Thoughts For 50 - Pages 149 - 200 Of The Sudden Appearance Of Hope By Claire North

My name is Hope Arden, and you won't know who I am. We've met before - a thousand times. I am the girl the world forgets.
It started when I was sixteen years old. A slow declining, an isolation, one piece at a time.
A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A teacher who forgets to chase my missing homework. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger.
No matter what I do, the words I say, the people I hurt, the crimes I commit - you will never remember who I am.
That makes my life difficult. It also makes me dangerous...
THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF HOPE is the tale of a girl no one remembers, yet her story will stay with you forever.

Laura's Thoughts

I am starting to feel as though I am reading a non-fiction book in parts rather than a fiction book. In some parts of this story Claire North can write from a sentence to a page of information based on the cities that Hope is travelling to, to definitions of words we clearly already know otherwise we wouldn't be able to read and understand the book.

I am hoping to be proved wrong as the book draws to an end and achieve the understanding of what is actually going on. The last few pages of this section actually grabbed my attention and made me want to read more, I hope it keeps it up.

 

Jen's Thoughts

Well where do I start? It’s a very confusing book.
It delves into the past of a character we haven’t met yet??? What is going on???
But I think I have worked it out…. or maybe my brain has worked overtime. The whole story of Hope is a metaphor and a statement on society about vanity and the quest for perfection. The personified Hope wants to bring down this ‘Perfection’ app and the reason why she is forgotten, because she is usually denied as people tend to lose hope in various situations.
Whether I am right or not remains to be seen…. I just want to gain some understanding of this book, as every week I feel it’s a chore in reading the next fifty pages. If I am right, could Claire North be in fact a genius?

Laura Predicts

• Parker is on the opposing team and will prevent Hope from completing her mission
• Hope will hand herself in to stop something happening to one of these people she always talks about missing
  

Jen Predicts

What can I possibly predict...

• Hope will kill someone

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 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

Me Before You - A Review By Jen

What is it about?

Boy has an accident..... Girl has boyfriend who is a jerk who is more interested in running and wearing lycra than her…. Girl meets boy who is now a quadriplegic. Both damaged.
 

Who’s it for?
For adults really, but okay for the younger adult.

Genre?
Romance

Is it any good?
Yes. I guess it could be considered as a modern day Jane Eyre but with a twist. Jane in a way saves Rochester, but Lou in a more literal sense has to save Will: his life is on the line. Will wants to die, as he feels his life is no longer worth living. Lou is hired to keep him company and give him a reason to live. Is falling in love a reason to live?

It is a heart-wrenching narrative, told through Lou’s perspective. She is feeling underwhelmed too, by her boyfriend who is forever out running and is just so annoying. So in a way, Will also saves her from a underwhelming life. A love story, but there is no madwoman in the attic!!!

Was the ending satisfactory?
Yes and no. Romantic Jen would want Will to live and them to have a loving relationship. Real Jen understands why Will had to die, even though it is a sad ending.

Rating:

4

Would I recommend the book?
Yes if you want to cry.

Read it if you like:
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Thoughts For 50 - Pages 101 to 150 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 

So Jen bends the rules a little and reads her 50 pages on a Friday morning on the way to work which means that on the Friday just gone I get texts before 9am saying that I must read my pages now, which she knows I can't because I am already working! All day I had to look at her face as she was trying her hardest not to give anything away but at the same time failing to hide her excitement about it. So this week I bent the rules too and read my pages on Friday night rather than Saturday.

I was in a foul mood on Friday anyway, I had had a bad week in work, got bad news about the house I was buying and was still slightly sick so wasn't really in the mood to read at all but like last week Falling just happened to make me feel better and cheer me up too!

This book has my life, I should have been born in a little town, had a man and child like Dominic and Jesse and been in interior design. I think that is why I might love this book so much I want to be her, don't get me wrong I love my man and might end up with a child or three like Jesse but for now I want Emma's life! Can I have it please?

Laura Predicts

• Jesse's Mother makes an appearance at some point
• An unwanted pregnancy
• Gina finding out about Emma and Dominic and ruining Emma's upcoming career or ruining something anyway.

