tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32369394016937620882024-03-13T21:51:24.647+10:00Corralling BooksWhere books are discussed, reviewed, and loved. Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-11419846757560903792020-04-19T22:05:00.000+10:002020-04-19T22:05:08.071+10:00Book Review: An Ember in the Ashes & A Torch Against The Night <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to read both <i>An Ember in the Ashes </i>and <i>A Torch Against the Night </i>all in one go. It was such a good break for reading! The soothing sounds of a quiet Youtube cooking show in the background, combined with the cooling winds of autumn made it a perfect reading environment for me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiRit_q5RfE7bVB4VKFSnoM41agS9c6Bm_xTOb6kC2Ybdc01_dv4SJuYYhzVklKaH7cuIG3lzXT8rJNHQE6EUafTMMcGTw4I4YzbAVRehFGyhpdhO7egbwEMJeVlf3OBYACTeBUvXCMnt/s1600/Tahir%252C+Sabaa+-+An+Ember+in+the+Ashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiRit_q5RfE7bVB4VKFSnoM41agS9c6Bm_xTOb6kC2Ybdc01_dv4SJuYYhzVklKaH7cuIG3lzXT8rJNHQE6EUafTMMcGTw4I4YzbAVRehFGyhpdhO7egbwEMJeVlf3OBYACTeBUvXCMnt/s320/Tahir%252C+Sabaa+-+An+Ember+in+the+Ashes.jpg" width="212" /></a> <i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An Ember in the Ashes</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> focuses initially on two characters, Laia and Elias. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Laia is a young Scholar girl who is thrust into a mission to infiltrate the Commandant's headquarters as a maid and find information for the rebel group known as the Resistance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elias is a Mask in training at the Blackcliff Academy, tasked to serve the Empire. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As one of the best students, he is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to participate in trials to determine the next Emperor and his deputy, the Blood Shrike. Always discontent with the role of Masks, Elias had always planned to desert Blackcliff Academy and leave it all behind. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite his misgivings about the trials, Elias continues ahead with the trials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Laia and Elias cross paths at the Blackcliff Academy, and thus begins an</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> electrifying story on justice and the extent of actions that people will take to preserve their families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed Elias's perspective in this - he was much more interesting than Laia as a character for me. Laia was more one-dimensional - she was solely driven by her purpose of finding her brother. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regrettably, Laia does not get more memorable from the first few pages of the book - I was initially attracted to her because she seemed like an intelligent girl. However, throughout the rest of the book, her character is debased to purely revolve around her brother and her attempts to find information for the Resistance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, Elias was multifaceted; as a reader, I got a glimpse of his internal conflicts, whether it be his indecision on his feelings for Helene or Laia, or his moral compass. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Admittedly, Tahir did utilise the plot to flesh Elias out more as a character given the various trials that he underwent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not one for world-building - I don't read fantasy books for the depth of the world building. I felt like Tahir created a basic universe; I appreciated this because I can never delve deep into books where a new societal structure is generated. I liked that Tahir stepped me through the societal structure gently, explaining what Masks were eventually and the lore behind the Masks and the Empire as a whole. It was a simple enough explanation weaved throughout the books, and I believe that there is strong potential for the world to be slowly developed even further, keeping me hooked every step of the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also appreciated that the love story was not thrown to my face to this book - the love story was subtle, humming away, and it did not detract from the book as a whole to me. In fact, the romantic entanglements enriched the story, because it fleshed out the characters more as a whole; what their motives were, their loyalties and more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm usually not a fan of the multiple-POV structure. It breaks momentum from books for me - whenever I reach a good part that would usually keep me reading, the chapter ends, and the other person's perspective commences. That's usually when I put down the book and go for a break (and I may or may not come back again...). Despite the multiple-POV format used in <i>An Ember in the Ashes</i>, I was able to keep reading. This was probably because there were only two perspectives, which made it easy for me to keep track of what was happening to both characters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In <i>A Torch Against the Night, </i>readers also get the perspective of Helene, another major character in <i>An Ember in the Ashes</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst I was initially hesitant about introducing yet another perspective into the mix, I found that I was looking forward to reading excerpts from Helene. Helene's conflicts between her duty to her country, her family and to herself was fascinating to read. Whilst Helene is a character with a thin grasp on power, with many people trying to manipulate her, I loved that Tahir demonstrated Helene's quick wit and her loyalty. She was a strong character that I could really get behind. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">On the other hand, Laia was much the same, if not worse, than in <i>An Ember in the Ashes</i>. Her perspective is the same as the intial books; very focused o</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">n rescuing her brother. If anything, there were one or two romance scenes, which did not interest me much. Elias's point of view also became more menial to read, as his purposes began to align with Laia's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ending of both <i>An Ember in the Ashes </i>and <i>A Torch Against the Night </i>left me wanting more. I am so glad that the next book, <i>A Reaper at the Gates</i> is available at my library as an e-book - I will definitely be picking that up soon! It's only a shame that the last book isn't already available - but I'll also be reading that in December this year when it comes out! </span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-76827047224750576512020-04-14T23:33:00.001+10:002020-04-14T23:33:26.433+10:00Grab A Drink With Me: Peace, Hobbies and Slamming through the TBR <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope everyone is doing well in these times <3 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have finally gotten used to studying from home in the past three weeks (it's a bit weird not going to placements everyday!)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I can rely on my internal body clock to wake me up (feeling less rushed and more at peace) and I can start studying right after I wake up because there's no commute! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In between the periods of study, I've been caught up with rewatching Brooklyn Nine-Nine with my sister, who has never seen it before. It's crazy, I've actually recently rewatched all the episodes back in November, but I find I have completely forgotten some episodes still! Watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been fun for me, but not for my stomach - I keep binge-eating! In particular, my quarantine foods seem to be the Haagen Dazs Brownie Machiato icecream and the ever-popular Dalgona Coffee with pearls. I've really developed a coffee addiction over the past few weeks, which is definitely something I never saw coming! I've always avoided coffee, as I have never liked the bitter taste, but I am coming around to it (it helps that the icecream has some sweet brownie chunks and the dalgona coffee is mostly milk). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My life has slowed down significantly, which I thoroughly enjoy, because it has given me more time to focus on my hobbies. I've hopped back into reading, having read three books in the past week! Take that, TBR pile!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The three books I've read in the past week are: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor </i>by Adam Kay - This has been on my TBR for so, SO long! It was recommended to me by a GP supervisor, and then this was the bookclub read for the mindfulness arm of the medical society. Review is definitely coming soon, in the next few days, so stay tuned! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ember in the Ashes</i> by Sabaa Tahir- I can't tell you how long this book has been in my bookshelf for! I've meant to read it for so long, and I cannot be more grateful that this period has given me the opportunity to get right into it. Review will be coming soon!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A Torch Against the Night</i> by Sabaa Tahir- I read this book right after <i>Ember in the Ashes</i>! I was so thankful I had already purchased it, because Ember in the Ashes left me wanting more! I'll review this book with <i>Ember in the Ashes</i> as well. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also taken the time to catch up on reading a few journal articles that I've been wanting to read for a while now, but keep avoiding for no reason. It was so nice to sit down after dinner and peruse through the articles, having soft music playing in the background. Did you know it's recommended to introduce peanuts to children before 12 months of age? That's something new I learned this week :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the only thing I have been struggling with is the lack of access to gyms and to restaurants. I can't believe I actually miss doing weighted squats and leg curls?? What a foreign feeling. I did think I would be able to adjust to the lack of restaurants better though - but there are some types of food you can really only eat in restaurants, and I'm craving those types of food - hotpot, yumcha, K-BBQ and more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How have you been adjusting to the different times? Have you picked up more hobbies? Has it been difficult being at home? Let me know in the comments, or message me - I'm always open to talk, especially since lots of people may be finding these times harder than usual. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-21795567949944385942018-09-12T18:50:00.001+10:002018-09-12T18:50:27.558+10:00Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! Before we get started on the usual humdrum of reviews, book tags and the usual fun, I wanted to apologise for having been gone for so long! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly have no excuses - I should have been more on top of things, and not just gone AWOL with no warning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said, I am making a concerted effort to be more part of this community again - I thought back to 2016 when I rejoined the community, and how welcoming you all were - you guys honestly made my days back then! I had so much fun, and I really enjoyed book blogging! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without further ado...here's a book review! It's an old book review I've had shelved as a draft since 2016 heheheheh but I hope you enjoy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Breakdown</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: Diplomatic Immunity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Brodi Ashton </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, YA </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Balzer + Bray</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: September 6th, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Representation of autistic people felt authentic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters - Piper and Rafael were boring and dull - no chemistry </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Weak ending</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 2</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28512629-diplomatic-immunity?ac=1&from_search=true" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Diplomatic-Immunity-Brodi-Ashton/dp/0062368567" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> |<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really picked up this title because of the title. It sounded like it would be full of political intrigue, and it made me think of The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne, which I thought was a cute, fluffy politics-based romance. Even after reading the synopsis and finding out it was about journalism, I wasn't deterred, because I had heard of Brodi Ashton before. In fact, I tried reading Everneath (a book that Ashton had previously published) and I DNFed it, but hey, I can always give second chances right? </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.
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Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.
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Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.
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Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.
