Book Review - The Time Of My Life

Title: The Time Of My Life
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 13 Oct 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0007350438

Synopsis
Lying on Lucy Silchester’s carpet one day when she returns from work is a gold envelope. Inside is an invitation – to a meeting with Life. Her life. It turns out she's been ignoring it and it needs to meet with her face to face.
It sounds peculiar, but Lucy’s read about this in a magazine. Anyway, she can’t make the date: she’s much too busy despising her job, skipping out on her friends and avoiding her family.
But Lucy’s life isn’t what it seems. Some of the choices she’s made – and stories she’s told – aren’t what they seem either. From the moment she meets the man who introduces himself as her life, her stubborn half-truths are going to be revealed in all their glory – unless Lucy learns to tell the truth about what really matters to her.
Lucy Silchester has an appointment with her life – and she’s going to have to keep it.

My Review
I have read every single one of Cecelia Ahern's books and I love her writing style. I love her elements of mystery and a sort of magic. One of my favourite books is 'A Place Called Here' so when I heard there was a new book by Ahern coming out I had to read it. I was top of the request list at the library (and it's a big list!!!) I knew I would have to read it quite fast, but knew it wouldn't be a problem. I love her books so could get it read in a couple of days.
Lucy's life has gone downhill, she broke up with her boyfriend of five years, lost her gorgeous apartment, lost her job and got a new one that she hates where she nicknames all the staff and sneaks out for as many breaks as possible. She spends her time trying to avoid family and friends and hides away in her box of an apartment. One day she gets an invite for a meeting with Life - her life. It's time she stopped ignoring her life and started living it.
This book was very odd - Life personified is just weird - but it's a weird that works. I was absolutely fascinated. I liked Lucy as a character - she was sassy and had a great with. Her life is great, I actually laughed out loud so many times whilst he was talking.
This story will sweep you away but at the same time will have you thinking about your own life and where it's going. And what he/she would look like if it was personified.
I love the strangeness of it all and it's overall originality. Ahern charms and intrigues with her writing. I was hooked in and couldn't wait to find out what would happen. 
There is a bit of a love triangle but in my opinion it's very one sided - I knew who I liked and was shouting at Lucy to be sensible and pick him (I won't say who - it might spoil it for you)
It hasn't overtaken as my favourite one of hers but it's quite high up the list.


My Rating
I would give this book 9/10. Original, exciting and heart-felt.

NaNoWriMonday (2)

Word Count: 14692/50000
Day: 14/30

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Like many other bloggers, I am participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month, this will be my second time taking part. 'The Bookish Type" is hosting a NaNo meme every Monday to keep up with people's progress.

 I can't believe we are almost halfway through November. I hoped to be on at least 25,000 words by now. I am seriously behind. As you can probably tell, my plan of an evening in to write last week didn't happen. I had something urgent at work that needed typing so I ended up doing that instead, But I've had the last two days writing like mad, I did about 4,000 words in 2 and a bit hours each night. If I keep on target and use all my time at home writing I should make it.
My problem is that my mind wanders too easily. A game calls my attention, I get a facebook notification, I am reading a good book, i'm hungry, the cat wants something, there's something on TV etc. I need to get myself to focus. When I do the novel is flowing really easily and I am happier with where it is going, but getting into it seems quite hard.


My mind is distracted this year, I never used to be this unfocused, but the more I write the more I seem to come together so I still have hope that I can finish.
I had a vague idea of where I wanted to go with this story when I started it, but I have gone a completely different way several times - and I'm happy with it. My characters are coming to life and telling their own story, they know where they should be and I just have to follow and write it. I told my concept to one of my colleagues today and she seemed really interested which gave me renewed hope.
I've even been taking my laptop to work so I can have 45 minutes of writing at lunch time, but with the distractions I don't get much done, I did 300 words today, but that's better than nothing. I'll do some more when I've finished here, see if I can do at least 2,000 words today.


Overall I am more confident with where I am going, I just need to get on with it. I hope I can catch up. Wish me luck.
Again if anyone wants to add me as a writing buddy I am: Barmy_Bex

Keep Writing!!!

Hunger Games Trailer is HERE!!!

I am so ridiculously excited. I am sure a lot of you would have seen it already, but just in case you missed it. They have finally released a full length trailer. it's 2 and a half minutes of pure EPIC footage.

It looks so good. I was crying at the trailer and i've got chills up my spine. I can't wait for March!

How awesome is that!!!
What do you think? Because i think it is going to be incredible
*fan girl squeal*

Book Review - The Dig

Title: The Dig
Author: Audrey Hart
Series: Zoe & Zeus (book 1)
Publisher: Backlit Fiction
Release Date: 7 Nov 2011
ASIN: B0064GU2AM

Synopsis
Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.
As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.
Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.
Out of time and out of her element, teenager Zoe Calder finds herself in ancient Greece, battling against the power of the Olympians and the vengeance of a scorned goddess—all for the strange and mysterious boy she has come to love.


