Top 5 Books I Didn’t Get to in 2017

January 10, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Hi again! It’s Wednesday so that can mean only one thing: Top 5 Wednesday.

Today’s topic is the books we didn’t get to in 2017. There are so many books I need to read so there is always books that I don’t get to in a year. But these are the ones are top of my 2018 TBR

Top 5 Wednesday was created over on BookTube by the wonderful Laniey at gingerreadslaniey and run by the lovely Sam of Thoughts on Tomes . Also you can check out the Goodreads page for past and future topics.

These books are listed in no particular order.

The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell

I adore Jen’s booktube videos and I was so excited for this book that I preordered it and then never read it — no reason but I have just picked it up and am loving it.

Now I Rise by Kiersten White

I love love loved the first book and can’t wait to get to this one! Feels like a wintery read and it’s summer right now so I might save this for the colder months.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Hades and Persephone retelling with Indian mythology! This sounds like everything I could even want in a book. So I definitely want to get to it soon.

The Rose & The Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Wrath & The Dawn was the first book I brought because of the online book community. I adored it and really have no reason why I haven’t read the sequel.

The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth

I saw Kate talking at the Historical Novel Society of Australiasia’s 2017 Conference and she was amazing. She knows her stuff and have a PHD in fairy tales—how awesome! This book tells the story of Dortchen Wild the wife of Wilhelm Grimm, which sounds like everything I’m into—fairy tales and historical settings.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me what books you didn’t get to in 2017.

Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 2018 Wishlist

December 27, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi again! This will be my last Top 5 Wednesday for 2017 — how crazy is that? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Today’s topic is our bookish wishlist for 2018 and the types of books, genres, themes, tropes and topics we’d like to see more of.

These books are listed in no particular order.

Diverse Fairytale and Myth Retellings

I adore retellings. If a book mentioned it’s a retelling or as been marketed that way I will buy it. But more 2018 I would love to see some fairytales and myths that aren’t from The Grimms Brothers or Ancient Greece. Each cultures has their own set of myths and fairytales and I love the chance to explore them all.

Medieval Historical Fiction

I really couldn’t do this list without wishing more historical fiction releases. Medieval history — 5th to 15th centuries — is hands down my favourite period to read about so I would love more titles to pick up next year. Also if some of those could be based in the Eastern European countries or around the Ottoman Empire that would be amazing!

Antiquity Historical Fiction

It’s no surprise that I really do want more historical fiction releases, but unlike the one above, I’d like to see more books set in Antiquity. I’m not too fussy on when just more books set in Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome please and thanks you.

More Own Voice Books

I will admit that I am guilty of not reading as of these amazing stories as I would like to. However, I love seeing this trend in publishing and want to see it continue! Our world is full of people of difference races, cultures and sexuality and our literature needs to reflect that.

Silenced Historical Perspectives

What I would love to see more of is books, both non fiction and fiction, that explore events through the perspective different to the historical records. Basically POV’s that aren’t straight, white males. Books like Black Tudors which came out this year and looks at some of the African people who lived freely in Tudor England.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know what types of genres, topics and themes you’d like to see more of in the new year.

Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 Books of 2017

December 20, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hi again! I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas and the end of the year. In celebration of this, today’s topic is our top books of 2017

These books are listed in no particular order.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

This is such a fun and whimsical series. I have a full review here if you want to know all my thoughts. Nevermoor might just be the Harry Potter for this generation of young readers. I adore everything about this book. Nevermoor, Morrigan, Hawthorn, Jupiter, The Hotel Deucalion and even Fen. Nevermoor has all the magic and whimsy of our favourite worlds like Wonderland and Whoville. I really hope they adapt this into a movie or tv series because I would love to see Nevermoor come to life.

The Boy Made of Snow by Chloe Mayer

I adore this book so much, which was a big surprise for me since I’m not a fan of WWII fiction. I have a full review so I won’t ramble on too long. I love Mayer’s writing. It is beautiful. So much so that I found myself slowing my reading pace and rereading sections just to savour it. I could have the whole novel wallpapered in my room and I would be so happy.

