Today is the first day of October and all I can say is where has this year gone?! I know I am not the only one out there who thinks so far 2016 has just flown by; it’s going to be Christmas soon and I still feel like we should be in May/June.
I went through a little bit of a fantasy reading slump this month. After reading Empire of Storms, which was one of my most highly anticipated releases for this year, there was no other fantasy book that could compare. Instead I went through some of the YA contemporary books on my to-read list, and even found some new favourite authors.
My book buying ban is still going strong, compared to last month I brought very little this month. Only three more months to go and then in the new year I will be back to buying whatever I want.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
With the film coming out I needed to get to this book sooner rather than later. While A Monster Calls isn’t my favourite Patrick Ness book it is definitely up there; a truly emotional story with beautiful illustrations. I’ve been steadily working my way through all of Patrick Ness’s books and next on my list is the Chaos Walking series.
Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas
Like everyone I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book and as soon as my copy arrived I dove right in. Granted there were some issues with this book, I know a lot of people picked up on the similarities between Empire of Storms and A Court of Mist and Fury, but overall I really enjoyed this instalment.
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen is one of my all-time favourite YA contemporary authors, but for some reason I never picked up any of her new releases after Just Listen. I’m trying to change that so Lock and Key was the first on my to-read list. I really enjoyed this book, Ruby’s development throughout was wonderful to read, and it’s made me wonder why I waited so long to pick up the rest of Sarah Dessen’s books.
Kasie West
After reading and loving P.S. I Like You I immediately moved the rest of Kasie West’s books up my to-read list. She has quickly become another one of my favourite YA contemporary authors, and while none of the books I read this month could beat out P.S. I Like You as my favourite The Fill-In Boyfriend came very close.
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
On the Fence by Kasie West
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
Anna-Marie McLemore
I was lucky enough to receive When the Moon Was Ours from NetGalley. While I am a massive fan of the magical realism genre I haven’t read too many books from it, something I am trying to change. Anna-Marie McLemore is an amazing author; as soon as I finished When the Moon Was Ours, which is easily a favourite book of the year for me, I immediately picked up The Weight of Feathers.
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
As soon as I heard a play was being released I rushed to get tickets, and then when I saw the screen play was being released as a book I rushed to pre-order the hardcover edition. While I enjoyed this book, and going back to the world of Hogwarts, it was a completely different experience reading the script to seeing the play live with my own eyes.
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
I love fairytale retellings so I had high hopes for this book, especially when I saw it was a Snow Queen retelling rather than Snow White one like I first assumed. Unfortunately this book failed to live up to my expectations; the plot had a lot of potential but the characters were not well developed, and considering this book was written in first person POV that was a major downside.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
When I received an ARC of this book at YALC I was beyond thrilled, and I started it straight away. Gemina was one of my most anticipated releases for this year and this book more than lived up to my expectations. Everything I loved about Illuminae was in Gemina alongside so much more. If this is a book you’re eagerly anticipating you won’t be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from Rock the Boat.
I took part in four Top Ten Tuesday topics over the course of September.
Top Ten TV Shows I Can’t Wait for the Next Season of
Top Ten All Time Favourite Books in the … Genre
Top Five Favourite Artists and Top Ten Favourite Albums
Top Ten Books on my Fall TBR List
I featured four books as part of the Waiting on Wednesday tag.
By Your Side by Kasie West
Replica by Lauren Oliver
Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
I started a new weekly tag and posted two Wordless Wednesday features.
Just a quick announcement; I am going to be going on hiatus next week. My friend and I are going to Algarve, flying out on Sunday morning (really early) and flying home late Thursday (really really late). I plan to use Friday to catch up on comments and people’s posts and I will post again next Saturday. However until then I will be away from WordPress and away from my blog.
When I’m back I have a lot of new fantasy books to get around to that I am really excited to start; Crooked Kingdom and Blood for Blood, which are currently sitting on my bookshelves waiting for me to get around to, Vassa in the Night and Uprooted, which I also own and can’t wait to get started on, and Replica, which hasn’t been released yet but that I have pre-ordered.
