Book Review | Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Moments after Lisbeth is born, she’s taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl’s visits to the slaves’ quarters—and their lively and loving community—bring them closer together than ever. But can two women in such disparate circumstances form a bond like theirs without consequence? This deeply moving tale of unlikely love traces the journey of these very different women as each searches for freedom and dignity.

A colleague recommended this book to me. As she was describing the story line, it reminded me of The Help, a favourite of mine, so I had to read it.

Yellow Crocus touches on slavery and confinements even the privileged women experienced. It was shocking to read some of the character's views, and even more so when remembering that these views were the ones of many back then. The characters would talk about slaves not being human or having morals, and that women should not talk about politics, finance, religion, or anything of substance if they wanted to be considered wife material.

It's difficult to talk about this book without giving anything away, but I will say that I really liked it. I liked seeing the characters develop over the years, and the relationships which grew. What made it interesting was how different Mattie and Elizabeth, and their struggles, were, yet their affection for one another remained the same. I kept my fingers crossed for them, and was happy when certain events occurred.

Some have criticised the book for glossing over slavery and turning it into a fairytale. I can understand that, but you have to remember that this is fiction, and it doesn't claim to reflect the facts. Obviously, slavery is far more horrific than this book makes out, but the story focuses on the relationships, not the institution.

If you enjoyed The Help, I really think you'll like this, too.

Book Review | The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson

At her beloved husband's funeral, Carla Pride discovers that Martin never divorced his first wife and has been living a double life with her. And his other wife, Julie Pride, is determined to take everything from Carla - her home, her money, and her memories.

When Will Linton's business goes bust he at least thinks that with the support of his trophy wife Nicole he will rise to the top again. But Nicole isn't going to stick around with 'a loser' and Will finds himself at rock bottom.

Molly Jones is being bullied into going into a retirement home by her 'concerned' daughter-in-law Sherry and son Gram. Then the love of Molly's life walks in through her door - a man who broke Molly's heart into little pieces many years ago. But he says he is dying and wants to spend the time he has left with her.

All people in need of a little love and compassion which they find by chance in the stationery and teashop on the corner run by the ever-cheerful Leni, a woman that site developer Shaun McCarthy finds annoying beyond annoying for her ability to remain unrealistically upbeat about everything.

But is the world of Leni Merryman as full of rainbows and sparkles as everyone thinks? Or is her smile papering over many cracks in her heart that will soon be shattered unwittingly by her new friends?

I didn't think this book would be my cup of tea (pun unintended), but other books I've read with the same first impressions have ended up being some of my favourites. I also couldn't ignore the high ratings it's been receiving.

There's quite a few main characters in this book, all with different stories. I thought it was going to be hard to follow and remember everyone, but it wasn't. It didn't drag, either, because of the way it was split up. The only problem with this format being that I didn't have as much time to connect with the characters, like I do with other books.

All of the characters have The Teashop on the Corner in common. I personally found some of the exchanges in the Teashop a little too fluffy, but that's because I'm not keen on chit chat with strangers. The book is also quite predictable, and isn't one of those which has an impact on how you see the world.

Saying that, I did still like it. I liked the different walks of life the characters had, their unique situations, and how they built themselves up in front of my eyes. I'd also just like to add that I found Shaun to be cold and distant at first, but found myself relating to him the most, so that was interesting!

I gave The Teashop on the Corner 4/5 on Goodreads, but it's more like 3.5/5.

Have you read this book?

Book Haul

This is my first book haul which doesn't consist of paper/hardbacks. Granted, they weren't as exciting to receive, but they were mine within seconds, and some were very cheap.

Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Moments after Lisbeth is born, she’s taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl’s visits to the slaves’ quarters—and their lively and loving community—bring them closer together than ever. But can two women in such disparate circumstances form a bond like theirs without consequence? This deeply moving tale of unlikely love traces the journey of these very different women as each searches for freedom and dignity.

