2014.....2015

Happy New Year... well,almost, it isn't midnight yet. 2014 has been a wild ride, and has been a very exciting year. I have achieved so many things, like getting School Captain and DUX of the school. I have earned and experienced many things, and I feel like this has been a successful year for me.

I hope your year was amazing as well. I hope that 2015 will bring many new and exciting opportunities.

I just want to thank all the people who viewed my blog and read it. I made this blog early February, and I have enjoyed sharing about what books I have been reading.

It's been a really great time for me, writing for the public and for people who have similar interests. Hopefully I will have enough time next year to write things still, for as I enter high school, I am sure it will be a very busy year.

I am, honestly, a bit sad for this year to end. I might even say this has been the best year of my life. So many things have happened, it's like I just want it to go on forever. 2015 will come, and I can't stop time, but 2014 has been a fantastic year for me.

I am not going to make a list of best 2014 books as you may expect me. One, because I can't view my bookshelf right now because I am in a different room typing this, and two, I couldn't possibly choose. I have been pretty lucky reading great books this year.

Happy New Year. and good luck for the future as we enter 2015!

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Books and Book Series That Will Change Your Life.

I felt like writing this because I feel as we are in the holidays , you may want to add these books to your list to either buy or borrow. Okay, some are for children, but the ones aimed at children adults most likely read when they were younger. So, without further ado, let's look at what books and book series will change your life.

Children's/Tween Book Series:

Little House on The Prairie series- Laura Ingalls Wilder: These books are true stories about Laura herself and are just so cute and beautiful that I think every child- no person- once in their lives should read this series. Honestly, try and find this series anywhere you can, some people are bound to have it stashed somewhere.

The Famous Five series- Enid Blyton: I enjoy these books as much as my parents did when they were kids. They are classic detective stories and feature the same lovable, curious, intelligent children and dog in each book, and each story is original. The great things about this series is that there are loads of books and once you read one, you gradually forget about the story line, then you pick it up two years later and you can read it again.

Once series- Morris Gleitzman: This series of four books simply titled Once, Then, Now, and After are sure to engage any reader, whether they don't like reading or do. They are WWII books and the story line is so compelling and unique that it just makes the series special. It also uses humour and portrays the innocence of children during those terrible times. The two main characters throughout two of the books are just excellent. Read it, please. Or give it to someone who just isn't fond of reading. I bet that this series will turn them into avid readers.

Harry Potter- J.K Rowling. Everybody has heard of this. I can guarantee nearly every kid over the age of 6 will say they know what Harry Potter is. And if you haven't read the books, then I am sorry, but you have some serious things to think about. They are so good. Too good. And now that Rowling is releasing a new set of stories on Pottermore, it is just going to get better. Start. Reading. Now. If you have, then congratulations. Your life has been changed.

Children's/Tween Books:

Bridge to Terabithia- Katherine Paterson. I honestly can't say in words how this story will change your life. I think I did a Book Look on this and it is just so well written. A story of friendships, loss and passion. Take a look at the Book Look for more info.

The Secret Garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett. You may not think the story of a garden and a sour girl will change a life. But it will. It makes us look at the world differently. Makes us think. And, it's a classic. What classics have you read that haven't left a lasting impression on you, positive or negative? Although it took a while to read, it made me wonder. And dream, about what life was like back then.

I don't really have any more to add to the single books for children and tweens. I either haven't read very many life changing ones or I forget as the years go on what books I have read.

Tween/Teen Books:

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas- John Boyne. This story warms your heart, makes it burst, then floods your eyes. I read this when I was younger, Year Four, I think. I was, and I'm not bragging, but very mature in my tastes, and I still am. So I was able to handle this book. It's perfect for a rainy day. It haunts your mind for days after reading it. I think I even did a review for it, one of my earlier ones. Check that out if you want to know more.

The Fault In Our Stars- John Green. Just read it. You know what it's about, and if you loosely don't know what it is about, WHERE ARE YOU FROM WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING ARE YOU AN ALIEN LIFE FORM? Sorry, had to say that. Inspirational. I did a post on it earlier. Look at that to see how I felt reading it. This book is more for teens.