Reading Every Night 
You also had an amazing reading month! I love that you worked your way through the Kasie West books. I loved P.S. I like you and she’s been on my to-read since list. I used to read a lot of Sarah Dessen a few years ago, but maybe I will try picking up another one of her books! Colleen Hoover is another of my favorite contemporary authors, but her books are usually heavier. I just finished It Ends With Us and I need a happy, light romance now š.
I have A Monster Calls and also plan to work through the Chaos Walking Series! Let me know if you’re at all interested in a buddy read, I’ve always thought it would be fun to buddy read a series š
Crooked Kingdom is on my nightstand waiting to be read! I can’t believe I’ve put it off this long. And finally, Replica looks amazing and I haven’t pre-preordered it yet but I’ve seen so many amazing reviews that I might now. Hope October is a good month for you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Alex! Yeah I had a bit of a fantasy slump this month so I jumped straight into YA contemporary and all the books I picked up I just loved! Kasie West is now one of my favourite YA contemporary authors, and honestly Sarah Dessen has always been a favourite of mine! I’d definitely recommend picking up more of her book, It’s what I did with Lock and Key. š
I’ve seen a lot of review for It Ends With Us recently and I’ll admit I need to pick that up soon, but I get what you mean about heavier reads (if you’re looking for something light, go with Kasie West or Sarah Dessen!) š
A Monster Calls is amazing! And I’ve just finished the Chaos Walking series while I was on holiday, but if there are any other series on your to-read list let me know, a buddy read sounds fun! (the Chaos Walking series is AMAZING so I think you’ll really love it, especially if you loved More Than This)
Same here, I really really want to get around to it soon, and same with Replica, my copy arrived while I was on holiday so now I just want to jump right in.
Thanks Alex! š
LikeLike
I’m going to miss you! ::sniffles:: š
Can’t wait to hear about your trip when you get back! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m back now! And I missed everyone on WordPress, and blogging as well, actually so it’s good to be back again!
I’ll be posting about my trip hopefully later tonight, it was amazing through, such a beautiful place. š
LikeLike
Such an amazing reading/reviewing month like always, Beth!! I read A Monster Calls this month too and I definitely want to read more Patrick Ness now. I haven’t read your Gemina review because I want to go in as blind as possible but I’m so so glad you hear you enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read it!!
I hope you have an amazing holiday ā„
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Lauren! Oh A Monster Calls was just brilliant wasn’t it? Definitely made me want to pick up the rest of Ness’s books (which I did while I was on holiday and I can definitely say the hype is real!)
I do that with books as well and I think with Gemina it’s the best thing to do. I think you’ll really love it Lauren but not long to wait now at all! š
Thanks! ā¤
LikeLike
This looks like you had a very good month! Have fun on your trip! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it’s been a pretty great reading month, and thanks Meghan! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
You had a great reading month! I really need to catch up on some Kasie West books – especially because she is bringing out another one! I am so behind….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Lauren! Ohh yes, I have loved all of Kasie West’s books so I hope you do as well for the ones you still need to get around to. I can’t wait for her newest releases either! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to her newest releases!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trust me it will have been worth the wait when you do get around to them! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a good reading month! It’s funny, I had the same reaction after finishing Empire of Storms: I didn’t read any fantasy, but went on a contemporary binge š I also read my first Kasie West this month (P.S. I Like You) and I loved it so much so I’m definitely looking forward to checking out her other books. Glad you enjoyed them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, and yeah I recommended it to someone else. After finished Empire of Storms make sure you have some YA contemporary books to binge read, you’re going to need them! š
P.S. I Like You is my favourite of all of Kasie West’s books but her others are pretty good as well, I hope you really enjoy them too! š
LikeLike
I have to agree with you, this year has passed by waaaay to fast! I can’t believe it’s already October.
