March Wrap Up (2017)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And there's a quick post for you today!
My March Wrap Up (2017)!
Enjoy!

March Wrap Up (2017)

I feel like I say this every month, but I cannot believe it is already the end of March!

We're a quarter through the year already!

But enough of that, lets talk about the books that I read this month!

So, in the month of March, I read a total of 8 books! 3 of them were re-reads, which is why they didn't show up in the Goodreads "Read" section on the side of the page.

Here are the books I read in the month of March:

 1. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1), by Maggie Steifvater

2. The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2), by Maggie Steifvater

3. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3), by Maggie Steifvater

4. The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4), by Maggie Steifvater

5. Slated (Slated #1), by Teri Terry

6. Fractured (Slated #2), by Teri Terry

7. Shattered (Slated #3), by Teri Terry

8. Heartless (Heartless #1), by Marissa Meyer

As far as whether I achieved my TBR or not this month (I'll link it to " March TBR (2017)"), I sort of did. I completed one/three of the series' that I listed, and one of the spin-offs (that wasn't a series or trilogy). And I finished the series that I most wanted to finish, as well as re-reading another trilogy, so I call it a good month.

So that is my March Wrap Up (2017)! I hope you enjoyed it (told you it would be a quick one!)

And I will see you on Monday, when I will be posting my April TBR (2017)!

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I will see you then!

Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Books 11-20 of 2017

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And since I've read another ten books towards my Goodreads Reading Goal, I saw that I needed to do another Books of 2017!
So here are my Books 11-20 of 2017!
Enjoy!

Books 11-20 of 2017

11. Would You Rather, by Chris Higgins

I can tell you now that this was just one of those re-reads to get myself out of the reading slump I can fallen into. This book is short, cute and funny with likeable characters that anyone could like. And it's just one of those books that you know you can read and re-read without your like for the actual story lessening at all. Would You Rather is a book about writing, and adoption, and family, and it is one of my favourite Chris Higgins books. It's so easy to fall into the perspective of the protagonist Flick, and fall into the story of her and her family, which is one thing I really like about. I think it's perfect for teen readers that don't want too much of a time commitment.

12. Caraval (Caraval #1), by Stephanie Garber

This book might be considered one of my favourites so far this year (and we're only in March!). I just love the mystery and mystique of the whole book. This is the story of Caraval, and Scarlett and her sister Tella are just desperate to go, entranced by the mysterious game that is Caraval. But once they get there, it isn't all that it seems. What I liked most about the story was that it was treated as if it was real, but we were also warned not to look too closely or else we might descend into madness. We were constantly trying to guess what was real and what was fake. If you are a fan of the Night Circus, I highly recommend this.

13. The Hate List, by Jennifer Brown

The Hate List really surprised me! I had it on my shelves for months on end gathering dust, and then when I finally picked it up, I was sucked into the story, along with the characters that either supported- or hated- Valerie. This is set nine or so months after Valerie's boyfriend- Nick- comes into school with a loaded gun and shoots all the people on a list- The Hate List- a list that Valerie, along with Nick created. Valerie jumped in front of the gun, saving the school, and then Nick shoots himself. This book is sort of the aftermath, and no- even her family herself- are sure what to do next. This book really surprised me, and not in a bad way. This book does have some serious issues, so I recommend it for older readers, but it is still a jolly good book!

14. Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom

Another book that really surprised me! This is set from the point of view of a blind girl, and when you read this, you forget all the stigma that surrounds a blind girl as a protagonist. This book might not seem very interesting from the outside, but I think it's one of those books that everyone should try. I don't want to reveal too much about this book, because I went into this with no idea what it was about- other than what I just told you- and I think everybody else should too. Overall, this is a light, funny story about not letting anybody stand in your way of whatever you want to do, even if your blind! But honestly, loved this book and I totally recommend to anyone who is considering reading it!

15. It's a 50/50 Thing, by Chris Higgins

Yet another Chris Higgins book! This was yet another book that I decided to read on the spot, and since I hadn't read this one in a while, so I decided to read it (yet again). This is a slightly darker and mysterious Chris Higgins book, which even though it isn't like her other ones because of all the mystery around Gem (love interest), I still love it intensely. It kind of sparks the question of how far you would go for love, as well as bringing family life into it too, without making it too overbearing and mysterious. If you are in the mood for a short, yet consuming and engaging read about toxic love then this is the book for you.  

16. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1), by Maggie Steifvater

17. The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2), by Maggie Steifvater

18. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3), by Maggie Steifvater

19. The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4), by Maggie Steifvater

Although I haven't reviewed all of these books (I've got one left, and I will be doing this after my March Wrap Up and April TBR) I immensely enjoyed this series and I highly recommend this for anyone who wants something different to read in YA. If you like mystery, mythology, and a romance on the side, then this is the story for you. These books truly do get better with each one, though I do recommend reading them in order or else it won't make as much sense. But this is a cool story, and one that I cannot seem to get out of my head, especially the last one.

