Beauty & The Books

Roar - Cecelia Ahern First of all, can we just acknowledge the fact that this was the first bookish PR I have ever been sent! (Don't worry that won't affect the review) I feel like I've made it, all achievements accomplished! Anyway, let's carry on with the review! I have only read two other Ahern books and I loved them both, but this one was very different. Synopsis: "Have you ever imagined a different life? Have you ever stood at a crossroads, undecided? Have you ever had a moment when you wanted to roar? From much-loved, international bestseller Cecelia Ahern come stories for all of us: the women who befriend us, the women who encourage us, the women who make us brave. From The Woman Who Slowly Disappeared to The Woman Who Returned and Exchanged her Husband, discover thirty touching, often hilarious, stories and meet thirty very different women. Each discovers her strength; each realizes she holds the power to make a change. Wi...

How To Stop Time - Matt Haig Genre: Romance/Fantasy  Pages: 336 Rating: 4.5/5 Format: Mix of the past and present, but in a somewhat chronological order _______________________________________________________________________________ Before we get going here is a little synopsis of the novel and I hope it gets you as hooked as it did me! From  https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Stop-Time-Matt-Haig/dp/1782118616 Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been alive for centuries. From Elizabethan England to Jazz-Age Paris, from New York to the South Seas, Tom has seen a lot, and now craves an ordinary life. Always changing his identity to stay alive, Tom has the perfect cover - working as a history teacher at a London comprehensive. Here he can teach the kids about wars and witch hunts as if he'd never witnessed them first-hand. He can try to tame the past that is fast catching up w...

Lyrebird - Cecelia Ahern Genre: Romance Pages:432 Rating: 5/5 (INCREDIBLE) Format: Mixture of 1st/3rd person _________________________________________________________________________________ Unique and breathtaking! That's the only way I can sum up this novel in a few words. Here is a little synopsis (from Goodreads): Life is in two parts: who you were before you met her, and who you are after. A documentary crew discover a mysterious young women living alone in the mountains of West Cork. Strikingly beautiful she has an extraordinary talent for mimicry, like the famous Australian Lyrebird. The crew, fascinated, make her the subject of her story, and bestow the nickname upon her. When they leave, they take Lyrebird with them back to the city. But as she leaves behind her peaceful life to learn about a new world, is she also leaving behind a part of herself? For her new friend Solomon the answer isn’t clear. When you find a rare and precious thing, should you sh...

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves - Karen Joy Fowler Genre: Fiction/Psychological Fiction Pages: 336 Rating: 4/5 Format: Non linear storyline, moves between memories and present _________________________________________________ *WARNING, SPOILERS FROM THE ONSET* This novel is a heartbreaking tale that challenges the orthodox ideals of family and relationships. Rosemary's father is a university professor who takes part in many studies and publishes many papers, one of these studies happens to be about her life. Her life growing up with Fern, who is also a Chimpanzee! That was a plot twist that I did not expect at all! The way that Fowler introduces Fern and her character is one that people would usually associate with a human sibling, this makes the reader just assume that she is human (what else would we think?) and this is what Fowler wanted. The effect of the reader initially thinking of Fern as human, gives us just a small indication of what Lowell and Rosemary...

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern  Genre: Fantasy  Pages: 387 Rating: 3.5/5 Format: Fiction Organised By Dates  _________________________________________________________________________________ *WARNING THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THE REVIEW, APPROACH WITH CAUTION* _________________________________________________________________ I went into this novel with high expectations and excitement but I was left somewhat disappointed, so much so that I did not even finish the novel. I loved the idea of the story and the plot and I feel like it had great potential! It was just the fact that the plot took time to develop fully that I had a problem with, it became something that I did not want to pick up anymore.  BUT... Here are some of the things that I loved about this novel! First of, I loved the detail in setting and the time period that it was set. A lot of the novel focuses on different places and setting and Morgenstern does not...

