31 Aug 2011

Dark inside review

Dark inside by Jeyn Roberts
Releases 2nd September

What's it about?
Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…. Now it’s our turn.
Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even worse is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, hooking on to weakness, turning the unwary into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason: His mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground. Everyone he knows is killed.

Aries: A school bus, an aftershock and a crash. Pulled out of the wreckage by a mysterious stranger, she’s about to discover a world changed forever.

Clementine: An emergency meeting at the town hall that descends into murderous chaos. Outside the rest of their community encircle with weapons. How can those you trust turn into savage strangers?

Michael: A brutal road rage incident. When the police arrive on the scene they gun down the guilty and turn on the by-standing crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad?

My review:
5/5
This book really dives into the action and had me on the edge of my seat, heart racing, from start to finish. It really makes your think about kind of person you'd be if the world was in an apocalyptic disarray and what you'd do to survive, as it follows four different characters on their journeys.
The book isn't sugar-coated either, terrible things happen that I didn't guess that made it feel realistic and though I suspect a supernatural element to 'the baggers' I think it really shows people can turn into monsters.
I really enjoyed all of the characters but i'd say Aries was a favourite, after surviving an horrific bus crash she becomes a great leader for her little group and does things even though she's terrified. I also liked the dark side of Mason, it was really interesting that we also got to read about someone who was slightly affected by the darkness that has turned most people into vicious killers.
The only problem I had was about a quarter way in everyone was left on a little cliffhanger and then it suddenly skipped ahead three weeks and there was no explanation as to how they got out of their situations.
It was really great as the four stories eventually bled together and though it ended with lots of questions it still ended well and I can't wait for the second instalment for the answers and to see where they all go next.

My thoughts on the cover:
I liked this cover more afer I'd read the book to be honest because then I knew how well it fits in with the story. It's dark and everyone is partially hidden as they spend a lot of time in the book hiding. The black fits in well to but I don't want to give that away lol I have to say though  I really like the US cover.

Favourite quotes:
"The nothingness. No fire trucks, ambulances, police cars. No people, cars, steroes, televisions, computers. All the things we use to replace the silence of loneliness. All the distractions we buy that fill up the empty voids inside our souls. It's all gone." - Daniel

London, England, has riots that stain the cobblestones redder than anything Jack the Ripper ever dreamed of.

Blood bound review

Blood bound by Rachel Vincent
Releases 1st September

What's it about?
By blood, by word, by magic...

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special – a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.
Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.
But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.
Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner...every touch...every kiss.
And more blood will be spilled before it's over...
My review:
4/5
I've been eagerly anticipating this book for a while and wasn't disappointed, this is a definite must for fans of Vincent's other books particularly her adult Shifters series. Rachel has an excellent way of taking something we haven't seen before or often and making it her own with a fabulous book.
In blood bound there is a similarity at the start to Stray when our protags ex boyfriend shows up and they end up working together but that's where it stops, the story soon takes on a life of it's own full of mystery. I was trying to work out the mystery myself all the way through and felt like I was part of the investigative team as subtle hints were dropped throughout, I really felt like I was figuring it out alongside the characters. There are a lot of twists and turns and some great action scenes.
The story was woven together really well and the world building was excellent, I could really imagine the dark city setting and scary rivalry between the two crime lords.
I liked the characters a lot to, Liv is strong and puts people she cares about before herself, she believes in her ideals and wants to be her own person and will push against anyone who try's to take away her choices even when she knows it will get her in trouble... Oh and you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her.
Unlike Rachel's other books this one is told from two povs, Livs and Cams, I liked Cam a lot to, he's devoted and fiercely loyal and will do anything for Liv.
All in all I thought this was a really excellent gritty urban fantasy, great for people who are already fans of the author and people who are new to her. It doesn't so much end on a cliffhanger but rather more of a clue to what happens next and I can't wait for shadow bound for more of Liv and Cam.
My thoughts on the cover:
I really like this cover, I prefer it to the US one actually. It definitely carries the dark tone of the story, and I like the orange glow from the sunset (rise?)
Favourite quotes:
"I realized that I'd rather die with you than live with someone else." - Liv

"Assassination is murder. Execution is justice." - Liv

What I'm reading?

