The Disney Tag!

Hello Everyone,

I've wanted to do the Disney Tag for ages now and the day has finally arrived! I thought to myself, I love books and I love Disney so therefore books plus Disney make me extremely happy! It's the best of both worlds! I saw Sasha from Bookutopia on Booktube do this tag and I wanted to give it a go!

Now, lets dive right into the Disney Tag!!

1. The Little Mermaid – a character who is out of their element, a “fish out of water”

I would have to choose Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan because in the first book - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - Percy goes from having a normal life to finding out that his father is Poseidon, a Greek god. He also finds out that he is a demigod and that he has to fight evil creatures from Greek mythology that actually exist! When he finds this out it must be pretty overwhelming and daunting!

2. Cinderella - A character who goes through a major transformation

Yelena Zaltana from The Poison Study series - because she goes was a prisoner awaiting execution for murder and she has gone through a hell of a lot in her life. She then escapes execution by becoming the commander of Ixia's food taster (her live improves drastically). She develops into such a strong person who falls in love, makes amazing friends and finds out that she is a powerful magician! She becomes a truly amazing and strong charactered person.

3. Snow White – a book with an eclectic cast of characters

I had to stop and really think about this one because I could not decide on a book/book series. I know, very lame of me! BUT as soon as I find a book that I think is suitable for this questions I will update you!

4. Sleeping Beauty – a book that put you to sleep

To be honest, this one would have to be Looking For Alaska by John Green. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely his the books that John Green has written. With Looking For Alaska though I found that did not connect with the characters the way that I did in his other books.

5. The Lion King – a character who had something traumatic happen to them in childhood

My mind immediately jumps to Tobias Eaton from the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth because he had to deal with his abusive father Marcus who was the head of Abnegation so nobody would believe him if he admitted that his father was abusive. This was ultimately a reason for him leaving Abnegation and joining Dauntless. He ultimately comes out stronger.

6. Beauty and the Beast – A beast of a book (a big book) that you were intimidated by, but found the story to be beautiful

Definitely Two All-Action Adventures: Facing Up and Facing The Frozen Ocean by Bear Grylls. This book is 622 pages long and it has stories of two adventures that Bear Grylls has been one. Namely, climbing Everest and navigating the treacherous North Atlantic Ocean in a rigid inflatable boat and the obstacles that he encounters. This book is really uplifting and inspirational and it just shows how you can do anything that you put your mind to! Ignore the intimidating size of the book. I highly recommend it! 

7. Aladdin – a character who gets their wish granted, for better or worse

Anna and St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Anna just wants to be more than friends with St. Clair and a beautiful quote from this book is “We both got our Point Zero wishes―each other. He said he wished for me every time.”

8. Mulan – a character who pretends to be someone or something they are not

The only character that I could think of is Gilderoy Lockhart from the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling. I don't know what more I can say here. He pretended to be all high and mighty and to have done amazing, brave and frightening things when in fact he was a coward! Considering his Boggart is Cornish Pixies... Enough said!

9. Toy Story – a book with characters you wish would come to life

The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare because I really love these characters and all of the books by Cassandra Clare. I think that if the characters from this trilogy came to life then life would be way more exciting and Will Herondale... book crush!

10. Disney Descendants – your favourite villain or morally ambiguous character 

Voldemort from that beloved Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling because he just doe not want to give up and he was the first villain in a book series to give me nightmares when I was a little one!

I hope that you enjoyed my Disney Tag because it was really different to try to place characters and books into these categories (but fun none the less!) 

Do you have any different ideas of characters/books for these questions! Sound off in the comments below, I want to read what you would put where!

What book would you choose for question 3? Snow White – a book with an eclectic cast of characters?

xx

Book Series Saturday: The Divergent Trilogy!

Hello Everyone, 

This is a new series that I am going to be starting on my blog. Basically every saturday I will be making a post about book series' that I have read and really enjoyed! So today I thought that I would start with one of the obvious ones; The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. I read these books a while ago and I remember picking them up because I had just read the Hunger Games and wanted something in the same genre. I am so glad that I picked these books up because I really enjoyed them. They are dystopian fantasy novels so if you like fantasy books then I suggest that you pick these up if you haven't already done so.