The narrative is beautifully crafted. It takes the dangers of living during WWII, twists them with the whimsy of fairytales and lets you deep inside a broken family who are trying to hard to be ‘normal’. I’m in awe of the way Mayer was able to balance to historic elements with the fairy tale threads. And I loved that the fairy tales were used to explore the relationship between Mother and Son. Seeing what each character got out of the same story broke my heart. Safe to say I want everyone to read this! Pretty please!

The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose

I picked this book up because it was the winner of this year’s Stella Prize. I’m not into the whole art scene so I was surprised with just how much I loved this book. The story centre’s around performing artist, Marina Abramovic and her MOMA exhibit called The Artist is Present. Along the way we meet Arky Swann, a local film composer, Brittika, a PhD student from Amsterdam writing her thesis on Marina’s art, Jane, an art teacher on holiday from Georgia, and we even hear from Marina herself. Through these characters and the exhibit, Rose explores all the different facets of love—what it’s like to be love and to love—, mourning and loss.

Rose’s prose is stunning it has a way of invoking strong images without overusing adjectives. For example, here the Arky, reflects on his life not only about love but about what it means to be an artist and to live creatively:

You would be amazed how rare it is for artists to feel moments of true satisfaction. When they’re inside their craft, inside colour or movement or sound, words or clay or pictures or dance, when they submit to the art, that is when they know two things – the void that is life and the pull that is death. The grand and the hollow. The best reflects that. To be such harbingers of truth is not without its cost. It’s no easy task to balance a sense of irrelevance with the longing for glory, the abyss with the applause.

I highly, highly recommend this one, even if you’re not into performance art—I wasn’t. I don’t think it’s something you need to get something from this narrative.

Random side note: I am so excited to see two non fiction pieces on my top books of the year. I’ve been trying hard to read more especially after reading these two.

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

I wanted to read this book even since I saw her Ted Talk – which is this an extension of. This is an inspiring guide for artists, creators and, really, humans everywhere. I’m in awe of the trust Amanda has in her fans and her ability to share her entire life with them. And I mean everything from raising over a million dollars on Kickstarter to marriage problem and crippling self-doubt. Amanda knows first hand that asking is scary but also that it’s a gift that’s in constant circulation. This is a story I will return to again and again, whenever I’m looking for a pick-me-up.

So if you need help, just do as Amanda say and take that doughnut!

The Hate Race by Maxine Benabe Clarke

Maxine Benabe Clarke is one of my favourite authors. I will buy anything this woman put her name too. She is incredible. I do have a full review of this one so I’ll sum up my thoughts. Clarke’s prose is magical and still contains that innate rhythm and melody of her poetry. This book is heartbreaking. It highlights and showcases all the casual and everyday racism, which is embedded in our culture. Having this book is an invaluable insight into an experience I am fortunate enough to never have. I highly recommend. This book is significant in the fight against racism and a move towards an accepting and inclusive future.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these and which books topped your 2017 reading.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 Characters on the Naughty List!

December 13, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi again! Today’s topic is the character we think would be on Santa’s naughty list. These can be villains or just characters you don’t like!

Also warning this list may contain spoilers for Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh, See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt, the events of the Wars of the Roses, Dollface by Renee Rosen and A Certain Smile by Francosie Sagan. So if you have an interest in this book please read with caution!

These characters are listed in no particular order.

George Duke of Clarence

He is the middle surviving son of Richard Duke of York and he really does live up to the middle child syndrome. He’s spoilt, entitled and feels like he’s not getting his fair share of his brother, Edward IV’s kingdom. Twice Clarence raised arms against his brother in hope of being king and twice he begged from his brother’s mercy when it looked like he was on the losing side. Clarence was always present in the later dramas of the Wars of the Roses and in the end became quite paranoid that everyone was plotting for his land and titles. In the end it was his brother that sentenced him to death. He was drowned in a barrel of Malmsey Wine for treason. Ah yep this medieval prince would definitely be on the naughty list.

