Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Book Post For Cats...

Please be warned: there's less of a LOL factor in today's Cat Thursday... You will not find yourself falling off a chair, or any such consequence of LOLing. I don't know if you have actually giggled in one of these before, but if you'd like to try it there's many in the meme tag here... feel free to browse.

 Thanks for hosting Michelle @ The True Book Addict! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
This is my fourth Cat Thursday; thanks for having me again!

Book post does benefit cats, as Caleb found out when a parcel from Fi (in case her blog needs introduction, probably not) arrived.

At first, I read the letter. And did one of the things Fi instructed me to. Said hi to Caleb...

His reaction:

Where Are The Books? Book Haul: Small 'Un.

Considering how long its been, how many books would you think I'd have got?
You know, 2 months, major book lover... What's your guess? Feel free to comment/tweet me your guess & how it compares ;)

This meme is run by Tynga's Reviews.

Entertainworm: How To Be The Best Townie You Can Be... (Mafia!)

This is just my own personal way- the way I play Asti (and now Kelley's) The Bookish Games- hosted at ohthebooks.com
. Even though it definitely doesn't guarantee you success (there's too many factors in Mafia etc.), it can make the game more fun & you know you're participated like a good player. Even if you don't win, there's still pride and you may win an award, not for winning, but for being your fantabulous self? I mean, you can talk to the ones who did win for better advice but for now, you'll have to take my word for it.
This is a rather awesome way to play...

Asti recently posted a fab quiz to see what your chances of winning The Bookish Games are... I took it, but I found it was fairly complex & one blanket answer didn't necessarily describe my actions. So I want to share my thoughts with you. I'm such a team player, like that. Won't you be a good townie too?

1. What's your strategy for Day One of the Bookish Games?

‘Keep tabs on everyone. I didn’t make that spreadsheet for nothing, right?’ Let me delve into this a bit more. Its not just my strategy in Day One, its a game long thing. Day One is one of the hardest to go off & normally an Innocent will be eliminated but it doesn't mean you shouldn't act. It later can make you suspicious. At least try & share suspicions. People, when they have more evidence at later days, should (ideally) be able to look at who defended who, even as early as that, and they are the clues. Nobody, apart from the mafia, knew anything.

2. Someone has accused you of being a baddie! How do you respond?

Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Photographic Black Cat :P

Will Caleb be sharing the blog with other cats today? Or am I allowing my cat who has been lonely (missing coming on here, you see) to have this feature all to himself? Either way, I hope you're happy that a) this is a Thursday (and you may be on holiday like us English teens on half-term) b) there's cats here.
I may have mentioned Fi almost every time I've posted this month but she reminded me about the time I'd normally post a Cat Thursday (somebody notices my unsaid pattern the time I can't keep to it perhaps?)... that's around the second Thursday BUT no... Today is the last Thursday & I feel like you also deserve to see gorgeous, cute cat(s?)... Even one cat might do :P

 Thanks for hosting Michelle @ The True Book Addict! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
This is my fourth Cat Thursday; thanks for having me again!

"Hey, I'm not looking at the camera because... Why should I? You've been ignoring me for a few weeks over what you're allowed. I'm just going to pretend there's not a camera a few inches from my face!"
"OK, maybe I'll look at you but close my eyes! Hey, are you gonna poke me? FINE! I give in, I'll be in your post... I mean, I really did want to. All you had to do was be nice. Give me compliments like your friends do... Cats & books are such a good mix, aren't they?"

Marvel Madness: Females I Love

Hellooo-
OK, just to be clear (instead of continuing with a Marcus Butler like welcome). Females are often awesome & I love this, but there's some who are way more kickass than normal in fiction (in real life, there's not as many opportunities to be kick-ass; at least not in my life experience!). Some of these awesome females are in Marvel.
This post is no way saying females aren't normally or they only exist in Marvel. I'm a female, I'm not underestimating GIRL POWER. I'm not surprised they exist as they do in real life & as females are almost half of the human population... Yeah, we've got this covered.
Do you see tropes appearing though? Damsels in distress, love before all else, flimsy females? You know the kind of thing; making us seem less strong than our male counterparts mentally as well as physically! This is rare in SHIELD & other Marvel shows/comics I know/read (I mainly watch, sorry!)

Top Ten Books About Friendship

Firstly, I'm back (I guess? It's hard to tell in this... situation). Secondly, sorry that this post involves 3 books with main characters called Alex (but they're all different genders so...). Thirdly, yes... some books were mentioned in my last TTT (I guess I loved them). Oh, and I'm actually encouraging myself to post this as it was a month since that TTT & I've only posted one review since *hides* Unless you liked that review & aren't mad at me?
Talking of reviews, besides #1, these books/series I haven't reviewed which means I'm glad I've got to feature them now & I hope, if you pick up any of the books on this list, that you enjoy them.

Either way, for those who are interested in this list, without further ado:

hosted by The Broke And The Bookish...
Top Ten Books About Friendship
clicking on the book covers should direct you to its Goodreads page if all went right...

1. Perks Of Being A Wallflower- This is the only book/series here I’ve actually properly reviewed (it was my first review) & it blows you away. The friendship, too. Rocky Horror... Patrick, Sam, Charlie... even Mary Elizabeth. This book is a must-read & for friendship... it gets gold stars on that, too. READ IT. 
   
