HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

The shot above is just part of the 15 minute firework display that cost 2 million pounds!!

AHHHHH WELL! Midnight here in the UK and happy new year!!!

FOR OLD LANG SYME!!!!!!!!!

Giveaway!

YOU COULD WIN 40 BOOKS!!!

Quote of the day (39)

I'm going to start doing a quote of the day. You can too, just link back to me!

This quote is sourced from Goodreads.com.

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” 

― Henry James 

Yes, yes. Definitely.

Henry James, OM, son of theologian Henry James Sr., brother of the philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James, was an American-born author, one of the founders and leaders of a school of realism in fiction. 

What do you think of this quote or do you have one of your own? Drop me a comment!

Thanks for reading!

Saturday Shows (7)

**Saturday shows is a new weekly meme that I'm starting! It's where bloggers can share the TV shows that they like. Please let me know if someone else has done it and if you like it! Feel free to take part as long as you link back to me!**

This week is...

How I Met Your Mother is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. It all starts when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), drops the bombshell that he's going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realizes that he had better get a move on if he too hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he's sure it's love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future, voiced by Bob Saget.''The theme song is "Hey Beautiful" by The Solids''

I really like this TV show because it's a bit like the show Friends and since that's stopped airing, this is a nice show to fill the 'void'.

I recommend for some light watching. Maybe to do whilst blogging?

Trailer:

What do you think of this show, or do you have one of your own? Drop me a comment!

Thanks for reading!

I love this photo.

I was searching through my dads photos and I came across a 'favourites' folder. It contained this photo of my sister and I when I was 6, I think.




Take a wild stab in the dark which one is me. *cough* the one on the right *cough*


I LOVE THIS picture! Simply because it expresses my personality perfectly.

Review: Heaven by Christoph Marzi

Title: Heaven
Author: Christoph Marzi
Genre: Young adult-fantasy
Published: February 2nd 2012 
Publisher: Orchard Books
Source: ARC for review from Laure at Hodders books!
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads
Amazon
The Book Depository

Description from Goodreads.com

The night that Heaven lost her heart was cold and moonless. But the blade that sliced it out was warm with her dark blood... David Pettyfer is taking a shortcut over the dark rooftops of London's brooding houses, when he literally stumbles across Heaven: a strange, beautiful, distraught girl who says that bad men have stolen her heart. Yet she's still alive... And so begins David and Heaven's wild, exciting and mysterious adventure - to find Heaven's heart, and to discover the incredible truth about her origins. Part thriller, part love story and part fairy tale, this brilliantly original novel from a bestselling German author will take your breath away...

Hi!

If you are reading this on my blog, then you might have noticed that I haven't posted a review in a while. This is because I have been procrastinating. YES! I was really on the fence about this book.


This was my first ARC that I didn't win, so I was really hoping I'd like it. I did, but only marginally.

I was intrigued at the premise of the girl Heaven having no heart but being able to live and I really liked David. He was a really interesting character and I especially liked his background, as messed up as it was.

A mysterious and creepy man follows them, intent on taking Heaven. He always uses different names. He was interesting as well and he always works with a raggedy man with him. 

Now, you may be wondering, if I've been using the adjective 'interesting' so much, why only 3 star rating? Well this book was...slow. And confusing. I was unsure what year it was set because characters always said (for example) 'Heaven said "It happened November 21st," she gave the year.' Always. So I was unsure of the year though I knew it was set sometime in the future because part of the sky had disappeared over London. That was another bit I found interesting.

I had all these interesting features and I was waiting for a very cool explanation to tie it altogether but, to be quite frank, I thought the explanation was very unexpected and anti climatic. Also, there was a scene I loved near the end involving the London Eye but that's the problem; it was near the end. All the gripping action was squeezed into the last few chapters.

Altogether an interesting book with a promising premise and deep characters but was not well paced. 

3 out of 5 stars

What did you think of this book if you've read it? How does it sound if you haven't?


Thanks for reading!

Feature and Follow Friday (9)

RULES To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Kristin Can Read& Ex Libris.
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Question of the Week: The New Year is here -- and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

I'm going to be more on the ball. I need to post regularly and do more reviews. I also need to reply to features, authors and publishers more.

ALSO

Aim to get 200 GFC followers this time next year? That would be more than awesome!

What's your blogging New Years Resolution? Leave a link to your blog and Twitter accounts and I'll follow! Remember to say if you follow!

Thanks for reading!

Thursday Graphics (9)

**This beautiful button was created for free by the lovely Sandy at Scribing Shadows! Thanks so much!

Thursday graphics is a weekly meme hosted right here at Reading is my cup of tea! It's where bloggers can share images that they've liked over the past week. Feel free to participate just link back to me. Leave a link in the comments and I'll be happy to check out your post!**

All photos this week are from Tumblr! Quite a lot this week as I find them ALL adorable!

That one has to be the most adorable thing I've ever read. Ever.




I love that book! And this quote is so true.




Never.




That's a mirror people. A MIRROR! *dies*




And Merry Christmas again for last Sunday!



And that's it! What do you think of these pictures? Drop me a comment!


Thanks for reading!

Quote of the day (38)

I'm going to start doing a quote of the day. You can too, just link back to me!

This quote is sourced from Goodreads.com.

“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.” 

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Notes from Underground 

Hell yes! (see blog title)

Fyodor Mikhailovitch Dostoevsky was a Russian writer and essayist, notably known for his novels Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov.

