Thursday, December 27, 2012

Short Review: Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Released: June 29th 2009
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Source: Library

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Raw Blue was an excellent read. I highly enjoyed it, even though it had me cringing at the Aussie slang in parts! Do we really sound like that?! Oh well this just added to the books awesomeness really. It is so refreshing to find a good Australian contemporary writer. It was such an emotional roller coaster. I could not put it down. Raw Blue is a book about finding yourself after terrible circumstances and trusting someone enough to let them into your life and love you. Kirsty Eagar is a literary genius and I can't wait to read more of her work. I have Night Beach waiting to be read and I'm excited!

Happy reading!
- Amy

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Teaser Tuesday #16

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB @ Should be Reading  to give our readers a little preview of the book we are currently reading


Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound #1
Release Date: January 1st 2011
Publisher: Mira
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

"You've been shot, Liv."
"Oh. How the hell had I missed that?"


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Blogspiration #9

Hi everyone!

It's Sunday and its so so close to Christmas! What are everyones plans for the holidays?




Blogspiration is a weekly book meme hosted by Kristin @ Growing Up YA and Sarah @ Saz101. This meme was created to share with our fellow readers a quote/picture/video to do with bookish things.


A little inspiration from Dr. Seuss is something everyone needs!

Happy holiday reading!

- Amy

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Blogger Behind Following the Reader

Hi everyone!

So for a little change of pace today I decided to do this almost tag if you will, I found this on Danica Page's blog :) Not sure who started this to give credit, sorry!

Do you usually sleep with your closet door open or closed? Closed. Always closed or I can't sleep  for fear of looking over and seeing someone peak through the crack and the monsters can get out. DUH!!!

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? I don't recall ever doing that, I usually like my own shampoo/conditioner more so I don't see the point!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Review: Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Released: September 29th 2009
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Library
Collins | Dymocks | Book Depository | Amazon

My Rating: 2/5 Stars

From Goodreads: "Micah Wilkins is a liar.

But when Michah's boyfriend, Zach, dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not. Especially when lying comes as naturally to her as breathing. Was Micah dating Zach? Did they kiss? Did she see him the night he died? And is she really hiding a family secret? Where does the actual truth lie?
"


*This review contains spoilers*

There is a lot happening in this book and the tables seem to turn more often than they don't, and not in a way I liked. So the first nearly half of the book you're thinking that Michah is just your average high school girl, she barely ever tells the truth, no really, like ever. For starter's I'm not a big fan of characters who are constantly lying, they make me uneasy. Which I guess was the goal of this book, but it just didn't sit well with me. Liar is almost written as a kind of journal, Michah is telling us about her life, but she also lies to us. She tells us about her brother, only she doesn't have a brother. She is lying.

So I've been MIA..... But now I am BIA


Hi everyone!!

I am Back in Action.

I know, I know, I have been missing in action for a couple of months now and I am sorry! Somewhere along the line


Friday, October 26, 2012

Halloween Spooktacular! Guest Post: Jess @ The Tales Compendium


Hi everyone!
Today I have Jess from The Tales Compendium joining me to answer some questions about Halloween!
What do you love about Halloween: I love that it allows me to act like a kid again. I love getting dressed up and being part of something that not many people really do here (see below).
How do you celebrate Halloween: Here in Australia, Halloween isn’t very popular. But, one of my best friends is from Canada and every year she transforms her whole front yard into this amazing Halloween scene.



We all dress up and scare the trick or treaters who continue to show up every year because nowhere else really goes ‘all out’. After the last of the kids have left, we all relax by watching a collection of Halloween-esq movies. Hocus Pocus and Sleepy Hollow are always repeated but Practical Magic, The Covenant, and The Craft have been known to make an appearance (I’m not one for ‘proper’ horror movies).

