September: A Review

  



I have missed these monthly reviews! September has been a month of rereading and settling in to my new job!

 

 When I looked at Goodreads I was shocked as I felt I'd been reading lots and then I realised I'd been rereading a lot! I love rereading, going back to your favourite passages or just opening on a random page and re-experiencing it all. Book Worm Alert!

 

Lots of TV catching up in September! Being away all summer and my PGCE before limited my TV watching. Enjoying the return of Orphan Black and Great British Bake Off (final next week!).

Series' that finished forever

Revenge~ Loved the ending and I will miss Emily and Nolan.

Under the Dome~ Not a great ending but a fab series.

Continuing series'

Pretty Little Liars~ I know who A is but I still have so many questions!

Fantastic Four was a great reboot and a fab cast!

I got to watch an advance preview with Maze Runner and Scorch Trials back to back which was great as I had forgot minor details of Maze Runner and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

• Started my first teaching job!
• Taught Year 2 for two weeks solo.
• Started a Yoga class.
• Baked a successful Lime Meringue Pie.
• Watched Michael McIntyre live.
• Enjoyed a weekend in the Welsh Valleys.
• Attended the annual end of summer party.

 

September wasn't as exciting as August or July but it was a good month with work life fun like celebrating Alice in Wonderland with Year 1, waffle catch ups with my favourites, lots of cocktails and a 'proper' job!

What did you love about September?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn 2015 TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic: Autumn TBR.

 

 

Hello! Long time no post! But I love these TBR topics almost as much as I love Autumn!

 

 

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen.

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han.

Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

The Heir by Kiera Cass.

Court of Fives by Kate Elliott.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas.

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee.

 

I've been off my reading game this year so my TBR is mainly books I already own and need to read! Spinning Starlight is my only new release which I am really looking forward to.

 

Let me know which book is top of your TBR this Autumn!

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx.

P.S I am planning a full blog return for October so stay tuned!

September: A Review!

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and monthly blogging goals!
 
I'm keeping up with my monthly reviews! September's been a pretty successful month for this year!

September in Numbers!

Total posts= 12

Books read= 6

Reviews Posted= 4

 

What I read in September!

 

September reviews!

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

Biggest Flirt by Jennifer Echols
Nantucket Red by Leila Howland.
Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

September posts!

Cover Love: UK vs US Comparisons.

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn TBR!

Goodbye Summer!

Summer Bingo Wrap Up!

Fantasy Flashback Friday: Tamora Pierce
Cover Love: Stunning Series So Far!
Sneak Peeks!
August: A Review.
Challenge Update 3

 

September Goals...

Pre-Schedule- Yay! My prescheduling has worked this month! I think my blog has actually been better than August....

Social Media~ Whoops! Not so good. Mainly because I can only connect my phone and netbook to the Uni internet and my blog social media is on my tablet...

Reviews~ More reviews! Not quite 6 but that was an ambitious goal!

 
October blogging goals!

• Pre-Schedule- I just want to keep this up and hopefully make it a routine.
• Reviews- I'm hoping for a realistic 4 as I'm starting my first placement!
• Reading- I need to make a conscious effort to read more. Without my morning bus journey and solo lunch break (downside of a small office!) I've lost my reading time! Plus I have so many PGCE readings that my evenings are taken up. So I'm going to aim to read 6 books again!

How was your September?

Looking forward to Autumn?

Much Love!

Lettie.

Xxx

Mini Reviews: Summer Edition!

Two great books that just screamed summer read to me!

Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols

Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts.Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.
As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a light hearted fling is about to get very complicated…

Thoughts

I really enjoyed Dirty Little Secret so I was intrigued by this Superlative series. I loved this book actually started before they were named Biggest Flirts. Tia was loud, confident and quite flirty. I liked how she contacted with Will straight away even if she'd completely misread him. Tia's family backstory explored a lot of her more abrasive personality traits like her aversion to love and relationships and her intense dislike of responsibility. I would have loved to see more interaction with her Dad as he remained a mystery! I loved how everyone in her life was aware of her little tricks to avoid responsibility despite the fact she thought she was hiding it so well. Will was an exciting character from the start, I loved that Tia misread him so we learnt about him slowly. I felt for him moving for senior year especially as all the positions he wanted/needed for College applications were taken up. Will was however a little desperate to have a relationship as soon as he arrived in Florida and made some questionable choices! I absolutely loved the dynamic and chemistry between Tia and Will, it made the whole book for me. Their chemistry seemed effortless and they just feel quite naturally into an almost couple like state. Their responses to their titles was funny as they were so blatant all the time! I felt like Will's straitlaced and open personality went well with Tia's free and complex one. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

Here are Peyton and Jace, meeting on vacation. Click! It’s awesome, it’s easy, it’s romantic. This is the real deal.

Unless it isn’t. Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.

Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind. And neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead…

Thoughts

Two Way Street was the first Lauren Barnholdt book I read so when I heard this was a vague companion book I knew I wanted to read it! I love a good road trip contemporary romance! Peyton surprised me, I usually dislike overly emotional leads but I loved Peyton. Sure she was whiny and dramatic but she was funny with it. Her family life had changed and when you're a teenager that is the worst thing that can happen to you especially what we learnt about her Mum. Peyton wasn't afraid to chase and commit to big abstract dreams even when they seemed to be falling apart, I admired that about her if it was a bit naïve. I loved the history between Jace and Peyton, it was realistic and sweet at the same time. I loved Jace especially the chapters from his point of view. He was witty and sharp. I liked how he begrudgingly took care of Peyton was necessary and pointed out her flawed plans. His best friend Evan was hilarious with his wild ideas, I would have loved to see more of him. It was great to get a look at how Courtney and Jordon were getting on and even BJ! I loved their side roles as advisers and examples. Right of Way was a great young adult contemporary summer book! I loved how the issues facing Jace and  Peyton were realistic and not too extreme. I always enjoy Lauren's books so looking forward to Through to You to come out in paperback next summer!

 

Do you feel these books are quintessentially summer books?

Let me know!

Much Love!

Colette

Xxx

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Thoughts!

Why didn't I read this earlier?? It's been on my tbr since it released in 2012- it was so worth the wait!
     My Life Next Door is a layered traditional contemporary summer book with twists and well written characters. It wasn't cliché as I'd anticipated.
    Samantha Reid was a great lead. I found her sweet and hard working if a little naïve. I love how she slotted into her life next door as she seemed to be a bit neglected at home especially with her sister gone and her Mum otherwise occupied. Jase was such a welcoming and generous male lead. He wasn't a cliché good or bad guy he was simply a well rounded mature teenager. I loved how he took on responsibilities for his family but would occasionally complain. I liked how he treated Samantha and how easy going he was.
    My Life Next Door has a well written individual side cast with all their own issues and personalities. The Garretts were such a vibrant family with so many different personalities. It was easy to see how and why Samantha was attracted and intrigued by them as they were so different to her family. I loved how all of them had positive attitudes and were well adjusted enough to rise above other's prejudices. I could probably write a detailed profile of each of them so I'll curtail my love of the siblings. Dad was a steady and pragmatic man with his approach to providing for his family, I loved how he was honest with Tim but still trusted him as an employee.
    Which brings me to Nan and Tim. Nan was a more complex character than she seemed. Initially I took her for a good friend if a little snobby but as the book progressed it became clear that she was exceedingly rude, cruel and entitled. Her apparent concern for Tim masked a deep jealously and I defiantly think she's heading for a breakdown. Tim was my breakout character, I loved him. Tim really developed and grew over the course of the book. I liked how he flourished under the positive encourage of the Garretts and Sam. Sam and Tim's friendship was resurrected and it was clear to see how they had grown apart and refreshing to see a platonic strong friendship which developed. I also loved his interactions with the Garretts, how he stepped up when needed and his banter with Alice.
    Samantha's Mum was another surprisingly complex character. She projected the image of career driven and confident involved Mum but it became clear that she wasn't as confident in herself as she seemed. I couldn't believe how her plot twisted and turned especially her sudden disregard for Samantha despite her initial concerns over how and where she spent her summer.
    My Life Next Door was primarily character driven, the plot itself was a clever manipulation of prominent clichés such as boy next door, rich/poor divide.
I loved the summery setting the town was big enough for the whole story to largely stay in one place. I loved the positioning of the summer jobs, the country club etc. It was like a storybook American summer town which was the perfect setting for My Life Next Door.

