Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Hello and happy holidays! Here is a little gift guide for your bookish gifting needs this year.

For the trend follower
Colouring books, most people will admit to owning one these days. To make your gift special though, choose a themed colouring book such as the Harry Potter colouring book for the Potterhead or a famous landscapes for the traveler.

For the series lover
There are heaps of fantastic series ending this summer. The final books of the Obernewtyn chronicles and the Lunar Chronicles are top picks for my YA loving friends.

For the internet kid
All of the Youtubers are releasing books at the moment. I'm most looking forward to reading Tyler Oakley's Binge and Miranda Sing's Selp Helf, two books sure to provide a bit of backstage access to fans and much laughter.

For the classics collector
Keepsakes are often overlooked as gifts but getting someone a story that they already love is a foolproof gift idea for a collector. The Harry Potter illustrated edition was released recently as well as many classics,

For the knick knack friend
Go into any good bookstore's gift section and you are sure to find a nerdy gift. Whether it's a miniature Game of Thrones figurine, a waterbottle with the orange Penguin Classic cover of Lost Girl, or a calico bag with the eye of Big Brother. I love so much of this merchandise.

For the funny one
Comedien books are also a great gift idea. Some of my favourites include Amy Poehler's Yes Please and Miranda Hart's Is It Just Me. A recent bestsellers I would love (hint hint family) is Aziz Ansari's Modern Romance.


If you have any more suggestions, leave them in the comments. Enjoy the festivities :)

The most wonderful time of the year.

Happy holidays!

Christmas has me sufficiently spoiled, fat and lazy so I thought I’d share some of my new bookish acquisitions with you to make myself useful.

1. Champion by Marie Lu.

The final novel in the Legend series did not disappoint. I bought a digital copy of this book earlier in the month as a Merry Christmas present to me. Unfortunately, I could not stop myself from reading it before Christmas. It was very action-packed, suspenseful and romantic. But a little disclaimer, please don’t try read this right after Allegiant as I did. I do not wish such suffering on anyone.

2. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

This is a pre-loved copy I got at a bookswap for a very good price. It is one of those books that I had no idea about but the lady recommended it, and we book-lovers have to trust each other. I am very excited to read such a classic sci-fi. 

3. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen.

I AM SO EXCITED. My sister –bless her soul- bought me this for Christmas to begin my Sarah Dessen collection. Weirdly enough, I have read all her books, adore them and do not own any physical copies. The situation has been rectified and I am ready to fall head over heels again. This is her latest book and will be for a while. So so excited.

4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.

Ah, I feel as if a piece of me has been restored. I first read the entire series this year without having seen the movies. After being ostracised by the Potterhead community which included many of my friends, I quietly I borrowed the first book from the library and began my journey. A few years late but I made it to Hogwarts nonetheless. This is the childhood favourite I never knew I needed.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling.

I had enough money for one more Harry Potter book and who could pass up this pre-loved, first edition hardcover? I loved this book to the moon and back and remember re-reading the epilogue everyday until I had to return it. Now that I have my own copy, no one can stop my obsession. Depending on your perspective, this is an excellent or terrible prospect.

6. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Last but certainly not least, a short collection of letters in reply to a young writer asking for review of his work and life advice. This book is a beautiful patchwork of Rilke’s sarcasm, wisdom and prose which I hope will inspire me to write and read the rest of my life.

Click on the titles to see the synopsis and other reviews. Also let me know what bookish gifts you received for Christmas – the good and bad. Ciao!

Holiday Reads

Hello again,

Brief life update: I graduated about 2 weeks ago. It was crazy and weird and it's freaking me out how non-emotional I was compared to how I thought I would be. Christmas is also coming up very soon and I am extremely excited to be singing Christmas carols and watching endless Vlogmas videos on youtube.

Which leads me to my main post- Festive reads. There is really nothing better. Not only are these books fantastic (trust me) but they are a lot of Christmasy fun and would make great gifts too. Message to my parents, 'THEY WOULD MAKE GREAT GIFTS. Thank you.'

Sneaky bookshop photo.

Book 1- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky.

A long time ago in the magical world of childhood innocence, a boy called Charlie celebrates his birthday on Christmas Eve. Family happens. High school happens. Christmas happens again. Although this book may leave you a bit misty eyed, I guarantee that your heart will be warmed by Charlie's raw letters as he braves the world.

Book 2- Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan.

Lily leaves a little red book in a bookstore hoping a potential friend will find it. Dash completes the first mission and leaves the book for Lily. This treasure hunt through New York is hilarious and sweet. One of my sister's all time favourites.

Another sneaky bookshop photo.

Book 3- Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green & Lauren Myracle.

3 random strangers caught in a Christmas snow storm who quickly become your best friends. A quirky combination of intertwining stories of love, joy, friendship and a little pinch of magic for taste. My favourite authors all rolled into one. This book will have you dreaming of a white Christmas.

Let me know if you've read any of these or are planning too. Also, what's a new Christmas read I can look for? Ciao.