2018 Challenges and Goals Update

So reflecting on what I wanted to achieve this year with my reading I think I did OK... not amazing, but it's been a pretty busy year and I'm proud I managed to achieve what I did. So venture forth to see and I'll be posting shortly my goals for 2019.

Goodreads

What I wrote in January: I’m going to push myself a little bit further than last year and try for 58 books in the Goodreads challenge. Last year I managed 45 and just made it, but I felt that I spent a lot of time wasted doing unimportant things like surfing facebook.

What I actually accomplished: So I ended up reducing my goodreads book challenge to just 40 books in December because there was no way I was going to reach 58. Ah how hopeful and naive I was back in January...

A-Z

What I wrote in January: I’m also keen to participate again in an A-Z challenge. This year I’ve chosen to do the challenge hosted by Ginger Mom and The Kindle Quest. Last year I managed 15 out of 26 (not my best haha) hopefully I can get all 26 this year

What I actually accomplished: I ended up doing exactly 15 books in this challenge again this year... at least if i'm not doing better, I'm maintaining my mediocrity haha

TBR Pile

What I wrote in January: I’m keen to tackle some of my ever-growing TBR pile, so I’ve joined the #Beatthebacklist challenge hosted by a Novelknight. My goal is to read 25 books on my TBR pile pre- 2018. 

What I actually accomplished: I really should have thought ahead with this one... the problem was that if I had the first book on my TBR usually the next books in the series weren't (incase I didn't end up pursing the series) so I didn't count any of the subsequent books in this challenge since I technically added them in 2018. So in the end my count was only at 11. 

Finishing Series

What I wrote in January:So one of my main faults as a reader is my complete inability to finish a series. I either take a break half way through and never go back or I get sick of waiting for the next instalment and by the time it’s released I’ve forgotten what had happened previously. So this year I’ve joined the 2018 Finishing the Series Reading Challenege hosted by Celebrity Readers. I’m hoping to finish between 5-8 series this year.

What I actually accomplished: I am super proud of myself with this challenge. I ended up reading/finishing 7 series this year which is huge for me because its one of the things I am absolutely the worst at! This was by far my biggest achievement this year :)

What was your biggest achievement this year?

April/ May Wrap-Up

Personal Updates 

This month I've been trying to get some wedding planning done, and it's exhausting... even the cats are exhausted. Honestly, my partner and I have been engaged since August 2016 and we've been so lazy about the wedding planning. (To be honest I'm the kind of girl who would be happy with a registry office wedding, but my future Mr. wants a proper wedding). We've looked at a few venues but nothing has really taken my fancy...especially for the prices they're asking. But *crosses fingers* we're going to look at another venue outside of our hometown this weekend so I'm hopeful.

Finished 

  

 

As you can see I really only focused on 1 series for the last couple months. The Royals series is quite addictive...trashy and dramatic...but definitely addictive. The first 3 books follow Reed Royal and Ella, the orphan teen whose stripping to make ends meet who happens to be taken in by the Royal family. Obviously, Reed has a vendetta against Ella from the start, but sexual tensions lurk pretty close beneath the surface *wink*. While all the drama was entertaining I needed something a little bit more substantial to fill the gaps and started the Eurona duology by Wendy Higgins, which I hope to finish this month.  

Up Next In June

   

   

        

 

The Fashion Report

So after recently finishing 'The Selection' series, I was inspired by their beautiful covers and decided to do a random one off feature. The feature itself is called the 'Fashion Report', after Illeas own televised show 'The Report' but with more fashion and less politics :P 

Each of the covers for 'The Selection' series have been given a contemporary make-over, with dresses and accessories from a more modern time. This was all just a bit of fun and games while I was feeling particularly artistic one evening, and I had a lot of fun mucking around and putting each of the outfits together. Hope you guys enjoy and let me know which one is your favorite!

Let me know down below in the comments, which one you like best :)

A Series Review - The Selection (Kiera Cass)

Synopsis

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

                     - Goodreads.com

Series Review 

So since I magically actually finished a series for once (one of my many bad habits is half finishing a series) I’m going to take the liberty of reviewing the entire series as a whole. One of the reasons I was particularly drawn to these books (besides their incredibly beautiful covers), was the idea of a ‘The Bachelor’ type setting and atmosphere. I mean 35 girls in a roomful together all fighting over the same man, there is bound to be endless entertainment value in that.

The Original Trilogy

My rating: 4/5

So the story begins with Prince Maxon, ultimately needing to find a partner. Which is done in the traditional way of ‘The Selection’ a competition for his heart, with 35 random girls from all over. While on the other side of the country America Singer, is being forced by her own mother to enter into the selection, something she rebels against, until her heart is broken and she gives into the idea… though be it very begrudgingly.

