IMM #2

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren

I've had a very John Green week this week - I got two books which were Will Grayson, Will Grayson which my friend gave me to read and I also bought The Fault in Our Stars which I'm already half way through, it's so beautiful! I've been trying to pace myself with reading it so I can savour it! It's been hard to do though :P

Classic Corner #1 - Jane Eyre

Classic Corner is a feature every so often reviewing classic books to raise awareness for old books which are just as awesome as new ones.

Jane Eyre Review

Author – Charlotte Bronte

Pages – 521

First published in 1847

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers… (Goodreads)

One of my best friends gave me this book for my birthday; it was one of her favourites so I gave it a try.  Having read other classics I found this one more reader friendly – the language and style of writing is surprisingly easy to understand (which always helps)

Jane Eyre is of course one of the epic love stories – albeit one of the more often forgotten ones – which as a sucker for romance I loved. The story as a whole is a beautiful one and even though it was written almost two hundred years ago Jane is very independent and feisty for a nineteenth century woman and when she has to make a very hard decision she does so by sticking to her beliefs something I don’t think I would have been able to do.  She hasn’t had an easy life and throughout her struggles still carries on, always moving forward which I think is the most important message that I gained from reading this novel.

How can I write a review without talking about Mr. Rochester – he’s up there with the likes of Mr. Darcy however Mr. Rochester is more of the tortured brooding type of character and I really enjoyed hearing about his back story because it makes his character more realistic and believable and by the end you can’t help but smiling insanely when there is a happily ever after!

The only negatives I could find that despite it’s style it was still quite hard to get into and took my a little longer to finish and also one section where Jane is on her own working as a school teacher that I found to take a little longer (I just wanted her to be with Mr. Rochester!) but once again this proves that she sticks to what she says which is why I can’t hate that part to much for it is a quality that I admire in a person/fictional character

Jane Eyre is one of those books that is well known but not often read which makes me sad as after reading it for I find it to be a great tale of love. It has been in print since 1847 and those reading it today can still gain a lot from it.

Well that was my first Classic Corner, I think it went quite well – What did you guys think?

Waiting on Wednesday #2

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling. (Goodreads)


I saw City of Lost Souls on 'Waiting on Wednesday' last week. I loved the cover that was revealed recently, both look how I imagine Clary and Jace to be.  So I'm super excited to read the fifth book for I couldn't believe how awesome City of Fallen Angels was and think that Cassandra Clare just keeps creating wonderful stories! :)

The Reluctant Heiress

Author: Eva Ibbotson

Pages: 368

Publisher: Speak

Being an heiress in 1920s Austria with nothing but a broken-down castle to your name and nary a penny in your purse could be frustrating for anyone but the Princess Theresa-Maria of Pfaffenstein. "Tessa," however, is thrilled with her situation, as it allows her to concentrate on her love of the arts - and no one in the Viennese opera company need know that their delightful and charming under-wardrobe mistress is really a princess. But when the dashing self-made millionaire Guy Farne arrives at the opera in search of suitable entertainment for his high society guests, Tessa realizes that there may be more to life - and love - than just music. But while the attraction between them is undeniable, Guy's insufferable snob of a fianc矇 only solidifies Tessa's determination to keep her true identity a secret. Yet, after a chance meeting with the handsome Englishman, Tessa's reserve begins to melt, and she starts to wonder if it's not too late for a fairytale ending. (Goodreads)

I'd previously read the other four young adult books that Eva Ibbotson had written, after reading some of her children's books when I was younger, so I had to finish the collection; The Reluctant Heiress, originally called 'Magic Flutes' was first published in 1982, but later re - released with a new and improved cover and a different title; although I originally preferred the newer title, after reading it I see how the old title suited the story more.

But getting back to the review! How could I ever possibly begin to describe the brilliance of Eva Ibbotson's writing; it is an art form in itself. It's hard to explain how she weaves the strings of the story, keeping you guessing and only tying them into a perfect pattern right at the very end. It's a very unique approach to writing and gives the reader a very unique experience of reading such a story. The only downside to such a complexity of weaving a tale one can be quite confused, especially with characters names because some are referred to by many different titles.

