March Wrap Up…

Welcome to my March Wrap Up. I had a great reading month, finishing 9 books (2 books off my TBR). I also received 2 ARCs this month.

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

Without further ado, let’s get into my March Wrap Up:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara: Another book from the Little People Big Dreams series that I have been reading recently, and this one is up there as one of my all-time favourites. This book was filled with interesting information that covered many important events in Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life and career. Bright bold illustrations perfectly complement each and every sentence making this book both beautifully written and beautifully presented.

Rosalind Franklin by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara: Yet another book from the Little People Big Dreams series that I absolutely adored. As I am not the intended audience for this book I was genuinely surprised by how much I learned about Rosalind Franklin while reading this book. The information in this book was varied and interesting and the illustrations perfectly blended with the information making for a truly wonderful reading experience.

Little Wombat’s Easter Suprise by Charles Fuge: This book was beautiful. As an Australian, I love seeing books that represent native wildlife, and to have that while also telling a wonderful Easter story is a double win. This book had a lovely story with a sweet message and utterly beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. I am very happy that I picked this book up and now have it as part of my Easter book collection.

Easter Hunt In The Hundred Acra Wood by Amy Freund: I love Winnie-the-Pooh; well technically I love Eeyore, so as soon as I saw this book I had to have it. I loved everything about this book. The story was wonderful, the illustrations were stunning, and I loved getting to visit The Hundred Acre Wood again. This book is a must-have for all Winnie-the-Pooh fans and a welcomed addition to my growing Easter-themed book collection.

Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story by Sarah L. Thomson: This book was beautiful. With an event like the Black Summer bushfires, it is difficult to find a way to explain to children what happened but this book does that for you by focusing on true stories about animals being awesome. The writing is beautiful and perfect for reading out loud and the illustrations by Charles Santoso perfectly compliment the story being told and an extra layer to this already wonderful book.

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks: I loved this book. I am a fan of Nicholas Sparks novels so I went into this book with high hopes and I am happy to say it not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them. There is no aspect of this book that wasn’t wonderful. The story was equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. The characters were flawed and relatable, and the writing was utterly beautiful. I am so glad that I read this book and I can’t wait to dive into another Nicholas Sparks novel very soon.

My Gallipoli by Ruth Starke: This book was amazing. Filled with true accounts of Gallipoli survivours taken from letters and diary entries. I loved that the stories were taken from different men and women from Gallipoli; not just ANZACs. Fantastic illustrations by Robert Hannaford add an extra layer to this already wonderful book. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. My Gallipoli is a must-read for all Australians.

When The War Is Over by Jackie French: This book was beautiful. It is a poem that follows soldiers at war from WWI through to the War on Terror. The beautiful lyrical prose was utterly breathtaking and made for a truly wonderful reading experience. Breathtaking illustrations by Anne Spudvilas perfectly complimented Jackie French’s stunning writing adding an extra layer to this fantastic book. I am so glad that I have this book in my collection and I truly believe it should be in every Australian Home.

The Longest Night by Gavin Mortimer: This book was fantastic. I love reading about historic events; especially events that took place during WWII, so this book was right up my alley. To be honest I haven’t read a lot about the London Blitz so I learned a lot reading this book. I also loved that this book was human; following different people before, during, and after the Blitz, rather than just a cold presentation of the damage done by the Blitz. I am so glad that I read this book, and if you are looking for a great, factual, emotional read about an important event in history, you should pick this book up.

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That’s it for my March 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 April Wrap Up…

Happy Reading…

~>GEM<~

Gossip Girl Book Tag…

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

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

SERENA VAN DER WOODSEN

THE “IT” BOOK OF FICTION

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

BLAIR WALDORF

A BOOK/CHARACTER YOU LOVE TO HATE

Dolores Umbridge – the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling

CHUCK BASS

A ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF A BOOK

Escape From the Ghetto: The Breathtaking Story of the Jewish Boy Who Ran Away from the Nazis by Sir John Carr

NATE ARCHIBALD

A BOOK COVER EYE CANDY

Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine And Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Cleghorn

DAN HUMPHREY

A BOOK YOU THINK DESERVES MORE LOVE THAN IT GETS

The Long Weekend by Fiona Palmer

JENNY HUMPHREY

A CHARACTER THAT WENT THROUGH THE MOST DRASTIC TRANSFORMATION, FOR BETTER OR WORSE

The Last Woman in the World by Inga Simpson

VANESSA ABRAMS

A BOOK THAT DOESN’T HAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION

The Charleston Scandal by Pamela Hart 

RUFUS & LILY

AN OTP THAT COULD HAVE BEEN

Harry and Hermione – the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling

GEORGINA SPARKS

A VILLAIN WHO’S KILLING IT WITH VILLAINY

Nurse Ratched – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

DOROTA

A FAVORITE SIDEKICK CHARACTER

Kitty – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

LOLA RHODES

A BOOK/CHARACTER YOU WANT TO LIKE MORE THAN YOU ACTUALLY DO

Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love by Elsie Chapman 

PRINCE LOUIS

A PRINCE-CHARMING-TURNED-A-PLUS-JERK CHARACTER

Seven – A Tale of Witchcraft… by Chris Colfer

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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<~

Astrid Lindgren by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

‘Meet Astrid Lindgren, who grew up to become one of the world’s best-loved authors and the creator of the irresistible Pippi Longstocking.

