July 2015 Wrap Up

The books I read in July (in order read):

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: 3/5

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Rating: 2/5

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Rating: 2.5/5

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (re-read)

Rating: 5/5

Life With A Sprinkle Of Glitter by Louise Pentland [my review here]

Rating: 4/5

So, I only managed two of the book from my holiday TBR list... Oops.

Before I went on holiday I read The Raven Boys and The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden. There was so much hype about The Raven Boys that I thought I was sure to love it but unfortunately it was not to be. I didn't find myself really connecting with the characters or the storyline. However, it was still an interesting read so I gave it 3 stars. As with most first books from the beginning of a series that I'm not entirely sure about, the next book in this series will probably make or break the series for me. I had even less luck with The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden. I know a lot of people love this book but it just wasn't my kind of thing at all.

Then, when I was on holiday I read Meant to Be, City of Ashes and Life With A Sprinkle Of Glitter. Meant to Be had so much potential at the start. There were so many quoteable, bookish lines and it had me laughing out loud a lot but unfortunately the book fell prey to a lot of typical YA downfalls later on. I did really enjoy Lauren Morrill's writing though so I've not been put off reading another of her books. Then, after finishing City of Ashes for the #tmireadathon, I read Life With A Sprinkle Of Glitter. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's all about positivity, happiness and kindness which I am 100% for! I believe Louise has another book coming out soon which I will definitely be buying as soon as it's available.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?

Currently reading: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Currently listening to: Champagne by TVXQ!

June 2015 Wrap Up

Books I read in June (in order read):

Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Rating: 5/5

On The Fence by Kasie West

Rating: 3.5/5

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Rating: 3/5

Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine [my review here]

Rating: 4/5

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (re-read)

Rating: 5/5

June was the first full month of my summer break from University so it was lovely to get back into reading properly again. The first book I read this month was Far From The Madding Crowd. I went to see the film adaptation with Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts at the end of May and I fell in love with the story immediately so I went out and bought a copy of the book to read before I went to see the film again (I really do love that film!). I really enjoyed the book. I love the characters, Hardy's Wessex... I just love everything. I can definitely see this becoming one of those books that I will re-read over and over.

I also read On The Fence by Kasie West and A Little Something Different by Jenny Valentine. These were both great summer reads as they were cute, fluffy, quick reads. I don't think I'd re-read either of these but they were enjoyable stories so if you're looking for some cute, quick reads to add to your summer reading list then I'd definitely recommend these two.

I was also kindly sent Fire Colour One to review by Maximum Pop! Books. I didn't really know what to expect from this book as I've not read any of Jenny Valentine's books before but I was very pleasantly surprised by Fire Colour One. It's very different to anything I've read before which was nice to encounter!

Finally I re-read City of Bones for the #tmireadathon on twitter. It was so lovely to be in the Shadowhunter world again; I forgot how much I loved these books. I'm really looking forward to carrying on the series with City of Ashes in July now.

What did you read in June? Have you read any of these books?

Currently reading: Nothing at the moment!

Currently drinking: Blueberry White Iced Tea by AriZona

Currently listening to: Dope by BTS

February 2015 Wrap Up

Books I read in February (in order read):

Girl Online by Zoe Sugg [my review here]
Rating: 3/5

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Rating: 5/5

Persuasion by Jane Austen [my review here]
Rating: 5/5
Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick
Rating: 4/5

I've had a really good month for reading this month! I enjoyed all four books I read which certainly helped me out of the reading slump I'd been in recently.

Girl Online was a cute, quick read. I think it was more suited to a younger audience which made it difficult for me to connect with, but it was still an enjoyable story. I'd definitely like to read Zoe's next book if she does another one. And Eleanor & Park. Oh my. I loved this book so much. Then again it is by Rainbow Rowell and she is downright magical. I can't wait to see the film now! I also finished reading Persuasion this month. It took me forever to read but I'm glad I finally did. It is one of my favourite stories by Austen and I can see myself re-reading it for years to come. And Tsarina was so beautiful. It took me a while to connect with the characters and I couldn't really get on board with a relationship between two of the characters which is why it lost a star, but otherwise I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing was so beautiful. If you're a fan of Russian history or the 1997 Anastasia film then I'd definitely recommend looking this book up.

What did you read in February? Did you have a good reading month?

