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
Flawed by Cecilia Ahern
After spending years seeing her adult books and thinking, “Oh yes, she’s supposed to be very good, I must read one of those”, it’s a bit weird that when I finally get around to reading something by Ahern, I start with her first YA book.
The blurb: Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.
But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found FLAWED.
In this stunning novel, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society in which perfection is paramount and mistakes are punished. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.
2. The last books I read
The Cake Shop in the Garden by Carole Matthews
The perfect thing to read if you’re looking for a break from dark/disturbing stories. This is quite fluffy, as you’d expect from the blurb and cover. However, it also contains an absolutely fantastic shock about two thirds through. If you’re a fan of women’s fiction/contemporary romance, this is a must. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn’t do all this, who will? Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she’s ever made. When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay’s entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn’t know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision – even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.
AND
The Raven King (The Raven Boys #4) by Maggie Stiefvater
*sigh* Such a shame. I loved the characters, the setting, the magic, and the writing is beautiful… However, I just didn’t get enough closure and significant happenings were sadly rushed. That said, from the number of 5-star reviews this book is getting on Goodreads, it could just be me! Other opinions are available! 🙂 Here’s my full review – NO SPOILERS!
The blurb: All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love’s death. She doesn’t believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
3. What I’ll read next
I’m not entirely sure what I’ll go for next. Two contenders are:
The Second Chance Shoe Shop by Marcie Steele
After suffering through YA dystopian shenanigans, I think switching back to something lighter and more cheerful would be a good idea, and this has received some excellent reviews.
However, there’s another recent release I want to read:
The Rose and the Dagger (Wrath and the Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh
I enjoyed the first installment in this series (which is very loosely based on the 1001 Nights story) and I’m looking forward to continuing the adventure. And hopefully the second book will contain more magic, as was hinted at the end of book 1.
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
And elsewhere on the blog…
Last week I made raspberry ripple cupcakes with raspberry buttercream. Delicious, light and summery!
Claire Huston / Art and Soul
Those raspberry ripple cupcakes look delicious. There should be a system sending us a sample every time we leave a comment, haha!
I will wait until I have plenty of yummy food around to read The Cake Shop in the Garden or I’ll be frustrated.
Flawed has been on my TBR since I read a couple of good reviews on it, I haven’t read anything from Cecelia Ahern yet.
It must be frustrating to reach the end of a series with a disappointing book. It hasn’t happened to me yet only because I was not into series, but now that it has changed, I will probably get to this problem at some point.
I bought The Second Chance Shoe Shop yesterday. There are so many great reviews on it that it must be good.
Happy reading! 🙂
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That’s what I though about The Second Chance Shoe Shop too 🙂 I think I may have to read it next because Flawed is quite dark in places and I think I’ll need cheering up!
I’d love to be able to send people cake. It would stop me feeling bad about eating it all 🙂
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I’ve got Flawed on my tbr list as well ^^ I read a lot of her books when I was younger but stopped eventually, for reasons I can’t remember. I think I didn’t get as much into one of her books as I did with the others, and it put me off. I do want to read this one, though, I remember her writing style being quite relaxed and magical! But I’m not sure if that will apply to Flawed in the same way 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read Maggie Stiefvater, too. I’ve heard so many good things!
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I think Maggie fans tend to agree that The Raven Cycle is her best work. The writing is great and the characters, particularly when working as a team, are wonderful.
So far, Flawed is very good indeed. An excellent dystopia with some solid messages. That said, I think I’ll definitely need to read something fluffy afterwards to cheer myself up 🙂
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Flawed sounds like it could be so good, I really need to give it a go.
I’m scared of starting The Raven Boys though… Is it worth committing to all those books? X
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Flawed is very good. It takes a little while to get going but is difficult to put down once it does 🙂
I’d say The Raven Cycle is worth it, even if I wasn’t as impressed with the last book as I’d hoped.
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I saw a amazing hardback edition of Flawed earlier so I might end up buying it just because it’s pretty…
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I hope you enjoy Flawed – I’ve seen it around but haven’t picked it up because I couldn’t decide if it sounded good or a bit run-of-the-mill as far as dystopias go. I will watch for your review.
I really should get around to Wrath of the Dawn, since the sequel is out now. And I gather it’s just a duology, so I wouldn’t have to wait further.
Here’s my post for this week: https://keysandopenmind.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/www-wednesday-may-4-2016/
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So far, Flawed is very good. There’s nothing tremendously original about it, but it’s well done.
