The Scorch Trials - James Dashner

And now I begin the second book in The Maze Runner series! Woot! I do recommend having the whole set on hand with these books. I would literally go insane if I had to wait for any length of time before I could begin reading the next one.

WORD OF WARNING! - Since I am beginning this book, the blurb will be posted below. It may be a good idea not to read the blurb if you haven't read The Maze Runner. It contains a few spoilers about how the last one ended :)

'Solving the Maze was supposed to be 

the end. No more puzzles. And no more

running. Thomas was sure that escaping

meant he would get his life back. But no

one knew what sort of life they were going

back to... 

Burned and baked, the earth is a wasteland, 

its' people driven mad by an infection known

as the Flare. 

Instead of freedom, Thomas must face

another trial. He must cross the Scorch to 

once again save himself and his friends...' 

I am legitimately excited about this!! The first book was constant and intense I couldn't stop reading. Hopefully this one gets straight into it like it did with The Maze Runner :)  

The Maze Runner - James Dashner - Completed

Well. That wasn't what I was expecting honestly. Throughout the whole book, I was unable to accurately guess what would happen in the end - this is a good thing. There are a lot of predictable books out there! This, is not one of them.
These books have been compared to the likes of The Hunger Games and the Divergent series. I can see why. It involves teens, Blood. Death. Bravery. Fear. The Government. Uncertainty. Confusion. There's also a pretty bad ass girl in each of them! So I can see this comparison. However, the story itself is quite different. I think the Government still has a bit to do with it (who else could have that kind of control), and it's still survival of the fittest - however, it seems slightly more apocalyptic almost. There is also the added factor that the teens involved actually have no idea why they're there, what they're doing, who they are, or who has done this to them, or why. So basically. Nothing is known. However, things are revealed throughout the book at a very good pace. It kept me reading, wanting to know more, but it also wasn't frustrating in the way that I was constantly learning new things and trying to figure it out myself alongside the characters. Putting puzzles together.
The writing is also different by Dashner. I would say Collins (author of The Hunger Games) wrote in a much more straightforward way - the concepts were simplified and the language was uncomplicated. In The Maze Runner however, the theories are a bit more complex, and so is the language. Being 19, I did like that about this book. It was by no means challenging, but I did appreciate the complexity of the novel.
I also find it thoroughly amusing that his name is Dashner.... DASHner. Haha, it's a book about running! ... I am easily amused. Don't judge me.
I would give this one a firm 4/5 - I really liked it. I was close to giving it 5, but I must admit, the ending (the big reveal about who put them in the maze and why) was almost disappointing. I am hoping more is explained in this next one that I shall begin momentarily :)

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

Finally! I have been wanting these books for such a long time! I just bought the box set of them yesterday and I am ridiculously excited to begin reading them - In fact, I have actually begun the first one, The Maze Runner, this morning.
I wanted to read these because The Maze Runner movie comes out this year, in just a couple of months in fact, which I am definitely going to go see (and not only because Dylan O'Brien is in it - although that has a lot to do with my initial interest ;))

'When the doors of the lift crank open, the 

only thing Thomas can remember is 

his first name. But he's not alone. He's

surrounded by boys who welcome him to the 

Glade, an encampment at the centre of a 

bizarre and terrible maze. 

Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why 

or how they came to be there, or what's

happened to the word outside. All they know

is that every morning when the walls slide

back, they will risk everything to find out.'

It says on the front cover that this is a 'must for fans of The Hunger Games'. Which I definitely am. I am actually really happy that the dynamic of teen books has changed from the vampires and love triangles. It's less romanticized and more about kids our age, and young adults, being brave and independent and surviving. A lot of them have such strong female leads too which is lovely and refreshing :) 

The Maze Runner has been given some great reviews and I'm looking forward to venturing into the maze!!  

No Place Like Oz (Dorothy Must Die 0.5) - Danielle Paige - Complete

Well. That actually clears up a few things from Dorothy Must Die. This was a short book - which is good. It just gave me some background knowledge into how Oz became how it is represented in Dorothy Must Die. I think this is a good read for anyone reading the Dorothy Must Die series. It is only available in digital form, but I got it from iBooks for 3$, and it's very much worth that much pocket change.
There is actually another prequel coming out November of this year, which I am excited for. It's named, The Witch Must Burn. Again, I do believe it's only available in digital form, but hopefully it will quench my thirst of this twisted tale until March next year when The Wicked Will Rise comes out (the second in the Dorothy Must Die series).
Something I love about these books is the cover art. I know the golden rule is one 'must not judge a book by its cover', but come on, if that rule were supposed to be followed, books would have plain brown paper covers. The front covers of these books are just so beautiful and imaginative. It really gives one a picture of what the books are about.
Anyway, I would give this one a 3/5. I liked it. I would recommend it to anyone reading this main series, it's very interesting to see the background story of how Oz came to be. I love this concept a lot. And I am sure I will enjoy reading the rest of the main and prequel series :)

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne - Complete

I have been listening to this book for the last couple of weeks and I honestly couldn't tell you whether I liked it or not. I think I would have to read it again. There are a couple reasons for this - One being that I continued to fall asleep super quickly so the timer set for fifteen minutes lead to me missing ten minutes of the book every time :P Second, the audio version I got wasn't that great and it seemed like chapters were skipped and repeated. It even said 'end of novel' when there was supposedly 7 chapters left :S Third, I didn't really get into the book itself. It's one that I would probably like to give another shot at one point, but I'm not rushing to the store to pick up a copy. But it's a classic I wanted to get off my to-read list!
I would give it 2.5/5 for what I heard of it.

No Place Like Oz - Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die 0.5)

The next Dorothy Must Die won't be out until next year, so I thought to get my fix of this twisted world, I would read the prequel! There is also another book coming out this year in the series, The Witch Must Burn, which is 1.5 in the series.
I was very intrigued with this series because I love the Wizard of Oz story, and I love it when someone takes a story like that and twists it into something creepy and weird. Plus, the cover was completely awesome and caught my eye.
I do believe this prequel is from the perspective and focus of Dorothy herself - her story of how she got back to Oz after leaving to go back to Kansas. It may give a little bit of insight into the character of Dorothy and I am excited to see how the writing style of Paige transforms throughout the series and development of the characters.

'After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale has realised that the dreary 

fields of Kansas don't compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz. And 

although she's happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, she misses her friends

from the yellow brick road. But most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and 

the adventure. In Kansas she's just another Prairie girl, but in Oz she was 

a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back, because there

really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a 

price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.' 

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige - Complete

I did quite enjoy this book. I find twisted familiar stories entertaining most of the time. I like it when an author takes something like The Wizard of Oz and manipulates it into something completely different, however, still keeping some of the infamous familiarities we know and love from the original.
This book has some annoyances, however, I do think a lot of which can be blamed on the inexperience of the writer. I do believe this is her first  book, if I am not mistaken. Usually when an author writes a series like this, one can see the improvements in the writing and character and plot development as the series progresses. So I am excited to see where the book goes from here.
I did really like it. I found some phrases repetitive; Amy said 'I don't even know who you are, why would I help you?' Or the like several times. There was also a weird twist in the end which was both confusing and made the previous over half of the book seem almost irrelevant - as the whole mission and her alliances change.
However, the writer kept me interested, and I will be purchasing and reading the following books in the series to see what happens! I definitely found the creepy, twisted characters and events pretty awesome and intriguing, refreshing and exciting.
I gave this one 4/5
I am going to begin reading the prequel, because I think that's the only other one out at the moment in this series. I will have to wait a while for the others!

