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Changes in Reading Habits | Discussion

Nov 21, 2018

When I starting blogging here at Angel Reads, I only read YA fantasy/supernatural. I had been reading it since I was 12 and many of my reading habits didn’t change. Then I joined the world of book blogging and was introduced to a new side of YA. A new side that I didn’t know too much about and didn’t know what books to read it. It was YA contemporary. And although I was reading it, I kept on going back to YA fantasy and supernatural. It’s where I found my solace, where I was able to just go away from the world.

Then a couple of years ago, I fell into the world of New Adult and Romance and I was gone. I’m now reading more romance books than ever before. I think because my life is just so busy now, that being able to finish a book in a couple of hours, is great. I’ve found that with romance books, I don’t need to stress or try and remember all the characters and layers of the world. I can just sit down and relax. I’ve spoken about reading more romance books in more detail before, but ever since then, I’ve read more and more romance.

There is a lot of factors in my changes in reading habits and it’s just not the fact that I am reading more romance. So I thought that today I would talk about changes in reading habits.

Annie Spratt

Changes in Reading Habits

I’ve really thought that I would sway about from reading YA fantasy and supernatural. I had been reading it for so long and loving it that it just stuck with me. I would try and read other genre’s, but I always seemed to go back to read it. This has a lot of this had to do with me being in high school at the time. My friendship group read, but not like me. So I had no one really to talk to about trying different books. When I made Angel Reads, it was the first time I was really exposed to other genres on a regular basis. Reviews of new books were easier for me to find, people that I trusted were reading different things to me and I was going into bookstores and book sections more. This let me see a whole different side to YA.

After I finished high school, I went straight into a writing and editing course at university. So you can imagine the range of books that I was reading, hearing about, and getting recommended. And while even then I was falling back into YA, I was branching out on what I was reading YA. But it was a great way to see and hear people’s thoughts on different books. But reading YA was looked down on and that was a struggle. And while I didn’t care all that much, it was hard to recommend books that I loved, because not many people thought about even picking them, up.

It was probably before even university that I discovered Katie McGarry and I am so glad that I did. She was able to introduce me to a whole new genre of romance and gosh I am glad that I started. What I love about Katie McGarry was that she was on the border of YA and NA romance, so it was easy for me to transition into reading NA romance. Then I started reading Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy, and Rebecca Yarros’ New Adult books and again it just grabbed me, and then I wanted to read more of these so I moved into their adult romance. It all flowed naturally, and I wasn’t just thrown into the deep end of romance. Which can be scary and different sometimes. And now I probably read way more romance than I do YA – and I don’t’ mind it.

I think for a while I was getting bored with YA. It was just everything was reading the same and I wanted something new and different. I ended up only reading the same authors because I just didn’t know what to read next. But I think that this last year has seen something happen in YA, that I am so happy about. It’s like it’s been rejuvenated and I am slowly starting to read more and more.

Something else that has changed my reading habits is the fact the last year and a half I’ve worked in a bookstore. I see new books come in nearly every day and sometimes things catch my eye, that I never thought I would. I’ve read more adult books this last year and a half than I have my whole life. And that’s saying something. Adult books never caught my eye, all the ways that I ever saw just bored me. But I did pick some up, after being recommended by both co-workers and customers. In saying that, most of the ones I have read have been historical fiction, but you get my drift.

It’s scary changing what you read, to be honest. Like I said I will always love YA, but reading different genre’s and readerships has made me love books even more.

João Silas

Don’t be afraid

I don’t know what the point of this post really is, other than to say; it’s okay to branch out on what you normally read. It’s okay to blog about different genre’s and readerships. And it’s alright for your reading habits to grow with you. I will love YA forever, I will never, ever let it go. It embodies a lot of my values and it explores diversity in a way that makes me excited. Being able to recommend teens new and exciting books at work, is what makes my day. Seeing their faces light up when they find a book they might light – it gets to me.

