September Wrap Up…

Welcome to my September Wrap Up. I had a great reading month, finishing 10 books (7 books off my TBR). I also received 3 ARC’s this month, and I continued my new goal of reading 1 Shakespeare play and 10 Shakespeare Sonnets, as well as 5 Brother’s Grimm fairy-tales, and 3 ‘books’ from Les Miserable by Victor Hugo. I hope to keep this up every month for the rest of the year. I guess we will see if that actually happens.

I have reviews up or coming up for these books so as usual this is just going to be a brief run down on each book I read.

Without further ado, let’s get into my September Wrap Up…

Five Go Adventuring Again by Enid Blyton: I absolutely love The Famous Fave books and this one was awesome. It was great getting to read about much-loved characters going on another adventure and saving the day. It is not surprising that Enid Blyton’s books are classics. A must read book for all kids.

Love Wins by Debbie Cenziper: This book was amazing. I knew it would be good but I was overwhelmed by how emotional it was. This is a moment in history that I wont forget and getting to read about it from the perspective of the people who were involved in it was truly wonderful. A must read for everyone.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston: This was a quick cute read. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot of this story. I loved seen elements of Cinderella make their way into this story, it was really creative. I am really glad I read this book and I know I will be reading it again in the future.

Sleep Affirmations by Jennifer Williamson: This book was beautiful. I really enjoyed these wonderful affirmations and I felt really calm and relaxed the more I read. The layout of this book was great and the illustrations that accompanied the affirmations really added an extra layer to this book.

The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams: I loved this book. I was so excited when I found out there was going to be a third book in this series and it didn’t disappoint. The brilliant partnership of David Walliams and Tony Ross has once again delivered an outstanding book. This book is a must have for all young readers.

The Escape Artists by Neal Bascomb: This book was amazing. I love military history and I love the fact that I had no pervious knowledge about this escape before going into this book. It was perfectly written with amazing details, photographs and maps. I am so glad I have this book to add to my bookshelf. A must have book for everyone who has an interest in History.

Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol by Tony Mitton: This book was absolutely beautiful I am a massive fan of A Christmas Carol and this book was the perfect retelling. This is the perfect book to read aloud with children and the amazing illustrations by Mike Redman perfectly compliment the story and give an extra layer to an already wonderful book.

Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills. This book was awesome. It has been a while since a book has made me laugh out loud, yet I couldn’t stop laughing whilst reading this book. Not only was it funny and insightful it really warmed my heart. I can wait to share this book with my friends and family.

It Ends With You by S.K. Wright: I really enjoyed this book. I wasnt sure about it when I picked it up, but I was wonderful. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting. I built slow but once it sped up I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I am so glad I decided to read this book.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: This book was fantastic. I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. This book is an absolute must read for everyone. It is brilliantly written, powerful and utterly gut-wrenching. If you havent yet read this book you need to do it now.

Shakespeare: I read 1 Shakespeare play and 10 Sonnets in September. I read the following Shakespeare Works This Month:

Titus Andronicus

Sonnets 81-90

Les Miserable: For those who don’t know this novel, it is broken up into character sections with each character section containing ‘books’. Within each of these books are chapters. These ‘books’ come in various sizes, it is just the luck of the draw really. I hope to read 3 ‘books’ each month. I have read the following ‘books’ this month:

The Idyll In The Rue Plumet And The Epic Of The Rue Saint-Denis:

– Book 9: Where Are They Going?

– Book 10: 5 June 1832

– Book 11: The Straw In The Wind

Brother’s Grimm: I am happy to say that I not only completed my goals of reading 5 Brother Grimm Fairy Tales in September, I doubled it. I read the following Tales this month:

The Gnome

The Foundling Bird

The Wishing-Table, The Ass, And The Cudgel

One-Eye, Two-Eyes, And Three-Eyes

Sweetheart Roland

The Devil With The Three Golden Hairs

The Griffin

The Sea-Hare

The Girl Without Hands

The Pink

That’s it for my September Wrap Up. I hope you all had a great reading month. Let me know what you guys read this month in the comments section.

Until my October Wrap Up…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

It Ends With You by S.K. Wright

‘‘If I’d told the truth, it would have been fiction.’

Everyone loves Eva. Beautiful, bright, fun, generous – she’s perfect.

So when her body is found in a ditch in the local woods the only thing anyone wants to know is: Who could have done this?

It has to be Luke, her boyfriend. He has the motive, the means, the opportunity and he’s no stranger to the police.