Outpost by Adam Baker

Blurb

They took the job to escape the world.
They didn't expect the world to end.

Kasker Rampart: a derelict refinery platform moored in the Arctic Ocean. A skeleton crew of fifteen fight boredom and despair as they wait for a relief ship to take them home. But the world beyond their frozen wasteland has gone to hell. Cities lie ravaged by a global pandemic. One by one TV channels die, replaced by silent wavebands. The Rampart crew are marooned. They must survive the long Arctic winter, then make their way home alone. They battle starvation and hypothermia, unaware that the deadly contagion that has devastated the world is heading their way...
 
My thoughts
So this will be my second "end of the world" book in a row but its ok, you all know i love my dystopia! It does, however, actually sound a little different to the books I generally read so I'm looking forward to reading something a bit different and it sounds awesome and exciting and seems like one of those ones that's actually a bit scary because it could really happen.
 
What are you reading?
 

End of August R.A.K round-up

R.A.K is the acronym for Random Acts of Kindness hosted by Book soulmates you can click the picture to find out more but basically you sign up every month that you'd like to participate then you can choose as many people as you like to send a booky gift to just for the sake of being nice!

It's the end of my second month participating in RAK already, what can I say, time flies when your getting books!
Here's the size of my RAK!

What I sent

First I sent these to Siobhan at Totally Bookalicious - I have the first one of these myself and one day I may actually read it lol
This I sent to Donna at Book passion for life - I'd never heard of it until I spotted it on Donnas wishlist but it sounded good so I picked it for her, if she enjoys it I might get it for myself lol
And finally I sent this to Alice at Best books - I also sent a copy to her blog partner Annmarie but I don't think she's signed up for RAK so it doesn't really count lol
What I got

Donna at Book passion for life sent me this oh so pretty book and Tynga at Tyngas reviews also sent me a Kindle ecopy
Donna also gave me these.
And these two were from my lovely friend Natalie Cleary

And that's all of them. I had another fab month participating in RAK and plan to sign-up for September as soon as it opens. I already have plans to get a few for Donna because it's her birthday and I'm going to pick a couple of random people from the sign-up sheet to buy for and make myself some new friends! :)

Wednesdays Worldly covers - #28

Wednesdays worldly covers is a weekly feature where every week I share a cover from around the world.
I expect you've already guessed this one lol It's the Indonesian cover for Wither (or Layu which translates to Withered) by Lauren DeStefano. I've not read this book yet but I thought this cover was really interesting, it has similarities to the cover we know with the lines and the circle but it's completely different at the same time. The girl in the hourglass is completely intriguing.
And this is what I have sitting on myself, this one too is gorgeous and I think I prefer it, the colour is lovely and I'm totally curious about the bird in the cage.

Which do you prefer?


30 Aug 2011

Top ten Tuesday #12

Top ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The broke and the bookish.
This weeks top ten is:

Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall
(Or Autumn to my fellow Brits!)

Well I have my review pile of books and I have my own personal pile of books so I think I'll pick my top ten from the ones I own.
These are in no particular order other than the order I spotted them whilst checking out my shelves.

  1. Divergent by Veronica Roth - This ones at the very top I've been dying to read it for ages but I got overrun with review books and have been working my way throught them and am now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel lol
  2. Wither by Lauren DeStefano - Another one I've wanted to get to for a while
  3. Passion by Lauren Kate - I preordered this and got it on release yet still haven't read it!
  4. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini - I'm not sure but I think this has something to do with Greek mythology and you all know I love mythology
  5. Forbidden by Tabitha Sazuma - I've heard I'll cry my eyes out with this so I'm saving it for when I fancy a sob fest
  6. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky - I'm real excited by this one I've not heard of anything like it
  7. Hourglass by Myra McEntire - I've wanted this for soooo long and finally got it this week and it's gone right to the top of the 200+ on my tbr
  8. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher - And another one I just really wanna read!
And there are just so many more I have sitting on the shelf that I really wanna read plus ones that will be coming out but theses are right there at the top and will likely get read before the year is out rather than the end of Autumn (I hope)

Leave a link to your top ten so I can check it out :)


29 Aug 2011

What I'm reading?

