2018 Anticipated Reads

This year flew by so fast, and it's time for the list of my most anticipated reads yet again.

In the beginning of December I made a recap about all the anticipated reads of 2017 I had yet to read, and other books I still wanted to get to. link. Left from those are still these books:

> From my 2017 anticipated reads left to read & get:

        > Solutions and Other Problems (hasn't been published)

        > Now I Rise
        > Lucky in Love
        > The Gatlon School for Vigilantes
        > Renegades (Got for Christmas)

> Top 3 books I still want to get to:

        > There's Someone Inside Your House

        > Eliza and Her Monsters
        > Pallokala

As for new releases of 2018 that I'm excited for:

Smoke in the Sun by Reneé Ahdieh

Read on lovelies,

S

Making the Monster : review

Kathryn Harkup

Making the Monster: the Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

*ARC kindly provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*

Publication: February 6th 2018

 SUMMARY
Based on the tale of Frankenstein, and on Victor finding the thing that makes a difference between life and death. True stories that might've inspired Mary Shelley and a take into her life, from the same author as A is for Arsenic.

Goodreads' link to the book!
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Stars: ✦✦✦✦.5

So as usual, I'll tell 4.5 things I liked about the book and 0.5 thing I didn't like.

Like Harkups last novel A is for Arsenic based on Agatha Christie and the poisons she used (link to my review), this book was filled with science.

This book went through lots of aspects including science at that time and to my great interest: things that might've inspired her.

The thing is though, Frankenstein has such a rich history because though it's science fiction, it has some bits that have been regarded as almost fact.

I learned a great deal from this book, and not all of it things I though I might learn, so to say it surprised me is an understatement. Do note that it isn't exactly a bedtime story.

So what did I think?

+1 | The science. This book was stuffed to the brim with information, just like I hoped!

+1 | The book delved into inspiration: real experiments and interesting facts - also from the future since the publication of Frankenstein, which I though brought a great perspective.

+1 | Not only did it explain experiments and science, Harkup also discussed places and people, again also from later times.

+1 | Mary Shelley's life, family history and connections were presented with fascinating facts told.

+/-0.5 | The writing was gripping, but the pace, since it is scientific, won't be to everyone's liking.


All in all, I can only imagine the work that has been put into this book and I think it is vital to fans of frankenstein or to those whom are just fascinated by science.

Captivating read about science and inspiration, Harkup excelled in portraying the feelings and setting of Frankenstein. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am keenly waiting for what is yet to come!

Read on lovelies,

S 

Christmas Book TAG

Match a book to its perfect Christmas song:
Original by HaileyinBookland on BookTube

I tried matching them to ones I read this year, but couldn't do that for all of them.

1. “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch”: Name a villainous character you couldn’t help but love.
Rumpelstiltskin. He was such an interesting one, and I liked to hate him.

2. “All I Want for Christmas is You”: Which book to you most hope to see under your Christmas tree?
Renegades by Marissa Meyer, I think that was the only one I actually asked for this year

3. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”: Name a character that overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves.
Genevieve Grace from This is How it Happened

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”:

a) Which character do you think would be on the top of the naughty list?

Wicked Witch of the West

b) Which character do you think would be at the top of the nice list?

Ella, from Cinder and Ella or Ella Enchanted actually

5. “Frosty the Snowman”: Which book just melts your heart.

Geekerella

6. “Feliz Navidad”: Choose a book that takes place in a country other than your own.
Well there are only a few books that take place in Finland that I've read so I could choose pretty much anything. ´
One from my TBR: Boy at the Top of the Mountain takes place in Germany

7. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”: Which holiday themed book do you use to spread the Christmas joy?
Christmas Carol is a good one. Also my favorite books to read during the winter break is Harry Potter

8. “Sleigh Ride”: Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with (doesn’t have to be a love interest!)
The Weasley family.
Yeah now I'm just thinking about HP...

9. “Baby it’s Cold Outside”: Which book that you didn’t like would you sacrifice to a fire to warm yourself up in the cold?
My most recent unhaul was: My True Love Gave to Me. There were only a few stories that I really liked, so I could spare those to the end.

10. “Do you hear what I hear”: Which book do you think everyone should read?
I think this is the hardest one, since everyone is so different. So maybe a Dr.Seuss one with something to learn? Or a classic? Hmm I don't know

Read on lovelies,

and happy holidays!,

S

Bookish DIY and Gifts

These are all bookish examples of things you can make/DIY
(or buy if you don't have a crafty thumb)
and potentially gift a book lover.

Also check out these links for more ideas and pictures:

Bookish.com

Buzzfeed, Penguin, Bustle

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Bookmarks
Tassled
Hogwarts house
Favourite quote
Yearly read count (print a bookshelf and color them or write numbers)
Book characters and relations that you add to while you read. Like a sort of family tree whilst reading

amazon.com

Decor
Arrows pointing to fantasy lands (narnia, hogwarts, wonderland, Emerald City, Neverland, the Shire... anything you want)

themerrythought.com

Hogwarts house ornaments

Old book...
...Pages into quotes
...Pages into necklaces
...Letter - book cut sideways
...Word - by folding the pages


Tote or shirt (now you might be wondering how on earth this could be easy, but you can actually buy this paper that you can print on and then iron on any shirt/bag/pillowcase)

architechtureartdesigns.com

zazzle.com

Pouch (for a book or kindle)

Literary coasters


Bookends

Hope this gives you some inspiration!

Read on lovelies,

S

Popular Books I Didn't Like

I saw BooksandLalas video about going to Goodreads and seeing the books rated lowest on average that you really liked, and decided to see if I'd be surprised by the ones on my Goodreads.

Well turns out it wasn't too interesting, and nothing really surprising so I flipped it over:


Popular Books I Didn't Like
> So all the YA books rated above 4 on Goodreads, that I rated below 3:

City of Heavenly Fire 4.48 vs. 2
Saga 4.43 vs. 3
Between Shades of Gray 4.36 vs. 2.5
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 4.34 vs. 2
Ready Player One 4.31 vs. 2
Into the Wild (Warriors) 4.29 vs. 1
Matilda 4.29 vs. 2
I Am the Mission 4.19 vs. 1
Through the Ever Night 4.17 vs. 2
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Graphic Novel 4.12 vs. 2
Diary of a Young Girl 4.10 vs. 2
Boy: Tales of Childhood & Danny  4.09 vs. 1
Rebel 4.05 vs. 2
Coraline 4.03 vs. 2
The Maze Runner 4.03 vs. 2
Christmas Carol 4.02 vs. 2
My Life Next Door 4.02 vs. 1
Half Wild 4.02 vs. 1

End of the Year Reading Plans

At the start of the year I made some goals and certain books I wanted to read, so let's see how I've done so far and what books I should really get to, now that December is just around the corner.

So I am aware that as far as reading goes, this hasn't been a good year. I had finals, and entrance exams, a new school, new subjects etc. so I'm not surprised. I will definitely try to read more next year...


> Classic every month hasn't been going well, with only a couple classics read this year

> My 2017 TBR challenge is at 17/25

> My TBR itself is at 16 unread books (not counting classics)
    ^from which my oldest books (books gotten before this year)
       > My True Love Gave to Me
        > Frost Like Night

> From my 2017 anticipated reads left to read/get:

        > Solutions and Other Problems (hasn't been published)

        > Now I Rise
        > Lucky in Love
        > The Gatlon School for Vigilantes

> Top 3 books I still want to get to this year:

        > There's Someone Inside Your House

        > Eliza and Her Monsters
        > Pallokala

...but I'll most likely end up rereading some Harry Potter books, like always at the end of the year

Read on lovelies,

S