February Wrap Up…

Welcome to my February Wrap Up. I had a great reading month, finishing 18 books (unfortunately 0 books off my TBR). I also received 4 ARC’s this month, and I continued my new goal of reading 1 Shakespeare play, as well as 10 Brother’s Grimm fairy-tales.

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 February Wrap Up..

Disney Pixar My Magical Story Collection: A Special Book Series. This Collection is clouded the following 15 books, which I read this month: The Lion King, Coco, Cinderella, Incredibles 2, Up, Alice In Wonderland, Monsters Inc, Frozen, Inside Out, The Jungle Book, Moana, Zootopia, Cars 3, The Beauty And The Beast, and Finding Dory. Each book is a summary of the Disney Pixar films and they are absolutely perfect. The stories were perfectly abbreviated and the illustrations just tied everything together perfectly. I’m so glad I decided to get this series, it is wonderful.

A Keeper by Graham Norton: I absolutely adored this book. The story was compelling, the characters were real and flawed and the writing and descriptions were breathtaking. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say a bout this book. A must read for everyone.

Zealot by Jo Thornely: This book was awesome. Cults have always fascinated me so I knew this book would be right up my alley. I knew about most of the cults in this book but I hadn’t read a lot about them. I really enjoyed the way in which Jo Thornely wrote about these cults, it was like you were just having a wacky conversation over a drink. I am excited to do some more reader but into these cults.

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer: This book was amazing. I loved the way the two times lines bounced off one another and help each story move forward. The story itself was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. I genuinely believe that everyone should read this book at least once in their lifetime.

Shakespeare: I read 1 Shakespeare play in February. I read the following Shakespeare Play This Month:

Julius Caesar

Brother’s Grimm: I am happy to say that I completed my goals of reading 10 Brother Grimm Fairy Tales in February, In fact I read 11 Tales. I read the following Tales this month:

The Golden Bird

Brother Lustig

The Bright Sun Brings It To Light

The Sparrow and His Four Children

The Duration Of Life

Faithful John

The Six Swans

The Seven Ravens

The Twelve Brothers

The King’s Son Who Feared Nothing

The Drummer

That’s it for my February 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 March Wrap Up…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Book Cover Battles

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am going to do the Book Cover Battles post. Now, I have decided to pick between Australian and American book covers of the same book. I have picked 10 books off my shelves and found their American counterparts. I am just going to give my answers by highlighting the cover I like best in pink. I am not go into depth in order to keep this post relatively short.

So without further ado, lets jump right in:

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

                                                 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

                                                         Room by Emma Donoghue

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

                                                 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

                                 The Astonishing Colour Of After by Emily. X.R. Pan

Australian Cover

American Cover

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen and Owen King

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

Everless by Sara Holland

Australia Cover

VS

American Cover

Go Set The Watchman by Harper Lee

Australian Cover

VS

American Cover

Well that’s it from me. I hope you guys enjoyed todays post, I had a lot of fun putting it together. As usual you can hit me up with your answers and your favourite covers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

 

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

‘2019 Life changed beyond recognition for Alice when her son, Eddie, was born with autism spectrum disorder. She must do everything to support him, but at what cost to her family? When her cherished grandmother is hospitalised, a hidden box of mementoes reveals a tattered photo of a young man, a tiny leather shoe and a letter. Her grandmother begs Alice to return to Poland to see what became of those she held dearest.

WWII Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for college, Tomasz proposes marriage. But when their village falls to the Nazis, Alina doesn’t know if Tomasz is alive or dead.

2019 In Poland, separated from her family, Alice begins to uncover the story her grandmother is so desperate to tell, and discovers a love that bloomed in the winter of 1942. As a painful family history comes to light, will the struggles of the past and present finally reach a heartbreaking resolution?’

This book was absolutely breathtaking.

After reading Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer, I am not surprised by how emotional and powerful The Thing We Cannot Say is. I loved the fact that this book is inspired by Kelly Rimmer’s own family history.

This unforgettable novel was impossible to put down. I loved the way the two timelines connected and propelled each other forward as the story unfolded. The resilience these characters showed during the most trying of times really highlights how far people will go for the ones that they love.

