Top Ten Tuesday #97

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and is a chance for everyone to get to know fellow bloggers and share lists. I love lists. Every week is a different list.

This week is Top Ten Hidden Gem Books in X Genre.

But I'm not picking a genre. I'm picking UKYA as a whole because I bloody love it. So here are my top ten UKYA hidden gems. GO FORTH AND BUY THEM.

1. Darkmere by Helen Maslin
2. Acid by Emma Pass
3. The Castle by Sophia Bennett
4. In Bloom by Matthew Crow
5. Salvage by Keren David
6. Gypsy Girl by Kathryn James
7. The Yellow Room by Jess Vallance
8. Fashionista: Laura by Sarra Manning
9. Rani and Sukh by Bali Rai
10. The Tribute Bride by Theresa Tomlinson

What's your favourite UKYA book?

Review: Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

She will become a legend but first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning...

Diana is desperate to prove herself to her warrior sisters. But when the opportunity comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law to save a mere mortal, Alia Keralis.

With this single heroic act, Diana may have just doomed the world.

Alia is a Warbringer - a descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery. Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies, mortal and divine, determined to destroy or possess the Warbringer.

To save the world, they must stand side by side against the tide of war.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones

Source: Review Consideration | Purchase | Subscription Box

5 Words: What is a hero anyway?

Right from the start I knew I would enjoy this. Why?

• Wonder Woman
• Leigh Bardugo

I loved how canon lore was covered in the story. There were no info dumps, no random expositions dropped into the prose, but the background and history of the characters and Themyscira was woven into the writing and it was exquisite. I already knew the WHY and the HOW but this would be a perfect introduction to the world if you were unfamiliar.

You dance differently when you know you won't live forever. 

I loved Diana's voice too. She is the first character we meet and her determination and huge heart made my own heart sing. I loved how she feels so under appreciated and that she's not good enough and that's so relatable. But the she has this tenacity, her will to prove herself to everyone around her, driving her on. Alia's storyline broke my heart a little. She, like Diana, feels under-appreciated but still has a huge heart. Although both are far from normal, they felt familiar to read. I think everyone has had similar doubts in their own self-worth.

Both characters prove that they are better than what everyone around them thinks. They stick it up to the haters, prove to themselves that yes, they can do it. It was empowering to read. 

The only thing I didn't like was how Diana and Jason interacted. It always felt on the cusp of going somewhere I really didn't want it to.

Overall this was fantastic. The writing was beautiful and I fell in love with most of the characters. I loved how the idea of what makes someone a hero was explored.

I imagine all wars look the same to those who die in them. 

Zoella Book Club Review: History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

OCD-afflicted seventeen-year-old, Griffin, has just lost his first love – his best friend, ex-boyfriend and the boy he believed to be his ultimate life partner – in a drowning accident.

In a desperate attempt to hold onto every last piece of the past, a broken Griffin forges a friendship with Theo’s new college boyfriend, Jackson. And Griffin will stop at nothing to learn every detail of Theo’s new college life, and ultimate death.

But as the grieving pair grows closer, readers will question Griffin's own version of the truth – both in terms of what he’s willing to hide, and what true love ultimately means...

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones | WHSmith

Source: Purchase

5 Words:

Review text

Book Beginnings #50

For Book Beginnings, Rose City Reader invites us to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

For Friday 56, Freda's Voice asks you to turn to Page 56 in your book or 56% on your e-reader and pick a sentence.

This week's read is an advanced review copy, so quotes may not be final. But damn they have me excited.

I am currently reading Mirror, Mirror by Cara Delevingne with Rowan Coleman.

The sun was rising as we were coming home, our arms interlinked, feet dragging, the heat of summer building in the air.

I am so freaking excited to be reading this. I'd heard whispers and picked up a postcard about it at YALC. I love celeb books. I was excited. So when I saw it on NetGalley I broke a nail as I requested it as quickly as I could. And when I was approved I squealed and did a little victory dance.

Starting off, I love the writing style. I was a little surprised to find it narrated by Red at the beginning, his was not the voice I was expecting. But his is definitely the voice that the story deserves and is a wonderfully complex character, with many layers and flaws.

I sit back in my chair, and of all the things I thought I might feel, it's relief that floods through me and threatens tears.

This has a definite Skins feel to it, and I love it. It's a bit shocking, it's raw, it feels real. There is a thread of mystery to the story, a slightly chilling vibe, and I can't wait to see how it pans out.

I am excited to read on!

What are you reading this weekend?

Book Review: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C Dao

I was absolutely blown away by Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. I was in love with everything - the writing, the characters, the settings, the story itself. It is truly wonderful to read and I recommend it to everyone.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng's majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins--sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones

Source: Swap

5 Words: Family, power, magic, control, love.

I am IN LOVE. This book was excellent and far surpassed my expectations. It was everything I didn't know I wanted.

I loved the writing, the story, the descriptions, the characters, the manipulation and deceit and control.

I can't wait to read on!

I managed to nab this from the book trade shelf at YALC, trading away The Bunker Diary and holding the beautiful green proof with glee. I hadn't heard anything about this until after I had finished reading it, but the cover instantly drew me. Despite my fear of snakes, I was interested.

Confession - After about a day I had to cover the cover. The snake looks terrifyingly real and it was making me feel all kinds of sick and weirdly anxious.

I could not put this book down. Once I started, I was addicted and reading at every opportunity. I loved the story and quickly fell in love with Xifeng and the world she inhabited. The settings are gloriously rich, the writing truly beautiful.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is twisting and dark and haunting and utterly, utterly compelling. It is an exquisite debut, an irresistible commentary on the power of beauty and the lengths people will go to to keep it.

The beauty of this world is fading all too fast through the cruelty and thoughtlessness of men.

Top Ten Tuesday #96

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and is a chance for everyone to get to know fellow bloggers and share lists. I love lists. Every week is a different list.

This week is Back To School Freebie.

My list is a little eclectic this week, it's not just books set in school or college. Some are dark, some are fun, some are a little bit heartbreaking. But I would recommend them to all!

• All Of The Above by Juno Dawson
• Becoming Betty by Eleanor Wood
• Darkmere by Helen Maslin
• Internet Famous by Danika Stone
• Monster by CJ Skuse
• Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
• Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neil
• Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor
• STAGS by MA Bennett
• The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

What your ultimate Back to School book?

Zoella Book Club Review: Girlhood by Cat Clarke

Harper has tried to forget the past and fit in at expensive boarding school Duncraggan Academy. Her new group of friends are tight; the kind of girls who Harper knows have her back. But Harper can't escape the guilt of her twin sister's Jenna's death, and her own part in it - and she knows noone else will ever really understand.

But new girl Kirsty seems to get Harper in ways she never expected. She has lost a sister too. Harper finally feels secure. She finally feels...loved. As if she can grow beyond the person she was when Jenna died.

Then Kirsty's behaviour becomes more erratic. Why is her life a perfect mirror of Harper's? And why is she so obsessed with Harper's lost sister? Soon, Harper's closeness with Kirsty begins to threaten her other relationships, and her own sense of identity.

How can Harper get back to the person she wants to be, and to the girls who mean the most to her?

A darkly compulsive story about love, death, and growing up under the shadow of grief.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones | WHSmith

Source: Purchase | NetGalley Request

5 Words: Friendship, secrets, lies, boarding-school, privilege.

From the very first chapter I was hooked, desperate for more. Boarding School books are like catnip for me, I can't get enough of them. I love the tension, how everything is more intense at such close quarters.

And this book was pretty much perfect.

I loved the focus on friendship and family, how it was explored against a backdrop of privilege. I loved how it lead to resentment, the stark contrast between the Have and Have-Not slowly becoming more and more apparent, the devastation it all caused.

Girlhood doesn't hold back on the nitty-gritty, the crush of grief and blame. The chilling Scottish setting sent shivers up my spine and made the whole story a little more hard hitting, especially against the flash-backs to Harper's life before.

Blog Tour: Review: The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett

Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that’s full of dreams…

Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.

What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.

That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s st that ill there to evict her friends.

How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones

Source: Blog Tour | Review Consideration

5 Words: Responsibility, change, trust, friendship, love.

This book was so laugh out loud funny that I had to stop reading it in public. I was getting some very funny looks.