What do you think of this quote or do you have one of your own? Drop me a comment!


Thanks for reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

****"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.****

What I'm Waiting on this week:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass.
Released April 24th 2012


The cover is absolutely beautiful!


 What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Drop me a comment!


Thanks for reading!

Teaser Tuesday (8)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should be reading! Anyone can participate! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE 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!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers this week are from:

The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor! Which I got for review from Laure at Hodders.

Description from Goodreads.com

34 kids missing. Vanished without a trace. Believing she is possessed, Genie Magee's mother has imprisoned her all summer encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. Beautiful Rian, love of her life, sets her free, and their escape washes them up at Marshall's remote farmhouse downriver. But why are there newspaper clippings of the missing kids pinned to Marshall's bathroom wall? And should they believe his stories about the experiments at the Fortress, an underground research station nearby? Genie meets Denis. Missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch. Rian is haunted by Renée, who insists she's not actually dead. Soon they discover the terrible truth about Reverend Schneider and worse, Genie is next ... and Rian can't do a thing to prevent it. The Repossession is just the beginning.

Teaser one is from page 265, chapter 21: Devastation 

The truck was easy enough to drive, but he wasn't looking forward to being on the highway. He hoped they wouldn't be stopped. With no licence and an unconscious guy in the back, it would take a lot of explaining. 

Teaser two is from page 69, chapter 7: Save the pig - Save the World

"Genie? GENIE?"

He let the current take him again. He had to find her. The speed of the water was amazing. Now he was desperate. "GENIE?"

What do you think of these teasers? Leave me a link to your post!


Thanks for reading!

Quote of the day (37)

I'm going to start doing a quote of the day. You can too, just link back to me!

This quote is sourced from Goodreads.com.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” 


― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Definitely.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early nineteenth century. 

What do you think of this quote or do you have one of your own? Drop me a comment!


Thanks for reading!

Giveaway!

http://laceyshoelaces.blogspot.com/2011/12/100-followers-giveaway.html

My First Guest Post! HD from Reading Writing Breathing!

Hi HD! Thanks for doing a guest post!

Hi! I'm HD, and I'm a 13 year old book blogger from Reading Writing Breathing! I love reading dystopian and paranormal romance, and I love writing as well! In my spare time I love to read, write, play basketball, watch TV, or hang out with friends! I am SO excited to share my top 10 favorite books that I have read this year! Let's get started!

  

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - This book has the most moving and emotional prose I have ever seen in my life. It's raw, it's real, and it portrays just how insane being locked up in isolation for over 264 days has affected Juliet, not matter how much she doesn't want to admit it. Check out my review here!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I think everybody and their dog has read this, and when I finally sat down and started reading, I couldn't stop! This book is addicting, sexy, and twisted. It's dark and full of intrigue. Check out my review here!

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey - This was a book I didn't expect to love as much as I did. I had gotten it from a trade with a blogger, and put it on my shelf without a thought. One night I picked it up not thinking I'd enjoy it that much, and by then I was engrossed. This book is raw emotion and rip-your-heart-out plot developments and characters! Check out my review here.

  

Plague by Michael Grant - I haven't seen this one on any lists for best of 2011, and I don't know why. The Gone Series just keeps getting better for me! I loved Plague with all my heart! It was full of action and wit and frights and the awesome characters! Another great installment! Check out my review here.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire - I picked this one up by chance, not even thinking I'd like it that much! Wow, what a thrill ride! Just when you think the plot is over it jumps back at you. I love Emerson so much! She's witty, sarcastic, and brave. Check out my review here.

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin - Another book I picked up by chance. Ended up being a heartfelt, tender read with a hint of action. The ending was so great, so intense and passionate and left me breathless. Not your everyday dystopian, with a heroine that has MORALS and a BACKBONE! Check out my review here.

   

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann - One of my top 3 favorite middle grades of all time, and it's going to be a seven book series! Lisa has a way with words that can cross to both YA and MG genres, and she mastered MG! Check out my review here!

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann - Yes, Lisa wrote TWO amazing books this year, but Cryer's Cross is her YA! This was my first YA of hers to read, and it is chilling, creepy, and kept me up deep into the night! Check out my review here!

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - Another book I didn't expect to love as much as I did. Maybe it's the not-so-good cover, or the small size or the small amount of buzz it received. But when I opened it, I couldn't stop. The writing style reads like a poem, and this book is creepy! Check out my review here.

Darke by Angie Sage - Another MG that is amazing. This is the sixth and penultimate novel in the seven-book Septimus Heap Series, which is reminiscient of Harry Potter but, in my opinion, is better. Darke was my favorite of the series! Check out my review here!

HD Tolson

Reading Writing Breathing

hdtv16@aol.com

Follow me on Twitter (@rwbofficial)

Like RWB on Facebook

Friend Us on Goodreads

Thanks HD! I highly recommend his blog for some VERY honest reviews and some great discussions :)

Thanks for reading!

Perfect Christmas.

Quote of the day (36)

I'm going to start doing a quote of the day. You can too, just link back to me!

This quote is sourced from Goodreads.com.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

 
― Dr. Seuss 

This quote is one of my all time favourites. :) I might have already shown it though...Ahhh well.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, MA. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. 

What do you think of this quote or do you have one of your own? Drop me a comment!

Thanks for reading!