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The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Diplomatic Immunity</i> was a step up from Ashton's Everneath books for me - at least this time I could finish reading the book. However, that's not to say that <i>Diplomatic immunity </i>doesn't have flaws and all. In fact, I believe that it has several of them that made it difficult for me to truly get on board with the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First of all - the characters. They all fit into some stereotype or another, and were flat and dull. Piper, the main character, is characterised by her drive to get into Columbia University and study journalism - she's willing to do just about anything to achieve her goals. I think my main issue with her was that I couldn't relate to her at all. I have never wanted anything as much as Piper has - not even to get into medicine, which is my dream goal that I'm working towards right now. I have never been so determined to achieve my goals that I would <b>cross ethical boundaries </b>for them, which Piper certainly does in <i>Diplomatic Immunity</i>. Furthermore, even if I did cross ethical boundaries, I would definitely know that what I was doing was unethical. However, we have Piper and her best friend who both are oblivious as ever, to write an expose on Piper's friends. <b>In short, I didn't relate to Piper because she was everything I was not - someone who has unrealistic goals and oblivious to her sense of morals. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rafael was a character I did not love and swoon over. He was the stereotype of the bad boy who is nice to the main character. For me, he didn't stand out at all, with no quirks that made him unique or different from the other bad boys in other books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ending of <i>Diplomatic Immunity</i> also had me scratching my head. Firstly - it was too perfect. <b>It was a fairytale ending, constructed in a few pages, after several pages of angst. </b>It didn't fit in with the book for me, and it left many loose ends. For one, what happened to Samuel? And Piper's family? Lots of unanswered questions, and lots of focus on the romance in the novel. I expected the ending to be a lot more nuanced than just a focus on romance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one commendable thing in Diplomatic Immunity is the portrayal of people who are on the spectrum. Autistic people don't get a lot of attention in YA books - in fact, I think this is the frist book I've read that actually depicts them. I don't know if the representation is accurate though - I lack personal experience to verify that. Regardless, Michael and Alejandro were refreshing characters, and I loved how their characters weren't defined by the fact that they were autistic, and they were very real characters. I would go so far to say that they were better characterised than the two lead characters - Piper and Rafael. </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Diplomatic Immunity was a disappointing read for me, with the main highlights being its easy readability and honest characterisation of two autistic characters. Most of the book left a sour taste, with my inability to relate to Piper being a major reason for this. I'm going to give a hard pass from recommending this book - it's a 2 stars from me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*additional thoughts from me since its now 2018 and I read this book in 2016: uhhhhh i didn't remember anything from this book??? guess it was super unmemorable and not that interesting in the end </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is based off my Goodreads review, which ranks the book by its characters, plot, writing style and entertainment value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts in a Phrase </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-44895352930936228602018-01-09T00:12:00.000+10:002018-01-09T00:12:18.636+10:00A Taxonomy of Love by Rachael Allen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: A Taxonomy of Love </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Rachael Allen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, YA </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: ABRAMS Kids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: 9th January, 2018</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Emphasis on family </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Gives a voice for people with Tourette's Syndrome and their close relatives and friends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Plot was very typical of normal YA books</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 3</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34227670-a-taxonomy-of-love" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was hooked by the book synopsis; a character with Tourette's Syndrome. The cover was gorgeous, and the first few pages were interesting, so I knew I had to request this title from Netgalley! Many thanks to ABRAM Kids, who approved my request to receive an advanced copy of <i>A Taxonomy of Love</i>. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The moment Spencer meets Hope the summer before seventh grade, it’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.</span></i><br />
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Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love how we had a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome. Reading is a gateway towards understanding others' lives, and I felt like we got a good taste of what it might be like to have Tourette's Syndrome. <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>covers many aspects of disability, ranging from the medication schedules, side-effects, and experimentation, to the stigma experienced. I particularly appreciated how Allen showed that disability isn't necessarily a hindrance towards a 'normal' life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, unfortunately, I don't think <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>is a particularly memorable book. As a contemporary novel, it blends into the background of all other contemporary YA novels, despite its strong, intriguing protagonist. For me, <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>followed the same formulaic structure that most contemporary YA novels follow: childhood friends, high-school angst, with an eventual romantic relationship. The only thing that really makes this book stand out would be the character's diagnosis of Tourette's Syndrome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many contemporary YA novels fail to address a key aspect of many teenagers' lives; family. I love how <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>was not one of these novels, with the strong emphasis on Spencer's parents and grandmothers. I also really appreciated Allen tackling Spencer's difficulty in obtaining his father's approval and his feelings of inferiority to his brother. Coming from a family where there are three girls - I constantly felt like I had to fight with my sisters for my parent's attention and approval, and I loved how Allen addressed this, particularly as Spencer has Tourette's Syndrome, which I would imagine would compound these feelings of inferiority, as Allen continually repeats in the book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At times, it did feel like I was reading a middle-grade novel - but this was mostly in the first half of the book. I did feel like this book is less accessible who people who aren't familiar with the U.S. schooling system - I was unsure what age the characters were due to the distinct U.S. take on this story, and so I initially thought this book was more middle-grade oriented. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All in all, <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>is a wonderful take on a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome, that is ultimately marred by a predictable plot, which reduces this tale down to a simple story that is twisted by high-school love and drama. If the entire plot of this story didn't rest on Spencer's obsession on Hope, I think I would have enjoyed this story a lot more, as it would have seemed less juvenile. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nevertheless, <i>A Taxonomy of Love </i>is still a good read for anyone who would like to understand Tourette's Syndrome a bit more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is based off my Goodreads review, which ranks the book by its characters, plot, writing style and entertainment value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strong characters that are ultimately let down by a predictable plot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-61151189592585511842017-08-24T16:50:00.000+10:002017-08-24T16:50:17.167+10:00I'm Feeling Wanderlust | The Around The World Book Tag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzghKjZ1gmx_QcuvtmoMWS_ae-qt-oQTuoqHrxFiO9MUMF4daIPdUx6Ab0gGzzwbLYRFbSL1XvF6oXqqyHm9Vjt3879OYtPw0hGZsdzR7E_ujr0lLnxzfmAzCfroRjudXZ6B7CTegYe1w/s1600/Around+the+world+book+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzghKjZ1gmx_QcuvtmoMWS_ae-qt-oQTuoqHrxFiO9MUMF4daIPdUx6Ab0gGzzwbLYRFbSL1XvF6oXqqyHm9Vjt3879OYtPw0hGZsdzR7E_ujr0lLnxzfmAzCfroRjudXZ6B7CTegYe1w/s320/Around+the+world+book+tag.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm here with a new book tag today! I really admire how creative book-tag-creators are...because these seriously take a lot of work! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love traveling...and as someone who hasn't been able to travel for the past three years, I'm feeling that wanderlust again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book tag will be a bit different to normal book tags - I'll be writing down the places that fit the category or my personal experiences, along with a book that fits the category! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Sailing Across the Seas - A book about travelling - bonus points if it's travel by sea! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place: </b>I've actually never travelled by sea before, but I kind of want to travel in the Dead Sea, just because I've heard stories about how the density is different, so I can float easily there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wdFQcGjiYtlObRunhMDSzyHJqLvC2fCMcpd9Gp7jHLxIdgjH1Thlm0DUTOVfYIT2bvLarQdOmkdQ6DbXjQTp1-oI-HGhqqscOA-_JGz_eUUKMWF5Atn-XpQosJyusXYS6EBV0NBChWdx/s1600/percy+jackson+and+sea+of+monsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="327" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wdFQcGjiYtlObRunhMDSzyHJqLvC2fCMcpd9Gp7jHLxIdgjH1Thlm0DUTOVfYIT2bvLarQdOmkdQ6DbXjQTp1-oI-HGhqqscOA-_JGz_eUUKMWF5Atn-XpQosJyusXYS6EBV0NBChWdx/s320/percy+jackson+and+sea+of+monsters.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Fine Dining - A book that made you hungry with its overwhelming descriptions of food </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> MALAYSIA. I love Malaysia, it's where I was born, but I consider it a holiday destination since I spend less than a month in it every year. The food here is actually the main reason I return - from Sarawak laksa, kolo-mee, chao kueh tiao, pig trotters and rice, as well as the various desserts like layer cake, the Nonya desserts, and Ais Kachang, Malaysia is a food heaven for me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book:</b> Haven't actually read a book that's made me that hungry...probably because I always have a snack with me hahaha...Unless you count recipe books! Give me recommendations on books with lots of food! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. From Motels to Hotels - A book that was an unexpected surprise </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> Oh my god, there is this one hotel in Beijing that was THE BEST HOTEL I HAVE EVER BEEN TO. My family went to Beijing as part of a tour, and I was expecting a 3-star hotel or something, nothing too fancy, with the standard shower, TV set and beds cramped into one room. Instead, we got a five-room suite, with...wait for it...a STAIRCASE. The bottom floor was one bedroom, a bathroom, and a sitting area; going up the staircase led to another three rooms. Our six-person party had access to this entire place ALL TO OURSELVES because it was classed as ONE ROOM. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I STILL HAVE PHOTOS OF IT AND I LOVE IT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Going to that hotel was one of the happiest moments of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I actually expected this to be trash, because the friend who recommended it to me really liked The Vampire Diaries, which I read and thought was trash. Turns out my friend liked the TV show The Vampire Diaries, which I ended up liking at the time (when The Vampire Diaries was showing Season 3 episodes lolll), and coincidentally, I really loved Vampire Academy too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvZqYYNlNn1_t44hRkxgqgqOigHEUm67dToYYU_t4IzmAMs9F09xiWD3gm_cCmpEJ4iN5VeUXt9egZI5MUsUNO92rURG5cAcPvruCKAoMdnNKDJfhv9vaZVeLg0MPOMs7KRKELJA1Dj7W/s1600/vampire+academy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvZqYYNlNn1_t44hRkxgqgqOigHEUm67dToYYU_t4IzmAMs9F09xiWD3gm_cCmpEJ4iN5VeUXt9egZI5MUsUNO92rURG5cAcPvruCKAoMdnNKDJfhv9vaZVeLg0MPOMs7KRKELJA1Dj7W/s320/vampire+academy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Miscommunication - A book that's hard to understand </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place: </b>Again, when I went to China, because I looked Chinese, a lot of people spoke to me in Mandarin...jokes on them when I tried speaking back in broken Mandarin ahahahahaha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Soundless by Richelle Mead. It was just hard to understand this book, mostly because its concept revolved around the inability of the citizens to speak, and how the citizens relied on sign language. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGQG9VRBSpC-1AEwJVBOyrDwRMWyXFOZUOThlDX2cAmgJ22U4EKtzKMaNWgEX8vKaLDfM_B68GPpqcl9UUCpnQYROrQCh_TZ5cCfpRul0Wy5v5OXAdEQsWTNGIVy1aTTy8opdwyC0eQ_K/s1600/soundless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGQG9VRBSpC-1AEwJVBOyrDwRMWyXFOZUOThlDX2cAmgJ22U4EKtzKMaNWgEX8vKaLDfM_B68GPpqcl9UUCpnQYROrQCh_TZ5cCfpRul0Wy5v5OXAdEQsWTNGIVy1aTTy8opdwyC0eQ_K/s320/soundless.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Sightseeing - A book that you picked up because it's really popular </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place: </b>Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. We went around so many small islands on a small motor boat, and we could see how clear the water was, and the beach was just so pristine...it was gorgeous! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. It ended up being sort of a disappointment, to be honest...but it was BIG at the time it came out. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz7iV6fu-83yWNPJgWz4RwCnGlZg5nVGy4NVhR7UmbyeV1eXwekBdwv3o_KHa4WJkhWin1r7Q6552jORIaAcMeOZpQ4mdvcEgFF-7QdOhKnWyKrjaPRwWo9vXCjzYftaxC9viBDG6fDCg/s1600/truthwitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz7iV6fu-83yWNPJgWz4RwCnGlZg5nVGy4NVhR7UmbyeV1eXwekBdwv3o_KHa4WJkhWin1r7Q6552jORIaAcMeOZpQ4mdvcEgFF-7QdOhKnWyKrjaPRwWo9vXCjzYftaxC9viBDG6fDCg/s320/truthwitch.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. Dealing with the Desert - A book that you were so addicted to, that you could have gone days without water just to read it</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> I've never been to the desert, but one day I'd like to go to Antarctica, even though I hate the cold. It's just such a novel place - a frozen desert. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book</b>: Anything by Cassandra Clare! Another anecdote - I actually spent a whole day, sitting by the fireplace, reading City of Heavenly Fire, from start to finish. I don't think I ate, I don't think I even took a break; I was completely immersed in the Shadowhunter world.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwmKE5wHU3LiaqQMiSCuccdTATnwoyIql4rmS-J0V9lg8GxbunKI22y1HYZ02dbap_Iqu_zKCKsB5qyob5UvOs5qK07kwiOqurI14Qtd4wxVUZZsoo0IxioG0BAWkiNzSeQYQ0tHUZCE8/s1600/city+of+heavenly+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwmKE5wHU3LiaqQMiSCuccdTATnwoyIql4rmS-J0V9lg8GxbunKI22y1HYZ02dbap_Iqu_zKCKsB5qyob5UvOs5qK07kwiOqurI14Qtd4wxVUZZsoo0IxioG0BAWkiNzSeQYQ0tHUZCE8/s320/city+of+heavenly+fire.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7. Journey through the Jungle - A book that was difficult to navigate through </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> HAHA in Malaysia, my grandparents essentially live in a jungle... But I'd love to go to the Amazon someday! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whisper to Me by Nick Lake. This book, whilst an awesome representation of mental illness, was really hard for me to get into. I had no idea what was actually happening sometimes, and it made me work really hard to follow the plot. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE83bSpsuixPLyRp4gavWltb_HHNr642mm8lnemVGOtURsNoHKTUb-_RJTpSQmSVemdDr0KPe4D5bymkl_1SXyb20olg6PpWxlAGE5_t-GGHqEQuKRtPyzx2F_7bYI6VO6-mB49tvAFPEW/s1600/whisper+to+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE83bSpsuixPLyRp4gavWltb_HHNr642mm8lnemVGOtURsNoHKTUb-_RJTpSQmSVemdDr0KPe4D5bymkl_1SXyb20olg6PpWxlAGE5_t-GGHqEQuKRtPyzx2F_7bYI6VO6-mB49tvAFPEW/s320/whisper+to+me.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8. Holiday House in the Hamptons - A book you continually revisit, time after time again. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place: </b>A place I continually revisit is Malaysia! Malaysia is almost my second home, with my grandparents there, and some of my extended family members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Wild Swans by Jung Chang. I'm actually due for a reread, to be honest! But I find this book fascinating, because it explores three generation of women, and their experiences in China, especially around the time of the Cultural Revolution. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPbn19yibWT0wkAbd3PnmbzJIIatP5B7b4muBWqzAuj4Tklxnim3EmdVKt3DdV7yBSTcpf308CB7eDqoK0K6RR4HRjlzourebWkxdPMDAPb3vNAhOFCJm2RSN9DM57PGdWv19G2doGTsy/s1600/wild+swans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPbn19yibWT0wkAbd3PnmbzJIIatP5B7b4muBWqzAuj4Tklxnim3EmdVKt3DdV7yBSTcpf308CB7eDqoK0K6RR4HRjlzourebWkxdPMDAPb3vNAhOFCJm2RSN9DM57PGdWv19G2doGTsy/s320/wild+swans.