Happy Friday Bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today! It is September and that means children are going back to school. So, I thought it would be fun to do a back to school themed book tag challenge. I found this one on monstrumology.com
English – name your favourite authors (or books) writing style: Erin Morgenstern
Particularly the whimsical, lyrical writing from The Starless Sea. One of my favourite books ever.
Maths – a book that made you frustrated: Ulysses by James Joyce
Parts of this book have no punctuation. Need I say more.
Social Studies/History – your favourite book from a different time period: A Little Princess
I have always loved this book, reading it is a very nostalgic experience for me. It is sad and heartwarming in equal measure.
Art – your favourite book with pictures: The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant.
This book follows Cordelia Hatmaker and her friends as they discover the secrets of their world and this is complimented by beautiful illustrations in the book and on the cover. It is stunning.
Drama – a book you would love to turn into a movie: the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco
It is so gothic and atmospheric, Victorian London, a bit of murder and mystery and romance. I would be front of the queue to see this as a film.
Music – name a character you think would have the same musical taste as you: Evangeline Fox from Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
I think she is quite whimsical and would like songs from musicals and disney, maybe a bit of country all of which I like.
Lunch – a food you would love to try: castle banquets
Honestly, I don’t mind which one, but definitely castle banquets. They are always described as lavish and covered in gravy. Anyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy gravy. I would have it on everything.
Bus ride home – a book or author that is relaxing: Spellslinger series by Sebastien de Castell.
I don’t know what it is about these books, there’s magic, rebels, high stakes, murder, secrets and yet the whole tone is soft and comedic and just every time I think of it I feel calm and relaxed.
Extra credit – a book someone else told you to read and wound up enjoying: Lireal by Garth Nix.
It was suggested I read this, although they did not tell me it was not the first book in a series, because they had read it and liked it but they thought I would love it. Honestly to begin with I didn’t believe them, the synopsis didn’t hook me, but once I started reading I loved it.
Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a lovely day today.
It is October already, the skies are getting darker and it is time to talk about what I read in the month of September.
From my September TBR:
Nightshade by E S Thomson – I did not read this book
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent – I was really hoping I would find the time for this book but unfortunately this month I ran out of time.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I am currently reading this book with ten days left in the month when I am typing this so there should be no problem there, I should finish it by the end of the month.
Nine Lives by Peter Swanson – I did read this book and my review is coming on the 21st October.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Cortland – I did not read this book. I have been trying to prioritize reading the books that have been on my TBR the longest.
Murder at the Dolphin Hotel by Helena Dixon – I did read this book and loved it. I recommend this to everyone.
Covent Garden Ladies by Hallie Rubenhold – I did read this book and the review is coming on the 14th October.
The Wren in the Holly Library by K A Linde – I did not read this.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – I did read this, as I am writing this it is the last book I finished.
Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber – as it stands right now if I finish the Night Circus quickly then I may get this book read as well.
That means I definitely read 4 books, and two depending on how quickly I can read for the rest of the month. So 4 – 6 books read this month is pretty good.
What books did you read this month? Which one was your favourite? My favourite read this month was Murder at the Dolphin Hotel by Helena Dixon.
Happy Friday bookish people! I thought it would be fun today if I shared the top ten books I want to reread within the next twelve months. I have to say I’m not usually the type of person who rereads books, there are a few that I have loved and read over and over but not many but recently I have been thinking about rereading these ten books:
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah penner
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Lady in the Tower by Marie Louise Jenson
Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today. I am bringing you my November Wrap Up today. It was one of those months where I felt like I read a lot but I actually only read a little bit, do you ever have those types of months?
Anyway onto the wrap up!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I did not read this but I do have a reason, it’s literally on the top shelf of my bookcase and I can’t reach it without a step ladder which I also can’t get to at the moment.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – I think we can safely say none of us are surprised I didn’t read this, romance is not my go to genre.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano – I did read this! And I really enjoyed it so look out for my book review coming soon.
The Girl’s I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe – I did not read this.
Emma by Jane Austen – Okay so I started reading this in November and I am currently reading it now, It is also on my December TBR so it is a bit of a crossover into both months.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley – I did not read this.
City of Brass by S A Chakraborty – I did not read this.
Finale by Stephanie Garber – I did not read this either.
Crownbreaker by Sebastien De Castell – I am still currently halfway through this book.
Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson – Another romance of course I didn’t read it.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout – I did not read this
Gallant by V E Schwab – I did not read this either.
So, that was the books on my TBR and I read one of them…oops. But outside my TBR I also read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, I borrowed the audiobook from my library for my trip to Liverpool and that was really enjoyable.
