3.5/5
Read this over my holiday and it was great being able to delve further into Tolkien's world.
As the title suggests, they are unfinished, would have probably rated it higher if not.
#fiction #fantasy

I can't decide which to take on holiday so I'm taking all 3 😊

3.5/5
I really enjoyed this. It was an engaging retelling and I loved the main character. The writing style was very easy to read and mythology has always been interesting to me so it was nice to hear those stories told in a different way.

I haven't updated in so long! I've been really bad at keeping track of what I've been reading (and reading in general!). Hoping this will change.
So I'm getting started on this one from my massive tbr pile! 😊

3.5/5
It took me a little longer to read this one because I haven't been well recently. It was a good read though, told through the perspectives of two sisters kept apart by war. It was well written, i'll probably check out her other novel.

#fiction #whatireadin2019 #historicalfiction

1/5
Unfortunately I did not like this. I didn't find any of the characters overally interesting and the story was a bit underwhelming. I was quite disappointed because the blurb looked good.
Plus one of the main characters was really annoying!

#whatireadin2019 #fiction

4/5
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and I didn't want to put it down. The only thing that I didn't like was the ending, just felt a little underwhelming.
Overall a very good read though!

#booksireadin2019 #fiction #historicalfiction #readingchallenge

I've been sent home sick so I'm all wrapped up on the sofa, switching between watching netflix and starting Washington Black.

#fiction #washingtonblack #esiedugyan

4/5
I really liked this biography, it took a little while to get into but overall it was a really good read. I've read quite a bit on tudor history but never really read much about Margaret and didn't know she was so involved in English and Scottish politics. If you are interested in 16th century history I definitely recommend it.

(2 books relating to the same topic for #aroundtheyearin52books )

#nonfiction #history #biography #whatireadin2019

Mini book haul:
I've got Xmas money to spend (most of it will be going on books 😊) so I've bought two more. I've heard great things about 'Conversations with Friends' and I'm excited about 'The Secret History' because I loved The Goldfinch.
Picked the other two up at the library, not that I need more library books!

#bookhaul #fiction #whatiboughtin2019 #librarybooks

One my resolutions this year is to read more instead of looking at my phone at lunch. Started this today and it's pretty good so far.

#nonfiction #history #biography

4/5
A brilliant debut novel on a difficult but important subject. It was a very good read but quite harrowing in some parts. I did cry my way through the last few chapters.
I would definitely recommend this book.

(a book with a plant in the title or cover for #popsugarchallenge and a book with an elderly character for #aroundtheyearin52books)

#whatireadin2019 #fiction #historicalfiction #pop19 #aroundtheyearin52books

My Christmas/New Year book haul.
I'm so excited to get started on these and ready for a new year. I wasn't the best reader or very good at updating litsy or goodreads last year but I am going to be better this time!
I'm aiming to complete the #popsugarchallenge and maybe the #aroundtheyearin52books on goodreads.

#bookhaul #fiction #readingchallenge #history

4/5
It's been so long since I've posted here and to be honest I haven't been the best reader lately, unless fanfic counts! I will become better at posting here.
Anyway I've loved every Neil Gaiman book I've read and this was no different. It didn't grip me as much as his other's but it was still a very good read.
Plus the illustrations in this are fantastic.

#fantasy #neilgaiman #fiction #whatireadin2018

4/5
It's been a while since my last post but it took me a while to read this. I did really enjoy it but my head was not in the right place to read for huge lengths of time. And it is over 800 pages long.
It could have been a little bit shorter but overall a good read.

Fulfilled the #over600pages for #litsyreadingchallenge and #abookaboutdeathorgrief for #popsugarchallenge

#whatireadin2018 #readingchallenge2018 #fiction #lrc #pop18

Mini library book haul:

Elizabeth's Rival, Nicola Tallis
Entitled, a critical history of the British aristocracy, Chris Bryant

Picked both of these up yesterday, not that I need anymore library books! 😄

Mini book haul
City on Fire, Garth Risk Hallberg
The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

Bought yesterday from Waterstones. I don't usually buy new to me authors but I've still got Christmas vouchers to spend so thought I'd treat myself. 😄

#fiction #bookhaul #whatiboughtin2018

I've been trying to read this for weeks but I just can't read it anymore. There's nothing wrong with the writing in sections but it doesn't feel like a connected story and I don't really care what happens.

(It probably didn't help I read an excellent nonfiction and I've been distracted with kpop recently!)

A Book you started in 2017 but never finished for #litsyreadingchallenge

#readingchallenge #challenge #lrc #whatireadin2018 #fiction

Book by a poc author for #febinbooks18
Another one from my #tbr list. I got this for Christmas and I'm looking forward to reading it; I've heard great things.

