Top Five Tuesday – Books On My TBR List

A new Top Five Tuesday, the prompts are created by Bionic Book Worm. This weeks is books I’m most excited to read on my TBR list. The list itself has 150 books on it but I’ve decided to go for ones that are a bit further down.

1. The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley

This is the fifth book is the Seven Sisters series and it follows Tiggy’s story. I’m excited to read about Tiggy, she’s quite spiritual and calm she seems like the grounding force of her siblings and she lives in Scoland looking after wild deer. What a job, I can’t say I would deal with the cold well but caring for animals is definitely life goals!

2. The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin

We still have no idea when this will be published but I will freak out when it’s announced. I can’t wait to read what happens next to my favourite characters. Please hurry George!

3. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Ever since I read about the premise of this book I’ve been really eager to read it. It’s a murder mystery with a twist. At a big party, Evelyn is murdered, Aiden a guest, must solve her murder or the day will keep repeating itself. Each day Aiden wakes in a different guests body so he has many perspectives to work with. I’ve read a few reviews and it’s praised highly, the concept alone is very clever so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.

4. Circe by Madeline Miller

I’m a bit behind the times with this book, but I only recently found out about it and am already obsessed. Circe is born in Ancient Greece, she has the power to turn rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Zeus is threatened and banishes her to a deserted island where she hones her craft. I was looking up books told from villian’s points of view and this came up on the list. A powerful woman who threatens society is banished and decides to fight back, sign me up!

5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I am guilty of watching the tv adaptation of these books first but I’m still very excited to read them. It’s historical fiction, we’ve also got time travel and Claire and Jaime are the most adorable cannon couple in fiction ever without being soppy or annoying. The books are told from Claire’s point of view I think and I can’t wait to read her badass thoughts.

What books are you most excited about on your TBR list?

A Song of Ice and Fire Re-Read – A Game of Thrones

There are spoilers ahead for this book so proceed with caution!!

It starts with one of the best opening chapters I’ve ever read. You know you’re in for a chilling (pun intended) and brilliant ride. The prologue is set beyond the Wall, three men of the Night’s Watch are looking for signs of wildlings and instead find creatures that have been gone for thousands of years.

In ASOIAF the chapters are told from different points of view, we switch from person to person. It’s such a clever way of telling the story, especially one as complicated as this. Everyone gets more and more spread out across Westeros so it wouldn’t make sense to stay with one person. Although one character has many more chapters in this first book…Ned Stark.

I love how much of the history of Westeros we get in the book. All the religions and kingdoms fascinate me. But it doesn’t distract from the current events in the story. Westeros is a very dark and brutal place, with medieval values when it comes to women, people of colour and of course no one is allowed to be lgbt. The only place that seems chill is Dorne but we haven’t been properly introduced to them yet!

My favourite chapters are usually Tyrion’s, Jon’s or Catelyn’s. Although any mention of Cersei will have me on alert! It frustrates me that we don’t get to hear her thoughts until A Feast for Crows, the fourth book.

Character’s dreams play a big part in the books. “Everyone knows that dreams are prophetic.” – Sansa Stark. The Starks especially have really important dreams, Bran and Rickon both dream that their father is in the crypts after he was executed. Bran and Arya both have wolf dreams in which they become wolves and see the world through their eyes.

On a different note I cannot tell you how much I hate Robert Baratheon, he’s such a vile, self indulgent arsehole. The fact that Lyanna died obviously haunted Ned for years, because he’s her brother, but Robert thinks he had this weird claim to her. “You knew Lyanna’s beauty but not the iron underneath.” – Ned Stark. Robert went to war to ‘take her back’ and then when he won he painted Rhaegar Targaryen as a murderer. I am convinced as are many fans that Lyanna left of her own will because she loved Rhaegar as he loved her. Then Robert spends the next fifteen years treating Cersei like crap. I am genuinely surprised she didn’t have him killed a lot sooner, she really has the patience of a saint.

