Author: GirlReading

Books To Help Get You Through The Festive Season

by GirlReading

There’s no denying that the festive season is great. With it’s presents and joy, family and friends, over eating and inevitable collapsing in front of the TV to watch hours of christmas specials and movies that, for some reason, you only watch during the holiday season, despite you claiming them to be some of your ‘all time favourites’. But for a lot of people, with Christmas and New Year, this season is incredibly hard, emotionally, physically and mentally. Christmas is also something a large amount of people simply don’t celebrate! Therefore, amongst all the Christmas recommendations currently being shared, I thought I would share with you some book recommendations that I personally feel have the potential to, possibly, help in some way if you’re someone that finds this season difficult. I have a few that cover mental health, as I know that is specifically something that can be specifically hard to live with during this time of the year. I also have a few that are total escapism, almost ‘anti Christmas’ reads to take you mind of things and a sprinkle with a Christmassy feel to them, that may just give you a momentary boost of excitement or ‘Festive Spirit’. So here are a few of my ‘Not Quite Christmas’ Book Recommendations…

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The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon | Book Review

by GirlReading
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story. Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us. The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

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Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – Book Review

by GirlReading
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Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen. That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right. Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

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The Deviants by C.J. Skuse – Book Review

by GirlReading
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When you set out for revenge, dig two graves…  Growing up in the sleepy English seaside town of Brynston, the fearless five – Ella, Max, Corey, Fallon and Zane – were always inseparable. Living up to their nickname, they were the adventurous, rowdy kids who lived for ghost stories and exploring the nearby islands off the coast. But when Max’s beloved older sister Jessica is killed, the friendship seems to die with her. Now years later, only Max and Ella are in touch; still best friends and a couple since they were thirteen. Their lives are so intertwined Max’s dad even sponsors Ella’s training for the Commonwealth Games. But Ella is hiding things. Like why she hates going to Max’s house for Sunday dinner, and flinches whenever his family are near. Or the real reason she’s afraid to take their relationship to the next level. When underdog Corey is bullied, the fearless five are brought back together again, teaming up to wreak havoc and revenge on those who have wronged them. But when the secrets they are keeping can no longer be kept quiet, will their fearlessness be enough to save them from themselves?

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Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed – Review

by GirlReading
WrittenInTheStars
This heart-wrenching novel explores what it is like to be thrust into an unwanted marriage. Has Naila’s fate been written in the stars? Or can she still make her own destiny? Naila’s conservative immigrant parents have always said the same thing: She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows up—but they will choose her husband. Following their cultural tradition, they will plan an arranged marriage for her. And until then, dating—even friendship with a boy—is forbidden. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid. Convinced she has forgotten who she truly is, they travel to Pakistan to visit relatives and explore their roots. But Naila’s vacation turns into a nightmare when she learns that plans have changed—her parents have found her a husband and they want her to marry him, now! Despite her greatest efforts, Naila is aghast to find herself cut off from everything and everyone she once knew. Her only hope of escape is Saif . . . if he can find her before it’s too late.

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