Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

A really interesting and beautiful, yet saddening collection of stories. These back stories helped to add more depth to the world of The Lunar Chronicles and made me want to leap right back into Cinder again. Unfortunately, parts were a bit too sappy for me, but apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

(Goodreads parallel) 

Five Years Ago

Over time our reading tastes change. It's a natural process because as we read works by new authors and in different genres, we expand our knowledge and we gain appreciation for different styles of writing.

Five years ago, at the ripe old age of twelve, my tastes were very different to how they are now. I was obsessed with the Twilight series, in a very unhealthy way. I would read the series and then reread it and then reread it again in a constant cycle, to the point where I had read each book at least twenty times. (No, that's not an exaggerated number, unfortunately.)

It was bad for me because it not only meant that I couldn't let go of the story, which is important when our actual lives have to be lived, but also because I was lacking that expansion. I was hooked on vampires, werewolves and an unrealistic image of what my high school life would be like. I was limiting myself so much because I wouldn't move on.

Looking back on that time now, I hate it, because I missed out on so many great books because I simply ignored their existence. That's why, now, my aim is to read as many different books as I possibly can so that when I look back at my reading tastes as they are at the moment in five years time, I will look back with a smile rather than a frown.

-E

Moving On and Letting Go

One of the main reasons for me having so many books, apart from my uncontrolled book buying sprees, is that I find it very difficult to get rid of books once I've bought them. I read them and if I like them, I will aim to read them again at some point in the future and that, I find, is quite a justifiable reason for keeping them. If I don't like them, however, I will keep them anyway and even I, the guilty party, find it a bit hard to understand why with some.

With the majority, the reasoning is clear. Though the book may not have been that good, in my opinion, I just can't stand the thought of such a beautiful spine being snapped by someone who doesn't appreciate the beauty of books or it going on to be destroyed, as I have worked in a charity shop and if something doesn't sell after a while, well, I don't really want to think about what happens to it. These reasons might seem a little materialistic, but it's a barrier I can't overcome.

Also, if I'm uncertain on a book, I will let myself keep it because I promise myself that I will read it again at some point in the future, which is an almost impossible task looking at how many books I have on my TBR pile.

Often the books I didn't really enjoy will go onto my bookshelves and that only makes it harder to let them go because I have given them a place and my mind cannot imagine them not being there anymore.

The books pictured above, however, have been sitting in a box beneath my desk for the past couple of years, having been moved off my shelves for books I vastly preferred. So, in a small summer clear out, I decided it was time for them to go. They weren't doing anything useful hidden away and I just have to hope that they will go to a loving home.

Do you find it hard to clear out your books? If so, why? If not, teach me your ways, please.

-E

Review: All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Whilst reading this story, I was really captivated by it, but as soon as I finished it, I took a step back and looked back over the parts that had been nagging me. Though I didn't take time over them when I was reading this book, now I have finished it, I cannot ignore the faults in it, especially how adults in positions of authority are portrayed. This book didn't feel like real life and that made it less enjoyable. I can see why lots of people love this book, but I can't class myself in that category.

(Goodreads parallel) 

Review: Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

A truly heartbreaking tale that will make you want to laugh and cry. This book will really make you appreciate the small things in life that we take for granted each day and bring hope into seemingly hopeless situations.

(Goodreads parallel)

Six Months In

It's hard to believe that we've over halfway through 2016 already; it seems that time really does fly.

This year, I have tried to be a little stricter with my ratings and I feel like it has given me a more accurate view on which books are my favourites, so far.

Firstly, and appropriately, my first read of the year, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. As someone who loves the Grisha trilogy, I was expecting good things from this book, but I was not expecting it to be that good. This book is simply a brilliant combination of rich character development, humour and high tension. If you're looking for a fantasy read to truly capture your imagination, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Secondly, How Not To Disappear by Clare Furniss. If I'm being honest, this book does not match up to the other two, it falls just short, but nevertheless, it is a heartbreaking and heart-warming tale that had me on the verge of tears. This book makes the list, not only because it is a great book, but also because I'm expecting many more good things to come from Clare Furniss.

Finally, Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin. I almost don't want to give anything away so that you go in completely blind, but I don't think that me saying nothing about it would convince you to go and read it. This piece of alternative reality, historical fiction will leave you never wanting to stop turning the pages and is full of many deep secrets that you as a reader will just be clawing at the novel to find out about. Well, I guess that doesn't give away any of the plot; just trust me that this is a superb book.

What have been your favourite reads so far this year?

-E

Review: See How They Run by Ally Carter

A fun and engaging novel, with just the right amount of tension, drama and suspense. This book reminded me how much I used to love Ally Carter's writing, though, unfortunately, the plot became harder and harder to accept, to the point where I was slightly disinterested in it.

(Goodreads parallel)