You know, I cannot believe that it’s already Tuesday again, this last week seems to have gone by so fast. I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend filled with plenty of time for relaxation and reading! I’ve had a blissful four day weekend and boy oh boy was I glad for it. It’s been so nice to take a quick breather from all my assignments and to catch up on things. And when I say ‘things’ I mean watching Call the Midwife and reading, not house chores or one of those several essays I need to write . . .
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over @ The Broke and the Bookish and each week there’s a different theme that we get to make a list about featuring ten related books. It’s so much fun and the topics are always great! It’s also a fabulous way to learn more about people’s reading adventures and I recommend heading over to the official page to do some exploring through the link up.
This week’s theme is:
10 Of My Most Recent 5 Star Reads
Which is a very exciting theme and I’m more than happy to enthusiastically yell about such books for a bit longer.
#1
The Shadow Queen by C. J. Redwine
This book, guys, you need to read it. I actually found out the other day that Redwine has got at least five books planned for this series – which is very almost as exciting as Christmas Day. I CAN’T WAIT. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It’s a retelling of Snow White and there are DRAGONS and magic and wonderful characters doing wonderfully exciting things. Reading this felt like such a crazy fantastical adventure and I highly, highly recommend reading this. You might also have noticed that this cover is the prettiest thing you’ve seen all day.
#2
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A thousand times yes! I enjoyed this story so much and I’m so, so, so keen to read the next book. However, until they release a normal sized paperback edition I shan’t be doing that, *exasperated sigh*. The best thing about this book is the feel that I get from it, being so adventurous, exciting, and just generally badass. If you haven’t read this yet then you really should get on to it.
#3
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Mamma mia was this good. This book was like a snowball rolling down a hill, it just got better and better and better as the story progressed. The imagination that went into creating these worlds and stories within the book is phenomenal and beyond awesome. I’m so excited to continue the series and I’m hopefully going to be picking up the next book in April, *crosses fingers*.
#4
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
I feel like I haven’t shut up about this book since I finished reading it. Why? BECAUSE IT’S SO GOOD. I loved everything about this book, I was hooked from the beginning and the characters were absolutely awesome. I am practically wetting myself in anticipation of the next book coming out and am so grateful for the two novellas that have since been released in the meantime. If you haven’t read this book yet then here is me, throwing this book at your face. You’re welcome.
#5
Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This was my first Armentrout book and I was so pleased with it!! I’m hoping the series is just going to get even better from this book but I thoroughly enjoyed what this book had to offer. It’s a great dose of paranormal fantasy and I liked the concept behind the world/characters in this book. I am eagerly awaiting the moment when I will pick up book two!
#6
Die For Me by Amy Plum
This book was incredible. I haven’t been so addicted to reading a book for such a long time. Apart from having a ridiculously pretty cover, the plot and characters in this book are TO DIE FOR, har har har. Ahem. I’ve since continued on with the series and have been equally pleased with its sequel – you really need to get on and read this series if you haven’t yet!!
#7
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
This is definitely another must read. I read this so quickly because I could not put the silly thing down. It’s addictive in every sense of the word. A fantasy world with discontented kingdoms ready to go at each other’s throats at the drop of a pin! There are plentiful characters and multitudes of dilemmas. I’m exhausted just thinking about how much amazing stuff happens in this book.
#8
Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
This is really something special. Wolf by Wolf is an alternate historical fiction novel all about a world where Hitler won WWII. The story is beautiful and scary and the main character is AWESOME. Yael is officially invited to my Fictional Character Party For the Too Cool for School People. You should probably (definitely) read this one, too.
#9
The Martian by Andy Weir
I LOVED this. And if you were wondering, I way prefer the book to the movie. If you somehow don’t know what this is about, basically there’s a Mars expedition and a storm happens which forces the crew to evacuate. The problem? Mark Watney gets left behind for dead. And he has to science the shit out of his problem. It’s so fantastic, you really, really need to read this one.
#10
The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis
This is the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series and if ever a book blew my mind, this was it. I cannot even express how crazy the ending to this series is and how much I did NOT anticipate things to wrap up like that. I recommend marathoning this series from start to finish, in chronological order (which is: The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle) because apart from being an incredible series it’s so blimming clever, too.
