MONTHLY READS - DECEMBER

Hello! Welcome to 2016's last monthly reads.

First of all, I wish you all the very best in 2017. I hope you all find what you're looking for this year, that you find who and what you love. That you spend many amazing moments with your loved ones, that you see many beautiful sunsets, read lots of great books, continue doing what you love and that you all make peace with yourselves. May this year be all that 2016 wasn't.

Secondly, I wanted to thank you guys for sticking up with me even though I haven't been active at all in these past few months. These are indeed the hard times. :-) I'm not dead, I'm just really trying to focus on school this year since I'm graduating in few months time and I'm also trying to get my lazy ass to a university. I myself hope I'll have more time for blogging in the months to come but until then, here's a really short list of books I managed to read in December.

Six of Crows

Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA fantasy

First published: 2015

Pages: 462

Language: English

Type: paperback 

Rating: 5/5

Let me tell you something guys. The moment I finished the book, I placed an order for the sequel, Crooked Kingdom. I'm not even joking, it's that good. I promise you, reading this YA fantasy is so worth it. The world building is absolutely incredible, the plot twist will hit you like a cannonball, the characeters are complex and you're going to love them, laugh with them, cry with them and long for more time spent with them. Bargudo's work is absolutely unbelievable. Go and read this.

If You Could See Me Now

Cecelia Ahern

Genre: novel

First published: 2005

Pages: 400

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 3/5

I was given this book as a gift from my great friend because she herself absolutely adored it and thought that I just had to read it. And it was a nice read. This book about imaginary friends who change people's life was great, I liked the way Elizabeth changed under the influence of Ivan. Just make sure to bring a few packs of tissues with you when reading this, you'll need them.

Also, how was Christmas for you? Did you find any great books under the Christmas tree? And do you have any resolutions for 2017? Let me know!

MONTHLY READS - NOVEMBER

So! In October I managed to read five books. This months it's only two. Things have been pretty hectic for the past few months so I'm really happy when I even have some time to read. Let's look at the books I read this month.

Angels & Demons

Dan Brown

Genre: mystery, thriller

First published: 2000

Pages: 620

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

As you may have noticed, I'm a big fan of Dan Brown's novels. I've read several, including Digital Fortress (review) and The Da Vinci Code (review), and I have loved them all. I'm simply a slut for conspiracies, art, symbology and secret societies. I loved this book.


Me Before You
Jojo Moyes

Genre: realistic fiction
First published: 2012
Pages: 481
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

I have been putting this book off for quite a time and now I finally managed to jump on the bandwagon. I'm still recovering from reading this book, it was absolutely brilliant. I loved Moyes's writing style, I loved the characters, I loved the plot. I consider this a pretty great read.


Well, that's about it. I definitely hope I'm going to have some more time to read in the months to come. But now, let's turn the page. What about your Novembers? How was the last month for you? Any highlights? Books we all should check out? Let me know in the comments!

(I'm, once again, sorry for the lack of posts, I swear I'm working on doing something about it!)

MONTHLY READS - OCTOBER

Hi bookworms! October is Octover so I have another monthly reads for you!

I'm sorry for the lack of posts in the past two months, I really am. The thing is, my phone broke down at the end of August and it's still not repaired, and I don't really feel like making posts without photographs in them. Hopefully the phone will be back in no time now.

Let's have a look at how I managed with my reading in October. Just because I'm not reviewing doesn't mean I'm not reading, even though my September monthly reads post might have made you think otherwise. Let's have a look at what I read this month!

In October aka Halloween month I managed to read five books. That's way better than last month! So, without further ado, let's have a look at them.

Má Bohéma

Arthur Rimbaud

Genre: poetry

First published: —

Pages: 200

Language: Czech

Type: Hardback

Rating: 5/5

As you can probably say by now, I'm very fond of poetry — and Rimbaud is hands down one of my most favourite poets. Reading his poems when the cover looks the way it does was absolutely dreamy. I enjoyed it very much. I liked Vítězslav Nezval's translation and I'm definitely planning on getting this little book in English, too.


Květy Zla
Charles Baudelaire

Genre: poetry
First published: 1857
Pages: 184
Language: Czech
Type: hardback

Rating: 5/5

I couldn't possibly read Rimbaud's poems without reading the poems of a person he considered to be something like a god, could I? Baudelaire has his rightful place in my heart. Again, this books was translated by Vítězslav Nezval and he did a really good job. Again, look at the beautiful cover art. I'm crying at how beautiful it is. Two of my most favourite things — art and poetry — collided and made something beyond perfect. And again, I'm planning on getting this book in English as well.


