Stacking The Shelves - October 2016

Stacking The Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week or in our case over the previous month. 

This was a bad month for us both for Stacking the shelves, Laura had just moved into her new house and Jen was preparing for a move too... I swear sometimes it is like we are the same person. Jen is still dealing with the move as is Laura but now Laura has a little less stress and a little more time, just a little more time to do such things... This stacking the shelves will only consist of the books that Laura has some how managed to afford this month, Jen will do a double Stacking next month... God help us all with the amount that she buys monthly!

I am surprised I have ended up with this many books this month I was expecting to buy none but you all probably understand how impossible that would be! I miss my old shelf for my photograph this one looks a little rubbish sorry but I am living in chaos right now.

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell

The one below this Once upon a time came in on the delivery a few weeks ago and I instantly needed it in my life, I am a Disney fan through and through and it just didn't make sense not to buy this when I seen it in Tesco a few weeks later, I bought this along with The Beast within as part of the buy two for £7

Once Upon A Time by Liz Braswell

As mentioned above this book came into work on the delivery, I loved the look of the cover and the feel of the book as well as it being Disney related and bought it without hesitation

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

I have blabbed on and on about this book since I read Me Before You  and After You that Jen so kindly bought me it as a house warming gift when I moved into my new house, what better way to war a house than to fill it with books, books and even more books... Thanks Jen!

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

When it comes to anything Shiny I am a magpie, if you seen me in the street you would know it was me from the amount of jewellery I have on that is so sparkly... same with books, a little bit of glitter or mirrored front covers and I will buy it no matter what it is about but this one looked pretty as well as sounding really interesting.

Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland

I don't know why all of a sudden I am buying books with fish in the title or on the cover, I don't mean to its a fluke but this month I have managed to buy two that have fish on, This book caught my attention because it was described as John Green meets Rainbow Rowell in this heartbreaking tale of bittersweet first love. John Green... Rainbow Rowell... it had to be a winner and I only have a few pages of it left and I have loved it so much!

The Beast Within By Serena Valentino

Everyone who knows me will know that I love Belle and Beauty and the Beast... I am considering a village Bella tattoo too... At first I thought this book was part of the other two Disney books I have bought this month but now looking at it I can see that it is not... Still cannot wait to read it though!

Silence Is A Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher

My other fish book from this months haul... I pointed this one out to Jen as soon as I spotted it and she had bought it and read it before I got a chance to but i've heard its good so I bought it anyway.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favourite Books Of The Romance Genre - Lauras Choice

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week we are given a different top ten to complete. For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here

There will be two separate Top Tens this week as Jen has chosen to look at her favourite book series where as Laura has chosen her Top Ten Books of the Romance genre that she has read.

1. On The Other Side By Carrie Hope Fletcher
I loved loved loved this story, it just shows that if it is meant to be it will be in the end one way or the other, such a nice thought.

2. Falling By Jane Green
My current read with Jen, I know by reading this with Jen that it is not just me who loves the relationship between the two main characters in this book, they are just perfect as well as Dominic being perfect on his own anyway.

3. Eleanor & Park By Rainbow Rowell
Reminded me of what it was like to be a teenager when all emotions of crushes are heightened, some of the best feelings when you think you are in love and you are going to be with that person forever! I hope these two actually lasted though!

4. Carry On By Rainbow Rowell
I was rooting for Simon and Baz just from the fanfiction sections of Fangirl, I am so glad Rainbow Rowell wrote a book about them, they are adorable.

5. The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks
Both the book and the film make me want a love like this, I hate the idea of either me or my Fiance having to live without the other, it would be nice to go together when it is time.

6. One Day By David Nicholls
I have experiences best friend love at the time I was reading this book and it literally broke my heart imagining wasting all that time loving someone but never actually being with them to finally get them and it be cut short.

7. Me Before You By Jojo Moyes
This is one of the latest Romance books that I have read, it is still raw and I cannot wait to see if the film is as good as the book, I'm just not ready to put myself through it just yet.

8. A Fault In Our Stars By John Green
Okay, Okay... No I am not Okay! this book was so touching and I loved the relationship between Hazel and Gus

9.  Clockwork Princess By Cassandra Claire
One of my all time favourite books probably due to all the love between Will, Jem and Tessa. The bromance aswell as the romance.

10. The Geography Of You And Me By Jennifer E.Smith 
A cute, light read once again about young love.

Thoughts For 50 - Pages 251 to 300 Of Falling By Jane Green

Eight years ago, Emma Montague left behind the strict confines—and rather dull boyfriend—of her upper-crust English life and moved to New York City, where she immediately found success in finance. But her soulless, cutthroat, all-consuming job was another life she didn’t want.

