#i need to see them together in action please v e schwab please i will give you my kidney or whatever

[vciousevrvale]

that one scene in vengeful where eli and victor are fighting against marcella and the narration goes “to think that, in a way, the two of them were working together again. like old times—or like they could have been, perhaps. it was almost poetic” lives in my head rent free.

[beths-escape-from-reality]

Hey Guys!

Today I am going to be talking about my favourite reads from last year. I made this post last January about my favourites from 2016 and I love that post. I love going back and looking over it and seeing what I thought about a book when it was still fresh to me and it really makes me remember some books that I had kind of forgotten how much I love. So I have decided to make it a yearly post. 2017 was an amazing reading year for me. I read over 100 books and over 30 of those were 5 star reads. There were very few books that I read last year that I rated 3 stars or lower. I loved so much of what I read. this means that narrowing this list down was quite hard, but I eventually did it. most of these aren’t in an order of preference, except number 1. That was my favourite read last year and is one of my all-time favourites now. Also, I cheated slightly and included full trilogies and series as one, not multiple. But, this is the longest intro ever, so let’s get to the actual post.

Shades Of Magic by V E Schwab

This is one of my all-time favourite trilogies. This multi-verse trilogy puts a whole new spin on the magical universe. It is fast paced and dark, sexy and funny, and full of incredible characters. You follow a magician called Kell as he finds himself on a deadly adventure with an unlikely ally in the form of a young cut-throat called Lila. You cannot help but love this trilogy. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. This is one of the best magic based stories that I have read in a long time.

A Court Of Thorns And Roses Trilogy by Sarah J Maas

This (admittedly loose) Beauty And The Beast retelling is one of my favourite books that I have read this year. It is fast paced, action filled and so interesting. I couldn’t put it down. In this story you watch teenager Feyre trade her freedom for the lives of her family. Forced to leave her human life behind her, she is taken to Prythian, the fairy world. While there she discovers the secrets of the world, makes friends and slowly falls in love. This is a brilliant story. It is so gripping; I couldn’t put it down. (and that is just the first book!). If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to.

Heroes Of Olympus by Rick Riordan

I know that I have mentioned this series in a previous reads post, but it needs to be in this one as well. This series is amazing. It follows on from the original Percy Jackson books but has a whole host of new characters and a completely new storyline. I would go as far as to say it is better than the original series. It is darker and more complex. The story follows the group as they battle their way across the world trying to unite their friends and prevent the goddess Gia from waking and destroying the world. This series is absolutely incredible; you will want to marathon the books. It is the perfect series to escape into.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This book is essentially the YA equivalent of The Night Circus. It is beautiful, magical, imaginative and quiet dark. The story follows sisters Scarlet and Tella as they venture into the game of Caraval, looking for an escape from their abusive father and dead end lives. They are thrown into a world of deception, mystery, love and joy. This is one of those stories that you will instantly fall in love with. It will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time, you never know what way that it is going to twist next. You never know what is real, and what isn’t. I truly love this book.

A Monster Calls Patrick Ness

This is a stunningly beautiful book. It is essentially a contemporary story, but with a fantasy, supernatural twist running through it. In this book you follow teenager Conor as he deals with all the emotions and struggles of his mother’s illness. When he is visited by a monster, you learn some very important life lessons with him. This book is absolutely incredible. You will sob uncontrollably but you won’t care. As soon as you start reading it, you won’t want to put it down. It is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter day.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

if you are only going to read one book this year, it needs to be this one. This incredible YA contemporary follows 16-year-old Starr as she witnesses her best friend get murdered by a cop, and the aftermath of this event. The whole book is themed around the black lives matter movement and is such an important read. But not only is a topic that we all need to focus on and tackle more, the book itself is incredible. You are instantly so connected to the characters and you want justice for them. Honestly, everybody needs to read this book.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

I freaking love this book. Generally speaking, I am not a massive fan of classics, but I adored this book. I had been wanting to read it for about five years and finally, after seeing the film, I decided to give it a go and I am so glad that I did. This is the ultimate story of consequences and depravity and it is just amazing. If you haven’t read this, you need to.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

You need to read this book. Follow 16-year-old Vivian through most of the junior year at East Rockport High. At this very corrupted school, the football team are hailed as gods, allowed to do as they please with no repercussions, not even by teachers. Viv has had enough of ‘make me a sandwich’ comments, strictly enforced dress codes that only target girls, being grouped in hallways and all the other stuff that is going on at her school. So, taking inspiration from her ex rebel mother, she starts a zine called Moxie and triggers a revolution. This is a brilliant book. It explores feminism and girl’s rights and the idea that one girl can cause a change. I read this in just one sitting. It is brilliant. Everyone needs to read it.

