What She Left, T.R.Richmond: review

Gone doesn't mean forgotten.
When Alice Salmon died last year, the ripples were felt in the news, on the internet, and in the hearts of those who knew her best.
But the person who knows her most intimately isn't family or a friend. Dr Jeremy Cook is an academic whose life has become about piecing together Alice's existence in all its flawed and truthful reality.
For Cooke, faithfully recreating Alice's life - through her diaries, emails and anything using her voice - is all-consuming. He does not know how deep his search will take him, or the shocking nature of what he will uncover...

When I picked this up I wasn't expecting to like it, I thought it was going to be this scary thriller and I didn't like the idea of that. But I won this book and I felt like I should give it a go then if I didn't like it I would give it to a friend who would enjoy it; and she is welcome to borrow but I want to  hold onto it because I was pleasantly surprised by this book! 

The main thing about this novel is how it was formated. I guess you would call it epistolary but it is a mix of letters, emails, tweets, texts, diary entries etc. and it is up to the reader really to piece most of it together. It was just such a unique way of telling a story and it made it fun in a way. Another thing is that there is a tumblr and even a playlist linked to the book, I spent an entire morning scrolling through it and if you do read it I highly recommend taking a look at Professor Cooke's tumblr. 

The plot was good and I even said on a goodreads update that I thought I knew where the story was going and I got it completely wrong, so it keeps you guessing! It had just the right balance of intrigue and new information  throughout which in my opinion is very hard to get. The only thing was that the majority of the book is Cooke's letters to a friend and I really didn't like Cooke but I get the impression that we aren't meant to... He walks on very thin ice with the ethical side of things at least.

I don't read mystery/thriller that much despite loving many crime dramas but this has made me want to pick up some more :)
Speak soon,
Jade xx

The Selection, Kiera Cass: review

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realises that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

When I picked this up around a year ago a big reason was the cover I’m not gonna lie. I’d heard very mixed things about this book and the rest or the trilogy/series and though I thought I may enjoying I was wary that I might have some issues and yeah it wasn't the best book in the world and I had some irks- like when a certain character reappeared that I really didn't think was necessary- but I nearly always do and I also had some surprises thrown in there too.

One of those surprises was the world, it was a typical dystopian world but it was more complex than I expected. There was a fair amount of political stuff happening and I’m hoping that this was only the setup of something that could grow over the next books.

I feel like the biggest element of this book is the characters, America is the main character and she is in general a likable character, yes a little irritating but I feel like her views are consistent with how and where she grew up. I am thoroughly in love with Prince Maxon he is an adorable gentlemen! Something else I wasn’t expecting was the amount we got to know the other contestants, for some reason I had not expected that and it gave you an opportunity to an insight into the other castes in the society.

The plot wasn’t a big part of this book but that is normal for a first book, it spends most of its time world building and that was done well. In general this was just a really quick, fun read that was super addictive! I am looking forward to read the second book when I get my hands on it even though I’m expecting to hate America a little bit! Have you read this? What were your thoughts?

Speak soon,

Jade xx   

T5W: Favourite Character Tropes

Hello lovely readers! I have another Top 5 Wednesday for you today and the topic is character tropes. A character trope is a dominant trait or plot line that you may see frequently (I think).  Quite a few of mine are romance based also cause I'm a sappy so-and-so!

1. The First however is not a romantic 1. Strong, independent, badass female characters. It is just really nice when all the girls in a story aren't weak and have to be saved.
2. The whole hate turning to into love. Like Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, I just love it and it makes my heart sing a little (or alot).
3. Character development. I know this is very open and vague but I adore character development! When a flawed character grows and tries to learn and comes out the other end still flawed obviously but not as flawed as they were. Like Margaret Hale and John Thornton in North and South they both go through and grow so much and its wonderful to see!
4.  Flawed characters. Perfect characters are unrealistic and boring flaws make them complex and human and relatable.
5. My last one is a favourite though I know it doesn't always work and you do need the opposite sometimes; but a happy ending for characters, who doesn't love a happy ending!

