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?

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!)

I'm In Germany! ...A Hiatus Announcement

Hello friends, readers (hopefully you’re both... if not make it that way XD)!
As you read this I’m in Germany, on an exchange so I’m not blogging with you this week. This is just a quick post I wrote so you know- for once- about my blogging break. This one is planned & probably the best type (and could even be a bit productive, wouldn’t you be amazed!)

I won’t stay in Germany, I promise. Not even if the chocolate’s better than books (now, what?). Not even if I love it enough to forfeit school. NOPE.
I wouldn’t be allowed.
So, I’m hoping to be on hiatus for a bit when I get back at the weekend (you should see me tweet at that point though!), until the second week of my Easter holidays, so all in all three weeks. This helps me to enjoy Germany & then my holiday. I will need to catch up on school work that I miss; I want to fit in some reading & blogging also but it would be best if any I get done is extra & can be scheduled in my opinion. *fingers crossed* some posts get scheduled or you’ll have me on the 14th sitting there at like half 8 trying to write a post before Australia goes to sleep ;)
So, no, I’m not just having a break- like I have before- due to blogging slumps. Those I always feel bad about but this one... do you feel bad about it? I feel a little bad, but not in the way where it’s out of panic. I feel bad as I know I’ll miss you... even though lots of you read my blog sporadically, don’t lie :P Hehe, only joking.
Anyway, back to the Twitter point, tweeting you when I’m back in England will be super important. You want me to have some sanity left, don’t you?
I think as bloggers we all take blogging breaks, it's a need & sometimes a want... right? What’s your view? Do you agree?

There are some posts I hope to post during the hiatus:
April Releases
and...
A Post About Germany & Catching Up (probably be a bit like a recap with other things I missed in the blogosphere but then found when I returned, have photos & maybe thoughts on TV I caught up on :P)

Would you like that latter post if I did it? Both of these will be in April- if people want them- so... return in April why don't cha?

Love you all,

Non-MIA Amy Bookworm :D

Amy Bookworm's 2014 so far...

Spring has now apparently started! So, we must think about what I did in Winter (but not last year)... England's Winter that is, not to confuse Ozzie's or whoever else...

But there was no snow... NO SNOW.

Readingwise, let's just head straight into the deep end (but we can sit on a floating lounger if you like, so we can actually sit there reading!)... February was actual a better month. I don't know why but it being such a small month makes me want to read just as much in less time. So I did. Also, it was half term & I read 3 other mini-books during that which I didn't post on GR... they're old ladybird souvenir's which between them are only 150 pages XD Aside from those...
12 books so far this year. 7 were UKYA (I said I'd be more relaxed this year). I can't pick a favourite...
In March and after I want to read more ebooks. I read 3 this month, which is awful. But overall, I'm not 100% sure what I'll read next. More on that to follow...

I started the year with End Of Year Book Survey ~ Completion, then we met (again) Caleb (Cat Thursday), I interviewed Josh (FB ferrets), revealed two awesome covers- Here Lies Love and Blackout (TOE #2) in the space of about two weeks. I ranted (about commenting, professionalism and stuff). I introduced you to another book: Gethyon (sci-fi snack, not Fi snack)

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

End Of Year Book Survey ~ Completion

This is the rest of Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner Blog’s survey (here's her post!). Happy New Year everyone! I decided midnight was a good posting time... As you’re probably all welcoming New Year in! :D The other part is here (with the main part).

Once again, I’m grateful to Georgia for allowing me to use these banners! Adds some colour :D

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
I basically met all the blogs I know now in 2013, they know I think they’re all fantastic! Especially if I ever RT their posts (on Twitter, I don’t re-blog), comment or even just- not that they know it’s me- pop on their blog to see a post or two. I’d say Rita’s Weaving Pages as she’s a blog I probably check most. I’ve seen her change layout a few times this year & I’ve just got so used to popping on her blog a few times a week, whether she’s tweeted about posts or I’ve spotted them in my Feedly, that it’s become like second nature. I’d miss doing that; going to Rita’s blog & seeing posts I love! This has been quite a hard question though... Love ya all!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
This should’ve been hard but was it? Nu-uh. I just thought, this one for a book I mentioned in Part 1 ;) It was one that was fun, natural & refreshing to write. I went ahead & did it for a meme cos I thought I’d mainly talk about the love triangle but then I realized how much there was to this book & I...posted a decent length review.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I can’t remember all of them & I don’t think I tagged them that well, but I know I’ve been missing the Book Blogger Confessions (it was worse soon after it had gone though) & I want to honour all those discussions. Just picking from them, I’d say the one I liked best was... about Promotion, is it repetition? Thanks for hosting Karen & Pam!