So don’t be afraid to read what you want. Don’t be afraid to blog about that aren’t your usual thing. And while it might be a set back at first blogging wise, I am so much happier now, blogging about YA and romance. I get to talk about all the books I love in one place, because in the end Angel Reads, is about what me, Angel is reading.

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Have your reading habits changed over time? Why do you think they changed? Is there a moment or book in your life that did change what you read? Let’s Chat!

5 Reasons I Love The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Oct 31, 2018

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Pages: 364
First Published: September 20th, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781408891384
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

The Song of Achilles:

Recently I was able to finally pick up The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and I’m so glad that I did. I fell in love with this book the moment that I started reading it. I don’t even know why it took me so long to read, I had only heard good things about it, and it’s about Greek history and mythology so why wouldn’t I love it? Anyway, today I thought I would share five of my favourite things about The Song of Achilles, so let’s go.

Writing

The one thing that really sticks out for me in The Song of Achilles is the writing. From the very first page, I was addicted. It’s poetic, captivating and is still able to tell the story in a way that is easily understandable. Whenever I try and sell this at work, I always mention the writing. The prose is elegant and simple at the same time and just works so well.

“And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”

The words throughout the novel, the emotions aren’t just felt with the characters, but with the words themselves. There are scenes where the emotions jump straight from the page. I think what I like most about the writing of The Song of Achilles is that it is easy to understand. It’s a classic story, told through beautiful writing that anyone can understand.

Patroclus

Patroclus is brave, strong, and innocent. He is mortal in a godlike world, and stills stand out. I loved that the reader is able to see Patroclus from when he was a child. We are able to see him grow into the man that he is before and during the war of Troy. Patroclus has been through a lot, and that really does play with his character arc. For most of the book, Patroclus is very innocent, but I think I really liked that. It’s very rare that I read about an innocent male character and that just made me connect with him more.

“When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.”

I loved Patroclus character arc as well. I loved seeing him grow and getting to know more about him. But not only that, I loved Patroclus finding out more about himself. His character arc was fantastic and really shone through the book. Madeline Miller is able to capture such a strong character, in a book that is strong on its own. She is able to put this person on a page, but he comes across, so real.

Romance

The romance in The Song of Achilles is very complex and beautiful. We know both Patroclus and Achilles right from the start and the reader is able to see them slowly fall for one another. But it wasn’t just that, we see them form such a close bond that it just made me so happy. They are polar opposites, but that seems to play in their favour. Patroclus is very innocent and wants the best for everyone, while Achilles was born a fighter. And all of these personalities play into their interactions with one another.

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell, I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”

I’ve read a lot of reviews about others not liking Achilles and I can see why. However, that’s who he is. He is a hero, who’s been brought up knowing he is going to the best. And that plays a lot into his character. But Patroclus is able to hold Achilles in a lot and that was really nice. Their story is heartbreaking no denying it, but it’s also so beautiful. The way that they cared for one another and then fell for each other – oh gosh my heart.

Greek Mythology

There is a lot of debate about whether this is a retelling or just another version of the story. And I think it’s both. Throughout history, it wasn’t well hidden that Patroclus and Achilles were lovers, but it also wasn’t explicitly said. What Madeline Miller does shine on this relationship, rather than the war.

And what I love most about this is just how true to the story Madeline Miller was able to be. I love Greek mythology and history, I studied it in high school and wish I could have gone further. But what I don’t always love about retellings or versions of books, films, and even TV is the inaccuracy. And I loved that Miller was able to capture this beautiful romance, with a beautiful writing style, but also stay true.

“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.”

The Trojan war went on for 10 years, and I liked that it wasn’t romanized the hardship that the soldiers had to go through. It was brutal and wasn’t easy for anyone. I’ve also seen while reading reviews about the way that they treat women, slaves or anyone really throughout the story. And while it is horrible, and I don’t ever condone it, it was true to the story – oh gosh that is hard to say. But also know that there are some quite graphic and hard scenes to read inThe Song of Achilles, especially for women.

“Name one hero who was happy.”
– “You can’t.” He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
“I can’t.