Král Lávra
Karel Havlíček Borovský

Genre: poetry
First published: 1870
Pages: 38
Language: CzechType: e-book

Rating: 2/5

What can I say. It's a Czech classic and I only read it because it's short and it's for school. It's accompanied by a few drawings that made it more exciting to read, but in overall it was the average for me. Two out of five stars.



Romeo and Juliet | Romeo a Julie
William Shakespeare

Genre: tragedy
First published: 1595
Pages: 203
Language: Czech / English
Type: hardback

Rating: 4/5

I absolutely loved this. I saw a really great version of the play earlier this year (at the start of September) and I simply adored it. It was funny, sad, all that it should be. I read it for school, yes, but it's one of the school readings that I do not mind at all and that I will love getting back to. If you haven't read Shakespeare, do yourself a favour and do it. Just for the sake of the humour in that.


Carry On
Rainbow Rowell

Genre: YA, fantasy

First published: 2015

Pages: 521

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

Finally. Finally a book that helped me out of my misery, out of my reading slump. Baz and Simon are exactly what I needed. This whole book is exactly what I needed. Lesbian pixies, gay vampires, bisexual mages. It was something totally different than I expected from Rainbow after my last experience with her book, but this just entirely overcame my expectations. I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA novels with ships that have the power to end you. And also to all those who are not really huge YA fans, you will be after reading this, trust me. A more detailed review is to come, so stay tuned!

What about your October? How was it? Any tips for great books or warnings about books we shouldn't even put our hands on? 

MONTHLY READS - SEPTEMBER

Oh, how fast the time flies!

My final year of high school started this month. That means I'm graduating in spring. Yay. And that means my TBR pile had to be put down for a bit to make more space for the books I need to read for school. And let me tell you, reading school books wasn't exactly an easy task since last month, in August, I experienced a terrible reading slump.

Well, I tried to go back to my regular reading habits. It wasn't easy at all, since I was moving the house (again) in the middle of the month. Let's have a look at how I managed. I tried, okay? I tried.

Romeo, Julie a tma (Romeo, Juliet and Darkness)

Jan Otčenášek

Genre: novella

First published: 1956

Pages: 142

Language: Czech

Type: e-book

Rating: 4/5

I read this book for school. And let me tell you, I need to stop having prejudices against Czech authors. The language of this book is so beautiful that it made me grateful for having Czech as my mother tongue. I loved every single written sentence.

This is a story about Pavel and Ester, a Jewish girl, in the time of the Heydrichiade. It's actually exactly what the title says it is — a story about a Romeo and Juliet, two young people who cannot be together because of the Darkness. Darkness here symbolises the nazi Germany. I love books about the second world war and this one was absolutely beautiful and awfully sad. I definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

Genre: novel

First published: 1811

Pages: 261

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 4/5

I love Jane Austen's novels. Reading them is always such a delightful experience. I don't even have words to describe her genius anymore. Just go read her books, it will not disappoint, I promise.

As you can see, I'm still struggling with the reading slump. I hope that after two months of being terrible, my reading will finally get better next month. Wish me luck.

What about you? How was your "back-to-school" month? Any new book discoveries you'd like to share? New books that were published this month you think are definitely worth it? Let me know in the comments!

MONTHLY READS - AUGUST

Hello, sweet peas!

I'm here today (I'm a day late today, woah, what a mess have I become?) with my birthday month's wrap up. (That's right, I'm an adult Leo now. Incredible.)

Last month, in July, I read seven great books. This month, in August, I experienced the worst reading slump ever. I've read three books in the first week of August and then I just stopped, unable to find the will to read again. In the end, I read only four books. Let's have a look at them, anyway!

Finders Keepers

Nicole Williams

Genre: NA, romance

First published: 2013

Pages: 310

Language: English

Type: e-book

Rating: 5/5

I continued with reading the Lost and Found series. It just hit me in all the right places and I simply had to read on. This book doesn't revolve around Jesse and Rowen anymore (but don't worry, there's plenty of them in this book). In this one, we focus on Garth Black, easily my most favourite character of them all. Yes, that's right. I like him as much as I love Jesse Walker. 

This story is absolutely heartbreaking. It left me ugly sobbing at three AM after I'd read it in one sitting. I'm so in love with this series and the characters that I feel like my heart might burst out at any given moment. You should definitely read it, but if you need any more convincing, go and read the whole review.