   
   

Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different

Obviously, not all characters are the same but there are some traits which occur time & time again while others pop up less often. I wanted to feature characters who either have different traits or just act different, anyway, which is what we love. I tend to find characters like these ones mentioned are ones which stick in my mind better anyway- I respect them & connect with them more. IF you’re an author, can I please encourage you to write characters who aren’t clichés? Ones with diversity, it won’t hurt!
After a misbehaved hiatus (nobody actually asked to see some of the posts I hinted I wouldn’t mind doing so I decided I’d stay away longer til’ I had better posts- I didn’t have to come up with ideas though thanks to the fantastic meme by The Broke And The Bookish)... Oh, I did also want to see if any of you would hold me to it & whether I'd have an increase in views on the Monday with people thinking I was back but actually it was the lowest for more than a week, so forget that!... Wishful thinking ;) I guess I've got a lot to gain from The Blog Notes Project by Amber #3 (you'll get it later on).

Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different 

For once I actually managed to think of 10 (actually, I considered 2 others but they weren’t as awesome, clearly, in the battle of the characters XD)

1. Zeb from Secrets, Lies and Locker 62– This character just sticks in my head and its for a reason. This book actually shows religious diversity and outward appearance diversity. So, Zeb might seem really out about being different at school, with her gothic get-up but she’s a deep character & she’s definitely worth a mention (another! After the 2013 End Of Year Survey- q 11)

Entertainworm: Bookish TMI tag

Recently, I was tagged to answer many, many questions which were created by Amber, booktuber and blogger (here!) and passed on to me- as a form of... torture?- by Orli @ Blame My Bookshelf. What actually reminded me that I needed to blog this on Monday was watching Jim Chapman's too much information... I know it's different (this is the bookish one) so I just need to clarify that but whatever... happy reading millions of things about me.

How old are you?
It takes hands and feet... don't have enough fingers. I'm obviously not ten (I hope it's obvious!)

What books are you reading?
Well, it's not been a good week, if I'm honest... I continued being relaxed with Delirium and as of right now you'll see... I haven't read the other books I set out to read. Fail. But you know, I'll be relaxed in Germany with reading so will this month go to plan? At the moment though, I have 2 English CA's, only one of which I knew about then.

What are you wearing?
School uniform and a fluffy jumper over the top (it has spots & stuff). PRO.

OTP?
Hehe, if this stands for one true pairing... FitzSimmons (Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has returned but as of writing I'm waiting to see the new episode 'The Magical Place' after 3 months of no SHIELD)... or if you want books... No, that would be too, too much information. Why do I have more than one?

Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Selfies & Close-Ups

Caleb would like to say... I'M BACK! Cats are for life, not just for Thursday's, BTW. But really... there''s more books than cats (at least in my life).

 Thanks for hosting Michelle @ The True Book Addict! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
The last 'Cat Thursday', I was welcomed by cat lovers (meme participants) far & near... Thank you all so much for that <3 Love yoooooouuuuuuu! We both do, Caleb is clarifying.

Oh, but wait, is Caleb really that keen?

*peers under blanket* Do you want to come out? If not people will start thinking you're weird...

Entertainworm: WoW or WWW? (March new releases edition)

Both Wednesday meme's are featured today. I just couldn't pick so decided on this! Enjoy!...

WWW Wednesday's is hosted by Should Be Reading.

We just answer the following three (3) questions…
What are you currently reading? Well, I've read a bit of a Lauren Oliver's Delirium- but it's a re-read & with re-reads I can be quite relaxed about whether I'm actually reading them or not ;)
What did you recently finish reading?

Young, Gifted and Dead (St Jude's Academy, #1) (3.5*) | Teardrop (Teardrop, #1) (4*) | Half My Facebook Friends Are Ferrets (4*)- reviewed | Sweetly (4.5*) | Leopold Blue (3.5*) & The Disappeared (4.5*). 

Book haul (#8)

This is the indie edition as I think most of what I've downloaded recently has been indie... Having said that I've never actual participated in...

This meme is run by Tynga's Reviews.
This week I have stacked my shelves (quite literally).

Oh look! What's that? I'm getting a haul..
Mum took this as I was opening some- I was just looking at Curious Fox's goodies :)

But before I get into the parcels, these are from book swaps/gifts given at OUP by the bloggers there! Thanks Julianne for The Butterfly Tattoo, Kerrie for The Ghost & the Goth, Orli for Ketchup Clouds & Fiona for the Numbers Trilogy. I haven't read the top three so am looking forward to those :) ((I've linked to their blogs, not Twitters :P))

We also got books from OUP themselves at the event- you can see the beauties above! I got Who Framed Klaris Cliff signed, as well as my proof copy of Storm & Stone. I loved the event for many reasons (the books helped- especially for ice-breaking).

I got these books from a library sale at school. I'm not a huge fan (mainly of the noise levels in there) but these cost me 20p altogether and it was a chance I couldn't miss so I don't regret buying them! I bought more books but we'll get to that...

(Sorry it's a weird photo BTW- its just I don't want to show the library stickers & bits.)

Well, there's this new Sarra Manning which I won- thanks to Goodreads' First Reads Giveaway Program. Atom provided the book for the giveaway so thanks for that... It was a fantastic opportunity to receive it :)

Returning to the opening of the review books... TA-DA! Look, it;s the CF catalogue as well. I'm really looking forward to reading their May release Alex As Well. I also have shown you the sampler for The Ruby Airship (second book, Diamond Thief review here) as I'm looking forward to that in April, I believe :) They always have good books & send me such treasures...

Also can't wait to dig into Rachel Riley's The Time Of My Life which I received from OUP actually for review & as I'm part of (a bit of a spoiler) the blog tour soon! :P

But, now...

Last, but not least, the books I bought from The Works. Not quite for 10p each XD But still, quite good bargains! More good reads, YAY! (no pun intended). I hope you liked this haul... What do you think? It has been a month but it's still quite good. I'm not complaining...