                                                      (Jess and her sister when they were young)
What is your favourite Halloween treat? I love candy-corn which I’ve never seen here in Australia but my friend buys it online especially for Halloween each year. But really, anything with chocolate will do :)
What was/is your favourite thing to dress up as for Halloween? I usually dress as a witch although I have been known to dress as a devil, an angel, a black cat, and little red riding hood. This year I will play the part of a vampire, joining my motley crew of friends who will be a mummy, a werewolf and a grave digger.
5 spooky/supernatural/paranormal books you think people should read this Halloween:
There is no way to pick just 5! But I’m going to try by suggesting some of the less obvious ones. All books have been reviewed on my blog.

Released by Megan Duncan

 A kick-butt girl, a post-apocalyptic America and a hot boy who will make you swoon. Released has plenty of action, suspense, demons and death, with a little romance thrown in as well. Chaos, book 2, is also available.



Fischer prolifically writes vampire and zombie novels and novellas with plenty of humour. He adapts the typical lore and still keeps the ‘bad’ in his characters.  I love curling up with one of his stories.
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


The first in Fitzpatrick’s Hush Hush series, I completely devoured this book in one sitting. I think a lot of people see it as another supernatural romance but I didn’t. I saw it as more of a thriller, with a highly capable female character and some truly scary moments.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

This is a unique tale of love and magic within a Southern gothic setting. There is voodoo and mystery, secret tunnels and succubi, and a long running battle between dark and light casters (witches). The first in the Caster Chronicles, this novel took me completely by surprise.
Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

Skulduggery Pleasant is a skeleton detective with a faithful sidekick by the name of Valkyrie Cain. They are urban fantasy detective stories and the pages are filled with adventure and intrigue, elements of magic and ghastly creatures. The witty banter and sarcasm that fills the pages is highly amusing.
 What will you be reading this Halloween?
Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter and Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista.

 

Thanks for letting me be part of Halloween Spooktacular, Amy!

Thanks for stopping by today Jess and being a part of Halloween Spooktacular! For anyone who hasn't already checked out Jess' blog, it really is a must! She is also a founding member of Perth YA Fans Unite, so for any other Perth bloggers out there make sure to check out that page as well to keep up to date with everything YA in the Perth community!
I recently picked up a copy of Skullduggery Pleasant and now I am even more excited to read it!

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway!
What are you all reading for Halloween?

Happy reading!
- Amy

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Halloween Spooktacular: Popular Scary Movies!

Hi everyone!!!

Today I have Claire from Claire Reads here telling you about Halloween Movies! OoOoooooOoooO! I don't know about you but I definitely have some movies to watch! I'm thinking I need to hire some soon!
Most Popular Halloween Movies!

The time of year has come where everyone whips out the popcorn, the sweets for the trick-or-treaters and a couple of movies to give you a good scare! Whether it be an animated movie set for family, a funny movie set for laughs or a scary one set for your eyes shut tight, it's going to be a spoooky night!

Here are some of the most popular halloween movies around!

Family friendly hits:




Ones for a bit of a laugh:




Not for the faint of heart:




There are so many choices out there, the trouble is deciding which one to watch!

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by Claire! Make sure you all check out her awesome blog

What are some of your favourite scary movies?!! I would love to know!

Happy reading!
- Amy

Friday, October 19, 2012

Halloween Spooktacular! Review: Slide - Jill Hathaway

Hi everyone and welcome to Halloween Spooktacular! If you would like to know more about this event and to also enter our first giveaway, please click here!

Slide byJill Hathaway
Series: Slide #1
Release Date: March 1st 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Purchased myself

My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Spooky Rating: 3.5/5 Cobwebs

From Goodreads: "Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again."


Let me start by saying that even before opening this book to start reading it, the cover had me spooked. I find that I can't look at it for too long because her face is way intense and I feel like she can somehow see deep into my soul. Creepy *shudders*. Because of this it took me a fair while to actually see the hands that are reflected in her eyes. Pretty cool little added detail there!

Now onto the actual review!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween Spooktacular Kickoff and Giveaway!

