Book Review : Making A Difference : 12 Qualities That Make You A Leader by Sheila Murray Bethel

Hello. How was your day?

Click here for the book details.

This book is exactly what it says. The points are long enough to convey meaning yet short enough to remain on the point. The examples given throughout this book are wonderful and extremely inspiring. This book may be about leadership and what-not but it sure works as a pick-me-up book. In moments of slight depression, this book has done me good.

Overall, 5 stars over 5.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to everyone, EVERYONE.

Tweedle-dee, Tweedle-dum.

March To-Be-Read

Hi. How was your day?

In March, I want to go about reading books in a more systematic way so I am going to plan ahead what I want to read.

1. Making A Difference : 12 Qualities That Make You A Leader by Sheila Murray Bethel










2. Blood Red Road by Moira Young 

3. Hand Me Down World by Lloyd Jones











4. Sorceress by Celia Rees 












I might add some more books if I finish these. Those are surprises. Haha.

Tweedle-dee, Tweedle-dum,
Ami.

February Reads.

Hello there.

My average rating for this month was 3.86. Not bad.
This is the list of books I read in February.

1. Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking Trilogy #3) by Patrick Ness 

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Read the review here.

2. Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Fantasy
Read the review here.

3. Bereft by Chris Womersly

Genre: Historical Fiction
Read the review here.

4. Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Read the review here.

The book of the month goes to:

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

Tweedle-dee Tweedle-dum,
Ami.

Book Review : Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

Hi there. How was your day?

Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

I don't care for the cover.

Genre : Contemporary Fiction
ISBN : 0747097855
Released : 5th January 2009
Language : English
Format : Paperback, 288 pages
Source : Borrowed from a friend.

I believe in Chloe and chocolate.

I believe the best part is always before.

I believe that most girls are shifty and most guys are dumb.

I believe the more you spill, the less you are.

I don't believe in life after death or diuretics or happy endings.

I don't believe anything good can come from this.

Riley Rose doesn't want to be at Spirit Ranch Holiday Camp. Riley wants to be partying with her best friend Chloe at the beautiful Ben Sebatini's house. She has a plan to get away from the jumpsuit-wearing counsellors, the feel-good mantras, do-gooder campers and the monotonous schedule of team-building exercises and outdoor activities.

But is everything at the Spirit Ranch as it appears? What secrets are waiting for discovery in the abandoned Fraser house? And why doesn't anyone want to talk about the accident that landed the mysterious Dylan in a wheelchair last year?

*Description from Goodreads.com

          First, let's talk about Riley Rose. What I like about Riley (and the amazing job the author did of bringing her character to life) is that she is not perfect and even though I hate what makes her imperfect, I can't help but like her anyway. This is a new experience for me. Sluts in books don't get along with me. This one really did. Riley can be bad but she can also be good. Nothing is overly dramatized. Thumbs up, Simmone Howell!

          The other characters were a bit dull for me (except Dylan, he was okay). There aren't that much characters in the book and now, almost a week after I have finished the book, I hardly remember them at all. They aren't distinguishable. I think the characters could have been more unique and vibrant to add to the feel of the book. 

          The writing was okay. I don't particular remember any of it but it did not annoy me so that's a plus.

Plot line, I love it. I read this book when I was looking for something to pick me up from a book that got me partially depressed. Read about that here. The plot was simple and predictable but it was exactly what I needed. Don't hate cliches. Sometimes cliches are good. This is an example.

          When I read a book, a factor often crosses off a star is romance. I am one of those people that get easily agitated by sappy romances, (bad) cheesy dialogues and overestimated 'love'. In teenage books, agitation comes much more easily. Teenagers are teenagers, we don't fall in love after 2 seconds and say "I love you and I would risk my life for you." Sheesh. Don't worry. This book is nothing like that. The romance is quick, simple, believable and here's the best part; the book ends without any dramatic love declaration. And it was a good book. How about that?

          The ending was just lovely. Tied all the loose ends that needed to be tied and left other loosed ends to fray. 

Overall, this book earns 4 out of 5 stars. I really recommend it. ^_^

Tweedle-dee, Tweedle-dum,

See you soon.

2013 Bookish Resolutions

Hello there.
How was your day?

I know it's already February but hey, better late than never.
So here goes.

Resolution #1
I want to read all the books on my shelf that haven't been read.
There are a total of 33 books which isn't too overwhelming but still, I should read more of what I have before buying new books.

Which brings me to...

Resolution #2
I am only allowed to buy one book for every five books that I read; with an exception of money that my parents give me and the Big Bad Wolf Sale at the end of the year.

Resolution #3
I want to read more classics. I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen last year and absolutely loved it! Authors on my list are Jane Austen (ah, of course), Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Bronte sisters.

Resolution #4
I want to finish the-..wait, don't get mad....-Harry Potter series. Are you done yelling?
I know, I know. My childhood was not complete. :D
Since the last books in the series are quite thick, I'd like to have the classic hardback box set. And it doesn't come cheap. = ="
I've read up to Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. I love it so much already. What's not to love?

