Blog Hop and Follow Friday

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books and is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love for the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect to other book lovers, to make friends, support each other and to generally share our love for books.


This weeks question is: In honor of banned books week, What is your favourite banned or frequently challenged book? Click Here for the 2010-2011 list in PDF format.

I'm a big fan of The Hunger Games but I can understand why some schools don't allow it. I have just discovered that Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is on a banned or challenged list? Ah now...It is hardly that bad. Some animal cruelty, a few people thrown from a train, and some soft sexual content. That is what I read books for.

I have to say, I am really enjoying reading through all these PDF files. Did you know Twilight is banned in Australia because of the sexual content? It goes against religious beliefs. I would have thought parents would be pro Twilight because of the blatant no sex before marriage message?? No? 

Great question this week!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can read. 


This week's question is: What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favourite character?


I am both delighted and saddened that I can't say Harry Potter this week!
To be honest, I don't really like when amazing books are made into movies. Without meaning to, my images of the characters and their world gets permanently changed in my mind. The Twilight movies ruined the books for me. I think KStew is a terrible Bella but she is imprinted in my head as Bella. How many people can say that when they re-read Harry Potter they don't picture Daniel Radcliffe? (although, I do love the Harry Potter movies!) Some how I have brought my answer back to HP! There are some other film adaptations that I do enjoy though. Water for Elephants for example.

Six Month Blogiversary Giveaway WINNERS...

Without further ado, the winners are:

1. Melissa from Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

2. Amber Elise

Congratulations girls! I will be sending you an email in a couple of hours (I'm dashing out to the cinema right now!) so get thinking on what book you would like from book depository :)

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads summary: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your bold, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable and happy.


But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She fall in love.


I have to start off by saying what a wonderful writer Lauren Oliver is. Both the style of writing and the story line blew me away. I loved this book.

The story opens with Lena explaining the world she comes from. A place where Love is a disease, something to be feared. A country surrounded by an electric fence to keep the disease out and the people in. Regulators patrol the streets making sure people conform to the rules. But worst of all, it is a world where at 18 you get 'the cure'; an operation that eradicates all feelings of love, regret, and even true happiness. Once you are cured you are paired with a suited match and married. 

Lena cannot wait to have her operation. She is literally counting down the days when she will no longer have to be afraid of contamination. That is, until she meets Alex. Suddenly Lena's world is thrown upside-down as she is forced to question her surroundings and the people she has grown up with. One of my favourite parts on the story was when Lena discovers that she has been talking and dancing with an uncured boy (Alex). I could feel her absolute panic and terror as she tries to get away from him. 

I adored Alex's character. He is a bit cheeky and he likes to tease Lena now and again. He is brave and selfless and can recite banned love poems! What more can a girl ask for? Their love is real. The story was quite slow at the beginning but I think it really helped bring depth to Lena and Alex’s relationship. It made their relationship more real and brought a sense of tension to it all. They didn’t just fall head over heels for each other the minute they met, like in so many other young adult books. It was refreshing to see it drawn out a bit. 

Overall it was an excellent read. The ending was spectacular! It was gripping and dramatic and I find myself thinking about it all the time, even though I finished the book last week. I am so excited about book 2, which I am going to talk about below! 5/5 Stars

WARNING! I am posting up the synopsis for Book 2, Pandemonium. If you haven’t read Delirium yet then READ NO FURTHER as it will contain SPOILERS!

Goodreads summary: Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world where love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix or revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive – and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Expected Publication: March 6th 2012

I would love to know what people think of this? It really upsets me :( I can't understand how someone can love another person so completely and be prepared to die for them, and then turn around and fall in love with someone else. I guess that Lena does think Alex is dead, and maybe he is? But I just don't want to see her fall in love with someone else when I love Alex so much! March is too far away.

TGIF and Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This week's question is: Do you have a favourite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep revisiting it.

This is a great question. Hopefully I'll learn about a new series or two! Obviously I have read Harry Potter again and again over the last 10 years. I always forget little bits of the story or discover something I missed before. They will never get old. 

While Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella isn't a series, it is a book that I have read too many times to count. I don't normally re read books. I don't have enough time to work backwards like that; not when there are so many new books to discover. But Can You Keep a Secret is one of my favourite books that I often pick up and open on any page when I am sick or stressed out. I guess you could call it my security book/blanket! It is hilariously funny with an incredibly sweet romance story. It's excellent!

TGIF is hosted by GReads and this weeks question is: Read Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been?

I signed up for the Books to Movies Challenge hosted by Two Bibliomaniacs. I'm not gonna lie; I haven't been doing well! I have only reviewed one book and movie out of the eight I'm meant to complete! To be honest, I don't think I am suited to challenges. I hate feeling pressured into reading something in particular. But I still have time to redeem myself and start the challenge again, so fingers crossed I'll get my act together!

Last Chance to enter my Six Month Blogiversary GIVEAWAY. The winners get to pick a book from Book Depository. Click Here to Enter

My Book Boyfriend #10

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader, which provides us with an opportunity to swoon over the guys in our books. This week I have fallen deeply in love with Alex from Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

I have actually just finished reading Delirium this evening but am too upset and in a funk to consider writing a review. When I have recovered I'll be sharing my MANY thoughts on this book. Loved it!

• Name: Alex Sheaths
• Age: 19
• Appearance: "His hair is golden brown, like leaves in autumn just as they're turning, and he has bright amber eyes."
• He comes from a world where love is a disease and people are permenently cured once the reach 18 years of age. Men and woman can't touch until they are cured and loving relationships are forbidden.
• While Alex has the scars on his neck to prove he is one of the cured, he is in fact not cured.
• He is originally from The Wilds
• He likes to read love poems
• He listens to everything Lena tells him and he trusts her with his biggest secret. 
• He would sacrifice his own freedom to make sure Lena is safe and happy.
• He teases Lena in the sweetest ways
• Not to mention, he is an amazing kisser!

I typed Alex Sheaths Delirium into Google images and this is who came up. nom nom nom

Quotes

The helicopter has him fixed in it's spotlight. He is standing white and still and frozen in its beam, and I don't think I have ever, in my life, seen anything more beautiful than him.

"Why do you care?" I say, barely a whisper.

"I told you" he whispers back. I can feel his breath just tickling skin space behind my ear, making the hair prick up on my neck. "I like you."

"You don't know me" I say quickly.

"I want to though"

Alex reading banned poetry to Lena

He flips forward a few pages in the book, but he doesn't glance down at it. He keeps his eyes on me the whole time. "You want to hear a different one?" He doesn't wait for me to answer before beginning to recite, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

There's that word again: Love. My heart stops when he says it, then stutters into a frantic rhythm.

"I love thee to the depth and breath and height my soul can reach..."

I know he's only speaking someone else's words, but they seem to come from him anyway. His eyes are dancing with light; in each of them I see a bright point of candlelight reflected.

He takes a step forward and kisses my forehead softly. "I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need.." He kisses each cheekbone - a delicious, skimming kiss, barely grazing my skin. " I love thee freely..."

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads Summary: Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth’s dystopian Chicago must select which of the five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth’s young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under the most extreme circumstances. 

I had very high expectations for this one, having seen 5 star reviews on so many blogs recently. While the story was a bit slower than I had imagined, it still drew me in and deserves this 5 star rating. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, (which I did) then you’ll love this too. It does feature teenagers beating the shit out of each other in a somewhat controlled environment.

Beatrice is faced with a choice that will define everything she is: Should she go against everything she knows and grew up with or should she stay where she is, in a faction that she doesn’t feel she belongs in. The five factions are:

Abnegation (Selfless)

Candor (Honesty and Truth)

Amity (Peace)

Erudite (Knowledge and Intelligence)

Dauntless (Courageous and Brave)

Going against her family, she chooses Dauntless and so begins her journey of self-discovery. Tris is a strong, likeable character who just gets on with things and doesn’t complain. You can’t help but admire her bravery and loyalty when it comes to her friends. She has some very difficult choices to make throughout the book and she consistently stays true to herself. All of the background characters were well developed and they each brought something to the table. I particularly liked Al and Christina.

