The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

You know that feeling when you slide your feet into fluffy slippers, curl up with a blanket over your knees, and your cat on your lap, drinking a mug of hot milk? I love that feeling, and that's the feeling that reading this book gave me. It's like meeting an old friend and a new one at the same time.

The world of The Apprentice Witch is familiar and pleasing. It reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones's stories (which I adore), but James Nicol conjures something unique and magical, all of his own. I defy anyone not to love Arianwyn and want to visit the Spellorium. There are thrills and adventures aplenty, but it's the trials that Arianwyn faces and the way she attempts to overcome them that keeps you turning the pages.

If you want a break from books that make you cry and tear your sanity to pieces, I would press this into your hands, and you will thank me. It's charming and delightful.

Find out more about The Apprentice Witch by watching the interview with the author James Nicol below, and if it looks like the kind of book you'll love then you can BUY IT HERE!

Mrs Peregrine's Home For Perculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I'd heard that Tim Burton snapped up the film rights for Ransom Riggs's 'Perculiar' trilogy, and from a brief scan of the synopsis I guessed that this book was going to be right up my street.

The idea for this trilogy is brilliantly original. It is a story about strangely talented orphans, inspired by real vintage photographs from flea markets that Riggs has collected over the years. Truly original ideas are harder to come by than you'd think, so hats off to Ransom Riggs for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It's unique and a great read.

The general aesthetic, locations, descriptive prose, all totally my cup of tea.  It's dark and thrilling, a true flight of the imagination with wonderful characters that you want to spend more time with. The book is a beautiful package, with old photographs scattered liberally throughout.

This is Ransom Rigg's first book, and I was impressed by his writing. There's a lot to love, although as the plot developed I did wonder if the concept rather outshone the narrative in places, but I definitely will be reading parts two and three, and watching the movies.

Ransom Riggs is a film maker as well as an author, and he made this brilliant short film about going urban exploring in Europe, looking for Miss Peregrine's house. Worth a watch.

A Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

I have a confession to make. I was dreading reading this book because I have a crush on the author. She's lovely, and published by the same company as me.

However, I needn't have worried. The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave doesn't disappoint.

It's a lyrical adventure, steeped in myth, of heroic girls and the power of friendship. A must-read for every young girl of substance with plenty in there for an old snaggle-toothed feminist like me. I even have a favourite bit, chapter 18, pages 161-2 are a great example of word beauty. And no, before you ask, I wasn't wiping away tears over breakfast. It was an eyelash. Honest.

This book is a looker, the picture above is just the arc! This is one to put on your special shelf. The girls who love ink and stars will adore this book.

This book has become one of the bestsellers of 2016 and it is well deserving of its success. If you love a good map then you should BUY THE BOOK here. If you are undecided watch the wonderful author tell you about her book in the video below and you'll want to read it.

Skellig by David Arnold

Skellig by David Arnold

This book stays with you. It's beautifully written. The prose is direct and yet poetic.

It's about big and small things all at once, life, death, heaven, hell, education, relationships, family, thinking, magic, spirituality, but better than the achievement of squeezing thoughts about these epic things into a slim book, is the story, which is utterly compelling.

I can see why it's so well loved. I would highly recommend.