Top Five Tuesday – Books from my childhood

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’re looking back at books from our childhoods, I have always loved reading, especially as a child so this is a great topic for me!

1. The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

I used to love these books so much, it’s a series of adventure stories with four children and their dog who always spend their summer holidays together. They were written in the 1940s and set in that time too, I used to love pretending to be one of the Famous Five with my sisters.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban by JK Rowling

The whole series shaped my childhood but I think this one was always my favourite, maybe because it’s the only one without Voldermort in it? Or maybe because Remus Lupin is a gem.

3. The Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson

I used to read as many Jacqueline Wilson books as I possibly could, she’s a fantastic author and The Lottie Project is definitely one of my favourites. It’s about a girl Charlie who has to do a history project about the Victorians and ends up writing a diary as a girl from that era, it’s so good and it set me up for my obsession with historical fiction!!

4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

This series is genius, it’s dark without being too much and I love Snicket’s writing style, I learnt a lot of words from him! I still enjoy reading these books now.

5. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is about being yourself no matter what and not bothering with what bullies say. Stargirl starts at a high school after 15 years of being home schooled, she was shunned for her differences but she didn’t really care. It’s a beautiful book and I think it really helped me realise how irrelevant other’s opinions of you are.

Top Five Tuesday – Series I want to start

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we have to choose five series that we want to start.

1. Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown

Blurb: Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

I want to read more sci-fi and this series looks perfect, I’ve had it on my TBR list for ages so I should probably get a move on!

2. Dorothy Must Die Series by Danielle Paige

Blurb: I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I’ve read the books. I’ve seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can’t be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There’s still a yellow brick road—but even that’s crumbling.
What happened? Dorothy.
They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas.
I’ve been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I’ve been trained to fight.
And I have a mission.

A twist on the classic tale, yes please!

3. Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard

Blurb: This is a world divided by blood—red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

I’ve had this on my list for ages as well, I’m excited to explore another new world.

4. The Earthend Saga by Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin

Blurb: Renowned child psychologist Caitlin O’Hara is a single mom trying to juggle her job, her son, and a lackluster dating life. Her world is suddenly upturned when Maanik, the daughter of India’s ambassador to the United Nations, starts speaking in tongues and having violent visions. Caitlin is sure that her fits have something to do with the recent assassination attempt on her father—a shooting that has escalated nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan to dangerous levels—but when teenagers around the world start having similar outbursts, Caitlin begins to think that there’s a more sinister force at work.

I was mainly drawn to this because Gillian Anderson co-wrote it but it genuinely looks really good. I reminds me of The Power.

5. When Women Were Warriors Series by Catherine M. Wilson

Blurb: In Book I of the trilogy, Tamras arrives in Merin’s house to begin her apprenticeship as a warrior, but her small stature causes many, including Tamras herself, to doubt that she will ever become a competent swordswoman. To make matters worse, the Lady Merin assigns her the position of companion, little more than a personal servant, to a woman who came to Merin’s house, seemingly out of nowhere, the previous winter, and this stranger wants nothing to do with Tamras.

The title alone has me hooked, a while trilogy about female warriors, I’m in!

Top Five Tuesday – Books I will definitely read this year

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we have to choose five books we’re definitely going to read this year:

1. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

I have been waiting to start this series for ages, I have the first few books, they’re all massive so I’m excited to get into them!

2. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley

I finally have my hands on the fourth book in the Seven Sisters series, I’m really intrigued to see if I’ll like CeCe after reading from her point of view.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I got this for Christmas as a hardback with red on the edge of the pages, it’s so cool! It’s such an acclaimed book so I can’t wait to read it.

4. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

I’ve had this series on my TBR for ages and it’s finally made it’s way almost to the top! I love twists on classic tales and the title alone is enough to reel me in!

5. The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski

This is the second full book in the Witcher series, I’ve just started reading the first one so this book won’t be far behind.

What are some of your must reads for this year?

Top Five Tuesday – Most anticipated releases of 2021

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’re looking ahead to see which 2021 releases we’re looking forward to.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken – January 2021

Every seven years the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the Earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.”