A colleague of mine recommended this book, and the reviews were positive, so I parted with £3.49 to see what it was about. The subject of race and breaking boundaries sounds similar to The Help, which I loved, so I have high hopes for this one.

How to Fall in Love by Cecelia Ahern

She has just two weeks. Two weeks to teach him how to fall in love – with his own life. Adam Basil and Christine Rose are thrown together late one night, when Christine is crossing the Halfpenny Bridge in Dublin. Adam is there, poised, threatening to jump. Adam is desperate – but Christine makes a crazy deal with him. His 35th birthday is looming and she bets him she can show him that life is worth living before then. Despite her determination, Christine knows what a dangerous promise she’s made. Against the ticking of the clock, the two of them embark on wild escapades, grand romantic gestures and some unlikely late-night outings. Slowly, Christine thinks Adam is starting to fall back in love with his life. But has she done enough to change his mind for good? And is that all that’s starting to happen?

This has positive reviews, but has been described as predictable. Still, I liked the sound of the story line, so didn't mind paying £1.99 for this.

You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

What happens when the one that got away comes back? Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It’s been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day, the years melt away. From the moment they met they’d been a gang of two; partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on. Ben is married. Rachel is definitely not. In fact, the men in her life make her want to take holy orders… Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she’s never been able to mend.

This was also £1.99, and has been on my radar for a while. I'm interested to see how the story line plays out, and hopefully it's not just another boring romance.

Hide Her Name by Nadine Dorries

This gripping follow on from The Four Streets finds the community alive with rumours and gossip after the murder which rocked it to the core. No one knows - or is saying - who did it, least of all the police, but they are not giving up their search for the truth. Somewhere, in this tight-knit Irish Catholic community, someone must know something. Someone will surely talk one day. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Kitty Doherty, pregnant with the dead man's child, is a living danger to everyone who needs to keep the secret. Her mother, Maura and best friend Nellie's grandmother, the redoubtable Kathleen, decide the girls must be spirited away quietly to Ireland to await the birth of the baby. But it isn't easy to keep a secret that big.

I haven't read the first book, but I don't think I need to in order to read this. The main reason why I bought it was because it was 39p!

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

In the rugged Australian Outback, three generations of Clearys live through joy and sadness, bitter defeat and magnificent triumph - driven by their dreams, sustained by remarkable strength of character... and torn by dark passions, violence and a scandalous family legacy of forbidden love. It is a poignant love story, a powerful epic of struggle and sacrifice, a celebration of individuality and spirit. Most of all, it is the story of the Clearys' only daughter, Meggie, who can never possess the man she so desperately adores - Ralph de Bricassart. Ralph will rise from parish priest to the inner circles of the Vatican... but his passion for Meggie will follow him all the days of his life.

I also bought this one because it was cheap (49p). Also, it has a rating of 4.19 on Goodreads from 210,167 people, so I thought I may as well give it a go!

The Letter by Kathryn Hughes

1973 - Tina Craig has one mission in life – to escape her drunken, abusive husband. She works all the hours she can to save up enough money to leave him. She spends as little time as possible in the violent household she is forced to call home, even volunteering at a charity shop at the weekend to escape Rick’s clutches. One day, whilst sorting through the pockets of a second-hand suit which has been donated to the shop, she comes across an old letter. It is still firmly sealed and unfranked. Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, Tina opens the letter. It was written on 4th September 1939. She is so moved by the contents and bemused as to why the letter was never delivered, she embarks on a quest to find out what became of the writer and his intended recipient, a journey with consequences she could never have predicted. 

1939 - Billy Stirling knows he has been a fool, but he also knows how to put things right. On 4th September, 1939 he sits down to write a letter that will change his life forever. He slips it into his jacket pocket and, with a spring in his step, and full of optimism, he heads for the nearest post box. How was he to know that his heartfelt missive would not be read for another 34 years, and then by a complete stranger? 

