The Extinction Trials Review

Sunday 31 December 2017


Rating: 5/5
By: S.M. Wilson
Source: Waterstones

Betrayal. Sacrifice. Survival.
Welcome to the Extinction Trials.

In Stormchaser and Lincoln's ruined world, the only way to survive is to risk everything. To face a contest more dangerous than anyone can imagine. And they will do anything to win.

But in a land full of monsters - human and reptilian - they can't afford to trust anyone. Perhaps not even each other...

My 2017 Highlights

Sunday 24 December 2017


This has been a big year for me, not just in terms of blogging. I’ve been seeing people doing this on Twitter and I decided to change up my blog schedule a little bit and share with you the high points of 2017 on this last day of Blogmas.

Top 10 Books I Read This Year

Saturday 23 December 2017


It's Christmas Eve and that means it's the end of Blogmas! The majority of these books I have been raving about on social media all year so I'm pretty much an advocate for them now, so they are my 2017 recommendations even though a couple of them weren't actually released this year but sssh. 

If you do follow me on Twitter, then I'm sure you can guess at least half of the books that are going to feature in this top ten -quick think of your guesses before you read on! Enjoy ~

GUEST POST: Books I’d Gift my Past Self (Jenniely)

Friday 22 December 2017


When I asked for guest posts I was really happy that Jenn wanted to do this post for me, I'd offered to write this post for Emily from Always Opinionated Girl, which you can check that out here, but I really wanted to showcase this post myself. So here are the books that Jenn would give to younger versions of herself for Christmas!

My Christmas Playlist

Thursday 21 December 2017


At the start of November I put together a playlist of Christmas songs and I never really added to it so whenever I go out I'm listening to the same 20 songs on repeat. I don't know why this happened but it did and I thought I'd share them with you in a blog post in case you did the same thing and need a different 20 songs to listen to.

So here are the songs I've been listening to on repeat since November. There's some more alternative music choices in there too, and if you play this playlist in public, some of the songs/covers will earn you a raised eyebrow...

How I Wrapped My Gifts This Year

Wednesday 20 December 2017


Wrapping presents and giving them in general is something I have always enjoyed doing. I would honestly say I prefer to give gifts than receive them, not just because I get really awkward about opening presents in front of people.. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to presentation, so I thought I would share the theme I went for this year and some of the bits and pieces I bought (mostly from Paperchase), just in case anyone needs some last minute inspiration. 

Wildest Dreams - The Best of YA December Unboxing

Tuesday 19 December 2017


It's been an exciting time for Wildest Dreams, the first boxes have been received and Janurary's box is on sale! So go check out www.wildestdreamsbookbox.com to get yours now, the theme is INTO THE JUNGLE, this is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting box so you don't want to miss out!

Onto my review of The Best of YA box!

GUEST POST: A Wintertime Memory (A Cup Of Wonderland)

Monday 18 December 2017


It’s strange to be writing this while there is a snow blizzard going on outside and the roaring fire going on inside. I’ve always loved this time of year, when the days get shorter and darker and nights colder - giving me an excuse to curl up under numerous blankets. Except, I’m not alone because little Rambo is very much like me when the cold begins, we both enjoy our comfort surrounded in blankets. Anyway, I am very excited to have been asked by Rebecca to write a guest blog post for her Blogmas season, and out of the many ideas she presented I thought it be fun to write about my favourite Wintertime memory. It was meant to be Christmas, however hasn’t had many good memories generated from it. Beside Wintertime is so much more fun!

My Top 5 Christmas Films

Sunday 17 December 2017


Back on the 2nd day of Blogmas I had Zoe on my blog talking us through her top 5 Christmas films, her choices were so different from mine except for one film, that I had to do my own top 5 to compare.

So here are my top 5 Christmas films, not really in any particular order other than my number 1!

The After School Club (I'll Be Home For Christmas anthology) Review

Saturday 16 December 2017


This isn't like a usual book review on my blog. Sarah from The Little Contemporary Corner asked if I would like to take part in a blog tour for the I'll Be Home For Christmas anthology, and I volunteered to take the stop for Holly Bourne's story, so I'm specifically reviewing that story from the book. 

