IMM (9)

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

Divergent by Veronica Roth

And for review I got The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han 

Has anyone read these? Opinions? :)

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Goodreads synopsis: 

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. 

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Okay, so ever since I read The Hunger Games I can’t get enough of dystopian books. And, this book was no exception!

I really liked the characters and I think Lu did a great job of setting the scene of the intriguing concept of a very militaristic Republic Of America. As for the characters themselves, I really enjoyed getting to know them as the story progressed, and I loved how June could hold her own. She reminded me of Katniss in the way that she was quite capable of fighting for herself.

This book is quite fast paced meaning that almost from the first page I was hooked. The large amount of action and drama meant I found myself unable to put it down. Also, I liked the fact that this book wasn’t overly predictable and at times it really did catch me off-guard.


Legend is dual narration (June’s perspective and Day’s in alternating chapters) which normally I’m not so keen on. However, this time I found myself loving both of their narrations equally. It was really interesting to see two people who came from completely different sides of society intermingle, but to hear their separate voices and opinions at the same time.


So, without giving anything away, I recommend that all dystopian lovers read this book. You won’t be disappointed.

P.S. I can't wait for the sequel :D 

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating! :)

This is the first time I've done this...so here we go :)

This week I'm waiting on: Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Synopsis

It's a risky game protecting vampire secrets, especially when you lie at the heart of the most dangerous of them all.

Alchemist Sydney Sage is in hiding at the human boarding school, Amberwood, where she has been tasked with keeping secret and protecting the life of vampire princess, Jill Dragomir.

But after a series of attacks, Sydney learns something shocking about the paranormal world she inhabits. Vampire hunters aren't just the stuff of legend. They're real. And someone very close to her maybe one of them...

I actually can't wait for this book! Every Richelle Mead book is so goood :D I don't want to spoil Bloodlines for anyone, but seriously, the last line of that book!!! Anyone else extremely excited? :D

The release date is set for 12th June 2012 :) 

Secret Santa + IMM (7)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

I hope you all had a wonderful day :) 

This year I took part in my first book blogger secret Santa :D Thank you to Bree from The Magic Attic for organising the whole thing; it's a brilliant idea!

So, off my secret Santa I received Across The Universe by Beth Revis x)

I would like to thank my secret Santa sooooooo much. I CANNOT wait to read it and it really made my day :D Thank you thank you thank you! 

If you'd like to reveal yourself, it would be much appreciated :')

Other books I was given by family were:

One Day by David Nicholls

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 

The Fault in our Stars (pre-order) by John Greene is also part of a Christmas present :D Excited! 

What did you guys get for Christmas? ^_^

Bucket list recap

Okay, so a while back I started to write up a bucket list. I keep going back and adding things onto it, and today I can cross something off. I made my first ever gingerbread house! :D

Ta da!

Here is my bucket list so far:

1. Donate money to charity 
2. Skydive
3. Meet a famous author
4. Visit Niagara/ Angel Falls 
5. Get married
6. Write an article for a newspaper/magazine 
7. Go scuba diving 
8. Learn horseback riding
9. Ride in a hot air ballon 
10. Swim with dolphins 
11. Go to a concert 
12. Go to a weekend festival 
13. Volunteer at a hospice 
14. Hit bulls-eye on a dartboard 
15. Go to Madame Tussauds 
16. Go to Paris 
17. Be an extra in a movie 
18. Kiss in the rain 
19. Fast for a day
20. Go to Hampton Court Palace 
21. Get a part time job
22. Go to college 
23. Get into university 
24. Get a full time job 
25. Own a Canon SLR camera 
26. Go to prom 
27. Play the piano in front of a reasonably big crowd 
28. Live in an apartment 
29. Visit The Pyramids of Giza 
30. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris 
31. Go to New York 
32. Donate blood 
33. Be Head Girl 
34. Have children 
35. See Mumford and Sons in concert 
36. Go to a midnight premier of a film
37. Be a bridesmaid 
38. Go paint balling
39. Pass my drivers test 
40. Watch the Bucket list
41. Make cupcakes
42. Go to a spa 
43. Go to St Petersburg
44. Kiss under mistletoe
45. Own a pair of Converse 
46. Make a gingerbread house 

I wasn't feeling very festive until today :( But now I am so excited! :)

I hope everybody has a lovely Christmas.

In My Mailbox (6)

Wow. It's been a while. I'm sorry.

I've been so bogged down with school work recently.

My New Year's Resolution is definitely going to have to be to stick to my blog better.

Anyway.

I recently received an Amazon voucher as an RAK :') 

With it I bought The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:

I've only just started reading it and WOW. His writing is beautiful...I'm not entirely sure if that's appropriate word usage being as it's narrated by death. But still, his metaphors are amazing and they are so well thought out. I'll give you a quick preview:  

"The plane was still coughing. Smoke was leaking from both its lungs.

When it crashed, three deep gashes were made in the earth. Its wings were sawn-off arms. No more flapping. Not for this metallic little bird."

I couldn't get over how brilliant this was. It's so clever. 

Another thing I got in my mailbox was my book from my secret Santa! :D Whoever you are, thank you! Don't reveal yourself until Christmas though. I'm not going to open the package until Christmas day, but you have no idea of how nice it was to come home to that :)

One last thing, my parents have pre-ordered A FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green for part of the Christmas present! I cannot wait for that!

What books are you guys asking for for Christmas? 

Have a nice night :)

I think I need to talk about it...

Someone close to my family has recently become very ill. She's been ill for a while, but it's gotten far worse recently. She's been told that she WILL lose her sight, it's inevitable. Yesterday, she was rushed into hospital because she had collapsed. Apparently she had multiple brain seizures. Today we were told she's just had a stroke. This is where trying to find something positive to say is near impossible.


I can't even imagine what she must be going through and all my prayers are with her. My mum is going to see her tomorrow, but I'm not allowed to go. My mum said this was for 2 reasons: 
1)I'm at school -_- (So mundane it's infuriating ) 
2)She doesn't want me to see her in such state because it would upset me so much


Once, I would have said that the 2nd reason was fair enough, but not anymore. One of the last things She said to me was "I really don't think I want to live anymore." At this point I was on the verge of breaking down into tears myself. When I got home, I did. 
Hopefully I have a full life ahead of me-I know it will be full of both beautiful and tragic experiences (that's life) but I can honestly say that seeing an old lady, quivering in her chair, with no close family left, almost asking for death, will remain to be one of the most heartbreaking things I will ever hear/see. 


This whole situation is so sad. I want with all my heart for her to get better, but what if she does? What kind of life will it be? I know she will never fully recover. So it's just made me think...


if it's kinder to let go of those we love, we do we fight with all our hearts to keep them here with us?


Some may say we are selfish?Others may say it's just incredibly strong love? In the end, I think it's just another one of those things. A stepping stone over a river. 
Sometimes the river is gentle and calm, sometimes we can float. Other days, it's cruel and reckless- pushing us as far and we can go. Sometimes we drown. 
But, whether we drown or not, we all end up in stillness eventually. Together. 


I know this post will bear little meaning to anyone but me, but if you have read it - Thank you. 


Now we must make the choice. Life is limited. Live it. 


S.