My favourite books of the year so far!
Can you believe we are almost in November?!
Where has this year gone?
It has been filled with so many amazing books and I thought I would talk about some of the best books I've read so far this year. These are books that I cannot stop talking or thinking about and if you haven't had the chance to pick them up then I recommend that you do!
Nova is 32 years old and she is about to see the world for the very first time.
Jillian Safinova, Nova to her friends, can do many things. She can speak five languages. She can always find a silver lining. And she can even tell when someone is lying just from the sound of their voice.
But there's one thing Nova can't do. She can't see.
When her brother convinces her to have an operation that will restore her sight, Nova wakes up to a world she no longer understands. Until she meets Kate.
As Kate comes into focus, her past threatens to throw them into a different kind of darkness. Can they each learn to see the world in a different … and open their eyes to the lives they could have been living all along?
A captivating, beautiful read! - review -
I love him so totally, completely, sometimes it threatens to overwhelm me.
Sometimes I think-
No. I won't write about that.
Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet - and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can't bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.
Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia's silence goes far deeper than he first thought.
And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?
Not out till next year and it is one of the best thrillers I've ever read - review -
Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference.
A place offering a shot at "normality" for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for her new friends, who are all dealing with their own battles.
But as Olive settles in, she starts to wonder - maybe it's this messed up world that needs fixing, and not them. And so she comes up with a plan. Because together, snowflakes can form avalanches...
One of the best books I've ever read from Holly. It talks about mental health and it is just wonderful - review -
​Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the
hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the
sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most--a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian's heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby--it's his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she's more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good--But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind's greatest enemy?
Fab, fantastic, amazing, wonderful just love it - review -
​Two centuries ago, in the small, isolated town, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return from the depths, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them down to their watery deaths.
Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters' return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into or the fact that his arrival will change everything...
Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.
But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.
​A book that isn't talked about enough imo - review -
Twelve years ago Finn's girlfriend disappeared.
The Suspicion
He told the police the truth about that night.Just not quite the whole truth.
The Fear
Now Finn has moved on.But his past won't stay buried...
​So gripping and so amazing! - review -
​In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything - even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry.Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family. There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever ... and possibly the future of time itself.
​So ready for the sequel - review -
​When 16 year-old Grace gives up her baby for adoption, she decides that the time has come to find out more about her own biological mother. Although her biological mum proves elusive, her search leads her to two half-siblings she never knew existed.
Maya, 15, has been adopted by wealthy parents and seems to have the picture-perfect family – that is, if you look past her alcoholic mother and the fact that Maya stands out like a sore thumb.
Older brother Joaquin hasn't been so lucky. At 18, he's shuffled between foster home after foster home, always careful never to get attached to anyone or anything, because it always gets taken away.
When these three siblings come together, they find in themselves the place they can belong, while the secrets they guard threaten to explode... BUY HERE
A beautiful story about finding your family as tough times are ahead and I just love it - review -
​Between the simple melody of running her violin shop and the full-blown orchestra of her romantic interludes in Paris with David, her devoted partner of eight years, Grace Atherton has always set her life to music.
Her world revolves entirely around David, for Grace's own secrets have kept everyone else at bay. Until, suddenly and shockingly, one act tips Grace's life upside down, and the music seems to stop.
It takes a vivacious old man and a straight-talking teenager to kickstart a new chapter for Grace. In the process, she learns that she is not as alone in the world as she had once thought, that no mistake is insurmountable, and that the quiet moments in life can be something to shout about …
​Bloody brilliant - review -
​To seventeen-year-old Angie, who is mixed-race, Marilyn is her hardworking, devoted white single mother. But Marilyn was once young, too. When Marilyn was seventeen, she fell in love with Angie's father, James, who was African-American. But Angie's never met him, and Marilyn has always told her he died before she was born. When Angie discovers evidence of an uncle she's never met she starts to wonder: What if her dad is still alive, too? So she sets off on a journey to find him, hitching a ride to LA from her home in New Mexico with her ex-boyfriend, Sam. Along the way, she uncovers some hard truths about herself, her mother, and what truly happened to her father.
Another book I think isn't talked about enough! - review -
​Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The terrifying assassin abducts all three girls to the world of Faerie, where Jude is installed in the royal court but mocked and tormented by the Faerie royalty for being mortal. As Jude grows older, she realises that she will need to take part in the dangerous deceptions of the fey to ever truly belong.But the stairway to power is fraught with shadows and betrayal. And looming over all is the infuriating, arrogant and charismatic Prince Cardan . .
bloody brilliant - review -
​FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE.
