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Saturday, 17 November 2018

Six of Crows Duology | Leigh Bardugo | Review

A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

If you missed it, this month's Book Club book is The Language of Thorns, by Leigh Bardugo. It's a short story collection with beautiful images throughout, telling the fairy-tale-like stories from the Grishaverse. What's the Grishaverse, you ask? It's this incredible land that Leigh Bardugo has created, and subsequently has written quite a few tales about.

While I read and loved the Grisha Triology (Shadow and Bone, Seige and Storm, Ruin and Rising), the Six of Crows Duology are now probably two of my favourite books. Instead of a review of both books in this duology, I thought I'd give you my over feelings about a few different aspects, treating the story as done, rather than two.

Setting

Being a part of the Grishaverse we get to dive right back into this incredible, but it's based out of a city we didn't get too much of in the Grisha trilogy: Ketterdam.

If you've ever fall into a fantasy world and struggled to get out of it, then you the wonders of returning to a land you're familiar with, just with different characters, plot and tone. That's what it was like for me returning in Six of Crows. I already loved the world that Bardugo had created when I read Shadow and Bone so coming back to that was such a treat. The hustle and bustle of Ketterdam is different than that of the other cities, it's a bit rougher, the people are a bit more suspect and the feeling on the whole is a bit darker. But just as epic.

Characters

The characters in Six of Crows duology are absolutely brilliant. Kaz is the leader, but he's not quite the typical leader you might expect - he's got an attitude like no one else, he can be a bit of you-know-what at times, and he has a physical disability and walks with a cane. But he's an excellent, strong leader, with a sharp mind and incredible scheming skills. The others in the group all have their backstories, their quirks and their strong personalities. There's a lot of growth over the course of the story, and it was a joy to read.

Plot

Both books involve a getting-in and getting-out quick kind of story line. They're engaging, and entertaining, dangerous and full of challenges that you're just hoping the team can get through. It's a fantasy heist story like no other, and it's one that I want to re-read, for sure.

Have you read the Six of Crows Duology?

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Friday, 23 December 2016

Features | A Winter TBR

As far as I'm concerned there is just no point in going outside during the winter months. It's cold and dark and mysteriously always wet, even when you're sure it hasn't actually been raining. So of course the only thing to do is to stay indoors until spring comes, and the best thing to do while you're keeping warm indoors? Read. Here are a few of the books I plan to read this winter.

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie

The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.'

A childish practical joke? Or a hoax intended to scare por Letitia Blacklock? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out... (x)

There is no better time for a good old fashioned murder mystery than these long, dreary, winter nights, and as everyone knows, Christie is the queen of murder mysteries. Having only read one other of Christie's works, Murder on the Orient Express, I'm definitely looking forward to reading another this winter and A Murder is Announced sounds completely fascinating!

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

When Lyra's friend Roger disappears, she and her dæmon, Pantalaimon, determine to find him.

The ensuing quest leads them to the bleak splendour of the North, where armoured bears rule the ice and witch-queens fly through the frozen skies - and where a team of scientists is conducting experiments too horrible to be spoken about.

Lyra overcomes these strange terrors, only to find something yet more perilous waiting for her - something with consequences which may even reach beyond the Northern Lights... (x)

Everything I've heard about this novel over the many years since I first got this copy makes it sound like the perfect winter read. Even just the description! What is more wintery than armoured bears and frozen skies? Nothing I know about. Hopefully this will finally be the winter when I actually read this children's classic.

The Graces by Laure Eve

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on? (x)

It's seems as though every other book blogger on the internet has already read The Graces this year, apart from me. I don't actually know a whole lot about the story but I think maybe that's for the best. It adds to the mystery of it! All I do know is that there are witches involved, and a little bit of spooky magic is just the right thing for a dark winter's night.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... (x)

Another book that everyone else on the internet seems to have already read, apart from me. I'm actually hoping to read both Six of Crows and the sequel Crooked Kingdom this winter, hopefully back to back so I can really get as much of that fantasy adventure vibe as humanly possible.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever. (x)

Yet another book that I seem to be the last person in the world who hasn't read it. There's a theme here. The Secret History sounds suitably dark and a little bleak. Perfect for the misery of winter weather. Definitely one I'm excited about getting to.

What books are on your winter TBR?

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Friday, 21 July 2017

Features | My Favourite Books of 2017 So Far

I don't even want to think about the fact that we're already over half way through 2017 but what I am perfectly happy to think about are all the great books I've read so far this year! For today I've chosen just the top five books I've read in the first half of the year to share with you and I'd love to hear your favourite books of the year so far in the comments!

