Hey, I guess the first thing that I should say is sorry for disappearing for so long. It wasn’t intentional at all; I’m just stuck in a terrible reading slump and find it kind of odd to be posting about all of the books that I love whilst failing to read them. I am seriously hoping to push passed this in the next week or two though and majorly fall back in love with reading as I miss it immensely. Plus there are some majorly magical releases coming out over the next few months and I HAVE to be reading if I want to pick those up. The rest of 2020 simply can not be a yet another year where I count down the days until a book’s release then promptly fail to read it.
Anyway this is just a quick post to say that I’ll be back and posting properly soon. I’m currently finishing off my attempts to play catch up and then I’m going to throw myself in to finishing off my library books (or reading another three of them at the very least) then I’ll return properly and start posting more regularly.
Long introduction aside this is just a quick post to share my favourite three books so far this year (reviews for them are all typed up and will get shared on Goodreads in the next few weeks then gradually added to my blog) and then to remind myself – and tell all of you – why I wanted to read my remaining library books in the first place. Hopefully that way I’ll start sparking up a bit more enthusiasm!!
Favourite Reads Of 2020 So Far:
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron

If you love villains, pick up this book. The bad guys in this one were fantastic and multi-layered. There were even a handful of scenes from some of their perspectives. The world had a unique system of magic, the characters were wonderful and the Orisha were fascinating. Bonus point: there are even some small chapters from the POV of a deity; how unusually wonderful is that?
Circe by Madeline Miller

When it comes to Circe the hype is definitely real. From the very first line I was hooked on this fantastic story. The characters mesmerized me and I constantly wanted to know more about each and every individual to grace the page. (Seriously I’d read all of them if they were written). The writing was utterly enchanting and I seriously do need more. Want a beautiful, powerful book with some truly enchanting writing? Then look no further.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Once I picked ‘The Grace Year’ up I literally couldn’t put it down. Brutal yet beautiful, disturbing but addictive this book left me spellbound. It was definitely dark but it’s eerie world and setting left me fascinated. The survivalist nature of certain sections of the story even gave me Hunger Games vibes at times which is so, so rare. Once again, upon finishing this book, I wanted much, much more. I could read several thousand pages of Kim Liggett’s hypnotic writing.
Please be aware that all of the above books contained potentially triggering content.

Library Books To Read Still:
Please note that my summaries of why I want to read these books are based on a combination of memory and/or a quick skim of the blurb as I plan to read them all soon and don’t generally like reading blurbs right before picking books up.
A Throne Of Swans by Katharine & Elizabeth Corr

Okay so this isn’t actually a library book but it is one that I definitely want to get read before returning to my blog properly. It’s a review copy and I feel terrible for not reading it yet. I kept falling into slumps between books and didn’t want to start this in case my slump affected my opinion of the story.
Shape-shifting magic, court politics, a brutal uncle, love, revenge and a main character who wants to protect her lands. What more could I possibly ask for? This sounds incredible and will definitely be one of the books that I read before posting again.
A Treason Of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth

Well with a title like ‘A Treason Of Thorns’ how could I possibly not want to read this book? I think it also involved an unusual sense of magic, a house that was almost a character on it’s own and I’ve seen some people whose opinions I trust love this book. It’ll probably be the one I start next.
Havenfall by Sara Holland

A fascinating sounding world, murder, a mysterious dead body, missing romantic interests, dark secrets and a dangerous creature on the loose. Once more what more could I ask for in a book? A stunning cover perhaps? Well I think it’s safe to say that this has that too!
What Kind Of Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

A girl turns up at school claiming that her boyfriend is abusive and everybody rushes to take sides. Is she telling the truth? And if so why did she go to her principal rather than the police? I’m curious about whether the main character is being honest or not and believe that either way this will be a hard hitting book! I was constantly checking to see if my copy of this had came in yet so I have absolutely no idea how I haven’t read this one yet.
The Foundling by Stacey Halls

A woman leaves her daughter at a home and returns years later to discover that ‘shes’ already claimed her. How can I resist a storyline like that? I’m curious about the authors work too and once again adore the stunning cover. I feel like this will be the sort of twisty, historical tale that will engulf me.
All The Wrong Places by Joy Fielding

