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Read in August

I read a lot of the current popular young adult fiction books this month, which was a bit of a change for me, but a change I very much enjoyed! So, I just thought I'd give you a little breakdown of the different books I read during the month of August and what I thought:


If I Stay - Gayle Forman
I've already written a review of this book here which you are very welcome to read! But long story short, I adored this book, and I love it even more so now after having seen the film last night which by the way, was totally and utterly amazing. It was every bit as good as I was hoping it would be and Chloe Moretz was great in it as well!
Rating: ««««

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Again, I've already written a review of this book here and it's another one that I just really really loved. I'd definitely say it's up there among my favourite books of all time now. I just completely fell in love with the characters and just found this book so lovely and warm and touching. A must-read if you haven't already!
Rating: «««««

We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
The blurb for this book is as follows:

'We are liars
We are beautiful and privileged
We are cracked and broken
A tale of love and romance
A tale of tragedy
Which are lies?
Which is truth?
You decide'

Purposely ambiguous, since it's just one of those books that's better to go into blind, so I'm not going to say much more other than that the story revolves around an extremely wealthy, privileged family who spend their summer holidays each year on a private island. 

I decided to read this book mostly because of the ridiculous amount of hype surrounding it and thought I may as well jump on the bandwagon. It took me a really really long time to get into (basically the entire book) and I very much disliked all of the characters- even the righteous Gat managed to rub me all the wrong ways- but I do feel like that was kind of the idea with this book. Also, at times I found the writing style extremely pretentious. However, the ending did manage to redeem this book in my eyes and I'd urge anyone reading it at the minute who feels similarly to me to read on until the end, it is worth it. 
Rating: «««

Where She Went - Gayle Forman
This is the sequel to 'If I Stay', continuing the story between Mia and Adam and how their lives pan out in the years following Mia's accident. I was reluctant to read this book, just in case maybe things didn't work out well and it ruined how I felt about the first book, but I went for it anyway and I'm so glad I did because I thought it was actually even better than the original book, which I had never expected! The writing is just a lot more mature and the characters more developed. The story itself was so beautiful and heartbreaking, I felt like I was right there living it. If you're a fan of 'If I Stay' I'd definitely say don't hesitate to read this book, it's really brilliant!
Rating: «««««

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
This book is just about a girl called Cath- whose passion in life is writing 'Simon Snow' fanfiction- and her experiences starting college and having to survive on her own for the first time, separate from her twin sister Wren who she's been close to all her life.
Again, a big reason I read this book was because of the hype and all the great reviews I'd read recommending to read it, but also because I'd enjoyed 'Eleanor & Park' so much I was really looking forward to reading more from Rowell. I did like this book, don't get me wrong, but it just wasn't on par with 'Eleanor and Park' for me. I found the plot a little bit thin and the characters didn't grip me and tug on my heartstrings the same way they had in E&P. However, what I did like about this book was the fact that Cath and her college experiences are very easy to relate to- particularly if you're an introvert. She's basically a poster child for all us introverts out there which was nice to see in such a popular young adult novel.
Rating: «««

21 comments

  1. I heard such great things about the E. Lockhart book! I was actually looking forward to reading 'we were liars', I'm not sure about it now ahah but I think I'll give it a go anyway :) Thanks for these reviews Beth!
    I just finished 'on the road' by Jack Kerouac, I really liked it and recommend it! :) Love, Jo.

    http://ijoanaemma.blogspot.pt/

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    1. Me too! I'd definitely say read it anyway because it's such a short book, no harm done really, even if you don't like it :) It just wasn't really my cup of tea but it has definitely been a lot of other people's. I started Jack Kerouac last summer but never really got into it, I'll have to give it ago at another stage :) xx

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  2. You have caused me too just order ALL of these books my sweetpea! Oh I am so excited for them , especially If I Stay (I also want too go and see the movie!! ommggg) I feel like I am quite late on the bandwagon though for Rainbow Rowell novels! >.> A fantastic post xo

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    1. Aw yay! I'm so glad! The movie is so so good!! Definitely do :) Yeah I felt like that too, but oh well, they're really great and better late than never :) xx

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  3. I loved Eleanor and Park and really want to read Fangirl. I'm currently reading The Maze Runner though so it may take some time.
    I seriously need to read If I Stay too - it's on the top of my to-read list!

    Rachael at broomfie.blogspot.com

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    1. Cool! I was going to maybe try reading the Maze Runner next! I'd love to know what you think of it xx

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  4. Looks like we've been visiting the same bookshops! I've been reading a lot of young adult fiction too this month, and it's been a welcome change from my classics. I absolutely loved Fangirl and Eleanor and Park, but If I Stay has left me really unimpressed... I don't think I'll be reading where she went, I just don't like the characters enough.
    It's funny you should say that Fangirl is perfect for introverts - I've just redesigned and rebranded by blog (swallowsandskylines.blogspot.co.uk) as a space for the introverted, and mymy review of Fangirl is due to go up later this week. Perfect timing, right?
    Beth x

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    1. Yes I would be quite into my classics myself. I can understand why with 'If I Stay' I guess. the writing didn't overly impress me and I thought the plot could do with a bit more development but after reading the book, the sequel and then seeing the movie I'm just really invested in the story now and I think and that's made me hold the book in much higher regard. Oh lovely, I'll definitely be checking that out! :) xx

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  5. I definitely want to read If I Stay! Also, I've heard lots about Were Liars. Thanks for the recommending x

    www.totalmodisch.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. You should, it's a great page-turner! :) Not a problem x

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  6. I love all of these books! I didn't liked Where She Went as much as I loved If I Stay but it was still a great book x

    Charlotte / coloursandcarousels

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    1. Yeah I did find it quite an uncomfortable read at times.. It kind of upset me the way things turned out between them at the start x

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  7. I can't wait to read Eleanor & Park after your recommendation!

    http://shewhoisshort.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. That's great Sara! I'd love to hear what you think too :) xx

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  8. I've read all of the above books mentioned apart from Where She Went and I'll definitely be reading it soon!
    Sarah x
    http://www.saraheliza.co.uk/

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  9. I've read If I Stay though I can remember much of it as it was a while ago. I have Eleanor and Park on the go right now after your review the other week and have We Were Liars on my 'to-read' pile. And both the other two are on my Amazon list.... clearly we have very similar taste in books!
    Megan x
    London Callings

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    1. That's great! I really hope you enjoy it now and I didn't give you a bad recommendation haha. For sure! You should write some reviews after, it'd be cool to see how our thoughts on the books compare :) x

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  10. I love Rainbow Rowell. Fangirl has probably been my favourite book this year! Also read If I Stay and Where I Went last week - enjoyed both, but as you said, the second was better! Looking forward to seeing the film next week!

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    1. I loved the film so much, I think I'm going to go and see it again! :) Hope you enjoy it x

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  11. Oh my god I absolutley loved Eleanor & Park! I loved Eleanor's character and the way that the author wrote was just incredible. I adored the description of Eleanor and for her character different from other girls in love stories. I found Park a fantastic boy in the story and he seemed like a true gentlemen. The ending ruined me, I was so sad Eleanor had to leave, her stepdad is a (excuse my language) DICK! Love your blog Hun, just followed.

    www.bethfreckles.blogspot.com

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Thank you so much for your comment! They mean a lot to me and I read every single one. Sometimes I can be poor at replying so if you need a faster response feel free to email me at beth_farrelly@live.co.uk or tweet me @alphabethblog

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