July Wrap Up

July went by very fast and I can't believe it's August already, this month seem to go by so fast. Nevertheless, July however was a good reading month for me and I managed to read 15 books however my July TBR was 14 books although I only managed to read 6 books on this list. So let's get started...

Number 1: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi


Summary from Goodreads:

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

I quite enjoyed this book but I still don't think I enjoy this series as much as everyone else. I think it's Juliette more than anything as I find her quite annoying it the way she deals with Adam and her "curse" but I do like both Kenji and Warner as chararcters which made the plot enjoyable and I love Mafi's writing style. This book though still got 4 stars.

Number 2: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Summary from Goodreads:

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people's minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing. It is raining the day her life changes for ever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford – a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die. The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine and also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

I loved this book so much that I know it will be one of my favourites of the year, the story was compelling and I fell in love with all the characters and I love Shannon's writing, I definitely want to read the Mime Order like now but you know about massive TBR's. A 5 out of 5 stars for sure. 

Number 3: Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Summary from Goodreads:

In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now. Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden. I really don’t.This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.

I really enjoyed this book, I read it super quickly. Alice Oseman just gets what life as a teenager is and has the teenage angst down to a T. The characters in this novel are so real and enjoyable and include diverse characters. I also enjoyed the plot and the writing, 5 out of 5 stars. 

Number 4: A Bear called Paddington by Micheal Bond 

Summary from Goodreads:

The Browns first met Paddington on a railway station – Paddington station, in fact. He had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a jar of marmalade, a suitcase and his hat. The Browns soon find that Paddington is a very unusual bear. Ordinary things – like having a bath, travelling underground or going to the seaside become quite extraordinary, if a bear called Paddington is involved.

This was an enjoyable read that did remind me of my childhood. I however thought that each chapter was a short story rather than an overall novel. I read this as part of the cramathon in which one of the challenges was to read a children's book. 

Number 5: Nimona by Noelle Stephenson 

Summary from Goodreads:

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones. Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel, the story was amazing and the characters were very enjoyable and the dialogue was very interesting and funny with a very nice art style. A 5 star read and I would love to continue reading her graphic novels in the future. 

Number 6: Alone on the Beach at Night by Walt Whitman 

Summary from Goodreads:

'All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages...' A selection taken from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.

I am not usually a big poetry fan, normally just reading it for school and that's it but I picked this up as Walt Whitman is mentioned a lot in Paper Towns. I did actually enjoy these poems but I don't know if I could read a whole anthology. 

Number 7: The Beautiful Cassandra by Jane Austen 

Summary from Goodreads: 

'She has many rare and charming qualities, but Sobriety is not one of them.' A selection of Austen's dark and hilarious early writings - featuring murder, drunkenness, perjury, theft, poisoning, women breaking out of prison, men forging wills and babies biting off their mothers' fingers... Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. 

I have never read any Austen before so I thought this was a nice introduction to her work and I look forward to reading more by her as I want to read Pride and Prejudice this year. 

Number 8: Muirwood: The Lost Abbey by Jeff Wheeler 

Summary from Goodreads: 

Told in graphic novel form, Muirwood: The Lost Abbey introduces an all-new chapter in Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood universe. Maia, the daughter of the king of Comoros, has been banished, her rank and station taken away. Although magic is forbidden of women in her world, Maia secretly learned...and now her desperate father has sent her on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom. Protected by a hired killer, Maia voyages to another realm—the cursed shores of Dahomey, where an ancient Blight has destroyed all the inhabitants. Maia believes she can restore the deadly lands by using her magic medallion, but if she’s discovered wielding her clandestine power, she will most certainly be hunted down and killed.

I enjoyed this graphic novel it was not my most favourite of all time and it was only a single issue rather than a full volume meaning that I would like to continue on with this series. 

Number 9: The Assassin's Blade: The Assassin and The Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas

Summary from Goodreads:

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

I wasn't a massive fan of the Throne of Glass book as for me it was overhyped and didn't live up to my expectations and also didn't love Celaena as a character. The novella actually made me like Celaena more as a character and also introduced new characters that I liked. I again liked the plot and a writing of Maas. 

