Book Review | Turtles All The Way Down

I feel like John Green always delivers a unique addition to the coming of age genre. This wasn’t my favourite book ever or anything but like any other John Green book, it left its mark

The protagonist Aza is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Right from the beginning the reader can tell that a lot of research and meticulation went into creating this character with all these problems. She almost felt too flawed at times but maybe that was the point. This book allows you to get inside the head of someone who is literally struggling with their mental health on a cellular level. It’s not an easy task to put yourself in someone’s shoes so deeply and Green does that beautifully.

In terms of the plot itself, while the mysterious disappearance does attract you at the beginning, you soon realise that it is not the main attraction of this novel. I think the message Green was trying to send across by making the mystery secondary was that in real life mysteries aren’t all that grand. This isn’t a dramatic thriller novel after all. It does however, work as an element of intrigue throughout the whole novel.

In comparison to Aza the rest of the characters felt quite flat, like they were placeholders. I really didn’t feel the overwhelming romance shining through. I did however, enjoy the perspective that the novel gives you. I mean you’re always going from being close to Aza on a cellular level to zooming out and seeing the story as a whole.

 

5 New Series To Start in 2017

Hit a reading slump? Have an urge to get invested in a series? Want to be the cool kid on the block who’s read the brand new series? Here are 5 series starting in 2017 that you should totally get on

Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu 

Expected Publication Date: October 3rd

The Lowdown: A novel based on a game called Warcross. There’s gambling, hacking, a badass female protagonist and a whole lot of sci-fi thirll

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber 

Expected Publication Date: 31st January

The Lowdown: These two sisters have an evil father and they try to run away. Basically one sister ends up becoming the prize money of this magical show that the other sister has been obssessed with. So the other sister tries to save the sister that’s being held hostage and chaos ensues.

The Gatlon School for Vigilantes (The Gatlon Trilogy #1) by Marissa Meyer 

Expected Publication Date: November 7th

The Lowdown: Two schools in Gatlon city. One is elite, one has a reputation. As secrets unfurl about the two schools it becomes hard to tell which one might be the enemy.

Strange and Dreamer (Strange and Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor 

Expected Publication Date: 28th March

The Lowdown: A super vague, super mystical novel which has underlying poetic hues.

Wires and Nerves Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer

Expected Publication Date: 31st January

The Lowdown: For anyone who has read the Lunar Chronicles this is a graphic novel about Iko, the Android. The graphic novel follows Iko’s path in life and love and all things wires and nerves.

 

My Favourite Bookstagrams

Among other things taking aesthetically pleasing photos of books is an art in itself. I compiled a list of my favourite book dedicated Instagram accounts so we can sit here and marvel together!

First up is Cait from Paper Futy 

I mean just look at the beautiful flower theme and just ahh like goals. Absolute goals. 

Next up is the loonytuney Insta which is glorious in all its pastel and rainbow glory 

I just love people who can stick to an Instagram theme. Monochrome is always a winner so this one goes to sammy!

Can’t go wrong with a couple of fairy lights. Kori’s Instagram looks just delightful and magical 

Ahh look how cute and colourful! It’s bright and fun and fresh. Love 

Give a follow to all the people mentioned in this post and I hope they don’t mind me sharing their creations! 

If you’d like to please follow me on Instagram as well @infinity.reads 

If You Like This…You’ll Also Like This

So who doesn’t like book recommendations. Especially around this time of the year when we’re all trying to better ourselves and broaden our horizons. So here goes

If you like….

You will also like…

Both books filled with these sweet love stories that encompass mental health issues and body image and growing up. It’s almost a given that if you’ve read one you’ll read the other

If you like….

You will also like..

If you love a good contemporary read, these two books are your go to! One takes you around Paris and its romance while the other has its own charm with high school romances and yummy recipes.

If you like…

You will also like…

Illumnae is heavily focused on science-fiction and takes place outside of Earth yet it’s got humour and philosophy, which is where it is similar to WALU. We All Looked Up goes behind the philosophical meaning of existence as an asteroid prepares to destroy Earth.

I hope you found some good reading suggestions in this post. Don’t worry, I hope to do many more in the future because who doesn’t love book recommendations?

I Miss Reading

I miss reading.

Not the kind of reading where you skim over your Twitter feed or the kind where you submerge your novel in a plethora of sticky notes because your grade depends on it.

I miss the kind of reading that nullifies your world until there is just you and the book.

