'Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.'- Angela Carter

Friday, 5 October 2012

Feature & Follow #8

So here's Fridays meme: Feature and Follow hosted over at Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The aim of the blog is to gain new followers! :)

How to participate:


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

What sets this Hop apart from others, is the Feature. Each week they will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow the Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy.
                         Featured Blogs: Angela's Anxious Life & Book Liaison


Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? Is it to one day become an author yourself, just for fun, maybe get some online attention, or maybe something very different?


It started off that I just wanted to talk books with other book lovers and to also expand my reviewing skills. I desperately want to get into publishing as agent/editor, either are my dream jobs. As any reader, I'd love to be granted the talent to put together a mind blowing novel but as of yet this inspirational idea has yet to hit me. Who knows what the future holds, I am only 21 :).

xxx

Thursday, 4 October 2012

First week done! A few books to browse at :).

So my first week of postgraduate life is done, lecture wise anyway! I have a grand total of six hours a week, with eight hours every few. Can't complain really, it's the same as what I did for undergraduate! It's quite intimidating though as it feels like you have to be on top of your game 100% of the time. The dreaded presentations are being introduced this year. I'm trying to focus on how helpful they will be once they're done but at the moment it's a massive EEUUURRGHHHH!

Anyway, the point of this post is to show off the course books I know I have to read so far this semester! Can't complain which makes a lovely change :):

Neo-Victorian Mutinies: Gender & Racial Trauma

The Siege Of Krishnapur Wanting Fingersmith Hottentot Venus: A Novel The Journal of Dora Damage Dan Leno & Limehouse Golem

I've also decided to read:
Supping With Panthers

This wasn't voted in on our to-read list course wise but I can't resist a book with a supernatural edge!

I was unbelievably excited to see Sarah Waters appear on my course text list! It's a book I've wanted to read for ages and now the excuse is there. So far these are the only compulsory texts for semester 1 (alongside small essays etc) and the course book and the way we approach it is entirely our choice for my other module! So far so good :).

Have any of you guys read any of these books? Opinions? :)

xxx

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Top Ten Tuesday #1

This week I thought I'd try out a new meme: Top Ten Tuesday hosted over at the wonderful blog; Broke and Bookish. This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is:
Top Ten 'older' books that shouldn't be forgotten about!

Harry Potter - This most certainly speaks for itself. This is a collection of books which, in my opinion, will be cherished for years to come and by upcoming generations. It appeals to children and adults, it's such an intriguing little world created by J. K. Rowling and I don't think I will ever be able to get enough of it, or indeed, ever get over the ending of the series.

Rebecca - This is a masterpiece created by Daphne du Maurier. I am so glad that one of my university modules introduced me to this author and novel. It's compelling and its uncanniness carries you from page to page. This is highly recommended. It is a book which certainly hasn't received as much attention as it deserves.

Wuthering Heights - Easily my favourite book out of all the Classics. Anyone who has read it will appreciate how much of a masterpiece this work is. I am just devastated that Emily Bronte passed away before she was able to complete another novel!

Otherworld Series - Kelley Armstrong's entire series! Completely amazing books, a mind-blowing world and yet another series which I am struggling to accept the end of. The paranormal genre doesn't get anywhere near enough credit in my opinion and I hope these books maintain their popularity.

The Handmaid's Tale - The first piece of Margaret Atwood that I ever read. She is incredible. This novel echoes issues addressed by both Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World but confronts them in a much more interesting way, making it a more enjoyable read. 

The Famous Five - Need I say more? I think everyone has read these at least once in their childhood. I remember curling up with my Mam's old copies and absolutely loved them. I don't think there's any worries about these books being forgotten any time soon.

Complete Works of Shakespeare - I think this speaks for itself really. The all time greatest playwright and poet should not and will not be forgotten. If my degree taught me anything it is to respect his talent and works.

Game of Thrones - I can only speak for this book and A Clash of Kings as I've yet to read the rest, but I already know that this is not a series to be forgotten. He has successfully managed to put fantasy back on the map and I hope that it grows further in success!

Blackdagger Brotherhood - J. R. Ward is a truly talented woman. She succeeded in creating and incredibly and original world and managed to put a whole new spin on the vampire tales. 

1984 - One of the original and probably one of the most influential Dystopian texts. His Realism introduced to us the sinister world that could exist if 'security' continued the way it currently is. It unsettles me how much some of the security systems we have in the UK match up with - although not as radical as - that which is portrayed in this novel.

xxx

Sunday, 30 September 2012

Absentee Blogger!

This past fortnight I've been pretty awful in keeping up with my blogging. I've finally moved back down to University and my course begins tomorrow! So as you can imagine, it has been pretty hectic getting everything sorted.

The week began with a mini breakdown. I went through a massive 'omg-what-if-I'm-not-good-enough-for-postgraduate-level', it was horrendous! After this though, there was a welcome reception put on by the English department where myself, my other course mates and lectures sorted out the remaining bits and bobs and got to know each other over a few glasses of wine and pretzels so that has 100% put me at ease! Fiiieeew.

I've spent today researching Dissertation topics and getting started on some Neo-Victorian studying so we are officially on a roll! Unfortunately, this means that my blogging will be taking a bit of a back seat although I will try my hardest to keep up with it all. It will be a welcome break from studying I'm sure!

As you can all understand, non course book reviews are currently on hold until Sept. 2013. One or two may creep up but am making no promises.

Hope everything is going OK with all of you lovely bloggers!

xxx

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

WWW Wednesday #10 / Waiting on Wednesday #8


Wednesday's meme is hosted over at Should Be Reading, a meme which I'm actively taking part in in which we show off the books we've read, we're reading and going to read :).
The rules are simple. All that has to be done is to answer the following three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?
Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3)
What are you currently reading?

Divergent (Divergent #1)The third and final book in the trilogy. I've been sat on the second chapter for a week now... not liking it!





What did you recently finish reading?

I recently finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. Wow, what a book. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to get my hands on the next one! Eeeeesh, woman has some serious skills, lol! Amazing, amazing, amazing.

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)
  

What do you think you'll read next?

 It'll be a toss up between Maze Runner and Divergent. I've had Roth's book for awhile and recently bought Maze Runner so it's going to be difficult to decide which one!





-x-

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine , which allows us to show off the books we cannot wait to get our hands on :). My choice this week is:


Laini Taylor- Days of Blood and Starlight


Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2)

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

I adored the first one and cannot wait for the next!

xxx


Friday, 21 September 2012

**GIVEAWAY WINNER*

A massive congratulations to Chloe Louis on winning my first ever giveaway - an ebook copy of Legend of the Chosen by Jennifer Selzer and Daniel Huber. Well done!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 


Thanks to all of you that entered, it was awesome to host a giveaway and cannot wait for the next!

xxx

Feature & Follow #7



So here's Fridays meme: Feature and Follow hosted over at Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The aim of the blog is to gain new followers! :)


How to participate:


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

What sets this Hop apart from others, is the Feature. Each week they will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow the Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy.
                         Featured Blogs: Northern Plunder & The Authoress


Q: What hyped up book was worth all of the fuss?

It has been a long time since I've gotten to speak about it so I definitely have to say the entire Harry Potter series! I'm still mourning the end of the series, the books and films always leave me with an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia and sadness that they're over. Usually, I'm adamant that books come before films, but the very first film is what made me retry the first two books. So, so glad that I did because they improved dramatically the more Ms. Rowling wrote. It's a shame the owls lost my Hogwarts letter...

xxx