Cover to Cover | Turtles All The Way Down

Look what’s making a comeback in 2018! oh yeah cover to cover baby

This time I decided we’d check out some cool covers of this book that’s been going around the internet lately and you might wanna check out my review here as well

The English Edition

The classic cover that tends to grab your attention straight away because of that bright orange spiral but also because they wanna make sure John Green’s name stands out haha. It’s one of those simple but effective covers

The German Edition

This cover keeps true to the spiral theme but this time we have actual turtles! The blue pattern in the background is also pretty cool and gives it this abstract feel

The Portugese Edition

I love love love the shade of orange they’ve used on this cover. The cute drawing of the diner which holds significance in the novel is lovely too

The Swedish Edition

A lot going on in this cover but it seems like they’ve literally taken buzz words out of the novel and illustrated them to create a cover. Pretty cool tho

The Polish edition

This one is a little bit different to the rest. I actually really like the artwork, not sure how much it holds true to the novel but yeah nice

 

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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.

 

Favourite Last Lines in Books

The way a book ends is of prime importance to me. You can be left feeling elated, like you’ve just received a fresh breath of air after diving in the pool, or you can be left feeling meh, we all have those “that’s it?” moments come on.

I’m here to discuss the last lines which have left me breathless or always bring a smile to my face whenever I flip to the end of the book.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott. Fitzgerald 

I think this sums up the book perfectly but also promises new adventures and perseverance, I don’t know this quote always gives me the feeling of ‘life goes on’.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This is so melancholic and those who’ve read the book would know how sad the book is. But I believe the ending of the book gives so much closure

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Okay so this is really sad but you know how the whole “I do” is significant of marriage? Maybe this is like Hazel’s promise to Augustus. Nonetheless, all the sad feels come flooding back in every time.

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak

I could go into a whole analysis of this quote but it signifies that humans are always looking for suffering to the point where even death is haunted. And it’s such a thought provoking way to end the book. I love Markus Zusak!

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus

Okay technically, the last line would be “It was the patient, cut-flower sound of a man who is waiting to die”, which in itself is a sad and haunting last line. But here’s the deal, the author uses the above epilogue as a prologue. And it works! I’ve never seen anyone do that before and it’s so interesting.

NOTE: All pictures taken from Google images, they’re not mine!

Are there any famous last lines you can think of ?

Film Review | Paper Towns

Title: Paper Towns 

Director: Jake Schreier

Starring: Nat Wolff & Cara Delevigne

Australian Release Date: 16 July 2015

Synopsis

A young man and his friends embark upon the road trip of their lives to find the missing girl next door.

I had the pleasure of watching Paper Towns at an advance screening last night with my friends.

The movie gets a five stars in being entertaining. It had me laughing out loud, squealing out loud and was the most animated experience I’ve ever had. Oh and lets not forget the surprise moment when Ansel Elgort just pops up on the screen like

And me and my friend are just sitting here like

Seriously though, the casting of the movie was on point, the characters actually looked and acted like teenagers so that was nice. Cara Delevigne made me fall in love with her and Nat Wolff the star of the show was just brilliant, all the cast did a very good job of representing the characters from the books.

Even after that, the film seems a bit lacking. Don’t get me wrong it’s enjoyable but it’s no TFIOS alright, it doesn’t leave you thinking about it for days to come or whatever. The ending was not a happily ever after which made the film realistic but it could’ve ended at a happier note.

Despite that, the film leaves you with some great messages about friendship, appreciating what you have and of course the main one: there is a difference between what you think people are and what they actually are.

Rating

 

Cover To Cover | Paper Towns by John Green

Cover To Cover is basically an excuse for me to swoon over the many beautiful covers for the same book! At the end there’ll be a verdict as to which my favourite cover is. Check out the first Cover to Cover here

With all the buzz going on about the Paper Towns movie I decided to take a chance and look at all the various beautiful covers of this book out there. So let’s get started

The original English cover

It’s obviously a very symbolic cover in relation to the book and paper towns. The red pin is very catchy and I just like the look of the cover. Simple but effective

The American Cover?

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe this is the American version. I personally don’t like humans on covers because it changes the way I visualise my characters.

Another English cover

So apparently this cover exists. Again very symbolic of paper towns but it gives me too many middle-grade, comic book vibes.

The Spanish Cover

This one doesn’t strike me as much to be honest. The silhouette of the building could’ve been much sharper and yeah nothing specially intriguing about this cover

Another English cover

I love this cover. It’s very quirky and cartoon-esque. The font is very catchy and again, very simple but very appealing.

The German Cover

I’m really feeling the “mysterious disappearance” vibe from this cover. It is thrilling yet wouldn’t catch my eye at a bookstore.

The Dutch Cover

A very interesting take from he original cover. I feel like it’s more bleaker but it does work. I like it

The Greek Cover

This cover seems to take all aspects of the book and put it on the cover. There’s the map, the towns, the cars. I think it works well

The Verdict

I have an obvious favourite for this one and it is this English cover

I always find myself eyeing it at the bookstore and yeah, the colours, the font, the cutesy drawing of the car, it’s just so coherent. I loves it.