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumour has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from.

Rebel of the Sands is the kind of story that made me want to read it all at once, and I almost did. If you're looking for a fast paced story with an interesting fantasy world and a kick-butt female protagonist then you can't go wrong with this one.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Taken from the poverty of her parents' home, Fanny Price is brought up with her rich cousins at Mansfield Park, acutely aware of her humble rank and with only her cousin Edmund as an ally. When Fanny's uncle is absent in Antigua, Mary Crawford and her brother Henry arrive in the neighbourhood, bringing with the London glamour and a reckless taste for flirtation.

Mansfield Park was one of the few Austen works that I went into knowing very little about it and I was incredibly pleasantly surprised. If you've read and enjoyed any of Austen's other novels but have yet to read this one, don't put it off any longer!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he'll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist.

Six of Crows is a fantasy novel about a plucky gang of convicts and misfits on an impossible heist. I knew I would love it before I even looked at the first page. This novel has adventure and interesting characters in spades. And the sequel is even better.

Wing Jones by Katherine Webber

With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between world. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had.

I know Wing Jones is set in the 90s but I was alive then so please let me call it a contemporary novel... Wing Jones is hands down the best contemporary YA novel I've read so far this year. It's a story full of sadness, and hope, and magic, and running. If you want to find out more you can read my full review of it here.

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

Through the lens of Link's vivid imagination, nothing is what it seems, and everything deserves a second look.

Pretty Monsters is a collection of YA short stories where everything is just a little off. From a boy who digs up the wrong body, to an entire village living in an old woman's handbag, or a magical girl trailed by ghosts, these stories are all unique and interesting little glimpses into other worlds.

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Thursday, 4 June 2020

Features | Book Suggestions for Completing the Far Left Column on Book Bingo

Have you completed a row on Book Bingo yet?

If you missed the memo, at the beginning of May we designed and posted a Book Bingo sheet for us to try and complete by the end of June. Despite the fact that a lot of us a lot more time on our hands at the moment, it can still be tricky deciding what to pick up and read, even without a Book Bingo sheet on the go!

I thought it would be fun to put together a couple of posts of suggestions of books that would fit some of the rows. If you're really stuck you can read all the books I suggest checking out and then boom! A complete row; go you! Gold star (virtually).

Some of the squares on our Book Bingo are about personal choice, or books that you've read in the past, so I'm not going to be suggesting books for those rows (I'm thinking about squares such as 'a genre you don't read very often' and 'recommended by a friend' because I can't comment on those for you). But let's get into it!

Left column

Non Fiction | Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Like at all. It's not that they don't interest me, or that I don't think they're worth the time; it's mostly due to the fact that I love fiction too much, and why would I spend my hours reading non-fiction when I could be reading about dragons? It's that kind of feeling.

But when I picked up Girl, Wash Your Face and flipped to the front page to check it out, I started reading and couldn't really stop.

Shout outs | Becoming by Michelle Obama; The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank; The Moth by Catherine Burns; The Cartoon Introduction to Philosophy by Michael F Patton and Kevin Cannon.

A book with magic in it | The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I still can't quite comprehend how good this book was. Ever since discovering the YA genre, it's not often I dive into adult fantasy books, but I had heard some many great things about this book that I had to pick it up. I'm so glad I did, because it was amazing. The magic in this book is called Sympathy, which is sort of like magic and alchemy mixed together. Definitely recommend!

Shout outs | Harry Potter by JK Rowling; The Magicians by Lev Grossman; Carry On by Rainbow Rowell; Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Set in a big city | An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, by Hank Green

Hank Green's debut novel was amazing. Normally alien invasions and sci-fi genres don’t draw me in, but there was something about An Absolutely Remarkable Thing that was, shockingly enough, absolutely remarkable (and I’m 100% no one has made that joke before, she says sarcastically). It's set in many large cities around the world, but predominately New York and LA.

Shout outs | Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (London); Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (New York City); Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (Singapore).

Featuring a mythical creature | Eragon, by Christopher Paolini

I was about 15 years old when I first read Eragon, and since then I've read it multiple times (although I haven't actually finished the series! Eek!) Whenever anyone says 'dragons' (which happens more in my life than you might expect), then I think of Eragon. Can I caution you, though? Don't watch the movie.

Shout outs | Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan; Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller; Mythos by Stephen Fry.