Another Tuesday done and dusted! I don’t know if you noticed (I was trying to be overtly subtle *nodding*), but I have collected a brand new Funko Pop!! The Mulan Pop is my fourth one to the collection and it’s so adorable!! I was being really good in resisting buying ALL of them but I completed my first assessment for uni last week and thought that that was a good enough reason to reward myself with buying one. So hooray! Now you don’t have to keep looking at the same three Pops in my photos, so brace yourself for the onslaught of photos featuring Mulan.
What’s the best book that you’ve read this year so far?
Let me know in the comments below!
Upside-Down Books 
Nice! I’ve had my eye on The Martian and The Wrath & The Dawn! My favorite book of 2016 so far is Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal 🙂
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You should definitely have a crack at reading them! They’re both so enjoyable 🙂 I haven’t heard of that book before but I’m going to go check it out now! Thanks 🙂
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Since I loved the titles in this list that I’ve read, I’m definitely checking out the rest!
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Do do DO! They’re so worth reading, all of these were just ridiculously fun. I hope you like them!!
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Wow, great list ! Love the photos with it ^^
I loved The Wrath and the Dawn, and I have Falling Kingdoms on my list as well !
Have a great day !!
My TTT
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Thank you 🙂 I’m yet to find someone who didn’t like The Wrath and the Dawn! That sure says something about how good it is. Falling Kingdoms was just brilliant, I’ve since bought the second book but I think I really just need to buy all of the other books that are out because I’m sure I’ll just want to keep reading at the end of book two! Thanks for linking 🙂
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MULAN IS ADORABLE EEEEP. And also these books. THESE BOOKS. ❤ I have so much love for The Wrath and the Dawn and I've seen it on a ton of lists this week. YAYY EVERYONE HAS SUCH GOOD TASTES. I'm dying for the sequel. 😀 And I also am so relieved that I went ahead and bought Shadow Queen recently. xD I'm still waiting for it to arrive, but I was nervous because I'd heard tons of not-so-good things but AHFJDSKALFD DRAGONS.!!! DRAGONS ARE MY LIFE!!! *collapses* Here’s my TTT!
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Eeee I’ve just been sitting in my room STARING at it because I love it soo much! And then I’ll march around the house and announced FA MULAN to every member of my family. Because I have a life. YAYAY I’m so glad you’re preparing yourself to read The Shadow Queen – I super duper hope you like it, but I’ve definitely seen a few negatives things out there about it. I can’t work out if maybe I’m the oddball and just loved it beyond reason, or if I read ‘dragons’ and saw no more. Could be either one. *puts on ‘I ❤ Dragons' t-shirt*.
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Love your pictures! And great list! The Martian is SO GOOD! 😀 Red Queen will be one of my next reads. I really liked Shatter Me series, read the books this year
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Thank you!! *collapses at the thought of The Martian*. What did you think of the movie?? I hope you enjoy Red Queen – IT’S SO MUCH FUN.
I really need to get a wriggle on and read Shatter Me seeing as I do own it but have consistently forgotten to read it. I shall endeavour to read it in an enthusiastic manner ASAP!
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😀 It is awesome book! I haven’t seen the movie yet haha been waiting to see it though. Thanks. Great XD I will look forward to your review of Shatter Me series
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Really want to read The Shadow Queen and Falling Kingdoms so I’m really happy to see them on your list! I loved Half Blood too! Obsidian was my first JLA book and it’s just as amazing!
Christy @ Novel Ink
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I hope you enjoy them when you do read them!! I can’t wait to start that series of hers – crossing my fingers that I’ll enjoy it as much as Half-Blood!
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The Martian was definitely one of my favorite books. Great list. Some of those are on my TBR.
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday
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It’s such an awesome book that I think it’s making quite a few lists this week!! Thanks 🙂 And thanks for linking!
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I have The Shadow Queen on hold at my library once they get it processed. Seems like once they get books in, it takes them forever to process them. I honestly think the employees pass them around first, which is pretty much OK with me but I am curious to know. I still need to read The Martian. Great list!
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Ah that must be annoying!! I’d be running in there wearing a Dalek costume and demanding the book in half scary half overexcited-child manner. But that’s just me. I really hope you enjoy the book when you finally get your hands on a copy!
YES YOU DO. It’s brilliant. It also makes things like doing the ironing seem a lot less daunting in comparison 😀 Thanks!
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A Thousand Pieces of You and Wolf by Wolf are on my TBR and you just made me more excited to read them!
