Saturday 25 April 2015

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Progress

Hi everyone!!!!! I'm so excited to be starting the latest Dewey's 24 hour readathon!!!!! I'll update my progress here throughout the day.

As I'm starting late I thought I'd do the Hour 0 opening Meme. Here it goes!


1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

New Zealand!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

Hmmm, that's a hard one... It's a tie between Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

I haven't planned snacks... Oops...

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I'm a slow reader, student librarian and English major who can never stop talking about books. ;)

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

Chatting with other 24 hour readathoners and having hours in which to do nothing but read!


Hour 14: Meant to do the mid event at Hour 12 but was too busy reading... Oops! Here it is now. :)

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?

I've been switching between Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman and City of Masks by Mary Hoffman - both are great.

2. How many books have you read so far?

Just Saga Volume 4 which was incredible! 

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Probably some of Pablo Neruda's poetry or the Code Name Verity eaudiobook

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

I had to go out to the mall for supplies - the quickest trip I've ever made! Other than that it's been nice and quiet.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

How I've lost track of the time! I forgot how relaxing reading for huge periods of time is.

How's everyone else going?

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon April 2015

Just quickly letting you know that I'm participating in Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon tomorrow!

Here's my potential TBR. I know I'm not going to get through much of it, but I'm sure looking forward to a day devoted to reading. :D


I'll only be going for 12 hours (roughly the 7th hour - 19th hour) as I think that's as much as I can handle. So excited!!!!

Anyone else participating tomorrow? Are you a first timer like me? What are you planning to read?

Thursday 16 April 2015

This Book Could Be Ours: Saga Volume Two by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples


Second in the Saga Series
Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi, Space Opera
Published: 13th June 2013
Publisher: Image Comics
Length: 144 pages
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Brought from my local Comic Store

Tell me more, tell me more...

From award-winning writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN (Pride of Baghdad, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist FIONA STAPLES (Mystery Society, Done to Death), SAGA is sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and horrific monsters, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters her strangest adventure yet... grandparents.

Collects Saga issues #7-12


(I've given up rephrasing blurbs for books I review. From now on all blurbs in Italics are from Goodreads.)

Why did I read this?

There's a reason why Saga is one of the most popular comics out there at the moment. It's quirky, engrossing, thoughtful, funny and full of feeeeeels. After the reading the first volume last year I knew I'd have to revisit this series soon!

What I liked:

The appearance of Marko's parents: I love how this comic now has three generations interacting with one another. I've seldom read anything that has this dynamic. It really adds an extra something to the drama that goes along with being fugitives stuck together on a spaceship.

The cast of characters never seem overwhelming: Vaughn has to balance both the fleeing family and their pursuers, which is not an easy job! Every couple of issues seems to bring another vital character on board. The narrative flow never seems stifled or forced by this. The time we spent with every character feels natural as well as relevant.

Flashbacks: Don't want to spoil too much here; they work so well!

The Artwork: I love the bold, bright colours used to bring each planet alive. I love the diversity of size, shape and race in the characters. Basically I want to cover my room with (nearly) every panel in this graphic novel.

Who might like this?

All Science Fiction and Graphic Novel fans, readers craving something different and exciting as well as people wanting to see a humorous, realistic portrayal of a multi-generational relationship.

Final Thoughts:

Maybe I should have waited until this series was finished so I could binge read it all at once... Oh well, I'm in it until the end! Now, where's the next volume for me to read??

Any other Saga fans out there? Or graphic novel lovers? 

Monday 13 April 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Inspiring Quotes

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week book bloggers make a list about ten books around a chosen topic.

Today I'm going to let these words do all the talking.

1. "Here's what I think," I say and my voice is stronger and thoughts are coming, thoughts that trickle into my noise like whispers of truth. "I think maybe everybody falls," I say. "I think maybe we all do. And I don't think that's the asking." I pull on her arms gently to make sure she's listening. "I think the asking is whether we get back up again."

Spoken by Todd Hewitt in The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

2. "For those who don't believe in themselves, hard work is worthless."

Spoken by Maito Gai in The Naruto Series by Masashi Kishimoto

3. "People are screwed up in this world. I'd rather be with somebody screwed up and open about it than somebody perfect and ready to explode."

Spoken by Craig in It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

4. "I think everything is happening all the time, but if you don't put yourself in the path of it, you miss it."

From Just One Day by Gayle Forman

5. "Sometimes, when I have to do something I don't want to do, I pretend I'm a character from a book. It's easier to know what they would do."

From Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

6. "We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another."

From Divergent by Veronica Roth

7. "You're in the right place at the right time and you care enough to do what needs to be done. Sometimes that's enough."

From The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

8. "You're gonna miss each and every shot you can't be bothered to take. That's not living life - that's just being a tourist. Take every shot, Kate. If it's worth caring about, no matter how impossible you think it is - you take the shot."

Spoken by Clint Barton in Hawkeye Volume One: My Life As A Weapon by Matt Fraction, David Aja and Javier Pulido

9. "If I want more, I need to go and get it, demand it, take hold of it with all my might and do the best I can with it."

