Theme Thursday – Werewolves

Hello lovelies!

I’m back for a new Theme Thursday! This month’s theme is Werewolves.

Theme Thursday is a new monthly feature created by the wonderful and sweet Sophie @ Blame Chocolate where bloggers can share recs and newly found books featuring that month’s theme.

• There will be a different theme (genre, trope, etc) every month. You can check the theme calendar here.
• Those participating have to list titles that feature that theme in some way (doesn’t have to be the main theme of the book).
• You can choose one of the four (or five) Thursdays of every month to post.
• You can use the three main categories: Books I’ve Read/I’m Reading, Books I Want to Read, and Other Books That Fit The Theme but this isn’t mandatory.
• You can repeat books in different themes, if they apply, and choose as many as you want.
• You don’t have to take part every month! Just when you feel like it.
• You can use #BlameThemeThursday on Twitter and other social media to make TT posts easier to find.
• Finally, use this boxed text (or similar) in your post, as it doubles as a pingback.

Books I’ve Read

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

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Okay hear me out: Fenrir Greyback is one of the cruelest and greatest villain. How I would love to have a little bit of a back story on him. He’s the one to who bit Remus as a child just for payback, he’s the one who bit Bill Weasley and maimed Lavender Brown (and nearly bit Hermione). He’s not even a Death Eater but serves Voldemort to have more victims. He prefers attacking children because they’re easier to corrupt. AND he’s a wizard too which makes him a double threat. He makes for a very intriguing character.

The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith

The series that started it all. Vampires were “the good guys” and Werewolves were the “bad guys” but I still enjoyed reading about them.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Wolf is more of a hybrid but so are werewolves so it counts. He’s incredibly loyal but still questions where his loyalty lies and he’s protective of his loved ones. I loved reading about him.

Mate Me [If You May] (The Millennium Wolves, #0.5) by Sapir England

This was self-published and had a lot of typos but it was very entertaining nonetheless (I read it in a day!). It’s the verycliché: Strong female werewolf is still a virgin, despite the Haze which pushes every werewolf to find a partner to relieve the sex craze…until she meets the Alpha who marks her as his partner for the season. Very very steamy scenes and likeable characters.

Books I want to Read

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

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I’m probably the only person on Earth who’s not read those two books. But I don’t know if I would enjoy them now as I would have as a teen. I’m still going to give those books a chance…someday.

Bonus: TV show

How could I not feature Teen Wolf here? It was such an amazing show when it came out and my sister and I were obsessed! I stopped watching it at some point but it stills holds a special place in my heart.

What would you recommend?:)

If you’re doing the feature, feel free to leave the link in the comments so we can all check it out!

Karla xx

WWW Wednesday – August 21st

Hello lovelies!

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! I have seen this tag around and thought the prompts were easy enough and a good way of keeping you updated with my former, present and next reads, so I decided to give it a try. This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Enjoy!

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

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I still haven’t finished reading the books for my classes starting in July s I’m finally tackling Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and the 10th Chapter from The Prelude by William Wordsworth

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading Scarlet, the second book in The Lunar Chronicle series and I loved it! It was even better than Cinder in my opinion. The only reason I have not started the third one is due to my bank account haha. You can see my review here.

What do you think you’ll read next?

To reward myself after those school reads, I’ll hopefully finally start Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas!

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 Dystopian Books

Hello lovelies! 

Here’s my weekly Top 5 Tuesday hosted by the wonderful  Shannah @Bionic Bookworm Blog (go check out her blog; it’s amazing!). This week will feature (as the title suggets) my Top 5 Dystopian books. When I started reading all the time when I was 16, Dystopian books were all I wanted to get my hands on. It was also a golden era for Dystopian books. The books featured in this list are therefore very popular.

Hunger Games by Susan Collins

I devoured this series. Incredibly well-thought. This series is a masterpiece. The capitol and districts idea mixed with the idea of hunger and violence is brilliant. It’s so cruel but entertaining and the perfect embodiment of “Panem et circenses“

Divergent series by Veronica Roth

When the first movie came out, I fell in love and I read the three books immediately. The ending was quite a bold choice from the author but I really enjoyed the universe. The first book is my favorite out of the three.

The Selection series by Kiera Cass

I love love love the concept of the books. It’s kind of like: The British Royal Family meets the Bachelor. It’s so cute and fluffy. *sigh* However, I read it as a teen and I don’t know if I would enjoy the books as much now. But they’re a part of me.

