Readathon Recommendations!

The 2018 Biannual Bibliothon is approaching, so I thought it would be fit to make a blog post recommending some smart readathon choices if you are in need of some quick and fast-paced reads to add to your TBR. Hopefully you will give some of these a try and I hope you enjoy!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

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This is a perfect readathon read because it is not only a fantastic book, but it is also fast paced and short, aka the perfect readathon read. It actually amazes me how many people have heard about this book or watched the movie (which is also really good) and yet haven’t read the book! Just do it! Even if you aren’t planning on participating in a readathon soon, just read it anyways. This book follows Charlie, a high school freshman who has never found it easy to make friends and tends to keep to himself because of that, but when he meets a group of misfit seniors he finds a place where he feels at home, and discovers the importance of having friends.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

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I recently read this book, just a few weeks ago, and read it in only three hours! It was a fast paced mystery that had me flipping each page with so much anxiety (the good kind though) and anticipation. We Were Liars follows a girl named Candence whose “perfect” family escapes to their private island every summer, however she cannot remember what happened in the summer of her 15th year…all she knows is that it ended with her being found unconscious in the water. A few years after the almost unspoken incident, she returns to the island and to her family, trying to piece together what happened and we follow her along that journey as secrets unravel and truths are uncovered.

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

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This was another book that I finished in only a matter of hours, and also has a movie that is amazing! This book follows Louisa, a young woman in search of a job after being let go from her last one, and while job searching, she stumbles across an ad for a caregiver for Will Traynor, a young man who is quadriplegic. He is cold at first but they eventually grow a close connection, however their relationship is not without its hardships and tears. I love this book and really think it is worth the read!

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

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The Wrath and the Dawn was a book I read during the summer BookTubeaThon back in July, and this was such a fast-paced and entertaining read and I was glad I finally got around to reading it. It follows a girl named Shahrzad who is the next wife of the young king, Khalid. However, each night Khalid takes a new wife and by the morning she is dead. When Shahrzad’s best friend is the next victim of Khalid, she volunteers and amazes everyone when she is found alive the next morning, and the morning after that. She soon realizes that there is more to the king than everyone thinks, and he may not be the monster she thought. It is a little slow at first, but once you hit about 50 pages the world around you will dissolve.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

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Once you start Vampire Academy, there is a good chance you will just marathon the rest of the series and that is such an amazing feeling. Vampire Academy is filled with action, romance and is the definition of fun and fast-paced. It follows Rose Hathaway, a protector of her vampire best friend, Lisa, and after a year of running from their school, they are found and brought back. They were always told the outside world was dangerous, but they ran away from their school for a reason.

Those are 5 readathon recommendations and I hope you enjoyed! Keep an eye out for my upcoming blog post on my TBR for the 2018 Biannual Bibliothon, coming sometime this week, and also check out my last blog post: Reading/Writing Update!

Other Places You Can Find Me:

Twitter: @zoermathers

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Back to School Reads!

Personally, I enjoy school. I like the structure and organization of it, as well as most of the classes. Especially getting into my last 2 years of high school, school has gotten more enjoyable because I can choose the majority of my classes. But anyways, enough about that. In this blog post, I will be discussing books that take place at schools and just give you that “back to school” vibe that we all love.

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

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I describe this book as a sci-fi contemporary book that follows seventeen year old Katy who has just moved to a small town in Virginia with her mother looking for a fresh start. There, she moves next to two twins named Dee and Daemon Black, and soon she is quickly thrust into their crazy world. Obviously, Katy goes to school through this book, and a new school might I add. Overall though, this is a really fun and quick read that is perfect if you find the back to school time stressful.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

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Eliza and Her Monsters is a book that I think a lot of us can relate to. It follows odd Eliza Mirk, a girl who is the anonymous creator of a popular web comic, Monstrous Sea. And while her online life is thriving, her offline life…not so much. That is, until Wallace transfers to her school and she realizes maybe it is worth putting effort into her offline life. This is a really cute contemporary that made my heart and cheeks ache from smiling too much! I flew through this book in a day, so another easy read for back to school.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling

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Of course this is going to be on this list! Harry Potter, if for some odd reason you didn’t know, entirely takes place at a magical boarding school called Hogwarts and gives you all the back to school vibes you could hope for. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone follows eleven year old, Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard. He is then, sent off to this magical boarding school where he learns to control his powers while fighting off an evil wizard that everyone thought was dead. Everyone loves this series because how could you not?

