Top Ten Authors I’d Love To Have Coffee With | aka I rave about Shakespeare *again*

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly prompt hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and created by The Broke and the Bookish.

I am actually terrible at meeting authors. I completely freeze up and forget how my tongue works, I sometimes splutter “I LOVE YOUR BOOK” as I’m running away from the signing desk, and I will happily walk around the rest of the day clutching an important book to my chest.

Despite all of this, and the enormous anxiety that meeting my favourite authors brings me, there are still some fantastic writers I would love to meet (and flail in front of) preferably in front of a rather large latte.

(Also, the “top ten Tuesday” prompt never said they had to be alive. Heh.)

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Turning the Page #4 | a new favourite book?

Turning the Page is a weekly meme hosted by yours truly. In it, I talk about what I read during the week with a Tweet-sized review, and what I’m planning on reading next week, as well as what you might’ve missed on the blog. You’re very welcome to join in if you’d like! Just make sure to link back.

This week I read…

I read two very thought-provoking books this week, and loved them both.

1. The Tobacconist by Robert Seethaler – this was a just a really brilliant book set in Vienna in 1937/38. Through the view of a young man, Seethaler explores subjects like love, family, truth, and freedom. I’d so recommend this book to everyone, and it’s a new favourite.
2. Secrets for the Mad by dodie – this is the kind of book I would love to write. I love reading Dodie’s views on love, life, and mental health. She’s so relatable, and doesn’t hide from the truth. I really enjoyed this memoir.

Next week I want to read…

I don’t really have a set TBR for next week, but I think I would like to get to…

1. Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig – two mental health books so close together might be pushing it for me, but I’d love to read it soon!
2. something fantasy – I haven’t decided what, exactly, yet, but I’m in a fantasy mood right now.

On the blog…

I posted one of my all-time favourite blog posts this week, and it was…

1. A review of the entire Rebel of the Sands trilogy (sans spoilers!) by Alwyn Hamilton. It’s around 1000 words, so quite lengthy, but I loved writing it!
2. I also wrote about some totally bingeworthy book series that you should really give a chance!

So that’s my week in books! How was yours?

Top Ten Books To Pull You Out of a Slump

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme begun by Broke and Bookish and now continued by That Artsy Reader Girl.

For this TTT, I’ve decided to share 5 series and 5 standalone novels, depending on what you’d like! When I’m in a reading slump, sometimes I choose to pick up series to get me going again, and sometimes I want a really stunning standalone, so if you’re stuck in an unfortunate slump, try some of these. I can highly recommend all of them!

Series

1. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
   How much do I really need to say about this series?! Let’s be real.
2. Rebel of the Sands trilogy by Alwyn Hamilton
   I flew through this series and thoroughly enjoyed it. The entire series was a really quick read (I read like 230 pages in an hour and a half!!) so I’d definitely recommend if it you’re feeling a bit low on reading.
3. Murder Most Unladylike series by Robin Stevens
   I looooove this murderous series, and almost always read them all in one go, so it’s great if you’re stuck in a slump and want something wholly gripping.
4. Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco
   This. series. is. amazing. Only two (out of four) are out right now, but it has so many amazing ratings!
5. Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
   See: Harry Potter. I LOVE this series, and the books are short enough (to begin with…) to read in one go, so it’s great for slumps!

Standalones

1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
   This book may put you into a reading slump because it will break your heart… but you’ll be really wrapped up in reading!
2. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
   See above. This gave me such a “I want to read YA” boost that I recommend it for that!
3. A Skinful of Shadows by Francis Hardinge
   This one is great if you like magical realism, because it’s really inventive and new. All Hardinge’s novels are fantastic!
4. Remix by Non Pratt
   This novel wasn’t a particular favourite of mine, but it’s really easy and quick to read – and nice and summery!
5. The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
   See: The Song of Achilles. Millwood Hargrave is a fantastic author, and I can almost guarantee that you’ll fly through this novel and then want ALL THE MAGICAL REALISM AND MAPS AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS!

I hope you guys enjoyed some of my choices here! I loved all of these books and they definitely made sure that I picked up another book right after I closed their end covers. What are some recommendations you’d add to my lists? Leave them in comments – I’m always looking for more recs!

