BIBLIOTHERAPY || #NowWeRise

I am thrilled to be a part of the #NowWeRise blog tour, to celebrate the release of CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adayemi!

For this video, I drew inspiration from the maji Healers of the Iwosan clan, to bring you some books that heal/cure your (not-so-bookish) ailments

Welcome to today's Bibliotherapy session...

October Wrap Up | 2012

I went SO crazy with the book buying this month! 21!? Plus more coming in November.. Oh deary me.




Books Acquired:
- Velveteen by Daniel Marks
- Snow White by The Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia
- Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Book Store by Robin Sloan
- Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
- Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
- The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
- The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost
- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
- The Lovers Dictionary by David Levithan
- Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Macguire
- Eve & Adam by Michael Grant & Katherin Applegate
- Graceling by Kristin Kashore
- Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox
- Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox
- Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
- Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
- Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
- The Industry by Rose Foster
- Every Day by David Levithan




Books Read:
- The Burning Star by Jessie Lane- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa- Snow White by The Brothers Grimm- Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

/In Progress/
- Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
- Velveteen by Daniel Marks
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
- The Night is for Hunting by John Marsden


November TBR:
- Everneath by Brodi Ashton
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

*****

Reviews
Birthright by Willow Cross
Snow White by The Brothers Grimm




Additions to Reading Challenges
The Burning Star by Jessie Lane - Debut Author Challenge
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood - Debut Author Challenge
Velveteen by Daniel Marks - Debut Author Challenge

Banned Books Week 2012

30 Sep - 6 Oct 2012

This week was Banned Books Week. To help promote BBW and celebrate the freedom to read, I participated in a Virtual Read-Out of a book which was frequently challenged in 2011. Last year I participating in BBW as well, doing a Virtual Read-Out alongside a video which talks about Banned Books Week and my opinion of banning books.

Here is a playlist of all three videos:

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Video review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Released: May 1, 2012
Series: Divergent Trilogy [Book Two]
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 525
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping) | Amazon

ATTENTION: As this is part of a series, please be aware that this review will contain spoilers for the preceding book/s, but not for the book itself. If you have not read the books prior to this one, please keep this in mind.

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Image & Synopsis

The Short
Insurgent was AMAZING. I thought it was incredible, but it certainly differed to Divergent in a few areas. There was a darker undertone to Insurgent, as Tris struggled to come to terms with her previous losses and actions. Understandably, some people may not be as interested in this, however I loved the realism of it and furthermore, Tris' character development.

And of course, Tris and Four's relationship. It was a little rocky, but their bond continues to grow deeper and stronger.
*sidenote* Four is as sexy as ever.



The Long


The Good
Action-packed, more exploration of the city and factions, great character development, realistic romance progression, FOUR <3.


The Bad
... haha



What are your opinions on Insurgent?

June Wrap Up | 2012

I don't have a Book Haul for June, which is very depressing.
 


June Wrap Up:

- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
- Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Liz Carmicahel


July TBR:

- Dirty Magic by Carol Hughes
- The Luxe by Anna Godberson
- Cloud World by David Cunningham
- Maximum Ride Angel Experiment by James Patterson

May Wrap Up | 2012

May was very a very slow month... I am sorry for the absence!
 


May Wrap Up:

- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

June TBR:

- Gone at Zero Hundred by C.R. Hiatt
- In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Liz Carmichael
- Intangible by J. Meyer
- Any Love But Mine by Debbie Davies

 


 Books Purchases:

- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
- Partials by Dan Wells

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Video review of The Goddess Test. Further book details and a quick review overview is located below the video, if you just want an idea of what I thought about the book.






The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Released: April 19, 2011
Series: Goddess Test Series #1
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 293
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping)

EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she suceeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

IF SHE FAILS...

Image & Synopsis 

Review Overview:
The Goddess Test is a unique take on the Persephone and Hades myth. The plot was very intriguing, keeping you in the dark about several mysteries throughout the entire story.
The writing style was quite nice, simple. However there are a couple of questions that still have me a little confused.

I loved Kate. She was a very strong main character with a moral and compassionate attitude. She was selfless, putting her life and future on the line for others.

