If I Stay-A Book Review||❤

If I Stay
By Gayle Forman
Publication Date: April 2nd 2009
Rating: 5/5 stars
On a day that started like any other, Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

My Thoughts

I am probably the last person on earth to read this book! I don't know what took me so long but my gosh this book is amazing. It is emotional, funny at times and I just couldn't help but smile when I had finished this book. Believe it or not I actually finished this book in a day, I know I have tried to stop doing that all the time. Each and every page pulled me in and I couldn't help but keep turning the pages until I realised I was at the end!!

What I loved about the book was the idea of Mia having to choose if she wants to live anymore. It is not like she is just is hearing the people around her she is like a ghost but she is not dead. What really made me tear up was when her Grandpa was telling her to that is is her choice to live and he believes that she is out there watching.

The Romance. It is actually just perfect. We see how they develop in their relationship through flashbacks but it isn't just about them saying I love you. They talk about the fun times they share together and how music connects them in such a special way. I'm a lover of music myself and I love how the two worlds of classical and rock collided.

Overall, I definitely wod recommended this book. It is sure to make you shed a few tears. I think that lately I have been reading so many emotional bookmarks but they are so good!! The movie for this book is brilliant as well so make sure you check that out too!! Plus Jamie Blackley is the definition of dreamy!!

Keep Reading,
Naomi...xxx

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Seeker-A Book Review||❤

Seeker
By Arwen Elys Daytob
Publication Date: Febuary 10th 2015
Rating: 3 stars

Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.

Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.

*I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Thoughts...

This book follows the life of Quinn who has all her life been waiting to become a seeker where she will guard her family and their house. On the way she finds hatred for those she didn't want to feel towards and love towards those who never thought she would think of in such a way. I did quite enjoy this gripping book which gave me a different taste of the fantasy genre. You are probably wondering why I even gave the book a 3 stars well you have to read on to find out.

This book shows different characters but in third person which means it makes it kind of better described. This is what I actually enjoyed about the book, it wasn't like the others I read which were in completely 1st person and reading it in a diffrent point of view was interesting. We get to experience from many characters points of view and get to see each part in different angles. That was a very massive plus side to the book! I also did enjoy the plot as it was different and interesting.

My issues with the book was that I didn't connect with any of the characters except for one who goes by the name of 'Young Dread' I really did respect her and her role as a character. Also, I just found that parts of the plot were messy. I mean, at first I thought that the thing was set in the Medieval times but next thing I know they have mobile phones and IV tubes. WHAT?? Also, there were air space things which were mentioned once but never again. If it is set in the medieval times I would really appreciate it if the book was at least historically accurate. I don't know if there was an element of time travel in it but it would have been nicer if it was made clearer. It was screaming Hunger Games to me!!!

 Romance, you know I thought it was a little sweet but gosh it annoyed me. Do you know what I hate more than love triangles? Love freaking triangles. I found it useless and didn't add anything to the story. I also found my eyebrows furrowing with confusion when a male character only started to take interest in Quinn when she developed 'curves'. no, no, no ,no and no! Cringe factor at the ready!! It was a sweet romance at the start and then I was disturbed and gagging at the end and it all had something to do with third cousins I won't even go there!

Overall, I thought this books was an alright book. I would love to read more of the series and see how the characters develop even more. The ending was quite satisfying in fact and I would recommend this book to all you fantasy lovers out there!!

Keep Reading,

Naomi...xxx

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How I Write My Reviews||❤

Some people can write their reviews in thirty minutes and some people take a couple of days to write one up. I would classify myself as a bit of both. I can write a review in thirty minutes but I proof read it every single day until the day it would be posted on.

When I read my book a usually take notes on it whilst reading. It is quite surprising how I have time to write down and take notes on books I am reading but I can't take notes or write down things in maths. The struggles!! Going back to topic, I like to write down notes on books because I am quite a forgetful person. I always forget some parts of the plot and I just find that taking notes helps me structure my reviews better. It also stops me from rambling which I do a lot and I am always going off topic. I do find that I try and mention how much I hate Divergent in my reviews as much as I can.

I don't know why but I just added a Miranda Sings picture at the bottom of this post because she is queen! I have just noticed that I haven't written much about reviewing books anyway but in a short summary:

1. I try and write the review as soon as I finish they book.
2. I always take notes!!
3. I try and structure my reviews from the notes I take.
4. It takes me around half and hour to write up the review and a couple of days after to proof read.
5. I always mention how bad Divergent is.

