Top ten things books have made us want to do or learn about after reading them

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish!

Becky's Choices:

1. Become a badass assassin.

I'm not saying here that I want to be paid to kill people or anything, just that I read books with assassins as main characters, and I think, how amazing would it be to be so stealthy you can run across rooftops and blend in with shadows? Plus, most assassins get a really cool suit and some knives. It'd be great to be an assassin.

2. Become High Lady of the Night Court.

I mean, I'm a redhead and I love painting, and I'd be pretty keen to learn archery, so I am basically just Feyre, right? All I need is Rhysand to complete this goal... 

3. Become Rebecca Stormborn of House Targaryen, the first of her name, the Unburnt, Queen of Mereen, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea,  Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons.

Honestly, I think this one's pretty self explanatory.

4. Become a figure of Russian folklore. 

I recently noticed that the hardback edition of Deathless has a little tagline on the cover that says 'Child of the revolution, maiden of myth, bride of darkness.' I then added this to my twitter bio. I'm now considering getting business cards with it on.

5. Travel our world... and other worlds. 

Books have always made me want to travel, but none so much as Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I literally have a holiday booked to Prague in September purely because of this book. It'd be pretty cool to see Eretz too, though (once the war's over and all that).

Angharad's Choices:

1. Travel, travel and travel.

I must admit that I have always wanted to travel but since becoming a serious bibliophile, this want has definitely increased. Scotland, Prague, America, Eastern Europe. Yes, majority of the places I read about are in fantasy books so there's a few mythical creatures floating about but other than that, I want to book my plane tickets immediately.

2. Study literature.

English Literature was my favourite subject in school and being a bookworm definitely fuelled this love. I completed a course in literature after school. I love delving into the written word and having my own interpretations of what the author was thinking. If it wasn't for reading, I know my love for the subject wouldn't be as strong. It also encouraged me to read the classics.

3. Get literary-inspired tattoos

I can officially say I have ticked this off my list but only once. I rarely read a book without jotting down quotes as I go along. I live my life through quotes and would love to have some permanently on my body. For now, I store them in my journal alongside some associated imagery.

4. Writing a short story for my partner.

My boyfriend is not a reader so I would love him to be able to read something that I've wrote for him. He still supports my need for books and even lugs around my bags full of them so I would love to repay him. Luckily for me, he's handsome enough that I can at least get him to pose with books.

5. Run a successful book blog.

We have had this blog for a few months now and it is doing so much better than what I expected. We went into this without much of a clue but we both immediately found our love for it. It's a dream come true and was definitely something I've wanted to do for a long time. Thanks to all you guys!

Love,

Top Ten Books Set in Europe

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and Bookish, is ten books set outside of the US. Since we couldn't find ten books that we've read set in the UK (which is crazy) we chose to look at ten books set in Europe that we love!

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Asking For It by Louise O'Neill 

Setting: Ireland

Asking For It is the story of Emma, and what happens when she wakes up one morning unable to remember what happened at a party she was at the night before. It's set in a small town in Ireland, and the rural small town mentality is a key plot point within this book.

We'll be reviewing Asking For It soon! 

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Setting: Iceland

Burial Rites is based on the true story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a woman who was sentenced to death in Iceland for murder. This is an amazing crime thriller novel, and being set in Iceland, has such an interesting and unique setting. The author also included lots of letters and documents from the actual case, showing how crime and women were treated in the 1800's in Iceland.

Read our full review of Burial Rites here.

The Ballroom by Anna Hope

Setting: Yorkshire, UK

The Ballroom takes place in the Yorkshire moors during 1911. It follows the story John and Ella, two people locked up in an insane asylum. We also hear from their doctor, Charles. However, once a week  the men and women are allowed to come together in the grand ballroom. It is here that John and Ella meet and their story begins.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 

Setting: Stockport, UK 

So I may be exaggerating a bit here - Code Name Verity is set in a few parts of the UK and mainland Europe, but Maddie, one of the main characters, is from Stockport - and since that's my hometown, I'm gonna be proud of this book for including it! Code Name Verity is the story of two girls volunteering during WWII.

And I Darken by Kiersten White

Setting: Wallachia/Ottoman Empire (modern day Romania and Turkey)

And I Darken is a gender-swapped retelling of the story of Vlad the Impaler - with Vlad becoming Lada, possibly the most badass heroine in the world of historical fiction. 