Harry Potter- J.K Rowling. I'm sorry, teens can absolutely, positively, read this too. Along with adults.

YA/Adult Books:

I have only ever read one book that adults read in my life-

The Book Thief- Markus Zusak. This book has influenced my life so much. I think differently about WWII than I ever did before. It's a beautiful story. Originally, it was planned to be an 100 page novella. It turned out to be a 584 paged novel. Cool.

Tomorrow, When The War Began- John Marsden. I can't say that I would die for this book. But, never the less, it leaves an impact. A sensational story of survival, trust, danger, war. I tried reading the second book, but I was tired with it and needed a break. I will get back to it sometime. I know I will. It's quite enjoyable, and grips you.

That's it, I think. If I add anymore, I will update the post.

Farewell, for now.

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A Huge Disappointment

A little while ago, I posted a, well, post, about a book I had read, the first in a Victorian detective trilogy, called 'A Spy in the House', by Y.S Lee. I really loved that book, and was very excited to read the next one, 'The Body at the Tower.'

So I borrowed this second book from the library. I read three quarters of it. And barely five minutes ago, I got to chapter Twenty One, took out the bookmark, closed the book, and put it away.

I hardly am the type of person to do this. Number one, probably all books I read I like. Number two, I don't like giving up on reading a book when I have a few chapters to go (and when I saw a few, I mean, like, ten.) So, I am going to share with you why I kind of disliked this book.

First of all, beautiful, cunning Mary Quinn, has to cut her hair. Not a bob, not in an attractive style like Hazel from the Fault In Our Stars, not shoulder length. No, it's cut  so its nearly bald in some parts, furry in others, so it looks like someone shaved her head blindfolded. Now, I don't know about you, but that just ruined her image. Okay, she had to pretend to be a poor boy on a construction site, it would have blown her cover if she had long hair. So it was logical. Just... I don't know how to explain it. You may think I'm being a little over the top and sounding like a girl who screams "OMG MY NAILS! THEY'RE RUINED!" But really, I just didn't like that.

Also, the plot was boring. I was really engaged when I heard about a man who fell from a clock tower to his death, but then it just dragged on and on and on about all this stuff that I just didn't want or need to know. The story could have been way better. I was expecting it to be way better. But it was just too  complex. Lee could have simplified it and then made it more engaging. Maybe its just me, because I don't understand some of that stuff yet. The words explaining boring things I would just read and not factor them into my mind or understand them. I would just read what is on the page and my mind would be elsewhere.

It wasn't all bad, though. James Easton came back. It's a bit funny seeing Mary adapting in a young boy's life. I just found it went on and on, droning, almost. And, what is worth reading if you don't like it?
Looking on Amazon reviews for this book, everyone who reviewed loved it. I liked it. Okay, I actually did like it. But it just wasn't the same as the first book for me. And that is what made me disappointed. The overall topic, character development, settting, language was really great. Just some parts didn't click.

If I were to rate it, I would rate it....3 stars.


Sorry, I had to get this out of my system. Catch up later.

Zobo.

What I Got For Xmas

I am very pleased to say, I got 8 books for Xmas, including one boxset,
I'll list them. Perhaps you have read some of them, I have no doubt that a lot of you would have read three of the books I got.

1. The Beatles Lyrics- Hunter Davies. As you may know, I am a HUGE HUGE Beatles fan, and I spotted this book out to my mum and hinted I wanted it for Christmas, and I got it! Very, very happy. Extremely interesting to read.

2,3,4. The Hunger Games- Suzzane Collins. This is the boxset I got, And, I know that a lot of you will probably be moaning and rolling your eyes, because EVERYBODY has read them already. But, I have read the first one, twice, so I want to continue. And I shall do so. But I'm super excited to read them!!

5. The 5th Wave- Rick Yancey. Although released last year, I haven't heard about it until now. It seems good, and for some reason makes me think of the Hunger Games. I don't know why. There is no logical, plain to see reason why. Is it? I don't know. Looking forward to reading that too.

6. The Missing, Book One: Found- M.Peterson Haddix. This book I just came across while looking on Amazon, and it seemed interesting. I hope its not really rushed and too action packed. It just seems intriguing, and I like intriguing books.

7. The Icicle Illuminarium- N.J Gemmel. Now, way back in February, my first ever book review was on the Kensington Reptilarium. Now, the sequel is here, and it looks just as cute and fun as ever. I hope I can remember everything (because there were a lot of things) that happened in  TKR.

8. Drumroll...... The Madman's Daughter- Meghan Shepherd. This book caught my eye like when, late last year? Early this year? Anyway, I still had the intention of getting it, and I got it. Sounds very exciting and mysterious. Dark and gruesome. Awesome.

So, that is (out of the reading department) what I got for Xmas. I hope you had a very merry Christmas as well. Will post soon.

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Summer Reading!

It's the first few days of summer... and my last few weeks in primary school :(. But, I am not going to dwell on that.

Summer reading can benefit you in heaps of ways. You get a long period to read books and its just a great time to read out in the sun, or at the beach or park. Reading can improve your knowledge and understanding of things in the world, and what better way to do it than at the end of the year!

If you are looking for new books to read during the summer, look at this list! These books are not ordered from best to least. They are in random order.

1) Tandem- Anna Jarzab. A book about time, space, and alternate universes, with a cool twist (see review on this blog.)

2) The Fault in Our Stars- John Green. A book about romance, and how life should be lived to the fullest. I cannot stress enough how inspirational this book was. (see review and sum on this blog.)

3) I Am Juliet- Jackie French. A book based on the play by William Shakespeare. Will melt hearts. (see review on blog.)

4) If you haven't already yet: The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins. A book about battle, romance, and pure awesomeness. Go and read it and MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOUR......

5) The first book in the Darren Shan series: Cirque du Freak- Darren Shan. A book introducing a twelve part (I think its twelve part) series about spooky things, spiders, and vampires.

6) Letters to Leonardo- Dee White. A book about loss, imagination, and friendship. (see review on this blog.)

7) Apple and Rain- Sarah Crossan. A book about emotions, and how whole worlds can be turned upside down- for better or worse. Be prepared for some tears.

8) Wonderstruck- Brian Selznick. A book about finding your true self, and accepting who you are. A truly creative and unique story. It does not take long to read at all, I read it in two days. It has pictures and words, telling two different stories that interlock. Simply beautiful.

9) Dizzy- Cathy Cassidy. I don't know why I am putting this on here. It may seem like a little kids book but it actually isn't. It's a book about adventures, and how often, when life doesn't seem completely perfect, it may just be.

10) Two Weeks With the Queen- Morris Gleitzman. It's a book about illness, courage, and how much one person can do to make a difference. It is a very heart-warming story.

I Am Juliet- Jackie French

This book was a really interesting, quick read. I am very much interested in Shakespeare and the Elizabethan times, that this story of Romeo and Juliet really made me think differently of this famous and tragic play.

It is entirely focused on Juliet- her daily life, how she is ignored by her parents until it is time to marry, and how she is growing into a young woman.

Then BAM- Romeo is in the scene and things just go bad from there. And go downhill, of course.

This is a very, very romancey book, and not one I would usually enjoy. But, I thought I would give it a go, and it turns out I really loved it. It was an entirely new perspective and I will never think the same of this play again. It sheds true light on the people of those times, and what behaviour is appropriate and so on.

I also found helpful was at the end of the book, there was an Author's Notes, and Jackie explained lots of things about Elizabethan times and things that were included in the book, such as Elizabethan Table Manners, The History of the Play, and Marie de France.

Juliet is such a strong, passionate person, but with mixed up feelings and she is also weak in the face of danger at times. Romeo is mysterious and wise. They make a perfect match, but, as you probably know, it doesn't end like a fairytale....