Were any of mine on your list? I'd love to discuss :)

Speak soon,

Jade xx

The Gracekeepers, Kirsty Logan: review

As a Gracekeeper, Callanish administers shoreside burials, laying the dead to their final resting place deep in the depths of the ocean. Alone on her island, she has exiled herself to a life of tending watery graves as penance for a long-ago mistake that still haunts her. Meanwhile, North works as a circus performer with the Excalibur, a floating troupe of acrobats, clowns, dancers, and trainers who sail from one archipelago to the next, entertaining in exchange for sustenance.
In a world divided between those inhabiting the mainland ("landlockers") and those who float on the sea ("damplings"), loneliness has become a way of life for North and Callanish, until a sudden storm offshore brings change to both their lives--offering them a new understanding of the world they live in and the consequences of the past, while restoring hope in an unexpected future.
Inspired in part by Scottish myths and fairytales, The Gracekeepers tells a modern story of an irreparably changed world: one that harbors the same isolation and sadness, but also joys and marvels of our own age. 

The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan is by far the best book I’ve read this year, I had very high expectations of this book and it surpassed them easily! Normally when I plan a review I write what I liked and what I didn’t like; while the good pretty much always outweigh the bad for me- it is very I do not like a book- when it came to planning this one I genuinely couldn’t think of any bad points, therefore I’m just going to tell you good points!

First off I have to talk about the writing, it was so beautiful and eloquent but not one of those books that is overly descriptive or poetic if you know what I mean. I found myself being drawn into the writing and it paints such a vivid picture in your head.

Something that really stood out to me was the world, the book isn’t that long yet I feel like I have a very good and wide understanding of the world and the divides in it. The world itself is very unique and interesting, all the customs and the differences between Damplings and Landlockers, selfishness, greed and prejudice was rife and though this world is flooded and is quite different to our world there are parallels which are interesting to think about.

The characters. The main two people this book follows is North and Callanish both who have secrets and in a way are trapped. However each chapter changes perspective and sometimes go to other characters such as the rest of the performers in the circus that North works in and having these every now and again allowed you to understand all characters on some level meaning even minor characters you saw at least a glimpse of their complexity which made the novel so rich.

The last thing I want to mention is something I don’t really notice or think about outside school and that is the pacing of the novel. It is quite slow, which sounds like a bad thing but it suited the novel so well and it meant it was very relaxing to read and created such a contrast when things came to a head. It isn’t something I think of and I would automatic say that a fast pace is the best but this novel taught me that it depends on the story as I enjoyed the calmness of this.

Obviously I gave this 5 stars and would recommend it to any who is even the tiniest bit interested. It is now one of my favourite books and for a pretty short novel it is so full and rich! Also just look at that cover that is reason enough alone to pick it up. ;)

Speak soon,

Jade xx

Booktubeathon TBR

The Booktubeathon is back! WOO! You know I love readathons and I know this is a book blog but who cares. First of all here are all the links to the booktubeathon: Youtube, Twitter & Instagram. It takes place from the 3rd-9th August and there are 7 challenges that I will try to complete but I'm not going to go mad about it :)

Challenges & my TBR:
1. Read a book with blue on the cover. This will either be Goblet of Fire or Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling. It depends on when I get them form the library and which one I am on :)
2. Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name. Literally the only "H" I have is Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd. So even though I wouldn't normally read a big classic in a readathon it may be doable.
3. Read someone else's favourite book. My friend Jenny has been wanting me to read If I Stay by Gayle Forman for a while now and since its pretty short I thought I'd give it a go.
4. Read the last book you acquired. The last book I brought that I have yet to read is The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz.
5. Finish a book without letting go of it.- A Slip under the Microscope by H.G.Wells this is super tiny and I can finish it in 1 sitting so it is perfect.
6. Read a book you really want to read. - I am going to wait and just pick what I'm in the mood for at the time.
7. Read seven books. - This one I'm not to sure or bothered about but we'll see.

Let me know if you are taking part and what your plans are!
Speak soon,
Jade xx

Week of Wisdom wrap up

Hello! So another readathon has come to a close and I read but once I got to Tuesday I realise I wasn't really in the mood but I enjoyed what I did read and I'm in the mood now so hopefully the TBR Takedown will be more "successful".

