Top Ten Graphic Novels I Need to Read!!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke & The Bookish. You can find a list of past and future topics here. 

1) Wires and Nerve

The only one on this list that I absolutely know I will be reading soon because I have it pre-ordered and I am so, so excited! Iko was one of my favourite characters and I can't wait to see this world again! 

2) Saga

This is one of the most famous - and it comes up almost any time graphic novels are mentioned so I don't know why I haven't read it yet!! I don't know all that much about it but it's definitely one I'd like to get to soon!

3) Lumberjanes

I loved Nimona by Noelle Stevenson so this has been on my list ever since - the artwork is the same but the plot looks very different and I have heard mixed things but I definitely want to give it a try!

4) Ms Marvel

I've heard nothing but amazing things about this series! And it's been recommended to me numerous times so it's going on my wishlist for sure.

5) Maus

I don't know much about this one, aside from the obvious, but it seems like a very important and interesting read and again, its a book I've heard good things about. 

6) The Wicked and the Divine

I know absolutely nothing about these. I've read Doctor Faustus so "The Faust Act" intrigues me and I've heard mixed things but mostly I just like the cover!

7) Rat Queens

This just looks badass and awesome and I just need it in my life right now! I may put this on my birthday wishlist and hope someone get it for me! 

8) Buffy the Vampire Slayer

For some reason the Buffy graphic novels are super hard to get hold of - my library doesn't have them and can't even order them in and they are way out of my price leauge on Amazon. So it may be a while until I read these - but I am determined to read them one day!

9) In Real Life

The artwork on the cover is adorable and the plot interests me a lot. I haven't heard much about this actually, there was a lot of buzz when it first came out but I don't think I've seen any reviews - so if you've read it let me know what you thought?

10) Through the Woods

I'm a little nervous about this one because it is constantly described as "creepy" and I am a huge coward - but I love fairy-tales and the artwork looks amazing. So I may have to just be brave and go for it! 

Graphic novels are a genre I know very little about (I've so far only read Nimona and The Infinite Loop - both of which I liked) but I'd love to read more of them. So let me know if you've read any of the books on this list or if you have any other recommendations! 

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

Cover Characteristic: Eating Utensils

This is our first time doing Cover Characteristics in a while (I think a few months) and I had forgotten how hard topics can be sometimes! I totally thought eating utensils would be an easy one but it somehow wasn't - I only found three! 

The Wonder is definitely my favourite - it's so simple yet stark and it's very arresting as a result. Hunger is also simple and then A Wolf at the Table is brilliantly creepy! Next week's topic is the Statue of Liberty and I feel like there will be a wealth of covers to choose from for that! 

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

A Winter's Respite Wrap Up

This was my first time taking part and I really enjoyed it. Being spread over two weeks there was very little pressure and whilst I didn't quite meet my goal of 10-15 books I still got a fair bit of reading done! The highlights of the week for me were The Smoke Hunter, My Lady Jane, Georgia Peaches and other Forbidden Fruit and The Diabolic all of which I loved. And it was nice to finish two Classics this month, both re-reads that I greatly enjoyed. 

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

Sunday Post 29th January 2017

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, it's a chance to post a recap on the past week, show the books we have received and share what we plan for the coming week. Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and the aim is to show our newest books and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops or downloaded on to their e-reader. As always you can click on any of the pictures to be taken to the Goodreads page for that book if you're interested in finding out more about it.

Last Week on the Blog:

• Exam Revision Techniques
• #24in48 Wrap Up Clare
• #24in48 Wrap Up Ann
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Top 5 Under-Rated Books (Ann)
• February Releases
• Friday Reads 
• Fairy Loot Unboxing: January 2017 - Mystery and Mischief

Books We Got This Week:

Ann:

Come and Get Us/Killer Chef/The Christmas Mystery by James Patterson (with Shan Serafin/Jeffrey J. Keyes/Richard DiLallo respectively): I don't know much about these books other than the fact that I love the sound of them from the blurb they sound like the type of books I will really enjoy!

