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My Favourite Books of 2014

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Whilst I definitely didn’t read as much as I usually do in 2014, there were many amazing books that I did read. This year has felt like one massive reading slump, but each of the books featured on this list captured my heart and I’ve been recommending them non-stop since reading them.

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

Out on 1st January, this is the most recent edition to my list. Vendetta is Catherine Doyle’s debut novel and I’ve read many books by well-established authors that I didn’t love half as much as I loved Vendetta! It’s thrilling and adventurous – I couldn’t put it down!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I love all of Rainbow Rowell’s books so I couldn’t miss Landline out of my list! I read it at a very special time and all of Rainbow Rowell’s books are like a big, warm hug. It’s hard not to fall in love with every word!

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

I am OBSESSED with this series! I’ve started to watch the TV series, but I much prefer the books. I’ve now read the second and third books, which I loved even more. Incredible!

Have a Little Faith by Candy Harper

Candy Harper never fails to make me laugh. I read the two Faith books earlier in the year and I love them! They’re the funniest books I’ve read in a long time and so easy to read. I’d recommend them to anyone!

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Starring Kitty by Keris Stainton

Wow! This book amazed me when I read it – it has LGBT, feminism and diverse characters. I fell head over heels in love with it!

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

I don’t think I’ve spoken about The Virgin Suicides on the blog yet, but I have a few times on my YouTube channel. Whilst it’s primarily targeted at adults, I think this book has a huge crossover appeal and I’d love to see more teenagers reading it. It’s a haunting read that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve finished it.

Winger by Andrew Smith 

Winger is a truly original novel that portrays teenage life and experience perfectly. It even has cartoon images that I adored when reading it! READ IT, READ IT, READ IT.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Although this book is hated by many, I was one of the people who loved it. Even though it was written over 60 years ago, it’s still very current a bookish rite of passage! Definitely worth reading at least once during your lifetime.

Trouble by Non Pratt

Trouble is a brilliant book all about teenage pregnancy! Non isn’t afraid to tackle subjects that many authors shy away from and I can’t wait to read more from her in 2015!

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

And now for my favourite book of the year… Solitaire! My review of Solitaire is the easiest review I’ve ever written and I will not rest until I get everyone to read it. It’s phenomenal and I haven’t seen a bad review for it in the five or so months since its release.

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Lucy Recommends... Uncategorized

Lucy Recommends… [4] – Big Books

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Lucy Recommends is a feature where I use all of my persuasive techniques to make you buy the best books around, whether it be by genre, author or series.

This time I’m going to talk about BIG BOOKS. I’m not exactly one to read lots and lots of big books, but there are a few I’ve really enjoyed. I consider a big book to be over 400 pages…

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Diving straight into the deep end, it’s no surprise that I’m featuring A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin on a list of ‘big books.’ It took me over a month to read but because of its size it meant that it was very easy to absorb everything about the world of Westeros. You can read my full review here.

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Undone by Cat Clarke is incredible. Telling the story of a girl out to get revenge for the death of her best friend, it’s enthralling and unputdownable. It was the first of Cat’s books I read, and has me craving to read more. Even more than a year after reading, it’s still fresh in my mind.

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Winger is one of my favourite books of the year so far. When I first looked at it, I was intimidated by its size but it hooked me right away and the inclusion of comic strip-style graphics means that the time reading goes very quickly. Winger is centered around a boy called Ryan Dean who goes to an exclusive boarding school in the US. It’s about the trials and tribulations of being a teenager, told in a realistic manner. Very highly recommended!

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Soulmates is a breath-taking romance novel, taking the term ‘soulmates’ to an extreme. What happens if you finally find that person you’re meant to be with forever, but it has horrifying effects? This is what happens when Poppy meets Noah. Once a cynic, meeting Noah changes more than just her belief in love… I loved Soulmates when I read it and it’s a book I could re-read over and over again. I know so many people who have loved it, and Holly definitely isn’t without her fans! A phenomenal debut novel.

Do you like reading ‘big’ books? Which ones are your favourites?

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The Sorting Hat

I decided I’d have a bit of fun today and pull out my wand and owl for some Harry Potter-related madness.

I’ve had this post written for a very long time, but am only finally posting it. Maybe because I realise I’m probably not a very good Sorting Hat (it’s actually extremely nerve-wracking!), and the actual Sorting Hat can keep its job. It won’t be replaced easily anyway!

