Book Blogger Hop (2)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy For Books where you answer a question each week and this aims to promote blog interaction and make new friends. This weeks question is:

 "What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

hmm, that is such a tough question. To be honest I've only read a few really hyped books and I did love them. I suppose Hush, Hush wasn't quite as good as I hoped but I loved it none the less. In general when I don't love a book everyone else does I feel pretty bummed about it because I feel as if I'm wrong. I do try to be nice and constructive and state WHY I didn't like something. I do like to give really popular books a go because there is usually a reason why so many people like them. If you read a mixed review, sometimes it just doesn't fit that person. I encourage you to still give them a go!

What do you do besides reading / reviewing as a hobby??

um, well I do Ballroom and Latin dancing once a week and I play the flute. I love to bake when I have a spare moment as well. I enjoy browsing book blogs, reading reviews. Super fun!

Busting The Newbie Blues

Busting The Newbie Blues is an event hosted by the amazing and fabulous Small Review. Definitely pay her a visit, her blog is spectacular. This event is to help bloggers, especially newbies, to have more blog interaction, resulting in (hopefully) more comments and followers. Experienced bloggers can also take part, sharing tips and tricks and what it was like for them when they were a newbie. There are two questionaires, one for newbies and one for established bloggers. Choose which one fits you best and get answering. Post the answers on your blog and put the link in Mr Linky on her blog. Simple. Click the icon above to see her post.


New Bloggers: 

•  When did you start your blog?

November 1st 2010

• Why did you start your blog?

I love reading and it is a great way to escape from the outside world. Blogging looks like lots of fun and a  great way to make new friends.

• What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Reading so much. It sounds silly as I have a book blog but I'm so busy with school so reading more than a book a week is difficult. But knowing you guys want to read reviews and such encourages me to read quicker.

• What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

when people follow and don't comment, or people comment and don't follow.

•  What do you find most encouraging?

Getting comments and feedback. it makes my day, heck it might even make my week.

• What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

I love memes. I have copied a few ideas from other blogs, editing slightly. I do try to be somewhat original though.

•  What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

I love pictures, I find them very encouraging. I'm sure people that don't use book cover images and such like have wonderful blogs but I find it much easier with pretty visual aid.

• Any advice for other new bloggers?

Just have fun. Post what you want to post. Be original and don't be afraid. The more you you are the more people will love you :)

•   Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?

I'm just having so much fun and would like to thank everyone for the support.

•   Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog?

I feature Mainly YA books, with reviews, lots of weekly memes and it is just a lot of fun. I hope you stop by.

Thanks for hosting Small Review :)

Into The Old World Reading Challenge

This is a 2011 challenge hosted by Splash of Our Books and My Love Affair With Books. The Challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st 2011 and all you have to do is read books published BEFORE 2009. They can be of any genre as well. How awesome is that? it will be a great excuse to read the older books that I own but haven't gotten around to reading.

Here are a list of a few books I'm thinking of reading for the challenge.

1. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
2. Flawless by Sara Shepard
3. Perfect by Sara Shepard
4. Unbelievable by Sara Shepard
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
6. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

So that is my list for now. Click on the image for more information and how to sign up :)

November 2010 Recap

It has been exactly one month since I started my blog. I know it is not very long but I am having such fun with it. I want to thank you all following me and commenting and just the overall support. I hope you know it is greatly appreciated :)  I've been a few blogs doing monthly recaps and I know I just did a weekly one but because a lot of my followers are newish and may have missed the first couple of posts I decided I'd do one anyway.

All links lead to goodreads

Books Bought:

• Lost It by Kristen Tracy
• Scarred by Julia Hoban
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 
• Hate List by Jennifer Brown
• Boy's Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman
• Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
• Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Books Won:

• A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly
• Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Books Borrowed:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
• Evermore by Alyson Noel

Books Read: (link to reviews)

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Scarred by Julia Hoban

Other Books Reviewed:

• Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

And since it is the first day of December I thought I would share some christmasy pictures I took :)

 The first is my mini christmas tree in my room. It changes colour and is so pretty :) I plan to decorate my whole room with tinsel and fairy lights this weekend. Ah, how I love christmas.

The second was taken yesterday while it was snowing. This is my garden, all white and gorgeous :) it was so pretty but so so cold. And I did nearly die while walking to school. It was definitely worth it though :)


Happy first of December guys :)

Waiting On Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine where you share the the books you are anticipating.

