Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts

Friday, 29 January 2016

FIVE FRIDAY


1. The Lunar Chronicles, by Marissa Meyer


These books have been circulating in the book-blogosphere and instagram. I have finally admitted that I want to read them and have added them onto my goodreads.com 'Read List'. They sound like my cup of tea and are hopefully very like all my favourite YA book series such as 'divergent', 'Hunger Games' 'Uglies' etc... I am also interested in this series as they are themed on well known fairy tales - and this is hinted in the covers. The covers are, I feel, quite similar to those of the original Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and it makes me wonder whether Marissa Meyer's name has always been 'Meyer'. Coincidence or not, I can't wait till I have the money to buy these books. 

2, Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng

Everything I never told you is a sensitive family portrait with themes of secrets, love, family and longing. A family are torn apart when their daughter is found dead in a lake. It gives us a powerful insight into the relationships between parents and their children and how they will forever struggle to understand each other. I am hoping that this is a gripping novel that gives us an in-depth picture of the complex relationships that hold families together.

3. Illusions? Maybe, by Glenn Riley
goodreads.com          Amazon.co.uk

This book was recommended to me by a friend who asked me to read and review it on my blog. I already had this one on my kindle as a colleague wrote it and I wanted to support them in their journey to becoming a writer. However I had never prioritized this semi-autobiographical novel until now. When I do read and review this book I promise to be completely honest and truthful. I don't know whether this book will be 'my cup of tea' but I am going to try it anyway... hopefully soon. 

4. Change of Heart, by Jodi Picoult
goodreads.com          Amazon.co.uk

I love Jodi Picoult's books. They always leave you with a moral decision to make and each decision will always have consequences. I have found that a lot of Picoult's novels have a similar story line and structure which I felt at one point made them a little boring after reading Picoult novel after Picoult novel. However, I haven't read one of her books for at least a year and I miss her writing. I added this one as the story line sounds incredible... The character's daughter needs a new heart but the only available match is that of a murderer. I mean, WOW. Really would like to get this book, maybe to read in the summer holiday. 

5. The Golem and the Djinni, by Helene Wecker
goodreads.com         Amazon.co.uk

I was attracted to the cover of this book as it is very pretty and mystifying. I saw it at a local health organisation where you can take books to swap. I traded in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame for this one. When I picked it up and the first thing I saw was 'If you love The Night Circus then you'll love this' that was it, I had to have it! It is quite a big book and I hope that doesn't make me leave it to the bottom of the reading list. I am really excited to read this - but how do you pronounce 'Djinni'?
Tell me in the comments if you know!

Let me know what you've added to your lists recently.

Love Charlie, Xx


Wednesday, 20 January 2016

20 Books I've Recently Added to my 'To Read List'


I have added so many books onto my goodreads.com account recently, so I thought I'd do a quick list here so you can see what I want to read. I have selected the last 20 books that I added on to my 'To Read List'. 



 The Memory of Light by Francisco X Stork 
This Young Adult Novel focuses on living life when it doesn't seem worth it. Vicky Cruz wakes up in hospital after a suicide attempt and the book travels her journey of acceptance and recovery. This book sounds uplifting and insightful with themes of mental health, vulnerability, family and strength; and I can't wait to read it. 
This book isn't released until the 26th January 2016. 

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
This is a memoir about the Author's relationship with food and diet, self-image and weight. What woman doesn't relate to everyone of these themes? I really am looking forward to the publication date for this release. The 14th of June on Amazon.co.uk

The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajan 

This book offers an in-depth view of the psychological damage and devastation caused by a 'small' bomb in the Delhi marketplace - killing two young brothers and leaving their friend injured and traumatized. This book give up insight into how the acts of terrorism affect the lives of the family of the two boys that died and follows the friend as he grows up and deals with the physical and emotional scars he has been left with. 
This title isn't released until the 14th July on Amazon.co.uk

Girl Through Glass: A Novel by Sari Wilson
This novel follows a young girls journey from the competitive world of New York City Ballet into the even more competitive School of American Ballet. This debut has themes of aspiration, obsession, perfectionism and relationships. This book caught my eye straight away as I love Ballet and danced for many years throughout my childhood. I can't wait to read this book, and I predict it will be binge-read. 
This title is released on Amazon.co.uk on the 26th January.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This novel follows the struggles and complications of a sixteen year old's coming out story. A story of friendship, compromise, growing up, drama and identity. This book appeals to me as I am gay and everyone has a different coming out story. I am looking forward to reading this book and I am sure it will make me feel better about my own coming out story. 

