Amy Powis's Blog, page 2
October 19, 2021
Book Review: The Upper World by Femi Fadugba
* I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: The Upper WorldAuthor: Femi FadugbaPublisher: Penguin
Source: Bought Myself
(Bookshop UK | Hive | Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
Esso is running out of time and into trouble. After he is accidentally caught up in a gang war, he is haunted by a vision of a bullet fired in an alleyway with devastating consequences.
A generation later, fifteen-year-old football prodigy Rhia is desperately searching for answers—and a catastrophic moment from the past holds the key to understanding the parents she never got to meet.
Whether on the roads of South London or in the mysterious Upper World, Esso and Rhia''s fates must collide.
And when they do, a race against the clock will become a race against time itself...
Book Review:
This book has been quite hyped up already before its release but also now that it has been released and for good reason, as the book is quite good. Blending sci-fi and time travel and gritty narrative, The Upper World is an exciting read that demands to be read.
Before I start the review, I have to say that it did take me a whole to get into the book, but I think this was more restraint than anything because once I was in the story, I was sold.
I have to admit when the book is good, it is really good. Femi Fadugba has a way of crafting a narrative that is highly addictive to read. This is especially the case with the twisting narratives of the story, switching between Rhia and Esso.
By switching the stories and having the action play out, the last 100 pages played out in my head like a film and when the action got going, I was hooked. I was racing the time that I needed to sleep, but the story was so addictive that I read the last 100 pages in about half an hour.
It might be because I haven't read a good sci-fi fantasy story in a while and my head was telling me that this was what I needed or it could be that he knows how to write a story. It could also be done which I can say it was.
The heading was so thrilling and to see all of the time travel elements finally come together was what I needed. Seeing how Esso was going to get the situation sorted and how Rhia and Esso were going to time travel in the first place.
Seeing other reviews and considering Femi Fadugba's background, it is no surprise that the time travel is well-researched and easily explained throughout the book, especially for a YA audience. The use of diagrams was also helpful in the explanation of the overall book.
Even though I have discussed a lot about time travel and the sci-fi elements, the book is also rooted in reality and I think that Esso is a well likeable character that is easy to follow and root for. With them both having two different backgrounds, Rhia was well-developed and I cared about her life and her problems.
They both add to the story and bring it to life making it overall a great read! I recommend.
The Verdict:
The Upper World is a unique read that demands to be read and talked about. Put it on your TBR immediately!
Have you read The Upper World? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
October 14, 2021
Book Review: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green
Title: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish EndeavourAuthor: Hank GreenPublisher: Trapeze Source: Netgalley/Bought Myself
(Bookshop UK | Hive | Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
In his wildly entertaining debut novel, Hank Green—cocreator of Crash Course, Vlogbrothers, and SciShow—spins a sweeping, cinematic tale about a young woman who becomes an overnight celebrity before realizing she’s part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have possibly imagined.
The Carls just appeared. Roaming through New York City at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship—like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor—April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world—from Beijing to Buenos Aires—and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight. Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us. Compulsively entertaining and powerfully relevant, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing grapples with big themes, including how the social internet is changing fame, rhetoric, and radicalization; how our culture deals with fear and uncertainty; and how vilification and adoration spring for the same dehumanization that follows a life in the public eye. The beginning of an exciting fiction career, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a bold and insightful novel of now.
Book Review:
I have loved Hank and John Green as creators for the longest time due to their videos and of course John's books, so when I saw that Hank was releasing a book, I knew that I would jump on it. While I did like An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, I enjoyed A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour more which led to a good series overall.
One of the things that I loved about the series overall which started in the first book is that the Carls can represent real-life and parallel how the internet is used in current society. While I did like this, I did find that it was a little heavy-handed at times, but I would expect nothing more with someone who spends a lot of time on the Internet.
I think that the idea of the Carls and the situation overall was something that I also enjoyed. I don't mind not having ideas explained to me in books and that was one of the main points of it. The Carls are there, and we don't know why. (This does get explained in the second one though.)
It does in part become a bit like a mystery novel, with the clues and the website and this was one of the best parts of the book in my opinion. Of course, everything does come together, and it leads to a very satisfying and open-ended plot line.
Much of the story does build to the sequel, with Hank developing all the characters including April and the relationships that she forms. I know that a lot of people dislike April as a character and while I do understand that I think the book works with her as the main protagonist, but the other side characters are as important for the story. They, too, get the story lines that they deserve and are great characters.
I think, while there was a lot that connected me to the story, it just didn't connect with me as a piece of work. I know that other people have said the same thing so I may reread the first book in the future. This is especially the case as the second book had a massive impact on me.
