This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. A similar meme, This Week in Books is hosted by Lipsyy Lost and Found.
Why not join in? Just answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.
The questions are:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
As always, clicking on the cover image will take you to the book’s Goodreads page.
1. What I’m reading at the moment
Out of Sorts by Aurélie Valognes
I got this from Netgalley. I liked the sound of the story from the blurb. So far, I’m not convinced. There are a few stylistic things which are really bugging me… Hmn. I’ll finish it soon, so review up tomorrow…
The blurb: Ferdinand Brun hasn’t always been a grumpy old man. Many years ago, he was a grumpy young man. Now he’d much rather spend time with his canine companion, Daisy, than any of his nosy neighbors. But as his behavior becomes increasingly peculiar, his daughter grows concerned and begins to consider moving him into a retirement home.
In order to maintain his freedom, Ferdinand must submit to an apartment inspection by his longtime enemy, the iron-fisted concierge, Mrs. Suarez. Unfortunately, he’s never tidied up a day in his life. His neighbors, precocious ten-year-old Juliette and vivacious ninety-two-year-old Beatrice, come to the rescue. And once he lets these two into his life, things will never be the same. After an eighty-three-year reign of grouchiness, Ferdinand may finally learn that it’s never too late to start living.
2. The last books I read
Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill
Here’s my full review. If you’re after some thought-provoking, jet-black dystopia, then you can’t go wrong with this. A great choice for a book club as you’d have plenty to talk about.
The blurb: In a world in which baby girls are no longer born naturally, women are bred in schools, trained in the arts of pleasing men until they are ready for the outside world. At graduation, the most highly rated girls become “companions”, permitted to live with their husbands and breed sons until they are no longer useful. For the girls left behind, the future – as a concubine or a teacher – is grim.
Best friends Freida and Isabel are sure they’ll be chosen as companions – they are among the most highly rated girls in their year. But as the intensity of final year takes hold, Isabel does the unthinkable and starts to put on weight… And then, into this sealed female environment, the boys arrive, eager to choose a bride. Freida must fight for her future – even if it means betraying the only friend, the only love, she has ever known…
AND
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
As my experiences with magic realism go, this was one of the better ones. That said, the story didn’t succeed in bowling me over as much as the cover. A shame. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.
3. What I’ll read next
The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett
It’s taken me a while to be ready to read this book, the last thing Terry Pratchett wrote. It’s going to be as sad as I hope enjoyable.
The blurb: A shivering of worlds. Deep in the Chalk, something is stirring. The owls and the foxes can sense it, and Tiffany Aching feels it in her boots. An old enemy is gathering strength.
This is a time of endings and beginnings, old friends and new, a blurring of edges and a shifting of power. Now Tiffany stands between the light and the dark, the good and the bad.
As the fairy horde prepares for invasion, Tiffany must summon all the witches to stand with her. To protect the land. Her land. There will be a reckoning…
AND
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
The third installment in the Raven Cycle. I hope it’s better than part two (my review of The Dream Thieves) and sets things up nicely for the fourth and final part of the series – The Raven King – which will be published at the end of April.
The blurb: There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
In non-bookish news: last week I made giant choux buns, profiteroles, whatever you want to call them! Filled with whipped cream and covered in melted Terry’s chocolate orange. Yum!
Yeesh, Only Ever Yours sounds very dark. I’ll have to save that for a time when I’m in the right mood. Hope Blue Lily, Lily Blue is a bit better than Dream Thieves for you!
Here’s my post for this week: https://keysandopenmind.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/www-and-wippet-wednesday-10-february-2016/
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SO dark. I had to re-read bits of Carry On to cheer myself up!
I’ll head over to your post now 🙂
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I do like the sound of Only Ever Yours. I may have to add it to my TBR 🙂
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As long as you’re prepared for a dark, disturbing read, Only Ever Yours is very good. It certainly makes you think and be very grateful for all the rights we have.
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i have this on my tbr x and if i ever have a party i am hiring YOU..those look wonderful x
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I would be happy to provide choux buns for parties! They are actually easier to make in really large batches than to make a few. I was very popular in my student days as I used to make trays of them for my friends’ parties 🙂
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ooh yummy x
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Liking the sound of Out of Sorts but bearing in mind your reservations, I’m going to wait for your review.