Ned being so honourable he risked all of his family’s lives…good job idiot. Seriously, what is wrong with you? Sure Joffrey is a sociopath, but with the right leaders beside him like Tywin Lannister (I also hate him but he is good at running the country) it would have been fine. It’s not like Stannis is any better, he’s practically a robot, no one likes him, why don’t we just avoid thousands of people dying in a war no one wanted. I could literally rant about Ned’s incompetence for hours.

It is terrifying how young some of the characters are. The show did at least one thing right in making Dany, Jon and Robb a lot older than they are in ASOIAF. They are all thirteen or fourteen at the beginning, Bran is only seven, Arya is nine and Sansa eleven. I completely forgot how young they were and it amazes me how they navigate the horrors to come at that age.

A confession: Despite Jaime and Cersei throwing Bran out of a window I somehow managed to forgive them. I blame their complicated characters and the phenomenal acting of Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster Waldau. From what we see of them in this first book, I don’t think I would have warmed to them at all. The Lannister siblings are deeply troubled, thanks to the worst father in Westeros – Tywin. If I could go back in Westeros time and adopt all three as children I would! They’re also the sassiest characters by some way which wins them all bonus points.

Characters who break my heart the most: Jon, Tyrion & Dany

Most underrated: Sansa – she’s just a child and she adapts so quickly at the end of the book to ensure her survival, yes she trusted too easily but she learnt her lesson.

On my kill list: Littlefinger, Joffrey, Robert, Lysa, The Mountain & Tywin.

Let me protect them: Arya, Sansa, Bran, Dany, Jon, Robb, Tyrion, Cersei, Jaime, Catelyn and all of the smallfolk of Westeros.

Favourite quotes: “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.” – Ned Stark

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die, there is no middle ground.” – Cersei Lannister

“The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true.” – Syrio Forel

“For the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons.”

Favourite dynamic: Jon & Arya – they are so cute and they love each other so much! They think of each other all the way through their seperate journeys, they wonder what the other is doing and recall their childhood together. And Jon giving Arya her sword Needle was so important to her, it’s one of the few things she has left of Winterfell at the end of the book.

Favourite death: Robert Baratheon’s death is by far my favourite in the first book. I had a little chuckle because it was cleverly done, Robert was out hunting boar and his squire had been instructed to get him as drunk as possible. Then they let his arrogance and stupidity do the rest. Robert missed the boar and was speared in the stomach instead…shame (not).

I have started a Clash of Kings, it is one of my favourites, but it’s so sad! Seeing the war torn countryside through Arya’s eyes is so upsetting! But anyway let me know what you think of A Game of Thrones in the comments.

The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley Review

This series is so well written. This is the third book and we get to know Star, the quietest of her sisters and the most introverted. She’s spent most of her life overshadowed by her slightly younger sister CeCe. The pair have been inseparable even into adulthood, but when their father dies and leaves them both clues as to where he adopted them, Star starts to think about having a life to herself.

Star’s roots lie in England. We go back in time to the early 1900s where we meet Flora MacNichol a young girl with a secret that everyone knows but her. She’s about to make her debut into society through her mother’s friend but she has one last summer at home in the Lake District. Flora loves flowers and animals, she has her own menagerie of rescued animals. But when a childhood nemesis comes to make amends for the past and get to know her, they both find themselves falling in love. Flora is such a lovely person, her life is chaotic due to her mother keeping secrets from her.

I connected with both women, like Star I’m can be quiet around new people or those I distrust and like Flora I would love to remove myself from society and live in a little cottage with lots of animals! This is probably my favourite book in the series so far, next it’s CeCe’s turn to discover her ancestors but I’m not sure we’ll get on bery well. We shall see….

Top Five Tuesday – Favourite Audiobooks

A new Top Five Tuesday, the prompts are created by Bionic Book Worm. This is a great topic for me, this year I started getting really into audiobooks, some that I listened to have definitely been better than others so here are my top five:

1. Mythos written and narrated by Stephen Fry

This was the first audiobook I listened to. Stephen Fry’s style of writing flows so well. Not even for a moment do you feel like the stories are dated or boring. I loved learning about all the Gods and Goddesses and finding out where we get so many words from!

