Top Fifteen Books of 2015!

It’s been a long time since I last blogged - sorry! - but I’ve had a lot going on and it is very difficult with my schedule the way it is to blog as regularly as I’d like to. But I’m making it one of my new year’s resolutions to make more time for my blog, so fingers crossed!

Basically, I got really behind on my reviews and as they mounted up, I got more and more worked up and it made me procrastinate majorly. So for my return to blogging, I decided to do a post about my favourite 2015 releases that I read. They’re in no particular order but they were all released in 2015 and I haven’t included any I am yet to read (that post is coming!)

Remix by Non Pratt

After Trouble, I wondered what Non would write next. When I found out it was set at a music festival, I could not place a pre-order fast enough. I loved the characters, Kaz and Ruby, as Non writes teenagers so well it’s hard not to feel like they actually exist. Her humour is right up my street and I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kaisie West

This was my second Kaisie West book, my first being The Distance Between Us, and she’s become one of my favourite writers. This story was so different to anything I’d read before and I love the characters Kaisie creates. On The Fence is on my reading list for 2016.

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2015, I was hooked from the first time I heard about it and I started to read it the same day it arrived. It was such a heart-warming story, and such an interesting concept. I would definitely recommend this book to you all!

Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I loved this book so much that I lent it to two of my closest friends after reading it, and they loved it so much that they had to buy a copy for themselves. I had been following people’s reviews of it before reading it myself and I didn’t come across anyone who disliked it.

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell

Sarah is my auntie’s best friend, and she’s a lovely person who I’ve met on several occasions now. Her debut novel was a great success, and I wish her all the best for her next release. My copy is extra special, as not only is it signed, it also wishes me happy birthday whenever I open it. ^^

The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Not being biased or anything, but Mel is one of the greatest people in the universe. And I am writing this not long after securing a seat at her book launch in February! I am so proud of her and how well her books are doing, can’t wait to see you and give you presents.

All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher

I didn’t know much about Carrie before I heard about this book, and since then a lot has changed. I’ve read this amazing book, I watch her videos and I’ve even met her. Every young girl needs to read this book growing up, it’s so so important.

Air by Lisa Glass

Sequel to the amazing Blue, this is a surfing novel which I actually bought for my best friend who is a surfer. I didn’t even know much about surfing, but I feel that Lisa’s books have taught me a lot about it - not enough to try it for myself yet though!

The Next Together by Lauren James

This is a beautiful reincarnation love story, that my not-so-inner history nerd really enjoyed. Lauren is such a lovely girl, who has achieved so much in such a short time and I am immensely excited to read the sequel!

Geek Girl: All That Glitters by Holly Smale

The Geek Girl books are definitely one of my favourite series, and not a year goes by when one of them doesn’t make my top reads of that year. Harriet and her family keep me reading past my bedtime, and make me forget all my adult responsibilities. I can’t wait for the next instalment. 

Me and Mr J by Rachel Mcintyre

I’ve never encountered a YA novel with a teacher-student love story before, and though a sensitive subject, I thought it was handled delicately and thoroughly enjoyed it. Was overjoyed when Rachel remembered me when I met her this year too.

Under My Skin by James Dawson

I am incredibly proud of this person, for being brave enough to announce their transition and do so in a way that will educate the masses of the struggles of transitioning. It is not an overnight thing, and there will be a lot of changes. Yesterday, it was announced that Juno Dawson is going to be releasing a new book next year which I am simply cannot wait for!

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

Literally just pre-ordered the sequel, Inferno, because I forgot it is being released in a few days time. This book has everything, from love to gangsters, and I loved it so much. It read just like a film and I really hope it gets adapted one day!

Counting Stars by Keris Stainton

I feel like Keris is a part of my family now, our exchanges never feel like author and blogger, and I definitely consider her to be a friend of mine. I love every book of hers I read, including her christmas book that I recently finished, Lily and the Christmas Wish. This was an adult book rather than a YA and it kicked ass!

Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman

Alice is definitely one of my favourite authors, Solitaire was one of my favourite books of last year and I was spoiled by her releasing two novellas following on from the story this year. I also won a signed print from her to celebrate the release of this book. It’s been a very good year for me.

So there was my return to blogging, short and sweet. I’m hoping to post another blog post on New Year’s Day to really get me into it. Sorry for being away for so long, I’ve missed you all so much.

Books I'm looking forward to this year!