1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell

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I was too young to appreciate the masterpieces these two books were. No other books scream”Dystopia” more than these two. Do yourself a favor and read them.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles series) by Marissa Meyer

I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings and these retellings are very well executed. (See my review for Scarlet, here) You can find discreet elements of the Fairytale with a dystopian twist. A Must-Read!

What are your picks? Let me know in the comments 🙂

Karla xx

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer – Review

Blurb from Goodreads:  “Cinder trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter anothefr when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. “

Rating: 4/5 stars

TOP 5 TUESDAY –Top 5 books under 300 pages

Hello lovelies!

Here’s my weekly Top 5 Tuesday hosted by the wonderful  Shannah @Bionic Bookworm Blog (go check out her blog; it’s amazing!). This week will feature (as the title suggets) my Top 5 books under 300 pages. I love books under 300 pages since they’re usually quick reads and make me feel better about myself because they allow me to efficiently progress on my 2019 reading challenge! However, it’s hard to find well-developped plots because the length does not allow authors to develop the plot as much as they could if they went over 300 pages so I Here we go:

The Rapture of Lol V. Stein by Marguerite Duras (181 pages), originally published in French

What drew me in, was the writing style. Or rather, the lack thereof. My teacher told me that it was nearly impossible to write an essay about Duras’s writing style because her writing is empty of embellishments. She simply tells a story. The intricacies lie in the story and what a story it is! The book deals with Lol Stein formely engaged to Michael Richardson, who left her at the ball for an older woman: Anne-Marie Stretter. She cannot cope. She slowly goes down the path of insanity. Ten years later she’s married and has three children. She spies on her best friend and the meetings she has with her lover…who becomes Lol’s lover.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman (201 pages)

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about family, love, music and passion. It teaches you to appreciate the little things: moments with loved ones, sunny days spent basking in the sun, a beautiful melody…This story teaches you about life and its gifts but also death and its pain. It’s beautiful.

The Mussel Feast by Birgit Vanderbeke (127 pages), originally published in German

The story begins with the main character, a teenage girl, who’s sitting at the table with her mother and her brother. In the middle of the table stands a large pot of cooked mussels. They’re waiting for the father’s return. The evening wears on and as the mussels go bad, so does the evening as we glimpse at the issues that are tearing this family apart.

“I wrote this book in August 1989, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. I wanted to understand how revolutions start. It seemed logical to use the figure of a tyrannical father and turn the story into a German family saga.” – Birgit Vanderbeke

Secret Vampire by L.J Smith (Night World #1) ( 242 pages)

I read this when i was twelve or so and it has stayed with me ever since. it’s very cliché and it was written in the 90s but it’s a quick and lovely read. I was obsessed with The Vampire Diaries and I wanted to read everything by L.J. Smith. This holds sentimental value. Synopsis: “The diagnosis for Poppy was death. there was no hope–until James, her best friend and secret love, appeared in the hospital. But this was a James she didn’t know. He offered Poppy eternal life. Only he could open the door to the Night World. They’re soulmates–but can she follow him into death and beyond?” (Goodreads)

Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt (288 pages)

Synopsis: ” This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They’re even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation. Then Jordan dumps Courtney — for a girl he met on the Internet. Turns out, he’s got a secret or two that he’s not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can’t get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.” (Goodreads)

This a perfect summer contemporary read! The premise is interesting and the book delivers its promises. I did not expect the book to pull at my heartstrings as much as it did. I loved the characters and their relationship felt real and raw. Incredible and undeniable chemisty. Perfect.

Crown Of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas – Spoiler-Free Review

Hello everyone! I just finished reading this gem and I thought I’de share my thoughts! Here we go 🙂

Summary: From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion.Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena’s world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie… and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for. (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 SPECTACULAR STARS

Review:

WOW THIS WAS SPECTACULAR.
Incredibly better than the first book. This book was a rollercoster of emotions: joy, fear, pain, stress. Incredibly well-written and well-thought. The plot is out-of-this-world. Sarah J. Maas has such a unique way of telling stories and keeping the reader hooked until the very end. I adored it!!

