Stacking the Shelves: September Book Haul Part 2

Stacking the Shelves is a meme co-hosted by Reading Reality and Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers share the books they got. These are the other physical books I got this month! I'm excited about every single one of them!

1. Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) by Jay Kristoff 

I loved Nevernight last year, so I needed to get the sequel! Hope to read it soon!

2. Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1) by Leigh Bardugo

I love Leigh Bardugo and I love Wonder Woman!

3. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide #1) by Mackenzi Lee 

I ordered this on wordery.com but it arrived damaged :( like really damaged, if you need proof, check my instagram. I was horrified! Luckily I was able to get a refund and I bought the book somewhere else!

4. Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu 

Currently reading this one! So far, it's fantastic!

5. The Mad Ship (Liveship Traders #2) by Robin Hobb

I finished Ship of Magic last month and I'm slowly going to continue the series because Robin Hobb's books are huge!

I love these Penguin English Library classics! They're stunning!

6. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

7. A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes #1) by Arthur Conan Doyle

8. The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes #2) by Arthur Conan Doyle

9. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

I passed a bookstore in Ghent and I just couldn't resist getting these!



Which books did you recently get? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Let me know which one I should read next! Leave your thoughts down below!


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Top Ten Tuesday: Fantasy Books with Female Protagonists

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. This week's topic is Ten Books That Feature Characters ____________. I chose ten fantasy books which feature female protagonists. I tried to leave the more obvious ones out (like for example books by Sarah J. Maas).

1. The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews 

I really enjoy this series and I highly recommend it!

2. The Gardella Vampire Hunters by Colleen Gleason

I read this series when I was sixteen and back then, it was my favourite series ever! It was pitched to me as Buffy meets Jane Austen, how could I not love it?
The first book in the series can often be found on kobo.com as a free e-book. 

3. Enchanted, Inc. series by Shanna Swendson 

Another fun series which is more or less unknown. It's charming and cute! Highly recommend it!

4. The Witchlands by Susan Dennard

I have seen mixed reviews about this series and although I do recognize the books have some flaws, I really like this series and can't wait to read the following books!

5. The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson

I finished this trilogy at the beginning of the year and once again, I really recommend this trilogy! The first book is somewhat predictable but each book in the series just gets better.

6. The Wrath and the Dawn duology by Renee Ahdieh 

I love retellings so I just had to mention one on this list! I have yet to read Flame in the Mist but I'm hoping to do so next month!

7. The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

I read this one last year and I really liked it. This duology should definitely get more attention!

8. The Nevernight Chronicle by Jay Kristoff

This series divides opinion, apparently you either love or hate it. I am one of those people who loved it! Can't wait to read the sequel!

9. Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

If you liked the Kate Daniels series, you should definitely give this series a try! I hope to continue both series soon!

10. Uprooted by Naomi Novik

This enchanting fairy tale is a must read!


Have you read any of the books mentioned above or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts and the link to your Top Ten Tuesday down below!

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Have a great week everyone! Happy reading!

Sunday Post

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 

This is the first time I'm participating in The Sunday Post. I never felt I had much to tell before but now I think I do. I hope you'll enjoy this post!

In Real Life

As you probably know, I graduated this week. During my Bachelor's degree, I struggled writing my Ba paper due to an enormous amount of insecurity and an awful supervisor. I failed that paper twice and was not allowed to start my thesis the next year, which means I lost an entire year. Needless to say, that was a big blow.

So, at the beginning of this academic year I chose a supervisor with a kind and competent reputation and topics which interested me. She always had something positive to say about my drafts which helped tremendously with my self-confidence. In the end, I graduated with distinction because of a great thesis. The thing I was so scared to write, ended up being my greatest accomplishment so far.

I want to thank everyone for their kind messages yesterday! I loved them all!

On the Blog

There have been a couple of changes this week.
For one, I have created my very first Instagram and Twitter accounts which will be all about books and my blog, so check it out! If you follow me on either social media, I'd be happy to follow you back!
You can also follow me on Goodreads and 'Bloglovin!
If you want to follow which TV shows I watch every week, you can follow me on TV Show Time!

Reviews this week

I finally figured out the best way to up my ratio on Netgalley: read the "read now" comics and graphic novels. I love the genre anyway and they are usually fast and compelling reads.

- Taproot by Keezy Young 3 stars
- The Ghost Of Gaudi by El Torres 3 stars
- Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden and Brenna Thummler 5 stars

Stacking the Shelves and Top Ten Tuesday

- Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

- Stacking the Shelves: Graduation Book Haul

Currently reading: The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Currently watching: the second season of Twin Peaks for the first time!