On Monday I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K.Rowling, I think it was like the last quarter of it. Then for the rest of the week I listened to Prisoner of Azkaban which I finished Friday and read What She Left by T.R.Richmond which I finished Saturday. The total page count was 780pgs which I'm happy with. My favourite of the week would be Prisoner of Azkaban I am really enjoying marathoning that series right now!

What did you read this week?
Speak soon,
Jade xx

The Time and Place book tag

Hello! This tag was created by the lovely Jen Campbell & it's based around how our books tend to have a time & place attached to them from when you brought/read them. You pick 10 of these said books to talk about. Her original video is here so make sure to watch that. Go make a cuppa cause this will be a long 1!

1. North & South, Elizabeth Gaskell. The memory attached to this is where I bought it. A few years ago I went on holiday with the girlies to Bude, Cornwall and we found a lovely little independent bookshop in the town (I can't remember the name) and I got North & South and was so excited to see it there!
2. A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett. I read this when I was 11 very close after my Dad died and I vividly remember going through all the emotions with this book and it having a massive impact not only on my grieve but just my outlook on life and how to live it. Sara Crewe has always been an inspiration to me since then.
3. Landline, Rainbow Rowell. This is both buying and reading. I got this the day I met Rainbow at 1 of her signings in Birmingham and that in itself was such a great day! I started reading it the next day knowing I was going to America in like 2 days or something and didn't finish it in time. Now I wasn't going to take a signed book with me so left it but I couldn't wait or get into another book so I ended up buying an ebook of it and I can remember finishing it by the pool in Florida trying hold all my emotion and fangirling in as I finished it. 
4. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs. The memory attached to this is that while reading it I went on a school trip to Birmingham Symphony Hall for "Poetry Live" which was to help with our GCSE English lit. I was helpful, a little boring too but I can remember reading on the couch and sneaking bits here and there. I also creeped my friends out with all the photos in it ;)
5. Throne of Glass, Sarah J Maas. This is going back to my America trip last year again. Like I said I couldn't get that into any books, except this 1, I started it right before we landed and was sitting in the Airport waiting for my Auntie and Uncle to get a car and freaking out at how awesome every little detail was in this book! I was loving it! 
6. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins. I remember reading this during school lunch and break and my friends watching me very closely (many had read it already) waiting for me to cry, they're so nice aren't they! It just reminds me of when I was still in secondary school and all of the things we got up to in our lunches :)
7. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, Bernie Su & Kate Rorick. This was the 1st book I remember reading after my GCSEs and in Wales where we stayed in this cute little cottage on a farm. It was such a special book for as the webseries and Pride and Prejudice meant so much to me. And I remember many times when my friend Beth and I would lie on our beds reading (she read it after me). 
8. Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare. I have read this around 3 or 4 times now. 1st in year 8 then 11 and last year I studied it, I adore this play but the main reason it is on this list is because I went to see it at the RSC last twice and then at the cinema when they broadcasted it. It brought something I loved completely alive and I was captivated! Love's Labour's Won is the best show I have ever seen and Much Ado is my favourite Shakespeare! 
9. Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell. This was my last book of 2013 and I remember staying at family and being glued to it! It was painful to put it down and I think I read in 1 or 2 days. But I vividly remember finishing this book in bed- at like 3am when everyone in the house was asleep- and wanting to scream, throw the book across the room and run into my Mum's room to rave/rant about it. I couldn't handle the ending! But all the same I loved it, even though I have never had such a strong erge to throw a book!
10. The Secret Countess, Eva Ibbotson. This last 1 is a little different. Secret Countess is 1 of less than an handful of books that I have read over and over again! I love it! If I am sad or need comforting I go to this book. When I got panicky at school I would go to the library and read passages to calm me down. It is my safety blanket, I know it back to front, it makes me giggle and feel all warm and happy. I don't know why it just does.   

