Meme

ICYMI Sunday 4 – I’m holding a Giveaway!

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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post  which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.

The first week of March has been a good week. The book I pre-ordered has arrived, but more of that later, and I seem to be slowly hauling myself out of my reading slump. Yay! :D  Whoops! Apparently I was more tired than I thought when I wrote this last night. You can definitely tell that spring is arriving in the UK, there’s been plenty of sun and blue sky this week – although the mornings haven’t always been as nice as the afternoons, with mist and such. I seem to have got back into the reading groove, which I’m pleased about. Hopefully I’ll keep it up this week.

There were two posts on the blog this week:

What else is going on? Not a lot of news this week compared with last, but I think there’s still some interesting stuff.

Not as much news this week, but there are some interesting things going on. I’m in two minds about THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES news, but I guess I’ll have to wait until October to know for sure. And I really enjoyed Melissa de la Cruz’s interview. No new books from me this week – I’m still playing catch-up with my tbr, but the pile is getting smaller so hopefully I’ll be able to get new books soon-ish.

I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by :D

ICYMI Sunday – 3

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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post  which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.

The first week of March has been a good week. The book I pre-ordered has arrived, but more of that later, and I seem to be slowly hauling myself out of my reading slump. Yay! 😀

There was just one post on the blog this week:

What else is going on? I’ve collected a lot of “news” this week. I hope some of it is interesting for you.

  • The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books announced the names of authors attending the event on April 12-13 at the USC campus. For more info about the authors and ticket prices follow the linkie
  • Word & Film have 7 pre-movie release books you must read in 2014
  • Scholastic UK have announced when they’ll be holding their next warehouse sale. For more details click here
  • The Guardian Books Blog has an article on the recent report that “children aren’t reading challenging enough books.” It’s an interesting article and you can read it here
  • You can find a list of events for Orbit authors in March here
  • Julie Kagawa announced that THE FOREVER SONG will be up on NetGalley for a limited time from March 10th here
  • Foyles is hosting The Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award Readings on 2nd April at 6.00-8.30pm. For more info and to book a ticket click here
  • Simon and Schuster UK Children’s tweeted about having ONE WISH by Michelle Harrison up on NetGalley for UK requests from bloggers, reviewers, and media professionals. If you’re interested you can find out more info here
  • Find out which books made the Top Ten Reads in a World Book Day Poll here
  • If you’ve not seen them yet, then check out the brilliant penguins in jumpers here – I love the one wearing the Penguin livery!
  • World Book Day has created a list of 50 Books That Will Change Your Life here
  • BookLikes have made it possible for its users to synchronise their Kindle with the site. For more info click here
  • Crooked Cat Books announced that they’d signed Emma Mooney. They will be releasing her book THE BEAUTIFUL GAME later in 2014
  • Find out what the Top Ten Most Read Books in the World are according to  Stylist here
  • Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction announce the 2014 Longlist here
  • If you want to find out more about the Quidditch World Cup on Pottermore J. K. Rowling is asking people to retweet this tweet
  • USA Today revels the cover and has an excerpt from MADE FOR YOU by Melissa Marr here
  • Gollancz have announced a special promotion for their 2014 debuts – the ebook editions will be available for £1.99 during the first week of publication. You can find more details here
  • Gail Z. Martin announced on Twitter that she will be doing a signing at Forbidden Planet in London on July 23rd at 6pm

Now we’re all caught up, sorta. As I mentioned earlier, I do have one new book this week which I am very excited to get started reading.

THE UNDEAD POOL (THE HOLLOWS #12) by Kim Harrison *signed*

I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by :D

ICYMI Sunday – The second

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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post  which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.

The final week of February is over, I’m hoping March will be a better month for me. Last week I didn’t do well on the reading front, but I’m hopeful I will catch up next week. B&N have also shipped the book I pre-ordered from them which I’m super excited about. I have to wait 7 to 21 days, but it’s on its way!!!

There was just one post on the blog this week:

What else is going on?

