Review for Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

Girl Made of Stars 
by Ashley Herring Blake 
Publisher: HMH Books
Release: 15th May 2018
Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBT+
Source: ARC gifted from a friend

Synopsis: 

""I need Owen to explain this. Because yes, I do know that Owen would never do that, but I also know Hannah would never lie about something like that." 

Mara and Owen are about as close as twins can get. So when Mara's friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara doesn't know what to think. Can the brother she loves really be guilty of such a violent crime? Torn between the family she loves and her own sense of right and wrong, Mara is feeling lost, and it doesn't help that things have been strained with her ex-girlfriend and best friend since childhood, Charlie. 

As Mara, Hannah, and Charlie navigate this new terrain, Mara must face a trauma from her own past and decide where Charlie fits in her future. With sensitivity and openness, this timely novel confronts the difficult questions surrounding consent, victim blaming, and sexual assault." 

Review 

Mara's just trying to get through her break up with her ex-girlfriend Charlie and write for her school's feminist newspaper when her world comes crashing down around her. Mara's twin brother and rock Owen has been accused of rape. The victim? Her best friend Hannah. Mara knows that Owen would never, could never, do such a thing. But she also knows Hannah and she would never lie about something like that. As Mara tries to navigate this new world and make sense of what happened that night memories of her own concealed trauma come back to her and Mara is finally forced to confront her own truth.

Girl Made of Stars was one of my most anticipated books of 2018, the impossible situation Mara finds herself in felt like such a timely and important subject matter that I was so ready for and despite such high expectations this book did not let me down at all. I'm not sure I have the words to eloquently articulate how much I loved this book. It was everything I needed a book about victim blaming and female solidarity to be.

One of the aspects I loved about this book is that Mara and her mother both identify as feminists, yet they still desperately wanted to believe Owen's version of events. One of the most important messages this book holds is what a grey area rape can be. Men we love and respect can rape, people in relationships can be raped, women who have had sex with their attacker before can be raped and when those women step forward with their stories they deserve to be believed and supported in ways that the legal system and society is not doing right now. I loved the message at the heart of this story on the importance of believing women, even when it's easier not to.

There is so much diversity in this book which I always appreciate, and I loved the complicated relationship Mara had with her ex-girlfriend Charlie and her own sexuality. Another thing this book does so well is show the after effects of abuse and the trauma that follows. It's something I could personally relate to and my heart broke reading about these girls, their broken parts and their inner strength. I loved how Ashley Herring Blake didn't shy away from the harsh truths of rape culture. This book holds no easy answers, but it does offer hope and show that there is life after abuse. Girl Made of Stars is a truly beautiful yet heartbreakingly important read that I can't recommend enough.

Spring Releases: The Highlights

Hello everyone! Today marks the first official day of Spring here in the UK and there are so many books coming out this season that I'm excited for. To celebrate the beginning of spring I wanted to share with you the creme de la creme of the spring releases on my wishlist and review pile. I hope it helps you decide what should be on your TBR for the coming months ahead. I'm so looking forward to sitting outside in the sunshine with a picnic lunch and these brilliant books!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 
Publication Date: 18th May 2017 
Synopsis: "Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive – but not how to live

Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?"

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - I've been hearing wonderful things about Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine since last year and when I read the synopsis I knew I had to read it because it sounds like such a Jess book. I've already been told by several people that I'll love it so I've been counting down the days until release when I can finally get my hands on a copy!

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins 
Publication Date: 2nd May 2017 
Synopsis: "A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother’s sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she’d never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath."

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - This is the book that I think is on everyone's wishlist this spring and that is the highly anticipated new thriller from Paula Hawkins author of The Girl on the Train. Early reader friends have already told me that Into The Water is utterly fantastic and totally lives up to its predecessor. I absolutely can't wait to see what Paula Hawkins has in store for us next!

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo 
Publication Date: 18th May 2017 
Synopsis: "Two people. One choice.

What if?

