March Book Haul

This month I accumulated 11 books, due to my recent discovery of Wordery and Book Depository (both of which having free shipping). They are all books I've been dying to read and finally managed to pick up. So far I've read 2 of them but I do plan to read several more next month. And now, the books.

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
Flora has amnesia. She can't remember anything day-to-day: the joke her friend made, the instructions her parents gave her, how old she is.
Then she kisses someone she shouldn't- and the next day she remembers it. 
It's the first time she has remembered anything since she was ten. But the boy is gone.

I bought and read this book this month after finding it for half price on Wordery. I didn't fall in love with it right away but it has slowly grown on me. My full review is here if you want to know more about the book and my opinions on it.



The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Natasha: I'm a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I'm definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. 
Daniel: I've always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents' high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. 

I don't know much about this book apart from what is written above. However all my friends (and the entirety of the book community) love it and have been telling everyone to read so I'm super excited to read this book.

Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, but no one's ever looked past her weight. Since her mum's death, Libby's been hiding, but she's ready for high school.Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin too- sexy aloof and too cool for school. But Jack's swaggering confidence is hiding a secret he must keep at all costs.Then Jack meets Libby. And their worlds change.

I'm super excited to read this book; it has 4/5 stars on Goodreads and so many of my friends have loved it that I was sure I had to pick it up.

The Fever Code by James Dashner

The world has ended: the earth is scorched, and fever rages through the population. Out of the chaos, a boy emerges with the power to change everything: Thomas. This is the start of his story. 

This has jumped right up to the top of my TBR pile; I've never wanted to read a book more. I read the prequel, The Kill Order, towards the end of last year and enjoyed it. However my main problem was that is wasn't about the characters we know and love, which this book is! I can't wait to get stuck into it.

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn + David Levithan

Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favourite bookstore. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.
With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favourite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow-covered New York City in December.

This book has a beautiful cover, which of course isn't the most important thing (but it is!) I've actually already read this book, so my full review is here.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Theodore Finch wants to take his own life.
Violet Markey is devastated by her sister's death.
They meet on the ledge of the school bell tower, and so their story begins. I's only together they can be themselves...But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink. How far will Violet go to save the boy she has come to love?

I'm hoping to read this book before the film comes out in 2018 (which is possible). I know this had a lot of hype when it came out, but I was worried about how it was going to deal with mental illness. However I've heard enough positive things about the book that I'm willing to try it.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

I finally got Anna and the French Kiss! I've waited so long to read this book so when I found it for £4 I grabbed it. This book has got such amazing reviews everywhere and everyone seems to love Stephanie Perkins. I will admit this is my first Stephanie Perkins book ever.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Eighteen years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

My favourite book series of all time is The Selection series so I can't wait to dive into the world again. I love Kiera Cass's writing style, and I adored America Singer as a character so I'm excited to meet her again (as well as her daughter). This is at the top of my TBR pile so expect to see a review up soon!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

What if you knew exactly when you'd die? A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males born with a lifespan of 25 years, and females a lifespan of 20 years--leaving the world in a state of panic.By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live.When Rhine is sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Yet her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. 

I've already read this book and I fell in love with it. However it has been so long since I last read it that I want to read it again before continuing with the series.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

 Etta is a violin prodigy who resides in present-day New York City. Nicholas is a sailor who resides in 18th century colonial America. Etta is thrown from the world she had always known to unfamiliar places and eras, including Nicholas’ ship. Etta and Nicholas must embark on a quest through time to stay alive. With high stakes, lives on the line and heated romance, Etta and Nicholas travel to unimaginable times and places.

This was partially a cover buy and partially a planned buy. The book got a lot of praise when it came out (4 stars on Goodreads), and the premise interested. Also, who can ignore this cover?!



Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Amani Al’Hiza is desperate to escape the tiny village of Dustwalk. Her best chance at making the money for the journey to Miraji’s capital is her gun. Dressed as a boy to enter a shooting contest, Amani makes an unlikely alliance with a mysterious foreigner. The contest ends in chaos, and Amani barely escapes with her life, let alone the prize money. When the foreigner, Jin, reappears on the run from the Sultan’s army, Amani knows it could be dangerous to help, but she can’t shake the idea that Jin may be able to help her in return

Once again: a fantastic story concept mixed with a beautiful cover. I can't wait to pick it up!


So there it is: all the books I bought in March. Usually I don't buy this many books, but I made two big orders in February so I just seemed to collect a whole hoard of books. 

I'd love to know if you've read any of the books on this list, and what you thought about them. Also which books would you like to read from this book? Tell me in the comments below!

How Hard Can Love Be? by Holly Bourne

How Hard Can Love Be? by Holly Bourne
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Pages: 480
Rating: 💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

All Amber wants is a little bit of love. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. But Amber's hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that.
And then there's prom king Kyle, the guy all the girls want. Can he really be interested in anti-cheerleader Amber? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie's advice, there's no escaping the fact: love is hard.

