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 !