one chocolate box.

book tag!

2012-02-21T19:05:00.000+13:00

I wasn't even aware that there's a 'tag' meme going around. Thanks for tagging me Megan! I think this'll be a great way to get to know fellow book bloggers. Here were the questions I got from Megan.

1. What is your favourite childhood book?
It was The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown. But there were so many books that I loved when I was little, especially these fairy tales.

2. What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading two books at the moment - The Witching Hour by Anne Rice and Girl in the Arena by Lisa Haines. I'm currently at a really long stretch in Anne Rice's book where nothing seems to be happening, so when I get frustrated I switch to Lisa Haines' one.

3. Who is your favourite author and why?
Walter Moers. I think he is an absolute genius. I love how out-of-this-world his imagination is. My favourites of his are 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear and The City of Dreaming Books. I also love the drawings thrown in his books.

4. Outside of blogging, what do you like to do?
I enjoy baking a lot, and of course I read a lot too. I'm also interested in photography. I got myself a Canon DSLR, but it seems like I've forgotten everything I learned from taking photography for a semester.

5. Who are some of your favourite artists, bands etc?
Flicking through my iTunes library - The Foo Fighters, Keane, Kings of Leon, KT Tunstall, Muse, The Naked and Famous, Portishead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, Snow Patrol and Thom Yorke.

6. Sweet or savoury?
Sweet! I'm a huge chocolate fiend.

7. Do you have any favourite blogs and if so what are they?
I like reading through fat mum slim. I think Chantelle's posts are quite entertaining. She's got one of those blogs that are so awesome, it makes you hate her because you want to be her. Or maybe that's just my sick, twisted self. Haha! I also regularly frequent Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf and Megan's Storybook Love Affair.

8. What is your dream holiday?
I saw an article on Mindfood once on Prague and ever since then I've wanted to go there. The pictures were just breathtaking. I also really want to go to the Carnivale in Venice. I've also dreamed of going to Disneyland when I was young, and I do plan on going there early next year.

9. Who is your all-time favourite character?
I've always had a soft spot for Ariel, but I think it's because she was the Disney Princess I grew up with. Aside from her, I am nuts about Gizmo.

10. If you could write a book, what would it be about?
I'm not too sure, but it would either be a young adult book with fantasy or paranormal elements, or a chicklit novel. I've got far too many half-written and abandoned stories.

11. Recommend one book that you think everyone should read.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson.

The rules of the game:

1. You must post the rules
2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you've tagged
3. Tag 11 people and link to them in your post
4. Let them know you've tagged them!

My questions to you:
1. If you could invent any gadget, what would it do?
2. Which 5 books would you save if the world's last and only library was on fire?
3. Name a book that you'd really like to change the ending to.
4. If you could live in any book world, which one would it be and why?
5. What have you regretted recently?
6. Who is the most evil villain you've come across in a book?
7. The best decision you've ever made in your life so far is...?
8. You're given a chance to make just one book character come alive. Who would you pick?
9. In just 3 sentences, describe a moment of bliss you've recently had.
10. What would your perfect dinner consist of?
11. Your favourite dessert is...?

Blogs I tag include:
1. Amy Neftger's Blog
2. Giselle at Xpresso Reads
3. Nicola at A Pocket Full of Books
4. Dorothy at ...goodbye, yellowbrick road
5. Peppermint Ph. D.
6. Shannon at Giraffe Days
7. Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
8. Orly at miscellania
9. Nancy at Simple Clockwork
10. Jess at The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow
11. Lindsay at The Little Reader Library

in my mailbox: the flame alphabet

2012-02-19T18:40:00.000+13:00

Just a quick note before I go into the week's in my mailbox: first week at work has gone by so fast! Thanks again to everyone who wished me luck on the interview about two weeks ago. I am now the store manager of the local branch of a major book and stationery retailer. Yay! I'm so glad to be working with books again! It's my first time as a store manager as well, so I'm pretty excited.

Anyway, on with my latest library addition:

The Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus. From one of the most innovative and important writers of his generation: a brilliant, mesmerizingly dark new novel in which the speech of children is killing their parents.

At first it's just Jews - then everyone. People are leaving their families to survive. Sam's wife, Claire, is already stricken and near death. In a year or two, as she grows into adulthood, their daughter, Esther, too, will become a victim. Sam and Claire decide to leave Esther on her own, hoping a "cure" will miraculously appear. Sam's car is waved off the road at a government-run laboratory where horrific tests are being conducted to create non-lethal speech. Throngs bang on the doors to be subject volunteers; they're all carried out half-dead. When Sam realizes what's going on, he makes a desperate escape, vowing that if he dies it will be with his family, the only refuge of sanity and love.

Ben Marcus's nightmarish vision is both completely alien and frighteningly familiar.

What bookish goodies did you get this week?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers so we can share the books and book-related items that we're excited about.

top ten tuesday: top ten books that broke my heart

2012-02-14T14:00:00.000+13:00

Happy Valentines Day everyone! This week's Top Ten Tuesday features the books that broke our hearts. Apparently they're doing an anti-Valentines thing. Either way, I shall be celebrating by spending my day training for a new job as a store manager, in a town where I know nobody, then whisking myself off away to a romantic evening for one, in whichever accommodation the company chooses to put me up in. But that's okay.

Hello Bradley Cooper... how you doin'?

Errr, anyway... on to the heartbreakers.

1. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - yes, the movie was visually appealing, but if you haven't read the book and you loved the movie, please read it. Such a beautiful, heartbreaking story.

2. Hades' Daughter by Sara Douglass - I loved Cornelia so much. Wife to a brute named, errr, Brutus, unloved and neglected. I remember enjoying the Troy Game series, but I wasn't a big fan of the ending.

3. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracey Chevalier - I enjoyed reading this. It was so beautiful. Then Scarlett Johansson just had to make it perfect. She's my girl crush. <3

4. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards - such a sad, sad story of twins that were separated.

5. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - oh Father Ralph de Bricassart! Oh Meggie! Hmm, I remember reading this when I was 12. Is that bad? Then again, I was allowed to watch Beetlejuice was much as I wanted at the age of 5. I think I should have a word with my mother.

6. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - I'm a little annoyed that I can't remember what it was that made me cry about it. But I do remember crying. I swear!

7. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught - aww, the first romance novel I ever read! Yes, I shed tears in some parts, and blushed immensely in some. Okay, make that several parts. I think I was a little too young when I read this.

8. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - it could've been the break up I just had when I read this two days after. Or not. But it did leave me bawling like a newborn.

9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - I remember my flatmate walking in on me, finding me a complete and utter mess after reading that one of the main character dies. I'm not mentioning names in case someone hasn't read it yet. But if you haven't read it yet or seen the movie... have you been hiding under a rock? Ha ha ha... no, seriously. Have you?

10. One Day by David Nicholls - goddammit Nicholls! I mean, really? Why don't you just pull out my heart and stomp on it with a Doc Martins boot.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers will answer, and everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget on their post so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists!

introducing the participants - 2012 something new reading challenge

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000+13:00

I can't believe one month has gone already! I hope the year is going great for everyone so far, and that you're all on track with the challenges and resolutions you've set yourselves for this year.

January was a pretty good reading month for me. I managed to read 13 books, 4 of which were from reading challenges I've decided to participate in this year. Thanks to my pick for the 2012 Something New Reading Challenge for January, I've also discovered Gail Carriger, an author that fast became a favourite of mine (you can read my thoughts on her book Soulless here).

Now I'd like to introduce you to some of the lovely bloggers who have decided to take this challenge with me.

Orly at miscellania

So Orlagh, what are your favourite book genres?

I like to try and read a bit of everything, but my favourite genre's are probably Historical Fiction, YA, Dystopian and Fantasy.

Describe the bookmark you're currently using.

I don't really have a proper bookmark at the moment - actually, I do have heaps, I just don't know where they are. They kind of get swallowed up in all my books. Whenever I'm reading a book I usually just grab whatever is nearest and use that as a bookmark. As such, my books are often filled with envelopes, old photos, receipts, or bobby pins. I'll use almost anything as a bookmark. I am a little anal about one thing though - I never, ever dog ear the pages of my books! I can't stand it!

Favourite reading spot?

When the weather is good I like to read outside on the deck, especially if it's a warm day with a nice cool breeze. In winter though I like to read snuggled up on the couch with a blanket.

Which genre did you pick for January?

I picked 'Autobiography', because I feel as if I don't read enough of those. I think that I only read 2 last year. It's interesting to read about people's lives and the things which they have done that have helped to define them or turn them into the people that they are today.

Which book did you read and what did you think of it?

I read 'My Shit Life So Far' by the Scottish comedian, Frankie Boyle. I only gave it 2/5 stars because it was a bit... offensive in some places. You can read what I thought about it here. Being a fan of Frankie Boyle's comedy I knew that it would be full on, but I wasn't quite expecting to be gasping at every second page. Perhaps that was a little naive of me.

And which genre are you doing next month?

Next month I am going to read from a genre which I have never read from before - Self Help! Suggestions are welcome!

Thanks Orly! Now, over to Nancy...

Nancy at Simple Clockwork

Hi Nancy, what are your favourite book genres?
classics, Philippine literature, romance, children's and middle-grade books, Christian fiction, literary fiction (particularly short stories)

And where's your favourite reading spot?
The quiet and stillness of my room.

Which genre did you pick for your 2012 Something New Reading Challenge for January?
Middle-grade.

Which book did you read and what did you think of it?
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (click here for Nancy's review of it)

And what genre are you doing for February? (clean) romance.

Thanks Nancy! Last but not least, we have Dorothy...

Dorothy at ...goodbye, yellow brick road!
What are your favourite book genres, Dorothy?
i enjoy anything that's well-written... with an element of science fiction or fantasy! or just unorthodox twists! i like my films the same way, ahah.

Describe the bookmark you're currently using:
ha ha ha! i should have a neat little bookmark by now - but i don't! a diy bookmark is now noted for my ever growing list of arts & crafts projects :) thank you for pointing that out! anyways, right now it's a random photo in one book... and a piece of scrap ribbon in another. usually it's just the first thing i can find when the need for it arises - and i stick with it until i finish the book! to think of it, i've not had an actual bookmark since - dare i say it - middle school. and that was over 15 years ago! wow, i sound old; but i'm not! ahah.

Favourite reading spot?

i love reading outdoors next to the water. in the warmer months, i'm notorious for packing a picnic equipped with a bottle of wine and a good read - then enjoying the entire day out there soaking up the sun and cozying up with my book. one of my most recent spots is right next to a cliff dropping off to the lake, overlooking a mountain. so beautiful; so peaceful. i don't understand why more people don't get out there and take it all in..!

