Letterbox Love #22

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey of Narratively Speaking whereby book lovers can exhibit the books they received this week.

Up till yesterday this would’ve been a tiny haul. However, it was payday on Friday so I decided to splurge a little. I visited a nearby shopping centre, only to find that my favourite branch of The Works (Lakeside for you fellow Englanders) is closing down! On the plus side, this means SALE. However, they are moving to a smaller site. Long-term this sucks, as it will mean it will only have a tiny selection of books that will be basically the same as other stores. But anyway, onto my haul. I purchased 14 (I know, oops?!) books at The Works, and paid £12.25. Needless to say, I was a happy bunny. So first, the books I purchase at The Works: 

I have read If I Stay by Gayle Forman but definitely will want to read it again at some point. I’ve seen the film version of He’s Just Not That Into You, but I thought it would be interesting to see what the book is like, written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo.  

I didn’t realize how many Sophie McKenzie books I had picked up! Girl, Missing has been on my to-read pile for a while. The Medusa Project: The Set-Up is the first of a series about kids with abilities, and sounds really interesting. Blood Ransom is the second in a series about clones. 

James Dashner’s The Kill Order is a prequel to the Maze Runner series (first film coming soon). It is actually in my pile of library books, so buying it means I can return the other copy to the library. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent is a bit paranormal for me, but I remember hearing other bloggers rave about it, so I thought I’d see what the fuss was about. 

Joe Craig’s Jimmy Coates series is one I feel like I should have read years ago. About a teenage assain, it sounds like EXACTLY the kind of the thing I enjoy. So I decided to get one of the books (Power) to push me in the right direction. And then I spotted Sabotage for 25p so, you know. 

Dial L For Loser by Lisi Harrison is part of a collection of books that I have a couple of already. A Midsummer Tights Dream is part of Louise Rennison’s latest series. Although I’ve only read a couple of hers before, they seem perfect for a giggle. I actually spotted Wither by Lauren DeStefano after I had paid for all my goodies. But it was HARDBACK. FOR 75P. I nearly died, and couldn’t resist snapping it up. 

I also bought The Life of Riley and Back to Life by Joanna Nadin as these seem really cute contemporaries, and I’m on a bit of a high with them at the moment. 

I also got some other books elsewhere: 

I picked up two books in Waterstones, both half price. Turf by John Lucas looks really gritty, and will contrast all the contemporaries above! I have already read Between The Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer is a book I read before (AND ADORED). It has just been released in paperback, but it is all in black and white. The hardback has coloured fonts and bea-utiful illustrations. 

I raided the BHF charity shop, and snapped up a copy of …Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison as it was virtually unread. Numbers by Rachel Ward is a book I loved and would probably read again at some point. I also picked up a DVD of Two Weeks Notice because, you know, Hugh Grant.

Last but not least, one library book this week! I am really excited to finish Ally Condie’s Matched series with Reached. It will be nice to be able to wrap that one up, as one of the first dystopians I read. 

Phew! I have no idea where I’m going to put all these lovely books. Thankfully, I only received two ebooks this week, and one was a ‘read it now’ download. 

 I haven’t read much by Anne Fine since the days of Crummy Mummy, but her new book Blood Family looks kind of dark and mysterious. Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this. 

 Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess is meant to be a NA with a difference. I’m anxious to see whether it lives up to expectations! Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley. 

 A book that looks amazing in all its geekery is Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil. It has a different cover on Netgalley so I didn’t link the two until I looked on GR, and squealed as this is one of my highly anticipated books. Thanks very much Peachtree Press! 

 

What did you receive this week? Have you read any of my books and do you think it should be at the top or the bottom of my to read pile?  I’d love to hear from you! 

Letterbox Love #13

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey of Narratively Speaking whereby book lovers can exhibit the books they received this week.

Welcome to my 2-week haul post! First from my beloved library:

Kill Order by James Dashner. This was an amazing series, and I can’t wait to find out how it all began! I resisted buying this for my birthday as I knew I had it on order. Thank god I didn’t have to wait long 🙂 

Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson. I have wanted to read this for ages, but had to wait for my library to order a copy. Finally it is in! 

Survive by Alex Morel. I returned a proof copy (MetaWars- my 4 sofa review coming soon) on Saturday, and I just couldn’t resist picking up another. It is compared to the tv series ‘Lost’ which I loved, so I HAD to take it home. Right?….