So, while I thought that An Absolutely Remarkable Thing was a good read, it was put together and concluded wonderfully in A Beautiful Foolish Endeavour. Like the name suggested it was a beautiful ride from start to finish.
Reading a book that is so clearly about the pandemic while being in the pandemic is a unique experience because it fuels a lot of emotions and intensifies them. More than anything, it makes it super relatable. One of the quotes that I loved was talking about being in the room where it happened and although a Hamilton reference, I wanted to tab the book which is not something I normally do.
I also think that the story is just elevated to a new level, especially the ideas based around the internet and seeing how all the characters react to April and the ending of the first book. All the characters are given their own unique stories and plot lines and I really loved all of them especially Andy and Miranda. I also liked how the characters developed throughout the books and had deeper relationships with each other.
We also get to see how the world from the first book expands and this one has a lot more of a villain centre character, but I think they are still humanised to some degree although they get their just desserts in the end. The book also does go more in the AI element which I liked, and it gets more sci-fi rather than a grounded first book. Also, some of the information that I wanted from the first book is also explained which makes it greater.
I feel like I write quite muted about the book, but this is far from the case as it just overcame with a lot of the moments that were littered throughout. The ending was also all types of thrilling as I really did just connect to the characters on a new level.
I don't think that I can really put into words how good the book was for me, but it was great and may be one of the year's favourites!
The Verdict:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour are a duology that deals with modern-day issues, combining an addictive and informative sci-fi that is worth reading.
Have you read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
Book Review: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautiful And Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green
Title: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautiful And Foolish EndeavourAuthor: Hank GreenPublisher: Trapeze Source: Netgalley/Bought Myself
(Bookshop UK | Hive | Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
In his wildly entertaining debut novel, Hank Green—cocreator of Crash Course, Vlogbrothers, and SciShow—spins a sweeping, cinematic tale about a young woman who becomes an overnight celebrity before realizing she’s part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have possibly imagined.
The Carls just appeared. Roaming through New York City at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship—like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor—April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world—from Beijing to Buenos Aires—and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight. Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us. Compulsively entertaining and powerfully relevant, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing grapples with big themes, including how the social internet is changing fame, rhetoric, and radicalization; how our culture deals with fear and uncertainty; and how vilification and adoration spring for the same dehumanization that follows a life in the public eye. The beginning of an exciting fiction career, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a bold and insightful novel of now.
Book Review:
I have loved Hank and John Green as creators for the longest time due to their videos and of course John's books, so when I saw that Hank was releasing a book, I knew that I would jump on it. While I did like An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, I enjoyed A Beautiful and Foolish Endeavour more which led to a good series overall.
One of the things that I loved about the series overall which started in the first book is that the Carls can represent real life and parallel how the internet is used in current society. While I did like this, I did find that it was a little heavy handed at times, but I would expect nothing more with someone who spends a lot of time on the Internet.
I think that the idea of the Carls and the situation overall was something that I also enjoyed. I don't mind not having ideas explained to me in books and that was one of the main points of it. The Carls are there, and we don't know why. (This does get explained in the second one though.)
It does in part become a bit like a mystery novel, with the clues and the website and this was one of the best parts of the book in my opinion. Of course, everything does come together, and it leads to a very satisfying and open-ended plot line.
Much of the story does build to the sequel, with Hank developing all the characters including April and the relationships that she forms. I know that a lot of people dislike April as a character and while I do understand that I think the book works with her as the main protagonist, but the other side characters are as important for the story. They, too, get the story lines that they deserve and are great characters.
I think, while there was a lot that connected me to the story, it just didn't connect with me as a piece of work. I know that other people have said the same thing so I may reread the first book in the future. This is especially the case as the second book had a massive impact on me.
So, while I thought that An Absolutely Remarkable Thing was a good read, it was put together and concluded wonderfully in A Beautiful Foolish Endeavour. Like the name suggested it was a beautiful ride from start to finish.
Reading a book that is so clearly about the pandemic while being in the pandemic is a unique experience because it fuels a lot of emotions and intensifies them. More than anything, it makes it super relatable. One of the quotes that I loved was talking about being in the room where it happened and although a Hamilton reference, I wanted to tab the book which is not something I normally do.
I also think that the story is just elevated to a new level, especially the ideas based around the internet and seeing how all the characters react to April and the ending of the first book. All the characters are given their own unique stories and plot lines and I really loved all of them especially Andy and Miranda. I also liked how the characters developed throughout the books and had deeper relationships with each other.
