My 25th Birthday Goodies!

It was my 25th birthday last week (cue sulky expressions from my friends who are, well... getting on in years. You know who you are and I remain smug, thank you' and as I'm lucky enough to know a whole bunch of awesome people (mainly the ones I've just lovingly insulted) I recieved a towering pile of awesome presents.

A huge thank you to Ellie, Charlotte, Bex, Laura and Katie to generally being thoughtful. Not just for the books they sent, but also for being around when I need them and texting me when they know I'm not very well. 

You all make me smile so hard!

Anyway, let's talk books. The four Agatha Christie novels are from my Grandma and my Aunt, who I sheepishly presented with a list of the mysteries I already owned and asked to fill in the gaps. I love the editions by Harper and I'm trying to complete my collection. They bought:

I've had a craving for some vintage mysteries lately but I'd read all those left on my TBR, so I really appreciate having four more to devour. Perfect read-a-thon fodder, perhaps?

I don't even know where to begin with the rest of that pile, so the following isn't in any particular order.

Thank you, Charlotte, for allowing me to open Gay Pride & Prejudice in front of my Grandma. That was an interestingly awkward moment, orchestrated by you in an obviously malicious manner. Honestly. I actually can't wait to read this though.

HHhH (by Laurent Binet) is actually the first book I read after I finally gave up on The Goldfinch, and it's amazing. This book, I mean, not the Donna Tartt one. It took me a while to work out whether it was fiction, non-fiction, or what but it just blew me away. Perfect.

I've actually read two of Hester Browne's other books, The Little Lady Agency series, but I'd forgotten about her completely until I added The Vintage Girl to my wishlist. It's pretty and written by an excellent author, what can go wrong?

The black and white box at the bottom of the book pile is also from Charlotte, but there was a wet Springer Spaniel charging around and I didn't want to have to put the books on the floor so I could take a photo, as that would only result in 14 muddy and dishevelled novels. Anyway, it's a box of retro sweeties! Drumstick lollies, parma violets, sherbet dipdabs... Mmm.

Three awesome books and a giant box of sweets. Go Charlotte! :)

Ellie has taught me many things over the course of our relationship, the most recent of which is that I can absolutely never spell 'siege' correctly the first time round. She's also taught me that she's awesome at buying books for people. I didn't review Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo because I didn't feel like I had a lot to say about it, but I did really enjoy it. Points to Ellie for knowing that without me posting about it, because she was nice enough to send me the sequel, Seige Siege and Storm.

I've never heard a bad thing about The Girl With All the Gifts and I've been eyeing up this book for a while, so I doubt it'll be long before I give it a ago. Does anybody know if it's a series or a stand-alone?


Anyway, I love Ellie and her pretty wrapping paper. Not to mention her excellent choice in books.

 What next? I know, we'll go with Laura :) Yay Laura!

The Phantom of the Opera is one of the far-too-many books that didn't get reviewed because I read it near the end of the year and therefore didn't get round to reviewing it before the New Year, when I wanted a clean slate. If that even makes sense. But I did really enjoy it - it's quite different from the musical (involving torture and all sorts) and apparently based on an actual pre-existing legend, which always helps. And I am a sucker for the Vintage red spines :)

I actually made an 'oooh!' noise when I pulled Middlesex out of the Amazon box. I really liked The Marriage Plot by the same author, but also the only other book I've read about gender identity, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Which everybody should read, by the way.

Haha, I just reread my review of The Marriage Plot, and there's a comment from Laura saying, "OH MY GOD HANNA, YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ MIDDLESEX." I wonder why you would pick this book, Laura? :)

I love it when people send books they they loved themselves though. It shows that a) they care enough to want to share and b) the book is probably awesome :)

I read a review of Three by Sarah Lotz a while ago and I can't for the life of me remember where. Anyway, I knew I absolutely had to read it and Katie was lovely enough to send it to me! She also gets points for the prettiest jiffy bag I've ever seen in my life.

It was the last book I opened on my birthday so I took the time to read the first few pages and I desperately want to read the rest of it.

I actually finished reading The Dinner today while stood in line for a Sarah J. Maas signing (yes, I've been writing this post for a fortnight). It's amazing and I need everybody with a reasonably strong stomach and moral strength to read it right now.

Bex and her family also sent the stunning little owl necklace you can see dangling down the pile of books and the white bracelet on the table just in front. What can I say, she knows my love of fun jewellery!

 

Thank you to everybody who thought of me on the 4th August, both those who sent pretty things and everybody else who tweeted/texted birthday wishes. I love being part of such a close-knit group of people who take the time to make each other feel special and valued. It means an awful lot to me and not just because I suddenly have more books!

Thank you everybody!