Top 5 Books of 2020

Happy New Year to all my followers. My blog has been slowly growing over 2020 as I was pretty inactive before hand, but I’m so honoured to have all my followers here and your support, little or small, means so much . If you are looking for more bookish stuff from me I am more active over on my Instagram so any support over there will be highly appreciated and given back.

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So let’s kick off this new year with a post on my top 5 books of 2020. The year 2020 was good for one thing, and that’s is for reading and the whole bookish community in general. I read so much compared to previous month and I plan to keep it like that moving forward.

Top 5 books of 2020

1. Raybearer

‘Only one thing is more powerful than a wish, and that is a purpose.’

Tarisai was raised in isolation by a mysterious, absent mother: The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of Aritsar to compete to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of Eleven. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. But The Lady has a magical wish that Tarisai must obey: kill the Crown Prince. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn – but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

I was so excited when I heard the release of Raybearer, because I heard good things about it before it’s release, mainly from Jessie over at (bowtiesandbooks) , they talked about it very highly and I was hooked right away. I was then even more excited when Fairyloot announced they were doing a hardcover addition of the UK cover with stencilled sprayed edges. I was sold! I will have a review up for this books very soon, I just need time to write it because I loved this book so much.

2. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

For someone damned to be forgettable, Addie LaRue is a most delightfully unforgettable character, and her story is the most joyous evocation of unlikely immortality. Neil Gaiman

When Addie La Rue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there’s always a price – the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.

Addie flees her tiny home town in 18th-Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.

Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.

Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can’t escape her fate forever.

For some, a book surrounded by so much hype can be overwhelming and can make you not want to pick a book up. Personally, I have no problem with hype and this book deserves every ounce it gets. A story about time, hope and love, it is truly unique and phenomenal. I loved every single bit of this book and V.E. Shwabs writing is beautifully lyrical. I will sure be picking up more of her works soon. Again Ill have a review for this soon which I can’t wait for you to see. But if you haven’t read this already, what are you doing?

3. Forest of Souls

“For everyone who’s ever wondered if they”.

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life. Unveiled as the first lightwender in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood – an ancient forest possessed by souls – to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a lightwender can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

A magic system in new to and one I will be looking for again and again. Forest of Souls is without a doubt one of my favourites of last year and I’m anticipating the sequel to be the same for this year. With character you’ll love, an atmospheric world that you would not want to live in yourself and a magic system that is truly amazing. If a Forest full of souls, shamman magic and a spider king does not sell you then what will?

4. Lord of Shadows

“Everyone is afraid of something. We fear things because we value them. We fear losing people because we love them. We fear dying because we value being alive. Don’t wish you didn’t fear anything. All that would mean is that you didn’t feel anything.”

It’s without a doubt that Cassie Clare is a well loved author. I started reading and finished all her shadowhunter novels within the year of 2020 and I will continue reading and loving them. The whole world is one you will remember forever and all her books are so character driven that there’s always one or more you will cherish. The Dark Artifices series will introduce you to Emma Caratairs and the Blackthorn family and you can’t help but love these wonderful bunch. Lord of Shadows especially broke my heart. I wish I could say why but we don’t do spoilers here. But this book gave me so many emotions. I stayed up till 5am to finish this and it had my heart racing like no other book has ever done before. I sobbed and sobbed after reading this and it will now hold a special place in my heart always.

5. The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo

“Never let anyone make you feel ordinary”.

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Taylor Jenkins Reid created the most icon character I have ever read. Evelyn is a queen and you would want to kill to be friends with her, even just to be within her presence. This is not just about her seven husbands. It about all she had to go through from changing her identity, to a whole lot of other things to get where she has gotten to in her life. You will want to devour every sentence, every word within this book and never look up. Reid created a phenomenal character and one to never forget, the great icon Evelyn Hugo!

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So that’s my top 5 of 2020. Some truly amazing reads and if you haven’t read them yet I highly recommend that you pick them up soon. Maybe one of these will be your favourite of 2021. Also please tell me in the comments what was one of your favourites of 2020. I would love to know what you would recommend. Hope you had a great time reading and until next time.

Happy New Year love Casey xoxo

A Successful June Reading Wrap Up

Once again I have had an amazing reading month. I read a total of twelve books in June and enjoyed every moment. I’ve been picking up some really good books and I’m so thrilled to be sharing them with you all. I would already have some reviews up for some of these and more coming soon because I need to gush about them more but this is just going to be a little wrap up of them all.

The first book I read this month I actually started in May but I’m including it in here because I didn’t finish it till the start of June. I already have a review up of this book, so go check it out.

Juliet by Anne Fortier has now become one of my favourite books of all time.