Uram

The Archangel serial killer who makes Jack the Ripper look benevolent is definitely a character who makes the naughty list. At times I couldn’t read the descriptions of the crime scenes because it was grim, dark and gory. Uram is from Nalini Singh’s Angels’ Blood.

Benjamin

For me, Benjamin’s on this list because I didn’t think he was necessary to the story. He is the fourth POV character of Sarah Schmidt’s See What I’ve Done. I loved this book and I like Sarah’s writing is stunning, however I just don’t think Benjamin needed to be there even though I liked this sections. So for that reason alone, Benjamin makes my naughty list.

Vera Abramowitz

Okay so Vera is a character I don’t like for the choices she makes. She seems torn between two handsome and very dangerous men but really has no desire to give either up even as gang wars break out across Chicago. Again she seems to have the perfect life with her husband and family but can’t help but have an affair with the enemy. I had high hopes for this book and wasn’t a fan of how the focus was on Vera and her love triangle. So for this reason she’s on my naughty list.

Dominique

Okay this girl is just so unlikeable, but there is nothing about her that interested me about her. Thank god A Certain Smile is only a novella and I could finish the story. I can see why Francoise Sagan’s writing is compared to The Great Gatsby but for me it lacked the excitement and whimsy of Fitzgerald’s work. Dominique was your stereotypical bored, apathetic rich girl who didn’t care about anything. Definitely shows money can’t buy you happiness. Her lack of personality, goals and sympathy is why I think she’d make the naughty list.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if you agree with my judgement on these characters and which characters you nominate for Santa’s naughty list.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 Bookish Things I’m a Grinch About

December 6, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi again! it’s been a while so I thought I’d so another Top 5 Wednesday. Today’s topic is the books we’re thankful for. In honour of NaNoWriMo wrapping up, we are discussing some authors we’d like to write like. Whether its their writing style, what genre they write in, or how many books they manage to churn out a year!

They are listed in no particular order.

Insta Love

I love a slow burn relationship because it does feel more natural but also has room for angst and all the anxiety that comes with the warm and fuzzy feelings of a new relationship. Aside from fairytales I don’t see the need for this to be a feature of any book. Yes I will admit I complete trash for the whole mate, soulmate trope but I don’t like when they look at each other and bam their both head over heels in love. I do love the whole happy ending, if I’m looking for something fluffy, but guess I’m old fashion and like the whole courting thing.

“She’s Not Like The Other Girls”

For me I feel like this just feeds into the whole idea what women and girls should tear each other down and compete over jobs and man rather than support each other and embrace our differences. Whenever this saying pops up in a book I roll my eyes. I feel like how is insulting other girls a good things? I don’t get it. It’s not romantic and really needs to stop! Please and thank you.

Changing Formats

I like books to look pretty on my selves and I keep my series together so nothing annoys me more than when a book changes cover or size half was through the series. The ones that annoy me most are; The Vampire Academy which became taller paperback and The Morganville Vampires which went from mass market paperbacks to the more standard size paperback which is really popular. Not sure if I’ll end up replacing them because I don’t really have an interested in rereading them but it still frustrates me. So please publishers stop changing covers and formats halfway through the series!!

Movie Covers

I don’t feel like I need to say too much on this one since most readers aren’t too fond of the movie cover but I had to include it. Personally, I don’t like people on my covers so the movie covers always annoy me and the original book cover designs are normally stunning and relate to the book rather than some actor’s face.

