January Favourites and February TBR

Ann:

This month I didn't manage to read many books as I have been a bit busy this week but I did finish about 2 books neither of which I really liked.

My favourite read had to be Dear Dylan though as it was very realistic - unlike some books which seem like the characters have lives that are unrealistically perfect whereas in Dear Dylan she goes through a lot of problems and it seems more realistic.

Clare:

This month I read a total of 16 books. It was kind of a slow reading month for me and I didn't often feel like picking up books but I did read a few that I absolutely loved. 

1) Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes
My brother got me the Falling Kingdoms series for Christmas and I loved it, I thought the first book was a little slow but from the second onward it was incredible. Frozen Tides was definitely my favourite of the series (so far) and I cannot wait for the next book!
2) The Martian by Andy Weir
This book surprised me so much. This was definitely one of those books I picked up entirely for the hype around it. It doesn't sound like my kind of book at all and yet I really loved it. The science went completely over my head (my Mum is a scientist and assures me the science is amazing) but it felt so real and the humour was such a wonderful type of humour. I am very much looking forward to seeing the movie.
3) Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
The second book wasn't as good as the first in my opinion but I loved these characters and particularly how original and well researched the story was. I really felt like Anne Blankman had made an effort and it paid off with the detail and the realistic feel to the events. I look forward to reading more by her.

February TBR:

Since our TBR's often get out of control we've decided to list our top three books we plan to read in February which should hopefully be easier to manage!

Ann:

Scarlet: This sounds like a very interesting book and the cover is also wonderful. All three of theses books are on the AR reading scheme at my school.
Fracture: This also sounds like a very good book and I love the sound of it and the cover also looks very nice
Lament: I love the sound of Lament and also the cover looks wonderful.

Clare:

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

There is nothing about this blurb that I don't love. You can click the picture to go to the goodreads page and check it out - honestly this just sounds so intriguing to me and I've heard amazing things.

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

I am actually kind of nervous for this one, I love the idea of assassins and vengeance but I am so worried it will just devolve into Romeo & Juliet style romance. With any luck the vengeance will be the main focus though!

How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss

This sounds right up my alley. I've heard good things about Clare Furniss and this sounds like a good book to start with so fingers crossed I enjoy it!

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

December Wrap Up and January TBR

Ann:

I am not sure how many books that I have read this month but it wasn't as many as I would have liked. I aim on keeping a track about how many books I read in 2016, I didn't do the Goodreads challenge this year but I think I might in 2016.

Ann's Favourite Book of December:

My favourite book of December is definitely Username Evie by Joe Sugg which I really enjoyed.

Clare:

In December I read a total of 21 books of which I gave 5 stars to only 2, although I think I had quite a lot of 4.5 ratings! This means I did reach (and exceed) my Goodreads goal of 400 books for this year. I think I am going to aim for the same amount next year and see how I go.

Clare's Favourite Book(s) of December:

1) Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

The Poison Study series is one of my all time favourite fantasy series (this Christmas I successfully pushed them on my brother - he really enjoyed them too) so I was very excited to continue a series I had thought finished and it was great to be back with Yelena and Valek and all the other characters I love. I am very, very excited to read Night Study!

2) Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

I had heard such great things about this that I had kind of convinced myself I wasn't going to like it (weird logic I know). But then I read it and I loved it. The main character was tough and compelling and the plot line kept me guessing, I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

3) Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

This is one of those books I initially gave 4.5 stars but I may go back and make it 5 just because this was such a great ending to an already amazing series and I was really satisfied with how everything turned out. 

Clare's Reviews in December:

• Hourglass by Myra McEntire
• Timpiece by Myra McEntire
• Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Ann's TBR for January 2016:

I don't know how much I will be able to read in January but I aim to read The Hunt trilogy and also to finish the Throne of Glass series which I am really enjoying at the moment.

Clare's TBR for January 2016:

I am definitely feeling a fantasy theme for most of January, particularly Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes as my brother got me the series for Christmas and The Final Empire as I bought the box set with my Christmas money but I am also excited for The Martian which I have heard so many amazing things about and Prisoner of Night and Fog which I have been planning to read for ages. I also have a few pre-orders due for January which I am excited for! 

Classics Wrap Up:

Ann: I haven't been able to finish The Great Gatsby yet but I did finish Daisy Miller.

Clare: This is the second month in a row that I have failed to complete a Classic. I have just felt kind of slumpy whenever I try to pick one up but I am determined to read one each month of 2016!

Classics TBR:

Ann: I have decided to read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens which Clare got me and I am looking forward to reading it. I know it's one of her favourite classics so hopefully I will enjoy it!

Clare: I have decided to return to my TBR jar for my Classics pick for January and start fresh, this month I will be reading The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

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