Spellslinger by Sebastien De Castell

welcome to a world of magic and tricks. This is the first book in a new fantasy series and it is incredible. It has instantly become one of my all-time favourite books. In Spellslinger you follow 15-year-old Kellen as he navigates his way through a world where magic is everything. But he has an issue, his is disappearing. You follow him as he tries to uncover the secrets of his magic, untangle a web of lies surrounding him and try to survive long enough to save his sister. This is a fast paced, adrenaline fuelled book that will leave you itching for the next one. A must read for any fantasy lover.

The Upside Of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

This is hands down the best contemporary that I have read in ages. This story follows 17-year-old Molly over the course of one unforgettable summer. She is the girl who has had 26 crushes, but never done anything about it. this story follows her as she develops crush 27, makes new friends and generally starts to discover who she is. This is a beautiful story full of brilliant characters, and realistic storylines. I have never related to a story as much as I did this one. It is sweet and funny and so good. It is the perfect summer read.

Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland

When you read this book, you will fall in love with Robin Wilde. This brilliant debut follows 20 something, single mum Robin over a year of her life. You see her deal with everything from mummy issues to dating and the book even touches on elements of mild depression. This book is sweet and funny, daring and brilliant. It has highs and lows and many funny moments. I read this in just two days, it was such a good book and I cannot wait for the next one. It is the perfect summer read.

Maze Runner by James Dashner

This is a truly brilliant trilogy. You follow 16-year-old Thomas as he is thrown into a terrifying world of lies, fear and monsters. With no memories of his old life, you discover and learn about the world alongside him and end up really rooting for him. These are the type of books that you are instantly sucked into and don’t want to put down. There is constantly so much going on. Fighting, adventure, mystery, friendship, drama and so much more. If you want a series that you can really get into, then this is the trilogy for you.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This is the story of a 17-year-old girl’s suicide. After Hannah takes her own life, tapes suddenly start arriving on her classmate’s doorsteps, on them, Hannah’s reasons for ending her life. Throughout this book you see how people’s actions have consequences, how everything is all linked together and entwined. And how everything can snowball. This is a heart-breaking story and is well worth a read. You will laugh and cry and really connect with the characters. I do suggest listening to this one, is because of the format of the book. The book is told from Clay’s (one of the people who has received the tapes) POV but is primarily Hannah speaking. The audiobook is read by Debra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone who each take a POV. This just makes the story a lot easier to follow and much more enjoyable. There is also something about listening to this that just feels right. Plus, they are both amazing actors who really help to bring the story to life and to connect you to the characters. But however you read it, this is one of those books that you just cannot put down.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I love this book. It is the best Wonderland retelling that I have found so far. In this story you follow Kath, the future Queen of Hearts, as she discovers who she is and who she wants to be. You watch her fall in love with someone she can’t ever have and discover how she became so heartless. This is a really fun, all be it, mildly devastating, story full of love and friendship, cute couples and a lot of whimsy. I would highly recommend the audiobook for this one as it really makes the book.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stievater

Welcome to the paranormal world. This is the first book in a four-part series that follows a group of friends as they try to find and wake a long dead, and lost, welsh king. The story revolves around ghosts and lay lines, magic and psychics. It is a stunning book and is well worth a read. the writing is almost lyrical, the characters are brilliant and the storylines are so interesting. I cannot wait to continue with the series.

Wonder by R J Palacio

Welcome to the book that will make you think like an 11-year-old again. This book is a contemporary middle grade story about a young boy with serve facial disfigurement. You follow Auggie as he goes to school for the first time. The story is set over the first year of middle school and is told from multiple perspectives. You get chunks of the story from different people. From Auggie himself, to his sister, friends and even his sister’s boyfriend. Each character tells the whole story from their perspective, but also progresses the story. This is a truly stunning book that leaves you with so many feelings. It contains some very important life messages and is a book that everyone needs to read in their lifetime.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This is one of my favourite contemporaries that I have read this year. It follows 18-year-old Cath, an avid fanfiction writer, as she navigates her way through her first year of college. this book is full of brilliant characters, amazing relationships and complex storylines. You cannot help but fall in love with the characters and the storyline. It is sweet and funny, but also sad and so relatable. This story was so much more complex then I was expecting and I ended up really enjoying it.

