Some books you can read and forget about after a few months, but there are others that stay with you for a long time afterwards. There are also those books that will always stick with you, no matter what, and have affected your life in some way. Here are a few of mine:
Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton
I love books for a wide range of reasons, but one of the main ones is because they’re always there when I need them most. When I was 12, a few months before I started my blog, my granddad died and it was something that affected me hugely, us being so close and me being so young. During the months after, I turned to books to help me through and one of these books was Jessie Hearts NYC. For this reason, it’s a book I’ve recommended a lot and Keris’s books, like Jessie Hearts NYC and Emma Hearts LA, are a great place to start for readers who are starting to read YA.
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.
Sunday Diary is a new feature I’d like to start on the blog, where I chat about all the things that have happened since the past Sunday. It’s a chance for me to ramble away and hopefully you’ll learn a bit about me at the same time.
Last Sunday was the Autumn Equinox, and a very special day that means a lot to me. The day before I made lots of cakes, and it was nice to feel so spiritual and at one with the earth. It was also my best friend’s birthday so I spent the day in the woods at a local park, taking pictures while a group of my friend’s did a treetop explorer course. It was way too high for my liking so I decided to sit out but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.
Then we spent way too much time trying to make a human pyramid, ensuing in my shoulder aching for days afterwards and, more positively, lots of laughs.
Monday
On Monday, my grandmother passed away, which explains the total silence on the blog over the past few weeks. It’s been a stressful time, with hospital visits and now coming to terms with the fact that I will never speak to her again. That a life can end so easily. It makes me feel extremely mortal.
Weekend
The weekend was a bit of a relief, as was my complete abuse of eyeliner. Sometimes I can go way overboard, but it does ground me. I don’t feel the same without eyeliner on!
This week I’ve really enjoyed talking to Cat, who never fails to make me laugh. Although she has turned me into a little bit of a stalker.
Blogs I’m loving this week:
On Serpentine Shores is such a gorgeous blog and I quickly devour every single post. Every single post gives me all the warm, cuddly feels and I can’t wait to read even more posts this autumn.
I discovered Loose and Leafy a few years ago, but rediscovered it recently. I particularly love the idea of Tree Following, which is something I’d like to do in the future.
Currently Reading:
Finally, after two whole years, I am marathoning the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry. I’m finding out again just why I fell in love with the series in the first place, and it’s incredible. I decided to read them because it’s two years since the last book was released, so it’s a bit of an anniversary present to myself! Although I’ve been on the verge of tears many times, I adore Stonewylde with every ounce of my body.
How was your week? What are you currently reading? Let me know in the comments!
Obsessed With… is a new feature where I discuss something (usually a book series) that I can’t stop obsessing over and the story behind it.
Today I’m going to be talking about the book series I am most obsessed with. If you know me well enough, you can probably guess what it is! I’ve done various posts on the Stonewylde series before but I want to go into a bit more detail this time and really talk about my personal experiences and what they mean to me, because they mean an awful lot.
Above is my Stonewylde shelf – yes, an entire dedicated shelf! I was incredibly pleased when I managed to fit them all perfectly in to the section they’re in. I first read the series when I was around 11. My mum had seen them at the library while I was browsing and thought it sounded good so handed them to me. They sat on my pile whilst I read a few other books, and then I started reading Magus of Stonewylde. It’s safe to say that my life changed forever when I started reading, and that’s not an exaggeration. I can remember being away on a school trip and being sad because I didn’t have enough time to read the second book (yes, I read the first three in quick succession!). I can also remember staying up late to finish the third book and being hooked right from the start. Continue Reading
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, a new topic is chosen and people are allowed to make their own lists.
Despite really liking this week’s theme, I really struggled to find books to feature. There are so many ways to interpret the word ‘unique’ so the books I’ve chosen to feature are for many different reasons.
I don’t think I’ll ever read such a unique and original book as Every Day. Its concept is phenomenal and I can’t think of a better person to write it as David Levithan.
More Than This by Patrick Ness is also a book with a breath-taking concept. I wish I could read it again for the first time because I can remember the feeling when I first read it, and how blown away I was by it.
I can’t write this list without talking about Harry Potter, can I? It screams ‘unique.’ The world, the way it is written, the dedication of the fandom. Will there ever really be a book quite like it again? I doubt it.
This Star Won’t Go Out (I write this wearing my TSWGO t-shirt) is totally unique, not just because it’s non-fiction, but because of how it affected me. It’s such an emotional book and that’s what makes it so special. It’s real life and honest.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart has to be unique because THAT. ENDING. I’m still reeling, over a week after reading it. I don’t think I can risk saying any more, but, yes, I haven’t read a book quite like it before!
I love Vivian Versus the Apocalypse by Katie Coyle because it seems very straight-forward but so much happens. I can’t wait for the sequel!
The Library of Unrequited Love is a very small book, less than 100 pages, but so much is discussed within so few pages. It’s also translated from French, and set in France, which I think adds to its originality.
I think The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer trilogy (or the two books is it so far) win the prize for the biggest change from a first book to its sequel. I can’t wait for the final book because I know there’s going to be a lot going on.
Dreaming of Amelia is written in the form of exam papers, which I thought was such a great idea. All of Jaclyn Moriarty’s books are written in a quirky style – as letters, emails etc. – and I think this is my favourite of hers.
Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry is unique because of its setting. There will never be another Stonewylde for me. If I could live in any fictional world, I would live there; it is the place I imagine when I close my eyes, and the place I dream of when I sleep at night.
I’m a sucker for gorgeous books, I really am. There’s obviously not a problem with this; I do tend to judge books by their covers before I read them, but sometimes something overcomes me and I need to buy more and more copies of books. One is never enough!