Read our full review of And I Darken here.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Setting: France

The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters during World War II - Vianne and Isabelle. It spans from 1939 and continues until the end of the war, documenting the events that occurred in a Nazi-occupied France.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Setting: Prague, Czech Republic

Daughter of Smoke and Bone is set in many places around the world (and there may be one scene set in the US, but shh, it's not the biggest scene) but anyway, the majority of this book is set in Prague - where Karou, the main character, lives. 

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak 

Setting: Munich, Germany

I think the entire world knows the plot of The Book Thief (and if you don't, go and read it) but it's a book about Liesel, a girl who is fostered during WWII. It's set in Germany, which is, naturally, an interesting perspective for a WWII based book.

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Setting: Berlin, Germany

Wolf by Wolf spans a few countries, across from Europe into Asia, but is mostly set in Berlin. It's about Yael, and her mission to win the Axis Tour and assassinate Hitler - who, in this alternative history, survived and won the war.

Read our review of Wolf by Wolf here.

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

Setting: Russia

Marya is from Petrograd, or Leningrad, or St. Petersburg - depending on what time era you're visiting the city in. Deathless is the story of her and Koschei the Deathless, a dark character from Russian folklore. 

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What are your favourite books set in Europe or outside the US? Let us know in the comments!

Top Ten Bookish Facts About Us

Angharad

• When I was in primary school, I won a Harry Potter colouring competition and received a signed copy of Order of the Phoenix and some other goodies. That was the start of my love for the series.
• I was always entering library reading competitions as a child that required you to read a certain amount of books in a certain amount of time. Being as competitive as I am, this trained me to become a fast reader which comes in handy now when you've got a TBR as long as your arm.

• When I was eleven, a poem we had to write about recycling in school was published in a poetry book. My mother proceeded to carry the book around with her, showing it to everybody and anybody.
• I always 'receive books' for special occasions but people never know which books to get me so what I actually get are gift cards. I don't mind because it gives me an excuse to hide in Waterstones for hours on end.
• I recently got a book related tattoo! It was drawn up by Becky and it is a take on Rhysand's tattoo from A Court of Mist and Fury. 

Becky

• I also have a tattoo inspired by A Court of Mist and Fury! After reading ACOMAF, we both fell in love with the book and rushed out to get almost matching tattoos inspired by Rhysand’s tattoos - of mountain peaks with three stars above them.
• When I was eleven, I won a short story competition and got to meet Jacqueline Wilson. I’ve got to say, to an eleven year old, this was probably the best prize in the world. Since twelve years have passed since then, I honestly don’t remember much about what happened (and I have no clue what my short story was about) but I got this photo taken with Jacqueline Wilson and a signed, personalised copy of her book Love Lessons.

• I did actually want to be a writer when I was younger. Most people who know me these days don’t seem to expect it, since I’m definitely more of a photographer than a writer now, but it’s true. The first “book” I remember writing when I was ten (by hand, stuck together with a glue stick, and with a 3D cover made from pieces of coloured card) was called “What Should I Do?” and was about a young teenage girl who had an abusive home life and well, wondered what she should do about it. Evidently, I was a pretty messed up child. Why I wasn’t writing about a girl getting a pet unicorn or something when I was ten years old is beyond me. Anyway, I’m no writer anymore, but my husband has wrote a couple of YA novels that he’s in the process of trying to get published!
• When I was twelve, I was part of a book club in high school. We had to read three new releases and choose our favourites for a local book awards ceremony. One of these books was Sleepwalking by Nicola Morgan, and although I wouldn’t consider this book to be the greatest now, it massively impacted me at the time as it’s the book that got me into dystopian fiction. I think if I’d not been assigned this book to read, I would’ve never read The Hunger Games, and then most likely wouldn’t have been into reading as much as I am.
• Probably one of my biggest reading achievements was reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in a day, on it’s release day. Honestly, I’m not 100% sure how I did it - I don’t think I could manage it now. That book is a hefty 600+ pages and I must have been about eleven or twelve when it was released.

Tell us some interesting facts about you - bookish or not! Leave them in the comments below.

Love,

Top Ten Favourite 2016 Releases So Far

Today's topic is Top Ten Releases of 2016 so far. These are some that have been highly anticipated and although they have been met with mixed reviews, still prove that we all come together when a book is released to celebrate.

