Lauren Kate : TEARDROP

LAUREN KATE took the world by a storm when she wrote and released her best-selling book series - FALLEN. Many of us, readers and fans of YA genre, have fallen under the spell of  Luce & Daniel's story. In my case, I can thank my little sister (well not so little) for introducing me to this series.

So, when I found out that Ms Kate is preparing a new book series, I got a tiny bit excited. Well, I am lying now. I got really excited. TEARDROP has been released last year and I became a proud owner of the hardback copy soon after its released day.


I have to say, the first impression were really good. The cover is absolutely stunning. Purple. Blue. Black and Silver are wonderful colours to compliment the image on the front cover. As we come to used to with Ms Kate works, there is a beautiful girl pictured in gorgeous gown. Meet EUREKA - the heroine of the story.



We are meeting Eureka at the worst time possible. She has just lost her mum in a tragic accident. She has been hospitalised after attempted suicide as she couldn't cope with her loss. Now, her stepmother is forcing her to go to therapy to talk about her issues. The life is dull. She feels lonely. She only has two best friends, Cat and Brooks, as she allied all the rest of her school. She doesn't know how to get back into her life without her mum. One afternoon she bumps into Ander - well he crashes his car into her car and her life starts to change. She seems to see him everywhere, he knows things about her which are bordering on the line with stalking, but for some reason, she trusts him. Not to mention, that sparks fly every time they are near proximity of each other. But her life gets even more intrigued when she inherits mysterious objects from her mother - a book written in language nobody can read, a pendant which doesn't open, and a thunder stone nobody knows what is used for. And then Ander warns her that her life is in danger. Brooks starts to change and hurts her every chance he gets. What is all this means? What does the mysterious book tells? And what is the story behind Ander and his sudden appearance in Eureka's life?


I must say, I do enjoy Ms Kate's stories. Her writing is always entertaining and right up to my street. Her stories are filled with strong heroines with mysterious destiny. There is a big epic romance which goes through many challenges. Her heroines are always very relate able. And this story is similar to the previous series.


The prologue is fantastic. Packed with action. It makes you want to read the rest of the story. But then it radically slows down and you have to wait a while for it to pick back up. I start to be a little bit bored. It seems to me that some chapters doesn't need to be really there. They just fill the space and make up the page number. But read on I did. Maybe it will make sense at the end? Maybe they need to be there to support the story and further explain it? But sometimes, it was too much with too little happening. But then Ander reappears again. The explanations start to come together and the story finally picks up. I am finally enjoying it.

The other, quite major thing, I have noticed is that Ms Kate seems to stick to the previous books' synopsis. Here we have a girl with a mysterious destiny nobody knows about and we have to slowly uncover the big secret. A love triangle is formed with two guys - one the the side of good, one is the baddie. The girl loses someone very close to her. There is a massive fight. Remind of something? Basically, this book is like a re-written version of Fallen with different mythical species. Heaven is swapped for Atlantis. Angels are called Seed-bearers. Demons are called Atlanteans.


But even though I picked up on the repeated plot line.. Even though the story was a little bit boring to start off with... I did enjoy it at the end. I do like Eureka's character. I've grown quite fond of her. I do appreciate the fact that she isn't the stronger female in the hood. She has her own issues, which she needs to work through and which are very relate able to every girl. I do not like Brooks - well the version possessed by Atlas who hurts Eureka's feeling every seconds he gets. And I think I am falling under Ander's charm. Why wouldn't I? He seems good and dreamy and tries to protect Eureka with everything he's got.

So to summarise my thoughts on this book isn't easy. I did like it, but it wasn't original. I've grown to like the characters, but sometimes the story itself bored me. Could it be a good story ? Yes. Does the author needs to work on it a little bit more? Absolutely. If Ms Kate wants to impress her readers, she needs to come to out with some major twists in the next book as this one seemed too predictable and very slow paced. I want more action. I want more history to the story. I want to learn more about Ander. I want to be blown away.


So TEARDROP didn't measure to my expectations. It was a nice story, but it failed to blow my socks off.  Let's hope that the second instalment - WATERFALL - will make some amendments and save the potentially good story.

AMAZING!! I have been nominated for LIEBSTER AWARDS!!

Wow.. So this has just happened. I have been nominated for LIEBSTER AWARDS. Twice!!! 

I am so thankful to all of you lovely readers for continuing to read my rambles and shambles on my favourite subject - BOOKS & LITERATURE. I also would love to say a huge THANK YOU to the two lovely ladies who nominated me: 

Chloe Yume from http://epitomeofwords.blogspot.ca

Teisha from http://girlwritesreviews.blogspot.co.uk

Both of these girls are trying so hard to show you what are they good at and how much they are loving to write for you. I have checked out these girls and their blogs, and damn there is some serious competition for me out there.. ;-)

LIEBSTER AWARDS are given to new or small (less than 200 followers) interesting bloggers and blogs on the rise. It's a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the blogger platform, find some new blogger friends and maybe increase your numbers. 

