Top Ten Books For People Who Like Character Driven Novels

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

This wasn't an easy list to compile, but if you love a good character driven novel you'll probably like these:

Which character driven novels would you recommend?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #2

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey.

Read Last Week

Currently Reading

Up Next

I'm really craving some fantasy, so hopefully I can get onto these soon!

What are your reading plans for this week?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #1

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey.

Read Last Week

Currently Reading

Up Next

What are your reading plans for this week?

Review: No Matter What

No Matter What

by Sally Donovan

Goodreads Description:

'I love you, no matter what.' This book tells the uplifting true story of an ordinary couple who build an extraordinary family - describing Sally and Rob Donovan's journey from a diagnosis of infertility to their decision to adopt two children who suffered abuse in their early life. Writing with incisive wit and honesty, Sally Donovan movingly describes the difficulties of living with infertility when friends and family have no idea, and the emotional process of arriving at a decision to adopt. She recounts the bewildering logistics of adoption and, after finally Sally and Rob are joyfully matched with siblings Jaymee and Harlee, how their joy is followed by shock as they discover disturbing details of their children's past. Determined to heal their children, Sally and Rob realise they will need to go 'beyond parenting' to give them with the help they need. By turns heart-rending, inspiring and hilarious, Sally and Rob's story offers a rare insight into the world of adoptive parents and just what it takes to bring love to the lives of traumatised children.

This book is insightful and, at times, heartbreaking. Donovan highlights the fact that the end of the adoption process is not the end of the journey, that there's so much more before and afterwards. I haven't read anything before has been so honest about adoption - the highs and the lows.

I would thoroughly recommend this to any parent or especially anyone considering the adoption process or anyone who has adopted.

Review: If I Stay

If I Stay

by Gayle Forman

Goodreads Description:

Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope. 

But life can change in an instant. 

A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all. 

With the film trailer out, I thought I'd better post an overdue review of this little beauty!

This was my first Gayle Forman, and I'm hooked. Although short, this story is beautifully sweet and believable. The stream of consciousness style lends so well to this story and the characters felt well-rounded. I especially loved Adam. You will be left wanting more, so be sure to check out the companion novel Where She Went. I still cannot believe I picked this gorgeous hardback like new for £1 from a charity shop!

What did you think of If I Stay and are you excited for the upcoming film? 

Review: The Geography of You and Me

The Geography of You and Me

by Jennifer E. Smith

A cute contemporary romance focusing on love, family, loss and the idea of home. When a blackout hits New York City, Lucy and Owen find themselves trapped together in an elevator. The friendship and romance that progresses from this chance meeting spans countries through the medium of postcards.

I love the film You've Got Mail, in fact, it's one of my all time favourites! So when I saw that this romance was through postcards, I leaped at the chance to review an e-arc from Netgalley. Smith's writing flows off the page but I found myself dipping in and out for some escapism. For me, it's good but not profoundly different to the other books of the same genre.

If you're a fan of Stephanie Perkins or, of course, Jennifer E Smith's previous work you should pick this up tomorrow.

Happy reading!

BookTuber Recommendations #1

Sarah Churchill (Clumsiness is a Curse)

A Welsh designer for Jammy Custard who has quite an eclectic taste and a love of 'gorgeous' covers. She's been on BookTube for over a year and films vlogs, mail art and book related videos.

Megan Olivier

A vegan hailing from Northern England. She's stylish, personable and a lover of  YA and contemporary. Recently she's started to film vlogs and lifestyle videos as well.

Sanne (booksandquills)

A Dutch graduate living in London. She works for a Hot Key Books and was recently on the BookTube panel at the London Book Fair. Her videos cover everything from hauls and reviews to working in publishing.