Reading The Riot Act: caterfeereviews

Showing posts with label caterfeereviews. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 June 2016

The Liebster Award

The lovely Zoë at My Bookish Wonderland has nominated me for The Liebster Award.

The whole idea of the award is to discover new blogs and already I have discovered three.

The rules for this award are as follows:

1. Acknowledge the blog that nominated you and display the award.

2. Answer the 11 questions that the blog gives you.

3. Give 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 5-11 blogs that you think are deserving of the award that have less than 200 followers.

5. Let the blogs know you have nominated them.

6. Give them 11 questions to answer.

This is really good news for me because I never know where to look for a new book blog. You can follow the chain, go see Zoe, see who she nominated, see who nominated her and so on and so forth until your email is simply brimming with fine blogs. So thank you Zoë!

These are the questions I was given.

1. What's your favourite genre?

This is a hard question because it changes. Right now I'm loving some YA and NA Fantasy, but I also love some Contemporary YA. I like variety, I've never been took picky about Genre as long as it's good but YA does seem to cover my shelves more than anything else.

2. Do you listen to music while reading?

I couldn't personally pay attention if I was listening to music. I do when I write and some authors create playlists on Spotify that I listen to as a reread passages. Sarah J Maas is great for those, even in her newsletter she tells you which section goes with which music and I love seeing how the beats fall, but only in a reread.

3. Are you good at predicting plot twists?

I like to think I am, but I am also one of those terrible people who reads the last few pages before I start. Something about not knowing exactly where I'm headed freaks me out a little bit and I don't think I get too spoiled from the last couple pages. I like a good surprise as well so I don't often make predictions.

4. Do you want to write a book yourself one day?

Yes, yes I do. This year I have got a degree in Creative Writing and made way through two books I wish to eventually publish. One is a collection of feminist short stories and the other is the first in a fantasy series. I plan to have the first draft down by the end of this year and then leave it as a write the first draft of a contemporary that just screaming at me to be written. I'll get there eventually. I'm working on it.

5. Do you like going to libraries and borrow books there?

I think libraries are a great resource, my mother is a librarian and I borrowed Asking For It by Louise O'niell from the library today. I used it more when I was younger because I couldn't afford all the books I wanted to read. I think libraries are great, especially if you just want to try a book on for size.

6. What do you do when someone loans a book of yours and brings it back in bad condition?

I don't lend out my books and if I do, it's to someone who I know will take care of it. They ruin it, they buy me a knew one. The signed ones stay with me.

7. Who is your favourite character (doesn't have to be from a book)

I have to say Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass, Manon is a close second but I just relate to Celaena in such a crazy way. She is one of the only characters I know who loves herself but also hates her very being. She is so complex and I just love reading her. Seeing her strength gives me strength in return. She is as much in my heart as Harry Potter or Katniss.

8. How many books are on your TBR list?

I lost count about five years ago, now I consider my thoughts on buying books to be that of Alaska from Looking for Alaska. I always have something to read, way too much in fact - like a bookcase worth.

9. How many books would you like to read this year?

Every year I aim for 100 books. The past two years have been difficult with my degree and work so I have fall dismally short. I will still aim fro 100 but likely I'll get maybe 50 if my reading picks up now I'm finished with University. Next year 100 for sure!

10. When in the day do you read the most?

I read the most at night before bed. I think most adults who struggle to find time can always put an hour away before bed, but a sunny afternoon in a garden can be pretty productive too.

11. If you could meet any author who would it be and what would you ask him/her?

I have met a few authors before, Sarah J Maas, Maggie Stiefvater, Patrick Ness, but I always tend to be a little bit nervous and awkward. Sadly I have never met J K Rowling. I always wanted too and almost did but she didn't want anyone talking about Harry Potter or wearing merchandise or brining to books so it seemed a little pointless. I hope I do get to meet her one day and I'd ask about the museum in Edinburgh. If you've been there you'll know what I mean. Coincidence? I think not.

Now for 11 facts about me, I guess:

1. I have a deep seeded hatred for slugs and onions and dolphins.

2. I am allergic to wasps.

3. I always read the acknowledgments when I start a book, (Sometimes they are super romantic).

4. My favourite holiday is Halloween, because DUH! COSTUMES!

5. I am incredibly well travelled for someone my age.

6. I'm twenty two.

7. I own some impressive and beautiful notebooks I haven't written in...yet.

8. I hate the smell of lilies.

9. If I could live off doughnuts, I would.

10. I can remember quotes terrifyingly fast.

11. I judge a book by it's cover.

I nominate:

The Review Diaries
Boats Against The Current (Love your Sarah J Maas posts! Book blogger Cliche's all the way!)
YA Bookaholic
The Book Nerd In Me
Caterfee Reviews! Sup Girl!

These are all top notch blogs I personally love and I think you will too.

My 11 Questions to you guys are:

1. What sparked your passion for reading?
2. What is your favourite reading spot?
3. What is your favourite cover art ever?
4. How do you deal with your TBR shelf?
5. Best book you read in the past year? (No rereads)
6. Who is your favourite booktuber?
7. First book you ever read?
8. What is your go to reading snack?
9. Why is reading important to you?
10. Where would you be without reading?
11. What is your favourite thing about yourself? (Not book related but still important to know).

So answer the questions, tag me in the post and think of your 11 facts because you guys are next.

I hope you keep this chain moving and I look forward to reading your posts.

Happy Reading!