The Letter tells the story of two women, born decades apart, but whose paths are destined to cross and how one woman’s devastation leads to the other’s salvation.

This was £1.15, and the way it goes between the past and present reminded me of The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes, which I loved.

Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose

Psychologist Faith Corcoran is desperate to escape the stalker who’s made her life a nightmare for the past year—desperate enough to run to the one place that has been her nightmare far longer. Both boon and bane, her recent inheritance of her grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati offers sanctuary in which she can start her life anew, but requires that she face the dark memories that still resonate to this day. But she has no idea how close to home her fears still are. Two college girls have gone missing in the area, and FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak is called to work on the case. When his inquiry unexpectedly leads him to Faith, he finds a beautiful and brave woman he can’t help but fall for. Soon they’ll discover that this seemingly simple investigation is anything but. Reaching back decades into Faith’s own past, it will shatter everything she believes to be true and will give terrifying new meaning to flesh and blood.

This was also purchased because it was cheap (79p), but I'm intrigued by the story line because I haven't read many books like it.

What books do you recommend reading?

Reading | Kindle Paperwhite

I've never been against eReaders, because reading is reading, but I've just never felt the need for one myself. My dad has the original Kindle, and my sister the Fire HDX, so I'd borrow theirs. I also like going charity shopping for books, even receiving Amazon orders and opening that satisfying packaging. Still, I was running out of room and wanted my own collection of eBooks on my own device, so I bought the Kindle Paperwhite (from Boots because they've just started selling them and I had points vouchers!). 

I was going to get the Fire HDX because the graphics are obviously better, but I'd only use it for reading, so it made sense to go for the Kindle designed for just that. The Paperwhite isn't back-lit like tablets, so doesn't tire your eyes, it doesn't glare in the light, and it has a significantly longer battery life.

Yes, you do have to pay for the device and then the books on top of that, and there's no excitement in the buying of them, but there's so many more pros. It holds over 1000 books, saving space, it's a lot more comfortable to hold, you don't even have to hold it to be able to read (handy when you're eating on your lunch break), you never lose your place, and you're able to look up words with the built in dictionary. There's also plenty of free/cheap books available, which you're able to download and read within seconds.

There's this divide between paper and digital reading, but they're both reading at the end of the day, so I don't see a problem. I'll still continue to go to charity shops and buy my favourites in hard copy, but I'll just be reading more on the Kindle.

My case is from a brand called Punchcase, and was bought in Tesco for a few pounds during one of their sales. This was a couple of years ago, though, for my sister's old device. It's available on Amazon here, but they want £25.99 for it.

I've only got four books on my Kindle at the moment, so would love to add more with your recommendations. I also have a Goodreads profile here, where I'd love to add more friends.

Some of My Favourite Books

I could never have predicted that these books would become some of my favourites, and that's one of the reasons why I think I love them. They're a breath of fresh air.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova 

When Alice finds herself in the rapidly downward spiral of Alzheimer's Disease she is just fifty years old. A university professor, wife, and mother of three, she still has so much more to do - books to write, places to see, grandchildren to meet. But when she can't remember how to make her famous Christmas pudding, when she gets lost in her own back yard, when she fails to recognise her actress daughter after a superb performance, she comes up with a desperate plan. But can she see it through? Should she see it through? Losing her yesterdays, living for each day, her short-term memory is hanging on by a couple of frayed threads. But she is still Alice.

I remember buying this simply based on the reviews, but couldn't see myself loving it. How could I relate to the main character when we're so different? Well, I loved it. Reading the progression the disease has on someone, seeing them slip away, and the effects it has on those closest to them really makes an impact. There's a part near the beginning where Alice is eating an ice cream, and she doesn't want the day to come when see can't even remember how to prevent it dripping down her hand. Towards the end of the book, she's eating an ice cream with it dripping down her hand, and it's a sad moment. I'd wholeheartedly recommend giving this book a read.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

Enter a vanished and unjust world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver . . . There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared. Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell...