  • J. K. Rowling revealed wizarding affection and support for the Scottish RBS Six Nation team here.
  • Amanda Sun revealed the cover of her new novel RAIN here. Plus there is an International giveaway for a signed ARC – this one is art based here. Ends March 14th.
  • Oxford Children’s Classics is looking for people between the ages of 5 and 18 who live in England, Scotland, or Wales to write a 250-350 word review and a recommendation for a chance to win some cool prizes. You can find out more here and read the Terms and Conditions here.
  • Walker Books have acquired the UK, Aus, and NZ rights to Cassandra Clare’s new SHADOW HUNTER trilogy – THE LAST HOURS read more here.
  • The Bookwyrm’s Hoard marks both Dr. Seuss’s 110th birthday and Read Across America Day – check out the post for some cool info and some great videos here.
  • The Bean has some information on the BEA bloggers conference for 2014 – including who the Breakfast Keynotes speaker is and some other really exciting news. If you are attending (and I am super jealous if you are) then it sounds like you will be having a fabulous time.
  • Project UKYA revealed their April Extravaganza – you can find out more here.
  • You can now join Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Club! Find out more here.

Now we’re all caught up, sorta. There were no books for me this week as I’m on a book buying ban. I’ve got <20 books in my pile, but I’ve discovered that too many books means no desire to read on my part 😦 Oh well, I won’t get caught like this again.

I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by :D

ICYMI Sunday – The FIRST One

/ beckireads / 8 Comments

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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post  which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.

So, let’s start the first ICYMI Sunday off simply with a small update from me.

On Saturday February 1st my dog Lucky was put to sleep. It was both unexpected and not. We knew he only had a limited time, but we weren’t sure how long or short that time would be. Lucky dying really threw me, and I’m still not balanced. I also haven’t been well, and am currently fighting off a cold. I have started reading and writing reviews again though. So yeah, for me this February really sucked.

As I haven’t done a catch up on the blog for a while, I’m going to start back in January with stuff that has been on the blog.

Not a lot for almost two months worth of posts, but the blog has been ticking over which is good 🙂

What else is going on?

  • The cover for Amanda Sun‘s new novel RAIN will be revealed on Monday, plus there will be an ARC giveaway – you can find a sneak peek here.
  • World Book Day Fest is holding a 500 word writing contest for entrants 13 years and under in the UK. Stories must be submitted by 7pm on Wednesday 26th February. More details can be found here.
  • Are you in Edinburgh on the 5th of March? Joseph D’Lacey is launching THE BOOK OF THE CROWMAN at Blackwell’s Edinburgh 6.30pm -8pm. The event is free, but you will need a ticket. You can find more info here.
  • Melissa Anelli author of the best-selling HARRY, A HISTORY spoke out about her experience of being stalked here.
  • J. K. Rowling is to release a second book under the nom-de-plume Robert Galbraith. THE SILKWORM is a sequel to THE CUCKOO’S CALLING. You can find more info about the book on The Telegraph newspaper here.
  • John Green made some comments on his Twitter account (which you can read here on a UK Twilight fan site), which he later clarified on his Tumblr account about TWILIGHT and misogyny.
  • Penguin/Pelican are holding a giveaway for 50 copies of GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL IDEAS: A PELICAN INTRODUCTION on Goodreads here. Giveaway runs until April 10th.
  • The Red House Children’s Book Awards took place on Saturday 22nd February. You can find the winners and other nominees here.
  • Want to know what to look forward to in autumn/fall 2014? You can find a list of books published in the States then here.

Now we’re all caught up, sorta. I’m going to do a quick post on the books I have received between December and now…

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  • FALLING FAST by Sophie McKenzie (YA) (thanks Orli – Valentine’s Ninja Book Swap)
  • SOLACE OF THE ROAD by Siobhan Dowd (YA) (thanks Orli – Valentine’s Ninja Book Swap)
  • WITCH SONG by Amber Argyle (YA) (ebook)
  • STOLEN SONGBIRD by Danielle L. Jensen (YA) (ebook via NetGalley – thanks Strange Chemistry)
  • SHUTDOWN by Laurell K. Hamilton (adult) (ebook)
  • THE DARK HEROINE by Abigail Gibbs (YA) (thanks Secret Santa)
  • ANGELFALL by Susan Ee (YA) (thanks Secret Santa)
  • DELIRUM by Lauren Oliver (YA) (thanks Secret Santa)
  • DANCE OF SHADOWS by Yelena Black (YA) (thanks Faye @ A Daydreamer’s Thoughts – I won her blogoversay giveaway back in November)
  • GRETEL AND THE DARK by Eliza Granville (YA) (thanks Catherine and Penguin Ireland)
  • STEELHEART by Brandon Sanderson (YA) (thanks Secret Santa)

So that’s it. The end of this rather epic post. Next weeks won’t be as long. Promise.

