emojiathon, 😊)
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

I honestly didn't realise how many fantasy books I was going to read this month. When I sat down to write this post I thought there would be a few on my list, but the books kind of just piled up (a problem we all know too well!). Luckily the summer holidays are starting, so I may be able to get through this list... Maybe.

Accurate representation of me this summer:

What books are on your June TBR? What are your opinions on the books I've chosen? Please let me know in the comments down below.

And until next time, keep reading!