The first 3 books focus around Maxon and America’s budding friendship and ultimately their developing romance. Although it’s not all happiness and roses. A love from America’s past ends up stationed at the castle, bringing back her romantic feelings and confusing her emotions for Maxon. Overall, typical love triangle silliness and uncertainty ensues. While I wasn’t overly bothered by the love triangle, I also didn’t have a particular team I was on. Maxon and Aspen both seemed like good choices to me, and even in the later books where the focus is on a younger generation, I still like both the boys equally as much.

Romance, while the main focus of the story, wasn’t the only tale to be told. Politics played an interesting role in all 5 of the books, bringing into the series the dystopian element. The Caste system that was employed under the current regiment was fascinating in a way, and its effect on the characters’ lives and interactions with others were prompted by their class number. Essentially the higher the number the more upperclass you are, with One’s being the Royal family and Eight’s living in poverty.  

“Our caste was just three away from the bottom. We were artists. And artists and classical musicians were only three steps up from dirt. Literally. Our money was stretched as tight as a high wire, and our income was highly dependent on the changing seasons.” 

- Kiera Cass (The Selection

America being a Five was lower class and had greatly different ideas to many of the other candidates in her selection around politics, stemming from her background and upbringing. While America is often noted as being an annoying protagonist (and she is to a degree) I do respect her views on politics, her stubbornness and the way she stood up for what she believed in, even with a tyrannical King out to get her at every turn. 

“I should have known that if any girl was going to disobey an order, it would be you"

- Kiera Cass (The Selection)

Final Two Books

My rating: 3/5

Eadyln, our Princess in the final two books is almost, if not more annoying than America. However, their vastly different upbringings contribute to this. With America I became frustrated at her flip-flopping between boys, but she possessed admirable qualities in her fight against the class system. Eadyln, being brought up as a princess, living in a castle with people waiting on her hand and foot was infuriating because of her privileged outlook on life and tendency to only deem things important if and when they affected her. Lucky for the reader, she does grow up and shows some insightfulness into her countries hardships, aiming to make changes for the better of her people and not just herself. 

To be upfront, the final 2 books seemed somewhat unnecessary to me. While it was interesting to see the Selection from the other side with a Princess choosing from a handful of male suitors. Some of the charm was lost on me and I felt forced to read them out of necessity rather than enjoyment (not that they were completely terrible, just not as good as the original 3). I must say while they did not live up to their predecessors, I enjoyed immensely seeing the original cast back in action. All my favourites were still there, and made appearances throughout, Maxon, Marlee, Aspen, Lucy, Carter and of course America. 

Overall Feelings

All in all, ‘The Selection’ was an enjoyable series as a whole. They were a nice treat to come home and zone out to after work. I must say as someone who is pretty slack at finishing series, I sure zipped through this one. If you want fluffy romance out the wazoo, pick this series up. 

Review - Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)

Synopsis

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. 

 Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying      

 - Goodreads.com

My Review 

A couple of months ago, while I was working. I had a patient; a girl about 10 years old come in for a dressing change. As I went about my task of cleaning and dressing the wound, I asked her how she had cut her hand. Her mother who was standing next to her, rolled her eyes sighing, clearly unimpressed...” Go on Hailey” she said, “Tell the nurse how you did it”. Hailey looked up at me and grinned, clearly oblivious to her mother’s disapproval. “I cut it while playing the hunger games” she said with enthusiasm “Me and my cousin were in the bush behind the house. We were tired and hungry, after fighting other tributes, and we had finally found a good place to camp for the night. So I pulled out my pocket knife, and started cutting some onions for soup. But then we heard a sound behind us... we were being ambushed...we didn’t know what to do, stand and fight or run for our lives...and that’s when I accidentally cut my hand” she finished beaming with pride.

THIS is what I love most about this series. It’s that it inspires young minds to be adventurous, creative and play with imagination. Too many kids today sit inside playing play-station and computer and not enough run around outside playing Hunger Games, and Harry Potter, and Transformers (or whatever stuff kids watch these days). While reading this book I was drawn back into my own childhood, of playing in the bush behind my friend’s houses, hiding as stowaways on ships destined for exotic continents, fighting enemy foes with our make shift bow and arrows, and pretending to live off the land. * sigh* I miss those days...

Now onto the actual review...I absolutely LOVED this book, even more than the first. There were so many twists and turns, and there were a lot of things I didn’t see coming. The story is fast paced, if slightly rushed at times, which I didn’t mind considering quite a few things ie. Preparation for the games, opening ceremony, interviews had already been fully explained in the first book.  If you like being kept on your toes, this is definitely the book for you. When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it, which is not common ground for me. I found myself waking up in the night, and instead of rolling over to go back to sleep, stealthily (or not so stealthily according to my partner) turning on my lamp to devour the words on the pages... a new meaning to midnight munchies.   