Recent Makes #1

Hello lovelies! You may or may not know this about me but I am very crafty. I always have a few projects on the go (whether they are ever finished is another matter) and I have tons of ideas and plans for other projects-check my pinterest if you wanna see a hint of those. This is something I picked up from my Mum, who mainly does cross stitch but has done all sorts in her time. Taking all this into account I thought I would start a series on here "Recent Makes" where every now and again I share with you what I have been making with you. This is 1 of those :)

The first thing is my headboard. I finished this over the weekend but have been working on it for ages! I sewed by hand (purely because I couldn't do it accurately enough on the machine) 105 hexagons together using the english paper piecing method, then stapled and stuff to an old desk top with some left over underlay thrown in too- so full on recycling there! Overall I am super, super happy and proud of myself and it is so pretty! Also it means I don't hit my head on the wall which is a bonus!

Too match the headboard I made 2 rows of bunting 1 blue and 1 yellow that used 2 fabrics each that I used in the headboard. (does that make sense?) Anyway I used the machine for this 1 which was a nice change even though I do like doing stuff by hand. I've used these on bookcases and they look all summery :)

Finally I did some more quilting using the same fabric and covered my washing basket/stool to match. This was looking very tatty and old (which is because it is old) so I thought it could do with a little makeover. As well covering the seat I also painted the rest of it the same colour as 3 of my walls (the 4th has tree wallpaper).

Something else I want to give a quick mention to it this cross stitched bookmark. I didn't make it, my Mum did and I love it so I wanted to show it to you :)

So I went a bit crazy with the bedroom this month but I love it even more than before and it's a nice little change. Let me know if you have been making anything recently!
Speak soon,
Jade xx

TBR Takedown 2.0 TBR

Hello in a couple days the 2nd  TBR Takedown readathon is taking place from 25th-31st July. I didn't take part in the 1st one earlier on in the year but I am super excited to join in this time round. It is hosted by Shannon (leaninglights) and this is her announcement video so make sure to check that for any info. There are 5 challenges and I've chosen a book for each but I may swap and change.

1. 1st book in a series. Deep Blue, Jennifer Donnelly.
2. Sequel book in a series. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban/Goblet of Fire, J.K.Rowling. (depends which 1 I am on).
3. Out of your comfort zone. A Street Car Named Desire, Tennessee Williams.
4. On your shelf for over a year (or the longest) The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton.
5. Most recently hauled book. The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz.  
6. I would also like to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

What is on your TBR if you're taking part?

Speak soon,

Jade xx

T5W: side characters that deserve their own series.

Hello lovely readers! I've decided to join in with Top 5 Wednesday; which is something GingerReadsLainey started where we get a topic that we create a top 5 list for. Here's the Goodreads group so you can find all the info and also join too if you want :)

This week's topic is Side characters that deserve their own series and I actually struggled a little with this especially I only wanted to use series I've read the entirety of. But without further ado...

1. & 2. & 3. I've linked these all together because these popped up in my head straight away. James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, ie. the Marauders. (yes I know technically Peter Pettigrew should be there but surprisingly I don't massively like him!) I think pretty much every person who loves Harry Potter would like a series on this lot, it would be so fun!

4. Sparrow from the 13th Treasure trilogy by Michelle Harrison. Sparrow is part of a Coven/circus and a series about all of them would be awesome but Sparrow is the most intriguing for me and I feel like he has seen a lot and has a long history.

5.Finally is Kitty and Mary Bennet. The reason I've bunched these 2 together is because I can see them coming inseparable after their sisters are married and because they are both very much overlooked in Pride and Prejudice. I would love to know what their take on things were and what happened to them. 

So I kinda cheated on my first T5W but I don't care, which character would you want to find out more about?

Speak soon, 

Jade xx

Childhood Books

Good Morning! (or whatever time it is) Anyway today I thought I would share with you how this all began- my childhood books.

The First lot are books that I remember being read to me:

• Peepo
• Guess How Much I Love You
• Winnie the Pooh, A.A.Milne. 
• My Big Book of Bedtime Stories, this is a stunning book it is fully illustrated in colour and it entirely captivating.  

