My top ten favourite books/series of all time!

They say never ask a book lover there favourite books. HOW CAN YOU PICK YOUR FAVOURITE? Are you crazy?? But I have a confession. I can pick my favourites, I know it's crazy, but I can. So here is my top 10 books/ series of all time from 10-1!

In at number 10 is.....

Vampire Academy Series & Bloodlines Series by Richelle Mead (YA Series)

So for you who don't know Vampire Academy is a six book series and Bloodlines is a six book spin off series to the Vampire Academy. I do have to admit to preferring the spin off series to Vampire Academy but there both amazing series. 

You will like these if you like: Kick Ass Females, Vampires, romance, unquie vampires, fast reads, action from beginning to end.

Goodreads / Book Depository / Vampire Academy Review 

At number 9 is...

Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day (Adult Series)

Years ago a series like this wouldn't be on my list because I wouldn't have read this type of book. But I frickin love this series. It involves a dysfunctional relationship that you can't help rooting for, lots of sex, issues that are hard to read about and just a lot of drama. But I absolutely love it. The final book in the 5 book series releases next week and am pumped.

You will like this if you like: Basically 50 Shades of Grey :)

Goodreads / Book Depository (This is currently £4.14) 

At number 8...

This Man Trilogy by Jodi Ellen Malpas (Adult Series)

This is another series that wouldn't have been on my list a few years back. After 50 Shades I searched for books that if you like 50 Shades you will like this book and the This Man Trilogy popped up. Guys I just devoured this trilogy and then the rest of Jodi Ellen Malpas' books. It has a lot of the same troupes as 50 Shades but I didn't care. I have read this trilogy twice in less than a year, so am kinda obsessed.

You will like this if you like: 50 Shades of Grey / Cross fire Series, Erotica romance in general

Goodreads / Book Depository /This Man Review

At number 7....

All the bright places by Jennifer Niven (YA Read)

I think my review says it all:

"All The Bright Places will always burn brightly and stay with me forever, and my wanderings will never be the same, again all thanks to Theodore Finch and Jennifer Niven!"

You will like this if you like: books dealing with mental illnesses/ books that make you think/ books that will break you heart for just being beautifully heart breaking / a book that will stay with you forever!

Goodreads / Book Depository (This is currently under £5.00) / All the bright places Review

In at number 6 is...o

Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer (YA Series)

I was a twi hard back in the day and am not ashamed to admit it. I absolutely was engrossed in this series, and the movie franchise. Everyone know about Twilight and you either love or hate it. There's never an in between. Team Jacob all the way.

You will like this if you like: Vampires, Love triangles, books that don't have the best writing but are addictive, fast paced, romance, first love

Goodreads / Book Depository 

Now for my top 5! In at number 5 is...

Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern (Adult Read)

I just adore this book. It gives me so many feels. It's about a guy and a girl who are best friends and love each but things get in the way and they keep missing each other. It's just ahhh I love it!

You will like this if you like: books that give you all the feels, romance, books that will make you laugh and cry, books written in email a, notes, texts and just an amazing beautiful read.

Goodreads / Book Depository / Where Rainbows End 

Number 4 is....

Peter Pan by JM Barrie (Childrens Classic)

Peter Pan is my favourite children's book. My friends and family call me the female version of Peter Pan, I don't want to grow up. I am in the progress of collecting different versions of Peter Pan. Sees above for one version.

You will like this if you like: Classics, Childrens stories, adventure, magic and escapism

Goodreads / Book Depository

To the top 3... Number 3 is...

Fifty Shades of grey trilogy by EL JAMES (Adult Read)

Sometimes I don't like admitting my love for 50 Shades but I have decided every one is free to read what they want to read and everyone has an opinion on the book and this is mine. I love it, it has many flaws but it captivated me #notsorry

You will like this if you like: erotica romance/ complex, dark characters, books that deal with real life issues

Goodreads / Book Depository / Discussion: My thoughts on fifty shades of grey

Number 2 is....

Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris (Adult Read)

This series was my favourite of all time for so long but in the last year or so it has been overtaken and pushed to number two but I still love it to pieces. I devoted so much time and energy to this series and it was so worth it. So many feels. I have 'read the majority of the 13 book series 4 times!!

You will like this if you like: vampires, romance, so much action, witches, shapeshifters, twists and turns, book set in the south.

Goodreads / Book Depository / 

And number 1 is.......

All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (adult read)

My heart can't take all the feels of felt with this trilogy. I love it so, so much. I literally could read it over and over again. I love the characters, the setting, the story it's just incredible. 

You will love this if you like: Beautiful writing, Vampires witches, historical fiction, just so many feels 

Goodreads / Book Depository / A Discovery of Witches Review

So that is my top 10. Let me know in the comments below one of your favourite all time books.

Discussion: Giving a book a second chance

In life it's said that everyone deserves a second chance, so it got me thinking why do I not give books second chances. 

My crimes against not giving books another chance:

Only in the last year I have started to DNF books. Until now I haven't went back and tried to read them again. And recently I have been thinking maybe I should.

