Month: July 2017


Jul
2017

10 Problems that Only Bookworms Understand

categories: Books

Bookworms have different reading tastes. Some prefer fantasy or YA while others only read non-fiction. However hardcore bookworms are on another level. Here are a few problems that only hardcore bookworms can relate to:

1) Not having enough book space:

Excuse me while I just make a random stack of books here in the middle of the room. Please don’t trip over my babies.

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2) Not having enough money for books- especially when there is a sale:

Can I just get a I.O.U? (Why are there always sales when I have no money?)
3) Making the decision between books or adulting:

Do you really need food? Because you could survive on sandwiches for the rest of the month just so you can finally read that new bestseller everyone is talking about. C’mon. You know it’s totally worth it.
4) Paperback vs hardback:

Paperbacks are more comfortable to read but hardbacks look so gorgeous on the shelves. Is both an option?
5) Having an endless TBR but still needing more books:

You need to get new books just so you’ll have something to read when you finish your TBR pile

no more books


6) Falling in love with a fictional character:

We all know boys are better in books.

book boyfriends


7) Mourning the death of a fictional character:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows almost killed me. Like it killed several of my favourite characters.

8) Not being able to function in The Really World after you finish a book:

Like after reading a Sarah J Maas. How can you live in a world with no faeries or wars? What do you DO with yourself?

9) Having someone tell you “It’s just a book” when a book tears you into a million shattered pieces:

Shut up, okay! You know nothing, you callous non-bookworm-person! This book is my life.

book hangover

10) Trusting someone enough to lend them a book only to get in back in awful condition…or worse, not at all:

Do NOT get me started on how many times this has happened to me. This is why I don’t lend out my books anymore. Insensitive non-bookworms!


Jul
2017

My Favourite Blogging Apps

categories: Blogging Tips

I love blogging apps. They make it so easy to create posts, edit pictures and blog on the go. This is great since I don’t have to be attached to the computer 24/7 in order to create content.Here are some of my favourite blogging apps:

My Favourite Blogging Apps

 

  1. JotterPad- I love using Jotterpad to jot down ideas or drafts for blog posts. I have a memo pad app on my phone but there’s just something about Jotterpad that I love when it comes to taking down quick notes. I also use JotterPad for non-blog notes such as phone numbers, lists or reminders.
  2. Trello- I use Trello to keep track of my social media and editorial calendar. I occasionally also use it to track my reading and book reviews. The Trello Android app now has the Calendar Power-Up which makes it even more   effective for blogging. It also makes using Trello as an editorial calendar SO much easier
  3. Pixlr- I don’t always edit pictures on my phone but when I do, I use Pixlr. This is mainly because when I first started adding pictures to post, I used Pixlr and the habit stuck with it. I’m just really comfortable with it and hey, if it isn’t broke why fix it?
  4. WordPress- For some reason the WordPress app on my phone does not let me blog but I use it to reply to             comments and check my blog stats. This is probably my least favourite app on my phone even though         WordPress is my favourite blogging platform.
  5. Pinterest- I love Pinterest for tips on blogging, sharing my own blog posts and to keep up with friend’s blogs. I feel like you can find anything and everything on Pinterest. It’s like a visual Google.

Blogging would definitely be far more difficult without these apps. What are some of your favourite blogging apps? I’d love to know below.

 


Jul
2017

July Weekend Bookhaul

categories: Books

I bought books! Again. “Valley of Silence” was from a secondhand stall at the Stables while the rest of the books were from Bargain Books Umhlanga. I love that place. I should just move in.

What was your last book buy? Have you read any of these books? I’d love to know below.


Jul
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger

categories: Books, Reviews

Lying Out LoudLying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sonny lies about everything. It’s her way of regaining control over her life. So when her nemesis, Ryder messages her instead of his crush, her best friend, Amy, she doesn’t bother to fix his mistake. However a real connection developed between Ryder and Sonny and Sonny is now forced to stop her lying ways. But Ryder hates her in real life and telling the truth would mean ending things between them permanently.
I absolutely hate stories/movies where there is a lying character who, for whatever reason, is unable to confess to the truth. It pisses me off because literally all you have to do to fix everything is TELL THE DAMN TRUTH.
As much as I enjoyed this book, I was incredibly frustrated with Sonny. She was incapable of telling the truth throughout the book and it just annoyed me.
Like “Run”, this also had a really strong female friendship which I loved. I also enjoyed seeing Wesley and Bianca again.
This was a great read (with the exception of annoying, lying Sonny) but the ending was a bit too open for me. Like in “Run”, I needed to know more about the future of these characters. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read.

View all my reviews


Jul
2017

Waiting on Wednesday: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns #2)

categories: Books

I absolutely loved “One Dark Throne” by Kendare Blake. The world was dark but compelling and the story stayed with me long after I finished the book. I especially loved all the twist and turns towards the end of the book. The sequel releases in September and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!
Official Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other

 

 


Jul
2017

July Book Haul

categories: Books

July 1st was my birthday so obviously I had to celebrate with some books. Unfortunately I got to the SPCA booksale later than usual so my SPCA book haul is smaller than usual. I do however have really great books:

  1. First of all, Reader’s Warehouse was giving away a free Harry Potter tote for any purchase of a Harry Potter book. This was a perfect time for me to order the new edition of Philosopher’s Stone. This was a birthday present from my mother and was delivered just before my birthday. The tote is my new book bag. Book sales, here I come.