I loved how the author  broke the “love triangle” while still somehow maintaining it. Chaol and Celeana’s relationship did not feel rushed; on the contrary, it was believable and complex – just like them. I loved how Celeana and Dorian’s relationship shifted but still remained full of love, tenderness and respect. 

Also honorable mention to Celeana for entering my favourite female characters ever. “Badass” doesn’t even begin to cover it. She’s strong, honest, vulnerable, passionate and caring. She feels things deeply and is much more vulnerable than she lets on. I love her! 

This book contains exactly what I’ve been missing with the first book. That suspense, that sense of danger and that final revelation. Not to brag here but I kind of saw it coming; however it was incredibly well-thought. I love how reading a Sarah J. Maas book feels like reading a detective book: she leaves all of these clues that both the characters as well as the readers have to figure out. 

Sarah J. Maas has an ability to create credible and amazing character development. It allows for the characters to change as well as still keeping that essence that makes them who they are. 

I’m really excited about Dorian having magic and how that will impact the plot later. 

My heart hurts over the death of a certain character but Chapter 25 was only a page-long and it contains all the secrets of that sacrifice.

Fantastic book. I’m really blown away by it! 

Hope you liked my review! Have you read the book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments 🙂

Karla xx

July Wrap Up!

Hello everyone!

I can’t believe we’re already in August; time seems to fly by more quickly as we grow older…Anyway, let’s stop with my philosophy and let’s dive into this post!

I can’t say I’ve had the best reading month ever because I was in a reading slump which lasted two good weeks but I’ve thankfully pulled through!

Books I’ve Read

• Tropismes by Nathalie Sarraute
• La Nuit Remue by Henri Michaux
• Witch Hat Atelier, Vol.1 by Kamome Shirahama
• Becoming by Michelle Obama

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The first two books were mandatory reads for my French Literature class and they were meh, especially Michaux’s poetry anthology which I gave a two-stars rating for. It was so bad, that it put me in a reading slump. I really can’t wait for my classes on those books because I still can’t see why they’re “masterpieces”. Witch Hat Atelier was my first manga ever and it was so cute! It was a quick (I read it in three hours), fluffy and interesting read! It reminded me so much of Harry Potter, as we follow Coco, the main character, as she discovers her magical world (she even picks her own wand!). As for Becoming I adored it!I had high hopes and the book lived up to them, if not more! You can see my full (and very personal) review here!

TV shows:

• Strangers Things

It was honestly my favorite season so far! Since we were already attached to the characters, it was such a pleasure seeing all of them again. Robin was a great new addition to the group; I loved the dynamic she had with Steve. The Scoops Troop is my new favourite group! I cried so much during the last episodes and it was bitter sweet having to say goodbye to some beloved charcters…

• Big Little Lies, season 2

There are no other ways to say this: This season was extremely disappointing. (The cast is still as amazing as before, especially Laura Dern who played out-of-this-worldly well), the whole cinematography was breathtaking and that unique “Monterey feeling “was still there but the plot did not deliver. So many things were left unexplored and it did not give me the wow factor I was expecting. I loved seeing all the characters again but I do not think a second season was necessary.

Movies:

• Spiderman: Far From Home by Jon Watts, 2019

I can honestly say that Tom Holland is the best Spiderman ever! He embodies the character in such a real and believable way. This is perfect casting on Marvel’s part. The plot was just as incredible and well-developed. The movie conveyed the feeling I expected to have after seeing Endgame (still very disappointed). I left the movie theater feeling content and whole. It’s one of the best Marvel Cinematic Universe movie so far. I loved it! (And bonus: Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this; that’s also a good reason to see it haha)

• Bridget Jone’s Diary by Sharon Maguire, 2001 (rewatched)

I’m a sucker for Pride and Prejudice retellings (see last month’s post about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies haha), especially Mr. Darcy. I forgot how much I loved the books and the movies. Bridget is awkward and clumsy but she’s so passionate, strong and funny! Renée Zellweger kills it as Bridget! The cast is to die for, I mean Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in the same movie? Yes, please and thank you! I stronly believe Colin Firth’s purpose in this life is to play a 21st Century Mr Darcy. I think the essence of P&P is still there but with a modern twist! I highly recommend both the books (by Helen Fielding) and the movies.

