All the Bright Places

Title: All the Bright Places
Author: Jennifer Niven

Pages: 378

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Bought

Rating: 4/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
 
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
 
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

I hadn't really head too much about this book, other than reading the summary so I went into this book with a clear mind. When the book started off, I wasn't too sure about how much I'd like it, it was interesting and I'd read that it was a bit of a cross between Rainbow Rowell and John Green, both being authors that I enjoy, but I didn't know if it'd be my thing due to the topic that the book kind of focuses on. I kept on with it anyway and I am so glad I did. It really picked up and became even more interesting. 

I thought that the story was interesting and dealt with the subject of suicide well, particularly as the topic is quite a sensitive and touchy subject. I felt that after reading this I had actually developed a bit more of a better understanding. 

I found the characters to be interesting and compelling. I enjoyed reading about the characters and getting to know them better. I particularly liked the relationship that formed between Finch and Violet and was so rooting for them pretty much the whole way through the book. It was interesting to see them develop, both in different ways, but together. I thought that this added something else to the book as it was plain to see that both characters were each others coping mechanism. This book doesn't just focus on the characters and their relationship. It also focuses on her things, including bits of adventure along the way.

The ending was a bit of a knock in the face. This is where the book kicks it up a notch, but ultimately, it ties up and makes for a 'good' ending to the book. I really enjoyed this book and was taken by surprise by it. Again, I wasn't really sure about it as I hadn't heard much but I found it interesting and a good read and would definitely recommend it!

My Life Next Door

Title: My Life Next Door

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Pages: 394

Publisher: Speak

Source: Bought

Rating: 3.5/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 
"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

My Life Next Door was a book that I was drawn to mainly because of the book spine..please don't ask me why, but I absolutely loved the stripy spine. Because of that, I obviously looked to see what the book was about and I was sold pretty much straight away. I bought this book back at the end of January (after a good few months of wanting it) and pretty much demolished it within a few days which shows positive things for Huntley Fitzpatrick's writing and stories, both of which I thought were great! I will be sure to visit another book of hers soon.

This book was so fun and so sweet. I absolutely loved the Garrett family, and Jase sounds so swoony! Definitely in the line up for top book boyfriends. Set over the Summer break in Stony Bay (sounds so cute!), this is where our main character Samantha really comes into herself, I think. It was interesting to read about her mother and political campaigns - I basically have no idea when it comes to politics and what goes on behind the scenes in the UK, let alone anywhere else, so this was really interesting to read about.

This book did so well in exploring real, first love. I was excited to see what would happen to Samantha and Jase throughout the story and what would happen to them as the story progressed. It was nice to read a bit of a summer romance, particularly this one as it was so sugar sweet!

I definitely did not see the ending coming at all. You know how pretty much every contemporary typically goes well and then takes a turn for the worst? I really did not see this one coming..at all. But in a way, I think that this makes the book even better as it's not just a typical turn for the worst. Plus I was intrigued to see what would happen! 

Despite the fact that I did love this book, there was one thing that got me and that's just how quick the end was. I felt like it was a little rushed and all these things just happened at once, which is great but I just found that the perhaps 50 pages were a bit rushed!

My Life Next Door seriously made me wish for summer as it's such a perfect book for that season. It also made me wish that I had my own balcony to sit out on and gaze at the starts at night..a girl can dream!

The Winner's Curse

Title: The Winner's Curse

Author: Marie Rutkoski
Pages: 355

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Source: Bought

Rating: 4/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

One thing I loved about this book is how different it was to anything else I'd ever read. Yes, it was all romantic and about love and two people getting together, but the one thing that was different about it, is that it was told from several people's perspectives, but never the couples. For example, a teacher, a barista and a delivery guy as well as the couples friends. We even saw the view points of a bench and a squirrel! It is definitely a unique book in that respect, which is something I definitely enjoyed. I think it was particularly refreshing actually, having a story told but never by the main characters in the story. I thought it was an interesting idea that Sandy Hall did really well. 

Other than the unique aspect of the different view points, the book was fairly good but I think it was very predictable, not that this is a problem - it means you don't have to concentrate on it too much at all, making it light read that you can breeze through! It had an adorable but dorky romance which the book was centred around, which was made good by having the different perspectives of it. It is short, but sweet. I got through it fairly quickly so would definitely say that it is a nice, quick read, if that's something that you're looking for. 

Oh, and can we just talk about the cover? I know I don't usually talk about book covers in reviews, but I just love this one. I think it's so pretty and I just love the colours and how well they go together. I also like how different parts of the book are featured on the cover!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature over at The Broke and The Bookish!

 This week for Top Ten Tuesday, the topic is Ten Books You Would Classify As ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS from the past 3 years.

Considering I only started picking up reading again in April/May last year, I've had quite a few books firmly cement themselves in my favourite list since then, so because of this you will be seeing only my top 10 favourites from the past year!

Over the past year, I've read quite a lot of contemporary YA books, however the Mara Dyer trilogy and Lunar Chronicles are also up there - Cinder is a book I really enjoyed! I would've included the other books in both the trilogy and series but didn't want to use up all the books in the series on this top 10, so therefore thought I'd just include the first books! 

I really cannot recommend these books enough, particularly Cinder and Anna and the French Kiss. These two are definitely within my top 10 books of all time!

3/12

via Elegance and Enchantment

February has been a little busy for me with a new University semester starting up at the beginning, and being thrust into all the work that comes with it! But other than that, it's been a fun month really. We celebrated my younger sisters birthday, celebrated Valentine's Day with my wonderful boyfriend - he gave me a massive teddy bear! I also celebrated a friends birthday! I just can't believe it's March already though, this year is already flying by, despite the fact that February did feel like it went on a bit. Funny considering it's the shortest month!

I've had a fairly good reading month, and read more than I thought I actually had - 5 books. I'm happy as my reading goal for this month was 5, wahoo! I'm keeping ahead of the Good Reads Reading Challenge schedule which is great for me - last year I didn't meet my target so this year is looking promising. I'm currently 4 books ahead!

In terms of blogging, I know I said that I was going to get back into reviewing but I just feel like I haven't had any time. My plan is to get my work all done and handed in, and then just have a day of focussing on the blog and writing posts!

This month is fairly hectic for me. I have 2 essays, a fieldwork report, two drafts to submit and an exam coming up mid-April. I'm also in the process of gearing up to redecorate my room at Easter. Therefore, my reading goal for the month is only 4 books. I'm still trying to quit buying books till I've got my TBR list down to 5 books, although I'm not counting pre-orders..

Have a great month!

Oh, Pretty Girl..

Title: Pretty Girl Thirteen

Author: Liz Coley
Pages: 344

Publisher: Harper Collins

Source: Borrowed from Library

Rating: 3.5/5

Good Reads // Amazon

Summary (from Good Reads): 

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night.

The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years.

Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind.

With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past.

But does she really want to know the truth?

This book definitely gave me mixed emotions. I really couldn't decide whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars because there are things that made me want to give it 4 stars, but then there were other things that made me question that rating. 

First off, this book had me from the beginning. The book tells the story of a teenage girl that's been held captive for the 3 years but has no recollection of it whatsoever. This book had such an interesting concept to it which I enjoyed. It was really interesting to learn about new concepts, and it actually introduced me to something that I never knew. The book is definitely a chilling and touchy subject. It's not really very graphic, which I think was quite good, as although there are flashbacks, I feel that sometimes too much graphic content in a book can ruin it. This definitely hit the nail on the head with having just the right amount of information so that you felt sympathetic towards Angie, but it wasn't too the point where you felt like the information was a bit overwhelming. I think that Coley did a good job of dealing with such a touchy subject with this book.

Now here are some of the things that got me a bit. I really felt like the author tried to incorporate too much in this book. How much misfortune can you throw at one person! This really got on my nerves as I felt that the author was just forcing things in to the story to make it more interesting, which yes, I suppose it did but at the same time, I just felt like some things were unnecessary. I also thought that there would be much more of a media presence round the case of missing Angie and her return, but strangely there was not, which was surprising too me. Obviously I realise it's not the main focus of the book at all, but it's just surprising that there was little mention of it until perhaps the middle to end of the book.

Other than those few bits, I did enjoy reading Pretty Girl Thirteen, and it still does make it's way into my mind a few times. I think it's one of those books that's got a gritty, intense story line that can really effect you after you finish reading it. That's definitely the effect that it had on me. 

I would definitely recommend this book, but more so to people that don't mind intense, gritty and chilling books. 

2/12

via Elegance and Enchantment

I can't believe we have already had the first month of 2015! It feels like we hardly had January at all! January saw the name change of this blog. For a while now, I've been thinking about changing it but I couldn't think what too. It's not that I didn't like the name, I just wanted something a bit different. You can always trust you bookshelves to inspire you, so apapertown was changed to alittlesomethingbookish which I really love!

January has been a pretty good reading month for me. I've read 6 books which is 1 more than I aimed to read! I'm fairly happy with this and have made a dent in my Good Reads goal of 52! I'm actually ahead of it at the moment, which I'm pretty happy with but let's see how long that lasts for as in March I have quite a few assignments due plus an exam!

In terms of my life, January has been pretty laid back. I finished my first semester of University, I've had 2 weeks off as well to mark the end of the semester which is probably why I've been able to read so much! I'm also hopefully going to be booking a trip soon for May with my boyfriend - one of those short city breaks, but we haven't decided where yet! Oh, I also started an instagram for my blog, you can find me by searching alittlesomethingbookish.

I'm pretty impressed with myself and how many books I've read this month. I read 6 books, all of which I have enjoyed. One of my reading goals was to read The Winner's Curse and Rebel Belle and I read one of these books so I'm happy with that as I usually find it hard to stick to monthly TBR lists!

So what's coming up next month?
Well in terms of books, I'm hoping to be posting more reviews this month. In the second half of 2014, I really slacked on reading and reviews, but this year I really want to get this blog up and running again. I'm already getting reviews from the Summer done and posted, but you should be seeing some more reviews coming your way so watch this blog!

This month, I'm aiming to read 5 books as I'm starting back at University for Semester 2 and the month will be full of preparation for essays to be handed in in March, as well as other assignments and an exam! I'll also be carrying on with the Flights of Fantasy challenge. I'm hoping to read at least one fantasy book a month, as a lot of the books on my shelves are contemporary and at the moment, I'm trying to stop spending money on books as I've got so many to read (pre-orders don't count though)!