Rating!

My Life Next Door is the perfect summer read full of well crafted unique characters and a interesting original plot.

 

Are you a long time fan of My Life Next Door?

Are you excited for Tim to get his own book?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

Cover Love: UK vs US Comparisons.

Comparison Time!

I love the Pushing the Limits series! Each book is unique, the relationships are layered and complex as are the plots. The covers are absolutely stunning too!

The top row are the UK covers and the bottom US.

Typography. The font and the layout.
UK I love how bold the UK font is. The colour highlights other aspects of the cover as well.
US. I do like the font and the directional differences but it's a bit to similar for me.
UK

Relevance. Do the covers offer a sneak peek of what's instore?
UK. This is a tough one because apart from how sporty the girl on Take Me On looks, the covers are just generic couples.
US. Again a few attractive generic couples however the car on Crash into You and the kickboxing element to Take Me On does make them more relevant.
US

True. Do the covers offer a true representation of the characters?
Pushing the Limits and Dare You To are similar across the covers.
UK.  Crash into You the girl is blonde like Rachel if a bit sultry and the guy is a clean cut version of Isaiah. Take Me On I like that Hayley looks sporty and tough with West completely in the background.
US. Crash into You again the girl is blonde but this Isaiah has tattoos and they are in a car. However Take Me On, the girl looks more casual in her jeans and tank top whereas West looks like he could be her trainer.
UK

Overall the UK covers are my favourite but they are all similar and luckily gorgeous.

What do you think?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn TBR!



Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic: Autumn TBR.

 

I love these TBR topics almost as much as I love Autumn! I'm going to be busy with my PGCE but I'm hoping I'll still have time to read at least ten books this season!

 

Series!

Clariel by Garth Nix~ I've already mentioned how much I love the cover and how intriguing the sneak peek I read was so clearly I will be heading straight to the bookshop on release day!

Echoes of Us by Kat Zhang~ I loved What's Left of Me and Once We Were so I've got this on preorder.

Captive by Aimee Carter~ Another cover I love and a sequel to a book I loved so of course I need to read this as soon as possible.

 

Contemporary Companions!

Unraveling You by Jessica Sorensen~ Ella and Micha and Lila and Ethan's children? Yes please!

Rowdy by Jay Crownover~ I love this series so I can't wait for Rowdy's story.

Forever Summer by C.J.Duggan~ Another well loved series~ this was on my Summer TBR but the release date got pushed back!

New Series!

The Young Elites by Marie Lu~ Although I'm not a fan of Legend I'm hoping to love this.

Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch~ This sounds like a great new series.

Jewel by Amy Ewing~ I'm intrigued by the blurb.

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen~ I love the blurb so I'm hoping my library reservation will come in soon!

Hopefully I will be able to read and love all these books! I got preapproved last week for Rowdy so I've just finished that one but I'd already scheduled this post :)

What's your must read this Autumn?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Goodbye Summer!

Summer is slowly drawing to a close! We are currently experiencing the last of the summer sun here in the UK but I've no doubt that once September is over the rain will set in and cozy nights in reading will be back!

I've decided to dedicate the next 9 days to 'goodbye to Summer' mini feature to help myself transition into Autumn mode!

What to Expect?

• Summer Bingo Wrap Up.
• Summer reviews such as Nantucket Red
• Autumn TBR
• Travel post
• and maybe an Autumn Bingo Challenge......