Which genre did you pick for January? Which book did you read and what did you think?

young adult - because i wanted an excuse to read the hunger games (click here for Dorothy's thoughts on it) due to all the hype i've been hearing about it in anticipation for the movie coming out in march. needless to say, right after i finished it i started on catching fire because i liked it that much... and the way that one concluded forced me to get on mockingjay, stat! i plowed through the trilogy in about 4 days, ahah. no shame.

and then i reread through the looking glass just because it's been years... and there was something that randomly came up sparking my interest; although i couldn't even tell you what that was, now :) ahah.

Which genre are you doing next month?

inspired by my recent introduction to steampunk, i picked up soulless to fulfill my romance quota for the challenge. however, i've recently been instructed by a friend that ineed to get on the shadow of the wind - so i picked that up too. it's still up in the air as to which i will start off with first - but i'm leaning towards the latter because i really enjoy stories within stories..!

A huge thank you to Orly, Nancy and Dorothy for sharing their thoughts and time.

And just in case you'd like to add a link to your January review for the 2012 SNRC, feel free to fill out the linky form below.

review: cinder

2012-02-07T23:26:00.000+13:00

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I must have changed my rating of it at least 5 times.

Cinder was an enjoyable, entertaining read over-all. The plot was intriguing, the characters memorable, the love story believable, the idea for the setting unique enough.

Then there's the buts.

The descriptions of Cinder's world in New Beijing were sufficient enough to give the reader an idea of the setting, however a richer description would have added more to the story. What makes it New Beijing? Were there still any traces of the China that we know now, aside from a few mentions of dumplings and market stalls? A good example for how this can be achieved is in The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, set in 23rd century Thailand. Right off the bat, Bacigalupi paints a picture of Thailand in the future, still redolent of its iconic tuktuks and (genetically mutated) elephants, though mixed up with markets filled with bio-technologically enhanced fruits, and cyborg, errr... prostitutes. And that's only from the first few chapters.

There were some things that left me with a niggling sense of familiarity while I was reading this book. Such as the Lunars and the story about the lost Lunar princess that kept popping up in the story. It's as if I've heard it before. Then I remembered: Sailor Moon.

I thought it was only a coincidence, all of these "similarities". Imagine my disappointment when I found Marissa Meyer thanking her fellow Sailor Moon fans at the end of the book. A further search on Google showed me that Meyer used to write Sailor Moon fanfiction. I was truly disappointed, because I thought I had read something quite original in Cinder, as far as fairytale retellings go.

I'm crossing my fingers that book 2 leaves me more satisfied.

current rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

in my mailbox: more dragons, a gladiatress and the genius of 221B Baker Street

2012-02-05T22:00:00.001+13:00

I've just finished reading Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey a few minutes ago. Loved it, loved it, loved it! Will review it soon.

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey. Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt, hoping to rid the island of half-fey maidens. Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn't expect to be accused of witchcraft, forced to flee with her two best friends, or offered shelter by the handsome and enigmatic Garth Huntsman, a warden for Dragonswood.

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines. Lyn is a neo-gladiator's daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules and the GSA can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn's seventh father, he also captures Lyn's dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines's debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence; a modern world that's disturbingly easy to imagine.

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz.Once again, THE GAME'S AFOOT...London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap - a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place.Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society.

What bookish goodies did you get this week?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers so we can share the books and book-related items that we're excited about.

new year giveaway winner!

2012-02-04T21:47:00.000+13:00

Congratulations to Dorothy for winning! I sent you an email but it bounced back. Please get back to me by February 8, 2012 via email, with the title of the book you want, and your address.

review: article 5 by kristen simmons

2012-02-04T21:13:00.000+13:00

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

I hate writing negative reviews, truly I do. However, Article 5 left me feeling incensed. Why? Because it had so much potential to be a really good book. Simmons was actually able to keep drawing me in with her narrative voice, no matter how much I wanted to stop reading. Her writing style is really captivating, but the substance of Article 5 was disappointing.

There weren't enough explanations to back up the dystopian world she created. What was the war all about? Who invaded the US? Did anyone actually invade the US or was it an uprising of ridiculously prude people? Was that why the Bill of Rights were revoked and replaced by Moral Statues? And more importantly... why was there still hot chocolate in a world where you get food stamps???

What frustrated me the most with this book was the main character, Ember. I just felt that there was no real growth in her character throughout the story. She remains childishly selfish for a good 85% of the book. She commits the same mistake twice, in the space of a few days. The first time didn't even have a substantial enough reason behind her actions.

The big twist in the story was also disappointingly, glaringly obvious. If it had been perhaps done differently, it could have worked.

There were also a few similarities to Twilight. Chase, who has Native American blood, is often described as wolf-like. He also used to have longer hair, which he'd cut off shorter since joining the werewolf pack. Oh sorry, I mean, the Moral Militia. There's also a mother that is described as a bit of a useless, but very loving, free-spirit. Also, the seemingly inexplicable love that Chase has for Ember, whom he grew up with. Goodness knows why, because the most Ember ever did for Chase was that she simply sat there and held his hand when he'd lost his parents years before the story commences. Wow. Way to go Bella. I mean, Ember.

In short, I won't be reading the rest of the trilogy.

rating: 2 out of 5 chocolates.

top ten tuesday: great book club picks

2012-01-31T18:47:00.001+13:00

I'm in a bit of panic, as I've got a job interview on Thursday morning. I haven't been in an interview in a really long time. The last 2 promotions I got, I didn't need an interview for. So anyway, excuse me if I sound a bit hysterical during my current and up coming posts.

Anyway, this week's Top Ten Tuesday asks for the top ten books we think would be great for a book club. Which is great because I've been thinking of joining one. Unfortunately, I now live in a small city, and the only book club I'm aware of meets on a Tuesday morning. Which means when I get the job (how's that for confidence?), I won't be able to go. Pffft. Enough about the prospective job, here are my top book club reads:

1. The Color Purple by Alice Walker - it took me quite a while to get into this book, but it was such a moving story.

2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom - it really makes you think of how you treat the people in your life, and how even the smallest of your actions could change somebody else's life forever.

3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - I don't think it needs an explanation. It's pretty much a staple for most book clubs.

4. Room by Emma Donoghue - such a shocking story that leaves its reader speechless.

5. The Shack by William Young - religion is always one of those topics that people tend to shy away from, so I can see interesting debates for this one.

6. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - I'd love to know how people think they'd cope with a situation where they could taste what someone feels.

7. The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery - such a beautiful story, open to lots of interpretation.

8. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen - I thought this one was very thought provoking, and makes you wonder what you'd do if you were in each of the main characters' situations.

9. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - I think discussing what people would do in a dystopian world could be interesting.

10. Yes Man by Danny Wallace - it would be interesting to see what everyone else thinks about saying yes to (nearly) everything for a whole year, and what kind of rules they'd put in place for themselves.

Which books would you recommend for a book club?

in my mailbox: the universe, dragons, and a bloody dress

2012-01-30T13:25:00.002+13:00

Hooray! I'm still on track with my non-spending on books (even though it breaks my heart, having to walk past bookstores). Got to love reading copies and the library.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis. Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?
This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendara Blake.Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

What bookish goodies did you get this week?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers so we can share the books and book-related items that we're excited about.

a ridiculously late top ten tuesday: top ten favourite fairytales

2012-01-28T23:51:00.001+13:00

Well, as the usually tardy say: better late than never. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is an open one, and as luck would have it, Amy had said she'd love to see a post about my favourite fairytales. Impeccable timing Amy! So, without further ado, here are my top ten favourite fairytales and why I love them:

1. Hansel & Gretel - if I'm going to be completely honest, it was the gingerbread house that did it for me. I also remember being impressed with how clever Hansel & Gretel were, and how much I pitied them, because I couldn't understand why the woodcutter could just let his children go. It was the first time I had encountered "the evil stepmother".

2. The Little Mermaid - have you ever read the original by Hans Christian Andersen? The original is so tragic. No wonder I grew up with the Disney version. I used to watch the movie every day when I was about 5 years old. No exaggeration. I was surprised a few days ago when I watched the movie again and found that I could still recite the movie, word for word. I think it was the songs that I fell in love with more than anything.

3. Makahiya - is not a fairytale, but is a legend of the plant bashful mimosa. The leaves of this plant close up when you touch them, and they have pink spiky flowers. Anyway, I grew up with the story, and used to ask my nanny to tell me the story over and over again. Makahiya used to be a young girl, turned into a plant when her mother hid her in the garden and prayed for her daughter to be saved from the bandits that have come to ransack their village. When the bandits had gone, the mother searched for her daughter in the garden, but only saw this curious plant in the place where she left her daughter. Grief stricken when she realized what had happened, the mother wept, and her tears turned into the pink flowers that grow on the Makahiya.

4. Cinderella - again, I grew up with the Disney version. I think I loved the story because of the mice. Gus is so adorable. I also loved the retelling "Ever After" that stars Drew Barrymore. Not too sure about how Leonardo da Vinci was portrayed in it though.

5. Bambi - the word "twitterpated". Flower and Thumper. Enough said.

6. Rapunzel - much as I enjoyed Tangled, I still love the original story better. I remember feeling so sad for the poor pregnant woman and her husband.

7. Water and Salt - if you haven't read this one, you should. I remember being so heartbroken for the poor princess.

8. Sleeping Beauty - I think Prince Philip was my first ever crush, even though I didn't even know what a crush was yet. And I kept wishing I had fairy godmothers too. Plus, Malificent is my favourite evil witch too. I loved her so much, instead of pretending to be Briar Rose when I was little, I pretended to be Malificent.

9. The Princess and the Pea - I'm not sure why this one stuck with me. But after the first time I heard it I kept asking to hear it again.

10. The Color Kittens - more of a fable, I guess? But I grew up with this book and it was my absolute favourite. I loved how cute the kittens were.

review: entwined.

2012-01-22T00:03:00.000+13:00

author: Heather Dixon
isbn: 9780062001030
rating: 4 out of 5 chocolates

I love, love, love faerytales. I know, I've said it many times, but I can't help saying it over and over again. I love faerytales!!! Entwined was one princess faerytale that I immensely enjoyed.

Entwined by Heather Dixon. Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to "keep" things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I felt that the imagery in this book was just right. Dixon explored the enchanted castle just so - not too many details, but enough so that the reader's imagination can run wild.

No matter how numerous the supporting characters were, it never got too confusing, nor annoying, because they all had unique and distinct personalities. It was a pleasure to read about how Azalea interacted with her eleven sisters. The main villain, The Keeper, was just fantastically evil (I do so love a good villain!).

The only thing I didn't like about it was, well, the amount of dancing. I mean, surely, no one could love dancing that much, that they'd even put themselves in danger, just to be able to dance for a few hours?

Who would I recommend this to? Disney Princess fans.

review: the kobo vox.

