Desired reading list of 2018…

A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towels

Source: Goodreads.com

I am currently reading this book and I am just under half way through, This novel is about a Count whom is subjected to live in the attic of a hotel because of his social position in the new diplomatic age of Russia. This book shows the reader the inside secrets of the hotel and how the Count resumes his life, makes new memories and new friends even though he is been punished for his birth right.

The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

Source: Goodreads.com

A toxic river divides two cities, one ruled by women (the East) and the other ruled by men ()the West. As a girl its hard to live in a city ruled by men, by when Violets brother is murdered, she is the prime suspect because of her gender. Violets whole world is falling apart and her punishment will be dire, especially for a crime which she didn’t commit.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Source: Goodreads.com

A sensational novel which tell the story of how extraordinary women revolutionized the mathematics of NASA and helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. The book focuses on women of colour and how they are discriminated against in the work place and their everyday life. These women, known as human computers, were the amazing people behind some of the greatest mathematics that NASA has produced.

Flame In The Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Source: Goodreads.com

As the daughter of a well known samurai, Mariko has always known her place in life. Her skills as a alchemist heavily surpass her brother but alas, she is not a boy and therefore cannot be in charge of her own future. At the age of 17, she is already promised to a carpenters son, and as the girl of the family, she has the only arranged marriage to protect the family name and her family’s political standing within the town. But going along with an arranged marriage is not her only problem, Mariko discovers that someone has been hired to kill her, facing death at every corner and unable to control her fate, what will Mariko do?

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Source: Goodreads.com

An amazing novel which questions the narrative of what if the conventional roles in society were flipped? What would happen if women were the aggressors and men were expected to tend to the home? This book that challenges gender roles, invites feminist readers to enjoy a thought provoking book while wanting the reader itself to challenge the role that society has assigned them.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Source: Goodreads.com

Standing six feet tall with noticeably blue hair our main character Ramona has 3 thing in her life that she is absolutely sure about; 1, she likes girls, 2 she loves her family unconditionally and 3, she knows that she is destine for more than the life she currently has. living in a trailer with her family, Ramona has suffered hardships, she works multiple jobs and puts up with a family that can sometimes be flaky, with her younger sister falling pregnant responsibility falls more heavily than ever on Ramona.

 

Reading goals of 2018…

My reading goal of 2018 is to read at least 20 books this year, which doesn’t seem like a lot but with maintaining two jobs and trying to juggle a social life I barely have time to sleep let alone read.

I am currently reading A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towels and I am surprisingly enjoying the novel more than I originally thought. I acquired this book through a reading subscription box. The book is about a Count who is sentenced to exile in a hotel because of his social status in the new age of Russian diplomacy. So far the count is teaching a young girl that is briefly staying in the hotel how to be a princess while she is teaching him all of the secrets the hotel has to share.

I would also like to read Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn which is about a princess and a royal enthusiast switching places to live in each others place. But when one of the girls finds love their arrangement is complicated and things could go terribly wrong.

Source: Goodreads.com

I will be posting a book list later in the year, including what I would like to read and what I will be reading this year so keep tuned in for the upcoming posts.

best book of 2017…

I have read a mere 21 books this year, which is pretty bad considering my average… however with 2 jobs and a busy lifestyle i think that I have done pretty well. From this year I have read teen fiction, horror, thrillers and mysteries so there has been some distinction in the novels that I have chosen to indulge in this year.

My favorite book this year has actually taken me by surprise, because its a suspense/ horror. My favorite read this year is The Final Girls by Riley Sager. I loved the gripping story line, with twists and turns along the way. The plot twist at the end had me re-thinking the novel for days!

I think that I will start 2018 by re-reading this book and unpicking the details that I may have lost in the first reading of the book. You can read my full review on this book linked in the text, but trust me when I say that this book is amazing and will leave you in suspense for days.

where to buy this book:

• waterstones
• Amazon
• Kindle
• Audio book

 

Reading In heels, first impressions…

After over a month since ordering my subscription box, my beautiful Reading In Heels delivery has come and it was worth the wait! The beautiful marbled box holds wonders that I didn’t even expect, as I did my research on previous boxes.

The only negative of this experience was the wait, I ordered this box on the 5th of November and after a couple of weeks I contacted the company only to be answered with the same answer the FAQ’s provided, which did not solve my issue. I do understand that this is a small company (which is the main reason that I was drawn to this service) and people in that company have many jobs to do rather than answer queries.

Now onto the box, the box has a beautiful marble appearance as I previously mentioned and can defiantly be used again for small storage solutions. This company have thought about the packaging, as when I opened the box the contents was all sealed in crisp white tissue paper and a geometric sticker.

inside the box I got the strong smell of cinnamon which to most people would be a pre-Christmas dream, but unfortunately cinnamon is not the most pleasant of smell for me. I soon discovered that the cinnamon smell was a large tea light candle, and I loved candles so much but that will be given a new loving home with someone who I know loves cinnamon as much as I dislike it.

All what was included in the box; A book, a candle, a edible cocktail, a eye shadow duo, a face mask and a mirror.

