Tag: sa readers


Jun
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Spring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin

categories: Books, Reviews

Spring at Blueberry BaySpring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bella has been abandoned by her parents as a kid. She is also very broke. But when she finds a homeless man, Isaac on her doorstep, she takes him in and shares her last meal with him. What Bella doesn’t know is that Isaac is lying to her and is not who he seems to be.
I can’t say more without giving too much of the story away but if you’ve read Holly Martin’s other books then you probably will be able to predict the story. This book reminded me of Holly Martin’s other books so at first, I wasn’t really interested. It just seemed like a story that was told one too many times before. However I love Holly Martin’s writing so I pushed though and I’m glad that I did. Bella and Isaac are an adorable couple. It pissed me off that he lied to her but I eventually got over it. I loved their chemistry in this book and was really sad once it was over. Like all Holly Martin books, this one is full of colourful characters and I cannot wait to read more. I’ve developed an attachment to Bella’s cousins and would love to see them all get their happy endings.

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May
2017

Fiction Friday: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

categories: Books, Reviews

Saint AnythingSaint Anything by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know lots of people love Sarah Dessen’s work but I have never been one of them. Her books always seemed really boring to me (with the exception of the one book about the girl working in a cafe, I don’t remember the title but I know I loved it). In retrospect though, I blame my dislike of Dessen on the fact that I was too young to really appreciate her work.
This book, on the hand, was really great to read. I found it comforting and entertaining. The story begins with Sydney who is at a trial where her brother is arrested. Sydney has always felt invisible in her brother’s shadow and now that her brother is in prison, things are no different. Needing some change in her life, Sydney changes school and meets Mac and Layla who become her new family.
I really related to Sydney’s character which was the main reason why I liked this book so much. It felt like catching up with an old friend. This was a quick easy read and I will definitely have to go find the rest of Sarah Dessen’s books (especially the cafe one-is it called something to do with desserts? I feel like it is). I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary novels.

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May
2017

Fiction Friday: My Seven Favourite Contemporary Romance Authors

categories: Books

I don’t always read contemporary romance but when I do, I go for authors that I’ve already read before. Here are seven of my favourite contemporary romance authors.

 

My 7 Favourite Contemporary Romance Authors

 

  1. Nora Roberts- I feel like most of the world is obsessed with Nora Roberts and rightfully so. Her characters are real and her writing feels soothing. I’ve yet to find a Nora Roberts book that I didn’t enjoy.
  2. Lisa Kleypas- Like Nora Roberts, reading Lisa Kleypas books soothes me. I think it’s because I’ve read them all so often that rereading them feels like coming home to an old friend.
  3. Rachel Morgan- Rachel Morgan writes contemporary YA romance as Richelle Morgan. Her Trouble series is one of my all-time favourite YA contemporary books. It still breaks my heart that the series is over. The books were SOO good.
  4. Jennifer Gracen- Another automatic go-to author is Jennifer Gracen. Her characters usually have some sort of darkness or issue holding them back but it just makes me love them more.
  5. Holly Martin- Holly Martin’s books are light and lovely and they make me want to curl up in bed with a snack and read read read. LOVE THEM!
  6. Joanne Macgregor- I haven’t read that many YA contemporary romances by Joanne Macgregor (just Scarred which I really enjoyed!) but I love her writing and how real her characters are. She’s recently released a contemporary retelling of The Little Mermaid called Hushed.
  7. Kody Keplinger- I loved loved LOVED The Duff book and the movie. I haven’t read anything else by Kody Keplinger but it’s fine. I trust her writing. Also, I kinda threw myself at her books when I found them on sale at the bookstore (there was only one copy of each left and I didn’t want anyone else to get them).

What are some of your favourite contemporary books and authors? What authors do you buy even if you don’t know much about their books? I’d love to know below.


May
2017

5 Bookish Gift Ideas

categories: Books

Have a bookish bestie? Need a birthday gift for them? Here are 5 ideas for gifts for the bookworm in your life

 

  1. A Kindle (or another newer Kindle if the bookworm already has one)- For those who don’t mind eBooks, Kindles are beyond amazing. You can store tons of your favourite books and read them on the go. I would gladly sacrifice my firstborn for one. (Kids just get in the way of your reading anyway).
  2. Book vouchers- I’ve never been gifted with a book voucher and this makes me sad. But if you give the bookworm in your life a book voucher, know that they will appreciate it immensely. It’s like you bought them a book but you let them choose the book (which is also another idea).
  3. A book- Okay this one is obvious but still a goodie. If you’re not sure what books they already have, go with treasured boxset. Like the pretty Harry Potter ones with the matching spines. Swoon.
  4. Bookmarks- Some bookworms really like bookmarks. Personally I always lose mine but I appreciate them nonetheless. Exclusive Books and Bargain Books have some really great bookmarks.
  5. Cash (so that they can buy books)- nuff said.

What gift suggestions do you have for a bookworm? What’s the one gift you always wanted? I’d love to know below.


May
2017

The “Treat Yo Self” Book Haul

categories: Books

Last weekend  was the SPCA booksale and since I’m now a working adult, I decided to treat myself (because I totally never treated myself before I got a job). This is my book haul:

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And of course, no SPCA booksale haul is complete without a Bargain Books haul. I also visited two bookstores with regular priced books just so I could tell the books that I had a job but I still wouldn’t be buying them because they were expensive AF. I know, I have issues.

 

Bargain Books was having an Autumn sale but I only bought these two books… Because I already owned all the other books that were on sale. Think I might have to stop visiting Bargain Books so often.

DSC_0011_4
This picture might appear upside down because WordPress hates me and delights in messing up my blog.

What books did you buy most recently? And more importantly, do you own a print copy of ACOWAR? Let me know below.


May
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review: The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor ((The Cavensham Heiresses #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

The Bad Luck Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #1)The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Claire is convinced that she’s cursed. She’s lost her parents at a young age as well as had three engagements broken off in horrible ways. So when Alex comes to her with a proposal she agrees if only to save face. What Claire doesn’t know is that her most recent broken engagement was caused by Alex himself. This was a well-written read that I couldn’t put down. I was fascinated by the fact that Alex knew that he was wrong but didn’t seem to want to do anything about it anyway. I especially enjoyed Claire’s family and would love to read more about them. Alex and Claire have a very obvious chemistry which made this such a delightful book.

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Apr
2017

April Book Haul

categories: Books

It’s that time of the month again! April is almost over (HOW is the year moving so quickly???) which means it’s time for another book haul.

April Book Haul

I was really good this month and bought a pretty reasonable amount of books. Are you laughing at me? Stop it. I swear I’m serious! I’ll show you.

My SPCA book haul was pretty small especially considering I made my mother buy a few of these. It was just slightly over R100 and I am incredibly proud of myself for that.

SPCA Book Haul There are a few Buffy books that I realised only after buying that they were all part of various series so I’m probably not going to read them. Then there’s “The Ship of Brides” by Jojo Moyes. I haven’t read much by her besides “Me Before You” and “After You”. I enjoyed those books immensely though so I’m guessing I’ll enjoy this too. Nora Robert’s “Dance Upon the Air” and “Heaven and Earth” were two books I had been looking for since I found the third book (I think it’s called “Face the Fire” but I’m not too sure) at the SPCA book sale earlier on in the year. I don’t remember the series that well but I know that I loved it. “The Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena” was one of those “I’m going to read this series eventually so I should just buy the books” purchases. Have I started the series yet? Nope. Are you surprised? I didn’t think so. Lastly I bought Kardashian Konfidential. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it but since it was R20 my mother convinced me to take it. Can you see where I get my spending habits from?

Of course after this small haul I felt a bit bad because none of these books were books that made me go “Omg I can’t wait to read these”. So I decided  to go to Bargain Books and they were having a sale. So I just browsed. And came home with this:

Bargain Books Haul

Now THOSE books made me say “Omg I can’t wait to get home and start reading”. Especially since every time I visited Bargain Books  since last year November, I would pick up “All the Bright Places” and wish that it was discounted. All of these books actually are books that I really wanted for a long time so this haul made me really happy.

Then the week after that I was working on a Saturday and decided to reward myself with a visit to the bookstore. I found this gem for sale.

Empire of Storms
Look at how gorgeous it looks in the sun. Why don’t I take more book pictures in the sun?

I didn’t do much reading this month (hey I just started work okay? I am adjusting to being an adult) but I did read and enjoy Glass Faerie by Rachel Morgan.

What was your April book haul like? What did you read? I’d love to know below.


Apr
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Glass Faerie by Rachel Morgan (Creepy Hollow #7)

categories: Books, Reviews

Glass Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #7)Glass Faerie by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*am holding the fifth star of my rating hostage until the rest of this series is released*
I feel like this was a really quick read and I say that as someone who’s in a severe reading slump. Glass Faerie is the third part of the Creepy Hollow series and is the story of Emmy, a faerie who has lived as a human up until now. Not only is Emmy a faerie, she is also Griffin Gifted. We all know how the Guild is towards the Griffin Gifted so Emmy’s new world just got a whole lot more complicated. I loved how there was so much mystery and uncertainty about Emmy and her background. What is she? How is she whatever she is? I liked the character of Dash but honestly I was just interested in seeing Chase again. I think he may be my favourite Creepy Hollow character of all time. I loved how Rachel Morgan shows us a different side of Creepy Hollow. It has been a while since book 6 and this one and the book clearly shows how much things have changed. I feel like the Creepy Hollow world keeps evolving and I love that! It makes everything so much more realistic and fun to read.
I flew through this book and I kinda regret that because I have no idea how long the wait for the next book is.

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Mar
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (The Ravenels #3)

categories: Books, Reviews

Devil in Spring (The Ravenels, #3)Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pandora and Gabriel are caught in a scandal and therefore forced to marry. I loved how the first chapter of this book reminded me of “Devil in Winter”. I also loved the *SPOILER ALERT* constant mentions of Pandora being a wallflower and how it amused St Vincent and Westcliff (two men who married the original wallflowers). I actually thought that this book would be a sort-of wallflower reunion but it wasn’t which disappointed me deeply. *END SPOILER*
I adored seeing Evie and St Vincent again as well as their lives together. However I feel like the “danger” to Pandora was not all that dangerous and it was just overplayed in the synopsis. I expected something more than what it was. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book. Pandora and Gabriel are a wonderfully cute couple. This novel makes me wish that we could see the rest of the Wallflowers and their families.

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Mar
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- What Would Emma Do by Eileen Cook

categories: Books, Reviews

What Would Emma Do?What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma lives in a small town with a bunch of crazy people who twist the Bible for their own needs.
Okay so maybe I’m exaggerating a little but this novel hit a bit too close to home. I’ve seen people use religion to justify things or do or even worse seen religious people do bad things and be okay with it.
And that’s precisely what happens here. The popular girls at school suddenly start falling ill. The town believes it to be the work of the devil…except Emma has seen the goody-two-shoes Queen Bee and her bestie taking drugs. Does Emma risk speaking out?
Like I said before I loved that I could relate to this book. It felt like Eileen Cook had taken my life and written about it. I was not too happy with the ending but like most Eileen Cook endings it’s realistic

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