20. Slated (Slated #1), by Teri Terry

I'd been meaning to read this trilogy for a long time before now, but I saved it for when I was having a slow reading month, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. This is my favourite book ever, so I was so happy to read it again. I recommend this to anyone who likes Sci-fi and YA and wants a unique, mysterious and addicting trilogy to read. READ IT (it's so amazing, I promise you will love it).  

So that is my Books 11-20 of 2017! I hope you enjoyed it, and the point to these is kind of like take a look back at the books I've read recently.

So I will see you on Friday (when I will be posting my March Wrap Up (2017), so look out for that!

I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all then!

Byeeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3), by Maggie Stiefvater

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
Today I am going to be reviewing Blue Lily, Lily Blue because I do not have enough books to do a Book Haul!
So here it is!
Enjoy!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3), by Maggie Steifvater

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Author: Maggie Steifvater

Genre: Fantasy, paranormal

Release date: 21st October, 2014

Pages: 389

Blurb: "Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost."

My Thoughts

This was the book that kind of did it for me. Up to this point, how invested I was in the story was... questionable. But then something about this book clicked, and suddenly I was hooked. It might have had something to do with the fact that the book wasn't just about getting to know the background, the premise and the characters, and that the story actually had a bit of direction this time.

A lot of this series is about the future, and the anticipation leading up to a prophesised event. And this is the book that made the leap from one point, to a closer one. And you begin to see how it all forms together in the lead up to the massive ending that is the last book.

By this point, the characters have changed and evolved so much, that you just can't help to love them. And not just as a group. They're not just one pure emotion anymore, and it's so refreshing how they've all gone through individual journeys but have emerged as a group, and it's so nice to see. And if that sounds cheesy, sorry.

Yet, I wouldn't say the characters fell by the wayside, just that they kind of blended into the whole story, instead of them being the centre of the story, and I was surprised to find that I liked it a whole lot more.

Yet, as much as I wanted to love this book, it did have some problems. When I was reading this, I just kept wanting more. It was never quite there. It was a great book, but it wasn't super amazing OMG WHAT IS HAPPENING. But those problems were kind of insignificant compared to what I liked about this book.

Now, the writing. Steifvater is so good at painting a picture in your mind and making you a part of the story that it's almost a crime. Just the way she writes the characters, makes them intricate, yet gives them flaws of their own, and makes them come alive on the page, it's just magical.

There's a sprinkling of romance in this book too, which is something else I want to talk about. The romance was just enough, yet again. It played it's part, which was prominent at some points, but it was never the main plotline.

It gave the reader the time to think about the MASSIVE NOSE DIVES AND PLOTS TWISTS, try to get their head around all the mythology, and just enjoy the story, which was ridiculously easy to do.

Overall, I'm starting to think that these books do actually get better every book (and I am right, because I've already finished it, and it was AMAZING). This was the perfect lead up to the finale in the series, and my favourite so far.

I recommend this for those that want to read something that is truly different to the world of YA Paranormal, mainly because of the lack (but also prominent) of romance, or love triangle. 

I loved this book.

Hey! So that was my review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue: the third book in the Raven Cycle series, and my second favourite in the series! I hope you enjoyed the review, I'm sorry it was kind of all over the place, but that's just the way my thoughts went when writing this review!

I still hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it encourages you to pick it up because it truly is a really really decent book that I did really enjoy!

So I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all on Wednesday!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx 

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2), by Maggie Steifvater

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And today I'm doing my review on The Dream Thieves!
Enjoy!

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2), by Maggie Steifvater

Title: The Dream Thieves

Author: Maggie Steifvater

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Release date: 17th September, 2013

Pages: 450

Blurb: "Blue didn't mean to fall for the Raven Boys,

but she has- and the more her life entwines

with theirs, the more dangerous it becomes.

Ronan is the most dangerous of all.

He's the haunted one, the darkest

the most raven.

His dreams invade reality and

confuse what is true.

With magic growing stronger around

them, now is the time to be wary.

Before everything unravels...

Friendships will be tested.

Someone will get hurt.

And a kiss will get shared."

My Thoughts

Second books in the series kind of have a stigma- they always seen to be worse than the first one. But this happens to be the exception, because this one is first and foremost- not going to sugarcoat it- it's a heck of a lot better than the first one. And to add to that, it made me really looking forward to the next one! (Blue Lily, Lily Blue).

What I liked more about this one as opposed to The Raven Boys is that there was more of a story to this one, it wasn't as heavily character based. (There was still a lot of character development, specifically for Ronan, who is the centre of the story- as you can see from the blurb- but it all seemed to flow better now that there was some direction to the story).

