Saturday 31 August 2013

Book Haul #40



Stacking the Shelves is a weekly event hosted on Tynga's Reviews and Letterbox Love is a UK edition hosted by Narratively Speaking. Here we can share what new books we've picked up this past week. There are also lots of other 'book haul' memes out there for you to choose from!

Operation TBR is definitely on hold until after I come back from Reading/London, I'm up there for 10 days this time so hopefully all these posts I've scheduled are appearing and you're not all wondering what's happened to me! Here's what I got this week (apart from Crown of Midnight which I got the day it came out but forgot to mention).

Bought

Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas

Kill Me Softly - Sarah Cross




Bought - Kindle

Agamemnon Frost & the House of Death - Kim Knox

Deeds of Men (Onyx Court 1.5) - Marie Brennan



Kindle Freebies

Twin Souls - K A Poe

The Kaiser Affair - Joseph Robert Lewis

Lakebridge: Spring - Natasha Troop
Blog Tour

Endless - Amanda Gray


What did you get this week?

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #40 - Bellman & Black

Waiting On Wednesday, where we put the spotlight on upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating, is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week's choice is -

UK Cover

US Cover
Bellman & Black - Diane Setterfield
UK ISBN - 9781409128014
US ISBN - 9781476711959
UK Publisher - Orion
US Publisher - Emily Bestler Books/Atria
UK Release date - October 10th 2013
US Release date - November 5th 2013
Find - Book Depository/Goodreads

'As a boy, William Bellman commits one small, cruel act: killing a bird with his slingshot. Little does he know the unforeseen and terrible consequences of the deed, which is soon forgotten amidst the riot of boyhood games. By the time he is grown, with a wife and children of his own, William seems to be a man blessed by fortune—until tragedy strikes and the stranger in black comes. Then he starts to wonder if all his happiness is about to be eclipsed. Desperate to save the one precious thing he has left, William enters into a rather strange bargain, with an even stranger partner, to found a decidedly macabre business.' - Goodreads

I have been waiting for another Diane Setterfield book since the second I finished The Thirteenth Tale and now that's almost here I'm utterly terrified I won't like it... What I do know is that I love the UK cover! I like the US cover but I'm glad I'm getting the UK one, it's almost Poe-like :)

What are you desperately waiting for this week?

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #21 - Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely people at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is -

 Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

I loved this topic! For some reason it's always more minor characters that tend to stick in my brain after finishing a book. Anyway, here's my Top Ten Thirteen Secondary Characters with a slight bit of overkill when it comes to characters from Harry Potter and Discworld!

Neville Longbottom & Luna Lovegood - Harry Potter

I have four characters I love from Harry Potter, Neville and Luna are two of them and the other appear further down my list. I love Neville, in fact Harry Potter could quite easily have been about him given the similarities in their lives. I love Luna for no other reason than that's she's slightly off the wall, a bit like me!

Pam - Sookie Stackhouse

Pam was one of my favorite characters in the Sookie Stackhouse books and also in True Blood, so unfriendly but always there when needed!

Fritz - Black Dagger Brotherhood series

Everyone needs a Fritz, he is the one person that keeps the Brothers going but never gets in on any of the action. If they were to make a television show of BDB I have absolutely no idea who would play Fritz but as a nice twist it should be someone devilishly handsome and distinguished, shame George probably wouldn't be up for it...

The Librarian - Discworld


It's not his fault he's in a permanent bad mood, he never asked to be turned into an Orangutan! In my top ten list of favorite Discworld characters, because he's a Librarian!

Mary and Kitty Bennett - Pride & Prejudice

Let's face it, the entire novel centers around the two oldest and the youngest - middle children always get left out! I'd like to know more about Mary and Kitty, and what happened to them after their elder sisters advantageous marriages.

Cinna - The Hunger Games

Cinna sounded just like Lenny Kravitz in my head when I was reading the books, so he pips Haymitch and Effie for the race to be included in my list!

Fred and George Weasley - Harry Potter


Because who doesn't love these two? I prefer them in their floppy hair phase rather than their just left school look but they add much needed humor to some sad occasions...

