July 2018 Releases

Today I thought I would share with you all of the books that are coming out in July that I am interested in checking out.

Love Me, Love Me Not by Katharine Debona (1st July): This is a psychological thriller that follows two best friends. One of them steals the other’s boyfriend and they start to plot their revenge. I haven’t read anything from this author before but I liked the sound of the synopsis.

Notes From My Captivity by Kathy Parks (10th July): I’m not going to lie the main reason I first looked at this book was because of the cover. It does sound like an interesting as the main character is taken captive by a mysterious family in the Siberian wilderness. This sounds like a very unique plot and unlike anything, I have read before.

Floored by Sara Barnard (12th July): I am really looking forward to this book as it is written by some fantastic YA authors. In this book, each author writes the perspective of a different character and how their lives change when they all meet. I am interested to see how this will work and I am looking forward to it as it is written by some really great authors that I have enjoyed before.

The New Girl by Ingrid Alexandra (16th July): This is another psychological thriller which I noticed when I was scrolling through Net Galley. The cover drew me in and I know very little about it. The description gives very little away but it seems to be about two people that live together and one of them has a secret.

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena (26th July): This is the book that I am most looking forward to this month. I recently discovered this author after reading The Couple Next Door earlier this year and I have since gone on to read her other book A Stranger In The House. I have really enjoyed both of these books and I can’t wait to read her newest release.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas (31st July): This is a YA mystery about cheerleaders who die. This seems to be getting a lot of hype so I am really looking forward to it.

What books are you excited for this month?

Kirsty xoxo

 

What I Have Been Watching Recently

I really want to get back into blogging. I have really missed blogging and now that I am settled into my job I feel that I will be able to start writing again. I thought I would share today some of the shows that I have been watching recently. The majority of the shows that I watch are on Netflix although I do watch some shows that are on BBC and Channel 4.

13 Reasons Why Season 2- I am sure that many people will have been watching this as it was released about a month ago. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this show due to a very graphic scene in the final episode. I wasn’t a massive fan of the book but I decided to watch the firsts season. I thought that the first season was done very well but I do wish they had left it as a mini-series rather than continuing on. I didn’t like the second series as much as the first. This series continued to deal with difficult topics and the acting in it is fantastic.

Friday Night Dinner- This is a comedy series shown on Channel4. It focuses on a Jewish family who get together every Friday night for a home cooked family meal. The show is quite funny although predictable in parts. It is a fund easy show to watch perfect for when you can’t decide what to watch.

Once Upon A Time- The final episode aired recently and I binged watched the last few episodes of season 7. When I first started watching this series I really loved it but I thought that it went downhill as seems to be the case with most long-running TV shows. I think season 7 was probably my least favourite series. The majority of the original cast had left and the story seemed to be a bit repetitive with Henry’s daughter trying to convince him to believe. The final episode tied up the story but it felt a bit flat to me and not as exciting as I would have hoped.

Dynasty- I love this show. It follows a wealthy American family who have a lot of secrets and drama. This has everything I look for in a show. I am desperate for the new series to start as this series ends on a massive cliffhanger.

Safe- This is a Netflix miniseries about a missing girl and a murder. This series is written by author Harlan Coben. I found this showing to be really gripping and I got through the series really quickly as I wanted to find out what had happened. I have never read anything by Harlan Coben but after watching this I really want to try out some of his books. Do you have any recommendations as he has written a lot of books and I am not sure where to start?

What shows have you been watching?

Kirsty xoxo

October Releases 2017

Today I am going to be sharing with you the books that are being released this month that I am excited for.