The books that I read alone when I first started that stand out to me were:

• The Rainbow Magic series, Daisy Meadows. This is all to do with fairies and two girls who always help them out against their enemy Jack Frost; I still own around 50 of these I adored them! Yes the plot line is basically exactly the same in every book but I thought they were great. 
• The Fairy Charm Collection, Emily Rodda. I was hooked on fairies when I was little if you hadn't noticed yet. This was about a girl who finds a secret door in her garden to the land of the fairies and the edition I own had 3 stories in it.
• The Historical House series. There are 6 books to this each taking place in a different era but in the same house(6 Chelsea Walk, London). I loved the historical side and my favourite was the 2nd- Lizzie's Wish all I remember is her planting a walnut and that the tree was always nodded to in the rest of the series. 

Others from when I was slightly older are:

• Prophecy of the Gems, Flavia Bujor. This had magic and a girl named Jade so it was a given really. I just remember flying through it, I read at a time where I was starting to read all the time. 
• Lastly is A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett. This is the book that had the biggest impact on my life. I picked it up because I had read Secret Garden (same author) in school and the cover was purple. I read it when I was 11 right after my Dad died (in hindsight probably not the best idea- you'll get it if you know the story) but I guess Sara and her strength to be a "princess" or a good, kind person really struck me among others. I re-read it recently and it is such a well written, beautiful story.

And that's that. You may have been expecting Harry Potter and while I did read and enjoy them they weren't a big love of mine till I was a bit older. What was you favourite book as a child?

Speak soon,

Jade xx

Week of Wisdom TBR

Today marks the start of yet another readathon! The Week of Wisdom is running 20th-26th July and be sure to check out the Goodreads group. But basically it challenges you to read a book a day- each from a different genre:

• Mature Monday- Read Nonfiction/Classics/Adult Fiction
• Timeless Tuesday- Read Historical Fiction/Classics/Timetravel Fiction
  
• Whimsical Wednesday- SciFi/Fantasy
  
• Thrilling Thursday- Horror/Thriller/Mystery/Action
  
• Friday Feels- Contemporary/Romance
  
• Series Saturday- Catch up on a series
  
• Sunday Funday- Read a random book

The books that I will be trying to get through are:

• Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
• The Murders of the Rue Morgue and Other Tales, Edgar Allan Poe
• War of the Worlds, H.G.Wells
• What She Left, T.R.Richmond
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Jenny Han
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K.Rowling
• The Isle of the Lost, Melissa De La Cruz

I didn't read any last really so as long as this gets me reading I'm happy :) 

Speak soon,

Jade xx

Announcement!

Hello :) This is just a very quick post to let you know that I'm planning on posting everyday for the rest of the summer! Notice the word planning, though I'm going to try my hardest and I certainly have the time to spare. In September I will probably go back to 2 posts, 3 at a push per week. So yeah, expect reviews, readathons and other bookish things coming your way :)

Speak soon,
Jade xx

My Summer TBR!

It is officially summer! (even though I've been off school for months but that's  besides the point) Because I'm going  into the dreaded land of English lit. A-level once again where I have no time to read, I am taking this free time to read a ton! I've compiled a list of mainly classics to read during the summer for when I'm not taking part in readathons. And I thought I'd share them with you! (especially since it will make me go through with it) I'm not going to put blurbs or anything because there are quite a few and I don't want this post to be super long. :)

• Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte (re-read for school)
• A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams (school) 
• Mean Times, Carol Ann Duffy (school)
• A Room with a View, E.M.Forster (school)
• All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
• Emma, Jane Austen
• Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
• Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
• Villette, Charlotte Bronte
• The Tenant at Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte
• Dracula, Bram Stoker
• Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
• Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
• Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
• Little Dorrit, Charles Dickens (this is my challenge read this year!)

So only a couple as you can see ;) I want to get as much reading done as possible this summer before school and I am excited about all of these so hopefully I can enjoy them all. I will also have other TBRs up for the readathons left this summer that won't include these so I am being very ambitious. What are plans this summer?
Speak soon

Jade xx 

24in48 Wrap-up

Last weekend was the 24in48 readathon where over a 48 hour period you try and read a total of 24 hours. I read for around 12.5 hours which I'm happy with. I finished 2 books:

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling (audiobook)
• Sylvia Plath Selected Poems
• I also read A Door in the Wall by H.G. Wells and started A Slip under the Microscope. 
• I Started Chamber of Secrets also.