Well, you did another book promo. Even Hermione's bored... that clap oozes sarcasm.
P.S. People liked the Harry Potter gif, this one's better quality tho ;)

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
...Oh, I've read so many. I can't remember them all but as I mentioned Asti's last week & she gave me lovely advice probably that one but all posts at A Bookish Heart are really cool (and, are you watching TBG? If you're watching, you're safe to say yes. And if you don't know about it... WHAT?)

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I didn't go to a lot, I'm quite restricted as there's never any close enough to me. The luckiest I got, and it was the nearest, was UEA's Fly. I live in that region & as it was during daytime I was allowed to miss one day of school which I was really lucky to do. School agreed that one was OK, especially as I'd be getting the perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (but hopefully not, I'm a book blogger guys & I know lots of you do it time & time again :P) to interview, face-to-face a lovely author. I won't tell you who as you can read the post. I also got two books signed during that day & I have good memories so... this year, FLY wins, hands down! How super awesome would it be if next year I meet other bloggers there & get to go to other events? Let's be having you! And yes, I'm not exactly London but if they're during the day (some time between 10am-6pm preferably on a Saturday or a holiday day & I'm happy to go... :P)

6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
Oh, I don't know! You've got to let me pass one question in this section? I've enjoyed lots of book & even the day-to-day stuff & getting encouragement last week when I was discussing my worries about reviewing with you is all fab! You're all so great & knowing all of you is the best thing, even if its taken a few moments to get there. This is turning soppy but its better than big-headed & said best was being nominated for 'Twitter Fiend' in Bloggy Awards but it's not the most awesome thing & honestly wasn't even one of the first to cross my mind! But I do have to thank all of you lovely people for that too <3 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Well, it's funny cos it actually isn't that far between some of my posts with beautiful Sharon Sant! Both her Runners & Sky Song (giveaway) posts have 8 comments & 200+ views. Sharon's probably to thank for that but she deserves it! I know you won't want to look at the giveaway post (I assume so as it ended ages ago) & Runners is a giveaway too but I'd recommend the Runners one ~ it includes a trailer so its still... worth it? BTW Jaimie Admans, my Not Pretty Enough post got over 200 too but just 1 comment... Worth mentioning though!

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Well, I used to post at Once Upon A Series. They never got as much love I felt...  But this one I reposted, my first review in December (but this one is with a twist & kinda like an interview, you'll see), and it's related to Harry Potter so I really think it should get more love <3 
You're welcome to comment even if its a post a few weeks old! XD I mean... please could you lovely, lovely people?

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

It's not a gif. Imagine it as a GIF... wow. Yeah, this
 is still an awesome image! FOXES UNITE.

It's between two things. Firstly: I don't use Calibre that much but definitely the times I have used it in the past have accumulated. It's a good tool, especially if you're working with self-pubs who sometimes send ebook copies besides mobi (or whichever one you use & need it in). It can change the format. Just make sure the author knows about it & is OK with it... well, it's probably not mandatory but it is nice & courteous. They've given you a book & it matters what you do with it.
The other is Curious Fox.  Haha... Sorry all other publishers or whoever but I'd say... they get all their reviewers to have just such a team spirit. Online, at least. All that's left is a blogger event where TeamFox can actually unite! Or, a lot of us XD I'd still say, with all due respect, CF, are in their early days & so... who knows what'll happen? They definitely are publishing great books, I'm honored to review for them & be in their loop & love their staff! When they get their new publicist I'm sure we''ll get on too! I <3 The Foxes! 


10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Yes! I am rather happy with Goodreads (which I updated from 52 to 67 *fingers crossed* after completing that). Even the big review 50 books by british authors challenge (labelled here) by Feeling Fictional & and also my other challenges. For all of them- but they're the two challenges I'm most proud of completing (they took the longest & most work)- check out my review archive! You should find it above. I also think it's awesome that this once-HPVirgin (was in January) is now a potterhead (with pottermore account et al!) 
I thought I'd share these achievements with you but...

What next?

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?

