Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas tomorrow and get all those lovely books you wanted.

What will be happening next week?
I have a top ten book list of 2011 coming up and I'll do an 'On My Bookshelf' showing the books that I got for Christmas.

Have fun!

2012 Historical Fiction Challenge

Again, I am participating also in the YA Historical Fiction Challenge, hosted again by YA Bliss. All you have to do is choose either Level 1, 2 or 3 which aims to read a certain amount of books and are documented on a public place, like a blog, after being read throughout 2012. If you would like to join yourself, click here

It is a great challenge and something I enjoyed in 2011. As I read a lot of historical fiction, I'm going for Level 3  - 15 Books. I read 16 historical fiction books in 2011 so this could be quite easy for me.

Here are some possible books that might appear:
1. A Company of Swans - Eva Ibbotson
2. Velvet - Mary Hooper
3. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison
4. Beautiful Days - Anna Godbersen
5. Magic Flutes - Eva Ibbotson


My List:
1. VIII - H.M.Castor
2. Vice and Virtue - Veronica Bennett
3. The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
4. Beautiful Days - Anna Godbersen
5. The Lady in the Tower - Marie-Louise Jensen
6. The Future of Us - Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
7. Strings Attached - Judy Blundell
8. Debutantes - Cora Harrison
9. After - Morris Gleitzman
10. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
11. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison
12. Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys
13. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D.Salinger
14. The Yellow Wallpaper - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
15. The Girl in the Mask - Marie-Louise Jensen

Tuesday Top Ten: Books for Santa to bring (or my parents to buy)

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

This week's topic is Books that I wish for Santa to bring

1. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison - I have been waiting for months after reading the last book I was Jane Austen's Best Friend - I think I deserve a chance to read the sequel where apparently, I am told, exciting things happen...

2. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson - Yes, I am the only YA blogger not to have read this yet...

3. Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green - Another to add to the John Green collection. So looking forward to this one. 

4. Hunger Games trilogy - Suzanne Collins - I've read the first in the series, but I thought as my mother was pestering for a Xmas list, that, instead of pestering also my friends to lend me copies, why not knock two birds with one stone and get my mother to buy it for me?! 

5. Velvet - Mary Hooper - Been waiting for months for Christmas so I can put this one my Christmas list...

6. Anne Frank Remembered - Miep Gies - I saw this when I was looking for my Prizegiving books and thought it sounded so interesting, especially as I love The Diary of Anne Frank

7. An Abundance of Katherines - John Green - again, to add to the whole John Green collection. 

8. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece - Annabel Pitcher - I wasn't sure about this book when it first came out but at the bookstore I work at, it's recommended and popular so I think I might give it a go. 

Guest Post about my bookshelves!

Last month, I volunteered to take part in Kirsty from The overflowing library 's weekly feature, Bookcase Showcase.
It is a feature I read myself, as I am so curious to see what books other people have on their shelves, sad but true. So, I was delighted when she said I could.

Anyway, while I was in Berlin (details will come...) over the weekend it was published and yes, I just realised.

Check it out, it's pretty weird seeing your bookshelves on the internet, that's NOT your blog. Kirsty is a lovely person and I love her books, especially with the amount of British books she features. She's also holding the 2012 British Book Challenge that Becky from The Bookette hosted this year.

So, check it out here and tell me what you think :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Gifts I want to give as presents

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

This week's topic is Gifts I would love to give the people I know as presents

1. Wonders of the Universe - Brian Cox - This was a space series about how the world works on BBC over the last couple of years and was a huge hit over here. My friend absolutely loves this series and she has the other book Wonders of the Solar System so it would be great to get her this to complete the collection. 