And then there’s Four, Gah! What a guy. I see Four as the strong, silent type. In my opinion he often seemed a bit cold in some of the more intimate scenes but it worked so well! The romance seemed solid and real and didn’t take over from the rest of the plot.

Overall, I thought it was an excellent read. It was full of twists and turns and was often brutal and violent which actually made it particularly thrilling for me. Tris definitely has some maturing to do in the next two books to make her a more likeable character. I don’t doubt that she will have countless opportunities to show us what she is really made of.  5/5 Stars

Have you seen the cover of book two? INSURGENT! I love it :)

Blog Hop, TGIF and Follow Friday

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books and is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love for the written word. This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect to other book lovers, make new friends, support each other and generally just share our love for books.

This week's question is: As a book blogger, how do you introduce yourself in your profile?

Well to be honest, I haven't really thought about this much. I have a little introduction stating where I am from (Ireland) and how old I am (21). I think it is important to let people know what kind of books I am into reading. But that is mostly covered in my review policy. I guess I'm pretty laid back and casual (or maybe lazy?) when it comes to introductions and rules!

TGIF is hosted by GReads and this week's question is: Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book that you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?

As it happens, the last book I reviewed, The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly, did exactly that. Jennifer Donnelly is a wonderful writer, with a huge imagination. She has the ability to make the craziest story lines completely believable. One of my favourite books is The Tea Rose, closely followed by The Winter Rose. But unfortunately The Wild Rose didn't live up to my expectations. I felt it was very rushed and seemed forced some how. Like the author wasn't that into it herself. That is just my take on it! So ya, it was a huge disappointment for me considering I waited 5 years for it's release. You can check out my review HERE

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee

This week's question is: It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality? 

I don't want to go down the same old road and pick Harry Potter, but I just can't help myself. I know it is the most unoriginal answer but come on?! Wizards and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans? You can't get much better than that. Although I do quite like the idea of The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. I think I would enjoy having a Daemon by side all the time. I'm needy like that!


GIVEAWAY TIME: Enter my Six Month Blogiversary for a chance to win the book of your choice from Book Depository. There will be two winners. Click Here to Enter

Review: The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

Goodreads summary:  The vast multi-generational epic that began with The Tea Rose and continued with The Winter Rose now reaches its dramatic conclusion in The Wild Rose. 

London, 1914. World War I is looming on the horizon, women are fighting for the right to vote, and global explorers are pushing the limits of endurance at the Poles and in the deserts. Into this volatile time, Jennifer Donnelly places her vivid and memorable characters: 

- Willa Alden, a passionate mountain climber who lost her leg while climbing Kilimanjaro with Seamus Finnegan, and who will never forgive him for saving her life. 

- Seamus Finnegan, a polar explorer who tries to forget Willa as he marries a beautiful young woman back home in England. 

- Max von Brandt, a handsome sophisticate who courts high society women, but who has a secret agenda as a German spy; 
- and many others.

I am going to keep this one short and sweet (well maybe not so sweet), since I wasn’t asked to review this book. First off, let me tell you how much I LOVE Jennifer Donnelly. I have read all of her books and I pretty much beg people to read The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose. I have been waiting 5 LONG years for this book so you can imagine how I felt when it turned out to be such a disappointment. It took me 4 weeks to read. I just wasn’t interested in picking it up 

Donnelly’s previous two books were Epic romances with some crazy twists and turns that she managed to make believable. The Wild Rose on the other hand is completely unbelievable. I feel like the author just forced out this last book because she had a contract to fulfil and we have been waiting so long as it is. The ‘epic’ romance between Willa and Seamus was over shadowed by their adultery and delusions. Normally I always route for the soul mates; no matter what stands in their way, they should be together! But I just didn’t feel it this time. I had no sympathy or liking towards Willa.