Reader's Warehouse Book Haul

2. SPCA Bookhaul- It still makes me really sad that my haul was so small but these were all books that I really wanted so I was really excited to find them. I read Evermore and the Vampire Academy books already and I am so thrilled to finally own them. I’ve also wanted to read “Evernight” and “Night World” since I was in high school.

SPCA Bookhaul

3. Bargain Books Haul- THEY WERE ALL ON SALE AND THEY WERE YA AND I HAVE WANTED THESE BOOKS SINCE I WAS BORN AND CAN YOU TELL HOW HAPPY I AM RIGHT NOW???

Bargain Books

4. Birthday Books from my aunt- I love love love when family members buy me books.

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5. Book Case Haul- Okay this was just one book but the book merch was awesome so it all needs to be taken into account.

flame iin the mist

6. And last but not least, I visited Bargain Books after work one Saturday just because I could. I already read November 9 but it is amazing and this cover is gorgeous and it is ALL MINE!!!

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What books have you bought recently? I’d love to know below.


Jul
2017

Inside the June Book Case Box

categories: Books

The Book Case is a book box based in South Africa- it’s actually the only book box I know of that is based in SA. I’ve always wanted to ordered a Book Case box for never got around to actually doing so (mainly because I was unemployed but I don’t like talking about that time of my life). I ordered a box for my birthday and was thrilled when it finally arrived.

 

It's a treasure chest of bookishness
It’s a treasure chest of bookishness

 

Doesn’t it look gorgeous? The Book Case Box always has amazing bookish goodies inside and the June box did not disappoint.

 

INSIDE THE BOX:

  1. The book was Flame in The Mist by Renee Ahdieh: I was too scared to buy a box without knowing what the book was so I did some research beforehand to see if I wanted the book. Obviously I did because I LOVE Renee Ahdieh’s writing.

Flame

2.  A House of Targaryen coaster: I don’t really watch Game of Thrones but I am obsessed with Daenerys so I loved this. I don’t think I’m going to use it though. I’m probably just going to keep it and look at it. Don’t judge my weirdness.

Coaster

3. Mockingjay Keyring: I have wanted a mockingjay item for so very long and now I have one! *Squeals with joy*

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4. A Court of Thorns and Roses bracelet and necklace: The bracelet is a star while the necklace is decorated to look like the Night Court sky. I’ve been using these two nonstop since I got them.

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Fact- this is the main reason why I bought this book box. I desperately wanted ACOTAR merch
Fact- this is the main reason why I bought this book box. I desperately wanted ACOTAR merch

 

5. Hermione’s Enchantment Candle: I really like the way this smells

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6. A “Flame in the Mist” print: I’m not too sure what I’m going to do with this but I’ve never had a print before so I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself. Also, if this book turns out to be anything like “The Wrath and the Dawn” I’m going to get obsessed with it and having the print will be a great way to show that.

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I was really happy with my box and I absolutely recommend it to all the bookworms out there. I have always wanted a book box and I’m glad we finally have one in South Africa. You can find out more about The Book Case or order your own box here.


Jul
2017

Book Review: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

categories: Books, Reviews

One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and took ages to read it because I thought it would let me down. I had built this book up in my head to be totally amazing and I was scared that it wouldn’t meet my expectations. Luckily, I was wrong. This book was enthralling and I could not stop reading it. I actually felt sad once it ended because I had grown so attached to the characters (Death does tend to bring people closer. Just read this book if you don’t believe me).
Five very different students end up in detention after a misunderstanding…and then one of them dies. Simon’s death is quick and very carefully planned. The question is who did it? Simon ran a gossip blog and was not very well-liked. Anyone could have killed him. Unfortunately for the other student’s who were in detention with Simon, he knew secrets about them that he had planned to reveal the very next day.
This book should be called “All of Us are Lying” because everyone here has secrets which makes for an incredible story with several plot twists. This is a well-written book with characters that you can’t help but feel sorry for.
The ending was pretty obvious to me but it didn’t make it any less shocking. This was a beautiful, gripping read and I DEMAND THAT EVERYONE READS IT. EVERYONE!!!I don’t care who you are or what your reading preferences are. Just read this book. I promise you won’t regret it.

View all my reviews


Jul
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Run by Kody Keplinger

categories: Books, Reviews

RunRun by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bo and Agnes should not be friends. Bo is the town’s typical bad girl while Agnes is considered a sweet angel by the town. They’re total opposites. Or are they?
When Bo and Agnes meet, they become fast friends. One day, things get too bad for Bo at home and she decides to run away. Agnes joins her. Their journey away from their small town and the events leading up to it form part of this story.
I thought this was an interesting story but it felt a bit lacking. There were several questions I had that were left unanswered at the end of the book. This was a quick read but I enjoyed it and I could not put it down. I loved how different Bo and Agnes were from each other. It was refreshing to see such a deep bond between females.
The characters in this book were all amazingly well-written and well-developed. I just wish that the ending was more complete. Reading this book was incredible but the ending left me feeling a bit empty.

View all my reviews

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