I enjoyed the way the narrative weaved back and forth between past and present, it made Rosie's story all the more powerful and kept a little thread of mystery open throughout the story. And Rory! Oh, Rory.

The cast of characters is incredible. There are so many varied people. And they were so incredibly real and quirky that even the side characters came fully to life.

This book is hilarious and a perfect summer read. It's a glorious escape from typical British rainy days. A definite feel-good page turner!

Top Ten Tuesday #95

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and is a chance for everyone to get to know fellow bloggers and share lists. I love lists. Every week is a different list.

This week is Top Ten Recommendations For Hufflepuffs.

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Dedicated, hard working, tolerant, patient, loyal, kind... What's not to love about Hufflepuff?

Here's some books for my fellow Hufflepuff's to devour. They'll test your tolerance, patience and kindness, and probably leave you feeling like a slightly different person at the end. And with some of them you'll have to work hard to make it to the end. But they're all worth it ❤

• Margot & Me by Juno Dawson
• Songs About A Girl by Chris Russell
• Lucas by Kevin Brooks
• Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
• Pirates! by Celia Rees
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Girl Online by Zoe Sugg
• Gypsy Girl by Kathryn James
• The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
• The Yellow Room by Jess Vallance

Which Hogwarts House are you in?

#TheReadingQuest Reading Challenge

It was when I was at YALC that I first discovered #TheReadingQuest. It popped up on my timeline on Twitter and I was like "Oh?" and then Kelly was off explaining about the amazing reading challenges that Read At Midnight hosts. And I knew I had to join in.

I'm not able to make a fancy graphic, my poor wee laptop just wouldn't be able to take it, but CW from Read Think Ponder made the most beautiful artwork for the quest. Hopefully I can somehow make up a card before the quest ends! I'll post here if I manage it.

The Reading Quest runs from 13th August to 10th September and I am planning to read A LOT for it. Especially as there is a cheeky bank holiday coming up, and I plan on spending it all reading.

I'm starting as a Rogue, but may try Mage as well!

I will be following the Rogue path and completing as many side quests as I can. I am really going for it with this challenge. It will not be easy, I will be pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, but I think I can definitely tackle my TBR and those side quests I have my eye on.

My Reading Quest Rogue TBR

✔ A banned book (audiobook)

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

A book cover with a partially obscured face

Pantomime by Laura Lam

✔ A book with <500 ratings on Goodreads (currently 189 ratings)

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C Dao

✔ A book published by a small press

Needlework by Deirdre Sullivan

✔ A book with a one word title

Magnolia by Maria Dahvana Headley

My Reading Quest Side Quest TBR

✔ Respawn - Read a book you previously DNF (audiobook)

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

✔ Multiplayer - Buddy read a book

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

✔ Potions - A book concocted by 2+ authors

Mirror, Mirror by Cara Delevingne with Rowan Coleman

Are you taking part? What would you read?

Zoella Book Club Review: After the Fire by Will Hill

The things I’ve seen are burned into me, like scars that refuse to fade.

Father John controls everything inside The Fence. And Father John likes rules. Especially about never talking to Outsiders. Because Father John knows the truth. He knows what is right, and what is wrong. He knows what is coming.

Moonbeam is starting to doubt, though. She’s starting to see the lies behind Father John’s words. She wants him to be found out.

What if the only way out of the darkness is to light a fire?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones | WHSmith

Source: Purchase

5 Words: Family, belief, control, isolation, survival.

I went into this pretty much blind - as usual I hadn't read the blurb. What I knew of it came courtesy of #SundayYA and from the little I did know, I was eager to get reading. Because everyone who had read After The Fire had only good things to say about it.

I loved the way the story weaved between Before and After, how it was slowly revealed. It wasn't in order, there was a lot of switching back and forth, but it was at no point confusing. Rather, it kept me almost addicted to the story and made for some shocking revelations.

This is an intensely brutal story, honest and hard-hitting. It is a chilling page turner and I struggled to put it down. Believe the hype and read this book.