We also get to see how the world from the first book expands and this one has a lot more of a villain centre character, but I think they are still humanised to some degree although they get their just desserts in the end. The book also does go more in the AI element which I liked, and it gets more sci-fi rather than a grounded first book. Also, some of the information that I wanted from the first book is also explained which makes it greater.
I feel like I write quite muted about the book, but this is far from the case as it just overcame with a lot of the moments that were littered throughout. The ending was also all types of thrilling as I really did just connect to the characters on a new level.
I don't think that I can really put into words how good the book was for me, but it was great and may be one of the year's favourites!
The Verdict:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautiful And Foolish Endeavour are a duology that deals with modern-day issues, combining an addictive and informative sci-fi that is worth reading.
Have you read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautiful And Foolish Endeavour? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
October 11, 2021
Would You Rather by Katie Heaney: Questioning Queerness
This is the final review from my backlog and for good reason because this book made me question a lot of things. Probably the perfect and not so perfect book for someone who has always thought about their sexuality.
I think that is the thing, this book is based on the premise that Katie Heaney discovered that she likes women and is a lesbian in her late 20s after she thought she was straight. It also deconstructs the idea that women often find themselves coming out at a later age due to the stigma of the word lesbian and identifying as such.
As a person who has not thought they were straight since they were 17 this is not something that I have ignored. I remember potentially liking someone at school when I was 17 after she got a haircut. I just brushed it off though because I couldn't fancy a girl.
At the same time though I thought I fancied boys. (I no longer think I fancy boys.)
This all changed when thought I quite liked the idea of living with a woman in a co-habit relationship and recently this has changed to a new level. I use the word gay sometimes and I think I mean it. Only to get other members of my family to say but Amy you're not gay. I also came out to my Dad when I read this book and this led to a bit of a misunderstanding.
OK, so back to the book!
The whole point though is that Katie Heaney and Would You Rather raised so many questions. The book is so well-written and I loved so many of the chapters themselves including all of the women that Katie Heaney has crushed and her love for Harry Styles. Because same.
I have to admit that this book was so influenced by the way I deal with my sexuality that I changed my sexuality because there was no word that I could put on it. I still can't say if I am fully gay but I think in a way this book made it so much more acceptable for me to do so.
For the most part, it made me feel not so alone.
I know that this book is going to help so many people understand how they feel and that is the real thing that a book can do. Make you feel normal. Make you feel like you.
Overall, this book made me feel so much that is so hard to put in just one review and blog post. It is definitely going to be a favourite of the year because it did so much for me.
So thank you, Katie Heaney.
See you soon,
Amy
Would You Rather by Katie Heaney: My Sexuality
This is the final review from my backlog and for good reason because this book made me question a lot of things. Probably the perfect and not so perfect book for someone who has always thought about their sexuality.
I think that is the thing, this book is based on the premise that Katie Heaney discovered that she likes women and is a lesbian in her late 20s after she thought she was straight. It also deconstructs the idea that women often find themselves coming out at a later age due to the stigma of the word lesbian and identifying as such.
As a person who has not thought they were straight since they were 17 this is not something that I have ignored. I remember potentially liking someone at school when I was 17 after she got a haircut. I just brushed it off though because I couldn't fancy a girl.
At the same time though I thought I fancied boys. (I no longer think I fancy boys.)
This all changed when thought I quite liked the idea of living with a woman in a co-habit relationship and recently this has changed to a new level. I use the word gay sometimes and I think I mean it. Only to get other members of my family to say but Amy you're not gay. I also came out to my Dad when I read this book and this led to a bit of a misunderstanding.
OK, so back to the book!
The whole point though is that Katie Heaney and Would You Rather raised so many questions. The book is so well-written and I loved so many of the chapters themselves including all of the women that Katie Heaney has crushed and her love for Harry Styles. Because same.
I have to admit that this book was so influenced by the way I deal with my sexuality that I changed my sexuality because there was no word that I could put on it. I still can't say if I am fully gay but I think in a way this book made it so much more acceptable for me to do so.
For the most part, it made me feel not so alone.
I know that this book is going to help so many people understand how they feel and that is the real thing that a book can do. Make you feel normal. Make you feel like you.
Overall, this book made me feel so much that is so hard to put in just one review and blog post. It is definitely going to be a favourite of the year because it did so much for me.
So thank you, Katie Heaney.
