This last week has been filled with noteworthy reads, making it very hard to pick just three!
But I think I've successfully managed to come up with a list of books that will intrigue you, entertain you, and above all have you falling in love with their worlds and characters. I know I enjoyed them immensely - so I hope you do too!
So without further ado, let's get listing...
This week's Top 3 Picks
#1: The Distance from A to Z by Natalie Blitt
Rating: 4.4 stars
Book cover: The only downside? I am not the one holding hands with that guy on the cover!
Thoughts: It doesn't matter if you're not a fan of Stephanie Perkin-esque romances, or romance in general. Because, for me, the highlight of this book isn't the romance - it's how brilliantly and poetically the romance is expressed.
Natalie Blitt romanticises language, using French to tie characters together, break them apart, and remake them again. This book takes you on a literary and linguistic journey. The Distance from A to Z teaches us how although language can help us express love and can help to ignite and nurture love, love itself is a new language full of possibilities.
The characters are flawed - beautifully so - and it's nice to encounter characters who fumble with love and its complications and who don't always get it right the first time.
Favourite quote:
'This is a new language all together. It’s English words in the world we built out of French, and it means so much more than stop. It means that even though the distance from A to Z is the entire alphabet, even though Chicago is half a country away from San Diego (...) it means that we’re going to work it out. It means the distance from A to Z is really just an alphabet of possibilities.
And that sometimes, even with the whole alphabet at your disposal, the better thing to do is meet in the middle (...) and close the distance completely.'
#2: Untamed (Splintered #3.5) by A. G. Howard
Rating: 5 stars
I particularly like how the little symbolic details have been hidden away in the cover, including: Alyssa's necklace, the winged eye detail, the crown, the playing cards, the moth and - of course - the beautiful white dress she's wearing!
Thoughts: **Note: Although this book is a novella it should not be read before the rest of the Splintered series as it contains spoilers**
Did I cry bucketloads of tears? Yes I did.
Did I also laugh and smile as I got to revisit with old friends and experience the beautiful memories they made? You bet I did!
I quite like how A. G. Howard provided Splintered series fans with this novella, tying up lots of plot threads and answering questions (I also wish more authors would do this sort of thing!). It wasn't that the final book in the series left things unanswered...more like unfulfilled. There was an endless future full of possibilities left for our eager imaginations to conjure up and play out. But A. G. Howard has put an end to our suffering and given us a beautiful gift, laying out the futures for not only the main characters but the side characters you know and love.
For every Splintered fan who has longed to know what happens next, Untamed is the answer to all your dreams!
Favourite quote:
“This is worth any amount of bad luck,” I whisper against his full, soft mouth, returning his feverish kisses.
“We’ve never had good luck anyway,” he whispers in return, dragging us down to the bed together while careful not to crush my wings. “But we’re damn good at making our own.”
Like the sound of this book? Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!
#3: Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: I know what you're thinking: what is a picture book doing on this list?
Well, although a grown up I may be, I have a weakness for adorable and witty picture books. And Dragons Love Tacos is a book that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, with amazing and funny illustrations woven throughout the book.
Apart from the illustrations, the book actually has quite an imaginative plot too.
Do you love tacos? Well dragons love them too and this book gives you all the reasons why!
Favourite quote(s) - I couldn't pick just one!:
Like the sound of this book? Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!
What's your favourite book you've read in the past week?
Let me know in the comments below!
I loved Untamed and I need Dragons Love Tacos for my bookshelves!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read the Splintered series and I feel so bad about it! They all have such pretty covers and sound so good! I'll have to make sure I read that series this year :)
ReplyDeleteLaura @BlueEyeBooks
It's a very immersive series - although the traditional Alice in Wonderland elements are there A. G. Howard has transformed them into something truly magical. Hopefully you get the chance to read them this year...plus they look SO GOOD on your bookshelf (which is always a plus lol!).
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