 

The rest of the box I am ecstatic about I loved the idea of adding things that will compliment the book and I read the back of A Gentleman In Moscow and I think these are quite fitting!

I am really exited to use the face mask which was included although unlike unusual face mask, this one has to be kept on for 30 minutes! It will be a luxurious treat after a long day at work.  I am also very curious to try the edible cocktail as I am fond of cocktails and am exited about this new twist on a classic gin and tonic.

I think (aside from the book which I will review in later months) that the eye shadow is my favorite item in this box and will be using it today for a subtle defined look. The colours match my skin tone and colour of my eyes very well and it will be my new product for a warm defined look.

Overall I am pleasantly surprised with this box and would order from them again,  This box is great if you have difficulty picking books out yourself or if you want a treat every month, I highly recommend this subscription service, it’s fab!

 

Turtles All The Way Down, a review…

I have finally read the long awaited new book from John Green, Turtles All The Way down. I realize how late I am in reading this book but I have made time to fit some reading in each night.

Front cover view.

upon first impressions I was so exited to read this book as John Green is my favorite Author ( with Will Grayson, Will Grayson being my favorite in his collection of novels). However, I did enjoy this book but I felt like something was missing in the novel to make it a true John Green read. I can’t quite pin down what what missing but I felt like the novel lacked his way of writing just the slightest bit.

Spine of the book.

The novel follows Aza, a girl with major anxiety which leads her to become terrible ill because of it. Aza’s anxiety is just one level to this lovely book, she also becomes enthroned into finding a missing billionaire whose son is a love interest in the story.

First page of the novel.

With her Star Wars obsessed best friend, Daisy, by her side to solve the mystery what could go wrong? A car crash caused by an argument because of fan-fiction that results in a major injury, that’s what. During the novel Daisy and Aza have their fair share of ups and downs in there equally dependable relationship, but all turns out well in the end.

Limited edition Slip of the book.

With a inherently very rich Turatura (which is a reptile that can live over 100 years), endless spirals, arguments, poems and a underlining mystery that grips you to the end this book is absolutely worth the read for any teen fiction enthusiast. I enjoyed reading about the character development of each character, I particularly enjoyed the fact that all the relationships written about in this book weren’t always smooth which is so realistic and relatable.

Back of the book.

Where to buy this book:

• Waterstones.
• Amazon.
• Kindle edition.
• Audiobook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They Both Die In The End, a review…

They Doth Die In The End by Adam Silvera is the second in his amazing growing collection of books, he has also written History Is All You Left Me.

Front Cover.

They Both Die In The end is a brilliant novel which alerts people the day that they are due to die, however, it doesn’t tell you the way you are going to die or at what time of the day. The idea is to prepare you for death and too prepare your loved ones and your funeral arrangements.

side view.

This book follows two teenage boys Rufus and Mateo. Mateo is a 19 year old boy who is forever playing video games and is somewhat scared to go outside because of the consequential fears that lure outdoors. Rufus (whom, I am very fond of) has had a difficult past few months loosing his whole family, then being placed in a foster home called the pluto’s and then on the night of his death cast being caught beating up his ex girlfriends boyfriend.

The book is sectioned in Four parts.

The two boys meet using the last friend app and decide to make their last day unforgettable, Making moments together and using Instagram as a way to make their memories everlasting to the loved ones that they will leave behind.

The book is separated by characters.

As if the story line wasn’t mind capturing enough, Mateo’s father in in a coma and isn’t sure to wake up and Rufus is running from the police and the boy he just beat from fear of being arrested on the day of his death or even worse, Killed by a gang who are on the wrong side of town.

Back of the novel.

With a hint of romance, a wonderful tale of friendship and the gripping story line of running from death this novel captures my attention from start to finish. The author is soon becoming a loved name in my collection of books and I will be sure to get any other novels That Adam Silvera is sure to publish in the future.

Where to buy this book:

• Waterstones
• Amazon

 

Trying a reading subscription box…

Source: http://readinginheels.com/

I have always been curious to try a subscription box and thanks to an article by Buzzfeed I am finally going to take the plunge and try one to see if they really are worth the money.

I have chosen the Reading In Heels subscription box which is £12.40 each month with delivery. The website promises a book for a the modern women who like to read the latest contemporary fiction. I am unaware of the book I will get as I was not given any choice on my preferences and was taken straight to a payment option; this is both good and bad. Good because I will be excited to see what fictional book I will get and bad because there is no preference option so the book could be something I have already read or a genre I despise.

Source:  http://readinginheels.com/

The box also promises 3-4 extra products which can be anything from a beauty product to a selection of tea; all meant to compliment the book you are reading that month. I am very apprehensive to see what they send for this as the company haven’t asked for my skin toned or colour preferences if it is a beauty product nor have they asked what my flavour preferences are should i get something to eat or drink.

I have only purchased one month as I am still uncertain about the idea of a wonderful subscription box each month. I will be sure to tell you my thoughts about the box upon its arrival!  So keep a look a out for a new post in the distant future.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here, a review…

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Partick Ness follows the tale of an average boy Mickey, with some issues because he always seems to get himself trapped in a loop of actions, like washing his hands over 120 times until he can get it right. The tale follows his teenage struggles through love, family, the murders of indie kids and mysterious blue lights.

the spine of the book.