Number 10: The Death House by Sarah Pinborough 

Summary from Goodreads:

Toby's life was perfectly normal... until it was unravelled by something as simple as a blood test. Taken from his family, Toby now lives in the Death House: an out-of-time existence far from the modern world, where he, and the others who live there, are studied by Matron and her team of nurses. They're looking for any sign of sickness. Any sign of their wards changing. Any sign that it's time to take them to the sanatorium. No one returns from the sanatorium. Withdrawn from his house-mates and living in his memories of the past, Toby spends his days fighting his fear. But then a new arrival in the house shatters the fragile peace, and everything changes. Because everybody dies. It's how you choose to live that counts.

I really enjoyed this book, I went into it not knowing anything about it, thinking that it was more of a horror when in reality it was a contemporary. Although not knowing about it, in my experience made it better and I really loved it, the characters were very good, as well as an entertaining plot with a twist ending. I also really enjoyed the writing of the book. It is definitely one of my favourites of the year.

Number 11: Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne

Summary from Goodreads:

All Evie wants is to be normal. She’s almost off her meds and at a new college where no one knows her as the girl-who-went-crazy. She’s even going to parties and making friends. There’s only one thing left to tick off her list… But relationships are messy – especially relationships with teenage guys. They can make any girl feel like they’re going mad. And if Evie can’t even tell her new friends Amber and Lottie the truth about herself, how will she cope when she falls in love?

I really enjoyed The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting by Holly Bourne so when I heard about this book I was definitely excited. It's fair to say that this book delivered. Am I Normal Yet? was a well written book, with amazing diverse characters and a plot that deals with mental health especially relapse really well. I know this is a triology so for definite will carry on with the series. 

Number 12: The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

Summary from Goodreads:

When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection. Oops. A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn. Enter Samantha Kemi - an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent. Sam's family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but they've fallen on hard times, and winning the hunt would save their reputation. But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company? Just how close is Sam willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing former classmate and enemy, in the meantime? And just to add to the pressure, this quest is ALL OVER social media. And the world news. No big deal, then.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun fantasy book with good characters and a very gripping plot and was well-written. I really want to carry on with this series. 

Number 13: Take Back The Skies by Lucy Saxon 

Summary from Goodreads:

Catherine Hunter is the daughter of a senior government official on the island of Anglya. She’s one of the privileged – she has luxurious clothes, plenty to eat, and is protected from the Collections which have ravaged families throughout the land. But Catherine longs to escape the confines of her life, before her dad can marry her off to a government brat and trap her forever. So Catherine becomes Cat, pretends to be a kid escaping the Collections, and stows away on the skyship Stormdancer. As they leave Anglya behind and brave the storms that fill the skies around the islands of Tellus, Cat’s world becomes more turbulent than she could ever have imagined, and dangerous secrets unravel her old life once and for all . . 

I have been reading this book since May and because of exams and school I stopped reading it. I also found it hard to continue with this book as the bad reviews but I managed and then I enjoyed it so much, the writing was good and I liked the plot well apart from the ending as it broke me. 

Number 14: Chopstix by A.T. Raydan 

Summary from Goodreads:

Wendy Wu is an ordinary teenager who lives with her parents. She has always been taught about the virtues of peace, tranquillity and respect, always to use spoken word instead of violence. When fate delivers a cruel blow, her life is turned upside down. Mentally and emotionally Wendy struggles to come to terms with the changes and pretends that nothing has happened. Each evening, Wendy hides away in her room and passes time by continuing to make chopsticks for the family restaurant that is no more; the very same chopsticks that are soon to become her weapon for serving justice... A tale of betrayal, adventure and revenge. 

This has some really bad reviews on goodreads only having a 2.80 rating but I really enjoyed it. However I can see why people dislike this book. Although I did find the writing very childish, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters were interesting, I would happily read more in this series. 

Number 15: Supreme:Blue Rose by Warren Ellis

Summary from Goodreads:

"You are not dreaming. We are trying to communicate with you. Local reality has been reinstalled. Things have gone wrong. The revision has corrupted. Finding Ethan Crane is your supreme priority. Do not trust Darius Dax. We are all going to die." Supreme: Blue Rose re-introduces the central Image Comics character Supreme, in a multi-layered and often hallucinatory mystery presented by New York Times bestselling writer Warren Ellis and acclaimed new artist Tula Lotay in her astonishing graphic novel debut.

Although I got confused with the plot, I fell in love with the art work and it was a good graphic novel and I would happily read anymore in this series. 

What have you read this month? Leave them in the comments below. 

See you soon, 

Amy