Monday 28 April 2014

Books I'm Excited to Read This May

There are a couple of books that I'm really looking forward to reading once I've FINALLY finished The Devil Wears Prada - I've wanted to read it ever since I saw the movie, which is one of my favourites, but I never got round to it until now…and still, I'm taking forever to get through it! So, I'm setting myself a goal to finish it by the beginning of May, like, within the first 10 days, which I know is a long shot because I just don't have that much time but I'll try!  Anyway, moving onto my 'list' of books I'm excited to read this May..





Anna and the French Kiss
I actually discovered this book when I wandered into Waterstones the other week. I was initially attracted to it because of the cover as I think it's so pretty but then I read the back of it and wanted it even more. So much that I couldn't really stop thinking about it. Then I read a few reviews on it and that just made me want it even more, so I caved in and it's now allllll mine.

I'm really looking forward to this one. I've heard so many great things about it, so really cannot wait to dive into it head first!
Monument 14
I first heard about this over on Amber's blog (The Mile Long Bookshelf) and couldn't get over how good it sounded, but I didn't want to invest in it just yet as I have a long list of books I'm still to read…that didn't really deter me though. I downloaded a sample from iBooks onto my phone just to see if I could get into it, and let me tell you, I cannot wait to get my mitts on it now! I bought it last night so can't wait for it to come!

Again, I heard good things about this one, both on Amber's blog, as well as Amazon, so I thought I might as well. I'm really looking forward to this one!


You're the One That I Want
I have to admit, whenever I read the cover, I get this sudden urge to burst into the Grease song, but have to restrain myself! I'm really looking forward to this book. I've read Giovanna's first novel 'Billy and Me', which I really enjoyed so I can't wait for this one. Oh, what I'd give to be able to get my hands on a copy now! This book isn't actually out until May 22nd, but is already available for pre-order, plus you can download a sample from the iBooks store (I'm not sure if there's a sample for the Kindle!). 

I've heard good reviews of this already, so just hearing those reviews make me even more excited for this one!

Under the Never Sky
Another book that I've heard good reviews about is Under the Never Sky, which I'm really looking forward to. I've managed to borrow this one from the library as although I would like to have my own copy, I've already bought two books for this month, with another load sitting waiting to be read! 

I'll let you into a secret, I actually took this book out towards the end of last year, but never had time to read it so had to send it back sadly, but I've got it back again and I'm ready to give it a go..providing I actually get the time! This could be one where I intend to read it in this month, but just don't have the time!




So, four books on my list - 3 already out, and one on it's way. I realise this is a small list, but I don't want to set myself a target to read 10 books, because let's be honest, that's not going to happen, as much as I would love it - work and my AAT course/revision take up so much of time/life that I barely have enough time to do anything else!

What are you guys most excited to read this May? Have you read any of the books on my list? What books have you read in April that you'd recommend for me to read?

Wednesday 23 April 2014

My Reading Habits Tag

I saw that Laura at shelovestoread did this, so thought that continuing on from my introduction, I would also participate. Plus it's nice to be able to do things, although I do need to get reading and writing some more reviews!

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
I mostly read in my bedroom, however if there's nobody else in the lounge, I'll read there too!

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I have a pot of bookmarks which I like to use, however I have been known to use random pieces of paper if needs be..plus the library here has these reservation slips they put in the books so when reading library books, I tend to just use that!

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?

I'm not so much a 'stop reading at the end of this chapter' kind of person, but equally, I can't just stop reading. If I want to finish reading, I will always stop at the end of a paragraph, although that can be a bit of a pain in the butt because then you have to find the paragraph ending!

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?

If I'm honest, I don't really take too much notice of anything else, but to be honest, I tend to read mostly when I've woken up or when I'm in bed at night! But I don't have a problem with drinking whilst reading. Eating is a bit different as it can be a bit of a distraction!

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?

I think both can be a bit distracting to be honest. I think I'm much easier with the TV over music though as if a good song comes on my iPod/iphone, i'll be up and dancing/singing along to it!

6. One book at a time or several at once?

I can read two books at one time usually, but this tends to happen because I'll start reading a book and then I'll get another that I'm really looking forward to, so I'll end up blasting through that whilst the other one just sits there waiting!

7. Reading at home or everywhere?

I can read pretty much anywhere, apart from like, a concert! Also, I cannot read in the car…well, I can, but it makes me feel sick after a bit so I just don't bother!

8. Reading out lout or silently in your head?

Reading in my head is much faster, so I do that, however sometimes I will zone out when reading a book, which I know is not the point because the book is supposed to help me zone out of the real world, but sometimes my thoughts just take over..so because of that, I'll end up going back to a line and reading it over and over again before finally reading it out loud to regain my focus. That was a complete load of ramble then! Does anybody else zone out when they read books?

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

I know it's not the point but sometimes when I get to the really juicy part of a book, I'll just read the dialogue so I can know what's happening quicker! Don't worry - I do go back and read it once I've finished the dialogue!

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

At first, I am all 'I don't want to break it!', but once I'm into a book, I really don't care - books are there to get their spines broken! (That sounds so weird!)