Peter Pan - J.M. Barrie - Complete

Finally, I can say that I have read the infamous Peter Pan! I have always loved this story. However, I did first know the story through movies. I absolutely loved the different movies and shows that came from this story and so I thought it was very similar.
There are many similarities, the movie from 2003 has many of the same lines even. However, there were some very distinct differences that I actually didn't like.
The movie has a bit of romance in it, as in Peter actually fell in love with Wendy, but in the book that doesn't seem so, even though they kiss a few times - he actually just secretly wants a mother, someone to look after him, which with the kisses just seems a little weird. Also, Wendy's mother allows her to go back to Neverland once a year to help him with Spring Cleaning...? However, he forgets for many years in a row and when he comes back she's old with a daughter. Who then goes with him every year for Spring cleaning, and then her daughter, her daughter and so on.
I mean, I guess that's nice in a way. I just feel like the movie almost ended in a happier fashion. And he forgets much more in the book - I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps it is because sometimes even his thoughts are "growing up" and so when he gets back to Neverland, they are forgotten.
I did like it. I think I will still read it to my kids. However, I will make sure they also watch the movie, and Hook - which I actually think is a really good sequel to the story of Peter Pan :)
3/5

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery - Complete

I enjoy listening to books as I fall asleep! For one, it helps me doze off, and secondly, it's actually a really good way to get those classics I feel like I should have read by now out of the way!
Anne of Green Gables is one those. Almost everybody has read them and I have heard about them ever since I could remember. So now I can finally say I have read it! - Well, listened to it at least.
I liked it actually, I found it to be quite funny, funnier than I expected it to be. Anne is such an annoying yet lovable child. And I found it quite amusing how much she hated being a red head - which is even more amusing because so many red heads that I have met love her because she was a red head and apparently a good role model for young red heads.
I found her constant talking and hilarious remarks very amusing and can completely imagine a small intelligent girl saying them.
Honestly though, I don't remember the ending of the story. I remember the beginning and some of the middle. I either was too tired to take it in, or it just simply hasn't stuck. I did enjoy it though. I think it's a good one to read to the kids.
3/5 stars

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige

I saw this and just couldn't bring myself to leave it on the shelf unbought. I am a fan of all things Wizard of Oz and am an even bigger fan of classic stories being twisted and changed into something I never would have thought possible. Aside from the cover being beautiful, the blurb also caught my eye as something right down my twisting ally!!

'I didn't ask for any of this. 

I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. 

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado - taking you with it - 

you have no choice but to go along, you know? 

Sure, I've read the books, I've seen the movies. But I never expected Oz to look

like this. A place where Good Witches can't be trusted and Wicked Witches may just 

be the good guys. A place where even the yellow brick road is crumbling. 

What happened? Dorothy. 

My name is Amy Gumm - and I'm the other girl from Kansas. 

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, 

and I've been given a mission: 

REMOVE

The Tin Woodman's Heart

STEAL

The Scarecrow's Brain

TAKE

The Lion's Courage

And Then - 

DOROTHY MUST DIE.' 

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

Ah! I have wanted to read this book for so long! But I have had such a tremendous pile of books to get through! This is one of my favourite movies ever, so I do hope the book is just as good if not better :)

"Money is a needful and precious thing - and, when well used, a

noble thing - but I never want you to think it is the first or only

prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were

happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, 

without self-respect and peace." 

'Christmas seems to offer few joys to the four daughters of the 

March household. With their army chaplain father away at the

Civil War, times are hard for Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, and for

Marmee, the self-sacrificing matriarch of the New England family. 

A letter from their absent father exhorts the girls to work hard

and be dutiful, so that "I may be fonder and prouder than ever

of my little women." Jo, a coltish aspiring writer, rises to meet

that expectation, as do pretty, vain Meg; affected, selfish Amy; and 

shy, sweet-natured Beth. The road to maturity is full of simple

pleasures, and womanhood brings romance, but the family also 

has to face many trials and crises along the way. 

Louisa May Alcott drew heavily on her own experience for this

powerful domestic drama and moving coming-of-age story, whose

homespun charm and core family values made it a cultural landmark

in America, and enduringly popular in all corners of the globe.'

Song of the Nightingale - Helen Berhane - Comlpete

My friend lent me this book. It's very short and I got through it in just a day - but man. I had no idea so much emotion could be felt with so few pages. Stories of suffering due to one's faith are usually heart-wrenching. Especially when I carry the same faith. I like to think I would be this strong if I ever found myself in that situation. Helen, is one outstanding woman in faith. Her love for God and her intense connection with Him, is something I will always aspire to and hope to achieve one day.

'A true story about faith and persecution in Eritrea. The story of Helen Berhane, held captive for over two years in appalling conditions in her native Eritrea. Her crime? Sharing her faith in Jesus, and refusing, even though horrendously tortured, to deny him.'

I gave this one 4/5. I do recommend this to anyone who is feeling like they need something like this ... Sometimes, we all need to hear about the strength of someone else's faith to see that it's possible for us to also be that strong. 

Looking for Alaska - John Green - Complete

Well. That was interesting.
I have heard some much hype about this book - how amazing it is, comparing it to the likes of The Fault in Our Stars with its emotional wrenching story.
Personally, it didn't really do that for me. I found it, eh. I didn't like Alaska. I found her flirtatiousness and bipolar moodiness annoying and ridiculous. Miles was a little annoying too. Chip was funny. There was WAY too much sex things in this book for me though. Personally, I don't really want to read about what porn they're watching, or someone getting a blow job. That's just not something I am interested in in the least.
I wasn't entirely sure where the story was heading, even after it ended. SPOILER ALERT - she died like halfway through the book. They weren't even together - she had a boyfriend, he had a girlfriend, and yet the night that she died they were making out and he said that he loved her. The rest of the book was just the friends trying to figure out whether or not she died accidentally or by suicide.
There were some good parts in this though. I really love the questions asked about how to escape the labyrinth of suffering - this concept was very intriguing. I liked the fact that Miles was obsessed with peoples' last words; this is awesome. Not only do I learn the things that some seriously famous people said before they died, but, I liked the idea of having last words and knowing who someone is, even just a little, through what they say just before they die.
I would give this one 2.5/5 - which isn't super high I know. But I didn't like it so much, but it was slightly better than OK. I like some of the concepts. But I didn't like the almost tunnel vision on the sex and grossness of teenagers.

Looking for Alaska - John Green

I have wanted to read this book for quite some time. And now I have heard the exciting news that it is also being made into a movie! I've heard it's extremely sad, but John Green seems to be incredibly gifted in the way of making one OK with sadness and things not working out the way one expected them to. Happy endings don't always happen. And I do love how John Green acknowledges this truth, but writes about it in a way where one is sad and yet, satisfied with what has just happened.

"If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane." 

'Miles Halter's whole life has been one big non-event, until 

he meets Alaska Young. 

Gorgeous, clever and undoubtedly steals his heart. 

For Miles, nothing can ever be the same again.'

Allegiant - Veronica Roth - Complete

Well. I must admit. At the end of this, I felt slightly betrayed. Although, at the same time I did admire Veronica for being such a brave author.
This book was even more packed with lies, secrets, action, love, politics, serums and death.
I enjoyed reading it. I was glued to the words. Especially toward the end. But at the same time. I couldn't decide whether I liked the ending or not. I didn't. But at the same time, everything was written so well and everything worked out how it should have I guess.
Still disappointing. But she's very brave.
I found the whole series a refreshing and much needed change in the literature world. All these love triangles and vampires were getting a little repetitive.
I would still give it 4/5 despite the ending. And I would still say it was the best one out of the three :)

Allegiant - Veronica Roth

SHE MUST MAKE HER FINAL CHOICE... *and que dramatic music* 

'The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is

shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred

by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world

past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence

she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from

complicated lies, tangled loyalties and painful memories. 