Seth - Twilight

This will be one of very few occasions where I willingly mention Twilight and an even rarer occasion that I mention one of the wolves! I like Twilight, I didn't/don't like the wolves but Seth stuck out because he seemed one of the most genuine characters in the whole series with no hidden agenda or weird need to kill Bella.

Death of Rats and Quoth the Raven - Discworld

The only aspect of Death that is allowed to have a separate existence officially sanctioned by Death. I suppose only being able to communicate through other people's minds has to do something with it, along with the fact the Grim Squeaker only has three words in his vocabulary... Quoth the Raven is his constant companion and occasional transport, a nod to Poe automatically makes him a favorite!

Who are your favorite secondary characters? Leave me links as I'd love to know!







Monday 26 August 2013

Bout of Books 8.0 - The Finale

Well, that's another Bout of Books over - now the wait until January 6th for BoB 9.0!

BoB 8.0 was a success for me in terms of reading, especially after a couple of blips with books that couldn't hold my interest but as far as socializing goes it was a complete failure again. I just can't seem to get the Twitter/chat bit right which is definitely something I need to work on for next time, if I strike up random Twitter conversations with anyone it's because I'm getting the practice in now!

For the last day I decided to go out on a high and I managed to read nearly three books! I finished Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie although I probably should have left this for a few weeks as after struggling with it yesterday I can't honestly say I loved it. I also finished The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney, loved it and would like the next book in the series now please! Last but not least I started something that was on my original BoB list, Tall Tales From Pitch End by Nigel McDowell, which I'm loving so far.

Sunday

Number of pages I've read today: 803
Number of books read today: 2
Total number of books I've read: 9

Books: Debutantes - Cora Harrison
           Jewel of Atlantis - Gena Showalter
           Someone Else's Fairy Tale - E M Tippett
           The Hex Factor - Harriet Goodwin
           Summer Kisses - Sarah Morgan
           The Nymph King - Gena Showalter
           The Bonehill Curse - Jon Mayhew
           Close My Eyes - Sophie McKenzie
           The Spook's Apprentice - Joseph Delaney

Books To Movies Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the Books to Movies Giveaway Hop hosted by BookHounds and I'm a Reader Not a Writer! This giveaway is all about books that have been made into films and there are a lot to choose from! The prize on offer is a paperback copy of the book-into-film of your choice from the Book Depository if you're outside the UK, or if you live in the UK you can either win a paperback copy of the book-into-film or a DVD of the film provided it is available now (or both if the total comes to less than £10). The giveaway runs from now until midnight on September 3rd, all prizes are up to the value of $15. This giveaway is international as long as the Book Depository ships to you, check this list to see if your country is listed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out all of the other blogs taking part for more chances to win! Thanks for entering and good luck!

Sunday 25 August 2013

Bout of Books 8.0 - Saturday Update

So, Bout of Books is nearly over again and whilst I have done much better on the reading front I'm still failing miserably on the social front. Next time round I think I'll cut down my reading targets and concentrate on the blog/Twitter side instead :)

Saturday went a bit off the beaten path, I picked up Sophie McKenzie's Close My Eyes but I couldn't get into it at all. It would appear my brain is firmly engaged in fantasy/horror/YA mode just now so instead I picked The Spook's Apprentice (or Revenge of the Witch in the US) by Joseph Delaney, the first book in the Wardstone Chronicles series.


I just discovered it's been made into a film starring Ben Barnes, Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore and it's been renamed Seventh Son - thousands of people will be confusing it with the Orson Scott Card books about Alvin... Ben Barnes appears to be playing a far older version of the main character, Tom, as well. Kit Harrington, who plays Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, is also listed in the cast but I've no idea who he's playing. It's out in January in the US and February in the UK so I might be persuaded to go and see it!

Saturday

Number of pages I've read today: 52
Number of books read today: 0
Total number of books I've read: 7

Books: Debutantes - Cora Harrison
           Jewel of Atlantis - Gena Showalter
           Someone Else's Fairy Tale - E M Tippett
           The Hex Factor - Harriet Goodwin
           Summer Kisses - Sarah Morgan
           The Nymph King - Gena Showalter
           The Bonehill Curse - Jon Mayhew

Saturday 24 August 2013

Bout of Books 8.0 - Friday Update


Today I realized something very important. When it comes to doing read-a-thons I should in no way plan what I'm going to read beforehand. Having tossed my pre-planned list I found myself racing through two more books today - The Bonehill Curse by Jon Mayhew and The Nymph King by Gena Showalter - and have started a third - Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie. This proves to me that if I plan too much I fail miserably when it comes to reading and I'm much better at deciding last minute :) Even more importantly, I hit my target to read seven books during the read-a-thon so any other books now are a bonus!

