Book Tag: The Book Courtship Tag

The Reading Pile has taken inspiration from the vloging Book Tag community over to the blogging world. Like her I'm not actually going to tag anyone but you're more than welcome to give it a try like I have just head over to her page and leave a link in her comments or in mine as I'm nosey and love to know what everyone else has done.

Over at The Reading Pile she has done the posts every Thursday and has already done a few so I thought I would go through the ones she has already done and do the ones I like the look of.

My Book Tag post this week is: The Book Courtship

Phase One - Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - From the very first moment I saw this book I fell in love with it and jut had to have it. I'm just glad the story was as stunning as the cover.

Phase Two - First Impression: A book that you got because of the summary

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I hated the cover for this book but because of the summery I decided to buy it as it sounded so good. Below is the summery to see for yourselves.

Winning means fame and fortune.
Losing means certain death.
The Hunger Games have begun....

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

Phase Three - Sweet Talk: A book with great writing

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - I don't usually take notice of the different writing styles only what I like or dislike in the actual story, that was until I read Shatter Me. Shatter Me has a very unique writing style that jumps off the pages. It's easy to love this book just because of the great writing.

Phase Four - First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pursue the rest of the series

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - I've read so many first in the series books that have made me want to read the rest of the series, so it was hard to choose one. In the end I went for Perfect Chemistry as I haven't used this book in previous book tag posts. I absolutely adored this book that I just had to get the rest and I'm so glad about a fourth book on the horizon.

Phase Five - Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night long

Beastly by Alex Flinn - I don't really read books if I'm tired so no book can keep me up all night even if I wanted to, however, Beastly was such a quick and easy book to read that I read it in a day.

Phase Six - Always on my mind: A book that you could not stop thinking about

Come Back To Me by Mila Gray - I absolutely adored this book and it was a book that brought all the feels. For some books I forget what happened and just remember if I loved or hated it but with this book I remember everything about it. Even a year after reading this book I still find myself thinking about it.

Phase Seven - Getting Physical: A book in which you love the way it feels

Talon by Julie Kagawa - I usually love the feel of velvety book covers but there is a lot of those on my shelf so in the end I went for Talon. The reason why I went for this one was because all those scales on the cover is raised so when you run your hand over it feels as though there are scales. I haven't read this book yet but I know that when I do I will be stroking it whilst reading it.

Phase Eight - Meeting the Parents: A book in which you would recommend to your friends and family

 
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - CoB will always be one I would recommend to everyone I even got my family reading it.

Phase Nine - Thinking About the Future: A book or series that you know you'll reread many times in the future

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase - This has to be with out a doubt one of my all time favourite book. I loved every minute of this book and I have already reread it and I know I will be reading this one over and over again. I love this book that much that I could have said this book for every phase in this book tag.

Book Tag - Inside Out

The Reading Pile has taken inspiration from the vloging Book Tag community over to the blogging world. Like her I'm not actually going to tag anyone but you're more than welcome to give it a try like I have just head over to her page and leave a link in her comments or in mine as I'm nosey and love to know what everyone else has done.

Over at The Reading Pile she has done the posts every Thursday and has already done a few so I thought I would go through the ones she has already done and do the ones I like the look of.

My Book Tag post this week is Inside Out:

1. Joy - What book brings you the most joy?

The Substitute by Denise Grover Swank - This was such a funny and light hearted book, I would definitely recommend this one if you need a little pick me up and watch out for Megan's Grandmother she was hilarious.

2. Disgust - Which book grossed you out?

At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey - The thought of anyone selling their virginity disgusts me and yes I knew that was what the book was about but I thought maybe it would be written in a way that would make me understand where the character was coming from but it never it just left me feeling disgusted in the character.

3. Fear - Which book scared you the most?

The Departed by J.A. Templeton - I don't read scary/horror books and generally stay away from them so the most creepiest book I've read would be the MacKinnon Curse. This series did have a bit of a creepy factor with ghosts that where evil and I would say that the more I went into the series the creepier it got with this one (book 3) scaring me a little.

4. Sadness - Which book made you cry the most?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I cried like a baby at certain points in this book it was just so sad I couldn't even stop crying once I put it down.

5. Anger - Which book pissed you off?

Avoiding Commitment by K.A. Linde - Everything about this book got my back up. The characters really did piss me off with all their back and forwards with one another and all the cheating they just didn't fit together yet they kept going back for more heartache.

Changing Covers #2

Hi everyone welcome to my new weekly feature which all about covers that change either in the middle of the series or even when the series had finished. (The covers will mainly be UK changes but also from the USA.) I decided to do this feature as there has been so many cover changes it's hard to keep up.

I am not sure if anyone has done this particular feature so feel free to let me know so I can start linking it up to them. It is similar to other features that are out there but I'm hoping that this is different enough.

 

 

UK (Old)            UK (New)          Film Tie-in

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

 

With this series it took me a long time before I even wanted to read this series and that has everything to do with not liking the old UK covers. I just found them ugly and I know your not supposed to judge a book by it's cover but I did (still do) and it wasn't until everyone kept telling me to read this series that I finally caved. I am glad I did cave but once the series was finished and I had them all they go and change the covers which I much prefer. The new UK covers are simple but beautiful I wish I had these covers and I probably will get them at some point. Although now that the films are coming out they go and change them again to tie in with the film but I do love this particular one as it's more eye catching. With only one film out at the moment the other covers are yet to change but if they are anything like this tie in one then I will probably get these versions.

 

 

So that's my thoughts on this series cover changes, what do you think? Do you agree with me? Or do you disagree? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Book Cover: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

For the first time for my book cover posts I am going to talk about a book cover that I hated even if it's still on my book shelf!

They say don't judge a book by it's cover well I do always have and always will (no I haven't learnt my lesson). It took me a long time before I even thought about reading this book as I couldn't stand the cover everyone kept telling me how I should give it a chance but I just couldn't, but, then after more time passed and more people telling me to read it I thought I would give it a try and I'm glad I did as this story far outshines this particular version of the cover.

To me this cover seems like it's aimed at younger boys below the ages of 12 yet when reading the actual book that isn't the case but this cover just doesn't portray this.

I think the boy in the centre of the book is supposed to be Peeta but I for one can not see this boy as the lovely Peeta. Don't get me wrong the illustration is very good they must be very talented to be able to draw something like that but come on he is no Peeta!

The only thing I kind of like about this cover is the target around the guy as that is in keeping with what is happening within the book.

I think I would have liked the titles' font if it wasn't for the silhouette in the middle of one of the letters as I don't think it looks right.

There are now so many different versions of this book and trust me when I say they are far better than this one and at some point I will be changing to the newer better looking covers. When I read this book I just feel embarrassed by the cover I feel like I should put something in front of it.

This is one of those covers that I don't like but who agrees or disagrees with me let me know your thoughts.

Top 10 Tuesday #11

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday everyone involved in the TTT will make a list of that weeks topic.



This weeks topic is: Kate's Top 10 All Time Favourite Characters

This one is a toughie but one that I just had to do. Some of them has more than one in the same spot but they needed to be there together. Click on the blue part to take you to Goodreads to find out more about the series.

1. Jace/Clary from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: Both these characters are my all time favourites as they both bring out the best (and sometimes the worse) in each other. Jace has always been my favourite male character but when he is talking or thinking about Clary he shows a more vulnerable side to him.
2. Nicholas/Lucy from Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey: Another two that I have chosen together as I just loved it when we first meet these two when in the same room it is really funny and I love to be able to laugh out loud when reading.
3. Loki from Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking: Loki isn't in the first one but we do meet him in the second. The very first moment we are introduced to his character I fell for him straight away. He is funny but he also has a serious side to him. He was a great addition to this series.
4. Jocelyn from The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers: I love Jocelyn's character because of everything she goes through throughout this book and she still keeps going shows an inner strength that I think is needed in a strong female character.
5. Will from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: I love Will's character as he would do anything for Tessa even if it means hurting her. In the second of this series we see such a more softer/vulnerable side to him which makes me love him all the more. My heart does break for him as well!
6. Claire from The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine: Claire is such a strong character in this series she seems to be the one keeping people alive.
7. Peeta from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Peeta from the moment you see him you just know he loves Katniss and he would do anything for her.
8. Harry/Ron/Harmione from Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling: I love these characters the same amount especially when they are together they have a great partnership and I love some of the one liners each of them says.
9. Rose/Dimitri from The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: These two characters are just strong minded and I just love the chemistry between them both. I love the series even more when it's scenes between the two of them.
10. Patch from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick: I love Patch even if I am never sure if he is good or bad I just love the presence of him in this series.

So that's my top 10 characters, what's yours?

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #22

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Starters by Lissa Price

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Currently Reading

Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

Not a bad start but it's very confusing but with me not being to far into it I think it will start to explain things throughout the book.

Fated by Alyson Noel

Again I am not that far into this book but what I have read sounds interesting so I will be looking forward at what is going to get uncovered.

Reading Next

Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan

Mortal Kiss by Alice Moss

 I have had Mortal Kiss on my shelf for a while now so I thought I best get it read as it does sound good. To be honest I can't remember what Gift was about but I'm sure it sounded good otherwise I wouldn't have requested to read it.

That's what I am planning on reading this week. What are you guys reading?

Film Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

(May contain spoilers)

Director: Gary Ross
Writers: Gary Ross (Screenplay), Suzanne Collins (Screenplay, Novel), Billy Ray (Screenplay)
Stars/Characters: Jennifer Lawrence/Katniss, Josh Hutcherson/Peeta, Liam Hemsworth/Gale, Stanley Tucci/Caesar Flickerman, Wes Bentley/Seneca Crane, Elizabeth Banks/Effie, Woody Harrelson/Haymitch, Lenny Kravitz/Cinna
Cinema Release: 23rd March 2012
Date Watched: 23rd March 2012
Rating Given: ****


When I first heard about this book being made into a film I was so excited as it's one of my favourite books. When the release date kept getting closer and closer I was starting to get a bit worried about it as a lot of the book is Katniss thoughts but seeing the trailers I was quite impressed.

I absolutely loved the film it was a great adaptation from book into a film better than some films that was first books it could have gone so wrong but it never did.

I loved that there was extra scenes that wasn't even in the book it made it a bit easier to understand and it was nice to see the games getting sorted out it added a great touch that I actually wished was in the books. I think this would have worked better because it had Collins who knows what these people was thinking rather than someone who had no idea and just guessed what would have been happening.

Although it was easier to understand there was bit's that did confuse my mum who hasn't read the books and I had to explain some things while driving home so only then did she get the meaning of everything. My sister who I also went to see it with found it predictable and she also hadn't read the books. I found some of the scenes not portrayed as good as what they could have and some of my favourite bits from the book was not in the film which I was a bit disappointed about.

The part with Rue was done so beautiful all three of us was crying it was just so touching.

The casting I kind of loved as they was casted perfectly I couldn't imagine anyone else for any of the characters the did a wonderful job at portraying characters that we all know and love. I think that maybe Peeta could have looked different but he too did a great job at acting him I eventually believed him.

Overall a great film with a few minor casualties.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #21

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Interrupted by Rachel Coker

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Currently Reading

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Not a bad start and now things are really starting to pick up in pace lets hope it continues!

Starters by Lissa Price

Decent start to the book although I'm not entirely sure where it is going just yet but I'm not that far into it yet so maybe things will start to happen soon.

Reading Next

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I am still debating on whether I should re-read this book before I go see it on Monday I think it will come down to how fast I can finish up the book that I am currently reading.

Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

Fated by Alyson Noel

That's my week of reading sorted what's yours?

Top Ten Tuesday #9

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday everyone involved in the TTT will make a list of that weeks topic.



This weeks topic is: Top Ten Books To Save If My House Were Abducted By Aliens (or any other disaster struck)

This is a real toughie as I have quite a few favourites and most of them are series so what I will have to do is class the series as one otherwise this list would never end!

Here goes nothing!

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: My all time favourite series that I just couldn't go without!
2. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: Another favourite of mine and I can't leave Will behind!
3. The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers: Technically I would be saving my laptop for this one until I got a hardcopy of it but I just have fallen in love with it and it is up there with Cassandra Clare books.
4. Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey: I haven't even caught up with this series yet so I would have to save them all just so I knew what happened with all the Drake's!
5. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick: This series I would have to save as they are my all time favourite book covers that it would be a crime for them to be destroyed!
6. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles: I love this series and it was the series that made me venture into knew genre's. It just has to be saved!
7. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles: Again I love this series and it would be a crime to be left behind!
8. The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine: I love the series and the covers enough said!!
9. The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: Another favourite series of mine and I would make sure the last one was there as the cover was different to the rest of them and it's beautiful.
10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Stunning series and even though the last one wasn't as good it's still one of the best series around and it always gets a reaction.

I love all these books and I would just have to save them as they are well worth the risk! There is also a lot of books that I haven't even read yet and maybe I would try and sneak them with me as well!!