Little Astrid grew up on an old farm in Sweden. Her childhood was very happy, so happy that she never wanted to grow up. When she was four, her friend Edit read Astrid her first story. Suddenly, the entire place was filled with giants, witches, and fairies. They all came out from a magical object called a book. Astrid did her best to learn how to read, and once she started, she couldn’t stop! Soon, there were no books left to borrow from the library and her friends. Learn how Astrid turned her love of books and telling stories into a career as a world-renowned author. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the inspiring writer’s life.’

This book was wonderful.

This wonderful book is from the Little People Big Dreams series and that is why I purchased it. I am embarrassed to admit that I had no idea who Astrid Lindgren was before I picked up this book. As soon as I found out that she is the author of Pippi Longstocking I was very excited to read this book and learn more about Astrid Lindgren.

As a bookworm, getting to learn about the childhood and experiences that led Astrid Lindgren to create such a much-loved character was truly fascinating. I loved seeing the impact that Pippi Longstocking has had on Astrid Lindgren, her family, as well as the wider world.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara has done a fantastic job with this book. The information she included was both varied and entertaining. I was also quite surprised by just how much information she was able to include without the book seeming rushed or overloaded.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara’s wonderful information was perfectly complimented by Linzie Hunter’s amazing illustrations. Not only was this book entertaining to read, but it was also wonderful to look at. I can easily see this book being a favourite for young readers and their families.

Astrid Lindgren by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a must-have for all young bookworms.

Uni Update 23!

It’s that time again…

Uni Update!

This year things are a little different with Uni. For some reason they have changed the trimester dates; the final trimester takes place from November through to February which doesn’t really work for me. So I have opted to take on double the amount of units this trimester and take sester three off instead. If all goes well this trimester I will consider taking double the unit next trimester as well but it is too early to make that call yet.

So far doing double the amount of units hasn’t been an issue but it is still fairly early in the semester. I expect it will become much more difficult as assessment and finals get closer. I have already prepared a study timetable to make sure I get through the work and assessment. Now I just have to try and stick to it so I don’t end up overwhelmed.

As for the actual subject matter of my units; I am enjoying it so far. I am really loving learning more about Australian History in one of my units. I have already learned new so many things; let’s just hope I retain this new information.

Since I am only a few weeks in I don’t really have a lot more to add. So I am just going to leave it here and hope that the next month of Uni brings more good results.

Well, that is all from me today. I will catch you all in my next Uni Update.

Until then…

Happy Reading!

~>GEM<~

Emmeline Pankhurst by Lisbeth Kaiser

‘As a child, Emmeline Pankhurst was inspired by books about heroes who fought for others. She dedicated her life to fighting for women’s voting rights and, with hard work and great bravery, led a remarkable movement that changed the world. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the activist’s life.’

This book was wonderful.

I am embarrassed to say that while I had heard Emmeline Pankhurst’s name before I read this book but I didn’t actually know anything about her. After reading this book I am shocked that I didn’t know this amazing woman’s story but I am now looking forward to learning a whole lot more about her.

This book is another from the fabulous Little People Big Dreams series and I am so glad that I decide to pick this one up. It had everything I have come to expect from a Little People Big Dreams series; amazing information, great writing, and beautiful illustrations.

The way in which Lisbeth Kaiser managed to include so much information from so many different elements of Emmeline Pankhurst’s life was really wonderful. I feel like we got a really well-rounded picture of Emmeline Pankhurst and what led her to achieve the things that she did.

Lisbeth Kaiser’s wonderful information is perfectly complimented by Ana Sanfelippo’s fantastic illustrations. The combinations of words and images make this wonderful little book both entertaining and educational.

I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. I loved every page and I know that I will reread it many times in the future.

If you have a young reader in your life then you should definitely get them a copy of this book.

Emmeline Pankhurst by Lisbeth Kaiser is a must-have for all young readers.

Astrological Book Tag…

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

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS FULL OF FIRE, DESIRE, AND PASSION.

The Millionaire Mountain Climber by Laura Boon

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.

A Week to Remember by Esther Campion

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT FEATURED TWINS.

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco 

NAME A BOOK YOU READ THAT WAS A REAL TEAR-JERKER.

Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT FEATURED COURAGEOUS CHARACTERS.

Little Bird Of Auschwitz by Alina and Jacques Peretti

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS PURE PERFECTION.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD.

Talking With Psychopaths and Savages: Beyond Evil by Christopher Berry-Dee

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS DARK AND MYSTERIOUS.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King 

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS FULL OF ADVENTURE.

Saving You by Charlotte Nash

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT MADE YOU THINK.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS REALLY QUIRKY.

