So since I’ve been taking a break from blogging I’ve obviously read quite a few books that I haven’t spoken about so I figured I’d just do a huge wrap up rather than posting small individual ones (as I really didn’t read a lot per month). I’m trying to get back into regularly posting now as things have been hectic these past few months so try to bear with me. You also may notice that I haven’t been reading a lot of books and that’s because I’ve been having vision problems that are making it hard to read and I’m currently having that looked at to see what the problem is. I have been trying to listen to audio books though but I just haven’t been able to get on with the narrators so feel free to recommend some good audio books if you know of any. Thanks for reading this long paragraph and sticking with me! (BTW sorry if this is a bit slap dash as I just really wanted to get this posted.)
The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An original and exciting apocalyptic novel that takes the typical zombie lore in a completely different direction. Melanie is a young girl who knows nothing of the world outside of the school she lives in, every day she is taken from her cell, strapped into a wheelchair and taken to class. This continues on and on and slowly Melanie notices things are changing, her classmates seem to disappear randomly and things are tense in the compound. i just had so much fun reading this book, it’s fast paced and exciting and just so easy to read. I loved the character development of both Melanie and the people around her as they accept the world that they live in. I really liked this and I can’t wait to see the film.
Bones and All by Camille DeAngelis ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
This book is kind of a magical realism take on cannibalism, i know that sounds really strange but it’s such a good story. Maren and her mother have to move every few months, every time they settle down for too long Maren ends up eating somebody. Yes, eating somebody. On her eighteenth birthday Maren wakes to her mother gone, leaving only enough for her to get by, she’s been abandoned. This leads Maren to search for the father she’s ever known and possibly the answer to her cannibalistic problem. Maren is such an interesting character and I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a sort of anti-hero as she struggles to control her urges. It’s definitely not a happy story (note – cannibalism) but it’s so interesting to read. I loved following Maren’s journey as she is thrust into the real world after being protected by her mother her whole life whilst also trying to be a normal teenage girl. It’s definitely an underrated novel that I think’s worth a read.
Faithful Place by Tana French ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Another great addition the Dublin Murder Squad series! This time the story focuses on Frank, an undercover officer who we met in the second book. I enjoyed his story a lot more than I thought I would and Frank quickly grew on me despite my issues with him early on. Faithful Place focuses on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Frank’s first love and the resurfacing of her suitcase in the rundown house they used to meet in. I had an inkling to the plot twist early on but I still really enjoyed it and I loved the dynamic between Frank and his family, it came across as really authentic. I can’t wait to get around to the next book as this has quickly become one of my favourite series.
172 Hours on the Moon by Jonah Harstad ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3.5)
172 Hours on the Moon is a science fiction YA horror novel about 4 teenagers who all win a trip to Mars on the first space mission since the moon landing. The book focuses on the different perspectives of the people involved in this mission as well as the teenagers as they prepare for this mission, it also has interesting pictures and mixed media aspects to add to the reading experience. To be honest after hearing how terrifying this book was supposed to be I was slightly underwhelmed. It’s creepy but not terrifying as I’d hoped, I think I expected a more exciting reveal to all of the secrets and hints to what lay on the moon. Despite this it was a fun book and the ending went a totally different way than I was expecting.
Defender by G. X. Todd ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I’m going to be writing a full review ASAP. Quick thoughts though – this book was so action-packed and fast paced that I genuinely couldn’t put it down. It has so many unexpected twists and turns that you never know what may happen next so you have to keep reading. It’s set in a post apocalyptic world and was a really fun read. More in my review!
Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I’ve had this book for a while and picked it off of my bookshelf on a whim one day when I was looking for a stand-alone book to read and I was actually pleasantly surprised with how this book turned out. Leonard is a teenage boy who decides that the only option for him is to kill his ex-best-friend turned bully and then himself. But first, he has to say goodbye to the few friends he has and it doesn’t exactly go the way he expects. As expected this is a sad yet sometimes funny story that focuses on the struggles of a teenage boy as he has to deal with things that no child should have to deal with. This is my first Matthew Quick novel and I own a few others and after this I can’t wait to pick them up. Definitely look up potential triggers for this book though as it does deal with some sensitive subjects.
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
You Know Me Well is one of the cutest and loveliest books I’ve read. It tells the story of two gay teens, Katie and Mark as they deal with their respective relationship problems and how they help each other after meeting at a gay club during Pride. I love stories that focus on friendships and I think this book kind of took the ‘whirlwind romance’ trope and applies it to the friendship between Mark and Katie. As mentioned though there is a little bit of romance in this book as both of our protagonists are dealing with crushes that they really want to work out, Katie on her best friend’s cousin and Mark on his lifelong best friend. This book deals with a lot of different topics such as unrequited love, toxic friendships and just generally being a teenager whilst also being a fun and light read which I really liked. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something quick and easy to break up you’re reading.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This book is genuinely one of the most beautifully told stories I’ve ever read. I read from the edition that featured the illustrations and tied with Patrick Ness’ writing it definitely made for an emotional read. A Monster Calls is about a young boy called Connor who is visited by a tree monster at night and in the weeks that follow the tree monster tells him three stories that change everything. I absolutely loved this book, as always Patrick Ness writes beautifully and the story is wonderfully told. I just loved it and I think it’s an important read for people of all ages. I also went to see the film adaptation in the cinema and it’s just as amazing as the book.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A really sweet and lovely story about a young girl who hasn’t been able to leave the house for most of her life due to severe allergies and what happens when a new family (and boy) move next door. This was such a quick read as Nicola Yoon’s writing is so addictive and the romance is so compelling that you just have to find out what happens. I haven’t read a lot of romance based YA in a while but this has definitely made me want to pick up more which is great seeing as I received Yoon’s newest novel, The Sun is also a Star for Christmas.
I posted a full review here as part of a blog tour.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
Read Rant Review 