My Review
I was contacted by the author and received a pdf copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Zoe has always been a bit of an outcast, she doesn't really seem to fit in anywhere, but during the summer she goes to Greece with her Aunt and Uncle who are both archaeologists. She's been going with them to 'digs' for years and she loves to help them, exploring is exciting, all the things you can find.
When Zoe goes through a tunnel and finds a mysterious item that takes her back in time. At first she thinks she is in some sort of amusement park recreation, but she soon realizes that everything around her is very real, even the Greek Gods.
I found this book quite easy to get into but I must admit to begin with I didn't really like Zoe, she was an OK character but I didn't feel connected. As the book went on I felt a bit closer and as she started to discover who she was and what she could do,I started to like her a bit more and was interested in what was going to happen to her. She grows as a character and starts to feel more real.
The setting of Ancient Greece was really well done, all the details and research that must have gone into recreating it was breath-taking. It felt like I was there.
Then we meet Zeus - ah Zeus! This book is different for the fact that all the Greek Gods appear as teenagers, not how we are used to seeing them, I was hesitant about it at first but Audrey Hart really made it work and I could really picture it all.
Hera is a great character, she's like the school queen bee, seems nice but is really a total b***h, and when she doesn't get what she wants you better back off.
The book is quite short at just over 200 pages and I got through it quite quickly. I got more into the story as I went and really wanted to know how it ended. I did predict the ending, I could see it coming, but I am left wanting to know what happens next so I will be looking out for the next book in the trilogy.


My Rating
I would give this book 8/10, definitely worth a read, it's a great twist on Greek Mythology.

Raising Money for Charity

I live in the UK and every year there is a massive event called 'Children In Need'. For those of you in the UK - you will know exactly what I am talking about, but for everyone else I will quickly explain.

Children In Need is one of the UK's biggest charities - it is run by the BBC. Every year they have a whole night of television with guests, games, activities, celebrities and stories. The money they raise gets spent on Children only - but in every way possible - it goes to care homes, towards child abuse charities, help for young carers, help for children suffering from bullying. It goes to hospitals, play groups. Anything you can imagine. It is a really good cause.

It also has an adorable mascot - Pudsey!

Isn't he lovely. If you want to know more about 'Children In Need' the website is here. Please check it out.

Now onto the point of my post. Every year I do something to raise money for Children In Need. Last year I did a tree top obstacle course whilst dressed as a clown! the year before that I did a 100 length swim (in an hour!), this year I am going to conquer a fear.

If any of you have been following me for a while you will know that I do High Board Diving. I have been doing it for years but I mainly specialize on the 1m board (yes the lowest, although I do go off the 3 & 5m but only simple dives)

Well now I am going to challenge myself. 2-3 years ago I tried a Back Fall off of the 3m board, I pushed too hard and flipped over - I landed flat on my front with a smack, which really hurt. I'm talking bruises all up my legs and stomach and one very red face. I haven't done another one since.
Until now!
To raise money and conquer my fear all in one I am going to try again. I'm a better diver now than I was 3 years ago so I should be able to do it. It's just the fear holding me back so this gives me a good insentive to do it.

On Friday 18th November at my diving session I will finally do a Back Fall off the 3m board. But I want as many sponsors as possible. This is where you all come in. I know money is tight for a lot of people but every little bit helps.
I have a donate button on the top right hand side of my blog. If you would like to sponsor me please click on that button and then email me at becca9(at)gmail(dot) with a copy of the receipt, your name and a note specifying it's for Children In Need- so I can note down how much each person has sponsored on my sponsorship form. I will then total up how much I get and pay that to the Charity.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks in advance for any sponsors.

Book Review - Destined

Title: Destined
Author: P.C & Kristin Cast
Series: House of Night (book 9)
Publisher: Atom
Release Date: 25 Oct 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1905654871

Synopsis
In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? 


My Review
I know this series is like Marmite - you either love it or hate it. I am one of the ones that love it! 'Marked' (book 1) was the first vampire book I ever read and got me into this genre. So I will always have a fondness for them.
Destined is book 9 and with each one I read I get pulled further into the world. 
It has been a while since I read the last book and so it took me some time to get into this one as I had to try to remember what happened, but their are lines and clues put in to remind you of key events and soon I was fully there, right where I had last left them. 
Things keep getting more exciting as you go and there are so many twists I didn't expect.
Stevie-Rae is still my favourite - she is so sweet and she has great one liners and random sayings that make me laugh.
Aphrodite is just as sassy and feisty and I love her insults. Neferet is getting darker and she makes my skin crawl but she's one of those villains you love to hate. I'm never quite sure what she will do next or how far she will go.
The plot is well thought out and the pace flows well, I read this quite quickly - this book has more character development in, you learn a lot more and see them grow both as a group and as individuals.
There is a new character called 'Aurox' who is supposed to be a servant of Neferet. There is supposed to be a great mystery of who and what he really is, and I liked a lot of his scenes and his affinity to Zoey, but the great revelation behind his origins wasn't much of a surprise to me, I figured it out almost straight away and was just waiting for Zoey to catch up with me. Maybe I'm just too clever (lol) or maybe it was supposed to be obvious. I don't know, but when Zoey did finally catch up I was like 'about time, what took you so long!'
Overall I really enjoyed the book and am intrigued to see what will happen next, the ending of this one was quite exciting, I felt tears welling up a bit and I also laughed. Hope it's not too long before the next one.
I will say although I don't have a problem with swearing in books if it fits in with the situation, but there are quite a lot of uses in this book and I don't believe they are all necessary, got a bit annoying. but that's the only real problem I had with it.