Remnants by Carolyn Arnold: I got this book for review and I am so excited to read it because it sounds incredible!

Clare:

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel: I was sent an ARC of this by the publisher (thank you very much) and not only is the ARC beautiful but the story sounds incredible too. This is an LGBT read that I am so glad it exists - I hope its as great as it sounds.

Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay: This is one of those books that's been on my wishlist for what feels like forever and I never get around to but I picked it up in a charity shop and am now excited to read it!

The Alchemy of Murder by Carol McCleary: This sounds so incredible. I love historical mysteries and the main character of this sounds amazing. 
Displaced by Stephan Abarbanell: The publisher very kindly sent me a proof of this! It's due to be released on the 23rd February and I would like to have my review up by then so I know I will be reading it soon!

Hold Back the Stars by Katie Khan: I ordered this because it sounded beautiful and unique (and because I had a £10 Amazon gift card). I have been spoiled for the ending which is a shame but I am still excited to read this soon.

New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan: This was an obvious auto-buy for me as Sarah Morgan is one of my favourite authors. This sounds like a great read and I will probably be reading it in February.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: One of my most anticipated reads of the year! This looks incredible and I am so glad to finally have it. The UK editions are so gorgeous and I love the individual detailing on the naked cover (there are four different engravings and you get a random one).
How To Think Like Sherlock by Daniel Smith: This was a bonus book in this months Fairy Loot and I am really interested in it. It definitely looks like a book to dip into and maybe I will learn something!
Sweet Lake by Christine Nolfi: Thank you very much to Christine for sending me a copy of this. It is released in February so I am aiming to have my review up then, its such a pretty book and I can't wait to read it.

Reading Update:

Ann:

Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen: I finally finished my classic for this month and I am so pleased! I didn't think I would be able to finish it this month because I had mock exams but I did it!

Clare:

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown: 5 stars, Such a great read, I loved the main characters and the friendship group and even when I didn't like a character I still had some sort of strong feeling for them which is great!
The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid: 4.5 stars, Loved Nemesis - she is a new favourite protagonist for me. The plot was plenty exciting with lots of action and more than its fair share of brutality. Kincaid was ruthless with her characters which made for a very engaging read.

Next Week on the Blog:

• Cover Characteristic: Eating Utensils
• Winters Respite Wrap-Up
• Top Ten Graphic Novels On My TBR
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Trapped in Wonderland by Dani Hoots: Blog Tour and Review
• Clare's January Wrap Up and February TBR
• Classic of the Month Wrap Up and TBR
• Ann's January Wrap Up and February TBR

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

Fairy Loot Unboxing: January 2017 - Mystery and Mischief

Fairy Loot is swiftly becoming one of my favourite things - I am so excited for the box to arrive each month and haven't been disappointed yet! 

If you are a Fairy Loot subscriber but your box hasn't arrived yet - please be aware of spoilers!! 

What Was in the Box:

• Funko Mystery Mini: Each subscriber randomly received either a Harry Potter mini or a Game of Thrones one - I got Harry Potter and I even got the man himself! He is very cute!
• Exclusive Night Circus Pillow Case: I am a big fan of the Night Circus and of pillows so this is perfect for me. The quote reads "The finest pleasures are always the unexpected ones" which I love. Designed by Risa Rodil (The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern)
• Exclusive Come Back Yesterday Candle: Candles are my true weakness. I own literally dozens of them and I can't walk past any shop selling candles without going in. This one smells really good and is apparently themed around this months book which is intriguing! Designed by Heather at Meraki Candles.
• How to Think Like Sherlock by Daniel Smith: Having two books was such a lovely surprise. This is definitely a book you can dip in and out of rather than reading cover to cover so I will be reading a little of this every so often.
• Exclusive Rose Necklace: Again, apparently significant to the book which is exciting! It's such a beautiful well made necklace as well. Designed by Oh Panda Eyes.
• Exclusive Alice in Wonderland Bookmark: This is double printed with triple paper which is perfect for me - my books tend to spend a lot of time in my handback and I've bent more than a couple of bookmarks as a result so this will hopefully be sturdier. Designed by Read At Midnight.
• Caraval by Stephanie Garber: I guessed right!! I had a feeling this would be this months book and I am so glad it is! It's a really beautiful copy and one of my most anticipated reads of the year! This came with signed bookplate, author letter, bookmark and post card. I especially love the author letter because there are doodles on it that may relate to the book which is intriguing!
• Bonus Items: Alchemists of Loom bookmark, Passenger notebook and Jackaby free chapter download code postcard.

