Tuesday 31 March 2015

March wrap up

Hi guys

I think I did pretty well with reading the month. I read a total of 7 books this month which I am happy with.

We all looked up by Tommy Wallach

I got this book from Netgalley so my review is here.

If you find me by Emily Murdoch

I had to read this book for book group and I did a review here. This book was the most surprising book of the month as I expected to hate it but quite enjoyed it.

Half Wild by Sally Green

This was my second most anticipated book this year and it didn't let me down. It was great, extraordinary, super, fantastic. I genuinely can't say enough good things about it. I didn't write a review for this book as it would just be me gushing about how Sally Green has to be a God to write such a extraordinary book. I gave it 5/5. You have to read it, well read half bad first but then read half wild. I can't believe I have to wait a year until the next book. Help me.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I have been told I have to read it for a while now but just haven't had the time and now I am glad my friend forced me into it. It will probably take a while for me to get round to the second one but I will eventually. My review is here.

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
I got this book from Netgalley and wasn't expecting much but I really enjoyed it my review is here.

Salad anniversary by Machi Tawara
I have already finished this book but I'm not going to say anything about it because the book comes out on June 9th. My review for this book has been scheduled though so look out for it.

The island by Jen Minkman
I got this book for free on Amazon and it was a quick, easy read that was intriguing. It took 30-45 minutes to read and it was okay. I don't think I will be continuing the series unless I find the next book free but all in all a nice, fun book with a unique idea.

Xoe by Sara C Roellile

I got this book for free in a collection of stories about girl's who don't need men to save them and I was expecting short stories but no this is a full lengthy book. I wasn't expecting much as it was free (not sure if it still is) but I loved it. It was so much fun. Definitely finishing the series. I loved all of the characters especially Jason. Really liked this book 4/5 stars. I would also like to mention the book was not at all scary, it was more really funny at points I was laughing out loud.

The mystery of wickworth manor by Ellen Caldecott

I love Ellen Caldecott, she writes such good middle grade and always manages to avoid my biggest pet peeve, undertaking (I will one day do a blog post on that). This is a mystery book but at some points it got quite creepy. I'm giving it a 3/5.

Sunday 29 March 2015

the DUFF by Kody Keplinger : review

*This book was given to me for free by netgalley in return for an honest review, however this doesn't effect my opinion*


The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Published by: little brown/poppy
Publication date: September 7th 2010
Genres: Young Adult, contemporary


Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Thoughts

I got this book because I saw the movie trailer and thought it looked hilarious. So when I saw it on netgalley I knew I had to read it. 

The DUFF was an extremely cheesy novel that had all the stereotypes except it was a completely character driven book. At no stage did I find any of the characters annoying (as I usually do in these kind of books. I loved Bianca and Wesley together because I think it was a very realistic relationship and not at all forced. 

I don't have much to say about this book sadly but I really liked it. The book was by no means original but it manage to make an awfully cheesy plot mesmerizing and unable to put down. I will definitely be reading the companion novel 'Lying out loud' and once I've read that I will read every other book Kody Keplinger has ever written. I am giving this book 4.5 stars out of 5 just because some parts were a bit to cliche for my liking. This book was a great read after the trauma of 'Half Wild'. It's ideal for a pick me up book.

I would also like to say that when I see the film I will be doing a review of How good it was conspired to the book.

Saturday 28 March 2015

stacking the shelves (#3)

Hi guys

I am really excited for the books I got this week I've already read one of them and I am about 50% of the way through the second one.

Half Wild by Sally Green

For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, I am completely obsessed with this book. All my tweets were about it. I'm not doing a review for this book though because there isn't much to say except 'READ IT'

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

I got this book from Netgalley and my goal for the end of the Easter holidays is to have read all the books I have for review. I'll talk more about this book in my wrap up/review.



