As you can probably tell by the title, I’m hereby sharing some of my thoughts about books I’ve read this year, books I plan to read and other book related things that have popped into my head.
FIVE STAR READS
* OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon (Read in January)
When Claire goes back in time 200 years, her smarts and wit get her out of and in trouble a lot. Add a hot Scotsman Jamie to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic book with plot twists around every corner.
* A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness (Read in February)
Connor, who is going through a lot, is confronted with a monster… a monster who will become a big part of his life. So it’s an understatement that this middle grade children book is quite dark and emotional.
* THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson (Read in March)
This high fantasy book is filled with various characters, and each one with their own struggles. The fantasy world is interesting, filled with war and struggles for each of them, and amazing character building by Sanderson.
* ILLUMINAE by Anne Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Read in April)
Written like no other book out there, Illuminae is a sci-fi dystopian story about surviving horrible losses, and making important decisions. And when you least expect it, the plot throws some awesome twists in your way as well!
* VICIOUS by V.E. Schwab (Read in April)
Two best friends discover how to gain superpowers and decide to get them for themselves. But with superpowers comes the internal choice – either to use them for evil or for good. And when two best friends make their choices, they no longer call themselves friends.
* A COURT OF THORNS & ROSES by Sarah J. Maas (Read in June)
This was a re-read of mine, and it’s still one of my favorite books. Fayre hunts down a wolf, and ends up paying for it with her freedom. Forced to live with an enemy, Fayre tries to accept her future.
* A COURT OF MIST & FURY by Sarah J. Maas (Read in June)
I loved it! Sure, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s exactly what I wanted and needed this month. It has some action, some steaming scenes and then there’s the female empowerment that just hits the mark!
PLANNING TO READ
* GEMINA by Anne Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Release date in October 2016)
Illuminae ended with a great cliff hanger, and I can’t wait to continue with the series, and I hope Gemina is just as interesting and attention gripping as Illuminae was.
* DRAGONFLY IN AMBER by Diana Gabaldon (Released in August 2001)
There is supposedly a big time jump between Outlander and Dragonfly In Amber so I’m a little hesitant to pick it up but I know I will do it. I need to know what happens to Claire and Jamie, and I need to read it before I watch the second season, because I need to watch it soon!
* WORDS OF RADIANCE by Brandon Sanderson (Released in March 2014)
Another book in a series that I’ve started this year, and this one being probably the biggest undertaking of them all – the second book is massive, heavy but I’m 100% certain it will be epic!
* THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt (Released in October 2013)
This contemporary fiction novel has been on my TBR list for a while. I haven’t read many contemporary adult books this year, so I hope to change that with The Goldfinch.
* THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES by Cassandra Clare (Last book released in May 2014)
As a quilty pleasure, I began watching and liking Shadowhunters, so I decided to read the entire Mortal Instruments series. Two books read, and not very impressed, I’m still very determeined to read the rest in order to pick up The Infernal Devices and Lady Midnight as well.
BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS
* Shadowhunters (TV-series based on The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare)
The Mortal Instruments isn’t the best thing out there, and the series doesn’t really improve the story BUT I kind of love it! It’s cheesy, it’s silly and it’s sometimes so bad, that I appriciate it a lot.
* Me Before You (Movie based on Me Before You by Jojo Moyes)
Such an amazing adaptation! With Jojo Moyes penning the script as well, the movie stays true to the characters, the story and to its light hearted appeal along with the tears! From the script to the casting, Me Before You is just brilliant.
* Outlander (TV-show based on the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon)
The second season is airing at the moment and I’m trying to keep myself away from spoilers because I want to read the book first. As the first season stayed true and honored the first book so well, I bet the second season does so as well. Though who knows, because I’ve heard and saw mixed opinions, which makes me a little worried.
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What have you read this year that you’ve enjoyed? And have you seen any great book to movie adaptations that I should take a look at?
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Glad you loved Outlander!! I’m reading Dragonfly in Amber right now, and there is a time jump yes, but only in the first part of the book. Then it’s back to France, where the first season ended! It’s seriously good, but I have no idea how Gabaldon kept the story going for eight (gigantic) books!
Donna Tartt is a fantastic author. The Secret History is one of my all-time favourites, but I too need to read The Goldfinch. I’ve had it on my shelf for ages!
Me Before You is taking forever to premiere here 🙁 I really want to see it, but at the same time I’m scared bc I loved the book so much.
Omg, I need to pick it up soon then! I’m already looking at my books and thinking I have too many unfinished series at my hand.
I vaguely remember reading Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. Was it about a college student, and some mystery around the time he spent in the college?
Me Before You was perfect in my opinion.
Yup, that’s the one! I have to re-read it honestly, it’s been a few years! But it has a great atmosphere.
The Goldfinch is great! I definitely preferred the Infernal Devices to the Mortal Instruments and I have just downloaded Lady Midnight.
I think I’ll pick up the next 4 books in the Mortal Instrument series at the end of this month and at the beginning of July.