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction

Book that starts with a T for #febinbooks18
Another one on my #tbr list! This is actually my dad's book that he got a couple of Christmases ago but he hasn't got round to it yet. (I see where I get it from 😄)

#readingchallenge #challenge #nonfiction #history #crime #truecrime

#oldestbook on your shelf for #febinbooks18
I probably own older books than this from my teenage/child years but those are all boxed up so are no longer on my shelf.
I've probably owned this for 15 years and it is brilliant. If no one had watched the tv series go watch it!

(And also my Harry Potter books which I've had since they came out originally)

#readingchallenge #challenge #nonfiction #history #military

#bookmarkappreciation for #febinbooks18
I think this is one of the only bookmarks I now own. It came as part of a set from waterstones but I have no idea where the rest have gone! I really need to pick some more up 😄

The book is The Mirror Thief, I'm still reading it after a couple of weeks. I'm finding it hard going but I will finish it!

#readingchallenge #challenge

Weekend library book haul.
I'm most excited about the Margaret Atwood book, I've been wanting to pick The Handmaids Tale or Alias Grace after watching the series but they're always out on loan!

Jack the Ripper: Case Closed, Gyles Brandreth
Sons of the Blood, Robyn Young
Hag-Seed, Margaret Atwood

#libraryhaul #fiction #historicalfiction #crime

#booksetinhistory for #febinbooks18
For this prompt I thought I'd list all the historical fiction books on my #tbr list. Some of these have been on my shelf for years. I've heard good things about all of them so looking forward to finally reading them!

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction #historicalfiction

#newautobuyauthors for #febinbooks18
I rarely buy with new authors, I try to get the from the library first but these are my most recent new authors I've loved.
I haven't read the tagged book yet, I got this for Christmas but I loved his others.

And also my recent favourite reads by David Olusoga and Samuel Bjork.

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction #nonfiction #horror #crime #history

#anticipatedfebruaryread for #febinbooks18
I got this from the library a couple of weeks ago and am looking forward to starting it. (Though maybe not tonight, I've been watching The Exorcist tv show all evening and I need something lighter!)

#readingchallenge #challenge #febinbooks18 #nonfiction #history #crime

Let's see how much of this month I actually complete this time! I didn't do very well in January but it was fun so giving February a go as well 😄
Hosted by @bookisglee

#readingchallenge #challenge #febinbooks18

I don't usually give 5☆ but I think this is one. Difficult read at times cause of the subject but meticulously researched and a really important part of British history that is usually left out.
Plus David is a really good storyteller; I didn't want to put this down!
(Think I might have found my new historian crush, he's brilliant)

#2017awardwinner for #litsyreadingchallenge

#readingchallenge #whatireadin2018 #nonfiction #history #lrc

#favouritehistoricalreads for #janinbooks18
There wasn't another book I could have picked for this. I love this book so much.
I would recommend this!

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction #historicalfiction

1. Yes but only one end of the sofa. It's actually next to the bookcase.
2. Both! I usually read two books at once.
3. Depends on the book.
4. Usually just drink tea.
5. I don't but don't mind if someone has music/tv on as long as it's not too loud.
6. Usually two at once, fiction & non fiction
7. At home and when travelling by train/plane.
8. Silently
9. Sometimes!
10. Like new
11. No, only when I was a student
12. Anyone who wants to! 📚

Saturday Library book haul;
The World's War, David Olusoga
Black and British, David Olusoga
The Invention of Murder, Judith Flanders
A Book of American Martyrs, Joyce Carol Pages

I've been watching David Olusoga's tv show on the BBC and he tells a story well so I thought I'd check out his books. Looking forward to reading up on history that is not covered enough!

#fiction #nonfiction #history #military #crime

1. So many! Kenan and Kel, X-Men the animated series, Hey Arnold, Blue Peter. I could go on 😀
2. I haven't really read many. I've got some war memoirs on my tbr list so I'm sure that will change.
3. Chocolate ice cream, all others are fine!
4. Winter Olympics and the Black Panther film!
5. It's so no longer a Friday so I won't tag anyone. #friyayintro 💜

Thanks for tagging me @CarolynM
#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

#currentlyreading for #janinbooks18
I tried reading this last year but couldn't get into it at the time so returned it to the library.
Started it again this morning and I'm enjoying it so far.

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction #historicalfiction

3.5/5
I really like this in the end. It took a little while for me to get into this which is why I couldn't put it at a 4.
Really interesting narration style but it wasn't until halfway through that I started liking it. It was good that it was also told from others affected by military action as well as the soldier. Tough in places as well because the author is writing from experience.