A book with a number in the title | Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

There were actually so many books that I could suggest for this box! You can check out a long list which Erin put together for our Book Club May theme here. But if you haven't read Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and you enjoyed YA fantasy mixed with great characters and spectacular heists, this is the duology for you. Get on it!

Shout outs: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte; One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus; Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline.

And you've done it! You've completed a column! Congratulations! I hope this has been helpful and at least given you some ideas for books to read.

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Friday, 10 August 2018

Features | Favourite First Lines

They're the beginning, the start, the first ... they're the pull, the grip, the tug. They're the sentences that make or break that very first chapter. First lines in stories are important, and most of the time authors do a great job at hooking you from the start.

There are some first lines, however, that just stick out; ones that you read and think 'oooh, yeah! Great line, let's do this!', ones that suck you into the story you may not even be ready for. While the list of my favourite first lines below is in no way complete - I'm sure I've missed some of my most favourites! - it's a selection of brilliant lines from even better stories, written by wonderful authors.

These are some of my favourites; what are yours?

1 | "Mr. and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."
As far as first liners go, this isn't actually one that captivates much imagination or a 'need to continue ready, stat' sort of feeling. But it's the beginning of the greatest series ever, and has to be my favourite opening line of all time.

2 |  "Joost had two problems: the moon and his mustache."
Leigh Bardugo has written some excellent stories - if you're familiar with the Grishaverse then you'll know what I mean. This is from the first in her duology, Six of Crows.

3 |  "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Ah, Jane Austen. I'm sorry, but little needs to be said about this epic first line from Pride and Prejudice.

4 |   "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."
Out of all the Narnia Chronicles, this has to be my favourite first line, which is from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Poor Eustace. Although C.S Lewis is right, he really did almost deserve the name.

5 | "Kell wore a very particular coat."
Oh, hello V.E. Schwab. Your writing is spectacular and I will read everything you write. This first liner is from A Darker Shade of Magic, and everything about Kell's 'particular' coat is wonderful. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it.

6 | "My big brother reaches home in the dark hours before dawn, when even ghosts take their rest."
An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir, has to be a favourite read of mine. It's an epic tale, with an epic beginning.

7 | "Scarlet's feelings came in colors even brighter than usual."
So I kinda cheated a little bit with this one. The actual first line of Caraval by Stephanie Garber is 'it took seven years to get the letter right", which is also a great line, but then for the next 10 or so pages it's copies of that letter. This line I've shared is beginning of the actual story, when the letters have been shared and the story of Caraval really begins. I love the idea of feelings being in colours (Inside Out anyone?), so I really enjoy the way Garber words this.

8 |  "Chapter the first, in which the Messenger of the Immortals arrives in a surprising shape, looking for a permanent Vessel; and after being chased by her through the woods, indie kid Finn meets his final fate."
This was a funny read for me because I 'read' it via audio book. Can I suggest you not to do that? It was super hard for me to understand the format (which is very clever) when I couldn't see the actual page. This first line from The Rest of Us Just Live Here, by Patrick Ness, is brilliant, however; what a way to begin a novel.

9 | "It's a weirdly subtle conversation. I almost don't notice I'm being blackmailed."
Technically two sentences, but it would work with a semi-colon so I'll allow it (you can't stop me!). I read Simon VS the Homosapiens Agenda earlier in the year and loved it, but this first line/s is the most perfect way to begin the story of Simon and Blue.

10 |  "The problem with my life was that it was someone else's idea."
I love this first line from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. It begins how it means to continue: wonderfully. (Read my review here, and Sophie's here.)

So there we have it. 10 of some of my favourite first lines in novels. Of course, there will be many more, and I'm sure I've missed some that would actually be bumped into my top 10, but it's a look into that list anyway.

What are some of your favourite first lines?

Photo by Dexter Fernandes on Unsplash

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Monday, 22 October 2018

BB Book Club | November's Book Is...

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.
Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic, by Leigh Bardugo

This stunning book has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse is one of my favourite worlds, and her Six of Crows Duology has to be up there in my top 10 favourite books/series. Perhaps even top 5; they're that great. (Check out my review from 2016 of Shadow and Bone, the first in The Grisha Trilogy by Bardugo.)

The Language of Thorns is a collection of six short stories from the Grishaverse, but you don't have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one.

From clever foxes to singing mermaids, gingerbread children to talking toy solders, the stories are similar to ones you may have heard before, but they're much darker with more magic and mystery. Each of the six stories is almost Aesop-Fable's -esque, with a moral or something to get you thinking.

