Follow Friday

What makes up your nonhuman family?

The pet I have is a fish. It is pitiful. I love animals. I really want a cat or a dog but my sister is allergic to the former and my dad is terrified of the latter.  I'd share a picture of my goldfish but you all know what they look like. Pretty similar. It ate one of its fish friends once too. Great pet.

"Why do you read the genre that you do?  What draws you to it?"

I love YA books because I am a teenager at the moment and I find having the protagonist the same age as me means they are easier to relate to. Teenagers are really interesting to hear thoughts about because they are ending one stage or their life and beginning another. They are fighting for independence, experiencing first love and discovering who they really are. I love being involved the in the journey they take. It doesn't hurt that the covers are are generally gorgeous. 

My First Feature

It is the first time I have been featured on another blog and I am super excited. I am the first person to take part in Five on Friday over at On The Nightstand on Catherine's blog. She is so lovely and did a quick interview about my reading habits and what I've been reading recently. Come and stop by here :)

Read, Review and Recommend (2)

This week Small Review is guest blogging and sharing a book she wants to recommend to you all. She has the most wonderful blog so if you haven't visited it, stop by here. Her blog is not only fabulous but she is just the sweetest thing. She is definitely the type of person who will answer any questions you have. I'll let Small Review take it away....


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Title: Brightly Woven

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: March 23, 2010

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 368

Source: Library, then bought

Rating: 5 out of 5!

I don’t know about you, but whenever I pick up a book a little part of me is always hoping it will be *THE* book. The book that I fall madly in love with. Where the characters grab hold of my heart. The book that doesn’t just become another reading experience, it becomes a part of me. Do you know what I mean? Anyone?

When I first read the description for Alexandra Bracken’s 2010 debut Brightly Woven that little part of me stirred and thought, “Hey, this book could be *THE* book!”

Dare I dream? I tried to convince myself not to get my hopes up. How many times have I read a description, gotten my hopes up, and then been utterly disappointed? Really, finding *THE* book is a very rare occurrence, and I am already lucky enough to have found a few. I should just count my blessings and forget about ever finding another.

But I never listen to myself. Especially when it comes to books. So when that fateful day finally came and Brightly Woven made its way to my library system I ran right out and grabbed it before anyone else could. I snatched it off the shelf and scurried up to the checkout counter with it pressed against my chest, daring anyone to try and take it from me. This book was mine and I was determined to love it.

And, oh my gosh, love cannot describe what I feel for this book. Adore? Cherish? Glorify? Treasure? No, none of these words are good enough. All of my expectations for this book not only came true, but they were blown out of the water! I actually found *THE* book!!

I am a character girl through and through. If the characters in a book are good, I almost don’t care about the plot. That happened here. Sydelle Mirabil and Wayland North are totally awesome. Totally.  How much do I sound like a 12-year-old fangirl? Well, that’s what the sheer awesomeness of these characters reduces me to. A flailing, beaming, OMGAWESOME!!!-ing fangirl.

Sorry, I know that’s a terrible way to write a review. I should tell you about Sydelle’s courage, determination, and spirit. She’s a smart cookie and she isn’t about to just fall swooning (like I totally did) over North just because he’s a handsome wizard with a charming and protective personality. He drinks, he’s dirty, and he’s keeping secrets Sydelle is determined to learn the answers to. As much as I’m reduced to a pile of blubbering *squeee* over North, I have to admire Sydelle’s intelligence and caution. She’s a heck of a lot more like Hermione than Bella.

Ah, but North. He’s as charming as he is irreverent. He’s like a naughty puppy who just peed on your carpet. Do you say “Bad Dog!” and punish him by, (well, I don’t actually know a puppy punishment because I’ve never managed to give one)? No, you do not. He looks at you with those adorable puppy dog eyes and you melt into a gooey puddle and give him a cookie. That pretty much sums up what I’ve got going with Wayland North.

Sydelle and North could spend the entirety of Brightly Woven sitting around reading the phone book and picking their noses and I’d love it. But of course they don’t do that. They’re right smack in the middle of an adventure that is an edge-of-your-seat romp complete with deadly wizard duels, court drama, dangerous traveling, a war brewing between kingdoms, and inexplicably bad weather. How exciting does that sound? And it is, trust me. I was flying through these pages. There really was never a dull moment.