Currently reading: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angleini

Currently drinking: Mango and Passionfruit Green Tea by Tetley

Book cover images from Goodreads

My Favourite Reads of 2014

Although I didn't reach my Goodreads goal in 2014 (again!) I did however read some brilliant books:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This was long, long overdue as Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favourite stories. I'm so glad I finally overcame my fears of classics (I know, I know...) and read this book because it was even better than I had anticipated!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I picked this up on a whim from a secondhand bookshop because I recognised the title from Instagram and Twitter and I was very pleasantly surprised. Celaena is such a badass! I'm really looking forward to reading the next book.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
I'm a huge fan of the television series so this book had been on my TBR list for a while. It took me forever to read but I really enjoyed it, and I'm definitely a bit more clued up with who's-who in Westeros! I hope I get round to reading a few more books from the series this year.

Where Rainbows End by Ceclia Ahern 
[My review here]
This was such an adorable and easy read. I read this just before the film came out and although I've not seen it yet if its anywhere near as cute as this book then I have a feeling I'll love it!

Anna and the French Kiss and Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
2014 was the first year I read anything by Stephanie Perkins but she is easily one of my favourite authors now. I read all three of the Anna books last year and loved them all. These two have to be my favourites though because PARIS.

Fangirl and Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
These books. These books. Fangirl is probably the most relatable book I've ever read. And Attachments! Swoon. I need to read the rest of Rainbow Rowell's books this year - I have a feeling I will love them all!

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Detox tea by Pukka Teas

September 2014 Wrap Up

Books I read in September:

Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern [my review here]

Rating: 5/5

Austenland by Shannon Hale [my review here]
Rating: 3.5/5
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: 5/5

Only another three books this month! Oops. I really need to start picking up my reading pace if I'm going to complete my Goodreads challenge this year...

The first book I read in September was Where Rainbows End. I was a bit reluctant to read this book at first because of its format (it's written in letters, emails etc. between the characters) but I really enjoyed it in the end! It's such a sweet book and although I think the film (Love, Rosie) will be quite different from the book from what I've seen of the trailers so far, I'm still very excited to see it! I did a review on this book which is available here.

The next book I read was Austenland. While I did enjoy it, I found that I actually enjoyed the film adaptation more which was a shame because I was really looking forward to this book! I also did a review on this book as well so if you'd like to read it you can do so here.

The last book I read in September was Isla and the Happily Ever After. I absolutely loved this book! The first few chapters had me grinning like an absolute maniac on the bus! I think Anna and the French Kiss is still my favourite out of the three, but Isla was definitely a lovely, lovely book and a great conclusion to the trilogy.

Just a quick note before I go - as I'm back at uni now and already pulling my hair out about essay deadlines (!!), I'm going to stop doing my monthly TBR lists for a while. I'm just literally going to pick up whatever books I fancy now so hopefully it'll encourage me to read more frequently!

What did you read in September? Have you read any of these books?

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Book cover images from Goodreads

August Wrap Up & September To Be Read (2014)

Books I read in August:

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Rating: 3/5

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Rating: 4/5
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Rating: 5/5

Compared to the seven books I read in July this month has been a bit of a poor effort! I only managed to read two of my August TBR books as well, whoops! The first was The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen and the second, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. This is the second Sarah Dessen book I've read (the first being 'That Summer' which I didn't like at all) and I'm sad to report that I still can't understand the hype with her books. I'm still determined to carry on reading them though so if I come across more of her books in a charity shop I'll give them a go. I did however really enjoy A Game of Thrones and I plan to post a review of it soon.

The other book I read this month was If I Stay by Gayle Forman in preparation for the film that has recently come out. Even though it wasn't the kind of book I'd usually enjoy (I usually avoid books with sad topics such as this one like the plague), I found that I did like it. I especially loved Mia and Adam's relationship. I think this book will work very well as a film so I'm looking forward to seeing it soon.

Books I intend to read in September:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

I'm starting my second year of university in September (at a new university, eek!) so I'm only going to put the bare essentials on my reading list as I don't know if I'll get that much time for reading. As I didn't manage to read my August book jar book, The Host, I've carried it over to this month's TBR. In addition my September book jar read is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I'm really excited to read this one as I've always enjoyed the TV and film adaptations so I'm hoping I'll fall in love with the actual book too. I'd also like to carry on with the A Song of Ice and Fire series by reading the second book, A Clash of Kings.

What did you read in August?