2. World War Z written by Max Brooks, narrated by: Christopher Ragland, Rupert Farley, Nigel Pilkington, Jennifer Woodward, David Thorpe, Adam Sims & Robert Slade

This was so cleverly recorded, the premise of the book is a zombie virus has spread across the world, human kind almost became extinct. Somehow they managed to cling on and a journalist has travelled the world collecting survivors stories. The use of different voices worked perfectly, it all felt very real and so scary!

3. The Child written by Fiona Barton, narrated by Claire Corbett, Adjoa Andoh, Finty Williams, Fenella Woolgar & Steven Pacey

Again the multiple narrators really addd something extra to the story. On a building site in London the skeleton of a baby has been found. The Child tells the story from three different points of view; one woman is reminded of the worst thing that ever happened to her, another is worried that her deepest secret is about to be discovered and the third is journalist trying to find the truth. I really connected with the characters in the story and found myself very emotional by the end.

4. Their Lost Daughters written by Joy Ellis, narrated by Richard Armitage

This is a crime novel set in Lincolnshire, a girl is found wandering and confused having been drugged at a party, but she’s asking for her friend who has disappeared. DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans have to find the people responsible and stop it before anyone else goes missing. Firstly Richard Armitage has such a gorgeous voice so bonus points for that…but it’s a really gripping story, I’m listening to another one in this series at the moment and it’s just as good.

5. Murder on the Orient Express written by Agatha Christie, narrated by: Tom Conti, Jane Asher, Ruta Gedmintas, Joseph Paterson, Ruta Lenska, Art Malik, Edie Marson, Sophie Okenedo & Walles Harmonde

This felt like more of a radio play and it was fantastic. I’ve never actually read any Agatha Christie books but I loved this so I’m clearly going to have to pick some up.

What are some of your favourite audiobooks?

After the Party by Cressida Connolly Review

“I don’t believe the young ever really understand how free they are.”

After the Party is set in Sussex, England in the late 1930s. Phyllis and her family have lived abroad for years and now her husband’s contract has ended they are excited to move home. Phyllis wants to live near her sisters as she has missed them so much. The family are all upper class and so is everyone in their social circle. Patricia is the eldest sister, she’s pretentious and rude generally. Nina is the middle sister, she runs summer camps and attends weekly meetings for ‘the party’.

At first we readers don’t know what political party Nina is affiliated with but eventually it’s revealed to be the British Union of Fascists. They appeared to want peace and wanted to avoid war with Germany but at any cost. The meetings seem innocent at first talking about how chain shops are taking over. But the speakers have such influence over the room, it’s scary.

“A palpable warmth filled the crowd. It was the warmth of shared belief passionately felt and a set of shared values in immediate peril.”

Phyllis was just going along with her husband’s opinion as did a lot of women in those days. But as war crept closer the Union became more determined.

“If there had been some aspects of the British Union policy Phyllis didn’t wholly applaud, now against the fervour of the peace initiative these reservations shrank away.”

I was surprised that I knew nothing about the British Union of Fascists, we had never been taught that we also had people who shared those views. I knew some of the politicians came close to making a deal with Germany but I thought we were noble in the face of evil (which we were, just not all of us.)

When Phyllis was in prison I did feel sorry for her and the other women. A lot of them had just been going along with their husbands opinions. The men made the decisions. The women were held without trial or chance of parole, taken away from their children and they had no idea when they would be released. The government clearly saw them all as a threat but it was extreme.

It was really cleverly done because as a reader I definitely felt sympathetic towards the women even though what they had stood for disgusts me. It was interesting to read it from their point of view.

Autumn TBR List

It’s autumn! Time for jumpers, scarves and beautiful autumn colours. I love autumn, it’s not yet freezing, the sun still makes an appearance but it’s still cozy blanket weather. I read a lot all year around but it feels right to be curled up under a blanket reading all afternoon while it’s raining outside. Anyway here are the books I hope to read over the next three months.

After the Party by Cressida Connolly – September

I’ve just started this one, it’s set in 1938 in England. Phyillis Forrester has lived abroad with her husband and children for years and they’ve finally come back to England. She wanted to live close to her sisters and she soon finds herself mixing with their middle class friends. But war is brewing and the hatred that spurs on the Nazi’s isn’t exclusive to them. I’m not that far into the book so everything seems innocent enough at the moment, but all the meetings that the sisters go to and speakers that preach to them has the potential to become hateful. It’s pretty scary.

Eric by Terry Pratchett – September

Another book with our favourite failing wizard Rincewind. A funny take on the Faust legend, Eric makes a deal with the devil but instead of getting immortality and riches he gets stuck with Rincewind and the Luggage.

The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley – September/October

This is the third book in the series and I’m really looking forward to finding out more about Star and her roots. These books are so well written, they really take you on the sisters journeys with them. I have pushed this book back a few times, I had books that my Mum had leant me so I wanted to read those first but I will definitely keep it’s place this time.

Sunday Morning Coming Down by Nicci French – October/November

The seventh Frieda Klein novel this leads straight from the end of Saturday Requiem which ended dramatically with Frieda finding the dead body of a policeman under her floorboards. Frieda is sure her stalker Dean Reeve is behind it but he’s been (supposedly) dead for seven years.

Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett – November

A twist on Cinderella, a servant girl’s fairy godmother dies but her wishes have already set in motion a terrible plan that could destroy the kingdom. It’s up to Granny Weatherwax, Magrat Garlick and Nanny Ogg to save the kingdom of Genua and stop the Prince from making a huge mistake.

Nightflyers by George R.R Martin – November

I saw this book in a shop a little while ago and I didn’t know George had written any space books, I’m so excited to read it.

I’m also re-reading ASOIAF at home, the books are so huge, I don’t bother taking them to work! What are some of your autumn reads this year?

Tangerine by Christine Mangan – Review

“I could already feel that same effect she always had over me: strengthening and emboldening me, her presence serving as an armour I could somehow never manage to affix on my own.”

Tangerine is set in the 1950’s in Tangier, Morocco. We meet Alice first, she followed her husband to Tangier but has struggled with the city. The stifling heat and the crowds cause her to panic. The way her anxiety is described in the first chapter is spot on. Alice’s relationship with her husband is strained, they had a whirlwind romance and it’s clear that he doesn’t understand her fear of going outside or getting lost in Tangier.

We then meet Lucy who went to college with Alice, they were roommates and very close friends. They used to talk about traveling the world together but they lost touch after school. I love the way we see Alice through Lucy’s eyes. Mangan’s style of describing her characters is quite special. The way Lucy idolises Alice and the time they spent together, it’s clear early on that she’s in love with her. Lucy finds out that Alice is now living in Tangier and decides to surprise her with a visit.

But when Lucy shows up on Alice’s doorstep it’s clear that something happened at their school in Vermont. They didn’t simply loose touch, there was an accident, something that has haunted Alice ever since. The way their relationship unfolds is very clever, all the chapters are told from one of the women’s point of view so we get to see both sides of the story.

Alice’s husband John and Lucy do not get on. Lucy can see straight through him to his rotten core. That spells serious trouble for John amd he doesn’t like it. The way all three characters interact is so well written.

“John was the problem, the patriarchal head that had to be cut off, the dragon that had to be slain in order to rescue the heroine.”

I have a tendency to relate to more morally ambiguous characters, Lucy is another one. She is manipulative and possessive but she is also deluded and needs help. I’m rooting for both the women still at the end, despite some of Lucy’s actions.

I really enjoyed this book, it was full of twists and turns. It’s a brilliant look into obsession and how dangerous it can be. The style of writing was really interesting and I would definitely recommend it.

Top Five Tuesday – Series I Need to Finish

A new Top Five Tuesday, the prompts are created by Bionic Book Worm. I’m actually doing quite well at keeping up with series I’ve started, I don’t like to read similar books in a row so I do space out books by the same authors etc. These are all on my on my TBR list some are quite low down but shhh…

1. The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley

I started reading these books this year, I’ve read the first two which were wonderful. They each focus on one of the sisters who were adopted from around the world by their father who recently passed away. He left them clues and coordinates to where they’re from in case they want to find out one day. I’m going to start the third book soon The Shadow Sister which follows Star and her journey to discovery in England.

