Title: Wonder
Author: RJ PalacioGenre: Childrens lit, coming of agePages: 316Publisher: Penguin Random HouseFormat: PaperbackSynopsis:
"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.
Title: Murder On The Orient Express
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Murder mystery
Pages: 315
Publisher: Harper
Format: Paperback
Synopsis:
"The murderer is with us–on the train now . . ."
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again . . . ( Goodreads synopsis )
Review: Murder on the orient express is not usually a book that I would go for, but I am always one for branching out and trying something new. I also wanted to read this before the movie came out. I was pleasantly surprised but this one. Constantly I was wondering who the killer is, coming up with different scenarios but none of them came close to the truth. This is a book that you will most definitely fly through and I highly recommend giving it a chance. Honestly there is not a lot I can tell you about this book without giving anything away but if you are in the mood for something with a bit of mystery then this ones for you. If you want a challenge to figure out who the murder is before the author tells you, then give this one a go.
Title: Stalking Jack The Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: Young Adult/Historic/Thriller
Pages: 326
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Format: Hardback
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world. (Goodreads Synopsis)
Review:
As of late I have honestly found it so hard to get stuck into a book but this one took me by surprise. Generally I tend to stay away from the Historic genre as it's just not my cup of tea but i'd been hearing people rave about this and decided to give it a shot. Boy was it worth it. I think the thing I usually have a problem with is the writing as it tends to sway to an old fashioned tonne which I don't like but this wonderful masterpiece made me forget what time it was actually set in. The world building is phenomenal and I could not put this down. The writing flowed nicely and I found there was rarely a dull moment to be found.
My favourite scenes were the ones with Audrey and Thomas, the banter between the two of them was on point and I was constantly giggling to myself. I am sure I sounded like a mad woman haha. I loved how Kerri interwove true historical facts about Jack the Ripper into the story it made it feel all the more real. Audrey's character is one I have to say is now in my top 5 female characters. She is strong and independent, never did I feel like she was needy or annoying like many lead characters I could name. When Audrey's father told her that she could no longer be her Uncle's apprentice, I admired that she refused to listen to society telling her how to be and instead followed her passion even if that meant disobeying her father. I can't wait to follow on with Audrey's story as it is obviously far from finished. You might be reading this trying to figure out "who is jack the ripper?" well you'll just have to read the book and find out. Seriously go pick it up!!
Title: A Court Of Thorns And Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult, fiction, fantasy
Pages: 421
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: Hardback
Synopsis: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever. (Goodreads synopsis)
Review:
This is my second time reading this wonderful masterpiece and once again I was captured right from the start. Sarah's world building is on point, I am always left with a clear image in my mind... and boy do I wish I lived in this world haha. One character in particular that I love is Lucien, he is down right hilarious and I found myself constantly laughing. I think that's something super important in a book, it can make you laugh but not just in your head but out loud. This book is the kind that you want to read in one sitting. ACOTAR has a bit of everything, its got action, romance, suspense, mystery. What more do you need?
If I had to say anything bad about this book it would be that in certain scenes Feyre would talk about Tamlin and how "gorgeous" he is and his muscles. It just got a bit excessive and yeah I get he's attractive he's high fae but learn when to stop haha.
This is a book that I highly recommend, I actually enjoyed it a lot more that throne of glass dare I say. Even if your not that big into fantasy and love romance, pick this up because once you start reading you wont be able to stop and let me tell you. A Court Of Mist And Fury is even more phenomenal.
Title: Wonder
