IMM (#19) 19/02/12

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren as a way of showing off our addiction to books every week. You can learn more about this here. 


Good morning all!! 


Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday morning, I know I am...I have cinnamon roll pop tarts!! =D its the simple things in life...


Anyway the books from this week...

Won
Lone Wolf - Jodi Picoult


The lovely @Tescobooks had a competition on Twitter to win a copy of this...it doesn't come out here for another 2 weeks and she is by far one of my favourite authors! I actually screamed in the sandwich shop on my lunch break, when I got the email...needless to say I won't be going back there any time soon!


For Review
666 Park Avenue - Gabriella Pierce


My sister's boyfriend (Mr John Slavin...he writes about cars here...) told Emily from Corsair and Canvas that I (attempt) to book blog and she sent me this pretty book! 


So this week both books are adult, rather than Young Adult, but can't see why I won't like them! =) 


What did you all get this week?


Hope you all have a lovely weekend...I'm off to make bread and cookies!


Steffikins 
x x 

IMM (#18) 12/02/12

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren as a way of showing off our addiction to books every week. You can learn more about this here. 


So yes remember how I said at the start of January:
"I have too many books at the moment so won't be buying any..."


Of course that rule always gets broken when I go to see Raimy...who had also got a whole pile of books from Keris, which are on show here! I unfortunately missed seeing Keris that weekend due to mass piles of traffic...a 2 hour drive took 8 hours...needless to say I cried when I missed food and missed seeing Keris... never mind needing to pee for 3 hours!! But anyway on to the books...

Borrowed from Raimy
Divergent - Veronica Roth
In Darkness - Nick Lake
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit - Jeanette Winterson


Borrowed from Keris
Kissing Kate - Lauren Myracle
Pretty Bad Things - C.J.Skuse


I've been working on getting through Pretty Bad Things which is amazing so far...I did read Oranges are not the only fruit around 5 years ago in College but I feel I need to re-read it. 


Also today...The wonderful Emma from Book Angel Booktopia asked me to review Wonder and I did for her. It will be up today so run and have a look....especially at the rest of her blog as it's amazing!


What did you all get to read this week?

IMM (#16) 18/12/11

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren as a way of showing off our addiction to books every week. You can learn more about this here. 

The Winning Team

Last night was my friends great idea of "Pre-Christmas". This was started six years ago as a way for everyone to meet up, share presents and have a mini Christmas before the group split off to go home to their families, which involves lots and lots and lots of games and drinking!! Last night was my first time attending...and I am really feeling it today...However everyone there knows my love of books...so I have lots to share with you!!

Won
The Hunger Games Trilogy - Suzanne Collins
Terminator Salvation - Greg Cox

I won the Hunger Games!! And already have 2 people at the party begging to borrow them once I've finished and that's purely off the blurb on the back of the first one! Mike won Terminator in pass-the-parcel and gave it to me as he is never going to read it...not sure I will either but I never say never!

Gifted (all by Nikki!)
13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson
Tweet Treats - Jane Travers (compiled and Edited)
A Modern Girls Guide to Getting Hitched - Sarah Ivens


Yey pretty books!! Tweet treats is really funny, plus our lovely Keris is in it! can't wait to read more of it and find some amazing recipes in 140 characters!

I may need to explain the last book...On Thursday night the ESP (Ever-Suffering-Partner) proposed! Using a giant sackboy toy and a very pretty Star Ring (we are big geeks...and it is defenitiley something memorable!)  =] So hopefully this book will come in useful as I have no clue where to start! Miss Raimy will also need to read this...She's going to be one making sure I get my butt down the aisle!

If anyone knows any wedding blogs let me know, will need all the help I can get!

T.G.I.F. Friday, Dec. 2nd - Writing Reviews 101

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Dec. 2nd - Writing Reviews 101: What's your process for writing book reviews? Any tips or suggestions you would recommend to other bloggers?

I don't really have a process per say...

If I'm on a reading streak and have read 3 or more books in a weekend (It has happened!!) then I will write mini post it notes with random words and phrases that have popped into my head while reading. I try to sit with a note book next to me as I read but then I find myself writing the review before I've even finished reading the book!