Jen's Thoughts

OMG!!! Could I be any more in love with this book? I am falling for Falling!
So basically Sophie and Emma go out to a singles bar and meet one of Dominic’s friends, Jeff. Queue backstory of Jesse’s mum, Stacey a rebellious wild child, broke Dominic’s heart and left in the middle of the night leaving Jesse. This leads to a swapping of numbers, and I was like nooooooo don’t do it. But don’t worry, that never happened.
After the night out, a cute breakfast with Jesse breaking into Emma’s via the cat-flap. Sugar butties, bacon and pancakes? Yes please. Of course Dominic joins them, not via the cat flap though. Even Hobbes the kitten gets a look in. It’s all so cute.
Emma’s interior designing gets up and running with a client, and gets tickets to a farm dinner. Laura has decided she wants to go on one of these, and of course she wants Dominic and Jesse too. I would settle for Hobbes, I could become a mad cat lady. Well I am already a mad book one!

Damn you Laura for not allowing me to read more!

Jen Predicts

• Things will go wrong after what has happened but it will fix itself because they NEED to be together
• Stacey will turn up and cause conflict
• Love triangle with Jeff, Emma and Dominic
• Hobbes will eventually eat a sugar butty. 

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books You'd Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed You A Fully Loaded Gift Card

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.

I thought I would find this topic easier to complete however I always buy the books I want as soon as they come into my store, you can ask Jen I have a bit of a book buying on a whim problem.

1. The One Plus One By Jojo Moyes
2. Silver Bay By Jojo Moyes
So I recently read Me Before You and After You by Jojo Moyes and wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did so I feel as though I want to give some more of her books a chance.
 
3. The Time Keeper By Mitch Albom
4. The First Phone Call From Heaven By Mitch Albom
5. The Magic Strings Of Frankie Presto By Mitch Albom
I have read two of Alboms books in the past and absolutely enjoyed the ease and quickness of them as short enjoyable books, I love the emotions he makes me experience whether happy or sad and want to read more of his work.

6. Panic By Lauren Oliver
I have all of Lauren Olivers books except for this one and the last of the Delirium Trilogy, why I do not know! I wasn't even aware of this one and it sounds amazing.
 
7. The Blade Itself By Joe Abercrombie
My fiance is going on and on at me to read Joe Abercrombie books I have read The Shattered Sea Trilogy and I did enjoy it so although I wouldn't pay for this with my own money I think I would definitely give it a shot if someone else was paying.
 
8. Watermelon By Marian Keyes
So not so long ago I discovered that I have read number four of this series of books, I remember enjoying it so I will probably read the first three if someone else was paying.
 
9. Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married By Marian Keyes
I love pyschics, romance and I love Marian Keyes style of writing this book sounds right up my street.
   
10. Son Of A Witch By Gregory Maguire
I started this series a few years back I think its about time I made some progress on it. 

  
1. Fangirl By Rainbow Rowell (Zoella Edition)
I have read the normal version and loved it, but the cover is yellow, my favourite colour and as I own six of Zoella's book club already this is on the list.

2. Billy And Me By Giovanna Fletcher
Well what can I say I am a completest and this is another of Zoella's. so this is needed to complete my collection.

3. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child By J.K.Rowling
I really want this after re-reading the Harry Potter stories at least twice over. Even though I was disappointed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I want to read this script. Unless I can get a guy to take me to London to see the play and pay for me, then this will have to do.

4. The Starblade Chronicles: The Dark Army By Joseph Delaney
I have read all the spooks books and now want this one but in hardback so it matches the first one I have. 

5. Girl Online Going Solo By Zoe Sugg
If Girl Online On Tour is anything to go by I really want to read this, I just hope Penny and Noah get it on again.

6. The Kept Woman By Karin Slaughter
I read Pretty Girls and loved it so I am hoping that this is more of the same.

7. The Woman In Cabin 10 By Ruth Ware
I love a good thriller and I want this one.
 
8. Katherine Howard: The Tragic Story Of Henry VIII's Fifth Queen By Josephine Wilkinson
I love the Tudors and King Henry VIII, I want to know more about her and whether she was used as a pawn in the game which led her to the scaffold.

9. Generation Next By Oli White
A novel by another Youtuber. I want to have a read and see how it goes.

10. The Potion Diaries: Royal Tour By Amy Alward
I am up to page 50 of the first book and already want to read the sequel.