Top Ten Authors That I’d Love To Meet

October 2, 2018ChrissiReads Top Ten Tuesday 43 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It’s all about love of lists, love of literature and bringing bookish people together.

This week it’s all about authors that we’d love to meet! I’ve pretty much went for my auto-buy, favourite authors!

If you click on the image, it’ll give you the author’s name! 🙂

Giovanna Fletcher

Cecelia Ahern

David Walliams

Matt Haig

Jojo Moyes

Paula Daly

J.K. Rowling

Dorothy Koomson

Heather Demetrios

Emma Carroll

Dorothy Koomson- Dorothy’s books are fabulous. I’ve really enjoyed every single thing she’s published so far. She’s a wonderful writer of women’s fiction. I feel like she’s very social with her fans and I like that.

Jojo Moyes- Me Before You is one of my favourite books, but she’s written some other amazing stories too. I’d love to see what she’s like as she comes across so well on Twitter.

Matt Haig- Love Matt Haig’s writing. I think it would be fascinating to chat to him.

David Walliams- I think he’d be hilarious!

Cecelia Ahern- I love her stories and think she’d be a sweet lady!

Emma Carroll- I have almost met Emma before, but I got too shy!

Heather Demetrios- I would love to speak to Heather to find out her inspiration behind her books.

Paula Daly- I have a feeling Paula would be fascinating to speak to!

J.K. Rowling- I’m sure she’ll be on many people’s lists this week, but I certainly would love to meet her.

Giovanna Fletcher- Giovanna comes across as so bubbly and kind. I’d love to chat to her!

Notes On A Nervous Planet

September 29, 2018ChrissiReads Adult Fiction, Book Reviews, British Writer, Non Fiction, Young Adult 7 Comments

Notes on a Nervous Planet

How did I get it?:
I bought it!

Previously reviewed by the same author:

Synopsis:

The world is messing with our minds.

Rates of stress and anxiety are rising. A fast, nervous planet is creating fast and nervous lives. We are more connected, yet feel more alone. And we are encouraged to worry about everything from world politics to our body mass index.

– How can we stay sane on a planet that makes us mad?
– How do we stay human in a technological world?
– How do we feel happy when we are encouraged to be anxious?

After experiencing years of anxiety and panic attacks, these questions became urgent matters of life and death for Matt Haig. And he began to look for the link between what he felt and the world around him.

Notes on a Nervous Planet is a personal and vital look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21st century.

Thoughts:

I absolutely adored Reasons To Stay Alive. I thought it was such a raw, honest look at depression and anxiety from someone who truly knows how it feels. I thoroughly enjoyed Notes On A Nervous Planet which looks at how technology and the media is affecting our minds.

Notes On A Nervous Planet is an important book because it really explores how technology now can affect our mental health. Goodness knows social media isn’t all that it’s made out to be. We only see segments of people’s lives that they choose to share. Yet we still let ourselves be affected by what we see online. Matt Haig speaks openly and honestly about the dangers of technology and social media and how it has impacted his life.

I love how in both of his books he writes short, witty chapters. Within the pages there’s so much insight though. Matt Haig is a writer that really makes me think. I love the advice he gives as well on how to be happier today. He had some great tips that definitely made me stop, think and discuss with friends. Not many authors can do that.

Reading a Matt Haig non-fiction book makes me feel like I’m talking to a wise friend. I adore Matt’s writing style and his honesty. He honestly made me feel like this messy world could and should be a happier place.

Would I recommend it?:
Of course!

Whilst I preferred Reasons To Stay Alive, I still thought this book was incredible. Matt Haig writes such insightful things that really resonate with me.

Ten Books By My One Of My Favourite Authors That I Haven’t Read Yet!

September 25, 2018ChrissiReads Top Ten Tuesday 56 Comments

This week’s Top Ten list is all about those books by our favourite authors that we’re yet to get around to! I’ve realised that I haven’t read a lot of Matt Haig’s earlier releases so I decided to focus on them! 🙂

As ever, book images go to Goodreads!

I can’t believe I haven’t read this one yet! What am I like?!

Another one that’s so popular but I haven’t got to yet!

I’m going to have a Matt Haig Christmas Fest with these books.

All of these books sound great and like they could potentially be hidden gems for me!

Let me know about your list this week! Feel free to leave me a link and I’ll stop by!

5 Potential 5 Star Reads On My TBR #3

August 11, 2018ChrissiReads Book Challenges 15 Comments

This is the third post of this kind here on Chrissi Reads. The original post was inspired by my sister, Beth over at Bibliobeth. She was inspired by one of her favourite book-tubers Mercedes from Mercy’s Bookish Musings .

Mercedes posted a video trying to predict which five books would get the five star treatment in her TBR. She then wrapped up with a video to see if her predictions were correct. Like Beth, I’m not going to subject you to a video. No-one wants to see me on a video!

Last time I got 3 5 stars out of my predictions! Check out my wrap up post HERE.

Here are the books that I think have potential to get 5 stars from me…

Click on the book image to learn more about the book on Goodreads!

Notes On A Nervous Planet- Matt Haig

I have high hopes for this book. I absolutely loved Reasons To Stay Alive. Can’t wait to read this one.

The Surface Breaks- Louise O’Neill

Surely a book this pretty has to be just as good inside? Here’s hoping!

Open Your Eyes- Paula Daly

Love Paula Daly. The Trophy Child featured on this challenge before, but it didn’t quite make 5 stars. I’ve heard great things about this one though!

The Breakdown- B.A Paris

I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book! Looking forward to reading it.

The Dangerous Art Of Blending In- Angelo Surmelis

Might be a quite bold claim to think that this might get 5 stars from me considering that it is the author’s debut…but I have high hopes!

Have you read any of these books? Did you rate them 5 stars? Let me know!

Ten Book Recommendations If You Want To Read Books Involving Mental Health

August 7, 2018ChrissiReads Top Ten Tuesday 50 Comments

This week’s topic has been super tricky for me. I decided to put my own spin on the topic and suggest some books to read if you want to read some books involving mental health/illness. I know if elements of these books were added to each other it would make one hell of a book representing mental illness!

I love Holly Bourne’s writing. Her characters are very relatable!

I really enjoyed this book which was a memoir. I do enjoy reading memoirs of mental health because they are so raw.

Another raw and real take on mental health. I can’t wait to read Notes On A Nervous Planet from Matt too.

Some moments in this story really hit home for me. A wonderful read.

This is unique! I loved reading this story.

The ending of this book blew me away!

A graphic novel that shows Katie’s journey through dealing with her eating disorder.

I loved how this book portrayed the effect OCD can have on others around those with the disorder.

I adored this book! Totally relatable characters.

Another non-fiction. For me, a book that involves mental health should have an element of realness in order to relate to it. All too often, books around mental health have an instant ‘fix’ and that’s not even a possibility… it makes my blood boil.

Please leave me a link to your Top Ten post this week. I can’t wait to see how you tackled the prompt!

Stacking The Shelves #195

July 21, 2018ChrissiReads Stacking The Shelves 24 Comments

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you’re adding to your shelves, be it buying or borrowing. From ‘real’ books you’ve purchased, a book you’ve borrowed, a book you’ve been given or an e-book they can all be shared!

Book images go to Goodreads!

Bought:

I really enjoyed Reasons To Stay Alive even though I thought it was quite raw! It was still awesome. Looking forward to this one!

I’m a massive fan of Kasie West and her books just scream Summer to me! 🙂

See? Doesn’t that cover make you think of Summer?

What have you added to your shelves this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Books That I Absolutely Adore

February 13, 2018ChrissiReads Top Ten Tuesday 58 Comments

This week’s list is a love freebie, just in time for Valentine’s Day. I decided to promote my favourite books! There are more than 10, so it took me a while to narrow them down! But here they are…

As ever, click on the book image to take you to Goodreads!

Me Before You- Jojo Moyes

This book will always be one of my favourites. It broke me! I didn’t enjoy the sequel as much which was a shame.

Lord Of The Flies- William Golding

I first read this at school and I’ve reread it numerous times since.

To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee

Another school read that I’ve reread often!

Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier

I adore this classic ❤

Goodnight Mister Tom- Michelle Magorian

A very special, moving book.

One- Sarah Crossan

I absolutely adored this book about conjoined twins.

A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness

Another heart-breaker!

Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda- Becky Albertalli

Love, love, love. I am so intrigued to see what the film is like.

The Girl Who Walked On Air- Emma Carroll

Most of Emma Carroll’s books could’ve made this list.

Reasons To Stay Alive- Matt Haig

I adore how raw this book is. A very special read.