2018 in Books | What I Read

Hi, Another year is drawing to an end and for once I'm not in a mad panic to finish my Goodreads challenge. I've actually started on next years challenge already. I've not blogged at all this year and I'm posting this reading round up as I do enjoy looking back at these posts. It's been four years since I first found and joined Goodreads. In that time I've completed my pledged challenge of 35 books per year, that's a staggering total of 140 books. Without further ado here are the books I read in 2018.

 2018 Pledged Books

1. A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) - V.E. Schwab ★★★★☆
2. A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2) - V.E. Schwab ★★★★☆
3. The Art of Being Normal - Lisa Williamson ★★★★☆
4. A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3) - V.E. Schwab ★★★★☆
5. Moxie - Jennifer Mathieu ★★★★☆

6. Seven Days - Eve Ainsworth ★★★☆☆
7. Going Viral (Potion, #3) - Amy Alward ★★★★☆
8. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood ★★★★☆
9. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher ★★★★☆
10. The Memory Book - Lara Avery ★★★★★

11. Calling Major Tom - David M. Barnett ★★★☆☆
12. Monsters - Emerald Fennell ★★★☆☆
13. Tender - Eve Ainsworth ★★★★☆
14. Caraval - Stephanie Garber ★★★☆☆
15. The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas ★★★★☆

16. One of Us is Lying - Karen McManus ★★★★☆
17. Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1) - Amie Kaufman ★★★☆☆
18. Read Me Like a Book - Liz Kessler ★★★★☆
19. Salvage - Keren David ★★★☆☆
 20. Goodbye, Perfect - Sara Barnard ★★★☆☆

21. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood, #1) - Becky Albertalli ★★★★☆
22. Truth or Dare - Non Pratt ★★★☆☆
23. Ink (Paper Gods, #1) - Amanda Sun ★★★☆☆
24. How Not to Disappear - Clare Furniss ★★★★☆
25.The Exact Opposite of Okay - Laura Steven ★★★★☆

26. The Nowhere Girls - Amy Reed ★★★★☆
27. The Heart Goes Last - Margaret Atwood ★★★★☆
28. Stone Mattress: Nine Wicked Tales - Margaret Atwood ★★★☆☆
29. The Next Together (The Next Together, #1) - Lauren James ★★★★☆
30. The Last Beginning (The Next Together, #2) - Lauren James ★★★★☆

31.The Fandom (The Fandom, #1) - Anna Day ★★★☆☆
32. Truly, Wildly, Deeply - Jenny McLachlan ★★★☆☆
33. The Sun Is Also a Star - Nicola Yoon ★★★★☆
34. Rain (Paper Gods, #2) - Amanda Sun ★★★★☆
35. Storm (Paper Gods, #3) - Amanda Sun ★★★☆☆

See previous years: 2015 Challenge, 2016 Challenge and 2017 Challenge

Please let me know of any book recommendations, I'm always looking for new books to read.
Sam 

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Reading Roundup | October

Hi, Last month I struggled to find the time to read which looking back is annoying but means I had a very social month. I have every hope I can read more in the months to come and I have the Goodreads challenge to push me to do more reading. I've been lazy on making notes on these books and pre-writing these reviews so they are a little lacking, I still want to document what I've been reading and I hope that I'll introduce you to some books you didn't know about.

Reading Challenge 27/35

Nina is Not OK

Author - Shappi Khorsandi
Page Count - 352
First Published - 2017

I picked this book up on a whim in my local library, I popped in to return a book just before closing so I picked a book I'd marked as available in my library on goodreads and I couldn't remember the synopsis.

The book starts on a night out where seventeen year old Nina thinks her drinking is normal but ends with her not remembering why she's holding her knickers in her hand. She has first hand experience of alcoholism growing up with her father, who eventually died from his addiction. While she doesn't openly use this as an excuse for her own reliance on alcohol she can't deny that it might be a contributing factor. She thinks she has control over her drinking but who's really controlling who?
 
This was an interesting book as I haven't read anything about alcoholism before. It was a hard read to see how alcohol can effect someones life so subtly but so destructively. I always find it so hard to write these posts without giving spoilers. This book maybe triggering as it does cover rape.
 

