Tag Archives: tbr pile

Back to School Reading List | Autumn 2017

As I’m writing this, I have one week until I go back to sixth form, and when this post publishes, it’ll be one day (aaaahhh!) I’m sort of dreading starting year 13, especially after a really great summer. I’ve done so many cool things but now I’m preparing to return to a non-existent social life and even more academic pressure than I’ve ever had before.

Sooo, how am I gonna cope with that? BOOKS!

This blog post is a list of all of the books I hope to read in the (little) free time I have during my first school term.

Disclaimer: I will probably not read all of these books during my first term back. I’m going to be so busy. But the IDEA of reading them is comforting to me, so this post is still valid, right? Without further ado, here’s the five books I’d like to read:

Haddon Hall: Where David Invented Bowie by Néjib

My dad picked up a copy of this graphic novel, but I had to steal it from him! It’s a portrait of David Bowie’s life, right at the start of his career, documenting his time in Haddon Hall. I’m local to Beckenham and this place Bowie used to live, so I thought it would be a really interesting read. The cover is so vibrant!

Awkward and Definition: The High School Chronicles by Ariel Schrag

I purchased Likewise, another graphic novel by Schrag, before realising I didn’t own the precious books in the series. This graphic novel collects the first two memoirs she wrote, whilst still in high school. I’ve read so many fantastic reviews of this relatable and quirky memoir series, so I’m really eager to start it. And what better time to read it than my last year at school?

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

I adored Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, the original book and the film. It’s probably one of my all-time favourite YA books. Despite having first read Miss Peregrine’s a while ago, I’ve never gotten around to its sequel. I’m putting this at the top of my TBR pile as I think it’ll be the perfect book for escapism on study breaks.

Post Truth: The New War on Truth and How to Fight Back by Matthew D’ancona

One of my new resolutions is to read more non-fiction; more specifically about politics and society. It’s hard to stay away from the news in the current political climate, but so-called “fake news” has become so common that it’s difficult to know when and how to respond. I’m hoping to learn a lot from this!

They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery

I’ve read so much about Black Lives Matter, but only in small snippets across social media. I’ve wanted to educate myself more about the situation of police brutality in America, so this book has been on my radar for the past few months. The writer is a journalist, who reported on related events over a number of years. This is going to be a very hard-hitting read, but I know it’ll also give me much more insight into an important movement.

So, those are the books I’m planning on reading in Autumn! Have you read any? What’s on your own reading list? Leave a comment 🙂

The Bibliomaniac: A Bookshelf Tour

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Every blogger and vlogger does one of these at some point, and yet in my five years of blogging, I don’t think I’ve ever talked about my shelves here! Admittedly I have on Twitter, a lot… but I figured a blog post would be nice. ~~Especially as I just tidied / did a massive book cull so my shelves aren’t as cluttered~~ so here goes!:)

MY MAIN BOOKSHELVES:

These shelves are home to about half of the books that I have read and own. I’m usually incredibly obsessive and organised (as in, alphabetising everything I own, from DVDs to school books) but these shelves are in absolutely no logical order. They’re a massive rainbow, which I love sososo much even if it does show that I have way too much time on my hands. (Even the items on the shelves correspond to the colours… yep).

These are part of the ‘main,’ bookshelf, but I count them at their own little sections, as they’re not YAwhich is what the shelves above mostly consist of. Two shelves are home to all of my classic books – from Enid Blyton, to Road Dahl, to George Orwell and my favourite thing I own – a 116 year old copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. A larger space is reserved for all of my graphic novels and collected comic editions! I’m definitely going to need more space on this one soon, as I’m looking to expand my series reading. Current favourites are The Runaways and The Wicked and the Divine.

This bit is the untidiest bit D:

This is where most of the books on my to-read (or in some cases, to re-read) list live! I should really order them into some kind of logical sense, but somehow I actually remember where all of these books are placed, so, I guess it’s all good.

Most of the rest of my TBR books are on the my windowsill (top of this left photo) and sitting on my library steps, by my desk! So many books, so little time.

