Amy Powis's Blog

  * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *

Title: A Throne of SwansAuthor: Katharine & Elizabeth CorrPublisher: Hot Key Books
Source: NetGalley

(Bookshop UK| Hive| Goodreads | Storygraph)

Book Summary:
When her father dies just before her birthday, seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys, a dominion in a kingdom where nobles are able to transform at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. Aderyn's ancestral bird is a swan. But she has not transformed for years, not since witnessing the death of her mother - ripped apart by hawks that have supposedly been extinct since the long-ago War of the Raptors. 
With the benevolent shelter of her mother and her father now lost, Aderyn is at the mercy of her brutal uncle, the King, and his royal court. Driven by revenge and love, she must venture into the malevolent heart of the Citadel in order to seek the truth about the attack that so nearly destroyed her, to fight for the only home she has ever known and for the land she has vowed to protect.
Written in rich detail and evocative language, this is the start of an irresistible, soaring duology about courage, broken loyalties and fighting for your place in the world.
Book Review:
Having really loved The Winter's Kiss, I have been eagerly anticipating A Throne of Swans and I was so happy I did. Being one of my last books of 2020, I raced through it and I definitely did not give it the time it deserved at the time of reading. 


The Verdict:
A Throne of Swans is an addictive and action-packed fantasy story that I highly recommend and can't wait to finish the duology. 
Have you read A Throne of Swans? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.

Every year since 2015, I have completed the Popsugar Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. Over the course of the last year, I would like to think that I have done this but I do like the prompts and it would still push me out of my reading taste.  I have put books that I want to read but I will fill it out over the year so stay tuned to find out what I want to read!  So let's see what I want to read this year and what the prompts are...

A book published in 2022
Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book set on a plane, train, or cruise shipBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society
Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:
A book with a tiger on the cover or "tiger" in the title Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A sapphic book
Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:
A book by a Latinx authorBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with onomatopoeia in its titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a protagonist who uses a mobility aidBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about a "found family"Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

An Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winnerBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A #BookTok recommendationBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about the afterlifeBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book set in the 1980sBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with cutlery on the cover or in the titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book by a Pacific Islander authorBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about witchesBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book becoming a TV series or movie in 2022Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A romance novel by a BIPOC authorBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book that takes place during your favourite seasonBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous readBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about a band or musical groupBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a character on the ace spectrumBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a recipe in itBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book you can read in one sittingBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about a secretBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a misleading titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A Hugo Award winnerBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book set during a holidayBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A different book by an author you read in 2021Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with the name of a board game in the title Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book featuring a man-made disasterBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a quote from your favourite author on the cover or Amazon pageBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A social-horror bookBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book set in Victorian timesBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a constellation on the cover or in the titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book you know nothing aboutBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about gender identityBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book featuring a partyBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) bookBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book that fulfils your favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge.Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:
Advanced

A book with a reflected image on the cover or "mirror" in the titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book that features two languagesBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with a palindromic titleBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A duology (1)
Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:
A duology (2)Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book about someone leading a double lifeBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book featuring a parallel realityBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

A book with two POVsBook I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities" (1)Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:

Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities" (2)
Book I Want To Read:
Book I Actually Read:
What are your reading challenges like this year? Let me know in the comments.
See you soon, 
Amy

As I have read a lot of books this year, I always want to give graphic novels and manga their own celebration as they often get overlooked and do make up a lot of my reading. I also find that even though I read a lot of them, it takes a lot to convince me and make it a new favourite. So here are my best...

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman 

Like everyone on the internet, I too am a massive Heartstopper fan and Volume 4 is no different. I love the relationship of Nick and Charlie and the side characters also make the series. This one also explores the way that mental health can impact romance and it still does justice to the story and does not fall into cliches. I am eagerly anticipating the final volume but I don't want it to be over. 

The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott by Zoe Thorogood

One of the last graphic novels I read this year and the one that has the second amount of hype, The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott also leaves a lasting impression. I love a good British graphic novel and this definitely explores parts of British life that are rarely explored in graphic form and in books in general. It felt rare and I spent a lot of the book rooting for Billie and emphasising her. It is as good as everyone says, believe the hype. 