So here is what I'm eagerly anticipating this week :)

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

When sixteen-year-old Consuela discovers she can remove her skin, revealing a lustrous mother-of-pearl skeleton, she slips into a parallel world known as the Flow, a place inhabited by archetypal teens with extraordinary abilities. Crafting skins out of anything – air, water, feathers, fire – she is compelled to save ordinary people from dying before their time. Yet now someone is murdering them, one by one, and Consuela finds herself the focus of an intricate plot to end the Flow forever when all she really wants is to get back home, alive. Goodreads


How awesome does that sound? So interesting and completely not done before. And the cover is just sensational, so pretty. I think it is a 2011 author debut so it can be used in the 2011 author debut challenge hosted by The Story Siren.


Abandon by Meg Cabot

She knows what it's like to die. Now Death wants her back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce knows what happens to us when we die.

That's how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who's made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible.

Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her.

What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows... just like she knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly Heaven. But she can't stay away from him, either, especially since he's always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.  Goodreads


Well, for starters, it's Meg Cabot. That is reason enough to want to. The cover is super gorgeous. It is a paranormal series and I am so excited to read it. It looks like its going to full of mystery and darkness. I can't wait for it to come out!


So that is what I've waiting for this week. What are you waiting for?

350 Page Books 2011 Challenge

This is a 2011 book challenge that encourages readers to read thicker books, past the 350 page mark. I was talking to Small Review about this, and how we were slightly put off by thicker books. I just read Beautiful Creatures which was around 560 pages. I loved it and I'm so glad I read it but it took a lot of effort to actually start it. The Challenge is being hosted by What's Your Story? and there are all the details on her site. The books do generally have to be YA but some adult fiction is allowed to :)


 The Guidelines:

• This challenge does not have to only include YA, but it should be predominantly YA that means at least 75% of the books you read should be young adult fiction.
• Each book MUST contain 350 pages or more.
• Only physical copies and e-books will count toward the challenge. (Sorry, but audio books don’t have pages!) YES, e-readers DO count! :) 
• You can add each book as you read them. You do NOT have to make a list.

I shall definitely be joining the fun. Also I would love to hear your recommendations of books I should read that are longer than 350 pages :)

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Snow has finally arrived :) I love snow! So white and fluffy and cold and... yeah you get the picture. It has been a fabulous day: snow, two lessons and sitting at home watching the snow with a hot cup of water. Its absolutely lovely. I would love to know if any of you have gotten snow, England is in a Big Freeze at the moment, with the most widespread snow in November in something like 17 years. Madness I tell you. It is the last day of November, with advents being opened tomorrow (yay). Are we all excited for Christmas yet or is it just too soon?


Onwards to the books. I love memes. I love reading them, I love taking part, I just love them.So I thought I would take part in Top Ten Tuesday this week. Each week the topic changes and you will have to answer what your top 10 things are in relation to the question. So this weeks question is:

Top Ten Character's I'd Like to Be Best Friends With 

1. Tibby from The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. She is just so fun and sarcastic and witty and I just love her. To be honest I would love to choose all the girls, though Carmen would be last.
2. Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter. He's just wonderful, so sweet and sincere. And he's into herbology so there is an instant connection (though I will admit I warm to a potions parter as well)
3. Colie from Last Chance/Keeping the Moon. I feel like I can relate to her. She is lovely and sweet and I really like her.
4. Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I'm a big fan. My mum had the videos of it and I read the book and she is so headstrong and passionate and loving. She would be a wonderful (albeit dramatic) best friend.
5. Hermione from Harry Potter. I'm rather studious myself, very focused on grades. And she loves to read. My inner geek and her would be a great pair.
6. Katniss from Hunger Games. She is very headstrong and she can shoot a bow and arrow, so if danger comes our way I will safe :)
7. Aria from Pretty Little Liars. Okay this is a slight cheat. I haven't read it (ordered it yesterday though xD) but I love her in the show so I'll cheat.
8. Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. I cheat again. I actually can't get over how hard this is. Blair is a slight bitch but a good friend and would bring down any girl or guy who messed with me. I kinda like that.
9. Sarah from The Little Princess. She is sweet and gorgeous and fabulous. I just want to shout "I'm a princess" when I watch the film (note to self: must read book) And her stories are just so fun
10. Auden from Along For The Ride. I love her. She is so sheltered and I feel like I could be a good enough girl friend and teach her the joys of girly thing (except pink. that will never be acceptable)

Wowza. I can't belive how long that took me. I was just staring into space trying to pull a name out of my head. This tells me I need to read books with better protagonists. I'd love to hear who you'd be best friends with :)