Monologue Time: 2-in-1 Discussion (Professionalism & Commenting)

Hey, guys. Today I have a rant. Or, if you want to use the title terminology, a discussion post (I mention some discussions which I've had about these topics, not just give my own spin on things). You get to see who I'm responding to. But why?
You'll find out. Thank you for reading in advance :)

One of the only not-particularly-accurate GIFs I'll use EVER.
But I am happy to see you :D

Sometimes, as book bloggers who tweet, some of us here (the one writing this & maybe you, reader) have the imponderable joy of seeing posts mentioned in our feeds & then we talk about them... via Twitter. VERY good, that is. It also does mean though, we don’t necessarily get to say much about it. Tweets are short. You realize that, already. So, how much can you actually say? Not as much as in a post on your own. So that’s why I’m here, about a month later, addressing Fi’s wonderful post on professionalism, first & foremost. So, Kelsey (I believe?) @ Verbosity Reviews & Fi (the blogger in question) @ Books For Birds had that little chat. I think both of us found it rather thought provoking, enough to tweet about it...

TA-DA:

•   Amy Bookworm ‏ : @CrazyCrunchies If you want to look at posts that will make you feel better cos they're not professional, check mine. I like GIFs too much.
•  Professional reviews can often seem snobbier, by which I mean it's not as obvious what their opinion is & if they really <3 a book they're not getting that across as well as a ranty review, just saying.
•  Amy Bookworm ‏: @VerbosityRevws @CrazyCrunchies and she thought it was a rant. I've seen proper, caps-abusin' rants. Less ramble there, Fi.
•  VerbosityBookReviews ‏: @Amy_Bookworm @CrazyCrunchies Oh, not at all! I thought it was well written. I worry I veer towards too professional sometimes, though. That's just the way I talk, though. I've had people way older than me say I talk more maturely than they do...
• Amy Bookworm ‏ : @VerbosityRevws  I can be either… It's hard to explain. I do what comes naturally in that situation as it tells you my feelings & more… sense. If you think it didn't make sense but try & make it so different it actually loses meaning for you.
•   VerbosityBookReviews ‏: @Amy_Bookworm Yeah, I get that. Like, I feel like most of my posts are too professional, and then I have ones like ASDFGHJ *gif here.*
•   VerbosityBookReviews ‏: @CrazyCrunchies @Amy_Bookworm If it was ranty, I don't think it was a bad ranty. I thought it was really thought provoking, really.

I’ll get back to this discussion but one thing I need to mention first is about commenting & tweeting. I’ll give you this link to Lucy’s post which is another thought-provoking one, I tweeted about & commented on. You can find that for yourself as it’s more recent, if you’re interested. It made me want to thank the people who support me on twitter but more than that... On Twitter I thank a lot & I do a lot. It’s just so normal I’m not going to go there in this blog post. I said a fair bit in my comment at Lucy’s blog but what I will say is:
THANK YOU PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMENTED THIS YEAR. I’m doing this year cos otherwise it’s forever (or not, but... it’s what I said in Lucy’s so...). This year is a good sample, of nearly two months. If you haven’t commented this year, you may have commented another time & that’s fabulous. I’m still grateful but if you DO comment now or sometime soon then I know you’ve listened XD I’ll also be very happy & it’s good to see me happy, right?

So here goes — Comments so far this year:

(also only on posts published this year)

1. Zoe Crook (Bookhi) with 4 comments (thank you Zoe so much! You are an awesome blogger & I *thought* you were the one who commented most recently. I hope I’ve repaid at least some comments but that’s not what it’s all about. You’re a fantastic blogger & the fact you grace me with your time amazes me!)
2. WITH 2 COMMENTS EACH:  Georgia Walters (The Bibliomaniac)—who is awesome & I totally didn’t meant to drop a hint... I also think you give me more than I deserve but it brightens my day! You were who I mentioned Zoe to XD Our conversations are awesome, Twitter or blogger. Rita (Weaving Pages)—Technically they were on the same post though :P She stopped by in January so... eh... She knows there’s not much more I can say. What can I say? If you can think of something besides a BIG thankyou <3 & Katarina (the Kat) Alvarez— We didn’t really know each other but you’ve stopped by a few times so we’re getting there. The fact we aren't really familiar with each other made (and still does, even though I now recognize your name!) it even better & nicer than you’d stop by, leave a comment sometimes & brighten my day in those instances!
3. Danielle, Alecia Stone, Roberta R.,  bookgeeking, anaherareads, Karen, McGuffy Ann with 1 comment each also. Thanks all of you guys also! When I say “thanks” or whatever when you drop by, I really mean it. I’m SO grateful & if we haven’t talked a lot yet (I know it applies to a few) I’m sorry but here’s my gratitude *hands out massive cookies*

Right, now... Returning to the main topic here (now here comes the monologue), Fi's discussion.
I have more thoughts on this which I haven’t shared & need to be shared as, unlike with Lucy’s, I’m starting to think I have a different stance. Quite a difference stance. So, bearing in mind, my opinions are probably individual to me, maybe you’ll listen up... anyway.
There’s some things that strike me about the Professionalism post & the responses I recorded way up there ^^.
I’ve accepted the view that GIFs are less professional. Or have I? Is it just- they’re more modern? People say pictures are worth a thousand words so for a long time, they’ve been included. IN PUBLISHED WORKS. Newspapers. Books (think mainly kids, but NOT LIMITED to). Think about it: GIFs can’t be in newspapers or on paper. So, yes, they’re an online media but are they limited to Tumblr or can they be on blogs on other platforms more seriously or even on Tumblr, professionally?
I’m not a professional but just because I use GIFs doesn’t mean I should be taken less seriously. They aid my opinions. I use them when they add something. Sure, it lightens the mood. I do blogging for fun but I don’t want you to think my reviews aren’t deep or that they aren’t as good or professional as blogs with reviews just with words. They may come across more professional at first glance but are they better for it? Surely, we all get set out to review because we loved books & wanted to get our opinions across. I give credit it where its due: GIFs HELP THAT. Most of the time. For me, I use them when they help. Do they help you to pick up on my opinions. Actually seeing that reaction as it plays out, it’s priceless, right? Who’s with me? GIFs can be used in two ways (maybe more- I can think of these two & know which applies to me), in summary:
• Casually, just because it’s Tumblr or a tweet & it’s a good GIF.
• Ideally, where they are there because they’re accurate. They’re worth more than words & quickly get across your point.