I’m really glad that you got to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! I’m sure that it was amazing seeing it in real life. I haven’t read the book for it yet, just haven’t gotten around to it (plus everyone talking about it somehow put me off of reading it). Though I’m really exited to read it some time soon! š
I hope you have an amazing time in Algarve!
My copy of Crooked Kingdom finally arrived and I seriously can’t wait to read it! (I just want to finish The Unbound by Victoria Schwab first, before I start reading it.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it almost feels like it should still be August or something, why is it already October?!
It’s a brilliant play, honestly there aren’t the words to properly describe how wonderful it was to see it in real life. I know what you mean though, it took me a little while to get around to reading the actual book. I think you’ll enjoy it, especially if you loved the original HP books as a child! š
Thanks Anna, Algarve was amazing, just a beautiful city.
Ohh I hope you enjoy Crooked Kingdom, that’s near the top of my to-read list now! And I really really hope you enjoy The Unbound as well! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harry Potter is basically my all time favourite series and I really adore it. Sooo I’m sure that I’m going to at least enjoy (if not love) The Cursed Child. š
I really enjoyed The Unbound, it was seriously amazing! I really hope that there will be a third book in that series, I seriously NEED it in my life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, it’s so full of nostalgia that, even though there are potentially a few issues, you’ll still really enjoy The Cursed Child just because of that throwback to the original series.
I’m still waiting for the third book. I need to re-read the series because I enjoyed it so much the first time around! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhhh, it’s so great you’re going on holidays a bit! I will miss you A LOT around the blogosphere, but I hope you will have tons of fun, and you’ll come back with great memories and even greater pictures š ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, thanks so much Marie! ā¤ Algarve was amazing, it's such a beautiful place as well. I had a lot of fun and will be posting a kind of overview of my holiday with loads of pictures! š
It is good to be back though, I missed you all and I missed blogging as well! ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh so glad to have you back, Beth! I can’t WAIT to see your pictures, I am sure you’re going to make all of us so jealous ahah ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, back to blogging and trying to catch up on people’s posts (I missed a lot while I was away apparently!)
I’ll be sorting through them soon, finding the best ones to use but oh it’s gorgeous over there. I’m not sure my pictures will completely do it justice! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, that’s how I always feel after I’m back from a little break – that’s how I feel every single day I couldn’t blog hahaha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, it’s become such a huge part of my life not blogging for about a week has just been so weird. But now I’m back and it’s just normal again you know? š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I know the feeling ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been not so much a fan of Page after she was pretty vocal supporting Kathleen Hale stalking a blogger. But I also love fairy tale retellings and have been eyeing this one. So far I’ve seen several less than impressed reviews, though, so…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I remember reading about the whole Kathleen Hale thing, I just remember being really shocked and a little freaked out by that. I wasn’t away Danielle Paige supported her though!
I enjoyed Dorothy Must Die but wasn’t impressed with the second book, and I was even less impressed with Stealing Snow being honest. There are a fair few negative review out there I gotta say.
LikeLike
You had such a great reading and blogging month! I’m envious of your ability to read so fast, if only I could manage that lol. A lot of the ones you read this month ended up on my TBR, as you know. Hopefully, I’ll get around to some of them before the year is over! Especially A Monster Calls. I need to get that read before the movie. š
I hope you have fun in Algarve, Beth! I’ll definitely miss you on the blogosphere until you get back! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, I completely agree with you about the year going by so fast! I didn’t even realize it was about to be October until last night and hadn’t even written my wrap up lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I knew it was October but, and I was talking about this with some work colleagues the other week, just where has this year gone?! I swear part of me feels like it should still be August or something! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Melissa. Yeah I feel like I’m getting back into reading a little bit more, and this was definitely one of my better months as well! š
I hope you manage to get around to them all before the end of the year in that case, and oh I really hope you enjoy A Monster Calls as well, it’s such a brilliant book so I can’t wait to see your review for that one! š
Thanks Melissa, yeah Algarve was amazing but I did miss everyone back on WordPress, and blogging in general actually! ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!! ā„
I hope so too. I finally bought A Monster Calls last week, the illustrated version, and it’s so gorgeous. I can’t stop staring at it! I’m hoping I can fit it into my reading this month. If not this one then next month definitely. š
I’m glad you had a great trip! I haven’t read your full post about it just yet but from the pictures Algarve looks gorgeous. š
I know right? It doesn’t feel like it should be October. I swear just yesterday it was New Years. It’s crazy how fast the year has gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The illustrated version is s beautiful isn’t it? I’m not sure why anyone would buy the on illustrated version if they had a choice, and I hope you enjoy the story itself as well I can’t wait to see your review for it!