This is the book that I’m most wary about reading tbh as I did not like the only other book that I’ve read by the author. The idea of internet dating gone wrong is a fascinating one though. Plus this starts with a POV of the killer (or villain anyway, I’m assuming he kills his victims) and I just adore books that do this. So hopefully it’ll be chilling and get under my skin.
The Boy Series by Meg Cabot

I picked this up because A) I own two of the books already B) I love books that are written in email format like this and C) it seemed like a good idea to have an ‘easy’ read option in case I struggled to read (so why I haven’t read this yet I can’t say). I know that I read some of the books before and enjoyed them and am looking forward to diving into a sweet, romantic, email style story.
So those are my favourite books of the year so far, along with the library (and one review) books that I need to read. I’m probably going to be away for another week or so once I’ve caught up on everybody else’s content a bit more (basically I want to get at least three, preferably five, of these read before returning and I know I can do it in a a week to two as long as I actually get started and don’t convince myself that I can’t focus between each and every book). So I’ll post again most likely in the second week of June and then officaily be back and blogging. In the meantime I shall hopefully get reading and reignite my passion for books.

What are you hoping to read at the moment? Have you read any of these books? What are you favourite books of the year so far? And do you have any suggestions of blogs for me to follow? Let me know everything in the comments.
I’ve missed you all.
Hi Charlotte! I absolutely adored Circe so Iβm really glad to hear that you enjoyed it too! And your enthusiasm for The Grace Year is tempting me, as Iβve not read this one yet and I love a dark, twisted read X x x
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Thank you, it was such a wonderful read. I hope you end up enjoying it if you do decide to pick it up then (: I definitely regret not getting to it sooner.
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I read the Grace Year too! That ENDING! The thing that happens to a character and then -ahh – the ending made me cry lol. Just so bittersweet and emotional!
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Aww I totally understand. I can’t believe that happened! It was definitely an unusual mix of heartbreaking yet hopeful. I’d definitely be curious to see if the author does eventually write any more within the world.
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I want to read all three of those books so bad! The Grace Year sounds really good, if dark, and I’m glad to hear it was one of your favorite reads! A Treason of Thorns sounds absolutely incredible as well, and it has such a gorgeous cover as well. I hope you enjoy all of theseπ
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Aww well I hope that you get a chance to read all of them soon then and that you end up loving them too!! π To be fair it’s only out of like ten but I still gave them all five stars and enjoyed them immensely.
I hope I’m remembering the plot for it right then :L but yeah it does sound incredible and I adore it’s cover too! Thank you ππ
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Thank you! Ahh, that’s still convincing enough for me haha! They all sound so good!
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Yay βΊοΈ I hope you love them all β€οΈ
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I really need to pick up Kingdom of Souls, it sounds so good!
Happy reading!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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I hope you enjoy it if you do (:
And thanks, you too ππ
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Ahh, I really, really wanna read Circe π₯Ί I’ve heard such good things about it, and the only thing preventing me from reading it already is the fact that I’m a little scared I won’t like it, because the synopsis doesn’t really sound up my alley :””) I hope you enjoy your future reads!! I’m so glad to see you back in my feed β€
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Aww I get that, I feel the same about a couple of hyped books too. And the fact that they’re so widely loved does kind of make you panic over the idea of not liking them. If you ever do decide to read it I hope you end up enjoying it. It does cover a lot of fascinating mythology within it.
Thank you, fingers crossed. And thanks again, that’s so sweet β€οΈβ€οΈ
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Yay I’m excited to see you post again and look forward to more in the future!! β€ I hope you are able to get really into reading again as slumps are the worse, although this " I count down the days until a bookβs release then promptly fail to read it." is a constant mood, haha!!
I really need to pick up Kingdom of Souls. I feel like I will really love it and I'm so glad you did !! And I'm also so glad you enjoyed Circe, the writing really was magical !!
I hope you enjoyed all the next books, it seems like you have a great selection there!! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on them all !! β€ β€
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Aww thank you β€οΈβ€οΈ
Yes hopefully I can. And I’m glad it’s not just me ππ it feels like such a bizarre thing to do so it’s good to not be alone in it.
I hope you end up loving it β€οΈ I can’t wait to read the next one. Yes the writing was absolutely stunning and I can’t wait to pick up more by the author π
Thank you β€οΈπ I’ll make sure to let you know how I find them all π