But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left

behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. 

Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. 

And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities

of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible

choice about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love'. 

This girl just cannot catch a break! Haha. Since the book began, Tris has been fighting, literally - physically, emotionally and mentally. And she's been beat up more times than I can count! 

This book, interestingly, is in the perspective of both Tris and Tobias - which is a change that I welcome and enjoy! It's alternates every chapter or so. I like it when writers do this sometimes. It's refreshing and interesting for us readers. 

Allegiant, again, contains yet more war, more lies, more secrets, more complications - but things are also getting resolved. Questions are being answered and the past is communicated to make this present make sense (well, as much sense as a world of factions in which an individual chooses what personality trait they want to have the most and leave everything else behind can make). 

This whole series is very refreshing, though, for a number of reasons. The main reason being the lack of a love triangle. I love that this isn't all about the love and complications of relationships. There is some romance in it - but not so much that the kick-butt protagonist female seems at all boy-obsessed or weak in her emotions. She knows what she wants and she's going to get it. 

This book is also great for "real" characters. I love it when adults write about teenagers who actually have personalities. It's so refreshing. That generic crap gets old so quickly. In these books, each character has a unique and realistic personality that is consistent throughout each book. Their movements, the way they speak, what they say, how they act in particular situations has remains constant throughout each book, and I love that. Of course there is still character development - but not so much that it's completely unrealistic. They still have their flaws. 

Anyway. I have yet to finish this last book. I am over halfway through however, so I feel that justifies so much chatter before it's finished :D 

Insurgent - Veronica Roth - Complete

I finished this yesterday and got straight into the third one - which was not the best plan for writing a summary about the second one.. Allegiant has somewhat clouded my judgement of what happened in Insurgent. I have had no internet for a few days and so wasn't able to write it pretty soon after I read it like I usually am - and am already over halfway through the third one.
I can say though, that the plot really thickens in Insurgent. There are more lies, more secrets, more death, more war, more destruction, more knowledge - things start coming together. Questions have been answered, for both the reader and the characters in the book.
This book doesn't really conclude in any way, so I would recommend having the next one ready and waiting for when you complete Insurgent :) Veronica seems to be a pro at forcing someone to get freakishly involved in what's happening. My heart even races - which is just weird.
I cannot wait to see how all these complications resolve themselves in this last book!
4/5 for this one also :) (sorry this review isn't so detailed, but as I said before. I started reading the next one before I was able to form a viable opinion and put my thoughts down on this one - my bad).

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

FIGHTING

FOR SURVIVAL IN A
SHATTERED WORLD...

THE TRUTH

IS HER

ONLY HOPE.

Yes! Let us begin. I cannot wait to see how this turns out! It really left it on a cliff hanger there really. Almost nothing is resolved - and there was so much death. I would like to see how everyone copes with what has happened thus far, and what will happen as a result!

'I HAVE DONE BAD THINGS

I CAN'T TAKE THEM BACK, 

AND THEY ARE PART OF WHO I AM. 

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home

and family. But she has paid a terrible price. 

Wrecked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more

reckless as she struggles to accept her new future. 

Yet it Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, 

she must be stronger than ever ... because

more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.' 

She just can't catch a break can she!? 

Divergent - Veronica Roth - Complete

I rather enjoyed reading this one - it took me a few chapters to really get into it on an addicted level - but once I did, I didn't really stop reading it. I am even more excited to watch the movie now and see how it was interpreted into a motion picture. 

I liked the characters. I thought they were simple (as in, simple personalities, characteristics etc), but still realistic and engaging. I think with all the things that happen though, it would have made more sense if Tris was a little older. She's 16 in the book. I think even if she was 17 or 18, it would have been better. 

I must admit, being a Divergent doesn't seem as special as I thought it was supposed to be - in the way that by the end of the book, there were actually several who were 'Divergent'. 

But still an awesome concept. It does remind me slightly of the Hunger Games - with the different Factions, created to maintain peace amongst a broken world. The politics and thirst for power is also very similar. But still not similar enough to actually compare it to the Hunger Games in any way really. 

I am looking forward to beginning Insurgent! 

I would give this one 4/5 - I really enjoyed it :) 

(For those who don't know the STARS: 1= Did not like it, 2= It was OK, 3= Liked it, 4= Really liked it, 5= It was amazing!) 

Divergent - Veronica Roth

Finally I am getting around to reading this one!
There has been so much hype about these books and the movie that was released earlier this year. My mother has already read the series and she really enjoyed it.
I am excited to read these ones, I wonder if they're anything like The Hunger Games..?
It's an extremely interesting and intriguing story this one!

'In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.' 

Well that is one mighty big blurb! Let's do this. 

The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare - Complete

Wow. Now that was an intense book. Cassandra stepped it up again! This book was so much more gross, action-packed, romantic, hilarious and I really liked the way things were wrapped up for the most part.
I thought the adventure had by the characters I have come to know and love, was incredible and fierce. I love how people I have known since the Infernal Devices were in this book, and even their stories were resolved. Everyone was just kind of wrapped up, and I love that.
Well, almost everyone. There are some young Shadowhunters that definitely have a story! And some Fair Folk who have some serious disdain for what the Clave and Shadowhunters in general have done to them after the War.
This next series is called, The Dark Artifacts. Apparently, Cassandra thought it was time to get me addicted and fall completely in love with a whole new set of characters - these ones still come from the family line we know and love! I just admire how everything in Cassandra's world so seamlessly intertwines and makes perfect sense. She's just thought of every little detail of these books.
This book was very well written and I barely put the book down. The chapters are long, and the book is 733 pages. But I enjoyed every single word of it. This is just one of my most favourite series ever. And definitely some of my favourite book characters ever. She has a way with creating these fictional people that you would give anything for them to exist in reality and that we would love to be friends with.
Thank you for another amazing adventure! Even if it is seemingly the last for Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle and Simon, I hope there are more Shadowhunter experiences for me to enjoy! - Who knows, maybe they'll pop up again :D
5/5

The Swiss Family Robinson - Johann David Wyss - Complete (kind of)

OK. Truth be told. I didn't actually "finish" this book. Which goes against all book-worm rules. Usually I cannot help but finish a book, even if I'm confused or not enjoying it immensely. However. This book, this book is an exception to the rule. And I am so OK with that. I've heard such good things about stories like this, and I think I enjoyed the movie when I was younger. But this book, was honestly ridiculous.
There were too many things that bothered me about this book. For one it is repetitive. Secondly it is repetitive. Every single day is the same in these people's lives. I got 11 chapters in, and nothing had actually happened. Something else that I didn't like, at all, was the fact that they just kill things for no good reason. They do not kill these animals for survival, they over-indulge themselves at every turn. If I was trapped on an island, I would be invading their space, I wouldn't be killing them all - for goodness sake, especially not a flock of flamingoes!! They kill anything that moves for no good reason. I was losing interest by the time they had shot a shark thrice in the head, a tiger, a flamingo and injured another, some other birds.. The list goes on!
Maybe it's because I am an animal person, but seriously, no one needs to kill that many animals. Plus. They have chickens. They could survive on that without killing the beautiful, wild, endangered ones purely for enjoyment and then figuring out what they could use it for afterwards.
1/5. Didn't like this one unfortunately. I'll stick with the movie where they live in an awesome tree house thank you.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare

OH MY GOSH! I AM SO EXCITED!
I feel like I have been waiting for this book for years! (It has been about 10 months of waiting!) And it's finally here!!
This is my favourite series ever so far. I just absolutely adore all the characters. Never have I ever been so obsessed with people who do not exist anywhere but on the page and in my mind! (Well, and now on the screen I suppose with the movie coming out and all).
This book is humongous! It's almost intimidating :P Very beautiful cover once again. I cannot wait to see how this whole things ends! It's been one intense, beautiful, hilarious, romantic, action-packed journey, and now it is ending with this sixth book!

'Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning

Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. When one of the greatest

betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, 

Isabelle, Simon and Alec mu st flee - even if their journey takes them

deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot 

before, and from which no human being has ever returned. Love

will be sacrificed and lives lost in the thrilling and long-awaited final

instalment of the bestselling and acclaimed Mortal Instruments.'

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain - Complete

I have been listening to Tom Sawyer as I have been going to sleep, around ten minutes a night. It wasn't a book that one had to read/hear every single word because it was just a bunch of exciting adventures of a boy named Tom and some of his friends. So it was a good one to fall asleep to.
What I heard, I rather liked. I think this is also one I would love to read to my kids when they exist. I found a lot of it quite funny too! Tom is a very mischievous fellow, and I very much enjoyed his adventures. The ending was interesting. It almost didn't end at all. Which I suppose was very much the point of the author. He said that one can always end a book about a man at marriage, but one doesn't know when to end a book about a boy.  I kind of like that actually. It implies that the boy (or child) in us never really goes away and Tom's boyish adventures may never actually end.
3/5 :)

Mary Poppins - P.L Travers - complete

Sometimes it's hard when something has been made into a movie. Depending on which one you grew up with, the other can never really reach the standard you expect it to. 

The book was good, and I imagine I would love to read it to my children. It had an Alice in Wonderland-like quality to its writing. Simple. Very creative. And you find yourself unable to decipher whether it is real or simply a dream or whether it is both real and imaginative. 

And honestly, I still find it hard to imagine Mary Poppins not being a musical :P I fell in love with the characters in the movie, Bert, Mary Poppins, the children. But in the book, this didn't happen. I wasn't attached in any way to the people it was about. Bert was barely even in it! 

All in all though, I did like it, and I would very much like to read it to my kids when I have them. 

3/5

Mary Poppins - P.L. Travers

Winds in the East
There's a Mist Coming In
Like Something is Brewing and
About to Begin...

Mary Poppins! One of my all-time favourites :) I saw this adorable pink and white striped book and couldn't resist! Especially after seeing Saving Mr Banks, I really wanted to read this book.

'When Jane and Michael Blanks draw up an advertisement for a nanny, Mary Poppins arrives on a gust of the East Wind and slides up the banister, changing their lives forever. Mary Poppins is a most efficient and lovable character - strict but fair, full of surprise and, in spite of her airs and graces, a true fairy-tale creature with universal appeal. 

Soon the Banks children are whisked off on the most exciting journeys they have ever had. But Mary Poppins has only promised to stay until the wind changes ... ' 

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green - Complete

Um. Well. I am a fan of the incredible John Green. But honestly, this book was mostly a disappointment. It was evident that the book itself was written by an extremely well-educated novelist and I thought it was well structured. And I also really liked reading the facts, I actually learned some things :)
However, I found the characters 100% annoying and because it was written for teenagers, I found some things extremely inappropriate and almost offensive. It seems John Green likes to portray teenagers as being persons who swear constantly and talk about sex a lot. He took to using the word 'fug' A LOT, which got frustrating quickly.
Some of it was interesting, some of it was sweet, most of it was annoying. I like how it ended, and it was even amusing and funny in parts.
I would give it 2.5/5 - It was an alright book. I enjoyed parts of it. Not my favourite John Green novel so far. (Granted, I have only read two, and I'm sure not many would compare to The Fault in Our Stars, but still).

Beautiful Redemption - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - Complete

Beautiful Redemption was written very differently to the other three books. I enjoyed reading a little from Lena's perspective. There were also chapters, rather than dates (which made sense with the position of the characters in the book). 

I thought the journey of the Beautiful Creatures as a whole was fantastic and beautiful. I loved reading every single book, and imagining the beautiful scenes that were described. I thought the specific adventure in Beautiful Redemption was long and incredibly interesting. New characters were introduced! And the book itself was much darker. These books progressively became more dark and creepy which was kind of fantastic :) 

I really loved this series, and the ending to said series. I believe it ended very well :) 

5/5

Beautiful Redemption - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

So excited to begin this next book! This series has really gotten me to invest some serious time and emotional commitment into the story and characters.

'Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin. 

But her never dreamt that finding love with Lena

Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster

girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a

secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful 

it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice. 

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - 

as she vows to do whatever it

takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting

old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives... 

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and

their spellbinding love story in this stunning

finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?' 

I can't believe this is the last one! I honestly cannot wait to see what happens with these characters and their story. 

Beautiful Chaos - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - Complete

Woah. OK. Now that really did get exciting there at the end. This one was so much more exciting and creepy and shocking than the last book! I am so glad I have the next one so I can go ahead and start reading to know what happens.
It ended with such an incredibly emotional cliffhanger. This series is really quite up there in the ranks in terms of quality of writing. I didn't want to put it down. And I didn't. I just kept reading until I was finished. You know it's a good book when you're so captured by the words you don't even know it's been five hours of consistent reading. I haven't even eaten yet!
Loved it. 5/5.

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

I am a fan of John Green. Honestly, I was a fan before I even read any of his books. Now I have made it my goal to read them all! I have recently read The Fault in Our Stars, which was just beautiful - and I know he has written some along those same lines; beautiful, romantic, sad. But I think this one is more along the lines of amusing, ridiculous and clever.

'19 Katherines and counting... 

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type is girls names Katherine. And when it comes to girls names Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times to be exact. 

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a blood-thirsty hog on his trail, and an overweight Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun - but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl.' 

Definitely does sound thoroughly amusing. I find John Greens work very funny, witty, clever, beautiful and meaningful all at the same time. He is a very talented writer. I shall see how this one lives up to my expectation :) 

Beautiful Chaos - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Yay! Beginning the next one :) Only two left, and I cannot wait to see how everything turns out! I am loving these books immensely.

'Ethan Wate is in love with a Caster girl.  

When he looks at Lena, it's like there's no one else in the world. 

But Ethan is mortal, and on her seventeenth birthday Lena made a choice that changed everything. The girl Ethan loves has broken the world with the supernatural powers she is struggling to control. . . 

Now, if they are to fix the chaos Lena has caused, one of them must make a terrible sacrifice. Sometimes there isn't just one answer. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.' 

Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (complete)

Well. That was awesome. I am really enjoying this series (and so is my mum!) They are so intriguing and there are twists and turns at such unexpected moments. This book ended so well, such a cliffhanger. I cannot imagine what it would have been like for those reading them as they came out - I would hate to have had to wait for the outcome for several months!
I continue to grow attached to these characters and as the books go on, we really get to know who these people are and their importance in the story. I love the depth that these authors have gone to. The history and everything is so well thought out.
I cannot wait to begin the next one!
5/5 for this book also :)

Compared to Her - Sophie de Witt (complete)

I quite enjoyed this short little book. I have been reading a chapter a day with my normal Bible reading and devotionals in the morning and I liked it. This book is essentially about breaking down the way in which we compare ourselves to others, why we do it and how to stop it.
I think everyone has an issue with comparing themselves to others. Especially females. This book isn't a cure by any means - I don't think there will ever be one. But it talks about what God and the Bible say about comparing yourself to others - whether it's through pride and vanity as you see yourself above others, or through envy and despair looking up at others and yourself as a little nobody.
I found this book quite insightful. Not only do we compare ourselves with others based on our (and their) status, circumstance, appearance (my biggest one), but also with our spirituality and faith (for Christians).
I did learn a lot from this book, and I recommend giving it a read if you're a Christian struggling with CCS (compulsive comparison syndrome) - which, who isn't!? Even if you're not a Christian this will probably be worth a read as you will discover just how valuable you truly are! .. Much more than this world without God would have you to believe!
4/5

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green (complete)

I knew it wouldn't be long before I finished this one! I have literally read this in two sittings (I did eventually have to allow myself sleep).
He captures the beauty of teenager-ness so accurately and the confusion and excitement of one's first real love and how a teenager handles the effects of a disease such as cancer is boldly represented.
This book is sad. But I think everyone knows it's going to be when it's about cancer. But it is so impeccably written, that you're OK with that in the end.
There are so many thought-provoking ideas in this book and fantastic phrases that I just loved. The humour and wit is outstanding, the characters realistic and lovable, the story beautiful and painful.
I enjoyed this and I am definitely going to pick up some more John Green books to see how I fancy them.
5/5 for this one.

28/6/14 - UPDATE
I went and saw the movie last night! I love how they stayed really close to the book, the dialogue was almost exact in most places, and was in the most important places. I loved it. I laughed, I cried, I cried from laughing, I smiled like a dork, and I contorted my face into one of mystification and misery. It was all enjoyed. The actors were so well chosen and perfect. It was emotionally wrenching. If you have yet to see this, do it. You won't regret it. Also, I would recommend reading the book first. I feel like it's one where it matters a little more :)

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

This book has gotten so much hype and I wanted to read it before the movie comes out in a month or two. Already, I love this book and how John Green writes. Augustus and Hazel's conversations are fantastic! So witty and intelligent, and I have laughed aloud many times.
It is an easy read and also extremely addictive.

'Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.' 

I've heard so many good things about this book. I'm scared of the ending at the moment honestly because it is yet to be spoiled for me :P

I will have this one finished quite quickly I assume. I haven't been able to put it down yet :) 

Eva Trout - Elizabeth Bowen (complete)

Well, that was unexpected. Seriously, one of the most shocking endings to a book I have ever read.
This book was full of social awkwardness, hilarity, weirdness, unresolved quarrels, strange happenings, messed up relationships and some unexpected events and mysteries throughout.
Sometimes I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was unable to discontinue reading. However, at other points I was chronically confused and the whole thing seemed completely pointless.
However, by the end, I have to say that it really was a very well-written book and it contained quite a lot of very interesting, thought-provoking and wise comments and ideas.
I gave this 3/5 because even though I didn't enjoy it the whole time, that ending was brilliant. I mean, sad and frustrating, but still. When one doesn't see that happening even a little bit, it's a good ending! And still very well written with a lot of enjoyed moments. Hard to read at times, so if you struggle with reading older styled books and language, I wouldn't recommend this one.

Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

I am jumping straight into the next one! The last book was so extraordinarily good that I couldn't wait to start the next one! Luckily, I owned it :P My mother is reading the same series at the moment and she loves them - so this isn't only for teenagers!

'One night in the rain, Ethan Wate

opened his eyes and fell in love

with Lena Duchannes. 

His life would never be the same. 

Lena is a Caster and her family is locked in a supernatural civil war. On her sixteenth birthday Lena made a terrifying choice, which now haunts her day and night. 

And as her seventeenth birthday approaches Lena and Ethan face even greater danger. A Caster and a Mortal can never truly be together. 

Every kiss is a curse. 

Ethan's next heartbeat could be his last.

It is their curse now... ' 

Oooo!

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (complete)

OK. This book was seriously FANTASTIC! Especially toward the end there. My heart was racing! I have definitely fallen in love with these weird and whacky characters and I think Lena and Ethan's relationship is really quite adorable. They captured this adorableness in the movie, but nothing else really. Most of the contents in the book wasn't in the movie at all - it was almost as though it was just a completely different story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am SO EXCITED to read the next one! Beautiful Darkness is next. I do believe there is a 2.5 "filler" book before Beautiful Chaos and then Beautiful Redemption. I found it extremely difficult to put this book down. It was so enticing and just awesome really. I really liked the way it was written in the male protagonist's point of view also - I thought that was extremely interesting and a unique perspective.
5/5 for this lovely novel. I hope the others continue on with this high level of writing!!

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I am very excited to begin this book. I have heard that it is fantastic! I have seen the movie, but apparently those who were fans of the book didn't like the movie at all because they changed too much - and they didn't make any more movies, so I suppose it didn't do too well :P

'In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest secrets...

There was a girl. Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head... green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes. 

There is a curse. On the Sixteenth Moon, of the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take away what it's been promised. And no one can stop it. 

In the end, there is a grave. 

Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and, on her sixteenth birthday, he fate will be decided. Ethan never even saw it coming.'

This book, interestingly for a love story, is written in the male protagonist's point of view. And instead of chapters, there are dates. So far, it has already been an addictive read that I don't want to stop reading. I already love the characters and it's already SO different from the movie it's insane. I imagine I will like this book immensely :) 

Eva Trout - Elizabeth Bowen

One of my Vintage Classics collection :)

'Imposing, rich, unloved and with a genius for unreality; Eva Trout has a 'capacity for making trouble, attracting trouble, stewing trouble around her' that is endless. Eva Trout was Elizabeth Bowen's last completed novel, and in it her elegant style, her gift for social comedy and her intense sensibility combine to create one of her most formidable - and moving - heroines.' 

If that blurb doesn't give you enough reason to pick up this book and give it a go, I don't know what will! It promises to be quite a joy to read. 

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (complete)

OK. I would go as far to say that this, The Book Thief, is my favourite book of all time. Never have I read such a book, or had such a reaction from a book.
This book was written so elegantly and so powerfully and so differently you'd be inhuman not to be captivated by its words. So beautiful and emotional. I even cried.
I don't even know what else to say. I absolutely loved this book. To have been written by death was an extremely intriguing and clever choice by Markus Zusak. The book is not written in chronological order, it goes from past to present to future and back again constantly - like a book of small stories then explains how they got there, then where they will go, and then back to where they are. And I loved that. And even though I knew what was going to happen before it happened (because Death explained beforehand) I still needed to read on.
Such an incredible and ambitious book.
Definitely 5/5, I would give it more if logic allowed it.
I am excited to see how the movie has been made with such a book.

The Prayer of Jabez for Teens - Bruce Wilkinson (complete)

This. Was such an incredible little book. So thought provoking and challenging. I have been having some trouble lately with feeling in-touch and close with God, and I think this book helped. I don't think it is the only thing I needed. But I think it helped me to realise what else I needed.
There are a lot of challenges in here and a lot of things that made me think about what I have been doing. It made want to do more. To do better. To grow more. And to pray this prayer.
Everything in here just got me so excited about such a journey with God and showed me how much I wanted it. It's one thing to know you want something. But it's another thing entirely to feel it. And this made me feel so much more than I ever have.
I want this. I want God to do such incredible things in my life. I want Him to use me and guide me. I want Him to see my light shining for Him.
Honestly, I find these things hard to say for some reason - as though these words make me vulnerable and weak. Which is precisely the point! He wants me vulnerable - that means I need Him. He wants me weak - that means I need Him. '...for my power is made perfect in weakness.' With my weakness, comes God's unimaginable power.
I think I'm ready for this. I'm scared and worried that I will fail. But I think that is a good thing. Take me on this Journey God. Please.
This is my prayer.