Losers Weepers

Nicole Williams

Genre: NA, romance

First published:

Pages: 258

Language: English

Type: e-book

Rating: 4/5

I didn't even know it and I was reading the fourth book in the Lost and Found series. I started regretting I started reading the moment I did, because they were all so happy at the end of book three and I was happy for them and all was well. And then it all went to ... yes, there.

I actually don't know what to think about this one. I mean, yes, it was a great lovestory, but I had a few issues with it, that's why I gave it "only" four stars. Like Garth, for example. This whole chivalric I-gotta-leave-they'll-be-better-off-without-me attitude was starting to get a bit annoying, and I'm kind of not sure about the way disability is pictured there. On the other hand, I enjoyed the book and I was kind of sad at this point because I only had one more to go.

Heart & Soul

Nicole Williams

Genre: NA, romance
First published:
Pages: 192
Language: English
Type: e-book

Rating: 5/5

The final book in the  Lost and Found series once again revolves mainly around Rowen and Jesse, who have to overcome Rowen's health problems that come along with her being pregnant. We, of course, do see quite a bit of Garth and Josie, but the focus is on the former two. It was really a brilliant ending to this amazing series.


The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde

Genre: philosophical fiction
First published: 1890
Pages: 177
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

When I get into a reading slump, re-reading my favourite book helps. I loved the book as much as when I was reading in for the first time. Maybe even a little bit more.

What about you and your August in books? Would you recommend any of your reads to us? And what do you do to avoid/get out of a reading slump? Share all of that in the comments with me!

MONTHLY READS - JULY

Welcome to another month's wrap-up!

How are holidays for you? Are you enjoying yourselves? Do you have time for reading? I certainly do, and now I'm going to share my reading progress with you again.

Last month, in June, I'd given all the books I'd read a five-star rating, because I was absolutely lucky to pick only really incredible books. Let's see if I managed to keep up with that this month as well!

This month, in July, I've read seven books!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy

First published: 2003

Pages: 816

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

Absolutely perfect. I'm speechless. This series is getting better and better with every other book. The characters are amazing and I love them, the story is original and absolutely brilliant in every book. 

I cried like a baby at the end of this book. It's all fun and games until Jo starts taking your favourite characters from you in the most painful way imaginable.

The Princess Saves Herself In This One
Amanda Lovelace

Genre: poetry collection
First published: 2016
Pages: 156
Language: English
Type: e-book

Rating: 5/5

I've wanted to read this book ever since I found out about it on Amanda's tumblr, and now I finally did. It's one of the purest, rawest piece of literature I have ever read. It's touched all the right places in my heart and soul, making my old wounds hurt and my eyes cry oceans. 

Please, love yourselves and go read this beautiful poetry book. I myself will be probably coming back to it every single day.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 2005
Pages: 560
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

I loved this book. It was absolutely incredible. I'm sorry but I have no words. These books are beyong perfect. Rowling knows what she's doing.


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 2007
Pages: 640
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

The final book. I can't express how sad I am about the series ending. I already miss the Wizarding World and all the characters that I'd grown to loving throughout reading the series.


If You Find Me
Emily Murdoch

Genre: YA
First published: 2013
Pages: 314
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 4/5

I first introduced this book to you in New on Shelf. It's a very powerful book about survival and finding inner strength, about love and family. I really enjoyed reading this, and if you feel like reading more, a review is to come.


Lost and Found
Nicole Williams

Genre: YA, NA, romance
First published: 2013
Pages: 354
Language: English
Type: e-book

Rating: 4/5

This book, the first book in the Lost and Found series, is everything you could ask from a romance novel. A troubled girl with ugly past meets a boy and it ends in the kind of love that could move the mountains. Since I'm a sucker for unrealistically perfect boys in even more unrealistically perfect love stories, this was the go for me. I'm definitely reading the rest of the series. (And you should give it a try, too.) A review to come!


Near and Far
Nicole Williams

Genre: NA, romance
First published: 2013
Pages: 352
Language: English
Type: e-book

Rating: 5/5

Guys. There's nothing better (or worse, depends on the point of view) to do than to read two absolutely amazing and not-at-all-realistic romance novels in two days. Nothing. This series went from cute summer love affair to terrible suffering for the reader so fast that I had to take a few deep breaths. I have to say, I didn't see that coming. It literally went from being all cute and and fluffy and adorable to ruining my life. The feelings I'd experienced during reading this book are comparable to those reading Colleen Hoover's novels makes me feel. I'm head over heels with Nicole Williams and I'm definitely continuing on torturing myself emotionally by reading more of her books.


