Okay, please don't yell at me! I know, I know that we are nearly at the end of January and that Christmas was ages ago. But I realised I didn't share what presents I got and there are several bookish things. The list isn't that long this year due to the fact that I am going on two holidays in the next two months. So they were basically my presents.

Firstly I'm going to mention some of my none bookish presents:
I got a ukulele (that I can't really play yet), a set of bluetooth speakers and a Build-a-bear Stormfly from How To Train Your Dragon. I got a few other smaller things, like a new scarf, but that's about it.

However, I was given several books which I am extremely happy with. I think you'll agree that there are some amazing books in this little haul.

• Heir of Fire, by Sarah J. Maas
• Graceling, by Kristen Cashore
• The Marvels, by Brian Selznick 
• Carry on, by Rainbow Rowell 
• The Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and The Philospher's Stone 
• The Desires of the Dead, by Kimberly Derting 
• The Raven Boys, by Maggie Steifvater 
• Winter, by Marissa Meyer
• The Shepherd's Crown, by Terry Pratchett

Last Saturday I was dragged to a family party. I don't really get along with my family that much, they're annoying and embarrassing and it just gets painful to be around them. But, hey, I'm sure that everyone has to deal with family members like that.

It was my Great Aunt's 80th birthday. By Great Aunt I don't mean that she was a "great" aunt; that she was fantastic or anything. I mean that she is my grandmother's sister. So she is my great aunt. Anyway, so not only did I not want to go. But my mum, my dad and my grandad didn't want to go. But we were still dragged along. Anyway at this party there were a lot of relatives who I can't stand and a dozen or so old people from the village.
I haven't been to the last few family parties, saying that I had too much revision and stuff so I couldn't possibly go. So that meant that I hadn't actually seen anyone for some time, since I haven't been to school in the village for like seven years. There's only a number of cheek pinching that one girl can deal with in the space of twenty minutes. I wanted to scream!

Thankfully I was swiftly forgotten since my cousin's enter the venue; people who fight for their mother's attention. So I sat there in my little booth, bored out of my mind. I'd taken a book with me but I wasn't allowed to read. That lasted for ten minutes. After that I was in the corner reading. That is until I was confronted by relatives. I really did want to scream.

I tried to be nice. Really I did but well things took a turn for the worst once my relationship status was thrown into the mix. They asked about my life and stuff and then the question came out .... so, where's your boyfriend?

Now I have never had a boyfriend. I am notoriously single. So I just said, well I don't have one. And instead of them saying something like of fair enough and then moving on. Oh no, instead this eighty year old woman said "well why the hell not! You need a man in your life."

Excuse me? That did make me a little bit speechless for a moment. What the hell? How medieval is that? Long story short, I basically screamed at this lady and had a complete feminist rant! I get that some people are in relationships. I get that they feel dependant on those gentlemen that they are in a relationship with (or lady, I'm not one to judge). But I don't understand how someone could say that to me. It's the twenty first century for pities sake!!!!!!!!!

Some people cannot be alone. I get that. I have several friends who find it impossible to not be in a relationship. I get that some people don't like to be alone; they've always had friends or siblings so it made sense. But to say that you can't be alone and that you depend on this one person. Grow up! My mates are 17/18 they aren't going to be with this one person forever. It could happen, sure, but the likelihood is that it you are not going to be with that guy or girl for long. Especially if you move away to university or drama school or just away in general. Most long distant relationships don't work; especially for young people. So, in my opinion, there is little point in being in a relation if you are going to move away. Not that anyone has offered to be in a relationship with me.

Anyway, to have an elderly lady to say that to me. Well it was rude. I am a young woman, other than to be spoiled rotten and to tell some of my useless knowledge to, I don't really need a man. I'm not a damsel in distress. I don't need someone to protect me. Unless someone comes at me with a knife or something then I'll just want help from anyone who's nearby; i'm not bothered if you are a guy or a girl.