2012-01-16T17:14:00.003+13:00

Grab a cup, she's a long one. If you're from Australia or New Zealand and are tossing up between a Kobo, a Kindle or a Sony e-reader, you may want to have a thorough read through this. Mind though, I am no technical expert, so if you're looking for in-depth tech specs, you can find the basics on the Kobo site. If you're looking for brand comparisons, I found some here and here.

First impressions
I received my Kobo Vox as a Christmas present (thanks ma!), so you can imagine how excited I was. My first thought upon opening the box was, "Wow, that's pretty," (I am a girl after all).

My second reaction as soon as I lifted it out of the box was, "Wow, that's heavy," and yes, I was quite disappointed. This is part of the reason why I'm writing this review. None of the reviews I looked through prior to its release highlighted the fact that Kobo Vox is particularly hefty. It weighs 403g (14.2oz/.89lb), compared to the Kobo Wifi which is 221g. So what, you ask? It gets a little tiring on your wrist if you're reading for a few hours. Not ideal if you have tendonitis. Which I don't. But still.

to give you an idea of the size

the signature quilted back

Aside from the weight though, I'm pretty happy with everything else. The size of the Kobo Vox is better compared to that of its original predecessor - which was slightly thinner, but quite large width and length wise. The Kobo Vox still has the signature quilted back, which makes gripping the e-reader easier. I found it was more comfortable to hold, compared to the first Sony e-readers. So I guess it kind of makes up for the weight.

And then I switched it on.
I'm notorious for my impatience. It's all about instant gratification for me. It has to be NOW. If you're the same as me and are thinking of purchasing a Kobo Vox, be warned. Set a reserve of at least 20 minutes of patience, otherwise you'll end up throwing the blasted thing against the wall. You can skip the rest of this paragraph if you wish, but if you'd like to know what you're in for, read on: 6 minutes of update downloading, a restart without warning, then a warning that the device was going to restart, another 3 minute software update, then another restart that took 2 minutes long, firmware installation which asked me to restart again, e-reader powers down and took 1 minute to do so - but wait because it switched itself back on, checked again for updates, date & time setup, pick your country - took me 4 tries because it kept picking a different country for me, and then the Kobo account set up = 20 minutes of my life gone.

I'm not selling this to you, am I? Well, now comes the best bits.

Android Power
It's like having 3 e-readers in one. You can download the Kindle and Sony applications and have the best of the proverbial ereader world.

Also, an interesting fact that doesn't seem to be widely known. I just found out yesterday that there are restrictions for downloading majority of titles from the Kindle store. Yes, like DVD regions. A resounding "WHAT THE F*$%!!!" was heard throughout our house. Apparently it's not Amazon's fault, but each country's laws, as they're trying to protect book sellers. So basically, NZ and Australia can be considered as something akin to blackholes of the digital reading universe. No, we cannot participate in the fabulous $US 0.99 deals that America are snapping up via Kindle. Grumbles galore. However, just switch your Kindle store settings to your country and you can still purchase ebooks from Amazon.

Anyway, being Android powered, it means you can also download loads of other apps. Which I'm not going to go into further detail.

Reminiscent of iPhone
What fun! The display rotates too. So whichever way you feel comfortable, you can flip your screen portrait or landscape and the display follows suit. And yes, you can lock the rotation as well.

You can also scroll through the main display left to right and add actual widgets or shortcuts on your 'desktop' for easier access.

Stats Galore
I found it interesting to know that on average, it takes me roughly 4 hours to read each book, and that I normally read for about 15 minutes at a time, and I turn roughly 21 pages each session. Neat huh? It's also telling me now that I've taken 5 hours and 56 minutes to read through 80% of Changeless by Gail Carriger, and that I've turned 511 pages so far. Loads of useless info, but fun nevertheless. Oh, and there's awards you can win for reading! How cute is that?

You can store how much!?
Internal memory is 8gb. That's about 5,000 books plus thousands upon thousands of songs! There's a slot for an external sd card, but with that much space, who needs an external slot? Well, unless you want to watch movies on your reader too I guess.

However, the battery life sucks.
Up to 7 hours as opposed to the 10 days of the first Kobo ereaders. So I end up recharging mine every 2 days because I read a lot. So good enough for one long-haul flight I guess, but not much more.

What's that word?
You can highlight words to look it up in the built-in dictionary, and also highlight phrases and make your own annotations. Handy for book reviews!

Daytime, nighttime and inbetween
You can change the settings from daylight mode to nighttime for easier reading in the dark, as well as sepia mode for goodness knows what.

Though I may have whinged considerably throughout this post, I'm still happy with my ereader. A few reviews have mentioned that loading time takes a while for Kobo Vox, but I've never had that problem. It's very user friendly (I haven't had to look at the included user manual at all), handsome to look at despite its weight, and even though I've had it for nearly a month, I'm still discovering little things to appreciate about it.

If you've got any questions at all, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer.

in my mailbox: witches and more parasols

2012-01-15T14:06:00.019+13:00

No, I'm not late or too early for Halloween. I'm reading these books for Melissa's 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. In this engrossing and hypnotic tale of witchcraft and the occult spanning four centuries, we meet a great dynasty of witches--a family given to poetry and incest, to murder and philosophy, a family that over the ages is haunted by a powerful, dangerous and seductive being.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney. Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Changeless by Alexia Tarabotti. Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

What bookish goodies did you get this week?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers so we can share the books and book-related items that we're excited about.

my january something new reading challenge: steampunk

2012-01-14T21:31:00.001+13:00

This year looks pretty promising to me, reading-wise. It's only 14 days into the new year and I've finished 8 books so far, 3 out of them I absolutely love. Luckily, one of them is a book that is part of my 2012 Something New Reading Challenge. For January, I'd decided to get an introduction to Steampunk.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville. -- from google.com

When I started looking for steampunk titles, Soulless by Gail Carriger kept coming up in nearly all my searches. It was described as steampunk romance, which put me off at first, but a further search showed me that it was being nominated and awarded errr, awards, from left, right and center. So I decided to give it a shot.

Without a morsel of exaggeration, its publisher describes this debut novel as "a comedy of manners set in Victorian London full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking." At the center of Soulless's "parasol protectorate" is Miss Alexia Tarabotti, a young woman who lacks not only a suitor but also a soul. And those are not her only problems: When she accidentally kills a vampire, it begins a series of events that she must set out to resolve without the help of any proper authorities.

And I loved it. I loved it so much that I would have given it 5 out of 5 stars, if not for one chapter where the main characters couldn't get their raging hormones under control even with imminent danger. But aside from that ridiculous scene, I loved everything. Miss Alexia Tarabotti is one formidable character. This is probably sacrilege to most people, but I think if Jane Austen were alive in modern times she would have adored Alexia Tarabotti.

I think the paranormal aspects made it a smoother introduction into steampunk for me. There's nothing I hate more than when I'm unfamiliar with the world a story has been set in, and then obscure names and other jargon are being thrown at me at the very beginning of the story - this coming from a fantasy reader. Silly, I know. But I didn't feel uncomfortable with Soulless at all. Explanations for mechanical contraptions were weaved into dialogues seamlessly, rather than plunked into a conversation because there was nowhere else to put it.

To sum up, I enjoyed my first introduction to steampunk and I look forward to reading the rest of the Parasol Protectorate series.

It's not too late if you want to join the 2012 Something New Reading Challenge! Just click on the button underneath "Participate".

please excuse me...

2012-01-14T12:55:00.004+13:00

Comments are a bit messed up at the moment as I'm trying to fix my codes. As happy as I am that Blogger has introduced threaded comments, it's wreaking havoc on my blog design.

Here's what I've been doing for the past few minutes. Click on the image if you'd like to see:

Hopefully I can fix it. Otherwise, I may end up with a complete redesign. Or a brand new computer if I end up throwing this one out the window.

update: OH YEAH! I WIN!!! TAKE THAT BLOGGER!

Not the same design components as before for my comments (and for some reason it's messed up my post header too), but it'll have to do. Or else I'll run out of hair.

too old for young adult?

2012-01-12T15:54:00.001+13:00

I noticed a few days ago that I've been reading far too many young adult books. In fact, I think my consumption of YA novels has increased exponentially shortly after I started blogging. I think it's because most of the blogs I come across and follow have exposed me to so many wonderful YA titles.

However, this little revelation had left me feeling slightly uncomfortable. I've always prided myself at being an advanced reader as I was growing up. Okay, maybe not terribly advanced, but while my classmates were reading Sweet Valley Twins & Friends, I was reading Sweet Valley University and had started looking at R.L. Stine's Fear Street. By the time they had moved on to Sweet Valley High, I was reading John Grisham and Anne Rice. Anyway, you get the picture.

I think the shame of regression might have something to do with that little voice in the back of my head that keeps nagging me that I'm turning 28 this year.

"Vampires sparkle??? Well, I never!"

But then, I thought, so what? At least I'm reading. That's more than I can say for about 80% of the people that I know. As long as I'm deriving pleasure from reading, that's all that matters. Besides, there's quite a few advantages to reading YA books. Here's a few that I thought of:

1. A lot of YA books have fantasy/paranormal themes, which I think encourages readers to use their imagination, therefor exercising the right side of their brain.

2. YA books are cheaper. Enough said.

3. Perusing the YA shelves lets you discover fantastic gems that you otherwise wouldn't. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, etc.

4. I can read a good romance novel without feeling too embarrassed about the cover. Or worry that I'd end up reading a hard core sex scene while reading in public.

5. Contrary to popular perception, YA are not dumbed-down books with overly simplified plots and non-complex characters. A few of the best characters and plots I've come across were from YA books.

6. The fonts are generally bigger and more vision friendly.

"The vampire baby comes out how???"

Your thoughts?

top ten tuesday: ten authors i wish would write another book.

2012-01-10T23:48:00.000+13:00

1. Walter Moers - well, this one isn't really fair, because he has written a new book. It's just in German. The annoying thing is, the English versions of his books take 1-3 years to come out. The newest novel he's written is Das Labyrinth der Träumenden Bücher, which in English is The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books, which I guess is a sequel to The City of Dreaming Books. I started studying German a few years ago, and gave up on it shortly after I started. If there's an incentive for me to kickstart learning German again, I think Walter Moers is it.

2. Neil Gaiman - it's been far too long since Mr. Gaiman has written anything for adults. The last novel was Anansi Boys, and Fragile Things in 2006, which is a short story collection. The most recent works are picture books. Can you hear me impatiently tapping my foot?

3. J.K. Rowling - apparently she'll start writing under a pseudonym? Hmm. Well, I guess after the success of Harry Potter, anything after that could be considered sub-par. Though I still think it's a risk worth taking, if you don't take Tales of Beedle the Bard into consideration (it was released while I was still working for Borders, and it was expected to be a tremendous success. Alas, it was not so.).

