A Recent Reading Wrap.

I've done really well with my reading so far this year. I've read a total of thirteen books so far this year. Some short and some longer books. I've stayed up far too late reading & I've read rather a lot whilst I've been on the bus. I wrote a blog post, sharing -some tips- on how to make time to read more.
 I haven't wrote a blog post for a while and I have rather a lot to say but I thought I'd start with some books I've read lately and highly recommend!

In no particular order (because I can't remember what I order I read them in, haha) here are  the books I've read so far this year.

1. Haunted Liverpool 1 by Tom Slemen - A book of short paranormal/spooky/odd/explainable true stories. I really enjoy reading paranormal, spooky stories but I found myself learning a far bit about the past and history of Liverpool in Tom Slemen's books. 
2. Haunted Liverpool 2 by Tom Slemen - Again. A book of short, paranormal and explainable stories. The story where the guy slips back into time... I found that story quite fascinating. 
3. Tressa The 12 year old mum - You may remember this story in the news a few years back. Another true story about a young girl who becomes pregnant at the age 12. Heartbreaking. Truly heartbreaking. 
4. Nobody's Son by Cathy Glass - A true fostering memoir by Cathy Glass. I really enjoy Cathy's books. There's no one I haven't read. Nobody's son tells the story of a young boy who ends up in Cathy's care after being moved from one foster home to another. Needless to say he hasn't had the best of starts. A happy ending in the end and a very emotional read. (Thanks to Harper Collins for sending me this book to review. You can read my full review here) 
5. Between Shades Of Grey by Ruta Sepetys - A re-read. I read this book again because I read the book 'Salt To Sea' and between Shades Of Grey is connected to this book. Historical Fiction that could so easily have been real and so very well researched. Set in 1941, Lina and her family are sent to a camp 6,500 miles away. A harrowing story based on true events. It's truly very sad. Very well written and one of the best books I have ever read. I believe there is a movie coming out some time this year based on this book. 
6. Where she went by Gayle Forman - The sequel to 'If I Stay' A young adult contemporary read. Three years after Mia's devastating accident, she randomly meets up with Adam again...  The first book (If I stay) is from Mia's point of view but 'Where she went' is from Adams oint of view. I didn'f really enjoy this book as much as the first but I am glad I read it! 
7. The Missing by C.L Taylor. Fifteen year old Billy goes mising in the middle of the night, Claire (Billy's mum) blames herself. She does everything she can to possibly find him, putting up poster, T.V appeals and so on... I found this book a little on the slow side and not a book I would personally read again but it had a good plot and the characters ended up being well developed. 
8. Those who Save us by Jenna Blum. Another historical fiction story. Trudy is driven by the guilt of her heritage and is now a professor who un covers the truly harrowing story of her mothers past during the second world war in Nazi occupied Germany. I am really glad I read this book, it's beautifully written and I felt quite connected to Trudy. 
9. My life next door by Huntley Fiztpatrick - Young adult contemporary. Samantha Reed falls in love with the boy next door from the moment he climbs up to her bedroom window, everythign changes. Her mother will never approve. A lovely lighthearted (mostly), fluffy read. 
10. The Secret Of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange. - This is actually a children's book that I found in a charity shop for twenty pence. The best twenty pence I have ever spent! I'm just going to add the blurb here... "1919. Henry has moved to the countryside with her parents and her baby sister, Piglet – all still scarred by the death of her brother. Alone in her head, she begins to explore her surroundings, encouraged by her only friends – characters from her favourite books. Nobody much notices when she wanders into the woods at the bottom of the garden and meets Moth, a striking witch-like woman. Together they form a bond that could help Henry save her family." I rated this book four stars, I really enjoyed this read! 
11. The couple next door by Shari Lepena - I reviewed this book here.
12. The baby laundry for unmarried mothers by Angela Patrick. This book is a true story about a young lady who becomes pregnant in 1963 and is sent to a laundry in Essex as she is an unmarried mother. A few weeks after she has given birth her baby is put up for adoption. Angela really wanted to keep her baby... 30 years later her son contacts her and a reunion is arranged. A truly heartbreaking story. 
13. The Orphans Tale by  Pam Jenoff - "A powerful novel of friendship set in a traveling circus during World War II, The Orphan's Tale introduces two extraordinary women and their harrowing stories of sacrifice and survival" This book is fiction but was very well researched and some parts of the story is based on true events. I rated this book five stars. Beautifully written and easy to read, despite the story being based on very sad and upsetting events. It's a page turner! 
14. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon. This book is very relevant to today. It's beautifully written but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, you can read my full book review 'The Sun Is Also A Star' here.

So those are the books I have read so far this year (although I'm not sure why Goodreads is counting that I have only read ten books when in actual fact, I've read fourteen!) I am currently reading 'The Hospital' By Barbara O'Hare. There are a few books coming out this year that I'm very excited to read! Especially the sequel to 'My Life Next Door' 

If you have any recommendations of books you think I might like, do leave me a comment with the title. I am always looking for book recommendations and as you can probably tell, I'll give anything a read! I like all genres, I have really widened my options as to what I read the last year or so.

What have you been reading lately? Or what books are you most excited to read this year? 

Sarah xXx