2. Frieda Klein series by Nicci French

I have only two books left of this series, they are waiting on my bookshelf right now! I have taken my time with this one, I forgot it for a while, the first book was published in 2011 and the last in 2018. Frieda is a psychologist who liases with the police when they need help on cases. But trouble seems to follow her, she has a stalker who has followed her since the first book, he once saved her life. But he faked his own death so no one will believe Frieda when she claims it’s him that’s harming others around her.

3. Tudor Legacy series by Laura Andersen

This is the second series surrounding the Tudors, Elizabeth is now queen after her brother Henry died. It’s been fifteen years since the first series finished, Elizabeth has a child! And so do her dear friends Minuette and Dominic. As always at Tudor court there are spies and drama, I’ve only read the first book so far but the second isn’t far away.

4. Discworld series by Terry Pratchett

Although these books don’t have to be read in chronological order, each is a stand alone, they all take place on the strange Discworld and usually in the city of Ankh-Morpork. I love these books, I’ve lost count of how many I’ve read but I’ve still got many to go yet there are forty one in total!

5. Six Tudor Queens series by Alison Weir

I’ve only read the first of this series but it was so detailed and felt like a biography of Katherine of Aragon and her life in England. I am excited to read Anne Boleyn’s book because she has always fascinated me.

That’s all of them, I can’t believe it’s autumn already! Are there any series you have yet to finish or have forgotten?

Top Five Tuesday- Dystopian Novels

A new Top Five Tuesday, the prompts are created by Bionic Book Worm. I love dystopian fiction! It’s probably going to be the genre I end up writing (if I ever get around to it!) I realised while making this list though that I have barely read any dystopian novels so I’ve got some from my TBR list.

1. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

This series is brilliant, war broke out many years ago and has left America sparsely populated. The remaining citizens have been split into Districts. They each have a main trade and they all give their supplies to the Capitol. The people of the outer districts live in poverty, they once tried to rebel and take back their freedom but the Capitol won and obliterated District Thirteen. Since then, every year as punishment the districts must sacrifice one girl and boy to fight to the death in an Arena made and controlled by the Capitol. Such a chilling premise, children killing one another just to win their ‘freedom’. Except as we find out over the series even the winners aren’t free from the Capitol’s clutches.

2. The Power by Naomi Alderman

This book starts out as a feminist dream world but ends up proving that power corrupts everyone no matter their gender. Overnight teenage girls discover they have a power that no one else does. They can create electric currents through their hands. They can burn, shock and seriously injure others, they can also awaken this power in other women. The book follows different young people during this shift in dynamic. The book is so cleverly done, in the first half I was so happy to see a matriarchy taking shape but in the second half I was so shook to see how some women of this fictional world were using their power, just like men have done for hundreds of years. It’s definately worth a read.

3. 1984 by George Orwell

I can’t believe I haven’t read this book yet especially when it is more apt than ever. Published in 1949, it’s set in a bleak future, a world where everyone is being watched constantly, everyone has to stay in line, keep to the rules or risk severe punishment. I really need to read this as soon as possible!

4. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

This is also on my TBR list, aliens have invaded Earth in waves. Not much of humanity is left, no survivors trust each other as the aliens can disguise themselves as one of us. Cassie is all alone trying to find her brother, until she meets Evan and together they try to survive. This looks interesting, I love a good alien invasion!

5. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I haven’t read the book yet but I have been watching the show. It’s seriously terrifying because it’s so believable. When birth rates deplete massively worldwide, panic breaks out. Most of the world gets over it but in the USA, a religious cult takes over. They round up any mothers and force them to have children with the repulsive cult leaders. They call them Handmaids. Other countries tried to help but have failed. I find it difficult to watch most of the episodes so goodness knows what it’ll be like reading the book, but I definitely still want to read it!

What are some of your favourite dystopian stories?