4. L. M. Montgomery - who could not love that Anne girl?

5. Homer - The Odyssey kicks butt! I still need to read The Iliad, but goodness, after I got the hang of the writing-style, I could not put The Odyssey down.

6. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - only because of The Little Prince. I haven't read any of his aviation books, and probably never will, but The Little Prince is so beautiful.

7. Arthur Golden - I guess after the whole lawsuit it's put him off writing? But still, Memoirs of a Geisha was an amazing book. It's a shame he hasn't written anything since.

And for the last 3 authors, no further explanations are necessary.

8. Lewis Carroll

9. Hans Christian Andersen

10. The Brothers Grimm

in my mailbox: how not to shop, a fairytale, a cyborg cinderella and an evil boardgame

2012-01-08T19:04:00.000+13:00

Wow, 8 days into the new year already? Really? I've got nothing to boast of this year so far aside from 2 trips to the beach and 5 books finished. I need to start getting more productive. I hope you guys are still doing brilliantly with your resolutions/challenges.

Speaking of resolutions, I'm trying to cut back on buying books.

WHAT?!?! But...

Yes, I do. I really do buy books like some women buy shoes. Heck, I'd rather go barefoot than not have books.

However, a friend of mine is getting married in Koh Samui in July and I would love to go. I've been to Phuket before, which I absolutely loved, so it would be nice to see another part of Thailand. Which means I need to save up, big time.

BUT... January is the time for SALES!

"I spent about $500 today, but it was
all 50% off, so I practically saved money!"

I had one last hurrah at bookdepository.com and grabbed some books (which will probably arrive in a couple of weeks), and a trip to the local bookstore cost me a grand total of $15.98, which is pretty good for 2 books here in New Zealand. The average book costs around $35.

Anyway, here are the two books I got on sale. The first one is called, funnily enough:

How Not to Shop by Carmen Reid. Her passion is fashion, but she's on a budget! Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! But too late, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring. They're paying her buttons and her budget is zip. Can she make do with Primark when all she wants is Prada?

The Forbidden Game Bind-up: The Hunter, The Chase, The Kill. It all started with a board game. But what was supposed to be an evening of friends, fun, and games, becomes a night of danger, drama, and obsessive love. Because when Jenny and her friends try to play the Game, it comes to life. Suddenly they are in a dark world where Julian, the gorgeous guy who sold Jenny the game, rules as Prince of the Shadows. Julian is in charge, making their darkest nightmares reality. And he will do anything to claim the beautiful Jenny as his prize. The Game is real, and these friends must play through - and the only way to win is to face their most secret fears. To lose the Game is to lose your life. And that is only the beginning...

And last but not least, some goodies for my e-reader:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl ...CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Entwined by Heather Dixon. Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to "keep" things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I finished reading Entwined a few days ago and I thought it was a very entertaining princess fairytale. As for Cinder, I'm a third into it and goodness, it's... good!

What bookish goodies did you get this week?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers so we can share the books and book-related items that we're excited about.

review: noah barleywater runs away

2012-01-05T20:18:00.000+13:00

author: John Boyne
isbn: 9780385618953
rating: 4 out of 5 chocolates

In Noah Barleywater Runs Away, bestselling author John Boyne explores the world of childhood and the adventures that we can all have there. Noah is running away from his problems, or at least that's what he thinks, the day he takes the untrodden path through the forest. When he comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets the even more unusual toymaker he's not sure what to expect. But the toymaker has a story to tell, a story full of adventure, and wonder and broken promises. And Noah travels with him on a journey that will change his life for ever. A thought-provoking fable for our modern world from the author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

I love fairytales. So I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book, since I had no idea that it was one. When I got this from the store, I was actually after a copy of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, but they didn't have any in stock. Since it's the most recent book John Boyne had written (for younger readers. The Absolutist is Boyne's most recent work.), I thought of giving it a try. I'm so glad I did.

As we follow Noah through his journey away from home - from encountering a trembling apple tree, a Helpful Daschund and a Hungry Donkey, and meeting the curious toymaker - we slowly find out why Noah ran away in the first place. John Boyne has written this story so beautifully, that even grownups would appreciate Noah's story, and how anyone can have the courage to stand up to their problems and face them.

new year giveaway!

2012-01-04T10:00:00.128+13:00

Hello lovely people! I was planning on doing this on the 1st of January but I got a little sidetracked. Oops! Anyway, welcome to the very first giveaway here at one chocolate box: the new year giveaway! Even though 2011 is done and dusted, I'd like to share one title that I enjoyed last year to one lucky winner!

Here's the fine print:

* the one chocolate box new year giveaway is open to international followers. If bookdepository.com delivers to your country, you're more than welcome to enter. With the exception of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion and Matched by Ally Condie - if you win the giveaway and pick either one of these titles, these will be shipped to any country via standard international post. These were double ups of advanced reading copies that I had been given.

* only one winner will be picked via rafflecopter. You must fill in the rafflecopter entry form below to enter. Not all 'tasks' are mandatory, but the more you do, the more entries you get!

* the winner will be notified via email and will have 72 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. So please check your 'junk' folder, just in case.

* giveaway ends on Feb. 4, 2012. The winner will be announced on February 5, 2012.

Grab the giveaway button!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

top ten tuesday: top ten books I'm excited to read in 2012.

2012-01-03T21:32:00.000+13:00

Hey guys, how's everyone's new year going so far? All good I hope! This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks for the books we're excited to read for 2012. Here's a few books coming out this year that I'm really looking forward to:

1. Saved by Cake by Marian Keyes - coming 16th February. I know I should be dubious, but have you seen the cover? Sophie Dahl, Gwyneth Paltrow, and now Marian Keyes? Now that we have a model, an actress and an author, all we need is a singer to write their own cookbook. Unless there's already one that I'm not aware of? Either way, I've already pre-ordered my copy from bookdepository.com. Will let you know how it goes!

2. City of Dragons by Robin Hobb - coming 23rd February. I have been waiting 2 years for this book! I'm so excited!

3. Among Others by Jo Walton - coming 12th March. Just found out now that it's only new to paperback, but meh. That counts too.

4. Above by Leah Bobet - coming 1st April. Reading this one as part of the young adult Debut Author Challenge. The book blurb reminded me a little of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. If you've read Neverwhere you might understand why.

5. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - coming 1st of May. I enjoyed Divergent immensely. May has never seemed so far away. How gay. Wouldn't you say?

6. The Twelve by Justin Cronin - coming 30th August. Have you read The Passage yet? If you haven't, hop on to it. It's a bit slow going at the beginning, but keep persevering and you will be greatly rewarded.

And here are some books I'm planning on reading this year that have been out for a while:

7. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde - Thursday Next is one of my favourite heroines. She's smart, funny, has a pet dodo named Pickwick, and she can travel through books.

8. The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton - I'm reading this one as part of my Something New Reading Challenge. Have you signed up yet? ;)

9. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - from my lovely Broke and Bookish Secret Santa Orly over at Miscellania. I was so excited to get this book for Christmas!

10. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill - I try to avoid horror books and movies at all costs. But Daniel Radcliffe is in this movie. I think the Harry Potter fan girl in me refuses to face the fact that the HP series is over. So I want to read the book before I watch the movie, which comes out in February/March for the rest of the world, and no release date for New Zealand yet. Hopefully, when I watch the movie I don't end up yelling "Expecto Patronum!!!" when a ghost appears.

With that, I shall leave you with the über creepy trailer for The Woman in Black.

new year, new look + in my mailbox: steampunk and a few classics

2012-01-01T13:20:00.000+13:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a lovely time welcoming the new year. Speaking of new... what do you think of the new look? I would honestly love some feedback - constructive criticism most welcome, as it'll help me with future designs.

Now, on to In My Mailbox!

To kickstart the year, I got myself a copy of Soulless by Gail Carriger. As part of my 2012 Something New Reading Challenge, I've put steampunk down for January. For the unfamiliar, a definition from good old Wikipedia:

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville.

The rest of this week's goodies need no further introduction, and were free downloads from Kobo.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers to share their books and book-related items that they've got for the week. It's a great way for book bloggers to share about books that we're excited about.

2012 reading challenges

2011-12-31T16:23:00.000+13:00

Well hello everyone! It's a very wet New Year's Eve here in New Zealand at the moment, but hopefully it'll clear up so we can have fireworks later tonight! *fingers crossed* Anyway, I'd like to wish you all...

a very Happy New Year! Bring on 2012! Yay!!!!!

So, while most of the people in the world have been thinking of their new year resolution/s, I was being true to my very nerdy self. For the past couple of days I've been thinking of what to read next year. Losing a bit of weight and dyeing my hair red did come across my mind, but then I started playing around with my e-reader and next thing I knew, I'd added a gazillion books on to my to-read list on goodreads.com.

If you're interested in looking at the books I'll be reading next year (and I'm sure there'll be more than what's listed there), click here.

But before I go, I'd like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Eustacia @ Inside the mind of a Bibliophile for my second Versatile Blogger Award! 2 awards in less than 3 months! Thank you so much! I'll blog more about it later, I promise.

Until then, see you guys next year. ;)

review: the last dragonslayer

2011-12-29T21:44:00.000+13:00

author: Jasper Fforde
isbn: 9781444707182
rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

I've been meaning to get my hands on this since it came out in 2010, but only managed to get it early this year... then read it this month! Tsk. If you've read a few of my blog entries, you're probably sick of me mentioning how awesome Jasper Fforde is. If this is the first time you're here, well... JASPER FFORDE IS AWESOME.

I first got hooked into Jasper Fforde when I picked up a copy of The Eyre Affair. I was instantly hooked. Fforde is such a witty, creative and funny writer. The Last Dragonslayer is his first young adult novel, and it did not disappoint. Though I must say, it didn't blow me away like his Thursday Next or Nursery Crime books. Although, this book reminds me a little of The Eyre Affair - which features an adorable sidekick, a strong female character, and an insane adventure.

With that said, I shall leave you with a short description from goodreads.com:

"In the good old days, magic was powerful, unregulated by government, and even the largest spell could be woven without filling in the magic release form B1-7g. But somewhere, somehow, the magic started draining away.

Jennifer Strange runs Kazam!, an employment agency for state-registered magicians, soothsayers and sorceresses. But work is drying up. Drain cleaner is cheaper and quicker than a spell. Why trust a cold and drafty magic carpet when jetliners offer a comfy seat and an in-flight movie? And now potions are eligible for VAT...

But then the visions start. The Last Dragon is going to be killed by a Dragonslayer at 12.00 on Sunday. The death will unleash untold devastation on the UnUnited Kingdom, setting principality against dukedom and property developer against homesteader. And all the signs are pointing to Jennifer Strange, and saying"Big Magic is coming!"

The Last Dragonslayer is fizzing with all the creativity and genius Jasper Fforde's fans delight in, and will appeal as much to the young at heart as to the younger readers for whom it is written."