Ringer by Lauren Oliver- This is the sequel to Replica which I read in August. I really enjoyed Replica and I am looking forward to seeing how the story ends as I believe that this is going to be a duology.  3rd October

Because I Was A Girl edited by Melissa de la Cruz – This is a collection of short stories about inspirational women. It discusses the barriers they have faced and how they have overcome them to be successful. I am really looking forward to checking out this collection. 3rd October

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green- I have mixed feelings about this book. I have read all of John Green’s books and I have had mixed experiences with them so I am not sure how I will get on with this book. I’m not sure what this book is about but the cover isn’t the best but I’m hoping that the book will be good. 10th October

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao- This is an Asian retelling of the Evil Queen. I love retellings so I am really looking forward to this one. After watching Once Upon a Time the Evil Queen is one of my favourite characters so I am interested to see what the author will do with the story. 10th October

A Line in the Dark by Malinda Lo- The cover on this book looks so intriguing. I am really into mystery/thrillers at the moment so am looking forward to checking this book out.  17th October

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz- It may only be October but I am already talking about Christmas books. This is a Pride and Prejudice retelling set at Christmas. As I have mentioned above I love retellings and I also really love Christmas books so I can’t wait for this one to be released.  17th October

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand- When Holly dies she becomes the ghost of Christmas Past. Christmas Carol is one of my favourite stories so I am looking forward to seeing how it is incorporated in this book.  24th October

What books are you looking forward to this month?

Kirsty xoxo

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard Review

 

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard Review

Plot Outline

Aerin Kelly posts on a site called Case Not Closed a website for amateur sleuths as she wants help finding out what happened to her sister Helena who was murdered. Seneca sees this post and instantly wants to help as this was the case that got her interested in crime. A group of teens from the site along with Aerin try to discover what happened to Helena but the killer is watching them and does not want the case to be solved.

My Opinion

Sara Shepard is well known for the Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series so I know that she can write mysteries. This book instantly drew me and I ended up reading it quite quickly as I couldn’t put it down. The majority of the book was fast paced however there were some moments where the plot seemed to move quite slowly. I didn’t like the characters in this book as much as some of Sara’s other characters. I don’t know if that is because I have seen those characters portrayed on the screen so I feel more connected to them but there was something about the characters in this book that I didn’t quite connect with. The plot is quite unrealistic as it is unlikely that a group of teenagers would be able to solve a murder that the police were unable to solve but Sara’s other books aren’t realistic either so that didn’t bother me too much. There was a lot of action within the last 10% of this book and we saw a lot of twists. The ending left me very shocked as it was unexpected. I am really looking forward to the next book which is coming out in November. My only hope is that this will be a short series and not dragged out like the PLL series.

What did you think of this book?

Kirsty xoxo

Top 10 Tuesday: Books On My Fall TBR

 

Today’s Top 10 Tuesday is books that we want to read this fall. For this list, I have included books that I have had for quite a while and really need to read.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare- I desperately need to read this as I have had it since it was released in May. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten round to it as I loved Lady Midnight. I think it may be the size that is putting me off but I really do need to read it.

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin- I am currently watching the show on ITV and it is my favourite thing. I look forward to Sunday every week just so I can watch Victoria and Albert on screen. Daisy Goodwin wrote the show so I am very excited to read this book.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas- Yes I have still not read this book and I am now behind with this series as the 6th book has come out. I did start this but I couldn’t get into it so I put it down and I’ve never picked it up again but I do really want to read it.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte- This is one of those classics that I feel that everyone has read so I really do want to get round to this one. I have been trying to read a classic each month but I haven’t been able to stick to it but this is very high on my list of classics that I want to read.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr- I have wanted to read this for such a long time and now that I have a copy I don’t have an excuse not to read this book. I really enjoy WW2 fiction and I have heard so many good things about this so I hope it lives up to the hype.

The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury- This is the last book in The Sin Eater’s Daughter trilogy and I really want to see how this story gets wrapped up.

Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory- I am so behind with Philippa’s books and I really want to read all of her books as I own them all except her latest one. I love historical fiction particularly the Tudor period so I really need to read them.

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard- This book is very popular and I really want to see what the hype is about.

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige- I love retellings so I am really interested to check this one out. It is a retelling of the Snow Queen and I have never read any retellings that are based on this story.

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy- I recently watched the film when it was on BBC and now I really want to read the book. I enjoyed the film and I am hoping that I will like the book.

What books are on your fall TBR?

Kirsty xoxo

Library Book Haul #2

I recently joined my local library and I am loving it. I have always been a huge fan of libraries as it allows you to read books for free. This is great for me as I am really trying to cut back on my book buying. The library is a great resource as it has a huge range of books to choose from. This particular library seems to get a lot of the new releases in as well which is even better as these are the books that I am less likely to buy as I often buy second-hand books so it can take awhile for new releases to be available second hand. Today I thought I would share with you the books that I currently have out on loan.

Barefoot on the Wind by Zoe Marriott- I picked up this book as it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that is set in Japan. This sounds really interesting to me. This is a companion novel to another book that the author has written which is a Cinderella retelling set in the same world. The premise for this book sounds really interesting and I am a huge fan of retellings.

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong- I have read a number of Kelley Armstrong’s books but I have not read any of her mystery/thriller novels. I really want to see what her writing is like in this genre as I have only ever read fantasy from her. So far I am finding it a bit slow and I haven’t really got into it so I am hoping that it will get better.

Rituals by Kelley Armstrong- This is the 5th and final book in the Cainsville series. Whilst this series is not my favourite I am interested to see how the story will be wrapped up.

The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke- I’ve seen this book a few times on Goodreads and it sounds like something I will enjoy so I decided to pick it up. It follows a girl who is supposed to marry a guy but she runs away and his family sends an assassin after her and a curse is unleashed. I am really looking forward to reading this one.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen- This book has been on my TBR for ages. In this book, orphans are being kidnapped so that they can impersonate a missing prince. I have heard a lot of good things about this book so I can’t wait to check it out.

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn- Gillian Flynn is the author of Gone Girl which I really enjoyed and this is a short story that she wrote. I have wanted to read this for ages but because of its length, I wasn’t prepared to purchase it so I am glad that I found it in the library.

The Walls by Hollie Overton- I read Baby Doll last year and when I heard that the author was bringing out a new book I knew that I had to check it out so I was very excited when I saw it in the library. This follows a woman who uses her knowledge of the justice system to try and get rid of her abusive partner. I am very intrigued by the plot and I can’t wait to read it.

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski- I have no idea what this book is about but I know that so many people love this series and it has been on my TBR for ages. I am looking forward to seeing if this book lives up to the hype.

 

Have you picked up any books from the library recently?

Kirsty xoxo

Top 10 Tuesday: Older Books That I Love

Today’s Top 10 Tuesday is dedicated to older books that we love. In a world where new books are released constantly, it can be easy to for some of our old favourites to be forgotten. For this post, I have selected books that are over 10 years old to talk about I have not included classics on this list because I don’t feel that I have read enough to create a top 10 list.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (originally published in 2003)- This is a love story between two characters. One of them has a condition which pulls them through time and they end up in different periods of time. This is an adult novel but I read it when I was quite young and I really loved it. I would love to revisit this now that I am older as I think I may be able to appreciate it even more now.

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult  (originally published in 2004)- I may have read this last year but this story is still fresh in my mind. This book was such an emotional and powerful read and I think the story will stay with me for a long time.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak  (originally published in 2005)- I love WW2 fiction and this is one of the best-written books that I have read from this genre. The narrator is Death which makes the story very unique and powerful.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon  (originally published in 2003)- This book follows Christopher who has autism as he tries to discover who murdered his neighbour’s dog. This is such a well-written book and gives a realistic insight into what it can be like for people who are autistic. The play is also incredible.

The Giver by Lois Lowry  (originally published in 1993)- I loved this book and the world that Lois Lowry created. I enjoyed the writing and I thought that it was quite a thought provoking novel.

Holes by Louis Sachar  (originally published in 1998)- I read this book at school in my English class when I started secondary school. I loved this book so much and I had no idea that it is nearly 20 years old.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella  (originally published in 2000)- I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella’s books and she has written so many. For me, the Shopaholic series stands out as I can relate to Becky although my shopping addiction is nowhere near as bad as hers as I am not in debt but I definitely buy things that I don’t need.

 

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson  (originally published in 2001)- This is another book that I read when I was younger. This was a favourite of mine for a really long time. I also loved the cover and I remember reading it a couple of times because I loved it so much.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne  (originally published in 2006)- This is another WW2 novel which follows two children who form an unlikely friendship which has devastating consequences. This story will always stay with me due to the very emotional ending but this story really highlights the power of friendship.

Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo  (originally published in 2003)- I read this book at the end of primary school just before starting secondary school as we did a project on it. I really enjoyed this book and I used to read Michael Morpurgo’s all the time but haven’t read any for years.

