Book Review: The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank

Edition: Paperback, 340 pages
Published by: Puffin, 5th June 1997
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Classics, Historical
Completed by: 25th June 2020
My Rating: 5⭐️

Anne Frank’s extraordinary diary, written in the Amsterdam attic where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years, has become a world classic and a timeless testament to the human spirit. Now, in a new edition enriched by many passages originally withheld by her father, we meet an Anne more real, more human, and more vital than ever. Here she is first and foremost a teenage girl—stubbornly honest, touchingly vulnerable, in love with life. She imparts her deeply secret world of soul-searching and hungering for affection, rebellious clashes with her mother, romance and newly discovered sexuality, and wry, candid observations of her companions. Facing hunger, fear of discovery and death, and the petty frustrations of such confined quarters, Anne writes with adult wisdom and views beyond her years. Her story is that of every teenager, lived out in conditions few teenagers have ever known.

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“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

When I was 12 I read the Anne Frank Story by Carol Ann Lee, which was a short biography based on Anne’s life and I think that was the first book that kind of got me into reading. As I loved it so much, my mum had gotten me the diary but for whatever reason, I was unable to get into the the story! I vaguely remember I folded a corner on page 312 intending to come back to it when I was in a mood but… I never did until now!

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Edition: Hardcover, 442 pages
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Romance
Completed: 6th June 2020
My Rating: 3 stars

“You and Papa, and my sisters, must come down and see us. We shall be at Newcastle all the winter, and I dare say there will be some balls, and I will take care to get good partners for them all.” – Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited. Darcy finds himself indifferent to Elizabeth Bennet’s good looks and lively mind. And later when Elizabeth discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she dislikes him more than ever. In the comedy of misdirected manners that follows, Jane Austen shows readers the error of judging by first impressions.

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I steered way from reading Jane Austen because I felt like her books might be too romantic for me (I don’t like romance novels unless its combined in a fantasy), however Pride and Prejudice seems to be her best book and I felt like it’s classic I need to read!

Book Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Edition: Paperback, 535 pages
Published by: Orion Books, 4th May 2017
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Completed: 27th May 2020
My Rating: 4 stars

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

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Whoa! Saints, this book was absolutely insane, crazzzzzzy and I loved it! Six of Crows was the starter but Crooked Kingdom was the main course.

Book Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Edition: Paperback, 495 pages
Published by: Orion Books, 12th July 2016
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Completed: 19th May 2020
Rating: 4 stars

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

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The Six of Crows duology is probably one of the most overhyped books out there. I initially wanted to read it when it was first released, due to the hype. I got the ebook on my phone ready to read but at the time, I don’t know why I wasn’t in the mood to read it and could barely get pass the first chapter! But having come across it again on Bookstagram, so many fans have raved about how amazing this duology is and I thought it was high time I jumped on the bandwagon and give it another go, and here I am finished with the book!

Book Review: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Edition: Hardback, 590 pages
Published by: Walker Books, March 2020
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Completed: 18th March 2020
Rating: 4 stars

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.

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Review may contain spoilers!
(It’s so hard to review Shadowhunter books without going into the spoilers)

Book Review: City of Bones by Cassanda Clare

Edition: Paperback, 442 pages
Published by: Walker Books, July 2007
Rating: 4 stars
Completed: 23rd October 2019 (2nd reread)

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

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The first time I read City of Bones was back in 2009; it was after I read Twilight, so I was in need of a new series to get back into reading and the Mortal Instruments was just the perfect series. I really enjoyed it. It has a good combination of adventure, fantasy and romance. It’s been a very long time since I read this series and the Infernal Devices, so I thought it was overdue for a reread!

Book Review: Believe In Yourself by Jasmin Kirkbride

Edition: Hardcover, 163 pages
Published by: Vie, 12th August 2016
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 5 stars
Completed: 22nd April 2017

Do you ever wish you had more confidence in your abilities? Do you sometimes have negative thoughts, comparing yourself to others? Have you ever been afraid to speak up because you don’t think your opinion is valid?

You are not alone, and there is a way to tackle your low self-esteem. Packed with tips, suggestions and quotes, this book will help give you the strength to turn negatives into positives and BECOME MORE CONFIDENT EVERY DAY.

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Believe In Yourself is a self-help book about self-esteem and confidence. It’s packed with highly motivating quotes, suggestions and tips on how to become more confident, especially turn negative thoughts into positive ones. This book is separated into eight parts, which is a helpful guide towards overcoming low self-esteem and becoming confident.

Book Review: Grimm Tales: For Young and Old by Philip Pullman

Edition: Paperback, 444 pages
Published By: Penguin Classics
Genre: Adult, Fairytales, Retellings, Horror
Rating: 3 stars
Completed: 27th February 2017

In this beautiful book of classic fairy tales, award-winning author Philip Pullman has chosen his fifty favourite stories from the Brothers Grimm and presents them in a’clear as water’ retelling, in his unique and brilliant voice.

From the quests and romance of classics such as ‘Rapunzel’, ‘Snow White’ and ‘Cinderella’ to the danger and wit of such lesser-known tales as ‘The Three Snake Leaves’, ‘Hans-my-Hedgehog’ and ‘Godfather Death’, Pullman brings the heart of each timeless tale to the fore, following with a brief but fascinating commentary on the story’s background and history. In his introduction, he discusses how these stories have lasted so long, and become part of our collective storytelling imagination.

These new versions show the adventures at their most lucid and engaging yet. Pullman’s Grimm Tales of wicked wives, brave children and villainous kings will have you reading, reading aloud and rereading them for many years to come.

When I think about it, I didn’t actually read that many fairy tales because I watched a lot of the Disney classic films but the first one I watched was Snow White. It’s not my favourite now as I love Beauty & The Beast but Snow White was definitely my favourite as a young girl.

Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Edition: Paperback, 376 pages
Published by: Simon & Shuster UK, 2nd August 2016
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Completed: 7th September 2016

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up – she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan – her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

WHOA, I was not expecting that. Once again, my emotions! 
Before I get into this review, I must tell you my naked truth: I loved this book.

Its best to go into reading this blind and don’t read the reviews because the plotline is a major spoiler, which I noticed many reviewers have revealed in their reviews, despite it being spoiler free. I had only read the summary and it didn’t tell me what subject the story was based on. I just got the impression that it’s another steamy NA romance with drama thrown here and there. Clearly, I was wrong. That’s the good thing about going into a highly rated book with super low expectations. You’re not disappointed in the end. This book is just buzzing with 4 and 5 star reviews. Colleen Hoover books are known to be either a hit or a miss. This one is a hit.

Book Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Edition: Paperback, 480 pages
Published by: Simon & Shuster UK, 7th May 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Family, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Rating: 3.5 stars

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

This is my third Morgan Matson read and this one gave me alotta emotions. I don’t deal with emotional books very well. I was literally bawling my eyes out.

Second Chance Summer is about seventeen year old Taylor Edwards, whose family isn’t particularly close because everyone is so busy but then one day she and her family received devastating news that her dad has cancer. So her parents decide to spend one last summer together at their lake house. Taylor hasn’t been back to the lake house in the last five years. She never wanted to come back because she has bad memories and last time she was there, things did not end well.