Amy Powis's Blog, page 11
March 17, 2020
10 Bookish Questions Tag
So last week, I was tagged by A Books Neverland to do a tag that she created on her Youtube three years ago but transitioned to her blog. It is the 10 Bookish Questions Tag so let's get started...
Question One: How many books do you currently own?
Honestly, I really don't want to count all of my books but know that I have a lot. I have about 275 on my Kindle, 40 audiobooks and A LOT of physical books probably around 300 books but there are a lot of them.
Question Two: How many books are you currently reading?
About 4 books but mainly A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin, Rebel, Run by Manjeet Mann, Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Ayoade on Top by Richard Ayoade.
Question Three: Choose a couple books you read but didn't enjoy?
The two that I go on about all the time are The November Criminals by Sam Munson and When Everything Feels Like the Movies by Raziel Reid. Both are really bad and are problematic and just no to both of them.
Question Four: A cover buy?
Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro. I brought this on Kindle but I saw the cover on the page and thought that it looked really interesting and decided to buy it. It was a really interesting take at looking at nationality and belonging to a nation although I wouldn't say it was a YA book and was more a cross over YA. I also wanted to read more translated fiction so this was the best way to do that with a good cover!
Question Five: A book you own but hate the cover of?
I agree with Milly and basically, all book to movie adaptation covers especially The Host as that film poster just isn't good anyway.
Question Six: A book you haven't read in years?
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I haven't read the book since I was 16 and I wanted to reread it as it is a banned book which I can read in Banned Book Week.
Question Seven: A book you will always recommend?
Anything by David Owen because everyone should read at least one of his books!
Question Eight: All-time favourite book series?
For me, it was always a toss-up between The Hunger Games and Harry Potter but I think that I will always go towards The Hunger Games as it made such a massive impact on me and my teenage years.
Question Nine: Where do you read?
Anywhere! On the train, on the bus, in bed, on the sofa. Yeah, I'm quite versatile!
Question Ten: What are the last two books you gave a 5-star rating? and why?
So I don't really give a rating anymore but I really loved The Ask And The Answer by Patrick Ness because I love Patrick Ness and I also just love books that made me think and lovable characters and this has both. I also loved My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness as it was a great look at depression and Kabi Nagata gives a raw and honest portrayal of it.
I tag (if you want to do it):
Rachel from RacheLeanne
Alex from Schmirfle
If anyone else wants to do it feel free!
How many books do you own? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
Question One: How many books do you currently own?
Honestly, I really don't want to count all of my books but know that I have a lot. I have about 275 on my Kindle, 40 audiobooks and A LOT of physical books probably around 300 books but there are a lot of them.
Question Two: How many books are you currently reading?
About 4 books but mainly A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin, Rebel, Run by Manjeet Mann, Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Ayoade on Top by Richard Ayoade.
Question Three: Choose a couple books you read but didn't enjoy?
The two that I go on about all the time are The November Criminals by Sam Munson and When Everything Feels Like the Movies by Raziel Reid. Both are really bad and are problematic and just no to both of them.
Question Four: A cover buy?
Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro. I brought this on Kindle but I saw the cover on the page and thought that it looked really interesting and decided to buy it. It was a really interesting take at looking at nationality and belonging to a nation although I wouldn't say it was a YA book and was more a cross over YA. I also wanted to read more translated fiction so this was the best way to do that with a good cover!
Question Five: A book you own but hate the cover of?
I agree with Milly and basically, all book to movie adaptation covers especially The Host as that film poster just isn't good anyway.
Question Six: A book you haven't read in years?
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I haven't read the book since I was 16 and I wanted to reread it as it is a banned book which I can read in Banned Book Week.
Question Seven: A book you will always recommend?
Anything by David Owen because everyone should read at least one of his books!
Question Eight: All-time favourite book series?
For me, it was always a toss-up between The Hunger Games and Harry Potter but I think that I will always go towards The Hunger Games as it made such a massive impact on me and my teenage years.
Question Nine: Where do you read?
Anywhere! On the train, on the bus, in bed, on the sofa. Yeah, I'm quite versatile!
Question Ten: What are the last two books you gave a 5-star rating? and why?
So I don't really give a rating anymore but I really loved The Ask And The Answer by Patrick Ness because I love Patrick Ness and I also just love books that made me think and lovable characters and this has both. I also loved My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness as it was a great look at depression and Kabi Nagata gives a raw and honest portrayal of it.
I tag (if you want to do it):
Rachel from RacheLeanne
Alex from Schmirfle
If anyone else wants to do it feel free!
How many books do you own? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
March 12, 2020
Reading Experiment: Why I No Longer Decide To Rate Books (and Films)
In the book community, especially on Goodreads, and in the film community seen with sites like Letterboxd, we are asked to give anything a star rating. Something that I have always done, when I got Goodreads in 2013, and in Letterboxd, a couple of years ago. I used rating to judge if something was good or if something was bad and made it lead how I would think. I would press marked as read or list it as watched and would need to rate it straight away and then it would be over.