Kelly Rimmer did a fantastic job with this story. The characters showed unbelievable bravery and heart, whilst being completely flawed and relatable. While the story itself was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.

I loved that while this novel had so many layers at its core it was a love story.

With so many moving parts this story was perfect woven together which made for a truly magical reading experience..

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer will stay with you long after the final page. An absolute must read for everyone.

My NBN Stress!

For those of you who don’t live in Australia, you probably have no idea what the NBN is, and given my feelings at the moment all I can say is lucky you.

Now for some back ground on the NBN or National Broadband Network. It has been a disaster from day one. The whole point was to deliver high-speed internet to all of Australia via a National network. Okay, fine in theory, not practical. Not only did this plan cause a lot of fighting between politicians, its sow and expensive.

Now I have been quite happy with my internet as it stands. I really had no interest in going to the NBN but unfortunately that wasn’t an option, because wait for it, not only is the NBN slow and expensive, it’s also compulsory.

As the NBN rolled out in each suburb, we were given a time frame in which we had to connect to the NBN as our old providers were going to be turned off. So I did what a lot of other Australian’s did and put it off for as long as possible.

We have heard nothing but bad things about the NBN and so I wasn’t going to switch over until I absolutely had to.

Now I decided the time had come to join the NBN, last December. I wanted a bit of leeway before my old connection got shut off in case all of the bad things we had been hearing about actually happened.

So I called up, selected my package, was talked through all of the terms and conditions and placed my order. Was told my delivery should be here within 5 to 7 days. So I waited, and waited, and waited. No package came.

Something did happen after I made my NBN order; my internet started playing up, went on the fritz, stopped working. Perfect.

Well the Holidays came and we had no, or very sporadic internet and delivery services were closed so there was nothing I could do. I just hoped that when I got home from my Holiday the order would be there and I could connect the new modem and have internet once more.

I purchased a pre paid modem to take on Holidays and continued to check in with my sisters who had stayed home and no package had been delivered. So it was not over a month with no internet yet still getting a bill. I was thrilled about that.

When I got home from Holidays I called to find out what the hell was going on only to be told that due to a computer glitch my order had been cancelled. Great. So I went through the whole process again and re ordered the NBN. Another 5 to 7 days, only this time I needed a NBN Technician to come out in order to install the NBN Box. I needed this all along, yet no one had bothered to book the technician the first time around.

So another two weeks pass and I call back, half of the order has arrived, but no technician has come. When I called back they told me that the technician was booked for the 18th of February, 10 days after his current phone call. I also got told that the person I had spoken to two weeks previously hadn’t put the order in for the new modem, so I had to re order that.

I am writing this post on the 18th after receiving a call to tell me that the technician had been over booked and wouldn’t be coming today but they can book a new appointment for me sometime after the 13th of March. More than 3 months after my initial order. 3 months without internet, and 3 months of bills for the none working internet.

I was told that once the NBN had been installed I could talk to billing to fix the issue of paying for a service that I didn’t have access to.

I told the company I would get back to them because I was afraid of losing my temper and going off that the employee I was talking to.

I guess the only option I really have is to wait because if I leave the company that I am currently with, I will have to pay a very large installation fee with a new company and the issue with the technician wont change because the Telco companies are not allowed to install the NBN it has to be installed by the NBN technician which is who cancelled my appointment in the first place.

My stress levels are through the roof and this is all before I even have the NBN installed. I need to go and lay down before I have a full fledge meltdown.

~>GEM<~

 

 

The Second Part Of King Henry The Sixth by William Shakespeare

‘Against the wishes of the nobles, King Henry marries the penniless Margaret who plots against him with her lover. As tensions between York and Lancaster build, the Duke of York gathers supporters for his claim to the throne. York secretly leads a rebellion, his supporters proclaim him king, and Henry is forced to flee.’

I enjoyed this play.

Following the events in Henry VI Part 1, Henry VI, Part 2 is a history play written by William Shakespeare. It is set during the lifetime of King Henry VI of England, and it is believed to have been written in 1591. Henry VI, Part 2 has the largest cast of all Shakespeare’s plays and is seen by many critics as the best of the Henry VI trilogy.