Let’s get started!

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First up is Gryffindor and with all her spy work Cammie Morgan will be kicking ass all the way to the common rooms. I can also imagine her as an amazing Quidditch player, right?

– The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter

Whilst Celaena might be on the verge of Slytherin (boo!), she does have some good in her and is incredibly brave so I’m sure she’ll be in Gryffindor.

– Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Kit Blackthorn is very action-driven and proud, which I think makes her a perfect Gryffindor match.

– Banished by Liz de Jager

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Then we have Ravenclaw, the best of the houses, if I do say so myself.

Harriet Manners is perhaps one of my favourite geeky characters and would always be able to guess the password to enter Ravenclaw Tower.

– Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Lilly Moscovitz, I think, would take over from Hermione and run S.P.E.W. It would be awesome!

– The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Most likely found in the library, I think Cather Avery would be one of the quiet Ravenclaws, not as self-assured and pompous as some of the others can be.

– Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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Hufflepuffs! The second best of all the houses, not that they care!

Levi Stewart, who I’m sure I’ve talked about enough of this blog, would definitely be Hufflepuff. He epitomises Hufflepuff, and I don’t even need to think twice about it.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I absolutely love Kenji Kishimoto and he is just such a loveable person. Hufflepuff, definitely!

– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

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Slytherin, home to the absolutely gorgeous Draco Malfoy. I just love him, okay?

Warner would definitely be Slytherin. An irresistible Slytherin. Need I say any more?

– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I think it’s obviously that Cersei Lannister would be a Death Eater Slytherin. I don’t want to hate on Slytherin and say they’re all Death Eaters, but Cersei Lannister would be the exception. EVIL!

– A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Mara Dyer just fits into Slytherin in my mind. She’s not exactly what I’d call a good person, but I really like her nevertheless.

– The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Which Hogwarts house are you in? Which house would your favourite book character be in?

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REVIEW: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

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A Game of Thrones and the A Song of Ice and Fire series are books I’ve known about for a long time, but have been very reluctant to read. Have you seen the size of them?! Very daunting, and I don’t usually like to read long books. However, I finally gave in to the temptations and bought the box set. Immediately I started reading, and immediately I was sucked into the world of Westeros and I am now completely obsessed.

A Game of Thrones is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin and is set in a high-fantasy world where betrayal and treachery aren’t uncommon. Although there’s a lot of information to take in, Martin has created an incredible world where it is easy to feel as if you are the characters, walking in their footsteps and speaking their words. It’s difficult to describe it exactly because it’s better to discover the plot for yourself – I really don’t want to spoil anything!

There are vivid arrays of characters, all extremely realistic. Even the characters you’re supposed to hate are easy to like because they have motivations and this is what makes A Game of Thrones really stand out. Every person has flaws, not just ‘the bad guys,’ and every character in this novel has them too which makes it impossible to trust anyone, even the people you think you’re supposed to.

That said, I do have a few favourite characters. Daenerys Targaryen is the character I completely fell in love with. Can I be her please? She’s everything you could wish for in a character and more, and I loved seeing her character growth as the novel progressed. I found myself longing for more of her chapters because they were just so good.

The novel is written in third person from the perspectives of a number of different characters, which can be rather confusing at first but you do get used to it after a while. Just a warning: Don’t get too close to any of the characters, because they will most likely die. George R. R. Martin isn’t afraid of death!

Whilst an adult novel (it’s extremely violently and sexually graphic so if you’re squeamish I’d beware), I enjoyed the change from YA to adult and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and watch the TV show.

 

Book in a tweet: Thrilling, completely enthralling and complex, A Game of Thrones will draw you into the world of Westeros and not let you go.

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Wrapping up April!

wrappingupapril.pngSo April was quite a busy month for me! I was off school for over two weeks so I got lots of time to catch up on reading, and it was really nice to just be able to relax.

I announced I would be starting a new blog schedule, but, you know what? That’s now going! I’m now not going to have a blog schedule and I’m hoping this will take a lot of weight off my shoulders. I feel pressured all the time and I hate it. Now, I’ll only be reviewing books I want to and at any time too. I won’t be posting on a particular day or scheduling for a particular time – I’ll just be posting whenever I feel like it.

In April month it was my two year blogoversary, which was rather exciting. I celebrated by reading and eating chocolate  all day. Can you think of a better way?! Thank you for all your lovely messages!

In April I read:

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