Lauren Kate's Teardrop ~ as a fellow blogger has read it & sent it my way so I can review it too! Thanks Chrissie... It's in a series, I believe, but I didn't want to mention any long series here... There are many for my to-read list that I'm also getting to ASAP (which isn't necessarily, sadly, that soon! I wish!) but authors/pubs, don't you fret. If your book is with me its in safe hands which can't wait to turn that book's pages!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?

Apparently there's loads of Book 2's of books I read but the one I'm most surprised about but am definitely anticipating a lot deserves to be mentioned in this question... Goodreads calls it the 'Infinite Sky #2'. Don't ask me, I guess it means its unnamed but oh gosh... 2014. I'm excited. I loved Infinite Sky! Which you should know already but all my squeals... *releases high-pitched, excited squeak*...
Umm, and... Well, sorry to Natasha, but I haven't yet read The Elites. I hope to do that but her 2014 release, The Memory Keepers, is also a priority. This is just a book I really hope I manage to get to as just... sounds good I guess? :D

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

According to everywhere I could think of that had info on January release 'Half my Facebook Friends are Ferrets' yes, J.A. Buckle is a debut author with that novel. She also lives in Surrey. That's essentially all I know... Oh dear. No, I do know about the book! Should've read the sampler by now... Umm, does this mean it seems like I don't anticipate it? Well, truth is, I know of so little debuts but this one seemed to me like a good choice for this. When I heard about it, I thought it'd be a fun read... The title alone, let's just all ROFL right now. Ferrets can use Facebook?

I'm rolling so much. Derp. Baby ferret... and it can already derp. Yes.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

OOOOHHH. Just Series. Like yes. Cos if I didn't read it & didn't even say it here probably Rita would never talk to me again slaughter me. So, yes, she knows already... CITY OF BONES SERIES THING... I mean that one & the ones after it. Those ones with shadowhunters? That ring a bell? Yes? OK, I shall read them 2014. When Rita reads books I said she should read (it was a deal! M'kay?) In case, you are totally not even as informed as not-yet-fan me, Book 6 (possibly last one? I hope so *cheeky grin*) comes out May 2014. Right-ho. Let's get reading! I shall read them. I want to.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?

Blog well & not have months where I fail for like 3 of the weeks (*cough* October AND December *cough*). That'll be an achievement, lol. I also think I'd like to read some British books now even if I don't commit to the Challenge... Perhaps 20? That sounds good if I read like 60 books (6 of which will be Cassandra Clare, it appears). I want to do more read-a-thons. LOL. More than ONE thing. Oopsie!

I guarantee you won't be laughing at that poor transfigured facebook friend ferret anymore.

BYE!

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...

Just let me vent... I'm a bad reviewer.

OK, I think this post is necessary, cos am I really on hiatus? It is a holiday. I got back into blogging during November, just a bit, as I promised to but now... I'm back, worse than I was in October. I've read more books & still not reviewed enough.

I'm not in bliss... close to stess... but ignorant all the same.

I'm what other bloggers have recently been calling a 'blogging fail'* or a 'messy blogger'. I'm slightly different though as I'd say my main problem is: I could easily post for you*, guys. There's lots of things I want to post but I won't until I'm ready to be back for good, and that means reviews. If it comes to it, and this doesn't go soon, I'll post meme's or something but I want to see if I can re-read the books I should've reviewed in either October, November or the recent ones from this month. I can't believe the type of reviewer I've become. Have I forgotten to review? Surely not. I used to love it. I think it's the fact I'm more passionate about other things - lots of them still bookish - which affects it. There's so many things I'm giving time to which I probably could give to reviewing. I still read. But then I go on Pottermore, I tweet even more & get tons more bookish discussions than I need (less for blogging :/), I read other blogs (but I haven't commented, except on Asti's Bookish Games, I know. But my blog's empty & commentless most of the time... you don't want to come & return the favour on something months old, if you do intend to return it, that is.) & I just... I don't know. School's not much busier (surprise, I know). Family, or friends, are not more demanding.
Hence, I know the problem lies with me. And my issue I can't define.