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Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to recommend it. It’s such a shame, because buried underneath some serious stylistic failings is a sweet story which could have made an excellent book 😦
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Eventually I’ll get to reading Only Ever Yours. Glad to hear you liked it. Thought-provoking books can be nice. Sorry to hear The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows didn’t add up to your expectations. I haven’t read a lot of magic realism, but I think I’d like that genre. I hope you like Blue Lily, Lily Blue better than the last two. I think I’ll wait until The Raven King comes out and read them all together.
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I hope I enjoy the third book in The Raven Cycle too because I’m invested now! 🙂
Thanks for visiting my post and happy reading!
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Out of Sorts sounds interesting, I’ll get it for my French book of the month in March 🙂 and I’ll wait for your review. Only Ever Yours is on my reading list, gotta love thought-provoking books.
Here’s my week in books: https://chocolatenwafflesblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/this-week-in-books-february-10th-2016/
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I hope you “enjoy” Only Ever Yours (it’s very good, but not exactly enjoyable!).
I’ll check out your post now – thanks for visiting mine 🙂
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Lots of fantastical magical books in your choices this week Claire….what can I say lol! Only Ever Yours is one I’d probably read though 🙂
Thanks for visiting my WWW – http://bookboodle.co.uk/2016/02/10/www-wednesday-february-10th
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Don’t worry… there’ll be some detective/mystery stuff soon 😉
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I still couldn’t bring myself to read TerryP’s last work. Just thinking about it makes me sad. Hope you enjoy it though, and I would love to hear your thoughts about it as well!
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Exactly. I’d been avoiding it and then I saw it on the library (it had been always out when I’d looked before) and I thought it was a sign!
It will be a sad read but hopefully funny too 🙂
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Only Ever Yours sounds interesting!! It’s not my usual kind of read but I’ll add it to my TBR list 🙂
I really need to read more Terry Pratchett. I’ve only read a couple but we do have all of them (I think) in my library, so I can get to them quite easily when I get to it 🙂
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I love Terry Pratchett. In fact, that’s just the sort of thing to read after Only Ever Yours to cheer yourself up 🙂
And one big bonus of TP’s stuff is, as you say, there’s always at least one book in the library!
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I should read some Terry Pratchet myself. I hope you’ll enjoy that book. Happy reading! https://ireadboooks.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/www-wednesday-february-10-2016/
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All his books are good and the Discworld series gets better and better.
I´ll check out your post now 🙂
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I’m not one for dark books, but I am really intrigued about Only Ever Yours. I got it out of the library and it’s sitting on my nighttable, waiting for me open it up! Here’s my list http://hollykerr.ca/www-wednesday-im-reading-12/ Happy reading!!
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You might need something cheerful on stand-by to read afterwards!
I’ll check out your post now 🙂
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I just finished Wyrd Sisters in the Discworld Series, so I’m still at the start of it. Though I have a few more books to go, I’m already dreading the end. I can’t imagine how it feels for you. 😦
I hope you are able to enjoy it. Make sure to savour it, like a delicious pastry that’s worth every bite!
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It’s very sad. I have to keep telling myself, “Don’t panic. You can go back and read them all again!”.
I love Wyrd Sisters. So many funny bits 🙂 And the witches themselves are fantastic.
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I’ve been thinking about adding The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender to my TBR for awhile now, I’m still unsure about it though. I still want to pick up The Raven Boys. I hope you enjoy Blue Lily, Lily Blue! Happy Wednesday and happy reading!
Here is my WWW:
https://katiesjumbledthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/www-wednesday-2102016/
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If you like magic realism, I think I’d say to read Ava Lavender. If you know you don’t get on well with it, then probably best to avoid.
I hope I enjoy Book 3 of the Raven Cycle too because I’m really invested now!
Thanks for visiting my post. I’ll head over to yours now 🙂
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Terry Pratchett ♡♡
I sincerely hope you enjoy that boom and I look forward to a review of it.
Great post
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Thank you!
I feel the same way about Terry Pratchett. To be honest, I’m still coming close to tears each time I think about the fact this is his last book, so I’m not sure I’ll get through it. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it though 🙂
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I need to give Pratchett another try, I think.
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I think where you start with him can make all the difference between loving his stuff/not finding it your cup of tea at all. Even with the Discworld series, the first couple of books are just ok… it takes a while for him to really get into his stride.
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That’s good to know about the Discworld series.
