Features Archives - Page 21 of 77

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!

Authors on my Auto-Buy List

Jul 16, 2019

Today I get to talk about my auto-buy authors, the authors that I will buy pretty much without looking. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

Over the years there are some authors that just stick with me and I can’t ever get rid of them. These are the authors that I will buy without really thinking about it. Most of the time I won’t even read the synopsis. I do eventually, but for the most part, I will read most of the books by these authours.

Sarina Bowen: I have read all but one of Sarina Bowen’s book at the present moment. But 9 times out of 10 I will read anything that Sarina Bowen writes. She writes over a range of romance that gives me everything that I want. From sports romance to general romance it’s a great combo that I love. Sarina knows how to write characters that are real and just make me laugh. You can check out my review of her recent release Superfan.

Cassandra Clare: No one should be surprised that Cassie made it onto my list. As soon as one comes in at work I am already buying it. I think everyone should know my love for Cassandra Clare and the shadowhunter world, but even if she wrote something else, I will most likely buy it as well.

Brigid Kemmerer: Over the past couple of years I’ve read more and more Brigid Kemmerer and each time that I do, I fall more in love. I’m slowly making my way through her backlist and ah! They are just so good. I adored and I mean adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely, so if you haven’t had the chance to pick it up – please do. There is no doubt that she is an auto-buy author for me.

Jenn Bennett: This is another author that I have slowly been reading over the last couple of years. And I’ve loved every single one that I have picked up. Serious Moonlight is her most previous release and it was fantastic. But she also has a new YA contemporary and a fantasy coming out in the next year – so yes, please. I also haven’t had the chance to pick up her backlist yet, but that is the plan.

Rebecca Yarros: I’ve been reading Rebecca Yarros for a couple of years now and she has totally become an auto-buy author. I just love what she does with her characters, her stories. I fall in love each time. With her heroes, her heroines with everything. Rebecca Yarros knows how to write a story that will tear you apart.

Ellie Marney: Now if you have been around for some time, you will know how much I love Ellie’s books. They are just the perfect reads really. There is a mystery, romance and coming of age. It’s the perfect combo. Hence why she has become an auto-buy author for me and it really wasn’t hard.

Lisa Kleypas: This one is a fairly new author to my auto-buy list. I recently did a massive binge read of her historical romance and fell in love. Seriously I had to stop myself from reading because I was going to read them all in a couple of weeks. Lisa is a fabulous writer and I cannot wait to read more from her.

Rick Riordan: This list wouldn’t be complete without having Rick Riordan on it. I just love everything that he writes, I can’t really fault it too much. And even if I am not up to date with all the books, I will still buy each one that comes out. If you haven’t had the chance to read anything by Rick Riordan, please do try, because they are pretty amazing.

And that is it for this post! What are some of your auto-buy authors? Do we share any of the same? Are there any books from your auto-buy authors that you haven’t liked? Let’s Chat!

Female Protagonist That I Adore

Jul 10, 2019

Today I get to talk about the female protagonist that I just adore and I can’t wait. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

I love reading about a female protagonist. Always have and always will. There is something really great about having a badass female taking over the page. So today I thought I would share some of my favourites from all types of genres.

Emma Carstairs from The Dark Artifices series by Cassandra Clare: Emma has to be one of my favourite Cassandra Clare characters ever, I mean there are so many from this series alone that I love. But there is something about Emma that just sticks with me. Firstly she isn’t like Clare’s other female protagonists. She has been training to be a shadowhunter her whole life, then everything changes in her life and The Dark Artifices series takes her for a ride.

Harper from A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer: Harper has to be one of my favourite female protagonists ever. Her voice seized me from the very start. I was able to connect with not only Harper’s voice but also the worries that she has throughout A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I adored that she was quick on her feet and didn’t let anyone stop her. Harper just took everything and went with it. One of the things that I loved about Harper, was that she didn’t like her disability define her. It wasn’t brushed aside and it didn’t let it stop her.

Taylor from Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde: Taylor is such a fantastic protagonist. I was able to connect with her on so many different levels it was crazy, and that made me love her even more. Her passion for everything that she loved, including her friends was so great to see. I adored that she wasn’t ashamed to share her love for books, TV shows, movies. She is that fandom queen and it worked so well.

Beatrix Hathaway from Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas: I love so many of Lisa Kleypas female protagonist but Beatrix stands out. She just lights up the page whenever she is there. Beatrix made me laugh so much. I adored that she was able to care for animals and didn’t care what others really thought about her. Looking after animals is what made her happy and she will keep on doing that no matter what. Beatrix doesn’t let others stop her for being who she is.

Bailey Rydell from Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett: I totally clicked with Bailey as a protagonist and I immediately wanted to take the journey with her. I loved that she was hesitant, that she wasn’t sure of herself or even where she wanted to go. When Bailey questioned who she was and her passion for movies and what they explore was so fun to see.

Rebecca from Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen: She is sassy, strong and just made me smile. After Rebecca’s accident on the ice, she feels lost. She can’t work, she can’t stand without feeling dizzy, she just wants things to go back to normal. It was hard to see Rebecca struggle with this. She wants to go back to work and do things with her life – but her health stops her. While it’s only temporary for Rebecca, I could totally connect with her.

Lada Dragwlya from The Conqueror’s Saga by Kiersten White: Lada was quite interesting, she is very brutal and has little to no remorse. Sometimes it was hard to connect with her nevertheless, I do understand why she was that way. But that is also why she is one of my favourite protagonists ever. I never know what Lada is going to do, say and hell that makes her so interesting.

Rachel Watts from the Every Series by Ellie Marney: I adore Rachel so much. If you haven’t had the chance to read the Every Series up, then please do. Because Rachel is a kickass protagonist without even trying. I love that is unapologetic about who she is, she is just her.

And those are some of my favourite female protagonists! Do we share any that’s the same? Who are some of your favourites? Let’s Chat!