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9. Souvenirs - A book you would give as a gift for a close friend </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> Once, I got a souvenir from a friend who went to Fiji, and I was really touched she got me something...until I found out everyone else got the same thing as me! I'm really picky, and I like feeling special, so ever since then, I've made sure to buy souvenirs that are unique and personal for the person I'm getting them for! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book:</b> For Gabby, my sister, I actually got her Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. Definitely a book I would give to any empowered young woman! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. There's No Place Like Home - A book that makes you</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> feel like you're home </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My experience/place:</b> Even though I thought Brisbane was small, and there was nothing to do in Brisbane, recently, I've seen more and more events crop up, that are Brisbane events! There's so much to do in this sunny city...sometimes I don't feel like leaving it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My book: </b>Anne of Green Gables! I read this when I was young, and it made me feel all the feels...I could see Anne growing up, and I did similar things to all the foolish things she did! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I tag...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As always, I tag whoever wants to do this! If you decide to do this tag...tweet me your post! I'd be keen to check it out; otherwise, comment a link in the comments below! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in particular, I'd love to hear:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) Marie @ <a href="https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/" target="_blank">Drizzle and Hurricane Books </a>- you go travelling so often, it would be awesome to hear your thoughts! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) Emily @ <a href="http://paperbackprincess2014.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">The Paperback Princess </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) Cilla @ <a href="https://pavedwithbookss.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Paved With Books</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-62381608091072348012017-07-27T22:50:00.002+10:002017-07-27T22:50:07.500+10:00Deja Vu | Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGUa3w1Mv5B9lBkgbQK5cqHuhcKuB4PyHQzJEShjiSV34kxl1eimN-W6vsqJDtHzBQDhPpNtf_76u_T_7-eiZdUrhVKI4XsZhwMi5HR6xz34UhbCwjCmXT_l5yYc0VY4ham8kePiV0NQ7/s1600/Inside+Out+head.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGUa3w1Mv5B9lBkgbQK5cqHuhcKuB4PyHQzJEShjiSV34kxl1eimN-W6vsqJDtHzBQDhPpNtf_76u_T_7-eiZdUrhVKI4XsZhwMi5HR6xz34UhbCwjCmXT_l5yYc0VY4ham8kePiV0NQ7/s320/Inside+Out+head.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Breakdown</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: Inside Out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Maria V. Snyder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Dystopia, YA, Science-Fiction</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Harlequin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: April 1st, 2010</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The way it mirrors out society </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Mix of genres</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters were dull and fell into stereotypes and tropes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Plot twists weren't shocking - except for one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Forgettable</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 2.5 stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7059135-inside-out" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Maria-V-Snyder/dp/037321006X" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> |<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A friend of mine enthusiastically recommended this to me at the start of 2016! Plus it's Maria V. Snyder - I've read some of her books before, and they haven't been horrible...Finally, that cover just got to me! It's really creative how the title is really meta, in its design, with the word 'inside' being <i>inside</i> the word 'out' </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.</b> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a weird feeling that I've actually read this book before, but forgotten completely about it. After I got into the first few pages, everything about it just sounded really familiar. Maybe I've read another book like it before, or maybe I've read it before and just forgotten everything about it. Let me know if you know any books like Inside Out - I'm curious to know which it is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maria V. Snyder's writing here is actually pretty easy to follow. I tried reading the Healer series previously, and whilst the first book was easy to follow, the following books were harder to read and just more disjointed for me. So I was happy to see that this book was fluid and smooth with the writing and managed to hook me in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting of Inside Out is rather interesting to me. With the division between the 'uppers' and the 'scrubs', the tension between the two classes of society was depicted very well, and it made me think about tensions between races, with how discriminatory and uneducated some of the discourse was. The knowledge that each class had of each other was off-base and based on stereotypes - which I actually enjoyed, because I thought it mirrored our society very well, and made it easier for me to relate to the book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found the main character, Trella, to be quite dull honestly. There was nothing really special about her, other than her title as the 'Queen of Pipes', for her constant scuttling about in the pipes Inside. She fell into the trope of being that unique person who is essential for x, y and z to happen, and that trope about being the outcast. Her love interest, Riley, was the same as well, with regards to being boring. With two characters that were about as dull as cardboard, I didn't feel any chemistry between them, not even with their joking around about the stuffed sheep, which felt forced and very lame. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot twist at the end, where Trella's parentage is revealed wasn't much of a surprise to me either - I saw it from a mile away, and when her parentage is revealed, I didn't gasp in shock or particularly care, really. But I did enjoy the plot twist where we find out what Inside and Outside really are, which I didn't see coming. </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside Out is a good book in terms of writing, but ultimately forgettable with reused tropes and dull characters. I've already started the second book within days of reading this one, and I've already forgotten some of the key characters. Whether it's my bad memory or it's just a forgettable book, I'm giving Inside Out a hard 2.5 stars. Merely passable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is based off my Goodreads review, which ranks the book by its characters, plot, writing style and entertainment value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deja vu. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-21400723718651554802017-07-23T22:38:00.004+10:002017-07-23T22:38:57.186+10:00I Haven't Touched A Book In Six Months: An Update On My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello friends! It has been AGES since I was last here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you have all been well! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Confession time: I didn't touch a book for six months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I feel guilty? Not really. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point, you're probably gasping. How could I have gone six months without reading a single book for fun? And how am I not guilty?? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are very good questions. Questions that I have no answers, only excuses for! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, the usual comes to mind; university, doing five subjects, work, tutoring, research projects, a social life, etc. Sorry (but really not) for the excuses! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What I've been doing (life edition)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juggling five uni subjects again this semester was definitely not fun - especially when I had to worry about anatomy and chemistry! My final exam weeks were especially daunting, since I had five exams in the first week alone, and one more exam in the first half of the second week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But throughout all the stress, I was really glad I had my family and my boyfriend to back me up with delicious food, dinner dates, supplying me with chocolate and dried mangoes and...and...wait....I think I'm just grateful to have delicious food :')</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also had one exam over the holidays, because I deferred it due to my hectic exam timetable, so holidays were filled with study >_< </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What I've been doing (bookish edition) </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like I've said, I've been doing...stuff. Which is all fair. But what have I actually been doing bookish wise? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went to a Penguin Teen event at Brisbane Library two months (?) ago! It was really fun...mostly because I got to meet up with some of my fave book bloggers, such as Maddie, Jeann, and Brett! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've also been buying a ton of books...stocking up for these university holidays! One month is definitely not enough to get through all the books...but I'll try my hardest to! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rearranged my bookshelf! It looks the same as always (i.e. a cluttered mess), but I managed to fit more books in! LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENT. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to read just one book over the holidays... </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare! Which I resisted buying for so long, because I had another exam over the uni break...but I bought it anyway and gave into procrastination :')) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My plans for the future</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm planning on reading </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm also looking forward to writing a ton more posts and actually posting them...instead of leaving them as drafts :')) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully I'll finally adapt to using Twitter...been offline on it for way too long! ...same with bookstagram haha! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm getting ready for a new semester of uni now too - hopefully I'll do well again this semester! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What have you all been up to? Have you read anything interesting that you think I should get around to? Any hot new releases I should keep my eye on? Talk to me! It's seriously been WAY. TOO. LONG. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books (and sorry for the long absence!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-33326460947159217062017-02-06T11:34:00.001+10:002017-02-06T11:34:30.271+10:00Conversations: Commenting Back - Should it Be Compulsory?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome one, welcome all, to another edition of Conversations! This month, our topics will be focused on blogging habits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, let's discuss:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you always comment back? Should commenting back be a must? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly, let's define what commenting back means. I know when I first started blogging, that term really confused me. I initially thought it just meant replying back to comments on your blog. But then as time wore on, I realised that "commenting back" meant visiting said commenter's blog and commenting on one of their posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that's the definition we'll go with today - <b>commenting back refers to visiting a commenter's blog and commenting back on their post</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I personally try to always comment back. After I reply to someone's comment on my blog, I head on over to their blog, through their user or their link they've provided, and find an interesting post to leave a comment. This isn't always feasible for me though - sometimes I take unexpected hiatuses (like I am now) because life creeps up. I try to go back afterwards and comment back - so I do a delayed comment back, if that makes sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, people comment on older posts of mine, which have been up for a month or so. Whilst I really appreciate that, and Disqus does send me an email notifying me that someone has commented, I usually leave it for later...until later becomes never. >_< </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still, I make sure to try to always reply to peoples' comments on my blog at the very least - for me, that's just common courtesy. If people <b>take the time out of their lives to care what you think - shouldn't you take the time to reply to them? </b>Replying to these comments is always easier than making your own comment - at the very least, replying back shows that you are grateful for their presence here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Should commenting back be compulsory? I don't know. Personally, I used to think it should be compulsory - after all, we are in this community to make friends, to find other like-minded people. And it does get tiring, leaving so many comments on other peoples' blogs, hoping to make a connection with them, but to be faced with them never trying to connect with your words. I get that people have busy lives, but it's important to reach out, and connect with your readers if you have a blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But at the same time, I remember hearing someone say in the blogosphere that they didn't comment back, because they didn't want to force a comment, and be fake. I think that philosophy is pretty interesting, and I agree with it to some extent. I agree that you shouldn't have to force yourself to comment back - if you can't find anything interesting to talk about, don't comment! Don't write a comment like "Wow, so interesting, thanks for sharing!". It's pretty fake, and it shows that you don't really care about making connections. But at the same time, we are all book lovers - there should be something on everyones' blogs that we can relate to, or empathise with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end, I don't think that commenting back should be compulsory. But at the very least, I believe that bloggers should reply to comments on their own blogs - I know I used to follow a bunch of blogs that didn't reply back to comments on their own blogs, and it was really disheartening because I never felt like I mattered to these blogs, it never felt like they wanted to make friendships. It seemed like all they cared about was stats, getting ARCs, and gaining followers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you know me, that's not the kind of person I like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, that post took a very personal detour. What do you all think about commenting back? Should it be compulsory? Let me know in the comments below, or in the linky here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enjoyed reading this? You should definitely follow me to get more updates! </span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-67518978598627693442017-01-21T21:47:00.003+10:002017-01-21T21:47:57.759+10:00Conversations: Why Reading Multiple Books Is My Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome to another week of Conversations! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, the topic is...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Do you prefer to read a single book at a time, or multiple books at a time? Why? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am not ashamed of it - <b>I like reading multiple books at one time! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A huge problem I have when I read is actually <b>starting </b>the book. Particularly for fantasy and science-fiction books, there's usually quite a lot of world building involved. I'm a <b>lazy reader</b>, and I generally like to skim over information dumps - so when one book gets to be too much for me, I skip it. I move onto another book, and when I feel like returning back to Book #1, I return back. But of course, I can't forget about Book #2! So I concurrently read them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then, I want to read Book #3 - someone has just recommended it strongly to me, and that synopsis is gold! So of course, I pile on Book #3, and chug it down as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUT WAIT. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sequel of a wonderful book has JUST come out - I NEED to know how that cliffhanger in the first book was resolved - let's add on Book #4!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By now, I'm thinking, "I think I've got enough books - let me start properly reading them!" BUT NO, LIFE DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School throws compulsory reading my way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hey Gerri, we're studying The Picture of Dorian Gray this semester for English" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I add Book#5 to my list. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's not forget that ARC that you signed up for three months ago! You need to read and review it by the end of this week! #oops. Book #6 is on the pile!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...the number of books, and the reasons why go on and on. I think at one point, I was reading eight books at one time?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not going to lie - reading multiple books at the same time does have its drawbacks, as you can clearly see. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting inundated with all the books isn't always fun, because <b>I feel overwhelmed</b>. I also tend to forget a bunch of information about each book, as it all blends together. Sometimes, I forget what page I'm on as well, because I don't use bookmarks - I rely on my memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But reading multiple books at the same time also has its benefits. If I didn't read multiple books at one time, I would be so bored of that one book I'm reading. It <b>spices up my reading life</b>! It's also pretty convenient - I never leave the house without a book, and if I'm too close to finishing a book, I can decide not to bring it - I can bring another book that I've yet to get to the middle of (we must <b>always </b>be prepared for boring situations). </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, there's also review writing...I tend to finish all my books around the same time, so I also have to write all my reviews at the same time! I like doing all my reviews at the same time, because I get to focus my whole attention on doing those reviews, open up all those tabs for just one occasion. Makes it so much easier, and more time-effective for me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What kind of a reader are you - a one book at a time, or multiple book at a time reader? Why? Let me know in the comments below, or else link up with the linky! ^_^</span><br />