Oh yes it was an amazing trip, and Algarve is gorgeous but I missed you all and missed blogging as well. ā¤
God yeah where is all the time going? š
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is! š
I feel like they’re really going to add to the reading experience as well. I hope so too.
We definitely missed you as well. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do, reading the book was an experience in and of itself but the illustrations just seemed to add so much more! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve read so many good books this month, Beth! And so many of them, with the exception of Stealing Snow, seems to be pretty good. I’m currently reading The Cursed Child and while I can see the problems people have with it, it actually does feel quite nostalgic to me. I can’t imagine how amazing the actual play would’ve been. š
Have fun in Algarve! We’ll miss you in the time being. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I was actually pleased with what I got around to reading this month! And for the most part they were all amazing books as well, it’s just a shame about Stealing Snow, but ohh I can’t wait to see what you think of The Cursed Child. The play was amazing but honestly even reading the script was just so nostalgia filled for me it was quite an experience. š
Thanks so much Reg. Algarve was amazing but I did miss blogging and all of you on WordPress as well! ā¤ļø
LikeLike
I’ve read Cursed Child now! Tbh VERY nostalgic, but not a fan of the play format. I enjoyed it and might reread it again for a quick HP fix, but it’s not a super great story, in my opinion. Seeing the play would be amazing, though, and I’m jealous that you got to do that! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far, but yeah I know what you mean. There was a lot missing that you would have got in an actual book format rather than a script you know?
I’m hopeful the play will either move around like other Broadway shows do or they will release some kind of version on DVD so everyone else can experience it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still need to read The Distance Between Us ā¤ Great reading month!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, and yeah I’d definitely recommend starting The Distance Between Us soon, it’s my second favourite of her books that I’ve read so far! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to get Crooked Kingdom as soon as possible and start reading Kasie West as well! I hear she’s an amazing contemporary author. Hope you have fun in Algarve, Beth, and happy reading! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that I’m back I need to get around to Crooked Kingdom ASAP as well! And I really hope you enjoy Kasie West’s books. She’s definitely amazing, one of my favourite YA contemporary authors!
Thanks Niraja, Algarve was just amazing, wish I was back there right now! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
2016 has flown past ridiculously quick!! It’s crazy! lol Christmas decorations are already out in shops over here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah there’ll be Christmas decorations here soon as well! It gets to the end of the month and I seriously start wondering where the year has gone! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha it’s just crazy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just got my copy of Crooked Kingdom. I’m in the middle of 2 other books so have to finish those before I start it. Also, have a great time in Algarve! It looks amazing! ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m guessing by now you’ve had a chance to read Crooked Kingdom, did you enjoy it (no spoilers because I still need to pick it up myself). But that always seems to be the way right? There are always other books you need to pick up before one of your most anticipated releases!
Thanks, Algarve was amazing, almost wish I was still there! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
No *sobs* I haven’t had time. This past week was busy and work is slowly killing me. I want to say I’ll start it next week but I don’t know.
I’m glad your trip was awesome! I’m so jealous. I need a vacation. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I trust whenever you have the time it will have all been worth the wait. That’s how I’m feeling now. I still have a few books I need to read before I can get started on Crooked Kingdom.
Yeah that’s how I felt before I left, it’s always nice to get away for a bit! š
LikeLike