Year One by Nora Roberts

Title: Year One

Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Post-apocolyptic, Fantasy, Dystiopian

Pages: 430

Publisher: Hachette

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: 

With one drop of blood, the old world is gone for ever. And in its place, something extraordinary begins...

They call it The Doom - a deadly pandemic that starts on a cold New Year's Eve in the Scottish countryside. There's something mysterious about the virus and the way it spreads. As billions fall sick and die, some survivors find themselves invested with strange, unexpected abilities.
Lana, a New York chef, has the power to move things and people with her will. Fred can summon light in the darkness. Jonah, a paramedic, sees snatches of the future in those he touches. Katie gives birth to twins, and suspects that she has brought fresh magic into the world, along with new life.
But The Doom affects people differently. Along with the light, a dark and terrifying magic will also rise. As the remaining authorities round up the immune and the 'Uncannies' for testing, Lana, Katie and others flee New York in search of a safe haven. The old world is over, and Year One has begun. (Goodreads Synopsis)Review: 
Nora Roberts is not an author I ever thought I would read... her books just aren't my cup of tea. I work in a bookstore so I get to go to these publisher events and I got an advanced copy of year one. The first thing that caught my attention was that part of the book was set in the "Scottish countryside" and Scotland is in my top 3 of places I want to visit. Also fantasy is my favourite genre so I decided to give it a go and boy was I surprised. This novel read so well, I couldn't put it down. The world building is phenomenal, I could see the world so vividly and I honestly think this would make a great tv show! Basically the premise of the book is that there has been a virus outbreak which has killed billions of people and those that have survived are either normal or have developed these supernatural abilities. I love the multiple p.o.v's and how their stories intertwined. The next installment can't get here soon enough, if you like fantasy then this one is for you. 

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Title: Wonder

Author: RJ Palacio

Genre: Childrens lit, coming of age

Pages: 316

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: 
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.  (Goodreads Synopsis)

Review: The first thing that I want to say about this book is that if you haven't read this yet, where have you been? This book is absolutely phenominal and words cannot describe how much I enjoyed it. I love that we got to see the different points of views of the characters and I found Auggie was such a unique character that I absolutely adore, he is strong and courages and loving.  I loved seeing him grow as a person and really come out of his shell. I also enjoyed see the changes in the other characters when they chose to be kind. I also really like seeing Via's point of view, having a brother with treacher collins syndrome who always had his parents attention was something that she really struggled with but overcame with time. 

This book that I believe everyone should read, it spreads the message of kindness, to treat those how you would like to be treated. It also teaches us readers to really think about the things that we say and how we say them because you never know how it may affect someone. This is definitely my favourite read of the year and I think it's actually now in my top 5 favourite books of all time. Wonder will pull you through a roller coaster of emotions and really teach you to #choosekind. If you haven't read Wonder yet I highly recommend that you pick it up, you will not be disappointed, I promise.