Find the author Veronica Roth here!

Books in the trilogy: 

1). Divergent
2). Insurgent
3). Allegiant

Really Brief Summary:

I'm not going to go into an in-depth summary of these books because then I would be here for ages! A condensed version would be that these books are set in post-apocolyptic Chicago. Here, a society that is se that is divided into five factions; Dauntless (the brave), Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intellectuals) and Candor (the honest). When children in this society turn 16 years old they take an aptitude test to determine where their strengths are and to which faction they should belong to. They can choose to remain in the faction that they were born into or they could decided to change factions to something that they think is better suited to them. The story follows a girl named Beatrice (Tris) Prior who chooses to move from Abnegation to Dauntless and how she settles into Dauntless and her journey to forget her Abnegation roots and to full submerge herself into the Dauntless way of life. These books are full of action packed adventure and a gorgeous romance that blossoms between Tris and one of her Dauntless instructors names Four.

Lastly, I thoroughly enjoy action packed books that have a romantic element in them so if you enjoy this too then give The Divergent Trilogy a read if you have not already done so. Have you read these super amazing dystopian fantasy novels yet?

Sorry about the short post today! Next week will be better I promise.

If you're excited to read my July Book Haul, July Wrap Up and my August TBR list and more fun stuff, then please leave a comment below to let me know (because I'm super excited)! :)

Until tomorrow

xx

The R.I.P it or Ship it Tag (Part 1)

Hello Everyone

Get ready for an awesome R.I.P it SHIP it Tag

I recently watched a video that abookutopia did on Youtube and it looked like a lot of fun so I thought that I would give it a go. If you don't know what you do for this tag then let me explain: take a jar and write down names of characters from books on small separate pieces of paper and then you randomly draw two names out at a time and decide whether you would ship their relationship (romantic, friendship etc.) or whether you would R.I.P it (it would never work).

I'm not entirely sure who started this but whoever did credits to them!

I tag all of you reading this to do it for yourselves because it was a lot of fun doing!

How does it work?

For example: if you pick Caleb Prior (Divergent) and Anna Oliphant (Anna and the French Kiss) - you would have to decide whether or not you approved or disapproved of their relationship.

Round 1:

Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter and Theodore Finch from All The Bright Places (Review)

I do not ship this pair at all because Malfoy is a spoilt bully! In the Harry Potter books he does everything that he can to make Harry, Ron and Hermione's lives' difficult. On the other hand Finch does everything that he possibly can to help Violet overcome her fears and he is bullied by his classmates and those around him because he is unique. Due to this I could never see these two having a friendship or being romantically involved because they are at opposite sides of the spectrum. Bully versus victim so therefore I R.I.P them together!

Round 2:

Valek from the Study Series (Review) and Theresa Gray from The Infernal Devices Series

I feel like I could SHIP these two together because Valek is an extremely loyal person and he will do anything to protect the commander and Tess will do anything to protect her friends and loved ones. They are both skilled in fighting and defending themselves from enemies and they are fiercely loyal and head strong and for this reason I SHIP them because they would be such a power couple fighting off their enemies together (sorry Yelena and Will)

Round 3:

Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices and Janine Matthews from the Divergent Trilogy

Not in a million years would these two be good as anything together! Will is the good guy trying to fight evil and do good for the world but Janine is conniving and she is the evil villain of Divergent and Insurgent! Never, uh uh! Will would kill her with his awesome fight skills as soon as she walks into the same room as him! Therefore, obviously I  R.I.P this one!

Round 4:

Park Sheridan from Eleanor and Park and Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss (Review)

This one is a difficult one. I think that if these two were friends it would benefit them both. Park feels like an outsider and St. Clair has issues with his dad so in this aspect they would be able to lean on each other if things ever got to be too much with their family members. Also, St. Clair could help Park to be more confident with his appearance because even though St. Clair is short he still manages to walk with confidence. Therefore I 100% SHIP a friendship between these two!

I'm going to leave it there because this post is getting way too long! I hoped you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

If you want me to do a part 2 of the R.I.P it or SHIP it Tag then leave a comment to let me know!