There are some rules to obey:

1. ONE MUST POST 11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF

2. ONE MUST ANSWER 1 QUESTIONS ASKED BY WHOEVER NOMINATED YOU

3. ONE MUST ASKED 11 NEW QUESTIONS TO 9 BLOGGERS WITH LESS THAN 200 FOLLOWERS. YOU CANNOT RE-NOMINATE THE BLOGGER WHO NOMINATED YOU

4. ONE MUST LET KNOW THE 9 BLOGGERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN NOMINATED

Sounds like a lot of fun, sorry that it took me a while to write this post, but finally I got it all together and I am ready to share this post with you. Hope you will like it. 

11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

• I am a health freak. I am obsessed with healthy eating and making sure that I treat my body well. My absolute favourite are the girls from TONE IT UP & HONESTLY HEALTHY company. 
• My ideal job would be working for a publishing house, writing book reviews whilst living in the City Of Lights & Love - PARIS. 
• I dream of owing a cafe / book store. 
• I am proud to call myself a NERD.
• My favourite film is STAR TREK. Yes, and by that I mean the newest remake with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. That film never fails to bring me back from dark places. 
• My favourite colour at the moment is MINT GREEN. I have it on my walls, I have in on my bedding and I want a lot more of that colour in my life and wardrobe.
• At the moment I have 100 books in my library I haven't read yet and I still keep buying more.
• In the eternal debate of Microsoft vs. Apple, I am definitely an APPLE supporter. I own every product - iPod, iPad, iPhone, MacBook and recently purchased iMac. Have I mentioned that I love Apple products?
• I read a lot of ARROW FAN-FICTIONk and I enjoy it. I think Felicity Smoak is the best thing what happened to Oliver Queen. #Olicity
• If I could become friends with any author, I would be friends with Rainbow Rowell and Holly Bourne. 
• I cannot play video games. I am an absolute useless gamer. Never have been into them, cannot co-ordinate my hands and workout the remotes. But I do love X-Box Kinnect. 

ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS... wow I feel like I am finally going to places ;-)

TEISHA'S QUESTIONS:

1. DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE, AND IF SO, WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER WRITING A NOVEL?

Of course, I do like writing. I do a lot of writing for the blog. I do have a wild imagination so with it comes wild dreaming. So to share the dreams with my sister, I write her stories which only she can read. I would love to write a novel, but at the moment I prefer reading to writing. 

2. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

Rainbow Rowell. This woman is a great writer. Her books never fails to bring a smile to my face. Her stories are down-to-earth and very relate able. She is a magician in the world of literature. Not to mention that I am not able to put any of her books down until I am at the end of the story. 

3. ANY WEIRD READING HABITS?

I cannot watch TV or listen to music while reading. It distracts me. Also I do bite my nails while reading. Naughty me!! While reading the book I become a part of the story, so if I am not invested in it, if I cannot imagine myself being a part of the book, I know I do not like the novel. 

4. WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? WHAT INSPIRED YOU?

This will sound really cheesy, but it's the truth. I actually dreamt that I have my own blog. It was due to my frustration not being able to talk to anyone about the books I read, so I decided to write my own reviews and post them online. Year and a half later, VOILAA, the blog is taking off. 

5. WHAT CAN YOU BE FOUND DOING ON DAYS WHEN YOU JUST HANG AROUND THE HOUSE?

Sleeping. Cooking. Reading. Watching telly. Stalking Stephen Amell on Facebook. Not to mention, that I read a lot of Arrow Fan-Fiction. 

6. WHO IS YOUR INSPIRATION, OR SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO?

Another cheesy answer, but MY MUM. She is a superwoman who didn't have the easiest life but still managed to raise to very independent women. She is caring, smart, beautiful and very very funny. 

7. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU HATE AND WHY? 

Spiders. Snakes. Sharks. Any kind of insect.. the world can do without them. I can do without them. They creep me out. Also I hate the fact that Gluten Free and Healthy grocery and products are more expensive than normal products. Way to promote healthy lifestyle !!

8. WHAT ARE SOME PERSONALITY TRAITS OF YOURS THAT YOU LIKE? WHY?

I can be objective when it comes to making decisions, so I hear out both sides of the story before I decided what I think. I am very independent and love doing everything for myself by myself. 

9. IF YOU HAD ONE SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I think I'd like to fly. Flying gives you the opportunity to go to places and feel free. 

10. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS?

Quit my job and finally pursue the dream of opening a cafe book shop. 