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon 
This book follows a young girl's journey to love and enlightenment as she battles with her allergies against the world. She has a rare condition meaning she can't leave her house and meet others. She uses the internet to communicate with her new next door neighbor and he encourages her to want to do things she hasn't been able to. I feel this book will be very uplifting and tell a tale of overcoming obstacles in the light of love. 

The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
This book has been compared to one of my top favourite books 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern. This is the biggest reason I added this book to my 'To Read List' I love YA books about circus'. For twenty years, two circus families have been enemies and rivals, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. When a boy from the opposing family saves the life of the youngest performer in the other family; they end up falling in love in a dangerous and compromising relationship. 

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
This is a contemporary classic that I thought I already had on my 'To Read List'. However it seems I never got around to adding it until recently. This novel tells us an intriguing and perplexing story of how handmaids are valued only for the viability of their ovaries. Offred, a Handmaid can remember how her life used to be before women were banned from reading. I really must get around to reading this book...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
This is another classic that I thought I already had on my 'To Read List' and it is a book that I have wanted to read for quite a while. This is a classic children's story of a boy's adventures in the Mississippi Valley. This is a sequel to Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Tom Sawyer', so I must read that one first. 

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
This is also another classic that I thought I'd already added to my 'To Read List'. I saw this book in a charity shop a few years ago, but was put off reading it because of the violence in it. I regret not picking it up and I will have to purchase it one day. It is a classic that appears on many 'book lists to read before you die', so as an avid reader, I feel I must read it. Fifteen year old Alex and his gang of friends rob,  kill and rape their way through a nightmarish future, until the State put an end to riotous behaviour.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood is a journalistic non-fiction novel telling the story of a multiple-murder. It is an insightful look at the nature of American violence and is powerfully evocative. I should read this book sooner rather than later as it's the novel that made Truman Capote's name. Just so you know, I really liked Breakfast at Tiffany's


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Possession Series by Elana Johnson
0.5 Resist on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
1 Possession on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
1.5 Regret on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
2 Surrender on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
3 Abandon on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Possession series is a thrilling dystopian young adult trilogy with two extra works; Resist and Regret. The trilogy follows a rebellious teen who refuse to follow the set of rules the authorities have outlined. I was attracted to this trilogy by the covers and by the fact that they sound similar to other YA series such as 'The Hunger Games'. 'Divergent' and 'Uglies.'

Cold Awakening Trilogy by Robin Wasserman 
Frozen on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Shattered on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Torn on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
This trilogy follows a young girl who's live is saved by a download. However she realises that it has changed her and she is not who she wants to be. This trilogy appeals to me as like the Possession series above, it sounds very much like my favourite YA dystopian novels. 

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
A self-proclaimed fat girl falls in love with a popular boy called Bo. But when she has doubts at the way she looks, she sets to get her confidence back by doing something crazy. She enters the Miss Clover City Beauty Pageant. This book sounds uplifting and heartwarming, and one that I believe will bring a smile to my face. 
This title is released on the 28th January 2016 on Amazon.co.uk


HELP ME! by Donna M Zadunajsky
This is a book that I have downloaded to review for NetGalley.com, and a book that I hope to read after I finish the 'Uglies' series. This is a coming of age book following a boy called Mick who is struggling with various elements in his life. With themes of Self injury and mental health, I believe this book will be a touching and educating read.  


Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Behemoth on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk 
Goliath on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
I found this trilogy advertised in the back of the 'Uglies' series by Scott Westerfeld. I don't know whether this series will be 'my cup of tea' until I try it so I've added it to my 'To Read List' anyway. This is a steam-punk series that is based on an alternate World War 1. I thought I'd give it a try as I enjoyed Westerfeld's writing in 'Uglies'. 


 Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
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This is a book that has appeared on many 'books to read before you die' lists. This novel of love and war won the Pulitzer Prize, and creates haunting insights of the American Civil War. I think I'll have to be 'in the mood' to read this book, but I'm excited for when that time comes around. 


The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
This novel also won the Pulitzer Prize, and it is again, a book I thought I'd already added to my 'To Read List'. I recently went through classics that I haven't yet read and added the ones I'd forgot, hence the many books I though I'd already got. This is a story of 'false hopes, thwarted desires and powerlessness', and I hope it is as touching as 'Of Mice and Men which I studied and enjoyed in High School. 


The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
I'm afraid to say that this is yet another one of those books I thought I already had on my goodreads account. It is on many 'books you must read' lists and it is the first in the 'Lord of the Rings' series. The Hobbit is a timeless classic and an introduction into the Middle Earth. I hope to get around to reading this book before summer. 


I hope you liked the last 20 books I added to my 'To Read List'. 

I think I am going to do a 'FIVE FRIDAY' weekly blog post of the last five books I have added to my 'To Read List'. Keep an eye out ;) 
Let me know what books you want to read.

Love Charlie, Xx






Wednesday, 13 January 2016

The Little Prince and My Thoughts...








The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint -Exupery

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Little Prince is a book that has been on my 'To Read' list for a long time, although I never seemed to pay any attention to it. Until my last visit to Liverpool Central Library when it caught my eye in the form of a 'Collector's Library' tiny hardback. With top-edge gold gilt and ribbon page marker, who could turn down this perfect cloth bound treasure?


First published in 1943, this short story was voted the best book in France in the 20th Century. it has also proved itself to be one of the best selling books ever published. 


I gave this book 3* on goodreads,com, but now it is a fortnight since I finished it and I feel I may have rated it harshly. 


This is why...

This gem of a book is brimming with charming, heart warming watercolour illustrations by the Author himself. It comes as a tender, poetic tale of loneliness, friendship, love and loss. As I have found personally, the story takes a while to leave your system due to it's philosophical nature and social criticism remarking on the adult world. 

Image result for the little prince roseThe Little Prince draws upon Antoine de Saint-Exupery's personal aviation experiences in the Sahara Desert. To find out more about the Author, you could read his 1939 memoir, "Wind, Sand and Stars"
Understanding that the Author was in the same position as the pilot in the book, stranded in the desert - it is easy to believe the book is autobiographical in some ways. Many researches also believe that the Prince's petulant, vain rose was inspired by his wife, Consuelo. The Prince's small planet may be inspired by her small home country El Salvador also known as 'The Land of Volcanoes.' Connections can therefore be verified and relations between the author's personal life and experiences, and the Little Prince's are evident. 

The fox in this story tells the Prince several important messages. Her are some examples:-

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye"

"It is the time spent on your rose that makes your rose so important."

"Because you wasted so much time on me, you made me feel very important."
Image result for fox the little prince
The Fox



The Fox's messages are arguably the book's most famous quotations as they deal with human relationships. The fox talks quite sincerely and I would make the presumption that he is talking about using your gut to make decisions. Often adults have no time and have too much logic to consider their gut feeling, and I believe the character is trying to imprint his knowledge onto the reader, no matter what age - possibly trying to re-ignite the 'gut feeling' in adults reading the story. 


The events in the book are unrealistic, however the fantasy works because the logic of the story is based on the imagination of children, rather than the strict realism of adults. Perhaps this is why the book is considered a children's book. 

Image result for the little prince book
I however, would argue that this book is specifically made for adults, especially those who remember the nostalgia of childhood. People tend to become less creative and imaginative as they grow into Adulthood. Most adults are pre-occupied with things of the little value. This easy-to-read book includes the fox's lessons which the book cushions beneath it's story. 