What did you read in November?
That’s it for my wrap-up I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today.
Today I am bringing you my answers to the Totally Should’ve book tag!
Gotten a sequel – Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
This book was left on an unacceptable cliffhanger! I was so annoyed when I read the end, I needed a sequel immediately and of course there wasn’t one. I think there is definitely more to explore with these characters that could fill a sequel.
Had a spin off series – The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
I loved this book and for me I thought there was a lot of room to go back and share more stories, maybe in a spin off series, from the apothecary when it was being used by women looking for ways to be rid of their husbands, like a series that would come before this book.
Author who should write more books – Erin Morgenstern
Erin Morgenstern is one of my favourite authors and I would love to get more books by this author.
Should have ended differently – Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Only because of that one character’s death, I personally feel that was out of place and I would have liked the ending better if it hadn’t happened.
Been a movie franchise/Had a TV series
These are two separate questions but because I am giving the same answer for both I put them together. That answer is pretty simple: all of them!
Only had one point of view
I am honestly struggling to think of an answer for this on so I’ll unfortunately have to pass on this question
Had a cover change – The Left Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
I love this book, I love this author, I do not like the cover on the one that I own. It just doesn’t fit the weird, whimsical story.
Should have kept the original cover – The A Court of Thorns and Roses series
I did not like the changed covers and now my editions don’t match because of the cover of A Court of Silver Flames!
Stopped at one book – Spin the Dawn
Without giving away any spoilers, I enjoyed Spin the Dawn a lot with the competition and magic plotline, even the little bit of romance in it but I didn’t like the plot twist event that happened near the end and is consequently the main plot in the second book, I just don’t think it needed it at all.
That’s it for this book tag! I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. The book tag I am doing today is the Folklore Book Tag which I found on laurensboookshelf.com but was created by lisa @A Whisper of Ink. It looks like it will be a very fun tag so I am looking forward to sharing my choices here.
The 1: A book with an ending that left you speechless
Ooh that’s starting with a difficult one… I think I am going to go with Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell because the first book in the series ends in a way I wasn’t expecting but obviously I can’t say how it ends here because of spoilers
Cardigan: A book that makes you feel happy and sad all at once
I am going to go with The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, there’s two different timelines within this book and both of them constantly made me feel happy and sad when I read it.
The last Great American Dynasty: A book with a fascinating and well-told story
I have to choose Cecily by Annie Garthwaite for this one, it is one of my favourite books of 2022 so far and it is haunting and just overall brilliant.
Exile: A book you wish you hadn’t read
I am afraid this has to be The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, I just did not enjoy it and I still own the rest of the series.
My tears ricochet: A book that made you cry uncontrollably
Books don’t make me cry like that, I might tear up but not cry uncontrollably so I don’t really have an answer for this one.
Mirrorball: A book that feels like it was written just for you
This is definitely The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, I love the magic of this book and it feels like it was the perfect book for me.
Seven: A childhood book that makes you feel nostalgic
The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton, I always loved this series as a child and I still love to reread them now.
August: A book that reminds you of summer
I honestly can’t think of a book that makes me think of summer, I am sure that as soon as I post this book tag three of them will come to my mind but right now I have no answer.
This is me trying: A book that deals with loneliness and sadness
the first book that comes to mind is Holding Up The Universe and I read that when I was in secondary school a while ago and I can’t remember it all that well.
Illicit Affairs: A book that gave you a book hangover
most recently Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, I’m not sure why other than I didn’t love the book but I didn’t read for nearly two weeks after that book.
Invisible String: A book that came into your life at the exact right time
Caraval by Stephanie Garber definitely, I read it at a time when I was searching for a really great book about magic, fates and sisters.
Mad Woman: A book with a female character you adore
I know I have just used it but I have to go with Scarlett from Caraval, she is a headstrong yet caring female character.
Epiphany: A book that was haunting
Ooh another one I don’t have an immediate answer for… I think I have to choose City of ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Betty: A book couple that fills you with yearning
Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell from the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco
Peace: A book character you’d die for because you love them so much
I think I would have to say Elisabeth from Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Hoax: A book that you thought you were going to love but didn’t
A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz. I loved Moonflower Murders by the same author but this one just didn’t have the same enjoyment unfortunately.
That’s it for the Folklore Book Tag, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Friday bookish people! I am back with another book tag and today it is the what’s on my bookshelf tag. It was created by Naty’s Bookshelf but I found it on zeezeewithbooks.wordpress.com
Rules: link back to me so I can see your answers, name one book for each category try not to repeat books, tag some people!