11. IF YOUR LIFE WAS A REALITY SHOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

Uugh... this is a hard one. I'd love to be a part of Made in Chelsea. I love everything about the show and it's the only reality show I actually watch. Every single episode. But if I would have a reality show about my life, it would be about pursuing the goal of working for a publishing house and trying to make it in the blogging world. 

CHLOE'S QUESTIONS:

1. WHICH DO YOU PREFER: TEA OR COFFEE?

Coffee. Any day. Any time. Any opportunity. With a chocolate cake preferably. 

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?

ARROW. Oh Stephen Amell. That man is just amazing. I wish he would be single and ready to mingle. And somehow I would meet him and marry him. He is the man of my dreams. Not to mention, that Felicity Smoak is my favourite character of all the time. Emily & Stephen have such an amazing chemistry sparkling between them and I really hope that the writers will finally start to use it and make sure that Oliver Queen finds his happiness with Felicity. This is the best comic book interpretation since Sin City. Especially when it comes to DC comics. 

3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK AND WHY?

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky. This book has literally changed my life. When I hit my rock bottom couple of years ago, this book managed to save me with the story within its pages and I managed to find myself after being lost for a very long time. 

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

As mentioned before, STAR TREK - the newest remake. 

5. WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU START BLOGGING?

A dream, plus I think saying that I am a blogger with my own blog sounds pretty amazing. 

6. WHERE DO YOU SEE, OR HOPE TO SEE, YOUR BLOG IN THE NEXT YEAR?

I wish I could take this blog further. I do hope that more people will start to read it so I can maybe pursue the career of full-time blogger - book reviewer. I plan on starting to release some merchandise - tote bags are always great to carry your books and snacks. 

7. WHERE DO YOU SEE, OR HOPE TO SEE, YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?

I hate this question at job interviews. The reason why is because I do not know. My life is an open road. I might be still stuck in my current job or I might be finally pursuing my dreams. The latter would be preferred, but I will just go with the flow. 

8. WHICH DO YOU PREFER: HARDBACKS OR PAPERBACKS OR E-BOOKS?

There are some beautiful Hardbacks out there, which I absolute adore, but I do prefer Paperbacks as they are easier to carry around. E-books are great for holidays when you paid only for hand luggage. 

9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK STORE?

My favourite book store actually closed down couple of years ago, but now I adopted a new one. It's the Leeds Branch of Waterstones. I can get lost there for hours not being sorry one bit about it. 

10. FIND THE NEAREST BOOK, OPEN IT TO THE PAGE 93, WHAT DOES THE FIFTH LINE READ?

E. Lockhart : WE WERE LIARS

"... the path to Red Gate." How poetic, don't ya think?

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE OR PERSONAL MOTTO?

"Things always happen for a reason."

11 QUESTIONS FOR MY FELLOW BLOGGERS TO ANSWER:

• Where is your favourite place to read and why?
• If you could be one fictional character, who would you be?
• Audio books - Yes or No? Why?
• What would be the theme tune of your life?
• Which character you find yourself most drawn to?
• The ultimate comfort story and why?
• If you could meet an author (dead or alive) who it would be?
• Find your nearest book, open it on the page 177 and read the seventh line. What does it say?
• What film never fails to bring a smile to your face even in the darkest of times?
• What 3 books would you take on a deserted island?
• Which book would you love to see to be made into a film?

PASSING THE TORCH TO MORE LOVELY BLOGGERS:

Abbie from http://beingalondoner.blogspot.co.uk
Kaytee from http://mylongestholiday.blogspot.co.uk
Keeley from http://keeleyreads.blogspot.co.uk
Kaycee from http://wonderstruck-kcks.blogspot.co.uk
Kayla from http://www.thebookishowl.net
Olivia from http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl
Sandee from http://awhimsicalreader.blogspot.co.uk
The girls behind http://paperbackdolls.com
Katie from http://www.fangirlingandthings.com

So girlies, get your laptops ready and hopefully you enjoy doing this post as much as I did. Again, Thank You very much for my nomination, hopefully this post gives you an inside of who I am and why I love what I do :) Congratulations to all the one who have been selected for future posts. 

Holly Bourne : THE MANIFESTO ON HOW TO BE INTERESTING

Last year I discovered my favourite british author of all times. I can pretend to be all knowing  and well educated with an amazing taste, and say that my favourite british author is Jane Austen or Virginia Woolf, but I would be lying. Last year, while browsing through my favourite book shop (an actual shop - not amazon books website), I have stumbled on a little blue book called SOULMATES. The electric blue cover with neon heart caught my attention and I found myself paying for it at the till. And I couldn't wait to read it. A love story unlike others took me by surprise and I fell under its spell. All thanks to the brilliant writing of HOLLY BOURNE.