Do not let this deter you! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It tied romance, mystique, drama and poetry together really well in a nicely paced, well crafted novel.
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The Agency: A Spy in the House

I just finished a book recently called The Agency: A Spy in the House. It was a very good read and I enjoyed it very much.
It is set in the late 1850's, and it is a Victorian detective book, the first of a trilogy. I love books set in this era and I loved how all the characters in this book had different traits and personalities.

It introduces us to Mary Lang, the daughter of an Irish woman and Chinese man who miraculously is rescued from the gallows at twelve years old. This is explained in the prologue, and then in chapter one it moves on to where she is seventeen, and she is attending Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. Her two teachers, Anne Treleaven and Felicity Frame, take her to a secret room and tell her the school runs a secret Agency, that solve mysteries and cases. They ask Mary if she wants to be part of this agency. Mary agrees, so she trains for while. She isn't going to be the main person solving the case, but will go undercover providing information about it.

It then skips to the day when she has to go undercover. Her mission is to investigate into a case involving lost cargo ships belonging to a rich merchant, Mr Thorold. She is disguised as a friend and maid for his spoilt, bratty daughter, Angelica, and changes her name to Mary Quinn, and changes her age to twenty. Above all, a foul stench has plagued London due to a heat wave and all the waste in the river Thames.

There are many characters who we are just not sure about, who we think we can trust but maybe we can't. For example, Michael Gray, Mr Thorold's dashing business partner, is mysterious yet seems a fine sort of person. Mrs Thorold seems to be weak and have health problems, but then again she does go out quite a lot- a little too much for a delicate lady.

There is, of course, the romantic interest, James Easton. He is quite a good character, possibly my favourite along with Mary. I'm not going to say anything more about him though.

This book doesn't hint too much about the strange going ons and the plot. It is a sufficient length- about 341 (give or take a few) pages, and doesn't lag. The only thing I would say is all the talking about money and investments and complicated things. Y.S Lee should have shortened and simplified the explaining quite a bit. But, that is all I can say.

I look forward to reading the next book The Body at the Tower (sounds fantastic!)....

Actually, I was just looking at a site while writing this, and there are actually FOUR BOOKS! Yes! I feel so, so happy! I know I have a lot to look forward too!

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YAY!!! :) :)

I finally have Ruby Redfort book 4: Feel the Fear! It is so good so far and I can't wait to get to the end! Its unique like every other book in the series!

Yay! I have it! I literally jumped up and down and stamped my feet in the middle of the book section at Big W. I didn't care. I had it, clutched in my hands.

The Ruby Redfort series is a great series. Its funky, quirky, humorous, intriguing, excitiing and super cool.

The Ruby Redfort series is really good. You should check it out.

Order of books:





There's also a Ruby Redfort Survival Guide (well, that's what I call it) and thats great too. Really handy, and the instructions and tips are real:






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Letters to Leonardo

Now, I finished this book a while back now, but it really stuck with me for ages and it is such a powerful read. I felt like cheering in some parts, but in some parts I felt angry and sad. It's such a mixed feeling of emotion.
Okay, I admit that starting off with someones birthday is a bit cliche'. I mean, how many books and stories begin with it being someone's birthday? But, I realised in this case, it was the perfect beginning, because it introduced everything.
This book is about fifteen year old Matt. He lives with his father, who tries his best to be a prefect parent. Matt believes that his mother is deceased, but he mysteriously receives a letter from her. Matt gets angry at his father, who lied. This is when all the trouble begins.
One of Matt's assignments for school is to write a letter to a deceased famous person (I think this is the task, from memory). He chooses to write to Leonardo da Vinci. Matt soon finds that writing to Leonardo is quite comforting, and when he faces his mother who he learns has severe mental illness, Leonardo is someone he can confide in. He also finds the similarities between himself and the famous artist, inventor and mathematician good too, because Matt can relate to him.

In the end, Matt has experienced a glimpse into mental illness, what it is like to have a house go up in flames and heart breaking loss, among other things.
Such a unique and powerful story that I am sure everybody would enjoy (providing they are mature readers, of course.)

