Top 5 Wednesdays: Last Sentences

So, this is my first post participating in the 'Top 5 Wednesdays' trend. Before I get started I have to, of course, give a spoiler warning for this weeks. These are the last sentences in each book so big spoiler warnings for what I'm going to discuss. But without further ado, let's go!

#5: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling - 'All was well.'

I'm including this more for personal reasons than probably anything else. I have a love/hate relationship with the Epilogue to this book but I still cried a whole deal after reading this sentence. It summed up the ending of years of my life reading these novels and after all this time, these characters I'd grown so attached to had finally gotten their happy ending (well, most of them) and it was beautiful.

#4: 1984 by George Orwell – 'He loved Big Brother.'

This line was beyond powerful. The whole book was. The conclusion to this novel, as a whole, made such a powerful statement but this line was the real punch. And it still plagues my mind to this day.

#3: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare – 'And if the Thames that ran besides them, sure and silverin the afternoon light, recalled a night long ago when the moon shone as brightly as a shilling on this same boy and girl, or if the stones og Blackfriars knew the tread of their feet and thought to themselves: At last, the wheel comes full circle, they kept their silence.'

That line was a lot longer than I thought! But nonetheless, I am a huge fan of this series, moreso than The Mortal Instruments and this conclusion was just really lovely. The book itself was one of the most satisfying endings to a series and a love triangle that I have read and this last line was really gorgeous.

#2: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – 'A Last Note From Your Narrator: I am haunted by humans.'

I love this line so much. This book is not only one of my all-time favourites, but this last line was so special. Zusak's writing is forever beautiful by I like how simple the line is while, at the same time, it succeeds to turn the idea of Death completely around. For a story narrated by Death, it tells us so much about life and this was a beautiful and powerful end to it.

#1: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – 'Katniss, there is no district twelve.'

This line, guys! I remember reading Catching Fire for the first time and sitting there not knowing what to do with myself after I read this line. It slaps you in the face and then gives you nothing afterward. It was even worse because I had months to wait for Mockingjay. I can't think of many cliffhangers done as well as this one was and I'm still reeling over how awesome it was close to 5 years after reading it for the first time. Well done, Suzanne!

So there you go guys. My first of (hopefully) many Top 5 Wednesdays! What are your guys Top 5 Last Sentences? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

Review: Where Rainbows End/Love Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Title: Where Rainbows End/Love, Rosie
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Summary:Where Rainbows End is a story told through letters, emails and instant messaging about the ever changing relationship between the two main characters Rosie Dunne and Alex Stewart. Rosie and Alex are close friends from childhood but one day they are suddenly separated when Alex and his family move from Dublin to Boston. The book guides us through their relationship as it continues to change due to distance, new relationships and circumstances which seem determined to keep them apart. One question remains throughout the book, were they always meant to be more than friends and will they risk everything including their friendship on love?
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Review: So I'd like to say that I did enjoy this book. It took me awhile to figure how exactly I wanted to rate it (I have difficulty with rating things to begin with, though) as I sort of have a love/hate feel towards it after finishing it. But I think it's worth the read but I do think it requires a bit of patience as sometimes it can be awfully slow. Nevertheless, it will pull at your heartstrings, infuriate you but also make you laugh. There is a lot of humour in this book to accompany the drama which I think really helped as a whole. I recommend you check out the book if the story appeals to you and you're willing to last through the slower parts. :)

Anyhow, now I'm getting into spoiler talk. Be warned if you have yet to pick up this book!

Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Summary: "Fangirl is a coming of age story about fanfiction and first love. It focuses on Cath, who has been a fan of Simon Snow books her entire life. When both Cath and her twin sister go to college, her sister begins to drift away from the fandom and from Cath, and Cath has to learn to exist outside her comfort zone." (Wikipedia)

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: (Edit: this turned up being a lot longer than I intended but I had a lot of thoughts, sorry not sorry)

First off, I would like to say that I have spent a lot of time not wanting to read this book. I heard about it not long after it was released and, to be quite honest, I was a bit hesitant. It was the title, I'll admit. Perhaps I should've given the book more of a chance (or even, y'know, read the blurb) but the title made me wary of what role fandom was going to play. I assumed it was going to be really good or terribly cringe-worthing. I favoured the later and decided to not pick it up.

But boy, was I wrong in doing so. After it seemed to explode earlier this year and I heard lors of good things, I decided to give the book a second chance (or probably a first if you considering how lame my 'first' one was). And you know what? I absolutely adored it. This book is one of those books where you pick it up intending to read a few chapters before bed, and the next thing you know you're turning the last page and the sun is peaking up over the horizon. And you're left sitting in your bed, trying to remember who you are and not quite wanting to let the characters go just yet. And I didn't. I really wanted to know more about Cath's story and everyone else but alas, it had to come to an ending. And now it's time for me to word vomit about my thoughts.

Okay, so here's where I'm going to get into spoiler talk, so spare yourself if you haven't read the book yet! Go read it and then come back and join the discussion :)

A Self Introduction

Well hello there, internet world!

My name is Jess. I'm 19 and currently in my second year at University, doing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Sociology and Creative Writing and Literature. I have probably had a handful of different blogs over my time on the internet but I felt it time to start a new one solely dedicated to books. Why, you may ask? Because I love books. I have since I was a small child and my parents used to read me stories. They've always been a big part of my life and I want to find more people to talk about them with.

I'm primarily interesting in fantasy novels and often dabble in YA and science fiction but I'm open to most genres. From me, you will mostly see book reviews, tags, general discussion and whatever else comes along. I'm still trying to work my way around this (I've never had a blog on this site) so bare with me but I hope to stick this thing out for awhile. Hopefully I will get the wheels turning in no time!

Don't be too shy to say hey! I'm pretty shy myself but love meeting new like-minded people!

Until next time!
Jess, xxx