WWW Wednesday | 15.05.19

Time for a reading update! And as usual, I’m doing it in the format of a good, old WWW Wednesday post. The 3 big questions are: what have you recently finished, what are you currently reading, and what’s next?

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston | GR

I loved this book. It’s sweet, funny, sexy, and full of great characters. The novel is over 400 pages but it felt like it flew by. I don’t read a lot of new adult books but this is a great encourager to branch out more. All you really need to know is that the story revolves around Alex, the son of America’s first female president, falling in love with HRH Prince Henry of Great Britain. These two are for sure one of my new favourite ships. Alternate history has never been more fun or gay. My full review (of gushing) will be going up later this week.

Slayer – Kiersten White | GR

I’m a huge Buffy fan so you can imagine my reaction when I found out Kiersten was writing a new series set in its world with a brand new Slayer. I have a feeling I picked this up because I’d been working on completing a Buffy book tag right about the time I finished Red, White & Royal Blue. While I can’t say I’m absolutely living for it at this point, I certainly don’t mind it. The characters are fine, and I’m having a lot of fun finding all the little references and call backs to the show. However, I do hope the story picks up more soon. Also, could they maybe crap on Buffy herself a little bit less. The girl has saved the world only a gazillion times, okay?

The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss | GR

Yes, I’m still bloody going. It’s happening, okay? Just really, really, really slowly. I’m enjoying it a lot, I promise! 350 pages down and only like… 350 pages to go. Basically nothing. Hey, it’s not like the last book in the series is coming out any time soon. At this rate, I’ll finish the first two in perfect time for it, with all the details still fresh in my memory. See, I’ve thought this stuff out. It’s the perfect plan.

Aurora Rising – Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman | GR

What’s that? Oh, just the sound of me screaming in excitement. It’s here, it’s here, it’s FINALLY here. I’ve been waiting on this for a while and I’m sooooo keen. Space adventures, fun characters, potential end of the universe, the usual Kristoff-Kaufman dialogue, um…yes, please. I admit, I would have started this earlier but by the time I was able to get into store to pick it up, I was already stuck into Slayer. I’ve got high expectations but with all the great reviews popping up, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.

And that’s where I’m at reading wise right now. How is everyone else going? Is your current read grabbing you or are you already setting your sights on the shiny, attractive next one?

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WWW Wednesday | 13.03.19

It’s time for another edition of WWW Wednesday, a post in which we answer the big three questions – 1) what have you just finished reading, 2) what are you currently reading, and 3) which book is up next?

Again, but Better – Christine Riccio | GR

Those of you who enjoy booktube will be familiar with Christine Riccio, or PolandBananasBOOKS. In May, Christine will be releasing her debut and I was lucky enough to be granted an ARC. This book is a YA contemporary set at university in London with a time travel element thrown in. It was a very mixed bag for me, there were some things I liked and quite a few I had issues with. Honestly, the first half was a 2 star read, maybe even less. It’s mostly the writing but, admittedly, the plot was boring me, too. However, once we hit the midway twist, the story picked up a lot and the writing noticeably improved, bumping my enjoyment up to about 4 stars! Then…it slowed down again, the characters did stupid things, and the book ended in a mishmash of super adorable, unbelievable, & rushed. I’m conflicted.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely – Brigid Kemmerer | GR

I’ve been waiting on this one for ages! I’m a huge Beauty and the Beast fan but, surprisingly, I haven’t read many retellings. Weird, right? At this point, I’m about 400 pages in (I’ll likely finish tomorrow). While it’s not the most amazing book I’ve ever read and I’m not crazy determined to devour it as fast as humanely possible, I’ve had an entertaining time with it on my morning commute for the last week. The characters are likeable (I love the fact that it features a MC with cerebral palsy still being a total badass) and I appreciate how BK has managed to keep so many elements of the original story but still (a) turned it into something typical of YA fantasy and (b) made it her own.

The Boy Who Steals Houses – C. G. Drews | GR

I can’t say much on this one yet as I’ve only started it this evening. It’s another ARC and this time from popular book blogger/bookstagrammer, Paper Fury. I wasn’t sure whether I’d be a fan of Cait’s writing style but the idea for this book was just so intriguing, I had to give it a go. It’s about a boy who breaks into people’s vacant houses and gets caught up when one family returns home unexpectedly. He ends up sticking around by virtue of the fact that the kids in the large family keep assuming he’s a friend of one of their siblings. So far, I’m really enjoying it, more than expected! I hope it keeps up.

The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss | GR

At last, after years of putting it off, I’ve finally begun this enormous monster. Last month I splurged and bought a super expensive, and ridiculously pretty, 10th anniversary edition. So damn worth it though. This thing is way too big to read on a train so over the last few days I’ve been making time before bed each night to relax and just read it for half an hour or so. I’m not worrying about reading goals or how long it’ll take to finish, I’m just taking my time, and gosh, it’s such a nice change. The story, itself, has been slow to start with (I’m like 70 pages in?) but I’ve been finding it weirdly enjoyable. I really hope this one lives up to the hype cause I’ll be massively disappointed if it doesn’t.

