Browsing Tag

carmen reid

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Books and Influence

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If I were to have a long list of every single book I’ve ever read, I’d like to think that each one has changed me in some way. Personally, I see reading as an experience. I want to be shaped by the books I’ve read and when I’ve finished I want to feel as if I’ve changed in some way.

Perhaps the books that have shaped me the most are the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry, which I return to again and again. I first read them when I was eleven years old and, unlike many of you, I never had Harry Potter to read growing up (I read them much later on!), so these books were my own version. Stonewylde is my safe haven, the place I go when I want to escape.

The first YA books I ever read were the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot and, alongside Carmen Reid’s St. Judes books, they taught me what it was like to grow up as a teenage girl. I learnt so much from them, and I love revisiting them once in a while to rediscover just why I fell in love.

Other notable mentions are the Ashbury-Brookfield books by Jaclyn Moriarty, which taught me a lot about Australian culture and also gave me hours worth of laughs. I love these books!

I think books are a bit like horcruxes. Opposite horcruxes, though. With each one I read, a tiny part of the book’s soul joins with my soul, and I honestly believe that each part changes me. I’m a better person for reading, for experiencing life through the eyes of so many others. This is why I love reading. I wouldn’t be who I am today without books.

Book Review UKYA Uncategorized

REVIEW: Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid

I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction lately, especially books set in the two World Wars and Cross My Heart was one of these books.

Set in Brussels in the Second World War, Cross My Heart follows the story of Nicole, a member of a resistance group set to cause havoc in Nazi-invaded Brussels. When Nicole’s father is taken away, Nicole decides to do something about it and joins the dangerous resistance group that is helping to fight the Nazis. In this business, it’s not about if you caught, it’s when you do.

I’ve been a huge fan of Reid’s books for years. The St. Jude’s books were my absolute favourites and I still love them to pieces. When I heard that Reid had written another YA novel, and that it was historical fiction, one of my favourite genres, I was ecstatic.

Cross My Heart didn’t disappoint and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the things I look for in a good historical YA is how real it feels and some of the scenes in Cross My Heart left me horrified at the way people were treated. Particularly towards the end of the book, I felt like crying. These sorts of books are always emotional but this one felt particularly so.

If you loved Code Name Verity, this is the book for you. It interested me that this was set in Brussels because you normally see these books set in the UK. I think this was a nice spin and a really big selling point.

Nicole was a tough character that I found enjoyable to read about. She never gave up and stayed focused throughout. I found myself constantly wishing that nothing bad would happen to her and this was the same with a lot of the other characters too. I really did become invested.

Cross My Heart was such an emotional and riveting read and I’d love to see more books like this one out there, especially as it’s the anniversary of the First World War next year.

Book Haul Uncategorized

Stacking the Shelves (15)- The Review Book Edition

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Stacking The Shelves is 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! It is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

I didn’t post a book haul last week so this is my haul for the past fortnight.

Bought:

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The Elites by Natasha Ngan- I pre-ordered this one months ago and am so happy to finally receive it! The cover is gorgeous and it looks great alongside my other UKYA books.

Review Books

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The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher- I received a gorgeous finished copy of this so now I have an ARC and this one. Thank you, Chicken House!

United We Spy by Ally Carter- I was so pleased to receive this one and you can read my review here. Thank you, Orchard!

Memory by Christoph Marzi- This one sounds a lot different to anything I’ve read before and I’m really intrigued. Thank you, Orchard!

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake- I love Greek mythology so think this is the book for me. Thank you, Orchard!

Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones- I can’t wait to read this one. It looks so good! Thank you, Orchard!

Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid- I am a HUGE fan of Carmen Reid’s books so can’t wait to start this one. Thank you, Random House!

Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve- Squee! Squee! Squee! I am SO excited to read this and will be doing so as soon as possible. Thank you, Hot Key!

Won

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Every Day by David Levithan- This one sounds amazing and I love the idea. I’m hoping to read it very soon. Thank you, Egmont!

Gifted:

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After I posted my book addict post last week, Fiona from Eventide Reads tweeted me to say she had found these two in a charity shop and I had the biggest freak out ever. It’s my favourite series and I’m collecting all the editions so I’ve got nearly all of them now. Thank you, Fiona!

What did you get this week?