Girl A by Abigail Dean – February 2021

“Lexie Grace doesn’t want to think about her family. She doesn’t want to think about her parents’ house of horrors. And she doesn’t want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped. When her mother dies in prison and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, she can’t run from her past any longer. Together with her sister Evie, Lexie intends to turn the house of horrors into a force for good.”

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner – March 2021

A female apothecary dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them – setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course. Rule 1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule 2: The name of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.”

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – May 2021

“Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate last chance mission and if he fails humanity and the Earth itself will perish. Except right now he doesn’t know that. He doesn’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.”

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard – May 2021

“Who is left when the heroes fall? Corayne lives at the end of the world. Year after year, she watches her pirate mother sail away to adventures she’ll never share. So when a mysterious immortal and deadly assassin appears on Corayne’s doorstep telling her she is the last member of a dying bloodline, and the only one who can save the world, she seizes the chance to have her own adventure.”

The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin – ????

This is nowhere near confirmed but I’m holding out hope that George will save the year by releasing this much awaited book!!

Top Five Tuesday – Bookish Resolutions

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! It’s the New Year, hooray! Here are my book related resolutions:

1. Listen to more audiobooks

I have really enjoyed listening to audiobooks in the past but I’ve got out of the habit recently. I tend to listen to non-fiction audiobooks because I struggle to read them as I get too bored. I want to learn more things!

2. Read more on my train journeys

I’ve done well with this so far, I used to read a lot on my way to and from work but I got out of the habit last year so I want to restart it. My journeys are only about twenty minutes but that could add up to a lot of pages!

3. Read more poetry

I read some poetry by Rupi Kaur last year and really enjoyed it. I think school had put me off poetry but her work is so beautiful and clever that I want to try reading some more.

4. Stay on track with my tbr list

Last year I felt I struggled a bit to keep up with my reading targets, maybe because I wasn’t concentrating as well, I’m not sure. But this year I want to try to focus on reading all my unread books that I physically have.

5. Improve my reviews

I haven’t been very motivated to write reviews for the past couple of months, I think because I’ve been so stressed I just couldn’t think of what to say. Hopefully I can turn it around a bit this year.

What are some of your bookish resolutions?

Top Five Tuesday – Best reads of 2020

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week it’s time to pick our favourite reads of the year. This year has been completely mad and very stressful, I have cherished reading and the escapism it provides more than ever.

1. Circe by Madeline Miller

I absolutely loved this book, it’s so cleverly written. I related to Circe’s lonely witch vibes and loved seeing her grow in strength over the course of the story. I learned a lot about the Greek gods and goddesses and if you’re a fan of that era then I strongly recommend it. My full review is here.

2. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

I read this and my third pick in the middle of lockdown in the UK in my warm sunny garden. I actually didn’t mind spending so much time at home because I was lucky enough to have outside space but this book also helped me travel all the way across Europe with Lyra. I’m so glad we have more stories set in this world so similar to our own but so different. It definitely gave me comfort, despite the tension and brilliant pace of the book. My full review is here.

3. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I was excited about this book as soon as I heard about it and I was not disappointed. I was surprised though at how relatable Collins managed to make some of the Capitol children and seeing the Hunger Games taking shape was truly chilling. My full review is here.

4. The Girl Who Lived Twice by David Lagercrantz

The last in the Millennium series, I’m still sad we won’t get to see anymore dangerous adventures from Lisbeth and Mikael but this book is a fitting finale. It’s really intense and as clever as all the others in the series. My full review is here.

5. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

This is a very clever book, I really enjoyed finding out about all the complex characters. All the twists and turns were brilliant and unexpected. If you enjoy psychological booksI would strongly recommend it. My full review is here.

What are your favourite reads from this year?

Top Five Tuesday – Best book covers of 2020

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’ve got to pick our favourite book covers of the year:

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

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2. We Must Be Brave by Frances Liardet

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3. Sanditon by Jane Austen

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4. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

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5. Maskerade by Terry Pratchett

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What are some of your favourite covers from this year?

Top Five Tuesday – Books on my Christmas wish list

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’ve got to share the books on our holiday wish list! I’ve only actually asked for three of these but I’ve got a gift card from my birthday which I’ll use for the others.

1. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley

I love this series and I’ve been waiting to continue it for a while so I’ve asked for the fourth and fifth books for Christmas. The Pearl Sister follows CeCe to Australia on her journey of self discovery.

2. Making History by Stephen Fry

An earnest history student and a German physicist have the idea to stop Hitler ever being born. From their success a new world is born, it’s different and in some ways better, but also worse. I am so excited to read this, I live alternate history ideas so to have a whole book…just brilliant!

3. The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley

The fifth book in the series is focused on Tiggy, she currently lives in Scotland and loves her job looking after deer at a sanctuary. We also go back in time to Spain during their civil war. I don’t know a lot about that time so that will be really interesting.

4. The Forgotten Room by Karen White

I’ve had this on my TBR list forever but I’ve struggled to find a place to buy it from so I kept pushing it back! In New York 1945 a young woman is drawn into a mystery that connects three generations of women in her family to single room in Gilded Age mansion.

5. The Queen’s Choice by Anne O’Brien

France, 1399: The Duke of Brittany is dead and his widow, Joanna of Navarre, has inherited control of their land – a testament to her intellect, integrity and political prowess. Then comes an unprecedented proposal from Henry IV, King of England. The price of becoming his Queen? Abandoning her homeland, leaving her children and sacrificing her independence. Henry’s hold on the crown is unsteady and war is brewing. With the constant threat of rebellion, Henry will trust no-one – not even his new Queen. It looks so good and I don’t know much about this time, so I’m pretty excited.

I just realised that these are all historical fiction! What books are on your holiday wishlist?

Top Five Tuesday – Books I’m glad I read this year

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’ve got to pick five book that we’re glad we read this year. I’ve had a great reading year so far and here are my favourites:

1. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I really enjoyed this book, my full review is here. It’s a prequel to The Hunger Games series but I found it chilling and interesting to see the Capitol just after the war and witness the coldness of the people in charge.

2. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

I’m so glad Lyra is back! This is the second book in The Book of Dust and Lyra is an adult and enrolled at Oxford University. I loved being back in Lyra’s world and watching her navigate through it to places we’ve never been before, my full review is here.

3. Circe by Madeline Miller

This book is so great! Circe is a badass witch but more than that she still compassion and love to give. I learnt a lot about the Greek gods and goddesses in it as well, my full review is here.

4. The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans

A sad and beautiful historical fiction novel, I loved this book and the connection that the characters had to their house throughout the 20th century. My full review is here.

5. The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Another witchy tale but this time it was truly terrifying, it’s based on true events and I still can’t get over how awfully women were treated during the witch trials. My full review is here.

What are your favourite reads this year?

Top Five Tuesday – Books I haven’t read yet

It’s Top Five Tuesday which is hosted by Meeghan Reads, every week we’re given a book related topic and we choose our top five! This week we’ve got to choose five books that we wanted to read this year but haven’t yet, I’ve been pretty good this year, I’ve got through most of the books I wanted to but here are five that I may hve neglected:

1. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley

It’s been a while since I finished The Shadow Sister which precedes this but it keeps getting bumped down my list! I love this series and I need to get a wriggle on and read the last three.

2. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Ever since I watched The Witcher on Netflix I’ve been desperate to read the books! Someone has just leant me the first three in the series so I can’t wait to read all of Geralt’s adventures.

3. The Unseen by Katherine Webb

I added this to my TBR list four years ago and it’s been creeping it’s way up but I still haven’t got around to it, it’s historical fiction set in the early 1900s with a mystery and suspense, my type of book!

4. Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir

I started Alison Weir’s Six Queens series a while ago, each book focuses on one of Henry VIII’s wives. Her book about Katherine of Aragon was so detailed and incredibly written I felt like I knew more about Katherine than before, she felt far more real. I can’t wait to read Weir’s book about Anne Boleyn, I’ll probably be quite emotional as well.

5. Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom

I’ve been wanting to read more from C.J. Sansom ever since I read Dominion which was a terrifying take on what-if Britain made peace with Nazi Germany. It was so well written I was completely gripped, I need to get my hands on Winter in Madrid!

Do you have any books you were meant to read this year but haven’t yet?