I’m glad you liked the Wrath and the Dawn! I preordered the sequel last week and I can’t wait to get it!
I’ve been thinking of getting the Shadow Queen but I’ve seen some people saying it’s meh while others say it’s fantastic!
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That’s awesome!! I hope you get around to reading them soon, they’re such brilliant books! I’ve preordered The Rose & the Dagger too and I’m so EXTREMELY excited for its release!
I really thought The Shadow Queen was brilliant so *I* definitely recommend giving it a go. Maybe borrow it from the library rather than buy it if you’re not sure 🙂
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My library’s so outdated so there is barely releases from 2014 😦 oh well! I will probably buy it soon anyway since I’ve seen loads of good things about Shadow Queen 🙂
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I can’t even express how much I love The Chronicles of Narnia – particularly The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion/Witch/Wardrobe, and The Last Battle! My TTT
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The Magician’s Nephew is such an adorable story!! The whole series just gives me warm fuzzies thinking about it 🙂 Thanks for linking!
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I LOVED The Wrath and the Dawn and The Shadow Queen, I thought both were amazing and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out (not long till The Rose and the Dagger now!)
Also I really need to re-read A Thousand Pieces of You. I loved it the first time I read it and need to read it again before I can start the second one!
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Yes!! Both of those books were ridiculously good! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed The Shadow Queen – I seriously cannot wait to continue that series!! Excuse me whilst I jump around my room at the thought of the Rose and the Dagger coming out soon! I’m really keen to see what happens in Ten Thousand Skies Above You because there was an excerpt of it in my copy of book one and OMG. That is all.
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I really enjoyed The Shadow Queen, and I’m actually interested to see where the next one goes because I honestly thought it was a standalone book!
Oh my god yes it’s so close now isn’t it, at least it feels that way. I need to get started on the novellas soon but I want to wait for all three to have been released before starting them.
I’m excited to start Ten Thousand Skies Above You, I have heard so many amazing things about that book but I just need to re-read the first one first 🙂
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Yes I’m curious to see where the next book goes too – have a feeling that each book will be about a different set of characters? I think that would make the most sense.
Awesome! I look forward to what you think of it 🙂
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Yes that’s what I thought. The Shadow Queen was a brilliant ending for Lorelai and Kol so I’d love to see the next one actually be about different characters, probably one of two of Kol’s friends!
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So many awesome books on your list, these are ones I have either loved myself or am desperate to read. I absolutely LOVED The Martian, that one made my list too. It was just amazing and Mark Watney is now one of my all time favourite protagonists. I am definitely going to be adding some of these to my already endless TBR, so thanks for the awesome recommendations!!! 🙂 Here’s my most recent five star reads, if you want to check them out 🙂
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Awesome!! Glad to be of assistance to your TBR 😉 Mark Watney has to be the funniest fictional character out there. I can’t see how anyone will compare to him again!! I hope you enjoy the books that you’re now planning on reading! Thanks for linking 🙂
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So that’s a Mulan Funko! I was wondering as I was scrolling through the books who that character was. 🙂 Great list, I’ve heard so many good things about lots of these. I’ve read Claudia Gray’s recent Star Wars novel and did like her writing in that, and of course the Narnia series is great (although I haven’t read those in ages).
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*drops everything* did you just say Claudia Gray wrote a Star Wars novel…….*FREAKS OUT* oh my goodness she did to, I just checked. !!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION. *flees to the bookstore*
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Ahh so many of these are on my TBR! I’ve had A Thousand Pieces of You on my shelf forever, I really need to get around to reading it. I also just ordered The Red Queen online so hopefully that gets here soon! I also really want to try and read The Wrath and the Dawn before the next book comes out!
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Awesome! I hope you enjoy them all 🙂 You should totally marathon the two Wrath & the Dawn books!
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Ahh yeah, I think that’s what I’ll probably end up doing! It’ll be good not having to wait for the sequel, haha.
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Precious little Mulan! Lovely addition to the pictures 🙂
And wonderful list. A good reminder that i wanted to read just about all of them on your list and haven’t yet but now i want to read all of them right now. 😉
Such a great list 🙂
My TTT: http://booksbeautifylife.blogspot.de/2016/03/top-10-tuesday-favorite-5-stars.html
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Haha thank you!! Fantastic 🙂 I hope you enjoy them all!! Thanks for linking 🙂
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