The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

NAME A BOOK YOU’VE READ THAT WAS VERY IMAGINATIVE.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson 

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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<~

Zaha Hadid by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

‘Zaha Hadid grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, surrounded by music. She was a curious and confident child, who designed her own modernist bedroom at nine years old. As a young woman studying at University in Beirut, she was described as the most outstanding pupil the teacher had ever met. With her spectacular vision and belief in the power of architecture, she founded her own firm and designed some of the most outstanding buildings in the world–including the London 2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the architect’s life.’

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I picked up this book because it is from the Little People Big Dreams series which I am currently making my way through, so I will admit right off the bat that I had absolutely no idea who Zaha Hadid was before I read this book.

Now that I have read this book and learned a bit about Zaha Hadid I am disappointed that this was my first time learning about her but I am now excited to find out more about her and her achievements.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara did a wonderful job with this book. She included really interesting information and the way in which she was able to pull so much varied information into a cohesive narrative made for a truly entertaining reading experience.

As this book is for children Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara’s wonder writing was perfectly complimented by Asun Amar’s bold and beautiful illustrations. The combination of writing and illustrations makes this book both informative and visually stimulating.

After reading this book I truly believe Zaha Hadid is someone that all children should learn about and what better way to do so than by introducing them to this wonderful little book.

Zaha Hadid by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a must-have for all young readers.

Pointless Facts 24!

As I am really enjoying compiling Pointless Facts, I am going to stick with my plan of posting a new list every month; at least until it stops being fun for me. So I hope you all enjoy this month’s installment of Pointless Facts.

Let’s jump in, shall we?

To keep from drifting apart, sea otters hold hands while they sleep.

Joseph Stalin used to have people removed from photos after they died or were removed from office.

Most department stores tend to play slower music, in order to slow down customers and keep them shopping longer. The opposite is true for restaurants.

NFL refs also get Super Bowl rings.

You can’t hum while plugging your nose.

In WWII British soldiers had to make do with only three sheets of toilet paper per day.

Oona Chaplin, who played Robb Stark’s wife in Game of Thrones, is Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter.

If Betelgeuse exploded right now, the star’s last light show would brighten our sky for around two months.

The founder of sportswear companies Puma and Adidas were brothers. Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler is the brain behind Puma, while his big bro Adolf “Adi” Dassler gave the world Adidas.

By the time we die, we’ll have spent roughly a year sitting on the toilet.

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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<~

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks

‘What if the person you needed most, turned up when you least expected them?

Maggie hasn’t told this story in years. More than two decades ago, she fell in love. She was sixteen and far from home, waiting to give her baby up for adoption. Bryce showed Maggie how to take photographs and he didn’t judge her for the way her belly swelled under her jumper. They had the perfect first kiss. Theirs was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.

Now, as Maggie sits by the Christmas tree in her gallery telling her story, surrounded by the photographs that made her famous – the photographs Bryce never saw – her new gallery assistant asks her a question. If she had one wish, what would she wish for this Christmas?

Maggie always thought she knew the answer to that question. But before she can say ‘I’d go back to that winter with Bryce’, she stops herself. It is all she has ever wanted but suddenly here, on this dark night under the twinkling stars, there is something else she wants. She wants to find her baby.’

This book was utterly beautiful.

As a fan of Nicholas Sparks, I went into this book with high hopes. I am happy to say that this book not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them.

I loved the emotional punch that Nicholas Sparks’ novels have and this one was no different. I laughed and I cried in equal measure, and I was captivated by this story from the very first page. I adored the way the story was so real and the way in which the characters reacted to different circumstances were completely relatable.

As for the characters they were both flawed and utterly human. Each character had their own distinct personality which made all of their inclusions and interactions in the story necessary for both character growth and story progression.

Nicholas Sparks has done a beautiful job with this book. Adding to the wonderful story and amazing characters was his stunning writing. There is a reason that Nicholas Sparks novels get adapted; his writing has both a lyrical and cinematic quality to it that draws you into the story and keeps you hooked until the very last page.

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story that needs to be read.

St Patrick’s Day Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in the St Patrick’s Day Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

FAVORITE GREEN-COLORED BOOK

Dare to be Different: Inspirational Words from People Who Changed the World by Ben Brooks

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE: 

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HUNGRY

Hungry Hearts by Elsie Chapman

FOUR-LEAF CLOVER: 

A BOOK OR ITEM THAT WAS A RARE, GOOD-LUCK FIND

Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare. I got this collection for $5 at a market.

IRISH WHISKEY: 

A BOOK SO BAD THAT YOU WOULD NEED A DRINK TO GET OVER IT

My Daughter’s Wedding by Gretel Killeen

IRISH DANCING: 

A BOOK SO GOOD, IT MADE YOU WANT TO DANCE IN EXCITEMENT?

Wishyouwas by Alexandra Page

IRELAND: 

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU TRAVEL TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY?

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson 

THE PUB: 

A MEETING PLACE IN A BOOK YOU’D LOVE TO GO TO.

Shakespeare and Company – The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher

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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<~