Every love story has a beginning…

11th September 2001. Lucy and Gabe meet in New York on a day that will change their lives – and the world – forever. As the city burns behind them, they kiss for the very first time.

Over the next thirteen years they are torn apart, then brought back together, time and time again. It’s a journey of dreams, of desires, of jealousy, of forgiveness – and above all, love.

As Lucy is faced with a devastating choice, she wonders whether their love is a matter of destiny or chance.

 …what if this is how their story ends?"

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - I'm a sucker for a good love story and The Light We Lost looks set to be one of the big ones of this year with early comparisons to Me Before You and One Day. This book is right at the top of my review pile for May!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 
Publication Date: 6th April 2017 
Synopsis: "Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed."

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - If you haven't heard of THUG yet where have you been!? There has been so much early excitement for this book and it recently hit the number one spot on The New York Times’s Young Adult best-seller list. This is easily one of my most anticipated releases of the year and if it's not already on your TBR then it should be! The Hate U Give is set to be one of the most important books you'll read this year.

This Love by Dani Atkins 
Publication Date: 23rd March 2017 
Synopsis: "Sophie stopped believing in happy endings a long time ago, but could this love change all of that?

Sophie Winter lives in a self-imposed cocoon - she's a single, 31-year-old translator who works from home in her one-bedroom flat. This isn’t really the life she dreamed of, but then Sophie stopped believing in dreams when she was a teenager and tragedy struck her family.

So, to be safe, she keeps everyone at arm’s length. Sophie understands she has a problem, but recognising it and knowing how to fix it are two entirely different things.

One night a serious fire breaks out in the flat below hers. Sophie is trapped in the burning building until a passer-by, Ben, sees her and rescues her.

Suddenly her cocoon is shattered - what will be the consequences of this second life-changing event?"

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - Our Song by Dani Atkins was one of my favourite books of last year so I can't wait to read another by her. My blogger friends who have already read this have been raving to me about it,  so needless to say this is currently at the very top of my review pile for this month!

Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse 
Publication Date: 20th April 2017 
Synopsis: "The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret. Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhiannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

 A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge. 

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…"

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - I've been a long time fangirl of C.J. Skuse and will read anything she writes but I am particularly excited for Sweetpea C.J's first adult thriller. I love books about female killers and revenge so I can't wait to meet Rhiannon and get inside her head.

The Cows by Dawn O'Porter 
Publication Date: 6th April 2017 
Synopsis: "Fearlessly frank and funny, the debut adult novel from Dawn O’Porter needs to be talked about.

COW [n.]
/kaʊ/

 A piece of meat; born to breed; past its sell-by-date; one of the herd.

Women don’t have to fall into a stereotype.

Tara, Cam and Stella are strangers living their own lives as best they can – though when society’s screaming you should live life one way, it can be hard to like what you see in the mirror.

When an extraordinary event ties invisible bonds of friendship between them, one woman’s catastrophe becomes another’s inspiration, and a life lesson to all.

Sometimes it’s ok not to follow the herd.

The Cows is a powerful novel about three women – judging each other, but also themselves. In all the noise of modern life, they need to find their own voice."

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - I absolutely love feminist fiction, particularly books about female friendships. This is set to be one of the biggest books about women of the year and I can't wait to dive in!

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 
Publication Date: 28th March 2017 
Synopsis: "The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around - and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever. 

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries - including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?"

Why I Can't Wait to Read it - I've been waiting for this book for such a long time! I fell in love with Laini Taylor's writing way back in 2011 when I received a proof of Daughter of Smoke and Bone to review from the publisher and since then I've been a huge fan of this author. This book sounds absolutely magical and I'm so excited that I only have eight more days to wait for this one!

 I hope you have a lovely springtime full of plenty of books and sunshine!

5 Unmissable Books to Look Out For in 2017

Since October I have been working my way through the 2017 proofs that I've been sent and let me tell you, 2017 is looking great for books! Today I wanted to share with you five of the best 2017 releases I have read so far that you won't want to miss this year!