GIFs are not used (at least here):
• Just for fangirling purposes. I have GIFs besides. Sure, it may help. But do I need a GIF to express fangirling? I can get beyond fangirling. Normally, I have thoughts besides those fangirly bits of reviews. I probably found bits bad, or unrealistic. Or really realistic. I don’t just find X (ie. Peeta) hot. That’d be sooo shallow.
• As I’m too lazy to type. My reviews still are quite long. Normally, about 400* words? Maybe more. As review lengths go, it’s not because I’m lazy. I’m gonna spew all my thoughts & when they’re done: CUT. That’s when. I’m not censoring bits (I’ve tried, eww) or thinking X, Y or Z is unimportant. To someone, it may be. Maybe my GIFs actually help to split the chunks up & make them look less daunting. That would be more accurate.
• As I’m a teenager. I think people associate it, like Tumblr, with teens & think we can’t stop ourselves so it’s irrelevant. We choose, like all people, what we want. It’s NOT irrelevant. As I said, in my example about books, maybe they’re more common for younger people but I know adults can like pictures too (maybe even GIFs).

Having said that, as a teen... Maybe I am less professional. But... society is changing. People still accept us. They have to. Teens read so much YA & are a good proportion of the book blogging community. I like to think we’re treated like equals a fair bit. I haven’t seen publishers ignoring bloggers as they’re teens or due to review content like GIFs.
Well, am I overthinking it? I’m definitely ranting & teaching Fi how it’s done. Public service ;)

I don’t really change my reviews that much. I mean, I sometimes think they’re [insert an unflattering word, possibly expletive, here]. But mainly when I compare to others really. My reviews are different. I know others use GIFs but I don’t actually see that many? Some part of me understands but I don’t want to change. I don’t always use GIFs. Not all reviews warrant that. Sometimes I can actually picture my reactions enough to find a GIF like that, anyway. Sometimes I think the length is too rambly- can I be succinct? Haven’t figured out so can’t change that without actually taking out key parts of my opinions. Reviews must be honest &... I can’t make them professional. I don’t think I can. My opinions aren’t reflected accurately if I put in restrictions or edit beyond spelling, grammar (which I think is debatable to some extent- I talk how I write & vice versa, most of the time I probably TALK with good grammar but maybe the red herring slips through?) & the important bits like that.

Maybe people find it an issue that I am writing like its a discussion (or a monologue, in many cases) but... I don’t even have an answer to that & I’ve been typing too long *nurses fingers* Yes, this is a rant so no, I'm caring less than I do in reviews about things like punctuation, clarity, structuring (I agree that's good for reviews, some structure). This post has been thought over, I hope it's clear. I do need to teach Fi how to rant though XD And any of you who aren't used to it. Jokes aside, this does have a point. One BIG PUNCH.

More like this. Yes, an accurate GIF. You get a GIF at the end too, so nice of me ;)

Wrapping up (cos there was a point to this post, you know): WRITE YOUR REVIEWS HOW YOU WANT TO. Reviews are already individual but I think its not just the words that matter, it’s how you say them, your opinions and (I honestly believe most of all) being true to yourself. Please don’t try & change any of your posts for others. Don’t try & be who you’re not. We do want to please our readers but they don’t dictate to us what we do. They’ll get past whatever they first didn’t particularly like if they matter & if they’re a true friend. I will not conform with just trying to write posts to get views, review copies, followers etc.

Do you agree? Will you dare to be different? What’s the cost for us?

Let Amy Bookworm & all others who are reading this (and hopefully commenters *I hope* will come) know your opinions! x (* this is about a thousand. Too late. You've read it all).

Reviewing... [52] Harry Potter Series got some 5*'s (mini-reviews)

Amy Bookworm rated HP3-5:

I wrote this & rated them in 2013. Whoop.

5*'s? Or some 5.5*'s. Or some, knock-all-the-books-off-the-shelves. Actually, the Harry Potter books live on the brother's shelves so it would be wrong to say that. No, they didn't really mess up my shelves but I was engrossed & I prioritized review copies only in the posting of those reviews first. I read these ages ago & reviewed 3 which I'm posting here. It was some personal achievement that I could review them, after thousands. I just wanted to.
You may care to hear my opinions as I kinda fangirled & you guys love to fangtirl & discuss books. Why don't we discuss eternal HP love, assuming you have some? Just say whatever you want to say or show me GIFs. GIFs *eyes light up*
Can you get a GIF for that? Let's seeeee...

MOVING ON...
No seriously, according to google images, this is eyes lighting up. NO, it's blinking.
Exaggerated blinking where her eyelids really do go up & then... BAM. Down.
NOT LIGHTING UP EYES THOUGH.
Conclusion: You can't. But people actually make blinking GIFs. To teach people how to blink.

It’s kinda harder than I predicted to review Harry Potter. Or at least, the whole series. What hasn’t been said? With any luck, what I’m about to say. These books are above reviews. Sure, reviews made a difference to them sometime. Probably. For the first few books. But surely, a lot of people have read them & don’t review? Yet, I was gonna be different. Hence why, for the first two, I thought outside the box. For a long time. I spent more time than was sensible thinking how I could write posts there’s a chance people would want to read. What did I come up with? Some nice posts.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone & Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ... See what I do for J.K. Rowling? Jokes, it's not for her. It may have lasted more time if she'd read them, don't ya think? IT LASTED TWO BOOKS.
Review was stretched. For no good reason. I just wanted to share my opinion & I was hoping people would listen. I’ve hit a dead end.
Almost all I want to say is: "MORE HARRY! I read some Harry Potter. I watched some Harry Potter. I love it. They’re amazing books. People should read them. Soon. Not like I did. But at least I did... eventually". I can turn such thoughts into mini-reviews (I hope).
So yeah, I decided, less creatively, to just discuss & go crazy and NOT bother with those posts I don't even think anyone read.

