November Wrap Up…

Welcome to my November Wrap Up. I have had a great reading month, finishing 14 books (4 books off my TBR). I also received 4 ARC’s this month, and I continued my new goal of reading 1 Shakespeare play.

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 November Wrap Up:

Making The Grade by Iain Hay: This book was awesome. It was required reading for University and I am glad that it was. I learnt a lot from this book and I will be referring to it many times during my future studies. A must have for all university students or soon to be university student

Helpful Heeler, Messiest Magpie, Nervous Numbat, Vocal Vampire Bat, Worrying Wombat, Yelling Yellow-Bellied Glider, and Zippiest Zebra Finch by Susannah McFarlane and Lachlan Creagh: I love this series so much. I have now collected all of the books. I love the stories and the illustrations, and I adore how Australian these books are. I haven’t got a bad word to say about this series. I love how the stories focus on different letters of the alphabet yet don’t compromise the story just to reinforce the chosen letter. I also love the messages that these books have and how they ask questions of the reader and include them in the story. Most of all I love seeing all of the different Australian Animals and activities featured in these amazing little books. The ‘Little Mates’ collection is a must have for all young readers.

Ho-Ho-Hopeless Santa by Rebecca Gerlings: I love a good Christmas book, and this one is up there as one of the best. I loved that the story was new and fun and the illustrations were absolutely beautiful. I can easily see this book be a favourite for young readers and the families this Christmas.

A Tale Of Witchcraft by Chris Colfer: I loved this book. After reading it predecessor I could wait to get my hands on this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I am so happy that I have found this amazing series. Now I just have to wait for the next book to come out.

Heroes Next Door by Samuel Johnson and Hilde Hinton: This book was wonderful. I knew this was going to be an emotional read I just didn’t realise how emotional it would be. This book is filled with stories that were equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. Everyone should read this amazing book at least once in their life.

Senior Moments by Angus Fitzsimons: This book was entertaining in. I had some genuine laugh out loud moments whilst reading this book. I will admit that some of the references went over my head, but as this book is aimed at an older crowd, I wasn’t really surprised by that. This book is perfect for Senior readers.

Code Name Bananas by David Walliams: As expected this book was amazing. I am a massive fan of David Walliams’ books, and this was one of his best. I loved that it was set during World War Two and it had that element of History to it. This is a must have for all younger readers.

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell: This book was beautiful. The setting was so real, and the characters were a breath of fresh air. The story was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and it will stay will me for a long time to come. A great book book that everyone should read at least once.

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

Troilus and Cressida

That’s it for my November 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 December Wrap Up…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Bookmas Changes!

It’s almost time for Bookmas, yippee!

So I am just going to give you an update on my Bookmas plans this year as I am changing things up a bit.

So Bookmas consists of 12 post in the lead up to Christmas. This year will be no different, I will be posting 12 post, one each day from the 13th of December. I will also have post going up on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Eve, as well as my usual posts for the month: 3 Reviews, 2 Wacky Wednesday posts, 2 Sunday Session posts, a TBR post, and a Wrap Up post.

What is different this year is that instead of post that are a list of books for example Bookmas Day Five = Top Five Biographies of the year. Instead of the usual lists, this year I will be counting down my Top 12 favourite books of the year only.

Starting with Bookmas Day 12 on the 13th of December, each day I will feature a new book as I count down to my favourite book of the year on Christmas Eve.

The post wont be reviews as such, more just me talking about why I loved the book.

I am excited to get these posts out for you to read and I hope you have as much fun reading them as I have had writing them.

That’s it from me today.

Don’t forget Bookmas will begin on the 13th of December (Australian Time).

Happy Reading…

~>GEM<~

The Christmas Show by Rebecca Patterson

‘It’s almost time for the nativity play, and everyone has been practicing hard. The narrators know their lines, the Important Angel has brushed her hair, and the audience is in their seats, eagerly awaiting a special Christmas performance. But there’s one cast member whose listening skills haven’t exactly been the best, and no one’s expecting a spare shepherd to steal the show.’

This book was beautiful.

I love a good Christmas book so I was excited to dive into this one. Thankfully it was everything I hoped it would be and more.

I have never been in or even seen a Christmas pageant so this was an exciting story premise for me to read about even if it didn’t go quite as planned.

Not only was this book incredibly sweet it was also really funny. Everyone knows. has or has once been the forgetful kid, so it was very cute to see that child in the centre of a wonderful holiday tale.