Until tomorrow, enjoy your day

xx

REVIEW: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Hello Everyone,

Todays post is going to be a review of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. I know that this book isn’t a new release but I only just started to read the series and it has been amazing so far. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it but once I got into it I really loved. Especially Valek! I’m already reading Fire Study (the 3^rd book) by Maria V. Snyder. If you haven’t picked this book up get then I really recommend that you do because it really is super! If you enjoy fantasy or adventure books then give this trilogy a read!

Published: October 2005

Genre: Fantasy

Summary:

This book follows a girl named Yelena who has been imprisoned for murder and is about to be executed. She thinks that all hope is lost but that all changes when she is offered a choice. Be executed or become the Commander of Ixia’s food taster. She will have a room in the palace and food to eat. A much better life than she had in her prison cell. The only obvious risk, death by poison. Yelena decided to take this opportunity with both hands. The chief of security (in fear of her escape) feeds her the poison “Butterflies Dust” that without a daily antidote will lead to an agonizing death! If this wasn’t bad enough, rebels begin to plan to take over Ixia and the fact that Yelena begins to develop magical powers that she has no idea how to regulate. Friendship, love, deceit and an action-packed adventure follow! The characters have so much personality and they are so well developed!

Find the author, Maria V. Snyder Here

Buy this book on Amazon here! 

I hope that you give the Study series by Maria V. Snyder a read because it is really good and I cannot believe that I waited so long to read it!

Have you read the Study series?

xx

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Review)

Hello Everyone,

Today I decided that I would write a review on the amazing book that is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I really enjoyed this book because I found it funny, sad and really sweet (even a little bit corny). I fell in love with the characters in the book, especially Anna and Étienne St. Clair!

Published: December 2010

Brief Summary: 

This book is about a girl named Anna. Her dad forces to move to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. She does not know anyone and she has to leave her best friends, her crush and her great part-time job. Even though she does not speak French at all, she slowly makes friends and meets Étienne St. Clair, a charming, good looking boy. She slowly starts to develop feelings for this boy but there is one problem, he already has a girlfriend and Anna may have a boyfriend back home. 

This book made me laugh out loud and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is a must read if you enjoy books by Rainbow Rowell or John Green!

Cassandra Clare said that this book is, "Magical...really captures the feeling of being in love"

This book is definitely one of the top YA contemporary books that I have read this  year. It shows what true love is like and what it should feel like to fall in love with someone wholeheartedly. Also, that if you truly love someone you must never give up on them no matter what obstacles are in the way! It is a light read and there is not too much tension! A great summer read!

The are two books that follow this one. They are called; Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After.

Find out more about Stephanie Perkins here

Have you read this book trilogy? What did you think?

xx

All The Bright Paces by Jennifer Niven Review

Hello Everybody!

Todays post is going to be a review on an amazing book by Jennifer Niven called All The Bright Places. I recently finished reading this book and I thought that I was absolutely amazing and so it knew that I had to review it. It deals with the theme mental illness. This touched my heart because this has been prevalent in people around me.

Published: January 6, 2015
My rating: 4.5/5

Brief Summary of All The Bright Places:

This story follows the lives of two teenagers, Violet and Finch, who are both damaged due to events that have taken place in their lives. They meet on the bell tower at their school where they both want to end their lives because they feel like they have nothing more to live for. This leads to an unlikely friendship that begins to blossom between the two. They then team up on a school project where they have to find "natural wonders" within their state. This leads to them becoming closer as they get to know each other better. But, as Finch helps Violets world to grow, Finches begins to shrink.

What I thought:

I loved the story line because it reminded me of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Eleanor  and Park by Rainbow Rowell. (I really loved these books). All The Bright Places sent me on an emotional roller coaster! I went from laughing at the witty conversations to I crying like a baby. It is a really heartwarming story and it really made me think about life and how things can change in an instant. Also, to try to live life to its fullest.

I hope that you give this book a try because it really is an eye-opener! I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the movie adaption.

Find out more about Jennifer here
Find this book on Goodreads
Buy this book on Amazon

Are you going to read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven?

(Stay tuned for some exciting posts coming this weekend)

xx

Mid July Book Haul

Hello Everyone, 

Today I thought that I would share with you the books that I got over the past two weeks! Buying new books is one of my favourite things to do and I could wonder in a bookstore for hours on end just looking for the perfect books to read/buy.

