My Top 5...Desert Island Books

1. A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin

I chose this one simply for it's size and the fact that you need your full concentration to focus on this complex book. I adore this book so far from what I have read and I can't wait to continue on the series. I could probably have put the whole series down for my top 5 but I thought that would be cheating.

2. Endless Summer - Jennifer Echols

This is a cute summer romance and what better place to read it than on a desert island sitting enjoying the sun. It's fun and lighthearted and a really easy book to read plus it's pretty big so lasts a little longer than my shorter summer reads.

3. The Time Travellers Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

I adore this book and all it's complexity. The story is definitely a favourite of mine and I love the characters. Again I chose this book over my other favourites because of the sheer size of it. It's a much larger book that The Last Song or Dear John but is just as well written. I am actually considering re-reading this book because I liked it so much both times that i've read it.

4. Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins

I've not actually read this book yet, I know alert the media, but it's one of the highest books on my TBR list because i've heard so much about this one. I can't really say much about it having not read it yet but it's something that i've been meaning to read for a while now and i've just not got around to it yet.

5. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

I have yet to read a Jane Austen novel which is terrible of me but this is definitely one of the ones i'd like to have a go at. As you all may have noticed i've read one Classic that being Jane Eyre which I adored so i'd really like to try another and when better to have a go than when i'm sitting on a desert island soaking up the sun.

My Top 5...Books I Wouldn't Mind Burning

1. The Road - Cormac McCarthy 

I had to read this book for Higher English and I despised it. It might have been something to do with the fact that it was forced because since then i've read a plethora of Dystopian novels and loved them all. This book, I felt, was boring. It was very dragged out and seemed to go on forever. I didn't connect with the characters at all and I didn't feel any empathy for them especially as they begin to struggle to survive.

2. Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell

Again, I had to read this for school and hated it. When I read about the book I thought it would be really good considering that it was the book that Big Brother was based on but I really didn't like it and whenever I see someone considering reading it I want to scream at them to stop, put it down and run away. I've never read any of Orwell's other books so I can't say whether it was just a bad book or if it's the same with his other works as well.

3. The Book of Tomorrow - Cecelia Ahern

Now, this book I wasn't forced to read but this book sends a message; "Don't judge a book by it's cover" That saying that everyone says well in this case it's very very true. The cover of this book is beautiful and I paid extra to get it in hardback however I don't think i'll ever read it again because I really couldn't get into it. It literally took me months to read because I found the story to be boring.

4. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

So many people recommended this book to me and told me how amazing it was but to be perfectly honest I really didn't like it at all. I couldn't get into it. I didn't find the characters likable and I just had such high hopes for it that it ruined the whole experience for me. Even now I couldn't even tell you what happened at the end. It was that exciting and memorable.

5. The Subtle Knife - Phillip Pullman

I had to read Northern Lights in school and for once I really enjoyed it, however the sequel is another story. I read about a quarter of this and one day I hope to try it all over again but that day is not today. I couldn't get into the story even just a little bit which annoyed me because i'd loved the first book so it was simply a case of the sequel being a disappointment for me.

7 Deadly Sins Tag (Book Edition)

GREED
What is your most expensive book? What is your least expensive book?

Most expensive was probably any of the Harry Potter books, I have first editions of book 5, 6 and 7 and believe that they cost around £15 maybe.

My least expensive book was Love you to death and High Stakes by Meg Cabot which I found in a sale for £1.

WRATH
Which author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

Nicholas Sparks. I love love love his work but he makes me cry on a regular basis. His books are my favourite in the world but his stories are always so tragic.

GLUTTONY
What book have you deliciously devoured over and over with no shame whatsoever?

The Twilight Saga before the films came out were a series that I honestly could not stop reading. I've read the whole series over 7 times and adored it every time but since they made the films my opinions and views have changed.

SLOTH
What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, i've been meaning to read this one for a while but it is huge so i'm trying to get to 50 this year before I read that one. Since typing this one I have started this book and I am adoring it so far.