My favourite character was poor Jennie. She was like a breath of fresh air blowing through all the heart ache and war. I felt so sorry for her, an innocent person, stuck in a marriage to a man who loves someone else. She is wronged throughout the book and it didn’t sit well with me.

I also felt that there was just too much going on in this book; too many sub plots, too many POVs. The story was written in a very similar way to the last books so I found it incredibly predictable, which made it boring.

I don’t want to tear this story apart. It did have some good moments. I loved seeing Sid and India again. I was intrigued by post-war England; shell-shocked soldiers returning home to a ruined economy. I also enjoyed Max, the villain of the story. I felt him and Josie were the only two characters with any real depth. It is the first time I have ever felt sympathy for the bad guy! So ya, I am glad I read it. I did enjoy moments of it. I just had such high expectations!

Evidently this was not short and sweet at all. The Wild Rose aside, I still urge you all to read The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose. They are amazing stories by a wonderful writer. While they are meant to be a trilogy you can definitely read them as standalone books! Despite this let down, I will still run out to buy any new book Donnelly writes. I have loved all her books; I just felt this was rushed and tired. It genuinely pains and upsets me, but I am only giving this one 2/5 Stars.

Sophie & Carter Giveaway Winner!!

The Winner of the signed copy of Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine is 

Elizabeth

Congratulations! It really is a lovely read and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Be sure to stop by and let me know your thoughts on it! 

** For those of you who didn't win, don't forget to enter my Six Month Blogiversary GIVEAWAY! The winners get to pick a book from Book Depository. Click Here to Enter **

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee

This weeks question is: Have you ever wanted the villain the win at the end of the story? If so, which one?

Hmmm good question! I don't generally cheer for the villains. I'm a big fan of good triumphing over evil. But one character that jumps to mind is Sweeny Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street! Maybe it is a stretch to call him a villain but he does rack up an impressive number of innocent people to cook in those meat pies! When I went to see the musical I was praying the whole time that he wouldn't get caught!

Don't forget to check out my Six Month Blogiversary GIVEAWAY. Click Here to Enter. The winners get to pick the book of their choice from Book Depository.

Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books and is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love for the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect to other book lovers, make new friends, support each other and generally just share our love for books.

This weeks question is: "Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stop writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn't read that genre anymore?

I think I would keel over if author's stopped writing romance!! I don't even want to imagine it. Honestly, I think I would take a break from reading and go and lick my wounds for a while. But I'd come back. I'd miss it too much. I think I would start reading a lot more historical novels. At least I could still lose myself in past worlds. I'd say I would start reading more Young Adult too. What about you?

Pssst don't forget to check out my Six Month Blogiversary GIVEAWAY! Just Click Here to Enter! The winners get to pick the book of their choice from Book Depository.  

Review: Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine and GIVEAWAY

Genre: YA, Romance
Published by: Acacia Publishing
Pages: 117
**This book was sent to me for free for an honest review**
Goodreads Summary: While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from their troubles, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, what lies ahead for Sophie and Carter?


What a pleasant  surprise! I had no idea that I would enjoy this little book so much. It only took me a couple of hours to read and is a perfect story to pick up if you are looking for a quick escape from your day. Sophie and Carter are neighbours and best friends who share secrets and support each other in the noblest of ways. They have both suffered greatly in the past and come from severely dysfunctional families. Sophie's mom is a prostitute who has left Sophie to take care of her three younger siblings. Carter cares for his mother who has been driven to insanity by the beatings she and Carter took from her husband. 


The chapters alternate between the two POVs. I felt Sophie's POV was stronger than Carter's. Both characters are so easy to fall for. They have been through so much in their short lives and yet, they still soldier on for those they love. I have so much respect for them both. The romance between them is sweet and endearing. They look out for each other and would do anything for one and other. They had me swooning over a bag of vegetables, cups of coffee and hand holding on porch swings.


