December Wrap Up 2016

I read some really amazing books in December. I read four books, which I'm happy with because I had Christmas exams and I'm currently in my last year of secondary school.

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I picked this book up on  a trip to the Strand in New York City last November. I'd heard so much about it and one of my favourite booktubers, jessethereader, absolutely adores this series, so I was really excited to get into it. My favourite thing about this book is that the writing is simply outstanding. From the first page, I was in awe of Riggs' writing ability.
The story follows a teenage boy named Jacob who, after the death of his grandfather, decides to visit the children's home in Wales where his grandfather lived as a child. He discovers that it's not an ordinary orphanage. I really think that it's best go into this book blind as that's exactly what I did.
Rating: 5 stars

2. The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

This is the third and final book in the Remnant Chronicles Trilogy, which is one of my favourite trilogies of all time. I can't write what this book is about due to spoilers, but the first book follows a princess named Lia who runs away from her kingdom because she doesn't want to marry the prince of a neighbouring kingdom. The romance in this series is wonderful and swoon worthy. I just adore it!

Rating: 5 stars

3. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon

This is the first book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, which is currently ongoing. It was originally written in Spanish and the translator Lucia Graves did an impeccable job with translating it. The writing is beautiful and captivating. The story follows a boy named Daniel. When Daniel was ten years old, his father brought him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books in Barcelona, where Daniel could pick any book he liked and take it home. Daniel chose a book named The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. Over the years, the book receives a lot of attention due to the mysterious nature of its author, and the lives of Daniel and those close to him become at risk. Daniel must unravel the mystery surrounding Julian Carax before it's too late.

This is one of the best books I've read all year.  It has a huge cast of characters, each of them memorable and interesting. The plot is incredible, with twists and turns that I wasn't expecting at all. There's a cute romance too.

This is a book lover's book at heart. There are so many lovely quotes about reading, such as when Daniel says "I was raised among books, making invisible friends in pages that seemed cast from dust and whose smell I carry on my hands to this day". Isn't that a nice line?

Rating: 5 stars

4. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This essay is based on the Ted Talk that the author gave on the topic of feminism, with a focus on feminism in Africa. I found the focus on Africa to be very enlightening because as an Irish teenager I had never learned about feminism in Africa before. I really enjoyed this piece and look forward to reading more feminist literature in the future.
Rating: 5 stars

All images are from Goodreads.

Book Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: New adult romance

Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK

What it's about: November 9 is a love story about Fallon and Ben, who after an encounter at a restaurant, agree to meet on the same date for the next five years.

What I thought: Colleen Hoover's books are so addictive!  They're such quick reads for me. I really enjoyed November 9. I loved the two main characters. I really admired Fallon because of her strength. Ben was really intriguing because there was so much that we didn't know about him. I loved how they connected over books and their conversations about reading were fun to read. The romance was very well executed by Hoover and I found myself smiling a lot. The one problem I have with this book is that Fallon doesn't have any confidence or self worth until she meets Ben. Why couldn't she love herself without Ben? Why couldn't she find confidence herself?
The plot was quite fast paced. I loved seeing how much each of the characters changed as the years passed. Although I guessed a part of the plot twist, I was still surprised. Overall, it's a really solid romance and my favourite Colleen Hoover book I've read so far.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Favourite quotes: "Please don't tell me you're one of those pretentious readers who judge people by the books they like." - Fallon 

“I hope they laugh at you, Fallon. If people are laughing at you, it means you’re putting yourself out there to be laughed at. Not enough people have the courage to even take that step.” - Ben

June Wrap Up 2016

I had a pretty good reading month this month. In total I read 10 books, so I'm happy with that. I really enjoyed them all.

The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3) by Rick Yancey

This series follows Cassie, a sixteen year old girl who is one of the last people left on earth after an alien invasion.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy! It was fast paced, action packed and shocking. I'm not really into science fiction at all, so I'd suggest that everyone give it a try.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Crush (Crash #3) by Nicole Williams

This new adult series follows a driven dancer named Lucy who meets a bad boy called Jude.