• The Lion King by Jon Favreau, 2019

Everyone was talking about it, espcially because of its great cast and I could not miss out on it. As a child, I didn’t see the movie entirely because I was afraid of Scar. I watched the movie as a teenager and really enjoyed it but it wasn’t my favourite. I liked the live action but it did not take my breath away . I guess I expected more from because it was so hyped up. I’m even disappointed at how different Scar looks. It wasn’t mind-blowing but I will admit that the soundtrack is incredible.

Favourite blog posts from fellow bloggers:

So many great posts this month! The authors are just as kind as their post are amazing!

• 5 Things No One Tells You About Blogging // ft. the real truth about what bloggers do!! by OLIVIA @ PURELY OLIVIA
• Why I Like Being Slytherin (And It’s Not Just Because I Look Good in Green) by @Paper Procrastinators
• 5 Fictional Friend Groups I Adore // ft. all the squad-filled book recs!! by OLIVIA @ PURELY OLIVIA
• THE HARRY POTTER BOOK TAG || TAGS & AWARDS by Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts
• Favourite Quotes from the Last Five Books I Read by Kristin by @ Kristin Kraves books

Hope you all had a great month! What are some of your favorites? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

Karla xx

My Bookish Dream Squad!

Hello everyone!

A year ago I posted on instagram about my bookish dream squad. Since, I’ve archived the post but I thought I’d share it here! I seperated the characters into different categories: characters that posses skills or superpowers I wish I had, personalities I would love to be around (or have) and inspiring couples!

Skills I wish I had

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Kaz Brekker: Honestly all of the Dregs would be part of my squad but I would particularly have Kaz Brekker in it! He’s the smartest character I’ve ever read about and something about him is so magnetic!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen: I would love to have Katniss Everdeen in my squad because she is a survivor. She survived two deady arenas, she has a strong sense of sacrifice and somehow still values her life. She’s very inspirational!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude Duarte is a badass! I love her so much! I love how she embraces her flaws and everything that limits her and how she tries to overcome her shortcolings! She inspires me so much and she’s my favorurite female character ever!

Superpowers I wish I had

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Lux series)

Daemon Black is one of the strongest Luxen in his community and that would be a useful skill if we were under attack! He’s very protective of his loved ones and I love that about him.

A Court Of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Rhysand and Feyre: Once again I would love the whole Court of Dreams to be in my squad but especially Rhysand and Feyre for their powers and their spectacular chemistry. I know they’re mates but the way they move and work together is wonderful.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Gwendolyn Shepherd and Gideon de Villiers: Gwen and Gideon can travel back in time…need I say more?

Personality: People I would love to be around

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han

Lara Jean Song Covey: Having Lara Jean as a sibling or best friend must be a blessing! She is such a kind, caring and funny character! She surely must enlighten your day when you’re around her!

Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola Nolan: Lola is a fashionista and her style and confidence is so inspiring! I love for her to style me and give me the confidence to wear my clothes with pride

One True Pairs: Inspiring couples

A Court Of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Rhysand and Feyre: I love how there can be mates in books so you truly know people are perfect for each other and Feyre and Rhysand’s love story just brought me to tears; it was truly wonderful and touching to read about!

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

Ivy Westfall and Bishop Lattimer: My all time favorite One True Pair is Bishop and Ivy! It was wonderful seeing their love blossom, see them discovering each other, supporting each other and ultimately saving each other. I love their love story!

Who would you love to be in your team? Let’s chat in the comments! 🙂

Karla xx

The Harry Potter Book Tag

Hello Potterheads!

Happy Harry Potter day! In honor of Harry’s birthday as well as J.K Rowling’s, I wanted to do a Harry Potter related tag! I’m so grateful for all the fellow potterheads around the world and I love that universe soo much! I saw this post on Jenna’s blog @Bookmark Your Thoughts and it was a good reason to talk about that universe and vent about my frustrations and fangirl over my favourite characters!

THE QUESTIONS

1. Favourite book
2. Favourite movie
3. Least favourite book
4. Part of the books/movies that made you cry
5. Favourite character
6. What would your Patronus be?
7. If you could have the Resurrection Stone, the Invisibility Cloak, or the Elder Wand, which one would you choose?
8. What house would you be in?
9. If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?
10. If you were on the Quidditch team, what position would you play?
11. Were you happy with the ending?
12. How much does Harry Potter mean to you?

