book update

I am meant to be finishing off my english assignment on Othello so instead I thought I'd finally do my book catch up! Here are quick little reviews on the books I've read over the past few months..

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

I really enjoyed this novel as it encompased food (my latest passion.. not that I actually cook myself.. just enjoy watching and reading about others cooking), love (always need a bit of fictional heartache) and a beautiful setting. Mum had be urging me to read this book for years now but somehow I always put another book in front of it. Anyway I'm glad I finally gave him some attention as it was a beautiful escape for a few days which I'd recommend to anyone!

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

I loved her previous novel Before I Die so when I saw she had a new novel out I did an inside dance on the way to the counter. I don't know if it topped Before I Die but I still enjoyed it none the less. It has has enough interesting twists to keep you turning the pages although it did feel a bit "he likes her" "she doesn't like him" "they like eachother" "she hates him" "he hates her" "they like eachother"... ladela. Luckily I'm a sucker for a bad romance (unintentional lady gaga song reference) but if you are not a fan of kinda childish romance then pass this one up.

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

I was actually pleasantly surprised with this one! I have read a few books based around the fantasy element of angels which were all lovely but not particularly any different from your regular teen fantasy book BUT I feel this one actually gave justice to the genre! It felt like they'd legit done their research on the myths and legends behind angels and used those to provide a more realistic (as realistic as a book about angels can be) novel overall.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Ignore the book title and the corny cover art, although yes this certainly does fit under the beach read category it is still a beautifully written and quite complex book! I really enjoyed learning about the characters in this book and thought the author gave great insight into the themes which where confronted. Perfect holiday read!

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

I read 2 of Lauren Kate's previous novels which I really enjoyed although this book was a bit of a let down. It was just frustrating and repetitive. The only redeeming factor was a clever twist at the end. Still- not worth it.

Chasers by James Phelan

Read this one if you're a fan of sci-fi end of world kinda books! Although it's a bit slow at the beginning it has such a great twist at the end it is completely worth it! Plus it's series! It has a great use of real knowledge and facts mixed with the fiction which creates an interesting book that isn't too easy to put down.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

News of the World quoted this book as "heartbreakingly good.. up there with Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones... Impossible to forget." I think that sums up this novel pretty well! They say it takes a mature writer to write about immaturity and I think this book definetly gives justice to that saying. I finished it off in under 48 hours which gives you an idea of how good I think it is!

A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly

This book is set in the early 1900's which I found really interesting as I've never read a book set in that time era! It takes modern day issues but expressed in such a different time which gives a completely different slant on the same problems any teenage girl faces. It is so beautifully written and the imagery is right up there with Frankenstien which is a petty big statement considering the whole bloody book is written about imagery...

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

About a year ago I heard that Carrey Mulligan would be starring in this movie called Never Let Me Go so I wrote it up on a sticky note in my room to go rent out, simply because I am obsessed with Carrey Mulligan. A few months later I looked up that a: it hasn't been released yet, b: it had keira knightley in it too! and c: it's based on a book. A few days later I went and bought it because I hate seeing movies before reading the book versions of it first. I had no idea what to expect for this book but it's safe to say it exceeded my expectations considerably. It is the most complex and unique idea for a book I've read about since Hunger Games. I don't want to go into too much detail because it's the kind of book that is great to read about with no prior knowledge on the subject matter but basically.. just read it. BEFORE THE MOVIE.

The Girl who kicked the Hornett's Nest by Stieg Larsson 

The last novel in the Millennium Series it finishes it off with an equal amount of horror and suspense. No point reading this until you've read the first 3 so go read the first 3 then ask me for my opinion on this book.. it may take a while!

Wish this was my room ^

I need a bigger book case. Good night!

my latest virtual and fictional escapes

Hunger Games 3, True Blood, Linger. I have consumed myself in these 2 books and 1 tv series everyday for the past month. Hunger Games I knocked off in 24 hours- so if that is any kind of indication how great the novel is then I don't think I even need to tell you to go buy the series. True Blood I'm up to season 3 and very much so addicted. Vampire porn eats school work most days. Linger is the latest book I finished which is the sequel to Shiver- I have to say I preferred Shiver more but it is still a beautifully written novel that is enjoyable to escape in. Once I finish True Blood I'll watch the last season of Entourage then I'm onto Weeds!

spells

So I just finished reading the sequel to the best selling series "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike and I was content with the results although somewhat DISSATISFIED with the ending :( It was mainly just happy for 3/4 of the book and then when finally the action comes in- nothing bad really happens either. Although it was cute, I thought it turned out to be a little immature and I pray the series isn't morphing into some tween based shit! But on a positive note, I did love the description to detail used and overall it was a beautiful book.

looking for alaska

Holy shit, I just noticed that 2 days ago it was this blog's one year anniversary! Did not know it existed for that long! yippee :D Anyway, I know I said this week was all about dedicated posts and I will continue with those but I just need to do a quick post on this absolutely fucking amazing book I just finished. It was too incredible to post about it any later. It's called "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. I have actually posted a couple of quotes from this novel in the past which inspired me to go read the book. It is the kind of book you put down afterward and you just can't let go of the characters, you need to make yourself a bit more like them. Alaska Young, the girl the book is more or less based around I have decided is the most strong minded, inspiring, vulnerable character I have come across in literature. She is wild and impulsive but so fascinating and different that she has actually inspired me to be a bit less guarded in life and to just let go. Anyway if I go any further it'll sound like I have some creepy lesbian book crush on her.. (which I don't.. I swear..) Go buy the book now! Now now now, no "oh.. sound's interesting. i'll have to read it one day".. NO. Right now get off your lazy ass, exit facebook and this blog and go buy this book. Thank-you :)

Above is couple of quotes from the book, forgive me if I've repeated some I've already posted. And below this I've posted a song created by some stranger after reading this book which I have to admit is bloody good and very catchy!

such a pretty girl

I recently read an extremely confronting, repulsing but incredibly well written and unique novel, called "such a pretty girl" by Laura Wiess. I found it at the state library on a school excursion a few weeks ago, admittingly only renting it out for the beautiful cover art. I had absolutely no idea what it was about really due to a vague blurb, considering the theme of the novel. The story is about a girl whose father has just got out of jail for child molestation, which he did to her, her boyfriend, and other boys and girls. It is a sad, traumatizing story that literally keeps you turning the pages at warp speed, half out of fear. Anyway, I've made it sound really disgusting and creepy but it's actually so inspiring and very well written.

"scat kitty cat scat"

I just finished reading this lovely short novel written by Lisa Schroeder and I wanted to share this incredible quote from the book..

"Guilt reminds me
of a stray
cat.

You chase it away
and yet,
it comes back
when you least expect it.

If you let yourself
feel pity for it and
feed the thing,
it parks its ugly,
puny,
lonely-for-attention
butt
on your doormat
and won't
go
away.

Scat,
kitty cat,
scat.
I don't need you
sitting around here
like that. "

shiver

One of the most beautiful series I've ever read, everything from the cover art, to the font, down to the way it is written is so flowing and graceful. I thought these photo's above well represented the theme of the book.. I won't say anything else other then go buy it now!!

- Anna.

wings

I just finished the most beautifully, intriguing and fairytale-like book I have ever read!


I am actually in love with Wings by Aprilynne Pike!
I have always been a sucker for fantasy and romance novels but this one has really stuck to me.
Faeries are every little girl's dream and this talented author manages to make a book about them that still appeals to teenagers. I love everything about the book from the explicit detail of the scenery to the lovable characters and the addictive storyline.
Not to mention its a 4 part series so I have 3 more magical novels to look forward to!
The only downside to this beautiful series is that MILEY CYRUS is going to be in the movie that disney is making of it. I was so thrilled when I heard it was getting made into a movie. Then I read that they have cast Miley Cyrus and it has ruined all hope for that.
But other then that, the books are incredable.


I found this drawing a fan did of two of the main characters in the novel, Laurel and Tanami. This is exactly how I imaged them both...

source here ^

- Excited, Anna

books books and more books

Books are one of the greatest escape from reality humans have come up with I believe. I am constantly reading or re-reading books, unable to go to sleep without reading first. I think my wall mounted shelves could collapse any moment now crushing the keyboard and my hands. So, I thought I'd share some of my favourite recent and old books with other book worms who could be reading right now.


The Host / Twilight - Stephanie Meyer

Obviously everyone has heard of twilight so I won't go there. After reading the twilight series time and time again I was strangely put off reading the other novel by this talented author, quite stubborn to try reading about something else she has written that does not involve really good looking vampires. Although I'm glad I broke down and bought The Host just a week or so ago. It is truly an amazing book with such a surreal concept it takes a good quarter of the book to understand it. I won't go into script detail because it will give it all away but please go buy it! Before the movie is produced and spoilers are everywhere!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

I love fantasy books and The Hunger Games definetly falls under this category. The storyline and idea is so so unique that when reading I had to stop just to marvel at how the author came up with such a concept. It pulls romance, action, fantasy, war and techonology all into a compulsivley suspencful novel. I've read the first two books in the trilogy and enjoyed it so much that I think I'm almost ready to re-read them already.

Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

A truly inspiring book with lovable characters and devastating themes. She makes an after-life book objectively, letting only imagination taint her beliefs. I love that.

How I Live Now- Meg Rosoff

If you enjoy old war stories, romance, a touch of incest (but not in a disturbing way- trust me) and thought-provoking themes then this book will be in your best interest. It is a lovely story that will keep you for days wondering afterward.


I'll leave it there for now otherwise I'll keep going all night.

- Anna.