This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab

This tells the story of a world in which violence breeds monsters. Literally. Nobody writes monsters like Victioria Schwab and she does not disappoint with the start of her new series. We follow Kate and August, two very different people who have to come together against a threat and a beautiful friendship is forged along the way. 

Our full review is here.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Summer is not complete without a new Matson release. Her newest story follows the story of Andie, a politician's daughter who despite practically raising herself, finds everything in her life mapped out for her. Suddenly a scandal rocks her entire world but is this necessarily a bad thing? Andie finds herself having to live with her dad, walk an awful lot of dogs and reevaluating her entire life. Sit down on a hot summer's day and indulge in this epic story.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Fans of Ruta's previous book 'Between Shades of Grey' will love her newest release. Capable of both making us realise the depth of love humans are capable of and the tragedy that has been our past, she tells the story of the people aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff during the Winter of 1945. Switching between different perspectives, we follow the heartbreaking story of the people fighting for their lives and a chance of escape. 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The sequel of ACOTAR was probably one of the most highly anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint. It follows the story of Feyre, a former huntress and newly turned fae as she realises her life and love for Tamlin may not be all that it seems. Teaming up with Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court and his inner circle, she realises she may not have found her home yet. A story of a beautiful romance, incredible world-building and interesting new characters, this is a series you just have to read. 

Full review here!

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton 

Set in the Middle East, this fantasy follows the story of Amani, an ambitious girl whose future only entails getting married and keeping a house. Refusing to meet this fate, Amani disguises herself as a male sharpshooter in order to get out of her town. However, she meets Jin, a foreigner who offers her the perfect escape. As they team up to travel across the dangerous desert on a mythical horse against a murderous army, they soon realise their feelings could be even more lethal.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

The final instalment in The Raven Cycle, a story of a group of boys and Blue who attempt to track down a sleeping, Welsh King. It is the story of their friendship, love and a whole lot of psychic, mystical elements. Although we were not a fan of the final book, it was still a highly anticipated book that is mostly loved. Check the rest of the series out!

Full review here!

My Favourite Manson Girl by Alison Umminger

This book follows Anna, who after deciding she's had enough of mundane life, steals a credit card and books herself a ticket to Los Angeles. During her summer in Hollywood, she moves in with her actress sister and soon gets offered the role of researching the Manson girls for money. What follows is the similarities Anna notices between herself and the Manson girls, who before meeting Charles, were just normal teenagers.

A full review will be up on the blog soon.

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

The sequel to a trilogy, A Gathering of Shadows continues our story with Kell, a boy capable of travelling through different Londons along with his sidekick, Delilah Bard. This book focuses a lot more on character development as we find out more about Holland, the Dane twins and Prince Rhy. We delve more into the different Londons, each the same and yet entirely different. The third book, A Conjuring of Light is set to be released February 2017.

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose and the Dagger, the highly anticipated sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn and final book in the series, opens with Kohrasan on the brink of war, and Shahrzad separated from Khalid and taken to the desert. Now, Shahrzad must uncover her powers, protect her family, save her country from its imminent war and find her way back to Khalid despite being held amongst people who want him dead - all whilst trying to discover a way to destroy his curse. 

Full review here!

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner 

The Serpent King is about three teenagers living in a small town in Tennessee, Dill, Lydia and Travis. It is the story of them, their relationship and the events that happen before Lydia goes to college. The characters are different and unique: Dill is a musician, Lydia is internet famous and Travis who escapes into fantasy worlds, anything to get away from his abusive father. It is a book filled with excitement, adventure, friendship, family and love. It is a lot more than what the blurb offers.

What have been your favourite releases so far this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half Of The Year

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and the Bookish, is our most anticipated releases for the second half of 2016. This week, we've just done one list as we're basically excited for all the same books, but since there are so many amazing looking books coming out over the next six months we couldn't narrow it down, so we've given you eleven rather than ten!

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott (26th July 2016)

We love a good Megan Abbott book, so You Will Know Me is definitely on both of our tbr's. It's the story of the Knox family, and what happens to them when a death hits the gymnastics community of which Devon Knox is part of. 

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What's a Girl Gotta Do? by Holly Bourne (1st August 2016)

Well, of course feminist fiction will be on our most anticipated reads list. This book is about the awful consequences of a girl addressing sexism.