2012 witches & witchcraft reading challenge

2011-12-28T21:59:00.000+13:00

The lovely Melissa at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf has launched her very own reading challenge and I'm so excited to join it!

I'm probably going to end up drowning in books now that I'm doing 3 reading challenges, seeing as I've never done any before. So I'm going to set my goal as Initiate by aiming for 1-5 books.

For more info, head over to the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge page!

top ten tuesday: 2011 favourites

2011-12-27T18:11:00.000+13:00

A new year is coming in a few days, hooray! Well, I haven't exactly kept it a secret as to how much I hate 2011, so you can't blame me for being totally excited about it coming to a close. However, it was a great reading year for me. I discovered lots of new authors and got re-introduced to dystopian fiction. Here's my choice gems of books I read in 2011 (some were not published this year):

1. The Alchemaster's Apprentice by Walter Moers - anyone who enjoys 'out there' and comedic fantasy will love Walter Moers' Zamonia books. If you're a fan of either Terry Pratchett or Jasper Fforde, I highly recommend you give Walter Moers a try. This one is about Echo the Crat, a cat that can talk in several languages and has two livers. Echo bargains his life with Ghoolion, the evil alchemaster, to save himself from starvation. But as the end of their bargain draws near, Echo tries to find ways to save himself from the alchemaster's evil clutches.

2. Room by Emma Donoghue - I was pretty stunned after reading this book. It still makes me feel at a loss whenever I recall the story. It's the story of Jack, a five-year-old boy who lives in a single room with his mother. Truly unnerving.

3. The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone - a biographical novel about Michelangelo. Made me want to go back to Italy to explore Rome again and finally visit Florence.

4. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss - the sequel to The Name of the Wind. I enjoyed it just as much as the first book. A definite must-read for fantasy fans.

5. One Day by David Nicholls - this book made me feel so heartbroken. I loved it so much that I'm actually afraid of watching the movie - I love Anne Hathaway, but I kept reading bad reviews about her role as Emma. I found One Day such a believable story, the author made the characters seem so real.

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - my re-introduction to dystopian fiction, which set off an avaricious appetite for more. As a side note, the first dystopian story I had read was The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, which was brilliant as well, though I found the intentional spelling mistakes jarring to read. Anyway, I digress. The Hunger Games is brilliantly original. Read it.

7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - the last book in the The Hunger Games series. I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion.

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth - another dystopian young adult book that I enjoyed. Not as much as The Hunger Games, but entertaining in its own right. I think it's brilliant that there's been a plethora of YA books written which feature strong female protagonists that don't need saving by Prince Charming every 5 seconds. Take that, Bella.

8. Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne - I haven't read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, but I thought I'd give this one a go. This book is aimed more for middle grade, I think. A beautiful story, interwoven with a surprise faerytale towards the end.

9. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde - Jasper Fforde is a genius. If you've been a little dubious about The Nursery Crime and Thursday Next series, give this one a go. It's been described as Nineteen Eighty Four, in colour.

10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - last, but not least, my favourite book from this year. If you want to know more, you can read my review here.

in my mailbox: kobo vox, women's stuff and loads of young adult goodies.

2011-12-26T23:47:00.001+13:00

Wahey! So I finally decided to jump into the bandwagon and get in on the In My Mailbox action. IMM is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren for book bloggers to share their books and book-related items that they've got for the week. It's a great way for book bloggers to share about books that we're excited about.

This Christmas week, Santa has been pretty good to me. Please excuse the photos. I was a bit pressed for time for retakes.

I've only just started playing around with the Kobo Vox, but I'll be posting a review on it soon. I tried to find as much info on it as I can before I got it, and couldn't really find much helpful, in depth info. So far, very few snags and I love it. Thanks to my lovely mother for giving me this wonderful present!

I'm really excited to start reading The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The Iron King was given to me by my Secret Santa from The Broke and The Bookish. It sounds like a nice break from vampires and zombies. A teenage girl finds out that she's the daughter of a faery king? Sounds good to me! Even better when I found The Iron Daughter (book 2) for $7. Got to love Boxing Day sales!

I found a copy of James Patterson's Witch & Wizard at the sale too. I know it's been around for ages, it's one of those books I kept meaning to check out. The story of a sister and brother duo who suddenly wake up as wanted criminals, accused of having special powers, sounds pretty good. Plus it'll be interesting to read James Patterson dabble in fantasy.

Lastly, Women's Stuff by Kaz Cooke was a present from a friend of mine. I'm a little dubious, but it looks like a fun read. It apparently covers everything a woman needs to know, and contains lots of quotes from other women. If you'd like to know more, visit the Women's Stuff book website.

I also downloaded Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon as well as Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange for my Kobo. I must admit, Carrier of the Mark is another one of those purchases where I got sucked in by the pretty cover. As for Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, it carries on from the end of Pride and Prejudice, where Mr. Darcy reveals his dark secret to Elizabeth.

What books did you get this week?

merry christmas everyone!

2011-12-25T12:37:00.000+13:00

Santa wishes you a
Merry Christmas
from the Southern
Hemisphere!

Hello, hello... and a Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you're all having/about to have/have had (time zones aye?) a fantastic time with your family/friends/your lover/your lovers?/your pet(s)/a bottle of wine (encircle as appropriate).

I hope that you all have received what you've asked for this Christmas, be it the coolest e-reader you wanted, a peaceful dinner with your family or a kiss under the mistletoe. I also hope that you didn't get just material things, but lots of love, kindness, laughter and joy from your loved ones, or even strangers.

I sure did... well, except for the kiss under the mistletoe. But hey, can't complain, can't complain. :)

As a side note, I'd like to thank my Broke and Bookish Secret Santa. You totally rock! If anyone knows an Orlagh from Australia, I'd love to get in touch with her!

I also wanted to say a big thank you to Melissa. She's such a doll. Go check out her blog and say hi to her.

Again, Merry Christmas everyone!

top ten tuesday: top ten books i want to give as gifts (even if I actually won't give them).

2011-12-13T22:13:00.000+13:00

How's the Christmas shopping going everyone? This year, a lot of people are getting hand-made presents from me, as I've been bitten by the craft bug. Well, that, and having no source of income tends to bring out my creativity. So, this week's top ten fits me just fine.

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth - review coming. This one probably makes it to the top ten books I enjoyed this year (which I believe is the top ten topic in 2 weeks time). I would love to give this to my bestfriend Ridma. We tend to enjoy the same books, so I'm pretty sure a follow up dystopian book wouldn't go amiss. I introduced her to The Hunger Games and she was hooked!

2. Little Book of Calm by Paul Wilson - my mother has been a bit stressed out lately. I think this'll help.

3. O'Brien's Collecting Toy Cars & Trucks by Karen O'Brien - my mother's bestfriend has an INSANELY HUGE collection of die cast toy cars and scale trucks. Hundreds. Hundreds I tell you!

4. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand - unfortunately isn't out until next year. My friend Courtney has been dying to read the second book in the series.

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I want to give this to my friend Jade. She's introduced me to a few good series and I'd like to return the favour.

6. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness - book 2 of the All Souls Trilogy. I'd like to give this to Melissa over at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf. Unfortunately, not out until July.

7. The Last Dragon Slayer by Jasper Fforde - I'd love to give this to Nancy over at Simple Clockwork. She recently blogged about liking dragons, and I've just finished reading this book. It was highly enjoyable. Jasper Fforde is a genius, and this one's going to be a series to boot!

8. City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers - I want to give this to my friend Tyler because it's written by my most favourite author, and I think he might appreciate the wacky wonderfulness of it.

9. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - my grandpa enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I think he might like this one too.

10. Harry Potter: Page to Screen by Bob McCabe - the thing is, every time I go Christmas shopping, I buy more stuff for me than presents. Guess who this one's for then?

review: full dark, no stars

2011-12-12T23:01:00.000+13:00

... and we're back. After a week of feeling sorry for myself, I'm good to go again. How is everybody? I've been busy... sewing. Photos to come. I've also been doing my own ribbon bookmarks, and made my own flavoured lip gloss.

It's official, I shall craft for the rest of my life in a house full of cats. At least I'll be surrounded by pretty things.

And without further ado.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

author: Stephen King
isbn: 9781444712568
rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of four short stories written by Stephen King. It's the first time I've read any of Stephen King's work (please don't judge me for being a scaredy cat), and I must say, it's a nice introduction. They are mostly crime stories, with the exception of Fair Extension and the bonus chapter, Under the Weather. I have to admit, the bonus chapter was my favourite by far out of all the stories, so please make sure you grab that version if you're planning on buying this book.

The first story, 1922, is about a Nebraskan farmer who murders his wife when she threatens to sell their land. It is such an intense story, it left me with my skin crawling for hours after reading it.

Big Driver is about a cozy mystery writer who plots revenge after being brutally raped. It reminded me of the movie The Accused in some very small parts. There were some very crazy twists that I did not see coming at all in this story, it was astounding.

I found the third story, Fair Extension, slightly disappointing, as I didn't find the ending satisfying enough. A man gets a chance to cure himself from a fatal disease, but only if he inflicts suffering on an old rival of his.

The final, and most chilling of all, A Good Marriage, was written by Stephen King after reading an article on a serial killer named Dennis Rader, whose wife was married to him for 34 years and claimed not to have any knowledge of her husband's dark deeds.

Full Dark, No Stars was definitely a good read. Thankfully my friend Tyler gave me a copy of Skeleton Crew. 22 more short stories by Stephen King? Yes please.

this pretty much sums up how I feel about 2011.

2011-12-05T18:19:00.000+13:00

And so 2012, in spite of the prophesies of the end of the world, please be gentle with me. 2011 has beaten me down and I can barely get up.

goodbye to a really good friend

2011-12-02T23:17:00.000+13:00

To my darling Boots, you have been a real pleasure to me. I love you and I will miss you so much.

top ten tuesday: top ten books for summer

2011-11-29T20:28:00.002+13:00

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is asking for my 'to read' list for winter. Well, seeing as I'm on the other side of the hemisphere, I present you with my beach reads for this summer! As usual, in no particular order whatsoever:

1. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (31st Jan) - a society of souls. Oh come on, it definitely sounds different.

2. City of Dragons by Robin Hobb (23rd Feb) - third book in the series. Squeal! The first book took forever to kick in, but goodness once they were on that journey, it was so 'unputdownable'!

And since I have taken a break from the land of the living dead (oh you poor zombies, working your boney butts off), I need to curb my spending habits and actually read books that are already on my booshelf:

3. Never the Bride by Paul Magrs - the first in a mystery series that can be read as standalones apparently. Hey, I couldn't possibly go wrong with this at $2.

4. Nocturnes by John Connolly - a short story collection from a very charming man which I've been fortunate to meet.

5. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult - it's been a while since I've read a drama, why not?

6. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka - thoroughly enjoyed Two Caravans, so looking forward to this one too.

7. Burning Your Boats by Angela Carter - another short story collection.

8. Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel - it was the title that got to me, really. I mean, come on.

9. Divergent by Veronica Roth - yay, another dystopian read! It's been getting rave reviews too, so I'm quite excited.

10. Matched by Ally Condie - ditto as above.

What are you reading this summer/winter?

review: snuff.

2011-11-29T19:27:00.000+13:00

author: Terry Pratchett
isbn: 9780385619264
rating: 4 out of 5 chocolates

"According to the writer of the best-selling crime novel ever to have been published in the city of Ankh-Morpork, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a policeman taking a holiday would barely have had time to open his suitcase before he finds his first corpse.

And Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is on holiday in the pleasant and innocent countryside, but not for him a mere body in the wardrobe. There are many, many bodies and an ancient crime more terrible than murder.

He is out of his jurisdiction, out of his depth, out of bacon sandwiches, and occasionally snookered and out of his mind, but never out of guile. Where there is a crime there must be a finding, there must be a chase and there must be a punishment.

They say that in the end all sins are forgiven.

But not quite all..." excerpt from goodreads.com

Oh Mr. Pratchett, you never disappoint. Combined with the fact that Sam Vimes is my favourite character from Discworld then we have one very happy Toni. Commander Vimes' detective skills are put to the test in this book, and boy what a ride it is. From the quiet country side, bar brawls, pitch black goblin caves and one hell of a trip down river with chickens, Snuff is one hell of a read. It also raises issues on prejudice and discrimination (against goblins... but we can all dig a little deeper, yes?), which is always good, but I felt that it put a dampener on the story as it suddenly got a little too dark in some parts. However, it's still packed with Pratchett's usual comical punches that will have you chuckling quietly to yourself. Or laughing out loud in public at a cafe, as some of us have experienced...

Yes, quite a few worried glances were cast my way, if you must know. But hey, I enjoyed the book, so who gives a flying fig what they think?

the 2012 something new reading challenge.

2011-11-25T23:25:00.000+13:00

I can't believe 2011 is nearly over! Feels as if I had just been trying frantically to stick with my New Year's resolutions... and now it's time to start thinking up new ones (since I crashed and burned this year, heehee).

One thing I've always wanted to do was broaden my reading range. So I've decided that 2012 is the year that I'll be introducing myself to new genres, and to make it more fun, I'd like to invite you guys to join me!

Each month, I’ll be reading at least one book from a different genre. However, you don't have to follow the genres I'm doing. You can come up with your own schedule. Just to give you an idea, this will be my reading challenge for 2012:

January – self help

February – romance

March – sociology

April – historical fiction

May – crime

June – humour

July – classics
August – reference

September – travel writing

October – horror

November – science

December – autobiography/biography

If you'd like to know more, simply click on the 'something new reading challenge' tab or on the banner above this post. There you'll find the guidelines, sign up linky, button, FAQs and a suggested genre list.

Thanks for stopping by!

top ten tuesday: top ten authors invited to my dinner party.

2011-11-23T00:47:00.001+13:00

This week's top ten asked for ten authors that we would like to have as guests over Thanksgiving, but unfortunately, Thanksgiving is not celebrated in New Zealand. So, I shall cheat a little and tell you about the authors I would like to have dinner with... and while they're at it, help me in the kitchen. As usual, in no particular order:

1. J. K. Rowling - anyone who knows me would not even wonder why. But I think she'll be in charge of dessert. No Puking Pastilles allowed though.
2. Neil Gaiman - he gets an invite just so I can tell him how awesome he is. Plus, for some reason I'd imagine he's probably got good taste in wine...?
3. Terry Pratchett - and the same with this guy too.
4. Erin Morgenstern - with her talents in conveying mood, atmosphere and design as a storyteller, I think she can be in charge of decorations and music.
5. George R. R. Martin - aside from possibly being assigned the grill, I would probably pepper him with questions regarding his books.
6. Jasper Fforde - will be in charge of taking photos. I shall also be badgering him as to why I have to wait until 2013 to read the next Shades of Grey book.
7. Walter Moers - because he's my most favourite author. And I can also brush up on mein Deutsch. Ja, das ist richtig.
8. Frank McCourt - (r.i.p.) well, it's not as if this theoretical dinner would ever come into fruition, so I may as well... after all, his was the first book I have ever read that I truly appreciated. Angela's Ashes made me bawl my eyes out, laugh out loud, sigh with melancholy and shake with rage.
9. Jamie Oliver - I'm a disaster in the kitchen, and his cookbooks are the only ones that I can seem to follow without burning the house down. And hey, someone has to be in charge of the food at the party.
10. And of course, someone needs to do the dishes, but though I am evil, I shall not name names, so insert absolutely useless author here.

Which authors would you love to have over for dinner?

review: shatter me.

2011-11-21T17:04:00.000+13:00

author: Tahereh Mafi
isbn: 9780062085481
rating: 2 out of 5 chocolates

Juliette has not touched anyone in 264 days. The last time she did, she was locked up by The Reestablishment for the murder of a little boy - an accident which eats at her, making her believe she is a monster. No one knows why her touch is lethal. Then one day, much to Juliette's horror, a boy gets thrown into her cell. Adam, the boy that she has been in love with for so long.

Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me is an enjoyable enough read, if you're looking for something light and insubstantial. The writing is very lyrical, heavy with semi-poetic metaphors. It is set in a dystopian world where birds no longer fly, poverty and disease have destroyed the population, and The Reestablishment's word is law. Not to worry though, as the story doesn't really focus on these things at all. It focuses on Juliette and Adam's love story, and Warner, the main antagonist, and his obsession with Juliette.

* Please be forewarned that there will be spoilers ahead*

The origins of Juliette's powers are not explained. It's a bit reminiscent, if not exactly that, of Xmen's Rogue. Her touch is so lethal, so powerful, that it kills. Inexplicably (and conveniently), Juliette is able to touch Adam without causing any harm. Personally, I cannot stand it when things happen a little too conveniently for the protagonists - where is the drama? The climax? Such as in the part where Juliette is able to rescue Adam from captivity so easily because *gasp* there are no guards around.

As for the writing style, I enjoy lyricism, truly I do. I'm a sucker for poetic prose. However, Mafi's overloaded lyrical writing became tiresome after a while. The use of strikeouts were completely unnecessary and after a while, annoying.

I find it really unfair to say all of these things, because I actually didn't mind reading this book. In fact, I enjoyed it. I did a whole lot more groaning and eye-rolling while reading Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn than when I read Shatter Me. So, to reiterate, if you're looking for something light, dystopian and with a love story, pick up Shatter Me and try not to think too much for answers afterwards. Hopefully they will be in the second book.

review: abarat.

2011-11-19T01:05:00.000+13:00

author: Clive Barker
isbn: 9780006513704
rating: 2 out of 5 chocolates

Abarat is the story of a teenage girl called Candy Quackenbush, living in sleepy Chickentown, Minnesota (I'll save you from a search on google: no, Chickentown is not real). Candy has never really fitted in, and is thought to be weird by most of the people that know her. The story kicks off after Candy has an argument with a teacher and storms out of school. She ends up in a field at the outer fringes of town, where she meets John Mischief, whose 7 brothers live on the horns on his head. John is being chased by the evil creature called Mendelson Shape, and Candy helps him escape. Candy and John (and John, John, John, John, John, John as well as John) get swept into Abarat, which consists of 25 islands that represents the different hours of a day. Thus begins Candy's journey across Abarat.

I must say, this was a bit of a disappointing read for me. The basis of the plot reminded me a little too much of Alice in Wonderland. There was even a crazy magician who wore a lot of hats. I also couldn't quite connect with the main character, which for me is quite important when I'm reading. I have often heard rave reviews from Clive Barker fans about how fantastic his work is, so this fell a little below average for me. However, I'll try another one of his works before I completely write him off. If you've read any of his books and enjoyed them, I'd love to hear your recommendations.

top ten tuesday: top ten books gathering dust on my bookshelves.

2011-11-15T22:51:00.001+13:00

Hi, my name is Toni and I'm a book ~~hoarder~~ collector. Even though I read a lot, I buy/borrow/steal/get given far too many books when I know my reading speed cannot possibly keep up. I think it's a fair enough estimation that for every 1 book that I finish reading, 5 more have taken its place. I put myself on a book buying ban and ended up walking out of a store with 11 books on the very same day.

Moving flats has become such a problem. I have a lot of stuff. A LOT. It's a safe enough assumption that 35-40% of said stuff are books. The rest are clothes (also a lot), my bed, table, bedside table, chest of drawers and a few kitchen things. So that's a lot of books.

So, with the books I've managed to amass over the years, you can imagine there'll be a few casualties of neglect. Books that have been waiting patiently on my shelves to be picked up, but get shoved further down the reading pile as shiny new books take the coveted spot on my bedside table. If books could talk, I bet these forgotten ones would be screaming for justice...

Neglected due to sheer size:
1. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - waiting roughly a year and a half.
2. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - waiting half a year.
3. My Friend Leonard by James Frey - neglected for more than three years.

4. World Without End by Ken Follett - half a year.

5. Brisingr by Christoper Paolini - nearly two years.

Neglected due to various intimidating factors:

6. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie - five years?
7. Perfume by Patrick Suskind - about the same time as above.
8. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - half a year.
9. Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer - more than a year.

10. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - possibly been sitting for two years.

Do you have any dust covered books on your shelf? Which ones are they?

review: the hunger games.

2011-11-10T22:11:00.001+13:00

author: Suzanne Collins
isbn: 9780439023481
rating: 5 out of 5 chocolates

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book. As the ratings I have go up to a 5, that's as high as I can go, but The Hunger Games deserves so much more than that. It was such a thrilling, roller-coaster ride of a read. There's something in it for everyone - action, drama, a love triangle, a bit of gore, even some one-liners that will make you chuckle.

I know this isn't much of a review, but I just feel like I can't do it any justice with my ramblings. All I can say is, this is one of the best books I have ever read. Ever. With that said, I'll be leaving you with the book blurb:

"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love." - from bookdepository.com

wishlist wednesday: the leftovers.