Book Beginnings #49

For Book Beginnings, Rose City Reader invites us to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

For Friday 56, Freda's Voice asks you to turn to Page 56 in your book or 56% on your e-reader and pick a sentence.

I am currently reading The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett.

New York is where I fell head over heels for a bloke named Chuck. I know: Chuck. But don't judge him just because her sounds like he should be sipping ice cream floats at the drive-in or starring in the homecoming football game.

Interesting start and I'm curious to see how it goes. And yes, the name Chuck does bring to mind exactly what the narrator expects it to.

Lill is a total inspiration. Here's someone who's worked since her teens to do everything she possibly could to rise to the top of her profession.

I think I'll like Lill when I get to this part of the story. She sounds pretty tenacious.

What are you reading for the weekend?

Release Day Review: A Change Is Gonna Come by Various

Featuring top Young Adult authors alongside a host of exciting new talent, this anthology of stories and poetry from BAME writers on the theme of change is a long-overdue addition to the YA scene.

Contributors include Tanya Byrne, Inua Ellams, Catherine Johnson, Patrice Lawrence, Ayisha Malik, Irfan Master, Musa Okwonga and Nikesh Shukla.

Plus introducing four fresh new voices in YA fiction: Mary Bello, Aisha Bushby, Yasmin Rahman and Phoebe Roy.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones

Source: Purchase | NetGalley Request

5 Words: A Change Is Gonna Come.

This is an absolutely fantastic collection, with something for everyone. I actually liked everything included, which is very rare for me when it comes to anthologies. My mind is blown by how good it was.

“We laughed over our difference then spent years bonding over things that made us the same.”

There is something within the pages to laugh at and cry at. There are authors new and established within the pages, it was great to read some familiar voices - I recognised Patrice Lawrence's story from her writing style - and I discovered some new-to me writers. The poems are beautiful and I read them each over and over. The stories are set across multiple genres and times, all linked by the theme of Change.

I think Marionette Girl may become my go-to story for when I need a cry, it is heart-breakingly excellent. It made me cry like a baby.

I hope that Stripes are going to continue with their wonderful anthologies, but I can't imagine where they will go next! I just know I can't wait to read more exceptional writers.

Blog Tour: Guespost & Giveaway: Little Gray Dress by Aimee Brown

Emi Harrison has avoided her ex-fiance, Jack Cabot, for nearly two years. Her twin brother Evan’s wedding is about to end that streak.

From bad bridesmaid’s dresses, a hyperactive sister-in-law, a mean girl with even meaner secrets, and too much to drink, nothing seems to go right for Emi, except when she’s wearing her little gray dress.

When she speed-walks into Liam Jaxon’s bar, things get more complicated. He’s gorgeous, southern, and has no past with Emi. He may be exactly what she needs to prove for the last time that she doesn’t need or want Jack!

Her favorite little gray dress has made an appearance at nearly every major event in Emi’s adult life. Will it make another when she least expects it?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Naming my Characters

I’m a sucker for browsing through baby name sites and books. When I was pregnant, I seriously looked through the baby name books (because in the 90’s the interwebs just wasn’t what it is today) daily. I would jot down lists and lists of names and every single night when my husband would get home from work, for nine months, I would go though the list, crossing out each name he vetoed. Let’s just say, we went through a lot of names. 

My kids will still ask me, what their name name could have been. And I still have my runner up names right at the tip of my tongue so I can use them one day on a fictional character. 

When I chose the names for Little Gray Dress, I did pretty much the same thing, I just didn’t need anyone’s approval but my own. That didn’t make it any easier, though. The endless list of websites that have baby names make the task far more complicated than it ever was when I was pregnant. 

I knew what my main characters name would be, Esmeralda. ‘Emi’ for short, cause I love a good nickname. Once I decided that her name would be ‘Romanian’ for reasons she’s yet to know, I knew I had to come up with an equally fitting Romanian name for her twin brother. Evangelo, or ‘Evan’ for short, just fit the bill. 

Main characters Jack & Liam were no-brainers for me. I LOVE the old names as much as I love old Hollywood. To me, Jack is fitting for the tall, dark and handsome hero. And Liam is fitting for the tall, blond, bad-boy. 

