I’ve read 170 books this year and most of these are middle-grade so it was really difficult to choose only 25 books. I’ve made my choices based on ones that have really stuck in my mind and which I have written reviews for. There is no doubt that my reading tastes tend towards fantasy and horror books – just as with my adult book choices and are what I gravitated towards as I grew up.
Below, I have posted a link to my review for each of these books:
It’s been a long time since I’ve participated in Top Ten Tuesday, but I’m going to try to start this up again. This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Girl Reader. This week’s theme is Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf. My most recent additions to my bookshelves are a mixture of adult books which I was gifted as Christmas presents, young adult and children’s books I got by using my Waterstones points as well as those I have bought myself.
I’ve been thinking of regular blog posts for my Blog next year to add to my reviews and Blog Tour and posts.
I’ve decided to start a monthly Blog Post, which I’m calling 12 for 12 …, focussing on twelve newly published middle-grade books that I’m looking forward to reading for each month of the year. Some of these, I will have been lucky enough to have been sent by publicists/publishers or been approved to read via NetGalley whilst others I will be purchasing myself either as a first-time purchase to read, or to replace a proof copy I have been sent. After reading these books, I will either add them to my class or school library.
My 12 middle-grade recommended/anticipated releases for January with release dates are:
1st January
8th January
15th January
29th January
I have restricted myself to 12 books for each month but, of course, that does not mean that I won’t read and/or purchase more as I read other Bloggers’ reviews and see recommendations on social media or from browsing bookshop shelves.
Are any of these on your TBR? Have you already read any? What other books published in January would you recommend?
Written by Rowan Foxwood Cover Illustration by Crystal Kung Internal Illustrations by Tim Banks Published by Usborne Publishing Limited
Magpie Girl is an utterly enchanting story, a story of belief and connection, of family and friendship, that completely captured me and swept me into the most magical adventure.
Thirteen-year-old Lavender Wild, the magpie girl, talks to birds, has a talent for finding lost things and even grows magpie feathers and has flying dreams as she sleeps. Whilst Lavender longs for adventure beyond her village of Maidswell, her father is reluctant to let her out of his sight as she had gone missing for four months five years before. So it is that Lavender finds herself accompanying her father to the home of Lord and Lady Noble to make a delivery, hoping to avoid a meeting with their son, Kit, who had been her best friend before she disappeared but who now seems to despise her even though she does not understand the cause for his dislike.
But when an earthquake occurs and Kit’s father goes missing on his annual pilgrimage to the Cries, a dormant volcano in the Ironridge Mountains, these two former friends find themselves setting out together on a perilous rescue mission. And so begins a truly magical adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed these two courageous and determined children on their dangerous, heart-pounding quest. A quest where family secrets are revealed, where a fractured friendship begins to heal and where a fabled firebird rises … Can these two work together to defeat the firebird before their village faces its flames?
I love stories which are inspired by folklore and mythology and these are seamlessly woven into this magical adventure as Lavender and Kit meet deities, daemons and witches as well as the firebird, some of whom prove allies but others frightening foes, one in particular that sent a shiver down my spine. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I really enjoyed discovering the breath-taking connections within the story as well as the re-connections that are made.
This captivating adventure is set in the same world as the spellbinding Heartseer, with some familiar characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone although I have no doubt readers who have not already read Heartseer will want to seek it out after reading this story.
I absolutely adored both Lavender and Kit and loved following them, not only on their quest to save Kit’s father, but also on their journey towards self-belief and re-connection as their friendship heals and trust returns. Whilst Kit is cautious and careful, Lavender is torn between her happiness to have returned home and her longing for adventure. Their quest proves transformational for both, bringing hope of new beginnings, freedom to be themselves and an inner strength gained from being true to themselves.
The full-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the magic, warmth and adventure perfectly.
A mesmerising, magical adventure, glowing with the warmth of family and friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.
Thank you to Usborne for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This has been the hardest month I’ve had this year due to lots of family health problems which has seen two of my brothers in hospital, a cousin with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and my mum undergoing tests for suspected cancer – now it’s the interminable 2-week wait! I’ve also been visiting my mother-in-law in hospital but, with a 6 hour round-trip on a Saturday, it’s been hard to find time to read. Meanwhile, my hectic school life continues … but at least Christmas is nearly here!
Books I’ve read:
I’ve read 12 books this month. My highlights were Swanfall and Silent Night (both middle-grade) and The Book of Witching (adult).
NetGalley:
My feedback ratio is at 98%. I requested one book in November which is a young adult book that I’m really excited to read as I loved The Spellshop, an adult book by the same author.
Books sent by publishers:
I am grateful to have been sent 9 books by publishers this month.
Books Bought:
I’ve bought 9 books this month. Hopefully, I’ll find time to read some of them over Christmas!
How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these?Have you any of them on your TBR?
Book Craic 