Another failure on the challenge front again but I did finally post my (unrelated) A - Z Bookish Survey as created by Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner (it only took me about ten days...) so feel free to check that out *shameless plug* so you can all get to know my bookish habits a bit better!

Friday

Number of pages I've read today: 732
Number of books read today: 2
Total number of books I've read: 7

Books: Debutantes - Cora Harrison
           Jewel of Atlantis - Gena Showalter
           Someone Else's Fairy Tale - E M Tippett
           The Hex Factor - Harriet Goodwin
           Summer Kisses - Sarah Morgan
           The Nymph King - Gena Showalter
           The Bonehill Curse - Jon Mayhew


Book Haul #39



Stacking the Shelves is a weekly event hosted on Tynga's Reviews and Letterbox Love is a UK edition hosted by Narratively Speaking. Here we can share what new books we've picked up this past week. There are also lots of other 'book haul' memes out there for you to choose from!

So, I'm thinking Operation TBR should start in a few weeks... I may have bought a few books this week, I may have downloaded a few Kindle freebies, I may have bought some Strange Chemistry 1st birthday celebration titles (even though I own & have read Broken in paperback I'll be reviewing it next month as part of my Classics Retold project), I may have requested a few titles on Netgalley/Edelweiss... Let's face it, I well and truly messed up the book buying ban and I know I'm going to be in London until September 4th - Patrick Ness! Waterstones Piccadilly! Can't wait! Here's what tipped me off the book ban wagon!

Bought

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest - Charles de Lint

Karavans - Jennifer Roberson

Omens - Kelley Armstrong

 Bought - Kindle

Blackwood - Gwenda Bond


Katya's World - Jonathan L Howard

Broken - A E Rought


Kindle Freebies

Canary - Rachele Alpine

Lady of Devices - Shelley Adina

Scar & The Wolf 
 
Blog Tour


Six Months Later - Natalie D Richards



Netgalley/Edelweiss

Tainted - A E Rought

The Clockwork Scarab - Colleen Gleason

A Study In Silks - Emma Jane Holloway


What did you get this week? Feel free to leave tips on how to stick to the book buying ban ;)

Friday 23 August 2013

Bout of Books 8.0 - Thursday Update


Mid-week slump well and truly hit today, I couldn't be bothered to pick up a book at all and when Dad asked if I wanted to go out for dinner I jumped at the chance. I met a friend for a drink first, then went to our favorite Italian restaurant and had some delicious hazelnut gnocchi! After a lovely couple of hours I came home and picked up something that might get rid of the slump, fluff-fic - as my mother used to call it - usually gets me reading again!


I bought Summer Kisses a few weeks ago in a UK chain bookshop intending to read it at some point  and that ended up being today. I've just turned the last page and feel much better, in fact I'm off to start another book even though it's 12.13am here and I should be vaguely sleepy!

Thursday

Number of pages I've read today: 379
Number of books read today: 1
Total number of books I've read: 5

Books: Debutantes - Cora Harrison
           Jewel of Atlantis - Gena Showalter
           Someone Else's Fairy Tale - E M Tippett
           The Hex Factor - Harriet Goodwin
           Summer Kisses - Sarah Morgan


A to Z Bookish Survey

So, being a fan of Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner and being a fan of lists, I thought I would join in the fun and you all get to know a bit more about my bookish habits! Plus, I always love to do these things fashionably late :)

Author you’ve read the most books from:
Author You've Read Most Books By:

According to Goodreads I've read 53 books by Stephen King! In second place is Sir Terry Pratchett (I've read 39 books) and in third place, J D Robb (37 books - the In Death series!)

Best Sequel Ever:

A Clash of Kings by George R R Martin, I chose Clash of Kings but it could be any of the ASoIaF books because in my opinion they just keep on getting better!