Heart Of Darkness - Joesph Conrad Genre: Novella Pages: 72 Rating: 2/5 Format: Messy _______________________________________________________________________________ Do not be deceived by the length of this book, despite its mere 72 pages it has taken me over a week to get to where I am at  (I managed to get to just over 1/2). I feel like this story has so much going for it, reading the overviews and summaries online I was really intrigued but the way that Conrad has chosen to write this ruins it  for me. Following the lecture that I just had on this, I definitely feel that this is almost biographical of Conrad's own experiences, using this reading it is understandable why the format is so messy. It can be suggested that his language use is there to accurately represent the events of the novella. If you are someone that likes the more challenging reads than this is definitely for you, I just could not get to grips with his modernist style. I l...

1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) - George Orwell Genre: Dystopia/Political Fiction Pages: 342 Rating: 4/5 Format: 3rd person Standard Narrative _________________________________________________________________________________ I feel that this novel has a slow beginning with Orwell explaining all of the dystopian terms to the reader as well as emphasising the age and condition of the main character, Winston (despite the slow start I love the effort that has been put into creating this world it makes it more enjoyable) I think for the time of writing, this novel is definitely ahead of its time! I love how Orwell contrasts the dullness of the society with the brightness of Winston's fantasies and and relationship. I do find that there is not enough depth to the characters but I get that the novel is more about the collective and not so much the individual, Winston is just a representation of the larger. Overall I would most definitely recommend this thought provoking novel! ...

Noughts and Crosses (Series) - Malorie Blackman Genre: Adventure/Romance Pages: Around 400 per book (there's 4 books) Rating: 5/5 Format: Chapter changes depending on POV, They jump from different times as well (not entirely chronological) _________________________________________________________________________________ Malorie Blackman has created a unique and simple world that is so amazing and effective at expressing her desired story! The series follows the intertwined lives of the Hadley family and the McGregor family, specifically their children (Sephy and Callum). This world shows the effects of an alternative history in which African people (Crosses) gained technological and organisational advantages of the European people (Noughts), resulting in the Africans making the Europeans their slaves. Despite this series being published in 2008 (almost 10 years ago!) there are scary similarities between this series and today's society. Especially the racial t...

Check Mate - Malorie Blackman I am absolutely in love with this series its unreal! I am halfway through this one and only have one left to go! Full review to come on the series! But it'll definitely be all praise for sure.. xoxo  P

Reasons To Stay Alive - Matt Haig  Genre: Non-fiction Pages: 264 Rating: 5/5 Format: informal writing almost journal like _________________________________________________________________________________ This books takes you on the journey of understanding depression as well as opening your eyes to the wider world and much of what we take for granted (especially if you do not suffer with a mental illness). This story is unique to Matt as it is the story of how he overcame his depression, his low points and he makes it known that it can happen to anyone and it it nothin to be ashamed of.  I found this so inspiring and motivational, it opened my eyes to what other people might be dealing with and to think that everyone has something going on and to just be kind and supportive! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, despite the morbid name this book is anything but! Matt writes in a way that is so carefree and positive, which is quite rar...

I was a bit skeptical at first but the free UK delivery and cheap books hooked me straightaway! They have a wide range of books including a few classics and a section of rare books which I thought was really good. The website was easy to use and searching for books was well organised and user friendly, the covers to vary as stated and there is a bundle section!! The bundle section is where I got the Noughts and Crosses series, they were around £6 I think but they are no longer on the website. (Disclaimer: all of the books are used and the website does tell you the condition of them) An example of the book's information that should be checked. I always look at the CONDITION section (4th row) The only downside I have to this website is that the delivery takes a while and the books come separately depending on which warehouse they are stored in, this information is not easily found on the website because I had to email them to find out. As well as this they do...

  Strong Looks Better Naked - Khloé Kardashian Genre: Nonfiction/Self-help/Biography/Memoir Pages: 220 Rating: 5/5 Format: Memoir with quotes and images _________________________________________________________________________________ Everybody always talks rubbish about about Khloé and her sisters but I must say this book is amazing, Kardashian or not the story and message within this memoir is amazing! The overall vibe from this is one of positivity and understanding, she knows that life throws unexpected twists and turns at us but then she also gives advice as to how to cope with these twists. From topics concerning the death of her father to the breakup of her marriage, as well as recipes and cocktails. This book is something that everyone needs to experience, not just because she explains the benefits of exercise and food but it just makes you rethink everything and look in the mirror. Not all self-help books can do this. Definitely recommend this to anyone, alon...