I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by 😀

Waiting on Wednesday (33)

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Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. The cover from this week’s book came from the author’s webside. All publishing dates are according to Amazon.co.uk The cover and blurb are taken from Goodreads.com

This week I am “Waiting On”…

Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell

Published: 30th January 2014

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

I have heard great things about this book both from bloggers and non-blogger friends. I haven’t read anything by Rowell before, so I’m really interested to see if this book will live up to my expectations.

So this is the book I am looking forward to this week. Please let me know in the comments if you’re looking forward to it too, and what book you’re looking forward to this week.

Top Ten Tuesday (41)

/ beckireads / 6 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

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This weeks Top Ten topic is …

Top Ten Eight 2014 Release I’m Dying To Read

At the moment my list consists of just eight books, which is mainly down to the fact that a) my tbr pile is HUGE and b) I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I’m too busy thinking up ideas for Christmas gifts for the family, that I haven’t really been keeping an eye on what my fave authors will be releasing in 2014 – unless they’ve been shouting about it. Blurbs and covers have been taken from Goodreads.com and the dates given below were taken from Amazon.co.uk

So here are the list of the eight books/authors that have made it onto my radar:

1. Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi (released: 6th February 2014) [YA]

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi’s “masterpiece” Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it’s time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won’t even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn’t just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he’s also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

US edition cover

2. Wild Things (A Chicagoland Vampires Novel, #9) by Chloe Neill (released 13th February 2014)

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.

3. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen (released 13th February 2014) [NA]

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden comes an emotional new story about two troubled souls sharing one all-encompassing love . . .

THE REDEMPTION OF CALLIE & KAYDEN

The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is finally out. Worse, he’s facing charges for battery. The only way to clear his name is for Callie to speak up-something he’ll never ask her to do. Instead, he’ll do whatever he must to protect her . . . even if it means letting go of the only girl he’s ever loved.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But that means facing her greatest fear and admitting her own painful secrets aloud. The thought of breaking her silence terrifies her-but not as much as the thought of losing Kayden forever.

Deep in her heart, Callie knows the time has come for her and Kayden to forget the pain of the past. With the help of her friends Seth and Luke she makes a plan to show Kayden the life they could have. But can she convince him they can make a fresh start together-or is she already too late?

4. The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12) by Kim Harrison (released 25th February 2014)

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

5. Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8) by Patricia Briggs (released 4th March 2014)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series has been hailed as “one of the best” (Fiction Vixen). Now, Mercy must deal with an unwanted guest—one that brings a threat unlike anything she’s ever known.

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

6. Murder of Crows (The Others #2) by Anne Bishop (released 4th March 2014)

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

US edition cover (?)

7. A Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton (released 3rd June 2014)

No summary yet, which is hardly surprising as Hamilton is still writing this. I’m really looking forward to getting back into Merry’s world and finding out what is going on with her and her guys. Plus, fae politics.

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8. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins (released 12th July 2014) [YA]

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

I’m sure my 2014 tbr pile will grow, but those are probably the ones I am most looking forward to. Most of them are adult which will be a change from this year as most of the books I’ve read have been YA I think.

Those were the Top Eight 2014 Releases I’m Dying to Read. What books in 2014 are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below, or link back to your Top Ten post so I can see what makes your list.

Top Ten Tuesday (40)

/ beckireads / 4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

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This weeks Top Ten topic is …

Top Ten Eight Things I Am Thankful For (could be bookish or not — up to you)

This is going to be both bookish and non-bookish.

1. My parents

Without my parents I wouldn’t have this blog, or the many brilliant books that line my shelves. Plus they’re pretty awesome even without doing all that.

2. Lucky

My dog who, if you read my Sunday post you will know, was VERY ill over the weekend. I thought I was going to lose him. Thankfully he’s on the mend.