Home Sick Pilots Volume 1 & 2 by Dan Watters

I have to admit that this might be an unpopular opinion on my part because this series does not get all of the praise but I really like it. I think it is a perfect blend of horror and sci-fi and although it gets quite weird so I would just say go with it. Most of the time, I loved the relationship between the Home Sick Pilots and I can't wait to read the next issue and volume. 

Mamo #1 by Sas Milledge

Even though I haven't finished this series yet, the first issue was really special. It had the perfect parts of whimsy and contemporary vibes. It also has some great fantasy elements and I loved the growing relationship between the two main characters. I love the colours and the art style. It was just a great start to the series. 

The Golden Sheep #1 by Kaori Ozaki

I picked up this book on a whim because I saw the cover randomly in Waterstones and thought that it looked really interesting. The book details a lot of friendship elements and also details music which is something that I really love. It also details the mental health in a manga which again I am really connected to. I recommend this one (obviously!).

Blue Flag Volume 5 by Kaiko 

I have been reading this series since last year and I have been really loving it and I was really disappointed that I didn't put it in my favourites of last year. I have been really loving the characters and the romance and it is definitely a series that I can't wait to read the rest of this year. I highly recommend this series in general and of course this issue. 

Silk: Threats and Menaces by Maurene Goo

I do really love Silk as a character so when I discovered that there was a new series out I had to get my hands on it. While this one was not perfect, I just have to shout it out as I loved seeing more from Cindy Moon and her crime-fighting ways. It was also nice to read from a YA author who is writing for Marvel!

Retrograde Orbit by Kristyna Baczynski

One of the first graphic novels that I read of the year, Retrograde Orbit left an impression on me. With the use of different colours for different parts of the main characters life. It left an impact on me and I loved the idea of having a coming of age story being a massive part of a sci-fi story. A little known graphic novel that definitely deserves some attention. 

What are your favourite books, graphic novels and manga? Let me know in the comments!

See you soon, 

Amy

My reading year has been a bit of a weird one. I know that I have read quite a lot but I always find picking my favourite books is difficult. I have obviously read some great books this year so here they are:

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green 

I love John Green, I feel that it is quite a well-known thing so it's no surprise that it made my favourite books of the year! The Anthropocene Reviewed is a pivotal book that represents current society. This book made me feel all the emotions. I laughed, almost cried and I tried to sit at the moment. It is a great book and I highly recommend especially if you wanted to give John Green a second chance. 

The Upper World by Femi Fadugba

I had heard a lot about The Upper World a while before I read the book and I have to admit that I was really excited so it made me anticipate even more. I picked it up really quickly and raced through it. It was the last 100 pages that really got me as I finished it all in half an hour. I can't wait to see where it goes next in the sequel and it was a great sci-fi read. 

Bookishly Ever After by Lucy Powrie

After reading the first two books in the series, I was really excited for the final book in the series. It was a cute and heartfelt story and I really did love how it ended. The book also focuses on one of my favourite characters from the series and I loved the bookshop setting. There was some great autism representation and the Paper & Hearts Society got the ending they deserved. 

Flying Tips by Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain

The biggest surprise of the year has to be this book. I really did love this. The characters were really great and the story had some really good emotional beats throughout the story. There are some lovely brother and sister relationships in the book and I loved that this was one of the focuses of the story. I do just recommend it!

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata with Ginny Tapley Takemori (Translator)

Getting into more Asian literature this year, I was keen to read Convenience Store Woman and I was quite happy that I did because I loved it. There were bits that I really connected to especially as I read it when I just left my job working at KFC and this represented how I felt so much. It was especially important when I trained a new starter on my last day. We are all replaceable!

Would You Rather by Kate Heaney

I never expected to love this as much as I did. I would be lying if I didn't spend a lot of the year thinking about my sexuality and I think because it took me so long to read. I loved Kate Heaney's writing and it was such an important memoir and book of essays for me. I read this for the ugliest colour prompt and it is definitely not ugly on the inside.

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

A verse novel which I literally only just wrote a review on, The Crossing was a really great and emotional read. With two great lead characters, it explores the refugee experience as well as grief. Manjeet Mann knows how to write a great story and I will definitely continue to read more of her books in the future. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi with Geoffrey Trousselot (Translator)

A book on this list that I also felt a little lukewarm about it until the ending. The ending made me quite emotional and I ended up really enjoying it. I think that the book is also a grower and I loved it a lot more after I read it. The book has an emotional core and I really do want to read the sequel. 