Keep Reading,

Naomi...xxx

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Waiting On Wednesday||❤

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 This week is..........
Vanishing Girls
By Lauren Oliver
Publication Date: March 10th 2015

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.

Why Am I Waiting This Wednesday?

This book seems so intriguing and looks like a good thriller. I am trying to branch out on the genres I read so this one would be a good one this year!

What are you Waiting On this Wednesday?

Keep Reading,

Naomi...xxx

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The Last Leaves Falling-A Book Review||❤

The Last Leaves Falling
By Sarah Brenwell
Publication Date: January 29th 2015
Rating: 5/5 stars

And these are they. My final moments. They say a warrior must always be mindful of death, but I never imagined that it would find me like this . . .

Japanese teenager, Sora, is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Lonely and isolated, Sora turns to the ancient wisdom of the samurai for guidance and comfort. But he also finds hope in the present; through the internet he finds friends that see him, not just his illness. This is a story of friendship and acceptance, and testing strength in an uncertain future.
*I received this e-Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

MY THOUGHTS

I can not even describe how many emotions this book hit me with. One moment I was smiling and laughing as though I was friends with all the characters and the next minute I was attempting to hold back my tears! I loved the message it brought across and how the main character,Sora, developed from a person with no hope to a guy who was surrounded by friends and almost felt as though be was a normal person.

I really liked the setting of the book as it was set in Japan and that is new to me. I loved how the setting was described and that we learned that the city life was a hard thing for him because wherever he stepped he felt like he was being frowned upon and pitted. We also learnt how we take so many things for granted like being able to go outside, being able to lift our arms, speak and knowing that we have so much to look forward to other than death. Seeing things from Sora's point of view really made me think because people might always pity the disabled when really they don't want to be treated differently.

I also love how the book incorporated the internet and the new age where our online friends are only a click away. It was heartwarming to see Sora make friends with people who weren't there to judge him and were friends with him for his quirky personality. This book made me want to make the most out of everything I have and do more of what I want to as you never know what is in store. Instead of the book having a typical story where he falls in love with someone, it is about making friends and not feeling as wanted because of a disability.

Overall. I really did enjoy this book. It was beautifully written, the characters were amazing and weren't piled onto the reader and this is definitely a book you should be looking out for this year! I reallly do think this book should be made into a massive film and I really do think this will be one of the best newcomers this year!

Keep Reading,
Naomi...xxx

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Waiting On Wednesday||❤

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 This week is..........

Magonia
By Maria Dahvana Headley
Publication Date: April 28th 2015

Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds…two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air. 

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. 
So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.
Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia. 
Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

Why Am I Waiting This Wednesday?

Can we just for a moment have a moment of silence for how BEAUTIFUL the cover of this book is. I mean I was just spellbound. I love the idea of two different worlds, one where she can barely breath and one where she is as healthy as she would ever be. This is definitely going to be a book I am going to read this year!

What's your pick?

Keep Reading,

Naomi...xxx

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Love Hurts-A Book Review||❤

Love Hurts
By Malorie Blackman and Various Authors
Publication Date: January 29th 2015
Rating: 3/5 stars
Synopsis: Malorie Blackman brings together the best teen writers of today in a stunningly romantic collection about love against the odds. Featuring short stories and extracts about modern star-crossed lovers from stars such as Gayle Forman, Markus Zusak and Patrick Ness, and with a brand-new story from Malorie Blackman herself, Love Hurts looks at every kind of relationship, from first kiss to final heartbreak.

*I received this e-Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

MY THOUGHTS......
When I saw this book I was excited. Some of my favourite authors were putting extracts from their books to talk about one subject, love. Not only does this book cover what we see as a 'normal relationship' like two people fall in love and live happily ever after but it talks about the forbidden, the ones where two boys can't fall in love and having to hide it.

In this book there are 28 different stories which are around 15-30 pages each. As much as I did enjoy the book, I found that I felt confused at times. Some of these extracts were taken from books I had never read before so it felt like I plunged into characters I didn't know and I didn't get to see develop. I am really used to growing with characters and seeing them form relationships with other people but I felt like I was uninvited in a way. What would've been better was that if they picked out parts of the book where we wouldn't be as confused. It wasn't that big of an issue but I was quite disappointed about that.

This book was filled with amazing stories which did touch my heart and made me feel fuzzy inside just by reading a couple of stories. Overall, I do think this is a brilliant book if you want to sit down, relax and feel like swooning. An enjoyable read and heartwarming read which I would recommend to anyone into the romance genre.

Happy New Year!

Keep Reading,

Naomi...xxx

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