The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him? 

-- Goodreads.com description --


The movie adaptation of The Martian by Andy Weir is soon the be released, so I thought this was the perfect time to finally read the book. I expected to like it,although science is not really my topic of choice to read about and I heard there was a lot of science in this book. However, even with all the scientific talk, this book blew me away! In fact, the science part of the book made the book feel real to me, like Watney was actually on Mars. I was surprised to find I'm absolutely in love with this book. My attitude may still change, I just finished reading The Martian but I just couldn't put it down! This is an entirely different genre than the other books I've been reading most of this year and I'm sad I didn't pick it up sooner.

The Martian is a survival story that has it all, it is action-packed, original and addicting! Most of the book is written in log entries, which you can compare to a diary. Normally, I don't like books written in that format but I can't think of any negative things to say about The Martian. It was simply amazing! So it is no surprise that I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars! I can't recommend this book enough! Pick it up if you haven't already!


Have you read The Martian or do you plan to read it? Share your thoughts down below!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten books to read if you like these popular books/authors

This week Top Ten Tuesday is about the theme: if you like this book, I recommend that book to you.  I found this a rather difficult topic. It's not easy to compare authors or stories, so unfortunately I didn't get to ten recommendations. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

1. If you like Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen

you will like North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell

2. If you like These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

you might like the Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

3. If you liked Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

you might like Uprooted by Naomi Novik


4. If you like The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

you might like The Gardella Vampire Hunters series by Colleen Gleason

5. If you like The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

you might like the comic series Fables by Bill Willingham

6. If you like All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

then you will like Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

7. If you like the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris,

I recommend the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

Let me know which books are on your list! Don't hesitate to leave a comment below!

Agent Carter

In 1946, Peggy Carter is relegated to secretarial duties in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR). When Howard Stark is accused of treason, he secretly recruits Peggy to clear his name with the help of his butler, Edwin Jarvis.

Creators:

Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

Stars:

Hayley Atwell, James D'Arcy, Chad Michael Murray 

-- imdb.com description --

The first season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. started poorly but ending was shocking and redeemed the show in my eyes, however I probably won't watch the second season anytime soon. Because I was disappointed in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., I did not feel the need to watch Agent Carter, until it was aired last month on Belgian TV. I recorded it and watched the entire first season in one day. I was hooked! Now, the second season of Agent Carter is one of the TV shows I highly anticipate!

Agent Carter has it all: epic action scenes, amazing costumes, scenes that make me snort with laughter and, best of all, a great female lead. I feel that Peggy Carter's fight to gain professional appreciation from her (male) colleagues is something that still resonates today. Gender equality is still not at what is should be.

Furthermore, I absolutely loved the new characters like Jarvis, Thompson, Sousa and Angie. I even liked Dooley. I can't even come up with a negative thing to say about this TV show, except that 8 episodes are not enough for me. I can't wait till the next season starts! If I had to rate this show, I would give it 8,5 out of 10 stars! I highly recommend this show!

What is your opinion on Agent Carter? Let me know in the comments below!

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Movie Review

In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.

Director:

Guy Ritchie

Stars:

Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander 

-- imdb.com description --

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a spy movie based on a TV show with the same name. I've never seen the show, so I can't judge if it is a decent remake. However, having seen the movie, I might watch the TV show some time. Especially after discovering that David McCallum, known as "Ducky" from NCIS, plays Illya Kuryakin. Ducky is one of my favourite characters, so I am tempted to check the TV show out.

However, this is a movie review. Since seeing the trailer in July, I couldn't wait until the film was released. Ultimately, I watched it this month with one of my best friends. I really enjoyed it! It was funny when it needed to be, there were some amazing action scenes, I especially liked the car chase scenes in the beginning of the movie, which are also shown in the trailers. I found the movie entertaining, and almost all of my expectations were met. If you like the trailer, you will like the movie as well. However, if the trailers bore you, or annoy you, the movie will too. I feel that the trailers are really indicative of this movie. 

If I had to give a rating, I would give The Man From U.N.C.L.E. 7 out of 10 stars. I would love a sequel but I do not think they will actually make one. However, I would love to be proven wrong on this one. This is the trailer which made me want to see the movie. Enjoy!

