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Recent Kindle Reads


I always do a lot of reading on beach holidays and this year was no exception. I’ve also really been trying to make time to read before bed every night as a way to wind down. I thought I’d share the books I’ve finished recently and give you some mini-reviews of them.


This is essentially a collection of essays, focussing on feminism and popular culture in a personal, accessible and honest way. If you find yourself struggling to get into a narrative or you want something to dip in and out of then this is perfect for you as it obviously has overriding themes but the essays are fairly self-contained.

It doesn’t always offer answers, which may be frustrating for some but I find it sort of refreshing in its honesty and it opens up a conversation. I also think that sadly a lot of young girls today simply do not understand feminism and there’s a lot of academic snobbery that pushes it even further out of reach for them. Not everyone bursts out of the womb with fully realised opinions on the works of Andrea Dworking and a nuanced understanding of Naomi Woolf’s writings! And that’s ok, because we’re all on a journey of making mistakes and learning from them.

Roxane takes ideas and applies them to situations that feel really relevant to young women today. Why do women still want to date Chris Brown? Am I a bad person for tapping along to Blurred Lines? Why did Bridesmaids have to be a hit for female-driven comedies to be made? I think by speaking to people in a language they understand, it leads them to start asking the right questions and engage with ideas that were once reserved for academia and that’s an amazing thing!


Young Adult is like the McDonald’s of fiction: you won’t feel satisfied an hour later but it’s so damn great at the time you just keep on going back for more! Legend had been named a few times as a YA novel that was a head and shoulders above the rest, so of course I had to check it out for a holiday read.

This is set in a post-apocalyptic future in a militarised rogue state called the Republic comprised of the West Coast US (think North Korea!) The poor areas are plagued with disease and every kid has to undergo a Trail to decide where their future. June is rich and scored full marks in hers and is being fast-tracked through the military. Day is poor and failed his so has been on the run ever since. Their paths cross and things start to kick off!

Yes, the premise is derivative and the world-building isn’t amazing, but there’s something that was extremely entertaining about Legend. It was packed full of action, tension and suspense which made it a page-turner (it’s also a pretty quick read). There were some really good twists in the plot as well that weren’t too predictable.  Just don’t take it too seriously and let yourself enjoy the ride!


This books seems to be getting some real buzz at the moment, with it widely being dubbed ‘Game of Thrones for girls’. I disagree with this because Game of Thrones is ‘Game of Thrones for girls’ and I can see men really enjoying Queen of the Tearling too. It also does the book a dis-service as there are only very shallow similarities between the two.

Kelsee is the heir to the Tearling throne and is living in exile until she can take the crown for herself. In the meantime her slippery uncle is acting as Regent and the country is trapped in a one-sided treaty with the aggressive neighbouring Mortmesne, ruled by the mysterious Red Queen. A great little twist to the setting is that although it’s quasi-Medieval, it’s actually the future; following a catastrophe the world has regressed.

It’s a slow-starter but once it gets going, I loved this book. The plot itself hasn’t been hugely outside of what you’d expect for this kind of book but I feel it’s subtly subversive. Right down to the small detail that Kelsee is just a normal girl described as plain and carrying a bit of weight as opposed to the typical ~shy princess who doesn’t realise how stunning she is~.


The world-building is just amazing; the universe it takes place in feels fully-realised however enough is kept unanswered for it to be developed further in the next book (which I’m going to start soon!) I absolutely loved this book in the end and if you’ve finished the Song of Ice and Fire series and need something to fill the void until the next series of Game of Thrones then this is for you! I personally gave up on ASOIF after book 3 as I felt they were gratuitously long and there were too many unnecessary characters (I’m sure some people will hat me for saying that!), however this felt a lot ‘tidier’ to me.

Have you read any of these books or are you interested in checking any of them out? Which books are you reading at the moment?

 


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23 comments

  1. Lovely recommendations, I've been straying away from reading for far too long!

    www.angerawrs.co.uk

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  2. I love your post. Kiss kiss from France ♥, Sand.
    .
    www.taimemode-fashionblog.com

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  3. I have a kindle and I am always looking for some good book recommendations- thank you!

    Lucy // Ooh La Luce

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  4. I've never read any of these books but Bad Feminist looks pretty interesting to me! I have The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult waiting on my bedside table! Xx

    riitamacedo.blogspot.pt

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  5. It's so difficult to make time to read but I really want to try Bad Feminist now. Sounds like something up my street! xxx


    Karan||studentbeautyhack

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  6. Those are some great reads. I really wana try reading atleast one of them.

    Style..A Pastiche! - Indian Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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  7. I'd love to read Bad Feminist as lately I've been hearing so many conflicting things about feminism :)

    Velvet Blush

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  8. Bad Feminist sounds really interesting, I need to take a look. Lovely post.

    Olivia // BLONDE LA MODE

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  9. I really need to start reading more, but I'm always stuck on which I should give a go first I'll definitely have to check these though! x http://coffeeatmidnight13.blogspot.co.uk/

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  10. Great recommendations, the Queen of Tearling sounds really good! xx
    Chasing Belle

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  11. Bad Feminist sounds good. I've just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I really want to read Pretty Honest too but i'm not sure if it will be worth the hype.

    Roxie
    thebeautifulbluebird.com

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    1. I honestly loved every second of Pretty Honest! xx

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  12. I am still such a book lover, but I might have a nose at these with my mums kindle!

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  13. I've always wanted to read Bad Feminist - maybe I'll give it a read:!) x

    www.beckieeschle.com

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  14. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on these books. I have picked up Legend a few times and now after reading this I think I'll have to pick it up. I love YA novels from time to time. They can get you so wrapped up so quickly. :) xx
    http://www.lipstickisalife.com/

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    1. I know right! This one is seriously addictive ;) xx

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  15. A good selection. always looking for new kindle reads as I go through about 4/5 books a month! xx
    www.stylelobster.com

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  16. All three sound incredible, great recommendations!

    Sara - She Who Is Short

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  17. Thank you for the comments everyone - hope you discovered some new reads you'll enjoy! xx

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  18. Legend sounds so good! I need ti check it.
    I've been reading The Fault In Our Stars, again :Dx

    Anu♡ | My life as Anu | bloglovin

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    Replies
    1. I really liked the film so I should read the book! xx

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