I could have read more but toward the end of Sunday I was feeling a bit off and didn't feel like reading so I didn't force it.  But I enjoyed most of the books I read (I'm not a massive fan of poetry I'll be honest) and read a total of 410 pages :)

Did you take part? If so how did you do?
Speak soon,
Jade xx

Library Haul

So lately I've been going to my library a bit more and I thought I would share with you what I have been borrowing. The physical books are all poetry that I needed to read for summer prep work for English lit. and those are:

• Seeing Stars, Simon Armitage
• Rapture, Carol Ann Duffy
• Sylvia Plath, Selected Poems

I've been a member of my library for many, many years now; to the point where my card has a teddy on it (which I love) but I recently found that they work with something called Overdrive which allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks online. I really like this especially since I can't always get into town and I am loving audiobooks right now but they are super expensive so borrowing is brilliant! Definitely check to see if your library has this option. The audiobooks I currently have are:

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K.Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K.Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.k.Rowling (on hold)

You may notice a theme... After seeing they had all the Harry Potters on audiobook I thought, "What the heck, why not marathon the whole series?" And I am SO GLAD I did, I forgot how brilliant these books were! Do you go to your library often? I'm volunteering this year for the little one's summer reading challenge so will be there even more :)

Speak soon,

Jade xx

The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, Anne by Catherine Reef- review

The Brontë sisters are among the most beloved writers of all time, best known for their classic nineteenth-century novels Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne). In this sometimes heartbreaking young adult biography, Catherine Reef explores the turbulent lives of these literary siblings and the oppressive times in which they lived. Brontë fans will also revel in the insights into their favorite novels, the plethora of poetry, and the outstanding collection of more than sixty black-and-white archival images. A powerful testimony to the life of the mind.

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and I've got Emily's and Anne's books ready waiting so when I was looking for an ebook from my library for bout of books this seemed like a good choice to find out more about the Bronte sisters. It was also quite refreshing to read a non-fiction as this is something I rarely read.

The thing I liked about about this was that it wasn't just bare facts in a list, it told the story of their lives and their family and friends. It wasn't bland but emotive. I was quite a quick and easy read yet it had some analysis of the sister's writing; this was a downside too though because it can very easily spoil you when it explains the plot of each novel (which I must admit I found a little silly). The one biggish problem I had with this book is that I found it patronising, I don't if that's because it is written for a younger audience than me but I found the tone in which Reef would describe things to be how you would talk to a small child, so the writing style could of been  better in my opinion but the content was very interesting. I gave this 3 stars.

Speak soon,
Jade xx

24in48 Readathon TBR

I'm sorry if you're getting overloaded a little by readathons on this blog at the mo but apparently summer is readathon season and I find them very difficult to pass up :) 

11th-12th July is the 24in48 Readathon. The idea is that you read for 24hrs during a 48hr period- you know allowing sleeping and eating :) Go to 24in48.com to find out everything you need to know and to sign up. It is a pretty relaxed readathon starting Saturday morning and ending Sunday night so I've got 2 books I would like to read. 

1. A Slip under the Microscope by H.G.Wells. This is only 55 pages so I figured it was perfect. I've been meaning to read H.G.Wells for so long too!
2. Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher this is a bit longer than the other but I'm super excited about it so I'm sure I can get it finished.

If you are going to take part make sure you sign up via the 24in48 HQ and let me know what you plan on reading!

speak soon,

Jade xx 

Read-O-Rama Wrap-up

Hello! Last week was the Read-o-Rama readathon, which I did take part in even though I didn't interact on social media as I have been during others, but I just didn't feel like it so I took a step back from it this week. I didn't stick to my TBR but who cares! I finished 4 books and completed most of the challenges which I'm happy about :)

• Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. This I read for school and it also fitted for the "RAMA in the title/author" & this was an ebook. That was 96pgs. 
• The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot. I listened to this on audiobook so it fits that challenge and I'm also counting it for the "middle grade" though I'm not sure if it is technically is. This 1 was 283pgs, 
• Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. This I  believe is a re-read, I know I've read most of it before but never all the through in one go. The book I read it from is also blue so that's another challenge ticked off. Again 283 pgs. 
• Lastly I finished The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan. Easily my favourite book from this week and my fantasy book. This is 293pgs.

