Recommendations Archives - Page 13 of 18

Books That Make Perfect Birthday Presents

May 5, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books I would buy as birthday presents. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week I decided to spin this weeks topic and share the books that I think make the perfect birthday present. I decided to split this into categories or age groups that would fit the books that I’m talking about

For Those That Are in Middle Grade

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: I know I’ve spoken about these so much in the last couple of weeks. But I do think this series is perfect for those 10-11-year-olds that want to be challenged a little bit more. These are perfect for kids looking for books with adventure, and fantastic characters. One of my favourite things about these series is that kids can read these characters for a while and can see them grow up.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend: This is another one that is perfect for those children looking for an adventure. It’s a mix of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland and it’s wonderful. I’m so glad that so many people have read it, but I want more and more to do that as well. It’s the perfect present for that child that loves to read and magic.

For Those That Love YA

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: I adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. The world, the characters and the plot are captivating, Rhen and Harper are fantastic characters on their own, with brilliant character arcs. But together they are like fire and it’s one that I want to keep on spreading. This is a great retelling and fantasy novel that just works out so well. I’ve recommended it to so many customers and they all come back telling me that they love it.

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim: This book is powerful, heartfelt and just a fantastic read. It explores mental health and how it affects different people in different ways. It’s a fantastic young adult novel that truly captures the life of a teen with family problems, while also letting them be a teen and fall in love. You can check out my full review for more.

For Those That Love Romance

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: Reality I would recommend anything by her, but The Last Letter is beautiful. It’s an emotional read not going to lie. I cried so much in this book. But that is also what made it so good. Both Ella and Beckett have incredible character arcs that really captured me from the start. The reader is not only able to see them grow as individuals, but also together. The Last Letter explores childhood illness, war, family and everything that comes along with life. There are many surprised in-store when reading, but it’s also a beautiful story of love and family. If you are looking for a new romance or contemporary read, then please pick this one up.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: I love this book so much and recommend whenever I can to customers at work. It’s totally adorable, and perfect for someone that just wants to fall in love with characters. This is the book that you just fall into and never want to get out of.

For The Collector

The Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve: This MinaLima version is stunning. I’m currently collecting the whole set and they are so gorgeous. They are a mix of pop up and interactive and they make a perfect addition to someone’s book collection, especially if they classics and fairy tales. I also really love the Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid versions as well.

Harry Potter Illustrated Editions: If you know a Harry Potter lover, then this is perfect for them. I adore my illustrated editors of Harry Potter. They are stunning! I get them for my birthday the year that they come out and it’s perfect. They are also great for the younger ones who do need a little bit more imagery. Plus the illustrations are stunning. I just love them so much.

For Those Who Want A Popular Book

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton: I don’t think you could go wrong with this one here. I’ve not heard anything bad about this book ever – and I sell a lot of copies and I mean a lot. I’ve read a little of this already and I’m already loving it. This is a book that appeals to so many different people, and I think that is what has made it so popular. Plus it’s won many, many awards. I think this is the perfect present for someone that you don’t know what they like to read.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This is another one that skyrocketed to popularity. I still get asked about it quite often at work and again I rarely hear anything bad about it. I also think it’s one that a whole range of people and readers could read. But also might push others and I think that is fantastic.

And that is it for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. These are the books that I think will make the perfect birthday presents. Do you agree? What are some of your go to’s? Let’s Chat!

Books I Enjoyed But Rarely Talk About

Apr 14, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books that I enjoyed reading, but I rarely talk about. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

I’ve read a lot of books now. While I read a lot of books before I started blogging, it has probably tripled by now. And while I talk about the books that I love a lot of the time, today I wanted to share the books that I enjoyed reading, but I feel like I don’t talk about them often.

I tried to get a mix of books here from romance and contemporary to young adult and fantasy. Here are the books that I’ve loved reading, but rarely talk about. Like always these are in no order.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand: I read this one late last year and adored it. It tore me into a thousand pieces but it was so beautiful. It left me a mess not going to lie about that. But I feel like I haven’t talked about this one too often. It’s such a fantastic read and if you need a good cry – this is for you.

Romanov by Nadine Brandes: This is another one that I read last year and I truly enjoyed it a lot. I love my historical fiction so mix that with a little magic and romance – I’m all for it. It’s a really solid retelling that is atmospheric. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t talked about this one more often. Full Review.

Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris: I’ve always really enjoyed Rachel Harris books and I feel like I talk about her older stuff more. But this is one of her most recent novels and I loved it. It’s a great YA contemporary that explores many things from grief to friendship and love. I just love how Rachel Harris writes so freely while also writing characters that feel very real | Full Review.