Even though the picture is incomplete, the pieces fit. But as time passes, stories change.’

I really enjoyed this book.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this book. What I got was a chilling high school murder mystery that I didn’t want to put down. I read the entire book in one setting. I couldn’t out it down. I just kept turning the pages until I ran out of pages to turn.

I am not usually a fan of a story being told from multiple view points, but it absolutly works with this story. As the reader, I really did feel like I was playing detective whilst reading this book. Trying to figure out who was responsible as more information was uncovered made for a really compelling read.

S.K. Wright did a fantastic job with both the writing and plot of this story. I found myself questioning my assumptions and my preconceptions about characters as the story unfolded around me.

This was truly a though provoking read that completely consumed me. The plot and layout of this book was extremely interesting and it kept me on edge until the final page. I found the story itself quite disturbing, this made for a really confronting and ultimatly thrilling read.

I am really glad I decided to read this book. It has been a while since I have read a book in one sitting, but if you pick up this book you wont want to put it down.

It Ends With You by S.K. Wright will captivate, consume and ultimately challenge the way you look at the world.

Love Note Day Reads…

Welcome back to another Wacky Wednesday. Today is National Love Note Day, so I thought what better way to celebrate then to talk about books with Love Notes in them. I had a blast coming up with this list so I hope you guys enjoy it.

So without further ado, lets jump into my Love Note Day Reads:

Nineteen Letters by Jodi Perry: When his wife loses her memory after a car accident, Brax decides to write her letters about their life together. These heartfelt notes not only teach his wife about him and their relationship but they give her back part of herself. This book took my breath away. A truly beautiful, tender story with an amazing plot. This book was warm and intimate, whilst still containing funny scenes and witty banter.  If you havent read it yet, do it now.

The One by Kiera Cass: The Third book in The Selection series, and by far my favourite. This book contains some beautifully written and really heartfelt love notes that really add to the story. The love notes in this book are really special and timely to the story being told. I love the relationship between Maxon and America and these love notes really enhanced my love for these two characters.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: If you didn’t expect to see this book on this list then let me ask you, whats wrong with you? The story of Allie and Noah is pretty well-known thanks to its movie adaptation, but I had to include this book, I mean come on, Noah wrote Allie a love letter everyday for an entire year, I would be happy with one love letter a year, let alone 365 of them. This beautiful love story will give you the warm and fuzzies and make you cry like a baby. One of the first books that came to mind while compiling this list, so if you havent read this book do it now, you wont regret it.

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer: Juliet leaves letters at her Mother’s grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope. When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon they are opening up to each other and their connection is immediate. This amazing book has some truly beautiful writing, using letters, text and emails as well as normal dialog, this book really captures the heart of the reader. Now the letters in this book aren’t entirely romantic but they are filled will love. Lost love, parental love, teenage love and longing. This book really touched my heart and I couldn’t think of a better book to include on a list about love notes.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: I could do a post about love not and not include this book. This entire trilogy is based on love note. In order to get over a crush Lara Jean writes a love letter to her crush, she then puts it in a box and moves on. So when her letter end up in the hands of her former crushes her world is turned upside down and she must deal with the good and the bad that comes with it. This was a beautiful series with great characters, a wonderful story and some very sweet very heartfelt love notes. If you havent read this book you really should, it is well worth a read.

Well that’s it from me. I hope you guys enjoyed this post. As usual if you have read any of these books or you have any recommendations for me, hit me up in the comments section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Oscar The Hungry Unicorn by Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson

‘Oscar the Unicorn has eaten his stable so he needs to find somewhere else to live. Not easy if you’re a unicorn who eats everything in sight … No one wants him around: not the pirates or the fairies or the dragons. Will Oscar ever find a place to call home? Well, it just so happens that Princess Oola has been searching for a unicorn FOREVER …’

This book is absolutely beautiful.

This amazing children’s book is a perfect book being released at the perfect time. With Unicorns all the rage, this book is going to be loved by many children and more than a few adults.

Lou Carter did a truly wonderful job with this story. It is a hilarious, sweet friendship story that will captivate readers. I cant wait to share this wonderful book with the young readers in my life.

One of the things I love most about children’s books, is seeing how the illustrations work with the story. In this case Nikki Dyson has done a spectacular job. The illustrations in this book are bright, engaging, and really beautiful.

The illustrations blend perfectly with the story being told. They not only compliment it but really help to enhance it.

I can easily see this book being a fast favourite with both children and there families. It is one of those rare children’s books that is not only great to look at but wonderful to read.