For more information about this fantastic book, go to deescribewriting.wordpress.com.

Dorothy Must Die

I have recently finished Dorothy Must Die, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Okay- I admit it didn't grab me at times when it felt like it was supposed to. But overall a fantastic book with a cool storyline. I may put a few things in the wrong order but hey- I am trying.

*SPOILERS!*

Amy Gumm lives in Kansas and doesn't have any friends, she lives in a caravan with her mother and her life is very boring and dull. One day when coming home from school, a tornado hits the town and she ends up in Oz. She is still in the caravan with her mum's pet rat, Star, who she never really liked, but figures the rodent will be a comfort.
She is greeted by a mysterious guy named Pete who helps her from the caravan before it crashes into a deep cavern below. Pete disappears before Amy can ask him anything. That's when she starts following the yellow brick road.
She comes across a tiny town that is smashed and wrecked and looks like something terrible happened there. Then, she meets the sour, tough but sometimes helpful Indigo. A goth munchkin. Never in my dreams have I thought of a goth munchkin.
Amy asks Indigo about where she is and what happened to the town and all that stuff. By now, Amy is guessing she is in Oz.
Indigo doesn't really answer her. The munchkin disappears too. Amy is on her own. A while later, she comes across a crowd of munchkins and townspeople gathered infront ofa see-saw thingy. A beautiful, smiling woman is in the centre of all this. There is just one thing that is weird- everyone is smiling. Like, really smiling. Literally ear to ear, like this-

Indigo suddenly grabs her and pulls her away. She says the smiling woman is Glinda, the 'Good Witch' and the see saw thingy is extracting magic from the ground. They walk along when they see a monkey, hanging upside down in a tree. He is being punished for using sass (really, for being sassy) and they help him down.

That is all I am going to tell you!

This book has a really good twist on this timeless classic. It is more based on the movie than the book, but overall, it is still just as great.

It occasionally swears near the beginning of the book, so be wary of that, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't say it anywhere else. And it is gory at times, so in case you don't like feeling a bit sick while reading, I would skip those parts. But everything else is fine.

This book is humorous too, which I like. There is a prequel to this book, but it is only available on ebook, so that sucks. Anyway.....

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Hollow City

I have finished reading Hollow City and gosh, what a journey. It follows the Peculiar Children to London, which is at the very heart of destruction in England during WWII. The children are trying to find Miss Wren, to help turn their ymbryne (can turn into a bird and track time)  Miss Peregrine back to normal because she is trapped in the body of a bird.
Absolutely wonderful. I actually liked this a bit more than the first book. Lots of new characters were introduced, and there were plenty more encounters with wights (monsters without pupils) and hollows (disgusting creatures with tentacles that spew from mouths and who are in league with the wights).
Jacob finally learns the true meaning of love and how it cannot last forever, and together they all learn that the outside world isn't as nice and exciting as it sounds. I loved the vintage photographs again- creepy, interesting, peculiar and cool- it makes the story even better.
There was not one downside to this book. Not one. It was written perfectly, it flowed, there were plenty of shocking and surprising times, balanced out with sad, calm times. I could read it a second time, if I had the patience.
I am excited to read the third book, which hasn't come out yet in stores- REALLY EXCITED! Ransom Riggs in one interview said there is a lot more to come, so I am SO looking forward to it, and seeing the new photographs.
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Ahh....

Well, the end of the school holidays is drawing near, and I still have a ton of books I have to finish reading or want to read. Here is my list so far. In blue I have the ones that I have to finish, in red I have the ones I wish to read.

* Dorothy Must Die
* Killing Rachel
* Letters to Leonardo
* Crow Country
*Life of Pi
* Feal the Fear- Ruby Redfort book 4 coming out soon! I am REALLY excited!
*Hollow City- book 2 in Miss Peregrine series
I am quite sure this list will grow!

The Fault in Our Stars

I am sure you would have heard all about this book and movie for a couple of months now.
And I will probably be the billionth person to say how good it is.

