Tuesday Top Ten: Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

I have too many books really that apply, this week's topic was TOO relevant. 

1. One Day by David Nicholls - Okay, so it was the book everyone was talking about and reading and loving. It was the book I heard about before the whole thing with the movie (another movie I am yet to watch but want to so badly). I saw this in a charity shop for like £2 over a year ago, bought it and since then, it's been sitting on my shelf unread.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusack - I saw so many good reviews for this book on the blogosphere and when I was studying Nazi Germany for GCSE's (WHICH WAS 2 YEARS AGO), I bought this book to help me learn it for the exam, because I find it easier to read what I'm learning in history in a novel. Yeah, that happened. 

3. Velvet by Mary Hooper - Mary Hooper is an insta-buy on my watch. Therefore, when this came out a couple of weeks ago, I desperately wanted a copy before everyone else to judge for myself because I love her writing so much. Again, yeah, that happened...

4. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - When I left secondary school, I was given a voucher with this Governor's award thing to buy some books. I bought this and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier because they both meant something to me, special books. That was in the summer of 2011. I even went to the signing for A Monster Calls, got it signed by Patrick Ness and Jim Kay and yet I HAVEN'T READ IT (What is seriously wrong with me?!)

5. Across the Universe by Beth Revis - This is actually a proof I discovered in my local British Heart Foundation charity shop which I think I bought for about £1.50. One of the hottest books around, one I knew I would enjoy and all for under £2? Bargain. That would be fantastic...if I'd actually read it straight away. The whole bargain thing has worn off a bit). 

6. The Killables by Gemma Malley - I've been a huge fan of The Declaration series for quite a while now so when I heard about her new book last year, it was a must buy for me. I bought it at work, went home excited to have a copy of this on my bookshelf...and then promptly forgot about it. A whole year - it's time I think. 

7. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger - I bought this with The Killables. When I found out this was FINALLY making its way to UK bookshops, I was so pleased as I'd seen so many great reviews around the blogosphere from American bloggers. Obviously THAT excitement was short lived for me. I really don't know why I do this to myself really...

Have you read any of these books? Which ones would you recommend (so I can *finally* read them!)?

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Bookish Moments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

1. JOHN GREEN TALK - I think many Nerdfighters will top this as the best moment ever. At the end of the talk, I just looked at my friend Ellie and said 'What just happened?' which I think pretty much sums up everything. Amazing. Absolutely once in a lifetime moment. (I'm in the middle of preparing a post all about it!)

2. When Patrick Ness knew who I was - This is an interesting and slightly weird anecdote. I went to an event for the publication of an anthology all on the subject of *small voice* virginity where many famous authors - Mary Hooper, Sophie McKenzie and Patrick Ness - contributed (for the record I was going for the authors rather than the book, which I still have). I had written a review on Amazon and the blog commenting on these spaces that I saw in Losing It, the anthology, when flicking through. Was it a printing error? Or was it intentional? At the signing, I told Patrick my name for him to sign (after an awkward exchange when I thought I was related to Mary Hooper) and his reaction? 'Are you the Rebecca that wrote that comment on Amazon because those blanks were intentional'. Yes. Oh yes. I had a lovely chat with him and the next day, looking at his blog, I noticed he mentioned the event I had attended saying 'Got to meet lots of readers, including Rebecca from the Comments page; Hi Rebecca!'. I fangirled for a long time...

3. First being tweeted to by Marie-Louise Jensen and Caroline Lawrence - Caroline Lawrence and Marie-Louise Jensen are authors that I have grown up with, especially Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries series (which I've loved since I was 8) so the first time they tweeted me, it was a moment of shock and just happiness on my part. I love that you can do that on Twitter with people that have been a part of your life for a long time. 

4. When John Green made an appearance in an English Literature class - Not literally unfortunately. We were studying The Great Gatsby, a book John Green has made numerous videos about. As an introduction, our teacher was like 'Here's a Youtube video I found that explains the basics of what happens' and suddenly there was John Green's face. I think two of us said in unison 'THAT'S JOHN GREEN' in excited tones - me and a girl in the class who I didn't know too well at the time, Emma. Emma is now one of my closest friends. John Green truly unites people. 

5. Meeting Mary Hooper - Ditto really to #3, I've read Mary Hooper's books throughout my teenage years so to meet her and get my dog-eared copy of Eliza Rose signed was simply magical. She was so lovely and wanted to hear truthfully what I thought of her books which I think she liked my ranting for like 5 minutes about how great a writer she is. And she was thrilled to find out her books had got me into historical fiction. 