I read this ages ago, so I can't remember all the details, but I know I loved it. This was another book that I thought wouldn't be for me, and I actually disliked the first however many pages. I ended up loving it, though, and it's one of those books which opens your eyes and makes you think about the wider issues in this world. I don't agree with the hype surrounding a lot of things, but I can see why this book is loved by many.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes 

France, 1916. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe whilst her adored husband Edouard fights at the front. When she is ordered to serve the German officers who descend on her hotel each evening, her home becomes riven by fierce tensions. And from the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait - painted by Edouard - a dangerous obsession is born, which will lead Sophie to make a dark and terrible decision. Almost a century later, and Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before he died. A chance encounter reveals the painting's true worth, and its troubled history. A history that is about to resurface and turn Liv's life upside down all over again . . . In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for what they love most - whatever the cost.

A book following the history of a painting? Not for me, I said. Again, I was wrong. I couldn't get into it at first, but soon couldn't put it down. I didn't realise how caught up I was in the past until it flicked to the present and I just had to know what happened. Slow at first, but I'm glad I persevered. 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop, and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick. What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane. Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now, and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

This is another book which really makes you think, and I love it for that. It's so much more than your typical romance. It looks at serious issues, and shows you that some things are not black and white. The ending reinforces this, and left my emotions torn for the characters. Definitely give this a read, if you haven't already.

Belle by Lesley Pearce 

She witnessed a murder - and now her life is in danger . . . Fifteen year-old Belle, though raised in a London brothel, is an innocent. But when she witnesses one of the girls brutally strangled by a client, she is cast into a cruel, heartless world. Snatched from the streets and sold into prostitution, she is made a courtesan in New Orleans. At the mercy of desperate men who crave her beauty and will do anything to keep her, Belle's dreams of home, family, and freedom appear futile. Are Belle's courage and spirit strong enough to help her escape? And what will await her at the end of the long, dangerous journey home?

I bought this from a charity shop because the blurb instantly intrigued me. It's a large book, but so eventful that it didn't drag. The topic is one that grips you, that's for sure. There were a couple things that could have been improved upon, though. The main character was a little too naive at times, especially towards the end of the book when you think she'd learnt her lesson. The ending was also left a little too neat for my liking. It's still a book I'd recommend, though. I haven't read the books following this one yet because I read some major spoilers, but they're on my list of ones to get around to.

I haven't featured any dystopian books in this post because my favourites are parts of series. I feel like it's difficult to capture a dystopian society in one book. Some of my favourites include the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver, the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, the Maze Runner series by James Dashner, and of course The Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins.

Please leave your book recommendations below!

My Weekend - Hairdressers, Food Markets, Charity Shops, Car Boot Sales and More

I've done a lot more than I usually do this weekend, so thought I'd document it!

On Friday, at 9am, I had my hair cut. I had 5 inches taken off, and it feels so short and soft now! I love that feeling.

Afterwards, we looked around the charity shops, and I came across this Cath Kidston mug in Woodside for just 50p. I'm currently using it as a plant pot because I have far too many mugs in the cupboard as it is!

Then, around 11am on Friday, my sister and I went into town so I could take photos of the Continental Food Market for one of my uni modules. I was nervous and embarrassed at first, but once I started taking photos, I was fine!

After I took the photos, we went shopping. I only bought one thing, and that was the throw. It was from Primark and was down to just £3. I already own it, and love it, so thought I'd get another. My sister bought a Soul Cal jumper from Republic for £16, and 3 Sinful Colour nail polishes from Boots for £3.98 (they're £1.99 each, and were on 3 for 2). The colours she chose are Timbleberry, Rise & Shine, and Nail Junkie.