So here goes...
Which one was better of...?

BTW, do you prefer the old UK covers or the US covers? I'm not sure entirely, somehow we had the US kindle/audiobook editions so the cover was different to the paper books we had (some hardcover, some paperback FYI). But those ^^ are the original UK editions & I dunno... I feel like posting those ones. A tiny part of me prefers their realism. The US? Some part of me doesn't although they automatically pop up on the GR.

Back to books.
Reviewing... [52] 3,4&5. I think Prisoner Of Azkaban is the best, out of the first four. Compared to 1&2 as well. They have the BEST Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher in this book. C’mon, who doesn’t love a werewolf who knows his stuff in a not particularly geeky way? He’s nice too! Lupin is just awesome!
The generosity with chocolate really helps. He’s a new character. Unlike, just about everyone else. Harry... Well, he blows up certain people. I wonder what Hermione would have said if he'd have targeted Crookshanks? Anyway, he didn’t get in that much trouble! I have no doubt if he had targeted that (not so innocent) cat, however...
This book puts a little more weight on friendship & personally, I find I'm invested in several people's story, not just Harry's. For starters, I was dying to know how Hermione was managing such a stuffed timetable! But typical her... I also got to know & feel for Neville even more now... Harry is just so damn lucky. And Ron, he’s not as lucky really... He’s still loveable & gets away with almost as much as the scarred buddy of his.
This was the better than the first two as drama wasn't entirely left to the end in the same extreme! I found it crazily hooking... also, Dementor swag! :D Enough said about Book 3 now, right?

I have to review the next two as well.

Book 4 was just... amazing, as well. I don’t think anybody could mark it with the flaws I’ve thought applied to Book 1 & 2. Drama was seen throughout. Fantastic character development and a lot more... Voldermort. I think he’s stopped caring about Harry’s education. Once again, though, Harry & exams don’t happen. Why can’t normal children get to skip them, too? Obviously, Hogwarts’ students are supposed to be getting on with other competitors & students from other schools. There’s the French lot whose headmistress seems big-boned... maybe even bigger than Hagrid! And there’s also the bad-seeming lot who would probably join Voldermort the first chance they got. Apart from the fact there Headmaster is such a traitor & almost everyone hates him. Yeah, Durmstrang aren’t the most likeable... Ask Hermione though and...
Once again, poor Ron, anyway. I’m seriously in love with him (but not like he’s a book boyfriend, I just love all the characters... especially my lovely Hufflepuffs, like Cedric... I literally. Nope, not gonna even go there. But I promise you, you’ll root for him too. He’s less perfect than Harry but that makes him *whispers* better.), and the story. I hate some of the events but I don’t think it can be changed. The book wouldn’t be as powerful, either. I’ve started to really be enchanted by Rowling’s writing. It’s like the best prose. Or one of them. I know in some ways it's simple & not the most YA-suitable (not normal) but it grabs you with its detail &... its event.
I think Lupin could possibly (but won’t, curses!) be invited back. If I become headmistress he’s back on the staff. Whether the Malfoy madder-than-mad-eye Crew kick up a fuss or not. Draco would be better at Durmstrang, anyway. I somehow hate his family even more. I’ve always hated them a lot. I mean, what’s there deal with the Weasley’s? They’re a MUCH BETTER family.
There’s so much adventure in this epic sequel to 3 other Harry Potter books ;) Now, get your butterbeer brewing & sit down with the books. NOW. Pick them up. Read them. Adore them. Fangirling also recommended is what I say ;) *hint* Tissues, too? *sobs dramatically*

BUT I must...
tell you about...
what I think about...

Before I start, can I just mention how Books 1-4 were a lot easier to lug around that the largest of the lot... Order Of The Phoenix.

 I already loved Phoenixes, I mean I’m not entirely sure I’d trade Caleb for one but can’t I have a mythical pet and a cat? I mean, c’mon. What wouldn’t be to like with that? Fine. If you won’t allow me that, put a bumper size pack of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans AND all the chocolate frogs in with Fawkes’ arrival package. *regretfully hands over Caleb* I still think he’s a better cat than Crookshanks, so maybe Hermione wants him? *sobs again* BTW, you’ll be sobbing if you continue reading & don’t expect spoilers. I’ve already mentioned heaps of stuff. It should be common knowledge but well... Let me off. It’s HARRY FRICKIN’ POTTER which I eventually read.

Do I need to tell you how deep my love for Harry Potter has now become? I mean, now adventure is like year round. The things that Harry experiences, it’s a mixed cauldron. If he had to make a potion with his life, it would look so good even Snape couldn’t complain.
WHO IS A DEATHEATER. Yeah, even Snape who is- kind of. He eats death... Nope, still don't understand that name. It wouldn't be my choice but what would I call them? Dementors is a much cooler word. In this book, we can call him that. And traitor. Let me not really like him now. Why be a double agent? Some people think he's the BEST. Snape, your favourite character? You must really hate Harry. Their arguments, ALL the time. I get a little bad of that but that's all...
These characters are some of the most developed, dynamic characters to hit the pages EVER. I suppose there’s not many 7-book series. I’m loving seeing them grow up & the books change. Really, lots of authors have kinda, probably, learnt from J.K. Rowling & if not she’s the one who did it first. A YA book which was a hit with interesting, changing characters who are really tangible (well, almost that realistic. There is the wizarding bit...). It really makes me have some kind of reverend awe to these books & who wouldn’t respect J.K. Rowling? 90% of people probably love Harry Potter & its one of the only books where I have no qualms in saying: it deserves the hype. So I shall leave it there, if I may. It deserves it.