Lost Cat by Mary Gaitskill

This one is probably the weirdest one of the year, not because it was bad by any means but because it is really not a book anyone would expect on this list. I was first attracted to the book by the cover because I can't resist a cat on the cover but the book was definitely so much more than that. It is an exploration of loss and loneliness and was just a great book to read this year.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green 

Having not really enjoyed An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green, I was a little bit apprehensive about it so when I read A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour, I was quite shocked, because I really loved it. The characters, the story, the writing and the overall message. It was just so great. The Green brothers just know how to write a good book. 

The Boy I Am by K.L. Kettle 

This is the first book on this list that is dystopian and I am starting to think that I just love a good one! This one is slightly different though as it takes place in a matriarchal society. I loved how the world was set up and the main character was really easy to connect to it the grand scheme of the story. It was fast-paced and I enjoyed the story overall. 

Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith

I have read a lot of poetry this year but this is one of my favourites. I loved all of the writing in the collection and even though I did not identify with everything, I thought that Danez Smith's writing was raw and highly impactful. I have read more from Danez Smith since and will continue to do so. 

Gut Feelings by C. G. Moore 

One of my early books of the year, Gut Feelings is a great verse novel that details C.G. Moore's invisible disability. It is an important and impactful book that I read super quickly that I want everyone to read. C.G. Moore's book is well-written and it had great illustrations that matched the book really well. I can't wait to read more from him especially after Fall Out as well so he is definitely one to watch!

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin 

Everyone has been loving The Fifth Season, over the last couple of years but I am definitely on the hype. I love a book that focuses on New York City and I think that with the five different avatars, I may really love the diversity of the city that it became! I also love the side characters as well in the story and the mix of sci-fi and magical realism like elements. I can't wait for the sequel when it finally comes out!

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern 

I was really surprised Flawed as I have read from her in the past and although I enjoyed her books, I wasn't completely blown away. I think part of it is because I love the odd dystopian read and this just hit at the right place and the right time. I still need to read the sequel but I am sure that I will love it when I do. 

Disfigured by Amanda Leduc 

I have thought a lot about my disability this year and this book may be one of the reasons. Amanda Leduc and I have a similar condition and I connected to it a lot when I was reading it. Also, the ideas in the book were ones that I thought were really important and I agreed with. I know Amanda Leduc has written more books so I hopefully will read more from her in the future. 

Last Bus To Everland by Sophie Cameron 

I loved Sophie Cameron's first book so when I read Last Bus To Everland I still had a great time reading it. The book was very emotional and the Scottish setting always makes me really excited and I loved reading about it. I also loved all of the relationships in the book from the parents to those in Everland itself. The book also has a great ending and I can't wait to read from her in the future.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi 

Everyone loves this book so when I finally got around to it, I was really quite excited. Even though I enjoyed the book just after I read it, it was the time after when the love really set in. It did grow on me as the ideas on the book really did develop in my mind. I can't wait to read more from Akwaeke Emezi in the future.  

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune

At the beginning of the year, I was quite frustrated because I had attempted to read this in 2020 but didn't manage to finish it. It didn't click with me but when I started to listen to the audiobook and something special happened. I completely loved it, the characters, the story, I was completed head over heels. Of course, the redemption arc is that I had to put it on this list. 

What are some of your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!

See you soon, 

Amy 

Every year since 2015, I have had the Popsugar Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. Over the course of the last year, I would like to think that I have done this and looking at did a good job considering I have been so busy over the last year. Even though I did actually have a plan of a book to read for almost all of the prompts, I did just wing it for the latter half of the year. This was because I was just reading what I wanted to and because I was not really reading at all.  So let's see what I read this year...