The name Jack took on greater meaning when my grandfather, ‘Jackie, aka- Jack’ passed on a few months ago. It’s funny cause, while I was writing the book the fact that I had a grandpa named Jack never even occurred to me, because for the last 38 years I’ve known him as simply ‘grandpa’. Now that he’s gone though, I feel like it has a bigger meaning that it initially did. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I start using a lot of names of friends and family now passed on. What a great way to keep their spirits with me. 

As for picking the rest of the charactes names, I like to fill out a character questionnaire and then once I’ve gotten to know them a bit, I go through my list of names I adore and find the one that fits. It’s crazy to me how names will seem wrong or right for fictional characters. It’s like they really exist and are just waiting for that final piece of their puzzle in their name. 

Obviously, naming characters is one of my favorite parts of creating a story. I could create new characters all day long and be perfectly happy. My new found friends are real to me. I always expect to run into them when shopping or out and about and it’s a little sad when I never do. I put so much work into creating them that I want to chat with them in real life! Until then, I will be happy that they have endless conversations with you guy, my readers.

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Review: STAGS by MA Bennett

This book took me completely off guard. I was not expecting STAGS to blow me away quite so completely. It has shot straight into my list of all time favourite books and I loved the way that privilege and desperation collided.

Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.

It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin' shootin' fishin'. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.

But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry's parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports - hunting, shooting and fishing - become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school...

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Waterstones

Source: NetGalley Request | Purchase

5 Words: Privilege, power, huntin', shootin', fishin'.

Holy wow. I misjudged this book a lot.

I knew from those first gripping pages that there had been a death, that someone thought they had murdered someone else, but I loved how unreliable it felt.

I'm not entirely sure what it was about the cover or the blurb (yes, I read it for once!) that made me think that this was set in the US, but it's not. And that came as a very pleasant and welcome surprise.

I found myself quickly sucked deep into the world of the Medievals and Savages and the intrigue of school politics, and that was enough to keep me feverishly turning pages even before the main story kicked in.  And once that main story kicked in I was hooked by the ominous cloud hanging over everything, the portent of what I thought I knew was to come (I was wrong).

I loved Greer. I loved how she had this film connection with her father and how it was such a large part of her life that slipped into Greer's narrative.

I feel like this would translate amazingly into film or TV - and the setting would be all the more breathtaking. Think Skins set in Downton Abbey with a dash of Mean Girls.

The ending of STAGS was left open, ready for a sequel. But I actually hope it is left on its own, as that would make the story (and the ending) even more powerful. Also, I can carry on the fanfic in my head.

Friendship is Important (#BroodyWeek)

Broody Week is a bit like Shark Week. But with less teeth and blood and more dazzling orbs and tousled manes. And it's come about because life has gotten in the way of my BroodyBFF duties, which is very sucky, because I love Broody.

I love a good friendship in fiction. They usually come secondary to the plot and are parts of the characters themselves, but they can make or break a book for me. Some of my favourite friendships are those between siblings.

Pirates! by Celia Rees

Nancy and Minerva are more than friends, it's like they share a soul (and for good reason) and I could read about their lives and adventures forever.

All Of The Above by Juno Dawson

I loved how this friendship group felt exactly like my own teenage friends. I loved how everyone interacted, how they came together, and how everything wasn't rosy and perfect.

One Italian Summer by Keris Stainton

They may be sisters but they are also friends. Being friends with my own two sisters, this book really hit home in so many ways. From the laughs to the tears, the jokes to the arguments, I was on board for all of it and it felt so incredibly real.

Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne

The Spinster Club - are they not friendship goals? The trio have the most amazing friendship, supporting each other through all of their ups and downs.

My Secret Rockstar Boyfriend by Eleanor Wood

Tuesday and her mum aren't just mother and daughter - they're friends. I love their antics and the way their relationship comes through even on blog posts and comments.

What's your favourite Fictional Friendship?

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This post is part of the Brooding YA Hero #BroodyBFF Streetteam Challenge.

The Contemporary YA I Love (#BroodyWeek)

Broody Week is a bit like Shark Week. But with less teeth and blood and more dazzling orbs and tousled manes. And it's come about because life has gotten in the way of my BroodyBFF duties, which is very sucky, because I love Broody.

