Tag: MG lit

5 Hyped Books That Lived Up to My Expectations

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m taking part in Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by Jana, and the theme is books that lived up to the hype. My list is only 5 books long because I found this topic SO hard. Onto the post!

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Nevermoor– this is the only MG book on the list, amd I was excited for it from pretty much the day it was announced. I read it almost as soon as I had my hands on it, and if anything it exceeded my expectations. The worldbuilding was incredible and I loved the magic of Nevermoor, the characters were all amazing (my favourites were Fenestra and Morrigan herself) and the plot was so exciting with some interesting twists. I’m super excited to read the sequel later this year.

Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda– I wasn’t even part of the book community when this came out, and I only knew of a couple ofbloggers/booktubers, and yet I STILL somehow heard of it and decided to reserve it at the library and have it sent to my local branch. I absolutely loved it; Simon is such a great narrator and his romance with Blue remains a favourite of mine years on.

I Was Born For This- this book popped up on my Twitter feed absolutely all the time just before and after it’s release, and I still see it mentioned regularly now. I was so nervous to read it after Radio Silence (which was one of my absolute favourite YA books that I read last year), but it was phenomenal. Alice Oseman is one of the greatest writers of more character-driven YA at the moment, and I adored the cast of this book so much and was so wrapped up in this book as I read it because I wanted things to turn out well for them all.

When Dimple Met Rishi– when I first joined the bookish community, I heard so much about this book and I’m glad I did pick it up. It was a lovely romance with some very funny moments involving iced coffee, and I really enjoyed it when I read it.

Floored– as hyped as I Was Born For This was, I think Floored was THE most hyped book of 2018. I’ve been excited for it since I read the sampler someone very kindly sent me from YALC last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was told in such a unique way, with 7 authors each writing a different perspective, and that made it even more engrossing as I couldn’t tell how things would turn out at all. The characters were all brilliant and easy to distunguish between too.

What books did you think lived up to the hype surrounding them? What are your thoughts on the books I’ve mentioned? Did anyone else find this topic tricky? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x

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The 7 Deadly Sins Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the 7 Deadly Sins Book Tag, which I was tagged for by Lucy-May. Onto the post!

Greed – what is the most expensive book you own? What is the least expensive book you own?

The most expensive would be one of the few the hardbacks I own, so I’ll say Nevermoor as it’s my favourite of them. The least expensive, excluding things I bought second hand or from charity shops. Would be the Case of thee Missing Treasure. It’s a new short story in the Murder Most Unladylike series that I only bought a couple of weeks ago, and I’m super excited to read it.

Gluttony – what book or books have you shamelessly devoured many times?

Of all the books I’ve reread, I’ve probably read the Geek Girl books the most times, and as an exaple of this I’m almost certain I read them 3 times last year alone. And it will always be shameless, because I could never feel shame over choosing to reimmerse myself in a world that has given and still does give me so much joy.

Sloth – what book or book series have you neglected out of sheer laziness?

Up till May, the Northern Lights trilogy. I put off reading them for months because they are intimidating both in size and the sheer volume of people who consider them among their favourite books. I personally did not find that, and only made it through the first before deciding I just wasn’t clicking with them. That said, I did adore Iorek and Pan, and thought the conceptof the world had so much promise.

Pride – what book or books do you bring up when you want to sound like an intellectual reader?

I don’t tend to try to sound like an intellectual reader that I can think of, because I read for pleasure, but if I ever wanted/needed to I’d probably mention the Shakespeare plays I’ve read or To Kill a Mockingbird.

Lust – what attributes do you find most attractive in characters?

I really love characters who make me laugh, someone so likeable I can get 100% behind them, and clever characters.

Envy – what book/s would you most like to receive as a gift?

I love receiving books/book tokens as a gift, but I’m going to give my answer to this in a dream world rather than a book I think anyone will ever actually give me as a gift. I spoke in this post about a book I loved when I was younger, that I have lost and cannot remember the title of at all, so I’dbe thrilled if someone gave me that. Mainly so I could read it and see what I thought now, but also because it’s been driving me bananas for years and it probably will do forever.

Wrath – what author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

I think this has to be Polly Ho-Yen. I love both Boy in the Tower and Fly Me Home a great deal, but I found Where Monsters Lie disappointing.

I tag Charlotte and Kelly.

What are your thoughts on the books I’ve mentioned? Are any on your TBR? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favourite Short Stories

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m taking part in Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, which the theme for today is our favourite short stories/novellas. Onto the post!

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The Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2018

Hello everybody! Today, I’m going to be doing the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag, which I was tagged for by Cora. Onto the post!

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1. The best book you’ve read this year?

My joint favourites of the year so far are When the Mountains Roared and the Children of Castle Rock, which I adored. The former cemented Jess as one of my favourite writers at the moment as it was even better than her stunning debut and the latter was such a perfect Blyton-esque read that made me laugh so, so much.

2. The best sequel you’ve read this year?

I’ve read lots of excellent new additons to series this year, but the best sequel to a first book by far for me has been Alex Sparrow and the Furry Fury, which I thought was hilarious and exciting and immensely enjoyable, AND it had the added bonus of loads of brilliant animals.

3. New releases you haven’t read yet but want to.

So, so many. I’m very excited to finish off the Uncommoners trilogy, and I think the Storm Keeper’s Island and the Wild Folk look particularly amazing too.