My Rating
I would give this book 9/10. Awesome, can't wait for the next one.

FF (43) & TGIF (26)

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out at Parajunkee.

This week's question feature is from MotherLode

Q: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite soldier and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.

My Answer: I don't really know any soldiers personally. One of my colleagues at work has a son out in Iraq, and I know how proud yet worried she is of him. So as I don't know any - I just want to say I appreciate everything they all do for us and I hope they return safely. 

 

TGIF!

This meme is hosted by GReads!

This Friday's Question:

 

Love-Hate Relationship: Which characters from a book do you love to hate?

 

 My Answer: ooh, there are so many.

- Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, he is so dark and evil, but I can't help but love his appearances in the books.

- Count Olaf from Series of Unfortunate Events - he is so sneaky and creepy and a real baddy. Love it. Especially Jim Carey's interpretation in the film.

- President Snow in the Hunger Games this man is pure bad news.

- Lord Vengeance from Skulduggery Pleasant. These books are amazing and need a good baddy and they've got it.

- Madam Coulter from the Northern Lights. She makes my skin crawl, she acts all nice but is dangerous. I love to hate her. 

There are probably more but that's enough for now.

Happy Hopping, have a great weekend everyone!!! 

Know Me Better 10th November

"Know Me Better" is a new weekly meme hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. Each week five questions are asked as a way for your readers to get to know you better. Want to play along? It's easy! Just click the link above to take you over to the host's page. From there, copy and paste the meme image into your blog along with the meme code. Link back to the host and you're done.

Here's this weeks questions:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
A portable radio so I can contact for help, some food, some books.

What is one book everyone should read?
There are so many good books. But I will say the Bible, I haven't read all of it yet but I want to. Also Harry Potter's

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I have so many answers to this, but I think I would like to be able to fly.

Harry Potter or Twilight?
Harry Potter without a doubt, the best books EVER!
but to be honest though ANYTHING is better that Twi... no I can't even bring myself to type it. (If you can guess I really don't like it, sorry to anyone here who does, we're all entitled to our opinions)

Gum or Breath Mints?
Neither - I just brush my teeth. I am a fussy eater so I don't really eat anything that affects my breath too much, but if I did need something it would be a mild gum. Breath mints are usually too strong, Mint makes me feel sick if it's too strong.

That's it for this week. Head over to "I Am A Reader, Not A Writer" to sign up. :D

Young Adult Novel Competition for Budding Writers

I was sent an email about this competition, I checked the rules and it looks like it's only open to those of you in the USA, but it's definitely worth checking it out. Great opportunity to get that story out there. 

I wish I could enter, but alas I'm in the UK. Good luck to anyone that does choose to enter, thought I would share it with you. 

 

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Get in Front of Top YA Editors and Agents with

ONLY the First 250 Words of Your YA Novel!

No query? No pitch? No problem!

Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its Third Annual Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents! 

If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel.  http://bit.ly/YAContest

GREAT PRIZES
The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus a collection of gourmet teas from Possibiliteas.co.

The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at Scholastic, Disney, Harlequin Teen, Random House, Viking, Roaring Brook Press, Sourcebooks, and Kimani Tru and receive a one-year subscription to The Writermagazine.

The First 50 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.

Enter to win at  http://bit.ly/YAContest   Hurry contest ends November 30, 2011

 

www.serendipitylit.com

Facebook.com/serendipitylit

@serendipitylit

 

Check out from author Regina Brooks, WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS. A must have for aspiring YA authors. 

twitter: serendipitylit#

SOO Excited Dream Come True

I am so excited, I think my dream has come true (one of them anyway)

On the 1st November I wrote a review of 'The House Of Vampires' by Samantha Rendle. It was part of her promotion tour and I really enjoyed reading the book for it.
I had great contact with Samantha herself, but also with her publisher. They were very helpful, we emailed back and forth  and they were obviously pleased when I told them how much I loved the book.

Here comes the best part. I received a finished copy of the book today and was thrilled to see that I was mentioned on the back of it. (I did know it was going to happen as I sent the review to the publisher and gave permission for it to be used) but seeing it for real was extraordinary. I think it's every bloggers dream to see their review on a book, and I can say it felt so good.

Here's a picture:

See! I'm right at the top. How amazing is that!!! Can't believe this is an actual printed book that people will pick up and look at and even buy, and my review will help convince them to buy it! *squeal*

Here's the front cover - looks cool.

That's it really. I just wanted to share my enthusiasm and excitement with you. And to once more shamelessly promote this book. It really is worth reading. :D