2011-11-09T19:49:00.002+13:00

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
ISBN: 9780312358341
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

"What if - whoosh, right now, with no explanation - a number of us simply vanished? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down? That's what the bewildered citizens of Mapleton, who lost many of their neighbors, friends and lovers in the event known as the Sudden Departure, have to figure out. Because nothing has been the same since it happened - not marriages, not friendships, not even the relationships between parents and children. Kevin Garvey, Mapleton's new mayor, wants to speed up the healing process, to bring a sense of renewed hope and purpose to his traumatized community. Kevin's own family has fallen apart in the wake of the disaster: his wife, Laurie, has left to join the Guilty Remnant, a homegrown cult whose members take a vow of silence; his son, Tom, is gone, too, dropping out of college to follow a sketchy prophet named Holy Wayne. Only Kevin's teenaged daughter, Jill, remains, and she's definitely not the sweet "A" student she used to be. Kevin wants to help her, but he's distracted by his growing relationship with Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family on October 14th and is still reeling from the tragedy, even as she struggles to move beyond it and make a new start. With heart, intelligence and a rare ability to illuminate the struggles inherent in ordinary lives, Tom Perrotta has written a startling, thought-provoking novel about love, connection and loss." - from bookdepository.com

It looks like I'm enjoying dystopian fiction a little too much recently. I'll blame it on The Passage by Justin Cronin. Although it's mostly a horror novel, it does have dystopian qualities. It left me wondering if I could ever cope in an environment like that (the answer is: No. I don't run fast. Plus I complain too much. People would just shoot me to make me shut up.). So, when I came across this book, it was automatically added on to my wishlist.

In other news, some goodies I've been waiting for have arrived in the mail today!

Aren't they beautiful? I can't believe the design for these books were actually handstitched. Click here to see them in their full beauty. French flaps and complete wrap around galore! I got these ones from Bookdepository.com

This one arrived in the mail today as well, courtesy of Random House New Zealand. And just when I thought I never win anything!

I was so excited when I received the email! But I think the best part of it is:

Yay! Thanks so much Random House! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we can talk about books that we can't wait to get off our wishlists and on to our bookshelves. Everyone is welcome to join. Instructions on how to join are available on Pen to Paper.

top ten tuesday: top ten books i read that were outside of my comfort zone

2011-11-08T22:25:00.000+13:00

I guess my comfort zone is being happily ensconced in fantasy fiction. Lately, I've been dipping into dystopian and paranormal genres. I read a fair bit of general fiction too. But of course, there's some books that I tend to pick up out of need (for school or work), or curiosity, even though I'm not quite happy being seen with said book. Or it could also be that the topic just makes me squirm. With that said, here are the top books that were outside my comfort zone, in no particular order.

1. The Shack by William P. Young - the first religious book that I read that isn't the Bible. There were times I just wanted to stop reading it, but I was determined to review it, so I persevered. In hindsight, I should have just stopped reading.

2. Sex Life by Pamela Stephenson-Connolly - I'm not a prude, but I must say I walked out of work with this book with my ears burning, and they continually burned while I was reading it. Didn't finish it, as I wasn't interested in reading about people past 50 getting it on.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - we weren't required to read the usual set of classics at school, so this was the first classic I read and it was for a book club. Since I wasn't used to the old English, I found it a struggle, but perversely enjoyed the tragic story in the end.

4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - the topic of paedophilia makes my blood boil, so I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I picked up this book.

5. 1st To Die by James Patterson - this is the first crime book I've read, it was suggested to me by a good friend from college. I was uncomfortable with the descriptions of the crime scenes, but I enjoyed the book.

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - another one of those books that I don't know why I picked up when I was 14. Everyone was either named Jose Arcadio or Aureliano. I finished the book, more or less confused about what it was I had just read.

7. City of Golden Shadow by Tad Williams - the first science fiction novel I read. It took forever to get anywhere with its 780 pages in teeny tiny print. I think I only started enjoying it once there was a quarter of the book left. Needless to say, I haven't picked up any of the other books in the series.

8. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) by Jose Rizal - not the first Philippine novel I read for school, but it's the one that sticks out the most because of how tragic it is. I honestly don't know how I managed to barely pass all of my Filipino classes in school.

9. Dracula by Bram Stoker - the first proper horror novel I read at 12. I think the thought of reading a scary grown-up book scared me more than the actual story itself.

10.The Savvy Girl's Money Book by Emily Chantiri - money isn't a topic I feel comfortable discussing, so when I found this book I was pretty happy. It talks about money matters in a straight forward manner, but doesn't dumb it down.

What books have you read that were out of your comfort zone?

review: i shall wear midnight.

2011-11-06T19:45:00.001+13:00

author: Terry Pratchett
isbn: 9780385611077
rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

I Shall Wear Midnight is the final book in the Tiffany Aching series, as well as the first young adult Discworld book that I have read. True to form, Sir Pratchett does not disappoint. The book practically bursts with magic, mischief, and laughs galore. There's also a measure of moral lessons thrown in too.

The story kicks off with Tiffany Aching taking on the burden of being the witch of The Chalk, just after finishing her studies with the more senior witches. As she runs around caring for everyone else but herself, she begins to discover that something is causing people to start being suspicious of witches. And whatever it is, it seems to be after her. With the (sometimes unwanted) help of The Wee Free Men, she must find this source of evil and destroy it, before it destroys her.

If you've read any of Terry Pratchett's books before, you would be familiar with his trademark humour. So a word of warning, this is the darkest Discworld book that I have read so far. It contains references to domestic violence and alludes to prejudice (fortunately, there's no 'burning at the stake', but...), so it's definitely for the older kids.

However, as I mentioned earlier, there's definitely a lot of comic relief in this book. The Wee Free Men practically steal the show with their drunken shennanigans; Nanny Ogg kicks off a party at a funeral; and some cameo appearances from other Discworld characters are wonderfully delightful.

Though the last book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. For those who haven't tried any of the Discworld books yet, I highly recommend that you start of with either Men at Arms, Mort or Night Watch. Happy reading!

wishlist wednesday: happily ever after.

2011-11-02T22:34:00.000+13:00

I love fairytale books. I collect large, hardbound, illustrated ones. I only have 4 though, because they're not only large, they're a bit heavy on the pocket too. When I do persuade myself to get one, I tell myself it's for the purpose of preserving a bit of history. If I really want to be honest with myself though, I think I buy them for the little kid inside me that doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that I'm now a grown-up.

So another avenue for my inner child is to read fairytale retellings. Novels such as John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things and Gregory Maguire's Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister are some of my favourites. So I was pretty stoked when I came across Happily Ever After.

"Happily Ever After" is a star-studded book of fairy tales, featuring an introduction by Bill Willingham ('Fables') and stories by Gregory Maguire, Susanna Clarke, Karen Joy Fowler, Charles de Lint, Holly Black, Garth Nix, Kelly Link, Peter Straub, Neil Gaiman, Patricia Briggs, and many other fantasy luminaries. - from bookdepository.com

Guess I'll be adding that to my Christmas wishlist!

Just as a side note... One Chocolate Box is one month old today! Yay!

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we can talk about books that we can't wait to get off our wishlists and on to our bookshelves. Everyone is welcome to join. Instructions on how to join are available on Pen to Paper.

top ten tuesday: top ten books i had very strong emotions about

2011-11-01T14:23:00.004+13:00

In no particular order...

1. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - I could not stop the tears when I was reading this book. It probably also didn't help that I had just broken up with a boyfriend while I was reading it. Pffft.

2. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - this is the first book that had me alternately roaring with laughter and bawling my eyes out. It's been referred to as my 'lunatic' book.

3. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught - the first romance novel I read that made me cry. I was 16 when I read it.

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - if you've been regularly visiting my blog for the past few weeks, you're probably not the least bit surprised right now.

5. Jemima J by Jane Greene - I loved it as I could relate to the character's weight issue, and then I wanted to throw it against a wall after I finished with it.

6. The Gathering by Anne Enright - this one's another throw against a wall book. Unfortunately it was the first ever book I've read that won the Man Booker Prize. It's kind of made me wary of Booker Prize winners since.

7. Yes Man by Danny Wallace - it was so infectious, I found myself saying yes to things I normally wouldn't have!

8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I have never hated a heroine as much as this one. This one's past throwing against a wall for me. It's a rip it to pieces and make a bonfire one. Don't know why I kept reading though.

9. One Day by David Nicholls - one of the best books I've read this year. It ripped my heart out.

10.All Blacks Don't Cry by John Kirwan - written by a rugby legend and former All Black John Kirwan. His journey through depression is amazing.

most amazing giveaway ever.

2011-11-01T00:37:00.000+13:00

I came across this via Jenny's Chocolate Chunky Munkie. Beth Revis, author of Across the Universe, is giving away 19 signed books to tie in with Thanksgiving. And her only request (aside from the contest entry requirements which you can find here) is that you share with others the one book that you are most grateful for! How cool is that?

And so, the book that I am most grateful for is... *drum roll*

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

It's the first book that introduced me to the addictive world of epic fantasy series books. The first book that I read about magic, wizards and witches (one that I picked myself anyway!). The first book that I hid behind a school text book during classes so I could keep reading. The first book that kept me awake until the early hours of the morning - and the first book I read by torchlight so that my mother didn't know I was still awake! The first book that I actually fell in love with.

Which book are you grateful for?

review: the red house mystery.

2011-10-31T19:17:00.001+13:00

author: A.A. Milne
isbn: 9780099521266
rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

Excerpt from the back of the book: "Far from the gentle slopes of the Hundred Acre Wood lies The Red House, the setting for A.A. Milne's only detective story, where secret passages, uninvited guests, a sinister valet and a puzzling murder lay the foundations for a classic crime caper. When the police prove baffled, it is up to a guest at a local inn to appoint himself 'Sherlock Holmes' and, together with his friend and loyal 'Watson', delve deeper into the mysteries of the dead man. The Red House Mystery is a lost gem from a time before Tigger, and a perfectly crafted whodunnit with witty dialogue, deft plotting and a most curious cast of characters."

It was such a pleasant surprise to stumble upon this book while I was still working at Borders. As far as I'm aware, it is not a well-known fact that the creator of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh had written a crime novel. And what a novel it is! It makes you wonder if he would have been equally well known if he stuck with the crime genre, as he had created The Red House Mystery before Winnie-the-Pooh.

This book keeps building the suspense as the story develops, and right up until near the very end you're left frantically turning page after page in eagerness to know what really happened. With every clue unravelled by Anthony, the story's 'Sherlock Holmes', I had to keep re-guessing who the killer was - which is always a good thing when it comes to mysteries, since it adds to the thrill of it.

I did however, find the dénouement slightly disappointing, but I guess it's explicable enough since the main protagonist should not be on par with Sherlock Holmes, and his own amateur abilities could only be stretched so far. Plus, the unforeseeable twist at the end more than makes up for the manner in which the resolution was delivered.

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review: a discovery of witches.

2011-10-29T09:20:00.001+13:00

author: Deborah E. Harkness
isbn: 9780755374021
rating: 1 out of 5 chocolates

"An epic, richly inventive, historically sweeping, magical romance. When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels..." from bookdepository.com

I have always had a love-hate relationship with hefty books. I’m immediately drawn to them because the thickness of it promises me a long, hopefully enjoyable experience with the characters and the various settings. But then I hesitate, because if I’m unlucky, it could be an equally long, unpleasant experience. Unfortunately for me, A Discovery of Witches proved to be part of the ‘hate’ relationship with said voluminous books.