How Hard Can Love Be?

Author - Holly Bourne
Page Count - 480
First Published - 2016

I enjoyed reading this book so much but I knew I would because I haven't not liked anything by Holly Bourne. This is the middle book in the spinster club story but you can read them out of sequence (as I have). Honestly if you haven't read anything by Holly Bourne go correct that as soon as possible.

Amber is finally going to see her mum for the first time in two years since she left Amber behind to start a new life in America. From the start Amber's reunion with her mother doesn't go as well as she'd hoped and a lot has changed in two years. The plan is to help out at Summer camp and spend time with her mum in the evenings but that soon becomes apparent it isn't going to happen. The redeeming factor of being so far away from home is the friends she makes and the fact that she can still take part in the spinster club from across the globe.

Amber is a lovely character who just wants to be loved, her mother is a recovered (no relapse) alcoholic. As a result Amber has a very weird relationship with her mother as she's seen her at her worst. This plays a big part in this story and it's weird that I've read two books about alcoholism this month.

The Apple Tart of Hope

Author - Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Page Count - 209
First Published - 2015

I read this book in a day, one day, that never happens. This was a smaller book but I really enjoyed it. I actually got my sister to pick me out a short looking book and this is what she picked. I now want to go and read more of Sarah's titles.
 
Meg and Oscar have grown up living next door to each other and sharing everything while chatting from there bedroom windows. Megs parents plan a six month trip to move them from Ireland to New Zealand, which makes Meg realised she's going to miss Oscar as more than just a friend. The book starts on Megs arrival back in Ireland to attend a remembrance service for Oscar who is missing presumed dead. Meg seeks out Oscar's younger brother Stevie to try and piece together what happened in her absence and hopefully find him.
 
This is such a good little read, there's elements of misunderstandings, bullying and untold feelings. It was such a great short story and I think everyone should try this book.

What have you been reading?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | March

Hi, I've got my book reviews for the last month to share today. I feel like my reading has slowed down a lot but I'm still keeping on target with my reading challenge so it's not all bad. I've got some bulky books lined up I want to read so I'll have to try and make more time to keep on track.
 

Reading Challenge 9/35

Beautiful Broken Things

Author - Sara Barnard

Page Count - 322

First Published - 2016
 

This book marks the end of me reading YA for a little while. I don't remember why I choose to read this book as the blurb doesn't really say much but I think sometimes it's best to go into a book blind. The book features depression which seems to be a very common theme within YA at the moment. I don't think this is a bad thing as it's a subject that need to be talked about.

Beautiful broken things is the story of friendship between teenage girls. In this case what happens when two life long friends gain a third friend and the pressure it can put on the original friendship. The story is set from the perspective of Caddy, showing her changing feelings towards her life long friendship with Rosie and her uncertainty of the new arrival Suzanne.

I'm on the fence with this book, I neither loved or hated it. It's so hard to explain why without giving away the story but as with most books that are set in the mundane something crazy happens that just makes the story unrealistic, either that or I was a really boring teenager.

The Girl On The Train

Author - Paula Hawkins

Page Count - 316

First Published - 2015

I'm not a big fan of psychological thrillers and that is probably the reason why books such as this one I still haven't been tempted to pick up. I was gifted this book for my Birthday and so I had no reason not to finally read it.

Rachel catches the same train every day, it stops at the same signal where she can look in on a family. She fantasizes about their perfect life and wishes that she could be that happy. Until one day when she sees something that changes everything. She is then given the opportunity to emerge herself in their reality.

This is a story about depression, loss, jealousy and ownership. The book is written from the perspectives of three different woman Rachel the alcoholic, Anna the liar and Megan the cheat. Chapters change from perspective and time throughout the story. I'm happy to say that while the ending was a little predictable I hadn't guessed it so that was refreshing.

The Silver Linings Playbook

Author - Matthew Quick

Page Count - 289

First Published - 2012

This is one of those I want to watch the film but want to read the book first situations. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence as an actress so I was instantly drawn to the story. It's another book that features mental health.

Pat Peoples has just returned home from a stay in a psychiatric hospital. How long and why he went there in the first place are things Pat has forgotten. Pat believes in silver linings and that one day soon apart time with his wife Nikki will end. He meets Tiffany a women with her own problems who befriends Pat.