“We were not made to please princes.”

Also it has pictures, and they are beautiful. These were done by the incredibly talented Sara Kipin, and if you flip the edges of the pages quickly they seem to move. Very pretty and such a magical touch.

If you'd like to read along with us in this month's Book Club pick, grab up a copy from your local library or head over to Book Depository to buy one for yourself (and get free shipping worldwide). Once you've read the book, share your thoughts through this Google form, by the 23rd of November.

You can also use the hashtag #bookshelfbookclub to share your book photos and thoughts with us too!

If this doesn't sounds like your type of book, never fear! Our last pick of the year (already?!) will be chosen by Sophie, so stayed tuned for the announcement later in November!

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Friday, 1 May 2020

Book Club | May 2020 - With A Number In The Title

For our 2020 BB Book Club we've put together another printable list of twelve different prompts, one for each month of the year. Just as we did in 2019, on the 1st day of each month we'll be introducing you to the month's prompt and the books team members each plan to read, along with some other suggested reads we think you'll love. Of course, these are just ideas so please feel free to interpret the prompts however you wish!

We're also inviting you to share photos and mini reviews of your book club picks on social media using #bloggersbookshelf or tag @bloggersbookshelf on Instagram.

Our prompt for May is...

With A Number In The Title

What we'll be reading...

Anjali's Pick: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"I've been meaning to read this book ever since Erin started raving about it. I can't keep track of how many times she's read it now! But I thought this was the perfect time to pick it up! Looking forward to it."

Erin's pick: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"One True Loves is one of two Taylor Jenkins Reid novels I haven't yet read. So far, I've enjoyed all of them so I've been saving this one for our May book club as I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it! I also noticed that the audiobook of Daisy Jones and the Six is available from my library in May so I've reserved that for a potential re-read as well.
I was also really excited to hear that Anjali has chosen one of my recommendations for her book club pick this month too!"

Friday, 15 June 2018

Leah on the Offbeat | Becky Albertalli | Review

“Imagine going about your day knowing someone’s carrying you in their mind. That has to be the best part of being in love- the feeling of having a home in some else’s brain.”

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended. - Goodreads

I seem to be reading a lot of LGBT books this year, and I wonder why that is. Perhaps there are more of them than there used to be, or they're on my radar more because so many of them are just such good reads. *Shrugs* Who knows. What I do know is that I am totally cool with that, and if YA books continue to be anything like Leah on the Offbeat, then bring.it.on.

After reading Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda earlier in the year, I absolutely loved the character of Leah Burke, so when I saw that Becky Albertalli had written another book from Leah's perspective, I was super excited. And she did not disappoint.

Leah is a brilliant gem of a character and I love her. She is this sassy, kick-ass drummer of a teen, who rocks her own style, and while she hasn't come out to her friends, her mum knows she's bi and is 100% supportive of that. Leah has a great way with words and I found myself laughing out loud at points, and then getting really emotional at times. Her banter with her friends and potential boyfriends/girlfriends is excellent, and Albertalli writes it wonderfully.

“I'm basically your resident fat Slytherin Rory Gilmore.”

It's your typical great teen novel, in a way, with high school ending, prom to worry about, break ups and make ups, road trips to colleges they might be attending, and a whole lot of drama. But it's also this sweet story of a girl figuring out who she is, not for herself necessarily - she already knows that - but perhaps who she is in relation to others.

Oh, and I have to mention that we do get a lot of Simon in this book, which is wonderful because I didn't want his story to end either. Being in the same tight circle of friends as Leah, we discover more about Simon and his relationships, and what their plans are after they graduate. We're one year on from the events in Simon Vs so in a way, it feels like a sequel even if it's Leah's story, Leah's focus, and not Simon's.

One last thing before you rush out to get yourself a copy: the geek in this book was my all time favourite thing ever. Do you know how many references there are to Harry Potter? So.Many!

“You can’t just like Harry Potter. You have to be balls-out obsessed with it.”

Other wonderfully geeky things that Leah brings up include (but not limited to): Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (the Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice musical that I basically grew up on), Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Love Actually, Grease, and Star Wars movies, Hamilton the show, HGTV, Roswell (okay, not specifically the show but it's a street name in the book and I like to think it's in reference), Gilmore Girls, Doctor Who, and even things like fan fiction and OTP (one true pairing). It was a top-notch geeky book, and I loved everything about it.

