January Wrap Up

 This month I feel like I successfully reached my goal of reading about 3 books a month and have gotten this year's reading challenge off to a good start. I hope I can continue in this way and reach my book goal or even pass it. Here's a little wrap up of what I have achieved in January.

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J. K. Rowling

I started the year by rereading the first Harry Potter book and I loved it. I even made myself a Pottermore account so that I could interact with each chapter and every bit of the story. J. K Rowling's writing is so easy to read and this series is so well thought out it was hard to put the book down. I ended up starting and finishing this book within a week.

A Book That Became A Movie

A Book By A Female Author

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

I read this book during the second week of January and it helped to make the feeling of Christmas linger for a little bit longer. I liked the way that this story was written from two point of views, Dash and Lily's, and the fact that their personalities were so different from each others. It was obvious from the start they were either going to get along really well or just clash with each other.

A Book Set During Christmas

My True Love Gave To Me Edited by Stephanie Perkins

I decided to review the stories in this book individually and I'm glad I did so because some were amazing and made me want to read more of the different author's works, where as others didn't. I posted all my reviews on this blog so feel free to check them out. Also, please comment telling me what you thought of the different stories as I would love to hear other people's opinions.

A Book Of Short Stories

A Book Set During Christmas

The Iron Trials by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I continued to read this book in the third week of January but due to having deadlines and other work I needed to do I haven't yet gotten to the end. I aim to have this book finished in February. So far, I am quite enjoying this book and Call's character is written with a hint of humor behind him which makes him fun to read about.

A Book From An Author You Love But Haven't Read Yet

A Book You Started But Never Finished

Review - My True Love Gave To Me by Various Authors, Part 1

*This review contains spoilers*

I decided to do this review in 3 parts because I have reviewed each story separately and I didn't want this post to be too long.

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell

I think it's fair to say that Rainbow Rowell is becoming one of my favorite authors. I loved this story, the way it was written and the characters are amazing! Rainbow Rowell seems to excel at simple romantic stories and this one is no different. From the beginning it captivated me and every time another girl sauntered up to Noel around midnight in the story I felt sorry for Mags. Their friendship is so cute and it made me smile whenever Noel was being over dramatic by saying that Mags saved his life. I really wanted it to be Mags that Noel kissed at the stroke of midnight. Even though this story was only 24 pages long, Rowell still managed to develop her characters effectively. This story was an excellent way to start off this anthology I just wished there was more to it.

"I can't get close enough" - Noel

Rating :- ★★★★★

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link

I don't like giving bad reviews but sometimes I just have to. This story had a slow start and a long build up to what I felt was an average ending. For most of this story I was quite confused as to what was happening. It didn't grip me the way I was hoping it would and I didn't enjoy it. In the end I just ended up skimming through the pages just to finish it. I guess there was a little character development within the story. Overall, this story wasn't for me personally.

Rating :- ★

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña



This is the first time I've read a story by Matt de la Peña and I really enjoyed his writing style. I found it interesting that this story was written from a guys point of view because most of the books I read are either from a girls point of view or are written in third person. I was drawn in by the way it was written in first person which helped me to enjoy the story a lot more. The story itself was great, it definitely pulled at my heartstrings. I really felt sorry for Shy and the fact he didn't have any money to buy himself food which is a basic necessity. Nobody should go hungry, especially at Christmas time. I'm so glad Haley made sure he had something to eat after she found out he was starving. I'm definitely going to check out more of Matt de la Peña's books.

"There's no way I'm going to let you starve down there on Christmas Eve" - Haley

Rating :-  ★★★★

Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han

This was an interesting story told from a different perspective. I like the way Jenny Han used the idea of  the North Pole and elves then added the idea of an adopted human girl in to the mix. It made this story unique. At first I felt this story was a little like Elf, the 2003 film but then it took on a totally different direction and I ended up really enjoying reading it. I thought it was sweet that Flynn found Lars' address for Natalie. It seemed to me that he was trying to protect Natalie and do what he thought would be right for her. I also got the feeling that Flynn liked her as more than a friend but because he's an elf and she's a human he probably thought it best that Natalie should be with another human. I wished there was more to this story, the way it's been written has me thirsty for more!

"You aren't the one I'm worried about getting hurt" - Flynn

Rating :- ★★★★

Happy Reading
:)
xx