Monthly Reading Wrap Up | September 2015

I had an excellent start to this month with reading, in fact the first 2 books I read were both 5 Star reads and both went onto my 'Favourite Books of 2015' list. But then I started stumbling downhill after that and only ended up reading 9 books in total, with 3 of those being novellas.

 

 

The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard by Kiera Cass // 4 Stars

 

I really enjoyed The Prince. Maxon was always my favourite character in the series, so it was so nice being able to finally see what he was going through and how it affected him. And despite Kiera writing her male characters a little on the feminine side, I will forever love him. The Guard, however, started off so well and got dragged along the lines of boring. But I love his protective instincts for America.

 

 

The Enemy by Charlie Higson // 4 Stars

 

I really, really enjoyed this book. The beginning was a little so paced but it picked right up from about page 100 and I finished it so quickly after that. I can now say I officially like Zombies! If you're missing The Walking Dead, then pick this up!

 

 

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins // DNF'd

 

I'm so over these characters. I liked Anna, hated Lola and didn't want to know Isla. I'm fed up with YA characters being written so juvenile and Stephanie Perkins is the perfect example of that. Isla wanted to live inside Josh's dimple. Really?! Just, no!

 

 

HIM by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy // 5 Stars

 

I absolutely loved this book. It was...spectacular. I cannot recommend it enough, everyone has to pick it up and read it. The writing, characters and relationship were all so perfect. Everyone needs a Jamie Canning in their life!

 

 

George by Alex Gino // 5 Stars

 

Without a doubt the best book I have read this year, it has to been on the school curriculum because it teaches so many important life lessons. The taboo subject was handled well and I honestly just want to hand every child and parent I cross a copy of the book. Please do yourself a favour and read it. You will not regret it!

 

 

Alienated by Melissa Landers // 4 Stars

 

I was so surprised by this book. It's a very quick read that is filled with gorgeous characters, a swoon-worthy romance and lots of suspense. You'll fall in love with it the same way I did; slowly and then all at once

 

 

The Deal by Elle Kennedy // 3 Stars

 

I wasn't the biggest fan of The Deal. I liked the characters but the story was so cliché and cheesy. I wanted something a little steamy, but all I got was a little bit of nothing. It's kind of classic New Adult but there is so much better out there.

 

 

 

 

 

I also read The All Souls Real Time Companion by Deborah Harkness (Free e-book) and I did enjoy it but I didn't love it. It was nice to see some extras but I don't honestly think it was at all needed. I ended up giving it a 3. 5 Stars.

What books did you read this month?

Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | August 2015

I thought I did quite well this month especially since I was ill a few times and got carried away with TV. A lot of my favourite shows have started back up, so I've been more bothered by them. This month I read some really good books as well as some horrid books!

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines // 5 Stars

Woods was my favourite male character in the 'Too Far' Series, so getting to see his story was so good. I loved every moment of this book, even the slow build up in the beginning. Honestly, Woods and Della are just so.....perfect!

Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines // 4.5 Stars

This was a fantastic sequel to Twisted Perfection, but I did find some things too over the top in here that it wasn't entirely believable. Still a great book though.

Take a Chance by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

I've loved reading about Harlow and Grant, but reading from their perspectives was a horrible experience. Grant was too possessive and Harlow is a truly weak example of a woman. Their relationship still annoys me to this day.

One More Chance by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

Abbi Glines rehashed the storyline where the girl leaves and comes back pregnant, and I stopped reading there. A left it a while and came back to finish it off. It was okay, not good or her best.

You Were Mine by Abbi Glines // 4 Stars

Oh, Bethy and Tripp. So, so beautiful. I was crying from the heartbreak in this book and I loved seeing what happened to Bethy and Tripp when they were teenagers. Although those teenager parts were incredibly slow I still enjoyed them.

When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines // 4.5 Stars

I'm getting myself a Mase Mannings because he is perfect to a 'T'. Him and Reese were a perfect couple and I really enjoyed the fact that there wasn't much sex in this book. It was laid back and I  found it to be perfect.

When You're Back by Abbi Glines // 2 Stars

YAWN! This book was an entire snooze fest. When I'm Gone should've been a standalone. The storyline turns up like 80% into the book and by that time I officially wanted to burn the book and pretend like Abbi didn't even write the book.

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway // DNF'd

I read 68% of this book before deciding that I just didn't care about the characters to see what happened to them. The awkwardness between Emmy & Oliver was cute, and I loved them so much together but other than that this book was a hot mess.

 The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black // DNF'd

The beginning was eerie and I liked the characters but nothing was entirely going on. I was literally left yawning. I do hope to go back and pick it up again next month though.

Monster by CJ Skuse // 3 Stars

I have mixed thoughts on this one. I liked the characters and the story but I felt I may have read it at the wrong time.

All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher // 3 Stars

Not for me. I'm a 19 year old guy, not a 13 year old girl.

Kiro's Emily by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

This was a quick, cute read but nothing else. Kiro was....obsessed though, literally.





What books did you read this month?

Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | July 2015

July has been a very good reading month for me so far. I've had a few days off from reading just to watch my TV Shows and Movies, I've also taken a few days off due to suffering with a severe headache that made me lose concentration. However, I have found 2 of my favourite books of the year this month, which is a massive bonus.

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

This was an incredibly quick, cute, steamy read. The characters were great, Blaire really had me rooting for her and I was pleasantly surprised by what happened, drama or not!

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

Never Too Far was a good sequel, but I did sometimes get a little bored. However, Abbi Glines does write great romance. So swoon worthy!

The Young Elites by Marie Lu - 5 Stars

Okay. This book was freaking epic! Adelina is a character that despite being an antagonist you completely root for her. She's twisted, dark and creepy, yet one fierce bitch! I honestly could not believe all those droppings of plot twists, left, right and centre. Too good. TOO GOOD!