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It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2nd August 2016)

This book has been proclaimed by reviewers as the best Colleen Hoover book, a tearjerker, and all in all, utterly soul destroying. I don't think any other reasons to read it as soon as possible are necessary.

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A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (30th August 2016)

This is the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes, so do we even need to explain why we need this book right now?

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Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (6th September 2016)

Ahh, finally. The fifth installment in the Throne of Glass series is coming out, and after Queen of Shadows, it's gonna be a tearjerker.

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The Graces by Laure Eve (6th September 2016)

A little excerpt from this book:

Everyone said the Graces were witches. They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair. 
They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different. All I had to do was show them that person was me. 

Enough said, I think!

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A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess (20th September 2016)

This looks like the beginning of an amazing new fantasy series - plus, it's a debut novel! *grabby hands* 

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The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis (20th September 2016)

A dark, complex, contemporary thriller - what more do you need in a book?

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (27th September 2016)

I have absolutely loved Laini Taylor since reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, and I can't wait to get a little glimpse into her amazing, imaginative mind again with Strange the Dreamer!  

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Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (27th September 2016)

Well. The next, and last, book in the Six of Crows series. I have mixed feelings about this book. 
One feeling: I need this book right this second.
Another feeling: When this duology is over, it'll take a bit of my soul with it.

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Heartless by Marissa Meyer (8th November 2016)

We love retellings. A retelling of the story of the Queen of Hearts by the master of fairytale-retellings, Marissa Meyer? Yes please!

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What are your most anticipated releases for the rest of 2016? Are there any others we should look out for?

Ten Things We Love About Reading

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and Bookish, was an open topic - ten things we love about something bookish. We chose ten things we love about reading in general, so we can express our love for this little thing that's taken over our lives (in the best way).

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Angharad's choices:

1. The way it lets you escape reality. 

Reading has pulled me from rock bottom so many times and it has helped me cope with the hard things in life. I can just open a book and leave this world and enter the fictional one.

2. The way it teaches you. 

I've learned so many things from reading and not just factual things but life lessons and morals. I don't believe I'd be the same person now if I hadn't read all my life. 

3. How it allows you to connect with other readers all over the world.

The mutual love of a book can unite anybody regardless of how different they are as people. Places like Goodreads where you can get book recommendations and read people's reviews. It's a beautiful community to be part of. 

4. It gives me an excuse to stay in bookshops for hours on end without the members of staff asking me to leave. 

It allows me to recommend books to complete strangers and just smell all the pages! Is there anything better than the smell of hundreds of books?

5. How it inspires you. 

Reading a good book can inspire you to discuss it, create art for it, photograph it. You can see yourselves in the characters, want to be more like them and inspire to be as courageous as them. 

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Becky's choices:

1. You get to meet new people without actually having to interact with anyone.

I love people when they're virtual or fictional. Real life people, I find a bit more difficult. Therefore, getting to know characters in books and feeling like they're your new best mate is the perfect solution for someone who's always struggled to make friends, right?

2. It's a cheaper way to travel.

I feel like I've been all over the world, and to different worlds, thanks to reading books. Not only that, but they've helped me appreciate parts of the world and cultures that I previously knew nothing about, and also plan out future trips. I'm heading to Prague for a week in September, and that's all thanks to Daughter of Smoke and Bone!

3. How immersive reading can be. 

Countless times, I've been sat somewhere reading a book, and become so engrossed in the plot that I'll look up and have forgotten where I was. I'd much rather be in Middle Earth or something than sat on a cat-scratched sofa in my pyjamas at 2pm (which is usually the reality).

4. When you start a new book that you haven't heard of or don't know much about, and really enjoy it. 
I love it when you're in the middle of a book, and maybe you weren't sure about it or just didn't know much about it, and then suddenly, something clicks. This book is now your life and you revolve around it.


5. The emotions that reading a book can make you feel.
Books have made me laugh, cry, cringe, blush, gasp out loud. They've made me weep for hours on end and get teary whenever they're mentioned for weeks after. They've made me smile until my cheeks hurt. Reading can make you feel so many things and it's affected me so much throughout my life.

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What are some of your favourite things about reading? Let us know in the comments!

Top Ten Beach Reads

This week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is Beach Reads Week! We've each chosen five of our top reads for on the beach. This one was a difficult topic, as being British we obviously barely see the sun, and even though Angharad lives right by the beach, we're both basically hermits. However, here's our picks!

