YAY AUTUMN!! My favourite time of the year is coming up and I am pretty freaking excited to wear massive cardigans and dark lipstick again. Summer 2016 has been amazing, and I read some seriously cool books this season, but I am looking forward to fireworks night and Halloween. Without further ado, here are the books I read in summer:
The House of Hades // The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan // I reread this entire series every summer, and as usual, I loved them. Action packed middle grade that is consistently funny, interesting and utterly heartbreaking at the same time.
Girl Up by Laura Bates // Great followup from Everyday Feminism author Laura Bates. A great book for teenagers interested in feminism, consent and equality.
The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan // When Rick Riordan releases a new book, I’m going to read it. And this one was really good — I thought Apollo’s perspective was fresh and interesting and I’m definitely going to continue this series. (MORE NICO PLEASE!)
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes // I read this book just as the movie was released, which meant that there was a lot of controversy happening about the portrayal of disabled people in the story. I enjoyed the main character Lou — I related to her a tonne, but as someone who has a disability, the plot just felt a bit cheap, and Will seemed like he was a prop for Lou to realise her true potential.
Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin // LOVED this. And cried a lot. It was charming and heartbreaking and life affirming at the same time.
How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm // How to Break a Dragon’s Heart // How to Steal a Dragon’s Sword // How to Seize a Dragon’s Jewel // How to Betray a Dragon’s Hero // How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury by Cressida Cowell // I’ve been reading this series for well over a year now, borrowing one book at a time from the 10 year old who recommended I read it, and I’m blown away by it. This is how a series is done people! (I may be forced to purchase my own copy very soon.)
Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand // Claire is a must buy author for me, and SKOH just reaffirmed everything I love about her books. A hauntingly beautiful, fairytale-eque MG book that deals with anxiety and depression frankly is RIGHT up my street. Please read this book.
The Crooked Sixpence (The Uncommoners #1) by Jennifer Bell // This was amazing!! A highly imaginative, richly developed world, with a plot that left me breathless. I couldn’t seem to put it down. Very excited for the next book!!!
The Classy Crooks Club by Alison Cherry // A fun, action packed read. Loved AJ and the whole heist set-up was SO cool. I thought this was written really well — I definitely need to check out Alison’s other books.
Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke //Beautifully written, but I think it suffers a little from a case of style over substance. Will definitely be checking out April’s other books though!
The Wee Free Men (Discworld #30) by Terry Pratchett // I love Discworld, and have been meaning to read more for ages. I thought I’d start on Tiffany Aching, and I’m so glad I did. This book is laugh-out-loud funny!
Victorian London by Liza Picard // SNEAKY RESEARCH BOOK
The Accidental Prime Minister by Tom McLaughlin // Funny, charming and heartwarming!
Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein // Interesting, richly woven and beautifully written.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North // AMAZING original concept, beautiful writing and a very intriguing main character.
The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol // This book is EVERYTHING. Check out my review here.
Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead // SNEAKY RESEARCH BOOK #2
Beetle Boy by M. G. Leonard // This book made me love beetles. Nuff said. See my review here.
The Edwardians by Roy Hattersley // SNEAKY RESEARCH BOOK #3
The Hourglass Factory by Lucy Ribchester // Loved the concept, thought the book was a tad too long though.
The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge // Another fantastic MG read. My review is here.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman // Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite writers, and I hadn’t read Neverwhere in forever. Loved it, and it made me really excited for the potential sequel Neil has hinted at.
The Parent Agency by David Baddiel // Great concept, funny throughout and a fab main character.
The Nowhere Emporium by Ross Mackenzie // I really enjoyed this, it was VERY reminiscent of THE NIGHT CIRCUS.
A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee // LOVE. Karen seems to make every sentence magical, let alone the plot. Wizards, trolls and London = Laura’s ideal book.
Crime Club: Mystery and Mayhem // 12 stories from 12 authors. I really liked this one. There were some stand out stories from Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, and I have LOADS of new authors to add to my TBR list.
I feel like middle grade authors are KILLING it this year! Every MG book I pick up lately seems to blow me away. I’ve also done a lot of research reading this summer for my latest project, which has been a lot of fun. In Autumn, I’m hoping to read more YA and a couple of classics!
Right now I have a massive mug of tea by my side and COGHEART on my mind. I’m off to read some more of it. Have a lovely day, internet friends.
Laura Noakes 
As usual, your book list leaves me wanting to run off to the library. Off to add to my TBR list! Thanks for the great recs!
YAY for more book recs!! Thanks for reafing, Candice! 😀
I’m going to read Girl Up in a few weeks; I’m going to see Laura Bates speak at a lit festival and will probably embarrass myself by trying to hug her or something. I read Everyday Sexism and now she is my hero.
I’m SO jealous! She’s so cool, and I’d probably have the same reaction if I ever met her!