If you’ve watched any of my YouTube videos, or seen pictures of my bookcase, you may have noticed some of the multiple copies on my shelves. A question I’m frequently asked is: ‘Why do you have three copies of The Fault in Our Stars?’ That is a very good question indeed. My answer? I have no idea! I just can’t help myself. My first copy was the one I originally read, and I then found another copy in a charity shop for a very good price. I just couldn’t resist! And my final copy was my Grandma’s, which she no longer needed after reading it. I have a best copy, one to lend out, and one I shall be doing something with, which I will tell you all about in a future post.
Recently I also picked up two more of John Green’s books, which I have already read and loved. In my defence, they have been re-jacketed and the new editions are so beautiful and hug-worthy.
The Paper Towns on the left is the older edition, the right the latest. The differences between the two are striking, but I love them both. The earlier version incorporates the idea of the ‘paper towns’ on the maps, whereas I like the paper elements of the latest cover. Both really capture a core part of the book.
The older version of Looking for Alaska is on the left, the latest on the right. I prefer the latest because of it’s simplicity but also because it stands out so well. It’s also very shiny. I do really like the older version, but there’s just something about it that stops me from loving it unconditionally.
A problem I had when I got my new bookcase was if I would be able to fit all of my Stonewylde series into one ‘pod.’ Luckily, they all fit perfectly! This is the series I have the most copies of: in total I have –
3 copies of Magus of Stonewylde
2 copies of Moondance of Stonewylde
2 copies of Solstice at Stonewylde
2 copies of Shadows at Stonewylde
2 copies of Shaman of Stonewylde
The books are my favourite series and have a very special place in my heart. The first three books were originally self-published so have different covers and the content is a little different. I borrowed the first three from the library originally and then bought them when they were published by Orion afterwards, and then I found the first self-published book by chance and was gifted the second and third. The fourth book was originally published in hardback and I also bought it when it came out in paperback, and I have a best of the fifth, and another copy just because it’s my favourite. I’ve met the author, Kit Berry, twice now and so quite a few of my copies are signed, and I must re-read them all soon!
Finally we have the victims to my obsession… Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell!
I originally read an e-ARC in spring 2013 and it immediately became one of my favourite books, and then ordered the US hardback in November because I just couldn’t say no to myself. The US hardback is amazing, and I think I slightly prefer it to the UK paperback, although the paperback contains graphics from Noelle Stevenson, or Gingerhaze, who is behind the cover, and an interview with Rainbow Rowell and bonus Simon Snow content. The paperback is decoration, whereas I know I’ll definitely be re-reading from the hardback, or my e-ARC where I have colour coded everything.
Do you collect multiple copies of books? Let me know your collection below! If you don’t, why not?
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:
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
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
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:
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!
If you’ve read a few of my book hauls, then it’s no secret that I seem to get loads of books each week. Why? Because I am a major bo0k buying, borrowing and requesting addict. When it comes to books, I have absolutely no self-restraint whatsoever.
I’ve always had some collecting addiction. When I was younger, it was Sylvanian Families. I was a massive collector and my room was FULL of them. Then it’s slowly turned to books, especially over the last year or two. Particularly last year, I went through a stage where I read a book a day and so I was constantly buying. That was when I hadn’t heard of TBR piles though…
This is my main shelf. My favourites are in the middle, my UKYA books at the bottom and the top shelf contains all the other books that don’t fit on my middle shelf. I’m planning on swapping things around soon because it needs clearing a bit. I really love my shelves and didn’t put them up until May this year. But because I’m so short, I need to stand on my bed to reach the top shelves sometimes, which can sometimes get annoying. Originally I only had the middle shelf and my UKYA shelf, but I then needed to upgrade to another shelf so I could fit all my books on.
This is the main part of my TBR pile. It’s organised by genre, but some of them are just randomly on there. I’ve bought the majority of them, quite a lot this year, although some go back as far as last summer. It’s so daunting because I have no idea when I’m going to get around to reading them all but I also can’t bear to get rid of any of them. I also have sequels to the first books on there, when the first is still unread. I need to stop buying books!
This is the other section of my TBR pile- my UKYA TBR. I know that at least one of these stretches back to two or three years ago which is VERY scary! I need to organise this better somehow because I often overlook it for my other TBR section. Some of these books look so good and I want to read them so bad. I WILL read them soon!
I also have multiple copies of some books, and I often get asked why when I post book hauls and videos to my YouTube channel. Sometimes I’ll find my favourite books for cheap in charity shops and so I can’t resist buying them and I’ve been given books sometimes, too.
I have three copies of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: one copy was my original, another was a copy that my grandma read and decided to give to me, and the other I found in a charity shop. One of them is a slightly different edition to the other two so I don’t feel that bad…
These are my copies of the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry which is probably my favourite series of all time. They were first self-published so I have a self-published version of the first copy and then two of the traditionally published copies. I sadly don’t have multiple copies of the second and third books but I’d love to get hold of the self-published editions from somewhere. I then have a paperback and hardback of the fourth book and two copies of the fifth. One of the copies of the fifth book hasn’t been read and is my baby. I won’t bend the spine and hardly ever touch it for fear that I’ll damage it in some way. Most of the copies are signed, apart from four because I’ve met the author twice now. I bought the other four after I’d met her.
I think it’s clear that I need to stop buying books and need to clear out some of my books to allow room for new ones. I am going to have to go on a book buying ban but it will probably pain me to do it.
I want to see your shelves now! How big is your TBR pile? Are you a book buying addict? Tweet me a picture using the #bookaddictsunite hashtag!
