Bookish Birthday Haul 2014

The Moomins Cookbook

Alice in Wonderland tote bag

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - Penguin Clothbound Edition

Disaster Designs Book Club Clutch Bag

It was my birthday at the end of September and I was lucky enough to receive a few bookish birthday presents so I thought I'd share them on here! From my Mum I received a beautiful new Penguin Clothbound version of Sense and Sensibility. How gorgeous are these set of books? I'd been putting off buying these to try to save some money but I gave in recently and bought Pride and Prejudice so I was glad to have another book to add to my new collection! My Mum also bought me this clutch bag from Disaster Designs which is shaped like a book! I'm so obsessed in love with these - I've already got a purse to match. Nobody can miss my bookishness now ;)

I also received this very pretty Moomin cookbook from my boyfriend's parents. One of my (many) obsessions is The Moomins and my boyfriend's Mum loves them also so I often get Moomin-themed presents from her. I'd not even heard of any Finnish cuisine before I was given this book so I'm really looking forward to trying out some of these recipes soon. My sister also kindly bought me this Alice in Wonderland tote bag which will definitely come in handy for lugging my university books and folders around with me!

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Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han [SPOILERS]

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Series: n/a

Format: Paperback (paid for myself)

Rating: 2/5

WARNING: This review contains spoilers!

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Goodreads description: Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. One for every boy she's ever loved. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control...

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My review: Oh books with pretty covers. You keep drawing me in with your loveliness like a moth to a flame. I'm not going to lie, I only picked up this book a) because of its gorgeous cover and b) because I've seen it hyped all over Instagram and Twitter but I have to admit, I was quite disappointed with it. While I did actually really like Jenny Han's writing style, from all the hype this book has been getting I was expecting a cutesy love story similar to Stephanie Perkins's Anna books but I found myself getting annoyed with it quite a lot:

1. Lara Jean kept going from being a sweet, innocent girl to this scatter-brained, self-centred, babyish person without any warning. 

2. As well as acting like she had two separate identities, I never knew what Lara Jean was thinking half the time and I don't think she did either! She spent years pining over her neighbour Josh (who is also her sister's ex...), then when Josh finally confesses that he does actually like her back, she suddenly decides that no, she has actually liked someone else (Peter) all along. Where did that come from? I'm not really keen on the idea of someone dating their sister's ex but it felt like the whole book was set up for Lara Jean and Josh to get together at the end so I was a bit thrown when she decides, seemingly out of nowhere, that Peter is the one for her.

3 The ending. Or lack of! There's no concrete ending to this story which is one of my biggest annoyances in a book. There isn't really any resolution to any of the character's stories.

*Le sigh*. I really thought this would be another Fangirl or Anna and the French Kiss but sadly it was not to be. I've not been put off Jenny Han's writing though so I think I'll have to try her other books to see if I like them any better.

Have you read any of Jenny Han's books? What did you think?

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Book cover image from Goodreads

September 2014 Wrap Up

Books I read in September:

Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern [my review here]

Rating: 5/5

Austenland by Shannon Hale [my review here]
Rating: 3.5/5
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: 5/5

Only another three books this month! Oops. I really need to start picking up my reading pace if I'm going to complete my Goodreads challenge this year...

The first book I read in September was Where Rainbows End. I was a bit reluctant to read this book at first because of its format (it's written in letters, emails etc. between the characters) but I really enjoyed it in the end! It's such a sweet book and although I think the film (Love, Rosie) will be quite different from the book from what I've seen of the trailers so far, I'm still very excited to see it! I did a review on this book which is available here.

The next book I read was Austenland. While I did enjoy it, I found that I actually enjoyed the film adaptation more which was a shame because I was really looking forward to this book! I also did a review on this book as well so if you'd like to read it you can do so here.

The last book I read in September was Isla and the Happily Ever After. I absolutely loved this book! The first few chapters had me grinning like an absolute maniac on the bus! I think Anna and the French Kiss is still my favourite out of the three, but Isla was definitely a lovely, lovely book and a great conclusion to the trilogy.