The turn of each crisp page, the weight of the book in your lap, your shoulders and eyes begging for a rest- all these things seem irrelevant. Because it’s the stories I miss. It’s the people.

Reading gave me the freedom to explore not just countries but universes. It made me feel eager to pack my suitcase and escape to these worlds yet, just the mere act of reading made me feel like I was co-existing with these characters and that was plenty for me.

I miss the quiet that followed the conclusion of each book. Where I was left alone to ponder. What are these characters doing now? I’d wonder. I’d sit there in awe of all the feelings that a book is able to imprint upon you. How do words have so much power? they’re just lines on paper after all.

What I miss the most is the stillness that came with reading. In a world full of chaos, I had something that let me feel at peace and it made me feel alive.

I miss reading.

Books I Wish I Could Read

So I have no time.

And no money.

And I’ve read all the books on my bookshelf.

Do you see my problem yet?

So I decided to make a wishlist for all the books I’d love to be reading currently but I can’t because school or sleep deprivation.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater 

Just look how beautiful the cover is and it’s the last book in the series and I am absolutely DYING to know what’s gonna happen!

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

This just came out like yesterday but I need me some Rick Riordan in my life like right now

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

I have been meaning to read this book for a solid five years now but never got around to it like UGH

 

Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach

Okay so I don’t know much about this book but Tommy is one of my all time fav authors and he’s coming to my city like next week and AHH

PS: I still Love you 

Ever since I read the prequel I’ve wanted to pick this book up, I mean I liked the first book but I didn’t love it you know so this one’s always been on the back bench

I hope you enjoyed looking at my wishlist and let me know what books you’re wishing for currently!

 

 

5 Most Anticipated Book-to-Movie Adaptions of 2016

I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the buzz about all the great adaptations coming out this year, I just wanted to join my voice in and let you know which ones I’m particularly excited about!

The Fifth Wave

Okay well this one already came out January 14 in Australia. I watched it the first day and reviewed it here and eh, not too hyped about it guys. I was super excited to watch it though.

Allegiant

Set to be released on March 19. I saw the trailer and it seems like they’re kind of taking a different direction to the book but is the end game going to be the same? And are they splitting it into two parts? it doesn’t seem like it

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

 

 

I haven’t read the book but guys the trailer looks so good and let me know if I should read the book before? Also, I’m not entirely sure when it’s coming out

Inferno

I read the book way back when it came out because I was obsessed with Dan Brown. I haven’t watched the trailer or anything but the concept of the book fascinated me. This should be interesting. Set to release on October 14!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

I’m most excited about this one! IMDB says it’s set to release on Christmas Day this year and Tim Burton is directing it and the author, Ransom Riggs has been so involved with the movie process. I CAN’T WAIT!

Honourable mention to: Legend

 

The totally awesome dystopia series by Marie Lu? it seems like it’s still in the works but I’ll be keeping an eye out for this one.

Those are all the book to movie adaptations I’m excited to watch this year! let me know in the comments what you’re excited for !

Make sure you enter my second anniversary giveaway over at a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Book Blogger TMI Tag

It’s high time you guys got to know a little bit more about me because I’m so interesting you know. I saw this tag over at Spines & Covers and decided it was perfect

How old are you?

Seventeen!

What book are you reading?

I’m currently reading Captive Prince by C.S.Pacat and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before!

What are you wearing?

Nothing 😉 JOKES

My favourite black trousers and a sweater

OTP?

Percy and Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series. Percabeth is life!

 

Blogger or WordPress?

WordPress because this is where it all began

Going outside being active or staying in and reading a book?

I’d love to do a bit of both but I’d always choose reading over anything so

What is the last book you read?

Am I normal yet? by Holly Bourne. I absolutely loved it and reviewed it here.

What is the book you’re going to read next?

Prince’s Gambit, the sequel to Captive Prince

Ebooks-yes or no?

I’ve always been a bit old fashioned when it comes to books and loved the traditional paperback, I have nothing against ebooks just that I don’t find them suitable for myself. They’re great technology as long as they don’t completely replace ye old paperback.

Where do you prefer to read?

In my bed or on this special chair overlooking my back yard

Who is the last person you tweeted?

Probably @PneguinTeenAus aha

Whose blog did you look at last?

Spines & Covers

Who is your favourite blogger?

Hmm…there are wayy too many though

Faith@ Fangirl World because she’s my twin

YA Midnight Reads 

Happy Indulgence 

yep those are my top three bitches

Who is your favourite book-tuber?

Catriona at Little Book Owl!

What do you do when someone tells you reading is boring?