Resolution #5
Finish my non-fiction books. I don't have a lot; probably 10 of my own. Non-fiction books are a bit of a challenge for me. I don't whizz through them as fast and in my defense, I read them slow because I want to make sure that I remember key points in the book. I only read one non-fiction book last year so I might be stretching my resolution too far, but that's not stopping me from trying my best.

Resolution #6
Review books all the books that I read (starts after this post).

Resolution #7
Continuously update this blog with quality posts. Resolutions, contrary to the common saying, are not meant to be broken. At least I don't think so. ^_^

If all goes well, then,..... well, what else could I be but happy?

Tweedle-dee Tweedle-dum.
Cheerio!

Book Review: Bereft By Chris Womersly

Hi there. How was your day?

Bereft by Chris Womersly
Genre: Historical Fiction

It is a pretty cover. I like how the earthy tones meet each other.

A CRIME UNSPEAKABLE

Australia, 1919. Quinn Walker returns from the Great War to the New South Wales town of Flint; the birthplace he fled ten years earlier when he was accused of a heinous act.

A LIE UNFORGIVABLE

Aware of the townsmen's vow to hang him, Quinn takes to the surrounding hills. Here, deciding upon his plan of action, and questioning just what he has returned for, he meets Sadie Fox.

A BOND UNSPEAKABLE

This mysterious girl seems to know, and share, his darkest fear. And, as their bond greatens, Quinn learns what he must do to lay the ghosts of his past, and Sadie's present, to rest.

*description on the back of the book*

           The book started off quite slow but it was okay. I noticed right-off that the writing was though beautiful, sometimes over-descriptive. I didn't mind it that much though because it is a relatively short book compared to some other books I read. If the book was longer, it would be a problem.

        Lets talk about the characters. Quinn Walker is....how do I put it...confusing. I do feel sorry for him sometimes (because of his post-war trauma). I do feel that the writing was not done as good as I would like it to be. The emotions were there, just not enough. War is an emotional subject. I could have touched me better.

         Quinn is too weird. I am put-off by his obsession with his sister. It is too creepy for me.

          The other character that can be considered a main character is Sadie Fox. She is a girl of 12-years old that lives with Quinn in the hills. She's the one that finds him food and tells him secrets. Sadie practices what I think is witchcraft (this is not a spoiler, don't worry). Sometimes the creep factor is a plus and other times, just plain random. One minute she does something, I go "Oh, that's so disgusting". Sometimes I go "Why the hell..?"

        One thing I enjoyed in this book was the war stories Quinn would tell (or remember). Flashbacks are often in this story and often I was more interested in them than the actual plot. The stories were vivid (the description comes in handy here) and gruesome. This one particular scene was totally cringe-worthy.

          The relationship between Quinn and Sadie is one of the parts of that I feel most awkward about. I mean, what is it? Brotherly love? Sexual tension? It disturbs me. After finishing the book, I still couldn't figure out what has gone so wrong with Sadie that she had ended up like that. 

The parts where both Sadie and Quinn were present I hated the most. No. No.

          The ending was NOT satisfying for me. No, it seems pointless. I feel as if the plot has abandoned me.

Overall, I give this book 2.5 stars. Yeah, I did not like it that much.

If you've read this book, what are your thoughts on it?

Tweedle-dee, tweedle-dum,
Cheerio!

Book Review : Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

I'm here with another review.
^_^

Genre : Fantasy

What is this book about?

The story follows Tessa Gray who comes England to meet her brother, Nate Gray and she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. These people are also responsible for the abduction of her brother. They threaten to harm her brother if she doesn't do as they say and she soon discovers the dangerous power that she has. This power drags her into a complex world of Shadowhunters, Warlocks, Vampires and other creatures. The quest to save her brother may not be as simple as she thinks it is.

What do I think?

Thumbs up:
1. The characters are very likable. I normally get annoyed by female main characters. I wasn't with Tessa. She is ridiculously brave or strong or sarcastic. She has realistic flaws and she doesn't make stupid decisions.
I'm quite fond of the love interest as well. Ahhhh.
2. The plot pacing was just nice. The action scenes were superb but the more relaxed scenes were wonderful as well.
3. It has a healthy amount of characters and diversity.
4. The literature references from A Tale of Two Cities and Jane Austen.
5. The plot twists. Oh my, cleverly put. I did not see them coming AT ALL.

Things I don't care enough for:
1. Cassandra Clare's writing. Maybe i just haven't absorbed her style just yet since I whizzed through this book in 2 days.

Some quotes:

"One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us."

Will's eyes were very blue."There's plenty of sense in nonsense sometimes, if you wish to look for it."

Overall, 5 stars out of 5.

I didn't really like The Mortal Instruments Series that much but I love this one. Check it out! ^_^