Happy reading!

Top Ten Books On My TBR

Today is another Top Ten Tuesday, and today I thought I would share the Top Ten Books on my TBR – aka, the top ten books I want to get to as soon as possible!

1. Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
   I can’t believe I haven’t finished this series yet. I am so excited to read it!
2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 
   I am seeing Madeline Miller talk at the UEA Spring Literary Festival, and I would love to have read this before I see her.
3. Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey 
   I am also seeing Emma talk at the literary festival, and as she’s also a UEA alumni, I think it’d be great to have read something by her before I see her!
4. The White Book by Han Kang 
   I’m soooo excited for this book! I wasn’t the biggest fan of THE VEGETARIAN, but I have flicked through this books so many times in Waterstones and I finally bought it!
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 
   Nope. I still haven’t read this… I know! I need to get to it soon, especially before the film comes out.
6. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 
   I’ve seen that the second book is coming out in October, and the cover is so gorgeous! I would love to read (and love) this book before the new one comes out in October so I can have beautiful matching series…
7. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
   If you saw in my Goodreads tour blog post, JANE EYRE and THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL are still on my currently reading list, and although I would love to finish them ASAP, I feel that because I’m already reading them I can’t put them on this list… but I can put this one on!
8. Spark by Alice Broadway
   This is book two, following INK, which I loved, so I really want to get to this one soon!
9. Mythos by Stephen Fry 
   This is a collection of Greek myths (and signed! I met Stephen Fry! He was so nice!), and I’m thinking of writing about one for my dissertation, but I can’t choose which, so I’m going to read a couple of collections – also…
10. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
    This is the same as MYTHOS, because I haven’t even decided whether to do Norse or Greek mythology! Aaah!

So there you go, here are 10 books that are on my TBR! I would love to get to these in the next month or so, so here’s hoping! ❤ What’s on your immediate TBR?

Until the next time,

Top Ten (?) Tuesday: Books I Can’t Actually Remember But For Some Reason Rated 5/5

Hello all! Today I’m finally joining in with Top Ten Tuesday (amemehostedbythebrokeandthebookish) and this week’s prompt is books that you knew you enjoyed but can’t actually remember! I went through my Goodreads, which I’ve had since October 2013, and here are the 5 books I have rated 5/5 in which I can’t actually remember what happens…

1. Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne
   I think this is about OCD? And she sleeps with a guy and regrets it? And spinsters? But idk tbh.
2. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
   ??????? I completely draw a blank on this one myself, but someone said to me the other day, “It’s the one where everyone is a superhero and they’re normal, right?” and I just replied, “Yup!” I think I need to reread this one!
3. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
   I know that this has a skeleton and a girl, but that’s all I really know. Oh, and the girl’s uncle died. That’s about it.
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
   Okay so I think the only TOG book I’ve actually rated 5* is Crown of Midnight, but we’re using Throne of Glass. I knew a bit more of what happens in Throne of Glass because I think I reread it (?) or parts of it at least, but I never quite know what’s happening with this series. I don’t even know how many books there are/are going to be.
5. Slated by Teri Terry
   I remember really enjoying this book but it was a couple of years later when I finished the trilogy, and I don’t actually remember what happened, much. But I’m glad I read them because it introduced me to Terry’s Book of Lies which was thoroughly enjoyable.

I could only find 5 books out of all the ones I’ve rated 5 stars that I can’t remember exactly what happens. I’m sure there are a lot more 4* ones, but to be honest, I couldn’t be bothered to go through my Goodreads list!

What’s on your list? Do you share any of the same with me?

Until the next time,

Top Ten Books Featuring Non-Human Characters!

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday [hostedbythebrokeandthebookishtermsandconditionsapply] prompt is Top Ten Books Featuring ___ Characters! I chose to do non-human characters, because I seem to read a lot of them!