5/5

The Book Theif - Markus Zusak

I am pretty excited to read this book! I hope I can finish it by the time the movie comes out! I think this will be an amazing and emotional story - and I love learning about the time of Hitler in history. I find it all so interesting (horrible, but interesting).
This book is uniquely written from the point of view of Death. I think I will enjoy reading all 584 pages of this novel! And I can't wait to see the movie also :)

'It is 1939, Nazi Germany. 

The country is holding its breath. 

Death has never been busier, 

and will become busier still. 

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up an object, partially hidden by the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, and it is her first act of book thievery. 

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found. 

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.' 

I obviously love books as well - and I couldn't imagine living in a time where books were not allowed to be read. Books were dangerous. I can't picture what it would be like if I were not allowed to pick up a book and read the words on the page. It would be terrible. I am looking forward to reading this book. I've heard good things :) 

A World Without Bees - Alison Benjamin & Brian McCallum

I have always had an interest in bees - they're such incredible little creatures. I found this book a long time ago and have finally decided to read it! (I'm one of those book people who continue to buy books even though they have an uncountable stack they want to read!)

'If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.' - Albert Einstein.' 

So amazing! Something so small and seemingly insignificant could have such an impact on life as we know it. 

On the subject of bees, I saw a couple photo opportunities yesterday and thought I would share them, just because it goes with this topic :) These were simply taken with my phone - the first one is my favourite, you can really see the amazing detail of the bee! ... Beautiful flowers too! 

Pocahontas, True Princess - Mari Hanes (complete)

That awkward moment when you discover Pocahontas didn't actually end up with John Smith...
I really enjoyed this book. Pocahontas was truly an amazing girl and changed history - like seriously. Such a brave young girl - saving John Smith from her tribe when she was only 10! She did end up marrying someone else named John, ironically, and she ended up staying in England (interesting!) She had a son with him, Thomas - I'd kind of like to trail her family line and see if there's anyone around related to her!! She died at the age of 20, which is so sad. So many extraordinary people died to young back then from simple things because they didn't have the medical know-how to prevent it.
I would give this one 4/5. It was great! Informative, inspirational, emotional, had action, some romance and was fairly close to what actually happened.
The movie Pocahontas is pretty off haha, but they captured her spirit and bravery well.
This is also a great book if you're looking for real-life transformations by God also. She was changed by God and became a very Godly woman. Reading this book just made me love her more honestly. Worth a read!!

Pocahontas, True Princess - Mari Hanes

Pocahontas is one of my favourite movies ever, and she is definitely my favourite Disney Princess (besides Anatasia who isn't actually Disney). I love the idea of a spirited girl who loves the wilderness and has some serious curiosity and beauty. So, I thought, hey! I'll give the book a go :)

'Children recognise her as the beautiful Indian woman who captured the heart of English captain John Smith. Yet history reveals Pocahontas was no more than twelve when she saved Smith's life. Years later she would be praised as the courageous defender of the Algonquins. But she was first known by her people simple as Pocahontas - "Favourite Daughter" - a child of tremendous character. 

Boys and girls today have heard the myth. Now they will see Pocahontas as history truly portrays her; a spirited child much like them. Based on careful and thorough research of the full record of her life, Pocahontas: True Princess tells the story of Chief Powhantan's favourite daughter - and the adventures that led this extraordinary child to her heavenly Father.' 

I was pretty excited when I was told a while back that Pocahontas was a real person. Of course, I know her as the Disney Princess, and probably always will. But I thought it would be great to learn more about this girl and read her story. It also excites me a little bit more, because I have some American Indian ancestors. Which is pretty cool, and even though it's only a very little bit inside me, I am actually quite proud of that particular part of my history. I don't know why, but I just get extremely excited and proud when I think of it (my Great Grandfather's wife was American Indian). I love to learn about the culture and people because of this. So that as well as Pocahontas being my favourite adds to the excitement of learning more about her story. 

Through the Zombie Glass - Gene Showalter (complete)

Wow. I guess I didn't quite realise how invested I was in these characters! Seriously. I read this book so quickly, I literally didn't want to put it down because I HAD to know what was going to happen.
It seems apparent, that I have indeed, fallen in love with these characters and absolutely loved this book.
It had a lot of the zombie attacks, nearly dying, love, sexual talk and teenage drama - but, I kinda loved it! *raises hand* Guilty! So much action was in this novel, and so many more twists and turns that I didn't expect.
The third one comes out this year in September. And no, I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG. I hate it when this happens. I was surprised how much I had actually, unknowingly, grown to love these characters and what happens in their lives. The first book I found myself in a sort of take it or leave it mindset (I mean I did like it of course), but this one, I was completely sucked in!
4/5 for this one! Cannot wait for the next one. This has gotten me super pumped and excited. I do believe this third one is the last one in the White Rabbit Chronicles. Which is probably a good thing. But this book I definitely enjoyed - a lot. I laughed out loud, I gasped, I freaked out a couple times. It was seriously an emotional roller coaster (and if the reader is feelin' it, then you know it's a damn good book!) Thoroughly enjoyed it! You go Gene!

The Shadowhunter's Codex - Cassandra Clare (complete)

I really loved the idea of this book - if you are a fan of her Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series', you would have heard of the infamous Shadowhunter's Codex, a sort of text book for Shadowhunters in training!
I loved the added detail of Clary, Simon and Jace writing notes in the book, and Clary had sketched pictures all throughout the pages. It was an incredibly interesting read - however, much like reading a text book at times (boring). I did end up skipping a few sections, reading only their notes and things about the shadow world that interested me - things I didn't know.
It amazed me how much history Cassandra was able to basically "make-up" about this whole world. Thousands of years of history, dates, events, traditions - so much detail about everything! I cannot believe how much work and effort has been put into her novels. Just incredible.
This book is great for if you're reading the series and come across something you don't know, or you want to know more about - you can just look it up in the Codex and Bob's your uncle. It's hard to read as a novel in itself because of its textbook-like qualities (which is what she was going for - that's essentially what the Codex is). So I probably wouldn't read it as one, unless you were super into learning all these things like some fans are :)
I would give it 3/5. I liked it. And I loved the extras. Recommended for any fans of her aforementioned series. You guys will love it!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle

I am a rather large fan of the Sherlock Holmes, and I definitely enjoy the TV series and movies created about him. I enjoy the character so much, I thought to myself, 'why have I not read the books!?'
So I downloaded the book onto my phone (as you can do with old books - how convenient!) and began reading!
It's very similar already to that of the TV series, Sherlock, with the incredible Benedict Cumberbatch as the infamous Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes is such a great character - so intelligent, so amusing, hilarious, captivating, frustrating and astounding. His attention to detail and thought pattern is both mind-boggling and infuriating.
I am looking forward to reading through some of Sherlock and Watson's cases (:

The Case for Christ (student edition) - Lee Stroble (complete)

I decided to read this short book (115 pages) as a sort of reminder and to get the mind and heart pumping due to me being finished school and no longer having a constant influence and intake of Jesus in my everyday life. I mean of course I still have Jesus with me, and I am constantly talking to Him - but when it's not a forced part of my daily routine, sometimes one can forget its importance.
This book I finished in just a couple of days. It is a simple read, basically going through all the evidence there is to Jesus being the man He claimed to be - God.
I had already read some of this book in my Christian Certificate classes, and we also watched a documentary of it - but it is always nice to be reminded of the incredible person He is and was, and the sacrifice He willingly made for everyone.
Some of the reading was a little emotional, and I find the details about his death thought provoking and tear jerking - there would have been so much pain endured, essentially, for me. It is hard to comprehend how someone could love me that much.
It is a great little book, and provides some simple evidence (archaeological, logical and scientific) in favour of the Bible and Jesus Christ. It's a good one to read if you're struggling with your own thoughts on the matter of God, but even if you're not, it's a great reminder!
Lee Stroble is a very smart man, and writes in such a way that makes it all easy to understand.
5/5

Through the Zombie Glass - Gena Showalter

Through the Zombie Glass is the second instalment of the White Rabbit Chronicles series by Gena Showalter. I believe there are just the two published ones so far, the third being, The Queen of Zombie Hearts - expected this year in September.
Again, the cover of Through the Zombie Glass is just awesome. These covers all seem to just have an amazing, magical, mysterious, creepy and eerily beautiful design. On the front the words 'Curiouser and Curiouser' are displayed on the bottom. - I like this added Alice in Wonderland touch.
This book begins on Halloween - which is a pretty cool setting for a Zombie book - in which she dresses as Alice in Wonderland for her costume (I thought this was actually kind of cool).
So far, however, the book seems to be simply a depiction of sexually frustrated and hormonal teenagers. There continues to be a lot of making out and sexual promiscuity. Ali continues to have inappropriate visions (with someone else this time!). I do hope this whole book isn't only a plethora of sexual content with 17 year olds - not only does it get annoying and uncomfortable, but it's honestly just inappropriate at times. I mean, Ali has been portrayed as a Christian at times - with her disdain for bad language and immorality with way girls dress - and yet she is completely fine with allowing a boy to touch her, tease her and get pretty close to having sex with her. (Perhaps I don't like this because of my own faith - however, I think my main annoyance is the hypocrisy and repetitive nature of these happenings).

'ZOMBIES STALK THE NIGHT. 

FORGET THE BLOOD AND BRAINS. THESE

MONSTERS HUNGER FOR HUMAN SOULS. 

SADLY, THEY'VE GOT MINE.... 

Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thoughts she had nothing else to give. She was wrong. 

After a new zombie attack, strange things begin happening to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things...'

Having said all the above. I am still excited to read this book and see what happens! I sincerely hope I enjoy this one (as I did the first). 

Alice in Zombieland - Gena Showalter (complete)

This book has gotten very mixed reviews from what I have seen. At first I was excited to read this, then apprehensive when I saw all these reviews about the book and the collective disappointment it seemed to come with from the lack of 'Alice in Wonderland'-ness. I have actually read Alice in Wonderland and I noticed quite a few similarities - small ones, but similarities nonetheless.
These similarities became more and more infrequent as the story continued, and Gena took over with - her own twist - personally, I'm not sure that was the best decision ever. I enjoyed looking for and noticing all these similarities - it excited me.
I appreciated the sarcastic humour of Gena's characters - Ali, in particular made me giggle several times. It has been written from Ali's point of view, so contains some hilarious and sarcastic thoughts which I quite enjoyed and could almost relate to (she's 17 I believe, I am 18 - but we have a similar sarcastic, smart alec kind of humour).
I found the book fun to read for the most part. She kept me guessing about what would happen next, for the most part. Some things were predictable, some things were really not. I found Gena used some serious cliches in her novel, which was slightly annoying. I mean the new girl, beautiful, something was different about her - falls for the bad boy, brooding in the corner with piercings and secrets on his lips - who hasn't heard that one before?? Some of the characters can be irritating at times, but then they can also be loveable.
Alice in Zombieland could be seen as repetitive. She and Cole's relationship is a little back and forth - having visions of them making out all the time... Then they would ACTUALLY make out all the time, she fights zombies, gets hurt, almost dies, gets saved. And the same thing happens the next time she fights them. Then the next.
I liked it enough that I would read the second one. I found myself still wanting to know what happened that I continued to read on. I was able to skim some of it. The text language (for texts written in the book) was annoying, but that is possibly because even though I'm a teenager, I use proper grammar and spelling in my communication. I think she was just trying to be relatable to American Teens - which she probably was with many.
Honestly. I did enjoy the book. Some things annoyed me as mentioned above. But ultimately, the book wasn't written badly by any means and I still wanted to read it, which is the sign of a successful book really.
I would give this one a 3 or possibly 3.5 out of 5.

The Shadowhunter's Codex - Cassandra Clare and Joshua Lewis

I have decided to venture into a second book, The Shadowhunter's Codex to attempt to quench my thirst of the Shadowhunter world! In Cassandra's incredible, The Mortal Instruments series, the Shadowhunter's Codex is actually mentioned as a sort of reference and guide book for Shadowhunters in training. It's like a text book us mundanes receive in class.
One of my favourite things about this book so far is actually the added bits and pieces throughout - Clary, Simon and Jace has actually taken notes and Clary has drawn pictures and written a personal note to the reader; the Shadowhunter in training. It is rather an awesome concept - for the reader who has enjoyed being a part of the Shadowhunter world, following these characters throughout their journey, can in a way take their own to becoming a Shadowhunter, with the help of our beloved Jace, Clary and Simon along the way. Their notes add realism (well, for fictional characters anyway), hilarity and surprise to the novel.
So far, this Codex has enlightened many aspects to the Shadowhunter world, their weapons, locations, what it means to be a Shadowhunter, how a Shadowhunter chooses a name, and so much more. It's a very interesting read so far and provides in-depth knowledge to the behind-the-scenes if you will of the world we know and love.

'Congradulations. You are ready to embark upon the righteous and rewarding life of a Shadowhunter.We have been chosen by the Angel to keep out world safe from the evil creatures we call "demons". And now you are one of us, and with this book, you will learn our lore and our ways. Angels, demons, faeries, vampires, werewolves, warlocks: they all exist, and they all must be managed and kept at peace. Welcome to our ranks, and study hard. This book could be the difference between life and death.'

Alice in Zombieland - Gena Showalter

I am going to begin reading this book, Alice in Zombieland, which I got as a gift last year. I believe it is a series of three books, in which I have the first two. I was pretty excited for this book because I love the story of Alice in Wonderland, one of my favourites ever, and I thought this was a modern spin-off which included zombies in Wonderland. However, I have read many reviews and researched this book quite a bit since then and I have found that this has almost nothing to do with Alice in Wonderland itself save a few things here and there that could be connected to the amazing classic.
I am glad I found this out before I started reading, otherwise I may have been super irritated. Even now, it's slightly annoying that a writer would rely so heavily on essentially false advertising. I will still give it a go however, and attempt to separate this entirely from the renowned Alice in Wonderland.
Also, side note - the artwork on the cover of this book is so beautiful. Absolutely lovely. It is very Alice in Wonderland esque again but I really am loving it.

'SHE WON'T REST UNTIL SHE'S SENT EVERY WALKING CORPSE BACK TO ITS GRAVE. 

FOREVER. 

If anyone had told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone. 

Her father was right. The monsters are real. 

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to truth the baddest of bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn't careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.' 

The City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare - Completed

I have completed this marvelous book with only an unquenchable thirst for more! This book seemed to go up a level (if that was possible). There was more death and war, more love and betrayal, more eery and spine tingling uncomfortableness and she left us with yet another cliff hanger that we must wait several months to learn the outcome of!
I do hope this next book is the last one of this phenomenal series. And I do hope they make movies out of the whole series. I have seen The City of Bones and I rather enjoyed it. Of course, most of the time, the book is better - no cut outs, more detail, more imagination and emotion is vital from the reader. With a movie, it's all out in front of you - whether you pictured a character, location or event differently or not, the movie portrays it the way they want and it forever disfigures, changes, ruins, or improves your perception of all these things and more. I know City of Glass is being made into a movie for this year which is pretty exciting.
Anywho, back to the book. It was fantastic. It never takes me too long to read books by Cassandra, she writes in such a way that just gets the reader so immensely involved in what she's writing that it feels like real-time almost, and you mustn't stop reading or time itself will hault.
Five out of five for this one.
Of course in all of her books, I find little petty annoyances, but which book doesn't have any of those? Honestly. So still 5/5. I won't allow small things damper the reputation of such an amazing series.

City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare

I was hoping to hold off a little longer to read this because I knew I would be flying through it and the next book doesn't come out for a few more months (City of Heavenly Fire comes out in May). But I just couldn't. And now, I am already over halfway after three days of reading!
Obviously I love the way she writes as well as her characters. I'm sure anyone who has read her books get deeply invested in her characters' lives. Jace, Clary, Simon, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus, Luke, Jocelyn - all of these characters have such relatable and real-life human, as well as supernatural and non-human qualities that draw us mere mortals toward them.
None of the books in the series so far has disappointed me. None have lack of adventure or humour or romance or action or emotion or death. Each book has its fair share of all of these things. And I love that. There has been no down-hill slope for the series so far. However, I do hope Cassandra, being as talented and instinctive as she is with her writing, doesn't attempt to draw out the series and stops it when the audience wants more, rather than when the audience wants it to be finished.

I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai (completed)

I completed this book a few days ago and I really enjoyed it. Of course there were a few things I didn't care for; for example, because the book was written by such a young woman (16 I believe) there were some grammatical inconsistencies as well as repetition or the deep explanation of information that was verging on unimportant for the book. However, having said this, I don't want petty things such as that to stop someone from reading such an inspirational story.
It is a hard on to read aloud due to the Afghanistan setting, with names and locations. There was a large focus on historical information and anecdote which was both interesting and sometimes enjoyable to read - at times it was also very emotional.
If you are reading this book to learn ONLY about the shooting, then skip to the last two or three chapters - these few chapters are really the only ones that talk about the day of the shooting itself. There are also images of a few of the events she mentions.
This book provided a very unique perspective into other worldly things happening at the time too, which was thoroughly interesting. Such as the 9/11 terrorist attack - and what that was like in her country.
All around, I found this book full of information, emotional and inspiring. I would recommend people reading this one, even if its through an audio book, or skimming - it'd be worth a read.
4/5 stars :)

I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

This book continues to amaze me. Usually I am much faster at reading books because I can somewhat skim the words and still take in what I need to in order to understand and follow the story. In this book, I find myself unable to do so. I cling to every word she says and cannot skip a single letter.
She doesn't only talk about the one attack that occurred - she talks about a great deal of things. Things that are happening in her country, things that have happened, anecdotes from her family, legends and old tales - I have actually learned a lot about the history of Afghanistan.
This book so far has filled me with anger, sadness, guilt, amazement and admiration.
I believe this is my first autobiography that I have read, but it makes me want to read others. Learning about other peoples' lives is actually entirely fascinating and real. Very much enjoying this right now.

I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

I believe this title won the best autobiography last year - and already I can see why.
This story, this girl, is absolutely incredible. She is yet to be an adult, and already has endeavored to change the world more so than those of a much wiser age and "well-off" situation.
I cannot believe how brave these girls are. There are girls like Malala all over the world - all of them fighting to be heard, fighting to make a difference for girls' education.
I watched a movie last year called 'Girl Rising'. I do recommend everyone seeing this movie at one stage. It is inspiring. It has girls from all kinds of situations - some poorer than others, some in abusive situations, some in relatively normal situations, some in horrific and sad situations - all of them doing everything they possibly can to make a difference for the women of their country.
Not many of us can say we do that - we can talk about it, and agree that something needs to be done. But how many of us actually do it?
Well this girl did. Malala is an incredibly brave and inspiring girl, and her story is definitely worth being told, and definitely worth being read.

'I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday.
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. 
Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.
I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.
I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.'

Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky (COMPLETE)

This book only took me two days to complete. As soon as I began reading, I was hooked! It is written so realistically and intriguingly, it is impossible for anyone, and I mean anyone (with some exceptions) to put this book down until it is finished.
It has such a beautiful, emotional and relatable story. The characters are lovable, relatable and all-together characters you could imagine being real people in the real world.
I enjoyed this book very much, and I also really enjoyed the movie. The movie has less swearing, sex-talk and nudity however (just a warning). Due to this book being about American teenagers in the early 90s, there is quite a large amount of sex, drugs, and all that good stuff.
The protagonist, Charlie, I found to be slightly more likable in the movie because he was less inclined to smoke - in the book, it is something he does all the time.
I love these characters, and they all have warm personalities. The story is great and I enjoyed the different way it was written - in letter form - it was unique and I liked it muchly :)
4/5 for this one folks! :D

Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

It is time to read Perks of Being a Wallflower!
I have wanted to read this book for some times now and have heard many great things about it and the movie. I have actually seen the movie, and so far (only 20 or so pages in), the movies seems to be closely dedicated to the book. The book doesn't seem to have chapters, rather it has larger parts. Four to be exact, with an epilogue. So if you're one of those people who must read one chapter, or two, you will find this book more difficult to put down :)
I was counting on reading a chapter before bed, and realised they don't exist, so you have to stop mid-way. Which I find irritating - possibly merely because I'm weird ;P
I am enjoying this so far, and like the way it is written - as though Charlie, the protagonist, is in fact writing it himself. Very well done.

'Charlie is a freshman. 

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. 

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what is looks like from the dance floor.' 

Stardust - Neil Gaiman

I just completed Stardust by Neil Gaiman! You know you love reading books when literally moments after finishing one, you pick up another.
I did enjoy this book, he writes very beautifully. I must admit, this is one of the very rare occurrences in which I enjoyed the movie better than the book. It's like they took the simple idea of the book and created this movie with hilarity, action, adventured and romance - when the book was a much more serious and long-winded interpretation of the journey. There was also a couple of things I didn't even think about - but in the movie there are a couple of spicy moment (if ya know what I mean, *nudge nudge*), but they are in the book - which I found a bit awkward to read myself. I mean, they're probably no where near the depth or description of the likes of Fifty Shades of Grey (I wouldn't actually know as I refuse to read them), but just keep that in mind if you choose to read this book.
I would recommend reading the book first in this case, as it is possible to enjoy the movie once you find you already like the book - it's harder to do so the other way around.
My expectations were high for this book, and I must say I was slightly let down. But if you can see the movie and book as somewhat separate entities, I am sure you will enjoy both. The movie was so much funnier and had much more of the romance involved, which is probably why I like it more than the book. It also seemed to flow just a little bit better. The book was a massive adventure that was confusing at times, and even disappointing in moments because the movie had brought these certain characters or moments into life and had taken them so much further than the book had written them to be.
All in all, the book is good, the movie is better. I still enjoyed it. 3.5 or possibly 4 out of 5 for this one.