I can't say much about the plot, as it would spoil the first book, but it kind of started the foundation that would eventually lead up to the fourth and final book (that I'm currently reading now, but reviewing the second book now shows how what was happening in The Dream Thieves has impacted the entire story).

So basically, the story couldn't be as good as it is now without this book.

As much as I want to say that Ronan is my favourite character, because he is the focus of this novel, I can't- because they are all truly my favourites. Again, the character development was flawless, and the best part of the book by far. Just the way they all grew as people as a group, and they were so raw and lifelike just completed the book. We did get to meet another character in this book,- he's called the Grey Man- I won't say anything else, because he's super mysterious and your not sure what his purpose is in the book, and that's what I want to keep it as.

But I did like that we got to learn more about Ronan, that we got to see a bit more behind the curtains of the dark mysterious and violent Raven that we really didn't get to know much of in the first book. It wasn't that the other Raven Boys took a backseat, because they didn't, we found out more about them as well, but Ronan was the centre of the book, and I can't say that I minded too much :) .

But because the character that the book centres around is Ronan, the book was slightly grittier and darker, and more mysterious than the previous one, which is what kept me engaged from the start if I'm honest.

Also, somehow Maggie Steifvater manages to make her writing both poetic, and dark, gritty and mysterious, all at the same time! (And trust me, that's hard). But the writing was strong from the first page, all the way through the middle, and then the end too.

So overall, I really enjoyed this book. I felt like they were brewing this book up to make for an even better second half to the series, which I'm really looking forward to reading. So the characters were great, the writing was, and the plot was engaging. I also totally recommend this series, even though this is the second in the series! (Although I do recommend reading the first one before!)

So that was my review of The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2), by Maggie Steifvater! I hope you enjoyed it (and I hope it wasn't too long)!

So I will see you all on Friday!

And I hope you have a wonderful day!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Reading Books That Match The Season

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And I was thinking I was going to post my review of the Dream Thieves today, but I just don't feel like reviewing something today!
So today I am talking about reading books to match the season.
This is sort of a rant/ rambling of thoughts, so I hope you enjoy it!

Reading Books That Match The Season

Today I want to talk about other people's reading habits, like whether or not they obey the seasons, and read things like fantasy (epic fantasy, urban fantasy etc) at winter, and summary and happy reads during spring? I used to be one of the people that ignored the seasons and used to just read what I felt like (like mysteries, and Sci-fis during summer, and contemporaries during winter), but now I find it hard to imagine the scenarios that the characters are in, because of where I'm reading it.

I mean, there are certain books that you can read whenever you want, and you'll have no problem imagining what is happening between the pages (such as Harry Potter, Hunger Games etc), but I feel like most books you have to be in a certain mood, or it has to be a certain season to read them (like you wouldn't read Let It Snow in the summer, or Since You've Been Gone in the winter).

Because as much as I wish I could read a whole lot of mystery and intrigue when the sun is shining, it just isn't something I can do.

This post is also sort of a discussion too, because I want you guys to tell me your thoughts on this too. Can you all read the deep and time consuming series when the sun is shining, or do you like to read books that match the weather? Tell me your thoughts :) .

To think about it, this sort of applies to holidays too. Like reading romance books around February 14th. Even though most books have some form or subplot that centres around romance, do you guys like to read full blown romance books around that time, or just books that feature just that tiny sprinkle of romance scattered throughout the book?

I think that's all I have to say on the subject, but I want to know your thoughts! Let me know in the comments below what you have to say on the subject!

So I will see you all on Wednesday, and I hope you have an enjoyable day!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1), by Maggie Steifvater

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And since I've already read three out of four in this series, I figured I better get to reviewing!

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1), by Maggie Steifvater

Title: The Raven Boys

Author: Maggie Steifvater

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Release date: 18th September, 2012

Pages: 454

Blurb: "Even if Blue hadn't been told

her true love would die if she

kissed him, she would stay away

from boys. Especially the ones from

the local private school. Known as

Raven Boys, they only mean trouble.

But this is the year that everything

will change for Blue.

This is the year that she will be drawn

into the strange and sinister world of

the Raven Boys. And the year Blue

will discover that magic does exist.

This is the year she will fall in love."

My Thoughts

Going into reading this for the second time, I knew I wasn't going to fall in love with it. And I was right. But I did enjoy it more than last time.

There were aspects that I enjoyed about this book. The characters for one, the group dynamic, the four individual, yet complete set of boys that were both unique in their own way, but complimented each-other so perfectly, was one of the best parts of the book. And that was unwavering.

But there were certain aspects that I expected to enjoy, and I didn't.

So all in all, it was disappointing to say the least.