One of the best things about a Christmas book is the illustrations and The Christmas Show is full of festive, cheerful and eye-catching illustrations. There wasn’t a page in this book that I didn’t marvel at the illustrations and then return to after I had finished my first reading of this book.

Rebecca Patterson has done a fantastic job with this book. The story was wonderful, the illustrations were amazing and the feeling was just what everyone needs heading into the festive season.

This fabulous book is perfect for all young readers. If you have a young reader in your life make sure you get them a copy of this book. I can see this book being read many times in the lead up to Christmas.

The Christmas Show by Rebecca Patterson is a must have for all young readers and their families this holiday season.

The Dreamy Covers Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in The Dreamy Covers Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, lets jump straight in:

“No Ideas But in Things” A book cover that perfectly expresses the novel inside it:

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

 

“Dark and Lovely” A book cover that is so creepalicious you just want to eat it up:

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

“Sugary Sweet” A cute cover that is so fluffy you want to give it a hug:

The Little Bookshop Of Promises by Debbie Macomber

“The Simple Aesthetic” A book cover that stuns with the most minimalistic of design:

Saltwater by Jessica Andrews

“Travelling Abroad” A beautiful book cover featuring a country outside of your own:

Checkpoint Charlie by Iain MacGregor

“The Colour Wheel” A cover that showcases one of your favourite colours:

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

“Switching Gears” A cover change you absolutely adore: 

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

“Oldie but Goodie” A favourite cover of your favourite classic:

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

“And the Winner is…” Which book cover mentioned above is your favourite?

The Little Bookshop Of Promises by Debbie Macomber

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Well that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Code Name Bananas by David Walliams

‘1940. Britain is at war with Nazi Germany.

Eleven-year-old Eric spends his days at the place that makes him most happy: London Zoo. And there’s one animal in particular he loves: Gertrude the gorilla.

With bombs falling all over London, Eric must rescue Gertrude.

Together with his Uncle Sid, a keeper at the zoo, the three go on the run. But while hiding out at the seaside they uncover a top-secret Nazi plot…’

This book was awesome.

I am a massive fan of David Walliams’ book, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. I am happy to say that this book was just as awesome as I had hoped it would be.

I loved that this book was set during World War 2. This setting added a great opportunity for a little bit of history to be sprinkled into the story. The history that was featured in this story was interesting and made for some truly funny scenes.

As usual David Walliams has done a fantastic job with creating characters to love root for as well as creating funny, evil characters that you enjoy getting to see fail at the end of the story.

David Walliams’ book as always have a lot of heart and a wonderful message, and this book is no different. I loved see this stories heroes grow and learn throughout their journey. Watching these wonderful characters overcome hardship and evolve together made for a truly wonderful reading experience.

I have said it many times before an I will say it again; Tony Ross is fantastic! The combination of Tony Ross’ fabulous illustrations and David Walliams’ wonderful story makes for the perfect Middle Grade book.

I loved this story and I was completely engrossed from the first to the last page. I can only imaging the joy this book will bring to young readers and their families.

Code Name Bananas by David Walliams is a must have for all Middle Grade readers.

Christmas/Bookmas Planning!

I am very quickly approaching both Christmas and Bookmas and I am not prepared. With the year being a crazy as it has been I am glad that it is coming to an end but I cant seemed to get motivated to do anything at the moment.

I have over 15 posts that I need to write for Bookmas on top of my usual monthly posts, as well an Instagram shots, my usual reading, and I am currently working on my Final Uni Assessment for the year.

I am not too worried about the Uni Assessment as I gave myself a lot of time to get it done so I am in a good position to have it finished and submitted on or maybe even before the due date.

The Bookmas work is going to be a bit more time consuming. I at least have an idea of what posts and books I will be focusing on. So that’s something write. Now I just need to make a plan and start getting the post written. Hopefully once I start I will find some inspiration and get into a good and productive flow.

As for Christmas; that is a trickier situation as it requires me going to the shops and I really don’t want to do that. I am going to try my nest at doing as much of my Christmas shopping online but I may need to make at least one trip to a brick and mortar shop.

I think this year has just blurred into itself and that has made me lose track of time. I am usually much further ahead in my end of year preparations then I am right now.

There is only one thing I can do and that is to stop procrastinating and actually do what I need to do instead of talking about all the things I need to do.

If fact, that is what I am going to do right now.