I didn’t realise The Wrath and the Dawn was a duology. I think I just assume all YA series are trilogies minimum these days!
I’ll check out your post now…
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Can’t wait to hear what you think of Flawed. It seems to be one that divides opinion but I quite enjoyed it so I hope you do too. I tend to find Cecelia Ahern books are a little slow to get going but once they do I’m hooked and it was pretty much the same with Flawed.
I’ve yet to read The Wrath and the Dawn but it’s on my want to read really, really soon list 🙂
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So far, I’m really enjoying Flawed 🙂 Hopefully I’ll get it finished tonight (I’m in the gripping section!).
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Hope you’ll enjoy The Second Chance Shoe Shop if you get around to reading it.
I need to read Flawed soon! Maybe I’ll read that next week 🙂
my post: https://bookishsya.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/this-week-in-books-9/
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Flawed is very good so far. Although, as it’s quite dark (as you’d expect), I think I will be cheering myself up by reading The Second Chance Shoe Shop next 🙂
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I still need to read The Raven Cycle series and I need to read The Wrath and the Dawn! I have The Wrath and the Dawn but j just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I’m on the wait list for The Raven Boys at my library and it’s taking forever for the person who has it now to return it!
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I’ve waited months before for a popular book to come into the library. You wonder how someone can take so long to read something. I mean, come on… a week at the very most surely?!
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The person who has the book now has had it for a month… And it’s the ebook version! I’m might just buy it on my kindle instead of waiting for it. I’d buy it at B&N but they never have it in stock.
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Oh my. Raspberry Ripple cupcakes? I have to try those, they look delicious!
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They’re lovely. And surprisingly easy to make. Just ordinary sponge mix with raspberry puree 🙂
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I haven’t read any of these books, but the Second Chance Shoe Shop does sound like a nice little light read. I hope you enjoy whatever you pick 🙂
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Thanks!
I think I will be going to The Second Chance Shoe Shop next because Flawed, while very good, is quite dark (as you’d expect from a dystopian story!). I could do with something light and happy 🙂
Thanks for visiting my WWW and happy reading!
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Oh my goodness, those cupcakes look delicious! I hope you enjoy Flawed! I got that in the April OwlCrate box. I’ve only read one other book by the author (PS I Love You) which I really enjoyed so it will be interesting to see how she does dystopian YA. I also have The Rose and the Dagger on my upcoming list!
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Thank you 🙂 They were delicious, and so easy to make too.
So far, Flawed is very good. Not particularly original, but well written and interesting. I can’t believe I haven’t read anything by Ahern before.
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Oohh The Second Chance Shoeshop looks pretty good. I’m finding lighter reads myself, and picked Me Before You, though I’m guessing it won’t be too long before the waterworks come in. I’ve been reading too much angsty novels lately hahaha
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Me Before You does get a bit teary… but I guessed what was coming long before it happened so didn’t cry.
I’m hoping The Second Chance Shoe Shop is as cheerful as it sounds because Flawed, while good, is rather dark 🙂
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I love Cecelia Ahern’s previous books, I’ve read and enjoyed them all. I’ve not read Flawed yet but I hope to very soon, I’m really interested to see how her writing differs in this genre. I hope you enjoy it.
Those raspberry ripple cupcakes look delicious – I’m now craving cake!
Hope you have a good week and enjoy whichever book you choose to read next. 🙂
Here’s my WWW Wednesday / TWiB
https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2016/05/04/www-wednesday-4-may/
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I can’t believe I haven’t read anything by Cecelia Ahern before now!
The cupcakes are lovely. I can highly recommend them 🙂
Happy reading!
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I still haven’t read The Raven King. 😦 Soon. Very soon. That way I can go back and read your review.
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Apart from one other review I’ve seen, I think I’m alone is my disappointment! Everyone else seems to be giving it 5 stars, so maybe I’m just too picky 🙂
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Oh, that’s good for me. Bad for you, though. 😉
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The Second Chance Shoe Shop sounds good, but I can understand wanting to get your hands on an anticipated sequel, too.
Thanks for visiting my WWW Wednesday. Happy reading!
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I think it’ll be Second Chance Shoe Shop next. I’ll need something fluffy after Flawed.
Happy reading! 🙂
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Flawed is on my tbr. And I am really enjoying A Cake Shop in the Garden so far! It’s nice and fluffy to counteract the fantasies I am reading. Here’s my post. Happy reading!