I do keep many of the proofs copies I’m sent – visible at the bottom of the left photo, under my windowsill. Hot Key Books all look so lovely together. A couple of more recently sent ARCs live under my bed, as I’ve run out of room (despite culling 100 books the other day!)

And, finally – signed books! I haven’t been to any bookstore events in a long time (GCSEs, general exhaustion, etc) but I used to go up to Waterstones Piccadilly practically every week or so, attending talks and signings. My signed books don’t live in my room – they’re on shelves at the end of the hallway. But I do like that little area at the end of the house! More rainbow-ordered books!

So, that concludes the bookshelf tour! What do you think of my chaotic order of things? How do you organise your books?

IT’S SUMMERRRR: My To-Read List

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I actually really, really dislike Summer. With a passion. Because a) the weather can get too hot and b) I hate hot weather because c) I can’t curl up in bed in lots of jumpers to read and d) I’m expected to go out and socialise because it’s the holidays and it’s sunny. ~~What is this socialising thing you speak of. Ahem.~~

Buuuut, there is one pretty cool thing about Summer – over a month’s break from school! Before all the pressure hits in September as year eleven starts for me, I’m planning on spending the next weeks reading and blogging. That’s it. Plus sleeping. (Also volunteering at the library – I’ll have a shiny desk to read at, then).

Back to the point of this post. Last year, I did a summer TBR – picking particular books to read for the holidays – but it completely failed and I still haven’t read everything I listed on that post. Maybe I’ll do better this year?

bc it’s summer i actually went outside to take photos be proud of me

Here’s a little look at the books and why I picked them! Click on the titles to visit Goodreads.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: I read I’ll Give You the Sun a few months ago and it was a masterpiece. I’d really like to give her first novel a go. I’m sure I’ll love it as well.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith: I bought this from the lovely A Bundle of Books at a convention recently! This is very different to Smith’s other book, Winger – a lot wackier. I’m curious!

My Heart & Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga: I bought this quite a while ago because both the US & UK covers are stunning and the synopsis grabbed me. It seems like a really interesting read but I think I’ll need tissues.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: I bought this from my local indie bookshop, Kirkdale Bookshop, on the IBW2015 Bookshop Crawl. I’m in love with the cover and it’s been all over the internet!

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor: AGHGEO;IFHN’PEIVE’PIOEVM’DFCLWLS’WNDBWJUDBSLCNPEOGNMFKVMSLKENFIWNF. Basically.

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson: I was nagging my dad about borrowing this ever since he got a proof copy of this before it was released years ago – now I have a copy of my own I should probably get into it!

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: I love Rainbow Rowell’s books Fangirl and Eleanor and Park to bits. I’ve wanted to start this one for ages but as it’s a signed copy I haven’t wanted to take it out of the house! Summer is a good excuse.

So, hopefully I’ll stick to this to-read list! What books do you want to read this Summer? What did you think of any of the books in this post?

TO BE (RE)READ…

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As a book blogger, I read a lot of books: The many I buy in book stores, as well as the titles I’m lucky enough to be sent from publishers for review. But, as blogging schedules, deadlines and looming TBR piles have gotten more and more daunting, what I read can sometimes be a little restricted. Don’t get me wrong – I adore book blogging, and love & appreciate every aspect of it. What I read is always diverse and unique (Every new book is always a different genre). However, there are times when I look at my bookshelves and spot a title I loved recently, or a very old book I loved a long time ago. I’ll often pick the book up, reread the blurb, and maybe flick to a short scene I remember to be particularly memorable. I’ll read a short part then think to myself, I’d love to revisit these characters.

But, nine times out of ten, I put that title back and go to my TBR pile for my next read.

As much as I’m eager to delve into a fictional worlds I haven’t experience yet, I also find myself often wanting to revisit fictional worlds I’ve loved in the past. Therefore, for every ten books or so that I read from now on, I’d like to take an old favourite and reread it! As fun & challenging as reading to keep up with reviewing can be (which hasn’t been that frequent thanks to hectic coursework things!), rereading will be so fun (and a little nostalgic in cases…) and I’m sure it’ll cure the frequent reading slumps too!