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I’ve been wanting to get into Terry Pratchett’s work but I just dont know where to start!
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There’s so much to choose from! If you go for the Discworld series and start from the beginning, I would say that the first two books are probably the weakest of the entire series. He just got better and better as he went. His young adult books are also great fun and short! 🙂
I still haven’t read his collaboration with Neil Gaiman – Good Omens – either. Apparently that’s brilliant.
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That is good to know! I’ll probably start with his YA books. I haven’t either my mom recommended it to me once saying that it would go well with my dry humor lol. But I am excited to get to it one day
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I have Out of Sorts to read on my kindle, so I’ll look forward to your thoughts on it in your review! Thanks for stopping by my post! 🙂
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Hmn. It’s not going to be good, I’m afraid! Review tomorrow…
Thanks for visiting 🙂
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That’s too bad. I hate when a book doesn’t live up to its description.
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I like this post idea! I might start incorporating it as well soonish!
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That’s great! The more the merrier. Wednesday is when I get most of my book recommendations to add to my TBR pile 🙂
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I hope you like Blue Lily, Lily Blue better than you did The Dream Thieves. I’m anxious to read your review!
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I hope so too. I think I will though because it sounds like this one has more of the characters working together again, which is what I liked about the first book 🙂
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I’m sure I had a comment about your books this week but then I got distracted by those choux buns. Drool 😉
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Haha! They were rather delicious, even if I do say so myself 🙂
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Only Ever Yours sounds so interesting. Definitely adding it to my TBR!
Here’s my WWW.
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It’s very good, although upsetting and dark!
Thanks for visiting. I’ll check out your post now 🙂
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A shame Ava Lavender didn’t fully convince you! The cover is just gorgeous. I should continue The Raven Cycle soon as well…
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It was such a shame! And the physical copy was even more beautiful because the yellow bits were actually embossed in gold 🙂
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I am finally going to start the Raven Cycle this month. I’ve lowered my expectations though, after being spoiled and all. I hope you enjoy Blue Lily, Lily Blue!
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Thank you! I do too. It’s definitely worth reading because the characters as a group are great.
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‘Only Ever Yours’ sounds chilling! I hope it made for a good discussion, too. Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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It certainly is! Definitely not one if you’re already in a sombre mood 🙂
Thanks for visiting and happy reading!
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I think you’re going to like BLLB much better than Dream Thieves as it’s more of an ensemble, and if your favorite character is either Blue or Adam, there’s a lot to like. I need to read The Shepherd’s Crown but first I want to reread the rest of the Tiffany Aching books because it’s been so long.
Thanks for visiting my WWW post, and happy reading!
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Oh that’s great. In the case I think BLLB will me much more up my street 🙂
Thanks for visiting and happy reading!
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Interesting selection! Sorry to hear that Out of Sorts isn’t good so far. It sounds cute from it’s summary. I hope you have better luck on your upcoming reads!
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I know! It sounded so good from the blurb, I was really disappointed 😦 Oh well, we can’t love absolutely everything we read, I guess!
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I really hope you like Blue Lily Lily Blue… Gosh i
Love saying that.. 😂😂 Enjoy!
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Thank you! So do I. From what I’ve heard about how the characters interact in this one, I think I will 🙂
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mmm those profiteroles look sensational!! great post- I’ve not read the sheperd’s crown yet- can’t wait to see what you think of it 🙂
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Thank you! They were delicious 🙂
I’m sure I’ll enjoy The Shepherd’s Crown although it makes me sad just thinking about it 😦
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I’m sure! Yeah me too 😦
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I think I really need to buy and start reading the Raven Cycle. I’ve been hearing so many good things about the series.
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So far, so good. I enjoyed the first book more than the second (but it was still good). I’m looking forward to the third book very much because I’ve heard it focuses more on the characters interacting as a group, which is the best thing about the series 🙂
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I’ve been so back and forth on if I want to read The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. It sounds interesting and the cover is great. I really want to read The Raven Boys! I checked out the audiobook from the library a couple times, but ended up never getting around to listening to it when I did. I think I may want to buy a physical copy and read it myself though.
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If you could get a library copy of Ava Lavender, perhaps give it a try? At least it’s short!
The Raven Boys has been very good so far. Book 2 wasn’t as great as book 1, but every series has one book that’s a little “flatter” than the others.
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I decided to get the ebook copy. I see that it’s only $1.99 today for Ava.
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