angelreads, Author at Angel Reads

About angelreads

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
angelreads has contributed 1344 entries to our website, so far.

Books That Should Be On High School Syllabus

Oct 26, 2020

I didn’t like most of the books that I read in High School. Most of them were just not good at all. And I know that I am not the only one. So today I thought I would share some of the books that I think should be on High School Syllabus’.

There are many different reasons why I picked these books on this list. I think one of the major faults of high school English book lists is that they just don’t pick the right books for teens. They are always choosing classics and while at times they are good. It’s so much harder for teens to connect with the characters and the story. I love it when I see YA books on the list, it just makes more sense. So today I’m sharing the young adult books that I think are perfect for high school English book list. Like always these are in no order.

I would also like to note that some of these might be on some school lists out there, but these are the books that I think should be on more of those lists.

Dear Martin (Dear Martin #1) by Nic Stone: I don’t think I need to say any more about this one, but it’s simply fantastic. It explores the injustices of the world and why the #BlackLivesMatter movement is so important to understand as well as support. It’s also on the shorter side which I think is a plus for the younger years.

This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield: I know I have talked about this one a lot recently, but I think it’s a fantastic choice for teens to read. It’s a powerful read that explores the low socioeconomic communities in Australia and how it impacts daily lives, especially teens trying to make their way through school.

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: Ever since I read this one I said that it should be on every school list out there. It explores asylum seekers, racism, and the way that the media can manipulate things that happen in the world. It’s a great exploration of Australia as well.

The Hate U Give (The Hate U Give #1) by Angie Thomas: This is another one that you shouldn’t be surprised is on my list. I don’t think I need to talk about this one too much. But it’s brilliant. It explores things from racism, police brutality, activism and more. Plus it has a book to movie adaptation which is always a good thing.

How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox: I feel like I haven’t spoken about this book enough. It’s an honest novel that doesn’t shy away from the things that might hurt us. It’s a candid representation of mental illness and grief that will leave the reader feeling heartbroken yet so hopeful.

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: I read this one several years ago now, but it still sticks with me today. It explores teens and the notion of stereotyping. How we shouldn’t;t be defined by stereotypes and be someone that we want to be. This is a hard but honest read.

And those are some of the books that I think should be on high school book lists! Have you read any of these? Are you planning on reading any of these? What book do you think should be on the list? Let’s Chat!

The Duchess and the Beast | Historical Romance Reviews

Oct 25, 2020

Today I thought I would share my thoughts on some of my recent historical romance reads with some mini-reviews. I’ve been loving reading more historical romance this year and I’ve picked up some pretty amazing ones recently.

In this post, I’m sharing my thoughts on The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare and Brazen and the Beast (The Bareknuckle Bastards #2) by Sarah MacLean. Let’s Go.

The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare

Pages: 370
Publish date: August 22nd 2017
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 9780062349064
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

The Duchess Deal:

This is the second Tessa Dare book that I’ve picked up and let me tell you I loved this one so much more. This is the first book in her newest series and follows Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress as the appears in the every elusive Duke of Ashbury’s library. Ash came back from the war, scarred. And since then he has kept to himself. But no he needs a wife, and one so happens to be in his house. While Ash has his rules that Emma needs to follow, Emma has rules of her own.

This was such a fantastic read, seriously. As soon as I started it I knew that I was going to love this one. The characters, the plot and the writing grabbed me from the get-go. I adored historical romances with the marriage of convenience trope. It just works so well and in The Duchess Deal, it worked perfectly.

Emma was such a pleasure of a female protagonist in The Duchess Deal. I liked her from the first moment. She knew what she wanted and nothing was going to get in her way. I loved her determination and will. It just made for such a great contrast against Ash and it just so much fun. Emma’s growth throughout the book was great and I really enjoyed seeing her grow.

Ash was a grumpy, pain in the butt, male protagonist and I loved him. Like I said the contact between Emma and Ash was great. The Duke is such an intriguing and pulling character. From the start the reader wants to know more about him and why he is the way he is.

The romance was exactly what I wanted and expected in The Duchess Deal. I adored that it was hate to love and marriage of convenience. It was fantastic. I adored that they were both able to break down each other’s walls and get to know one another so well. It was sweet and sexy and what I love about historical romances.

Overall, I ordered reading The Duchess Deal. Emma and Ash were perfect for one another and I adored seeing them fall for one another. Break down each other’s walls and slowly understand each other. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series, I already have them ready to go.