BONUS COVER

I didn’t want to put this in the competition because it wouldn’t be fair game. The movie cover of Paper Towns featuring the glorious faces of Cara Delevigne and Nat Wolff..

AH I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!

What is your favourite Paper Towns Cover?

Which book should be featured in the next Cover To Cover?

 

NOTE: All covers taken from Goodreads

The Book Courtship Tag

I saw Jessethereader do this tag on Youtube here  recently and it seemed fun so I’m gonna join the bandwagon and do the Book Courtship tag huzzah!

Phase 1 – Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover?

Easy, Looking for Alaska Tenth Anniversary Edition. I read the book a few years back but I needed this one!

Phase 2 – First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary?

Throne of Glass by Sarah.J.Maas

The blurbs are so epic and give you this feeling of anticipation I just love reading them out loud to my friends.

Phase 3 – Sweet Talk: A book with great writing?

This is a hard one because writing is so quintessential to a good book. I’m gonna say The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus

It’s adventurous but witty but poetic at the same time. Just.Need.More

Phase 4 – First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series?

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I was like I need to buy the second and the third book RIGHT NOW. Seriously so good.

Phase 5 – Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night?

We Were Liars by E.Lockhart

This book is so compelling and I couldn’t put it down without knowing the ending. oh the ending.

Phase 6 – Always on my mind: A book you could not stop thinking about?

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I recently read this book and let me tell you this shiz is heavy. There are so many concepts in here where you’re just like “why” or “how”. Definitely a though provoker.

Phase 7 – Getting Physical: A book which you love the way it feels?

Isla and the Happily ever after by Stephanie Perkins

I love matte things and this book is so..matte so yeah

Phase 8 – Meeting the parents: A book which you would recommend to your family and friends?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Emotionally Beautiful and it’s historical I mean who doesn’t love history

Phase 9 – Thinking about the future: A book or series you know you will re read many times in the future?

I don’t re-read. Wow the amount of times I’ve said that statement on this blog is ridiculous. But I guess I’ll never mind picking up Perks of Being a Wallflower.

And all the fangirls collectively sighed…

Phase 10 – Share the love: Who do you tag?

I’m too lazy on this Sunday morning to tag people. So if ye wanna do this tag DO IT and leave it in the comments so I can stalk you okay? cool.

Twitter  | Youtube 

Top 5 Wednesday | Bookish Habits

Yeah I know it’s not Wednesday boo I missed a day because I wrote up a beautifully long review on The Handmaid’s Tale. 

Surprisingly it was difficult creating a list of five bookish habits. Because habits are so second nature you rarely think about them. Hopefully I managed to cover my weirdest and most crucial bookish habits. Enjoy!

1. Smelling New Books

We all do it. There’s no shame in it, let’s join hands and embrace our instinctual desire for the scent of new books. Honestly though that feel when new books arrive in the mail and you’re just like

2. One book at a time

Okay so I have this thing with multi-tasking. Just can’t deal. Music and homework? Nup. Two books at a time? nup. They all deserve my uttermost attention which I can only provide if I read them individually.

3. Lips are movin’

Alright so this one I hadn’t noticed till a couple years ago until my friends pointed it out to me. I move my lips when I read, as in silent read in my head. I don’t know I feel like it just helps me get a better understanding if my enunciating the words. I seriously don’t understand why people find that weird.

4. Bookmarks

I believe beginning a book is a great ordeal so I acknowledge this by wedging a bookmark between the cover and the very first page. It just makes it final that I’m now officially reading this book I guess.

5. Mental Goals

I have this thing where I expect myself to read say 50-100 pages per day and if I don’t do that I have to catch up the next day, Obviously this is to ensure I’m not dragging the book too long, if I enjoy a book there is no need to set goals but what can I say I’m a lists and goals kind gal.

There you have it. My top 5 bookish habits.

What are some bookish habits you have?

March Book Haul

I have acquired some pretties over the past couple of weeks so I decided to show ’em off to you!

Excuse the bookmark but yeah new books ahh!

Assassins Blade by Sarah.J.Maas 

Little Women by Louisa May Ascott 

I recently finished Heir of Fire and loved it so it’s a no-brainer that I got the novella collection.

Ever since the Youtube web series of Little Women started I’ve wanted to read the book so I finally got it and it may well be the longest classic I’m going to read but can’t wait!

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield 

The Handmaid’s tale by Margaret Atwood 

I have wanted to read Afterworlds since the beginning of time, well since it came out anyway so I decided right about bloody time I at least bought the book.

The Handmaid’s Tale has been catching my eye cuz two words “feminist literature”, the cover is freaky because of what the book symbolizes (fertility) but i like freaky!

And last but not least in all its glory we have…..

The 10th Anniversary version of Looking for Alaska!!!!!!!!

The pages are black edged and there is a heap of never before seen content at the back and just gah I love John Green

That was my little book haul for March so far!

