T5W: Anticipated 2015 Releases

Hey, guys! I'm back with another Top 5 Wednesday post. I really want to try and do these more often this year. If you're interested in more information or participating in Top 5 Wednesdays, all the information is on the Goodreads group here :) This week's topic is more anticipated releases for 2015 and boy, do I have a few I'm excited for. So without further ado, let's do this! (Note: I usually put pictures of the covers next to books I'm talking about but half of these don't have ones yet so I just decided to scrap the idea)

#5: Winter by Marissa Meyer
I'm still reading the Lunar Chronicles but what I've read so far has been really great so I'm excited for the release of the next book in the series, even if I haven't quite caught up to the series yet. Plus, this is released quite late in the year so I've still got a bit of time to catch up.

#4: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
I've still got the Heroes of Olympus series to finish off before I can be really excited for this release, but I'm excited nonetheless. Rick Riordan's books haven't disappointed me yet and the idea for this one sounds awesome (+ Norse mythology, heck yes!) so I can't wait!

#3: |A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Just the fact that this is written by Maas has me excited but it also just sounds like a really interesting book. And if it's anywhere near as good as the Throne of Glass series, than there's a lot to look forward to.

#4: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead
This one is really close to being released and I just can't wait. Funny story, I'm actually going to be coming home from a vacation the day that this is released so I don't think I will be straight on the bandwagon like I was with Silver Shadows but once I've recovered I will definitely be picking it up asap. Anyhow, I'm really excited to see how this series is going to be concluded, if not also really sad that I will have to finally say farewell to this world.

#5: Untitled Throne of Glass Book 4 by Sarah J. Mass
I know that Maas is focusing on her other book release at the moment (see two above), but I just really more info on this one. We don't even have a title yet, or a release date. I have been literally dying to get my hands on it since finishing Heir of Fire and it's definitely my most anticipated release of the year.

So, are your most anticipated releases of 2015? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!
Jess, xxx

Top 5 Wednesdays: Female Characters

Hey, guys! So it's been awhile since I did a T5W but I couldn't pass up this week's topic and miss my chance to talk about my favourite literary ladies! I was supposed to post this yesterday but I got distracted and only wrote half of it up, oops. Also, these ones are in no particular order because that would be too difficult. Anyway, let's go!

#1: Hermione Granger, Harry Potter Series

I actually think Hermione was one of the first (if not the actual first) characters that I ever related to and admired. When I read this series as a child, I looked up to her so much. I loved that she was strong and intelligent as well as heavily flawed. I can't not mention her one discussing favourite female characters. 

#2: Celaena Sardothien, Throne of Glass Series

Having only recently read this series, it's been on my mind quite a bit. Especially in regards to how much I love Celaena! One of the big things I appreciate about her character is how much of a badass she is without having to disregard her femininity to do so. Her strength is shown both emotionally and physically. She is a kickass assassin who likes to wear dresses and look pretty. She is just so great.

#3: Sansa Stark, A Song of Ice and Fire Series

Okay, guys, let me tell you a thing. Sansa Stark is possibly one of the most underrated characters in not only this series, but just in general. She is a character I will die defending. At the start of the series, I was with a lot of other people. I did not like her for various reasons. But what so many people seem to ignore is how much she changes at the end of that book and for the rest of the series. She becomes strong and learns how to survive literally under the same roof as her enemy. She seems to go from bad situations to worse, but through it all she plays the game of thrones better than a lot of other characters.

#4: Rose Hathaway, Vampire Academy Series

The development we see Rose make from the start to end of this series is literally one of my favourite things I've ever read. She becomes almost a totally different person, and in the best way possible. Similar to Celaena (and most of the women on this list), I also love that she does not feel is necessary to dismiss her femininity to be the badass that she is. 

#5: Brienne of Tarth, A Song of Ice and Fire Series

This series is just filled with wonderfully complex female characters, which is a big reason as to why I love it so much. And of course, my absolute favourite has to be between Sansa and Brienne (don't make me choose, it won't happen). Brienne is possibly the complete opposite to Sansa but just as strong-willed for completely different reasons. She is constantly facing an uphill battle to get recognition for her talent but is ignored because she is too masculine then a woman 'should be'. I love that she sticks to her guns, never tries to change how she is and admire traditionally feminine things. Her character is honestly a gift.

So, there you go, guys! Who are your top 5 favourite female characters? Are any the same as mine? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

Top 5 Wednesday: Series I Won't Finish

Hello again! Sorry I've been so slack with my updates. Uni is ridiculous at the moment. But I've taken a bit of time today to do this weeks T5W with series I don't plan to finish. I will say that a lot of these I haven't touched in probably 5 years and most are within the same genre (paranormal romance) which I used to love but, for the most part, can't stand anymore. So, without further ado, let's go!

#5: Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi

I've mentioned this one before but I thought I'd include it again. Despite how much hype this series has gotten, I just couldn't get into it. I actually really like Tahereh Mafi as a person but these books were just not my cup of tea. I've been told I should give the next book a shot as it's apparently leagues better but I honestly have no motivation to any time soon. So, it's going on this list!

