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Books I’ve Loved Reading So Far in 2019

Sep 19, 2019

Today I thought I would share with you, all the books that I’ve loved reading so far this year. While we only have a few months left of 2019, (what the hell???) I think it’s about time that I showed a little more love for the books that have made my year.

I’ve had a strange year for reading for me. I’ve been reading a lot of romance books, a lot. And I don’t even know why. It’s just really what I’ve been in the mood to read. If I haven’t said already, I am a massive mood reader. Anyway, here are the books that I’ve been loving so far this year.

Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand: I’ve been wanting to pick up this series for some time, and I finally did it at the start of the year. And I just loved it. It had so much that I really loved. The romance was great, the world was fantastic and everything in between made it better. You can check out my full series review now as well.

Flight & Glory series by Rebecca Yarros: So I did a re-read of this series at the start of the year and I feel in love with the characters all over again. This series just gets me every time I read it. I feel every emotion, every heartbreak. And I will feel it, over and over again.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: I don’t think there should be any surprise that this one is on my list. I will shout to the world about how much I love this book. I was captivated by the characters, world, and the plot from the very first chapter. With fantastic world-building, character arcs and a plot that just keeps giving. Full Review

Appetites & Vices (The Truitts #1) by Felicia Grossman: This is one of the first historical romance novels I read and I’ve fallen in love. It was engaging, heartwarming and heartbreaking. The romance was great and the writing was fantastic. This fulled my love for reading historical romances this year for sure. Full Review.

More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer: I never understand why I put off reading books from my favourite authors, and this was one of those books. I adored Letters to the Lost, and while I didn’t love More Than We Can Tell as much. It was still a fantastic read, that warmed my heart so damn much.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: Again no one should be surprised that this one has made my list. This book broke me. I cried so much while reading, and after finishing it. But it was also so beautiful. If you like emotional reads, that deals with hard issues, but it also incredibly beautiful then this is for you. You can also check out my full review.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte: As one of my most anticipated reads this year, I was really looking forward to picking up Four Dead Queens, and I wasn’t disappointed. It has so many elements that just make the story even better. I loved the world, the characters, and I adored the storyline. Full Review.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: I love this book so damn much. It’s perfect. I love the romance, the protagonists, the plot. Everything. If you haven’t picked this book up – please, please do. You can also check out my discussion with Ely, where we talk a lot about this one.

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester: This one was a ‘Book of the Month,’ at work, and I simply fell in love. It shows the effects the war had on not only the lives of people but also their relationships and how trying to move on from the war. If you are looking for a historical fiction that embodies feminism, strength and seeing the war from the female perspective then this is for you. Full Review.

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett: It’s a Jenn Bennett, of course, I was going to love it. It’s a great combination of mystery and contemporary that captures real characters. With writing that is easy to read, the characters float off the page. Jenn Bennett is able to create a story that is easy to follow and to fall in love with. Full Review.

The Wallflowers, The Hathaways and the Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas: I have read them all this year and have fallen in love with each and every one. I can’t really pick my favourite, they all have their highlights that just work for me. If you are looking for some historical romance – then pick any of Lisa’s up.

Dalliances & Devotion (The Truitts #2) by Felicia Grossman: While I didn’t love this one as book 1, I still really enjoyed everything about it. It was fun,intense and full of romance. It’s a great second chance romance in a historical setting. With a female character that is strong and willing to do what it takes for herself. Full review.

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin: I finished this one last night and I need to start talking about it. This book is fantastic and brilliant and perfect. And omg. More people need to read this! It’s a great new fantasy series that I cannot wait to devour. I’m hoping to post my full review in the coming week.

And that is it! That’s all the books I’ve loved so far in 2019. It’s a lot, I know. But I’ve also over 130 books so far this year, so it’s a good balance. What are some of the books that you’ve loved reading so far this year? Do we share any that’s the same? Let’s Chat!

Settings I’d Like To See More of While Reading

Jul 23, 2019

Today I get to talk about the places where I wish more books were set. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

The setting of books is something that always interests me. I love a sense of place, it’s one of my favourite things about reading. Underrepresented settings or places is something that I love finding. Today I’m going to share about all the settings that I wish appeared more in books. With settings for me, I’m not just going to be talking about physical places but also certain times of history.

Australia: There should be no surprise that this is on my list. I’m always trying to find new books set anywhere in Australia really. I do love books set in Victoria more – just because I can relate to it. I will most likely want to read it if it’s a YA or Romance set anywhere in Australia. Ellie Marney’s books are a prime example of fantastic books set in Australia, both city and rural.

Europe: Anyplace in Europe really. But mostly the countries that are classified as Mediterranean. It’s such an abundance of different countries, cultures and so many more things that I would love to read more about them through fiction.

World War I: Now this is a setting that I don’t read a lot of, but I want to. World War I isn’t something that you see a lot of in books, especially in YA. But I would totally love to see more. I’m a major history buff and really anything that is historical fiction will catch my attention, but I would love to see more things especially YA set during the first world war.

World War II: Now, I know there are many books about world war II, but I love reading ones that are set in your not so typical settings. One of the reasons why I adored Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, was because it showed me something about world war II that I didn’t really know about. Same goes for The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh. These books take a very popular setting and make it their own.