I try to just use the small little notes as prompts and mainly go off my main instincts and thoughts on a book. I try to be critical but sometimes you cant just help gushing about certain books and I know I'm the worst at it! 

Any hints people can give me so that I have a more organised reviewing process?

IMM (#15) 27/11/11

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren as a way of showing off our addiction to books every week. You can learn more about this here.


I'm bacccck!

So I've vanished this month...In this month I had a week in Amsterdam (lovely place!) and then I had my undergraduate graduation event (see pic...) and thennn my laptop blew up!

Currently writing this on the partners home office computer...it smells funny in this office and there is a lot of paperwork everywhere! He also doesn't use a mouse, and prefers a graphics tablet at pen...that makes it interesting trying to click, copy and paste!

On to the books!

So this is over two weeks:

Bought
Eve - Anna Carey
Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
Della Says OMG - Keris Stainton (not pictured because its been lent to the sister in law!!)


I've heard a lot about Eve, and it really excited me at first but I tried to read little reviews and so far I'm really enjoying it! Della was polished off in around 2 hours with lots of giggling very loudly and getting weird looks off the in laws!

ReaditSwapit
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (and other stories) - F.Scott Fitzgerald


So I always thought that Benjamin Button was an epic novel to make a 3 hour epic film in which very little happened (I didn't enjoy it!) but I now find out it is only 20 pages long! Neeedless to say a little miffed with ReaditSwapit as the person declared it was only that story and I feel a little cheated out of a £40 text book! But Oh Well,...Free Book!

In the entire laptop saga, I have been attempting to write posts on my phone, to then edit them at work or using Mikes computer so hopefully that will work till I get a new computer next week!

Can't wait to see what everyone else got in their mailbox! And if anyone can advise any graduation novels please can you let me know? =D

Love Always!

Steffi xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Nov. 25th - When You're Not Reading

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Nov. 25th - When You're Not Reading: What occupies your time when your nose isn't stuck in a book?

Recently I have been doing a whole lot of nothing! Or at least it feels that way!! 

I've actually just been on holiday and before and after that I've been cleaning, packing, sorting out stuff at my office and then cross stitching! 

I am currently cross stitching Christmas cards for my nearest and dearest and then will begin to get on with all the cooking I do for Christmas (I make lots of chutneys and cakes as presents)!! 

Mainly I'd say if I'm not reading, I'm watching TV,  cuddling my cats, watching the partner play whatever new game he has, or cackling with my Girls...but I always come running back to reading!!

T.G.I.F - Friday, Oct. 28th - Spooktacular Reads

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Oct. 28th - Spooktacular Reads: Which books do you consider festive Halloween reads? Which stories have chilled you to the bone?

I currently can't think of anything that was scary to read yet. I know there's lots on my pile to read that people have said are scary. I think I'm going to read Practical Magic again, all the witchyness will satisfy my need to read something Halloweeny!  

Any books people can advise?

Hope you all have a spooky Halloween!!!

Steffikins xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Oct. 14th - Show & Tell

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Oct. 14th -Show & Tell: Where do you grab a book and get lost in it? Show us your favourite spot you like to read at.

Anywhere!! However my most common place is here:

Yep..Plain old (very, very comfy) sofa with my phone, my ashtray & cigarettes, and usually a cat or two jumping on me. The kitten (pictured) has a habit of hitting the book as I'm reading it as she wants attention!

I also love to read next to an open fire, or lying on the floor however I don't have a fireplace in my house (booo) and if I lie on the floor then the cats have to be locked out the room. I also try to make sure I have random paper/receipts/vouchers for bookmarks lying around as I never end up using the same bookmark again! 

As much as I love to read outdoors, my only problem is that I end up getting distracted and people watch...or pretend I'm reading while hearing random conversations or watching people and that's not good when trying to read something really interesting!

Where do you like to read?

Steffikins

xxx

T.G.I.F. - Friday, Sept. 30th - Banned Books

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 30th -Banned Books: How do you feel about the censorship of the freedom to read? Do you think the education system needs to be more strict on what children are exposed to in books?

