September Reading Wrap-up

Time for my monthly book summary, as I mentioned last month, I went away with some of my book club, so I managed to get through a little more than the usual amount.

August Reading Wrap-up

Time for my monthly book summary, I'm a few days late of posting this one and I'm disappointed that the last book has broken my train of 5/5 stars.

Current TBR List

For anyone that knows me well, you'll know that I have a never ending TBR, but I've ever actually thought to jot them all down, until now... 

REVIEW! Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

First off I'd like to say that I did not read this as quickly as I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda BUT I loved it just as much (if not more).

I also need to stress how important it is that you read Simon before you read Leah, otherwise Simon will be completely ruined for you as this takes place a year after.

But this review, like my Simon review (which you can find here), is spoiler free!!!

My Rating: ★★★★★

REVIEW! Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton

Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton was the book we got in the July box of Fairyloot,which as always had some amazing bookish goodies in. Also as well as sprayed pages this book isn't actually released until early September so we got this really early. I buddy read this with some friends (some of whom read ahead and finished the book early cause they couldn't put the book down) and I have to admit I almost did read ahead on more than one of the days. 

My Rating: ★★★★★

My LFCC/YALC 2018

It's safe to say that this year's YALC and LFCC was the best (and most expensive) weekend of my life. I came home with 22 new books, memories with some of my favourite people and the knowledge that I have now met all of the living actors who have played Doctor Who (I need Jodie to be announced next year so I can continue that achievement).

Mid-year Goodreads challenge update

It's actually a little past mid way through the year and I should have done this a few weeks ago but I lost track of time. Can you believe that it's already nearly August!

Link to my Goodreads, feel free to add me:
https://www.goodreads.com/thebeccafowell

The Fictional Bucket List Tag

Whilst reading through Wonderfullybookish's blog I came across the idea of this tag (where she featured as a guest blogger here)

So your fictional bucket list is a list of things; places to go, people to meet, things to occupy yourself with in the fictional world. I'm not going to limit myself to books, this can literally be anything fictional.

My current NetGalley shelf

So I recently discovered the amazing NetGalley where publishers provide ARC's to book reviewers. I've been lucky enough to be accepted for a few books already.

REVIEW! Skylarks by Karen Gregory

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for Skylarks by Karen Gregory

I really liked the sound of this book when I saw it available for request and I was not disappointed.

My Rating: ★★★★

My favourite book covers

I'm a sucker for a good book cover, and sometimes it can be a deciding factor for me on whether I pick up a book to read the blurb. So I thought I'd share with you some of the amazing books I've discovered simply because the cover gripped me - these are in no particular order.

REVIEW - Things I'd Rather Do Than Die by Christine Hurley Deriso

Firstly I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for Things I’d Rather Do Than Die by Christine Hurley Deriso.

So I was a little unsure of this book after getting about 5% into it and realising that Christianity is mentioned quite a lot, only to then look at a few reviews and see other people had the same realisation as me. I also saw a lot of the reviewers DNF this book, which of course made me even more determined to finish it. Overall, I'm glad I did.

My Rating: ★★★★ 

REVIEW - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

So I got this book in my March box of BookBoxClub, the theme of the month was 'Under The Sea'. Anyone that knows me, knows I love mermaids/sirens/pirates, anything to do with the sea, so this theme was perfect for me. After I read the blurb of the book I was already obsessed with the idea of the book and now I've finished reading it I'm just obsessed with the book itself. After reading back this post I can confirm it is spoiler free! Woo, I'm getting better at this because this time I didn't even have to change anything!

My Rating: ★★★★★

Reading Problems Tag

This tag is actually from Victoria's blog, which you can find here and I'm just gonna go straight on ahead with the questions

REVIEW - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

I borrowed this book from my library as I was certain I was not going to enjoy it, and that is nothing to reflect badly on the book or the author, I'm just not a fan of sci-fi books (I also think I'm the only person on Earth, or any other planet that isn't a fan of Star Wars). 

My Rating: ★★★★★

REVIEW - Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Firstly I just need to say that I read this book in two and half hours, which is a new record for me. I’m a fairly quick reader but I have never read a book so quickly. I absolutely love this book and it’s so beautifully written, I cried actual happy tears and my heart is bursting! 

I also, after typing this, re-read the whole post to check for spoilers and I can confirm this is spoiler free!!!

So I want to talk about a few little things that I loved (which do not giveaway any part of the story):

1) The mention of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy slash fanfiction makes me happy because.... well I love a bit of Drarry. My favourite is It Starts With a Spin which I am providing you the link for, I think everyone who loves Drarry needs to read this.

2) The Freudian slip Halloween costume is genius, I really wish I'd had that kind of imagination for a costume when I was in school.

3) The reasons behind Blue and Simon's email addresses are so clever. 

4) Once you've read this book and know who Blue is, re-read chapter 7 and cry with me

5) "Being secure in your masculinity isn’t the same as being straight" - yes yes yes 

6) Page 129 of the book

7) The book doesn't end with Simon finding out who Blue is, we get some story afterwards which I love love love!

8) How much Simon loves Oreo's, I relate to this kid more than I'd like to admit. (I'm also going to put a picture of an Oreo below like Blue does to Simon with the Reese's cup)

I mean I could sit here listing things but I will be here until I've just told you the whole story, so I'll stop now. Thinking back to before we find out who Blue is I feel so stupid not figuring it out. I'm still in total shock at who it was, and also looking back was Simon ever really trying to hide who he was? Okay so now on the actual story....

A coming out story makes me happy. When Simon and Blue talked about coming out to their parents my heart ached a little because I remember that feeling. Granted I only came out as bisexual, but it's still a big deal for a 14 year old who has no idea what people, their family mainly, will say and how they'll act. I think that's why this book is so important, I 100% agree with Simon when he says how everyone should have to come out, and I need to quote the book here because nothing has ever been more relevant:

"It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don't fit into that mold. Straight people really should have to come out, the more awkward it is, the better."

I asked myself that question quite a lot when I had my first girlfriend; two years before when I had my first boyfriend, there was literally no hesitation with saying 'I have a boyfriend' but the moment I was dating a girl I hesitated on the word 'girlfriend' and that was probably one of the reasons we only dated for a few months (that and we were 15 years old).

The fact Blue is so scared to reveal himself to Simon breaks my heart because I think deep down he knows that by this point Simon is head over heels for him, but being Blue is his security blanket, as long as they don't meet they can stay in their little bubble and nothing changes. When Blue actually does reveal who he is to Simon I think I stopped breathing for a moment because it was such a beautiful moment and I cried like the soppy thing I am.

I'm going to leave it there because if I type anymore then I'll start unintentionally spoiling the story, so now I'm going to re-read this post to make sure I haven't already done so, also....
READ THIS BOOK, IT'S AMAZING!

My Rating: ★★★★★

REVEIW! - Fandom by Anna Day

So this book was in the January box for my Book Box Club subscription box and I'm so glad it was. I actually buddy read this with some of the girls I know through Book Box Club; although I was a little naughty and accidentally finished reading it the day before we should have. This review has no spoilers so if you haven’t read the book yet have no fear, you’re safe with this review

Cassandra Clare & Holly Black book signing, London - Aug '17

I MET CASSANDRA CLARE AND HOLLY BLACK!!!

Book Review: The Girl Of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

It was the cover that first made me want to read this book, then I read the blurb and felt compelled to buy the book. Boy am I glad I did.