Credit: http://www.mykindabook.com/blog/october-2016/book-of-the-month-the-lie-tree-illustrated-edition

I can pinpoint the moment when I fell in love with reading as a child. I owe that to Roald Dalh, his books never failed to make me laugh. I would constantly re-read them once I had finished and as time went on, it inspired me to start writing stories of my own-which later led to my love for scriptwriting and filmmaking. 
When I was a kid, it would take me a week to read three new books. This was a little habit of mine until I got to secondary school where reading loads of books wasn't 'cool'. At the end of last year, I made it my goal to read 50 books by the end of 2017. At the time of writing, I have read 35. I worked out a couple of weeks ago, that in order to hit fifty books, I would need to read one book every 3 days. Which averages out to 3-4 books per week, depending on the length of the book. At the moment, a 250 page book would take me two hours to read in one sitting, while a 400 page book would take me two days, over two sittings. Over the summer, I got very bored one day and read 6 1/2.  books. Yes, you read that bit right. Six and a half. 
This month it's my goal to read 5-10 books. 

THE LIE TREE by Frances Hardinge

THE LOOK by Sophia Bennett

LOVE SONG by Sophia Bennett

She’s the new assistant to the lead singer’s diva fiancée, and she knows it’s going to suck. She quickly learns that being with the hottest band on the planet isn’t as easy as it looks: behind the scenes, the boys are on the verge of splitting up. Tasked with keeping an eye on four spoiled rock stars, Nina’s determined to stick it out – and not fall for any of them …

YOU DON'T KNOW ME by Sophia Bennett

THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt

THE RISE SOCIETY by Marie Lu

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she flees Kenettra with her sister to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good when her very existence depends on darkness?

THE MIDNIGHT STAR by Marie Lu 

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

When I was younger I used to read books everyday, some over and over again because I loved them so much. However. as I got older this habit disappeared and got to the point where I would only read books if I had to for school. I wanted to change this massively after I realised how much I used to love it (and after discovering bookstagram, book galore in other words).

While on a little trip to Waterstones in my town centre, this little book caught my eye. Mostly because of the very vibrant cover. Now, I have to admit that I have never read Pride and Prejudice BUT it's on my to-read list I promise! Lydia is based on the character of Lydia Bennett from said book but you don't have to have that much background knowledge of its original contender to understand this one.

As my first read of 2017 I can say that this book is very thoroughly enjoyable to read. Lydia is a breath of fresh air when it comes to similar books. Despite being VERY flawed. I personally really love Lydia as a character due to how passionate and vivid she is.

I really enjoy it when books use a POV style of writing through their characters, which Farrant did really well. As much as I enjoyed it, I did feel like something was missing but i don't know what? Perhaps I'll come back to this once I've read Pride and Prejudice in hopes that the missing aspect will no longer be there.

On the plus side the book has provided me with one of my new favourite quotes:



"Lydia is the youngest of the five Bennet girls. She's stubborn, never listens, and can't seem to keep her mouth shut--not that she would want to anyway. She's bored with her country life and wishes her older sisters would pay her attention . . . for once!

Luckily, the handsome Wickham arrives at Longbourn to sweep her off her feet. Lydia's not going to let him know THAT, of course, especially since he only seems to be interested in friendship. But when they both decide to summer in the fasionable seaside town of Brighton, their paths become entangled again. 

At the seaside, Lydia also finds exciting new ways of life and a pair of friends who offer her a future she never dreamed of. Lydia finally understands what she really wants. But can she get it? 

A fresh, funny, and spirited reimagining of Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice, The Secret Diary of Lydia Bennet brings the voice of the wildest Bennet sister alive and center stage like never before."

                                                                      -Lydia by Natasha Farrant.