Saturday 31 October 2015
November TBR
I am finally back. Sorry I have been gone so long but I started a new job and just have not had the time to keep up with stuff but I do want to start making this blog a priority once again. So with that being said here is my November TBR:
Sunday 6 September 2015
This Weeks Wrap Up
Books I have finished
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18166936-the-strange-and-beautiful-sorrows-of-ava-lavender
I really enjoyed this book. Gave this book 4 stars. This story is more character driven rather then plot driven and it is based on Ava Lavender recalling the life of her grandmother, then mother and then her life up until now. This book was beautifully written and I would have given it a 5 stars if it wasn't for the first chapter. I just did not enjoy the first chapter at all and was thinking about putting down the book but after the second chapter I was hooked. Loved this story.
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17824638-keeping-her
This is a novella written after Losing It by Cora Carmack. I absolutely loved the love story in Losing it so when I found out there was a novella I just had to read it. This follows the two main characters as they go to London to visit Garricks Parents. I ended up giving this book a 3 stars. On goodreads it says the book is 175 pages but it is really just over 100 pages from memory I think 120 (sorry this was a library copy so I cant check it). The rest of the book was just chapters from other books in the series. Even though I did enjoy this novella I really did not think it was necessary. Nothing really happened in this story and if I had known this ahead of time I don't think I would have picked this book up.
I really enjoyed this book. Gave this book 4 stars. This story is more character driven rather then plot driven and it is based on Ava Lavender recalling the life of her grandmother, then mother and then her life up until now. This book was beautifully written and I would have given it a 5 stars if it wasn't for the first chapter. I just did not enjoy the first chapter at all and was thinking about putting down the book but after the second chapter I was hooked. Loved this story.
This is a novella written after Losing It by Cora Carmack. I absolutely loved the love story in Losing it so when I found out there was a novella I just had to read it. This follows the two main characters as they go to London to visit Garricks Parents. I ended up giving this book a 3 stars. On goodreads it says the book is 175 pages but it is really just over 100 pages from memory I think 120 (sorry this was a library copy so I cant check it). The rest of the book was just chapters from other books in the series. Even though I did enjoy this novella I really did not think it was necessary. Nothing really happened in this story and if I had known this ahead of time I don't think I would have picked this book up.
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15505346-on-the-island
This story follows TJ (student) and Anna (tutor) when their plane crashes and they get stuck on an island. I had heard on booktube that the two characters end up falling for each other and because of this I was not sure I wanted to read this book. I was however surprised that I really enjoyed this book and ended up giving it 4 stars. From the beginning I was totally engrossed in this book and could not put it down and ended up reading it in 2 sittings. It would have been one but I was just so tired that I could not continue. The love story was done in a realistic and believable way and because of the way it was done it did not irk me as it would have if it was an instalove scenario. I definitely recommend this book.
Books I put down for now
I just could not get into the writing style of this book and was just not in the mood for the story so I put this book down to read something that is going to engross me. I may pick this up again in the future as I didn't hate it I was just not in the mood for it.
Currently reading
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455815-stone-cold-touch
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Review - Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas
Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: Already released
Goodreads Summary:
Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.
Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.
The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight.
My Review:
I know I'm in the minority here but this was my least favorite book in the series. I gave the Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight both 5 stars and I really wanted to enjoy this book. I however was not a fan of the multiple perspectives especially Manon's which I just skimmed through because I was not invested in Manon's story at all. I however did enjoy the other two perspectives probably because I knew these characters from the previous two books and was invested in them.
Part one of the book really fell flat for me. I had to really push myself to get through it. I was so invested in these characters that I did not just want to give up on the story even though I considered DNFing several times. I do however understand why the first part had to be as we needed to learn about the new world that Celaena was now in. I would give this part of the book 2 stars.
Part 2 however did pick up and I did really enjoy the second half of the book especially the last 100 or so pages. I wish the whole book was like this. Part two I would give a 4 -4.5 Star rating as I still didn't enjoy Manon's point of view but loved the rest of the story. The ending hooked me enough for me to want to continue with the rest of the series. So I will definitely be picking up Queen of Shadows when it comes out in September.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: Already released
Goodreads Summary:
Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.
Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.
The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight.
My Review:
I know I'm in the minority here but this was my least favorite book in the series. I gave the Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight both 5 stars and I really wanted to enjoy this book. I however was not a fan of the multiple perspectives especially Manon's which I just skimmed through because I was not invested in Manon's story at all. I however did enjoy the other two perspectives probably because I knew these characters from the previous two books and was invested in them.
Part one of the book really fell flat for me. I had to really push myself to get through it. I was so invested in these characters that I did not just want to give up on the story even though I considered DNFing several times. I do however understand why the first part had to be as we needed to learn about the new world that Celaena was now in. I would give this part of the book 2 stars.
Part 2 however did pick up and I did really enjoy the second half of the book especially the last 100 or so pages. I wish the whole book was like this. Part two I would give a 4 -4.5 Star rating as I still didn't enjoy Manon's point of view but loved the rest of the story. The ending hooked me enough for me to want to continue with the rest of the series. So I will definitely be picking up Queen of Shadows when it comes out in September.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Monday 31 August 2015
This weeks TBR
I have decided to do a weekly TBR post. These are therefore the books I am hoping to read this week.
Books I am currently reading and hoping to finish:
- The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton (I am currently on page 189)
- Keeping Her by Cora Carmack (I am currently on page 60)
Books I am wanting to start and hopefully finish this week:
- On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
- Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor
Sunday 30 August 2015
Weekly Wrap Up
I have decided to do a weekly wrap of all the books I have read this week, which books I am currently reading and which books I have put down.
Books I have read this week:
Full Review: http://ausbooklover.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/book-review-confessions-of-once.html
Goodreads Summary:
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.
Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
Rating: 4 stars Review to come
Books I am currently reading: (I will do reviews once I have finished them)
Goodreads Summary:
Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?
But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.
As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.
Goodreads Summary:
Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.
Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.
First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.
Books I am Putting Down for now:
I am putting these books down because they are not bad books but I am just not in the mood to read them at the moment so I should be picking these books up again in the future.
Books I have read this week:
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.
Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
Rating: 4 stars Review to come
Books I am currently reading: (I will do reviews once I have finished them)
Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?
But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.
As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.
Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.
Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.
First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.
Books I am Putting Down for now:
I am putting these books down because they are not bad books but I am just not in the mood to read them at the moment so I should be picking these books up again in the future.
Saturday 29 August 2015
Review: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Title: Amy and Rogers Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books
How I acquired a copy: Purchased it
Release Date: Already released
Goodreads summary:
Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.
Review:
I enjoyed this story I really did but there were parts that in my opinion could have been done better. I enjoyed the whole road trip aspect to the book and liked seeing the receipts, playlists Etc. I thought that was a cute touch and added to the story.
However there were parts that I had issues with. Everything during the trip seemed to work out perfectly for them and I just wish we saw more struggles. Most people when they are low on money don't get free accommodation and a free meal so I thought this part was a little unrealistic that everything always worked out for them.
I also would have liked to see the relationship with her mum explored more. We got to see what happened with her dad and got to see a resolution with her brother but I thought the relationship with her mum was not explored enough.
Overall though I did enjoy this book and thought it was a cute contemporary read.
Star rating: 3.5 Stars
Friday 28 August 2015
Book Review: Confessions of a Once Fashionable Mum by Georgia Madden
Title: Confessions of a Once Fashionable Mum
Author: Georgia Madden
Publisher: Nero
How I acquired book: I purchased it
Release date: Already released
Goodreads summary:
Successful hubbie? Tick. Facebook-worthy baby? Tick. Bikini-body six weeks after giving birth? Um … not so much.
Fashion PR exec Ally Bloom got her happy ending. Okay, her marriage might be showing the odd crack, her battleaxe mother-in-law might have come to stay, and she might not be the yummy mummy she'd imagined, but it's nothing a decent night's sleep and a firm commitment to a no-carb diet won't fix.
