Moving house... be back soon...

Every few years my family tends to move around the world for work or school, so we have become professional removalists. It's come to that time again to pack up my books and find them a new home, thankfully, in the same country this time. I think child me (see image above) predicted my future.... I obviously knew I would be living in a suitcase for my life.
Depending on how long it takes to get internet set up based on past experience, it could be up two weeks. If anyone needs to reach me, I am still available via twitter and email.

In the meantime have an absolutely wonderful Easter break!

Feature and Follow Friday (4)

Welcome to another Follow Friday! Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where you can meet new bloggers and gain more followers! The fun part of it is the random questions! Here we go!

Q. Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I had actually been thinking about this the other day, contemplating if it's really fair on the books that we don't read it right through and stop to switch. I used to read one book at a time but I have found recently that I switch back and forth. I started reading Shiver but I felt stuck after a few chapters, so I switched to a few other books and eventually found my way back. Although by the time I came back to it, I forgot what happened, so I had to go back to the start. However, this time round I am enjoying it, so I guess it's a good thing I switched.

Review: The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also known as Confessions of a Shopaholic)

Release Date: 14th September 2000 (Paperback)
Pages: 320
Publisher: Black Swan, Transworld
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Source: Purchased (Waterstones)
Purchase Book: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Goodreads
Meet Becky Bloomwood, an irresistible heroine with a big heart, big dreams --- and just one little weakness... 

Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five-year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it --- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank --- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read --- and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something ...

Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life --- and the lives of those around her --- forever.

I picked up a copy of this book after seeing the film Confessions of a Shopaholic. At first I thought it would be exactly like the film, however I was pleasantly surprised. For one, the book was completely different and far more enjoyable. I love that the book is based in England as opposed to the US, as I found myself at one with Becky. Living in London, I related to her on a whole other level, due to the fact that her fictional house is just down the road from me, I knew all the stores, streets and understood her need for fun and shopping. Our area is filled with stores with constant sales that entice you to shop even when you know you can't afford it. Sophie Kinsella definitely got this one right.

The book is absolutely wonderful and great for a light summer read. Becky as a protagonist, is full of energy and surprises. She obviously has a problem with shopping and it is up to her best friend Suze to attempt to restrain her. The great thing about this book is that there is always something going on, never a dull moment to make you put down the book. Whether it's trying to hide her spending habits from everyone or making up stories to get money from people to buy something, you honestly don't know what she will do next.

As the first book in the series, it is a great introduction to Becky's world. The entire novel is written from Becky's perspective which allows readers to get to know her really well, especially what is going through her mind when you get annoyed with her. We are introduced to her best friend, her fun loving parents and the ever so handsome Luke. Her relationship with Luke alone plays a large part of the story and gave me a great laugh. All in all the characters are down to earth and care a great deal about Becky, they are very easy to like.

Cover:
While it does have a rather boring pink cover, the publisher has just released a new cover this year if it doesn't do anything for you. You can get the new cover here.

Final Comments:
As one of my first ever chick-lit books, it was extremely enjoyable and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an obsession with shopping or wants a fantastic light read. If you have read the series, you will be excited to know that the seventh book, Shopaholic Takes Hollywood is coming out next!

Rating:

Fabled Friday's

Welcome to the first ever edition of Fabled Friday's! It a fun little meme of my creation where I will pick a new fairy tale each week to discuss. Inspired by the obscene amount of fairy tale tv shows, I thought I would give the books some credit.

As I was given a copy of Grimms' Fairy Tales, I will be drowning in the world of Grimm for the next few weeks. Anyone is free to join. You can either review the same tale, pick another or be completely original and make one up or share one passed down from a grandparent.

What is required:
1. Pick a fairy tale.
2. Write anything you want about it (opinion, review, other versions by different writers, moral, fantasy cast, films, alternate ending etc)
3. Share an interesting image that represents that story (scene, character, object etc)

If you are still uncertain of what to do, just use my post as a guideline. Here we go!