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-6585417219744413472017-01-19T11:15:00.000+10:002017-01-19T11:15:03.297+10:00#DisabilityDiaries2017 - My Experience With Mental Illness - A Response to Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corey Whaley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently read Highly Illogical Behaviour, by John Corey Whaley, and I absolutely loved it. If I could trace the first instance when I was hooked, it would have to be when Lisa mentioned that she had to write an essay on her experience with mental illness for a scholarship for a university. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In high school, mental illness was such a big part of my life. I wasn't diagnosed with a mental illness - no, some of my closest friends were. If I was ever given this topic - "<i>My experience with mental illness</i>" for an essay topic, I honestly have no idea how I'd keep to any word limit, because there's so much I can write on this topic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Experience with Mental Illness </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Geraldine Lee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a child, I never knew what mental illness was. Depression was another word for being sad. Anxiety was another term for being worried. Being bipolar was being crazy. My small, inexperienced mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since then, I've learned a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In high school, I made friends with many people from all different backgrounds. From vibrant people who loved Harry Potter like I did, to quiet people who liked to spend their days in the library studying like I did, I found my people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In particular, I found two of my best friends - let's call them Daisy and David. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daisy and I became steadfast friends when we were paired up for a Physics assignment - we found that we loved watching so many similar TV shows, like Castle, Bones, The Mentalist and Once Upon A Time. David, I fell in love with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I knew it, I was staying up late, just to talk to both of them. We had our own group chat going, we would post memes, joke around, and just have fun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, that didn't last long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David told me he had depression. By that time, we were dating and it</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was crushing, seeing the boy I loved crumble, not knowing who he was anymore. Knowing that he was going through this and I couldn't make it better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daisy confided that she had anxiety, and that the psychologist she was seeing might diagnose were with a bipolar disorder. It was painful to hear how uncertain she was, how worried she was, and not know how to help her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was painful, to see my friendships fall apart, because I didn't know how to help them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've learned three things from my experience with anxiety and depression. Firstly, mental illness should never be romanticised. Secondly, that more people need to know what mental illnesses are. Thirdly, more people need to know how to help others with mental illness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the thing about mental illness - you can't see them. With a lot of illnesses, they manifest themselves physically, whether it be with a runny nose, red eyes, unusual bruises - with mental illness, that's not always the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So when people tell me that mental illness isn't real, or that it's just in people's heads, I know that's not true.<b> Mental illness is just as real as any other illness</b> - and it's critical that we all play a role in treating it, whether it be through doing more research about it, treating it, or just plain old being a good friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you, or you think anyone you know is suffering from a mental illness, please speak up. You don't have to tell me here in the comments - just speak up, see someone, talk to someone about it. Mental illness can be so debilitating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've got a few links attached below - I hope they'll come in handy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety" target="_blank">BeyondBlue | Anxiety</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">BeyondBlue | Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">BeyondBlue | Depression</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">BeyondBlue | Signs and Symptoms of Depression</span></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/supporting-someone/supporting-someone-with-depression-or-anxiety" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BeyondBlue | Supporting Someone with Anxiety or Depression</span></a></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-60616470667433807332017-01-16T22:16:00.001+10:002017-01-16T22:16:59.233+10:00#DisabilityDiaries2017 - Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corey Whaley <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMNdKbI0_0QkULZcDs39p2Mq2bkZoti-KVckr4KEZdT3wGLRJHbrzYcSqp_IHaXo8Rn3h60k6kQ2-mLCutIwxj9CyFM38f6xbzEt-P_xU1p_RNQI-PpjGfWAKRRH_raMQq0Ml0jQQlUQn/s1600/highly+illogical+behaviour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMNdKbI0_0QkULZcDs39p2Mq2bkZoti-KVckr4KEZdT3wGLRJHbrzYcSqp_IHaXo8Rn3h60k6kQ2-mLCutIwxj9CyFM38f6xbzEt-P_xU1p_RNQI-PpjGfWAKRRH_raMQq0Ml0jQQlUQn/s320/highly+illogical+behaviour.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: Highly Illogical Behaviour </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: John Corey Whaley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, YA, Diverse Books,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Dial Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: May 26th, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The characters - were all fascinating characters that made me think about MY life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The plot/premise - intriguing and hooked me in! The synopsis stays true to the book</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The writing - flows easily and easy to read</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - um..nothing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 5 </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29231988-highly-illogical-behavior" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Highly-Illogical-Behavior-Corey-Whaley/dp/0525428186" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ever since starting bookstagram, I've raided my local libraries for beautiful books to photograph. That's why I borrowed <i>Highly Illogical Behaviour - </i>the cover is gorgeous in an abstract-art kind of way. But, I wasn't actually planning to read it...sacrilege, you say? Well, it's a good thing that <a href="https://shelatitude.com/" target="_blank">Reg @ SheLatitude</a> convinced me to read it then! She commented on a bookstagram photo that I uploaded of it, saying it was one of her favourite books ever...so I HAD to read it right? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGadA9twbRKeTYWcuF4XsbwiaDq4zWAICQIWeRiJ73EDDpft5ueiMyru0l0-JsczjJVZl4fngQs5_Zokh2BGCatfViPa14dE4wpTJE1h4Vnq0Cbi6sk1rLEkN16kACiKizAabdbPOXJ_7/s1600/highly+illogical+behaviour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGadA9twbRKeTYWcuF4XsbwiaDq4zWAICQIWeRiJ73EDDpft5ueiMyru0l0-JsczjJVZl4fngQs5_Zokh2BGCatfViPa14dE4wpTJE1h4Vnq0Cbi6sk1rLEkN16kACiKizAabdbPOXJ_7/s1600/highly+illogical+behaviour.jpg" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sixteen year old Solomon has agoraphobia. He hasn't left his house in three years, which is fine by him. At home, he is the master of his own kingdom--even if his kingdom doesn't extend outside of the house. </span></i><br />
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Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to go to a top tier psychiatry program. She'll do anything to get in. </span></i><br />
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When Lisa finds out about Solomon's solitary existence, she comes up with a plan sure to net her a scholarship: befriend Solomon. Treat his condition. And write a paper on her findings. To earn Solomon's trust, Lisa begins letting him into her life, introducing him to her boyfriend Clark, and telling him her secrets. Soon, Solomon begins to open up and expand his universe. But all three teens have grown uncomfortably close, and when their facades fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse as well.</span></i></div>
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Characters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whaley knows how to write characters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was initially <b>very apprehensive with Lisa</b>. Lisa didn't seem to have any boundaries, and I had no idea why anyone would even like her. But eventually, Whaley reveals so many layers to her character, shows why she is what she is, <b>shadowing light onto her background</b>. It also helped that<b> I completely understood where Lisa was coming from</b> - two or three years ago, I was pretty much Lisa. I was interested in psychology, wanted to do medicine (still want to do both of those things now) and I was determined to get out of the city I grew up in (not so much anymore). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Solomon was such an endearing character. I could smush up his face and squeal, like an old grandmother, because he just pulled at my heartstrings with everything he did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clark was just a standout character, with how supportive he was. He showed me what being a friend meant - you make sure your friends know when they're overstepping, and you look out for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed how the friendships between this motley bunch was developed - what started off as curiosity on Lisa's part ended up being a sincere, deep affection for Solomon, and Clark, who had little interest in Solomon ended up being one of Solomon's best mates and a love interest. </span></div>
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Plot</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was really hesitant about the plot. A girl who's trying to 'fix' a boy with agoraphobia? For a scholarship? It sounded really unethical to me, and I wasn't sure if I'd be on board with Lisa. Characters are <b>everything to me</b> in contemporary novels, so I was worried I'd be <b>reading a book with an insufferable main character</b>. My worries were all for nothing though - most of the book was about friendship and love. Towards the end, there was some drama, but throughout the book, friendship and love were consistent themes explored, which overshadowed the drama for me. I didn't enjoy reading the drama, but it did help explore the theme of friendship and love even deeper, probing at how <b>betrayal can affect friendships</b>. </span><br />
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Writing Style</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initially, I thought Whaley's writing style was a bit too simplistic. But then I kept reading, and that simplicity strikes you at the core. Although Whaley writes in a simple, short manner, the complex ideas he writes with those simple sentences really made me take a step back and reevaluate my life and everything I've ever done, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"There are no boring places, only boring people." </i>(pg. 64)<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"You'd know [if you'd fallen out of love with her]. You just have to look at your life before her and then after her and see which one you like better." </i>(pg. 206)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not the quote-keeping kind of girl...but these are beautiful quotes that just really resonated with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entertainment Value</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hooked. Absolutely hooked. The short sentences made it easy for me to understand everything, to read it through quickly or slowly, depending on what I wanted to do. The characters felt real, it felt like I was there with them. Whilst reading, I was completely lost in the book - I almost forgot to get off the train! </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Highly Illogical Behaviour is a gorgeous book with characters that just spoke to me. With a plot that is sure to entice, and with wonderful words that flow like honey, Whaley's Highly Illogical Behaviour was one of my favourite reads of 2016. I'll definitely be looking for more books like his, so if you have any recommendations, please shout them out below! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, I'll be writing another post as part of Disability Diaries, related to mental illness and Highly Illogical Behaviour - my essay on <b>My Experience With Mental Illness</b>. Keep an eye for it on Wednesday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts in a Phrase </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Magnificent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-39516974589902541362017-01-12T23:42:00.000+10:002017-01-12T23:49:52.078+10:00When I First Saw You | The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y3baXNQgdL8JslT0RKW1LOKgHH8GVln5D52ueI7OxQ9lN6JwRE08AtlYYuSAh93dPYYmq9Lpx8RbuVlaWtPD9Fk1oY-0vOv32hluUa3t_aB4n1waeWGW49IsvZty6iTAg9YnWVoeSSt7/s1600/WIFSY+corralling+books+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y3baXNQgdL8JslT0RKW1LOKgHH8GVln5D52ueI7OxQ9lN6JwRE08AtlYYuSAh93dPYYmq9Lpx8RbuVlaWtPD9Fk1oY-0vOv32hluUa3t_aB4n1waeWGW49IsvZty6iTAg9YnWVoeSSt7/s320/WIFSY+corralling+books+logo.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I First Saw You (or WIFSY) is a meme held over by <a href="http://sailingthroughbooks.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Sophie at Sailing through Books</a>. The aim of the game is to write up a synopsis for a given cover, and then compare it to the actual cover of a book! Sounds fun right? It most definitely is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have missed doing WIFSY! It's such a creative outlet for me, and it's helping me come up with more ideas for my WIP. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, here is my contribution this week - what do you all think? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Book For This Week is...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Love Interest, by Cale Dietrich</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31145148-the-love-interest" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>| <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Interest-Cale-Dietrich/dp/125010713X" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Synopsis</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"911, how can I help you?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"There's been a murder."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"What's your location?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The phone operator was met with the resounding dial tone. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexa Lin is a hardened criminal. Part of an elite group of assassins, she's grown up knowing one thing - love kills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thing is, she's never been too good at following rules. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After all, rules shouldn't apply to being with Grant, her fellow assassin-in-arms. Withhis rugged good looks and flirty words, he defies the realm of reason and possibility - breaking one rule is nothing compared to <i>all that</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But then she meets Trey. Trey, the opposite of everything Grant is. A prep school boy, with everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And her next order? To murder Trey's father. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get ready for ready for one hell of a ride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And don't forget...<b>love kills</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Actual Synopsis</span></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies. The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets.
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Caden is a Nice: The boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection. Dylan is a Bad: The brooding, dark-souled guy, and dangerously handsome. The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her. Will she choose a Nice or the Bad?
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both Caden and Dylan are living in the outside world for the first time. They are well-trained and at the top of their games. They have to be – whoever the girl doesn’t choose will die.