Favourite book

I can say without hesitation that The Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite book! I love how the story is woven and how all the details and different elements fall into place until that final revelation regarding Petter Pettigrew. I love all that jazz with the Secret Keeper; it’s as clever as it is heartbreaking. This book also contains some of my all-time favorite characters: Sirius Black and Remus Lupin and it features Patronuses and Buckbeak the Hippogriff! It’s my favourite! (Second Place goes to The Half-Blood Prince because we learn so much about Voldemort and the Marauders’s era).

Favourite movie

I had a hard time replying to this because I love watching one movie as much as the next but I particularly enjoy Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire! I love seeing all the other schools, the trials and the Yule Ball coming to life! We also get to see the Quidditch World Cup (kind of) and there is David Tennant in the movie and I love him to death! Voldemort also makes a serious return and it’s the first time we get to see him fully and well alive…..However it’s a shame that a lot of the details in the book were left out and Ron and Harry’s haircuts are terrible.

Least favourite book

There was no hesitation for this question: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret! I had nightmares when I both read the book and watched the movie (as a 17 year-old, mind you). The books are supposed to get darker as the characters evolve but I find this book, which is only the second, to be particularly dark?! Most of the characters are weary of Harry because he speaks Parseltongue, Hermione is absent half of the book and Ginny writing with her blood gives me the chills. Not my cup of tea.

Part of the books/movies that made you cry

Everything and I mean, everything that involves Sirius Black and the Marauders in general. Sirius and Lupin watched their best friends die because of the betrayal of another of their friend and they were the only ones to know. Sirius suffered so much from his bad reputation and went to freaking Azkaban; Remus suffered so much because he was a werewolf. They were such an amazing group and they all had a terrible fate. My only solace lives in the fact that somehow their legacy lives on through Harry and Teddy (who will grow up without his parents but with kind parental figures, unlike the Dursleys, um.). Neville’s parents’s story also pulls at my heartstrings. I don’t know if Neville or Harry has it worse. Their stories are awful.

Favourite character

Sirius Black. He’s so charismatic, mischievous, funny and mostly loyal. Yes, he has some flaws and had he been kinder to his house elf then maybe his fate would have been different. But he was so nice and a perfect father figure to Harry and they both deserved to have more time together. I’ll be right back, I’m just going to go cry in a corner.

What would your Patronus be?

According to Pottermore, erhm The Wizarding World, my Patronus is a Black Stallion! ” Those with this patronus have a strong understanding of how mortal they are and are often power hungry and driven. This affinity with life and death encourages those with this patronus to strive for what they want in life.Those with the Black stallion patronus have a strong self of self and know who they are and can stick to their agenda. This self confidence and strength in identity gives those with this patronus immense freedom to follow their hearts.Those with the Black stallion often seem mysterious to those around them but are faithful to their family.The Black stallion patronus is most common in Slytherin house but is found in the other houses.” (Tumblr Patronus Meaning)

If you could have the Resurrection Stone, the Invisibility Cloak, or the Elder Wand, which one would you choose?

I would have the Resurrection Stone and resurrect three people: my maternal grandmother for guidance and mostly because I did not have enough time with her; Shakespeare because his legacy in English Literature and over the world is simply bollocks and Lady Diana because she inspires me!

What house would you be in?

According to the Wizarding World, I’m a Gryffindor and a proud one! I love everything that house stands for: courage, bravery, chivalery, daring…I’m always one to stand up for myself and others and this house suits me perfectly!

If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?

Emma Watson without question! She’s so inspiring! She’s incredibly talented, smart, kind, beautiful (inside and out) and an activist. I discovered what feminism was and became a kinder human thanks to her influence! She’s also a bookworm; she’s basically perfection.

If you were on the Quidditch team, what position would you play?

Believe it or not but I just took a test to find out haha! Drum roll….A Keeper! Fine with me.

Were you happy with the ending?

Endings are always bittersweet for me, especially when a series of several books ends. However I think J.K. Rowling ended the book beautifully and everything fell into place. The battle of Hogwarts was written amazingly well but the losses were so painful! I wish we had a whole chapter seeing how everyone settled and healed from their wounds (both physical and psychological) but it would have just made me cry so that’s pointless? I don’t know, I wanted more because I already missed the characters.

How much does Harry Potter mean to you

Everything. I was one of those people that did not want to read or watch anything related to Harry Potter just because “I didn’t want to be like everyone”. Sigh. I read the series very recently and I fell in love with each and every single character (okay not Peter Pettigrew). Everything was well-thought, believable, clever and both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I kind of wish I forgot about everything Harry Potter related to discover the books and characters all over again. But what I love the most is the passion and kindness of Potterhaeds around the world. Everyone shares the same love for those books and it’s amazing seeing all those people coming together.

What did you think? What house are you in? Are you happy with it? Let’s chat in the comments! 🙂

Karla xx

TOP 5 TUESDAY – BOOKS BEGINNING WITH U – V – W – X – Y – Z (more like Karla recommends books haha)

Hello lovelies!

I’m back for a TOP 5 TUESDAY hosted by Shannah @Bionic Bookworm Blog (go check out her blog; it’s amazing!). So this month we’re doing letters instead of topics and I really like the idea so thank you, Shannah! I’m cheating a little bit this week’s because the books featured are mostly on my TBR…(sorry,bare with me)

LETTER U –

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Synopsis: When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her: Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future. (Goodreads)

Colleen Hoover is a a well-established author in the book community and rightfully so! I have yet to read a book by her but my sister has been pestering me to read “Confess” for the pat few months and it’s at the top of my TBR!

LETTER V –

(The) Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

This is one of the series that got me into reading! I would just devour the books and I looooved the characters and the storytelling! Would I still enjoy it now? Probably not but for nostalgia’s sake the series deserves to be featured on my list.

LETTER W –

Witch Hat Atelier Vol.1 by Kamome Shirahama

Synopsis: A TOUCH OF MAGIC In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…

This is my first manga ever! It has been recommended to me and I do not regret picking it up! The main character Coco is so cute, passionate and sweet. She seems a little bit naive though but it’s a mior issue. I liked how she dicovered her magical world and it really reminded me of Harry Potter; especially when she meets a wand maker…Can’t wait to read the next one!

Bonus: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

This book is sooo wonderfully well-written and contains some of the most beautiful quotes. I love how the story is not narrated by the main characters and how well cruelty, revenge, pain, angst and passion (in the bad sense of the word) are depicted. Catherine and Heathcliff’s love is devastating and impacts the next generation. A Classic!

LETTER X –

X- Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont (Writer),  John Byrne (Penciller/Co-plotter), Tery Austin (Inker), Glynis Wein (Colorist)

Synopsis: Gathered together by Professor Charles Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them, the X-Men had fought many battles, been on adventures that spanned galaxies, grappled enemies of limitless might, but none of this could prepare them for the most shocking struggle they would ever face. One of their own members, Jean Grey, has gained power beyond all comprehension, and that power has corrupted her absolutely Now they must decide if the life of the woman they cherish is worth the existence of the entire universe. (Goodreads)

I really want to read different things this year and not only novels…I’m slowly making my way through mangas and now I want to read more comics and the X-Men saga is at the top of my TBR!

LETTER Y –

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Summary: From one of America’s iconic writers, a portrait of a marriage and a life – in good times and bad – that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child. A stunning book of electric honesty and passion. Several days before Christmas 2003, John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion saw their only daughter, Quintana, fall ill. At first they thought it was flu, then pneumonia, then complete sceptic shock. She was put into an induced coma and placed on life support. Days later – the night before New Year’s Eve -the Dunnes were just sitting down to dinner after visiting the hospital when John suffered a massive and fatal coronary. In a second, this close, symbiotic partnership of 40 years was over. Four weeks later, their daughter pulled through. Two months after that, arriving at LA airport, she collapsed and underwent six hours of brain surgery at UCLA Medical Centre to relieve a massive hematoma. This powerful book is Didion’s ‘attempt to make sense of the weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness …about marriage and children and memory …about the shallowness of sanity, about life itself’.The result is an exploration of an intensely personal yet universal experience: a portrait of a marriage, and a life, in good times and bad.

This seems like such a poignant and gripping book and I’m a mood reader so I feel like this book would be a great read in the wintertime…

LETTER Z-

Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology by Cory O’Brien (Goodreads Author),  Sarah Melville (Illustrations)

Words cannot fathom how much I love Greek mythology and one of its most important figure of course is Zeus and his many affairs! This seems like a great and fun take on mythology 🙂

Have you read any of the books on my TBR? What did you think of my picks? Let’s chat in the comments! 🙂

Karla xx