6. Getting a job at Waterstones - Ironically, the moment I heard I'd got a permanent job at Waterstones (after being a temp over Christmas) was in a lunch break for a Great Gatsby conference trip I was on with my English Literature class (was so much more interesting than it sounds). My manager rang me up and asked me a couple of questions before dropping the bomb that they wanted me to work there at the weekends, I think I giggled and was high pitched and talked around in circles as he spoke to me but I came back from lunch to tell my teacher that I'd picked up a job in our lunch break. Fate, methinks. 

7. Feeling a part of the blogging community - Whenever I see a lovely comment or get tweeted or mentioned by another blogger, it just makes me realise how much of an impact being a blogger has on my day to day life. I once thought people would find me weird to admit that, but my friends think it's pretty cool - one way to work out your true friends really...

Tuesday Top Ten: Frustrating Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

I think we can all point to a few characters that drove us crazy throughout the book they are featured within for a number of reasons, be it they were just plain mean, unrelatable or just simply annoying. 

1. Hannah from 13 Reasons Why - Okay, so I know Hannah kills herself and dies before the novel even begins but I still found her silly, little tapes incredibly annoying and in a way, a little attention-seeking. Hannah kills herself because of 13 different people doing things to her and making her life difficult so to point this out to them after her death, she rotates the tapes around the people as they discover what they did wrong. I read this a while ago but from what I can remember, some of her reasons were so bad for a reason to die. It really wasn't realistic. WHY DO THAT ANYWAY?!

2. Cassia and Ky from the Matched series - From the moment I began reading Matched, I definitely wasn't pro-Cassia and then when Ky zoomed into the story, ruining the lovely relationship of Cassia and Xander, I definitely didn't like him. Ky was a bit of a pathetic character for me in this series, always doing completely stupid things. I've just recently finished the last book in the series, Reached, where I actually liked Ky by the end! So not all bad. 

3. Zelda from the Once series - Oh. MY. If there was ever a character to win 'I was to punch you in the face despite being a child' award, Zelda is the one to win this numerous times. She is saved by the ever-so lovely but naive Felix yet she was so mean! And Felix thought she was his best friend?! It was the fact she kept saying 'Don't you know anything?' that really got on my nerves...

4. Ed from Why We Broke Up  - Oh buttons, this guy deserves all the abuse reviewers throw at him. So one minute, he's all like 'You are amazing Min, I love you, let's be together' and the next, he publicly humiliates Min and they break up for one of the most shocking and horrible reasons after a month of dating and making Min fall in love with him. Urgh, so annoying.  

5. Shay from the Uglies series - From the moment Tally and Shay become friends at the beginning of the book, I knew Shay wouldn't get any better. She is so demanding, annoying and just plain rude most of the time and expects everyone to follow what she wants to do. So selfish. Hate this character so much. 

6. Regina from Confessions of an Angry Girl - I think the connotations of the name (in reference to Mean Girls) say everything about why this girl is frustrating. She ruins Rose's life because she talks to a guy who, I quote, she is 'sort of going out' with. WHAT?

Top Ten Tuesday: Older Books that Shouldn't be Forgotten

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

This is a little bit of a quickie post, I've just got back from lunch and before that, this pointless assembly thing at college. Thankfully it only lasted over an hour instead of two. 
So I have a lot of work I want to get done. However, I couldn't ignore this topic for this week's Top Ten Tuesday. It's a real thinker and I am concerned at times that bloggers nowadays in the book blogging community only care about the future or present releases. I once saw a blogger moan about how many review boos they had and that they had no time to finish a series because they needed to stay recent. Maybe that's the key to a successful book blogger - I don't know.
Anyway, here are my top five books I hope will still be around when my niece (I WILL HAVE A NIECE SO I CAN BE THE COOL AUNT)/children are my age. 

1. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne - This book introduced me in a way to the world of Nazi Germany, a period of time I know a lot about now. I really hope these kind of books are still around in 2030. It's a classic. (review)

2. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - Merely because recently this has impacted my life a lot. Also, it makes my name a tad more interesting in my own opinion. Although I wasn't named after this book, it's nice to think it may have helped make my name popular of the 90's. And also, this is a great book. (review)

3. The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen - This series renewed my love for historical fiction, romance, the YA genre and reading more in general in like Year 8 before I started the blog. Just a great series that I think everyone I know who has read them enjoyed. (review for #4)

4. The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence - One reason for this. These books were my childhood books. I've read all them as I've grown up and loved them. And made a love for mythology and boy, did some of the facts I learnt from this series of books help me in last year's Classics exam. Also Lawrence is lovely too! (review for #17)

5. Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld - I feel this series helped shape modern dystopian writing as after reading this series, I keep noting similarities in more recent dystopian. And also this series is amazing, so well thought of, it would be a shame to be forgotten. (review for #1)

Tuesday Top Ten: Series I haven't finished.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

(Quick message. I just realised I have 100 followers now! Thank you all so much for following the blog, however long its been. Keep commenting and let me know what you think!)