There are quite a few books in this haul because I went through the bargain bin at my local bookstore and found a few really good deals! Anyway, let's get right into it!

Firstly, I picked up Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study and Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder. I know so many people who have recommended this book and that it has taken me ages to pick it up but, I finally have! I am currently reading Poison Study and I don't know why I didn't pick it up sooner. It's really good and I can see why people recommend it!

Next, I got The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. I saw the movie at the beginning of the year and I really enjoyed it so I decided it was time that I gave this book a shot. I really enjoy Nicholas Sparks' books so I know that I will enjoy this one!

Thirdly, I picked up True Grit by Bear Grylls which is a book where Bear tells the survival stories of people who have inspired him throughout his life. I think that this book will be very inspiring and I love reading things that Bear has written because he is such an awesome inspiration!

Next, came Article 5 by Kristen Simmons. I just got this book because it was on sale and I remember watching a video on Booktube a while back where someone recommended it! I can't remember who it was but if they are reading this then, thank you! I can't wait to get reading!

Then, I picked up Invisibility by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer. I wanted to get this book because I really enjoy David Levithan's work and then I saw this! (Bonus: It was on sale). It also sounds like the kind of story that I really enjoy (Romance)

I also picked up Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter which I have already read and did a review on here

Next, I got My True Love Gave To Me which is edited by Stephanie Perkins and has stories from Gayle Forman, David Levithan, Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins herself. When I saw that these authors wrote stories for this book I just had to pick it up because I've really enjoyed all the books that the before mentioned have written! (I'm trying to save this one for Christmas time).

Lastly, I got A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I have only heard good things about this book and I cannot wait to get right into it! After I have finished the current series I am reading I am going to dive into this. Get ready for a review!

That's all I got on a few recent trips to some bookstores, I'm going to a huge warehouse sale in 2 weeks so get ready for a really big book haul coming your way!

There aren't that many new books here in South Africa because they take a while to get here but I am going to try and start ordering my books on Amazon or Book Depository because then I can write reviews on newer books for you guys. How does that sound?

What are you reading right now? Let me know in the comments! :)

xx

Autobiography Book Review - Bear Grylls

Hello Everyone,

Today I thought that I would do something a little different (although it is a review). I thought that I would write a review on my favourite autobiography - Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls. In my opinion, Bear Grylls is such an inspiration because of all that he has accomplished and the amazing things that he has seen and done. His book Mud, Sweat and Tears is not the newest book (published in 2011) but if you are looking for an uplifting and motivational book to read then this is a must read!

To find out more information about the adventurer and amazing human being that is Bear Grylls then, click here to read his biography on his website.

Now, on to the summary of the book: 

From hiking in the Himalayas where he considered joining the Indian Army, to passing a gruelling SAS selection and serving with 21 SAS (Special Air Service (Reserve) for three years. While he served with 21 SAS he was involved in a horrible parachuting that left him severely injured - with a broken back - and with a high possibility that he would never walk again! Bear went on to prove everyone wrong and after a lengthy recovery period began walking again, one of the only things that kept Bear positive during this time was the childhood dream that he had to reach the summit of Everest. Once he recovered he would eventually go on to achieve this on 26 May 1998 at 7:22 a.m at the age of 23. This made him the youngest Briton to climb Everest and come down alive. With 21 SAS service, a severe back injury and climbing Everest and a Record in the Guinness Book of Records. One wonders what more he could achieve, he went on to do many more dangerous expeditions in extreme conditions (such as Facing The Frozen Ocean, an expedition on a rigid inflatable boat in the most dangerous ocean in the world. The frozen North Atlantic Ocean). Everest was the beginning of his extreme adventures. Becoming a role model to millions in the process. Bear Grylls, is a bestselling author, a world-class motivational speaker and his multiple popular TV adventures (Born Survivor, The Island With Bear Grylls, Running Wild With Bear Grylls, Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls and Bear Grylls: Mission Survive to name a few). There is no doubt that his life has been full of action and adventure and this autobiography puts you right at his side as he takes you on a journey through his amazing life. One can only imagine what is next for him. It seems as if he has done it all! 