On Saturday, we went to a load of big charity shops and homeware/DIY stores. In one charity shop, St Luke's Hospice, the books were just 20p! I restrained myself and settled for 5. I don't know if they're going to be any good, but I recognised some of the authors, so grabbed them. The Kiss & Die one sounds good. It's about a serial killer who tortures and decapitates people. Sounds cheery, doesn't it? ;)

We also went to B&Q and bought a load of paint and painting supplies because we're giving our house a much needed makeover. While there, I couldn't resist these Kalanchoes for £1.50 each. We also bought some pre-made hanging baskets for the front of our house for £5 each.

We also went to Buyology on Saturday, where I finally found some plant pot saucers, which were 79p for 5. They're turquoise, the perfect size, and are 100% natural. This means they'll only last 2-3 years, but I don't mind that at all. These plant pot saucers were the finishing touch for my windowsill makeover. Now it's all bright and happy. For more information and photos, see the post below this. I also bought a few dog toys because they were a great price. Now the dogs are spoilt for choice!

On Saturday evening, I played around with my blog header and colour theme. I must have changed it over 20 times! I'm still not sure about it, but it'll do for now.

I didn't take any photos today, but I'll just write about what we did. This morning, we went to a car boot sale, but it was rubbish. We'll be going to a different one next time! Then we had breakfast at a little cafe, and it was delicious. Cafe sausages always taste better to me. Then we went to a bed store and my dad bought my sister a cabin bed. She's had the same bed for nearly her whole life, so she needed a new one. She also has the smallest room, so she wanted a cabin bed to make the most of the space. I've also decided that I need a new bed frame, so will be buying one next week. Even though my bed isn't that old, I want to get rid of the base because it doesn't have any room underneath it, and it's such a waste of space. This week, I'm planning on getting a simple metal frame, and a load of storage boxes to go underneath. I'll be keeping my mattress because it's not that old (and mattresses are expensive!)

Phew! If you managed to get through this, I applaud you!

Bookshelf Walls

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One day, I'd love to have a bookshelf wall. I absolutely love books, and think the walls in the photos above look amazing. You can even create one in a small space. Shelves that you attach to the wall would be good if you didn't have much money and wanted to gradually build one, but they leave marks and holes, and some places don't allow that. A large bookshelf unit would be great if you saved up for one. The only problem would be moving the books if you moved, so I'd probably wait until I found a place I wanted to raise a family in. Below are some of the books I own at the moment. I don't have much room left, so I'm going to have to go easy until I have my own place. This means checking books out of the library instead of buying them!

Charity Shopping

This morning, my sister and I went to a few of our local charity shops to have a look at the books. The little owl ornaments above aren't books, but they're ever so cute. They were 60p each, which I think is quite expensive for a charity shop, but I couldn't resist. While photographing them, Jacks came to see what the fuss was about, and just had to have a play. As well as these, I bought quite a few books! The ones on the left were 99p each, and the ones on the right were just 25p each. I haven't heard of most of them, so don't know if they're going to be any good, but for the price, it's worth the gamble!

Have you been charity shopping recently?

On our walk the other day...

On our walk the other day, I took some photos of Jessie and Buddy posed on the steps near the woods, and I think they look adorable! This was after they went swimming in the river. We then went home and I bathed and blow dried them. This was also the day my dad and I went to B&Q to buy my book shelves, and put them up. My books now have a home! And there's room for more, which can only be a good thing. I can't see there being space for much longer though because I'm currently reading, and enjoying, The City of Bones, so want to buy the rest of The Mortal Instruments series. There's five books in it at the moment.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

20th Birthday Presents

On the 20th January, I turned 20! I wrote a birthday post, like I do every year, and showed you my delicious birthday 'cake'. Thank you so, so much for the birthday wishes! 