I'm now more messy than ever (in answer to BookRockBetty @ this post!), on this website. I shouldn't be now I'm essentially a year old. Yep, it's my blogoversary this month but I don't deserve to have a song & dance made of it cos how much time have I actually spent here? Over a year, a lot. But last bit of this year? Yeah, you get my drift.
I think I'm irritated cos I did use to be neat here too. I commented on blogs, I scheduled posts, I kept to TBRs mostly, I knew what I had to post & roughly when & although sometimes I decided to do things differently it was for the better, didn't last long & my plan still worked.
Yeah, blog planning. Did that. Woopity do. I'm mood-reading & deciding my mood also means reviewing seems about as appealing as walking into a dung heap & leaping around... I don't even do meme's, even the ones I like as they were a bit random. I just can't. Not reviewing means I can't call myself a book blogger. Book bloggers review. They get requests for books & then read them. The review goes up around publication. It's a process. Book bloggers do post other things but reviews... shouldn't they be first priority? This is just what I've always thought & been able to do for months before falling flat on my face.

But first I do this. So brave, I know. Fight or flight?
(Harry Potter is sooo old, look at the quality of the GIFs... Yikes, I'm sorry, but I like the GIF).

Do I plan with ARCs, or even any books I have to read, now? A little. Only thanks to Goodreads though. Which may I point out I'm checking less as reviews are everywhere & I don't want to be reminded which ones I have to review. I'm not helping myself. It's gone beyond procrastination cos when I do that I know I'll come back & be able to do that thing I'm delaying.

That's me. F-grade. Or E-. All the same :P

Now, I think I'm having to learn from scratch. I will re-read books I had for review & read but didn't review. I will make myself do that as it's fair... right? It will make me do it & I can't think of a better way. I tried the easy approach. That was trying to ease myself in... But I just read more & did not spend more time, or enough time even, reviewing! I could even use the term Asti @ A Bookish Heart did here, and say I'm a fail. Cos if I got a grade in book blogging based on these last few months I'd see a drop down to an F, or at best an E!

Do you think I'm now someone who is lazy or can you think of a way I can get out of this? Perhaps I can turn back to the person I liked better a year ago (a much more organized & a nicer person than this Amy, take it from me)... What's the impression you're getting from me? Please help if you can. If you can, you're a hero. I love you.

Amy Bookworm... does love you. Whether you can help or not. *fingers crossed I'm gonna get through this horribleness*

{PS: I know Asti & Betty got a lot of comments on their posts & perhaps help, I'm honestly not expecting that but anything is appreciated. Feel free to check out their posts, I love them & they made me want to be honest with you guys, like them, and post this. All my respect to both of those wonderful bloggers, who I think are great for the record & definitely are still doing better than me XD}.

A tree my cat could not:
a) eat decorations of (I know he doesn't eat books).
b) actually hide under. He wouldn't fit.
SUCCESS! HURRAH, HAPPY CHRISTMAS DAYS! :D

((PPS: If I haven't said it already to you, via Twitter I assume but whatever, MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU LOVELY BOOKISH PEOPLE :D))

*besides the old review which I just posted again... That was this special review with Harry Potter (the first book)! Please check it out if you like... it does need feedback, lol :P

Autumn Book Tag (cos... NOVEMBER!)

Am I eventually going to do a vlog? You probably think I am but no. I love the BookTube world for the ones who are brave enough (and clearly less ugly than me, lol) to vlog!
I know tags are like the YouTube feature-thing (too infrequent to be a meme, some meme's are both vlogger & blogger) but tough... I'm doing one as a normal post.
The Autumn Book Tag has popped up on YouTube, it was created by the super awesome Dani On Books I believe? Anyway, it looks awesome to discuss some things to do with Autumn and BOOKS.

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

Hmm. I like most seasons but Autumn's kinda like easing us into Winter, there's still plants & lots of leaves to stomp round in noisily. It's basically like a gentle Winter where there is nice weather too. I like that. Kinda odd thing to say so how about I add tights, warm PJs & cuddly dressing gown, woolly dresses and leggings and probably... hoodies. I'm a total chav, there ;)

What book reminds you of school?

The ones at school? Probably Harry Potter books. If you discuss books at school, that or classics are likely to come up. Classics are so school but Harry Potter actually does remind me of school. All the Hogwarts & everything, it's literally just what I thought of first.

What is one of your favorite autumn-related book covers?