  Dead Beautiful - Yvonne Woon Genre:YA/Urban Fantasy Pages: 512 Rating: 3/5 Format: Standard Novel _________________________________________________________________________________ First of, I did not realise that this novel was a part of a trilogy! SO they are now added to my reading list! **They are Life Eternal and Love Reborn** This novel follows the mystery surrounding the death of  Renée Winters's parents, the novel focuses on her journey to accepting their death and her adjustment to a new place. I love the incorporation of mythology and the inclusion of certain latin elements. I have to say that this novel does follow a similar style of a certain popular novel *cough* twilight  *cough*,  with the new girl at a new school mixed with a mysterious stranger (typically a hot guy) add in a few secrets and forbidden love and you're all set! Despite this I do like this, as it is an easy read with a good plot which is easy enough to follow and enjoy...

The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes - Arthur Conan Doyle   A Gift To Remember - Melissa Hill Genre: Contemporary romance Pages: 416 Rating: 5/5 Format: Novel _________________________________________________________________________________ This book is one of those that you snuggle up with in the winter months with a nice hot chocolate by the fire, or, like me, you chose to read this in the middle of August in the monsoon season of India. This book was a gift from my tutor and it was definitely a gift indeed! I have nothing but praise for this novel and I highly recommend it to anyone. The novel follows Darcy Archer who simply works in a bookshop (my dream job!) and her simple life that gets turned upside down with a quest to reunite man and dog. (Without giving too much away) Hill has a way to creating intricate twists and turns and develops a story and then completely blows your mind!! Overall I'd highly recomm...

I took my siblings on a day trip to Derby today and had the pleasure of stepping into heaven! (aka Waterstones) It has been so long since I've been able to shop here! I recently discovered this website www.worldofbooks.com and it is amazing! A majority of the books start from around £2.49!! (they are used books bare in mind) how great! Let me know if you check it out. xoxo P https://www.instagram.com/_beautyandthebooks_/

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens I have just started reading this classic by Charles Dickens, at this moment I am about half way through and I am pleasantly surprised!! Having read a few classics from this period before, I thought that I would get lost within all of the flowery language, but after a few pages (or chapters..) it became quite easy, although I do have to read it in a moderately quiet space. I have watched the recent BBC tv drama as well as the films before I read this and I must say that it definitely allows me to have an easier understanding of the plot. It took me a while to get into the start of the story but after pushing through and after Pip was later introduced to Miss Havisham, I was hooked! Also I got this copy for free from the English department at my college so that's always a bonus! Feel free to recommend anything you might feel like I'll be interested in :) xoxo P https://www.instagram.com/_beautyandthebooks_

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs Genre: YA/Fantasy Pages: 352 Rating: 4/5 Format: Novel including vernacular photography/letters (originally a picture book) _________________________________________________________________________________ First of all I got this book for an amazing £2.49!!! Charity shop steals are always the best things! I loved this book so much, the way that Riggs intertwines a complex narrative world of time travel and alternate worlds, with the ability for it to easily interpreted by the reader is amazing (if that makes sense at all). I did not think that I would be taken in by the plot but I found myself intrigued by the life of Jacob and the stories that his Grandfather told.   Riggs has an amazing way of allowing the reader into the mind of Jacob, allowing us to feel, see and hear what he does.   https://www.instagram.com/_beautyandthebooks_

Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy  – Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman. Genre: YA/Fantasy Pages: 655 (It's a big book) Rating: 5/5 Format: Novellas  _________________________________________________________________________________ This giant of a book is just what us fans needed! All of the unanswered questions and thoughts that we might’ve had as a fandom have been put to rest in this collection of short stories. Despite there being multiple authors, a majority of the writing is definitely Cassie influenced. Without giving too much away, this book is definitely not safe from the notorious Clare plot twists and cruelty. My favourite part of the book is how the stories of all the other works are intertwined within this one, from The Mortal Instruments (being the main one), The Infernal Devices, The Bane Chronicles and even her latest works, The Dark Artifices (which I still do not know how to pronounce). Thi...