I decided I would write this post, when I bought a signed copy of Under My Skin by James Dawson on Monday, ahead of its release on March 5th. Sadly, I missed the event where he actually signed it, but I feel lucky to still have an early copy of the book. Needless to say, it's shot straight to the top of my to-read pile.

So, here are ten more books that I'm looking forward to this year, starting with the most recent. I'm being really organised this year, so I know exactly what's coming out and when, so I can finish whatever I'm reading in order to start some of these straight away!

All That Glitters by Holly Smale: this is the fourth instalment in the Geek Girl series, and since I read the third book the day it was released, I've been waiting for this book for a long time. I already have it pre-ordered on my kindle, to get it straight away on February 26th, because I have all the books in paperback and can't wait that long to read it, so I end up buying the book twice. *fingers crossed* I'll be meeting Holly in a few weeks, to hopefully get my Picture Perfect paperback signed. Harriet is in Sixth Form now, and Nat is at college! I'm really excited to see what Harriet gets up to in this story.

Othergirl by Nicole Burstein: Erica and Louise are best friends, and on the surface, normal girls. But Erica is a superhero. Since I love the Avengers, I think this is going to be a brilliant book, especially as it's a girl! This book is out April 2nd and I simply cannot wait!

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby: This book has such an interesting plot, that as soon as I read the synopsis on Goodreads, I knew that it would be something I would be interested in. Quinn Sullivan lost her boyfriend to an accident, and contacted all the people who received organs from his body. She didn't hear back from Colton Thomas, the boy who got his heart. This leads Jessi to go on a quest to track him down, and when she does, they appear to have a connection. Usually I steer clear of books like this, but I'm really intrigued by it and I can't wait for its release, which is April 21st. It looks like I'll be buying it in May to reward myself for finishing University!

The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt: Out on May 1st, this is the story of three best friends who take a summer road trip, and try hard to ignore the bubbling romance that could turn the three-piece into a two-piece. I follow Usborne's young adult-centred Instagram account, and when they mentioned this book was coming out, I had to add it to my list of books to buy!

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler: this book follows Elyse d'Abreau, a girl who can no longer sing or speak after a tragic boating accident. And she was a beautiful singer. Christian Kane is a playboy, but helps Elyse to express herself. His little brother, believes she is the legendary mermaid of Atargatis Cove come to life. This book takes its inspiration from The Little Mermaid, and I absolutely love modern re-tellings of fairy tales, so this is one of the books I'm most excited to read, but I've got to wait until June 2nd.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han: I've also got to wait until June 2nd for the follow-up to To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Lara Jean was only pretending to like Peter, until all of a sudden she wasn't pretending anymore. She becomes even more confused when a boy from her past shows up, and the feelings she had for him come flooding back. I absolutely loved the previous book, so I can't wait for this. I just hope I can remember where the book finished!

House of Windows by Alexia Casale: I love Alexia, and I was so excited when I found out her next book was coming out this year! This comes out July 2nd, my mother's and my best friend's birthdays! Nick is going to Cambridge at 15, but he hates the label 'genius'. He's only doing this so his father might one day pay him some attention. At university, he struggles with the workload and the social aspect of life there. This really speaks to me, because I had a really hard time when I started university, so I can see myself relating to Nick quite a bit.

Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne: This book doesn't have a cover yet, so have this awkward blank Goodreads cover as replacement. The book follows Evie, a teenager who is recovering from OCD. She's close to coming off her medication, and she's started at a new college in order to get a fresh start. She really wants a relationship, to complete the transition into 'new Evie' but this could be tricky. I've loved both of Holly's books, so I know I'll love this one! It's out August 1st according to Goodreads, but Amazon won't let me pre-order it yet :(

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: This book is about a girl who is allergic to everything, and cannot leave her house as a result. So the only people she sees are her mom and her nurse. But when a new family moves in next door, she ends up falling in love with her neighbour Olly, and risks everything. Apparently, the narrative contains diary entries, lists, charts etc., which makes me really excited because I love books that find multiple ways of telling the story. This comes out August 27th.

Tonight The Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales: I haven't read This Song Will Save Your Life yet, but nonetheless I'm really excited for this book, which is about falling for someone you haven't met. Arden falls her a blogger called Peter, and when he announces his girlfriend has dumped him, she goes to New York City to see him. This sounds like a really exciting premise for a story, especially with the rise of internet dating. It's out September 15th.