Brazen and the Beast (The Bareknuckle Bastards #2) by Sarah MacLean

Pages: 400
Publish date: July 30th 2019
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 9780062691989
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

The Lady’s Plan

When Lady Henrietta Sedley declares her twenty-ninth year her own, she has plans to inherit her father’s business, to make her own fortune, and to live her own life. But first, she intends to experience a taste of the pleasure she’ll forgo as a confirmed spinster. Everything is going perfectly… until she discovers the most beautiful man she’s ever seen tied up in her carriage and threatening to ruin the Year of Hattie before it’s even begun.

The Bastard’s Proposal

When he wakes in a carriage at Hattie’s feet, Whit, a king of Covent Garden known to all the world as Beast, can’t help but wonder about the strange woman who frees him—especially when he discovers she’s headed for a night of pleasure… on his turf. He is more than happy to offer Hattie all she desires… for a price.

An Unexpected Passion

Soon, Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in business and pleasure. She won’t give up her plans; he won’t give up his power… and neither of them sees that if they’re not careful, they’ll have no choice but to give up everything… including their hearts.

Brazen and the Beast:

I knew that after finishing the first book in this series I had to jump on the rest, and I loved this one so much. You can check out my review of Wicked and the Wallflower to see how much I loved that one. But Brazen and the Beast stands on its own.

This one follows, Lady Henrietta Sedley, as she plans to take on her twenty-ninth year as her own. And no one will stop her. She wants to take over her fathers business and live her own life. However, at first, she plans to go away with being a spinster. But things don’t always go as planned. Whit or Beast is about to ruin the Year of Hattie. But there is an unexpected passion between them. Now Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in both business and pleasure.

Hattie was such a fun character. I loved that she was independent and rough around the edges. She was sassy and didn’t let anyone tell her what to do. And what got on Whit’s nerves and it was fantastic. As a woman, she was always looked over by her family, even though she is better than all of them. I adored that she was persistent and stood her ground.

I already loved Whit from the first book and it was fantastic getting to know him more in Brazen and the Beast. Like the rest of his family, he has been through a lot but that doesn’t stop him. He pushes himself, but he also closes himself off to others. However, as the novel goes on the reader can see Whit grow and not only understand himself but those around him.

The romance was fantastic in Brazen and the Beast. It was exactly what I wanted and expected. It was intense and full of ups and downs. But that is what made it fantastic. It was sexy, smart and intense. Whit and Hattie are both such strong-minded characters and when you throw them together things get very interesting. And I loved it.

Overall I adored Brazen and the Beast. It’s exactly what I expected from Sarah MacLean and just what I needed. It’s sassy and smart and full of a fantastic romance. I adored the banter and tension between Hattie and Whit. It was excellent to not only watch them fall for one another but get one each other’s nerves. I’m so excited to read the last book in this series.

And that is it for today’s post. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Are you planning on reading them? Let’s Chat!

Norse Mythology Book Tag

Oct 24, 2020

It’s time for another book tag time. Today I’m doing the Norse Mythology Book Tag, this was originally created by Kyera’s Library. I was tagged by the ever so lovely Ely form Earl Grey Books.

If you didn’t know I’m a massive mythology fan. I love learning, reading, watching about it. Basically, any way that I can learn new things I will be on it. And while Norse mythology isn’t my favourite, I did really enjoyed knowing more and more about it. This tag was really fun to do, especially that I get to explore Norse Mythology a little more. And here we go.

Odin – Favourite Stand-Alone

Odin is the All-Father, the leader of the Norse Gods. He is the god of wisdom, poetry, battle, death, wine, and war, among other things.

This is no doubt has to be The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I know that I talk about this one a lot but it’s the perfect stand-alone and if you haven’t had the chance to read it, please do. It’s simply fantastic and I will never stop talking about it. You check out out my full review for more.

Thor – A Book That Hits You in the Feels

Thor is the god of thunder, weather, warriors, strength, and storms, so his might packs a punch. He is married to the beautiful Lady Sif.

If you haven’t read The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros, then all I have to tell you is be prepared to cry. This book left me an emotional wreck. I was sobbing after reading this one and I don’t think I will be able to re-read it again because gosh I was left in so much pain. You can see my book review for more.

Loki – Biggest Book Plot Twist or Character Betrayal

Loki is the god of mischief, thieves and thrives on chaos.

