To Read November 2014

This month is full of assignments and exams and the end of uni, so who knows how many books I'll get through. But I just thought I'd share some books I hope I'll get through.

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins (Editor) and many other YA authors including Rainbow Rowell, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Gayle Forman etc. 

I'm so excited to read this! Some of my favourite YA authors (Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, among others) have written for this anthology of holiday stories. I couldn't wait for this book to be published/in stock in Australia, so I purchased it online. This is another example of how frustrating the America/Australia divide is, I need these books ASAP, and at an affordable price, and preferably paperback. Okay, thanks. [GOODREADS]

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

So excited to read this. This book is a dual narrative following a real life girl writing a novel (my dream) and the character she is writing in the novel. I don't know much else, but I've heard positive reviews for it. I've read Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld, and wasn't super impressed, but I can't wait to start reading this. I purchased this copy from Big W for $14, a total bargain. This paperback is also so much nicer than the hardback I saw while I Was in America. That was so expensive and SO HEAVY. [GOODREADS]

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This is a must read ASAP. The hype around this book and the movie that was just released is incredible, and I need to get to this book. [GOODREADS]

June Wrap Up

This post has just been sitting here unpublished for months. So I thought I'd just post it, at the time I put quite a bit of effort into it, I just never finished it. So, if you're interested, my June Wrap Up. In October.

So June was a very busy month for me, I had all of my uni assessments due in the last couple of weeks which was super stressful, because I'm not the most organised person. Somehow they were all completed, and I somehow was able to read some books at the same time.

The first book I read this month was:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
★★★★★

 No, I am not a complete idiot. I *have* read TFIOS before. This was my third time reading the book as the movie was released this month! *Angel choir sings*. The book is amazing, the movie is amazing. If you haven't read/watched it yet (I would recommend you read it first, as always), you definitely should. Definitely one of the best books of our generation. And, just randomly, I hate the title stylised as TFiOS. I'm looking at you, John Green. [GOODREADS]

Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass

Title: The One (The Selection #3) ★★★★★ 
Author: Kiera Cass
Publication Date: 6 May 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Page Count: 323
IBSN: 9780007466719
Bookshelves: Young Adult, Dystopian

More Information:
Kiera Cass | Goodreads | Book Depository

Summary:
The final book in Kiera Cass' New York Times Bestselling series The Selection was released on 6 May 2014. America must choose between Prince of Illéa Maxon and first love Aspen in this romantic highly anticipated finale.

#PTALive Sydney

Last Monday was Penguin Teen Australia's Live Event at Event Cinemas George Street. This was a free event hosted by the publishing company. Basically what they did was they talked about the most popular Penguin Teen books at the moment (including The Fault in Our Stars, Vampire Academy, etc) and discussed the film adaptations. They then went on to a new book being released in July by Kylie Fornasier, an Australian author, called Masquerade [GOODREADS]. Kylie was at the event, where she talked about her book, her inspiration for writing and the process she went through to get her book published by Penguin. The book sounds great, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Kylie also posed for photos with fans and answered questions. The event then went on to outline the big releases for the rest of the year, including Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5), The Revenge of Seven and Isla and the Happily Ever After to name a few. It was a great night and I'm really glad I went. Books Kinokuniya were also present and were selling books 20% off the RRP.

At the event, they were giving away some free copies of some books, so I thought I'd share them with you, because I can't wait to read them.

The first one was:
The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester

I don't really know a lot about this book, but I know it's quite popular because I've been seeing it around in Dymocks and Big W for months (the spine is really pretty, and I always find myself picking it out of bookshelves). So I was pretty happy to get my hands on this. From what I can tell, it is your average YA contemporary, set in Paris, involving fashion and romance and stuff. Really, I'm not too sure. But I also know that the author is Australian, and the sequel is being released soon, which I'm also excited about! It seems like one of those books that you just fly through and have heaps of fun along the way. [GOODREADS]

#Goodreads

In response to Bookables' (who you should all definitely subscribe to) Goodreads tag, I have decided to complete my own, because I *love* (like, really love) Goodreads.

1. What was the last book you read?
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - ★★★★★

Such an amazing book, I read it in one day, my review will be posted (hopefully) soon.

2. What book are you currently reading?
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

I'm a bit less than halfway through this book. I haven't been loving it as much as I thought I would, there are some parts which are fantastic, and some parts which are a bit slow. Once I finish it, there will be a review (again, hopefully. Still seeing how this blog is actually going...)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - ★★★★★

I started rereading this book just before the movie was released in Australia in early January. However, I only got about 100 pages in before getting distracted by other books, so we'll see if I return to it soon. Otherwise, I'll move it back to my read shelf.

3. What was the last book you marked as to-read?
The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan

4. What book do you plan to read next?
We'll see, really. But on the top of my list are:
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

5. Do you use a star rating system?
Yes I do:
★☆☆☆☆ - Books I didn't enjoy at all, either didn't finish or had to push myself an insane amount to finish, not worth the effort. 
★★☆☆☆ - Books I didn't see the appeal of and thought were not engaging and boring, was still able to enjoy it a little.
★★★☆☆ - Okay books, didn't love them.
★★★★★ - One of the best books I have ever read, amazing, I would reread this again in a heartbeat, would recommend to all my friends.


6. Are you doing a 2014 Reading Challenge?
Yes! I have challenged myself to read 60 books this year. Last year I read 53/50 books for the challenge, so I just increased the number by a small amount, I think it's achievable, I hope I get to the goal.