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Book cover images from Goodreads

July Wrap Up & August To Be Read (2014)

Books I read in July:

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Rating: 4/5

Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

Rating: 4/5

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 3/5

Blue by Lisa Glass

Rating: 1/5

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Rating: 5/5
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: 4/5

It was BookTube-A-Thon this month so I read the first three books above to complete some challenges. Although I only read three books for BookTube-A-Thon in the end, it's not bad for my first one (or so I keep telling myself!). I enjoyed all three books I read but I especially loved Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. It was one of those books that I literally could not put down. I can't wait to read her other books!

After BookTube-A-Thon I also read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Blue by Lisa Glass and both Anna and Lola books by Stephanie Perkins. I quite liked Shadow and Bone although I think it'll be one of those books for me where the next book in the series will either make or break the series for me so I'll have to get round to reading the next book soon. I also fell in love with the two Stephanie Perkins books I read. Both were brilliant but I think Anna and the French Kiss will easily be one of the best books I've read this year. I sadly did not like Blue by Lisa Glass though, as much as I did try to. I did a review on this book which you can read here if you wish.

Books I intend to read in August:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

For August, the first two books on my TBR list are carried over from July. I started GoT at the beginning of July and I have been reading it incredibly slowly so I'd like to finally get it finished this month, along with The Truth About Forever which I started on holiday but have been neglecting since I got back home. I'd also like to carry on with the Throne of Glass series by reading the second book, Crown of Midnight. And finally my book jar pick for August was The Host. I've been put off from reading this in the past by it's size but I loved the film adaptation so hopefully I'll enjoy this one!

What books are you planning on reading in August?

Book covers from Goodreads

July Wrap Up & August To Be Read (2013)

Sorry this post is so late! I had actually typed up most of this post before the end of July but I ended up going away twice within the space of a couple of days which is why I haven't had chance to get this up until now. Eeek!

Books that I read in July:

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Rating: 2/5

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Rating: 3/5

My July TBR was composed of Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess, Hush, Hush and Under The Dome. While I did start all four books, I just couldn't get on with Under The Dome and ended up reading The Selection instead. I'm sorry! I like the idea of Under The Dome but I just can't get on with how graphic the book is. Such a sissy.

I really enjoyed reading Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess though, even if they did tear out my heart and rip it to shreds! I think I might even prefer this trilogy to Cassandra Clare's other series, The Mortal Instruments, as the characters were all so lovely. I even found myself liking Magnus Bane who I wasn't very keen on in TMI but after reading more about him in TID, I warmed to him a lot.

I also started The Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. I'd already downloaded the other three books in the series as I really liked the idea of the books from the synopsis, however I ended up being disappointed with the first book so I don't think I'll read the other three.

I also read The Selection by Kiera Cass which I'm on the fence about so I think the next book will either make or break the trilogy for me.

Books I intend to read in August:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Elite by Kiera Cass
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (re-read)

I only chose four books again for August as I know I will be spending a lot of time away from home, going on holiday and visiting the boyfriend. I've already read Hex Hall and The Elite and I'm currently about halfway through both Unspoken and City of Bones but I'll save my thoughts for my August wrap-up post.

Book cover images from goodreads.com

June Wrap Up & July To Be Read (2013)

Books that I read in June:

Book cover images from goodreads.com

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4 / 5

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 5 / 5

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Rating: 3 / 5

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 5 / 5

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 5 / 5

June was quite a good month for reading despite having my horrible college deadlines in the middle of it. I finished off the fifth book in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series and started the first book in her other Shadowhuner series, Clockwork Angel from The Infernal Devices. I also read the first two books in the Divergent trilogy, the third of which is due to be released in October.

In June I also read Angelfall by Susan Ee. There is a lot of hype over this book online, which was partially why I downloaded it in the first place, but I did not get on with the first half of the book at all and found myself struggling to continue with the book at certain points. However I'm glad I did persevere as I ended up really enjoying the second half as the plot quickened and new characters and locations were introduced.

Books I intend to read in July:

Book cover images from goodreads.com

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Under The Dome by Stephen King

Although college has finished now I have a feeling I might end up being quite busy in July with the boyfriend moving out of his university flat in July so I've only set myself four books to read. I'd like to finish off The Infernal Devices trilogy with Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess and start the Hush, Hush series which I've heard lots of good things about.

Additionally My July book chosen at random from my book jar is Under The Dome by Stephen King. I am honestly a bit nervous about reading this book as it is absolutely massive but as its a dystopian novel, I'm hoping that I will enjoy it.

What books do you want to read in July?