A King so Cold by Ella Fields has to win this one. I didn’t know what was going to happen half the time. I thought I knew what happened and then it gets flipped on its head. This happened throughout the book and it was great. It kept me on my toes and I could never let my guard down. Full Review

Frigg – OTP

Frigg is Odin’s wife, the goddess of love, marriage, fertility, and fate.

This is such a hard one for me because there are so many couples that I adore but one that has been my favourite for some time now is Emma and Julian from the Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare. Do I need to say more? These two grabbed my heart right from the start and they never let go, they are just brilliant.

Heimdall – Favourite Second Book in a Series

Heimdall is the god of loyalty, faithfulness and he is who protects the bi-frost, the bridge that connects all nine worlds.

Again this is such a difficult question. But a recent sequel that I enjoyed is Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) by Chloe Liese. I enjoyed the first book a lot, but I loved this one. It’s got fantastic disability rep and the romance is top-notch. It’s a fun, beautiful and charming sports romance that explores the ups and downs of falling in love.

Baldur – Favourite Male Character

Baldur is the beloved son of Odin and Frigg, twin brother of Hodor.

Oh gosh. I can’t pick between Kit from The Dark Artifices. He is just amazing and I can’t wait for his books to come. He is sweet and honest and oh so precious. The second is Nate McKee from This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield. Nate is such an honest male protagonist. I rarely enjoy a book solely with a male protagonist but it just works so well here.

Sif – Most Beautiful Book Cover

Lady Sif is known for her beautiful golden tresses, although she is also the goddess of the harvest and is married to Thor.

There are so many gorgeous covers out there and I’ve already mentioned a few books here that I adore the covers. But from the books that I have read this year I absolutely adore the covers of Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare and With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Frey – Book/Series That Makes You Happy

Frey is the Lord of weather, god of light, summer, master of agriculture, fertility, and brother of Freya.

This isn’t hard at all, it’s Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas. Hands down this series just make me so happy. It’s fun, romantic and has everything that I’m looking for in a historical romance. The characters are fantastic, the plots of each book and the series and addicting and on my favourite thing. The friendship between the Wallflowers is exactly what I want.

Freya – Favourite Book Setting

Freya is the goddess of love and beauty, fertility, war, wealth and growth, and sister of Frey.

In reality anything magical. I grew up reading and watching fantasy. So anything that is set in a world with magic is my cup of tea. It’s what I solely read for such a long time. It’s still one of my favourite genres and I fall in love with it all the time.

Tyr – Favourite Book with a Big Upheaval/Epic Fight Scene

Tyr is the god of war

There are some pretty epic fight scenes in the KGI series by Maya Banks. Each book is more intense than the one before and I’m so here for that. It’s hard at times, but I love it. It’s different from a fantasy settings battle, but it’s just as intense.

Uller – Character Death That Affected You the Most

Uller is the god of death, winter, archery and hunting.

I don’t want to spoil anything so this is such a hard question. But there is a death in Flight & Glory series by Rebecca Yarros and wow. I cried non stop for like two books, that is how much it hurt me. I’m not sure it’s one of the deaths that affected me the most, but it did hurt for some time that is for sure.

Njord – Favourite Book an Epic Journey on Water/Ocean Setting

Njord is the god of the wind and the sea.

There are many scenes in The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan that take place on the sea. I really enjoy getting to know sea life in books and I want to read more books that have epic journeys across the ocean.

Valkyrie – Favourite Strong Female Character

The Valkyries, much like the Amazons, are strong female warriors.

There are so many strong female characters that I love, but one that I really enjoyed this year is Xiomara Batist from The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Her passion and determination were strong and bold. I loved that she questioned things in her life, but also understood the importance of those things in other peoples lives.

Aesir/Vanir – Favourite Book “Crew”

The Aesir and the Vanir are the two groups of Norse gods, believed to be the old and new gods.

This one is so hard because I love so many books with ‘crews’ but one that comes to mind that I read this year is the gang from the Origin series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. They are seriously fantastic, especially Luc. I seriously can’t deal with him sometimes.

Seipyrts – Favourite Sidekick (Non-Human Character)

Seipyrts is Odin’s trusty eight legged steed, yes you heard that correctly – eight legs.

I honestly can’t think of something for this one. My mind is going blank. I can’t think of a non-human sidekick that I love.

***

And that is it for the Norse Mythology book tag. I tag anyone that wants to do this tag. I had a blast doing the Norse Mythology Book tag and I think you guys would too.