Castles/Estates: I have recently been reading more and more historical romance fiction and I simply love it. I can’t wait to read in this genre. Anything along the lines of Lisa Kleypas, who is amazing and whom I have recently become addicted to.

Ancient Cities: Again the history nerd in me is coming out, but anything from Ancient Greece, Rome and places like Mesopotamia and Constantinople. The Conqueror’s Saga by Kiersten White is a fantastic example of what I love reading and want to read more of.

1400 England: This is such a fascinating time in English history. The English monarchy was in upheaval and there was so much moving on the throne. From the War of the Roses to many executions it’s such an intriguing time in history and I would love to read more historical fiction, even YA set during this time.

Beaches: On a more lighter note. I love summer reads all year round and anything set in a seaside town is something that puts a massive smile on my face. The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine is one of those books. I know there is quite a bit of these around, but really there is never enough for me.

University/College: This is something that I am always up for. There really does need to be more New Adult fiction – which is another topic for another day. What’s even better is if it’s set at university. I just love everything that surrounds this. New friendships, new school, new teachers and a new life really. If sports is also som who included, I am so for it. Sarina Bowen’s The Ivy Years is a great example of what I love.

And that is it for this post! What are some of the places or times in history that you would and want to see more of? Do we share any that’s the same? Let’s Chat!

Books I Bought on My Trip 2019

Jul 21, 2019

This post is a little late, but I still really wanted to post that. In May I headed on my month-long trip where I went to Denver, New York, London and finished my holiday off in Hong Kong. I really tried to stop myself from buying heaps of books, but it didn’t really work out that much. I ended up buying 14 books on this trip and honestly if I had room for more I would have brought a heap more.

There was a couple of different bookstores that I went to on this trip. In the states, I went to Barnes and Noble, Tattered Cover and a couple of independent bookstores in New York. While in the UK, I went to Waterstones, Blackwells and again a couple of independent bookstores. I seriously had the best time. As a bookseller, I always like going into bookstores and seeing how they have things and it was great seeing this in a different country.

My plan for buying books on this trip was to; get books that I can’t get back here in Australia easy and signed books. It’s rare that I find signed books back here, especially by international authors so that was my goal. Let’s Go!

Dear Martin by Nic Stone: I have been wanting to read this one for some time now, but I have never had the chance to get it in at work, and also it’s been so expensive when I’ve looked into it. So when I saw it in Denver I knew that it was finally my chance to pick it up – and now I can’t wait to read it.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: This is my third copy of this book, but I don’t even care because I found a signed copy of it in Denver and I knew I needed it. If you don’t know Rebecca Yarros is one of my favourite romance authors and honestly is also one of my favourites of hers. If you haven’t read my review of this one, see how it broke me to pieces.

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi: Honestly I know nothing about this book. But it was signed and look really interesting, so I got it. I bought this one while in Soho NY – I think. Really I can’t remember all that much.

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton: I quite enjoyed The Belles when I read it last year and I’ve been meaning to pick up book two for some time now. I finally had the chance while I was away. The Belles finished on a pretty good cliffhanger and I am really excited to see where Dhonielle takes this one.

Girl Out of Water by Laura Silverman: This one has been on my TBR before it even came out. But I never got an earc and it wasn’t published here in Australia so trying to get my hands on it was hard. So when I saw it in NY. I jumped to get it. I can’t wait to read it.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: I love this book so much, I can’t even begin to explain. You can check out my post with Ely where we talked all about Red, White & Royal Blue. This one was the only book that I had ‘planned’ to get while I was away. Again it was a little harder to get it here in Australia and I was leaving close to the release day. So I was really happy when I found a copy.

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill: This is a frustrating buy. Because while I really want to read this one, the Australia cover is so much better! Ah. But anyway this one sounds so interesting and I am always up for a retelling and I hope that this one hits the spot.

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen: I couldn’t stop myself from picking up a physical copy of one of my favourite sports romances. As soon as I saw it, it was in my basket. Seriously if you are looking for a sports romance, then pick this series up for sure.

Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen: Book two was also there so I picked it up. I am so excited that I’m starting to get my Sarina Bowen collection underway. I can’t wait to get more.

Romanov by Nadine Brandes: Again this is one of the books I was on the lookout for. I had seen it pop up quite a bit before I left and hoped I would find it on my trip and I did. I’ve also now read this one and loved it! I hope to have my review up soon.

Prince Charming by Rachel Hawkins: I have heard so much about this series, so when I saw it in the store I grabbed it. I also just love the covers of this series. They are simple yet so adorable. I seriously cannot wait to pick it up.

Penguin Monarchs Series: While I was in the UK I kept on seeing these series of Penguin books. And when I realised what they were, I knew I needed to get them. If you didn’t know, I really enjoyed learning and knowing things about the English Monarch. It’s such an interesting time in history. The different ways that people became to power. I also love that they are only about 150 – 200 pages. Nice and short. So I do plan to get this whole series, but for now, I only have three.

I picked up; William I: England’s Conqueror by Marc Morris, Henry VIII: The Quest for Fame by John Guy and Stephen: The Reign of Anarchy by Carl Watkins.

Those are all the books that I bought while I was away. I could have easily gotten more, but I was already nearly overweight so I had to be very careful. Have you read any of these books? Are you planning on it? Let’s Chat!