Looking forward to getting stuck into this one!

Looking forward to reading this! I‘ve realised that my favourite genre is definitely dystopian, futuristic and thrilling! This on sounds perfect!

This took me a while to read. I loved the idea that the stories were all interconnected and I loved how creatively the timeline was constructed - David Mitchell is an incredible author. However, I struggled to get into some of them and had just got into them when they stopped!

This months book club read 📖

My half term read 😊

My mum recommended this as an easy read crime thriller - the dog-eared pages suggest the same! I‘m ready for a something easy to help me get over Half of a Yellow Sun 😢

Making a head start on February‘s book club read!

An dystopian novel exploring the suppression of women by limiting their word count to 100 words a day. The book had strong echoes of The Handmaid‘s Tale (Margaret Atwood). I thought the story could‘ve been developed further as parts of it - the final climax point of the novel in particular seemed a little rushed and was resolved too easily. All in all though an easy read and interesting plot.

I loved this book! An enchanting tale (though slightly gruesome an a little spooky at times) set pre-19th century. I loved the characters and found the plot really interesting and different from what I was expecting. Thoroughly recommended!

I‘ve been wanting to read this book for ages following a recommendation - have since heard other conflicting reviews so am interested to make up my own mind!

This months book club read. Love a bit of YA - particularly with magic and mystery so I‘m looking forward to this!

Last months book club read (I‘m a bit behind!) Jumping from dystopia to classic has been challenging but a nice change - I do love a classic! I‘ve enjoyed the themes of femininity and class vs culture that are explored in this one but feel they could‘ve been developed a bit further. I‘ve really enjoyed the characters and how they develop too.

I‘ve absolutely loved this trilogy. Attwood‘s scarily believable dystopia is still haunting me. Oryx and Crake was a bit of a slow starter but necessarily so. Year of the Flood was my favourite. Maddaddam was gripping. I did find the ending rather distressing but I‘m not sure if another ending would‘ve been possible. I would thoroughly recommend!

Hold everything! I‘ve just discovered there‘s a sequel to Shantaram! 😱🙈 How have I missed this?!

New books! (I found a Waterstones gift card left over from Christmas..) I know I‘m quite late on the uptake of these but better late than never eh? #newbooks

Our January book club pick! Looking forward to getting stuck into something a bit different after devouring crime thriller after crime thriller this month!

Not only was The Book of Dust reduced from (d0 to £ in #whsmith it also came with a free book! All in all a successful purchase! Very very excited about my next reading adventure!

While I appreciate that Kraus is clearly a very intelligent author who made many insightful points, this was not my cup of tea. To be extremely blunt, this book is the overindulgent ramblings of an upperclass film maker looking for something to make her life more meaningful or edgy. I didn't think It was important for feminism at all as it focused on a woman completely fawning over a man. The characters were desperately irritating too! Sorry Kraus

October book club read! Not sure I'll be writing this title on my classroom door!

A good book with a really interesting and different plot and really diverse characters! Set across South Africa and Sweden, the story gradually builds up to unveiling how it links to its title. I found the storyline predictable in places and the action seemed to stagnate in places - although this could've been to match the character's feelings. However, this is a book you feel committed to finishing!

I'm inclined to agree 😂😂

I'm super excited to be joining a book club next month - this is our book for September! I have fallen in love with the elderly protagonists already and am really enjoying the fantasy element!

I'm planning a scheme of work based around King of Shadows for middle ability year 7 students. Better get stuck in!

Taking a break from YA fiction to binge on psychological thrillers...my kindle needed some attention anyway! This one looks really interesting: romance, lies, family and repercussions! Thanks

Wow, wow, wow! How has it taken me 28 years to read this trilogy?! I am absolutely blown away by the imaginative reality, interesting characters and detailed and intricate plot Pullman creates in this trilogy. Despite being the final, The Amber Spyglass doesn't lose any momentum. I was torn between frantically racing to finish it and trying to savour every word so it wouldn't end! ❤️️❤️️❤️️

I really enjoyed this book. Four intertwined stories set in Alaska/Canada each with an engaging protagonist. The tales each cover big issues and the setting makes them really interesting and unique - despite being slightly predictable.

