Book worm

I love it when I actually stick to my goals! I never thought in a million years I’d manage to read 20 books this year given my previous track record. But here I am, in the follow up to this post, counting down the last 10 books on my list.

I say the ‘last’, but seeing as it’s barely three-quarters of the way through the year I’ve upped my reading challenge to a whopping 30 books – completely achievable if I keep up the momentum! I’m still keeping on with my Kindle, Audible (great to knit along to) and common-or-garden books (my favourites) to help me stay on track.

So here are the ‘next’ 10 books on my list, and here’s hoping I’ll close down this blog post series in December having read my 30th book of 2016!

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

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J K Rowling | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Hooked on Stephen Fry’s voice from the first instalment I hastily bought both this and the third of Rowling’s novels. Fry’s voice is so suited to story-telling, it’s the perfect way to relive the saga!
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: ***** (If I could give it six stars I would)

Divergent – Veronica Roth

Divergent Veronica Roth | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: I loved this book! It often gets compared to ‘The Hunger Games’ for obvious reasons, and yes, Suzanne Collins’ trilogy edges it, but only just for me. I loved the characters and the love story amidst a dystopian world. Definitely going to read the next two.
How did I ‘read’ it: Library
My Goodreads rating: ****

Inkheart – Cornelia Funke

Inkheart Cornelia Funke | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: I had this on my bookshelf for a couple of years before the film adaptation came out in 2008. Mixed reviews stopped me from reading it until now and ‘mixed’ is the way I’d described my reaction to it. I liked some elements of it – the fantasy and some of the characters were cleverly written. But I found something lacking when compared to other fantasy novels, and I don’t really feel compelled to read the rest of the series of Funke’s books.
How did I ‘read’ it: Kindle
My Goodreads rating: ***

Our Song – Dani Atkins

Our Song Dani Atkins | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Romantic stories aren’t really my bag, as you can probably tell from the rest of the books on these lists. I reserve this genre for Dani Atkins only, who has such a way with telling romantic stories with a twist. The majority of the story takes place on one night in a hospital where two people fight for their lives, and the book unfolds through a series of flashbacks. This wasn’t my favourite Atkins books (Fractured reserves that spot for now and always) but it’s up there and definitely deserves five stars.
How did I ‘read’ it: Kindle
My Goodreads rating: *****

The Lie Tree – Frances Hardinge

The Lie Tree Frances Hardinge | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: I wasn’t as enamoured with this as much as I thought I would be. People have been raving about this one. But I found I didn’t care about the characters as much as the last few books I’d read. It’s a great mystery, and is an atmospheric read, but didn’t grab me like books usually do.
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: ***

The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country – Helen Russell

The Year of Living Danishly Helen Russell | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: I loved it. Loved, loved, loved it. When can I move?!
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: *****

Spectacles – Sue Perkins

Spectacles Sue Perkins | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Sue Perkins read her life story to me through the gift that is audible, and I genuinely laughed out loud throughout. Loved this from start to finish!
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: ****

Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Absolutely loved and was inspired by the first two parts set in Italy and India, but was surprised to say I really disliked the third part spent in Bali. I completely understand why this book polarises people, as it can be a bit overly sentimental at times. But I’d read two-thirds of this book again.
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: ***

The Walking Dead, Vol 01: Day’s Gone Bye – Robert Kirkman **

The Walking Dead Days Gone Bye Robert Kirkman | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Another graphic novel this year, and it had to be The Walking Dead. I love the TV series, and wanted to find out where the inspiration came from. It differs from the series slightly, although most of the story is the same. I was gripped immediately. I thought I’d be bothered by the black and white line drawing style, but it actually adds to the suspense and drama. I’ll be keeping up with these graphic novels in the future!
How did I ‘read’ it: Library
My Goodreads rating: *****

**The complete contrast of reading Eat, Pray, Love, closely followed by the Walking Dead is not lost on me!

The Girl with all the Gifts – M R Carey

The Girl with all the Gifts M R Carey | Shortrounds Knitwear

What did I think: Hands down the best original novel I’ve read since The Girl on the Train. I was gripped from the outset, and the story unfolds in a way that you continually want to stay up until two in the morning to find out what happens! I don’t want to give much away, as I don’t want to ruin the awesome twist. But the film is coming out later this year, and I just cannot wait to see it.
How did I ‘read’ it: Audible
My Goodreads rating: *****

I’ll check back in with you at the end of the year with, what I hope will be, another 10 books in the bag!

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