Wednesday 30 November 2016

EOM Wrap Up November

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I have read 4 books this month:

Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken
The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1) by Melinda Salisbury
The Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan

I have reviewed 3 books this month:

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The Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
Phantasma by Efthalia
Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken

Other Posts:

Top Ten Tuesday #93: Top Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes YA Contemporary NovelsTop Ten Tuesday #94: Ten Books That I've Added To My TBR RecentlyTop Ten Tuesday #95: Top Ten Movie Tear-JerkersTop Ten Tuesday #96: Ten Books Series To Buy The YA Lover In Your Life

Waiting on Wednesday #132: Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3) by Maria V. Snyder
Cover Reveal + Waiting on Wednesday #133: The Gilded Cage by Sherry D. Ficklin
Waiting on Wednesday #134: The Burning World (Warm Bodies #3) by Isaac Marion

Concert Review: You Me At Six
Concert Review: Bring Me The Horizon at the O2 Arena
Concert Review: Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton

New Book Releases in November 

Band of the Month November: Bring Me The Horizon

Elien





Waiting on Wednesday #135: The Burning World (Warm Bodies #3) by Isaac Marion


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that I am anxiously awaiting is:

The Burning World
by Isaac Marion

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Being alive is hard. Being human is harder. But since his recent recovery from death, R is making progress. He's learning how to read, how to speak, maybe even how to love, and the city's undead population is showing signs of life. R can almost imagine a future with Julie, the girl who restarted his heart - building a new world from the ashes of the old one. 

And then the helicopters appear on the horizon. Someone is coming to restore order. To silence all this noise. To return things to the way they were, the good old days of stability and control and the strong eating the weak. The plague is ancient and ambitious, and the Dead were never its only weapon. 

How do you fight an enemy that's in everyone? Can the world ever really change? With their home overrun by madmen, R, Julie, and their ragged group of refugees plunge into the otherworldly wastelands of America in search of answers. But there are some answers R doesn't want to find. A past life, an old shadow, crawling up from the basement.


Why I Can't Wait


So far I have only read the first book in this series Warm Bodies, I really enjoyed it and was always curious to know what would happen afterwards. So I think it's about time that I continue reading this series.

Expected publication: February 7th 2017

Elien

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Top Ten Tuesday #96: Ten Books Series To Buy The YA Lover In Your Life


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Broke and Bookish. This weeks topic is Ten Books Series To Buy The YA Lover In Your Life

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  1. The Wings of War by Karen Ann Hopkins
  2. The Mortal Instrument by Cassandra Clare
  3. The Kindrily by Karen Amanda Hooper
  4. The Diviners by Libba Bray
  5. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
  6. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
  7. Hundred Oaks by Miranda Kenneally
  8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
  9. Gemma Doyle by Libba Bray
  10. The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

Elien

Monday 28 November 2016

Concert Review: Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton

Band: Architects
Opening Acts: Stick To Your Guns and Bury Tomorrow
Venue: O2 Academy Brixton
Date: November 18th 2016









Another week, another concert. There are times that I really think that going to concerts have become some sort of addiction. I just cannot help going to them, I guess it is kind of the same with books I can just not help buying those either. But they are always good fun so I guess it is money well spent.

This week’s review is of Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton. This concert was so special, the band has gone through so much this year so it was great to see them there on stage giving everything they had. But more on that later; let’s start with the opening acts first. Stick To Your Guns, had to honor to open for Architects. I am a big fan of them so for me it was great that I got to see two bands that I love in one evening. And they did not disappoint me. They played so many of my favorite songs; they started off with Nobody which is like my all-time favorite of them. These guys have so much energy on stage that you cannot help but get excited when they play. And what I love the most is that their songs always carry an important message, they are not just meaningless songs but they actually want to inspire and comfort the people who listen to it. It was a shame that they were just the opening act because I would not have minded at all if they had played longer! After them it was time for Burry Tomorrow to take the stage. To be fair I had never heard of them before but I have to admit that they were not bad at all. And the crowds went mad for them; at this point I could already feel that the evening would turn into something special. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing those guys playing again in the future.


Now on to the main act of the evening, Architects. Right from the very first notes of Nihilist that they played you knew that the crowds were going to get mental. And boy it did, I probably went home with a couple of bruises from all the circle pits but it was all worth it. This band is another band that writes really powerful lyrics and when they perform them you can really feel all there pain, hate and love in them. Seeing them perform is something really special. And the past tour that they have done is even more special. Earlier this year, Tom Searle, the guitarist of the band and twin brother of the drummer, passed away due to cancer. It must be and still is a difficult period that the band has to go through. But at the concert the support we all gave them was incredible; there was a feeling of unity when the crowd chanted out Toms name to show their support to the band. And you could clearly see that the band was performing for Tom. It was a very powerful and emotional show and I don’t think anyone left the show unmoved. Especially after Tom’s brother held a speech at the end of the show. Anyway there are not enough words to describe this evening and I am glad that I could be there to be part of this stunning evening. 