I enjoyed this book. There was the drama you'd expect from Lucy and Jude and it was entertaining. I couldn't put it down.

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan

This book is about the Greek god Apollo who is sent to live on Earth as punishment after a falling out with his dad Zeus.

I loved this! Apollo is funny. Riordan's writing is great, as per usual. I loved seeing some of the characters from the old books. Also, Apollo is openly bisexual, which is great to see in middle grade books. I can't wait for more books to come out.

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

In this psychological thriller, Rachel looks around the train window one morning and sees something that changes her life forever.

I've never read a book like this before. It was fast paced and exciting. The characters are all really complex and interesting and I was very surprised by the ending. I can't wait to see the film later this year.

Rating: 4/5 stars

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

This book follows a teenage girl named McLean who moves around a lot with her dad, never putting down roots. However, she meets Dave and learns that maybe it would be nice to have a place to call home.

This is the second Sarah Dessen book I've read and I was captivated by it. I love small town and family restaurant settings. I loved the characters. It's a very good summer read.

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

This book follows Andie, who takes up dog walking after her plans for the summer are cancelled. She meets Clark, an awkward guy who is so not her usual type, but you guessed it, she ends up falling for him regardless.

This is such a fun read. I loved how it focuses on family and friendships. Clark is every fangirl's dream. It's really cute and I'd definitely recommend it.

Rating: 4/5 stars

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

This book is about Samantha, who has watched the fascinating Garrett family from her bedroom window for as long as she can remember. One night, Jase Garrett climbs her onto her roof and they have a talk that changes everything.

This was my favourite book that I read on holiday! I loved Jase and Samantha and the whole Garrett clan. It's an excellent romance.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Mia Goes Fourth (The Princess Diaries #4)

This series follows a high schooler named Mia who discovers that she is the princess of a small island named Genovia.

This book was a lot of fun to read. Mia never fails to make me laugh. It's a quick, light read.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire

This book is about a college student named Abby who meets the dangerous yet alluring Travis Maddox. They make a bet that states that if Abby loses, she will have to live alongside him in his apartment.

I can see why a lot of people have problems with this book. I am aware that Abby and Travis's relationship is not something to strive for. In fact, it should be avoided at all costs. However, it was an entertaining read. I will not be continuing on with the series.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Wicked (Pretty Little Liars #5) by Sarah Shepard

This series follows a group of teenage girls who after the disappearance of their former friend start to receive threatening anonymous messages.

This book was a lot of fun. I loved comparing it to the television who, which is one of my all time favourites. There are 16 books in this series, so I have to keep on reading.

Rating: 4/5 stars

I hope you read some great books last month too! All of the pictures are from Goodreads.

Review: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn Book #3) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn Book #3)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Gollancz
Genre: Adult fantasy
Publication date: 11 February 2010
Source: I bought this book.

Please only read this review if you have read the first two Mistborn novels; The Final Empire and The Well of Ascension, because you will be spoiled.

What it's about (Goodreads): Tricked into releasing the evil spirit Ruin while attempting to close the Well of Ascension, new emperor Elend Venture and his wife, the assassin Vin, are now hard-pressed to save the world. This adventure brings the Mistborn epic fantasy trilogy to a dramatic and surprising climax as Sanderson's saga offers complex characters and a compelling plot, asking hard questions about loyalty, faith and responsibility. 