Answering an ad on Craigslist, Emma finds a tiny beach cottage in the small town of Westport, Connecticut. It needs work—lots of work. But it’s the perfect project to satisfy Emma’s passion for interior design and gardening, if her new landlord, Dominic, is agreeable to the small changes she yearns to make. 

To Emma, Dominic himself is somewhat of a fixer-upper. A local handyman with a six-year-old son, he’s a world away from the men she should be interested in, but he’s comfortable in his own skin, confident, quiet, and kind. And slowly, over a shared garden, time spent with his son, and late-night conversations, Emma finds herself falling for Dominic...

From friends to lovers happens as naturally as the changing seasons. But setting down roots doesn’t come easily when two lives as different as their own merge into one. And Emma will realize that the seeds of happiness must be nurtured and cherished to grow into something strong enough to shelter all their hopes and dreams...

Laura's Thoughts

At the rate this book is going I am surprised me and Jen haven't given up on this feature and just sat and read the whole book in one sitting, well I speak for myself I have a slight suspicion that Jen may have read more than she is supposed to or at least skim read to see what happens! But I wouldn't blame her this book is amazing.

Jane Green has a way with words that enables us to be able to picture the surroundings of the characters wherever they may be, every character we meet is such a good strong character with a different personality from the others in the book, I think that is part of why I am so engaged in this book I am yet to find a part where I am bored and not enjoying the book, I hope the ending is as good as all this build up... Only two weeks to go!

Laura Predicts

• A proposal from Dominic while they are in England
• A problem with Jesse that means Emma and Dominic need to cut their stay short and get back home as quick as possible
• A pregnancy 
• Jesse running away from his grandparents
• Stacy kidnapping Jesse

Jen's Thoughts
We are on the home stretch…just two weeks to go…this is killing me. I have would have finished this book weeks ago, naughty Laura making me do this. This book is amazing. I have decided that Dominic is the best dad in the world as well as the best boyfriend: Laura has her fiancé, Dominic is mine! Things haven’t gone as predicted, because Dominic is ‘that’ amazing. Still finding the narrative leans towards the female psyche, even though it’s written in the third person: most events are seen through Emma’s eyes. I have just finished a book were the book was split between the main protagonists, whilst still being written in third person and it worked.
Anyway less about that, Sophie appeared ‘via text message’ and Jeff was mentioned fleetingly. They may appear for the wedding, which is hopefully going to happen.
There was couple cuteness as Dominic and Emma made their way through the English countryside to the latter’s nephew’s engagement party. Very amusing, as there is a little divide between Americanisms and our English lingo; I won’t spoil it for you! But also there is a class divide: ‘you didn’t tell me you lived at Downton Abbey!’ Think Friends Season Four, were Ross marries Rachael Emily. Emma’s Mum is not very nice….bitch!
The whole Stacy thing has kind of been dealt with seemingly, but I think Jane Green has leaded us into a false sense of security.

Jen Predicts

• Stacy will be back at Dominics house, after his parents argue and she will come back to rescue Jesse or she will kidnap him as Laura said
• There has to be a wedding
• Henrietta/Henry will turn out to be a man and George will come out as gay
• Emma will slap her Mum
• Hobbes will appear for more cat cuteness
• Dominic will leave Emma for me

Thoughts For 50 - Pages 201 to 250 Of Falling By Jane Green

Eight years ago, Emma Montague left behind the strict confines—and rather dull boyfriend—of her upper-crust English life and moved to New York City, where she immediately found success in finance. But her soulless, cutthroat, all-consuming job was another life she didn’t want.

Answering an ad on Craigslist, Emma finds a tiny beach cottage in the small town of Westport, Connecticut. It needs work—lots of work. But it’s the perfect project to satisfy Emma’s passion for interior design and gardening, if her new landlord, Dominic, is agreeable to the small changes she yearns to make. 

To Emma, Dominic himself is somewhat of a fixer-upper. A local handyman with a six-year-old son, he’s a world away from the men she should be interested in, but he’s comfortable in his own skin, confident, quiet, and kind. And slowly, over a shared garden, time spent with his son, and late-night conversations, Emma finds herself falling for Dominic...

From friends to lovers happens as naturally as the changing seasons. But setting down roots doesn’t come easily when two lives as different as their own merge into one. And Emma will realize that the seeds of happiness must be nurtured and cherished to grow into something strong enough to shelter all their hopes and dreams...