Another thing that I liked was that, all the way through the book, the moment that Blue and the group of Raven Boys that she was so hesitant to get to know, they didn't welcome her with eager arms the minute she started to get to know her either. And I liked that. I liked how realistic that was.

Now let's talk about the Raven Boys. These boys consist of Gansey, Noah, Adam, and Ronan. They were this groups of boys that were all primarily one emotion, though they weren't at all stereotyped. In fact, I'd go as far to say that I have never read about a group of characters quite like this one. Just the way they didn't agree about everything, they had their own opinions, and their own unique way of looking at things, in some way, it all seemed to work out. This group of boys were in it deep together, and in the situations where they surprised both themselves and the rest of the group and stuck their neck out for another, it was refreshing to see.

They all shared a common interest too (which you will get to see if you read the book), which also helped.

And then Blue and the Raven Boys met. And that's the start.

As you can see, this book is quite heavily character orientated. And if you've been following this blog for a while, you know that that's something I like in books.

Next, the plot. Not much really happened in this book. Up until the end, when a bunch of moments, that left you realising that you were actually much more invested in the story than you originally thought, (mostly the characters), there was some searching, and some character development. It was enough to keep me occupied, and keep me reading, but I was never fully engaged in the story.

The pacing was kind of slow. Well, not kind of, it was slow. Granted, it did give me the chance to get to know the characters inside out, which was probably the purpose of the slow pacing, but it was largely the reason why I was never fully invested.  

The writing wasn't too flowery and poetic, but it wasn't completely nitty and gritty either. The feel of the chapters were polls apart (they switched from Blue, and her physic family, to the Raven Boys, getting up to mischief), but the contrast made the book flow in a way I never thought it would.

The writing was a nice steady medium.

So overall, it was an okay read. I know it gets better from here, which is why I'm saying that I'm glad I read it again, and continued the series. If you are reading this now, and wondering whether to carry on the series, I promise it gets better after. 

So that was my review of The Raven Boys, by Maggie Steifvater! I hope you enjoyed it, and even though it wasn't singing it's praises, it was totally honest.

So I will see you all on Monday, when I will be posting my review of The Dream Thieves, the second book in the series!

I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you then!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx 

The School Subjects Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And it's time for my monthly tag!
I wasn't tagged by anyone, but a blog (that I follow almost religiously) did this tag about a week ago, and I haven't done a tag so far this month, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity!
So here is the School Subjects Book Tag! (The blog was The Book Prophet, and you should check it out because Savannah is an incredible blogger).
So here's the tag! Enjoy!

The School Subjects Book Tag

1. Math: A book that left your head

spinning in circles

The first book that comes to mind is 1984, because the whole thing is just a mind game. It's super complicated and mysterious, and I love the secret rebellion that's going on behind the scenes, but the reason I've chosen it is because the scientific side of it is so immense.  

2. English: A book you think has

beautiful written expression  

I'll Give You The Sun is another book that was the first one to pop in my head. It centres around two twins, Noah and Jude, and three years ago they had this super special bond, and then something happened that changed that. One perspective takes place three years ago, and one is taking place now. And there's beautiful artwork and wonderful writing, so that is why I picked it for this one.

3. Physics: Your favourite scientifically

minded character from a book or film

Beetee, for sure! There's just no-one else I can think of.  

4. Chemistry: Your favourite literary

couple

This is so hard! How do I choose one?
Okay, even though there are a ton of couples that I love, (I'm not going to pick one, you can't make me. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME) I'm going to go with Luna and Neville because it's that couple that you don't realise until the end that are perfect for each-other, but once you get on board, there's no way you can get off that train (Hunger Games reference :) ).
So I'm going to pick those two, because they're just adorable.

5. Biology: Your favourite book/series/film

character

Again, I can't choose!

Can I just do a list of some of my favourite characters and why?

• Tanith Low, from Skulduggery Pleasant- because she isn't just a kick-ass, ready for anything, can run on walls action woman- she's like a big sister to Valkyrie, even after certain events that I won't talk about because I want you to read the series :).
• Professor McGonagall- I don't have a specific reason why she's on this list, but she just stands out for being awesome, and as well as being strict, she is also fair and kind-hearted. And she came into her own in the final battle against Voldemort. And she has a cat animagus, and I love cats!
• Dr Lysander from the Slated trilogy- This character is so curious, but also kind and trusting, and even though she is working with Kyla and should probably not get as close to her as she does in the trilogy, she tries to help her as much as she can, because she is curious to the case that Kyla has presented her with, and that is why I love her so much.
• And finally, Haymitch- this man purely needs no reason as to why he's one of my favourite, and I am not going to say, because if you haven't read Hunger Games, please pick them up, and if you have read them, you should know why he's my favourite.
  