Enough about me! What about you? How was your July in books? Did you celebrate Neville and Harry's birthdays by re-reading Harry Potter and waiting for the release of the Cursed Child? What books did you read this month? Have you found any books you think everyone should read? Share all of that with me in the comments!

MONTHLY READS - JUNE

Hello, sweethearts!

We have the end of June, which means it's the start of summer holidays (at least for me). It will also be my birthday in six weeks (I'm joining the adult club, yay). I'd also like to apologise that I won't be very active during the next month because I have a job! I will try to write posts on weekends, but I cannot promise anything. But we still have time for that, let's focus on a present matter. The books I've read this month.

Last month, in May, I've read many brilliant books. Let's have a look if I had a lucky hand when it came to picking books to read this month as well!

In June, I've read six books!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Genre: YA

First published: 2012

Pages: 359

Language: English

Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

This coming-of-age story is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It made me happy one second, and then sad only a few sentences later. I will only say that I loved it desperately, and you can read more in the review.


November 9
Colleen Hoover

Genre: YA, NA
First published: 2015
Pages: 307
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

Guys. I'm sorry there's no review on this book. I really am. But I feel like I wouldn't be able to put in words what I felt while reading this. It would be an icoherrent mess, and I know better than that. I'm just going to say that I absolutely adored every single sentence of this book with all that was left of my breaking heart. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. I love the damn writer Benton James Kessler (even though I won't ever have any love life with the standards he had set), and I love the damn teacher Fallon O'Neil. I highly recommend this novel to everybody. Really, go, read it.


Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 1997
Pages: 352
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

Could you believe I had spent my whole life without reading the series until now? I feel like I'm getting back to my childhood while reading these books. I loved it. I loved the golden trio, Harry and Ron and Hermione. I loved  my precious pranksters Fred and George. I loved Neville, my poor baby Neville with his always-lost toad. And Hagrid, and Professor McGonagall. I cannot express with words how much I'm enjoying the world of Harry Potter.

Hogwarts sure feels like home.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 1998
Pages: 384
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

I simply love this. I love myself for finally picking these books up. 

I canot say that the Chamber of Secrets is my *favourite* book of the HP series (not even in the film versions), it's actually the exact opposite, but it's still absolutely perfect. I love the idea. Sometimes I even hated the fact that I need to sleep which means not reading for eight hours. Now, do I need to mention every single one of my favourite characters? Harry, Hermione (I seriously love the book Hermione so much!), Ron (I feel you with the spiders, mate), Freg & George, Neville, Hagrid, McGonagall, gosh, I even enjoyed the terrible Lockhart (my favourite part about him being in the book was the teasing from the other Professors, though). I couldn't give this book any less than five stars.


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 1999
Pages: 462
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

It's amazing that my personal favourite in this series has also the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. Seriously, do you see that? It's so pretty. And its content is just as brilliant.

Why is this my favourite book in the series, you ask? First, it introduces one of my most favourite characters, Sirius Black. Second, it introduces another one of my most favourite characters, Remus Lupin. These are almost reasons enough, huh? But there's also Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang, and Minerva, my beloved Minerva, being #savage. And of course my two loves, Fred and George. It's so perfect that I literally cannot even find words that would be enough to describe how perfect the book is in my eyes.


Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
J. K. Rowling

Genre: fantasy
First published: 2000
Pages: 628
Language: English
Type: Paperback

Rating: /5

The fourth year in Hogwarts for Harry. The fourth book of one of the best series I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I really don't think I can do J. K. Rowling justice by saying she's one of the best authors I've ever read books by. This book was so, so good!


What about you? How was your June in books? Any really good ones you would recommend? Have you bought any great books this month? And were some books published that you had been really looking forward to? Share them with me!

MONTHLY READS - MAY

Hello, my fellow bookworms!

I know I'm saying it all the time, but it's unbelievable that it's time for this again. It really feels like just yesterday when I posted April's reads, and we have the end of May already.

My May was awesome. I spent a week in England, on a Harry Potter themed trip, where I, of course, bought some new gems for my library. And then I spent three weeks being an assistant at a vet's instead of going to school, which meant more free time for me. More time to read.

Last month, in April, I've read five amazing books. This month, I tried to read as many good books as I could find. Well, let's have a look at it! (I'll just say that I had a pretty classical month!)

In May I've read seven books.