#4: Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick

I read this book when it first came out and I was into these sort of books and even then, I didn't think it was the most amazing book. But now, I have moved on from this genre and have little interest in continuing the series, despite owning the first two books in the series.

#3: Vampire Beach series by Alex Duval

I've actually read the first four books in this series but again, it's a genre that no longer draws me in and I never found the urge to finish this series to begin with.

#2: The Immortals series by Alyson Noel

This was possibly one of my least favourite series I have ever read. I read the first 3 or 4 books and the first one was okay but it got progressively more dull and ridiculous from there. I actually put this series down even when I was still into this genre. It was really not to my liking.

#1: House of Night series by Kristen and P.C Cast

This series just went for far too long. Unlike the other series, I stuck with this one for quite awhile. I read the first 6 books but I just couldn't force myself to go any further. The story stretched on too long, the main character had a new love interest every chapter, it became way too ridiculous and I just could not take it anymore.






Well, there we go! Please note that just because I didn't like these series, doesn't mean I judge someone who does like them. Everyone has their own tastes and these aren't mine.

What series won't you finish? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!
Jess, xxx

Top 5 Wednesdays: Books You Wish You'd Read Earlier

Well, hello again! It's been a few weeks since my last T5W. It occured to me the other day that I keep forgetting to tell you all where to find info about the T5W. The meme was created by Lainey at gingerreadslainey and you can find the T5W group on Goodreads here.

So, this week is is to discuss the top 5 books you wish you'd read earlier. I struggled to think of ones for this, mainly because as soon as I read a book that's been out for awhile and it's awesome, I always say 'Why didn't I read this sooner?'. But alas, I managed to cull the list down to these books!

#5: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
My friend told me for probably somewhere between and year to a year and a half that I had to read this book. And, as I usually do, I said 'I'll read it soon, I have a lot of books I want to read.' Finally she gave up and bought it for my birthday and even then, I didn't read it til almost a month after but wow, once I did...I was amazed! I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to pick up this amazing book. I'm still reading the sequel and had to rip myself away from it for booktube-a-thon but I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days!

#4: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Okay, so I adore the Vampire Academy series and once I heard that Richelle Mead was writing another series in this world, I was so excited! It came out and I bought this book not long after it was released by I never picked it up. I don't know why. I was in a massive reading slump that slowed down my reading for over a year! By the time I picked this book up, The Fiery Heart was already out. But boy, am I glad I got around to it eventually. Just like VA, Mead captured me with this story. I flew through the books and deeply regretted not picking them up sooner. Now Silver Shadows is just around the corner and I'm basically giddy with excitement.

#3: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I explained in my review here why I didn't pick this book up for so long but I still regret it. Not only did I love this book, but I find I'm slowly falling in love with every Rainbow Rowell writes. I wish I'd picked this up sooner as I would've gotten on to her other books sooner as well.

#2: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Another book that one of my friends told me over and over that I had to read. I can't believe I took so long to pick this gem up. If you didn't see my review of it, look here. But this series easily became on of my favourites!

#1: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Now, the regret I feel for not reading this book sooner is something I will literally never get over. So, when I was 14-15, I got the opportunity to go to this Literature Festival through my school and by some miracle, Markus Zusak was one of the speakers. I had heard a lot about the book and definitely intended on reading but I didn't end up actually doing so until after this event. I still remember how interesting he was but I just wished I'd read his book sooner so I could've appreciated this opportunity so much more.




So, a lot of these books I've recently read but it's probably because they're most fresh in my mind. What books do you wish you'd read sooner? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!
Jess, xxx

Top 5 Wednesdays: Read So Far in 2014

Round two on Top 5 Wednesdays! This week's it's the top 5 books I've read so far in 2014. To be honest, I've been a bit slow on reading this year so I'm including one re-read and hopefully it's not cheating. Oh well. Without further ado!

#5: Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin

The fourth in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by Martin. To be honest, this book left a bit to be desired mostly. It had it's ups but it was generally quite the filler book and slow. Alas, it's still one of my fav reads this year and I'm really enjoying the following book.






#4: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

This is the re-read. The Vampire Academy series is, hands down, one of my favourite series out there. I have read it more times than I can count and will definitely read it many more times.

#3: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I absolutely adored this book! Check out my full review of it here.

#2: Civil War by Mark Millar

This year, I took my first adventure into the world of comic books, beginning with The Avengers. I'm still making my way through them (because, wow, there is A LOT) but so far, this has been my absolute favourite. I would love, love, LOVE MCU to venture into this storyline in the near future (and I think they are setting it up nicely if that's the plan).




#1: Name of the Wind by Partick Rothfuss

The first in Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles, this book was absolutely fantastic! It's been awhile since I read a new fantasy novel that was so good. I plan to have a full review up of it soon as possible because I only finished it a few days ago. So keep an eye out! I'll just have to pry myself away from the second book to do so, haha!








Not very exciting as I've been in a reading slump most of this year but there you go! What are your Top 5 reads this year? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!
Jess, xxx

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