If someone asks me which YA genre is my favourite, I'll probably say Contemporary. But that's not strictly true. I find that YA is much more likely to be cross-genre fiction and I can never pigeonhole it in to just one genre. These books will not just be contemporary, but they are some of my favourites. But here are my top three. It was incredibly difficult to narrow it down to just these because I read a lot and give my love freely to books.

Lucas by Kevin Brooks
Family, friendship, prejudice, community, vigilante...
This book is haunting. Once you read it, it will stay with you forever. It is violent and real, heartbreaking and shocking. Immensely moving.

Darkmere by Helen Maslin
Romance, history, partying, summer, horror...
Darkemere is a dark and brooding and atmospheric book that comes to life before you. It was really quite exceptional.

Songs About A Girl by Chris Russell
Friendship, fame, betrayal, bullying, family...
It confronts online bullying and trolling head on show that consequences of every action can be huge. A very addictive story.

What's your favourite Contemporary YA?

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This post is part of the Brooding YA Hero #BroodyBFF Streetteam Challenge.

Read to the Music (#BroodyWeek)

Broody Week is a bit like Shark Week. But with less teeth and blood and more dazzling orbs and tousled manes. And it's come about because life has gotten in the way of my BroodyBFF duties, which is very sucky, because I love Broody.

Have you ever heard a song that just works perfectly with a book? Or maybe you hear that song and suddenly BAM you're transported back to that fictional life you once read? I was going to do few but once I got started, I could stop. And to prevent an endless post I decided on ONE. Well, this is mine. Complete with fancy YouTube videos so you can listen too.

Darkmere by Helen Maslin is one of my absolute favourite books. It is breathtaking, absolutely stunning, filled with friendship and deception and tension and ghosts. And oh my. It gave me one of my biggest book hangovers ever. It just so happened that when I was reading Darkmere I was going through a huge folk kick, and Vance Joy's Riptide was everywhere I turned.

And now I can't listen to this song without being transported back to Darkmere and Kate and Leo. And what is probably a really nice song has transformed into my head into something subtly sinister.

And look! The video is set in a CAVE. It's like it was made for Darkmere. And now I'm off to read it again.

Which book and music do you pair up?

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The Books I Need a Sequel For (#BroodyWeek)

Broody Week is a bit like Shark Week. But with less teeth and blood and more dazzling orbs and tousled manes. And it's come about because life has gotten in the way of my BroodyBFF duties, which is very sucky, because I love Broody.

Some books end and I'm left desperately wanting more. Some series end and I'm left desperately wanting more. With some books I will put off reading the last chapters for weeks, just so they don't end quite as soon. With some series I will put off reading the last book forever for months, just so they don't end quite as soon. They need sequels.

  

Acid by Emma Pass is a standalone, but it felt like it could have continued on forever. I absolutely loved the book when I first read it a few years ago, and even now I think about it and how I want it to continue.

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild is one of my favourite books in the world. I love the tone, the writing, the characters. And I would love to see what Petrova makes of herself.

Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks. What happened to Raymond?

What book do you need more of?

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This post is part of the Brooding YA Hero #BroodyBFF Streetteam Challenge.

Reading a Book About Me (#BroodyWeek)

Broody Week is a bit like Shark Week. But with less teeth and blood and more dazzling orbs and tousled manes. And it's come about because life has gotten in the way of my BroodyBFF duties, which is very sucky, because I love Broody.

As much as I've read around 200 books a year since I was sixteen, I haven't read a book about me. It makes me quite sad, but more and more books are coming out with more and more diverse voices, so it's only a matter of time. And this makes me extremely happy.

The first book I ever saw part of myself in was I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I remember reading about Cassandra Mortmain and seeing a small part of myself reflected in the page. Her worries about her family, her loyalty, her huge heart.

But the closest was All of The Above by Juno Dawson. I loved Toria's struggles with who she was attracted to, who she wanted to be more than just friends with. It reminded me of my teenage years.

Which book do you identify most with?

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This post is part of the Brooding YA Hero #BroodyBFF Streetteam Challenge.