D4rk inside by Jeyn Roberts

Blurb
Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…. Now it’s our turn.
Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even worse is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, hooking on to weakness, turning the unwary into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason: His mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground. Everyone he knows is killed.

Aries: A school bus, an aftershock and a crash. Pulled out of the wreckage by a mysterious stranger, she’s about to discover a world changed forever.

Clementine: An emergency meeting at the town hall that descends into murderous chaos. Outside the rest of their community encircle with weapons. How can those you trust turn into savage strangers?

Michael: A brutal road rage incident. When the police arrive on the scene they gun down the guilty and turn on the by-standing crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad?

My thoughts
Honestly, I'd never heard of this when it arrives from Macmillan but it sounds really interesting so I'm looking forward to getting into it. A couple people already have told me they really liked it so it has promise :)

What are you reading?

27 Aug 2011

In Mists mailbox 10 - First ever video post!!

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The story siren where each week we show off the books we got that week.

22nd August - 28th August
The book links go to Goodreads

This is my first ever video post!! Hope you like it :)
(I don't know why the voice is out of sync or how to fix it but hopefully next week will be better lol)

Books mentioned:
Bought:
The declaration by Gemma malley
Swapped:
The lagacy by Gemma Malley
For review:
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Blood bound by Rachel Vincent
Outpost by Adam Baker

eBooks:
For review from NetGalley:
The Mephisto covenant by Trinity Faegen - I've actually been coveting this book for a while bu t had no idea it was on NetGalley so of course I got it lol
Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - I really liked Raised by wolves and have the second book waiting for me so thought I'd give her new book a go.
The butterfly clues by Kate Ellison - I've never heard of this but it sounded interesting and had a pretty cover.
Bought:
Rippler by Cidney Swanson - Somebody on Goodreads recommended this to me and it sounded good and was cheap so I got it lol

This week in review:
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Guest review by Louise Pridige - Passion by Lauren Kate

And that's it for me this week
What was in your mailbox?

What I'm reading?

Blood bound by Rachel Vincent

Blurb:
By blood, by word, by magic...Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special – a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.
Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.
But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.
Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner...every touch...every kiss.
And more blood will be spilled before it's over...


My thoughts:
I've become quite a fan of Rachel Vincent so when I heard she was starting a new series I barely even read what it was about I just knew I wanted it lol So you can imagine my excitement when I got an early copy this week... there may have been a dance and a bewildered post man involved.
I'm actually already halfway through and really enjoying the book, it's different from Rachels other work, but in a good way lol I expect I'll be finished before the weekend is :)


What are you reading?



26 Aug 2011

Bloodlines review

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Available now

What's it about?
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
This is a spin-off series to the highly popular Vampire Academy series.

My review:
5/5
Although I've been seriously excited about this books since I heard about it, I've also been a bit wary because, well, it is a spin-off and sometimes they can fail miserably, fortunately this wasn't one of those times! I really loved this book and it's easy to say it's one of my favourite reads this year.
We learn a lot more about the Alchemists world and how they operate in this which was really interesting and I like Sydney a lot, she's a lot different from Rose so it didn't feel like I was just reading Vampire academy all over again.
Having been home schooled them pushed straight into being an Alchemist Sydney doesn't really have any social skills so it was really fun seeing her having to go to school and try to fit in and make friends whilst being in the uncomfortable situation of rooming with a Vampire, there were some real laugh out loud moments.
And of course we all already know and love Adrian so I don't need so much more about him other than he's great.
The story itself is really interesting, full of twists and turns, a lot of which I didn't guess at, always a plus in my opinion. It all toes together really well to make a fantastic ending with a killer final line that has made me desperate to get my hands on the next book The Golden Lily, I'm not sure how I'll cope until June!

