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It's Monday What are you Reading (24)

 Monday, 13 December 2010

Hey y'all I almost forgot to write this ahead of time which would have been terribly daft of me, although technically it is Monday morning (midnight precisely in fact). Bah anyways I'm getting off-topic.

It's Monday What are you Reading? Is a weekly bookish meme where we get together to share what books we've read in the past week, what books we're currently reading and what new books we're planning on reading in the coming week along with any reviews or interesting posts. It's hosted by Sheila @Book Journey

Books Read Last Week
Ok so I went a little crazy with my re-reads and over 2 nights devoured the first 4 Vampire Academy books. *oops*
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Still Sucks to be Me by Kimberly Pauley (Will hopefully do a review this week)
Sweetheart by Sarah Zarr (May do a review if I can get my thoughts straight)

Book Reviewed Last Week
Finally got it posted! - Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Currently Reading
Nada but after this post is done I will be starting Persuasion by Jane Austen out of my compendium
It's gonna be my 200th book of the Year dontch'all know?

Books I Plan to read this week
Not really sure what else since I didn't read any of my "planned" books last week. I may plump for some historical fiction books (my Non-YA ones though) since it's Winter and that's when they're most appropriate methinks. If I feel like being really weather-suitable I can always read The Siege by Helen Dunmore which is set during the 1942 siege of Leningrad where things got *pretty* chilly.


Well that's what I'm reading this Monday, What are You reading?
LadyV

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In My Mailbox #31

 Sunday, 12 December 2010

Howdy all! Hope everyone is having a fantabbidoody Sunday and whatnot! Sorry for lack of IMM last week I literally had no chance to buy books and I did actually try to make a vlog explaining this but Youtube ate it :(
This week however I have a rather excellent haul which I'm rather chuffed with so check it out!

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie

Ze Vlog


Books Acquired this week
Lirael by Garth Nix
Take me There by Susane Colasanti
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
Sweethearts by Sarah Zarr
Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Plan B by Jenny O'Connell

Thank you also to Ellie of Musings of a Bookshop Girl for my awesome christmas card! Oh and if you don't know she's running a contest at the moment for a copy of Dreaming Anastasia! Go enter Here!!

That's what I got in My Mailbox this week, what's in Yours?
LadyV

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Book Review - Last Sacrifice

 Friday, 10 December 2010

I know this should have been done earlier this week but things have been a tad hectic and I have been in a bit of a reviewing funk so it's taken be longer to write this than it should have.
I've also been re-reading the earlier VA books this week in insane gulps (I'm talking two books a night over the last two days). *sigh* why do I do these stupid things to myself? :P

**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR EARLIER BOOKS**

Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Date: 18/11/2010 AM
Source: Received for Review from Penguin UK THANK YOU!!
Description: The 6th and final book in the Vampire Academy series! Rose is on trial for the murder of Tatiana and Lissa is now a prime candidate for the throne. But who really murdered the Queen and who is going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice?


My Review:
Words currently fail me to accurately describe how awesome this book was. Since devouring Spirit Bound back in April I've been dying to find out what happened next because lord knows that if Rose and Dimitri didn't have some kind of reconciliation I was gonna chuck one heck of a strop. I'm sorry to Team Adrian folks but considering how much effort and passion has been put into the Rose&Dimitri love story I reckon Adrian's chances of coming out on top were slim.

Over the entire series Rose has been such a fabulous heroine and it's been a joy to be in her head as it were. She's so loyal to Lissa and her other friends that she would do anything to protect them from harm. Also I would give anything to have her mad fighting skills because being *that* kick-ass would be amazing. Her snarky sense of humour and bizarrely her sound sense of duty make her a person that I would love to know (if she was real *sad face*) although I would never like to make her angry :P

Dimitri *gazes off into the distance wistfully* is there really anything else to say past that? Out of all the male characters I've read about he is up there with the best - passionate, loyal, lethal, funny and with an accent to die for Dimitri Belikov is capable of melting *any* female's heart. The intensity with which he says everything (especially to Rose) sends shivers across your body and you can't help but imagine him saying such things to you. (or is that just me?) Either way whether he's a hunk of Russian gorgeousness.

I have loved so much how wonderfully complex this series has been, compared to other vampire series of late it has so much more detail about the world and the way it works and the characters all are so layered and have their own motivations which can sometimes really surprise you. Richelle's writing is fabulous and it pulls you along at such a break-neck speed that the pages just fly by. I know I finished it all too quickly - but then I do read at ridiculously fast pace.