NOW: your turn.
Does Harry Potter not deserve discussion? Look into my eyes... Looking into them? Yes, they're telling you to... 3-2-1. COMMENT! :D

Teaser Tuesday ~ Twist added (lots of books :P)

Why is there a twist? Good question.

No, it's not cats. Though you see them here some Thursdays (like the last one). I just like cats...
(Disclaimer: not my cat, google images said this base cat image was labelled for reuse with modifications).

Oh. Wait :P (she said like it was a total accident, obviously not me just being tricky)... Have I explained Teaser Tuesday game's aim (for those of you who don't know)?

...Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! It can let people know what you're reading, generally...

You get a book, open to a random page and you must share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, while being CAREFUL not to include spoilers (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Hopefully I won't spoil these books for myself while I do this experiment... :P I'm doing it for the book I'm reading at the time of writing which also ties into the twist...

A BOOK HAUL!

With thanks to Hawwa for being a host for this:

'Doorstep Delights'is hosted by Hawwa  @ itwaslovelyreadingyou. 
Thanks also girl for only eating your own books. Much appreciated :P

I decided although this is like a month haul & only 4 books (only fiction) it was cool to do now... I always get ebooks & rarely show ebook hauls as do you know you can have lots & it doesn't involve hauling any more than this kindle which is light & all, but can still carry lots of books.

author: Lucy Carver

Ugh. Rant over. Giving teasers is different for ebooks too...

The one I'm actually reading is Young, Gifted & Dead which is a book with a lot of mystery, as she has a photographic memory it's a bit repetitive so I'm not actually spoiling anything by giving you:
'What you told me earlier about the  pathologist's follow-up report is what's keeping me awake'.
'And anyway he didn't want to know. "Why should he?" Lily asked.'
Both are parts of dialogue on page 92, which is incidentally close to page 99 (love those) & give reference to other things which still have some mystery to me- slightly less pages in- but will be even more mysterious to you.
I got this book for Christmas from the lovely brother (though I got it & he paid for it XD) What do you think of Lucy Carver's YG&D passage? :P

The first to arrive is actually a sampler but as it's released this month & I'm hoping to get the real book soon (maybe by time this posts I will?) I thought I'd mention...

Curious Fox's (thanks!)
author: J.A. Buckle
Jackie the tweep

This may have involved a teensy tiny bit of trying to get kind of late on in the sampler so it's more accurate picture of a 200ish-page book. Page 43:
1) "If I don't get a girlfriend soon (number one on the list) I may have to resort to drastic measures like surgery (me) or hypnosis (them)."
2) "He needs my graphical skills on Photoshop so he can get a flattering picture for Facebook."
Hmm... That's all I'll say :P With a little giggle there too, possibly.
As you can guess, it mentions ferrets & Facebook. It wouldn't be called 'Half My Facebook Friends Are Ferrets' for nothing, you know.
These quotes are from the sampler, please take this into consideration.

author: Rosie Rowell
Thanks Hot Key Books... you were
my first piece of post in '14!

Next up, although I have the proof (which I won this month) I made sure I could be using quotes from the real 'Leopold Blue' book as it's now published. Basically, yes, I like this as it's sounds awesome but also educational. In fact, Humanities & English have both covered Apartheid & that, plus racism, is something I feel strongly about. The fact this is a modern book set in a historical setting adds something to it, makes it refreshing (I assume) & different to other texts dealing with these issues. I can't wait to read it... Proof wise, I managed to open up at page 48 buuutt here's the official sentences;
'Its racing heartbeat pulsed into my carefully closed hand and up my arm'. From Leopold Blue (Kindle Locations 702-703).
' ‘What's the matter with you?’ asked Elmarie halfway through Afrikaans. ' (Kindle Location 712).

I received Teardrop from Chrissie, once my co-blogger over at the blog @OnceUponASeries, she can still be found there sometimes, when she's reading her Adult etc. I enjoyed, when there was YA featured there, having some input but now I'm sitting here, lonely, but not...

author: Lauren Kate.
Thanks all :)

I'm with books & Teardrop is from her so we can both review it <3 RHCP gets original credit for sending this our way! Thanks for that Chrissie! *mwah*
Page 23 has been picked~ it's also in the kindle sample (huh, coincidence, or not). I wasn't taking risks, I had a feeling spoilers could be... found. Later.
'She thought of it often when she was in a situation she needed to get out of.' (Teardrop Trilogy Book 1) (Kindle Location 304). 
“... 'She said the rest of the family engages in ‘eggshell walking’ around you, that you’re ‘reclusive and impatient’ with your half siblings.” ' (Teardrop Trilogy Book 1) (Kindle Locations 309-310).

Maybe you like these quotations too?

That's the end of teasing you with books I've received recently. Which ones are your favourites & would you be interested in, perhaps, some Page 99 Tests? :P Take your vote now of which one I should read & which I should do a page 99 test on, if you so like. Just leave a comment below & then... happy reading all! If you've read any of them, I could look at your reviews (hopefully) also.

~Amy Bookworm

Entertainworm presents... Cat Thursday: Christmas Edition

{If you have trouble seeing this with my layout I can only recommend using this, or a RSS with black text on white. I hope this only affects the minority, personally I know it varies with each pair of eyes! Don't worry, if you care to comment, that is black on white. Just a heads up for visual purposes. Don't bother if you weren't bothered already & just keep reading here~}

Caleb strikes again... He's treating you like his mice ;) Hope you don't mind! It is a Thursday so that (can & shall once in a blue moon) mean...