To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee

Genre: novel
First published: 1960
Pages: 287
Language: English
Type: hardback

Rating: 3/5

This is a classic. I've heard so much praise about this novel. It's been only a few months since Harper Lee died, so I felt like it was the time I finally read the book as well. Unfortunately, I didn't see the book as the epitome of perfection just like everyone else seemed to do. I'm by no means saying it was bad, but I found myself reading in for weeks, and I still didn't seem to finish it. The book's got lots of amazing things about it; it's funny, it's wise, I even found myself enjoying certain parts a lot. But I simply couldn't get into the story for the first half of the book. Then, the second part, it was way better and I actually enjoyed it. I'm not sure how to feel about this book, though, so I might give it another shot in the future. 


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ans Six Other Stories
Francis Scott Fitzgerald

Genre: a collection short stories
First published: 1920-1932
Pages: 202
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

I cannot believe how long I went without reading Fitzgerald. It's been months since I read the Great Gatsby, and I definitely regret not reading anything else by Francis Scott way sooner. I missed his writing so much. You can read more in my review!


Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen

Genre: novel
First published: 1818
Pages: 180
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

Once again, I found myself in love with Jane's writing. I love her, I love her, I love her. I love her sweet heroines and her charming heroes. I love the developing romance and the period she's describing. I love the reverent manners of the good people, and the slyness and wickedness of the bad ones. 

This novel assured me that my love and adoration for Jane and her novels is absolutely justified. Catherine, who reminds me of myself in many, many ways, is just the ultimate sweetheart, and Mr Tilney is, right next to Mr Darcy, one of the best things that have ever happened to me. This books just has it all. It's fun, it's witty, it's deep, and it's got the feels. I'd been in love since page one and I'm definitely considering this one of the best reads of 2016.


The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde

Genre: philosophical fiction
First published: 1890
Pages: 224
Language: English
Type: e-book

Ratings: 5/5

Guys. I cannot believe I originally, majorly started reading this book only to fill the time between finishing the Northanger Abbey and going to pick up the new books I had been waiting for, only to have something to read while being in the bus, because I didn't feel like starting a book I knew I wouldn't manage to finish before the arrival of the new ones. Oh, if only I knew.

I finished the book in two days (and it only took me so long because I have to sleep and "work" for four hours a day now). I loved it desperately. I definitely consider it to be one of the best books I have read in all my life. Definitely a top 5. It's just perfect. There's not a single thing I would dislike about it. I actually felt like re-reading it immediately after I finished it. Unfortunately, I don't own a physical copy of this brilliant piece of art—and I need to change that ASAP. (I actually felt like buying at least 15 copies of the book, reading them all in a row, and then doing so again. And again. And maybe a few times more.)


The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde

Genre: comedy
First published: 1895
Pages: 76
Language: English
Type: e-book

Rating: 3/5

I've said it before and I'll say it again — I'm not exactly fond of plays. And as much as I adore Oscar Wilde with his witty sense of humour and undeniable talent, I simply didn't enjoy the book as much as the previous book, The Picture of Dorian Gray.


Too Late
Colleen Hoover

Genre: romance
First published: 2016
Pages: 247
Language: English
Type: e-book (this story is published for free on Wattpad)

Rating: 4/5

Guys. From the very first page, the only thing on my mind was 'This is not the Colleen Hoover I know from November 9.' Some of the scenes were really explicit, and the F-word was used so excessively that I even forgot it's a swear word (don't get me wrong, I didn't mind that). But as soon as Carter aka Luke aka Carter made appearance, I immediately felt the CoHo pattern, and fell in love with him. And then came the feels. The hatred for Asa and his 'friends'. The Carter-Sloan feels. And the tragic backgrounds. And then it was exactly the Colleen I know. "And that's where love finds you... in the tragedies."

From what I know, I started reading this story at just the right time so I didn't have to wait for Colleen to update the story—it was already published. Thank god, I wouldn't have survived having to wait. This was an incredible read. (And you should go, make an account on wattpad, and read it as well.)


One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey

Genre: novel
First published: 1962
Pages: 281
Language: English
Type: paperback

Rating: 5/5

I absolutely loved this novel. As I mentioned when I first talked about this book in #fridayreads, I genuinely enjoyed the topic, the raw reality of a 60's asylum, the numbing pills, the EST and lobotomy. I enjoyed all the characters as well; McMurphy is one of the most interesting characters I've ever read about. I cannot really express all the feels in just one paragraph of text,  so just go and read the review!



And what about your May in books? Have you read any brilliant/awful books? Have you bought any of this month's new releases? How do you feel about this month and your reading progress? Share your month with me in the comments!