This is a book that can be read by all ages and the story is timeless. It is a book that could become as sentimental as the story within. 

Maybe this is the reason I cannot stop thinking about the Little Prince and the Fox and the Pilot. They have etched an image into my mind, one of innocence and maturity, strangely juxtaposed together in a weird and wonderful collaboration. 


Image result for the little prince book

If I was to re-rate this book I would give it 4*. Let me know if you've read this book and if you have, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Love Charlie Xx

Sunday, 10 January 2016

Books I want to Read in 2016

What books do you want read this year?

Maybe a classic that you've wanted to read for years, or a book you bought last week. A children's book you're so fond of you want to read again or a book you've previously abandoned. Maybe you want to read a book that's hitting the screen this year or a book in a series you've started. Whatever it is that you want to read, maybe you should make a list so you remember. Not that I'm saying you'll forget; but just look at how many books on your shelf (or shelves) you haven't read yet.  


As lots of readers will understand, I have many books sitting on my shelves that I want to read but haven't yet had the time to. Not only books that I own, but also books that I want to read and have to buy. This year, as many years previously, I will make a list (quite an ambitious list) of what I want to remember to read this year. It helps me to make choices relating to the books I already own and I feel acomplished when I have read a book that I have had on the shelf for a while. This list isn't etched in stone and I will read books that aren't on the list, but from a January perspective, it's a starting point; a guide. 
Here we Go...

Firstly, These are five books that I have both wanted to read for a long time, and have been lying on the shelf. I'll give you the sun by Jandy Nelson and Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe are 'newish' books. I'll give you the Sun first published in 2015 and Love, Nina in 2013. I was very excited to read both of these books when I bought them but somehow they have remained on the shelf. The other four books are books that have been recommended to me by friends. (And it's about time I gave them back!)


The next Five books are all children's books. These are also books that I keep forgetting about but have always wanted to read. This year I want to read at least two of them. Also, I would say that all five of these books are must reads and fit into the category of 'classics'. 



These five books are aimed at teenagers - early twenties. But my philosophy is that if you can read; you read whatever you want to. As you can see, these books are all quite similar in terms of genre, and that is because I fell in love with Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games'. I felt a serious hole in my reading heart when I finished The Mockingjay. I went on a rampage to see what other readers were reading next. I have read the 'Divergent' series by Veronica Roth and also started the 'Matched' series by Allie Condie. These books are the first in five different series that are apparently going to satisfy my longing for the Hunger Games. (If only I could read them for the first time again.) 2016, it looks like, is going to be an adventure!

 Finally. I have 6 classic books that I wish I had already read. I've attempted nearly all of these books before now, however was not in the right 'frame of mind' at the time. (Is it just me that has to 'be in the mood' to read certain books?) These books don't scare me but I feel as though they are a challenge for me. I don't know why. This year though I want to tackle these 6. I want to be able to say I've read them, and I hope I enjoy them once I 'get into them'. I'll let you know. 


There we go, 22 books that I want to read in 2016. Once again, this list is for my personal guidance and I will read other books. For example, when making this list, I did not even look at what I have on my kindle, nor did I include books that I want to buy, books that I may pick up in the Library or new releases.  Wish me luck! 

  • I'll give you the Sun - Jandy Nelson
  • Abarat - Clive Barker 
  • Vanishing Acts - Jodi Picoult 
  • Tipping the Velvet - Sarah Waters 
  • The Diving Pool - Yoko Ogawa
  • Love Nina - Nina Stibbe
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
  • Watership Down - Richard Adams 
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
  • The Magician's Nephew - C.S Lewis
  • Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson 
  • Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
  • Gone - Michael Grant
  • The Maze Runner - James Dashner
  • Delerium - Lauren Oliver 
  • City of Bones - Cassandra Clare 
  • The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien 
  • Lady Chatterley's Lover - D.H Lawrence
  • To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
  • One Flew over a Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
  • The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher 
  • Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte 


Soon, I will do a Post including books that are on my Kindle Voyage and books that I want to buy in the next few months. Keep an eye out. 

Love Charlie, Xx