Have you seen The Man From U.N.C.L.E.? Or would you like to? Leave a comment down below!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

-- Goodreads.com description --

Finding Audrey is Sophie Kinsella's latest book. This time, she wrote a young adult book with a quite serious topic. Being Sophie Kinsella, she managed to make it funny and heartwarming whilst still serious at times. For me the mental health issue hit close at home. My mother is experiencing some similar issues which makes it hard on the rest of the family. Somethings Audrey did, I recognized in my mom's behaviour. This made it at times difficult for me to continue. However, I did. I read everything Sophie Kinsella writes, although I'm a bit behind on her Shopaholic series. Finding Audrey was no exception. Besides the fact that Sophie Kinsella is the author, the book had other appeals to me as well. First of all, the mental health issue as discussed before and secondly the many references to Audrey Hepburn. One of my favourite actresses. Audrey Hepburn is known for wearing sunglasses which is a prominent feature for Kinsella's Audrey as well. Furthermore, in the movie Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn's love interest is in fact called Linus, which is also the case in Finding Audrey. Personally, I loved these references and it added something extra to my reading experience. All in all, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. Sophie Kinsella deserves no less. Although, I must admit that the mental health part of the book sometimes made me uncomfortable because I recognized some of the problems. At first I was considering giving Finding Audrey 4 stars because of it.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. I missed a few weeks but now I'm back. So without further ado, here is my top ten:

1. Winter by Marissa Meyer

2. Dumplin by Julie Murphy

3. The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

4. Roaring Shadows by Colleen Gleason

5. The Martian by Andy Weir

6. Chew Vol. 5. Major League

7. End of Days by Susan Ee

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

9. Carrie by Stephen King

10. Four by Veronica Roth

I am most excited to read the first 5 books on this list. The other ones I just need to get to, so hopefully this list will guide me to read those books I should already have read.

Which books are on your TBR? And which ones are you most excited about? Let me know in a comment below!

Top Ten Series I Haven't Finished Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is created by The Broke and the Bookish. This list features the series that I have started but still need to finish.

1. The Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

I will review this series when I've read most of the books in the series. I'm currently reading the fourth book and I'm absolutely in love with this urban fantasy series!

2. Penryn & the End of Days trilogy by Susan Ee

I have read Angelfall and World After but I have yet to finish End of Days. Somehow, all the hype around this series made me somewhat disappointed in this series. When I finish this book, I will write a series review.

3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor

I've only read the first one in this trilogy but I own the second one, and I plan to continue this series. However, at the moment I'm not really in a young adult mood which is why I won't finish this series any time soon. But it will happen!

4. Enchanted Inc. series by Shanna Swendson

I've read the first five books in the series and I absolutely loved them! Two books remain. I've started the sixth book in the series but I've put it down. Part of me does not want this series to end and makes me hesitant to read on. However, I'm hoping to finish this series this year!

5. Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

I expected way more of this series, and I was ready to give up on it after reading the second book in the series. However, at the end, something unexpected happened which made me read the third book. I do own the entire series so I probably will finish it.

6.  Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors although her Shopaholic series was not quite my thing. However, I can't seem to stop buying the shopaholic books. I'm planning to reread the series and to read the rest of the books I own but it probably won't be in the near future.

7. Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead

I'm halfway through the series and I do really want to finish it but as I mentioned before, I'm not in a young adult mood lately.

8. Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead

I've only read the first book in the series but it blew me away! I was gripped from the first page till the last and I simply could not put it down. I frequently stay up late to read books but this one was the worst. I ended up skipping my class because I was too exhausted and sleep deprived to attend. I then decided to take a break from Richelle Mead to give myself some sleep.

9. Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver

I didn't really like the first book but the second book was better in my opinion. However, I've heard some spoilers which I didn't like, so now I'm hesitant to read the last book. If I do, it really won't be in the near future.

10. All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness

I've read the first book in this trilogy a few years ago and I absolutely loved it! However, when I ordered the second book it came in a huge heavy paperback which I don't like to read (or own). I much prefer pocket paperbacks. However, I'm planning to finish the series but I will have to reread A Discovery of Witches first.

What are your unfinished series? I would love to know! Don't hesitate to leave a comment below!