The book is set from Pat's perspective and written in an almost diary entry way. The book overall is a bit repetitive in theme with a few moments where there are advancements in Pats memory triggered by finding items or through conversations with his family and friends. I'm really looking forward to watching the film adaptation as I feel that the chemistry between the characters will be better portrayed from a different perspective.
 

What have you been reading?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | February

Hi, This month was a bit of a slow one for reading. I've got two reviews for you today, both books I got out of my local library hence the protective covers in the photo. I'm hoping to get more reading done in March but we'll see. I'm sure to get a brand new selection of books to choose from for my Birthday.
 

Reading Challenge 6/35

Nerve

Author - Jeanna Ryan

Page Count - 320

First Published - 2016
 

Nerve is one of the books on my to read list this year. I was introduced to this story when I saw the trailer for the film and wanted to know more. Me being me I wanted to read the book before watching the film and that is what I did.

The story is about Vee a teenage girl who is seen by her friends as very predictable. She's not one to do anything daring or risky until Nerve. Nerve is a dare game run via the interenet by anonymous hosts. The idea is you're either a player or a watcher, if you're a player you do ever increasingly difficult/dangerous dares to get better and better prizes. Vee decided to show her friends that she's not the character profile they think she is and starts playing.

The book while fast paced for me was a little over the top. Vee's response to what was happening wasn't very logical and as such annoyed me. I think the dares where pretty pants at times too which only made me dislike this book more. I watched the film as soon as I finished the book and apart from the general plot the film is totally different. I preferred the film because it held the time frame better and the dares seemed more realistic.

Solitaire

Author - Alice Oseman

Page Count - 392

First Published - 2014
 

I read 'Radio Silence' Alice's second novel last month and I wanted to read her debut novel to compare her writing style. Like her previous book I was left feeling like the point of the story had gone over my head but I don't know if this was me or the book.

Tory is portrayed as a depressed teenager with no interests or motivation. She has a few friends within her all girls school education that she goes through the motions with but overall she doesn't care. When she starts her sixth form year and some boys join her year group she's forced to question her idea of friendship new and old. The underlying story of the book is based around Solitaire a blog which is causing trouble, which in general didn't really aid the main point of the story being Tory's depression.

I think this book was clique and while I don't want to pass judgement on the portrayal of depression this book just annoyed me a lot. I found it quite boring, nothing really happened and the most exciting bits where unnecessary.

What have you been reading?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | December Book Reviews

Hi, I did it I completed my pledged 35 books and today I'm sharing my reviews of the last three books of 2016. I'm aiming for 35 books again this year so I need to get reading. If you want to know what my favourite books of last year where check out my post 2016 In Books | My Favourite Books This Year.

December Reading Roundup - Year Book Count 35!

The Big Lie

Author - Julie Mayhew

Page Count - 323

First Published - 2015  

I have a habit of coming across books on Goodreads liking the synopsis and then forgetting what they are about but knowing that I want to read it. On my last visit to my local library I picked out 'The Big Lie' which is basically a story asking what if the Nazi's had won the war and Britain was now part of the Greater German Reich.

Jessika Keller is a good girl with the perfect life set out in front of her. Jessika is naive, believing everything she is told. She follows rules to the tee and is forced to choose where her loyalties stand on a daily basis. One of the more unexpected plot lines was Jessika's forbidden sexuality, this story has strong LGBT themes. Her ultimate sacrifice is who does she stand by? her family, her best friend or her country.

The concept for the story is not new but the way it's told from a young females perspective is. Maybe I loved this book so much because I wasn't expecting to, the subject really got me thinking. It's a while after reading this book that I'm writing this review and the story is still with me. I'd really recommend that you put it on your 2017 TBR.

Lament

Author - Maggie Stiefvater

Page Count - 356

First Published - 2011
 

I have mixed feeling about this book, it was neither good or bad I just didn't connect with the characters or the story. I picked 'Lament' and it's follow up 'Ballad' back in March from a charity shop. If I saw them now I'd leave them behind as I know that I just can't read supernatural romance books anymore.