Not so sure what to make of Henry. He was very disconnected and distant from Kate, even in the intimate moments. This left the romance feeling a little lacking in depth and character.
The side characters were great. I loved James, he was very funny and cute. Would have liked to have seen a little more of him, but his disappearance was understandable due to later twists.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I love the Greek mythology, and would highly recommend this book to everyone.

Starters by Lissa Price

I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Video review of Starters. Further book details and a quick review overview is located below the video, if you just want an idea of what I thought about the book.






Starters by Lissa Price
Released: March 13, 2012
Series: Starters Series #1
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Netgalley
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping)

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

Image & Synopsis 

Review Overview:
Starters was a fantastic, original story full of mystery and surprising twists. The world was disturbing, yet fascinating, with so many secrets that have yet to be uncovered. Lissa Price wrote a really captivating story, that keeps you wanting to know more. The pacing was a bit slow at the start, but it definitely picked up with plenty going on by the end.

Callie was a strong female protagonist. She was selfless, loving and extremely caring for her younger brother, which I really admired. The side characters weren't explored in too much depth, though.

The romance didn't take over the already complex story, which was good, however it felt a little underwhelming. The love interest/s weren't anything special, and it would have been nice to see a little more from the romance.

Hopefully Enders, the sequel, with cover more about how society got to that state, or at least why Prime Destinations began their business anyway. I would also love to find out more about the side characters.

Week of Videos - Giveaway #2

It is the finally day for the Week of Videos, and I have another fantastic giveaway! Enter to win up to AUS$40 worth in books!

What is the W.O.V?
The Week of Videos! A thank you to my lovely subscribers (reaching over 1,000!)
Each day of the week, I will have a new video up, one that my lovely viewers have requested to see. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBER SHOUTOUT:  CassJayTuck



Important information:

- To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below
- Must be 13+ years of age
- It is INTERNATIONAL
- The winner will be announced in a video on YouTube as well as on this blog
- The winner will be notified via email, and must reply within 48 hours or I will have to draw another winner

Week of Videos - Q&A

Answering your Q's with A's.

What is the W.O.V?
The Week of Videos! A thank you to my lovely subscribers (reaching over 1,000!)
Each day of the week, I will have a new video up, one that my lovely viewers have requested to see. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBER SHOUTOUT:  PadfootandProngs07



Don't forget to have a look at Mondays W.O.V video, an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - win a 2012 debut of your choice!

Week of Videos - Day in the Life + Room Tour

An insight into what I do daily, and also a room tour.

What is the W.O.V?
The Week of Videos! A thank you to my lovely subscribers (reaching over 1,000!)
Each day of the week, I will have a new video up, one that my lovely viewers have requested to see. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBER SHOUTOUT:  TheBookTuber



Don't forget to have a look at Mondays W.O.V video, an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - win a 2012 debut of your choice!

Week of Videos - Bookish Favourites

My favourite 10 books, least favourite books and favourite authors!

What is the W.O.V?
The Week of Videos! A thank you to my lovely subscribers (reaching over 1,000!)
Each day of the week, I will have a new video up, one that my lovely viewers have requested to see. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBER SHOUTOUT:  Kerriforlife



Don't forget to have a look at Mondays W.O.V video, an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - win a 2012 debut of your choice!

Week of Videos - Bookshelf Tour!

I have FINALLY gotten around to doing my bookshelf tour. What a relief!

What is the W.O.V?
The Week of Videos! A thank you to my lovely subscribers (reaching over 1,000!)
Each day of the week, I will have a new video up, one that my lovely viewers have requested to see. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBER SHOUTOUT:  AmberPepper



Don't forget to have a look at yesterdays W.O.V video, an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - win a 2012 debut of your choice!

February Wrap Up | 2012

February was a great month for reading and books for me!

March's theme is Re-reads!


Books purchased:

- The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
- Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
- Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
- Under the Never Sky
- Veronica Rossi



Books read:

- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- Sold by Patricia McCormick
- Romulus, My Father by Raimond Gaita
- The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks
- A Thousand Splendid Sun by Khaled Hosseini
- The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry
- The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
- Starters by Lissa Price
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green


March TBR:

- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Alanna The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
- Divergent by Veronica Roth

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Video review of Anna and the French Kiss. Further book details and a quick review overview is located below the video, if you just want an idea of what I thought about the book.




Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Released: December 2, 2010
Series: n/a but has companion novels
Publisher: Dutton
Pages: 372
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping)

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Image & Synopsis 

Review Overview:
Simple, yet satisfying plot that keeps you wanting to read until the very end. I devoured this book in a day! It has a quirky and entertaining writing style, which is beautifully paced

The characters were amazing. Anna was funny, witty and a believable main character. Then we have the gorgeous St. Clair... who is beautiful, charming, clever and funny. The whole package, really. I am more than a little jealous.

Anna and the French Kiss was an absolutely FANTASTIC read. I have never read much in the way of contemporary, but this book converted me to the wonderful, romantic world instantly. I fell in love straight away.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Video review of Shatter Me. Further book details and a quick review overview is located below the video, if you just want an idea of what I thought about the book.






Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Released: November 15, 2011
Series: Shatter Me Series [Book One]
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 388
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping)

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Image & Synopsis 

Review Overview:
The plot is extremely captivating, dragging you right in to the story. I could not put this book down.

I loved the writing style. It was beautiful, poetic, lyrical and very visual language. The crossed out portions of the book were very intriguing, enabling you to really get inside Juliette's mind and see what her true feelings and thoughts are.

Juliet was a wonderful and strong main character who has been through some

Adam started out a bastard, but you soon learn why this was and what his motives were.

I loved Warner. He was a fantastic antagonist. He is pretty messed up mentally, but he was a very solid character. He had feasible reasons for his actions, and he was pretty much just a really evil character.

January Wrap Up | 2012

Finally picking up some pace. And an awesome book haul this month!



Books purchased:

- One Day by David Nicholls
- Alanna The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
- In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
- The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce
- Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce
- Tithe by Holly Black
- Gone by Lisa McMann
- Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
- Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
- Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
- The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer



Books read:

- Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
- Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zietlin
- Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott


Feb TBR:

- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini Khaled
- Sold by Patricia McCormick

October Wrap Up | 2011

So, um... I kinda forgot to post about the books I purchased in October. Oops.

Here it is now though, along with a wrap up of what I actually read during the month as well - they mainly focus on Halloween-ish related themes.



Books purchased:


- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
- City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
- Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck
- Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley




Books read:

- Marked by P.C. and Kristen Cast
- Far From the War by Jeffrey David Payne
- Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Magyk by Angie Sage
- Crandall's Castle by Beth Ren Wright
- The Lady Grace Mysteries by Patricia Finney
- The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
- Mystery Stories chosen by Helen Cresswell
- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Suspence by Jason Letts

BBW: Virtual Read-Out [The Hunger Games]

Banned Books Week; 24 Septmber - 1 October, 2011.


For more information, check out the Banned Books Week and ALA websites.



If you have a virtual read-out, please send me a link! I would love to watch :)

Banned Books Week 2011

Hello all! Sorry for the mass of video posts this past week. I promise, I will be posting a written review later on! I am just getting the hang of this whole BookTubing thing and I am having a lot of fun.

So ANYWAY. Banned Books Week; 24 Septmber - 1 October, 2011.


For more information, check out the Banned Books Week and ALA websites.

This video is about my opinions on banned books, those I have read, and those that I hope to read in the future. Please show your support! This year, BannedBooksWeek.org is hosting a Virtual Read-out, so why not make your own video, where you read from one of your favourite banned or challenged books? I will be back later this week with my virtual read-out from one of the books mentioned in my video below.



Books read:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - religious, violence, sexually explicit
Crank by Ellen Hopkins - drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit
Harry Potter by JK Rowling - occult/satanism, violence, religious viewpoint, antifamily
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - sexually explicit, violence, unsuited to age group
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - occult/satanism, offensive language, violence
TTYL by Lauren Myracle - drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group


To Read:

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbowsky
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Shermen Alexie
Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


Share your thoughts on banned books and Banned Books Week. What do you think? Are you for or against the banning of books?