Hi everyone!!

Today marks the first day of Halloween Spooktacular! With Halloween just around the corner I wanted to create an event for the last two weeks of October. Australia doesn't get much into the Halloween spirit and I just felt like being festive this year. I've always been jealous of how into it America seems to get, and please don't burst my bubble and say that it's not like it is in TV and Movies because I don't want to believe it!!


See below the bump for an International Giveaway!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: The Elementals #1
Published: April 1st 2012 (US), May 2012 (AU)
Publisher: Kensington (US) Allen and Unwin (AU)
Format: Paperback ARC, US edition
Source: Rebecca @ Reading Wishes
Find it: Goodreads | Collins | Dymocks | Book Depo | Amazon

My Rating: 5/5 Stars
(that's a total lie, more like 10/5 stars!!)

From Goodreads: "Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming"


I know I know!! I was incredibly late on the Storm band wagon. I KNOW. I seriously do not know why it took me so long to get my hands on it. I had only heard amazing things about it and I had been dying to read it for so long. It just so happened that I met up with Rebecca from Reading Wishes, who is so lovely she had stalked my goodreads page and saw that I hadn't read it. She had an extra copy so she gave it to me. wha?!! I think my eyes literally bulged out of their sockets. So thank you SO much Rebecca!! <3

Anyway on to the actual review, I apologise if it is all over the place, I'm still trying to organise my thoughts!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Halloween Reads Continued - Giveaway?!

Hi Hi!

So I know I posted about reading Halloween appropriate spooky YA books in October and since then I have had some great suggestions. However, I am now thinking that I would also like to do some sort of Halloween themed giveaway.

What do you think?? It's still in the works but I just wanted to throw the idea out there and to also ask what books you would like to see in the giveaway! I am new to the spooky/scary books of the YA world so I need some schooling in the area! I would mostly like to include newly released books/coming (very) soon to be released books

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I'm thinking so far:
Ten - Gretchen McNeil 
Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake
The Space Between Us - Brenna Yovanoff
The Diviners - Libba Bray
Carnival of Souls - Melissa Marr

That's all I got so far. Please let me know if you know of any creepy and scary YA books that are coming out soon!

Happy reading!
- Amy

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Halloween Reads

Hey everyone!

So it has come to my attention that it's coming up to Halloween! Beware the ghosts and ghouls! To celebrate this spooky time of year I am planning to read and review some spooky and Halloween appropriate young adult books during the last 2 weeks of October. I would love any and all of your recommendations! I have not been big on the spooky YA books previously, but what better time, right?

In Australia, (at least WA) we don't celebrate Halloween as hard core as I would like. I'm always seeing American movies where they celebrate Halloween and it's always epic. My American readers, can you tell me if it is actually like that? Please tell me it is!

Anyway, these are the books that I already own that I think possibly fit the bill...

Slide - Jill Hathaway
The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan
Past Midnight - Mara Purnhagen
Saltwater Vampire - Kirsty Eagar
The Way We Fall - Megan Crewe
Sweetly - Jackson Pierce
In the Arms of Stone Angels

I'm not sure if they are all quite what I'm looking for, but please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions!!!

Happy reading!
- Amy

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Review: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Release Date: October 1st 2012
Series: Arcana Chronicles #1
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Publisher for review purposes

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the lovely people at Simon and Schuster for sending me an ARC of Poison Princess. Though I was sent a copy, all opinions and views that are expressed are my own!

The first book in a new series revolving around the cards of a Tarot Deck. Sounds interesting right? I don't know a whole lot about the cards of a Tarot deck but it has always intrigued me!

Let's start with this cover. GORGEOUS. It's all dark and mysterious, somewhat dystopian looking location. Is it weird that the thing I most enjoy about this cover is the jaw line of the guy? Seriously though, look at it! I know the picture above isn't the best quality and even still you can see it!


