Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan

Apple and Rain is the first book I've read by Sarah Crossan so I didn't know what to expect. I found it in the library. It is a lovely, emotional story about a girl called Apple who lives with her grandmother because her mother left her when she was very young. The story had me hooked from the first chapter as I wanted to find out exactly what happened and why Apple's mother left and if they could ever have a relationship again. The story unravels and there is an emotional rollercoaster of events. It made me support Apple and  

The book is also about love and poetry. I am not a big fan of poetry so I didn't really love that aspect but it was okay and interesting to read. I was glad that there was not too much love and romance in this book because I don't like that too much. 
It is a decent read and I think fans of Cathy Cassidy books, like me, would enjoy it too. 

                                           

Looking-Glass Girl by Cathy Cassidy

Looking-Glass Girl is another awesome book from Cathy Cassidy, it is a beautifully captivating read about the main character Alice who, goes to an Alice in Wonderland themed sleepover party (which sounds awesome!) and has a terrible, mysterious accident and finds herself in Wonderland. The book pulls you into two different worlds - down into Alice's Wonderland and into the real world of her family and friends. It keeps you hooked all the time, as you want to find out just what happened to Alice and how or IF she will ever return to the 'real' world. I love how the book is split between the two different worlds. It is also a very real and relateable book for her friendship dilemmas and fall-outs as I felt like I knew exactly how she must be feeling because she feels like an outsider or left out and confused sometimes and I wanted to comfort her or jump in and give her advice! 
The story is a great escape and like all Cathy Cassidy books, it helps me feel less alone and carries me through difficult times, all the characters feel like friends I can visit. 
The book inspired me to go and find out more about Alice in Wonderland and the film music, other interpretations, artwork ETC. With the new Alice through the Looking Glass film coming out, this is definitely one to read, or re-read! I know I am going to re-read it again and again. I got this book for Christmas and I was really excited to own it because I don't get to own many brand new books and it is beautiful.