Mortal Instruments + Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

this is without a doubt one of the best YA fantasy series, ever. It is full of adventure and drama, mystery and love, creatures and friendship. This is one of those series that that will always have you on the edge f your seat. You will want to read them all back to back. The series follows teenager Clary as she uncovers who she really is and is thrown head-first into the world of Shadowhunter’s and Downworlders. With amazing storylines, interesting characters, endless twists and a sprinkling of humour, this is the perfect series to curl up with and lose yourself in.

Have you ever wondered about Magnus Bane’s life? Then this is the book for you. This is a novella bind up centred around him. every story is from his point of view and it is amazing. You get so many little glimpses into his past, from meeting the formation of the accords to his first date with Alec. this book has it all. This is a must read for any fan of the Shadowhunter world.

Lockwood And Co by Jonathan Stroud

This is a middle grade series, which I would never give to a middle grader. The Lockwood & Co series focuses around a ghost hunting, private investigator agency. The series is set in a universe where ghost freely wonder the streets at night and it is up to children/teenagers (the only people that can actively see them) to hunt them and take them down. The books follow a specific agency ‘Lockwood & Co’ on their adventures. These books sound light-hearted, but they aren’t. Yes, there are a lot funny moments, but there are also lots of scary and disturbing ones as well. For instance, there is a moment in the first book with a bleeding room and a well were monks were buried alive. Definitely not a book I would give to anyone under 16, but it is a very good read. perfect for Halloween.

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

This is a stunning YA contemporary that follows two teenagers, Maggie and West, as they both struggle to come to terms with losing a parent. The pair connect over their joint experiences and slowly fall for each other. This is a beautiful story about loss and love, friendship and trust, and the idea that no two people experience the same thing, in the same way. It is honestly such a good book. It is beautifully written and you will instantly fall in love with the characters and the story. It is the first in a series of companion novels titled ‘The Field Party’ and they are well worth a read.

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

This book is the first in the DC Icons series and features, surprisingly, around Wonder Woman. Well, around Diana, before she was Wonder Woman. You follow her as she helps to save the world for the first time. This book was amazing. It was fast paced and action packed but also really relatable and complex. I loved every second of it. although the actual story is set in the summer time, it is the perfect read for this time of year. I honestly read this in one sitting, I just could not put it down.

Vicious by V E Schwab

What makes a villain? Read this book and find out. this story follows Victor and Eli, as they try to uncover the secrets of EO’s (extra ordinaries). This is a story about friendship and betrayal, good and evil, heroes and villains. This book has serious X-Men vibes. It boasts complex characters, a storyline that you have to slowly unravel and a completely unique plot. This is the perfect book to sink your teeth into during that autumn time.

The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Sailsbury

Welcome to an epic fantasy trilogy. These books follow a pair of teenage of girls, Twylla and Errin, who live in a very different world to ours. This is a world where myths are real and they are coming to get you. You follow the girls as they discover truths and watch their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. These books twist and turn, you never know what is coming next. There is mystery, drama, murder, betrayal and love. Everything that you could possibly want in a story. As soon as you finish one book, you will instantly want to pick up the next. They really are books to sink your teeth into.

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns is the perfect spring contemporary. Set in May, follow Q and his friends as they try to unravel the mystery that is Margo and find out where she has gone. This is a brilliant story about love, isolations, friendship and adventure. You can’t help but fall in love with it. It is sweet and funny but also dark and it tackles some serious topics. It is one of those books that you want to read in one sitting. It is perfect to curl up with during spring and just lose yourself in.

Shadow And Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I got through this book in basically one sitting. This story follows Alina as her world implodes and she is thrown into the world of Grisha’s. as her world is turned upside down she is in a race against time to learn to control her new power and uncover the truth of her new world. This is a brilliant story and I am really looking forward to continuing the series. The world is so interesting. It is truly a book that you can be fully absorbed into.

And those are my favourite reads from 2017! I loved so many books last year, it was a really amazing reading year for me. If you would like to know everything else that I read last year or my bookish goals for 2018, I put a post up last week talking all about it. I will link it below. What did you read last year? what were your favourites? Did any of mine make your list? I hope that you have enjoyed todays post and I will see you all again soon.

My Top 25 Reads Of 2017 Hey Guys! Today I am going to be talking about my favourite reads from last year. I made this post last January about my favourites from 2016 and I love that post.