Hansel and Gretel is a popular fairy tale about siblings Hansel and Gretel. Their father and evil step mother abandon them in the woods as they can't afford to take care of them. They drop stones and bread crumbs to help find their way home, but eventually they can't find their way home because the bread crumbs get eaten. They run into a blind witch who lures them in with her tasty gingerbread house where she tries to eat them... As the tale goes, Hansel and Gretel are two smart children, they shove the witch in the oven, escape with her riches and return home to their father, where their evil step mother has passed away.

There are various versions of the tale, the famous one being written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. What is great about the tale is that it has been translated around the world and interpreted to suit different cultures. Some countries even change the names of the characters. One example being in Croatia where the names were changed to Ivica and Marica, two popular names at the time. After all Hansel and Gretel are two popular German names...

If you are taking part, link your post below to share with everyone.

Feature and Follow Friday (3)

Welcome to another Follow Friday! For those of you not familiar with it, Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where you can meet new bloggers and gain more followers! The fun part of it is the random questions! Here we go!

Q. What is the longest book you've read? What are your favourite 600+ page reads?

Longest book I have read without a doubt is Gone with the Wind! With 1024 pages, it was a killer, especially since I was 10 when I first read it. I was in an Australian Young Writers Club at the time and was reading everything I could find. It was the biggest book on my mums bookshelf so I figured I would give it a go. Following closely is Anna Karenina with 864 pages. Although if you count poetry, the winner is Romanticism: An Anthology with 1552 pages.

My favourites on the other hand are the typical Harry Potter and Twilight (Eclipse, Breaking Dawn).

What is the longest you have ever read?

Giveaway winners announced!

It is time to announce the winners of my first ever giveaway!! Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone for all the entries, blog posts and wonderful comments! I have had an amazing number of new followers and entries... I am rather shocked! I only wish I could send you all a prize. Both winners have been drawn at random using rafflecopter.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Winner: Kah at Not Just Nonsense
Runner Up: Mina at Gripped into Books

Congrats to both these lucky winners. I have sent you both an email, if you could respond in the next 7 days to claim your prize, that would be great!

If you missed out this time, don't worry there is still next time!

Kris

Movie Monday: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

Another week of Movie Monday, a fun meme from Stephs Stacks where books are compared to their movie counter parts on the big screen. It is more like Movie Tuesday as I couldn't get to a computer yesterday. Nevertheless, my choice this week is....

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter is a thrilling new 3D movie based on the book, due to be out in cimemas around the world this summer. Critics are saying its a fantasy, horror, thriller, supernatural action film... if you ask me, they probably couldn't decide where it fit.

The story itself is about Abraham Lincolm, the 16th President of the United States who secretly is a vampire hunter. He discovers that his mother really died at the hands of a vampire and seeks vengeance. The book is written like a biography, following Abraham Lincoln's real life.... but with vampires. Written by the same author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith and produced by no other than Tim Burton. I myself am currently in the middle of the book, so don't worry I won't be providing any spoilers. I am however extremely excited about the film as it looks fantastic. A review of the book will follow when I am finished with it. 

The Book

Goodreads

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

Quotes:

"henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..."

"In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares."

"There are but two types on men who desire war: those who haven't the slightest intention of fighting it themselves, and those who haven't the slightest idea what it is."

The Movie

IMDB

Release Date: 22 June (US) | 2 August 2012 (UK)

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Producer: Tim Burton

Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith (screenplay), Simon Kinberg (screenplay)

Stars: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.

Film Posters

There are three film posters to date and I am not sure why they chose to create so many. I do however love all of them, so I thought I would share the other two.

Trailer

There are an obscene amount of trailers, so I have narrowed it down to two which will give you a good idea of the film.

Special Feature:
Behind the scenes action



I would love to hear your thoughts on the book or film.
Don't forget, my giveaway ends by the end of today, so if you haven't entered, head over now.

Shelf Candy Saturday

Shelf Candy Saturday is a weekend meme hosted by Five Alarm Book Reviews. It's a chance to pick a book for the week, giving the cover designer a bit of credit and praise. This is my first time doing this meme as I adore brilliant cover art.

