Favourite Books of 2017

Happy blogmas day 20!

2017 is finishing and I’ve read a lot of books this year. Truthfully, I do like to try and review every single book I read but honestly, I don’t always get the chance or simply, I don’t do it. I don’t review every single book because well 1. They might be rubbish and so bad that I don’t care to review them. 2. Life gets in the way and University is a priority so instead of uploading a review I might just upload a post that’s been in my drafts for a while (lazy yes, practical yes). This year I have read my fair share of books, just like I do every year so I have carefully gathered my 8 favourite books of 2017, I hope you enjoy. Fortunately for you, I have written reviews on all of these books so go ahead and click on the links, they’ll take you to where you need to go for the review. 

We Were on a Break – Lindsey Kelk

White Lies and Wishes – Cathy Bramley

The Girl with The Lower Back Tattoo– Amy Schumer

The One We Fell in Love with – Paige Toon

Diary of a Fat Girl – Moira Mugweni

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

The Break Down –  B.A Paris

Harry Potter 1-7 (ignore Order of the Phoenix because that’s crappy) – J.K Rowling

Share with me some of your favourites to add to my 2018 reading collection. 

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With love, Beth x 

Are Audiobooks Worth The Hype?

I was given a 3 month free trial of Audible and I’ve been taking advantage of having someone else read to me whilst I relax in bed, in the bath, whilst I cook or even when I travel. I can’t say I’m totally converted to audio books because I love having the real paperback or hardback in front of me but I definitely see why people enjoy them. Honestly though, they’re not entirely for me.

They definitely have their benefits! Once you’ve paid your monthly subscription they’re then free to use, which I think is fantastic. You have unlimited books to listen to and read and it’s so lovely to know you can pick a new book at the click of a button.

I love listening to them whilst I’m doing other things. I really struggle to keep up if I’m doing serious things like an assignment or a blog post but I definitely enjoy listening to them whilst relaxing and especially right before bed. I know reading a book is incredibly time consuming and for some they simply don’t have the time to pick up a book and relax during the evenings with a glass of wine (I recommend both every day of the week).

Admittedly, you can listen to some audio books and struggle to relax because the narrator has the worst voice in the whole world and everything they say irritates you. However, you can find some audio books that have narrators you literally send you to sleep. The comfort and peacefulness of their voice’s can be so relaxing and comforting and it can definitely act as a calming motive for some. I find that when I’m most stressed I’ll pop on an audio book with a narrator who has a soft and gentle voice and it’ll calm me down within minutes.

Let me know what you guys think of audio books, love them or hate them?

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With love, Beth x

Why You Should Read Harry Potter

During the summer I read all 7 Harry Potter books for the first time since I was a child. Even at 21 years old they didn’t fail me, in fact I was so captivated by the story that I was reading them so fast. The minute I picked one up I couldn’t put it down and before long I was half way through the book regretting reading them too fast. 

I honestly believe that everybody should experience reading the Harry Potter books, especially if you were never keen on the movies. The movies and books are similar don’t get me wrong but there is much more of a story in each book. There are things you find out in the books that you’re never told of in the movies. 

Not only that, they’re such fun reads and just brings you straight back to your childhood. For me, I wanted something that I could continue to read across a series and fall in love with the characters. This series just done it for me. Admittedly, I’ve been a big fan of Harry Potter ever since the first movie was realeased. 

It’s fun, imaginative and J.K Rowling created a story that will be forever known and loved by generations of children and adults. 

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With love, Beth x 

Book Review // The Start of Me and You

The second book I read by Emery Lord was called The Start of Me and You. I’ll admit, it wasn’t as good as When We Collided but still very enjoyable. 

At a very young age, Paige suffered the loss of her boyfriend and never thought she would feel the same again. Eventually, life had to change and she realised that there was a lot of things that she wanted to do and no longer wanted to be stopped from doing them. The new school year began and it was time for her to make those changes, but will she ever be able to swim if she doesn’t dive? 

The book was just as lovely as When We Collided by Emery Lord. Although I did prefer the other novel, I must admit that I like the character of Paige. She actually reminded me of myself and the things I realised when I knew my life had to change because of anxious thoughts and holding myself back. I love that again, Emery Lord has written in a character who is homosexual and I think that’s such a wonderful aspect to her books because she shows that she is so accepting of everybody’s background and lifestyle choices. 