PRIDE
What book do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader?

Jane Eyre. Whenever people ask what I read it's always the first one that I mention even though i've only read it twice and once was for school. It's a book that most people know and it sounds better to say that i've read a classic.

LUST
What attributes do you find most attractive in male or female characters?

I love a strong female character in any novel and of course a male with not too much detail but just enough that I can imagine him in my own way and fall in love with him myself.

ENVY
What books would you most like to receive as a gift?

I love all books and to be honest i'd love anything. There are too many on my tbr list that I wouldn't even know where to start.

My Top 5...Books i'd like to see as Films

1. The Mediator Series - Meg Cabot

I realise that this is a bit of a cheat already because technically it's a series but I loved the story of these and i'd love to see how they would pick characters. I fell in love with Jesse and would like to see which actor was chosen for his part and I loved the love story of this book and would love to see this portrayed in a film.

2. The Selection - Kiera Cass

I absolutely adored this book and after reading that this will be made into a TV show I went crazy. The thing that I loved was the fact that this book inspired me to draw again, like designing wise. I hadn't designed anything for years but I have missed it a lot. The way that the setting is described blew me away and I can't wait to see if it gets made into either a film or TV show in the future.

3. Delirium - Lauren Oliver

This book was so good and i've just not got around to buying Pandemonium yet. The story was amazing and I think that this world is amazingly portrayed and it would be an interesting one to have a look at in film form. The plot blew me away and I cannot wait to carry on the series in the future.

4. Endless Summer - Jennifer Echols

This book was the perfect summer romance. I want to read this again because I enjoyed it so much. I think that the characters are easy to relate to and would work well in a film or TV show, the storyline repeats itself a lot but that's my only problem with it.

5. White Wedding - Milly Johnson

I loved this book, it's an anti-romance type thing and I really enjoyed it. There are quite a few characters in this book and it flicks between their perspective and focuses on their wedding days. I loved the characters and wanted the book to continue after it ended so I think it would make a nice little film.

My First Ever Tag.

I made this tag up myself so please don't laugh at me.

Basically all you do is choose a bunch of your favourite books and turn to a random page and take your favourite quote from that page.

1. Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

"Beneath us, I could hear the waves crashing against the pilings. A flock of seagulls passed overhead, and I leaned in to kiss her, my lips barely brushing hers. Her breath smelled of cinnamon and mint, and I thought again of coming home."

2. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

"There were flowers everywhere, the hedge was trimmed to perfection, and even the brick-and-stucco wall had been freshly painted."

3. The Time Travellers Wife - Audrey Niffenegger 

"It was a gray, snowy morning and the streets were covered in sheets of ice that hadn't been salted yet."

4. Remembrance - Michelle Madow

"A sharp pain shot through my chest, like someone had taken a knife and shoved it into my heart, and I looked back down at my desk"

5. The Selection - Kiera Cass

"Dessert was an assortment of fruits in vanilla ice cream. it was like i'd never eaten before. If this was food what had I been putting in my mouth up to this point?"

6. Delirium - Lauren Oliver

"Poetry isn't like any writing i've ever heard before. I don't understand all of it, just bits and images, sentences that appear half finished, all fluttering together like brightly coloured ribbons in the wind."

7. Endless Summer - Jennifer Echols

I let my head sink until my lips touched her hands, but my eyes never left her green eyes. Love hurt. Honesty made it hurt worse, and I could hardly stand it."

8. Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris

"Fun had not been a big factor in my life recently - well ever - and I was enjoying my little toddle on the wild side."

9. Love You To Death and High Stakes - Meg Cabot

" I was already trying to catch a peek at what was going on beneath the white shirt he was wearing very much open at the throat, exposing quite a bit of his chest and some of his stomach too. Do ghosts have six-packs?"

