May wrap up

I've just come off my second 12 hour shift in a row, so I will do this as quickly for you as I can. Due to my work I haven't had a huge amount of time to read, so it's a slightly shorter wrap up than usual.

The Ask And The Answer - Patrick Ness
I really enjoyed this book, it was a great continuation of the story, and I'm looking forward to reading Monsters Of Men soon. The characters are loveable and the plot is getting really interesting.

Fire And Flood - Victoria Scott
I heard from lots of people that this book is like a cross between The Hunger Games and Pokemon. I can definitely see where the comparisons came from, but unlike others I don't consider it a bad thing. This book was so exciting, I loved it.

Spell Bound - Rachel Hawkins
This was a really good conclusion to a fun and interesting trilogy. I really enjoyed all 3 books, and when (if) I chisel down my tbr a little I may look into buying more of her books.

Obsidian, Onyx, Opal and Origins - Jennifer L Armentrout
I initially just bought these books because they had stopped being made, I didn't have much interest in actually reading them. I'm really glad I did though, this series is really good. There was so much tension between Kat and Daemon, and the characters were all hilarious. I didn't really expect the whole government conspiracy thing though.

Tithe - Holly Black
This was my second and final attempt at Holly Black. I just don't get along with her characters, and her storylines just always fall flat for me.

The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken
I really loved this book. It was thrilling, exciting, the characters were great, and the plot was quite believable. I actually cried at the end, I couldn't believe it. I need the second book ASAP now.

The Mortal Instruments anniversary

So I was doing my morning interneting earlier and discovered that it has been a year since City of Heavenly Fire came out. It has sure been a hell of a ride. I came into the world a little late, I actually started off with The Infernal Devices, but from the minute I started City of Bones I was hooked. I know people say to wait until book 3 for it to get good, but I really loved it from beginning to end.

I don't even know fully the level of feels this series has put me through, but it has definitely been a roller coaster of a ride. From the fears of Clary and Jace going through their issues, to some of the most empathetic villains (after a point) I have laughed and cried so many times. I really was surprised with how much the last book affected me, without trying to spoil things I never thought after all he did Sebastian would be deserving of any sympathy, but Jonathon absolutely broke my heart. I still feel it difficult hearing the name without tearing up.

So yeah, in conclusion I absolutely love this series. The sarcasm, the world building, and the characters all add up to a great series, and I feel I am due a reread of the books very soon.

So many books, so little money!

I'm sure we all have this problem, so I'm going to try and give a few tips on how to get maximum books for the costs. 

• Book offers. If you look close enough, these are everywhere. In most Waterstones they do a buy one get one half price and you can get some really amazing books on these. The Works do selected books 3 for £5, although sadly this is a bit hit and miss. And most supermarkets do 2 for £7.
• Cheap shops. I mentioned both of these shops above in the offers, but both The Works and supermarkets do their books not on offers for usually between £2-4, with boxsets from about £9.99 upwards.
• Online shopping. Amazon.co.uk is probably a huge lifesaver for me. Not only so I look on there, but tend to look on the new and used sections, most of which I can get for about £3, and I usually get them in really good condition.
• Charity shops. When in doubt I tend to look around the charity shops, and sometimes I hit the jackpot. I found most of The Caster Chronicles in a local charity shop for under a fiver, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Unfortunately these don't always come in the best condition, and I will probably end up rebuying a few books in better condition. 
• Book giveaways. Ok, I haven't been overly lucky with these in the past, but I have received a couple of really good books from them, and there are usually some amazing books you can at least apply to win. These definitely are cheap because they don't cost anything at all. 

So here we are, my little handy hints on how not to break your bank any more than necessary, although following these I still tend to go a but crazy. I seem to think because I was buying everything cheaper I can buy more. I'm sure there's logic in there somewhere...

End of May book haul

Ok, so I know I said that I was only going to get one more book, but yeah...things happened and that completely failed. So here we are, all the lovely books I have accumulated in the last few days.

So here we have, from Amazon.co.uk:

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Random Riggs

And from Waterstones:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater 

A Discovery Of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Monsters Of Men by Patrick Ness

Siege And Storm by Leigh Bardugo

A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J Maas

And that's it, definitely more than the one I planned, but hey, I'm excited to read every single one of these books. Anyone read any of these? Or looking forward to reading any?

Book signing

So the day finally came today. I can at last say that I have met an author and had a book signed - and it was so nice. Unfortunately my brain slightly fell out, so while the girl in front of me was so cool and was just chatting to her like they were BFFs, all I could think to say was thank you for writing these books. Totally lame. But anyway, I met her and she was so nice, and so incredibly gorgeous, and I now have her new book! I also picked up a few other books and a package came through today, so we're looking at a book haul in the next couple of days, so keep your eyes out for that!

Delayed releases

So yesterday I was snooping on the Goodreads page for The Raven King, like you do, and I discovered that the release date is now 23rd February 2016. February. 2016. I've spent the last few months thinking that September was too long to wait, and now I have to wait another year!! I feel I may cry for the delay. I can't remember the last time a book I was anticipating became delayed, so I don't know what to do with myself! Although actually the paperback of Alligiant was supposed to come out a year ago and I am still waiting! Any tips how to keep sane until February? Any delayed releases that you've been really excited about?

Book confessions tag

I once again wasn't tagged in this, but it looks like fun so here we go!

 1. HAVE YOU EVER DAMAGED YOUR OWN BOOK?  Yes, unfortunately child me wasn't as careful with books as me. I used to write all over them, and any time the word sick was mentioned I crossed it out because I hated the word so much. I also read all of my Harry Potter books to the point that they fell apart.

2. HAVE YOU EVER DAMAGED A BORROWED BOOK?  I don't think so, I don't usually borrow books, then when I do apart from reading they stay on my bookcase.

3. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO READ A BOOK?  Umm, not very long really. It takes me a couple of days at least these days, but when I total up reading time it's usually only a few hours. Work tends to get in the way of my reading time now :(

 4. BOOKS THAT YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED? Most recently I couldn't finish was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I try to finish books when I can though, no matter how much I dislike them.
  
5. HYPED/POPULAR BOOKS YOU DON’T LIKE?  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer...here are probably more but I can't think of any right now.

  6. CLASSICS YOU DIDN’T ENJOY?  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have only ever been able to get about 3/4 through the book, and only through forcing myself. I found it so boring. Also Macbeth by Shakespeare. I was 13 when I read it, and can't for the life of me remember why I hate t so much, but I really do.

 7. BOOKS YOU BOUGHT JUST FOR THE INTELLECTUAL-NESS OF IT ALL? I don't think I have ever bought a book to feel intellectual. I've bought a couple to learn more about certain subjects, but no more than that.

8. ANY BOOKS YOU HAVEN’T GIVEN BACK?  Hmmm........ Let's just say I have a library card I will never be able to use again. Aside from that and the odd book at my parents house from junior school I think every book I own currently is my own.

I will just tag everyone who feels like they might want to do his one.