Lack of Platonic Relationships Between Boys and Girls

This one relates to the whole love triangle/shape thing. How come all these guys she’s meeting all have to be romantic interests? Why can’t they be friends? Lots of people have friends of the opposite gender who they haven’t be interested in and/or been in a relationship. I think it would be nice to see more of.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if any of these thing annoy you or some of your bookish pet peeves.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 Authors you’d Like to Write Like

December 1, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Speaking of NaNoWriMo, I am currently participating so hence why this post is late. Sorry!

All the authors are listed in no particular order. And they’re all amazing and highly recommend that you read their work!

Sharon Kay Penman

I am in awe of this women’s work! They way she is able to add in all the necessary historical details and settings without getting in the way of her story. Also all her books are massive but don’t feel dragged out or weighed down by the page numbers. Penman’s ability to weave in the history and bring characters to life is something I’d like to achieve in my own work. When reading her books she has me hoping that maybe something different will happen and leaves me devastated it plays out like the history and tragedy ensues.

Kirsty Logan

I fell in love with Kirsty Logan’s work from the opening line of The Gracekeepers. Her poses has a poetic beauty and there’s a fairytale whimsy to her worlds that I adore. The way she’s able to mix fairytales with her narrative while given them new life is amazing—especially since I see ‘fairytale inspired’ or ‘fairytale retelling’ and by the book. I am so excited for a new book with is coming out next year. I love the fact that she uses the fairytales and folklore of her Scottish homeland. For me, I would love to be able to write in a lyrical fashion and weave in the folk stories I love.

Lani Taylor

Lani Taylor is a new discover for me, I read her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series earlier this and damn this girl can write! The prose is lyrical and her description are poetic. The world she created in this series is stunning and unlike any that I’ve read before and she has this way of uncovering the world and the creatures slowly revealing more each book. She’s found a way to balance a beautiful writing style with engaging and inventive world building and that this why she’s on this list.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald is hands down one of my favourite writers—next year I am hoping to read the rest of his works. His writing is breathtaking and feels effortless. He has a way of creating these deeply profound but succinct character descriptions. The way he built his characters was incredible. They are all deeply flawed human beings who at times frustrate you. His stories aren’t plot driven and it’s his group of very unlike characters that pull you through the narrative. You may not like them but you sure what to know how their lives turned out and if they will pay for their horrid life choices. I hope that I can learn something from his work and be able to create complex and engaging characters.

Conn Iggulden

Conn Iggulden’s Wars of the Roses series is amazing—even if he took the Shakespearian approach to my poor Richard. What makes his work so amazing is that he’s able to make these historical figures feel like fully formed people, like what you get in a fantasy or contemporary novel. All the history is there but it seems to unfold from these characters effortlessly so much so that at times I had to remind myself what genre I was reading. I am definitely going to pick up his other series. I’m interested to see what he’s done with The Huns and the Romans. I would love to be able to make historical characters feel like vivid and like they could jump of the page at any moment.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these or some of the books you’re thankful for.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

Top 5 Books I’m Thankful For

November 22, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi again! it’s Wednesday so here is a Top 5 Wednesday. Today’s topic is the books we’re thankful for.

The books are listed in no particular order.

Twilight by Stephenie Myer

I’m sure this book will be a lot of people’s list and is no surprise. This book, despite it’s problems, really got me hooked on reading again in high school. I was a pretty big read in primary school but mostly flicked through non fiction and picked up a lot of books I never finished. So I am very thankful that it ignited that passion for reading in me because I can’t bear to imagine all the stories I would’ve miss out on if it weren’t for this series.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

I first found out about this series through it’s BBC adaptation. Once I finished the tv series, I promptly found the books in the seres that were out and devoured them. I am thankful for this series because it got me into historical fiction, importantly The Plantagenets and The Wars of the Roses.

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

This book is amazing and one i’m thankful for due to two reasons. First reason, is that it was one of the first non fiction book I’ve read that had made me realise that non fiction is just as diverse in style as fiction can be. So since reading this I’ve been looking into more non fiction titles. Second reason, is that it’s helped me realised that it okay to open up and ask people for help.