But this year it all changed. (It's not as dramatic as it sounds)
I wasn't expecting it to. I started the year off normally, rating the books and then films I was watching were still rated and I just decided to stop. It was a little bit of a trial at the first but it's March now and I quite like the no rating thing.
Even though it seems like a sudden thing. It wasn't really. I have gone through phases in my reading and watching life when it often felt like I had no favourites and that nothing felt like it was the best for me especially films. I would watch something I had just finished and feel so pressured to put a rating on it and would rarely give it 5 stars.
The same would happen to books. I would finish it and feel like I had to give it a rating but then would feel different about it a couple of months later. It was that the book needed time to breathe in my mind. One of my favourite examples is Heretics Anonymous as I definitely thought that it was a four-star read but I couldn't stop thinking about how good it was and knew it was a favourite. It has happened with films as well. I mean I thought that Hunt For The Wilderpeople was a good film and know it is a great one in my eyes. I still think about it often.
I think it just brings up ideas that we seem to want to put things in boxes but often this is not the case. I am not going to feel the same about every single book I read. The same rating can mean can have different values depending on what I personally liked and disliked about it.
Also with films and books, we are told what is the best of that specific medium and if we don't love it I feel underwhelmed. But just because is the best it does not mean I will like it. It could be the best-crafted thing in the world but it if does not affect me on a spiritual level then I didn't want to rate it highly which people might be against.
I think that I just want to feel moved and you can't find a rating for that. If you have ever had a like warm and tingling feeling after you read or watched something that what I want and I will keep trying until I find it again.
Rating is such a complicated topic and has so many different meanings to different people. One of the things that I haven't mentioned is how people would have influenced such as authors and filmmakers sometimes don't rate media as they don't want to negatively hate on their peers which I totally get especially as one of my most popular posts is a negative review and it doesn't make me feel nice.
I think the final things is obviously the rating option of sites and if I will still use them. And the short answer is: yes. I still find both Letterboxd and Goodreads a good way to track my reading and viewing habits and like the cool features, they have so I still log but do not rate and I'm OK with that.
I think this was a little bit messy so I'm sorry if this makes no sense but hopefully, you have an insight into my sometimes crazy mind.
Do you still rate books? Do you use Goodreads or something else? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
But this year it all changed. (It's not as dramatic as it sounds)
I wasn't expecting it to. I started the year off normally, rating the books and then films I was watching were still rated and I just decided to stop. It was a little bit of a trial at the first but it's March now and I quite like the no rating thing.
Even though it seems like a sudden thing. It wasn't really. I have gone through phases in my reading and watching life when it often felt like I had no favourites and that nothing felt like it was the best for me especially films. I would watch something I had just finished and feel so pressured to put a rating on it and would rarely give it 5 stars.
The same would happen to books. I would finish it and feel like I had to give it a rating but then would feel different about it a couple of months later. It was that the book needed time to breathe in my mind. One of my favourite examples is Heretics Anonymous as I definitely thought that it was a four-star read but I couldn't stop thinking about how good it was and knew it was a favourite. It has happened with films as well. I mean I thought that Hunt For The Wilderpeople was a good film and know it is a great one in my eyes. I still think about it often.
I think it just brings up ideas that we seem to want to put things in boxes but often this is not the case. I am not going to feel the same about every single book I read. The same rating can mean can have different values depending on what I personally liked and disliked about it.
Also with films and books, we are told what is the best of that specific medium and if we don't love it I feel underwhelmed. But just because is the best it does not mean I will like it. It could be the best-crafted thing in the world but it if does not affect me on a spiritual level then I didn't want to rate it highly which people might be against.
I think that I just want to feel moved and you can't find a rating for that. If you have ever had a like warm and tingling feeling after you read or watched something that what I want and I will keep trying until I find it again.
Rating is such a complicated topic and has so many different meanings to different people. One of the things that I haven't mentioned is how people would have influenced such as authors and filmmakers sometimes don't rate media as they don't want to negatively hate on their peers which I totally get especially as one of my most popular posts is a negative review and it doesn't make me feel nice.
I think the final things is obviously the rating option of sites and if I will still use them. And the short answer is: yes. I still find both Letterboxd and Goodreads a good way to track my reading and viewing habits and like the cool features, they have so I still log but do not rate and I'm OK with that.
I think this was a little bit messy so I'm sorry if this makes no sense but hopefully, you have an insight into my sometimes crazy mind.