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

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Just Listen and Saint Anything are my top 2 favourite Sarah Dessen books, but since I talk about Saint Anything a lot, I will put Just Listen down instead. Just Listen follows Annabel, a girl who seems to have it all but if you knew her, you would know she has anything but. Returning to school friendless and lonely, she meets another lone wolf named Olly and the two form a very unlikely bond. Another book I just flew through because it was so addicting! Perfect back to school read, and it shows you that if you feel like you don’t fit in, don’t give up looking because eventually, you will find where you belong.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

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I don’t want to only include contemporary so here is some supernatural fantasy! Vampire Academy takes place at a, well you guessed it, vampire academy that our two main characters, Rose and Lisa, ran away from a year ago. Brought back, they realize they are still having to face danger despite being “safe” at the academy.  This is part of a six (?) book series that you can’t help but binge read because they are so addicting!

Those are a few book recommendations for back to school and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: July 2017 Wrap Up!

Books to Keep You OUT of a Reading Slump

Reading slumps are actually the worst! I have been hit by one reading slump after the other, and I am tired of them. Anyways, here are a few books that always help keep me out of a reading slump, and I hope they will help you too!

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – This is such a fun and easy contemporary that you can’t help but want to read cover to cover, and then pick up another book. Fangirl follows a girl named Cath, who is entering her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren. Cath and Wren are complete opposites, and while Wren wants to explore and meet new people, Cath wants to keep safe in her own little bubble. But when Cath meets her scary roommates friend, Levi, she finds herself slowly coming out of that comfort zone and learns that stepping out of your comfort zone a bit is alright. I love this book and think every fangirl and fanboy should read it!

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Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy sucks you in from the first few pages and doesn’t let you out, and luckily, it has a whole series awaiting you once you get sucked into that world. Vampire Academy follows two girls, Rose who is a protector of vampires and her best friend, Lissa who is a vampire, as they return to the school they ran away from a year ago. There is lots of action with lots of fun and headstrong characters that you can’t help but fall in love with!

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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – City of Bones, like Vampire Academy, also has a series (multiple actually) awaiting you once this story captures you. City of Bones follows a girl named Clary whose mother goes missing, and she sets out to find her while unraveling the truth about who she is. She falls into a world of demons and angels and realizes she has a larger place in this world than she thought. I love the huge and diverse cast of characters in this series, and I think it is a lot of fun so I definitely recommend it for a good series marathon this summer as well!

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Divergent by Veronica Roth – While the other two books in the series aren’t that amazing in my opinion, I really enjoyed Divergent and always have a blast reading it. Divergent follows a girl named Tris who lives in a world that is divided into five factions, Dauntless the brave, Amity the kind, Abnegation the selfless, Erudite the smart and Candor the honest. This is a beloved trilogy which also has movies out, and I think that it is a great and easy read to keep you out of a reading slump.

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – I know I know, I rave about this book WAY to much but that is because its amazing and always makes me want to keep reading! To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Lara Jean, a quirky, shy girl who writes love letters to all the guys she has loved before, but then one day those letters get sent out and her life gets flipped upside down. Everyone needs to read this trilogy. It’s as simple as that!

Those are a few books that always help me stay out of a reading slump and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: Movies I Watched in May 2017!

The Hamilton Book Tag!

If you somehow do not know what Hamilton is…it is basically an epic musical based on the life and events of Alexander Hamilton. I am not even American, yet I absolutely love the songs from this musical, and the whole history behind them. Since I love Hamilton so much, as well as books, I thought this would the perfect tag to do! (P.S. I am not sure who created this tag, but if you do know definitely let me know!)

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The Room Where It Happens – Pick a Book World That You Would Put Yourself In

Ok, so for this literally everyone has said Harry Potter, because who wouldn’t want to live in a world where magic exists? Of course that would be my answer, but I decided to be a little more original and not officially choose that. So, my answer is the Percy Jackson world from Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. I chose this because I would love to be the child of some all powerful god or goddess, and also have some fighting skills as well.

The Schulyer Sisters – Share a Female Character That You Think is Underrated

I definitely have to go with Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Hermione is such an intelligent person, yet she doesn’t get enough credit for it. Especially by Snape, who literally calls her a snobby know-it-all, just because she knows the answers to his questions. I think that Ron and Harry also took her a little for granted and some points, and while there were moments Hermione did show some girl power, I wish there were more scenes like that!