Wednesday 25 March 2015

An Event to remember or forget... by Melissa Baldwin : book tour






Sienna Harris is a girl with a plan. Her days of slaving away at Carrie’s Classic Events and More are numbered as she is on the brink of launching her own event planning company. Her relationship with Luke Price is headed in the right direction and they are approaching their one-year mark. The future is looking bright and she knows that life could not get any better . . . That is until her perfectly planned world is thrown upside down by the unexpected arrival of someone from Luke’s past.

She receives the shock of her life on the night of the biggest event of her career. Sienna will now have to pull it all together without a list or a plan. The question is, can she do it?

Buy on Amazon | B&N | Kobo


The exquisite dress, the dazzling menu, the family drama . . . It’s the day every girl dreams of, and Madison Wales is no exception. Her wedding plans seem to be going perfectly thanks to her very talented wedding planner, Sienna Harris. That is, until her grandmother and her two overachieving, bullying cousins suddenly want to become very involved in her big day. But . . . why?

Madison’s perfect wedding dreams are dashed as things slowly start to unravel. With family drama in her midst, she wonders if her cousins are behind each disaster or if she has truly become a paranoid bridezilla.
Will Madison be able to withstand all of the pressure and finally stand up for herself? The idea of eloping with her fiancé, Cole, is looking better everyday, even if it means leaving her dream wedding behind. Will she make the right choice?
Buy now on Amazon
About the author:


Melissa graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications; she has always had a love for writing. An avid journal keeper, she fulfilled her dream with her debut novel, An Event To Remember . . . Or Forget.

Melissa resides in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and young daughter. She is a master at organization and multi-tasking. Her daily jobs include mother, chauffeur, wife, PTA President, Fitness Trainer, and now Author.


When she has free time, she enjoys traveling, fitness, decorating, fashion, and taking a Disney Cruise every now and then.
Find Melissa on:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Follow The Tour Here

Waiting on Wednesday (#3)

Things we know by heart by Jessi Kirby
Published by: Harperteen
Publication date: 21 April 2015
Genres: Young Adult 

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.
 

Sunday 22 March 2015

The Maze Runner by James Dashner : review

The Maze Runner by James Dashner 
Published by: Delacorte press
Publication date: October 6th 2009
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Survival

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.


Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like I start all my reviews like this but I really enjoyed most books that I read. I was pressurized into reading this book by my friend who loves this series and I finally got round to reading it.

This book was such a page turner for me. There was never a dull moment, I didn't want to put it down. I do have to admit there were somethings that didn't quite make sense like the ending with Gally (trying really hard not to spoil it for anyone) and why Teresa and Thomas could use telepathy. But apart from that I found all the characters really interesting, I liked them all in there own individual way and cried a lot when a certain character died at the end.

I am giving this book a 3.5 out of 5. I don't know why but I just can't give it a four. I am definitely continuing with the series but after I have read half wild (which is coming out on Tuesday. SCREAM). I am going to do a review of the film when I get round to watching it.

Saturday 21 March 2015

stacking the shelves (#2)

Hi guys

I am doing stacking the shelves today, haven't got much but I am really excited for the one I have got.

Salad anniversary by Machi Tawara

This is a poetry book I got of netgalley. I have read a couple of poems and they are stunning like a mix between free verse and spoken word.

Friday 20 March 2015

Impervious by Heather Letto : blitz



Impervious by Heather Letto
(Ascension #1)
Publication date: April 29th 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Synopsis:
The residents of Impervious are the remnant, the survivors of the war of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in the corners, haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast, a mysterious and terminal illness killed off most of Generations One, Two, and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage, a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death incites a cultural rage. But Fran lives counter-culture, off the grid in true rebel fashion. With a life far from opulent, she scurries through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals with Pete while ditching the holographic security team. To her, it's a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can't steal her sliver of hope, a belief that she'll see The Epoch arrive before The Beast can pull her into its Fetid embrace.

Giveaway
I am giving away 1 ebook copy of Impervious. It's open international and to enter just comment on this post or direct message me on Twitter.