Friday, 26 September 2014

shadow and bone

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Louise Wilkes 04:47:00 1

Warning: Spoilers! (duh.)

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

All hail Leigh Bardugo. Honestly I adored this book. It has had many mixed reviews, mostly for every four 5 star reviews, there is one 1 star review. This is a 5 star review!

This book really reminded me of The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon but a much more accessible version. High fantasy can be really hard to get into and Bardugo makes it look easy.

Alina is a delightful protagonist, she can be a little annoying at first with her weakness and moaning about Mal but once her powers become clear and she becomes determined not to fail or let herself down, she becomes incredibly refreshing. Shadow and Bone takes all the great things from other YA, Dystopian and Fantasy books and mixes them together in a really fantastic, fresh way. It uses Russian Folklore and a huge twist to make itself stand out.

When we first met the Darkling, I admittedly was taken in by his charm, just like Alina. He seemed to really be a good guy if not a little driven and bossy. I never saw the change coming, I was honestly just thinking he was a little dark and mysterious and then it was like BOOM! Bad Guy!

Naturally once he was evil, my attraction faded. Prior to this though I had experienced nothing of Mal besides him ignoring her and sleeping around with girls. So the moment he came for her I was just overcome by gushy-loveyness. The Mal and Alina relationship became incredibly beautiful from that point and there were moments where I had to sit back and just take in such beauty.

Though the book was not only about the love triangle. There was a lovely friendship between Alina and Genya, and I thought her betrayal really helped highlight the hard decisions of a war. You could see her reasoning but also to betray her friend like that was just devastating and I had so many feels.

Overall the storyline was great, the world was so wonderfully built, we were just thrown in and yet everything still felt great and I could tell what was happening. The world was so easy to understand, it was incredibly vibrant and visual and was just so well written. The characters were beiaveble and they all had this great inner self awareness, there were subconcious parts of them which is really hard to achieve through writing and I adored it.

I can't fully explain my newfound passion for this series but I already bought to sequels and pre-ordered Bardugo's new series that comes out in 2015. Maybe that will help show how much I loved this series.

Happy Reading.

Saturday, 7 June 2014

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

Louise Wilkes 05:11:00 0

Warning: Spoilers (duh.)

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along

Image from Yako Books

The Summer I Turned Pretty was recommended by a friend. I didn't hold out much hope as it seemed initially like a "fluff" book. And it was, it totally was, but I loved it. It was cute and really solidifed those feelings as a teenage girl and that moment, just before someone is about to kiss you. It was well written but the characters could be very annoying. Belly (stupid name) is very spoilt and self centered and she was a bit bratty. She was also insightful, delightful and fun. Conrad was to be honest sexy but an asshole. He was such a dick to Belly at the party and super aggressive. He was the older brother and he acted like a selfish brat so him and Belly deserve each other. Jeremiah was adorable and just so fun to read.

I actually really enjoyed this book and I didn't expect to. The only thing was, I feel like I was mis-sold this book. It's sold as a love triangle between two brothers, and maybe as the series progresses it will be, but currently it isn't. Currently it's Belly dating a guy called Cameron, kissing Conrad once and having a somewhat awkward moment with Jeremiah. The romance really wasn't there at all. I mean Cameron was sweet enough but he made no impression. This book really should have been the first half of 1 book not the first in a series. I will continue with it and find out what happens but yeah, it's a tad annoying.

The cancer story line was really what hit me most. I adored Susannah, she was awesome and fun and I actually cried when we learned she was dying. I've read an excerpt of the second book so I know she survives until next summer but I really loved her and I feel like I know her and that is incredibly sad. I hate Taylor, she drives me insane and yet I think character-wise that's probably who I'd most be like. Loud and annoying! The girl needed a slap (does that mean I do?)

Overall it was a good, fun, summer read. It wasn't too taxing but it was emotional enough to hook me in and keep me reading. I gave it 4 stars!

Sunday, 1 June 2014

Word Nerding

BBF: Book Best Friend

Louise Wilkes 06:29:00 0

This post is dedicated to my Book Best Friend Fee! Check her out at caterfeereviews.

If you, yourself already have a Book Best Friend, you are incredibly lucky. Oh! What is a book best friend you ask?

Well the definition can be bit fuzzy but there are definite signs of Book Best Friend-dom! For example... do they?

Post pictures of authors on your Facebook wall with personalised messages? Definitely a sure sign. Your BBF will remember your favourite authors and seek out to send you updates on them. By the way Sarah J Maas. So beautiful like, what author looks like that! And she's an author that can write like wow! (Gushing over, lets continue)

Your BBF will also send you funny book related pictures. They know you far too well and are immediately reminded of your joint inability to say no to just one more new book.

Incoherent conversations about books! Check! When you just can't wait to talk about the book your reading. They are who you talk to. And they will listen even if they don't like the series (City of Heavenly Fire *cough*)

They will never stop recommending you books and you to them. You'll both refuse to read them but after constant nattering, you'll break down read it and love it!

HINT HINT SLATED FEE! READ THE ASSASSIN'S BLADE!

This is really my long winded way of saying that the world of reading is not a solitary one. We hear all the time that "bookworms" (I hate that phrase) are anti-social and need to get out more. That the act of writing and reading is one you do alone. But it really isn't. I have the greatest friendships all built on the basis of reading books. When we talk about books we don't discuss them quietly, we jump up and down, screaming down the pub get excited about them. And I think that's pretty awesome.