A Small Book Haul

I've been slowly adding to my already overly large book collection over the past few weeks, and it's been so much fun. I used to spend the majority of my money on books until I discovered beauty, skincare, clothes, food, and coffee, and books have definitely taken a backseat. But there's something about choosing new books to buy that makes me happier than choosing a new mascara. No less stressful, but infinitely nicer. I'm not all that picky when it comes to what I liked to read, and my book collection is my pride and joy. What I do need though, is a bigger bookcase. Anyone else feel that pain?

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - paperback £7.99, kindle £3.99

The one thing I love to read more than anything else is a good historical fiction novel. I am obsessed. I hadn't heard of this book before, indeed I didn't even know it was a book, but I've seen the trailer for the film that comes out this month I believe, and I fell in love. I spotted this in Sainsbury's of all places the other day, and had to buy it. The author, Nemirovsky, began writing this book in 1940, but died in Auschwitz before she could finish or publish it, however luckily her daughter found it 65 years later and publish the unfinished manuscript, which is just utterly incredible in my mind. The book itself is split into two parts, the first follows a group of Parisians fleeing the Nazis, the second tells of a rural community under occupation. I am so excited to read this book and watch the film, it's had some incredible reviews.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton - paperback £3.85 (usually £7.99), kindle £1.80

Another historical fiction novel (I did warn you!), this one set in 1686. It's more the time period I tend to read around if I'm going to read historical fiction, though books set in the two great wars are a weakness of mine. I've not started The Miniaturist yet, but it follows the tale of Nella Oortman, who comes to Amsterdam as it has been arranged she will marry a merchant, Johannes Brandt. He gives her, as a wedding gift, a cabinet sized replica of their home which is to be furnished by a miniaturist. Nella discovers secrets of the Brandt households and uncovers dangers awaiting them, and has to work out how to save herself and her new family. There have been so many glowing reviews about this book, and I can't wait to get stuck into it!

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - paperback £1.99, kindle £0.49

This definitely isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Literary classics aren't the kind of books that are a light read, but I have to admit I am a big fan. I've been wanting to read some Tolstoy for a while, and decided that Anna Karenina is going to be my way in. I think this will definitely be a summer read, when I have more time on my hands. 

Moranthology by Caitlin Moran - paperback £6.29 (usually £8.99), kindle £6.24

A slightly different book in that Moranthology is a creative non-fiction book, composing of many of Moran's quirky and hilarious columns from various publications. My creative writing teacher introduced me to Moran and I am actually in love. This woman is just brilliant, and shares her views on everything from drugs and celebrity weightloss, to how hot Sherlock is. Definitely worth a read, may change your perspective on life. Big, big fan, and if I could write like Moran everything in life would be rosy. I highly recommend buying this book and dipping in and out, her articles are incredible and I'm very excited to order and buy the rest of her books!

Favourite Four #2

I just realised today I haven't posted a blog post in like...a week or something. Mainly because Pretty Little Liars has actually taken over my life and I've done basically nothing but binge watch for the past five or so days. Life is actually great sometimes.

Binge watching aside, I decided to post another of my four all time favourite books, because I love reading and I love babbling on about what I read, even if people aren't all that interested in it. Keeps me happy. So without further ado, onto the books!

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory: I'm pretty sure I've posted about Philippa Gregory before, but I am a long time die hard fan of this lady. She's my favourite historical fiction writer, and it helps that she writes around the time of the war of the Roses and the Tudor period, which is one of my favourite areas of history. The Constant Princess focuses on Katherine of Aragon from when she came over from Spain to marry Prince Arthur, all through her marriage to Henry VIII, and ending when she was brought in front of the court to fight for her marriage. I really, really love this book and highly recommend it if you too are a fan of historical fiction.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Another historical fiction book, this time a lot more well known, as it was turned into a film and released last year I believe? I don't know, but I do know that this book is incredible. Narrated from the viewpoint of Death, which is the weirdest, uniquest, most amazing way of telling a story, it is set during Nazi Germnay in 1939, and focuses on the life of Liesel Meminger, a young girl with communist parents who was sent to live with foster parents. It describes her relationship with these parents, the friends she makes, including Rudy Steiner, and the young Jewish man her foster parents hide. This book is a truly incredible piece of fiction written by an amazing author, and I'm not ashamed to admit I sobbed at the ending. The film is also amazing, and you should just read it/watch it.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: This definitely isn't a book for everyone, but I read it over the summer last year and utterly loved it. It was published in 1891 and is a philosophical Gothic novel, and the only novel Wilde ever published. I'd be really bad at summarising this book, so I'm just going to add in a summary from wikipedia (god bless wikipedia): 

Dorian Gray is the subject of a full-length portrait in oil by Basil Hallward, an artist who is impressed and infatuated by Dorian's beauty; he believes that Dorian’s beauty is responsible for the new mode in his art as a painter. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, and he soon is enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfilment are the only things worth pursuing in life.

Understanding that his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses the desire to sell his soul, to ensure that the picture, rather than he, will age and fade. The wish is granted, and Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied and amoral experiences; all the while his portrait ages and records every soul-corrupting sin.

Basically, I really loved this book and the questions it raised about identity and beauty and self worth and yes. Good book, interesting concept.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: Another classic, another book that probably isn't for everyone, but it's definitely my all time favourite book and has been since I picked up this now rather battered and bruised copy for a fiver when I was eleven. Fairly well known, Bronte published Jane Eyre in 1847 under the pen name Currer Bell. It's about the protagonist, Jane Eyre, and her life from when she is ten years old, following her through being sent to school, getting a job as a governess, and everything that comes after. Obviously, it's more interesting than my description makes it sound, but I'm scared of giving the plot away! I really love this book, and definitely identified with the plain Jane Eyre who loves reading when I was younger, and even now. I very much recommend this book as a fantastic read.

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