Monday 29 June 2015

Half a Year Gone Already


Hey all! I've found that getting back into the routine of blogging is a lot harder than I would have thought. Regardless of the fact that the actual behind the post stuff is rather glitchy - I'm working on it, promise! - but I'm really not happy with my theme and layout at the moment. I have no skills with coding or anything and I'm poorer than a nun, so I don't know what to do at the moment. 

But I'm sick of whining! I want to blog, so I'm going to blog. I've been keeping up to date, as much as I can, with everyone else but expect to see me around much more - hopefully! 

I thought a nice way to start back would be to give a little wrap of my reading year so far. As of tomorrow, we are half way through the year. I know its going to be a pretty unpopular opinion, but I honestly feel that this year has dragged on and on so far. I honestly cannot believe we are only hitting July now. I feel so Christmasy at the moment - is this just me!? - and I am so eager to start my last year of high school. I'm completely sick of school and just want the year to be over with. 

Anyway, I am happy to say that reading wise, at least, I am having an amazing year. I've read so many books I've loved already and, compared to last year, I am enjoying reading more than ever. 

Here's my top 5 reads of 2015 (so far): 

22026075Falling Into Place
by Amy Zhang

On the day the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton's laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.

Mass, acceleration, momentum, force - Liz doesn't understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles towards the tree, she doesn't understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect?


Falling Into Place was one of the most realistic, heart-breaking, and beautifully written books I've ever read - and look at that gorgeous cover! I honestly believe its something that everyone needs to read at least once in their life.

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17788403Maybe Someday
by Colleen Hoover

At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: she's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her  - and she's forced to decide what her next move should be. A passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance. 


There is honestly so much more to the story than that description hints at. The relationship in this book  - Sydney and Ridge - is beyond words. It was realistic, and I loved the fact that they shared a fantastic friendship first. I also loved that Colleen Hoover didn't make her characters stereotypical in the slightest. It was my first book of hers, and I now understand the hype. This is the perfect book to introduce you into the NA genre. 

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2802316Shadow Kiss: Vampire Academy #3
by Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from the Strigoi: the fiercest vampires, the ones that never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood flows through Rose Hathway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. 

Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind, and ghostly shadows warn of terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen. 


This is easily my favourite of the series. Well, of the four that I've read so far. Its ending was devastating, but the plot was fast-paced and kept me on my toes. I was enthralled, and my love for the series was cemented after I finished it. 

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23556036Storm Fall: Rebel Wing #2
by Tracy Banghart

Aris Haan gave up everything to join the Atalantan Military: her family, he boyfriend, even her identity. In the end, though, it didn't matter that she was a war hero; when the all-male Military discovered that she was actually a woman, she was sent home and erased from history. 

Now she has a chance to go back to the battlefield - as herself. But as hard as it was to be a solider in disguise, it's even more difficult now. The men in her unit undermine her at every turn. The Safaran army has spies everywhere, perhaps even on Aris's stationpoint. And she's falling for her superior officer, Milek. 

Then Aris discovers that Safran's leaders have set their sights on her, Atalanta's hero. And she must find them before they find her...

Goodreads | Amazon (available for free with Kindle Unlimited)

This series was such a pleasant surprise. I never expected to fall so in love with it, especially since I found the first book only alright. Storm Fall, however, stole my breath away. The plotline was intense, the characters brilliant, and I just loved every second of it. 

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17383918Allegiant: Divergent #3
by Veronica Roth

The faction-based society Tris Prior once believed in is shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's know, Tris is ready.

But Tris' new reality is even more alarming than the once she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless and explosives new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, and love. 


Again, this book came as a surprise to me. I didn't expect to love it since I was spoiled about a major event and didn't think I could possibly enjoy reading about that. It was, however, an entertaining and fast-paced read. I loved every second of it. 

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These were some of my favourite books of this year - so far - and I am excited to pick up some more over the next six months.

What's have been your favourite books of 2015 so far? What do you plan on picking on reading in the next six months?  

6 comments:

  1. Don't worry about Rachel! You'll definitely get your blogging mojo back, if you haven't already. It definitely takes time especially if you're unhappy with certain things. Have you considered moving to free Wordpress? their themes there are far cleaner than some blogspot ones, although I reckon it's really only a matter of finding the one that best fits you! Also, I can't wait to read Shadow Kiss! I have books 2-4 of the VA series ready here for my reading :D

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Thanks Faye! I slowly getting back into the routine, and I'm glad to be back. I have considered moving to Wordpress, and honestly I want to but I need to do some more research before I really consider it. I thought it cost to have a unique design on Wordpress? I''ll definitely check it out though. Thanks so much.

      Shadow Kiss was brilliant. The 4th book was not as great but I am eager to hear your thoughts about it. Happy reading!

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  2. Glad to hear that you enjoyed Allegiant, Rachel! It was one of the ranty books I read. I loved Maybe Someday, one of my favourites from Colleen Hoover, it was just such a sweet couple that really had an emotional connection. Great list so far!

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    1. Thanks Jeann! Ridge and Sydney in Maybe Someday were such an loadable couple! I really want to pick up another Colleen Hoover book but I'm not sure which one to try next... Yeah, I understand. Most people weren't a fan of Allegiant but I"m happy that I am one of the few that did. :)

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  3. Aw, it can be a struggle trying to get back into something but hey- at least you're doing it! Also, before I was sure I wanted to commit to self-hosted and paid design and such, I found TONS of free blogger themes that looked pretty good- and if you want something a little more customised, you can find them for as low as $10 or $15, look on Etsy!

    Glad you have enjoyed those books! I will admit, Allegiant and Falling into Place were not favorites of mine, but I am very glad you liked them! I also really need to read Maybe Someday!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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    1. Thanks Shannon! Everyone's support has really made it easier to transition back. $10 isn't so bad! Etsy - I hadn't even thought of that. I will certainly check it out. Thanks so much for the advice.

      I know a lot of people weren't a massive fan of Allegiant, and I do get why. The ending was pretty horrifying! Maybe Someday is one of my favourite NA books now, and I am so eager to get into more Colleen Hoover books!

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