Thursday, June 30, 2011

Fan Made Matched Book Trailer

I'm a bid fan of the Sims 3. And when I came across this amazing book trailer, made with the help of the Sims 3, I knew I would have to feature it in a Trailer of the Week post. I haven't read Matched yet, but it's on the top of my books to buy list. So I'll hopefully read it soon! Have you read Matched? Do you think that this trailer suits the book?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Why I Read - Bookish Thoughts

Reading is something that has always been a natural thing for me. I can't remember exactly when I first started reading or which was my first book read book. And I don't have a book that really got me into reading. I've always loved reading and have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember.

I've never really given much thought to why I read. It's always just been something that I do. But after I got introduced to the amazing minds of book bloggers, I've started thinking about why I enjoy reading that much.


On my birthday I was on the phone with my grandma. She reads a lot as well, and because she'd sent me one of her favorite books as a birthday present, we got on the topic of reading. And she said something that's really stuck with me since then. She told me that she reads to experience things that she wouldn't otherwise.

Nobody can experience everything during one lifetime, that's impossible. But yes, through reading you get to experience so much more. Through reading I've experienced likely things. Like your first love, loosing someone you care about, having a bad relationship with your parents. And I've also experienced some pretty unlikely things. Like zombie apocalypses, getting sent into outer space, fighting with big and horrible monsters.

Some of that stuff I'll never experience in real life, thank god. But I'll experience those things from the comfort of my own bed. Then some things, I will experience in real life. And then I'll be somewhat prepared for it by the experiences I've had in the worlds that authors create for us.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Pottermore!

Well, this was a dissapointment. After a long wait, we got a video from J.K. Rowling telling us about an "unique online reading experience". That's not the dissapointing part. But Pottermore will open to everyone in October?! But on July 31st, one million very lucky fans will get access to a beta version of the page, all they have to do is to "follow the owl" ..



When you go to the Pottermore website, you'll see a background with a owl on a table. Maybe this is the owl you'll have to follow? On the website you can watch the video announcement and submit your email if you want to be notified when you can sign up. (I can't submit my email, when I click on the "submit" button, a round loading picture replaces the button but nothing happens) In the right corner there's also some information about the page.



Now, if you go to the bottom of the page, you can access Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions pages. Since I'm dying on getting more information bout this mysterical announcement, I read them through. On the Terms and Conditions page, Pottermore was described like this:


I would lie if I said that I still wasn't excited for this. I'm looking forward to this website and towards getting more information. Although I'm a bit dissapointed that there's going to be more waiting .. And what's this "find out if they're magical" thing? What if there's a sorting hat test when you sign up or something .. ( update: Click the link in the 2nd update, read the article!) Which could be true, since I've found this picture. Have no idea if it's official, but it looks like the "gate" made of paper that opens in the video .. (click on the picture to see a larger version)


Update: I found more of these "teaser images". I have no idea if they're official. Click here to see more images.

Update2: This article sums up about everything that there right now is to know about the website.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Prelude to a Hero - Review

Prelude to a Hero (Wanted: Hero #1)
by Jaime Buckley
Publisher: On The Fly Publications
Published: May 27th, 2011
Rating: 4/5

Goodreads | Publisher | Author Blog | Book Website

Wendell is a young man who learns what his potential is while on a strange, enchanted world with a funny old wizard and ugly troll to mentor and guide him. Prelude to a Hero, the debut book about how Wendell came to be the one expected to save an entire world. . . by accident.

Quirky, unique and oh so funny. That's how I would describe Prelude to a Hero. This book is an intruduction to the awesome tale in which an awkward boy has to save the blue residents of a far away planet from evil. This debut novel is a epic story that will leave you craving for more.

The writing in Prelude to a Hero was incredible. The narrating and inner thoughts of Wendell (the main character) were really amusing. You know that awkward guy who never tries to be funny, but everything he does and says just becomes hilarious? Wendell is that person.

Now, for some reason the first chapter was really hard for me to get trough. I couldn't get a grasp on who the characters were and what was happening. I don't know if it was becuase I wasn't in a reading mood or something. But the next chapter, the one in which Wendell is introduced, drew me into the story and made me wanting to read more. So if you have a hard time geting through the first chapter, please don't stop reading. Because if you do, I'll feel sorry for you since you've missed a books this wonderful.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Pottermore?

