Sunday, June 26, 2011

In My Mailbox #10

Saturday, June 25, 2011

New Midsummer's Eve Giveaway winner

One of the original winners from this morning was actually in the US.
The giveaway was only open to UK residents, I have since spoke to the person and explained the situation.

So now, I have been on random.org again and have chosen a new winner!
So congratulations to:

Megan @Reading Away The Days

You have bagged yourself a copy of Never Bite a Boy on the First Date!
Will be emailing you shortly with details.

In the mean time....
I know giveaways are always loads of fun. But please remember to check that
giveaways are open either Worldwide/International or open to your country before entering.
We live in a big, big world and at times bloggers do have to limit their giveaways
and can't always ship overseas.

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop Winners

The two winners of the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway are:

Donna @ Book Passion For Life
and
Krystal Larson

Congratulations to you both!!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Follow Friday #2

I've decided to start taking part in a new weekly meme, Follow Friday!
Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee
This weeks question is:

In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favourite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

My favourite has to be Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


But I also love the tv show Lost Girl which is all about fae. I love that show!



Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Time Will Come #6


The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company, I have decided to start taking part in this meme as it is such a good idea and I just have so many books to get through!


Want to join in?
- Pick a book you have been meaning to read
- Do a post telling people about the book
- Link the post in the linky over on Books For Company
- Visit the other blogs participating!

From Goodreads:
Jenny has a secret. Her touch spreads a supernatural plague.

She devotes her life to avoiding contact with people, until her senior year of high school, when she meets the one boy she can touch, and she falls in love.

But there's a problem--he's under the spell of his devious girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.

Now Jenny must learn to use the deadly "Jenny pox" she's fought her entire life to hide, or be destroyed by Ashleigh's ruthless plans.

Not recommended for readers under sixteen due to mature content.





I have had this on my Kindle for ages now, It sounds like a great book but I just haven't got around to reading it yet!

More Pottermore info

Some images of what the Pottermore site will look like:





From the Press Release:
For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books. Pottermore will later incorporate an online shop where people can purchase exclusively the long-awaited Harry Potter eBooks, in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s publishers worldwide, and is ultimately intended to become an online reading experience, extending the relevance of Harry Potter to new generations of readers, while still appealing to existing fans. As the Pottermore Shop develops, it is intended that it should
include further products designed specifically for Harry Potter fans, offering a potential outlet for Sony products and services related to Pottermore. In keeping with Harry Potter’s international appeal, the site will launch in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish, with more languages to follow.

In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned
illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.

From 23rd
June, fans can submit their email addresses to www.pottermore.com in order to be
contacted by the site following the opening of registration on 31st July, Harry Potter’s birthday.

On 31st July, an online challenge will be launched on www.pottermore.com. 1 million of those
successfully completing it will be granted early access to the Beta version of the website, enabling
them to help put finishing touches before it opens to all in October 2011. Details of the challenge will be revealed on 31st July

Pottermore


Finally the announcement has been made!

What do you all think? I am super excited by the fact there will be some new information she had been hoarding for years!

Dystopian Book Battle Final Round

The two winners of our last round are:
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins and Divergent - Veronica Roth

Now it is time to get our winner which will be crowned the best dystopian book!

The Apothecary Giveaway Winner


The winner of the Apothecary giveaway is...............
Karysa

Congrats! An email should be on it's way to your inbox shortly!


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #9

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by breaking the spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

So what am I looking forward to being released soon?...



From Goodreads:
Long before he's a professor at the House of Night with Zoey and the gang, in the early 19th century, Bryan Lankford is a troublesome, yet talented human teen. He thinks he can get away with anything until his father, a British nobleman, has finally had enough, and banishes him to America. When Bryan is Marked on the docks and given the choice between the London House of Night and the dragon-prowed ship to America, he chooses the Dragon and a new fate.

In 1830's St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and soon realizes there are dangerous challenges and beautiful perks. Like Anastasia, the captivating young Professor of Spells and Rituals at the Tower Grove House of Night, who really should have nothing to do with a fledgling But when a dark power threatens, Dragon is caught in its focus. Though his uncanny fighting skills make him a powerful fledgling, is he strong enough to ward off this new darkness, while protecting Anastasia as well? Will his choices save her or destroy them all?

Dragon's Oath is due to be released on the 12th July, and I can't wait for this one!

Review: Lock and Key - Sarah Dessen

Name: Lock and Key

Author: Sarah Dessen

General Release Date: 2nd April 2009

Date I finished reading it: 17th June 2011

Type: Paperback

From: Library

My Rating: 4/5 stars






Lock and Key follows the story of seventeen year old Ruby Cooper who has been covering and lying for her mum for most of her life.
When Ruby's mum takes off and leaves her, Ruby goes about her normal life, covering for her mum's absence like she's been taught. When her mum doesn't return she is caught out and shipped off to stay with her older sister who she hasn't seen in years.