It was difficult to choose just one and seeing as though I was chatting with my old Brazilian schoolmate earlier today, I thought I would show off one of her favourites. Just to note, this is the Brazilian cover art for the book and sadly I haven't seen it available to buy anywhere out of Brazil except the publishers website.

My choice this week is Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne. Translated into Portugese as Viagem ao centro da Terra.

This absolutely amazing book cover was created by Carlo Giovani, specifically for the Brazilian edition of the book. I have seen a variety of interesting designs done for the book, but this is by far my favourite. For those not familiar with it, Journey to the Centre of the Earth is just one of those classic science fiction novels full of adventures. The cover is so perfect as it tells the story itself. With layers of paper used to represent different levels of the earth through the adventure, it explains the depth of the story without a confusing illustration or boring text with the title of the book. The colours are vibrant and the intricate details of the boats, buildings, volcano and core of the earth are outstanding.
After looking more into the designers work, I can see he is a master with paper art. I would love to see him create more book cover art.

Designer: Carlo Giovani | Website | Purchase this edition

(Left) A sample of the designers work with paper, constructed by hand. You can find more of his work at his website.

Goodreads:

The intrepid Professor Lindenbrock embarks upon the strangest expedition of the nineteenth century: a journey down an extinct Icelandic volcano to the Earth’s very core. In his quest to penetrate the planet’s primordial secrets, the geologist—together with his quaking nephew Axel and their devoted guide, Hans—discovers an astonishing subterranean menagerie of prehistoric proportions. Verne’s imaginative tale is at once the ultimate science fiction adventure and a reflection on the perfectibility of human understanding and the psychology of the questor. As David Brin notes in his Introduction, though Verne never knew the term “science fiction,” Journey to the Centre of the Earth is “inarguably one of the wellsprings from which it all began.”

Review: Stefan's Diaries v.5: The Asylum

Stefan's Diaries: The Asylum

Release Date: UK 5th April 2012 (Paperback) | US 17th Jan 2012
Pages: 221
Publisher: Harper Teen
Author: L.J. Smith
Source: Bought (from Amazon US)
Purchase book: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Goodreads
The hunters become the hunted. . . .

Driven from their hometown of Mystic Falls, both Stefan Salvatore and his brother, Damon, arrived in Europe looking for a fresh start. But Samuel, a wealthy and cunning vampire, has other plans for them. First he ruined Stefan’s peaceful existence and now he’s framing Damon for the most gruesome murders London has ever seen.

United against their common enemy, Stefan and Damon are stunned when they realize that the source of Samuel’s rage lies in their past—tied up with the woman who forever changed their lives. Haunted by the memory of Katherine, the brothers find that their uneasy alliance is tested. Can they overcome their rivalry to defeat Samuel before he exacts his final revenge?

Based on the popular CW TV show inspired by the bestselling novels, Stefan’s Diaries reveals the truth about what really happened between Stefan, Damon, and Katherine—and how the Vampire Diaries love triangle began.

The Asylum is the 5th installment in the Stefan's Diaries series. Continuing from The Ripper, Stefan and Damon have now come to an understanding, joining forces as brothers to defeat the enemy Samuel, who is tormenting them all over London, framing Damon as Jack the Ripper and killing off those close to Stefan.
With Violet's sister Cora in tow, the trio are heading back to London to find a way to get Violet back and rid the world of Samuel. Unfortunately for the brothers Samuel seems to be an indestructable vampire that just wont die, leaving Stefan and Damon to come up with a variety of ways to bring him down.

Now that Damon's reputation is on the line and the entire London police force is looking for him, they are left to go into hiding while planning their attack on Samuel. Thankfully, while Cora may be human, it is her emotional strength and spirit that keep the group together. She appears to be the first woman after Katherine that has the respect of both brothers with no need to fear for her own life.

While at first you may think its a simple seek and destroy vampire story, it's really seek and attempt to destroy, try again, someone dies, fail, try again, someone dies, fail, try again..... you get the idea. It goes on and on until you wish you could go and destroy Samuel yourself.
The great thing about this book is that readers get the chance to learn more about Damon and Stefan's relationship and another side of Katherine's secret life that not even the brothers expected.