So I hope you enjoy the last of the summer days and my summery posts!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Summer Bingo Wrap Up!

Way back in July I decided to do my own Summer bingo challenge! I was inspired by Bookish Bingo  hosted by Great Imaginations when I saw it on The Book Monsters.

How did I do?

Not too bad! I got a line at least. I did plan on reading Forever Summer as my Australia but the publication date got pushed back! I managed to read a great range of books over summer though.
I really enjoyed this challenge. I think because it was quite free and the parameters were simple. I was going to do an Autumn one but my course is pretty intense so I may try and do a mini one for Christmas instead!

Have you ever done a Bingo challenge?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Cover Love: Stunning Series So Far!

I did a stunning series edition of this back in July but this time it's series that aren't completed yet but have gorgeous covers so far:

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

I love how each cover represents Celaena and her role in each book. I think importantly there is great fluency throughout the covers and I hope they stick with it throughout the series.

The Old Kingdom by Garth Nix.

I have loved these covers for years, I'm so glad that Clariel has kept with the style. I love the typography, the fire symbols and the little plot hint in the background. There is rumoured to be one more book, so hopefully it will follow the same format.

What covers do you hope hold out for the whole series?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Sneak Peeks!

Sneak peeks of upcoming books always intrigue me however two recent sneak peeks have really got me waiting on those two releases!

Sixteen-year-old Clariel is not adjusting well to her new life in the city of Belisaere, the capital of the Old Kingdom. She misses roaming freely within the forests of Estwael, and she feels trapped within the stone city walls. And in Belisaere she is forced to follow the plans, plots and demands of everyone, from her parents to her maid, to the sinister Guildmaster Kilip. Clariel can see her freedom slipping away. It seems too that the city itself is descending into chaos, as the ancient rules binding Abhorsen, King and Clayr appear to be disintegrating.
With the discovery of a dangerous Free Magic creature loose in the city, Clariel is given the chance both to prove her worth and make her escape. But events spin rapidly out of control. Clariel finds herself more trapped than ever, until help comes from an unlikely source. But the help comes at a terrible cost. Clariel must question the motivations and secret hearts of everyone around her - and it is herself she must question most of all.

I've already gushed over how much I love the cover here so I won't go into that. I read the beginning of Clariel on Buzz Books from NetGalley. I've waited a long time for Clairel so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was compelling from the first page. It reminded me of Sabriel, my favourite of the original trilogy, and Clariel's personality shone through. I'm already looking forward to the family dynamics and the development of Clairel's life in Belisaere.

Can you hear Atlantia breathing?
For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.
Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

I read the beginning of this book thanks to NetGalley and I'm already hooked! I love the world building and how it's been explained so far. It's much more technical and thought out then I anticipated as underwater worlds tend to be build weaker. I love Rio and her inner turmoil and decisions were intriguing and I'm so excited to read more of her journey. I'm intrigued by Bay's decision and the reasoning as she was against Rio doing the same, by mysterious .......  and I'm a little bit in love with .

What are you most looking forward to this Autumn?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Sweet by Erin McCarthy.

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.
Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself. 
Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…
Why?
I really liked Jess and Riley in True so I was hoping they would hold up in Sweet!

 Thoughts.

I loved the dynamic between Jess and Riley especially how they adjusted to living together with compromises and little arguments.
I liked Jess even more in Sweet, I loved her flair for design and her independent streak. I would have loved more with her family as there was a lot of drama and tension there.  I liked how self aware she was although she did sometimes cross over into overly critical. For example Jess knew she'd have to bond with the True boys in her own way and actively tried to. Jess really developed as a multi-layered character and I'm looking forward to this next book so I can see where Jess' career is developing!
Riley surprised me, he was a lot different than I expected, much more witty and thoughtful. I liked how he slowly warmed to most of Jess' ideas and how he treated her. Riley

I was glad to read more about the True family and to see how they have adjusted to their new family situation and especially to see how their family had developed. Easton, in particular, seemed to be progressing well under his brothers' parenting. I loved how Easton and 'U' responded to Jess who is a much more abrasive person than Rory and how she won them over.