Do you still rate books? Do you use Goodreads or something else? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
March 10, 2020
Book Review: One Shot by Tayna Landman
*I am reviewing these books which I was gifted for free by Barrington Stoke in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: One Shot
Author: Tayna Landman Publisher: Barrington StokeSource: From PublisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
A powerful and deeply moving coming-of-age drama from Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman, inspired by the life of infamous sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
After the death of her beloved father, Maggie and her family are thrown into a life of destitution. With little income and no way to live off their poor land, Maggie tries to provide for her family the way her father always had – with his hunting rifle and whatever animals the forest would provide. But when her mother is confronted with her 'unladylike' behaviour, she abandons Maggie to a life of unthinkable cruelty and abuse. With no one to care for her and only the hope of escape, all Maggie can do is survive.
A profoundly intimate and masterful reimagining of one woman’s fight for survival.
Book Review:
When I discovered that One Shot was available to review I was really excited because I had never read a story like this and based around this before and wanted to see what I thought. For such a short book it really packs a punch and I had a great time reading it.
Even though I read an early copy before I get into the actual review can we just talk about that cover? I mean even though the plot definitely sounded interesting to me I was really attracted to just how gorgeous the cover is. It is definitely a must for your bookshelves, literally for you to look at but also because it's a really great book!
I think that one of the reasons that I loved the book was the centre on Annie Oakley. Although not the full true story of Annie Oakley, I do think that the way that the book handles her life is done great and goes against the grain of how women lived in the past. As someone who also doesn't read historical fiction, it gripped me and entertained me so much for such a short book. I mean she literally goes against her family to be the person that she wants to be which in itself is quite special and powerful to write about and explore.
The way that her family was also dealt with was something that I liked too. I mean her family especially her Mum is not the best in the world but I liked the exploration with her Dad and going back to the past. I think it is also interesting when a character has this connection to a family member who is no longer there as it provides so much growth for the character. The relationship between her and her father was very powerful and a message that was carried through the story.
One Shot made me captivated and engaged throughout and made me want to find out more about Annie Oakley which is always a good thing. It also left on an open ending which I enjoyed and made me interested to know more.
The Verdict:
One Shot is a powerful and punchy read that leaves a lasting impact for anyone who wants to read it.
Have you read One Shot? Do you want to? Did you like it? Tell me in the comments!
Title: One ShotAuthor: Tayna Landman Publisher: Barrington StokeSource: From PublisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
A powerful and deeply moving coming-of-age drama from Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman, inspired by the life of infamous sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
After the death of her beloved father, Maggie and her family are thrown into a life of destitution. With little income and no way to live off their poor land, Maggie tries to provide for her family the way her father always had – with his hunting rifle and whatever animals the forest would provide. But when her mother is confronted with her 'unladylike' behaviour, she abandons Maggie to a life of unthinkable cruelty and abuse. With no one to care for her and only the hope of escape, all Maggie can do is survive.
A profoundly intimate and masterful reimagining of one woman’s fight for survival.
Book Review:
When I discovered that One Shot was available to review I was really excited because I had never read a story like this and based around this before and wanted to see what I thought. For such a short book it really packs a punch and I had a great time reading it.
Even though I read an early copy before I get into the actual review can we just talk about that cover? I mean even though the plot definitely sounded interesting to me I was really attracted to just how gorgeous the cover is. It is definitely a must for your bookshelves, literally for you to look at but also because it's a really great book!
I think that one of the reasons that I loved the book was the centre on Annie Oakley. Although not the full true story of Annie Oakley, I do think that the way that the book handles her life is done great and goes against the grain of how women lived in the past. As someone who also doesn't read historical fiction, it gripped me and entertained me so much for such a short book. I mean she literally goes against her family to be the person that she wants to be which in itself is quite special and powerful to write about and explore.
The way that her family was also dealt with was something that I liked too. I mean her family especially her Mum is not the best in the world but I liked the exploration with her Dad and going back to the past. I think it is also interesting when a character has this connection to a family member who is no longer there as it provides so much growth for the character. The relationship between her and her father was very powerful and a message that was carried through the story.
One Shot made me captivated and engaged throughout and made me want to find out more about Annie Oakley which is always a good thing. It also left on an open ending which I enjoyed and made me interested to know more.
The Verdict:
One Shot is a powerful and punchy read that leaves a lasting impact for anyone who wants to read it.
Have you read One Shot? Do you want to? Did you like it? Tell me in the comments!
March 5, 2020
The Osemanverse Book Tag
So in September, Layla from ReadableLife created a book tag based around the characters of Alice Oseman. As I wasn’t really posting at the time, I kinda missed the opportunity to do it but as a massive fan of her work, I still wanted to do it. Also, check out Layla's blog as she is a great blogger! So let’s get started… JIMMY KAGA-RICCI
A CHARACTER YOU LOVE THAT OVERCAME SOMETHING HUGE
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games: I mean it’s a bit obvious, but Katniss went through a lot. Like a lot and she is one of my favourite characters from one of my favourite series so Katniss who definitely overcame a lot. ROWAN OMONDI
FAVOURITE PROTECTIVE CHARACTER
Iorek Byrison & Lee Scoresby from His Dark Materials: Lyra doesn't really have the best parents in her life and both characters kind of take her under their wings especially Lee as he is really resistant to at the beginning to the series.LISTER BIRD
CHARACTER THAT OOZES CHARM
Magnus Bane from basically any Shadowhunters book: I was really struggling with this one but I think that Magnus Bane has so much charm and a manner about him that it is hard to think of anyone else!ANGEL RAHIMI
BOOK YOU’RE THE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT
I think that I want to say any David Owen book because even though I don't feel like I talk about his books a lot I just want to shout about them all the time. I think that he is a great writer who has such unique and interesting ideas and more people should definitely read these books!CHARLIE SPRING
FAVOURITE BOOKISH OTP
Nick and Charlie: Can I just go for the obvious? Of course, I ship Nick and Charlie and I will definitely go down with this ship. (Sorry I know.)TORI SPRING
MOST MYSTERIOUS BOOK YOU’VE READ
Dangerous Girls by Abigal Haas: I had this book on my TBR for the longest time before I read it and I had no idea what it was about and as it was a thriller I wanted to go in blind. I did, however, then fall head over heels with the book and read it so quickly as I loved it!NICK NELSON
FAVOURITE BOOK THAT BRINGS YOU JOY
Giant Days by John Allison: Although I haven't read all of the volumes in this series, I really love the vibes of Giant Days and I think that every time I think about them it just makes me happy. I also didn't want to pick Heartstopper because of course that brings me joy!NELLIE
FAVOURITE BOOK TO SNUGGLE UP WITH
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I think that those of us who have read this story imagine like an Autumn night with a hot chocolate in our hands or a quiet night in watching the films. Basically, Harry Potter just feels like I'm coming home as it has been in my life for so long because Hogwarts is always there to welcome you home. (I'm sorry again) ALED LAST
A BOOK THAT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH A ROUGH TIME
Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa: As I have spoken a lot about recently on the blog, I had a massive problem with my mental health last year where I felt really low. Although I was definitely feeling better in my mental health when I finished this, I think that it helped feel like I was not alone and that I show protect my mental health. FRANCES JANVIER
A CHARACTER WITH TONS OF DETERMINATION
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter: Again another obvious choice but I guess I am just a predictable bean. I mean this is the character that used a time-turner in her third year at Hogwarts so that she could attend all of the classes. If that's not determined I don't know what is!
The illustrations in this post are all by Alice Oseman and are used with permission.If you too are late to this tag, then feel free to do it!
Have you read Alice Oseman's books? If so, which are your favourite? Also, have you done the tag, leave me a link in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
A CHARACTER YOU LOVE THAT OVERCAME SOMETHING HUGE
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games: I mean it’s a bit obvious, but Katniss went through a lot. Like a lot and she is one of my favourite characters from one of my favourite series so Katniss who definitely overcame a lot. ROWAN OMONDIFAVOURITE PROTECTIVE CHARACTER
Iorek Byrison & Lee Scoresby from His Dark Materials: Lyra doesn't really have the best parents in her life and both characters kind of take her under their wings especially Lee as he is really resistant to at the beginning to the series.LISTER BIRD
CHARACTER THAT OOZES CHARM
Magnus Bane from basically any Shadowhunters book: I was really struggling with this one but I think that Magnus Bane has so much charm and a manner about him that it is hard to think of anyone else!ANGEL RAHIMIBOOK YOU’RE THE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT
I think that I want to say any David Owen book because even though I don't feel like I talk about his books a lot I just want to shout about them all the time. I think that he is a great writer who has such unique and interesting ideas and more people should definitely read these books!CHARLIE SPRINGFAVOURITE BOOKISH OTP
Nick and Charlie: Can I just go for the obvious? Of course, I ship Nick and Charlie and I will definitely go down with this ship. (Sorry I know.)TORI SPRING
MOST MYSTERIOUS BOOK YOU’VE READ
Dangerous Girls by Abigal Haas: I had this book on my TBR for the longest time before I read it and I had no idea what it was about and as it was a thriller I wanted to go in blind. I did, however, then fall head over heels with the book and read it so quickly as I loved it!NICK NELSONFAVOURITE BOOK THAT BRINGS YOU JOY
Giant Days by John Allison: Although I haven't read all of the volumes in this series, I really love the vibes of Giant Days and I think that every time I think about them it just makes me happy. I also didn't want to pick Heartstopper because of course that brings me joy!NELLIEFAVOURITE BOOK TO SNUGGLE UP WITH
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I think that those of us who have read this story imagine like an Autumn night with a hot chocolate in our hands or a quiet night in watching the films. Basically, Harry Potter just feels like I'm coming home as it has been in my life for so long because Hogwarts is always there to welcome you home. (I'm sorry again) ALED LASTA BOOK THAT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH A ROUGH TIME
Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa: As I have spoken a lot about recently on the blog, I had a massive problem with my mental health last year where I felt really low. Although I was definitely feeling better in my mental health when I finished this, I think that it helped feel like I was not alone and that I show protect my mental health. FRANCES JANVIERA CHARACTER WITH TONS OF DETERMINATION
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter: Again another obvious choice but I guess I am just a predictable bean. I mean this is the character that used a time-turner in her third year at Hogwarts so that she could attend all of the classes. If that's not determined I don't know what is!The illustrations in this post are all by Alice Oseman and are used with permission.If you too are late to this tag, then feel free to do it!