Another great box!! I love the book which I was going to buy anyway - I am super excited for it! Of the other products I think my favourite is either the Candle or the Pillowcase (although I also really love the Necklace and the Bookmark - choosing favourites is HARD). Next month's theme is Emperors & Fugitives and again, I think I know what the book is and am very excited for it! 

You can find out more about Fairy Loot here.

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

Friday Reads 27th January 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:

"Everyone believed Diabolics were fearless, but in my earliest years, all I knew was fear."

 Friday 56:

"I'd now experienced weakness, and between hiding my strength or possessing genuine frailty, I vastly preferred to hide."

I am nearly at the end of The Diabolic and I am vastly enjoying it. Nemesis is just as ruthless as I wanted her to be and such a great, interesting character. I am not as in love with the side characters (except Sidonia and Tyrus) but I am excited to see how everything resolves.

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

February Releases!!

February is such a great month for new releases! Debuts in particular seem to be popular this month and there are so many I can't wait to read! 

7th:

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza: A diverse Sci-Fi which sounds absolutely amazing and so dramatic - I've seen some excerpts from this and they all sounded amazing! I know I want to read this in February!

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones: I actually already have a copy of this which is exciting! I am aiming to have my review up around the release date but I am very excited for this which is, I believe, a sort of Labyrinth retelling. Labyrinth is my brothers favourite film so that's instantly interesting me!

Starfall by Melissa Landers: The first book, Starflight, was a surprise favourite for me last year. I haven't, historically, gotten on well with Sci-Fi but I am trying to read more of it and Melissa Landers writes in such an engaging way that I really love.

14th:

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: I've loved LaCour's previous novels and this one sounds just as incredible (plus the cover is gorgeous). I think this is LGBT? 

The Valiant by Lesley Livingston: Lesley Livingston wrote my all time favourite faerie series (Wondrous Strange) and her books have been an auto-buy ever since so you can bet I have this one pre-ordered. Plus - female gladiators??!!

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine: This is the sort-of sequel to The Shadow Queen I think, in that it takes place in the same world but a different kingdom. I really enjoyed The Shadow Queen last year and this one sounds even better!

21st:

Long May She Reign by Rhiannon Thomas: I haven't read Rhiannon Thomas's previous books but this stand-alone fantasy sounds incredible. I really love the cover as well.

The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins: I'll admit I was originally drawn in just by the Dragon. But having read the blurb I am now really intrigued. The main character sounds really independent and the Prince kind of reckless so it could be an interesting combination.

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas: I love Lisa Kleypas. This is the story of Sebastian and Evie's son (they're story is in Devil in Winter) and I am mostly just excited to see them again as that is, probably, my favourite of Kleypas's books.

28th:

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: This is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and I am so glad it exists. The hype has been huge for it and every review I've seen so far has been wildly positive.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller: Pirates. I always, always want more books about Pirates. I love that the main character is a pirate captain - I am hoping for a super kick-ass main character!

The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig: I really liked The Girl From Everywhere last year so I definitely want to read this soon! Time travel as always confuses me but Heidi Heilig makes it more comprehensible than usual which is great!

And I've just noticed this is the most ordered release post I've ever done. 3 releases every week exactly 7 days apart. This is so satisfying - thank you publishers! 

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