Friday Reads 1st September 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"A demon was knitting outside the hospital."

Friday 56:

"A shudder tore through her and she found herself rubbing at her bare arms, her hands, her wrists, trying to wipe away the sensation of fur and flesh."

I've only just started this (literally one chapter in) but I am enjoying it so far. I really like that first sentence because it's so incongruous - demons knitting is not what I expected so it's certainly made an impression on me! I don't know what's happening in the second quote yet but it sounds intense. 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.  

Friday Reads 25th August 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"Isn't it funny how something can be a joke for so long until one day it isn't."

Friday 56:

"If I don't get out of Lexington now, I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my life. I'll make excuses for why things didn't work out and become some drunk has-been straight out of a Bruce Springsteen song." 

This post is late because, well because Taylor Swift's new song happened. And me being me I stayed up all night waiting for it. And then promptly crashed. (Worth it). 

But anyway! I am reading Tash Hearts Tolstoy at the moment and I really like it. The whole idea is excellent and the main character is already so lovable. I'm only about a third of the way through at the moment but I am so intrigued to see where this is going. Also, super wish the webseries in this was real. Because it sounds awesome. Even if I never got on well with Tolstoy. (Sorry, Tash). 

My review for last week's Friday Reads; Shifting Sands by Michael Shusko will be up tomorrow so be sure to check that out if you're interested!! 

 You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.  

Friday Reads 18th August 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"As the heavy military truck drove down the isolated desert road beneath the setting sun, Asghar spoke to his brother from the passenger's seat. The nervousness in his voice had nothing to do with their mission."

Friday 56:

"Sirvan's face grew stern as he lifted his leather jacket ever so slightly to reveal the gleam of his Beretta."

I'm really enjoying Shifting Sands so far. There's a lot of military tactics and info that does go slightly over my head but it's all explained so well that it doesn't ruin the tension and definitely adds to the sense of reality. Michael Shusko is doing a really good job with the characters who are all super flawed but you somehow like them anyway. I'm about halfway through at the moment and looking forward to continuing!

My review for last week's Friday Reads Being Miss Nobody by Tamsin Winters went up yesterday and you can check it out here if you're interested!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.  

Friday Reads 11th August 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"I was first diagnosed as Officially Weird two years ago, when I was nine years old."

Friday 56: 

"It was only my second day at Manor High, but already I had become The Weird Girl Who Can't Speak. And the chair next to me was Permanently Empty."

I am 62 pages into this so far and am absolutely loving it. I wasn't aware before starting that the main character was only 11 and that probably would have put me off - so I'm glad I didn't know. I wish I had a book like this when I was 11 and going through pretty much the same thing. My transition from Primary to Secondary school was very much like this. My "weirdness" was vaguely accepted in primary school but secondary school was hell. Also loving the capitalisations - that's 100% how words felt inside my head at times. Just really loving this right now. 

My review for last week's Friday Read (The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi) is now up and you should definitely check it out!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 4th August 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"The poster wagged before her nose: Sage Advice: Thyme to Discover Nature's Medicine - Right in Your Spice Rack!"

Friday 56:

"He peered out the sliding glass door at the backyard, ablaze in light. As was the front of the house - another bad sign in a day rife with bleak omens."

I adored the first book in the Sweet Lake series (review here) and am so very grateful to Christine for sending me a copy of the second book - The Comfort of Secrets! I am only a few pages in but already I'm loving it and I can't wait to continue!!  

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 28th July 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"Early one morning in late March, Pia forced my hand."

Friday 56:

"He dropped his head back and opened his mouth to catch some raindrops, then repeated himself with exaggerated movements: "I SAW FROG."

I have only just started this but I'm hopeful! I've been really into thrillers recently and anything compared to The Descent HAS to go on my TBR immediately! So far I'm not really sure what to expect! I like the first quote but the 56 is a little baffling? I chose the first sentence on the page to minimise risk of spoilers but have just confused myself!!

The blurb says it's "A high-stakes drama set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charting the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident, The River at Night is a nonstop and unforgettable thriller." Which definitely sounds awesome!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 21st July 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"The forest had claws and teeth."

Friday 56:

"I sound more panicked than I intend to, my voice lightly dusted with anger."