But when Ally returns to work and finds she'll be reporting to a 22-year-old airhead, she decides to turn her back on life as a professional fashionista and embrace her inner earth mama instead.
So it's out with the Louboutins and champagne and in with the sensible flats and coffee mornings with the Mummy Mafia. From attending her first grown-up dinner party only to discover that placenta is top of the menu to controlling her monster crush on local playgroup hottie Cameron, Ally must find her feet in the brave new world of the stay-at-home mum.
Review:
This book is a light fun read all about marriage, the challenges of motherhood and forming friendships.
Ally gets replaced at her job by a 22 year old airhead and decides to join a playgroup and become an earth mum instead. Through this we get to see her relationships grow with these mothers and get to see a sneak peak into their lives as well.
I was surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book had been sitting on my TBR shelf for months and I was honestly thinking about donating it as I didn't have any inclination to read it. When I got into my reading slump I decided to try something different and picked up this book.
From the 1st page I was hooked and could not put this book down. Being an Australian mum myself and attending playgroups when my daughter was younger I could totally relate to that aspect of the book and how you just want to feel accepted by these people but you are feeling judged at the same time. I could also relate (and im sure most mums can) to the struggle of deciding what to do whether to return to work or stay home and all the guilt that comes with each decision. Which made me really relate to this character.
Though this book was a little over the top I felt this was its intention and is what made it such a fun and enjoyable read. I loved Ally Blooms sarcasm and witty comebacks and just overall her as a character. I also loved seeing the relationship between her and her mother in law and how it grew throughout the book.
Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking a fun, enjoyable read that's not looking for anything to serious. Mums would be able to relate to relate to this book but I am sure other women will also enjoy it.
Rating: 5 stars
Author: Georgia Madden
Publisher: Nero
How I acquired book: I purchased it
Release date: Already released
Goodreads summary:
Successful hubbie? Tick. Facebook-worthy baby? Tick. Bikini-body six weeks after giving birth? Um … not so much.
Fashion PR exec Ally Bloom got her happy ending. Okay, her marriage might be showing the odd crack, her battleaxe mother-in-law might have come to stay, and she might not be the yummy mummy she'd imagined, but it's nothing a decent night's sleep and a firm commitment to a no-carb diet won't fix.
But when Ally returns to work and finds she'll be reporting to a 22-year-old airhead, she decides to turn her back on life as a professional fashionista and embrace her inner earth mama instead.
So it's out with the Louboutins and champagne and in with the sensible flats and coffee mornings with the Mummy Mafia. From attending her first grown-up dinner party only to discover that placenta is top of the menu to controlling her monster crush on local playgroup hottie Cameron, Ally must find her feet in the brave new world of the stay-at-home mum.
Review:
This book is a light fun read all about marriage, the challenges of motherhood and forming friendships.
Ally gets replaced at her job by a 22 year old airhead and decides to join a playgroup and become an earth mum instead. Through this we get to see her relationships grow with these mothers and get to see a sneak peak into their lives as well.
I was surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book had been sitting on my TBR shelf for months and I was honestly thinking about donating it as I didn't have any inclination to read it. When I got into my reading slump I decided to try something different and picked up this book.
From the 1st page I was hooked and could not put this book down. Being an Australian mum myself and attending playgroups when my daughter was younger I could totally relate to that aspect of the book and how you just want to feel accepted by these people but you are feeling judged at the same time. I could also relate (and im sure most mums can) to the struggle of deciding what to do whether to return to work or stay home and all the guilt that comes with each decision. Which made me really relate to this character.
Though this book was a little over the top I felt this was its intention and is what made it such a fun and enjoyable read. I loved Ally Blooms sarcasm and witty comebacks and just overall her as a character. I also loved seeing the relationship between her and her mother in law and how it grew throughout the book.
Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking a fun, enjoyable read that's not looking for anything to serious. Mums would be able to relate to relate to this book but I am sure other women will also enjoy it.
Rating: 5 stars
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