Have you read Alice Oseman's books? If so, which are your favourite? Also, have you done the tag, leave me a link in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
February 25, 2020
Book Review: Easy Prey by Catherine Lo
*I am reviewing these books which I was gifted for free by Abrams & Chronicle in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Easy Prey
Author: Catherine Lo Publisher: Abram & Chronicle Source: From PublisherRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Only three students had access to a teacher’s racy photos before they went viral. There’s Mouse, a brainy overachiever so desperate to escape his father and go to MIT that he would do almost anything, legal or not. Then there’s Drew, the star athlete who can get any girl’s number—and private photos—with his charm but has a history of passing those photos around. And finally there’s Jenna, a good girl turned rebel after her own shocking photos made the rounds at school last year, who is still waiting for justice. All three deny leaking the photos, but someone has to take the fall. This edgy whodunit tackles hot-button issues of sexting and gossip and will have readers tearing through the pages to reach the final reveal.
Book Review:
I was excited to read Easy Prey at the beginning because thrillers are not my main genre so I wanted to give it ago. I really enjoyed the book and would like to read more from Catherine Lo in the future.
I think that one of the things that I really did enjoy about the book was the characters. They all had their own individual characteristics and were all unique in their own way.
Like a lot of thrillers in recent years, the book plays off the whole Breakfast Club stereotypes with one being a nerd, one being the popular girl who suffers with a problem and the popular guy. I think that these were done in a good way with them being well developed and having their own unique characteristics.
Although I did like many ideas in the book, I did find the book hard to get into and was not as hooked as I would have liked to have been when reading a thriller. There was also a romance in the boon which I did not fully love and it felt quite forced and on one side made me really hate the character in some moments. These did effect my overall enjoyment of the book although I did like it.
The problem with thrillers is that I do tend to guess the ending and with the characters having their own chapters it did make this easier for me not to guess who did it which is always a good thing.
The Verdict:
Easy Prey is an entertaining and unputdownable thriller perfect for anyone who wants to get into the genre.
Have you read Easy Prey? If so, what did you think about it? Tell me in the comments!
Title: Easy PreyAuthor: Catherine Lo Publisher: Abram & Chronicle Source: From PublisherRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Only three students had access to a teacher’s racy photos before they went viral. There’s Mouse, a brainy overachiever so desperate to escape his father and go to MIT that he would do almost anything, legal or not. Then there’s Drew, the star athlete who can get any girl’s number—and private photos—with his charm but has a history of passing those photos around. And finally there’s Jenna, a good girl turned rebel after her own shocking photos made the rounds at school last year, who is still waiting for justice. All three deny leaking the photos, but someone has to take the fall. This edgy whodunit tackles hot-button issues of sexting and gossip and will have readers tearing through the pages to reach the final reveal.
Book Review:
I was excited to read Easy Prey at the beginning because thrillers are not my main genre so I wanted to give it ago. I really enjoyed the book and would like to read more from Catherine Lo in the future.
I think that one of the things that I really did enjoy about the book was the characters. They all had their own individual characteristics and were all unique in their own way.
Like a lot of thrillers in recent years, the book plays off the whole Breakfast Club stereotypes with one being a nerd, one being the popular girl who suffers with a problem and the popular guy. I think that these were done in a good way with them being well developed and having their own unique characteristics.
Although I did like many ideas in the book, I did find the book hard to get into and was not as hooked as I would have liked to have been when reading a thriller. There was also a romance in the boon which I did not fully love and it felt quite forced and on one side made me really hate the character in some moments. These did effect my overall enjoyment of the book although I did like it.
The problem with thrillers is that I do tend to guess the ending and with the characters having their own chapters it did make this easier for me not to guess who did it which is always a good thing.
The Verdict:
Easy Prey is an entertaining and unputdownable thriller perfect for anyone who wants to get into the genre.
Have you read Easy Prey? If so, what did you think about it? Tell me in the comments!
February 20, 2020
A-Z of LGBTQIA+ Books
So almost four years I did a post about A-Z of UKYA LGBTQIA+ books and let's be real so much has changed in that time so it is time for an update! It is also LGBT History Month so it is good a time an any. George Lester has also done this a couple of times so feel free to check out his YouTube. Let's get started...