The book is 688 pages long. The book only really comes alive from page 400-something. Throughout the book, prepare to read a lot about different wines, food, rowing, running, sleeping, doing research in the library, and sitting around drinking tea while having repeated conversations at different homes, oh, and yes, ‘bundling’.

It’s great to see that Harkness put in a lot of research into the book, however there was no need to bog readers down with unnecessary details. Although some of it was essential to the book’s plot, there was still far too much alchemical and scientific references thrown in that were completely unnecessary, beefing up the book for no reason.

Harkness wanted to portray her female protagonist, Diana Bishop, as this head-strong, independent young woman who has turned her back on her witch ancestry, and worked hard to become an expert in her field of history. She rows, runs, and does yoga. She displays some bravado in several scenes. But Harkness contradicts herself by making Diana prone to swooning, excessive fatigue and stupidity (what kind of grown up academic goes outside when expressly told not to?). It sometimes felt like you’re reading about two completely different characters.

Does it say a lot that my favourite characters from this book are Tabitha the cat and the witches' house? The Bishop house is alive - moving furniture around, creating new rooms to herald the coming of guests, and showing its displeasure by slamming doors shut. I just had to add that in, otherwise I won’t have a lot of positive things to say about this book.

I can see why it’s compared to Twilight a lot – being that Matthew keeps protecting Diana at any cost and gets his whole family involved, as with Edward and Bella. The similarities with their ‘forbidden’ love are similar too (I wonder if that’s the reason why Harkness chose not to have werewolves in her story?). Oh, and yes, Matthew also does the creepy Edward thing of sneaking through the window and watching Diana sleep. Those are the only three things that make them similar. But I’ll give Harkness this, A Discovery of Witches is in a better, more mature caliber than Twilight.

I must point out though, Harkness actually has a very good idea in her hands plot-wise, so I’ll give her another shot once the next book in the trilogy comes out next year.

wishlist wednesday: ashes.

2011-10-26T23:40:00.001+13:00

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

ISBN: 9780857382627

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc

Description from Book Depository:

Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed...Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

How exciting does this book sound? I saw it last week at the local bookstore. They were heavily promoting it for kids school holiday. I'm more of a fantasy reader, but it looks like I've been leaning towards paranormal as of late again. Zombies, vampires and ghosts galore! It must be the Halloween spirit. Shall I risk a Stephen King novel? Hmm, doubt it. I couldn't sleep with the lights off for nearly 2 weeks after watching "The Sixth Sense". What a wimp.

review: the night circus.

2011-10-25T22:11:00.001+13:00

author: Erin Morgenstern
isbn: 9780385534635
rating: 5 out of 5 chocolates

Before I start off this review, I would just like to let the little fan girl in me out:

ERIN MORGENSTERN REPLIED TO A TWEET I SENT HER!!! *SQUEEEEEEEEEEEAAAALLLLL*

There. Now I can resume in a more business-like manner. On to the review proper.

When I was a toddler, my father used to sell cotton candy and multi-coloured, flavoured popcorn at circuses. So one of my earliest memories is of holding my mother’s hand on a chilly evening, as we were walking towards dad’s stall, passing by bright lights and big, yellow and red striped tents. It’s a fleeting image, like a very short video clip. Whenever I recall this, the first thing that hits me is the sense of excitement I had felt at the time - the kind of excitement that trails shivers down your spine, sets your heart racing in anticipation and leaves your lungs fit to burst with joy.

That was exactly the kind of excitement I felt while I was reading Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus. From the very first sentence, I was hooked.

“The circus arrives without warning.”

The story begins in 1873 and spans the course of 30 years, following Celia and Marco as they are raised and trained by rival magicians and culminates in “… a deadly contest, forced to test the very limits of the imagination, and of their love…”, as written on the book blurb.

The fantastic imagery had me enchanted. Morgenstern’s descriptions made the scenery nearly tangible. You can practically feel the cold from the Ice Garden, just about taste the delectable caramel drizzled popcorn, virtually see the contortionist twist herself into a glass box, all but hear the collective gasp from the crowd with every illusion described, almost smell the various heady scents from the sunken garden.

The Night Circus’s strength definitely lies in its powerful imagery. Plot-wise though, there are a few snags. For instance, more than half the book is finished by the time any romance blossoms between Marco and Celia, when several book blurbs indicate that the story is centred around their relationship with each other. Their ‘deadly contest’ is never fully explained. The story falls a little short in delivering the fierce duels it promises. There were also a lot of backwards and forwards time jumps, which I thought was unnecessary, as the story could have still flowed if chapters were rearranged carefully.

Character-wise, there seemed to be a lot of superfluous ones. The Burgess twins, Madame Padva, even one of the main supporting ones, Isobel, doesn’t seem to contribute much to the story. And there were some interesting choices, such as Bailey. He is seen in a vision by one of the main characters and is purported to play an integral role to the circus’s future, but it is written in a scene between Bailey, Celia and Marco that it could have easily been someone else. However, the antagonists are absolutely, deliciously evil. You cannot help but feel waves of hatred towards Hector Bowen, Celia’s father. Mr. A. H— is equally loathsome. Poppet, Widget and Herr Thiessen are supporting characters that you cannot help but love.

The Night Circus has more than enough charms to help you forget the aforementioned flaws. If you plan to read this book, and I highly recommend that you do, look out for the scene with the jars. It is so creative and beautiful, like the rest of the book. The minute I put down the book after reading the last page, I wanted to pick it up and read it all over again, and get lost in the world that Morgenstern has created.

top ten tuesday: ten books perfect for reading around halloween

2011-10-25T21:55:00.002+13:00

In no particular order...

1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman - being a fan of Neil Gaiman, this was a definite must add to the list for Halloween reads.

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - this book has made it to another list yet again! Started off really creepy.

3. The Strain by Guillermo del Toro - I got goosebumps on my goosebumps on the first chapter alone.

4. The Alchemaster's Apprentice by Walter Moers - not exactly scary, but it has the right elements: bats, Ugglies (like witches), and a talking cat. Walter Moers is a genius and my favourite author.

5. The Passage by Justin Cronin - read it!

6. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - chase the legend of Dracula from a mysterious manuscript.

7. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist - little vampire girl moves in next door. Creepy.

8. The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko - jam-packed with action.

9. Dracula by Bram Stoker - an oldie but a goodie.

10. One Foot Wrong by Sofie Laguna - not a horror, but I was definitely disturbed by this one.

shameless plugging.

2011-10-23T02:34:00.003+13:00

I have spent the past four days on things relating to my favourite book of the year - The Night Circus. I know there's still 2 more months to go, but I highly doubt that any other book coming out this year will, for lack of a better term, rock my world. Erin Morgenstern's book has consumed and inspired me so much, I have even considered writing fiction again. I used to write for a few years, and stopped due to cowardice. Criticism was something I could not take. And that fear has haunted me every time I tried to sit down and write again.

But I'm deviating from the main point. This is what I have been busy with:

Please do let me know your thoughts on the design, and suggestions for possible content. I know it doens't really have anything in it, though I do have some things up my sleeve. But I thought I could just keep building on it and open it as it is, just as Celia and Marco kept adding wonders to the circus. And I would be most grateful if you could help spread the word to the other reveurs (dreamers).

Thank you. And yes, I will be reviewing the book. I'm guessing it may take me some time, as I want to give an honest and fair review, despite my bias towards the book.

review: warm bodies.

2011-10-20T17:36:00.002+13:00

author: Isaac Marion

isbn: 9780099549345

rating: 3 out of 5 chocolates

There is nothing quite like the story of star-crossed lovers, immortalised by William Shakespeare when he spun Romeo & Juliet into creation. And then there are also the likes of Guinevere & Lancelot. Tristan & Isolde. Catherine & Heathcliff. Tony & Maria. Buffy & Angel… sorry? Edw... who? Oh. Those sparkly ones. Well, never mind them, because we now have… R & Julie.

Isaac Marion’s debut novel is refreshing, and not your typical zombie story. It is told from the perspective of R, a zombie who can’t remember what comes after the rest of the first letter of his name, or anything else from his previous life, for that matter. R shows us what exactly goes on behind the moaning, groaning, shuffling and decaying – the need to feed on fresh human flesh in order to feel alive. However on one hunting trip, he comes across Julie, who is very much a vulnerable human – and much to his bafflement, he decides to save her instead of eat her.

R is a very well formed (oh, ha ha.) character. He is a different kind of zombie. He has a ferocious will to exist. He dreams of living. He listens to Frank Sinatra. He is a determined hero, a romantic gentleman that you can’t help but overlook his grey complexion and decaying aroma. And he can speak up to 6-syllables long. 4 is the standard for zombies, you know. Well, at least the ones that haven’t lost their jaws yet.

As well rounded as R is however, his leading lady isn’t. Julie seems to have a malleable character, and takes on whatever persona is required of her in different scenes. Supporting character Nora seems to have more of a personality compared to Julie. Even M, R’s sidekick, is a towering lothario who never breaks character and will chase anything that wears a skirt, dead or alive... probably for different reasons, but I digress.

Plot-wise, it would have been better if Marion delved into the source of the zombie plague, instead of leaving it as a mystery. He writes in a scene where Nora starts talking about the origin of the plague, however just as general musing. The resolution at the end of the story also doesn’t satisfactorily explain how R’s situation is resolved, or how the zombie plague could be resolved in general.

All in all, a good read for young adults and paranormal fans alike, if you’re after something different with a bit of a twist. However, if you were a fan of The Passage by Justin Cronin and The Strain by Guillermo del Toro, this might be a little too childish for you.

One thing's for sure, I'm looking forward to seeing this in the cinemas next year.

wishlist wednesday: the night circus.

2011-10-19T20:00:00.004+13:00

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
ISBN: 9781846555244
Publisher: Harvill Secker

Full description from Bookdepository.com
The circus arrives without warning. It is simply there. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway -- a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. They don't realize that this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love -- a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

I think this is one of those books that you can't help but pick up, just to satisfy your curiosity. Not only is the cover beautiful, but the idea of a circus mysteriously appearing and opening only at night is intriguing. It's also gotten very positive reviews so far. Claire Messud from the guardian.co.uk wrote that it "is a genuine pleasure to read. Like any successful illusion, it could be carefully unravelled; but surely, as rare as it is, it should simply be enjoyed."

I got excited when I first heard about this book in September, during the Random House roadshow. I'm still eagerly awaiting my free reading copy. Makes me miss working at a bookstore sometimes! Very apt to that my birthday has fallen on Wishlist Wednesday! I'm sure this one will be on my bookshelf soon!

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we can talk about books that we can't wait to get off our wishlists and on to our bookshelves. Everyone is welcome to join. Instructions on how to join are available on Pen to Paper.