I totally admire Michelle @ The True Book Addict, she's created a meme for the love of cats... Thanks for hosting Michelle! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). 
For me, it's often when my cat temporarily becomes my co-blogger. We can only handle it every so often though!
The last 'Cat Thursday', I was welcomed by cat lovers (meme participants) far & near... Thank you all so much for that <3 Love yoooooouuuuuuu! We both do, Caleb is clarifying.

I was going to do this to document some change but Caleb... change? Maybe for a day but then he's back to being cheeky, kinda noisy and you know... probably a typical cat, as far as there's such a thing. His photographicness is not making leaps & bounds. I have a theory: cats change when they lose one of their nine lives. For cats, near-misses with death are a must to see permenant change. Caleb experienced one when we was about six months old - he got hit by a car but recovered after about a month of being in a cage while his pelvis healed. It was sad but he braved it & after that he's totally an indoor cat. Cars, he has learnt, are dangerous. People, he has learnt, are awesome.

Nooo, there's not a camera there. I spy places where books can be stored. Even if there was a camera here (I don't think there is), it's not like I'd notice it. Cameras? Near books? Nooooo.

I swear, that's rare for him. He's a bit like this cute cat (just not saavy enough to take a kitten selfie). BTW, why not cameras near books? Taking pictures of books... That's this blog more than a cat's kingdom.

He would just sit there, like... I'm waiting for you to realize how cute I am!
Take a photo! But what cats actually wait for their human? Some do it themselves.
 This cat probably actually clicked the button to take the photo. Selfie, I tell you.

Caleb doesn't think this is him striking enough, "Amy, do you mind? You're talking about cats & you should know I'm the only cat by now. That's why of the two cats you once had I'm the one still here. She left. Of course, it was an accident I said, 'She loves me more'. You did though, you loved on me'"
"You were in a cage, Caleb. And it took a while for her to actually adopt new owners, or rather their cat food!"
"Hmm... you love me more." (Well, obviously now, he's our cat. Our one little baby with paws.)

He shall return with cuteness & his commentary (again). When it's a picture of him, I can't shut him up. Other cats? Well... to say he acted "coldly"...

Amy said coldly, I'd say, godly. Like royalty. Are the people in Twilight Vampire Royalty? As cats have fangs too, you may have heard of 'Twilight: Cat Edition'. Here's me posing for the cover of that (improved) book. If you like cats, like Pusheen, then you will like it. BTW, this isn't the final version. I apologize for the fact that my human's arm & fur is in this too. She shall work on having an invisible arm, or photoshop will work it out. Her fur-colour is similar to sofa colour, not as fussed about that. BTW, have you noticed how humans like to use that as a toy? It just dangles in front of us. Their reaction when you try to catch in their claws... It's like they're annoyed. Shouldn't have a toy attached to their head. Cats don't. ~KING CALEB (of Twilight cats).*

Maybe now he's a vampire that means he's lost a life as he changes...? 7 lives, Mr Bookworm. Use them wisely, young cat. I'm starting to realize how cats & vampires are alike in that respect. Cat with 9 lives could confuse Twilight (cat one, respectfully, it's made up) dramatically.

Vote for Caleb as a Cullen! He's fed up of being with us bookworms. Ta-ta for now!

*using a 3D jigsaw puzzle that took this human a few hours to construct when it was wrapped up in "Amy's presents" for Christmas, nobody finds them that easy, right? Not taking it apart now. NEVER.

Best wishes all! Hope you're having, and will have, a good week! I'm sorry I haven't been here past week... School, eh? You should be seeing me soon but you know I'm trying to take out the stress of blogging stress.

Amy Bookworm :)

The End of Year Book Survey ~ Part 1.

A survey, created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner Blog (here's her post!), that I heard about thanks to two lovely Twitter friends. Gee is... linked below the image (she is to thank for that lovely pic!). If I haven't mentioned her here yet, I'm sorry (I should've, since she's awesome & bookish... perhaps we're twins? LOL). You've all met Rita*, hundreds of time, but anyway, her blog post @ Weaving Pages will appear tomorrow (and she's a reindeer at the minute, of writing this, anyway)... even though she was the one that told me about it. I was considering doing it after her to link to her but really... I may as well post it today, there is time (at least Part 1)! There are 3 parts so more will follow... OK?

*Maybe if you follow her via Twitter you won't forget to check out her survey? Go for it! 

This banner has been edited by myself from the images Georgia, name appears on banner you can see, used on her End Of Year Book Survey here, with permission. Thanks Georgia for allowing me to use them & everyone else... you've checked out hers too, right? It was up before mine so you should.

1. Best book you read in 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre) 

This is gonna be so hard, no matter which way you slice it. Declare me a cheater, I don’t care.

•                                   A Series Everybody Recommends To You (but you hadn’t read cos, what if you don’t like it?) was predictably either loved or hated. 
Yes, I loved the Harry Potter Series & would probably say Book 3 is my favourite just as it’s the one that stuck in my mind best & gave me a good feeling ;) Most of the series were 5* to be fair, though. Just... awesome.

•                               Modern fantasy-action type book I won an ARC for is... Noble Conflict & I really thought it excelled. I’ve read lots by Blackman but this was the one I really empathized with & understood why she’s so famous & liked as an author. Yup, 5* for this! 
•                     A book dealing with a sensitive topic (which I’m not going to disclose) which I really got into & also rated 5 fabulous stars... is What’s Up With Jody Barton? ... although, another 5* contemporary was a very close call, I tell ya! But this one wins the gasp-worthy awards so... ta-da! 
~

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?  

Umm... There’s only two or three & as it said ‘Book’, a noteable one I read recently is After Tomorrow. It was just plain... It’s a dystopia that just didn’t really stick with me or mean a lot to me... sadly!