Angharad's Choices:

Vicious by V. E. Schwab
Vicious follows the story of two college roommates who share an interest in all things adrenaline-filled and death-defying. They believe that under extraordinary conditions, people can come back from the brink of death with an Extra Ordinary ability. 
Okay, so I admit this doesn't sound much like a beach read but to me, it doesn't just mean happy, summery books, it means books you can devour in one sitting and that's exactly what I did with this novel. Brilliant characters, brilliant plot and there's even a dog. What more could you ask for?


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Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson 
Since You've Been Gone (stop singing the song), is the story of Emily and her friendship with a girl called Sloane. We meet Emily as she realises Sloane has left town. Faced with the loss of her best friend, Emily soon realises Sloane has left her a list of things she needs to do over the summer. It's a story of friendship, self-confidence and love.
I think this is the perfect beach read. It takes place over the summer and Emily and her newfound friends have the time of their lives. Skinny dipping happens, guys. That's summery, right?

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The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Cycle is all about friendship, love, adventure and a Welsh King. It follows Blue, a girl who lives with a bunch of women psychics but hasn't got the ability herself. She meets 'the raven boys', a group of men who after initially hating, she grows to love unconditionally. The series spans over four books as we follow their adventures in the mystical town of Henrietta as they figure out how to wake a sleeping prince.
I think you can read this book no matter what the season is, no matter where you are (a beach in this case) and no matter how you're feeling. It's magical. 

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Lord of the Flies by William Golding 
Okay, so I've recommended a book suitable to read on the beach that I had to study for the English Literature GCSE which follows the story of a bunch of school boys who become stranded on a deserted island? Am I normal? Probably not. They are technically on a beach and it's sunny and stuff. Yeah, people get murdered and everyone turns crazy but you know, life goes on. 

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sàenz 
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is the ultimate summer beach read for me. It primarily takes place during the summer and follows the story of two boys, Ari and Dante, who become friends and slowly realise their feelings for each other. Also features funny moments, amazing families and incredible prose from the author. I flew through it and I wish I had read it on a beach.

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Becky's Choices:

When I'm on the beach I do usually tend to read whatever I was already reading, but when packing beach books I'll go in one of two rather unconventional directions - fantasy adventure books, or contemporary thrillers. Maybe I just feel the need to counteract all the happy sunlight vibes, but there we go.

 Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton 

A fast-paced fantasy, based around a journey, inspired by cowboys and the Middle East, Rebel of the Sands is an exciting but easy read. Perfect to read whilst relaxing on the beach! 

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Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Two Londons, magical creatures named after landmarks and stations throughout the city, talking rats, a pair of disgustingly creepy villains... what could be better to read on the beach?! Neverwhere is a magically-fuelled adventure following Richard's journey to London Below - a city inhabited by the people who fell through the cracks in the world.

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A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab 

Now here, V. E. Schwab takes it up a notch. This time, we have four London's to contend with. (Although I love all the multiple London books, where's the book about two or more Manchester's? Come on, people - we've been voted the best UK city for years on end!) 

. . . anyway.

A Darker Shade of Magic, as mentioned, is another magical adventure novel based in London(s). It's about Kell, one of the last antari who can travel between the Londons. It's also about Lila, a cross-dressing pirate thief from Grey London (aka the London we know). It's about how the two of them meet and what happens when they do. Another light-hearted, but at the same time thrilling and gripping beach read.

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Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas 

 Although Dangerous Girls may not seem like the most typical beach read, I can definitely picture reading it by the sea. It's mostly set in Aruba, and as I mentioned I enjoy reading contemporary thrillers on the beach, so to me, this book just makes perfect sense. It follows the story of Anna, who's away with friends during spring break when her best friend Elise is found murdered in her room, and Anna is seen as the prime suspect.

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Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot 
I think this is possibly my most serious choice... it's definitely the one happy, light hearted book on my list. On my shelves, actually.
Ok, so whose inner thirteen year old self was hugely excited to discover that Meg Cabot was writing an 11th Princess Diaries book, set in present day and aimed at adult readers? *sticks up hand*. Royal Wedding is the feel good beach book that you need to read this summer if you loved The Princess Diaries series as a kid. 

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What are your perfect books to read at the beach? Let us know in the comments!