My Shot – Pick a Character That Goes After What They Want

Emma Carstairs from Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare! I think Emma is a very strong and independent character, which I really appreciate. Emma definitely goes after what she wants no matter the consequences, and takes nothing from nobody because she knows she could easily destroy them with a flick of her sword, Cortana.

Stay Alive – Pick a Character You Wish Was Still Alive

Hahahaha, if you have not finished watching season 8 of the Vampire Diaries (yes, I am using a TV show for this question, but it is also a book so…) then DO NOT READ BELOW!

For this I have to go with Stefan Salvatore because really? You really have to go and kill off a great guy who just tries to keep the ones he loves alive? Ugh, I cried a lot because of his death. It was just so sad to think that not only is he never really going to see Elena again after her being half dead for a few years, but he is also not going to see Caroline, Damon, Bonnie and really anyone again. The thought of this is absolutely heart breaking.

Burn – The Most Devastating End To A Relationship You Read About

Champion by Marie Lu…if you have read it you know what I am talking about.

You’ll Be Back – The Sassiest Villain You Have Read In A Book

Again! I have to use The Vampire Diaries because oh my gosh, Katherine and Kai were the most sassiest and best villains I have ever watched unfold on the screen. I mean yeah, they were awful people, but they were never dull or boring.

The Reynolds Pamphlet – A Book With a Twist That You Didn’t See Coming

I don’t like being spoiled on twists that happen in books so I am just not going to answer this one!

Non Stop – Pick A Series That You Marathoned

I have marathoned many, many series so I am just going to a list a few. Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Harry Potter by JK Rowling…The list goes on and on.

Satisfied – Pick Out Your Favourite Book With Multi POV

I can definitely tell you which book that I did not appreciate it having multiple POVs, and that was The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy. But for a book that I did enjoy that had mutli POV would probably be The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare because I always love Cassandra Clare’s main characters. They are just so fun and diverse and I always enjoying reading in their different perspectives.

Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story – Pick A Book That YOU Think Will Go Down In History

This time I am just going to go with the obvious choice, and that is Harry Potter by JK Rowling because it still has a massive impact on not only readers, but society today and it was written in the early 90’s! I think Harry Potter will not fade for a long, long, long time and I am glad because it truly is a fantastic series.

Those are my answers for the Hamilton Book Tag and I tag anyone who has the desire to do it!

Unpopular Book Opinions!

This book tag was originally created by TheBookArcher on YouTube, and it looked like a lot of fun so I decided to do it!

  1. A Popular Book or Series You Didn’t Like

Twilight by Stephanie Meyers…I didn’t hate the first book but I could not get into it whatsoever. I read the first hundred or so pages, but then skimmed the rest and the only reason I know what happens is because I have seen the movies, which honestly, I prefer over the books.

2. A Popular Book or Series that Everyone Else Seems to Hate but You Love

I wouldn’t necessarily say everyone hates it, but there is controversy surrounding this trilogy and that is The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han. It is very cliché, and I do see its flaws, but overall I really enjoyed it and can see myself re reading it in the future!

3. A Love Triangle Where the Main Character Ended Up with the Person You Did NOT Want Them to End Up with, or an OTP You Don’t Like

I am going to go with an OTP I don’t like,and if you haven’t read Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, you might not want to read this, but it isn’t that big of a spoiler. For this I am going to have to say Mark Blackthorn and Kieran because I do not like Kieran. I think Mark deserves SO much better and while Kieran does have his moments, he did something that I will never, ever forgive him for.

4. A Popular Book Genre That You Hardly Reach For

I do have a few books of this genre, but I hardly ever reach for it on my own, and that is sci-fi. I do have the first two books in the 5th Wave trilogy by Rick Yancy, and also the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, but other than that I don’t really read to much sci-fi.

5. A Popular or Beloved Character that You Do Not Like

Hmm…okay a popular character I don’t like that everyone else seems to is Lissa from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Lissa is portrayed as a very sweet character, but I found her very, very annoying at times.

 6. A Popular Author that You Can’t Seem to Get Into

John Green! I have read three of his books and I mean, they were okay, but I don’t think I will pick up anything else of his. I just find his stories are all the same and his writing just isn’t for me!

7. A Popular Book Trope That You Are Tired of Seeing

Hmm, there are a lot but I am going to have to say the “I really like them but I am not good for them” book trope because ugh, it is so aggravating. If you like the person don’t push them away! Even if you think you are “bad” for them, they probably won’t care if they also like you.

