The Fairytale Survery Part 1

Hi, Eleanor here!
I found this feature on The Daily Prophecy and thought it looked rather fun so here it is...The Fairy Tale Survey, Part 1. Part 2 will follow.

Classic Princesses:

Pinocchio – The boy whose nose grows when he lies.
Is there a book you lie about reading, because you feel ashamed for liking it?

I'm not really embarrassed by any of the books that I have read. I think that reading is a very personal thing and although there may be books I wouldn't brag about reading (for example some of the samey, trashy vampire romance books that I love so much) if someone asked me outright I would never lie.

Beauty and the beast – The girl who fell in love with personality.
Which book do you love that has a hideous cover?

Hideous is a very strong word, I'm going to go for a book I love that has a slightly-boring-and-not particularly-striking-in-my-opinion cover. 'Partials' by Dan Wells. I love love love this book but just feel that the cover is a little dull. I don't think that having people on the front cover of a book looks very good, maybe it's just me. Saying that, you cannot see the person's face (the ultimate cover sin) plus I do only have this book on kindle so have not seen the cover on a real life book.

Snow white – Hunted down for her beauty.
Do you ever buy a book based on the cover alone and if so, what is the last one?

This is going to have to be a really boring answer when I say that no, I have never chosen to read a book because of it's cover. I, occasionally, pick up a book at random from the library and borrow it but this has nothing to do with cover. I am not an overly artistic person and so the cover doesn't mean too much to me. However, it is always nice when a book has a nice cover i.e. Wonder by R.J Palacio.

Sleeping beauty – Cursed to sleep, awakened by true loves kiss.
What is your favorite book couple?

I am going to say Jace and Clary from the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. But only from the first trilogy, in the second I think it all gets a little silly. (I have not read 'City of Heavenly Fire' yet though, so the series could still redeem itself!)

Little Mermaid – Gave up on her old life for love.

Do you ever branch out to new genres or do you like to stick with the ones you know and love? If you try new things out, what is the latest book?

My absolute favourite genre is dystopian but I do love a paranormal romance too. Although there are plenty of those out there, I do like to branch out and find different things quite a lot because I find the story lines of the books I love to read can sometimes become a little repetitive. Recently I have read 'The Rosie Project' by Graeme Simsion, which was different to what I normally read but still amazing! I have also read and loved 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern, 'The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared' by Jonas Jonasson and 'Timeriders' by Alex Scarrow.

Cinderella – Who lost her shoe after midnight.
What is the last book that made you stay up all night?

I recently read 'Shadows' by Paula Weston and absolutely loved it. I haven't yet reviewed this book but the two installments of the trilogy that I have read so far are very good and I would definitely recommend them.

Rapunzel – locked up in a tower.
What are some of the worst books you read last month?

Last month I started a book called 'The Key to Erebus' by Emma V. Leech and Roisin O'Connor, a book which I had heard good reviews about but that I just could not get into. The story is very fantastical with vampires, fairies, witches, the usual lot, a genre which I do usually really enjoy but in this particular case I found the main character quite dull and the plot didn't grip me at all. I hate not liking a book as I feel as though I have failed to understand the author/s and so I may go back to this book one day and find I love it, we'll have to see.

What do you think of this survey? Have you read any of these books?

Top Ten Books We've Read This Summer

Top Ten Books We've Read This Summer is this week's addition of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish.

Eleanor:

I have read pretty much nothing for about the last two months as I've been in extreme revision and have only left the house for exams... (I want to say 'hahaha kidding' but I'm sadly not) However, today my exams finished, which means I can start reading again. Woop woop. So as I haven't been reading this summer yet, here are three books I will be reading...

1. The Rosie Project by, Don Tillman -I've heard some good things about this book and it looks so feel-good and funny.

2. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare -because the wait is finally over!

3. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon -I'm not sure how I haven't read this book because it's been out for quite a while. But soon I will have.

  

Bronte:

4. After the End by Amy Plum. I really enjoyed this new book from Plum - it was just as amazing as the Die for Me series!

5. Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt. My review for this is coming on Thursday but this book was great - I liked it even better than Send Me a Sign which I also loved.

6. Thats actually all the books I've read this summer (because of exams etc) so I am going to pick my favourite book of last summer which was: Wonder by R.J Palacio. This book was something special and different but still completely enjoyable, although emotional.

  

Izzy:

7. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles- I heard so many good things about this book- and to be frank, I was a bit disappointed. We'll have a full review up for you guys soon where I'll go into more detail but it was a shame.

8. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore- I liked this book, and was a good start for me to try and read more adult books, though to warn you this is not a lighthearted summer read! It was interesting, and definitely made me think as well as having me choked up at moments. Although I won't be re-reading I can see myself thinking about this book for a long time.

9. Sort of cheating as I'm only halway through but- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book is not fun and games either but the characters are all incredible so far, flawed but relatable. Also I feel so dumb for never realising Nigeria even had a civil war in the 1960s. To hear history of other countries in novel format is always so interesting for me.

  

Hope you enjoyed this week's Top Ten (Nine) Tuesday, have a great week!

Top Ten Most Unique Books We've Read

A Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by BrokeandBookish. This week, the most unique books we've read.

Bronte:

1.Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, definitely. Its just so different to any other love story that I have ever read, but its so unique in the best way possible! Loved it.

2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. This is because I think that it is based on something real that is not often written about. I mean, most people don't have an odd face but many have something else that makes them different or 'not perfect' which is really relatable, but not often available to read about - therefore I loved its unique and utterly brilliant story line.

3. Matched by Ally Condie. Its a very different dystopian style book that makes it stand out from others of its kind.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I love this book, and the film for that matter just because it is so unusual. Charlie is such a wonderful character that I loved reading about.

5. Before I Die by Jenny Downham. I think it was such a unique way or portraying what a girl would be feeling if she was dying from cancer and only had a few months to live. Perhaps a little more realistic than others.

6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have never read anything like it since really. Its just so perfect.

7. Angel by L.A.Weatherly. It is different to most paranormal books i.e. its not all about vampires and werewolves.

8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Such a wonderful story that has the 'you will never forget it' aspect.

9. The White Giraffe by Lauren Oliver. This was a childhood favourite of mine and I just loved it - it was actually the book where I discovered my love for reading.

10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I loved this story and thought that it was so fascinating that it was actually based on a true story, and that it actually happened. Its interesting to see that period through the eyes of a child.

 

Cover VERSUS Cover #1

This is the first in a series called cover versus cover. For this first post, the covers are all from books we have reviewed so far...

1.                         vs               

Bronte: This Is What Happy Looks Like

Izzy: Wonder

Eleanor: Wonder

2.                         vs               

Bronte: Send Me a Sign

Izzy: Ketchup Clouds

Eleanor: Ketchup Clouds

3.                         vs               

Bronte: Clockwork Angel

Izzy: Clockwork Angel (darn we all went with the same!)

Eleanor: Clockwork Angel

4.                         vs               

Bronte: Die For Me

Izzy: Divergent

Eleanor: Divergent

5.                         vs               

Bronte: The Fault in our Stars

Izzy: Uglies is actually probably more eye catching for me, but I prefer The Fault in Our Stars so much more! Still, Uglies.

Eleanor: The Fault in our Stars

What features on a cover make you pick up a book? What do you want us to review next?

Wonder, R. J Palacio

Wonder by R.J Palacio reviewed by Izzy

What is this book about?
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
Who should read this book?
I'm finally able to say all teenagers. Thank gosh. Man, that's a huge relief. BOYS, YOU CAN READ THIS ONE TOO.

How long is this book?
313 pages

Marks
Story Line:   9/10
Well written:  4/5
Enjoyability:  4/5
Overall:  17/20

Star Rating: 4 Stars.

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

It's a toss up between the obvious choice of Auggie and his sister Via. I'm thinking Via because she's my age, so we'd have more to talk about. I still feel as hard as her parent's try Via is always going to be slightly overlooked and overshadowed. Also in the book she seems so sweet and smart. I like sweet and smart people.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw teat at?

Julian's Mum. You can almost forgive Julian for his stupid behaviour. He is 10 years old and doesn't know any better. One of the things his Mum does though just made me cry my eyes out. And made me really, really want to throw tea on her.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

I'm a big fan of the cover, especially as it's repeated throughout the book. Definitely very eye catching, certain to make you pick it up in your local Waterstones (UK) or Barnes and Noble (USA).

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

I like the title, I do. I like how it ties together at the end. However I think a different title might have been better. Something about a standing ovation maybe?

Question 5. Favourite quote!

"Everyone should get a standing ovation at least once in their life."

Overall: This is the first book ever that has made me cry happy tears and sad tears (also angry tears.) Definitely a... I want to say emotional roller coaster but the phrase is so clichéd and over used. An experience? I don't know, all I know is that this book is special and you won't have read anything like it before.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?