Tell them their life is boring. Nah realistically I’d go “each to their own”

Who is the last author you spoke to?

Sarah.J.Maas and C.S.Pacat when I met them at Supanova

Who is the last person you texted?

I texted my best friend Happy Birthday

Who is your all-time favourite character?

Lizzie Bennet

UKYA or USYA?

All the UKYA I have ever read I have loved so yeah

What is your preferred drink whilst reading?

Indian Tea ❤

If you hated reading, what would you be doing instead?

I don’t even want to fathom that thought but probably Netflix instead

How many bookshelves/bookcases do you have?

Just one sad lonely bookshelf and millions of boxes full of books

If you had the choice to meet all of your favourite book bloggers or all of your favourite authors, which would you pick? you can only pick one.

I would pick all my favourite authors. My favourite bloggers would understand why I made that choice.

Insta-Love-yes or no?

NO! it’s pretty unrealistic and just ugh I like seeing relationships develop gradually.

Favourite author?

Too many but Jane Austen, John Green, Rick Riordan would be a few

What is the number one book on your wishlist?

A Hardcover box set of Jane Austen’s novels thanks ❤

Do you prefer books with female or male protagonists?

I like to read a bit of both. How about dual POVs from a male AND a female’s perspective?

What is the last song you listened to?

For Him by Troye Sivan. His new album is AMAZING

Which do you enjoy reading more- negative reviews or positive reviews?

I like reviews that provide constructive criticism highlighting the good and the bad. I aspire to do that in my reviews as well.

Who are you going to tag?

Whoever feels like doing this tag feel free to answer the questions above!

 

‘Tis The Season Book Tag

Deck the halls! With Christmas so close by it was inevitable that I do a festive tag so here it is!

Btw I found this tag on The Honest Bookclub’s blog

Do you have a favourite winter read?

Not in particular but I find that during winter time I’m more drawn to reading fantasy and during summer time it’s more contemporary reads.

Find a book with blue on the cover?

The first one that popped into my head is All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven which I did a post on earlier today

Find a book you’d use as a star on a Christmas tree?

My ten year anniversary version of Looking For Alaska because it’s so golden and pretty

Pick one fictional place that would be perfect for a winter vacation?

Narnia! without any evil beings and oh that book converted me into a fan of Turkish Delight so

Pick one fictional character you’d take with you on your winter vacation?

One?? hard choices hmm..Augustus Waters! I feel like he’d be up for any grand adventure with me and probably scare the enemies off with his charm

Name one book on your wishlist this year?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline which I received from my Aussie YA Bloggers Secret Santa!!

Favourite holiday drink, treat and movie?

Hot chocolate because winter and I will forever adore Marshmallow Santas and Home Alone is always a cracker

That’s the tag for you, feel free to tag yourself and comment down below with a link so I can read your answers!

 

Event Recap | Meeting SJ Maas

Saturday 23rd November 2015

Dear Reader,

Today was very eventful.

I woke up and packed my Throne of Glass series along with ACOTAR in my Shakespeare & Co. bag in the hopes that by the end of the day they would all be signed by my favourite author. I also tried to cram in exam revision without any success.

Walking 50 paces into Supanova I spotted a queue labelled ‘SARAH’. I honestly hadn’t expected such an overwhelming fan base.  There were a few girls Cosplaying Caelena and it was so exciting to fan girl over meeting Sarah while waiting in line.

Given my short height I also continued to stand on tippy-toes to get a view of Sarah and squeaked to my mum about how pretty she was especially in person.

As luck would have it I arrived right at the head of the line before Sarah had to attend a panel. I stalked her to the panel as you naturally do.

The panel had discussions about Kick-Ass Characters and it was great to see some new authors talking about characters in their books, also Sarah is extremely funny mainly because of how honest she is.

When I finally managed to meet her after she gloriously finished eating her chocolate, I was shaking all over.

I soon fell into casual conversation. Sarah takes great interest in her reader’s lives and I love that. She asked me about where I’m from and school.

I also discovered she’s busy blurbing novels at the moment but also that she cannot wait to read C .S.  Pacat’s Captive Prince series.

We also spent a good amount of time fangirling over The Lunar Chronicles and she asked me if my mum was my sister and my mum felt greatly complimented by that so THANKS SARAH!!

Epilogue: With my pile of signed books in my hands I walked out of the signing area and graciously stumbled and fell on the floor of Supanova along with all my books.

My clumsiness never evades me

Yours,

Infinity Reads