I'm aliiiiiiiiveeeeeeee.......

It's me!

Honestly, I don't even know if there's a place left for me on the blogosphere but I want to try this thing again, I really do miss blogging. I have been low-key Tweeting for the past week or two, and recent bookish events have reignited my passion for book blogging. While it has been wonderful to be free from the clutches of blogging during this crazy busy last almost-year I really want to fall back into a routine with book blogging. Despite all the tedious editing, hours spent writing reviews and fine-tuning typos and weird HTML glitches (courtesy of Blogger >_>), it was really fun being part of a larger bookish community.

For those who don't know me yet, I'm a now 24 year old paediatric nurse living in Sydney, Australia. I am an ABC (Aussie Born Chinese) and still really don't care for eating rice, serve me pies and burgers over rice any day! I love honest and realistic contemporary YA more than any other genre, though I also adore historical fiction, high fantasy and basically anything that pulls me in with an engaging plot and/or sympathetic characters with whom I can feel a strong connection. I would also love to one day finish writing a novel.

Since my last blog post in August 2016, I have travelled to New Zealand with my boyfriend, travelled to Japan by myself and started a new job (another paeds nurse gig). I'm currently between semesters for my grad cert in Paediatric Nursing. Of course, I have done more, but those are the big things.

I have still been reading during my time away from the blog and maybe I will post reviews of some of them sometime in the future -- we'll see how this goes. I'm not expecting too much. All I wanted out of this blog from the beginning was to get my voice out there, in my own little space. So be it if my words reverberate and bounce off these walls, echoes reaching out to deaf ears (or in this case, unseeing eyes).

If you have managed to make it here, then welcome! Please comment - I promise I'm friendly! I might even follow you back. :)

When Aussie books make it to the States!

I can think of three recent instances* of Aussie authors making their debuts in the US: Jessica Shirvington (author of Embrace), Laura Buzo (author of Good Oil--titled Love and Other Perishable Items in the US) and Robyn Bavati (author of Dancing in the Dark).

Which is so freaking exciting! I've actually read and reviewed all three of these authors' debut novels. I've linked my reviews of them above. Just, yeah.

My opinion of Embrace has actually changed as time passed but I'm certainly in the minority with my current opinions on that book. I adore Good Oil and Dancing in the Dark, so I really wanted to make sure you all know that these books are written by AUSSIE AUTHORS! Which means, by default, that they are all great in their own right and that you should go and read them!



Above: Original AUS covers; Below: New US covers

(links to Goodreads pages)

Embrace is great for fans of paranormal books, and for an angel book it does really well. What other authors don't skim is the hierarchy and nitty-gritty of the whole angels theme.

Good Oil is a story of achey unrequited crushes and how unfair that can be. It's just so true to life, so true to the process of growing up. I'm actually thinking of buying the US cover so I can own two copies of the book. I heart this book! I also love Buzo's second book, Holier Than Thou.

Dancing in the Dark is about a Jewish teenage girl who falls into the world of dance, but she has to hide it from her family. Because they're super religious. It's such a lovely read, and I think its messages are universal. I wouldn't mind re-visiting all the characters soon!

Any of them catch your attention?

Also I want to know which covers of each book you prefer. Personally, US, AUS and AUS (respectively in reference of image above). Have you read any of these? Does it actually matter to you if these books are written by Aussie authors? Like, does that up their value instantly or something? I'm dying to know what you think!


* Actually, there's also Kirsty Eagar (author of Raw Blue). Let me know if there are any other authors you can think of.

 

No Shades of Grey

So I just got home from an interview (so nerve-wracking!) and so I've been relaxing recovering and browsing around and came across this list.

Black & White book covers

Here are a few others, off the top of my head. 

Can you think of any other purely black/white book covers?