#readingchallenge #whatireadin2018 #fiction

Recommended Sci-fi read for #janinbooks18
I've not actually read this, it was recommended to me by our local Waterstones. I bought it last year but haven't got round to it yet because it such a big book.
I've heard mixed things about, looks like it's a love or hate it type of book.

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction #scifi #sciencefiction

Saturday book haul.

Bought:
A Darker Shade of Magic, V E Schwab
Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman
Easy Company Soldier, Don Malarkey

Library copies;
The Mirror Thief, Martin Seay
Anatomy of a Soldier, Harry Parker
The Magician King, Lev Grossman

#bookhaul #fiction #fantasy #autobiography #history #nonfiction #historicalfiction #whatiboughtin2018

Book to silver screen for #janinbooks18
I've had this book since the film came out but I've never actually read it! It's the longest tbr on my shelf by far. I must make sure I read it this year.

#readingchallenge #challenge #fiction

Favourite tear jerker book for #janinbooks18
I don't think I've ever been as emotionally wrecked from a book as this one. I read it last year, mainly on train journeys which wasn't a good idea because I hate crying in public. I couldn't read anything else for a while, this stayed with me for long time.

#readingchallenge #fiction

4/5
I really enjoyed this. I loved the story and the group of detectives are great. I meant to read this last year but never got round to it. Wish I'd started earlier. I will be checking out the sequel!
Also crossed off my #nordicnoir for #popsugarchallenge

#whatireadin2018 #readingchallenge #pop18 #fiction #crime

I feel a little bad about putting this book as so-so because it was probably a little better than that. I'd probably give it a 3/3.5 I liked the 80s setting and she wrote the love story well but it felt like I could just put the book down and not finish it. Crossed off my #booksetinthedecadeyouwereborn for #popsugarchallenge and #bookwithacolourfulcover for #litsyreadingchallenge.

#whatireadin2018 #readingchallenge #fiction #pop18 #lrc

First book in a series for #janinbooks18 is Leviathan Wakes in The Expanse series.
I read the first three of these last year. I'm surprised that it took me so long to find a sci-fi book I loved as it is my favourite tv/film genre.
I'm aiming to catch up with the rest of the series this year! #readingchallenge #scifi #theexpanse #challenge

Reading Goals and Resolutions for #janinbooks18
*Complete my goodreads challenge which is set to 40 books
*Complete one year long reading challenge (will either be the #readingwomenchallenge #popsugarchallenge or #litsyreadingchallenge) I haven't made up my mind yet 😊
*Read genres I usually avoid
*Read books that have been on my shelf for years!

#readingchallenge #readingchallenge2018

Day 2: First read of the year.
My first book of the year is Devotion by Louisa Young. I'm only halfway through but it's good so far.
It covers a family in Britain and Italy over 10 years in between WW1 and WW2. I've put this as a pick for now, let's hope I don't need to change it! #readingchallenge #janinbooks18 #fiction #whatireadin2018

Day 1 Most anticipated read: Young and Damned and Fair by Gareth Russell
I got this for Christmas and I'm so excited to read it. I'm always a little wary of male historians writing about women in history but I've already started reading the first chapter and it looks good so far.
I'm going to try to complete the #janinbooks18 challenge but I usually terrible at completing them! #readingchallenge #whatireadin2018 #history #nonfiction

Starting my 2018 Reading Challenge. I set my challenge on goodreads to 40 which seems a little low but I didn't read much last year. I'm hoping to beat this challenge this year. (Just need to stop reading archive of own instead! 😊) #readingchallenge #readingchallenge2018 #whatireadin2018

I loved this! I was a little sceptical at first but by the first chapter I had already changed my mind. I hadn't read any of his books before and didn't realise that it was part of a series but thankfully it didn't seem to matter to the story. I received another of his books for Christmas so I'm looking forward to reading that one!

This was a little disappointing. It was an easy read (I read this incredibly fast) but I didn't find myself invested in the characters and it didn't feel like there was too much of a plot. It would be good to read travelling or if you don't have time to get sucked into a book but otherwise I wouldn't bother.

Happy New Year! One of my resolutions is to post more on Litzy (and insta) so I'm starting with a book I probably finished about a month ago!
I really enjoyed this, I liked more sections than others but it was a good read overall and I felt all the stories were well connected. I probably won't be rushing out and buying a copy but well worth picking up a copy in the library.

I've put this as a pick but I did have a couple of issue with this book. Some of the characters weren't as developed as they could have been and the ending felt a little rushed for me but I did enjoy reading it on the whole.

I picked this up as a birthday present for myself and I loved it. It focuses on seven of Queen Victoria's grandchildren and their marriages and it's not a huge book so doesn't go into too much detail but it was a very easy read and it did leave me wanting to know more. Would recommend for anyone interested in this period of history.