One of? So I have to consider all of the autumn-related ones I like? Basically, though, the only autumn-related covers I can think of all just remind me of Autumn cos they have trees on. Like, the wolves of Mercy Falls books, some hardback editions of Cate Tiernan's books, even Unearthly, Dead Beautiful, Sweetly, Falling and then the rest it's just the colour scheme? Such as of Firespell, The Truth About Celia Frost, Iron Witch (OK, that's kinda an exception and my edition of Perks Of Being A Wallflower (red cover & orange spine).
I'm going to go with, just cos it also strikes me AS an Autumn book & my cover of it is just the best... This is one of my most treasured books so I'm biased.

What is your favorite horror or Halloween story?

I can't think of many. I only really know Uncle Montague's Tales Of Terrors. There's some others ones than I recall that might be part of that but whose titles I don't recall. I really remember one about a cat lady who turned children who strayed near her into cats & that's why she had so many cats... Then people started to realize her cats all had human eyes & basically, she's a witch.

(Only more than a fortnight after Halloween, LOL!)

What are some of your favorite horror films?

I can't think of any, sorry! I've seen some horrible films but normally they leave me... I know The Wickerman (I think it's called?) still really traumatizes me. I watched it once but unfortunately I remember it like I've watched it a million times. It's a disgusting film so far from favourite. But I'd class it as horrifying... LOL.

What is a book release you're looking forward to this autumn?

Well, it's almost the end of Autumn... I know that I was looking forward to, earlier in November, Tinder (the review copy I've now read, so thanks Indigo) & also- I still haven't read November release- The Naturals. I think that means I've covered it :L

What is a film release you're looking forward to this autumn?

EEEEEKKKK. CATCHING FIRE.

I'm also looking forward to Doctor Who (50th anniversary episode) almost exactly the same amount. There's only a day difference so I'm literally going to be SO happy...

What are three books you want to read this autumn?

I might re-read Iron Witch & pick up the sequels if I get chance. I've been meaning to finish the Harry Potter series (I've only read & watched the first four... I'll finish the series this year though. Honest). There are obviously others things (one mentioned in a previous question) that I want to read but I won't be able to finish both of those series still in November! Maybe I should mention a fab Christmassy read? North Pole Reform School I am looking forward to for the chilly, dark December XD

Baaack to school... (again).

I had a post drafted about being back to school early September. Never published it*, by accident. Other posts went by & I scheduled one in September for October. 2nd. How long ago was that? Well, October wasn't really a blogging month. I think one or two days I managed something but never was it to write a whole post which I then could schedule so...
I wasn't here in October. That probably hadn't escaped your notice. A grand total of 0 posts... Ain't it... crap?
I'm still blogging (hopefully). It's a bit much to basically have a whole month off impromptu but honestly, it wasn't a hiatus. It may have involved a German exchange but I still had homework, things to catch up on & literally October passed by in a blur. I didn't have time to sit back & blog. And in most cases, tweet.
I need to make it up to you, and myself! Several reviews have yet to be written. Basically, during October half term (also 1/3 November cos this school year is weird, or my school is!) I read. Big surprise but actually, October was a rubbish month. I read some. But like, 3 books? Which I then preceded to NOT review. Like a busy, bumbling idiot. I don't count that as a bookwormy total but it meant less reviews stacked up. Anyway, the point is...

I've now realized I have to stop panicking when I'm so busy and will, attempt to at least one day a week, still blog a bit. One post if that's all I can do. 

That's a third of the September and previous average. But as I said, I haven't STOPPED blogging. Just am unable to do the same quantity. We may have to talk hiatus' again at some point cos I know this is a busy year. I just have to last 2 more months. Can I do this?
Yes I can. I'm good at rambling. As you've seen if you've got to this point.
Well done, readers. You've put up with my near-pointless post.

*until I really modified it & used the ideas/some of the books & produced the last post!

To make it up to you, here's what I've read & need to review...

(with two meme's, it may not be a Monday morning, it may be Wednesday but still... I'm telling you these things & linking up to:)

WWW Wednesday's is hosted by Should Be Reading.  

This meme is also similar to the:

Read:

Grand total.... 5!

What now?...

I'm currently reading Flip by Martyn Bedford (you know, from the UEA post?) and don't really know the rest, yet. 
So... whatever (there's 3 W's!)

Goodbye... for now!

Baaack to school {book list}...

What should you read now you're back to school? ;)

My recommendations for September publications...