Here’s a list of the top ten books I’d like to reread soon:

#1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

There’s not really a need to explain this one! I grew up with Harry Potter, but the last time I ever read the series was when The Deathly Hallows was released… I can’t believe that was just over seven years ago. I would love to reread the series, or at least the first book.

#2: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

I can recall reading Northern Lights when I was a lot younger, in primary school, but I can’t remember any of the plot now – though I remember it being a completely beautiful book. I came across my old toys of the movie characters a while ago, and they reminded me how I should definitely revisit the story!

#3: Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is just one of the many Roald Dahl books I would love to reread again – I was reminded of how magical his books were when I visited the Roald Dahl Museum again over the summer holidays. I just picked Matilda for this list, because it was definitely the main Dahl book that started my love of reading.

#4: The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

I can’t remember when and how, but recently the Magic Faraway Tree books came up in a conversation and I instantly flew back, in my head, to when my dad used to read these to Six-Year-Old-Me. I really adored them and I would love to reread at least one short story!

#5: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

As a primary school student, I accidentally picked up my first obsession when I bought Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I wish there was a fandom for this book. *Scours Tumblr* I’m sure I destroyed the spine of my copy when I read it over and over again between ages seven and eleven. I can’t find it anywhere though, which is sad! As soon as I find my copy I’m definite I’ll be making time for it.

#6: Paper Towns by John Green

John Green’s books are – I’m sure most will agree – genius. Paper Towns ties with TFiOS when it comes to picking a favourite of his books. As I’ve been getting really excited about the Paper Towns movie, seeing all of the set pictures online, I found myself tempted to go back and read the book. I’m sure I will before the movie is out!

#8: The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

Another Levithan title, also read very recently! This is on the list because it’s not only a book I want to go back to again, but it’s also probably the easiest to because it’s split into short pieces, each from a different character’s perspective. It was really poetic and moving – in fact, I’ve been rereading passages and pages recently.

#7: Every Day by David Levithan

Every Day is one of the most recently read books on this list; I read it in July. Levithan’s my favourite author at the moment, I think, and that was definitely decided after I finished reading Every Day. As soon as I closed the book, I wanted to start again. I’m not sure rereading Every Day will give me the same experience as reading it for the first time did, but it was a truly phenomenal book and I just want to revisit A so badly!

#9: Marvel’s The Runaways (Vol. 1)

The Runaways is a graphic novel series that I’ve raved about quite a few times on this blog. I just loved it so much! Though I haven’t actually finished the whole series (I think I’m missing two volumes) I would like to read the first volume again. To help cope with my feelings. Because I’m still crying over the most recent volume I read.

#10: Sailor Moon (Vol. 1) by Naoko Takeuchi

Between the ages of ten and twelve, I went through a kind of “manga” pghase – I was totally obsessed with drawing, manga style, and reading manga series including Sailor Moon. Naoko Takeuchi’s books are still an all-time favourite manga, though I haven’t read them in ages. With the recent release of Sailor Moon Crystal, I’d like to reread the original Sailor Moon books, then maybe try the new series!

Wow, that was unexpectedly a very long, rambling post… What books would you like to reread soon?

The Winter TBR pile

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The last months of the year are my favourite: Halloween, Christmas, great opportunities to get pretty pictures… And the perfect weather to curl up on the sofa with a blanket, tea, and a book! (:

A couple of weeks ago I sorted out some books I want to get around to reading the soonest, and books I think will be the best to curl up with leading up to Christmas. Some are by favourite authors, and some are books I’ve heard great things about and really want to try out. I’ve picked nine (One is split into three volumes), which may be a little over-ambitious as I have lots of ARCs too, and homework… But I’m very excited about reading them all, if I can manage to!