Daisy Jones & the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid | GR

As usual, I have a whole bunch of books on my TBR that have been sitting there for ages and what do I want to read? The book I purchased last week. Eh, I go where the reading momentum takes me. This is another one I’ve been super excited for, ever since I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and fell in love last year. I know this book is very different in style (it’s in interview format) than her previous books, but I’m really keen to get stuck in. Maybe it’s because I just finished re-watching Bohemian Rhapsody and famous bands are on the brain? Who knows.

How’s things going in your reading world right now? Give me the low-down.

Have you read any of these yet? What did you think?

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday | 13.02.19

Welcome to another edition of WWW Wednesday in which we answer the big bookworm questions of the week – 1) what have you just finished reading, 2) what are you currently reading, and 3) which lucky book is making it’s way off your TBR and into your hot little hands next?

99 Percent Mine – Sally Thorne | GR

Sally’s debut, The Hating Game, may have had its flaws, but it was still a pretty fun read and the same goes for 99 Percent Mine. I liked that the protagonist, Darcy, was confident and a little wild, but also slightly messed up. The set up itself is cute – Tom, the childhood friend, renovating Darcy’s grandmother’s house – and I also really enjoyed the fun banter between Darcy and Tom. Darcy’s shamelessly flirtatious and forward, and Tom’s kind of awkward. However, the book does seem to suffer from a few of the same issues I had with The Hating Game – the annoying macho/alpha maleness that occasionally pops out in Tom (which doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of his personality) and the fact that there’s very little actual plot. Also, the climax is a bit ‘what the…?’ because it’s just such a non-entity, as in, why is this causing so much melodrama? Otherwise, it’s enjoyably fluffy chick-lit.

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments 3#) – Cassandra Clare | GR

I told you guys I would continue my re-read, I told ya! And here I finally am (about two years after my re-read of books one and two, but moving right along…). Unlike City of Bones and City of Ashes which were slightly less impressive than my 15-year-old self thought they were, City of Glass is surprisingly just as good as I remember. Sure, some of the drama is a little frustrating when you already have all the answers to the story’s big twists, but the pacing in this one is spot on and the side characters are given more time in the spotlight. It’s just so much better! I should enjoy it while it lasts because City of Fallen Angels is next and, lord help me, the struggle will be real.

American Panda – Gloria Chao | GR

I’m kind of cheating a bit here because I’ve technically already started this, but as I’m only a couple of pages in, I feel it’s okay to classify it as ‘Up Next’. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this sweet, Asian rep, YA contemporary. I love the fact that it has a university setting, it’s an own voices novel, it has more to the plot than just the romance, and that it generally seems adorable. Even after a few pages, I can tell it’s going to be funny and that I’m going to fall in love with Mei. I usually read a lot of books by white American authors about white American characters, and I think it’s important for me to try and read a bit more diversely. I’m so keen to get properly stuck into this.

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What’s the situation with your reading at the moment? Current read, just finished and up next?

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday | 19.12.18

It’s time for WWW Wednesday (hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words) in which I pad out my blog (hey, at least I’m honest) with an update on what I’ve just finished reading, what I’m currently reading and what I’m planning on reading next (in this case, trying to cram in before 2018 is over). Interested? Of course you are! You clicked on this post. So here we GO.

To Best the Boys – Mary Weber (ARC)

This ended up being quite different from what I’d expected (no idea how because the blurb is an accurate description of the book). For some reason I expected the story to spend more time on the scholarship contest but they’re only in it for less than 40% of book. Some parts of the competition felt rushed and others lacked excitement. How we reach the end result is also a bit like, what just happened and why?

I liked Rhen as a protagonist – she was smart, strong and sassy. She’s somewhat similar to Audrey Rose from Stalking Jack the Ripper but less obtuse and silly. It’s also a fairly good feminist read (and does try to incorporate some disabilities, too) that manages to make several jabs at its fictional world and the real world simultaneously. However, one of the bigger issues I had was that I was kind of confused about the world – there was this strange blend of fantasy elements, consisting of mostly just random fantastical creatures, with an otherwise historical vibe which just wasn’t really explained.

An okay and reasonably entertaining read but not memorable.

Vengeful – V. E. Schwab

This was one of my most anticipated 2018 releases and finally, after having just reread Vicious, I’m doing the thing. So far I’m about 200 pages in. The non-linear structure is proving a bit more challenging to keep up with this time as there isn’t as big a difference between each time period. The plot is moving a little slowly at the moment but I don’t mind too much because I’m getting more info on existing characters and learning about some compelling new ones. Marcella is basically the definition of a badass bitch and I love it. Her character is proving a great addition for me. I’m really excited to see where this all goes.

Ugh. The age old question. I’m running out of time in 2018 and constantly thinking about how many books I can fit in before the end. I should probably consider some of the books I’ve started earlier in the year and got distracted from. One being…

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton

I started this book AGES ago. We’re taking four months, but I’ve always been determined to go back and finish it before the end of the year. It’s why I still haven’t taken it off my currently reading section on Goodreads yet. Anyway, I’m about 140 or so pages in and after this week I’ll have some time off to really get cracking on it. Things were starting to pick up where I last was in the story and the book has so many amazing reviews that I hope it ends up being a fantastic read, even if the start has been a bit slow for me to get into.

As usual, tell me what you’ve been up to reading wise. Good, bad, utterly forgettable?

And what books are you hoping to still try and squeeze into the rest of 2018?

WWW Wednesday | 21.11.18

Welcome to another edition of WWW Wednesday in which we answer the big book worm questions of the week –  1) What did you just finish? 2) What are you currently reading? and (the seemingly impossible), 3) What will you read next? This meme is hosted by Taking on a World of Words.

The Rules of Magic – Alice Hoffman | Goodreads

For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.

Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.

From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.

The Owens children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is a story about the power of love reminding us that the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. 

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While I’ve seen the film adaptation of Practical Magic, I’ve never read the book. However I heard so many good things about this prequel (and the cover was absolutely stunning) that I felt I had to give it a go. I ended up really enjoying it. It’s one of those very character driven stories that follows people through a chunk of their lives to allow you to get to know them, and share their ups and downs. Franny, Jet and Vincent are all very distinct characters and seeing them try to navigate adolescence and adulthood whilst dealing with the family curse in very different ways is more engaging than you’d expect. The writing is also absoutely lovely. If you enjoy magical realism, this is probably a good pick.

History is All You Left Me – Adam Silvera | Goodreads

Griffin has lost his first love in a drowning accident. Theo was his best friend, his ex-boyfriend and the one he believed he would end up with. Now, reeling from grief and worsening OCD, Griffin turns to an unexpected person for help. Theo’s new boyfriend.

But as their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, dangerous truths begin to surface. Griffin must make a choice: confront the past, or miss out on his future.

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My first Adam Silvera book and not disappointing at all. I knew going into this one that it was going to be pretty sad and I was definitely not wrong. I love how well Adam is able to paint such a real picture of how grief feels. By giving us more and more information about Theo, Griffin’s dead ex, as the book goes on, our own sense of loss seems to increase, too. I also really like the fact that Adam seems to show that people can have flaws and mess up but still be likeable characters. It’s really comforting and relatable at the same time. I have a feeling the end of this one is going to hurt. Like a gaping hole in chest hurt.

A Reaper at the Gates (The Ember Quartet 3#) – Sabaa Tahir | Goodreads

Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.

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This was one of my most anticipated releases for 2018. I bought it basically right after it was released and… as usual, I still haven’t read it. It’s pretty chunky so I’m expecting some major stuff to go down but I also need to find out what happens to Elias and my girl, Helene. Especially considering Elias’s “predicament” at the end of book 2. I have a feeling we’ll get some more magic and magical beings in this book so that’ll be interesting, too. Now, how do I fit this thing in my handbag without ruining it all to hell…?

And now you’re all caught up! There’s a bit over a week left in November (oh. my. gosh) so I’d love to end up finishing six books by the end of the month (aiming for 85 by the end of the year) but A Reaper at the Gates may prove a bit too long for that. I have a suspicion it’ll end up bumping over into early December but ah well. Still, things are going pretty good in the reading department and I’ve had quite a few enjoyable reads lately.

What are you currently reading and how’s it going? Is it living up to expectations? 

WWW Wednesday | 19.09.18

It’s time for another  WWW Wednesday or as it should be titled, ‘Ashley has yet to upload anything to her blog this week and this is an easy, last minute post’. Successful blogger, that is clearly (not) me. This meme, hosted by Taking on a World of Words, requires you to answer three simple questions: 1) What did you just finish? 2) What are you currently reading? and 3) What will you read next?

My Oxford Year – Julia Whelan | Goodreads

I picked this one expecting it to be some light, fluffy chick-lit featuring a romantic Oxford setting and a sexy literature professor as the love interest. Tick to the setting and double tick to the hot professor but NOOOOOOO to the light and fluffy. About half way through, the book flips in tone with the reveal of a big secret about the male lead.  I quite liked both Ella, our American protagonist, and Jamie, her British romantic interest, and the chemistry between the two is great. BUT man, this book broke my heart a little. The ending isn’t exactly sad in and of itself but thinking about what will happen after it definitely leaves a bit of a hole in the chest. Still, I liked that the book encourages you to pursue your passions, and reinforced the idea that while not all things last forever, it’s important to make the most of them while you can.