Top Ten Tuesday – Book characters I want to be best friends with

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic by thatartsyreadergirl is ten characters I’d want to be best friends with. I put a lot of thought into all of these, I’m quite a quiet person and don’t make friends very easily but I’ve always connected easier with characters, they’re never going to reject you and (hopefully) won’t let you down. Here are my would be besties:

1. Luna Lovegood

Luna is such a gem, she’s quirky, intelligent and lovely and she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. The fact that she’s bullied at Hogwarts makes me so angry, I want to be her bestie because she’s a devoted friend but also to protect her from all the horrible people who can’t handle people being different. I wish I was more like Luna tbh, I’m getting to the not caring stage but it takes a while.

2. Brienne of Tarth

This woman is everything! Brienne is a fierce warrior with a heart of pure gold. Her innocence, vulnerability and fierce belief in the good in people are what drew me to her. Even though Brienne is perfectly capable of looking after herself, I’m a very protective person so my instinct as her best friend would be to destroy anyone who has ever bullied her (even you Jaime). She’s always been ridiculed and shunned for her height, her looks and her desire to be a knight. And I will fight them all!!!

3. Cersei Lannister

Definitely my problematic fave of this group. I adore this woman, I don’t care that she’s kind of a bitch, she’s had a really crappy time in her life. She had to be married to the repulsive Robert Baratheon for goodness sake, that’s enough to drive a saint to want to murder everyone. And actually I don’t think Cersei has murdered anyone so really she’s doing great. Again I want to protect her from the events in ASOIAF and all the people who treat her like crap and Cersei doesn’t seem to have any friends, maybe because of her spiky personality but I would be her best (and only) friend!

4. Eliza Makepeace

Eliza is another lonely soul, she lost her mother and brother when she was young and then had to move in with her unpleasant aunt and uncle. She did find a companion in her cousin though. Eliza loves to explore and tell stories. She writes a whole book of fairytales which she was able to get published. I would love to be her friend, she’s a caring and devoted friend herself, full of imagination and fun ideas. Her cousin betrays and rejects her, Eliza was a surrogate mother for her dearest friend and then she was shunned by the family as they feared she would grow too attached to the child, I would not stand for that!

5. Fred and George Weasley

These two are hilarious all the time! They would make great friends just for the entertainment factor. And they stand by their family and friends in important times, they defend what’s right but in their own funny way, like when they kept pranking Umbridge and then left school to set up their own joke shop. They then used the shop to help people during the Wizarding War by creating products to shield and protect their fellow witches and wizards. Also they’re treated as a disappointment by their mother (I’m not a Molly Weasley fan) and like Ron they have to live in the shadows of their older brothers’ success at school.

6. Eponine

This girl makes me want to cry! She has a tough life with her scheming criminal parents, living in poverty in the middle of Paris. But she’s a dreamer like me and I love that she takes up arms with the men when they rebel against the French aristocracy. She’s a very strong person and someone I definitely want on my side.

7. Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion is a bit of a mess, but who can blame him, he’s been sneered at and bullied all his life. Not just by outsiders but by most of his own family. Yet his sense of humour and wit never fail him. This man breaks my heart, I cry at most of his chapters but he still makes me laugh as well. I just want to hug him tight! It might be slightly awkward to be besties with both Cersei and Tyrion but I’ll take the risk!

8. Lyanna Stark

Lyanna doesn’t have a POV chapter in the ASOIAF books and by the time the books take place she has been dead for about fifteen years, so all that we know of her is from others. Lyanna was fierce, adventurous and fun. She was stubborn and like Brienne didn’t care about gender roles, she wanted to horse ride and fight like her brothers. But in the last months of her life she was left alone, pregnant and scared. She was only young and I just want to be there for her in that time and I’m no midwife but maybe if someone had helped her she might not have died! I’m not bitter about it at all…

9. The Famous Five

As a child I always wanted to be part of the Famous Five’s adventures, me and my sisters used to pretend to be them. They’re a great bunch, they solve mysteries and crimes, go exploring on their own and have a whole island to themselves in the summer holidays, who wouldn’t want to be friends with them?!

10. Winnie the Pooh

Okay so I was clutching at straws here slightly but I used to love Winnie the Pooh, he was my favourite, along with Eeyore. He’s so cuddly and cheerful and is a great friend to Christopher Robin.

There’s my list…who would be your fictional best friends?