The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney
Publication Date: 26th January 2017
Synopsis: "Jane stumbles on the rental opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to live in a beautiful ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect, on condition she abides by a long list of exacting rules.

After moving in, she discovers that a previous tenant, Emma, met a mysterious death there - and starts to wonder if her own story will be a re-run of the girl before. As twist after twist catches the reader off guard, Emma's past and Jane's present become inexorably entwined in this tense, page-turning portrayal of psychological obsession."

Why It's Unmissable - I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and this is the freshest, slickest thriller I've read for some time. The story is told in alternate chapters between Jane the current tenant of One Folgate Street, and Emma the girl who lived there before. One Folgate Street seems to have a presence of its own with its cold, minimalist style and odd set of house rules enforced by the architect who designed the house. As Jane and Emma's chapters become more and more entwined you can't help but wonder what happened to Emma? And is Jane destined to follow in her footsteps?

Wing Jones by Katherine Webber
Publication Date: 5th January 2017
Synopsis: "With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants."

Why It's Unmissable - I have been anticipating Wing Jones for the longest time and it surpassed my already very high expectations. Wing Jones has sprinted on to the YA scene with a heroine whose heart leaps off the page touching the readers own. It's a book about losing your way, finding your feet and having the courage to chase your dreams. This is the kind of book that makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy whenever I think about it and I am already craving a re-read, it's that good.

This Is How It Always Is 
by Laurie Frankel
Publication Date: 9th February 2017
Synopsis: "Rosie and Penn always wanted a daughter. Four sons later, they decide to try one last time - and their beautiful little boy Claude is born. Life continues happily for this big, loving family until the day when Claude says that, when he grows up, he wants to be a girl.

As far as Rosie and Penn are concerned, bright, funny and wonderful Claude can be whoever he or she wants. But as problems begin at school and in the community, the family faces a seemingly impossible dilemma: should Claude change, or should they and Claude try to change the world?"

Why It's Unmissable - This Is How It Always Is is such a special and important book following Claude, a little boy who wants to be a little girl. It's a book about family, acceptance and having the courage to show the world who you truly are. I loved Claude/Poppy, I loved his/her rambunctious, supportive family and I loved the messages about living in the middle, not conforming and being kind. A timely book for 2017 and a must read for all.

Everything but the Truth 
by Gillian McAllister 
Publication Date: 9th March 2017
Synopsis: "It all started with the email.

It came through to her boyfriend's iPad in the middle of the night. Rachel didn't even mean to look. She loves Jack, and she's pregnant with their child. She trusts him. But now she's seen it, she can't undo that moment, or the chain of events it has set in motion.

Why has Jack been lying about his past? Just what exactly is he hiding? And doesn't Rachel have a right to know the truth at any cost?"

Why It's Unmissable - We've all Googled a new boyfriend, but what if you found something sinister? Something that didn't add up. Something they can't explain away. Something that makes them a monster. What if you were pregnant with his child? This is the situation our heroine Rachel finds herself in. This book kept me guessing throughout, I constantly felt on uneven footing and was never sure what or who to believe. Everything but the Truth is a brilliant psychological thriller that makes you question everything you think you know about these characters and asks the impossible question: how well do we ever really know those we love?

The Upside of Unrequited 
by Becky Albertalli
Publication Date: 11th April 2017
Synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love-she's lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can't stomach the idea of rejection. So she's careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie's orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly's cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness-except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny, flirtatious, and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back. 

There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's an awkward Tolkien superfan, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?"

Why It's Unmissable - I absolutely loved Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda so when I received Becky's new novel The Upside of Unrequited I had to read it straight away and dare I say I loved this even more than Simon!? Once again Becky writes with her trademark warmth and humor this time following Molly Peskin-Suso an overweight teenager who has fallen in unrequited love one too many times. When her twin sister Cassie finds the girl of her dreams, Molly is left behind, that is until Cassie sets her up with her new girlfriend's super cute best friend Will. But this time Molly isn't content to tag along in her twin sister's shadow. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to carve her own path in life, even if it means letting Cassie go. I loved every single thing about this book and know that fans of Simon vs will not be disappointed in this new offering from Becky Albertalli!