That's also why today's Blogmas post is a little bit late, because this is a readalong, we've been reading one story a day. So I woke up this morning to read The After School Club and now I'm in tears. 

GUEST POST: Reasons Why I Love Winter... (@aimee_louise_l )

Friday 15 December 2017


Why I picked this topic is beyond me. For those of you who know me know I struggle with the lack of daylight hours, the dark mornings and the even longer dark nights. So why say you'll write about the reasons you love Winter for, you silly girl?? Truthfully, I still have many reasons why I love Winter even though I'd be more suited as an animal who hibernates through Winter. Let's face it, hedgehogs are cute and they hibernate. Surely I can be cute AND hibernate?

Since we've established that I'd be pretty good at hibernating through Winter I guess you better get yourself a cup of hot chocolate, get those candles lit and get cosy because here are my reasons why I love Winter...

Bookish Naughty List Tag

Thursday 14 December 2017


Bit of a reshuffle in my schedule because I wanted to get this tag up since I did my YA naughty and nice lists a couple of days ago. Subtle hint to check those out too... This is a tag by Jenn, so go check out her post if you want some more inspiration.

I was tagged in this book tag by Liam, makes sure you go check out his post and his blog too. Liam is new to the blogging game so show some love <3 Now onto the questions!

GUEST POST: Five Stocking Fillers from a Bookshop (Tea Party Princess)

Wednesday 13 December 2017


If you're a bookworm, you're going to end up in a bookshop at some point. Obviously. So why not pick up a few stocking fillers while you're there? Especially when they're all under a tenner.

Keep reading if you need a few more present ideas from Cora for friends and family this Christmas!

YA Character Nice List

Tuesday 12 December 2017


Yesterday we had the naughty list, featuring ten YA characters that I think deserve to get coal this Christmas. If I'm being honest, writing the nice list was much harder, not because I didn't have plenty of protagonists to choose from, but because I couldn't think of that many to single out as particularly good. I love a flawed MC but I managed to find a fair few I thought were worthy of the nice list! 

After all it's the nice list not the perfect list.

YA Character Naughty List

Monday 11 December 2017


This list actually came out of another project I'm working on (all to be revealed in the New Year) but I was trying to come up with booky Christmas ideas that were a bit more unusual and I thought a character naughty and nice list would be a lot of fun, you'll get the nice list tomorrow so make sure you come back for that.

Who do you think will be on the list? Read more to find out!

GUEST POST: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Kirsten @atgfrench)

Sunday 10 December 2017


Welcome to another day of blogmas! Today I am hosting Kirsten who is a lovely lady you might have seen around on my Twitter. Kirsten has a book review/Christmas tradition post for you all today and it's about a very sweet book that I'd actually never heard of. So I hope you all enjoy this review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.

Festive Trip - Chester/Comic Con Edition

Saturday 9 December 2017


I'm sure for a lot of people Chester seems like quite a random place to visit for festiveness. It wouldn't be on my radar either if my dad hasn't moved there last year but he did and this year I got to go and visit for the weekend. The Christmas market in Chester is magical. 

GUEST POST: 5 Places I Want To Visit This Winter (Charlotte, Somewhere)

Friday 8 December 2017


When Rebecca suggested this topic for a guest post, I was all over it like marshmallows on hot chocolate because this year, I am actually going to some exciting places in the build up to Christmas. I am flying to New Zealand (I may even be there when you're reading this). Here's some that I am most looking forward to:

What Light Review

Thursday 7 December 2017


By Jay Asher
Rating: 4/5
Source: Waterstones

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. 

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

My 100th Blog Post

Wednesday 6 December 2017


This is my 100th blog post. I don't know how I managed to keep this up for almost an entire year but I did it. I feel like Christmas is a good time to reflect on all the good things that have happened the year, and also set myself a few goals for second year of blogging. I hope 2018 will be just as productive as 2017 had been. 

I'll be discussing my 2017 blogging highlights and going through my goals for 2018, I really hope you've enjoyed my blog so far and are excited for what is to come!

GUEST POST: New Years Resolutions (Golden Books Girl)

Tuesday 5 December 2017


Today I am hosting the lovely Amy from Golden Books Girl and she has very kindly written me a list of some of her New Years resolutions! I definitely recommend you check Amy out, she started blogging just a little bit after me so I've been following her blog closely this year and she's amazing. So glad to be hosting her again.
Enjoy the post!

Bookish Gift Guide

Monday 4 December 2017


It's December now, if you haven't started Christmas shopping yet it could be either because you're waiting for pay day or you don't know where to start. Well, if you're buying for bookworms -look no further. 

What do you buy your book loving friends? You can't buy them books, they have all of the books, you can't even risk getting them a pretty edition because guess what? They have that too. They have multiples versions of favourite books and they're probably signed too because that's what us bookworms do, we collect. 

So books are off the table for book loving friends and family, what do we do next? Read my Bookish Gift Guide for ideas!

GUEST POST: Top 5 Christmas Films (nosaferplace)

Sunday 3 December 2017


Top 5 Christmas Films

I don't think anything gets me in the mood for Christmas more, than a Christmas film. I'm not sure what it is about these films, but sitting on a sofa, wrapped in a blanket, with a mug of hot chocolate, watching these films really makes it feel like Christmas time for me.

Although I love films about Christmas, most of my top festive films are just set around Christmas time. I love funny Christmas films, which I'm sure from my list, you'll probably gather. I think I watch more films over the Christmas period, than I do throughout the rest of the year combined. What is it about a good Christmas film?

The Holiday
Not only is this my favourite Christmas film, but it's also my favourite film in general. And it's not just because of Jude Law, I promise. Any other time of the year, I pretty much hate rom-coms but there really is something so magical about this film and it really highlights the way that Christmas really can bring everyone together, no matter their situation. Cue Arthur *sobs*. Also, the soundtrack is incredible and I'm currently listening to it now, whilst typing. Guaranteed to make you cry.



The Grinch
I adored the book growing up, Dr Seuss was one of my favourites, so of course, The Grinch had to be included. It is absolutely hilarious and one of the cutest Christmas films. I love the idea that no matter how miserable and lonely someone is, there is always a way to make them feel included - and isn't that what Christmas is all about?


Gremlins
Okay, so this is probably a weird one but from about the age of 8, I was utterly obsessed with Gremlins and I had my own soft toy Gizmo which I took with me everywhere. Again, this one isn't really Christmas-sy at all (just set around that time); in fact, it's a very dark film but oh my gosh, it is so funny and I can guarantee you won't be able to watch the film without wanting your own little singing Mugwai.


Home Alone
I mean, come on? This film doesn't need any introduction. I'm sure every single one of you reading this has watched Home Alone - and if you haven't, what have you been doing? It's a laugh out loud film for all ages, about a boy that gets accidentally left home alone at Christmas, and the mischief and mayhem he causes. And the sequel is just as good; a real rarity nowadays.


The Santa Clause
Tim Allen is my favourite person to ever play Santa Clause. I enjoyed all 3 of The Santa Clause movies and this film fills me with the joy, spirit and magic of Christmas. It leaves me in happy tears every time I see it and makes you realise that the power of belief is the strongest magic of all.


What are your favourite Christmas films? Do we share any favourites? Leave them in the comments below.

If you'd like to see more of my Christmas-y posts, please check out my blog: nosaferplace.co.uk 

Christmas Tag!

Saturday 2 December 2017



It's been a while since I did a tag post and since Christmas is my favourite time of year I thought it would be perfect for me to answer some Christmassy questions. I won't be tagging anyone because a lot of my friends are doing Blogmas so I know they're busy, but please share your answers in the comments if you can't do the whole tag.

Onto the questions!

Christmas Decorations Haul

Friday 1 December 2017


Hi everyone and welcome to day one of my first ever Blogmas! I've been excited about doing this since I started my blog back in January and have had some of the upcoming posts planned for months now. I've also asked friends and fellow bloggers to write pieces for my blog, so it won't just be me every single day because I'm no where near organised enough for that!

To start of Blogmas I thought I would show you my Christmas decorations, I've just done my room because if I was showing my whole house this would be a very long post indeed. Enjoy!
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