I promise I promise I promise I will find a way to continue this blog for the few of you who are following me.
But until then here is a list of every book I’ve read in 2016:
Category: Lists
The Weirdest Top Five Books from 2014 List You’ll See
I managed to read, including comics, 125 books in the year 2014. Not all of them were published in 2014, in fact fuew of them were but this list is based off books I read, and here they are.
So here are my top reads from 2014, in no particular order. They were even fun, or they hurt, or reminded me of a happier time in my life.
Kingdom of Scars by Eoin Macken
This book is extremely well written, and reminded me of how tough adolescence can be, while giving me an insight as to what it might be to grow up in a different class climate, and what it’s like for boys growing up as well. It was not the easiest of reads, but it was a coming of age tale I just know I’ll go back to again and again.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
This book and the sequels reminded me of how easily you can become engrossed in a book. Or a series. This was one of the best written, best researched books I’ve read in a long time. The story telling was excellent, the characters and scenery leaping from the page into mind.
Band-Aid for a Broken Leg by Damien Brown
This is a book that reminds me that maybe I as a person don’t do as much as I could to help those outside of my family and social circle. It was an inspiring read that I still think about almost daily.
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
This will make some people arch an eyebrow, or even turn away in disgust. But amongst my trying to read world class literature, and more non-fiction this was the book that reminded me that reading was supposed to be enjoyable and fun. The characters are flawed, in the best possible way and this is a series I’ll no doubt visit again and again.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This was a book that hit close to home, because I’ll admit, this is the character closest to me, only I’m not hauling in any boyfriends any time soon. It’s well written, clever, angsty, fluffy and fun. Rainbow Rowell is a master of writing.
This year, in 2015 my goal is to read 80 books.
Let’s see if I can’t savour my books a little longer, and take a step outside every so often. Let’s see if I can read more classics, or if it’s the year of the supernatural once again as 2014 yielded a list containing more vampires, werewolves, skinwalkers, time travellers and fae than any year before.
All I know is that I’ve got a lot of books on my shelves that still haven’t been read and they too should take up some valuable real estate in my imagination.
Two Books That Are Gonna Hurt: In the Cold & Kingdom of Scars
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you’re doing well, enjoying your candy, your classic and not-so-classic horror movies, hiding under the cover reading THAT novel. You know the one, the one that makes you shiver, makes you quiver, makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up and then when you’ve put it away infiltrates your dreams.
Now normally around this time of year, I try to read something scary, or horrific. I try to find books that make me want to turn the page as quickly as I can and simultaneously make me not want to, so I can hold onto that feeling of fear for just a little bit longer.
This year however, I found myself not doing so. I didn’t even pick up a vampire novel until last night. Strange isn’t it?
Instead I read two books that hurt, and when I say hurt, I mean you care so deeply, so infinitely about these characters that you wish you could take care of them yourself.
Continue reading “Two Books That Are Gonna Hurt: In the Cold & Kingdom of Scars”
Comic Books I’m Loving Right Now
I, like many other singles in their twenties have a personal profile on a dating site, on that site for the longest time as my headline were the words, “Must love comic books and comic book movies.”
I’ve since changed it, and am not really interested in dating so much as I am interested in my next trip. But my love of comic books remains the same.
So without further ado, the comic books that you should be reading.
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Besides the fact that Hawkeye has always intrigued me as an Avenger, and out of the Avengers this is one of the best written and drawn comic series’ of the current time. Trust me on that. Not only is Hawkeye often in trouble, as he always is, but the other characters in it are amazing. I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about Kate Bishop before this, but I sure as hell know a lot about her now.
It’s a breath of fresh air, full of wit, drama, angst and strong characters.
Ms Marvel by G Willow Wilson amongst others such as Jamie McKelvie, Sara Pichelli, and Adrian Alphona
Marvel Now is doing some awesome things right now, so many awesome things that sometimes I can’t even handle it, nor can my bank account. Seriously, it’s become a problem.
But this, this comic, in which Ms. Marvel isn’t really Ms. Marvel but might in fact be more Ms. Marvel than she has been in years, in terms of what that means. She is Muslim, she is a teenage girl, she messes up, she feels self-conscious but she is herself.
And it is glorious. If you haven’t picked this up, or don’t think that’s a big deal you need to do it anyway.
Black Widow by Edmonson and Noto
She has relatively normal proportions. SHE HAS RELATIVELY NORMAL PROPORTIONS. She is also a badass, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone, male or female and I love her for it. This is a new era for Black Widow, given her portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it is awesome.
This comic takes no prisoners, and no names, it is unapologetic in its violence, and in it’s blunt nature and I love it for it.
