BOOK BLOG: Sara Barnard

March 25, 2020March 22, 20201 Comment

Destination Anywhere: what do you do when you’re so lost you don’t even know where to find yourself?

“Sometimes you have to leave your life behind to find your place in the world…
After five years at secondary school spent bullied and alone, Peyton King starts sixth form college determined that things will be different. Whatever happens, she will make friends at any cost. When she finds the friends she’s always dreamed of, including an actual boyfriend, she’s happier than she’s ever been. But when they let her down in the worst way, Peyton is left no better off than when she started. Now Peyton knows the only chance she has of finding happiness is to look for it somewhere else. With nothing but her sketchpad and a backpack, she buys a one-way ticket and gets on a plane…”

I’m not here today to share a full review… that’s to come once I can form sentences about how much I loved this book.

I’m here today to share one of my moodboards (because being creative in these times is keeping me sane and it helps me a lot) and some preorder links. I think it’s SO important that we support authors and preorders are one of those incredibly easy ways that we can support them!

Sara Barnard keeps writing story after story that are just kick you in face good. I adored Peyton’s story and her adventure. We’ve all been there: lost and looking for ourselves. People are going to get a lot from this and it’s a gorgeous story. I loved that this book was a celebration of friendships without hiding away from the fact that friendships aren’t always great and that some of them totally suck. Now who do I speak to about my Canadian road trip?

If my moodboard and my short Goodreads review has inspired you to get this book (cause you probably should my friends, it is incredible), then why not consider preordering it from your favourite indie (can I recommend @biggreenbooks if you don’t know an indie?) or clicking one of the links below (this is not a sponsored post or anything, I just wanna get behind this book a lot and we all know I am a massive fan of Sara):

Amazon Preorder Link

Waterstones Preorder Link

Hive Preorder Link

Destination Anywhere isn’t out until June, but if you can preorder, please consider it!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my post! There will be a full review coming, I promise… just bear with me!

What did you think of my moodboard?
Are you a preorder-er?
Have you read any of Sara’s other books?

Speak to you all soon! Stay safe!

S x

S4S – 2018 Rereads

May 12, 2019May 5, 20196 Comments

HOLA AMIGOS

It is me again, your #SixforSunday fairy coming to bring you a new week of talking about your TBR. This week’s prompt is one which will ADD to your TBR, obviously.

This week we’re talking

2018 Books To Reread

Now… I’m sure you all know this about me already, but I’m not a big rereader… but there’s ALWAYS books that I’m like, “God, I wish I could rediscover this world/characters/story again” and here I’m sharing 6 with y’all!

State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury
Now that I know what happens in Song of Sorrow, I want to sit and greedily reread both of them because Mel is QUEEN and this duology is just exceptional.

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
Again, like State of Sorrow, I’ve read the sequel to Exact Opposite, so I want the delight of reading them both together. But also, Izzy is just HILARIOUS. I remember PROPER cackling at TEOOO and thinking, “Yes, this is a character I want around me forever”.

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton
MAN. This was the end of the Rebel of the Sands trilogy and it was PERFECT. I miss Jin so very much. I want to reread it because Jin and Amani are some of my faves.

Goodbye Perfect by Sara Barnard
Sara writes the most amazing stories and everyone should go out and buy all of them. I wanna reread this one because I had SUCH feelings about it when I read it first time round that I’d be SO interested in seeing if my feelings were still the same.

Floored by the Floored Seven
I don’t need to explain why I want to reread this surely. 7 of the best UKYA voices together in one book? PLUS I know who is who now… and wanna know if that changes what I thought of it!

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
This is one of those books that I would LOVE to forget and experience again for the first time again. I remember being BLOWN AWAY by this book when I read it and I want that back. PLUS the 3rd book is out this year… perfect time to reread book 1 and 2 (although 2 was a bit bonkers imo)

And there we go! 6 of the books I read that I want to reread most!

Don’t forget to share yours using #SixforSunday! See you all next week!

S x

S4S – Bookish Wishes

January 13, 20193 Comments

Well hello, it is I the #SixforSunday fairy again!

How are we all on this fair Sunday? What have you all been reading today?

I’m here today to share my answers for this week’s #SixforSunday:

Bookish Wishes

6 wishes I have for my bookish self in 2019?

Melinda Salisbury and Sara Barnard to collaborate.
This should NOT surprise anyone.
Release dates to come quickly.
There are SO MANY books I’m excited for this year that I need them to come quicker… I LOVE THE BOOKS OK?
Another Kaz Brekker book
Now we know this isn’t going to happen, but a girl can wish!
More of my favourite characters
Let’s be real, I just want more Simon/Blue, Twylla (Mel, I’m looking at you), Amani/Jin. I want more chances to be a shipper basically. I’m all about the shipping.
More Northern events
COME ON GUYS, LONDON ISN’T THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN HOST EVENTS. *ahem*
More people reading and loving MG/YA
I LOVE seeing people who don’t usually read MG and YA reading cause it makes my heart so happy. Just cause you’re not a teenager or a child doesn’t mean you can’t read those books… YOU CAN READ ALL OF THE BOOKS.

So yes. Bookish wishes for 2019. More of my faves, more chances to see my faves, more books. This should not surprise ANYONE.

A massive thank you for joining in this week, I think #SixforSunday has had it’s most people this week and it makes me so happy! I’m loving all your posts!

See you next week!

S x

Christmas Cracker Tag

December 21, 2018December 16, 20183 Comments

Hello there! It’s Friday again… it’s FINALLY ALMOST THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. There’ll be a “first term wrap up” post coming… but today just a bit of fun. I’m taking on the Christmas Cracker Tag, which I first saw on my friend Cora’s blog. Check out her post here.

Lets get on!

Pick A Book With A Wintry Cover

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone: you don’t get much more wintry than actual ice and the Northern Lights. This book is BRILLIANT too. Would recommend!

Pick A Book You’re Likely To Buy As A Present

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig: there is something incredibly special about this book. I definitely think everyone needs to read this book.

Pick A Festive Themed Book

The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller: I finished this last weekend and it is SO BRILLIANT. It’s like the most brilliant version of a Christmas story ever. I wish I’d read it before now, cause I’d love to share it with the kids I teach.

Pick A Book You Can Curl Up With By The Fireplace

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard: for me sitting by the fireplace is dedicated to romance and loveliness. This book is one that’s stuck with me. I will need to find time to reread it. I just adore Steffi and Rhys.

Pick A Book You Want To Read Over The Festive Period

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman: the absolute angels of Walker sent me a copy of this last week… in perfect time for my Christmas holidays!

Pick A Book That’s So Good It Gives You Chills

A Darkness of Dragons by S.A.Patrick: I recently finished this and man, I just loved it! As a massive MG fan, it’s really great to come across a book that ticks so many boxes!

Pick A Book Going On Your Christmas Wishlist

Six of Crows Collector’s Edition by Leigh Bardugo: I’ve not actually told Santa this is on my list… so I might have to treat myself post Christmas!

Let me know your thoughts!

S x

Looking for a brilliant read for a teen in your life?

December 6, 2018December 2, 2018Leave a comment

Here we are, day 3 of my gift guide. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them! It’s been a blast looking back at my year in books and thinking which ones I would recommend people buy and read AND SHOVE IN EACH OTHERS FACES *ahem*.

Today, on this here final day of recommending, I’m sorting through the MANY MANY YA books I’ve read this year and giving you 12 that you ABSOLUTELY need to buy for the YA fan in your life! (Just as the past few days, none of these books will REALLY come as a surprise!) Without further ado…

Scythe/Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven

State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury (while we’re at it… The Sin Eater’s Daughter trilogy too, LBR)

Goodbye Perfect by Sara Barnard (and ANY of her other books too)

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Show Stopper/Show Stealer by Hayley Barker

White Rabbit, Red Wolf by Tom Pollock

The Secret Deep by Lindsay Galvin

Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt

Clean by Juno Dawson

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber (and Wing Jones too)

Floored by the Floored Seven

TADAAAAH. You made it. This list could’ve been so much longer. GO AND BUY THEM ALL. READ THEM ALL. LOVE THEM ALL.

Do you agree with my recommendations?
Can you add any to my list?
Which of these books have you loved most?

Talk to me in the comments! Are you SHOCKED by my choices?

S x

S4S – Authors I’d love to see collaborate…

November 11, 2018November 11, 20183 Comments

STOP, COLLABORATE AND LISTEN!

Hello there! Wecome to another installment of #SixforSunday! This week sees me take on something that took an AWFUL LOT OF THOUGHT. Mainly because I needed to get it right. And I didn’t want to miss out anyone who I loved. Mainly, I have too many choices!

Today we take on:

Authors you’d love to see collaborate

Now… the majestic book that is Floored came along and saw many of my faves ACTUALLY collaborate in an EPIC way, so if you’ve not got on that yet, I’d really like you to.

Melinda Salisbury and Sara Barnard
This is a YA collab I will shout about forever. LADIES I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN. (C’mon, none of you will be surprised by this at all)
Kiran Milwood Hargrave and Piers Torday
I think this MG book would break my heart and be the most beautiful book ever!
Sara Barnard and Alice Oseman
This one literally just came to my brain and I think my brain is a genius. I think this could be such a brilliant combination!
Sara Barnard and Laura Steven
GUYS. I need this to happen… I just think these 2 would boss a YA contemporary that punched me in the face and made me cackle with laughter.
Maz Evans and Lisa Thompson
I just think this would be a BRILLIANT MG book pairing… happy to read WHATEVER!
Melinda Salisbury and Alice Broadway
I think this would be such a brilliant meeting of minds…

So if there’s anyone reading this who can make these things happen, that’d be amazing thanks!

Remember to share your #SixforSunday posts with me and I look forward to going “OMG YES THAT WOULD BE A MINT PAIR THANKS!” at all of your suggestions!

S x

S4S – Ultimate panels

November 4, 2018November 4, 20182 Comments

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the hiatus this week… there was just a little need for my brain to take a break after a very busy half term! I am back though! And today’s #SixforSunday sees me taking on:

Dream panels/events

So, my dream panels? WELL THIS IS GONNA BE FUN. I’m gonna go 3 MG and 3 YA because LOVE.

“Contemporary YA: Why it matters” with Laura Steven, Alice Oseman, Sara Barnard and Katherine Webber.

“Writing badass characters” featuring Leigh Bardugo, Melinda Salisbury, Alice Broadway and Alwyn Hamilton.

“Writing stories that make our readers cry (we love it)” featuring C.G.Drews, Karen Gregory, Lisa Healthfield and Adam Silvera.

“Creating worlds kids want to read about” featuring Helena Duggan, Maz Evans, Ross Mackenzie and Kiran Milwood Hargrave.

“Writing incredible characters” featuring Peter Brown, Lisa Thompson, Alex Bell and Jessica Townsend.

“Books: an ode to books” featuring Anna James and Piers Torday in conversation.

Side note: I am still waiting for a Floored Seven panel.

There we go! I LOVE hearing authors talk about their books, so please GET ME MORE EVENTS IN THE NORTH. I’m more than happy to host any of these *wink*

Remember to share your dream panels using #SixforSunday! I can’t wait to see what you all think!

S x

S4S – Rereading books?!

October 21, 20185 Comments

Morning friends!

How are you all on this here Sunday morning? What are you up to today? Anything nice? What are we all reading?

Today’s #SixforSunday is all about:

Books I want to reread

Now, I’m not a regular rereader of books. I am a keeper of books that I love, but I don’t often reread them.

1. The Sun Eater’s Daughter trilogy – Melinda Salisbury

2. Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo

3. Nevermoor – Jessica Townsend

4. The Explorer – Katherine Rundell

5. The Exact of Opposite of Okay – Laura Steven

6. A Quiet Kind of Thunder – Sara Barnard

Easiest #SixforSunday in a long time. I love each of these books with all of my heart and for different reasons. The magic of all of them, experiencing them for the first time was just great. Reading them a second time, I might get to witness something new! (Will I ever get round to reading them again? Who knows!)

Thanks so much for popping along! Don’t forget to check out my other posts this week and join me next week for more #SixforSunday! Share your post using the hashtag!

S x

S4S – Autobuy authors

August 5, 20187 Comments

Hello Sunday! Hello #SixforSunday pals.

How are we all today?

Today on #SixforSunday, we are talking:

Authors I will always pick up

Now… I’m technically going to do 2 #SixforSunday posts in one here… 6 YA authors, and 6 MG authors. (Hey, I’m the creator of #SixforSunday, I can bend the rules!)

6 YA authors that are automatic buys:

Melinda Salisbury (I KNOW! WHAT A SHOCKER!)
Sara Barnard (again… WHO AM I?)
Alwyn Hamilton
Katherine Webber
Alice Broadway
Alice Oseman

6 MG authors that are automatic buys:

Maz Evans (I bet you didn’t see that coming!)
Lisa Thompson
Katherine Rundell
Ross Montgomery
Kiran Milwood-Hargrave
Abi Elphinstone

Shout out to Matt Haig too… who doesn’t fit into these 2 categories, but who is 1100% an auto-buy in my life.

None of these names will come as a surprise to long time, or even short time, followers of my blog!

Remember to share your #SixforSunday post with me on twitter! I’m loving all of the posts! Thanks guys!

See you next week for Authors who surprised you!

S x

S4S – Books that made you fall in love

July 29, 2018July 25, 2018Leave a comment

Hellooo my friends!
How are we all? It is Sunday of YALC and I am excited!

Today on #SixforSunday we’re celebrating:

Books that made you fall in love

Books that you fell in love with the characters, the stories, reading… whatever. Books that made you fall in love! I could have a much longer list than 6 FYI.

A Quiet Kind of Thunder – Sara Barnard
Man, Steffi and Rhys. That’s a ship I will DIE FOR.
The Sin Eater’s Daughter – Melinda Salisbury
This book is the reason I love Mel and Twylla so much. I so wish I could be Twylla’s friend, yknow if she were real.
Simon vs the Homo Sapien’s Agenda – Becky Albertalli
AGAIN… I will go down with the Blue/Simon ship. I ship that so hard.
Eleanor and Park – Rainbow Rowell
Gosh. That book.
The Bookshop Girl – Sylvia Bishop
This book is 100% wonderful. Even if you don’t read MG I implore you to read it… now
Me Before You – JoJo Moyes
Yes, yes, this is also on my “crying” list, but I fell SO HARD for this book. It’s such a shame the second one didn’t capture me.

And there you go. My original list only had 2 of these choices on, so it proves how long my list could’ve been!

Join in the fun using the hashtag #SixforSunday and tag me on twitter! I love all of your posts!

S x

alittlebutalot

Even if you're little you can do a lot

Tag: sarabarnard