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!
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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."
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.