6. French: Your favourite foreign

book/film/ program

I'm going to go with The Book Thief because it's set in Germany, and I truly believe that it is a book that everyone should read, not just the readers it was written for.

7. Art: Have you ever judged a book by it's

cover, even if you weren't meant to?

Oh, I do this all the time. I mean, I don't seek out books that I think would look good on my bookshelf, because some of the reason why I pick up a book is because I have a good amount of interest in what it's about. But if a book has a beautiful cover, than that makes a huge difference!
But for this one, I think I'll pick The Dream Thieves, by Maggie Steifvater! The cover just blows me away, I finished this yesterday, and there will be a review up soon!

8. History: The last historical book

you've read

The last historical fiction book I read was Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys! I have a full review up somewhere on my blog, and you can read it here.

9. Geography: A literary destination you

would really like to visit (real or

fictional)

Other than Hogwarts? Narnia, probably! Because they're both so beautiful!

10. Drama: A book that you think has a lot

of over dramatic hype

Hate to say this, but... I'm gonna have to go with The Mortal Instruments. Yes, they were released years ago, and yes Cassandra Clare's books have got better again and again and again, and I did enjoy them, but the first three which everyone seemed to love just didn't do it for me for some reason!
I am going to read The Infernal Devices later this year (definitely), and hopefully I will love that as much as the rest of the world does!

So that was The School Subjects Book Tag! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And it's been a while since I've done a review, so I figured why not do one?
So here my review of Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom!
Enjoy!

Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom

Title: Not If I See You First

Author: Eric Lindstrom

Genre: Contemporary

Release date: 1st December, 2015 

Pages: 405

Blurb: " Parker Grant doesn't need perfect vision

to see right through you. She is fiercely

proud and take-no-prisoners- treat her

differently just because she's blind and

she'll shun you so bad it hurts.

And as long as she can keep giving herself

gold stars for every day she hasn't cried

since her dad's death, she'll be just fine.

But she can't run from the boy who

broke her heart forever.

Can she learn to love and trust again?"

My Thoughts

This book had been on my shelf gathering dust for a good six months or more before I actually picked it up. It might have been that I had absolutely no interest in it before a friend gave it to me to read, but I from the time that I got it to a couple of months ago, I really didn't have any interest in reading it at all.

When I started reading it, I wasn't expecting much. But then I picked it up, and I was absolutely taken by surprise by how good it was!

Not If I See You First is about Parker Grant, a normal school-girl: good grades, good friends, a runner; and she is also blind. But this girl has some sass- if you treat her differently because she's blind, she will cut you- as hard as a knife on your cheek.

And that was what made the book kind of entertaining.
Just the fact that the one person you'd want to protect or worry about, or think as different, as much as the character might not want you to, is the one that is actually controlling it all. What blew my mind about it was the fact that she didn't let anything get in the way of what she wanted to achieve, even being blind.

Another thing that I liked was that the normality in the book was consistent. It was a book about a normal girl, living in a normal life. As much as I like the new fantasy books and Sci-fis, it was nice to read about a girl just experiencing highs and lows in her life, which was exactly what I needed to read at the time!

This can also be applied to the characters. They weren't over the top, crazy take-over-your-life friends. They were the kind and supportive, but crazy along with you friends that you wanted when you were in secondary school. They supported her, and calmed Parker down when she got a bit too stubborn and mad. They weren't two dimensional, they did have personalities and problems, but the characters were very very well done.

But there was just something about Parker's character and character development that made this book super interesting, especially the fact that she is a runner. Parker runs where nobody sees her, because she's scared that everybody will come to watch- though she is just a normal runner, there's something different about watching a blind girl run. And to add to that, there's also the ex-boyfriend that did something terrible to her, but now he's back, so there's that too.

So overall, it makes for a rather interesting story. It's got wonderful characters, a simple yet problematic storyline, and if your in the mood for a funny, yet unique book, then this is the one you should pick up! I definitely recommend this, and I really hope you enjoy reading it if you decide to!

So that is my review for Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom! I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you all on Wednesday, when I will be doing a book tag of some sort!
I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all soon!

-Abi xxxxx 

To Buy List (Books, of course)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And I was searching an Epic List of 52 Book Blogging Ideas (one of the best websites to look through if you are struggling for book blog post ideas), and one of the ideas was to list all the books that you have on pre-order, or on their way from Amazon. The thing is, I don't have any books on pre-order, or on their way from Amazon.
But at the start of the year, I created a list of books I wanted to buy. And because I'm on a budget, I'm only allowed to buy these books, and so far I've managed to stick to it.
So today, I thought I'd list those books, talk about why I chose those books, and where I might find them!
Enjoy!