A book that’s published in 2021  Book I Want To Read: Gut Feelings by C. G. Moore
Book I Actually Read: Gut Feelings by C.G. Moore
An Afrofuturist bookBook I Want To Read: The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin 
Book I Actually Read: The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover Book I Want To Read: Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green
Book I Actually Read: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign (Aquarius)Book I Want To Read: Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman 
Book I Actually Read:
A dark academia bookBook I Want To Read: The Secret History by Donna Tartt 
Book I Actually Read: T.I.G.E.R.S. by M.A, Bennett
A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the titleBook I Want To Read: Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Book I Actually Read: The Empress Of Salt & Fortune by Nghi Vo
A book where the main character works at your current or dream job Book I Want To Read: The Pieces Of Ourselves by Maggie Harcourt
Book I Actually Read: Silk by Maurene Goo
A book that has won the Women’s Prize For Fiction Book I Want To Read: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Book I Actually Read:A book with a family treeBook I Want To Read: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Book I Actually Read: 
A bestseller from the 1990s Book I Want To Read: Holes by Louis Sachar
Book I Actually Read: Holes by Louis Sachar
A book about forgetting Book I Want To Read: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab 
Book I Actually Read: Lost Cat by Mary Gaitskill
A book you have seen on someone’s bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.) Book I Want To Read: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Book I Actually Read: Punching The Air by Ibi Zoboi 
A locked-room mystery Book I Want To Read: The Guest List by Lucy Foley 
Book I Actually Read:
A book set in a restaurant Book I Want To Read: Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Book I Actually Read: Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
A book with a black-and-white coverBook I Want To Read: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Book I Actually Read: Jews Don't Count by David Baddiel 
A book by an Indigenous authorBook I Want To Read: There, There by Tommy Orange
Book I Actually Read:
A book that has the same title as a song Book I Want To Read: The Sky Is Mine by Amy Beashel 
Book I Actually Read: Counting Stars by Keris Stainton
A book about a subject you are passionate aboutBook I Want To Read: Good As You by Paul Flynn
Book I Actually Read: The Queer Bible by Jack Guinness 
A book that discusses body positivityBook I Want To Read: Body Positive Power by Megan Crabbe
Book I Actually Read:
A book found on a Black Lives Matter reading listBook I Want To Read: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin 
Book I Actually Read: Taking Up Space by Chelsea Kwakye, Ore Ogunbiyi
A genre hybrid Book I Want To Read: The Last of August by Britanny Cavallaro
Book I Actually Read: The Upper World by Femi Fadugba
A book set mostly or entirely outdoors Book I Want To Read: I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
Book I Actually Read: Monsters by Emerald Fennell
A book with something broken on the cover Book I Want To Read: Eight Pieces of Silva by Patrice Lawrence
Book I Actually Read: The Test by Sylvain Neuvel 
A book by a Muslim American author Book I Want To Read: Internment by Samira Ahmed
Book I Actually Read: Split by Muhammed Khan
A book that was published anonymously Book I Want To Read: The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue (It's short)
Book I Actually Read: The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue
A book with an oxymoron in the title Book I Want To Read: Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
Book I Actually Read: A Map To The Sun by Sloane Leong
A book about do-overs or fresh starts Book I Want To Read: Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
Book I Actually Read: Everyone Dies Famous In A Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock 
A magical realism book Book I Want To Read: Ask The Passengers by A.S. King
Book I Actually Read: All My Friends Are Superheroes by Andrew Kaufman
A book set in multiple countries Book I Want To Read: Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney
Book I Actually Read: The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
A book set somewhere you’d like to visit in 2021 Book I Want To Read: Last Bus To Everland by Sophie Cameron 
Book I Actually Read: Last Bus To Everland by Sophie Cameron 
A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube creator, or other online personality Book I Want To Read: A Beautiful Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green
Book I Actually Read: A Beautiful Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green
A book whose title starts with “Q,” “X,” or “Z”Book I Want To Read: Quiet by Susan Cain
Book I Actually Read: Quiet by Susan Cain
A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)Book I Want To Read: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 
Book I Actually Read: Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong 
A book about a social justice issue Book I Want To Read: Natives by Akala
Book I Actually Read: The Power of Women by June SarpongA book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels) Book I Want To Read: Dear Haiti With Love by Maika & Maritza Moulite 
Book I Actually Read: Claudine by Riyoko Ikeda, Jocelyne Allen
A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads Book I Want To Read: My Heart Goes Bang by Keris Stainton 
Book I Actually Read: Neva's Story by Austin McConnell
A book you think your best friend would like Book I Want To Read: Percy Jackon & the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 
Book I Actually Read: The Paper & Hearts Society Bookish Ever After by Lucy Powrie
A book about art or an artist Book I Want To Read: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Book I Actually Read:
A book everyone seems to have read but you Book I Want To Read: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book I Actually Read: A Kind Of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Your favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge: Book With the Same Title As A Film  Book I Want To Read: Summerland by Lucy Adlington 
Book I Actually Read: City Of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab 
Advanced:
The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list Book I Want To Read: Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Book I Actually Read: Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list Book I Want To Read: A Chaos Walking Novella by Patrick Ness
Book I Actually Read: A Chaos Walking Novella by Patrick Ness
The book on your TBR list with the prettiest coverBook I Want To Read: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Book I Actually Read: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover Book I Want To Read: Would You Rather by Katie Heaney 
Book I Actually Read: Would You Rather by Katie Heaney
The book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time Book I Want To Read: Daughter Of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Book I Actually Read: Flawed by Cecelia Ahern 
A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn’t Book I Want To Read: The Diviners by Libba Bray
Book I Actually Read: The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelli
A book from your TBR list you associate with a favourite person, place, or thing Book I Want To Read: Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger 
Book I Actually Read: Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger
A book from your TBR list chosen at random Book I Want To Read: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe 
Book I Actually Read: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
A DNF book from your TBR list Book I Want To Read: Dune by Frank Herbert
Book I Actually Read: Dune by Frank Herbert
A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)Book I Want To Read: After The Fire by Will Hill
Book I Actually Read: Flying Tips For Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain
What were your reading challenges like this year? Let me know in the comments.
See you soon, 
Amy

  * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *

Title: The Great Godden Author: Meg RossoffPublisher: Bloomsbury 
Source: NetGalley

(Bookshop UK| Hive| Goodreads | Storygraph)

Book Summary:
Everyone talks about falling in love like it’s the most miraculous, life-changing thing in the world. Something happens, they say, and you know …

That’s what happened when I met Kit Godden.

I looked into his eyes and I knew.

Only everyone else knew too. Everyone else felt exactly the same way.

This is the story of one family, one dreamy summer – the summer when everything changes. In a holiday house by the sea, our watchful narrator sees everything, including many things they shouldn’t, as their brother and sisters, parents and older cousins fill hot days with wine and games and planning a wedding. Enter two brothers – irresistible, charming, languidly sexy Kit and surly, silent Hugo. Suddenly there’s a serpent in this paradise – and the consequences will be devastating.

From Meg Rosoff, bestselling author of the iconic novel How I Live Now, comes a lyrical and quintessential coming-of-age tale – a summer book that’s as heady, timeless and irresistible as Bonjour Tristesse and The Greengage Summer.
Book Review:
I have loved Meg Rossoff's books in the past, especially How I Live Now, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Although it does have some problems, I really did enjoy The Great Godden so much that it was a favourite of mine back in 2020. 
So even though I am a little late to this review, this is a book that I still think about today. I have to admit that one of the reasons why I really enjoyed the book is because of Andrew Scott's narration on the audiobook. The book's plan is to have a genderless narrator and although I thought that the character was a female when reading it, it is up to you what you make of it which is a really unique concept. I can definitely see that it would make it for queer that way. 
I think also I just love a whimsy story and this definitely has that it in buckets. It is a perfect summer nostalgic romance. The story can be a bit slow sometimes and it did take me a while to get through but I think that after reading it, it definitely did stay with me. 
I also did enjoy the characters and the family drama in the story as it does make the story more mature as a whole. The Godden boys and all unique in the story and make a compelling story as the narrative unfolds in a way that I definitely did not expect. 
More importantly, the book also goes and bridges the line between YA and adult books, which is something that I have discovered that I really love in books. This is also great itself as it is a more mature story that I feel like I am growing up to love. Although the reviews are somewhat divisive, it is definitely a worthy read, even if you just get the audiobook to listen to Andrew Scott. 
The Verdict:
The Great Godden has the perfect summer whimsy vibes, perfect for those that like some complexities in their YA. 
Have you read The Great Godden? If so, what did you think? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments.

For the last couple of years, I feel like this has become a reoccurring blog post but I want to talk about it now because I think something is actually happening in my reading life.