Alex In Wonderland by Simon James Green
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Fence Volume 1 by P.S. Pacat
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
All The Invisible Things by Orlagh Collins
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Lauren Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron
All The Bad Apples by Moira Fowley-Doyle
Noah Can't Even by Simon James Green
On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Proud edited by Juno Dawson
Queens Of Geek by Jen Wilde
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Spinning by Tillie Walden
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
Check Please Volume 1 by Ngozi Ukazu
Crier's War by Nina Varela
I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
The BoXer by Nikesh Shulka
I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
Ziggy Stardust and Me by James Brandon
So that's the list!
If you have any recommendations leave them in the comments!
See you soon,
Amy
Alex In Wonderland by Simon James Green
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Fence Volume 1 by P.S. Pacat
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
All The Invisible Things by Orlagh Collins
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Lauren Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron
All The Bad Apples by Moira Fowley-Doyle
Noah Can't Even by Simon James Green
On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Proud edited by Juno Dawson
Queens Of Geek by Jen Wilde
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Spinning by Tillie Walden
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
Check Please Volume 1 by Ngozi Ukazu
Crier's War by Nina Varela
I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
The BoXer by Nikesh Shulka
I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
Ziggy Stardust and Me by James Brandon
So that's the list!
If you have any recommendations leave them in the comments!
See you soon,
Amy
February 18, 2020
On Turning 23
So last year, I wrote a post called Turning 22 and about how my life was not ever-changing and that is was going to be a completely ordinary year. I wrote it. Kinda forgot about it but it took off. It still gets views now and this surprises me because it's so weird that people would find it interesting but they did.
I normally post these on my birthday. But my birthday has long since gone, it was on the 23rd of January. However, I still get a calling to write this post because of what happened a little over a year ago but because this year is different.
You see when I wrote the post last year I really thought that it was going to be an uninteresting year. I mean what really was going to happen? To me, it seemed like nothing.
I was wrong.
Like really wrong. A lot happened. I mean it didn't. My life didn't change. But my mind did. I discovered so much about myself last year and it was definitely not ordinary. I spend the majority of the summer depressed and my anxiety had got to the worse it has ever been. Hence the depression. Something that I have truly never had before. I relapsed and it was the worst.
It made me think. Like really think because the truth was that I have no idea how to control my life. I don't know what really is going to happen.
Which brings us on to this year and turning 23.
Unlike last year, I have some markers. I am going to finish university and I am going to look for a job. So as you can see these are clearly small changes.
That's the point really. In a year that nothing was meant to happen did it seems hard to predict what could happen. Like everything could change. But it might not.
It's so hard and I'm scared.
It feels so stupid to say what my life could be this year when I have no idea. Turning 23 means that I think everything is going to change and yes it might but this might be slow or fast but I have no idea.
Ageing always makes me think and this is just an insight into my weird and very confusing brain about me being scared of the future. What's new.
I'm scared and confused but I can't control what is going to happen and I have to remember that.
I normally post these on my birthday. But my birthday has long since gone, it was on the 23rd of January. However, I still get a calling to write this post because of what happened a little over a year ago but because this year is different.
You see when I wrote the post last year I really thought that it was going to be an uninteresting year. I mean what really was going to happen? To me, it seemed like nothing.
I was wrong.
Like really wrong. A lot happened. I mean it didn't. My life didn't change. But my mind did. I discovered so much about myself last year and it was definitely not ordinary. I spend the majority of the summer depressed and my anxiety had got to the worse it has ever been. Hence the depression. Something that I have truly never had before. I relapsed and it was the worst.
It made me think. Like really think because the truth was that I have no idea how to control my life. I don't know what really is going to happen.
Which brings us on to this year and turning 23.
Unlike last year, I have some markers. I am going to finish university and I am going to look for a job. So as you can see these are clearly small changes.
That's the point really. In a year that nothing was meant to happen did it seems hard to predict what could happen. Like everything could change. But it might not.
It's so hard and I'm scared.
It feels so stupid to say what my life could be this year when I have no idea. Turning 23 means that I think everything is going to change and yes it might but this might be slow or fast but I have no idea.
Ageing always makes me think and this is just an insight into my weird and very confusing brain about me being scared of the future. What's new.
I'm scared and confused but I can't control what is going to happen and I have to remember that.
February 13, 2020
Mini Book Reviews #7: Fire Colour One, A Pocketful of Crows, Everything All At Once
*I am reviewing these books which I was gifted for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Fire Colour One
Author: Jenny ValentinePublisher: Harper CollinsSource: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
Fire Colour One was a different type of story. Unique in its approach and was an interesting read and I would definitely like to read more from Jenny Valentine in the future especially as Valentine is an author that I remember seeing ever as a child but never read.