~>GEM<~

Christmas Is Golden by Diane Muldrow

‘Wrap yourself in the warmth and joy of Christmas with this lyrical celebration of the holidays. With lush, classic art from your favorite yuletide Little Golden Books, this snowy winter wonderland full of shimmering lights, warm gingerbread, and friendly carolers will make the perfect addition to your holiday traditions.’

I loved this book.

This amazing Christmas book was everything I hoped it would be. I love a good Christmas story and this one made me feel like a child again when I read it.

I can remember reading many Little Golden Books as a child so getting my hands on a Little Golden Books Christmas story was something I was very excited about. I devoured this book and I have already read it multiple times.

I think one of the reasons this book made me feel so good was that all of the illustrations in it were taken from other Little Golden Books Christmas stories. It felt like a history of Christmas and that reminded me of my childhood, and in my opinion that is the best feeling to have when thinking about Christmas.

I know that Little Golden Books are much loved by children around the world and after reading Christmas Is Golden I remember why. I can easily see this book being enjoyed many times over in the lead up to Christmas.

Diane Muldrow has done a fantastic job with this story. It was wonderful, magical and overflowing with Christmas joy. There is nothing better then a good Christmas story to put you in the festive spirit, and Diane Muldrow has definitely delivered the Christmas Spirit.

No matter how old you are this book will wrap you up in it Christmas magic and leave you excited for the silly season.

Christmas Is Golden by Diane Muldrow is a must have for readers young and old this Holiday Season.

Makeup Essentials Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in the Makeup Essentials Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, lets jump straight in:

Concealer/foundation – the basis: what’s one thing you MUST have in a book in order to enjoy it?

Great Characters

Powder – keeps it all intact: your favourite setting?

Anywhere in Australia

Brows – filled in or left: hardback or paperback?

Paperback unless its a collectable.

Eyeliner – the flick makes it: your favourite plot arc?

Second chance love

Mascara – adds a little bit extra: something that’d bump a book from 4 to 5 stars?

Full circle story completion

Highlighter – some brightness to the mix: what turns a character into your favourite?

Great, witty dialog

On the lips – the finishing touch: a book that left a lasting impression!

Secrets Between Friends by Fiona Palmer

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Well that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

❤ Gem

Senior Moments by Angus Fitzsimons

‘Have you had a Senior Moment yet? Maybe you know someone who’s had a few? Check this list to know for sure:
You can remember being told the King was dead (George, not Elvis).
You still say ‘colour television’, and you watch television on a television.
Your home phone rings and you answer it. (And you still have a phone, not a ‘landline’.)
You boast about ‘doing it’ three times a night and that’s just getting up to pee.
You realise that your wardrobe has become ironic. You’re not back in fashion, but you’re hip. (And ironically, you now have an artificial hip).

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the above, congratulations! You are officially a Senior and this book is here to guide you through your best years (i.e. the past). Stroll, or maybe shuffle, down Nostalgia Avenue and bask in the glory of growing old disgracefully.’

This book was entertaining.

I had some genuine laugh out loud moments whilst reading this book. I will admit that as this book is aimed at an older audience a lot of the references went over my head.

Angus Fitzsimons did a wonderful job with this book. It covered so many different facets of life and is really easy to follow. I loved that each subject had its own chapter and the chapters were broken up into different sub categories.

Even though this book is aimed at seniors there is a lot in it for readers of different ages. I knew a far bit of what was being spoken about, and my Mum; who isn’t a senior knew even more then I did.

I cant remember even reading a book that is aimed at Seniors before. To be honest I had never really thought about it until I read this book. Now that I have read this book I believe that more books; especially funny books, aimed at an older audience are needed.

Senior Moments by Angus Fitzsimons is perfect for older readers.

Pointless Facts 9!

So I have decided to make my Pointless Facts post a series. I really enjoyed compiling Pointless Facts, so I think I will make a new list every month. So I hope you all enjoy this months installment of Pointless Facts. Let’s jump in, shall we?

The Inca Indians of Panama tie a string of chilies behind their boat to repel sharks.

Four tablespoons of tomato sauce contains the nutritional equivalent of a medium sized tomato.

Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backward.

A ballet enthusiast is called a “balletomane”.

90% of all living things in the sea are made up of plankton.

The term karaoke means “empty orchestra”.

Experts say the common cold will delay a child’s growth for the cold’s duration.

People living at high altitudes have more red blood cells than people living at sea level.

Owls are reportedly the only birds that can see the colour blue.

Milk is heavier than cream.

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I hope you all enjoyed today’s pointless facts. Let me know in the comments if these pointless facts were new to you or if you had already come across them.

~>GEM<~