2019 Archives - Angel Reads

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.

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!

Sessions I Can’t Wait To See | MWF 2019

Jul 11, 2019

Yesterday the program for the 2019 Melbourne Writers Festival was released and today I wanted to share the events that I hope to get to. As tickets are already live I’ve bought some tickets, but I’m hoping to make it to some other sessions as well.

The program for this years looks pretty fantastic with the theme ‘When we talk about love.’ I love that we get a whole day of YA events – although, some events do collide it’s pretty cool. There is also some romance events – which I cannot wait for. Like yes, please. Overall, I think there is something for everyone. And here we go, these are the sessions I cannot wait to see.

Watching Them Grow: From Page to Screen – Authors Becky Albertalli, Melina Marchetta and Christos Tsiolkas talk all about the journey of their novels turning into tv and movie adaptations. With Angela Savage as moderator.

This session sounds so interesting and it’s something that I am always interested in as a reader, therefore, it will be really cool to hear 3 different authors takes on adaptation and everything that comes along with it.

Saturday, August 31 1:00 PM. The Capitol

Why YA? – Randa Abdel-Fattah and Melina Marchetta will talk about why they write for the YA audience. These are two authors that I both admire and have wanted to see for quite some time now and this sounds like the perfect way to see them. With Mellisa Keil.

Sunday 1 September, 11.30am. State Library Victoria, Isabella Fraser Room

It’s Complicated – Nina Kenwood and Jodi McAlister will talk about the ups and downs of young love. You know I love my romance and I do love how complicated it can be especially in young adult novels. So I am really excited to see what comes from this discussion.

Sunday 1 September, 1 pm. SLV, Isabella Fraser Room

Pop Culture Currency – Jenna Guillaume and Lili Wilkinson discuss the phenomenon of YA books being turned into series and mini-series on streaming services like Netflix and Stan. And the impact they both have on each other with Adele Walsh.

Sunday 1 September, 2.30pm. SLV, Isabella Fraser Room

YA’ll Are Thirsty: Romantic FanFic Showcase – This one features Alison Evans, Will Kostakis, Jes Layton, and CB Mako as they talk about the what if’s of YA romances. Overall, this one just seems like a lot of fun.

Sunday 1 September, 4 pm. State Library Victoria, Village Roadshow Theatrette

Becky Albertalli: Love, Simon – Becky Albertalli talks with Jenna Guillaume about the success of Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda and its movie adaptation. They will also explore adolescent love and the importance of diversity. I’m always up to listening about success in the YA industry especially if diversity is involved.

Sunday 1 September, 5:30 pm. The Capitol

Eve L Ewing: Ironheart – Sami Shah will speak with Marvel’s Ironheart writer Eve L Ewing about what it’s like working with Marvel and combining power and the notion of a moral compass. This one just sounds amazing. I mean it’s Marvel why wouldn’t it be.

Wednesday 4 September 7:00 pm. State Library Victoria, Isabella Fraser Room

Romance as Resistance – Anne Gracie, Melanie Milburne and CS Pacat discuss how romance novels can challenge in the status quo of the world right now, with Jodi McAlister. A session all about romance and how it’s pretty cool, um yes, please.

Sunday, 8 September 10:00 am. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space.

Who Gets to Love? – With romance novels being populated for those that are white, straight and able-bodied, Daniel de Lorne, Maria Lewis, and Maureen Matthews, discuss this lack of diversity. With Kate Cuthbert as moderator. A romance session that talks about diversity – and this is totally for me.

Sunday 8 September 11:30 am. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space

Unpicking Classic Romances – This one here is about how and if classic romances would hold up to today’s standards. Clare Connelly, Anne Gracie, and Toni Jordan will talk with Calla Wahlquist. I’m just ready for all these romance sessions really.

Sunday 8 September 2:30 pm. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space

And that is it! That is most of the sessions at this years Melbourne Writers Festival. A mix of YA and romance seems like a pretty good mix for me. I’ve gotten tickets to most of these events now, but I am hoping to get a couple more session tickets closer to the festival. Nevertheless, what sessions are you looking forward to? Let’s Chat!