Sex Criminals by Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction
Now if you want a comic that’s unapologetic, and goofy, yet means so much this is it. There is no holds barred (though at the same time there’s…holds in other ways), it is comedic, and clever and witty. This comic shows us how ridiculous we are in being so inhibited in even talking about sex.
It’s just brimpin’ awesome.
002: Out, In and On The Way
OUT
Books I’ve read recently:
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich.
My thoughts: I read this book for one reason and one reason only. Because I cannot give up a series once I’ve begun it. That being said it was what I’ve come to expect from Janet Evanovich. A few funny one liners, situations that are a bit like car crashes (sometimes they are actual car crashes) and frustration with some of the main characters. This is my go to light reading, I’m not expecting anything epic from it but in a way it’s comforting to come back to this series every so often.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
My thoughts: This series. This series. Oh my god this series. I know that sometimes they’re too long. I know that there are scenes which could probably be removed for ease of pacing and reading but it’s not going to stop me from reading it. I was an Outlander virgin until this year. I had no notion of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser. No notion of Jamie Fraser. Of Roger Mac or Brianna.
My sister mentioned these casually to me previously but I didn’t really feel like it. But then a coworker mentioned them to me, and now I’m just all over it. I’ve read them so much, and return to the previous books to remind myself of scenes I love.
And along with the Fiery Cross I just finished A Breath of Snow and Ashes and am quite eager to get along with the rest of the series.
I will be completing full length reviews of both of these books later. Because these books deserve all the praise they can get even if some of the language is a little bit problematic and I’m still almost entirely sure I will never be able to speak Gaelic. Ever.
I also read Leaving the Beach by Mary Rowen and in the process I’ve met two of the most dislikable characters I’ve ever had the displeasure to meet but yet the book left me with fond feelings due to its soundtrack. It’s soundtrack is pretty much the reason to keep reading. Longer review to follow.
In
The books I’m already reading
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis.
I actually don’t like football all that much, but my sister adores it. And I was told by a friend that this was one of the books he’d ever read, so with that in mind I am trying to expand my horizons.
The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne
This was a book I got for free, in exchange for an honest review and so far it has actually blown me away.
It is once again, me stepping outside of my comfort zone, into a futuristic fantasy in a land I’ve never been to.
ON THE WAY
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
Five Books That Have Changed Me
I wasn’t always a reader. In fact, as a child there were so many more things I would have preferred to do then sit down and read a book.
My sister, and my mum were both so concerned about this. And so, one of my most vivid bookish memories is my sister, nine years older than me reading a book by my bedside while I was suffering from some sort of sickness. Knowing me, it was probably pneumonia. That book? The Magicians Nephew. Definitely one of the books that changed me.
So without further adieu, my list. (In no particular order to be honest, how can I put one beloved work of fiction above another?)
5. The Magicians Nephew by C.S Lewis
The second last book published in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew is the first chronologically and the first book I read (or was read to me). At the peak of my sickness, my sister sat down next to my bed, and began verbally weaving a tale so magical that I wouldn’t be able to recall if the memory was real in later years. Or at least not until, in my haste to read more Lewis, I happened to pick up this very book.
This book was the gateway to fantasy for me, and it was so very wonderfully detailed that I would practically clutch it to myself as I savoured every single word on the page. It changed the thought I had in mind, that books had to be boring, and were all based in reality.
Favourite Quote:
“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”
001: Out, In and On the Way
Books I’ve already read this month:
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
The second in the series, this one is a little bit of a slower read than the first book, Outlander, or at least it was for me but that didn’t mean I didn’t love it any less. Reading my sister’s super well read copy, the pages beneath my fingertips, and the characters leaping off the page. Jamie remains one of my favourite male characters, though he still often does the wrong things for the right reasons and vice versa. Claire is daring, courageous and often foolish.
Good for: Those who like time traveling or historical fiction, because this book has the best of both worlds.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
The third in the series, this book didn’t capture my attention as quickly as I wanted it to. But the mystery, intrigue and conflict soon did. With Claire apart from all she knows, in so many different ways, and Jamie’s life changing rapidly it makes for a truly good read. The introduction of newer characters, such as Roger make it all the more interesting.
It was great, exploring other parts of the world with the characters.
This book allowed me to avoid reality for a little while, and enjoy a world completely apart from our own.
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
This is a book I absolutely tore through, the fourth in the series, and the last one I own. I ended up kicking myself when it was over, fully aware that pay day, and the money I needed to buy books was so very far away.
Brianna’s character grows, and in some ways resembles Jamie’s so strongly that there’s no doubting, even in literature they are father and daughter. Roger’s trials were treacherous and yet wonderful, and so detailed and well written.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, and find out what else will happen to the characters.
