Review: My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Title: My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Edited: Stephanie Perkins 
Released: October 2014
Pages: 320
Genre: Short Stories

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If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favourite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins

My Review

Initial Thoughts: My True Love Gave To Me is a collection of twelve short stories each written by a well known Young Adult writer. Did I enjoy all the short stories? No. But I did enjoy most of them. I have about 6 favourites and the rest I either liked (but didn't love) or just didn't like. Some were confusing (like the Kelly Link one) but it was still an enjoyable read.

The Pros: I loved how sweet and adorable all of these stories were. For example, Kiersten White's story 'Welcome to Christmas, CA' I particularly enjoyed because it was so damn cute. The girl who is so eager to leave her town and start her own life away from Christmas (the town's name) but meets the 'bad boy'

My other favourite story was by Stephanie Perkins (no surprise there!) called 'It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown'. He sells Christmas trees for his family and she wants to use his voice for a project of hers but is a bit nervous to ask him. So she ends up buying a tree even though she had no plans to buy one. 

I also loved Jenny Hall's story too. It is about a girl who was adopted by Santa and lives in the North Pole with the elves, so essentially, she doesn't quite fit in there. I thought it was really cute and I didn't expect to read about elves when picking up this book. It reminded me of the movie Elf (and that is my favourite Christmas movie)

The Cons: A lot of the time I wanted MORE. The stories would just end and I would be like 'hey, hey, can't you tell me what happened after that?'. It makes sense why it would end (they are short stories after all), but as I am an over thinker (like, it can get really bad. I always think beyond about what could happen etc) I want to know how they would tackle some of the problems I know will be faced later on like college and will they still be together and how will they make it work (told you, over thinker). I would honestly read a whole book based on these characters lives 

Would I recommend this book? If your in the mood for some holiday stories to get you in the mood for Christmas, then this will definitely do the trick. It has gotten me excited for Christmas 

Review: Before I Fall

Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Released: October 2010
Pages: 470
Genre: Contemporary
Favourite Quote: “It's funny, isn't it? When you are young you just want to be old, and then later you wish you could go back to being a kid.” 
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For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night. However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

My Review

Initial Thoughts: To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I think about this book. It had some really good moments that kept me intrigued to keep reading and find out what happened but at the same time it also had moments where I could put the book down for long periods of time and not feel the need to read it. There were times when I would go to continue where I left off, but forgot what happened the last time I read it. And this was because it didn't keep me intrigued or entertained.

Before I Fall follows Samantha - she (along with her group) is the most popular girl in the school. She walks all over people, never caring for how she treats others. She'll happily change herself in order to fit into the 'popular' group. But after a car accident that cost her life, she is forced to relive the same day over and over again until she gets it right.

The Pros: I liked the main message in this novel - how everyone is able to change, whether it be for better or for worse. It was so nice to see Sam change and develop into a nicer person and attempt to fix her past mistakes. It also really shows you how everything can be taken away from you in an instant - in one moment, your life could be lost forever so it's best to stop being the person you are trying to be and instead be the person you are. 

The Cons: There is a bit that I didn't like a this novel. I often got bored at times, reliving the same day over and over again. I often got confused between the events of day 1 and if it happened in day 2. But then again, this could be because I wasn't very invested in this story too much. 

In the beginning of the novel, I found the main character to be very annoying (and that was because of her up her self attitude). I do not like reading about these types of characters as I hate how they only think of themselves and that is it. However, I guess this was necessary to show the character development of Samantha. 

Would I recommend this book? I would recommend this novel to those who do want a moving story to read about. It does tackle the topic of death so if your not prepared to read about car accidents and stuff like that then you may want to give this book a miss. I am happy I finished the novel - I particularly enjoyed the last half of the book. However the first half was very difficult for me to get through.

Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award

Majestical Evie over at Prescription Fiction tagged me for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award. Sorry its taken me a few days to get to it, I've had some computer issues. But anyway I'm so excited to do this tag. Thanks Majestical Evie for tagging me. Lets get to the questions

1.    If you could change the ending of any book, what would it be and what would you change it to?
Allegiant from the Divergent Series. Those of you who have read the book know what I'm talking about. I won't go into it because that is a MAJOR spoiler and I would not recommend anyone knowing that before reading the book. For what I would change it to SPOILER I would probably change it to her living and growing old and having kids with Tobias. I really loved their relationship END SPOILER

2.    If you could dump hot noodle soup over the head of any one book character, who would you choose?
Sebastian from the Mortal Instruments Series. He just never seemed to die. And then when you thought he was dead turns out he wasn't. Gosh, he was so annoying

3.    You’re getting married! Choose your soon-to-be spouse, your best man, your bride’s maids and your DJ?
I love this question. I have a lot of fictional boyfriends so this is hard to choose. Umm, I might pick   - Will Herondale (The Infernal Devices Series) for my soon to be spouse
- Best Man would be St Clair from Anna and the French Kiss
- My Bride Maids would be Anna (Anna and the French Kiss), Katy (Obsidian) and Tessa (The Infernal Devices)
- My DJ would be Daemon from Obsidian.I don't know why but something tells me he would be an awesome DJ

4.    Sum up one book with an album or playlist
I think Taylor Swift's 1989 album would best sum up Anna and the French Kiss. It's is full of romantic songs as well as problems faced within a relationship which I think can relate to Anna and St Clair's story

5.    You’ve stole a chocolate fudge cake from the local bakery and you’re about to be shoved into prison for twenty two years with one book character of your choice, who would it be?
Rose from the Vampire Academy books. She is very bad ass so she would attempt to get us out plus also she would a fun person to hang out with

6.    If you could ask any author three questions who would it be and what?
I would ask Stephanie Perkins
1. How do you come up with such adorable characters?
2. What is your favourite romantic movie?
3. Any other books you plan to write/have written?

7.    You can attend one fictional school for an entire year, which would it be? (Hogwarts is banned from this answer because, well… duh!)
The boarding school in Anna and the French Kiss (sorry, I forgot its name). It is in France and accepts anyone with American heritage. And it's in France (did I say that already?)

8.    Would you rather snog Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood or Ron Weasley? State why!
I would snog Ron Weasley. He is just so cute and adorable with his ginger hair. And he is very loyal to BFF Harry

9.    If you had to get a tattoo of one characters face on a body part of your choosing, who and where would you choose? (Keep it clean people!)
Maybe Katniss from the Hunger Games on my arm or something. It is to remind me of how brave she was to put her hand up to go into the Hunger Games and to never give up

10. You can bring one fictional character back from the dead, but by doing so you have to kill another: which two do you choose?
This is going to contain MAJOR ALLEGIANT SPOILERS. So SPOILER WARNING. I would bring back from the dead Tris (no brainer) and I would probably kill Caleb because he is not very trustworthy and kept betraying Tris END SPOILER

I Tag
Speak4Geeks

And my questions are:

1. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
2. You are told to bring one of these characters back from the dead - Voldemort, Bellatrix or Umbridge. Which one would you pick?
3. What book would you gladly burn so that you don't have to look at it again?
4. You are sports star! Which sport would you be playing (and which book is it found in?)
5. You are in a reading slump. What book could bring you out of it?
6. You have a massive crush on a book character. Who is it?
7. There is a spell that is able to erase one book from your mind. What would it be?
8. Most anticipated book you are yet to read?
9. What is a book that everyone is telling you to read, but you haven't yet?
10. Where do you hope your blog will be in a years time?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book

It's that time of week again when I link up with The Broke and the Bookish for Top Ten Tuesday. This weeks theme is Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book. I've only got a few for this topic. So here we go,

Pretty much every character in Anna and the French Kiss. I loved all the secondary characters - I felt as though they were one of the main characters. I wanted to know what they were doing during Anna and the French Kiss as well as what happened to them afterwards (ok, so we kinda found this out in Isla and the Happily Ever After) but I want MORE. I want a whole book from each character (and then another one from Anna's perspective would be nice too)

Hanna from the Delirium Series. So, we kinda got a joint POV in the last book but I wouldn't mind having a book completely from her perspective about how she changed after the operation. I think that would be quite interesting

I actually wouldn't mind a story from Prince Maxon's perspective. I would like to know what was going through his head when he had to choose which girl to choose and how he came to his decision.