The books romance is very close to that of Bella in Twilight. The female character in this case named Dee just can't help but be attracted to Luke. Dee is a cloverhand which means she can see faeries. One day Luke turns up and everything she knew about her world changes, it comes to light that Luke is really an assassin sent to murder her.

My issue with the story was that nothing was every really explained, a lot of faerie related terminology is used but then not expanded on. Dee is all too ready to just accept the faerie realm like it's a normal occurrence. There are unexplained connections between characters which just annoyed me as why even have them if there's no meaning behind it. Overall it was a quick read and not unreadable but I'm not rushing to read 'Ballad'.

The Hogfather

Author - Terry Pratchett

Page Count - 445

First Published - 1996
 

Well this is a weird book to review as I've already got an idea about the characters and the city of Ankh-Morpork for reading previous disc world books. I don't know if I'd have enjoyed it as much if I didn't know Pratchett's writing style. It's a good stand alone book with enough relatable subject matter referring to Christmas and the general festive feeling that the story is easy to follow.

Someone has hired an assassin to rid the world of The Hogfather so Death has donned his red suit to remind the humans about their need to believe. Pratchett's books are well known for there dark humor and this book is no exception. I'm going to see if I can find the televised version to compare.

What's the first book of the New Year you're reading?

Sam

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2016 In Books | What I Read

Hi, Another year almost over and another 35 books read. I completed my Goodreads challenge today with a mad reading session to get the final book finished (I always forget how much time Christmas takes up). I've added my overall stars out of five on the books I've read this past year so you can see what I've enjoyed the most.

2016 Pledged Books

1. Infinite Sky - C.J. Flood ★★★☆☆

2. Divergent - Veronica Roth ★★★★★

3. Insurgent - Veronica Roth ★★★★★
4. It’s Not Me, It’s You - Mhairi McFarlane ★★★☆☆

5. Panic - Lauren Oliver ★★★☆☆

6. Allegiant - Veronica Roth ★★★★☆

7. The Fire Sermon - Francesca Haig ★★★☆☆

8. The Year of the Rat - Clare Furniss ★★★☆☆
9. Room - Emma Donoghue ★★★★☆

10. All the Rage - Courtney Summers ★★★★☆

 11. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling ★★★★☆

12. The Martian - Andy Weir ★★★☆☆

13. The Girl with All the Gifts - M.R. Carey ★★★★★

14. The Glittering Art of Falling Apart - Ilana Fox ★★★★★
15. Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy - Lucy-Anne Holmes ★★★★☆

 16. The Age of Miracles - Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★☆

17. What Milo Saw - Virginia Macgregor ★★★☆☆

18. The Crooked House - Christobel Kent ★★☆☆☆

19. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★☆☆

20. Linger - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆

21. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆
22. Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel - Jane Costello ★★★★☆

23. The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton ★★★☆☆

24. Sinner - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★★☆
25. Soulmates - Holly Bourne ★★★★☆

 26. A Step Towards Falling - Cammie McGovern ★★★★☆

27. What's a Girl Gotta Do? - Holly Bourne ★★★★☆
28. Four: A Divergent Story Collection - Veronica Roth ★★★☆☆
29. This Last Kiss - Madeleine Reiss ★★★★★
30. Armada - Ernest Cline ★★★☆☆

 31. Asking for it - Louise O'Neill ★★★☆☆
32. I’ll give you the sun - Jandy Nelson ★★★★☆
33. The Big Lie - Julie Mayhew ★★★★★
34. Lament - Maggie Stiefvater ★★★☆☆
35. The Hogfather - Terry Pratchett ★★★☆☆

Some of my favorite books from this year where the most unexpected. The books that I gave five stars too where The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey, The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox, The first two books in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, This Last Kiss by Madeleine Reiss and lastly The Big Lie by Julie Mayhew.

Books that I didn't rate as high but I'd recommend everyone reads include The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, All the Rage by Courtney Summers, What's a Girl Gotta Do? by Holly Bourne, Asking for it by Louise O'Neill and I’ll give you the sun by Jandy Nelson.

I'm already planning my TBR for 2017 and I'm so looking forward to getting ahead on next years reading challenge. I'm thinking about sharing my TBR, would this be something you're interested in seeing?

Sam 

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