I’ve owned all of the books I’ve picked for quite a while but haven’t gotten around to them, mainly because the majority are hardbacks or very big books that I can’t carry to school and back. I can’t wait to curl up with these, though! Most of what I’ve picked are fantasies and adventure novels, for the pure escapism. I’m probably the most excited for Fahrenheit 451 at the moment, as it’s a classic I’ve been meaning to read for ages – and my copy is a really gorgeous Folio Society edition.

What do you recommend I read first? What books will you be curling up with over the last weeks of the year? (:

The Summer TBR pile

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I have so, so many books to read – I think I may have exactly 200 books on my TBR pile now. Gulp. That’s a lot. ~~I have a book buying problem.~~ My TBR pile isn’t organised at all, it’s totally chaotic. But, a few days ago, I decided I’d pick a certain number of books out, that I would definitely read, over the summer!

After all, as of Twelve O’Clock on Wednesday (I’m counting down ;D), it’s officially my Summer Holidays. My holidays are going to be pretty busy, because as well as some book events lined up and booked already, I’m also going to be volunteering at my local library for quite a few afternoons, helping kids with the Summer Reading Challenge (Which I’m really excited about!).

Anyway – I wanted to organise what to read over the holidays, and make a post about it – like a check-list, maybe, so it’s my own Summer reading challenge! I’ve narrowed down my overall TBR pile (it was HARD) to fifteen books. That may be a little bit over-ambitious, and I will probably add books, or swap some books, because I won’t always be in the right mindset for certain genres, I don’t think.

So… here’s what I’ll be aiming to read this summer!

The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo // I have read the first book in the trilogy, but that was a pretty long time ago, and I really want to reread it and marathon the trilogy – I’m really bad at remembering events from previous books in series, especially when it’s fantasy. Leigh Bardugo is coming to the UK over the Summer, and so to coincide with her visit I’m hoping to read all three of her books before the event that I’m planning to go to.

LIFE: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet // I received this at YALC and I’ve wanted to read it for ages!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman // I loved Just One Day when I read it a few weeks ago, and I really want to read this before I see the movie. I will start stocking up on tissues. The movie trailer made me cry.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins [ARC] // I received a copy of this from Usborne (thankyou!), and I have heard so much about Stephanie’s books. Everybody loves them. Lola looks like a perfect Summer read (:

Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List by David Levithan // Thank you to the people who organised the blogger’s YALC event, for putting this in my goody bag (: I’m really excited about reading more by David Levithan. I’ve just finished Every Day (which reduced me to a sobbing mess) and I’ll be seeing David in conversation with James Dawson very soon, eep!

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson // Ruby’s review. That is all. 😀

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStephano // The cover for this book is gorgeous! I read the synopsis on Goodreads a little while before the book came out, but never got the chance to buy it. I managed to get a copy at YALC.

SHIFT by Jeff Povey // I won this a few months ago, in a Twitter giveaway run by Wondrous Reads (thank you Jenny!), and it looks really awesome. For some reason, I still haven’t gotten around to it… I’d really love to in August, though!

Glimpse by Kendra Leighton // I bought a copy of this at Kendra’s launch a few weeks ago, but I’ve been scared to read it because I’m paranoid about taking signed books into school in case they get damaged… Now, as I’m almost finished with school, I can read it, hehe (:

Darkness Hidden by Zoe Marriott [ARC] // I recently finished The Night Itself and really loved it! I can’t wait for book two, and I’m hoping to do a joint-review for them. Thanks to Walker for the copies.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury // I received this really pretty Folio Society edition as a Christmas present. I’ve read a few stories from Ray Bradbury and really enjoyed them, though somehow I haven’t yet read this one, which is probably his most well known.

The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman & Eddie Campbell // I haven’t read a graphic novel in a while! (probably because I’m still recovering from Young Avengers feels). This book looks really stunning and interesting in terms of the art, which I saw when I flicked through it. And of course I love Neil Gaiman. I can’t wait to read this!

I hope I manage to get around to all of these books over my holidays – though I don’t want to try and race through them, of course! 😛

What will you be reading, over the next few weeks? (: