BEST BOOKS YOU'VE NEVER READ

(Apologies for the lack of images in this post. I'm cooped up in bed in pain at the moment!)

​There are so many books out there that it actually breaks my heart a little knowing I will NEVER be able to read them all. And I know, at least in my case, that because of this we try to make sure we only read books that are worthy of our time, that are great, exciting, fun... popular... Yep. Be honest - most of the books we buy and read are ones we've heard of. We'll pick up a book which a friend or blogger has recommended, with hype all over social media and with the marketing team behind it to enable it to be on the number one spot of a bestseller list before it's even gone to print over something that sounds decent but has a shoddy, generic cover and has probably only been read by a handful of people (who actually know the author).

​We buy books we are guaranteed to love. If EVERYONE else loves it it has to be good, right? But what about all those other books on the shelf? The ones spine on, not face out with a review. That one book that you swear has been there since this store opened and nobody has ever touched. What about all these books that could be wonderful, but will never get the attention they deserve because they weren't written by Cassandra Clare, John Green or Jennifer Niven? So, without further ado - here is my list of the best books you've never read!

Whilst this list is in no particular order, if I were ranking them this one would be number one!

THINGS WE KNOW BY HEART by JESSI KIRBY
I featured this book on my most recent 'Did I Mention I Love...' post because I absolutely adored this book! I won't say too much here as you can read more in the aforementioned post which I've linked for you! This book is a gorgeous contemporary novel following a girl who lost her boyfriend in an accident and had his organs donated. Quinn decided to contact the recipients and heard back from all but one - the person who received his heart. Although she shouldn't, Quinn has managed to find out more about this person and decided to go and see them. Not talk to them, not befriend them. Just see them, from afar, to know her boyfriend's heart is still beating. But, as with contemporary novels, that doesn't happen. I'm sure you can guess where the book goes but ugh it is just so beautifully done and it is as equally heartwarming as heartbreaking. I loved these characters so much. They were believable, justified in their actions and just downright loveable. I need more Jessi Kirby books in my life - she actually has another 5 works so I need to get my hands on those!

THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS by KIRAN MILLWOOD MARGRAVE
This book just one the Waterstones Children's book prize so it's definitely getting more love in the UK lately, but I haven't seen much hype for this book. It's a middle grade novel so I can somewhat understand why but it is definitely a crossover book and could easily be in the YA section. I read this book back when it first came out as the inside is magical. The pages have gorgeous designs on them - like a map - which is fitting as our main character is a cartographer's daughter. In fact, I believe in the states it is titled 'The Cartographer's Daughter. The cover is nowhere near as gorgeous in the US compared to the UK which has probably further hindered it's success over there BUT whilst I can bang on about the gorgeous designs of this book, the story itself is magnificent. We follow our main character who lives on an island where nobody is allowed to leave. However, her closest friend vanishes and as a map maker's daughter she has intricate knowledge of areas she has never been to and can navigate the stars so she volunteers to help find her, especially so she can see these places. It's magical, adventurous and I just love it!

THE POMEGRANATE TREE by VANESSA ALTIN
Where do I start? This book is so important. This is the story of a young Syrian girl who gets separated from her family and tries to find them whilst somehow making it to safety in Turkey. I don't want to spoil this book but it just.. it opened my eyes so much. It broke my heart. It is so important. Just.. please. give this book a go.

THE DREAMSNATCHER by ABI ELPHINSTONE
I LOVE THIS TRILOGY!!! This is the first in a middle grade trilogy and it is just BRILLIANT. I absolutely adore Moll and Gryff and although I own all three books I am yet to read the last one as I'm not ready for their story to end. Abi is a wonderful writer who puts so much effort into her stories. Seriously. That woman is amazing. The Dreamsnatcher follows a gypsy child, Moll and her adventures trying to defeat evil witchdocts and the like. I'm 20 and love this book but damn I wish I had this when I was 11. I'd have ate it up and spent hours upon hours pretending [read: believing] I was Moll. It's brilliant, it's fun, it's heartwarming. Love love love it!!

And I think I'll leave this here. I could probably find some more for this list but as you can probably tell I've hit the point of just saying 'ugh I love it' which isn't the most helpful! 
Do let me know if you've read any of these or if you think you're interested in picking any of them up - and if you do, I hope you love them!
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- Emma