The ending was great, and left with a cliff-hanger, which I don’t mind too much considering I don’t have to wait a whole year for the next installment. Overall, it’s one of those series which should be on your read before I die list, because trust me you don’t want to miss out on this series and regret it for the rest of your (after) life.

My rating: 4.75/5

Teaser Tuesday #1

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of 'Should Be Reading'. 

How to get involved?

Grab your current book, open to a random page.

Share 1-2 “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. 
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! 
(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

 "She felt Brad's hands slip to her shoulders, where they burrowed between the fabric of her sweater and T-shirt, coaxing the cardigan back. Isobel shrugged and jostled her shoulders to aid the shedding of the outer layer. Despite the drop in temperature outside, it had gotten warm in the car."

Page 61 Nevermore (Kelley Creagh)

December Monthly Challenge

So each month I will be posting up a monthly challenge. This is an idea I came across from the many 'gooodreads' book groups I belong to and is a common activity that I (attempt) to participate in. Basically I will note 10 different challenges each month. Obviously there is no pressure to participate, and if you do, you do not have to do all 10 (do as many or as less as you have time for). If you do want to participate, feel free to comment below which books you have chosen for the challenges :)

So without further ado, this month’s reading challenges are... 

1. Read a book with a silhouette on the cover
2. Read a book with a Gothic looking cover
3. Read a book that has a Christmas setting
4. Read a book with a Red and Green cover
5. Read a book that’s set in another world
6. Read a book that’s the 1^st in a series
7. Read a book that is a 'classic'
8. Read a book with any sort of religious symbol on the cover
9. Read a book by an Author from your country
10. Read a book that is a retelling of a faerie tale
    

Read more »

Review - Succubus Revealed (Richelle Mead)

 Synopsis

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations… to Las Vegas.

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won't include the one man she's risking everything for…

-Goodreads.com

  My Review

 Succubus Revealed is the 6th and final book of the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead.  While you expect most final books to go out with a bang, this series kind of went out with a fizzle. But on the bright side, there was a happy ending (Who doesn’t love a happy ending!).

While Meads other series aimed at YA, (Vampire Academy) continued to get better and better with each successive book. I felt this series did the opposite...not to say that it was terrible. But I just wish the series had kept the momentum that it started out with.

I would have to say, the biggest letdown of this series is that slowly but surely the small quirks and charms that drew me to this series in the first place, got lost somewhere along the way. The main character Georgina, appeared to get ‘blonder’ with each book, and I found myself asking “How can you not see what’s right in front of you?!”

There were also not enough sex scenes in this particular book...there was only 1 to be precise. Not that I’m a pervert or anything, (shifty eyes) but I like a good sex scene or two in my books, especially considering the main character is a succubus ...HER JOB IS TO SLEEP WITH MEN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!

Despite this I could see why there was little sex in this book, considering the main character (Georgina) got soft and fell in love with a mortal... Monogamy ensues...blah blah blah.

The strength of this book however, was how the author managed to wrap up the entire series, and I must admit she did a fantastic job. Mead completely delivered a well thought-out ending that tied up all the loose ends and didn’t leave you with more questions than when you started. The final chapters of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat, praying for a happy ending.

Overall I have to say this was not my favourite book in the series, and books 1-4 were the best; full of adventure, mystery and quick witted one liners from Carter. However it is essential to read the entire series, to appreciate it in its entirety. Therefore I give this book a...

Overall: 3.5/5

But the series as a whole deserves 4.5/5

Review - Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)

 

Synopsis

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. 

 - Goodreads.com

My Review 

So this is Maggie Stiefvater’s 2nd book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. In all seriousness I think she could have stopped after book 1. The ending to Shiver, was perfect (big fat full stop). However I am truly glad she decided to continue with this series. While this book was not as good as its predecessor- Shiver. It was still a great read which kept me engaged throughout and wondering what the hell is going on with Grace? 

The ending was what really struck me the most. Throughout the whole story I had convinced myself that something bad was going to happen to Grace, but honestly didn’t think that the author would be so daring to go there...but she did. She really did!

With only one book to go, Miss Stiefvater is going to have to pull one hell of a Houdini act, to get out of that one.... and I can’t wait for what she comes up with.

Overall Maggie Stiefvater, has a beautiful way of narrating the story. The prose is delightful, and opens the imagination wide to all the senses around you. Personally I get restless, when there is too much description and not enough action. But in Linger it works well adding dimension to the world that’s been created. 

Overall 4/5

 The main thing that let it down, nothing was really achieved in this book. It was more of a lead up to the big finale in Forever #3