A Library Book: Veronica Speedwell series (I have the first three all library copies)
A book I got as a gift: Daughter of the Moon Goddess
A Childhood Book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A magical book: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
A romantic book: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A steamy book: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
An old book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A book that makes me happy/laugh: Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell
A book that made me emotional: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
A book with an ending I disliked: The man who died twice by richard osman
A book I wish had illustrations: Crescent city by Sarah J Maas
A book or genre I love to read when it is raining: any!
I love to be sat inside with a cup of tea and a book when it is raining, terrible lighting but a cosy atmosphere.
That is the end of this book tag, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Friday bookish people! It is my birthday! I am 23, which feels very strange – sometimes I still feel like I’m 20 but I think that may just be because of the Pandemic. So, I thought it would be a good idea today to do a fun bookish tag so I found the Birthday book tag. I found it on pagesplots.com but on their tag it says they found it on Always Books.
For this I went with Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
I felt like I had read this plot a few different times but there were some new aspects to it in this book and I still really enjoyed this book.
Party Guests – Your most anticipated book release for this year
I think there are two for me, which are Only A Monster by Vanessa Len and Crescent City House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas and I now already own both! I have read neither but I am very excited to.
Birthday Presents – A book that surprised you with how much you loved it
For this one I am choosing Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
I knew I would like this book because it has an intriguing mystery but I ended up surprising myself with how much I loved it.
Happy Birthday Song – A book that certainly deserves all the hype it got
The Caraval series by Stephanie Garber, definitely!
Happy Music – A book with some very beautiful and truly memorable quotes
I have to choose the Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, it’s just so magical and fantastical. The quotes are beautiful.
Getting Older – A book that you read a long time ago but you think you would appreciate more if you read it as a more mature reader
This is a really tough one, I am not sure what I can answer this with. I am thinking probably any book by Philippa Gregory because I read them all a few years ago but I think they would mean more to me if I read them now.
Sweet Birthday Memories – A book that kept you incredibly happy during a sad or demanding period of your life
I have to choose the lady in the Tower by Marie Louise Jenson, all her books kept me going throughout my high school period, there was a lot of things going on that I was struggling with and reading was the only thing that made me feel better.
That’s it for this book tag, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Tuesday bookish people! I am happy to be bringing you my March TBR today. I have a good feeling about March, I am hoping to get a lot of reading done, there’s so many good books on my TBR that I desperately want to pick up. Also, it’s my birthday on the 25th of March! I’ll be 23 and I had actually forgotten how close it was, I hadn’t made a list and so I was trying to think of the books I wanted and put them on an Amazon wishlist here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3H1PW8BGD9KF7/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1
Anyway, onto the TBR!
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
I have heard so many good things about this book and even though I am not usually the biggest fan of romance novels, I am willing to give each one a try though so we shall see if I enjoy this one or not.
Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey
Again, another contemporary romance book but I mean it has books on the front so at least I will enjoy the setting, also it has enemies to lovers from what I have read and I do enjoy that trope.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I loved The Starless Sea by the same author, it’s my favourite book and this seems to have the same magical realism so I am hopeful that I will really enjoy this book.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
A historical murder mystery set on a boat. Of course I want to read this book.
Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco
I am so excited to continue this series, Emilia is one of my favourite female protagonists and Wrath is such a good morally grey character. I love it!
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
This is a book that I have been putting off for ages, well ever since I finished A Court of Thorns and Roses but I am excited to read it because I have heard it is the best book in the series.
City of Brass by S A Chakraborty
I have already started this book a year ago but I put it down for some reason and I haven’t thought about picking it up again until now.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
This is another book that I have heard really good things about so I am excited to read this one.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow
Witches in a historical setting, I am very excited about this book.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T J Klune
This books kind of reminds me of the Umbrella Academy but a bit more peaceful so that’s why I was drawn to this book to start with.
The Girl in the Tower by katherine Arden
this is the second book in the bear and the nightingale series and I absolutely loved the first book so I am really excited to continue this dark and wintery series.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
I have recently been enjoying books with an academic setting so hopefully I will enjoy this book.
Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
This books sounds very interesting to me and a friend has read it and enjoyed it which makes me want to read it even more.
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
This looks like a very cute middle grade book. Plus I love the cover, it is very inviting.
The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman
This is the third book in the Invisible Library series, I really love Irene and Kai from this series and I can’t wait to see what adventures they are going to go on next.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas
This is one of my most anticipated books of this year so I am nervous to read it, it is also huge so it might take me a while but I am very excited, I am trying my hardest to not see any spoilers for it.