Cover:
Similar to the previous book, it maintains a cool look. I bought the US edition, but it is exactly the same as the UK edition, just with different fonts and chapter designs. I am not entirely sure if this is Katherine or Elena on the cover. It may not make a difference either way.

Final Comments:
Continuing from the 4th book, it doesn't progress very far. As I mentioned early, the seek and destroy vampire sequence goes on and on, spiraling out of control. If it was shortened and merged with the previous book, I may have enjoyed it more, but to be honest, it does drag on a bit. Nevertheless if you are a TVD fan, there are some things you would love to know in this book, which I won't spoil.
It doesn't come out in the UK until April, but if you are desperate to read it, the US edition is available online. Keep in mind if you are keen on keeping your collection the same, the cover is slightly different and the US don't have a glossy cover like the UK - It may not be a big deal, but I hated the feel of the US edition.

Rating:

Movie Monday: Anna Karenina

Another week of Movie Monday, a fun meme from Stephs Stacks where books are compared to their movie counter parts on the big screen.

This week I decided to choose an upcoming film set to be released on 7th September this year, Anna Karenina. For those not familiar with the book, Anna Karenina is a novel written by Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. It is said to be one of the greatest novels ever written, while I do agree that it is a powerful story, it can get rather exhausting to read. There have been numerous adaptations, none of them really doing a great representation of the book, so I have my fingers crossed that a british version may just bring it some life.

The novel follows the story (more like tragedy) of Anna Karenina, a married socialite who has an affair with the affluent Count Vronsky, all while her family is in the middle of their own drama and infidelities. Vronsky is open to marrying Anna if only she leaves her husband. However, with pressure from Russian society and her personal insecurities, she can't get her act together. The entire novel follows the drama that is Anna's life, from attempting to follow her heart to being shunned from high society, put simply, it takes a toll on her life.
Amidst the novel is another story, throwing readers into the other side of Russian life. Set in the countryside on the estate of a landowner named Levin. It follows his life in managing his estate, personal life and marriage. Levin's story is slightly connected to Anna's through her brother Oblonsky.

While I am not in love with this book, I have a strong connection with it as my final High School English paper was written on it. For a year of my life, I was thrown deep into the characters lives and stories. The agricultural portion of the book that follows Levin is utterly exhausting, however I have family in Europe that have been through the same situations, so it was like reading their stories. It made it a little bit easier to handle. I haven't heard of any release dates for the US as this is a British film. If you do hear otherwise, do let me know.

The Book

Goodreads

Anna Karenina seems to have everything – beauty, wealth, popularity and an adored son. But she feels that her life is empty until the moment she encounters the impetuous officer Count Vronsky. Their subsequent affair scandalizes society and family alike and soon brings jealously and bitterness in its wake. Contrasting with this tale of love and self-destruction is the vividly observed story of Levin, a man striving to find contentment and a meaning to his life – and also a self-portrait of Tolstoy himself.

Quotes:
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way"

"Hideous! As long as I live I shall never forget it. She said it was a disgrace to sit beside me."

"an extraordinary woman! It's not her cleverness, but she has such wonderful depth of feeling. I'm awfully sorry for her."

The Movie

IMDB

Release Date: 7 September 2012

Director: Joe Wright

Writers: Tom Stoppard (screenplay), Leo Tolstoy (novel)

Stars: Keira Knightley, Kelly Macdonald, Jude Law, Michelle Dockery, Matthew Macfadyen

The film is directed by Joe Wright and is his third collaboration with Keira Knightley, one of which was for her Oscar-nominated role as Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice", where Matthew Macfadyen also starred as Mr Darcy.
This new adaptation includes Keira as Anna Karenina who has an affair with Vronsky, played by Aaron Johnson (the geeky guy from Kick-Ass - not the best choice in my opinion). Jude Law plays Anna's husband (look below for a hilarious aged photo of him). Matthew Macfayden (famous for his role as Mr Darcy) plays Anna's brother Oblonsky. I know its from a different movie, but just doesn't feel right to me.