3. My MacBook Pro

Without it I would be hard pushed to keep on top of both my blog posts and emails. My phone is brilliant for Twitter, but I don’t really want to use it for anything more complicated.

4. My Books

Books are awesome 😉

5. The Book Blogging Community

You guys are unbelievably brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed being a member of you for the past two years. I know I’m one of the quieter members, but I do notice what’s going on – even if I don’t always participate.

6. WordPress

I don’t know a lot of HTML or CCS, so WordPress quite literally saves me and makes this blog look the way it does. I also find it, on the whole, quite user-friendly. I don’t know what I would do without it.

7. Chocolate

For the bad days. Need I say more?

8. Holidays

I don’t just mean vacations, but also things like Christmas. Either way I get to spend time with my family 🙂

Those were the Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For. What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments below, or link back to your Top Ten post so I can see what makes your list.

Sunday Post (24) & Sunday Showcase (13)

/ beckireads / 4 Comments

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The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.  It was inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. It’s a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

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So it’s been a while. Sorry about that. It has been a busy three weeks for me, and that’s been both good and bad. It’s scary to think December will begin this time next week – where has the year gone?!

On the 4th November I travelled down to Foyles in London to attend the Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan signing. I was also interested to hear them talk about gothic fiction. Unfortunately things did not go smoothly, as some of you who follow me on Twitter may remember. The train I was on became a crime scene as hit someone, so consequently it took me several hours to get to London. I missed the talk, BUT I did manage to arrive for the signing.

Mum received some good news on the 6th November, so we got to go on holiday. We stayed in a house just outside Lelant (which is near St. Ives [but closer to Hayle]) for a week. It was lovely being back down in Cornwall. Mum grew up down there, and I went to University College Falmouth. Lucky seemed to enjoy the holiday too, he was much more energetic than he had been for a while. We visited St Ives and Newquay, and stopped off a Trebah Gardens which is really beautiful all year round. We’ve been visiting there since I was young.

Mum and I left Dad in charge of Lucky on Friday, and we ventured into London for a day out. We had a fantastic day, ate some brilliant food, did a bit of shopping, and had a generally good time 🙂

Yesterday Lucky collapsed at around eleven in the morning. We’d been out doing the weekly shop (I’d tagged along for the breakfast ;)) and I’d gone in the house to open the back door. He’d followed me down the hall and into the kitchen where he just collapsed. We rushed him off to the vets, who were brilliant. It took them most of the day to find out what was wrong with him, and we got the call to let us know they had to operate on him just before Day of the Doctor started on BBC1. He’s fine now and home; they had to remove his spleen, and we’re awaiting the results of the biopsies.

Hopefully next week will be better. I’ve got a family meal to look forward to on the Saturday to celebrate my aunt’s birthday, and hopefully it will be fun.

Thee Last Three Weeks on The Flutterby Room

Next Week on The Flutterby Room

  • 28th November – The Pleasures of Autumn by Evie Hunter (adult)

Any New Books?

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea. Its aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week.

This is three weeks worth of books 🙂

Top: Books I took to the event to get signed Bottom: Books I bought and got signed at event

My order from Amazon UK finally arrived whilst I was down in Cornwall. Typical.

Books I picked up on my London trip in Foyles

Books I picked up in London from Forbidden Planet

Eight books in three weeks isn’t bad, although with Christmas coming up I think this is the last of my spending.

  • The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black (signed)
  • Untold (The Lynburn Legacy Book 2) by Sarah Rees Brennan (signed)
  • Ever After (The Hollows #11) by Kim Harrison (adult)
  • Shadowlark (Skylark #2) by Meagan Spooner
  • The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead
  • The Hollows Insider by Kim Harrison (adult)
  • Archangel’s Legion (Guild Hunter #7) by Nalini Singh (adult)
  • Angel’s Flight (Guild Hunter #6) by Nalini Singh (adult)

That’s it from me this week. I hope you’ve had a good week; let me know how your week went in the comments below.

Top Ten Tuesday (39)

/ beckireads / 6 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

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This weeks Top Ten topic is …

Top Ten Books I’d Recommend To X Person (your choice — could be to your mom, to a reluctant male reader, to your teenage sister, to dog lover’s, to sports lovers, etc.)