Just a quick note before I go - as I'm back at uni now and already pulling my hair out about essay deadlines (!!), I'm going to stop doing my monthly TBR lists for a while. I'm just literally going to pick up whatever books I fancy now so hopefully it'll encourage me to read more frequently!

What did you read in September? Have you read any of these books?

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Book cover images from Goodreads

Meeting Holly Black and Cassandra Clare!

On Saturday 4th October my friend and I traveled to Bath to attend the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature event for Holly Black and Cassandra Clare's new book, The Iron Trial! The event consisted of a 45 minute talk about The Iron Trial and questions from the audience, followed by a book signing. I've been lucky enough to meet Cassandra Clare before at a previous signing but this was my first time meeting Holly Black and she certainly didn't disappoint! They were both so hilarious and interesting together and so, so sweet! It was really interesting to hear about The Iron Trial in more detail as well. I'd previously read 7 chapters of it before the event but I'm very excited to finish it now!

After the event we could get two books signed - a copy of The Iron Trial and another book of our choice. As I've not read any of Holly Black's books I decided to buy a copy of The Coldest Girl In Coldtown to get signed. I've heard lots of good things about it and from reading the blurb it sounds just like my kind of book!

Have you read either of these books? What did you think of them?

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September 2014 Book Haul

From top to bottom:
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (pocket edition) by C.S. Lewis [giveaway prize]
Ironside by Holly Black
Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

Emma (BBC tie-in cover) by Jane Austen

Austenland by Shannon Hale (my review here)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Clothbound Classics edition) by Jane Austen

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Pride and Prejudice (1995 BBC tie-in edition) by Jane Austen

I bought/acquired sixteen books in September. SIXTEEN. And this isn't even including the bookish presents that I recieved for my birthday at the end of the month. Oops. As you can imagine I'm going to be on book buying ban in October... Well, a partial one that is... ;)

There's so many things I could say about all of these books but I'm going to keep it short or else I think I'd end up writing an essay! I won this gorgeous pocket edition of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from a giveaway on twitter. The Chronicles of Narnia were one of my favourite book series as a child (and still are!) so I was very excited to have won this beautiful edition. 

I also bought The Gift, Let It Snow and Outlander to save for the Christmas and New Year period. I know Outlander isn't a Christmas-y book but we're visiting family in the countryside over New Year so I thought it would be the perfect book to snuggle up by the fire with. If you do have any Christmas-y book recommendations though, please send them my way!

With my student finance (I totally bought books with the money, so it's fine!) I also bought this lovely Penguin clothbound edition of Pride and Prejudice. I've been eyeing up these classics editions for a while and I decided to take the plunge! I'd definitely love to build up a collection of these in future.

What did you buy this month? Do you have any of these books?

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Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Title: Austenland

Author: Shannon Hale

Series: Book 1 of the Austenland series

Format: Paperback (paid for myself)

Rating: 3.5/5

Goodreads description: Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man-perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of "Pride and Predjudice." When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

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Favourite quotes: "Jane sat beside Colonel Andrews. He had a dashing smile. It nearly dashed right off his face."

"And here you are. Miss Erstwhile. You are infuriating and irritating, and yet I find myself looking for you."

"I suddenly had to see you again. I know that seems ridiculous, but I look at you, and I feel sure of something."

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My review: Austenland tells the story of Jane, a woman who has had a string of unsuccessful boyfriends which she blames on her love of Mr Darcy and the high expectations he brings with him. Her Aunt sees her unhappiness and leaves Jane a trip to Austenland in her will, a holiday destination in England where you can live like a Jane Austen character for a few weeks, which Jane's Aunt hopes will finally break her Darcy infatuation.

In the past, whenever I have read a book after watching the film adaptation first I have never had any problems with enjoying the book. However, sadly, the same cannot be said for Austenland. I'd seen the 2013 film several times before I decided to pick up the book it was based on. I fell in love with the film's comedy, it's Bridget Jones-esque heroine and its downright silliness. However while the book did share the same basic storyline as the film, it seemed to fall flat in comparison. The characters just weren't as hilarious and full of life as they were in the film - I felt sorry for the book's Miss Charming rather than wanting to laugh along with her like I did whilst watching the film and I even found it hard to warm to the main character, Jane.