When Fi Lawson arrives home to find strangers moving into her house, she is plunged into terror and confusion. She and her husband Bram have owned their home on Trinity Avenue for years and have no intention of selling. How can this other family possibly think the house is theirs? And why has Bram disappeared when she needs him most?
FOR RICHER, FOR POORER.
Bram has made a catastrophic mistake and now he is paying. Unable to see his wife, his children or his home, he has nothing left but to settle scores. As the nightmare takes grip, both Bram and Fi try to make sense of the events that led to a devastating crime. What has he hidden from her – and what has she hidden from him? And will either survive the chilling truth – that there are far worse things you can lose than your house?
TILL DEATH US DO PART.
​So gripping! - review -
To Kill a Kingdom book tag
I got tagged by Lydia over at SilverWolfReads who worked with Alexandra Christo on creating this book tag! If you follow me on social media you know how much I ADORE To Kill A Kingdom and it is one of my favourite books I've read this year so, I was really excited to be tagged in this. Check out the original post by Lydia here!
​You're going on a vacation on a cruise boat for a week. Which book(s) would you pack to keep you entertained as you explore the seven seas?
I've never been on a cruise but, I feel I would take about 10 books and only read 2 because, I always do that on holiday. I feel I would take Mirage by Somaiya Daud and Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan as these are two books I have been dying to read and I think just chilling on the ship with these books would be amazing and probably some of my old favourites like Poison Study and ofc To Kill a Kingdom just because.
​You're on the boat, and you start to hear your favourite song being played out from a nearby island. Which song would this be? What book do you associate with this song?
My favourite songs always change but one song I always love is I'm Still Here from the movie Treasure Planet (which is fitting since it's a movie about a ship in space!) It is a song about trying to move on, being who you want to be and feeling like you belong. A book I would put with this song is A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard. A book about a girl who doesn't speak and a boy who can't hear. I feel this song fits in perfectly as these characters go through a lot and they just want to belong and it is just amazing.
​You go to the side of the boat and notice a mermaid sat on the rocks. She seems pretty bored. And you know of loads of awesome books. Which one book do you always recommend to people without fail?
Anything by Holly Bourne. Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes is her recent book and it is amazing and has the topic of mental health and Holly does it amazingly. For an amazing fantasy read I would recommend Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo! And some other recommendations include, Fangirl, When Dimple Met Rishi and S.T.A.G.S.
​The mermaid seems pretty happy with your suggestion, and swims off. You hear the song from a moment a go has stopped. And there doesn't seem to many people about. Creepy, huh? What book gave you the chills whilst you were reading it?
The Call by Peadar O'Guilin. It is super creepy, gave me chills when reading it and I just adored it so much.
​The song picks up again. But this time, it doesn't sound like the normal version you're used to. It sounds eery, and you can feel yourself walking towards the sound. You're in a trance. Which book hooked you in from the very first page?
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. The writing is beautiful, the story is wonderful and you are just instantly compelled. Filled with amazing characters and the first page takes you of on an amazing adventure.
​You're climbing over the rails of the ocean, moving towards the sound of the singing. You jump into the ocean and a rush of cold hits you. What book has the biggest plot twist that you weren't expecting?
I recently read The Silent Patient, which isn't out till next year but, had a really good plot twist! I was reading it when I was on holiday and I remember gasping really loudly around the pool when it happened. It was just so unexpected!
​You begin swimming on instinct, nothing has come to get you yet. You feel like you've been swimming for hours. What's the biggest book you've ever read? (Or the one that's taken you the longest time to read).
Big books some times scare me but, I currently have Kingdom of Ash to read which is a massive book! And, I'm probably cheating with this one as it was 3 books in 1 but the first 3 books in the Order of Darkness series. I don't mind big books as long as they are gripping and have something that keeps them going as sometimes I just can't keep reading it aha.
​Something grabs your leg. You start kicking. Which book deals with heavy/underdiscussed that always makes you want to put up a fight for righteousness?
I am Thunder and Love, Hate & Other Filters. It tackles themes such as Islamophobia and religion. It is a book that is perfect for people who may not understand what other people go through daily and how everyone can do something to stop it. These books pull at the heartstrings of the readers and hopefully these books get the readers to talk more about it and use their voices to make a difference. Just like these characters do and another book is Moxie. A fab story about fighting for your rights. Fighting against the sexism in the world.
They're pulling you under the water. Which book had you on the edge of your seat, unable to breathe as you turned to the next page?
Final Girls! One of my all time favourite thrillers that just had me so gripped I was almost in the book.
​You notice a glimpse of red. You notice a fish-like tail. It's a siren. Which book would you recommend for people who love the ocean's mythical creatures?