Ruby's world is turned completely upside down and with that comes a lot more than she bargained for.

I really enjoyed Lock and Key, it is a very sweet coming of age story which deals with a lot of family issues. It does make you think that these things happen to people everyday and makes you feel thankful and lucky for the family that you do have.

It is definitely not a light hearted, fun summer read like I thought it would be. Lock and Key is deep, emotional and makes you stop and think.

I really enjoyed the little reference to The Queens family who are characters in Sarah Dessen's other book The Truth About Forever. That actually made me giggle!

Review: The Folk Keeper - Franny Billingsley



Name: The Folk Keeper

Author: Franny Billingsley

General Release Date: 4th April 2011

Date I finished reading it: 18th June 2011

Type: Paperback

From: Review copy from publishers (Bloomsbury)

My Rating: 3/5 stars




First of all I want to say a massive thank you to the lovely people at Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book to read!

This book follows the story of 15 year old orphan Corrina who has been disguising herself as a boy and has also managed to pass herself off as a Folk Keeper. One day she is summoned to a dying old man who is looking for Corrina, still passing herself off as a boy she agrees to go with him as the new Folk Keeper for his estate.

But things are not what they seem and when she gets to the estate she realises these Folk are different than what she is used too. There are lots of secrets surrounding the estate as well and Corrina must figure it out before it is too late.

I did enjoy this book, it is a historical fiction book and is told in first person through Corrina's diary entries. I liked the way the book was presented in the diary entries, it broke up the chapters quite nicely and made it easier to read.

There is a romance element to the book as well, which I really enjoyed. The romance isn't too much, and doesn't take over the whole plot line, it's like an added little extra.

I did get quite confused when I first picked up the book, I would have liked a bit more explanation as to who the Folk are. After finishing the book however I like that you aren't told and it is left up to your own imagination to think up what the Folk are like.

Overall a short but gripping historical read with a paranormal twist to it!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Cover Reveal: Bloodlines - Richelle Mead UK

The UK cover of Bloodlines has finally been revealed!!
Honestly, I don't like it.
It's pretty, but I much prefer the US cover and will most likely be buying that cover instead.

What does everyone else think?

Teaser Tuesday #9


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share one or two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


1. Some time between storming out during dinner on the lake-house deck and late the following morning, when her body was found, Justine had returned to Boston.



2.His eyes were wide open and his mouth was stretched in a wide smile, like he was happy about it.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!


I am taking part in the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop hosted by
There are 274 blogs taking part and giving out some awesome prizes!
I am stop #100 on the list!

I will be giving away 2 copies of Never Bite a Boy on the First Date by Tamara Summers

I'm afraid this giveaway is only open to UK residents. I am really sorry to all my followers further afield but I do have another giveaway going on just now which is open worldwide!
So if you are international, check that out HERE!

There will be 2 winners for this giveaway and both will be picked using random.org.
You must be a blog follower to enter
You must be over the age of 13 to enter
There are extra entries available as well for those who want an extra chance at winning a copy.

The giveaway hop runs from June 21st-June 24th and the winner will be announced on June 25th! Both winners will have 3 days to confirm their home addresses for prizes to be posted out, otherwise new winners will be picked.


And remember to check out the next blog on the hop after me

Good Luck to everyone entering!

Review: Fated (Bloodstone Saga #2) - Courtney Cole


Name: Fated (The Bloodstone Saga #2)

Author: Courtney Cole

General Release Date: 1st July 2011

Date I finished reading it: 19th June 2011

Type: E-Book (review copy for Kindle)

From: Review copy from author

My Rating: 5/5 stars








First of all I want to say a massive THANK YOU!!! to the author, Courtney Cole who very kindly asked me if I wanted a review copy of Fated!
This is my third Courtney Cole book, and her writing has never disappointed me yet!

This is the second book in the Bloodstone Saga and it starts up pretty much where we left Macy after everything that happened in Every Last Kiss.

After everything that Macy went through in the first book you would think that she could finally sit back, relax and have a bit of a normal life now right? WRONG!! Fated has even more action and drama in it that Every Last Kiss did...infact I actually think I love this book more than I loved Every Last Kiss!

Fated follows Macy as she pieces together even more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that is her life. She discovers the shocking truth about who she really is and what her real purpose is.
Along the way Macy comes face to face with Witches, Greek Gods and Flying Horses, really what more could you ask for in a book? Saying it like that it may seem that Courtney Cole has tried to cram too much into the one book, but believe me everything slots into place perfectly!

The book is full of twists and turns which left me literally speechless at parts. I just could not believe all this was happening to poor wee Macy! I was very close to tears at one point as well!