My reading tastes are changing.

I've felt it for a while. I haven't really been drawn to YA titles that much anymore especially contemporary. Being busy in my time, I have been really selective in the books that I pick up so for me: the shorter, the better. And when picking up shorter books, the less likely they are to be YA. The more I am exposed to more books, the more I get to read books that I connect to

Some of the books that I have picked up have really surprised me because of how much I ended up enjoying them. I think as I grow older, I am looking for different stories, different experiences and different perspectives. These don't just fit the YA mould.

I also have been really into different genres like horror and the occasional thriller which have not read from before and I'm interested in. I just want to read stories that interest me or sound interesting.

As I also am busier, I have lost touch with the bloggers and booktubers who I use to love and what is popular which is nice as I get to do more research myself. I also still know some of the books people love so am picking those up too.

This isn't to say that I hate YA now because that is far from the case as it is an age category, not a genre but there are definitely genres in YA that I am more drawn towards. I also think that I will be pickier in general in what I buy and pick up. I had a massive unhaul recently and so many were YA contemporary so I did feel bad but I'm just growing my tastes.

I have my favourites and will continue to read them however so it will definitely continue! YA is also well known for having more diverse stories and so many crossover narratives that I have loved this year that I definitely do not hate. Some of which I really enjoyed.

So all I can say is bring on all the books! 

Earlier this year, I decided that I would review all of the books that I read. For the most part, I definitely have but over the last couple of months it has definitely gone to the wayside but that is because I have been so busy.

I wanted to do it because I annoyed myself that I reviewed books years after I read them and I often couldn't remember the plot. Trust me this is still the case, but I have kind of run out of books that I need to review this year which is weird for me. My backlog is getting lower and as I am not reading as much, I genuinely think I might run out.

This has never happened before.

This is of course quite nice because I think that it creates feelings that are much better than remembering a book from two years ago. Thinking about it at the moment does definitely make it easier as it goes into my head on a computer screen and less memory space is always a good idea.

I also do think that sometimes it does take the fun out of it though but there are a lot of benefits. I love seeing what I thought of a book at the moment because sometimes I forget but other times it is completely different and it is interesting to see. It is like my own reading journal and considering I have tried physical ones, the digital footprint is good for me.

It also meant that I was cherry-picking what I could review and what was fun before so everything does become something I had to think about. Although this is kind of an issue, I find myself talking in my head about problems so at least more people can see it.

I also did have some problems with it especially short comics as I love reading them all together rather than single issues even though they are intended that way. It is quite hard to review 20 pages but I still do it and it is my rule at the end of the day!

The final bit is of course time can be the enemy sometimes. I am really busy so I do find that I have to be in the mood for reviewing so I do end up keeping reviews for a while but I do it because I like it.

After writing all this, I'm not sure if I will do it next year as it does take so much time and as I read a lot of small things it does not fully work for me so I will see it in the future.

Who knows what 2022 holds? 

After the last couple of years, when I decided to bring back Blogmas, I wanted to do it again as it is safe to say that I was doing so well with the blog earlier in the year, but recently, well, I've been lacking. Also, it's that time of the year for wrap-ups and favourite books that I wanted to share with you all (whoever you are). As per usual, there is quite a lot, and I want to write and hype my favourite books of the year as I don't do that much anymore and I should because a lot of them are underhyped. 

I think that this year has not been the one for anyone. It is safe to say that I have been swamped this year, after graduating from university, working and then starting two new jobs so blogging kind of went to the wayside. I have basically had no social life for the last seven months which has been tough but I have learnt so much. (I will say more about it in the coming days.)

Due to the changes that have happened this year in my life, I have a lot of thoughts in my brain that I want to get out and so many ideas that I want to write about that have just stayed in my drafts. This is the opportunity to do all of the ideas. Depending on how busy, I get this may be a massive flop and honestly it is so weird writing for myself again, but we will see how it goes. 

There is be a variety of posts from favourite books of the year, to essays, to book reviews so join the ride! Hopefully, I will be successful!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I'm sorry if this year and last year has not been the one for you, but hopefully, 2022 will be a better year, and we get a better Christmas and time for family. 

See you soon, 

Amy