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Blogspiration #9

Blogspiration is a weekly book meme hosted by Kristin @ Growing Up YA and Sarah @ Saz101. This meme was created to share with our fellow readers a quote/picture/video to do with bookish things.

 Where, oh where can I get one of these! Laptop cover for Macbook. They also do book covers for Iphones.. May have to Bookify everything...

Happy reading!
- Amy

Friday, September 21, 2012

Feature and Follow Friday #15


Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly book meme hosted over at Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View. It was created to allow us bloggers to find more blogs to follow and to allow our following to grow! For more information and to join in the fun, please check out their page's!

Q: What hyped up book was worth all of the fuss?

I have a feeling that there are going to be many of the same answers across the board for this one. Do I have to just pick one?! That's so hard. Ok I will have to say Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I devoured this book. I finished it in one sitting and was left wanting more. The whole premise of the book is so intriguing and I'm so glad that Tahereh Mafi more than pulled this book off. It is now one of my favourites and I can't wait for the second!

What hyped up book do you think was worth all the fuss? Or link me to your FF's!
Also don't forget to check out my international giveaway while you're here!

Happy reading!
- Amy

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Release Date: June 7th 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Received for review from Publisher
Collins | Dymocks | Book Depository

My Rating: 5/5 Stars.

From Goodreads: "Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love."

Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to the lovely people at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book for review purposes. This does not in any way alter my review or opinion of this book. 

I absolutely LOVED this book, I mean all caps LOVED. Morgan Matson is fast becoming one of my favourite YA contemporary authors. I adored Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, click the link to check out that review. After reading her first book I was seriously excited for Second Chance Summer, and it did not disappoint! 

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Review: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld



The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Released: February 14th 2004
Series: Midnighters #1
Publisher: Atom
Source: Library

Rating: 5/5 Stars



Oh my golly gosh. This book was awesome. If you could publish awesome, it would be in the form of this book. Big statement I know. But stay with me, because this book deserves much more attention!

Most of the YA community (in my experience) has read or at least heard of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Don't get me wrong, I adored that series too. But this? This was on a whole other level.

Now the Uglies series is still awesome, but since reading the books, I have come across books that are similar in some ways. Delirium being one, which I feel is a combo of Uglies and Matched. They are not exactly the same but that had the same feel. ANYWAY. The Secret Hour? So original! At least in my opinion. 

Blogspiration #8

Blogspiration is a weekly book meme hosted by Kristin @ Growing Up YA and Sarah @ Saz101. This meme was created to share with our fellow readers a quote/picture/video that inspire's us...


Ok, really not sure how this 'inspire's' me.... But just go with it.
Please tell me I'm not the only one?! I think this is completely sane! I mean, I often cry in books. The characters don't actually have to die for me to cry though. I'll just be crying left right and centre. This is why I can't read in public... AWKWARDDDD!

Happy reading! 
- Amy

Friday, September 14, 2012

Blogspiration #7

Hi everyone

Blogspiration is a an awesome weekly book meme hosted by Kristin @ Growing Up YA and Sarah @ Saz101. This meme was created to share with our fellow readers a quote/picture/video to do with bookish things.

This one comes from pinterest, but for the life of me I can't find the original link, so I apologise!!!

This is me: "I must get home so I can finish that book!" either that or I don't leave the house till it's finished..

My bookshelf is a direct indication of how little else there is than books. But really what else IS there? :P

Happy reading!
- Amy

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Melina Marchetta Book Signing

Where do I even start? I mean.. You saw the title of this post. I MET MELINA MARCHETTA!! *Fan girl moment!!*

Thanks to the awesome people at Perth YA Fans Unite, who along with Subiaco Library were able to lock down this event with Melina! If you are a Perth YA fan then you definitely need to check out both the Fans Unite blog and facebook page. They need all the support they can get to make future events just as awesome as this one!!