~

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

 You see, I saw this & favourites above & I was like... which one of Cruel Summer & WUWJB was more suprising, which one was more favourite (even though you can’t really compare them, they’re in categories). And to be honest- Cruel Summer made me cry. It’s an amazing book & I’d list it as favourites if I didn’t have to put one in surprising. They’re the shockers! If you’ve read Cruel Summer, you’ll know why. Emotional crime mystery just doesn’t do it justice. I reviewed it, thus.
~

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013? 

I didn’t recommend that much, but I always try & recommend self-published as I know it probably makes more of a difference to them (unless the book blogger then asks for a review copy which makes me facepalm a bit but if the author wants to give them...) so it’s probably Reaper’s Rhythm or Fire (but I didn’t like the sequel as much!) But if I really love other books (like above) I totally recommend them too... but you already guessed that, right? 
~

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

I continued more series than discovered. Even Harry Potter, I really didn’t discover this year & I read all 7 this year! Other ones I started but only read a book or two of, but all of that out of the consideration- there’s still several to pick from- it’s Sharon Sant’s Sky Song Trilogy. It’s totally a series you should buy.
~

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

{After just using Sharon... haha, she knows I love her} definitely Jaimie Admans. I devoured several of her books so she deserves it. But can I point out how awesome it was meeting Chelsea Flood? I mean... seriously. C.J. Flood’s Infinite Sky is awesome & I hate to put her as a second, it’s close really! Just release more books, lovely XD
~

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

It sounds odd but not many are out of my comfort zone in YAs. I don’t like too dark but I think everything I read wasn’t too dark, even if some were darker than I first anticipated (like Trust Me, by Malorie Blackman) but the ones that were out of my comfort zones were adult? Umm... Bridget Jones? This is a hard question!
~

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

I didn’t read any in one day :’( I’m just gonna say Black Heart Fa9b5c though. It was awesome.
~

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Seeking Crystal. Only as it was at the start, I may re-read the other ones & I shall re-read them because... Hopefully the fourth book is coming soon... by that I mean 2014 12;)  
~

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

This one stands out... I saw loads of lovely covers, maybe ones that belonged to different editions of books I read but The Lost Girl cover is lovely, even if it seems quite simple...



11. Most memorable character in 2013?

Zeb. Even though she isn't the main character when I was flicking through my Goodreads Challenge to see the books that I'd read & trying to remember characters & decide which ones was memorable she actually just popped straight into my head as soon as I saw Secrets, Lies & Locker 62 so... easy winner! She's awesome, just you see.
~

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Like I can remember that & that is mainly up to opinion... So sorry to leave one question unanswered but it's not really applicable (more like, see: possible to answer).
~

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

Probably She Is Not Invisible ... it was very thought-provoking, especially about how blind people perceive the world :P
~

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Harry Potter 1... cos it set it all off... 
~

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?

“Being amongst rough lives and confusion does not make you less, it only makes your beauty shine out more clearly.”
― Sharon Sant, The Jackie Chan Fan Club~

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

The shortest is as above, it was a novella I didn't count in my challenge, and  longest... longest Harry Potter book I bet ;)
~

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? Be careful of spoilers!

A scene I had to talk with Jack @ The Book Stop & Georgia @ Books And Writers JNR on Twitter, as they'd read it, is one of the last ones in Cruel Summer.
~

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013

Roxy & Brae from Fire & Water (Elements of Power series). I ended up choosing that ship & although it was hard, I'm 90% sure it's cuter, better & the one I support. They better actually y'know... kiss. Get together. Aww ;)
~

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I've read tons of books by Chris Higgins is my past & A Perfect 10... it's just really good also.
~

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

N/A also (sorry again!)
~

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

UKYA ;) OK, that's cheating as I already knew more than 90% would be. It's either fantasy or contemporary because I read a lot of both. Some books even were like modern fantasy contemporaries things... Just elements of both or whatever! I love both genres & read a lot of them... :D
~

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

I can't even have him, of all my new ones & he's the one I can't have as he doesn't have emotions like us... Bloomin' Matthew! Why did Clare have to make him attractive, cute & just so completely epic if we can't have him, not even Kim? *gasps* There better be some loophole. But yeah, Matthew's from Reaper's Rhythm. Wow, I really like him, eh?
~

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

Why even ask this? How many people had to answer this & more to the point, who found they could answer truthfully & accurately? Probably Red Rock though. Curious Fox have introduced me to lots of debut authors & guess who's my favourite? Probably Kate Kelly's Red Rock! She's an awesome new gem in the world of publishing & wrote a Cli-Fi, which I'd never read before so...
~

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Infinite Sky, definitely. Funny thing: at first I found this question hard & then I was like... Wow, how did I almost forget? One cannot consider other ones when Infinite Sky is just... mindblowingly epic, especially in the imagery of Summer & those cornfields... It makes me want to go back & swim through to find that perfectness.
~

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

I'd probably have to say North Pole Reform School... it's just one of those books which is mainly funny so it's great & fun to read, especially as it has been balanced with sad stuff too; it's not all just a joke even though the world in the North Pole (haha, almost an utter pun there!) is mainly fun to read!
~

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

I've mentioned that dreaded-but-awesome-OK-I-just-love-it book. No, I really hate Cruel Summer for being so sad & making me cry. James Dawson: King of ripping out hearts. I told him that at the time too. Being mean to your characters is NOT cool. How can you do that? Oh my gosh, it does make for a great book though!
~

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

I think it's fair to say The Truth about Celia Frost by Paula Rawthorne because, to some extent, I think I'd seen it before & not realized the potential it could have. It blew me away though & that book... it's just 50 shades of awesome. It turned out good & you should not overlook it. It's totally a thriller & it will probably send you reeling too...