Emotions you feel while reading the book:
Heartache
Happiness
Anger
Sadness
Inspired
Fuzzy

Emotions you feel after reading the book:
Depression*
More sadness
Lightness (well, I don't know how else to describe it)
Satisfaction

Why I was drawn toward the book:
Well, it's pretty obvious. Because EVERYONE is.
Good topic and story line.

Why the book was good (I mean brilliant, sorry.):
Just because.... every reason above.

Stars:
5/5

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* Hazel says that depression isn't a side effect of cancer, it's a side effect of dying. Well, it's also a side effect of reading this book.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children- actual overlook.

MPHPC was just gobsmacking. I loved the writing and the weird, creepy, disturbing, cool vintage photographs just made it the perfect book. My cousin had it and I had been searching for a copy for months- and I found it at our good old local library!

Warning- *Spoilers!* Do not read further if you are planning on reading this book!

Jacob is sixteen and lives with his two parents. He used to listen to his Grandfather Abe's stories ,when he was younger, of a magical island where a home for children was. But the children weren't just any children. One was invisible and one had bees living in his stomach. On girl could levitate and another could.... oh! I just don't want to spoil it! Although Jacob doesn't know that these children are still alive.

Jacob, as he gets older he realises the stories must all be fairy tales. But while working at a drug store he receives a call from his grandfather who is saying the monsters are coming.
Jacob rushes to his grandfather's house only to lead himself into the woods where he finds his grandfather almost..... you probably know what I am trying to say.

So when his grandfather finally kicks the bucket, Jacob is left with words- clues- from his grandfather before he passed, and a haunting image of a monster in the woods when he found his grandfather.

Jacob is questioned and then has to see a therapist because he keeps having dreams of the monster. While seeing the therapist, the clues leads him to even more questions- and you guessed it- clues.

Jacob finally convinces his parents to send him away to the island where the children's home was. His father comes with him. Once Jacob arrives on the island he discovers the house that was the children's home. He also ventures into a cairn and comes out the other side, back in time.

You will have to read the rest to find out what happens! This is only a basic outline of what happens to about the middle of the book. There are many more details.
This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. I thoroughly enjoyed it and strongly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, supernatural fiction, and action.

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Tandem- Anna Jarzab

Out of all the about 11 books I got for my birthday, the last one I read was Tandem. Now, I had read one chapter about 4 months before I got to actually read all of it. I guess when I read that first chapter I wasn't really hooked. But the book turned out to be really really good and I really enjoyed reading it. The cover is gorgeous and I just love the story line.
The book for me opened a few doors. I now know one type of books I like to read- YA science fiction. It wasn't all aliens and lasers- it was kind of like Sci-fi mixed with action mixed with historical fiction. And, it blended together so well.
It's about this girl, Sasha Lawson, and she gets whisked away into a tandem where on the other side is a whole different world where she has to pretend she is Princess Juliana who has run away. They look exactly a like. I don't want to spoil it too much, but I hope that entices you!

I liked the fact that this book flowed really nicely- if you know what I mean. The characters all fitted really well together and I could picture them all really clearly.
A weird and funny example of picturing a character from a book wrongly was in the Hunger Games book 1. I pictured Peeta Mellark as a chubby, fat faced boy with light blonde hair. At first that is, using the stereotype because he was the baker's son- so he ate a lot. It took me just about the middle of the book to figure out what Peeta looked like.

My brain works in weird ways.

Another thing I liked about Tandem was that it incorporated a bit of romance. Now, I STRONGLY DISLIKE romance books all about boyfriends and kissing and smooching and all that gaggy stuff. But that is me. That is my opinion. And if you like romance- GREAT! That's really good. But this is just me.

Let's carry on-
Tandem did have romance but it wasn't a lot. It was, like, two short kissing sessions and that was it. I actually like a bit of romance but not too much and this was the perfect amount.
This book was fantastic. Loved every second of it and I couldn't stop reading it.

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Currently Reading:

Dorothy Must Die- Danielle Page













Killing Rachel- Anne Cassidy