I’m a book-writing, selfie-taking, latte-drinking, social media gal. I’m living a good life on the road as a full-fledged Bedouin (Well, except, my tent is actually a fully-equipped RV.) Me and my partner-in-crime (Benj) tend to hunker down wherever the skies are clear and the temps stay in the 70’s. We call ourselves Gypsy Nerds because we aimlessly wander the U.S. with glasses perched upon our noses and faces jammed into computer screens (for the first half the day... The second half of the day is typically devoted to playing because we’re also somewhat immature.)

Like most authors, the characters I create are my extended family.  And like most readers, when the story ends, I get a little sad. In real life, I have two handsome, hardworking, grown-up boys who know how to make their Mama proud! *Waves to Joey and Mike!*

The Ascension Series is my debut into the world of YA fiction. 

I’m living what I love and loving what I live! 

Author links:

Wednesday 18 March 2015

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch : review

Hi Guys

Today I am reviewing 'If You Find Me' by Emily Murdoch. Before I start with the review I would like to mention the fact that the synopsis for this book is awful and doesn't reflect the book at all but I think it is best to go int this book not knowing much about it.



If You find Me by Emily Murdoch
Published by: St Martin's Griffin
Publication date: 26th March 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Survival

There are some things you can’t leave behind…
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.


Thoughts

I had to read this book for my school book club and I really wasn't looking forward to it. So I forced myself to pick it think that the sooner I finish it the better because I am not showing up not having read the book. But I was actually really surprised by how much I liked this book.
First of all I love the topic of this book. It is a topic I find quite interesting though I can see it being a hard read for some people as it deals with drug addiction, adoption and a bit of bullying. I would love to go into detail about the plot but I can't as it would give to much away  but what I can sat is that the plot twist is so unexpected. From the beginning you know there is going to be a plot twist but I never expected the one we got.
The book is told from Carey's perspective, which is great because Carey is a great, realistic character though at points a bit unreliable because she can't remember a lot of things before the woods. I love Carey's little sister Jenessa, she was just so cute and adorable. I just wanted to pull her out the book and carry her in my pocket (I have just realised how odd that saying is. Doesn't it sound a bit stalker-ish. Anyway).
I liked the romance in the novel. I thought it was done really well as it was the kind of relationship you have at that age. It wasn't deadly serious yet was still cute.
One thing I wasn't to keen on was the random phrases from 'the lady of shallot' in the end i just skipped them because it didn't add anything to the book, if anything it just broke the flow of the writing.

I give this book a 4/5 because it wasn't perfect there were a couple of minor plot holes and I found a part of the epilogue a bit unrealistic. I was pleasantly surprised by this book though I wouldn't recommend it to everyone as it is quite intense a points.

Waiting on Wednesday (#2)

Pretending to be Erica by Michelle Painchaud
Published by: Viking Boots for Young Readers
Publication date: 21 July 2015
Genres: Young Adult, thriller, suspense

We Were Liars meets Heist Society in a riveting debut!

Seventeen-year-old Violet’s entire life has revolved around one thing: becoming Erica Silverman, an heiress kidnapped at age five and never seen again. Violet’s father, the best con man in Las Vegas, has a plan, chilling in its very specific precision. Violet shares a blood type with Erica; soon, thanks to surgery and blackmail, she has the same face, body, and DNA. She knows every detail of the Silvermans’ lives, as well as the PTSD she will have to fake around them. And then, when the time is right, she “reappears”—Erica Silverman, brought home by some kind of miracle. But she is also Violet, and she has a job: Stay long enough to steal the Silverman Painting, an Old Master legendary in the Vegas crime world. Walking a razor’s edge, calculating every decision, not sure sometimes who she is or what she is doing it for, Violet is an unforgettable heroine, and Pretending to be Erica is a killer debut.
 

Saturday 14 March 2015

Stacking the Shelves (#1)

Hi guys

Today I am doing my first stacking the shelves. This is going to be a book haul of the past two weeks just so I am totally caught up in telling you what books I have got. Just so you know these will be replacing monthly book hauls. Let's get started.