Here's what I received. I normally tell my parents what I would like and they buy it. Although this takes away the surprise factor, I'm guaranteed to like what I get. This year, I asked for 10 books. Look at them! I'm so happy. After I've finished my current book, I think I'm going to read City of Bones. My sister bought me the fox cushion, the giraffe money box and the Tinker Bell pen. Again, I chose the fox cushion and giraffe money box because my sister wanted to make sure I loved my presents. My friend bought me the hedgehog cushion, the 'l' bunting, a Malteaster bunny and a load of Parma Violets because she knows how much I love them! I was so surprised and happy to see that she'd got me the hedgehog cushion. I really wanted it, and my sister was actually going to get it for me, but we decided on the fox one instead. The last photo shows my new cushions, along with my owl one, sitting on the bed. My sister bought me the owl one for Christmas 2011. I think they make perfect gifts because they're not something you would want to buy yourself (seeing as they're £15+), but they're still something you would love to own. Although they're more expensive than your average cushion, you've got to look at them gifts, and as gifts, I think they're well worth it.

Favourite Books of 2012

2012 was the year I submerged myself into reading again. I love reading so much, more than ever before. I've just asked for 9 books for my birthday this month. The books above are the ones I loved the most. As you can see, there's quite a few! I will also be mentioning a few more that were either read on my dad's Kindle or were from the library. I won't be giving you the blurbs because this post would be even longer! Amazon and Goodreads should provide you with everything you would like to know.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins - This was the trilogy that got me into reading again. I think I read them in May and then created my Goodreads account just after. Even though I can't remember everything in them right now, I remember that I love them, and I know that as soon as I start reading them again, the details will come back! This trilogy had a perfect amount of action and romance for me.

The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner - I only read this trilogy last month, so my love for it is still fresh!  From the Amazon and Goodreads ratings, I thought these books were going to be good, but I didn't expect to love them. I can't tell you what they're about because it would ruin them for you. As you go through the books with the main character, you learn the answers to so many questions. I think that's why I was hooked - I had so many questions I wanted answering. These books are purely action, and great for both genders.

Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth - The third book is coming out this year! I'm so excited! Here's the basis of what the books are about: They are set in a dystopian society. Within this future society, there are 'factions'. Factions are groups within the society which consist of people with the same characteristics. There are five factions: Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Erudite (intelligent), Candor (honest) and Amity (peaceful). Once a teenager turns sixteen, they take a simulation test, which determines the faction best suited to them, and then they have to decide which faction they want to be apart of. Tris' test results show that she has characteristics suited for multiple factions. She's a Divergent. She has to decide how she would like to live her life. Once her decision is made, she is put through her paces to see if she can survive in the certain faction. Corruption then breaks out across society, and the decisions Tris makes from then on will determine who lives, and who doesn't. Insurgent then carries on from this. Society is in a state of war, and you get to see each faction in depth. Again, they are a mix of action and romance, so they definitely kept me on my toes!

Delirium and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - The third book is also coming out this year! I love, love, love these books. They're set around a dystopian society believing that love is a disease. The main character also believes this, until she falls in love herself. They do not fall directly under the romance category, especially the second one. They are full of action. The ending of both of these books left me surprised and wanting more.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - I'm loving Lauren Oliver. This book is just beautiful and gets you thinking about your own life. It's about this girl who dies, and then she lives her last day over and over again. Each day, she tries to do something differently to save herself. Putting it like that makes it sound morbid, but it's really not.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - Another book that gets you thinking about your life. There's this girl who has a small life, has never done anything exciting and just goes about her days. She ends up working for a family whose son has recently been in an accident and is paralysed. The relationship they develop changes both of their lives. The ending was sad and happy at the same time. It really does leave you with mixed emotions.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I was initially skeptical about this book because it was so different to anything I had read before. The reviews were so positive though, so I decided to give it a go. After the first chapter, I was not convinced. However, I continued and really got into it. It gives you an insight to what it was like to be black in the 60s. A truly beautiful story.