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 30

Day 30 - Your favourite book of all time.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This book represents me. On every page I feel that it suited me to the core. I know it's a relatively new book and i've only read it once but I felt like it really lived up to what I thought it would be. Surprisingly many people hated it yet I feel that it encapsulates me as a person and the things I love which is ironic because many people don't understand me.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 29

Day 29 - A book that everyone liked but you hated

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

So many people loved the whole series but to me this one was a huge letdown and is probably the reason that I wont read this series again in the future.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 28

Day 28 - Favourite title

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The title of this book really enticed me because it sounds like a fun, summer novel which is exactly what I love and the connotations of pretty suggest that it was going to be a love story which you all know is my favourite genre.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 27

Day 27 - The most surprising plot twist or ending.

Misery by Stephen King

This story really surprised me in the sense that a character can become something which you really don't expect at all. I liked this plot twist as the way that the plot starts does not really scream Stephen King.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 26

Day 26 - A book that changed your opinion of something.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

This story truly made me think about my life and who I am as a person and reminded me that life is too short to waste and that you should cherish every moment and enjoy life every single day. It's a truly amazing book and it's message is very inspiring.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 25

Day 25 - A character you can relate to most.

Cassia from Matched by Ally Condie 

Cassia is a young girl standing up for what she wants in her strange and unsettling society. I really like her as a character and wish I was more like her.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 24

Day 24 - A book you wish more people would read.

White Wedding by Milly Johnson

This is such a cute little book and to be honest i'd not heard anything about this when I found it in the shops one day but after reading this book I really loved it and went on to buy another one of this writers book but I haven't read this one yet.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 23 and an explanation...

Okay so, I just wanted to post a little post before I go into day 23 to explain why I haven't been around for a few days. On Sunday I got back from my Grans and from picking up my puppy (who we called Milo, not sure if I told you or not) so I was really busy that day and honestly didn't even look at my computer and then yesterday I was watching Milo and watching all my TV that i'd missed while I was away so my apologies for not posting anything but to make up for it i'll post a picture of Milo right here so that you can see why I haven't been around.

Day 23 - A book you've wanted to read for a long time but still haven't.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins

I've been told so many great things about this book but unfortunately I just haven't got around to it yet. Hopefully within the next few months i'll purchase this book and it's sequel.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 22

Day 22 - Books that you've read in a foreign language.


L'etranger by Albert Camus

This was the first and only book i've ever read in another language and unfortunately I hated it so much. It was a book that we were forced to read as part of my french class.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 - Favourite book from your childhood


The Mr Men Series

I loved these so much when I was little. I remember my mum used to read them to me when she was pregnant with my little sister. 

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - Favourite romance book.


Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

This is the most amazing and touching tragic love story ever. I recommend it to everyone. Honestly I read one of the versions with the translations in the margin which made it so much easier to understand and I adored this.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 19

Day 19 - Favourite book turned into a movie.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Ahhh this film makes me so happy yet so sad. I literally cry for the last half an hour of the film and the last 100 pages of the book it's heartbreakingly beautiful.

July Book Haul 2012...

Hey everyone,


So it's that time again where I post my monthly book haul, it's in fact only the 12th of July at the minute but I want to make sure I get this up on time for the second month in a row, I understand that if I do manage this it will be a miracle. Any updates that I post now (31/7/2012) will be in italics.


So firstly I wanted to let you all know about the fact that I was on holiday and managed to buy 7 books, 3 of them are still at my grans house and i'll have to pick them up in a few weeks (more on that in a minute). Anyway I got one book at Tesco while we were shopping one day and the other 6 I got at my new favourite shop, The Works. Now the reason why I left some books was firstly because my suitcase was fit to burst and I actually had to sit on it to close it so that's why 3 of the books in my haul are still up there. Secondly I am travelling back up there in 2 weeks and 6 days to pick up the familys new puppy and so all I am taking is a little make-up, clothes for 5 days and my laptop, it's scary how little I want to pack considering i'm usually not very good at packing light. I don't think i'll even get a lot of reading done while i'm away because I will be too occupied with the puppy, who does not yet have a name (I'll update y'all with the details as we go along the journey with him) But he is a 4 week old Lurcher puppy that is chocolate brown and he is gorgeous. He is so cute...he is now 7 weeks old and i'm going to meet him tomorrow. Oh and his name is Milo.