Review for One by Sarah Crossan

One by Sarah Crossan 
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release: 27th August 2015
Genre: Contemporary, UKYA
Source: Proof Copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review



Synopsis:

"Grace and Tippi are twins - conjoined twins. And their lives are about to change. No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world - a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love?

But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined."

Review 
After reading the synopsis I knew that One was going to break my heart but what I didn’t expect was for it to break my heart on every single page to see how conjoined twins Grace and Tippi were treated by those around them.

One opened both my eyes and my heart to a life I’ve never looked at too closely before, a life as a conjoined twin. Grace and Tippi’s relationship was like no other I’ve ever encountered, it’s a bond that runs even deeper than love; it’s the very essence of who they are. I loved getting to know them as individuals and also as a team as they live their lives as one person.

Grace and Tippi are at the front and centre of this book but Sarah Crossan also takes a look at how the twins’ being one affects those closest to them: their mom, dad and younger sister. Grace and Tippi’s situation also has a knock-on effect for those they love as the family struggle with medical bills and witness first-hand how cruel people can be when somebody is different.

One was the first book that I’ve read written in free verse. I’ve always been put off by this style of writing before but One sounded too incredible to miss and I’m so glad that I gave it a go. The writing style worked beautifully and I can’t imagine this story being told in any other way. Every page is ripe with emotion the few carefully selected words carrying so much weight. Nothing goes to waste here with every word adding something vital to the story. Sarah Crossan’s writing is fluid, flawless and something to behold.

Not only is One easily my favourite book of 2015 so far it’s also one of the best books that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It’s truly a masterpiece in YA Fiction with massive crossover appeal. I haven’t been this emotionally moved by a book since The Fault in Our Stars and urge you to pick up this beautiful book so that you can experience Grace and Tippi’s story for yourself.

Letterbox Love (43)

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson (For Review)
I read the first novella in this series when it was first published as an e-book but when I found out that all of the stories would be released in a bound physical book I decided to wait so I could read them all back to back! I'm so glad that I decided to wait because the cover is lush! This came in a brilliant little goodie bag from the publishers along with posters, an OPI nail polish and buttons so thank you to the awesome team at Walker for this!
The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick (For Review)
I read my first Marcus Sedgwick book 'She is Not Invisible' this summer and completely fell in love with his writing. The synopsis for this one sounds so intriguing and the book is designed so that you can read it in any order you like and it'll still make sense. I'll be picking it up very soon!
The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne (Proof Copy, For Review)
This is an advance 2015 proof copy and I'm so excited for this thriller! The blurb on the proof cover has me very intrigued to find out what exactly happened on the night that one of the Moorcraft twins died.
Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan (Won, Signed)
I won this on Twitter from the publisher and it arrived today along with some buttons that tie in to the book and a cute little owl manicure set. This sounds like such a fun read and it's signed!

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (Proof Copy, For Review)
I actually (to my shame) have never read one of Holly Black's books before but have been meaning to change that for some time. This is her upcoming 2015 release and it sounds so good! I got to hear Holly speak about this book at YALC and I've been intrigued ever since.
Captive by A.J. Grainger (Proof Copy, For Review)
The press release that came with this book pitched this as being perfect for fans of Homeland and Gone Girl two of my faves so I have high hopes for this one!
The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond (Proof Copy, For Review)
This sounds like the perfect book to kick the new year off with! I love those new year, new me type books and this sounds like perfect early 2015 reading material.
Waiting For Doggo by Mark B. Mills (Proof Copy, For Review)
You guys know that I am a massive dog lover (and lover of all animals in general really) so I've had my eye on this book for a while. My own dog Dylan isn't well with terminal cancer so I'll be picking the right moment to read this one when my emotions can handle it.