Now for ebooks:

 

 

Ever by Jessa Russo. Thanks to her for letting me take part in the blog tour! So check back on March 21st for my review. I know it is gonna be good though, I mean look at the cover! So mysterious and pretty….

 

I’m also taking part in the blog tour for A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons. Thanks to Nereyda from YA Bound for organising. Check back on February 28th for my review of this supernatural YA debut!

 

I tried not to request any books this week, as I am still waiting to hear from Harper Collins about all their lovely Edelweiss books 😦 But I doubt I will get approval anyway! So Netgalley sent me an email, and I thought I’d just check what was new, and got a bit carried away….

 

Hidden by Marianne Curley. Thanks to Bloomsbury! The cover is gorgeous, I love the blue against the black and white cover.

 

 

There are Reasons Noah Packed No Clothes by Robert Jacoby. Sometimes simple covers are the best, and I thank Cloud Books for a copy of this. This is about a 19-yo boy who overdoses. I love hospital/illness type books, so I am expecting good things!

 

 

Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany from Atria Books. I requested this because it has kids in it! Lol. The plot seems really interesting, very Jodi Picoult-like. I haven’t heard of this author before, so I am excited to see what this is like.

 

Finally, but certainly not leastly, Fragments by Dan Wells. I know I haven’t read Partials yet, but I got it in my birthday haul. And everyone has given it good recommendations. Many many thanks to Harper Collins, you guys rock! If only you would approve me on Edelweiss….

 

 

  What did you receive this week? Have you read any of my books and do you think it should be at the top or the bottom of my to read pile? I’d love to hear from you! 

Films to look forward to in 2013

There are so many films (mainly sequels) that I am looking forward to next year, I thought I would share some of them with you. 

Firstly, the continuation of the comic book bandwagon. Iron Man 3 and Thor: the Dark World are both expected next year. Man of Steel is the new Superman rehash, and is expected around June. Furthermore, Captain America 2, Amazing Spiderman 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy are all scheduled for 2014, so I know I’m set up for the next 2 years! 

Girly films come in the form of I Give It A Year, a movie about newlyweds after the honeymoon period. Also released around valentines is This is 40, the sort of sequel to Knocked Up. I love Paul Rudd so this will be on my to-watch list! 

Another sequel due next year is A Good Day to Die Hard. When you are getting to no 5 in the series, you know perhaps it is overworked. It’s also due in February, and I’m gonna try and watch no 4 before this comes out. 

Cloud Atlas, starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, is set to be a sci-fi drama from the makers of the Matrix. I’m not a big fan of either stars, but the synopsis sounds good, so we’ll have to see. 

Yay for a new Denzel Washington film! Flight surrounds a pilot who becomes a hero when he prevents a plane from crashing, but he is harbouring a dark side. I don’t really care about the plot, I will see it for Denzel! 

Likewise a film that instantly makes it to my to-watch list is Fast & Furious 6. Yes the series is overdone. Yes every film practically follows the same storyline. But I’m sorry, Vin Diesel and nice cars? Yes I am that shallow. 

More action in the form of GI Joe: Retaliation, once again starring Channing Tatum and Broken City starring Mark Wahlberg, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Russell Crowe. Both films featuring big name stars, but will they live up to the expectation?  Elysium is a sci-fi drama starring Matt Damon. ‘Nuff said. 

Funny films that look good next year are Identity Thief; starring the fat one from Bridesmaids, this film follows Jason Bateman as a businessman chasing the imposter that stole his identity. Hangover 3 is also due next year. I haven’t yet seen the second one, but this is on my radar. 

I’m not a big watcher of animations, but I will try and see Monsters University, the sequel to Monsters Inc (a classic, imo!). I’ve also heard they are making a film of Postman Pat, though that must be one massive postal storyline to fill min 1 hr 30 mins?! 

Book to film adaptations I’m looking forward to are The Host, a sci-fi drama based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer. James Patterson’s Maximum Ride is also getting a film, but I’m unsure whether this is next year or 2014. The next part of the Hobbit, Desolation of Smaug is also due next year. I wasn’t a massive fan of the first one, but I will probably see the next one because I love Martin Freeman. Catching Fire is my favourite book out of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so I really hope they do it justice (more than the first one!).

One that I am very excited for is The Maze Runner, based on the trilogy by James Dashner. This is quite spooky as I just discovered the 3rd book in my tbr pile yesterday, and today I found out that the film of the first book is due next year! 

