Feb
2017

How to Get Free Books

categories: Books

I’m not sure if I’m the only bookworm who struggles with book-buying on my tiny college-student budget. What I do know is that books are really expensive. Personally I feel you can’t put a price on a good story. (Though whoever decides book prices certainly doesn’t agree with me). Here are my tips to help you get free books:

Print Books

1) Join the Readers Warehouse Review Crew:

Joining Readers Warehouse as a reviewer allows you to earn Readers Warehouse vouchers for every title that you review. What I really love about this is that Readers Warehouse has always had pretty cheap books so this is a sort of double-saving. Another benefit of being a reviewer for Readers Warehouse is that sometimes you get free print books to review.

2) Join your local library:

Personally I’m not a fan of this since my local librarians literally do nothing. In all the time that I’ve visited them, they’re either chatting to each other or reading. They’re also really rude so visiting the library is a painful experience for me. However if you’re lucky enough to have great librarians (or more patience then I do), borrowing books from the library is a great way to find your next new favourite read.
3) Stalk Social Media for Giveaways:

Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Instagram are always having giveaways. Frequently stalking social media giveaways is great for finding new books as well as possibly winning books and book swag.

eBooks

1) Amazon:

Amazon has a great variety of free reads. They also occasionally have “free sales” when books go on sale for free for a limited time.

2) Netgalley:

Netgalley allows you to request and review e-ARCs. The only thing you need to do is ensure that you review the titles that you are approved for.

3) Join Mailing Lists:

Lots of authors include bonus materials or free books when you join their mailing lists. Some authors also have “starter books” which are the first book in the series (allowing you to decide whether or not you like the author’s writing before you start paying money for his/her books).
Do you know of any other ways to get free books? How do you buy books without breaking the bank? I’d love to hear from you.


Feb
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Glided Cage by Vic James

categories: Books, Reviews

Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts, #1)Gilded Cage by Vic James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a review copy of this book on Netgalley.
Abi and her family go to work as servants for a wealthy and powerful family. But while their job is considered safer and better than working in the slave town, it still has its own horrors. Meanwhile Abi’s brother, Luke is in the brutal slave town where he is subjected to abuse. I spent the first half of the book wondering who got the worse job. Sure Abi’s job was mainly administration but the family she serves, the Jadines, are absolutely terrifying. While Luke has to work under uncomfortable circumstances, he atleast has some sort of solitude at the end of the day.
But then everyone seemed like a friend and then everyone seemed like a foe so I was just confused. Can anyone be trusted? Should no one be trusted? This book had me second-guessing every character and I loved every second of it. The writing is flawless, the plot moves quickly and the twists are unimaginable.
This is one of those books that leave you with a thousand questions. Just give me the rest of the series already. I NEED MORE!!! Go read this book. You won’t regret it.

View all my reviews


Feb
2017

The Unexpected January Book Haul

categories: Books

The day after I posted my January book haul, I got an unexpected delivery. I was delighted since it was obviously books but I had no idea what books it was. I opened up the package to find two books from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Books January Book Haul

I can’t wait to start reading these. I’ve read very few (probably none) traditionally published books. I’m also really excited to read “Almost Anastacia” which releases in May. The synopsis itself was so intriguing and drew me in instantly.


Jan
2017

The Unemployed Bookworm’s January Book Haul

categories: Books

This is going to be my last book haul for a while since I’m…you know, unemployed (that word hurts me so much). Anyway here are my books for Jan:

There’s my regular SPCA finds (I’m going to miss the SPCA. Who’s going to help save the dogs???)

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And then there’s my books from Bargain Books.

_20170125_102407

I just started Rebel of the Sands and it’s impossible to stop reading.

What books did you buy during Jan? I’d love to know below.


Jan
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

categories: Books, Reviews

The One Memory of Flora BanksThe One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. Since this was dubbed “the debut of the year”, I was really excited to review it. This was everything I didn’t know I wanted and needed in a book. Seventeen-year-old Flora has amnesia and forgets things after every few minutes. Her only memories are from before she was ten.
But then Flora kisses Drake, her best friend’s boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend but they broke up like two seconds before Flora and Drake kissed. This reminds me of Rachel and Ross’ “we were on a break argument” but never mind). When Flora wakes up the next day, she remembers that she kissed Drake and decides tracks him down because she is convinced that a) she is in love with him and b) she is convinced that he holds the key to her memory.
Honestly the first part of the book doesn’t have much in the way of plot but it’s oddly intriguing to watch Flora go through her daily life. I think she does pretty well for someone with amnesia especially when she decides to travel on her own- something her parents definitely don’t want her to do.
This book exceeded my expectations and was so different. I loved that I was unable to predict the ending. This was incredibly well-written and I finished it in one go. I couldn’t stop reading.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys YA.

View all my reviews


Jan
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake 

categories: Books, Reviews

Three Dark CrownsThree Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So many questions. So many twists. So many characters. I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life now that this book is over. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been obsessed with this book ever since I’ve heard what it was about and was so glad to finally be able to read it.
However I found the first 50 pages difficult to get into. Each of the three sisters have a separate love interest, friends, foes and family which made it very confusing for me. There was far too much new information all being introduced at once and I hated it. But like I said before, I waited ages for this book and I was determined to see it to the end no matter what. So I pushed through and I was glad that I did.
“Three Dark Crowns” tells the story of three sisters with three different powers. The sisters need to fight to the death in order to win control of the crown. This is a book with betrayal, deception, corruption, politics, lies and secrets. It was amazing!
I loved how different each sister was and even though I tried my hardest not to get attached to them, it broke my heart whenever I thought of any of them dying. This story left me with several questions and I need the sequel ASAP to give me answers. I think that this is a book that anyone who appreciates YA fantasy and strong female characters will enjoy.

View all my reviews


Jan
2017

6 Reasons Why You Should Start a Book Blog

categories: Books
wonderlass-stock-photos-10-copy_20170102212018309
 
1) You have a valid excuse for buying stacks of books:
 
Every time I go overboard at the bookstore (which is pretty often- you can’t price recent books at R69 and expect me not to buy them), I assure myself that it’s a very necessary blogging expense. Truth be told, there are times when I want to review a book that is mine and not a recent release so I love buying books for this reason. Also I love reviewing books just to say “omg I loved this book” or “this book was okay” as opposed to reviewing to create buzz for a book.
 
2) You have a valid excuse for reading that stack of books:
 
You have a legitimate excuse for doing nothing but reading. “I’m working on my blog” sometimes means I’m drafting blog posts but usually it means that I’m reading. Whatever. It’s still blog-related.
 
3) You may get free books:
 
I know free books is not a reason to start a blog but it is certainly a great perk. I love finding a really great book and then being approved for it on Netgalley before it releases. I will forever appreciate being able to read “With Malice” by Eileen Cook six months before it’s actual release date.
 
4) You get to meet the bookish community and make friends who understand all the crazy feels you get from books:
 
It is so great to be part of a community that understands crazy book habits. I feel like I’ve found my “people”. Book-lover unite and take over the world!
 
5) You discover new authors and new books:
 
Authors may ask you to review their books allowing you to discover new authors and books that you may not have found without your book blog.
 
6) It makes for a pretty fun hobby:
 
If I could describe book blogging I would say that it’s like living in a universe full of books. You read books, review books, write about books and so on. Just thinking about it makes me giddy. So many bookish stuff to do.
Do you have a book blog? What made you decide to start one? I’d love to know below (Also, feel free to share the URL below).
 

Dec
2016

5 Tips For Writing a Cover Letter

categories: Career, College, Job Hunting Tips

I posted this before but I’m sharing again for anyone who needs cover letter help for the new year.

Notebook and pen

1) Personalize your letter for each application- even if you’re applying for the same position at different companies, it is important that your cover letter is tailored for each company. For example, your application for a fashion magazine and a newspaper should each mention what you could bring to the specific company and position.

2) Try to stand out- Standard introductions are boring. Remember that the person reading your letter goes through several other cover letters as well. Try to stand out in your letter to get their attention. For example, instead of starting with “my name is x and I am applying for y”, start with something out of the box like a quote or motto that you believe in.

3) Do not write an essay- a cover letter that is succinct is more successful that a three – page – essay.  Ideally a cover letter should say who you are, what you can bring to the table and briefly list your experience or qualifications for the job.

4) Show what you can bring to the job- I’ve stated this before. This is just to emphasis it. The company has hundreds of applicants. Obviously everyone wants the job. Obviously they have something to offer. But what do you have? Stellar social media skills? Writing experience? Show that you stand out from others with your unique skills.

5) Stick to the format- a cover letter is just that a letter. So stick to the usual format of a letter. Don’t know the format? Google it! And remember to ensure that you have no typos. Nothing spells unprofessional easier than a badly-formatted, typo – riddled cover letter.


Dec
2016

How to Find Time for Reading in College

categories: Books, College

Since this is a college lifestyle and book blog, it just made sense to combine the two in a blog post. Making time to read in college is difficult especially if your classes requires tons of reading for them. However I am stubborn and nothing, not even my education will stand in the way of me and another fictional universe. Here are my tips on making time for reading in college:

Girl lying in library

1) Use reading as a reward for your boring work- I hate some of the books we have to do for English so I balance it out with a chapter of a novel that is interesting. I usually read much faster when I know that there’s a book I’ll actually enjoy, waiting for me.

2) Read in between classes- Carry a book with you to read in your free time. I never read in high school because I had no time but carrying a book a day to campus made reading so easy for me.

3) Buy an eReader- Some people have really strong opinions about eBooks but I find them quicker and easier to read than print books. College is also when my ereading began.

4) Read a chapter before bed- When college gets really stressful and I’m unable to read on campus at all, I read for a while before bed. Just make certain that it’s only one chapter and you don’t end up staying awake until just before your 8AM class.

How do you find time for reading in college?


Dec
2016

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

categories: Books, Reviews

FangirlFangirl by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book and was incredibly sad when it ended. This story begins with Cath moving in to her dorm at college. Things are frosty between her and her twin sister, Wren. While Cath is freaking out about leaving her father alone and all of the changes that college may bring along with it. Wren simply moves on with her new life at college. And Cath is not a part of this new life. While Wren parties and makes new friends, Cath refuses to leave her room and buries herself deeper in her fanfiction writing.
I could relate to this story as I also struggled with college at first. I especially enjoyed how much Cath and I were alike. Cath is a fangirl and it is her fanfiction that gets her through life. Atleast that is how it has always been until now. I loved the character of Levi. If I was the kind of girl who swooned, he would definitely make me swoon.
This was a cute light read that I would definitely recommend. I thought the characters were well-written, the writing was funny and I really liked the illustrations displayed on the inside cover of the book.

View all my reviews

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