T5W: Banned Books

Hey, it is Wednesday again and today's top 5 theme is Banned Books. Looking at the list I've only actually read 4 and 2 of them I didn't even like that much but I'll share them with you anyway :)

1. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I studied this at GCSE and I loathe it! I was so sick of it by the exam; it is the only book that I say I truly hate. But I read The Pearl by Steinbeck and that wasn't as bad so I may read more of his work in the future.
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.Salinger. This is the other one I didn't like but I don't feel as strongly about it as Mice and Men. This is a book I can appreciate when it comes to symbolism and meaning and what not but I didn't enjoy it and I'm sorry to the people who love him but I couldn't stand Holden.
3. 1984, George Orwell. Now this book I do like even if it is a little scary. This was one of those books that made me look at the world and how it all works and I think that is important.
4. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. I read this for the first time last year in summer in preparation for studying it at school. I remember enjoying it but also sensing there was a lot more to the book that I was missing and it was such a pleasure to pick it apart and analysis it at school.

Sorry I can't give you 5 this week, I'll have to read more banned books!

Speak soon,

Jade xx

T5W: Favourite things about blogging

Hello! his week's Top 5 Wednesday is Favourite things about blogging. As always be sure to check out the goodreads group for any info you could need :)

1. Reading Blogs. I use this as little breaks between studying and jobs, it keeps me engaged but I love seeing what people are reading and their thoughts on books and other things too. 
2. Sharing Reading. This is the reason I started my blog; I wanted to share my passion for reading with people who loved it as much as me.
3. Readathons. If you have been my reading my blog you have probably seen how many of these I have done! I love them and they are great motivation for me. I think it shows the community at its best. My favourite readathon has to be Bout of Books.
4. Writing. I have always liked writing but I have also struggled with it, I go ages without writing anything or I don't know what to write. This keeps me ticking over.
5. Motivation. This kind of links in with 3 & 4 but this blog motivates me read, write and have something outside of  school that I can work towards. 

Speak soon,
Jade xx

T5W: Favourite Required Reading

Hello! This week’s top 5 Wednesday is all about required reading that you have to do for school and I haven’t actually done that much in my time but I can still make my list. I find a lot of the time that reading “for school” can take the fun out of things but at the same time it can open your eyes to book you may not have found otherwise.

1. Edgar Allan Poe. 2 years ago in year 10 I believe I was asked to read  some Poe and though it was a little difficult to get into, I loved it, I don’t if I would have read any of his work if it wasn’t for that group.
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I am reading this this summer for the 2nd time as I will be studying it later this year. I can’t wait and school has given me the perfect excuse to re-read 1 of my favourite books!
3. When I was little I had to reading to me parents and log in a diary for school but it got to the point where I just wanted to read by myself and when they finally said that I could do that I was stupidly happy, I’ve never much liked reading aloud.
4. 1 of the best things is when you have already read the book you are asked to read because you can either leave it because you know it or give it a quick re-read. This happened with Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing last year, I’d already read it twice so I didn’t need to worry.
5. Finally I want to talk about reading lists. I prefer to be given a big long list of things to choose from rather than a set list of a few because it means you can tailor the books to your own taste.

What are your views on required reading? Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey and if you want to join or find everyone else’s lists go to the goodreads group!
Speak soon,
Jade xx

T5W: Favourite Maps

Hello lovelies! It is Wednesday so I’m doing another top 5 Wednesday :) This was GingerReadsLainey’s idea and if you want to know more about it or join yourself go to the goodreads group. Today’s theme is favourite maps and we all know that when there is a map in the front of a book it’s going to be a good one!

1. The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan- The map in this one is more decorative but it still shows some of the places in the novel. It so pretty I couldn’t not include in my list. 
2. Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne- I remember pouring over the map of the 100 acre wood when I was little, Winnie the Pooh is so charming!
3. Inkworld trilogy by Cornelia Funke- In each book of this trilogy the map is of a slightly different place to match the story and I find having some sense of the direction and distance the characters are travelling make it even more immersive.
4. The Lost Island of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar- The same again, being able to where all the characters are makes it much more real.
5. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas- This map is great as the world of this series is pretty big and complex so a map is super helpful. 

I don’t have much to on the map other than I like it when they are there!
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

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