If I don't like a certain genre am not going to pick up another book in that genre. But recently I have been thinking maybe I should try a genre I haven't liked in the past based on books in that genre I have read and see if I can maybe find a book I like.

I don't tend to like reading male POV I don't really know why may be its because as a grown woman I can connect with a girls POV more. Maybe I should give it a second chance and read a few more male POV books.

Lastly if a book is compared to another book I don't like am generally not going to pick it up but thats not fair to that book it could be similar but have aspects I do like. So why not give it a second chance?

What are your thoughts on giving books a second chance? I want to think more now before I by pass a book and think why do I not want to read that book, is it a genuine reason or am I just being picky and judgemental. Let me know your thoughts below!

Q & A with Esty Store creator Made By Birdies & discount treat!

Today I have a special treat for you all. An interview with Sarah Jane creator of Made by Birdies, an online store specialising in hand made book and TV fandom jewellery. Check out the interview and a special discount code treat below, so you can buy all the awesome pieces. 

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! My name is Sarah-Jane, I run Made by Birdie’s and I also have a YouTube channel called The Book Life, where I talk about all things bookish! I have a slight obsession with Urban Fantasy books, and I’m also a little bit obsessed with a certain television show called Supernatural. Basically, I love fandom.

Tell us a little about your store Made By Birdies.

My store is called Made by Birdie’s, and I think it was my Mum who actually came up with the name. My last name is Bird and I’ve always kind of hated it, but this way it became something I loved. I specialise in creating fandom and bookish inspired pieces of jewellery. Sometimes it’s quotes, sometimes it’s created with charms, it all depends. While I love creating items for the popular fandoms, I also enjoy making jewellery based on slightly lesser known books too.

Have you always been into creating pieces of jewellery?  What has been your favourite piece to make?

When I was little, I made myself a Little Mermaid necklace from an old ribbon and a conch shell, so I’ve always wanted to show off the things I love through my own personal style. But a few years ago I developed ME/Fibromyalgia, and I found making jewellery helped pass the time, and it helped me cope with how much my life changed. I don’t make often, it looks a lot when you see the shop but it’s the end result of lots of five minutes here and there when I feel well enough. My favourite pieces at the moment are anything Grisha related, I love those so much, and also my steampunk By The Angel necklaces, they took a long time but I’m very proud of them.

Is there any other bookish worlds you would like to create pieces for?

I’d really like to create some more pieces inspired by The Winners trilogy by Marie Rutkoski, I absolutely adore the world and I’d love to create something really special, inspired by those books.

I love all your pieces and you love all your pieces. But if you had to choice a favourite set of ear rings, necklace and bracelet's out of all your pieces which would they be?

Oooh, my favourite earrings are definitely the Angelic Rune ones, I love those so much. My favourite bracelet would have to be a Supernatural themed one, and as far as necklaces go, that’s really difficult because I have so many to choose from. But, I’m going to go with the “make me your villain” Grisha inspired necklace. Because I do love villians!

Thanks so much to Sarah Jane for taking the time to do the interview. Now for the even more awesome bit you can get 10% of your order by putting in the exclusive promo code READINGAWAY this is open to INTERNATIONAL shipping and is valid till March 31st 2016.

Made by Birdies store

@MadeByBirdies – Twitter
@MadebyBirdies – Instagram
The Book Life on Youtube

Check out some of my favourite pieces

It's my 5 year Blogoversary!! #Giveaway

Today March 2nd celebrates my 5th year blogging, yea 5th year!! Where has the time gone? I will always remember the date as I started my blog as its the date of my best friends birthday. When I started it she turned 22 and today she turns 27!! Thats a long time. 

I have had so many highs, some lows, some jumping up and down how did this happen moments throughout the 5 years on the blog. If I hadn't started blogging I wouldn't have discovered so many authors and got to know so many book bloggers. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to read some of my most favourite books of all time without blogging. 

I will always be grateful for blogging for giving me an outlet to share about my favourite things in the world, books. I am addicted to books and I wouldn't have it any other way. I will fan girl, scream, cry, laugh over books and characters. I am not ashamed. 

I want to thank everyone who has commented, followed, fan girled with me and has supported me over the last five years. To all the authors and publishers who have been so kind. To all the book bloggers who have supported me and chatted with me you are awesome. Here's to another 5 years!

To celebrate 5 years I have a giveaway for you. Two people will win there choice of book VIA Book Depository worth £8 or less. Giveaway is international as long as book depository can deliver to you. Giveaway Ends 2nd April 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If your interested I currently have a Twitter giveaway 

Twitter Giveaway: Win some signed/unsigned swag. Click Here and follow instructions to enter. (INT) End 10th March 2016

Waiting On Wednesday #45

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where we highlight an upcoming book we are excited to read.

Book: The Last Star

Author: Rick Yancey

Series: The 5th Wave #3

Release Date: 24th May 2016

Goodreads / Pre-/Order

My review of The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1)

The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave #2)

Why am excited?

I am not going to put a blurb above to give anything away as it the last book in a trilogy but I am super excited for this one. I loved the first two books when I read them last year and I just know this is going to be epic.

What are you waiting for?