King Henry the Sixth Part 2 deals with the death of the King’s trusted adviser Humphrey the Duke of Gloucester, the rise of the Duke of York and the King’s inability to stop the bickering between his nobles.

The major theme of the play is Henry’s weakness as a leader and his inability to control the country or even his own court. Henry is presented as a good man throughout the play, but also a very a poor king.

Another major theme throughout the play is the contrast between Margaret and Henry. The contrast between them is shown most when Gloucester dies. Margaret makes a speech in which she points out how it is unfair to accuse Suffolk of the murder simply because Suffolk and Gloucester were enemies. Henry however, ignores her. This situation is repeated during the Cade rebellion, but this time they both ignore each another. This tendency for them to ignore one another is an example of their incompatibility, their failure to unite in thoughts.

Throughout the play language helps to establish the theme as well as the tone of each scene. Language also helps to convey the importance of religion throughout the play. Shakespeare also uses language to distinguish between different types of characters.

I have really enjoyed reading the King Henry the Sixth plays, so far King Henry the Sixth 2 has been my favourite. I am looking forward to reading part three very soon.

King Henry The Sixth Part 2 by William Shakespeare is the perfect addition to the Henry The Sixth trilogy.

Guilty Readers Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I will be doing the Guilty Reader Book Tag. I really enjoyed doing this Tag so I hope you guys enjoy reading it.

So without further ado, lets jump into the Guilty Reader Book Tag:

Have you ever re-gifted a book that you have been given?

No. I have gifted books but never re-gifted them.

Have you ever said you have read a book when you havent?

No. I have said I liked the sound of it and may check it out if someone has recommended it to me, even if I don’t plan on doing so.

Have you ever borrowed a book and not returned it?

No.

Have you ever read a series out-of-order?

Yes but only ever on a re-read. I think it would confusing to do it if I havent already read the series.

Have you ever spoiled a book for someone?

Yes but never on purpose.

Have you ever dog-eared a book?

NO, NO, NO.

Have you ever told someone you havent read a book when you have?

No. I’m not someone who feels embarrassment about any of the books I have read.

Have you ever skipped a section or chapter of a book?

Yep. Only ever on a re-read though.

Have you ever bad mouthed a book you actually like?

Umm… Yeah. No book is perfect so if im having a discussion with someone who didn’t like a book that I love I am more than happy to talk about the problems or things I didn’t like about a book, even when I loved it.

Well that’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed this post. As usual hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Untill next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

A Keeper by Graham Norton

‘Dear Lonely Leinster Lady,
I’m not really sure how to begin . . .

The truth drifts out to sea, riding the waves out of sight. And then the tide turns.

Elizabeth Keane returns to Ireland after her mother’s death, intent only on wrapping up that dismal part of her life. There is nothing here for her; she wonders if there ever was. The house of her childhood is stuffed full of useless things, her mother’s presence already fading. And perhaps, had she not found the small stash of letters, the truth would never have come to light.

40 years earlier, a young woman stumbles from a remote stone house, the night quiet but for the tireless wind that circles her as she hurries further into the darkness away from the cliffs and the sea. She has no sense of where she is going, only that she must keep on.’

This book was utterly beautiful.

This beautifully written story covers to connected time frames and weaves a compelling and emotional tale.

Set on the coast of Ireland, this gripping story delves into belonging and identity with compassion and tenderness.

Graham Norton did a wonderful job in crafting the characters in this book. They were really, flawed and completely relatable. The way in which he established the characters and allowed them to grow as the story unfolded made for a really wonderful reading experience.

The writing and descriptions in this book absolutely took my breath away. The sweeping almost cinematic quality that they possessed made it easy to envision the places and things that the characters were experiencing.

I love reading a book that takes me by surprise and that is exactly what this book did. With revelations of secrets and some genuinely shocking situations, this book took me on an emotional journey in ways that I was not expecting.

A Keeper by Graham Norton is a thoroughly entertaining read, that will leave you wanting more.

Hoarder or Collector!

When does Collecting become Hoarding?

Am I am Hoarder or a Collector?

Maybe I am both!