2. The whole Princess Diaries series- Meg Cabot - Nessie, Nessie, Nessie. She's all I think about when I think of Meg Cabot as she LOVES her as much as I do. So, Nessie, this is your virtual Christmas present :) 

3. Sarah Dessen books - on the blogging friends note, this would be for Amy. She loves a lot of the books I like, especially the romantic contemporary ones YET she has not experienced the wonder that is Sarah Dessen (as far as I know) so this is her virtual Christmas present - my favourite Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever. 

4. A signed Patrick Ness book - when I met Patrick Ness a couple of years ago, my friend Tijana desperately wanted to come with us but alas, she was away when we went to meet him so she now has a book that simply says 'Sorry I couldn't meet you! Patrick Ness' which is a little bit sad I think anyway.
Anyway, I would give (if I could) a signed Patrick Ness book with the man himself giving it to her. Wow, that is one ideas I hadn't thought of until now...

Saving June - Hannah Harrington

I required a copy of this novel through Netgalley (which is an amazing site by the way) where I was sent the Kindle edition in return for a review.
Now, why was I draw to this book? I don't quite know, I think it was because it sounded interesting and like the type of contemporary fiction I enjoy.
This is another one of those road trip music novels that are around the blogosphere at the moment, I know I've seen at least three reviews for this book already, so have a look around, but I think the opinions of this book are quite similar to mine...

Synopsis: Harper Scott's older sister, June, has always been the perfect one, the one that did everything right and their divorced parents loved the most. One morning, Harper goes into the garage to find June dead in the back seat of her car, a pill bottle in her hand, a mix CD playing on loop as she killed herself. But why, she was so perfect in Harper's eyes? And how come no-one saw it coming? When Harper's parents decide to spilt the ashes, Harper takes matters into her own hands and steals the urn, planning to travel to California, a place June always wanted to visit, and spill the ashes into the Pacific Ocean.
Now, enters Jake Tolan, a bad-boy with a slight obsession with music which he sees can get you through anything. He seems to have no connection with June but still insists on joining them on the road trip across America. With his charming but annoying personality, this may be something that Harper needs on the road to recovery. But when things start to go to plan, Jake reveals his own secret that if told, would turn Harper's life around again

Review: This is, well, quite a novel. I read this within about 10 days, despite a busy week with lots of work and then, going to Berlin over the weekend. This novel had me hooked from start to finish, and I think a lot of people would agree with me.

Before I get into depth, this book is not perfect in any way, I mean I gave it a 4.5. It has faults that I will explain more but overall, it comes across for me as the type of book I love and considering this is Hannah Harrington's debut novel, it is pretty damn good. I mean, I've read Sarah Dessen's debut and to be honest, it's not that fantastic compared to her latest stuff. No author has a debut that is absolutely amazing - until now obviously.

First, the faults before I go off on a ramble about the good things. When I first started reading, I thought this was going to be boring, repetitive, done before. But it wasn't until they actually started the road trip and things started hotting up that it got majorly interesting. To start, Harper is quite boring and whiny, she shows a lack of emotion towards her sister and I didn't even process and take notice to the first meeting with Jake. So, I started off quite disappointed and already planning my next book to read. UNTIL.
Suddenly, it got interesting, exciting, sad, happy, cheerful, funny - EVERYTHING! Harper was interesting and I really connected with her voice. Her grief towards June became evident and I loved following her journey both to California and with herself changing, it made some great reading.

The characters of SAVING JUNE are very Sarah Dessen-type characters. For me, this was like the next best thing to Sarah Dessen and throughout I was constantly reminded of Dessen's characters and plots. The book that strikes me as most like this book is The Truth About Forever and Just Listen. Jake reflects Wes and Owen so much with his secrets, his mysterious, cool self as well as his passion and excitement for music. Laney reminded me instantly of Kirsty from TTAF with her fun loving attitude, drama queen and carefree self. Laney is a great character and was so funny and enjoyable to read about. Jake was someone you just wish you could be friends with. He comes across quite alone, but he is very compassionate and understands all the problems the trio deal with throughout the narrative. Harper is extraordinary, I thought she was going to be the typical mopy, exasperating girl who goes on and on about her dead sister. Yes, this is how people react to this kind of problem, but it's not great literature, honestly.  She was strong, independent and liked how she was straight and didn't beat around the bush.
The trio work so well with each other and created some lovely moments that really reflected what relationships are like.