My Books in Colour (3) + Online Shopping and a Book Cover

MBiC is a fortnightly post book haul feature, and is inspired by Kristi (The Story Siren) and Alea (Pop Culture Junkie). I love looking at book covers, and especially their colours, and that is where my idea came from.

~~~~~

27th of May 2012 ~ Notes

I am back with the second half of my May book haul! It's a short one so I figured I'd talk about other things in this post too.  :)

So first, here are the books.

Admire the crappy photo quality & the ripping of packaging for background making. ADMIRE IT!

•  Fated (#1) by Alyson Noel || For review *
• Rapture (#4?) by Lauren Kate || For review *
• Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler || Bought
• You probably can't see but TBD sent me a bookmark of calorie counts. Trying to send me a message here, book guys? Well I'm not impressed!

Thanks to Macmillan and Random House (respectively). I won't be reading any of them as I am just not interested, however if YOU are, comment and you *may* receive. ;) Clarification: Australia only.

As for 'Fixing Delilah', it was freaking LESS than $5! How can you say no to that? I regret nothing.

Happy reading everybody! Comment in the doobly-doo below.

Share with me what books you got! :)

And now, a semi-explanation...

What time I spend online, much of it is spent window shopping online. I just can't get enough of it! And so, I've been neglecting reading and blogging for a bit. Same with in the blogosphere. I've just started following fashion and DIY-cooking blogs (some were blogs that other book bloggers frequented, specifically the latter!) and other than Aussie blogs or my favourite blogs, I haven't been up to date. I think it may be time to un-follow some blogs since I always hit the 1000+ un-read mark way too easily/quickly. :/

But anyway, yeah, that's where I'm at. So, since my mind is mostly filled with fashion-y stuff right now, I ask you:

Q: What clothing item/accessory do you want right now?

I'm not even talking about something trendy or new here. For me, I want something that I reckon EVERYONE else in the world has but me: a pair of boots. Not high-heels, not too grunge, and since I'm not by any stretch a tall girl, I'm talking ankle boots here.

I have not found "the one" just yet. :( Or even gum boots, which is even better since sometimes jumping on puddles is just irresistible. Am I right?

I'm positively SICK of going out on a rainy (+ wind!) day and have my jeans, flats and feet completely soaked by the end of it. That leads to another question: What do you wear on those rainy + windy days, when you just can't avoid getting wet?

Also...

Also. Loving. This. Cover!

I am a fan of the US cover, but this UK cover just kicks ass! I'm not sure what everyone else thinks of it, but I don't care. I cannot wait to get a copy of this and see it in person. This chick LOOKS like an assassin - hell yeah!

So if you haven't heard this book before, go add it to your Goodreads wishlist. You want to read this book! I am so confident that I will love it since I've already read some of Sarah's writing and I like her style very much. This book needs posters made for it! And bookmarks. And pins. And a Calaena wig! And the novellas in one bound edition. I would PAY MONEY FOR THAT!

So it's been a couple months...

 

I'm not surprised, myself, considering I continuously, consciously, made the decision to hold off on blogging. Now that I'm on a 5 week break from uni, I'm really hoping to catch up on my reviews! I feel so guilty with review copies especially, since they occasionally make their way to me and yet I've been like a dry lake lately.

Books I'm up to

Just as an update, I'm reading Delirium (Lauren Oliver), Pretty Little Liars (Sara Shepard) - both rereads - and just started Storm (Brigid Kemmerer) last night.

Reasons for re-reading: pre-sequel-refresher (Delirium) and because-i-feel-like-it (Pretty Little Liars)

I've received heaps of great books since I've last IMM-ed (22/01!). Estimating at 38...which is a lot, to me. I'll be breaking it down to pub-months, and I'll do all that.....next week. Can you say lazy?

Layout change...maybe

I had plans to update my layout during the summer holidays back in Jan-Feb, but never got around to it. My banner is all set and it's looking SO PRETTY! I really just have to figure out whether I want to re-arrange my sidebars, accompanying background image/colour (which was the big one), ?navigation bar and just everything: colour palette, fonts, rating system . . .  which is why I've held it off for so long! I'm still using the same photo, just because to me it's like my blog's trademark image.

Review pile

Oh geez. I'm sure I've got AT LEAST 15 books on the back burner here. Here's a list and some brief thoughts.

• A Million Suns (#2) by Beth Revis - Loveeeed! I was practically hugging my blankets during the last half. And of course, tissues were kept handy. Elder and Amy are also more likeable in this one, I thought.
• Strange Angels (#1) by Lili St. Crow - It was alright. A bit too dark and goth-y when I was reading it. This will be featured as a mini-review with book #2.
• The Fault in Our Stars by John freaking Green - I can't believe I haven't posted a review for this yet. *face palm* Seriously? I really really liked it. Didn't love it to pieces, but I cried, laughed and thought - not necessarily in that order.
• Fracture by Megan Miranda - Ever since I put this book down I've been wanting to re-read it for winter! I simply love this book. It's mysterious, a little creepy, but just totally kept me on my toes and gave me the chills all the way through.
• The Dead of Night (#2) by John Marsden - What can I possibly say about this book? It gets better. More character development and insight, more high-scale action and danger. Cannot wait to read #3 (which I own)!
• The Hunger Games (#1) by Suzanne Collins - I read this a few months before everyone who isn't a reader picked it up. No words for it. All I know is I want to read CF now! I'll be reviewing the series together...
• Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - Sensitively explores the pressures of being a muscial prodigy - or any kind of prodigy, actually. Carmen undergoes serious development as her prize, the Guarneri, slowly slips away as she lets her competition into her heart. Swept me off my feet when I read it!
• Wood Angel (aka. Plain Kate) by Erin Bow - Started off shaky for me, I just wasn't interested. But then something clicked and by the end I was in tears, and so overwhelmed by the enormity of the events that occur in this folkish fairytale.
• Emerald by Karen Wallace - A bit slow, even for a historical YA (a genre I love). There was a bit of foolish romance, but overall once we get to the palace things start to speed up and things get good. I love Molly, her bear!
• Fated by Sarah Alderson - *sigh* I just don't know. May have to reread this one before I can write up a review...
• Where I Belong by Gwen Heasley - Eh. It kept me entertained, but it's pretty fluffy. I could totally see this as a film. I might review this back-to-back with the companion book coming later this year.
• Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood - It's so magical! And, and the swoony moments! I enjoyed it, though I had some gripes with it.
• Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King - I love this author. She's so wonderfully kooky and real, and not afraid to delve into real contemporary issues, but also keeping everything fresh and compellingly readable.
• Psych Major Syndrome by Alison Thompson - I'd wanted to read this since Nomes reviewed it on her blog. This is such an indulgent read, but OMG I loved it! Plus, it's set in collllllege (aka. uni).
• Blood Red Road (#1) by Moira Young - Is that right? Have I really not reviewed this yet? God. I read this the exact same way I read The Hunger Games: on the edge of my seat. One page leads to another page, and before you know it you've finished a "chapter". Next book (RH), please!
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I harness similar feelings to this book as I did to Shatter Me. The romance parts just freaking ruined the main thing for me. This was a major disappointment for me. Just could not wrap my mind around it. Plus, the ending! *smacks book against wall* HOW CAN YOU END LIKE THAT?! Still undecided if I want to read on... On a positive note, it's written quite well. If lyrical and breezy is your flavour of choice, better get in and read in Mara Dyer's voice.

And a couple of books that I've already got scheduled. ;)

Sydney Writer's Festival

For the record, I'm still not 100% sure I want to go. The decision of which panel to attend is tearing me apart!!! :'(

Option #1: Scott Westerfeld, Isobelle Carmody, Justine Larbalestier {link}
I have only read Uglies (#1) but I am so interested in Isobelle Carmody's Obernewtyn series that I want to hear what she has to say. I wonder if they'll be selling her books there?

Option #2: Lucy Christopher, Kirsty Eagar, Margo Lanagan {link}
Lucy Christopher is well known for her debut Stolen. I have not read it, but I do own Flyaway... Kirsty Eagar...guh. I need to read one of her books someday! And Margo wrote Tender Morsels, which is apparently a disturbing read. I own another book by her though, so I could read that beforehand...

I'm hoping someone who goes to the other panel will film what goes down...or at least be able to recount it. As for book signings, well...I want to buy some of Kirsty Eagar's books (or maybe one because it's so expensive!), and also books #1-#2 (omnibus) for Obernewtyn. Just saying, it sounds right up my alley... it's just that I need lots of time to read all those pages! (#7/8 is 700+ pages!) I also want to get to Westerfeld's Leviathan series (what's the "official name"?) and continue the Uglies series.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think I'll just continue with what I've got though. So, so excited to read HOLIER THAN THOU by Laura Buzo. I just finished Good Oil a few days ago and OMG it was just so good! Contemporary YA is still going strong - every single contemp I've read this year so far have been hitting the mark. *sigh*

Squeakers and Buttberp talk books

Hey there readers! I'm just here in between study sessions.

For those who missed it on the Google Reader yesterday, I'm hosting a giveaway for 'Brimstone' by Alan Skinner. You can go check it out HERE. If you're an Aussie resident, all you have to do is comment and you're in the draw for a free physical copy!

Anyway, you might be wondering: What's up with the title of this blog post? Exactly what it says, really. I'm sure a few of you know about this online animated text-to-video maker called XTRANORMAL. "Squeakers and Buttberp" is one of those. Don't tune off just yet! It's actually quite...well, funny.

Each video consists of two bears: one wearing overalls and the other in Native American gear, Squeakers and Buttberp respectively. Squeakers loves to read, and the two bears strike up some conversation and he (though he has a girl's voice) will segue into the newest book he has read. Aaaand Buttberp's only got one think on his mind all the while: hot chicks. Each video is only around 2 mins so they don't take long at all to get through, and many of the books mentioned are actually ones I've enjoyed myself or have wanted to read.

Check them out if you want to watch something bookish but also a bit silly and won't take too long to watch. In a few days my review of LIESL & PO (by Lauren Oliver) will be up. Loved it, and if I could, I'd ramble on about the prettiness of the book and its contents right now, but I've got to get back to work. Thanks for reading, and if you do go watch one of the vids, comment or like!

Links:

Youtube channel

Wordpress

*I was not asked to mention Squeakers and Buttberp. I thought maybe someone else might appreciate the vids. 

I actually stumbled upon this when looking into 'God is in the Pancakes' by Robin Epstein AGAIN.*