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Lauren Myracle

November Wrap-Up and December Goals | 2013

Posted on 4 December, 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:

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!

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!

Letterbox Love (21)

Posted on 16 November, 2013

Letterbox Love is a UK based feature where book bloggers showcase the books that they received that week, be they e-books, paperbacks, hardbacks or any other format. It is hosted by Lynsey from Narratively Speaking.

I’ve got such a big haul to share with you this week! I bought an awful lot, but I’m really pleased with everything I got.

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Freaks by Lisa M. Forester
Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Shattered Dreams by Ellie James
Hidden Among Us by Katy Moran
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Legend by Marie Lu
Jude the Obscure & Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

What did you get this week? Leave a link to your own book hauls!

Book Review

DNF REVIEW: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Posted on 15 August, 2013

It really does pain me to write this review because I was so hopeful that this book would be something special and sweet. Sadly, I was very disappointed and I couldn’t finish the book. For that reason, my review will only reflect the 33% of the book that I did read.

The Infinite Moment of Us is about a girl called Wren whose life is commanded by her parents. Tell her to jump off a cliff, and she’ll go do it. Wren was so infuriating and I just wanted to shake her so much and tell her to grow a pair. She did everything to please her parents and it was like her life revolved around theirs and vice versa. To be fair, I can see why she was so scared by them because when one thing happens in the book they end up saying they’re disappointed in her and tell her she’s throwing her life away. For people who are supposedly looking out for their daughter’s welfare, they sure are pushing her away.

Charlie is the male protagonist and was even more pathetic than Wren. He declared his love for her when they’d only had a few encounters and weren’t even going out. Yes, there were parts of his life that made me feel sorry for him, but compared to a lot of other people in similar situations, he was extremely lucky. He had a loving home and people who cared about him.

The romance in this book was hinted at from the first chapter which led on to something that felt like insta-love. The note at the start of the book hints at a slow romance that carefully builds up but we have Wren and Charlie practically agreeing to marry each other not even halfway through the book. None of it felt real and this is one of the things that disappointed me the most because a great romance was promised.

The plot felt unrealistic, the dialogue felt forced and I was left pulling my hair out on numerous occasions. I felt like huge chunks of writing were put in just for the sake of it and I must have annotated five billion times that things weren’t even necessary.

The cover is so gorgeous and I’d definitely buy this if I saw this in a bookshop. Sadly, this is one of the only things that I liked about the book and I wish the book reflected the cover more.

The Infinite Moment of Us was such a cringy and frustrating novel. I doubt I’ll be reading anything else by this author in the future. It’s really saddened me that I didn’t like it.

Uncategorized

A to Z Book Survey

Posted on 12 August, 2013

The A to Z Book Survey was created by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner. I love her blog so much (seriously, she’s one of my blogging idols) and she does the End of Year Book Survey every year which is such a good idea. I’ve seen this going round the blogosphere for a few days now and I thought I’d give it a go myself because it’s such fun.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

According to Goodreads, I’ve read the most books by Cassandra Clare (7), but I know that according to my bookshelf it is Meg Cabot. I’ll read anything written by both.

Best Sequel Ever:

I’m going to choose Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi for this one because I couldn’t put it down. I love her books so much and this one exceeded Shatter Me by miles.

Currently Reading:

At the time of writing this (yesterday), I was reading The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle, which I’m finding very difficult to get into. 🙁

Drink of Choice While Reading:

I only drink water so that’s going to have to be my answer. Although when I’m reading I usually forget to drink anything.

E–reader or Physical Book?

I’ll always love physical books, and nothing will beat them for me, but I am trying to read more e-books because they’re so much cheaper and it’s much easier to buy novels that aren’t so freely available here in the UK. This saves me having to buy a hardcover for a book I might not enjoy.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell! My ultimate book boyfriend. *swoon*

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Wings by Aprilynne Pike, because I was very close to DNF-ing it.

Hidden Gem Book:

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did!

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Starting my blog. I wouldn’t be the reader I am today without it, because blogging made me read more and look to other genres that weren’t familiar to me.

Just Finished:

Faking It by Cora Carmack which I LOVED. I love her books so much now!

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I don’t like reading vampire novels, but I will tolerate them. I do avoid time travel novels now because I just have a lot of problems with them.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Major book hangover because of:

Shaman of Stonewylde by Kit Berry. It’s the last book in my favourite series

Number of Bookcases You Own:

I have two shelves that run the length of my wall, one that runs half and a big bookcase. And I still don’t have enough room…

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Whenever I’m in a reading slump, I’ll pick it up and it always helps me get out of it.

Preferred Place To Read:

I can read just about anywhere, but I love reading in my chair which normally has things heaped up the sides and fall on me pretty regularly. I’d take a picture but it’s so messy the sight would probably horrify you.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“‘After all this time?’

‘Always,’ said Snape.”

It gets me every time!

Reading Regret:

This is a really hard one for me to answer because there’s nothing that I wish I had done differently. I’m still really young so I can’t say I wish I had done things years ago and I read so much anyway that I can usually fit in anything that I want to read. I’m going to leave this one blank for now.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. I only have one more book to go!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Anything Rainbow Rowell, which is pretty ironic seeing as though one of her books is called Fangirl.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi! Words cannot explain how excited I am. 😀

Worst Bookish Habit:

I do buy a lot of books that end up sitting on my pile for months and months. My TBR pile takes up two shelves.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Your latest book purchase:

Faking It by Cora Carmack for my Kindle.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Losing It by Cora Carmack! I stayed up all night reading it!

Have you done this survey? Link me to your own posts if so!

(sorry for the lack of pictures. My post wouldn’t format them properly. :))