Overall a brilliantly written and thoroughly researched book. And I'm going to say it, it ends on a cliffhanger!! Courtney how can you do this to me? I literally cannot believe how Fated ended and I am DESPERATE for the next book now!

In My Mailbox #9

Here are this weeks books

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Summer Read-a-Thon Update #2

First of all, give us an end-of-read-a-thon status update.
Total Books Read: 2.5
Total Pages Read: 663
Total Time Read: 14 hours

What is your favorite book you read during the read-a-thon?
Fated - Courtney Cole

Did you participate in any mini-challenges? Which ones?
Yup most of them

Which mini-challenge was your favorite?
The wordle

What has been your favorite thing about the read-a-thon?
Getting through some of my tbr list

Are you satisfied with how much reading you got done?
no

Did you do more than you expected? Less?What did you think of the updates? Too close together? Didn't like the time limit?
I liked the updates and mini challenges, the time limit was ok but a bit confusing for me being in a different time zone.

If you could change one thing about the read-a-thon, what would it be?
more international giveaways

Would you participate in another read-a-thon hosted by Squeaky Books?
yup

Any last comments on the read-a-thon?
well done to everyone who tok part!!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Summer Read-a-Thon Report #9


Nineth update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 645
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 33(
Total Time Read: 12.5 hours
How I'm currently feeling: A bit drunk...oops!

mini challenge:
Create an anagram of your name/pseudonym
IT PATTERNS SKILL (littlepinkstars)

Summer Read-a-Thon Report #8


Eighth update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 612
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 19 (I know, I'm terrible)
Total Time Read: 111 hours
How I'm currently feeling: Annoyed that I've hardly done any reading today. It's 7pm here now and I just had my tea, will be getting ready to out soon as well so I doubt I'll get much more reading done!

Mini Challenge:
If you had bookshelves FULL of all of your favorite books, how would you organize
them?

Well I kinda do have bookshelves already overflowing. I tried to re-organise them the other day without much luck!
I would have to say by favourite authors and series. I tried to organise my books by alphabetical order once and it drove me mad because book series' where split up on two different shelves!

Summer Read-a-Thon Report #7


Seventh update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 598
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 15 (I know, I'm terrible)
Total Time Read: 10.5 hours
How I'm currently feeling: Have been distracted by my Xbox this afternoon. Turning it off now though!

Mini Challenge:

Name one book you think should be taught in school, grade of your choice

I think Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone should be taught in primary 5 or 6. Although I don't remember being "taught" any books in primary school. We usually just had them read to us by our teacher. It wasn't until secondary school we actually had to read and write about books.
Not entirely sure what grade that would be in American terms, I don't really understand the American school system sorry!

Summer Read-a-Thon Report #6


Sixth update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 583
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 138
Total Time Read: 10 hours
How I'm currently feeling: I'm feeling pretty good. Want to finish my current book today!

Mini Challenge:
Put two characters from different series together (romantically or otherwise) and describe why they would be good together.

Urmm this is a hard one but I think Katniss from the Hunger Games and Tally from The Uglies series would make a brilliant team. They both have that do or die kind of attitude and I think they would watch each others backs.


Summer Read-a-Thon Report #1


End of day status update:
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 484
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 63
Total Time Read: 7.5 hours

What is your favourite thing you have read today?
Lock and Key - Sarah Dessen

Which mini challenge was your favourite?
The writing one

What has been your favourite thing about the read-a-thon?
Meeting new book bloggers!

What has been your least favourite thing about the read-a-thon.
The time difference. I'm in the UK so it's hard.

Are you on track to meet your goals?
I never set myself any goals

Will you be participating tomorrow? Do you have any new goals?
I will be taking part in the read-a-thon again!
As for goals I'm thinking of setting a goal of 1000 pages. Which means I have about 600 pages to read today.

Summer Read-a-Thon update #5


Fifth update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 484
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 63
Total Time Read: 7.5 hours
How I'm currently feeling: Sleepy! It's 1am here so I am off to bed and will catch up with everyone in the morning!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Summer Read-a-Thon update #4


Fourth update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 421
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 139
Total Time Read: 6 hours
How I'm currently feeling: Starting to get a bit tired now. Going to start my second book in a wee while though and see how I get on!

Mini Challenge:
For this mini-challenge you need to create a puzzle that consists of about three images which describes a book

So heres mine, can you guess what it is?

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Summer Read-a-Thon update #3


Third update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 0
Total Pages Read: 282
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 101
Total Time Read: 4.5 hours
How I'm currently feeling: I'm doing pretty well I think. Probably can manage another couple of updated before I'll have to crawl into bed, it is 9pm here!