1. Saga by Brian Vaughan
   Omg. If you haven’t read this comic series yet… please. Go and do it now. You can thank me later. *salutes*
2. Wonder Woman by William Marston
   As Wonder Woman is technically a goddess, I’m definitely including her on this list. Sadly, I haven’t actually read her comic properly yet, although I am already fan because I loved the film.
3. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
   This book features Fenris, which are basically like horrific werewolves. Not like the cuddly ones in Harry Potter (okay, so I’m talking about bae in human form, but shh). But still. Definitely very non-human.
4. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
   This is a fantasy book, and it’s beautiful! I absolutely loved it, and I hope you will do. Demons and angels feature in this book, and it’s gorgeous.
5. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
   This is a brilliant, hilarious book, and the Wee Free Men are non-human characters, as is the Witch. It is a kids book, but I read it when I was 19 and loved it, and Terry Pratchett is basically universal anyway.
6. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
   I mean. The clue is in the title, but this is an incredible book about a horse in WWI. Horses were put through so much during wars, and it’s right that we should honour them!
7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusack
   Technically, Death isn’t human, so this book is on the list. Again, this is a war book, this time set in WWII, and I honestly don’t know anyone who has read this book and hasn’t liked it.
8. Harry Potter by JK Rowling
   I couldn’t leave this one out when aforementioned human werewolf is in it. And uh, also in his wolf form. And also there’s Animagi. And Dementors. And, like, a whole bunch of other stuff. The books are pretty good too.
9. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
   I don’t think I would’ve thought of this one straight away, despite Wonder Woman being #2 on this list, and yet most of the main characters are gods. Like, duh. Also there’s some creepy Underworld shit going on occasionally.
10. Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
    Um, hello. DRAGONS.

Okay so this was more of a jokey post, but if you are looking for some books featuring non-human characters, there’s a whole jumble here. From adult, to MG, to YA, and from fantasy to real-life, there’s pretty much something for everyone, and you can’t always say that. Proof that humans really can’t go it alone [coughsostopkillingthegoddamnplanetffscough]. I hope you enjoyed!

Feel free to leave your recs below, because I always love more books to add to my scary book towers.

Until the next time,

Hannah x

[Top] Ten Books I Was Reading in September 2016!

Hello! It’s Top Ten Tuesday again (I have the right one this time, I’m 99% sure of it). This week’s TTT is a throwback freebie so I decided to go back into the blogging vaults, and I found that I read 10 books in September last year! Here’s a link to the post if you’re interested in seeing my initial thoughts of the books.

I’m going to talk about each of the books, but from the perspective of now! Let’s see what we’ve got. 😀

1. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
   At the time I recorded that this one was “quite odd”. I actually really enjoyed this book, but I did recently unhaul it! I definitely preferred Fangirl, although I’m glad I read it.
2. Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas 
   So… what happened in this book? I have no idea. Apparently I loved it at the time, but now, mind blank. I know it has a green cover, though.
3. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas 
   I actually remember (some of) this one! This one has a red and purple cover, I think. I don’t know why I’m focusing on cover colours, tbh.
4. Stuff That Sucks: ACT by Ben Sedley
   I… don’t… remember… seriously, I know the last word in ACT is ‘therapy’ but other than that, nada. I think it was a square book.
5. One by Sarah Crossan 
   OMG this book was amazing! I actually really want to re-read it, but I need to go back to the library to check it out again! It was a brilliant book.  Highly recommend.
6. TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow
   So… I read this one and the second one and never finished the series, however I really loved it and I would love to catch up!
7. Doctor Who: Summer Falls and Other Stories by Justin Richards et al.
   This wasn’t the best of the Doctor Who books I’ve read, but I still really enjoyed it, and I love that it was actually in the series!
8. Labrador by Ben Fogle 
   I learnt a lot from this book, although Fogle isn’t the best at writing non-fic! The anecdotal bits still have me crying. And the cover has a frickin’ Labrador, like, come on! 
9. First Class Murder by Robin Stevens 
   Actual quote from the original review: “AKJFSGHABKJFDS”. I love these books and I really want to get Cream Buns and Crime! eek.
10. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
    I think that this was set in a house and it was all creepy and stuff. I really want to read more Agatha Christie, though, and I do recommend this one!