This book is definitely one of the best sequels I have ever read! It focuses on Amber instead of Evie, but still has bits with all three Spinster Club ladies. It made me squeal with excitement and sob in despair and was thoroughly enjoyable! 

I love Amber as a narrator; she is sarcastic and quirky, but also incredibly compassionate which really shines through in this book. She cares about her friends, Evie and Lottie, and turns to them for support. She knows her flaws and she tries to fix them (which doesn't always work!). I loved her relationship with all the Americans: getting frustrated at the typical American question (do you know the Royal family?) and confused at their traditions. She is so well-rounded and flawed that it makes her realistic and hilarious.

There were times in the story where I wished I had the ability to climb in and give Amber a massive hug. Being sent abroad is tough; none of your friends are around, you can't hang out in your own room- you feel lost. But Amber has no one to turn to, everyone is confusing and foreign, and she  can't escape from camp life. It all stacked up on her and I got so emotional at so many points in the book.

The book deals with alcohol abuse- both from Amber and her mum- but I felt it was executed correctly. Her mum didn't suddenly get better- it took work- and Amber didn't learn from her mum's mistakes. Both of them had problems controlling how much and when they drink but I think it is great how Amber learns to deal with it.

The ending was a real shocker. In the last four chapters a lot goes down, in a twist-ending very few people would expect. It was fun and lead to Amber exploring America with the people she loves most. That's all I'm going to say.

All in all it was an amazing read, and I would recommend it to any feminist out there who needs a pick-me up when the world is looking tough. The only reason why I gave to a 4/5 is because I enjoyed Am I Normal Yet? more than I enjoyed this book, but it is just my personal preferences. So I do encourage you to go read it because it is fantastic! 

This is where it ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is where it ends by Marieke Nijkamp
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Pages: 285
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Minutes after the principal of Opportunity High School in Alabama finishes her speech welcoming the student body to a new semester, they discover that the auditorium doors will not open and someone starts shooting. Told from four different perspectives over the span of fifty-four harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student’s calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

I have no doubt that this will be one of my favourite books I'm going to read this year. It was heart-breaking, incredibly written and pulled me in. I cried, laughed and fell in love with each of the characters in just under three hours.

I seriously have no negative things to say about this book; it was absolutely amazing. Although the book was written from several different perspectives I wasn't confused about who was talking, mainly because each character had such a different voice. I fell in love with each of them as soon as they opened their mouths and began talking about what is going on.

Do not read this book all at once! You will want to (trust me I did), but don't do it! It will drain you emotionally, leaving you with no power to do anything. I had to lay down on my bed in a puddle of tears for at least an hour after finishing this book. You have been warned...

The ending wrecked me. Without giving too much away I have to say that the last 5 chapters are an emotional roller coaster that switches from going up to down every second. It also also contained my favourite quote that I've ever read ever: "I didn't need to die for him to kill me". To be honest I loved every single sentence in this book, but that quote is the one that stuck with me. I have no idea why.

I don't know what else to say; it was amazing. The characters felt fleshed out and didn't go through incredible changes, which I was glad about as the book took place  over 54 minutes. The setting is realistic because it was just a generic high school, but it was well written. I will definitely be re-reading this book soon because I love it so much. Go read it!

Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie

Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie
Release Date: October 11, 1911
Pages: 253
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief. But a villainous-looking gang of pirates lurk in the docks, led by the terrifying Captain James Hook. Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, before long, someone will be walking the plank and swimming with the crocodiles...






Surprisingly enough, I had never read Peter Pan before now. I'd studied the film throughout my childhood, and played with the pop-up book version countless times, but I'd never read the actual books. This month I finally got around to reading it and I'm so glad I did.

The book starts off quite slow, with world building and introducing characters. It feels like the entire book is constantly switching between timelines- the future, the present, the past all in one big mess. Somehow J.M.Barrie managed to pull it off though, and set up the book perfectly.

This story is a lot more sinister than the happy Disney version we know. Peter Pan is more cunning,, the lost boys are less happy and the whole community is structured around who wants to kill whom. However there are lots of sweet little details, like mothers tidying up their children's thoughts, and the kiss on the corner of Mrs Darling's mouth. It gave the book a wholesome feel which I really enjoyed.

It was interesting how my views of each character changed after I read this book, especially Peter Pan. Peter Pan is not an innocent child, he has experienced more as a child than most of us do in our entire lives... The best moment, the best quote of this book is when Peter says, "To die will be an awfully big adventure." We should all view life, and death, through the eyes of Peter Pan.. 

My 5 favourite series of all time!