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Yay! I’m so happy you’re enjoying Cake Shop so far 🙂
I’ll visit your post now…
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Nope, it’s not just you thinking that of The Raven King. Plenty of my Goodreads friends agree with you. Happy reading! http://www.curious-daisy.com/www-wednesdays/www-wednesday-may-4-2016/
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That’s good to know! You start to feel as if you’ve read a different book to everyone else 🙂
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I have my eye on Ahern’s YA debut, it seems she has left her comfort zone completely and that picks my curiosity big time. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it 🙂
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Nearly finished and it’s very good 🙂
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I haven’t read any of Ahern’s adult books either, but I’m intrigued to see how her YA effort compares!
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I really enjoyed Flawed. I’m intrigued to see what you make of it.
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I’m nearly finished and I think it’s really good 🙂
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It’s a good idea to switch to something lighter. It’s why I’ve been reading the tiny Abby Hayes books in between my heavier reads 😛
Hopefully you’ll be getting a copy of Rose & the Dagger soon 😉
Thanks again for stopping by mine & Happy Reading ❤
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I hope so too! The 5-star reviews for The Rose and the Dagger are starting to stack up 🙂
Happy reading!
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I’ve heard good things about The Second Chance Shoe Shop – enjoy your reading week!
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Thank you! I think that’s what I’ll be reading next 🙂
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I’m sorry ‘The Raven King’ let you down! I often find I’m let down by the last book in series I’ve loved. I doubt it’s just you. Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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It reminded me a bit of how disappointed I was with the last books in The Hunger Games and Maze Runner trilogies. It’s a shame not everyone can be up to JK’s standards: HP and the Deathly Hallows did it perfectly with epic battles and proper resolution to all the big questions! It’s the gold standard 🙂
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I’m looking forward to see what you make of Flawed! I still haven’t read any of her books either even though I have a few on my TBR. And such a shame you didn’t like The Raven King. I still have to get a copy, but then again I still have to read book two and three anyway. 😉 Hopefully you will enjoy The Rose And The Dagger! I wasn’t convinced by the first book, but like you I’m hoping there will be more magic in the sequel. Happy reading!
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Flawed is very good. I finished it yesterday and I’m struggling write a review. Sometimes when it comes to review writing I don’t feel very inspired, but I can’t really just write: “this was really good. Read it if you like this sort of thing!” It’s tempting though – haha! 🙂
Happy reading!
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Haha I know the feeling! I have been trying to read a review about A Gathering Of Shadows for days and I just can’t get anything constructive on paper… 😉
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As always the cakes looks really delicious. I looked at them and had to convince myself that you have to be a professional to do that.I wish I could make that 🙂 Flawed sounds quite interesting. I have read only one book by Ahern, PS: I love you. Flowed looks really interesting though. Second Chance has some really good reviews. I hope you will like it. Happy reading.
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Thank you! Those cakes are quite easy. Just regular sponge cake mix and then a bit of crushed raspberry 🙂
I’m struggling to write a review of Flawed at the moment… it was very good!
Happy reading!
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I’m just about to start The Rose & The Dagger! I read The Wrath & The Dawn and really enjoyed it, especially all of the sensory details. So I hope we both enjoy the finale. 🙂
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Me too! And there was the promise of more magic in part 2, which I’m looking forward to 🙂
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Yum, those cakes look absolutely delicious. How are you enjoying Flawed? Can’t wait for you review on it. I hope you have an amazing time reading The Rose and The Dagger 💖
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Flawed is very good. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes dystopia stories. I’m looking forward to the second half of the story already 🙂
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Awesome. I hope the second part of the book is just as great as the first one. 😀
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I read a book by Cecelia Ahern a couple years ago–The Book of Tomorrow. It was a perfect summer/beach read! A lot of fun. I hope you like the one you’ve started of hers!
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I’m happy to say that it was very good. I’m not looking forward to reading more of her books 🙂
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I’ve seen a lot of bloggers actually go back and change their rating for TRK. A lot of people gave it 5 stars as soon as they finished, and then rated it lower because of the reasons you stated. It sucks that it didn’t live up to your expectations, but I think this book was greatly overhyped -_-
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Really? Wow! I didn’t know people had been doing that. It makes me feel a bit less like I’m just being grumpy! 🙂
I just wonder if the reason she left so many things hanging was because she has plans to write some spin offs… we’ll see!
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