There isn’t a sequel to this book. It doesn’t need one. The story is a standalone. But I want a sequel. I want it! I want it! I want it! Yes, now I sound like a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum. But I want more Sydelle and North and I don’t care how I sound. I’ve even written the publisher to ask for (beg for) more. I obsessively follow Alexandra Bracken’s blog looking for news (but I’m not scary about it or anything, really). To console myself, I’ll be reading this book again, and again, and again. It’s a good thing my copy is a sturdy hardcover.

So, how about it? You want in on this? I promise to play nice and share. Oh, go on, go get yourself a copy and join me in cheering Sydelle and swooning over North. Because, seriously, this really is *THE* book.


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How can I say no to that? Another book added to my TBR Pile.  Find it here on goodreads and add it to your TBR pile today :)


A huge thank you to Small Review for volunteering her time and sharing this great review.  Remember to stop by here

Read, Review, Recommend

Read, Review, Recommend is a weekly feature where guest bloggers choose a book to recommend and review it. This is the first one so I hope you all enjoy it. I have to say that there is no one I would rather have as my first guest blogger. Melissa is the sweetest thing and her blog is just AMAZING. I'm sure most of you have checked it out (she has over 500 followers) but if you haven't you must. I'll let Melissa take it away...

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First of all, let me give a big thank you to Alice for letting me take over her blog to feature a review here today! Reviews are probably my favourite part of the book blogosphere because it lets me get to know blog authors by their taste in books, and I’ve worked hard to establish my own voice when it comes to reviewing. So, I decided to share with you one of the best reads I’ve read so far this year…and it came as a huge surprise, too, which makes it even better!

For those that follow my blog, you know that I hate vampires. A lot. They sparkle, and glitter, and whine, and
bitch snark about their undying love for the much-too-pretty and perfect female love interest. So, when I was offered Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar for review, I’ll admit that I hesitated a little bit.

This book shocked me with its brilliance. The story is alive with detail, rich with intrigue, and merges a blend of steampunk, dystopian world where vampires roam free and humans are subservient to the vampire empires of the world. Rich and descriptive, the story is fueled by incredible characters, namely Adele and the Greyfriar. There are touches of mythology thrown into the mix that heighten the intrigue of the story and keep the fast-paced plot going.

As you probably know if you read my blog, I don’t like giving away too many plot details in my reviews, so I’ll just leave it at that, but I have to say that husband and wife author duo, Susan and Clay Griffith created a masterpiece with The Greyfriar…and here’s the kicker – it’s a series! This is just book one!

I highly, highly recommend this book to all paranormal and steampunk fans, especially those who love vampire books. If you want to view my full review, feel free to click here!


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What a great review! Definitely go check out Melissa's blog I Swim For Oceans and I promise you won't regret it!

Blogger Break

I just thought I should warm you that blogging and reading is going to be a little slow until the 19th of January. I've got exams on the 10th, 11th and 19th, as well as essays and lessons and homework and it is killing me. I really wish I could blog more and read more. I'm going through a reading funk anyway and I can't seem to get into a book. There will still be my new blogger spotlight Read, Review, Recommend on Fridays as I have preplanned and I only have to click publish! I love that I can be organised sometimes (rare I know). So if you don't seem much of me I'm sorry. I will still be stalking all your blogs (secretly when I should be revising) though I probably won't be able to comment much. I do, however, make an oath to comment lots after the 19th. Exams are such a fabulous way to begin the year (not!). Thank you for being so understanding and I wish to see you soon!


Adiós for now.

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Krisit at The Story Siren where you show the books you got this week!


It is the first IMM of 2011 (YAY) and I can't really believe it. Time flies. I didn't get too many books this week because it was the week after Christmas so I apologise for the lack of books. The video is also kinda out of sync (sorry) but I was too exhausted to do it again.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Undaunted by William Manchee

So what did you get in your mailbox?

What Should I Read Next? (2)

Once a month you get to choose a book I read this month. I love getting your suggestions and seeing which books you think I would like. There will be a poll on my sidebar where you can vote.


The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies – or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world...and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift, but now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer – and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer...and becoming his prey herself.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey
dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in
town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Everyone has something to hide—especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.

But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

If you have any suggestions that are not listed above you can post them in the comments section. I'd love to hear them :)