Top Ten Tuesday | Never Say Never Apart From When You Should

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

This week's theme is 'Books I’ve Decided I’m No Longer Interested In Reading', and it was a difficult theme for me to make a list for at first because I'm one of those people who doesn't like to say 'never'. 

My tastes are always evolving and changing, so there are books I might not want to read now that I'll suddenly have a craving for in a year's time, so today I decided to go with a list mostly made up of books I've started reading before, given up on and am sure I won't go back to.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: I remember this book being everywhere years ago and I was intrigued because Eleanor is overweight and it's so rare to see an overweight heroine in fiction - it's particularly rare to see an overweight heroine in fiction whose story isn't about losing weight in some way. I've since seen quite a few reviews from people of colour, however, who've said the way Rowell portrays Park made them uncomfortable which really put me off reading it and now it's been so long since it came out that I don't care. The only things of Rowell's I've read are Attachments and Midnights in My True Love Gave to Me and I didn't love either so I think she's just not for me.

Divergent by Veronica Roth: I tried reading this one years ago when YA dystopian fiction was all the rage and while I easily could have forced myself to finish it I didn't want to. I thought it was boring and the society as a whole didn't really make sense to me. The Hunger Games is creepy because it's easy to see how society might have got to that, but I couldn't understand in what world these factions were considered a good idea by any government. I don't think I'm missing out on anything and I know a lot of people who loved the trilogy hated the ending, so I'm going to keep my distance.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: Tried it and didn't like it and I was disappointed! I've heard so many good things about Stiefvater's writing and about this series in particular that I was hoping to enjoy it, but sadly her style isn't for me. Also, as someone who's lived in Wales and worked alongside people whose mother tongue is Welsh, I couldn't get past the butchering of 'Owen Glendower'. His name's Owain Glyndŵr.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han: I wanted to try one of Han's novels after really enjoying her short story in My True Love Gave to Me, but, again, her work isn't for me. This is another one I easily could have finished if I'd forced myself to, I just didn't want to force myself to finish something when I could be reading something else.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I liked If I Stay a lot and I picked up a copy of Where She Went with the intention of reading it, but I never did and now I'm not that interested. I think If I Stay is fine on its own.

Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James: It's only in the past year or so I've started to get into Austen and I wanted to pick this one up so I could watch the BBC adaptation starring Anna Maxwell Martin, whom I adore. Unfortunately the book was another I couldn't get into and I ended up watching the adaptation only to be pretty underwhelmed by the story as a whole, so I have no interest in reading the book.

Rebel Heart and Raging Star by Moira Young: Blood Red Road is one of my favourite YA novels. I love the way its written and I love Saba and I love Jack and it pulled me out of a reading slump when I really needed to be pulled out of one. I had every intention of continuing with the trilogy but then I saw more and more reviews that the latter two books weren't as good and eventually I lost interest in it. Blood Red Road is enough for me - why does every YA novel have to have a sequel?

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab: Schwab is another one of those authors who I should love and just don't. A Darker Shade of Magic, in particular, should be right up my street considering it's historical fantasy but Schwab's writing style and I don't get along. Oh well!

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber: I'm always fascinated by novels that combine science and science fiction with religion, so I thought this one would be right up my street. I started reading it, got about a third of the way through it, and still nothing had happened. My patience only goes so far so I put it aside and I have no real desire to try again.

Which books made your list this week?

Contemporary YA on my TBR!

If there's one genre I tend to avoid, it's YA Contemporary. It's one of those genres I've often found hard to relate to, but last year I fell head over heels in love with Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and while I'm 99.9% certain I'll always prefer speculative fiction to 'realistic' fiction it's made me want to explore more YA Contemporary.

Below are some of the YA Contemporaries I'd like to check out this year!

(Check out my review of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda here!)

If I Stay is another YA Contemporary that I really like which I read back in 2014, and for whatever reason I still haven't read Where She Went despite owning a copy of it. You can check out my review of If I Stay here! Eleanor & Park is another book that's been on my TBR for quite a while, but it's also one I'm slightly hesitant to pick up - in the world of contemporary fiction I know Rainbow Rowell is very popular, but I have yet to be wowed by her. Still, I'd like to give Eleanor & Park a try because it features a heroine who's overweight whose story doesn't have anything to do with going on a diet.

Similarly, Dumplin' is another book I want to check out because it's all about body positivity. In all honestly I didn't realise it was a YA book until I saw Cait @ Paper Fury's review, but that doesn't matter in the slightest - I'm all for books about body positivity! Lisa Williamson's debut, The Art of Being Normal, has really great reviews on Goodreads, and after I read What We Left Behind (reviewed here!) I'd like to read more books which feature trans and gender fluid characters. What I really want is to read a book about a trans character written by a trans writer, but I'm not going to ignore a non-trans writer in the mean time - what's the point in that?

Asking For It by Louise O'Neill, the author of Only Ever Yours, and Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnston, author of A Thousand Nights, both deal with sexual assault, and the effect it has on the people who are the victims of it. I own a copy of Asking For It and Exit, Pursued by a Bear is due to be released in March. I think both of these are going to be difficult to read, but I also think it's fantastic that this is an issue which is being discussed in YA; there's too much victim-blaming in our culture. Just too much.

Are any of these books on your TBR? Which of these should I read first?

Top Ten Tuesday | Books to Read if you like Jane Austen

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

This week's theme is 'Ten Books To Read If You Like This Super Popular Book/Author'.

I'm not a big fan of Jane Austen, but there's no denying that one of the reasons Austen's work is so popular is because it's still relevant today. There's a reason her novels have been adapted into more modern variations such as Bridget Jones's Diary and Clueless; if you gave the settings and some of her characters a few tweaks, then all of her stories could easily be 21st century romantic comedies.

For fans of Pride and Prejudice:

Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton: Imagine if Jane Austen had written a book in which every single character was a dragon...

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell: North and South is another classic, later than Pride and Prejudice, with another central couple who at first dislike each other, and then grow to love one another. Also Richard Armitage is in the BBC miniseries and looks very dapper in his top hat.

For fans of Sense and Sensibility:

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal: To me, Shades of Milk and Honey is what would happen if someone added a little magic to Sense and Sensibility. Anne is older and plainer than her beautiful sister, but she's very talented in the magic department. Add to that a Darcy-esque love interest and you have the perfect book for any Austen fan.

Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson: This is an ideal book for younger readers, from around age 12 and up, by one of my favourite childhood authors. I've often seen Sense and Sensibility recommended as a great classic to read for anyone going through boy (or girl!) trouble, and Girls in Love is a good read for that, too.

For fans of Emma:

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis: This is a middle grade novel set during the Regency period, with a little bit of magic thrown in. With a child protagonist at the centre, it's a fresh look at a period of history that's so often written about in cheesy historical romances. Kat has two older sisters and likes to concern herself with who the two of them are going to marry - she's an Emma in miniature!

For fans of Mansfield Park:

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë: I've talked about Anne Brontë before and how much I love her. She wrote two novels during her lifetime: Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall outsold Wuthering Heights upon its publication and was incredibly successful, but after she passed away Charlotte Brontë decided not to republish it, and Anne has been the lesser known of the three sisters ever since. Not cool, Charlotte, not cool. Many critics have said that, had she lived longer, Anne Brontë could be as well known to us now as Jane Austen is. While Charlotte and Emily seemed to enjoy writing about the Gothic - though not all of Charlotte's work is like Jane Eyre - Anne was much more interested in society, and particularly in how society treated women. Agnes Grey is a short, subtle and beautiful little novel about the titular character who becomes a governess to support her destitute family, and the struggles she faces. It would be a disservice to both sisters to try and compare Agnes Grey to Jane Eyre because they're entirely different, and both excellent. I particularly love Agnes' relationship with her student, Rosalie, who enjoys making men fall in love with her just so she can reject them. Seriously, give it a read.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison: Obviously The Goblin Emperor and Mansfield Park are very different novels, but, as I said when I did the Jane Austen Book Tag, both of them have a rags to riches storyline at their heart. More importantly, both of these books feature protagonists who feel like outcasts, and who feel like outcasts in the very place they should feel at home. Both protagonists grow and find their own feet, but they don't sacrifice their naturally kind natures to do it.

For fans of Northanger Abbey:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: Here we have two Caths, both of whom are far more interested in fictional characters than what's going on in the world around them. This is the ideal contemporary read for a Northanger Abbey fan!

For fans of Persuasion:

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund: This is a sci-fi retelling of Persuasion. Basically, it's Jane Austen in spaaaaaace!

The King's General by Daphne du Maurier: This is one of du Maurier's lesser known novels. Set during the English Civil War, it tells the story of Honor Harris who is wooed by the proud and reckless Richard Grenville. The two of them part ways after an accident leaves eighteen year old Honor crippled, but reunite years later after Richard has risen up in Charles I's army. This is an ideal read for people who like stories about lovers getting second chances, like Persuasion.

Which books made your list?

Top Ten Tuesday | It's Not Me, It's You

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

I've returned from my hiatus, so it's time to jump back into Top Ten Tuesday!

This week's theme is 'Ten Characters You Just Didn't Click With'. Thankfully this doesn't happen to me too often, but there's nothing worse than reading a book in which you don't give a diddly-squat what happens to the protagonist.

Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth: I ended up DNFing Divergent when I tried to read it. I didn't believe the world and, more importantly, I just didn't care about Tris at all. I felt like she had zero personality and I didn't care what happened to her.

Lincoln from Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: Eh... I just thought Lincoln was a little weird. I enjoyed the sections between Beth and Jennifer for the most part, but I thought Lincoln was a pretty boring guy in dire need of a bit of a gumption.

June and Day from Legend by Marie Lu: Okay so technically this is two, but actually June and Day are basically the same person, only one of them's a girl and the other's a boy. I really, really didn't like Legend (check out my review here), and June and Day were such boring protagonists. I don't care about people who can do everything perfectly. Give me characters with flaws.

Snow White from Fables by Bill Willingham and Various Artists: I love Snow in The Wolf Among Us - in fact I love all the characters in that game - but in the graphic novels? Not so much. Snow in particular, however, grated on me. She was so self-righteous, and perhaps that might have worked with another writer, but I really wasn't a fan of how Willingham wrote any of the characters. You can check out my review of Fables, Vol.1: Legends in Exile here if you like!

Jocelyn, Allegra, Prudie, Grigg, Bernadette and Sylvia from The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler: I know, I'm cheating again, but this is another instance in which I found it very difficult to differentiate one character from another. I did like this book, but not enough to keep it once I'd finished it. You can check out my review here if you like!

Ayla from Darkhaven by A.F.E. Smith: I liked Myrren and I liked Elisse, but I just didn't get along with Ayla. She spent the entire book as a damsel in distress when she had the potential to look after herself. You can check out my review here if you like!

Stargirl from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli: She was a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and, as such, I found her impossible to relate to.

Tana from The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black: This was another book I didn't really like, you can check out my review here if you'd like to know why, and the characters were a large part of my dislike. I didn't really care what happened to any of them.

Jonas from The Giver by Lois Lowry: I wanted to love this book and I was disappointed, again you can check out my review here to find out why. I just couldn't connect to Jonas at all, and because of that I found it impossible to worry about what would happen to him. Like so many of the characters on this list, I just didn't care.

Ellen Laidlaw from Blood Sinister by Celia Rees: Ellen should have been very cool. She's a young lady in 19th century England who wants to study medicine, but unfortunately she fell into the poisonous 'I'm not like other girls' way of thinking and thought her dreams and ambitions were better than everyone else's; particularly the women who wanted to get married and have children. Feminism is all about choice, and if a woman chooses to be a wife and mother, and enjoys it, she has every right to be as proud of her choice as any other woman, and she shouldn't be criticised for it.

Who made your list?

Top Ten Tuesday | Hyped Books I've Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

This week's theme is 'Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read' or, in my case, in which Jess has read basically none of the most popular YA books out there.

I have nothing against YA. In fact I think YA's pretty great, but I definitely haven't read mainly YA in a while. I don't want to say I've 'grown out of it' because a) I don't think it's possible to grow out of books and b) I think saying something like that sounds as though you're saying YA is a juvenile genre, when actually there's a lot of really important YA out there.

However, as a reader who primarily reads speculative fiction I find it very hard to read YA that isn't the same as the last YA book I read. I think the genre is definitely starting to change, in fact it's always changing, but what I mean is it does seem to finally be growing out of the constant love triangles between the heroines who aren't like other girls, who are plain but stunning, and the two guys who are either the friendzoned best friend or the dark, brooding asshole.

Anyway. There's a lot of YA I haven't read, despite how popular it might be, because it falls into that trend and, not to sound too much like a hipster, I really hate that aspect of YA. I hate the sameness to so many books in the genre, though I fully understand there are plenty of YA books that are completely different.

(I should also say that if the books I just said I didn't like are the books you do like, that's fine! I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad about what they read, this is just how I personally feel.)

I also find myself reading a lot more standalones than series nowadays, and it's so rare to come across a YA book in the speculative fiction category that doesn't get stretched into a series.

So some of these hyped books I haven't read for the reasons above, and there's nothing wrong with that, and some of them (not all of them are YA!) I haven't read because I just haven't gotten to them yet!

On with my list!

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: This has been on my TBR for a long while, and now I even own a copy so I will get around to it at some point, but I'm very hesitant to go into it. On the one hand I love that this is a YA book with an overweight protagonist, but on the other hand I've seen many reviews that have talked about the blatant racism and fetishism surrounding Park that have made me really reluctant to pick it up. The reviews I've seen in which they've pulled direct quotes from the book have made me cringe.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I know a lot of people love this book and the two books that follow it, but it's just never interested me. I did enjoy Stephanie Perkins' story 'It's a Christmas Miracle, Charlie Brown' in My True Love Gave to Me, but I still have no real interest in picking up any of her novels.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: Maas and I just don't get along. I have nothing against her personally, of course, but I just have no interest in her stories. I picked up a copy of Throne of Glass and then ending up DNFing it after a couple of chapters because I just wasn't feeling it, and I have no interest whatsoever in A Court of Thorns and Roses. I think it's amazing that she has such a huge fanbase, it's really lovely, but sadly I'm not one of those fans.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare: Again, I just have no interest in reading this series. See? YA blasphemy. I know Cassandra Clare has an even bigger fanbase than Sarah J. Maas, but I've just never found any of her books that appealing. Plus I don't like the way she speaks to some of her readers.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: Yet another series I have no interest in. I don't like love triangles and, even though a lot of people seem to love him, Warner puts a bad taste in my mouth and I really don't like it when a character's behaviour is excused because they have daddy issues.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: Now this one I would quite like to read, I've just never gotten around to it. Since Twilight I've stayed away from YA vampire stories, but I don't think that's fair because I imagine there are plenty of YA vampire stories that are amazing. Though I must admit I've never found vampires that interesting; when it comes to fantastical creatures I'm a lot more interested in witches and werewolves. I've heard a lot of great things about this series, so I'd like to give it a try eventually!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I've owned Fangirl since it was released because I'd heard such wonderful things about it, but ever since I came across those reviews of Eleanor & Park I've been hesitant to go near any of Rowell's writing. The only novel of her's I've read is Attachments, which I thought was only okay, and I read her short story in My True Love Gave to Me which, while I enjoyed it, wasn't one of my favourites. Not only that but I've been nervous to read a book about a girl starting uni now that I've left, because I'm worried I'll feel really sad.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: I own this and I can't wait to get to it, I just haven't read it yet!

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab: Same goes for this one, I haven't read it yet but it's waiting on my shelf for me!

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson: I own this one too, in fact I own the whole Mistborn trilogy because I heard such amazing things about it, but I'm slowly getting back into high fantasy and I don't feel quite ready to tackle this one yet. I will, though!

Which books made your list?

Top Ten Tuesday | Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

This week's theme is 'Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR'. I've mentioned on my blog before that I don't tend to give myself TBRs; I tried giving myself monthly TBRs last year but they just ended up bumming me out because I don't like turning reading into a competition with myself. I just want it to be something I enjoy!

Even so, I have enjoyed doing seasonal TBRs for Top Ten Tuesday, because I just select a bunch of books I'd like to get through that feel right for that season. Will I read all of these? Who knows!

I've split my list; there are five books which have been/are being released in 2015, and five that haven't.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I read If I Stay last year and really enjoyed it, so it's about time I read Where She Went!

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan: Spring time always puts me in the mood for contemporary. I fell in love with Jenny Colgan last year when I discovered her Rosie Hopkins books, and I've heard nothing but great things about this book. Plus it's set in Cornwall, and I have a bit of a weakness for books set in Cornwall.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: That's right. I haven't read this. I'm very wary of hype, so when I'm continuously being told a book is awesome, particularly if the book is in a genre I don't know all that well like contemporary, I'm less likely to pick it up. But there are friends of mine I have very similar tastes to who've enjoyed it, so I'm hoping I'll like it, too!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: Also still haven't read this, and I need to. Not only because I've heard great things about it, but also because I live in Wales, where Owain Glyndŵr is still a very famous figure!

Among Others by Jo Walton: Yet another book I've heard nothing but great things about.

Rat Queens, Vol.2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch: I fell in love with this series when I read the first volume, so naturally I preordered a copy of the second volume. It's due to be released in May and I can't wait to read it!

Ms. Marvel, Vol.2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona and Jacob Wyatt: Another graphic novel series I started earlier this year and want to continue. Volume 2 is due to be released at the end of this month!

Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant: I love Mira Grant's Newsflesh trilogy and am therefore willing to buy anything she releases. I've preordered my copy, due to be released in April, and I can't wait to see Mira/Seanan's take on merpeople!

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury: A 2015 debut I've heard nothing but praise for. I got my hands on a copy a few weeks ago, so I need to get around to reading it!

The Hourglass Factory by Lucy Ribchester: Another 2015 debut. It has a gorgeous cover, as well as being historical fiction featuring suffragettes. I'm hoping I'm going to love this one!

Which books made your list?

Top Ten Tuesday | SFF Books for Readers Who Like Contemporary

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!

There are a lot of readers out there who love science fiction and fantasy, and there are a lot of readers out there who love contemporary. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that most readers will try pretty much any genre once, but I've met quite a few people over the years, especially while I was at uni, who just couldn't get into SFF.

This isn't a bad thing. There's some amazing contemporary fiction out there just like there's some amazing SFF, and if you're comfortable in contemporary and you enjoy reading it then there's no reason you should change your reading habits. But, if you're a lover of contemporary who is looking to give SFF a try, whether for the first or the hundredth time, then today I have a few recommendations for you!

If you like Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, read Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

For readers who like: the '80s, music, high school and misfits.

If you like Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, read Vivian Versus the Apocalypse by Katie Coyle

For readers who like: road trips!

If you like Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan, read Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

For readers who like: food, small towns and aunties.

If you like Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, read Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona

For readers who like: nerdy heroines and fangirling.

If you like I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter, read Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

For readers who like: academies and girl power.

I also recommend:

Landline

by Rainbow Rowell

Life After Theft

by Aprilynne Pike

Rebel Belle

by Rachel Hawkins

Drink, Slay, Love

by Sarah Beth Durst

The Raven Boys

by Maggie Stiefvater

Which books made your list?

Top Ten Tuesday | Womance

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find out everything you need to know about joining in here!

This week's theme is a freebie, so today I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite female friendships! If guys can have a bromance, girls can have a womance!

Katniss and Johanna from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: I know so many fans of The Hunger Games are huge supporters of Katniss and Peeta's relationship, but it's always been one of my least favourite aspects of the series for a bunch of reasons I won't bother getting into now. Personally one of my favourite relationships in the series, other than the ones between Katniss and Prim and Katniss and Rue, was the friendship between Katniss and Johanna. Everyone worships Katniss, and I think Johanna is one of the few people who keeps her grounded and makes her feel semi-normal. I love their dynamic, and I wanted more Johanna in Mockingjay.

Agnes and Rosalie from Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë: Whether the relationship between Agnes and Rosalie can be described as a friendship is debatable, but it's certainly interesting and was one of my favourite things about the novel; by exploring the relationship between a governess and her ward Brontë explored what is expected of women regardless of their station and class. This is a great classic, and one I highly recommend - Anne has been the forgotten Brontë for too long!

Cinder and Iko from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: I want an Iko of my own. She's adorable, and I love that her and Cinder are such good buddies; Cinder goes through so much crap that she needs someone loyal like Iko on her side.

Ismae and Anne from Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers: The most obvious friendship in the His Fair Assassin trilogy is the one between Ismae, Sybella and Annith, and while I also love their relationship I really loved the friendship that blossomed between Ismae and Anne in Grave Mercy. Poor Anne is surrounded by enemies, and even though she has her brother Gavriel to watch her back, Ismae becomes the confidante that a young girl in her position needs. In return, Anne makes sure Ismae feels welcome in her court. Their relationship was one of my favourite elements of the book.

Beth and Jennifer from Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: I actually liked the relationship between Beth and Jennifer more than I liked the relationship between Beth and Lincoln - oops! These two are a lot of fun, and reading their messages to each other throughout Attachments reminded me of some of the conversations I've had with my own friends.

Tonks and Ginny from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: I almost put Hermione and Ginny here because I do love their friendship too, but I loved how Ginny saw Tonks as a sort of cool big sister. That and I've always had a soft spot for Tonks; she's always been one of my favourites, and as a teenager I'm fairly sure she was my style icon. Not that my school would have ever let me dye my hair bright pink.

Nancy and Minerva from Pirates! by Celia Rees: This is another book in which the relationship between the two female leads is more powerful than any of the romances. I loved Celia Rees's books when I was a teen and still hold them very dear to my heart now; I think it's this book that made me want to search out more fiction in which friendship, and not romance, was the main focus.

Valkyrie and Tanith from the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy: Like Tonks and Ginny these two have a very surrogate sister feel to them. Tanith is one of my favourites anyway, but I loved the friendship she developed with Valkyrie and always love their scenes together whenever I read these books.

Lirael and The Disreputable Dog from The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix: One of the main reasons I love Garth Nix's writing so much is because in The Old Kingdom he created more than one female led fantasy story in which the main focus isn't romance. Sure Sabriel finds Touchstone, but that relationship is never the driving force behind the plot in Sabriel, and in Lirael Lirael's most important relationship is the one she develops with The Disreputable Dog who, despite being a dog, has always made me think of an eccentric, all-knowing auntie.

Ellie, Nadine and Magda from the Girls series by Jacqueline Wilson: As a child Jacqueline Wilson was one of my favourite authors; I read everything she wrote until the publication of Love Lessons which I didn't like at all. I don't like to say I grew out of her writing because I don't know if you can grow out of an author that you love, but as a teenager I didn't like her books directed at teenagers at all despite having loved all her children's books as a child. Having said that, the Girls books are definitely directed at a teenage audience and I loved them; Ellie is a fantastic heroine for Teen fiction, and I loved the emphasis this series has on friendship. And I don't think it hurt that I absolutely loved the CITV adaptation, either!

What did you talk about this week?