So there you have it! This is what I was reading last year, and my mini-thoughts on the books now. I would definitely recommend the ones that I can actually remember! (SJM lovers – I can probably remember some of HoF and QoS if I tried (Chaol was in them?? Dorian?? perhaps. Some sort of love triangle).)

I hope you guys enjoyed delving into my reading past as much as I did!

Until the next time

Hannah x

Top Ten Book Recommendations For Gryffindors

It’s Tuesday! Top Ten Tuesday is back! And … I actually got it wrong. It’s not Top ten recommendations for… week, but I wrote this blog post, so I’m going to give some recommendations for my fellow Gryffindors anyway. (whoops. Learn to read the dates, Hannah!)

To be a Gryffindor, you have to value bravery, chivalry, and daring, as the Sorting Hat said (not in that order, though). These books aim to please those Gryffindors out there!

Obviously I can’t put Harry Potter on this list, although I’ll quickly recommend Tales of Beedle the Bard but I’m hoping that if you clicked this post you’ve already read HP! (If not, do it ASAP, please.)

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 
   This might be a stereotypical one, to recommend for fans of Harry Potter (which I presume you are) one of the other great YA series out there, but I really do recommend The Infernal Devices trilogy. It shows chivalry and bravery in both the main male characters, and in the main female characters, and made me feel so badass just reading it.
2. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo 
   There’s something about being brave when it comes at such a great risk. This is a short novel, set in WWI, and I can’t say too much about why I recommend this book for Gryffindors for spoilers, but once you’ve read it… you will understand.
3. 1984 by George Orwell 
   Even those who once belonged in the house of the brave can be cracked (coughwormtailcough) and it’s important for Gryffindors, who value bravery, to not get overly arrogant. 1984 is a harsh reminder that, sometimes, even the hardest can be cracked.
4. Atonement by Ian McEwan 
   Bravery isn’t just about rushing about doing daring deeds. Sometimes, bravery is admitting that you have done a great wrong and setting out to atone it to rightness. This WWII novel will really make you question whether you’ve done something horribly wrong – and if you’re brave enough to go ahead and atone.
5. Ink by Alice Broadway 
   On the other hand, sometimes the bravest stand alone, and they face the worst for it. Ink is a new YA novel, debuted this year I believe, where everyone’s deeds are tattooed on their bodies for the whole society to read. Could you have your deeds on show for everyone to know?
6. HHhH by Laurent Binet 
   A non-fiction novel, again set in WWII, about two of the bravest men you’ve probably never heard of. Not only is this a brilliantly written novel, but it also showcases some of the bravest men to ever live.
7. Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu 
   A modern revolution set through zines and taking place in a high school. Moxie will ask of you if you are brave enough to stand up for those who never get listened to, and to see if you really will do something to make a change.
8. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 
   Reverting back to typical bravery of the rushing-in-mortal-danger kind, this is a fantastic series for Gryffindors. It values bravery, daring, and wisdom above all.
9. Countless by Karen Gregory 
   Sometimes, the bravest you can be is standing up for the monsters inside your own head. Countless follows a girl with anorexia as she discovers that she is pregnant, and her journey to overcome her eating disorder.
10. The Young Elites by Marie Lu 
    And sometimes the bravest you can be is in sacrificing yourself; that simple, but terrifying and all-consuming, deed alone can be the bravest and most chivalrous thing you can ever do.

I really hope that you guys enjoyed this list! Even if you aren’t a Gryffindor, I recommend all of the books here! Let me know in the comments below if there are any more books you recommend for Gryffindors (I would love to check them out!).

Until the next time,

Hannah x

Top Ten Fandoms I’m Part Of

It’s Top Ten Tuesday (well, Wednesday. Again)! This week’s prompt is fandom freebie, so I’m writing about top ten fandoms I am a part of!

Yes. Again.