Sorry guys, that's all I have for you. I don't really know what other character I would like  their own book. I'll probably remember some when I look through others Top Ten Tuesday's. Anyway, let me know yours

Taylor Swift Book Tag

Well, its been a while since I thought to myself that I wanted to do this tag. But I'm finally doing it. And better yet, I'm doing it while listening to Taylor Swift's new album (cause I'm cool like that). I'll be doing the same one that Katy from Katytastic on Youtube did a few weeks ago but it was created by The BookLife (I think). So, here we go

1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - pick a book or series that you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.
Divergent by Veronica Roth. I love the first two books (it was the book that got me into reading) but then the third book came along and I wasn't too sure if I was in love with the series anymore. It wasn't because of that situation that occurred in the book (you'll know what I'm talking about if you've read it. I don't want to spoil anyone). Actually, it was part of the reason but just the whole book, I found, to be not as good as the first two

2. Red - pick a book with a RED cover.
The Elite by Kiera Cass

3. The Best Day - pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.
Anna and the French Kiss (actually, the whole series). It is so cute and adorable and I still think about this book and its characters often.

4. Love Story - pick a book with forbidden love.
Delirium Series - I will forever be team Alex

5. I Knew You Were Trouble - pick a book with a bad character you couldn’t help but love.
This one is a no brainer - It's Obsidian's male lead Daemon. I hated him in the beginning (he was so up himself, arrogant and rude) but then I couldn't help but fall in love with him when we get to know more about him and why he acts the way he does

6. Innocent (written b/c of Kanye West!) - pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.
Actually, I haven't had a lot of endings ruined for me. Part of the reason is that I don't have a lot of friends who enjoy reading and the other one is if I do happen to come across a spoiler on the internet, I usually forget it (unless I'm currently reading the series)

7. Everything Has Changed - pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development.
Allyson Healey in Just One Day by Gayle Forman. In the beginning of the novel, she is very shy, quiet and a rule follower. But as the novel progresses she grows and changes

8. You Belong With Me - pick your most anticipated book release.
At the moment, it'll probably be The Heir by Kiera Cass. But it could change. I have finished a lot of my series (I try to read the series when all the books have been released or it's close to the release date)

9. Forever and Always - pick your favorite book couple.
Again, it's from Anna and the French Kiss. It's Anna and St Clair!

10. Come Back, Be Here - pick the book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it too much.
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare. I absolutely LOVE that book. It was not what I expected

BONUS QUESTIONS:
11. Teardrops On My Guitar - pick a book that made you cry a lot.
It's a tie between The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or If I Stay by Gayle Forman

12. Shake It Off - pick a book that you love so much, you just shake off the haters.
Well, there is not much hate in the book community for Anna and the French Kiss, but some of my friends 'hate' on it cause of the title. But when they read it (and they will. I'll make them LOL), they'll love it as much as I do

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

Today, I'm linking up with The Broke and the Bookish for their weekly feature Top Ten Tuesday. I haven't done one of these for a while, so it's nice to be getting back into it. Today's topic is Top Ten Books I Want To Reread. As I am not a frequent re-reader (as I often don't enjoy the book as much as the first time. I think it's because I know what is going to happen) I am going to do my Top Ten Books I Want To Reread in an ideal world (the ideal world being a world where I enjoy rereading).

All these books had some effect on me. Whether they got me into reading (divergent), out of a reading slump (Anna and the French Kiss), took me on a rollercoaster of feelings (Obsidian, Vampire Academy), made me cry (TFiOS, If I Stay, Where She Went), amazed me with its awesome conclusion (Clockwork Princess), got me to think (We Were Liars) or simply because I connected with it (Looking for Alibrandi), I would love to reread these books and experience those feelings again.

Are some of your books the same as mine? Let me know below

Halloween Cupcakes

In order to get into the spirit of Halloween, me and my friend over at Speak 4 Geeks decided to make some Halloween inspired cupcakes. We decided to make Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes (red velvet because it can symbolise blood for Halloween) and then we decorated it using green/white frosting (we did a marble type frosting) and lollies. Throughout the process, I took some pictures  and thought I might show it to you guys

The Red Velvet that we mixed into the cake

The cupcakes tasted delicious and I would definitely be making them again (maybe not with the Halloween style decorations). If you want to check out the recipe, my friend posted it on her blog here. I would recommend you check out her blog as well.

Happy Halloween :)