Bear is one of my role models because he has had to overcome so much and he has done so much in his life so far. He is such an inspiration to everybody out there who has given up hope and does not believe that their dreams can come true, because he is proof that they can and that you can do anything that you set your mind to! 

Do yourself a favour and go and pick this book up if you have not already done so. I really enjoyed it and I hope that you do too! Don't you think that Bear is such and amazing motivation for people all over the world?

Ending off with a quote from Bear: 
"If you give your heart to a goal, it will repay you. It's the law of the universe"
- Bear Grylls, Mud, Sweat and Tears

Check out his website: Bear Grylls
His Goodreads page: Goodreads
Buy this book on amazon: Amazon

Let me know if you are going to read this book or if you have read it what you thought of it in the comments! :)

xx

A Sneak Peak At My Bookcase

 Hello Everybody, 

Today I decided that I would give you a little sneak peak into my bookcase. This is just a small section of it and If you want to see the rest of my shelves then leave a comment to let me know. I could also do a bookshelf tour and put it on my Youtube channel if you would like to see that.

I'm busy working on a super awesome DIY bookish project for guys that should be up sometime later this week.

In the mean time I knew that I had to come up with a post for today and this came to mind!

Enough chit chat and onto the bookcases!! I'm just going to list all of the books on these 2 shelves

Contemporary:
All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven
Looking For Alaska - John Green
Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins
Lola and the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins
Paper Towns - John Green
An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
Let It Snow - John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan
The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Girl Online - Zoe Sugg

 The Mortal Instrument Series and The Infernal Devices Trilogy - Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instrument Series:
(1) City of Bones
(2) City of Ashes
(3) City of Glass
(4) City of Fallen Angels
(5) City of Lost Souls
(6) City of Heavenly Fire

The Infernal Devices Trilogy (Prequel):
(1) Clockwork Angel
(2) Clockwork Prince
(3) Clockwork Princess

From What I Remember - Stacy Kramer, Valerie Thomas
Sometimes It Happens - Lauren Barnholdt


Have you read these books? Any new releases that I should read?

xx

Book Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (Spoiler free)

Alice in Zombieland - Gena Showalter

This is a spoiler free review and I hope that at least one of you read this series (*trilogy)

I just finished the first book in White Rabbit Chronicles called Alice in Zombieland (fiction/paranormal/romance). I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is everything that I look for in a book. Romance, friendship and action!

This book is about a girl named Alice who has to overcome the introduction of zombies into her life. This leads her to meet a handsome boy named Cole who is the leader of a group of young people who have dedicated their lives to ridding the world of the zombies who have destroyed Alice's life (you'll have to read it to find out how). The book follows Alice and her new found friends as they teach and train her how to kill the zombies. Love, humour, loss and friendship follow. If you are looking for an action packed read that is full of humour and love because of Alice's sarcastic remarks and her hardheadedness then this book is definately for you.

If you want to find out more about the author Gena Showalter then head over to her website Click here

Head over to Amazon to buy the book and to read a full synopsis!

If you read this book I hope that you enjoy it because I really did!

Let me know if you are going to read this book and if you have already read it, how did you find it?

xx

My Top 10 (Mostly YA) Books So Far

Hello lovelies,

Today I thought that I would recommend 10 books (mostly YA) that I have really enjoyed reading. I hope that you read them because I thought that they were amazing.

This is just a basic list, if you want to know more about any of them I would be super happy to do a review for you guys!

(They aren't in any particular order - because lets face it... ranking good books against one another... impossible)

1. All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven















2. Alice in Zombieland - Gena Showalter















3. Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell















4. Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins

5. Two All Action Adventures (Facing Up and Facing the Frozen Ocean) - Bear Grylls

6. The Mortal Instrument Series - Cassandra Clare (this list wouldn't be complete without it)















7. The Longest Ride - Nicholas Sparks















8. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan















9. If I Stay and Where She Went - Gayle Forman















10. The Department 19 Series - Will Hill















I hope you guys have read some of these books or are going to give them a try, these authors are honestly amazing and I really enjoyed these books. Thanks for reading my reading list... see what I did there? No? Oh okay. (Crawls back into corner with book and food)

Have you read any of the books on my list? Let me know!

:)