8. A Popular Book Series That You Have No Interest in Reading

Okay, so I am not going to say I will never read this because I am sure eventually I will, but at the moment I have no desire to read Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman…I am sure it is amazing, from what I have heard, but at the moment it just doesn’t sound like something I would be into, but possibly sometime in the future!

9. The Saying Goes “The Book is Always Better than the Movie” but What Movie or TV Show Adaptation Do You Prefer Over the Book?

For this I am going to have to go with, hands down, The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I enjoyed the movie (both of them) way, way more than the books. I found the books very plain and not very captivating, but I thought the movies were pretty good!

Those are my answers for the Unpopular Opinions Book Tag and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: Reading/Writing Update!

 

Stress Relieving Books

Right now I am going through exams which of course, are extremely stressful, and during my study breaks, I find that reading a light and easy book is a great way to relieve the heavy stress upon my shoulders…since I am sure a lot of you can relate to this feeling, her are a few stress relieving books that I recommend!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins – In this book you get totally engrossed with the life of the characters, and it erases any stress, anxiety or worry you were feeling before. It is playful, light hearted and a very fun read that I 100% recommend. Lola and the Boy Next Door is about a girl named Lola who is living a great life. She has a great boyfriend, an amazing best friend, and is almost finished high school, but when her first love moves back next door, her life is flipped upside down.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – This book is such a fun and entertaining read, and is one of my favourite contemporaries ever!  In this book, we follow Lara Jean, a shy and quiet girl who writes love letters to every boy she has loved before. When her secret letters somehow get out, she finds herself digging herself in a deep hole of lies to prevent her current crush from knowing she truly likes him.

The Selection by Kiera Cass – The Selection is a very quick and easy read that will have you laughing and squealing at various times throughout. The Selection is about a girl named America who has entered herself into a competition for the Prince of Illea’s heart, but things get complicated because she is in love with someone else. I love these books and if you haven’t read them, read them!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Despite this book having supernatural people and fighting, you find yourself diving deep into the world and leaving our world behind easily. Vampire Academy is a great series that makes you feel a lot of great things. In this book, we follow Rose Hathaway, a girl who has been created to protect those higher than her, the Moroi (aka vampires), but when she and her best friend Lissa, return to the Vampire Academy after fleeing the previous year, they must both defend themselves against not only against the evil inside but outside as well.

Those are all my stress relieving book recommendations and I hope you enjoyed!

Fairy Tale Book Tag!

I decided to create a new tag that associates fairy tales with books, and while this has most likely been done already, I wanted to make my own! It was very fun to make so I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Beauty and the Beast – Pick a book where love triumphs everything.

There were a few choices for this one but overall I am going to have to say Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead because despite everything that happens (not going to spoil anything) to Rose and Dimitri, they still fight through it and we really do see that their love for each other is stronger than any obstacle thrown at them…if you have finished the series you definitely know what I mean!

Cinderella – Pick a book with a beautiful cover change.

Anna and the French Kiss had an absolutely terrible cover before the new one which I now really like. The old cover had the Eiffel Tower in the background, a close up of a park bench with 2 people sitting on it and their hands almost touching. Long story short it is definitely one of the worst covers I have seen but the cover change is very nice so it is all good!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves – Pick a book with a large cast of characters.

Definitely going to use this one to talk about The Mortal Instruments because the whole series has a great and diverse cast of characters. We have Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec and Magnus as the main people we follow and I honestly love all of them (not all the time though…) and I find it very fun following them on their adventures. They are hilarious and unique in their own ways and I could read in their POV’s forever and ever and ever.

Sleeping Beauty – Pick a book that put you to sleep.

Ha ha ha…Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I really loved the first book in this trilogy, Divergent, but the second one was such a let down! It was slow and nothing too exciting happened. I also felt as if the writing declined slightly and I also didn’t really enjoy where the story went and how some of the characters dealt with certain situations…

Red Riding Hood – Pick a book with a “big bad wolf” in it.

I am also going to use this to sneak in some Harry Potter because honestly, Voldemort is the villain I least want to meet. In the books and movies he just unnerved me so much and he is definitely the worst of all villains. Just the way he looks with his nostril slits and pale skin, and just how cruel and insensitive he is scares me more than a wolf that’s for sure.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Pick a book with a world that sucked you in.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan! I find the world in this series so intriguing because of all the mythology. We never actually leave the real world, but Rick Riordan throws in the right amount of mythology to make it a place you never want to leave. Overall, Greek Mythology, to me, is the extremely interesting and I always love to read about it.