Going into the book, I knew how the story would end, but that didn’t make it easier. It was hard to read and I cried, I cried. But then I also loved it.

Timeline

I’ve spoken about this briefly before, but I liked what Madeline Miller regarding when to set the book in the timeline. I think it was very wise and intriguing to start The Song of Achilles from when the boys were young. It added more depth, and character to the novel. It allowed for characterisation, a friendship that squeezed my heart. And also it didn’t leave us reading about a war that lasted 10 years. Normally a lot of novels that recount the Trojan War, are set when Paris takes Helen to Troy, and that’s where everything starts.

Chiron had said once that nations were the most foolish of mortal inventions. “No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.”

Beginning the novel earlier also lets the reader really know Patroclus and Achilles so much better. We just don’t know them by themselves, but together. The reader is able to see them fall in love, have their hearts broken, learn what it’s like to hero, a male in the time. It just worked so well.

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I could go on and on about The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, but if you haven’t read it and love Greek Mythology, please pick it up. And even if you don’t and want to try some, it’s the perfect way to fall into it. The romance is beautiful and heartbreaking. The story will tear you to pieces, but you will be happy when it’s all over. If you are just looking for a fantastic read, then pick this up.

Have you read The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller? What did you think of it? What are some of your favourite Greek Mythology retellings? Let’s have a chat!

Books I Loved Reading In August | Discussion

Aug 30, 2018

It’s time for me to share the books that I read and loved in August. While I didn’t read a whole heap in August, I did read some really fantastic books. With a range of genre’s and readership, I managed to read 9 books this month. And after last months 21 books, I think I needed to have a slow month.

I was able to read books that have been on my TBR for some time as well as some newer arcs. Overall, I think it was a great month for me. Check out the books that I read in August and loved below and like always they are in no order.

The Chase (Briar U #1) by Elle Kennedy: When a new book from Elle Kenney comes out, you know I have to read it right away. The romance was adorable and I loved how slow burning it was. Fitzy and Summer are adorable together and sometimes even sexy which was a nice combination. The Chase explores trusting in yourself and learning to love who you are. It’s about friendship and family and creating something new. If you are looking for a slow-burn college romance then this one is for you. Full Review.

Until You’re Mine (Fighting For Her #1) by Cindi Madsen: I’ve read a couple of Cindi Madsen books over the last couple of years and they have been hit and miss for me. But when I got the second book in this series for review, I knew I needed to pick up the first. And I am so happy that I did. Until You’re Mine was just an intense but great read. I love sports romances and I’ve read a couple of boxing/MMA related books over the years. But this one stood out for me. I love the ‘forbidden romance’ trope so much and it works great here. The romance was adorable and steamy and just worked so well. I really enjoyed how both protagonists cared so deeply about one another, and their goals in life and everything just seemed to work great.

Until We’re More (Fighting For Her #2) by Cindi Madsen: If I thought I loved the first one, I am so happy I also read the second. Until We’re More is a ‘best friends to lovers’ romance that just tore me apart. This one tore me apart a whole lot more on so many different levels, but it was so beautiful at the same time. It’s all about denied feelings, breaking down walls and letting go. Throw in a little sport and gosh this book is for me.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Whatever I am about to say about this book won’t be enough. The Song of Achilles has been on my TBR for quite some time now. I even brought it a couple of months ago from work, but I just never picked it up. I don’t even know why it has everything I love in it. But, gosh I am so glad that I did. This has to be one of my favourite books this year, maybe even one of my favourite books of all time. I just loved everything about it.

It’s a Greek mythology, a reimagining of sorts that looks at the lives of Achilles and Patroclus from when they were young boys to their fall at Troy. This book messed with my feeling and tore me to shreds. It was so beautifully written that everything I felt was times ten. I just loved so much about this book and I cannot wait to read more from Madeline Miller. I think I’ll write a full review of this one soon as well.

And those were my favourite reads in August! What did you read this month? What were the books that you loved? Are any the same as me? What do you plan to read in September? Let’s Chat!