See you soon,
Amy
September 28, 2021
Book Review: Here Is The Beehive by Sarah Crossan
* I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Here is the BeehiveAuthor: Sarah CrossanPublisher: Bloomsbury
Source: NetGalley
(Bookshop UK | Hive | Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
A brilliantly original debut about a love affair cut short, and how lonely it is to live inside a secret -- for fans of Sally Rooney, Sheila Heti, and Ottessa Moshfegh.
Ana Kelly can deal with death. As an estate lawyer, an unfortunate part of her day-to-day is phone calls from the next of kin informing her that one of her clients has died. But nothing could have prepared Ana for the call from Rebecca Taylor, explaining in a strangely calm tone that her husband Connor was killed in an accident.
Ana had been having an affair with Connor for three years, keeping their love secret in hotel rooms, weekends away, and swiftly deleted text messages. Though consuming, they hide their love well, and nobody knows of their relationship except Mark, Connor's best friend.
Alone and undone, Ana seeks friendship with the person who she once thought of as her adversary and opposite, but who is now the only one who shares her pain -- Rebecca. As Ana becomes closer to her lover's widow, she is forced to reconcile painful truths about the affair, and the fickleness of love and desire.
Funny, frank, and strange, Sarah Crossan's moving novel is wholly original and deeply resonant.
Book Review:
I have loved a lot of Sarah Crossan's books, especially her books in verse so when I saw that she was releasing a book for adults, I jumped at the chance to review it. While there were parts of this book that I found enjoyable, Here Is The Beehive fell a little flat for me but I will still read any other books she releases.
First I'm going to start with the negatives so we can get to the stuff that I did like. Overall, I think that the book was always going to be something that I didn't like but I still wanted to support the author as I am not a massive fan of cheating, which is a massive part of the book. When it takes up so much space in the story it can distract from what good there is.
Sarah Crossan obviously knows how to write prose and poetry and this is still evident in the book but I still had some problems with it. Ana's voice is very distinctive which I can argue is a good thing because throughout I think she is a compelling character that the reader has to root for but I don't think that this happens throughout.
I found at times that Ana's voice came across as uninteresting and I didn't really want to follow her as a character in a story I didn't really care about. For me, characters are everything and when I can't connect to a character, I can't connect with the book.
This comes hand in hand with the writing which I did for the most part enjoy. Sarah Crossan knows how to craft words and verse and this is still evident throughout the book and was obviously part of why I carried on reading. It is also really short so that is also why I continued.
But I have been hooked on her writing before. I have stayed up way too late reading her books before. I know she can hook me as a reader but this just didn't do it which is so disappointing and it, in fact, took me a while to finish this one.
Maybe I just had too high expectations for this book but I know there are going to be people who love it. I just wasn't one of them.
I will of course still support Sarah Crossan in the future because I know I can love her books!
The Verdict:
Here Is The Beehive is a book that deals with cheating perfectly and should find its audience and those who love it.
Have you read Here Is The Beehive? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
September 21, 2021
Book Review: Punching The Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam
* I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: Punching The AirAuthor: Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: NetGalley
(Bookshop UK | Hive | Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
The story that I thought
was my life
didn’t start on the day
I was born
Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighbourhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white.
The story that I think
will be my life
starts today
Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it?
Book Review:
Although not widely recommended, based on a selected few recommendations of bloggers that I love, Punching The Air went straight to the top of my TBR. After reading it, it is no wonder why this is also widely loved, offering a true and stark look at the prison system for a young black man.
Only having heard of the Exonerated Five through recent media, I did not have much experience with their case and this was also the first book that I have read from Ibi Zoboi. If you put these together, then you get a blogger who has limited expectations for the book, coupled with the hype online.
While I tend to read verse novels physically, I decided to give this a go via audiobook but I'm not sure that this was the best choice as I don't think that I was emotional invested as I normally would. Given the subject matter, I would have thought that I would be head over heels in love with it and the writing style, but this was not the case.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the book but by any means, I just wish that I loved it more than I did. There was still an occasion that I enjoyed Amal's character and his overall story. I thought that it was a very emotional and intense journey and I was still invested in the plot and his well-being.
A massive part of any verse novels, in of course the writing and I did really love the story and there were some really memorable lines and it really gave weight to the overall story. The illustrations were also great and again did add to the story.
While I did not love the story as much as other people, I would still love to reread it in the future to see if I like it more. Physically this time.
The Verdict:
Blending poetry and a love for art, Punching The Air is a raw and captivating look at the realities of the American prison system for a Black American teenager.
Have you read Punching The Air? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
September 14, 2021
Book Review: The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
* I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: The CrossingAuthor: Manjeet MannPublisher: Penguin
Source: NetGalley
(Bookshop UK| Hive| Goodreads | Storygraph)
Book Summary:
The trailblazing new novel from the Carnegie Medal shortlisted author of Run, Rebel.