Switched, Torn and Ascend by Amanda Hocking (not shown) - I read all three in less than two days. I barely ate and slept! I want to buy these in paperback form soon. It's hard to describe it without giving anything away. I'll just roughly say what the blurbs say! When the main character was younger, her mother believed she was a monster and tried to kill her. Well, later she finds out that there may be some truth behind it. She learns that she was switched at birth and belongs to another species and society. We then follow her journey of learning about this society and her history. Again, this is a mix of romance and action.

Angel and Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly (not shown) - The third book of this is also coming out this year! I need to buy these in paperback form. I checked them out of the library, you see. I don't know why because the titles and front covers are awful. However, these books are great. In these books, there are angels and angel hunters. The angels are not your typical ones though. They feed on humans. The main character is half angel; something that everyone thought was impossible. An angel hunter finds her, and then you follow their relationship from then.

With the 8 books I've recently bought and the 9 I should hopefully be receiving for my birthday, there will certainly be more reviews to come! What books would you recommend?

Book Haul

Booooks! Can you imagine how excited I was when these arrived? I love opening the Amazon packaging and smelling a good book or two (or eight, in this case). Half of them are new, half of them are used. I prefer new books, but they can be expensive, so I settled with used Sophie Kinsella ones. They were all around £2, including P&P. I don't normally read books like the Sophie Kinsella ones (I normally read dystopian, action types), but I read Twenties Girl and really enjoyed it, so thought I'd buy some more. They're also loved by many, so it's highly likely that I'm going to enjoy them too. As you can see, I bought Twenties Girl even though I've already read it. The version I read was from the library and I wanted my own copy. That's another reason why I bought it used - I'd already read it.

The top four books are new. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes was £3.99, The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern was £1.99 (Bargain! This was on offer. I think it's back to £3-4 now), The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was £3.86 and A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen was £3.86. A Street Cat Named Bob is a real life story about a cat. You may be thinking 'whaaat?', and I agree, it's very different to anything I've read before, but that's why I bought it. I don't like to stick to one gender of book. I was sceptical about The Help by Kathryn Stockett because it was so different to anything I had read previously, but I ended up loving it. Also, A Street Cat Named Bob has loads of positive ratings and reviews, so it can't be all bad!

If you're a book worm like myself, stay tuned for my 'Favourite Books of 2012' post. The Help is included, as well as another 20 books! It's going to be a long one.

I'm currently reading The Fury, which is really good. I probably won't finish it in time for the post, but I'm sure I'll mention it in another post at some point. 

If you would like to stay up to date with the books I'm reading and lusting over, you can visit my profile and become friends with me on Goodreads. I seriously love that site. I think it's the best site I joined in 2012!

New Books!

"They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years suffocated by a lie.

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it. Then, at last, they found the cure."

"They say to live every day as if it's your last - but you never actually think it's going to be. You always think you'll have more time. That's what I thought. But I was wrong. The thing is, you don't get to know how it happens. You don't remember to tell your family that you love them or - in my case - remember to say goodbye to them at all. What if, like me, you could live your last day over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have any regrets? Are there things you'd want to change?"

 

"When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas can remember is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there, or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything to find out."

"My name is Anna and I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't exist. But I do.

Anna hides her secret diary away each night because she doesn't want to get into trouble for breaking the rules. Life in Grange Hall is governed by rules, rules that have to be obeyed in order to make up for breaking the biggest rule of all. Being born. But when Peter arrives and starts to tell Anna shocking things about the outside world, she learns to question the rules and, with Peter, struggles to escape the past and find a better future."

Oh, I love books, so you can imagine how happy I was when the four books I ordered from Amazon arrived today. I bought Delirium because it was recommended to me by you lovely lot on Twitter. Before I Fall also had a lot of positive ratings, so I thought I'd give it a go. The Maze Runner has some mixed reviews, but I've been thinking about reading it for months, so just bit the bullet. Lastly, I bought The Declaration. I had never heard of it before the night of ordering, but it sounds interesting. The cover is also pretty!

I'll let you know my thoughts on them once read! I'm a little sceptical about the last two, but we'll soon see if they're any good!