No trailers as yet, so please enjoy the photos, taken from Focus Features.

Have you read the book? If so, are you looking forward to the film?
I am on the fence with the casting, some are great choices, others are not. What do you think?

International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day!
As the majority of my favourite authors are all women, what better day to celebrate how wonderful they are! I put together a collage of some of my favourite female authors who throughout the ages wrote memorable stories that have made an impact on our lives. In the beginning, women writers had difficulties getting published and weren't taken seriously. Many of which had to result to male pen names. Over time they were able to use their own names, however there was still the stereotype of women writing romances. These days, women can write whatever they wish without the stereotype pushing them down.

To all the women authors out there, don't hold back, write with all you have and never give up!

Starting from top, some of my favourites who made an impact (going clockwise):
- J.K. Rowling, extremely successful and popular author behind the Harry Potter series. Showed the world a bit of magic, stories that adults and children alike all enjoy. Went beyond the pages into films, amusement parks, memorabilia, music and so much more.
- Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Saga. She helped bring teenage sparkly vampires to the public which exploded onto the big screen and developed a cult following.
- Helen Fielding, creator of the oh so awesome Bridget Jones and master of chick lit. If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have seen the return of Colin Firth to his perfect role.
- Becca Fitzpatrick, author of the YA series, hush, hush. For those not familiar with her, the series is based on fallen angels. While she didn't strike it big like the others, she is a personal favourite because of her amazing writing skills.
- Jane Austen, author of... well all that is wonderful! Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Emma and many more. One of the world's most widely read authors, loved by many women. There are clubs and yearly events dedicated to her, film adaptations and author sequels in a variety of genres, including horrors.
- The Bronte Sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne) who wrote under the names - Currer, Ellis and Acton. They created such masterpieces as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
- Mary Anne Evans, who used the pen name George Eliot to ensure her works were taken seriously. Known for The Mill on the Floss, her books are well known for their realism.
- Pamela Lyndon Travers who wrote Mary Poppins. An amazing Australian authors who introduced us to the most wonderful nanny in the world and has us humming songs and dancing on chalk drawings.

Review: Stefan's Diaries v.4: The Ripper

Stefan's Diaries: The Ripper

Release Date: 5th January 2012 (Paperback)
Pages: 272
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Author: L.J. Smith
Source: Bought
Purchase book: Amazon UK

Goodreads:
Haunted by the past . . .

The year is 1888, and the scent of blood lingers heavy in the London air. Stefan Salvatore thought he could escape his violent origins by settling in the peaceful countryside of England, but when a heinous murderer named Jack the Ripper surfaces, Stefan fears darkness will always follow him. Drawn into the investigation, Stefan assumes the worst: This is the work of a vampire. And the more he learns, the more he becomes convinced that the killer is someone close to him--and that he can never outrun his past.

Based on the popular CW TV show inspired by the bestselling novels, Stefan's Diaries reveals the truth about what really happened between Stefan, Damon, and Katherine--and how the Vampire Diaries love triangle began.

The Ripper is the 4th book in the Stefan's Diaries series. The book is written in the form of a diary, following Stefan's early days as a vampire as he tries to discover who he is now and how to deal with his new life, which is made difficult with his brother Damon tormenting him on all ends of the earth.

In this book, we see Stefan leave the US and try to start a life in England as a groundskeeper at Abbott Manor. After all the suffering in The Craving, Stefan finally thinks he is free and able to start a new life, make new friends and separate himself from the Salvatore name and vampires. Unfortunately for Stefan, when news of Count DeSangue (Damon's alias) in the society pages of the paper reaches him, he has no choice but to see what Damon is up to. To make matters worse, there is a "Ripper" running lose on the streets of London, killing women.

With Stefan's arrival in London, the line between human and vampire murderer becomes blurry. We are left to wonder if Jack the Ripper is involved or if a vampire is forgetting to cover his tracks. Stefan decides to investigate the murders and Damon's life and realises there is more to it than expected. There are new vampires with issues, holding a grudge against the Salvatore's, young human girls tangling themselves up in the story and a whole lot of action.