Unfortunately because Jess hid so much from Kylie and Rory they didn't have so much of a role but we did get 'Rachel' who I definitely found interesting and I'm pretty sure she crossed a few friendship lines. I have a feeling she may be the next lead character!

Rating!

So far Jess and Riley are my favourite couple in this series!

Have you read the True series?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Friday Favourites: September

My top five Bookish things from September! This month was hard to pick five because I read a more diverse selection of books.

 

First Impression

Among the Nameless Stars by Diana Peterfreund.

I downloaded Among the Nameless Stars to see if I should buy For the Darkness Shows Stars and I barely got a chapter in before I put in an order for it! The world building and characterisation pulled me in.

 

Plot

All Our Yesterdays by Cristina Terrill.

I loved the all the twists and suspense in All Our Yesterdays. I'm not normally a fan of time travel but I really enjoyed how it was explained and incorporated in the book.

 

Character

Celaena Sardothien from Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas.

I didn't think I could love Celaena anymore but she really grew in Crown of Midnight and so much more was revealed of her background!

 

Guy

Enzo from Riptides by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt.

Enzo really broke my heart in Riptides! I loved his laidback nature and how funny he was, looking forward to more of him.

 

Genre

Dystopia with a twist!

All Our Yesterdays and Among the Nameless Stars are both irregular dystopia books. I'm not entirely sure All Our Yesterdays is definitely dystopia but it has a lot of elements! I liked that the plots were full of twists and surprises and felt very unique! 

 

What were some of your September favourites?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

September~ A Review

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and monthly blogging goals!

September's been a hectic month of holidays, extra work and preparing for my best friend's visit! I've managed to keep my blogging fairly regular though so fingers crossed I can maintain it throughout busy October.

September in Numbers!

Total posts= 15

Books read= 7

Reviews Posted= 3

What I read in September!

What I reviewed!

Unspoken by Jen Frederick.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards.
 

What I posted!

Stacking The Shelves: September
Confessions: Reviewing Middle books
Blog Tour: Left by T.R Graves
Behind the Blog: New Rating!
Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR Update
Bloggiesta Finish Line!
Bloggiesta To Do List!
Blog Tour: Unspoken by Jen Frederick.
Cover Reveal: Drift by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt.
Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn TBR!
August~ A Review!
Currently....
Friday Favourites: August!

Did I achieve my goals?
Diversity
I think I achieved this one! I posted a mix of memes, blog tours, discussions and reviews in September. Just need to keep it up!

Reviews
Whoops! No here near 8 this month.... At least I did some older reviews.
 

What I hope to achieve in October!

• Reviews- I want to post a more realistic four in October. One a week.
• Update Pages- I need to update my rating page with my new rating and all of my pages need a bit of updating anyway!

How was your September ?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Stacking The Shelves: September

What is Stacking The Shelves all about?

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

 

Welcome to my monthly shelves update! I've been abstaining from buying so many ebooks and focussing on reading so a smaller stacking the shelves this month!

 

Actual Shelf!

For The Darkness Shows Stars by Diana Peterfreund~ After reading the prequel I had to read this!

 

Review Shelf!

NetGalley

 Sweet by Erin McCarthy~ I liked True so I knew I'd like Sweet!
Made of Stars by Kelley York~ sounds intriguing!
Pawn by Aimee Carter~ 2014 new series which sounds awesome!
The Rule of Thirds by Chantel Guertin~ YA Contemporary which sounds good.

Blog Tours

Unspoken by Jen Frederick~ I loved Bo and AM's story!
The Only One by Magan Vernon~ I'm looing forward to more of John Boy!
Riptides by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt~ Love the Lengths series and Enzo is a great lead character.
Left  by T.R. Graves~ Spotlight post down already.
Without You by Brooklyn Skye~ Follow up to Stripped!
 

What joined your shelves in September?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx