Infinity Dreams Award

Hey guys! 

(Sorry for the late post)

Yay I love awards, they're really cool haha

I've been nominated by the beautiful Giselle @ Perks of Being A Reader, thank you Giselle for the nomination. Go check out her blog! She's amazing <3 
I'm soooo late on this, but hey! Better Late then never right?

The Rules

1. Thank and Follow the blog that has nominated you. 
2. Tell us 11 facts about you. 
3. Answer the questions that were set up for you. 
4. Nominate 11 and make your questions for them.

11 Facts About Me

1. I get super anxious about almost everything
2. I have a phobia of mice/rats
3. I hate going out, in fact, most of my friends get frustrated with me for it. I get too excited for plans then whenever they're close to happening, I freak out and feel the urge to bail.
4. I haven't read anything by Cassandra Clare.. I know, shocker.
5. I barely watch TV anymore, I'm an avid YouTube watcher
6. Black is my absolute favorite color (it's a color to me, not a shade so yeah)
7. It's been a habit of mine to eat healthy, I barely eat any junk food anymore. It was a lengthy process, but I now seem to enjoy healthy food over junk food. Which is good! 
8. I'd rather be sick than swallow pills and take injections, especially injections. I have a minor phobia of injections.
9. I've recently chopped off my hair
10. Texting is not really my thing.. (I'm basically a grandma)
11. I get anxious thinking about going to uni and planning my future, I suck at planning and I hate it. I like going with the flow.

The Questions I received from Giselle

1. Strange reading habit?

I keep a copybook and a pen nearby whenever I'm reading so I can write in notes and character names (I tend to forget). Also, I hate writing in books so.. 

2. Who would be your book best friend and why? 

Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief, he's the most adorable little kid and he was so supportive and sweet to Liesel.

3. The perfect day would consist of...

Receiving an unexpected book package.

4. What's one embarrassing moment from school? 

I peed myself once, yup, I was 8. We don't need to remember that.. 

5. What's something that always makes you happy?

Indulging in a well-written book with amazing world-building.

6. If your life was a musical what would be a theme song?

Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved. It has been my favorite song ever since I was in 7th grade.

7. What did you want want  when you were a kid.

I wanted to be a journalist, a doctor and a teacher. When I grew up, I realized that being a doctor would be a fail, also being a teacher and I'll hopefully take the right path to being a journalist.

8. 2015 goals?

Be more happy, be more open to experiences, say yes more.

9. What would be your patronus.

I'd love mine to be a Stag, I would be as cool and as awesome as James and Harry Potter.
10. What does your life look like in 20 years

Married with kids, successful, happy :)  

11. Who is your idol and why?

My father, he has always been a true inspiration of mine. He is very successful and loves his career besides, he is very talented; he can draw, sing, play the guitar/piano/drums. I'd love to be more like him! 

I Nominate


I cheated and nominated 12 instead of 11. Oops.

1. Izzy @ The Reading Izzy
2. Melissa @ In a Bookish World
3. Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages
4. Sara @ The Page Sage
5. Evie @ Prescription Fiction
6. Holly @ Lost in a Library
7. Morrighan @ Elysian Fields
8. Noelia @ A Day in Bookland
9. Agata @ Vanilla Reads
10. Filippa @ Countless Books
11. Sabrina M @ Sabrina's Stories
12. Fari @ My Little Corner for Books

My Questions for you

1. What is 5 books that are shameful to be on your TBR?
2. What is your reading goal for 2015?
3. Who is one book character that you love, but everybody else seems to hate?
4. What is your biggest fear?
5. Hardcovers or paperbacks? 
6. What is your favorite animal?
7. Do you have any hidden talents? 
8. Do you play any sports? (besides reading, duh)
9. Who is your ultimate celebrity crush? 
10. What kind of music is your favorite? 
11. What are 5 books that affected you deeply/ made you cry? (I'd love to know) 

Alright guys, this is what I have for you today. 

Have an amazing day or night! 

BOOK TAG: The Christmas Carol Book Tag

Well hello there everyone! :) *Tyler Oakley voice*

So today I'll be doing the Christmas Carol book tag and I was tagged by Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages, go check her blog out, she's amazing! Thank you for tagging me <3


1. "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
 - Name a villainous character you can't help but love to hate. -

I love love to hate President Snow from The Hunger Games. He is portrayed perfectly in the movies and I despise him.

2. "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
- What book do you most want to find under your Christmas tree this year? -

Definitely Wonder by R.J. Palacio! Raeleen from padfootandprongs on YouTube loves it and she has similar taste to mine, so I'm sure I'll love it! But because we're in the holiday season, I would love to find My True Love Gave to Me, the UK cover. It's an anthology of short stories by 12 amazing authors and it's gorgeous (The pages are hot PINK)

3. "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer"
- Name your favorite character that had to overcome a major obstacle.Why are they your favorite?-

I'm guessing Julian from the Delirium trilogy, I won't say why though, because spoilers, but I'm still team Alex nonetheless. 

4. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
- Which character do you think is at the top of Santa's "Nice" and which at the top of his "Naughty" List? -

I read this question and immediately thought of Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter making the naughty list. Also, Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief making the nice list. Definitely! 






5. "Frosty the Snowman"
- What book just melts your heart? -

The term "melts my heart" is really different from "rips my heart out", I'll just go with Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover because it ripped it out and melted it at the same time.. 

6. "Feliz Navidad"
- Your favorite book that takes place in a country other than your own? -

Weirdly enough, I couldn't think of anything except for Harry Potter! I'm on a HP kick right now, I'm reading and watching all the books and movies, I'm in awe. I love Hogwarts!

7. "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
- What book do you read to get you into the Christmas spirit? -

Unintentionally, this turned out to be a HP/ The Book Thief tag.. I would definitely recommend The Book Thief, it's set during the winter and it's an amazing read. I would also like to read Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, I've heard amazing things and I recommend it (even though I haven't read it yet)

8. "Sleigh Ride"
- What character would you most want to spend the holiday with? -

There is no such thing as too much Harry Potter, now is there?.. Without thinking, I would definitely spend the holidays with The Weasleys!! It would be LEGEN-wait for it-DARY (If you get the reference, then you're awesome)

9. "Baby It's Cold Outside"
- Which book do you hate so much you'd sacrifice it to the fire to stay warm? -

Ouch.. I wouldn't even dare to sacrifice my most hated books, that would be terrible, but if I had to, I'd definitely go with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho or 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James. Need I say more..?

10. "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
- What book would you recommend to everyone? -

Looking for Alaska by John Green or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. These two books right there are two of my favorites and are easy, fast paced reads! :) 

If you've read any of the books I've mentioned or agree with any of my answers, comment down below :) x

Have a great day everyone! 

-Jay

TBR: November 2014

Hello everyone, 

I'm bringing you my November 2014 TBR list, I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year and I'm extremely slow on reading. 

 

Opal I've already read. Origin is the book I'm currently reading.
The Whispers of The Fallen and The Walls Around Us are review books.

I still don't know what I'll pick up, maybe I'll decide to read something completely different, but I will read the rest of the Lux series FOR SURE.

If you've read these books, please leave your SPOILER FREE thoughts on them down below, I'd love to see them! 

I hope you have an amazing day or night x

-Jay 

Book Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Goodreads:

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late. 

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. 

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target. 

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally? 

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

I haven’t read Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush Hush series, so it was my first time experimenting with her writing style. Although this book is completely different from Hush Hush, I actually really liked it.

Black Ice is a thriller/mystery novel about a girl Britt and her bestfriend Korbie going on a camping trip in the mountains. Korbie’s dad insisted that Korbie’s brother (who also happens to be Britt’s ex- boyfriend), Calvin tags along as a chaperone. As the two girls where driving alone up the mountain, the car stops and a snowstorm hits; so the girls walk for miles till they reach a shelter to stay the night in until the snowstorm comes to an end. When they finally reach one, they were introduced to two hot guys in their early twenties; Shaun and Mason. Britt and Korbie both call shotgun on Shaun and start flirting with him, the next thing they know they both were being taken hostages and they were being used to find an escape off the mountain. Britt was the useful one, who has been training and was familiar with the mountains and had survivor skills, while Korbie was being pathetic and whiny and utterly annoying. As things progress, Britt begins having feelings for Mason, but she was unsure of it since he’s the guy who held her captive and she was doubting her emotions all the time claiming that she maybe is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. 

One thing that I really did admire in Black Ice was the incredible progression of the situations, it was very fast-paced and it kept me on edge the whole time; I finished the book in one sitting! Although, I didn’t feel like the writing style was my favorite and I disliked all of the characters, I was actually a huge fan of Becca Fitzpatrick’s development of Britt’s character in the end and her ability in writing a thrilling and an exciting novel.

I honestly did feel like the book was being boring towards the middle, I had the urge to stop reading several times, but I didn’t  let that get to me. I can say that I skipped - well actually not skipped, but skimmed over- some parts that I found really irrelevant.  As I said before, I disliked the characters, I felt like Korbie was a waste of characters (and oxygen), I felt like the girls were so immature at times that you wanted to smack them.

This book gave me serious trust issues, I did like that I couldn’t trust ANYONE at first and towards the end, it really confused me but I pieced the puzzle and I figured out the murderer before it was mentioned. The murder aspect and the setting were the reasons I liked this book and gave it a not so low rating.

SPOILERS. 

Highlight to view:

I don’t know why the hell Britt is still friends with Korbie, she is extremely mean to her and always trying to be better than her. When Britt found out that list, it should have been an indication that this friendship is a fail anyways, she should have confronted Korbie right away; but then again, Britt doesn’t always make the smartest decisions.

 I hated Calvin so much, since the very beginning, Korbie and Calvin are more like each other, they were both willing to cheat, the fact that Korbie was like “yeah but Bear isn’t here” made me so angry at her! Cheating runs in the family I believe.

Britt also annoyed me. She is the fictional character of 13 year old me, she humiliated herself and was dumb enough to create a love story with Calvin and convinced herself that he loved her as much as she loved him when in fact, he was an a-hole who didn’t deserve her. The fact that she was 17 and she still didn’t realize that she needed a reality check is annoying! She was incredibly immature and it reminded me of how I was years ago. Calvin was a carbon copy of my ex-boyfriend, except for the fact that my ex wasn’t a murderer and wasn’t a cheater; but he actually was a douche and treated me terribly. Yet again, I was 13!!! I knew nothing, I was a kid, I can’t fathom the idea of Britt being so infatuated with a complete air-head who used her multiple times and CHEATED ON HER, he didn’t want to declare her as his girlfriend which surprisingly enough, she didn’t disagree to! Oh Britt.

I really liked the mystery factor, I was so confused and couldn’t trust anyone , I thought that Shaun was creepy at first and his hospitability was an act, but I was mad at Britt and Korbie for not getting the clear picture and fighting over a guy WHO THEY JUST MET and could be a murderer (which he was).  I hated that the girl drama blinded them to a point where they couldn’t realize where the real danger is, it was right there.

To add to the list of characters I didn’t like, KORBIE’S DAD. Who kills a dog for barking? He was vicious and again it imprinted on Calvin. I couldn’t blame the guy.. he had a psycho parent and I didn’t expect that he would turn out perfectly fine, he had to be somehow unstable.

Overall, I really liked this book. I gave it 3.5 stars

If you have read Black Ice tell me in the comments down below what your thoughts were!

Have a great day everyone :)x

-Jay  

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

I was nominated for this award by Gloria @ Gloria The Violinist  Thank you soo much Gloria! :), go check out her blog everybody.. she's AWESOME.

My answers to Gloria's questions:

1. What is the first book you ever read out of your own free will ?

That's a hard one, but probably a Roald Dahl book. I don't actually remember my first ever book that I've read.. 

2. If you could replace your best friend with any book character, would you do it ? If yes, with who ?

I would definitely choose Gale from The Hunger Games. He is so supportive and caring over Katniss and even though he loves her, he wants the best for her. I'm team Gale if you haven't noticed.. 

3. How many books do you own ?

Most of my owned books are ebooks. I find them more convenient, I have around 150 books.. not too many but as I've mentioned, I own more ebooks than actual books :)

4. Which book character is the most like you ? 

In determination and the love of family, Katniss Everdeen
In the fangirl aspect, being non social, Cather from Fangirl
In the falling so hard in love aspect, Lena from Delirium

Am I cheating for choosing 3..? um I don't think so.. 

5. Which book character do you hate the most ?

Abby from A beautiful disaster. OH MY GOD, she annoyed me SO MUCH! 

6. What is your favorite color ?

This Blue and black

7. If you would write a book, what would be the main character's name ? 

Probably Elena, even though I hate Elena from TVD, I love her name.

8. If you could live in any country, which one would you live in ?

France, hands down. In Paris.

9. What is it about reading that you like so much ?

I love that readers get to transport into different worlds, every book you've ever read is a world that gets you sucked in. You can indulge in the life of the characters and you can feel them, it's kind of an escape from your real life into theirs. 

10. If you could switch lives with a book character, who would it be ? 

TRIS from Divergent, oh I wouldn't do that because Allegiant haha
I just want to be Four's love interest.. sue me. He's hot.



I nominate: 

Izzy @ The Reading Izzy
Evie @ Prescription Fiction
Jules @ The Book of Jules


My Questions for the Nominees: 


1. What was the best dystiopian book you've ever read?
2. How many books are on your TBR shelf?
3. What is the book that you really want to read but can't get your hands on?
4. What book is your most anticipated book of the year?
5. Who is your most read author?
6. Do you have any signed books? What are they?
7. Who is your favorite contemporary author?
8. What is your favorite book to movie adaptation? 
9. Who is the most relatable character you've ever read about in a book?
10. Which book that you own has the prettiest book cover?

Book TAG: The Random Question Tag

 I was tagged by:

 Izzy @ The Reading Izzy

Gloria @ Gloria The Violinist

Thank you for tagging me guys! J Also, check out their blogs, they’re amazing.

Have you ever thrown a book?

NO!? I wouldn’t dare. Once, my sister threw out the book I was mad at her for a whole day. Besides, I love worn out books anyways.

Do you like lengthy books or short ones?

Depends on the author and the storyline. Some books are lengthy that I love and I enjoy living in the world of the author for a while and I like the writing style of the author and other books I feel like they should be short and it’s enough for me to get closure.

If you don’t like a book, do you stop reading it or finish it?

I usually begin any book by disliking it, it takes me a while to get into a book. If I really dislike it and it causes me a reading slump because I don’t want to come near it, usually I wouldn’t finish it. Guilty. It only happened with two books before though.

Do you stop reading when you’re tired, or when a chapter finishes?

Definitely when a chapter finishes, unless I fell asleep. Who would intentionally leave a chapter unfinished? Wouldn’t you die to know what happens next? I usually don’t stop at one chapter, the ending of a chapter just keeps me going and that’s when you know it’s a good book.

How do you organize your shelf?

I organize my shelves by size. The books I like and that are pretty go on my visible shelves, the books I don’t like and look bad on my shelves, I put them in a less visible shelf somewhere else in my room.

Paperback or hardcover?

I think hardcover books are the most beautiful things I’ve ever laid my eyes on, but where I live hardcover books are extremely expensive and to be honest, they’re harder to read from. I like paperbacks more because they’re more convenient and I own more of them. Looks wise, hardcovers all the way.

A book you cannot wait to read?

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I’m dying to read that series already, but I don’t think I’m ready for it quite yet.

A book that disappointed you?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, it made me dislike all of Paulo Coelho’s books and I couldn’t finish it.

What book made you cry recently?

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, I’ve recently finished it and LOVED IT! Check out my review here

Do you prefer buying books online or going to the bookstore?

I buy ebooks online, A LOT. But I definitely prefer going to the bookstore and holding the book in my hands. I keep looking at it on my shelf all day.. crazy? Maybe..

Do you prefer to listen to music while reading or do you read in silence?

I read in silence, it helps me focus more and I like reading at night while everyone’s sleeping and the only sound I hear is the sound of the pages turning.

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever experienced when reading a book?

I haven't experienced anything weird at all actually while reading, I usually read in my bed at home. It's relaxing and it helps me fall asleep better.

What was your first fandom?

Unlike everyone one else on planet Earth, Twilight was my first and not Harry Potter. At the time I thought it was too mainstream and I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon but I regret that now.. I haven’t read them all and I cannot get into them I don’t know why. I need help.

What fictional character do you relate to most?

That's a really hard one, I don't relate to any character on a personal level and I can't really think of any rare ones atm.. 

What fictional character do you wish you were more like?

Tris from Divergent or Cassie from The 5^th Wave. I wish I was as badass as these two.

If you could spend a whole day with five characters, who would you pick?

I will shamelessly pick 5 fictional boyfriends of mine. Tobias Eaton from Divergent, Evan Walker from The 5^th Wave, Alex from Delirium, Edward Cullen from Twilight and finally Thomas from The Maze Runner since he is Dylan O'Brien in the movie and he is beyond hot.. 

What is a book that exceeded all your expectations?

Delirium by Lauren Oliver, I thought it was too mainstream, but it was perfect.

I tag:

Evie @ Prescription Fiction

Giselle @ Perks of Being a Reader

Axie @ Books are Bread 

I also tag everyone, so if you like to do this tag let me know by leaving a link to it in the comments and I would check it out! J

Have a great day everyone x

-J

Book TAG: The Doctor Who Tag

I was tagged to do this tag by Glora Lo @ Gloria The Violinist . Thank you for tagging me <3
I really don't get what exactly is "Doctor Who" I think it's a TV show of some sort. I'll be doing this tag anyways.. hahaha

First doctor : what is your favorite first book in a series ?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Surely.. or Delirium because I simply love Alex and Lena beyond words

Second doctor : What is your favorite sequel ? 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Third doctor : What is your favorite trilogy ?

DELIRIUM. Hands down.

Fourth doctor : What is your most colourful book ?

I'm thinking Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw. This one's a classic and I've read it for school 3 years ago. LOVED IT.

Fifth doctor : What is a book about sports that you've read ?

I couldn't think of anything since I actually despise sports, but something came to mind. In Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song, Will played volley ball. that counts right? haha

Sixth doctor : What is a book with a really powerfull villain that you've read ?

PRESIDENT SNOW from The Hunger Games. I hate him omg

Seventh doctor : What is your favorite adult or dark book ?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It's an amazing thriller.

Eighth doctor : What is your favorite romance novel ?

That's very weird, I know, but I used to be a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, I've read most of his books and my favorite was Safe Haven. I'm sorry all you romance fanatics out there.. I'm just blank and I can't think of anything.

War doctor : What is a book you wish you could forget you've ever read ?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I hated that book.

Ninth doctor : What is a book that made you pick up a genre again ?

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, it made me fall in love with Sci-fi/ fantasy.

Tenth : What is your favourite super-hyped book ?

Sorry guys, it's The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I know this is SUPER-HYPED, but I loved it before everyone on Earth loved it. It's so unfair, I know people who read it before it was famous can relate..

Eleventh doctor : What is your favorite children's or middle grade book ?

This is easy. Matilda by Roald Dahl. My ultimate favorite childhood book. Next to that is The Witches, also by Roald Dahl.

Twelfth doctor : what new release are you anticipating ? 

This book has already been released, but I'm dying to get my hands on The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey, which is the 5th Wave book #2. Aghh can't wait for it to hit Egypt already..

I hope you liked that tag everyone :)
Have an awesome day

-J 

Tag: WOULD YOU RATHER..

Hello guys! I've seen this awesome tag going around on booktube but I really don't know who it was created by.. I'm sorry for not giving you credit, whoever you are. Anyways, here are my answers! Enjoy :)

Would you rather..

1. Read only trilogies or stand-alones?

I would rather read only trilogies, although this was a hard question but I enjoy living in the story more, and connecting with the characters on a more personal level. Don't get me wrong, I do love stand-alone novels, BUT I just fly through them too quickly..

2. Read only female or male authors?

I hate this question. Seriously though, why the discrimination? That's so mean. I must say that one should never pick his books by the author's gender but, most of my favorite books are by female authors so I'm going along with female.. it really aches me that I left out some good books by male authors but I had to choose. Sorry..

3. Shop at Barnes & Noble or Amazon?

Actually neither because I live in Egypt and it's like living in Narnia. I get to pay A LOT of money for shipping, therefore I get to buy my books from actual bookstores and online book shopping stores here in Egypt.

4. All books become movies or t.v. shows?

This one's also tough. I'd rather have all books become movies because I feel that tv shows can ruin a book for me, the longer the show gets the more off track you go from the book script so I'll go with movies BUT STICK WITH THE BOOK. ALWAYS.

5. Read 5 pages per day or 5 books per week?

Honestly, who would pick 5 pages a day? This would kill me. My curiosity won't allow this, I would rather make it through 5 books a week and I would actually LOVE that.


6. Be a professional reviewer or author?

My dream is to become a professional author, it's something I really aspire to become someday. At this very moment though, I'm content with reviewing books, I love doing that. It's a hard thing to do guys, leaving out the spoilers kill me every time.

7. Only read your top 20 favorite books over and over or always read new ones that you haven't read before?

I won't limit myself therefore I'd definitely only read new books that I haven't read before because honestly, I haven't read my favorite books more than once. I remember doing that once or twice but I don't like that. What if I reread it and hated it? I'd be too scared.

8. Be a librarian or book seller?

I'd rather be a bookseller. Imagine owning your own bookstore.. wow a dream come true

9. Only read your favorite genre, or every genre except your favorite?

Again with limiting myself, I hate it so I'd rather read every other genre except my favorite. Sorry YA, but I actually would experiment with more genres maybe then I'll fall in love with another genre that I didn't know I loved so much. Maybe? I'd like to think that. That question hurts.

10. Only read physical books or eBooks?


I shamefully read less physical books than ebooks. I know I'm bad, but they're just MUCH MORE CONVENIENT.. I'd hate for my book to be tossed around and to be taken everywhere I go and I love always having a book on me so ebooks are my main. Physical books are the bomb to own, imagine having a million physical books. That's the dream.. BUT the question says "read" not "own", so I'd own the physical copy and read the ebook. Yup, I'm sly.


So these are the questions to the tag, I hope you've enjoyed reading my answers and I'd like you to leave in the comments bellow your answers as well! I would love to read them and discuss them with you :)

Have a great day bookworms x