Mini Challenge:

Write a story 100 words or less that contains ALL of the following words:
Shaman
Lime
Laser
Goat

The old Shaman woke with a fright, as he looked around his camp he noticed a lime had fallen from the tree where he had set up his tent late last night. It had hit his goat square on the head, so thats what the noise was he thought to himself. He checked on his old companion, making sure she was alright before fixing breakfast for himself. His breakfast was the same as always, 2 boiled eggs that had been cooked over the laser device he had stolen two years ago, suprised it hadn't ran out of juice by now!

Summer Read-a-Thon update #2


Second update on my Summer Read-a-Thon!
Total Books Read: 0
Total Pages Read: 181
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 89
Total Time Read: 3 hours
How I'm currently feeling: Everything is pretty much done for the say so I am now ready to get stuck into this read-a-thon properly now!

Mini Challenge:
Create a wordle

Summer Read-a-Thon update #1


Click the image to learn more!

This is my first read-a-thon update!

Total Books Read: 0
Total Pages Read: 92
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 92
Total Time Read: 1 hour 30 minutes
How I'm currently feeling: Need to finish the laundry and get back to reading!

Mini Challenge:
Favorite and least favorite movie adaptation of a book

Favourite:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1.
It has been the best book to movie adaptation I have ever seen! They stuck to the book and even managed to get in extra details that had been skipped in previous films!

Least Favourite:
The Golden compass movie/The Northern Lights book
It was a good movie, and had good special effects. But the movie just wasn't up to scratch with the book for me. It was choppy and too fast paced, lots of information and good scenes where left out. If I hadn't read the book before hand, then I probably would have enjoyed it more!

Stay tuned for my next update in a couple of hours!

Friday Blog Hops

Book Blogger Hop

I just couldn't resist taking part in another meme!
Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books

This weeks question is:
How many books are in your to-be-read (TBR) Pile?

Are you sure you really want to know??
Well on Goodreads my list has 526 books on it!! ('_')
My actual book cases last time I counted had about 250+ books on them that I haven't read yet and my Kindle probably has around 100 books on it to be read. Again thats the last time I counted.
So yeah 526 could possibly be right *gulp*

Spring Into Summer Read-a-Thon!


Click the image to learn more!

As some of you may already know, I am taking part in the Spring Into Summer Read-a-Thon today and tomorrow!
I will be updating regularly with what I'm currently reading, what books I've read, how many pages I've read and good stuff like that!

I'm really hoping to clear a few books off my to be read pile over the next few days!


So first of all I am starting with Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen which is a book I got from the library a while ago.
After that I think I might try to finish some review books, not too sure which ones yet though!
But keep checking for new updates on how I am getting on with the read-a-thon!

Follow Friday #1


I've decided to start taking part in a new weekly meme, Follow Friday!
Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee

This weeks question is:
Genre Wars!
What is your favourite genre and which book in that genre made it your favourite.

Well thats pretty easy for me to answer!
It has to be Dystopian. I have just discovered dystopian books this year and haven't regretted it once! Every book i've read from the dystopian genre has been awesome!

But the book that got my into dystopian has to be Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games.
I actually listened to them on audiobook at the start of the year and I still love the story!
It is such a great book, and the rest of the trilogy is amazing as well! Katniss kicks ass!!


New Harry Potter Trailer!

Well it's midnight and you know what that means!
The new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Trailer is live!!
It is awesome



What are your thoughts on it?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Review: The Truth about Forever - Sarah Dessen


4/5

This was my first venture into a Sarah Dessen book, and I am so glad I finally picked one up!
I can see what people have been raving about!

The Truth about Forever follows the story of 16 year old Macy who has recently lost her father. Her boyfriend is away to camp for the summer and Macy has agreed to take his position working at the library while he is gone. Macy also ends up taking on a second job as well, where she makes friends with her co-workers and throughout all the chaos that goes hand in hand with any kitchen/catering work she also manages to find herself.

I really loved this book, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
It is a real story of how different family members struggle with the loss of a loved one and the different ways that grief manifests itself.
I enjoyed the story of Macy, especially when she met new friends and tried new things. Opening herself up to new experiences, to me it's what every teenager should be doing! But having been stuck in a bit of a routine it is hard for Macy to shake that off.

I also really enjoyed the romance element of this book, it was a bit forbidden as both Macy and Wes have their own respective partners who are away for the summer. In a way they both know nothing can happen, but grow more and more close as the book unfolds.

I especially enjoyed the mother daughter relationship in the book, as a reader you can see when and why their relationship broke down. I was almost yelling at the book and wanting to reach in and bang both their heads together at some points!

Overall a really great book and I am looking forward to reading more books by Sarah Dessen!

Pottermore?


Yesterday and today a few Harry Potter sites were given coordinates to post so that fans could hunt down letters and put them together to make a word.
What did we all come up with?
Pottermore

What the heck does this mean?
Pottermore
Coming soon..
and J.K Rowling's signature.

I cannot wait to find out what is going on!
Whats everyones thoughts about it?
 
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