Elien

Sunday 27 November 2016

Sunday Post #34 and Stacking the Shelves #67

Sunday Post

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

This week went by in a flash again. On Thursday I went to the movies with some friends and we went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I loved that movie, J.K. Rowling really knows how to create a magical world! Other than that I didn't do much this week. I decided to take a lazy weekend since the next ones will be pretty hectic up until the end of the year basically. And it also gave me some time to catch up with reading. I finally started to read the Percy Jackson series and I am really addicted to them!

Last week on the blog:

Nothing at all 😕

Next week on the blog:

  • Monday: Concert Review: Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton
  • Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday #96: Ten Books Series To Buy The YA Lover In Your Life
  • Wednesday: Waiting On Wednesday #135 + EOM Wrap Up
  • Thursday: Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury
  • Friday: New Book Releases in December


Stacking the Shelves aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week. This Sunday meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews:

The other week I went to this discount bookstore in London called The Works and I picked up some really good books. I still cannot believe I got all of these for less than £2 each. It's a real bargain!

Bought: 

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The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melissa Salisbury
Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordon
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Elien

Friday 18 November 2016

Concert Review: Bring Me The Horizon live at the O2 Arena London

Band: Bring Me The Horizon
Opening Acts: Don Broco and Basement
Venue: O2 Arena London
Date: November 5th 2016









Earlier this week I posted a Band of the Month post which featured Bring Me The Horizon. As it happens I also went to a concert of them last week. And I am going to be completely honest here, it was the third time I saw them this year. But I do not regret seeing them that much in the least! They are such an amazing band and probably one of my all-time favorites as well. Besides every single time I have seen them it was in a different setting. With a live orchestra, at a festival or like this time in the O2 arena in London. Anyway now lets get started on how amazing the evening was!

BMTH had brought two other bands with them on their UK tour and I am always someone who goes in time for the support acts as well even when I do not know them. Sometimes I get nicely surprised by it and can add another band to my ever growing list of bands that I love. So on this tour it was Basement that got to warm the public up for the next bands. I had never heard of them but I decided to give them a shot anyway. It was not like they were bad but I would not say that I will probably go watch them when they headline their own concerts. But it is always nice to get to experience a new band and it also a great opportunity for them to open such a great concerts. The second opening act was Don Broco and I just love those guys. I have been listening to them for a couple of years now but I had never had the chance to see them live before. So I was so happy when I found out that they would be opening for BMTH. And I am so glad that I finally did see them they were truly amazing, they knew how to sweep up the crowd. From that moment on my evening could only get better. And I am definitely planning on seeing those guys again whenever I get the chance.

Now on to BMTH their concert. I have no idea where to begin to be honest. It was such a great experience. The visual aspects were on point with their songs that it was almost impossible to believe. And the live music itself was so great as well. I might have seen them a couple of times already but every time they know how to bring their songs somewhat differently. You know when you see some bands live then it just seems like they are playing their songs exactly like they appear on the record.  Which is fine but it is always nicer when they add a little extra to it when they play it live.  And that is exactly what BMTH does, the intro to their songs are always something special which keeps you guessing as to which song will be next. On top of that they always tend to change some other things up as well so it never feels the same whenever you go to see them. Another great thing is that atmosphere whenever you go see them live. Everyone can scream their songs at the top of their lungs and you can let completely go of yourself which is what I am always looking for when I go to a concert.


Overall I really loved this concert. It was an amazing evening that I probably will not forget any time soon. And to be hones I cannot wait until I get the chance again to see them live!

Thursday 17 November 2016

Review: Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken

19539727Title: Mansfield Park Revisited
Author: Joan Aiken
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult 
Publisher: RHCP
Publication date: November 7th 2013
Pages: 272 (hardcover)
Source: bought it







After the sad demise of Sir Thomas, Edmund Bertram and his new wife Fanny must sail to the West Indies in order to oversee the family's affairs. 

Back at Mansfield Park, Fanny's younger sister Susan is left at the helm. The household faces disarray, and she must guide the estate through gossip and grievances. Yet the news of Henry and Mary Crawford's return to Mansfield heralds the greatest storm yet. With the arrival of this dangerous pair, romance is once more in the air, and hearts are set to be broken. 

