book haul

Recently picked up the following books:

Divergent by Veronica Roth: I've wanted to read this for a while. I decided to read it first.

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth: I was sure that I would love Divergent, so I picked up the next book also. 

 

 

 

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I had wanted to get this book before, but hadn't. I think it will be an interesting read.

 

 

 

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler: I honestly haven't read very much about this book, and got it because I thought that it looked interesting.

 

 

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly: Again this is a book that I haven't really heard very much about, but thought it may be a good read.

 

 

 

 

That wraps up the book haul. As I mentioned, I am reading Divergent first. After that I think I will try The Book of Lost Things. Pretty excited to add new books to the collection!



a clash of kings review

 

 

A Song of Ice and Fire #2

A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and wartime. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.
Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.

***

 

George R.R. Martin has created a world that I've completely fallen in love with. He writes such wonderful high fantasy. A Clash of Kings picks up where A Game of Thrones leaves off, and it doesn't disappoint. It is a rather large book at over 1,000 pages. However, the story is so seamless and enticing that you'll find yourself flying through it.

 

In this book we encounter our old favorites with the story moving steadily on. I must admit that Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister are my favorites. I fell in love with them in the first book, and I think that their stories are progressing wonderfully. Daenerys or Dany, is known as 'The Mother of Dragons'. She is so appealing to a female reader, because she has amazing strength and determination. Tyrion is a favorite because he is extremely witty, and most can't look past his physical deformities to the incredible mind. The other characters: Bran, Jon Snow, Arya, Sansa, Cersei, etc. aren't lacking in the least. Each as a really strong story.

 

Thus far (I can't really speak about the others until I read them) this series is full of adventure, passion, suspense, and truly amazing characters. I never felt as if it were tedious or boring to read. In fact, I can't wait to pick up A Storm of Swords. This is definitely a must read for anyone who loves fantasy!

 

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

currently

I'm making a boat load of things for Etsy.

(unfinished)

 

I'm also reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. It's the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones). I'm approximately 80% into it, and it's spectacular. It really is such a wonderful series. I may do a review after I'm finished.



acrylic

Good news, I can actually feel textures with my thumb now. The numbness is almost completely gone.
To celebrate I bought some acrylic paints (I hadn't used it in quite a while), paper, canvases, and brushes.
I played around today & this was the result:

 

 

I'm really looking forward to getting back into painting. It's pretty exciting.

I also purchased quite a bit of crafting materials for my Etsy store.

 



the fault in our stars review

 

 

 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

*** 

 

To say this book was a profound read is such an understatement. It is magic. John Green created such a beautiful, heart wrenching, and raw world. It is easily in my top three favorite books ever. I'm so glad that I dusted it off of my to-read list. I haven't cried so much while reading a book in a very long time.

The story centers around terminally ill Hazel Grace and a boy that she meets named Augustus Waters. Both are extraordinary characters with incredible depth, feeling, and wit. Despite having cancer that has ravaged her body, Hazel is amazing. Just amazing. Throughout the book we see inside of her head, how she grows, and how she becomes her own person. Augustus Waters was my favorite character. He was incredible, and so philosophically beautiful.

I think that when you read something that has such a profound effect on you it's difficult to put into words, so I've had this review sitting in my drafts for a few weeks. I had absolutely no idea how I wanted to write it without giving spoilers. Just trust me when I say that if you haven't read it, you must!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

 



clockwork princess review

 

The final book in the Infernal Devices Trilogy



Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa’s heart, will do anything to save her.

***

 

 

Warning: This review may contain spoilers.

 

 

***

 

 

Cassandra Clare wrapped up the trilogy very nicely. In fact, I believe that she couldn't have written it any better. I wasn't sure if I could write a review that would do justice to how wonderful this book was to read. I felt as if I had a 'book hangover' after finishing it. It was quite possibly the best of the trilogy.

Every issue that had been left unresolved was cleared up. I was very happy with the way the author handled the love triangle of Tess, Will, and Jem. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.
The entire book (as well as the others) was an emotional rollercoaster. The epilogue in particular wrenched at my heart, and left me in tears.

Each character grew so much throughout the books, especially Will. I honestly fell in love with  him and even more so in this book. He became such an amazing and indepth character. We saw his passion, gentleness, determination, and heartache. He was so real and raw.

The Mortmain storyline within the book is also concluded very nicely. I strongly disliked him (as well as most everyone who has read the books probably does). I'm glad that there was a definite resolution.

Overall, as I said before the book is absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend it. This trilogy made me fall in love with steampunk/fantasy novels. I'm sad to see it end, but I'm excited to start The Mortal Instruments series.

I rated this book 5 out 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

a to z: a bookish survey

I stole this survey from Anna Reads.

Author you've read the most books from:
There are a few: Alan Bradley, Charlaine Harris, M.C. Beaton, J.K. Rowling, & honestly that's all that comes to mind. Although I'm sure there are more. (I couldn't pick just one!)

Best Sequel Ever:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Currently Reading:
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross & The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir.

Drink of Choice While Reading:
A grande White Chocolate Mocha Espresso from Starbucks, or a really strong, good cup of black tea.

E-reader or Physical Book?
This is always such a difficult question for me to answer. I love my Kindle & the iPad reading apps, but I also really love physical books. I would say that I'm slightly more partial to physical.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated in High School:Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Girl in the Steel Corset. The cover threw me off (the saying is true - don't judge until you've read), but so far it's an excellent read! 

Hidden Gem Book:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. (The first book in the Flavia De Luce series)

Important Moment in your Reading Life:
I think a big defining moment for me was when I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights for the first time when I was about 12. Starting this blog and reviewing books has been a pretty big defining moment also.

Just Finished:
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. It was an alright read.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
I don't enjoy romances or hardcore scifi. I wouldn't really read those two genres.

Longest Book You’ve Read:
Probably The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. It's 832 pages long. 

Major book hangover because of:
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. Oh my god I can't wait to read Clockwork Princess. 

Number of Bookcases You Own:

Two, and I desperately need more.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
Wuthering Heights.

Preferred Place To Read:

Bed, outside on the deck, in a hot bubble bath, curled up on the couch, Starbucks, at the park...practically any place. 

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
“She burned too bright for this world.” Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights

Reading Regret:
I regret reading some books that were really terribly written. I also regret not reading a few books before watching the movie. 

Series You Started and Need to Finish (all books are out in series): 
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and the Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliot.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
Oh wow this is unbelievably hard for me. In no particular order I'm going to say: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (because it was the first book in a series that I just completely fell in love with), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (phenomenal), and Wuthering Heights (sorry for all of the Wuthering Heights references, lol).

Unapologetic Fangirl For:
Cassandra Clare, Douglas Adams, & JK Rowling.

Very Excited for This Release More Than All the Others:
Dead Ever After (A Sookie Stackhouse novel) by Charlaine Harris.

Worst Bookish Habit:
Reading in a bubble bath & getting the pages spotty with water. Bending spines & pages. 

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Your latest book purchase:
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, & Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):
All Cassandra Clare books that I've read.