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What the boys don’t expect are feelings that are outside of their training. Feelings that could kill them both.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~~~</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Comparing</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well...secret organisation? I WAS KIND OF RIGHT. But honestly, I like both my synopsis and the real synopsis. I'll definitely be going after The Love Interest - I'm totally in the mood for a love triangle book! Plus, it's a competition? Come on, this must be the most perfect book for me! I am a sucker for any books where there are competitions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But at the same time...I know how many books are out there with my synopsis, but I really like my story. I honestly want to write a whole book out of it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What would you have written? Do you think my synopsis was too far fetched? Did you like my synopsis? Let me know in the comments below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if you enjoy WIFSY - sign up with <a href="http://sailingthroughbooks.blogspot.com.au/p/when-i-first-saw-you.html?m=1" target="_blank">Sophie @ Sailing Through Books</a>! It's such a wonderful meme, one of my absolute favourites, and I'd love to see more people with synopses! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-13328765347459047382017-01-07T09:23:00.000+10:002017-01-07T09:31:28.383+10:00Conversations: Why I Read Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eep, it's been so long since I posted a Conversations post~! I'm blaming it on uni and life...but one of my resolutions for this year is to successfully host Conversations, and that means regularly posting, so...ENJOY ALL THE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS BLOG! ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For this week, let's talk about:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>What kind of books do you read and why?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the book blogosphere, I feel like we usually define our identity by what kinds of books we read. For me, it's a bit of a mixed bag - I usually read contemporary and fantasy, but I also read other genres. Why? Because I don't like reading the same story multiple times - which I feel like you can get if you stick to one genre only. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like to think that I'm </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spontaneous</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and that I'll read whatever I feel like reading - I'm a mood reader! I read a huge variety of books - biographies, self-help, YA, all kinds of books! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you avidly stalk my blog, I think you probably have a rough idea of what books I like to read:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">YA</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contemporary </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fantasy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Science-Fiction</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chick-lit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Biographies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anything that involves science or medicine or psychology</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, I believe that <b>for every mood, there is a genre</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just went through a break up? Time for contemporary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frustrated and just done with life? Time for fantasy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Need something to chill with, after a long day? Time for some chick-lit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But why do I like reading these genres at different times? Why do they draw me in? There are so many reasons for this, specific to the genre. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>YA </b>- okay, I know that YA isn't strictly a genre, more of a classification, but I think there are some core themes that YA books share that draw me towards reading them. For one, I can relate pretty well to pressure to succeed in school, in meeting expectations, etc. Reading YA is relatable, but it's not like I'm rehashing my life. I place myself as a character in the book, and I can <b>see my problems in the real world from a different lens</b>, which gives me some space from it. It's pretty therapeutic sometimes - because I see who I am in the characters of the book, and I see what I'm going through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chick-lit</b> - Chick-lit is honestly my go-to when I need to break out of a bad reading slump as well! It's so easy to read, and I can flip through a book within four hours at most. If it's an especially good chick-lit novel or book series - I'll probably be hooked onto reading for the next week or so at least, and spend a couple of days being upset that I finished reading it. Then I'll forget all about the plot in a couple of months (because I never seem to remember the plot of those books!), and reread it. <b>And the cycle starts all over again. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fantasy</b> - Because the real world isn't enough. I mean, mobile phones and Facebook and other modern inventions are pretty cool....but come on, a world where there are dragons and magic? That's so different to the world we currently live in, and I love reading about it, because I get to <b>escape everything in this world. </b>Of course, in fantasy, the characters go through eternal problems, problems that we, as humans face. I think that's the appeal for me as well - despite these characters being in a different world, facing problems that are insurmountably larger than not having finished my assignment - at the heart of all their problems, their problems are the same as mine - instead of having to complete an assignment in time, they have to finish a quest in time >_< </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Science-fiction </b>- It's crazy how well some authors can really probe into the future - what can happen, what should happen, etc., and I think the real beauty in science-fiction is how <b>humanity remains the same regardless of how much has changed -</b> that relatability, yet escape from my current predicaments is what draws me to science fiction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Contemporary</b> - FEELS. That's why I read contemporary. Plus, it's super easy to read. There isn't much 'new' to learn about - no new worlds, laws and things to learn - you just have to familiarise yourself with a new character and <b>breathe their lives</b> for a couple of hundred of pages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Medicine or science related books</b> - I'm hoping to be a clinician scientist...gotta prepare somehow! Plus, it's actually really interesting how the world works, and how some people have discovered some phenomenal things.<b> It inspires me and makes me work harder towards my goals!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Biographies </b>- some people are so inspirational! I have to read about their lives and just get to know them more. Plus, some biographies are just like watching video-interviews with people. Some people just have such large personalities, that they<b> burst right from the page</b>, and you can just <i>tell </i>it's their biography. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it's safe to say that I read certain book genres because I get to relate to characters, without living their lives. Let's face it, if I had to go through half the problems that these characters go through...I probably wouldn't make it. It makes me thankful I'm not a book character...or am I? :P </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What about you? What genres do you read, and why? Let me know in the comments below or link up your Conversations post! </span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-48280495074082206252017-01-05T09:43:00.004+10:002017-01-05T09:43:50.911+10:00When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: When Michael Met Mina</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, Political, YA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: July 28th, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Politics - covered very well</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Writing - wonderful metaphors that illustrate political views very well </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters - bland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters - Mina had no character growth </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 3</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29753111-when-michael-met-mina" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Michael-Mina-Randa-Abdel-Fattah-ebook/dp/B01EEWQKT4" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> |<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been looking forward to reading <i>When Michael Met Mina </i>for SO LONG. Ever since it came out! I loved that Randa Abdel-Fattah was covering such an important topic in YA, and I wanted to see how she would explore it. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before Mina, my life was like a completed jigsaw puzzle but Mina has pushed the puzzle onto the floor. I have to start all over again, figuring out where the pieces go. </span></i><br />
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When Michael meets Mina, they are at a rally for refugees - standing on opposite sides. </span></i><br />
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Mina fled Afghanistan with her mother via a refugee camp, a leaky boat and a detention centre. </span></i><br />
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Michael's parents have founded a new political party called Aussie Values. </span></i><br />
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They want to stop the boats. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Mina wants to stop the hate. </span></i><br />
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When Mina wins a scholarship to Michael's private school, their lives crash together blindingly. </span></i><br />
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A novel for anyone who wants to fight for love, and against injustice.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>When Michael Met Mina </i>has two narrators - Michael and Mina. The story is about the journey of Michael defying expectations, driven by his infatuation for Mina. I enjoyed reading Michael's perspective - in his perspective, I could see his struggle to defy the beliefs he's grown up with, and to defy his friends. Abdel-Fattah depicted his struggle very well, and I sympathised with his struggle. However, I didn't enjoy reading about Mina at all. I saw no character development, and I was constantly frustrated by her as I found some of her actions problematic. Plus, I felt like I only knew three things about her - that she is a refugee, she's smart and she's Muslim. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most of the characters were unmemorable - Abel-Fattah overloaded the first few pages with so many names of different characters, that they were barely distinguishable to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The romance between Michael and Mina felt forced and very insta-lovey. It was difficult for me to really get on board with it, as I never really saw a spark between them. For one, Michael noticed Mina at a rally, by her eyes. <i>Her EYES. </i>-cringes- Their common interests were just with music, there was no extra oomph for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tldr: I don't ship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The strongest part of this book is the political message that it conveys. It really shows how racism can be everywhere, even in nice people. It doesn't depict racism as a black or white concept- there are shades of grey as well, as the people who you don't normally think are racist can be racist as well. The way that Abdel-Fattah writes really emphasises this, with metaphors that bring a strong punch, which help illustrate why it's so important to reduce and eliminate racism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Everybody's pruned and shaped [like a sapling] somehow, I guess. But not everybody has to fight to stop from being torn out of the ground"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I especially loved how Abdel-Fattah illustrated why Michael's family's views were wrong - how they expected foreigners to assimilate to Judeo-Christian values. </span><br />
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Randa Abdel-Fattah's <i>When Michael Met Mina </i>is a wonderful work that explains current political discourse in Australia with regards to asylum seekers very well. However, I didn't love the characters, and felt like most of them were bland. If you're looking to understand what racism is and why it is so damaging, <i>When Michael Met Mina </i>is a great read. But if you're looking for a heartfelt romance, or characters that you'll love, then this book is not the book for you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is based off my Goodreads review, which ranks the book by its characters, plot, writing style and entertainment value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A topical political read drizzled with instalove.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-41181515596780937192016-12-31T21:12:00.001+10:002016-12-31T21:12:40.986+10:002016 Rewind & Replay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure I'm not the only one who has mixed emotions about 2016. 2016 has been such a crazy, fast and busy year - it's so weird to think that we're coming to the end of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But despite all the weird and crazy things that have happened this year, I'd like to celebrate this year coming to an end by reflecting on everything that has mattered to me this year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notable posts </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/the-sun-is-also-star-by-nicola-yoon.html" target="_blank">Review: The Sun Is Also A Star</a> - the first review of a physical ARC! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/conversations-new-meme-on-block.html" target="_blank">Conversations - The New Meme On The Block</a> - Conversations is a meme I started this year - super proud of it, and I'm hoping to kickstart it again next year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/why-i-rarely-participate-in-top-ten.html" target="_blank">Why I Rarely Participate in Top Ten Tuesday and Other Memes</a> - I think this was my first original discussion post - I hadn't seen any posts about it prior to my writing and publishing the article! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUSY BUSY BUSY. But I'm so proud of myself. My goal is to graduate my BSc by the end of next year, despite having only started uni this year. And I'm on track! I've been overloading on courses, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it, but hey, here I am, and I'm still sitting on a decent GPA! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've also been given the amazing opportunity to do some summer research! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life/Social </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My social life might have dwindled down a bit - I've stopped keeping track with a lot of my high school friends. But the ones I have kept up with, our friendships are still as strong as ever, which makes me happy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've met some new friends this year, but probably no really close new friends :( Maybe next year? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In general life, let's not forget the one time I was in a minor car accident early in the year...someone bumped into the back of my car, and my parents kind of didn't let me drive very much after that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">AND LIBBY. No one can forget that 2016 is the year that my family finally got a dog, after years of waiting! Libby is the most adorable Irish Wolfhound x Rottweiler that you can get and I am <b>so so happy that she is in my life! </b>((i would go so far to say that she is the one being i truly love, what an innocent pupper))</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For someone who started her first job in February to ending the year as a duty manager, I'm pretty proud of where I'm at. I'm also pretty happy that I've made some work friends and gained more confidence in my abilities! From work, I've also become a much more open person, in the sense that I'm not as shy anymore, so I'm really happy! ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TV Shows </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honestly, TV shows are my favourite - I think I've spent at least 20 days worth of time on watching them. Granted, I was multitasking (eating, drawing, etc.) at the time, but STILL. Here are the TV shows I've watched this year!</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Office - OH MY LORD, this is the best TV show I have ever found. People may say that Friends is the best, but I've never been able to intentionally rewatch Friends - I just watch it whenever it's convenient and it comes on the TV. The Office...I've bought it and I honestly watch it whenever I can, because it is ICONIC. Favourite TV show this year, easily, if not favourite show of all time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chicago Fire - started and caught up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Mindy Project - started and caught up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fresh Off The Boat - started and caught up </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brooklyn Nine-Nine - started and caught up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suits - started and caught up </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Girl </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Modern Family </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fringe - started, will probably never finish </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Family Guy - just watching a couple of episodes here and there</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life - no comment. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">House M.D. - rewatched a couple of episodes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jane the Virgin - I JUST STARTED IT (and finished it - binge reading ftw). Thanks Cilla for pushing me to watch it! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've watched devastating amounts of TV, truth be told...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Songs </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Songs are such an important part of my life! I cannot go a day without listening to at least one song (because my commute is generally quite long and noisy), so here is a pick of my favourites! </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anything by The Chainsmokers in 2016 - damn I love this group so MUCH. I didn't love their song <i>Closer </i>at first, but it grew on me. That's their style - all of their songs eventually just grow on me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starboy by The Weeknd and Daft Punk - this song is repeat material! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let Me Love You + Cold Water by Justin Bieber - these songs dominated the stores this year!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Gun by Cash Cash ft. Trinidad James, Dev & Chrish - this song was constantly playing in my house for way too long. Mostly because the sisters hate EDM, but I love it, and this was the one EDM song they liked. >_< </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Associated with 2016</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some songs aren't published in this year, but I'm always gonna associate them with this year! </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lush Life by Zara Larsson - this song was on repeat at the start of this year, because I was stuck with a horrible phone that had enough memory for like only five songs. So whenever I think of 2016, I think I'll only think of this song. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colours by Halsey - I hated this song at first, and thought that Halsey was really overrated, BUT OMG I LOVE IT NOW. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've read a stunning 85 books this year. So I probably can't list them all, but if you want to check them out, they're<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/4332504" target="_blank"> in my Goodreads challenge here</a>. Some of my favourites are listed here though! </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Problem With Forever by Jennifer E. Armentrout</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corey Whaley</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When We Collided by Emery Lord</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THESE BOOKS ARE GOLD. Best books I've read this year, and some of them are the best books I've read, like, ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's your year been like? Link me to your recaps, and let me know in the comments below - let's celebrate the end of this year and look forward to a clean slate! ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-61542834749976729292016-12-28T11:41:00.000+10:002016-12-28T11:41:34.017+10:00When We Collided by Emery Lord<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: When We Collided</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Emery Lord</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Bloomsbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: April 5th, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Depiction of mental illness </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters - all multifaceted, and unique, with character development</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Writing style - everything flowed very well, conveyed ideas excellently </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Key messages - love doesn't cure all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Nothing, honestly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 5</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663637-when-we-collided" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-We-Collided-Emery-Lord/dp/1619638452" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> |<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I actually picked up this book because I had heard many great reviews of it from other bloggers. Plus, that cover is gorgeous as well - very pretty! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know…</i> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Jonah never thought a girl like Vivi would come along.