Featuring a cast of characters from Jane Austen's classic, including Susan Price, Thomas Bertram, Lady Bertram, Julia Yates and, of course, the infamous Crawford siblings.


I have always loved Jane Austen her books and Mansfield Park is one of her better ones in my opinion. I really loved it when I read it so when I found Mansfield Park Revisited in the book store I got curious and picked it up. I did not think that I would read it any time soon but the other day I found myself wanting to read some historical fiction and that was also light to read and this book was perfect for that.

Mansfield Park Revisited picked up four years after the ending of Mansfield Park. Fanny and Edmund are about to leave for the West Indies to see things over at Edmund’s late father. So with them out of the picture the focus shift to Fanny’s little sister Susan who came to live at Mansfield when Fanny married Edmund. It is logical that the author removed Fanny and Edmund out of the story and decided to focus on different characters off the book. After all why would she want to disturb the perfect image that Jane Austen had created for them?  So with them gone we get to see more off the other people at Mansfield, some of the old characters make appearances while they are also some new characters that get introduced.

I did like Susan as a character; she is a young lively lady that makes the best out of her current position. We did not get to see much of her in Mansfield Park so I was happy to learn more about her. And all in all I am happy about how she is portrayed, she knows that she does not truly fit into the Bertram family but at the same time she is also not afraid to form and voice her own opinion; which is admirable. Some of the new characters that got introduced were fun to read about, Mr. Wadham and his sister Mrs. Osborne were likeable characters. If anything I would have loved to get to know them better. Then of course there are still some old characters that reappear in this book like lady Bertram, Julia Yates, Tom Bertram and of course the Crawfords who turned everyone’s life at Mansfield upside down four years ago. Some of these characters have changed for the better while others only got worse and more snobbish over the years.

Some of the things were a bit unbelievable. Jane Austen had portrayed these characters in a specific way and to see them changed it is hard to belief. But then I guess when you write a sequel to someone else’s story you have to change some things otherwise there would hardly be a story at all. But what bothered me the most was probably the romance aspects, or better the lack there off.  It seemed that with every single character the love came out of thin air. To me it seemed like the characters had never had any romantic interest in each other until suddenly they opened their eyes and they realized that their soulmate had been standing right in front of them for all those years. And that is just something I cannot believe in.


Overall I did enjoy this book. I was looking for a light, fun and quick read and that is exactly what I got with Mansfield Park Revisited.  Although I think I will keep to the real work of Jane Austen for now. 


Elien



Wednesday 16 November 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #134: By Your Side by Kasie West


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that I am anxiously awaiting is:

By Your Side 
by Kasie West

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In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins or Morgan Matson. 

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn't think things could get any worse. But that's before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn't know much about Dax, except that he's trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he's not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her. 

Only he doesn't come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meet the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn's old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax's side?

Goodreads


Why I Can't Wait


I just love Kasie West her books. They always leave you with a happy feeling after you have finished them. And they are cute contemporary reads. They are perfectly for a night in with a book and that's sometimes just what I want and need. 

Expected publication: January 31st 2017


Elien

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Top Ten Tuesday #95: Top Ten Movie Tear-jerkers


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Broke and Bookish. This weeks topic is Top Ten Movie Tear-jerkers

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Afbeeldingsresultaat voor p.s i love youAfbeeldingsresultaat voor the fault in our stars movie

Elien

Monday 14 November 2016

Band of the Month: Bring Me The Horizon



Music has always been a huge part of my life. I love going to music concerts and to music festivals. My iPod is next to my ereader my best friend. I never go anywhere without my music. So I figured that it was about time that I introduced some music in my blog. From now on I will feature one of my favorite bands each month. Maybe you know them, maybe you don’t. Maybe you’ll like them, maybe you’ll hate them. But anyway I think that this is going to be lots of fun!

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Afbeeldingsresultaat voor bring me the horizonBring Me The Horizon, or BMTH, is a rock band from Sheffield in the UK. The guys formed their band in 2004 and since then they haven been pouring out their souls in their music. Throughout the years their sound has changed a lot. Their firsts albums were leaning more towards deathcore while their last album can be described as alternative rock. It is probably one of the things that I love the most about this band. Their sound keeps changing every album, they never stand still and they are never afraid to try something new. And somehow the guys make it work every single time! Earlier this year they did a concert for Teenage Cancer Trust Fund with a live orchestra and choir. I went to the show and the evening was just magical. I have no words to describe it. But their music has such a great vibe and the lyrics are great as well. So for me this band has it all. Fun fact their name is from the final line of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Captain Jack Sparrow then says "Now, bring me that horizon." 


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