SLIDER

WELCOME TO BLOGGER'S BOOKSHELF...


where our team of writers love to talk all things books, sharing reviews, features, lists, interviews and more.

Getting lost in a book is escapism at it's finest and it's what everyone who contributes here thrives on.

NEWSLETTER

Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Feature | 10 Young Adult Books Being Released in 2021 I'm Looking Forward To

We may be a few months into 2021 already but here are some Young Adult novels to look forward to!

The beginning of the year is always exciting for me because we have another whole year of books coming out, ready to be eagerly devoured by readers.

Despite the urgh of 2020, 2021 is looking mighty fine because of all these epic books coming out! I've been checking out articles and Goodreads Lists over the last few weeks to remind myself of what I'm meant to be excited about, and thought I'd do a bit of a roundup of 10 Young Adult novels I'm looking forward to this year.


1. Rule of Wolves (King of Scars, #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Talk to anyone I know and they're telling you how much I love this universe that Bardugo has created. Rule of Wolves is the second in the King od Scars duology, following one of the characters in the Shadow and Bone series. I really enjoyed King of Scars, so can't wait for Rule of Wolves comes out!

Release date: 30 March

2. Chain of Iron (The Last Hours, #2) by Cassandra Clare

Another Cassandra Clare book you say? Sign me up! If you've been around Blogger's Bookshelf for any length of time then you'll probably now just how much I enjoyed her books. The first in this series, Chain of Gold was out in March 2020 after a delay, and I loved the characters and the general vibe of this book a lot more than her previous Shadowhunter series. Needless to say, definitely looking forward to Chain of Iron!

Release date: 2 March

3. Lore by Alexandra Bracken 

So here's the thing. I review books for publishing companies, which means I often get books before they're on the shelves. Lore by Alexandra Bracken was out in January but I scored it in December and it was brilliant. I so loved the combination of our world and Ancient Greece. I'm a big classics fan, so it was a great combo!

Release date: 5 January

4. The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson 

We're big fans of Maureen Johnson here at BB. Most of us who have read her Truly Devious series have loved it. The Box in the Woods follows on from the Truly Devious series, though doesn't follow the same storyline. As far as I can work out, it follows Stevie, the main character, as she heads off somewhere where she stumbles upon another murder. Cue murder solving and brilliance. Here for it!

Release date: 15 June

5. Heartstopper: Volume Four (Heartstopper #4) by Alice Oseman 

The world doesn't deserve Alice Oseman. Her stories are pure gold and the Heartstopper graphic novel series is no different. This is such a great series and I'm so looking forward to number four!

Release date: 13 May

6. Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give #0) by Angie Thomas

Another book that's already come out, Concrete Rose by the phenomenal Andie Thomas follows Star from The Hate U Give's father as he battles his way through high school as a young father. It's another great story from Thomas, which such important messages. While I didn't love this one as much as THUG, it's still a brilliant read and I highly recommend it, especially if you read and loved THUG.

Release date: 12 January

7. Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales 

To be completely honest, I didn't know this book was being released until I was putting this post together. But I read Sophie Gonzales' book Only Mostly Devastated and really enjoyed that. I haven't read anything else by Gonzale's and this one looks like a lot of fun. Also, Goodreads tells me it's 'Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before' so you know, that sounds great.

Release date: 9 March

8. Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1) by Tricia Levenseller 

Daughter of the Pirate King (and it's sequel) by Levenseller is such a great book. I enjoyed it so much so when I saw that another one of Levenseller's books was being released this year, it was a quick addition to my Goodreads' Want to Read list. 'A teenage blacksmith with social anxiety accepts a commission from the wrong person and is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made.' Yup! Let's gooooo.

Release date: 4 May

9. Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow #3) by Rainbow Rowell

When an author says 'there won't be a sequel' and then you're blessed with two ... ! All heavens come at once. However, I suspect this will be the last one. But Rainbow Rowell is finally releasing Any Way the Wind Blow which is the third (and final?) instalment of the Simon Snow series. Check out our reviews of Carry On and also Wayward Son. 

Release date: 6 July

10. Bridge of Souls (Cassidy Blake #3) by Victoria Schwab

Okay, I cheated. Bridge of Souls is a middle-grade book but I love this series by Schwab! It's so sweet and entertaining at the same time and there so many ghosts in it it's brilliant. This is the third and final instalment of the Cassidy Blake series, and while I'm looking forward to reading it, I also don't want it to end.

Release date: 2 March

Young Adult Releases in 2021: The Shoutouts

What books are you looking forward to this year? 

Read more »
No comments
, ,

Saturday, 27 February 2021

Bookish Links #63

1. One of our book club prompts for the year is to read a 2021 release and this list of debuts is full of inspiration!

2. This list also has some more amazing ideas for your 2021 TBR!

3. We love these dark academia inspired illustrated bookmarks from Plum Tree Illustration.

4. Take a look at the bookshelves of authors, musicians and actors in this video series from Marie Claire.

5. This makeover post shows how you can turn a small landing space into a cosy reading nook.

6. These TV/book pairings could be a great way to find your next favourite book or show.

7. If you’re a bookworm who also loves to sew, this quilt pattern from Angela Pingel is for you!

8. Kristin Hannah’s latest novel The Four Winds has been all over Bookstagram recently. You can find out more about the book in this Goodreads interview.

