Christmas Book Haul

Happy New Year to you lovely folk. We are well into 2015 and I still haven’t posted a Christmas book haul. I got a lot of books both given to me and purchased by me so I wanted to share my nerdy excitement here!

1.       Scarlet and Cress by Marissa Meyer

My sister heard me cry out and came running to my room, asking me what was wrong. I said, “Cinder finished. And I don’t’ have the second one.” She bought me both sequels. My sister is the greatest. (Read my Cinder book review here.)

2.       I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Sometimes the world is horrid. I am saving this book for when I need to know how to survive human cruelty. Malala is a young woman standing up against the Taliban by going to school and speaking out on behalf of oppressed young women. At 17, she is possibly the greatest human alive with a Nobel Peace Prize under her belt and a survivor of brutal gun attacks. I already know this is going to be a massive book for me particularly as feminist literature.

4.       Landline by Rainbow Rowell

If you haven’t yet picked up a Rainbow Rowell book I really don’t know what you’re doing. I am seriously excited to start this one. This author has taken the young adult and adult contemporary genre by storm, particularly in 2014. Her novel Eleanor and Park remains my favourite youth fiction romance ever. Fangirl –omg Fangirl-  is incredible. Go read Rainbow Rowell.

5.       Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

A fantastic new addition to my bookshelf (one that I bought myself) in the form of a teen urban fantasy-suspense. I remember reading Westerfeld’s Uglies series in my early teens and being enchanted by his world-building and plot driven storyline. This is one book to watch.

6.       Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

I purchased this by suggestion of a friend who promised me a mighty heroine and a premise which would blow my mind. I’m hesitantly excited but I trust Richelle Mead – author of Bloodlines which I love - with my fragile fangirl life. I am always excited to start new series.

As always, you can follow the links of the books you like the sound of to Goodreads. Now the only question is: where to begin? Ciao.

Review of 'The Moon and More' by Sarah Dessen

I got this book for Christmas and I was so pumped to read it. Lying in the sun with a book is my favourite holiday activity, handy really. The Moon and More lived up to my high expectations. There was romance, awkwardness, future talk and then, clarity. The sort of clarity you get after demarcation. Currently stuck in the limbo between high school and college myself, I found Emaline’s story empowering.

As always, Dessen’s characterisation was the hero of a beautiful dish. Emaline was awesomely kick-ass. Theo was hilarious. Benji was super duper cute. Morris, ah Morris. Every character was flawed and perfect, the relationships between them were dynamic and authentic. They make you laugh and empathise, all the things that characters should do.

Should I mention the crossovers? Crossovers are a notable part of Dessens work; although her novels are standalones, Colby is the hub of so many stories. Sarah Dessen is pretty much fuelling my obsession. The crossovers with Along for the Ride and Last Chance made me squeal. It was like seeing old friends for the first time in years, a phenomenon only a true booklover will understand.

The quote, “I will give you the moon and more,” resonates as Emaline is presented with a murky future. Should she pine for Columbia or be happy with her local college? Should she be aiming higher, or in a different direction? The concept was clear throughout and led to a really satisfying end.

Have I convinced you yet? Go read this book, discover Colby. Be happy.

Favourite quote:

“The mistakes you make now count. Not for everything, and not forever. But they do matter, and they shape you.”

First book of 2014. Done.

2013 in Review Tag (Part 2)

Welcome to 2014! It feels completely unnatural to write that. We made it! Hooray! We survived the supposed apocalypse and everything! Huzzah! This is part 2 of my “2013 in review tag.” I hope you enjoy and have fun responding to some of these.

Me and my sister just before New Year's Day.

Best song

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran also wins Best ginger.

Best TV show

As I don’t really watch TV anymore (Youtube addiction) I will have to say an old classic that our family watches on the holidays. The Cosby show.

Best novel (stand-alones only)

AHHH. Scrolling through my Goodreads, I realise this was a big year of books for me. Apart from The Fault in Our Stars- which we have heard enough about- I’m going to say The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky.

Best playscript

I only read one but screw it, I loved Macbeth.

Best series

In terms of the series I’m most excited for, it is definitely The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey or the Diviners by Holly Black. In terms of a complete series I read this year, my favourite was the Harry Potter series. I read it this year for the first time, no judgement.

Best last book/ finale

Ooooh there’s so many! I will go with Clockwork Princess, my highest anticipated read. I wrote the date in my calendar and that day after school went and got the last copies on the shelf. I even did my cramming session for my exam two nights before in order to read my book as soon as I got it. Dedication.

Best present (birthday or otherwise)

A graduation gift from my parents was to send me to Italy for 2 weeks. I’d never been overseas without my parents or to Europe and I had the greatest time.

Best movie

Catching Fire was amazing. If you haven’t seen it what are you doing with your life?

Best photo I took

Just Italy being beautiful. This was taken in the Basilica of St Francis, Assisi.

Best wake up

We woke up to the tinkling of a harp iPhone alarm, the smell of fresh croissants and a view of a Venetian grand canal out our window.

Best day

The last day of school. There were hilarious speeches, heartfelt captaincy handovers, balloons and hugging.

Best week

The week of Venice in Italy.

Best month

December. It is the only one I have clear recollection of :) Also... Christmas.

Link me some of your responses or post them here. Happy New Years again and ciao for now!