My To Buy List (Books, of course)

1. Skulduggery Pleasant: Book 10, by Derek Landy

This is the only cover I found for this book. Those who have been following this blog for a while know that I am a huge Derek Landy fan, and I can't wait for this to be released this summer! This is the tenth book in the series, so I can't really give away much of the plot, but if this one is going to be anything like the rest of the series, this is going to be an amazing conclusion to the series!                                 Release date: Summer 2017

2. The Miserable Mill, by Lemony Snicket

3. The Grim Grotto, by Lemony Snicket

I've got these two on the list because they are the last two books in the Series of Unfortunate Events that I don't currently own. I'm looking out for them in charity shops around town because I've found most of the others in charity shops. I have already read the series through, but to me they're just one of those series that I want to have on my bookshelf, because they're just so damn beautiful!

4. Perfect (Flawed #2), by Cecelia Ahern

I read the first book of Flawed in December, and the second is set to be released on 6th April. This is one of those books that I'm going to be reading as soon as I get the chance, because of how much I loved Flawed. The review for the first book is on Post Pandemonium, and you can look for it if you are interested in my thoughts. This is the conclusion, because it's only a duology, but I can't wait to see how this duology wraps up! Release date: 6th April

5. Contagion (Contagion #1), by Teri Terry

This is the first book in Teri Terry's new trilogy, and that is all I know about it, except for the fact that the release date is 4th May. But I am so excited to read the first book in her new trilogy because it's been a while since she's release a trilogy! From the cover I'd say that is dark and mysterious, which is what Teri Terry does best! Release date: 4th May

6. Songs About Us (Songs About A Girl #2), by Chris Russell

The first book in this trilogy I wanna say, was one of my absolute favourites last year. I read it at the start of the school year and it just grasped the freedom of growing up, following your dreams, all the while trying to make decisions about your future, and which boy to choose (I've never been in the last scenario, because I'm a massive introvert and it's hard enough to find one boy I genuinely like, let alone two), this book perfectly grasped that. The follow up is released on July 13th, and it seems like the perfect summer read. Can't wait for this to be released. Release date: 13th July

7. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

I would have bought this book, read and loved it by now, except for the fact that IT'S NOT RELEASED UNTIL 6TH APRIL IN THE UK. And it frustrates me so much because I could not wait for this to be released so I could read it. If you guys have read this yet, please let me know in the comments if you enjoyed it or not, or what you thought of it! But still, less than a month until I can read it, and I know that that'll fly by. It'll get here. Eventually. Let me know in the comments. Release date: 6th April (UK)

8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Version, by J K Rowling

This cover was only released yesterday, and I already can't wait to read it. It'll be released on 3rd October, and even though that's months away, I know it's going to be amazing when we see it. I've always liked Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's kind of the book that turns this young, but still epic Harry Potter series, and things happen in it that makes it ready for the series to take a darker turn in Goblet OF Fire. It isn't a filler book, but it's also beautiful and epic and mysterious and dark, and I can't wait to get the Illustrated Version! Release date: 3rd October.

So that is my To Buy List! I hope you enjoyed it, and if you are also looking forward to any of the books that are yet to be released, or if you have enjoyed (or hated) any that are already out, feel free to let me know! So I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all on Friday!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

TV Shows You NEED To Watch and a Couple I Want To Start

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And I have been sitting in front of this blank page for an hour and a half, and I have only just now came up with this idea, which isn't just sad, but pitiful.
I knew I wanted to do something different from what I usually do, and since I spend most of my time watching tv and obsessing about tv shows, I thought that this would be a fun post.
So today I will be doing a post on my favourite TV shows, and some I want to start.
Though warning you now, most of my favourite tv shows, I do need to catch up on, just because I am LAZY!
So here is the post! Enjoy!

TV Shows You NEED To Watch and a Couple I Want To Start

1. Pretty Little Liars

The final half of the last season is going to be released in approximately a month, so I need to catch up on this! I first got introduced to this when I read the first five books like way back in 2012, I think, and over the past few years I've dipped in and out of them. At the moment I'm on season 6, and I really need to catch up before the Season 7 DVD is out! (I've been watching them by DVD, so I can only watch up to the end of season 6). Just in case you haven't caught on to this amazing tv show, PLL is about five girls: Aria, Spencer, Hannah, Emily, and the most devilish leader that was ever born: Alison D'Laurentis. These girls rule the school, and then, out of the blue, Alison goes missing. That was one year ago. The series starts when an unknown person, known as A, starts to threaten the four remaining girls with secrets they once had, as well as now. And the four girls can't help but wonder: could it be Alison sending these messages?

That is season one, but the final season: season 7 has escaladed. I've only included season 1 because I don't want to spoil any non-watchers. But if you aren't watching this series, you need to start watching, because it is insane how good this tv show is!