This young british writer has managed to create magic with her writing which I absolutely love. So when her new book was announced, of course I had to have it. Pre-ordered. Pre-paid. It arrived a week before its official released date. THE MANIFESTO ON HOW TO BE INTERESTING. A book I have been waiting for more than 365 days... And it was here, in my hands. I was jumping up and down from excitement.


To be truthful though, I have been a little bit worried if Holly would be able to re-create the success of Soulmates. You know how it goes... The second book or the second music album isn't usually that great as the artist is trying too hard to repeat the previous success. But Bourne's writing did not disappoint.


Everything... Every page... Every little paragraph is absolutely brilliant. 

Firstly, let's talk about the cover.. Black with neon red and bold letters. Pages framed in red colour. The Description of the book and blur on the back gives you a glimpse into the story, which is so much better and braver than I expected. 

Meet Bree. Bree is a seventeen-year-old girl who is a kind of an outsider in her posh school. To be honest, she doesn't really care what other people think about her. She is happy with who she is and concentrates on her one goal. She wants to become a writer - a published author. But after yet another rejection letter, and not-so-kind pep talk from her english teacher (who Bree has a major crush on), she decides to take the matter in her own hands. She decides to become interesting and write all about in on a blog. There are five rules to obey:

Rule 1: ONE MUST BE ATTRACTIVE

Rule 2: ONE MUST MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE

Rule 3: ONE MUST FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEBODY FORBIDDEN

Rule 4: ONE MUST LOSE ALL SIGHTS OF ONESELF, GET INTO A HUGE EMOTIONAL MESS, AND BREAK DOWN AS A PERSON

Rule 5: I GUESS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS. YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO KEEP READING. 

Intrigued? I certainly was.


At the start it reminded me a remake of 90210 (yes, I am a saddo and I did watch the original and the remake as well.), but slowly it picks up the pace and Ms Bourne manages to get me more and more interested. I start to become way to invested in this book. It's hilarious. Easy to read and it gives you a unique view of high school life and how the hierarchy can influence people on various levels. Bree and her social experiment is mind-blowing, but at the same time it opens your mind to see what we are actually missing. Maybe the so called popular girls aren't always bitchy. Maybe they have hearts? Is the school jokey just playing to be cold and arrogant and secretly he is a guy who every girl dreams of? I have enjoyed the idea of Bree comparing her own experiences with to the ones seen in romance films and series. Not everything works out or goes according to the plan. Real life is different. I appreciate that Ms Bourne managed to capture this truth in her newest novel.




Not to mention, that she wasn't scared to touch upon the subjects normally forbidden in YA genre - self-harming and forbidden relationships with teachers. We all can see it. We all know that it is happening, but we are scared to talk about it. We are afraid that it can be true? So we don't mention it. We leave in the depths of dark corners for others to deal with. Authors of YA genre seems to usually stay away from it, but Holly and her story isn't the case. She manages to tell the real story and how it can help in her own truthful way. 


Wow. I have loved every single page of this book. It is so so so easy to read. Very modern. Entertaining. Open-minded. Funny. Truthful. Unique. Absolutely fantastic. The words fly of the page straight to your mind. You will not be able to put this book down as it is so relate able. Every single person can find their story (or part of it) within these pages. We all know that high school can be the hell on earth, and somehow it always leaves a mark on you for the rest of our lives. And the author of this novel explains in her original way, why and how it happens.

Holly Bourne put the whole high school experience into a truthful package which gives you the ins and outs of surviving in this hell. It makes you glad that that part of your life is behind you. And the original idea to bring into this the modern age of blogging is fascinating.

I have loved the book all the way through and I wish that it wouldn't end. It made me laugh out loud. It made me think.. It made me cry. Certain things mentioned in the book stay on your mind long after you finished. Bree's last post and epilogue to the book is one of the most insightful and sticks-to-the-facts epilogues I have read in a while. And somehow every single time I read it makes me stronger. It makes me realise that every word written in the epilogue gives me a new insight of how I look at myself and how many girls in the world look at themselves. It's a perfect ending to a perfect story. 







Another well done Holly! You impressed me and managed to make me love your writing and stories even more. Thank you for another beautiful and incredible story !

Gayle Forman : IF I STAY

IF I STAY is a young adult novel written by American author, very popular in YA genre, Gayle Forman. If I Stay has been recently adapted to a film and the film version is due to be showed  in the cinemas by the end of August (UK - our neighbours across the pond are treated to it earlier.).


If I Stay and its story quickly became popular and found its place on best-selling lists across the world.

"Read it and weep." DAILY MAIL

"Moving and heartwarming." GUARDIAN

"Haunting and heartbreaking." Bookseller

"Gripping and wise." Carmen Reid

Of course, because it's due to be released pretty soon, I must have made time in my Summer Reading Challenge, to make sure that I read the book before I see the film version. I didn't want to repeat the mistake with The Fault In Our Stars when I saw the film before I read the book. That caused that when reading the book I couldn't help but to compare ... So read on I did.


And I have been pleasantly surprised! All the praise for this book has been true!!! 


Firstly, I really like the format of the novel. It wasn't divided to the usual chapters. It was a continuous story, which included memories and inserts from Mia's life. These memories and inserts then explained how she got where she is and helped her to make a decision at the end.



Mia's story is so different. For the first time I am reading a story of a girl who lost her whole family in a tragic accident and is left alone to fight for her life. Mia's soul is walking around hospital and she sees what is happening to her body and around her. And she is left with very important decision : Will she leave her body and everyone else behind to join her family? Or will she stay and live her life knowing what has happened?



This book is the heart-shattering, you-will-definitely-cry, it-will-leave-you-sad-and-heartbroken kind of book. You will feel so sorry for Mia while reading through the book. Her story is one of a kind. And the worst thing? Throughout reading the book you can understand if she makes the choice to leave everything here and joins her family. It makes you think, what would you do in her situation and the answer is: "I don't know... I don't know what my choice would be. " I do not know if Adam's love would be enough to make me stay...

Adam.. Oh Adam... He is the perfect boyfriend and him and Mia share such a wonderful, very special, love between them. Their love story was so normal and so serious and perfect at the same time. Up until now...

I couldn't put the book down. It caught me between its pages and wouldn't let go. I was mesmerised by the story and couldn't help, but to read on. It also helped that it was very relate able and easy to read. At the same time though, it was so unique to other YA novels. I don't remember any other author writing a story about making a choice to decide to live or to die.

I am now really looking forward to see the film adaptation of the book in the cinema. The trailer itself made me to read the book and it looks very good. Although there are signs that I might need to bring a box of Kleenex with me. It will be a tear jacker.


But as for the story and the book goes... It was brilliantly heartbreaking and fantastic to read. I will definitely come back to it in the future. Now, I just need to find the time to read the sequel WHERE SHE WENT. Well done Ms Forman, you have written a one-hell-of-a-story.

Here are some thoughtful quotes from the book : 

“Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you.” 

“I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard.” 

“Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it. Love can make you immortal” 

“Don't be scared...Women can handle the worst kind of pain. You'll find out one day.”

“Fake it 'till you make it.” 

“People believe what they want to believe.” 

“Sleep would be so welcome. A warm blanket of black to erase everything else. Sleep without dreams. I've heard people talk about the sleep of the dead. Is that what death would feel like? The nicest, warmest, heaviest never-ending nap? If that's what it's like, I wouldn't mind. If that's what dying is like, I wouldn't mind that at all.” 

“You can have your wishes, your plans, but at the end of the day, it's out of your control.”

Rick Yancey : THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST

THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST is an awarding winning book (first one in the series) written by American author Rick Yancey. Now, you might remember Mr Yancey from the review of one of his newish novels which blew my mind last year - THE 5TH WAVE.

The Monstrumologist has been recommended by many Vloggers and Bloggers who loves books and good stories as much as I do. So I was expecting great things. Especially after reading one of his book last year.  A lot of reviewers and book critics wrote only good things about this novel.

"Yancey takes the gore and violence of Darren Shan's 'Cirque du Freak' to thrilling new levels in this sophisticated tale." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Each character is whole and rich... The book is perfect for readers who want their nightmares in a literary package." VOYA

"This is a great story. I loved this book." DOUGLAS CLEGG, author of NEVERLAND

"Weaves a world that processes a Lovecraftian logic and hints at its own deeply satisfying mythos." BOOKLIST

"Will's intelligent diary captures their page turning, nightmarish adventures and the constructs and evolving scientific theories of the time as well as his budding independence." KIRKUS REVIEWS

First impressions... I love the whole package. The design team behind the edition did a wonderful job. The Paperback itself is beautifully animated with some gorgeous pictures and has a feel of a real diary of Will Henry. So far.. so good. 

The story takes us to a sanitarium (old people's home) where the author meets a director who hands him 12 notebooks written by a patient who recently passed away. There is no family who would claim them. And the word is that the patient hasn't spoken to anyone through his whole time being there. He claimed to be over 180 years old. This sparks the author's interest. Not to mentioned that the notebooks holds a story previously unheard of. 

When the author starts to read them, he cannot put them down. We are meeting a twelve year old boy, Will Henry, who lives in the house of Dr Pelinore Warthrop. His parents recently died in a tragic accident and Will Henry doesn't have anyone apart from the doctor. Now Dr Warthrop has a very peculiar profession. He isn't the usual kind of doctor. He is a monstrumologist - the doctor of monsters. And one evening this profession brings an unexpected visitor with very interesting package to their door. And after that Will Henry and The Monstrumologist go on a spiral road of adventure they didn't expect. 

MON-STUM-OL-O-GY n.

1: the story of life forms generally malevolent to humans and not recognised by science as actual organisms, specifically those considered products of myth and folklore

2: the act of hunting such creatures

This supposed to be YA novel. While reading and after reading this novel, there is only one question on my mind: "What child can read this book and doesn't have nightmares afterwards?" It was visual. Bloody. And very, very entertaining. I have fallen under the spell of Will Henry's scary tale and couldn't put it down. The story is so refreshing. Monsters are real. They are a species who hunt us down as we are their food supply. Wow... I have been haunted by this story long after I have read it. It left me with shivers. Yancey's writing is so adventurous. It takes the whole new level of scary for me. 

Not only the story is very individual and unique to the ones I read before, but the writing itself is very inventive. The whole book is written in the style of 1800's authors. What a wonderful idea. Long sentences. Well used english dictionary. What an idea!! It reminded me the style of writing of Jane Austen. LOVED IT!!

Will Henry is such an interesting character. Firstly, you feel sorry for him and then you start to be intrigued by him. He is brave. Braver than he thinks himself. And his big secret is revealed at the end of the story. That made my jaw drop. Even more intriguing and very secretive is the character of The Monstrumologist himself. He is smart. Brave. Rich. And sometimes seems without a heart. But I feel that this character is like an onion. You have to peel off the dry layers before you get to the juice bottom. And of course I cannot forget to mention the character of Dr John Kearns (well at least that is one of his name). He is ruthless and a very adventures hunter who is an expert in hunting the Anthropophagi. He doesn't hesitate to use a human life in order to get what he wants or needs. He is very intelligent and might carry a big secret which gets touched upon at the end of the book. That was a really good secret!!

All in all, I can see why this book is loved by so many book reviewers and readers. There isn't one thing I could say, which would make this book horrible. It's very inventive, full of violence and flesh eating monsters. Sometimes it makes your skin crawl, but it's still brilliant and one of a kind. I cannot wait to read the other books in series: The Curse Of The Wendigo, The Isle of Blood and The Final Descent. Mr Yancey wrote one hell of a book series which you all will love. 

JULY & AUGUST BOOK BONANZA

Summer Holiday time is here... I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and wonderful weather which is making our days better. I, myself, have full hands of work. Not only I challenge myself to Summer Reading Challenge, which I am well behind (for which I do apologise), but I went to see my family and spent some quality time with my friends... I even took up on a new hobby - hiking.

But don't fret! I haven't forgotten about you my lovely readers. I know the posts haven't been as regular as usual, but I am slowly getting back on the track. Of course, I am trying to post book reviews as soon as I finish the book, but please be patient with me, sometimes it takes time to fully enjoy reading that particular story. And then it takes a little longer. But don't worry.. I have found some time to start planning and soon you can look forward to some more posts. 

Take the July & August Book Bonanza. It's been long time coming. I didn't have much time to post the book bonanzas for each month separately, so when I sat down to write this post and share with you my latest finds and buys, I discovered that I have over 20 new books in my library.. I really start to think that I have a problem... Do you?

But back to the point.. Here is July & August Book Bonanza. It's big. It's good. And it knock your socks off. We have some great books by brilliant authors on the list. I have decided to divide them into five different categories. I hope you find one or two which will peek your interest. 

JULY & AUGUST BOOK BONANZA

The Books soon to have a Film Adaptation:

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman

The last thing Mia remembers is the music. 

After the accident, she can still hear it. And she can see her damaged body being taken from the wreck of her parents' car - even though she can't feel a thing. 

All she can do is watch as doctors rush to save her life, as her friends and relatives gather outside her room, as the boy she loves struggles to be near her. 

As the next twenty-four hours unfold, Mia must come to terms with what came before the crash - and what could come after. And she knows she must make the most difficult choice of all.  

If she stays...

WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman

It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life. And three years he's spend wondering why. 

When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night. 

Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been hating him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

The Bright Books and their Even Brighter Covers: 

THE MANIFESTO ON HOW TO BE INTERESTING by Holly Bourne

Apparently I'm boring. A nobody. But that's all about to change. Because I am starting a project. Here. Now. For myself. And if you want to come along for the ride then you're very welcome. 

Bree is by no means popular. Most of the time, she hates her life, her school, her never-there parent. So she writes. 

But when Bree is told she needs to stop shutting the world out and start living a life worth writing about, THE MANIFESTO ON HOW TO BE INTERESTING is born. A manifesto that will change everything... 

... but the question is, at what cost?

SOLITAIRE by Alice Oseman

'I don't ever remember not being serious. As far as I'm concerned, I came out of the of the womb spouting cynicism and wishing for rain.'

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now.

Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. 

I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do. And I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't. 

The Books for Your Heart and Soul:

THE REASON I JUMP by Naoki Higashida

One boy's voice from the silence of autism. 

NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro

In one of the most acclaimed novels of recent years, Kazuo Ishiguro imagines the lives of a group of students growing up in a darkly skewed version of contemporary England. Narrated by Kathy, now thirty-one, NEVER LET ME GO dramatises her attempts to com to terms with her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world. A story of love, friendship and memory, NEVER LET ME GO is charged throughout with a sense of the fragility of life. 

THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by  M. R. Carey

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks 

they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite. But they don't laugh. 

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins

I have three simple wishes. The first is to attend the winter formal dressed like Marie Antoinette. The second is for my parents to approve of my boyfriend. And my third wish? To never ever ever see the Bell twins ever again. Ever. 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costume. The more expressive outfit - the more sparkly, more wild - the better. And life is pretty close to perfect for Lola, especially with her hot rocker boyfriend. 

That is, until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighbourhood and unearth a past of hurt that Lola thought was long buried. So when talented inventor Cricket steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally face up to a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. It's been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and he still loves her - but that almost seems besides the point now. 

Two days before they're supposed to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells him that she can't go. She's a TV writer and something's come up on her show, she has to stay in  Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - he is always a little upset with her - but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. 

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she's finally done it. If she's ruined everything. 

That night, Georgie discovered a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It's not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...

Is that what she's supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

The YA Novels for 

Every Girl or Woman :

SKIN DEEP by Laura Jarratt

'I wanted to say this morning, only you ran off... Sorry if I was rude.' The boy from the boat grinned, looking straight at me. 'You surprised me, that's all. The scar' - he touched his face - 'took me by surprise. I didn't mean to be rude.' I gaped at him. Nobody ever, ever mentioned the scars.'

After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna struggles to rebuild her life. But every stare in the street, every glance in the mirror, makes her want to hide away. And then Ryan turns up - a tall, good-looking traveller unlike anyone Jenna's ever met before. 

Can he help to put her world back together, or will he just break her heart?

WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart

We are liars. We are beautiful and privileged. We are cracked and broken. A tale of love and romance. A tale of tragedy. Which are lies? Which is truth? You decide. 

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson

Emiy's best friend Sloane disappears, almost without a trace - the only thing left behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that wallflower Emily wouldn't normally do, and definitely not without her best friend. But what if completing the list could bring Sloane back?

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um...

Go skinny dipping? Wait...what?

Emily only has the summer to check everything off Sloane's list. The question is, what will she find at the end of it?

LOUDER THAN WORDS by Laura Jarratt

Words on a page ... they're beautiful, powerful. 

Words in my mouth... they don't work. 

They choke up inside me and won't come out. My pen has a freedom my mouth has never had. The last person I spoke to was my brother, Silas, and I was six. Since then, not a word. Silas says he'd give anything to hear me speak again. Now I sit here and think the same thing about him. 

LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD by Ava Dellaira

Sometimes the best letters go unanswered.

It begins as an assignment for English class: write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain - he died young, And so did Laurel's sister May - so maybe he'll understand what Laurel is going through. 

Soon Laurel is writing letters to lots of dead people - Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, Amelia Earhart, Amy Winehouse..It's like she can't stop. She writes about her new high school, her new friends, her first love - and her shattered life. 

But the ghosts of Laurel's past can't be contained between the lines of a page forever. She must face up to them - before they consume her. 

MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick

On one summer night, everything changed. 

Life in Samantha Reed's home is neat and clean and orderly - precisely planned by her local politician mother. Next door, at the Garretts', things are loud, messy, and irresistible. And when gorgeous Jase Garrett climbs the trellis outside her bedroom and enters her life, she finds herself falling passionately in love with him and everything he brings with him. The only hitch is, she's got to hide it from her mother. Then something unthinkable happens, and Samantha is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

The Books from Book Series:

THE SCORCH TRIALS by James Dashner

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escaping meant he would get his life back. But no one knew what sort of life they were going back to...

Burned and baked, the earth is a wasteland, its people driven mad by an infection known as the Flare. 

Instead of freedom, Thomas must face another trial. He must cross the Scorch to once again save himself and his friends...

THE CURSE OF THE WENDIGO by Rick Yancey

The montrumologist Dr Warthrop and his assistant Will Henry are in pursuit of the ultimate predator, a creature that is neither alive nor dead, which starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh.. the Wendigo. 

The doctor is convinced that no such beast can possibly exist, until someone from his past convinces him a Wendigo has captured her husband, and he and Will travel to the Canadian wilderness to discover the truth. 

When they finally track down the man they return with him to New York, only to see him transform into a Wendigo before their eyes. Now Dr Warthrop can no longer deny the truth behind the legend and with a Wendigo on the loose in the metropolis, it's up to the monstrumologist and his assistant to catch the beast before it's too late...

THE ISLE OF BLOOD by Rick Yancey

The Monstrumologist Dr Warthrop has abandoned a devasted Will Henry to go in search of "The Holy Grail of Monstrumology" with his new assistant, Arkwright. But when Arkwright returns to New York alone, with news of the Doctor's death, Will doesn't believe him - and determines to find the Doctor, alive or dead. 

Will's search leads him to Socotra - the Isle of Blood - where the Doctor was last seen alive, and blood rains from the sky. The island is home to the most bizarre and mysterious monsters Will has ever seen - but will they also be the last things he ever sees?

SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi

I have a curse. I have a gift. 

I'm a monster. I'm more than human. 

My touch is lethal. My touch is power.

I am their weapon. I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time - and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.

SLATED by Teri Terry

Kyla's memory has been erased, her personality wiped blank, her memories lost for ever. 

She's been Slated. 

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla's mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

So which one will make it on your reading list? Have you already read any of them? If so, please let me know how you like the story in comments below. I am looking forward to some recommendations from you guys. Until next time.... Have a fatabulous time :) 

Stephanie Perkins: ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS

ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS is a young adult novel written by Stephanie Perkins. Ms Perkins wrote a series of love stories which are inspired by some of the most gorgeous cities in the world. And as the title suggest, Anna And The French Kiss is taking place on the beautiful backgrounds of the City Of Love & Lights  - Paris.


Ms Perkins wrote one of the best-selling novels in Young Adult genre this year. And no wonder... This book is a typical example of young adult romance story which will make you weep and laugh. And there is the happy ending which guarantees no dry eyed reader. 






Anna is a teenage girl who's dad shipped her off to Paris to gain some life experience while studying her final year of high school in prestigious School of America in the heart of Paris. Firstly, Anna isn't happy about his order which leaves her alone without her family and friends. But when she starts to settle down and meets fellow classmates who take her under their wings. And of course, there is the boy... THE BOY - Etienne St Clair, who makes everything so much better. Anna starts to like Etienne, but there is a little problem, he has been in a relationship with Ellie for over a year. Is Anna heading for a heartache in the City of Love or will everything work out the way everyone wants and hope?






This is a sweet, heart-warming story about falling in love for the first time. It's about finding the right person for you and it actually explains what being in love with somebody really means. I always used to say that Stephanie Meyer's Twilight would be my choice for young girls to explain falling in love, but Ms Perkins managed to write a story which is so much better and more real. Not everything goes according to the plan. There are bumps and complications on the road to find your true love. But Ms Perkins manages to capture the feelings and happenings of falling for somebody in the right light. It's funny, modern, down-to-earth, heart-fell and on some occasions heartbreaking...

It will have you glued to the pages and you'll find yourself turning pages without knowing how. It's so easy to read and follow. You won't want to put it down, all you will be saying: "Just one more chapter..."


Anna is a wonderful character, so relate able to so many young women out there, who are dealing with similar problems. She has a mess in her feelings and is trying to figure out her place in the world. Etienne is the boy to die for. He seems perfect to start with but as we continue to get to know him, we find out that he is a bit of a scary cat when it comes to dealing with girls and break ups. My favourite characters are the couple who did not make it at the end - Josh and Rashmi. Although their personalities clash, they still manage to stay friends and help each other. Rashmi is a girl who is careful with her affection towards others as she has been burnt by her best friend (Ellie left her behind when she has gone to college.) and Josh is a fun-loving, irresponsible artist who does everything in the world to be more irresponsible. But these two are great friends who, when you are in trouble, are there for you.



The main reason why I really enjoyed reading this book, was the fact that it takes place in Paris. I cannot even begin to describe my huge obsession and love for this place and the author managed to make me miss it even more. Ms Perkins beautifully described the gorgeous City of Lights and I got lost in walks with the characters. I am definitely booking some holiday time next year in spring so I can spend it and get even more inspired by this romantic city.


All in all, I have enjoyed this story. It was romantic and funny and very relate able, but sometimes I felt like in a teenage film or TV drama series. But I will read it again in distant future and recommend for all romantics and fans of YA genre out there to give it a try and get lost in this Parisian tale.

Quotes from this sweet story about first love: 

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” 

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”

“I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.”

“Girl scouts didn't teach me what to do with emotionally unstable drunk boys.” 

“And I realize ... it’s okay. It’s okay if St. Clair and I never become more than friends. His friendship alone has strengthened me in a way that no one
else’s ever has. He swept me from my room and showed me independence. In other words, he was exactly what I needed. I won’t forget it. And I certainly
don’t want to lose it.”

“I spent the period reading the first novel assigned for English. And wow. If I hadn't realized I was in France yet, I do now. Because Like Water for Chocolate has sex in it. LOTS of sex.”