It follows Julie Jacobs and her trip to Siena in search for a safety deposit box left to her by her mother in hopes it will lead to a fortune needed after she was mysteriously written out of her Aunts will. While in Siena she discovers dark family secrets and how she inherited her real name Giulietta from her late ancestors who are supposedly Romeo and Juliet who inspired Shakespeares tragic love story.

If that doesn’t draw you in and make you want to pick up this book immediately I don’t know what will. As soon as I heard the synopsis I immediately bought it and never regretted. I gave this book a well deserving five stars, and I would give it more if I could and if goodreads aloud.

The second book I picked up this month was an audio book for the ‘Our Shared Shelf’ group on goodreads. I haven’t fully reviewed this book yet because I’m waiting until the read along is over but initially this book talks about ‘The feminist awakening in China’ how just by being a woman and especially a feminist in China can lead you to some drastic consequences. We mainly followed the ‘Feminist Five’ and how they were treated by their partners and other for standing up for their rights.

I had a great time listening to this, even though I struggle with my concentration while listening to audio books. I have been thinking of picking it up in ebook form and actually reading it to take some more in-depth notes, so I’ll let you know how that goes if I do end up re-Reading.

In June I carried on with my read of the Percy Jackson series. I’m not going to say much about this as everyone knows the Percy Jackson series pretty well. I’m so happy I finally read this series and I think I may have nearly cried when finishing it. I’m so anticipating picking up ‘The Hero’s of Olympus’ series and to dive back into the world and it’s amazing characters.

The next two books I read in the month of June was for ‘The Blackout Buddy Read’ hosted by Shae from bookswithshae on YouTube. Again I have a review of these two books uploaded so go check them out. These book were White Rage by Carol Anderson and White Fragility by Robin D’Angelo. These were vital reads in order for me to educate myself more on the current Black Lives Matter situation. This is still and ongoing thing and will be for a good while. I am making it a priority to continue to read more books by black authors for the rest of the year and many years to come.

The next book I read, again, was phenomenal. I love Tomi Adeyemi and I’m so excited for her next book to come out. ‘Children of Virtue and Vengeance is an amazing sequel that I just adored with all my heart. It’s so full of action that I sped through this book without even realising, but it also contains a lot of heartbreak that it nearly had me balling my eyes out. I need the third book in my hand right away, I don’t think I can wait much longer.

The next two books I have full reviews up of. These were recommendations from my manager and while they contained very heavy topics I did actually enjoy reading them. ‘I know why the caged bird sings’ by Maya Angelou and They Color Purple’ by Alice Walker addresses topics of race, rape, sexual assault, violence, and also contains explicit language, and sexual scenes. Where this was uncomfortable to read on times, I wouldn’t dare stop reading. I’ve learned so much by reading books like these and I will continue to read more like them. I think everyone should add these to their TBRs immediately.

Lastly, the next three books I have read in the month of June were mind blowing. I have full reviews for each coming soon because I need to gush about these more. Elizabeth Acevedo is now one of my favourite authors of all time. I read ‘Clap When You Land’, ‘The Post X’ and ‘With the Fire on High’ back to back. I don’t want to say too much about them because like I said I have reviews coming but please just go give them a read, they are so unique and her writing is breathtaking.

So that’s my June Wrap – Up. I think I made it a lot shorter than last months one considering I have read more books this month, but at least it’s probably easier to read.

Please let me know down in the comments how many books you have read in the month of June and feel free to leave any recommendations.

Xoxo Casey

I Participated in The Blackout Buddy Read

I am sure we are all aware about the awful events that have been happening, especially in America. We as White people with our White privilege will never understand what Black people go through or has gone through all these years. It has taken the death of George Floyd and Black creators speaking out for White people to now educate themselves, and I hold my hands up for being one of them. I was never educated in school about Black people in America, because for some reason it was not relevant within the school curriculum being from Wales. I should of educated myself sooner on this topic and not now only when Black people are speaking out. From now on I will be educating myself as much as possible on these issues and not just now, following this buddy read but for many years to come.

This buddy read covered two particular books that should be required reading for anyone learning about Black Lives Matter. The books were ‘White Rage’ by Carol Anderson and ‘White Fragility’ by Robin Diangelo.

I started with ‘White Rage’ and let me tell you if you wish to learn about the history of Black lives, read this. White Rage is like a textbook full of everything you need to know. It addressed so many things from the end of slavery all the way to 2015. Anderson covers everything from voting rights, education, employment, policing and the justice system and so on.

‘The trigger for white rage, inevitably, is black advancement. It is not the mere presence of Black people that is the problem; rather, it is blackness with ambition, with drive, with purpose, with aspirations, and with demands for full and equal citizenship. It is blackness that refuses to accept subjugation, to give up. A formidable array of policy assaults and legal contortions has consistently punished black resilience, black resolve. And all the while, white rage to maintain not only the upper hand but also, apparently, the moral high ground.’