  (Start with Red Rock by Kate Kelly,, which I've read & pick up Or any of the Geek Girl books- Book 2 published 26th Sept I believe? Also try: Amber by Julie Sykes, The Elites by Natasha Ngan, The Memory Game by Sharon Sant & seriously, why haven't you bought Geek Girl (#1 or #2) by Holly Smale yet? GO, GO, GO!)
And then for October... (More suggestions! I really enjoyed She Is Not Invisible & Water is the much awaited-sequel to Fire which I really enjoyed so I hope you'll pick Heather James' Book 1 & Book 2 up now! I've heard a bit about No Angel, do you think I should read it? Anyway, that's October for you! :D

It's Wednesday, What...? (WWW)

WWW Wednesday's is hosted by Should Be Reading.
This meme is also similar to the:

It may not be a Monday morning, it may be Wednesday but still...

We just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?

I reserved AT so it came back | I am buddy reading TSM.
What did you recently finish reading?

All 4*/5* reads... Surprising, I know (or not) :P

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Both review requests (after a HP non-review request, of course, I need to get to these!)

Read any of them? Had some good reads you think I might like? Let me know! I think I need to delve back into more paranormal-things soon, all this contemporary! The adventures are fun but too many humans (I love the wizards even though they aren't that different!) :P Have a great day! I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much as well, school has been busier than I thought & I've joined a  new club which is actually quite time consuming- my others already ate up a fair bit of time so, oh dear! Amy Bookworm x

Doorstep Delights Book Haul (also STS)

I may have mentioned some of these but hauls take a while to build (at least for me... XD)

Anyway, I'm doing 'Doorstep Delights' today. This feature is hosted by Hawwa (or Hawaii if you prefer, jokes- 
I'm not on my kindle atm) @ itwaslovelyreadingyou. Please don't eat my books Hawwa...
Besides Hawwa, there's STS (Tynga's Reviews): Saturday book haul meme. Enjoy this random haul please!

For once I haven't hauled any library books, I don't want Hawwa to eat library books because it'd be hard explaining that to the library. No, a dog didn't eat the books- it was a human. She's a book blogger. I no longer volunteer in the library (holidays have to end) but I do other volunteering/youth work instead now
it's schooltime, sadly no books are involved...
Here are books which I acquired ;) It was over like, 3 months... DON'T JUDGE (that includes laughing at me...)

 
The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co. #1) by Jonathan Stroud - For Review @ Once Upon A Series*
Harry Potter books (does it count as hauling if you just nick them from your brothers shelf?) 

*Once Upon A Series is not cited for receipt of TSS (L&C #1); I'm one of the team behind that blog & Chrissie was  the middle (wo)man who passed it on from Random House. Thanks RH & my lovely co-blogger there! :D

Other books for review:

Physical

Cruel Summer (Thanks FierceFiction team @ Orion/Indigo Publishers)
Diamond Thief (thanks Curious Fox, see below)

Red Rock (ditto CF, I also wrote when I'd read the sampler, at the time I was reading Diamond Thief for SRS, Charlie's Letters- they are about Red Rock & I decided recently to write some more from Charlie's letters & leave it hanging until I've read more of Red Rock- you can see the page which is going to be part of the next installment poking out of Red Rock!)

The Soterion Mission (ditto thanks)
Shown: Diamond Thief & Amber (last Curious Fox book, I didn't expect this one but hopefully once TSM is read & Red  Rock  reviewed as well then I'll be able to get to this one too- sampler in other image)
SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE (also courtesy of Orion's Indigo imprint).

Ebooks (thanks to the authors)

 

Bought-

A series you may recognize. Book pushed
by... well, you know Rita!

Where I Belong by Gillian Cross is one of my first blogger friends favourite books & when I see that and a 5* rating, I get intrigued. At first I was just going to get it from the library but when I saw it for only £2, no lie, I was like... Why not? So it doesn't matter whether Char likes it or not, or why really... It was like so cheap, for physical books anyway. I'd had enough coffee too so I could afford to spend what may buy two coffees, and occasionally three XD
Shimmer - Series
Geek Girl - You don't need to ask. Just ask me what I think when I've read it & fingers crossed...
Halifax I just bought as it was discounted... By a lot. I think it was 49p (which is less than a Wispa)? It still might still be!

What do you think of these books? Read & reviewed any? Link reviews of these books if you so please, then we can convince other readers to get them... Maybe I'd even get to buddy read (hopefully am for Soterion Mission soon anyway!) some of them... YAY!

Soon going to read Harry_Potter_and_the_Prisoner_of_Azkaban