2. Orphan Black

I'm even further behind on this one- I'm not even sure what season they're on now, but what I do know is that this series grabs you from the first scene, and does NOT LET YOU GO. The series starts when the protagonist, Sarah, arrives back in town after ten months at the train station. She walks forward, sees someone who looks exactly the same as her, and then watches her jump in front of a train. And the story escalades from there. But this is the type of series where you say you'll watch one episode, and then next thing you know, the sun is coming up and you've finished the season. If you like sciency, mysterious, gritty and dark tv shows, then this is the one for you. This is a tv show about clones, and the lead, Tatiana Manslany, is a genius. Because she plays all these clones, and she's such a faultless actress, that you cannot tell at all that it's the same person. Every time a new clone is introduced, you totally forget it's her playing all these clones. I recommend this for 17+, because it can get creepy and psychotic at times. But still, this is one of my favourite shows ever, and I highly recommend anyone who wants to converse themselves in something like I'm making this sound.

3. Once Upon A Time

I've only just discovered this series, so I'm sort of a newby, but if you love Disney, and want to see a different side to the classic Disney characters that we have all grown to love, then this is the series that you should go to. What I like about this series is that it isn't all dark and mysterious plot lines, but it's good to see certain characters from classic and current Disney movies, either be deadly enemies, or be the bad-ass duo of the town where all the people are actually Disney characters in disguise (though they themselves don't know it yet). But this series is so good, and I already love it, even though I'm only still on season 1/5. But that just means I get to meet more characters, and see the story for myself. So if you want a tv show that balances deep and tense moments, intense face-offs, and the meeting off Disney characters disguised as regular people, then this is the series for you!

Series' I NEED To Start

1. The 100

I've watched the season 1 trailer for this countless times, and I'm on the verge of buying this on Amazon so I can just hurry up and watch it too. Based on the book by Kass Morgan, 100 people, who have in one or another way challenged authority, are being sent to the ground where, 10 or so years ago, the world was destroyed. Luckily, they were up in space. They have one mission: To stay alive. That's all I know so far, but something about it stands up above the rest of the series that are similar to this, and I hope I get into this something soon because it looks really interesting.

2. Series of Unfortunate Events

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the books, and I've been so excited to watch this. But I do not have Netflix, and so I need to wait until Season 1 finished so I can buy the DVD and watch this show! In case you haven't seen the film with so many film stars I can't even count, or read the books, or got on the train for the TV show, Series of Unfortunate Events centres around three very gifted children, Violet Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire, and when they're parents die in unfortunate circumstances, they're shipped off to the vicious Count Olaf, and the only thing he's after is the Baudelaire fortune their parents left them. If this tv show is anything like the books, it'll be seriously dark, and funny and so damn addictive. Can't wait to watch this when the DVD comes out.

3. Shadowhunters

I'm not really sure about whether I should start this series or not. Let me know in the comments if you think I should, I might be swayed! But what's tempting me to start watching this is the hype that is going round Booktube at the moment. And what I like about tv shows is that you get to see a different side to the characters that are already so familiar to you from the books. Add that on to the fact that you get to see them and follow them for longer than you would in the book or the film, if it was lucky enough to be made into a film like City of Bones was.

So that was my TV Shows You NEED To Watch and a Couple I Want To Start! I hope you enjoyed this post, it sort of included books, especially the last three, and feel free to comment about any of these tv shows: Whether you liked or hated them, about whether you think I should pick up a series or not, because I would love to know!

So that's that! I will see you all on Wednesday, and I hope you have a lovely day!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxx

Hate List, by Jennifer Brown

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And it actually seems like ages since I've done a review, (even though it hasn't been long, really), so I was really looking forward to doing one!
So today I will be doing a review of Hate List, by Jennifer Brown!
I hope you enjoy the review, and here it is:

Hate List, by Jennifer Brown

Title: Hate List

Author: Jennifer Brown

Genre: Contemporary, I guess this falls into, but it's hardly that, with it's subject matter

Release date: 1st September, 2009

Pages: 405

Blurb: "The list was my idea.

I didn't want anyone to die.

I didn't mean to be a hero.

Will you ever forgive me?"

My Thoughts

This book was interesting to say the least. It's interesting to see a school not know quite what to do next when a boy comes in with a gun, intend of shooting the people on a mystery list that him and his girlfriend has cooked up, only for his girlfriend to jump in front of one of those people, getting shot in the process, and then he turns the gun on himself. Now, the act itself wasn't interesting. It was damn horrifying. But what was interesting about it was how the world reacted to the event as a whole, almost a year after the actual event.

This story is about a girl called Valerie who, a year after her boyfriend walked into school, killing people on a list that had been her idea, is about to go back to the same school. And what the book is about is how everyone seems to have conflicting sides to this argument because on one point, she is guilty by association, because she created this list. And on the other hand, she is also the person that stopped the shooting, after Nick (the shooter) went for someone she was supposed to hate. And what was done really well was surprising the reader by what side different people were on, especially where Valerie was concerned.