We all looked up by Tommy Wallach


I got this book from Netgalley after seeing Miainnarnia review it. My review is here.

An event to remember ...or forget by Melissa Baldwin

I am going to take part in a book tour for this book.

Friday 13 March 2015

We all looked up by Tommy Wallach : review

*This book was given to me for free by netgalley in return for an honest review, however this doesn't effect my opinion*



We all looked up by Tommy Wallach
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: March 24th 2015
Genres: Young Adult
 
Four high school seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurtles toward Earth in this contemporary novel.

They always say that high school is the best time of your life.

Peter, the star basketball player at his school, is worried “they” might actually be right. Meanwhile Eliza can’t wait to escape Seattle—and her reputation—and perfect-on-paper Anita wonders if admission to Princeton is worth the price of abandoning her real dreams. Andy, for his part, doesn’t understand all the fuss about college and career—the future can wait.

Or can it? Because it turns out the future is hurtling through space with the potential to wipe out life on Earth. As these four seniors—along with the rest of the planet—wait to see what damage an asteroid will cause, they must abandon all thoughts of the future and decide how they’re going to spend what remains of the present.
 
My Thoughts
Last year I decided that only under very specific circumstances will a read post apocalyptic books because the point of the apocalypse is the world ends. BOOM! Everyone's dead no survivor, otherwise it is not the apocalypse. So when I saw this book I thought it sounded really interesting. I hadn't seen any books about what happens before the apocalypse.

The story is told from four main perspectives; Andy, Eliza, Peter and Anita. What is funny about this book is that at the start the characters have nothing to do with each other. I love all the main characters because they were so different and quirky. Though I thought Eliza was the most interesting perspective because of her reputation. I also thought that the romance was done really well, I didn't feel like the author was creating an unrealistic love, it felt very genuine. The only character I didn't like was misery, I felt like she should have had a lot more common sense.

The plot was fantastic. Tommy was great at pulling all four perspectives together because I'm not usually a fan of multiple narrators but it worked really well in this book. I thought Tommy managed to create a very realistic idea of how people would react to finding out the world was going to end.
All in all I'm giving this book a four out of five stars because it was beautifully written with some very philosophical theories in there. Great book for any mood except maybe epic fantasy. I would recommend this to anyone as long as they aren't super scared of the end of the world because this book does bring on a couple of worrying thoughts.

Wednesday 11 March 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (#1)

Hi Guys

I mentioned in my wrap up I was going to start doing WoW, to replace T5W.

This week's book is ...

Half Wild by Sally Green
Published by: Penguin Books UK
Publication date: March 24th 2015
Genres: Young Adult

"You will have a powerful Gift, but it’s how you use it that will show you to be good or bad."

In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most powerful and violent witch. Nathan is hunted from all sides: nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. Now, Nathan has come into his own unique magical Gift, and he's on the run--but the Hunters are close behind, and they will stop at nothing until they have captured Nathan and destroyed his father.
 

Saturday 7 March 2015

Feburary wrap up

Hi Guys

I am finally doing my February wrap up. Just as a little side note I am going to stop doing top 5 Wednesday, as I have decided that it works better on YouTube videos rather then a blog post. Instead I will be doing 'waiting on Wednesday'. Also I will be starting doing 'in my mailbox' on a Saturday. This will all start next week. So on with the wrap up.

All fall down by Ally Carter

I love Ally Carter's 'Galleger Girls', so when I saw this on netgalley I was so excited. And Ally didn't disappoint. All I can say is more Alexei in the next book (which Ally has just finished writing the first draft of). My full review is here.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I didn't actually finish this book, I struggled through it for two weeks and finally gave upon it when in the 350 pages that I had read I had only found 4 interesting. This is the reason why I didn't get increasing done this month.

Who the hell is Ricky Bell by John Irving Clarke

I LOVED this book and that is not a biased opinion. I read this book in one sitting my friend who I hadn't seen for a year came and I ignored her for the first hour or two because I had to finish this book. The book has also just been reprinted and for once I will link you to the Amazon as that is the only place you can get it if you don't live in Yorkshire. My full review is here but it was definitely my favourite book this month.