I'm actually only about 30 pages in to Final Girls so far but I'm really enjoying it! I love horror movies so the final girl trope is really familiar and appealing to me and I'm excited to see where the story is going to go! I already have some theories (mostly based on a policy of trust nobody) but I'm generally rubbish at figuring out thrillers so I'm probably not going to guess until the reveal anyway!!

Link up to Monday Highlights!!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Friday Reads 14th July 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"If you asked me how it began, I could truthfully say that the first time, it was an accident."

Friday 56:

"I opened a savings account and watched the numbers begin to stack up."

I'm heading into a bit of a reading slump at the moment so I'm hoping thrillers are the way to go to yank me out of that! I don't know... anything about this book really. The blurb tells me its "deliciously decadent" which sounds fun and alliterative. Plus watching the numbers stack up is basically the dream right? Mine mostly just plummet alarmingly. If you've read this one let me know what you thought of it because I'm going in so blind!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 30th June 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"Home. As the car swooped over the narrow bridge beside the woods, Mandy Hope had the feeling she was back where she belonged."

Friday 56:

"As Mandy flicked through the glossy pictures, she couldn't help feeling a bit overwhelmed." 

Summer at Hope Meadows is the first book in a series that follows on from the Animal Ark series. As a child I loved those books. No, really, I was obsessed. So I'm pretty excited to see where Mandy is now. So far I'm just loving being back with the characters. Even if you never read Animal Ark you'd probably still enjoy this if you like cosy, country reads.

Link up to Monday Highlights!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Friday Reads 23rd June 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"This book begins with a plane crash."

Friday 56:

"It's such a tragedy that those sweet girls who follow the rules set down for women through the ages while also learning to walk in bathing suits and heels are the ones who are now missing."

This is actually one of my all time favourite books and I am re-reading it! It's so funny and the characters are amazing and just seriously, read it if you haven't already because this book is amazing. 

Link up to Monday Highlights

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Friday Reads 16th June 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"I won't miss these mornings."

Friday 56:

"The three of us turn to look at Hope. She doesn't speak much, but when she does, people listen."

I'm only 100 pages in to this so far but I am loving it! The four characters we currently have are so different and interesting and the situation they are in is exciting to read about. I don't know where the story is going overall but everything so far has been great!  

Link up to Monday Highlights 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 9th June 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"The Vega Gull is peacock blue with silver wings, more splendid than any bird I've known, and somehow mine to fly."

Friday 56:

"I was desperate to believe he was telling the truth, that the worst of our troubles were behind us, that everything that had tumbled into chaos could still be set right again."

I've only just started this but the main character already has a really strong voice. She is, I believe, a real person although I don't know much about her. I am excited to learn though and really intrigued by the setting. Historical fiction is a genre I absolutely adore but do not read nearly enough of. 

My review of last weeks read One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus is now up if you'd like to check it out! 

Link up to Monday Highlights!!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Friday Reads 2nd June 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"A sex tape. A pregnancy scare. Two cheating scandals. And that's just this week's update. If all you knew of Bayview High was Simon Kelleher's gossip app, you'd wonder how anyone found time to go to class."

Friday 56:

"I should do what I normally do. Except that's sit in my sister's room and watch retro vampire shows while half reading Ulysses."

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley for review and I am super excited for it! I love that first sentence because it sounds a little like my school - only slightly more dramatic. And there were plenty of rumours spread about me in school (all of them hilarious) so I love reading about them and gossip. And I don't know whose POV the second quote is from but I am now torn because firstly that "retro vampire show" had better be Buffy but secondly if it is - that makes Buffy "retro"? And what does that make me?? Feeling old. (Note: I can now confirm she was talking about Buffy. My childhood is retro.) I've heard generally amazing things about this book though so I can't wait to dive in!

My review for last week's Friday Read (The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli) is now up here if you want to check it out!!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 26th May 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"I'm on the toilet at the 9:30 Club, and I'm wondering how mermaids pee."

Friday 56:

"Because there's nausea and fog, but there's also this: an unshakable feeling that something wonderful is about to happen."

Upside was one of my most anticipated reads of the entire year. Yet it was released nearly two months ago and I still haven't read it. Why? Because Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of my favourite books of all time - and there's a part of me that is terrified Upside won't live up to that. But I'm finally starting it and I'm more excited for it than I am nervous now thankfully. I've heard so much good about this book since it was released and I can't wait to dive in.