What new books have ye acquired?

 

Top 5 Wednesday | Books I’d Save In a Fire

This week’s topic is one that I find myself looking way too deeply into. Of course this is a hypothetical situation because let’s be real if there was an actual fire I’d grab the closest books to me and run for dear life.

In an ideal situation I would have a magical backpack which would absorb my whole bookshelf so I wouldn’t have to choose but suppose it’s not an ideal situation and suppose I have to choose between my books. Oh it’s like picking your favorite child

 

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (SIGNED COPY)

Di I even need to explain myself?

One: It’s John Green

Two: It’s signed

Three: John Green

2. To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

With the sequel about to hit shelves in a few months it would be rather inconvenient if I left the first book behind no? but seriously one of the many favorite classics of mine and you just can’t expect me to abandon Scout Finch okay!

3. Game of Thrones by George.R.R.Martin

Yes the whole box set because it is conveniently the closest thing in my bookshelf and come on this pioneered my love for high fantasy so how could I let it burn. Ya feel?

4. Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Cbosky

We accept the love we think we deserve.

This was just such a beautiful book in it’s entirety and I still remember feeling all the feels back when I read it in like 2013.

Plus it has Logan Lerman on the cover and I mean come on

5. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares

Yes I know we’re all a bit distracted by the Logan Lerman gif but let’s try to move on.

I remember one day back in 2012 I thought “how cool would it be to have your own little book collection”. So I went to the bookstore and spent $80 on buying the whole Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series because I’d read the first book and I loved it.

This was the beginning of a very big book collection so yeah this series has real sentimental value cuz you know it was the start of it all.

That is a wrap on Top 5 Wednesday for this week.

Let me know what books you’d save in a fire!

Top 5 Wednesday | Authors I’d like to meet

This week’s top five is about authors we’d like to meet which is such a hard topic to narrow down to five since I wanna meet each and every author I’ve read books from because I feel like authors are the perfect people to discuss books with since they have exclusive insight and all that good stuff.

Don’t forget if you wanna check out other people’s Top Five’s then head over to the Goodreads group!

5

Richelle Mead!

 

Books Read: The Vampire Academy and Bloodlines

Why I wanna meet them:

Richelle seems so lovely and she never forgets to mention how much she loves her international (Aussies) fans!

What I would do upon meeting them:

If I ever get the chance to go to the USA or if she ever comes to Australia I will tackle her in a bear hug (is that too violent?) No but seriously I would just have a casual chat about life and her upcoming projects, take a few hundred selfies and of course get her to sign my tower of Richelle Mead books!

4

Gayle Forman 

Books Read: If I stay, Where she went and I was Here

Why I wanna meet them:

For the past few months I have been continuously raving about Gayle Forman. Well I am kind of obsessed with all her books and all the boys in her books (wink wink). I saw her Goodreads interview the other day and she seems so down to Earth and can we just take a moment to admire her majestic hair aah!

What I would do upon meeting them:

From reading her books I feel like Gayle is really into the music scene so I would ask her about songs I should add to my playlist. It would also be cool discussing her experience with If I Stay becoming a movie and also her inspiration for the intriguing, mystery filled plot of I was Here.

3

George.R.R.Martin 

Books Read: A Song of Ice and Fire Series

Why I wanna meet them:

I read A Song of Ice and Fire series in five months straight up and I watch the show religiously so of course I wanna meet GRRM

What I would do upon meeting them:

Fangirl.

I feel like I would get intimidated because I hold him in such high regards. But I would try and get a few spoilers out of him without success, in all honesty I would just be happy discussing the characters and where the initial idea for Game of Thrones all came from.

2

Jane Austen (no one mentioned anything about the author being still alive.)

Books Read: Pride & Prejudice

Why I wanna meet them:

Because it’s freakin’ Jane Austen that’s why. Doesn’t every literary addict wanna meet this genius writer?

What I would do upon meeting them:

I would question how she came back from the dead.

After that we’d sit down for some tea and Scones and I ‘d ask her all about life in the 19th Century and being a female writer and yeah it would be an interesting conversation with me trying to decipher her language and vice versa. Oh and I’d take a selfie to make everybody and their uncle jealous.

I know Austen should’ve been number One but you’ll see….

1

John Green

Books Read: The Fault in Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns

Why I wanna meet them:

High school for me has been all about John Green and his writing and I feel like I’ve grown up with it. Plus John is a Nerdfighter, he is THE Nerdfighter which is awesome and crazy and I feel like I’ll just be bombarded with smartness and knowledge meeting him.

What I would do upon meeting them:

I ‘d ask him to pinch me just in case it was a dream. After that I would hyperventilate.

After eventually settling down and if he is still around I would have a casual chat with him about absolutely everything and nothing. Sounds like so much FUN. Oh and I’d take selfies because let’s be honest…it’s John Green.

I hope you enjoyed reading my weird ideas about meeting my favourite authors and let me know who you’d like to meet and what you’d do upon meeting them!