The Picture of Dorian Gary by Oscar Wilde

This was the first classic I read outside of school assigned reading. It did take me like a month to get thought but I feel in love with gothic literature. So thankful Oscar Wilde for showing me that classics are so scary and you’d don’t need to only read them in english classes.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

A friend at high school threw this book in my hand and said ‘read it!’ so of course I did and it became one of my favourite books of all time. This book was one of the first adult fiction books I read at time were I was reading exclusively young adult. So I’m thankful that it expanded my reading.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these or some of the books you’re thankful for.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

T5W: Genre Benders

November 8, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi again! It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these and it’s Wednesday so why not? Today’s topic is Genre Benders – in other words those books that seem to defy genre labels.

This was last weeks topics but I was struggling to think of anything for this week’s topic so I’m just going to go with it.

The books are listed in no particular order.

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

If you’ve been around my blog or Instagram for a while you may notice that I’ve become completely obsessed with Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. This book is one the list because I think it’s been marketed as a romance, which it definitely is, but that doesn’t take away from the urban fantasy, sci-fi elements that help to round out this world.

If you’re looking for a urban series that is filled with political intrigue and swoon worthy romances please, please pick this up!

Bayou Born by Hailey Edwards

This books is part detective mystery, part urban fantasy. I know it’s being marketed as an urban fantasy but the detective procedure is just as important to the plot. Which maybe a trope in urban fantasy but I still wanted to mention it!

Sound interesting I have uploaded a full review if you want to know more!

Cross Stitch/Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Time travel, romance all set in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century. This was the first historical time travel novel and I, like everyone else, am completely in love with it. Diana has done a fantastic job of balancing the sci fi and historical elements.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Adventure, coming of age, romance, fantasy, retelling and historical fiction are just a few of the genres I can think that fits this novel. Madeline weaves together all these elements seamlessly in her beautifully lyrical writing. This is one of my favourite books of all time because it’s one of the few that actually shows the romance between Achilles and Patroclus. Highly, highly recommend!

Cassandra by Kerry Greenwood

Kerry Greenwood bring the myth of the Trojan War to life complete with the fantastical Gods and well researched time setting. Myth and history intertwine to give voice to silenced Trojan Princess, Cassandra.

I have a full review of this one if you’re interested! This one might be hard to track down if you don’t like in Australia, but trust me it’s worth the effort if you do!

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these or some of your favourite genre defying books.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna

T5W: Rainy Day Reads

April 6, 2016.Reading time 2 minutes.

What time is it? Well it’s Top 5 Wednesday time!

Hi again! and welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday. Today’s topic is our Favourite Rainy Day Reads – in other words books we just want to spend the day curled up under blanket while it rains outside.

Before we get onto books I like to delve into when it rains, I would like to mention that Top 5 Wednesday was created over on BookTube by the wonderful Laniey at gingerreadslaniey. Also you can check out the Goodreads page for past and future topics.

The books are listed in no particular order.

Now onto the books!

#5 Lilith by George MacDonald

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Nothing like a fantasy book to chase the rain away. I adore this book, for me it’s Alice in Wonderland meet Edgar Allan Poe.

#4 The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe

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Gothic fiction is perfect for a rainy day and who better to read then the Godfather of Horror. If you’re new to Poe I would recommend this story or his classic The Raven.

#3 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

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This is a perfect little book that’s easy to get through in one sitting. This book never fails to draw me in and leave me in tears.

#2 Goddess of Spring by P.C Cast

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Who am I kidding? Any book in this series is the perfect way to spend a dreary winter day. This one is a personal favourite because who doesn’t love the myth of Hades and Persephone.

#1 The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory

And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t include a historical novel. This is a favourite as it’s one of the first I read about Anne Neville and Richard III. Their relationship is beautiful and heart warming.

That’s all for me. Comment down below and let me know which books are your favourite rainy day reads.

Until next time, happy reading!

Dearna