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Books I Would Buy Right Now

Aug 2, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. All bloggers are then welcomed to join. This week’s topic is Ten Books You’d Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed You A Fully Loaded Gift Card.

I wish I had all the money in the world to buy books, but with no job and a university student – it’s hard to buy books. So if I had a loaded gift card I would go on a book shopping spree for sure. I would be in heaven. In in my list there are some that have already been published and some that are coming out in coming months.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: I adored this book, it’s one of my favourite books this year, however I received an e-arc of it, therefore I don’t have one of my book shelf.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: Ely over at Tea and Titles loves this one and since it’s by Ruta Sepetys and set during world war 2, I think I am going to love it to.

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan: This is the only series that I have yet to read by Riordan and I love all his other books, so I don’t see why I won’t love these.

P.S I Like You by Kasie West: It’s Kasie West – enough said.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: This one sounds like my type of book and I loved Anna Dresses in Blood.

Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes: I have heard so many good things about this one that I cannot help but want it.

On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis: This one sounds so interesting plus the hardcover is gorgeous!

Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider: It’s set in Hawaii and I have been hearing quite good things about it.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner: This one sounds fantastic and gosh the reviews have been amazing.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman: I really enjoy Alice Oseman’s first book, and I have been hearing so many good things about this one.

And that is it! What are books that you would buy right now if you had the money? Do we share any? Let’s Chat!

Books Outside the US – Yes Please!

Jul 19, 2016

Don’t get me wrong, some of my favourite books are set in the US, but I also like a diverse setting, I like to see how authors perceive different places in the world, I want to see how characters interact plus I can get confused my the US school system.

I love travelling around the world in the books that I read, however most of the books on my list are set in Australia. I think that is mainly because I have been reading so much #LoveOZYA lately and loving it! If you have any suggestions on books set outside the US that you think that I will like, let me know.

Every Series by Ellie Marney | Setting: Australia (and a little in the UK). I love this series with all I have. It’s because and always keeps you on your feel + Ellie is totally lovely. #LoveOzYA Interview.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor | Setting: Prague. I have yet to finish this series, because of reasons that I don’t even know.

Frankie by Shivaun Plozza | Setting: Melbourne, Australia. Frankie by Shivaun Plozza is a brilliant debut novel that captured my heart. It’s a story of heartbreak, belonging, finding yourself and what it is to be a family. It captures Melbourne as Melbourne from the language to the setting, it brings to light that sometimes when you think that you are alone, you are not alone and all that you need to do is let them in | Full Review

And I Darken by Kiersten White |Setting: Ottoman Empire. And I Darken tells a story of the lengths people would go to for love, approval and just the thought of being forgotten. It was captivating and dropped you into a vivid and brutal world that you might not want to get out off | Full Review

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah | Setting: Australia. When Michael Met Mina should be on every high school book list in the country | Full Review

The Things I Didn’t Say by Kylie Fornasier: Setting: Australia: The Things I Didn’t Say is a gorgeous novel that breaks you down. It pulls at your heart and slowly rips it. With beautiful writing and a slow burning romance that starts off quick, but takes it’s time | Full Review

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: Setting: Australia. The Yearbook Committee is enchanting, you will be torn apart and put together over and over again. You will be taken on a ride with 5 students in their class year of high school – so be prepared | Full Review

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: Setting: Australia. Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil ventures friendship, first love, family and what it is like to keep everything bottled in. It shows that sometimes love needs to start off as a friendship and that the bonds of friends are not always broken – even if there is some turbulence on the way| Full Review

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo: Setting: Russia-ish. I loved the plot, characters, romance – everything.

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: Setting: England. Cassandra Clare enough said.

What are some of the books on your list? Do we share any that is the same? Let’s Chat.

My Journey with Harry #PotterheadJuly

Jul 12, 2016

If you have followed me for a couple of years, you probably know that I love Harry Potter. I’ve made many posts before that have included my love of this wonderful series including; Butterbeer cupcakes.

So when Aentee from Read at Midnight created #PotterheadJuly, I knew that I had to join. On my stop of this feature I am talking all about my journey with Harry.

My journey with Harry starts before I could even read. When Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published, I wasn’t even one, but my mum’s work colleagues were reading it to their kids, so my mum read it to me.

I don’t remember much of the earlier years of Harry Potter, my memories are really faint, but one of my earliest memories was going to see Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone at the drive-in.

My parents, younger sister and I were on holiday and we decided to go see it. I remember sitting in the front seat of the car, eating my popcorn and listening to it through the car radio.

There are two scenes that I am can remember so clearly. The first is when Harry first arrives at Hogwarts, the scene where we first see the castle. Even though I was only 6, I felt like I was home. It was magic and beautiful.

The other scene that I remember is the one that scared the crap out of me. It’s when we first see Voldemort. You know the scene where Voldemort goes to kill the Potters, where he puts his hand on the gate – yes that scene. That scene haunted me for years.

I have watched my Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s video so many times, it now skips…opps.

The years that followed my mum continued to read the books to me, until I was able to read them myself. I also watched all the movies and well, loved them.

The next stop on my journey is when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix came out. The librarian at my primary school, created this event where we were sorted into houses, had quizzes and it was just so much fun.

When Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince came out, my dad went and bought it for me. But what was so special about this was that he bought me this pack too, which had a case, stickers, pencils – I loved it and still have some of the stuff.

Another step in my journey is when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out. I remember I woke up early in the morning and headed to where they were selling it, I was one of the first people to pick it up – I came home and started to read it.

During all this time I have learnt so much from these books. I learnt that family doesn’t always have to be from blood. It was amazing to see the bond of the Wesley’s and the different dynamics of the families and friendships.

I learnt many things from different characters. From Harry I learnt that you need to try and be strong when times are tough. Hermione taught me not to be shy with my brains, Ron taught me that you can jealous, just don’t let it take over. Ginny taught me that it’s okay to like things that you ‘aren’t’ meant to like. You can be one of the boys and girls can be hella strong too. And Luna taught me something that I live by; don’t pretend to be someone else, because you are even more interesting being who you are.

One of my favourite things about my journey with Harry is going to Sydney for the day to see the Harry Potter Expo. It was such an amazing experience, I got to see the costumes and read interesting things – I hope that one day I can go to the set and see more magic.

There is something else that comes to mind when I think of my Harry Potter journey, A Very Potter Musical – I may or may not know every song by heart. Please tell me I am not the only one.

Another stop on my journey is when I saw both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as Midnight sessions, it was fabulous. I remember dressing up and waiting up all night to see it. I remember balling my eyes out when Part 2 finished. My journey finally came to an end – well I thought I did.

There was one thing I did since I was about 14 that showed my Harry Potter Pride every single day and that was during the Deathly Hallows symbol on my wrist. Everyone in my classes knew that I loved Harry Potter, and last year I put a permanent mark of my love. I finally got my deathly hallows tattoo; and I love it.

I loved how these books ripped out my heart, put me together. Made me smile and made me laugh. This world brought magic into my life in so many different ways that I cannot comprehend.

I am sorry if this post is all blabber and I really hope that it makes sense. What has your journey with Harry been like? Do we have any similar experiences? Let’s Chat.