That’s it for my march TBR, I hope you all enjoyed it! What are you planning on reading this month?
Happy Monday bookish people! And Happy Valentine’s day! Today I wanted to bring you some of my opinions on the couples – or characters that are often shipped together in some cases- in some of the books that I have previously read.
There may be spoilers in this post so read at your own risk.
Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn – Camille and Ada
Camille and Ada are already dating when the book begins and there is a lot of tension growing between them throughout the book and I enjoyed the relationship because they seemed to be struggling through real problems that readers can relate to even though it is a fantasy book.
The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh – Celine and Sebastian
These two have an enemies to lovers thing going on which I really enjoyed. They are both very strong and feisty characters that bounce off each other. I think their relationship fits well within the plot and doesn’t take over. I am looking forward to seeing how these two characters develop in the rest of the series.
Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen – Petula and Jacob
This was one of the first books I read that fit properly within the contemporary romance genre. It has a simple enough story but it is full of heartache and delving into characters with mental health issues that are also trying to navigate a relationship. I liked the build up to Petula and Jacob getting together but their relationship throughout the rest of the book was difficult to read about because I didn’t completely understand the struggles they were experiencing.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton – Ned and Cecelia
Again these two characters start off as enemies which I love in books, also the reason they meet was one of my favourites in the books that I read last year. Their personalities lend to some very sassy dialogue and I enjoyed their pairing. The only thing is that both of them love their freedom and don’t seem the type to be in committed long relationships.
To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo – Lira and Elian
To be honest this book didn’t get much emotion from me, it was an average rating from me and so I didn’t feel that much for either of these characters or their relationship. I feel that the two characters were thrown together to make it into a Little Mermaid retelling but actually neither of them fit together well in my opinion.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – Zachary and Dorian
I don’t feel like I saw enough of this couple. The Starless Sea is my favourite book ever and I would enjoy any couple that was written into it. It was great to see LGBTQ representation in this book and the only way to describe the way this couple was portrayed is enchanting.
Not Here To Be Liked by Michelle Quach – Eliza and Len
This is another book that I struggled to get any enjoyment from. I felt that the whole romance was forgotten generally or just used to forward the author’s views on feminism and the place it has in relationships. I really like Len as a character but I didn’t feel that Eliza was fleshed out more than a 2D character.
The Upside of Unrequieted by Becky Albertalli – Molly and Reid
I love this pairing. Reid was one of my favourite male characters until I properly started reading fantasy and he’s nerdy and sweet and exactly the type of man I like in books, and in reality actually. Molly is a very interesting character and I enjoyed being taken along with her as she discovered so much about herself and what she wanted.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco – Thomas Cresswell and Audrey Rose Wadsworth
One of my all time favourite couples. Thomas Cresswell is charming and intelligent and completely annoying but I love him. Audrey Rose is also incredibly intelligent and full of fire and personality, she lets nobody stand in her way and that sets them up for very interesting moments.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber – Julian and Scarlett/ Tella and Legend
Okay so there are two main couples in the Caraval series of books. The first is Julian and Scarlett, which I think are probably my favourite book couple ever. They start as enemies – do you see the trend starting here?- and develop feelings later but I love that Scarlett struggles to trust him, it fits perfectly with the plots and if there was a lot of tricks happening I would have trouble trusting him too.
Then there is Tella and Legend. Currently, I haven’t read the third book yet, I don’t love them as much. I think they would make a good pairing, he offers her the enchantment and the mystery that she craves but they don’t have as much of a spark in my opinion.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Cath and Levi
I don’t usually like romance books but this one I ended up loving. Cath reminds me of myself in a lot of ways, particularly her shyness and then Levi is cheeky and cute and I would honestly love to find a Levi in real life to be with, you just know that no matter what he would be there for her.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco – Wrath and Emilia
Emilia is a headstrong witch who, when her sister is murdered, decides to investigate for herself and summons a demon, Wrath. Wrath is so morally grey that I never know if he’s on the good side or the bad and this just draws me to him, the same as it does for Emilia and I think they challenge each other both physically and mentally which is great to see in book characters.
The Lady in the Tower by Marie Louise Jenson – Eleanor and Phillip Stanton
Another pairing that starts off as enemies, I really can’t help but have a type. I love the historical nature of the relationship, the bending of the boundaries. He is so charming and charismatic that I can’t help but like him even when the main character doesn’t. I liked the way this was a slow burn and you saw the moment when it all changed for Eleanor and she realised her feelings.
I am going to leave this post here as I have included a lot of great pairings but if everyone enjoys this I have plenty more couples to make a part 2 or part 3!
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