WWW Wednesday: 4th January 2016

The WWW Wednesday meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

WWW Wednesday

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Here’s this weeks WWW.


Currently ReadingThe Bear and the Nightingale

Yet again I’m not really reading anything at the moment, there must be something about Tuesdays (I always write this post the night before). I am however planning to start The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden which I received from NetGalley but haven’t had a chance to read as yet. I have to admit that I requested this partly due to the cover which is stunning and also because I heard the words “draws on Russian fairytales”. I absolutely love fairytale type books. I can’t say too much about it yet but it’s definitely a book I have high hopes for.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)On audio, I’ve started listening to The Hunger Games and am really enjoying it. I’ve obviously read it before and have watched the films more than once but I’d kind of forgotten the details from the book. I did find the narrator a bit irritating at the start, she sounds like someone around my age who’s smoked 60 a day rather than a teenage girl but I’m getting used to it, although I still can’t stand her Peeta voice.


Recently Finished

I honestly don’t know what I’ve been doing for the past week as, despite hardly moving from the house, I seem to have read very little and absolutely none of the books I had on my reading next list from last week. Ensnared (Splintered, #3)

I am however very happy to report that I did read Ensnared, the third and final book in the Splintered series. The Splintered series is a modern day take on Alice in Wonderland with one of Alice’s descendants being sucked back into Wonderland.

I was mostly happy to read this because it finished off the series and I wanted to know how it would all end but it is quite a good read. There was a lot more action than in the previous book (which was mostly filler) but be warned there is one of the most annoying love triangles ever. I also wasn’t entirely convinced by the ending.

The One Memory of Flora BanksThe second book finished, The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr, is probably my favorite book of the year so far. I know it’s only the 4th of January but I suspect it will remain a favorite as I still keep picking it up and reading little bits. It’s one of those books that just makes you smile.

I received it from NetGalley and it’s about a seventeen year old girl who suffers from amnesia. She can only hold onto a memory for a couple of hours and then it’s gone. Then one night she kisses a boy on the beach and the memory sticks. Thinking he could be the cure for her amnesia she follows him to the Arctic. It’s a little bit nuts, kinda funny and also sad in places but I found it completely addictive. You can read my full 5 star review here.


Reading Next

Unfortunately I’m now back at work 😦 so I have a lot less time for reading and will need to switch back to ebooks as physical books are just too awkward to carry around. I’ve also realized that quite a few of the ARCs I have are due for release so I really need to get reading. I think my next reads will therefore by A Quiet Kind of Thunder  and Behind Her Eyes. I also managed to get Proxy by Alex London from the library on Overdrive so I may sneak that in somewhere too.

A Quiet Kind of ThunderBehind Her EyesProxy (Proxy, #1)

Have you read any of the books above or have any other book you’d recommend? Leave comments and links below.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Teaser Tuesday: 3rd January 2017

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme formerly hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat and revived by The Purple Booker. If you want to join in grab your current read, flick to a random page, select two sentences (without spoilers) and share them in a blog post or in the comments of The Purple Booker.

Teaser Tuesday | BooksAndABeat.com
Happy 2017 everyone!! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year if you celebrate it. It actually scares me that we’re in 2017, where does the time go?

Anyway,.this week my teaser comes from The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr which I finished at the weekend and absolutely loved. I found it an addictive and kind of inspiring read so I couldn’t resist using it for a teaser.


My Teaser

Although I feel like nothing could hurt me, a fight with a polar bear is probably not a thing I should seek out. If I have already seen them, there is no need for me to do it again.

~ 63%, The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr


Blurb

The One Memory of Flora BanksSeventeen-year-old Flora Banks has no short-term memory. Her mind resets itself several times a day, and has since the age of ten, when the tumor that was removed from Flora’s brain took with it her ability to make new memories. That is, until she kisses Drake, her best friend’s boyfriend, the night before he leaves town. Miraculously, this one memory breaks through Flora’s fractured mind, and sticks. Flora is convinced that Drake is responsible for restoring her memory and making her whole again. So when an encouraging email from Drake suggests she meet him on the other side of the world, Flora knows with certainty that this is the first step toward reclaiming her life.

With little more than the words “be brave” inked into her skin, and written reminders of who she is and why her memory is so limited, Flora sets off on an impossible journey to Svalbard, Norway, the land of the midnight sun, determined to find Drake. But from the moment she arrives in the arctic, nothing is quite as it seems, and Flora must “be brave” if she is ever to learn the truth about herself, and to make it safely home.

 


Happy holidays everyone.

My 2017 Bookish Goals

Happy 2017 Everyone!!

While 2016 wasn’t really that bad a year for me, a new year means a new start and the opportunity to make a few changes and set some goals. I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions as I can never stick to them but this year I’ve decided I am going to set myself some bookish goals. Read More »

Review: The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

The One Memory of Flora BanksThe One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t believe it’s the first day of 2017 and I’m already giving a book 5 stars but The One Memory of Flora Banks definitely deserves it.

I love books that are unique, different and a little bit weird and this story is all of those things and more. The writing is incredible and draws you in to the life and mind of Flora Banks from the very first page and I could quite happily have stayed there.