What I thought: At 724 pages, The Hero of Ages is a beast of a book. I actually began reading it last summer and I got about 300 pages in, but I put it down because I felt that the pacing was quite slow. Then, the other night I remember that I'd promised my friend that I'd read it over the summer so that we can talk about it when we go back to school, so I picked it up again. I'm so happy that I did. The plot really took off.
I believe that The Hero of Ages takes place two years after the events of The Well of Ascension. At the end of the previous book, we discovered that the whole prophecy was a lie and that Vin accidentally released ruin, who wanted to destroy the world and also Elend became a Mistborn.
Luthadel and the rest of the empire are on it's knees, so Vin and Elend are forced to search the land for food and hopefully find some hints left by the Lord ruler on the way. They take control of the other cities in the empire. Although the pacing at the beginning is quite slow, it all builds up to form an outstanding conclusion and it is definitley worth ploughing through the more mundane parts of the novel.
There is stunning character development in this novel. Vin has grown into a confident woman and a powerful Allomancer. Elend is no longer an awkward and shy idealist and he has grown into a confident leader. Spook, who was rather cast aside by the other crew members in the previous novels, plays a very important role here. 
The magic system in this world is so intricate and well thought out. I can visualise the fight scenes so easily in my head. Man, Sanderson knows how to right a good fight scene.
The questions that I had at the end of book two are definitely answered in this book. I was mind blown by the ending. I did not seen it coming at all. Everything came together and I am in awe of Sanderson's skill. I'm not sure if I will read the continuation of this trilogy because it contains different characters, but maybe sometime in the future I will.

Favourite quotes: "Somehow, we'll find it. The balance between who  we wish to be and whom we need to be. But for now, we simply need to be satisfied with who we are."

"You hate change. I hate it too. But things can't stay the same - and that's well, for when nothing changes in your life, it's as good as being dead."

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This picture is from Goodreads.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Publication date: January 7 2016

Source: I bought this book.

What it's about: My Life Next Door is about a girl named Samantha who has always been fascinated by the Garrett family who live next door. One night, Jase Garrett sneaks up onto her roof and they have a conversation that changes everything. Sam becomes involved with the Garretts, unbeknownst to her highly strung mother. Swoon worthy romance at it's best.

What I liked: I read this book in less than a day! The female protagonist, Samantha, is wonderful. Despite her wealth, she comes across as a normal, down to earth seventeen year old girl. I was quite fond of her. Jase is the best book boyfriend I've read about in a long time. I was so happy whenever he was in a scene. He's a fun, confident character and a stand up guy.

The best thing about My Life Next Door is that it has a huge cast of characters. Jase has lots of siblings; Joel, Alice, Andy, Duff, Harry, George and Patsy. Each one of them was unique. I especially loved George. She was just too cute. Sam's man, Debbie, is a very complex woman and I've never read about a character like her before, so that was interesting.

I really enjoyed the plot. I was really invested in the story. There's a plot twist that makes the story that bit more serious and it really added to the novel as a hole. I read this by the pool while I was in Spain and it's the perfect summer read.

Rating: 5 stars

Favourite quotes: "They say you never know what you would do in a hypothetical situation. We'd all like to think we'd be one of the people who gave up their life jackets and waved a stoic good-bye from the slanting deck of the Titanic, someone who jumped in front of a bullet for a stranger, or turned and raced back up the stairs of one of the towers, in search of someone who needed help rather than your own security. But you just don't know for sure if, when things fall apart, you'll think safety first, or if safety will be the last thing on your mind."

"... And the way he does look at me makes me feel absolutely beautiful."

This picture is mine. Instagram @courtneysbooks

Review: You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan

Title: You Know Me Well
Author: Nina LaCour and David Levithan
Publisher: Macmillan

Release date: June 2nd 2016
Source: I received an ARC from My Kinda Book.

What it's about: Goodreads: Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A stranger you meet on a crazy night? No one, really?

Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed.

That is, until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way.

When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other—and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.

Told in alternating points of view by Nina LaCour and David Levithan, You Know Me Well is a story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, one truth at a time.

What I thought: I must say that I enjoyed this novel immensely. The two main characters, Mark and Kate, are part of the LGBT community, so I really enjoyed that as I haven't read very many books with gay people as the main characters. This novel follows the characters in their final year of high school, so it deals with themes such as friendship, family, responsibility, love and heartbreak.

I loved reading from Mark's point of view. Before he befriends Kate, he only really has one true friend called Ryan, who breaks Mark's heart at the beginning of the novel when he learns that the love he feels for him is unrequited. I loved his friendship with Kate and how he supports her and his character growth over the course of the novel.