With regards to Tatiana's killer I had no concrete suspicions about who it might be since I'm not usually the speculating type and I probably missed a lot of the clues that other, more observant folk picked up on. The Revelation was actually a bit of a shock to me and I thought it rather sad really because I didn't think they had it in them to murder someone like that. The events that followed were equally shocking and my heart was racing for the last few chapters as things got *reeeally* worrying for a bit.

I'm really happy with how the series ended and I'm rather intrigued about where things will go in the spin-off series. I have my suspicions about who the main character will be although I don't know how they'll compare with Rose (I get rather set in my ways when it comes to narrators and DW companions :P). Who knows maybe it'll be someone completely unexpected, I can't wait to find out!

So yea if you've not already read this series then what the heck are you waiting for?!? With all six books now out you won't have to suffer the agonising waits in between publication dates, you could even marathon the whole series which knowing me will happen next year when I get Dimitri Withdrawals ;)

Richelle Mead I take my proverbial hat off to you for creating one of the best Paranormal series I've ever read and re-read. Staying up until 3am is totally worth it when you're reading a Vampire Academy novel.

My Rating: 5 out 5 Stars!!

I can't believe it's all over! *sniffs* I foresee many re-reads in my future because I'm not gonna tire of Rose and Co. for a *looong* while yet.
I'm still trying to get hold of a copy of the US version of Last Sacrifice because I need it to match my other copies but the Book Depo is being awkward and they keep flying out of stock for some reason :P
When I do get that copy my UK version will be going towards the prize pack for my Blogaversary/300 followers contest (whichever I reach first) so stay tuned for that!!

Now I must go find something to ease my beslubbering headache, toodles!
LadyV

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YA Historical Fiction Challenge!

 Monday, 6 December 2010

Ok folks I'm jumping on the bandwagon! I have a good chunk of YA Historical fiction (and adult HF come to that) sat on my TBR pile so this challenge will be a fab way to whittle those books off the ma-hussive pile.
It's being hosted by YA Bliss and there are a few rules for the challenge

Choose your level:
~Level 1 = 5 YA HF books in 2011
~Level 2 = 10 YA HF books in 2011
~Level 3 = 15 YA HF books in 2011

-All HF books must be YA or MG
-Books *don't* have to be 2011 releases
-Anyone can join
-You can join at any time, the challenge runs from 1st Jan until 31st Dec 2011

Some of the books I will read for this challenge
Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
The Poisoned House by Michael Ford
Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Ivy by Julie Hearn
Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper
The Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Although I currently only have 8 YA HF books on the TBR pile I shall aim for Level 3 since I'm sure to buy more books in 2011 that can be used for this challenge :P 

So who else is taking part? Does anyone have any suggestions for challenges I should join in 2011?
Let me know!!
LadyV

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It's Monday What are you Reading (23)

Dude sorry this is a little late, I didn't get chance to write it last night because I thought my laptop was broke but bizarrely it's fine now :S Sorry for the lack of IMM yesterday I bought nothing all week! Oh boy though watch out for this sunday it's gonna be a corker! :P


It's Monday What are you Reading? Is a weekly bookish meme where we get together to share what books we've read in the past week, what books we're currently reading and what new books we're planning on reading in the coming week along with any reviews or interesting posts. It's hosted by Sheila @Book Journey


Books I read Last Week
Sticky Fingers by Nikki Burnham (Surprisingly good read)
Terrier by Tamora Pierce (Yes it's another re-read :P)
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (I'll get a review up eventually)
Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty (I love Jessica Darling but this one was much weaker than the first three)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan (My Name is *not* Will Grayson but I fecking LOVE Tiny Cooper!!)
Numbers by Rachel Ward (Fab Brit realism/supernaturalesque/gah can't classify it novel)

Currently Reading Nothing

Books I plan on reading this week
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - the creepy snowy fog makes me think it's a good time to read this :)

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick - ditto

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce - snow... wolves... creepy much?

That's the shortlist but knowing me I will probably get through more than just those three (or so I hope) since I'm now at home although I'm supposed to be looking for a job :S
Apologies for this being my first post in December so far, last week was just so insanely busy and I spent yesterday rearranging my entire room. If y'all are interested to see my new bookcase setup I can do a vlog sometime :)

But anyway What are You reading this frosty Monday?
LadyV

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November Round-Off

 Tuesday, 30 November 2010

Erm guys? There's only 25 days til CHRISTMAS!!! WTF? I totally just blanked the last half of November after thinking the first half was actually going quite slow what with Nanowrimo and all. Gah and I've not even done any christmas shopping yet!! :O In terms of blogging it's been my most prolific month yet although that is due to the daily posts I was doing when I was still writing for Nano. In terms of reading it's not been too bad considering that until the 9th I hadn't read a thing, but unless I read something in the next four hours I will end the month on a respectable (by my standards which are stupidly high) 14 books read.

Books Read this Month
November
177. J.R.R. Tolkien: a biography by Humphrey Carpenter (9/11/2010 AM)
178. As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (10/11/2010 AM)
179. The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan (11/11/2010 PM)
180. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (13/11/2010 AM)
181. No and Me by Delphine de Vigan (15/11/2010 AM)
182. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead (18/11/2010 AM)
183. The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood (20/11/2010 AM)
184. Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble (21/11/2010 AM)
185. Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman (25/11/2010 PM)
186. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin (26/11/2010 AM)
187. Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce (28/11/2010 PM)
188. Sticky Fingers by Nikki Burnham (29/11/2010 AM)
189. Terrier by Tamora Pierce (29/11/2010 PM)
190. Delirium by Lauren Oliver (29/11/2010 PM)



Favourite Books of the Month
It's kind of bad that two of the 5 Star books from this month came in the last few days and are re-reads several times over. Definitely fav fiction read of the month is Last Sacrifice which I will most likely re-read in the next week as I write my review to be posted on the 7th of December (I'm gonna do my best to keep it spoiler-free for the 6th book although it's likely that there will be spoilers for the earlier books). My favourite non-fiction read (only one at that) was the Tolkien biography I read at the start of the month. 


Books Reviewed this Month
As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood
Gotta do better next month with reviews, three is not on when I read 14 books!


Features this Month
Only two editions of Covers So Lovely We'd Lick them this month since Jess has been having computer problems and has been internet MIA for the past two weeks :( I didn't feel like doing them without her, but hopefully if her computer has been fixed then the feature will return in December. Check out the cover licking here and Here.


I also did my first ever discussion post which has actually become more pertinent now that someone has posted spoilers from Last Sacrifice on Goodreads *pox rot you selfish buggers*.
When is an Embargo not an Embargo? - sometimes they're there for a REASON!! 


Also post explaining the NanoFail after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 days of writing. Numbers go to each days update post if you fancy looking :)


And as always the usual In My Mailbox and It's Monday posts.


December is already shaping up to be an interesting month since I will soon no longer be a student of my current university but will straight away be applying for another degree (In Publishing no less) at another university, here's hoping I don't lose interest in *that* partway through second year. December's mission will be to somehow find a job and not annoy my mum to the point she beats the shit out of me for being a lazy git.


I will be contemplating what Reading Challenges I will be participating in next year. Since I will be doing the 75 Book Challenge again on LibraryThing (the 75ers are the best group :P) that will be my main numbered challenge although I am planning on doing some themed months to try and knock down my massive TBR pile which is rather Classic and Historical Fiction-heavy. I probably won't be doing the Debut Author Challenge since I will be trying to keep down the number of books I buy next year to prevent the necessity of another set of bookshelves :P


But yeah November is over! And dang it if it's nearly the end of the year altogether! When I do my end of year post next month it's sure gonna be jam-packed of thoughts about all the ups-and-downs.
How's Your November Been?
LadyV

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It's Monday What are you Reading (22)

 Monday, 29 November 2010

Hey hi hello! Tis another Monday and gosh darn if it ain't the last Monday of November! December is looming and it's already snowy and freezing! This week's posting may be a leetle bit scattered cos I have *tons* of stuff to sort out because I'm moving back home and withdrawing from my University course (just wasn't interesting me anymore). So apologies for crazyness :)

It's Monday What are you Reading? Is a weekly bookish meme where we get together to share what books we've read in the past week, what books we're currently reading and what new books we're planning on reading in the coming week along with any reviews or interesting posts. It's hosted by Sheila @Book Journey

Books I read this past Week
Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman (Review coming soon)
Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce (A reread but DANG I LOVE THIS BOOK!)

Not Currently Reading Anything :(

Books I Plan on Reading This Week
Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Really will read it this week

Other than that I'm not sure since I'm likely to grab whatever tickles my fancy when I get the chance. Tomorrow I have three hours on a train so I'll likely take something chunky enough to read  during that journey since it's quite possible that I will suffer delays with the snow and everything.

Well I'd best be off to sleep got an early get-up tomorrow (Monday that is), I am planning on dishing out my thoughts on the new Harry Potter film that I saw earlier tonight with my sister so keep an eye out for that post during the week maybe.

So What are *You* reading this Blisteringly Cold Monday?
LadyV

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