The Upside of Unrequited – Becky Albertalli | Goodreads

Yep, after putting it off for ages, I’m finally doing it. After missing out on my light and fluffy with My Oxford Year, I definitely needed it going into this one. As in Becky’s other books, the characters feel realistic and there’s a lot of diversity but I’m not as in love with them as I was with those in Simon. There are a few things about the plot that are bugging me but a lot of it I can narrow down to teenagers thinking and acting like teenagers – things that seem so important at that age, really aren’t in the overall scheme of things. I definitely relate to Molly a lot though and it’s nice to know I’m not alone in a lot of the self-confidence issues I have. Even some of her thoughts feel like somebody secretly copied and pasted them straight from my head. I’m almost finished, should be done tonight. Here’s hoping for a cute ending.

Wildcard (Warcross 2#) – Marie Lu | Goodreads

Yes, yes, I know I’m supposed to be following my sister’s TBR list for this month and I promise I’ll go back to it but I just can’t resist reading this book. It’s FINALLY out! YAYYYYYYYYY! I’m a little excited, can you tell? I almost jumped for joy when I found it a few days earlier than expected at the book store. I’ve seen some mixed reviews from those with ARCs so far, so I’m slighty concerned but hopefully it’s for nothing. I really enjoyed Warcross when I read it earlier this year so fingers crossed this one lives up to it. It’ll be good to spend some more time with my gal Emika again. Looking forward to seeing her kick some more virtual ass.

What’s your current read & what’s up next?

WWW Wednesday | 29.08.18

It’s time for another episode of WWW Wednesday or as I like to say, ‘Ashley repeats stuff you’re going to find in her monthly wrap up at the end of the week in order to pad out a very weak blogging month’.
As usual, this meme, hosted by Taking on a World of Words, requires you to answer three simple questions: 1) What did you just finish? 2) What are you currently reading? and 3) What will you read next? Let’s dive in.

The Plastic Magician (The Paper Magician 4#) – Charlie N. Holmberg

I finally read my ARC e-copy of The Plastic Magician! It’s been quite a few months since I was given it – oops! – and considering how small it is, it’s taken me a while to finish because I’ve been reading it purely on my phone during open inspections (I work for a real estate agency). I found this one a sweet, light read. There’s not much depth to the plot or the characters which meant I was a little bored in some sections. The MC is cute though and I liked the scientific approach to magic. Full review.

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate 1#) – Gail Carriger

Weirdly, I decided to read two English set, period books at the same time. I was similarly bored at the beginning of this one but it picked up after a while. It’s no great work of literature but I had fun – it’s an odd blend of urban fantasy, mystery, steampunk, and romance. The heroine is witty, there’s a very flamboyant vampire friend, and an amusingly gruff, werewolf romantic interest. May read the sequel if I find time – they’re only short.

Ash Princess – Laura Sebastian

The plot of this one isn’t exactly the road less travelled but I’m enjoying it just the same. I don’t mind the characters and although there’s a love triangle of sorts, it’s not pissing me off too much. Theo’s a decent protagonist as she’s reasonably strong. I’ll probably read the sequels because I want to see her burn everything down and laugh over the ashes. I’m also quite interested in the magic system with its gods and links to certain stones. Hopefully I’ll get to find out more in later books.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton

I was so keen to get stuck into this one but the first part of the book is really jarring because it’s not what I expected. The book starts off with you being given basically no information – you’re literally dumped in the shoes of a confused MC with no memory– and it takes a while before you begin getting some explanation. I think it’ll definitely improve a lot now that the MC has a better idea of what he has to do (solve a murder by experiencing the day over and over again in the bodies of different party guests). I’m certainly intrigued!

This is a tricky one. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be finished Ash Princess today as I have less than 100 pages to go and TSDOEH is too big to carry around on public transport. I’ve asked my sister to pick my September TBR (I’ll post it at the end of the week) so I’m wondering whether I should just get stuck into that or pick something short to read in the meantime.

Option 1: Start September TBR – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Taylor Jenkins Reid)

I didn’t get around to this one as part of my August readathon but lucky for me, my sister thought it sounded cool and added it to the September list. I’m looking forward to it, I think it’ll be a great read. Preparing myself for emotional turmoil though.

Option 2: A Quick Re-Read – Shadow & Bone (Leigh Bardugo)

I read this one last year in search of more Six of Crows magic. It was fine but nothing fantastic. However, with all the talk of King of Scars, I recently purchased Siege and Storm so that I’d get a chance to properly meet Nikolai Lantsov. I’m a bit rusty on some of the details (except that I find Mal boring and the Darkling amazeballs) so I’d like to do a reread before tackling book 2.

What are you currently reading? And which book do you think I should read next?