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Hmm… I’m thinking X Person is going to be People Who Aren’t Fond of Romance Books. All of the books listed below will contain romance, but it won’t be the be all and end all of the book.

1. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

…because Sydney is a very practical and realistic person. She doesn’t go into a situation without looking at the pros and cons, but don’t think that makes her risk averse and boring. She’s one of the bravest, most kick-ass characters I’ve read in YA fiction.

Also, because the romance of the series is very much on the back-burner. The same is true of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series from which this is a spin-off, but I have a soft spot for this book and series.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

…because this book will break your heart, but it will also make you laugh and go ‘aww’. It feels very real. Green handles the topic with great compassion; he shows the highs and the lows.

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

…because it will surprise you. If you’re not a fan of romance based books, and because of that you’ve been avoiding this book – stop. Seriously. This book is as much about learning who you are, and being braver than you think you are, as it is about teh romance.

4. The Pleasures of Autumn by Evie Hunter (Adult)

…because although sex scenes play a prominent role in this book, there is still an actual plot. For real. And it’s an interesting and complex one too.

5. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

…because Alanna doesn’t let love stop her or define her. She wants to prove that she can be a knight, even though as a Lady she should be shipped off to the convent to learn how to be a wife. The romance doesn’t really kick in until later books though, as Alanna is twelve when we first meet her, but when it does make an appearance it adds something to the plot in my opinion.

6. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (Adult)

…because love comes in many forms. Also, romance is never really a major plot point in this series, though it hums along happily in the background. This book and series focuses more on survival and friendship.

7. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

…because honestly life threatening situations don’t equal hearts and flowers. I know it’s a shock. This is one dystopian YA where the romance isn’t even a third thought. It’s very much about survival.

8. Falling to Ash by Karen Mahoney

…because you’re never quiet sure if (as the reader) your reading too much into the situation. There’s only one book published in this series so far (and a short story) so things are kind of up in the air, but Mahoney hints at interesting possibilities.

9. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne-Jones

…because love isn’t all hearts and flowers, despite what most romantic fiction would have us think. Romance doesn’t even occur to Sophie – that’s for her sisters, who she loves dearly. This book is also fun to read. Wynne-Jones creates a really interesting world and story.

10. White Cat by Holly Black

…because Cassel has to work for the romance. He’s made some mistakes in the past that have costs he doesn’t realise. The romance is on the whole on the back burner with this series, as it’s more about the mob but when it does make an appearance Black creates a good balance.

Those were my Top Ten Books for X Person. What books that contain romance would you recommend to those who aren’t fans of the romance genre? Let me know in the comments below, or link back to your Top Ten post so I can see what makes your list.

Top Ten Tuesday (38)

/ beckireads / 4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

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This weeks Top Ten topic is …

Top Ten Four Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

This isn’t really a topic I find particularly inspiring, because generally I don’t pick up books whose covers I don’t like/don’t interest me. I’m also not great with design. So I’m somewhat stumped by how to approach this topic… Oh well, here goes.

Unspoken US cover

Unspoken UK cover

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

The original US version of this book was absolutely gorgeous, and then I saw the UK cover… Yeah, not my cup of tea. There’s no real gothic feel to it, or anything. I do like that it shows an accurate representation of Kami though.

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Seraphina US cover

Seraphina UK cover

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

When I first heard of this book, and saw the US cover I was sold. It looked amazing. Then I got a look at the UK cover, and it just didn’t work for me. The book felt entirely too modern.

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Angel Dust by Sarah Mussi

I’m not totally sure what doesn’t work about this cover for me, but it just feels wrong. I think the girl on the cover is supposed to be the main character, but she doesn’t really fit with my image from the book. It would have been kinda cool to have an angelic figure with that background though.

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Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

On the whole I think the covers of these books are quiet well done, but sometimes the cover model looks like she doesn’t quite know how to handle the swords she is holding. This cover is a case in point.

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Those were my Top Ten Four Covers I Wish I Could Redesign. What books do you want to redesign the covers of? Let me know in the comments below, or link back to your Top Ten post so I can see what makes your list.