Praise for Run, Rebel - a Guardian best book of 2020: A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems . . . Mann's brilliant, coruscating verse novel lays out the anatomy of Amber's revolution, and the tentative first flowerings of hope and change. Guardian
A trailblazing new novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis.
Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger. Swimming is her only refuge.
Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.
A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope. But is hope enough to mend a broken world?
Book Review:
After reading Run, Rebel a couple of years ago which I really enjoyed, I was excited to read Manjeet Mann's new book and then The Crossing came along. That kind of blew away. When I say that I liked Run Rebel, I thought that it was good but The Crossing hit differently and it was a book that I can't get out of my head.
The Verdict:
The Crossing is a verse novel at its best, being equal parts heartbreaking and thought-provoking. It is a must-read.
Have you read The Crossing? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.
July 20, 2021
Mid Year Freakout Tag
So everyone loves this tag on Youtube and I have done it a couple of times before so I thought that I would give it a go again this year! Also, I keep telling myself that I should do it! Although I'm a bit late as it is now July and I haven't been reading regularly because I have been a bit burnt out, I am still reading and those books deserve attention! This tag was created by ReadLikeWildFire (now Chami although the original video is no longer available for both) and Ely Jayne. Let's get started...
1. Best book you've read this year so far?
The Extraordinaries by T.J. KluneI have to admit that my reading has been a bit average this year, so even though it is one of the first books I read this year, The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune is one of my favourites. I loved the comedy and the relationships and lots of the twists that took place. The sequel has just been released and I will definitely be getting to it soon!
2. Best sequel you've read this year so far
Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman & A Beautiful And Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green.Both are great and they both continue the series and level it up on all parts. The way that the stories are going and where make the stories go is so great. They both are discussing mental health and relationships which is also done well. A Beautiful and Foolish Endeavour also feels like a pandemic book so it was perfect to read now.
3. New releases you haven't read yet but want to.
Ace of Spades Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Bookishly Ever After by Lucy PowrieI preordered these for a reason and that was because I really wanted to read them. Ace of Spades because I really wanted to read more Dark Academia and the plot really interests me and I was excited about it. Bookishly Ever After because I have loved the rest of the books in the series and want to see how it ends!
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
The Upper World by Femi FadugbaEver since I heard what the book was about I have been eager to read it. I want to read more sci-fi and love good British sci-fi and this has both. The book has already been optioned for the film so it is safe to say that I should get on it quickly!
5. Biggest Disappointment
I think for me this has to be The Drowning Of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes as this book has been loved so many but I just didn't love the book. I love weird books but this was just completely different for me. It just felt a little dated, even though it was released in 2015.
6. Biggest Surprise
The Crossing by Manjeet MannI really enjoyed Run Rebel but for me, The Crossing is a lot better and one of my favourites of the year. It has so many truths about refugees and deals with trauma. It has my heart and I loved every second.
7. Favourite new author
K. L. Kettle I really enjoyed The Boy I Am and I thought that it made some really interesting plots and it kept me really captivated for the most part. I can't wait to see what they come up with next and I am sure that I will have it preordered.
8. Newest fictional crush
As a queer person, I don't really have crushes on fictional crushes so here is a cat gif.
9. Newest favourite character
I have loved the character of Squirrel Girl for years and I finally read the first volume of the comic this year and I love her. So Squirrel Girl and I definitely have to read more soon!
10. Book that made you cry
I don't cry at books instead here is another cat gif.
11. A book that made you happy.
I'm going to say Blue Flag by Kaiko. I have really loved this manga series and I love the queer elements in the book. I really enjoyed seeing the characters evolve and everything come together.
12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year.
Words on Bathroom Walls. Even though I have not read the book, the film was really great. I loved the whole story and the acting was also really loved and I think that it was a little bit different and made it stand out.
13. Favourite review you've written this year
Not a review but I really love the post that I wrote in response to Disfigured by Amanda Leduc. So feel free to read it here!
14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year?
We Are Okay by Nina Lacour I have wanted to read this book for the longest time and I finally bought it. I also accidentally bought the hardcover which makes it a lot more beautiful than just a normal paperback.
15. What books do you need to read by the end of this year?
Any of the books that I have mentioned in this post so far as well as The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon it has been sitting on my nightstand for months and I need to read them!
So that's the tag! If you want to do it feel free!
Have you done the Mid Year Freakout Tag? What were your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!