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider - 3.5 Stars

This book started off so well. I was hooked! The characters were great, relatable and completely lovable, however, things started to go down hill after 250 pages. It became a little predictable and the romance moved a little too quickly for my liking.

One by Sarah Crossan - 5 Stars

Oh, how beautiful this book was. A book written in verse about conjoined twins. So beautiful, so poetic. It was heart-breaking, yet inspirational. A truly phenomenal story or family, love and loss. I always find myself wanting to go back and re-read it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - 4 Stars

A LGBT book that I can completely recommend. It follows to Mexican characters in the 1980's, who befriend each other and find out the secrets of the universe. It's intelligently written with wit and drama. I simply adored it!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - 2 Stars / DNF'd

The Prologue and Chapter 1 were great, but everything fell flat from there. If you like slow moving stories then you may like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Remix by Non Pratt - 2 Stars

I didn't like this book at all! The characters were generic, childish and acted like spoilt brats. The book, despite being set in a music festival included hardly any music. It was more 98% getting drunk and having sex & 2% music. Also everyone likes to cheat on each other.

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren - 3 Stars

This story had me split. Some chapters I LOVED, but others I HATED! The 2 authors have completely different writing tenses and it all became mumbo jumbo. It's Generic New Adult at its slightly average taste.




What books did you read this month?
Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | June 2015

The month of June was definitely an unusual reading month for me. Within the first couple of days I finished 3 books, and then 2 or 3 days later I finished my 4th. Then things stumbled from there....I was more bothered about watching TV and Netflix than picking up a book, and when I did get around to doing that, I got bored! Nothing could get me out, I was in a reading slump.

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

I was pleasantly surprised with All Lined Up. I wasn't a big fan of Losing It, which was Cora's first book published, however, All Lined Up was an adorable treat. I read it in 4 hours and I fell in love with Carson. I love a bad boy, but he was a gorgeous gentleman and for once, I loved a good boy.

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

All Broke Down was a little more serious than All Lined Up, which I liked, especially since it added a depth to Silas' character. Silas appeared as a cocky player in All Lined Up, but I was happy to see that there was more to him than meets the eye. All Broke Down was also very, very steamy!

All Played Out by Cora Carmack - 4 Stars

If I am honest, I was disappointed with All Played Out. I had fallen in love with Mateo Torres from the teasers Cora was displaying online, but for some reason I couldn't connect with him at all. He was just a cocky, flirty player that loved sex. I did, however, love Nell. Nell was a character I could easily relate too, and it was great seeing how she grew as a character.

The Taking by Kimberly Derting - 5 Stars

All stop what you are doing because I have found my favourite book of the year! Yes, The Taking had now become my favourite book of the year and for all the right reasons. I'm not a Sci-Fi, Paranormal fan but The Taking immediately dragged me in and I finished it within a day. I loved the main protagonist, Kyra. She was relatable and the perfect mix of girly girl and tomboy. The relationship with Austin was.....heart palpitating. I'm excited to read the sequel, The Replaced.



What books did you read this month?

Let me know in the comments.

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | May 2015

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver - 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Vanishing Girls. It was a very mysterious, confusing read that had my complete attention for the entire novel. It was a little slow at parts, but the ending was very well done.

The Heir by Kiera Cass - 3.5 Stars

I had mixed views on this book because there's not much world building in The Selection series, but I think it was a strong 4th book. Eadlyn was, at most, a brat but her character growth was amazing. The best thing about this series are the guys, they're so swoon worthy!

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - 4 Stars

I really thought this book was very well done, especially for a debut novel. It was dark, intense and left me hanging on for a second book.

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson - 4.5 Stars

I actually think that this is New Adult done at it's best. Originally it was a Twilight Fan Fiction, but I was too immersed in the story to even recognise any similarities. Carter was a hard ass, sweet heart (It'll make sense when you read it) and I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 3.5 Stars

This was my second time reading City of Bones and while I didn't love it as much as the first time, I certainly enjoyed it. Cassandra Clare writes incredibly relatable and modern characters that have you wishing that you were them. I just wished that she hadn't used so many descriptions when describing one object.

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - DNF'd

I expected quite a lot from this book, but I didn't get any of what I expected. There was no action, no kick-ass characters and I got bored. I left it hanging at 38%.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - DNF'd

I read 30 pages, but honestly wasn't feeling it. I couldn't relate to the main character, Mare and I just didn't care enough about her story to continue reading. If you like Fantasy then you should like it, but like I have said over and over, Fantasy is a genre that doesn't connect very well with me.

 

E-BOOKS

 

 

 

Just One Night by Gayle Forman - 3 Stars

 

It was sweet and cute, but left me feeling somewhat confused. I think I would've liked it better had it only starred Allyson and Willem, not the other side characters as well.

 

Trust in Me by J Lynn / Jennifer L Armentrout - 3 Stars

 

I like Wait For You a lot, especially Cam, but this didn't add anything new for me. I would've liked it more had it starred more scenes of him with his mates, so we got to see him without Avery attached to his hip.

 

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen - 2 Stars

 

Colleen Hoover said that this was one of her favourites of 2014, so I picked it up for free hoping to like it, but I did not. The writing was too simple, didn't add depth to any of the characters. The romance also left me feeling annoyed rather than obsessed.
 

 

The Escort by Harmony Raines - 3 Stars

 

This was a cute, quick novella read. The characters were okay, but the story felt a little rushed for a novella.

 

The Secretary by Harmony Raines - 3 Stars

 

The story was more controlled and fleshed out than The Escort, which was great, but the romance was....messy. It was up, down, then up and then back down again.

 

 

 

 

How many books did you read in May?

Let me know in the comments.