Browsing Tag

the naturals

Uncategorized

November Wrap-Up and December Goals | 2013

It’s December! I love the Christmas atmosphere of this month – we can finally open our advent calendars, put up our Christmas trees and spread the festive spirit! I’m feeling particularly cheery this year and have a few Christmas posts planned for this month, which I’m really looking forward to writing. A very exciting month ahead!

November was as exciting as I’m hoping December will be and I managed to get a lot read. Woo! I’ve been in a reading slump since the start of September so I’m glad that I’ve finally broken it and I’m getting back into the swing of finding time each day to read. I’m trying to set twenty minutes aside each day to read and this has really helped me feel a lot better and also get a lot more read.

The books I read in November were:

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson, The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop, Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling, When It Happens by Susane Colasanti, Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider.

Choosing a book of the month is going to be very hard, because all of them were so good!
I’m going to have to choose The Darkest Minds because I was totally hooked, and also The Isobel Journal because it’s a favourite of mine now. They’re both completely different, so it’s nice to see a variation in what I’m reading.

Things of note that happened in November:

– I did NaNoWriMo, and then stopped at 12,000 words! You may think that I failed and I know people have been asking me why I stopped and the reason I did stop was because I didn’t feel like I needed to go on. I wasn’t trying to reach 50,000 words this month, although that would have been amazing. Instead I wanted to get something written. So I don’t think I failed and I’m very proud of myself for writing so much in such a short space of time: I think I wrote it in around 5 days.

– I went ice skating! I went with a few of my friends to an ice rink close to me which has been put up for the holiday season and I had so much fun. I’ve always loved ice skating and actually didn’t fall over! I’m hoping to go a few more times in the coming weeks because I realised just how much I enjoy it. I loved watching Dancing on Ice when I was younger and am in awe of the people who can do all those moves and not fall over! I’m so clumsy!

– I went to laser quest, and I failed. It was my friend’s birthday and thirteen of us went. It was lots of fun, but I came 11th. I obviously didn’t channel my inner Katniss Everdeen enough. Maybe next time!

December Goals:

Books I’m Hoping To Read in December:decembertbr 001

 Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle – I’m planning to read this a few days before Christmas, and I am so excited. I’ve heard amazing things about it and it certainly looks promising. I can’t wait!

Memory by Christoph Marzi – This is a review book I have and I love the sound of it. I’m not sure if I’ve read anything similar to it before so I’m looking forward to reading something a bit different.

Della says: OMG! by Keris Stainton – Eeeep! I’m a huge fan of Keris’ books and this is the only one I haven’t read. It sounds fab!

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff – I’m super nervous about starting this because there’s so much hype, and there’s even more now that it has been translated onto the big screen. I’m really looking forward to it, though.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – I thought it was finally time I gave this a go. I’ve read the first chapter or two and I enjoyed it, so hopefully the rest will be just as good.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian – My friend recently read this so I thought I’d give it a go too and it sounds absolutely amazing. Can’t wait!

decembertbr 002

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – This has been likened to Ally Carter’s books, which I loved, so I feel super excited to start it. It sounds so kick ass! It’s also a review book, so expect a review sometime soon!

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher – I was at the launch in October and really enjoyed the part that Lucy read out, so I can’t wait to read the whole book. Another review book!

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales – One that I’ve heard amazing things about and I know I’ll completely adore it, because I don’t think I know of anyone who hasn’t. Yay! Another review book!

Legend by Marie Lu – This sounds awesome and I have a gorgeous hardback copy which just adds to the reading experience. I’ve heard amazing things about it and so I’m keeping my fingers crossed I enjoy it.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – I decided that if I didn’t read it now I would just keep putting it off, so here we are! I have no idea what I’ll think of it, but lets hope I think positive things!

Other Goals:

– I’m hoping to get a lot of posts out this month because I’ve been neglecting the blog a lot lately. I have loads of ideas so I just need to get on and write the posts now!

– Enjoy myself! This is something I really need to focus on because I’ve been feeling like blogging is a huge pressure for ages now. I just want to relax and have fun.

How was your November? Have you set yourself any goals for December? Let me know! 

Book Haul

Showcase Sunday (4)- The Shadowhunter Edition

SSsmall

Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week. It is hosted by Vicky from Books, Biscuits and Tea.

I’ve decided to do Showcase Sunday again because I like the interactivity of it and talking to new bloggers is one of my favourite things to do.

I have a really good haul this week with some very exciting books featured. I can’t wait to read them all! Sorry for the bad quality of photo; the place where I usually take them is messy and I wanted to show the covers of some of the books.

Bought:

showcasesunday11-8-2013 001

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Official Illustrated Movie Companion- I saw this and couldn’t think of buying anything else because it has the most gorgeous pictures and offers a real insight into the making of the film.

angelicrunecharm

 I’m really looking forward to reading it cover to cover.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Shadowhunter’s Guide- This has really good character descriptions and pictures of all the runes which will come in handy very soon!


The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (film cover edition)- 
This came with a free rune charm which I’ve since added to a chain and wear as a necklace.

showcasesunday11-8-2013 002

Brooklyn Girls: Pia by Gemma Burgess- This one sounds really good and I’ve heard good things about it. I’m really enjoying reading NA at the moment, too.

Gifted- Book Swap:

showcasesunday11-8-2013 003

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead- I’ve read the first Vampire Academy book and am looking forward to starting this one. I really want to meet Adrian Ivashkov! Thank you, Hawwa!

e-Books:

Bought:

Losing It by Cora Carmack- Review coming soon! I loved this so, so much!

Faking It by Cora Carmack- This was just as good as Losing It and I really want more by Cora Carmack now!

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West- This was a really cute and sweet read that I really enjoyed.

To Review- Netgalley:

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman- This sounds so good and I’m so please I was accepted. Thank you, Disney Hyperion and Netgalley!

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Another one that sounds fab. Thank you, Disney Hyperion and Netgalley

Waiting on the Sidelines by Ginger Scott- Thanks to the author and Netgalley for this one! I’m really looking forward to starting it.