Why do old people care if I am in a relationship? Ugh! Does anyone else feel my pain?

Sorry for this little rant!

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
Book Total of 2016 - 4
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What You Need To Know:
Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Number of Pages: 418
Standalone/Series: 2nd Book in the 'Throne of Glass' Series
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, High Fantasy, Magic
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date:27th August, 2013

The Plot:
From the Throne of Glass rules a King with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realises she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances - not the Crown Prince Dorien; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign Princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true allegiances lie ... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

My Thoughts:
A rich and powerful sequel that's enthralling and well-paced, exhilarating and wonderfully written. Anyone who adored 'Throne of Glass will love 'Crown of Midnight'.

Everything about this book blew me away. The characters were believable and the sudden maturity in the writing style was obvious from the start. However, the book was not without fault. It took me two attempts to read this book. The first was during last October and I ended up only reading the first four chapters. Yes, I was going through a rather major reading slump. But I found it difficult to connect with the various characters. Although I will admit that the opening chapter was rather engaging. It showed just how cunning Celaena really was since she was able to infiltrate somewhere so easily.

Before I go into my thoughts and feelings on this book, let me quickly talk about the cover. The pure white contrasts with the red and the stunning illustration of warrior Celaena. And not to mention her gorgeous outfit for the blurb. It perfectly depicts just how beautifully deadly Celaena Sardothien is.

Now onto my actual review .........
Crown of Midnight was most definitely a major improvement for its predecessor, Throne of Glass. Mainly, I feel because of the sudden maturity in the writing style and language.

The characters improved so much. Celaena seemed to become stronger and more aware of what was at stake. She was cunning and confident in her abilities but her pride had subsided a lot; making her a lot less arrogant. That, thankfully, created a far more sympathetic character.

Dorien was a more developed character too. Less of a whiny Prince and more of a future King, not to mention his physical development.

Thank you Sarah J. Maas for basically getting rid of that awful love triangle. They're so tacky so I'm delighted to see a platonic relationship arising instead.

Review:

What You Need To Know:
Title: Desires of the Dead
Author: Kimberly Derting
Number of Pages: 355
Standalone/Series: Second Book in the Body Finder Series
Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Publication Date: 15th February, 2011

The Plot:
The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found. Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally, she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands and wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

My Thoughts:
Last year I got The Body Finder for Christmas and I was completely obsessed with it. It is an amazing book which perfectly marred the use of the paranormal and romance with a sleek suspense icing on top. I hadn't read anything like it since then. It was completely unique. Now I had the fear that the second book would disappoint me, that I would just sort of read this book and it just would dwindle under the pressure.

Thankfully it did not. It was written just like the first book with the majority of the chapters written in Violet's point of view and then the odd one from the stalker character.
I went on a real emotional journey along with Violet, just as I did in The Body Finder, through out this book. The Prologue instantly hooked me, knowing that there was a threat on a certain characters life at some point I was slightly terrified. I devoured this book to ensure that someone didn't die. I could't stand not knowing and I spent my only double free reading when I should have been doing work ............. oops.

Violet and Jay's relationship changes from the sweet crush that they had to something well .... hotter, sexier even and far more complicated than in the Body Finder. The two aren't just best friends anymore so it makes sense that things would be complicated. But I have to say that they are possibly my favourite couple in YA lit. They are realistic, yes the two of them are obviously madly in love but they still hold the intimacy and trust issues that all couples go through in their initial months together. And they haven't been through the same events as most couples either.

There were times, however, when I was rather annoyed with Violet's character. I can understand why people were disappointed with the book because she did become a bit of a needy, and slightly jealous, girlfriend in places. Although it was completely understandable, it did get a bit annoying after some time.

I didn't see the twist at the end of the book with the identity of the Stalker. I had my suspicions who it was and I was correct but I didn't see it happening in that way. It was a rather good twist. Though some people have said that it was predictable at times, which I will agree, I don't think that anyone could have seen how it was going to end. The idea that a person can have the same echo twice; I didn't see that coming at all.