From On The Jellicoe Road by Melinda Marchetta

10. "Sometimes it's easy to lose faith in people. And sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again."

From Does My Head Look Big In This? By Randa Abdel-Fattah

Thursday 9 April 2015

Trees of Reverie April 2015 Readathon TBR

I'm finally back! All my scheduled posts ran out while I've been hectic at Uni, but I'll get a big stash stored up again.


I was really excited when I realised that the (at the time) upcoming Trees of Reverie Readathon was to be during my break this semester. This massive event is organised about 4-5 times a year for varying amounts of time by Sarah of her blog of the same name. This one runs until Sunday so it's not to late to join in!


From the back row to the front row left to right:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: I just finished this one today for my English paper. It wasn't for me. I liked the beginning events in Bath, but wished the story took a darker turn than it at times hinted.

Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix: I'm embarrassed to admit I've had this one sitting on my Kindle for a couple of years now! It was a lovely light fantasy set in Regency England following a young lady who dresses as a man in order to look for her stolen Emerald. 

The Annotated Alice by Lewis Carroll; edited by Martin Gardner: Another book I read for my English paper. It was nice to revisit Alice's stories' for the first time since childhood.

Chew Volume Six by John Layman and Rob Guillory: This series gets better and better with every volume! It's quirky and crazy and despite the strange premise it just works.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord: I saw this book sitting on the shelf at my local library and grabbed it due to internet hype. I'm about 100 pages in and have to stop myself devouring it in one go. I love Reagan's and Dee's friendship and Reagan's growing relationship with Matt.

The Wicked + The Divine Volume One by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvin: The premise of twelve gods being reborn every ninety years in teenagers who become powerful and then die within two years both scares and fascinates me. The art is gorgeous and I'm loving all the diverse characters. I've only read the first two issues so far - looking forward to read more soon!

What are you reading right now?

Saturday 28 March 2015

2015 Audiobook Challenge: First Quarter Update


The 2015 Audiobook Challenge is hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens. It's a great way to motivate you to reach reach your audiobook goals and interact with other audiobook listeners. It's not too late to sign up!

I'm going well for this year's goal of listening to 10 audiobooks which will bring me to the end of the Weekend Warrior Level. Here's what I've listened to so far this year - reviews to come soon!



The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

A well plotted, twisty thrilling steampunk fantasy which I really loved! The chalklings and Rithmatist diagrams warmed my geeky heart. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel out in 2017.

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

This audiobook had me smiling, laughing and crying in the same chapter. I was a mess of emotions for a week when listening to it. Marchetta has broken what was left of my heart after I read Saving Francesca. I still need to get my hands on everything else she has written.




Does My Head Look Big In This? By Randa Abdel-Fattah

Amal's life as a Muslim-Australian preparing to wear the hijab full time at her public Australian high school is a thoughtful read. I loved how the author crafted Amal's voice as well as her family and friends.

Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

I listened to this audiobook as my brother likes watching the TV Series. It was fun and light to listen to. I may listen to some of the other books in the series as my local library has them on Overdrive.

That's it from me! How is your audiobook listening going?

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on my Autumn TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week book bloggers make a list about ten books around a chosen topic.

The colder weather means more excuses to stay huddled inside in a blanket reading - I'm all for that! The first five books on my TBR are required for Uni, while the rest are my own choice.




1. The Annotated Alice by Lewis Carroll, edited by Martin Gardener

I'm halfway through this one, we're discussing it in my English Lit paper. It's interesting seeing what's different from the Disney movie from the original text.

2. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

I'm going in completely blind on this one. I know Austen wrote six books (I think?), but I've never heard anyone talk about Northanger Abbey.

3. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

My third Shakespeare play! I'm always up for reading more of the Bard's work.



4. City of Glass by Paul Auster, Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli

Again I'm not sure what this one is about. I think it's pretty awesome the lecturer is using a graphic novel as one of the texts though.

5. City of Masks by Mary Hoffman

I'm planning to reread this book to write a report on it for my Kid's Lit paper. Hoffman recently came to my area and gave a talk about her Stravanganza series that made me all nostalgic. I brought a signed copy of it too!

6. Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix

I'm reading a chapter a night of this at the moment and am enjoying it so far. Loving the combo of regency era and magic!




7. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

I'm sporadically listening to this novel via eaudiobook. As a history geek I'm loving all the little details that really bring alive the World War Two setting. (I have been accidentally spoiled for Code Name Verity however which is why I'm not flying through it.)

8. Saga Volume Three by Brian K. Vaugh and Fiona Staples

WHAT DID I DO WITHOUT SAGA IN MY LIFE!?!? Seriously, READ IT.

9. The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

I was given an illustrated copy of this short story for Christmas that I haven't picked up yet... (Oops) Chris Riddell's illustrations are as stunning as always.

10. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

I need to know what happens to Lara Jean ASAP!

What's on your Spring/Autumn TBR?