What books were on your list?

Kirsty xoxo

September Releases 2017

I really want to get back into blogging since starting a full-time job I have really struggled to find time to read and blog but now that I have settled into my job I have built up a routine and I have been able to read more. I want to get back into blogging as it is something that I really enjoy. Today I thought I would share with you the September releases that I am excited about. I am trying not to buy a lot of new books at the moment but I have joined my local library which gets a lot of new books in so hopefully they will get some of these books in.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas– I am still a book behind with this series as I am yet to read Empire of Storms but I am still excited for this book. This book is told from Chaol’s POV and was originally going to be a novella but Sarah turned it into a full novel. I am a little bit disappointed by the cover as it doesn’t really fit with the other books I am still interested in checking this out. – 5th September

Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart- We Were Liars is an extremely popular book but it wasn’t to my taste but this book sounds really interesting. This is a mystery book that follows two characters who become really close friends. I don’t know too much about the plot but it sounds interesting and I am intrigued by the cover. – 5th September

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken– I really enjoyed Alexandra’s writing in the Passenger duology and I am interested to try more from her. In this book, Prosper discovers that he has a demon inside of him and he has got to break a curse. This is a middle-grade novel which is a genre I don’t usually read but this book sounds interesting and the cover is stunning. – 5th September

Warcross by Marie Lu- Warcross is a game and when the main character hacks into the game she thinks she will be in trouble but is instead hired to uncover a security issue. I have heard this book being compared to Ready Player One which I really enjoyed so I am very interested to check this one out. 12th September

 

Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng- Firstly the cover of this book is gorgeous. Secondly, this sounds like my sort of book as it takes place in a suburb where all of the characters have secrets. I really enjoy reading this sort of thing so I can’t wait to check it out. -12th September

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins- I have read Stephanie’s other novels and I am interested to read this one as she ventures into a new genre. This is marketed as a YA version of Scream which is a completely different genre to her usual contemporary novels. I can’t wait to see what this is like. -26th September

What books are you excited for this month?

Kirsty xoxo

July Releases

Today I will be sharing with you all of the July releases I am excited about. This month is quite a quiet month in terms of new releases that I am excited about as I only have two books on my list.

How To Stop Time by Matt Haig–  Tom has been alive for centuries so he is always on the move changing his identity. He works as a history teacher. Due to his condition which means he does not age he can’t fall in love. This book sounds really interesting it sounds a bit like the film The Age of Adaline which I have just watched.

Because You Love To Hate Me Edited by Ameriie- If you watch Booktube you will know that Booktubers and authors have been paired up to write stories about villains. The Booktubers have given the authors prompts and have written essays to go before the stories. I am really looking forward to this book as it is a collection of really great authors.

What July releases are you excited for?

Kirsty xoxo

Top 5 Wednesday: Books Without Romance

This week’s topic is books without romance. This is quite difficult as a lot of books have a romance element to them. The books that I have selected either don’t have any romance at all or the romance element is minimal. If you want to check out the Goodreads group then the link is here.

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys- This book is set in WW2 and focuses on the events that took place during the Soviets rule. This is an area of WW2 that I knew very little about so it was interesting to read about other events that took place during the war that don’t get talked about as much as other events. I love Ruta’s writing as she makes the characters and situations feel very real and whilst this is a work of fiction it feels very believable.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak– This is another WW2 that absolutely loved. This book is really interesting as it is narrated by Death. I thought that this was a really powerful read with some really heartbreaking moments.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness– Conor’s mum has cancer and a monster comes to visit him to help him come to terms with his mum’s illness. This is another really powerful read although the plot is predictable the way this story is told is really unique. If you do read this I would highly recommend the illustrated edition.

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen – This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy. Kelsea has to take the throne after her mum’s death. I think the world in this series is really interesting as it is set in the future but the world has medieval qualities to it. If you are a fan of fantasy then I would suggest checking this trilogy out.

The Giver by Lois Lowry- I find the world in this book really interesting. Everything is controlled and people get assigned their roles. This is definitely the best book in the series but the other ones are good too.

What books are on your lists?

Kirsty xoxo