Fire Colour One was a book that took me a long time to read. It was a short book but I wouldn't blame it on the book. It was definitely my issue. I think that it did in many respects lose what the book was about but when I would pick it up again I would get into it a lot more.
I think that the plot was the thing that got me involved in the story. I did want to know what happened and I was quite engaged as well. The characters are also one of the reasons why I also kept reading as I did want to know what happened to them and what happened at the end.
The story also tackles some difficult topics especially with the arrest of Iris and the debt that some of her family has. These are topics that are not widely tackled in YA so it was interesting to see them tackled in this way. I think that although this is something that I have not experienced myself, it was dealt with sensitively.
The Verdict:
Fire Colour One is a raw and emotional read with interesting characters and a plot that will leave you questioning every page.
Title: A Pocketful Of CrowsAuthor: Joanne HarrisPublisher: GollanczSource: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
I have always wanted to read one of Joanne Harris's book and picked up this one because it looked like it was really interesting and I was intrigued by the premise. I think that Harris makes truly unique worlds for her books and this was no different. I would definitely like to read more from this author.
I have to admit that I didn't really know what was going on when I first started the book but I soon got into the swing of the story as it is quite weird but I like weird. I think that the writing definitely puts you in the character's shoes and on many occasions feel like I was in the characters head and really felt for her.
I think that I was in the mood for a fantasy when I read most of the book and it was a different kind of fantasy that I don't typically read so for me it was something different new which I really enjoyed. The book was the introduction that I needed from Joanne Harris and I can't wait to read more from her.
The Verdict:
A Pocketful Of Crows is a wildly unique read and showcases Joanne Harris's talent as a great writer working today.
Title: Everything All At Once Author: Steven Camden Publisher: Pan MacMillian/ MyKindaBook Source: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
I had heard great things about Steven Camden's novels and poetry so when I saw an opportunity to review Everything All At Once I jumped at the chance so I could be introduced to his work so I can see what I truly thought myself. I was therefore really happy that I enjoyed this novel and hope to read more from Steve Camden in the future.
The book is set over a week centred around different pupils in the school. With this Steve Camden is able to introduce us to a wide cast of characters who all show this expansive shot of the school. It is with that as the reader I was able to immerse myself into the story and feel like I am in the characters shoes which Steve Camden does so well.
I also got the sense that I can see the different groups in school and how they all fit with each other, showing, obviously, what it is like at a real school. It is also fast-paced and fast-moving which I really enjoy in verse novels and I loved this one.
The Verdict:
Everything All At Once is a good book that captures the school in a verse novel. It is a quick read that many will enjoy.
Title: Fire Colour OneAuthor: Jenny ValentinePublisher: Harper CollinsSource: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
Fire Colour One was a different type of story. Unique in its approach and was an interesting read and I would definitely like to read more from Jenny Valentine in the future especially as Valentine is an author that I remember seeing ever as a child but never read.
Fire Colour One was a book that took me a long time to read. It was a short book but I wouldn't blame it on the book. It was definitely my issue. I think that it did in many respects lose what the book was about but when I would pick it up again I would get into it a lot more.
I think that the plot was the thing that got me involved in the story. I did want to know what happened and I was quite engaged as well. The characters are also one of the reasons why I also kept reading as I did want to know what happened to them and what happened at the end.
The story also tackles some difficult topics especially with the arrest of Iris and the debt that some of her family has. These are topics that are not widely tackled in YA so it was interesting to see them tackled in this way. I think that although this is something that I have not experienced myself, it was dealt with sensitively.
The Verdict:
Fire Colour One is a raw and emotional read with interesting characters and a plot that will leave you questioning every page.
Title: A Pocketful Of CrowsAuthor: Joanne HarrisPublisher: GollanczSource: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
I have always wanted to read one of Joanne Harris's book and picked up this one because it looked like it was really interesting and I was intrigued by the premise. I think that Harris makes truly unique worlds for her books and this was no different. I would definitely like to read more from this author.
I have to admit that I didn't really know what was going on when I first started the book but I soon got into the swing of the story as it is quite weird but I like weird. I think that the writing definitely puts you in the character's shoes and on many occasions feel like I was in the characters head and really felt for her.
I think that I was in the mood for a fantasy when I read most of the book and it was a different kind of fantasy that I don't typically read so for me it was something different new which I really enjoyed. The book was the introduction that I needed from Joanne Harris and I can't wait to read more from her.
The Verdict:
A Pocketful Of Crows is a wildly unique read and showcases Joanne Harris's talent as a great writer working today.
Title: Everything All At Once Author: Steven Camden Publisher: Pan MacMillian/ MyKindaBook Source: NetgalleyRating: 3/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Review:
I had heard great things about Steven Camden's novels and poetry so when I saw an opportunity to review Everything All At Once I jumped at the chance so I could be introduced to his work so I can see what I truly thought myself. I was therefore really happy that I enjoyed this novel and hope to read more from Steve Camden in the future.