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of course !! β€
*fingers crossed* Not at all, I do it all the time. I feel like I don't buy books that often so it depends what my library has really !!
Thank youu. I'm so excited !! I hope the sequel is just as good !!
Me too. I need to pick up more of her books !!
Yay, thank you !! β€
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Its definitely a habit I want to try and change. I caved and pre-ordered that beautiful edition of A Court Of Miracles that I showed you (and A Song Of Wraith & Ruins since it made sense to get two books I was interested in for the free delivery π ) so I seriously need to try and catch up before they come out. It’s said today for both on Instagram but I think that’s just the ebook as last time I looked the hardbacks were mid June & start of July. But yeah I do try to get more new releases from the library now too.
Fingers crossed it will be!!
Aww I’m sure you will βΊοΈ
π
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Yeah same, it is nice to support these books and read them !! Ahh… that was a stunning editions of A Court of Miracles. haha I always try to get free delivery as well π but both those books sounded amazing so I hope you love them both !! Ohh.. hopefully you will be able to!!
It can get confusing with all the different releases dates for the different formats !!
Yay !! β€
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Yeah definitely. And how can you not read the books you’re excited for? π I know π I can’t wait to see it in person. Well it makes sense as there’s always more than one book that I want π and they do. Both sound incredible π
Definitely. And then they’re constantly changing atm too so it’s extra confusing.
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I know, you have to ππ yesss getting to hold the book and see it is always a great feeling. I love it when the delivery comes !! haha true, it isn’t hard to get the order up to Β£20 at all !! Yay !!!
I know I was never good at keeping up with the dates but now I’m lost ππ
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Yeah me too. Ooh it’s especially exciting if you have more than one coming and don’t know which it’ll be π
Yeah it’s kind of a pain as you’re like yay that books out…oh now it’s not.
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yesss it is a great feeling, like a mini present to yourself π
I know we just want all the books now !! ππ
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Sounds like youβve got some amazing books to read!! I honestly want to read more about the abusive boyfriend book now (I canβt remember the title π short memory loss!) and now Iβm just sooo curious! Probably my fave ooo from this year has to be Nerve and It Only Happens In The Movies, these books just had me hooked by the first page (and very,very emotional at the end π) anyways take your time coming back to blogging, I hope you enjoy our reading spree and will look forward to posts from you in June π
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Hopefully βΊοΈ I actually almost had to look (and it’s my library books π) then it came to me. You mean What Kind Of Girl I think? If so I’m so excited to read that one!! Ooh is Nerve the one about an online truth or dare style thing? I’ve seen the movie of it. And I think I’ve heard of the other one too, is it by Holly Bourne? (I have so many of her books on my TBR). Aww emotional books can be wonderful!!
Aww thank you β€οΈ I look forward to reading more from you too π
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Ohh no worries! Yes thatβs what it is called, excuse my awful memory! Ah yes please let me (us know if you do a post π) if it is good. Yes it and it is so good!! I really want to watch the fi;m but not sure yet where I can watch it, ahh IOHITM is a must-read, it is by Holly Bourne and she is probably my favourite author, I think Iβve nearly read all of her books oops! There were plot holes but itβs just so raw and true and the last line just hit me hard you know π
Of course!! π
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Dont worry about it. I forget things all the time π and I’ll definitely let you know what I think of it π Im glad to hear the books good! I actually have a copy of it to read sometime. And of Charisma, the authors other book. I’m so behind π I hope you find somewhere to watch it. I saw it when it was out in the cinema so I don’t really know where else it’s available now. I’ll definitely check it out sometime π and that’s good, it’s wonderful to have favourite authors. She had a new book out earlier this year (if you didn’t already know about it). Aww that sounds incredible!! Hard hitting last lines are the best.
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Glad it isnβt just me! Oh yes please do π Thatβs great, donβt worry with reading there is really no time pressure π Yes I hope so too, I really want to watch it now! It really is π Iβll definitely be checking that out, sometimes itβs hard to know when authors are releasing books π It really is and yesss hard hitting last lines are everything π
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I know but I do want to get to that one soon. I was checking to see it it was ready for collection constantly so I seriously don’t understand how I haven’t read it yet π aww well fingers crossed that you find it. I actually brought it on my Kindle a few days ago. It was on offer and I couldn’t resist it π definitely π
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I can imagine! Haha thatβs like me when Iβm waiting for a book from the library I think I literally bring my phone everywhere with me in case they call π Thatβs amazing!! I hope you enjoy it π
