Thursday 29 December 2016

Top Ten Books of 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. It is the time of the year again that best lists are coming out. This post will be no exception. The following books are my favourites ten books I read this year, which does not mean they have all been published this year, though. There is no particular order.

1. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain



I had to read this book for my First World War literature class and I actually read it on the 11th of November. I believe it was the first time that date truly resonated with me.

2. Room by Emma Donoghue



Although I gave this book 4 stars, it still got onto my favourite list. It's a haunting story and I recently watched the movie as well. Both are brilliant and I highly recommend them.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne



I love this book! It's everything a romance novel should be, funny, romantic and heart warming.

4. Adulthood Is a Myth (Sarah's Scribbles, #1) by Sarah Andersen 



I have to admit I hadn't read anything by Sarah Andersen prior to this book and only now do I know what I have missed. I recognized myself so often in these comics I will forever by checking out Sarah's work.

5. Across the Black Waters by Mulk Raj Anand



Indian perspective on the First World War and also one of the books I'm writing my thesis on.

6. The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson 


Really loved this book! I made the mistake of not taking the rest of the trilogy with me on holiday because I kept thinking about this book and barely read anything else!

7. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas



This book blew me away! I liked the first book but I did have some problems with it. However, I can't find any flaws in this one! Can't wait to find out what happens next!

8. I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young



This is such a fun and colourful comic, I couldn't help falling in love with it!

9. Starflight (Starflight, #1) by Melissa Landers



One of the first new releases I got this year and I enjoyed it immensely! I forced my friends to read it as well, and they all told my they loved it too! I believe if you are interested in this book and you liked The Lunar Chronicles you will really enjoy this book aswell!


10. Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1) by Susan Dennard



Finally, Truthwitch, I was really engrossed whilst reading it but now I'm starting to wonder if it did in fact deserve a five star rating. It still remains one of my favourite books this year and I hope to read it before the second book comes out next month.

Which books were your favourites this year? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: ten books i wouldn't mind santa leaving under my tree

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. The topic this week is ten books you would mind receiving as a Christmas gift. These are in no particular order.

1. Traitor's Blade (Greatcoats #1) by Sebastien de Castell



2. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry



This book sounds awesome! I'm not even sure if I ever read a western, so this would definitely be something new to look forward to!

3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood



Since I read The Blind Assassin last year for my Canadian literature class I've been wanting to read more of Atwood's books. I've heard great things about this one and it's being adapted into a movie!

4. The Muse by Jessie Burton



Doesn't this cover look divine? I own the miniaturist and am really excited to read it! This one looks interesting as well!

5. Ship of Magic (Liveship Traders #1) by Robin Hobb


I'm currently reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb and really enjoying it! She's an amazing author!

6. City of Thieves by David Benioff



I've heard great things about this book!

7. I Hate Fairyland Vol. 2 by Skottie Young, Jean-François Beaulieu (Illustrator)



I really enjoyed the first volume and the second one just recently came out, I'm so excited to see what happens next!

8. Giant Days, Vol. 1 by John Allison, Lissa Treiman (Illustrator), Whitney Cogar (Colours)



I've heard good things about this one!

9. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë



I'm really excited to read this one! I know I've seen an adaptation of this but I can barely remember anything about it, so this is the perfect time of the year to read it!

10. The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid



This one looks very cool, can't wait to get to it!

Which books would you like to get this Christmas? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!

Sunday 4 December 2016

December TBR

These are the books I hope to read before the year is over! The first books I have been reading for months but I still hope to finish them this year! 

Books I've put down but still want to finish this year:

1. Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy, #3) by Robin Hobb



I've read a 150 pages in this book but the length and slightly negative reviews combined with not liking were the story was going and missing my favourite secondary characters made me put this book down. This one will be the biggest challenge to finish in December, we'll see how it goes :)

2. Room by Emma Donoghue



I still need to read 160 pages. The cover of this book was cracked when I bought it, so I decided to read this book only on public transportation. However, during the summer I didn't travel that much by train and this semester I had to read books for university. That's why I haven't finished this one yet. Changing that soon, though, because I really want to see the movie :p

3. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski



I read a 100 pages and then put it down for no reason whatsoever. 