4. Most anticipated releases for the second half of the year.

Emma Carroll’s Secrets of a Sun King, Robin Stevens’s Death in the Spotlight and Anna James’s Pages and Co are probably my top three. There are so many things coming out that I want to read that I’d take forever to list them all though!

5. Biggest disappointment.

I think it has to be the List of Real Things. I absolutely loved the two books I’d read from Sarah Moore Fitzgerald previously (Back to Blackbrick and the Apple Tart of Hope, which were stunningly written and so unique), but I found this one really hard to get into and not what I’d expected from the blurb.

6. Biggest surprise.

I thought I’d enjoy the Children of Castle Rock, but I had no idea I’d love it as much as I do. It feels like a book I’ve been waiting on forever without knowing it, as it combines so many of my favourite ingredients in a book; boarding school, adventure, friendship, beautiful writing and brilliant humour.

7. Favourite new to you, or debut, author.

I don’t feel like I’ve read as many debuts this year (though that could be my imagination!), but I’d say my favourite would be the House with Chicken Legs, which was a retelling of the Baba Yaga folk tale with lovely characters, some brilliant twists I did not see coming at all and a phenomenal setting/character in the house itself.

8. Newest fictional crush.

1000% Matt Finch from Open Road Summer. I love him. Unlike Reagan (the main character, who he is the love interest for), I am exactly the sort of person who’d love to have a song written for them.

9. Newest favourite character.

I’ve loved SO many new characters, but I think my absolute favourite is Finch, the narrator of Flying Tips for Flightless Birds. He took a little while to get to know, but he was such a joy to read despite being simeltaneously frustrating some of the time.

10. Book that made you cry?

When the Mountains Roared made weep at multiple points. Most books ehuch heavily feature animals do, to be honest.

11. Book that made you happy?

ALL OF THEM. But one in particular would be A Sky Painted Gold, which I read on the couch one day when I felt really unwell. It was so romantic, funny and well written that it made for perfect escapism.

12. Favourite book to film adaption?

I think I’ve only seen Love, Simon, but it’d still be Love, Simon if I’d seen fifty. I loved that film so much, and I didn’t really expect to since the book is one of my favourites and they changed quite a few things.

13. Favourite post you have done this year?

I think it would have to be this one because writing an entire post about why I love Geek Girl was such a joy.

14. Most beautiful book you have bought this year?

Easily Open Road Summer- I think all of the UK covers for Emery Lord are ridiculously pretty.

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I want to get to so many things by the end of the year, but the main one I’ll mention is the Secret of Supernatural Creek because I bought it the day it came out, and have put off reading it for almost an entire year in case it doesn’t live up to the original Laura Marlin Mysteries quartet (which hold a very special place in my heart). There are lots of others I hope I can get to too.

If you’d like to read my 2017 version of this tag, you can do that here.

I tag Christina and Laura.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’ve Picked Up Because of Blogger Recommendations

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m taking part in Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and today’s prompt was to pick a past topic. I’ve decided to go for books I’ve picked up because other bloggers have recommended to me; some of which I’ve read and others that are still on my TBR (and I haven’t got a full ten, which I just want to point out in case anyone thought I couldn’t count 😜). Onto the post!

Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’ve Picked Up Because of Blogger Recommendations”

The Chocolate Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, to celebrate World Chocolate Day, I’m going to be doing the Chocolate Book Tag, which was created by Faye. Onto the post!

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1. Dark Chocolate — A book that covers a dark topic (abuse, domestic violence, rape, lonlieness, bullying, death, etc)

The Summer of Telling Tales, which sees two sisters, their mum and their dog escaping a horrifically abusive household and attempting to start a new life, was one of my favourite reads of last year. It was heartbreaking, and I cried all the way through.

2. White Chocolate — Your favourite light-hearted/humourous read

I think everyone who’s read this blog before knows the answer, and I’ll be talking about it in a few questions time anyway, so instead I’ll mention some recent favourite funny reads: Noah Could Never, It’s a Wrap and Theatrical.

3. Milk Chocolate — A book that has a lot of hype that you’re dying to read.

I’ve heard lots of amazing things about Catherine Doyle’s the Storm Keeper’s Island, and I’m really looking forward to reading it at some point. It sounds like something I’ll probably enjoy quite a bit!

4. Chocolate with a caramel centre- Name a book that made you feel all gooey in the middle while you were reading it

The One Hundred and Dalmatians, because aogs trying to save their pups from death at the hands of a horrid villain is an adorable concept, and while it’s suspenseful in places, it’s quite relaxing at the same time. It also features a charming golden retriever, and my heart melts every time I read that bit.

5. Snickers — A book that you are going nuts about

I just read the Elsewhere Emporium, and I thought it was amazing. I’ll be reviewing it in my July reviews post next month, and I’m super excited to write it already. I thought it was even better than the first book; a perfect follow up that would also be an engrossing, exciting read for someone who’d never heard of the Nowhere Emporium before.

6. Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows- What book would you turn to for a comfort read?

Geek Girl, always. No matter how down I am, no matter whether I read the full series or a couple of pages, it always lifts my mood.

7. Box of chocolates — What series have you read that you feel has a wide variety and a little something for everyone?

I had to think REALLY hard on what I could pick for this one, but I’ve decided on the 39 Clues books. I really wish more people would read them because they’re brilliant and they do pack a lot in. There’s intriguing mystery, exciting action, well developed characters with interesting backstories and the opportunity to learn about some historical figures.

What are your favourite types of chocolate? What are your thoughts on the books I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x