The book is set over a week centred around different pupils in the school. With this Steve Camden is able to introduce us to a wide cast of characters who all show this expansive shot of the school. It is with that as the reader I was able to immerse myself into the story and feel like I am in the characters shoes which Steve Camden does so well.
I also got the sense that I can see the different groups in school and how they all fit with each other, showing, obviously, what it is like at a real school. It is also fast-paced and fast-moving which I really enjoy in verse novels and I loved this one.
The Verdict:
Everything All At Once is a good book that captures the school in a verse novel. It is a quick read that many will enjoy.
February 11, 2020
A Small Change
Hi everyone,
It's so weird to write this because I was sure that I would keep up with the blog posts but I spent the majority of January witing my essays and starting my Research Project/Dissertation so that didn't happen. This is also why I didn't complete all the posts for my 12 or more days of Blogmas because I didn't have time although I did actually do 12 so that's something.
I have been taking this time to reflect on what I post and this was something that I think I mentioned before but I mean it this time.
Even though books and book reviews are a massive part of my life and this blog for almost 5 years and this is by no means going away, I want to change this up a little bit.
Like me as a person, I am not the same as I was 5 years ago and it's strange because I think that this is going to be a massive change in my life and that is something that I feel like it I would like to talk about so it's not just in my brain.
So expect more of that and of course everything about the books that I read because a lot of my reading is definitely backlist now and I would like to chat about this.
I just want to chat about what I like so hopefully it will just be a small change but I don't really know what it is going to be yet so stay tuned...
On another note, there is another small change and I got a new blog banner which I really love so...
See you soon,
Amy
It's so weird to write this because I was sure that I would keep up with the blog posts but I spent the majority of January witing my essays and starting my Research Project/Dissertation so that didn't happen. This is also why I didn't complete all the posts for my 12 or more days of Blogmas because I didn't have time although I did actually do 12 so that's something.
I have been taking this time to reflect on what I post and this was something that I think I mentioned before but I mean it this time.
Even though books and book reviews are a massive part of my life and this blog for almost 5 years and this is by no means going away, I want to change this up a little bit.
Like me as a person, I am not the same as I was 5 years ago and it's strange because I think that this is going to be a massive change in my life and that is something that I feel like it I would like to talk about so it's not just in my brain.
So expect more of that and of course everything about the books that I read because a lot of my reading is definitely backlist now and I would like to chat about this.
I just want to chat about what I like so hopefully it will just be a small change but I don't really know what it is going to be yet so stay tuned...
On another note, there is another small change and I got a new blog banner which I really love so...
See you soon,
Amy
January 6, 2020
New Year, New Me?
For so many people a new year means to reinvent themselves. Do more exercise. Read more books. Go vegan. Lose weight.
This was me too.
"Starting tomorrow. I'm doing to do this." I would tell myself. "Definitely tomorrow." Fully aware that I could start today and get the ball rolling. But no... Always tomorrow.
I think that this is the thing. We tell ourselves that we are doing to things the next day and that day is going to define the rest of ourselves.
But it doesn't.
Two weeks in and it's the same story. Tomorrow. Always tomorrow.
Why never today? Honestly, I don't know because we tell ourselves that we fail one day then we have to stay again but why can't we just continue. At the end of the day, we are human.
Life isn't smooth sailing. We are going to make mistakes and more importantly, we are going to learn from them because that's what we do. That's what we should do.
So to answer my own question: this new year is not the new me.
I like who I am. Am I perfect? No, but who is. I am going to spend the year being a better person. Absolutely. But I want these to improve me forever not just to forget about. I'm going to make mistakes and I am aware of that but these do not define me and I am OK with that.
So in 2020, it's a new year but the same me.
This was me too.
"Starting tomorrow. I'm doing to do this." I would tell myself. "Definitely tomorrow." Fully aware that I could start today and get the ball rolling. But no... Always tomorrow.
I think that this is the thing. We tell ourselves that we are doing to things the next day and that day is going to define the rest of ourselves.
But it doesn't.
Two weeks in and it's the same story. Tomorrow. Always tomorrow.
Why never today? Honestly, I don't know because we tell ourselves that we fail one day then we have to stay again but why can't we just continue. At the end of the day, we are human.
Life isn't smooth sailing. We are going to make mistakes and more importantly, we are going to learn from them because that's what we do. That's what we should do.
So to answer my own question: this new year is not the new me.
I like who I am. Am I perfect? No, but who is. I am going to spend the year being a better person. Absolutely. But I want these to improve me forever not just to forget about. I'm going to make mistakes and I am aware of that but these do not define me and I am OK with that.
So in 2020, it's a new year but the same me.