Oscar The Hungry Unicorn by Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson is the perfect addition to any bookshelf.

#smashastrawb

#smashastrawb

 

For those of you reading this who have no idea what this hashtag means, I will give you a very brief rundown.

Some idiot or idiots in Australia have decided to tamper with Australian strawberries by putting knitting needles into them. This of course has panicked some Australian’s who are now no longer buying strawberries.

#smashastrawb is being used to encourage people to continue to buy strawberries and support our farmers. I understand the fear that is going around but you can still eat strawberries, just cut them up.

This needle in strawberries saga is coming of the back of awareness campaigns and fund-raisers for our Aussie farmers who have been drought ravished for years and need all the help they can get.

What Farmers and Australia in general don’t need is people to stop buying strawberries right at the start of the strawberry season.

With the contamination of strawberries already effecting the exportation of Aussie strawberry we need to band together and show solidarity with our farmers.

I honestly can’t believe I am actually writing this post. I mean what kind of person sabotages strawberries. I can’t wrap my head around it.

I may not understand why someone would do this, but my lack of understanding doesn’t change the fact that someone is and it is a problem that I can’t fix. The only thing I can do is show my support for our farmers and #smashastrawb

The #smashastrawb hashtag is a great idea, and a great tool to gain awareness and support for this cause but please don’t just share the hashtag, or like a post. If you are in Australia please please please support our Aussie Farmers and buy strawberries.

Buy lots and lots of strawberries. Eat them, put them in drinks, on ice cream, on cereal, bake them into cakes. There are plenty of things you can make with strawberries and by doing so you will doing somethings to help our farmers at this difficult time.

~>GEM<~

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

‘Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad’s old costume, Elle’s determined to win – unless her step sisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons – before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he has ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heart-throb. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake – until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again?’

This book was cute.

I was excited to finally read this book. I mean come on, a Cinderella retelling that’s part romance, part love letter to nerd culture and fandoms. Whats not to love.

It didn’t take me long to get caught up in the lives of these great characters. I followed them on the ups and downs of their journeys while being complete in awe of the world they were living in.

I absolutly loved the role of fandoms, blogs and cons in this book. My geek heart was in heaven. I also adored getting to see elements from Cinderella weave its way into this very modern retelling.

My only problem with this book was it was a little predictable. I can’t really complain about that though, as it is a retelling of a very well-known story it shouldnt have really surprised me that it was predictable.

Ashley Poston did a wonderful job with this book. I am glad that I finally read it and I know that I will be reading it again in the future. I have no shame in saying my heart beats nerd and Geekerella is my kind of book.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston is the perfect book for everyone’s inner geek.

Literary Dinner Party Tag

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I have decided to do the Literary Dinner Party Tag. In this tag you have to fill a seat at your Dinner Table for each of the following questions. You can only invite one person per category; unless the question states otherwise. At the end of this tag you should have 11 guests for your 12 seated Dinner Party; You being the 12th guest.

So without further ado, Lets jump right in:

A Character Who Can Cook?

Lucy Muir – The Secret Recipe For Second Chances by J.D. Barrett.

A Character Who Has Money To Fund The Party?

Christian Grey – 50 Shades Of Grey series by E.L. James.

A Character Who Might Cause A Scene?

Leo Lennox – The Turners series by Mick Elliott.

A Character Who Is Funny?

Luna Lovegood – The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

A Character Who Is Social?

Alice Cullen – The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Myer.

One Villan?

The Beast – Beauty And The Beast.

One Couple?

Audrey Rose and Thomas – Stalking Jack The Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco.

One Hero or Heroine?

Makani Young – There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins.

An Underappreciated Character?

AIDAN – The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kirstoff.

One Character Of Your Own Choosing?

Remus Lupin – Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

Well that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag, I did my best not to flood it with Harry Potter characters. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Love Wins by Debbie Cenziper

‘In June 2015, the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law in all fifty states in a decision as groundbreaking as Roe v Wade and Brown v Board of Education. Through insider accounts and access to key players, this definitive account reveals the dramatic and previously unreported events behind Obergefell v Hodges and the lives at its center. This is a story of law and love—and a promise made to a dying man who wanted to know how he would be remembered.

Twenty years ago, Jim Obergefell and John Arthur fell in love in Cincinnati, Ohio, a place where gays were routinely picked up by police and fired from their jobs. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had to provide married gay couples all the benefits offered to straight couples. Jim and John—who was dying from ALS—flew to Maryland, where same-sex marriage was legal. But back home, Ohio refused to recognize their union, or even list Jim’s name on John’s death certificate. Then they met Al Gerhardstein, a courageous attorney who had spent nearly three decades advocating for civil rights and who now saw an opening for the cause that few others had before him.’