I absolutely loved Northern Lights and am already enjoying getting stuck into this book! ❤️️

Half way through this gem at the moment and I'm really enjoying it! I'm absolutely blown away by the quality of YA fiction at the moment and am so enjoying restocking my mini library in my classroom! #englishteacher

Another fab contender for the UKLA book awards 2017. FCO follows teenager Iris as she is whisked out of LA and back to London to meet the dying father she thought had abandoned her. Iris is an awkward and neglected teen raised reluctantly by her gold digging mother; her only companion is quirky Thurston who encourages her to live for the moment. The characters are brilliantly crafted and I finished the book wanting to hear more about them!

On to the next from the UKLA nominee list! I've been really impressed so far!

An easy to read young adult book exploring themes of bullying, family and trauma. Written in the form of a diary, the story follows Henry Larsen as he settles into a new school and deals with life following a traumatic event that has had a serious impact on both his life and his family. I would've liked the story to have explored the rebirth of his relationship with his family more at the end but all in all an engaging read!

The best thing about school holidays is having a chance to catch up on reading! Getting stuck into another UKLA book award nominee now....

What a fab YA futuristic sci-fi novel! I absolutely loved this book and hardly put it down.
Set at an unnamed point in the future where different worlds are connected by intergalactic tube trains and the universe is ruled by large masses of data intelligence known as guardians, Zen Starling gets cajoled into a mission that will uncover the galaxies darkest secret.
The people vs the oppressive rulers plot draws links to Hunger Games and Divergent.

Getting stuck into this years UKLA shortlisters! Enjoying Rail Head so far - setting is making me imagine a futuristic Cyber universe, dominated by an incredible train service, that bares a strange resemblance to India.

The story of a disturbed but extremely interesting teenage boy who shoots up his school, told by his mother in a series of letters written to her husband reflecting on events past and present. I initially struggled to get into WNTTAK as there was a lot of build up and introduction to Eva (his mother)'S character. However, these details add a real, believable depth to both hers and the other characters in the book. A really thought provoking read.

I love a good charity shop purchase!

"Being pulled from the tragic climax of her novel, was bit in the best mood for social enterprises." - I think Jo is the character I most relate to in literature!! ❤️

"Some books are so familiar that reading them is like returning home again." ❤️ ?

"I look like a seaside donkey in a sun hat"
Lovely light hearted Christmas reading ? ? ❤️

David Walliams has got a real gift for children's writing! Gangsta Granny was funny, interesting and touching. The story explores the relationship between grandmother and grandson which develops when granny's unlikely past is revealed. Walliams creates unique and funny characters each with their own quirks.
An easy read - fantastic for encouraging reluctant readers!

A grittier trainspotting that feels decidedly more like a documentary! Even the dogs is such an interestingly written book - McGregor really plays with language to add to the sensation the narrative is made up of dozens of not-quite-finished thoughts. Rather a dark storyline following the death of an alcoholic and the reactions and intertwined lives of those around him. The characters are all perfectly crafted and real.

"I drew a CND symbol on another page. I wrote the words: Please. Do not let us be so stupid. Never again. Amen."
Quite fitting with current fears and uncertainty following the latest political changes worldwide.

I am seriously in love with my new MASSIVE, illustrated copy of Jane Austen's fabulous work! And it was a present from a fabulous friend! ❤️📖❤️

Such a beautiful book - great illustrations and a great storyline!

Very late to the party with this book, but definitely worth the wait!
I devoured this book in record time.
A fantastic thriller written from the POV of 3 different women whose lives are intertwined. The narrative is split into morning and evening events following the daily commuter trains into and out of London, and the story follows the disappearance of a woman whose house overlooks the train line. I was sucked in almost instantly!

"The doorbell rings."
Kindle fire + half term = very dangerous (and brilliant) for an English teacher!! ??❤️️

"She's much more than just the girl on the train..." -Lets see what she (and all the fuss) is about!!

David Walliams books are immensely popular with my KS3 students - I think it's about time I check some out!

I really loved Northern Lights! A fantastic YA fantasy adventure story.
Set in some version of England in which humans have a special animal companion called a daemon with whom they are bonded (hard to explain....but basically my ideal world !) The book follows the adventures of Lyra as she tries to free save her friend and her uncle from some scary organisation. Along the way Lyra meets witches, ice bears and evil golden monkeys!
Fab fab fab!