Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins

categories: Books, Reviews

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday StoriesMy True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For some bizarre reason I have really been feeling for a YA contemporary read. Normally I don’t do YA contemporary. I am strictly a YA fantasy and adult contemporary fan (don’t ask me why but this is the way I have always been).
I picked this up to try and fill that craving and it definitely worked! This is a collection of twelve wonderful romances that can be read in one setting. Many of these authors are some of my favourites and it was great to see them write these bite-size stories. For me, personally, I hated that Real Life got in the way of me reading this book but I loved that I could read a story a day. It was like having Christmas in January (which is something I really needed). I also enjoyed the fact that these stories were all guaranteed a happy ending. The stories range from cute and sweet to magical and mystifying. This was a cute holiday read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a good contemporary. I can’t wait to read the Summer anthology.

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Feb
2018

Budgeting 101

categories: Welcome to The Real World

Nothing makes me happier than having money at the end of the money, BEFORE payday arrives. I’ve been working for about a year and it still amazes me that the one thing in my life I have relatively good control over is my finances. Is it because I live with my parents? Is it because I have fewer expenses than most people? Maybe. But I personally believe that it’s my very strict budget. All through my life my father has told me that I don’t know how to budget (which at the time was true). However when you start working for your money, you learn quickly what works for you and what doesn’t. Here is my quick course on budgeting:

 

1) Save before you spend: Before you start drawing up your budget, be sure to put aside some money in a savings account. I have a certain amount set to transfer to a savings account every month as soon as I get paid. Which leads me to my next point…

2) Pretend you earn less than you actually do: I consider my earnings as a little less than the amount I have left AFTER I have saved. For example, if I have R500 after saving then I pretend I earn R300. That R500 is to remain untouched until absolutely necessary (I will discuss this later). This method work out as a great way for me to save money since at the end of every month I am surprised by my bank balance. Why do I still have money? Oh, yes- I earn more than I think I do. It feels like a present from me to me. Thank you, me.

3) Make a budget…but round everything up: I like to round up my expenses to the nearest hundred. This ensures that I am able to cover them sufficiently as well as having some extra money in case I need it. For example, the petrol price went up by a HUGE amount one month. It was a major strain on finances but it affected me just a small bit because of all the money I have saved.

4) Similarly, round up your spending budget as well: Make a list of what your usual purchases are and round that up too. I always over-budget for food (which I rarely buy) and clothes (just in case it turns out that I’m outgrowing them…AGAIN) so I know that I am always covered.

5) Remember to keep something for a rainy day: This is very important. Put aside money to use in case of an emergency. When I first started work, I was crazy about this. I insisted on keeping R500 in my account no matter what. I wouldn’t use the money even if I had no money for petrol or food. That money was not to be touched. This came in handy when all of a sudden, my car battery died and needed to be replaced. I was thrilled that my responsible ways finally paid off.

How do you budget? Are there any tips you have that I might have missed? I’d love to know below.


Jan
2018

Waiting on Wednesday: Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes

categories: Books

I loved the first two books in this series and I still mourn Will. Especially when I read the extract of “Still Me.” Lou is as entertaining as ever (but nothing- NOTHING- will ever make me forget Will).

 

Release Date: January 30th 2018 by Pamela Dorman Books

 

Official Synopsis by Goodreads.com: 

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world.

Before she knows what’s happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets–not all her own–that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2) by Emma Douglas

categories: Books, Reviews

A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2)A Season of You by Emma Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will has been in love with Mina since the minute he saw her. However, Mina was married so Will kept his distance from her. Now she’s a widow whose husband was killed by a drunk driver while Will is the owner of a whiskey distillery. One day, Mina meets with an accident and Will saves her which puts them back on each other’s paths. But can Mina really move on from her loss especially considering Will’s career?
This was a really sweet Christmas read which I found incredibly enjoyable. Will and Mina have very clear chemistry and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There was no fluff. Their relationship was sweet and real- they both had issues which they worked through and I haven’t seen that in too many romance books. This is a well-written book with great characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel! This book is a must for anyone who enjoys Christmas or contemporary romance fiction.

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Jan
2018

Waiting on Wednesday: Everless by Sara Holland

categories: Books

Every so often there’s a book that is talked about non-stop in the book community. Booktubers, bookstagrammers and book bloggers all rave about the early copies while reader’s eagerly await the release of said book. Everless is one of these books for me. While the book is already released in some parts of the world (actually I feel like it’s released everywhere but here), it only comes out in February for South African bookworms. (Seriously I’m going to move overseas just for books).

Release date: January 4th 2018 by Orchard Books (first published January 2nd 2018)

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Time is a prison. She is the key. Packed with danger, temptation and desire – a perfect read for fans of The Red Queen.

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything – even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry.

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family.

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever … and possibly the future of time itself.

‘Sara Holland is a fierce storyteller. An intoxicating blend of blood, secrets, and haunting mythology, Everless gives new and terrifying meaning to the phrase running out of time.’ Stephanie Garber, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Caraval


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9) by Rachel Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9)Rebel Faerie by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an ebook copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Emerson teams up with Calla to help her parents and Dash. Problem is, no one knows where the Guild has taken the Griffin Rebels or what is happening to them. Meanwhile Emerson is struggling with having such immense power but not being able to save her loved ones.
“Rebel Faerie”was a really fast, action-packed read and I enjoyed it immensely. The darker side of the Guild is finally revealed to Creepy Hollow and this time the Guild isn’t bothering to cover their ways.
I loved seeing favourite characters from previous books in the series. I was more than a little heart-sore since “Rebel Faerie” is the last book in the Creepy Hollow series. We’re never going to see these characters again! This book was incredibly well-written and the character development was amazing. The series ended beautifully (why did it have to end though? I love this series!) and it was great seeing the characters finally get their happy endings. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction.

View all my reviews


Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic #1) by Sophie Kinsella

categories: Books, Reviews

Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #1)Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becky Bloomwood is a shopaholic who is seriously in debt. She can’t afford most of her lifestyle but that doesn’t stop her. Sure she tries to cut down on her spending or making more money but nothing seems to work for her.
The only reason why I read this book is to see how alike Becky and I am (in case you were interested- we’re pretty similar in our spending habits but as of this moment, I am debt-free). I enjoyed this book immensely. Becky is a very colourful character and her exploits were hilarious.
My only issue with this book is that there seemed to be very little plot. The first half of the book is about Becky’s debt while in the second half, she manages to find herself a guy. Luke and Becky’s relationship seemed almost like an after-thought and I saw no chemistry between them. This was a fun read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys chick-lit or wants a light, easy read.

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Jan
2018

Book Review: Alterations by Stephanie Scott

categories: Books, Reviews

AlterationsAlterations by Stephanie Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Amelia is a quiet and reserved girl who has been in love with her mother’s employer’s son, Ethan for as long as she can remember. When her grandmother signs her up for a prestigious fashion internship in NYC, Amelia is reluctant to go. She doesn’t want to be away from home and she certainly doesn’t want to be away from Ethan. After all, this summer was going to be her chance to show him that they belonged together. However once Amelia gets to New York, she discovers a totally new world as well as a totally new side to herself. Returning back to Miami as a changed and more confident version of herself, Amelia catches the eye of Ethan while working with his brother, Liam.
This was a pretty long read but I enjoyed it immensely. I loved how focused and career-orientated Amelia was. She reminded me of myself back in high school and I really enjoyed seeing that. I loved watching Ethan go from a flat character who was just hot, rich and popular to an actual fleshed-out person. This was a fun, light-hearted read that I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys YA.

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Dec
2017

7 Tips for Finding Books on a Budget

categories: Books

I am ridiculously skilled at finding cheap books. Is it because I’m a bookworm? Is it because I’m a shopaholic? I don’t know! However I am going to share some of my tips on finding great books on a budget:

  1. Shop around- Lots of bookstores have the same book but at totally different prices. If there’s a title you really want, check a few stores to compare prices before you buy.
  2. Shop the sales- Ah, bookstore sales. Few things make my heart race faster than a book sale. Well, maybe working out does. But there is nothing that can compare to the joy of being at a book sale and then finding the book you have wanted for ages. (Oh, hello there, Memory of Flora Banks for just R35)
  3. Check discounted bookstores- Guys, I don’t know how this works but I desperately need to know. Bookstores like Bargain Books and Readers Warehouse have some really cheap books in excellent condition. I don’t know how they do it but my wallet and my bookshelf are both very grateful.
  4. Shop secondhand- Lots of secondhand bookstores and book sales have books in great condition. My favourite source of secondhand books is the SPCA. They have books in pretty good condition at really great prices.
  5. Check the library- If you’ve been here long enough you know that I hate my local library (don’t ask, it gets me upset) but it is a great source for reading material. Atleast it is if your library is up to date and the librarians are not awful like my local library.
  6. Trade your books- Okay, so I don’t know if we do this in SA but sometimes people get together to trade their books so they can give away what they don’t want and get something that they do. This is a great way to maintain your shelves and your budget.
  7. Borrow from a friend- I listed this option last because I am not a lending person and I know a few bookworms who are the same. If you are lucky enough to have someone lend you a book, please take care of it. It is only decent manners to do so.

What are some of the ways that you manage to get books on a budget? I’d love to know below.


Nov
2017

5 Productive Things to Do While Looking for a Job

categories: Career

Job-hunting is difficult. It is even more difficult when you’re unemployed and have nothing to distract you from job-hunting. Here are five productive things to do while you’re looking for a job.

5 Productive Things to Do While Looking for a Job

 

1) Volunteer somewhere- This shows that you haven’t just spent your time as a job-seeker at home. You made a meaningful change. Also, staying at home can get depressing so volunteering lets you make a positive change to someone which in turn makes you feel better. It also looks great when you can show that you did something productive without needing to get compensated in any way.

2) Learn a new skill- There are so many amazing online classes out there. I found some on Criminology and Management only to be distracted by the free Microsoft tutorials offered on the Microsoft Office website. (Fun fact- after I finished the Microsoft Excel tutorials I actually ended up getting a job that used Excel regularly).

3) Take time to perfect your resume and cover letter- A great thing about not having a job is that you have lots of time. Spend some of that time on tailoring your resume and cover letter for each position. This will maximize the impact of your application as well.

4) Network to get a job- Talk to people you know to see if they know anyone who is hiring. This was one of the best ways that I could get my CV out there and I definitely recommend it to others. You never know who knows who and where you could land up.

5) Take unpaid work or an internship – While working for no pay is not something most people want to do, sometimes the experience and lessons learnt are invaluable. You could learn skills that could be put to use in another field.

These tips are sure to help you be super-productive and ready to kick butt at your next interview.

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