Currently Reading:

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Rose Lemonade

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book! Even though I now have a Kindle Fire I only use it to watch movies, use Twitter & Facebook and read e-ARC's, the few books I actually bought for Kindle I have since bought a paper copy!

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Dated In School:

Gilbert Blythe from the Anne books, I always wanted my own Gilbert Blythe *sigh*

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Golden by Jessi Kirby, not my usual sort of read but I loved it!



Hidden Gem Book:

Shiloh by Helena Sorensen, and I'm not just saying that because I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago, I genuinely loved it and thought it was great :)

Important Moment In Your Reading Life:

The first time my mum took me to the library and I worked out that I could read every book in there, for free, if I wanted to!

Just Finished:

The Nymph King by Gena Showalter

Kinds Of Books You Won't Read:

I'm pretty good about reading just about anything but I tend to not read Erotica at all and I only seem to read Romance novels (of the non-slushy type) when I need a reading mojo kick-start.

Longest Book You've Read:

Goodreads says it is The Stand, coming in at a whopping 1415 pages!



Major Book Hangover Because Of:

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and First Last Kiss by Ali Harris, these both need to come with government tissue warnings! Even now I still get sad thinking about these two books.

Number Of Bookcases You Own:

11. And I need more as I have floor stacks... And boxes of books in storage...

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

 Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - there is something about this book that makes me read it time and again!

Preferred Place To Read:

Anywhere that's comfortable! Normally stretched out on the sofa or in bed...

Quotes That Inspire You/Gives You All The Feels:

I have two, both from Wuthering Heights - I know, sad...

“He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”

Reading Regret:

I don't think I have any, not serious ones anyway. Might come back to this one!

Series You Started And Need To Finish:

Far too many to mention! I have a nasty habit of starting a series, buying all the books as they come out and then never reading them...

Three Of Your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Little Country - Charles de Lint
Dark Cathedral - Freda Warrington
Gormenghast Trilogy - Mervyn Peake


Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Joe Hill, Charles de Lint, Terry Pratchett, Kate Forsyth, Juliet Marillier and Stephen King - I've met two of these authors, Joe Hill & Terry Pratchett but the likelihood of ever getting to meet Stephen King or Charles de Lint? Negligible... Besides, I'd probably do something ridiculous like pass out! All Kate and Juliet need to do is come and live in the UK for a while, at least long enough for me to meet them anyway!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Cheating a bit & picking two books but I cannot wait for Raising Steam and The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland And Cut The Moon In Two

Worst Bookish Habits:

I am terribly precious about my books! I very rarely lend them out and if I do I expect them to come back in the same condition they left the house. Four people borrow books from me at the moment, only one of them gives books back in the same condition! I insist people use bookmarks, I have been known to give them to strangers who I've noticed are about to fold over a page corner!

X Marks The Spot - Start at the top left of your bookshelf & pick the 27th book:

Velveteen - Daniel Marks


Your Latest Book Purchase:

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint & Charles Vess

Zzz-Snatcher - The last book that kept you up way too late:

The Fairest Of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon

Did you fill this survey out? Leave me your link in the comments and I'll come check it out!.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/08/some-friday-fun.html#sthash.jIEFrvZI.dpuf

Thursday 22 August 2013

Bout of Books 8.0 Challenge - I Spy...

Rules
  1.  You can only use a particular book one time for the objects listed.
  2. You can only use two books from a series and then you can’t use that series again to find the remaining objects.
  3. You must use a book that you own either physically or electronically.

Snowflakes

Moominland Midwinter - Tove Jansson


Flames

Days of Blood & Starlight - Laini Taylor


A city skyline

City of Bones - Cassandra Clare


The moon

Moon - James Herbert


A sward

Pegasus - Robin McKinley


A wedding dress

Vision In White - Nora Roberts


High heels

Killer Heels - Rebecca Chance


Fog

The Fog - James Herbert


A Christmas tree

Mr Men: A Christmas Carol - Roger & Adam Hargreaves


Sunglasses

Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov


Lightning

Lightning - Dean Koontz


A tattoo

Tattoo - Jennifer Lynn Barnes


Combat boots

Handcuffs

Rule 34 - Charles Stross


A road

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - L Frank Baum

 
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