Trying to find my top 5 book series was almost impossible because I've read so many books, and almost all of them were in series!  However I managed to narrow my gigantic list down to just 5, and I'm going to share them with you today. The list isn't in any order, because it would be way to hard to pick my number one series of all time. That being said, here are the books:

1. The Gone series by Michael Grant
   This book series changed my reading life (literally). I was 10 when I first picked up Gone, and was not prepared for the series. By picking up this book I matured as both a child and a reader (it handles some pretty serious topics), and was thrust into the young adult genre. At 10 years old! When I picked up Gone only three of the six books were out, but I marathoned my way through them and then had the tense wait you have for an anticipated book. Even though it has been about 3 years since I read the series, I still remember every plot detail as if I'd just finished it.
2. The Enemy series by Charlie Higson
   Another series that involves all the adults disappearing, The Enemy series is absolutely amazing and I couldn't recommend it more. I started the series in 2014 and finished it last year but I didn't feel lost at all (despite the significant pause in reading the series). It handles a lot of difficult situations and even has a couple of LGBT characters who aren't stereotyped or comic relief. I adored this series, and can't think of any negative things to say about it. If you do want to read this series be prepared for major heartbreak and emotional trauma.
   
   
3. The Selection series by Kiera Cass
   This book has got a lot of mixed reviews, but I personally loved it. The characters are all unique and funny, the world-building is beautiful and it dragged me in right away. America is such a strong girl and I'm she's not perfect. She felt so realistic to me when I read the series; she wasn't a "perfect" girl who knows everything about everything. As soon as I put down the last book in the series I picked up the first book and started all over again.
   
   
4. Malory Towers by Enid Blyton
   These books define my childhood. I first read them when I was seven and still read them today. The stories are so light-hearted and adorable, with some quite serious topics mixed in. These books helped me get through difficult times and gave me advice when no one else could. I will never get bored of these books; although I may have to replace my tattered paperbacks.
   
   
5. The Witch Finder series by Ruth Warburton This is actually only a duology but I loved it so much I needed to put it on the list. I've never felt so many emotions towards two characters, and I doubt I will feel more emotions than in this duology. The chemistry between all the characters was perfect, and I loved how nobody could fully be trusted (read it and you'll find out!). The world building was incredible and successfully set the time period in the correct place. One thing though: I need a third book!

So there are my top 5 series of all time (until I read a better one!).  Are any of your favourite series on my lists? Are any of your least favourite series on my list? Let me know in the comments below!

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Release Date: October 6, 2016
Pages: 240
Rating:💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favourite bookstore. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.

With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favourite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow-covered New York City in December.



I really liked this book; it was such a sweet and heart-warming contemporary. I also loved how Christmassy (totally a real word!) the whole book was , which makes sense considering the book takes place on the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Of course being really smart I read this book in the middle of spring so now I have to deal with all my pent up Christmas spirit! *sigh*

The book did seem to drag on a little and I found myself skim reading certain parts of the book to try and get through it. It felt like everything was resolved to quickly so the authors were now trying to find random Christmas related events to flesh it out a bit. I did enjoy these events because it gave me time to see what the characters are like, but it felt a little unnecessary.

Lily also seemed very whiny in this book leading me to get annoyed by her. When people weren't doing what she wanted them to do she would throw a tantrum and go off by herself. She was also a little horrible to Dash, which I wasn't expecting, because he wasn't treating exactly the way she wanted to be treated. However I did like her when she was with Dash or her grandfather because she seemed like kind and considerate human.

If you liked the first book (Dash and Lily's Book of dares) you will like this book. It has all the characters we loved from the last book in a whole new situation. It catches you up on what they have done in the past year and is thoroughly enjoyable. If you haven't read the first book I would recommend you go and read that, then come back and read this one because it is absolutely lovely.  

Everything, Everything Trailer Review

Everything, Everything is getting turned into a film this year and I am super excited! In case you don't know here is a quick synopsis:
Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddy, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. Maddy is certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's almost certainly going to be a disaster.

I read this book at the beginning of the year in 3 hours and fell in love with it. Although it has had a lot of criticism I adored it and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. And now on to the trailer.
Watch it here --->

I have a lot of emotions about this video; I absolutely loved it. Maddy looks exactly as I expected her to look and both of the actors perfectly conveyed how the characters act around each other in the book. I'm surprisingly happy with this book to movie adaptation (from what I've seen so far).

One thing that did throw me a little was how Olly looked. When I first watched this trailer I didn't feel like he was what I pictured whilst reading the book. However after watching it a second (and third and fourth and fifth) time I have grown to love him. 

I am extremely excited for this movie and I'll be going to the cinema the day it comes out. It is my most anticipated movie of this year (above Beauty and the Beast or Star Wars) and May can not come around fast enough!

Did you like the book/ Are you excited for this movie? Tell me in the comments below!