This is no longer a battle between brothers, but a fight to survive against new dark forces to stay alive.

Cover:
Slightly different than the first 3 books in the series. Where the first 3 had a warm tone, the new book has a cold filter, sending off a menacing look, giving readers a heads up that the new books will more action than before!

Final Comments:
After reading the first three books in the series, I wasn't too pleased with where it was going, however, I loved this book. Stefan finally grows up and learns to fight, no longer the whimp we have been following in the past. While we don't see any romance, the action in the book makes up for it. It had me on my toes for most of the book, wanting to know what happens next. The ghost writer has definitely made it up to me with this book. As expected, it ends on a cliffhanger, but that just makes you race to the store to buy the next book! Highly recommend this to TVD fans.

Rating:

Movie Monday: P.S. I Love You

I am trying something new this year and joining in on Steph's Stacks Movie Monday meme! I am a big movie buff and love seeing great books on the big screen.

My first featured film is one of my favourite P.S. I Love You. The book was first written by Cecelia Ahern in 1994 and turned into a film in 2007. The film itself was a hit and starred Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. While the book itself was a hit, I adore the film, the soundtrack and the cast. There were some minor changes in the film, but if you ask me, they did the book no harm. One example is the letters - In the book, Gerry's letters are given to Holly all at once with the note to read one a month. In the movie, it was more dramatic and Holly would receive a letter in random places. A bit of a tearjerker at times, nevertheless a wonderful book and film.

The Book

Goodreads:
A novel about holding on, letting go, and learning to love again.

Holly couldn't live without her husband Gerry, until the day she had to. They were the kind of young couple who could finish each other's sentences. When Gerry succumbs to a terminal illness and dies, 30-year-old Holly is set adrift, unable to pick up the pieces. But with the help of a series of letters her husband left her before he died and a little nudging from an eccentric assortment of family and friends, she learns to laugh, overcome her fears, and discover a world she never knew existed.

The kind of enchanting novel with cross-generational appeal that comes along once in a great while, PS, I Love You is a captivating love letter to the world!


"Finding someone you love and who loves you back is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. But finding a true soul mate is an even better feeling. A soul mate is one who understands you like no other, loves you like no other, will be there for you forever, no matter what. They say that nothing lasts forever, but I am a firm believer in the fact that for some, love lives on even after we're gone."

The Movie

IMDB:
Release date: UK 4 January 2008/ US 21 December 2007
Director: Richard LaGravenese
Writers: Richard LaGravenese (screenplay), Steven Rogers (screenplay), Cecelia Ahern (novel)
Stars: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler and Harry Connick Jr

Holly Kennedy is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life - a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry. So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it's a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake, and to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to tell her to get out and "celebrate herself". In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You. Holly's mother and best friends begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past...

Trailer



Extra: Music Clip from film - Gerard Butler singing

Feature and Follow Friday (2)

A bit slow this week on the reviews as my current book is taking so long to read, so here is another Follow Friday! For those of you not familiar with it, Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where you can meet new bloggers and gain more followers! The fun part of it is the random questions! Here we go!

Q. What book would you love to see made into a movie or television show and do you have actors/actresses in mind to play the main characters?

A brilliant question as this is something I always think about. There are so many books I would love to see on the big screen. I guess I am going to have to go with one of my favourites, the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. I haven't seen a decent fallen angels series on tv or film, so it would be great to have a new genre to the mix.

Now picking the actors is a huge task, so here are my choices for Patch and Nora. I am a huge fan of Ian Somerhalder in the Vampire Diaries, but I think he would be perfect as Patch. I chose Emma Roberts for Nora as people underestimate her. She is gorgeous, young and a great actress.

What are your choices for Patch and Nora?

Remember, My awesome giveaway is still running! I have hit my goal of 100 which is very exciting! Thanks to all the new followers for helping me along. Have a superb weekend!