The only thing I didn't like about this book was how short it was! I would love to have read more about them growing up, about their other relationships in school and more about Carter's dad. But I am only saying this because I enjoyed the story so much and I want more now that it is over. Chelsea Fine has a wonderfully creative imagination and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. 4 / 5 Stars. I choose Carter as My Book Boyfriend this week. Check out the post below.


GIVEAWAY TIME: I was very kindly sent a copy of Sophie & Carter to send to one lucky reader. I will be picking a winner on Saturday morning. That's 10th September. 
You don't have to be a follower to enter (although it would be nice if you were). Since I am a poor student this giveaway is open to INTERNATIONALS ONLY, sorry guys!
Just leave a comment and your email address under this review if you want to enter. Good Luck!


Don't forget to check out my 6 Month Blogiversary Global Giveaway! You'll be in for a chance to win a book of your choice!

My Book Boyfriend #9

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader, which provides us an opportunity to swoon over the men in our books.  This week I have fallen in love with Carter Jax from Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine.


Name: Carter Jax
Age: 18
Appearance: "Broad shoulders, square jaw, piercing gray eyes...everything about his appearance is picture-perfect. Everything except his scars."
Home Life: Cares for his mother who was beaten to insanity by her husband.
Traits: Loyal, Protective, Caring and Understanding.

"We sit for a minute and I'm falling into our comfortable silence when Carter reaches over and gently wraps his fingers around my hand. My day just went from crappy to great."  - Sophie


"And when Carter loves something he is fierce about it...He protects it and cares for it...and devotes himself to it. And Carter...he's loyal when he loves. He always shows up and makes everything better. He listens and he's patient." - Sophie about Carter


"She's the most amazing girl I've ever known. I'm quiet because I'm trying to keep myself from shouting something stupid like, 'Sophie, I would die for you! Will you please always hold my hand on the swing!'" - Carter


"Then I kiss her. In this moment, everything bad, everything painful, everything unfair disappears. It's just me and Sophie. Connected. And I've never felt so whole." - Carter

Six Month Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!!

Wahey it's that time again! Giveaway time :) It has been 6 months since I started out reviewing books and I have loved every day of it. All this excitement is making me feel generous and I want to share the love. So I will be giving away a prize on 26th September.

The Prize: The winner gets to choose a book from Book Depository. (There will be a 15-20dollar/euro limit since I am a poor student!)

AND since I am nearing 200 wonderful followers I will be giving away a second prize to celebrate that too. Same deal there; the winner gets to choose a book from the Book Depository. 

The Giveaway is open to everyone, so long as the Book Depository ships to your area.

The winners will be selected using random.org and will be posted here on 26th September. I will notify the winners by email and they will have 48 hours to reply. 

The Rules

1. Become a Follower of this blog

2. Fill out this FORM to enter the Giveaway
3.Book Depository must ship to you
4.You must be 13 or older

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES: 

1. Become my friend on Goodreads *2 points (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5507376-lucy?ref=header)

2. Post about my giveaway on your blog *5 points

Good Luck!

I'm Back!! August recap, September plans and Giveaways!

So August has finally come to a close. I am both sad and relived about it. I have had a hectic but deadly month. Yesterday I returned from the most awesome 3 day music festival and will be spending the next few days on the sofa recovering from it all. I will be doing my very best to catch up on reading and review requests during this week. I have ashamed and horrified to admit that I am STILL reading The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. I think I am heading into my 4th week?! It has never taken me this long to read anything but I have just been so busy this month. The good news is, I'm nearing the end soon.

August Wrap Up

Reviews: Called Home: Two Hearts Answer by Gloria Schumann

The Endless Forest by Sara Donati

I Loved You First by Reena Jacobs

Coming up in September: My Six Month Blogiversary! This is something that I am very excited about and will be posting about it in the next hour.

I received a copy of Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine in the post yesterday, so I will be reviewing that next week and will be giving away one copy to a lucky winner!

No further plans as of yet, but I'll keep you posted ;) It is great to be back!