This book talks a lot on slavery………

‘The truth is that enslaved Africans plotted and worked – hard – with some even fighting in the Union army for their freedom and citizenship. After the Civil War, they took what little they had and built schools, worked the land to establish their economic independence, and searched desperately to bring their families, separated by slavery, back together. That drive, initiative, and resolve, however, was met with the Black Codes, with army troops throwing them off their promised forty acres, and then with a slew Supreme Court decisions eviscerating the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.’

Anderson talks about the voting in this book and I found a quote that was so disgusting for me to read; especially this one quote below…

‘In this reconstruction of the Reconstruction, with the reassertion of Dred Scott, the exclusion of blacks from the ballot box, and the rescission of forty acres and a mule, African Americans now had neither citizenship, the vote, nor land. Johnson, who saw black empowerment as a nightmare, insisted, “This is… a country for white men, and by God, as long as I’m president, it shall be a government for white men.” Therefore, Louisiana’s declaration that “people of African decent cannot be considered citizens of the United States” aligned perfectly with Johnson’s.’

READ IT. I will tell you that much, because if you as a White person wish to stand with Black people in the fight for their freedom then like myself you need to educate yourself and keep doing so, and for many years to come. Because of our White privilege we will never know what Black people have to go through everyday, we don’t have that experience, so instead we must learn from other means, such as books.

White Fragility is written by a White author for White readers. Every White person must read this book. What I got from this book is that it’s like a tool or a guide even, to help us as White people understand out actions. What Diangelo portrays is that as White people we are too hung up on our own White Privilege, and we can be racist without even being aware that we are. As Shae from bookswithshae says, “Racism is the symptom of White Supremacy.”

In White Fragility, Diangelo is very candid about her racism and so rightfully call herself out. She openly talks about how she has realized her racism and that of other White people. She covers topics of racism and White Supremacy, how race shapes the lives of white people, The Good/Bad Binary and White Fragility in action.

There was a lot of controversy around whether this book was going to be used in this buddy read because Diangelo uses the N-word uncensored. I as many people don’t agree with this but as someone said during the live show, to disregard one book on the N-word is to disregard racism, you have to be made uncomfortable if you wish to learn.

Diangelo also covers White tears. Diangelo states ‘White women’s tears have a powerful impact in this setting, effectively reinscribing rather than ameliorating racism.’ White women’s tears can be harmful. This is seen in a statement within White Fragility about a White woman and a Black man Emmett Till.

‘…. Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old boy who reportedly flirted with a white woman – Carolyn Bryant – in a grocery store in Mississippi in 1955. She reported his alleged flirtation to her husband, Roy Bryant, and a few days later, Roy and his half-brother, J. W. Milam, lynched Till, abducting him from his great uncle’s home. They beat him in the Tallahatchie River. An all-white jury acquitted the men, who later admitted to the murder. On her deathbed, in 2017, Carolyn Bryant recanted this story and admitted that she had lied.’

This absolutely sickens me and goes to show how much us White people can be so harmful to Black people. This women cried wolf and the symptom of doing that led to an innocent black mans death. As White women we need to keep our emotions in check when is comes to situations like this.

Diangelo covers a lot and writes in a way to make you think of your actions and make a change to them. The epitome of White Fragility is critism for the wrong us as White people can and still do towards Black people. But critism is progress and progress is what we need.

Someone said a line within the live show that I had to note down;

‘Words are a start but if you stop at words and empty gestures then your words mean nothing. Focus your energy on actions not words.’

Educate yourself and make a difference to your actions and use your voice to amplify Black voices.

Click the picture to check out the book…

May Wrap-Up

May was an amazing reading month. I read an immense number of book compared to what I usually get around to reading. In total I read 11 books. WOW> I thought, as my blog usually only consists of one book reviews, that I would do a wrap-up as I already have reviews uploaded of a few of the books I am about to talk about. I am going to talk about them again, because I love talking about books and writing my thoughts down, and just giving them all the praise they deserve. So without further or do, lets begin with my first read of the month.

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Due to the current situation happening in America right now I truly want to delve more into novels that are written by black authors. I have already read quite a few books by black authors but most of them are just that one particular author who we all know and love as the amazing Angie Thomas. But I started my reading month with a novel by another amazing black author and that is Tomi Adeyemi. Tomi brought us her amazing debut of Children of Blood and Bone; which I had an e-arc of before it was released and stupidly didn’t read, but I guess I made up for it the following year. Any way, Children of Blood and Bone follows Zelie Adebola who is chosen by the gods to go on this quest to bring the magick back to her home land of Orisha. She learns and faces many troubles along the way, but with the help of her brother and a rouge princess she may be able to make it. I have tried many times before to read this book, but I think I just felt a little intimidated by it. But I decided to pick it up in May and I flew through it. The writing style is flowed so nicely and was easy to read considering I felt intimidated by this big fantasy book. It was a good decision to start the month with, and as usual I am going to tell you to go read it; NOW! if you haven’t already.