How to Fly with Broken Wings by Jane Elson

I am not going to start my rant again as I have a whole review of it but to sum it up; I was really looking forward to this book and it disappointed me.

Maryl's ghost by David Levithan

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a great twist on one of my favourite classics including a lot of the original lines. Once again David Levithan has written a great pick me up book.

Monday 2 March 2015

Feburary haul

Hi guys

This Month I have been very good with book buying, I only got three books and one of them was for review. Let's get started.

Cleo by Lucy Coates
I got this book for review from Netgalley. I thought it looked really interesting because I am doing Cleopatra in classics right now.

Mary's ghost by David Levithan
I got this book after seeing it on miainnarnia's January wrap up and I thought it sounded really interesting, as I love retellings. I talk more about this book in my wrap up.

Who the hell is Ricky Bell by John Irving Clarke

I was lucky enough to met the author of this book. And I read it in one sitting though I'll talk about it more in my wrap up.

Sunday 1 March 2015

How to Fly with Broken Wings by Jane Elson : review

*This book was given to me for free by netgalley in return for an honest review, however this doesn't effect my opinion*

Hi guys

Today I am reviewing 'How to Fly with Broken Wings' by Jane Elson.
Published by: Hodder Children's Books
Publication date: March 5th 2015
Genres: Young Adult

'If Finn Maison shouts jump you jump or you are dead.'

Twelve-year-old Willem has Aspergers Syndrome and two main aims in life: to fly and to make at least two friends of his own age. But all the other boys from the Beckham Estate do is make him jump off things. First his desk - and now the wall. As his toes teeter on the edge, Sasha Barton gives him a tiny little wink. Might she become his friend?

Bullied by Finn and his gang the Beckham Estate Boyz, Willem has no choice but to jump. As he flies through the air he flaps his arms, wishing he could fly and escape into the clouds. Instead he comes crashing down and breaks his ankle.

Sasha, angry with herself for not stopping Finn and his Boyz, is determined to put things right. And soon, while the gangs riot on their estate, Willem and Sasha form an unlikely friendship. Because they share a secret. Sasha longs to fly too.

And when Magic Man Archie arrives with stories of war-flying spitfires, he will change the lives of the kids on the Beckham Estate for ever. And perhaps find a way for Willem and Sasha to fly ...

Touching on themes such as friendship and bullying, this is a charming tale about overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in unlikely places.


My thoughts
Unlike previous reviews I am going to start with my rating which is 2/5. Now I didn't hate the book I just think that there were a lot of things wrong with the book. Though I am going to start with the positives.

I loved the characters, I thought they were all quite realistic and that she did a great job with portraying autism. Out of all the books I have read with autistic main characters, this captured the actuality of it best. I loved the first 14 chapters and the writing style.

Now onto the things I didn't like. My first problem is a problem that I have with a lot of books from younger protagonists. 12 YEAR OLDS AREN'T THAT YOUNG. By the age of twelve I had been through quite a lot (I won't bore you with the specifics) I hate how author make it seem like 12 year olds are clueless, as if they don't know what is going on in the world. Authors please stop doing this.
My second problem was that I felt the author had written the first 40% of the book and realised it was to short so added an extra 60% that we didn't really need. I found that at point I was forcing my self to finish to book and it wasn't because the writing was bad it was just that the story kinda of lost its storyline.
My third problem was the storyline was kinda confusing like I could've sworn that Finn got put in prison three times.
My final reason is I think that the author is going for the wrong audience I can imagine this being a 9 year olds favourite book. So I think part of the reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped was that it was to young for me.

In all honesty although I have really ripped into this book and trust me I had to delete many sentences thinking that I was going to far, I didn't think it was that bad and I would recommend this book to people who have younger children or who are in the young adult bracket and want to just have a bit of a silly, slightly infuriating read.