The story and writing itself is well planned out and shows the problems that might occur if you did do this kind of thing. Harrington explores teenage issues at ease and by the end of this novel, there are so many morales that many will take away with them. She talks about sex, alcohol, death without hesitation and with the amazing combination of characters, this becomes a book where you learn, enjoy and imagine the world she has created, that is quite realistic. She also makes you feel so many things towards the events and Harper, there is something quite original in her writing.
Another thing that confused me. Okay, so you're driving across America, yet their parents were not after them, they stopped off SO MANY times to do things that added to the adventure of the book. It's not a huge problem and I understand this was all to add to the plot but erm, in real life, I'm not sure this would happen.

The book is quite amazing and I loved the adventure the reader follows of Harper, Laney and Jake as they change and we discover more about each other and themselves. The romance that is in this will make any teenage girl, like me, shout 'Aww!' at the book MANY times, there is so much tension and subtle hints that when it happens (yes, I am not saying who....), it is so amazing and written so well. It is in a such unexpected  moment.
I really did enjoy this book, despite a few faults. I would recommend this to anyone that loves Sarah Dessen of contemporary romance books, this is especially for you. I haven't read a romance book quite like this in a while. If Hannah Harrington keeps it up like her debut, she could be quite successful.
Verdict: Sarah Dessen fan? You must read this!

I give it a 4.5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://hharrington.livejournal.com/
Pages: 336
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Challenges: None


Other similar books on road-trips and music you might like:
- 13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson
- Paper Towns - John Green
- Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson (REALLY want to read this)

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to read this.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite childhood books

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


**Sorry for my lack of posting on Top Ten Tuesday, just been quite busy recently!

This week's theme is my Favourite Childhood books

1. The Roman Mysteries - Caroline Lawrence - I discovered this series in Year 4 (3rd Grade) and fell in love with the setting, the characters and just the way it was written. Sadly, the series came to an end recently, but when now I enjoy them as much as I did 8 years ago. 

2. Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie - Needless I say anything else? I used to feel so grown up reading this bedraggled copy from the library that was falling apart. I think I started to love second hand books from then....

3. Charlotte's Web - E.B.White - I used to be so scared of Charlotte...

4. I Want My Potty! - Tony Ross - Okay, so I may be the only person who remembered this kid. But I laughed so much at this book, it was my favourite. I still have it somewhere in my wardrobe. But I loved this kid because she was an only child like I am and somehow, I loved her...don't ask. 

5. Six Dinner Sid - Inga Moore - oh my god...I loved all animals ESPECIALLY cats and I loved stories involving animals, so I remember when my nan borrowed this from the library for me, I wanted it permanently in my home, so my mum went out and bought one. Actually, you can still get this book, I saw it in Waterstone's when I was working. 

6. Jacqueline Wilson books - Ahhh. Okay, one thing for those who have NO IDEA who this woman is or don't like her. I think every girl who is in their late teens now from England, so was born in the 90's like me, will have read at least 3 of Jacqueline Wilson's books. She is like the queen of children's books. When I think of my childhood, when I was about 7/8/9, I think of this woman. She is amazing, I would recommend her to anyone, she writes such vivid stories about anything and everything, loved her...

British Books Challenge 2012

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

Yes, it's the time where every book blogger considers what challenges to participate in and this year, again, I am going to take part in the British Books Challenge, this time hosted by the lovely Kirsty at The overflowing library.

This challenges aims you as many books by British authors as you can, something I find very easy as I live in the country.
I think this is a great challenge especially as sometimes people perhaps don't realise that some famous books are written by British people, they are mostly seen as by American authors.