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With love, Beth x 

Book Review: When We Collided

I recently come across a new author to me, named Emery Lord. I purchase two of three books that she has published, When We Collided was the first I read. 
I was in the mood to read lovey-dovey, romantic novels and after reading the first chapter of both books and the back of the book, I knew that this would be a good read. Let’s get to the point, it didn’t fail me & I really enjoyed this book. 
Jonah and his family had experienced the dreadful loss of his father and never thought he would feel normal again. Vivi had moved to his home town for the summer with her artist mother in hopes to start experiencing the world in a way she’s always wanted too, happy. Never did they both know that, during the summer they would experience their first love that consumed them. 

It’s been months that I have come across a book that I’ve become obsessed with. This one really did it for me, I read this during the summer when I had been missing Matt so much and it just helped me to relive the happy memories and all of the loving feelings I have for him.

I especially liked that the stigma of mental health and death hadn’t been ignored and instead, totally emphasised in the most powerful and thoughtful way. Emery hadn’t ignored the fact that people have difficulties regardless of what they are and she noticed that all problems and life changing events should be recognised. 

The story was beautiful and full of love between two teenagers that eventually realised how to love themselves again. 

With love, Beth x 

Book Review: The Break Down

A few months ago I read the novel Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris and loved with. So, for my birthday Megan bought me the newest novel by B.A. Paris called The Break Down. I’ve finally had the chance to read it and I will say, it didn’t disappoint. 

After Cass’s mum died young, after being diagnosed with Early On-Set Dementia at 44, she was finally getting her life back together. She got herself a teaching job, married a wonderful man and everything started was perfect. Until, she began to forget things, appointments she had made and things to do. On a summer night the murder of a woman close to their home started to spook her, this is when things take a turn for the worse. 

I loved this book, this may seem weird but I actually was so interested in it, it gave me the shakes. It was brilliant, I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again and again, B.A. Paris is an outstanding author! She literally just knows what the reader wants from a thriller. I loved it so much that I know I’ll re-read this book.

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With love, Beth x 

Book Review: Two By Two

I’m a sucker for a Nicholas Sparks book, I just can’t help myself. I always anticipate his newest books and I’m not ashamed to say that I find them so enjoyable and such lovely reads. He recently published a new novel called Two By Two and I actually listened to this through an audio book rather than actually reading it which was so different for me. 

At 32 Russell had the perfect life, a beautiful wife, Vivian and a fun loving 5 year old daughter, London. With his career booming and his family at it’s peak makes his life as perfect as ever. Until life comes along and changes everything he has ever known. Russel describes the problems he had facing his divorce to Vivian, his loss of job and the new venture with his business, which isn’t going well at all. 

I will admit, this isn’t the best book I have ever read (or listened to) by Nicholas Sparks but it wasn’t my least favourite. It started off slow within the first 5 chapters but eventually I begun to really enjoy the story and relationship between Russell and his daughter London. The story is very real and perfectly describes the issues couples and families face throughout their lives. It also focuses on Russell’s life as a single, newly divorced parent and how his life changed to create a comfortable and happy life for himself and his daughter. It was a lovely read, occasionally a little bland but something I could see myself reading again since it was so easy to follow, as are almost all of his books. 

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With love, Beth x 

Book Review: The One Memory of Flora Banks

This novel by Emily Barr is truly wonderful and written with so much knowledge and heart. The One Member of Flora Banks is so different so any book I’ve ever read about characters with illnesses. In fact this books is written as though Emily had experience with this.  

Flora Banks has amnesia due to an illness at the age of 10. She can remember all of her memories before this age but cannot make any new memories. She has short memories that last a few hours and then she will completely forget them. Having been kept the safety of her parents her whole life, Flora is a lot more adventurous than she and anybody else would have though. 

Flora is a truly incredible character and this book turned out to be so much more different than I could have ever imagined. It didn’t end how I thought it would and it’s totally unpredictable. Admittedly slightly bland in a few chapters but overall a very pleasant read and I look forward to reading something else by Emily Barr! 

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With love, Beth x 

Book Review: A Monster Calls

This novel by Patrick Ness  has more meaning to it than any book that I have ever read. It’s beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring to all, not just because of the story but because of whom it is dedicated too. Patrick Ness, you’re an asset to the writing industry and I just know that your heart is as wonderful as your writing.

 13 year old Connor had been experiencing nightmares ever since his mum became severally unwell. The nightmares only got worse as eventually took over his life. 

 This novel is dedicated to Siobhan Dowd an author who sadly lost her battle to Cancer in 2009 at the age of 47. The story of the book takes you through the difficult stages of an illness for Connor rather than his mothers point of view. It was different to any other story I’ve read that regards someone with a serious illness. It’s truly beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, I cried more than I could have imagined. 

Such an excellent book that I recommend to everybody, get the tissues at the ready! 

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With love, Beth x