powisamy

I have read a lot of good books this year. I think it is safe to say, and because of this, I have decided to split my favourite's list into two. This is the first of those two lists, and it is about my favourite graphic novels! I love to read graphic novels, and I read so many across the year, although it is not an area that I talk about on my blog. I love the way that writers can make readers connections with characters with so little dialogue and of course, the beautiful illustrations. Graphic novels are great OK, but I get they are not for everyone. Anyway here are my favourites...  This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki As I have mentioned before, I am a massive fan of quiet books, especially those set in the summer, which obviously fits both boxes. I feel like a lot of this was that I loved the vibes and the illustrations and the friendship between the two main characters. It is your perfect coming of age graphic novel, and I can't wait to read more from Mariko Tamaki in the fut

Since the Popsugar Reading Challenge started in 2015, I have taken part every year, and 2020 was no exception. I have never completed the challenge fully, but I really wanted to try to complete it due to the year it has been. The use of the Facebook page has also been so great as I can see the other participants' progress, and it made me more motivated. As you will see, I have given it a good go and I have come so close. I had the last three books in my grasp and have been reading them (I am listening to one right now) I just have been in a couple of difficult situations in December, so I didn't feel the draw to read. I have read many books this year, mostly outside the prompts but around 47 (or 48 if I can read it by tomorrow) that complete the challenge. So let's see what books I read...  A book that's published in 2020: Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman  A book by a trans or nonbinary author: The Bright Side Volume 1 Dee & Em by A. Francis  A book with a grea

Although this year has not been the best for everyone, I think the books I have read this year have been rather good but like everything you get some disappointments. I know there have been discussions around disappointing books and I know it has been a crappy year, but a lot of these are books I received for review, and I wanted to be as honest as I can. Reviews are for readers and not for authors, and they should be honest so people can know if these books are for them. I have also tried to find some positives in everything I read, and I hope my comments reflect this. I have also read so much this year, 222 books and only 5 books are on this list, so make sure what you will. I think I only have about 5 that was "disappointing" to be on this list so let's get started...  1. The Island by M. A. Bennett So I have been a massive fan of M. A. Bennett's STAG series, so I was quite excited to read this book. Despite negative reviews, I was still going in with an open mind

There is a lot of discussion in the book community around bookshelves, and often the discussion is around physical books bit e-books are forgotten in it. The main idea that many readers agree with us that physical books are superior to ebooks. Up until a couple of years ago, I was the same, but this had changed. I saw myself being drawn to e-books because I wanted to clean my Netgalley TBR. OK, this did not happen, but I did find myself drawn to them. This is because I really do a lot of reading at might and as the kindle has a light in it, I can read with the light off. Also, I get really tired at night, and I think I can do more of it by reading on my kindle.  I think it is also a way of keeping all of my books together when I don't want it to take space on my shelf, but I don't want to get rid of it completely. Don't get me wrong, I love a good physical book, and I think for some reading experiences, I want that experience, but I do like the virtual one for others. This

* I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: The Frair's Lantern Author: Greg Hickey Publisher: Black Rose Writing  Source: From Author ( Bookshop UK |  Hive |  Goodreads ) Book Summary: You may win $1,000,000. You will judge a man of murder. An eccentric scientist tells you he can read your mind and offers to prove it in a high-stakes wager. A respected college professor exacts impassioned, heat-of-the-moment revenge on his wife’s killer—a week after her death—and you’re on the jury. Take a Turing test with a twist, discover how your future choices might influence the past, and try your luck at Three Card Monte. And while you weigh chance, superstition, destiny, intuition and logic in making your decisions, ask yourself: are you responsible for your actions at all? Choose wisely—if you can. Book Review: When I got a request for The Friar's Lantern, I was interested in picking it up as

Eight days ago, two months after originally planned, I handed in my Research Project (my dissertation). I left university for the final time, my MA almost in the grasping distance. No plans. No nothing. Just me and my dreams.  But all I can think is: now what? And then my head explodes. Metaphoric, of course. Because according to every single piece of fiction in the world, I should know what I want to do with my life. But I don't have a clue. Well, this is a massive lie. I do know what I want to do, but it's a pipe dream. A pipe dream that I so badly want to be a reality because I love writing so much, but I know how much work it takes and how impossible it really is. Fiction also tells me that this will come true, but my brain tells me to be realistic. To find a job that is stable and reliable which I already have. But I just want to do something that I love and searching for endless job websites I can't find this one thing. I can't make up my mind. But I have to think

After last year, when I decided to bring back Blogmas, I wanted to do it again as it is safe to say that I was doing so well with the blog earlier in the year, but recently, well, I've been lacking. Also, it's that time of the year for wrap-ups and favourite books I wanted to share. As per usual, there is quite a lot, and I want to write and hype my favourite books of the year as I don't do that much any more and I should because a lot f them are underhyped.  I think that this year has not been the one for anyone. It is safe to say that I have been swamped this year balancing university and work so blogging kind of went to the wayside and let's just say now I'm back. Hopefully! (I will say more tomorrow.) Due to the changes that have happened this year in my life and the world, I have a lot of thoughts in my brain that I want to get out and so many ideas that I want to write about that have just stayed in my drafts. This is the opportunity to do all of the ideas so

  * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review for part of a blog tour. All thoughts are my own. * Title: Brand New Boy Author: David Almond Publisher: Walker Books Source: From Publisher ( Bookshop UK |  Hive |  Goodreads ) Book Summary: A warm and thought-provoking tale from a master storyteller, winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and author of the Carnegie Medal-winning Skellig. “Mam, did you think George was,” I say, “a bit … weird?” “Weird? Yes, I suppose so. But you kids are all a bit weird if you ask me. And to tell the truth, it’d be weird if you weren’t.” When a new boy joins the class, everyone thinks he’s a bit strange, but he’s brilliant at football and loves crisps, and that’s all that matters to Dan and Maxie. However, the truth about George is stranger than anyone could have imagined ... and more sinister, too. Can his new pals help him to become truly free? Book Review: Even though I am n

  * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: The Game Weavers Author: Rebecca Zahabi Publisher: Zuntold Source: From Publisher ( Bookshop UK | Hive |  Goodreads ) Book Summary: 'He spreads out his hands. They glow yellow, then orange. Threads emerge from underneath his nails, shining out of the skin. They weave themselves together, the fingers knitting their light-made lace until the threads form a fabric heading out of the glass panes and towards the fields. They cross the glass without so much as a shudder. Seo crafts his land.'  Seo Kuroaku has it all. Adopted as a boy by the formidable Sir Neil, he's the youth champion of Twine, the high-pressured national sport. Played in arenas where thousands come to watch, weavers craft creatures from their fingertips to wage battle against fearsome opponents. But this is a Britain of much darker times - and Seo is harbouring a secret.

  * I am reviewing this series which I was gifted for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: Fin & Rye & Fireflies Author: Harry Cook Publisher: Ink Road Source: From Publisher ( Amazon | Goodreads ) Book Summary: “It started with a kiss…as love stories often do. Jesse Andrews had the arms of a Greek god and he was on the track team. The night of our kiss fell on a Friday.” Then, only a few days later, Fin’s world is turned upside down - and not in a good head-over-heels-in-love way - when Jesse cruelly outs him. An event that ultimately leads to his family leaving town. But a fresh start isn’t going to change the truth of who Fin is. And it’s not going to stop his sexuality causing everyone all sorts of problems. Everyone, that is, apart from his new best friend Poppy, her girlfriend-in-waiting June, and his new crush Rye… So, while Fin and Rye are enjoying some seriously intimate moonlit moments together, Fin’s parents decide

* I am reviewing this series which I was gifted for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: F. O. X. E. S. Author: M. A. Bennett Publisher: Hot Key Books  Source: From Publisher ( Amazon | Goodreads ) Book Summary: Greer has just recovered from her terrifying experience during the STAGS play. Was she really put on trial by the sinister Dark Order of the Grand Stag? Or was it purely her overheated imagination? The imprint of an 'M' for murderer that has appeared on her thumb, though, is puzzling but incomplete evidence . . . Meanwhile, Ty is staying on at Longcross Manor and Greer, Nel and Shafeen are increasingly worried for her safety. When Ty sends a cryptic message directing them to Cumberland Place, the de Warlencourts' palatial home in London, they decide to risk a visit. There they meet Henry's grieving parents, Rollo and Caro. Rollo is arrogant, entitled and not overly grieving. Caro, however, while superficially c

 So today I wanted to share with you the cover for Tree Magic by Harriet Springbett as part of the Love Books Tour Blitz.  So without further ado, here is the cover... What a great cover! I definitely what to give it a read! If you would like to know more, here is what the book is about... Thirteen-year-old Rainbow discovers she can communicate with trees. But that’s just the beginning. Her magic hands can shape trees at her will, but her gift is dangerous and has fatal consequences. An accident that leaves Rainbow unconscious leads her mother to make a confession that will change Rainbow’s life forever. Are her abilities a gift or a curse? Can Rainbow really trust her mother? From England to France, through secrets, fears and parallel worlds, Rainbow’s journey to understand her powers takes her beyond everything she’s ever known. To find the truth, she must also find herself. The book is available to buy now at Amazon or you can add it to your Goodreads too! Thank you for Love Book

  * I am reviewing this series which I was gifted for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: The Crow Rider Author: Kalyn Josephson  Publisher: Source Fire Books  Source: From Publisher ( Amazon | Goodreads ) Book Summary: The thrilling conclusion to the epic Storm Crow duology that follows a fallen princess as she tries to bring back the magical elemental crows taken from her people, perfect for readers who want fantasy books for teens. This, her allies, and her crow, Res, are planning a rebellion to defeat Queen Razel and Illucia once and for all. This must convince the neighbouring kingdoms to come to her aid, and Res's show of strength is the only thing that can help her. But so many obstacles stand in her way. Res excels at his training, until he loses control of his magic, harming Thia in the process. She is also pursued by Prince Ericen, heir to the Illucian throne and the one person she can't trust but can't seem to