If you would like to join yourself, have a looky here

Here are some books I am going to try and FINALLY read this year (links to Goodreads):
1. A Company of Swans - Eva Ibbotson
2. Magic Flutes - Eva Ibbotson
3. Velvet - Mary Hooper
4. The Killables - Gemma Malley
5. My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece - Annabel Pitcher
6. A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness
7. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison 


Here are the completed books by British authors (links to reviews):
1. VIII - H.M.Castor
2. Vice and Virtue - Veronica Bennett
3. Enduring Love - Ian McEwan
4. One Dog and his Boy - Eva Ibbotson
5. The Lady in the Tower - Marie-Louise Jensen
6. Shadow Web - N.M.Browne
7. The 39 Steps - John Buchan
8. Adorkable - Sarra Manning
9. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
10. Debutantes - Cora Harrison
11. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
12. Emma Hearts LA - Keris Stainton
13. Breathe - Sarah Crossan
14. Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend - Cora Harrison
15. Undone - Cat Clarke
16. The Girl in the Mask - Marie-Louise Jensen

Looking back at NOVEMBER

November was a weird month. I felt like I was reading a lot but I only read two books, as well as two texts that I'm doing in class at the moment.
I also had a bit of a blogging slump. I just didn't know what to write and had so much work on that I just left it thinking, hey, when I have something to write, I'll write it. As you can tell, nothing came. Anyway, here is a link up for November if you missed anything.

Reviews:

The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette - Carolly Erickson 

Wither - Lauren DeStefano

Memes:

Tuesday Top Ten: Outside my comfort zone

Tuesday Top Ten: Unread books that are still sitting on my bookshelf

On my Bookshelf (11)

Other:

HUNGER GAMES TRAILER

Musing on life in general

Thanksgiving
Updated Review Policy page

Guest Posts: 

Why I love Books on Amy's blog, I Love Smilies and Books

Wither - Lauren DeStefano (#1)

As soon as I saw the cover for this book, I was attracted to it instantly. The beautiful dress, the shapes and just the overall, old fashioned yet modern feel the cover gave me. It is one of those book where I did judge a book by its cover - but who can blame me with THAT cover?!
I love the circles that point out the details that define the story - the ring, the caged bird and on the back, the low hourglass - AH, I love it!

So after reading review upon review on the blogosphere with bloggers raving about this book, I decided this was excuse enough to buy it on Waterstone's to read - a couple of months on, I have and boy, am I glad I bought this partly over cover lust...

Synopsis: Set in the future, the world has done disastrously wrong. After several decades of genetic manipulation, a deadly virus has swept across the human race where men die at 25 and females at 20 and the world now only consists of North America, the other continents uninhabited. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped to marry men near their death date to procreate the human race. 16 year-old Rhine Ellery is blackmailed and kidnapped, sold and married to a man near the end of his life amongst two other young girls, Jenna and Cecily. Even though her new husband is kind to her, Rhine is desperate to escape the beautiful but prison-like mansion - especially because of Linden's cruel and creepy father. With the help of Gabriel, an assistant she becomes attracted too, Rhine attempts to break free - in the little time and freedom she has.

Review: This was quite a hard book to review so sorry if my words don't formulate well. Ask me in the comments below...
WITHER has something that I think most books lack. It is original and different in characters, plot, setting and even genre. Dystopian books normally leave you exhausted, wanting more. And also, I cannot wait for the next book in this series, I'm not exhausted at all. This book has a slower pace, but not too slow so I am reading ahead wondering what I'm being built up to. But I liked it - it was interesting.

I think the thing that brings people's attention (no, not the cover, but it's beautiful isn't it?) is the topic that this book deals with. No-one likes dying or even dying young. I am 16 going on 17. For me, that sounds older but I know I'm still young and have many decades ahead of me. But then I put myself in the place of Rhine who is MY AGE. She has four years until she dies. What a horrible feeling...that in four years, I too would be dead or ill, gently going out this world, when in reality I have no idea what I will be like or even doing in four years time. The situation the characters are in really makes the reader think and I think it will make you value your life a little bit more.