Every reader's had it. You start a series, knowingly or not, and then face the problem of choosing to hunt around bookstores or libraries to find the next in the series or wait until the book comes along. Like fate as such. I'm one of these people that I really have to dislike a book in order not to finish the series.
This week's topic is interesting and has made me realise the numerous possibilities (and faults on my part) why I haven't finished a series. Awaiting release, haven't got round to reading it yet, haven't got a copy - here are some of the series and their reasons why I haven't quite heard the last of them yet.

(I'm going to exclude books where the next book in the series hasn't been realised because I can't help that!)


1. Diving In - Kate Cann - I read the first book in this series out of curiosity. Never again. One of the worst books I have read. I think my review says it all (review)


2. The Hunger Games Series: Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - I have a small problem with the fact I think 'Ooo pretty book' or in this case 'AH HUNGER GAMES' and buy it and then not read it for a while. I've got as far as book 2 - just need to get to book 3. Although I think I know what happens anyway :S (review for #1) (review for #2)


3. The Chemical Garden series: Fever by Lauren DeStefano - Same as #2. BUT THE BOOK IS SO PRETTY. Also, as a sidenote, Lauren DeStefano rocks. You know why? SHE POSTS SOME OF THE MOST CUTEST PICTURES OF HER CATS ON INSTAGRAM. Seriously, most of the pictures I like on Instagram is of her cats. It's an obsession okay... (review of Wither #1)


4. Jane Austen series: Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend by Cora Harrison - Oh, Rebecca let's just BYPASS THE SEQUEL TO 'I was Jane Austen's Best Friend' AND MOVE ONTO CORA HARRISON'S NEXT SERIES, 'Debutantes'. You know, that works. 
Oh why I haven't read this book? Similar to #2 & #3. But Cora Harrison doesn't post pictures of cats unfortunately. She's still great though... (review for #1) (review for Debutantes)


5. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - Maybe I'm just blind, maybe just it hasn't come out in the UK? Whatever the reason, I am yet to see a hard physical copy that I am able to pick up of this book. 
Equally, I thought the first book, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, was just alright, so I'm not exactly running around the libraries across London to get this book. (review for #1)


6. Delirium series: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - I've only just caught the Lauren Oliver bug when I read Delirium, the first book. I'm definitely up for the sequel (and then the third book...) but I just haven't got a copy yet. That may be rectified at Christmas. (review for #1) (review for Before I Fall)


7. Bumped series: Thumped by Megan McCafferty - Urgh. Bumped. That was quite an interesting and enlightening read, I have to say, but let's just say I'm not crazy about it. Then, once I heard the second book was called Thumped, that sealed this series fate. BUMPED? THUMPED? Oh dear Mother of Squirrels. (review for Bumped)


8. Noughts and Crosses: Double Cross by Malorie Blackman - I read and loved the first three Noughts and Crosses books, and even met Malorie Blackman a year ago (so lovely!). But I got a copy of the last in the series for a Christmas years and years ago but just wasn't a fan anymore. I can't even remember what happened in the first three books completely, only a hazy memory of the first book, so I don't think I'll ever finish this series which is a shame. 


And some series I haven't even started too...
- The Summer series by Jenny Han - Long story. 
- Across the Universe by Beth Revis
- Divergent by Veronica Roth - I have heard amazing things however!
- The Flappers series by Jillian Larkin

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make You Think

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

With the anniversary of 9/11 today, this week's TTT is on Books that have made me think. This can be the world, my life, people - anything. As long as it made you think more about the themes or topic that the book is centred around. So, here are mine.


1. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler - Although not everyone's cup of tea, this book certainly made me think. Set in 1996, Emma and Josh log onto Facebook and find themselves in years later in 2011. This made me think 'What if I could look into the future?' What would I do? What would my life be like? Would I be happy? Why do we just the Internet so much (says the person with a blog...)? (review)

2. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne - I think I need not say why. The ending of this book (or indeed from the movie) sums it up. (review)

3. Once/Then/Now/After by Morris Gleitzman - I think sometimes when we talk about the Holocaust or World War Two, at least, we forget about children, often talking about adults and teenagers. Especially those running away. Once showed me a rawness and innocence and even a naivety of children that I will not forget when I both see children and when I talk about WWII. (review of Once)

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Most people fear death. But what would you do if you know death was immediate, going to happen at any moment as you enjoyed your day? Hazel has cancer in this book. A young girl that has cancer and relies on a breathing machine. At 17, it's hard for me to imagine living Hazel's life. Anyone who has read this book, I sure hope would agree with me. (review)