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Vivi didn’t know Jonah would light up her world. </span></i><br />
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Neither of them expected a summer like this…a summer that would rewrite their futures. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
In an unflinching story about new love, old wounds, and forces beyond our control, two teens find that when you collide with the right person at just the right time, it will change you forever. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the way that Lord depicted mental illness in <i>When We Collided</i>. It was really honest, it was emotional, it made me really understand what it might be like to be diagnosed with a mental illness. With standout writing, and honest words, Emery Lord touched upon something that can be very difficult to describe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Depression, it settles like a shadow over your body while you sleep, and it mutes every frequency into blankness, into fog. Everyone thinks you can't laugh when you're depressed, but I couldn't cry either, because I couldn't </i>feel<i>." (pg88)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I never really understood some symptoms in mental illness, but reading Lord's words, some symptoms, some of the implications, made more sense to me, and I understood everything a lot more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters were such a charm too. With such developed characters, I could all but imagine an actual small town where these characters actually live. Although I didn't love all of them, I appreciated how multi-faceted they all were. From Jonah, the boy who is left to raise his younger siblings with some of his other siblings, to the tornado that is Vivi, we got a sense of who they were. At times I wanted to smack Vivi for how ridicuous she was being at times - but I got that this was how she was, this was what the mental illness was doing to her - my frustration just enhanced the reading experience for me, and made her more real and human for it. I loved watching the characters grow and develop, along with our understanding of who the characters are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The relationship between Jonah and Vivi was definitely very instalovey. But it was a good instalove. I could see a spark between them, with Vivi's unapologetic brightness and Jonah's quiet strength. Although some people would say that the romance depicted in here was just lust and that Lord tried to show that romance could cure all (which we all know, isn't the case), I thought it was the opposite - Lord made a great case for teenage romance, and she/he showed that romance was in fact, not a cure all, with the ending she/he constructed, where Jonah and Vivi break up. To me, this break up signified that love cannot cure all, that mental illness cannot be cured by love and romantic relationships only - which I thought was a very good message to perpetuate. </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're looking for a book that focuses on mental health, has real and emotion-charged characters, When We Collided is for you. I thought that no book could top Highly Illogical Behaviour, but When We Collided more than surpassed my expectations and has set a new bar for books that focus on mental health. I'm definitely buying my own copy of this book - I borrowed it out from the library, and I NEED my own copy. `</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rating</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is based off my Goodreads review, which ranks the book by its characters, plot, writing style and entertainment value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts in a Phrase </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Human and real. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-78228519878557073042016-12-06T21:05:00.000+10:002016-12-06T21:09:55.654+10:00Aussie YA Bloggers' Secret Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFvClyllYqDFPwI8LRtboWXjD8aA38itaJpftJjkfNyt5uAWu8ApMFq_Pt0vS6NwwwKbondvmLmVkF1HVtzqHOE_fwhdTcUEZWArlPfSWalwap1A3RiwugZvl6d-ps2IUM29K5V1B1FBW/s1600/AusYA+secret+santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFvClyllYqDFPwI8LRtboWXjD8aA38itaJpftJjkfNyt5uAWu8ApMFq_Pt0vS6NwwwKbondvmLmVkF1HVtzqHOE_fwhdTcUEZWArlPfSWalwap1A3RiwugZvl6d-ps2IUM29K5V1B1FBW/s320/AusYA+secret+santa.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so happy to have found some Australian book lovers through blogging this year! Thank you to the wonderful AusYA mods for hosting this event, and all other things you do - you guys are amazing and the hard work you do is greatly appreciated! <3 Without further ado, here is my post! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. What are your top 5 favourite books this year?</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZty36ljrFPcJaLsaiwKAHxVXohjpe_mEsr8OMZFk9dAis3DKXeoZ4Wga54QRuTFiORkV2gMLinLC05JtitFfpl5sqpAcH-85SbPMowBw7oIB2tKxaHJO2t8hyTpVbgdMOD7ueMDscQHbd/s1600/ausya+secret+santa+top+5+books+this+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZty36ljrFPcJaLsaiwKAHxVXohjpe_mEsr8OMZFk9dAis3DKXeoZ4Wga54QRuTFiORkV2gMLinLC05JtitFfpl5sqpAcH-85SbPMowBw7oIB2tKxaHJO2t8hyTpVbgdMOD7ueMDscQHbd/s320/ausya+secret+santa+top+5+books+this+year.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When We Collided by Emery Lord </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corey Whaley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me Before You by Jojo Moyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the first three, brownie points for how diverse they are - re. culture and/or mental health! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. What are your top 5 favourite Aussie YA books this year?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I only read 5 Aussie YA books this year, they were...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Akarnae by Lynette Noni</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbeister </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club.by Alison Goodman</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. How did you go with your Goodreads challenge?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finished it a week or two ago! 75 books done - but I'm still reading! I think I'm on 84 books right now? GONNA KEEP GOING ON STRONG! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. What is your favourite blogging moment of 2016?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really liked meeting Brisbane bloggers at the Brisbane Writer's Festival! I didn't really do too much though - I'm definitely going to be making a huge event out of it next year! ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm pretty proud of creating <a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/p/conversations.html" target="_blank">Conversations</a>, a discussion meme. Although I've fallen off track with it - I'm planning on bringing it back next year :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also really enjoyed</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love-A-Thon - it was definitely overwhelming, but I felt like I got about as much as I put into the event! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, participating in Twitter chats in general was SO MUCH FUN! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. What are your blogging goals for 2017?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Definitely meet more Aussie bloggers. I only really stumbled into this huge Aussie blogger community a few months ago, and I'd love to get to know everyone a little more personally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apart from that, I'd like to actually post more consistently - maybe two or three times a week on this blog, and I'm aiming for once every day on my bookstagram. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. What books are you looking forward to in 2017?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been a bit out of the loop, but definitely Lord of Shadows and Draekona! I don't know many 2017 releases, to be honest - so let me know in the comments below what books you're anticipating as well! Particularly standalones - I can't spend my life continuing to read all series! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. What is your favourite thing about the Aussie YA community? </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone is really friendly, and it's amazing what a little community we have here! I love that we have an active Facebook and Goodreads group, that we share deals with each other, and are just friendly in general :) </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leave 3 clues for your santee below!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. We live in the same state! :O </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. We're the same age! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. I'm so jealous you got to meet Tom Hiddleston! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the link up for all the other posts! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-76256254656077341352016-12-04T00:09:00.000+10:002016-12-04T00:12:45.313+10:00NOV2016 Rewind & Replay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N4h9ojTVpDw9vwFtJXL1VDW7UNaYUnJP3HHq-xLdCk0EZXZXjmTL0dRUzTNmgYa67iGRMPBGZiZp9nzm27fOv5SJxIBj3PgoBNdLe4DN8nJSG0aKCkJqFQNLOYjPdp0SlCyBBe1dxRPu/s1600/2016nov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N4h9ojTVpDw9vwFtJXL1VDW7UNaYUnJP3HHq-xLdCk0EZXZXjmTL0dRUzTNmgYa67iGRMPBGZiZp9nzm27fOv5SJxIBj3PgoBNdLe4DN8nJSG0aKCkJqFQNLOYjPdp0SlCyBBe1dxRPu/s320/2016nov.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you believe it's the end of November? Only another month until the end of 2016! It's hard to think that I graduated high school a year ago...and that I'll be graduating from my bachelor's degree in a year's time! Time really does fly by! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Books I’ve Read/Am Reading:</span></h2>
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This month has been a really successful reading month for me - after exams ended, all I did was read, read and more reading! Plus I got myself a Kindle...and I haven't been able to stop using it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W7kFD9943XWsxtk9RyOq3kx7HW9-jyA_adPShbNZ_itjfDiB4sZjRfOXn4XD88kObnG46qzziBbES7g_QzfZIGy2QEvmx-adeB4bPZe9MQlDM_5FuECLechh8-mqF8yNhzsv-rFJsEmX/s1600/05stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W7kFD9943XWsxtk9RyOq3kx7HW9-jyA_adPShbNZ_itjfDiB4sZjRfOXn4XD88kObnG46qzziBbES7g_QzfZIGy2QEvmx-adeB4bPZe9MQlDM_5FuECLechh8-mqF8yNhzsv-rFJsEmX/s320/05stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Problem With Forever by Jennifer E. Armentrout</div>
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The Memory Book by Lara Avery </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disruption by Jessica Shirvington</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Corruption by Jessica Shirvington</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Thousand Pieces Of You by Claudia Gray</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Million Worlds With You </span>by Claudia Gray</span></div>
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Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWACrDHJK7D4QgSWMwUN2hSLt8I8Gacrvm0iBeCoS66G5qMwFfq81WC_aoWstowHzkz-k6W2ydW-bWJor7uc2lb5ko8OcDWaWpywz_2nWgWZbxPczoT26YU5cFAP_e0B7AqRTLfHnXcwxA/s1600/02star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWACrDHJK7D4QgSWMwUN2hSLt8I8Gacrvm0iBeCoS66G5qMwFfq81WC_aoWstowHzkz-k6W2ydW-bWJor7uc2lb5ko8OcDWaWpywz_2nWgWZbxPczoT26YU5cFAP_e0B7AqRTLfHnXcwxA/s320/02star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee</div>
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Spellcaster by Claudia Gray</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I Was Here by Gayle Forman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ten Thousand Skies Above You </span>by Claudia Gray</span></div>
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The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye</div>
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Down With The Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A History of Notable Shadowhunters and Denizens of Downworld by Cassandra Clare and Cassandra Jean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - currently reading </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Posts on Corralling Books This Month</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the blog front, it's been quite slow - I've had exams for uni, and I've just started my summer research project. Buuuut, I'm really going to make a lasting comeback soon - I'm in the middle of drafting up a bunch of posts! GET READY, DECEMBER!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But without further ado, here are some posts I've posted this month!</span><br />
<a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/the-sun-is-also-star-by-nicola-yoon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon</span></a><br />
<a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/the-yearbook-committee-by-sarah-ayoub.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub </span></a><br />
<a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/the-thanks-u-give-being-thankful.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Thanks U Give - Being Thankful: Bookish Edition</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bookstagram Photos This Month</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month, I really made a more concerted effort to be more present on bookstagram! I've tried challenges - not really loving them, to be honest, just because I find it so hard to post on the same day! But I finally figured out my theme, and I'm really liking it! </span></div>
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</span></o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I got up to this month:</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month of November, I didn't really have uni. It was only the start of the month that I had to stress about exams! My exams were smashed into one week - and I was taking five subjects! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got my marks back for all my subjects though - I did pretty well by maintaining my GPA of a 6 (Distinction) so I'm fairly happy. A bit upset in a couple of subjects, given that I thought they would be easy 7 subjects since I was doing so well in the earlier assessment pieces, but I bombed the final exams...oh well! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did also start my summer semester - I'm taking nutrition and statistics courses! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm also doing a summer research project - as I'm really interested in going into neuroscience or psychiatry, I'm part of a summer scholar program that looks into </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Retail - I don't know if it was in November or October anymore, but I got promoted to duty manager at my job! It's a small promotion, but it'll look good on my resume, so I'm very happy! It's been a bit stressful with the additional responsibilities, but hopefully I'll get used to everything soon! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tutoring - Most of my students have been graduating from Year 12, so I've wrapped up tutoring them now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life/Social</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HAH. I honestly haven't had much of a life in November. Mostly all studying, truth be told... And preparing for more studying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I did manage to complete the Goodreads challenge - woo! That's about as social as I got.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TV shows/Movies I Watched</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started watching Family Guy. I know, it's really sad. But it's honestly so easy to just watch - absolutely no focus needed at all. It's really great for multitasking - I'm someone who hates to do things one at a time, so it's nice having it on in the background while I'm writing posts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've caught up on some of my favourite TV shows - New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Modern Family, Fresh Off The Boat and The Mindy Project! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plus, I watched Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life with my sister - we had major problems with most of it, to be honest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sister and I are also watching a Singaporean drama - Honor and Passion! We used to watch a heap of Singaporean dramas when we were younger, so this was a nice throwback to those good old times! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tl;dr </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Damn girl, how you so busy? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How was your month? Let me know in the comments below, or link me to your recap! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-77497108723609298262016-11-23T21:43:00.001+10:002016-11-23T21:45:29.095+10:00The Thanks U Give - Being Thankful: Bookish Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we all know, Thanksgiving is coming up! Thank you to <a href="http://www.staybookish.com/" target="_blank">Hazel @ Stay Bookish</a> and <a href="http://chasingfaerytales.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales</a> for hosting this event! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though I'm an Australian, and we don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia, I believe it's super important to always be thankful for everything we have. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I try to end everyday, thinking about at least one thing I'm thankful for, but Thanksgiving is a time for us to think even more </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">about things we're grateful for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After being part of the bookish community for eleven months now, I have so much to be grateful for, so many people to be grateful for. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book Bloggers </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://paperbackprincess2014.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Emily @ Paperback Princess</a>, <a href="http://thearaliyabookshelf.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ranu @ The Araliya Bookshelf</a> - You guys were my first friends in the bookish community, and you guys essentially showed me the ropes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books</a> - We don't talk so often anymore, but you are so hardworking, and always made me feel valued in the bookish community! I loved our comment sprees, with how we would always have a conversation going! Plus, your supportiveness in DMs, etc. has always motivated me! <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwixubGo477QAhXBt48KHcuPBPEQFggeMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpavedwithbookss.blogspot.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNGNxue5XTTXGSlSRIMbZ9t2Eiz0JA&sig2=U8oo09bAcebRR1sjnnZLTg" target="_blank">Cilla @ Paved With Books</a> - People always talk about their bookish friends, and honestly, I don't really keep in contact with many people. But Cilla, you are one of the few that I do regularly keep in contact with, and I love that. You reply so quickly to my messages, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sailingthroughbooks.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Sophie @ Sailing Through Books</a>, <a href="https://introtoblurb.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">TT @ Intro to Blurb</a>, <a href="http://thebibliolater.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Denise @ The Bibliolater</a>, <a href="http://teabooksandfun.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Lucie @ Tea, Books and Fun</a> and<a href="http://hidingbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Annika @ Hiding Books</a>- I really am so thankful for all the conversations you've all had with me! You've made the bookish community a very friendly place for me! Particularly, Denise - thanks so much for showing me the ropes in bookstagram, and tagging me in some challenges! And Sophie for hosting WIFSY! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com/" target="_blank">Jeann @ Happy Indulgence</a>, <a href="http://pasomaddie.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Maddie @ Paso Maddie</a> and <a href="https://brettmichaelorr.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Brett @ Brett Michael Orr</a> - I'm so grateful to have found you guys and finally met you guys! I never thought there would be Brisbane book bloggers, let alone really friendly, down-to-earth Brisbane book bloggers, so it was such a pleasure to meet you guys this year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are honestly too many people to thank here - I could have a whole list of them! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Brisbane City Council's Library service </b>- BCC, your library service is spot on. I used to whine about how bad the book selection was, but after joining the bookish community, and seeing all the latest releases, and seeing how quickly you got those books, I'm just so grateful to have you around. Without the library service, I would never be able to read as many of the 2016 releases as I have, being a university student. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bookish Community</b> - Although there have been a fair share of dramas, there's no doubting the way that the bookish community is generally <i>here </i>for everyone. I've found some great friends, and gotten some very awesome book recs *cough* A Darker Shade of Magic *cough*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Authors </b>- THANK YOU SO MUCH. Without you guys, I would never feel ALL THE FEELS, and have been able to bond with so many cool people here on the blogosphere! Never feel like you are doing nothing, because the words you write have the power to change, have the power to make other people feel things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's one thing you're grateful for this year? Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-84809948676786211912016-11-11T23:00:00.000+10:002016-11-20T22:29:23.298+10:00The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Breakdown</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: The Yearbook Committee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Sarah Ayoub</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, YA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: HarperCollins Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: March 1st, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Excellent characterisation and development</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Plot twist was unexpected but expected at the same time - that beautiful combination was enticing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - More pages could have been dedicated to the resolution of the climax</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 4</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26241526-the-yearbook-committee" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yearbook-Committee-Sarah-Ayoub-ebook/dp/B0150UE3QG" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honestly, I picked up this book, only because everyone had been </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">talking about it for OzYA! As an Australian and an avid book lover, I felt duty-bound to read it ASAP, and when I found it in the library...well, one thing led to another. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Five teenagers. Five lives. One final year.