Read More »

Best Books of 2016

I can’t believe that 2016 is almost over already. It’s definitely been an eventful year and I think one that’ll be remembered (although possibly not in a good way) for a long time to come. For me, I have to admit this year has mostly been about books as unbelievably I’ve managed to read 180 books over the past 12 months. This did include a few re reads and some novellas but essentially I’ve been so busy reading I’ve had no life 🙂

Lots of people post their top ten books of the year around this time but, as I couldn’t limit myself to just 10, I’ve decided to host the second annual I Wuv Book Awards. Basically this means I’ve had a look at my favorite reads of the year and slotted them into some made up awards categories. I’m afraid I can’t offer any actual prize to the winners but I will definitely be recommending these books to all I meet.

So without further ado the winners are…..Read More »

WWW Wednesday: 28th December 2016

The WWW Wednesday meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

WWW Wednesday

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Here’s this weeks WWW.


Currently Reading

Ummm… Not actually reading anything at the moment as I finished two books yesterday and I’ve been loaded with the cold since Christmas Eve which generally means lots of feeling sorry for myself and watching Disney films 🙂


Recently FinishedThe Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

The first book finished this week was The Deal by Elle Kennedy which is the first in the Off Campus series. I have to admit to having already read the third book, The Score, so I kind of knew where it was going (although it wouldn’t be particularly hard to guess) but I still really enjoyed this. It’s definitely better than The Score and was just the kind of read I was looking for.

I also finished my audio book, Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card, this week. This was my first sci fi audio and I don’t think it’ll be my last as I absolutely loved it. It’s a companion novel to Ender’s Game and tells the story of Ender’s second in command Bean, who it’s safe to say has an interesting life. There was a bit of a gap in my listening which did leave me a little confused at one point but this was my own doing and no fault of the story. I really want to continue this story but unfortunately this was the only one on Overdrive 😦The Beautiful Dead

The third book finished this week was The Beautiful Dead by Belinda Bauer. This was a book I’d heard about on Cleo’s blog and it didn’t disappoint. I started and finished it in one day which, considering I was loaded with the cold and just wanted to sleep, was pretty impressive. It doesn’t have the most unique plot, serial killer becomes fixated on main character, but it’s very well written with moments of light and dark. Probably not for the squeamish but definitely a book I’d recommend.

Finally, I also read Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. This was the seventh and final book in the Night Huntress series. I do kind of feel like this series went on a little too long but the early books are definitely great reads if you like paranormal romance.


Reading Next

As I’m still on holiday from work I think I’m going to try and make a dent in some of the physical books I have sitting on my bookshelf. So expect I will be going for one of the following books next

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)Flashfall (Flashfall #1)Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle, #1)Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1)

Have you read any of the books above or have any other book you’d recommend? Leave comments and links below.

Happy Wednesday everyone and I hope you have a great New Year.

WWW Wednesday: 21st December 2016

The WWW Wednesday meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

WWW Wednesday

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Here’s this weeks WWW.


Currently ReadingThe Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

This is my really busy time at work so, as my brain feels ready to explode, I decided to go for some nice easy reading that doesn’t require too much concentration. I’m therefore reading The Deal by Elle Kennedy which is a new adult contemporary romance. I do generally enjoy Elle Kennedy’s books so I’m sure this will be no exception, if I can manage to read it 🙂

I also have a new audio book on the go at the moment, Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card. I think this is my first sci fi audio and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve been trying to find excuses to drive places so I can listen to it. It’s a parallel story to Ender’s Game which I have to admit I haven’t read but think I may swing back to once I finish this (or at least watch the film).


Recently Finished

The Girl BeforeThe first book finished this week was psychological thriller The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney. I was lucky enough to receive this from NetGalley and the premise sounded so good I couldn’t wait to read. It follows Jane who, after a personal tragedy forces her to move house, finds the perfect new home to rent. The only catch is that it comes with a long list of rules to follow to maintain the minimalist decor. Very shortly after moving in Jane discovers the previous tenant Emma met a mysterious death there and begins to dig into what happened. Was it an accident, suicide or murder and if the latter, who was responsible?

I think if you read and enjoyed The Girl on the Train you’ll like The Girl Before as it did remind me a little of it. There are a lot of elements to the story which are fascinating. The main negative for me was that I didn’t really take to any of the characters and wasn’t particularly emotionally invested in the outcome. I’ll post a full review closer to the release date.

Gone (Deadly Secrets, #2)The next book was actually one from my “Reading Next” list, Gone by Elisabeth Naughton. This was another NetGalley pick and the second in the series (although you could probably read as a standalone). It’s a romantic suspense about a couple whose child went missing in a play park three years ago. Their relationship broke down as a result but when they both receive a call that a child has been found that could be their daughter they end up working together to get to the truth.

I do like Elisabeth Naughton books and I think this book was better than the previous in the series as it felt like it had a bit more of a plot and was slightly less predictable. Again, I’m planning to write a review at some point.