Melina is such a lovely person and her talk was so informative. I like hearing the processes author's go through to get to the final product of their book. Melina spoke about the research that she does for her novels. It is not enough for her to imagine a place or see pictures of it. She needs to see locations in person. Because of this she has seen many amazing places, particularly throughout Europe in the case of her Lumatere Chronicles. She travelled to see caves all over Europe for her most recent book Froi of the Exiles. The locations in Froi are inspired by landscapes but she becomes some what of a sculpturist, transforming the location she sees into the location that she writes, taking and altering many different aspects.

Melina also spoke about her process of creating a story. She does not start with a plot or setting, it all starts with a character for her. Now I may be paraphrasing slightly here but... "I know when I can't get a character out of my head that they will show up in a story down the line." I have never really thought of the characters coming first then the plot line, so I found this very interesting.

Towards the end of the evening Melina opened the room up for questions and this is where everyone got even more excited. Someone asked a question about the movie they are making based on On the Jellicoe Road and Melina spoke about how involved she is in the process. Script writing and picking actors to approach for the leads. The same as with the movie version of Looking for Alibrandi, which Melina was a massive part of. Melina revealed that they have approached an actor who would be the 'perfect Taylor' but she was unable to tell us who it was. There were definitely more than a few gasps through the crowd as everyone took in this information.

Then it came to the book signing. Melina signed every book that was put in front of her, but she did more than just sign. She made the effort to talk to each and everyone person that approached her for a signature, which was just lovely. She is so down to earth and a true Australian gem.

(Picture is courtesy of Taneika at Flipping Through the Pages as I am silly and forgot my camera)

After the book signing, I was invited by a blogging friend to hang around and grab some dinner, where I got to meet so many lovely bloggers! It was so nice to meet more 'people of my kind' I like to say. YA book bloggers, I feel, are a special breed of person. We just get each other so well. So you can imagine that there was a lot of post Melina Marchetta 'squee-ing' as well as many many conversations about our love for book boys. We were just lucky that the staff at Grill'd were very enthusiastic themselves so they didn't mind that we got a little bit rowdy when it came down to who was team Dimitri and who was team Adrian (it nearly tore our group in half!!). We even had one of the staff take a picture for us, all tourist like.


From left to right: Hannah @ The Girl in a Cafe, Claire @ Claire Reads, Nicole who guest posts for Claire, Rebecca @ Reading Wishes, Me, Jess @ The Tales Compendium and Taneika @ Flipping Through the Pages

Make sure you go and check out their blogs!!

Are you an Aussie blogger? Or even a Perth blogger? Let me know in the comments, I love finding Aussie bloggers!!

Happy reading and don't forget to check out my giveaway!
- Amy

*My 1 Year Blogoversary and Giveaway*

Hi everyone!

I can't believe it has been a whole year since I started blogging. It's just seems crazy to me! In a way it doesn't feel like a whole year has gone past and then at the same time it feels like it is something I have been doing forever.

To celebrate and to thank you all for sticking around I will be hosting a giveaway of exciting september releases!!

Giveaway Details:
  • Open Internationally (if Book Depository ships to your country)
  • Must be a GFC follower!  
  • Open to new and old followers
  • The giveaway will be open until 12.00am EST 30/9/2012 
  • To enter please fill in the below form

The winner/s will have their choice of ONE of the following books:


Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter
The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1) by Kat Zhang
Origin by Jessica Khoury
Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan
Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff
Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

Some of these may not be available at the close of the giveaway, but they are available not log after and will be pre-ordered for you.

Please Be Advised:
  • I am not responsible for lost or damaged goods from The Book Depository
  • No personal information (address) will be stored or used except for the purpose of this giveaway
  • Winner will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to respond with mailing address and book choice or a new winner will be chosen.
  • The winner will be picked through rafflecopter by a random number generator (random.org)
  • I have the right to change giveaway details as I see fit
  • Entrants must be 13 or older

  • Covers shown may differ from the cover you will be sent
  • Goodluck and happy reading!
    - Amy




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...