However please don't think that my issues with this book come primarily from its comparison to the film. While I do love the general idea of this book, it just wasn't executed how I thought it would be. It had elements of silliness mixed in with serious which didn't work for me and left me cringing slightly at the end instead of swooning. However despite my disappointment, I still did enjoy reading this book. It's packed with many funny lines and was also a very quick and easy read. I especially enjoyed the description of Jane's previous break-ups at the start of each chapter (for example: "Boyfriend #7 Juan Inskeep, age twenty-five. Gay."). And the book definitely gets at least a few points for having the best dedication of all time at the front.

Before I started reading Austenland I was so sure I would be ordering the sequel, Midnight in Austenland, as soon as I'd finished the first book but now I'm not too sure. I think I'll just have to content myself with watching the film again. And again, and again, and again...

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Book cover image from Goodreads

Bookish Hair Bows | Lavender Latte

I came across Lavender Latte while I was browsing on Instagram one day and I fell in love! They have a range of gorgeous hair bows from nautical-themed bows to Star Wars ones but what really caught my eye was their bookish bows! I ordered a Hunger Games-inspired bow straight away but soon after I had to make another order.

They have a great range of book-inspired bows including Harry Potter, TFIOS and A Song of Ice and Fire/GoT ones! And even though they are based in Australia, they are very reasonably priced. Each medium bow is less than £4 each (all the bows pictured here are a medium size) and the shipping is only £3.10 for the first item and 28p for each additional item!

What's more, Etsy are currently running a promotion where if you refer someone to Etsy, they'll give them £5 towards their first purchase! If you're interested please use this link to sign up for an account: http://etsy.me/1tIDFWZ

How amazing are these?! I've already got my eye on a few more bows for my next order...

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P .S. I was in no way sponsored for this post, I just really love this shop and wanted to share their bows with you!

Review: Where Rainbows End (Love, Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern

Title: Where Rainbows End

Alternative title: Love, Rosie

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Series: n/a

Format: Paperback (paid for myself)

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads description: Since childhood, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But they're suddenly separated when Alex and his family move from Dublin to America. 

Their magical connection remains but can their friendship survive the years and miles?

Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart – until now. But will they gamble everything – including their friendship – on true love? And what twists and surprises does fate have in store for them this time ... ?

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Favourite quotes: "Bethany wants a house in Martha's Vineyard. I've never met Martha and I don't know how she would feel about us moving onto her vineyard all of a sudden." 

"His name is Ted... He's overweight but then again so am I so who cares; we can bounce off each other."

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My review: I picked up this book in anticipation of the upcoming film adaptation, Love, Rosie. Where Rainbows End is a love story of two characters, Rosie and Alex, who have been friends since they were children but events in both of their lives keep getting in the way of them bringing their relationship to the next level. The book is written in an epistolary format of letters, emails, instant messages etc. between Rosie, Alex and their friends and family. I usually avoid books written in this format like the plague but the trailer for the movie looked so funny and sweet so I was curious to give the book a go. When I first started reading it, I did find the format annoying me as instead of directly experiencing the events of the story, you only really hear about them after they've happened (for example an important birthday party is described by a character in a couple of lines rather than 'experienced' and depicted in detail). This really did annoy me at first as it felt like we might be missing out on important information about the story but once I settled into the format, I found it a very easy read.

I kept picking up and putting down the book to begin with as I was reading about four other books at the same time (I really must stop doing that!) but when I picked it up again recently at about 60 pages in, I found myself breezing through the story. All of the chapters merge into each other so well that I would pass through several chapters at once without realising I wasn't on the same chapter I began with. The characters were all so lovable and funny (at least the nice ones anyway!) so it was very easy to become immersed in their lives. I especially loved Rosie as even though she'd been through a lot of hardships, she kept picking herself back up again and carrying on with humour.

The only thing I'd change about this book is that I'd like the ending to be beefed out a little more but otherwise I think I can easily say that this is one of my favourite books that I've read so far in 2014! I'd definitely recommend this book if you're after an easy, light-hearted and funny read.

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Book cover image from Goodreads

August 2014 Book Haul + Green Metropolis Bookstore

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini [competition prize]
Longbourn by Jo Baker
Isla and the Happily Forever After by Stephanie Perkins
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Where Rainbows End by Cecila Ahern

Oh dear. As you can see, I went a bit book-buying crazy in August! I read and fell in love with the first two books from Stephanie Perkins's Anna series in July so I had to get them along with a copy of her new book, Isla and the Happily Ever After. I think I've won a copy of Isla in a giveaway as well though (eek!) so I'm saving this copy to do my own giveaway on Instagram soon.

I also bought Shadow and Bone as I read it last month and Where Rainbows End with Longbourn to read before their respective films come out (although I fear the Longbourn film might be a long way off yet *sob*). Additionally I'm very excited but also a little petrified about reading The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. There's a quote on the cover from Stephen King that describes it as 'one of the most horrifying things I've read in my entire life'. Definitely one to save for the daylight hours then I think!

I also bought a copy of If I Stay which came from Green Metropolis. I may be preaching to the converted here, but if you live in the UK and you've not heard of Green Metropolis I'd highly recommend you check them out. They're basically like an online charity bookshop where most of their books are priced at just £3.75 with free delivery! How I wish I'd found out about them before! All their books range in condition but you can find some new ones. This copy of If I Stay was listed as new but it didn't state which version of the cover it was, so as you can imagine I was very surprised (and happy!) when the new movie cover turned up. It may take a bit of digging around but there are definitely some good bargains to be had on there. Plus with all this Amazon drama recently, Green Metropolis might be a good alternative to Amazon if you're not too keen on buying books from them anymore.

I was also lucky enough to win a competition on Twitter hosted by My Kinda Book. The prize was a copy of Josephine Angelini's new book, Trial by Fire, and some lovely book swag! I'm very excited to read this book, the story sounds really interesting and all the reviews I have seen so far seem to be raving about it!

What did you buy in August? Have you read any of these books that I bought?

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P.S. This isn't a sponsored post - I just cannot get over how cheap GM are!

August Wrap Up & September To Be Read (2014)

Books I read in August:

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Rating: 3/5

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Rating: 4/5
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Rating: 5/5

Compared to the seven books I read in July this month has been a bit of a poor effort! I only managed to read two of my August TBR books as well, whoops! The first was The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen and the second, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. This is the second Sarah Dessen book I've read (the first being 'That Summer' which I didn't like at all) and I'm sad to report that I still can't understand the hype with her books. I'm still determined to carry on reading them though so if I come across more of her books in a charity shop I'll give them a go. I did however really enjoy A Game of Thrones and I plan to post a review of it soon.

The other book I read this month was If I Stay by Gayle Forman in preparation for the film that has recently come out. Even though it wasn't the kind of book I'd usually enjoy (I usually avoid books with sad topics such as this one like the plague), I found that I did like it. I especially loved Mia and Adam's relationship. I think this book will work very well as a film so I'm looking forward to seeing it soon.

Books I intend to read in September:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

I'm starting my second year of university in September (at a new university, eek!) so I'm only going to put the bare essentials on my reading list as I don't know if I'll get that much time for reading. As I didn't manage to read my August book jar book, The Host, I've carried it over to this month's TBR. In addition my September book jar read is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I'm really excited to read this one as I've always enjoyed the TV and film adaptations so I'm hoping I'll fall in love with the actual book too. I'd also like to carry on with the A Song of Ice and Fire series by reading the second book, A Clash of Kings.

What did you read in August?

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Book cover images from Goodreads

My Top Ten Austen, Gaskell & Brontë TV and Film Adaptations

When I'm having a bad day my favourite remedy, as well as curling up with a massive bar of chocolate,  is to watch a romantic period drama. My favorites are those that are based on classic romance novels so I thought instead of doing this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic, I'd do my top ten favourite TV and film adaptations of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë's novels. Because I will take literally any excuse to talk about these!