5. Speak/Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Andersen - Anything by Laurie Halse Andersen is sure going to make you think about your life, yourself and the people around me. I have only ever read these too books but both made me feel something I can't explain, especially Wintergirls. These books deal with anorexia, self-esteem, bullying and the issue of rape. Some of the scenes in these novels really hit home during reading. (review for Speak) |  (review for Wintergirls)

6. The Declaration series by Gemma Malley - The opposite of The Fault in Our Stars. What if you could live forever? I mean, seriously, what would happen, no-one has thought of that!? In this series, Malley looks at the effects on the world, England in particular, if we could all live forever, if we relied on a set of drugs to keep us alive continuously. Would we go to school? Would we have jobs? What would the world be like if no-one died but women kept on giving birth? (review)

7. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - This is the first dystopian book I ever read and I think that alone made me think about the world around me. This was more of a 'grown-up' book for me when I picked it up the first time and I think that alone gave me something to think about. If you haven't read this, do it. Go and just read this. (review)

8. Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld - I've only read this series of books recently. Scott Westerfeld deals with so many issues, not just the whole Ugly/Pretty system and the controlling government. There are issues of bullying, plastic surgery, friendships, self-harming, effects of drugs and alcohol but most of all the issues we all have with beauty and trying to look good all the time. Most people may not seem vain, but this series of books has proven that everyone is always wanting some trivial. (review)

Tuesday Top Ten: Books I HAD to buy...but yet to actually read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 


FREEBIE WEEK. I saw this as a past topic and thought it appropriate. 
For the last couple of weeks, I have seen reviews or people have asked me of books which I know are sitting lonesome on my bookshelf after me splurging on buying them - waiting for the day I will finally pick them up to read. It's actually really bad, the amount of books I need/want to read that I have available to me - yet I simply feel I have no time to read them in my life or that I put the book off seeing another book I want to read in the library. It's bad, I know. 
So here are some books that need some attention from sitting unread on my bookshelf waay too long (I do want to read them!):


1. What Happened to Goodbye - Sarah Dessen - I pre-ordered this for its UK release last June. YES. LAST JUNE. I have nothing else to say apart from I am ashamed. 


2. Fever - Lauren DeStefano - I bought this only in February yet it feels like it's been gathering dust on my bookshelf for a long time. I read the first book in the series, Wither (review), at the end of 2011 so I was sort of still in the 'OH MY GOD WITHER' mood for the UK release of Fever. 


3. The Killables - Gemma Malley - When I heard that Gemma Malley was releasing another book after the success of The Declaration series (reviews for Book 1, 2 and 3), I was very happy and excited. So when at work, this was on sale, I jumped at the chance in my excitement. 


4. One Day - David Nicholls - since this release last year and then the sudden surge in popularity following the film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, I had searched high and low for this book at the best price because I loved the idea. Eventually, I found this in a charity bookshop near my college for I think about £1.99/£2.99. Despite my delight for acquiring a copy for so cheap, I am yet to wallow in the cheapness of such a book (meaning I haven't read it yet...)


5. Alone in Berlin - Hans Fallada - Alone in Berlin. One of the novels that had intrigued me for years since starting to study the Second World War. Similarly to One Day, I bought this in the charity shop I worked in last summer after a customer told me it was the best book he had ever read when I was looking at it. I took that as a recommendation. 


6. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak - I bought this in Waterstone's infamous 3 for 2 offer that included Never Let Me Go (another one that could be added to this list) and If I Stay (review). I bought this as they recommended it to me for my History GCSE which was partly on Nazi Germany - the setting for this book. I am so rubbish. Here's the 'On My Bookshelf' that I posted it in - click here


7. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han - Ah, the Waterstone's 3 for 2 offer strikes again. I bought this in my first 'On My Bookshelf' meme (click here to have a lookie) which was on 25th August 2010. THAT WAS NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. AND THIS IS STILL ON MY SHELF UNREAD. I wanted to read it because I loved the synopsis and the cover. I can't have loved it THAT much though...(I am determined to read this before the 2 year mark)


8. A Company of Swans - Eva Ibbotson - I have all the Eva Ibbotson books. I wanted all of them because she was so good. Have I read them all even though she is my favourite author? Nein. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for Sarah Dessen fans

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 


I haven't done one of these is so long! 
This week's theme is books that people who love Sarah Dessen's books would also enjoy. (HINT: read some Dessen if you haven't already, she's quite marvellous). 
I love Sarah Dessen. With a passion (and not in a creepy way). Her books are so good and I love every single one I've read of hers completely. They have a similar plot and characters but I quite like knowing what the end will be like in a way.
My favourites have to be The Truth About Forever, Just Listen and Along for the Ride - but I would recommend any of them. Actually, I would say I like them so much that I simply can't review them on here as I don't think I can do them justice. 
So what makes a Sarah Dessen novel? Well, it's normally based around a female teenage protagonist which has a serious issue happening to her (e.g. divorce, death), a very nice looking guy that normally has some sort of friendly relationship with the protagonist - which turns into something more, some amazing friends that you wish you knew yourself and well, a lovely ending. These are just such lovely books to enjoy and sit down and just plain read. 