Regarding the characters, I found I became attached to them in different ways. You learn everything about them and more. I came away hating Vaughn and Cecily while sobbing over Jenna, feeling sorry for Linden and whooping on Rhine. I know this is how I was supposed to feel, but the fact that this is only the first book, it feels like I've been reading about these characters for a while. For Jenna, I became very attached to her and I liked how she saw right through this world from the start. Cecily...oh my. She is annoying, yes, but then you kind of feel sorry for her innocence in such a place and how she WANTS to have babies at like 13. This book is a lot about growth, and for me, she grew up the most and quickest.
Rhine as a voice was great and she reminded me of myself. She is very observant and looks deeper into things other than on the surface. While I read about the lavish lifestyle, the luxury of it all - somewhere I dream of staying - I always had this nag of something wrong about it all, much like Rhine does. I mean, this is a 300-page book, something can't be right.

WITHER is not one of those book where you are on the edge of your seat every minute. But then it's not a book you can sit back and relax with. Actually, the whole idea of the situation of Rhine and her world is quite terrifying and when you hear about cures for cancer etc, you kind of think 'What is this did actually happen?'. There are some disturbing parts in it, especially the beginning which hits you instantly. You find out the world she lives in, and it stays with you throughout reading and beyond. The beginning plunges you as a reader into the depth of the story, which I liked as well, DeStefano didn't beat around the bush on what she was trying to create, there is no airy fairy lyrical language, just plain words that create this extraordinary world.
The thing I found with the world created was that it felt very old fashioned and proper, when it's set in the future with huge technological advancements. It contrasts well and makes it have something very different from normal dystopian books.

Lauren DeStefano, herself, writes well, but not like in some reviews, beautifully. On many occasions, I had to re-read a sentence to understand and well polished novels shouldn't be like this, for me anyway. Her ideas and the imagery behind her writing is amazing, I could imagine every single moment of Rhine's life before and after the kidnapping. Actually, while reading, I kept constantly analysing the imagery and language like in an English Literature essay, it was so in depth and you can tell that it is a well thought out complete story. This is classed partly as a romance book and yes, it is. There is romance for the main character, both forced and not forced. Gabriel is someone every reader, like Rhine, learns to love. I agree with some reviews that there is a lack of real romance in this book but as there is two more books and after reading the ending, you may understand why the romance is perhaps played down a bit.
I enjoyed this book a lot, I liked the alternative view on the future that every dystopian brings. This writer isn't afraid to talk about taboo like issues such as sex, kidnapping and pregnancy or to kill and create more characters. I shall not say who, but someone dies in this book, and I don't think I've ever read a death scene with that kind of language, imagery and emotion. This is the kind of scene that makes reading a book worthwhile.

The book overall, was amazing. Just, wow.
I have seen a few negative reviews around the blogosphere and I think I understand why. Yes, there is the language thing I mentioned but also, this kind of book is not everyone's cup of tea. If you loved the Hunger Games where there is action every minute or when you're on the edge of your seat, you will probably dislike this book.
It is original though and outlines a world that is far too similar and possible in our society today. Rhine provides a glorious, youthful voice and although I would have liked a bit more romance, I think the relationships created are realistic and great to read. So, there is two more books, but I have absolutely no idea what will happen in them. For now anyway, I would recommend this to anyone who loves a bit of romance or dystopian. It is so worth a look.
Verdict: Great read but if you love action all the way through a book, I'd give it a miss.

I give it a 4.5 out 5

The second in this trilogy, Fever, comes out 16th February 2012

Author's Website: http://www.laurendestefano.com/ & http://thechemicalgardenbooks.com/wither/
Pages: 358
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Challenges: None