1. North and South (2004 TV miniseries)

"Elizabeth Gaskell's classic explores the simmering, restrained passion between two very different people who fall in love in site of themselves."

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There are no words to describe my love for this miniseries. I'd not even heard of Elizabeth Gaskell before my Aunt showed us this when we visited her house at Christmas last year but North and South is now a firm favourite of mine. If you're not familiar with the story either I'd say its quite similar to Pride and Prejudice in some aspects, although it has a richer and darker storyline. BUT IT IS SO LOVELY. Especially Richard Armitage. That voice *sigh*.

TRY AND STOP ME.

2. Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV miniseries)

"The romance, drama and humour of Jane Austen's greatest novel are perfectly captured by an all-star cast in this 1995 adaptation by award winning writer Andrew Davies."

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Obviously this one needs no explanation! Although I'm probably more likely to reach for the 2005 film version if I need a Pride and Prejudice fix, this one takes the lead because of its longer storyline. I still watch this from start to finish once or twice a year. It really is a timeless classic!

3. Pride and Prejudice (2005 film)

"Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?"

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This film is so, so beautiful. Just, ugh. I'm struck every time I watch it by how visually stunning it is. The cast is also just as excellent in this adaptation as the famous 1995 TV version above.

4. Austenland

"Obsessed with Pride and Prejudice (1995), a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman."

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This film recently replaced Bridget Jones as my favourite comedy pick-me-up film. The storyline is by no means groundbreaking but if you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice and love a good comedy, I'd definitely recommend looking this up. Plus JJ Field. Nuff' said.

If you haven't seen this film, this GIF should be reason enough for you to run out and hunt down a copy right now!

5. Sense and Sensibility (1995 film)

"Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the titular opposites."

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Fun fact (and completely not related to how brilliant this film is, and it is brilliant!): one of the filming locations for this film is literally up the road from where I live!

This is too adorable for words!

6. Jane Eyre (2006 TV miniseries)

"A young governess falls in love with her brooding and complex master. However, his dark past may destroy their relationship forever."

7. Mansfield Park (2007 TV film)

"In one of Austen's most complex plots, Billie Piper (Doctor Who, The Ruby in the Smoke) stars as Fanny Price, who goes to live with prosperous relatives at Mansfield Park."

8. Becoming Jane (2007 film)

"A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman."

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This is partly based on a biographical book about Jane Austen's life rather than one of her novels but I had to include it here because it is so lovely.

*swoon*

9. Death Comes to Pemberley

"Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married, are preparing for their annual ball when festivities are brought to an abrupt halt. An adaptation of PD James's homage to Pride and Prejudice."

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I'm a bit surprised I ranked this one so highly considering I hated it the first time I watched it! While it is a great show and I think the murder mystery element to it is really well done, Elizabeth and Darcy seem completely wrong to me. It's nothing to do with the actors, the whole cast is brilliant but I should imagine it comes from the book or the script. They're just not Austen's Elizabeth and Darcy for me at all but if you can get past that it is actually a pretty good watch.

10. Emma (1996 TV film)

"Emma Woodhouse has a rigid sense of propriety as regards matrimonial alliances. Unfortunately she insists on matchmaking for her less forceful friend, Harriet, and so causes her to come to grief. Through the sharp words of Mr. Knightley, and the example of the opinionated Mrs. Elton, someone not unlike herself, Emma's attitudes begin to soften..."

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There are so many great adaptations of Emma but this one comes out tops for me because of Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong.

Honorable mentions: Emma (1996 film & 2009 TV miniseries), Northanger Abbey (2007 TV film), Jane Eyre (2011 film), The Jane Austen Book Club and Lost In Austen.

Before anyone bats me across the head for not including any Persuasion adaptations, I haven't seen them for years and have forgotten almost everything about them but I'm sure if I could remember them I'd probably include at least one on this list! I also haven't seen any other adaptations of Elizabeth Gaskell's books (e.g. Wives and Daughters and Cranford) so this list might be different after I'd seen those.

Which of these would make your list? Are there any I haven't mentioned that you'd include?

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Film posters/DVD covers from Google Images, GIFs from Tumblr