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.

Zobo!

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.
Zobo!