Another thing that was done really well in this book was characters. There was just something in these characters that got a rise out of me for some reason. I loved Valerie, the protagonist. She is quite alike to me, so that probably made it a lot easier to relate to her than someone who isn't alike to her, but when people who didn't even try to understand her position in all this, it just got a rise out of me. Sorry, this book just had me invested from the very first page.

Because Valerie is nothing less than 100% realistic from the get-go. Even though the incident was near enough half a year ago, Valerie is, at the start of the book, starting to piece together the Nick that she fell in love with, the Nick that was sweet and kind and would do absolutely anything for her; and the Nick that was so full of hatred that he would open fire of all the people he hated. And you really feel for Valerie, because throughout the whole thing she is blaming herself for the destruction of the school, because how could she have been so blind as to not realise that he was serious when they talked of things such as suicide and murder?

But what I really liked about Valerie is that she's trying to get through the year, and is just about as dumbfounded as the rest of the world about what happened, despite the fact that most of the characters, including her own parents, are blaming her for the shooting. But Valerie was a big part of why I liked this book so much.

Excluding the characters, nothing much happened in this book that didn't involve them, which I didn't have a problem with at all. The characters, and their individual journeys, were more than enough to make the story interesting and unique. Somehow, their individual journeys tied together to make one hell of a story, and a story I am very glad I took the time to read.

So overall, this book was sad, and desperate, and conflicting, and thought provoking. I wish this book was on the required reading list for every teenager, because it was so truthful in the portrayal of what it is to be a teenager. Actually, this book kind of changed the way I thought about what kids go through when in high-school because as much as I thought it was just me that was suffering with being an outcast, all a kid wants is feel comfortable in their own skin, regardless of what is going on.

In short, I think everybody should read this book, (anyone over the age of 17), because the entire book is just amazing, and so well written.

Totally recommend this.

So that is my review of Hate List, by Jennifer Brown! I know it kind of cut off bluntly at the end, but I couldn't think of anything else to say!

So I hope you enjoyed my review, and if you have any thoughts, let me know in the comments below!

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I will see you on Monday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

March TBR (2017)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And I don't know why, but I just love doing TBRs! Maybe because it means I get to set a new monthly goal to aim at. There's something about that that just appeals to me!
But enough of the intro, here is my actual TBR: My TBR for the month of March!

March TBR (2017)

If you follow me on twitter (just search @TheWorldIsBooks), then you will know that this month is Series month! I will be attempting to read three or four series that I have started, but have not finished.

So these are the series that I will be attempting to finish this month!

Series and Trilogies

1. The Raven Boys, by Maggie Steifvater

There are four books in this series, and I so far I've only read the first book. These are the books in the series:

• The Raven Boys
• The Dream Thieves
• Blue Lily, Lily Blue
• The Raven King

The Raven Boys series is about a girl called Blue, who lives in a family of Supernatural psychics. She has been told that, if she kisses her true love, they will die. And there are also the Raven Boys that Blue gets mixed up in, after she sees the ghost of one of them, which could mean two things: She is their true love, or she killed them. I didn't altogether love the first one, but I liked it enough to continue on with the series. And the covers are to die for, so that's reason enough: to have these covers on my bookshelf!

2. Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo

I'm including this duology this month because even though it isn't technically a trilogy or series, the second book in the series came out last September, and I really want to finish this duology to see how it ends! I've only read the first book in the duology, but I did really enjoy it!

These are the titles, and I really hope I get to these this month!

• Six of Crows
• Crooked Kingdom

3. Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard

I've actually been following this series since before it came out. I got King's Cage about a week before it came out, and I am genuinely looking forward to reading the third book in the series, because it's the biggest one so far!

The fourth and final book in the series comes out next year, but these are the books that are currently out now!

• Red Queen
• Glass Sword
• King's Cage

If this book is anything like the first two, this ought to be quite a book! Really looking forward to it!

Other Books

4. Heartless, by Marissa Meyer

I know I said this month was going to be all about the series', but this book is basically a stop gap, if I go into a reading slump after finishing a series, or I can't get into the next series. I saw this just the other day, and I haven't read a Marissa Meyer book in ages, so this seems to be the perfect book to put on my TBR for this month.

5. The Casual Vacancy, by J K Rowling

I started this towards the end of last month, and I'm currently about 150 pages into it. It's okay so far, and even though I'm not expecting to finish it this month because of the mountain I'm already attempting to read, I'm going to try and read it now and again, between series because it is actually quite interesting, despite the mixed reviews that I've been hearing about!

So that is my March TBR (2017)! I admit it is quite ambitious, but I'm hoping to read most of the series' in this list!

So, I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you on Friday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx