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IN FOCUS: Historical Fiction

Posted on 7 February, 2013
Historical Fiction is one of my favourite genres and I just had to write this post about my favourite authors within the genre. 
1. Eve Edwards
I first discovered Eve Edwards in February 2011 and have been in love with her novels ever since. The Other Countess is the first of three books and she has another novel, Dusk, out later this year set in World War I.
2. Mary Hooper
Some of Mary Hooper’s books include Fallen Grace and Velvet, which I loved. She creates wonderful scenes is very true to real life. She has a new novel, The Disgrace of Kitty Grey, due out in May.
3. Marie-Louise Jensen
Although I haven’t read all of the Marie-Louise Jensen’s novels, I’ve read enough to know that she is an amazing author! I have learnt so much from her writing and am definitely going to try and get hold of the two I haven’t yet read very soon! Smuggler’s Kiss, her latest novel, is being published in March. 
What are your favourite historical novels and authors? 
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REVIEW: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Posted on 6 February, 2013
Summary from Goodreads:

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.



There have been a lot of mixed reviews for this novel so I was a little dubious when starting it. 
35 girls have been chosen. Which one will win the prince’s heart? When America Singer signs up for The Selection, a competition to become the bride of Prince Maxon, heir to the throne, she doesn’t expect to be chosen.
Being Selected means leaving her old life at home, and the boy who has stolen her heart. But is it the end for America; or has the adventure just begun?
I don’t think you could really classify this novel under one sole genre. It has a lot of dystopian elements but some aspects felt so real that it could have been set in the present. I found it very similar to The Hunger Games but could also see that it had a unique storyline so I wasn’t all that bothered by it.
I do wish there had been a little more worldbuilding at the start but there was plenty in the rest of the novel that compensated for this. 
The novel is written in America’s point of view and I thought she was a very strong character. She didn’t really want to be at the palace but she was selfless and stayed because of her family. She thought of others before herself but still had a feisty side that we saw on occasion. She wasn’t perfect by any means but her background enabled her to have a quality that the other girls lacked.
I really loved Maxon. At first I thought he was a little weird but after a while I began to accept him for who he was and then couldn’t get enough of him. He was so awkward but so cute and he is definitely one of my favourite book boyfriends of all time! I think it was nice that the girls got to know him in his natural environment. It was good to see that he was just a normal boy because living in such a way that he did could really turn a person into a spoiled brat.
The other girls were also very strong characters but I tended to be able to tell who was going to go before it was even written.
I loved the whole concept of this novel. It had twists and turns that made me want to read on and already we are getting clues about the larger plot running in all three novels. 
The Selection was a novel that took me by surprise and I really don’t know how I’ll be able to wait until The Elite comes out. It’s a novel of despair and fairytales and one of my favourite books of all time.

RATING: 5/5
-Favourites shelf
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DISCUSSION: Blogging in the Real World

Posted on 5 February, 2013
Since I first started this blog in April 2012 I have come a long way. At first I told no one that I was running a blog. 
Blogging takes a lot of dedication and it’s only recently that I’ve come to understand that. I’ve always loved to write and since running this blog I’ve been able to put it to practical uses. 
Because I read so much I’ve been called ‘sad’ and asked if I have a life. My response? I think it’s sad that people don’t read. They don’t understand why I read because they don’t do it themselves. If I played a sport or an instrument then I would be treated differently but because reading is considered ‘geeky’ it is looked down on.
I know that Rebecca wrote a post about this a while ago. I”m not ashamed to tell people about my blog but  I know that if I did tell them they wouldn’t understand me. 
Today, teenagers associate the world blog with Tumblr. I’m not going to start bashing it because I use Tumblr myself, although not as often as I used to. 
Tumblr isn’t always a proper form of blogging, in my opinion. I spend hours writing and thinking up content for my blog and so it annoys me when people say that they have successful and popular blogs Tumblr blogs when all they do is reblog pictures. There’s no real skill to this. All it is, is the click of a few buttons and for someone like me who works hard, it is disheartening. It can make you wonder why you’re putting the effort in when you could be doing hardly anything. At the moment I’m fine with writing discussions and reviews but there will come a point where I become too busy with school and will have to cut back.
I think people should recognise the work we do because it can be really tough! Sometimes we deserve a little more praise than we are given.
So the next time you see someone’s blog post and decided to ignore it, just think about this: if you had taken the time to write a long post, would you want to be thanked and recognised? I know what my answer would be! 
One minute of your time could make a person’s day.
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REVIEW: Emma Hearts LA by Keris Stainton

Posted on 4 February, 2013

Summary from Goodreads: 

Emma’s not sure that LA’s for her, but when she accompanies her sister Bex to an audition, a chance meeting with a teen TV star starts to change her new sunshine lifestyle for the better… But what about Oscar, so far her only friend in LA, who’s turning out NOT to be the idiot she thought he was?

Soon Emma begins to find herself torn between two boys and reconsidering her entire future.

Maybe LA’s not that bad after all.





My Review:

I’ve been meaning to read this book ever since I read and enjoyed Jessie Hearts NYC, and I’m so glad that I finally have because I loved it just as much. When I saw this at my library I actually squealed, causing my friend to give me a rather odd look.
When Emma’s mother is offered the opportunity to move to LA, Emma isn’t exactly pleased. But once there, will Emma enjoy the LA lifestyle? After all, with celebrity Alex and geeky Oscar, why wouldn’t it be fun? 
Emma, the main character, is a very familiar face. After finding her interesting in Jessie, I was excited to read more about her. I was really pleased to find that Emma was even better in this novel! She had an added depth and I liked seeing another side of her. 
We have two potential love interests in this novel: Oscar and Alex. 
Oscar was incredibly kind and sweet. I loved his character so much and liked the fact that we could see how  much he had changed over the years through Emma’s eyes because it felt a lot more personal. 
Alex’s character was well-developed and it was evident what he was like from the start.
(Can you tell which team I’m on?!)
Emma Hearts LA had a very strong plot line and was beautifully written. My only fault with it was that it didn’t include Finn. Yes, he was mentioned, but I wanted a scene! Maybe now is the time to admit that I may be slight obsessed with him…
But now I can obsess over Oscar’s singing! Do you think I could buy an album?!
This is a book that I really enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of contemporary fiction. It is also a brilliant opportunity to be transported to LA from the comfort of your own sofa (or train seat, or bed, or wherever you’re reading it!). Emma Hearts LA is a novel jam-packed with humour and romance.
RATING: 5/5
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February Goals

Posted on 3 February, 2013
**I was meaning to post this earlier but didn’t get around to it, so am posting it now**

In January I managed to read 13 books and so I would like to do the same again this month. I also have school holidays so getting this aim a little higher would be really good.
I’m hoping to read-
Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson
Emma  ♥ La by Keris Stainton
The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

I’ve also set myself a goal of reaching 160 followers so I’ll probably be joining in with Stacking the Shelves and Follow Friday a lot more.
I’m going to be going to a book club for the first time this month and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m painfully shy so I’m hoping that it will help bring out my inner confidence.
At the end of the month I’m also going to a blogging talk hosted by Carly Bennett from Writing From the Tub and I’m really very excited for it.
What goals have you set yourself this month?
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Stacking the Shelves (9)

Posted on 2 February, 2013
Guidelines:
Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!

You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!

I am posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.

Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!

Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!
I have a rather small haul this week but am really pleased with what I did get. 
Library Haul:


Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate- I haven’t been particularly interested in reading this book but I’m looking forward to reading it, anyway. It sounds really interesting!
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness- This novel is supposed to be amazing and I can’t wait to read it! I know a few people who have read and enjoyed it so I’m hoping that I will, too.
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton- I haven’t had a great interest in reading this book but I was thinking about it the other day and so it’s a little more than a coincidence that I picked it up at my library! 
The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen- This will be my first Sarah Dessen novel and I am so excited! I really can’t believe that I’ve waited this long to read one!
The Selection by Kiera Cass- Eeeeeppp! Look at the amazing cover! I read this one yesterday and it is AMAZING. (Review to come!)
Emma ♥ LA by Keris Stainton- Woo! I finally got around to borrowing this book! Another amazing cover and an even more amazing read! 
Link back to your own hauls and follow and I’ll make sure that I comment/follow back! 

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Feature and Follow Friday (5)

Posted on 1 February, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme aiming to showcase a range of different blogs. It is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Q: What is the first thing you would do if you woke up to find yourself in your favorite book?

I think I would probably scream! It would be a little overwhelming, right? I think the people in the world would think I was a little odd because I would just pop up and start hugging them or something.
One of my favourite books is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green which, I think, would be a bit awkward.
I’d like to be transported to Hundred Oaks from Miranda Kenneally’s books, though. That would be so fun! 
Link below and don’t forget to follow and I’ll check out your post in return! 
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January Recap

Posted on 31 January, 2013
I’ve been very fortunate this month because I’ve received lots of amazing books.
I have quite a few favourites, actually! I really can’t choose only one! The first book I read this year was The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater which was very hard to beat. But I love Maggie’s books so I didn’t expect any other reaction.
Two other books that I loved were Adorkable by Sarra Manning and Smuggler’s Kiss by Marie-Louise Jensen. 
I’ve also achieved a lot this month. I started the month on between 100-110 followers and now have 140+. I really can’t believe this because I’m nearly halfway to my end of year goal. I’ve also really rekindled my passion for blogging (I’m going to be writing another post on this soon).
Another thing that I’m very proud of this month is the fact that I was featured in the Daily Mail at the start of the month. I wrote a letter to them in reply to their article on ‘sick lit’ and it was then printed as the lead letter. It’s something that I’ll always remember and I still can’t believe it! 
I’ll be posting about my goals for February and I’m also hoping to make these posts a monthly occurence.
Which books did you enjoy this month?