 

Laura's Thoughts

This books is like a rollercoaster, especially as we are reading it 50 pages at a time. Once again the book has reached its full potential in gripping me as tight as possible, I have been with my partner for over 3 years now but felt as though I was going through a break up today with Emma and Dominic, the feelings were real!

I predicted Stacy's return and was dreading it and I was right to, she is horrendous, even her name suits her well (no offence to any Stacy reading this, I just personally haven't had a good experience with anyone with that name).

 

Laura Predicts

• Stacy is going to kidnap Jesse
• Stacy and Emma will have a confrontation
• Emma will doubt her relationship with Dominic because of Stacy
• Trampoline accident
• Jesse will bond with Stacy and start to hate Emma more again
• Emma's ex will cause issues in Emma and Dominic going to her Mums in England.

Jen's Thoughts

That awkward moment when you are on you're first proper date with your boyfriend and the ex who mothered and abandoned his child walks in. OMG! yes I was overwhelmed by the last 50 pages but it was the calm before the storm. The bitch is back. One of mine and Laura's predictions has came true, it was expected that the path of love was not going to run smooth.

This week was very much about Emma, but I wanted Dominic's thoughts on stacy's return. In writing in the third person perspective these emotions are lost. More Dominic please. I want to know how he feels. I love first person in emotionally intense scenes, but the book is still good. Sophie has been very much sidelined as Emma confides in Cece the stranger. She only got a mention this week, and has been reduced to the role of babysitter. So much for being Emma's only friend in Westport.

Stacy's return is bound to cause ructions and I want to read on. Damn you thoughts for 50!

 

Jen Predicts

• Dominic will put obstacles in the way of Stacy getting to know her son
• Emma will encourage Dominic to allow Stacy to bond with her son, which will drive a wedge between her and Dominic
• Jesse will have an accident on the newly bought trampoline (Yes Laura predicted this last week but I will predict more) he will run to Emma for aid, which will upset Stacy as Jesse will call Emma Mum
• We have seen the last of Gina and Jeff

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books Set In A School - Jens Choice

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week we are given a different top ten to complete. For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

This weeks topic allowed us to decide anything school related, Jen has chosen books with school settings and Laura has chosen the books she would read to her class if she was a teacher so this week there will be two individual Top Tens...

I have decided to choose books set around schools and colleges, whether they be fictional or fantasy ones.

1. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell 

 Set in Watford School of Magicks, this is a gay love story, between a vampire and a wizard.

2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling 

Yes it’s one of the longer books, and the one with the first shock death. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is one place I would like to get my education, but I am a muggle.

3.Twilight by Stephenie Meyer 

Forks High School has vampires and one which falls for a human. The first in the saga, the school provides a setting a love story: a modern day Byronic hero is born.

4. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell 

Sweetness on a school bus, with a Walkman and comics.

5. The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson 

I wish Leo and Kate went to my school, or if I went to theirs. Love the story and the accepting school environment and parents.

6. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 

Cather and Wren go to college; the former meets Levi, has emergency dance parties and writes fiction/fan-fiction.

7. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 

A school with a bell-tower? Sounds like my kind of place.

8. Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard 

As a beautiful broken thing myself, I would probably go well down there.

9. Faceless by Alyssa B. Sheinmel 

Okay I was running out of books.

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

 I loved this book and I felt the character did most of her growth in the school environment; which obviously leads her to Rochester.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I Would Read To My Class If I Was A Teacher - Lauras Choice

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week we are given a different top ten to complete. For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

This weeks topic allowed us to decide anything school related, Jen has chosen books with school settings and Laura has chosen the books she would read to her class if she was a teacher so this week there will be two individual Top Tens...

1. Me Before You By Jojo Moyes

Dealing with real life issues, such a touching but enjoyable read

2. The Five People You Meet In Heaven By Mitch Albom

A lovely light but heartfelt read

 

3. On The Other Side By Carrie Hope Fletcher

A story of true love with a touch of magic

 

4. Mobile Library By David Whitehouse

A books about books and deals with real life issues

5. The Girl With All The Gifts By M.R.Carey

You've got to give them some experience in how to deal with a zombie apocalypse

 

6. The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

Heartbreaking but real life issues

 

7. Now Is Good By Jenny Downham

Real life issues, Heartbreaking once again

 

8. War Horse By Michael Morpurgo

Cute, light slightly sad read

9. One Day By David Nicholls

Heartbreaking

 

10. The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks

Heartbreaking

So reading back over my list I have just realised that I probably wouldn't make a very good teacher, I would clearly traumatise my students!