11. Do you write in your books?

Nope, never! I did read a post once that basically said 'what's the point in reading a book if you're not going to write in it. writing and highlighting pieces in a book is showing your love for it'. Quite frankly, that's not true at all for me. Here's a little story, in 2001/2002 when Harry Potter was just in the beginning and the first movie had come out, my mum won a competition for me (I had no idea about it) and I received the first four HP books (the others hadn't even come out yet!). To me, these are like classic, old Harry Potter books because let's face it, they're over 10 years old, and my Chamber of Secrets even has reviews in the back of it (I don't know if newer versions have this!). SO to back up my point of how it's not true for me. I am in NO WAY going to write and highlight parts in my Harry Potter book because one day, I want to be able to read them again to my children and grand children and eventually, pass them down to them!

12. Who do you tag?

As I don't actually have any followers, I tag anyone who reads this post, so if you're reading this now, I tag you!


Let me know in the comments what your book habits are, or if you've already done this, link me to your post! I'm hopefully going to be doing some more reviews soon, so am hoping to have those up within the next week or so! 

Anyway, that's me for now. Signing off..

Saturday 19 April 2014

28 and a Half Wishes

Title: 28 and a Half Wishes
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Rating: 8/10

Buy the Book (Amazon)


'It all started when I saw myself dead.” For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect. Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen - do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own. Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.'

I read this book on my iPhone as it was free on the Apple book store! This book is actually free at the moment on Amazon Kindle, if you would like to purchase it! Now, onto the review!

I really enjoyed this book. Truth be told, I read the book within 2 or 3 days and then read the rest of the series within the 2 weeks after I'd finished it as I enjoyed it so much, and am now waiting for the next instalment to come out, which I really can't wait for!

This book is full of mystery, but it doesn't stray away from being a chick lit. Rose Gardner is stuck with having visions in connection to people that she knows, which are usually far from exciting. As the blurb says, Rose gets a vision one day whilst at work where she see's herself dead on her sofa. But, instead of her being dead on the sofa, she comes home to find her mother dead. After this, Rose creates a list of things that she wants to accomplish before she dies, believing that her vision is going to come true.

I liked this book because I found it really interesting. I really enjoy mysteries, but having a book that was also chick lit was something that I really liked. Plus I felt that I could connect with Rose well. Rose isn't an unrealistic character which I think is why I felt that I could connect well to her. Plus, the string of events and order in which things happened wasn't rushed but still kept you on edge.

This book really keeps you guessing and I couldn't figure out who the killer was until I actually got to the end! I do have to admit, I like mystery books that keep you guessing, however once I found out who the killer was, I wasn't overly surprised, whereas I know with other mystery books, the killer can be someone you never expected!

All in all, if you enjoy books that are mysterious with a hint of humour, combined with chick lit, then this book would be worth a read! I really did enjoy it (so much that I almost became addicted) and cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out!


Please let me know if you liked this review, and any positives/improvements!

Aloha

Aloha!

I hate doing introductions. I always end up babbling about stuff that nobody's interested in, plus I can never think of what to write! I suppose I should get going with my introduction..

What's your name?
I'm Victoria, but you can call me Vicky/Vick.

Where are you from?
West Midlands, England

What do you do?
I finished college in 2013 and was supposed to go to University to study History in September 2013, however realised that I wanted to be an Accountant, so I am now working whilst studying AAT.

Why are you here?
I'm here because I want to start a book blog up. I've had several blogs in the past - but have never been able to stick to them. I actually made my first blog in 2010, which was a Tumblr.

So why are you starting a book blog?
I'm starting a book blog because I enjoy reading but I don't do it as much anymore. I think that having a book blog will encourage me to read more again. Also, I follow some book bloggers on twitter and so after reading the blogs with reviews, I decided that I want to do the same, and share my opinions of books! Plus, I find that reading takes me to another place and takes my mind off things…and it also gives me a break from studying AAT!

Where's the inspiration for your blog name come from?
If you think I got the inspiration for my blog name from John Green's 'Paper Towns', then you'd be correct. It's not because it's my favourite book, if that's what you think, but when I was trying to think of a good name for my blog, I turned to my book shelf, and that's what I found. I did have a couple of other ideas, but they were all taken although when I really think about it,  'apapertown' is actually quite fitting.

What's your favourite book?
I have a couple of books that I really love. I absolutely love Harry Potter, my favourite being Deathly Hallows. Followed by that, I also really love the Hunger Games, and one of my other favourites is The Fault in Our Stars.

What's your favourite movie?
I don't really watch movies that much but I think it would probably be The Wizard of Oz or Matilda. My favourite Disney movie is Tangled.

Who's your favourite music artist?
This is a hard one as I don't have one, I have two - Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Although, there are loads of other artists that I really like and are up there within my top favourites!

I can't think of what else you guys would really want to know about me - there isn't much to say if I'm honest! I hope to start posting reviews within the next couple of weeks, so please stay tuned!

That's all from me for now!

Vicky :)