This book was amazing.

This fantastic book tells the moving story of the lovers, lawyers, judges and activists behind the historic Supreme Court case that led to the legalization of same-sex marriage.

This fascinating story is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. It follows the journey of a grieving man and his lawyer, who against overwhelming odds, introduced the most important gay rights case in U.S. history.

I knew this was going to be a powerful and moving story I just didn’t expect it to be a forceful and emotional as it was. I could not put this book down and I havent stopped talking about it since I finished it.

If you havent read this book yet, go and get yourself a copy now.

Love Wins by Debbie Cenziper is a must read book that will stay with you long after the final page.

My Attempt At Poetry!

MY FIRST HAIKU…

dirt dripping away

into the cloudy water

new power of clarity

MY FIRST ALLITERATION POEM…

Marvelous Maci is mystified by music, manners and magic.

 

TRYING OUT SIMILES…

Last night I slept like a log

Opening my eyes to a room full of fog

Nameless and faceless I breathe in thrice

Empty inside, im as cold as ice

Larger than life, I use to be

You couldn’t understand, you’re not me.

 

MY FIRST LIMERICK…

Always there with a loving embrace

Your pride in us shows in you face

Whether laughing, crying, yelling or screaming

Your guidance to us is always well-meaning

Please continue to shower us with your love and grace

 

ENJAMBMENT TIME…

The light blinks, informing me that its

almost time,

to find a charger before I

lose it all. the panic starts to fill

my body. how did I survive all these

years with just a pen and

paper.

 

FOUND POETRY…

It’s a salty beast

With an extract of yeast

Remaining on your tongue

We get use to it when we’re young

Nobody can take away my breakfast feast

 

LETS TRY ANAPHORA…

pleasure is the sound of rain falling on my roof

pleasure is the smell of a fresh new book

the taste of chocolate melting on my tongue

pleasure is the friendships I made when I was young

 

APOSTROPHE IN POETRY…

When the waves crash down

Nothing can block out the sound

In a cabin near the water

The child of your daughter

Misses you everyday

Wishing you were here to show her the way

 

O Joe,

I wish you didn’t have to go

O Joe, if you ask me if im ok

The answer will always be no

Why couldn’t you stay

O Joe, to you I pray

I know you can’t be here

But please guide me through the day

And let me feel that you are near

 

In a cabin near the water

The child of your daughter

Misses you everyday

Wishing you were here to show her the way.

 

HELP ME IT’S SONNET TIME…

Its racing towards me oh so fast

A future that’s ready to be explored

Can I leave my troubles in the past

Live a life where my dreams are no longer ignored

 

A past full of doubt, sadness and fear

I look past the present, it’s the future I see

A wonderful future is so so near

A future that has open doors for me

 

No more dark days to bring me down

No more falling through the blackness

In the well of despair I will not drown

 

Washed clean of my history

The future is finally here

Whats to come is a mystery

 

~>GEM<~

That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger

‘It’s been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah’s story — that she died proclaiming her faith.

But it’s not true. I know because I was with her when she died. I didn’t say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah’s parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight . . . but I’m not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did — and didn’t — happen that day.

Except Sarah’s martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don’t take kindly to what I’m trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what’s right. I don’t know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up . . .’

This book was amazing.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book going into it. I was blown away by what I got. This book was not only thought-provoking it was complete raw, honest and real.

I have read books and seen movies and TV shows about school shootings but to read about the aftermath of such a tragedy was a really moving experience.

Living in a country where we don’t have school shootings, I was both horrified and fascinated by this book.

Kody Keplinger did a fantastic job with these characters. I was frightened by how quickly I was able to relate to them and get inside their heads. Feeling what they were feeling and dealing with the emotions that these experiences brought up in both the characters and myself made for a truly captivating reading experience.

I really loved getting to see what happens when the cameras leave and life goes back to normal after an event like this. I can’t say I have ever really sat and thought about what happens when these events arent front page news anymore. How do you cope? How do you just go back to school?

I also loved seeing the stories behind the headlines. Kody Keplinger’s ability to turn the headlines into three-dimensional characters is truly amazing. The fear, anger and guilt were palpable throughout this story.

I can honestly say I have never read a book quite like this and I will definitely be reading it again in the future.

That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger is an absolute must read book for everyone.