My thoughts on the cover:
This isn't a 'WOW' cover but it is nice, the guy isn't quite how I imagine Adrian but the girl definitely looks like Sydney, I really love the golden lily tattoo on her cheek (You can't see it well in this picture but it looks lovely in real life) I quite like the font with the roses on to.

Favourite quotes:
She was like a tropical flower in this dark stuffy room.
One that could kill you. - Sydney on Rose.

Clarence and Lee weren't all that intimidating, and Adrian... well, Adrian was pretty much the least scary vampire I'd ever met.

As I drove away, I decided the Alchemists needed an entire department devoted to handling Adrian Ivashkov.
                                

The Goddess test Review

The Goddess test by Aimee Carter
Available now
What's it about?
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My review:
5/5
A lot of you will know that I'm bit nuts for Greek mythology so I've been wanting to read this one for some time and I'm so happy I finally got to it because I really enjoyed it.
I really liked Aimee Carters own twist on the story of Hades and Persephone and the fact that she made Hades, or Henry, into a vulnerable, caring guy and totally swoon worthy! When he's always been the bad guy from mythology to modern day stories, it was fun to see him in a new light.
The relationship between him and Kate grew slowly and was really endearing and believable.
Since everyone was renamed in this, like Hades was Henry, I had a fun time guessing who was who from the subtle clues in the book and the references to the original legend were interesting.
I found the book really easy to read and hard to put down because it flowed so well, the characters are likeable, even self involved Ava, and it's all woven together really well so I couldn't guess when Kate was being tested anymore than she could.
I know there is a second book coming out but this would've been fine as a stand alone and could be read as one if you preferred, but there is a hint, I think, at what's going to happen next and I'm interested in finding out more.

My thoughts on the cover:
This is the US cover that I have, though the soon to be released UK cover is pretty simlair. I really like the simplicity of this cover and the plain white dress and sandals, I can easily imagine this girl to be Kate. I also really like the square pattern around the edges

Favourite quotes:

The nearest neighbours were a mile down the road, the whole place smelled like nature, and no one delivered pizza in the small town of Eden.

She might've been smiling, but with the way she was leaning against him clutching his arm, she might as well have peed on him. He was clearly marked territory.

25 Aug 2011

Win a copy of Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Our lovely Nicole is giving away a copy of Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey and all you have to do to enter is comment leaving your email address and answering this question

Who would you like to be haunted by and why?

Giveaway is international and will end 31st August
You don't need to be a blog follower to enter but you do have to be a 'liker' of our Facebook page
There's no requirement to share the giveaway but it's always appreciated.
Any entries that don't answer the question will be disqualified.

24 Aug 2011

Passion Review by Louise Pridige

Passion by Lauren Kate

What's it about?
Luce would die for Daniel.
And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .
Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.
Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.
Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Louise's review:

“Every single lifetime, I’ll choose you.  Just as you have always chosen me.  Forever”

I eagerly awaited this third book in the series.  I really enjoyed the first two Fallen and Torment and was not disappointed with it! I DID NOT put it down.  Housework and kids were both ignored just so I could finish it!! Seriously though I did feed them only once!

I don’t want to give too much away but this mainly concentrated on Luce and her history.You did get to find out a little of Cam and Daniels history but it was Luce who was the main character throughout.  Lauren Kate’s writing did not disappoint and the past history was very believable, I was there in that time when I was reading.

I definitely feel a twist coming on when book four, the final book, Rapture comes out in Summer 2012.  Passion ended nicely, opening for Rapture next year.  If you haven’t read these yet I strongly URGE you to get down the shop or the library and get yourself a copy.  These are ones which will be on my bookshelf to stay and they will be read again!

Wednesdays Worldly covers - #27

Wednesdays worldly covers is a weekly meme where I show you a book cover from around the world.

Since I bought this book this week I thought I'd pick it for this weeks WWC
It's the French cover for La Déclartion: L'histoire d'Anna (Translated: The decleration: Anna's story) by Gemma Malley.
Which we simply know as The Decleration
and it looks like this.
I definitely prefer this cover, it's colourful and the butterfly is beautiful.

Which do you prefer?


23 Aug 2011

What I'm reading?

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Blurb
BLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...
My thoughts
I'm a huge fan of Vampire academy so I've been waiting for this book for months! When it came through my letterbox from the publisher yesterday I nearly fell off my seat and I wasn't even sitting. If you haven't guessed yet I'm pretty excited for this, I sped my way through The goddess test (which was awesome and a review is coming) to get to it! I expect I'll finish it quickly and you'll see a review in a few days :)


What are you reading?



Top ten Tuesday #11

Top ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The broke and the bookish
This weeks it's

Top ten books you loved but never wrote a review for.

Well I've been reading for a lot longer than I've been reviewing so my list will be books I've loved but not reviewed since I started reviewing in January.


1. Poison study by Maria V. Snyder - This is one of my all time favourites and although I first read it a couple of years ago I re-read it this year and still didn't write a review for it.

2. Gone by Michael Grant - I'm not sure why I didn't write a review for this book because it was amazing, I've since read the second book as well and liked it just as much but didn't review that either lol

3. The throne of fire by Rick Riordan - This one I read when I was on my maternity leave in May that's why it didn't get reviewed but I loved it!

4. My soul to keep by Rachel Vincent - This is another one I read during my maternity leave but I enjoyed it as much as the first two books which I have reviewed so I might write one for it before book four comes out so I can review that to.

5. Hex hall by Rachel Hawkins - This one I actually read during my hospital stay but it was great and really funny.

6. Raising demons by Rachel Hawkins (AKA Demonglass) - And I read this as soon as I got home lol Equally great and funny, can't wait for book three!

7. The gathering by Kelley Armstrong - I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the darkest powers series but I did still like it but I also read this one during my hospital stay.

8. Tales of ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green - This book was really interesting, I read it after reading the throne of fire to learn more about the mythology behind the book, it's my third mythology book by this author, I just love how he writes, it's simple but not "child" simple so you don't feel your just reading a childrens book.

9. Bite club by Rachel Caine - This one I read just before I went on maternity leave so there wasn't time to write a review lol But I really enjoyed it as much as the rest of the series.

10. The Twilight saga: The official illustrated guide by Stephenie Meyer - Wow I didn't realise I'd read so many books during the couple of weeks I took off! I was surprised at how big this book was when I got it, it's got loads of interesting things in it, I skimmed some bits but mostly I did actually read through it, it's a lot better than most book guides.



22 Aug 2011

What I'm reading?

The Goddess test by Aimee Carter

Blurb
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My thoughts
Well I'm still reading Snuff but due to having to read it on my iPad which keeps giving me headaches I needed something paperbookie to read alongside it. Unfortunately I have trouble choosing what to read when I can read one of my own books so I always have my good friend Alice pick for me, it's lots quicker lol Anyway I digress, I was pretty chuffed when she picked this one because I've been wanting to read it for a loooong time so yay and it was Alice who bought it for me for my birthday a couple months ago so double thanks to her! I'm already in abour 70 pages and it's pretty interesting so far I'm pretty sure I'm gonna enjoy it and I'll probably review it to :)

What are you currently reading?



21 Aug 2011

How I became the Bookaholic queen

Scrub up well don't I lol
How I became the Bookaholic queen
by Misty Price

Ok so Queen might be a bit grand a title but I needed something catchy lol.
I've always read books, since I can remember but not quite with the ferocity I do now.
So what is it that changed me from a casual reader to an obsessive?
Well when I was younger I read my Moms books, when I was a teen I moved in with my Dad and read his books which were pretty much all Terry Pratchett, and books I got from the library like Judy Blume and Goosebumps. Towards the end of my teens I moved back in with my Mom and read her books again which were mostly Stephen King novels and a few chick-lit and Buffy books which I got myself.
These books were all nice enough and gave me something to read at bed times but I had a busy social life and it took me some time to actually make it to the end of the book because I wasn't really that interested.
Kirsten - now nearly 6
I was 22 when it all changed, I had the finished the meagre collection of books I owned and needed more and now that I was settling down, my daughter, Kirsten was nearly two and I was about to get married, I had more time on my hands for reading. Unfortunately I still didn't know my own tastes yet so I bought all the same kinds of books that I had been reading, a bunch of chick-lit and more Buffy. Then I saw an advert for the release of the fifth Harry potter movie on DVD. The Harry potter movies started coming out when I was a teenager and I was way to 'cool' to be into them lol but resolving that my daughter might like them I bought the box set. Needless to say I was of course hooked and watched them all quickly then for my birthday I asked my husband to get me the books, I read the last two in as many days because I couldn't wait to see what happened, then I read through the series from the start to finish - then I read it again! Then I heard of a movie called Twilight that was coming out, knowing it was a book I bought the first one to try out, since the book is always better. I wasn't even finished before I bought the rest of the series and The Host by the same author. I quickly read those too, then I was browsing a book catalogue that recommended The House of Night series for fans of Twilight so I ordered all three and loved those to, I'd found what books I was really interested in and now nothing could stop me. I started checking my Amazon recommendations to find similar books and made a big order to stock up my shelf but I read these much quicker than I had been reading in the past so it wasn't long before I needed more. I regularly browsed (and still do) my Amazon recommendations based on books I had and couldn't walk past a bookstore anymore without popping in and getting myself something.
Oliver - now 2
Not only was an obsession born but an addiction! I filled up my bookshelf and had to buy more. I also had a second child and was delighted when he started showing an interest in books, I buy my children books almost as rapidly as I buy them for myself and read them stories every night at bedtime, shorter ones for my older daughter who doesn't have much of an attention span, but my son will lie quietly and listen to a long story and takes great interest in studying the pictures and will usually continue to look at the book once I've finished and said goodnight. I also now do reviews of childrens books with him which is good fun.
Unfortunately I don't have friends who read like I do or enjoy the same books I was starting to and I got fed up of having no one to talk to about the amazing books I was discovering so in June last year (2010) when my son, Oliver, was turning one I decided to set up a little book club on Facebook so I could meet fellow Bookaholics, never did I imagine how much the page would grow! As I write this the are 3468 followers!
I love making new friends, talking books and discovering new ones there.
Then at the start of this year (when I was expecting my third child Isabelle!) I started up the companion blog, which is what your looking at now, where I could review the books I read and do regular features and its been great fun. I put a lot of time and effort into the blog and try to post regularly. It makes me feel great when people enjoy my reviews and decide to read a book because I enjoyed it. And with a husband that works nights it's kept me sane on the five nights a week I spend alone when my kids have gone to sleep.
Isabelle
Though gaining blog followers has been slower going than getting page followers I appreciate every one that I do have and hope you all enjoy my posts as much as I enjoy making them.
These days my reading is a little slower because of having a baby (she's four months old right now) and I've had to curb my crazy book buying to buy them christmas presents and food and electricity and stuff lke that lol
I've found so many amazing books over the last four years and made lots of great new friends and hope to find many many more.
I hope that all three of my children will become avid book readers like me, though I won't push it on them, I will strongly encourage it!
My Bookshelves on 21st August 2011 - They change almost daily lol
(I know the picture is overlapping the post bar but you won't be able to see it properly if I make it smaller)
How did you become a Bookaholic?
Would you like to write a guest post on how you became a Bookaholic? Then send it to bookaholics@live.co.uk and I'll post it.

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