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The next book I read within the month of May was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, which again I have a full review uploaded, and I also reviewed the movie; AMAZING! I have been thinking about changing my rating for this book, because thinking back to it I feel like I have more of a connection to this book than I thought I had. Little Women follows the four March sisters just living their childhood, while learning the importance of family and morals. Like me I am one of four sisters myself and in my review I compared myself and my sisters to the March sisters which was really fun =, and I actually enjoyed this book more than I expected, so I will be changing me three stars to a four because it is well deserving of that rating and I need to pick up Good Wives immediately, and so do you after reading Little Women.

Just to warn you in advance the next few books I have read are all by Cassandra Clare and her Shadowhunter world.

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Now this will be no surprise that I gave this a five star review, as I am sure you will agree it truly deserves more than that. I felt like balling my eyes out when I finished Clockwork Princess, I just didn’t want it to end. I’m not going to give the synopsis for Clockwork Princess because I’m sure many of you already know the book and plus its the final in a trilogy, if you don’t know anything about The Infernal Devices trilogy go check it out. I cant wait to carry on with the rest of Cassie Clares amazing books so I can read Chain of Gold and be transported back to this world and cast of sensational characters.

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The next book I picked up within the month of May was a collection of short stories that was from the perspective of none other than Magnus Bane himself. The Bane Chronicles was a beautifully joyful read, because who doesn’t love to read a full book about everyones favourite

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I then went on to read City of Heavenly Fire. This was a brilliant conclusion to The Mortal Instruments series. So much better than how the Netflix series portrayed it, so now I am not so bothered about watching the series before reading the books. I nearly cried finishing this book because as much as I didn’t want it to end, I also wanted to get to the end to see what happens. This is one of my favourites of Cassie Clare’s alongside Clockwork Princess.

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If you haven’t noticed already I’m reading Cassie’s books in publication order so obviously I read Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. This is a collection of short stories written from Simons perspective. I really enjoyed this book and Simon is a great character perspective. You also get introduced to so many more characters in this book which I am living for, I cant wait to carry on with all her books.

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Lady Midnight blew my mind. I keep holding off from writing a full review on this, I don’t know why because I just want to gush about it. This book, to me, read like a mystery/thriller within the shadow hunter world and I need to pick up Lord of Shadows immediately because I need to be back in this world alongside these brilliant characters.

You done it readers, you have gotten past the shadowhunter books that I cant stop raving about.

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I then took up another popular series that everyone has read except me. I read the first three books in the Percy Jackson series. That is The Lightening Thief, The Sea of Monsters and the Titan’s Curse. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books was a breeze to get through. So easy to read and all the action to keep you engaged. Couldn’t ask for a better start to Rick Riordan’s books.

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I did read a final book during May but I feel its just going to drag down the amazing books I read before hand by talking about it because I honestly did not enjoy this book. If you are interested in taking a look for yourself then the book is called Hook by Melissa Snark which is the first in a trilogy (I think) and it follows Captain Hook, who is a female and its like a twisted tale of the original Peter Pan.

Well, that’s my May wrap-up. Please go check out these books if you haven’t already and show these amazing authors the support they deserve. I hope you enjoyed reading about what I read, even though its only short because everyone knows all about Cassandra Clare’s shadowhunter books and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson.

Happy Reading

Colliding Skies By Debbie Zaken Sneak Peak

Colliding Skies By Debbie Zaken is Oftomes publishing first debut of 2018, be sure to check it out!

I will be having a full review posted closer to release date but if you like the sound of it be sure to check out the link posted below for a little sneak peak and a pre-order prize.

Synopsis:

Since Skye Reilly can remember, she has been looking up to the stars. With high school graduation upon her, her telescope in one hand and her college acceptance letter in the other, she has life as meticulously mapped out as her star chart. That is, until the Celeians arrive and she meets Ethan, an alluring alien. Ethan collides into her like an asteroid, causing a gravitational shift in Skye’s trajectory and hurling her life into a cataclysmic collision course of interplanetary proportions.

The Celeians promise many things. An end to disease, global warming, and famine. The knowledge to help humankind. Despite the suspicions surrounding the intriguing aliens and rising anti-alien protests, Skye gives Ethan her trust, and eventually her heart. The very heart he could stop with a lethal electrifying touch of his hand.
When the Magistrate, a council of alien leaders, threatens to put an end to their interspecies relationship, following her heart could cost Skye her life and the lives of everyone she loves.
Not even light can escape the pull of a black hole.

How brilliant does that sound, right?

Check out the sneak peak here and also a pre-order prize: https://www.oftomes.com/single-post/2018/01/15/Colliding-Skies-Sneak-Peek