Finally, Kimberly Derting's description of the various echoes is beautiful. I love the idea that they all have different sounds or scents; it makes the idea of death rather beautiful.

Rating:
Although Violet did get a bit annoying at times, I loved this book so I have to give it
*****

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
Book Total of 2016 - 2
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2015 has been a good reading year for me, 67 books read. So I thought I'd share with you the top 15 books I've read in 2015.

15. Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor is the new girl in town, and she's never felt more alone. All mismatched clothes, mad red hair and chaotic home life. She couldn't stick out more if she tried. 
Then she takes the seat on the bus next to Park. Quiet, careful, and in Eleanor's eyes, impossibly cool, Park's worked out that flying under the radar is the best way to get by. 

Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mixed tapes, Eleanor and Park fall in love. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're 16, and have nothing and everything to lose ...

Although it came last in this list, I fell in love with this Rainbow Rowell book. It was just an adorable read that made me fall in love with Park along with Eleanor. And as someone who was always a bit of an outsider I really related to this book. It was so good.

14. The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton 
On an autumn day in 1656, eighteen year old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of the illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift; a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real life counterparts in unexpected ways. 

Nella is a first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realises the escalating dangers that awaits them all. 

Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?

This was such a unique read. I used to be obsessed with historical fiction but it has been so long since I last read anything in this genre. Yet when I was reading this I was completely enchanted. It was such a captivating story that I know I could go back and read time and time again.

13. Alice in Zombieland, by Gena Showalter
If anyone had told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heart beat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone. 

Her father was right. The monsters are real. 

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, and must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn't careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies. 

Although this wasn't really a retelling of Alice in Wonderland it was still an amazing read. Completely different to most things I read in 2015 actually.

12. Legend, by Marie Lu
What was once the Western United States, is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen year old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. 

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metais, is murdered and Day becomes the Prime suspect. 

Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metais' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what bought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

This was apparently a retelling of Les Miserable by Victor Huge. But I did not see that at all. Maybe it is clear once I've read the rest of the trilogy but not at the moment. Despite that, it was a very good book that kept me gripped till the very end.

11. A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas. 
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 he captor is not an animal, but Tamlin - one of the lethal, immortal Faes 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 like 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. 

This was an amazing retelling of Beauty and the Beast which I devoured very quickly and I really can't wait till this next book is released!

10. The Colour of Magic, by Terry Pratchett
Twoflower was a tourist, the first ever seen on the Discworld. Tourist, Rincewind decided, meant idiot. 

Somewhere on the frontier between thought and reality exists the Discworld, a parallel time and place which might sound and smell very much like our own, but certainly looks completely different. It plays by different rules. Certainly, it refuses to succumb to the quaint notion that universes are ruled by pure logic and the harmony of numbers. 

But, just because the Disc is different doesn't mean that some things don't stay the same. Its very existence is about to be threatened by a strange new blight: the arrival of the first tourist, upon whose survival rests the peace and prosperity of the land. But if the person charged with maintaining that survival in the face of robbers, mercenaries and well, Death, is a spectacularly inept wizard, a little logic might turn out to be a very good idea. 

I absolutely adore the world of the Disc and The Colour of Magic had to be on here somewhere, it is such an amazing read. Hence why this classic is number ten on my top 15 books of 2015.

9. Cress, by Marissa Meyer
In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens for company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplish. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. 
Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they maybe the only hope the world has. 

Marissa Meyer certainly did not disappoint when she wrote this book and I know that this series is going to be one of my favourites for a very long time. It was as spectacular as ever.

8. Hollow City, by Ransom Riggs
This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine's island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

This series is so different compared to anything else I have read and this book was something I devoured in a matter of days. It was so addictive. And that plot twist! OMG! I cannot wait to read the Library of Lost Souls.

7. Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas
After serving out a year of hard labour in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18 year old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Price. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. 

Her oppontents are men; thieves, assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then will be granted her freedom. 
Even though she adore's her training sessions with Captain Westfall, she is bored stiff of court life. However things begin to get interesting when the Prince starts to show interest in her ... 

Then one of the contestants turns up dead.... shortly followed by another. 
Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes the next victim?

I had my doubts about this series but it turns out that I completely adore it! A unique idea that I want to dissolve thoroughly .... even if it does contain a cheesy love interest.

6. Scarlet, by Marissa Meyer.    
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. 

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

I adored this series and in my opinion this is one of the best sequels written. A lot of sequels lose the feelings that the first book and can be a bit poor. Since they are sometimes rushed. Not Scarlet! Oh god I loved it!!!!!!

5. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.
A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

This book was unlike anything I had read and I devoured it in one sitting. It was the first book I read in 2015 and I do think it helped me get into good reading run for the year. It was fabulous! 

4. All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully, by Carrie Hope Fletcher
We all know that growing up is hard to do, and sometimes the only thing that makes it better are the reassuring words of someone who has walked that bumpy road just a few steps ahead of you and somehow ended up as a fully-functioning adult. Carrie Hope Fletcher is that person.* Thanks to her phenomenally popular YouTube videos, Carrie has become an 'honorary big sister' to hundreds of thousands of young people who turn to her for advice, friendship and, most of all, the knowledge that things will get better.

Carrie has created a safe and positive space for young people to connect and share their hopes and concerns online, and now she will share her most personal thoughts and experiences in her first book, ALL I KNOW NOW. Part memoir, part advice guide, it will include Carrie's thoughts on some of the topics she's asked about most regularly: bullying, body image, relationships and perhaps the scariest question of all: what does the future hold for me? With warmth, wit and a sprinkling of hard-won wisdom, Carrie will provide the essential tools for growing up gracefully . . . most of the time.

*Although she did recently post a video about how to pee in a onesie. So the definition of 'adult' is a bit flexible here . . .

This is the only non-fiction book to enter my top 15 and rightfully so. As a teen I struggled to fit in with people around me and I ended up getting bullied a lot. If only I had had this book a few years ago. It has a unique writing style to it that reminded me of a letter and the little illustrations throughout made me smile. It is truly a helpful book for any hopeful out there. 

3. The Drowning of Arthur Braxton, by Caroline Smailes
Arthur Braxton runs away from school.
He hides out in an abandoned building, an old Edwardian bathhouse.
He discovers a naked woman swimming in the pool.
From this point on, nothing will ever be the same.

The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is an unflinching account of the pain and trauma of adolescence and of how first love can transform the most unhappy of lives into something miraculous. It is a dark and brooding modern fairy tale from one of our most gifted writers.

This urban fairy tale was breathtaking and opened my eyes to many things that I hadn't previously considered. It was heartwarming and highly addictive. 

2. Cinder, by Marissa Meyer
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I really have had a thing for fairy tales, either a retelling or new, which I think is obvious from the above books. But this book really had to battle to not be my top read and I think it would have been if not for a book I read in November. 
This was so amazing as most fairy tales are set in the past, but this was in the future and it wasn't glaringly obvious that it was a retelling either. Yes the names were there but it was subtle at the same time as being obvious .... if that makes any sense. 

But I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new read this year that will hook them as deeply as the Harry Potter books. Trust me it is brilliant!

1. Illuminae, by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

OH MY GOD! This book was phenomenal and written in a way unlike anything else. It was made up of transcripts and emails and reports and it was so unique. I've seen things that have tried this but failed miserably but not Illuminae. Christ this book was maddeningly good! And that twist! 

So that's it, my top reads of 2015. Time to go off and read some new books for 2016 I think. 
Happy New Year everybody!

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
Book Total of 2016 - 0
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