Well first, To Kill A Kingdom and another book that needs to be talked about more is The Wicked Deep. It kind is centred around the ocean/lake and has a mythical story. Each year 3 witches that died hundreds of years ago take the bodies of young girls and lure men to their deaths in the sea. It is amazing.
​There is an enormous screeching sound. The siren lets go. You float to the top of the ocean surface, gasping for air. You're alive. You get onboard the boat, dry off and clutch your books to your chest.
Which bookish-friends would you call to share your experience with? Who would you believe you? Who should do this tag?
(Not sure if you guys have read it but you need too) Jenn, Jess and Kate!
Our Orlando Trip
If you've been following any of my social medias you will know that I went to Orlando on the 4th September for two weeks. I use to go quite a bit when I was little but the last time was 9 years ago and this was my boyfriends first time. It was one of the best holidays we have been on and I thought I would share some of my favourite parts of this holiday.
Walking into these parks after all these years never gets old. It felt magic as soon as you swipe your card and are in. The first park we visited was Magic Kingdom of course. The weather was beautiful. It wasn't too busy and I just fell in love all over again. The staff are so friendly, the rides where just as good as we remembered. My favourite ride at Magic Kingdom has to be the Buzz Lightyear ride. We always competed to see who would do the best (I only won about once) still so fun. We also visited Animal Kingdom, the Lion King show is a must for this park! We visited Pandora and it is beautiful, they have really out done themselves with that part. Epcot was really fun as it was the Food & Wine festival on and we got try to some different food from around the world. We also got to meet Baymax and giving him a hug and fist bump was the highlight for me and, of course we visited Hollywood Studios. Tower of Terror has been my mums all time favourite ride and we went on it a lot and Aerosmith. We visited Toy Story but, sadly didn't do any of the rides as the queue times where so long and we where really hot but, it was amazing how they've built it! Also the Star Wars show and march where just brilliant! I am so excited for Star Wars Land!
Universal/IOA
The last time I visited Island of Adventure and Universal, Hogwarts was getting built so obviously I was pretty upset so, going to these parks and visiting Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, getting to go the train, getting our wands, visiting Gringotts was just more than I expected! It was just so magical, the interactions with the wizards and witches around the park, my boyfriend getting asked if he is a Weasley, just everything was wonderful. Some of our other favourites from around the parks include Rip Ride Rockit, The Hulk, Spider-Man, Men In Black (everyone always got over 100,000 and I never got near 20,000 on this ride) Transformers, The Mummy, Minions, Shrek 4-D and the Simpsons Land! I also loved visiting Sesuss landing as The Cat in the Hat ride was my favourite as a child and I had to go on it a few times. Universal and Island of Adventure was just amazing as I remember and I really enjoyed experiencing the Harry Potter part for the first time with my boyfriend.
Of course, the food was a highlight for me. We hardly spent a lot of money on food as there is so many places you can go and get a good meal for two and not have to pay too much. The only expensive dining we did was the Ohana breakfast with Lilo & Stitch which, was totally worth it in my opinion. The service was brilliant, the location was beautiful, THE FOOD! You could eat as much as you want and I just did and of course you got to meet Lilo, Stitch and Mickey! Stitch blew me a kiss and I died. We really enjoyed the food at IHOP and went loads of times as you got really generous portion sizes and you got pancakes with any meal as a side order...how amazing is that?! We also visited the Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom with my mum and sister when they came over. Service again, was amazing. My mum can't have gluten and they where really good and even brought out the chef for her to talk through the things they could do for her, I must say at all the parks they always went out of their way to make sure her meal was done properly so, thank you! It was the first time I had Eggs Benedict and I need it again. It was so good. We also ate at the Leaky Cauldron in Universal and WOW! The food was so good. The Chicken sandwich had to be one of my favourites and just, I miss the food.
ALSO! If you ever go to Orlando I can't recommend CiCi's enough. For $13 for two adults it was all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad, dessert and drinks. We use to go all the time when we where little and I was just so happy to be back. The food was just as good as I remember. We also had loads of Ice Cream at the parks which was the best.
This is something I've never done before and I was so excited! It was such a brilliant night and the main thing I wanted to do was watch the Hocus Pocus show and it was just wonderful. We got to go around and get loads of candy, go on rides, dance with Mike and Sully and it was just wonderful.
Something I never expected happened at Hogwarts. My boyfriend, now fiance, proposed with a wand and of course, I said yes and cried. It was the second day of our holiday and it just really set the tone for the rest of the holiday. It was so unexpected, so wonderful and something that I will remember forever.
Now, if we can get married there that would be great.
We are not planning on heading back till 2021 but, I am really excited to head back and visit Star Wars Land and just have that feeling of happiness of being back.