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken (Bought)
I loved The Darkest Minds but wasn't crazy about Never Fade so we'll see how I get on with this final book. I'm excited to see how the trilogy is wrapped up and if I get my questions answered!
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Bought)
I loooovvveee this series and feel like I've been waiting for this final book forever! For some reason my US first edition pre-order didn't come signed like it was suppose to so I don't really know what happened there and I'm pretty gutted about it. I don't really want to go to the hassle of sending it back though because I have waited for this book for too long and plan to read it very soon!
Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers (Bought)
I read the first two books in this series earlier this year and it's quickly become one of my favourite series of all time. Seriously, if you like Throne of Glass or Shadow and Bone you need to check this series out! I'm so excited to read Annith's story but am not looking forward to this series being over already!

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

Letterbox Love (42)

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

Hi guys! I'm back with another book haul this week. I've got a really exciting mix here of books that I've bought and books that I've received for review including festive reads, 2015 proof copies and a couple of new releases. I hope you enjoy being nosy at what's new to my shelves and are having a brilliant weekend!

It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane (Proof Copy, For Review)
I've had the worst headache all weekend and I wanted something funny and feel-good to read so I decided to pick this one up. I'm a hundred pages in and really enjoying it! A lot of reviews have said that this is Mhairi's best book yet and from what I've read so far I completely agree! Here's hoping the rest of the book is just as brilliant.
A Proper Family Christmas by Chrissie Manby (For Review)
I read the first book in this series A Proper Family Holiday when I went on holiday in September and I could not put it down or stop giggling! I'm so excited to spend some time with the hilarious Bensons in the build up to Christmas!
The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews (Bought)
Carole Matthews is one of my favourite chick-lit authors and her last Christmas book Calling Mrs Christmas is quite possibly my favourite Christmas book of all time so I have high hopes for this one!
The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan (Bought)
This is Jenny's third Rosie Hopkins' book and I'm really looking forward to catching up with Rosie and Stephen again soon.

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin (For Review)
I've been so excited about this book since I found out about it this Spring and now I finally have a copy to read and review! I'm on a blog tour for this book so I expect I'll be picking it up very soon.
The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig (Proof Copy, For Review)
If you haven't heard of The Fire Sermon yet then let me be the first to tell you that this is a 2015 release you want on your radar. The early reviews have been phenomenal and there is a lot of early hype in the blogosphere. I'm hoping to get to this in either December or January and I hope it lives up to my expectations!
Winterspell by Claire Legrand (Bought)
Winterspell is one of my most anticipated releases of 2014. Since I was a kid I've been spellbound with The Nutcracker. I've been to see the ballet a couple of times and have watched several film adaptations so when I found out that a dark YA re-telling was coming out can you imagine my excitement!? This has been praised by Marissa Meyer whose books I love so I really hope this one is as good as I want it to be.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (Bought)
I mean, we're all pretty excited for this one, right? I absolutely love The Raven Boys and Maggie's writing in general and will be reading this one hopefully in the next week or two.

   

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown (E-book, Netgalley)
I haven't read any of Alexandra Brown's books yet but I know a lot of my blog friends love her Carrington's series. I believe that this is the first in a new series from this author and I am really excited to have it on my Christmas TBR.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (E-book, Netgalley)
This is another 2015 release that is getting a lot of early love. This is being pitched as the next big thriller with praise from Before I Go To Sleep author S J Watson blurbed on the cover. I have re-kindled my love for adult thrillers this year and am glad I have such an exciting book in the genre lined up for 2015.
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell (E-Book, Netgalley)
This sounds like it could be Jill Mansell's most emotional book yet! It's definitely one of the chick-lit 2015 releases I'm most excited for. If you like emotional life affirming reads I urge you to check out the synopsis for this one.

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

Letterbox Love (41) They're Back!

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

I'm so happy to be bringing back book hauls to the blog this week! Back in May I explained that I wouldn't be doing them for a while whilst we were decorating and my books were everywhere and now we're all done and my books are back together again on my gorgeous new bookcases. I won't be showing everything I've got since May because that would be ridiculous so instead I'll be starting fresh with the books I've bought and received over the last two weeks.