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Oh yay it’s not just me ππ thank you β€οΈ
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Hello Charlotte!
Reading slumps are the worst. I also have reading slumps now and then (usually after reading a long and dry book that I really don’t care much for.) For me it really helps to read a book I know I will love or reread an old favourite! I hope that you will climb out of it and fall back in love with reading again! That’s great to see so many fun books on your TBR!
I’ve heard SO many great things about Circe but still feeling a bit intimidated to pick it up (because it has so much positive hype haha..) I should read it soon π
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Thanks for the advice, I’ll definitely try out an old favourite if I continue to struggle like this. Or maybe Blood Countess as I do keep thinking about the wonderful fact that I can read that one once I catch up so obviously my enthusiasm for it is high π
Aww I completely understand – I feel the same way about majorly hyped books too. I hope that you love it if you do end up reading it though π
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I’m so sorry you’ve been in such a slump, Charlotte! I hope that you will find your reading mojo again and all the love for reading, too. β€ I often find that reading old favorites helps me a lot in finding my love for it all back β€
Ahhh I'm so curious about the Grace Year, you make it sound SO GOOD?? I need to read it π
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Aww thank you. Fingers crossed as it feels never ending but I seriously miss reading. Ooh good idea. I’ll try that if it continues. Rereading old favourites is always a wonderful feeling.
I hope you enjoy it if you do end up reading it. There’s definitely content that some people would find triggering and it’s pretty dark but I also found it so good. I couldn’t believe it when parts gave me Hunger Games vibes, that’s never happened before.
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I really really want to pick up the grace year so Iβm glad you enjoyed it! I feel like I havenβt read something really dark in a while and I need to π
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Aww well I hope you end up loving it as much as I did π I feel the same way about light and happy books π
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Welcome back π€π€
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Thank you.
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Grace Year was so good I cant wait to see what the author comes out with next.
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Me either. Whatever it is I’m sure it’ll end up going straight onto my TBR π
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welcome back, charlotte!! i’m sorry to hear that you’re in a slump but i hope you get your reading motivation back soon β€ i'm so happy to see that you mentioned villains with kingdom of souls, because i haven't been keeping up with reviews of that one and don't know what it's about — but you talking about villains makes it jump up my tbr!! and ah yes circe is such a beautiful book, madeline miller's writing will never cease to amaze me π my favorite book of the year is definitely the poppy war haha… i'm trying to think of other books but i don't think i've loved a book as much as i loved that one so far!!
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Thank you β€οΈ fingers crossed I will, I have more enthusiasm and know the cause of it so in theory once I start I should be fine…I hope. Aww well I hope you end up loving it. I definitely think it deserves more hype so it makes me so happy to hear that you plan to read it π yes I so can’t wait to read more by her!! Aww well that’s incredible to hear and I can’t wait to read it for myself. It’s sitting unread on my Kindle right now and everybody loves it so I seriously hope to get to it soon.
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So so many books here that I also want to read. I hadn’t seen Throne of Swans before but I really like the sound of it. The title really draws me in for some reason.
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I hope you enjoy them if/when you pick them up. Yeah it is a pretty intriguing title so I can definitely understand that βΊοΈ
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Kingdom of Souls sounds so good! I hadnβt heard of it before but Iβve definitely added it to my TBR now. Iβve had Circe in my TBR for a while now, but I gotta admit Iβm a bit intimidated by itβs size π Iβm happy you enjoyed it though!
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Aww yay I’m glad I brought it to your attention then and hope you enjoy it π tbh I didn’t actually notice the size of it as I got it out of the library as an ebook but I can understand that, big books can be kind of daunting at times. I hope you enjoy it if you do end up picking it up, the writing in it is gorgeous π
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Circe and The Grace Year are both on my list, but I still haven’t read them. I’m glad I visited and now you’ve reminded me!
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I really hope that you enjoy them both then when you get around to reading them. Thanks for the comment βΊοΈ
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OMG Yes I loved Grace Year so much. Glad your back π
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Yay I’m glad you enjoyed it too. And thank you π
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