4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll



I want to finish this one before I start reading Heartless. Is it necessary to read Through the Looking Glass as well? Let me know!

5. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon



Started reading this one a week ago, but once again, needed to read university books first.

Books I still need to start:
6. The Secret History by Donna Tartt



7. Heartless by Marissa Meyer



8. Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken



9. The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson



10. The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2) by Brandon Sanderson




I know this is a very ambitious TBR, but I'm hoping to read at least half of the books I mentioned. Which books do you still want to read this year? Leave a comment down below!

Saturday 3 December 2016

November Wrap Up

Although I posted a Tome Topple TBR I ultimately decided not to participate due to a lot of university deadlines. I did not want to stress myself out even more. However, I do promise to read some of the books mentioned in that TBR in December. These are the six books I did read in November.


1. A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire, #1) by Jessica Cluess



This book reminded me of so many other books, it did not feel original in the least. Review to come! 2,5 stars.

2. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco



Sadly, I didn't enjoy this one all that much, it started out so great but later on it got boring. 2 stars. Review to come.

3. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain



Absolutely LOVED this book! If you are looking for a great feminist classic, you should definitely check this one out! I was actually reading this on the 11th of November, which is of course Armistice, it was quite an experience as I never before felt the importance of that day as much. 5 stars!

Did not like the movie at all, though!

4. Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar



This book is described as a must read feminist love story. That was all I needed to know in order to buy it. However, after reading Testament of Youth, the feminist part of the book felt lacking and I do not enjoy angsty romance. 3 stars, but I'm considering giving it 2,5 stars.

5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy



I read this book in between other things, which was a mistake. Required university reading kept getting in the way. I do feel like my fragmentation of this book is one of the reasons I didn't enjoy it as much. I may need to reread this one in the future, in order to really decide what I think of it. 3 stars.

6. Across the Black Waters by Mulk Raj Anand



This novel is about Indian soldiers in the First World War and I absolutely enjoyed it! 5 stars!

Which books did you read recently? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!

Saturday 26 November 2016

Stacking the Shelves: November Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers post the books they purchased or received. These are the books I got in the month of November:

I got one e-book this month:

1. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco


I already read this book and I'll write a review soon!

I also got five books and one comic this month:

2. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier 


This one is part of a fantasy series and I can't wait to read it! I have heard great things about Julliet Marillier!

3. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I'm currently reading this one and so far I'm enjoying it!

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay


Can't wait to read this one! It's the perfect Christmas read!


The next two books came from two different second hand bookshops in Ghent!

5. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler


This edition looks like a lot of fun! And it's in perfect condition!

6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I can't leave a bookstore without buying at least one book! This book was in a reasonably okay condition and I decided to get it, since I've been wanting to read it for quite some time now!

And lastly, I got one comic from the Epic comic store in Ghent!

7. Chew, Vol. 7: Bad Apples by John Layman, Rob Guillory (Illustrator)


I LOVE Chew! I really need to finish this series soon as I believe this is my favourite comic series ever!

Which books did you get this month? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Gilmore Girls Book Tag

This tag was created by Pucksandpaperbacks, which is a Youtube channel. I started watching Gilmore Girls this year and I completely fell in love with the show! Can't wait to watch the revival!

Lorelai - A character with a witty or sarcastic sense of humor 



Kate Daniels from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

Rory - Your favorite classic 


My two favourite classics are Pride and Prejudice and North and South.

Luke - A book you secretly love, but are afraid to admit. 


The Gardella Vampire Hunters series by Colleen Gleason

Lane - A musical character


This is a difficult one, I'm going for Mik from the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor.

Dean- Your first book love (character or book you first loved!)


Ron Weasley

Sooki - A book you’ve devoured 


A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Jess- A book you love, that gets the most hate


I really enjoyed Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, but there are a lot of mixed reviews out there about this book.

Miss Patty - A book that was ruined by the hype 


Allegiant by Veronica Roth, the ending got spoiled for me.

Emily Gilmore - expensive book


My Folio Society copies of Emma and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


Paris - An uptight character 



Mr. Darcy or Mark Darcy (Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones)

I finished watching Gilmore Girls yesterday and I can't wait to binge-watch the revival! I'm team Jess! Which team are you on? Let me know down below!