I adored Kate. Kate has a crush on her friend's cousin Violet, who she has only met online. Kate is nervous about what their relationship holds so on the day they meet for the first time in real life, she takes off and heads to a bar, where she sees Mark dancing on the countertop and their friendship  blossoms from there. I loved Kate's passion for art and I also enjoyed reading about her growing away from her best friend, because at that age it is common to outgrow your childhood friends.

I couldn't out this down! It was very well written and the transition between the perspectives was flawless. I have read and enjoyed many of David Levithan's books already, so I shall definitely pick up some of Nina LaCour's books in the future.

Rating: 5/5

The picture is from Goodreads.

Review: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

Title:  Extraordinary  Means
Author:  Robyn  Schneider
Genre:  Young  adult,  contemporary
Publisher: Katherine  Tegen  Books

What  It's  About:  Extraordinary  Means  is  about  a  seventeen  year  old  boy  named  Lane  who  after  contracting  an  incurable  form  of  tuberculosis,  finds  himself  at  Laytham  House,  a  care  centre  for  teenagers  like  him.  Lane  was  top  of  the  class  at  school  and  he  struggles  with  not  being  able  to  keep  up  with  the  work  or  fill  out  his  Stanford  application.
One  day  in  the  cafeteria,  he  spots  Sadie,  a  girl  he  went  to  summer  camp  with  a  few  years  ago.  Lane  notices  that  Sadie  and  her  friends  stand  out  from  the  other  kids  at  Laytham.  They're  funny,  intelligent, sarcastic,  and  well,  alive.  By  befriending  them,  Lane  learns  that  there's  more  to  life  than  applications  and  deadlines,  and  that  sometimes  you  just  have  to  go  with  the  flow  and  see  where  the  road  takes  you.

What  I  Thought:  This  is  my  second  Robyn  Schneider  book  and  I  think  that  I  liked  it  even  more  than  the  first  one,  The  Beginning  of  Everything  or  Severed  Heads  and  Broken  Hearts.  I  listened  to  the  audiobook  and  I'd  really  recommend  it.  The  narrators  did  a  fantastic  job.
I  liked  Lane.  I  understand  the  pressure  that  he  put  himself  under  at  school  and  how  he  always  looked  to  the  future  instead  of  living  in  the  present.  I  loved  watching  him  grow  and  try  new  things  as  the  book  went  on.  He  had  great  character  development.
I  quite  liked  Sadie,  the  female  protagonist.  She  was  brave,  snarky  and  I  was  interested  to  learn  about  her.
It's  obvious  from  the  get  go  that  this  is  a  love  story  about  two  ill  teenagers  who  fall  in  love,  and  I've  heard  it  compared  to  John  Green's  The  Fault  In  Our  Stars,  but  it's  not  The  Fault  In  Our  Stars.  It's  different,  so  don't  let  that  put  you  off  giving  it  a  try.
I  enjoyed  the  writing.  I  liked  how  it's  a  dual  perspective  novel  and  how  we  got  to  see  both  Lane's  and  Sadie's  side  of  their  story.  Robyn  Schneider  had  some  important  messages  in  here  about  enjoying  life  and  breaking  rules  and  how  there  is  more  to  life  than  essays  and  textbooks.  At  times,  it's  really  funny  and  makes  you  laugh,  and  other  times  it's  serious  and  makes  you  tear  up  as  you  think  about  what  the  characters  are  going  through,  and  how  you  would  act  it  were  you.
The  plot  is  good,  but  also  rather  typical  of  these  kinds  of  stories.  There  are  some  surprises  that  made  me  want  to  keep  listening  and  I  was  completely  invested  in  the  story.
I  have  to  say  that  I  was  impressed  by  this  book  and  I'm  looking  forward  to  future  books  by  Robyn  Schneider.

Rating:  4/5  stars

Picture  =  Goodreads