Us by David Nicholls (For Review)
One Day is one of my all time favourite books and I've been waiting and waiting for another David Nicholls book for years. The wait is finally over and I was thrilled to find that the publisher had sent me a signed copy!
Talon by Julie Kagawa (ARC, Borrowed)
I'm borrowing this one from my lovely friend Jasprit which reminds me that I really need to get to it soon as Rach is waiting to borrow it next! Kagawa's books tend to be hit or miss with me but this one has DRAGONS so we'll see how I get on with it.
My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins (For Review)
Our gorgeous UK cover, Christmas and several of my favourite authors. I'm freaking excited you guys! I'm waiting until November before making a start on this one.
I Was Here by Gayle Forman (Proof, For Review)
When this dropped through my letterbox earlier today I got some very worried looks from my family because I was squawking and flapping my arms about like a seagull. This is one of my most anticipated 2015 releases and I'm so made up to have a proof copy! I don't think I'll be able to wait long before starting this.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (Bought)
I have wanted to read one of Sanderson's books since forever and I've almost bought one so many times. I believe this is a new YA series from him and so I decided to finally, finally give him a go.
Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (For Review)
This is another book where my inner seagull was out in full force! I love this series and am so excited to see how everything ends. I'll be reading this one very soon.
Sublime by Christina Lauren (For Review)
I hadn't originally heard of this book until the publisher emailed me about it and based on the synopsis alone I decided to give it a go! Although I have to say after some research I much prefer the US cover.

This Autumn I have been on such a thriller kick and it all started when I read Gone Girl last month. Since then I've been straying away from my review pile once a week and diving into a thriller. I've got a little pile that I've been working my way through which has made for perfect October reading. I'm currently reading and enjoying Before I Go To Sleep and if you have any recommendations for what I should pick up after I've finished these three I'd love to know!
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (Bought)
The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey (Bought)
The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes (Bought)

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

OCD, the Kindle and Me

Lately I’ve noticed that more and more publishers are relying on websites like Netgalley to get early proof copies to book bloggers. Recently I’ve been receiving more emails with a direct link to download an e-galley than I have with offers of a physical proof to read and whilst I think this is fantastic for a lot of reasons I couldn’t help but wonder if this is the way publicity is going in the future and how bloggers who don’t own or dislike e-readers feel about this new digital approach.

Personally I like my Kindle Paperwhite but I LOVE my physical books and really can’t see that ever changing. I have so many exciting books on my Kindle right now but they often get neglected in favour of physical books. In fact I’ll often be excited about an early e-proof for all of a day and then decide that I’d actually much rather wait and buy a finished copy which some people might think is a little crazy when I’m given the chance to read these books sometimes months in advance which brings me nicely on to a realisation I made the other day.

After thinking about this topic a lot over the last few weeks I realised that a large part of why I prefer not to read on my Kindle is because of my OCD. Part of my condition means that I have to do things as thoroughly and correctly as possible and when I’m reading on my Kindle I don’t feel like I’m getting the full reading experience. This is kind of silly when I’m quite happy to read proof copies that are subject to change but try telling my OCD that. I don’t get it either.

So after a lot of thought I have decided to make this year Project Learning to Love My Kindle. At the moment I tend to read one Kindle book per month (if that) and I’d like to start trying to up that to two or three books a month. I’m tired of not reading the books I want to read because I have this irrational fear of not reading the book properly. There are lots of pros for me personally for reading more on my Kindle and it’ll also help tackle an aspect of my OCD which can only be a good thing. I’m not saying that I want to become a full on Kindle advocate but if I can get to a stage where I feel like I can happily read what I want to on my Kindle that would be great.

If you’re a blogger who doesn’t own or dislikes e-readers I’d love to know how you feel about the rise of websites like Netgalley? Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on the latest thing? If you’re a publisher is there a future for paper proof copies? Or are you a reader who hates missing out on exclusive e-book short stories from your favourite authors? If for whatever reason you’ve ever missed out on reading a book due to a dislike of e-readers I feel your pain.