1. Doctor Who
   I LOVE Doctor Who, so of course this is on my fandom list. I’ve been to the Doctor Who Experience (sadly, not to Cardiff yet, but it is on my list!) and I love the show.
2. Percy Jackson
   Percy Jackson is one of my biggest loves. The character and the book… 😛 Seriously though, these books are the best and I love them so much. Magnus Chase and Heroes of Olympus are also brilliant, and the Kane Chronicles are high on my TBR.
3. Harry Potter
   Like. Do I even have to explain this one.
4. Once Upon a Time
   I haven’t actually watched the most recent series *gasp* but I love this show and I got so invested in it quickly.
5. Marvel
   Recently, I’ve been very angry at the people behind Marvel, but their recent films have been really good and I’ve loved them. I love superhero films, and I’m also kind of counting DC on here, because I am PUMPED for Wonder Woman.
6. The Shannara Chronicles
   I haven’t actually finished season 1 but I already love this series. It’s a bit too gruesome for me in some places, but efaklfj it’s so good.
7. Merlin 
   *still crying*
8. Frank Turner
   To be honest I’m kind of running out of “fandoms” but I’m putting Frank Turner, the musican, because he is fabulous and I would love a tattoo featuring some of his lyrics or something related to him someday in the future.
9. Shadowhunters
   This is the show, The Infernal Devices, and The Mortal Instruments although less so the last one. All things Shadowhunters people!
10. Booktube?
    Is this a fandom? I ❤ booktube and I’ve been watching so many videos recently. I’ve got to make a few more of my own!

So there you have my list! I hope you guys enjoyed. Are any of my fandoms related to yours?

 

Top Ten Authors I Want to Meet

This week’s TTT (hosted by Broke and Bookish) is actually being posted on a Tuesday! (For once.) This week is top ten authors I want to meet (or a variation on that theme!). I actually have twelve authors here, one of whom I have already met, but authors are mystical creatures so of course I’m listing more than ten!

1. JK Rowling
   I mean. Of course the wonderful JKR is #1 on my list. Was there ever a question?
2. Rick Riordan
   Riordan is one of my all-time favourite authors and I would LOVE to meet him. He’s been so influential and his books mean so much to me.
3. Cassandra Clare
   THE INFERNAL DEVICES is one of my favourite trilogies and Cassie writes fantastic books with great plots and characters. I’m sure she’s got a great personality too, so I would love to meet her!
4. Enid Blyton
   Yes… I know that Blyton died many years ago, but if I could I would love to meet her. She lived in a fantastic place and wrote books which mean a lot to me!
5. Robin Stevens
   Robin writes FANTASTIC books! I love what she writes so much and I actually bought #4 in her series today. We’ve chatted on Twitter & I would love to meet her in person some day. 😀
6. Jane Austen
   It might have been the fact I went to Chawton and walked in her footsteps, but I would love to meet Jane Austen. She’s one of the most influential authors in history.
7. Sara Barnard
   Sara Barnard has written two of my favourite books of the year! They’re so captivating and brilliant and yeah I would love to meet her.
8. Heidi Heilig
   Heidi has such an imagination! Her books (well, I’ve only read book #1, but still), are written so well and I LOVE her characters and plot.
9. Ian McEwan
   Ian writes weird books and they’re so strange. It’s the type of stuff I would write and people say, “No, stop, this is odd,” but he’s got this stuff PUBLISHED! Do you know how cool this is! I actually saw him speak at an event in Norwich last year which was AWESOME.
10. Michael Morpurgo
    An author I have actually met! Morpurgo shaped my reading and, I guess, my writing. I would love to meet him again.
11. Neil Gaiman
    I haven’t actually read much Neil Gaiman, but I have read GOOD OMENS which I LOVED. Neil is also such a personality and I am planning on getting to his books soon like THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. He seems to write “weird fiction” too (I am seeing a trend here), so sounds like someone I would love to have a coffee with.
12. Terry Pratchett
    Pratchett is an author close to my heart for reasons in which I am not going to delve right now. Although he sadly passed away two years ago, if I could, I would jump at the chance to meet him.

So there you have my list! Are any of the authors I’ve written the same as yours?

Of course there are plenty of authors I have met and would love to meet, like Morgan Matson, Rupi Kaur, Amanda Lovelace, Sara Pascoe, Jennifer Donnelly, Matt Haig…

And: I am also taught by an author! It’s such a privilege to be taught by so many great authors. Currently I am being taught by Paul MM Cooper – and that link will take you to his book’s Amazon page.

Feel free to leave your TTT in the comments below! 🙂