Waiting on Wednesday #21

Hi Everyone!

Waiting on Wednesday is a bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. For more information please visit her blog!

Want to see what I picked this week? Well you will have to see below the bump ;)

Waiting on Wednesday #19

Hi Everyone!

Waiting on Wednesday is a bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. For more information please visit her blog!

Want to see what I picked this week? Well you will have to see below the bump ;)

Review: Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell

Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell
Release Date: October 1st 2012
Publisher: Fremantle Press
Source: Purchased by me
Pages: 220
 My Rating: 

From Goodreads: "Hilarious and heartbreaking, Creepy & Maud charts the relationship between two social misfits, played out in the space between their windows.

Creepy is a boy who watches from the shadows keenly observing and caustically commentating on human folly.

Maud is less certain. A confused girl with a condition that embarrasses her parents and assures her isolation.

Together Creepy and Maud discover something outside their own vulnerability — each other’s. But life is arbitrary; and loving someone doesn’t mean you can save them.

Creepy & Maud is a blackly funny and moving first novel that says; ‘You’re ok to be as screwed up as you think you are and you’re not alone in that.'"

Waiting on Wednesday #18

Hi Everyone!

Waiting on Wednesday is a bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. For more information please visit her blog!

Want to see what I picked this week? Well you will have to see below the bump ;)

Teaser Tuesday #22

Hi everyone!

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.

This weeks title I have chosen is one that caught my eye straight off the bat. Pretty excited to read this one!!

Make sure you see below the bump for more information :D

Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Release Date: June 1st 2012
Publisher: Hardie Egmont Grant
Pages: 324
Series: Of Poseidon #1
Source: Borrowed from Jade <3
Find it on Goodreads
My Rating: 

From Goodreads: "Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance."

See below the bump for the review!

Teaser Tuesday #20

Hi everyone!
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.

 The Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette
Release Date: March 1st 2012
Publisher: Bantam Press
Pages: 320
Find it on Goodreads

"I tried hard to redeem the situation, but when Adam kissed me goodbye at Paddington station the next day it was with all the zeal of a tree sloth searching for a bit of wilted algae." - 117

"It was then I found myself looking at my ex-husband with new, warmer eyes, as though I had borrowed Merlin's vision. Listening to his Mellifluous tones, licentious feelings crept up on me, like fish twining through seaweed. I felt myself moving towrads my ex, as if drawn by the inexorable pull of a thread." - 263

What are you currently reading? Feel like giving me a little teaser?

Happy reading!

Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Release Date: October 2012 (first published 2001)
Pages:336
Publisher: Canongate
Format: Movie tie-in paperback
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Find it: Goodreads | Collins (AU)| Dymocks (AU) |Book Depository (INT) | Amazon (INT)

My Rating: 

From Goodreads: "Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.

The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional-but is it more true?

Life of Pi is at once a realistic, rousing adventure and a meta-tale of survival that explores the redemptive power of storytelling and the transformative nature of fiction. It's a story, as one character puts it, to make you believe in God."


See below the bump for my review :)

Guest Review: Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella

Hi everyone! 

I have something very special in store for you today! A guest review!! My lovely friend, Sophie is here today to review one of her (and my) favourite books! Now here is a bit of background! Sophie and I met through a mutual friend and have since become really good friends! We convinced each other to start blogs. Mine a book blog and hers a beauty blog. Well here we both are now! So please make her feel welcome (though I know you will!).

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

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

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!

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!

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

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! 

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

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

*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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Release Date: September 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Source: Received from publisher

Quick Thoughts: Really enjoyed Speechless. A strong story about the consequences of gossiping and bullying

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to the wonderful people at HarlequinTeen for supplying me with a review copy of Speechless. This does not alter my review in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book I have read of Hannah Harrington's, though I have been trying to get my hands on a copy of Saving June!

I want to stop here and look at the cover. It in its self sends is so powerful and thought provoking that I just couldn't wait to dive into this book.

Speechless is thought provoking young adult novel, about the consequences of gossiping and bullying. Teens these days are faced with these everyday, becoming victims of gossip and bullying. Hannah gives a powerful voice to those being bullied. As in the case with Speechless the topic of bullying is Homophobia. Hannah approaches this issue with great care and a well thought out plot line.

Chelsea, the school gossip, and main character, finds herself in a very awkward situation. Having walked in on a boy from her school making out with another boy at a party, she instantly runs downstairs to tell her friends what she saw. Something that Chelsea ordinarily wouldn't think twice about. However, as soon as the words leave her mouth and she see's the reaction of the 'popular' boys at the school she regrets ever opening her mouth.

Chelsea later finds out that the boy from her school has been hospitalised. He was walking home from the party that night and was attacked and brutaly beaten up, winding up in hospital.

The last thing Chelsea says is to the police, revealing who beat up the boy and why. This begins Chelsea's vow of silence. After being the school gossiper for so long, and having now realised what effect it can have, she no longer wants the words to come out of her mouth to cause something like this again.

Chelsea carries on with her school year, becoming shunned by nearly the entire school. Now finds she is being bullied herself. In the only class she has a chance of escaping from all of that is art. But on the first day back at school she realises that Noah's best friend, Sam is in the class with her, not only that, the only seat left is the one next to her. This is going to be a total train wreck. Or so she thinks. You guessed it. She meets a boy, Sam. But he's not just any boy, he's Noah's best friend. Yikes! She feels guilty as hell but finds that Sam 

Speechless is a captivating story about a girl who was once a gossiper and bully herself, becoming the victim, allow with others in the story. Chelsea along the way tries to figure out who really matters, and how to be the type of person she doesn't hate and to just be happy. Through her journey of silence she makes new and unexpected friends and finds herself happier than she has ever been. 

I really loved this book and I just chewed through it so fast. Speechless keeps a good pace, that kept me interested throughout. Chelsea really grows as a character through this book and props to Hannah Harrington for achieving this really effectively!! Love love loved!

So, have you read Speechless? What were your thoughts?

Happy reading!
- Amy