It’s been a long time since I’ve last managed to write a Top Five, so I thought I’d dedicate the final one of 2018 to books I’d like to see under the Christmas tree. Although, I’m not expecting these titles, it’s just something fun to help me refer to while scouring online at the New Years sales!
Escaping from Houdini | Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Genre: Historical, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
Summary: Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a travelling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.
But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the desks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?
I’m obsessed with everything to do with this series, having fallen in love with Audrey Rose and Thomas from their first introduction, so naturally I’m so excited to get my hands on the newest installment of their journey. Although, I’m yet to read book two, I’m really hoping to by the end of the year, so fingers crossed that I can get my hands on book three soon!
Goodreads Profile here.
The Brightsiders | Jen Wilde
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, LGBT, Romance
Summary: As a rock star drummer in the hit band The Brightsiders, Emmy King’s life should be perfect. But there’s nothing the paparazzi love more than watching a celebrity crash and burn. When a night of partying lands Emmy in hospital and her girlfriend in jail, she’s branded the latest tabloid train wreck.
Luckily, Emmy has her friends and bandmates, including the super-swoonworthy Alfie, to help her pick up the pieces of her life. She knows hooking up with a band member is exactly the kind of trouble she should be avoiding, and yet Emmy and Alfie Just. Keep. Kissing.
Will the inevitable fallout turn her into a clickbait scandal (again)? Or will she find the strength to stand on her own?
In all honestly, I want this book purely for how beautiful the cover is. I have no shame in admitting that. Books about musicians usually make me cringe, with the exception of Alice Oseman’s latest release, so I’m hoping this will change my views on that. If not, a potentially trashy novel to curl up with during winter sounds pretty good to me.
Goodreads Profile here.
Eliza and Her Monsters | Francesca Zappia
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, Health, Mental Health, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness
Summary: In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, she’s LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves the online one, and she has no desire to try.
Then Wallace Warland, Monstrous Sea‘s biggest fanfiction writer, transfers to her school. Wallace thinks Eliza is just another fan, and as he draws her out of her shell, she begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile.
But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built – her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity – begins to fall apart.
This book has popped up on this blog a few times, and I’m still yet to gather the courage to purchase it. I’ve read many mixed reviews, but it has so much potential to be such an important story in the YA community. In short, I’m definitely excited to have a read, but also terrified of the outcome.
Goodreads Profile here.
Hick | Andrea Portes
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary
Summary: Foreseeing a hopeless future in barrooms and parking lots, cagey 13-year-old Luli McMullen bolts headlong from the heartland, aiming at Las Vegas where she expects to find herself a sugar daddy. Almost immediately, crooked-bodied Eddie Kreezer, a roving obsessive with a violent streak, and a fading but lovely grifter named Glenda begin to do battle for Luli’s head and heart. On their perilous journey westward, Luli is introduced to drifters, lowlifes, strippers, speed freaks, gold-diggers, and a Libertarian with a dog named Karl. Along the way, she learns the truth of American rootlessness and discovers both the power and the peril of her own sexual curiosity.
Okay, so this one may seem a little out of place, but hear me out. Hick is my all-time favourite film; I first watched it earlier this year and immediately fell in love with the story. However, in my country, the movie simply doesn’t exist; I’ve tried to find a copy everywhere, but it’s always unavailable. So, I thought owning a copy of the book would be the next best thing!
Goodreads Profile here.
Solitaire | Alice Oseman
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery
Summary: In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story.
My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were different, I guess, but that’s all over now.
Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.
I really don’t.
Alice Oseman is one of my favourite authors at the moment, the woman can do no wrong to me. But I’m a little embarrassed to say that I’m yet to read her debut title, so here’s hoping I’ll be able to say different starting 2019.
Goodreads Profile here.
A Little Fool Reads 
Eliza and Her Monsters sounds interesting
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It really does! It reminds me a little of Radio Silence by Alice Oseman, which was a great read, so I’m hoping this’ll be similar. ☺️
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