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 19th May 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"If he doesn't know it already, Jeremiah Crane is about to learn that I'm not the type of girl to be pushed around."

Friday 56:

"Why's he razzing me so hard? It's not like I went out of my way to talk to him. He called out to me." 

I'm actually heading straight into a reading slump at the moment and I'm hoping this book will pull me out (no pressure)! I love a good mystery and I love books set in the 1920s so this should be a definite win? I'm only one chapter in but I like what I've read so far!  

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 12th May 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"I am myself again. Carly has disappeared into the umbra, and I am alone."

Friday 56:

"It's the pills. Nothing more. It's in my mind - not real, not real, NOT REAL."

I'm kind of cheating with the Book Beginning because there are actually a few pages before this but this is the first line from Kaitlyn's POV and really starts the story. (The other pages are newspaper clippings and such that set the scene and are sort of exposition). I am only about 20 pages in so far but really intrigued. I've heard super mixed things about this and so far it's nothing like I expected but I can't wait to find out what's going on and what's real and what's not!

My review for last weeks Friday Read - Ararat by Christopher Golden - is now up if you want to check it out! 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 5th May 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"Just past eight o'clock on the last morning of November, the mountain began to shake."

Friday 56:

"For so long he had believed himself next to fearless, but this fear bit as deeply into him as the mountain chill."

I'm only about 50 pages into this so far but I'm already so hooked! The characters are already real to me and I am so intrigued by the mountain and the ark. At the moment I'm not sure how much will be supernatural and how much is explainable without the supernatural but it's super intense and engaging and just one of those books you can easily picture in your mind! This would make an incredible movie.  

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 28th April 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning: 

"I met the man who would save my life twice - and ultimately destroy it - on a potholed road in the arse-end of the Welsh countryside."

Friday 56:

Here's where I should say: the reality of my situation would end up being far worse than any scriptwriter could dream up..."

I just finished reading The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott and whilst I kind of wanted to continue the series I also felt like putting it aside rather than marathoning it might be wise so I decided to pick up The White Road by Sarah Lotz which I was sent for review. It's set to be released May 4th. It says "map to come" which is exciting for anyone who gets a finished copy but kind of disappointing for me (who doesn't love maps) but it intrigues me. 

If you're interested my review for last week's Friday Reads My Sister by Michelle Adams has now gone up and you can find it here.  

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 21st April 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"The buzzing of my telephone is like the scuttling of a cockroach under the bed. No real danger, yet still I am terrified."

Friday 56:

"They are not my parents," I say unconvincingly."

This week I am sharing a bit of a book that I haven't actually started yet (but am just about to). I will be taking part in a blog tour for this next Thursday! I relate so very much to that opening sentence (although probably for slightly different reasons). I have anxiety and for some reason part of that anxiety has decided phone calls are dangerous and so the phone ringing is terrifying!! And I love that 56 because from the little I know of the plot so far - it seems very much the point. 

Blurb:

My Sister tells the story of Irini, who was given away by her parents at the age of three, whilst her volatile, destructive sister was kept within the family. Twenty years later Irini receives a phone call from her estranged sister to say that their mother has died, compelling her to return for the first time to the family home, and to uncover the shocking truth that has defined both their lives. 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 14th April 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning:

"On the second Sabbat of Twelfthmoon, in the city of Weep, a girl fell from the sky."

Friday 56:

"Without his books, Lazlo felt as though a vital link to his dream had been cut."

I'm still not completely over the fact that this book exists and that it's so flipping gorgeous! I'm actually only 13 pages in so far although it's so beautiful and compelling to read that I'm pretty sure I'll finish it either today or tomorrow! I remember featuring the first quote in an extract from the book we posted months ago (way back last year) and I loved it then as much as I love it now. It's so dramatic and abrupt and yet lyrical which is just typical Laini Taylor! And the 56 I love because, obviously, I can relate. I hate being without my books. I genuinely can't remember the last time I left the house without a book on me! So I can only have sympathy for poor Lazlo if he has been cut off from his!

Note:

We started our weekly link-up on Monday! The idea is simply to leave a link to your favourite blog post from the past week - for example one you really loved writing - and then I, and others, can come check it out! There are links already on there I'd encourage you to check out - and it's still open until Monday!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.