If you read and loved Simon Vs then you need to pick up Leah on the Offbeat.

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Friday, 21 October 2016

Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | Review

“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”

The Shadow Fold: a dark place full of even darker creatures who feed on human flesh. That's where orphans and best friends Alina and Mal are headed with a group of people. But when things don't go as planned, Alina is ripped from Mal and taken to the Darkling. He is the most powerful Grisha in the land, and he claims that she is the long awaited for Sun Summoner - the one who will help with rid the world of the Shadow Fold once and for all.

Alina didn't even know that she was Grisha, let alone have any confidence that she could do what she was asked. But as she starts her Grisha lessons, she learns more and more not only about the history of the land she lives in and the Grisha, but about herself. When things take a turn for the worst, Alina has to decide who to trust, who to run from, and how to save her world.

I.Loved.This.Book. There wasn't much I didn't like about Shadow and Bone. The world that Bardugo has created is incredible. I love the idea of the Shadow Fold and the dangers that lurk within, I love the idea of the Grisha, with their powers and their magical elements, I love map at the front of the book. Yes, dear friends, it has a map. Everything from the names of the cities and towns to the little worldly elements, was amazing and I definitely got sucked in.

The plot is one we've seen before - character doesn't realise they have power, they discover, they don't believe, they are actually the answer to saving the world, things go wrong, things go right, there's a love, there's a friend, there's a traitor, and sometimes there's a twist - but Bardugo has written it in such a way that the entire thing felt incredibly new. Not only her story line and the things that happened to Alina along the way, but the way she's written it is stunning. I loved reading every single word of it.

Alina was an enjoyable main character, and while there were moments of 'what are you doing, woman?! Don't do that!' I think it was partly that that made me like her. Mal was your typical best friend - the funny guy, the flirt-with-everyone-else-but-your-best-friend-who-actually-loves-you guy - and even when the Darkling showed up all sexy like and dark and mysterious, there was always a part of me rooting for Mal. Other minor characters were wonderful too, and completely added to the story. Another nod at Bardugo's great writing.

This is the first book in the Grisha series, which continues with Siege and Storm, and then Ruin and Rising. Set in the same world, but a new trilogy, Six of Crows came out last year, and just recently the second in that series, Crooked Kingdom, has been released. Looking forward to reading all of these, and if you're into YA fantasy, then this series is a must, and I am saying that with full confidence even though I've only read the first one.

Have you read Shadow and Bone? What did you think?

Image from Good Reads

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Friday, 20 July 2018

Features | A Summer Reading List

The sun is out and summer holidays are here. Long days and breaks from school or work mean plenty of time to relax and enjoy your favourite hobby. They also mean it's time to get serious about summer reading and I am here to help you build your perfect summer reading list.

The first thing you need for a comprehensive summer reading list is a cosy classic. My recommendations are I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith or Emma by Jane Austen, but any comfy story from a bygone era featuring lots of important walks in the countryside and innocent misunderstandings that almost ruin everything will do.

The next thing every summer reading list needs is a romance to make you swoon. For this I recommend Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins or Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, two sweet high school romances guaranteed to give you that summer love feeling.

No summer reading list is complete without a mystery to keep you gripped at the side of the pool. For an update on a classic mystery duo, go with Brittany Cavallaro's Sherlock Holmes retelling, A Study in Charlotte, or for something a little more mind-bending try Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart.

Summer days are good and long, giving you plenty of time to sink your teeth into something a bit more epic. If you're looking for a fast-paced, political fantasy, I recommend the Rebel of the Sands series by Alwyn Hamilton. If complex heists are more your thing then you can't go wrong with Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows duology.

Finally, what would a summer reading list be without a little bit of magic? My recommendations for modern stories with just a hint of the supernatural are Wing Jones by Katherine Webber, which features a small dose of corner of the eye magic, and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, which features more than a small dose of straight on supernatural.

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Friday, 1 March 2019

Book Club | March 2019 - An Animal Or Creature In The Title

For our 2019 BB Book Club we've put together a printable list of twelve different prompts. On the 1st day of each month, we'll be introducing you to the month's prompt and the books team members each plan to read, along with some other suggested reads we think you'll love. Of course, these are just ideas so please feel free to interpret the prompts however you wish!

We're also inviting you to share photos and mini reviews of your book club picks on social media using #bookshelfbookclub and tag @bloggersbookshelf on Instagram.