It Ends with UsThe third and final book finished, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, was also a “Reading Next” book (it’s a miracle) but this time from the library. I’ve found the previous books by Colleen Hoover to be a bit of a mixed bag. I usually like the start and the writing but find it all goes a bit wrong at some point. I had however heard some great things about It Ends With Us and having now finished it I completely agree. I won’t go too far into what it’s about but it deals with some sensitive issues in a really thoughtful and realistic way. It did frustrate me at times and I wasn’t sure about the journal entries but otherwise liked it a lot.


Reading Next

As the Christmas holidays are coming I think I’m going to leave my reading next open this week and just see what I feel like (or what books I get). I have a whole week and a bit off work as of Friday so I’m looking forward to taking it easy and just reading whatever I feel like at the time.

Have you read any of the books above or have any other book you’d recommend? Leave comments and links below.

Happy Wednesday everyone and I hope you have a great Christmas, Hannukah or whatever holiday you celebrate 🙂

Teaser Tuesday: 20th December 2016

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme formerly hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat and revived by The Purple Booker. If you want to join in grab your current read, flick to a random page, select two sentences (without spoilers) and share them in a blog post or in the comments of The Purple Booker.

Teaser Tuesday | BooksAndABeat.com
This week I was planning to do something festive but I found a great couple of sentences in my current read, It Ends with Us, so couldn’t resist.


My Teaser

Ellen, I am confident that the next sentence I am about to write has never been written or spoken aloud before.

When he was wiping that cow shit on me, it was quite possibly the most turned-on I have ever been.

~ Page 107, It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover


BlurbIt Ends with Us

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up – she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan – her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.


Happy holidays everyone.

WWW Wednesday: 14th December 2016

The WWW Wednesday meme is currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.

WWW Wednesday

To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Here’s this weeks WWW.


The Girl BeforeCurrently Reading

I just started The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney on Monday but seem to be making really good progress already despite not having much reading time between work and trying to get organised for Christmas. It’s a psychological thriller I received from NetGalley and follows Jane who after a personal tragedy finds the perfect new home to rent. It’s minimalist to the extreme and comes with a long and unusual list of rules to follow. It also turns out the previous tenant Emma met a mysterious death there. Can Jane avoid meeting the same fate?

Still fairly early days but so far so good.


Recently FinishedGood Me, Bad Me

First book finished this week was Good Me, Bad Me by Ali Land. It’s a dark psychological thriller I received from NetGalley about a 15 year old girl Annie who turns her serial killer mother into the police. She’s placed into foster care with a family but in the run up to her mother’s trial she’s wondering whether she can really be a good person or if she has more in common with her mother than she thinks?

I absolutely loved this book and think it will almost definitely make my 2016 favorites list. I’ll post a full review closer to release date.The Unexpected Everything

Second book finished was  The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. It’s a YA contemporary about a girl Andie who as a  congressman’s daughter is a bit of a control freak. She has her whole life mapped out but when her father gets caught up in a scandal her plans for the summer fall apart and she ends up doing things she never expected, getting a job as a dog walker, spending time with her father and starting a relationship that may last more than 3 weeks.

I struggled to get into this book at the start as Andie kind of annoyed me. It was probably around the 30% mark before I really started to connect with it after which it got a lot better. I would still rate it as average rather than great as it was a bit on the long side but still a good read.

The DiabolicThe final book read was The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid. I spotted this in the library on Saturday (I swear no one ever goes into the YA section) and read the whole thing from cover to cover on Sunday. It’s a YA science fiction about a girl Nemesis who was created in a lab and trained to kill without thought to protect one person, Sidonia, at all costs. When the family she serves falls foul of the Emperor, Sidonia is summoned to the galactic court as a hostage. To keep her safe Nemesis goes in her place, hiding her true identity.

It’s not a particularly original story, it reminded me a lot of Red Queen and Red Rising but still a really enjoyable read and has the benefit of being a standalone which means no cliffhanger…yay!!


Reading Next

Still trying to work my way through some of the books I have sitting on my NetGalley shelf and hope to start Gone by Elisabeth Naughton or Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough next. I did however manage to get It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover from the library so I may divert from my plan as I’ve heard great things about it.

Gone (Deadly Secrets, #2)Behind Her EyesIt Ends with Us

Have you read any of the books above or have any other book you’d recommend? Leave comments and links below.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Teaser Tuesday: 13th December 2016

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme formerly hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat and revived by The Purple Booker. If you want to join in grab your current read, flick to a random page, select two sentences (without spoilers) and share them in a blog post or in the comments of The Purple Booker.

Teaser Tuesday | BooksAndABeat.com
This week my teaser comes from The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney, a title I received from NetGalley. This is another thriller (I’m on a bit of a roll at the moment) about a woman who moves into a house with some very peculiar ground rules. I’m only around 10% in so still quite early days but enjoying it so far.


My Teaser

And I don’t think moving on is giving in. Quite the reverse. It’s a sign you’re taking decisions again. Regaining control.

~ 12%


BlurbThe Girl Before

In the tradition of The Girl on the Train, The Silent Wife, and Gone Girl comes an enthralling psychological thriller that spins one woman’s seemingly good fortune, and another woman’s mysterious fate, through a kaleidoscope of duplicity, death, and deception.

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

Emma
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

Jane
After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.


Happy reading everyone.