9. We’re big fans of combining audiobooks with our favourite hobbies. This post shares how you can cross more titles off your TBR this year whilst also learning a new craft!

10. And if you're looking for an audiobook to start with, over on BBC Sounds you can now listen to bestselling novel The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (also reviewed here on BB last year!).

This month's beautiful bookstagrams to follow:
@apaperbacklife
@starlahreasds
@carly.simone
@honeybuttergal
@booklanguage

Read more »
No comments
,

Thursday, 25 February 2021

This Monstrous Thing | Mackenzi Lee | Review

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee. Book lying on white fluffy blanket. Blogger's Bookshelf.


Welcome to This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

Lee's A Gentlemen's Guide series is so much fun so I was really looking forward to checking out her debut novel (which came out in 2017), This Monstrous Thing.

Here's the description: 

In an alternative fantasy world where some men are made from clockwork parts and carriages are steam-powered, Alasdair Finch, a young mechanic, does the unthinkable after his brother dies: he uses clockwork pieces to bring Oliver back from the dead.

But the resurrection does not go as planned, and Oliver returns more monster than man. Even worse, the novel Frankenstein is published and the townsfolk are determined to find the real-life doctor and his monster. With few places to turn for help, the dangers may ultimately bring the brothers together—or ruin them forever.

Pitched as almost a Frankenstein retelling, I was definitely intrigued. I love me a good retelling of fairy tales and other classics. While I hadn't actually read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I know enough of the gist of the story to recognise it all throughout this book.

It's not a plot-for-plot retelling, but rather the origins of the book. In the world where our protagonist Alistair lives, steam-powered clockwork people are common. But never has anyone brought someone back from the dead with clockwork. A book suddenly gets distributed to the people, giving the tale of someone who has brought someone back to the dead (like Frankenstein's monster). It's then Alistair's mission to find out who wrote the book and why it reads just like his life.

This was an okay book. But just 'okay'. I didn't love it like I did Lee's other books, but it was still a good story and a great feat for her debut novel.

It's always really interesting going back to an author's first few books after reading their more recent releases, and realising just how much they've grown and honed their craft. 

If you like retellings, classics, and a steam-punk vibe, then definitely pick up This Monstrous Thing. But if it's not really your jam, I suggest you give this one a miss. It's okay but not life-changing.

Have you read This Monstrous Thing? What did you think? 

Read more »
No comments
,

Saturday, 16 January 2021

Bookish Links #62


1. Our very first bookish link of the year is to Alexa's post sharing details of her gorgeous 2021 reading journal setup.

2. In this video, Jack discusses all of the literary references found on Taylor Swift’s 2020 releases folklore and evermore.

3. If you’re looking for reading recommendations based on the TV shows you binged in 2020 this post is for you. You might even find some new shows to watch too.

4. How beautiful are these little libraries? We wish we could add one to our own gardens!

5. If making more time for crafts and DIY is on your 2021 to-do list Francesca's book, due for release next month, is one to add to your list.

6. Over on Goodreads, a selection of popular authors shared a little more about some of their most loved books.

7. Get inspired by following some of the amazing artists listed in this Book Riot post.

8. It may be very cold in the UK right now but Michelle has some fantastic tips for creating your very own cosy reading nook where you can curl up with a great book.

9. We can’t wait to read Angie Thomas’ latest release The Hate U Give prequel Concrete Rose.

10. Which books do you vow to read in 2021?

This month's beautiful bookstagrams to follow:
@readingwithana
@readbytiffany
@scarlettreadsbooks
@mirandabythebook
@bookishandblack

Read more »
No comments
,

Friday, 15 January 2021

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories | Holly Black | Review


 We're returning to the world of The Cruel Prince

An irresistible return to the captivating world of Elfhame.

Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue.

Before he was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king, Cardan. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.

This new installment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humor, and drama that enchanted readers everywhere. Each chapter is paired with lavish and luminous full-colour art, making this the perfect collector's item to be enjoyed by both new audiences and old.

What you get in this collection of short stories is nothing short of magical. 

Black’s faerie tales are full of creativity and whimsy, and even if you had never read the Folk of the Air Series you could enjoy this book. I don’t recommend that, of course, but I hope you see what I mean. The short stories, sitting on their own as they do, tell of tales that have morals and lessons to be learnt. They are full of characters who have been thought through, who compliment each other and clash with each other. They are strong, they are weak, but they are wonderful. 

Full of stunning illustrations by Rovina Cai, reading through this book was a joy, and such fun to go back to the world that I so loved reading about in the Folk of the Air Trilogy.

If you have read the Folk of the Air Series, then picking up How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories is a must. 

Read more »
No comments
,

Saturday, 2 January 2021

Features | Books We Vow To Read In 2021

Happy new year everyone!

As longtime readers will know it's become tradition around here for team members to create a list every January with five titles they 'vow to read' over the next twelve months. In today's post, our very first of 2021, Anjali, Anastasia, Ria and Erin are sharing the books that they have chosen for this year. See any of your favourites? Leave us a comment and let us know. 

We'd also like to invite you to create a 2021 vow to read list of your own and share it on your blog or social media account too; don't forget to tag us @bloggersbookshelf on Instagram!


 

Read more »
No comments
,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
© Blogger's Bookshelf • Theme by Maira G.