I especially love how, even though this is predominately a love story between Guy and Tessa, it is so much more because the different content it contains; much different then just your average romance; which makes a refreshing change in the world of YA. The references to music and ballet and just topical references of the time give the book a very authentic feel and have made me personally research a lot of topics discussed in the books. (Although no research is needed to understand the story; I was just extremely interested in it)

Where to begin about the characters?!? The world of Eva Ibbotson (which I frequent) is full of dashing heroes and heroines with an interesting back story. Tessa is a great heroine, as I said about this being a mainly romantic storyline in the book, she is not complacent and pining away for a man who is engaged to another woman; she works. She works very hard for something she is extremely passionate about. Although the characters are not as bad - ass as some other books and the story not action packed and fast paced it has a more refined style which I think everyone would appreciate.

The Reluctant Heiress is another truly brilliant work by Eva Ibbotson; compulsive reading that'll make you laugh and cry (it did me) and an ending that'll leave you smiling. 

Quote of the day

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” - Nietzsche

I found this quote from Sweetly by Jackson Pearce - Review to come! :) 

Book Review: The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

Author: Eva Rice

Pages: 448

Publisher: Headline Review

Set in the 1950's, in an England still recovering from the Second World War, The Lost art of Keeping Secrets is the enchanting story of Penelope Wallace and her eccentric family at the start of the rock 'n' roll era.

Penelope longs to be grown up and to fall in love; but various rather inconvient things keep getting in her way. Like her mother, a stunning but petulant beauty widowed at a tragically early age, her younger brother, Inigo, currently incapable of concentrating on anything that isn't Elvis Presley, a vast but crumbling ancestreal home, a severe shortage of cash, and her best friend Charlotte's sardonic cousin Harry... (Blurb summary)


This book came out in 2005 and was chosen for  the Richard and Judy's book club; I saw a review of the book on TV at the time, it had a great response and it sounded like an interesting read. I won't lie, the front cover was definitely a contributing factor when purchasing the book (Once again it pays off to be vain when it comes to books), it is beautiful and stylises the story's retro feel.

After buying it, I fell instantly in love.  It's written in the first person, from Penelope's point of view, a young girl trying to herself while her world is falling apart. Penelope as a protagonist was incredibly easy to connect with, especially for me, her lack of confidence yet determination to do what she wants makes you want to root for her - definitely a character to be admired. 


The story is one of those a great tale of growing up and going on an adventure while  learning about yourself along the way and of course an underlying love story never goes amiss :P 

The authors writing style is totally captivating; and the characters feel so real and relateable. I just love how it is written, as if the Penelope is speaking to you - she goes off on these little tangents just as if she is thinking aloud and speaking directly to you. It is hard to find hilarity in some of the things the characters say and the events that take place. All of which just grabs your attention and make you want to read the book all in one go. 


And don't worry about it being set in the '50's, although there are topical references of the time period, it doesn't affect the telling of the story or your enjoyment - you don't have to be a historian to understand all that is going on.

A brilliant, captivating read and definitely one of my favourite books. Something I would recommend to anyone and everyone :)

Waiting on Wednesday #1

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My Pick: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind (Goodreads)

I've loved John Green's other books especially Looking for Alaska which is one of my personal favourite books, and I'm looking forward to reading his first story told through a female narrator :)

Book Review: The Pull of Gravity

The Pull of Gravity

Author: Gae Polisner

Pages: 201

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy of Of Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

Characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make this a truly original coming-of-age story (Goodreads)

I received this book as a Christmas present from my sister, she chose it because of the reference to John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, for I’m a lover of his work and that book. The book starts with two quotes (Quotes are kind of my obsession so I was immediately intrigued) and I was surprised to find one from Of Mice and Men and than one from Yoda – these seemed like polar opposites but are interwoven very cleverly throughout the book.

The relationship with Nick and Jaycee was different; most often it always seems to be the girl who is unsure of herself where the boy is the one with the confidence. It was nice to see this turned on its head a bit for where Nick was hesitant and uncertain as to what to do Jaycee was more self – assured and certainly more outwardly confident. Jaycee was the driving force behind going on the crazy adventure with an outcome they weren’t sure of. I loved the boldness of Jaycee with her individualism – slinky bracelets and troll necklaces made her stand out; something I personally wouldn’t be brave enough to do. With all of this the pair seemed to balance one another out which made for interesting dynamic.

As for the adventure I was initially disappointed – I’m all for road trips and stories of epic journeys so when they only travelled on a bus to get to try and find Scooter’s Dad I was thinking that that was too easy. But as I finished the book I realised that that made the book more believable but more importantly it wasn’t about travelling great distances but more a journey of self discovery or at least growing in some ways which was nice to read; Especially Nick’s development it seemed like at the end he was finally comfortable in his own skin.

One person I wished I could’ve found about more of was Scooter – he was the reason Nick and Jaycee go on this journey and to me he seems kind of an enigma but what he wanted was for the two to go on this journey so I guess that’s why he appears that way. Also I was slightly saddened by the fact that the protagonist Nick didn’t love the book (that’s mainly the fan – girl in me) but was glad that Jaycee did. Despite that it was good to see that as Nick read the book he gained something from it.

Personally I found ‘The Pull of Gravity’ to be one of those books that you need to take a step back on and think about and that the story doesn’t really hit home until later. But when it hits you get this great sense of catharsis and it makes you see that it isn’t how far you travel but what you learn on the way. And most importantly even the best laid plans go oft awry or as Nick would say ‘Gang aft gengly’

Quote of the day

Hell is empty and all the devils are here - The Tempest

Just showing off my Shakespeare love :) I will probably post some of my favourite insults soon.

Busting the Newbie Blues

Today I received an email from Small Review about participating in Busting the Newbie Blues where all new bloggers can met up with established ones and it sounded really awesome so here's my Busting the Newbie Blues questionnaire!


1. When did you start your blog? - On the 29th December 2011 so it is very very new :P I was supposed to start in the new year but I couldn't wait.
2. Why did you start your blog? - I started my blog because I'd been around the book blogging world for almost a year and loved the whole idea of book blogging - talking about books and interacting with people who love them; it's one of the best places to be!
3. What has been the biggest challenge so far? - Not knowing if I'm doing things right and having to carry on anyway.
4. What do you find the most discouraging about being a new blogger? - Seeing all the other well established blogs which I love reading and so many others do - it's a daunting prospect because you think to yourself that there are so many great blogs how could mine possible be considered amongst those.
5. What do you find most encouraging? - The whole community and the support other bloggers show, I've already had a couple of 'Welcome to the book blogging community' and that's been wonderful :)
6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog? - What I like most is simplicity and easy to read content which I have been trying to do... I don't know how successfully but it's what I aim for.
7. What do you dislike about blogs you've read? Do you try to avoid this? - The thing I've found most off putting about blogs is the layout and appearance, things with dark colours or bright neon ones with lots going on, that's kind of an overload for me so I like to keep things simple an easy on the eye.
8. Any advice for other new bloggers? - To just jump in, even if it seems like it's into the deep end, because you're not alone and you won't be shunned.
9. Any questions you'd like to ask newbie or established bloggers? - Well I'd like to know whether what I've done so far is good (I'm hoping it's interesting) and where to go from here. Just any advice you wished you'd had when you started your blog... and also anything that would help me join the book blogging community more because it seems an awesome place to be :)
10. Is there anything you'd like to tell us about your blog? Feel free to link a few of your favourite posts or posts you wish had more comments - I'd like to say that I hope people like my blog and that these are my first two reviews Divergent and The Order of Odd Fish which I hope are interesting and I would love any advice or comments about those :)


I would like to say thank you to Small Reviews this seems like a great thing to be involved in.

Quote of the day

"Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again." - The Iliad

First post of 2012! Pretty exciting stuff.