So overall the I only missed the 7 book challenge which I wasn't expecting to complete anyway and I enjoyed everything I read too. My total page count for the week was 955! 

Speak soon,

Jade xx

Book Haul #10

Today is my 10th book haul, we have made it to double figures! Which is not surprising considering my book buying habits! I have brought these over the past couple of months here and there, most of them I got to treat myself as I have a job now and I can't very well save the 1st money I ever earn I have to spend on myself and congratulate myself :)

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, there has been too much talk of this book for it not to catch my eye and when it involves Beauty and the Beast I kind of have to buy it :) It is a retelling of the fairytale with fey!
• Ages ago I got If I stay by Gayle Forman but I don't think I ever hauled it so here it is :)
• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot. I love these films and I didn't know they were books until I heard of the new 1 coming out so I figured I would give this ago so I picked this up in audiobook form.
• Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher. I found this I early and was so excited, this will be my 1st book of Gi's and I can't wait, this 1 is very high up on my to read list.
• The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan, The only thing I really know if this book is that the world has flooded and there is some kind of circus. I am looking forward to this book a lot and have a really good feeling about it.
• I also picked up another of Penguin's Little Black Classics- A Slip under the Microscope by H.G.Wells. I've had War of the Worlds for ages and I thought this my wet my appetite a little.
• Charles Dickens, Complete Ghost Stories. I saw this in my local independent bookshop for £2.99 and well, you can't go wrong with a little Dickens. 
• Lastly I got the new Project Austen book, Emma by Alexander McCall Smith. I am currently in the middle of the original Emma so once I've finished that I'll get on to this :)  

I'm excited about all these and planning on reading them soon, so look out for reviews and things :)
Speak soon,
Jade xx

June Wrap-up

Hello lovelies! Today I'm bring you my June wrap-up (which means we are halfway through year!) I read a total of 6 books this month and started quite a few too which I am very happy with :)

• Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen. This was my 3rd/4th time reading this and I seem to adore it more with each read! 5 stars.
• Tape, Steven Camden. This book follows a girl in 2013 and a boy in 1993 who are linked by cassette tapes and so much more. Both are going through a tough time and the way this two storylines link is simply beautiful. 4 stars.
•  Lord Arthur Saville's Crime, Oscar Wilde. This is another 1 of Penguins' little black classics and it is about Arthur who has his palm read and it told he will kill someone. He reaction isn't quite what you would expect. I liked this but I just found so odd. 2.5 stars.
• The Guest Cat, Takashi Hiraide. This is a very short, very poetic story about a couple living in a guest house on an estate and there is a cat that makes itself at there. This was very well written but I found it so tedious and  boring! I wasn't my cup of tea unfortunately. 1 star.
• Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (inc. The Bottle Imp) Robert Louis Stevenson. This "Shilling Shocker" as it was coined back when it was published was very interesting and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The Bottle Imp which is in the back of my edition was my favourite, I thought I had predicted how it was going to end but I was presently surprised. 3 stars.
• Assassin's Blade, Sarah J Maas. This is a collection of short stories that serve as a prequel to Throne of Glass which I love. However I didn't find this as enjoyable or gripping as Throne of Glass. For starters yes, they are short stories but it is more like a novel split into part sand missing bit, there is an overarching storyline. Also I found the mission a little uncomfortable and knowing what came at the end found it very difficult to read. Having said that I like knowing more about the world now. I would recommend this to fans of the series but don't start with this 1. 3 stars.

So a bit of a mixed bag this month, I also started reading a number of others:

• The Gracekeepers, Kirsty Logan
• A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
• Pygmalion, George Bernard Shaw

What was your favourite read in June?

Speak soon,

Jade xx