That was my Fairy Tale Book Tag and I hope you enjoyed it! If you do this tag definitely tell me because I would love to see all your answers for the questions!

 

 

 

Fall Book Recommendations

When fall comes around it gets colder and darker and all you want to do is wrap yourself up in a blanket and have a hot drink in your hand. Well today I am going to be recommending some darker, fall reads to go along with that!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling – The Harry Potter series just has this darker atmosphere to it that makes you feel really cozy. I personally think reading this series at the beginning of fall and stretching it to winter is the best time to read it because the weather (in most places) matches the feeling! If for some reason you didn’t know, this series follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who is famous for surviving the most fear wizard in history, Voldemort. But now that Harry is older, Voldemort is slowly rising up to power and is out to get Harry.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Again, this series is a little more on the darker side because it has supernatural creatures. I love reading this series whenever but when its dark outside it just makes reading the books so much more fun! Vampire Academy is about Rose, a protector of vampires and her best friend Lissa who is part of an ancient race of vampires called Moroi. Moroi aren’t the only types of vampires in this world because there are also the bad vampires called Strigoi who always pose a threat…

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare – I love all of Cassandra Clare’s writing but the Infernal Devices trilogy just has an autumn feel to it. I think maybe the storyline and setting is darker than some of her other books is the reason I think this but nonetheless, it is an amazing trilogy. This trilogy takes place in Victorian England which follows a young witch named Tessa. I don’t really want to say anything else because I went in not knowing much about this book and I think it is better that way.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – Now this is just a creepy and dark book all together which is perfect for Halloween. I love this novel just because it is so eerie and unique compared to other books I read. It follows Jacob who travels to a small island in Wales where his grandfather lived after his tragic death. He then learns there is a whole other world on that island and meets a very different group of children wit very peculiar powers.

Those are all the recommendations I have and I hope you enjoy!

Top 5 Favourite Series

I really like making “Top 5…” lists so here is my top 5 favourite series! Don’t forget to check out my last post and comment what your all time favourite series is.

  1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare – I don’t know if you’ve noticed…but I am obsessed with the Mortal Instruments series. It is such a fun and amazing series with fantastic characters and an overall intriguing story line. I first read this series around 3 years ago and it has been my favourite series since then.
  2. Harry Potter by JK Rowling – It’s not a favourites list without Harry Potter on it! Harry Potter is such an AMAZING series that I love to read over and over and over. If you have NOT read this series for some reason please do because it will definitely change your life and view on reading.
  3. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – I absolutely LOVE Vampire Academy. This series is just so interesting and easy going and I loved every second of it when I was reading the series. Every end of a book kept me on my toes and wanting more desperately. I just love when books do that because it makes me want to continue with that series!
  4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan – This book series will always be on my favourites list for two reasons. 1) It was the series that opened the doors to reading for me and 2) it is just so darn fantastic. But seriously, Percy Jackson is one of my FAVOURITE main characters ever. He is sassy, sarcastic and amazing in all ways.
  5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas – I have only read the first book so far in this series (out of 2) and it literally blew me away. It was a phenomenal book that made me want to keep reading and not stop. Sarah J Maas has such a beautiful writing style and unique storylines that I always enjoy. I cannot wait to pick up the second book in this amazing series!

Book Recommendations!!!

This book recommendations blog post will be a bit different then others because I will be recommending the books in a different way. This is inspired by Sasha Alsberg’s (abookutopia on YouTube) recommendation video “If you like this book then you’ll like this book.” Confusing? You’ll understand if you read the recommendations below!

If you like Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi then you will like Legend by Marie Lu. These two trilogies are both dystopian and have a similar feel to them, plus they are just amazing books and you will devour each and every one of them!

If you like Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell then you will like Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Again, these are the same genre (contemporary) but they are quite different yet there is a resemblance to the other. I love both these books so much and I know you all will too!

If you like Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas than you will like Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. These are both amazing fantasy books that will captivate you from the beginning! It takes me a bit to get into fantasy like this but once I did I could not put it down!

If you like Twilight by Stephanie Meyer than you will LOVE Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I recently just finished the Vampire Academy series and it is amazing! And obviously if you like Twilight you will like Vampire Academy because they both have the same feel to them!

If you like The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy you will like Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout. These are both sci fi books that I personally adore and everyone else who reads them seems to love them as well so…Read them!!!

Those are a few recommendations and I hope you liked them!