Dragon’s Lair (Wind Dragons MC #1) by Chantal Fernando: I picked this one up last year when I first started getting into MC romances and I feel that I rarely talk about it now. While getting this post together I’ve started to re-read the series and I have no regrets. It’s just a good MC series. I’ve read a few more MC novels now and I think it’s still one of my favourites.

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand: I put off reading this series for such a long time and I still don’t know why. It was just great. It is a solid series that I think if you love your angel/urban fantasy then this is for you. While a couple of years old, it still felt pretty easy to read and wasn’t annoying in any way. It doesn’t feel out of date or anything.

The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine: This is such a fantastic young adult contemporary that I cannot believe I rarely talk about. It has fantastic disability rep, as well as being charming and a fantastic read. It’s one of those books that just makes me happy. And sometimes you need that. But while also being all this, it’s also heartbreaking at times – and that is my favourite mix.

Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera: I talked about this one a lot when the series first came out, and I feel like I need to start returning my praise to this series. This YA fantasy series is what I love about fantasy. Full of royal intrigued it is also being fast-paced with action and magic. Add in the romance and it’s my perfect fantasy.

The Darkest Hour (KGI #1) by Maya Banks: This is another series that I’ve talked about here and there. But I don’t think I’ve given it enough credit. This is a great romantic suspense series that is full of action. Sometimes things get a little crazy, but hey, I like that. It’s a massive

series which is something that I also love reading. If you’ve read this one and have any similar recommendations please let me know.

Disruption (Disruption #1) by Jessica Shirvington: If you haven’t read this duology yet, please pick it up. This a fantastic dystopia/science fiction series duo that is just fantastic. I could sit here and write about this book for a love time. But I won’t. All I want to say is. This series has a fantastic blend of science fiction and living in a different world. The romance is soooo good and the friendships are the bomb. Please read it.

The Girl from Everywhere (The Girl from Everywhere #1) by Heidi Heilig: I feel like this book was made for me. A historical fiction, with time travel, and set in Hawaii. Throw in a great romance and the perfect friendship group and that is what I want in a book. I rarely talk about this one anymore, but it’s fantastic.

And that is it for today! What are some of the books that you enjoyed reading, but rarely talk about now? Do we share any that’s the same? Let’s Chat!

Books I Read in 2019 that Surprised Me

Feb 23, 2020

I’m normally the type of reader that knows what I’m reading. Meaning I normally don’t pick up books that I don’t know too much about, or think that I would dislike. I’ve actively been reading for some time so for the most part, I know what I like and dislike in a book. But sometimes there are books that surprise me. I don’t know how I feel going in and then I fall in love with the book, or I fall in love with a new genre. It’s a strange thing. But today I thought I would share the books that surprised me in 2019.

Appetites & Vices (The Truitts #1) by Felicia Grossman: Before last year I hadn’t read much or if any Historical Romance. It wasn’t something that really caught my eye regularly. It was something that I wanted to try and delve into but never did. And then I picked up Appetites & Vices and starting to fall in love with the genre. It just makes me so happy | Review.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: This is going to sound strange on my list I know. Because I adored this book, however, most of the time I find it hard to connect with characters that are ‘famous’ in their story. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I just can’t find common ground with then. But it was totally different in Red, White & Royal Blue, and I fell in love. You can check out my discussion now.

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin: Over the last year my reading of YA fantasy really dwindled. I just couldn’t love it anymore. Everything was becoming the same and I couldn’t fall in love and stay with the story or the characters. But then I picked up Serpent & Dove and fell in love. It’s everything that I love in a book and I couldn’t put it down | Full Review.

Dragon’s Lair (Wind Dragons MC #1) by Chantal Fernando: This is another sub-genre of romance that I hadn’t really ventured into until last year. I’ve read a couple of books here and there, but nothing along the lines of this. But this was such a fun series. MC books are so interesting and I’m always so intrigued by them, anything can happen and that’s what makes them so engaging.

Secrets of a Summer Night (Wallflowers #1) by Lisa Kleypas: Even though I started to read Historical Romance by this point. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love so much with Lisa Kleypas books. They capture me in such a way that I ended up reading nearly all her books one after the other. They are seriously just so good. If you want to get into Historical Romance then start here.

Halo (Fallen Angel #1) by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine: I wasn’t expecting to like this series as much as I did. Like I said before, famous people aren’t something that I really love reading about. But this one here was just so good. I love reading it so much. It was entertained but also heartbreaking. But so good.

And that is it for this post! What are some of the books that surprised you when reading them? Do we share any that’s the same? Let’s Chat!

In other news, I’m now offering Beta Reading Services. It’s something that I’m passionate about and have been thinking about for some time, but I finally did it.