These are questions that I sometimes ask myself. Now let’s get somethings straight. You can see the floors and walls in my room. My room is clean and doesn’t smell. For the record I think of myself as a Collector.

Now that’s I have cleared that up, let’s get into my Collecting.

I love to collect certain things. I will buy and keep anything Harry Potter. I have an entire storage box filled with CD’s that I can’t seem to get rid of. I have hundreds of DVD’s, some movies some TV series. And don’t get me started on books.

I have run out of room in my bedroom for my books and have now commandeered part of the hallway to install more bookshelves. I also have draws and cupboards filled with notepads and exercise books.

Now I don’t consider any of these things as being anything but collections. I have even started slowly down sizing both my book and DVD collections.

Now in full transparency, I will admit that I do keep some weird or at least random things. I have boxes full of instruction manual, remotes, old phones and random cords that I wont get rid of.

I have also kept all of my old journals and scrapbooks. I even have a few newspapers packed away.

I guess my question is should I be concerned? If not yet, then when? When do I start worrying about becoming a Hoarder?

My other question is, after reading this and without seeing is, do you consider this Hoarding or Collecting?

~>GEM<~

 

King Henry The Sixth Part 1 by William Shakespeare

‘The play opens in the aftermath of the death of King Henry V. News reaches England of military setbacks in France, and the scene shifts to Orleans, where ‘La Pucelle’ (Joan of Arc) is encouraging the Dauphin to resist. She defeats an English army led by Talbot.

In England, Richard, Duke of York, quarrels with John Beaufort, 1 st Duke of Somerset about his claim on the throne. The lords select red or white roses, depending on whether they favour the House of Lancaster or that of York. Edmund Mortimer, a leading claimant to the throne, is a prisoner in the Tower of London and declares Richard his heir. The young Henry VI honours both Richard and Talbot.

Talbot dies bravely in his next battle against the French. In the meantime, King Henry is married off to a young French princess, Margaret of Anjou. Suffolk intends to control the king through Margaret. Ill feeling between him and the Duke of Gloucester continues to grow.’

I enjoyed this play.

Set around 1402–1403 in London and other locations around England, King Henry The 6th Part 1 is a historical and military Drama. The play alternates between series drama and comedy. While the drama is dark and grave, the comedy helps to lighten the play and is quite fast-paced.

King Henry The 6th Part 1 was written sometime between 1589-1597 in London, as such it deals a lot with conflict, honor and the legitimacy of rulership. These themes are handled well and are enhanced by the characters and their differing views.

I really enjoyed reading this play which actually surprised me. It has been a bit hit and miss for me with Shakespeare’s dramas recently, so I was pleasantly surprised by this play. I also found it quite easy to read, which is not something I usually say about Shakespeare. If you are looking to read one of Shakespeare’s Dramas, I definitely recommend King Henry The 6th Part 1.

King Henry The 6th Part 1 by William Shakespeare is a Historical Military Drama that will captivate a reader. This play is not to be missed.

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

‘Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn’t the prince. This must-have companion to the Selection series includes four novellas—two of which are only available in print in this collection—as well as exclusive bonus content.

Includes:

• The Prince
• The Guard
• The Queen (in print only in this collection)
• The Favorite (in print only in this collection)
• Exclusive new scenes from The Selection, The Elite, and The One’

I really enjoyed this book.

As with many collections, some of the stories in this book were better than the others.

I really enjoyed getting to catch up with characters that I had grown to love in this original series and I loved getting to see important scenes shown through various characters eyes.

Kiera Cass did a fantastic job with this book. Especially the scenes and stories that involved minor characters from this original series. The back ground and insights she gave to these characters added an extra layer to their personalities and explained the decisions they made in the original books.

I loved that Kiera Cass introduced each of the stories. Her insights into the world and characters she created was a really wonderful addition to this book.

Not only was this book full of great stories and exclusive scenes, it was also illustrated. By far my favourite illustration was a beautiful map of Illéa. I loved the addition of the illustrations in this book. Even though there weren’t many of them they were place in the perfect positions to compliment each of the stories.

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass is an absolute must have for all fans of the Selection series.