So these are the ones that have made it onto my radar! I’m sure there are some glaringly obvious ones I have missed. If so, please leave me a comment and remind me! Or any new ones that you think are worth a watch, share below! 

Book Review: The Scorch Trials

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles, variables and no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back.In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them. Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

‘The Scorch Trials’ by James Dashner is the second in the Maze Runner series. If found the first book good, but lacking in passion for the characters (check out my review here). The book begins as the Gladers are taken to a building far away. Here, they are told that the maze was only the beginning. To survive, they must cross the scorch- the wasteland crawling with people infected with the Flare. The Flare turns people into human-eating crazies. 

I can see why the publishers are so eager to compare this to the Hunger Games. I agree it is a very dog-eat-dog scenario, but the first book was lacking reader connection to the characters. In the beginning of ‘the Scorch Trials’, Teresa is taken away. We do meet some new characters; Aris, Jorge and Brenda. I think Brenda was introduced as another love interest for Tom; however with lots of guys to choose from, I think it’s a bit stereotypical both her and Teresa go for Tom! 

I did devour this book in one day (long train journeys!) so this may have differed my review slightly, as I didn’t take the time to ponder over the characters. I did enjoy the book, and will definately read the third book. However, I just feel there is something missing? The books has action, and does have character development, but there is something that nags me about the book. 

The only thing I can think of is that in the Hunger Games we straight away have compassion for Katniss; she looks after her sister, as well as her mother, and evokes some sympathy, which makes you back her as a winner. Tom from the Maze Runner series just doesn’t evoke any emotion. He seems to have been plonked in the winner/underdog position, but I have no reason to love him.

However James Dashner’s writing is good, and the setting and concept is just amazing. Here’s hoping the third novel brings some satisfaction! 

Have you read the second or third novels? Do you agree with my opinion? Let me know if you think I should persevere with the series.

4/5 Sofas from me! 

                                                     

Book Review: The Maze Runner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Originally I picked up number 3 in the trilogy by James Dashner, but I had to start from the beginning! I ordered ‘The Maze Runner‘ from the library, and it has been sitting in my to read pile for a couple of weeks.

I think the book had quite a slow start; we start with Thomas’ disorientation at his amnesia, and immediately are thrust into the surroundings, including the ‘clan’ of boys. I must confess I did find it hard to get into, as they use a lot of slang, such as ‘shuck-face’ and ‘grievers’. There was also a distinct lack of information, where the first 50-100 pages were spent us following Thomas around the Glade, and his frustration at not getting answers.

The Glade is the area where everyone lives; the centre of the maze. Each night the doors surrounding the glade close, and the walls of the maze move. Because of this, ‘runners’ go out every day to map the maze, to try and find an escape. They have to be back inside by nightfall, as this is when the Grievers appear; modified killing creatures.

Thankfully I persevered and the book does pick up pace. One night Thomas gets trapped outside the Glade with two runners, and this is where the book starts to get more exciting. I won’t give too much away, but we start to understand the secrets of the maze, and more about Thomas. The end is left very open, ready for the sequel!

I did enjoy this book overall, but I would probably shorten the beginning, and get rid of the awful slang! I have ordered the next book in the trilogy, and it has joined by ever growing to be read pile.

On the front cover it says ‘a must for fans of The Hunger Games‘. I love the Hunger Games, so this did reassure me that I should enjoy it, however I don’t think the book had as much intensity as the Hunger Games. Part of the ending did shock me, but I don’t think I know enough about the characters yet to really feel for them.

Letterbox Love #3

Sorry for the delayed posting! This week has been very hectic; I am in the process of switching jobs so have been busy, I assure you, but have a film review and 2 book reviews to be written! Anyway, onto the agenda:

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey of Narratively Speaking whereby book lovers can exhibit the books they received this week.

Two new (to me and the library!) books to take home from the library today. ‘The Scorch Trials‘ is part 2 of James Dashner’s recent trilogy. My review of ‘The Maze Runner‘ is coming soon, but needless to say it was good enough to pick up the sequel!

‘The Killables‘ by Gemma Malley is a book I feel like I have been waiting for for ages! I devoured her Declaration trilogy, which is also dystopian based. This book was released earlier this year in hardback, and I have been yearning to get my hands on it, but I think the library was waiting for the paperback version. I’d given up hope so this was a delightful surprise this week!

Also note the air balloon earrings! I know I am easily pleased, but I thought these were amazing!

What did you receive this week? Have you read either book and do you think it should be at the top or the bottom of my to read pile?