Reviews:        Dreamland    |    Infinity     
Here are some books that reminded me of her:


1. Audrey, Wait! - Robin Benway - Audrey, Wait! reminded me a lot of Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby with the music and popular culture references. It's also very similar in plot with a song that means something personal to the protagonist (Remy and Audrey) becomes a huge hit around the world and makes them kind of famous. I just liked the contemporary writing of this book and the amazing characters that as a reader, I really got to know and love. (review)


2. Teen Idol - Meg Cabot - This focusses on Jen who is 'everyone's best friend', much like Annabel in Just Listen before the whole thing with Sophie happens (kind of). Jen has to look after Luke Striker, a famous Hollywood actor who needs to be normal to experience a real high-school environment for a new movie. While Jen doesn't exact fall into Luke's arms by the end, she does fall into someone's. Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen totally both understand what being a teenager is like - completely. (review)


3. Saving June - Hannah Harrington - In my review for this book, I even wrote that the characters are very similar to Sarah Dessen and I still stand by that - especially The Truth About Forever and Just Listen. The plot and storyline constantly reminded me of Sarah Dessen also and I would definitely point this book out to anyone that was a Dessen fan - for sure. (review)


4. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler - This book for me was a massive mix of some of my favourite book such as Saving June, The Sky is Everywhere and of course, the Dessen. This is a real look at teenage problems, especially psychologically. This isn't the best book I've ever read but if you enjoy girly, teenage books, such as Dessen, then this would be right up your street! (review)


5. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin - This is a very fun and lovely read that any female teenager would enjoy. Zevin uses the same type of characters, plot and writing as Dessen that makes this lovely to read. It's also very mysterious as you have to find out what was happening in Naomi's life with her before she hits her head and wakes up remembering nothing. I think I need to re-read this for definite.(review)


6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky - Sarah Dessen is one of those authors I think every single female teenager should read and find out how to deal with the problems the protagonists face and because of the romance. However, I, then, read this book last year and realised that every single teenager should read this book - this, for me, is the survival guide to adolescence. Not a favourite of mine, but still, everyone should read it. (review)


7. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - Not only did this remind me of Sarah Dessen but also of John Green - another great author. I think this mostly for the setting as in all of Sarah Dessen's books, and in John Green's, the setting is so vividly described that you can imagine it quite easily which really can make or break a book sometimes - here the setting is the wonderful New York with landmarks mentioned that any tourist would recognise such as Macy's and places they wouldn't (some of which I would like to visit now). David Levithan's writing particularly reminded me of John Green whom he collaborated with for Will Grayson, Will Grayson. (review)


8. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - on the theme of books everyone should read, THIS. Before this year, I had never read a perfect book. Sure, Sarah Dessen was pretty close with Along for the Ride, Just Listen and The Truth About Forever but there was always something that, not ruined it, but didn't quite make it perfect for me. However, this is what I call the perfect book. Read it, and see. (review)

Top Ten Tuesday: Blogs/Sites I follow that aren't bookish

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.


This week is all about the blogs or websites I visit when I'm not looking at the bookish blogs I follow or Goodreads. 
Most of the alternative blogs I follow are fashion ones because well, I find them so interesting. I would love to have a fashion blog also but I know I wouldn't be as great at it than some bloggers out there. Enjoy, and check them all it, they're definitely worth a lookie.


1. WishWishWish - http://wishwishwish.net/ - This is a fashion and lifestyle blog written by the lovely Carrie. I read it because I just love her clothes and the photographs are so beautiful all the time. She goes on lots of travels around Europe frequently so I love to see her pictures of the city she visits, they are all such good photos. But her clothes are to die for...mm...

2. Blushing Ambition - http://blushingambition.blogspot.co.uk/ - This was one of the first fashion blogs I found done by Annabel, who lives in America. She mostly photographs her outfits and any food she goes out to eat (which is a lot) and always looks so yummy that I want to jump on a plane over there to join her!

3. It's Cohen - http://itscohen.blogspot.com/ - I found this when I was typing in 'Rebecca-Books' in Google (long story) and found this, also by a Rebecca about her life in Liverpool as well, as you've guessed it, her fashion and outfits. I love her clothes and the fact they are both accessible and so cheap to create from charity shops. It just shows how shopping from charity shops isn't that bad and can create a cheap yet great looking outfit.

4. oh emma - http://www.oh-emma.com/ - My friend introduced me to this blogger who is the same age as myself living in London so I love to hear about another teenager's perspective on life here. Her clothes are lovely and again, so accessible. I really love her clothes. Like really.

5. Queen Nessie - http://queennessie.blogspot.co.uk/ - Long term followers will have seen Nessie comment frequently and done a couple of guests posts (like here). She is one of my blogging friends, along with Amy who isn't blogging at the moment. Nessie runs a lifestyle/comment blog about her university life here in England and just everything and anything really. It's so interesting to read and I love to see what she has to say. No, this one isn't all about fashion.

6. Simple Sophie - http://www.simplesophie.com/ - this is probably the newest blog I found, which is of course a fashion blog run by 18 year-old English Sophie about her life and her various outfit. I also love her clothes again, especially her jewellery.

7. the stylish heart - http://thestylishheart.blogspot.co.uk/ - Again it's the clothes. This is run by Sarah who has the most loveliest hair that I wish my own hair would live up to. She also has a love for stripes and navy which really suits me because my fashion sense (or what I have of one) consists of mostly that: stripes and navy. She buys all her clothes off the high street so she gives me ideas of what I want to buy for the next season as well as how to wear the trends. Just...her clothes...

Tuesday Top Ten: Books that should be made into a movie

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.


This is a repeat of one I did when I started doing this meme last year (see here for my previous one). I do love book adapations - I mean who doesn't love to see their favourite books and characters brought to life? My problem is that sometimes it does ruin this amazing world that we can only invent in our heads. 
Here is my list of books I would LOVE to see (and can imagine) being made into movies...


1. Shadow Web - N.M.Browne - I will always stand by this one and my thoughts that it should be made into a film. Every time I re-read it, I can always imagine it so vividly in my head that I want to see it on screen. I can imagine the characters, the setting and I think it would make a great movie. This is such an under-awarded book and deserves to be made into a movie. So much. (review)


2. Audrey, Wait - Robin Benway - There are parts of this book that reminded me of the teenage dramas I watched when I was younger like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Saved By the Bell (totally showing I am a 90's kid right now...). There are moments when I was reading I could see this in a successful movie form - a teenage comedy perhaps with all the humour and mishaps in this book but with a lovely satisfying ending. One of those 'well-good-films'... (review)


3. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - so another 'well-good-film' that I can see being a teenage comedy with the sights of New York featuring every minute. Let's say it, The Strand IS a real place, therefore, it could be done. I would go to see this movie for the laughter and to see New York in general. Oh Dash... (review)


4. The Fault in our Stars - John Green - so I read somewhere when I finished this book, that a movie was in preparation, I think John Green sold the film rights for this book which is pretty awesome. I think this would be much like the book is itself if done well in movie form  with the mixtures of heart-wrenching moments, laughing your socks off and then, on the edge of your seat wanting to know exactly what happens. All I know is I would love to see a real Augustus Walters. (review)


5. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler - although I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted, throughout reading I could again see it as this perfect summer watch for us teenagers with a nice moral at the end. Anyone else? (review)


6. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin - This is another of those films much like Speak that gives you an insight into American high school life. I think this has been made into a movie in Asia (with Emma Roberts as the only English speaking character in it) so it would be good to be made into an English/American speaking movie. I can imagine it and it obviously can be done - I think this would be really popular... (review)




Books that have been/are going to be made into films:
- Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (review)   (film review)
- An Education - Lynn Barber (review)
- Becoming Jane (This is a lot like Cassandra's Sister by Veronica Bennett)
- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne (review)   (film review)
- Girl with the Pearl Earring - Tracy Chevalier (review)   (film review)
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky (review)
- The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (review)
- Speak - Laurie Halse Andersen (review)   (film review)
- The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness (review)
- Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck (review)

Tuesday Top Ten: Advice for New Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.  


So after saying yesterday, I wouldn't be posting that much on here due to exams and revision for them, here I am. This week the theme is advice I would give to new bloggers on starting a blog or more specifically a book blog. This is rather cool and I know I could have done with some advice when I started two years ago. These are some things I've picked up on while I've been around. 


1. Don't think that everything will fall into place straight away. This is something I thought would be easy to attain - you know, write a couple of reviews or things that are interested, comments on a couple of blogs and then I would have tons of followers and comments. Wrong - blogging takes time so don't assume everyone would know about your blog instantly. 


2. Blogging takes time to build up - and out of your life. So blogging is a huge part of my life, I check the blog everyday and catch up everyday before starting any homework on what people are posting about. I reply to comments/mentions and then, write a post or review if I need to or feel like it. I do that routine nearly everyday. Blogging takes so much time out of your life so you need to be prepared for that - like I said, everything doesn't fall into place straight away and it may seem pointless for a while. Some of my early reviews are really negative about the fact I am the only one reading it so this is your warning!


3. Stay Positive! Similarly, I was so negative and thought it sad I was the only one looking at my reviews/posts. But you shouldn't think negatively or horribly about what you're doing. If you are, perhaps you should have a break and return like I did. I started the blog in February 2010 but I didn't properly start it until July 2010 - 5 months where I just didn't see the point or want to blog. 


4. Don't become obsessed about comments or followers. I have 83 followers and I have been doing this for two years - sounds quite a few compared to some blogs where there are over 100 and they've been on the scene for 6 months. Yes, this annoys me. Do I worry? NO because I am happy at least someone is looking at my blog and it makes it all the more special when you DO get a new follower or comment.


5. CAPTCHA is the most hated thing in the blogging world (correct terminology: blogosphere). There has even been a campaign to get rid of it and raise awareness of our hate for it. WHY? I hear you ask. Well, for one, have you done one yourself? The words have become ridulously hard. Two: if someone is going to post a comment on your blog, they are more likely to keep try to post it without having to use CAPTCHA. For instance, if I had to reload the page and re-write my comment, I would rather just press 'Publish' and be done with it all rather than do though with it again. Also, some people don't realise it is there and click back. Result: comment not published and you lose more followers/comments. JUST DON'T USE IT. I have nothing, you post and it publishes straight away but if you are worried about spam, then have it so only you as a blogger agree if it can be viewed by other people or not. 


6. Try and join as many social networking sites as possible to promote your posts - and make new friends. I've seen a surge in followers/comments since I joined Twitter - it is the best place to join first as you can get in touch with other bloggers, publishers and authors this way in a more casual and relaxed atmosphere - I have done and received so many things because of Twitter. Have a smart phone? PERFECT - you can check your Twitter more regularly. 


7. Other website as a must to join: GOODREADS! This is the most amazing site to keep on top of your books - those you have read, are reading or want to read. It is such a good platform to raise awareness of your blog and reviews (you can post your reviews on there also) and find other bloggers through this too. Most bloggers I know have a Goodreads page both for blog and for personal reasons - it works and is one of my favourite websites for all things bookish. And it means you don't need to write your own synopsis as this helps you!


8. Don't feel you have to read the latest books. I have a thing about buying books so I mostly either go to the library or read books I already own or by authors I love. Therefore, when I started blogging, there were so many blogs out there that reviews these new amazing books that I wanted to read. But stick to the books closest to you then there is less pressure. I am still catching up on books I saw when I first started blogging. Anyway, if you let the hype die down, you can truly see if it's worth a read or not!


9. Be yourself. That is the most important rule of blogging. I enjoy blogging so much because it is part of me and the blog is my creation out of just being myself and doing something I love: reading. It is so worth while and while I'm starting to realise that this innocent little blog may help me with my future, it is worth all the hard work I put into it. All I'm saying is, go into blogging for the right reason - not the wrong one.


10. Have fun. That is the other important rule of blogging really. If you don't enjoy it, then, it's not worth doing it. I don't post as often as I like but still, when I do, I try to make the best I can and to have fun while doing it. I don't review some books I read because I know I don't enjoy writing the review. You have to love what you're doing to make the blog last long and be successful. 

Tuesday Top Ten: Books to read in a day

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 


This week's theme is books that I would recommend to ANYONE to read within a day - or I have done so myself (although as I'm quite a slow reader and have limited time ALL THE TIME, it is rare for me to read a book in a day)


1. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - I have literally just finished this this morning and honestly, right now, I would make someone read it for the rest of the day to see the amazingness of this book. My friend, Emma, in fact did read this in a day - a college day. How, I do not know. Another friend, George - two days (one of which she was working). THIS IS A QUICK BOOK BECAUSE IT IS SO GREAT. (prepare for my rant on how amazing this is later in the week)


2. Shadow Web - N.M.Browne - this is one of those rare books which I have in fact read in a day. This is a dark horse of YA - I think it should get so much more attention that it actually gets. I just love the idea of it. (Review)


3. Once - Morris Gleitzman - This is a short story, so therefore, it is easy enough to read within a day, even if you were doing something e.g. working. The other two books in the series are equal in length - if you try this one, check out the sequel Then - written so well. (Review)


4. The Lover's Dictionary - David Levithan - this isn't one of my favourite books ever read but it is pretty darn powerful and great to read. It may not be particularly memorable plot-wise, but the format is the thing that is memorable and original - it is written in the form of a dictionary with words that mean something to a couple. With some pages only having a sentence, I flew through this book eagerly. (Review)


5. Star-crossed - Rachel Wing - This looks like one of those 'typical' fluffy teenage books for younger teens. And in a way it is. BUT HOLD YOUR HORSES ON YOUR JUDGEMENTS, this was a lovely little find for my 14 year-old self. It is written in 2nd person which makes it so interesting. And it is absolutely hilarious at points and so heart-breaking at others. Read it. (Review)

Tuesday Top Ten: Books On My Spring To-Be-Read list

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 

This week's theme is Books that are on my to-read list this Spring because well, I need to get round to reading them - like now. Next week, I go on half term (or Spring Break) for two weeks so MEGA reading time - although revising will be on the agenda...


1. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

2. The Girl in the Mask - Marie-Louise Jensen

3. Divergent - Veronica Roth

4. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison

5. Fever - Lauren DeStefano

6. Beautiful Days - Anna Godbersen

7. What Happened To Goodbye - Sarah Dessen (WHY HAVE I WAITED THIS LONG TO READ THIS?!)


8. Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

9. Velvet - Mary Hooper

10. The King's Speech - Mark Logue


AND SO MANY MORE. It's crazy...

Tuesday Top Ten: Favourite Book Covers

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. 


This week's theme is my favourite book covers, and THERE ARE A FEW. So this may just be rambling on about how pretty books are in general because I ALWAYS judge a book by it's cover - just a warning before we start.  


*Some of the covers may be different to others as I live in the UK*

 The Lover's Dictionary - David Levithan


This is the hardcover version and I don't know why but I love it.
It was what drew me towards the book, I liked the italic writing, the way it is arranged into a heart and the 'V''s being in a different colour.
It is such a simple cover but did it for me.

 Wither - Lauren DeStefano


Let's face it, this is going to be on most of these posts. But it is so beautiful.

What I like about it is that although some covers have pictures and colours that vaguely relate to the book, all the aspects of this cover make sense and relate utterly to the novel.
The subtle circles to highlight the main things - the dress, face, ring, birdcage. Knowing the story now, I think this is so clever and how all book covers should be really.

 The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky


I must admit, this cover has no correlation to the events in the book. But I love this cover anyhow!
This is again the reason I wanted to read the  book (see a theme?). And it shows the style of the book - modern, quirky, indie.
I guess I liked the pink and black contrast that looked like someone just wrote it on there a minute ago. The pictures creep me out a bit though...

 The 10pm Question - Kate De Goldi


Not the best book I have ever read but again, the appeal for me to read this book came from the cover.
The book is set in New Zealand and knowing that, you can see that in the bird.
It's just such a nice original cover that works with the book itself.
And it's a preeetty bird...

The Luxe - Anna Godbersen


How could I not include this?! The Luxe series features some BEAUTIFUL DRESSES that had me lusting over them and wishing I could wear a dress like that. My favourite has to be RUMOURS - that red is such a lovely colour. LUXE comes closely behind. Ah! Amazing!

The Selection - Kiera Cass


I do not own or have read this book but it keeps popping up on the blogosphere and on Goodreads. HAVE YOU SEEN THAT DRESS? HAVE YOU SEEN THAT COVER? IT IS GORGEOUS. 


I want this book, just merely to lust over the cover. Don't judge a book by it's cover? THAT is out of the window right now.

Tuesday Top Ten: Most Anticipated Book Adaptations of 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.


This week is a FREEBIE so I decided to do this one which was a past 'Top Ten Tuesday' topic before I joined the programme. Also, sorry for missing so many of these, I have been quite busy recently with college work and keep forgetting about these on a Tuesday!


These are just the ones I'm looking forward to. If you would like a full list for the year 2012, click here :) 


1. THE HUNGER GAMES

Needless I say anymore? I love this book, I love the idea and I am so looking forward to seeing it being adapted for the screen.

2. Mirror, Mirror & Snow White and the Huntsman

I'm surprised they're releasing two big Hollywood movies about the same book around the same time. Both of these set to be amazing and very different from one another. Snow White is such a lovely adaptable story so it will be interesting to see how each movie tells the story.

4. Les Miserables
Okay, so this hasn't actually been made yet but it is supposed to be released in 2012. I mean Amanda Seyfrield, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter - all in one movie? I'm there.


5. THE GREAT GATSBY

Filming finished. Teaser photographs. AH I WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE. It's annoying because I'm studying this novel now but it is will be released in December after my exam. But I shall be dragging my friends to go and see this. This looks set to be amazing. And my cousin is in it!


6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Emma Watson. Just. Emma Watson. 
This book was..erm...interesting when I read it and as Stephan Chboksy is directing this film as well, it could still be...erm, interesting. AH EMMA WATSON. 


7. Great Expectations
After watching the BBC adaptation of this Dicken's book, I fell in love with this story - I mean, Havisham, Pip- oh Pip. Recently I found out that they is going to be a Hollywood version of this novel starring Helena Bonham Carter as Havisham- so, watch this space.