Anyway onto the books which is essentially what you are all here for.


The first book that I bought this month was one that I was hoping to get for quite a while, The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.

Now, Dear John and The Last Song are my favourite books of all time and I love Nicholas Sparks so I was intrigued to read one of his other books and this one, a Walk to Remember and The Notebook have been on my to be read list for a long time. I have read about 1 chapter of this book and sadly it hasn't captured my attention yet but i'm hopeful that it will in following chapters and knowing Sparks it will contain a fair amount of romance mixed with an even greater amount of tragedy. I still haven't had much of a chance to read this at all since i've been busy reading a few others that have been on my TBR list for a lot longer.


The second book that I picked up was Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

This book was one of the ones that I first spotted when I visited the works which I got very excited about. I have heard so many great things about this book as well as the rest of the series and so far I am about a quarter of the way through. It's not completely pulling me in yet and i'm not yet struggling to put it down at night unlike with other books that i've read recently but I am hoping that the story will pick up and i'll begin to enjoy it more. I finished this one a few weeks ago and I really started to like it especially when I got further into it and am looking forward to reading the sequel's soon.

The next books I picked up I decided to put together since they are part of a series and these are Linger and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater.

So I picked these ones up because it was 3 for £5 in The Works and I thought to myself well if these are over £5 each usually then it doesn't really matter if I only pay £5 for the series and don't like it that much. This was my justification anyway. These two are the ones I left at my Grans to pick up when I go back up in...well by the time you are reading this i'll already be there so  I might have a better update on the series by then. I'm not away yet but i'm looking forward to this series more than I was in the start, the story started to pull me in a lot more by the time I got to the end.

The next book that I picked up was From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris.

So the story is, that I had no idea which order these books went in. It's bad I know. But I had no clue and so I decided that getting 2 more in the series that I definitely didn't have would be better than buying them in order and paying nearly £6 each so I just decided to get them. Anyway so I have books 1-5 and this is number 8 in the series so I didn't get it completely right but I got the cover that I wanted and at least it was cheaper than the others that i've bought so far. This book will be on my shelf for another while before I get to read it and is currently at the bottom of the TBR pile.

The 6th book that I bought this month was Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris.

Again this was a wild guess with the number that this book appears in the series and this time I got it right. This is the 6th book in the series and I already had 1-5 so it was a decent guess. I'm not finished Dead as a Doornail yet so this book is still at my Grans too ready to be picked up when I have hopefully finished book number 5. Okay so I finished Dead as a Doornail and loved the way that the story is going. This is the book i'm most looking forward to making a start on.

And Finally the last book that I got this month was Extras by Scott Westerfeld.

Now some of you may have noticed that this is not the original cover that I had been collecting but, the new cover for Extras hasn't even come up on Waterstones yet so I don't think it will be for the forseeable future so I just bit the bullet and got the old cover even though it might look weird next to the others on my shelf i'm hoping that the story will make up for that. I really don't know anything about this book because I haven't even finished Specials yet but I am hoping the series doesn't go downhill any more than it already has.

I just wanted to add on my non book purchase of the month which is The Sims 3 Generations expansion pack which I am really looking forward to playing when it gets here. I've played this quite a few times and it's really really good.

p.s. I've started another series on my Step Dad's Kobo last night and will definitely be purchasing the real copy of the book...but i'm keeping that one a secret ;). I'll give you a clue; I did a lot of research on what this series is like before I started to read it... See if y'all can guess? 

See you all next month

Leigh xoxo