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The school captain: Ryan has it all … or at least he did, until an accident snatched his dreams away. How will he rebuild his life and what does the future hold for him now?
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The newcomer: Charlie’s just moved interstate and she’s determined not to fit in. She’s just biding her time until Year 12 is over and she can head back to her real life and her real friends …
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The loner: At school, nobody really notices Matty. But at home, Matty is everything. He’s been single-handedly holding things together since his mum’s breakdown, and he’s never felt so alone.
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The popular girl: Well, the popular girl’s best friend … cool by association. Tammi’s always bowed to peer pressure, but when the expectations become too much to handle, will she finally stand up for herself?
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The politician’s daughter: Gillian’s dad is one of the most recognisable people in the state and she’s learning the hard way that life in the spotlight comes at a very heavy price.
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Five unlikely teammates thrust together against their will. Can they find a way to make their final year a memorable one or will their differences tear their world apart?</span></i></div>
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Characters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I loved most about <i>The Yearbook Committee </i>was how well-developed the characters were. They each had their own stories, their own personalities, and they were so well fleshed out. Even though I didn't like Charlie, that was just because I <b>just didn't like her</b>, like I would dislike anyone in real life. In fact, that's the entire point - <b>these characters were human. </b>Ayoub got to the heart of what it means to be human, and that is what <b>makes this book so spectacular.</b></span></div>
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Plot</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed the fact that <b>this book had a plot</b>. In a lot of contemporaries, it feels more like a slice of life novel - no real plot, no climax, etc. But right from the start, we know that the goal is to create the yearbook. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there is the ending. The<b> dramatic plot twist was awesome to read - I never saw it coming, yet you could have totally predicted it</b>, with the little tiny breadcrumbs that Ayoub throws our way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, my only complaint would be that <b>the aftermath of the plot twist wasn't dealt with properly.</b> There were only a few pages after the climax, and after such a big plot twist, I thought there would be more pages dedicated to the characters' thoughts, etc. </span><br />
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Writing Style</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ayoub writes in a clearly, and really articulately. I didn't have to reread anything - everything made sense the first time I read it, even though there were <i>five </i>(that's right, FIVE) viewpoints. I usually hate reading different points of views, because I ALWAYS forget what happened in x, y and z character's plot line...but I don't know, after the first few pages, I eventually got used to it, because of Ayoub's writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entertainment Value</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed reading <i>The Yearbook Committee</i>. Even though it was difficult for me to get used to the book at first, and I had to slog my way through it - after a couple of pages, I was hooked in, and I couldn't stop. Plus, I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished reading it, even though a couple of days had passed - blame it on that plot twist and feelings of how unresolved it was! </span><br />
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Final Thoughts</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Yearbook Committee </i>is a wonderful YA book from Sarah Ayoub, which has a cast of a variety of characters, which are all so relatable and oh so human. Definitely an OzYA novel to read! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OzYA Love! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-41063663285835052742016-11-01T23:01:00.001+10:002016-11-01T23:01:47.678+10:00The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: The Sun Is Also A Star</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Nicola Yoon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Contemporary, YA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Penguin Random House</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: November 1st, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The ending - reflects the book as a whole</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - The side characters - whilst there were two main characters, we got an insight into minor characters' motives, etc., and it explored some serious issues</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Format of the book</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Premise of the entire book - Instalove </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Cultural representation - not sure if it's accurate </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 4 stars</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28763485-the-sun-is-also-a-star" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Also-Star-Nicola-Yoon/product-reviews/0553496689/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://corrallingbooks.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/everything-everything-by-nicola-yoon.html" target="_blank">My review of <i>Everything, Everything</i></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I requested this novel from Penguin Random House, because I really liked reading Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon! Everything, Everything had such an interesting premise, and with The Sun Is Also A Star (TSIAAS), there was a gripping premise as well! Yoon really knows how to come up with ideas for contemporary YA novels! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What gripped me about TSIAAS was the main character - Natasha. As it says in the synopsis, Natasha loves science. Doing a BSc, I have to be passionate about science to <i>some </i>degree, and so I was really interested to hear Natasha's story. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story. </span></i><br />
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Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
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The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?</span></i></div>
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Characters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As TSIAAS is a contemporary novel, the characters are supposed to carry the novel. Sadly, I found the main characters subpar. They were both from minority groups, which I found interesting at first. But I thought that some aspects weren't very well researched. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The broken English that Natasha and Daniel's parents spoke <b>seemed very typecast and set in stereotypes</b> to me. My parents are first-generation immigrants (and I am as well) to Australia, and our English was nowhere as broken as these parents were. It didn't sit right with me - although I do know there are some families out there that do speak broken English, I couldn't help but feel like this aspect of their characters was a very stereotyped one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was particularly confusing when Yoon writes about Chinese characters for Korean names - when I first read that, I was unsure if that was a typo, until my sister told me that Koreans use the same characters that Chinese do. Perhaps my main issue with that was that it should have been clarified somehow - because I know I was bamboozled for a long time until my sister explained it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst the main characters and their families weren't a huge success for me, I thought the main success was in how Yoon wrote about the little side characters, the ones we only hear about for perhaps three chapters at most. <b>These voices were the ones that resonated the most with me, that explored deep issues like suicide, feeling disillusioned with your life, etc. </b></span></div>
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Plot</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honestly, the plot was very unbelievable. But this wasn't a huge problem for me - to me, <b>it's okay if there is an unbelievable plot, so long as it is so fantastic that I can suspend my disbelief for it</b>. <i>TSIAAS </i>is <b>absolutely built on coincidences</b>, which I find difficult to believe, but I lapped it up anyway because it was just so good. Plus, these coincidences gave me hope in the universe - how <b>the small actions we all do contribute in some way towards others' lives. </b>It reminded me how <b>each and every one of us play a role</b> and that <b>none of us are insignificant. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The largest problem I have with the plot though, was the instalove. The book relies on instalove - there are large platters of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">instalove</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> served up for us. However, this is pretty predictable given the synopsis, so I didn't really have a huge problem with it - it wasn't as if it was a huge shock that there would be lots of instalove. </span></div>
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Writing Style</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Comparing <i>TSIAAS </i>to <i>Everything, Everything</i>, there is no doubt that Yoon is the author of this book. Her unique writing style, lettered with drawings and short chapters are as prevalent here as they are in <i>Everything, Everything. </i>The drawings and little annotations were some of my favourite things in <i>Everything, Everything</i>, so it was good to see it come back in <i>TSIAAS</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TSIAAS works as a novel because of the way it was written - in a two-person alternating format, dotted with some small chapters from other small characters. This writing style really lets us see how coincidental everything is, and how a moment can change everything forever, how some choices can affect many people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entertainment Value</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like Everything, Everything, <i>TSIAAS </i>is a pretty cruisy read. Simplistic language made it easy to read this book in one-and-a-half sittings (work interrupted my reading). Although most of the book was easy to read, I didn't find it very gripping. Only the ending hooked me - the ending spoke volumes as to what the book was all about - coincidences and taking chances. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also enjoyed doing a bookstagram photoshoot with <i>TSIAAS</i>! A gorgeous cover makes for some fun times whilst taking photos - so many different colours to work with! </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BML_CLFgEt-/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Geraldine @ Corralling Books (@corrallingbooks)</a> on <time datetime="2016-10-30T12:35:25+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 30, 2016 at 5:35am PDT</time></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Sun Is Also A Star</i> is a novel that s<b>peaks to the remarkable coincidences that happen in the world</b>. Ever thought, "Wow, that's such a coincidence!" or "I can't believe that happened!"? <i>TSIAAS </i>will show you how remarkable and life changing some coincidences can be, in less than 400 pages. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, i</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f you're not a fan of instalove though, then definitely don't pick up this book - whilst <i>TSIAAS </i>is littered with little coincidences which can give you hope for the world, the instalove shadows every part of this book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coincidence and instalove. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-57540478128399338392016-10-20T20:21:00.000+10:002016-10-20T20:21:24.359+10:00A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E.Schwab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: A Darker Shade of Magic </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: V.E. Schwab</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Tor Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: February 24th, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Characters were all very well developed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - World building both intricate and new, yet familiar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Different points of views confused me a bit - due to my everlasting forgetfulness! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 4.5</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22055262-a-darker-shade-of-magic" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darker-Shade-Magic-Novel/dp/0765376458" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of the book blogging community pretty much screamed at me to reead this book! I finally took upon this opportunity when I found out about the ADSOM read a long on Twitter and Goodreads! Plus, <a href="http://teabooksandfun.blogspot.com.au/">Lucie from Tea, books and fun</a> also decided to read this book with me (although for her it was a reread)~! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lucie, if you're reading this, I HOPE YOU'RE PROUD THAT I FINALLY GOT AROUND TO WRITING THIS REVIEW! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.
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Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now. </span></i><br />
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Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. </span></i><br />
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But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.
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Characters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters were actually phenomenal in this book. I really liked how they were constructed - they were 3-D characters that had many different layers to them. Especially with Kell - I delighted learning more about him, because he was such a complex character with a complex past that isn't fully revealed, not even at the end of the book...but I guess that will encourage me to read book 2! I also really loved reading about Lila - she was such a badass character, and she would be a wonderful role model! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Especially with some of the more minor characters - their deaths were actually like tiny little blows to my heart. Even if I didn't like them, I still felt sad when they died because of the last few moments they had, which didn't necessarily redeem them if they were evil, just made them more human. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I actually disliked the switching perspectives throughout the novel - it did make it a bit difficult to read the book, because I was constantly forgetting what had previously happened...but that's just me with books that have multiple perspectives! </span></div>
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Plot</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rules around magic here really made me think of Chemistry, but in a more instant form. One of the rules about magic was that it couldn't be created, and I just immediately thought of the Law of Conservation (the inner nerd in me is rising out!). I really loved how there were similarities between our world and the worlds that Schwab has created - it made it easier for me to follow along with the story! I think that <b>the strongest aspect of this book is really its worldbuilding, with how it is both intricate and yet has links to our current everyday life. </b></span><br />
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Writing Style</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">V.E. Schwab writes flawlessly. There were no huge info-dumpy sessions thankfully, and the words in this book had a poetic feel to them - every word used seemed to be in just the perfect place. It was really nice to read, because not only did it flow well, but it was also understandable. Sometimes you get these novels which sound nice, but you actually have no idea what's going on. This wasn't the case here - and I was so glad to experience this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, it was just <b>hard to connect with the book. </b>I don't know if this is because I read it in short little bursts - three or four parts a day, over the weekend. When I talked to Lucie about it, she said that she got to connect with the book and the characters more with her reread, so maybe it's because it's because it's the first time I've read it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I didn't connect with the book, it made it hard for me to resonate with the characters and fangirl over this book. </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a book i would definitely reread, if anything to try to connect with the readers more. I love the world-building and I'm so excited to start reading A Gathering of Shadows soon! I need more of this universe!! I rate this book a rough 4.75 stars out of 5 (let's just say 4.5 stars) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next book please! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-86095369701360698052016-10-06T21:47:00.000+10:002016-10-06T21:47:12.414+10:00Reader Confessions Tag! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was nominated for the Reader Confessions tag by<a href="http://thebibliolater.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Denise @ The Bibliolater,</a>as well</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://thebookarchivebyerin.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/readers-confession-tag.html" target="_blank">Erin @ The Book Archive</a>!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks so much, Denise and Erin - I've been wanting to do this tag for so long! :D </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Have you ever damaged your own book?</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Yep, I definitely have! I have a tattered hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The spine has actually come off, and some of the pages are falling out! As you can hear, it's in a pretty miserable state! This was before I became an intense book collector though, and this experience really changed how I treated my books! </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Have you ever damaged a borrowed book?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh gosh, YES >.< I was younger, loved reading books, and I'd read books at the dinner table. I think I splattered some pasta sauce over a copy of The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan :S And I've also doggy eared lots of library books too, because they just weren't mine, so I didn't care how I treated them >.< I am shocked by how badly I used to treat my books >.< </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. How long does it take you to read a book?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">It honestly depends on the book. If it's an awesome 300-500 page book, then a day. If it's an awesome book longer than 500 pages, probably two days. If I'm ehh about it, maybe three days or so? But if I don't like it, then I'll drag it out. Oh, and if it's an ebook, I usually read those faster than physical books, just because I can bring ebooks around more than physical books, most of the time :) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Books that you haven’t finished?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">AHAHA there are a couple of these! Some of them include </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, Passenger by Alex Bracken and All The Bright Things by Jennifer Niven. Honestly, I've DNF'ed them, but I keep clinging to hope that I'll pick them up again some day...when I'm really bored. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Hyped/popular books that you don’t like?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anything by Rainbow Rowell, John Green and most of the Throne of Glass series. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rainbow Rowell</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">I read Eleanor and Park, and I just didn't connect with the characters. It was an alright read for me, but I just didn't find it amazing, and it didn't encapsulate what I really felt with my first love, which is something a lot of people have said it did for them? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "muli" , sans-serif;">I tried reading Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, and like I said earlier, I DNF'ed. I don't get what's so amazing about it - I can only see it as a poorly done HP knock-off, because I got so bored, that I didn't even reach the part that most people love - the Baz and Simon </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">relationship. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">John Green</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think his books are alright actually - they just follow so many tropes/stereotypes, especially the Manic Pixie Girl stereotype. There's just nothing distinctive about them, and I don't connect with his characters either. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plus, with The Fault in Our Stars was super over-hyped imo - the experience was just ruined for me, when I went to the movies, watched it, and had girls hysterically crying over it. As a non-emotional person most of the time, that hysterical level just annoyed me a bit >.< </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throne of Glass books</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh my gosh, I'm so sad I have to put this here. I LOVED THRONE OF GLASS, I really did. But I hated Crown of Midnight, and I'm in the middle of reading Heir of Fire, and I'm just not enjoying it. I feel like a lot of it is unnecessary, and that Sarah J. Maas has just done everything to make it more "high-fantasy-ish". For example, I don't get why Baba Yellowlegs (I think that's the name) was in Crown of Midnight - she seemed super unnecessary. I just don't like these characters at all anymore, and there are now too many characters that I just don't care about. Plus with Celaena, I don't like her character anymore. Sorry :( </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Is there a book that you wouldn’t tell anyone you were reading?</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Umm, I don't think so! I think maybe Fifty Shades of Grey, like what <a href="http://thebookarchivebyerin.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/readers-confession-tag.html#more" target="_blank">Erin</a> and<a href="http://thebibliolater.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/the-readers-confession-tag.html" target="_blank"> Denise </a>have said in their Reader Confessions Tag, but apart from that, no, not really! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. How many books do you own? </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You're asking me to count how many books I own? NAH that would honestly take so much time! I'm going to estimate, maybe 400 books or so? There's honestly a LOT xD I keep buying more and more books, and my parents just get so mad, because my room is just filled with books! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8. Are you a fast reader or a slow reader?</b></span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm a fast reader, compared to all my friends that I interact with in real life. I think they probably only read ~30 books at most a year? I usually read about ~90 books a year, so yeah. But compared to a lot of the book blogging community, I'm a slow reader - I've seen lots of people read 200-300 books a year, and I'm just blown away! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">9. Do you like to buddy read?</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yes, I love to buddy read! I've done it with Sierra @ Nerdgirl Review (Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell), as well as Lucie @ Teas, books and fun (A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab and Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder), along with Tina @ Tina the Bookworm (Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky)! I tried doing it with Cilla @ Paved With Books, but it didn't work out, mainly because I lost interest in our book :( </span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. Do you read better in your head or out loud?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In my head. Out loud takes too long, although I do process the book more, and visualise it stronger. I just get too impatient with reading out loud, because I want to just go faster than what my voice can go with! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">11. If you were only allowed to own one book, what would it be and why?</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This question is too hard to answer! If I absolutely had to...it would be Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. It's the book I've reread the most (about 10-12 times?) and I still love it - so I really think I need it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. Who do you nominate? </span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is honestly the hardest question every time, because I don't know who actually likes doing tags! Let me know in the comments below if you'd like to be considered for tags - because I hate nominating people who don't like being tagged! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1)<a href="http://drizzleandhurricanebooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) <a href="http://sailingthroughbooks.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Sophie @ Sailing Through Books</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3) <a href="https://booksatdawn.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Jesse @ Books at Dawn </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4) Anyone else who wants to do it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-1748710444612898762016-09-30T20:15:00.001+10:002016-09-30T20:15:44.890+10:00Wonder Women by Sam Maggs | BAMF Women Everywhere! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Breakdown</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">General Info:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Title: Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Author: Sam Maggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Genre: Non-fiction, STEM, Women</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publisher: Quirk Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Publishing Date: October 4th, 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Excellent:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Lots of women I had never heard of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Could learn things whilst enjoying myself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Things that could have been better:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - Writing style was offputting </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating: 3.5</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stars</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28503941-wonder-women" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Women-Innovators-Inventors-Trailblazers/dp/1594749256" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.quirkbooks.com/book/wonder-women" target="_blank">Quirk Books website</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a BSc university student, and a future M.D. student, I was really excited when Quirk Books contacted me to review <i>Wonder Women</i>. I'm a strong advocate for women in science, being one myself, so I was really excited to dive into this book. Plus, the gorgeous graphics!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A side note before I continue - I've omitted the Plot section of this review, because it's a non-fiction book, and hence I can't really comment about plot, because there would be no plot! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ever heard of Allied spy Noor Inayat Khan, a Muslim woman whom the Nazis considered “highly dangerous”? Or German painter and entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian, who planned and embarked on the world’s first scientific expedition? How about Huang Daopo, the inventor who fled an abusive child marriage only to revolutionize textile production in China? </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Women have always been able to change the world, even when they didn’t get the credit. In Wonder Women, author Sam Maggs introduces you to pioneering female scientists, engineers, mathematicians, adventurers, and inventors—each profile a study in passion, smarts, and stickto-itiveness, complete with portraits by Google doodler Sophia Foster-Dimino, an extensive
bibliography, and a guide to present-day women-centric STEM organizations. </span></i></div>
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Characters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wonder Women is filled with a plethora of successful, but unheard of women, in a variety of fields, such as science, medicine, espionage, exploration and invention. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever heard of Wang Zhenyi? Noor Inayat Khan? What about Maria Sibylla Merian? I know I hadn't, before I read this book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I honestly thought I would know more of the women here, doing a BSc degree and all. After all, some of the most inspiring lecturers I have had, have always given lectures about some important people in science - for example Maud Menten is known for her work in Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and I learned a bit about her in university. But she doesn't appear here. So it was just really</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> refreshing to hear about more women in different areas, apart from science. </span></div>
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Writing Style</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was really put off by Maggs's writing style. It seems like a combination of both first and second person, which definitely made it feel like she was talking to me, the reader. But at the same time, the use of italics, parentheses and other textual manipulations was off-putting, as it felt condescending at times. As<a href="https://pagesunbound.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/wonder-women-by-sam-maggs-arc-review/"> Briana @ Pages Unbound stated in her review,</a> there is a Tumblr-feel to the writing style. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, the writing style felt condescending to my age and my knowledge. I feel like younger audiences might find the writing style entertaining, witty and sarcastic, but for me, it just felt very condescending. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is just a discrepancy with the writing style and the target audience - I believe that the target audience are teenage girls, but it felt like my ten-year old sister would enjoy it more than I did, with regards to the tone throughout the novel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entertainment Value</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Wonder Women </i>is a fascinating book that has the capability to make a change, to increase awareness of many women who have impacted the world in a huge way. In that way, it filled my time meaningfully - I learned so many new things about BAMF women, whilst enjoying myself. </span></div>
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Final Thoughts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Wonder Women</i> is an empowering book for any girl considering to go into STEM related fields. With the large variety of women, from all different backgrounds, profiled here, I'm sure any girl can find a role model within this book! Sadly for me though, the tone and the writing style just didn't appeal to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But...if you want to get in early on reading this gorgeous book, you can sign up for a preorder <a href="http://www.quirkbooks.com/post/pre-order-wonder-women-sam-maggs" target="_blank">here</a>! If you preorder it, you'll get exclusive access to some downloadable wallpapers, created by comic artists Jen Bartel and Paulina Ganucheau, as a bonus. Also, two lucky winners will be given a framed print signed by the artists and Sam Maggs, the author. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts in a Phrase </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The content was great - delivery, not so much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Disclaimer - Quirk Books sent me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enjoyed reading this? You should definitely follow me to get more updates! </span></div>
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Geraldine @ Corralling Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08736170042008371323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236939401693762088.post-51586301946915218742016-09-26T20:12:00.002+10:002016-09-26T20:12:52.733+10:00The Happiness Tag | In Which I Cheer Myself Up With Happy Things~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mvDHchPILsJp8QcZ0Zb68gDYUKh9xh4Sscb7WGVLhBha9tjToSh8vCYdhWkaPtVYCpT_WMNfh-SVEVzVoKrzQnQekRfDpDshRGWDmTdoxcXWwyDini9QJmeYCu8t7GLzJ_8GgjSmfhht/s1600/the+happiness+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mvDHchPILsJp8QcZ0Zb68gDYUKh9xh4Sscb7WGVLhBha9tjToSh8vCYdhWkaPtVYCpT_WMNfh-SVEVzVoKrzQnQekRfDpDshRGWDmTdoxcXWwyDini9QJmeYCu8t7GLzJ_8GgjSmfhht/s320/the+happiness+tag.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As always, I'm late on tags... OH WELL! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I came across this tag when <a href="https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.wordpress.com/">Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books</a> did it - and honestly, I was hooked! I love anything that makes me happy - and I had to share it! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">List five things that make you happy </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Studying </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is weird right? But I think it's more the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing my list of things to study for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Writing in my diary </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a four-year diary, where each page represents one day of the year. It's subdivided into four blocks - one for each year. I love writing in it, because I get to reflect on what happened the year before. Although there are some sad parts in some days, on the whole, it makes me happy because I'm always astounded by how it's been one/two/three years since that event (it usually seems like it was just yesterday) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sleeping</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I LIKE SLEEP OKAY?? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Reading</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">George R.R. Marin once mentioned something along the lines of how a person who reads many books lives many lives, whilst the person who doesn't read lives only once. I like to live many lives, I like to experience the world, and reading lets me do that ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If it's a good book, I love reading, and it's really something that can cheer me up! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>TV</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been watching lots of comedies recently, and they never fail to make me laugh! Always a great pick-me-up on some heavy days. Want any recommendations?? HERE THEY ALL ARE!! :D </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Office - it's already finished, but it never fails to get me laughing. The diverse set of characters, the wonderful relationships...oh, how I love this show <3 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Modern Family - If you want a family oriented comedy...definitely Modern Family! I love how everything ties together at the end of the episode, how each arc is beautifully tied together in a wonderful conclusion! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Girl - The things that the people at that apartment get up to sometimes... :') </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brooklyn Nine-Nine - HAHAHAHAHA I always thought that cop shows had to be serious, procedural shows, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine blew away my expectations!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Mindy Project - Mindy is honestly such an inspirational character and person! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I probably have many more recommendations...but those are just a few to get you started! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">List five songs that make you happy </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cool by Alesso </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This song has such <b>special memories</b> for me...I don't even know where I first heard it from, but nowadays, whenever I work and this song comes on,<b> my productivity actually increases tenfold - I get so motivated! </b></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-aWtrEFfS4E" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Satellites by Cash Cash </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just that whole <b>motivational </b>vibe again ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Clarity by Zedd </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This song has so many levels of meaning for me. <b>I first heard it</b> in my first year at a new high school, and <b>I was finally starting to fit in</b>, have my own friends, be popular, you know? So yeah, this song just reminds me of that time, and<b> makes me happy ^_^ </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OH MY GOSH THIS SONG IS JUST<b> ICONIC</b>, OKAY?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plus that music video is one of the<b> best music videos</b> I've seen :D </span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LjhCEhWiKXk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fireflies by Owl City </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>MEMORIES :') </b>And also, I can't help bopping along to the beat~ :) </span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/psuRGfAaju4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tag...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://paperbackprincess2014.blogspot.com/">Emily @ Paperback Princess </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://introtoblurb.wordpress.com/">TT @ Intro to Blurb </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://anotherafterthought.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Joey @ Another Afterthought</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://bookdustmagic.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Irena @ Book Dust Magic</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://novelstosong.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Bryce @ Novel to Song</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">..plus anyone else who wants to do it! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go off, be happy~! :D Revisit all the things that make you happy by doing this tag, like I did! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Got any good music recommendations for me? Any nice music videos with a story (those are my fav music videos)? <b>What makes you happy? </b>Let me know in the comments! :) Always love chatting to you guys! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep reading and loving books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geraldine</span></div>
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