Our prompt for March is... An Animal Or Creature In The Title

What we'll be reading...

Ria's Pick: The Tusk That Did The Damage by Tania James

"I stumbled upon this read when I was looking for books that were set in India, before I visited the country back in 2017. The plot looked really unusual, in that one of the narrators is actually an elephant, plus the story itself was set in one of the regions we'd be visiting. I didn't get to read this before I went on holiday, but I'm hoping that the story will feel even more vivid, as I've now actually been to Kerala (where the book is set) and saw elephants in a sanctuary there too!"

Erin's Pick: Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

"Just like last month, I've decided to use our book club to tackle my TBR list with a title that's been sitting unread on my Kindle for two years. Set in 1956, the book follows an alternate version of history, where Hitler prevailed and a young former death camp prisoner sets out to kill him. Whilst historical fiction is not a genre I tend to reach for often, I've heard nothing but great things about this series and I'm hoping I'll enjoy it as much as everyone else."

Anjali's Pick: Percy Jackson & the Sea Of Monsters by Rick Riordan

"One of my vow to read books this year was Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, which I've already read. Thought this month's theme was the perfect opportunity to keep the series going! Looking forward to reading this one!"

Sunday, 31 December 2017

2017 Reading Challenge | Final Update

Over the past couple of years it's become tradition here at BB for our final post of the year to be a reading goals update. So how did we do with our 2017 goals? Keep scrolling to find out!

Don't forget to let us know how you got on with your 2017 goals, and which books you're planning to read in 2018!

Anjali... 49/40 books read | 4/5 books vowed to read
In all the years we've done Vow To Read lists on BB, I don't think I've managed to actually read all five. However, neither have I reached four before now, so I'm pretty pleased with that. I have read some great books this year, but a few favourites have been the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab, and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.

Erin... 3/5 books vowed to read

Just like last year I only managed to cross three books off my 'vow to read' list. I'm still currently in the library queue for Always & Forever, Lara Jean so hopefully I'll get to finish the series soon. My library has also finally ordered copies of Scythe so I'll be adding that to my 2018 TBR too!

Cat... 1/5 books vowed to read

I only managed to read The Graces out of the five I had planned, hopefully I’ll read the others next year.

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers and everyone who has contributed to Blogger's Bookshelf throughout 2017. We hope to see you for lots more bookish talk in the new year, along with our brand new book club and newsletter!

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Sunday, 1 September 2019

Book Club | September 2019 - Also A Movie Or TV Show

Our prompt for September is... Also A Movie Or TV Show

What we'll be reading...

Erin's Pick: Dexter In The Dark by Jeff Lindsay

"When we selected the prompts for 2019's book club, I thought September's theme would be an easy one but I actually found it quite difficult to choose a title for this month. I've already read a handful of books that would've worked earlier in the year so probably should have timed my library loans better! Instead I've opted to read a book that's been sitting on my shelf for a while (read: years). I started reading the Dexter series back in 2013 so it's about time I moved on to book three! "

Anjali's Pick: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

"This will be a re-read for me, but it's one that I've been wanting to pick up again ever since I read for the first time. I re-read the first in this duology, Six of Crows, a month or so back so am really looking forward to continuing with the story (again). While not strictly speaking a book that has been made into a show or movie yet, the whole Grishaverse created by Bardugo is in the process of being turned into a TV show. This is going to include the characters and story lines from this duology and also the Shadow and Bone series. It's still very early days, but boy am I looking forward to it (but also really hope they don't muck it up!!)."

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.

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Saturday, 17 November 2018

Setting

Characters

Plot

Friday, 23 December 2016

Friday, 21 July 2017

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Have you completed a row on Book Bingo yet?

Left column

Non Fiction | Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

A book with magic in it | The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Set in a big city | An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, by Hank Green

Featuring a mythical creature | Eragon, by Christopher Paolini

A book with a number in the title | Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Friday, 10 August 2018

Monday, 22 October 2018

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic, by Leigh Bardugo

Friday, 1 May 2020

Our prompt for May is...

With A Number In The Title

What we'll be reading...

Other suggested reads...

Friday, 15 June 2018

Friday, 21 October 2016

Friday, 20 July 2018

Friday, 1 March 2019

Our prompt for March is... An Animal Or Creature In The Title

What we'll be reading...

Other suggested reads...

Sunday, 31 December 2017

Sunday, 1 September 2019

Our prompt for September is... Also A Movie Or TV Show

What we'll be reading...

Other suggested reads...

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.