READS: October Round-Up

The quality run continued throughout October with some absolutely cracking reads. 3 out of the 4 books were UKYA. I bought The Bone Dragon, More Than This and Stolen were review copies. I discovered City of Bones on the Kindle that my mum gave to me last year.

If it was hard to pick a favourite last month, it was impossible this time around. All of the novels were fantastic - well-written with great characters - and so different from one another. I've walked by moonlit Cambridgeshire Fens, baked in the Australian Outback, wandered through deserted streets in suburban England and hunted demons in New York - not bad for a month's work.

I'm doing most of my reading at night in bed, 30-45 minutes before lights out, but I've also managed to find an extra window while I'm feeding Tiny M (thanks to the Kindle). Hard copy is still my preference, but I'm planning to try out a few e-novellas in November to see if I can increase my reading time further.

READS: September Round-Up

I had a great run on the reading front last month. Every single book lived up to expectation, but if I had to choose, I'd single out Heap House by Edward Carey as the best read. It was hugely original and full of dark humour, an unexpected winner. Every Day by David Levithan was a worthy runner-up. Massively hyped, but thankfully deserving of its accolades. You can read my longer review over at Chicklish. Third, The Diviners by Libba Bray, a paranormal thriller set in 1920's New York. This had a great cast of characters and a satisfyingly complicated plot.

It was difficult to rate The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. I loved The Raven Boys and although the sequel had a lot going for it, it wasn't quite as magical - hence the four star review.

The final two, The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, were both fulfilling reads, but also bore the hallmarks of their age. Sure classics, but not books I'd return to again.

Melissa's favorite books »