My favorite character in the book is Mickey’s best friend, Jared (first name Mercury) he is 1/4 of a cat god, gay and has a strong moral compass which makes him completely lovable. He is a character who should have fully being a indie kid but much like his 1/4 god gift, chose his own fate.

A preview of the front cover.

During the book when Jared is anywhere near a feline they seem to crowd around him and crave his company, follow his instructions and become completely besotted with him. In the book he even has a few mountain lions which he instantly recognizes. Towards the end of the book however, Jared makes a selfless sacrifice in order to help others.

There are other characters that I like, like Mickey’s sister, who is overcoming her battle with anorexia, while keeping the peace in the family and sharing looking after her kooky younger sister with Micky.

To show how vibrant the front cover really is.

I also like the structure of this book, the beginning of each chapter has what should be the major story of the indie kids and there adventures, this linking story drives the narrative of the characters we read more about in this book.

Example of the structure.

Overall this book is filled with heart warming stories that will make you personal relate to the characters (mysterious deaths aside) and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of Jared’s 1/4 cat god genes! This book is a good read for a commute because the story is easy to follow and the chapters are quite short. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be sure to re-read the novel at some point in the future.

The back of the book.

 

Where to buy this book:

• Waterstones
• Amazon
• Kindle edition
• Audio book edition

 

Final Girls, a review…

Let me just start by saying wow! This book is 339 pages of suspense and intrigue. From the very start this book lures you in and captures your imagination with an innocent young girl running through the woods to escape her closest friends killer.

Final Girls spine of book

This book, written by Riley Sager, is amazing, having read it it’s no wonder that this book is an international best seller because it’s incredible. If you like horror, mystery, thrillers and intrigue then this book is a must read.

Front cover of the book

When I first bought this book I must admit the reason that I bought it was because of the online hype but now I understand why, this is the best thriller book that I have read in years. It keeps you drawn in until the end with a unexpected plot twist that makes you rethink and change your perceptions of characters in the book more times than I can count.

The chapters headers are in a typewriter font.

The novel follows Quincy, a final girl, and her seemingly now normal life after escaping a mass murder at Pine Cottage with more than a few stab wounds to leave scars. Quincy is shocked to find out that a fellow girl has killed herself and the last of the three final girls shows up at her sleek apartment in search for the truth.  With twists and turns this book will capture your thoughts long after you have put it down. Even Stephen King likes this book which tells you a lot.

Back of the cover with acclaim from Stephen King.

where to buy this book:

• Waterstones
• Amazon
• Kindle edition
• Audio book edition

The pages are edged Black.

 

Finding Colin Firth, a review…

If you want to read a book that makes you feel good and uplifted by the end, then this book is the one for you! The novel follows three women each with different problems and perspectives, however they share one thing in common… their love for Colin Firth.  I honestly did not want to put this book down and read well into the early hours of the morning because I was so hooked!

View of the spine of the book.

The first character we are introduced to is Bea a young girl who is stuck in her job at a diner with an over bearing boss who will dock her pay if her burger aren’t exactly a foot tall. In the first few pages we discover that Bea’s mother passed away a year ago but a mysterious letter arrives for her. She discovers that the letter is written in her deceased mothers handwriting and the letter says that Bea was adopted and her parents (both dead) had never had the courage to tell her. The letter also came with legal documents from her adopted which instructs her on how to proceed should she want to contact the adoption agency.

After this Bea has internal struggles on her next move, with nothing holding her back from her current life she decides to locate her birth mother and travel there, with the little money that she has.

What the front cover looks like.

The second main character that we are introduced to is Veronica, a master pie maker who makes elixir pies for just about anything! She lives in a small town and works as a waitress but also makes a small fortune selling her pies to the neighborhood. we later learn that Veronica is Bea’s birth mother and has tries to let go of the past after a troubled past and teenage pregnancy leading to a lot of shame and overbearing feelings that were hard to cope with.

The beginning of each chapter features this illustration.

The third and final leading lady of this novel is Gemma, a recently fired reporter who is been pushed by her husband to leave New York and settled down with a family, be a stay at home mother and live next to his parents for the rest of her life. We discover that this already planned out lie does not appease Gemma, as she want nothing more to be a reporter and does not like the idea of bringing a child into this world due to how her own mother raised her.

The end of the book even has one of the pie recipe’s (excuse the mark on the book, it’s from the library).

The three meet in Boothbay Harbor where Gemma tells the heartbreaking story of both Bea and Veronica’s lives after the adoption through the local newspaper. Veronica and Bea build a relationship with a rocky start and everything progresses.

The back of the book.

This novel is filled with feel good moments and makes you want to never put this book down. You feel an attachment to each of the women because of their individual narratives, but when they are drawn together you feel a beautiful connection between the three. With the driving force of heart throb Colin Firth, This book will make you smile to the very end.

Where to buy this book:

• Waterstones
• Amazon
• Kindle edition
• Audio book