You probably already have read a thousand different blogposts discussing this particular subject. And I'm sure you've been seeking the whole Internet for information. And you're without a doubt so fricking excited for this mysterious announcement J.K. Rowling is going to make. Now, if you don't know what I'm talking about, please climb out from the rock you've been living under. This is the biggest thing that has happened in ages! (No, I'm not going to tell you what I'm talking about, just google Pottermore and you'll get to know everything you need.)


Well, what do I believe that this thing is? I'm definitely thinking some sort of social network or roleplaying thingie. J.K. Rowling has told us that it's not a new Harry Potter book, and the encyclopedia would be a new book. Right? And Pottermore would be a weird name for an encyclopedia. I think the name is referring to Potter Multiplayer Online Role-playing Experience. And if you go to this website, on which there's information about the Pottermore trademark, the "goods and services" for Pottermore is:

Providing multiple-user access to a global computer information network; providing on-line chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards for transmission of messages among users in the field of general interest; providing on-line communications links which transfer the web site user to other local and global web pages; providing on-line facilities for real-time interaction with other computer users concerning topics of general interest.

Sounds like a social-community-site-thingie! One thing's for sure, I'll be sitting at my computer and watching the youtube page as it counts down the last seconds ..

Update: I don't mean that the only purpose of the website would be networking. I believe that there's going to be infromation about the characters, a place to upload fanfictions, maybe a small enyclopedia, places to buy the books, chat forums etc .. I think it will be like all things concerning Harry Potter in one big, awesome place :)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Summer into Spring read-a-thon wrap up

So, I was going to do a update on the read-a-thon every 12 hours. But our Internet decided that it would be fun to screw with me and stopped working. So no updates from me.

But actually, I really didn't have anything to update you guys about. The last day of the read-a-thon went really bad. My sisters whole handball team and their families came to us on a big dinner/party. And I had to run around and talk to people. Not one of my favorite hobbies.

I sneaked in a few pages every now and then. I finished Wicked Lovely, but that's it. I hope the next read-a-thon works out better than this one.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Summer into Spring read-a-thon update #1

I've decided to do a update on my reading for the read-a-thon every 12 hours. (Which makes a total of 3 updates). I know that there's only been 9 hours since the read-a-thon started, but it's past 1am here in Sweden and I'd like to get some sleep. So here's what I've read these past couple of hours.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to read non stop, which I would've wanted to. But I've gotten a few chapters read every now and then. I started reading Wicked Lovely and got about 150 pages in. But I felt that really nothing was happening. so I put that one aside for a bit and started reading something else instead.

I finished the book Prelude to a Hero, which I got for review a couple of weeks ago. (About 250 pages). It was really funny and really adorable.

I've also written two reviews (Ultraviolet & Prelude to a Hero). One of my goals during this read-a-thon is not only to read, but to write reviews for everything I read.

I'm not participating in any of the mini-challenge giveaways since those are US only. But one challenge that I really liked was creating a wordle of your blog. It's practically a picture of words that you use a lot on your blog. You can make one yourself here! My wordle:



Friday, June 17, 2011

Spring into Summer Read-a-thong


So, I'm participating in a read-a-thon! I'm kind of late in signing up to it and telling you guys about it, since I thought that I already had done that. But obviously I didn't. But the read-a-thon starts TODAY (June 17th) at 8am MST and will continue until tomorrow (June 18th) at 8pm MST. (Which means 4pm  June 17th through 4am June 19th here in Sweden)

You should participate as well! There's going to be giveaways ..! Click the picture or the banner in the sidebar to get to the sign up post at Squeaky Books.

I have to go, since the read-a-thon starts in one hour!

Divergent - Review

Divergent (Divergent #1)
by Veronica Roth
Rating: 4,5/5

Goodreads | Author Website | Twitter | Author Facebook | Book Trailer

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

This is one of the books that I've been the most excited for this year. I've read review after review in which people have been calling this book one of the best dystopians and telling me to read it right away. And when I received my copy in late May, I did. And here's my review, telling you that this is one of the best dystopians out there and that you have to go and read this book now! 

In the dystopian world that Veronica Roth has created for us, all of the people have been divided into one of five factions Based on your personality you'll have to choose which faction to live the rest of your life in. Tris has a though decision  to make, deciding whether to stay with her family or being who she really is.

Now, I don't want to spoil anything for you guys, but there's a great deal of action and romance in this book. The romance might've been a little rushed and it was obvious that something would happen between the two of them even from the beginning. But otherwise the romance was really heartwarming. Plus, there was some pretty hot make out scenes in Divergent. Thank you Veronica for that.