Next Week on the Blog

You can expect another Stacking the Shelves post on Saturday. Hopefully I will be able to post another Top Ten Tuesday and a review but that will depend on the amount of work and classes I have next week.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Leave your thoughts down below and have a great week and happy reading!

Stacking the Shelves: Graduation Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves is a meme co-hosted by Reading Reality and Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers share the books they got. I officially graduated on Wednesday, a Master degree in English and Spanish linguistics and literature. I am now still studying to get a teacher's degree which hopefully will be done around January if I can plan my teaching practice accordingly.

After the proclamation, I went to some bookstores in Ghent to celebrate. The first three I got in Het Paard van Troje.

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

I went into this bookstore to get this edition of The Count of Monte Cristo and Middlemarch, however, they didn't have the last one anymore, so I decided to buy two other books instead :)

2. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Honestly, I already had a copy of Anna Karenina but I simple couldn't resist this gorgeous Vintage edition. Hopefully, I finally feel motivated enough to pick it up!

3. Poems by Wilfred Owen

Since I wrote my thesis on First World War literature, it only felt natural to get this collection of Great War poems by Wilfred Owen.


Then we went to The English Book Shop, a second-hand bookstore in Ghent and I got the following three books.

4. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Once again, I already owned a copy of this book but I mistakenly ordered the mass market paperback version and I really dislike reading classics or literary fiction in such a small font. So when I saw the hardcover for a cheap price, I was fated to pick it up. I am currently reading this book, I just had to pick it up!

5. The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard #3) by Scott Lynch 

I have read and loved The Lies of Locke Lamora and I own the sequel, when I saw the correct edition to match my other books, I couldn't resist. I hope to continue the series soon!

6. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

If you follow this blog, you're probably tired of me going on about my thesis and the fact that I studied an Indian Great War novel. I can't guarantee this is the last time I'll mention it, but if been wanting to read A Suitable Boy for some time now, and when I saw it, it felt right to get it on that day. If you have more recommendations of books set in India, please let me know!



Have you read any of the books mentioned above or are you planning to? Which books did you get recently? Leave your thoughts down below! 

If you have a blog, don't forget to leave the link, so I can leave a comment on your blog as well!

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Review: Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden and Brenna Thummler

Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation.

The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.

Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.


The spirit of Anne is alive and well in Mariah Marsden's crisp adaptation, and it's a thrill to watch as the beloved orphan rushes headlong through Brenna Thummler's heavenly landscapes. Together Marsden and Thummler conjure all the magic and beauty of Green Gables. Like Anne herself, you won't want to leave.
— Brian Selznick, author/illustrator of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” and “The Marvels”

-- Goodreads.com description --

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. I read Anne of Green Gables for the very first time this year. However, I've loved the adaptation for years now.

Mariah Marsden and Brenna Thummler adapted Anne's well loved story into a stunning graphic novel.

The art work fits the story perfectly and they adapted the story faithfully. No major changes were made. The artists succeeded in bringing Anne's story to life in their illustrations. The atmosphere was captured wonderfully.

I will definitely be purchasing this graphic novel when I get the chance! It's a must read for all fans of Anne of Green Gables! I hope they will continue adapting the rest of the series because I'm hooked! 

I gave Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel 5 stars! I fell in love with the illustrations from the first page. I can't recommend this graphic novel enough, it such a delight!

Review: The Ghost Of Gaudi by El Torres

Someone is committing barbarous murders throughout Barcelona, focusing on locations designed by renowned visionary architect Antoni Gaudi. The police have no clues, but a young woman is thrust into the investigation by a man resembling the late Gaudi himself, led to the scenes of the crimes before they even occur... could be a precognizant ghost? A visual tour through the beautiful streets of Barcelona on a true edge-of-your-seat thriller written by El Torres and illustrated by Jesus Alonso, both natives of the city. Winner of several awards in Spain. 

-- Goodreads.com description -- 









I received an arc copy from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fictional graphic novel about an investigation of serial murders on the sites of Gaudí's creations in Barcelona.

Before I review this comic, there is one thing you need to know about me. I LOVE GAUDÍ! For the past twenty years, my family and I, rent an apartment near Barcelona from friends for a week or two. Aside from my university city, Ghent, Barcelona is my most well-known and favourite city. I have visited everything Gaudí designed which is open to the public. He is by far my favourite architect.

So, now let's move on to the actual review:

Things I liked: 

- As I'm a huge Gaudí fan, I adored the drawings of his many creations. The art style is really stunning and for that alone, I recommend this graphic novel. The theme of the story was represented in the darker colours while the artist still showed the vibrant buildings created by Gaudí in their original state. 

- I enjoyed the mystery aspect, it was entertaining and I actually didn't figure out who was responsible for the murders before the police did, which is also refreshing.

Things I didn't like:

- I didn't really get Antonia's storyline. It made the story more confusing and I feel she could have been left out of the comic in its entirety. 

- The presence of Gaudí's ghost was a bit over the top for me. I think the story would have been stronger it focussed a bit more on the police investigation instead of on Antonia and Gaudí's ghost, but that's just my personal opinion.

All in all, I recommend this graphic novel! I absolutely adore the art style and for me that's always the most important aspect of a graphic novel (again that's just my personal opinion). If you like Gaudí as much as I do, I believe you should definitely check this one out. However, if you are not familiar with the Catalan architect, this comic offers a good introduction to his work as well. All his most famous creations in Barcelona are featured in the story.

I gave this stunning graphic novel 3 stars and I might actually purchase it in the future as well! Loved it!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. This week's topic is top ten books on my fall TBR list. I read about half of the books on my summer TBR, so it would be great if I could read half of this list as well!

1. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

I've been hearing so much about this one lately, I just had to get it for myself!

2. Waking Gods (Themis Files #2) by Sylvain Neuvel 

I got the sequel from Netgalley in a pdf version, I personally struggle to read pdf's but I do hope to read this one soon!

3. A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle

I've been hearing so much about this book over the years, I'm really curious to see what it's about!

4. Idaho by Emily Ruskovich

I was approved to read this through Netgalley but I didn't have the time to read it before the archive date, so now I got hold of a copy through my library.

5. Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

I got The Broken Ones from Netgalley as well, but I believe I should finish the trilogy before reading the prequel.

6. Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons, #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Since watching the movie in August, I've been wanting to read Leigh Bardugo's newest book! So excited!

7. Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle, #2) by Jay Kristoff 

I really enjoyed Nevernight, so now I want to read sequel!

8. The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1) by Marie Lu 

This one has been on my shelves for way too long, it's about time I read it!

9. Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist, #1) by Renee Ahdieh

I ordered the October fairyloot box and I have a deal with myself that I have to read the previous fairy loot books before the next box arrives. Flame in the Mist was in the last box I ordered and now I need to read it as soon as possible! Really excited about this one!

10. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo, enough said.


Which books do you plan to read? Have you read any of the ones mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!

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Review: Taproot by Keezy Young

Blue is having a hard time moving on. He's in love with his best friend. He's also dead. Luckily, Hamal can see ghosts, leaving Blue free to haunt him to his heart's content. But something eerie is happening in town, leaving the local afterlife unsettled, and when Blue realizes Hamal's strange ability may be putting him in danger, Blue has to find a way to protect him, even if it means... leaving him. 

-- Goodreads.com description --












I received Taproot from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Taproot is a graphic novel about Hamal who can see ghosts. You follow Hamal's adventures with Blue and their budding relationship. 

Things I liked:

- I really liked the art style and the colours that were used. The ghosts are blue/greyish, including their speech bubbles!

- I really enjoyed Hamal's and Blue's relationship! I love the diversity in this book.

I loved the humour in this book, especially the grim reaper got some great lines!

Things I didn't like:

I enjoyed Taproot, although I wish it had been longer. Once I got fully invested in the story, I had already reached the end.

I would have liked a little more worldbuilding and character development, but maybe that's just the genre (which I'm not that familiar with).

In addition, there were a lot of characters (especially the others ghosts) of which the reader knows almost nothing about all. I feel this is a bit of missed opportunity. Either you include them and introduce them properly to the reader or you leave them out entirely. 

I felt we only got to know the characters superficially and I wish they had a bit more depth. This could perhaps have been solved if the graphic novel had been longer.

All in all, I thought this was a fantastic introduction to Keezy Young's work. I really like her art style and I could definitely be persuaded to read more of her work in the future. I gave Taproot 3 stars! I do believe younger readers might enjoy this more even more than I did.

6 Reasons Why You Should Watch Spider-Man: Homecoming

Why should you go watch another Spider-Man movie? There are already so many of them out there! Why is this one different? That's exactly what I asked myself before watching this movie and here are the answers! I prepared this post a while ago, so I'm going to keep this brief:

- Peter Parker actually looks his age

I have never read any of the Spiderman comics but I do hair this is a more faithful portrayal, I do feel the previous Spidermen did not really look the age implied, as did the rest of the cast.

- Great Humour

This was by far the most funny Spiderman movie I've ever seen (granted I haven't seen all of them yet)!

Example: I lost an electron T-shirt

- Iron Man pops up

You can never go wrong with Robert Downey Jr.

- Peter makes teenager mistakes

He messes up, but he does learn from his mistakes. I feel it's quite refreshing seeing a superhero struggle from time to time and actually make mistakes.

- Good action scenes

Really enjoyed the action scenes. His suit is awesome!

- Good music

I mean, Blitzkrieg Bop anyone?!


All in all, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a really entertaining film, which you should go see if you even mediocrely like superhero movies.

I tried to be brief and to the point in this review. Let me know if you liked this style or if you prefer more details for future movie reviews.

Review: How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

Everyone has a story . . . but will they get the happy ending they deserve?

Emilia has just returned to her idyllic Cotswold hometown to rescue the family business. Nightingale Books is a dream come true for book-lovers, but the best stories aren't just within the pages of the books she sells - Emilia's customers have their own tales to tell.

There's the lady of the manor who is hiding a secret close to her heart; the single dad looking for books to share with his son but who isn't quite what he seems; and the desperately shy chef trying to find the courage to talk to her crush . . .

And as for Emilia's story, can she keep the promise she made to her father and save Nightingale Books? 

-- Goodreads.com description --

I received an arc copy from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. However, I wasn't able to read the pdf in time, because I really struggle with those, the small font in particular. So, I was able to get a copy through my library and finally had a chance to read it. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did!

I requested this book because it's about a book shop and I simply adore books about books! In addition, I really enjoy reading romance novels as well.

Things I liked:

- The book shop is the central part of the novel. The story is told through various perspective which have the book store in common. 

- I was engrossed in every single storyline and actually want more! Every character was unique and were interesting to read about! I do believe Dillon and Alice are the cutest!

- I was a bit stressed out at the time I started reading this but this book calmed me down a little. It was like the perfect book at the right time kind of thing.

- I now want to visit and actually work in Nightingale Books.


Things I didn't like:

- I think it should have been a bit longer. I felt things wrapped up really quickly and I actually didn't want it too end.

- I would have loved to see more of Julius!


All in all, I really enjoyed this book! It really relaxed me and that was exactly what I needed at the time! I loved all the references to other books and I really want to read Anna Karenina right now! 

I gave How to Find Love in a Bookshop 4 stars! If you are looking for an engrossing romance novel about books, you should check out Veronica Henry's novel! I really recommend it!

Stacking the Shelves: August Book Haul Part 2

Stacking the Shelves is co-hosted by Reading Reality and Tynga's Reviews. This is part two of my massive August book haul. I did not have time to post last Saturday because my parents and I decided to visit the Battlefields of the Somme during the weekend and it turned out to be a truly impressive trip. Since I just finished writing my thesis on the First World War, I'm really interested in visiting the sites of remembrances in Belgium and France (I was already familiar with some of them before, though).

After handing in my thesis, I went to Het Paard van Troje in Ghent, a local bookshop and I got a "Let's talk about books, baby" tote bag and the following two books:

1. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

I already read this one and really enjoyed it! I wanted to pick this one up before the Netflix show comes out this autumn.

2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

I actually wanted to get The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson but they did not have in stock. So, I went with The Haunting of Hill House. Since reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle, I've been wanting to read more of Jackson's work. Any recommendations are welcome!

The next day, I went to Ghent with a friend and I went book shopping again, I just couldn't resist!

3. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I got this in a second-hand book shop in amazing condition!

Then we went to the Fnac and there was a 2 + 1 deal, so naturally, I got 6 books! :) I did get the feeling my friend thought I was completely nuts and she did not buy any books as she's got a lot at home she still needs to read and still needs to read all of mine as well... what?

4. Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

5. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso 

Because I really liked the Netflix show!

6. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

I've only read Animal Farm by Orwell and I need to change that asap!

7. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 

8. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

I have yet to read my first Steinbeck novel.

9. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Every Sunday morning if the weather is nice, there is a second-hand book fair in Ghent. I got the following books for really cheap there:

10. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Only after I got it, I noticed somebody had written on the pages.

11. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

I got a very beat-up copy of this book.

12. Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

I got this one in a very old penguin classics edition, Jungle Book as well.

13. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

14. The Shadow of the Wind (El cementerio de los libros olvidados #1) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

I know own this book in English, Spanish and Dutch, it's about time I try to read it too!


Which books did you recently get? Have you read any of the ones mentioned above or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

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