I don't think any books should be banned at all!


Half the books that were banned before are now read continuously and no-one can see an issue with why they were banned in the first place!! It also meant the books that were banned were more popular and more people wanted to read them...complete mistake banning them really!


I also think attempting to ban books nowadays, with the mass use of the internet, would fail dramatically! You can get hold of anything online so if a book was banned I'm sure there would be someone somewhere who had a copy and would put it on the internet!

There are some books which kids shouldnt read at certain ages...I remember stopping my 6 year old sister reading a LGBT novel I had, but that was more I didn't want to answer her questions, or have to explain to my mum what the book was about or why I had it!

But I know she read it a few years later and that doesn't bother me, I think there are books with some topics that young kids shouldn't read but as you get older its a persons choice and right to read what they want!

What do you think??

Steffi

xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Sept. 23rd - Reading Challenges

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 23rd - Reading Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been? 

I came to the blogging party half way through the year, so I've missed out on joining any large reading Challenges.

I did set one up through my Birthday Challenges and am currently on book numbers 24 and 25 out of 100. I'm also trying to make sure I review at least 50 (currently written 10!), though this has now changed into at least do a blog post about as some are a bit too hard to review or I don't feel I can do the book justice!

I think I will start seeing what new challenges start towards the start of the next year and join in, I'd love to try and look at all the books that are based on computer games, or Zombies. I think these are an awesome niche market!

Any Reading Challenges people can advise that I should take part in? Or where I will be able to find a list?

Thanks! 

Steffikins xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Sept 16 - Book Disappointments

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 16th - Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?

Part of me really wants to respond "No, of course not!!" but somethings stopping me posting that reply..

I think part of what I'm internally disagreeing with is that I'm never disappointed with a full book, it's always just a section which then continues through the rest of the book. I think the book which failed the most to me recently was "Not My Idea of Heaven" by Lindsey Rosa (Review here) and I think it was because I was so excited, so hyped, and then it all came crashing down. 

Lots of small things disappoint me within books, but I can't think of any in particular...I try to ignore them or forget them!

What do you think??

Steffi xx

Teaser Tuesday 13/09/11

  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 two (2) “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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser: 

"'Zombie blood is probably contagious,' Logan said.

Sam scowled. 'In that case, 

I'll try to resist the temptation to lick myself clean.'"

Pg.83 , Dead Island: The Book by Mark Morris

T.G.I.F. - Friday, Sept 9th - Books to Television

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 9th - Books to Television: Which books would you love to see made in to a tv series? or movie? 

So many books have made me wish to see them being acted out...but so many have come across and failed!

Currently I am in love with the Gallagher Girls Series (Reviews here for book 1, and here for book 2) and I would love to see them do a series...however there's a deep sinking feeling inside when I think "They will kill it". Stormbreaker was the same. Both are about spies, teenagers and the cross between and I always thought it would be amazing as they are so full of action. HOWEVER...within 10 minutes of Stormbreaker being on I was close to crying.

Alex wasn't how I imagined him. Looks wise they'd made him too good looking, sounds very odd but as I read it I imagined a quiet boy who blended in, and in the film they'd made him popular, super good looking, lots of charm and I wanted to just cry or yell at the people.

So I think making books into movies is a hard thing and any director/producer/writer/actor that takes it on must have to know somewhere in the back of their mind they have all these fans of the books to keep happy!

And I know I've just rambled how much it upset me...doesn't me a small part of me wants a Gallagher TV series/movie!!

What do you think??

Steffi

xx

Teaser Tuesday - 23/08/11

  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 two (2) “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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser: 

"On coming home from work and hearing my parents argue, instead of escaping into the water like a troubled teen, 

I should have stayed and supported my mom. If I'd taken better care of her when she needed me,

I could have prevented everything."

Pg. 6, Forget you by Jennifer Echols

Teaser Tuesday - 16/08/11

  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 two (2) “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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 


My Teaser: 

"They'd come to this comprise early on - instead of hand-holding in public, they could hand bump. It was their secret signal , and at first Avery had loved it."

Pg. 147, The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson