Monthly Wrap Up - March

This month has gone so fast and sadly I've only been able to read one book! If you missed out on my review for Lola and the Boy Next Door check out my review here. I don't really have a good excuse but school is basically kicking my ass with a load of assessments.

I know you must be rolling your eyes thinking, 'Oh Lord here she goes again!' But in my defense I had about 7 assignments due in the space of 3 weeks! (I can't imagine what Year 11 and 12 will be like with the HSC) And also I haven't really had the motivation to read at the moment because I've been really into TV shows at the moment. There is a wonderful collection of books I could be reading sitting on my bookshelf but I just have no will power to read but I'm slowly getting out of my slump.

Other than that, Two Diva's Bookish Discussions started back up and you can find our first discussion post of the year here. We tried to do a little intro vlog but sadly it didn't work! I will try and edit it and try again this week so stay posted!

{Review} Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Author: Stephanie Perkins 
Release Date: September 29th 2011
Publishers: Dutton Books 
Pages: 338
Genre: Contemporary 
Links: Goodreads | Author's Website  | Buy the book

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Review

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love Stephanie Perkins writing! As you know I read Anna and the French Kiss a while back and I just fell in love with the world of contemporary. I was worried that after reading Perkins other book that it would be hard to beat the first one. (Like a one hit wonder) I can't say this was better but it is still high up there in the cuteness factor!

I had no idea what this book was about and I was worried that it would be the same sort of characters. Was I completely wrong! Perkins has the most unique characters I've read and the protagonist, Lola is a prime example. She wasn't the average teenager and showed her individuality by being a new person everyday. And by being a new person I mean dressing up and wearing crazy and cool outfits. If I were to describe her in one word it would be quirky! This story is about her going through the trials and tribulations of being in a rocky relationship and finding her true self.

Although the story is a very cliche chick-lit I like how it was unique. For one, Lola had two dads! It's not often that I read about gay parents and I think it's definitely a topic that should be written more often. The one thing I like about Perkins writing is that it's easy to read. The words flow really well and I finished it in no time. Stephanie Perkins has the best teenage voice and it was easy to become engrossed into the story.

How can I write a review and not mention the romance? I can't say that I liked Cricket Bell better than St Clair but he was so lovable! He was an unusual character (along with the name!), very nerdy! He has a talent for creating and fixing things with the most simplest of objects. He was that cute sort of awkward person but in the good way and he was always there when Lola needed him. They have one of the cutest relationships and they would always speak with each other through the windows.

Lola and the Boy Next Door was a cute read and it definitely got me out of a reading slump. It makes me wish I had a boy next door just like cricket haha! Anna and St Clair did make an appearance in the book and it was cool seeing them in another characters eyes. Stephanie Perkins always manages to make me want to be these characters which is totally unfair at times! It was nice reading a unique but cliche contemporary and I can't wait until Stephanie Perkins next book!

2 Diva's Bookish Discussion - Bookish Disasters

Two Diva's Bookish Discussions is back in full effect and we've been brainstorming many ideas. We promised to have a new header but because of technology failures we haven't got a perfect one yet. 

So judging by this title this is basically a post where you can laugh out our expenses. I can't say I have as many funny stories as Sunny but sit back and relax and grab some popcorn while you're at it.

Before we get into this I'd like to just say that I don't usually buy books. My new bookshelf is looking in credibly bare but that'll soon change! So when I buy books it's a big thing because it's a rare treat. Anyways, I don't usually take my books to school because there are so many things that can go wrong. 

Currently in Australia we're having some very weird weather and mother nature can't seem to make up her mind! In the morning it'll be nice and sunny and by the afternoon it'll be thunder storming and torrential down poor of rain. 

So a while back I decided to take my review copy of Storm and Stone to school and I did this everyday for the week and I always carried it in a plastic bag. Nothing bad happened so obviously I got careless but my luck changed on Friday. My friend needed a plastic bag because her lunch box leaked and me being a nice friend I generously give it to her. It was nice and sunny but of course just when I have to walk to the train station it's started pouring with rain out of no where! My book got saturated but thankfully it was only the cover!

  

You can't see very clearly but the corners are bent and the cover got drenched. There are cracks in the cover and it's just a mess... I had to blow dry it but thankfully the water didn't seep into the pages. 

So as you can see taking your books can be a very dangerous thing so here are 3 tips to help stopping this from happening. 

1. Double wrap it in a plastic bag - make sure do this because you don't know what the hell kinda weather it will be. DON'T TRUST THE WEATHER MAN!
2. Always put it at the top of your school bag - don't let your poor books get crushed with all the junk students have to take to school. Also if you have ANYTHING in your lunch box that can be hazardous to your book just don't even think about putting anywhere near it. Don't do it...
3. Keep a couple packages you get in the mail with your review books - These can be a big help but be VERY careful how you put them in because you can bend the corners back. (Don't you hate it when this happens???)

So that's my little story and a few tips on how to keep your books safe. Trust me you need to go to Sunny's blog because I can assure you she'll have the best stories that you'll be laughing at. (I laughed for ages)

What is your best bookish disaster story?

Stacking the Shelves 16/03/14

Hey guys, sorry I've been a bit MIA at the moment but school is getting in the way. (As usual) But good news, Sunny and I are starting up our feature Two Diva's Bookish Discussion up again and it's going to be bigger and better this year. I just wanted to say thank you to the people who took the time to participate in our survey , it was a big help!

As a little update, yesterday we had a blogger meet up and I was able to meet 3 awesome bloggers and Amanda from Harper Collins Aus!

You must check out their blogs:

1. Amanda from The Bookish Manicurist

2. Jenna from Belle's Bookshelf

3. Kat from Cuddlebuggery Book Blog

We had the best time talking about the latest bookish things while eating lunch. While we were in the city we met up in Dymocks and then Sunny and I went to Kinokuniya so I was able to buy 3 books.

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Paper Towns by John Green (bought this a while ago)

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

I'm so excited to read these books! I'm in such a contemporary mood and these are perfect options to get me out of a slump but I don't know which one to read!!!

{Discussion} Rebound Books

This is just a quick discussion of thoughts of mine on an issue that comes up quite often in my reading life. So have you heard the saying when you just get out of a relationship and you immediately move into another to fill that void in your heart and they call that the 'Rebound Relationship'. Well I'm applying this to books.

You know that feeling you get when you just finishes an amazing series or book and you have that thought, 'What do I do now'. So of course you immediately jump into another book and even though it could be a brilliant read it's just not the same! Or maybe you stall for time and eventually you fall into a bit of a slump and you have no motivation to read anything else!

This is one of the only down falls to reading amazing books. It sets your standards too high and no single book can match that. So what's the cure to this?

No idea.

The only suggestions I can give you is to give yourself a break. And then the next book you try to read make it a surprise you don't have any expectations. Try not to read the summary or any reviews for it! 

Do you have any suggestions?

The Winter Olympic Book Tag

Even though this tag is a little out of date I'm just going to roll with it! The awesome Jack over at The Book Stop (you need to check out his blog!) tagged me and I accept the challenge! This tag was created by Sophie from A Day Dreamer's World who owns one of my favourite blogs so you should check hers out too.

1. Opening Ceremony – The best stand-alone.

I actually haven't read many stand-alones but one of the best I've read is Acid by Emma Pass.

2. Just about to compete – The book you are most anticipating.

There's no book that I am highly anticipating at the moment because I just feel like all these series and trilogies are ending. But I'm extremely excited for Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas which is the next book in the Throne of Glass Series.

3. Sochi 2014 – The book that left you feeling cold and heart-broken.

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead, this book is the 3rd novel in the Vampire Academy series and I swear at the end of this one my heart broke in two.

3. Team GB/USA/IRELAND – The book with a cultural-aspect.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. One of the reasons I loved this book was the setting in France. I just loved it and at the end I was just about ready to pack my things up and move countries.

4. Figure-Skating – The book with beautiful-writing.

When someone says beautiful writing I immediately think the Shatter Me series. Tahereh Mafi's writing is very poetic and vivid and created perfect imagery in your mind while your reading.

5. Speed Skating – The book that kept you gripped/made your heart race.

Divergent by Veronica Roth had my heart pumping and the pages turning. The first book in this series is definitely the most action-packed and so much is crammed into one book but is still well paced.

6. Pairs(Short Programme) – The book with your favourite friendship/romance.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO ANSWER THAT! Gah this virtually impossible since I ship so mainy pairings.

7. Alpine Skiing – The book with the most twists and turns in it’s plot.

I haven't really come across a book with heaps of plot-twists.

8. Cross-country – The book that took you on a journey.

The Percy Jackson series and The Heroes of Olympus. These novels take me on the greatest journey's ever!

9. Snowboard – The book with the most ups and downs.

The Selection Series. The Elite put me through the most emotional turmoil ever. Sometimes I just adore this series and other times I just want to bang my head on a wall. I've never been so indecisive over whether I liked a book not.

10. Biathalon – The book that hit all the targets.

I don't think there's a book that I thought hit every target.

11. Luge(Team Relay) – The best book-series.

Harry Potter will forever hold a special place in my heart since it was this series that fueled my passion for reading.

12. Last Place – The book that left you disappointed.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth....enough said

13. Gold Medal Winner – The best book you have read.

Can't answer that!

14. Podium – Top three characters

Rose from the Vampire Academy series, Celaena from the Throne of Glass series and Anna from Anna and the French Kiss.

15. Closing Ceremony – The best finale.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi. This book was everything I wanted for a conclusion to one of my favourite trilogies. 

TAG YOU'RE IT!

I just want to say thanks Jack for tagging me and I want to tag Tilly from Hardcore Heroines and Kezia from Chapteriosity.

Help us improve 2 Diva's Bookish Discussions

Today I want to talk about a collaborative feature between A Sunny Spot Blog and I, which you may remember we introduced last year. This feature is called 2 Diva's Bookish Discussions and this year we are committed to making this feature better and bigger. But most importantly, this time sticking to it. This is how it's going to go. Every two weeks on both of our blogs we will be discussing a topic. Some weeks we will be agreeing and others disagreeing. Occasionally we will have features within our feature and sometimes recaps on events we've both been too. We will be officially restarting this feature (new header and all) soon this year. But we need your help! We have heaps of ideas going around in our heads such as possible newsletters, vlogs and all sorts of fun discussions. But we need you to help us out and tell us what you'd like to see in these posts. We'd really appreciate it if we take just a couple seconds of your time by writing any input you have, suggestions, opinions and requests. To do this simply fill out this anonymous form and share it. It would really help us out and we are hoping these posts are just as fun for you. 

 - Sunny and Francoise

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

{Monthly Wrap Up} February

I know it's been a while since I've posted but there's a reason! I swear!!! My reading has currently been all things Vampire Academy and I assumed you guys would get sick of me constantly writing reviews for every book in the series (no matter how amazing it is) so instead I'll do a whole series review at the end.

What I've Read:

I have to say this year has been the perfect start and I've been trying my hardest not to fall into a slump.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Goddess by Josephine Angelini

The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

It's not as many book I would have like to have read but school is getting in the way and things have been getting serious. Also TV shows have been ruling my life because recently I've been marathoning The Walking Dead and I love it. If you're a squeamish person and don't like seeing blood and guts, well...don't watch it.

This year I really want to get into contemporary and I was at the start but then Vampire Academy came in my life and my vampire phase is kicking back in! Right now I'm up to Blood Promise which is the fourth book in the series so I'm powering through it. If you missed my post I did a review on the Premiere, you should definitely check it out if you want to see what I thought of the movie.

Tags/Discussions:

Right now I'm creating a tag called If I Had the Chance so be expecting that soon! Also Two Diva's Bookish Discussion is coming back in full effect and it will be even better than before. We'll be writing up a survey so that Sunny and I can get a feel as to what you would like to see in our discussions. 

Tags I participated in:

• The GIF Tag
• The Book Blogger TMI Tag
• My Fictional Life

Discussions:

• Blogger or Wordpress?
• Bookish Pet Peeves
• Valentines Day Crushes

Birthday - Finally 15!!!

Although I didn't do a post on it but it was recently my birthday and from a friend I got the movie cover of Vampire Academy which I love! I don't usually say this but I personally think they should do movie covers for all the books.

I also got money TO BUY MORE BOOKS! I really need to fill up my bookshelf so it was a perfect opportunity.

So this has been my year so far! Pretty eventful if you ask me and I hope it continue's on like that. 

How's the year been for you?