Divergent is a interesting dystopian with a very likely society. You're seriously missing out on something if you don't pick this one up.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Trailer of the Week

I love book trailers, but think that they don't get enough attention in the book blogging community. That's why I started Trailer of the Week. I'll feature one amazing book trailer that really grabs my attention every week.

So, the Girl in the Steel Corset. This steampunk sounds like awesomesauce. I haven't read a lot of steampunk, but I am really excited to start reading this one. And fortunately, I've received it from Netgalley! I'll start reading it soon, so look out for my review. In the meantime, watch the trailer!


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Twilight Re-Read Along

Hello guys! I know that I haven't been blogging for the past week. But I kind of pissed off my parents, which led to me not being allowed to use the computer for one week. It sucks. But now I'm back! And what better way to come back to the blogosphere than by announcing that I'll be participating in the Twilight Re-Read Along hosted by a couple of awesome bloggers, GReads, Lisa the Nerd, Reading Housewives and Secret Life of an Avid Reader.


With the help of my blogger friends, we have put together a re-read along for Stephenie Meyer's first book in the series, Twilight. The read along will officially kick off on June 27th & continue through August 1st. The read along will be broken down to 5 chapters per week. Each Monday we will propose questions to be answerd for those particular chapters being read that week. Then the following Monday, the answers will be posted on the coordinating blog along with new questions for the next chapters. We encourage those who are participating to post your discussion answers on your own blogs that week as well! A link-up will be provided each week so that everyone can participate & view others responses.
- Text taken from GReads

I think this will be a lot of fun, since I love Twilight and love talking with people about books. I've never participated in a Read Along, so I'm pretty excited! You should join us as well, the more the merrier. More information about the Read Along can be fond here.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Summer I Lost It - Review

The Summer I Lost It
by Natalie Kath
Publisher: Capstone
Release Date: August 1st, 2011
Rating: 3/5

Goodreads | Publisher | Author Blog

Kat is just like other fourteen-year-old girls. Except this summer, she's spending four weeks at a Health Camp . . . otherwise known as fat camp. Can she lose the weight she needs to be able to do the things everyone else does? Or will she let her body control her?

Even though this book dealt with a pretty heavy subject, weightloss, I think it was made into a lighter read and the issue was handled well. The novel tells the story of a young girl named  Kat. She's overweight, and when her parents tell har that thay can't afford sending her to fat camp, she decides  to loose weight by herself. You get to follow her journey through short diary entries. During one summer she get's to deal with hard excercise, calorie counting and her first love.

This was a short book which I read in only one sitting, every diary entry was about two pages long. Which, of course, left out some emotions and detailes, but it somehow suited the story. I don't think this book is meant as a deep read with all of the feelings that comes with weightloss, but more as a motivational story for someone who has decided to try and loose some kilos (or pounds if you wish) themself. (In the back of the books there's some information and yummy recepies that can help you along the way)

I first didn't know how I would feel about reading a novel in which such a young girl count calories, goes on diets and tries to loose weight. I usually associate teens who try to loose weight with bad selfesteem and eating disorders. But for Kat it wasn't about just looking pretty and getting skinny. No, it was about getting healthy. Which is how it should be.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Update - To My Grandma

Hello!

I'll be going to my grandmother today. I don't know if I'll be able to blog from there. If I won't, the blog will be quiet for a few days. If I can blog from there, you'll be getting reviews of Divergent and The Summer I Lost It!

Bye! :)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

May Recap

This month has been both good and bad. It was bad because I haven't read as much as I've wanted to, haven't written as much reviews that I've wanted to, I've had a lot of work to do in school and I've been really stressed the whole time. It's been good because I had a blast doing Armchair BEA, found a lot of new bloggers, got my first books for review, hit the 50 followers mark on my blog and went to two book signings! And oh, I turned 15!

Books I've read this month (4):
Encalve - Ann Aguirre
Cirkeln - Mats Strandberg & Sara Bergman Elfgren
Divergent - Veronica Roth
The Summer I Lost It - Natalie Kath

Books I've reviewed this month (2):

Best book read this month:
Though I really loved Divergent, I'd have to say Enclave.

Currently reading and will read next:
I'm currently reading a Swedish book (that I do not enjoy at all) that we're going to review as our last assignment in school. And for what I'll read next, I'm not completely sure. But I'm thinking Ultraviolet.

Expectations for June:
Summer break, baby! I'll just chill for the whole of June and try to relax and do nothing. Because the rest of my summer break will be crazy, I'll be in Croatia for two weeks and England for three weeks. And one thing is for sure, I'll read a lot more in June than I did in May!

Happy June everybody!